M A I L B A G

Price rise must be controlled

THE factors responsible for inflation have remained the same over the past few months. Prices of primary agricultural products, vegetables, eggs, oilseeds and spices as well as those of certain manufactured articles have remained high, despite recent measures to increase the supply of these articles at an affordable price.

It is felt that both supply side constraints and high aggregate and demand are behind the recent price surge. Whatever the reason, the burden of inflation mainly rests on the poor. Therefore, the need of the hour is not Keynesian aggregate demand management policies but classical aggregate supply corrective measures.

IQBAL SINGH SAROYA, Mohali

II

Price rise pinches every common man. The Centre presented an irresponsible budget adding to the woes of the common man. The Union Finance Minister has failed to understand the ground situation.

Essential commodities must be available at reasonable prices. A national debate is needed to bring down the prices. Common people, intellectuals, social workers, Opposition leaders, economists including the government should participate in the debate for an affordable  price structure.

Reasonable pricing of essential commodities should be on the top of the UPA government’s agenda. The common man should not be cornered and harassed because of the government’s failure.

D. KISHAN PRASAD RAO, ICFAI, Hyderabad

III

The price rise and wages in the country confirm the ever-widening vicious circle of prices and inflation. The Centre has totally failed to check the unprecedented price rise. When the Centre fails to check inflation and grants more DA, this, in turn, leads to price rise.

Though price line is the lifeline, the government is doing little to hold it. Unfortunately, Nature has always dominated the country’s food production even after 60 years of Independence. Farmers are  at the mercy of Nature and its  benedictions.

Clearly, checking prices is more important than giving doles to government employees and pensioners.

Y.L. CHOPRA, Bathinda

IV

The common man is stung by price rise. Wasteful consumption in marriage palaces and parties on retirement etc push demand for cereals, vegetables, oils and other items. The Guest Control Order should focus on these functions where the gathering should not cross 100.

Secondly, overuse of petroleum products for transport, farm sector and industry also increases the cost of living and inflation. The oil import bill swells. Money flies to the Gulf countries. The oil subsidy adds to the price line. Poor  riding surface of roads lowers  fuel efficiency.

Thirdly, wrong policies encourage unbridled growth of the auto industry. Overuse of automobiles cause pollution and health hazards. Fourthly, free electricity and its misuse cause power cuts and shortage to the farm sector and industry for employment. Pumping water in every house adds to the power bill. The design of water supply  pressure from overhead tanks  also needs review.

In fine, to sustain our false ego, we consume everything in excess and blame the government for shortages. Austerity is the only answer to hold the price line.

Lt-Col DAYA SINGH (retd), Bathinda

Pension to Army jawans THE Army jawans deserve 50 per cent pay as pension, but why are they reluctant to join the paramilitary forces? Joining these units will help them complete 33 years of service and earn pension. Though 10 per cent posts are kept reserved for the Army personnel, very few accept this offer because the paramilitary jawans’ life, unlike in the Army, is tough with hardly any amenities and peace-time postings. Jawans, after their stint in the Army, should join units like the BSF, the CRPF, the ITBP and the CISF. Some personnel from technical branches can be transferred to Ordnance depots. As regards officers, most of them complete 33 years of service except those who retire as Time Scale Lieutenant Colonels. Let them also be transferred to paramilitary forces for absorption as company commanders in the rank of Deputy Commandant, a rank equivalent to Major. Basically, Time Scale Lieutenant Colonels are Majors; they don’t command a battalion on regular basis and, even when re-employed in the Army, are appointed against posts tenable by Majors. BRIJ RAJ, Mississauga (Canada)