CM’s NOVEL WAY TO AID FARMERS

ON the issue of inadequate price for paddy in Panipat’s food grains market, Chief Minister ML Khattar advised the farmers, “You should convert the paddy into rice at a local level and sell it at a higher price.” The farmers took the advice with a pinch of salt. However, the CM’s novel idea went viral in no time. JP Dalal, Agriculture Minister, in an interview to a local channel was asked, “How do you plan to double farmers’ income by 2022 as proclaimed by the Prime Minister?” The minister said, “The gram (chana) is selling at Rs 40 per kg and Dal (pulse) of gram at Rs 80 per kg. Therefore, the farmers should grow gram crop extensively and then grind it to convert it into dal and sell it at double the price. “I discussed this strategy with some of the farmers in my village, but they laughed it off”.

RN Malik, Gurugram

STREETLIGHTS GO OUT IN WEE HOURS 

IN the wee hours of morning, when people go for a walk or exercise, street and park lights are switched off in Sector 9, main shopping complex area, causing inconvenience to early-risers. Also, 50 per cent of the lights are non-functional. I appeal to authorities to do the needful. Ganesh Nagpal, Ambala City

UHBVN REDRESSAL SYSTEM of no use

THE Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam changed my mechanical meter on August 28 and installed its own electronic meter. The nigam issued itself a meter change order (MCO) under the signature of the Bijli Nigam ALM and my signature, while showing the reading of my old meter in the MCO. However, the UHBVNL hasn’t supplied the bill for the current period (August 26 to October 14). On November 4, I lodged a complaint with the UHBVN call centre, Mohali. Later, I visited the SDO sub-division-1, Rohtak office, where I got a shock on discovering that I have been billed for over Rs 4 lakh for two months period as against my normal bill, which ranges between Rs 2,500 to Rs 6,000. Written complaints were lodged with SDO, XEN and SE on November 5, but to no avail. The call centre sent me messages stating the percentage of the work done. However, it turned out that the connotation of “the work done” was “your complaint has been sent to the Rohtak SDO Office.”As suggested I contacted the Haryana government Saral Kendra at Panchkula, where I was told “We can do nothing. Only Rohtak SDO can redress the grievance”. A call at the UHBVN HQ, Panchkula, also turned out to be futile. Dr Prem Singh Dahiya, Rohtak 

NO ARREST WARRANTS FOR FARMERS  

STUBBLE-burning is being attributed as the main reason for alarming pollution levels in northern cities. Everyone knows that the practice is harmful for both humans and animals, but we are helpless. I request officials to take preventive measures to address the issue, instead of issuing arrest warrants against the farmers. . 

Pankaj Kamboj, Pinjore

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