Dog lovers must adopt strays

Refer to ‘Let evidence offer ways to handle strays’; it is not only rabies, but violent encounters with strays that is a matter of concern. All stakeholders, especially the government, have failed miserably in controlling the stray dog population. Civic bodies need to generate and spend funds and effectively enforce vaccination and sterilisation measures to cover more than 80 per cent of the canine population. Stray dogs need to be relocated appropriately and as humanely as possible. Animal rights activists and dog lovers should come forward to adopt at least two strays each.

Vitull K Gupta, Bathinda

Adopt latest agri techniques

Apropos of ‘A roadmap for Punjab’s economic revival’; being a flag-bearer of the Green Revolution, Punjab became the nation’s food bowl. This glory can be restored with renewed efforts to address farmers’ needs sympathetically. Agriculture sector has been relegated to the background by successive governments while it should have been a top priority. The government should bring in the latest scientific farm techniques used in developed countries. Bank loan disbursement and recoveries should be streamlined. MSP should be announced and disbursed for commercial crops.

BM Singh, Amritsar

Counselling needed too

Haryana’s Community Service Guidelines, 2025, mark a welcome shift from punitive to restorative justice. Mandatory psychological counselling and value-based education should complement community service to address root behavioural issues. NGOs, RWAs and educational institutions must be made stakeholders. Skill development programmes should be started so that the jail inmates become employable later.

Amarjit Singh, Mohali

Converting punishment to duty

With reference to ‘Justice beyond bars’; Haryana’s community service guidelines are a bold step. Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment reminds us that true redemption lies not in confinement but in conscience. Actor-singer Lindsay Lohan’s much-discussed community service showed how correction can be reoriented to contribution. Jacques Derrida spoke of justice as an infinite responsibility and Mahatma Gandhi envisioned it as transformation rather than retribution. Michel Foucault, meanwhile, warned of prisons becoming instruments of control rather than reform — a cautionary note that makes Haryana’s decision all the more significant.

Harsh Pawaria, Rohtak

Bills becoming political tools

Apropos of ‘PM, CM, ministers go if held for 30 days for grave offences; 3 Bills to be tabled in LS today’; though projected as a step towards accountability, in practice it risks becoming a political weapon to tame Opposition-ruled states. The example of then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who continued functioning from jail despite arrest, had unsettled the ruling establishment. If such Bills are passed, Central agencies like the ED or CBI could implicate leaders under provisions carrying five years or more of punishment, leading to removal from office and destabilisation of elected governments.

Ramphal Kataria, Kurukshetra

Change SOP for floodgates

Opening of the floodgates of the Sukhna Lake at 3.45 pm and 5.15 pm on Tuesday caused a lot of inconvenience to residents. The floodgates should be opened around 1 am so that the water recedes by 5 am and there are no traffic problems. The administration needs to change the standard operating procedure.

SS Bansal, by mail