Encourage crop diversification

Apropos of ‘MSP proposal’; the intensive use of fertilisers and pesticides has not only led to the exploitation of natural resources but also to marketing hazards. The deteriorating soil health and depleting water table are already serious concerns in Punjab and Haryana. The diversification to non-water-guzzling crops won’t pick up as the prices of different commodities have not been uniform. To stabilise prices of agricultural produce, MSP has to be implemented uniformly across the country. The current uproar among farmers in India has wider ramifications. The legal MSP framework for a variety of produce will broaden the choice for farmers to adopt other crops. This would accelerate crop diversification and thus help make farming a viable venture.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath, Kapurthala

Stopgap measures not enough

With reference to ‘MSP proposal’; the growers have rejected the Centre’s offer to procure five crops on minimum support price (MSP) for five years based on a contract system and decided to resume their march to the national capital. Tentative proposals to pacify the agitating farmers are not a solution. The lack of a viable, long-term policy is to blame for the farmers’ plight. It is incumbent upon the government to strike a balance between the interests of farmers and consumers. The issues raised by farmers need to be handled sensitively. There is a need to break the stalemate, which has caused a massive inconvenience to the public.

Roshan Lal Goel, by mail

Farmers targeting BJP govt

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s plan to gherao houses of BJP leaders in Punjab in a bid to press the Centre to accept the farmers’ demands, including providing a legal guarantee for crop procurement at the minimum support price and waiving their loans, does not make sense. It may be recalled that the Congress had not accepted the MS Swaminathan formula on MSP calculation during the UPA regime. Why don’t the growers stage dharnas in front of Congress leaders’ houses and offices? Why are the tillers just targeting BJP leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha elections? It seems like the agitating farmers have a political agenda against the Narendra Modi-led Central Government.

Chander Jyoti, New Chandigarh

Don’t politicise the case

This refers to the editorial ‘Sandeshkhali row’; West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee once said that her dream was to build a nation where no woman feels unsafe, all are treated equally and no oppressive forces divide the people. ‘Ma Mati Manush’ (Mother, Motherland and People) is a political slogan that the Trinamool Congress chief herself had coined. But the ground reality in her state is something else, it seems. The fact that her party supporters obstruct officials from discharging their duties is a matter of grave concern. The CM would do well to take the allegations seriously and not politicise the matter.

Subhash Vaid, New Delhi

Mamata’s response a letdown

With reference to the editorial ‘Sandeshkhali row’; West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s comment that her detractors are making a mountain out of a molehill is condemnable. She is not treating the case with the seriousness that it deserves. It is unfortunate that she is using the controversy to target the Opposition, especially the BJP. As a self-professed champion of women’s rights and as a woman herself, she should ensure a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. Further, in view of the recent cases of female inmates getting pregnant, the CM must take steps to ensure the well-being of women prisoners.

Chaman Arora, Ferozepur

Beware of the Dragon

Refer to the article ‘India must be wary of China’s global security plan’; the Dragon’s Global Security Initiative (GSI) might be a ploy to spread its influence worldwide. Beijing’s hostile relations with most of its neighbouring nations, such as India and Bhutan, and its unilateral claims over the South China Sea raise questions about its moral authority to spearhead such an initiative. India must keep tabs on the GSI, and consider forging regional partnerships and enhancing its defence capabilities.

CS Mann, Una

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