Farmers being mistreated

Apropos of ‘Make the farmer feel heard & honoured’ (Nous Indica); it is a pity that farmers protesting for their demands, which are justified, are being tear-gassed and hit with rubber bullets. It is a great insult to the farming community. The denial of MSP for the crops is the stumbling block. A legal guarantee for MSP for their produce will not only encourage the growers to opt for diversification, but will also protect them from corporate exploitation. Politicians are making promises to farmers, but there is no point in all this unless the tillers are respected and taken care of.

Advertisement

Darshan Singh Bhathal, by mail

Onus on farmers to cut costs

With reference to ‘Make the farmer feel heard & honoured’ (Nous Indica); the author has tried to make a case for supporting farmers and providing them with remunerative prices for their produce and cited the case of farmer Gurpreet Singh to highlight the plight of cultivators in general. However, we must understand that it is up to the growers to reduce the costs of farming and control wasteful expenditure. The tillers must use indigenous technology. It is high time farmers stopped asking the government to fulfil all their demands and instead improvise to cut costs.

Ravinder Mittal, Ludhiana

New model need of the hour

Refer to ‘Make the farmer feel heard & honoured; the article noted that kinnow is selling at Rs 3-10 in the Abohar mandi, which is probably the biggest trading place for the fruit in the world. The same is the case with other fruits and vegetables throughout the country. Late Punjab agriculture secretary MS Gill had introduced the concept of Apni Mandi in Chandigarh and other cities three decades ago, enabling farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers. It benefited both the growers and the farmers. The experiment has been a roaring success. If the Amul model has not been entirely successful, some other model has to be devised through consultation with farmers.

RN Malik, Gurugram

Enforce ban on manja

Refer to the editorial ‘Hazardous kite string’; the severe injuries and deaths caused by the Chinese manja are worrisome. There have been numerous cases of birds and animals getting hurt after being entangled in the string. It is clear that the ban on the string, which has been in place since 2017, is not being strictly enforced. Coated with glass, this string is not environment-friendly. Anybody who is caught using the manja should be penalised. Government authorities, NGOs and citizens should carry out awareness campaigns to highlight the dangers of the string.

Subhash Vaid, New Delhi

Weaponisation of agencies

Apropos of the editorial ‘Congress on I-T radar’; in a politically motivated move, the I-T Department has raised a demand of Rs 210 crore in penalty and dues from the grand old party. The action seems disproportionate to the charges. It is a matter of concern that just weeks before the Lok Sabha polls, the main Opposition party in the country finds itself in the crosshairs of a Central agency. The high-handed action is clearly meant to rattle the Congress. Any disparity in access to funds can create political inequality and, hence, affect electoral outcomes. The misuse of Central agencies to target critics of the government is undermining the political system.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Display of maritime might

Refer to the editorial ‘Naval prowess’; ‘Milan 2024’ holds significance for many reasons. It is undoubtedly a grand exercise, with participation from over 50 nations. It highlights India’s growing might on the high seas. It will definitely build trust and coordination among the participants to ensure maritime security and stability. The event assumes even greater importance in view of the current geopolitical tensions and attacks by Houthi rebels and Somali pirates in vital waterways like the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. This get-together of the world’s major naval powers for a common cause will also send a strong message to our hostile neighbours.

Priyanka, by mail

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit.

These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com