IMA must pitch in

It has been reported that all districts in Punjab are facing a shortage of ventilators. In this connection, it is laudable that the local unit of the IMA has offered ventilators and services of doctors from eight private hospitals to meet any emergency related to Covid. Deputy commissioners of each district should prevail upon their respective IMA units to come forward to help with ventilators and the services of private doctors. It will go a long way in easing the situation at government hospitals, or alternatively, the IMA units should come forward on their own to offer their services.

KK Mittal, Bathinda

Take up pending cases

Reference to ‘Judiciary needs to use lockdown period for hearing old cases’ (April 6); in the wake of the pendency of cases, it is indeed a thoughtful idea to utilise the competence of judges as an opportunity to lower the heaps of case files on matters which can be readily and swiftly jettisoned. Certain matters can be disposed of on the basis of the settled law, especially when many of the petitioners are no more to pursue their grievances. The judges can use the easy availability of information and communication technology to lessen pendency.

Charupreet K Lamba, Chandigarh

Cut tax to boost spending

Apropos the outlook by the Asian Development Bank for India’s economy for FY20 (April 5), the GDP is expected to decrease to 4% from 5.1% (as expected earlier). This year is all set to pinch the pockets of the people. Corona pandemic has occurred at a time when our trade and commerce sector was already struggling. In order to bring the GDP back on track, the government should cut the tax rate and other impediments to trade, so that everyone can contribute their best towards the economy.

Rajkirat Singh, Muktsar

Strive to be self-reliant

The article ‘Arrogant China, defiant Pak’ (April 6) exhorts the world to reduce manufacturing dependence on China. Currently, Covid-19 challenge, originating from Wuhan, is looming large over health and economy across the world, and if a lesson can’t be learnt now, it can never be! Strangely, despite having enough capacity in commerce and industry, India, too, has been for long outsourcing even petty goods to cut costs. Coronavirus pandemic has awakened all to reorient strategies while addressing their basic needs. To be strong and self-reliant, India will have to boost indigenous industry through fiscal reforms, technology upgrade and by streamlining labour policy.

Nirmaljit Singh, Kapurthala

China can help us

Apropos ‘Arrogant China, defiant Pak’ (April 6), China’s ability to provide the much-needed medical aid stood out in contrast to the lack of help from western nations struggling with the virus themselves. European and US solidarity does not exist. It was a fairytale on paper. In this crisis, the only country that can help us is China. s

Harmohit Singh Saini, Gurdaspur

Missing daily papers

I have been unable to lay my hands on a newspaper for many days now. Reading papers daily is not just a habit, but an addiction. It is wrong to disrupt the circulation of print media. During such times, gossip and propaganda become the gospel truth. The lockdown seems to be showing results. Hope we are able to get out of the woods soon. Though the sagging economy will be a big challenge, let us keep our fingers crossed for decent recovery from the bottom of the pit.

Devinder Garg, Chandigarh

Regenerating nature

In response to the editorial ‘Nature redeems, rejuvenates’ (April 6), Covid-19 has again proved the importance of nature in human life. Our interference towards the flora and fauna has resulted in natural and man-made disasters. Man is solely to be blamed. Once this crisis ends, we will again go back to the old ways and forget Mother Earth. Let us redeem our pledge to nurture and rejuvenate our surroundings so that the bounty remains replenished.

Jasvinder S Humsafar, Maloudh

Academic concerns

Apropos ‘Will ensure there’s no academic loss: Pokhriyal’ (April 6), the statement given by the minister revealing that the Centre would take a call on the reopening of educational institutions if the lockdown is lifted shows the government’s concern for students currently facing an academic predicament. It’s appreciable that the government is trying to come up with plans keeping in mind the severity of the pandemic. It is a tedious, yet necessary task to strategise and come up with scholastic plans to avoid any academic loss in case the lockdown extends beyond April 14.

Maitri bhardwaj, Patiala

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