Leaning towards private sector

Apropos of ‘Private sector deserves equal opportunities: Modi’, the farmers cannot be blamed for the import of edible oils. They raise various crops keeping in mind input cost, viability and large consumption. It is not wise to force them to sow oil seeds, which may benefit the government, but not the farmers. It is a wrong assumption that money saved on edible oils will go into the pockets of farmers. Can the government force the corporates to produce the items being imported from China? Private sectors get many concessions, tax relief and incentives. What more equal opportunities do they need? The government may give any opportunity to private sector but not at the cost of agriculture. Let them compete with China and reduce imports.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), by mail

Landmark decision

‘Waiver to fraudster a fraud on investor’ is a landmark decision by the High Court on the working of banks. This discretionary action of bank authorities has told upon the internal and entire financial health and given an impetus to NPAs, ultimately affecting the common person. Some habitual borrowers have become accustomed to this system and look for an opportunity to make hay. Such waivers are not conducive for banks and society. The court has shown austerity by involving the administration, police and judiciary for effective examining, observance and monitoring, respectively. In no case should a genuine borrower suffer.

GIAN P KANSAL, AMBALA CITY

Soft spot for Rajoana

What is the rationale behind the demand for the release of Balwant Singh Rajoana, the professed killer of former Chief Minister Beant Singh and 16 others? Astonishingly, the demand has been made by none other than SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur. Though any killing must be condemned, yet these are particularly troubling, since the killer and his victims are Sikhs. Rajoana has never expressed any remorse for his heinous crime and never apologised to the families of his victims. Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, the assassin of Robert F Kennedy, has been in jail for 53 years, never paroled even once. No Arab country has made a demand for his release even though he is a Palestinian. I find it objectionable that the SGPC, supposedly a religious body, would even consider to defend Rajoana in the court of law, let alone spend Rs 11 lakh at his each court hearing. I, as a Sikh, find it unacceptable.

Hardev Singh Grewal, California

Largest zoo

Reference to ‘RIL to set up world’s largest zoo in Gujarat’; no zoo can simulate nature. Captivity itself amounts to physiological and psychological stress in animals. It would be worthwhile if RIL adopts Gir Asiatic Lion National Park and Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary, which are world famous and only habitats for these species. RIL can also fund captive breeding laboratories for endangered species from where they can be released in respective native habitats.

RS Kishtwaria, Palampur

Remove poll posters

It’s appreciable that after the declaration of results of the MC elections in Punjab, the newly elected councillors are expressing their gratitude to supporters of their respective wards through road shows. They should also help the administration to remove all election posters and banners from walls and public places.

Devinder Ratti, Zirakpur

Content to be ‘babus’

Apropos of ‘From “steel frame” to babu’; the rot is at the root but the cause lies elsewhere. The cause is the chronic virus of the spirit of subservience spread across the body politic. This is a pandemic against which ‘the only vaccination is your conscience or your will to stand up and speak the truth to power’. But who will give the dose to the unwilling ‘patient’ who is rather gaining at the cost of non-deliverance of the dose? And if the bureaucrats have no gumption to raise their voice against the derogatory term ‘babu’ used for them, how can they be expected to speak the truth?

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Disability Act anomaly

As per the Budget proposals, two banks are to be privatised. There is an anomaly which exists in Section 30 of the Pension Act. If a disabled takes premature retirement due to total incapacitation after the completion of 28 years of service, he/she is denied notional benefit of five years of service in the pensionary benefits. The anomaly exists since 1996 when the Disability Act was passed in 1996. But it still exists even after passing of the disability Act 2016. Before the privatisation of banks, the anomaly must be removed.

Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar

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