Legalising MSP problematic

The legalisation of MSP for wheat and paddy can have long-term implications. Strict quality standards will be enforced by the Food Corporation of India, which will only accept Fair Average Quality (FAQ) produce. This means that any crop with excess moisture, foreign matter, varietal admixture, shrivelled grains or diseases will face severe price cuts or outright rejection. These deductions will significantly reduce the actual price farmers receive, leading to financial setbacks instead of gains. Furthermore, unpredictable weather conditions and fungal diseases could further complicate the situation. In 1977, untimely rains led to widespread crop damage, but the Punjab Government was able to intervene in procurement. However, under a legal MSP framework, even the state government will be unable to bypass strict procurement rules, making it difficult to support farmers in distress. Farmers must reconsider the demand. Legal MSP may introduce challenges that outweigh the expected benefits.

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Manmohan Singh, Chandigarh

Global strategy for AI

Refer to ‘AI summit’; AI is a double-edged sword raising the spectre of mass unemployment, deepfake manipulation, cyber warfare and autonomous weaponry. No single nation, however powerful, can unilaterally contain these perils; AI governance demands a unified global strategy. The Paris AI Action Summit has underscored the necessity of cross-border cooperation to establish ethical guardrails, ensuring responsible innovation. Without a binding international framework, the AI race will spiral into chaos, exacerbating inequality and geopolitical instability. Nations must resist the lure of unchecked competition and commit to collaborative governance, securing AI as a force for progress rather than a menace.

Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar

Big data centres required

Apropos of ‘AI summit’; it is encouraging that several countries gathered in Paris on a single platform to safely and sustainably utilise AI’s potential in a variety of fields. The exponential growth of data generation necessitates the need for data computation skills, big data centres to store large amounts of data and, most importantly, less expensive energy sources to maintain data centres. India possesses the necessary skills, but it will require technological cooperation with developed countries to establish such sizeable centres in India.

Harvinder Singh Chugh, Jalandhar

Restore trust deficit in Manipur

Apropos of ‘Too little, too late’; Manipur CM Biren Singh’s decision to resign came after the Supreme Court’s intervention. He seemed to have seen the writing on the wall. With no clear consensus on his successor, the Centre might impose President’s rule. The crucial question is how to address the Meitei-Kuki ethnic conflict. The immediate priority for the Central leadership must be the swift disarmament of insurgent groups to curb violence. However, the larger goal is to restore the lost trust between Kukis and Meiteis.

PL Singh, By mail

Centre must do more

With reference to ‘Too little, too late’; Biren Singh continued as Chief Minister despite the fact that Manipur burnt for 21 months under his watch speaks of indifference not only on his part but also his political masters in New Delhi. Far from dousing the flames of discord among two major sections of Manipuris, Biren played a partisan role in the conflict, fanning the flames by standing resolutely behind his Meitei community. His exit is a positive development but there is much more to be done. The initiative has to come first from the Centre.

Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai

AAP needs to do groundwork

Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to summon all Punjab AAP MLAs to Delhi after his party’s defeat in the Capital raises important questions. Shifting focus from Delhi to Punjab seems concerning. Punjab’s voters elected AAP with high expectations. Interference from the Delhi leadership will undermine the autonomy of the Punjab Government. It would appear like an extension of AAP’s central command. Kejriwal and his team should prioritise on-ground engagement in Punjab. Strengthening local leadership and addressing governance challenges will help more than holding discussions.

Kavneet Kaur, Ludhiana