Manna for Bihar, morsel for Punjab

Refer to ‘There’s something special about Bihar’ (The Great Game); Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s lavish transfer of Rs 7,500 crore to Bihar’s women, even as Punjab’s flood-hit millions await a paltry Rs 1,600-crore relief, speaks volumes about the Centre’s priorities. Poll-bound Bihar’s 75 lakh women have been given special treatment. Meanwhile, Punjab reeling from floods, gets a lecture on caution, homework and delay. Is compassion dictated by the ballot, not calamities? The Punjab Assembly’s plea for the urgent release of Rs 20,000 crore remains unanswered. Manna for Bihar, morsel for Punjab: the contrast is stark. Does justice discern between need and vote? Such biased generosity undermines unity, and history will not forget who was acknowledged and who was ignored.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Disturbing the level playing field

The only eligibility for the PM’s munificence is the upcoming poll in Bihar. The announcement of several new projects worth thousands of crores in the poll-bound states is not a new thing, but transferring Rs 10,000 each in the accounts of some 75 lakh women, right before the polls is something unprecedented. The poll-targeted measure will put Opposition parties in the state at a disadvantage. The biggest concern for democracy, however, is that the ruling dispensation, with its financial muscle, is disturbing the level playing field in its favour in Bihar.

Hira Sharma, by mail

Brazen attempt to bribe voters

With reference to the article ‘There is something special about Bihar’; it is crystal clear what the Rs 7,500-crore bonanza is aimed at. Using such tactics shows how desperate political parties have become to retain or gain power that they have to bribe voters with money under the garb of welfare schemes or freebies. Should the Prime Minister not set an example of fair elections? It is high time the people of the country started working towards creating a merit-based narrative for electing their representatives.

Neelu Singh, Phagwara

Fix accountability for floods

Refer to ‘Cong seeks inquiry by HC judge into release of dam water’; the Bhakra Beas Management Board has clear jurisdiction and powers to regulate monthwise release of water in accordance with seasonal requirements. Yet, political interference has crippled its functioning. The distribution of Ravi-Beas waters is guided by the Punjab Reorganisation Act, not arbitrary board resolutions or partisan diktats. However, the deliberate refusal or delay in releasing 8,500 cusecs of water aggravated the floods, exposing how political leadership, whether in Delhi or Chandigarh, played with precious lives in Punjab. Will accountability be fixed of those in power who allowed this avoidable disaster?

Amarjit Singh, Mohali

Integrated operation of dams

The excessive releases from the reservoirs of Bhakra-Nangal, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams, built across Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers, led to flooding in Punjab. The three rivers are inter-connected and there should be integrated operation of their reservoirs by the respective state governments and the BBMB during the depletion and filling periods, keeping in mind irrigation and power needs, and inundation in floodplains.

GR Kalra, Panckhula

One of the best fighter jets

With reference to ‘After the MiG-21’; a ceremonial farewell was given to the fighter aircraft at the Chandigarh airbase, from where it had begun its historic journey in 1963. Every Air Chief has, at some point in his career, served in a MiG-21 squadron. One of them has said that it was one of the finest fighters he had flown. MiG-21 was in service for the longest period in the IAF. It took part in the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan, the 1999 Kargil conflict and the Balakot strike in 2019. No other fighter jet has such a glorious history. An order has been placed with the HAL for the supply of 97 Tejas MK-1A jets to replace the MiGs. HAL should try to stick to the projected timeline, so that the replacement schedule of the IAF does not face disruptions.

Wg Cdr CL Sehgal (retd), Jalandhar