MSMEs in dire straits

Refer to ‘Short shrift to social sector’; the act of omission in the Budget is with regard to MSMEs. While the government was keen on the recovery of large industries, the segment which roughly contributes 30 per cent of the country’s GDP, and employs about 11 crore people, got a short shrift with an allocation of a mere Rs 15,700 crore. The pandemic killed 1.5 lakh people in India last year, but many times that number of MSME units died in the period or are in a critical stage, rendering crores of people jobless. The government must rethink its approach towards the sector.

SS Paul, Nadia

Enhanced allocations

Reference to ‘Big push for healthcare, infra’; the higher expectations of various sections of society, particularly the middle class notwithstanding, the enhanced allocations for healthcare, infra and agriculture sectors in the Budget proposals for 2021-22 underline the commitment of the government to build a stronger and resilient health system, better transportation-connectivity network, and uplift of the agricultural sector, which may subsequently facilitate in curbing unemployment by creating more jobs. The salaried class may feel dejected with the proposed taxing of the interest on employee’s PF share above Rs 2.5 lakh.

KK Sood, Nangal

Budget doesn’t enthuse

Healthcare, education and unemployment should have been the priorities, but ruefully, the FM has hardly touched upon them. Boost in healthcare has been highlighted, but it is unclear. Hospitals in urban areas lack the required infrastructure, latest technology devices, specialist doctors and regular paramedical staff. The condition of primary health centres in rural areas can be well deduced. As regards quality education, government as well as private schools are being run from crumbling buildings without necessary infrastructure and amenities, and with skeletal staff. Under such circumstances, quality education is a distant dream. It needs heavy budget allocation. Unemployed youth have degrees but no jobs. This is the reason why our educated, unemployed youth are shifting to foreign lands in search of suitable jobs.

Raj Kumar Kapoor, Ropar

Mixed signals

The news report ‘10-tier barricading at Tikri border’ elicited nothing but pangs of regret. On the one side, the PM is all for a debate on important issues, and has also declared that for the Agriculture Minister is just a call away; and on the other, this fortified barricading by the authorities. What message does it give? It is time to pave a smooth and hassle-free path for discussion to end this imbroglio. Tit-for-tat policy can have a vitiating effect.

Sunil Chopra, Ludhiana

Harassment of farmers

Apropos of ‘Spikes come up at Tikri border; concrete barricades at Singhu’, the Bahadurgarh MC has called back its sanitation workers from the Tikri border. This is not good. Further, the public health department of Haryana has stopped water supply to farmers, making things difficult for them. It is not right to stop drinking water for anybody. Learn from Bhai Kanhaiya in history, who offered water even to enemy soldiers injured during a war. And here, farmers are not our enemies. Farmers are still putting up a brave face and tolerating all this.

Vidwan Singh Soni, Patiala

Bold and beautiful

The Tribune celebrating its 140th Foundation Day with a pullout is heartwarming for its readers. The paper is bold, beautiful and balanced. I started reading this illustrious newspaper on the advice of my English professor, when I joined college in 1960, to hone my writing skills. This 60-year-old love affair is growing with each passing day. The pullout was so engrossing that I have given it to be bound into a booklet.

Surindra Lal, by mail

Addicted to The Tribune

The Tribune pullout on the occasion of its 140th anniversary gave a brilliant history of the newspaper, of which I am a voracious reader for the past more than six decades. Like Partap Singh Kairon’s ban on publication of reports on Punjabi Suba agitation during the early 1960s, I am reminded of Bansi Lal getting miffed at the fearless criticism of his working by The Tribune. Covert instructions were received, whereby Haryana Government officers discontinued subscribing to the paper for a short while. I remember visiting friends and relatives just to read the paper. The Tribune in the morning is far more addictive than a drink in the evening!

Adarsh Jain, by mail

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