Not ready for reforms

Apropos of ‘Scrap laws, Badal writes to Centre’, the advice of the nonagenarian leader from Punjab is not only well-meaning, but also timely. Undue obstinacy may only lead to further alienation of the agitating farming community, and hence needs to be avoided in the larger national interest. The farm legislations only triggered a spontaneous outburst of the frustrations of the farming community facing an unjust system for quite some time now, leading to their chronic indebtedness and pecuniary ruin. Diversionary tactics aimed at polarisation, dividing the people and painting the mass movement as anti-national, will only prove counterproductive. The government is in a tearing hurry to tick its wish list without taking the intended beneficiary into confidence. It is now clear that the farming community is not yet ready and must be given more time to make it a willing partner in the reforms process.

Gp Capt JS Boparai, Una

Let MSP stay

Prime Minister Modi says reforms are very much required. With a similar argument, he introduced GST in place of the outdated VAT, but gave exemption to petroleum products on the demand of the state governments. Similarly, in the new farms laws, MSP should remain in force wherever the state governments demand.

Naresh Johar, Amritsar

Shun arrogance

The basic concept of democracy seems to have been violated by passing the farm laws that are not in favour of a majority of the farmers. The government must consider their demands and not be adamant. Corporates have benefited earlier also and these laws point in the same direction. Let good sense prevail.

MS Tandan, Ambala Cantt

Bandh affects economy

Most of our farmers have no knowledge of the farm laws. Some representatives of the kisan unions are leading the movement. Many parties have supported the bandh. Farmers have already declared that they would not politicise their movement. The government should call for an all-party meeting to resolve the issue. Farmers should also make up their mind to negotiate. The general public should not suffer as bandhs hurt the economy.

Rohan Kumar, Mohali

Assuage fears

Apropos of ‘Glaring flaws in farm laws’, the reason for the current stand-off is that while the earnings of farmers, in absolute terms, have risen for some crops, the increase in input and labour costs has meant lower returns, and profitability has shrunk. The government should set the MSP, as without that, market prices can crash. In recent years, paddy, groundnut, sunflower seed and rapeseed/mustard have sold below MSP, while maize, jowar, cotton, wheat and barley have sold above MSP. Farmers, who do not get the benefit of MSP, still get better remunerative prices, only by bypassing the commission agents. Agricultural GDP today is 16%, but it involves 50% of the country’s population. Hence, the government needs to pacify the farmers.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

For the sake of justice

Refer to the article ‘Of sippers and straws’; in a large democratic country like ours, free, fair and an impartial judiciary is the only hope for millions. Unscrupulous politicians have an eye only on their vote bank. A corrupt bureaucracy has lost its credibility as it listens only to the diktats of its political masters for fringe benefits. It is the judicial obligation of the courts to undo a wrong in the course of administration of justice or to prevent the continuation of undue judicial process. The whole idea is to do real, complete and substantial justice for which they exist. Failure of the judicial system means collapse of society.

Anil Bhatia, Hisar

Govt interference

Reference to ‘IIM autonomy’; devaluing institutions by taking away their autonomy is completely wrong if we wish to attain global standards in education. Institutes won’t be able to practise independently in the wake of political interference. The government needs to rethink before acting against its own rules and visions.

Shivani Bansal, Rampura Phul

Central Vista

Apropos of the editorial, ‘Central Vista project’, while the world is focused on the pandemic and has put on hold all non-essential projects, the Centre presses ahead with the controversial project. Though the Supreme Court expressed displeasure, importantly, it refused to stay the foundation stone-laying of the new parliament building. The government must use the money intended for the project on those whose lives need to be stabilised.

SS Paul, Nadia

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