Promise not kept

Apropos of the editorial ‘Punjab Budget’, that the main focus of the Budget is on education, health and infrastructure is welcome. On the whole, the Budget inspires confidence in the people of Punjab. However, the AAP government should reflect on its shortcomings. What about the much-anticipated monthly honorarium of Rs 1,000 for women above the age of 18 years? That was a key poll promise made by the party. And since it is the Women’s History Month, the announcement would have been met with a positive response from the public. Further, the Punjab Government must take some steps to check the growing debt burden.

Sudesh Kumar Sharma, Kapurthala

Ex-servicemen get raw deal

Refer to the news report ‘Punjab Budget: Defence services welfare gets Rs 77 cr, down Rs 7 cr’; over a period of time, the Punjab Government has put the welfare of ex-servicemen on the back burner. It is astonishing that even though Punjab is a border state, which has the second highest number of ex-servicemen in the country after Uttar Pradesh, the allocation of funds for the delivery of welfare services for veterans and their dependants has been cut down from Rs 84 crore in the 2023-24 fiscal to Rs 77 crore during the 2024-25 fiscal.

Lt Col JS Dullat (retd), Patiala

Shehbaz must reassess priorities

With reference to ‘Shehbaz in the saddle’; it is disappointing to see Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has assumed office for the second time, draw parallels between the situation in Kashmir and the Gaza Strip. It is unfortunate that he recently called for a resolution in the National Assembly for the freedom of Kashmiris. He must not continue harping on about the Kashmir issue or spewing venom against India. PM Narendra Modi, by sending just a brief, one-line congratulatory message to Shehbaz on being sworn in, has made it clear that India will not bow down to Pakistan. Instead of bringing up the Kashmir issue again and again, Shehbaz should focus on the welfare of the Pakistani people.

RK Arora, Mohali

No hope for end to terrorism

Refer to ‘Shehbaz in the saddle’; in Pakistan, where overtly or covertly, the army is always in the saddle, it does not really matter which party wins the election. The Pakistani economy has been in a mess, thanks to gross mismanagement and rampant corruption. It is obvious that the political leaders across the border bank on jingoism and faux nationalism to distract the masses from the failures of the government. The changing of the guard in Pakistan does not bring any hope of an end to cross-border terrorism.

Hira Sharma, by mail

Little room for rapprochement

Apropos of ‘Shehbaz in the saddle’; the reason behind the curt manner in which PM Narendra Modi extended his greetings to Shehbaz was not lost on anybody. By raising the Kashmir issue, the new Pakistani PM has ruined the possibility of mending fences with the neighbour. With the General Election fast approaching in India, nothing substantial is expected on the diplomatic front. Moving towards a friendlier approach seems to be an uphill task. As things stand, the Kashmir issue is likely to be brought up over and over again.

Brig Gurwant Baghiana (retd), by mail

Women not safe in India

With reference to ‘Jharkhand horror’; the safety of women has long been a concern in India. The gangrape of the Spanish woman in Jharkhand’s Dumka district has tarnished the image of our country. Not only does the episode renew questions about the safety of women, but it is also likely to have a profound impact on the tourism sector. Stepping up security and ensuring stringent punishment for the perpetrators will go a long way in preventing such incidents. Any crime against a foreign tourist casts a shadow on India’s image and has international repercussions. The authorities concerned must make efforts to deter criminals.

Ankita, by mail

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