Promote FPOs instead

I read with interest the article ‘MSP is aspirational for most crops’, but beg to differ on the MSP argument. If a law is made on MSP, who is going to police it? Does the government have enough resources to buy, store and market all the agricultural produce? It is a far-fetched idea. We have seen schemes like PDS and midday meals using rotten grains. We have also seen the ‘efficiency’ of some government departments. The writer should motivate farmers to establish Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) at Ballari and at other mandis, instead of asking them to confront the government. He can make his vision a success in two years by promoting FPOs rather than a law on MSP.

Suresh Menon, CHANDIGARH

Employ other means

Reference to the farmers’ move to block Delhi entry points; it is debatable whether the demands of the farmers are genuine or not, or if the government is on the right path. However, one thing is certain that the public moving to and fro from the Capital is being harassed for no fault of theirs. Hundreds of people commute daily to the Capital. People are already troubled by restrictions due to the pandemic. Many patients requiring medical treatment go to Delhi for checkup. The farmers are putting the common man at inconvenience. The farmers should, instead, gherao the residences and offices of ministers and cut off the supply of essentials to ministers and members sitting in Parliament.

Surinder Kumar Mahna, Karnal

Bharat Bandh, why?

Bharat Bandh, fine, but against whom? Some farmers’ unions have called for Bharat Bandh on March 26, when all transport services, including road and rail, and business establishments will remain closed. The question is, what harm has Bharat done to them? The government of the day is not Bharat. The common man and economy will be impacted adversely, which will only add to the woes of the people.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Covaxin shines

It is heartening that the performance of the Covaxin made by Bharat Biotech has been appreciated by the prestigious Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal (‘Covaxin shows potency’). Now when all dust has settled, we all should get inoculated enthusiastically at the earliest. Mass vaccination is the only way to control this pandemic, but we must also continue taking preventive measures.

Sunil Chopra, Ludhiana

Congress must correct course

Apropos of ‘Chacko quits on Kerala poll eve, says no democracy left,’ the Congress is not a sinking ship. It is floundering because of its ‘age-related’ faults and factors. Whether it is his resignation or the rumblings of the Jammu caucas, the forebodings are being ignored by the party top brass at the cost of its very survival. There is a spate of pieces of advice to the Congress on how to correct the course, but are the quarters concerned ready to pay heed?

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Online exams in schools

Refer to ‘Students, teachers main drivers of Covid spread in state’; the situation is alarming but the Punjab school education department is silent on the issue. KVS is conducting online exams for nursery to class VIII for the safety of students. Punjab schools should also conduct online exams, but the DPI (Elementary) has forced students of classes V and VIII to go for offline pre-board exams. Preparations are on for offline final exams from March 15 (nursery to class VII) and March 22 (for class VIII). A large number of students are corona positive as per the above report, and it is a matter of concern.

Devinder Sahni, by mail

Undo pension injustice

Apropos of ‘Poll-year populism’, the Budget indeed has something for virtually every section of society. It has brought hope to many deserving sections of society in the present pandemic crisis. We must appreciate the efforts of FM Manpreet Badal in providing some cheer to farmers, women, freedom fighters and writers/authors through the Budget. Education nevertheless is essential for every individual and those imparting it need to be recognised for their worth. Nearly a decade back, a grave injustice was done to retired teachers of aided colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh by repealing the pension scheme. The needy and aged teachers were expecting the present government to undo the injustice by offering relief in the form of a token honorarium.

UMA JOSHI, Chandigarh

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