Vaccine scepticism

Apropos of ‘Need to address scepticism over Covid vaccines’, vaccines in the past have caused mild to severe reactions, but in all such cases, there was no extraordinary alarm and fear to discontinue the vaccination programme. Then why scepticism now? The world is fed up with Covid-related precautions, restrictions and lockdowns. Businesses are closed or half shut, resulting in job losses and economic slowdown. There is haste to roll out vaccines. This has led to cutting short development procedures and consequent adverse reactions in trial participants. To overcome fears, some leaders had volunteered to take first shots, like Joe Biden, Putin, and Netanyahu. Why are political leaders and top dignitaries of India not taking the first shots to instil confidence in the public?

Col Pritpal Dhillon (Retd), Chandigarh

Charade of consultations

Apropos of ‘Congress tears into govt affidavit’, the Model APMC Act in 2003, and another model law in 2017 have been included among consultations on farm laws. An RTI application filed in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare last month revealed that ‘there is no information available as to the dates of meetings, names of unions or others and proceedings relating to the consultations with farmers unions’. The draft laws were not uploaded on the ministry website. A committee of four persons, including two farm leaders and two economists, all vocal supporters of the new laws, has been set up. One member has recused himself. The new laws are premised on the doctrine of laissez faire so far as the corporates are concerned. India has regulations even for the use of mobiles, but not for agricultural marketing, as per these laws. The farmers are dubbed bhramit (misled) by the establishment. Nobel Laureate Theodore Schultz, in his treatise, ‘Transforming Traditional Agriculture’, found that the farmers in India are economically efficient, though poor. Our farmers can’t be led up the garden path. Strengthening of the agricultural marketing network, as per the Swaminathan Committee report, should be accorded high priority.

Prem Singh Dahiya, Rohtak

Dictating terms

The farmers’ unions are adamant to dictate their terms not only to the elected government, but also to the SC. It is a grave threat to our democratic setup. A former PM, Lal Bahadur Shastri, had aptly remarked: ‘The rule of law should be respected so that the basic structure of our democracy is maintained and further strengthened.’ All must keep it in mind.

SK Sharma, Mumbai

Hema Malini ill-informed

Refer to ‘Protesters unsure of what they want’; Hema Malini is right in the sense that she is very sure of what she wants to get by making this comment on farmers’ historic protest and keeping the Central government in good humour. One does not start appreciating the problems of farmers by marrying a farmer’s son from Punjab. She should visit the farmers’ protest site and listen to what they have to say. Her comment is a reflection of her being both partisan as well as insulting to the entire farming community.

Nirmal Singh, Patiala

At receiving end

Refer to ‘Specialist doctors not paid salary for the past 5 months’; clerical mentality is an excuse that in appointment letters proper mention doesn’t exist about allowances to be paid. How harsh it is for the doctors can well be imagined. Action without any delay is needed to release the salaries as an ad hoc arrangement. A similar case in respect of about 200 contract computer teachers in UT government schools has been hanging fire since June 2020, where first no salary was paid up to October, followed by verbal release orders from job w.e.f November 1. Now they are running to the judiciary, CAT, etc. as there was no response from the education department. How can society expect sincere services from doctors or teachers in such a vicious administrative atmosphere?

JS Jassal, Panchkula

Adultery in armed forces

Apropos of ‘Don’t decriminalise adultery in armed forces: Centre to SC’, it is a welcome move by the government to safeguard the ethics and sanctity of camaraderie among members of the armed forces. Such a judgment may cause instability, as defence personnel are expected to function in peculiar conditions, during the course of which many a time they have to stay separated from their families for long durations, when they are posted on borders or other far-flung areas or in areas with inhospitable weather and terrain. The possibility of occurrence of stray cases of adultery in the forces can be avoided with an exemplary legal tool. Family life in the forces is a peaceful and low-key affair. Its consecration must be respected and preserved by all.

Sunil Kumar Mahajan, by mail

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