M A I L B A G

New strategy to increase farm output

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s focus on second green revolution is welcome. However, what farmers need today is assured cash/liquid income from their farming systems to take care of their domestic requirements and something surplus during the agricultural operations for the next crop.

To help farmers, there is need for a strong linkage between farmers, scientists, industry and government. Scientists involved in extension work should be given adequate funds and autonomy to demonstrate their farm and associated technology on the field. A strong marketing infrastructure would be helpful, but the government should assure the purchase of products of the farming systems or enterprises through the committed support price system. Farmers, extension workers and scientists have failed earlier whenever the government did not support the marketing strategy.

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam too has said that the second green revolution should be heralded by improving the soil health. The first green revolution did not focus on soil health.

Prof PRITAM K. SHARMA, Former Dean, Agriculture University, Palampur

II

We must raise agricultural productivity owing to the growing demand and shrinkage of cultivable land. Agricultural industry requires a rainbow revolution. Minimum support price (MSP) for farmers is a must.

Partial payment of MSP in foreign exchange will boost the farmers’ morale and help the Indian economy. The farmers can proudly open foreign exchange accounts in banks and become self-reliant.

Prof M.M. GOEL, Kurukshetra

Graft in FCI

The rot in the Food Corporation of India is a well-oiled racket. Since the rot has permeated senior levels, precious little is done. This is precisely the reason for rampant corruption in the FCI. When the fence itself is eating the crop, you do not require the intruders to do the damage.

It is common knowledge that pilferage, cuts and commissions are widely prevalent in the FCI and most officials make fast buck, negating the purpose of the FCI. It is a big drain on the state exchequer.

It’s a feeble attempt to set things right by charge-sheeting some officials. The departmental enquiries should be done in a time-bound manner and those found guilty should be shown the door.

S. C. CHABBA, Ropar

II

The FCI employees, from top to bottom, are mired in corruption. Everyone knows how the employees pilfer food grains. Water is sprayed on the stacked bags to increase the weight to cover up the pilferage.

Amazingly, even the FCI chaprasis own big kothis and maintain huge bank accounts. But who will probe the FCI affairs? The rice millers have no choice but to obey the dictates of the FCI officials. Otherwise, they stand to lose the milling quotas and suffer harassment.

SURINDER SINGH, Mohali

Local trains, please Thousands of workers commute by train daily between Ludhiana and Amritsar. They board or alight at stations nearest to their places of destination. Unfortunately, we do not have local trains as in Mumbai and other metros. Boarding superfast express trains is very difficult as the people do not get to know the correct information about their movement. If employees (regular commuters) buy tickets for these superfast trains well in advance, they arrive late, causing hardship. I appeal to Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to introduce local trains on the Ludhiana-Amritsar route as also permit the commuters to go in for monthly superfast season tickets. This will bring additional revenue to the Railways as also ameliorate the difficulties of the travelling public. RAMESH K. AGGARWAL, Jalandhar

Don’t hurry him up

Why are most Congressmen in a tearing hurry to bring Rahul Gandhi to the forefront? This was evident at the party’s recent plenary in Hyderabad. Why this sycophancy? He is a young MP and coming up well. He is trying to learn as he is growing in politics.

What I like about Rahul Gandhi is that he is not forcing himself on the people. He is trying to command respect and not demand as most politicians’ children are prone to.

Let the Congress not hurry him up. Do not treat him like a shadi ka ladoo. Let Rahul Gandhi mature to the optimum and then let the party launch him in a natural manner. A trump card must always be played at the right time.

ANUSHA SINGH SAHARAN, New Delhi

II

The chorus for a larger role for Rahul Gandhi at the Hyderabad conclave was nothing but sycophancy at its best. The party workers were trying to flatter the Gandhi family. Or it was a well-planned move from within the party to create folklore for  Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi does not have the political maturity to handle a responsible post. He should wait for some more time and until he is fully mature, he should not hold any responsible post — party or government. He has rightly restrained his party workers from demonstrating their sycophancy.

KARANBIR SHAH, Qadian

III

In this country, it is the dynasty that rules. Even now, it is Mrs Sonia Gandhi who runs the nation with a remote control. I would not be surprised if she has already decided to make Rahul Gandhi the next Prime Minister. No doubt, he is young, educated and dynamic.

However, among the current crop of young leaders, no one has the potential to be India’s Prime Minister.

MAHESH KUMAR, New Delhi