M A I L B A G

Mega projects will boost job opportunities

THE editorial “Thinking it big” (June 21) is balanced and farsighted. It sagaciously warns the Reliance industries and the HSIDC against shortchanging the farmers concerned in any way and to involve farmers as “willing partners in this mega project”. SEZ is a boon to Haryana. It will transform Haryana’s agrarian economy into an agro-industrial and global economy. It will develop the backward pockets of Mewat, Gurgaon, Jhajjar and Rohtak into flourishing tracts. Moreover, Haryana has some specific advantages such as its proximity to Delhi.

I appeal to people not to politicise SEZ like the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal. The editorial rightly dubs opposition to this venture as “unfortunate”.

Prof HARI SINGH, Kheri Jat (Jhajjar)

II

It is for the first time since Independence that such mega projects are being initiated in Punjab and Haryana by the country’s top industrial group. Clearly, the credit goes to the progressive Chief Ministers of both states — Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Capt Amarinder Singh.

The two states have been quite liberal in promoting technical education by permitting private engineering and technical institutes in their states. The governments must help generate job opportunities for the engineers and technically trained people passing out from such institutes.

India cannot progress without industrial growth. Consider how a small country like Japan has emerged as a leading industrial nation today by promoting small-scale industries. The agreement will help the youth of the two states immensely. It will generate jobs and bring prosperity to the people.

Dr SUNIL KUMAR BARIA, Pathankot

III

Bhiwani MP Kuldeep Bishnoi has criticised the land deal in public interest. He should also flay his elder brother and Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Chander Mohan, for being a signatory to the Cabinet decision on the deal.

The transfer of 1,700 acres of land to the Reliance industries is reprehensible because it had been auctioned to private developers; it would have fetched the government at least Rs 10,000 crore because of its strategic location.

Recently, the HSIDC auctioned three plots measuring 50 acres at Manesar. I don’t believe the government’s claim on the SEZ project and the projected job potential. It will take over 50 years for the state to fully industrialise the 8,000 acres of processing area in the SEZ project and generate jobs for 20 lakh people.

Sadly, no government has exploited the marketing boom of real estate in the NCR region. The DLF group has prospered by developing just five sectors in Gurgaon whereas HUDA is still grappling with fund crunch even after developing 100 sectors in the entire NCR region!

RAJESH KAPOOR, Panchkula

Funny toes

I.M. Soni’s piece “Finny feet” leads me to Funny Toes. One fine evening my friend went to his friend’s house — his friend a quinquagenarian and a hefty giant. Getting no response after he had pressed the bell, he entered the anteroom. Finding no one there, he trespassed into the bedroom. Flabbergasted, he retrieved his steps.

A few days later, he was called to give evidence. The judge asked him if he had found them together. He replied that he had found his friend with his face down; and back up, lying spread-eagled; probably masking something under him.

“Your Honour,” he added, “My eyes surveyed him from head to toe and only observed two pairs of toes entwined with each other — a total of four toes”. The judge shouted, “That is enough! You can go.”

MOHINDER BEHL, Gurdaspur

Smart Card

The Himachal State Road Transport Corporation has increased the annual fee of Smart Card (20 per cent) from Rs 80 to Rs 180 from June 8 for Senior citizens above 65 years of age.

We fail to understand the reason behind this steep hike for pensioners with no income. Will Transport Minister G.S. Bali help us understand the rationale behind this decision?

TRILOCHAN SINGH KAINTH & SALWANT KAUR, Paonta Sahib (Sirmaur)

CBDT should modify rules THE Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has created trouble for senior citizens with its fiat for TDS deduction with retrospective effect. Most educated assessees have already included the said income in the last income-tax return for 2006-07 in May and June 2006. The Post Offices will certainly deduct interest which will be paid on July 1. We are at a loss to understand the rationale behind the CBDT’s instructions so late. It should modify the orders and senior citizens who have submitted Form 15-H should be exempted from paying tax twice. Since this investment is only meant for senior citizens above 65 years, rules should be clearly laid down. BABU SINGH, Chandigarh