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Haryana: On the fast track of growth

The Tribune Editor-in-Chief Raj Chengappa’s interview with Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was timely (June 25). Many political and economic analysts in 1966 tended to hold that the new state of Haryana was too poor in basic resources to be able to hold its own furlong. The new state did not inherit riches either over ground or beneath it. Large chunks of desert and rocky lands that came to its share could not but give rise to pessimism in regard to the state’s future.

The prophets of doom were, therefore, not justified in making gloomy forecasts. They were proved wrong due to the strong commitment of the then Chief Minister Bansi Lal. The state’s transformation was unimaginable — every village was linked with pucca roads, electrified and piped drinking water reached even in sand dunes within a decade. And so started the saga of accelerated development in the state.

In Island of Growth, Shiela Bhalla described Haryana as the fastest growing state of Indian Union. The unviable state became example for the other states. ‘Small is Beautiful’ encountered the earlier thinking.

Subsequent Chief Ministers, however, had not the zeal to pursue the tempo of development. It is laudable that the present Chief Minister started an era of growth of knowledge economy of larger dimensions.

Hisar’s Lala Lajpat Livestock University is all set to replace Amul Dairy products with Vita products. The Sports University coming up very shortly will quench the thirst for Olympic gold medals. Metro connectivity of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonepat and Bahadurgarh and Kundli-Palwal corridor will give further impetus to transport economy. The peasantry is switching over to food processing from crop husbandry. Supply of farm fresh to Delhi and urban centres, rural tourism etc. are some of the initiatives in the pipeline to exploit the rural economy. The industries are zooming and new IMT hubs will further boost the industrial growth. Scientific environment in the state is thus invading all fields of growth. Punjab has denied Haryana’s legitimate share of land and water and what not. This has hampered Haryana’s rapid growth. However, the state has the ancient traditions to fight against such odds. Haryana has developed phenomenally now.

SURAJ BHAN DAHIYA Predident, Haryana Cause, Gurgaon

II

The interview with Mr Hooda was very interesting and fruitful. Haryana is a progressing state in almost all sectors for the last ten years. In this interview, Mr Hooda has declared his Punjab counterpart Mr Badal’s water royalty claim as a non-issue which crops up near the elections. But Mr Hooda declined the fault of khaps in honour killings and considers them as a social organisation or an NGO.

The state government will have to take strict action against these honour killers. Moreover, khaps should be treated strictly in accordance with law leaving vote-bank politics and other issues at bay.

KAMALJIT MALWA, Mansa

Peace on our border

In her middle, “Bordering on war” (June 25), Akanksha Chaudary has raised a pertinent question on the desirability of acting out the daily ritual of war in peace as the Indo-Pak Border at Wagah.

I too join the writer in amenting the avoidable ferocity and aggression made out at that hour and the counter-hostility and hate that is generated in the process at the Attari Border. Since the Retreat  has now evolved into a major “tourist attraction” (on both sides), we should avoid the high decibel hysterical shrieks and keep the actual flag furling event as humble and modest as possible. Some other cultural items from the North Zone Patiala may be included to increase the tourist value of the occasion.

We often hear of confidence building measures (CBMs) that India and Pakistan must undertake to maintain peace on our borders but events like the Retreat hardly promote such measures.

Prof MOHAN SINGH, Amritsar

II

I fully endorse the write-up. The tension build up during the Retreat ceremony at the Wagah border held twice during the day surmounts to undesirable level.

Every spectator wants to outdo the other in expressing the feeling of negativitism and vindictiveness. While doing so, everyone identifies him/herself to be a true Indian and patriot. For sure, Indians get enough opportunities in day-to-day life to exhibit their Patriotism. They should conserve this energy for fighting anti-national activities prevalent in society.

ANITA KATARIA, Patiala

Enforce the laws

The editiorial, “A tougher Bill” (June 26), rightly asserted that often the ‘state actors’ become instrumental in spreading the venom of communal hatred. At such times our police and administration prefer to follow the political lead and look the other way. How else can we explain the large-scale communal violence in Delhi in 1984 and in Gujarat in 2002?

It is good that public servants should be accountable for any dereliction of duty and their punishment should not only be visible and exemplary but also swift. More important, instead of going for media hype on framing a new and stricter law, let the government ensure strict enforcement of the existing laws.

VED GULIANI, Hisar

Capital gains

The revised discussion paper on Direct Taxes Code on income and wealth taxes is not in the interest of most taxpayers, especially assessees having income from shares — long term and short term capital gains. If such income is to be taxed as proposed as ordinary income by clubbing it like that for tax calculations, then provisions of setting off and / brought forward losses must be same as applicable to other ordinary income.

In the history of Income Tax Law, Capital Gains was introduced as a temporary measure but it has become a permanent feature of Indian Income Tax Law. Therefore, the best method is to abolish capital gains altogether. It shall then become more simplified income-tax law.

M. KUMAR, New Delhi

Keep it up, Saina! Heartiest congratulations to Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal on clinching $18,750 Indonesia Open Super Series with a three-game triumph over Japan’s Sayaka Sato in a roller coaster encounter at Jakarta and thus defending her Indonesian title. Saina has made India proud by her rampaging form as she has completed a spectacular hat-trick of titles by clinching the Indonesia Open Super Series. It is creditable that she has remained unbeaten for the past three weeks. We wish her success in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games as well as the World Championship and the 2012 London Olympics. Keep it up Saina! DILBAG RAI, Chandigarh