M A I L B A G

Trade policy: a big boost
to farm exports

The new Vishesh Krishi Yojna announced in the "Foreign Trade Policy cheers exporters" (Sept 1) is expected to give a big boost to agricultural exports. Though many factors will determine the success of this special package, development of different export-oriented crop and commodity-specialisation zones having adequate state-of-the-art infrastructure for increasing the production of internationally acceptable quality products (fresh and processed) and their marketing will be paramount.

Export promotion of vegetables, fruits and flowers will depend upon the adoption of efficient harvesting and post-harvest methods. Quality control laboratories are needed to ensure strict quality standards. Development of market-promotion cell and market-intelligence network will be a prerequisite to ensure rapid dissemination of information to the producers about the prospective importing countries, latest global production and market requirement trends, domestic and foreign competitors, required commodity-specific quality standards and timely accessibility of the farmers to the global markets.

A successful export system needs a trained human resource, better transport, reliable energy supply, required bureaucratic and financial support, effective linkages between research institutions, industries and export houses, and pro-actively declared public policies (even legislative measures, if needed) on public/private sector-industry-farmer partnerships.

Dr M.S. BAJWA, Former Director (Research), (Punjab Agriculture University), Ludhiana

Boycott not the way

Apropos of the editorial “Derelection of duty” (Aug 27), once people are elected to Parliament, they must work collectively for the benefit of the country. The editorial makes this position clear. The Opposition must debate, raise objections, recommend amendments and then wait for the results. If their demands are rejected by the government, they must accept the defeat in an honourable manner. Walkouts or boycott of the House is in no way the right approach.

People would not tolerate such behaviour on the part of the MPs anymore as the Union Budget had been passed without debate. We could get this democratic set-up with great difficulty and therefore the MPs are expected to behave properly and responsibly.

DALIP SINGH WASAN, Advocate, Patiala

II

The editorial “Dereliction of duty” highlights the irresponsible conduct of the Opposition members which resulted in the passage of the Union Budget without discussion. The people has elected their representatives with the hope that they will truly and sincerely represent them in Parliament and that the Bills will be passed only after full discussion and participation of the Opposition and treasury members. But the attitude of the Opposition, which disrupted the proceedings of Parliament and did not allow it to function, is deplorable.

If an employee keeps himself absent from duty, he is suitably punished by the authorities. Who will now punish the elected members of the Opposition who are, in fact, the lawmakers?

OM PARKASH MALIK, Advocate, Ambala Cantt

UTI blues

It has been more than a year since UTI scam broke but UTI has not tried to gear up. Several people lost their entire savings invested in UTI. Some regime action was noticed in the form of the constitution of the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Former Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh added glitter to the gold by giving green signal to the working of UTI and later proclaimed it to be on the revival path.

However, no one knows what happened to the wrongdoers? One has to give himself or herself lame excuses in terms of service satisfaction and investor’s faith while dealing with UTI.

Surprisingly, UTI continues to remit the dividend cheque by ordinary post. This reflects UTI authorities’ value for money. Should those investing in UTI be termed as genuine investors or miserable victims?

HITESH JHANGIANI, New Delhi

Monkey menace

The authorities in Shimla deserve appreciation for launching a drive to catch rowdy monkeys. The monkey menace has increased to such an extent that it has affected the free movement of children and women.

Some people are to be blamed for this as they feed the monkeys in the name of religion or to get rid of the evil effects of planets. In developed countries, the animals roam in the forests freely and are not allowed to encroach upon the human domain.

V.K. SHARMA, Shimla