M A I L B A G

Raw deal for sugarcane growers

Reference your report “Rising ethanol prices force deferment of petrol project” (Nov 27). The UPA government is helping the sugar industry only and not the sugarcane growers. The main reason for the decline in sugarcane production is the failure of the cane growers to get the cost of produce. The government fixes the cane price on the basis of sugar recovery, denying the farmers the cost of production. This helps the sugar industry only.

If the government defers the petrol project, it would help the industry because the sugar industry will remain the sole purchaser of sugarcane and the ethanol producing units will be closed down. These units will not come into competition with the sugar industry and the cane growers will remain at the mercy of the sugar industry.

As ethanol is environment-friendly, I would request the Union Government to issue licences for ethanol plants liberally so that the farmers get a good price for sugarcane. The environment will also be clean and pollution free. Above all, the nation will save crores of foreign currency annually by not importing petrol.

Dr S.S. TYAGI, General Secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Yamunanagar

Revenue manual

While tracing the compilation of the revenue in the article “Are manual instructions being followed by revenue officials?” (Oct 13), P.P.S. Gill has noted the procedure and duties to be performed by the revenue officers. The farmers form about 70 per cent of our population but despite slogans and speeches, they are harassed and squeezed when they approach the revenue officers regarding their land matters.

Revenue officers and leaders know that the Patwari charges many times more than the prescribed fees for providing copies of various revenue records to the farmers. Computerisation of land records will check delays and malpractices. Updating the manual alone would not improve the situation. Earnest and sincere efforts are needed to implement the manual instructions effectively.

GOPI CHAND, Hiranwali (Ferozepore)

Peace-loving nation

This refers to K. Subrahmanyam’s article “Iran closer to nuclear weapon?” (The Tribune, Nov 30). It is both strange and unfortunate that Mr Subrahmanyam keeps alleging that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a beneficiary of nuclear proliferation. I would like to reiterate once again that the writer’s claim is baseless and has no truth or any acceptable logic to back it.

Saudi Arabia has always stood against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and it has been calling for making the Middle East free of any weapons of mass destruction. It is not logical or fair that in spite of our clear and categorical stand, we should be accused of benefiting from nuclear proliferation or of financing nuclear projects of other countries.

We are a peace-loving nation seeking peace with all countries of the world. We were among the first countries of the Middle East to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as well as the treaty banning chemical weapons.

SALEH MOHD. AL-GHAMDI, Ambassador, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, New Delhi

Capital punishment

Apropos of the article “Hanging is out of date” (Oct 15), the writer has summed up evidences in favour of the abolition of capital punishment. But he has missed the point on delay caused by the judiciary in granting justice to the victim. Justice delayed is justice denied. The point of concern is the trauma which the victim’s family members have to undergo in these cases.

Capital punishment does run a chill of fear down the spine of those Dhananjays in the making, daring to display the outburst of their negative emotions in a way to outrage the modesty of a girl and snatching life from her. So, instead of abolishing death penalty, it should be retained in the statute book for persons defying societal norms and creating havoc by mercilessly taking the life of any person.

SUMITI VASUDEVA, S.D. College, Ambala Cantt

Gilbert Trail

Whenever I go to Kasauli, I take my solitary walks on this old Gilbert Trail laid by a British official of the Raj days. I sit there on the concrete bench and enjoy the serene, scenic view of nature. Recently, I noticed heaps of litter strewn by indiscreet picnickers there. Unfortunately, the ugly garbage sight bespatter the otherwise beautiful feature of this quiet and refreshing nature walk which needs to be preserved from pollution and maintained well.

Through this letter, I suggest the authorities concerned to examine the possibility of installing at two or three places garbage bins with lids where benches are provided for rest so that the visitors can exercise their civic sense and help keep Kasauli clean and green.

AJIT SINGH, Chandigarh

Garbage menace

After living abroad for 44 years, I visited Chandigarh to check whether my family members have adjusted easily. My aim was to bring back home my next generations, safeguarding our own culture and old traditions and the mother language. I bought a house in Mohali. The neighbours are very much caring, helpful and wonderful.

However, the environment is most irritating. The garbage on the roadsides is a big health hazard. Secondly, all NRIs feel uncomfortable while travelling on the highways as these are used as open toilets. India can do much better in tourism if proper attention and care is given to this area.

GULWANT SINGH BAINS, Mohali