M A I L B A G

Use farm land only for agriculture

I fully agree with noted agriculture expert Dr S.S. Johl’s view that the growth of industry and agriculture should go side by side especially in a country like ours where the economy is mainly agro-based.

As fertile and irrigated land is scarce in the country, there should be a complete ban on the sale and purchase of such land for non-agriculture purpose. Exception can be made only in case of establishment of agro-based or agro-processing industries. Even farm houses should not be allowed on such land.

The industry has a character to develop itself in clusters. If a large-scale industry is established in any area, many small-scale feeding industries will automatically come around it. In the process, a big township will develop for which houses and commercial sites would also be in great demand. In the process, the economy of the area will also get a desired boost.

In Haryana, special economic zones (SEZs) should only be set up in Mahendragarh, Rewari and Mewat districts which are semi-arid and sub-mountainous. Such areas are also suitable for high rise and multi-storey buildings. Anywhere else, the purchase or acquisition of land for any other purpose except infrastructure development like rail, road, canal etc. should be totally banned.

I appreciate UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for having taken the right decision against allowing the SEZs on agriculture land.

LAL SINGH YADAV, Advocate, Narnaul

Pragmatic policy

I endorse the views in the editorial “RBI to farmers’ rescue” (Nov 2) and the news-item, “RBI takes steps to contain inflation” (Nov 1). Though the media has failed to highlight the RBI’s current exercise vis-à-vis one-time loan settlement for farmers, The Tribune has brought this matter to the notice of readers quite diligently.

The RBI’s monetary policy review at frequent intervals in this year goes to reflect its seriousness to contain inflation at 5 per cent. The target for growth rate at 8 per cent is pragmatic. Given the fall in the global oil prices, the climate is favourable to halt the inflation.

By way of Repo rate hike to 7.25 per cent, the banks’ reported malpractice of raising the floating interest rates thrice while hiking the prime lending rates only once shall be put to a stop. Above all, the supply side of money leading to increased liquidity shall be curbed to a great extent, particularly when reverse repo is kept static at 6 per cent. Hopefully, the general public will heave a sigh of relief.

YASH PAL SINGH DHAULTA, Advocate, Shimla

Exalted position

Parliament is the country’s highest lawmaking body. It commands great respect among the people. As its members are responsible representatives, they are expected to be epitomes of dignity and grace. Unfortunately, however, some members indulge in acts unbecoming of their exalted position. An MP, by eulogising the features of a consumer’s product, lowers the dignity of his office.

It is only proper that Parliament should take stringent action against such members. The Bar Council of India and the Indian Medical Council should take exception to the undignified acts of the lawyers and doctors respectively. The Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha must also take deterrent action against the MPs who openly work as canvassers of the various products.

N.G. GABARHIA, Amritsar

Gandhian ideals

The film Lage Raho Munna Bhai has got wide publicity through the media — print and electronic. It propagates Gandhian ideals which are very relevant in the present times. The hero of the film, Sanjay Dutt, impersonates as a professor to preach Gandhigiri.

In his previous film, Munnaibhai MBBS, Sanjay Dutt played the role of a medical doctor. This film was also a box office hit. But then a question arises: should one practise hypocrisy and adopt unfair means to achieve success?

K.G. SAPRA, Amritsar

Help all pensioners

The Punjab government has reduced the pension commutation rate from 8 per cent to 4.75 per cent from October 31, 2006. This is welcome as this commutation rate, changed in 2002, has now been restored.

However, the decision will not help those who have retired during May 2002-September 2006. As a result, the affected pensioners will lose about Rs 3 lakh each. The government should implement this decision with retrospective effect to help all the pensioners.

S.K. MITTAL,Panchkula