L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

States should give farmers their due

Punjab and Haryana are predominantly agricultural states. Wheat in Rabi and paddy in Kharif are the main crops with bumper production. But production is incomplete until it reaches the consumer at a reasonable price and the farmer gets a remunerative price. This is possible if there is a trouble-free marketing system.

There is a network of regulated modern markets developed by the marketing board and market committees in these states. Yet, the farmers have been facing difficulties in disposing of their marketable surplus continuously for several years. Neither the government nor the marketing boards, market committees and procuring agencies prepare themselves before the harvesting season to make the season farmer-friendly.

Sometimes, the MSP is not provided, auction is not conducted regularly, gunny bags are in short supply and purchased stocks are not lifted daily. As a result, no space is left in the markets to unload fresh arrivals and the farmers have to wait for days in the markets to sell their produce. The government should help farmers by giving them compensation for crop damage.

RAVI DATT SHARMA, Slempur Banger (Jagadhri)

A. N. SHARMA, Rohtak

Test for clerks

The HPSSB, Hamirpur, has advertised for clerical posts in different departments. Those who qualify in objective type and typewriting tests shall be called for interview. In the computer age, computer learning has overshadowed typewriting learning.

Students not having the knowledge of typewriting are barred from applying for the post. If it is mandatory, the government should make it clear that selected candidates will have to qualify the typewriting test within a year or else they will lose their annual increment.

The state government should waive off the condition of typewriting test and extend the date for receiving the applications for the advertised posts so that deprived unemployed candidates may try their luck.

V. K. MOUDGIL, Shamshi (Kullu)

Insensitive staff

I endorse H.S. Cheema’s view (Letters, Oct 14) that Deputy Commissioners should direct their staff to attend to the genuine problems of the defence personnel. My son, an Indian Navy Commander in Karwar, Karnataka, came here on short leave during May 2008. He applied for domicile certificate of his son for educational purposes to Tehsildar, Hoshiarpur.

However, he was asked to produce civil ration card though the Army personnel are not supposed to obtain the same. Moreover, as per the Punjab government’s guidelines, there is no requirement of civil ration card for issuing residence certificate.

We have been living at Hoshiarpur for over 30 years. All documents and proof of residence were attached with the application. We have so failed to get the domicile certificate despite reminders.

According to the Hoshiarpur Tehsildar, the residence certificate may be taken from my son’s place of posting, but he is posted at Karwar for one year only and he doesn’t know his next place of posting.

JASBIR SINGH, Hoshiarpur

For selfish ends

The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has notified that unauthorised rear side gates of residential houses will be removed and the gap will be filled in the walls. The owners of corner houses and residential houses falling on sector dividing roads have opened rear side gate to carry out commercial activities.

Roads adjoining these houses look like bazars. The violators have approached the political masters who directed the GMADA not to stop any commercial activity in any residential area. Consequently, instead of removing these gates, the GMADA has allowed the violators to carry out their commercial activities till the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

Capt HAZARA SINGH, Mohali

Rectify anomaly

The formula introduced for revising the pension of pre-2006 pensioners on the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission is erroneous because 40 per cent fitment benefits has been given on the sum of basic pension only and dearness pension has not been included and considered for determining the fitment benefit though dearness pension is a part of pension for all intents and purposes.

In addition, as the commission’s recommendation has been implemented from Jan 1, 2006, 50 per cent of DA merged into basic pension from April 1, 2004 should have been considered as basic pension for purposes of granting fitment benefit in the interest of justice.

Moreover, all the prevailing allowances and other benefits in existence before the cut off date are always merged in the revised pension/pay to arrive at the precise and correct revision of emoluments. The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister should get the glaring anomaly rectified and help the pensioners.

B.K. CHOPRA, Amritsar