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

Free farmers from debt trap

The findings of the study conducted by the Institute for Development and Communication (news report, “Punjab’s farm debt up five times in a decade” by Naveen S Garewal, Dec 3) were revealing. The fact that farmers are caught in a debt trap proves that the government’s measures have been inadequate. Farmers are, to an extent, also facing the consequences of living beyond their means.

Farmers often take non-productive loans and that too from agents and commercial banks, instead of cooperative credit institutions. Moreover, farmers in Punjab have received only 1.3 per cent of the national debt waiver.

The albatross around the farmer’s neck, i.e. the issue of accumulated debt has to be resolved. Besides, there is a need to educate the Indian farmer on better resource management.

Dr RAJNI SHARMA,Jalandhar City

Dubai crisis

The Dubai crisis is the creation of western concept of development. It is the brainchild of western developers, financiers and advisors. Multi-storeyed residential building, malls, offices were all designed and constructed for foreigners only.

The crisis was imminent. It has no relationship with the economic slowdown of the west. By taking loans one does not become rich. A similar problem is brewing in India also.

CK SHARMA, Gurgaon

Pictorial warnings

Tobacco smoking or chewing is harmful to health. The government has categorically instructed that all tobacco manufacturing companies should display statutory warnings with graphics on the pouch. Yet what the manufacturers have printed in the name of pictorial warnings hardly catches attention. Nor is it revolting enough to deter users.

Dr PAWAN DVIWEDI, Solan

Irresponsible conduct

It is regrettable that Parliament remains a centre of melee, fuss and fury (editorial, “It’s unparliamentary”, Nov 26). The conduct of parliamentarians has often come under criticism in the national dailies yet no change can be noticed in their behaviour. Politicians should behave in a responsible manner.

RAVI DATTA, Dehra

Provide clean water

The Punjab Government is going ahead with plans to open big hospitals in the Malwa region, especially in Bathinda and Mansa, for the treatment of cancer patients. But this will not solve the problem.

Cancer has spread in this area due to contaminated water consumed by people. The underground water in this belt is not fit for human consumption. There is an urgent need to supply safe drinking water. Canal water supply to water works of the area should be improved.

BALJEET PAL SINGH, Mansa

Counter threat from terrorists
The Tribune has published relevant details (news report, “US will send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan: Obama”, Dec 3). US President Barack Obama perceives a real threat from Al-Qaida and Taliban extremists, who have safe haven in Pakistan.

The threat is of greater concern to India especially when he says: “Stakes in nuclear-armed Pakistan are even higher than in Afghanistan as we see Al-Qaida and extremists seek nuclear weapons and we have every reason to believe that they would use them.”
It is clear that in case nuclear weapons fall into the hands of extremists, as is feared by the Indian leaders as well, they can be used against India. India must wake up to the impending threat and take all precautions to ward off the danger and extend all support to the US in fighting Al-Qaida and the Taliban.
Maj NARINDER SINGH JALLO (retd), SAS Nagar