II

The article is a timely call to the Punjab Government to shed procrastination and decisively take care of the ailing economy of the state. The people of Punjab gave an opportunity to the SAD- BJP alliance to rule the state to fulfil their regional aspirations. But the parties are divided on rural and urban lines. In fact, the alliance partners are worried about their own vote segments only.

The need of the hour is to formulate objective, progressive and inclusive socio-economic policies and programmes for the state. Subsidies should only be for the needy and deprived sections.

Our health and educational services are in shambles. Immediate corrective measures need to be taken. Farmers having small land holdings are in debt. The government should help them grow commercial crops in place of paddy which depletes the water table.

In order to develop human resources, the government should provide free education. Social conflicts have to be resolved in a rationale manner because social harmony is essential for the state’s economy. Will the state government prove itself to be a government of substance remains to be seen?

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

III

Mr Dhaliwal has rightly stated that two governments are running Punjab. One is led by the BJP for the urbanites and the other led by the SAD is for the rural populace. The mobilisation of financial resources is not on their agenda.

The Sukhbir Badal-Manoranjan Kalia committee supposed to generate more revenue has failed to take any positive decision. The SAD is not interested in withdrawing free power scheme for the farmers and the BJP has rejected moves to impose taxes in the urban areas.

The government has no money to implement central schemes and the development process has been paralysed. The government is facing a financial crunch. Besides, schools and colleges are without adequate teachers and the hospitals are without doctors. Where is the government?

KARAN, Chandigarh

IV

The Punjab government has failed to maintain law and order in the state. The educational institutions lack adequate teachers and basic infrastructure. The civil hospitals are ill-equipped and are unable to attend to emergency cases.

The need of the hour is to overhaul the entire system. Hard decisions have to be taken if the government wants to regain people’s faith. Subsidies and grants should be given only to the needy.

KAMALJIT MALWA, Mansa

Environmental issues

No doubt, environmental issues are being deliberated comprehensively. However, only a select section of society is aware of environmental degradation. The hoi polloi are not aware of environmental threats.

The Tribune has been doing a yeoman’s service in making the people aware of environmental concerns. It must start a Forum, exclusively dedicated to environment in which environmental issues can be discussed threadbare.

NARINDER KUMAR BHANGU, Balachaur

Curtail consumerism

Rising consumerism has taken a heavy toll on environment (article, “Copenhagen and beyond: Environmental imperative for India” by Arun Kumar, Dec 16).

Consumerism, both in the developed and developing countries, has polluted the environment. Rich nations and the elite class of the relatively poorer nations consume products at a mind-boggling rate. This leads to excessive production that in turn causes pollution at the production stage and also creates unwanted waste. Moreover, excessive consumerism leads to depletion of scarce energy resources as well.

JYOTI GARG, Patiala