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

Take measures to contain food inflation

It is unfortunate that an inefficient and non-performing minister like Mr Sharad Pawar is allowed to continue as the Minister of Agriculture and Civil Supplies (editorial, “Prices beyond control”, Jan 15). He is continuing due to the compulsions of a having coalition government. His prediction about the prices of essential food items like onions, milk and sugar is bound to encourage speculators, hoarders and black marketeers. How can he make such irresponsible statements, which can add fuel to the fire? He should not treat the ministry as a game of cricket.

Why are we exporting onions, tomatoes and sugar when there is an increasing demand at home? People in India have the first claim on all national produce, and exporting all these items based on the prediction of a future bumper crop is foolish because agricultural production depends upon climatic conditions and various unforeseen factors.

The shortage of foodgrains is also attributed to less production.When the government lacks enough storage facilities and millions of tonnes of foodgrains are rotting in the godowns, what is the use of a further increase in production? Mr Pawar should be immediately removed from this ministry. The interests of people are more important than the unwarranted claims of inefficient ministers. 

Capt AMAR JEET KUMAR, SAS Nagar  

II

To the editorial, I would like to add that the Central government takes action only when there is a hue and cry on price rise and the public resorts to some kind of protests. There should be some kind of a system which can alert the government well before crisis management starts.

RAVI CHOWDHARY, Pathankot

III

It is shameful that the present inflation rate is more than 18.3 per cent (editorial, “Handling food inflation”, Jan 7). We will continue to pay the price on account of our poor and inconsistent monetary policy.

Inflation can be contained only if supply and demand issues are effectively addressed. First, it is imperative to check the supply of money. The hoarding of goods must be checked.

It is necessary to promote the growth of agricultural production. Export of goods of daily use should be banned. The monetary and fiscal measures should be wisely coordinated. Only then can we tackle inflation.

SOURABH BAMBA, Ferozepore

Don’t ignore merit

Why do only meritorious people suffer in interviews? Their score in the written test is generally much higher than in the interviews (news report, “HPSC results: Congress in damage-control mode”, Jan 13).

Besides, why are those with a higher score in the interviews generally from among those “connected with the system”? Accept it or not, there is, in our scheme of things, always something “shady” particularly because the balance always tilts in favour of the favoured ones.

NIDHI MALHOTRA, Panipat

Power of imagination

The middle “Romance and reality” (Jan 15) by S S Bhatti was well written. He has wonderfully captured the power of imagination and rumination in a man’s thoughts. It was an eye-opener for those who believe in a man’s ability to achieve.

Just imagine, without the power of imagination, what would have been the achievements of Einstein and Newton. Would an artificial heart developed by man to pump blood cyclically ever gush through the feelings of romance, sympathy, compassion, empathy and ecstasy and understand poetry as God-granted heart infallibly (unfailingly) ever does.

 TEJINDER SINGH BEDI, Faridabad

Overreaction

I was surprised to read B N Trikha’s reaction, (Dec 29) to Tejinder Singh Bedi’s letter “Man proposes and God..” (Dec 3) in response to the middle “99+1= 100 per cent “ (Nov 25) by Justice Mahesh Grover. After going through Mr Bedi’s letter, I fully disagree with Mr Trikha.

Mr Bedi never wrote that a man is not required to make any effort or that all acts are done at the behest of God. He had clearly written that he does not mean that the man does not have to put in his/her efforts and had also added that a man should always pray to God to keep him or her guided on the righteous path, so that man’s efforts are put in the right way. Mr Trikha’s reaction is his own interpretation and perception of Mr Bedi’s letter.

RAJEEV RANJAN SRIVASTAVA, Gurgaon 

Implement NAREGA effectively The government’s decision to link the wages paid under NAREGA to inflation and raise the same from Rs 100 a day by 17 to 30 per cent is laudable (editorial, “Higher wages for rural poor”, Jan 8). However, in view of the soaring prices, daily wages should be raised further so that these are on a par with the prevailing market rate. Moreover, the guaranteed employment of 100 days needs to be extended to more days so that the rural poor, already living from hand to mouth, are not left in the lurch. As for the wherewithal, the government will have no problem if it succeeds in its efforts in removing rampant corruption. It must be ensured that the NAREGA beneficiaries actually get their due in lieu of the developmental work done by them. At the same time, it is absolutely necessary to see that the NAREGA funds are properly used and not bestowed upon anybody as a largesse. The proper implementation of NAREGA will go a long way in reducing poverty and assuring development of rural India. Dr C S MANN, Una