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

Address basic needs of tribal population

This refers to the thoughtful editorial, "Winning hearts: Anti-Naxal operations must be more nuanced" (September 15). It is a positive development that the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, has held a workshop for Collectors from 60 Naxalite-affected districts as to how to streamline the developmental work and restore peace in this entire disturbed area. Collectors are the actual rulers at the local level and they play the decisive role at the grassroots level in executing the different projects of rural roads and employment.

I am of the view that the Rural Development Minister, Jairam Ramesh, has rightly advised these responsible district-level officials to implement all centrally sponsored schemes faithfully. Such meetings and workshops are very crucial for reaching out to the suffering and exploited people living in remote rural areas and dense forests.

I fully endorse the Tribune viewpoint that the different state governments in the Red-Corridor have always helped in "protecting the interests of forest contractors, industries and mining companies active in these areas". And only addressing the basic needs of life, like “water, education, health, employment and entertainment”, can ensure the welfare of the common people there. Only then, the much-flaunted project of ‘Integrated Action Plan’ launched last year will reach the doors of the tribals and forest dwellers.

Dr RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

Prof M M GOEL, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra

Real hero

Indians are in seventh heaven after their victory in the inaugural Asian  Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Ordos, China. Let us rejoice and celebrate with a pat on the back by self-congratulating ourselves. But for the heroic performance of goalkeeper S Sreejesh standing like a rock, we would have lost tamely to arch-rivals Pakistan.

Pakistan dominated the game by forcing seven penalty corners against our single one. They were mostly in our “D” area, but could not score because of our goalkeeper’s great efforts. The victory in the penalty shootout was again due to our goalkeeper’s sterling performance. Let us honour him just as we honour our cricket players for their great performance. This is how we can save Indian hockey and take it to new heights.

B M SINGH, Amritsar

Countering inflation

This has reference to the article, “Curbing inflation” (September 12) by SS Johl. I agree with the author that only monetary measures are not sufficient to combat the monster of inflation. The greatest impact of high rate of inflation is the decline in the value of nation’s currency. My suggestions to counter the rate of inflation are as under:

1. Qualitative monetary and fiscal measures in the form of change in the marginal requirements of loans as per planned targets, adhering strictly to the planned expenditure, earmarking targets for specific fields of production, such as agriculture, where production is not matching the increase in demand, efforts to bring black money into the mainstream.

2. The PDS should be streamlined so that real benefit reaches the people.

3 Land acquisition laws should be amended so that cultivable land can never be used for non-agricultural purposes

4. Consolidation of land holdings, cooperative farming and corporatization of agriculture, abolition of middlemen, marketing of crops through banks and other financial institutions should be tried to improve the scenario of agriculture.

5. A dual-price policy for essential items, like kerosene, LPG, wheat, rice etc.

6. Subsidy on LPG cylinders should be curtailed, as medium and high-income groups can afford LPG cylinders even at high prices.

7. Yellow LPG cylinders for BPL or yellow-card holders. It will discourage people of higher income brackets from using such cylinders, as it will not suit their economic status.

All these suggestions offered need effective and honest implementation on the part of not only the government but also the people who are also part of the mechanism driving various economic forces.

SANJEEV TRIKHA (Associate Professor), M M (PG) College, Fatehabad

Organ donation

Many people die in India due to head injuries and other causes every year. Since they do not know much about brain death and organ donation, very few of them opt for organ donation.

On the other hand, there are many who die due to organ failure, and organ transplantation is the only treatment available to save their lives. Therefore, organ donation is the only answer to meet the growing requirements of thousands of people in need. People from various fields should come together to promote organ donation. Campaigns should be launched to create general awareness among the masses on this issue.

VINEET KAPOOR, Panchkula