Freebie culture

The recent Assembly elections in Punjab were fought more on freebies than on development. Dangerous politics of gaining power at any cost has emerged. The please-all policy, lack of independent political will, vote bank based decisions and uncontrolled ‘babu culture’ is ruining the state.

How long will Punjab continue to blame others particularly the central government for its own faults and anti-development policies. Huge debt, a Rs 14,000 crore annual plan with declining GDP growth and mismanagement of funds is harrowing and an indication of bad governance as mentioned in the editorial “The Blame Game” (May 16). The Election Commission of India should be empowered to ban political parties from making inflated promises and freebies during election campaign.

KS SEKHON, Patiala

Follow PAU advisories

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana releases advisories for farmers from time to time to dissuade them against growing those varieties which are susceptible to diseases. It lays emphasis on making demand-driven sowing so that farmers are able to get the desired returns. Farmers should believe in the advisories of PAU (news item 'Agriculture Dept selling paddy seed rejected by PAU', May 16).

The PAU has recommended improved varieties of rice (PR-118, PR-116, PR-114, PR-111, PR-115, PR-113) and basmati rice (Punjab Basmati-2, Basmati-386, Basmati-370 and Pusa Basmati (1121).  The other rice varieties grown by farmers but not recommended by PAU (Pusa-44, HKR-47 and HKR-127) are susceptible to the prevalent pathotypes of bacterial leaf blight pathogen. The variety Pusa Basmati-1121 is prone to foot rot disease.

Dr MS GILL, Ludhiana

Participative policing

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal took on the SSPs recently for making SHOs part of their baggage when they are shifted from one district to another. Besides, the government has decided to dismantle the current system under which SHOs are appointed by politicians.  

Police should involve the people by holding meetings with NGOs and the suggestions put forth in these meetings should not be brushed under the carpet. Senior citizens who are physically fit and mentally alert can play a vital role in developing the society, if they are involved in matters relating to curbing crimes such as open trade of intoxicants, gambling in the markets, traffic policing, etc.  

The police should not always look into the problems of the influential and ignore the ordinary people who actually need them.

SK KHOSLA, Chandigarh

Non-serious SIT

The SIT, headed by RK Raghavan, which looked into the Gulbaraga case that happened during the Gujarat riots was formed by the Supreme Court. It is now for that court to preserve its credibility by extracting an explanation for the several inconsistencies and contradictions between the team's closure report and the amicus curiae’s report. If no convincing explanation is forthcoming, the SIT and its head must be awarded exemplary punishment for reducing justice delivery to a non-serious matter.

MUKUL DUBE, Delhi