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

Shameful attack on prisoners

Apropos the editorial, 'Death of a prisoner' (May 10). The attack on Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah appears to be in retaliation to the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Lahore. This kind of barbarism cannot be allowed. What can be achieved by targeting vulnerable prisoners? We must realise that "an eye for an eye" attitude will never serve any purpose. The only way out is forgiveness. If we do not forgive and forget, we will leave nothing but a generation full of hatred and animosity.

PREET SIMAR JOHAL, Jalandhar

II

As per official records, 535 Indian prisoners are languishing in Pakistan jails and 273 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails. Can't both the governments work out a strategy for a speedy exchange of prisoners? Are these prisoners serving any useful purpose? Unless these prisoners are jailed for some heinous crimes, they should be, if not repatriated, exchanged with prisoners from the other side.

VK Anand, Patiala

III

The deaths of Sanaullah and Sarabjit Singh speak of a "tit for tat." It is shameful that Sanaullah fell victim to revenge. Both India and Pakistan must stop this. Otherwise, the relations between the two countries can never improve.

RK KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Lesson for governing

Apropos editorial 'Vote against corruption' (May 9). The poll results in Karnataka should not be seen as a victory for either side. The people have voted against corruption. Unfortunately, whoever comes to power starts misusing it. The administration and the polity have honest people, but it is the corrupt who rule the roost. Publication of personal portraits or photos in hoardings and advertisements on various TV channels by the people in power or by their cohorts is nothing but self-eulogizing at public cost. Under the circumstances, common man can only vote for the less corrupt. The people who come to power must stay above greed.

KL Noatay, Shimla

Commissions to officials

Apropos 'Property registration to be outsourced' (May 10). The government claims the move is aimed at putting an end to the practice of "commissions" to officials. It seems that either the government is ignorant of ground realities or is interested only in scoring brownie points for political purposes.

They have cited the example of passports. The fact is that the government has opened one more floodgate for corruption. Now appointments for submitting an application has to be taken online. But only some applicants can get appointment because there is a standard message that all appointment slots are full. The applicant ultimately has to seek the services of agents who have a nexus with passport authorities. This may lead to more corruption.

So keeping in view the ground realities, the government should first revamp the existing system instead of indulging in populism.

TIRATH GARG, Ferozepur

II

The government move to outsource the registration of properties is a welcome step ("Property registration to be outsourced"). The level of corruption in registration offices can never be stopped. So, it is doubtful whether processing registrations can stop corruption. Generally, it is the farmer who suffers the most. In a few cases, both the registering staff and the property owners are hand-in-glove.

HARINDER MITTAL, Bathinda

Quitting farming

The declining number of farmers is a matter of concern. We have seen farmers selling their land for monetary gains or trying to get rid of mounting debts. Then there is another scenario where a farmer's son works at a filling station or put up a dhabha on his parental land just to avoid a tiring job that doesn't offer him enough money. The government has taken many initiatives, but a lot has to be done.

The government-administered MSP on farm produce must be fixed in consultations with various agencies. The interest rate on farm machinery must be brought down to an acceptable level so that mechanised production can be increased. Banks like NABARD must be asked to provide organic fertilizers and HYV seeds by sponsoring kisan mela's more often. Governments must break the arthiya-transporter nexus so that farm produce can be lifted as soon as possible. The sale deed of farm land for non-agricultural purpose must be declared illegal.

Deepjot Singh Thukral, Ambala Cantt