|
|
|
|
|
Reimpose sin tax
I endorse the views of Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu that sin tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products be reimposed to discourage their use
(“Daggered drawn, Sidhus drop exit bombshell”, February 6). The Punjab government recently reduced the sin tax from current 55% to 22%. Drug addiction is already a big problem in the state and this step will worsen the scenario. On the contrary, the state government has increased VAT on domestic LPG cylinder from
Rs 46 to Rs 50.98 per cylinder, making the life of a common man more difficult. Similarly, VAT on petrol has not been reduced to ease the pressure of inflation. That’s why petrol is costlier in Punjab as compared to the neighbouring states. Deepika, Kartarpur
No new train for HP
The Railway Ministry seems to have blacked out Himachal Pardesh in its Budget. The ministry has not sanctioned any budget for laying down new tracks nor started any new train services. Thankfully, it was a vote-on-account. The Himachalis have now pinned their hopes on the full-fledged Railway Budget which would be presented by the new government after the elections. Anil K. Jaswal, Gagret (Una)
|
|
|
Black money: End secrecy The unstated purpose behind RBI’s move to withdraw pre-2005 currency notes seems to be to curtail the use of black money. No party is keen to curb the menace since black money is the main source of their funds. Even AAP, the self-proclaimed honest party, is quiet over this vital issue. In its much-trumpeted 18 points, black money should have been there next only to corruption. Some time ago, the UPA had received a list of 120 names of black money accounts from Switzerland, but taking shelter under the secrecy clause, it was not revealed apparently because it contains the names of some big guns. Now that the Swiss authorities have done away with the secrecy clause, the list should be made public before the Lok Sabha elections so that the people become aware of the black sheep and vote them out. This list of the corrupt, unlike Kejriwal’s list, will be more authentic. Why doesn’t AAP go on a dharna on the issue of black money? WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), Jalandhar Contrasting campaigns
On February 23, SAD-BJP organised the fateh rally in Jagraon and AAP held one in Rohtak. The SAD rally had all the ingredients of the feudal system of politics, with the state machinery being used to gather people, a lot of expenditure being incurred, 10,000 policemen having been deployed on duty. What a waste! The leaders praised themselves, but no one discussed the ills plaguing Punjab or what plans they had to make the state better. In contrast, people volunteered to go to listen to the speakers at the AAP rally where issues plaguing our system were discussed and a new breed of leaders emerged. AAP has brought a fresh lease to the political scene and is in a process of projecting leaders and making the political class responsible for their acts. Now it is up to the people to choose who to vote to power. Amanvir Singh Tiwana, Patiala
1984: Hindus too suffered
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots are again in the news. However, the torture, humiliation and fear faced by Punjab Hindus during the period of 1984-1986 has not been highlighted. Many Hindus sold off their properties and people like me were advised by family members to leave Punjab. Thanks to the late Chief Minister Beant Singh and then DGP Gill, we managed to stay on and did not leave our home state. While the present Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are harping on only the anti-Sikh riots, even the BJP top bross is quiet on the Hindus just to gain political seats. Similarly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is releasing murder convicts of her community. Sheikh Abdullah and Omar Obdullah are crying over the injustice done to Muslim terrorists. The Badals too are planning to plead for the release of Beant Singh’s murderer. All communities have their own heroes and villains. God save our country! Kuldeep
Khanna, Patiala
|
|||
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
