Politics with benefits

It is commendable that The Tribune in its news reports has highlighted the business concerns of the Badals and their kin. It is strange neither the RBI nor any other agency has taken note of these stories. How can they have interests in businesses which are in direct conflict with those of the state government? Anybody can guess the cause of the financial losses of the government corporations in these fields.

Rajender, Chandigarh

Admin units motivated

This refers to a news report on the Cabinet clearing two subdivisions, one tehsil and three sub-tehsils (May 29). The creation of revenue and administrative units has become a politically motivated agenda of the government and is devoid of merit. This also results in an increase in administrative expenditure, putting public finances under strain. Mostly, such units are created to appease a section of voters. Instead, the government should update technology and provide essential services to residents in a better way.

Dr Puran Singh, Nilokheri (Karnal)

Bunking work

In Punjab, 18 DCs and 22 SSPs were found absent from duty on a particular day (“Work takes back seat as most Punjab ministers stay away from secretariat”, May 28). Perhaps, they have picked this habit from the state leadership as the situation is worse in the Secretariat. The same day, the Chief Minister and his deputy attended their offices after a gap of 10 days as both were busy in Delhi for some “urgent piece of work.”

Also, it is noticed that most of the ministers remain absent from their offices for months. Whom do we blame? Are the leaders and officials not accountable? Certainly, this is not the model of governance Modi wants in the country.

Lalit Sehgal, via email

Why mum, Shanta?

Punjab BJP in charge Shanta Kumar, known for his prompt action against any misdeed or debacle in the organisation, is yet to act on the humiliating defeat of Arun Jaitley in Amritsar. By ignoring the matter, is he deliberately sheltering those responsible for the defeat? Or, is he under some pressure from a particular group?

Diwan C Mohindru, Jalandhar City

AAP, don’t give up

This refers to the article “AAP’s false dawn” (May 31). A fledgling AAP had captured the imagination of the people with 28 seats in the Delhi Assembly elections. Though for a mere 49 days, the citizens of Delhi savoured the power of their franchise. It tasted success in Punjab in the recent General Election.

Arvind Kejriwal’s movement against graft had managed to catch the fancy of the people. Though the party could not repeat a Delhi in the Lok Sabha poll, the AAP leadership should not get disheartened. It must continue to believe in itself. For, the BJP too had managed to win just two seats in 1984. The saffron party had to wait for three decades to get a complete majority in Parliament.

R Narayanan, Ghaziabad

Hopes from Modi

The sixteenth Lok Sabha will witness a new political dispensation. The BJP-led government with Narendra Modi as the head is the outcome of the frustration that the voters had suffered by the weak UPA leadership. The new Lok Sabha virtually has no opposition. The Congress has been humbled, with less than 50 MPs making to the House.

The middle class is looking for a way out of soaring prices of commodities, unemployment and corruption. It yearns for a happy and peaceful life. It respects the rule of law and expects the political leaders to walk the talk.

Tek Chand, Abada Barana (HP)

Exemplary Modi

I appreciate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief that the life story of living individuals should not be included in the school curriculum. He has set an example.

Harish Aery, Hoshiarpur

Emulate Haryana farmers

The editorial “Debt of a farmer” (May 30) is thought-provoking. Being a farmer’s brother, I have empathy and believe that there are lessons to be learnt from Haryana on becoming farmer-friendly. Both Haryana and Punjab are the beneficiaries of the Green Revolution. But while farmers of Punjab have been committing suicide, no such crisis prevails in Haryana. The pro-farmer policies in have motivated them into changing their mindset towards the payment of loans and interest in Haryana.

To ensure increased income, profitability of the Punjab farmers, there is a strong case for rainbow revolution. It comprises agro-products processing, exports, increased agricultural productivity and remunerative prices. Priority should be given to rain harvesting, which can solve the problem of floods and waterlogging as well as droughts and declining water table.