Free power in Punjab

The 300 units’ free power announced by the Punjab CM is a sure step to push the state into financial anarchy. Punjab already has a debt burden of Rs 3 lakh crore, which is too big for a small state. The power corporation in the state is not able to pay for the coal which it buys to produce electricity. Both the Punjab government and the PSPCL are under severe financial burden. Moreover, this is not a one-time expenditure but a continuous drain on the exchequer.

Suman Kuplish, Ludhiana

HP gets into poll mode

Reference to ‘125 units of free power in HP’; the announcement by the CM to mark the 75th Himachal Day at a state-level function held at Chamba, could be akin to walking into the shoes of AAP, which specialises in making such alluring pre-poll offers. Notably, the CM also announced expediting road and beautification projects for Chamba town, besides steps to solve its traffic problem. All in all, it could be a blessing in disguise for the people.

Vinayak, Panchkula

EC on freebies

Reference to ‘No powers, up to voters to decide if freebies viable: EC’; it is a fact that politicians have found freebies to be an easy way to reach out to voters. The EC’s stand on freebies that it is up to the voters to decide to accept or not is not clear, because hardly anyone is likely to say no to anything free. Since the Election Commission is helpless, the Supreme Court and Parliament should take steps to stem this rot in our election year-specific splurges.

SK Singh, by mail

Space assets

The dramatic expansion in China’s space assets for ISR in recent years should serve as a wake-up call for India (‘China’s space march’). Though India has updated its border infrastructure and increased troop deployment along the LAC in the wake of Ladakh imbroglio, it still remains far behind in space potential vis-a-vis China. Both India and the US recognise a revisionist China as their main strategic challenge. Notwithstanding their different stands on the Ukraine war and Russia, they have focused on the importance of boosting their strategic partnership. During the recent Indo-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue, India signed a bilateral space situational awareness arrangement and deep cooperation in cyberspace. It will protect the country’s multiple space systems and their operational activities in the fields of disaster management, health, weather forecasting and digital transactions.

Harmohit Singh, Mahilpur

Primary healthcare

Apropos of ‘Game-changer for primary healthcare’; the proposed scheme is good but the implementation on the ground is different. The health and wellness centres have been created by re-labelling the existing infrastructure. The only addition is the appointment of a CHO. The National Health System Resource Centre has conducted sample studies (of which I was a part) in all states. The PGI also conducted a study of 26 HWCs in Punjab. It has been found that the majority of services claimed in the scheme are not available to the beneficiaries. The new government in Punjab, which has promised better health facilities, should look into these studies and take remedial measures so that primary healthcare can be delivered to those who need it the most.

AS Nagpal, Ludhiana

Price hike

There seems to be no relief in sight from the spiralling cost of essential commodities, thus putting enormous financial burden on them. The insensitivity of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre towards the sufferings of people, particularly the poor and middle class from high rate of inflation, is glaring. Concerted efforts aimed at breaking the vicious cycle of supply gluts and shortages while boosting the storage capacity to prevent the wastage of food products and inefficient post-harvest practices can go a long way in arresting frequent fluctuations and spike in the prices of everyday food commodities.

M Jeyaram, by mail

Ruckus by lawyers

The news of lawyers, allegedly affiliated to the TMC, creating a ruckus before the Calcutta High Court judge, Justice Abhjit Gangopadhya, is a wrong precedent. The lawyers were protesting against him for handing over to the CBI cases related to irregularities in the appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff in the state government aided schools. This conduct amounts to interference in the administration of justice. Attempts to browbeat the judges needs to be condemned and checked.

Maheshwer Sharma, by mail

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