Time for peace

With reference to ‘The new detente’; it is certainly a commendable step taken by Pakistan. There should be talks on controversial issues between the two countries. Terrorist camps should be abolished. Only then will we know how serious Pakistan is about the talks. Both countries will have to find solutions to small and non-contentious issues through backdoor diplomacy. Implementing them will build the necessary confidence and improve bilateral relations. Now is the time for peace. Since the Pakistan army supports these steps, it is expected that there will be long-awaited peace in the region.

Sikandar Bansal, Shimla

Dealing with Pakistan

Refer to ‘The new detente’; Pakistan desires to improve relations with India due to domestic compulsions. Its debt has reached unmanageable proportions. What was said about Bangladesh being a ‘basket case’ in the 1970s applies to Pakistan today. India ought to respond cautiously to Pakistan’s overtures. At best, cooperation in areas like trade, transit, tourism and travel could be given attention. Back-channel talks may be encouraged. India desires good relations with all, but its national interest is paramount. Had Pakistan understood why Bangladesh became independent, and mended its fences with India, things could have been different.

Parthasarathy Sen, New Delhi

Farmers’ income

Apropos of ‘No roadmap to double farmers’ income’, like the promise of transferring Rs 15 lakh into each bank account and the generation of two crore jobs, doubling of the farmers’ income may also prove to be a mere ‘jumla’ because no policy or roadmap has been realised so far. The promise of doubling the farmers’ income was made by the Modi government in 2016 and it was to be fulfilled by 2022. But the government has not released any information regarding the increase in farmers’ income nor does the PM or his ministers talk about it in election rallies.

Shadi Lal, by mail

Auto-debit of fine

Refer to ‘Haryana mulling automatic challan system for overspeeding’; while the Haryana Government’s proposal is laudable, auto-debit of the fine from the account of the violator may give rise to several hiccups and other operational constraints. Why would anyone share his/her personal account details with the traffic department and under what provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act would it be legally enforceable? Moreover, how could anyone be made to pay fine (via SMS), but without providing enough opportunity, either to explain the actual position or contest the same, should he/she so desire?

Kumar Gupt, Panchkula

Govt backflip

Apropos of ‘Interests on small savings schemes cut’, after being publicly humiliated, hours later, the Finance Minister rolled back the announcement on the pretext of ‘oversight’. As Finance Minister, she realised this step would adversely affect the prospects of the ruling party in the Bengal and Assam elections. Political U-turns carry potential risk, as they are seen as lacking conviction and authority. In Australia, it is called a backflip. Whatever we may call it, if we want better politics and better debate, we need to give in to it.

Gurwinder Singh, Jalandhar

Aggressive vaccination

The Covid scene is worsening and has put the whole nation at risk once more. Instead of adopting the lockdown route and blundering again, the authorities should aggressively persuade the masses to go for vaccination (‘Expand vax drive’). Experts agree and have been asserting daily through mass media that vaccination is the only solution to control this pandemic. Everyone above the age of 18 should be allowed to take the jab. To avoid rush at inoculation centres, only spacious and well-ventilated buildings should be designated for the purpose. It is time to stop export/donation of the vaccine to other countries, and rather let the nation add more vaccines like Sputnik V and Novavax to the present list.

Sunil Chopra, Ludhiana

Why the opposition?

Free bus travel for women in Punjab has been launched by the CM from April 1. Though the facility has been granted keeping in mind the Assembly elections, it is a good move towards the empowerment of women and girls in the state. But the decision has been criticised by the AAP, saying that the Punjab Government is following the Delhi model. What harm is done if a good habit of a neighbour is followed by another? Has the AAP got this facility registered in its name that it cannot be granted by any other government? It means that this opposition is merely for the sake of opposition.

Faqir Singh, Dasuya

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