Stubble burning and smog

With reference to ‘Delhi’s smog, Punjab’s water table’ (November 14), one tends to agree with the writer’s views which links the smog issue with the depleting water table in Punjab and the State’s response to it. It may be quite significant to note that prior to the enactment of this law, farmers would begin the sowing cycle in April for the crop which can typically take up to 120 days to maturity. Haryana too implemented a similar law in 2009, following the foot-steps of Punjab, making the situation worse.

The Punjab and Haryana governments would do well to pay heed to the idea of urging farmers to them to “diversify from paddy to less water-intensive crops”? Sadly, the stubble burning thus far continues to be the simplest way out towards ‘dealing’ with depleting water levels during the intervening period. Ironically, the frequent intervention of the superior courts too has failed to address this problem in its right earnest. No wonder Delhi and its adjoining areas continue to suffer from the resultant smog.

Panchkula (Haryana)

With reference to ‘The jobs debate: Lost in transition’ (November 14), it is one thing to claim that we have created enough jobs for our youths and completely another thing to substantiate it with data. Since we do not have any solid data to back up the government’s claim, the issue of whether the Modi-led government walked the talk on job creation remains inconclusive. If several economists have doubted the creation of 7.3 million of jobs in formal and organised sector, then they have reasons to do so as in general capex investment by Indian companies have literally taken a back seat, showing no signs of improvement.

And coming to informal jobs in unorganised sectors when as many as 93 per cent works in this space, it is really doubtful to believe government data on job creation. But having said that the government should expedite PLFS findings and ensure that it is as comprehensive as possible.

Noida

With reference to “Unanswered questions over the Rafale deal” (November 14) another crucial difference between the Bofors and Rafale deals is that the opposition to Bofors acquisition was based on in-depth study by the media while the Congress and others are depending solely on media reports and utterances of some of those aware of the Rafale deal; there is not an iota of investigation from their side. Secondly, Bofors exposure was the result of investigative journalism, while the Rafale controversy is the product of sheer electoral politics in which objective truth has become a victim.

Lastly, there is enough information or data available to help both the pro- and anti-Rafale groups to buttress their case.

While the former HAL chief spoke about participation for offset partnership, the current CEO says that HAL does not have the necessary expertise. Dassault CEO says that his company chose the Anil Ambani firm for offset on its own, but critics say that the Indian government must have been consulted about this. These claims and counter claims remain mere conjectures in the absence of evidence.

Pune

The editorial ‘Find the balance’ (November 14) shows the need of paradigm shift in business models of telecom companies. Top players like skype , whatsapp have not only grabbed sizeable chunk of revenue from telecom players with their voice and data services, but may have also breached the guidelines for security by adhering to encrypted form of communication protocol.

TRAI should seek to address sensitive issues by balancing customer privacy and public interests.

Chennai

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