The Hindu : Farm sector ignored

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 05, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Farm sector ignored

Sir, — The Finance Minister in his budget has talked about credit being available for purchase of cars on easier terms while the same is not being made available for farm equipment, including tractors. The farm equipment sector has been the hardest hit in the recent times. India's output of tractors is expected to decline by around 25 per cent in the current financial year.

The excise duty should have been halved in order to make the equipment more economical for the farmer.

The renewable energy sector such as wind energy should have had a better focus as compared to mega projects.

R. Murali Sundararajan,
Memphis, U.S.

Sir, — The Finance Minister's announcement of relief for senior citizens by providing nine per cent return on a special pension policy, to be launched by the LIC, is welcome. Nonetheless, there are some drawbacks. The deposit money is locked up for a lifetime and the initial amount will be returned to the spouse/nominee, after the depositor's demise. In times of emergency, the depositor cannot withdraw the amount. This scheme should be made flexible, with an option to close it when the need arises.

Arcot Easwaran,
Chennai

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