Date:04/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/04/stories/2006070403310800.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Relief for farmers

The Prime Minister's relief and rehabilitation package for farmers of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala is welcome. Since the farmers, particularly small and marginal ones, will be re-eligible for new loans, one hopes the State Governments will ensure that the villain of the piece, the private money-lender, will not take away the money that the farmer borrows. The measures should be translated into reality soon so that the wave of suicides will be arrested at once.

M.K.D. Prasada Rao,
Ghaziabad, U.P.

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The package is a typical instance of locking the stables after the horses have bolted. The people's representatives in State Assemblies and Parliament are expected to know the state of affairs in their constituencies and make them known to those in power so that timely action can be taken. The Vidharbha scene reeks of callousness.

C.V.K. Moorthy,
Bangalore

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Super economists in charge of the Government seem to think that the stock market, foreign exchange, astronomical salaries of software personnel, and the organised sector represent the progress of India. Obviously the indicators are deceptive as proved by desperate farmers committing suicide. The number is not mere statistics or subject for debate. Our Ministers seem to think that extending a few lakhs to the family of the deceased is all that is required.

N.S. Venkataraman,
Chennai