There is no need for the outright purchase of agricultural land to build SEZs, which will deprive farmers of their land. Instead, the land should be taken on rent and the the rent rate kept open to adequate revision. Farmers should be given shares in the SEZ companies, the price for which should be adjusted against rent and dividends. Such policy revision will promote both industrialisation and development.
JS Bali
Delhi
Walmart woes
N madhavan, in But what will happen to my subziwallah (Dec 01) has raised an interesting point about Wal-Mart’s entry into India. It’s not the chain, but the consumer mentality that has to change in order to support local businesses. Wal-Mart has the funds to face any battle. It is upto our communities and policy-makers to make sure that local interests are protected.
Sunil Sakhalkar
Santa Fe, US
Layers to the problem
Neelesh Misra in ‘Young and Jobless in the Valley’ (Dec 04), aptly addressed Kashmir’s unemployment problem. But it is incorrect to perceive the discontent among the youth to be more economic than political. After almost two decades of turmoil, youngsters are still trying to understand the concept of ‘Azadi’. Newer dimensions of the issue must also be explored.
RS Bhure
via email
RS Bhure
via email
Maturity pays
I agree with Prem Shankar Jha (The stakes are high, Dec 04) that India has to realise that both India and Pakistan are the region’s future leaders. Continued animosity will adversely affect both.
Zafar Abbas
Delhi
Slipping on the price
The government’s decision to reduce the retail prices of petrol and diesel is welcome. The petroleum sector remains a major source of revenue for governments and no substantial concessions can really be expected. There is a need to make the petroleum pricing mechanism transparent and the duty structure rational.
JV Narasimha Raju
Vijaywada
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