Reduce Chinese imports

Apropos of ‘Anti-dumping duties’; the imposition of these duties on Chinese goods is a welcome step. Anti-dumping duties are slapped on goods to protect the domestic industry from a surge in cheap imports. Though both India and China are members of the WTO, trade between the two countries is heavily skewed in China’s favour. Exporting countries, especially China, occasionally provide false information and data of exporters to the importing nations to avoid duties. Tensions over market access and trade imbalances have persisted between the two neighbours and the latest round of anti-dumping duties is expected to add to the complex trade relationship. The government must develop a robust system to reduce dependency on Chinese goods.

Harbinder S Dhillon, Una

Workers harassed in Kuwait

Labour laws are being violated in Kuwait and Indian workers are facing harassment. Many people migrate in the hope of a better life, but are asked to surrender in front of the powerful authorities there. Companies manipulate labour laws in their favour. They file fake ‘absconding’ cases against those who raise their voice against violations of labour laws. They ask the person to vacate their company flat without giving him his ‘end of service’ letter and passport. The Indian Embassy must investigate the matter to safeguard workers’ rights. They must ensure that labour laws are not violated and no person has to go to jail over false allegations.

Aman Bhola, by mail

Trump crushing dissent

Refer to ‘Trump putting US soft power in jeopardy’; the President seeks to ‘Make America Great Again’ by refusing US funds for humanitarian aid for the world through USAID and the WHO. At home, he views the state funding of education as wasteful. He is crushing dissent, freedom of expression and human rights. He is making the lives of immigrants miserable to appease his vote bank of American whites comprising unemployable and work-shirking youth. Money and military power alone cannot make America great again but will only consolidate the Republican vote bank by selling fake catchy slogans.

Hira Sharma, by mail

When leaders took the joke

Apropos of the editorial ‘Kamra in the dock’; satire is that bittersweet pill that politicians prescribe for everyone except themselves. Today’s politicians are far from the league of Jawaharlal Nehru. In an inaugural-issue message to Keshav Shankar Pillai, the editor of Shankar’s Weekly, the country’s first magazine devoted to political satire, Nehru said, “Don’t spare me, Shankar”. Today’s leaders are as intolerant of lampoons as was Nehru’s daughter Indira Gandhi. During the Emergency, Shankar told Indira that he would shut down Shankar’s Weekly if she spared his cartoonists. He published the last edition on August 31, 1975, with the caption ‘Parting — Not Without Sorrow’.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Public service a responsibility

Refer to ‘Salaries of MPs hiked by 24% to Rs 1.24 lakh a month’; it is a wastage of taxpayers’ money. Parliament, meant for framing laws, is often reduced to a battleground with disruptions and walkouts, wasting precious legislative time. In many professions, the ‘no work, no pay’ rule is applied strictly. Why should our lawmakers be an exception? When millions are struggling with inflation and unemployment, rewarding non-performers with fat pay checks is unjustifiable. MPs must be held accountable by paying them salaries on the basis of attendance and productivity. Public service should not be considered a path to privilege, but a responsibility.

Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar

Lucrative career for politicians

Gone are the days when our political leaders were known for philanthropic services. Now, they are pursuing a lucrative career without any responsibility and accountability. Nobody cares when poor pensioners who have devoted their whole lives to public service wait endlessly in courts for their legitimate dues. Who will bell the cat? Do we have any answers in the Constitution?

Jagdish Chander, Jalandhar

Letters to the Editor