Good agri schemes in Budget

Apropos of ‘AAP’s Budget vision’; Rs 14,524 crore has been allocated for the agricultural sector in the Punjab Budget, which is significantly higher than the previous year. The new scheme to diversify from the traditional paddy crop to maize in Bathinda, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur is a right step toward diversification of crops in the state. Shifting from paddy to maize will boost ethanol production and help achieve the Union Government’s target of 20 per cent blending of ethanol by the year-end. Similarly, budgetary allocation to curb stubble burning, promote canal irrigation in Sangrur, reclaim waterlogged regions in Fazilka and promote water harvesting in Kandi regions are good measures aimed at bringing sustainability in agriculture.

Harvinder S Chugh, Jalandhar

Relief for patients in Punjab

The Punjab Government has extended the facility of cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh per annum at all public and private hospitals under its flagship Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana. It has come as a big relief to the common man who is unable to bear costly expenses of medical treatment at private hospitals. The latter do not entertain Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card holders on the pretext that the government does not pay them or delays the payment of bills. Now that the state government has extended this benefit, it is duty-bound to ensure timely payment to private hospitals so that the beneficiaries of this facility can avail medical treatment; otherwise, this announcement shall serve no purpose.

NK Gosain, Bathinda

Reaffirmation of justice

A controversial judgment of the Allahabad High Court in a rape bid case was not just a legal misinterpretation but also a miscarriage of justice. The Supreme Court’s intervention in staying the verdict is more than a legal correction; it is a reaffirmation of justice and dignity. When courts reduce sexual offences to technicalities, they fail the victims and weaken public trust. Crimes against minors cannot be excused by drawing superficial distinction between molestation and attempted rape. However, legal reform alone is not enough, even as crimes against women and minors continue to rise.

Sachin Tripathi, Satna (MP)

DRDO’s landmark achievement

The DRDO has achieved yet another milestone with the successful flight test of the indigenously developed Vertically Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) in collaboration with the Navy. The fact that it is vertically launched enhances its deployment efficiency, making it a crucial asset for naval warfare. For years, India has been making consistent efforts to reduce its dependence on defence imports by focusing on indigenous research and manufacturing. Our defence sector is making rapid strides in innovation and technological self-sufficiency.

Rukma Sharma, Jalandhar

Judicial accountability at stake

Apropos of ‘As Shakespeare said, there’s something rotten’; the recent recovery of unaccounted cash from a judge’s residence has again raised concerns about corruption in the judiciary. Over the years, instances of questionable verdicts, delayed justice and unethical practices have only reinforced public scepticism. It appears that corruption has now become the norm. Judiciary is expected to be the last hope for justice, but when the very system that is expected to uphold integrity is under scrutiny, public faith gets eroded. The need for judicial accountability has never been felt more. If the judiciary fails to set an example of probity, how can the common man expect justice?

Naresh Kumar Nijhawan, Karnal

Good sources of information

The Tribune has made a good attempt at finding more avenues for dissemination of information through new columns like ‘Time Capsule’ and ‘Ivory Tower’ in its supplements. While the former brings to light interesting facts about prominent personalities at the national and international levels, the latter discusses topical subjects of social significance.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

Letters to the Editor