This refers to the article, “Crumbs for the farmer” by Vishwanath Kulkarni (July 17). At present, farmers are desperately looking for assistance from the Government. They expect the Government to deal with burning issues to do with seeds, water, fertiliser, labour and marketing opportunities. A holistic approach is called for.

Farmers must be given comprehensive guidance, right from procurement of farm inputs, cultivation and nurturing, to harvesting and marketing. A flawless producer-oriented price stabilisation fund (PSF) should be established for all types of crops to cushion the rising cost of farm inputs.

The Government has drained its exchequer for MGNREGS, without creating any tangible assets. Instead the tax-payers’ money can be channelised towards the creation of PSF and a revived farm-linked MGNREGA as mentioned in the Budget.

S Lakshminarayanan

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

Interesting analysis

The editorial, “BRICS in the Chinese wall” (July 16) was an interesting analysis of the New Development Bank. This initiative will usher in new alignments and cooperation particularly among India, China and Russia to bolster a financial barrage of resistance against the dollar. This has nothing to do with the legal tender of the respective nations other than making transactions in dollar terms.

China and India have scored their first point together.

B Rajasekaran

Bangalore

The NDB is the first step in the right direction but it needs to be followed up by the Chinese government to allow the market to determine the value of the yuan. It cannot have its currency cheap and expect cooperation from its neighbouring countries in trade and investments.

The other countries in BRICS should increase pressure on China to have its currency valued properly. A currency cannot become a reserve currency without the system behind it supporting that status. The Chinese need to reform politically and economically before the yuan can become a reserve currency. They must also treat their BRICS partners fairly to earn their respect.

CR Arun

Email

Family matters

With reference to the article, “The changing story of family businesses in India” by Jayanta Mallick (July 17), such businesses were conceptualised as simple, one-man shows. They were perceived as monopolies. And even though they may have re-branded themselves, or upgraded their technology, the culture remains the same, generation after generation.

M Vignesh

Madurai

Government must act

The entire agricultural chain has been mismanaged by the Government (“Address the root causes of food inflation” by Prerna Sharma and Ritesh Kumar Singh, July 17). The policy on urea has also impacted productivity. Why can’t the Government eliminate multiple middlemen, build infrastructure for effective storage and reduce wastage, allow direct marketing, allow FDI in retail and so on?

Sridhar Narasimhan

Email

Sixty’s good to go

The ‘no’ to rejig the retirement age from the present 60 to 62 years for Central Government employees puts at rest speculation on the subject. Sixty is the right age to start enjoying retirement. It allows for the entry of fresh blood into government service. Since posts are not filled when employees die in service or when they are superannuated for economic reasons, the Government must be firm and not succumb to pressure.

HP Murali

Bangalore

What is culture?

It is heartening to note that the Tamil Nadu government is bringing a law to end the no-dhoti dress code. Still, clothese alone don’t constitute culture. It’s catholicity in outlook that is important.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu

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