With reference to ‘How dependable is weather report’ (February 21) is indeed an issue to be evaluated from the farmers’ perspective, since most of them had their own age-old practises to predict the weather, mainly for the agrarian activities.

With the advent of technology and the enhanced dependence on satellites, the forecast has become somewhat unpredictable, except in a few areas like Cyclonic storm and low pressure, where too aberrations are plenty.

In view of the fact that crop insurance schemes are more tech-driven, the administrators must also design a mechanism to link them with real time factors, since most beneficiaries under PMFBY are uneducated and have little exposure to scientific interpretations of IMD.

Rajiv N Magal

Sakaleshpur (Karnataka)

Railways and reforms

With reference to ‘Time Railways took the reform track’ (February 21). The article is informatory and a wake up call to the government pointing out ‘its finances not looking particularly good’ and emphasising the need for revamp’. Although there is perceptible improvement in the maintenance of coaches and train timings, passenger tariffs need a serious rethink especially when road and air travel are giving Railways a run for its money. One example is the rise in the charges of the ‘tatkal’ booking service with a high priced booking called ‘premium’ tatkal of which the rates are very high. About the revenues it should be noted that the Railway staff’s salaries and allowances have become quite high so services need to expanded to earn more revenues. Hence there is need for a comprehensive examination of the working of the Railways with focus on garnering more revenues.

TR Anandan

Coimbatore

 

Job challenges

With reference to ‘To create jobs focus on the small sector’ (February 21), giving thrust to the small sector is a good idea but, given the diverse education and skill levels of the unemployed, it will address the needs of mostly those who have moderate education or are vocationally trained. The other categories like college graduates, professionally educated or digital technology trained may find little space there.

The construction industry absorbs mostly engineers and vocationally trained, particularly ITI-trained, in good numbers depending on its growth. ITI industry which has a 3.6 million-strong workforce (about 45 percent of total workforce in the organised sector) which provides jobs to special category of professionals but faces the problem of skill mismatch. Added to these problems is the lack of reliable data on employment. While job creation is a challenge for the present government, the next government may not find it easy either.

YG Chouksey

Pune

People will keep migrating from villages to cities and leave farming for better prospects. So besides giving subsidies to farmers and bringing in more technology into agriculture sector, the government also needs to look at other sectors to give a push to employment.

Both Small and MSME sectors need government help But Though demonetisation and GST have hit them hard, GST will help these companies access credit on better terms in future.

But skill creation is one defining factor which will help in job creation in a massive way for which the government can invite private participation.

Bal Govind

Noida

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