• Demands for new states have been a chronic feature of the Indian polity since the inception of the republic. Such agitations typically base themselves on claims of neglect or discrimination from the Union or state governments. But the question is: are smaller states better governed than bigger ones? In our experience,both large and small states continue to be badly governed until there is an effective devolution of funds,functions and functionaries to local authorities. Governance is not merely a question of how to deal with foreign or domestic threats it should address the quality of life and the provision of basic services. It seems as though in our race towards accelerated growth we have concentrated simply on economic reforms much to the total neglect of delivering public goods and services.
Farzana Z. Khan
Nagpur
Agriculture reforms
• Bibek Debroy is right in saying that the mindset of the 50s is still with us in agriculture. Farmers primary producers are not linked to their primary consumers in a systematic manner. Neither does the farmer get the right price for his produce nor does the consumer get the product at a reasonable price. The national food market has to be fully de-linked from the intermediaries and the inadequacies of government departments that try to hide them through over-reaching subsidies,which result in high fiscal deficit and high food prices.
Sandeep Krishan
Abohar
TeT for LeT
• This refers to US Secretary of Defence Robert Gatess warning that the next LeT terrorist strike in India may trigger a disastrous Indo-Pak war and so India must join the fight against the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TeT). The Americans have their own axe to grind in warning India that the Pakistani Taliban is a threat to India too. India is of course left with no option but to resist TeT inroads. However,if the Americans are sincere they must ask Pakistan to rein in LeT and a host of other Pak-based terrorist outfits inimical to India. Pakistan cant be allowed to hunt with the LeT hounds and at the same time seek Indias help in countering TeT.
R.J. Khurana
Pawar politics
• Whatever the
Union agriculture minister looks at sees its price rise,whether its sugar,pulses or milk. Sharad Pawars statement regarding the rise of milk prices is provocative. Will he inform the nation who has demanded the increase and why? UP Chief Minister Mayawati does have a point in venting her anger at the agriculture ministers lack of responsibility.
Hansraj Bhat
