Thus, the government must set up model special agricultural zones to do away with the problem of small land holdings. Larger tracts of land would allow crop diversification and also increase productivity. Of course, the government would have to provide irrigation facilities and power to ensure the success of the project. Nonetheless, given high food grain prices and the stagnant agricultural growth rate, a jumpstart is needed in this crucial economic domain.

— Karan Thakur

New Delhi

Govt as employer

•The Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendation of a 40 per cent pay hike for Central government employees is welcome. But comparisons with the private sector should be avoided, since private firms don’t tolerate an employee being even a mere five minutes late for work.

The work pressure is much higher on private sector employees, nor are they always able to avail themselves of the leave due to them. They don’t have the leisure to read magazines and newspapers at work or even make a trip to the canteen whenever they want to.

To keep them at the desk, employers would rather ensure that they were served tea or coffee at work. More importantly, there is no provision for pension for private sector employees. Above all, appointments in the private sector are made on the basis of merit, and employees remain accountable to the employers. If an employee fails to contribute to the company’s profits he is fired. Will the Central government take these factors into consideration when it hikes the salaries of its employees?

— M. Mukundhan

Chennai

Not just pay pal

•The Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendation of only three declared public holidays and eight optional holidays is commendable. One hopes this will be accepted by all political parties and implemented. Bringing government holidays in line with the private sector’s practice will ensure that government offices and banks remain open on most days of the year.

Moreover, while accepting and implementing the recommendations of the pay commission the Union government should create monitoring bodies at all levels of administration. These bodies should study and periodically evaluate every individual’s performance to decide on awards and punishments. The incompetent, inefficient and corrupt employees should be shown the door. This is the only way to have a healthy and efficient administration.

— K. Venkataraman

Mumbai

All about might

• This refers to Inder Malhotra’s article, ‘On history’s plateau’. China has never accepted Tibet’s claims to sovereignty. The term ‘sovereignty’ has had several connotations in the past. But now, it is defined in terms of a state either ‘having it’ or ‘not having it’. The erstwhile Soviet Union dominated a dozen nations for more than half a century, and few could protest then. What, for that matter, is being done for Iraq reeling under the boots of Western armies? India itself has not come clean in the case of Sikkim — which was never an Indian province but now is an Indian state. The fact is that the strong rule the weak, regardless of place and time.

— Naval Langa

Ahmedabad