The farmer’s voice

Most of the issues raised in the article, “ >The farmer’s mann ki baat ” (May 13), have basis as far as farmers are concerned. A guarantee of employment in return for the land a farmer surrenders in itself raises several questions such as when and in what position will he be employed? Will all members of the family be granted employment and will it ensure reasonable income? Will the farming experience that he/she has gained over the years be used in any way in the new job?

Jacob E.,

Coimbatore

Farmers who are passionate about their way of living should never be at the mercy of any government policy that decides to take away their land. Dangling a government job as the carrot is a classic case of trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. Acquiring someone else’s property, for whatever reason, is against the principle of the freedom to decide one’s own way of life. Besides being an economic source, land also has an emotional connection. Why should I give away the land of my forefathers in the name of development needs? Further, if land is needed for development, why should fertile land be chosen?

Pankaj B. Singh,

Chennai