Letters to the Editor: Oil palm cultivation in Assam

It is understood that the Assam government has decided to hand over 2 lakh hectares of land to Ram Dev for the cultivation of Palm oil, just to begin with. It is indeed a worrisome development for the people of Assam. The scientists have already proven that Palm Oil cultivation is detrimental to the environment and the health of the land as well. Scientific evidence also suggests beyond doubt that palm oil cultivation does irreparable damage to land. Keeping the above factors in view, countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, the US, Brazil, etc., which are at the forefront of the cultivation of palm oil, are considering phasing out its cultivation. Our neighbouring states, Mizoram and Nagaland, already understood its serious impact. Despite all this, our state government is bent on going ahead with palm oil cultivation. At best, we can request that the state government revisit its decision.

Keeping the above in perspective, I wish to state that we don’t learn from others mistakes; we tend to make mistakes. We need to understand that the Consequences of such mistakes would help boil our environment further. This summer in Assam is a grim reminder of the future. Wanton felling of trees and the destruction of forests have aggravated the situation further. We, as human beings, are myopic and self-centred in our approach to nature. It is well-nigh impossible to make people understand who pretend to sleep despite being awake!

Prafulla Dowarah,

Guwahati

Achilles heel

Achilles Heel is the only vulnerable area of the body, which is extremely sensitive, and any minor injury can lead to fatality. Right now, our Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is the most popular, richest, and busiest CM in the nation. Right from the morning until late at night, he is always on the move without any rest, which is hardly seen in the case of his counterparts. From Dhubri to Sadiya, he is often seen laying foundation stones, inaugurating new institutions, interacting with common people and his ‘Bhagins’ very freely, offering needed help to needy people, directing and encouraging government officials in the fields, etc., to name a few. His press briefings are also very meticulous.

It is so far so good for our CM, by the grace of God. But all his well-wishers must and should admit that he has so far failed miserably on one front. He and his government have so far miserably failed to curb the soaring prices of all the essential commodities that are badly hitting the common poor, which might cost him dearly. The current abnormal price rise can be an Achilles Heel for CM in the forthcoming parliamentary polls due next year. Let us hope and pray he ties over the crisis, as we urgently need him at this critical juncture.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Hate speech

The Supreme Court has shown a consistent commitment to addressing hate speech and upholding the principles of justice, tolerance, and harmony. Over the years, it has delivered several judgements and taken steps to curb hate speech and promote social cohesion. Maintaining the secular image of a country is important for promoting social harmony. Recently, the top court ordered the police authorities of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to ensure that no hate speech was made against any community in the wake of recent violence in Haryana. Controversial and hurtful statements by politicians lead to polarisation and social tensions. The time has come to take action against such people.

Jahangir Ali,

Guwahati.

Sincere tax-payers facing harassment

It is very pitiable to know that out of the around 130 core population members of the country, hardly three core members file income tax returns. But those sincere tax-paying people face harassment from the tax department in one way or another. Here is one example of the tax calculation of my monthly pension accounts for my e-filing return to the income tax department. While calculating my taxable income, the tax consultant has added the total maturity value of my LIC policy from last year as my income. It is not understood how this maturity value becomes taxable income for that year. The maturity value is the combination of two fractions, namely, my own contribution (from my saved money after paying tax) and the bonus, incentive, etc. paid by the LIC Company. Only the later fraction is to be taken as my income. It is the duty on the part of LIC to show separately the amount of premium paid by me and the amount of bonus, etc. paid by the LIC. My own saved money after paying tax should not in any way become the income for the year. It is not possible to get a reply from the tax authorities through email.

Dr P C Sarmah,

Jorhat-1.