Agri graduates in Micro planning

Sir,

This is to refer to the article "Micro Planning for sustained economic development" by Mr. H C Katoch published on 6.10.2004 in Daily Excelsior wherein he has very specifically dealt with the scenario of economic development through micro planning and talked about the role of Agriculture graduates. He has rightly stated that a specific role be assigned for agriculture graduates in the implementation of field programmes. He has further mentioned about the poorly designated agriculture professionals as compared to other services. In this context we may indicate here that the agricultural graduates who are incidentally designated as Junior Agriculture assistants are the lowest in hierarchy like junior assistants with matriculation qualifications. If we ponder over the professional skill and the nature of expertise of skill possessed by this class of technocrats we find that it is no way less than other services like veterinary or medical. The agriculture is the base of animal and human survival and those who are looking after it are termed as Crop Doctors by the Central Agricultural Commissioner Vide his order No. 1939-92 has authorised Agricultural Graduates of the country to use Doctor with their name. This places them in the category of Doctors. They are the saviours of plant life and as such help the growth of animal and human life. Thus Veterinary Doctors and Medical Doctors come in the next category. It is unfortunate that this concept is still not understood and ignored. The Government is thus required to redesigns them as crop Doctors.

The other concept mooted by Mr. Katoch refers to the preparation of farm plans for each household separately according to his acceptability and capacity to undertake is a very practical approach. The agriculture graduates have been associated with T&V programme since along and now need their involvement in the implementation of field programmes pertaining to rural areas as they have developed field contacts and are friendly to the farming community. To make planning exercise meaningful and result oriented the measures suggested are to be tried for speedy economic development in more scientific way. This further will make them accountable and give more boost to these field functionaries for achieving desired results.

Yours etc...
Sandesh Kaul
General Secretary
NGAGA, Jammu Province

Two child policy

Sir,

A timely and worth reading, peace of article under the caption (Legalising 'Two child' norm) appeared in the Daily Excelsior Dated October 10, 2004 in Sunday Magazine. In this context I am of the view that legalasing two child norm is good and should be recouraged because the country's population is increasing at a galloping speed which may create more problems for the future if it remain un-checked. It will add to the country's food problem, environmental pollution-problem, un-employment problem and over crowding and economic development etc etc.

Since the census report 2001 shows our population crossing over (100) crore mark and is estimated to reach 186 crores in 2050, therefore, there is dire need to have a check or the population growth-increase in the shape of a adopting family planning norms methods etc. Two child policy.

In our J&K State during the Governorship of Mr. Jag-Mohan Family Welfare Programme and the Family Planning system was encouraged and two special advance increments were given/paid to the Govt servants in the form of personal pay (PP) which attracted thousands of Govt employees towards the family planning scheme-sterilization programme and the population increase got checked to a great extent but later on the two advance increment system was reduced to one increment only vide Rull FWP- article 74 of J&K CSR.

Therefore, to my mind to have a check on fast increasing population is a must & the Govt & the NGO's should take necessary, measures to control population explosion and "Hum Do Hamaray Do"-Two child policy is the best solution to curb the galloping speed of increasing population & needs to be adopted for the greater good of the country.

Yours etc...
Ashok K Lalpuri, 45, Ajeet Colony,
Gole Gujral Jammu