The Hindu Business Line : Infrastructure development

The Finance Ministry panel’s recommendation that infrastructure projects be subject to much simpler environment clearance rules (Business Line, June 3) merits serious consideration and earnest implementation by the Centre.

One of the main stumbling blocks to the development of social and economic infrastructure in the country is the prevalence of laborious environment clearance norms. If they are simplified (limited to just one effective clause or rule), infrastructure projects, which are sine qua non for a country’s economic progress, will considerably develop and that too at a faster pace in India.

S. Ramakrishnasayee Ranipet (TN)

Spend more

This is with reference to “Spend more to stimulate the economy” (Business Line, June 4. The economy is in dire need of the required financial oxygen of a fiscal stimulus via expenditure increases.

One moot observation that merits mention is that of ‘right expenditure’ at the ‘right time’ and not emptying the coffers for the mere sake of ‘spending’.

Priorities include road development, upgradation of infrastructural facilities, healthcare, education, water supply, drainage improvements etc. Agricultural thrust to improve the yields of food crops, expand areas under cultivation and replant and phase out the old low-yielding ones.

Yet another venue for ‘effective spending’ will be on rural development.

Tax and interest rate cuts do not bring about a total recovery of the economy.

Productive and effective expenditure will augment demand, giving an impetus to an otherwise ‘frigid economy’.

Ashok Jayaram Banglore

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