The distorted presentation on the performance of PSBs is a concerted effort to dismantle the public sector. SBI’s research has revealed the figures only for the current financial year. When the NPA crisis surfaced, PSBs paid a cumulative dividend of approximately ₹2 lakh crore to the Government. Income tax on the income of PSBs is another big source of revenue. The tax is computed on the operating profit of the banks, after certain allowances, but including provisions on NPA accounts. Net profits are in the red after provision on bad debts, but banks pay tax as per the prevailing I-T rules. The charge on gross profit towards provision is not exempted.

Banking has become a difficult business. More capital should be given to the weakest banks to enable them to improve operations and ultimately generate income. The government as a major stakeholder cannot apply different yardsticks for capital infusion for a private entity and PSBs. The Government should be in tune with global practices in China and US for recapitalising banks without strings attached.

S Veeraraghavan

Coimbatore

Make it simpler

Although the Aadhaar card is an invasion of citizens’ privacy, and many cases have been reported of its leakage and misuse, the Government insists on it. Now even to make little changes in the card one is required to visit authorised agents who charge varying rates. Why not set up permanent camps every two km so that information regarding Aadhaar can be updated without difficulty?

The best way is to allow changes to be made online. However, the website itself is not updated. Those responsible for updating it should be held accountable if they don’t do their job.

Mahesh Kumar

New Delhi

Field day

It is a matter of grave concern that the forests in and around Karnataka have become the hunting grounds for people with sinister designs. With access to agents in the international grey market, these poachers and hunters are making a killing. It is unfortunate that the local populace have teamed up with them. Poachers have devised crude ways like using meat bombs to hunt and kill prey. Karnataka’s most-photographed tiger, Prince, is believed to have been killed by a meat bomb.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bengaluru

Big blow

This refers to your editorial, ‘Time’s AAP’ (April 27). The victory proves that people have faith in the BJP for better days in Delhi too. Now it is time for Kejriwal to introspect. Although the Congress won only 32 seats, the party is still relevant and its good performance during the Sheila Dikshit’s leadership are undeniable. However, there is no strong leader to boost their morale. The people no longer support dynastic rule. The only way to revive the Congress’s political fortunes is to replace Rahul Gandhi by a strong and honest leader accepted across the country.

Jayant Mukherjee

Kolkata

Kejriwal neglected basic duties in Delhi when indulging in flights of fancy in Punjab and Goa, and the tirade against EVMs is wearing thin. Looking within is not an AAP quality, blaming others is part of its confrontationist-negative DNA.

Padmini Raghavendra

Secunderabad

While a democratic movement has to go through teething troubles before it consolidates itself, AAP found itself anchored by egoistic views, subjective reprisals and autocratic directives. The questionable history, inglorious background and blameworthy behaviour of certain leaders cast their shadow and were rejected by voters longing for good governance free of corruption.

The real victims are the people as the BJP is not able to leave off its self-inflicted religiosity, the Congress is in deep political slumber and indifferent to the people, the regional parties are opportunistically power-hungry and hung on using communal bigotry, and AAP has turned out to be a flash in the pan. It is a challenge for the people to steer clear of the political machinations to find an alternative viable party.

B Rajasekaran

Bengaluru

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