This has reference to “Why public sector banks are in a mess” by Biswa Swarup Misra (March 12). The nationalisation of 14 large private sector banks in 1969 was instrumental in taking banking to rural India. In order to make PSBs more competitive and receptive to change, vesting them with more functional autonomy is a sine qua non . The chief executive officers of PSBs must be made answerable to the RBI rather than to political bosses. New private sector banks are far more innovative. PSBs have the inherent strength and spread to more than match them but they lack bold and decisive management.

CG Kuriakose

Kothamangalam, Kerala

The United Bank of India fiasco is not the only such case. The quarterly reports of other banks reveal that more banks likely to follow suit — all because of poor governance. An important reason for this is the appointment of CMDs and EDs with a residual service of less than 18 months. Some small banks have more than one ED, and they open so many branches and ATMs. Banks also spend too lavishly on celebrations and CSR. Usha Madodi

Mangalore

Gunning for votes

With reference to “Fiscal prudence thrown to the winds” (March 12) by A Rangachary, it is an irony that unproductive and expensive subsidies like food security and rural employment guarantee schemes have evolved under the aegis of the globally-applauded economist prime minister. Due to the leaking delivery system, the benefits have reached the intended just marginally. Evidently, the decisions were political so as to garner votes. The second irony is that it did not pay off in the recently held state assembly elections. With prospects looking bleak in the coming elections, the Congress has gained little, but the nation has lost growth focus.

YG Chouksey

Pune

The article vividly brings to the fore the fact that fiscal responsibility under FRBM Act 2003 is not governed up to target. The main reason is the mandate holders’ fascination for vote-bank targets, making fiscal discipline the scapegoat.

NR Nagarajan

Sivakasi

Simplify KYC process

“Does KYC really help know your customer?” by Anna Mazzone (March 11) makes pertinent points. It may be noted that as far as the capital market is concerned SEBI has mandated CDSL Ventures Ltd as a one-point KYC compliant authority. The RBI should follow suit for the banking sector.

Ramakanth Inani

Hyderabad

One for Team Mizo

Team Mizoram deserves accolades on winning the Santosh Trophy, led brilliantly by their ace striker and skipper Zico Zoremsanga. The dazzling Zico also had the distinction of finishing as the leading goal scorer of the tournament jointly with A Raegan of Tamil Nadu. Though the Railways had the better of the exchanges their poor marksmanship let them down. The maiden Santosh Trophy title should come as a shot in the arm for the tiny Northeastern state.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bangalore

Online voting

The Election Commission should take steps to ensure that all officials deployed on election duty exercise their franchise. As a majority of employees are deployed in the same Lok Sabha constituencies they should be allowed to exercise their right at the booth where they are deployed. Others should be allowed to do so online.

AS Ravindra

Shimoga, Karnataka

Playing politics

The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the Centre’s plea on mercy petition should tell political parties that politics and self-centred considerations have no place. It is unfortunate that politics takes centre stage in decision-making even at the cost of national security, ethics, morality and so on.

VS Ganeshan

Bangalore

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