Fine balance

With reference to “Procurement challenge in public services” by TV Somanathan (April 10), while purchasing goods and services for personal use we arrive at a fine balance between quality and price. Doing the same for our jobs we become different. Why is it not possible to assign a fixed percentage to cost, say 60 per cent, and the rest to past experience (let the bidder show the best three projects undertaken in the past] and then choose the best?

Akshay Kala

Delhi

Trust in the EC

If one starts questioning the reasoning of the EC during the election process, elections may never take place (“Free and fair?”, April 10). We have to have trust in the EC. On what basis does the editorial say that the careers of these officials could be blighted? Everyone knows that the entire police apparatus is misused by every state administration. There has been a longstanding demand for police reforms on account of this. Luckily, so far we have had ECs acting fairly. Let us not meddle with it and ruin it.

Subrahmanyam

Bangalore

Fundamentally healthy

Till recently, the rupee was being allowed to depreciate to boost exports even as FDI had tapered down. Now that the CAD stands well managed, inflation is amenable to taming and external investment has picked up pace, attention must revert to growth. The lowering of excise has had little effect on auto sales in particular and white goods in general. Key rates need to be brought down to aid domestic consumption and the rupee too needs to be strengthened in anticipation of increased imports required to sustain higher growth levels.

As early as July 2013, the floating of sovereign bonds was mooted even as the rupee was at its lowest ever. Today indices towards its risk assessment are in far better shape as to encourage revisiting the issue of the bonds. The resultant cache of forex could come in handy against external political or monetary aberrations.

The on going pre-election political dissonance in no way alters the fact that our economic fundamentals have remained healthy and has all the ingredients for rapid growth. There could be a case for strengthening the rupee now.

R Narayanan

Ghaziabad

Brain drain

The Obama administration is contemplating providing jobs to even spouses of H1B visa holders, to attract global talents. Though job-seekers are happy to get higher pay packages in the US, in reality such countries are benefiting at the cost of developing countries like India. It is unfortunate our youngsters are fascinated by the foreign craze conveniently forgetting that they themselves can make sincere efforts to take India to global standards. Our policymakers should give serious thought to stop this brain drain. If we don’t take care of our country, who will?

BN Bharath

Hubli

Change is coming

A wave of change is being felt from inside. Modi has created a ripple effect on most people. I was going to vote for the BJP this year, more for the sake of a change. It was like, ‘let’s give chance to them also this time’. But what Modi has done is he has created a ray of hope. Though I am not sure if he is boasting or if he will do at least 70 per cent of what he says, he seems to be a light in the darkness. I am sure this year I am not going to waste my vote.

Indresh Sati

Hyderabad

Zero tolerance

This refers to “Bomb blast in Islamabad kills 21” (April 10). This incident is one more addition to the catalogue of heinous acts. The attack taking place when discussions are on between the government and the Taliban to end violence gives a broad indication that some other ultra outfit may have thrown a spanner in the works. How can governments have a soft corner for ultras when the people are suffering? The sooner the powers-that-be realise their folly, the better the chances of mitigating the problem.

HP Murali

Bangalore

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