Guessing game

The clamour for a cut in interest rates was growing louder in recent times. The decision to cut key policy repo rate by 25 bps to 7.75 per cent with immediate effect is, therefore, on expected lines. The most surprising element in announcement, however, is the rate cut ahead of the scheduled date of announcement of monetary policy review on February 3. The RBI governor has a knack of keeping the market guessing; undoubtedly, his policy initiatives have been among the best in recent times.

The point is to create a conducive climate where a sustained recovery translates into a sustained growth with credible measures emanating from all quarters. With the new government showing signs of promise and good governance, the issues it was confronted with are beginning to settle down gradually. Business sentiments are improving fast. There are signs of revival and moderation in inflation level is significant. The RBI has indicated that the extent of monetary easing will be determined by the pace of disinflationary process and the prevailing market forces. The country needs a deeper rate cut to get back to high growth mode.

Srinivasan Umashankar

Nagpur

Change the mindset

It is shocking and sad to read that in a railway compartment, seats meant for differently-abled people were occupied by the general public and when a differently-abled person politely asserted his right and requested the seat be vacated, he was verbally abused. The authorities refused to help and asked him to mind his own business.

India has a large population of differently-abled people. Though a lot has been done by for their welfare, a lot more has to be done. First and foremost, society’s perception and mindset needs to change. Merely providing more ramps and wheelchairs at public places is not enough. People and organisations should realise that differently-abled people are normal human beings.

TS Karthik

Chennai

More opportunities

ICICI Bank’s initiative to launch transactions through Twitter will benefit both the bank and high networth individuals. This facility can enable retail customers to use the micro blogging site for small transactions and create more opportunities for high valued transactions in their own server.

Vikram Sundaramurthy

Chennai

Work together

This refers to your edit, ‘States of affairs’ (January 19). The States need to cooperate with the Centre and pass the much needed GST law for creating a more common marketplace. The panel on GST had proposed 12-14 per cent rate five years ago. If the States come on board and agree to these rates, we will get a fiscal stimulus which will boost growth.

The States will eventually benefit from the new tax regime and they should do their bit when it comes to tax reforms. They can come on board even after seeing the finance commission report and the way it is been received by the Centre. The Opposition should help draft better laws instead of opposing everything the ruling party brings on board.

CR Arun

Email

The Delhi story

This refers to ‘Worshipping false gods’ by Poornima Joshi (January 19). Kiran Bedi joining the BJP as its possible chief ministerial candidate will undoubtedly strengthen the hands of the party besides adding fire to its campaign to woo the voters of Delhi for the coming Assembly election scheduled for February 7.. Similarly, former AAP leader Shazia Ilmi joining the party and actor-turned politician Jaya Prada evincing keen interest to jump onto the BJP bandwagon may further enhance its chances.

The AAP leaders have a lot of explaining to do. They can neither be complacent nor bask in the victory they achieved in the last Delhi Assembly. Delhi’s voters gave AAP a chance last time, but it could not measure up to expectations. They paid dearly in the last Lok Sabha elections. The leaders of AAP spend most of their precious time pointing to the silly mistakes of their political rivals, leaving little or no time to put across their own views.

HP Murali

Bengaluru

Good advice

Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka calling for innovation from the grassroots (January 19) is not only imaginative but also refreshingly distinctive. His exhortation to Infoscions to find a couple of things that they do and make them better and also discover a couple of new ways to do the same things is truly exceptional which, if taken to heart, will bring the best out of everyone.

An atmosphere that would induce/stimulate an employee to enjoy his work/assignment will make him more and more inventive, innovative and contributive. Inspiration and motivation rank higher than any pay or perk in terms of employee engagement and job satisfaction.

CG Kuriakose

Kothamangalam, Kerala

Smart move

A man of unconventional views and an unconventional approach to problems, the AAP supremo has certainly played a wise-cracking politician with shrewdness. Whether he was right or wrong in making the election-eve call is open to debate. But what he said and meant cannot be oversimplified as an ‘endorsement of bribery’, even though Kejriwal-baiters are at liberty to say that it reveals a streak of anarchy in him.

It highlights the malpractice of bribing voters and stresses the futility of seeking to bribe voters if they are politically conscious enough to show discernment in their choice of parties and candidates. Implicit in his exhortation is also an admission that the BJP and the Congress are ‘better’ placed to try and influence voters with their ‘money power’, given the corporate backing they have.

It is arguable that the forewarning was a pre-emptive strike on the BJP and the Congress intended to dissuade them from distributing hard cash, liquor, saris and other enticements and deny them any undue advantage. Oddly enough, Kejriwal cannot ask Delhiites to refuse bribes or vote for the party that offers the maximum bribe lest they be ‘victimised’ or accused of selling their votes.

Since we are ‘a true democracy complete with free speech’, Kejriwal cannot be fixed by denouncing his exhortation as an ‘affront to the voters’ and as a ‘defiant message to the Election Commission. The important thing is to acknowledge the ground reality and remedy it by doing what is needed to be done to ensure that the people exercise their franchise in favour of a party or a candidate of their own free will.

G David Milton

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

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