Tough call

The abrupt cancellation of the foreign secretary-level talks has demonstrated the difficulties involved in the process of normalising relations between India and Pakistan. Given the fragility of the relations, it cannot be decried as a failure of statesmanship. But both countries could have shown more flexibility and imagination. The impression is that they would rather fight a battle of wits and wills than budge from their stated positions.

By unilaterally calling off the meeting, has New Delhi not matched ‘provocation’ with ‘over-reaction’? Pakistan only stuck to its usual practice of its envoy’s ‘engagement’ with the Kashmiri leaders prior to bilateral dialogue. From the Modi-Sharif handshake India cannot go to the opposite extreme of sending back the Pakistani high commissioner and break off diplomatic relations. It is in the interest of India and Pakistan sharing a common destiny that they make genuine attempts to reach an amicable settlement to historically bequeathed disputes.

G David Milton

Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

An aggressive stand from India will only bolster separatists and extremist element. We should not forget that the Pakistani military establishment wants to keep the Kashmir issue alive because a peace deal will slacken the military’s clout. The Kashmir issue will be resolved only when a strong democracy thrives in Pakistan.

Kiran Jose

Kadanad, Kerala

Right on

With reference to “Modi speaks for the Indian Woman” by Rasheeda Bhagat (August 19), the Prime Minister’s first speech from Red Fort was welcome from many perspectives. Modi has touched upon all the right points and proved what his intentions and priorities are. The writer has rightly said that his speech was a breath of fresh air.

Bal Govind

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

More than a building

Ensuring that schools have toilets goes beyond the physical construction. What about assured water supply? Would it need a bore well or storage tank? Is there an reliable power supply? What about its regular maintenance? Who will ensure funds for upkeep of hygiene? Instead of a one-time civil project, toilets should be seen as long-time functional utility.

R Narayanan

Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

Taxing issue

It is interesting to see that personal IT collection growth exceeds corporate tax collection. The reason is that company earnings are less due to inflation whereas for individuals tax is collected on salaries without recognising the inflation factor. This raises the need for including the inflation factor for personal IT as individuals struggle to meet rising costs as well as paying IT. We hope the Finance Minister will look in to this while fixing IT rates for individuals.

VS Ganeshan

Bangalore

RBI revamp

There cannot be two views on the need to revamp the organisational structure and restore the pride of the RBI by redefining its role in the context of changes in the financial sector during the last couple of decades. Such a revamp is overdue in all public sector organisations and government. But the manner in which proposals are being made and the inept handling of the whole issue makes one wonder whether an organisation which had received appreciation at the international level for its appropriate management of monetary policy and other role expectations is finding itself in the lurch when it comes to managing its own house.

Raghuram Rajan is a fast learner and the willingness expressed by him to negotiate the HR issues with representatives of staff and renegotiate top level changes where legislative amendments are necessary with the Government are indicative of his open mind. To an outsider, media reports give the that Rajan initially addressed internal issues like the CEO of a startup company. The RBI has a glorious past and a team that can handle its mandated role efficiently. The regrouping of departments or coordination of the deputy governors should not become street discussions.

MG Warrier

Mumbai

Striking a chord

Rasheeda Bhagat’s piece, “Modi speaks for the Indian woman (August 19) would have struck many emotional chords. It was imaginative of the Prime Minister to have spoken out for the rights of the girl child and for women's uplift and empowerment. Anyone who looks down on the female gender should not fail to remember that he or she was given birth to or delivered by a female. As charity begins at home, improvement in the status of women should start at home. Such a step will usher in the overall development of the entire family. The journey to uplift women will be long and tortuous but a thousand mile journey begins with a single step.

CG Kuriakose

Kothamangalam, Kerala

Enough bonhomie

This refers to the report “India calls off Secretary-level talks with Pakistan” (August 19). Narendra Modi deserves kudos for cancelling the foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan. Bare words buy no barley and mere talks are just a waste of time and energy. There was better bonhomie between Atal Behari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharief and we were rewarded with the Kargil war and 533 casualties.

It is ridiculous that while Indian soldiers and civilians are frequently killed by Pakistan’s state and non-state actors, we are thinking of holding talks. This is not the right time to exchange pleasantries. India is wasting time and energy to befriend a hostile Pakistan. India's over-enthusiasm is considered a weakness by the Pakistani leaders. India should emulate Israel and learn to co-exist with a hostile Pakistan.

Our civilian defence ministers were not at all bold and are no match for the Pakistani army chief who makes trouble at the border and sponsors terrorism in India.

S Raghunatha Prabhu

Alappuzha, Kerala

Sort out issues

State-specific costs such as entry tax, octroi, and restrictions on availing input tax credit on crude oil and other petroleum products are irrecoverable and are passed on to the consumers in the State. This also causes price hiking by oil companies. The State wants the Centre to delegate collection and appropriation of the substitutes for VAT, Central Excise Duty, and Service Tax. Before making the law on the Constitutional Amendment Bill on Goods and Service Tax (GST), issues such as dual rate bands, taxation threshold, inter-State GST, commodities outside GST, dual administrative control and compensation should be sorted out between States and the Centre.

TV Jayaprakash

Palakkad, Kerala

The Government should not succumb to the pressures of vested interests and abandon the Planning Commission. It is essential to have adequate planning in this highly complex country where federal structures often come in conflict with the central set-up. With various social factors like caste, class, region, politics and gender playing an influencing role it is important to respect such elements without compromising on the wider goals of the nation. It is the prime duty of the Prime Minister to filter ideas and adopt only those that are fruitful. Instead of abandoning the Planning Commission, it must be strengthened with enough mechanisms to check the implementation process. It must submit quarterly reports about the implementation of the plans formulated. Gaps must be addressed then and there.

A Prabaharan

Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

Courting Tamil

This refers to the BJP MP Tarun Vijay’s plea to the President of India to allow Tamil language to be used in the Madras High Court. One feels if English and Tamil are mixed in arguments, it can enliven the court halls. Nevertheless, the dictum is that any language that is used in the court must be comprehensible by the litigants and judges before ensuring justice.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu

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