Ethical decisions

‘Why do stents cost so much?’ by Jyothi Datta (January 18) is revealing. Such products are essential items for all, irrespective of the capacity to pay. This is being exploited by agencies in the value chain.

Those in the patient-care industry need to have a low profit motive allowing for the fact that the just a few can afford to pay such high prices. Given the nature of the business and the immense intangible benefit of being in a life-saving industry, the best way for manufacturers is to adopt ethical pricing, whether there is regulatory control or not.

YG Chouksey

Pune

Unfair to the RBI

This refers to ‘RBI has no idea how much it cost to print the new notes’ by Surabhi (January 18). It is unfortunate that a newspaper known for its adherence to prudent and ethical behaviour is trying to sensationalise a common-sense response from the RBI. Compared to many other organisations in the public and private sectors, the RBI has a fairly transparent accounting practice as is evident from its annual report, which carries information about the sources of income and details of expenditure the central bank incurs to perform its various functions.

The information sought, namely the cost of printing new ₹500 and ₹2000 notes, may not be available with the RBI as it is still a work in progress. It’s like asking Hotel Taj International the cost of making rotis during a particular period. The hotel may attempt to give some estimated figures, which the RBI may not be comfortable doing.

MG Warrier

Mumbai

Tiger death

It is unfortunate than a tranquilliser overdose has snuffed out the life of a tigress in Nagarhole after it strayed close to human settlements. What is agonising is that the big cat was said to have been nursing two cubs. Technically, only one shot was required to sedate the animal but the trigger-happy forest officials botched it up by firing thrice and this proved fatal.

The team also flouted rules by darting a lactating tigress after sunset. That this is the second such death in less than a week puts a question mark on the ability of our forest officials to do a decent job and this is a matter of concern. Given the dwindling numbers of the big cats, a tiger death due to human error is the last thing we want, and the State government should waste no time in ordering a probe into the goof-up.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bengaluru

Ultra scary

The startling revelations made by the Bihar police that criminals funded by anti-India elements operating from other countries were responsible for the Kanpur rail accident which killed 150 passengers on November 21 seems to suggest that local criminals are pro-active and have become pawn in the hands of ultras to carry out despicable acts for the sake of money.

The police should go about in a professional manner to delve into the matter to find out who the handlers are in Dubai, allegedly working in tandem with the ISI to expose their heinous acts . Handlers have a knack of poaching criminals to instil fear in the minds of citizens.

Although it took nearly two months to rein in those responsible for the dastardly act, the Bihar police deserves accolades.

HP Murali

Bengaluru

Grace under fire

Theresa May, who passionately campaignedfor Britain to remain in the EU in the run-up to the Brexit referendum, has been very forthright in her public speech upholding Brexit.

This pushing for Brexit in a spirit of empathetic solidarity with the majority of her people who voted to leave the EU, contrasts with leaders in many Third World countries that are usually known to be autocratic and stubborn in the face of public opposition. Britain will witness in the next few weeks an unprecedented paradoxical spectacle in case their Supreme Court rules in favour of a petition by Gina Miller, a millionaire businesswoman, that the vote on Brexit should be conducted in Parliament in the true spirit of a democracy, to decide for or against Brexit.

Aravind Sridhar

Bengaluru

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