Quake relief

India proved yet again that we are second to none by stepping up relief and rescue operations in quake-hit Nepal as part of ‘Operation Maitri’. Leading from the front, India on Sunday deployed over two dozen aircraft and helicopters along with nearly 1,000 trained National Disaster Response Force personnel.

The team of rescuers from India deserve a pat on the back for braving the exacting conditions. Let us also spare a thought for the umpteen local volunteers who have been working overtime to rescue and help people in distress, with only their bare hands.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bengaluru

Real malaise

This refers to the editorial ‘Stalemate in real estate’ (April 27). The problem of black money entering real estate has not been pruned by making PAN and TDS mandatory. Over the decades, large amounts of black money have been invested in real estate, as a result of which property holders may not allow prices to fall.

Unless we curtail the generation of black money, the real issue cannot be addressed. Reduction in housing loan rates will not lead to a fall in real estate prices.

S Kalyanasundaram

E-mail

Real estate was driven by speculation, and that speculation has stopped because of the lack of momentum in prices. Real estate as a sector will under perform when we have a positive real rate environment.

As a result, the price appreciation is much less if compared to the past. All this is for the good, as the common man is better placed to buy his dream home.

Real estate is a sector which doesn’t come under any law as of now. Almost all the constructions have an illegal component and the banks fund these projects without hesitation. The minimum expectation of clear land titles is not in place even after 67 years of self governance.

CR Arun

Email

Bank merger

In your editorial, ‘Mix, but also match’ (April 25), it is rightly stated that mergers amongst public sector banks can, by obviating the need to duplicate infrastructure, bring down costs through economies of scale.

In line with merger of State Bank of Indore and State Bank of Saurashtra with SBI in the past, the remaining five SBI subsidiaries can be consolidated and merged with SBI to facilitate SBI increasing volume in business to meet and match international banks’ scale of operations. Physical branch networks and ATM outlets can be brought down in commercial and business centres.

Small banks should realise their shortcomings and bigger banks leverage their strengths to ensure that the much talked about, but less executed idea of banks consolidation become a reality. There should be a balance between meeting social objectives and commercial decision making in PSBs.

RS Raghavan

Bengaluru

Farmers’ suicide

A farmer committed suicide in front of hundreds of politicians at an AAP rally because his crops were damaged by unseasonal rain. Following this incident, the government has decided to give compensation to the farmers. But is the government actually responsible for the farmer’s loss of crops and his unfortunate end? A farmer committing suicide on account of the state of affairs in agriculture is in no way a political issue. The root causes must be understood and needful measures be taken by the government. The people should understand that suicide is no solution to any problem.

M Kumar

Delhi

Dastardly act

The killing of Sabeen Mahmud is an attempt to suppress the democratic aspirations of the country. The incident is a clear indicator that Pakistan is at the mercy of non-state actors with strong dogmas and a few individuals at the helm, whose intention is to use these elements to fight proxy wars with neighbouring countries. Mahmud’s courage would serve as inspiration for future generations

Vikram Sundaramurthy

Chennai

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