Coal reforms

This refers to “Coal sector: Still an area of darkness” by Surya P Sethi (April 29). We all know how the coal scam was one of the main issues that led to the fall of the UPA government.

So, to learn about same lack of transparency in coal allocation, allowing subsidiaries of same company to bid independently, allocating 38 coal blocks to the same State governments, is not something that was expected from the Modi government. It had promised to start fresh, in the absence of which the cancellation of old coal block allocations does not serve any purpose.

The suggestion on allowing commercial exploration of coal in India rather than restricting it to Coal India Limited only is well taken. It would be sad if we lose out on reforms in the energy sector this time around. Energy has deep role to play in revival of our economy, enabling us to beat China in the coming years.

Bal Govind

Noida

Bank mergers

The views expressed by the article “Bank Mergers are not smooth ride” by SS Tarapore ( May 1) are valid. The government has been playing a safe game for years together by simply throwing the ball back into the banks’ court.

The track record in this regard tells us that voluntary mergers do not take place without strong intervention by the government. As expressed by the author, the banks that undertake mergers expect compensation from the government.

The merger of New Bank of India with Punjab National Bank was a drain on the exchequer. Instead, it is advised that small banks stay away from areas which are unprofitable and practice safe lending to avoid accumulation of huge non-performing assets or bad loans.

TSN Rao

Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh

The article evaluates the present state of weak and strong PSBs and the question of why weak PSBs cannot be merged with strong ones. Weak PSBs are hit by low profit margins, rise in non-performing assets and high operational costs.

The technology in banking sector is changing rapidly, and there is no common technology platform used by all PSBs. At present different IT companies such as TCS, Infosys, Cognizant are handling technology in PSBs, making it difficult for merger between the banks. Conversion of the old generation technology to the latest one will cost a lot as also time and require additional staff deployment.

Mergers are a burden on the strong PSBs in the short run but can prove to be cost-efficient in the long run. The need of the hour is a relook on the advantages of PSB mergers rather than go by the short term cost disadvantage.

Mathew Abraham

Thiruvananthapuram

Smart city concerns

This refers to the editorial “Smart city concerns’(May 1).The government’s proposals to create smart cities and allocating a significant fund is a welcome idea. Providing funds without a clear road map of what is to be brought into focus would lead to failure. The government would do well to design in clear terms the plans and programmes for each city.

TR Anandan

Email

The smart cities idea gives rise to a number of questions. Can we achieve it? Is this model sustainable? Wi-Fi zones in Mumbai do not work smoothly. The toll gate experience is not very inspiring. More than smart city we need better infrastructure, clean air, greenery, 24x7 electricity.

Kamal Anil Kapadia

Mumbai

Marital rape

The government has made it clear that it is in no mood to criminalise marital rape. It is an accepted norm for a husband in India to have sex with his wife regardless of her consent. What is to be decided is whether matrimony is a licence for non-consensual sex. The answer is ‘no’ from those who believe in gender equality.

A wife is not a commodity to give sexual gratification to her husband at his pleasure. Nor is she a slave or hireling to be used as her husband wishes.

G David Milton

Maruthancode, Kanyakumari

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