Usha Thorat’s write-up on SS Tarapore (‘A great central banker and a gentleman’, February 4) does justice to the task; economists and policymakers will see why Tarapore wrote what he did in ‘Maverick View’, his column in BL.

The reward he would expect for a lifetime of relentless struggle to protect central banking from its owners would be to keep the RBI strong and equip it with policy support. Tarapore was particularly perturbed about the depleting level of the RBI’s reserves.

MG Warrier

Mumbai

Going full circle

‘Scandals as change agents’ by KPM Basheer (From the Viewsroom, February 4) made interesting reading, for two significant reasons. First, an almost similar incident involving a Maldivian woman took place almost three decades ago, when K Karunakaran was Kerala’s chief minister; the insinuations were that the woman was set to torpedo India’s ISRO programme. An innocent scientist became the scapegoat, the police chief was under the scanner and the chief minister had to resign.

The story seems to have come full circle. While the Maldivian woman and Saritha had personal agendas, what Kuriyedath Thathri did was to try to reform the misogynistic Kerala society. Perhaps, we must study evolutionary theory deeply to understand the phenomenon of misogyny better.

KP Prabhakaran Nair

Kozhikode

Tough stand

With reference to ‘BJP hardens stand in Jammu and Kashmir’ (February 4), the problem cannot be solved with biased political interests in mind or with bullets. It requires an open mind and a big heart. The people of J&K have suffered enough from terrorist attacks, the lukewarm response of the Centre, lack of development, and natural calamities.

Political leaders should rise above petty politics and work unitedly for the rehabilitation of the State. Every right thinking citizen of India should make the people of J&K feel they are an integral part of the nation.

For years, India has failed to attract tourists , thus foregoing huge revenues. With good governance, peace and stability, and good infrastructure, the State can be transformed into a world class tourist destination.

By setting up good medical colleges and hospitals, the health needs of the people can be taken care of. The list is long and requires minute attention from both the Centre and the State.

Veena Shenoy

Thane, Maharashtra

Wait and watch

With reference to ‘Reading the tea leaves’ (February 3), whether the domestic situation now favours maintaining a status quo or not in the key policy rates should not be a matter of debate now, with the Budget round the corner. The situation across the globe is highly volatile and actions by central banks particularly in the US, Europe and Japan will also be keenly watched as they will impact India. It makes sense to wait for these actions to take place and factor them in the next policy review.

Srinivasan Umashankar

Nagpur

As expected, the RBI had left all rates unchanged. This is understandable since there are many challenges ahead in terms of implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission and OROP. It is also subject to the prices of crude oil and commodities. The wait and watch approach will influence the the finance minister to tread carefully by ensuring that the structural reforms process continues while controlling spending to ensure that inflation is maintained at 5 per cent. The fiscal deficit target for 2016-17 should also be met.

Srinivasan Velamur

Chennai

Depreciation allowance

These days, all salaried employees use either a two-wheeler or a car, and incur a sizable amount to commute to office and back, apart from maintenance expenses. This is sometimes reimbursed by way of conveyance and vehicle allowances, but not by all employers. However, depreciation is never reimbursed, except in the case of certain business class of assessees. Why can’t it be extended to the salaried class of taxpayers too?

J Ranganadham

Chennai

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859-860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.

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