This refers to “How to get even with China” by G Parthasarathy (September 11). India’s China strategy has to be determined by three considerations: our past bitter experience with China during the ‘ Hindi-Cheeni bhai-bhai ’days, our border dispute with it, and its strategic involvement with Pakistan to our detriment. The strategy is to be mediated by our trade and commerce objectives with China.

India has done well to get closer to Japan as a countervailing power to China’s ambitions and also as a useful business partner competing with China. Narendra Modi’s success in negotiations with the US president this month will also be a factor. However, China’s equation with Pakistan and its disinterest in resolving the border row will need a diplomatic approach. Sushma Swaraj is Modi’s big asset.

YG Chouksey

Pune

Privacy’s important

With reference to your editorial, “Uber-cautious” (September 11), I support the RBI’s existing arrangements, which protects the card-holder’s interest in total.

I did an online international transaction recently and was surprised to find that anyone with a copy of any credit card or its details like card number, expiry date and CVV could push through the transaction. It is not difficult to note down the details.

Secondary authentication (like IPIN or OTP) definitely ensures safety and protects card-holders, though some might feel it is cumbersome. Perhaps, a day may not be far when other countries might like to adopt the RBI’s practice.

P Krishnan

Bangalore

Ten days ago we had private information leaked from the Apple iCloud which made headlines globally. This is a challenge the world faces today. How to protect the consumer’s privacy with regard to personal information? By being cautious about sharing of information without authorisation will be a huge mistake on our part. In this the RBI is right in asking for authentication before the transaction can be processed.

Let us first protect the information and then let’s tackle the technology and latest payment methods. The RBI is right to be cautious because we cannot afford to lose a single penny of our population’s hard-earned money.

CR Arun

Email

Disinvestment plans

The Government is expected to disinvest 10 per cent in Coal India Limited, 5 per cent in ONGC and 11.36 per cent in NHPC to get funds to the tune of ₹43,425 crore.

Privatising is a major decision to enhance growth. One hopes these funds will be utilised in the optimum manner by the Government and ensure maximum welfare of the people.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu

Taxing issues

Agriculture is not taxed in India. There is tax evasion in personal income and very few people pay income tax. Though income tax slabs are progressive in nature, the increase is nominal and it makes tax collection limited to an extent. There is very little wealth tax.

Revenue comes from VAT, excise, services and corporate tax. All these are kept high only so that in case someone is evading tax, they will easily come within the ambit of tax directly or indirectly.

Unless tax reform is done on a war footing, the tax structure cannot undergo a change. Unfortunately, the Government is dependent on disinvestment for revenue; non-tax revenue is also nominal. Most of the black money comes out of tax evasion. In countries where corporate tax has been cited as low, tax administration is strong and it is all done electronically. India is still working on e-taxation.

RK Arya

Faridabad

Clarification

With respect to the article, “A month’s time for framing opium policy” (September 11), the Minister for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman has clarified that it should not be inferred that the former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma was responsible for not addressing the pending demands of poppy-growers. Also, that the pending decisions in the Commerce Ministry she referred to had nothing to do with the woes of poppy-growers.

Shah in trouble

Amit Shah must step aside from the post of BJP president till he is cleared of the charge that he delivered hate speeches at election rallies. The BJP cannot attribute any political motives to the FIR being filed against Shah as it was done in compliance with the Election Commission’s instructions. The law must apply equally to all . At a deeper level, it is worrying that the fringe elements in the Sangh Parivar are coming to occupy the centre-stage.

G David Milton

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

Right move

Empowering Union ministers and departments to clear projects up to ₹1,000 crore (September 11) is a move in the right direction. Decision-making is the key to success in any activity or venture. The attendant checks and balances are likely to take care of any possible pitfalls in decision-making. The new directive is likely to lessen the burden of/on the Prime Minister and his office.

CG Kuriakose

Kothamangalam, Kerala

Foolish idea

The Supreme Court’s direction to the Kerala government not to enforce its new policy which intends to enforce a partial prohibition to start with and eventually total prohibition should come as a huge relief to bar and hotel owners in India’s biggest liquor consuming state. The policy which bats for a ban on the sale of liquor at outlets below the five-star category is nothing short of retrograde. It could deprive the State government of a whopping source of revenue. The apex court has also rightly dubbed the new policy as “illogical”. One hopes that the Kerala government realises its folly.

NJ Ravi Chander,

Bangalore

Farmers’woes

In connection with a World Bank economist’s views on “better farm productivity for India”, agriculture is already subdued by vagaries of the monsoon. Now, it is in dire straits due to industrialisation and migration. Farmers find it hard to make ends meet. Unless the Government rejuvenates this sector through financial inclusion, subsidies and revamping farmers’ lives, we cannot expect a new green revolution. M Vignesh

Madurai

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