Though instant money orders and mobile transfer are capable of transferring money on a real-time basis, they can never replace the warmth and bonhomie exuded by the humble postman. It was not just the money but the human touch that enhanced the experience on these special occasions. With the service consigned to history an epoch has drawn to a close.
NJ Ravi Chander
Bengaluru
Tax terrorism? No way
This refers to the finance minister’s observation that ‘A legitimate tax demand is not tax terrorism’ (April 7). But in framing the tax levels the finance minister should apply his mind as to what would be justified and what not in ensuring a reasonably comfortable life for the majority of the people.
Many salaried people will have to forego salaries for February since the monthly deductions of IT might not have covered the required assessed amount. Also tax levels for the salaried and many middle-class persons would hardly match their incomes and reasonable domestic expenses.
TR Anandan
Coimbatore
A cautious review
The previous two rate cuts were out of the normal policy cycle. The stance of the RBI gives rise to a feeling that these rate cuts have not really contributed to the required growth momentum and hence would require banks to act on them fast. The RBI is also factoring some external and internal issues to shape the future course of monetary actions keeping in mind its earlier projected level of inflation at 4 per cent. It’s a cautious policy aimed at sustained growth.
Srinivasan Umashankar
Nagpur
The pilot’s the boss
Air India did the right thing by derostering two pilots after they got into a tiff besides initiating an inquiry into the unseemly incident on the Jaipur-Delhi flight. The pilot being the seniormost person, it is incumbent on the rest of the crew to carry out his instructions.
HP Murali
Bengaluru
Ensuring clean energy
The Prime Minister has said that developed nations should not lecture India on clean energy unless they are willing to provide it (India) with access to nuclear fuel. India must evolve some other suitable mechanisms domestically to ensure pollution-free cities.
S Ramakrishnasayee
Ranipet, Tamil Nadu
Big isn’t beautiful
This is with reference to the editorial, ‘De-risking’ (April 7). Large banks taking on infrastructure projects resulted in elevated NPAs. The lesson that big is not beautiful should be put into practice. But the government is wrongly pursuing the path of consolidation and mergers of banks to create large-sized banks, with global impact. Testing the untested overseas markets will expose banks to higher risks. Moreover there is the unfinished agenda of financial inclusion and the much talked about ‘Make in India’, so we need to cater to local needs. Focused schemes suited for individual clusters will minimise risks. The lessons of Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank should be emulated. Only this model suits our country, not the western model.
S Veeraraghavan
Madurai
Go for open skies
This is with reference to ‘Satellite telecast cramped for bandwidth’ by G Tirumala Rao (April 6). The article highlights the need for an ‘open skies’ policy given Isro’s inability to keep pace with the demand for transponders from DTH players. The fact that such a policy for satellite services is one where national regulators impose no more burdensome requirements or restrictions on the use of foreign satellite systems than on the use of domestic or national satellite systems will help us bridge the gap.
We should also stress on the need for necessary checks and balances to ensure the safety of the citizens. What if tomorrow, a player from a country not on cordial terms with India decides to participate in an open auction, wins the bid and takes over our Indian skies? Some Chinese satellites are definitely looking at inroads, and have taken part in a few auctions.
Shankar Iyer
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