Troubling tracks

Train mishaps can’t be attributed to the driver alone. It could be due to a systemic failure in adhering to the safety standards or lack of proper systems. The rail network needs sophisticated methods to monitor the movement of trains. The numerous tragic accidents testify the fact that Indian Railways has failed to put the inspection mechanism on the ground.

R Prabhu Raj

Bengaluru

Raised voices

This refers to ‘When institutions are put on the mat’ by Narendar Pani (January 23). It is neither the first time our government has given in to pressure by protesters, nor is jallikattu the first instance. We have seen this happening in other parts of the country as well. This clearly reflects the lost trust between the people and the state; further, the people know that if they generate sufficient pressure, then politics prevails over everything else in this country. The more our governments give in, the more such protesters will raise their voice in the name of freedom of speech.

Bal Govind

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Speak up, RBI

This refers to your editorial, ‘Stonewalling by the RBI’ (January 23). Whatever the ‘compelling’ reasons for demonetisation, there is no justification for its acting unilaterally. Simply telling the RBI that the Government intends to withdraw high denomination notes without ascertaining the central bank’s preparedness is too simplistic an approach and underestimates the role of the RBI.

Urjit Patel being unable to provide vital information proves his lack of preparedness. If the ground work for demonetising was laid on January 2016 itself, was any communication sent to the former governor Raghuram Rajan? What was his stand? It is the responsibility of the RBI to come out openly on all these issues to ensure that its autonomy is not diluted, and to maintain the stability of the financial system.

Srinivasan Velamur

Chennai

Youth power

This refers to ‘Jallikattu pride and all that’ by Sandhya Rao (From the Viewsroom , January 23). The writer has commented on the spontaneous participation of youth and students. If the same spirit is shown by them to draw attention to the plight of people, they can do wonders. The youth can play a prominent role in tackling corruption among the political class and bureaucrats. It is pertinent to mention here that in the 1970s, the youth in Gujarat started the Nav Nirman movement to oust a corrupt government.Isn’t it time they picked up issues that help the country?

HP Murali

Bengaluru

Avoidable violence

That forceful eviction of protestors from Chennai’s iconic Marina beach by the police, and the violence that followed is unfortunate. State authorities could have handled the volatile situation better. The extreme stand of the protestors and State government’s failure to explain the key provisions of the amended Prevention of Cruelty Act has brought the situation back to square one.

M Jeyaram

Sholavandam, Tamil Nadu

Penalise black money hoarders

Experts apprehend that in case of doubts, a person may have to cough up 83 per cent income tax as against 35 per cent earlier. This fear is not misplaced. The benefit of doubt should always be passed on to consumers or customers. In the case of I-T evasion, it would be appropriate to pass on the benefit of doubt to the taxpayer.

There is another opinion that black money in its entirety should be confiscated and no penalty should be imposed. The question of collecting 83 per cent tax from black money means leaving the remaining 17 per cent black money with the holders. It conveys the wrong message. If a person is found guilty of holding black money more than once, the entire amount should not only be confiscated, a hefty penalty should also be imposed. The Government should ensure that there is no more scope for generation of black money. Tax terrorism should target only black money holders.

KV Seetharamaiah

Hassan, Karnataka

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