This is with reference to ‘How to regulate private healthcare’ by Subir Roy (December 12). The CBI investigation into the referral scam in Bengaluru is only the tip of the iceberg. A closer scrutiny of the gifts and overseas trips by doctors in the name of seminars will reveal that they are mostly kickbacks for prescribing the medicines of a particular company. It is not difficult to trace the referral fees as they will be reflected in the accounts of the medical labs.Corporates resort to unprofessional practices. Doctors are professionals and are bound to take professional decisions based on the situation and condition of the patients. Hence, questioning these decisions will lead to defensive treatments which will not be in the interest of the patients.

The medical association should regulate healthcare, not government departments as it will lead to bureaucratic inteference. Healthcare insurance has hiked the cost of treatment. Hence corporate hospitals leverage healthcare policies and billings are done accordingly. Self-regulation is the only way out.

S Veeraraghavan

Madurai

Useful information

‘Match-making between knowledge and money’ by N Ramakrishnan (Emerging Entrepreneurs, December 12) is timely. It is laudable that GyanDhan does not charge students and manages its viability with retention fees from the banks. These types of forums must be encouraged by the Centre and their functionality endorsed. The issue of NPAs make banks wary of applicants and their exasperating scrutiny invariably affects the interests of the students.

B Rajasekaran

Bengaluru

Rahul and Sonia

Rahul Gandhi was honest when he said, “Dynasty politics. That’s how India works.” But the million dollar question is what will be the role of Sonia Gandhi now that Rahul has become party president. Veteran Congress leaders want her to be chairperson. She managed to bring together regional parties and even the Left Front under the umbrella of the UPA. Rahul faces the same challenge.

Rahul has recently shown political maturity. If the result of the Gujarat Assembly polls goes in favour of the Congress, the credit must go to him.

Buddhadev Nandi

Bankura, West Bengal

Cheap shots

This is with reference to ‘Another election, more filthy language’ by Rasheeda Bhagat (December 12). Political parties must understand that stressing irrelevant issues like Rahul's coronation or temple visits or Modi’s humble background will not cut ice with the electorate as people will judge/elect a candidate only based on performance and track record.

The Congress and BJP must stop abusing each other; they need to talk about development and economic growth. The electorate mainly consists of youth who expect development, economic growth and a corruption-free environment. Both parties and their leaders should realise that the fight needs to be against poverty, illiteracy, corruption and political instability; we don’t want mud-slinging and character assassination.

Veena Shenoy

Thane, Maharashtra

Rivals resort to filthy language and personal attacks to cover up their lapses. It was the BJP that started it by insulting Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi. What is the need to expose anyone’s intellect, marital status, caste and religion? This kind of behaviour was missing before the present government came to power. What will the younger generation learn from this? It is a shame that Pakistan had to say that it should not be dragged into India’s electoral politics.

RK Arya

Faridabad, Haryana

Language is free

This refers to ‘Sanskrit not of Brahmins alone’ (December 12). It is one’s right to learn any language, including Sanskrit. There seems to be a misinformation campaign to suggest that Sanskrit is confined to a certain caste; this is a myth. Let us not play politics over the ancient language just to score political brownie points.

HP Murali

Bengaluru

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