The moot point has been deftly driven in the article “A corrupt elite is slowing India” ( Business Line , May 5 ).

It has suggested that if the government is really serious about fighting corruption, it has to take the bull by the horns, introduce an element of accountability for the government servants, abolish discretionary powers and give the citizens more freedom to pay their property taxes rather than coerce them into paying bribes.

If the honest tax payers get services for their money in form of better amenities, quality education and proper health care, they won't mind paying a little extra as taxes.

Severe punishment for dereliction of duties, wastage of government resources and misuse of discretionary powers may deter those involved in corrupt practices.

S. P. Singh

New Delhi

Water management

This is with reference to the editorial titled “The water agenda” ( Business Line , May 4).

Water is a scarce resource and hence its requirement has to be managed holistically.

Like in power losses in transmission, in India, nearly 20 per cent of water availability is lost due to unaccounted wastages and leakages.

In Israel, water is managed on a war-footing basis by close and continuous monitoring and, hence, its distribution is fair and efficient.

To achieve this in India, an exclusive ministry for water, encompassing hydro power, irrigation, drinking water and industrial, must be created in the Centre and States.

This would enable realistic assessment, allocation and distribution of water on a rational basis.

R. Rajappa

Mumbai

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