“Government gets what it was asking for” ( Business Line , March 4) is a reflection of the thoughts assailing each thinking Indian today. The rot (or shall we say rust) that has corrupted and weakened the “steel frame” of India's Government should be stopped. Perhaps Mr P.J. Thomas is not guilty and perhaps his actions in the palmolein scandal helped avoid loss to the exchequer but, as the author points out, what he did wrong was to appear to hold on to his position and parrot his political master's views.

I liked the subtle hint that the Prime Minister may have been obliging the DMK in persisting with Mr Thomas's appointment. The implication is that the PM has not been an effective leader (of the coalition and of the government). Despite his personal integrity and his economist credentials, can the nation trust such a leader to guide it through the storms that increased growth and the inevitable liberalisation and globalisation will bring?

India deserves better; its citizens are working hard to bring about personal growth and the country's advancement in many spheres. It needs a firm leader who can stand up to bullies; a leader who can tell the difference between a just demand and greed.

Joby Mathew

www.businessline.in

Correction

With regard to the article “Fresh look at Debt Management” ( Business Line , March 4) the author, Mr K. Kanagasabapathy, states: “I stand corrected on the following: The Thirteenth Finance Commission had not excluded liabilities on account of small savings while fixing targets for the debt to GDP ratio, but only apportioned it between Central and State governments.”

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