Unfortunate arrests

With reference to your editorial ‘Mixed signals’ (June 25), even the basic procedures do not appear to have been followed in the arrests of the present and the former MDs of Bank of Maharashtra (BoM). As the amount is above ₹25 crore and the borrower a ‘wilful defaulter’, the complaint certainly would have been filed with the CBI and not with the local police. The Pune police have carried out the action under the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act (MPTDA) which has nothing to do with loans extended at banks. While one agrees that the bank officials are accountable for the loans appraised, sanctioned and disbursed, clear distinction should be made between normal lapses, gross negligence and criminal conspiracy. Only where fraudulent intentions are evident or suspected by the trail of transactions/events, filing of charge sheets and other actions should be contemplated, that too by the appropriate investigating agency. In the last few months, the actions initiated against the top executives of banks give that impression that they were done more to assuage the negative sentiments of the public than to book the real culprits for recovery of dues.

Coimbatore

Apropos ‘The football story so far’ (June 25), most of the matches in the FIFA World Cup till now have caused a near-major setback to Goliaths at the hands of their less regarded opponents. While last year’s champion, Germany, was humbled by 15th ranked Mexico in the opening match, Argentina was beaten by Croatia (world rank 20) by three goals and held to draw by Iceland (rank 22). Much favoured Brazil drew with Switzerland and just managed to defeat 23rd ranked Costa Rica in injury time. The matches have seen icons like Messi failing to score and Neymar getting just one goal from the two matches.

Pune

The Delhi High Court’s stay on felling trees in Delhi has come as a huge relief not just for Delhiites but for all friends of the earth. We applaud Delhi’s children for lending voice to the voiceless trees with the placards “Help me” and “Save me”. The question is whether we should preserve Delhi’s green patches or divert the city into a ‘concrete jungle’ and a ‘gas chamber’. Delhi, already in the news for very high pollution levels, simply cannot countenance felling of trees. Still the government commits the folly of chopping down trees for building residential complex for babus and VIPs. Housing or re-development project upsetting the city’s ecological balance and risking human lungs is not quite a wise thing to do. The living quarters for the bureaucrats can be built on the treeless outskirts of Delhi. The babus may be privileged and influential, but they cannot insist on houses in the heart of the city at the cost of life-sustaining trees.

Maruthancode, Kanyakumari

The yo-yo test conducted by BCCI as a selection yardstick leaves a lot to be desired. There is no doubt that fitness is a important aspect but sport will lose its charm if there is less weightage assigned to skill. Sport has seen players carrying nagging injuries come out and play their best. It is also difficult to understand how this test is going to improve the technical skills of players, which is paramount to winning. The BCCI needs to come out with a fitness test that rules out players vulnerable to critical health issues by playing the game.

Chennai

The acid leak at Sterlite Copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi, and Vedanata’s own admission that it could cause severe damage to the environment if not controlled, vindicates the worst fears of its detrimental nature (‘Thoothikudi again’, June 23). Instead of being honest about the leak, the way the taluk administration tried to pass it off as a minor accident is a sad commentary on how gullible villagers are taken for granted. If permanent steps for its closure are not taken, it could prove to be another Union Carbide.

Bengaluru

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