Letters. Aggrieved south

With reference to ‘Why is the South wary of 15th Finance Commission?’ (May 9), there is a fear emerging among southern States which have achieved better social development. This is because of the imprtance given to education in southern States. The allocations based on population and not on efficiency appears to be flawed. Efficiency should not be allowed to subsidise inefficiency. Instead of being punished, better performing States need to be rewarded.

Bengaluru

With reference to ‘The Last of the Mohicans’, there is no doubt that Siddaramaiah is one of the last strongest regional leader in India. If Congress today hopes to capture Karnataka again it would be mainly because of his strong leadership, pro-poor policies and his master move on Lingayats. CSDS-Lokniti opinion poll suggests that Siddaramaiah’s popularity is as high as that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s. But for JD(S)’s presence it would have Congress would have won this election hands down. Siddaramaiah along with Punjab Chief Minister Amrinder Singh Siddaramaiah remains one of the last strong regional Congress leader. It is only because of him that Congress is giving tooth and nail fight to Modi-Shah duo that has won 15 States for the BJP.

We will come to know the fate of Siddaramaiah and Congress in few days, but if Congress falls short of a majority, Siddaramaiah and JD(S) can come together and form the government.

Noida

The decision taken by NPA-laden banks to turn cautious on infrastructure lending is appreciable in the wake of their past lending to these projects which turned out be huge NPAs. Instead they should concentrate on lending to retail sector and other small sector like SME and agriculture where the repayment is almost certain.

But then political parties must refrain from giving farm loan waivers as that spoils the entire recovery structure of the banking sector. Despite this we see political leaders during Assembly elections playing this card to woo the farm vote.

The Election Commission or the Supreme Court should pass orders banning farm loan waivers by political leaders.

Despite infrastructure projects failing to deliver funding for them should not be stopped abruptly but the burden of funding them must not fall on banks.

So the government should set apart some amount for financing these projects and the pending projects must be speeded up.

Bheemavaram AP

A UK court ruling that an Indian judgment against fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya can legally be enforced against his assets in England and Wales must come as music to the ears of the Indian government, banks and the law enforcement agencies. The ruling will help a consortium of 13 Indian banks led by SBI to enforce the Indian judgment against Mallya’s assets in England and Wales. Concerted efforts must now be made to enforce his extradition and bring him to justice.

Bengaluru

Along the expected lines, US President Donald Trump pulled out his country from the nuclear deal it had signed with Iran saying it had miserably failed to stop Iran from pursuing its missile programme.. The retrogade move by Trump has as expected did not go down well with Iran and several of its allies including Britain, France and Germany. It should be noted here that the nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) with Iran was the culmination of concerted efforts from the International community and the then US President Barack Obama to ensure Iran does not persist with its nuclear ambition. The much acclaimed nuclear deal had brought to fore the significance of sustained diplomacy and dialogue in resolving contentious issues between the countries . With Trump determined to impose crippling economic sanctions on Iran, one could not help but foresee the possibility of Iran kick starting its dormant nuclear programme with renewed vigour. Trumps’ hawkish move will only exacerbate tensions in West Asia.

Sholavandan, TN

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