Acceptance of GST

This refers to ‘One year on, GST is succeeding and growing’ (August 13). There is no doubt that the GST Council has been more than accommodative to the emerging needs of the masses and corporates in the last one year. Bringing sanitary napkin under zero GST, to reducing taxes on various items to giving 20 per cent cash back to people paying GST through RuPay or BHIM. Yes, many of its decisions could be purely termed as populist but then we live in a country where politics is dangerously mixed with economics.

Success of the Council clearly conveys one thing: if there is willingness, then political parties can keep their differences aside and work in tandem for the larger interest of the nation. I agree with the writer’s view that as it keeps evolving , items like fuel may also come under the ambit of GST, though it is still quite a distance away at present. The Council should ensure that filling returns should be as smooth as possible and all businessmen running MSMEs need to understand that filling returns on time helps them get faster credit from banks and be a part of formal and organised system. Inclusion of 48 lakh more taxpayers is testimony of the success of GST and its acceptance.

Noida

The report ‘US jury awards $290 m to man who blamed Monsanto weed killer for cancer’ (August 13) is indeed a contradiction to the agrarian practises Indians espouse.

In the absence of a calculated approach to judicious use of manures, pesticides/insecticides, without exception to killer weedicide, Indian consumers are vulnerable to much risks, about which the authorities are ignorant. The pre-eminent example is the destruction that Endosulphan caused in respect of cashew growers of Kerala and South Canara, despite which the authorities are diffident about taking a firm decision on its ban.

Sakaleshpur, Karnataka

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan assuming the top slot in Pakistan would do well for twin reasons. He has smartly managed to swing into power after a long struggle and in a way re-established his supremacy to gain the confidence of the people. The country anyway is in a shambles and so any small incremental improvement will get magnified as a significant achievement. In other words, there are a lot of low-hanging fruits for Imran Khan to pluck and firm up his position. The cricket factor should hopefully work as an advantageous proposition for India.

Nagpur

Markets have rallied to newer highs on account of a positive sentiment, despite weak global cues. While higher interest rates and production numbers are expected to enhance the influx of funds by FPIs and the net revenue for the government, the bull-run needs to backed by a favourable politico-economic situation, job growth, stable currency, improvement in trade relations and advancement in niche-technologies. Although, regulatory initiatives to promote transparency, disclosures and business ethics have curtailed the market volatility to some extent, undue speculation/arbitrage can persist across various segments on account of a weaker rupee, geo-political turbulence and rising oil prices. Corporates must generate a sustainable income/bottomline growth and create higher value for shareholders in the longer run.

New Delhi

The sanction of ₹100 crore by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, even if it were an ‘advance’, when Kerala sought ₹8,316 crore for relief and rehabilitation was incomprehensible. Realising the scale of the disaster the Centre should give the requested amount as a special package. The disaster has caused incalculable damage to dwellings, crops and infrastructure facilities.

Maruthancode, Kanyakumari

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