NPA caution

The stern warning of the Finance Ministry to the chief executives of public sector banks to check all NPAs of ₹50 crore and above for any fraud or face the consequences is a right decision as all the loans of ₹50 crore and above are sanctioned after the final nod of them.

The government wantsfraud committed by promoters to be spotted at the banks’ level the help of the internal vigilance mechanism and not wait for the central vigilance authorities. But what about the cases of wilful defaulters flying abroad as in the case of Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and others?

This has surely dented the image of the banks and impacted the bipartite talks. How far it is justified to make the staff suffer for frauds of this type committed by a few people? Punish the frauds but don’t punish the innocent bank staff who work day and night for the welfare of the banks.

Bheemavaram (AP)

With reference to ‘Dealing with Imran Khan’ ( August 22), the writer being a former High Commissioner to Pakistan, he is truly aware of Pakistan’s dubious record on exporting terror. One agrees with the writer when he says there is little point in Pakistan hosting the next SAARC Summit in Islamabad unless it fulfills its obligations on free trade with India under the SAARC Free Trade Agreement.

As regards Navjot Singh Sidhu’s controversial ‘embracing’ of the Pakistani Army Chief during his so called 'friendly' (personal) visit to the oath taking ceremony of the Imran Khan in Islamabad, one must not be taken in by Gen Bajwa’s‘dovish’ stance. Also Sidhu cannot equate himself with the former PM (Late) Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who both visited Pakistan in a quest for peace. Vajpayee after his visit was ‘rewarded’ with the Kargil war by Pakistan and Modi by the Pathankot attacks. Mind you, old habits die hard.

New Delhi

It sounds good when Pakistan Prime Minister says that trade ties with India should improve and takes Navjot Singh Sidhu’s side when latter hugged the Pakistan Army chief, but that alone will not help. Sidhu tried to gain brownie points in front of the world. If Imran Khan is serious about restoring peace between two countries then it has to be backed by clear and visible action on the ground against anti India terror elements. Anti-India activities and trade relations can not go together. Imran has lot of challenges on hand, the economic mess, unemployment, wresting India policy from the Army, etc. The last would be the most difficult as it is reportedly the Pakistan that catapulted him to power. Holding the SAARC summit at Pakistan will not help resolve any of these issues until and unless ground realities change. I agree with writer’s views that India would do better to be cautious in its response. Every move of his should be closely watched.

Noida

With reference to ‘Re-energising the India Post model’ (August 22), this department, a brain-child of the British, has been providing wonderful service to the public especially the rural folk. Thanks to the development of technology we now have faster means of communication such as email and WhatsApp. There is also the courier services operated by private agencies delivering letters without any time delay. Nevertheless the services offered by the postal department are unique, efficient and cheap and the rural people really benefit from them. The home-delivery of letters and other important documents sent by registered post is a very valuable service. However the postal service is an expensive one for the government. So there is an urgent need for the government to make postal services financially viable. There is also need for making it more people-friendly especially for rural people.

Coimbatore

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