The quota gimmick

This refers to the editorial ‘Just politics’ (January 9). If quotas were the solution for our problem then the existing reservations to SC, ST and other backward communities would have uplifted them socially. With reservations we are, in fact, promoting mediocrity. The real problem lies elsewhere. The need of the hour is to create enough jobs for all strata of society and focus on improving education standards at the primary and college levels. Every now and then we hear India Inc complaining about un-employability of our graduates, so we need to address these issues rather than just trying to please voters through such tactics.

Noida

This refers to ‘The DeMon’s alternative’ (January 9). In all this, the ₹2,000 note has remained a puzzle, being a product of an unsure and hesitant parentage. If DeMo had a modicum of arguable defence, this denomination of notes had far too less.

In issuing this, the government perhaps had an inkling that our cash-centric economy cannot be wished away overnight and the ₹2,000 note would promptly restore circulation levels. That cash circulation is now 12-15 per cent higher than the pre-DeMo period detracts much from the entire exercise. Hope wisdom dawns and ₹2,000 notes are eventually done away with.

Till date there has been no explanation from either the RBI or the Finance Ministry on why it never considered the issue of a new ₹1,000 note and, worse, why the reissue of the ₹500 note was delayed for as long as two months post-DeMo. Either of them could have substantially assuaged strain on the economy. The daily wage earner, small trader, and small-scale industries took a bad hit. As the vital link of labour and ancillaries broke, the medium and large scale ones stalled. A vicious chain of economic deceleration was set in motion.

Navi Mumbai

The Supreme Court has taken a very balanced view on Alok Verma before reinstating him as CBI Director. Opposition parties are jubilant over the reinstatement of Verma. Media and the political opponents of Modi have dubbed the verdict as slap on the government at the Centre.

Verma’s two-year tenure ends on January 31. He has been clipped from taking major policy decisions. The corruption charges on Verma have remained. A high-power committee is to take a call on the need for a probe on the allegations of corruption against him. The decision taken by the committee will show whether Verma can demit his office with honour or not.

Rahul Gandhi is optimistic that Verma may take forward the probe on Rafale. Why is he particular about Verma only probing the Rafale deal? If there is need to conduct a probe on the deal, wouldn’t anybody who comes in his place discharge his/her duty?

Hassan, Karnataka

This is with reference to ‘Farm Loan waivers is not a panacea’ (January 9). In a country like India where much of the population derives its income from agriculture, the government should pay utmost attention to farmers’ welfare. We can solve many problems facing rural India by encouraging agricultural and allied activities. This can be done not by subsidies and freebies but by educating the rural people to take up agriculture as a profession/source of income.

The government should take initiatives by improving our agricultural universities and setting up more universities on the lines of IIMs for teaching/encouraging agriculture. This can also be done by introducing agriculture as a subject at the school level so that children develop an interest in the sector.

Although debt and lack of finances are the main causes for farmer suicides, much of the suicides can be avoided if we are able to counsel the farmers at the right time and in the right manner.

Thane

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