Not a bad idea

This refers to the article, ‘The much-vilified labour inspector raj’ by KR Shyam Sundar (August 10). In the liberalised era, as business activities expand rapidly and diversely, it may not be possible for State governments to expand their labour department at the same pace. Under the circumstances it may not be possible to directly enforce the labour laws through inspectors. Therefore the system of self-certification, as such, may not be inappropriate provided State governments are guided by some norms.

These should be based on risk management parameters in relation to labour law violations and the self-certification should contain relevant information concerning labour laws. It should be ensured that the certificate is properly filled and is filed on time. The department should scrutinise the certificates through a computerised system to ascertain probable violation of labour laws and action should be initiated if there is any violation.

Such a system will provide effective monitoring tools in the hands of the labour department and save genuine businessmen from undue harassment.

Trupti Goyal

Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Medical monster

‘The real issue in Vyapam’ by A Srinivas (From the Viewsroom, August 11) lucidly elucidates what ails the system. With money changing hands, mediocrity is replacing meritocracy resulting in lack of quality doctors. When people are prepared to splurge ₹10 to 20 crore to get a degree in radiology, they work on the line of recovering the money spent rather than serving the patients. The doctor’s profession is losing its sheen and sanctity.

This problem may be ascribed to most educational institutions — right from kindergarten to professional courses. They are run by the political class, whose aim is to multiply money by any means. It is imperative to revamp the Medical Council for India, make it accountable and responsible for any misuse, manipulation or machination. It may be pointed out that lack of facilities in government hospitals force people to make a beeline to private nursing homes; nursing homes will do anything to fleece. Under these circumstances, merit students without a good financial background are at a disadvantage. Is it not time to rectify matters before they assume gigantic proportions?

HP Murali

Bengaluru

Maran must pay

The curtains seem to have finally come down on the former Union telecom minister, Dayanidhi Maran, with the Madras High Court cancelling his interim anticipatory bail and directing him to surrender before the CBI within three days. It may be recalled that the ex-minister was charged with installing over 300 telephone lines at his residence while he was minister and connecting them to his brother Kalanidhi Maran’s Sun TV office for uplinking videos. He is also accused of involvement in the Aircel-Maxis deal and Tata-Rupert Murdoch DTH project.

Kalanidhi Maran’s reluctance to cooperate with the investigations showed him in poor light. When a large number of people have been convicted for petty offences and are languishing in jail for years, there is no justification for Maran to escape punishment for an act that lost the exchequer crores of rupees.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bengaluru

In poor taste

Narendra Modi is back to doing what he does best. In campaign mode ahead of the State assembly polls in Bihar, he has targeted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the State’s poor development. His referring to the Bihar government as “goondaraj” and “jungleraj” is disgusting. This is not the way to refer to a democratically elected government. As Prime Minister of the country, he should be discreet while criticising elected State governments. After all, Bihar also received the mandate of the people through a democratic process.

P Arihanth

Secunderabad

Erratum

In the Your Money section of Portfolio (August 10), the ‘Alert’ headlined ‘Two lives, one policy’ has incorrectly referred to SBI Life as a state-owned insurer. The error is regretted.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859-860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.

COMMENT NOW