M A I L B A G

Nepal: India’s advice must be mature

Nepal and India have strong fraternal ties like Austria and Germany. The erstwhile Rana Prime Ministers of Nepal, firm friends, had supplied soldiery for the Royal Indian Army which won laurels. The same policy continues. India accelerated the end of the era of the Rana Prime Ministers without closing up and cementing ties, with the monarchy.

Though India is impervious to the present Pakistan President’s charge as Army Chief, of Bangladesh baring its fangs off and on and persecuting the minorities, of the army despots of Maynmar keeping Aung Sen Suu Kyi behind bars for years, is uncharitable towards Nepal’s King, who, besieged by the Maoists and corrupt politicians, wants to set his house in order as per his strategy and not India’s set parameters.

Nepal is an independent and sovereign state, not India’s protectorate. India’s advice should, therefore, be mature and friendly.

V.I.K. SHARMA, Jalandhar City

Sino-Indian ties

Air Marshal R.S. Bedi has rightly observed in his article (Aug 9) that India cannot alienate either China or the US while playing its diplomatic card in building bridges of understanding. In spite of problems with China, it is in India’s interest that its relations with China improved.

Today India has become a powerful nation and the US or China cannot ignore India. It depends on India how to build simultaneous bridges with both the US and China.

No doubt, Agri-III will enhance India’s strategic capabilities and credibility. China and the US know of this. The US, China and India have common international interests and they must improve relations.

Col. JASWANT SINGH CHANDEL (retd), Kalol (HP)

Films on literature

This has reference to Nirupama Dutt’s article “Filming a unique literary commune” (Aug 20). Indu Bala Singh’s effort in filmmaking are quite appreciable and she should continue her ventures in future. Her thesis, which centres on the studies of the films on literature, will inspire others for such studies.

From 30s to 50s, a good number of films based on literary works were produced in various languages, particularly in Bengali and Hindi. In the light of these films, sociological studies can be taken up. At the same time, much attention will have to be paid towards the publication of these studies and their translation too in Indian languages. So far attention is not being paid towards publication.

One Mrs Mala Sinha of Agra has done research on the renowned music director Naushad, but I have not seen it in print. The Sangeet Natak Akademi should publish this work.

SATYEN SHARMA, Shimla

CBDT must clarify

There is confusion among Income-Tax authorities and government departments about the definition of salary for purposes of allowing House Rent Allowance (HRA) exemption for income-tax purposes. In this context, attention is invited to Clause “h” of Rule 2A of Part “A”, IV Schedule of the Income-Tax Act, which reads thus: “Salary includes Dearness Allowance if the terms of employment so provide”.

This implies that DA is included in salary if it counts for retirement benefit. At the Centre and in the states, though DA does not count for pension, it counts for gratuity. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) should clarify whether DA is to be included in salary or not for purposes of allowing HRA exemption for income-tax purposes to the government employees residing in private rented house and getting HRA in terms of Section 10 (13A) of the Income-Tax Act.

JAGMINDAR AGGARWAL, Hisar

Quota for women

The stalemate over the Women’s Reservation Bill is unfortunate. The legislation regarding 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies must be made at least in the winter session of Parliament with a view to increasing the women’s status in society.

There should also be 33 per cent reservation for women in government departments, autonomous bodies/undertakings, private sector and so on. This will check crime and discrimination against women. This would also help check the increasing obscenity against women on TV, films and other sources of advertisement.

K.R. RAJU, Advocate, Mohali