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Govt helpless in handling economic crisis

In his article “Threats to India’s growth story” (June 9) Manpreet Badal has very rightly depicted the true picture of the Indian government which is helpless owing to short-sightedness of its allies. Rising inflation, corruption, scores of delayed projects, various bills like FDI, aviation, retail still pending to be passed in the Lok Sabha and above all the indifferent attitude of the government towards the common man are making things tougher. He is right in saying that the government looks incapable of dealing with the situation. I feel that India needs the vibrant Dr Manmohan Singh of the early 1990s. Instead of getting into a tangle with  Team Anna, the PM should be more concerned about how to get the economy and growth back on track. Dr Manmohan Singh needs to come out of the party president’s shadow.

SUMEET SETH, Karnal

II

I am of the view that the Congress led UPA-II government at the Centre has emerged as the trusted ally of the corporate houses and big industrialists (“Threats to India’s growth story”, June 9).

Its leaders have consistently harped on the steady Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which has remained above 7-9 per cent for the last several years yet all the tall claims of high growth rate do not take the country too far keeping in view the ever rising prices of vegetables, fruits, milk, pulses, cooking oil and other foodgrain items. There is a complete disconnect between the masses and the present day Congress government which does not want to hear any criticism of is anti-people policies.

Dr  RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

III

What ails Indian economy is misgovernance due to coalition partners whose divergent views have blocked the passage of Lokpal Bill (to stop corruption), FDI ( a liberalised partnership), genuine hike in railway passenger fares( to fill the deficits in railways) and the women empowerment bill (to be fit to be called an unbiased nation), etc. Rampant corruption, bureaucratic red-tapism, unemployment, intransparency at higher levels in the allotment of 2G spectrum, military purchase, are a few of the banes that Manmohan Singh alone cannot take care of. The writer should have dwelt upon wasteful expenditure on unproductive foreign jaunts of ministers, plausible taxation, tapping resources by curbing misuse of electricity by big industrialists, etc. The reduction of taxes by state governments on petrol should also have been discussed.

GURMIT SINGH SAINI, Mohali

Teachers misleading students The government has started self-financing courses at a very low cost for those students who want to take up computer or medical education. The students pursuing these courses are under tremendous pressure because college teachers ask them to join their private coaching institutes. If students refuse to listen to their teachers, the latter try to harm them. The infrastructure provided by the colleges is poor. The teachers appointed for these courses are corrupt because the government pays them a measly salary of Rs 10, 000- Rs 15,000 per month. They allow cheating in examinations and do not perform their duty honestly. TARUN KHATTER, Nabha

Who will rule?

China and the US are super powers in their own right. China is exerting pressure slowly on small countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore etc to toe its line (editorial “New Asia Policy of US”, June 8). India is not strong enough to tackle China. If America leaves this area, China will soon become a dictator in the region. Then America will not be able to cast its shadow of peace and protection in this part of the world. The South Asian countries need military as well as political support from the US to sideline China. I feel America should play an important strategic role in South China Sea. In the presence of the US, China too will think twice before threatening other countries near Bay of Bengal or South China Sea.

KHAZAN SINGH, Kapurthala

Threats from ‘Modicracy’

It is not surprising that Modi’s development model is widely acclaimed by industrialists and large business houses as it ensures unabated exploitation of human and natural resources of Gujarat at the cost of life and livelihood of the people and environment. Manmohan Singh may have problem with “Modicracy” but not with this capitalist development model of Gujarat.

We as people have witnessed the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi and that is why people of India and Gujarat should not ignore the issue of “Modicracy” by saying that it is the internal matter of BJP but people should discuss the impact of ‘Modicracy’ on democracy. ‘Modicracy’ and ‘capitalist development model’ of Gujarat should be studied together.

ROHIT PRAJAPATI, Vadodra

Train to Amritsar

Indian Railways has ultimately taken a decision to convert Chandigarh-Amritsar Duranto Express into a superfast train with en-route stoppages at Ludhiana and Jalandhar. It is a good decision though taken late. This will increase the occupancy of the train with comfortable travelling to commuters.

To further improve the efficiency of this train, it should have an early departure at around 5.30 pm from Chandigarh instead of 7 pm, so that people can reach Amritsar by 9.30 pm instead of 11 pm.

Further, the train must have a halt at the Mohali railway station as it will be convenient for the people and also decongest the crowded Chandigarh railway station to some extent.

MP SINGH, Mohali

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