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SC verdict on dance bar girls

This refers to the editorial 'Ban on dance bars' (July 18). I think so far as girls are not forced to dance and are adequately paid, there is nothing wrong in earning their livelihood at dance bars. Strangely, our film industry treats it as a matter of pride when top actresses dance on the stage with an exposed midriff in the presence of several dignitaries. That is not considered bad and immoral.

However, I do not agree with the proposition that the ban forced dance bar girls to take to flesh trade as no law can allow a hungry person to commit a theft to satiate her hunger.

India is a country where one-third of the population is not able to manage even one square meal. My conviction is that if a poor child does some work and earns his livelihood, what is bad in it? So far as children are not forced to work against their wishes, or if they are paid adequately or they are working within the prescribed schedule, there is nothing wrong in earning a livelihood, particularly considering the fact that the government has not done anything for them.

A K BANSAL, Chandigarh

Modi misunderstood

This refers to the news item '2002 riots: Modi says did no wrong' (July 13). In an interview with Reuters, Modi described himself as a Hindu nationalist, which triggered a storm in political circles as if Modi has stated something very wrong, incompatible or unpardonable. Moreover, he has always been in a storm due to his statements, misconstrued by the rival parties. Recently, he was criticised by the Congress for his "puppy" remarks. By no stretch of imagination can it be interpreted that Modi has referred to Muslims by making the "puppy" remarks when he, to a questioner, said that even if a puppy comes under the wheel of a car, it pains him.

DEV RAJ SHARMA, Karnal

AKHILESH CHOURASIYA, Amritsar

Property tax arrears Through an amendment made in 2012 to the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, the Haryana government re-introduced property tax on residential, commercial, institutional and industrial properties, including government properties, effective from April 1, 2010. However, the new property tax policy was approved and notified on January 28 this year. Now after the conclusion of the municipal elections to seven corporations in Haryana, the authorities have issued notices to property tax payers directing them to cough up tax payment for three to four years at exorbitant rates. The taxpayers are up in arms against the state authorities for multifarious and valid reasons. According to the new taxation policy, those owning constructed houses of up to 250 sq yds are required to pay tax @ Rs 1 per square yard, i.e. Rs 250 per year. But those who own houses on the 350 sq yds plot area would have to pay Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 or more per year. The regressive and invidious character of the tax policy is self-evident when the area differential of 40 per cent between two plot sizes (250 and 350 sq yds) and tax differential of 1,100 to 1,500 per cent between them is taken into account. The Haryana government has set up a property tax review committee and it is hoped that the committee will do justice through rationalisation of property tax in consonance with the fundamental canons of taxation. DR PREM SINGH DAHIYA, Rohtak