Budget for elderly

The process of the Union Budget for 2014-15 is due to commence. The Union Finance Minister has to be engaged in discussions with experts, farmers, industry captains and other representatives for the Budget to be people-centric. All sections of society are pinning great hopes on the coming Budget.

The senior citizens are indeed a very vulnerable segment of society. They need special attention and should be divided into three groups: young senior citizens (60-70 years), old senior citizens (70-80 years) and super senior citizens (80 years and above). All these categories should be given tax relief accordingly so that their evening of life does not become unbearable. Moreover, under Section 80-C of the Income Tax Act, a senior citizen should be allowed to invest the whole permissible amount in any one of the tax-saving instruments and its lock-in period should not exceed three years.

Dr LK Manuja, Nahan

LPG: No cash benefit yet

Una and Hamirpur were among the few small districts selected in the first list ofthe direct cash benefit transfer scheme. Sadly, the residents are running from pillar to post for the cash transfer after paying more than ~1,100 for an LPG cylinder. In many cases, the poor consumers have been running for months between the gas agency and the bank to get the cash benefit credited.

Also, in PDS fair price shops, the supply of essential items such as cooking oil, dal, sugar has been irregular for almost a year. It is sad that the government has miserably failed to look into the mishandling of supplies and distribution. The common man is miserably squeezed as his resources do not match the rise in prices. Non-availability of items is adding to his woes.

Tek Chand, Abada Barana, Una

Give firewood via PDS

Keeping in view the extreme cold conditions in Himachal Pradesh, the state government should make available firewood and charcoal through the public distribution system at reasonable prices. The consumer who has two LPG cylinders on a ration card is not entitled to kerosene. This is not justified as the people spend more than six months in chill.

KC Sharma, Gaggal, Kangra

Football coach needed

The post of football coach at the Sports Hostel in Rohroo, Shimla, run by the Education Department, is lying vacant for the past 11 years, hitting the hostel boys from all over Himachal Pradesh. The state government makes tall claims of promoting sports, but the reality is otherwise. No serious efforts have been made to fill the vacant post. On the other hand, the game of cricket is getting all support and special attention. Football and related activities stand ignored, much to the misery of football players and lovers. It is most unfortunate.