Revive small savings

Small savings are the backbone of the Indian economy. Post Independence, priority was given to small savings through banks and government agencies with inducements/better returns. It was to not only ensure inflow of funds but also inculcate the habit of saving amongst the masses. It also aimed at stopping surplus funds from being diverted to unproductive channels by unscrupulous moneylenders.

A few years back, such incentives also came into force for senior citizens who primarily depend on the interest earned from banks etc. This golden tradition should be revived for senior citizens and pensioners should be exempted from tax on bank interest.

NL Gupta, Jalandhar

Not on track

Reference the editorial “From Mass to Class” (July 9), a good budget should tell the status of ongoing projects and the new projects to be taken up to meet the targets projected in the Five Year Plan and the Vision Document of the Railway Ministry. It should also indicate the total requirement of funds, their availability and management.

The basic philosophy of the Railways network is to electrify the entire track length by 2025 and increase the share in passenger traffic and freight movement to the extent of 50% and save the consumption of diesel worth Rs 1 lakh crore annually. There is no mention of this commitment in the budget. The introduction of 58 superfast trains does not constitute a good budget. Gowda puts the entire reliance on FDI and the PPP model for executing new projects. The model has failed in India. Look at how people are breaking toll tax barriers. The budget is also silent about the maladies plaguing the Railways such as downsizing the organsiation and electrifying and doubling the tracks.

A large percentage of tracks remains underutilised. For example, only one train runs along the newly laid Rohtak-Rewari line. This problem can be solved only if the states are allowed to lay their own tracks and run trains within their territories. A link of 25 km between Ukalana and Narwana can connect the Sirsa-Hisar section with Delhi-Chandigarh railway line.

Ram Niwas Malik, Gurgaon

Jan Sahatabdis needed

I fail to understand why our politicians are so enamoured of the Shatabdi train. Why don't they insist on Jan Shatabdi trains, which have reserved compartments with both AC and non-AC coaches. They carry more number of passengers at a lower cost, with same facilities, except food as part of ticket fare, and take almost the same time. The Una-Delhi Jan Shatabdi via Chandigarh is a successful train in which not even a single seat remains unoccupied. Our MPs should demand Jan Shatabdi trains from Bathinda to Delhi via Jakhal and one from Patiala to Delhi.

Chaman Lal, Bathinda

Pandits’ return

Let us hope that the newly elected government will rehabilitate the Kashmiri migrants in the Valley. It is a herculean task, requiring determination, effort and courage (“Pandits’ return a priority, says Modi government”, June 10). Over four lakh Kashmiri Pandits fled their ancestral homes because of the Pak-trained terrorists’ ethnic-cleansing campaign, which turned the Valley into a killing field. They are bent on making it an Islamic state. Pakistan is forcibly occupying about 7,800 sq km of Jammu and Kashmir. It is from this side that terrorists trained on its soil sneak into the Valley. The innocent peace-loving people wonder “kab nazar main aaey gee-bedaagh sabzey kee bahaar/khoon key dhabbey dulein gay kitni barsaaton key baad.”

Those at the helm in Pakistan consider Kashmir as the jugular vein of their country and have declared to provide unhindered moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris to get their rights. Will they stop pushing the terrorists into the Valley? Even police and security personnel are not safe there. Separate colonies, if set up for Kashmiri Pandits, will also be vulnerable to terror attacks. Will, in these circumstances, they agree to go back unless a sense of security and confidence is created among them? They are living like refugees in their own country. Some months ago, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said that Kashmiri Pandits were an integral part of the culture and ethos of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat and their return to the Valley was the cherished goal of his government. But nothing has been done to facilitate their return. Mere statements of passionate eloquence cannot help. Unless there is peace in the Valley and Kashmiri Pandits can live there fearlessly with honour, dignity and assured livelihood, the pristine glory of the terrestrial paradise cannot be restored.

Bhagwan Singh, Qadian