Easy for pvt players

Reference to ‘Vodafone Idea equity’; what is really inexplicable, and which raises concerns, is that the government has acquired 35.8% stake in the heavily financially stressed and loss-making company, whereas BSNL, where it holds 100% stake, is being allowed to sink. It has no 4G spectrum, it is not allowed to purchase equipment from foreign vendors in the name of indigenisation. It should provide financial cushioning to BSNL which has met social obligations in an unparalleled and exemplary manner, unlike private operators. What is incomprehensible is that the so-called telecom reforms envisage that if private operators are unable to pay their debts, they can convert them into equity, which in essence means that at the very outset, they need not pay their debts.

Arvind Pal Dahiya, Rohtak

SC order justified

Refer to ‘Maharashtra mess’; the state police had earlier told the SC that Param Bir Singh could not be considered a whistleblower under the law, as he chose to speak out against alleged corruption involving former home minister Anil Deshmukh only after his transfer. Prior to this, the Bombay HC had dismissed Singh’s petition seeking to quash inquiries against him by the Maharashtra government. He also claimed that Deshmukh had asked Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze, who was arrested and suspended from the police force for his role in the Ambani case, to collect money from business establishments. In this situation, the SC’s order is justified.

SS Paul, Nadia

Keep Army out of politics

In the article ‘Armed forces should resist politicisation’, the writer has warned of the dangers of the Army having political favourites. Gen VK Singh (retd) is guilty of having started this unhealthy trend of the Army top brass getting too close to the civilian power and then becoming a part of the government with almost no cooling period. The political class would want to use the reputation of the Army to further their own narrow interests. It would be better if the services kept out of this political wrangling as the politicisation of the Army is the last thing the nation wants!

ANTHONY HENRIQUES, MUMBAI

End reservation

In India there is huge competition to qualify NEET-UG for an MBBS seat. In NEET-UG 2021, 15.44 lakh candidates registered for test conducted on September 12, 2021. There are 497 medical colleges in the country, with 80,000 MBBS seats under NEET-UG. Fees go up to Rs 30 lakh a year for a seat, but it multiplies for PG seats. An MBBS doctor completes a degree in 5.5 years, further three years for PG and three more years for DM — a total of 11-12 years. The government has failed to cap the fee structure of private medical colleges. It must stop reservation in medical colleges, as in military, and introduce a common fee structure for private and government medical colleges. It should subsidise the fee of private colleges for their smooth running.

Kamaljeet Malwa, Patiala

Yogi in a spot

The exodus of BJP MLAs and ministers belonging to the OBC and SC category in UP at this critical juncture does not augur well for the party’s electoral fortunes. It is not easy for the Yogi government to ward off the anti-incumbency factor, in view of the growing alienation among a huge chunk of farming community and Muslims because of its blatantly anti-minorities policy to consolidate Hindu votes. Yogi has nothing significant to brag about in his report card of achievements, except invoking UAPA and the Sedition Act against protesters. Quite a few MLA s were in a rebellious mood a few months ago, thanks to Yogi’s supercilious attitude. As of now, the odds seem to be stacked against him.

Roshan Lal Goel, Ladwa

Khorana’s contributions

Refer to ‘Khorana & Indian science’; I find my sense of credulity stretched to believe that Dr Khorana did not get a job in our country after he returned from England. We must recall his seminal contributions by holding seminars in colleges and universities on the life and works of Khorana, to inculcate the deep passion for research and teaching in natural sciences among our scholars and promising teachers.

RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

Drugs still a problem

The state election commission has directed the Punjab government to have drug-free polls, but recently there has been a spike in drug seizures. The government has failed to curb the menace of drugs in the state. Youth of Punjab is grappling with drug addiction and the contraband across the border is beyond the government’s control. The government should make a strategic plan to eradicate drugs across the state, so the youth can enjoy a drug-free life.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

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