Concerns over tunnel

The detection of a tunnel in Hiranagar region of Jammu along the international border is a matter of grave concern. The digging of a 150-ft-long tunnel would mean excavation of thousands of cubic feet of earth, disposal of which would require a large number of dumpsters and tractor-trailers. How has such activity, so close to the border, gone unnoticed by the security forces? There is an urgent need to step up vigil and beef up the intelligence network to prevent any misadventure by the enemy.

Lt Col HS Dullat (Retd), Patiala

Would Netaji be proud?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while participating in the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Kolkata, would have wondered what Netaji would have thought of the new India, where lakhs of farmers have been protesting in the biting cold, and many have died, and the head of the government — leave aside accepting their demand — had no words to express sympathies with them. Is this the new India which Netaji and other freedom fighters had left for us while making the supreme sacrifice, that our Prime Minister was talking about?

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

Market surge

Last week, the Sensex breached the 50,000 mark for the first time before slipping back a bit. Indian equity markets were not alone in being excited. Global stock markets surged with the inauguration of Biden as US President and promise of a $1.9 trillion stimulus. India is no stranger to monetary stimulus. RBI’s balance sheet expanded almost 15% over the last year, as it pumped in liquidity to stabilise the economy and bring down interest rates. These developments have led to a mismatch between the real economy, which is expected to shrink, and soaring share prices. The next FY will, by all forecasts, see a sharp rebound as the economy reverts to normalcy. India’s economic woes didn’t start with the pandemic. There was a slowdown for two preceding years, partly on account of financial sector troubles. The current buoyancy has policy makers worried as this phase tends to exacerbate risk-taking behaviour. Reforms receive broad support when people are persuaded about future benefits. This needs constant communication and a push from the top.

SANJAY CHOPRA, MOHALI

Degrees to SC students

Apropos of ‘Colleges start releasing degrees to SC students after govt assurance’; the Punjab Government recently ordered educational institutions to release the degrees of SC students under the post-matric scholarship scheme, otherwise their affiliations will be halted. SC students will get their due, but we can’t ignore the poor condition of educational institutions in Punjab, most of which are on the verge of closure. Whether it is the issuance of degrees to SC students or the tremendous increment in the amount of Shagun scheme, all these decisions are taken as the Assembly elections are approaching. The state, buried under debt, should also focus on its economic condition.

Pulkit Jain, BANUR

Real estate stimulus

How the Budget pans out for the real estate sector, only time will tell, but strong fundamentals are vital for the revival of housing demand. The pace of revival can quicken, provided the government extends a helping hand and injects enough stimulus to boost the sector and the overall economy. However, one needs to be cautiously optimistic with the pandemic still a cause for concern. The real estate market is one of the pallbearers of the economy and is the second-highest employment generator after agriculture. The sector accounts for 6-7 per cent of the economy and is set to account for nearly 13 per cent by 2025 if all reform measures announced are executed well. After temporary shocks in the light of structural reforms such as GST and RERA, the enhanced liquidity in the banking system and the restoration of buyer confidence were slowly trickling down in the real estate sector before Covid-19 hit the Indian shores.

SC Dhall, Zirakpur

Back with Pakistan

Refer to ‘Back in the game’; Biden is going to be different and not indifferent like Trump over many engaging issues. Rejoining the Paris climate accord and refunding WHO signifies the realigning of the US with the international forces and occupying leadership positions. Biden’s scrapping of Keystone Pipeline XL accord is a signal for clean energy. Nuclear deal with Iran may be next, which can stop proliferation to a large extent. The only worrying aspect for India is early signs of Biden’s administration getting cosy with Pakistan and resumption of aid. India will have to work hard to present its perspective and convince Biden about the real dangers of backing Pakistan which believes in running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.

Ashok Goswami, New York

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