Flexible laws
Refer to the news report ‘Chinmayanand granted bail in sexual abuse case’ (Feb 4); one wonders how the high and the mighty can walk away from the long hands of the law after committing horrific crimes. It appears that the country is heading towards anarchy, where such people would be free to have their way without the least fear of law. A series of hate speeches are being made by ruling party leaders. The killers of Nirbhaya are getting a fresh lease of life every day due to our fragile laws, the root cause of a spike in the crime rate. Time has come to teach such people a lesson; to tell them that they are not above the law of the land. Isn’t it denial of justice to the gullible and the aggrieved?
RAMESH K DHIMAN, Chandigarh
Common man in a fix
The Budget has put the ordinary man in a fix regarding the option of tax rebate. The Finance Minister does not know that the meagre savings under Section 80C are the only hope for salaried people. Moreover, one has to save something for a rainy day, in a country like India, where the future looks bleak for the aam aadmi. Inflation keeps soaring. The government should adopt one simple tax rebate scheme.
Lk Handa, by mail
Plug tax loopholes
Apropos the editorial ‘Parallel tax regime’ (Feb 4); when the hiked tax-free exemption limit subsumes most investment exemptions, the logic in twin option for income tax computation remains indiscernible. The government needs to act bold and go only for the new tax regime, doing away with exemptions. Income tax envisages sharing a fraction of personal income for nation-building. Small savings schemes must fetch better returns when no tax benefits accrue. Simplification — plugging all scope for manipulation — should be the guiding principle.
Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula
Health emergency
Apropos the article ‘The surge of the virus’ (Feb 4); the economic impact is fine but the need of the hour is to fight against coronavirus. After three positive cases in Kerala, the government has declared a health emergency. The government must conduct campaigns to make people aware of how to fight against it. They should be educated about the initial symptoms, precautions and dangerous aspects of coronavirus. The government must not wait for cases to take action, it should gear up before an outbreak.
SAURAV SHARMA, JAMMU
Amritsar jailbreak
The escape of three inmates from the Amritsar jail has put a question mark on the security setup of Punjab jails. Suspending officials and ordering inquiries has not proved a deterrent for the staff and inmates of jails from carrying out their nefarious acts. Heads must roll to get rid of the rotten affairs of state prisons, where gangsters, drug smugglers and terrorists have a free run to operate their network, jeopardising national security. It is time to overhaul the state jail management. Till then, the reins of the jail administration in the border districts should be handed over to the Central agencies.
Anil Vinayak, Amritsar
Tennis star
Apropos the editorial ‘Super Novak wins 17th Slam’ (Feb 4); by winning the Australian Open, Djokovic has proved that he is made of a sterner stuff. He rose like the Phoenix to clinch the 4th and 5th sets to conquer Thiem, who seriously threatened to topple him. He is well nigh on the road to catch up with his illustrious rivals — players of astonishing ability, agility, speed and stamina, playing around the world simultaneously. His tenacity, perseverance and mental strength are bound to help him realise his cherished dream. But Pat Cash’s words should be heeded to, ‘I call tennis the McDonald’s of sport — you go in, they make a quick buck out of you, and you’re out.’
Tarsem S Bumrah, Batala
Not easy for pensioners
The government is planning to sell all PSUs and leaving state-funded autonomous bodies to fend for themselves. Employees and retirees of such organisations feel cheated. My husband and I run our household on pension we earned after working diligently for the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for decades. This premier institution holds great reputation in the field of education. Its remarkable distinction lies in the fact that it is affordable in terms of funds and fees. But with the HRD reluctant to fund such autonomous bodies fully, pension benefits are being delayed inordinately. This is nothing less than a torture for the aged and ailing pensioners.
Sadhna Saini, by mail
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