Package 3.0

Apropos of ‘Big push for housing, employment’, through the Atmanirbhar Bharat package 3.0, the FM has offered a comprehensive set of announcements, although the assessed standalone fiscal cost is modest. Nevertheless, the package is expected to solidify economic recovery. The RBI has confirmed that India is in a recession. The forecast for GDP in FY2021 is of a contraction of 11%. One has to revisit this projection in early December 2020, after the data for Q2FY21 is released by the NSSO. By then, there will be greater clarity on the likelihood of the endurance of the festive season uptick, as well as the pace of new Covid-19 infections domestically and in major trading partners in the winter.

SANJAY CHOPRA, MOHALI

Under govt control

With the digital media, the last bastion of creative content, finally coming under the ‘oversight’ of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, there is concern about censorship, dilution of content and interference in the previously freely operating medium. The government’s decision will hit lesser-known content creators who relied on these digital platforms to establish themselves independent of the mainstream industry. Fuelled by an increasing user base, thanks to cheaper broadband, and being realistic and content driven, these platforms grew from hosting to creating their own quality content. One might even argue that they have become victims to their soaring revenues and success. What shape this new ministry oversight takes will be for time to tell, but it may well be time to say goodbye to the way things were.

Ajay Dogra, by mail

Stumbling block

Apropos of ‘UK PM cautiously hails vaccine news’, it’s reassuring that the coronavirus vaccine by Pfizer will be available in some countries in one-two months. It’s claimed by the company that two shots of the vaccine will offer 90% effectiveness against the Covid-19 infection. The Indian Government has shown its willingness to have a dialogue with the manufacturing company to make it available here. However, the biggest stumbling block in percolating its benefit to the Indian people will be to meet its storage requirements. The vaccine needs to be kept at minus 70 degrees, which may not be feasible even at big hospitals in big cities, leave aside small towns and rural areas.

Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar

Education in Bihar

The NDA government in Bihar should give the state the two gifts of education and employment. Employment will ensure that the citizens of Bihar don’t have to migrate to other states for jobs. The state government should create employment and make sure that the people get these jobs based on merit and not connections. Education is needed to make it certain that they can get the jobs. Education should be spread to every rural area also.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh

Poor Net connectivity

The pandemic has changed the pattern of education from physical to virtual classes, which is a boon for students living in cities and a bane for those residing in remote regions. Students in villages are unable to access the Internet properly and are facing challenges in pursuing education. Good connection must be made easily accessible to all, especially to students in backward areas. The authorities concerned should come forward to assist in the e-learning mode of education.

Aakash Dhiman, Ambala Cantt

Force to reckon with

The BJP chief, JP Nadda, has said people of Bihar have chosen ‘vikas raj’ over ‘gunda raj’. But the alleged ‘gunda raj’ has defeated ‘vikas raj’ in Bihar despite all the mudslinging against the RJD by top leaders of the BJP. The BJP leaders should rather feel small that a political greenhorn, Tejashwi Yadav, has emerged as the leader of the single largest party in Bihar, the RJD.

Maj Narinder S Jallo (retd), Mohali

Solidarity for green Diwali

Air quality is worsening in a huge part of North India, especially Delhi-NCR, due to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. We should join hands to not burst crackers this Diwali so that people could breathe in a clean environment. Two hours of celebrations with crackers can affect the air quality of the next two coming months or even the entire winter season. Due to stubble burning, people of Delhi suffer the most; we can at least avoid crackers for their sake.

Harsh Kumar, Rohtak

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