Power proposal ill-timed

In the midst of a pandemic, when the economy of the whole nation is paralysed and the administration is in the doldrums, the Union Ministry of Power issued a public notice on April 17, detailing drastic changes in the Electricity Act, proposing huge concessions to private sector players at the cost of state power utilities and discoms that are already facing an unprecedented financial crisis. The Centre is trying to usurp the states’ powers, apart from creating problems, especially payment of subsidies to various categories of consumers and powers of states to appoint the regulatory commission chairman and privatisation of distribution. The PM must intervene and put on hold the ill-timed amendment to the statute proposed to be enacted in Parliament.

VK Gupta, Kurukshetra

Still going hungry

It is good that 4 million tonnes of foodgrain have been lifted by the states under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana in the course of this month. Yet, it is true that scores of urban migrant workers, many of them desperate to return to their villages, are going hungry, despite rice and wheat stocks of 77 million tonnes lying in the godowns. Stocks are not reaching the hunger hotspots quickly enough, even as food has been moved, largely by rail to all states. The immediate need now is to reach out to the millions of migrants who do not have a ration card and are outside the NFSA ambit. States and NGOs have set up community kitchen and other forms of emergency food distribution system, but their efforts are not enough.

SC Dhall, Zirakpur

Why free return service?

The Punjab government has sent 80 AC Volvo buses to Nanded to ferry about 2,000 Sikh pilgrims stranded at Hazur Sahib, along with masks, sanitisers, eatables etc. The cost is being borne by the Punjab Government out of the state exchequer. The pilgrims had gone to Hazur Sahib on their own. Hence, they should be brought back at their own expense. Punjab has declared salary cuts, stopped the payment of DA etc. It has also requested the public to donate generously to the CM Relief Fund. The SAD had also offered to bring back the pilgrims at their own expense. The SGPC president had written to the Home Minister to ensure their return. Harsimrat Kaur Badal has claimed mileage by thanking Uddhav Thackeray, Amit Shah and Sharad Pawar for making it happen. Nobody is thinking about the millions of poor labourers stranded across the country, who have no food, no place to live in, no money and no work. These politicians are simply indulging in vote-bank politics.

Sudhir Kumar Narang, Chandigarh

Politics for another time

Even in these tough times, it is nauseating to see third-rung politicians making a beeline for any photo opportunity that comes their way, be it ration or mask distribution, or any activity that keeps them in the limelight. By doing so, not only are they putting the general public in danger, but also their near and dear ones. Let the government do its job and let politics be kept aside for a more appropriate time.

Charit Vohra, Patiala

Will hit MF industry

Reference to the editorial ‘Debt debacle’ (April 27); the closure of six debt schemes by Franklin Templeton MF, followed by another six fund schemes, highlights that foreign financial companies are here only for making money due to the favourable dollar-rupee exchange rates. This event will snowball into a crisis for the entire MF industry, which was the favourite investment market, after fixed deposits, for the middle class. The government needs to urgently intervene to mitigate the risks, as Rs 27,000 crore is involved in the 12 schemes. This contagion has already taken the stock exchanges in its ambit. SEBI and the RBI should also intervene.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

More unity than ever

It is true that all colours agree in the dark. At the time of a crisis, we all sink our differences. Barring a few exceptions, the entire world is united in the endeavour to overcome this pandemic. Even within the country, there is an apparent solidarity among the people and parties to collectively fight this crisis. There is no reason to doubt that this spirit is akin to a silver lining.

SL Singhal, Noida

Capitalism & Covid

The pandemic has exposed a sense of insecurity among the masses that are a part of the capitalist apparatus. The crisis has exposed the lack of genuine public serving healthcare infrastructure and is a perfect opportunity for large pharmaceutical companies to make dividends. It is time when their power must finally be broken as capitalist globalisation seems unsustainable, and social ownership must take over. The transmission of the pandemic itself has followed the path of global capitalism — business travel, tourism and trade. A global crisis can be a global turning point.

Shravil Budkulia, Amritsar

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