Will hit savings

In the Budget, the amendment in personal taxation norms has created confusion among taxpayers. It will be difficult to judge the suitability of the new scheme. It is just a gimmick and there is no real benefit to the taxpayer. More tax slabs create confusion, and will be a serious blow to the savings system. Again, there is the commitment to give four crore jobs in the next five years and a $5-trillion economy to achieve, but there is no road map.

DEEPAK SARAF, RAMPURA PHUL

It’s complicated

The new Budget has brought in a more complicated income tax system. A good taxation system should be simple, but now the tax slabs have been increased from three to six, and an option to retain the old system has made it more complicated. Abolishing tax rebate on savings and exemption on interest on home loan will adversely affect savings and house building activities. The salaried class has been hit hard. The Budget has abolished all deductions, making it unfriendly for the common man. The government should rethink over deductions under Section 80C, interest on home loans and increase in limit.

BL Gohal, Nabha

Will discourage savings

Apart from confusing the taxpayers, the Budget is sure to make people less thrifty. Human mind is weak and bad habits get inculcated sooner than the better ones. With no rebate available for investments under CPF, VPF, PPF, insurance, NSCs etc, the public is sure to move away from such options. People will go for more consumption, and even conspicuous consumption. This may result into higher inflation as well. Gold and diamond prices will also increase over time. Increase in FDI is the need of the hour. With the withdrawal of subsidy on fertilisers, agricultural products are sure to be costlier, resulting in overall price rise.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Now this, now that

Reference to ‘Govt now says no documents needed for NPR’ (Feb 5); this whole exercise is only confusing people. The announcements regarding document submission and disclosure of information are making people ponder again and again what is happening. With Aadhaar, too, the non-compulsory step created confusion. NPR is not required since we already have a powerful tool in the Census. Polarising statements from the government is also creating a divide among people.

Shivam Bajaj, New Delhi

Unfair detention

Apropos ‘6 months on, no word on ex-CMs’ release’ (Feb 5), Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have completed six months in detention, without any further clue about their release. Several other politicians have been released. It seems to be an act of injustice as they are not allowed to speak up, which is unconstitutional under Article 19. They are being ‘incarcerated’ without any charges, which is unfair.

Tanishka Bahl, Dehradun

Women coaches

Refer to the editorial ‘No male coaches for women’ (Feb 5); the decision by the Haryana Government to appoint only female coaches for female players is not far-sighted. The nation does not have high quality female coaches and the move would demoralise emerging women players. Sports is a pivotal instrument for the uplift of women, but if the support becomes a constraint, the results will get hampered. This is an atavistic step. There are better ways to ensure safety, including a stringent mechanism to deal with complaints of sexual harassment, allowing athletes to present their grievances and ensuring speedy redress. The government must aim to provide the best coaches, irrespective of gender, to a state known to produce shining stars of the country.

Speeha, Bathinda

Death by negligence

Refer to ‘3-yr-old falls into cooking pot in UP school, dies’ (Feb 4); it is really disturbing to read this news. A little girl died only because of the carelessness of the school management, specially the cook. If the cook was not using earphones, he would have saved her by taking immediate action. Strict action should be taken by officials, so that such mishaps do not recur.

Kanika kapoor barjatia, Dharamsala

Pakistan fixation

Pakistan’s India-fixation is touching ridiculous heights (‘Will buy more Malaysian palm oil to compensate for India’s import ban’, Feb 5). How will its populace absorb India’s import of 4.4 million tonne? We already have enough of their ‘paav aur aadha ser’ bombs. People-to-people ties are the key to peace. Open trade and frequent participation of youth of both sides in educational and cultural programmes can pave the way. Pakistan will have to set its focus right because India has always been indulgent in its dealings.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

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