An alternative to women’s reservation

An alternative to women’s reservation
Congratulations to Sudhir Suryawanshi for the fantastic article, ‘The flip side of women’s reservation’ (March 22). Politicians across party levels have done a great harm to the country by taking such decisions and ruining the face of the Indian socioeconomic structure.

I suggest that in families where the husband is earning and the wife is a homemaker, she be paid 20% of the husband’s income which will be transferred to a direct postal account as a recurring minimum for 10 years. The husband can be given an additional income tax exemption for the same. Such a step will ensure that the family’s future is secure.
—Deo, via email

Minister derailed
That the time has come to say ‘enough is enough’ is a bold statement by Neerja Chowdhury (‘Need to redraw the Lakshman Rekha’, March 22).

Mamata Banerjee has been allowed to have her say in the composition of the rail ministry as if it is the personal property of the TMC, ignoring national interest. 

There can be no doubt that the budget presented by Dinesh Trivedi is pragmatic, practical and also needed to improve the railways, which has been neglected by a succession of ministers, including Mamata herself. 

She has played to the gallery and shed crocodile tears for the ‘aam aadmi’, when what was required was an improvement in railway finances and to bring in advanced technologies and operational efficiencies.
—AG Ramasubramanian, Vashi

Fire safety
This refers to the city edit, ‘Before the fire breaks’ (March 21). Fire safety is the most neglected subject. Little precautions can help us prevent a fire in our building.

As the editorial has rightly said, the bravehearts of the fire brigade can save your life, but they cannot save your property. Moreover, meter rooms should not be constructed near the entrance of the building, as in case of fire due to a short circuit in the meter room, residents get trapped.

Also, the traffic police should facilitate movement of fire engines on roads to reach the affected building quickly.  The city’s fire brigade should be equipped with helicopters.
—Deendayal M Lulla, via email

Time for change
I fully agree with the views of Robert Castellino. While awarding the contracts, the BMC is comparing the rates and not quality of work and due to this reason, companies do not quote their rates as they will not compromise with the quality of work and never grease the palms of babus and politicians.

As a result, inexperienced and unscrupulous contractors grab the contracts. The Shiv Sena has been in power in the  BMC for the last 15 years and contracts are being recommended by the committees under control of the Sena.

The time has come that contracts be awarded only to the companies with great credibility and by which the Sena can put up a good front in the coming state assembly elections.
—DN Mehta, via email

Avoidable negligence
It is indeed shameful and shocking that the Bangalore football stadium lacked basic medical faciilities and personnel to attend to sports emergencies as a result of which a young footballer had to die on the field while playing (‘Footballer dies on the field’, March 22).

The authorities should be taken to task for this negligence and not providing ample aid to the dying player.  It is high time the dilapidated football stadium gets an infirmary with medical facilities and paramedics during all matches.

We wouldn’t want to lose talented players like D Venkatesh for something as archaic as lack of medical attention.
—K Chidanand Kumar, Bangalore

Defining poverty
Attempts at eradicating poverty in India since independence have failed miserably. Successive governments have been aided and abetted in this onerous task by a host of policy planning and execution experts who have tweaked the definition of poverty and juggled the numbers to suit the political dispensation of the day.

The Planning Commission’s latest statement that the number of poor in India has declined has set off alarm bells of disbelief.
—Valli S Rajan, Kalyan

Artist honoured
Apropos ‘Dada Saheb Phalke award for Soumitra Chatterjee’, the award bestowed on the veteran Bengali actor for his lifetime contribution to Indian cinema is a well-deserved honour.

He is known for several of his memorable performances in many of Satyajit Ray’s films. Chatterjee is a multi-faceted personality who also has a passion for performing on stage and reciting poetry.
—Ramesh Jethwani, Bangalore