Rainfall levels

Rainfall levels
It is ridiculous to compare the figures of Mumbai’s lake levels obtained in 2009 to those of 2010. During 2008, the city had near normal rainfall; whereas in 2009, it was deficient by around 25-30%. That means, during the onset of monsoon in 2009, the reservoirs had plenty of water to fall back upon due to satisfactory rains in 2008. The below normal rainfall of 2009 had resulted in low levels for all the six lakes supplying water to the megapolis.
—Arun Malankar, via email

Petro prices
Letting market forces decide the price of petroleum products may look good and progressive on paper but it is fraught with danger and profiteering tendencies (‘Good sense — at last’, DNA, June 26). In this system the price may even be determined on the basis of location. The danger is, with a woefully inadequate machinery it is impossible to maintain the quality of petrol sold and a likely inefficient enforcement will create chaos among consumers. The government, which appears to be in haste, should rethink on the points raised above and take further steps only after these questions are answered satisfactorily.
—S Rajagopalan, Chennai

A hat-trick
After winning the Indian Open Grand Prix Gold on June 13 and the Singapore Open Super Series title on June 20, Saina Nehwal has created history by defeating Japanese Sayaka Sato in final of the Indonesian Open Super Series in Jakarta June 27 (‘3 Sundays, 3 titles’, DNA, June 28). Nehwal has scored a hat-trick by winning three international tournaments in quick succession. She has proved that she is a sportsperson of extraordinary talent and consistency. National coach Pullela Gopichand has all the reasons to say that she can get the gold at the Olympics.
—MC Joshi, Lucknow

Political ploys
This is with reference to ‘Kasab case on slow track as government in no hurry’, (DNA, June 26), the home ministry’s admission that there is no proposal to deal with terrorist -related mercy petitions separately is a clear indication of the lack of seriousness of the UPA government in combating terrorism in the country. Under the circumstances the home minister’s demand that Pakistan take action against those who masterminded the 26/11 carnage as a precondition for the ongoing dialogue between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan does not carry conviction. It won’t be surprising if the government uses the hanging of Afzal Guru and Ajmal Kasab for bargaining with Pakistan to get concession on some tricky bilateral issues, including Kashmir.
—Subramanian Venkataraman, Mumbai