PM’s 50-day
promise
The Prime Minister’s 50-day promise to the nation is coming to an end with no end to people’s woes. People are wasting their precious time standing in long queues to withdraw cash from ATMs and banks. Most ATMs too have run dry with no cash in them. The worse affected are the daily-wage earners who have to miss a day’s work and wages in order to withdraw cash from ATMs and banks.
Narendra Modi has made life miserable for the Indians. If Jesus Christ was alive today, He wouldn’t have allowed these things to happen and thugs like Narendra Modi to rule the country. There would’ve been peace and prosperity everywhere and India would’ve overflowed in milk and honey. Where is the black money that Modi had promised us that he would bring back to India from Switzerland’s Swiss banks that have been deposited there by some corrupt Indians? And where is the Achche Din that he had promised us? All we are experiencing is only bad days (bure din). When will the Achche Din come?
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Demonetisation,
a major goof up
The demonetisation, when announced considered by many as a masterstroke on black money is turning into abject goof up with it nearing its 50 days without any sign of returning to normalcy in sight. The move that was aimed at the corrupt and super rich who had hoarded black money has backfired on the poor causing immense hardship and total chaos in their lives.
The prime minister is erring terribly by taking decisions emotionally rather than intellectually. In his position of such big responsibility, it is far more important to know not how much good the policy will do but how big harm it can do.
Most of the poor in remote villages of India do not have even a bank account, forget about even a bank in near distant, while the rich sitting in their posh houses have all the means and tricks to turn black money into pink, as we are seeing in the news and in our daily lives .
Now the same goes with the decision to go cashless; the poor people who have never used mobile phones in their lives, forget about internet connectivity, it will be a never ending suffering imposed by this government on their peaceful living.
Valent Mascarenhas, Calangute
Cashless transactions
Cashless transactions say over Rs 50,000 is welcome. But 100 per cent cashless transactions will only add insult to injury. In that case, we cannot even use a pay toilet whatever may be our urgency if there is a link / tower failure.
When countries like the United States of America is not going for 100 per cent cashless with 99 per cent literacy, it will be ludicrous if India tries it with only 74.4 per cent literacy. Without hurting the wounds of the poor, the government should now clean 95 per cent of the black wealth in the form of benami property, gold and foreign bank deposit abroad off our economy. Otherwise, the ongoing economic Swachh Abihiyan will only be reduced to abolishing fake currency which could have been done in a smoother way.
Sujit De, Kolkata
Safety measures
There has been yet another incident of a worker falling to his death from a height while working on an under-construction building. In the past several days such incidents have been reported in Goa. Such deaths are avoidable if the workers are given proper safety equipment by the contractor or builder.
While working at a height these workers should be secured with the help of a rope so that even if the worker loses his balance and falls, the fall can be broken by the rope and hence a life can be saved. However it is observed that workers at construction sites work at great heights with absolutely no safety measures being adopted. Use of safety equipment for workers at construction sites should be made mandatory in order to prevent avoidable fatal accidents.
It is pertinent to note that in western countries it is mandatory for construction workers to even wear helmets besides other safety equipment while at work. These workers engaged in road construction are also seen wearing uniform with fluorescent strips. Such uniform is also worn by municipal workers while sweeping the roads.
We need to introduce safety measure for workers which also include those of the electricity department working on electric poles at dangerous heights.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Banning of
liquor shops
The ‘Liquor Policy’ in our nation pertaining to its prohibition/ban or otherwise varies from the State to State (There are total 29 States – and 7 UTs – in India including the latest one Telangana which is created after dividing Andhra Pradesh). The Union/Central Government has not issued any particular/specific orders/guidance in this connection to the States. It is entirely upto the State concerned to act upon morally in this matter. But ‘drunk driving’ is banned and punishable all over.
The States with a view to get huge revenues/excise duties on liquor sale, normally do not take much interest to ban the sale of liquor in their State and highways. It is alarming to note that yearly some 1.5L people die in the road accidents due to ‘drunk driving’ on national and state highways and a meager compensation of Rs 1 or 1.5L is given (to the families of the victim/dead).
Taking a cognizance of this serious ‘ death’ matter, the Supreme Court of India has ordered a ban on liquor shops alongside the national and state highways w.e.f. 1st April, 2017 and also stated that no renewal of licences of the existing shops will be made.
The decision by the SC banning of liquor shops alongside the national and state highways is most welcomed which will save many avoidable deaths occurring on road due to driving in inebriated condition.
Vijay D. Patil, Pune
Health care
in India
The health care system in India is in a pathetic state and is become money making business as unnecessary medical tests and procedures are harming patients physically and financially. The fees in private hospitals and clinics are too costly. With no periodical checks, private hospitals are charging much more than government hospitals and as far as government hospitals are concerned the less said is better.
Most government hospitals are understaffed and don’t have latest medical equipments to keep pace with the technology. Private hospitals are not necessarily a good alternative for the poor. Though they are better equipped and have a fairly adequate strength of doctors.
I hope and pray that the government take strong measures urgently to deal with the problems plaguing our health care system so that patients get good and affordable health care.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
National Anthem
in cinema halls
The honorable Supreme Court (SC) has recently directed cinema halls across the country to play the National Anthem before screening movies. This practice is not new to people who have lived in Maharashtra. I believe that though the intention is marvellous, but can it be made legal?
Patriotism must be in-built character of all citizens, which require efforts and education from childhood — in schools and homes. One cannot force someone to think or behave in a certain way or challenge their love for the country. Therefore, widespread propaganda on singing and respecting the anthem seems like a better option.
Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi
