Clear the confusion

I am in full agreement with Prabhakaran Nair (‘The mad chase after Bt brinjal’, December 12).

The GM crops issue has been a topic of discussion in India for over a decade. Any manipulation of the genetic fabric of a native crop like brinjal is hazardous to the environment. The new government should take the initiative at least now on the lines of the Supreme Court appointed-Technical Expert Committee to put in place all the safety provisions before allowing full-fledged field trials of GM crops. Food crops should be differentiated from non-food crops while devising safety standards since it directly affects human lives.

A lot of confusion exists on the toxic effects or otherwise of GM crops because of which farmers and general public are fed up. A few days back a central minister himself declared that there is no risk in GM crops. As suggested by the writer, scientists of all related fields should sit together and resolve the controversy after looking at findings elsewhere in the world. The government should clear the air through an authenticated agency such as the ICAR so that the general public are assured of the safety or otherwise of these crops instead of getting misguided by various agencies.

MA Khan

Chennai

The government should give due importance to the concerns of cross pollination. In the US the big seed companies have written laws regulating themselves. If it is found that their seeds are contaminated because of cross pollination, the farmers can go to jail. When we allow for field testing of these seeds we need to think of pollen contamination; big seed companies could claim that their seeds are being used by the farmers and then take legal action against them.

CR Arun

Email

Walk the talk

With reference to the report ‘Let banks decide on consolidation: SBI chief’ (December 12), it would be better if the chairperson of the SBI walks the talk by setting an example. At present, only five out of eight SBI associate banks function with separate identities. State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur and State Bank of Patiala can be considered by SBI for immediate merger with it as there is synergy and uniformity in many aspects.

This would immediately pave the way for large private sector banks such as ICICI and HDFC as well as large PSBs such as BoB, PNB and Canara Bank to start thinking on these lines. There is already virtual merger considering the similar systems and procedures prevailing among the SBI associates. This would help the streamlining of branch functioning and productive use of the large workforce. But what should not be forgotten is good governance, the absence of which would have an adverse effect on the economy.

More than merger and market share, what is important is good governance practice.

RS Raghavan

Bengaluru

What about the poor?

The impending insurance Bill does not envisage insuring people without shelter and those living in hutments. The existing system mandates a permanent dwelling for one to benefit from the public distribution system.

Any tangible initiative on this issue would go a long way in improving the quality of life of people below the poverty line.

Vikram Sundaramurthy

Chennai

Double standards

 Why is there one set of laws and rules for politicians and bureaucrats and another for the common folk? If there is an allegation against a Village Officer  for taking a paltry sum as  bribe, he is immediately suspended and has to face the music.

If a Minister is accused of such a thing and even if an FIR is filed, he can continue in office, stand for election and carry on for many years as if nothing has happened. The law should be applied by the same yardstick for every individual. I would go so far as to say the rules should be applied more harshly on the rich and politicians than on the man in the street.

N Krishnan

Poonithura, Kerala

Power tariff hike

This refers to the decision of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission to hike the power tariff by 15 per cent with effect from Friday. The inevitable has happened. But at the same time, one feels the government could subsidise the consumption of power (by educational institutions instead of places of worship. Education is sine qua non for human capital formation and economic growth.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu

Nudge them

This refers to the report ‘RBI reviewing priority lending norms for foreign banks’ (December 12). Though foreign banks view the move with scepticism, it is only fair and equitable that they too adhere to RBI guidelines with regard to priority sector lending. Though foreign banks are predominantly doing ‘class banking’ in India, entering the priority sector is likely to help them reap the benefits of retail banking. There is plenty of scope and space for quality lending in agriculture and also in the medium and small-scale industrial sectors. Time and experience will prove that encompassing such sectors will open up new business opportunities for foreign banks. As many of the foreign banks in India are headed by Indians or persons of Indian origin, their past and present association in the country will be handy to expand their sphere of banking activities.

CG Kuriakose

Kothamangalam, Kerala

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