In black and white

• The article, ‘Let there be white&#146...

• The article, ‘Let there be white’ (IE, August 11) by Gautam Chikermane well articulated the concerns of “white-minded” citizens. Indeed, I had a similar experience. One real estate seller even told me that he did not like to use the word “black” in conversations! Here are my suggestions on what can be done: One, it’s time to centralise, computerise nationality cards — electoral IDs, ration cards, passport, TIN, etc — into one system so that you have a card like America’s Social Security Number system, which is used to curb tax evaders. Two, currently the state’s stamp duty, apart from the Centre’s capital gains tax, ranges from 9 per cent in states such as Tamil Nadu to 15 per cent in some others. Imagine, paying 9 to 15 per cent sales tax for a real estate transaction! Unlike investments in stocks, mutual funds, etc, real estate investment receives unfavourable tax treatment, even for those who don’t consider themselves investors, like first-time home buyers or those buying farmland for a living. High stamp duty acts as a penalty. Therefore, stamp duty rate must be brought down to bearable levels. If that happens, tax evaders will lose their incentive to use “black”.

— Pugal Kumarasamy San Francisco

Omissions

• Apropos of the article,‘Disappointing, Justice Nanavati’ (IE, August 12), it only went to show that it is time we stopped considering those from the legal fraternity as the sole custodians of the justice system in this country. We must seize this opportunity to ensure that judges are never again appointed to head inquiries into developments like riots.

— Inbasagaran Karwar

Advice for Sonia

• If Sonia Gandhi really wishes well for this country, she should stop undermining Manmohan Singh’s authority. Take Jagdish Tytler’s resignation (‘No face to show, Tytler goes’, IE, August 11). She should have told him to personally deliver his resignation letter to the PM and not accept it to be forwarded to the PMO. In addition, she should not entertain sulking ministers and bureaucrats and stopped surrounding herself with fixers, hatchet men and sycophants from her own party.

— Satish Haldankar Bombay

Oil reform

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• Your editorial on opening up the oil industry (‘A priceless mess’, IE, August 11) points to the need for the long overdue reforms in the sector. Analysts affirm that high oil prices are here to stay. Still, we have been going for quick fix solutions, with a populist perspective.

— K.S.C. Nair Indianapolis

Splitting hairs

• Does India’s Constitution not guarantee equal rights for men and women? Why then this controversy (‘Renuka daughter’s Gender Bender puts temple in a spot’, IE, August 11). As upholders of the Constitution the police should intervene on behalf of those women who want to to be barbers and put an end to this controversy. A women has the right to earn a living in any way.

— Hrishikesh Shenoy Leeds

Clean cities

• What beautiful news (‘From today, India gets first litter-free city’, IE, August 11)! I thought we could never do it in India. I thought we could never have a square metre of trash-free land in any corner. Kozhikode has shown the impossible is possible with people’s involvement. May this model spread!

— Ajay Kumar Thiruvananthapuram

The RJD’s key face and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav, party supremo Lalu Yadav’s son, will again contest from his stronghold Raghopur.

Amid Mahagathbandhan crisis, RJD unveils list of 143, drops 36 MLAs, focuses on ‘M-Y’

Political Pulse2 hr ago

The RJD, lead player of the Mahagathbandhan, released its full list of 143 candidates for the November Bihar Assembly elections. Its key face Tejashwi Yadav will contest from Raghopur, and 41 sitting MLAs have been renominated. The party has dropped 36 sitting MLAs and fielded young leaders, signaling a bid to consolidate its core Muslim-Yadav vote base. The Congress has fielded 60 candidates.

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