One should stop criticising that the Unique Identification Number is not mandatory and should not run down the ambitious project before understanding its intricacies. The assigning of mandatory UIDs will be a mammoth exercise,requiring a wide mechanism and huge funds. The UID is basically meant for helping the underprivileged who suffer owing to their lack of verifiable identity. The rich might not use the UID,but in a longer run it will become necessary,just like the passport. As more and more organisations,such as banks and insurance companies demand the UID,citizens will get themselves enrolled for it on a large scale.
Marzun E. Jokhi
Sooner or later
The editorial Badal vs Badal (IE,October 14) is right in concluding that the Punjab government eventually has to implement administrative and fiscal reforms to take the state out of its dire financial straits. While Sukhbir Singh Badal supports populist policies more in his own political interest,Manpreet Singh Badal was trying to salvage the state from impending bankruptcy. Whether or not Manpreets unceremonious departure will facilitate Sukhbirs coronation,the state will continue to face Scylla and Charybdis. Its as clear that this government or the succeeding one will have to bite the bullet,in the larger interests of the state.
Tarsem Singh
New Delhi
Slide in Punjab
The removal of Manpreet Badal as Punjabs finance minister is deplorable. Every rightminded individual should feel concerned. Its not only the Shiromani Akali Dal thats been playing a politics of patronage and subsidies,but almost every other political group striving for power in hard competitive politics is playing this dangerous game. This must end here and the BJP,which is in coalition with the SAD,must take the initiative to save the once prosperous state of Punjab.
Jai Prakash Gupta
Ambala
Lines of the law
Former CBI chief P.C. Sharmas lament (Living by the law,IE,October 13) is understandable. He has rightly identified two of the most important factors,lack of accountability and corruption,as the root cause of non-implementation of several social welfare legislations. The violators are all part of the elite bureaucrats,politicians,etc. Unless treated methodically,this may lead to the failure of multiple organs of government. Uniform and concerted measures are needed to tackle it.
Arvind Kumar
Noida
Best Test
Two out of two for the first time,India has won consecutive Test matches against Australia,a great achievement for M.S. Dhoni and his boys. The Indian tigers made the Aussie kangaroos hop for breath,and our bowlers had their batsmen on the mat. However,it was a close series that could very well have been a tie had we lost the game at Mohali. Our team should not get overconfident with this result. They need to show consistency in performance. We have never won a cricket World Cup since Kapil Devs heroics in 1983 our next goal should be that,when it is held on our soil next year.
S.N. Kabra
