Opinion Letters to the editor: There’s hope yet

The Union health ministry must urgently resolve this matter for the benefit of the millions of CGHS beneficiaries.

March 18, 2014 12:02 AM IST First published on: Mar 18, 2014 at 12:02 AM IST

There’s hope yet

Apropos of ‘Viswanathan Anand comes into the picture’ (IE, March 14), Viswanathan Anand is known to cash-in on a winning start, and his triumph over favourite Levon Aronian should do his morale a world of good. When he played against Magnus Carlsen in the World Championships, early setbacks threw Anand out of gear and he was forced on to the back foot from the start. Many chess experts were sceptical of Anand’s participation in the Candidates Tournament considering his recent form. But true chess fans know that form is temporary while class is indisputable. Anand must prove the cynics and critics wrong. Though age is not on his side, Anand appears determined enough. The Candidates Tournament has a gruelling format and Anand should not lose hope even if there are reverses on the way.

Ganapathi Bhat (Akola)

Pay your dues

This refers to ‘Notices to 23 hospitals for withdrawing facility’ (IE, March 11). The withdrawal of the cashless facility for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries is an unwelcome move that will force Central government employees, serving and retired, to cough up hospital charges upfront at private hospitals and later claim reimbursement from the government. It is unquestionable that the government should clear the outstanding dues of Rs 2,002 crore, which it owes private hospitals. But it is unfair on the part of private hospitals to make the beneficiaries suffer for no fault of theirs.

The Union health ministry must urgently resolve this matter for the benefit of the millions of CGHS beneficiaries, including 3 million pensioners, 5 million serving government employees and their dependents.

Romesh Kumari (New Delhi)

Second front

This refers to the editorial ‘Nitish vs Modi, part 2’ (IE, March 14). Narendra Modi’s emergence as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate triggered spontaneous reactions from all corners. Some political parties have deliberately highlighted Modi’s alleged anti-Muslim ideology to draw attention to their so-called secular credentials. It is interesting that Nitish Kumar, first among equals in this regard, has now shifted the focus to Modi’s development agenda. The war has been opened on another front as well.

Makrand N. Kulkarni (Vaijapur)

Betraying the oath

This refers to ‘Khurshid mocks SC, EC as a “challenge”, “interference”’ (IE, March 14). It was most unbecoming of Salman Khurshid, a lawyer and former law minister, to make derogatory comments about the Supreme Court and Election Commission, which are both Constitutional bodies. Khurshid has taken the oath of office to protect the Constitution. For him to belittle the constitutional scheme in this manner is nothing short of blasphemy.

V. Chandramohan (Mumbai)