* I was horrified at Justice Krishna Iyers endorsement of Narendra Modi as prime minister (Narendra Modi good candidate for Prime Ministership: SC judge Iyer,IE,September 18). He has listed four reasons: no corruption in Gujarat,no nuclear power,complete prohibition and reliance on solar power. All of these four grounds do not apply in Gujarat. Worse,Iyer,a leading progressive thinker in India,has totally ignored Gujarat 2002. Incidentally,he was head of the peoples committee to study the 2002 riots in Gujarat.
J.S.Bandukwala
Baroda
Some austerity
* The finance ministrys instructions to all government departments to cut down on non-plan expenditure by 10 per cent is laughable (UPA launches austerity drive,bans 5-star hotel meetings and executive class air travel,IE,September 18). The direction that bureaucrats should only travel economy class on domestic flights can easily be circumvented. The restriction should apply to foreign travel as well. More importantly,the finance minister should advise the PMO not to splurge. It reportedly spent more than Rs 7,000 per plate for a UPA dinner.
A. Seshan
The blot
* By announcing to the Uttar Pradesh assembly that he knows who is guilty of inciting the Muzaffarnagar riots,UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav might have been sending out a warning to BJP legislators (Akhilesh tries to save face: riots a blot on my career,IE,September 19). But to the public,it would appear that he has accepted that his government was not able to handle the situation in Muzaffarnagar. Akhilesh Yadavs statements are only likely to ratchet up the pressure on him. If he knows everything,he must bring the guilty to justice immediately. If he fails to prove their guilt and deliver justice,it will be another blot on his career. All eyes are on him now,watching his every move.
Dhaval Trivedi
True or false
* This is to disagree with the editorial A false conflict (IE,September 19). I support Rahul Gandhis views that roads,bridges,airports etc are important,but at the same time,the aspirations of ordinary citizens must be taken care of. In Punjab,even the construction of luxury hotels is touted as a sign of progress. At present,educational and health facilities are the most urgent needs of a poor person. Unfortunately,they do not seem to figure high on the governments development agenda. The false conflict can be resolved only if development and individual welfare are given equal priority.
Tarsem Singh
Langeri
