Opinion Unfair fares
The new railway minister,Pawan Bansal,talks of a fare hike on his first day in office
Unfair fares
The new railway minister,Pawan Bansal,talks of a fare hike on his first day in office (Bansal hints at hike in fares,IE,October 30). The rail fares are already steep for a rail system that has poor safety measures and is unhygienic. Trains are often overcrowded and commuters would find a fare hike unfair if it does not translate into improved services. The administration of the railways needs to be overhauled. Perhaps the day-to-day functioning would be better managed by the private sector,while the ownership of the railways should remain with the government. This could improve safety,efficiency and accountability. If services improve,commuters would be less reluctant to pay slightly higher fares.
S.N. Kabra
Safe travels
THIS refers to Changing tracks (IE,October 30). The new railway minister has a difficult task before him. He should focus on improving the speed,security,and sanitation of the railways. The slow speed of trains has long been overlooked,and all express trains,including the Rajdhani and the Shatabdi,must be made faster to keep up with high-speed trains in other parts of the world. The safety of commuters could be improved by investigating past accidents. The installation of anti-collision and anti-fog technology should be prioritised. The bogies and toilets must be made more sanitary so that passengers feel more comfortable.
Ganapathi Bhat
Akola
Time to listen
THE people of the Northeast are disappointed that their voices are constantly ignored in national politics (PM sends message,promotes Khurshid,IE,October 29). This has been proven again in the recent reshuffle,in which only two members of Parliament from this region were inducted as ministers of state in relatively insignificant ministries. In the past,few MPs from this region have been given cabinet positions,that too in ministries considered insignificant. It is very convenient to assert that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been elected to the Rajya Sabha from Assam,but the fact remains that he is not from this region and hence cannot say that he actually represents the people of the Northeast. The basic assumption in mainstream politics seems to be that they are not capable of participating in national politics,and that only a cameo role in national politics is suitable for them.
W. Kayina
Manipur
Check the facts
COURTING a GM crisis (IE,October 29) advocates reason in research on genetically modified crops. Whether the Supreme Court abides by the report of the appointed technical advisory commmittee or not,the government should engage in a debate on GM crops that does not play to populist politics. Both proponents and opponents of GM crops must form their opinion on the basis of scientific research.
Maya Valecha
Share
