This refers to “Opening of doors to more reforms” ( Business Line , September 21) The Prime Minister has announced a slew of reforms to give fillip to the sagging economy.

It looks like the Government is determined to go the whole hog, despite stiff opposition by its own allies and Opposition parties. After the announcements, markets have witnessed an upward trend and the momentum is likely to continue for a couple of days.

These measures seem to indicate that the Government has no other alternative but to divert the attention of investors and opposition parties from the Coalgate scam.

On the issue of FDI in multi-brand retail, the Government has created a new federal structure and left it to the discretion of State governments to allow retailers to set up their outlets, as it is unable to arrive at a consensus. Further, by ordering the Congress-ruled State governments to bear the LPG subsidy burden, it has created a rift among States.

I wonder whether these measures are for the entire country or limited to certain States. Can we call them as bold reforms?

K. N. V. S. Subrahmanyam

Hyderabad

Congress’ strategy

This refers to the article “Time to reinvent Congress political strategy” ( Business Line , September 21).

The people of India will definitely welcome a reformed Congress rededicating itself to the ideologies for which the Indian National Congress stood when Mahatma Gandhi was alive.

But, though Gandhi's wish to disband the Congress was not acceded to in 1947, the successive leaders especially after 1964 have ensured that the Indian National Congress survives only in the memory of some earnest veterans.

M. G. Warrier

Mumbai

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