This is with reference to ‘Health prescription’ (March 21). The key to national health initiatives lies in rural medical care. A proposal was mooted to extend the MBBS course to accommodate a compulsory rural posting. The posting of doctors to rural India is paramount.

Malnutrition is the basic enemy. It impedes the social and cognitive development of a child, and places an even greater burden on the nation’s progress. Developed nations spend between 9 and 15 per cent of GDP on healthcare. India’s healthcare is too elitist. A major malnutrition offensive is a must.

R Narayanan

Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

Accountable at the top

It is gratifying to know that the CBI took a credible decision in the Kingfisher Airlines case and held the actual decision-makers to account. This aspect is conveniently overlooked by top executives as they are always exempt from accountability. This also holds a key to the ever-burgeoning NPAs in banks.

In the name of staff accountability, many bright, young officials have been made scapegoats of, and punished. They are also punished or victimised if they refuse to process loan requests which, they feel, would eventually become NPAs. Vested interests see to it that the proposal is approved. Caught between the devil and the deep sea, the first line credit officers have no option.

Seethalakshmi

Bengaluru

The Constitution counts

In connection with ‘Yogi asks officials to declare assets’ (March 21), the message from UP is loud and clear. Trying out a non-corrupt young outsider whose obedience to party and government is yet to be ‘tested’ is in itself an experiment. With two deputy CMS and a Muslim minister, the BJP is trying to shape its image consistent with popularity and acceptability. Other political parties should focus on the neglect of the Preamble and Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution by those who are in charge of governance rather than on blindly playing the communal card.

MG Warrier

Mumbai

Consider the positives

This refers to ‘The February exports puzzle’ by Madan Sabnavis (March 20 ). A 17.5 per cent rise in our exports in Februry 2017 as against minus16.4 per cent in February 2016 appears impressive. But it may turn out to be a one-time spike instead of a turnaround of the external sector. This sudden rise is obviously triggered by two mainstream export sectors namely, engineering and POL; the remaining sectors did not register any noticeable growth. Despite these weak points there are two positive signals which cannot be ignored: the positive growth of our exports since September 2016, and the fact that growth of POL in February 2017 is not a one-time spike. It is supported by 60 per cent rise in our crude oil imports. Thus, the sudden rise in exports gives mixed signals; the positive signals cannot be ignored.

Trupti Goyal

Jodhpur

Re-using water

This refers to ‘Even waste water should not be wasted’ by SK Sarkar (March 18). The thought-provoking article shows that properly treated and safely recycled water can potentially offer a ‘triple dividend’ to urban users, farmers and the environment. Each city and town will have to develop its own strategy for managing waste water. A waste-water master plan, appropriate location of treatment plants, and the creation of wetlands and water bodies are what are needed. Recycling urban waste water and using it to grow crops can help mitigate water scarcity problems and reduce water pollution. It is time to come together on a waste-water re-use policy.

Vinod C Dixit

Ahmedabad

A few decades back nobody would have imagined that water would one day be sold. Who knows in future even pure unpolluted air may be sold. It is said water is the oil of the 21st century and many wars may be fought over water. School textbooks tell us that water is a universal solvent, but when will people dissolve their differences over water?

TS Karthik

Chennai

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