An astute leader

This refers to the editorial ‘Indefatigable politician’ (August 8). The death of Karunanidhi, popularly known as ‘Kalaignar’, has saddened the entire nation, especially his innumerable loyalists and admirers. Deeply influenced by EV Ramasamy, the great social reformer, Karunanidhi plunged into politics at a very young age and was elected as MLA from different constituencies for a record 13 times and acceded to the throne in 1969 and remained at the helm for a continuous 19 years. Apart from introducing a large number of welfare schemes for the downtrodden, he strongly advocated State autonomy. He maintained cordial relationships with national leaders cutting across party lines. He played a key role in helping successive governments at the Centre in finalising national policies. Furthermore, even when out of power, he played a vital role in keeping the DMK party intact with his humane approach.

Kolkata

In the demise of the veteran political nonagenarian Muthuvel Karinanidhi (‘The sun sets on Kalaignar’, August 8), we lost a long standing tactician in politics, not only in Tamil Nadu, but also in the nation as a whole. He used his writing and oratory skills to the maximum extent that propelled him to develop Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK), after the stupendous success of the film

Parasakthi which also introduced the inimitable actor Shivaji Ganesan into the film world. He was instrumental in dethroning Congress rule in TN and Congress could never dream of coming back to power in the State.

Mu Ka, as he is popularly known, has never lost an election for six decades or so in the State. The two apparent major mistakes committed by him are expelling his arch rival MG Ramachandran from the party, after which Mu Ka could not get back the power for more than 15 years till the life time MGR.

Bengaluru

Talk of linking major rivers is in the air again. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s announcement about transferring surplus water of the Godavari to the Cauvery comes as music to the ears of people in arid regions (‘Plan ready for linking Cauvery with Godavari, says Gadkari’, August 8). As water is the lifeline for all living beings, the government’s decision to link Cauvery with Godavari is a step in the right direction. Hope there is no change in the stand or hitch on this important issue.

Bengaluru

At present, there is no limit on total profit-margin, difference between MRP and ex-factory price, of commodities. This allows for huge margins for various trade-channels. For example, many commodities are available in wholesale markets at just one-third of the printed MRP.

Even economically priced generic medicines are amongst such commodities. Such big trade-margins are responsible for the high level of corruption in purchases, both in the public and private sectors.

Moreover, the victims are normal consumers, especially in rural areas, who do not have access or knowledge of wholesale markets. The National Anti-Profiteering Committee, under the Department of Revenue, should fix maximum total trade-margin for any commodity to bring down the MRP of commodities in larger public-interest and also as a effort to check corruption.

New Delhi

Market sentiment and investor confidence call for standardisation of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) norms. Banks/FIs too should be subject to IBC regulations. In the absence of a decent insurance limit to safeguard holdings, novice retail depositors/creditors would be compelled to accept a large haircut on their savings, in the event of a default. An FRDI-like framework can offer stability to institutions and fulfil the financial inclusion objective by regulating the quality of credit. It is important to establish ethical accountability of promoters/guarantors in letter and spirit.

New Delhi

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