In trouble

Sir — Prices of essential commodities have soared. The state government has failed to check the rise. Politicians too have been sleeping over the issue. Consequently, daily necessities like diesel, petrol, kerosene and cooking gas have become very expensive. The poor and the lower middle classes have been particularly affected by the price rise. Worse, the government has burdened them with additional liabilities. People who are used to a luxurious life are unlikely to understand the problems confronting the weaker sections of society.

Some urgent measures ought to be taken to check the rise in prices. For instance, the government should immediately set up a mechanism to monitor the market and practices such as hoarding. There is also a pressing need to fix a floor price for essential items, including life-saving drugs.

The rural economy is floundering since it is not equipped to deal with the hike. The absence of effective policies to procure agricultural produce and monitor the distribution of food supplies has created a class of entrepreneurs — middlemen — who have added to the trouble. The rise in the prices of food items and, consequently, in the cost of living has brought about an unprecedented crisis in the lower tiers of both rural and urban society. Even as prices are shooting through the roof, the state government announced an increase in the dearness allowance for state government employees (“Mamata damage control with 6% DA”, Nov 21). The government seems indifferent to the plight of employees in the private or the unorganized sector.

The consequences of poverty can be devastating. Children are sent to work as domestic helps or in hotels and factories to supplement the family income in poorer households. This means that most of these children fail to receive an education. Women, too, take up menial jobs. Malnourishment and illiteracy thrive among sections of the population on account of these factors. It is a shame that the welfare State has failed in its primary duty to feed and educate its citizens.

Corruption is another vice that threatens the country. One of the reasons behind the State’s failure to ensure better governance is entrenched corruption. Restoring integrity and morality among government officials can help the State provide better services. In order to meet the challenge of price rise, the government should put in place an effective economic policy and appoint incorruptible administrative officials.

Yours faithfully,
Ratan Chandra Biswas, Howrah

Sir — The recent furore over whether to or not to increase the DA for state government employees has partially been toned down with the chief minister announcing another 6 per cent to its employees from January 2014. The zeal with which state government employees cutting across party lines protested the assertion made by the finance minister, Amit Mitra, about there being no DA lying in arrears for them evoked surprise. Given state government employees’ proven and legendary allergy to work, one may justifiably question whether they actually deserve an increase. It is also a known fact that the responsibility and pressure of work borne by Central government employees far outweigh those of their counterparts at the state level. I have no objection to state employees getting DA on par with their Central counterparts. But are they also willing to sacrifice the greater number of holidays they enjoy, their age-old practice of attending and leaving office at their own sweet will and take on the same amount of responsibility that a Central government employee has?

Yours faithfully,
Kausik Ray, Serampore, Hooghly

Exclusive festival

Sir — The Calcutta Film Festival is an event that has brought great joy to film-lovers. This year too the quality of films was quite impressive. I randomly chose eight films without knowing anything about their content and was mesmerized by their standards of production. Most of the narratives appeared to be contemporary. Yet, traditional philosophies were woven into these narratives in a refreshing manner.

After coming to know of my experience, a few of my friends who are wheelchair-bound had expressed the wish to watch some films at the festival. Much to their disappointment, none of the venues was equipped to admit people on wheelchairs. They were thus kept out of a government-managed cultural event that is supposedly inclusive in nature. The government and the festival organizers should take urgent steps to make the festival accessible to people fighting disabilities.

Yours faithfully,
Amitava Banerjee, Calcutta

Justice first

Sir — It is good to know that a panel of Supreme Court judges has begun a probe on a retired judge of the apex court who has been accused of sexually harassing a young law student (“Intern sends affidavit to probe panel”, Nov 22). The inquiry must be unsparing in order to get to the bottom of the truth. The name of the accused has not been made public yet. Consequently, the finger of suspicion is unfortunately being pointed at every member of the judiciary who has retired in recent times.

The allegations of impropriety against a former judge of the nation’s highest court has put the temple of justice to shame. If the charges are found to be true, severe punishment should be meted out to him. On the other hand, if it is found that the young woman’s allegations are fabricated, she too should be taken to task.

Yours faithfully,
Aires Rodrigues, Goa