Go deeper

Sir - Given the slow pace of investigations into the rich and the famous using tax havens to conceal their wealth, one wonders whether the latest disclosures of allegedly secret investments - titled Panama Papers - would eventually help bring the offenders to justice. This is not a simple case of tax evasion. It is important to find out the source of the funds behind these off-shore investments. Setting up a special multi-agency group at the behest of the prime minister to take the investigations to their logical conclusion is the least that the government could have done under the circumstances. But what is perplexing is the news that the special investigation team that has been set up under the Supreme Court's order, too, would look into these findings. Such a move would result in considerable confusion. How can two different agencies be asked to carry out investigations into the legality of investments and transactions that have been carried out abroad by Indian nationals? It has been reported that SIT has been forced to inform the apex court of the unwillingness of various departments to share information on the tax evasion case. Little wonder then that the SIT has not been able to unearth important evidence. Is the finance minister aware of this?

Yours faithfully,
S.K. Choudhury,
Bangalore

Real issue

Sir - There is no denying the fact that Assam is lagging behind in terms of economic development. During his recent visit to the state, the prime minister, Narendra Modi, correctly chose to focus on development instead of concentrating on the issue of illegal immigration that has been turned into a plank to seek votes by most political parties.

As the assembly polls are in full swing in the state, all the political parties are desperately trying to get ahead of one another by indulging in mud-slinging and issuing stringent criticism. In the melee, the real issues are getting sidelined. Tarun Gogoi has been running the state for almost 15 years. However, his rule has been marked by a number of failures. Assam has underperformed on account of the laid-back attitude of the state government as well as the apathy of the Central government. Several parts of the state are in need of basic infrastructure. Gogoi blames the Centre for the lack of adequate funds. But the truth is that he himself has not paid any attention to reform the state, save for Guwahati. The Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and regional outfits blame one another for illegal immigration from across the border. But none of these parties has turned their attention to unemployment that is causing thousands of young people to move to other cities in search of jobs. Major roads and national highways passing through the state are in a shambles and a vast majority of the people are facing endemic poverty.

Gogoi must be held responsible for such a state of affairs. Modi has correctly raised the issues of poverty and economic backwardness of the state, even though it might only be a ploy for the assembly polls. It is good that Modi talked of Assam's development. This issue should be the primary focus of the governments in the state and at the Centre.

Yours faithfully,
Janga Bahadur Sunuwar,
Bagrakote, Jalpaiguri

Back with a bang

Sir - The year, 2016, has witnessed the revival of West Indian cricket. First, their under-19 team won the World Cup. Now their senior teams, both the women's cricket side and their male counterparts, recreated the magic by winning the women's and men's Twenty20 World Cups, respectively ("Breathtaking Brathwaite clinches it for West Indies", April 4). They did so against all odds, at a time when no one considered them worthy enough to win the tournaments.

The manner of the victories of the West Indian men's team goes to show that the triumph is not a flash in the pan. The West Indians effortlessly chased down a stiff target in the semi-final. They found themselves in a spot of bother in the final against England. But Marlon Samuels, a senior batsman, guided his team home.

The West Indies have also successfully busted the myth that they are a one-man team. Chris Gayle is not the only world-class player in their squad. A closer look at their performances would show that the West Indies have a range of talented players who contributed significantly in each and every game. Gayle thrashed England in the group match; Johnson Charles, Lendl Simmons and Andre Russell helped trounce India in the semi-final; Carlos Brathwaite and Samuels helped the team win the final. Hopefully, the West Indies would revive their lost glory in Test cricket very soon.

Yours faithfully,
Ambar Mallick,
Calcutta

Parting shot

Sir - Verghese Kurien was the architect of the largest dairy development programme in the world. India may be the largest producer of milk, but the nation is the biggest consumer of milk as well. India should not rest on its laurels and avoid the prospect of importing milk like China.

Yours faithfully,
T.S. Karthik,
Chennai