• Most of the problems faced by governments, whether in the states or at the Centre, can be traced to a single scourge: corruption. Further, it is distressing that the Indian Police Act is almost a century and half old. Police reforms will continue to be ineffective as long as those in uniform harbour outdated and wrong notions of power. While there are several good policemen around, the innumerable bad cops taint the profession and define its moral compass in the public mind.

— Prasad Malladi

Nidadavole

Let whistles blow

• If the government is indeed serious and sincere about eliminating corruption from the public services, it should take legislative and administrative measures to protect those public servants who have the professional ethics and courage to expose culprits. The administration should set up a system whereby a person can communicate the wrongdoings of another without ramifications. Legislating on whistle-blower protection alone will not do; there must be strict implementation of any such law on the ground.

— Y.G. Chouksey

Pune

Air pocket

• This refers to ‘Air India gets PM’s promise of help’. The PM’s view that Air India is prominent due to its status as a national carrier may be at odds with reality. Many frequent fliers complain of poor service and lack of professionalism. It may be wise for to set up a committee of secretaries responsible for closely monitoring the airline’s performance. In any case, the airline must be radically overhauled.

— Bidyut K. Chatterjee

Faridabad

Framed enthusiasm

• The photograph that appeared with the article ‘Wiping the slate clean’ was much appreciated. The look of eager enthusiasm in the eyes of the students was a great moment to capture. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

— Satheesh Kumar

Mumbai

Rational incentives

• Infrastructure was announced as among the priorities for the UPA after it returned to power. As the budget is yet to be presented, promises made remain unfulfilled, perhaps for the lack of resource allocation. The finance ministry and the Planning Commission must work towards dismantling the roadblocks, through systematic and focused action. If the government offers rational incentives for BOT projects, private companies needed for creating worldclass infrastructure in the country will be readily attracted to the bidding process.

—- N.V. Unnithan

Mumbai

Double talk

• The ban on the Maoists is too little and too late. Despite Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s declaration that West Bengal must implement this Central ban, the CPM’s views haven’t changed, and are not likely to. Maoist parallel administrations will persist yet. Lalgarh is only the tip of the iceberg.

— Ashwani Sharma

Ghaziabad