Warning signs

Warning signs

ALTHOUGH the ruling alliance and the opposition seemed hopeful that this session of Parliament will not go to waste, the first day started with "parties paralysing proceedings over a range of issues" ('PM's dinner fails to win BJP nod on retail FDI', IE, November 23). The BJP-led opposition wanted to reach a decision on FDI in multibrand retail by vote, whereas the government wanted to avoid this process and debate the matter to reach a conclusion. The stalling of Parliament on the first day of the winter session raises the fear that it will go the same way as the monsoon session. But if Parliament is not able to pass key economic reforms, the people of the country will suffer the most.

— R.K. Kapoor

Chandigarh

Not so special

THIS refers to 'Why Bihar is special' (IE, November 17). While presenting his arguments in favour of granting "special category status" to Bihar, the writer seems to have missed a crucial criterion the Centre uses for granting states this status. According to the Centre's definition, a special category state should have "a predominantly large tribal population". All the states presently included in the special category (the seven states of the Northeast, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir) fulfil this criterion. Since Bihar does not have a predominantly large tribal population, it does not meet all the criteria, and therefore should not be considered a special category state.

— Merin Joseph

New Delhi

Super score

THIS refers to 'Superman Clarke' (IE, November 23). Australian captain Michael Clarke leads with his record-breaking four double centuries in this calendar year, making him the only cricketer in the world to achieve this milestone. Players like Clarke and Virender Sehwag, who have the ability to score with remarkable speed and skill, make Test cricket interesting to watch. Clarke is still young, and will probably break several other world records in the years to come. Sehwag, the only Indian cricketer to score two triple centuries, has a style similar to Clarke's and ensures that fans remain at the edge of their seats during Test matches.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Romance, finis

Hail, rain make a dent in kesar mango exports

tyuty