Letters to the Editor

Published : Jun 20, 2018 12:30 IST

Sterlite

SINCE its inception, the Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi had been causing severe pollution that not only destroyed marine and plant life but also put human lives at risk (Cover Story, June 22). The people’s anger with the management not taking concrete steps to control the pollution and with successive State governments turning a blind eye to the problems led to the 100-day agitation and vociferous protests. At last, the State government accepted the ground realities and ordered the permanent closure of the plant. Others can learn from this to prevent environmental catastrophes.

K.R. Srinivasan, Secunderabad, Telangana

THE State government’s sincerity is suspect because its closure order is legally and procedurally vulnerable. The step appears to have been intended to quell people’s wrath and outrage in the aftermath of the massacre of 13 protesters. The mainstream political parties that enjoy Vedanta’s largesse will not let their cash cow perish. When the political class is compromised, it is no wonder that the regulatory bodies responsible for safety and environmental protection are also compromised.

Ayyasseri Raveendranath, Aranmula, Kerala

THE Cover Story underlined the Tamil Nadu government’s callous attitude towards and lack of concern for the affected lot. People were ceaselessly protesting for the closure of the Sterlite plant. But neither the political leadership nor the bureaucracy engaged in meaningful parleys with them until now. On the 100th day of the peaceful protest, state terrorism was unleashed in the garb of maintaining law and order. The incident raises questions and is one of the worst examples of police crowd mismanagement in independent India.

B. Rajasekaran, Bengaluru

Politicians and actors have visited the injured and have made genuine offers of financial assistance to them. Their efforts should be appreciated. As a native of Thoothukudi, I often get emotional about the happenings there. The authorities should help bring back normality to life there and help the downtrodden.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai

Postal workers

IF, as the Prime Minister said, post offices are an example of national identity and postmen are loved by everyone, it is good if the government protects their welfare and avoids confrontations with them (“Colonial hangover”, June 22). In my schooldays, the intimation about promotion to the next class was sent via postcard. We would all wait for the postman to get the result. The next day, he used to get a lot of sweets. The demands of the postal employees should be met without any delay.

A.J. Rangarajan, Chennai

RTI

THE main purpose of the RTI Act was to improve transparency and accountability in public authorities’ interface with the people (“Contentious rules”, June 22). Some of the provisions of the draft RTI Rules, 2017, seem to defeat this goal. The role played by civil society and Frontline in highlighting the issue is appreciable because this is a problem that might affect the Act’s basic premise.

Bharat , Jaipur

Venezuela

Nicolas Maduro was victorious in the election despite violent protests in the country (“Maduro returns”, June 22). The U.S. supported the opposition parties but was unable to undermine the election. The biggest challenge before the new regime is tackling hyperinflation. As Venezuela has the world’s largest hydrocarbon reserves, the rising global oil prices offer a ray of hope. By holding elections, an armed coup was averted. The citizens of Venezuela have found a novel way to tackle inflation: resorting to the use of bitcoins instead of the local currency. Venezuela may introduce its own bitcoin currency.

Deendayal M. Lulla, Mumbai

Karnataka elections

THE Congress had expected former Chief Minister Siddharamaiah to get a massive mandate because of his popularity, but that proved not to be the case (Cover Story, June 8). The JD(S) did well only in the Old Mysore region, where the Vokkaligas dominate. By propagating Hindutva, the BJP emerged as the single largest party. Thus, caste and religion can be singled out as the major factors that played important roles in the Assembly elections. What role is there for secularism and democracy in the present situation? From the beginning, the people of Karnataka have by and large been electing a government that is politically opposed to the Centre or giving unclear verdicts. In this situation, how will inter-State disputes such as those relating to the Mahadayi and the Cauvery ever get addressed properly?

Madhava Peraje, Hampi, Karnataka

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