MyVoice: Views of our readers 18th November 2020

Huge bill of HMWSSB

We have been given a notice by the HMWSSB demanding a payment of around Rs 2.26 lakh ( with waiver of exorbitant interest amount charged under OTS Scheme -- Can nos --063111668 and 063152223 ) being the sewerage charges from the year around 2013. No intimation whatsoever has been given by the department as on date except for the above notice. We are pensioners residing in the address with no other income except for the pension amount. We do not understand as to why the government is so harsh and merciless by asking honest tax-payers to pay after around seven to eight years.

Are they not duty bound to inform us for so many years? I request the CM to kindly waive 50 per cent of principal amount along with the interest amount waiver already announced and extend the payment date by at least a month so as to enable us to make the payment to the department.

The government should know that we make prompt payments of property tax etc regularly and it is the duty of the government to motivate honest tax-payers also.

Katuru Durga Prasad Rao, Hyderabad

India should revisit RCEP

The formation of trade bloc, excluding India with 15 countries which constitute thirty per cent of global economy is a significant development. In post pandemic scenario losing out such big market may not abode well for India. But India cannot embrace the bloc at the cost of its own interests. The relations between India and China are not congenial at this moment. India has blocked many apps and goods of that country to show its disapproval over the latter's misadventures at our border.

Though Australia and Japan are in QUAD against China, they didn't hesitate to join the trade bloc in which China is a major player. At the end of the day, only self interests matter. While searching for trade relations with other markets like Europe and America, India should keep its options open for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnerships too, as isolation from neighbouring market is not a good idea. It should improve its bargaining power and leverage by working on self reliance.

Dr D V G Sankararao, Nellimarla

Chinese moves deserve a closer look

Apropos the editorial – Can China be trusted again (November 17). The eighth round of Corps Commander-level talks between India and China at Chushul did not make headway despite India sincerely discussing modalities in pulling troops from the forward areas of the LAC, to give a meaningful shape to disengagement and de-escalation on the ground level in the area.

China's rigid and irrational move, in insisting on shifting Indian troops from Kailash as well as from the Finger 4 strategic heights will not hold water as China is blind to its expansionist designs on various sectors on the Line of Actual Control. There is no point in India vacating these heights it occupied, post –Galwan, on the intervening night of August 29-30.

Now, China is virtually at the doorsteps of India, with few options open to us to correct the situation. The future talks must also include and centre on foolproof solutions and agreements to prevent and thwart China from such military adventurism in future.

K V Raghuram, Wayanad

SC judge move praiseworthy

It refers to Justice UU Lalit recusing himself from the three-member bench of Supreme Court set up to hear writ filed against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister who made public his charges against a Supreme Court judge. But it was a welcome initiative of Justice UU Lalit who mentioned reasons for recusal that he had earlier been a lawyer for one of the parties involved in the case.

Otherwise it is a usual practice that recusing judges do so without giving any reason for recusal. It should be made compulsory for all judges from Supreme Court to trial-courts to record reason for recusal from the case on the file. Moreover any such recusal should be informed immediately on setting up the bench or listing of such a case before a judge so that a new bench may be there for hearing without requiring any postponement of the hearing. Recusal though after giving reasons just on beginning of hearing wastes precious court-timing. To prevent chances of local influence, all High Court judges should be compulsorily appointed from outside their home-states.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal, Delhi

Covid-19 is a blessing in disguise

An analysis of the Covid-19 and its impact on the day today life of human lives goes to show that it has turned into a blessing in disguise . Be it in any field - health and medicine, education, ,communication, transportation ,business and anything related to our daily chores , we can feel and experience that there is a change taking place and in some spheres - a real revolution.

Look at the way we have begun to focus on personal hygiene .. Practices such as these will bring down communicable diseases and also make us aware of such fatal illnesses . The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly boosted our health infrastructure. Vaccines and medicines are getting ready and already there is a change and surge in the medical equipments and devices. So many novel health devices have emerged giving a complete facelift in the medical field.

The education field is another one that has gone for a complete revolution . At the beginning online learning and teaching did create some hiccups but now it has become the new normal and a trend . Along with this the production of gadgets meant for such learning processes is picking up speed and in recent months have seen the rise of so many online cyber platforms channels .

Education has become cyber-centred and now it is like anything possible for the teachers and the students. They learned by themselves how to operate and present what they wished to showcase and it is for sure that tomorrows generation will be doing their daily chores with the help of Cyber technology. IT professionals now enjoy work staying at home

Staying at home has helped members of the family to bond with one another and the real values of family relationship is back . Story telling by grandparents is back and many of the parents have begun to have a first-hand experience to teach , coach and understand their children .

Business is back in almost all sectors and there is a remarkable hike in cash e-transactions . A boost in vehicle business is also seen happening as families and individuals -middle and lower middle class - have switched on to using their own vehicles. OTT platforms have begun to entertain cinema buffs who can now relax at home and enjoy with their family . Sports events are being conducted in bio- secure bubbles giving priority to players health and safety . Post Covid, such bubbles are going to come up for spectators too.

M Pradyu, Kannur