MyVoice: Views of our readers 27th May 2020

Sadananda Gowda is not above law

The issue of Union Minister Sadananda Gowda, who had flown down from Delhi to Bengaluru, claiming that he did not require quarantine since he was a Minister triggered controversy across the country. According to lockdown norms, he should be kept for seven days of institutional quarantine. But he simply was defiance and claimed he being a Minister was exempted from lockdown rules. Besides that, the Karnataka State govt also asserted that Centre had exempted him from lockdown rules as he was carrying the portfolio of Pharmaceuticals, an essential service.

Elected representatives should be role models for the society. People emulate such leaders and if they are above the rules and regulations, how can we maintain a better society? If leaders maintain idealistic values, people follow the footsteps of the leaders. There is a Sanskrit saying that, 'Yadha Raja Thada Praja' which means 'as is the king, so are the subjects'.

Matcha Raghu, Mugada, Vizianagaram dist, AP

Indian hockey lost a legend

The death of hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr has robbed the game of one of its finest exponents. Among his many accolades was that he never returned without a medal from a tournament that had him as player, coach or manager. A triple Olympic gold medal winner, Balbir Singh's record for most goals scored - he slotted in five goals in India's 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the final of the 1952 Helsinki Games - by an individual in the men's hockey final of the Olympics remains unbeaten after all these years. Even though the virtuoso is no more, his 'golden deeds' will remain immortal. The IHF would do well to institute a trophy in his memory.

N J Ravi Chander, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru

Set up expert panel to solve economic crisis

The Central government has formulated an ambitious package to revive the falling economy as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. The package included major reforms it intends to take up. The funding for the package is not revealed. The government has projected around 24 lakh crores as revenue from direct and indirect taxes in its February budget itself. However, Covid-19 has completely changed the fiscal position. The Centre has cushioned its income due to drastic reduction in oil prices. The industrial growth post Covid-19 is highly uncertain.

No prediction is possible as of now. The problem of migrants has become more and more complex. Moreover, the migrants are going back to their native places. As the labour force is not immediately available, revival of industries is a major worry. Industrial activity picking up its required speed is also not certain. The first quarter of the current fiscal year ends in a month. The government should set up an expert committees with economic experts and formulate special economic policies to tackle post Covid-19 situation. Unless this is done on war footing, the country will face a dangerous situation. The Centre should immediately work on these aspects to keep the economy on track.

B Sudhindra Kumar, Hyderabad

Migrants exodus should be prevented

The mass exodus to rural India with the State, finally driven to facilitating it, has other unintended adverse consequences. Many are carrying infection to villages in the weaker States of India where the capacity to test, quarantine and treat is inadequate. The benefit of containment from the prolonged lockdown is being partially undone specially when the total number of cases are still rising. Workers are now leaving in larger numbers in buses and trains. The absence of workers would make restoration of economic activity that much more difficult. It is still not too late to give adequate relief to urban workers and prevent their exodus. This should be done immediately.

The absence of 'lists' is a difficulty of such a clerical nature that it should never come in the way of governments doing what they have to do. As a classical fiscal stimulus, this would also moderate the collapse in aggregate demand, economic activity and government's tax revenues. Enterprises are in deep trouble; no revenues as yet for most, continuing fixed costs and depleting reserves. Survival is the issue for most. Imposing pay cuts and laying off better paid regular employees has begun to happen. This would gain momentum in the coming weeks and months.

P N Aruna Bharathi, Hyderabad