MyVoice: Views of our readers 9th January 2021

Democracy in distress

The storming of the Capitol by the Trump supporters is all the more shocking. It is an assault on democracy. It is a shame on the people and needs to be condemned. Mr Trump claims that Joe Biden won the elections fraudulently. But he has not come out with concrete proof on his allegations. It is really a dark day in the history of the US that storming, violence and vandalism has taken place in the Capitol where smooth transition of power was expected. A high level probe should be ordered and those involved in the violence should be taken to task as it should be a deterrent for others. US should see that Biden's searing in ceremony on 20th of this month is held sans any untoward incident.

Sravana Ramachandran, Chennai

Gearing up for vaccine

As a nation, we are gearing up for the vaccine programme on a scale never before done. The mega dry run for it has gone off well. Vaccination provides immunity against Covid-19 and offers the best hope for protecting ourselves from the disease. It is marvellous what science can do. By getting vaccinated we can get the better of the pandemic.

While the priority groups get the jab in the first phase, others have to wait for their turn. The first tranche will cover 300 million people - 10 million health care workers, 20 million frontline workers and 270 million people comprising those above 50 years of age and people with comorbidities. It is a mercy that most of our elected representatives will make it to the first phase by virtue of their age. It is hoped that the government will ensure that at no stage socioeconomic inequalities will affect equity in access to the vaccines.

David Milton, Maruthancode,

Tamil Nadu Tax relief

I appeal to Union Finance Minister to extend tax relief to senior citizens facing hardships during high inflation and pandemic. I suggest to enhance income tax exemption limit from 3 lac to 5 lac for seniors in the age bracket of 70 and 80 as this age group is more vulnerable to health hazards. Moreover, the rate of taxation may be reduced from 20 per cent to 10 per cent and 30 per cent to 15 per cent and not to tax medical insurance for seniors.

K L Rao, Gurugram

Create a congenial climate

"It is perverse; it is sending the wrong signal. It's a combination of political opportunism and political naiveté"-these words of George Hoffer befittingly reflects the current situation in Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, the ruling and opposition parties are entangled in an ideological war and fighting with each other for the betterment of their electoral gains. It is very vexing to perceive that they are trying to expose each other at every act. The government and opposition are buying their time roaming around the courts on certain policy matters and creating a topsy-turvy environment in all areas.

The opposition parties are thoughtlessly giving the calls for organizing the rallies and yatras to the places that are the root cause for the eruption of tumult. This is creating not only law and order problem but also fright among certain sections of people. It is an open secret and a well-known thing that no political party would dare to stir up a hornet's nest like religiously sensitive issues. This is a crystal known thing for the opposition parties too but they are trying to jump to the moon. The ruling YSRC Party has no immediate threat with this kind of chaos but it has to take tough measures to not reoccur such type of incidents. Further, it should not give scope for the opinion that it having a soft corner towards one religion.

E Gajendra Nath Reddy, Badvel