Preventive measures must be put in place

Preventive measures must be put in place

Irresponsible conduct of citizens may cause disaster following relaxation in the lockdown and it could be a public health disaster in the making. The Centre and State governments seem to have lack of understanding in containing the spread of Covid-19. For the past few days, after relaxation of the lockdown, we noted with horror that most people on streets, shopkeepers and salesmen, and even policemen and journalists were either not wearing face masks at all or not using it properly. We also saw people with three to four children travelling on bikes and in rickshaws without any precaution. There were no preventive measures in place at some wine shops and tipplers were seen with their attendants in crowded waiting areas. If the government does not want a lockdown, it should ensure with the help of law enforcement agencies that everyone strictly follow the precautionary measures which should be repeated on the radio and television to create mass awareness. These precautions are not an alternative to the lockdown but might save some lives. Both the governments must learn from the countries which successfully contained the infection and demonstrated seriousness towards public health issues.

B V Vijayender, Peddapalli, Telangana

Modi's package alone can't boost economy

The economic package announced by the Prime Minister is noteworthy. However, the proper implementation of the package only will decide the fate of Indian economy. For any economy to flourish, four elements needed are: Labour, communications, land and transport. Labour and communications in the country are cheap and competitive and on par with international standards. However, transport and land do not stand the scrutiny of sustainability, given the usurious levels of differences with International rates. We need to reduce fuel prices in line with international markets to ensure that costs arising in raw and finished products handled by companies are made cost-effective and competitive. The present fuel rates in India do not stand any comparison for a favourable industrial environment, that can sustain global levels of competition, and coupled with expensive land are the greatest deterrent that has kept India from reaching peak growth levels to be an international competitor for global capital in these volatile times. Reforms in land and fuel pricing will propel India to the next round of exponential development. We promoted housing and auto sector with too many incentives, both of which have left cities in an absurd state of growth and land grabs and environment has been extremely polluted in absence of a credible public transport system.

Sreenivas, Secunderabad

AP has still right to operate from Hyderabad

Andhra Pradesh State was divided six years ago without discussion or taking the views of AP leaders in Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself said the State was divided by 'closing the doors' etc. AP State has still right to stay in Hyderabad. Better late than never. I request the NDA government to discuss all the issues in the next session of Parliament and do justice to all stakeholders.

R Sarva Jagannadha Reddy,

STV Nagar, Tirupati

Help govt fight Covid-19

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was important to put this on the table and Covid-19 may become just another endemic in our communities and may never go away. This disease may settle into a long problem, or it may not be. Any disease has no time to be ended, it is a fact and reality, but to be careful about every disease is also compulsory for everyone to defeat this pandemic. It is possible and can be done with the cooperation of all people. They should help each other and the govt too in fighting against Covid-19, and take WHO's warning seriously, so that, everyone is able to save himself easily from facing any kind of difficulties.

Babu Tanda, Rampur, UP