Reference to ‘Fuelling misery’; petrol price under the present regime has crossed Rs 100 a litre in Thane while it was Rs 99.94 in Mumbai, after fuel prices were raised again by state-owned fuel retailers. The increase, 14th time in this month, has taken fuel prices to an all-time high across the country. Fuel prices differ from state to state, depending on the local taxes, such as VAT and freight charges. Rajasthan levies the highest VAT on petrol, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. In Delhi, petrol price rose to Rs 93.84 a litre and diesel to Rs 84.61. With this, there will be a heavy financial burden on the common people, as the prices of all essential commodities are bound to rise.

Bhagwan Thadani, Mumbai

Develop border areas

Refer to ‘Ladakh has lessons for India’s China policy’; China has never been true to India. It is building villages near our borders and on the border territory of Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh and Nepal. We have not developed our borders over the past 70 years. We should promote habitation and strengthen our borders with large cantonments and with electricity, communication, railways, roads, tunnels, hospitals, schools and settlements, right up to our borders. The border area permit system should be abolished. Resources should be deployed in border areas for development works.

Ashok Kumar Goel, Panchkula

Need another Nehru

The articles ‘India in need of viable political alternative’, and ‘A thousand lies can’t dwarf the giant Nehru was’ are relevant. The younger generation should gather knowledge regarding the contribution of Nehru to our country and ignore the vicious propaganda against him. At the same time, the opposition parties should heed to the awakening call and search for ‘Nehru-II’ who can be a viable political alternative by standing tall in politics.

RAJIV OHRI, PATIALA

Tall statesman

Apropos of ‘The day Nehru died’, it was indeed a sad day in Indian history. One could literally feel the gloom everywhere. The grief in every Indian’s heart reflected the tallness of this statesman, to whom India owes a lot. A stanza of Mohammad Rafi on the occasion of the demise of Nehru highlights the greatness of this tallest leader: ‘Karti hai fariyaad yeh dharti kai hazaaro saal, tab jaakar hota hai paida ek Jawaharlal.’

VK Anand, Chandigarh

Iconic coffee house

The news that Indian Coffee House in Shimla is facing closure due to Covid lockdown is disturbing. It has been one of the most popular refreshment points of Shimla. During our student days, the postgraduate science departments of HP University were situated just above Indian Coffee House. It was our frequent haunt for a quick refreshment and coffee. The locals and the business community of Shimla should do something, like visit it and pay more for the items, as these are sold at reduced rates.

RC Goyel, Ambala Cantt

Relocate NDRF

Battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), deployed in the hinterland, are usually pressed into service at the last minute, thereby increasing the reaction time and complicating the logistics involved. The DG (NDRF) and his battalions should relocate to disaster-prone areas permanently. Cyclones are a common phenomenon on our eastern and western coasts due to climatic changes, and will continue to recur in the future. Other less frequent disasters could be an earthquake, for which a few battalions could be earmarked and located in the hinterland. By redeploying NDRF battalions, a colossal amount of expenditure would be saved in transporting and rushing the NDRF teams at the eleventh hour.

AKSHAYATA MADAN, BY MAIL

Advance power deposit

Ever since the PSEB has been converted to the Punjab State Power Corporation, it has become 'lala di hatti’. Leave aside improving the service to various types of consumers, it has added to their woes. The strength of staff in public dealing in subdivisions has been curtailed. None can find an official in office to rectify a bill. Now the PSPCL management has formulated a policy to cover up the deficit incurred in the institute. Industrial consumers have been served with a heavy amount notice under the garb of advance consumption deposit (ACD) and have been asked to deposit the same in one week's time. The public is already facing the agony of Covid-19 and was hoping for some relief.

S Charan Singh, Ludhiana

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