Editor,
The BJP’s real mascot, the effervescent man in his late sixties Mr. Narendra Modi is the numero uno in the BJP party. His charismatic personality pulled the crowd and earned him and his party a landslide victory, thereby enabling him to stake claim for government formation for the second consecutive time. And now the question as to who is the next important man after Narendra Modi in the Cabinet is over. Modi has entrusted the number two Cabinet position of Home Minister to Amit Shah the think-tank and the mastermind behind the poll strategies of the recent Lok Sabha elections. Moreover, Modi distributed crucial portfolios to debutants and several of his previous ministers including Nirmala Sitharaman, thereby reposing his trust in them for an excellent performance of his ministry.
Among the debutants, Amit Shah and S Jaishankar are the notable ministers who hold key portfolios and Modi perhaps would be happier to have his man Friday Amit Shah in the Cabinet as Shah is capable of handling the government with as much expertise as Modi himself. So, Modi’s responsibility and burden of work has just reduced to half while Shah would be carrying out important policy matters in place of Modi. The duo seems to be in perfect sync as far as their work in the Party and in the Government is concerned.
In the first Cabinet meeting on Friday, the Government announced two key decisions. The first being the government’s decision to extend PM KISAN scheme to all 14.5 crore farmers costing Rs.87,000 crore a year and another being the Rs.10,000 crore pension scheme for 5 crore farmers, thereby fulfilling the BJP’s poll promise.
The farmers in the country are in distress especially those whose crops were damaged due to inclement weather and the decision of the Cabinet to immediately address the farmers’ woes and immediate announcement of relief is indeed praiseworthy. Equally important is the decision of the Cabinet to approve a new scheme, which assures minimum monthly pension of Rs 3,000 to all shopkeepers, retail traders and self-employed persons after attaining the age of 60 years; here too fulfilling its poll promise. Thus, Modi seriously started from walking the talk from day one.
Modi’s magic invoking a blend of youthful energy and experience into his Cabinet is superb and the induction of the youngest minister Smriti Irani aged only 43 is a proof of Modi’s appreciation for youthful energy. The fact that some old retreads who tasted plum posts earlier have been kept out of his ministry to give room for new ones is indeed heartening. In short, every Indian can expect this Modi Government to deliver.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email
Robert Vadra’s foreign travel
Editor,
A Delhi Court on May 29, reserved for June 3 its order on the application of Robert Vadra, an accused in a money laundering case to travel abroad. Vadra sought permission to travel to the UK and other countries apparently for removal of a small tumour in his large intestine. Why can’t Vadra take a second opinion from AIIMS, Delhi or any other Government hospital where world-class quality treatment are available? In today’s India transplantation of organs like heart, liver and kidney are being successfully and routinely made by specialist surgeons accompanied by neurologists and oncologists if necessary, both in New Delhi and in Kolkata. World-class general surgeons for treatment of such an ailment, namely a ’small tumour’ regularly come as visiting surgeons in scores of multi-specialty hospitals all over India and the surgeons are very capable on advising post-operative management procedures.
Facing charges of money-laundering linked to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad Mr Vadra, with his present health condition has often failed to appear before the ED. But he need not take the pain of visiting the UK and other countries. Mr Vadra possibly needs admission to a hospital for prompt surgical operation for healing from the ailment he is suffering from.
Otherwise also no political leader, MLA and MP of the country deserves the right to go abroad for medical treatment at the cost of public exchequer. If they, who are supposed to be the elected representatives of the people, make improvements on the quality of treatment presently available in the country and bring them to the standard of treatment they receive abroad and make it available to the common people of the country, then nothing will change. We deserve quality treatment at an affordable cost.
Yours etc.,
Samares Bandyopadhyay,
Advocate, Kolkata High Court
Sufferings of common people
Editor
The basic sufferings of the common people are in the area of health and education. Both the sectors have at present become money making businesses hence I fail to understand why government has not come out with strong laws in both the sectors.
Today we see private hospitals and doctors have a monopoly and are sending patients for unnecessary tests and prescribing medicines even while charging very high fees for treatment. Recently two incidents have shaken my faith in the medical profession. I went to a doctor near Guwahati for some complaint. He immediately advised me to go for some tests but said that I should do them at his clinic. My question is – why should I do the tests in his clinic when I can do them elsewhere and get them done at a cheaper rate? But if I do my tests outside the doctor may not see the report or agree to treat me. This type of malpractice has destroyed the entire medical system in the state and country.
According to a study done three years ago 27 % of deaths occur due to medical negligence. Government should fix the rates for all diagnostic tests and also the school fees should be standardised. People of this country have voted for the NDA Govt with the hope that it will look into the plight of the middle class. The media too should raise these basic problems of common people instead of giving undue publicity to politicians and political parties.
I request both the state and central government to intervene and stop the monopoly that exists in the health and education sectors and relieve the common people of their plight.
Yours etc.,
Samar Deb,
Via email