Editor,
First of all, I appreciate the Chief Minister bringing graphs to the Assembly as it helps us understand how he sees things.
The CM, in his speech on March 10, 2025, justified the loans of the state, by terming transfers from the Centre as “our rightful resources.” What he is saying is that out of the total money that the state receives in this budget, only 12% is from loans, while the rest is money received from central schemes and from the state’s own resources. And that therefore, in light of this, we should dispense with the idea that the growth of our expenditure is fuelled by loans. And that we should not have any ill feeling towards the state’s debt.
Firstly, our state in itself operates on a huge revenue deficit. That is, our expenditure hugely exceeds the receipts from our own resources. In 2024-25, it is only because of transfers from the Centre that we had a revenue surplus. This transfer from the Centre is what the CM calls “our state’s rightful resources.” Yes, the Constitution does mandate sharing of taxes by the Centre with the states, and also for providing grants, but these are still transfers from the centre. Hence we can call it the state’s rightful resources, but the point is that we owe a huge part of our revenue receipts (more than 70%) to transfers from the Centre, and this means our State lacks self-sufficiency in its own resources.
What the people of the State long for economically is self-sufficiency and financial freedom. Hence, what we see when we look at the state’s borrowings, is that we have neither self- sufficiency nor any roadmap to financial freedom. The CAG report last year revealed that the State is taking new loans to repay the existing debts. When the State has to resort to borrowing to repay old loans, isn’t that the definition of debt trap?
So, by saying that we have a high percentage of non-loan receipts because transfers from Centre are state’s rightful resources, and therefore justifying taking loans, I feel the CM is disregarding the aspirations of the people for the State to be self-sufficient and financially free. If we need transfers from the Centre to have a revenue surplus, or to close the deficit, then we are not self-sufficient. We are not growing or improving at all. What happens when the Union Government itself is burdened by its own debts and such transfers are squeezed? After all, more than 30% of the Centre’s tax revenue goes to interest payments.
Over and above that, the CM justifies borrowings as it builds capital assets. But when the State has to take more loans to repay old loans, does it not mean that the revenue generated from such capital expenditure is clearly not enough to even service the debt.
In light of all this, all this talk of increased expenditure, high proportion of non-loan receipts, and 12% loan receipts, fail to grasp the one fact that the CAG has highlighted. And that is, that we are heading into a debt trap. We are not heading towards self-sufficiency or financial freedom. The budget has a Rs. 1970 crore fiscal deficit, but the state has to pay more than Rs. 6000 crores of the existing debt in the next five years, and even more after that. The borrowings and the capital expenditure do not generate enough revenue to service the existing debt and they do not come with a roadmap to financial freedom.
Yours etc.,
Kitdor H. Blah,
Via email
Hindi not a national language
Editor,
This is with reference to the editorial, ‘The language row,’ (ST March 10, 2025) which I read and re-read several times. I again checked with article 343 of the Indian Constitution which speaks about the official languages of the Indian Union. I was wondering if there was any amendment to this article. Is Hindi the national language of India? If someone as erudite as you would be misled into assuming so, all the more the less educated ones of the country. With the continued promotion of Hindi at the expense of other languages, many more languages, especially the smaller ones, would go extinct. Already the Gangetic belt is referred to as the Hindi belt as this language has subsumed the smaller languages of the region.
A person born in Tamil Nadu (or anywhere in India) should not have to travel anywhere else in search of work. If they move out for a white collar job, English, rather than Hindi would be of more help. Your claim that there are more job opportunities in Kolkata than in Tamil Nadu may not be backed by data. By focusing on English, the job market of almost the entire world is accessible and learning a third (or fourth) language may not be easy for everyone.
There are several students in Tamil Nadu who learn Hindi and even write exams through the Hindi Prachar Sabha but may not be able to communicate in Hindi as the language is not used commonly in the state.
However, of late, one feels a need to know Hindi as most of the waiters in restaurants, attendants in petrol pumps, labourers, etc. in Tamil Nadu are migrants who speak only Hindi and no other language. If English is spoken by all (like the Khasi vegetable and fish vendors) there may not be a need for a third language for the masses.
Yours etc.,
Caleb Harris,
Via email
(Editor replies: The word ‘national language’ was inadvertently used to define Hindi. The error is regretted).
Hospital with a heart that cares
Editor,
My visit to the Apollo Trinity Medical Centre, a premier healthcare facility belonging to the renowned Apollo Hospitals group, in our own city, was an eye-opener, showcasing the marvels of modern medicine and the compassionate care that are the hallmarks of Apollo Hospitals.
On stepping into the premises, I was enveloped in an aura of excellence that the Apollo Trinity Medical Centre exudes. The state-of-the-art facilities are nothing short of impressive and are designed to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of medical care available. The cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and excellent patient care, reflect a commitment to providing world-class healthcare.
However, it’s not just the technology and infrastructure that set Apollo Shillong apart. The true heart of this institution lies in its dedicated staff. The doctors, nurses, and support personnel work in seamless harmony, and their professionalism is matched only by their warmth. It’s their smiles and comforting words that act as the first step towards healing, thereby setting the tone for a patient-centric experience that is both caring and efficient.
To witness the synergy of advanced medical technology and heartfelt compassion at Apollo Shillong was truly inspiring. It reaffirms my belief that healthcare, besides being a science, is also an art—one that Apollo Trinity is mastering with each patient they attend to. The impact of their work is profound, not only enhancing health outcomes but also offering peace of mind to families in need.
This visit was enriching and left me wishing the team at Apollo Trinity Medical Centre in Shillong continued success in their noble mission. Their tireless pursuit of healthcare excellence is not only commendable but truly inspiring. Special commendation is due to the visionary Chairman and Founder Dr. Prathap C. Reddy and his team at Apollo Hospitals headquartered in Chennai, for pioneering such life-changing initiatives nationwide and beyond. Such institutions rekindle our faith in the future of healthcare.
In essence, Apollo Trinity Shillong is more than just a medical centre; it stands as a beacon of hope and an exemplar of what dedication and expertise can achieve. May the team continue to flourish, serving the community with unwavering commitment and passion, embodying the hospital’s noble motto of “Touching Lives” every single day.
Yours etc.,
Chanmiki Laloo
Shillong-02