This refers to the editorial ?Keep the rice, pass the BA? (FE, March 24). The editorial has rightly pointed out the growing need both in urban and rural areas for higher consumption of food items such as milk, vegetables, pulses, eggs and chicken, and goods and services such as cell phones, and even enrolling their wards in urban and better equipped schools. Over and above the virtual inelastic nature of the demand for wheat and rice, people opt for superior goods, as it is pointed out by Giffen Paradox. Hence the food security system receives little reception among people. A rural household evinces more interest in owning a cell phone rather than securing cereals under the Food Security Act. Urban employment provides high wages and that too leads to higher demand for superior goods. As it is suggested, plugging leakages through Aadhaar distribution will reduce the need for food security. As a result, we could even reduce our huge fiscal deficit caused by food subsidy and the unwanted censure from WTO on excess food subsidies. The new government must make it a concern to revisit the implementation of the Food Security Act.
NR Nagarajan, Sivakasi
Build, operate, transfer
Out of power for a decade now, the BJP decided to follow the build-operate-transfer franchise route for Project 2014. After all, it too had been operating the political outlet at the behest of its owner, the RSS, on an operate and transfer basis. Doyens had earlier completed the ?build?. Narendra Modi was awarded the contract to go through with the rest of the job. The BJP is now finding to its dismay that Modi on his part has no intention of transferring the operating profits to the owner?the party. The party watches in embarrassment as Modi toys with their doyens of yore who built it up, be it allotting seats or constituencies. The BJP, sadly, finds that it had not put any protective clause against absolutism in the Modi franchise. The BJP was warned by wiser men that Campaign 2014 could well duplicate the Gujarat ?governance? model. But then wisdom has historically been the antithesis of over-ambition and the BJP today and may be even the RSS tomorrow could realise that it may have run into a cul-de-sac, the wrong end of this adage. But by then it may be too late.
R Narayanan , Ghaziabad
The mark of Khushwant
With the passing away of Khushwant Singh, India has lost an author, a journalist and a great person. He wrote for the common man, not for the scholars. Educating millions with his incisive writings, he also trained many writers and journalists. He incurred the wrath of the journalistic community by supporting Indira Gandhi?s Emergency. Later, he returned the honour given to him by the government when Indira Gandhi authorised the Operation Bluestar. Among his best qualities was that he used to personally respond to the readers. Two decades ago, he replied to my letter that I have preserved to this day.
Rajendra K Aneja, Dubai