The Indo-US nuclear deal would prove costly for the country in terms of both the economic and environmental impact. Nuclear power is the costliest of all. The cost of generating one unit of the nuclear power is an estimated Rs 5.50, and that of gas-based power Rs 3.50, but one unit of hydro power generation costs only Rs 1.50. According to scientists, there is no failproof mechanism to prevent a radioactive leak from nuclear power plants. The Chernobyl disaster has proved this fact beyond question. Nuclear plants are also prone to sabotage by hostile powers in these times of rising global terrorism that respects no borders.
?Hansraj Bhat, Mumbai
Taxing terror
According to rules, no deposit can be made in publicly listed companies without a Pan card. This means that a non-taxpayer can?t deposit his pension funds or life savings in a listed company?s paper to earn an additional return to fend off the high cost of living. Deposit holders, many of them old pensioners, dread receiving notices from the IT department asking them to submit their bank and income statements to the assessing officer. The hapless depositor must then spend money to seek advice from tax consultants, who typically tell him to withdraw the deposits. This system is cruel and unjust to pensioners. The IT department, which claims to be aam admi-friendly, should immediately put an end to this ?inspector raj? that terrorises the gullible.
?S Sridhar, Mumbai