Onerous responsibility
This refers to the edit ‘Capital problem’ (February 21). The BJP government has inherited from the AAP govt a long list of problems. But resolving these problems will cost money. Moreover, the BJP has promised to fulfill all the commitments of AAP and has added its own set of freebies despite the weak fiscal health of the Delhi government.
BJP’s choice of chief minister — Rekha Gupta — is an audacious one. But if she fails to deliver it will hurt the BJP in the forthcoming elections.
YG Chouksey
Pune
Capital issues
This refers to the Editorial ‘Capital problem’. Rekha Gupta will have the Centre’s and the LG’s support and she may not find it as tough as her predecessor.
But since she will be one engine of the double engine sarkar, she will face stern scrutiny and given the state of the national capital’s roads, civic issues, air pollution and Yamuna, people will have high expectations from her and she can not afford to let them down. Delhi Metro is a lifeline for people of Delhi but last mile connectivity has left much to be desired.
Overflowing drains make even a splash of rain in the monsoon look like a flood situation in parts of Delhi. Delhi attracts people from different strata of the society and making it a liveable city for all of them should be on Rekha Gupta’s agenda. Her experience as MCD councillor should serve her well.
Bal Govind
Noida
Quality review needed
With reference to the news report ‘Should govt rethink loan guarantees?’ (February 21), as these Centre’s liabilities back banks to ensure smooth credit flow to the segments that are key to economic growth, employment generation and social development; the government must ensure that the intended objectives are getting fulfilled.
So it is essential to review the quality of assets that are being created by the banks against the various guarantee coverage being given by the government. It is also critical to ensure that lenders are invoking the guarantee prudently as the financial burden falls on the exchequer.
A comprehensive review of each scheme is paramount. Banks must be urged to fund economic activities based on the merits of purpose and to consider it as a business opportunity to them.
Government backing-oriented lending is inducing banks to lend and in such cases merits of the case occupy a back seat. The central government and banking regulator must initiate a quality review of the guarantee scheme and assess the objectives served.
VSK Pillai
Changanacherry