Letters: End social evils

With reference to the article, "Not yet the time to plot a revolution", (November 8) the writer Jean Dreze has rightly pointed out that the time is not yet ripe for Indian society to implement all subsidies via the cash transfer mode. However, the reason for not opting to do this is not a lack of physical infrastructure, but inherent social evils, which may turn cash transfers into something detrimental rather than beneficial for the needy.

I have seen parents of schoolchildren using the school uniform cash assistance for their own purpose or, in some cases, to buy liquor.

In rural and backward areas especially, cash transfers may not necessarily mitigate backwardness. By providing cash assistance, the government may be able to curb leakage and thus shed its responsibility; however, such cash transfers cannot solve the inherent complexities prevalent in India unless these are addressed socially. Hence, there is a need for a revolution, but one which can address inherent social evils.

Sagar Soni Gandhinagar

Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number