Letters: PM's score sheet

This refers to “Singh sees 5% inflation by Dec” (May 25). It is of no use for the common man hit by unprecedented rise in prices of essential commodities when the prime minister talks in terms of inflation percentage or annual growth rate. The common man is concerned with the market prices of rice, wheat, pulses, sugar, milk, edible oil, vegetables, transport and the like.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did well by clearing the air on job reservations in the private sector. His assertion that a favourable environment needs to be created for industry to take initiatives in that regard carries the correct message for the political class, which has been demanding for legal provisions to make job reservations mandatory for the private sector.

Regarding 2G and 3G prices, the prime minister’s statement was far from convincing. There were serious allegations of corruption against Telecom Minister A Raja during UPA-1 for his role in the allotment of 2G spectrum. Compulsions of coalition politics forced the PM to not only keep his hands off the minister of the DMK quota but also to re-induct him in the UPA-II Cabinet with the same portfolio. The huge gap between the prices of 2G and 3G has proved that the process adopted in case of 2G was detrimental to public-interest and, as a consequence, a huge revenue loss brought to the government. The stand taken by the PM on the telecom minister doesn’t match with the public perception.

M C Joshi, Lucknow

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