Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

The subsidy debate

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has favoured a re-look at subsidies and hinted at ending those that have failed to bring about equity. A large section of the population is still below poverty line. Subsidies serve as a critical lifeline to sustain the poor and help them to meet their daily needs. Even affluent nations extend millions of dollars as subsidies to their agriculture and dairy sector. The government should not hastily do away with subsidies in critical areas of food, health and nutrition under pressure from lobbies.

H.N. Ramakrishna,

Bangalore

In other countries, complaints from common citizens are respected and taken seriously, ensuring accountability. It is surprising that rather than ensuring that the benefits reach the people, the Prime Minister has hinted at ending some subsidies. It exposes the fact that he does not recognise that what he labels as subsidies are actually rights of the people.

Ravi Kuchimanchi,

Mumbai

Tharcius S. Fernando,

Chennai

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