Karnataka   

Are pay panels needed?

 Sir, — The Sixth Pay Commission has recommended a 40 per cent increase in salaries for Union Government employees, thereby imposing a burden of about Rs. 15,000 crore on the exchequer. Salaries in the private sector should not be the yardstick for deciding those payable to government employees. The proposed increase will lead to irrational cost escalation and provoke State government employees to raise similar demands in future. This may drive States into financial bankruptcy. Instead of constituting pay commissions every 10 years, the Government should reward competence, knowledge and experience. Alternatively a periodical increase in dearness allowance could be made.

K.T. Thimmareddy,

Bangalore

 Sir, — Kalyan Nagar (Banaswadi Ward) is infested with snakes. Some were caught a few days ago. They are seen moving about freely during the day. Large vacant sites, storm water drains with pits and bushes are fertile grounds for them to flourish. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike should instruct site owners to have their premises maintained and have compound walls built.

S. Kuppuswamy,

Bangalore

 Sir, — Taxing the “notional value” of self-occupied residences is grossly unfair to retired senior citizens. The flaw in calculation needs to be rectified by a properly constituted government before enforcing the Capital Value System.

Wg. Cdr. H.P. Hande,

Bangalore

 Sir, — The ceiling limit for income tax assessment for 2008-09 has been enhanced by Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh a year. However, the ceiling limit for women and senior citizens has been increased by less than Rs. 35,000 and Rs. 30,000 a year, respectively. Thus the senior citizens have been treated unfairly. They deserve to be treated equally or even better as they are hit hard by mounting inflation and galloping medical expenses. The Finance Minister is requested to look into this issue and come to the rescue of the elderly.

G.K.S. Kandasubramanian,

Bangalore

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