No relief from increasing prices
The exemption from income tax for those earning up to Rs 12.75 lakh per annum in Budget 2025 is being made out as a big step. The middle class fully deserves the sop, but those paying income tax in the country are about 8 crore people of which approximately 50% file nil tax returns. Thus, the concession as above applies to only about 4 crore people, which is only about 2.5% of the 140 crore Indians. It is, therefore, very much limited in scope and benefits a very small minority. With the prevailing prices increasing by the day and with inflation on the rise, everyone deserved concessions or measures to reduce prices. But this is precisely what the budget has not been able to address. Those who are suffering because of high prices will continue to do so with no relief in sight. Measures across the board to reduce prices would have been desirable. The concession on income tax has been provided because of the buoyant Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections, which, over the last few months, have been hovering around Rs 1.7 lakh crore. Thus, the government can afford to make concessions. However, if the intention was to give the benefit of reduction in prices to all sections of the society, then GST for all items could have been brought down by 5%. This would have helped combat the rising spectre of inflation.
S Kamat, Mysuru
Attacks by wild animals
Bisons have reportedly been found wandering the streets in different parts of Ponda taluka, causing alarm among residents in the areas. Recently a scooter rider and a pillion rider were injured in Usgao when their scooter rammed into a bison. About three months ago, a bison attacked a woman at Bethoda; the injured woman died the next day while undergoing treatment in a hospital. Citizens feel there is a possibility of more accidents occurring, as bisons suddenly enter the streets, taking motorists and pedestrians by surprise. Leopards are also seen in villages, especially attacking dogs and other domesticated animals. A leopard was reportedly sighted in the courtyard of a house in Canacona causing panic among residents in the area. The area is located close to the road leading to the Palolem beach where domestic and foreign tourists move round at night. Recently, a woman was injured after she was attacked by a wild boar in a field at Poinguinim. It must be said that just as stray cattle roaming on roads has become a menace to drivers and people are being attacked by stray dogs on beaches, wild animals have now become a threat to human life in villages. It does not take rocket science to find out the reason for the frequent incidents of wild animals straying into human habitats.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Illegal hoardings
Erecting banners and hoardings is the favourite pastime of political leaders and their sycophants. Shockingly, footpaths and medians that divide roads are favourite areas for the small-time politicians to show off their sycophancy. Posters and advertisement hoardings are mostly illegal with no proper permission taken from the civic bodies. The danger of these hoardings is that they are unscientifically constructed. The loose, oversized and hanging banners cause perennial danger to lives. Mumbai billboard collapse claiming 17 lives in May 2024 is a stark example. Courts have regularly banned hoardings or have taken states to task for disregarding rules. But barefaced politicians are adept at ignoring court orders. States which have laws in place to prevent illegal hoardings are lax in their implementation. Uniform rules and regulations across the country for erection of banners and hoardings would be in the fitness of things.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
No entry in driver’s cabin
The transport department has decided to launch an extensive drive against public transport buses allowing entry to commuters in the driver’s cabin. Accordingly, buses will be required to seal the cabin entry to passengers. Allowing passengers to sit in the driver’s cabin could prove dangerous in case of an accident. In Ponda, even Balrath buses that transport students to schools indulge in the practice of allowing the children to sit in the driver’s cabin. This should be stopped and those not following the rule should be punished.
Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai
US’ deportation of Indian nationals
A US military C-17 aircraft has begun deporting migrants to India as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country. An aircraft carrying 205 Indian nationals from San Antonio, Texas as the first batch of deportees landed in Amritsar on Wednesday. The Indian government is cooperating and, along with the US, has identified around 18,000 Indians for deportation. India’s position is that it is ready to accept the illegal immigrants from the US after verification.
Bidyut Chatterjee, Faridabad
