Sir, — The much-awaited Yeshwantpur-Shri Mata Devi Katra (train no. 22679) premium train has been flagged off. While congratulating the railways for this new train, we have to also express our annoyance for its non-availability for devotees in Raichur and Kalaburagi. Originally, this train was to pass through Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur and so on. But to our dismay, the train has been diverted via Ballari, Guntakal and Secunderabad. The mystery behind this is yet to be revealed. The South Western Railway Hubballi division, which is supposed to protect the aspirations of Karnataka, seems to be worried about Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is high time for BJP MPs from the State to raise the need for running the Katra express via Raichur and Kalaburagi as planned.
Mudgal Venkatesh,
Kalaburagi
Double standards?
Sir, — Manohar Parrikar is known to craftily break the rules and go out of the way to illegally promote the interests of his family and select friends. Mahesh Sardessai, father-in-law of Manohar Parrikar’s elder son Utpal, who is Professor of Radiology at Goa Medical College, was very high-handedly given a year’s extension despite there being extremely competent associate professors to head the department.
Now, he is being given yet another extension and is tipped to be the Medical Superintendent of Goa Medical College. Similar extensions in service have been doled out to other chosen few.
Aires Rodrigues,
Goa
Achche din is working
Sir, — I would like to thank the Passport Seva Kendra, Mangaluru, through your columns. I had applied for the renewal of my passport on January 27, 2015.
My biometrics and photos were taken on January 28, 2015. Two days later I got a message saying that my passport is being dispatched. I was pleasantly surprised when the passport was delivered to me by SpeedPost within four days of applying.
Meanwhile, my ration card issued before 2010 by the State government needed fresh registration and on November 13, 2014, I presented myself with family and the introducer at a MangaloreOne office and finished all formalities, including biometrics and photos.
It is more than two-and-a-half months now and I am yet to receive the ration card.
U.J. Kedarnath,
Mangaluru
Rs. 25 notes
Sir, — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion, as reported in the media, to issue Rs. 25 currency notes to overcome the shortage of coins is most welcome, despite being contrary to the significance of today’s metric system. It is time to abolish minting of 50 paisa coins altogether and five-rupee coins should be of thicker grade steel.
It is also essential that the authorities of all religious institutions are directed to open their ‘hundis’ at least once in six months and distribute the coins for public use and help ease the coin-shortage situation.
M. Bhaskar Rao,
Mangaluru
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