To tide over the gross insufficient railway service, Railways can introduce self-financing routes as the present tariff structure at the lower level cannot offset even the standard operating cost. The self-financing route may be for 250 km with point to point, limited stops, and regular service. They can be passenger alone, freight alone, or mixed. The profit on self-financing sectors can be ploughed back to strengthen and expand service.
V. Srinivasan,
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104 helpline
Helpline for First Aid Service 104 is a novel service. The helpline service includes vital information on first aid, medical advices; mother-baby wellness, blood, and eye donations; contagious and non-contagious diseases; nutrition details; medical insurance policies, facilities available, and hospitals under this policy; psychiatry advices; and HIV. Since most people do not know about the service, the State government should provide wide publicity on the 104 Helpline.
A. Haja Abdul Khader,
Adirampattinam
Day train
It is a long-pending demand of the people of Thanjavur that a super fast day train with only seating facility to Chennai be launched. The train which may start from Thanjavur at 6 a.m. would reach Chennai before noon and on the return journey the train may start at 4 p.m. from Chennai and reach here before 10 p.m. Such timing would enable commuters to go and come back on the same day. The train could be named Brihadeeswarar express.
U. Joseph,
Thanjavur
Water supply
Drinking water scarcity prevails in the villages of Thulaspuram, Maharajapuram, and Sakkai at Thulasapuram panchayat in Vedaranyam taluk, in spite of these villages being connected to the existing TWAD board scheme.
Throughout the year there is no water supply and protests have been of no use. The authorities should take immediate action to ensure adequate water supply.
V. Balrajan,
Thulasapuram,
Vedaranyam taluk
Karaikal FM
It is boring to listen to Karaikal FM radio programmes because of many commercial advertisements.
Although they fetch revenue it must be kept in mind that they affect listeners’ interest.
The radio station must give due importance to listeners’ views.
K. Santhanam,
Kumbakonam
Change syllabus
The State government should take necessary steps to convert the State board syllabus on par with CBSE syllabus to enable students to face the competitive world.
Condeepan M.,
Pattukottai
Violations
At the Kumbakonam bus stand, the police make an announcement saying that smoking was banned at the bus stand and violators would be fined Rs. 200. Kumbakonam is part of Thanjavur district but there are no such rules in Thanjavur.
The traffic violations too are alarming in Thanjavur town. We find four-wheelers using the banned number plates and drivers speaking over cell phone while driving. We find even traffic police women using the cell phone while on duty.
R. Sridharan,
Thanjavur
Double
standards
The Finance Minister has completely ignored the problems of salaried class and pensioners by not raising the ceiling limits for taxable income, reducing tax slabs, exempting the interest for FD, and savings accounts for pensioners.
When the party was in Opposition they were considerate towards senior citizens, but now when they have become the ruling party the salaried class and pensioners are made to suffer.
R.S. Moorthy,
Karur