Letters to the Editor

This refers to your cover story on the water crisis (The Real Cost of Water, May 22). It is an open secret that water is being illegally exploi- ted across the country. And the unprecedented crisis has affected everyone - from domestic users to farmers to industrialists. Misutilisa- tion of groundwater consumption - from the rich to the poorest of the poor - has reached its peak, leading to a rapid depletion of water resources in the country. Also, adding to the problem is drought in major parts of the country. The surface water levels are falling drastically. The gap between demand and supply of this precious resource is widening. The country urgently needs to implement its national water policy. Definitely, it is a tough task tackling the current water scarcity, but not impossible. - Namita P., Faridabad

Innocent Politicians!

This refers to a small piece on AgustaWestland scam in your Upfront section (The Italian Job, May 22). But in the Indian political history, no politician is ever involved in any scam as these cases are never proved in the courts of law. These people are always "proved" innocent and politically victimised. And the end result is zero. - Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi

Moving Towards Greener Pastures

This refers to your feature on transportation (The Case of the Vanishing Drivers, May 22). It has explored solutions to the transportation problems. Clearly, availability of truck drivers is crucial for economic growth. It is time to pay immediate attention to this problem. Road transport is a vital link in the nation's economic chain.Indeed, surface transport occupies the driver's seat in the economy and has played a crucial role in ensuring that India's economic needs are met and there is no demand-supply mismatch. Addressing the key problems of the transportation industry will go a long way in altering the personal lives of the truck drivers and ensuring the health of the economy. The road cargo transportation sector needs to overhauled by thoroughly amending the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. We want to become a developed economy, but there is no clear-cut map for it. While algorithm is used to tackle and predict transport issues globally, we still struggle with scarcity of truck drivers decades after Independence. The hardships in their professional lives has forced these truck drivers to moving towards greener pastures such as becoming taxi drivers in urban centres. We should now pay heed to the warning signals and ensure urgent attention to the plight of the truck drivers. - B. Rajasekaran, Bangalore

Cyber Security

This refers to your article on data security (Sitting Ducks, May 22). It has shed light on the perceived gaps that prevail in the financial sector, which deals with public funds. It also hurts the image of the nation. The recent hacking of a global banking network shows that how even most secure systems are vulnerable. So far, our security systems have been quite effective, but it's time for our cyber security industry to insulate the vein of India's economy - banking. - Muthuraman K.M., Chennai

Aadhaar's Passage

This refers to your article on the Aadhaar project (Aadhaar's Identity Crisis, May 8). The Supreme Court had rightly rejected the plea for wider use of Aadhaar. The biometric data under Aadhaar is definitely against the citizen's right to privacy. Such data should be meant for criminals only. For financial and other activities, there are enough identity cards and documents such as passport, PAN card, driving licence, and voter ID. And acquiring a passport should be made mandatory. It will save crores of rupees that is now wasted on creating various identification documents. - Mahesh Kapasi, New Delhi

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