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On the face of it, the report India sees biggest dip in poverty, but 360m remain poor (March 20) seems quite a feather in the UPA's cap.

Poverty numbers may be down but the devil's in the detail
On the face of it, the report India sees biggest dip in poverty, but 360m remain poor (March 20) seems quite a feather in the UPA's cap. But once you read the details, you will realise that the government is misleading people into believing that its welfare schemes have done the job perfectly. The government's lowered the poverty level. This has helped it prove that there has been a sharp decrease in poverty numbers. It would have been better if the Hindustan Times had played up this point instead of fooling readers.
Prem Kumar Gutty, Delhi

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The dangers of allies seeking gifts
With reference to the report Farce ends, Trivedi bows to Mamata's order to step down (March 19), the Congress leadership has failed to keep the UPA allies in check. They are blackmailing the central government left, right and centre to fulfil their petty, selfish interests. By asking the prime minister to replace the railways minister, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has proved that she is a fair-weather friend of the UPA. The sooner the central government realises the dangers of having self-serving allies like Banerjee, the better it will be for the nation.
Janga Sunuwar, Jalpaiguri

It does not go with the territory
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's remark that Delhi would come to a standstill if Biharis don't work is unfortunate, as one doesn't expect an astute politician like Kumar to indulge in the regressive politics of regionalism. Delhi belongs to all Indians. By creating a divide among people, regional leaders like Kumar are doing more harm than good to India's unity.
Amit Bhandari, Delhi