Vox pop

Amitabh Mattoo's article Reconnect the wire (February 4) is not a serious one but more like a coffee house discussion. Everyone knows that the government of Pakistan behaves like a puppet and it is the army that calls the shots.

Pakistan's stability is its own business, not that of India

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Amitabh Mattoo's article Reconnect the wire (February 4) is not a serious one but more like a coffee house discussion. Everyone knows that the government of Pakistan behaves like a puppet and it is the army that calls the shots. Even the US is frustrated with the Pakistani army's reluctance to act against terror groups. Until the Pakistani army changes its mindset, an India-Pakistan dialogue will be futile. Why should India be held responsible for the stability of Pakistan when its own people are not standing up to the rogue elements that threaten the stability of their country?
Urvashi Thakkar, via email

The poor need help now
Samar Halarnkar's concern about corruption in disbursement of subsidies in the public distribution system is not unfounded (Thought for food, Maha Bharat, February 3). His suggestion to incorporate the scheme with the health insurance scheme may take too long. The government should make it mandatory for all states to use the web for screening legitimate beneficiaries along with their addresses and put the details online, accessible to the public.
Manjula Pal, Delhi

The other end of the line
The editorial Trace back those calls (Our Take, February 4) rightly mentions that former telecom minister A Raja's arrest is not enough but that the CBI should now get to the bottom of things. It is worth remembering that telecom minister Kapil Sibal had tried to mislead the nation by claiming that there was minimal loss to the exchequer. Had the UPA government had its way, the CBI could never have laid its hand on Raja. But the arrest would amount to little if the case is not taken to its logical conclusion.
MC Joshi, Lucknow