DEMONETISATION BROUGHT DOWN GDP

It is shocking that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has gone down by more than 2% despite the Modi government forecast an increase. It is clearly the effect of demonetisation on the country’s growth. There was loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector, loss of trade which threw life sections of the society out of gear. Even the large industries suffered. Now the RBI revealed that almost 100% banned old notes have returned which shows how demonetisation proved to be a total failure and derailed the economy.

Deepak Saraf, Bathinda work on bullet trains in India. But the moot question is — should bullet trains be our focus in a country where majority of population still lives below poverty line? A large section of our society is still living in the “bullock cart age” who are struggling to make both ends meet. Look at the overall educational levels. Rather than talking about bullet trains, the government must focus on job creation first.

Twinkle Arora, Amritsar biggest step taken by India towards modernisation. Of the ₹1.1 lakh crore project cost, which is too high, about ₹88,000 crore will be loaned from Japan. The new project will change the face of the Indian Railways and it will be a huge time-saver for millions of passengers. But spending even half of this amount can make the current railway system more efficient and safer. Given our poor safety track record, the government will do well to invest on upgrading the technology of current network.

Gurbaj Singh, Gurdaspur