Sir — Last week the Polish government put into effect a constitutional court decision leading to a near-total ban on pregnancy terminations. The decision — Poland has now banned abortion in case of foetal defects — permits terminations only in cases of rape, incest or danger to a woman’s life. This has rightly sparked massive protests in the country. The law is an assault on women’s reproductive rights and substantially sets back the gender rights movement. The international community must condemn this policy and do all it can to extend support to the protesters in Poland.

Aparajita Saha,
Calcutta

Much awaited

Sir — The Union budget for 2021-22, like every budget, has its fair share of hits and misses (“Bluff nailed”, Feb 2). Considering the tough circumstances that we are living in, it is good news that fiscal conservatism has been kept aside and growth has been given top priority.

The budget proposes to add two public sector banks to the list of entities being considered for disinvestment that includes Air India, Container Corporation of India and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. But will the government be able to properly handle the systemic challenges posed by various committees and the lengthy process of making disinvestment a reality in a buoyant stock market? While it is good that Rs 1.18 lakh crore has been set aside for roads and highways, these are long gestation projects and take more than four to five years to complete. As a result there is a lack of clarity about implementation.

Out of a total budget outlay of Rs 2,23,846 crore, a substantial amount of Rs 35,000 crore has been earmarked for the Covid-19 vaccination drive. But for a comprehensive vaccination programme to succeed in India, it is critical that the private sector is also roped in. Even in this case, successful implementation continues to be a key concern. Nonetheless, it is hoped that a bigger health budget will provide much-needed relief to the healthcare sector workers who have been toiling with limited resources since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Bal Govind,
Noida

Sir — The people of India were waiting for the Union budget with bated breath, and the finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has put some of the concerns to rest by announcing a well-considered outlay. Hearteningly, the health sector gets a much needed boost with a whopping 137 per cent increase in the budget. The government has set aside Rs 35,000 crore just for the Covid-19 vaccination drive which is, undoubtedly, going to be the Centre’s focus this year.

Sitharaman has also announced the introduction of a new Centrally sponsored scheme, PM Aatma Nirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana, which has been provided an outlay of Rs 64,180 crore over six years to develop primary, secondary and tertiary health systems, and create new institutions along with strengthening existing ones. The budget also shows an increased focus on clean water, sanitation and clean environment as a prerequisite to achieving universal health. There is no doubt that creating a robust healthcare system during the onslaught of the coronavirus will be a great challenge, but it seems that the finance ministry is off to a great start.

Ranganathan Sivakumar,
Chennai

Sir — It is unfortunate that the Union budget failed to hit the mark. Although the government announced that it will set aside substantial funds for micro, small and medium-scale industries, many are doubtful of its ability to implement policies to improve the condition of these sectors which have borne the brunt of the pandemic. The government must also focus on utilizing the funds set aside for the healthcare sector properly — the budget proposes a 137 per cent hike in healthcare — so that the country can be better prepared for similar situations in the future. Moreover, the figures highlighted by the finance minister to portray the government as farmer-friendly are clearly an attempt to gain validation for the three contentious farm laws. It is also surprising that the government has not made any revisions in income tax slabs. In a word, from a tax-payer’s point of view, this was a lacklustre budget.

S.S. Paul,
Nadia

Sir — While the Union budget focuses on fiscal expansion, it has avoided addressing several problems plaguing the economy. The lack of any major effort by the government to redistribute income by increasing taxation on higher tax groups is alarming.

Anurag Ganguly,
Calcutta