Perfect fit
Sir — In Harry Potter, Hermione had put a spell on her beaded bag to ensure it had an unlimited capacity despite its deceptively small size. But a small bag might not be so handy for those without magical powers. In a recent online auction, a Louis Vuitton-inspired bag sold for nearly $63,000. One would, however, need a magnifying glass to appreciate it. The size of the bag is similar to a grain of salt; it is less than 0.03 inches wide. Perhaps it was designed keeping in mind the revised tax regime of India’s Union budget. After all, minuscule bags would be enough for the salaried middle class to carry their meagre savings.
Divya Sinha,
Calcutta
Golden opportunity
Sir — There have been many conflicting interpretations of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (“Mineral merry for states”, July 26). But the latest judgment by a nine-judge Constitution bench that upheld the rights of states to collect royalties on their mineral resources might resolve the conflict between the states and the Centre. Mineral-rich states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka and West Bengal can now benefit from increased revenues. However, mining companies should not be doubly burdened with paying both the states and the Centre.
Bal Govind,
Noida
Sir — Ever since the Centre implemented the goods and services tax under the pretext of ‘one nation, one tax’, the economic condition of states has become pathetic. States have been responsible for meeting many of their expenses by generating their own income. In 1989, a Supreme Court bench of seven judges had identified the royalty imposed on mining as a form of tax, which states are not allowed to levy. However, the recent judgment said that royalties are not taxes and allowed states to collect the same on mineral resources. Apart from coal, several states have deposits of important minerals like cadmium, cobalt, copper, uranium, titanium and
the like that are used in batteries, semiconductors, solar panels and other technological devices and defence equipment.
Jang Bahadur Singh,
Jamshedpur
Sir — The apex court has honoured the spirit of cooperative federalism between the Centre and the states. Its judgment will go a long way in improving the fiscal plight of states by paving the way for income generation. States that are not ruled by the saffron party or its allies have been unhappy with the Narendra Modi-led government’s reluctance to disburse funds. These states will be empowered by collecting royalties on minerals.
P.K. Sharma,
Barnala, Punjab
Sir — The Supreme Court’s verdict will boost the financial freedom of many states. Earlier, the Centre alone used to enjoy the revenue generated from mining activities, depriving states of their due. The Centre should now improve its relationship with the states.
D.V.G. Sankara Rao,
Andhra Pradesh
Empty nests
Sir — It is disheartening that the populations of birds like Indian roller, cotton pygmy goose, rufous-necked hornbill, brown-winged kingfisher, great parrotbill and yellow-breasted bunting are declining in West Bengal (“Bird count drops, call to save habitats”, July 23). The state government should arrest the loss of biodiversity by protecting the natural habitats of birds and creating new sanctuaries for them.
Sourish Misra,
Calcutta
Sir — West Bengal recorded the highest number of bird species in India in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Unfortunately, several of these species are threatened with the loss of habitats. This must be prevented through policy action.
Sunil Chopra,
Ludhiana
