GOOD SAMARITAN
   Date :18-Jul-2019

 
 
AMID the bulk of terrorism and violence-related news from Jammu and Kashmir, the tale of senior IPS officer Mr. Basant Rath’s endeavour of distributing free books to students in remote areas comes as a soothing whiff of fresh air. Mr. Rath, an IGP rank officer, is helping students in the hinterland of Jammu and Kashmir in preparing and cracking competitive examinations. He reaches out to the needy students and provides them study books without any question being asked. Such inspiring efforts can go a long way in strengthening confidence building measures in the State, especially in the strife-torn Valley. Youth from remote areas are deprived of good resource material despite possessing abundant talent. The helping hand extended by officers like Mr. Rath holds the potential of bringing this section in the mainstream. It will be a potent riposte to the separatists and radicals in the State who are wooing local youth towards terrorism and anti-establishment activities. Mr. Rath’s efforts can act as a catalyst of change in the situation.
 
TOLL STAYS
 
STICKING to the economic theory that whatever goods and services are provided, they must be paid for by someone, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Mr. Nitin Gadkari has ruled out abolishment of toll tax, though the rate may vary from time to time. “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch”, the famous adage rings true in what Mr. Gadkari told the Lok Sabha during a discussion on collection of toll in different parts of the country. Mr. Gadkari assured that the money collected through toll tax will be utilised for building roads in rural and hilly areas. While there is no problem with continuance of toll as it does help in building road and infrastructure networks across the country, it is the large span of collection that taxes commuters. Despite a clear time-frame to charge tax from vehicles many centres exceed their limit and indulge in illegal toll collection. Another point of consternation is long queues at toll booths. The Minister must ensure quick roll-out of FASTags for a hassle-free commute on highways.