Are our IT companies sensitive to the needs of their women employees?

Responses to Sticklish Issues dated April 21

Laws against cartelisation

Cartelisation is almost akin to monopolisation, restricting industry output and raising or fixing prices in order to earn higher profits.
The Government is regularly issuing stern warnings against cartelisation. The real-estate industry is trying to hold the steel and cement companies responsible for the rise in the cost of construction.
R. R. Gnanasekaran, Madurai

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Are our laws effective against cartelisation?

Responses to Sticklish Issues dated April 14

Oil price movement

It has something to do with the current state of the economy and recessionary trends in the US. The weakening of the dollar is contributing to the rise in crude prices. The production, consumption and stocks held by the US also have an impact on international crude prices. As a natural consequence, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has taken advantage of the situation. Since crude prices will have a global impact, the issue needs to be addressed urgently.
T.R. Anandan, Coimbatore

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Do you think the oil price movements defy understanding?

Responses to Sticklish Issues dated April 7

Inflation vs growth

The Government and the RBI must deal with the present situation carefully. Both economic and monetary policies have to be very carefully crafted. Credit outgo should be encouraged by softening interest rates.
Productivity, especially in the agriculture sector, should be increased. Export of food articles and edible oils should be banned.
Public distribution system should be widened to cover more commodities. Futures trading in agricultural products should be banned and the situation should be kept under close watch.

T.R. Anandan, Coimbatore

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How do you see the battle unfolding?

Responses to Sticklish Issues dated March 31

‘Imported’ inflation?

The soaring commodity prices in recent months can be attributed to the following:
A distinct shift in cropping patterns from pulses and cereals to lucrative crops like jatropha.
Rains in Andhra and Tamil Nadu have damaged crops, especially rice and urad.
Rise in prices of agricultural inputs — especially petroleum-based fertilisers, as a result of shooting oil prices.

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Sticklish Issues

Responses to Sticklish Issues dated March 24

Some catchy lines for banks’ ad campaigns

‘Give little, write off all.’ — A. N. Sriraman, e-mail
‘Loan now and waive later scheme — come one, come all!’ — V. Narayanan, Mumbai
‘Take now, pay later — beware, we may waive off.’ — S. Krishnamoorthy, Mangalore
‘Money runs, people chase.’ — K. Subramanyam, e-mail
‘Bank on us, beat US heat?’ — A. Jacob Sahayam, Thiruvananthapuram

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