The need of the hour is only to enhance better mobility of the people through Well RUN Administration.

 Dear Sir,

The  need of the hour in Bengaluru is better mobility  of the  people and fast and efficient  movement of goods and services to ensure optimum utilisation of the resources  under command for the maximum welfare of the people . From this angle, should BMTC take the privatisation road? is the debate thrown and  the answer is a definite NO. However there is urgent need to assess as to whether the Investments in the BMTC have done full justice in terms of optimum realisation of returns from the angle of utilisation of the human and other resources and whether all the objectives of the BMTC services have been met to the satisfaction of the Management of BMTC, the Authorities and the Public? No doubt the services of BMTC get badly affected for want of good roads and other infrastructure and the comparisons with similar placed organisations can have some meaning only if all ingredients in use are compared. In fact my own view is that BMTC does a good job when compared with other institutions if one were to take the limitations BMTC face to run its services in terms of infrastructure.Chennai. Mumbai and Delhi have better Roads and as well developed  industrial states have certain inbuilt advantages by way of political , social and economic developments. Bengaluru came in the development stature comparatively late and the sudden surge seen in IT development in Bangalore took the whole state and city by surprise and to match this development the infrastructure development lagged behind and this cannot be taken as a setback or serious lapse. 

Even now the situation is not that bad as is generally made out to be taking into consideration the natural advantages the state and city enjoy . 

The State and City have the best of Human Resources and nothing is impossible once they decide and get ready to take up the challenges. 

 What is required is a bit of coordination and clear cut policies from the Legislative, judiciary and administration. A top level committee consisting of all three can be set up to identify the gaps seen in the proper development of infrastructure and initiate steps to overcome and implement the required measures under some strict vigilance, supervision and accountability. 

Roads are only for free flow of traffic and not for marketing, dumping of materials of all kinds, wastages, and any other activities. The development of roads needs thorough thinking, planning , and execution keeping in view the expected increase in the population, economic developments , social advancements, etc.  

Accountability of the Institutions involved in the construction, maintenance and administration of roads needs to be fixed on an ongoing basis in a very systematic and professional manner without giving room for any interference of any sorts of power either politics or bureaucracy. 

Some of the steps that can be thought of to ease the traffic and improve the image of BMTC perhaps

City Traffic improvement Committee to be set up Consisting of 

1Some political leaders from all parties, Some  senior bureaucrats who have vast experience in the administration of  Transport system,Some very senior police Officers having experience in managing City traffic, Some eminent public representatives and think tankers who can contribute good thoughts and actionable changes.

2 Change of the present system of routes  pursued by the BMTC. There should be connectivity of Metros and the bus routes touching the major centers of population concentrates..Rerouting of the BMTC buses and covering long routes in less times should be thought of. while the present approach to terminate buses at Shivaji Nagar, Kr Market and Majestic can continue, there should be enough buses

 to ply long different routes and areas touching these points .

3 There are some traffic pressure points in the City like the Corporation area,JC Road , 24th main road,Jp Nagar, double Road, jayanagar some signals . These sorts of pressure points block the traffic which if planned and administered properly , traffic flow is made smooth, a lot of time can be saved and drivers and public can have a great sense of relief. It requires inviting public suggestions and surveying by regional Transport officers and Traffic control Police officers and BBMP and BDA officials.This requires only application of mind and adjustment of the movement of traffic Some man made hurdles which can and needs to be tackled needs to be taken care of by force or negotiation and compromise in public and larger interest. Involving the public and seeking their help would go a long way in removing some of the hurdles seen in some busy roads  and easing the traffic.

4 Continuous education of public in maintaining the roads in top condition and strict monitoring of the traffic rules and regulations on an ongoing basis can definitely be visible in avoiding haphazard parking, dumping of wastes on the roads, unauthorised use of roads for all sorts of activities etc, 

5 Encouraging sharing of private cars, Taxis and introducing smaller BMTC buses to manure in very small roads and gullies  and providing better connectivity to metros with meticulous planning and execution of arrangements to transport people can be a practical solution to minimise the traffic congestion.

6 The roads go bad due to several reasons which need to be fixed with long term and short term approaches having heavy expenditure and time lag effect. 

As a regular short term measure the authorities can think of having mobile Road repairing units to fix small and fixable potholes and this work can be given on a contract basis with incentivised compensation. To fix major repairs and provision of long durable roads, better to go in for an All India Tender and have some sort of tripartite agreement too. Once the road is completed this should be maintained by the same party for a definite period under an insurance scheme. The scope for corrupt practices should be minimised if not eliminated altogether though highly desirable. 

As a citizen deeply interested in the welfare of all , I just write to you as feedback to your wonderful ,well thought and wonderfully written article. 

Readiness of the authorities is all that matters. If there is a will there is always a way out to make things happen and work for the betterment of life for all. 

These are all my personal views . If it is useful in some way , I feel delighted. Since this is a point blank feedback I took the liberty. 

       

Thank you, I take this opportunity to wish you and family a very happy diwali and happy days ahead always and in all ways. 

With regards,
Dr.T.V.Gopalakrishnan

(This comment is given as Feedbaclk to an article on should BMTC take the privatisation road?that appeared in Deccan Herald on 17/10/25).

Provision of Good Roads is an inevitable social and economic Justice.

    Good Roads also a matter of  economic, social Justice

This refers to your editorial  Bengaluru seeks intent, not excuses Deccan Herald (oct,14).Due to the pathetic condition of Bangalore’s roads ,the daily hardships citizens endure, the loss of time, money , health and the reputation of the City and its people suffer are something unavoidable to a great extent if the intent instead of excuses as rightly put in the editorial is in place.  Provision of good roads and their upkeep is not merely an infrastructural need—it is a form of inevitable  economic and social justice. Roads are the lifelines for mobility, essential services, and economic activity, while also serving as a mirror of governance standards. Smooth, safe, and well-maintained roads make life not only comfortable but also dignified, reflecting a government’s commitment to citizens’ welfare. People miss a lot of their economic, social, emotional, sentimental, precious time, and other small small desires and  limited aspirations for want of the very essential movements in the absence of safe, comfortable and very  inevitable social visits within the city. Roads play a key role in maintaining not only the social connections but also keeping the people in good mental and physical  health conditions is a ground reality which cannot be denied to them on flimsy grounds.The leaders cannot ignore their essential leadership capabilities and these are all perhaps their memorable contributions worthy of  showcasing their image, reputation and proven popularity.    

The responsibility, however, cannot rest solely on the government. Citizens too must recognise their duty in avoiding / preventing hazards, potholes and damage by refraining from dumping garbage, construction debris, or unauthorised parking / violation of traffic rules that choke free movement. Civic indiscipline adds to chaos, delays, and needless suffering.

With better coordination between the administration and the public, Bangalore can have durable, quality roads. Proper governance and responsible civic behaviour can ensure optimum use of resources and prevent wastage of time, money, and effort. The man-hours lost in commuting, and the mental, physical, emotional, and financial stress citizens undergo due to poor roads, is beyond imagination—and must no longer be ignored. Corruption and corrupt practices in the general administration  of public goods and services if avoided  by thoughts, words and  deeds by all and any associated can have only pleasant,  lasting and ever relishing memories.  Good roads ensure not only the  welfare of people but also reflect on the sensitivity of the Governance system in vogue and prove to be the best and easiest way to earn the goodwill of the people.   

 

T V Gopalakrishnan

(Personal views)

Bangaluru.

( Modified version of this letter is published in  Deccan Herald dt 15/10/25).

Prevention of NPAs in Banks is an inevitable Social Justice.

 

NPAs in Banks — At Whose Cost? The Economy and Its Stakeholders

The banking sector in general—and public sector banks (PSBs) in particular—has long operated in a manner that drains depositors’ and taxpayers’ money, aided by a nexus of politicians, bureaucrats, bankers, and errant borrowers under a relaxed regulatory environment. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee candidly stated in the 1990s that “NPAs are nothing but loot.” The system has known this truth for decades, yet the problem persists despite getting some enhanced legal support as of now again at a high cost in terms of time and money - just because depositors and taxpayers silently bear the burden. Periodic bailouts follow whenever the crisis threatens financial stability.

Depositors have few safe avenues for savings beyond banks, and alternatives like gold, real estate, or other commodities often serve as conduits for unaccounted money and speculative activity rather than productive investment.

A lasting solution to the NPA problem requires discipline—both among bank managements and their borrowers—and an independent, efficient regulator free from political or bureaucratic interference. Such a model was proposed as early as 2004 in Management of NPAs in PSBs by Dr. T.V. Gopalakrishnan, published by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance, with a foreword by Dr. C. Rangarajan, former RBI Governor and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. The book proposed the creation of a Precautionary Margin Reserve Fund (PMRF)—a shared responsibility mechanism between lenders and borrowers—to contain NPAs, incentivise good borrowers, and penalise poor credit behaviour.

Despite professional acclaim and recommendations for pilot implementation, the model was never adopted. Had it been, the banking system would likely have been far stronger today—reducing NPAs, preserving depositor confidence, and preventing the “twin balance sheet” problem that has repeatedly strained India’s financial stability. The recurring and accrual loss to the economy because of the NPAs is something of a very high magnitude which cannot be easily set aside to ensure and realise the the status of fast growing economy.

Dr. Rangarajan observed in his foreword (2 July 2004):

“High levels of NPAs affect profitability, liquidity and solvency of banks, ultimately impacting financial stability itself. The author has made several suggestions to contain their growth. One such idea—the Precautionary Margin Reserve Fund—envisages both borrowers and lenders contributing to a common fund. Only an efficient banking system can fulfil the socio-economic goals set for it, and this book explores precisely that.”

The RBI’s recent move to introduce minimum provisioning floors (0.25–5% for performing assets, based on risk class) is, in essence, a partial acceptance of this idea. The PMRF concept—built on mathematical objectivity and fairness—could have become an inbuilt corrective mechanism to identify good borrowers, discipline defaulters, and safeguard the interests of all stakeholders without bias or undue discretion.

Ultimately, depositors’ money—the core raw material of banking—must not be used to subsidise inefficiency or moral hazard. A system that compels prudent behaviour, transparency, and ethical accountability from both lenders and borrowers is not just sound economics—it is social justice.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu.

Dr T V Gopalakrishnan

(personal Views).

RBI's Sensible and sound Support to Government's dream of Atmanirbhar Bharat

 Levy Precautionary  Margin Reserves as PROVISIONS  from bad borrowers to save the  bank depositors and tax payers from Bad debts.  

According to the news report “RBI proposes 100% Bank Provisions”, (ET dated 8th Oct), the central bank’s proposal to introduce minimum provisioning floors ranging from 0.25% to 5% for performing assets—based on asset class and credit risk stage—is a prudent though long overdue  step to save depositors and tax payers from subsidising the default borrowers  Hope this proposed provision is levied from the borrowers to have a built in mechanism to prevent the formation of NPAs. 

Strengthening bank balance sheets through disciplined provisioning and promoting credit quality are essential for maintaining the health of the financial system and safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders, including the government and depositors. Such measures will provide the much-needed foundation for sustainable economic growth.

The Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India into a developed, Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047 can be realistically achieved through these sensible and sound RBI initiatives, complemented by ongoing fiscal discipline—such as containing fiscal deficits while rationalising Direct Taxes and GST 2.0.

However, these financial measures must be supported by robust governance standards across institutions and public utilities, prioritising ethics, transparency, and welfare. Ensuring low food inflation, a bearable cost of living, equitable wealth distribution, and measurable trickle-down effects of growth are vital. Equally crucial is improving the quality of data on employment, tax compliance, and wealth creation to guide policy decisions effectively and equitably.

T.V.G Krishnan

Bengaluru 

RBI's Prudent decision and global Uncertainty

 Dear Sir,

            

              RBI Monetary policy with Great caution and lot of expectations. 

Apropos your editorial 'Unchanged Repo:a pause for expectation' (Oct3), the RBI's  recent monetary policy keeping the policy rates unchanged is nothing but an admission of the positive and negative changes affecting the economy from the national  and international dynamics seen in politics, economics, social and technology areas .While the national scenario offers political stability , favourable economic macro factors in terms of steady economic growth , benign inflationary expectations thanks to favourable  Union Budget measures particularly in containing fiscal deficit despite attractive income tax concession and GST 2.0 rationalisation aiming at massive consumption demand to boost the economic growth, the international scenario unfortunately has been highly unpredictable thanks to the geopolitical economic and social scenario thanks to the uncertainties emanating from the USA policies  basically having ripple effects on the economic front world over. All said the approach of the Reserve Bank to maintain neutral stance aiming at economic growth keeping the inflation expectation far below the minimum of 4.0% is a wonder facilitating the much needed credit growth innovative and growth oriented. The market sentiments have been kept in tune with the expectations and hope the economy continues to be in growth track as widely expected globally.        

T.V.Gopalakrishnan

Bengaluru. 

Modified version of this letter appeared in Deccan Herald dated 4th October 2025.)