YOUR SAY

NOT QUITE A ‘DEMON’?

APARAJITA GUPTA’s piece questioning the ef cacy of India’s demonetisation drew some sharp reactions

Raghbjha wrote: This is a highly one-sided article that chooses to portray what it wants to portray and ignores the rest. So, all the data on the amount of suspicious deposits in some bank accounts, the number of shell companies closed, the ease of passage to the GST and many others are all irrelevant, according to the author of this article. Also, the article chooses to ignore the fact that the government prepared the economy for the demonetisation through opening up of Jan Dhan accounts and giving tax dodgers a chance to come clean. All this happened before demonetisation. The appropriate counterfactual for assessing the impact on economic growth is what the growth would have been had there been no demonetisation - not the actual rate of economic growth. In any case, growth picked up after one quarter of decline. Future growth will be faster, cleaner and more sustainable and inclusive.

Prakash Mehta wrote: This is a biased article on demonetisation in India due to many reasons. First, ordinary people had several opportunities to open up bank accounts (including Jan Dhan accounts) in which they could deposit their old currency notes. Second, those who had dodged taxes were given a generous opportunity to come clean, declare their assets, pay their dues and become part of the legitimate economy. Hence, the only people whose wealth positions were adversely affected by demonetisation were the dishonest. Others were affected only temporarily and to the extent that they had to stand in queue to withdraw cash and/or deposit money. Second, black money in the Indian economy has come down substantially. More than 300,000 shell companies that were being used for money laundering have been closed. Hundreds of thousands of suspicious deposits into bank accounts have been identi ed and will be pursued. A strong benami law and a regulatory authority for real estate are functional. Third, the tax base of the economy has gone up sharply as numbers of both direct and indirect tax payers have gone up. This will enable the government to spend more on health, education and infrastructure, among other things. Fourth, digitisation of the economy has rapidly expanded. Fifth, the shrinking of the informal economy has meant that the country could adopt the GST which has led to the creation of a uni ed Indian market for the rst time since Independence.

High Commissioner Faces Anger

The Indian diplomat was cornered at a Melbourne gurdwara recently. The video got some sharp reactions

Ashish Chawla wrote: This is a disgrace on the way they speak to a high commissioner Varun Pal wrote: I found it appalling to say the least. Surely, there are better ways to put your point forward. Respect the high commissioner. There are channels through which you can raise the issues. Slogans towards the end was uncalled for as well.

Indian Teen With Disability Wins Award

DHANYA SAMUEL wrote about the inspiring story of how young Mark Alvares put aside his challenges and embraced life.

Mythili Iyer applauded: Kudos to Mark Alvares for his resilience and positivity. May he nd more success in his new challenges ahead.

Jayanthi Vellore said: Well done Mark! You have been an inspiration to all of us.

Nick Hatzis wrote: Well done Mark!

The Labour Pains Of Adoption

Liz and Adam Brook haven’t been able to adopt a child from India, thanks to a freeze on inter-country adoption, wrote RITAM MITRA

A reader wishing to stay anonymous wrote: When we passed through the phase of adoption, no one can understand what we went through every moment, waiting for a phone call, snubbed off rudely by both Australian and Indian red tape and bureaucracy…tears, trials and tribulations. I feel very happy that Ritam has put all this together. I feel so privileged that by a very thin line, we have our daughter in our lives. We feel grateful and must have done some little good in the past or present to be able to have her in our lives, but equally we feel helpless for others who are victims of this limbo. A big heartfelt congratulations to Ritam for working on this bit which is so close to my heart, and hope it will be valuable information for all wishing to go down that line for starting a family.

Rajni Luthra commented: Wishing you all the best in your quest, Liz and Adam. Liz Brook shared the article in her network and received plenty of encouragement

Yan Hope wrote: Good things come to those who wait (And wait. And wait…) Michelle Forbes wrote: I will keep my ngers crossed for you both. Sending love and hugs your way.

Elaine Brook wrote: Never give up! There must be someone in the authority who could help your cause. Thank you Liz and Adam for putting it out there. All the best. Hope you succeed before too long.

Jessical McNeill wrote: Such a sh**ty situation. Hope this story goes a long way in raising awareness and driving change.

Two Presidents And A Pm

PAWAN LUTHRA wrote that of the three world leaders closely watched by the Indian diaspora, only one - China’s Xi Jinping - seems to have a vision Sudarshan Narayana wrote: The editorial titled ‘Two Presidents & a PM’ is a very sensible write-up, summing up the prevailing leadership role in major three nations around the globe. I couldn’t stop myself from writing this mail to express my feelings immediately after reading it.

Chandra Kishore said: Only Modi and Xi could be taken seriously.

Debbie Purtell wrote: Thanks to Indian Link. A good, informative article. Nisha Prichard wrote: Great awareness raising. Keeping ngers crossed for you guys. + JOIN

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The Australian Government is investing more funding in child care through the new Child Care Package. Look out for more information on what you need to do to prepare for the changes in early 2018. For more information visit: education.gov.au/childcare