Inflation dynamics
Apropos, ‘RBI may go beyond a 25 bps rate cut in April, say experts’, (March 14). The softening food prices has eased the inflation to a seven-month low to 3.61 per cent. This moderation in inflation for four consecutive months confirms a durable decline in price rise.
Food prices, which constitute over 40 per cent of the Consumer Price Index, significantly helped in cooling down overall inflation.
If softening food prices are widely expected to ease households’ spending burden, the slower-than-expected inflation indicates the prospect of a policy rate cut next month. But, the global dynamics remain volatile and the central bank needs to be vigilant to counter oil price shocks, geopolitical risks and domestic pricing pressures.
Above all, fragile global growth prospects, a full-blown trade war and looming recession in the US may scupper carefully-mapped plans to contain inflation.
N Sadhasiva Reddy
Bengaluru
Time for further rate cute
With retail inflation easing to a seven-month low of 3.61 per cent in February from 4.31 per cent in January, largely owing to softening food prices, which is expected to ease households spending burden, the prospect of the RBI’s MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) going for a further policy rate cut in April has brightened now.
But despite the good news on the inflation front, policymakers need to be vigilant to counter possible oil price shocks, geopolitical risks, and domestic pricing pressures. Moreover, the imminent trade war and its implications on India’s inflation cannot be overlooked.
M Jeyaram
Sholavandan (TN)
Bridging gender gap
This refers to the article “Bridging the gender gap” (March 14). India’s low ranking in the Gender Inequality Index (GII) and Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) shows the enormous efforts that need to be made to achieve gender equality.
Education, health, access to land and social mores, among several factors, play pivotal role in bridging the gender gap.
We must ensure 100 per cent enrolment of girl children in schools, and put in measures to prevent drop-outs. Free education for girls from LKG and imparting of job-oriented skills are also vital.
Access to healthcare in rural areas for women is so pathetic that we often see reports of pregnant women being carried on cots to distant primary healthcare centres for delivery. Primary healthcare facilities needs to be vastly expanded their accessibility must also be vastly improved.
Though there is a law conferring land rights, women’s access to land is circumscribed by the entrenched patriarchal system, which can only be chipped away through proper education and awareness campaigns on gender equality. Smaller the gender gap, more progressive and happier will be the society.
Kosaraju Chandramouli
Hyderabad
