Loans, state
Sir: It is a fact that governments depend on funding for different developmental projects, like resort to tax and non-tax revenues or market borrowings which consists of mainly loans and advances. In doing so, the interests of the state should be protected by all means. For instance, governments must follow the basic norm that loans should not be taken to repay the outstanding interests accrued on loans.
The total debt burden of the state government is a case in point. This has crossed Rs.56,000crore. In other words, every individual in this state bears a loan burden of Rs.9,015 on account of the money the government has borrowed for various purposes. The main borrowings are from national small savings fund. The government, while implementing the FRBM Act, 2005, on the recommendation of the 13th Finance Commission, got a reprieve of about Rs.130.17lakh crore in this respect, but still the situation has by now gone out of control.
Orissa takes pride in being a revenue surplus state. But, if we analyse the amount of loan being borrowed by the state government since 2007-08, it tells a different tale. During year 2007-08, the loan amount was Rs.36,311.61crore. It was Rs.36,430.54crore in 2008-09, Rs.37,730.04crore in 2009-10, Rs.39,136.91crore in 2010-11 & Rs.39,200crore in 2014-15. Since the government is keen on spending more money on Plan expenditure and implementing schemes like the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojna, Aahar, Biju Setu Yojna etc, more funds are required.
The per capita loan was of the order of Rs.9,064 in 2007-08 although it has been reduced to Rs.9,015 per individual during 2014-15. To overcome this situation, the government would do well to boost its own tax and non-tax revenue collection during the current fiscal, put a break on unfruitful expenditure, go in for economic reforms, and stop borrowing more loans with high rate of interest for a limited period.
Ratikanta Mahapatra, Courtpeta Square, BERHAMPUR
Yoga, benefits
Sir: The majority of the people understand yoga as one that twists oneself into knots or makes one breath abnormally. Asanas and Pranayams are only one-fourth of yoga. As detailed by Rishi Patanjali, Asana is a posture in which you are comfortable and still. Pranayam is a natural cessation of breath. These are not meant to reduce weight or cure ailments, but to prepare your body for the journey beyond this life. Good health is a byproduct and not the main product. There are no diets, lifestyles or rituals in yoga. It is a science of self-experience under the sanidhya of a guru who is someone who exudes the glow of yoga, whose thoughts manifest, whose words come true, and changes the atmosphere with chants. The move towards an International Yoga Day bring in its wake an even greater challenge – of putting across yoga’s true message, as handed down to us by Rishis of yore.
Dr Ramnath Panigrahi, Teachers’ Colony, PIPILI
