Letters to Editor - The HinduBusinessLineSENSEX 85,041.45 -367.25NIFTY 26,042.30 -99.80CRUDEOIL 5,232.00 -40.00GOLD 139,680.00+ 1,583.00SILVER 233,243.00+ 9,453.00SENSEX 85,041.45 -367.25NIFTY 26,042.30 -99.80NIFTY 26,042.30 -99.80CRUDEOIL 5,232.00 -40.00CRUDEOIL 5,232.00 -40.00GOLD 139,680.00+ 1,583.00'; } document.getElementById("lgdv").innerHTML = htmlElements; } function numberformat(i) { return Number(parseFloat(i).toFixed(2)).toLocaleString('en', { minimumFractionDigits: 2 }) } async function gatherResponse(response) { const { headers } = response; const contentType = headers.get('content-type') || ''; if (contentType.includes('application/json')) { return await response.json() } return response.text(); } function getWidth() { if (Math.max(document.body.scrollWidth,document.documentElement.scrollWidth,document.body.offsetWidth,document.documentElement.offsetWidth,document.documentElement.clientWidth) > 991) { document.getElementById("mob").style.display = "none"; document.getElementById("lgdv").style.display = "block"; } else { document.getElementById("mob").style.display = "block"; document.getElementById("lgdv").style.display = "none"; } } getWidth();]]>By Baskar B _12373Updated - December 26, 2025 at 08:39 PM.Fare hikeThis refers to ‘Railways notifies train fare hike from December 26, short journeys spared’ (December 26, 2025). Though the Railway Ministry’s fare hikes appear quite insignificant at the micro levels, they are likely to spruce up its financial kitty at the macro level.Despite the Railways’ objective of protecting short-distance commuters while balancing passenger affordability with the financial sustainability, one just fails to comprehend the rationale of this hike. Train fares were earlier hiked in July. So this hike now will pinch the pockets of the common folk.SK GuptaNew DelhiCorruption challengeThis refers to the article ‘Funds alone don’t ensure job scheme success’ (December 26). The finding that corruption is prevalent in some poor States in implementing the rural employment scheme (MGNREGA, now VBGRAMG) necessitates immediate corrective action.MGNREGA corruption involves fund misappropriation, fake job cards, fake muster rolls, underpayment/non-payment of wages, and corruption by officials. Failure to check the rot despite Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Aadhaar linkage, social audits, and online grievance redressal is a challenge.Will the new scheme stem the rot? The outcome will be one of the yardsticks to judge its worth.YG ChoukseyPuneContract issuesWith reference to “Laboured laws” (December 26), the global business shift towards operating lite-asset models, adoption of disruptive technologies and avoidance of cost, compliance and legal complexities involved in engaging permanent employees, results in sourcing more contractual labour.People are also opting for short-term contracts to have a better work-life balance.Though the preliminary protection towards social security and working conditions to this class were provided through amended regulation CLRAA, due to prevailing multi-layer structure of operational controls, there have been unending disputes, requiring judicial intervention. Apart from mandatory license registration of main contractors in core business activities, the regulatory purview under EPF and ESI Acts need to be enhanced to protect the rights of contractual labour.Sitaram PopuriBengaluruPublished on December 26, 2025Sign into Unlock benefits!Access 10 free stories per monthAccess to comment on every storySign up/Manage to our newslettersGet notified by email for early preview to new features, discounts & offers${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }