Letters to the Editor dated December 16, 2025 - The HinduBusinessLineSENSEX 84,679.86 -533.50NIFTY 25,860.10 -167.20CRUDEOIL 5,035.00 -107.00GOLD 135,279.00+ 1,149.00SILVER 198,995.00+ 1,094.00SENSEX 84,679.86 -533.50NIFTY 25,860.10 -167.20NIFTY 25,860.10 -167.20CRUDEOIL 5,035.00 -107.00CRUDEOIL 5,035.00 -107.00GOLD 135,279.00+ 1,149.00'; } 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();]]>Updated - December 16, 2025 at 09:04 PM.Job scheme tweakThe Centre’s decision to replace the MGNREGA with the proposed Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Grameen (VB-GRAMG) Bill has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition.Although the Bill proposes to provide 125 days of guaranteed wage employment annually and incorporates technological measures such as biometric authentication, GPS tracking, mobile-based monitoring, and AI-enabled fraud detection, its 60:40 Centre–State funding pattern places an excessive burden on States.Further, the shift to a centrally determined normative allocation undermines the principles of cooperative federalism and may weaken the scheme’s responsiveness to local needs.M JeyaramSholavandan (TN)The proposed repeal of the MGNREGA, to be replaced by the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, represents a substantive ideological and structural departure rather than a cosmetic reform.The conspicuous removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name, despite official acknowledgment of MGNREGA’s proven efficacy over two decades, signals political rebranding overriding policy continuity. Although increasing guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125 is commendable, it could have been secured through a limited statutory amendment.The more troubling shift is the transfer of greater fiscal responsibility to states, diluting central commitment, straining cooperative federalism, and imperilling rural livelihood security.N Sadhasiva ReddyBengaluruHigher Education ResetThis refers to ‘UGC, AICTE to come under new regulator’ (December 16).The new Bill aims to reduce overlaps and delays in higher education. Through this reform, issues like faculty shortages, low salaries, and slow approvals must be addressed.Job security and fair pay for teachers should be a key ethical focus. Monitoring must look not only at infrastructure and teaching strength, but also at students’ academic development. With this approach, a single regulator can support equity and steady growth in education.S BalasubramaniyanVillupuram (TN)Robust export growthThis refers to the news report “Strong 19.4% export growth in Nov ‘evens out’ dip in Oct” (December 16). The sharp rebound in exports is a reassuring signal at a time of global trade uncertainty. Gains across engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, petroleum products and chemicals suggest that India’s export base is diversifying.The narrowing trade deficit also offers short-term relief on the external front.Still, one strong month should not invite complacency. Volatility in shipments, tariff pressures in key markets, and logistics costs remain real constraints. Sustaining momentum will depend on deeper market diversification, faster trade facilitation, and steady support to MSME exporters.Policy focus must now shift from headline numbers to consistency.SM JeevaChennaiPublished on December 16, 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 }