letters to the Editor
school dropout
There are many ways to address the dropout problem (Inside Pages, “3.5 million Class X students to fail or drop out in 2021-22: Education Ministry”, May 31). These include providing nutritious food in school, tuition, special attention to students from weaker sections, physical exercise and facilities like meditation and yoga. Diluting the pass criteria too much may help reduce the dropout rate but will contribute to an intellectual shrinkage. There is a need for proper supervision of children at secondary and higher secondary level.
R Sampath,
Chennai
insurance coverage
The proposed ‘insurance extension’ scheme should take care of the barriers that hinder access to insurance – the exorbitant cost and the agony of settling claims. The companies charge huge premiums and their agents never explain the ‘middle lines’ to the potential insured. Even filing claims online and getting them approved is tedious. Many hospitals exploit the patients by charging them a hefty amount, even for the services they did not provide at the time of hospitalization. For this there is a need to strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism. In life insurance, hardly any insurance company has ever promoted life insurance policies for below poverty line (BPL) people as they fetch less commission. There should be regular insurance literacy programs when it comes to inclusive coverage.
Brij Bhushan Goyal,
Ludhiana, Punjab
We still follow a western model of risk coverage and completely ignore the vast potential of the Indian market. More data analysis and innovative underwriting initiatives should be looked into. The huge market should help bring down the cost of insurance, and subsequently increasing individual cover sizes should be a priority. There is a need to do away with the current jargon-laden environment.
Srinivas Gade,
Chennai