‘April retail inflation hits 14-month high of 3.48%” (May 13) is a reminder that price stability cannot be taken for granted, even when numbers remain below the RBI’s target. Food items like onions and tomatoes, along with the sharp surge in gold and silver prices, are once again driving household costs higher. While the central bank’s cautious stance is welcome, the government must act on the supply side. Strengthening buffer stocks, improving cold storage and logistics for perishables, and timely market interventions can prevent seasonal spikes from becoming persistent.

A coordinated effort between monetary and fiscal authorities will be essential to protect the common citizen’s purchasing power.

K Sakunthala

Coimbatore

Bank credit flow

This refers to ‘Decoding banks’ return to health’ (May 13). The authors are right in flagging the unsustainability of debt-induced consumption growth.

Banking metrics have improved considerably since 2015, but the composition of that credit tells a more cautious story.

Personal loans growing at 370 per cent while infrastructure credit grew at merely 30 per cent is not a healthy balance.

An economy needs productive lending, not just retail expansion. The concern about housing loans is equally valid — classified as secured does not mean risk-free, as 2008 demonstrated. RBI aligning credit growth guidance with nominal GDP projections is sensible. But equally important is nudging banks to redirect flows toward manufacturing and infrastructure, where multiplier effects on employment and income are far more durable.

SM Jeeva

Chennai

Food contamination

This refers to ‘Poison in the food’ (May 13). This is a serious issue that has remained unresolved for too long. Two major reasons for excessive and imprudent use of weedicides, not excluding pesticides, are ease of access and misguidance by traders.

Unless authorities impose severe restrictions and mandate reportage of sales with details of farmers and the crop cultivated, the menace cannot be mitigated. However, random check of residues in farm produce at farm-gate may help to a certain extent, unless there are legal hindrances.

Rajiv Magal

Halekere Village, Karnataka

Published on May 13, 2026