State of the environment

India needs a permanent ‘national council for sustainable development’ to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship. Such a body should bring together policymakers, scientists, industry representatives and conservationists to evaluate projects before ecological damage occurs, protect fragile ecosystems, ensure transparent assessments and minimise environmental costs. (Inside pages, “The Hindu Huddle to look at Aravallis, Nicobar, and India’s development debate”, June 3).

R.S. Narula,

Patiala, Punjab

The Aravallis and the Nicobar Islands are among the few remaining ecological lungs that require fierce protection from the relentless pursuit of development. The Hindu Huddle would help foster deeper understanding of these issues.

Balasubramaniam Pavani,

Secunderabad

Examination format

I wish to highlight the grievance of thousands of aspirants affected by the mandatory Tamil Eligibility Test in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) examinations. While ensuring administrative proficiency in the State’s official language is a laudable objective, the complete removal of the General English paper has inadvertently created an uneven playing field. It places candidates from CBSE, ICSE and other non-State boards, where Tamil was not the primary medium of instruction, at a significant disadvantage. Further, the requirement of securing a minimum of 40% in this language paper as a precondition for evaluating the General Studies papers creates an additional barrier. Many otherwise meritorious candidates are eliminated at the outset, leaving their technical expertise and core aptitude unassessed. In the interest of merit and fairness, the TNPSC should consider reintroducing the General English option. Language proficiency requirements can be done at the Civil Service Training Institute.

B. Shanmaathi,

Chennai