From the Files
The Reserve Bank, as the central bank of the country, often receives letters from
the common man on matters of public policy and interest. Some of these letters are
focused and lend themselves to policy decisions. Many, however, while imbued with
reformist zeal, are emotional outbursts merely lamenting the state of affairs and
do not lend themselves to any action. The authors of these, however, are persistent
in their 'pro bono publico' endeavours. Such letters are addressed to the central
bank, often to the Governor, as the central bank is in some ways involved in charting
the economic policies of the country.
The traditional systems in the Bank demand that all letters received need to be
'inwarded', examined and 'marked off'. A specific decision even on persistent 'crank'
letters needs to be taken. A note recorded on one such letter in the Department
of External Investments and Operations (DEIO) is reproduced below.
The Nation's Woes: RBI's role therein - Letter dated 26.12.1988 from Thiru XYZ
Placed below is a letter from Thiru XYX expressing outrage and ire - at the scheme
of things entire, - which he fain would remould - closer to heart's desire. What,
how and in what image is, however, not specified. The RBI, being one of the agencies
of prime economic responsibility, he feels is partly the villian in this state of
affairs.
While his outrage may be justifiable, the letter per se is discursive and addled
in terms of
- the issues addressed,
- the identification and analysis of causes, and
- the courses of action prescribed.
The epistle wanders from exchange rate policy (DEIO) to supervision over chit funds
(DFC) to the sale of gold under Shri Desai's premiership (DGBA). In as much as no
positive steps are prescribed to redeem the state of affairs, the letter could be
regarded as that by a crank cribbing O Tempora, O Mores and lamenting Quousque Tandem.
He, however, demands to know why!
Unfortunately, we too know not why. In most general terms the fons et origo mali
could possibly be attributed to
- avarice and greed,
- deterioration in moral fibre,
- lack of commitment and intellectual honesty,
- the ascent of fissiparous tendencies over those of humanity and fraternity.
As a central bank, we cannot give such answers and exhort brother XYZ to work harder
and spread moral awareness as his mite towards the upliftment of the nation. We
could
- ignore his letter,
-
write to him to unscramble his thoughts and offer specific comments (in duplicate
if necessary to dissuade him) which we shall be glad to consider. This should keep
him busy for a while, help clear his head and also give him a feeling of participation
in Nataional Construction. For us, it will break the monotony of routine cases.
(Draft letter placed below).
-
call for his income tax returns to ascertain his antecedents and thus blunt his
appetite for seeking answers.
While course of action at (i) will be most prudent, (ii) is recommended as a more
spirited approach. If the same is approved, the case could be sent to the PRO for
necessary action.
BS
Investment Officer
Although the above note appears to have been recorded in a lighter vein, the analysis
is realistic. We should make critics of policy understand larger issues and give
concrete suggestions. Let the suggested reply be issued from Press Relations Office.
PBK
Chief Officer
P.S: Incidentally, prudent action as at (i) was adopted.
Notes:
O Tempora! O Mores! : 'What times, what customs....', Cicero's defence of an old
general who had written a book against the dictator Sculla.
Qousque Tandem: 'How much longer'. The opening lines of Cicero's last polemic against
Catalina - 'How much longer, Catalina, will you abuse our forbearance....'
fons et origo mali : 'the fount and origin of evil'
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