Letters to The Editor — January 15, 2026

Ten minute service

The decision by some delivery platforms to remove the 10-minute delivery system from their application is a welcome step (Front page, January 14). Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s intervention needs to be applauded. It is inhumane to have gig workers racing against time, putting their lives at risk. Let us not forget that delivery boys are humans. Lives are precious and one cannot be the character in Do Bigha Zamin (1953).

Here, Balraj Sahni, who pulls a manual cart, is poor. He is tempted to pull the cart at great speed and ends up hurting himself badly. Speeding amounts to slavery.

Balasubramaniam Pavani,

Secunderabad

Delivery in 10 minutes is a despicable practice. However, with the implementation of the four labour codes, it is ironic that the same government remains oblivious to the draconian changes that have been made with regard to the working hours of workers in a day, their wages and their service conditions. The government should hold talks with central trade unions in connection with sorting out all their concerns.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,

Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu

This is only a temporary respite for gig workers. With workers in this sector expected to touch 2.35 crore by 2029-30, they need to get the status of regular employees and have proper health, disability and accident insurance.

Dr. Thomas Palocaren,

Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Court on dog bites

The proposal of the Supreme Court of India to impose heavy compensation for dog bites is right.

The municipalities concerned should not only pay a heavy compensation for dog bites within their jurisdiction but also meet the entire medical expenses of victims. The street dog population has increased exponentially and it is a case of ‘animal terrorism’ on the roads. Callous municipalities and irrational dog feeders have compounded a problem that involves public health and safety. Those who feed street dogs should also be booked and fined heavily. They could display their love for dogs better by adopting one or two of them and keeping them at home. Families that adopt such dogs can be given some sort of cash incentive.

Matthew Adukanil,

Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu