This refers to ‘Questions arising in the BoB-NMC case’ (July 8). Bank of Baroda’s decision to pay $600 million (about ₹5,700 crore) to settle the NMC Health litigation raises serious questions about accountability in the use of public funds. The settlement needs to be seen in the context of forensic investigations into NMC Health and insolvency proceedings in the UK, where claims were brought against the bank alleging lapses in due diligence and regulatory compliance.

As custodians of public deposits, banks are expected to act in good faith and with due care. The Reserve Bank of India should examine the entire episode to determine whether any supervisory, governance or compliance failures occurred and, if so, take appropriate action. Such a review would help strengthen public confidence in the banking system.

Srinivasan Velamur

Arizona, US

False citations

Apropos ‘Artificial arguments’ (July 8). The Supreme Court rightly flagged danger when tribunals relied on AI invented case law. Lawyers cited precedents that never existed, and orders were overturned for this lapse. Courts declared zero tolerance for unverified AI material while stopping short of contempt, noting India lacks clear rules on generative tools in legal practice. The UK and US already punish false citations and demand human verification. Technology can assist research but cannot replace professional duty. The Bar Council must frame standards on AI use, citation checks, and disclosure. Accountability, not the algorithm, decides justice.

K Chidanand Kumar

Bengaluru

Quality of govt schools

This refers to the news report ‘Enrolment in govt schools fell by nearly 86 lakh between 2023-24 and 2025-26’ (July 8). A trend that should worry policymakers more than the report’s neutral tone suggests. The steady migration of nearly 88 lakh students to private unaided schools during the same period indicates that parents, even in modest income brackets, are losing confidence in government institutions despite an improved pupil-teacher ratio and fewer single-teacher schools. Infrastructure gains on paper have not translated into visible quality in the classroom. States must now invest in learning outcomes, through regular assessment, teacher training, and accountability at the block level.

A Myilsami

Coimbatore

Published on July 8, 2026