A Class 10 student has written an open letter to actor-politician Vijay, saying she was inspired by his speech at a meeting in Karur where he urged people not to pay bribes and promised support.
In the letter, sent through a newspaper out of concern that a direct post could be intercepted, the student thanks him for giving confidence that wrongdoing will be acted against. She adds that merely changing officials will not be enough, and argues that the “system” itself must be reformed to eliminate bribery.
Pointing to areas where the government runs businesses, she claims corruption is higher in such sectors and highlights three fields. On TASMAC, she questions whether the government should directly sell liquor, and suggests handing retail operations to private players while keeping revenue through taxes and retaining price-control powers with the state.
She also raises concerns about the power utility, referring to a white paper cited in the letter that mentions debt exceeding Rs 2.45 lakh crore, along with electricity theft and ageing generation assets. The student argues that power generation and distribution should be gradually handed to private operators over five years, citing her experience in Mumbai where private companies supply electricity with fewer interruptions.
The letter further notes issues such as staff shortages and pending infrastructure needs like smart meters, transformers, smart grids and new substations, and says large investments would be required to address them.
