BEHBOOD certificate returns are no longer related to the real world of our economy, particularly after the reductions on returns from 16.8 per cent to around 14 per cent.

Inflation has soared by over 13.92 per cent for two years running and as much as 24 per cent for the previous years.

Widows and pensioners can no longer survive respectably on these earnings particularly as the upper limit has been stuck at Rs3,000,000 for many years.

Savings certificates had been a good idea in the beginning, contributing to the economy and helping out old people and those with limited resources.

With the current unrealistic rate of returns and severe limit on Behbood certificates, many people are no longer interested in these and are finding other ways and means of supplementing their meagre earnings.

Domestic help where possible has rightly been asking for about 80 per cent increase due to the rise in the cost of living and transportation and employment rates are falling. The president and the finance minister are requested to look into this aspect at the earliest.

ARDESHIR JEHANGIR VICCAJI Karachi