Page 21 - Business Standard Editorial Comment

Customer first: Banks must focus on customer service across the system

Given that India has seen a significant adoption of digital payments, the quality of service in the banking and financial sector has become extremely important

Power planning: Proactive management key to preventing shortages

The Grid Controller of India, the NLDC's parent organisation, has predicted a one-in-three chance of a shortfall in May alone

Tracking dietary diversity: Time to turn our attention to quality of food

Policies related to food and nutrition security will need to broaden their scope from cereal security to healthy diets

Solar flare: How simple fixes can turn PMSGMBY into a game changer

With summers growing hotter, there is an urgent need for India to lower its dependence on thermal power

Law and disorder: States must spend more on adequate police forces

Under-policing is not just a serious and obvious risk for public safety, especially for vulnerable sections, it has implications for small businesses

Satcom policy needed: Govt must streamline processes for satellite telecom

Government approval to Starlink, especially security clearance, is another loose end that needs attention

Improved outlook: Higher food grain output will help in managing inflation

Food grain production in the kharif season is estimated to have increased by 7.9 per cent relative to the previous year, while estimated rabi production is set to increase by 6 per cent

Island interlude: PM's visit upgrades strategic ties with Mauritius

The visit takes place against the backdrop of key geopolitical developments in the region

Railways' new safety steps: Smart planning or knee-jerk reaction?

Train-related information must be communicated clearly at the railway stations. At large stations, such as New Delhi Railway Station, more digital screens displaying arrivals and departures are needed

Lessons from the dotcom bubble burst still relevant in AI age 25 yrs later

India's tech economy matured during the boom-bust cycle with investors waking up to India's advantages in providing information-technology (IT) services to the world

Improving competitiveness: MSP benefits continue to remain concentrated

What India needs is to incentivise private procurement, promote crop diversification, and focus on agricultural research

Deflated dreams: China bets on technology to avoid economic slowdown

Analysts are already beginning to discuss the possible "Japanification" of China, referencing the long, deflationary stagnation that plagued Japanese economy after its boom years ended in early 1990s

India's obesity crisis: Reorienting food policies can address the problem

Growing prosperity, urbanisation, and sedentary lifestyles are out of sync with Indian cuisine, undoubtedly among the world's most delicious but traditionally suited for manual work

Recession risk: Rising uncertainty casts a shadow over US economic outlook

The New York Federal Reserve runs a "recession probability gauge", which serves to aggregate predictions of recessions. This index has hit its third-highest peak in decades for August 2025

Disclosures and regulations: New Sebi chairman makes a promising start

The remarks on disclosures must be seen in the context of the term of Mr Pandey's predecessor, Madhabi Puri Buch

Resetting trade: Govt should inform how trade talks with US are progressing

Resetting trade with the US and the European Union would be a step forward for India, and the government must work on building domestic approval of deals as quickly as possible

Another trade hurdle: How quality control orders are hurting India

The tacit reason for QCOs is to prevent substandard goods from China that many worry are flooding Indian markets

Private investment conundrum: Policy intervention to improve prospects

India's gross fixed capital formation at constant prices is expected to be at 33.4 per cent of GDP this financial year

India's high-income goal by 2047 needs faster growth, policy push

Enhancing productivity through innovation and technology infusion is critical. India must facilitate technology transfer, improve ease of doing business, and incentivise research and development

Donald Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs' agenda raises global economic fears

From the thickets of alternative facts, Maga (Make America Great Again) tropes, inflated claims, and theatrical asides involving invitees in the gallery, two signals emerged from Mr Trump's address