Page 12 - Editorial Comment

US tariff turmoil: RBI MPC needs to gauge the effect of uncertainty

The challenge for the MPC is to gauge how this heightened level of uncertainty will affect growth and inflation dynamics in India, which will form the basis of its policy decision

Bloc development: Bimstec needs faster progress; India's role is key

This sixth summit, hosted by Thailand under its chairmanship, saw some energetic interventions by India as part of the "PRO" agenda

Spiralling downwards: Govt must make careful moves on trade talks

Beijing can perhaps take the risk of a strong line because it is now less dependent on direct exports to the US than it has been in the past

Maintaining law and order: Police forces urgently need legal training

The disturbing point about the findings of this study is that these extreme approaches to law and order persist more than seven decades since Independence

External risks: US trade policy may affect economic growth in FY26

According to the National Statistics Office's second advance estimates, the Indian economy is estimated to have grown 6.5 per cent in FY25

Accounting for performance: MPs need better pay to deliver results

When MPs' salaries were raised in 2018, then finance minister Arun Jaitley introduced a proposal for automatic revision every five years

Size and scale: Regulation should enable companies to scale up faster

However, gaining access to technology is not the only problem small and medium-sized businesses are facing

Learning to grow: Strengthening education can drive economic growth

Increased access to higher-education facilitates more workers to take up high-skill jobs

All above board: Sebi's move on disclosures a step in the right direction

Sebi board has decided to constitute a high-level panel, which will comprehensively review "the provisions relating to conflict of interest, disclosures pertaining to property, investments, etc

Fare play: Are DGCA's information demands on airfares excessive?

The DGCA does monitor airfares randomly every month to ensure that they do not exceed the price range set by airlines

Climate concerns: Changing rainfall patterns threaten agriculture

In 2024, India experienced extreme weather events on 322 days, up from 318 in 2023, affecting around 4.07 million hectares of crop area

Trade uncertainty: US trade policy can complicate the Fed's choices

The administration's policies on immigration, for instance, will have longer-term consequences for the US economy

A new innings for IPL: This premier cricket tournament needs to evolve

As a "charitable organisation", the riches that the BCCI earns from the IPL are tax-free so long as the money is used to further the objective of promoting cricket

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

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

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

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