Page 7 - Editorial Comment
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
 "Fare play: Are DGCA's information demands on airfares excessive?")
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
 "Climate concerns: Changing rainfall patterns threaten agriculture")
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
 "Trade uncertainty: US trade policy can complicate the Fed's choices")
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
 "A new innings for IPL: This premier cricket tournament needs to evolve")
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
 "Customer first: Banks must focus on customer service across the system")
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
 "Power planning: Proactive management key to preventing shortages")
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
 "Improved outlook: Higher food grain output will help in managing inflation")
Island interlude: PM's visit upgrades strategic ties with Mauritius
The visit takes place against the backdrop of key geopolitical developments in the region
 "Island interlude: PM's visit upgrades strategic ties with Mauritius")
Improving competitiveness: MSP benefits continue to remain concentrated
What India needs is to incentivise private procurement, promote crop diversification, and focus on agricultural research
 "Improving competitiveness: MSP benefits continue to remain concentrated")
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
 "Deflated dreams: China bets on technology to avoid economic slowdown")
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
 "Disclosures and regulations: New Sebi chairman makes a promising start")
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
 "Resetting trade: Govt should inform how trade talks with US are progressing")
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
 "Another trade hurdle: How quality control orders are hurting India")
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
 "Private investment conundrum: Policy intervention to improve prospects")
A cryptic move: US cryptocurrency reserve sparks puzzlement and alarm
The US, for example, holds around $17 billion equivalent of cryptocurrencies seized from criminals, and China is estimated to hold around $19 billion
 "A cryptic move: US cryptocurrency reserve sparks puzzlement and alarm")
The employment paradox: Skilling schemes need more realistic streamlining
Last year, a study by TeamLease showed that India produces a staggering 1.5 million engineers every year, but only 45 per cent meet industry standards
 "The employment paradox: Skilling schemes need more realistic streamlining")
Sustainable recovery: The policy challenge is to increase trend growth
In recent years, government capital expenditure has been a key driver of growth and is likely to continue playing this role in the foreseeable future
 "Sustainable recovery: The policy challenge is to increase trend growth")
The new bilateral age: EU FTA urgency key to shaping the new trade order
The World Trade Organization (WTO) seemed unable to rein in China's hidden subsidies to its exporting sectors, and to restore a level playing field for global trade
 "The new bilateral age: EU FTA urgency key to shaping the new trade order")
Road to decentralisation: Rural local bodies need to be strengthened
Overall, devolution to rural local bodies increased from 39.9 per cent in 2013-14 to 43.9 per cent in 2021-22, said the govt report
 "Road to decentralisation: Rural local bodies need to be strengthened")
Unprecedented visit: A whole-of-govt approach needed for India-EU ties
Resetting relations between two large, complex, and heavily regulated economies needs to be read from a much broader perspective
 "Unprecedented visit: A whole-of-govt approach needed for India-EU ties")
