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Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
FTA needs some safeguards
The India-UK FTA is, no doubt, a landmark deal that will boost economic ties, strategic cooperation and better access to Indian paroducts like textiles, leather goods, fisheries and agriculture products in the UK markets, while their products like whisky, automobiles and electronic goods can help India to develop industrial products at a cheaper rate and export them to other countries. This agreement is expected to double bilateral trade by 2030. However, it is important to note that CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) excludes India's most sensitive agriculture sector and India has not given any tariff concessions on dairy products. On the other hand, India's MSMEs may face stiff competition from UK's imported products. Given this situation, the government should evolve a multi-pronged strategy to safeguard agriculture and MSMEs sectors to reap the fruits of the Free Trade Agreement. Ravi Nishanth,Bengaluru CETA: A blueprint for prosperity TheIndia-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) marks a major turnaround pact as it eliminates tariffs on 99 per cent of India's exports, including basmati rice, millet, spices, cotton and seafood, while safeguarding sensitive sectors like dairy and vegetables. The $5.5 billion seafood market now enjoys zero tariffs, and access is granted to British whisky and automobiles under a quota. The $56 billion bilateral trade is set to double by 2030. There is no doubt that India will benefit in textiles, leather, gems, and IT services, while the UK gains in tea, seafood, and clothing. Easier visas for Indian professionals and support for start-ups ensure mutual growth, while simultaneously reducing dependence on the US and its coercive trade tactics. RS Narula,Patiala FTA is a reality, finally Thesigning of CETA (Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement) between India and the United Kingdom marked the end of a four-year wait for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between these countries. In the intervening period there were 16 rounds of negotiations during which the UK had four Prime Ministers, including three from the Conservative Party. Ironically, the deal was signed by the Labour Party PM Keir Starmer. However, the deal will come into force only when it is ratified by the UK Parliament. Reportedly, the deal will benefit farmers, MSMEs, footwear and jewellery exports from India as tariffs on these items are likely to be reduced significantly. Further the deal has not touched existing tariffs on lamb and salmon, so there is no threat to these sectors. On the other hand, British whiskey and cars will be available in India with the reduction in their tariffs from the present 150 per cent to 70 per cent and down to 40 per cent in the next 10 years. Indian service sectors will benefit immensely as would yoga coaches, musicians and chefs. Meanwhile, there is some criticism on the deal from both sides. The deal has been struck even as the UK waits to recover from losses caused by Briexit. The three-year exemption from NIC to the labour from India dents its income to £10 lakh as per the estimates of Conservatives. Meanwhile, Indian MSMEs are worried by the entry of British auto spare parts and their impact on their business. There is also no clarity on Carbon tax, which affects industries like steel, aluminium, cement and fertilizers. Pratapa Reddy Yaramala, Tiruvuru (AP)
Hans India
17-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 17th June 2025
Rising air accidents is cause for alarm India has been witnessing a disturbing surge in air incidents—an Air India crash on June 12, emergency landings by an Apache helicopter (the second such incident in a week) in Pathankot on June 13 and a British F-35 jet in Thiruvananthapuram on June 15 and Kedarnath chopper crash on the same day. These mark five incidents in two months. These, along with past chopper crashes in Katra and recurring MiG mishaps, underscore deep-rooted systemic flaws. Ageing fleets and poor maintenance remain major issues, but the private helicopter sector, responsible for 70 per cent of non-military crashes over the past decade (DGCA), raises the greatest concern. Even in the armed forces, lapses in pre-procurement checks need to accord priority to safety or discard the equipment despite strong maintenance protocols. Will people revert to rail travel as human life needs priority over saving time? Reforms, stricter oversight, and accountability at all levels are the need of the hour. RS Narula, Patiala Probe all recent tragic incidents This appears to be a season of mishaps in India. Innocent people are getting killed for no fault of theirs. There have been several instances of major 'accidents' like the Air India crash in Ahmedabad and the helicopter crash near Kedarnath, while a bridge collapsed in Pune. If there is a pattern to all these 'incidents', then it becomes a greater worry and should be probed from all angles to rule out sabotage. There have been five helicopter crashes within a period of three months in Uttarakhand, which is quite unusual. Either the authorities concerned are guilty of turning a Nelson's Eye towards the airworthy maintenance of the helicopters against regular haftas or the operators are least concerned about passenger safety norms. It is therefore important to order a full-fledged probe into such incidents. Govardhana Myneedu, Vijayawada Air India credibility at stake The tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London has raised serious questions about the reliability of Air India. The tragedy highlights the urgent need for a strong leadership and rigorous regulatory oversight in India's aviation sector. The Tata Group must prioritise appointment of seasoned aviation professionals to address systemic flaws and restore confidence in the airline. At the same time, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must step up its proactive monitoring and enforcement of safety standards to avert future disasters. Rebuilding trust demands accountability, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to passenger and crew safety. N S K Prasad, Saket Colony, Hyderabad-62 Check exploitation by private hospitals This is with reference to the article published in The Hans India on June 16 titled 'Private hospitals fleecing patients left, right and centre'. It has rightly exposed the unethical and exploitative practices rampant in many private hospitals. The indiscriminate overcharging for consultations, diagnostics and even basic treatments is not just alarming — it is outright inhumane. When patients seek care, they are met not with compassion but with commercial interests. Families are being pushed into debt and despair, with no system of accountability to protect them. Healthcare — a fundamental right — is being reduced to a profit-making industry. It is imperative that the government enforces stringent regulations, brings in cost caps, ensures transparency in billing, and establishes a grievance redressal system for patients. Hospitals must be made answerable. Let this not be another headline that fades into oblivion. Let it spark a movement towards ethical, accessible, and accountable healthcare. C.H. Sai Pratap, Hyderabad Kudos to Saritha for her RTC milestone It is a matter of pride that 38-year-old V. Saritha achieved the distinction of becoming the first woman driver of TGSRTC. Another feather in her cap is that she drove an eco-friendly e-bus from Miryalguda to Hyderabad. This is one step forward towards women empowerment in its truest sense. Hope more women will follow suit and join the RTC as drivers. It is an indication of her grit and family commitment that Sarita started driving an auto as an 18-year-old for a livelihood. Sreelekha PS, Boudhnagar, Secunderabad-61
Hans India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 3rd May 2025
Kashmir's humanity deserved headlines The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack has left Kashmir deeply shaken. But alongside the horror, it revealed something powerful: Kashmir's humanity in the face of dehumanisation. While mainstream news focused on selective narratives like 'they asked for religion,' stories of bravery and compassion by ordinary Kashmiris were conveniently ignored. A young Kashmiri horseman lost his life trying to snatch a gun from an attacker. Another Kashmiri man saved the lives of 11 tourists. One man even rescued a visiting BJP leader. Locals even carried the injured tourists on their backs and opened their homes to those stranded, offering them food, shelter, and transport without even asking who they were or where they came from. Yet, major news channels chose to question Kashmiris rather than acknowledge their bravery and courage. A tourist later revealed in a viral video that he was pressured by television anchors to speak against the Kashmiris. When he refused, his interview was cut. This manipulation is not just only injustice to journalism, but it's dangerous also. It fans hatred, fuels stereotypes and puts innocent lives at risk. In the days following the attack, reports of Kashmiri students and workers being harassed across Indian cities poured in. Threats and assault videos went viral. In one disturbing case, a Kashmiri woman received rape threats online simply for wearing a burqa. While action was later taken, the damage to community's trust remains. No media house has questioned the security lapses, despite reports of intelligence inputs before the attack. Accountability has been replaced by noise. While Delhi shut down the Wagah border and cracked down on online voices, no one asked why the dispensation failed to prevent this tragedy. Jubel D'Cruz,Mumbai Caste enumeration may further entrench social divides After British rule (1881–1931), the first caste enumeration in independent India was conducted only once, in 2011, through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC). Since 1951, the government has excluded caste details from the census, except for SCs and STs. Although some states carried out their own surveys, they were not considered transparent. On April 30, 2025, the government announced that caste enumeration would be included in the next census, though the date is yet to be decided. This move has drawn criticism from the Congress party, which opposed caste-based data while in power but now supports it in opposition, allegedly due to the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The government maintains that this initiative will empower socially and economically deprived classes, foster inclusion, and open new avenues for their progress. However, concerns remain that such enumeration might further entrench social divides—a challenge that must be addressed before proceeding. RS Narula, Patiala New Shankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt The anointing of His Holiness Ganesha Sharma Dravid as the new Shankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt heralds a transformative era. Like his predecessors his wisdom too will illuminate the path of dharma, guiding us towards righteousness. As the Mahabharata states, 'Yatha dharmo thatho jaya' — where there is dharma, there is victory. Let us walk together in this noble pursuit. TS Karthik, Halls Road, Chennai Streamline to utilise rainwater in total Referring to the news report on 'residents reel under water shortage ' I submit this. Our TS every year undergoes severe water crisis. The shortage of water in summers and excess in monsoon seasons shall be coordinated to optimise the flow of natural water supply throughout systematically. All the blocked nalas have to be opened. Many open tanks and canals shall be created. All these shall be interconnected to the ongoing beatification and purification of the Musi river and other water reservoirs. Similarly all the age old underground drainage systems shall be discarded and totally new underground drainage system shall be created. Thus, water that gets stagnated during the forthcoming monsoon periods shall be made to flow freely through these canals across our state. More over the water supplied through the water tankers cause petrol loss, pollution and water leakages through out from some water tankers. Instead sealed water cans and containers in different capacities should be made available to all the colonies and communities in the twin cities. Let us utilise rainwater in total to show the way to the world. G. Murali Mohan Rao, New Bowenpalli, Secunderabad-11
