The Financial Express -- Expressions

This page contains Editorial and Op-Ed articles

Thursday, October 2 1997

Letters to the Editor

Only the beginning

By initiating anti-subsidy proceedings on antibiotics, the European Commission has signalled a tough posture on trade-related issues generally. It would be unwise on the part of the government and Indian industries to view the action as an isolated case. Rather, this fully justifies the call for a serious effort to protect India's interests under the global trade regime consistently made by GV Ramakrishna.

Free petroleum marketing

Petronet India seems to have started working in earnest, with clearances being given to set up several pipelines. It is well known that transportation by pipeline is far more economical than by rail or truck, besides being less hazardous. The Sunderrajan committee had pointed out that while the energy consumed per tonne km in the pipeline mode is 50 BTU to 135 BTU, the consumption for railways is around 320 BTU and for road transport as high as 1700 BTU per tonne per km.

Fixing labour-management ties

History has been made in the area of labour-management relations recently and now onwards the game has to be played differently. On the forefront is Tisco, for it has got brakes applied to irresponsible union behaviour through State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission's verdict. This verdict has long-term ramifications for the country as a whole because unionised labour/employees get away with all sorts of indiscipline and irresponsible behaviour without any concern for consumer.

Only the beginning

Volumes hamper debt trade

Free petroleum marketing

Tough norms make Maruti drop ADR plan

Spic Mahanagaram vs Tuticorin

Fixing labour-management ties