Economics of aviation is always challenging, but safety comes above all. Airlines can’t compromise
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Economics of aviation is always challenging, but safety comes above all. Airlines can’t compromise

ThePrint view on the most important issues.

   

The spate of aviation safety incidents, just when flying has begun to pick up after the pandemic disruption, is worrying. Economics of aviation has always been challenging, more so now with record fuel prices, falling rupee and inflation. But safety comes above all else. Airlines can’t afford to compromise here.

Powers under IT Act mustn’t be used arbitrarily. Social media should be accountable, so should govt

Section 69A of Information Technology Act allows government to block digital content, but the power should be used only in the rarest cases, after careful consideration. Twitter’s entitled to move the courts if it believes the government’s issuing arbitrary take-down orders. Social media should be accountable — but so should government.

Service tax pads salaries of lowly paid workers. Regulating that business is anti-market

Indians aren’t generous tippers. So upmarket restaurants, hotels levy a service charge to pad salaries of lowly-paid waiters. Now, why should a government consumer authority protect well-heeled customers from service charge? What about the mysterious ‘convenience fee’ other businesses charge? Eating out is a choice. Regulating that business is anti-market.