Apropos ‘Gag order’ (June 27), the Karnataka government’s decision to clamp down on social media under the pretext of curbing “fake news” sets a perilous precedent for democratic discourse.

By conflating misinformation with dissent, the administration risks weaponising state machinery to stifle critical expression and suppress inconvenient narratives.

Such coercive oversight poses a grave threat to the foundational tenets of free speech enshrined in the Constitution.

In an era where digital platforms serve as vital arenas for civic engagement and accountability, this move reeks of authoritarian overreach.

Rather than instituting transparent mechanisms to counter misinformation, the government’s resort to punitive scrutiny signals an alarming drift towards surveillance-state tactics.

N Sadhasiva Reddy

Bengaluru

Payments to MSMEs

Both the MSME Development Act and the Income Tax Act mandate that payments to MSMEs must be made within 45 days — failing which, the expense is disallowed under income tax.

Yet, delayed payments are rampant, crippling MSME cash flows. The RBI can play a pivotal role by linking this compliance to banking discipline — charging penal interest on cash credit (CC) limits where MSME dues exceed 45 days.

This would incentivise prompt payments and bring seriousness to an otherwise toothless rule.

Such a move can ensure timely cash flows, credit discipline, and true support for MSMEs.

Arul Mozhi Varman

Sivakasi, TN

Save the handloom sector

This is with reference to ‘Time to revive demand in the handloom sector’ (June 27). If not given due attention our handloom sector will die a slow death. To save the sector, various handloom products should be popularised on social media. The government should train these artisans on how to put their products on social media for finding more markets. This work can also be assigned to students of management schools or through CSR schemes of companies. Once a good market, both overseas and domestically, is created for our handloom products, the weavers need not depend on middlemen and can directly sell their products, thus increasing their profit margins. If the handloom industry introduces more innovations our traditional weavers will get a boost, thus generating more employment as well.

Veena Shenoy

Thane

Published on June 27, 2025