9 PM Current Affairs Brief – 5th December, 2017

A lifeline, interrupted – Context Government is prioritizing savings over MGNREGA and rights of the poor Author’s contention There are prominent ways in which it is evident that the government is prioritizing saving at the cost of its poorest people — a breach of the law and the Constitution Present situation In 2017, more than 80… Continue reading A lifeline, interrupted –

Stand up against torture Context India has undermined its prestige by repeatedly promising — and failing — to ratify the Convention against Torture Convention against torture The Convention Against Torture (CAT) came into force in 1987 and India signed it in 1997. Today, the CAT has 162 state parties; 83 are signatories India in the… Continue reading Stand up against torture

21st century India cannot shun leprosy patients: SC Context Twenty­ first century society cannot justify shunning persons affected by leprosy or keeping them hidden in homes and away from the mainstream, the Supreme Court declared in an order on Monday What has happened? A bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, acting on a PIL… Continue reading 21st century India cannot shun leprosy patients: SC

Rape of minors to attract death in M.P. Context With this, Madhya Pradesh becomes the first State where those convicted of such rapes will face the gallows What has happened? The Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a Bill awarding death to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 and below. With this,… Continue reading Rape of minors to attract death in M.P.

The one­-election idea is a farce Context The case for holding simultaneous elections in the diverse, federal Indian polity is weak News In his address on National Law Day 2017, Prime Minister of India once again raised the issue ofsimultaneous elections to Parliament and all State Assemblies, under the banner of “one nation one election”… Continue reading The one­-election idea is a farce

Govt. may oversee mutts and temples Context Amendment to Muzrai Act News Religious mutts and temples under their control that have so far remained outside the ambit of the government could come within it’s purview if changes being considered for the ‘Muzrai’ Act is any indication 7 member Committee A seven-member committee, currently in the… Continue reading Govt. may oversee mutts and temples 

After the storm Context Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have systems in place to tackle the seasonal cyclones, but Kerala was found wanting. The northeast monsoon, which is often accompanied by cyclonic winds, brings rainfall to Kerala Authors’ contention Clear and timely predictions can help limit the loss of human life. In the case… Continue reading After the storm

From Plate to Plough: Agri-futures, like China Context In November, prices of most major kharif crops crashed below their respective minimum support prices (MSPs), triggering farm distress. One of the many reasons behind this situation is that planting decisions of our farmers are based on last year’s prices, rather than the prices expected at the… Continue reading From Plate to Plough: Agri-futures, like China

Centre prepares to redefine ‘employment’ Context Panel to bat for ‘pragmatic’ approach to classify formal work Job creation The government’s own data showed that job creation in the formal sector was slowest in almost a decade, but it has said that it felt the ground reality on jobs was not being ‘properly’ captured as the… Continue reading Centre prepares to redefine ‘employment’

Bail-in doubts Context The government needs to re-­examine the proposed financial resolution legislation Concerns about Bail-in clause Introduced in Parliament this August, it has caused great anxiety about the safety of funds parked by millions of households in bank deposits — fears that it will enable banks to be ‘bailed in’ by depositors’ funds rather… Continue reading Bail-in doubts