Must Read News Articles I 5th December 2019

GS – 1

A Mughal prince and pandit of Benaras

The recent saga Feroze Khan who is teaching Sanskrit at Benaras Hindu University has attracted the eyes of both secular and conservative forces. The writer compares this situation with the secular policies of Mughal prince Dara Sikhoi who was the son of Shahjahan.

GS – 2

Another quota question: On creamy Layer for SC’s

Supreme Court needs to decide whether ‘creamy layer’ norms can be extended to SC’s

The Many structural flaws in India’s higher education system

The editorial argues that India’s higher education system is structurally flawed and underfunded, affecting innovation and human capital. Some of the lacunae in India’s Higher education system are 1) Faculty shortage 2)low govt expenditure on R&D 3) low employability of graduates etc.

The real big bang reforms

The editorial highlights the implications of the central government’s nonfulfillment of GST promises on the Federalism of the country. The writer argues that rather than big bang reforms government should go for the basic reforms to come out of the economic slowdown.

GS – 3

Govt procured only 3% of pulses, oilseeds proposed for this season

Less than 3% of this season sanctioned amount of pulses and oilseeds have actually been procured so far under PM – AASHA Scheme.

Centre likely to challenge Uttarakhand Forest Notice

The Union Environment Ministry is likely to challenge a recent notification by the Uttarakhand Forest Department on its definition of a “deemed forest”. Deemed forest refers to a land tract that appears to be a ‘forest’, but has not been notified so by the government or in historical records. It comprises about 1% of India’s forest land.

The neglected foot soldiers of a liberalised eonomy: On contract workers

Indian contract workers need greater state protection

Climate related disaster on the uptick

The Global climate risk index has rated Japan as the most affected country on account of the damage done by extreme weather to human life and economies. India is ranked 5th – suffered from water shortages, crop failures, and flooding

Cabinet okays bond ETFs

The Union Cabinet has approved the government plan to create and launch India’s first corporate bond exchange-traded fund – Bharat Bond ETF

Ways out of a crisis

The editorial lists down the reasons for the economic slowdown in the economy and suggests measures for its improvement.