Must Read News Articles – July 31

Archives

GS 1

Indian society

The right to be left alone: (Indian Express, Editorial)

Privacy is not just about Aadhaar or data protection; it’s about letting people make free choices.

For a greater global role, take SDGs seriously: (Live Mint, Editorial)

India’s inability to link its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) efforts with its global ambitions is telling, especially when compared to China.

Urbanisation

At The Half-way Mark: (Indian Express, Editorial)

The Swachh Bharat Mission has laid the foundations for a faster pace of change.

GS 2

Government policies

Rs. 562 crore in black money seized last fiscal, says report:

Detection and reporting of suspicious transactions, fake notes and cross-border fund transfers in the country’s economic channels doubled in the last fiscal year, leading to the unearthing of over Rs. 560 crore in black money, a government report has said.

Centre to share missing Bofors files:

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has asked the Defence Ministry to trace all missing files related to the Bofors scandal and share them with it.

Effects of developed and developing countries policies

U.S. prods India on Pyongyang:

India is facing increased pressure to reduce North Korea’s diplomatic presence in the country as Pyongyang flexes its military muscles.

GS 3

Pollution and conservation

SC summons officials on firecracker pollution:

The apex court said it wanted to know from these bodies the impact of firecrackers on the environment, the extent of change in the air quality and the safety standards in place.

Indian Economy. Planning, Growth and Employment

Talks begin to divest AI arm:

Informal talks have begun to find potential buyers for Air India’s subsidiaries, including its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business — Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) — even as airlines wait for clarity on the Centre’s next step on divesting its stake in indebted national carrier, Air India.

SC allows two firms to settle loan dispute:

In what may turn out to be a relief for corporate debtors facing insolvency proceedings, the Supreme Court used its extraordinary constitutional powers to allow two companies to withdraw from insolvency proceedings and settle their loan dispute, despite the case being admitted to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

RBI may cut key interest rate by 25 basis points:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to reduce the key policy rate or the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 6% in its monetary policy review meeting scheduled for August 2 while maintaining neutral stance on interest rates.

Housing prices are alive and kicking:

A new index shows prices across most cities have risen, despite stories of over supply and dull demand.

It is now time for an RBI rate cut: (Live Mint, Editorial)

But the claims that lower interest rates will kick-start the investment cycle are less tenable.

Pluralism in monetary policy framework: (Live Mint, Editorial)

Pluralism is critical for all social sciences. Exploring multiple schools of thought can only improve the framework’s accuracy and effectiveness.