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GS 2
India and neighbors
Waiting for reconciliation in Myanmar: (The Hindu, Editorial)
If fighting does not break out between the military and insurgents again; if a formula is crafted enabling all EAOs to join the peace process; and if the dialogue resumes soon, hopes will be strengthened. Probably the deadline is 2020. Aung San’s spirit and the people of Myanmar are waiting.
Issues related to governance
Gorkha movement gathers steam: (The Hindu)
The fresh movement for a separate State of Gorkhaland in the Darjeeling hills gathered steam.
The Gorkhaland sleight of hand: (Live Mint, Editorial)
The current Gorkhaland agitation in Darjeeling might have old roots, but the issue is being deployed in aid of an ongoing turf war
GS 3
Cropping pattern, Agriculture, e-technology
Open to amending cattle rules: (The Hindu)
The May 23 notification had said those who wished to sell cattle — bulls, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and camels — may do so only after they formally stated that the animals had not been “brought to the market for sale for slaughter.”
The best of times, the worst of times: (The Hindu, Editorial)
Without government support, farmers pay the price for a bumper crop they labour so hard to produce.
When economics catches up: (Indian Express, Editorial)
We have a serious agrarian crisis. In the past three years, average hikes in the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for major crops have failed to keep pace with either what was achieved in the previous 10 years or the net inflation levels for these respective years.
Science and Tech
Detecting possibilities: (The Hindu, Editorial)
Amidst such anticipation, it is necessary to take stock of the challenges ahead in building up this fourth player in the gravitational wave-detection game.
Indian Economy. Planning, Growth and Employment
New labour survey to generate quarterly and annual data: (The Hindu)
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has started a Periodic Labour Force Survey, which will provide quarterly labour and employment data for urban India and annual data for rural India.
SEBI sets trading rules for commodity options: (The Hindu)
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has allowed commodity exchanges to introduce options trading while ensuring that such contracts are introduced only on such commodities that currently register high volume in the futures segment.
International groupings and agreements
India ratifies ILO pacts on child labour: (The Hindu)
Labour Organisation on child labour — a global commitment to end the worst form of child labour and to ensure minimum basic education to children.
Prelims Related News
What ails the Navigation Indian Constellation:
Navigation Indian Constellation (NavIC) is an independent Indian satellite-based positioning system for critical national applications. The purpose is to provide “reliable position, navigation and timing services over India and its neighbourhood.”
Govt. finally goes ahead to test microcephaly-Zika link:
Although it detected 260 cases of microcephaly in India since February 2016, during an investigation to study the link between the condition and the Zika virus, the Health Ministry did not test the babies for the virus citing shortage of laboratory capacity.
