Newspaper Must Read Articles of The Day– 12 October 2015

Fiscal balance turns surplus: Fiscal deficit is the lowest in past four years. This is despite the fact that we have not realized much money from disinvestment. Is this because the govt has decreased spending on social sector? Think. (Indian Economy, General Studies Paper 3)
Anti-Defacement Bill hanging fire : States like West Bengal, Haryana and Goa have brought in anti defacement bills to prevent vandalisation of public places with posters and graffiti – something that increases during elections. Do you think there is a need for law by Parliament at a national level for the same? (Government policies and interventions for development,General Studies Paper 2)

International

Veteran communist elected Nepal PM: Veteran communist leader K.P. Sharma Oli is elected as the country’s first Prime Minister under the newly introduced constitutional system. Madhesis say that the new PM has a anti-terai bias . The Terai region is the area where the pro- India population lies. (Personalities, Prelims; India & its neighborhood, GS Paper 2)
Our support for Palestine remains steadfast, says Pranab: India’s traditional support for the Palestinian cause remains “steadfast and unwavering,” and the country is ready to “work with all like-minded nations” for amicably solving the Israel-Palestinian conflict, President Pranab Mukherjee said on his visit to Jordan. Middle East is again important for Mains as the President of India makes a state visit. (Bilateral, regional and global groupings,General Studies Paper 2)

Finance Ministry invites suggestions on tax rates , as the govt readies to draw the next Union budget, the finance ministry has sought advice on new tax rates – perhaps inclusive, stakeholder democracy? Interestingly, the govt also Seeks comments on three GST reports . Read on. (Indian Economy, General Studies Paper 3)

Sense and sensitivity behind rate cut : Narsimhan Committee Chairman writes on how the rate cuts will or will not impact the consumer. (Indian Economy, General Studies Paper 3)

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Honouring a robust civil society : Tunisian National Dialogue Quarter wins the Nobel Peace Prize. The lesson from the story of Tunisia’s unique success in the post-Arab Spring set of events in the Arab world is this – A robust civil society with organised labour power as a pivot has an important role to play in any process of democratisation. (Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries,General Studies Paper 2)

Limited finance limits democracy: Election Commission, by relaxing the restrictive rules on campaign finance, will be able to increase compliance, transparency and representation in elections. Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said, “Every legislator starts his career with the lie of the false election return he files.” Read what EC has done. (Structure, organization and functioning of Departments of the Government,General Studies Paper 2)

Victory for the world’s children : Kailash Satyarthi , Nobel Laureate writes how while the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) tackled poverty, hunger, among other problems, this is the first time when crucial child issues have gained spotlight. (Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector,General Studies Paper 2)

Hasten slowly: RBI Governor Rajan says how, beyond a point, financial inclusion, especially one led by a drive to make easy credit available for the poor and hitherto unbanked, can actually have a negative impact on the financial stability of the whole system. Read more to know why. Caution : Capitalist view. (Indian Economy, General Studies Paper 3)

RTI on my side: Aruna Roy argues that ten years on, it is a weapon for the citizen facing arbitrary power. It needs to be protected, taken further.(Government policies and interventions for development, General Studies Paper 2)

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