Newspaper Must Read Articles of The Day– 18 November 2015

The Hindu

Emerging market fund managers bearish on India: For the first time since October 2014, India has fallen out of favour among emerging market and Asian fund managers with its rating falling to neutral from being the most overweight. China has replaced India as the economy on which fund managers are most bullish on, as per the fund manager survey released by the Bank of America Merrill Lync.(Economic Development – GS Paper III)

What is the economic cost of terrorism? :The conventional wisdom is that an act of terrorism accounts for a mere blip in economic damage. Economists often point to research showing that after the Madrid train bombings in 2004 and the London subway bombings in 2005, gross domestic product in those countries barely budged and showed little direct correlation to the attacks.(Ethics -GS Paper IV)

New hydrocarbon auction policy by fiscal-end: Pradhan : The policy for the marginal fields, announced in September, involves selling natural gas at market-determined prices rather than at prices determined by the government. In addition, oil and gas producers in these marginal fields were allowed to sell their hydrocarbons to any customer of their choice and not be bound by the government’s allocation policy. The new consultation paper seeks to bring this freedom to any future hydrocarbon blocks as well.(Indian Economy – GS Paper III)
Solar sector seen adding 3.6 GW in 2016 : The country is expected to sustain the momentum in solar capacity addition and 2016 is forecast to see a significant increase in new capacity when compared with 2015 on the back of favourable policy support and continuing action at the ground level.Annual solar installations are forecast at 3.64 GW for 2016 when compared with the expected addition of 2.15 GW in 2015, according to Mercom Capital, a global clean energy communications and consulting firm. (Energy- GS Paper III)

Gujral doctrine for Modi darbar : Author Kanak Mani Dixit says While the ‘Gujral doctrine’ was empathetic, the ‘Modi Doctrine’ is a mix of political calculations, a complete control over diplomacy by the Prime Minister, and an enthusiastic willingness to ‘front’ for the Western world.(Government Policy-GS Paper II)

A clean-up act with a short sweep : It is timely then that an attempt is being made in India to quantify and penalise environmental damage. The Environmental Laws (Amendment) Bill has been put out for comment. For example, it seeks to define the scope of damage by gauging its distance from a project site, and circumscribing penalties for damage. While this is an important first attempt, the Bill falls short in understanding the scope, ramifications and extent of environmental damage.(Environment – GS Paper III)
The case for Rajya Sabha : Having a second chamber is not merely for ensuring checks and balances in the system. It is a mechanism devised to give the constituent States of the Union a say in running the country’s affairs. A permanent Upper House is also a check against any abrupt changes in the composition of the Lower House, argues this editorial article ( GS Paper II , Polity & Governance )

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