Diversion of cheap farmer loans: A research paper by ICRIER as found that the crop loans extended in India are in fact close to exceeding the total expenditure on farm sector inputs. The share of moneylenders in total farm credit has also shot up. The report explores a possible diversion of subsidies meant for non-agricultural uses,
Effects of groundwater depletion: Groundwater depletion affects agriculture in many ways. In the Marathwada region, for example, insufficient rainfall is unable to recharge groundwater reserves, and is forcing farmers to switch to less water-intensive crops from the more water-intensive crops.
Economy/Business
Proposed tax breaks for electronic payments: To curb black money transactions and reduce the flow of hard cash, the the government has introduced a draft proposal that has income tax benefits for consumers who make a certain proportion of their expenditures through electronic means.
New guidelines for online sale of drugs: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has taken the first step towards formulating guidelines for e-commerce marketplace. It has set out to clearly define the role, responsibilities and liabilities ofe-commerce marketplace and product sellers. (Click here for the original article regarding this subject).
Capacity building across bank and non-bank institutions: The RBI is in discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the Indian Banks’ Association to make operational the recommendations of the Committee on Capacity Building in Banks and Non-bank Institutions. Capacity building involves not just training but also development of human resources, institutional and organisational development, and development of a legal framework .
International / World Affairs
No high expectations of a bailout for Greece: Talks between Eurozone Finance Ministers broke off on Monday without a clear consensus, and it has been suggested a deal will be reached later this week that will keep Greece from defaulting on its payments. Greece had been amongst the first and worst affected countries during the 2008 recession.
Editorial/Opinion
Spread of hate crimes: In light of the recent shooting in the United States in Galveston, South Carolina, perhaps the United States can learn from India, where some deft balancing of administrative processes has resulted in a positive impact on furthering social cohesion. India, being such a diverse country, should also learn from it, so that we can make our diversity more peaceful.
Credentialed appointments: The appointment of relatively unqualified people to posts in the Ministries relating to the arts, culture and information has come under criticism. Should these appointments be seen as promotion of a particular kind of values, and an attack on the freedom of expression of other values?
Cyber warfare: In today’s age, where every strategy of a country is formed using computers, and critical information is stored online, a cyber attack on a country’s internet can be much more devastating than waging an actual war with that country. India has been slow in this realisation, and we should work promptly to secure our online data from hackers.
India’s role in cyberspace diplomacy: The current laws and rules governing the internet and cyberspace are US-centric, and developing countries like India should try to change the model to a more equitable one.
One response to “Newspaper Must Read Articles of The Day–23 June 2015”
anshul
Effects of groundwater depletion
There is no harm i believe in switching to less water intensive crops, in-fact it is the need of the hour. We are maintaining twice the amount of rice and sugar buffer than we should be. pulses are different story altogether and thus recent MSP rise in pulses is a good move by government. At-least rain is doing much needed brain wash of our farmers.
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