Newspaper articles bearing
relevance to Civil Services preparation
The Hindu
National
Centre puts the brakes on JNNURM research projects, capacity-building – The Urban Development Ministry has asked 36 States to terminate their research and capacity-building measures under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), a move that will roll back the achievements of the scheme launched by the UPA government and render it defunct.
Centre banks on ISRO to curb illegal mining across States – The Union Ministry of Mines is planning to use remote sensing satellite data to curb illegal mining across States. Satellite imageries taken regularly would help to keep an eye on legal boundaries of mined areas. The other plan is to use the GPS (Global Positioning System) to track major minerals that have been mined.
Centre clears controversial anti-terror bill of Gujarat – The Home Ministry has sent the controversial Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GCTOC) Bill, 2015 to the President for his assent. The Bill provides for admissibility of evidence collected through interception of mobile calls of an accused or through confessions made before an investigating officer, in a court of law.
International
Colombia, FARC rebels to ink historic peace deal – The Colombian government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels will sign a definitive peace deal within six months to end half a century of conflict
Business
RBI relaxes change in ownership norms – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified norms that allow banks to upgrade credit facilities extended to borrowing entities upon a change in ownership, so long as the ownership has been changed outside ‘Strategic Debt Restructuring Scheme’. The decision will give banks more flexibility to bring in a change in ownership of borrowing entities which are under stress
Centre plans to liberalise Tea Act – The Centre is planning to liberalise the Tea Act, proposing to amend the Tea Act to waive the present stipulation of obtaining permits so as to increase tea production and productivity by bringing additional areas under cultivation.
Centre to exempt foreign firms covered by double taxation treaty – Government on Thursday said the Income Tax Act will be amended with retrospective effect to exempt from minimum alternate tax (MAT) the overseas companies that covered under double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAAs).
Opinion-Editorial
Great power, greater responsibility – The article looks into how the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) permanent membership might not come easy India’s way. The article looks into how India needs to demonstrate to the world that it has the necessary credentials — and the gravitas — to occupy a seat on the Council. India needs to carry and express the conviction to the world that, apart from its recent economic resurgence, it is capable, and willing, to shoulder additional responsibilities regarding geopolitical and related matters.
Revisit the sedition law – The article looks into the misuse and misinterpretation of Sedition laws in Maharashtra and a need to revisit the same.
Puncturing wrong notions of the Northeast – The article looks into how peace accords like a recent one with Nagas is always met with cyncism in section of media and public. The expectation of people generally is that peace accord should crunch the space for insurgents and make them surrender which the author thinks is not sustainable. The article says how India should move from management of conflict to resolution of conflict, which is possible only when the other party is taken on same level rather than oppressing them which can be counter productive.
Indian Express
Editorials & Columns
Codes And Conundrums – In the wake of withdrawal of Encryption policy by government, article looks into how the government need to approach the policy and regulation in digital space which is a fast moving one and also a very complex one. Also, looks into the good intention of government puttion policies in public space for debates and feedback.
Going Bicoastal – The article looks into that India has recent gains in strategic dialogue with US government but how more needs to be done; reforms need to be pushed to convince US businessmen to come to India and invest.
Teach the teacher – In the wake of two incidents; first being Sundar Pichai made CEO of Google and second awful behavior of our parliamentarians, the article asses does our system fails to provide for people like Sundar Pichai who own their success to education and environment abroad. The article explores into how the teachers need to be trained to be able to inspire students.
LiveMint
Digital tools vs analogue mind – The article looks into how in India there is quick response and an urgency to build infrastructure/ system but not much thought goes into how to utilise it optimally and make it financially sustainable.
Road to Paris: why local stories matter – As the days of Paris meet on Environment is drawing closer, the article emphasises on how individual and society play a bigger role in maintaining the ambient standards of environment rather than some text drawn by inter-governmental meet.
The shrinking maoist space – The article looks into future of Maoists action in India and the policy approach of government in tackling the nuisance.
The mystery of the Indian economic recovery – The article looks into how the government claims of economy being in first stage of recovery seems to falsified on the ground due to confusion over data, different methods of caluculationg output (GDP, GVA) and many more.
Why Raghuram Rajan may hold rates – The article looks into why even after US Federal Reserve decide to withhold any rise in rates why RBI may not cut rates in Indian economy.
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