Newspaper Must Read Articles of The Day– 28 October 2015

The Hindu

National/Front Page

• Ancient temples in Mandya district unearthed – Identity –  Jaina Temple, Where – Chikkabetta of Artipura in Mandya district, Why Important – oldest known archaeological find of Western Ganga dynasty, Period – 925 AD or the beginning of the 10th century. (Indian History and Art & Culture – GS Paper I)

• India moves up in ‘ease of doing business’ ranking – Current year rank – 130 Last Year – 134 Improvement in “Distance to Frontier” – assess the absolute level of regulatory performance and how it improves over time. India on “Protecting Minority Investors” features in top 10 rank list. (Infrastructure – Industries – GS Paper III)

International 

• China furious over U.S. warship patrol – U.S warship patrols in South China Sea. Conflict – Islands of Parcel(Xisha) and Spratly(Nansha). The ownership of islands being contended by China, Vietnam and Philippines. China apprehensive about US patrol near disputed islands while US claims it as freedom of navigation in international waters. (Contemporary World Issues – GS Paper I & International Affairs – GS Paper II)

Business

• Income Tax Dept sets up panel to simplify tax law – Keeping in mind the current government focus on better the “Ease of doing business” in country a panel headed by Justice R.V. Easwar has been constituted to look into Income Tax Act, 1961 to sort out different interpretations of Act which lead to numerous litigation. They have also assigned to bring about predictability and certainty in Income Tax Act. (Indian Macroeconomy – GS Paper III)

 Opinion-Editorial

• Salesmanship as statesmanship – In the recent situation where too many foreign visits of PM Modi has been criticised, the editorial assesses foreign policy being followed by current regime in the country. The editorial further looks into a little bit of historical background of India’s foreign policyand provides suggestions into what can be done. (Indian’s Foreign Doiplomacy – GS Paper II)

• The age of intolerance – The article looks into what comprises pluralistic fabric of Indian Society, how is it under threat in the current times and what can be done to preserve the same. (Indian Society – GS Paper I)

Indian Express

Editorials & Columns

• Towards a modern code –  The article tells that Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to be designed should be such that it decreases gender discrimination towards women. In this context it explores different religious laws and find none of them are suitable enough to be borrowed in Uniform Civil Code. The article also lists different apex court verdict where UCC has been mentioned. (Government Policies and DPSP – GS Paper II)

• Pakistan’s nuclear weapons may not deter Indian retaliation, but destruction mutual – The article looks into how small surgical strikes by India in case of any terrorist attacks can lead to escalation into war. The article assess the loss due to this war. ( India and its neigbors – GS Paper II & External Security – GS Paper III)

• Breadbasket To Basket Case – The article looks into how Punjab which with all favourable condition for Agriculture at its disposal has failed in its economic leverage. The article lists out how the poor policy as well as policy paralysis along with neglect from Government has been a hindrance in Punjab realising its economic potential in Agriculture. (Agriculture – GS Paper III)

LiveMint

• Angus Deaton and the great Indian poverty debate – With lot of controversy in India with poverty line due to poor political statements and questioning details of different committee which reflects poor statistical capability in our country, the article looks into the importance of work of Agnus Deaton in context of Indian poverty and nutrition. (Indian Economy – GS Paper III)

• Prioritising learning over schooling for quality education – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been mutually been agreed upon by almost all nations. The article looks into education targets in SDGs and its implementation in India. The article further divulges into the different reports which highlights the flaws in our education system. the article further goes into suggesting what India can do to provide for better learning outcomes in the country. (Primary Social Services – Education – GS Paper II)

Economic Times

• Six expert panels to review Companies Act 2013 – With an eyes on improving Ease of doing Business in country Government looks to be geared for a major overhaul of Companies Act. For this purpose Government has constituted a six member expert panel to have a re-look into the provision of Companies Act. The industry has sought relaxation on many provisions like – easing of registry, raising of funds, corporate governance, account & auditing and penalty provision. The government has also envisaged to set up a National Companies Law Tribunal (NCLT). (Indian Economy – GS Paper III)

• Sebi planning to come out with revised rules for credit rating agencies – In wake of conflict of interest between issuer companies and rating agencies as well as lack of proper disclosure has spurred Sebi to have a re-look in the rules governing credit agencies. (Indian Economy – GS Paper III)

• Asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) no relief for banks that look to sell bad loans – The article looks into the problems faced by ARCs in buying the bad loans of the banks. The article explores the reason for inflexibility of banks when negotiating bad loans with ARCs and how the recovery of loans in many cases are causing extensive losses for ARCs. (Indian Economy – GS Paper III)