Newspaper Must Read Articles of The Day– 30 September 2015

The Hindu

National

• RBI move could make your loans cheaper -RBI reduces Repo rate by 50 basis points to 6.75% to spur demand in the economy. With festive season ahead banks can pass on the benefits by making  loans more cheaper.(Indian Economy- GS Paper III)

• Rafale deal faces many obstacles – The G2G deal made by Prime Minister during his France visit is facing certain obstacles which might delay the deal from reaching a final conclusion.(General Awareness, International Affairs – Paper II)

• Ancient murals at Parthasarathy temple conserved -Three beautiful murals and a relief sculpture made of lime, which were discovered on the top portion of a wall of a mantapa of Sri Parthasarathy temple at Triplicane, Chennai in June this year, have been conserved after three months of sustained effort. The murals represent kurukshetra war scenes and a Roman warrior while the  the sculpture is of Lord Ranganathar.(Art and Culture- GS Paper I)

• ‘Online radicalisation, a potent threat’ -The article looks in to the threat of cyberterrorism often radicalising youths , how the conventional deradicalising methods are failing and that out of box solution by using tech savy youth can be really helpful in countering these sensitive issues. (Cyber Terrorism- GS Paper III)

International

• Kunduz takeover raises spectre of 1996 – The article speaks about the insurgency in Kunduz region in Afghanistan ,the failure of Pakistan to counter terrorism  and India’s role in the Afghan region. (India’s relation with its neighbors- GS Paper II)

Business

• Tough times for savers; bank deposit rates, small savings rates could be lowered -The article speaks about the impact of RBI’s monetary policy in the Indian economy and how the benefits of low inflation can be consolidated.( Indian Macro Economy- GS Paper III, Prelims)

• Centre launches Green Highways policy, aims at 6,000 km in first year -The article enumerates the objectives and features of the  new Green Highway policy. (Infrastructure, Environment- GS Paper III)

• South Asia important geo-politically, not economically: CEA -The Chief Economic Adviser has said that Regional economic co operation in the South Asian region is less important as compared to the Geo political considerations involved. Citing the external and domestic politics as obstacles he suggests boosting trade along with ironing out political differences surrounding the issue as the way forward. (Regional groupings ,India’s relation with its neighbors- GS Paper II)

Opinion-Editorial

• Empower, not weaken the CAG – The article illustrates the implications of the proposal for constitutional amendment to make the CAG accountable to the parliament  by the Public Accounts Committee. It suggests alternatives to fix loop holes rather than weakening the position of the CAG. (Constitutional Post – GS Paper II)

• Granted life, but never free -The author expresses his views against whole life sentences where a prisoner cannot leave a prison until he is dead. The Judicial arbitrariness involved in awarding punishments is also a cause for concern which is discussed in the article along with the clemency powers of constitutional authorities who come as the only ray of hope for such cases. (Ethical issue similar to death penalty- GS IV, Separation of powers- GS Paper II)

• Pump-priming growth -The article welcoming the move by RBI to cut Repo rate to boost growth , also discusses about the possible rise in prices in the future which may cause inflationary pressures and the need for government   intervention in the supply side to proactively manage it. (Indian Economy- GS Paper III)

• Collectives help rural women ‘Lean In’ – The author explains the positive impact on Women’s life who are working collectively in SHGs and other standardized groups ,at the same time bringing to light the “productisation ” approach followed by the Retail banking providers which are a threat to these groups. Productisation here means that only women who are members of  some standard collective models are offered financial services and that there needs to be more customized services by the financial sector to reduce individual risks. (SHG’s – GS Paper II)

Indian Express

Editorials & Columns

• Panchayat undemocracy – The article discusses the plight of the illiterate poor and women who will be affected by the legislation in certain states which proposes educational qualifications for candidates fighting  Panchayat elections.  (Vulnerable section, Election, Decentralization of democracy – GS Paper II)

• Digital India vs Net Neutrality – The article put forth arguments in favor of Facebook’s new app providing basic internet services at free of cost. The author feels that expanding access to internet is on top priority than net neutrality which he argues is an elitist concept. He concludes that in the course of time once the market is saturated it will organically pave for net neutrality to flourish. (Science and Tech- GS Paper III, Government Policies- GS Paper II)

• Can India create the next Google? – The article while welcoming the Start-up India initiative highlights the regulatory hurdles in the country which is a cause of concern. The author suggests to make rules without procrastination while keeping them  simple at the same time to make India a superpower in near future. (Govt policies – GS Paper II, Mobilization of resources GS Paper III)

• After the cut – The article looks into the sad state of economy in the country, due to challenges in banking system and how the current move of cutting repo rate have a chance to better things. Article also assess as to why the banks has not passed on the previous decrease in rates by RBI to lenders. ( Indian Macroeconomy – GS Paper III)

• Better weather – The article looks into change of Indian government perception on climate change talks and initiative taken by the government to address the same. The article looks into change of Indian climate diplomacy and various steps that government is taking domestically to small the difference with its international responsibility mandated out by international climate summits. (Environment – GS Paper III & International Affairs – Paper II)

LiveMint

• Ways to overcome refugee challenge – In the wake of recent refugee crisis in Europe, the article looks into changing attitude of Government of European countries towards refugee and taking a much humane stance now. The article also looks how Europe is the target of any refugee movement more than any other place in the world. The article looks into international solidarity in the problem of refugee and efficient and better ways to handle refugees movement. (International Affairs – GS Paper II, Ethical Issue in International Relation – GS Paper IV)

• Transmission failure: Why banks must move in tandem with RBI action – The article looks into how the rates being cut by RBI is not being passed on by the banks and why they are not doing so. The article also looks into problems of rate fixing by RBI attached home fiance companies. The article looks into comparison of repo rates and MIBOR ( Mumbai Inter Bank Offer Rate). ( Indian Macroeconomic – GS Paper III)

• Why India needs more working women – The article states that no country can achieve economic prosperity when half its population (women) doesn’t contribute to economy and growth. The article looks into gender disparity in economic arena in India. The article also looks into the present employment scene of India, and how economy would have been better placed if there were more women in labour force. The article further recommends as of what needed to be done for women to be able and be inspired and motivated to join the labour force. (Women Empowerment – GS Paper I, Indian Economy – GS Paper III)

• The negative side of falling oil prices for India – It is very evident that GCC (Gulf Cooperation council) absorbs maximum number of Indian immigrants. With change in global crude prices, there has been a positive trade shock for India, but fortunes of oil exporters has been adversely affected. This may result in poor pay or loss of job for many Indian immigrants bringing down the foreign remmitances coming in India. (Indian Economy – Trade – GS Paper III)
• Narendra Modi’s US visit: a missed opportunity – The article talks about how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) announced, got lost in the blitzkrieg of PM Modi Digital India campaign in US. The article looks into loopholes of SDGs announced and why they are a mere like a guiding document rather than a commitment. the article also looks into performance of Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) and what is required to be done.  (Social Empowerment – GS Paper I & II)

• Lower rates alone can’t propel growth – The article looks into how quick fixes like rate cuts are not sifficient in bringing about long term growth. There is a need for structural reforms in the country for growth achieved by these quick fixes to be sustainable and productive. ( Economic Reforms & Indian Economy – GS Paper III)

• Who’ll cry for domestic workers? – The article looks into a report which claims that plight of Indian domestc workers is far worse than anybody else employed in informal sector. Women form the major labour force for domestic markets, but still there is a lack or parity in economic terms. Also lack of policies and in some cases unhelpful policies further their mistreatment. Indian has also failed to ratify ILO’s Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers. a draft National Policy for Domestic Workers, currently pending before the cabinet, gives hope. (Social Empowerment – GS Paper I & Govt. Policies – GS Paper II)

• Factors that prompted RBI’s bold move – The article looks into factors that might have spurred RBI governor to announce a 50 basis point cut in rates. Decline in headline inflation, sluggish economy growth, lack of private investment, gloomy outlook by credit agencies, deteriorating credit growth momentum may have lead to the decision. Also article states that Indian has the highest real interest rates among the emerging markets. Articles also realise that rate cut alone is not enough for positive changes in above factors. (Indian Macroeconomy – GS Paper III)

• RBI’s 50 bps rate cut: Risk v/s Reward – The article looks into how unpredictable the size of cut by the RBI was and also looks into concern which may pose risk to these cuts. Increasing inflation expectation, confusion on cost of capital, discretionary consumption may be spurred by such cut and pose risk to economy. (Indian Macroeconomy – GS Paper III)