1 May 2024, The Indian EXPRESS
In 100-day plan, Agri Ministry plans new Centre-state body for farm policy
Page no-8
GS2- issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
- The centre is planning to set up a National Council for Agriculture and Rural Transformation (NCART), which will act as an overarching federal body and devise policy and programmes for the agri sector, The Indian Express has learnt.
- According to sources, the idea, proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare as part of its 100-day action plan for the new government, is to drive “coordinated” actions in the agriculture sector.
The Vishwa Bandhu
Page no- 10
GS2- India’s foreign policy
- Ideally, countries formulate their foreign policy as best leveraging the world with a view to promote their national development.
- The targets are often increasing access to resources, markets, technologies and best practices.
- Those who have posted impressive growth performance in the last many decades are the ones who have clarity in this regard.
- In our case, that focus has been sharp since 2014, but for ideological reasons, was more diffused in the first four decades of our Independence.
- Swayed by imported prescriptions, we sometimes subordinated our own goals to the benefit of others.
- The big change now is a strong sense of “Bharat First”, where we have both the confidence to think through the pathway and using our national interest as the primary metric of judgement.
The divided state
Page no-11
GS3- Security challenges and their management in border area
- The Congress on Friday attacked the Modi government over the situation in Manipur, accusing it of being apathetic and remorseless.
- In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge noted that Manipur started burning exactly a year ago on May 3, 2023.
- “Humanity perished in Manipur the cruel combination of an apathetic Modi Government and an inept BJP State Government have virtually divided the state into two halves.
- A remorseless PM Modi has not set foot in this border state, for it exposes his rank incompetency and absolute indifference. His ego has damaged the social fabric of a beautiful state,” he charged in a post on X.
A system that heals
Page no- 11
GS2- issues relating to development and management of social sector relating to health
- The National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 envisions universal access to quality and affordable healthcare.
- The nation’s commitment to increasing public expenditure on health in recent years is evident from the National Health Accounts (NHA) data, including the provisional estimates for 2020-21 and 2021-22.
- These show that government health expenditure (GHE) as a proportion of GDP increased by an unprecedented 63 per cent between 2014-15 and 2021-22.
- It rose from 1.13 per cent of GDP in 2014-15 to 1.35 per cent in 2019-20. This further increased to 1.60 per cent in 2020-21 and to 1.84 per cent in 2021-22.
Prajwal’s flight: How diplomatic passports, visa regime work
Page no- 13
GS2- structure, organization and functioning of the executive
- After allegations of sexual abuse by Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna came to light, the politician fled to Germany on a diplomatic passport.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (May 2) said that no visa note was issued to Revanna — but to travel to Germany, he did not need one.
- Unlike normal passports, which have dark blue covers and are valid for 10 years (for adults), diplomatic passports have maroon covers, and are valid for five years or less.
- Holders of such passports are entitled to certain privileges and immunities as per the international law, including immunity from arrest, detention, and certain legal proceedings in the host country.
Mpox
Page no- 13
GS3- Science and Technology
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is struggling to contain its biggest Mpox outbreak.
- Scientists say a new form of the disease detected in a mining town might more easily spread among people.
- Since January, the DRC (also known as Congo) has reported more than 4,500 suspected Mpox cases and nearly 300 deaths, numbers that have roughly tripled from the same period last year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Congo recently declared the outbreak across the country a health emergency. Cases have been reported in neighbouring Republic of Congo as well.
The global spy game
Page no- 13
GS2- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests
- On Tuesday (April 30), the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that “Indian spies” had been “kicked out of Australia” after being caught trying to steal secrets about sensitive defence projects and airport security, as well as classified information on Australia’s trade relationships”.
- The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald said two Indian “spies” were asked to leave.
- A day earlier, a report in The Washington Post had named a purported R&AW official who allegedly ordered the assassination of Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States last summer. The alleged plot was foiled by US agents.
How to decide domestic violence damages: injury or ability to pay?
Page no- 13
GS2- Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure
- Should the quantum of compensation in a case of domestic violence be determined by the degree of violence suffered by the victim or the ability of the perpetrator to pay? This is the question before the Supreme Court, which issued notice in the case last week.
- The petitioner has moved the top court against orders passed by the Bombay High Court and the trial court directing him to pay Rs 3 crore to his wife under Section 22 of The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. (DV Act)
