28 June 2024, The Indian EXPRESS
Blinken: Rise in hate speech, laws against conversion in India concern
Page no- 1
GS2-Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests
- The 2023 US Report on International Religious Freedom has highlighted issues in India including concerns over anti-conversion laws, hate speech, and the demolition of homes and places of worship belonging to minorities.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized global challenges, stating, “Governments continue to target individuals, close places of worship, displace communities, and imprison people based on religious beliefs.”
L-G dissolves Delhi govt’s think tank; illegal, will approach court, says AAP
Page no- 4
GS2-Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure
- In a recent development, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena of Delhi has approved the temporary dissolution of the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi (DDCD), escalating tensions with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
- Alleging that the commission was created solely to provide financial benefits and patronage to favored political figures at the discretion of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the L-G has also sanctioned the removal of its non-official members.
- This move precedes the establishment of a new mechanism for the appointment of domain experts as vice-chairman and members of the commission in accordance with established rules.
120 hospitals assessed, only two following norms, finds ministry
Page no-7
GS2-Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
- According to reports from The Indian Express, out of 120 district hospitals assessed nationwide, only two have been found to comply with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) set by the Central government.
- The Union Health Ministry, which introduced the IPHS in 2022, conducted this initial assessment to evaluate compliance across various health facilities including district hospitals, sub-district hospitals, community health centers, primary health centers, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Indian government bonds in JP Morgan index: what this means
Page no- 9
GS3-Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development
- Starting Friday (June 28), Indian Government Bonds (IGBs) will be included in JP Morgan's emerging markets bond indices, a process slated to unfold over 10 months until March 31, 2025.
- Estimates suggest this move could bring in around $20-25 billion into the country.
- While this influx is beneficial for India's external finances, bolstering foreign exchange reserves and the rupee, it also poses a challenge for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to manage potential inflationary impacts using its monetary policy tools.
‘Larger academic interest’: behind Bombay HC’s hijab ban decision
Page no- 9
GS2-Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education
- The Bombay High Court, on June 26, dismissed a petition filed by nine students from Chembur’s N G Acharya and D K Marathe College challenging the institution’s ban on hijabs, stating the decision was made in the "larger academic interest."
- The court cited and fully endorsed a 2022 ruling by the full Bench of the Karnataka High Court, which upheld the state government’s ban on hijabs in government colleges.
Case for a food buffer policy
Page no- 9
GS3-Issues of Buffer Stocks and Food Security
- In May, official consumer price index (CPI) data indicated inflation rates of 8.69% for cereals and a significantly higher 17.14% for pulses.
- These figures could have been even higher if not for the sales from buffer stocks, particularly of wheat and chana (chickpea), accumulated by government agencies during years of surplus production.
Big reform push
Page no- 10
GS3-Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment
- In most advanced economies, the annual budget is often a routine event.
- However, in emerging markets like India, the budget holds special significance due to its historical legacy from colonial times, including its timing aligned with British practices.
- Originally a tool for financial accounting under the British empire, since Independence, India's budget has transformed into a crucial instrument for outlining the government's economic vision and policies.
- Particularly at the start of a government's term, budget announcements are highly anticipated as they set expectations for economic policies and priorities over the next five years, influencing economic agents, market participants, and citizens alike.
Unfit India
Page no- 10
GS2-Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
- Alarm has been raised over the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India, affecting both urban and rural populations.
- Recent data published in Lancet Global Health reveals that 57% of women and 42% of men in India do not meet the World Health Organization's guidelines for sufficient physical activity.
- This trend is contributing to a rise in obesity and lifestyle-related illnesses. If unchecked, projections suggest that by 2030, around 60% of India's adult population could be vulnerable to diseases such as cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, dementia, breast cancer, and colon cancer.
- Efforts to promote physical activity and address lifestyle factors are critical to mitigating this health crisis.
Sebi revamp F&O inclusion criteria, introduces fixed price delisting process
Page no- 15
GS2-Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), in its recent board meeting, has approved revisions to the eligibility criteria for entry and exit of stocks in the derivatives segment (futures and options) of exchanges.
- Additionally, Sebi has established an expert group to assess and enhance various aspects of the futures and options (F&O) category.
- Sebi Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch highlighted that the expert group's focus will encompass market development, investor protection, and risk management parameters.
- These measures aim to strengthen the regulatory framework and enhance the functioning of the derivatives market in India.
Govt to amend 2006 act to streamline dispute over delayed payment to MSMEs
Page no- 15
GS3-Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development
- The Union Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is undertaking amendments to the MSME Development Act, 2006 to enhance mechanisms for handling disputes related to delayed payments and to better cater to the evolving needs of the MSME sector.
- This includes transforming the Samadhaan portal into a comprehensive online resolution platform, expanding its scope beyond tracking delays in payments to micro and small enterprises (MSEs).
- Dr. Rajneesh, Additional Secretary at the MSME ministry, highlighted these efforts during an event marking World MSME Day, emphasizing collaboration with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Law and Justice and experts from National Law Universities (NLUs) to craft these amendments effectively.
Banks gross NPA ratio cases to 12-year low of 2.8% in March
Page no- 15
GS3-Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that the gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio of scheduled commercial banks, which decreased to a 12-year low of 2.8% in March 2024, is projected to improve further to 2.5% by March 2025.
- This estimation is based on macro stress tests conducted to evaluate banks' balance sheet resilience against potential shocks originating from the macroeconomic environment.
