The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 7 October 2022

 

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis for UPSC

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 6 October 2022

• Indian economy’s expansion is expected to speed up to 7% in the next fiscal year, before settling back down to 6.1% in FY24-25.

What is GDP?

• GDP is simply the sum of the final prices of goods and services produced in an economy over a specific time period.
• GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product, which is a measure of the worth of a country’s economic activities.

Formula For Calculating GDP

• GDP = C + I + G + IX
• Where C = Consumption
• I = Investment
• G = Government Expenditure
• IX = Export – Import

The Hindu Editorial Today

 

What is Dark Reserve?

• A Dark Sky Reserve is a designation given to a place that has policies in place to ensure that a tract of land or region has minimal artificial light interference.
• The International Dark Sky Association is a U.S.-based non-profit that designates places as International Dark Sky Places, Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves, depending on the criteria they meet.
• Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India’s first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle, Ladakh in the next three months.It  will be located as part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Praising the “determination, innovation and enterprise of millions of ordinary Indians”, Mr. Jaishankar asserted that “They are rejuvenating a society pillaged by centuries of foreign attacks and colonialism”.
• As far as this writer can recall there has never been a disparaging reference made to pre-colonial India in an Indian statement during the general debate, or indeed in any UN forum.
• Jaishankar went on to say that India’s rejuvenation is taking place in a democratic framework and is “reflected in more authentic voices and grounded leadership”.

• Ever since the establishment of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) regime in India under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013, CSR spending in India has risen from ₹10,065 crore in 2014-15 to ₹24,865 crore in 2020-21.
• The first proviso to Section 135(5) of the Act is that the company should give preference to local areas/areas around it where it operates. This is logical.
• However, a report by Ashoka University’s Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy says that 54% of CSR companies are concentrated in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Gujarat (receiving the largest CSR spends) while populous Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh receive little.
• However, an analysis of CSR spending (2014-18) reveals that while most CSR spending is in education (37%) and health and sanitation (29%), only 9% was spent on the environment even as extractive industries such as mining function in an environmentally detrimental manner in several States.

Section 135(1) of the Act prescribes thresholds to identify companies which are required to constitute a CSR Committee – those, in the immediately preceding financial year of which:

1. net worth is Rs 500 Crore or more; or.
2. turnover is Rs 1000 Crore or more; or.
3. net profit amounts to Rs 5 Crore or more.

Amount to be spent:

• Companies are required to spend, in every financial year, at least 2% of their average net profits generated during the 3 immediately preceding financial years.
• For companies that have not completed 3 financial years, average net profits generated in the preceding financial years shall be factored in.

• The Election Commission of India’s proposal to require political parties to disclose the financial implications of the promises they make in their manifestos will add meaning and depth to electoral campaigns.

• The resolution titled ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ was adopted by the Council after 20 of its 47 members voted in its favour. While 20 countries abstained, seven — including China and Pakistan — voted against it, effectively backing the Sri Lankan government.

UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

• About:
  • It is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system.
• History:
  • The UNHRC replaced the former UN Commission on Human Rights.
  • It was created by the UNGA on March 15, 2006, and the body met in its first session in June, 2006.
• Functions:
  • It is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
  • It also addresses and makes recommendations on situations of human rights violations.
  • It can discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations.

• Moonlighting is a state where employees work for remuneration with entities other than their employers. It is not defined in any of the statutes in India. However, there are enactments that deal with double employment.
• Section 60 of the Factories Act deals with restriction on double employment stating that “No adult worker shall be required or allowed to work in any factory on any day on which he has already been working in any other factory, save in such circumstances as may be prescribed”.
• Ravindran avers that unless an employer is able to prove that an employee acted against the interest of the company, Courts may not uphold severe punishment of termination of employment.

• The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 ft).
• The helicopter can fly at a maximum speed of 288 kmph and has a combat radius of 500 km, which can go up to a service ceiling of 21,000 feet, making it ideal to operate in Siachen. It incorporates several stealth features such as reduced radar and infra-red signatures.
• It can be deployed to perform Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), bunker busting operations, counter-insurgency operations in the jungle and urban areas and support the ground forces.

Q eChhawani is a citizen-centric project of:

1. Union Ministry of Defence
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs
3. Union Ministry of Finance
4. Union Ministry of Rural Development

ईछवानी एक नागरिक केंद्रित परियोजना है:

1. केंद्रीय रक्षा मंत्रालय
2. केंद्रीय गृह मंत्रालय
3. केंद्रीय वित्त मंत्रालय
4. केंद्रीय ग्रामीण विकास मंत्रालय

Explanation :

Government has approved the extension of Online Building Plan Approval System (OBPAS) under eChhawani portal to five more Cantonment Boards, namely Agra, Ranikhet, Babina, Jammu and Cannanore.

• eChhawani is a citizen-centric project of the Directorate General of Defence Estates, Ministry of Defence.
• Under this initiative, Cantonment Boards provide online citizen services to more than 20 lakh residents across 62 Cantonments in the country.
• The unified portal provides access to civic services along with all relevant information in a simple, easy to understand and effective manner.
• As a step towards facilitating ease of living, over 2.18 lakh property taxpayers living in cantonment areas would be able to apply online for mutation in the property tax register under the eChhawani portal (echhawani.gov.in).

Q Consider the following statements about the Mid-Day meal scheme:

1. The scheme guarantees two meal to all children in government and aided schools and madrasas supported under Samagra Shiksha.
2. The Scheme comes under the Ministry of Education.
3. The Scheme is covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

मध्याह्न भोजन योजना के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

1. यह योजना सरकारी और सहायता प्राप्त स्कूलों और समग्र शिक्षा के तहत समर्थित मदरसों में सभी बच्चों को दो भोजन की गारंटी देती है।
2. यह योजना शिक्षा मंत्रालय के अंतर्गत आती है।
3. यह योजना राष्ट्रीय खाद्य सुरक्षा अधिनियम, 2013 के अंतर्गत आती है।

ऊपर दिए गए कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1 और 2
2. केवल 2 और 3
3. केवल 1 और 3
4. 1, 2 और 3

Explanation: Mid-Day meal scheme:

• The scheme guarantees one meal to all children in government and aided schools and madrasas supported under Samagra Shiksha.
• Students up to Class VIII are guaranteed one nutritional cooked meal at least 200 days a year.
• The Scheme comes under the Ministry of Education.
• The Scheme is also covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013
• Under Section 28 of the National Food Security Act, 2013 social audit of the scheme is mandatory.

Q Consider the following statements about the International Labour Organization:

1. It was created in 1899, as part of the Treaty of Versailles.
2. It is the first and oldest specialised agency of the UN.
3. It is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

अंतर्राष्ट्रीय श्रम संगठन के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

1. इसे 1899 में वर्साय की संधि के हिस्से के रूप में बनाया गया था।
2. यह संयुक्त राष्ट्र की पहली और सबसे पुरानी विशिष्ट एजेंसी है।
3. यह सामाजिक न्याय और अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर मान्यता प्राप्त मानव और श्रम अधिकारों को बढ़ावा देने के लिए समर्पित है।

ऊपर दिए गए कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1 और 2
2. केवल 2 और 3
3. केवल 1 और 3
4. 1, 2 और 3

Explanation:

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice through setting international labour standards.
• Founded in October 1919 under the League of Nations, it is the first and oldest specialised agency of the UN. The ILO has 187 member states: 186 out of 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands.
• It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with around 40 field offices around the world, and employs some 3,381 staff across 107 nations, of whom 1,698 work in technical cooperation programmes and projects.

Q The Countries bordering United Arab Emirates (UAE) are:

1. Saudi Arabia
2. Iran
3. Kuwait
4. Oman

Select the correct answer code:

1. 1, 2, 3
2. 1, 4
3. 2, 3, 4
4. 1, 2, 4

संयुक्त अरब अमीरात (यूएई) की सीमा से लगे देश हैं:

1. सऊदी अरब
2. ईरान
3. कुवैत
4. ओमान

सही उत्तर कोड चुनें:

1. 1, 2, 3
2. 1, 4
3. 2, 3, 4
4. 1, 2, 4

Q Consider the following statements about United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification:

1. It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
2. The UNCCD Secretariat is administered by World Bank.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

मरुस्थलीकरण का मुकाबला करने के लिए संयुक्त राष्ट्र सम्मेलन के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

1. यह पर्यावरण और विकास को स्थायी भूमि प्रबंधन से जोड़ने वाला एकमात्र कानूनी रूप से बाध्यकारी अंतरराष्ट्रीय समझौता है।
2. UNCCD सचिवालय विश्व बैंक द्वारा प्रशासित है।

उपरोक्त में से कौन सा/से कथन सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. दोनों 1 और 2
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Explanation:

• About United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification:
• Established in 1994.
• It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management under the UN.
• It is the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference’s Agenda 21.
• Focus areas: The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
• S2: The permanent secretariat of the Convention was established in Article 23 of the UNCCD. It has been located in Bonn, Germany since January 1999.

 

Mains Practice Question:

Q Is TN’s breakfast scheme populist or pertinent? Critically Analyse. (150 words)

क्या TN की नाश्ता योजना लोकलुभावन है या प्रासंगिक है? समालोचनात्मक विश्लेषण करें। (150 शब्द)

Introduction:

Under the free breakfast scheme of Tamil Nadu Government, children in government schools from Class I to Class V will get nutritious breakfast provided in their schools every morning. The scheme is aimed at encouraging more children to continue to come to school and help prevent dropouts in primary level.

Body:

• Morning Breakfast: Under the morning breakfast scheme, every student is to be provided a cooked meal of 150-500 grams breakfast with sambar with vegetables. With a budget outlay of Rs33.5 crore in the initial phase, the new scheme caters to 1,14,095 primary school students from1,545 government schools.
• Micronutrients deficiency: School administration will serve hot breakfasts to schoolchildren by 8:30 am before their classes begin. Students will be served upma, kichadi or Pongal from Monday to Friday, while rava kesari or semiya kesari will be added to the menu on Fridays. The local millets available in the area will also be part of the menu for at least two days a week.
• Aim of the scheme: The scheme mainly aims to help students attend school hunger free and improve their nutritional status.
• Freebies: The scheme stands at the confluence of three socio-political developments: a fierce but murky political debate on freebies.
• Mid-day meal scheme: There was no need to supplement the existing mid-day meal scheme. But going by the content of the scheme, it seems unlikely that it will bring any substantial or sustained improvements in the above mentioned aspects of nutrition, especially since T.N. is already doing well in this regard.
• Populism: This is just a populist scheme by state government for vote bank politics.
• Positive outcomes: Studies from other countries suggest that free breakfast schemes might help increase educational outcomes through a likely increase in school attendance and improved concentration on studies.

Conclusion:

India’s spending in human development enhancing welfare schemes has been very dismal. There is an urgent need for implementing innovative and effective welfare schemes to address the disruptions caused by the pandemic in the education and nutrition sectors and strengthen these sectors.

Mains Practice Question:

Q Can we say Increasing Population is one of the reason for Urban Flooding ? Explain. (150 words)

क्या हम कह सकते हैं कि बढ़ती जनसंख्या शहरी बाढ़ का एक कारण है? समझाना। (150 शब्द)

 

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