The Hindu Newspaper Analysis | 7th June | UPSC Current Affairs Today | Shayam Kaggod

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Brief Summary

This session by Sham Yesag from Unacademy IAS: English, analyses 12 articles from the Delhi edition of The Hindu newspaper. The discussion covers topics relevant to the Civil Services Exam, including the Monetary Policy Committee review, food safety standards, support schemes for poor prisoners, infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir, gold loan policies, and recent developments in science, technology, and culture. Key takeaways include:

The MPC's decision to reduce the repo rate and CRR to boost economic growth.
Concerns and recommendations for improving food safety standards in India.
The support scheme for poor prisoners and its implementation challenges.
Inauguration of key rail projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
Updates to gold loan LTV norms and new initiatives like the Bharata Bhasha Anubhag (BBA).

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Review

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), comprising six members (three from RBI and three government-appointed experts), meets every two months to decide on interest rates, primarily the repo rate. A reduction in the repo rate allows banks to borrow from the RBI at lower rates, enabling them to lend to borrowers at reduced interest rates, which can boost investment, employment, and GDP. The MPC has reduced the repo rate by 50 basis points (0.5%), bringing it down from 6% to 5.5%. Additionally, the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) has been reduced by 100 basis points, from 4% to 3%. CRR reduction increases durable liquidity, providing banks with more funds for lending. Repo rate is a short-term tool, while CRR reduction provides a more durable increase in money supply. The RBI has also shifted its stance from accommodative to neutral, signaling a potential pause in future rate cuts. While rate cuts can increase liquidity and promote growth, they may also lead to lower interest rates on savings.

Maintaining India's Progress in Food Safety Standards

The article discusses food safety standards in India, highlighting that June 7 is World Food Safety Day. Earlier, the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) of 1954 was in place, but it lacked differentiation in the levels of toxins and residues. The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 led to the establishment of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory body that regulates food safety. FSSAI issues licenses, conducts investigations, and imposes penalties for non-compliance. Despite these reforms, concerns remain, including ambiguous standards (e.g., parts per million), thresholds that are difficult to follow, and the adoption of international standards that may not suit Indian food habits. For example, labeling requirements for MSG (monosodium glutamate) may create confusion among consumers. Recommendations include investing in India-specific research, simplifying risk communication, strengthening capacity building, regularly reviewing standards, and promoting transparency and consumer education.

Support to Poor Prisoner Scheme

The Ministry of Home Affairs launched the Support to Poor Prisoners Scheme in 2023 to address overcrowding in Indian jails, largely due to undertrial prisoners. Over 70% of inmates are undertrials, eroding faith in the judiciary and increasing its burden. Many poor undertrials cannot afford bail surety. Under the scheme, if bail is granted but the prisoner cannot pay within seven days, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) recommends the case to the District Level Empowered Committee (DLEC). If the bail amount is up to ₹40,000, the government provides assistance. However, implementation is lagging as state governments are not utilizing allocated funds effectively.

Key Rail Project Inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir

Key rail projects have been inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Chenab Bridge, the Anji Bridge (India's first cable-stayed railway bridge), and the Vande Bharat train service between Katra and Srinagar. These projects, constructed in difficult terrains, aim to reduce travel time, improve security, promote tourism, and boost economic activity by facilitating the transportation of goods. The Vande Bharat train is designed to operate in all weather conditions, even at sub-zero temperatures.

RBI Revises Gold Loan Policy

RBI has revised the Loan to Value (LTV) norms for gold loans. For loans up to ₹2.5 lakh, the LTV is now 85%. For loans above ₹2.5 lakh and up to ₹5 lakh, it is 80%, and for loans above ₹5 lakh, it remains at 75%. This graded LTV is expected to benefit middle and lower-income households by allowing them to borrow more without pledging more gold. The maximum volume of gold that can be pledged for a loan is 1 kg, while for silver, it is 10 kg.

Kerala Develops Testing Kits for Pathogenic Amoeba

There are over 400 species of amoeba, but only a few are pathogenic, causing diseases like amoebic meningoencephalitis. The Kerala government has announced that the State Public Health Lab has developed testing kits to detect deadly amoeba that cause encephalitis syndrome. This will enable quicker detection and treatment, reducing mortality rates, which are typically very high (over 90%) for these diseases.

Bharata Bhasha Anubhag (BBA) Initiative

The government is promoting the use of native languages in administration through the Bharata Bhasha Anubhag (BBA), set up under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This initiative aims to develop systems for translating Hindi into other Indian languages and vice versa, reducing the reliance on English in administrative work. The BBA will partner with CDAC to develop these translation systems.

UMID Portal Launched by Ministry of Minority Affairs

The Ministry of Minority Affairs has launched the UMID portal (Unified Work Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development). This centralized digital repository will manage work properties, address grievances, promote transparent leasing, integrate GIS mapping, and provide public access to real-time information.