News 1:

Data can be an asset for governance, growth and public welfare: Hindustan Times

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Syllabus Reference: GS-II

Important aspects of governance

 

Article discusses how the data can be beneficial in the governance. It says, Data is a critical component for measurable and actionable governance and policy perspectives, as well as for triggering innovation and growth. Data to enhance ease of living and efficiency has been addressed through several Government of India initiatives, including the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile or JAM trinity, the Open Government Data Platform of India, and the National Judicial Data Grid.

 

News 2:

Reclaiming SAARC from the ashes of 2020: The Hindu

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Syllabus Reference: GS-II

Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

 

We all know that relevance of SAARC is recent years has reduced drastically due to Indo-Pakistan issues. With this, the south-asia regional grouping has lost its significance as a unit. The article discusses why it’s important to revive the grouping and how it can prove beneficial to all, especially to India. A must read for all.

News 3:

What panel members said in the past on farm laws, farmers' agitation: Business Standard

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Syllabus Reference: GS-III

Storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.

Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices;

 

While putting the three farm laws on hold, the Supreme Court of India has set up a four-member committee to look into the issues. These are the views the members of the committee have expressed in the past on the farm Acts and the ongoing farmers’ agitation.

 

Ashok Gulati

Infosys Chair Professor for Agriculture at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations and former chairman, Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP)

“A 1991 moment for agriculture: Proposed reforms in agri-marketing laws address long-standing needs of farmers. They could build efficient supply chains, ensure better products for consumers.”

Source: The Indian Express, May 18, 2020

 

Pramod Kumar Joshi

Former director-South Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

“Any rollback of the farm laws will be disastrous for the farm sector and farmers.

If anyone is adversely affected (by the laws), it is the traders/middlemen, especially from Punjab and Haryana. The new laws will help India emerge as a leader in agriculture and agro-processing. If farmers remain adamant on repeal, the Centre should leave it to the states for implementing the laws with contextual modifications to the current Act.”

Source: Financial Express, December 15, 2020

 

Bhupinder Singh Mann

Former Rajya Sabha MP and member of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Mann)

“The three Acts should be amended to ensure that judicial recourse is ensured, and that there is a level-playing field created between private and state-run markets and a written guarantee that minimum support prices (MSPs) will continue.”

Source: Memorandum by All India Kisan Coordination Committee, December 14, 2020

 

Anil Ghanwat

President, Maharashtra-based Shetkari Sanghatana“Don't withdraw the three Acts, instead amend them. If Centre succumbs to pressure from Punjab's farmers, no government in future will dare to introduce agriculture reforms.”

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine, December 21, 2020

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