18th April – Editorials/Opinions Analyses
Contents Short on labourers, a long harvest A season of change: Meteorological department A virus, social democracy, and dividends for Kerala Why gold prices have been rising before and during COVID-19? SHORT ON LABOURERS, A LONG HARVEST Focus: GS-III Agriculture Lockdown’s Impact on Harvesting Usually, 90% of the wheat in Punjab and neighbouring Haryana is […]
A SEASON OF CHANGE: METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT
IMD’s Monsoon Forecast In the season of the abnormal, the IMD has announced that the monsoon this year would likely be normal. The agency follows a two-stage forecast system: indicating in April whether there are chances of drought or any other anomaly and then a second update, in late June, with a more granular look […]
SHORT ON LABOURERS, A LONG HARVEST
Lockdown’s Impact on Harvesting Usually, 90% of the wheat in Punjab and neighbouring Haryana is harvested using combine harvester machines. But with physical distancing norms in place now, for many small farmers, that system has been thrown out of gear as they can’t jointly hire the machine and the produce must be brought to the […]
MINOR FOREST PRODUCES IN EXEMPTION LIST
Why in news? In the latest set of lockdown relaxations, the Ministry of Home Affairs has added the collection, harvesting and processing of minor forest produce to the list of activities that will be permitted. Exclusions in the Lockdown The new MHA guidelines have also expanded the types of plantations that will be permitted to […]
KISAN RATH TO LINK FARMERS TO TRANSPORT OPTIONS
Why in news? In a bid to ease the disruption of agricultural supply chains, especially for perishable produce, the Agriculture Ministry has launched a Kisan Rath mobile application, which will connect farmers and traders to a network of more than 5 lakh trucks and 20,000 tractors. Details The application, developed by the National Informatics Centre, […]
PUNE ZILLA PARISHAD PLANS TOUGH ACTION TO CHECK DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Why in news? To counter the increasing cases of domestic violence during the current COVID-19 lockdown, the Pune Zilla Parishad has borrowed a leaf from the virus prevention handbook. Abusive husbands and wife-beaters across Pune district now face institutional quarantine if there is a complaint of domestic violence. Surge in cases Globally, there has been […]
RBI: CUTS REVERSE REPO RATE BY 25 BASIS POINTS; NBFCS GET LIQUIDITY BOOSTER
Why in news? In a move to ease financial stress and to maintain adequate liquidity in the system, the Reserve Bank of India has announced several steps on 17th April 2020 including targeted long–term repo operations and providing special refinance to financial institutions like NABARD, SIDBI and National Housing Bank. The Reserve Bank of India […]
DEATH BY FIREWORKS: VIOLATIONS OF RULES IN HAZARDOUS INDUSTRIES
Why in news? Unsafe working conditions and improper handling of inflammable raw materials continue to endanger lives in the fireworks industry. Tragedies have not been confined to Sivakasi, deemed the fireworks capital of the world, where most such units are concentrated. In and around Sivakasi, the manufacturing of firecrackers in makeshift unlicensed units, rough handling […]
IRONING OUT WRINKLES IN INDIA’S PANDEMIC RESPONSE
Why in news? Some critical weaknesses in the country’s health system can come in the way of a credible strategy to combat COVID-19 Much concern about the novel coronavirus in India is understandably about the number of cases and related deaths. Details It is important to remember that the vast majority (80%) of COVID-19 cases […]
SERVICES AT OUR DOORSTEP: DELIVERY WORKERS ARE THE NEW FRONT-LINE FORCE
Why in news? The ‘ferrymen’ of Wuhan, who have been providing groceries, food and medicines to citizens isolated in their homes, have been the backbone of cities that have been most hit by the novel coronavirus. Delivery infrastructure or digitally enabled micro-logistics are key to how citizens navigate their ‘social distanced’ lives during the pandemic. […]