Monday, 2 December: Amar Ujala expresses concern about the state of India’s economy – GDP has fallen to 4.5 per cent, which is an indicator of how fragile the financial system is. It will be difficult to contain this downturn by monetary measures. The only way forward is to not worry about the financial deficit and bring in steps to increase demand. Government has taken steps like bank mergers, cutting corporate tax, investing in real estate fund and big ticket disinvestment plans. The country has seen a slowdown in manufacturing and real estate sectors – pressure on NBFCs and a gloomy investment picture has added to the economic woes. Unseasonal rains and floods have also hurt the agriculture sector.
Tuesday, 3 December: Dainik Bhaskar writes on how governments often say that survey reports are faulty when the findings are not to their liking. But the latest Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report shows that even governments lie. The report says that 1/4th of rural households still do not have toilets when the government had claimed that over 90 per cent households have washrooms. Another fact is that Rs 12,000 given to build a toilet is often not enough for people to make a temporary shed which is unusable. In the same way, other statistics are also being denied or hidden but the government cannot hide realities.
Amar Ujala tackles the onion crisis and says that it is not limited to the vegetable. There is often bumper production of seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes and others which the farmers are forced to dispose off at throw away prices. Now, due to bad weather, prices have skyrocketed. So the need of the hour is to find a long-term solution to this seasonal and recurrent problem.
Wednesday, 4 December: Dainik Jagran talks about the SPG security Act. The kind of uproar that has been created by the Congress over the removal of SPG security for the Gandhi family makes it seem like the SPG security cover is a status symbol. Those who are protesting over the removal of Sonia Gandhi’s security cover should realise that SPG was formed for the security of prime ministers. They must remember that amendments to the SPG Act have been done at least four times. All amendments were made only when Congress or governments supported by it were in power. So, if changes are made now then what is wrong?
Dainik Bhaskar talks about the Hyderabad gangrape and murder of a young veterinary doctor. The brutal attack has shocked the country. Happening only years after the Nirbhaya incident, there is deep anger and resentment against it. People who rape do not think of the number of years he will be punished under the IPC. These heinous crimes are also a mental illness.
According to a Lancet report, 70 per cent of those accused consider it their right and 50 per cent don’t consider themselves criminals. Unless parents, religious and social organisations do not spread awareness, this problem will not be solved. PM should also address this issue in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio programme.
Thursday, 5 December: Amar Ujala talks about the CAG report on railway finances. Indian Railways recorded its worst operating ratio in 10 years in 2017-18 at 98.44 per cent, the CAG said in its report tabled in Parliament recently. CAG also pointed out several instances of misuse of concessions given by the Indian Railways. Railways were unable to meet its operational cost of passenger services. It has been spending more money on salaries and pensions following the implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, which has hit the financial health of the services.
Dainik Jagran looks at the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The union cabinet Wednesday approved the draft law that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan if they faced religious persecution there. But the opposition is not supporting the government’s move.
Due to people coming from Bangladesh into Assam and other states of the Northeast, the social and political environment has been changed, it argues. At least 19 lakh people in Assam have been excluded in the final NRC list. If people from neighboring countries are tortured and they want to come to India, the government will have to take measures to protect the national interests and human values, but it should also thread cautiously.
Friday, 6 December: Amar Ujala also addresses the Hyderabad and Unnao rape cases. After the brutal rape and murder of the veterinarian, the incident in Unnao has revealed how our society and security systems have deteriorated. It will be seven years since the Nirbhaya case on 16 December. After amendments to the law on crimes against women, led by Justice Verma, punishment was toughened but it is still not strong enough to deter criminals.
According to the NCRB data, in 86 per cent of cases where chargesheets have been filed, only 13 per cent have been decided in the lower court. Stringent law is required in such cases, but there is also need to punish the culprits in a time bound manner.