Hindi
Monday, 4 November: Amar Ujala asks when will people have a permanent solution to pollution? Like every year, the level of air pollution in Delhi-NCR has reached dangerous levels. But there seems to be no coordination between the central and the state governments to look for a permanent remedy for this menace.
The 2019 State of Global Air report says that in 2017, due to indoor and outdoor air pollution, more than 12 lakh people had lost their lives. There needs to be a comprehensive policy to deal with it.
Dainik Jagran says the stubborn attitude of the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra is an indication that political alignments in the state can change too, though it is hard to believe any common ground exists between Congress and Shiv Sena or even the NCP.
But it won’t be the first time that ideological opponents have came together to form a government of convenience. Remember the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh not too long ago? Also, it isn’t the first time that the BJP and Shiv Sena are at loggerheads. One has heard a bitter exchange of words between the two parties even before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Shiv Sena needs to remember that if it takes its stance too far, this might mean no turning back. If Congress and the NCP join hands with Shiv Sena, they might gain power but that may reduce the latter’s credibility.
Tuesday, 5 November: Amar Ujala says the RCEP talks are over and India has kept itself out of it. The biggest fear from this deal was that in its present form if the deal was signed by India, 80-90 per cent of goods wouldn’t have import duties and Chinese goods would flood the Indian market — and the trade imbalance would increase. The dairy and farm imports from New Zealand would take over Indian market and this would also adversely impact the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Dainik Bhaskar says the incoherent defense by the government in the WhatsApp snooping case has pushed it against a wall. The Israeli firm, NSO, insists that its Pegasus software is sold only to governments. It is also well known that government agencies often snoop to keep tab on terror outfits. Problems begin when they use the technology to snoop on their political opponents. Maybe the real issue is something else – the government has been forcing WhatsApp to decrypt its encrypted content.
Wednesday, 6 November: Amar Ujala and Dainik Jagran talk of the recent agitation by Delhi Police.
Amar Ujala thinks the scuffle between lawyers and the police which was sparked off after an argument about parking space should have been contained and defused immediately. However, the tiff took a serious turn. Both sides need to realise that they are custodians of law and order and cannot be seen taking the law into their own hands.
Dainik Jagran says it’s a rare occurrence to see police personnel on the streets, voicing their grievances, although lawyers have such dharna pradarshan (show of protests) often. Delhi Police holds a special place as it looks after the safety and security of the capital city. Would it not have been better that the police personnel, even if they took to the streets, ought have gone back to their duty after protesting for a while? it asks.
Thursday, 7 November: Amar Ujala says the opening of Kartarpur Corridor will undoubtedly be a historical moment but India needs to be careful of Pakistan’s intentions and designs. It will try to fan Khalistani elements in this guise – the recent promotional video released by Pakistan featured Bhindranwale in the backdrop. Even when the foundation was laid for the corridor, Bhindranwale posters had appeared. The BSF has warned that areas near Kartarpur – Muridke, Shakargarh and Narowal – are being used as training camps for terrorists.
Friday, 8 November: Amar Ujala feels that the Rs 25,000 crore fund announced by the government will remove lethargy in the real estate sector and this will have an impact on the sluggish economy. This cabinet decision will also help many fulfill their dreams of buying a house. But the government must make sure that the funds are fully and properly utilised and the real estate sector stops the NPA tendency.
Tamil
Monday, 4 November: Dinamani writes on the Delhi’s air pollution in the aftermath of Diwali. It says: “There are two reasons for pollution. First, the rampant auto production. By providing loans to encourage vehicle manufacturers, public transport is neglected. Second, the destruction of forests – like cutting of trees at Mumbai’s Aarey forest and destroying other forested areas across India. Planting saplings to compensate would not help at all.”
Tuesday, 5 November: On the controversial WhatsApp spyware attack, Dinamani writes: “The company’s assurance that spying or data theft is impossible in their secure messaging application is questionable now. Is it just a business strategy? While NSO says that it has been helping governments for public order, we cannot stop questioning whether this spying comes at the government’s direction?” It goes on to add: “Digital technology has made governments much stronger with breaking the fundamental rights of the citizens like right to privacy.”
Wednesday, 6 November: Dinamani’s editorial is on the latest NCRB data on Indian crime rates. Talking about the overcrowding and terrible conditions inside Indian prisons, it writes: “There was a committee formed last year under Justice Amitava Roy for prison reforms. Such commissions are not new. Previously, there was the A.N. Mulla and V.R. Krishn Iyer commissions on women prisoners. All their recommendations are sleeping in government files.”
It adds: “Crimes that happen within the prison, anti-social activities, unavailability of basic amenities, prisoners being ill-treated doesn’t come out. All wrongs are hidden behind an iron screen.”
Thursday, 7 November: Dinamani’s editorial raises a question about the ruling party influencing the election schedules. It writes: “When Modi-Shah and BJP wants One Nation One Election, why didn’t they have the Maharashtra-Haryana-Jharkhand assembly elections together in the first place?”
“Haryana-Maharashtra assembly elections were held in a single phase. But Jharkhand, with fewer seats than Haryana, is going for a five-phase election – this is not satisfactory”.
It goes on to say that while no national issue or “Kashmir issue or Pakistan is going to help BJP, the confidence for them comes from the divided opposition”.