Polity⚖️

  • Indra Sawhney judgement that reservation should not exceed 50% unless“extra- ordinary circumstances. Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018 giving 13% reservation to Maratha in public education and government employment. SC ruled
  • 1) it violates Indra Sawhney limit, Article14 and 16 of the Constitution. Public employment is not sufficient to cater the needs of all, after privatisation and liberalisation of the economy
  • 2) “Providing reservation in Government jobs is not the only method for improving the welfare of the backward class. State ought to bring other measures including education, skill development to enable the backward classes to be self-reliant.
  • 3) when more people aspire for backwardness instead of forwardness = country itself stagnates. 4) Marathas were classified as a Socially and Educationally Backward Class based on Justice M G Gaikwad Commission. But, SC found the report data clearly proves that Marathas are not socially and educationally backward class. Marathas are the dominant forward class and are in the mainstream of national life.
  • 5) ‘To change the 50% limit is to have society based not on equality but caste rule.
  • 6) state government will have their separate list of SEBCs for providing reservation in state government jobs and education, whereas Parliament will only make the central list of SEBCs for central government jobs/admission. However, final say in regard to inclusion or exclusion (or modification of lists) of SEBCs is firstly with the President and then with Parliament. National Backward Classes Commission must publish a fresh list of SEBCs, both for states and the central list.

Economy?

  • RBI measures against Corona wave 2.0:
    • 1) ₹50,000 on-tap liquidity window to give loans upto 3 years. interest rate? = repo rate. Who can borrow? Banks giving loans to vaccine makers, vaccine importers, medical device makers, hospitals, oxygen suppliers etc.
    • 2) Special Three-year long-term repo operations (SLTRO) of ₹10,000 cr. interest rate? = repo rate. Who can borrow? small finance banks (SFBs) who want to give fresh loans of up to Rs 10 lakh per borrower to micro and small industries, and other unorganised sector entities.
    • 3) G-SAP (government securities acquisition programme) round 2.0 where RBI will buy ₹35,000 cr ki G-Sec.
    • 4) loan resolution/ recast frameworks for individuals, home loan, edu loans and MSMEs. Their tenure may be extended for upto 2 extra years. However, mostly technical guidelines, nothing MCQ worthy.
    • 5) Overdraft (Borrowing) facilities for the State Government increased from 36 days to 50 days per quarter. Refer to WMA topic lecture in the Win21 series Pillar1C for more.
    • 6) no punitive action on banks / customers for delay in Know Your Customer (KYC) updation till December 31, 2021.
  • Inflation: In ordinary times, coconut sells for 30 rupees per unit, but there has been a steep increase in inflation — In fruits like lemon, Orange, coconut, papaya etc. They are selling for anything between 70-100-150 rupees. because 1) Corona 2.0 wave = increased demand of fruits by the corona patients. 2) demand by pickle industry In summer season.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Companies Act requires large companies to spend at least 2 per cent of their average profit for the previous three years on public welfare activities. MINISTRY of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on notified that any expenditure made by a company to set up oxygen & other health infrastructure for Covid- 19 treatment will also be counted in CSR.
  • Privatisation/Strategic disinvestment: The government owns 45.48 per cent in IDBI Bank, while LIC holds 49.24 percent. LIC is currently the promoter of IDBI Bank while the government is co-promoter. Cabinet has approved Strategic disinvestment =Privatisation Of IDBI so the government will sell away its shareholding & use the ₹₹ to Finance development activities.

Science?

  • PRINCIPAL Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister: 1) 3rd wave of corona will come. But it is not clear on what timescale Phase 3.0 will occur. 2) “double mutant variant” of the Coronavirus (B.1.617) responsible for corona wave 2.0
  • Supreme Court stays Delhi High Court proceeding for contempt against union government officers for not supplying oxygen to Delhi. SC observed “the aim is not to haul up officers for contempt. Such action will not bring oxygen. exercising powers under contempt jurisdiction will not solve the problem facing Delhi. When the country is facing a humanitarian crisis, the High court must aim at problem solving”.”
  • CENTRAL DRUGS Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has provided an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for Roche Pharma company’s antibody cocktail of casirivimab and imdevimab for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 in India.
  • Canada becomes 1st country to authorise Pfizer vaccine for children as young as 12.

Ethics GSM4☯️

  • Napoleon laid the foundation for the modern French state — its bureaucracy, education system, secularism and modernity — and built a European empire. But, in Modern Times, Napoleon became a controversial figure within French Politics- a leader who supported slavery, systemic misogyny and imperialism. Right-wing Political parties try to claim the Legacy of Napoleon to woo rural and small-town right-wing voter. French people’s views on Napoleon have become a barometer for their political allegiance. 2021: French president Macron laid a wreath on Napoleon Bonaparte’s grave at Les Invalides on the 200th death anniversary. Lesson? History keeps getting reinterpreted. The heroes of the past are now seen as villains.
  • Truth triumphs: Earlier startup company Whitehat Junior had invented a fake character 13 years old Wolf Gupta who allegedly got Rs 1.2 crore job from Google! Then white hat junior company marketing executive will try to convince parents to purchase the online computer coding coaching program. Software engineer Pradeep Poonia Had been making continuous post against this nonsense so to silence him, Whitehat junior company had put a ₹20 crore defamation lawsuit on Pradeep Poonia. But finally the company has decided to withdraw this defamation suit. Lesson? Had Pradeep Poonia Not started this campaign then the fake-marketing would have continued and many parents would have been fooled. It’s not just our right but our duty as well to fight for our freedom of speech. Whether it is the education sector or any other sector, whether you are a student, consumer, or parent, employee or just a concerned citizen, please remember the strength of your voice depends on your own perseverance- said Pradeep Poonia.