The Hindu PDF 02 October 2023 Analysis

The Hindu PDF Newspaper is considered an important source of news and information for UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) aspirants in India. This The Hindu Epaper PDF newspaper covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to the UPSC exam, including politics, economics, international relations, governance, and social issues.

The Hindu PDF Analysis 02 October 2023 for UPSC

Gross GST revenue growth slowed to 10.2% in Sept.: Page 1

• GST revenue growth in India slowed to 10.2% in September 2023.
• Collections increased by 2.3% compared to August, reaching ₹1,62,712 crore.
• Domestic transactions, including services imports, were 14% higher than the previous year.
• Fourth time in 2023-24 that GST collection crossed ₹1.60 lakh crore mark.
• GST inflows from goods imports recovered by 3% in August but shrank slightly again in September.
• Last time slower growth was seen in June 2021 during the second wave of COVID-19.
• Breakdown: CGST ₹29,818 crore, SGST ₹37,657 crore, IGST ₹83,623 crore.
• GST compensation cess inflows were ₹11,613 crore.
• Manipur had the highest growth at 47%, while Bihar contracted by 5%.
• Some Union Territories also saw declines in GST revenues.
• Part of the increase could be due to settling pending tax dues.
• GST revenues may further rise with the upcoming festive season.

Oil firms raise ATF and commercial LPG prices: Page 1

• Commercial cooking gas price increased by ₹209 per 19-kg cylinder.
• Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) price raised by 5% for the fourth consecutive month.
• Domestic LPG cylinder price remains unchanged.
• Price increase may affect expenses for hotels and restaurants.
• Current prices: ₹1,731.50 in Delhi, ₹1,684 in Mumbai, ₹1,898 in Chennai.

Kashmir bat industry hits its sweet spot after 102 years: Page 4

• Kashmir willow cricket bats will be used for the first time in 50-over World Cup matches at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
• Afghanistan’s cricket team will use Kashmir willow bats in the tournament.
• GR8 cricket bat company, led by Fawzul Kabiir, manufactures these bats.
• A Kashmir willow bat was used to hit the longest six in the T20 World Cup in 2022.
• The bat industry is mainly located in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Anantnag districts.
• Around 200 bat manufacturing units employ about 50,000 people.
• Kashmir’s bats are made from the female cultivar of white willow, known for its quality.
• Demand for Kashmiri bats has increased, with production levels rising significantly.
• Customized bats are gaining popularity among domestic cricketers.
• Kashmiri bats have a lower middle sweet spot, suited for Asian pitch conditions.
• The industry has historical significance but faced competition from English willow bats.
• New technology and improvements have boosted the prospects of Kashmiri cricket bats.
• Concerns about the depletion of willow trees as raw material and the need for organized willow farming to sustain the industry’s growth.

Change in Maldives: Page 8

• Mohamed Muizzu, the Mayor of Male, has been elected as the new leader of the Maldives, replacing President Ibu Solih.
• Muizzu won the presidential run-off with nearly 54% of the vote, while Solih secured 46%.
• Factors contributing to Solih’s electoral loss include anti-incumbency sentiment, economic concerns post-COVID-19, party rifts, and sovereignty issues.
• The PPM party, led by Abdulla Yameen, had initiated an “India out” campaign to remove Indian military personnel during Yameen’s tenure.
• Solih had pursued an “India First” policy, strengthening ties with India through infrastructure projects and pandemic assistance.
• Commentators framed the election as an India versus China contest.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated President-elect Muizzu, emphasizing the need for India to avoid taking sides in Maldivian politics.
• Muizzu’s challenges include managing the Maldivian economy, addressing debt repayments, and considering a referendum for a parliamentary system.
• Balancing relations with India, China, and the United States is crucial for the Maldives due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean.
• Both India and the Maldives should avoid viewing their interests as “zero-sum” to prevent tensions.

India’s statistical performance on the global stage: Page 8

• India ranks 67th among 174 countries in the World Bank’s Statistical Performance Indicators (SPI) for 2019.
• SPI assesses national statistical systems based on five dimensions: data use, data services, data products, data sources, and data infrastructure.
• India’s overall SPI score in 2019 is 70.4, with lower scores in ‘Data use’ and ‘Data products’ pillars.
• ‘Data use’ measures how different sectors use statistics; India performs well but loses points for unavailability of comparable poverty estimates.
• ‘Data products’ focuses on essential data for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); India has taken steps to improve data collection for SDGs.
• ‘Data infrastructure’ scores lower due to moderate performance in ‘Standards and methods’ and poor performance in ‘Finance’.
• India excels in ‘Data services’ and ‘Data sources’ but receives a low score in administrative data due to coverage issues.
• Proactive engagement with the World Bank is needed to improve SPI robustness and enhance rankings.
• Using reliable sources like “Vital Statistics of India” for estimates can improve the SPI.

An ageing India needs age-responsive TB care: Page 9

• India’s elderly population is expected to increase significantly, with about 12.5% of the population over the age of 60 by 2030.
• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health concern in India, affecting over 25 lakh people annually.
• The National TB Prevalence Survey 2021 revealed a higher prevalence of TB among people over 55, highlighting the impact on the elderly.
• TB symptoms in the elderly are often mistaken for signs of other diseases or dismissed as signs of old age, leading to delayed diagnosis.
• Managing TB in the elderly is complicated by comorbidities, particularly diabetes, resulting in treatment challenges.
• Accessing healthcare services, social networks, and nutritious food can be difficult for older individuals.
• Elderly people may face economic dependence, social isolation, and mental health issues, contributing to poor health outcomes.
• Strategies for elder-friendly TB care include holistic care models, capacity-building among health professionals, effective case-finding, and support protocols.
• Gender and age-disaggregated data collection is essential to identify TB trends among the elderly.
• Strengthened collaboration within the health system and increased research focus on TB in the elderly are needed.

The largest climate action lawsuit against 32 countries: Page 10

• Six young people from Portugal, aged 11 to 24, are suing 32 European governments at the European Court of Human Rights for failing to take sufficient action against the climate crisis.
• The lawsuit, Duarte Agostinho and Others versus Portugal and Others, was filed in September 2020, following wildfires in Portugal in 2017 that claimed lives and destroyed forests.
• The plaintiffs argue that these governments have violated their human rights, including the right to life, privacy, and freedom from discrimination, by exceeding carbon budgets consistent with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.
• They call for more ambitious emissions reductions, cuts in fossil fuel production, and cleaning up global supply chains.
• The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) recommends a 75% emissions reduction below 1990 levels, exceeding the EU’s current target of 55%.
• UNICEF describes the climate crisis as a “child rights crisis” due to its impact on education, health, and future prospects.
• Some governments, like Greece and Portugal, have denied the direct impact of climate change on human health and life, while the case is expected to be ruled upon in the first half of 2024.

India-U.S. relation now on a different plane: Jaishankar: Page 12

• India-U.S. relations are currently at an all-time high.
• Both countries consider each other desirable, optimal, and comfortable partners.
• The success of the G-20 summit was due in part to the support of the U.S.
• The bilateral relationship is characterized by a unique human bond.
• Recent collaborative initiatives between India and the U.S. include the India-Middle East Economic Corridor, Indo-Pacific cooperation, and the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
• The Indian diaspora plays a crucial role in strengthening the India-U.S. relationship.
• India has evolved significantly in recent years, making the relationship dynamic and promising.

Indonesia set to launch China-funded high-speed rail, first in Southeast Asia: Page 15

• Indonesia is launching Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway.
• The project is backed by China and part of the Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.
• The “Whoosh” bullet train will connect Jakarta and Bandung in 45 minutes.
• The project faced delays and cost overruns, with a final cost exceeding $7 billion.
• President Joko Widodo will inaugurate the high-speed railway.
• The train can reach speeds of up to 350 km/h.
• Public trials have been conducted before its official opening.

Source: The Hindu Epaper

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