The Hindu Editorial Analysis : 12th December 2024

The Hindu Editorial Analysis

We understand the significance of reading The Hindu newspaper for enhancing reading skills, improving comprehension of passages, staying informed about current events, enhancing essay writing, and more, especially for banking aspirants who need to focus on editorials for vocabulary building. This article will delve into today’s editorial points along with practice questions and key vocabulary.

Witness testimonies in the R.G. Kar case will conclude by early next week, the Supreme Court was informed

• The Supreme Court was informed that the prosecution expects to complete the examination of all 51 witnesses in the murder and rape case of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, by early next week.
• The CBI’s special court in Sealdah has examined 43 witnesses through daily sittings held from Monday to Thursday.
• After the prosecution witnesses finish testifying, the court will proceed to Section 313 proceedings, where the judge may question the accused, who can also present defence witnesses.
• A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna considered recording an order for the trial to conclude within a month but was advised by Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta to proceed cautiously as the CBI plans to file a supplementary chargesheet regarding evidence destruction.
• Advocate Vrinda Grover, representing the victim’s parents, requested the court to allow the parties to approach it if there are delays in the trial, citing the parents’ trauma and their hope for a thorough investigation by the CBI.
• Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the CBI is informing the parents of every development and is committed to conducting an honest investigation.
• Senior advocates Indira Jaising and Karuna Nundy highlighted the National Task Force’s report on improving the safety and working conditions of medical personnel in government establishments.
• Indira Jaising called for the creation of an independent agency to oversee the implementation of the task force’s recommendations.
• The court scheduled the next hearing for the week beginning March 17, 2025.
• The West Bengal Doctors Forum announced the ‘Abhaya Scholarship’ in memory of the victim, marking four months since the incident.
• The scholarship will benefit five meritorious MBBS entrants and five students who have passed Class 10.

Mumbai accident: Police blame ‘inexperienced’ driver; BEST launches investigation

• The driver of the BEST bus involved in the Kurla accident, which killed seven and injured 42, had limited experience in driving heavy vehicles, according to Mumbai Police’s preliminary investigation.
• The driver, Sanjay Datta More, joined the service on December 1, and the police are investigating all possible angles to determine the cause of the accident.
• A high-level committee has been formed by BEST to examine the technical and operational aspects of the incident.
• The EV bus allegedly rammed 22 vehicles, including a cart and pedestrians, at the Kurla Bhaji Market in a busy area.
• Blood samples of the driver have been sent for forensic analysis to rule out any errors or intoxication on his part, as stated by DCP Ganesh Gawade.
• The driver received only four days of training conducted by a private contractor for operating the electric vehicle.
• The bus, a Hyderabad-based Olectra Greentech EV, was wet-leased by BEST and had been in operation since its registration on August 20.
• Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced ₹5 lakh ex gratia for the victims’ families, while BEST declared ₹2 lakh compensation for the deceased.
• The driver has been booked under Sections 105, 110, and 118 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for culpable homicide and related charges.
• The Kurla court granted police custody of the driver until December 21 to investigate his driving skills and determine if he was under the influence of alcohol.
• A Tardeo RTO official noted that the bus was just three months old, adding to the factors under investigation.

Centre to incur an additional ₹425.62 crore under PM POSHAN due to rising food inflation

• The Centre will bear an additional cost of ₹425.62 crore for food material inflation under the PM POSHAN Scheme for the financial year 2024-25.
• The scheme provides one hot cooked meal to 11.7 crore students in Balvatika and Classes 1 to 8 in 10.24 lakh government and government-aided schools.
• Based on the Labour Bureau’s inflation index, the Education Ministry increased the cost of pulses, vegetables, and oil by 13.7%.
• Material cost per student has been raised from ₹5.45 to ₹6.19 for Balvatika and primary classes and from ₹8.17 to ₹9.29 for upper primary classes, effective from December 1.
• The cost revision considers inflation values of 6.45% for 2022-23 and 6.74% for 2023-24, as no revision occurred in 2023-24.
• Each Balvatika and primary student is entitled to 20 grams of pulses, 50 grams of vegetables, and 5 grams of oil per meal.
• Upper primary students are entitled to 30 grams of pulses, 50 grams of vegetables, and 7 grams of oil per meal.
• States and Union Territories can contribute more than the minimum mandatory rates if desired, as some already provide meals with enhanced nutrition from their own resources.
• The Centre supplies 26 lakh tonnes of food grains annually through the Food Corporation of India, bearing 100% of the cost, including a ₹9,000 crore subsidy and transportation expenses.
• The total per meal cost, including all components such as food grains, is ₹11.54 for Balvatika and primary classes and ₹16.74 for upper primary classes.
• The revised rates apply uniformly across all States and Union Territories under the PM POSHAN Scheme.

Important questions

1. When is the prosecution expected to complete the examination of all 51 witnesses in the R.G. Kar case?
2. What is the purpose of the ‘Abhaya Scholarship’ announced by the West Bengal Doctors Forum?
3. What were the findings of the preliminary investigation by the Mumbai Police regarding the driver’s experience in the Kurla accident?
4. What measures have been announced by the Maharashtra government and BEST for the families of the victims?
5. How much additional cost will the Centre incur for food material inflation under the PM POSHAN Scheme for the financial year 2024-25?

Important vocabulary

1. Testimonies: Formal statements given by witnesses under oath.
2. Supplementary Chargesheet: An additional document outlining new evidence or charges in a legal case.
3. Meritorious: Deserving recognition or reward for excellence.
4. Wet-leased: Renting a vehicle along with its driver and maintenance.
5. Ex gratia: A voluntary payment made by an organization, often for compassionate reasons.
6. Culpable homicide: The act of causing death through negligent or reckless behavior.
7. Inflation: The rise in prices over time, reducing purchasing power.
8. Subsidy: Financial assistance provided by the government to reduce costs.
9. Mandatory: Required or compulsory by law or regulation.
10. Component: A part or element of a larger system or process.

Download Online Mock Test Mobile APP

• Join Official Telegram Channel
• Join Official Whatsapp Group

Recommended PDF’s for 2024:

• Computer Capsule 2024 : Download PDF
• Banking Awareness (Theory+MCQ’s) Complete PDF : Download Now
• Get FREE Study Materials & PDFs for IBPS , RBI, SBI, LIC AAO , LIC Assistant, NIACL & Other Exams Over the mail and Whatsapp