THE HINDU EDITORIAL : DECEMBER 15, 2018
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THE HINDU EDITORIAL : DECEMBER 15, 2018
Dear Banking Aspirants,
THE HINDU EDITORIAL – December 14, 2018, is one of the must-read section for the competitive exams like IBPS Clerk 2018, Canara Bank PO – PGDBF 2018 and IBPS SO 2018. These topics are widely expected to be asked in the reading comprehension, Cloze Test or Error Detection in the forthcoming exams. So gear up your Exam preparation and learn new words daily.
A) End Sri Lanka’s crisis
Rajapaksa’s resignation is the first step, but the President must reinstate Wickremesinghe
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decision to resign as Prime Minister, an office to which he was controversially installed by President Maithripala Sirisena, is the first sign that the dragging constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka is heading slowly towards a resolution. He had also played a part in the unfolding of the crisis set off by Mr. Sirisena, who made ill-advised moves by invoking his executive powers repeatedly for political and partisan ends. The two leaders had come together against common rival Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was removed as Prime Minister unceremoniously on October 26 to make way for Mr. Rajapaksa. However, they saw little success either in Parliament or before the courts. Despite Mr. Rajapaksa failing to prove his majority in several motions in the House, he had steadfastly remained in office, seeking fresh elections instead of stepping down. Sri Lanka’s politics and economy have been caught in a downward spiral due to a constitutional crisis since Mr. Sirisena appointed Mr. Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. However, Mr. Rajapaksa was unable, or unwilling, to demonstrate the extent of his support in Parliament. At one point the President prorogued Parliament, and later dissolved it. However, the Supreme Court restored the legislature in an interim order. Thereafter, in a series of votes, a majority of the 225-strong House has been voting against Mr. Rajapaksa.
Mr. Rajapaksa’s resignation offer has come at a time when several parliamentarians moved the country’s Court of Appeal seeking a writ of quo warranto for Mr. Rajapaksa’s removal. In an interim order, the court restrained him from functioning as Prime Minister. The absence of clarity on whether there was a legitimate government in office placed other countries and multilateral financial institutions in a quandary as to who they should deal with. Mr. Rajapaksa’s resignation may pave the way for the installation of a government that enjoys a majority in Parliament. Meanwhile, the President’s credibility has taken yet another beating after the Supreme Court ruled categorically that his dissolution of Parliament on November 9 was illegal and void. The court has rejected his claim that he had an unfettered right to dissolve Parliament at any time, notwithstanding provisions in the Constitution that barred such action for the first four and a half years of the legislature’s term. The court dismissed his camp’s attempt to stretch and twist the meaning of some constitutional provisions in order to justify his bizarre actions. Although Mr. Sirisena has been obstinately sticking to his position that he will not appoint Mr. Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister “even if all 225 members” were with him, there are indications he may be forced to alter his stand. Nothing short of respecting the current composition of Parliament and reinstating Mr. Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister will solve the current imbroglio.
B) Negative signals: on falling inflation rates
Falling food prices will intensify rural distress; the solution is meaningful agricultural reform
The days when inflation could topple governments appear to be gone. It is now time for the government to worry about falling prices, especially of food. Retail inflation dropped to a 17-month low of 2.33% in November, as compared to 3.31% in October, primarily due to the fall in the prices of various essential food items. Food prices fell by a huge 6.96 percentage points compared to a year ago and, at minus 2.61%, are now in deflationary territory for the second successive month. The fall in inflation is obviously good news for consumers, particularly those in urban India who are happy to pay less for their purchases; also for the Reserve Bank of India, which will now have more room for manoeuvre in the matter of interest rates. But it is bad news for the producers of basic food items who are located in the distress-affected rural parts of the country, with falling farm incomes also impacting landless labour and rural demand. At the heart of this problem is the unpredictability of farm prices, which are known to exhibit extreme levels of volatility owing to various supply-side issues that plague the agricultural sector. Though farmer producer companies have stepped in with help and guidance to farmers to use hedging tools to minimise price risks, they are too few and far between to make a difference. And even when their produce finally commanded impressive prices in the retail market, the cartelised agricultural marketing system has made sure that farmers received little to nothing.
Ahead of the general election next year, State governments across the country are likely to resort to short-term relief measures such as farm loan waivers to temporarily relieve farmers of their deep distress. Further, with the issue of rural distress now expected to significantly affect the general election verdict, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress are already engaged in a competitive battle to offer the highest extent of loan waiver to farmers. There will also be pressure to announce higher minimum support prices for various agricultural goods. It is another matter that no government has ever had the wherewithal to deliver on such lofty promises. In fact, the poor implementation of MSPs is one of the reasons for farmers taking to the streets in protest. The Centre may prod the new RBI Governor to adopt a more dovish monetary policy stance in the run-up to the election citing falling inflation figures. But none of these measures will help farmers, who have increasingly taken the protest route of late to make their demands heard, in any meaningful manner in the long run. Real agricultural reform is crucial to enable farmers to freely make their own business decisions without the grabbing hand of the government.
VOCABULARY
1) controversially
Meaning : in a way that gives rise to controversy or public disagreement.
Tamil Meaning : சர்ச்சைக்குரிய
Synonyms : disputed
Antonyms : certain
Example : “the horse was controversially disqualified from first place”
2) invoking
Meaning : cite or appeal to (someone or something) as an authority for an action or in support of an argument.
Synonyms : conjure
Antonyms : answer
Example : “the antiquated defence of insanity is rarely invoked in England”
3) executive
Meaning : relating to or having the power to put plans or actions into effect.
Tamil Meaning : நிர்வாகி
Synonyms : director
Antonyms : attendant
Example : “an executive chairman”
4) rival
Meaning : a person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field of activity.
Tamil Meaning : போட்டி
Synonyms : competing
Antonyms : assisting
Example : “he has no serious rival for the job”
5) Despite
Meaning : contemptuous treatment or behaviour; outrage.
Tamil Meaning : இருந்தபோதிலும்
Synonyms : against
Example : “the despite done by him to the holy relics”
6) demonstrate
Meaning : clearly show the existence or truth of (something) by giving proof or evidence.
Tamil Meaning : இருந்தபோதிலும்
Synonyms : determine
Antonyms : conceal
Example : “their shameful silence demonstrates their ineptitude”
7) prorogued
Meaning : discontinue a session of (a parliament or other legislative assembly) without dissolving it.
Tamil Meaning : ஒத்திவைத்தார்
Synonyms : delayed
Example : “James prorogued this Parliament, never to call another one”
8) dissolved
Meaning : (with reference to a solid) become or cause to become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution.
Tamil Meaning : கலைக்கப்பட்டு
Synonyms : soften
Antonyms : appear
Example : “glucose dissolves easily in water”
9) interim
Meaning : the intervening time.
Tamil Meaning : இடைக்கால
Synonyms : provisional
Antonyms : finished
Example : “in the interim I’ll just keep my fingers crossed”
10) restrained
Meaning : characterized by reserve or moderation; unemotional or dispassionate.
Tamil Meaning : கட்டுப்படுத்தும்
Synonyms : discreet
Antonyms : communicative
Example : “his restrained, gentlemanly voice”
11) pave
Meaning : cover (a piece of ground) with flat stones or bricks; lay paving over.
Tamil Meaning : வகுக்கும்
Synonyms : cobblestone
Antonyms : strip
Example : “the yard at the front was paved with flagstones”
12) dissolution
Meaning : the action of formally ending or dismissing an assembly, partnership, or official body.
Tamil Meaning : கலைப்பு
Synonyms : divorce
Antonyms : connection
Example : “the dissolution of their marriage”
13) unfettered
Meaning : not confined or restricted.
Synonyms : divorce
Antonyms : connection
Example : “his imagination is unfettered by the laws of logic”
14) stretch
Meaning : (of something soft or elastic) be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking.
Synonyms : extend
Antonyms : contract
Example : “my jumper stretched in the wash”
15) obstinately
Meaning : stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.
Tamil Meaning : பிடிவாதமாக
Synonyms : adamant
Antonyms : amenable
Example : “her obstinate determination to pursue a career in radio”
16) indications
Meaning : a sign or piece of information that indicates something.
Tamil Meaning : அறிகுறிகள்
Synonyms : expression
Antonyms : misinformation
Example : “the visit was an indication of the improvement in relations between the countries”
17) reinstating
Meaning : restore (someone or something) to their former position or state.
Synonyms : renew
Antonyms : destroy
Example : “the union threatened strike action if Owen was not reinstated”
18) topple
Meaning : overbalance or cause to overbalance and fall.
Tamil Meaning : கவிழ்க்க
Synonyms : collapse
Antonyms : hold
Example : “she toppled over when I touched her”
19) distress
Meaning : extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
Tamil Meaning : துயரத்தில்
Synonyms :affliction
Antonyms : aid
Example : “to his distress he saw that she was trembling”
20) impacting
Meaning : come into forcible contact with another object.
Tamil Meaning : பாதிக்கிறது
Synonyms : clash
Antonyms : compliment
Example : “the shell impacted twenty yards away”
21) exhibit
Meaning : publicly display (a work of art or item of interest) in an art gallery or museum or at a trade fair.
Tamil Meaning : கண்காட்சியின்
Synonyms : display
Antonyms : hiding
Example : “only one sculpture was exhibited in the artist’s lifetime”
22) unpredictability
Meaning : inability to be predicted; changeability.
Tamil Meaning : கணிக்க முடியாத
Synonyms : anxiety
Antonyms : calm
Example : “the unpredictability of the British weather”
23) owing
Meaning : (of money) yet to be paid.
Synonyms : due
Antonyms : green
Example : “no rent was owing”
24) hedging
Meaning : the planting or trimming of hedges.
Tamil Meaning :
Synonyms : sidestep
Antonyms : meet
Example : “contract work for hedging and ditching”
25) cartelised
Meaning : (of manufacturers or suppliers) form a cartel in (an industry or trade).
Synonyms : assemble
Antonyms : divide
Example : “the domestic industry retains the benefits of its expanded productivity by cartelizing the market”
26) resort
Meaning : turn to and adopt (a course of action, especially an extreme or undesirable one) so as to resolve a difficult situation.
Synonyms : retreat
Example : “the duke was prepared to resort to force if negotiation failed”
27) waivers
Meaning :an act or instance of waiving a right or claim.
Tamil Meaning : சலுகை
Synonyms : remission
Antonyms : approval
Example : “their acquiescence could amount to a waiver”
28) relieve
Meaning : cause (pain, distress, or difficulty) to become less severe or serious.
Tamil Meaning : விடுவிப்பதற்காக
Synonyms : alleviate
Antonyms : distress
Example : “the drug was used to promote sleep and to relieve pain”
29) verdict
Meaning : a decision on an issue of fact in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
Tamil Meaning : தீர்ப்பு
Synonyms : decision
Antonyms : accusation
Example : “the jury returned a verdict of not guilty”
30) implementation
Meaning : the process of putting a decision or plan into effect; execution.
Tamil Meaning : செயல்படுத்த
Synonyms : application
Antonyms : failure
Example : “she was responsible for the implementation of the plan”
31) adopt
Meaning : legally take (another’s child) and bring it up as one’s own.
Synonyms : accept
Antonyms : disagree
Example : “there are many people eager to adopt a baby”
32) prod
Meaning : poke with a finger, foot, or pointed object.
Synonyms : nudge
Antonyms : discourage
Example : “he prodded her in the ribs”
33) stance
Meaning : the way in which someone stands, especially when deliberately adopted (as in cricket, golf, and other sports); a person’s posture.
Tamil Meaning : நிலைப்பாடு
Synonyms : posture
Example : “she altered her stance, resting all her weight on one leg”
34) protest
Meaning : a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.
Tamil Meaning : எதிர்ப்பு
Synonyms : riot
Antonyms : calm
Example : “the British team lodged an official protest”
35) crucial
Meaning : decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something.
Tamil Meaning : முக்கியமான
Synonyms : decisive
Antonyms : optional
Example : “negotiations were at a crucial stage”
36) grabbing
Meaning : grasp or seize suddenly and roughly.
Synonyms : capture
Antonyms : give
Example : “she grabbed him by the shirt collar”
37) enable
Meaning : give (someone) the authority or means to do something; make it possible for.
Tamil Meaning : செயல்படுத்த
Synonyms : empower
Antonyms : delay
Example : “the evidence would enable us to arrive at firm conclusions”
38) protest
Meaning : a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.
Tamil Meaning : எதிர்ப்பு
Synonyms : challenge
Antonyms : answer
Example : “the British team lodged an official protest”
39) lofty
Meaning : of imposing height.
Tamil Meaning : உயரமான
Synonyms : soaring
Antonyms : beneath
Example : “the elegant square was shaded by lofty palms”
40) citing
Meaning : refer to (a passage, book, or author) as evidence for or justification of an argument or statement, especially in a scholarly work.
Tamil Meaning : மேற்கோள்காட்டி
Synonyms : allege
Antonyms : conceal
Example : “authors who are highly regarded by their peers tend to be cited”
Aspirants can check the Whole planner of IBPS CLERK Prelims Exam 2018 from the below given link.
IBPS CLERK prelims Exam 2018 – Planner
THE HINDU EDITORIAL : DECEMBER 10, 2018
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