Daily Hindu Editorials

Couples in live-in relations cannot adopt (GS 2 Gov) CARA has barred partners in live-in relationships from adopting a child. This has been done on the ground that cohabitation without marriage is not considered a stable family in India. Details:  The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) permits a single woman to adopt a child of any gender, while single men can adopt only boys. In case an applicant is married, both spouses must give their consent for adoption and should be in a stable marriage for at least two years. Candidates must be physically fit, financially sound, mentally alert and highly motivated to adopt a child, as per the Adoption Regulations 2017. It has been decided that the cases of single PAP (prospective adopting parent) in a live-in relationship with a partner will not be considered eligible to adopt a child and their registration through the AFAAs (authorized foreign adoption agencies) will not be considered for approval. The decision was tak...

Global warming may take its toll on vegetables (GS 3 Env) Global warming is expected to make vegetables significantly scarcer around the world, unless new growing practices and resilient crop varieties are adopted. By the end of this century, less water and hotter air will combine to cut average yields of vegetables — which are crucial to a healthy diet — by nearly one third. Details:  A 4 degree Celsius increase in temperature, which scientists expect by 2100 if global warming continues on its current trajectory, reduces average yields by 31.5%. The study shows that environmental changes such as increased temperature and water scarcity may pose a real threat to global agricultural production, with likely further impacts on food security and population health. Southern Europe, large parts of Africa and South Asia may be particularly affected. The findings are based on a systematic review of 174 studies examining the impact of environmental exposures on yield and nutri...

‘Govt. set to unveil 500 cr. credit enhancement fund (GS 3 Eco) The government is set to unveil a 500-crore credit enhancement fund next month to facilitate infrastructure investments by insurance and pension funds. Details:  India is launching a dedicated fund to provide credit enhancement for infrastructure projects which will help in upgrading credit ratings of bonds issued by infrastructure companies and facilitate investment from investors like pension and insurance funds. The initial corpus of the fund, to be sponsored by IIFCL (India Infrastructure Finance Company), will be 500 crore, and it will operate as a non-banking finance company. There is a “mismatch” at present, where bonds floated by infrastructure finance firms are typically rated BBB, whereas regulatory agencies mandate a rating of at least ‘AA’ for investments by the long-term pension and insurance funds. IIFCL will hold a 22.5% stake in the NBFC, while the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AII...

Insolvency Code Amendment (GS 3 Eco) President Ram Nath Kovind has given his nod to promulgate the Insolvency and Bankruptcy code (Amendment) Ordinance 2018. Details:  The bankruptcy code is a one stop solution for resolving insolvencies which at present is a long process and does not offer an economically viable arrangement. A strong insolvency framework where the cost and the time incurred is minimized in attaining liquidation has been long overdue in India. The code will be able to protect the interests of small investors and make the process of doing business a less cumbersome process. President Ram Nath Kovind has assented to the promulgation of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 on June 6, 2018. This ordinance makes some fine-tuning mechanisms in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. This ordinance brings some specific changes affecting mainly real estate and financial sectors. The notable changes are as follows: Homebuyers would now b...