NEEDED: FEWER REGULATIONS FOR START-UPS
India needs to work on improving the ease of doing business, especially the ease of starting business, registering property, paying taxes, or enforcing contracts, according to the Economic Survey. Cumbersome norms “If you want to start up a firm in India, it takes 18 days on an average with 10 procedures that can be often […]
CROP DUSTING WITH DRONES IS ILLEGAL, SAYS CENTRE
Why in news? Use of drones for agrochemical spraying had increased of late. This would create a lot of problems. What are problems? Aerial spraying impacts a larger area, while decreasing the efficacy on the target pests. Eg. Kasargod in Kerala reeling under such impact due to aerial spraying of Endosulfan for over 25 years […]
WHO DECLARES CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK A GLOBAL EMERGENCY
The last time WHO declared a global health emergency was in 2019 for the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo that killed more than 2,000 people. The WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern when there is “an extraordinary event which is determined… to constitute a public health risk to other states through the […]
CEA SEES GROWTH REBOUNDING TO 6%
Why in news? The economic survey expects GDP growth to revive from the 5% estimated or this year to a range between 6%-6.5% next year. To make a point about how being pro-crony is different from being pro-business, the Survey refers to the gains made unfairly by stocks of connected companies before the CAG report […]
What is Union Budget?
According to Article 112 of the Indian Constitution, the Union Budget of a year, also referred to as the annual financial statement, is a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the government for that particular year. Theme 1: ASPIRATIONAL INDIA Agriculture Sector • Budget is aimed at doubling farmer income by 2022 by: State […]
NOD FOR 83 LCA TEJAS MK-1A
Focus: GS-III Internal Security, Science and Technology, Prelims Why in news? The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister on 18th March 2020, accorded approval for the procurement of 83 indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by “finalising the contractual and other issues”. The proposal will now […]
CALL DATA BEING USED TO IMPROVE QUALITY’: SURVEILLANCE CONCERNS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Prelims Why in news? Amid questions over possible surveillance and violation of privacy following bulk call data records being sought by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the government on 18th March 2020, asserted that the data was only being collected to analyse and improve the quality of telecom services and […]
SC STRIPS MANIPUR MINISTER OF HIS OFFICE
Focus: GS-II Governance, Prelims Why in news? In an extraordinary display of its constitutional powers, the Supreme Court on 18th March 2020, stripped Manipur Cabinet Minister, who is facing disqualification proceedings for defection, of his office and banned him from entering the Assembly with immediate effect. Article 142 The Supreme Court in the exercise of […]
NEW BILL HALVES TERMS OF PRESIDENTS, VPS OF LOCAL BODIES
Focus: GS-II Governance, Prelims Why in news? In an attempt to bring about major changes in the functioning of the rural local bodies in Karnataka, the government on 18th March 2020, tabled a new Bill to reduce the term of the offices of presidents and vice-presidents of gram panchayats, taluk panchayats, and zilla panchayats from […]
PANDEMIC COULD MAKE ANOTHER 25 MILLION JOBLESS
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, Science and Technology, Prelims Why in news? The COVID-19 pandemic will significantly increase global unemployment, leaving up to 25 million more people out of work, and will dramatically slash workers’ incomes, the United Nations said on 18th March 2020. Views of The International Labour Organization The economic and labour crisis sparked […]