SIX YEARS ON LOKPAL IS A NONSTARTER
The massive public campaign in 2011 demanding an independent anti-corruption ombudsman resulted in the passage of the Lokpal law. The preambular statement of The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 notes that the law has been enacted to ensure prompt and fair investigation and prosecution in cases of corruption against public servants. The Lokpal was envisioned […]
FIRST CALL
Sri Lanka’s new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, visited India in November, and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, after a five-day tour, visited India. Joint India-Japan proposal for the East Container Terminal at Colombo. Mahinda Rajapaksa has also discussed extending the $400-million Line of Credit and India’s further assistance for nationwide housing.
INDIAN RAILWAYS PRODUCES HIGH HORSE POWER LOCOMOTIVE
Why in news? The First 12000 HP made in India Locomotive, manufactured by Madhepura Electric Loco Factory situated in Bihar, was put into operation by Indian Railways. Significance! It is the first time, high horse power locomotive has been operationalised on broad gauge track in the world. Proud moment for Indian Railways, as it became 6th country […]
LOWER RATE OF EPF SUBSCRIPTION WITH EPFO NOTIFIED
Why in news? The reduction in statutory rate of contributions from 12% to 10% for wage months May, 2020, June, 2020 and July, 2020 for all class of establishments covered under the EPF & MP Act, 1952 was announced on 13th May 2020. Details The above reduction of rate of contribution is not applicable to establishments like Central and State […]
STAR RATING OF GARBAGE FREE CITIES
Why in news? The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and announced the results of Star rating of garbage free cities for the assessment year 2019-2020. A total of six cities have been certified as 5-Star, 65 cities as 3-Star and 70 cities as 1-Star. While announcing the results of the Star Rating of […]
NCMC RECONVENES TO OVERSEE PREPAREDNESS FOR AMPHAN
Why in news? The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) held a meeting to review the preparedness of States and Central Ministries/Agencies to deal with the Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’. Expected impact of Amphan India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that the Super Cyclone is expected to impact the West Bengal coast by the afternoon/evening of 20th […]
A MIX INDIAN HEALTHCARE CAN DO WITHOUT
Why in news? Ayushman Bharat entails diverting limited resources towards wasteful areas, ignoring productive fields in public health Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS), aims to provide insurance cover to nearly 50 crore poor Indians. Government is keen in identifying the fraud beneficiaries which could divert the resources. Recently, 171 hospitals were reported to have […]
SAFEGUARDING THE DELTA
Why in news? Cauvery delta region has been announced by Tamil Nadu as protected special agricultural zone, which includes 8 districts of the state. The delta, which produces 33 lakh tonnes of grains in 28 lakh acres, has seen multiple protests for a decade over methane, hydrocarbon, oil and natural gas projects, which required acquisition […]
RESERVATION AS RIGHT : ON SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT
Why in news? Recent Supreme Court judgment, that there is no fundamental right to claim reservation in promotions, has caused some political alarm. The state is not bound to provide reservations, but if it does so, it must be in favour of sections that are backward and inadequately represented in the services based on quantifiable data. […]
MAPPING LIFE: GENOME INDIA PROJECT
Details: The Genome India Project, a collaboration of 20 institutions including the Indian Institute of Science and some IITs, will enable new efficiencies in medicine, agriculture and the life sciences. Uses would be in personalised medicine, anticipating diseases and modulating treatment according to the genome of patients. If propensities to disease can be mapped to […]