GEOGRAPHY OF FARMER SUICIDES
Why in news? Farmer suicides have not increased, New data and research in recent years and may have more complex causes than falling incomes or rising indebtedness. Details The overall farmer suicide rate decreases in India but Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala remain suicide hotspots even with doubts about NCRB data The ultimate sign of distress […]
ANTI-PROFITEERING BODY STEPS UP GST COMPLIANCE DRIVE
Why in news? NAA with the Centre stepping up a GST, A wave of orders is expected in the months of February, March and April of 2020, with the Centre stepping up a goods and services tax (GST) compliance drive. Background The National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) was established under section 171 of the Central Goods […]
RETAIL INFLATION AT 5 YEAR HIGH IN DECEMBER
Why in news? NSO data : Retail Inflation Retail inflation soared to a five year high of 7.35% in December 2019. NSO: retail inflation based on CPI was only 2.11% in December 2018 and 5.45% in November 2019. More about CPI NSO data : Retail Inflation, The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure that […]
ORDINANCE PROMULGATED FOR AMENDMENT OF MMDR ACT AND CMSP ACT
Why in news? The ordinance for amendment in the MMDR Act 1957 and the CMSP Act 2015 has been promulgated. The Union Cabinet had earlier approved the amendments intending to open up new areas of growth in the coal & mining sector. Details The amendments in the Acts would enable the following: Enhancing the ease […]
SEZ POLICY REVAMPED TO MEET CHALLENGES FACED BY EXPORTERS
Why in news? Commerce and Industry & Railways Minister chaired a meeting 9th January 2020, in New Delhi to review the remaining recommendations of the Baba Kalyani report on Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy of India. Details Commerce and Industry Minister examined the revamp of the SEZ policy with a view to meeting the global […]
STATE ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDEX 2019
Why in news? Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy and Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship released the ‘State Energy Efficiency Index 2019’ on 10th January 2020. Details of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Index 2019’, which tracks the progress of Energy Efficiency (EE) […]
IIP REVERSES SLUMP, GROWS BY 1.8% IN NOVEMBER
Why in news? Having contracted for three months in a row, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded a growth of 1.8% in November 2019, mainly on account of an improvement in the manufacturing sector, official data showed on 10th January 2020. The IIP growth in November 2018 was 0.2%. Details According to the National […]
REALITY CHECK: ON GOVT. PROJECTING SLOWER GDP GROWTH
Why in news? The National Statistical Office (NSO) has estimated that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will expand by 5% in the 12month period, in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s sharp downward revision last month in its full year growth forecast from 6.1% projected earlier, to 5%. GDP growth estimates Pace of growth slumped […]