VANDE BHARAT MISSION
Why in news? The Vande Bharat Mission to bring stranded Non-Resident Keralites back home in the wake of a global lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic got off to a firm start with two flights from the Gulf carrying 363 passengers touching down at the Cochin and Karipur airports on 7th May 2020. Vande Bharat Mission India […]
GOVT CLEARS “ROADBLOCK” TO FAST-TRACK PMEGP PROJECTS
Why in news? In a significant policy decision, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has done away with the role of District Level Task Force Committee (DLTFC), headed by the Distt. Collectors, in recommending the proposals under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Program (PMEGP), thereby simplifying the entire procedure. As per the […]
IT’S ABOUT FOOD, NUTRITION AND LIVELIHOOD SECURITY
Introduction The current national lockdown to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the problems of food, nutrition and livelihood security confronting a large number of rural people, in particular, migrants to cities. Some measures have been announced, such as: Provision of additional rice or wheat, some pulses and oil free of cost Rs. 1,000 cash […]
RELIGION AND FREEDOM: ON INDIA AND COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
Introduction Religious freedom is of paramount importance, not because it is about religion, but because it is about freedom. USCIRF Characterisation of India The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) characterised India as a country of particular concern, in its annual report. The Indian government repudiated the report. The U.S. has used arguments of […]
ONLY 30 LAKH FOUND MGNREGA WORK IN APRIL 2020
Why in news? Although the Centre gave explicit instructions to reopen its flagship rural jobs scheme from April 20, only 30 lakh people were provided work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in April, about 17% of the usual, government data show. In mid-April, only 1% of the usual number of […]
USCIRF DOWNGRADES INDIA IN 2020 LIST
Why in news? The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has downgraded India to the lowest ranking, “countries of particular concern” (CPC) in its 2020 report. India was categorised as a “Tier 2 country” in last year’s listing. This is the first time since 2004 that India has been placed in this category. The […]
6 SWAYAM COURSES IN TOP 30 ONLINE COURSES OF 2019
Why in news? The Class Central has released the list of best 30 online courses of 2019 out of which 6 courses are from SWAYAM. What is SWAYAM? SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active–Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) is a programme initiated by Government of India. SWAYAM platform is developed by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and […]
FOODGRAIN STOCK WILL LAST TILL NEXT MARCH: FCI
Why in news? The stock of foodgrains available with the Food Corporation of India is “comfortable” to manage the situation till March 2021, but it would be an exaggeration to hold that the stock is “far in excess” of the buffer stock requirement, which should include additional allocation, according to the Chairman and Managing Director […]
NO 100% QUOTA FOR TRIBAL TEACHERS: SC
Why in news? A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held it unconstitutional to provide 100% reservation for tribal teachers in schools located in Scheduled Areas across the country. The five-judge Bench was answering a reference made to it in 2016 on whether 100% reservation is permissible under the Constitution. What was said in […]
SKILL INDIA PROVIDES LIST OF CERTIFIED PLUMBERS FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Why in news? Taking cognisance of the need for essential services like plumbing during the on-going COVID 19 crisis, the Indian Plumbing Skills Council (IPSC) aligned to Skill India program, under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has prepared a database of over 900 plumbers who are ready to provide […]