9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 4, 2019

Taliban to meet Afghan Opposition in Moscow News: Taliban would hold a meeting with Afghanistan’s opposition parties in Moscow, Russia this week. Facts: The Taliban said that it will send a delegation to Russia for a meeting with Afghan Opposition leaders, just days after peace talks with the U.S. that excluded the Kabul government. The… Continue reading Taliban to meet Afghan Opposition in Moscow

Legitimacy of the basic structure News: The article discusses the foundations of basic structure and its legitimacy. Facts: More than 45 years have passed since the Supreme Court ruled in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala that Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution was not unlimited, that was limited by Constitution’s basic structure. Criticisms of the basic… Continue reading Legitimacy of the basic structure

Courts must be guided by constitutional morality: CJI News: The article discusses about the importance of constitutional morality for courts. Facts: Chief Justice of India said constitutional courts must rely on the principles of constitutional morality to test the validity of State actions. Constitutional morality is devised as judges cannot apply their personal notions to… Continue reading Courts must be guided by constitutional morality: CJI

Centre’s crackdown hits Greenpeace News Environmental group Greenpeace has been forced to shut two of its regional offices in India due to a block on its bank account after accusations of illegal donations. Important Facts The Issue: Greenpeace has been barred from receiving foreign donations since 2015 as part of a nationwide crackdown on charities.… Continue reading Centre’s crackdown hits Greenpeace

The boundaries of welfare News: The article discusses the provisions laid out in the interim budget 2019-20. Facts: PM-KISAN scheme: As per PM-KISAN scheme, 12 crore “small landholding families” are to be given Rs 6,000 each annually. The scheme does not distinguish between irrigated and un-irrigated tracts. As both labourers and tenants are left out… Continue reading The boundaries of welfare

After plastic bags, ban on water sachets mooted in Araku Valley News The officials of Integrated Tribal Regional Development Authority (ITDA), Paderu are planning to enforce a prohibition on the sale of plastic water sachets in Araku valley. Important Facts According to officials, the water sachets amount to around 40% to 50% of the total… Continue reading After plastic bags, ban on water sachets mooted in Araku Valley

Interim Budget 2019: A booster dose for consumption, investment News CRISIL estimates suggests that the Interim Budget could boost consumption and that, in turn, would impel the private investment cycle. Important Facts Factors contributing to consumer demand: According to CRISIL, PM Kisan scheme would boost profit from farming by 22%. The tax rebates for those… Continue reading Interim Budget 2019: A booster dose for consumption, investment