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Info on Rafale is with enemies, says govt.
The court had asked the government to file an affidavit if the latter thought fit. The case, which is a review against the December 14 judgment of the apex court upholding the Rafale purchase, is scheduled for hearing on March 14.
Karnataka has most number of stolen artefacts; none recovered
At least 12 idols have been stolen from protected monuments in Karnataka in the past six years, and none of them has been recovered by the police.
Swachh Survekshan rankings criteria myopic, says CSE study
Are Swachh Survekshan rankings myopic? A study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a non-profit public interest research and advocacy group based in New Delhi, did a reality check of cities that secured the top 50 ranks in 2019.
Heavy-handed order: on contempt law
The Meghalaya High Court’s order finding the Editor and Publisher of Shillong Times guilty of contempt, and asking them to “sit in a corner” till the rising of the court and imposing a fine of ₹2 lakh each, is a heavy-handed response to comments in the newspaper on the court’s earlier orders.
The need for constitutional courage: on Ayodhya dispute
The Supreme Court’s decision to appoint a panel of mediators to resolve the long-standing Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid (Ayodhya) dispute is deeply problematic.
India’s grand strategy on Pakistan
When a society’s patience wears thin, one of two things typically happen. Either its leaders embark on a bold new direction, or they spin a story for their domestic audience and carry on as before.
A model policy for women in the police
Women constitute about 7% of the police strength in India. This number is expected to rise, with many States and Union Territories providing for 30% (and more) reservation for women in the police in specific ranks.
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China places hold on listing Azhar as designated terrorist
The U.S. has said Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) is a threat to regional stability and peace and that China preventing the UN designation of JeM leader Masood Azhar would run counter to the U.S. and China’s shared goals for stability.
Centre, Assam lax on illegal migration: SC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday blamed the Centre and the Assam government for being lax about tackling the illegal inflow of foreigners into the northeastern State and their deportation.
NGT directs Uttarakhand, U.P. to display Ganga water quality
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Boards to display the water quality of the Ganga at all strategic locations on a monthly basis, to indicate whether the river water is fit for drinking and bathing.
‘Much to gain if Paris climate goals are met’
India could save at least $3 trillion (Rs. 210 trillion approx.) in healthcare costs if it implemented policy initiatives consistent with ensuring that the globe didn’t heat up beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius by the turn of the century.
Manufacturing activity in the country continues to remain becalmed. The latest Index of Industrial Production data show that output across the broad sector expanded 1.3% in January, a clear loss of momentum from the 3% pace in December and a drastic slowdown from the 8.7% growth seen in January 2018.
CBDT yet to set up angel tax exemption infrastructure
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has not started work on setting up the back-end infrastructure required to automatically exempt registered start-ups from angel tax, as had been notified nearly a month ago.