A panel of experts has recommended upgrading Union human resource development(HRD) ministry’s free e-learning Swayam platform to a virtual university to meet growing demand for quality education. The proposal is part of the ministry’s five-year vision plan called Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme(EQUIP). The panel has also proposed reconstituting Swayam into a separate autonomous… Continue reading Panel calls for upgrading e-learning platform to virtual university
Author: ForumIAS
IWAI Ship Carrying Cargo From Bhutan To Bangladesh
India has flagged off a ship of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) carrying stones from Bhutan to be delivered in Bangladesh. The ship has set sail from Dhubri in Assam and will travel to Narayanganj in Bangladesh over river Brahmaputra and the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route. This is the first time an Indian… Continue reading IWAI Ship Carrying Cargo From Bhutan To Bangladesh
Govt to look at applicability of 20% tax on ongoing share buyback issues
The Finance Ministry has said that it will look into the applicability of 20% tax proposed in the 2019-20 Budget on the current share buybacks by listed companies. This tax was proposed in the budget to discourage the practice of avoiding Dividend Distribution Tax(DDT) through buybacks by listed companies. Dividend Distribution Tax(DDT) is paid by… Continue reading Govt to look at applicability of 20% tax on ongoing share buyback issues
Fourth anniversary of Skill India Mission being observed today
The fourth anniversary of the Skill India Mission is being observed on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day. The United Nations had declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day.This day is celebrated to promote youth skills development and abilities. The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2019 is ‘Learning to learn for life… Continue reading Fourth anniversary of Skill India Mission being observed today
DPIIT to soon float draft national retail policy to seek stakeholders’ views
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT) will soon introduce draft national retail policy.The policy is aimed at promoting growth of 65 million small traders. The main elements of the policy includes (a)promoting ease of doing business (b)licensing (c)access to funds (d)direct selling and (e)hyper-market related matters. This policy is expected to cover… Continue reading DPIIT to soon float draft national retail policy to seek stakeholders’ views
Tribal SHG women create an organic agro revolution
Recently,a self-help group of tribal women in Wayanad,Kerala has decided to launch a project to carry out organic farming over 100 acres possibly making this the largest tribal foray into organic farming. The members of this group were guided to organic farming by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra(KVK) under the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Organic farming… Continue reading Tribal SHG women create an organic agro revolution
Govt eyes direct transfer of fertilizer subsidy
The government has been preparing to move on a proposal for direct cash transfer(DBT) of fertilizer subsidy amount to farmers bank accounts. This proposal is aimed at disincentivizing farmers from excessive use of chemical fertilizers. The funds transferred will be used only for buying soil nutrients while two options are being explored to decide the… Continue reading Govt eyes direct transfer of fertilizer subsidy
India elbowed out of Afghanistan peace talks
Pakistan has for the first time joined the US, Russia and China’s trilateral consultations on the Afghanistan peace process. The four countries have jointly urged the Taliban to immediately agree to a ceasefire and begin direct negotiations with the Afghanistan government to end the 18-year violence in the war-torn country. However,India has neither been included… Continue reading India elbowed out of Afghanistan peace talks
Govt readies plan for second wave of asset monetisation
Government will soon recommend a second list of Public Sector Units (PSU) assets that could be monetised to raise resources for fresh investment by these undertakings. The Union Budget 2019 has set a high target of Rs 1.05 lakh crore from disinvestment for the current fiscal year compared with Rs 90,000 crore in the Interim… Continue reading Govt readies plan for second wave of asset monetisation
Kartarpur Gurudwara: Pakistan agrees to allow year-long visa-free access
Indian and Pakistani officials had met at Wagah border to hold discussions on the Kartarpur corridor. Pakistan has agreed to allow visa-free travel for Indian passport holders and Overseas Citizens of India(OCI) through the Kartarpur corridor. Pakistan has also agreed to let 5,000 pilgrims visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara every day for all seven days… Continue reading Kartarpur Gurudwara: Pakistan agrees to allow year-long visa-free access
