The government’s crop insurance scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has witnessed a rise in claims ratio from farmers across the country in fiscal 2018-19. The higher claims ratio means farmers have claimed a larger amount of the crop insurance portfolio under the scheme as against portfolio in the previous year. Most of the… Continue reading Crop insurance claims surge, delay in disbursals falls
Author: ForumIAS
India’s first solar-powered cruise vessel
Kerala’ State Water Transport Department (SWTD) has decided to launch India’s first premier solar-powered cruise boat in Alappuzha by December 2019. The cruise boat will be powered by a motor that can source energy from solar panels, battery, and generator. Its battery will have 80 KWh (kilowatt hour) power backup. It will be able to… Continue reading India’s first solar-powered cruise vessel
President Ram Nath Kovind addresses joint session of Parliament: Highlights
President has addressed a joint session of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at the central hall. Article 87 of the constitution provides two instances when the President specially addresses both Houses of Parliament (a)President of India addresses both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha at the beginning of the first Session after each general… Continue reading President Ram Nath Kovind addresses joint session of Parliament: Highlights
Himalayan glaciers are melting twice as fast since 2000: study
According to a new study published in Science Advances, that rate of ice loss in the Himalayan glaciers from 2000 to 2016 is double that from the period 1975 to 2000. The researchers constructed a 40-year record with 3D modelling, using declassified Cold War-era spy satellite images and more recent satellite photos According to the… Continue reading Himalayan glaciers are melting twice as fast since 2000: study
No H1B Visa caps in retaliation for data localisation:U.S State Department
The US state department has said the US has no plans to restrict H-1B work visas for countries that force international firms to store data locally. This statement came in the backdrop of a report which had said that the U.S. was considering capping H1Bs at 10-15% of all H1Bs for countries that had a… Continue reading No H1B Visa caps in retaliation for data localisation:U.S State Department
First “song” recorded from rare, lovelorn, right whale off Alaska
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researchers have announced that they have documented vocalisations made by eastern North Pacific right whales (Eubalaena japonica) in the Bering Sea. It is the first confirmed “song” from any right whale population. Right whales are known make gunshot sounds. The newly-recorded noise sounded like a song because of the… Continue reading First “song” recorded from rare, lovelorn, right whale off Alaska
Japan’s ‘washi’ paper torn by modern life; struggles to attract customers
Washi, craftsmanship of traditional Japanese hand-made paper, has been struggling to attract consumers and the market value has dropped by more than 50% in the last 20 years. Washi The paper is made from the fibres of the kozo or mulberry plant. The fibres of the plant are much longer than materials used for paper… Continue reading Japan’s ‘washi’ paper torn by modern life; struggles to attract customers
A water clinic for elephants opens on the banks of the Yamuna
India has opened its first specialised hydrotherapy treatment for elephants suffering from arthritis,joint pain and foot ailments. Hydrotherapy is a form of physical therapy that uses the therapeutic benefits of water to perform physical rehabilitation in animals. The treatment centre is situated on the banks of the Yamuna in Mathura near the Wildlife SOS’ Elephant… Continue reading A water clinic for elephants opens on the banks of the Yamuna
Iran Revolutionary Guard shoots down U.S. drone amid tensions
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has shot down a US drone in the southern province of Hormozgan,Iran. The drone was unmanned and unarmed.The RQ-4A Global Hawk drone is essentially a high-altitude robot used for surveillance over the ocean and coastal areas. This comes after US had blamed Iran for recent attacks on foreign shipping tankers that took… Continue reading Iran Revolutionary Guard shoots down U.S. drone amid tensions
Council may consider GST cut on EVs
GST Council may cut the goods and services tax(GST) on electric vehicles to 5% from 12% to provide a stimulus to the sector. The lower rate are expected to encourage global manufacturers to invest in India’s planned shift to electric vehicles in order to try and bring down pollution levels. The Niti Aayog has prepared… Continue reading Council may consider GST cut on EVs
