The second informal meeting of trade ministers from about 20 member nations of the World Trade Organization(WTO) has started in India. During the meeting,India has raised the issue of deadlock in WTO’s dispute settlement body and attempts by developed nations to deny developing countries access to certain trade benefits. US has consistently blocked the appointment… Continue reading Discourse on WTO reform lacks balance
Author: ForumIAS
SC agrees to hear plea against Delhi HC verdict quashing cadre allocation of IAS, IPS officers
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a government appeal against the Delhi High Court’s decision to quash the cadre allocation of IAS and IPS officers of the 2018 batch. The Delhi high court’s verdict came on petitions filed by various officers. The petitioners had claimed that the interpretation of Cadre Allocation Policy 2017 adopted… Continue reading SC agrees to hear plea against Delhi HC verdict quashing cadre allocation of IAS, IPS officers
300 Himalayan yaks starve to death in Sikkim
According to a report,at least 300 rare Himalayan yaks have died of starvation in the high mountains in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim.They have died after a harsh and prolonged winter. The domestic yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired domesticated bovid found throughout the Himalayan region of the Indian subcontinent, the Tibetan Plateau and… Continue reading 300 Himalayan yaks starve to death in Sikkim
Experts ask NIN to withdraw report favouring Akshay Patra
A section of civil society has written a letter to the National Institute of Nutrition(NIN) to withdraw its report endorsing the Akshaya Patra Foundation (APF) refusal to follow a directive given by the Karnataka government to include onions and garlic in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Earlier,Karnataka government had sought a technical report from NIN following… Continue reading Experts ask NIN to withdraw report favouring Akshay Patra
Prashant Bhushan sends notice to Centre on Bt Brinjal
Recently,Senior advocate has sent a legal notice to Union Environment Minister asking for a freeze on all genetically modified organisms (including Bt Brinjal) including field trials. This notice comes in the backdrop of activist groups had said that they had found evidence of Bt Brinjal being grown in a farmer’s field in Haryana. He has… Continue reading Prashant Bhushan sends notice to Centre on Bt Brinjal
CPI inflation quickens to six-month high of 2.92% on food, fuel prices
According to the data released from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), retail inflation for the month of January has increased to a six month high of 2.92%.This has been primarily due to increase in food prices including vegetables, meat, fish and eggs. Retail inflation is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).CPI measures changes in… Continue reading CPI inflation quickens to six-month high of 2.92% on food, fuel prices
China hits back,imposes tariff hike on U.S. goods worth $60 bn
China has decided to impose tariffs on $60bn of US goods extending a bilateral trade war.This move comes after the US had more than doubled the tariffs on $200bn of Chinese imports. The United States and China were discussing a trade deal to end the trade war.However,the latest round of US-Chinese trade negotiations has ended… Continue reading China hits back,imposes tariff hike on U.S. goods worth $60 bn
Collegium recommends names for appointment as chief justices of 4 HCs
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the names of four High Court Judges for their appointment as Chief Justices of the High Courts of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana. Collegium system in India is the system by which the judges are appointed by the judges only also referred to as Judges-selecting- Judges.It is… Continue reading Collegium recommends names for appointment as chief justices of 4 HCs
ISRO hosts first batch of teen scientists
Indian space Research Organization (ISRO) is hosting first batch of students under the Young Scientists Programme, also known as YUva VIgyani KAryakram (YUVIKA). In January 2019, ISRO had announced “Young Scientist Programme”- a special programme for school children. The Program is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications… Continue reading ISRO hosts first batch of teen scientists
DNA database coming up for Indian rhino
The Union Environment Ministry has started a project to create DNA profiles of all rhinos in India. The deadline of the project is 2021. Once completed, the Indian rhino could be the first wild animal species in India to have all its members DNA-sequenced. Proponents of the project include World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India)… Continue reading DNA database coming up for Indian rhino
