Author: ForumIAS

‘Banks may need to forgo Rs. 2.4 lakh crore’: (60% haircut needed to settle 50 large stressed assets with Rs 4 lakh cr debt: Crisil) Context: Banks may have to take a haircut of 60 per cent, worth ₹2.4 lakh crore, to settle 50 large stressed assets with debt of ₹4 lakh crore, according to… Continue reading ‘Banks may need to forgo Rs. 2.4 lakh crore’:

Ministry, NITI Aayog moot privatisation of select services in district hospitals (NITI Aayog’s Public Private Partnership) Context Under proposed PPP model of NITI Aayog, private players will get 30-year leases on space in district hospitals NITI Aayog and Health Ministry’s Stand As a part of a radical ‘privatisation project’, the Health Ministry and the NITI… Continue reading Ministry, NITI Aayog moot privatisation of select services in district hospitals (NITI Aayog’s Public Private Partnership)

U.S. blames Pakistan for going soft on Lashkar and Jaish The Country Reports on Terrorism Context The State Department’s annual ‘Country Reports on Terrorism’ released identifies that the Indian leadership expressed resolve to redouble efforts, in cooperation with the United States and other like-minded countries, to bring to justice the perpetrators of terrorism. The report… Continue reading U.S. blames Pakistan for going soft on Lashkar and Jaish

BITs and pieces of trade with Israel: (The Hindu, Editorial) India-Israel relationship: Trade and Potential BIT Context The bilateral relationship growing and potential of Investments seems increasing. Growing trade relations Bilateral merchandise trade increased from $200 million in 1992 to around $4 billion in 2016, an increase of 2,000% in 25 years. Cumulative foreign direct… Continue reading BITs and pieces of trade with Israel:

A new (agri)culture: Context: The situation of the farmers was never very good to begin with, but has been steadily declining and has reached its nadir right now Introduction: In any food crisis, it is the top of the food chain that suffers the most. In the case of farmer’s distress, the top of food… Continue reading A new (agri)culture:

Taxing Body Parts: (Indian Express, Editorial) Cropping pattern, Agriculture, e-technology Tax on survival necessity Context: GST on aids, appliances for disabled directs to the government’s misplaced priorities. The Paradox: Items of luxury, whose deprivation causes no challenge to human existence, are being prioritized instead of aids and appliances that are essential items for persons with… Continue reading Taxing Body Parts

‘Cement prices may rebound with supply-demand boost’: Demonetisation impact wearing off since Q1 of FY 18: ICRA Context: Rating agency ICRA on Thursday said that it expected cement demand growth to recover to about 5% during 2017-18 as against a decline of 1.2% in 2016-17, driven by a pick-up in the infrastructure segment, mostly road… Continue reading ‘Cement prices may rebound with supply-demand boost’:

‘GSTN, CBDT to share data’: Data exchange, analytics can help stop tax evasion Context: The Goods and Services Tax Network and the Central Board of Direct Taxes will soon join hands to share data to stop tax evasion, GST Network Chairman Navin Kumar said Key points: Vendors from whom small businessmen buy products or services… Continue reading ‘GSTN, CBDT to share data’:

Has SC already given tacit approval for Aadhar?: SC to take a call on Adhaar Context: The batch of matters challenging the Aadhar Scheme has been pending for years with no fruitful result. In regard to the issue of right to privacy, it may be illusory but it is mandatory on the court to determine… Continue reading Has SC already given tacit approval for Aadhar?: