Author: ForumIAS

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?:

Half of HIV-infected get treatment now: Access to HIV treatment on the block Context The latest UNAIDS report, released on Thursday, reveals that more than half of all People Living with HIV (PLHIV) now have access to HIV treatment. Sign of relief for patients The 2015 target of 15 million people on treatment have been… Continue reading Half of HIV-infected get treatment now:

Re-arming the law: (Indian Express, Editorial) Reframing country’s law Context: There is the emerging need of the Center and the Parliament to pass a Bill to deal with acts of violence so that each and every State Government will have better concrete legal action. Introduction: Not all lynching is cow-protection related. Some acts are frankly… Continue reading Re-arming the law:

WCO lauds India’s trade facilitation plan:  Trade Facilitation Pact to promote Ease of doing business: Context: The World Customs Organisation (WCO) describes India’s National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) as a best practice other nations can adopt. Introduction: A National Trade Facilitation Action Plan has been released for a time bound map for implementing of… Continue reading WCO lauds India’s trade facilitation plan:

Floor price for voice, data not ‘workable’, says TRAI: (The Hindu) TRAI rejects telcos proposal on flour price for voice Background: Recently, some telecom services providers, in a meeting with TRAI, had sought imposition of a floor price for both voice and data services. The telecom operators had argued that telcos offering below cost tariffs… Continue reading Floor price for voice, data not ‘workable’, says TRAI:

H1N1 returns: what can be done to control the virus: (The Hindu, Editorial) (H1N1 returns: Preventive measures you should take) Context: At least 22 people died of H1N1 infections in Mumbai in 2017, and more than 500 cases were registered Statistics related to H1N1 virus: This year, 12,500 people have been infected with the influenza… Continue reading H1N1 returns: what can be done to control the virus:

A stronger river referee: (Indian Express, Editorial) Inter-State River Water Disputes gets a new Bill Context: The government introduced the long-awaited Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill 2017. Introduction: The Interstate Water Disputes Act 1956, has been amended about half a dozen times. The amendments have stuck to a template, which relies exclusively on tribunals… Continue reading A stronger river referee: