Author: ForumIAS

Capturing crime — on the NCRB data for 2016  Context NCRB Data for 2016 Author’s contention The National Crime Records Bureau data for 2016 on two important aspects, violent crime and crime against women, should prompt State governments to make a serious study of the underlying causes Data Not all States are equally affected from violent crimes… Continue reading Capturing crime — on the NCRB data for 2016 

The gag on free speech  Context Recent actions by the Indian judiciary suggest a trend of creeping censorship What has happened? A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court, hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati fake encounter cases, has issued a gag order prohibiting the press from reporting on the court proceedings This order,… Continue reading The gag on free speech 

A cyclone called Ockhi — why this is raising such an unusual storm Context Cyclones are no strangers to the Indian coast, our east coast in particular witnessing several cyclonic storms each year. Yet, Ockhi, the latest powerful cyclone, is unlike other recent ones Where do cyclones originate in India? In India cyclones originate in… Continue reading A cyclone called Ockhi — why this is raising such an unusual storm

After the storm Context Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have systems in place to tackle the seasonal cyclones, but Kerala was found wanting. The northeast monsoon, which is often accompanied by cyclonic winds, brings rainfall to Kerala Authors’ contention Clear and timely predictions can help limit the loss of human life. In the case… Continue reading After the storm

From Plate to Plough: Agri-futures, like China Context In November, prices of most major kharif crops crashed below their respective minimum support prices (MSPs), triggering farm distress. One of the many reasons behind this situation is that planting decisions of our farmers are based on last year’s prices, rather than the prices expected at the… Continue reading From Plate to Plough: Agri-futures, like China

Centre prepares to redefine ‘employment’ Context Panel to bat for ‘pragmatic’ approach to classify formal work Job creation The government’s own data showed that job creation in the formal sector was slowest in almost a decade, but it has said that it felt the ground reality on jobs was not being ‘properly’ captured as the… Continue reading Centre prepares to redefine ‘employment’

Bail-in doubts Context The government needs to re-­examine the proposed financial resolution legislation Concerns about Bail-in clause Introduced in Parliament this August, it has caused great anxiety about the safety of funds parked by millions of households in bank deposits — fears that it will enable banks to be ‘bailed in’ by depositors’ funds rather… Continue reading Bail-in doubts

A lifeline, interrupted – Context Government is prioritizing savings over MGNREGA and rights of the poor Author’s contention There are prominent ways in which it is evident that the government is prioritizing saving at the cost of its poorest people — a breach of the law and the Constitution Present situation In 2017, more than 80… Continue reading A lifeline, interrupted –

Stand up against torture Context India has undermined its prestige by repeatedly promising — and failing — to ratify the Convention against Torture Convention against torture The Convention Against Torture (CAT) came into force in 1987 and India signed it in 1997. Today, the CAT has 162 state parties; 83 are signatories India in the… Continue reading Stand up against torture

21st century India cannot shun leprosy patients: SC Context Twenty­ first century society cannot justify shunning persons affected by leprosy or keeping them hidden in homes and away from the mainstream, the Supreme Court declared in an order on Monday What has happened? A bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, acting on a PIL… Continue reading 21st century India cannot shun leprosy patients: SC