Author: ForumIAS

Need to bolster WTO process’  Context The World Trade Organisation (WTO) process needs to be strengthened and taken forward as India has a strategic interest in the functioning of the multilateral trade system, according to Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu. Backdrop Briefing members of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in a closed-door meeting… Continue reading Need to bolster WTO process’ 

Northeast policy to aid trade with ASEAN’  Context The new Industrial Policy being framed for the development of industries in the northeast would prove catalytic to the trade with southeast Asian nations, according to the government. Govt. to work on improving FDI inflow The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, in its report on trade… Continue reading Northeast policy to aid trade with ASEAN’ 

CAG picks flaws in Centre’s accounting  Context The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has highlighted several flaws in the Union government’s accounting procedures for the financial year 2015-16, which could have led to an understatement of the fiscal deficit and revenue deficit for that year FRBM audit shows FY16 fiscal deficit possibly understated… Continue reading CAG picks flaws in Centre’s accounting 

Seeing through a glass darkly: on combating terrorism Context Terrorism Different type of attacks Recent attacks in Europe and parts of Asia, from 2015 to 2017 — beginning with the attack on the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris in January 2015 The major incidents at Brussels and Istanbul Ataturk airports as well as the Bastille Day… Continue reading Seeing through a glass darkly: on combating terrorism

Centre examining health effects of e-cigarettes: Nadda  Context The government is examining the legal implications and health effects of e-cigarettes, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda told the RajyaSabha on Tuesday Groups constituted by government Health Ministry had constituted three groups to study the various aspects of e-cigarettes One was to study the legal implications of… Continue reading Centre examining health effects of e-cigarettes: Nadda 

Ensure level-playing field for the disabled in higher educational institutions: SC Context Higher educational institutions, both government ones and those who take government aid, should ensure a level-playing field for disabled persons or face action for discrimination, the  Supreme Court warned Appropriate statute The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act provides for not less than… Continue reading Ensure level-playing field for the disabled in higher educational institutions: SC

Govt. defends special courts for politicians  Context Finance Minister ArunJaitley on Tuesday defended the government’s decision to set up fast track courts for dealing with criminal cases against politicians and said lawmakers should take the lead in setting an example. Opposition to SC directive Earlier, Opposition parties, led by the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, raised… Continue reading Govt. defends special courts for politicians 

LS passes 2 bills to repeal 245 old laws Context                                                                                   The LokSabha   on Tuesday passed two Bills to  repeal 245 obsolete and archaic laws, including the 158-year-old  Calcutta Pilots Act of 1859 and the 1911 Prevention of Seditious Meeting Act. A Progressive Move The old and many irrelevant pre-independence laws were the “unfortunate part… Continue reading LS passes 2 bills to repeal 245 old laws

Parliament gives nod to IIM bill  Context Parliament on Tuesday unanimously passed a Bill to grant the Indian Institutes of Management the power to grant degrees instead of post-graduate diplomas. The Bill features As per the IIM Bill, 2017, a Board of Governors will appoint the Director of each IIM. The Bill also allows students… Continue reading Parliament gives nod to IIM bill 

Privacy in cyberspace  Context Protecting individual rights should be at the core of data protection legislation Report of the Data Protection Committee When the government set up the committee on Data Protection in India, led by Justice B.N. Srikrishna, it said that the objective “is to ensure growth of the digital economy while keeping personal… Continue reading Privacy in cyberspace