Author: ForumIAS

Farmer Sutra: Jaitley focuses on the rural sector  Context Agriculture and health concerns of the poor addressed in the budget but the rest of the people have been left out MSP increased The government has decided to offer a minimum support price (MSP) of at least 1.5 times the expenses borne by farmers for all… Continue reading Farmer Sutra: Jaitley focuses on the rural sector 

Should India have simultaneous elections?  Context Simultaneous elections in India Why should India have simultaneous elections? Holding simultaneous elections will ensure consistency, continuity and governance MCC is detrimental to developmental work Five years mean five years of stable governance. A system must be evolved to give a period of five years to the incumbent government… Continue reading Should India have simultaneous elections? 

Nepal gets a high Rs. 650 crore outlay Context India’s annual financial allocation under the Union Budget ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy For India’s development and diplomatic engagement under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the Budget has allocated Rs. 5545 crore. Traditionally Bhutan gets highest Bhutan is traditionally the largest recipient of Ministry’s allocation. It has maintained the… Continue reading Nepal gets a high Rs. 650 crore outlay

Tulsi and ashvagandha to purify Neknampur Lake in Hyderabad Context Use of hydroponics to clean the Neknampur lake in Hyderabad What is hydroponics? Science of growing plants without soil Floating Treatment Wetland (FTW) Gently floating on the surface of Neknampur Lake is an artificial ‘island’ made of meticulously chosen plant species. The island is a… Continue reading Tulsi and ashvagandha to purify Neknampur Lake in Hyderabad

Centre’s plan may boost farmers’ solar power use Context The Centre has announced a Rs1.4 lakh-crore scheme for promoting decentralized solar power production of up to 28,250 MW to help farmers, according to R. K. Singh, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyan or KUSUM scheme The… Continue reading Centre’s plan may boost farmers’ solar power use

Dust mitigation plan must for firms Context The Environment Ministry has made it mandatory for companies seeking environment clearance to ensure that they put in place a dust mitigation plan Required standards Roads leading to or at construction sites must be paved and black-topped There could be no soil excavation without adequate dust mitigation measures… Continue reading Dust mitigation plan must for firms

Lower minimum employment rule to spur jobs: leather sector Context The leather industry has welcomed the Budget proposal to cut the minimum period of employment The change Earlier the Minimum period of employment was 240 days Now, Minimum period of employment is 150 days Intention behind the move The move is aimed at creating new… Continue reading Lower minimum employment rule to spur jobs: leather sector

Scorpene submarine programme makes progress Context Defense – Scorpene Submarine programme Scorpene class submarines with India INS Kalvari Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine was launched in January 2017, and is currently undergoing the rigorous phase of sea trials and is also scheduled to be delivered shortly Karanj was launched on, 31 January 2018. Karanj… Continue reading Scorpene submarine programme makes progress

SC admits CPI(M)’s plea against electoral bonds Context The Supreme Court on Friday admitted a petition filed by the CPI(M) and party general secretary Sitaram Yechury to strike down the government’s Electoral Bond Scheme 2018 and amendments in the Finance Act, 2017, which allows for “unlimited donations from individuals and foreign companies to political parties without any… Continue reading SC admits CPI(M)’s plea against electoral bonds

Supreme Court refers jallikattu challenge to Constitution Bench Context Jallikattu issue What happened? The Supreme Court on Friday referred to a Constitution Bench to decide whether the people of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra can conserve jallikattu and bullock-cart races as their cultural right and demand their protection under Article 29 (1) of the Constitution. What… Continue reading Supreme Court refers jallikattu challenge to Constitution Bench