Author: ForumIAS

Commercial coal mining opened for private sector Context: Opening up commercial coal mining for Indian and foreign companies in the private sector, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the methodology for auction of coal mines/blocks for sale of the commodity. Introduction: The government described the move as the most ambitious reform of the sector… Continue reading Commercial coal mining opened for private sector

For cleaner, fairer elections Electoral reforms in the hands of politicians is a classic example of a fox guarding the henhouse. While there are many policies that both major parties disagree with each other on, they form a remarkable tag team when it comes to electoral reforms. Context: The Supreme Court’s recent decision on information… Continue reading For cleaner, fairer elections

SC: spell out stand on MPs’ salary revision Context: The Supreme Court has asked the Union government to take a “categorical stand” on establishing an independent body to review the salaries and allowances of Members of Parliament and, possibly, scrap their post-retirement benefits and perks. Background: The petition, filed by NGO Lok Prahari, argued that… Continue reading SC: spell out stand on MPs’ salary revision

Mahanadi tribunal gets Central nod Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a tribunal to settle a row between Odhisa and Chhattisgarh on sharing the waters of the Mahanadi River. What will be the role of the Tribunal? The tribunal is expected to determine water sharing among basin States on the basis… Continue reading Mahanadi tribunal gets Central nod

China outbids India for stake in DSE Context: Bangladesh has agreed to sell a large stake in its stock exchange to a Chinese consortium What has happened? The Dhaka Stock Exchange on February 10th had approved the Chinese offer to buy a quarter of the bourse’s 1.8 billion shares Bangladesh’s financial regulator has asked it… Continue reading China outbids India for stake in DSE

Indian H-4 entrepreneurs in limbo as the U.S. rethinks visa rules Context: The Trump administration said in December 2017 that it was considering the discontinuation of work authorisation for H-4 visa holders, which may impact thousands of Indians Job authorisation: By providing the possibility of employment authorisation to certain H-4 dependent spouses, the rule will… Continue reading Indian H-4 entrepreneurs in limbo as the U.S. rethinks visa rules

Ask Myanmar to take back Rohingya: Hasina Context: Bangladesh’s Prime Minister has said that India should put pressure on Myanmar to take back the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh Details: Bangladesh Prime Minister has said that India should be more assertive so that the Rohingya can return to Myanmar She also said that her government has… Continue reading Ask Myanmar to take back Rohingya: Hasina

Maldives on a collision course with India Context: When India had sent a message asking the government not to extend the state of emergency, the Maldives has set for a collision course with India, as a parliamentary committee voted to extend the state of emergency by 30 days, defying India’s expectation. Emergency rule defying the… Continue reading Maldives on a collision course with India

‘China quietly holding talks with Baloch militants for CPEC’ Context: According to a media report, China has been quietly holding talks with Baloch militants in Pakistan’s restive Baluchistan province for over five years to protect its $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative. What is the issue? The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir… Continue reading ‘China quietly holding talks with Baloch militants for CPEC’

‘China deploys warships in Indian Ocean’ Context: According to a Chinese website, a Chinese naval contingent has been deployed in the East Indian Ocean What is in news? According to the report, the Blue 2018A fleet of the Chinese Navy has been training in the East Indian Ocean for a ‘week or so’ The website… Continue reading ‘China deploys warships in Indian Ocean’