Author: ForumIAS

Game-changer in quiet villages of Solapur Context: It is not before less than two years that woman in Waluj village of Mohol Taluka in Solapur district, 400 km from Mumbai, knew what a gram sabha was. The turning point: Before the onset of 2017 summer, over 50 women marched to the gram sabha demanding job… Continue reading Game-changer in quiet villages of Solapur

Saving lives Context: According to the recent Unicef Report “Every Child Alive”, India, with nearly 600,000 newborn deaths each year, accounts for a quarter of the global burden of neonatal deaths. It needs political will for India to bring down its shamefully high newborn mortality rate Highlights of the Report: Of the 184 countries, which… Continue reading Saving lives

The champions of clean air Context: At a time when clean air is turning into a rare commodity in India, battle of five Indians for a cleaner air offers a ray of hope to fellow citizens Here are five inspiring stories:  A marathon battle: In November 2017, when pollution was at its peak in New… Continue reading The champions of clean air

‘Unplanned development plan threatening Netravathi basin’ Context: According to a study, an unplanned development path adopted by “unscrupulous decision-makers” is threatening the ecologically sensitive regions in the Netravathi river basin in Karnataka. About the Study Report: The report titled “Carrying capacity of Netravathi river basin based on the ecological sensitiveness” was released by Energy and… Continue reading ‘Unplanned development plan threatening Netravathi basin’

PM warns of action against financial fraud Context: PM  Modi warned of stringent action against those involved in financial irregularities . Introduction: PM Modi was speaking at the Global Business Summit organized by a financial daily. He asked the management of financial institutions and supervisory bodies to do their job diligently to check such frauds.… Continue reading PM warns of action against financial fraud

Canary in coal mine Context: The Central government has allowed the re-entry of commercial mining firms into the sector. Key reasons for taking coal out of the private sectors hand: India’s coal industry was predominantly driven by the private sector after Independence until the Indira Gandhi government decided to transfer all coal holdings to Coal… Continue reading Canary in coal mine

Grid stability is key Context: Instead of transmitting electricity to the farmers, the government, to start with, wants farmers to use solar energy to power their irrigation pumps. What is in news? According to the January 2018 report of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, there are about 142,000 solar pumps in India. The… Continue reading Grid stability is key

Pak. to face monitoring by international review group Context: Pakistan  has been put back on the “Grey List” for terror financing by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary. What is more in news? The country will, under a “Compliance Document,” now be required to furnish a fresh report to the International Co-operation Review Group… Continue reading Pak. to face monitoring by international review group

Frame a law to oversee auditors, SC tells govt. Context: The Supreme Court has directed the government to frame a law to regulate the auditing profession, saying “failures of auditors have resulted in scandals in the past.” Details: The judgment came on a petition filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation seeking an investigation… Continue reading Frame a law to oversee auditors, SC tells govt.

No second thoughts on issues: Naidu Context: Recently, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has said that the Union government’s “indifferent approach” and “failure in implementing the A.P. Reorganisation Act and assurances given in Parliament” would not deter Andhra Pradesh from achieving its target of becoming the world’s preferred destination by 2050. Details: According to Naidu,… Continue reading No second thoughts on issues: Naidu