Author: ForumIAS

Borrowing terms Context: The State Bank of India (SBI) has raised its one-year MCLR or marginal cost of funds-based lending rate from 7.95 per cent to 8.15 per cent, while hiking similarly for two- and three-year loans. Background: The increase in MCLRs comes in the wake of rise in deposit rates. SBI revised its upward… Continue reading Borrowing terms

Bridge-cum-barrage across Netravathi gets clearance Context: The State Cabinet of Karnataka has granted approval for construction of a bridge-cum-barrage across the Netravathi connecting Adyarkatte, off the National Highway 75, and Harekala, near Mangalore University About the Project: The project was part of the Paschima Vahini Scheme launched in 2017 to build vented dams across west-flowing… Continue reading Bridge-cum-barrage across Netravathi gets clearance

‘Defaulting promoters must be barred from bidding’ Context: Axis Bank Chief has called for creating a better credit culture for long-term benefits. How to achieve better credit culture? One way to achieve it is to exclude the defaulting promoters from bidding for their assets during insolvency proceedings. With the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) doing… Continue reading ‘Defaulting promoters must be barred from bidding’

Righting wrongs in land acquisition Context: Section 24 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 is in news About the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 The law provided for greatly enhanced compensation, consent of those whose land… Continue reading Righting wrongs in land acquisition

“India’s Christians, Sikhs face discrimination” Context: The British government has been asked to raise concerns on the treatment of Christian and Sikh minorities in India when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April. Discrimination faced by Christians and Sikhs in India: During a debate in the… Continue reading “India’s Christians, Sikhs face discrimination”

Myanmar puts off border pact Context: Myanmar has asked India for more time before the agreement to streamline the free movement of people within 16 km along the border is sealed. Background: On January 3, 2018 the Union Cabinet had approved an agreement between India and Myanmar on land border crossing to enhance economic interaction… Continue reading Myanmar puts off border pact

Wells, rail tracks turn death traps for Gir lions Context: 32 lions died due to “unnatural causes” in two years in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat. Unnatural cases: In 2016, 12 lions died, while in 2017, 20 lions, including cubs, died due to unnatural cases.  Total of 184 lions died in the State in two… Continue reading Wells, rail tracks turn death traps for Gir lions

High noon Context: The India Meteorological Department’s forecast of above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures across the country during the pre-monsoon March-May period is a timely alert for State authorities to review their preparedness. Summer temperature in India: A spike in summer temperatures in India is not new, but some scientists contend that a half-degree rise… Continue reading High noon

Go digital ‘hype’ pushing firms to become efficient, responsive Context: Companies are facing an “ever-increasing” pressure to be more open, responsive and efficient with more ‘hype’ and emphasis being placed on becoming digital, according to a report on digitalisation by India’s second largest software exporter, Infosys. Highlights from the report: The report was titled ‘How… Continue reading Go digital ‘hype’ pushing firms to become efficient, responsive

RBI to inject extra liquidity of ₹1 lakh cr. Context: The Reserve Bank said it would inject additional liquidity of ₹1 lakh crore in banks through longer tenor instruments to enable flexibility towards meeting their fund needs. Introduction: This will be in addition to normal Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) operations. The RBI will conduct four… Continue reading RBI to inject extra liquidity of ₹1 lakh cr.