Author: ForumIAS

The cost of pollution Context Pollution is a challenge to developing countries which try to achieve rapid economic development without adequately managing the environment. In recent years, the pollution load has increased, sometimes beyond the carrying capacity of the environment. Though various measures have been adopted to manage pollution, significant progress has not been achieved… Continue reading The cost of pollution

Power Ministry feels no need to change electrification definition What has happened? The government had in September 2017 launched the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya), aimed at covering the last-mile connectivity of taking electricity to the household level. The target for the scheme is March 31, 2019. “Electrified village” Village is declared… Continue reading Power Ministry feels no need to change electrification definition

AFSPA will continue in Nagaland: Rijiju What has happened? Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said AFSPA, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, will continue in Nagaland as it is a “special case” and the “peace agreement” hasn’t been finalised there yet. State to renew plea Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton said… Continue reading AFSPA will continue in Nagaland: Rijiju

Local democracy in disarray Context Twenty-five years after decentralised democratic governance was introduced, a look at why it has failed Social failure While the economic reforms that were launched almost simultaneously with the decentralisation reforms made tremendous headway, making India the fastest-growing economy in the world today, local democracy has not much to write home… Continue reading Local democracy in disarray

A dangerous incursion Context The opposition of the government to the elevation of Justice K.M. Joseph is on specious grounds What has happened? The government’s opposition to the elevation of the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, Justice K.M. Joseph, to the Supreme Court, as recommended by the Supreme Court collegium as far back… Continue reading A dangerous incursion

Take oath of office in given time: SC What has happened? Elected representatives should face “serious consequences” for not taking the oath of office within a specified time, the Supreme Court urged State Legislatures in a judgment The case The case concerned a no-confidence motion against Uttar Pradesh’s Kshettra panchayat pramukh. The pramukh said some… Continue reading Take oath of office in given time: SC

Korean thaw Context The stage is set for a truly historic meeting between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump What has happened? The summit between the leaders of the two Koreas is perhaps the most significant step in decades towards securing peace on the peninsula. Kim Jong-un on Friday became the first North Korean leader since… Continue reading Korean thaw

Restrictions near eco zone eased What has happened? The government has eased infrastructure-development restrictions in the Bhagirathi river eco-sensitive zone, a 100-kilometre stretch between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand Char Dham project The notification makes way for development projects for the marquee Char Dham project. In 2012, the government had severely restricted development works in… Continue reading Restrictions near eco zone eased

Power drive Context Getting affordable electricity to every household needs sustained policy support What has happened? Census data for 2001 and 2011 indicate that the number of rural households that use electricity as their primary source of lighting rose by about 12 percentage points to 55.3%, while in that decade urban households rose five points… Continue reading Power drive