Author: ForumIAS

Trade deficit widens to $14.62 billion News: India’s trade merchandise trade deficit widened Important facts: Trade deficit widened to $14.62 billion in May 2018. The shortfall was $13.72 billion in April 2018 and $13.84 billion in May 2017. Reasons: 50% increase in global Brent price Exports in May grow faster on the back of engineering… Continue reading Trade deficit widens to $14.62 billion

Sweet nothing Article The Cabinet committee on Economic Affairs approved a Rs 7,000 package for the sugar sector recently. Important Analysis 2.Sugar mills dues to farmers stand Rs 22,000 crore. 4.Steps taken by the government: Recently, the centre proposed a special cess under the GST to help alleviate distress among sugarcane farmers. Assured minimum pricing… Continue reading Sweet nothing

Why Apaches for Army, ask critics News: The U.S. State Department recently approved sale of six Apache helicopters to India for the Army. Important facts: In 2015, The IAF procurement plan was approved . A Contract for 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopter and 15 Chinook heavylit helicopters singed with the U.S. and Beoing on sep… Continue reading Why Apaches for Army, ask critics

‘New auto policy may be finalised in three months’ News: The central government is planning for new National auto mobile policy. Important Facts: The draft Policy seek for emission-linked taxation on automobiles and a technology- agnostic green mobility. Objective of the new national auto mobile policy. The policy calls for establishing a single nodal regulatory… Continue reading ‘New auto policy may be finalised in three months’

New health scheme flawed: IMA News: The Indian Medical Association has sought the review of National Health Protection Scheme- Ayushman Bharat. Important Facts: The Indian Medical Association said that the National Health Protection Scheme has conceptual deficits and operational flaws. Concerns raised by Indian Medical Association:  Rates quoted by the government for various procedures are… Continue reading New health scheme flawed: IMA

Parched or polluted News: Acute water stress prevails in most of India according to the Composite Water Management Index developed by NITI Aayog. Important facts: Key highlights of the index: 70% of the water resources are identified as polluted. Nearly 600 million Indians faced high-to-extreme water stress and about 2,00,000 people died every year because… Continue reading Parched or polluted

Parched or polluted News: Acute water stress prevails in most of India according to the Composite Water Management Index developed by NITI Aayog. Important facts: Key highlights of the index: 70% of the water resources are identified as polluted. Nearly 600 million Indians faced high-to-extreme water stress and about 2,00,000 people died every year because… Continue reading Parched or polluted

Ennore port expansion gets green nod News: An expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest has recommended granting of Environmental Clearance and CRZ clearance for the Phase-III expansion of the Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL) in Ennore.   Important facts: 2. The expansion proposals of KPL include an automobile export/ import… Continue reading Ennore port expansion gets green nod

MCLR, base rate merger proves elusive. News RBI has not yet issued instructions for banks to allow its customers to shift base rate to MCLR, despite promise. Important Facts Base rate is the erstwhile loan pricing mechanism which was replaced by MCLR — the Marginal Cost of funding based Lending Rate — from April 1,… Continue reading MCLR, base rate merger proves elusive.

Battle ready: Dhanush artillery gun clears final trials News: The indigenously upgraded artillery gun Dhanush has successfully completed final user trials and is ready for induction into the Army. Important facts: 2.This was third and final phase of user exploitation firings in which six Dhanush guns were fired in battery formulation at the Pokhran field… Continue reading Battle ready: Dhanush artillery gun clears final trials