A recent independent World Bank assessment of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has noted that the scheme led to a shift from farm to non-farm employment particularly among men in the habitations studied between 2009 and 2017. The report also noted that due to improved connectivity there has been a positive impact on… Continue reading World Bank study on PMGSY: ‘Rural roads scheme triggered shift from farm to non-farm employment’
Author: ForumIAS
Govt bans use of antibiotic Colistin in animal feed, poultry, aqua farms
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an order prohibiting the manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin and its formulations for food producing animals, poultry and aqua farms. Colistin is a polypeptide antibiotic from the group of polymyxins. It is predominantly used in veterinary medicine in the treatment of intestinal diseases as well… Continue reading Govt bans use of antibiotic Colistin in animal feed, poultry, aqua farms
India China to have Joint Military Exercise in Meghalaya
India and China will hold the 8th edition of the annual military exercise Hand in Hand in December 2019. The exercise will take place at Umroi, Meghalaya. It is at the company level, meaning around 100-120 infantry troops from both sides will be participating. It will be based on counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster… Continue reading India China to have Joint Military Exercise in Meghalaya
Thirty Meter Telescope
There have been protests in Hawaii over Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) – a proposed astronomical observatory with an extremely large telescope (ELT). It is proposed to be built on Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano and the highest point in Hawaii. The protests are taking place as Mauna Kea is considered to be a sacred ground… Continue reading Thirty Meter Telescope
Lucknow to host DefExpo next year
The Defence Ministry has announced that Lucknow will host the 11th edition of DefExpo from February 5 to 8, 2020. It is the first time that the exhibition will take place in Uttar Pradesh. The theme of the DefExpo 2020 will be “India: the emerging defence manufacturing hub” and it will be focussed on “digital… Continue reading Lucknow to host DefExpo next year
Not even 1 in 5 Indian rural households gets piped water, govt tells Parliament
The Jal Shakti Ministry has told the Parliament that only 18% of India’s rural households have access to piped water. The Ministry has also reiterated that it aims to supply piped water to all rural households under its Jal Jeevan Mission. Jal Jeevan Mission seeks to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household… Continue reading Not even 1 in 5 Indian rural households gets piped water, govt tells Parliament
World celebrates 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing
July 20th marked the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing. Apollo 11 was the fifth crewed mission of NASA’s Apollo program. On 20 July 1969, the Eagle module from Apollo 11 landed at Tranquility Base, a site on Moon. Neil Armstrong, one of the astronaut aboard the Apollo 11, made history by becoming the… Continue reading World celebrates 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing
Moon mission to try landing on Sept 7
ISRO has announced that Chandrayaan-2’s targeted landing date on the lunar South Pole is September 7th. The launch of Chandrayaan-2, which was scheduled to be launched on July 15th, was aborted after a technical snag in the launch vehicle system- GSLV Mk-III rocket. The moon landing has been planned during the particular period as the… Continue reading Moon mission to try landing on Sept 7
New panel to discuss cultural safeguards for Assam on July 24
The Home ministry has constituted a high-level panel to suggest ways to implement Clause 6 of the 1985 Assam Accord.The panel is headed by former Gauhati high court judge Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma. The ministry had to reconstitute the panel after four of the nine members named on the earlier panel had refused to be… Continue reading New panel to discuss cultural safeguards for Assam on July 24
What has changed in RTI Act?
The government has introduced Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The bill seeks to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 RTI Act 2005 sets the term of the Chief Information Commissioner (CICs) and Information Commissioners (ICs) at the centre and state levels at five years (or until the age of 65, whichever is… Continue reading What has changed in RTI Act?
