Context: The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019. More in news: The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 19, 2019. It seeks to amend the Right to Information Act, 2005. What is Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI)? Under the RTI Act, 2005, Public Authorities are required to make disclosures… Continue reading 7 PM | The tremor of unwelcome amendments | 22nd July, 2019
Author: ForumIAS
7 PM | WTO struggling to stay relevant | 22nd July, 2019
Context: WTO logjam and its impact on world economy. Established in 1995 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), an organization founded in 1948 whose rules created the modern multilateral trading system. The WTO is responsible for overseeing the rules of… Continue reading 7 PM | WTO struggling to stay relevant | 22nd July, 2019
Daily Quiz #19 UPSC Prelims Marathon – July 22, 2019
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World Bank study on PMGSY: ‘Rural roads scheme triggered shift from farm to non-farm employment’
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’
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
