India has been selected as co-chair of the Consultative Group (CG) of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery(GFDRR) for the fiscal year 2020.This is the first time that India will be co-chairing the CG meeting of GFDRR. This decision was taken during the meeting of GFDRR held in Geneva, Switzerland on the margins of… Continue reading India to co-chair Consultative Group (CG) of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)
Author: ForumIAS
India finds OECD index for services trade faulty
India has approached several developing countries during the World Trade Organization(WTO) talks in New Delhi to try to build consensus around the new method of measuring Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI). India has said that the current method under which the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) ranks countries based on their services trade policies… Continue reading India finds OECD index for services trade faulty
Project to use technology to study crop yield estimates
Government has decided to use technology under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana(PMFBY) to determine yield estimates at the panchayat level.This will reduce the delay of crop insurance claim settlements and increase the accuracy of compensation due to farmers. The project will use technologies such as (a)satellite and remote sensing data (b)unmanned aerial vehicles and (c)artificial… Continue reading Project to use technology to study crop yield estimates
WPI inflation slips to 3.07% in April, food prices still high
The Wholesale price inflation has decreased to 3.07% in April,2019.The reduction has been attributed to cheaper fuel and manufactured items. However,food prices have increased to 33-month high of 7.37%. Wholesale Price Inflation tracks changes in the price of goods in stages before the retail level i.e. goods that are sold in bulk and traded between… Continue reading WPI inflation slips to 3.07% in April, food prices still high
ED questions Kochhars again in loan case
The Enforcement Directorate(ED) has again questioned former ICICI Bank CEO and her husband in an ongoing probe under Prevention of Money Laundering Act(PMLA). ED had registered the case against former ICICI Bank CEO under financial provisions of the PMLA.They are investigating whether she made any personal gains by alleged irregularities in the release of loans… Continue reading ED questions Kochhars again in loan case
Ban on LTTE extended for another five years
The Central Government has extended the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) for another five years under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,1967. The ban was extended due to LTTE’s objective for a separate homeland (Tamil Eelam) for all Tamils that threatened the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India and amounted to secession of a… Continue reading Ban on LTTE extended for another five years
Nabard announces ₹ 700-cr venture capital fund for agri, rural startups
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has announced a Rs 700-crore venture capital fund for equity investments in agriculture and rural-focused startups. The fund has been launched by Nabventures.It is a subsidiary of NABARD and has a proposed corpus of Rs 500 crore. The fund will have a high impact as it… Continue reading Nabard announces ₹ 700-cr venture capital fund for agri, rural startups
Explained: Why Gujarat conducts a census of herbivores in Gir forest
The forest department of Gujarat will be conducting a census of herbivores in Gir forest and other protected areas.This Census comes ahead of next year’s Asiatic Lion Census which is conducted once-in-five-year. The census is conducted during summer as foliage is reduced to its minimum levels in dry and deciduous tropical forests like Gir.Such a… Continue reading Explained: Why Gujarat conducts a census of herbivores in Gir forest
Can a beluga whale be trained as a military spy?
Recently,a beluga whale swimming in the Arctic off Norway has given rise to speculation that it is a spy being used by the Russians. The reason it is being described as a spy is a harness it was wearing, with the words “Equipment St. Petersburg” in English along with a GoPro camera holder. Other marine… Continue reading Can a beluga whale be trained as a military spy?
India delays levying retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods to June 16
Indian government has decided to extend the deadline to impose retaliatory import tariffs on 29 US products till June 16,2019. These deadlines were extended several times since June 2018 when India decided to impose these duties in retaliation to a move by the US to impose high customs duties on certain steel and aluminium products.… Continue reading India delays levying retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods to June 16
