China has proposed a draft bill on foreign investment to address US concerns amid the ongoing talks on trade deal with the United States. The bill addresses key concerns of foreign investors, such as (a)intellectual property rights (IPRs) protection and (b)market access (c)Technology transfer and (d)unfair competition. The draft law states that state shall protect… Continue reading China plans new foreign investment law
Author: ForumIAS
Taliban denies discussing ceasefire with the U.S
Taliban has denied that it has been discussing a ceasefire and reconciliation with the Afghanistan government during meeting with the US in Doha,Qatar. Taliban and US are currently focusing on four key issues that are going to decide any future agreement and the issues are (a)counterterrorism (b)troop withdrawal (c)intra-Afghan dialogue and (d)ceasefire. The two sides… Continue reading Taliban denies discussing ceasefire with the U.S
SBI links savings account, short term loan rates to repo rate
State Bank of India (SBI) has decided to link its interest rate on savings account with balance above ₹1 lakh and short-term loans to Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) repo rate. Repo stands for ‘Repurchasing Option’.It refers to the rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the RBI.It is one of the main tools… Continue reading SBI links savings account, short term loan rates to repo rate
You will be in trouble if anything is done to Aravalli, SC warns Haryana govt
The Supreme Court has warned the Haryana government that it will be in “trouble” if it has done “anything” with Aravalli hills or forest area. This comes in the backdrop of Haryana government seeking to amend the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900. The PLPA was enacted by the then Punjab government in 1900. It… Continue reading You will be in trouble if anything is done to Aravalli, SC warns Haryana govt
‘Do forest surveys separately’
A high-power committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recommended that forest surveys should explicitly demarcate trees grown in forests from those grown in plantations and private lands. Currently, both within forests and outside forests are counted together to estimate the portion of India’s geographical area covered by forest.… Continue reading ‘Do forest surveys separately’
UIDAI to levy fees for verification
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued the Aadhaar (Pricing of Aadhaar Authentication Services) Regulations 2019. The gazette notification has mandated private organisations using Aadhaar services to pay Rs 20 for each customer verification and 50 paise for authentication of the unique ID. Organizations have been mandated to pay for the service based… Continue reading UIDAI to levy fees for verification
Gadkari flags off project for Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways has laid the foundation stone for the Delhi-Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. The 1320 km long Delhi-Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway is expected to be developed by 2022. The Expressway aims to decongest the congested Delhi-Mumbai national corridor or NH-8 section of the Golden Quadrilateral. Golden Quadrilateral is a network of highways connecting four big… Continue reading Gadkari flags off project for Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
82% of Ujjwala families return for LPG refill
Recently, Oil Minister has handed over LPG connection under the Ujjwala scheme to beneficiary number 7 crore. Launched in 2016, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna is a scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG. The… Continue reading 82% of Ujjwala families return for LPG refill
SC appoints 3 member panel to mediate in Ayodhya dispute
The Supreme Court has referred the Ayodhya case for mediation. The Ayodhya case pertains to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute The court has formed a three-member panel which will meet all the stakeholders in the Ayodhya dispute case for mediation. The panel is headed by former SC judge Justice F M Kalifullah to resolve… Continue reading SC appoints 3 member panel to mediate in Ayodhya dispute
Google launches Bolo app in India to help children read in English, Hindi
Google has unveiled a new app ‘Bolo’ that aims to help primary school students learn to read in Hindi and English The app has an in-built reading companion called ‘Diya’ that encourages children to read stories aloud and helps if the child is unable to pronounce a word. The app which has been launched first… Continue reading Google launches Bolo app in India to help children read in English, Hindi
