Author: ForumIAS

CVC wants to keep an eye on private banks What has happened? The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has urged the Prime Minister’s Office to bring private sector banks under its watch, citing the fact that they have been involved in many recent instances of malfeasance. Current situation Private sector banks are out of the CVC’s… Continue reading CVC wants to keep an eye on private banks

A rude wake-up call Question asked Should there be some safeguards before the motion, tabled by the requisite number of Members of Parliament, is admitted? Negative effects Loss of credibility and reputation:The incalculable damage that even a mere admission of an impeachment motion can cause, and the consequential loss of reputation, that can never be… Continue reading A rude wake-up call

Donate floral offerings to shelter homes: SC What has happened? The Supreme Court has urged temple towns across the country to follow in the footsteps of the Uttar Pradesh Women Welfare department’s initiative to donate “huge” floral offerings received at temples to destitute women and widows’ shelter homes Widows can make eco-friendly products The inmates… Continue reading Donate floral offerings to shelter homes: SC

Can’t stop legislators from practising: Bar Council Context A petition before SC that a public servant cannot practise as an advocate but however legislators are practising in various courts which is a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution (equality before law). What has happened? The Bar Council of India has said it cannot stop… Continue reading Can’t stop legislators from practising: Bar Council

Tragedy of errors Context Kashmir is not one but two problems. There is the problem of Kashmir between India and Pakistan and the problem in Kashmir between the people and the Central government Basis of the problems The first is based on Pakistan’s challenge to the legality of the State’s accession to India The second… Continue reading Tragedy of errors 

Bond loss: RBI eases provisioning norms Context The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to ease the provisioning norms for bond losses for third and fourth quarters of 2017-18 Backdrop Rising bond yields What has happened? RBI has now allowed banks to spread bond losses, incurred in 3rd and 4th quarters, over four quarters… Continue reading Bond loss: RBI eases provisioning norms

Millets and wheat over rice and meat Context A shift to wheat, millets and maize from polished rice, to chicken and legumes from beef and eggs, along with leafy vegetables and coconut could reduce India’s micronutrient deficiencies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a study titled ‘Healthy, affordable and climate-friendly diets in India’ suggests Data used… Continue reading Millets and wheat over rice and meat 

Cauvery again Context Cauvery matter is once again before Supreme Court Why another round of litigation in Cauvery dispute? Tamil Nadu has moved the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the Centre for not complying with the direction to frame a scheme to implement the water-sharing arrangement set out in the February 16 judgment The… Continue reading Cauvery again

Federalism and fairness What has happened? Federalism is once again the focus of political discourse in India. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah set the cat among the pigeons when he highlighted Kannada pride by unveiling an official state flag last month. Then in a Facebook post on “Regional Identity & Federalism”, he advocated the need for… Continue reading Federalism and fairness

Govt. tightens its grip on fake news What has happened? The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting headed by Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists Accreditation can be cancelled Accreditation of a journalist (both television and print) can be cancelled/annulled if the news reported by them is found to… Continue reading Govt. tightens its grip on fake news