Author: ForumIAS

On the ledger  Context Expenditure data underline the government’s challenge on fiscal consolidation Fiscal deficit increased Eight months into the financial year, or until end November, the Union government’s fiscal deficit — the amount by which its expenditure exceeds revenue — had already overshot the year’s budget target by a significant ₹65,573 crore Some Insights: And as… Continue reading On the ledger 

Factory activity quickens in Dec: PMI  Context Manufacturing activity quickened to the fastest pace in five years in December, bolstered by a sharp rise in output and new orders, according to a private sector survey. ‘Survey reading of 54.7 shows fastest pace of expansion in five years; GST pushes up raw material costs’ The Nikkei… Continue reading Factory activity quickens in Dec: PMI 

How a British war memorial became a symbol of Dalit pride  Context Ambedkar’s visit to the battle site on January 1, 1927, revitalised the memory of the battle for the Dalit community, making it a rallying point and an assertion of pride. The History The Koregaon Ranstambh (victory pillar) is an obelisk in Bhima-Koregaon village… Continue reading How a British war memorial became a symbol of Dalit pride 

Electoral bonds for political donations notified  Context Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday outlined the basic contours of the electoral bonds scheme announced during the 2017 Budget, including their denominations, validity, and eligibility of the purchasers. Electoral bonds will allow donors to remain anonymous and pay political parties using banks as intermediaries. Electoral bonds… Continue reading Electoral bonds for political donations notified 

Fears over FRDI bill misplaced:govt  Context In yet another clarification about the Financial Regulatory and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, the government has said depositors will be given preferential treatment in the event of liquidation of a bank, and the controversial bail-in clause will be used only with the prior consent of depositors. Bail-in won’t be… Continue reading Fears over FRDI bill misplaced:govt 

Rajya Sabha passes Bankruptcy Code bill  Context The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017, which bars unscrupulous persons from misusing the provisions of the Code. The Bill, which replaces an ordinance promulgated last November, was cleared by the Lok Sabha last week The Bill, which replaces an ordinance… Continue reading Rajya Sabha passes Bankruptcy Code bill 

Doctors call off strike after Centre defers Bill Context The Indian Medical Association (IMA) called off its 12-hour  strike on Tuesday after the government referred the controversial National Medical Commission Bill, tabled in the Lok Sabha, to a Standing Committee. It will go now to Standing Committee IMA’s next step would be to convince the… Continue reading Doctors call off strike after Centre defers Bill

Questionable remedy  Context The decision of the Lok Sabha to  send the National Medical Commisssion Bill to a standing committee for a relook   is the right one. First proposed in 2016 , the Bill aims to overhaul the corrupt and inefficient Medical Council of India, which regulates medical education and practice National Medical Commission Bill First… Continue reading Questionable remedy 

Israel passes new law on Jerusalem  Context Israel’s parliament passed a law on Tuesday requiring a supermajority to relinquish control over any part of Jerusalem, a move that could hamstring the city’s division in any future peace deal. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the legislation “tantamount to declaring war on the Palestinian people.” The amendment… Continue reading Israel passes new law on Jerusalem 

Sushma to go on tri-nation tour  Context Beginning the groundwork for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit later this month, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore from January 4 to 8 To lay the groundwork for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit The three-nation visit is likely to cover India’s annual plans for the… Continue reading Sushma to go on tri-nation tour