Author: ForumIAS

PM, economists take stock of economy Context In a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, top economists and experts in the country stressed the need for creating new jobs, even as a NITI Aayog task force has found that the statistics on lack of employment may be “overrated”. The data will be released… Continue reading PM, economists take stock of economy

7 years’ jail for benami transactions Context The Income-Tax Department on Wednesday warned people to “keep away” from benami transactions, cautioning that violations under the newly enacted law invites criminal prosecution and rigorous imprisonment up to seven years Rigorous punitive measures Benamidar [in whose name benami property is standing], beneficiary [who actually paid consideration] and… Continue reading 7 years’ jail for benami transactions

Two tier shield for Aadhaar data Context In the wake of reports of an alleged breach of the Aadhaar database published in a newspaper last week, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has rolled out a new two-tier security process that will come into effect from June 1 What has been done? Aimed at… Continue reading Two tier shield for Aadhaar data

The map of rural deprivation  Context With the Union Budget to be presented on February 1, it is hoped that the Finance Minister will make a significantly higher allocation for investment in infrastructure. It is vital for addressing rural distress. The Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) informed us that ‘landlessness and dependence on manual… Continue reading The map of rural deprivation 

In FDI push centre allows 49% foreign ownership in AI Context In FDI push, Centre allows 49% foreign ownership in AI. Easing of norms puts national carrier on par with other Indian airline companies In FDI push, Centre allows 49% foreign ownership in AI The Congress says foreign carriers cannot be allowed to take over Air India.… Continue reading In FDI push centre allows 49% foreign ownership in AI

Prescription for the future Context The National Medical Commission Bill has to be fine-tuned, especially in planning for rural health care The National Medical Commission Bill has to be fine-tuned, especially in planning for rural health care The National Medical Commission Bill, aimed at reforming Indian medical education and practice, is in trouble. After countrywide protests by… Continue reading Prescription for the future

Not a criminal act  Context Marriage is a civil contract — adultery or divorce should have only civil consequences Offence of theft and adultery similar There are striking similarities between the offence of ‘theft’ and ‘adultery’ under the Indian Penal Code. Encyclopedia of Diderot &d’Alembert, Vol. 1 (1751) also equated adultery with theft: “adultery is, after… Continue reading Not a criminal act 

Not by diktat alone Context Supreme Court does right to make playing of the national anthem before a film optional Removed Coercive element By making it optional for cinema halls to play the national anthem before every show, the Supreme Court has at last removed the coercive element it had unfortunately introduced by an interim order in… Continue reading Not by diktat alone

BCI notice to MPs MLAs on legal practice Context The Bar Council of India, the country’s apex lawyers’ body, on Wednesday asked Members of Parliament and State Assembly legislators, who double up as advocates, to respond on why they should not be banned  from legal practice. BCI notice to MPs, MLAs on legal practice An… Continue reading BCI notice to MPs MLAs on legal practice

China to fund base in Afghanistan Context China will fund construction of an Afghan counterterrorism base in Badakshan province to block cross-border infiltration of the ethnic Uyghur militants Counterterrosrim base in Badakshan to check cross-border infiltration Fergana News Agency (FNA) has quoted Gen. Dawlat Waziri of the Afghan Defence Ministry as saying that China will… Continue reading China to fund base in Afghanistan