Author: ForumIAS

Checks against atrocities What has happened? The Supreme Court, in its recent judgment in Subhash Kashinath Mahajan v. State of Maharashtra , has stirred up a debate which is bound to impact the law and policy on the prohibition of the practice of untouchability and prevention of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in… Continue reading Checks against atrocities

Cabinet to discuss death penalty for rape of minors What has happened? Law Ministry sources say that they have approved a proposal received from the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and a final decision on whether to bring it in the… Continue reading Cabinet to discuss death penalty for rape of minors

Impeachment move doesn’t fetter CJI, say experts What has happened? Former Chief Justices of India and eminent jurists said on Friday that there was no need for Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra to withdraw from work merely because a group of Opposition MPs had submitted a notice for his impeachment to the Rajya Sabha… Continue reading Impeachment move doesn’t fetter CJI, say experts

Congress, six other parties move to impeach CJI Misra Context Motion submitted to Vice-President cites five cases of ‘misbehaviour’ What has happened? The Congress, supported by six other Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha, on Friday took the unprecedented step of moving an impeachment motion against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra on grounds… Continue reading Congress, six other parties move to impeach CJI Misra

What the new Coastal Regulation Zone draft says, how it differs from the earlier version What has happened? The new draft if implemented will not only have an effect on how common areas used by fisherfolk are managed, but also bifurcate coastal zones along rural areas based on population density Changes in the new draft The… Continue reading What the new Coastal Regulation Zone draft says, how it differs from the earlier version

All trees are not woods Context Natural forests have multiple ecosystem functions, none of which can be provided by commercial plantations What has happened? The latest Forest Survey of India report has changed the calculation method for India’s forest cover to include plantations on private lands. It is common knowledge that private plantations of teak,… Continue reading All trees are not woods

Tigers face the ire of humans in U.P.’s terai What has happened? The Dudhwa-Pilibhit tiger landscape is where the paths of tigers, leopards and humans cross, often with fatal consequences for both sides. Around 180 cases of conflicts leading to human deaths and injuries were recorded here between 2000 and 2018, data from the Wildlife… Continue reading Tigers face the ire of humans in U.P.’s terai

‘Mega SEZs to spur electronics exports’ Context Draft of new policy to be out soon; Centre eyeing free trade pacts to drive exports of small electronics What has happened? In a bid to make India an export hub for electronics, the government plans to set up at least one SEZ or special economic zone in… Continue reading ‘Mega SEZs to spur electronics exports’

Replanting Indian cotton Context Researchers say it is time India moves on from hybrids What has happened? Pink bollworm infestation in Bt cotton in India has turned the spotlight on an important question: has hybrid cotton lived up to its promise? India was a pioneer in this technology in the 1970s; today, it is the… Continue reading Replanting Indian cotton

Common wealth? Context CHOGM again failed to make a casefor its relevance in the 21st century Commonwealth 2.0 The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in London came with hopes of a “re-energised Commonwealth”. Britain looking to revive the 53-nation grouping as Commonwealth 2.0, amidst Britain’s rocky exit from the EU India and CHOGM… Continue reading Common wealth?