Author: ForumIAS

Local democracy in disarray Context Twenty-five years after decentralised democratic governance was introduced, a look at why it has failed Social failure While the economic reforms that were launched almost simultaneously with the decentralisation reforms made tremendous headway, making India the fastest-growing economy in the world today, local democracy has not much to write home… Continue reading Local democracy in disarray

A dangerous incursion Context The opposition of the government to the elevation of Justice K.M. Joseph is on specious grounds What has happened? The government’s opposition to the elevation of the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, Justice K.M. Joseph, to the Supreme Court, as recommended by the Supreme Court collegium as far back… Continue reading A dangerous incursion

Take oath of office in given time: SC What has happened? Elected representatives should face “serious consequences” for not taking the oath of office within a specified time, the Supreme Court urged State Legislatures in a judgment The case The case concerned a no-confidence motion against Uttar Pradesh’s Kshettra panchayat pramukh. The pramukh said some… Continue reading Take oath of office in given time: SC

Korean thaw Context The stage is set for a truly historic meeting between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump What has happened? The summit between the leaders of the two Koreas is perhaps the most significant step in decades towards securing peace on the peninsula. Kim Jong-un on Friday became the first North Korean leader since… Continue reading Korean thaw

Restrictions near eco zone eased What has happened? The government has eased infrastructure-development restrictions in the Bhagirathi river eco-sensitive zone, a 100-kilometre stretch between Gaumukh and Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand Char Dham project The notification makes way for development projects for the marquee Char Dham project. In 2012, the government had severely restricted development works in… Continue reading Restrictions near eco zone eased

Power drive Context Getting affordable electricity to every household needs sustained policy support What has happened? Census data for 2001 and 2011 indicate that the number of rural households that use electricity as their primary source of lighting rose by about 12 percentage points to 55.3%, while in that decade urban households rose five points… Continue reading Power drive

RBI allows FPIs to buy T-bills; debt limit stays(The Hindu) What has happened? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to invest in treasury bills issued by the central government Earlier Foreign portfolio investors were permitted to invest in corporate bonds with minimum residual maturity of above one year Consistency… Continue reading RBI allows FPIs to buy T-bills; debt limit stays

SC admits petition to quash Section 377 Context Seventeen years after he was imprisoned for his sexual orientation and efforts to help the LGBT community, the Supreme Court on Tuesday admitted the petition of a man to quash the “tyranny” of Section 377 IPC, which criminalises homosexuality What has happened? The Supreme Court had similarly… Continue reading SC admits petition to quash Section 377

DNA profiling Bill in Monsoon Session, Centre informs SC Context PIL plea seeks use of technology to identify unclaimed bodies What has happened? Last year, the Law Commission of India, in its 271st report, prepared the draft Bill named, The DNA Based Technology (Use and Regulation) Bill, 2017, after examining various judicial pronouncements and constitutional… Continue reading DNA profiling Bill in Monsoon Session, Centre informs SC