Author: ForumIAS

Windfall oil tax on ONGC in offing to soften fuel prices News The government is looking for various options to moderate the retail price of petrol and diesel. Important Facts The government may levy a windfall tax on oil producers like Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) The tax may come in the form of a Cess,… Continue reading Windfall oil tax on ONGC in offing to soften fuel prices

Global warming may have ‘devastating’ effects on rice News A report published in the journal Science Advances finds that due to rise of carbon dioxide, rice will lose some of its protein and vitamin content, putting millions of people at risk of malnutrition. Important Facts The report is based on the field studies in Japan… Continue reading Global warming may have ‘devastating’ effects on rice

Government order on coal supply may hit non-power sectors News The Non power sector companies raise their concern over government’s decision to prioritise coal supply to power plants. Important Facts The government’s decision to prioritise coal supply to power plants will impact other industries dependent on coal such as cement and aluminium. To address the… Continue reading Government order on coal supply may hit non-power sectors

Clean Air India Initiative’ launched News Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte launched the ‘Clean Air India Initiative’ in the national capital on Thursday. Important Facts The campaign aims to curb air pollution in Indian cities. The Clean Air India Initiative is a collaborative project between Get In The Ring, the government of the Netherlands,… Continue reading Clean Air India Initiative’ launched

For better protection of human rights News: The recently approved the Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill, 2018 seeks to empower the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC) Important Facts: Aim:Better protection and promotion of human rights in India It is an amendment to the Protection of Human Rights Act,… Continue reading For better protection of human rights

Trump cancels summit with North Korea’s Kim News U.S. President Donald Trump called off his planned June 12 meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which was to take place in Singapore. Important Facts In March, Mr. Trump had accepted an offer from Mr. Kim of a summit, conveyed through South Korean interlocutors. But on… Continue reading Trump cancels summit with North Korea’s Kim

Sheikh Hasina to have luncheon meeting with Modi News Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhavana at the Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan. Important facts Both the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Rabindra Bhavana, the museum that houses Rabindranath’s original manuscripts, paintings, letters and sketches.… Continue reading Sheikh Hasina to have luncheon meeting with Modi

Narendra Modi to visit Indonesia, Singapore News Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Indonesia and Singapore between May 29 and June 2 to boost India’s Act East Policy. Important Facts The External Affairs Ministry has announced that during the tour the Prime Minister would focus on agreements in defence, skill development and connectivity. India’s interest… Continue reading Narendra Modi to visit Indonesia, Singapore

The Russian ride: on Modi’s meeting with Putin News Prime Minister Modi visit to Sochi for an informal summit with Russian president Putin. Important Analysis 2. Informal summit with Russia came soon after the Wuhan meeting with Chinese president Xi Jingping. 3.Aim of the meeting was to reset and rebalance bilateral ties between India and… Continue reading The Russian ride: on Modi’s meeting with Putin

Out-of-turn coal to PSE utilities irks IPPs News The Centre decision to supply coal out-of-turn to State and PSU utilities is being objected by independent power producers (IPPs) Important Facts ln order to avoid possible shortage of coal at state owned thermal power plants the central government has directed the Coal India to provide out-of-turn… Continue reading Out-of-turn coal to PSE utilities irks IPPs