Source: Indian Express Synopsis: Borrowing by states via state development loans has been low in the first quarter of the present financial year. Reasons are discussed. State Development Loans (SDLs) A predominant source for state governments to raise money to finance their fiscal deficit is via SDLs or bonds. RBI facilitates the auctioning of SDLs. SDLs… Continue reading Centre must step up cash flows to the states
Author: Luv Sharma
Oil on the boil
Source: Business Standard Relevance: Understanding how global crude oil prices impact India Synopsis: India should gradually move away from an over-reliance on imports for its crude oil and gas requirements. Possible solutions. Contents1 Impact of energy demand2 Countering increased demand3 Impact on India4 Suggestions/measures Impact of energy demand Energy prices are likely to stay elevated… Continue reading Oil on the boil
How Radio Dhimsa is helping Odisha’s tribal students?
Source: DowntoEarth Relevance: Can be used as an example in GS and Essay. Synopsis: Radio Dhimsa is bringing school lessons to the poor tribal students in Odisha’s Koraput district who don’t have internet access or cannot afford a smartphone. The endeavor attempts to close the digital divide in imparting education amid the novel coronavirus disease… Continue reading How Radio Dhimsa is helping Odisha’s tribal students?
Albino palm civet sighted in Satkosia Tiger Reserve
Source: DowntoEarth What is the news? The common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) has been sighted in Odisha’s Satkosia Tiger Reserve after 129 years. Common palm civet It is also known as Asian palm civet or Indian palm civet. A partial albino common palm civet, Saliapatani, was last sighted in 1891 in the forests of Kandhamal… Continue reading Albino palm civet sighted in Satkosia Tiger Reserve
When we lost oxygen
Source: Indian Express Relevance: The period of the Covid Pandemic needs proper analysis of what worked and what went wrong. Synopsis: Second COVID wave was marked by an Oxygen crisis in India. The number of deaths caused due to lack of Oxygen was also underestimated. Hence, there is an urgent need to establish mechanisms of… Continue reading When we lost oxygen
UAPA should go the way of TADA & POTA
Source: TOI Relevance: Misuse of UAPA to curb political dissent. Synopsis: Right to fair trial is being consistently violated under the UAPA provisions. This law should be repealed like TADA and POTA. Background Father Stan Swamy, an 84-year-old Jesuit priest, known for his service and activism in the cause of Adivasis, died nine months into… Continue reading UAPA should go the way of TADA & POTA
Problem of menstrual waste disposal in India – Explained, pointwise
Source: DowntoEarth1, DowntoEarth2 Syllabus: GS1 – Women issues, GS2 – Health Relevance: How menstrual waste contributes to India’s solid waste problem? and steps that can be taken to solve this issue. Contents1 Introduction2 Reasons 3 Rules concerning disposal4 Impact5 Suggestions/measures6 Conclusion Introduction Sanitary waste disposal has become an increasing problem in India. As per the Menstrual… Continue reading Problem of menstrual waste disposal in India – Explained, pointwise
Spinner dolphin carcass found in Odisha
Source: DowntoEarth What is the news? The carcass of a male Spinner dolphin washed ashore in Odisha’s port town of Paradip within the Bhitarkanika National Park on June 30, 2021, taking the number of marine animal deaths in the state within five months to six. The reason behind the death is yet to be ascertained… Continue reading Spinner dolphin carcass found in Odisha
E-commerce companies call out lack of clarity in draft rules
Source: Indian Express What is the news? Government has decided to extend the last date for submission of comments on the draft ecommerce rules till July 21 from the earlier deadline of July 6. While the government did not disclose any reasons for extending the date, it is learnt that it has come as a… Continue reading E-commerce companies call out lack of clarity in draft rules
COP26 offers a chance to revise zero-emission targets
Source: Livemint Relevance: Annual meeting of the UNFCCC (COP) is an important event where critical policy decisions related to global environment are deliberated upon. As a UPSC aspirant one must be aware of the outcomes of such events. Synopsis: COP26 (UNFCCC) assumes importance since the last COP meeting could not be held due to pandemic… Continue reading COP26 offers a chance to revise zero-emission targets
