US warns nations against buying Venezuelan oil

U.S National Security Advisor have warned countries and companies against buying crude oil from Venezuela, after the Latin American country’s Oil Minister during a visit to India said that Venezuela wants to sell more oil to the fast-growing Indian market. Venezuela is currently facing political and economic crisis due to a) opposition’s claim of President… Continue reading US warns nations against buying Venezuelan oil

Coming soon: Kalashnikovs made in Amethi

The Indian government cleared a proposal to manufacture Kalashnikov automatic rifles to be built by Ordnance Factory Board(OFB) and Russian firm for the Indian Army.The plant for the same will be set up near Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. A Kalashnikov rifle is an automatic rifle based on the original design of Mikhail Kalashnikov.They were originally… Continue reading Coming soon: Kalashnikovs made in Amethi

Rajasthan clears 5% quota for Gujjars

The Rajasthan government has passed the Rajasthan Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutes in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State) Amendment Bill, 2019. The bill comes in the backdrop of two similar bills passed in 2015 and 2017 which were struck down by the Rajasthan High Court.… Continue reading Rajasthan clears 5% quota for Gujjars

Load off their backs: Meghalaya puts cap on weight of school bags

The Meghalaya government has put a cap on the weight of schoolbags for all classes. It has also restricted schools from assigning homework to students of classes I and II, except in subjects recommended by CBSE, ICSE or the state board. Meghalaya government’s orders are in line with the directives of the Ministry of Human… Continue reading Load off their backs: Meghalaya puts cap on weight of school bags

Rajya Sabha clears law removing leprosy as ground for divorce

The Parliament has cleared the Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018. The bill aims to remove leprosy- a chronic neuro-muscular disorder- as a ground for divorce. The bill seeks to amend (a) the Divorce Act, 1869, (b) the Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939, (c) the Special Marriage Act, 1954, (d) the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955,… Continue reading Rajya Sabha clears law removing leprosy as ground for divorce

ICMR’s tie-up with Pfizer on antibiotic abuse raises eyebrow

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Pfizer Ltd will set up a centre to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in New Delhi.The joint initiative will implement a series of interventions in three areas namely Planning,Surveillance and Awareness around responsible use of antibiotics. The criticism against this collaboration is that it will give Pfizer access… Continue reading ICMR’s tie-up with Pfizer on antibiotic abuse raises eyebrow

Going online: Mughal-era documents, property papers dating back to 1870

The Delhi government has launched “E-Abhilekh” website-a first of its kind project in Asia. The E-Abhilekh project aims to digitize, microfilm and upload 4 crore pages of archival records ranging from Mughal Emperor’s 19th Century farmans to partition decree and property papers. The website is expected to benefit Indian and foreign scholars and students. It… Continue reading Going online: Mughal-era documents, property papers dating back to 1870

Government introduces bill in Rajya Sabha to amend Cinematograph Act

Government introduced Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2019 in Rajya Sabha. The bill seeks to amend provisions of Cinematograph Act, 1952 in order to tackle film piracy by including penal provisions for unauthorized camcording and duplication of films. The draft amendment has proposed a) inclusion of penalties for film piracy which includes imprisonment of three years or… Continue reading Government introduces bill in Rajya Sabha to amend Cinematograph Act

KUSUM Scheme to promote solar power use among farmers

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has formulated ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme. The scheme aims to promote the use of solar power among farmers. The scheme envisages a) installation of grid-connected solar power plants capacity up to 2 MW in the rural area, b) installation of standalone off-grid solar water… Continue reading KUSUM Scheme to promote solar power use among farmers

India inks contract for 72,000 assault rifles

India has signed a contract with a US firm under fast track procurement (FTP) for 72,400 Assault rifles. The assault rifles will replace the Indian National Small Arms System (INSAS) rifles. Fast Track Procedure (FTP) was promulgated by the Ministry of Defence in 2001. The objective of the procedure is to ensure expeditious procurement for… Continue reading India inks contract for 72,000 assault rifles

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