News: Government has recently said in Lok Sabha that it has achieved the target of abolishing manual scavenging. What are the issues with these claims? Bonded labour: There are large number of manual scavengers who are even employed as bonded labourers in the states like Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tripura and Bihar, UP. Child Labour: Manual scavenging is one of the largest employers of… Continue reading “Bonded labour, child labour-Manual scavenging in India is far from being eradicated”
NDPS Act: a drafting error, its implications, and an amendment
News: Recently, The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed by Lok Sabha. About the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill The 2021 Bill amends the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and seeks to rectify a drafting “anomaly” created by a 2014 amendment. The bill amend Section 27A and… Continue reading NDPS Act: a drafting error, its implications, and an amendment
Hospitals should rationalize their pandemic protocols
News: Hospitals often adopt restrictive ICU visitor policies with visiting time of merely 15 minutes to max 2 hours in rare cases. This has to change for the betterment of Patient and Hospitals. Reasons behind the restrictive ICU visitor policy 1) Decrease the risk of infections 2) Disturbance in the patient’s rest 3) Interference in the… Continue reading Hospitals should rationalize their pandemic protocols
Boost India capacity to secure its borders: Incoming US envoy
What is the news? Eric Garcetti, US President nominee for next envoy to India, has said that he intends to increase US efforts to strengthen India’s capacity to secure its borders. What are the key statements given by the upcoming US Envoy to India? On India’s geographical Position: India is situated in a tough neighbourhood.… Continue reading Boost India capacity to secure its borders: Incoming US envoy
Rajya Sabha passes Bills setting maximum 5-year tenure for CBI, ED chiefs
What is the news? Parliament has passed the Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Bill extends the tenure of the chiefs of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate to a maximum of five years from the earlier minimum period of two years.… Continue reading Rajya Sabha passes Bills setting maximum 5-year tenure for CBI, ED chiefs
OSCAR 1’s winning performance
What is the news? 12th Dec 2021 marked the launch date of the first amateur radio satellite called OSCAR 1. Background Sputnik 1 was launched successfully by the Soviet Union in 1957. This marked the beginning of the space age. Not willing to be left lagging behind, the U.S. launched their own satellite, Explorer 1… Continue reading OSCAR 1’s winning performance
SC approves widening of three Char Dham highways
What is the news? The Supreme Court has allowed the Centre to widen the three Himalayan Highways which form part of the Char dham Pariyojna Project. Must Read: What is the “Char Dham Project”? What has the Supreme Court done? The Supreme Court has modified its earlier 2020 order which had directed the centre to… Continue reading SC approves widening of three Char Dham highways
India loses WTO dispute over sugar subsidies; set to file an appeal
What is the news? India has lost the dispute over subsidies of sugar exports at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The dispute settlement panel has ruled against India on a complaint filed by Brazil, Australia, and Guatemala. What is the issue? In 2019, Brazil, Australia and Guatemala had filed parallel complaints at the WTO alleging… Continue reading India loses WTO dispute over sugar subsidies; set to file an appeal
Progress Achieved in National Leprosy Eradication Programme
What is the news? Recently, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare tabled the progress report of Leprosy in the Rajya Sabha. According to that, India has achieved the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem defined as less than 1 case per 10,000 populations, at the National level. What is… Continue reading Progress Achieved in National Leprosy Eradication Programme
India-Germany Relations in Post-Merkel Era – Explained, pointwise
For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Recently, Olaf Scholz has been sworn in as chancellor of Germany, ending the 16-year tenure of Angela Merkel. For the past 40 years, just three individuals have occupied the chancellery. So, the new ruling coalition in Germany offers scope for enhancing India-Germany relations. Germany is a significant contributor to manufacturing… Continue reading India-Germany Relations in Post-Merkel Era – Explained, pointwise
