SAUDI ARABIA’S INVESTMENTS IN INDIA ON TRACK
Why in news? Despite a massive 50% drop in oil revenues and a downturn in the economy, Saudi Arabia’s investments in India will not be affected, the Kingdom’s Ambassador to India Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati said in a written interview. At a time when a UN body has predicted a cut in about 1.7 […]
KERALA SCRAMBLES FOR FUNDS AS CENTRE TIGHTENS
Why in news? An alarming dip in the Kerala’s Own Tax Revenue, coupled with a delay and cut in Central transfers, have pushed the State to the edge of a financial precipice. Kerala Down to a trickle A comparison of receipts in April 2019 and April reveals the intensity of the crisis. The Goods and […]
INDIA SLIPS IN PRESS FREEDOM RANKINGS
Why in news? The latest survey of the global body, Reporters Without Borders, that shows India dropping two places on the global press freedom index ranking to 142nd place in the list of 180 countries. India’s neighbours — Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka — are ranked higher in the list. Claims and details on India’s Press […]
CII PROPOSES DIFFERENT RULES FOR TOP PRIORITY DISTRICTS
Why in news? The country’s high performing economic districts should be allowed to play by different rules in the third phase of the lockdown beginning 4th April, according to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Concerns with Economic Recovery In a CII poll almost half of the CEOSs say an economic recovery will take over a […]
CORONAVIRUS IS PULLING MILLIONS BACK INTO POVERTY
Introduction to expected increase in Poverty The gains the world was making in fighting poverty are now at grave risk. The World Bank says that for the first time since 1998, global poverty rates will rise. By the end of the year 2020, 8% of the world’s population — half a billion people — could […]
OMAN JOB CUTS NOT INDIA-SPECIFIC: CENTRE
Why in news? There are reports of continued job cuts in several Gulf countries, including Oman, which has instructed government-owned companies to replace expat workers “as quickly as possible” with Omanis. Amidst these reports, expat Indian citizens have played a significant role in creating prosperous economies in the Gulf region, the External Affairs Ministry said […]
GI TAG TO MANIPUR BLACK RICE, GORAKHPUR TERRACOTTA, KOVILPATTI KADALAI MITTAI
Why in news? Chak-Hao, the black rice of Manipur, the Gorakhpur terracotta, Kovilpatti kadalai mittai have bagged the Geogrphical Indication (GI) tag in 30th April 2020. Chak-Hao Chak-Hao is a scented glutinous rice which has been in cultivation in Manipur over centuries and is characterised by its special aroma. It is normally eaten during community feasts […]
PLAN TO EXTEND CAT OPPOSED
Why in news? There was opposition against the decision to extend the jurisdiction of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chandigarh, to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to hear the cases of employees for redress. Why were they against it? Shifting of all pending service-related matters from both wings of the High Court in […]
MARCH 2020 CORE SECTOR OUTPUT SLUMPS 6.5%
Why in news? The Output at India’s core sector contracted by 6.5% in March, Commerce Ministry data show, reflecting the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent nationwide lockdown. The index of eight core sector industries, which form 40% of the weight of items included in the broader Index of Industrial Production (IIP), […]
RECOVERY RATE RISES TO 25%, SAYS GOVERNMENT
Why in news? The Union Health Ministry said, on 30th April, that India is currently recording a total recovery rate of 25.19% up from 13% about two weeks ago. Details Giving details on the percentage of deaths in various age groups, the Ministry said India has a case fatality rate of 3.2% currently which is 65% […]