SUBMERGED MANGROVE FORESTS ARE SCIENTIFIC WONDERS
Mangrove Forests: Presence and Significance Mangrove forests comprise the interface between wetlands and sea grass meadows along a vast expanse of tropical shorelines all over the world. They also occur along bays, estuaries or mouths of rivers by these shores. Mangroves are present worldwide on various shorelines between approximately 25°N and 25°S latitude. Mangrove forests […]
THE JUDICIARY AND MIGRANT WORKERS
Introduction Millions of stranded workers, facing an acute shortage of food and cash, have desperately tried to return home. Five weeks after the lockdown was imposed, the government finally introduced measures to enable stranded migrants to return home — a process which is ongoing, but which has not stopped thousands of others from continuing to […]
CENTRE BORROWS ANOTHER $1 BILLION FROM WORLD BANK
Why in news? The Centre is taking another $1 billion loan from the World Bank to support its COVID-19 relief measures and financial assistance for the poorest and most vulnerable communities. The loan was approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on 14th May 2020, according to an official statement. Details The money will […]
U.S. COULD CUT TIES WITH CHINA OVER PANDEMIC
Why in news? The U.S. President on 14th May threatened to cut ties with China over its role in the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Actions of U.S. and China: Trade Tensions The Trump administration on 15th May 2020 moved to block shipments of semiconductors to China’s Huawei Technologies, which it considers a national security risk. The […]
ILO: MGNREGA AS SOCIAL PROTECTION CAN MITIGATE COVID CRISIS
Why in news? The rural employment programme MGNREGA came in for praise from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its analysis of social protection coverage in developing countries, which was released on 14th May. Details of what ILO said Even as the ILO pointed to “devastating gaps in social protection coverage in developing countries”, which were […]
GOVERNMENT TO AMEND ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ACT
Why in news? The Centre will amend the Essential Commodities Act to provide for notifying stock limits for a retailer or wholesaler only if retail prices increase abnormally — by 100% in case of perishable items like onion, potato and tomato and 50% in the case of non-perishable essential commodities. The Centre will shortly bring […]
THIRD TRANCHE OF ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE
Why in news? Making long-pending agricultural marketing reforms as the centerpiece – The Third tranche of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan economic stimulus package, was announced by Union Finance Minister, on 15th May 2020. Highlights of the Third Tranche Enacting a central law to permit barrier-free inter-State trade of farm commodities. Ensuring a legal framework to facilitate contract […]
16th May – Editorials/Opinions Analyses
Contents The judiciary and migrant workers Submerged mangrove forests are scientific wonders THE JUDICIARY AND MIGRANT WORKERS Focus: GS-II Social Justice, Governance Introduction Millions of stranded workers, facing an acute shortage of food and cash, have desperately tried to return home. Five weeks after the lockdown was imposed, the government finally introduced measures to enable […]
16th May Current Affairs
Contents Third tranche of economic stimulus package Government to Amend Essential Commodities Act Centre borrows another $1 billion from World Bank ILO: MGNREGA as social protection can mitigate COVID crisis U.S. could cut ties with China over pandemic THIRD TRANCHE OF ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Making long-pending agricultural marketing […]
GoI & AIIB SIGN AGREEMENT FOR USD 145 MILLION
Why in news? The Government of India, the Government of West Bengal and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) today signed a loan agreement for a US$145 million project to improve irrigation services and flood management in the Damodar Valley Command Area (DVCA) in West Bengal. Details: The West Bengal Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project will […]