READING THE DRAFT EIA NORMS
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? The Delhi High Court extended the deadline for public feedback on the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2020. Background to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) A signatory to the Stockholm Declaration (1972) on Environment, India enacted laws to control water (1974) and air (1981) pollution soon […]
WORLD BANK’S STARS PROJECT NEEDS AN OVERHAUL
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Introduction Delivering a service, like education, requires a capable state, especially given the scale and complexity of its large and diverse population. Building state capability involves a process of learning to do things on one’s own, fundamentally making it something that cannot be outsourced. The World Bank’s STARS project, a $3 […]
PALESTINE FACES AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The UN Secretary General told a virtual meeting of the United Nations Security Council that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at a “watershed moment” and that the Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank have alarmed the Palestinians, many Israelis and the international community. Such annexation would […]
CLEAN ENERGY CAN SUPPORT INDIA’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, Industry and Infrastructure Why in news? NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) released Towards a Clean Energy Economy: Post-Covid-19 Opportunities for India’s Energy and Mobility Sectors report. Highlights of the Report The NITI Aayog and RMI report advocates for stimulus and recovery efforts that work towards building a clean, resilient, […]
AMENDMENTS IN THE INDIAN STAMP ACT, 1899
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Amendments in the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 brought through Finance Act 2019 and Rules made thereunder will come into effect from July 2020. Indian Stamp Act Indian Stamp Act, 1899 is an in-force Act of the Government of India for the charging of stamp duty on instruments […]
LOANS OVER RS. 1 LAKH CRORE SANCTIONED UNDER ECLGS
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Under the 100 % Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) backed by a Government guarantee, Banks from Public & Private Sectors have sanctioned loans worth over Rs. 1 lakh crore. Benefits As part of the Aatmanirbhar package Government had announced its plans for Rs. 3 lakh Crore as […]
PLANS AFOOT FOR INDIA’S 1ST COAL EXCHANGE
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, Industry and Infrastructure Why in news? India has taken a step towards completely throwing open the Coal sector to market forces as the country gears up for commercial coal mining auctions, which will increase the number of sellers of coal. Details of the Proposal and Impact As per the proposal, entire […]
DUE TO LOCKDOWNS CENSUS-NPR MAY BE PUSHED TO 2021
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? As Census houselisting and NPR operations remain suspended on account of Covid-19, an assessment may need to be taken to assess if the entire exercise be rescheduled for 2021. Highlights Census 2021 is to be held in two phases — Phase 1 covering houselisting and housing, to be conducted […]
INDIA DEMANDS RESTORATION OF PRE-STANDOFF STATUS ALONG LAC
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India has firmly conveyed its demand to China for restoring the status quo as existed in April 2020 (Before the Standoff) along the border during the senior military commander talks. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the talks were held in a “cordial and positive” atmosphere, and […]
LONG-AWAITED DSDBO ROAD NOW UPSETS CHINA
Focus: GS-III Industry and Infrastructure, GS-II International Relations Why in news? Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road joining Leh to the Karakoram Pass has been in the making for around two decades and is expected to be completed by 2020. Details The road from Darbuk traverses at an altitude of 14,000 feet and reaches Shyok, the […]