GOVT. PLANS CYBER SECURITY SYSTEM FOR FINANCIAL SECTOR
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Challenges Why in news? The government is in the process of setting up a system to secure the country’s financial sector from cyber-attacks after agencies pointed to its vulnerability due to the increase in number of digital transactions over the past few months on account of Covid-19, and threats from hostile […]
HARYANA’S ASHA WORKERS DISCONNECTED
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? At the frontline of the country’s battle against COVID-19, Accredited Social Health Activists, or ASHAs, in Haryana have gone on strike after they were issued new Jio 4G SIM cards and their old SIMs disabled to ensure they migrate to android phones for better monitoring of service delivery. […]
LOW DEATH CERTIFICATION DENOTING CAUSE OF DEATH
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? Analysis of data shows that less than one out of five deaths in India is medically certified to denote cause of death. Details Deaths with medical certification of the cause were the lowest with a mere 2.5% of estimated deaths in Jharkhand, followed by just over 3% in Uttar […]
INDIA, NEPAL: BILATERAL PROJECTS
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Indian and Nepalese diplomats met in Kathmandu and reviewed the status of a number of ongoing bilateral projects. Details and Highlights This is the first diplomat-level meeting between the two sides in 2020 that saw the Kalapani territorial dispute. The talks marked the Eighth Meeting of Nepal-India Oversight […]
CHINESE ENTITIES IN ‘HAWALA’ RACKET: ED
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a money-laundering probe into a “hawala” racket allegedly involving some Chinese companies and shell entities that was unearthed by the Income-Tax Department earlier. Details The Enforcement Directorate (ED) zeroed in on a Chinese national who had been living under a pseudonym holding a […]
BHADBHUT PROJECT EXPLAINED
Focus: GS-III Industry and Infrastructure Why in news? The Gujarat government recently awarded the contract for a barrage project – The Rs-4,167-crore Bhadbhut project in Bharuch. Details The Bhadbhut project in Bharuch is meant to solve freshwater problems in this region of Gujarat. It has also faced protests from local fishermen for its likely impact […]
NGT ORDER FINES MUMBAI FIRMS FOR CREATING ‘GAS CHAMBERS’
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Introduction The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an order asked four industrial firms in Mumbai to pay Rs 286 crore as compensation for environmental damages caused by air pollution over five years. The NGT held them responsible for creating “gas chamber”-like conditions in certain areas of Mumbai. The calculations of […]
JUDICIAL REMEDIES FOR J&K INTERNET RESTRICTIONS
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Central government has agreed to restore Internet in two districts in Jammu and Kashmir on a trial basis in response to the Supreme Court of India’s approach. Reasoning against Internet Shut Downs The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression of the United Nations and representatives of […]
JURISDICTIONAL CONFLICT IN THE RUNNING OF DELHI
Focus: GS-II Governance Introduction The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in Government of NCT of Delhi vs. Union of India (2018) said: “The exercise of establishing a democratic and representative form of government for NCT of Delhi by insertion of Articles 239AA and 239AB would turn futile if the Government of Delhi that enjoys […]
INDO-U.S. VIRTUAL NETWORKS AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Eight binational teams consisting of researchers from India and the US have received awards to pursue cutting-edge research in pathogenesis and disease management of COVID-19 through Indo-US virtual networks. The Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) announced the awards. The areas of research they will pursue include antiviral […]