GDP TO SHRINK 14.8%: GOLDMAN
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Indian economy is the worst-hit among major economies, American brokerage Goldman Sachs said, sharply cutting its FY21 GDP forecast to a contraction of 14.8%. Details The estimate comes days after official data said the economy contracted by 23.9% for the June 2020 quarter, as activity across all […]
GLOBAL ECONOMY TO CONTRACT 4.4%
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Fitch Ratings projected global GDP to contract 4.4% in the current year, but revised upwards China’s growth estimate to 2.7% for 2020. Details Fitch has slashed India’s growth projection to (-)10.5% from (-)5% estimated earlier after official data released last week showed the April-June 2020 quarter GDP contracted […]
SC: ADHERE TO MINISTRY CIRCULAR ON CHAR DHAM
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Supreme Court ordered the Centre to adhere to a Union Road Ministry circular which had advised against building full-fledged roads cutting across the fragile Himalayan slopes, while implementing the Char Dham project for better connectivity to pilgrimage centres in Uttarakhand. The project had proposed the widening of single […]
40% OF CHILDREN ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? ‘Health in India’ report was recently published by the National Statistical Organisation (NSO). The report is based on the 75th round of the National Sample Survey (July 2017-June 2018) on household social consumption related to health. Highlights Although almost all children in India are vaccinated against tuberculosis, and […]
DIGITAL DIVIDE AFFECTS EDUCATION
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Context For the child in urban Himachal Pradesh, where Internet penetration is higher than 70%, it likely means online schooling, Zoom classes and digital textbooks. For the child in rural Odisha, where less than 6% of households have Internet facilities, such options are out of the question. Even as digital literacy […]
SMALL BUSINESSES FACED THE WRATH OF THE PANDEMIC
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Small businesses have been hit the most by the spread of covid-19, data from CARE Ratings confirms. Listed companies with sales of less than Rs. 25 crore recorded the sharpest contraction in sales of around 67% from April to June 2020. Why have small firms been hit the […]
MOUNTAINS THAT SUSTAIN MILLIONS
Focus: GS-II Geography, GS-I Indian Society Introduction The Himalayas region is among the 36 world biodiversity hotspots and encompasses 240 million people. The mountains are the most resilient; yet, ironically, their inhabitants are vulnerable. With few livelihood options, forests form an essential life support system for the locals. However, dwindling natural resources, unsustainable agricultural practices, […]
FARMERS FEELING CHEATED BY THE GOVT’S POLICIES
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Four specific points – Gap between Policy and Impact on the rural economy I- Diesel Tax, and others Under PM Kisan, each landowning farmer (landless are excluded) receives Rs 6,000 annually. A farmer growing a combination of paddy and wheat utilises about 50 litres of diesel per acre. As of September […]
VILLAGE POVERTY REDUCTION PLAN (VPRP)
Focus: GS-II Governance, Social Justice Introduction The Article 243G of the Constitution intended to empower the Gram Panchayats (GPs) by enabling the State Governments to devolve powers and authority in respect of all 29 Subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule for local planning and implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice. The local […]
VIRTUAL HEARINGS UNDER EPF & MP ACT, 1952
Focus: GS-II Governance, GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Minister of State for Labour & Employment (I/C) launched virtual hearing facility in quasi-judicial cases under EPF & MP Act, 1952 through Video conferencing by use of secure IT applications. The aim of integration of virtual hearing utilities with EPFO’s e-Court process on Compliance e-Proceedings Portal […]