NCMC RECONVENES TO OVERSEE PREPAREDNESS FOR AMPHAN
Why in news? The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) held a meeting to review the preparedness of States and Central Ministries/Agencies to deal with the Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’. Expected impact of Amphan India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that the Super Cyclone is expected to impact the West Bengal coast by the afternoon/evening of 20th […]
REDUCING CUSTODIAL DEATHS
Context and Details: The police play a major role in the administration of criminal justice. One of the reasons for custodial death is that the police feel that they have a power to manipulate evidence as the investigation is their prerogative and with such manipulated evidence, they can bury the truth Custodial deaths have been […]
THE WORLD MUST ACT AGAINST THE THREAT OF AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS
We are fast approaching a pivotal moment in the global arms race for Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs) Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will disrupt the way things are being done right now Major countries and technology companies all over the world are developing LAWs capable of acquiring, identifying and engaging targets without any meaningful […]
OP SAMUDRA SETU PHASE 2
Why in news? The Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa completed embarkation of 588 Indian citizens on 15 May 20, at the port of Male, Maldives as part of Operation Samudra Setu. Click Here to read More about Operations Samudra Setu
ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT
Why in news? The Prime Minister addressed the nation regarding the battle against the COVID-19 crisis and how we are going to face it as a nation. Self-reliant India PPE kits N-95 masks, whose production in India has gone up from almost being negligible to 2 lakh each, on a daily basis is an example […]
HEED THE DIFFERENCE: STRATEGIES TO EXIT LOCKDOWN
Introduction The two imperatives, of extending the lockdown to reduce the rise in number of COVID-19 cases and relaxing lockdown to increase economic activity, might seem conflicting. But the key to resolving the impasse lies in recognising that different states have different needs and demands, and they should be given a greater say in decisions […]
RIDING ROUGHSHOD OVER STATE GOVERNMENTS
Introduction During the lockdowns the Centre has issued guidelines from time to time, ostensibly under the Disaster Management Act of 2005, containing varying restrictions on public activity and commerce which the States are expected to enforce. The Centre directs the State governments to scrupulously enforce every new set of guidelines, with the States ONLY being […]
RESPONDING TO COVID-19 AT THE GRASSROOTS
Introduction Line Mahatma Gandhi envisioned that a free India would rest on a foundation of gram panchayats, village republics that governed locally and epitomised Swaraj in practice. Locally relevant initiatives and issues The 73rd Constitutional Amendment mandates the constitution of panchayats at the district, intermediate and village levels as devolved institutions of self-government and provides […]
TOXIC DISASTER: SAFETY PARAMOUNT WHEN EXITING LOCKDOWN
Why in news? The disastrous leak of a toxic chemical that has killed several people and left hundreds sick near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh comes as a shock to a nation struggling to cope with a prolonged lockdown. Styrene, the chemical involved is included in the schedule of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical […]
MAJOR STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR MSMES, TDS AND TCS REDUCED
Why in news? The Union Finance Minister on 13th May 2020, announced a Rs. 3 lakh crore collateral free loan scheme for businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as part of a Rs. 20-lakh-crore economic stimulus package to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The rates of tax deduction at source (TDS) and tax collection […]