Thousands of NGOs in limbo over permission for foreign funds
Context: Recently, the Foreigners Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of Missionaries of Charity, a Catholic religious congregation set up by Nobel laureate Mother Teresa was not renewed due to “audit irregularities”. Not just Missionaries of Charity, but thousands of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and charitable trusts are awaiting a decision from the government on the renewal […]
Gujarat tops in composite Good Governance Index 2021
Context: Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation released the Good Governance Index 2021 prepared by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) on Good Governance Day celebrated annually on 25th December to mark the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Relevance: GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives, […]
Kerala tops NITI Aayog’s ‘Health Index’
Context: Kerala has emerged as the state with the best overall health performance for the fourth consecutive year according to federal think tank NITI Aayog’s fourth Health Index report. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice and Governance (Issues related to Health, Government Policies and Initiatives) Dimensions of the Article: About NITI Aayog’s Health Index Highlights of the […]
Cabinet nod for Raising legal age of marriage for women to 21
The Centre has decided to raise the legal age of marriage of women from 18 to 21 years – The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, amends the definition of child to mean “a male or female who has not completed twenty-one years of age”. Relevance: GS-I: Indian Society, GS-II: Social Justice and Governance […]
Cabinet clears Ken-Betwa river interlinking project
Context: The Union Cabinet approved the funding and implementation of the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project at a cost of ₹44,605 crore at the 2020-21 price level. The Centre would fund ₹39,317 crore for the project, with ₹36,290 crore as a grant and ₹3,027 crore as a loan. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Drainage System in India, Projects […]
Mediation Bill: Not getting the Act together
Context: The Ministry of Law and Justice has placed the Draft Mediation Bill, 2021 in public domain seeking feedback and suggestions from all stakeholders. Relevance: GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives, Issues arising out of the design and implementation of Policies) Dimensions of the Article: What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)? Types of Alternative Dispute […]
Nagaland probe on AFSPA and 1997 SC judgment
Context: The killing of civilians in a botched ambush by the armed forces in Nagaland’s Mon district and its violent fallout have put the spotlight on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act [AFSPA] of 1958. The death of 15 people — six of them coal miners “mistaken” as extremists — and a soldier over 24 […]
Bill to correct drafting error in NDPS Act introduced
Context: A Bill to replace an ordinance amending the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 was introduced in the Lok Sabha, with some MPs opposing it on technical grounds. Relevance: GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives, Issues Arising Out of the Design and Implementation of Policies), GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Organized Crime and Terrorism) […]
States told to adopt Delhi police model
Context: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has urged the State Governments to follow the crime analytics model of Delhi Police in preventing street crimes against women through crime mapping and identification of hotspots for reinforced action. Relevance: GS-II: Governance, GS-II: Polity and Constitution Dimensions of the Article: About the recommendation to follow the […]
Dam Safety Act will bring in unified policies
Context: The Dam Safety Bill 2021 was moved in the Rajya Sabha but the debate could not be held because of disruptions from the Opposition parties. Relevance: GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives, Issues arising out of the design and implementation of the policies) Dimensions of the Article: Need for the Dam Safety Bill 2021 […]