SHRAMIK SPECIAL TRAINS
Why in news? Subsequent to the Ministry of Home Affairs order regarding movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places by special trains, Indian Railways had decided to operate “Shramik Special” trains. About “Shramik Special” Trains “Shramik Special” trains started running from May 1 (Labour Day). These special trains will run from point […]
INDIA & AIIB SIGN AGREEMENT FOR COVID-19 SUPPORT
Why in news? The Government of India and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) signed a US$ 500 million “COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project”. Details: This new support will cover all States and Union Territories across India and address the needs of infected people, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel and service […]
INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY COMPLETED 100 YEARS
Why in news? Indian Red Cross Society completed 100 years of existence. Indian Red Cross Society: Established in 1920 under the Indian Red Cross Society Act and incorporated under Parliament Act XV of 1920. President of India is designated the President of the Indian Red Cross Society and Union Health Minister is the Chairman of the Society. The […]
SUMMIT OF NAM CONTACT GROUP
Why in news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the online Summit of Non Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group to discuss response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Details: The online NAM Contact Group Summit on the theme of “United against COVID-19” was hosted by the current Chairman of NAM, the President of Azerbaijan. The event also […]
WHAT IS THE ‘ONE NATION, ONE RATION CARD’ SYSTEM?
Why in news? Finance Minister on 14th May 2020 announced the national rollout of a ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ system in all states and Union Territories by March 2021. As of now, about 20 states have come on board to implement the inter-state ration card portability. Why do we need a ‘One Nation, One Ration […]
WHY LABOUR LAW REJIG IS NO REFORM?
Concerns with the existing Labour Laws in India The Labour law in India is rigid, and restricts mobility. The list of laws that govern India’s workforce is itself formidably large—at least 40 central laws and more than a 100 state-level acts and regulations. The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 goes to the extent of […]
GETTING CASH TRANSFERS OUT OF A JAM
Introduction The Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (sometimes referred to as: JAM trinity) has been propounded as a dream cash-transfer infrastructure for India. It was born in chapter 3 of the Economic Survey 2015, titled “Wiping every tear from every eye: The JAM number trinity solution”. An illusion and its fading The original formulation, in 2015, mentioned two […]
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 […]
REDUCE THE COUNTRY’S PREFERENCE FOR CASH
Why in news? The first two weeks of March 2020 saw a jump of about ₹53,000 crore in cash available with the public, a spike over the fortnightly average of ₹8,435 crore over the previous 12 months. The surge continued into lockdown, in spite of apprehensions that RBI notes could act as carriers of coronavirus. […]
THE NEED FOR A SECOND CHAMBER: BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
Introduction The Rajya Sabha came into being on April 3, 1952, and had undergone severe prenatal scrutiny in the Constituent Assembly. History of Formation of Bicameral Structure in India The central legislature that came into being under the Government of India Act, 1919 was bicameral with a Council of States and a Legislative Assembly. The membership and […]