SC keen on ending Mullaperiyar battle
Context: The Supreme court wants to strengthen and widen the ambit and responsibilities of the supervisory committee Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Interstate water disputes), GS-I: Geography (Water Sources), GS-III: Disaster management Dimensions of the Article: Key Points About Mullaperiyar Dam About the Dispute regarding Mullaperiyar river Recent developments regarding Mullaperiyar dam risk Background on […]
ADDITIONAL NDRF TEAMS DEPLOYED: AMPHAN
Why in news? Ten additional NDRF teams have been mobilized and are being rushed at the earliest from NDRF locations outside West Bengal to provide support to West Bengal for post cyclone Amphan management. The additional deployment of 10 teams will bring the total deployment to 36 teams of NDRF across the 6 districts of […]
AMPHAN BRINGS A MESSAGE
Introduction The Cyclone Amphan is deemed the most severe storm in the Bay of Bengal since 1999, and it battered the Indian States of West Bengal and Odisha on 20th May 2020. Steps Once the Cyclone passes The states now need to carry out a detailed assessment of what Amphan has done. The next phase of […]
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
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 […]
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 […]