In news: Govt. defends electoral bonds scheme in SC. What’s the issue? A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to strike down the ‘Electoral Bond Scheme 2018’ and amendments in the Finance Act, 2017, which allow for “unlimited donations from individuals and foreign companies to political parties without any record of the sources... Continue Reading →
In news: Cabinet has approved measures to promote the Hydro Power Sector. These measures include: Large Hydropower Projects to be declared as Renewable Energy source (as per existing practice, only hydropower projects less than 25MW are categorized as Renewable Energy).Hydropower Projects (HPO) as a separate entity within non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligation to cover LHPs commissioned after notification of... Continue Reading →
Introduction: Primary health care is in crisis. It is underdeveloped in many countries, underfunded in others, and facing a severe workforce recruitment and retention challenge.Half the world’s population has no access to the most essential health services. Fact; 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata – It united health leaders and highlighted the importance of primary health care as... Continue Reading →
The 1360 kms long India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway is an initiative pertaining to India, Myanmar and Thailand. India is undertaking construction of two sections of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar namely, Construction of 120.74 KM Kalewa-Yagyi road section, andConstruction of 69 bridges along with the approach road on the 149.70 KM Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section. Both... Continue Reading →
In news: The Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs has envisaged engagement of Mahila Police Volunteers (MPVs) in the States and Union Territories who will act as a link between police and community and help women in distress. All Chief Secretaries of States/UTs have been requested to adopt this initiative... Continue Reading →
Introduction: We read about Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification authorising 10 Central agencies to intercept, monitor, and decrypt “any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer.” The MHA order has caused a furore in both Parliament and the wider civil society. MHA notification lays bare the lopsided character of the surveillance framework... Continue Reading →
O Supreme Court Verdict: 2013 People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union Of India Case: Supreme Court ruled that a None of the Above (NOTA) option “may be provided in EVMs” so that voters are able to exercise their “right not to vote while maintaining their right of secrecy”. Excerpt of SC judgment – (Understanding... Continue Reading →
I The below editorial provides possibilities and challenges for India as the country takes over the port operations in Iran. The opening of the first office of Indian Ports Global Limited at Iran’s Chabahar and the takeover of operations of the Shahid Beheshti port is a milestone in India’s regional connectivity and trade boost. Importance... Continue Reading →
In news: The Delhi High Court has strike down as unconstitutional the provisions of the law which sanction punitive action against beggars, including imprisonment. Criminal Tribes Act: The colonial regime believed that there are groups of communities which are criminal by birth, nature, and occupation. The Act unleashed a reign of terror, with its systems... Continue Reading →
Introduction: The Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto has often pointed out that a modern market economy requires a strong system of property rights. India is a mess on this front. Land titles are presumptive rather than conclusive. Pending Property Disputes in Courts: That is one reason why some have estimated that nearly two-thirds of all pending cases in Indian courts are... Continue Reading →
Wisdom IAS 