Daily Archives: July 24, 2021

PEGASUS CONTROVERSY

Amid the Pegasus Controversy, it was reported that the Union Government’s expenditure on the National Security Council secretariat (NSCS) increased ten fold in 2017-18 to Rs 333 crores from Rs 33 cr. in 2016-17. NSC of India is a three-tiered organization that oversees political, economic, energy and security issues of strategic concern. The National Security Advisor …

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BAN ON FIRECRACKERS

Recently, the Supreme Court has dismissed appeals challenging the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order which had imposed a complete ban on the sale and use of all firecrackers during the Covid-19 pandemic in NCR and other cities in India. The order was given in the context of a poor Air Quality Index (AQI), …

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NIMHANS GUIDELINES

Acting on the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs, NIMHANS, an Institute of National Importance, issued a set of guidelines on the management of mental health issues of the prisoners and prison staff. Important points: In this model, selected inmates, trained to identify prisoners at risk of suicide, would refer them to treatment …

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ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted various measures to address the challenges posed by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the country. Important points: Antimicrobial resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections. As a …

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PLI SCHEME FOR SPECIALTY STEEL

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme (Central Sector Scheme) for manufacturing Speciality Steel (SS) with a budgetary outlay of Rs 6,322 crore over a period of five years from 2023-24. Speciality Steel It is value-added steel, which is made by processing normal finished steel. It is done by converting normal finished steel into high value-added …

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EXPORT PROCESSING ZONES

Special Economic Zones (SEZ) have touched new heights in terms of performance in Exports, Investment and Employment in the last three years. Important points: An SEZ is a territory within a country that is typically duty-free (Fiscal Concession) and has different business and commercial laws chiefly to encourage investment and create employment. SEZs are created also …

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SECRECY OF VOTE IN PARLIMENT

Recently, the Supreme Court of India held that in any election, be it to Parliament or State legislature, the maintenance of secrecy of voting is “a must”. It reiterated its 2013 judgement in the People’s Union for Civil Liberties case. Important points: Part of Fundamental Right: The secrecy is a part of the fundamental right of freedom of expression. …

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STRUCTURAL ECONOMIC REFORMS IN INDIA

Recently, the US State Department released a report titled ‘2021 Investment Climate Statements: India’. The report lauded the structural economic reforms carried by the Government of India, in the wake of economic slowdown and Covid-19 pandemic. However, the report asserts that India remains a challenging place to do business. Earlier, the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) emphasized that …

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