Recently, some experts advised that the government should speed up implementation of alternatives to stubble burning. The centre, facing criticism from farmers protesting against the farm laws, had committed to removing a clause in the Air Commission Bill, 2021 that would penalise farmers for burning stubble, an important contributor to noxious air quality. Important points: Stubble (parali) burning …

According to a recent report by the United Nation, the goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 i.e. ‘Zero Hunger’ has been hit in the wake of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. The zero hunger goal works in tandem with many others: Poverty elimination (SDG1), good health and well-being (SDG3), and the need for clean …

Recently, the Union Government approved the continuation of more than 1000 Fast Track Special Court (FTSCs) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for two years (April 2021-March 2023). It includes 389 exclusive POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Courts. The Central share will be provided from the Nirbhaya Fund. Important points: Fast track courts (FTCs) were …

Recently, the launch of Boeing’s uncrewed Starliner Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) has been postponed once again. The spacecraft, which is called the Crew Space Transportation-100 (CST-100), is part of an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Important points The spacecraft has been designed to …

Florida has been battling outbreaks of red tide, caused by the algae Karenia brevis, for several years. This year’s bloom may have been aggravated due to the release of contaminated water into Tampa Bay earlier. Tampa Bay, arm of the Gulf of Mexico, indenting the west coast of Florida, US. Important …

Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour has released a report on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on rising unemployment and job loss. The panel called on the government to improve social security measures and take measures like Direct transfer of money and urban employment guarantee scheme for informal sector workers Social Security According to the International …

Recently, the Delhi High Court has allowed the medical termination of pregnancy of a woman who had completed 22 weeks of gestation as the foetus was suffering from multiple abnormalities. Gestation is the foetal development period from the time of conception until birth. In India, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act stipulates a ceiling of 20 weeks, for …

Recently, the Union Minister of Education has informed in the Lok Sabha about the various steps taken by the government to promote the Languages in Eighth Schedule Important points It lists the official languages of the republic of India. Part XVII of the Indian constitution deals with the official languages in Articles 343 to 351. The Constitutional provisions related to the Eighth …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that a preventive detention order can only be passed if the detenu is likely to adversely affect the maintenance of public order. The SC also gave direction to governments and to other courts, for dealing with detention under preventive detention. Important points The court held that it cannot seriously be disputed that …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) held that the Governor’s power to pardon overrides Section 433A of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Earlier in January 2021, in a case of mercy petition, the SC noted that the Governor cannot reject the state’s recommendation but there is no time prescribed to take a decision. Important points SC held that the Governor of a …