Defense technology council Subject: Polity Section: National Body Context: Expert committee headed by Vijay Raghavan (former principal scientific advisor) recommended that an apex body known as Defence Technology Council chaired by the Prime Minister should determine the country’s defense technology roadmap. More on news: The nine-member Vijay Raghavan panel was set up […]
Need reasonable cap on issue of guarantees by States for better fiscal management: RBI Subject: Polity Section: Federalism Context: RBI Working Group has recommended that they should be subject to a reasonable cap on issuance of guarantees. More on news: Government guarantees should not be allowed for creating direct liability / de facto […]
Why Kashmir is without snow Subject: Polity Section: Federalism Context: Snowfall events in the Ladakh-Jammu and Kashmir region have been showing a declining trend in recent years. More on news: Government data shows that 95,989 tourists, including 547 foreigners, had visited Gulmarg in January last year. Officials said the footfall seemed to be […]
Coming flood of U.S. Treasury issuance spooks some investors Subject: Polity Section: Federalism Context: Cracks are forming in the market’s bullish consensus for bonds, as resurfacing fiscal concerns duel with expectations that cooling inflation will push the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in coming months. About Bonds A bond is a debt investment to raise money and finance a variety of projects and activities. Corporates or […]
Understanding the Tenth Schedule Subject: Polity Section: Elections Context: The Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has refused to disqualify 40 MLAs of the Eknath Sindhe faction after recognising it as the real Shiv Sena. About Defection In Legislature, a defector is a person who gives up allegiance to one party in exchange […]
A Speaker’s flawed move to determine the real faction Subject: Polity Section: Legislatures Context: In the Shiv Sena case in Maharashtra, the question as to which faction is the real party cannot be decided by the Speaker as the Tenth Schedule does not require him to decide this. What constitutes defection? Voluntarily giving […]
Govt reconstitutes EPFO Board Subject :Polity Section: National Body Context: The Centre reconstituted the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) by excluding representatives of the Opposition trade unions INTUC, AITUC and AIUTUC from the panel. More on news: All India Manufacturers Association, an organization of employers started […]
What is breach of privilege? Subject : Polity Section: Parliament A breach of privilege is a violation of any of the privileges of MPs/Parliament. Among other things, any action ‘casting reflections’ on MPs, parliament or its committees; could be considered breach of privilege. This may include publishing of news items, editorials or statements […]
LS privileges panel calls for revoking suspension of 3 MPs Subject: Polity Section: Parliament Context: The Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha have accepted the “regrets” expressed by MPs for their alleged disrespect to the Chair during the Winter Session of Parliament. What is Parliamentary Privilege? Parliamentary privilege refers to rights and immunities enjoyed by Parliament as an institution and MPs in their individual capacity, without which they cannot discharge their […]
SC refuses to stay law on selection of CEC and EC Subject : Polity Section: National Body Context: The Supreme Court declined to stay a new law which brushed aside a top court judgment to include the Chief Justice of India as a member of the high powered selection committee to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs). “The CEC and Other Election Commissioners(Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 has diluted the Supreme Court judgment by replacing the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet Minister. Key Provisions of the “The CEC and Other Election Commissioners(Appointment, […]