PM CARES Fund: The PM CARES Fund collected ₹10,990 crore since its inception in March 2020 until March 2021. It spent ₹3,976 crore during the 2020-21 financial year, according to the audited financial statement posted on its website. As on March 31, 2021, the Fund had an unspent balance of ₹7,044 crore. The Fund […]
Parvatmala Scheme: National Ropeways Development Programme
Parvatmala Scheme: The Union Finance Minister in the Union Budget for 2022-23 announced National Ropeways Development Programme – “Parvatmala” to improve connectivity in hilly areas. The scheme will be taken up on PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode, which will be a preferred ecologically sustainable alternative in place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas. […]
What Is Bioremediation?
What Is Bioremediation? A team of Argentine scientists is using microorganisms native to Antarctica to explore the idea of cleaning up pollution from fuels and, potentially, plastics in the pristine expanses of the white continent. The continent is protected by a 1961 Madrid Protocol that stipulates it must be kept in a pristine state. […]
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: With the onset of summer, the seasonal migration of wild animals has begun from the adjacent wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) in Kerala. The sanctuary is a haven for wild animals during summer owing to the easy availability of fodder and water throughout […]
Freedom Of Attire
Freedom Of religion And Attire: Six students were banned from entering a college in Karnataka’s Udupi district for wearing a hijab. The issue throws up legal questions on reading the freedom of religion and whether the right to wear a hijab is constitutionally protected or not. Article 25(1) of the Constitution guarantees the freedom […]
Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999
Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999: The Kerala governor has signed the ordinance proposing amendments to the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999, that makes the agency’s orders not binding on the government. Amendments to the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999: The government can “either accept or reject the verdict of the Lokayukta, after giving an […]
Iran Nuclear Deal: Deadline for Revival
Iran Nuclear Deal: Western diplomats have set a deadline of later this month to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The deal was dismantled in 2018 by President Donald Trump. American officials are concerned about Iran’s rapid nuclear escalation after the US abandoned the deal. Iran has already said that it is enriching uranium […]
No Plans for One Nation One Election
What Is ‘One Nation, One Election? The Centre has clarified that it is not planning on amending the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to enable a common electoral roll and simultaneous elections to all electoral bodies in the country. This is because many concerns have been expressed against them and there has been […]
Bird Walk: Kawal Tiger Reserve
Kawal Tiger Reserve: The Kawal Tiger Reserve is going to host its first ever ‘Bird Walk’ on February 12 and 13. Kawal is home to a rich diversity in flora and fauna with more than 300 species of birds, and over 600 tree species with different forest compositions. The reserve is located in Telangana. […]
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act: Tripura
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act: The Supreme Court has pulled up the Tripura Police and the government for repeated notices under UAPA sent to journalists, activists, and people who tweeted the articles on alleged violence in the state. Towards the end of October 2021, a mosque, some shops and houses belonging to the minority Muslim […]
