No need to audit PM-CARES: SC (Polity & Governance)
SYL issue can disturb nation's security: Punjab CM (Polity & Governance)
Time for India and Nepal to make up -Lead Article (International Relations)
Aiming to decolonise through colonial logic - Article (Polity & Governance)
"No-Go" Forest approved for mining (Environment)
Question for the Day
[{"explanation": "<p>The Coal and Environment ministries had jointly undertaken an exercise to mark 'Go' and 'No-Go' areas for mining in nine coal fields in June 2010.</p>", "question": "<p>The concept of NO GO ZONES and GO ZONES can be associated with?</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5f3d3dd37737d42c8976995a", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Indian Railway</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3dd37737d42c8976995b", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>Coal Mining</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3dd37737d42c8976995c", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Border Dispute with Nepal</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3dd37737d42c8976995d", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>None of the above</p>"}], "question_id": "5f3d3dd37737d42c89769959"}, {"explanation": "<p><strong>STATEMENT 1 IS INCORRECT AS IT TAKES CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS BASED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. </strong></p>\n<p>Donations to PM CARES Fund would qualify for 80G benefits for 100% exemption under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Donations to PM CARES Fund will also qualify to be counted as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013. PM CARES Fund has also got exemption under the FCRA and a separate account for receiving foreign donations has been opened. This enables PM CARES Fund to accept donations and contributions from individuals and organizations based in foreign countries. This is consistent with respect to Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). PMNRF has also received foreign contributions as a public trust since 2011. As per SC judgment, contributions made to PM-CARES cannot be audited by CAG.</p>", "question": "<p>Which of the following statements about PM-CARES Fund is/are correct?</p>\n<ol>\n<li>It does not take voluntary contributions from individuals based in foreign countries.</li>\n<li>Donations made to PM-CARES would qualify for Sections 80G benefits for 100% exemption under the Income Tax Act, 1961.</li>\n<li>Donations made to PM-CARES need not be audited by Comptroller and Auditor General of India.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Select the correct answer using the code given below:</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5f3d3df97737d42c8020173e", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1 and 2 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3df97737d42c8020173f", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1 and 3 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3df97737d42c80201740", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>2 and 3 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3df97737d42c80201741", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1, 2 and 3</p>"}], "question_id": "5f3d3df97737d42c8020173d"}, {"explanation": "<ul>\n<li>Union Government through an <strong>executive order in 1976</strong> (during emergency) allocated 3.5 MAF of water to Punjab and Haryana while Delhi received the remaining 0.2 MAF. The Union government also proposed the <strong>Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal</strong> for proper utilisation of water between the two states. The decision was met with opposition in Punjab.</li>\n<li>After coming to power in 1977, the Shiromani Akali Dal demanded that the water sharing between Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan be adjudicated by Supreme Court and filed a suit against the order of the Union government. </li>\n<li>However under Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, a new settlement was reached between Punjab Haryana and Rajasthan in 1981 where share of Punjab and Rajasthan was increased. All states withdrew their suits from the Supreme Court following the signing of agreement.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Thus in April 1982, Mrs. Gandhi formally launched the construction of SYL in Punjab. Under the terms of the <strong>“Punjab Accord”</strong> a tribunal was to be set up to investigate the river water claims of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.</p>", "question": "<p>Consider the following statements with reference to Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Construction of Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal was ordered under Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi.</li>\n<li>Under the terms of Punjab Accord, a new tribunal was to be set up to investigate river water claims of Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Which of the statements given above is/are correct?</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5f3d3e217737d42c897699c9", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3e217737d42c897699ca", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>2 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3e217737d42c897699cb", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>Both 1 and 2</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3e217737d42c897699cc", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Neither 1 nor 2</p>"}], "question_id": "5f3d3e217737d42c897699c8"}, {"explanation": "<p><img class=\"img_with_preview\" height=\"332\" src=\"https://tinglado-mediafiles.s3.amazonaws.com/media/editor_images/2020/8/19/20/29/17/5f3d3e457737d42c83b7d895_OI.PNG\" width=\"505\"/></p>", "question": "<p>Lipu Lekh Pass can be found in</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5f3d3e477737d42c83b7d897", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>Uttrakhand</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3e477737d42c83b7d898", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Himachal Pradesh</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3e477737d42c83b7d899", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Jammu and Kashmir</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f3d3e477737d42c83b7d89a", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Sikkim</p>"}], "question_id": "5f3d3e477737d42c83b7d896"}]
The Supreme Court has endorsed the PM CARES Fund as a “public charitable trust” to which donors contribute voluntarily. The Court observed that there is “no occasion” for the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to audit a public charitable trust independent of budgetary support or government money. The court said that it is “not open” for a PIL petitioner to question the “wisdom” that created the fund in an hour of need. So, the Court held that no exception can be taken to the constitution of a public charitable trust, namely, PM CARES Fund.
Supreme Court’s Observations on PM-CARES
Section 12 of Disaster Management Act, 2005
Objectives of PM-CARES
Constitution of the Trust
Other Important Details
SYL issue can disturb nation’s security, Amarinder tells Centre
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has asked the Central government to be cautious on the contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, which has been the focal point of water sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana. According to the CM of Punjab, if SYL issue is not settled amicably, then it has the potential to disturb the nation’s security.
Meeting as per SC Directive
Contention raised by CM of Punjab
Need for Tribunal (Punjab) & Construction of Canal (Haryana)
What is Sutlej Yamuna Canal (SYL) project?
What is the history of animosity between Punjab and Haryana over sharing of water through SYL?
What did State of Punjab and State of Haryana plead before the Supreme Court?
What did the Supreme Court say?
Time for India and Nepal to make up
In the backdrop of declining relationship with Nepal in the last few months, the article mentions that this declining tailspin must be halted so that the most exemplary inter-state relationship of South Asia may recover. De-escalation between India and Nepal must happen before the social, cultural and economic flows across the open border suffer long-term damage.
Cause of Dispute
Official Census & Elections in Limpiyadhura villages
Arguments by Nepal Diplomats
Road to Lipu Lekh
View of the Author - Future Talks – Dousing the Fire
Immediate Need to De-escalate
If Limpiyadhura goes to Nepal – Author’s Suggestion
Aiming to decolonize through colonial logic
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) last year constituted the Committee for Reforms in Criminal Law to undo the “colonial foundations of our criminal law”. The precise mandate of the Committee has not been put into the public domain, but it is apparent that the Committee aims to recommend an overhaul of the Indian criminal justice system. Among others, judges, lawyers, and activists have voiced their concerns about the composition and operation of the Committee.
Aim of the Committee
Concerns Expressed
Deliberative Democracy
Go - No go forests approved for mining
Center for science and environment has found that , Since 2015, of the 49 blocks cleared for coal mining, nine were in ‘No-Go’ areas. In 2020, of the 41 blocks put up for auction, 21 feature in the original No-Go list.
No go Zones
Not utilising existing capacity
Tweaking the clearance system
Initial classification and current status of "no-go" and "go" zones
