- How do felling of forests lead to soil infertility? This is what I was asked by one of you in the shout-box. Take a look at the riveting material that I found on the web for this. Especially watch the underlined portions. They hold the key. I posted in today’s Discover It.
- Today I have been pointed to a longish but good article on Civil Services. It is a good read for every aspirant. Take a look at it here.
- Former PM Chandrasekhar dies of blood cancer
- He was a fire-brand socialist who was known for his frank and, often controversial views.
- He was the lone representative of the Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtrawadi) in the Lok Sabha.
- Government has declared a seven-day state mourning for the departed leader.
- What’s the big difference between an ‘appeal’ and a ‘review’?
- It appears there is a lot to it when it comes to firing Judges of the Supreme Court and High Court.
- A parliamentary panel that is looking into the Judges (Inquiry) Bill, 2006 is against allowing the process of ‘appeal’ for dismissed errant judges. It feels that the errant judges will be able to misuse the appeal process, as it entails a detailed judicial examination of the executive’s decision both on the grounds of facts and law. Instead it wants the dismissal decisions to be only judicially ‘reviewed’ by the Supreme Court. This would mean a brief examination of the decision only the grounds of law and not facts.
- Dawn
- It is a space probe to study the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
- It is slated for launch on July 15.
- Phoenix
- Is a Mars lander that is scheduled to be launched in August.
- Coal mining to get infrastructure status soon. What does getting this status mean?
- It would entitle companies in the sector for a 10 year tax holiday.
- Entitle import of capital equipment and spares at concessional rates.
- Enable companies to seek cheaper credit from the financial institutions.
- Some facts and figures about SEZs
- Notified SEZs so far: 128
- Formal approvals given for: 340
- Land required for approved SEZs: 41,000 hectares
- Expected investments in the SEZs over the next five years: $75 bn. Of this about $60 bn is going to be FDI.
- NAAC
- National Assessment & Accreditation Council
- It assesses professional colleges and gives accreditation to them. It is an autonomous body under the UGC.
- How can forex accumulation be moderated?
- There are three possible ways:
- Discouraging non-debt capital flows into the country. This is not desirable in view of the massive investments needed for sustaining the growth momentum.
- Liberalizing forex outflows.
- Let the rupee appreciate and find its free market level where the supply and demand for dollars are even balanced.
- It is estimated that around $2.5 trillion are with central banks around the world looking for diversification away from the traditional sovereign bond market. This is a sub-set of the nearly $8 trillion managed by the central banks of the world that continue to be largely invested in the bond markets of the developed world.
- A 1% improvement in the overall returns on forex reserves can pay for around 4% of India’s oil imports.
- What is the import of Lal Masjid for South Asia?
- In an excellent article this was analyzed by C. Uday Bhaskar in today’s ET. This is a must read for every political science student. Articles such as these are the stuff that are needed for effectively answering the International Relations paper. Take a look at it here. It doesn’t mean that others can ignore this. It is advised for others also equally.
- Watch these two interesting videos I found on YouTube.
- Now do you understand why is a picture (err… video) worth more than a thousand words?
- Difficulties being faced by banks with the SARFAESI Act, 2002
- It is the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act.
- It allows banks to attach and sell defaulters’ assets that are pledged with them after giving a 60 day notice. But banks are facing two major problems in its implementation:
- Defaulters move courts and manage to get ex-parte stay orders on sale of securities pledged with banks. When the banks are requesting courts for an opportunity of being heard before a stay is granted, the courts are refusing saying that there is no such provision in the law which allows banks to file an anticipatory notice.
- The other issue is taking possession of the defaulter’s property. On completion of the 60 day notice, a bank has to inform the district magistrate, who in turn enables them to take possession of the property. Banks are facing enormous delays on the part of the district magistrates to take possession of the property.
- F1 racing – British Grand Prix
- Won by Kimi Raikkonen for Ferrari.
- Tennis @Wimbledon
- Roger Federer made history by equaling the Bjorn Borg record of 5 successive Wimbledon titles. He beat Rafael Nadal in the finals.
- Did you watch this on TV. It was very gripping. Couldn’t take my eyes off the match. It was very evenly poised till the end. It could have gone either way.
Loading...
0 comments:
Post a Comment