Learning IQ

  India and Ireland held the bilateral consultations on UN Security Council issues on February 26, 2021 in the virtual mode. Highlights During the bilateral consultations, both the countries congratulated each other for their election to United Nation Security Council (UNSC). They also held discussions and briefed each regarding the UNSC priorities. They further held discussions on several issues on UNSC agenda and they agreed to work closely during their terms at the UNSC in 2021-2021. India-Ireland relations The bilateral relation between India and Ireland dates back to the British Era. Both the countries were former possessions of the British Empire. They flighted against the common adversary. Both the countries also flighted together for their respective independence movements. India has brought many of the constitutional provisions from Irish constitution. The relation between both the countries were strengthened by people including Rabindranath Tagore Jawaharlal Nehru, Sister...

The task force on Interlinking of Rivers has approved the Mahanadi-Godavari Link on February 25, 2021. Approval was given to the preparation of final detailed project report on proposed Mahanadi -Godavari link. Highlights The linking project was approved by ensuring the utilisation of allocated Godavari waters by the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The decision was taken at the 13th meeting of the task force on interlinking of rivers which was held in New Delhi. In the meeting, three proposals were discussed and put forward by the task force chairman, Sriram Vedire. The proposals were based on draft detailed project report that was prepared with respect to the diversion of water from Godavari basin to Cauvery basin. The task force also emphasised on the several priority links under the interlinking of rivers programme by the central government. The draft detailed project report was prepared on Godavari-Cauvery link the National Water Development Authority (NWDA). National Water...

  A Currency and Finance (RCF) report by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) official has recommended that, the time span that was considered to measure whether monetary policy-setting panel has failed in achieving its objectives or not should be of four quarters rather than current time period of three-quarter. However, RBI made it clear that the report does not represent any institutional view with respect to it. Key Findings The report also recommends that roll the terms for the members in six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in order to moderate the political influence at the place of current appointments for the fixed term. The recommendations in the report have come after a period when the inflation target constantly touches upper-end of 6 per cent headline inflation target for several months. The expert also points out that, the Monetary policy committee should explain in this regard except for the lack of appropriate field visits to arrive at data during the lockdown. Report ...

  The Global anti-terrorism watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decided to maintain Pakistan into Grey List till June 2021. Key Facts This decision by the FATF was taken in the light of country’s failure to fully comply with the 27-point action plan of to combat the terrorism. This decision was taken following a virtual plenary session that was over three days. The FATF has decided to keep the Pakistan into the grey list and will remain under the increased monitoring because serious deficiencies were observed with respect to the terror financing. Though, Pakistan has taken several steps but it needs to act upon three important points out of 27 action points. What does FATF said? FATF said that, Pakistan needs to work on implementing following three remaining items out of 27 items: It needs to demonstrate the Terror funding investigations and prosecutions targeting the persons & entities acting on behalf of the designated persons or entities. It needs to demonstrate that...

The Union education minister, addressed the 16 th FICCI Higher Education Summit on February 25, 2021. The summit is being organised in New Delhi from February 25, 2021 to February 27, 2021. While addressing the summit the minister said it will make India the knowledge capital of the world Highlights The policy allows the students to be more creative in their respective fields since it focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation and skill development. Minister also said, the centre is looking for a greater private sector participation and has planned to increase the number of Institutes of Eminence (IoEs) from 20 to 50. He also said, government values the private players and will encourage them for value creation in education. It will also confer IoE status to 25 select private institutions. IoEs enjoy the administrative, academic and financial autonomy so as to compete at the global level. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) The FICCI was established in the yea...

  The Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, lauded India and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, for sharing the Covid-19 vaccines and supporting the “Vaccine Equality” across the world. Highlights The Chief of WHO also hoped that other countries will follow the same path to distribute the vaccines equally. WHO chief made a statement that, India’s commitment to COVAX and sharing the covid-19 vaccines have helped more than 60 countries as they have started vaccinating their health workers and other priority groups. He further stated that if everyone acts together and share the knowledge, this pandemic could be stopped to save lives and livelihoods of the people. Background In January 2021, the chief of WHO had also expressed his gratitude to India for its continued support to the world in fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic. Further, in the initial days of February 2021, the WHO Chief had requested the drug makers and wealthy nat...