How well states do on health indices does not seem to be directly correlated to how much they spend per capita on healthcare. This fact was highlighted by the recently-released National Health Accounts for 2018-19 for 20 large states.   Details – The recently-released National Health Accounts for 2018-19 has revealed the fact that high… Continue reading National Health Accounts

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has said that its latest regulations on corporate rescue allow administrators and lenders of bankrupt firms to invite bids for individual assets of the distressed company.   Details – The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has amended the regulations with the “objective to maximise value… Continue reading Amendments to IBBI

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) surpassed milestone of One Lakh Crore rupees of procurement value in last fiscal.   What is GeM? Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a one stop portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Government Departments / Organisations / PSUs. GeM aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed… Continue reading Government e-marketplace

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which carries out quality checks or assessments of Indian Higher-level Educational Institutions (HEIs), courted controversy recently over the rating of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and allegations of bribery in the process.   What is NAAC? The NAAC, an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC),… Continue reading National Assessment and Accreditation Council

India’s Presidency of the prestigious Asia-pacific Institute of Broadcasting Development (AIBD) has been extended for one more year.   About AIBD – The Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), established in 1977 under the auspices of UNESCO, is a unique regional inter-governmental organisation servicing countries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia… Continue reading Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has launched multiple projects for the development of the Bogibeel region near Dibrugarh in Assam.   Details – The Two floating jetties at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh district and Guijan in Tinsukia district will be constructed as state-of-art terminals using the most advanced & updated technology. Both the jetties… Continue reading Bogibeel region

The Numaligarh Refinery Limited has planned to invest over 35 thousand crore rupees in the next five years. This amount will be invested in completing five ongoing projects including India- Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.   About the Numaligarh Refinery – The Numaligarh Refinery is located at Morangi, Golaghat district, Assam. Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) is a… Continue reading Numaligarh Refinery

Typhoon Nanmadol, one of the biggest storms to hit Japan in years, killed at least two people and brought ferocious winds and record rainfall to the west of the country, causing transport disruptions and forcing manufacturers to suspend operations.   About typhoons – A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops between 180° and… Continue reading Nanmadol

The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers is planning to launch a scheme called PM PRANAM. PM PRANAM stands for – PM Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management Yojana. The proposed scheme aims to encourage states to use less chemical fertilisers and to reduce the subsidy burden on chemical fertilisers.   Features of the… Continue reading PM-PRANAM

The Central government and the State governments have differing opinions with respect to introducing a new electricity market model named ‘Market Based Economic Approach (MBED)’.   What is the issue? Electricity distribution companies (Discoms) in India predominantly buy electricity from the wholesale power market under long-term (typically 25 years), medium-term (up to 5 years), and… Continue reading Centralised Market for Electricity