CURRENT AFFAIRS

It is not surprising that the raging pandemic has transformed our lives drastically, dramatically, and also differently. 

The 43rd meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is to be held on May 28. The GST Council was mandated to meet at least once every quarter, but it had not met for two quarters, ostensibly due to the pandemic.

More than a year after the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the virus has affected 190 countries, leading to a 4.3 percent contraction of the world economy,

During the second wave of Covid infections, communities emerged as resilient entities across the country.

The Indian government announced a pandemic-related stimulus package in FY 2020-21 though there was large decline in tax revenue.

COVID-19 has tested the resilience of all public institutions. Despite its efforts, bureaucracy has emerged as a major concern for the ineffective response to the COVID-19 crisis.

As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic ravages India, many bitter home truths and fault lines have been starkly exposed. 

COVID-19 destroys lives and livelihoods specially low-paid and informal workers, who constitute 91% of the workforce.

The majority of India’s working population is today reeling from the impact of multiple crises: a health emergency more ferocious than any in independent India; massive job losses and dramatic declines in incomes from work; and significantly increased mass hunger and worsening nutrition. 

Recently the Central government has abolished several appellate tribunals and authorities and transferred their jurisdiction to other existing judicial bodies through the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance 2021.