Important
India-China border trade resumes after 6 years; first batch of 16 traders flagged off for Tibet
After a hiatus of nearly five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, border trade between India and China has formally resumed through the **Shipki-La pass** in Himachal Pradesh and the **Lipulekh Pass** in Uttarakhand. This traditional barter and formal trade, primarily conducted by tribal communities of the border regions, allows for the exchange of specific notified goods and is seen as a crucial driver for the local economy of these remote frontier areas.
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E20 blending boosts Punjab farmers, eases millers’ burden: Rice millers’ body
The central government's E20 (20% ethanol-blended petrol) initiative is being highlighted by the Amritsar Rice Millers Association as economically beneficial for Punjab's farmers, primarily by creating a stable market for surplus paddy, which serves as a major cash crop. Concurrently, political opposition is mounting, with demands for the availability of unblended petrol, lower prices for E20, and overall petrol price reductions, citing concerns over a 'minor' drop in vehicle mileage associated with ethanol blending.
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Must ReadJ&K speeds up FRA implementation; warns Forest Dept. against eviction notices
The Jammu & Kashmir government has designated the Tribal Affairs Department as the nodal agency for implementing the [Forest Rights Act, 2006], replacing the Forest Department. This decision follows friction over eviction drives and aims to expedite the recognition of rights for forest-dwelling communities while halting evictions until the verification process is complete.
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Must ReadGST collections stay on track, rise 15% in July
Gross GST collections surged 15% year-on-year in July to ₹1.81 lakh crore. A significant portion of this growth was driven by a 28.8% increase in GST collected on imports, while domestic collections grew by 10.1%.
Read on Economic TimesDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Polity & Governance: A protest march at Jantar Mantar demanding reforms in the [National Testing Agency (NTA)] escalated into clashes, prompt](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-08-02%2Fthe-right-to-protest-and-the-limits-of-police-power-explained-481f63aa.png&w=1200&q=75)
ImportantThe right to protest and the limits of police power | Explained
A protest march at Jantar Mantar demanding reforms in the [National Testing Agency (NTA)] escalated into clashes, prompting police to use tear gas and lathi charges. The incident, which also involved temporary metro station closures and reported mobile connectivity disruptions, has reignited the debate surrounding the right to protest and the limits of police action in a democracy.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study NotesRBI likely to hold rates in August, maintain hawkish tone as inflation risks loom: Economists
A poll of economists anticipates the [Reserve Bank of India (RBI)] will maintain its benchmark repo rate unchanged in its August monetary policy review, adopting a 'Neutral' stance but with a hawkish tone. This approach balances resilient domestic growth with looming inflation risks stemming from geopolitical tensions, elevated crude oil prices, and uneven monsoon progress, leading to a "wait-and-watch" strategy by the [Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)].
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