WBCS Current Affairs 01/07/2017 to 07/07/2017 Part 1
Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2017 2:45 pm1.India has been ranked 23rd out of 165 nations in the second Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) that measures the commitment of nations across the world to cyber security. The Index has been released by the UN telecommunications agency International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Salient Highlights India has been listed in the “maturing category” of the index with a score of 0.683. Around 77 countries have been placed in the maturing category as they have developed complex commitments to cyber security and engage in cybersecurity programmes and initiatives. Singapore has topped the index with a score of 0.925. Singapore is followed by United States (2nd), Malaysia (3rd), Oman (4th), Estonia (5th), Mauritius (6th), Australia (7th), Georgia (8th), France (9th), Canada (10th) and Russia (11th). China has been placed at 34th. Equatorial Guinea is the worst performer among all nations with a score of zero. ITU has ranked the countries based on the countries’ legal, technical and organisational institutions, educational and research capabilities, as well as their cooperation in information-sharing networks. The index also figured the improvement and strengthening of the five pillars of the ITU Global Cybersecurity Agenda, namely, legal, technical, organisational, capacity building and international cooperation. The report has observed that only about half of all countries have a cybersecurity strategy or in the process of developing one and has urged the other countries to have a national policy to protect against cybercrime. ITU has advocated for the adoption of a national security strategy. As per the report, 50% of the nations do not have any such strategy. As per the ITU, the malicious attacks have increased in recent years. The latest example of cyber attacks is those carried out as recently as 27 June 2017. ITU ITU is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). ITU has 193 countries as its members and also 800 private-sector entities and academic institutions. ITU is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ITU is responsible for allocating global radio spectrum and satellite orbits. It also develops the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies to seamlessly interconnect. It also strives to improve access to ICTs among the underserved communities worldwide.
2. RBI has issued directions on ‘Customer Protection – Limiting Liability of Customers in unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions’. RBI has issued the revised directions amidst a recent increase in customer grievances related to unauthorised transactions. Salient Highlights The following are the salient highlights of the revised directions: If the customers report to the banks regarding the loss they suffer through online banking transactions within three days, then the amount involved will be credited to their accounts within a time period of 10 days. Any loss suffered by the customer after reporting of the unauthorised transaction will be borne by the concerned bank. In sum, there will be “zero liability of a customer” in the case of third party breach where the deficiency lies neither with the bank nor with the customer but elsewhere in the system. The customer is required to report to the bank within three working days after receiving the communication from the bank regarding the unauthorised transaction. In cases of customer reporting the third party fraud with a delay of four to seven working days, then the liability of customer in such cases would be up to Rs 25,000. Customers will also be entitled to zero liability in cases when authorised transaction occurs due to contributory fraud/negligence/deficiency on the part of the bank irrespective of whether or not the unauthorised transaction has been reported by the customer. In cases of negligence caused by the customer by sharing of payment credentials, the customer is liable to bear the entire loss until the unauthorised transaction is reported to the bank. If the customer reports about the unauthorised transaction after seven days, then the liability of the customer would be determined as per the bank’s Board approved policy. The bank has to credit the amount involved in the unauthorised electronic transaction to the customer’s account within 10 working days of reporting of fraud. The bank has to do this without waiting for settlement of insurance claim if any. The banks should ask its customers to mandatorily register for SMS alerts and e-mail for email alerts for electronic banking transactions.
3. As per the official figures published by the UK’s Department for International Trade, India has become the fourth largest foreign investor into the UK in 2016-17. India has lost its position as the third largest investor to France. Salient Facts In 2016-17, India had set up 127 new projects and safeguarded 7,645 existing jobs and created 3,999 new jobs in the UK. India is sharing the fourth spot with Australia and New Zeland, which had also set up 127 projects collectively. The US remains the top most investor in the UK by setting up of 577 projects in 2016-17. China (including Hong Kong) with 160 projects and France with 131 projects have been placed in the second and third positions respectively. Background The UK continues to be a great inward investment destination and remains extremely attractive to foreign investors even after its decision to exit the EU. The UK attributes open, liberal economy, world-class talent and business-friendly taxation as a reason for remaining extremely attractive to foreign investors. The UK had managed to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects than ever before for 2016-17. In a sum, UK claims itself as the number one destination for inward investment in Europe with the sectors such as technology, renewable energy, life sciences and creative industries all witnessing an increase in the number of projects and investments.
4. RP Sanjiv Goenka Group Chairman, Sanjiv Goenka, has been named as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT-Kharagpur. He will serve as the Chairman for three years. Salient Facts Sanjiv Goenka was nominated by the President, Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as Visitor of the Institute. With this appointment, Sanjiv Goenka will serve his second term as the Chairman of Board of Governors at the IIT-KGP. He held his previous stint between 2002 and 2007. Previously, Sanjiv Goenka had served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry; and also on several academic institutions as member and chair of its Governing bodies. Background The Board of Governors is the highest administrative body of the IIT-KGP. The board comprises of the eminent panel of members including Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson, State Bank of India; Sudha N Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation; N Balakrishnan, IISc Bangalore and Jai Pal Mittal, M N Saha Distinguished Professor (NASI). PP Chakrabarti, Director at IIT Kharagpur and Pradip Pyne, Registrar are Ex-Officio Members. Dipanwita Roy Chowdhury and Manoj K Tiwari, who all are the institutional representatives serve as Senate representatives of the Institute.
5. Manpreet Kaur and Govindan Laxman has managed to win gold medals on the opening day of Asian Athletics Championships held at Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneshwar. Manpreet Kaur threw 18.28m to win a gold medal in the women’s shotput event. Her best was record breaking throw of 18.86m at the Asian Grand Prix in China earlier this year. Vikas Gowda, though failed to defend his title in the men’s discus throw has managed to win a bronze medal in the men’s discus throw with an effort of 60.81m. His throw was way below his season’s best of 62m. Govindan Laxmanan has won a gold medal in the men’s 5000 metres. In the last edition of the event held at Wuhan in China, Laxman had won a bronze medal. Asian Athletics Championship The Asian Athletics Championships is an event organised by the Asian Athletics Association. The event is held once in every two years. The last episode of the event took place in Wuhan in 2015. The 2017 Asian Athletics Championship is the 22nd edition and will be held from 6 July to 9 July 2017 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. Around 800 athletes from around 45 countries are participating in the event, Bhubaneshwar is the third Indian city to host this event after New Delhi (1989) and Pune (2013). Mascot Olly, the Olive Ridley sea turtle has been chosen as the mascot for the championship.Olive Ridley Turtles are endangered species that are found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Astaranga coast and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, both in Odisha, are home to Olive Ridley Turtles. These turtles travel to Odisha’s Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches for its nesting. In India, the turtle has been included in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
6. According to BMI Research, a Fitch group company, India is expected to register a growth of 6.9% in this financial year. BMI Research was founded in 1984 by Business Monitor International and later in 2014, it was acquired by Fitch Group. The firm performs industry and financial market analysis in 24 industries and 200 global markets. Salient Facts The report has observed that the Real GDP growth has slowed to 6.1 % year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2016-17. The growth rate is expected to pick up following the demonetisation drive in November 2016 but the weak public banks are expected to cap the economic recovery. The Public-Sector Banks are still plagued with mounting non-performing assets, which is expected to take a toll on India’s growth potential. Though the RBI has taken efforts to clean up the NPAs, the study observes that it will take some more time for credit allocation to the productive sectors of the economy. The report, however, expects the economy to continue to recover in the coming quarters as the negative ramifications of the demonetisation measure have already started wearing off. India is also expected to get benefits from positive demographic trends, greater external stability arising out of improved terms of trade from low oil prices, and continued reforms improving the business environment of the country. Asia The report expects a slowdown in economic growth in North Asia in 2017 and 2018. The slowdown will be driven by the structural slowdown in China, poor policy initiatives in Japan, and policy uncertainty in South Korea. In Asia, India and ASEAN are likely to remain as the bright spots in the region owing to their positive demographics and improvements in the business environments.
7. According to the research conducted by the Centre for International Development at Harvard University (CID), India will be the base to the economic pole of global growth over the coming decade. The study has stated that over the years, the economic pole of global growth has moved from China to neighbouring India and it is likely to remain over India in the coming decade. Salient Highlights India The study has attributed India’s rapid growth prospects to the diversification of the country’s export base which now includes more complex sectors such as chemicals, vehicles and certain electronics. The study further states that India is also particularly well-positioned to continue diversifying into new areas World The research study has warned of a continued slowdown in global growth over the coming decade. With 7.7% annual growth, India and Uganda top the list of the fastest growing economies. The growth projections indicate that the growth in emerging markets to continue to outpace that of advanced economies, though not uniformly. The study is also optimistic about new growth hubs in East Africa and new segments of South-East Asia, led by Indonesia and Vietnam. The major oil economies of the world are experiencing the pitfalls of their reliance on one resource. On the other hand, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam have accumulated new capabilities that permit more diverse and complex production will have faster growth in the coming years. China The study has found a decline in China’s exports. Its economic complexity ranking has also declined four spots for the first time since the global financial crisis. However, the growth projections for China is still above the world average. China is expected to grow at 4.4% annually in the coming decade. CID CID is Harvard University’s leading research hub that works to advance the understanding of development challenges and offer viable solutions to problems of global poverty. The growth projections arrived by CID at the study are based on each country’s economic complexity, which tells about the diversity and sophistication of the productive capabilities embedded in a country’s exports and the ease with which that country could further diversify its exports by expanding those capabilities.
8. As per the updated FIFA world football rankings, the Indian national football has managed to secure the 96th spot moving up four places. Earlier, India was placed at the 100th position. This is the best ranking secured by India in 21 years. India had ranked 101st in the FIFA rankings for April. The current ranking is far better off than the 173rd rank secured in March 2015. Since the beginning of the world ranking system,India has been averaging at the 134th rank. In 1996, India managed to secure the 94th spot. Till date, it remains the country’s best ever FIFA ranking. At present, Germany leads the rankings. Germany is followed by Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, and Switzerland in the rankings. Among Asian countries, Iran leads at No. 23. FIFA Rankings The FIFA World Rankings ranks the men’s national teams in association football. The rankings were first introduced in 1992. The teams are ranked based on their game results of all FIFA-recognised full international matches. The teams are ranked based on its performance over the last four years. The rankings are currently led by Germany. The teams like Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain have also held top positions previously.
9. The United States has decided to present a draft resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at imposing new sanctions on North Korea as it has successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Salient Highlights An emergency meeting of the UNSC was called by the United States, Japan and South Korea to agree on a response to the North Korea’s ICBM test. In the emergency meeting, the US has said that the launch of an ICBM by the North Korea is a clear and sharp escalation. Under the new sanctions, the US has decided to use trade restrictions targeting those countries that continue to have dealings with North Korea. France has expressed its support for a new resolution. In last year, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had adopted two sanctions resolutions to curtail hard currency needed to fund North Korea’s military programs. Those resolutions paved the way for imposing bans on North Korea’s coal exports, which is its major source of revenue. In addition, the sanctions also placed restrictions on banking and provided for mandatory searches of all cargo to and from North Korea. In total, so far six sets of sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it has first tested an atomic device in 2006. Background Recently, North Korea had successfully test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-14 into waters near Sea of Japan. The claim was confirmed by the United States. The launch appeared to be North Korea’s most successful missile test since its ballistic missile programme gathered pace in the late 1990s. Based on missile’s height and trajectory path, US scientists claim that missile could potentially be powerful enough to reach Alaska. The missile had reached an altitude higher and flew longer than any of the North Korea’s previous similar tests. The missile had landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone. US has strongly condemned the launch and added that it will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea. The ICBM testing represents a new escalation of the threat to US and its allies and partners.
10. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has inked an agreement with four private banks and Bank of Baroda for the purpose of collection of provident fund dues from the employers and payments to its subscribers. Salient Facts This is the first time the EPFO has roped in private banks, namely, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Earlier, the EPFO was making use of the services of only the state-run banks. This move of the EPFO will help the organisation to save nearly Rs 300 crore per year as the five banks have agreed to zero transaction charges. Already the EPFO had tied up with five other banks. The five other banks are State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank, Indian Bank and Union Bank of India. The latest agreement will now authorise 10 banks to collect provident fund contribution and make payment to the employees. Every year, the EPFO settles around 1.16 crore claims and collects ₹75,000 crores from establishments under the EPF Act. Employee Provident Fund (EPF) The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement benefit applicable only to salaried employees. It is a fund to which both the employee and employer contribute fixed amount (percent) of the former’s basic salary amount each month. This percentage is pre-set by the government. At present, the entire EPF amount is tax-free at the time of withdrawal if the employee has completed five years of continuous service. EPFO EPFO is a statutory body of Union Government that comes under the aegis of Ministry of Labour and Employment. It is one of the largest social security organisations in India in terms volume of financial transactions undertaken and the number of covered beneficiaries. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi. The main functions of the EPFO: Administers a compulsory contributory Provident Fund Scheme (1952), Pension Scheme (1995) and Insurance Scheme (1976).
11. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to Israel which is the first by an Indian prime minister to Israel resulted in the signing of seven agreements on areas including space, tech and agriculture. The other prominent takeaways of the visit are the following: OCI card Prime Minister Modi has assured faster facilitation of OCI cards for Jewish Citizens of Indian origin in Israel. He also assured that the OCI card will be given even to those people of Indian origin who had served in the Israeli government’s compulsory army service. Air Connectivity The launch of a new Air India flight connecting India and Israel was announced, the flight is expected to connect Delhi/Mumbai with Tel Aviv. Israeli flower named after PM Modi As a special gesture, a new fast growing Israeli Crysanthumun flower was named “MODI” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the Indian Premier’s visit to the Danziger flower farm, which is one of the leading floriculture companies of Israel having founded in 1953. Strategic partnership India and Israel have announced that they have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership as India has identified Israel as a major development and technological partner. Both countries have also agreed to combat growing radicalization and terrorism and expand co-operation in cyber security. Indian Cultural Centre Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the establishment of an Indian Cultural Centre in Israel to enhance people-to-people contacts between the two countries. Israel’s has also voiced its strong support to promote the practice of yoga by designating June 21 as International Yoga Day. Israel India Innovation Initiative Fund (I4F) The $40 million Israel India Innovation Initiative Fund has been launched as a five-year technology fund with an aim at growing the business relationship between both the countries. The similar type of fund had boosted Israel’s ties with that of the US in the past 40 years.
12. A study conducted by the University of Hyderabad and the Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay has found out that the extreme El Nino conditions and warming of the Bay of Bengal had resulted in unprecedented heavy rainfall in Chennai for three days between November 30th to December 2nd in 2015. Salient Findings El Nino usually causes less than normal rainfall in the case of south-west monsoon. However, it does the reverse in the case of the northeast monsoon. It causes above-normal rainfall during the northeast monsoon. This is due to the difference in seasonal wind patterns between the two monsoons. The researchers had carried out a simple linear correlation analysis that points out that the sea surface temperature at the Bay of Bengal is positively correlated with northeast monsoon rainfall. It has been found out that the magnitude of correlations of northeast monsoon rainfall with El Nino conditions and the Bay of Bengal warming to be almost same. Based on several experiments, the scientists have attributed around 21% of the intensity of the extreme Chennai rainfall to the extreme El Nino condition The consistent warming of the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is also considered as an important factor for the floods by the scientists. However, scientists are yet to ascertain whether the contribution from the tropical Pacific to extreme rainfall during the northeast monsoon occurs only at the time of extreme El Nino or whether normal El Ninos too are capable of causing them. El-Nino El-Nino is a weather phenomenon, during which temperature at sea surface is warmer than normal sea-surface temperatures. El Nino is a warming of the Pacific Ocean between South America and the Date Line, centred directly on the Equator, and typically extending several degrees of latitude to either side of the equator. It accompanies high air surface pressure in the western Pacific. El Niño occurs when tropical Pacific Ocean trade winds die out and ocean temperatures become unusually warm
13.India and Israel have signed 7 agreements on areas including space, tech and agriculture during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit marks the 25 years of establishment of diplomatic relationship between India and Israel. In the joint statement released after talks between India and Israel, both the countries have called for taking strong measures against terror organisations and also against those who encouraged, supported and financed terrorism. MoUs MoU for setting up of India-Israel Industrial R&D & Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) MoU for conservation of water in India MoU on State Water Utility Reform in India India-Israel Development Cooperation- 3-year work program in Agriculture (2018-2020) Plan of cooperation regarding cooperation in atomic clocks MoU regarding cooperation in GEO-LEO optical link. MoU regarding cooperation in electric propulsion for small satellites. India-Israel The diplomatic relationship between India and Israel was established in 1992. India is Israel’s topmost destination for arms export. India is already buying an average of $1 billion per year in military equipment. For India, Israel is the third largest source of arms after the US and Russia with a share of 7.2% between 2012 and 2016. The earliest India-Israel defence collaboration took place during the 1962 Sino-Indian war when Israel provided military aid to India. Israel also helped India during its two wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971. India reciprocated by helping Israel during the six-day war in 1967 by supplying spare parts for French-made Mystere and Ouragan aircraft as well as AX-13 tanks. In April 2017, India and Israel had signed a $2 billion deal for an advanced medium-range surface-to-air missile system which will be helpful for the Indian army to shoot down aircraft, missiles and drones etc. Israel is India’s 38th-largest trading partner with the trade balance standing in India’s favour in 2016-17.
14. A photographer named Nilanjan Ray is believed to have spotted a rare ‘white tiger’ with a pale skin colour for the first time in the Nilgiris. The discovery has aroused interest among conservationists and forest officials. It is yet to be ascertained whether the white tiger is a true genetic mutant. The tiger which was spotted in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve does not seem to be albino and was found to be whitish with golden brown patches. As per the scientists, genetic mutation among tigers changes an amino acid responsible for the normal colour being formed, resulting in “natural polymorphism”. According to the scientists, white tigers lack pheomelanin, which is responsible for the red-yellow hue in the skin coat. White Tigers In India, white tigers are predominantly found in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. In 2016, world’s first White Tiger Safari was inaugurated at Mukundpur in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. The first white tiger in Madhya Pradesh’s was spotted in Vindhya region in 1915. However, the rare breed of the big cat spotted for the first time died in 1920. In 1951, a white tiger cub named Mohan was captured by Rewa Maharaja Martand Singh. Later the tiger cub became the progenitor of all known white tigers in the world after the Maharaja arranged for its breeding. White tigers in India are nothing but a pigmentation variant of the Bengal tiger. They have been reported in the wild from time to time in the Indian states of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar. These tigers have white fur because of the lack of the pigment pheomelanin, which is found in Bengal tigers with orange colour fur.
15. The Supreme Court has asked the Union government to formalise appointment of election commissioners through law. Need The Supreme Court has observed that even though the Election commissioners have been so far appointed in a very fair manner, there exists a legitimate expectation in the Constitution of India that Election Commissioners, who are charged with the free and fair conduct of elections be appointed through a “most transparent and just process” formalised by a law enacted by the Parliament. According to the Supreme Court, at present due to lack of a parliamentary law, there is no transparency in the eligibility, criteria required for a person to be appointed as an election commissioner. The court has observed that even the selection procedure of the CBI Director is formalised by a written law Election Commissioners For the conduct of free and fair elections, an independent Election Commission has been provided for in Article 324.In India, the Election Commission consists of three members. These all are appointed by the President for a term which is fixed by the President. However, conditions of service and tenure of office of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioner are determined by an act of parliament titled The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Act, 1991. This act has fixed the following: The chief election commissioner or an election commissioner shall hold office for a term of 6 years or age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. The chief election commissioner and other commissioners are paid a salary equal to the salary of a judge of the Supreme Court. On retirement, they are entitled to a pension payable to a judge of the Supreme Court. All business of the election commission shall, as far as possible, be transacted unanimously. If the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners differ in opinion on any matter, such matter shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority.
16. Union Minister of State for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal has launched the ‘MERIT app (Merit Order Despatch of Electricity for Rejuvenation of Income and Transparency)’ and the e-bidding portal for offering an e-Bidding solution to States. The app and the portal would help the states to select Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for procurement of power by transferring their domestic coal under the scheme of flexibility in utilisation of domestic coal. Need The launch of the app and the portal is aimed at promoting the vision of ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governancee’through ‘Speed, Skill and Scale’. It would result in optimum utilisation of Coal and would save the consumer around Rs. 20,000 crores in the next five years. It would increase the transparency and accountability. Advantages The advantages of MERIT app: Empowers the consumer. Promotes participative governance. Transparency in information dissemination relating to marginal variable cost and source wise purchase of electricity. Promotes economy and efficiency in operation. Optimises the procurement costs. Facilitates renewable integration and handling of the variability and uncertainty of renewables. Background Union cabinet in May 2016 permitted flexibility in utilisation of domestic coal amongst power generating stations. Following which the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued the methodology for utilisation of domestic coal within State/Central generating stations on 8th June 2016. The ministry of power then came up with the methodology for use of transferred coal in Independent Power Producers (IPPs) generating stations in February 2017.
17. North Korea has claimed that it has successfully test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-14 into waters near Sea of Japan. The claim was confirmed by United States. The launch appeared to be North Korea’s most successful missile test since its ballistic missile programme gathered pace in the late 1990s. The successful test also marks North Korea’s the final step in becoming confident and powerful nuclear state that can strike anywhere on Earth. Key Facts Based on missile’s height and trajectory path, US scientists claim that missile could potentially be powerful enough to reach Alaska. The missile had reached an altitude higher and flew longer than any of the North Korea’s previous similar tests. The missile had landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone. US has strongly condemned the launch and added that it will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea. The ICBM testing represents a new escalation of the threat to US and its allies and partners, the region and the world. What is Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)? An ICBM is a missile launched by a land-based system that is intended to carry nuclear payloads. To qualify as an ICBM, a missile must have a minimum range of 5,500km. The most significant difference between an ICBM and other ballistic missiles is its greater range and speed. It enables countries to strike exceptionally distant targets with minimum warning. What are experts saying about the North Korean claim? Analysis by South Korea and Japan has supported the account given by North Korea, which said the missile reached an altitude of 2,802km and flew 930km. The US initially had described it as an intermediate-range missile but later conceded it was an ICBM. North Korea will be 8th nation in the world to successfully test ICBM. Other countries that have ICBM technology are US, Russia, China, UK, France, Israel and India.
18. The Union Ministry of Power has announced that about 97% of the total outstanding debt of all state power distribution companies (discoms) has been covered under the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY). As on September 2015, the total debt of all state-owned discoms was Rs. 3.95 lakh crore. The 26 states and 1 UT which have joined the UDAY scheme accounted for total outstanding debt of Rs. 3.82 lakh crore. Hence, about 97% of the total outstanding debt of all State discoms has been covered under UDAY. Key Facts Issuance of bonds: The total liability opted by states for restructuring through the issuance of bonds under the scheme was Rs. 2.69 lakh crore. So far, states have issued bonds of Rs. 2.09 lakh crore and discoms have issued bonds worth Rs. 0.23 lakh crore. Bonds worth Rs. 0.37 lakh crore are yet to be issued by various discoms. Hence, about 86% of the restructurable debt of states has been restructured so far under UDAY. National average of aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses: It stood at 20.2% in FY17 from all UDAY states. It has increased by two percentage points, from 81% in FY16 to 83% in FY17. The difference between the average cost of supply (ACS) and the average revenue realised (ARR) also has come down in the last year. About Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) The UDAY Scheme was launched by Union Power Ministry for the financial turnaround and revival package for electricity distribution companies of India (DISCOMs). It aimed to help to make discoms financially and operationally healthy so they can supply adequate power at affordable rates and play important role in Union Government’s ambition of meeting target of 100% Village electrification and 24X7 Power For All. Under it, state governments were to take over up to 75% of their respective discoms’ debt by issuing sovereign bonds to pay back the lenders. Remaining 25% of debt will be issued by discoms in the form of bonds. UDAY envisages to have a permanent solution for past as well as potential future issues of the power sector such as reducing the interest burden on the discoms by allowing the states to take over the bulk of their debt, reduce the cost of power, increase the operational efficiencies of the discoms by providing capital and infrastructure like coal linkages and reduce in AT&C and transmission losses. The scheme is optional for the states to join. Andhra Pradesh was the first state to join it. Mizoram was 26th state to join UDAY scheme. Nagaland, Odisha and West Bengal are only three states that have not joined the scheme.
19. Senior IPS officer Sanjay Kumar was appointed as Director General (DG) of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). He will succeed R K Pachnanda who was has taken charge as DG the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Sanjay Kumar is a 1985-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre. Prior to this appointment, he was director general of police (DGP) in Himachal Pradesh. About National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) NDRF is India’s elite disaster mitigation combat force established under The Disaster Management Act, 2005. It was established in 2006 and is headquartered in New Delhi. It functions under Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It is mandated to undertake special disaster response, relief, rescue operations and combat roles independently in the case of an event of any disaster (natural or man-made), accident or emergency. It also assists local authorities in launching a quick rescue and response operation to save life and property. It is assisted by 12 battalions with strength of over 13,000 personnel positioned in various states of country.
20. A joint military training exercise Maitree 2017 between Indian Army and Royal Thailand Army commenced at Bakloh in Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. The aim of 14 day long exercise is to build and promote closer relations while exchanging skills and experiences between the two armies. Key Facts The Maitree series of bilateral exercises has been one of the major defence cooperation initiatives between India and Thailand. It is an annual event. The previous edition of the exercise was held at Krabi in Thailand in 2016. Exercise Maitree 2017 is a continuation of a series of joint exercises between the Indian Army and the Royal Thailand Army. It will be conducted in a manner such that both contingents will get to acquaint with each other`s operating procedures in the backdrop of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment. Approximately 50 troops from Royal Thailand Army and an equal number of Indian soldiers from the Northern Command are participating in the exercise. They will jointly plan and execute a series of drills for the neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in counter terrorism environment. Earlier, a joint training exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman, named Al Nagah-II 2017, was held at Bakloh in March 2017.
21. The United States of America (USA) has rolled out pre-approved expedited entry clearance for low-risk Indian travellers under its Global Entry programme (GEP). With this initiative, India became 11th country whose citizens are now eligible to enroll in the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative. Indian Ambassador to US Navtej Sarna was the first Indian national to enroll in the programme. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative Under this initiative, international GEP member traveller can enter in US through automatic kiosks, rather than queueing up to clear immigration check by meeting an immigration officer at selected airports. At these selective airports, the specified members need proceed to the Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport, place their fingerprints on the scanner for verification and complete a customs declaration. The Global Entry kiosk then will issue the traveller a transaction receipt and directs him or her to the baggage claim and the exit. It should be noted that under the GEP, travellers must be pre-approved for the initiative. All applicants for GEP undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrolment. Presently, Global Entry programme is available at 53 US airports and 15 pre-clearance locations. It is now available to US citizens, Green Card holders and nationals from Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, Argentina, Colombia, Singapore, Switzerland and UK besides India.
22. New Delhi-based The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) was ranked second among world’s best climate think tank by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG). TERI was ranked number two under the category ‘2016 Top Climate Think Tanks in the Rest of the World-Absolute Global Rankings’ during ICCG’s 23rd annual conference of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE) in Athens, Greece. ICCG is an internationally-renowned body whose activities focus on the design of climate policy and related governance issues. It rankings helps to highlight the scale and magnitude of work done by the think tanks working in the field of climate change. About The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) TERI is a non-profit research, policy research organisation that conducts research work in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development. It was established in 1974 as Tata Energy Research Institute and was renamed The Energy and Resources Institute in 2003. It aims to focus on formulating local and national level strategies for shaping global solutions to critical issues. Its key focus lies in promoting clean energy, water management, pollution management, sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Presently, it has over 1200 employees especially research professionals from different disciplines pertaining to issues of environment and energy. In 2013, it was ranked as the topmost global think-tank by the ICCG.
23. President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed election commissioner Achal Kumar Joti as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He will be the 21st CEC and shall succeed Nasim Zaidi. He will continue as CEC till 17 January 2018. He had joined the three-member election commission as an election commissioner in May, 2015. About Achal Kumar Joti A K Joti is retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1975-batch. He had retired as the Gujarat Chief secretary in January, 2013. In his home cadre he had worked in various capacities, including as the chairman of the Kandla Port Trust (1999- 2004), managing director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. (SSNNL). He also had served as the Secretary in the Industry, Revenue and Water Supply Departments in the State. He was also Gujarat Vigilance Commissioner. Appointment of Election Commissioners Election commission is multi member body and currently has three members including Chief Election Commissioner. They all are appointed by the President for a term which is fixed by the President. Tenure: The service conditions and tenure of office of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are determined by an act of parliament titled The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Act, 1991. This act has fixed their term for 6 years or till age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Power/salary: The Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners have equal power and receive equal salary, allowances and other perquisites, which are similar to a judge of the Supreme Court. In case of difference of opinion amongst the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner, the matter is decided by the Commission by majority.
24. Incumbent Vice President Hamid Ansari’s term comes to an end on August 10, 2017. Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a notification, the process of filing nominations for the vice presidential election. About office of Vice President The officer of Vice-President is second highest public office in India. He has second rank in the order of precedence. Practically, office of Vice President has been created to provide political continuity of the Indian state. His main function is in the form of ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He works as acting president when president is not available. Eligibility As per article 66, the candidate contesting for election of Vice-President of India should be citizen of India, completed age of 35 years and must be qualified to become a member of Rajya Sabha. He must not hold an office for profit. A candidate’s nomination paper needs to be subscribed by at least 20 electors as proposers and at least another 20 electors as seconders. Note: Presidential candidate should be qualified to become a member of Lok Sabha, Vice-presidential candidate should be qualified to become a member of Rajya Sabha. Election Like Presidential election, Vice Presidential election is also indirect and is held via system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The electoral college of Vice President includes elected by elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Unlike in Presidential election, MLAs or MLCs from state assemblies have no role to play in Vice Presidential election. Term and removal The term of office of the Vice President is five years. The term may end earlier by resignation which should be addressed to the President. The term may also terminate earlier by removal. There no impeachment process to remove Vice President. The Vice President can be removed by a resolution passed by the members of the Rajya Sabha. To move such resolution, a 14 days’ notice is to be given. Such a resolution, though passed by the Rajya Sabha only, but must be agreeable to the Lok Sabha. Functions of Vice President Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. However, during the period when he acts as the officiating President of India, he shall not act as chairman of the Rajya Sabha and shall not be entitled to the salary or allowances payable to the chairman of the Rajya Sabha. According to Article 65, in case the President is unable to discharge his duties for reasons such as illness, resignation, removal, death or otherwise, the Vice President shall carry out functions of the President. In such case, he will be entitled for the salary, allowance and all privileges of the President.
25. The foundation stone of the country’s biggest Global Skill Park was laid in Bhopal jointly by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap Rudi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The park will come up on 37 acre land allotted in Narela Shankari area of Bhopal. It will be established with the support of Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education and Education Services (ITEES). About Global Skill Park The objective of the Global Skill Park is to prepare skilled youths who could get jobs in private companies as per their requirements. Besides, the youths will be able to get employment opportunities in foreign countries. Thus, the skill park will function on the spirit of ‘With Industry -For Industry’. The park will have capacity to impart skill training to 1000 students every year by trainers of international standard. The courses conducted for skill training at the park will also have provision of international joint certification.
26. Incumbent Vice President Hamid Ansari’s term comes to an end on August 10, 2017. Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a notification, the process of filing nominations for the vice presidential election. About office of Vice President The officer of Vice-President is second highest public office in India. He has second rank in the order of precedence. Practically, office of Vice President has been created to provide political continuity of the Indian state. His main function is in the form of ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He works as acting president when president is not available. Eligibility As per article 66, the candidate contesting for election of Vice-President of India should be citizen of India, completed age of 35 years and must be qualified to become a member of Rajya Sabha. He must not hold an office for profit. A candidate’s nomination paper needs to be subscribed by at least 20 electors as proposers and at least another 20 electors as seconders. Note: Presidential candidate should be qualified to become a member of Lok Sabha, Vice-presidential candidate should be qualified to become a member of Rajya Sabha. Election Like Presidential election, Vice Presidential election is also indirect and is held via system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The electoral college of Vice President includes elected by elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Unlike in Presidential election, MLAs or MLCs from state assemblies have no role to play in Vice Presidential election. Term and removal The term of office of the Vice President is five years. The term may end earlier by resignation which should be addressed to the President. The term may also terminate earlier by removal. There no impeachment process to remove Vice President. The Vice President can be removed by a resolution passed by the members of the Rajya Sabha. To move such resolution, a 14 days’ notice is to be given. Such a resolution, though passed by the Rajya Sabha only, but must be agreeable to the Lok Sabha. Functions of Vice President Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. However, during the period when he acts as the officiating President of India, he shall not act as chairman of the Rajya Sabha and shall not be entitled to the salary or allowances payable to the chairman of the Rajya Sabha. According to Article 65, in case the President is unable to discharge his duties for reasons such as illness, resignation, removal, death or otherwise, the Vice President shall carry out functions of the President. In such case, he will be entitled for the salary, allowance and all privileges of the President.
27. The foundation stone of the country’s biggest Global Skill Park was laid in Bhopal jointly by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap Rudi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The park will come up on 37 acre land allotted in Narela Shankari area of Bhopal. It will be established with the support of Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education and Education Services (ITEES). About Global Skill Park The objective of the Global Skill Park is to prepare skilled youths who could get jobs in private companies as per their requirements. Besides, the youths will be able to get employment opportunities in foreign countries. Thus, the skill park will function on the spirit of ‘With Industry -For Industry’. The park will have capacity to impart skill training to 1000 students every year by trainers of international standard. The courses conducted for skill training at the park will also have provision of international joint certification.
28. President Pranab Mukherjee has approved the promulgation of The Prevention of cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 by the Governor of Karnataka in pursuance of Article 213 of Constitution. The promulgated ordinance legalises Kambala, bullock cart races and bull runs as traditional sports involving animals and exempt them from The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Background In November 2016, the Karnataka High Court had banned the kambala along with bull-cart race in the state while hearing a case filed by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) citing animal cruelty. The high court had stayed these traditional sports in view of the Supreme Court’s ban on jallikattu, a traditional bull taming sport of Tamil Nadu. Following protests by people and kambala organisers, Karnataka Assembly had passed an ordinance Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017 in February 2017 to allow Kambala. In April 2017, the Union Home Ministry asked the state government to modify the Bill (ordinance). The state government made the modifications and sent it back to the union government. Earlier in June 2017, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice had cleared the modified bill (ordinance). About Kambala Kambala is the traditional slush track buffalo race that is held annually in coastal districts of Karnataka to entertain rural people of the area. Slushy/marshy paddy field track is used for Kambala. The sports season generally starts in November and lasts till March. The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes, each pair race in two seprate wet rice fields tracks, controlled by a whip-lashing farmer. In the traditional form of Kambala, buffalo racing was non-competitive and buffalo pairs ran one by one in paddy fields. Besides, there was also ritualistic approach as some agriculturists race their buffaloes as a means to thank the god for protecting their animals from disease. But in recent times, Kambala has become an organised rural sport.
2. RBI has issued directions on ‘Customer Protection – Limiting Liability of Customers in unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions’. RBI has issued the revised directions amidst a recent increase in customer grievances related to unauthorised transactions. Salient Highlights The following are the salient highlights of the revised directions: If the customers report to the banks regarding the loss they suffer through online banking transactions within three days, then the amount involved will be credited to their accounts within a time period of 10 days. Any loss suffered by the customer after reporting of the unauthorised transaction will be borne by the concerned bank. In sum, there will be “zero liability of a customer” in the case of third party breach where the deficiency lies neither with the bank nor with the customer but elsewhere in the system. The customer is required to report to the bank within three working days after receiving the communication from the bank regarding the unauthorised transaction. In cases of customer reporting the third party fraud with a delay of four to seven working days, then the liability of customer in such cases would be up to Rs 25,000. Customers will also be entitled to zero liability in cases when authorised transaction occurs due to contributory fraud/negligence/deficiency on the part of the bank irrespective of whether or not the unauthorised transaction has been reported by the customer. In cases of negligence caused by the customer by sharing of payment credentials, the customer is liable to bear the entire loss until the unauthorised transaction is reported to the bank. If the customer reports about the unauthorised transaction after seven days, then the liability of the customer would be determined as per the bank’s Board approved policy. The bank has to credit the amount involved in the unauthorised electronic transaction to the customer’s account within 10 working days of reporting of fraud. The bank has to do this without waiting for settlement of insurance claim if any. The banks should ask its customers to mandatorily register for SMS alerts and e-mail for email alerts for electronic banking transactions.
3. As per the official figures published by the UK’s Department for International Trade, India has become the fourth largest foreign investor into the UK in 2016-17. India has lost its position as the third largest investor to France. Salient Facts In 2016-17, India had set up 127 new projects and safeguarded 7,645 existing jobs and created 3,999 new jobs in the UK. India is sharing the fourth spot with Australia and New Zeland, which had also set up 127 projects collectively. The US remains the top most investor in the UK by setting up of 577 projects in 2016-17. China (including Hong Kong) with 160 projects and France with 131 projects have been placed in the second and third positions respectively. Background The UK continues to be a great inward investment destination and remains extremely attractive to foreign investors even after its decision to exit the EU. The UK attributes open, liberal economy, world-class talent and business-friendly taxation as a reason for remaining extremely attractive to foreign investors. The UK had managed to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects than ever before for 2016-17. In a sum, UK claims itself as the number one destination for inward investment in Europe with the sectors such as technology, renewable energy, life sciences and creative industries all witnessing an increase in the number of projects and investments.
4. RP Sanjiv Goenka Group Chairman, Sanjiv Goenka, has been named as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT-Kharagpur. He will serve as the Chairman for three years. Salient Facts Sanjiv Goenka was nominated by the President, Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as Visitor of the Institute. With this appointment, Sanjiv Goenka will serve his second term as the Chairman of Board of Governors at the IIT-KGP. He held his previous stint between 2002 and 2007. Previously, Sanjiv Goenka had served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry; and also on several academic institutions as member and chair of its Governing bodies. Background The Board of Governors is the highest administrative body of the IIT-KGP. The board comprises of the eminent panel of members including Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson, State Bank of India; Sudha N Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation; N Balakrishnan, IISc Bangalore and Jai Pal Mittal, M N Saha Distinguished Professor (NASI). PP Chakrabarti, Director at IIT Kharagpur and Pradip Pyne, Registrar are Ex-Officio Members. Dipanwita Roy Chowdhury and Manoj K Tiwari, who all are the institutional representatives serve as Senate representatives of the Institute.
5. Manpreet Kaur and Govindan Laxman has managed to win gold medals on the opening day of Asian Athletics Championships held at Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneshwar. Manpreet Kaur threw 18.28m to win a gold medal in the women’s shotput event. Her best was record breaking throw of 18.86m at the Asian Grand Prix in China earlier this year. Vikas Gowda, though failed to defend his title in the men’s discus throw has managed to win a bronze medal in the men’s discus throw with an effort of 60.81m. His throw was way below his season’s best of 62m. Govindan Laxmanan has won a gold medal in the men’s 5000 metres. In the last edition of the event held at Wuhan in China, Laxman had won a bronze medal. Asian Athletics Championship The Asian Athletics Championships is an event organised by the Asian Athletics Association. The event is held once in every two years. The last episode of the event took place in Wuhan in 2015. The 2017 Asian Athletics Championship is the 22nd edition and will be held from 6 July to 9 July 2017 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. Around 800 athletes from around 45 countries are participating in the event, Bhubaneshwar is the third Indian city to host this event after New Delhi (1989) and Pune (2013). Mascot Olly, the Olive Ridley sea turtle has been chosen as the mascot for the championship.Olive Ridley Turtles are endangered species that are found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Astaranga coast and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, both in Odisha, are home to Olive Ridley Turtles. These turtles travel to Odisha’s Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches for its nesting. In India, the turtle has been included in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
6. According to BMI Research, a Fitch group company, India is expected to register a growth of 6.9% in this financial year. BMI Research was founded in 1984 by Business Monitor International and later in 2014, it was acquired by Fitch Group. The firm performs industry and financial market analysis in 24 industries and 200 global markets. Salient Facts The report has observed that the Real GDP growth has slowed to 6.1 % year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2016-17. The growth rate is expected to pick up following the demonetisation drive in November 2016 but the weak public banks are expected to cap the economic recovery. The Public-Sector Banks are still plagued with mounting non-performing assets, which is expected to take a toll on India’s growth potential. Though the RBI has taken efforts to clean up the NPAs, the study observes that it will take some more time for credit allocation to the productive sectors of the economy. The report, however, expects the economy to continue to recover in the coming quarters as the negative ramifications of the demonetisation measure have already started wearing off. India is also expected to get benefits from positive demographic trends, greater external stability arising out of improved terms of trade from low oil prices, and continued reforms improving the business environment of the country. Asia The report expects a slowdown in economic growth in North Asia in 2017 and 2018. The slowdown will be driven by the structural slowdown in China, poor policy initiatives in Japan, and policy uncertainty in South Korea. In Asia, India and ASEAN are likely to remain as the bright spots in the region owing to their positive demographics and improvements in the business environments.
7. According to the research conducted by the Centre for International Development at Harvard University (CID), India will be the base to the economic pole of global growth over the coming decade. The study has stated that over the years, the economic pole of global growth has moved from China to neighbouring India and it is likely to remain over India in the coming decade. Salient Highlights India The study has attributed India’s rapid growth prospects to the diversification of the country’s export base which now includes more complex sectors such as chemicals, vehicles and certain electronics. The study further states that India is also particularly well-positioned to continue diversifying into new areas World The research study has warned of a continued slowdown in global growth over the coming decade. With 7.7% annual growth, India and Uganda top the list of the fastest growing economies. The growth projections indicate that the growth in emerging markets to continue to outpace that of advanced economies, though not uniformly. The study is also optimistic about new growth hubs in East Africa and new segments of South-East Asia, led by Indonesia and Vietnam. The major oil economies of the world are experiencing the pitfalls of their reliance on one resource. On the other hand, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam have accumulated new capabilities that permit more diverse and complex production will have faster growth in the coming years. China The study has found a decline in China’s exports. Its economic complexity ranking has also declined four spots for the first time since the global financial crisis. However, the growth projections for China is still above the world average. China is expected to grow at 4.4% annually in the coming decade. CID CID is Harvard University’s leading research hub that works to advance the understanding of development challenges and offer viable solutions to problems of global poverty. The growth projections arrived by CID at the study are based on each country’s economic complexity, which tells about the diversity and sophistication of the productive capabilities embedded in a country’s exports and the ease with which that country could further diversify its exports by expanding those capabilities.
8. As per the updated FIFA world football rankings, the Indian national football has managed to secure the 96th spot moving up four places. Earlier, India was placed at the 100th position. This is the best ranking secured by India in 21 years. India had ranked 101st in the FIFA rankings for April. The current ranking is far better off than the 173rd rank secured in March 2015. Since the beginning of the world ranking system,India has been averaging at the 134th rank. In 1996, India managed to secure the 94th spot. Till date, it remains the country’s best ever FIFA ranking. At present, Germany leads the rankings. Germany is followed by Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, and Switzerland in the rankings. Among Asian countries, Iran leads at No. 23. FIFA Rankings The FIFA World Rankings ranks the men’s national teams in association football. The rankings were first introduced in 1992. The teams are ranked based on their game results of all FIFA-recognised full international matches. The teams are ranked based on its performance over the last four years. The rankings are currently led by Germany. The teams like Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain have also held top positions previously.
9. The United States has decided to present a draft resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at imposing new sanctions on North Korea as it has successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Salient Highlights An emergency meeting of the UNSC was called by the United States, Japan and South Korea to agree on a response to the North Korea’s ICBM test. In the emergency meeting, the US has said that the launch of an ICBM by the North Korea is a clear and sharp escalation. Under the new sanctions, the US has decided to use trade restrictions targeting those countries that continue to have dealings with North Korea. France has expressed its support for a new resolution. In last year, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had adopted two sanctions resolutions to curtail hard currency needed to fund North Korea’s military programs. Those resolutions paved the way for imposing bans on North Korea’s coal exports, which is its major source of revenue. In addition, the sanctions also placed restrictions on banking and provided for mandatory searches of all cargo to and from North Korea. In total, so far six sets of sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it has first tested an atomic device in 2006. Background Recently, North Korea had successfully test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-14 into waters near Sea of Japan. The claim was confirmed by the United States. The launch appeared to be North Korea’s most successful missile test since its ballistic missile programme gathered pace in the late 1990s. Based on missile’s height and trajectory path, US scientists claim that missile could potentially be powerful enough to reach Alaska. The missile had reached an altitude higher and flew longer than any of the North Korea’s previous similar tests. The missile had landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone. US has strongly condemned the launch and added that it will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea. The ICBM testing represents a new escalation of the threat to US and its allies and partners.
10. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has inked an agreement with four private banks and Bank of Baroda for the purpose of collection of provident fund dues from the employers and payments to its subscribers. Salient Facts This is the first time the EPFO has roped in private banks, namely, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Earlier, the EPFO was making use of the services of only the state-run banks. This move of the EPFO will help the organisation to save nearly Rs 300 crore per year as the five banks have agreed to zero transaction charges. Already the EPFO had tied up with five other banks. The five other banks are State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank, Indian Bank and Union Bank of India. The latest agreement will now authorise 10 banks to collect provident fund contribution and make payment to the employees. Every year, the EPFO settles around 1.16 crore claims and collects ₹75,000 crores from establishments under the EPF Act. Employee Provident Fund (EPF) The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement benefit applicable only to salaried employees. It is a fund to which both the employee and employer contribute fixed amount (percent) of the former’s basic salary amount each month. This percentage is pre-set by the government. At present, the entire EPF amount is tax-free at the time of withdrawal if the employee has completed five years of continuous service. EPFO EPFO is a statutory body of Union Government that comes under the aegis of Ministry of Labour and Employment. It is one of the largest social security organisations in India in terms volume of financial transactions undertaken and the number of covered beneficiaries. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi. The main functions of the EPFO: Administers a compulsory contributory Provident Fund Scheme (1952), Pension Scheme (1995) and Insurance Scheme (1976).
11. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to Israel which is the first by an Indian prime minister to Israel resulted in the signing of seven agreements on areas including space, tech and agriculture. The other prominent takeaways of the visit are the following: OCI card Prime Minister Modi has assured faster facilitation of OCI cards for Jewish Citizens of Indian origin in Israel. He also assured that the OCI card will be given even to those people of Indian origin who had served in the Israeli government’s compulsory army service. Air Connectivity The launch of a new Air India flight connecting India and Israel was announced, the flight is expected to connect Delhi/Mumbai with Tel Aviv. Israeli flower named after PM Modi As a special gesture, a new fast growing Israeli Crysanthumun flower was named “MODI” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the Indian Premier’s visit to the Danziger flower farm, which is one of the leading floriculture companies of Israel having founded in 1953. Strategic partnership India and Israel have announced that they have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership as India has identified Israel as a major development and technological partner. Both countries have also agreed to combat growing radicalization and terrorism and expand co-operation in cyber security. Indian Cultural Centre Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the establishment of an Indian Cultural Centre in Israel to enhance people-to-people contacts between the two countries. Israel’s has also voiced its strong support to promote the practice of yoga by designating June 21 as International Yoga Day. Israel India Innovation Initiative Fund (I4F) The $40 million Israel India Innovation Initiative Fund has been launched as a five-year technology fund with an aim at growing the business relationship between both the countries. The similar type of fund had boosted Israel’s ties with that of the US in the past 40 years.
12. A study conducted by the University of Hyderabad and the Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay has found out that the extreme El Nino conditions and warming of the Bay of Bengal had resulted in unprecedented heavy rainfall in Chennai for three days between November 30th to December 2nd in 2015. Salient Findings El Nino usually causes less than normal rainfall in the case of south-west monsoon. However, it does the reverse in the case of the northeast monsoon. It causes above-normal rainfall during the northeast monsoon. This is due to the difference in seasonal wind patterns between the two monsoons. The researchers had carried out a simple linear correlation analysis that points out that the sea surface temperature at the Bay of Bengal is positively correlated with northeast monsoon rainfall. It has been found out that the magnitude of correlations of northeast monsoon rainfall with El Nino conditions and the Bay of Bengal warming to be almost same. Based on several experiments, the scientists have attributed around 21% of the intensity of the extreme Chennai rainfall to the extreme El Nino condition The consistent warming of the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is also considered as an important factor for the floods by the scientists. However, scientists are yet to ascertain whether the contribution from the tropical Pacific to extreme rainfall during the northeast monsoon occurs only at the time of extreme El Nino or whether normal El Ninos too are capable of causing them. El-Nino El-Nino is a weather phenomenon, during which temperature at sea surface is warmer than normal sea-surface temperatures. El Nino is a warming of the Pacific Ocean between South America and the Date Line, centred directly on the Equator, and typically extending several degrees of latitude to either side of the equator. It accompanies high air surface pressure in the western Pacific. El Niño occurs when tropical Pacific Ocean trade winds die out and ocean temperatures become unusually warm
13.India and Israel have signed 7 agreements on areas including space, tech and agriculture during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit marks the 25 years of establishment of diplomatic relationship between India and Israel. In the joint statement released after talks between India and Israel, both the countries have called for taking strong measures against terror organisations and also against those who encouraged, supported and financed terrorism. MoUs MoU for setting up of India-Israel Industrial R&D & Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) MoU for conservation of water in India MoU on State Water Utility Reform in India India-Israel Development Cooperation- 3-year work program in Agriculture (2018-2020) Plan of cooperation regarding cooperation in atomic clocks MoU regarding cooperation in GEO-LEO optical link. MoU regarding cooperation in electric propulsion for small satellites. India-Israel The diplomatic relationship between India and Israel was established in 1992. India is Israel’s topmost destination for arms export. India is already buying an average of $1 billion per year in military equipment. For India, Israel is the third largest source of arms after the US and Russia with a share of 7.2% between 2012 and 2016. The earliest India-Israel defence collaboration took place during the 1962 Sino-Indian war when Israel provided military aid to India. Israel also helped India during its two wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971. India reciprocated by helping Israel during the six-day war in 1967 by supplying spare parts for French-made Mystere and Ouragan aircraft as well as AX-13 tanks. In April 2017, India and Israel had signed a $2 billion deal for an advanced medium-range surface-to-air missile system which will be helpful for the Indian army to shoot down aircraft, missiles and drones etc. Israel is India’s 38th-largest trading partner with the trade balance standing in India’s favour in 2016-17.
14. A photographer named Nilanjan Ray is believed to have spotted a rare ‘white tiger’ with a pale skin colour for the first time in the Nilgiris. The discovery has aroused interest among conservationists and forest officials. It is yet to be ascertained whether the white tiger is a true genetic mutant. The tiger which was spotted in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve does not seem to be albino and was found to be whitish with golden brown patches. As per the scientists, genetic mutation among tigers changes an amino acid responsible for the normal colour being formed, resulting in “natural polymorphism”. According to the scientists, white tigers lack pheomelanin, which is responsible for the red-yellow hue in the skin coat. White Tigers In India, white tigers are predominantly found in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. In 2016, world’s first White Tiger Safari was inaugurated at Mukundpur in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. The first white tiger in Madhya Pradesh’s was spotted in Vindhya region in 1915. However, the rare breed of the big cat spotted for the first time died in 1920. In 1951, a white tiger cub named Mohan was captured by Rewa Maharaja Martand Singh. Later the tiger cub became the progenitor of all known white tigers in the world after the Maharaja arranged for its breeding. White tigers in India are nothing but a pigmentation variant of the Bengal tiger. They have been reported in the wild from time to time in the Indian states of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar. These tigers have white fur because of the lack of the pigment pheomelanin, which is found in Bengal tigers with orange colour fur.
15. The Supreme Court has asked the Union government to formalise appointment of election commissioners through law. Need The Supreme Court has observed that even though the Election commissioners have been so far appointed in a very fair manner, there exists a legitimate expectation in the Constitution of India that Election Commissioners, who are charged with the free and fair conduct of elections be appointed through a “most transparent and just process” formalised by a law enacted by the Parliament. According to the Supreme Court, at present due to lack of a parliamentary law, there is no transparency in the eligibility, criteria required for a person to be appointed as an election commissioner. The court has observed that even the selection procedure of the CBI Director is formalised by a written law Election Commissioners For the conduct of free and fair elections, an independent Election Commission has been provided for in Article 324.In India, the Election Commission consists of three members. These all are appointed by the President for a term which is fixed by the President. However, conditions of service and tenure of office of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioner are determined by an act of parliament titled The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Act, 1991. This act has fixed the following: The chief election commissioner or an election commissioner shall hold office for a term of 6 years or age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. The chief election commissioner and other commissioners are paid a salary equal to the salary of a judge of the Supreme Court. On retirement, they are entitled to a pension payable to a judge of the Supreme Court. All business of the election commission shall, as far as possible, be transacted unanimously. If the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners differ in opinion on any matter, such matter shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority.
16. Union Minister of State for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal has launched the ‘MERIT app (Merit Order Despatch of Electricity for Rejuvenation of Income and Transparency)’ and the e-bidding portal for offering an e-Bidding solution to States. The app and the portal would help the states to select Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for procurement of power by transferring their domestic coal under the scheme of flexibility in utilisation of domestic coal. Need The launch of the app and the portal is aimed at promoting the vision of ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governancee’through ‘Speed, Skill and Scale’. It would result in optimum utilisation of Coal and would save the consumer around Rs. 20,000 crores in the next five years. It would increase the transparency and accountability. Advantages The advantages of MERIT app: Empowers the consumer. Promotes participative governance. Transparency in information dissemination relating to marginal variable cost and source wise purchase of electricity. Promotes economy and efficiency in operation. Optimises the procurement costs. Facilitates renewable integration and handling of the variability and uncertainty of renewables. Background Union cabinet in May 2016 permitted flexibility in utilisation of domestic coal amongst power generating stations. Following which the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued the methodology for utilisation of domestic coal within State/Central generating stations on 8th June 2016. The ministry of power then came up with the methodology for use of transferred coal in Independent Power Producers (IPPs) generating stations in February 2017.
17. North Korea has claimed that it has successfully test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-14 into waters near Sea of Japan. The claim was confirmed by United States. The launch appeared to be North Korea’s most successful missile test since its ballistic missile programme gathered pace in the late 1990s. The successful test also marks North Korea’s the final step in becoming confident and powerful nuclear state that can strike anywhere on Earth. Key Facts Based on missile’s height and trajectory path, US scientists claim that missile could potentially be powerful enough to reach Alaska. The missile had reached an altitude higher and flew longer than any of the North Korea’s previous similar tests. The missile had landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone. US has strongly condemned the launch and added that it will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea. The ICBM testing represents a new escalation of the threat to US and its allies and partners, the region and the world. What is Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)? An ICBM is a missile launched by a land-based system that is intended to carry nuclear payloads. To qualify as an ICBM, a missile must have a minimum range of 5,500km. The most significant difference between an ICBM and other ballistic missiles is its greater range and speed. It enables countries to strike exceptionally distant targets with minimum warning. What are experts saying about the North Korean claim? Analysis by South Korea and Japan has supported the account given by North Korea, which said the missile reached an altitude of 2,802km and flew 930km. The US initially had described it as an intermediate-range missile but later conceded it was an ICBM. North Korea will be 8th nation in the world to successfully test ICBM. Other countries that have ICBM technology are US, Russia, China, UK, France, Israel and India.
18. The Union Ministry of Power has announced that about 97% of the total outstanding debt of all state power distribution companies (discoms) has been covered under the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY). As on September 2015, the total debt of all state-owned discoms was Rs. 3.95 lakh crore. The 26 states and 1 UT which have joined the UDAY scheme accounted for total outstanding debt of Rs. 3.82 lakh crore. Hence, about 97% of the total outstanding debt of all State discoms has been covered under UDAY. Key Facts Issuance of bonds: The total liability opted by states for restructuring through the issuance of bonds under the scheme was Rs. 2.69 lakh crore. So far, states have issued bonds of Rs. 2.09 lakh crore and discoms have issued bonds worth Rs. 0.23 lakh crore. Bonds worth Rs. 0.37 lakh crore are yet to be issued by various discoms. Hence, about 86% of the restructurable debt of states has been restructured so far under UDAY. National average of aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses: It stood at 20.2% in FY17 from all UDAY states. It has increased by two percentage points, from 81% in FY16 to 83% in FY17. The difference between the average cost of supply (ACS) and the average revenue realised (ARR) also has come down in the last year. About Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) The UDAY Scheme was launched by Union Power Ministry for the financial turnaround and revival package for electricity distribution companies of India (DISCOMs). It aimed to help to make discoms financially and operationally healthy so they can supply adequate power at affordable rates and play important role in Union Government’s ambition of meeting target of 100% Village electrification and 24X7 Power For All. Under it, state governments were to take over up to 75% of their respective discoms’ debt by issuing sovereign bonds to pay back the lenders. Remaining 25% of debt will be issued by discoms in the form of bonds. UDAY envisages to have a permanent solution for past as well as potential future issues of the power sector such as reducing the interest burden on the discoms by allowing the states to take over the bulk of their debt, reduce the cost of power, increase the operational efficiencies of the discoms by providing capital and infrastructure like coal linkages and reduce in AT&C and transmission losses. The scheme is optional for the states to join. Andhra Pradesh was the first state to join it. Mizoram was 26th state to join UDAY scheme. Nagaland, Odisha and West Bengal are only three states that have not joined the scheme.
19. Senior IPS officer Sanjay Kumar was appointed as Director General (DG) of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). He will succeed R K Pachnanda who was has taken charge as DG the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Sanjay Kumar is a 1985-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre. Prior to this appointment, he was director general of police (DGP) in Himachal Pradesh. About National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) NDRF is India’s elite disaster mitigation combat force established under The Disaster Management Act, 2005. It was established in 2006 and is headquartered in New Delhi. It functions under Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It is mandated to undertake special disaster response, relief, rescue operations and combat roles independently in the case of an event of any disaster (natural or man-made), accident or emergency. It also assists local authorities in launching a quick rescue and response operation to save life and property. It is assisted by 12 battalions with strength of over 13,000 personnel positioned in various states of country.
20. A joint military training exercise Maitree 2017 between Indian Army and Royal Thailand Army commenced at Bakloh in Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. The aim of 14 day long exercise is to build and promote closer relations while exchanging skills and experiences between the two armies. Key Facts The Maitree series of bilateral exercises has been one of the major defence cooperation initiatives between India and Thailand. It is an annual event. The previous edition of the exercise was held at Krabi in Thailand in 2016. Exercise Maitree 2017 is a continuation of a series of joint exercises between the Indian Army and the Royal Thailand Army. It will be conducted in a manner such that both contingents will get to acquaint with each other`s operating procedures in the backdrop of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment. Approximately 50 troops from Royal Thailand Army and an equal number of Indian soldiers from the Northern Command are participating in the exercise. They will jointly plan and execute a series of drills for the neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in counter terrorism environment. Earlier, a joint training exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman, named Al Nagah-II 2017, was held at Bakloh in March 2017.
21. The United States of America (USA) has rolled out pre-approved expedited entry clearance for low-risk Indian travellers under its Global Entry programme (GEP). With this initiative, India became 11th country whose citizens are now eligible to enroll in the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative. Indian Ambassador to US Navtej Sarna was the first Indian national to enroll in the programme. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative Under this initiative, international GEP member traveller can enter in US through automatic kiosks, rather than queueing up to clear immigration check by meeting an immigration officer at selected airports. At these selective airports, the specified members need proceed to the Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport, place their fingerprints on the scanner for verification and complete a customs declaration. The Global Entry kiosk then will issue the traveller a transaction receipt and directs him or her to the baggage claim and the exit. It should be noted that under the GEP, travellers must be pre-approved for the initiative. All applicants for GEP undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrolment. Presently, Global Entry programme is available at 53 US airports and 15 pre-clearance locations. It is now available to US citizens, Green Card holders and nationals from Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, Argentina, Colombia, Singapore, Switzerland and UK besides India.
22. New Delhi-based The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) was ranked second among world’s best climate think tank by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG). TERI was ranked number two under the category ‘2016 Top Climate Think Tanks in the Rest of the World-Absolute Global Rankings’ during ICCG’s 23rd annual conference of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE) in Athens, Greece. ICCG is an internationally-renowned body whose activities focus on the design of climate policy and related governance issues. It rankings helps to highlight the scale and magnitude of work done by the think tanks working in the field of climate change. About The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) TERI is a non-profit research, policy research organisation that conducts research work in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development. It was established in 1974 as Tata Energy Research Institute and was renamed The Energy and Resources Institute in 2003. It aims to focus on formulating local and national level strategies for shaping global solutions to critical issues. Its key focus lies in promoting clean energy, water management, pollution management, sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Presently, it has over 1200 employees especially research professionals from different disciplines pertaining to issues of environment and energy. In 2013, it was ranked as the topmost global think-tank by the ICCG.
23. President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed election commissioner Achal Kumar Joti as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He will be the 21st CEC and shall succeed Nasim Zaidi. He will continue as CEC till 17 January 2018. He had joined the three-member election commission as an election commissioner in May, 2015. About Achal Kumar Joti A K Joti is retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1975-batch. He had retired as the Gujarat Chief secretary in January, 2013. In his home cadre he had worked in various capacities, including as the chairman of the Kandla Port Trust (1999- 2004), managing director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. (SSNNL). He also had served as the Secretary in the Industry, Revenue and Water Supply Departments in the State. He was also Gujarat Vigilance Commissioner. Appointment of Election Commissioners Election commission is multi member body and currently has three members including Chief Election Commissioner. They all are appointed by the President for a term which is fixed by the President. Tenure: The service conditions and tenure of office of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are determined by an act of parliament titled The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Act, 1991. This act has fixed their term for 6 years or till age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Power/salary: The Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners have equal power and receive equal salary, allowances and other perquisites, which are similar to a judge of the Supreme Court. In case of difference of opinion amongst the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner, the matter is decided by the Commission by majority.
24. Incumbent Vice President Hamid Ansari’s term comes to an end on August 10, 2017. Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a notification, the process of filing nominations for the vice presidential election. About office of Vice President The officer of Vice-President is second highest public office in India. He has second rank in the order of precedence. Practically, office of Vice President has been created to provide political continuity of the Indian state. His main function is in the form of ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He works as acting president when president is not available. Eligibility As per article 66, the candidate contesting for election of Vice-President of India should be citizen of India, completed age of 35 years and must be qualified to become a member of Rajya Sabha. He must not hold an office for profit. A candidate’s nomination paper needs to be subscribed by at least 20 electors as proposers and at least another 20 electors as seconders. Note: Presidential candidate should be qualified to become a member of Lok Sabha, Vice-presidential candidate should be qualified to become a member of Rajya Sabha. Election Like Presidential election, Vice Presidential election is also indirect and is held via system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The electoral college of Vice President includes elected by elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Unlike in Presidential election, MLAs or MLCs from state assemblies have no role to play in Vice Presidential election. Term and removal The term of office of the Vice President is five years. The term may end earlier by resignation which should be addressed to the President. The term may also terminate earlier by removal. There no impeachment process to remove Vice President. The Vice President can be removed by a resolution passed by the members of the Rajya Sabha. To move such resolution, a 14 days’ notice is to be given. Such a resolution, though passed by the Rajya Sabha only, but must be agreeable to the Lok Sabha. Functions of Vice President Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. However, during the period when he acts as the officiating President of India, he shall not act as chairman of the Rajya Sabha and shall not be entitled to the salary or allowances payable to the chairman of the Rajya Sabha. According to Article 65, in case the President is unable to discharge his duties for reasons such as illness, resignation, removal, death or otherwise, the Vice President shall carry out functions of the President. In such case, he will be entitled for the salary, allowance and all privileges of the President.
25. The foundation stone of the country’s biggest Global Skill Park was laid in Bhopal jointly by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap Rudi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The park will come up on 37 acre land allotted in Narela Shankari area of Bhopal. It will be established with the support of Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education and Education Services (ITEES). About Global Skill Park The objective of the Global Skill Park is to prepare skilled youths who could get jobs in private companies as per their requirements. Besides, the youths will be able to get employment opportunities in foreign countries. Thus, the skill park will function on the spirit of ‘With Industry -For Industry’. The park will have capacity to impart skill training to 1000 students every year by trainers of international standard. The courses conducted for skill training at the park will also have provision of international joint certification.
26. Incumbent Vice President Hamid Ansari’s term comes to an end on August 10, 2017. Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a notification, the process of filing nominations for the vice presidential election. About office of Vice President The officer of Vice-President is second highest public office in India. He has second rank in the order of precedence. Practically, office of Vice President has been created to provide political continuity of the Indian state. His main function is in the form of ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He works as acting president when president is not available. Eligibility As per article 66, the candidate contesting for election of Vice-President of India should be citizen of India, completed age of 35 years and must be qualified to become a member of Rajya Sabha. He must not hold an office for profit. A candidate’s nomination paper needs to be subscribed by at least 20 electors as proposers and at least another 20 electors as seconders. Note: Presidential candidate should be qualified to become a member of Lok Sabha, Vice-presidential candidate should be qualified to become a member of Rajya Sabha. Election Like Presidential election, Vice Presidential election is also indirect and is held via system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The electoral college of Vice President includes elected by elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Unlike in Presidential election, MLAs or MLCs from state assemblies have no role to play in Vice Presidential election. Term and removal The term of office of the Vice President is five years. The term may end earlier by resignation which should be addressed to the President. The term may also terminate earlier by removal. There no impeachment process to remove Vice President. The Vice President can be removed by a resolution passed by the members of the Rajya Sabha. To move such resolution, a 14 days’ notice is to be given. Such a resolution, though passed by the Rajya Sabha only, but must be agreeable to the Lok Sabha. Functions of Vice President Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. However, during the period when he acts as the officiating President of India, he shall not act as chairman of the Rajya Sabha and shall not be entitled to the salary or allowances payable to the chairman of the Rajya Sabha. According to Article 65, in case the President is unable to discharge his duties for reasons such as illness, resignation, removal, death or otherwise, the Vice President shall carry out functions of the President. In such case, he will be entitled for the salary, allowance and all privileges of the President.
27. The foundation stone of the country’s biggest Global Skill Park was laid in Bhopal jointly by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap Rudi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The park will come up on 37 acre land allotted in Narela Shankari area of Bhopal. It will be established with the support of Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education and Education Services (ITEES). About Global Skill Park The objective of the Global Skill Park is to prepare skilled youths who could get jobs in private companies as per their requirements. Besides, the youths will be able to get employment opportunities in foreign countries. Thus, the skill park will function on the spirit of ‘With Industry -For Industry’. The park will have capacity to impart skill training to 1000 students every year by trainers of international standard. The courses conducted for skill training at the park will also have provision of international joint certification.
28. President Pranab Mukherjee has approved the promulgation of The Prevention of cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 by the Governor of Karnataka in pursuance of Article 213 of Constitution. The promulgated ordinance legalises Kambala, bullock cart races and bull runs as traditional sports involving animals and exempt them from The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Background In November 2016, the Karnataka High Court had banned the kambala along with bull-cart race in the state while hearing a case filed by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) citing animal cruelty. The high court had stayed these traditional sports in view of the Supreme Court’s ban on jallikattu, a traditional bull taming sport of Tamil Nadu. Following protests by people and kambala organisers, Karnataka Assembly had passed an ordinance Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017 in February 2017 to allow Kambala. In April 2017, the Union Home Ministry asked the state government to modify the Bill (ordinance). The state government made the modifications and sent it back to the union government. Earlier in June 2017, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice had cleared the modified bill (ordinance). About Kambala Kambala is the traditional slush track buffalo race that is held annually in coastal districts of Karnataka to entertain rural people of the area. Slushy/marshy paddy field track is used for Kambala. The sports season generally starts in November and lasts till March. The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes, each pair race in two seprate wet rice fields tracks, controlled by a whip-lashing farmer. In the traditional form of Kambala, buffalo racing was non-competitive and buffalo pairs ran one by one in paddy fields. Besides, there was also ritualistic approach as some agriculturists race their buffaloes as a means to thank the god for protecting their animals from disease. But in recent times, Kambala has become an organised rural sport.