WBCS Current Affairs 04/09/2015 to 11/09/2015

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1. India and Pakistan have started a three-day Director General (DG)-level border dialogue in New Delhi. Director General (DG) Border Security Force (BSF) D K Pathak is leading 23 member Indian delegation and his counterpart Major General Umar Farooq Burki, DG of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) is leading a 16 members Pakistani delegation. Both the delegations also have representatives from respective Home and Foreign ministries along with officers from narcotics control and survey department. In this dialogue both sides have Decided to devise new strategies along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to put an end to incidents of ceasefire violations. Agreed maintenance of peace and tranquility on the border is the most important issue and this needs to be implemented on the ground. India also has suggested that rather than debating and contesting about the past incidents, both sides should work on a future strategy in order to make the border peaceful and safe for the troops and civilians alike.

2. The Tenth World Hindi Conference (विश्व हिंदी सम्मेलन) has begun in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh with the theme of Hindi Jagat-Vistar and Sambhavnaye.

3. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval to constitute the 21st Law Commission of India (LCI). The 21st LCI will have a period of 3 years with effect from 1 September 2015 to 31 August 2018. Composition Chairperson (full-time), Four Members (full-time). It will include a Member-Secretary. 3 Secretaries: Department of Legal Affairs, Legislative Department and Legislative Department as ex offcio Members. Up to 5 part-time Members Functions Undertake research in existing laws by reviewing them for making reforms therein and enacting new legislations. Undertake studies and research to bring reforms in the justice delivery systems in the country in order to eliminate the delays in procedures, speedy disposal of cases and cost reduction of litigations etc. Suggest enactment of new legislations to implement the Directive Principles and attain the various objectives enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution. Prepare and submit reports to the Union Government on all matters, issues, studies and research undertaken by it. These reports should recommend effective measures to be undertaken by the Union or any State government. Background The Law Commission of India (LCI) is a non-statutory and non-constitutional body constituted by the Union Government from time to time. The first commission was constituted in 1955 and since then various commissions were re-constituted every three years. So far, various Law Commissions have submitted 262 reports in which they were able to make important contribution towards codification and progressive development of laws of the country. The 20th LCI was headed by Justice A P Shah, Former Chief Justice (CJ) of Delhi High Court and its tenure ended on 31 August, 2015.

4. India and Indonesia have signed a pact for repatriation of wanted prisoners and cooperate in all criminal matters, including gathering evidence. In this regard Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an official gazette notification for service or execution of summons or warrant in relation to criminal matters in both countries.

5. The Union Cabinet has allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) under the automatic route for white label ATM operations (WLAO). Decision in this regard was taken in Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. This decision will expedite and ease FDI inflows in WLAO further giving a fillip to the government’s ambitious effort to promote financial inclusion in the country, including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY). Prior this approval, foreign investment in WLAO was allowed through the government approval route which required some processing time and projects were delayed. White labeled ATMs Private non-bank companies that own and operate their own brand of ATMs are termed as White labeled ATMs. They were meant to expand the reach of ATMs in Tier III to VI centres. As per RBI guidelines, it is mandatory to non-bank companies owning white labelled ATMs to provide banking services to customers based on cards (credit/debit/prepaid) issued by banks.

6. The Union Cabinet has approved spectrum trading norms for harmonious spread of telecom services in the country. These norms were approved based on the recommendations Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in order to increase emphasis on evolving more flexible and market oriented approach in Telecom sector. Keyfacts Henceforth, telecom companies can trade spectrum especially unutilised spectrum in all bands among themselves without taking any government permission. The original validity period of spectrum assignment of telecom companies will not be altered due to spectrum trading as it is applicable to the traded block of spectrum. However, the ownership right will remain with the Union Government. The seller and buyer entering into spectrum trading agreement will have to give an undertaking that they are carrying trading in compliance with rules and regulations. Implications: Spectrum trading will allow better spectrum usages as the unutilised spectrum from one telecom service provider gets transferred to the other service provider who is facing spectrum crunch. It will also help to resolve the problem of fragmented spectrum holding in India and improve customer satisfaction and telecom services.

7. Tamil Nadu’s first Global Investors Summit (TNGIM 2015) has begun in Chennai to woo investors to invest in the state. TNGIM 2015 was officially inaugurated by state Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa at the Chennai Trade Centre. The first of kind investors summit in southern state of India is seeking to targeted investment commitment of one-lakh crore rupees.

8. Union Cabinet cleared National Offshore Wind Energy Policy to generate electricity from offshore windmills located in areas within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the country. Under this policy, Offshore wind power projects and R&D activities will be carried in waters up to the seaward distance of 200 Nautical Miles (EEZ of the country) from the base line. Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) will be nodal Ministry. National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) will be nodal agency for allocation of offshore Wind Energy blocks. NIWE has been authorized to carry out allocation of offshore wind energy blocks. It will also frame guidelines for coordination and allied functions with related ministries and agencies. The policy will provide a non-biased playing field to all domestic and international investors/beneficiaries. Implications Pave the way for offshore wind power projects along the 7600 km long Indian coastline to replicate the success of the onshore wind power projects in the offshore wind projects. It would also help India to attain energy security and achieve National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) targets.

9. President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2014 on Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar on behalf of the organisation received the prize at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. ISRO was chosen for the prestigious award in March 2015 for its contribution in development of space technology and satellite-based services, making space technology a catalyst of development of India and bringing societal transformation and provided the service to the common man and nation. About Gandhi Peace Prize Instituted in 1995 by Union Government as a part of the 125th birth anniversary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi. Awarded annually to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. The prize carries an award of one crore rupees, a plaque and a citation. Previous recipients: Julius Nyerere (the first President of Tanzania) was the first recipient of the prize (1995). Other important recipients are Ramakrishna Mission, Baba Amte, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Grameen Bank, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and others.

10. The Union Cabinet approved introduction of Gold Monetization Schemes (GMS) in a bid to lure away Indians from buying physical gold. The approved schemes are Gold Deposit Scheme (GDS) and the Gold Metal Loan (GML) Scheme which were announced by Government in 2015-16 budget. Objectives of schemes To make the existing GMSs schemes more effective and to put the gold into productive use held by households and institutions in the country rather than only mobilising it. The long-term objective is to reduce the country’s reliance on the import of gold to meet domestic demand. GMS would benefit the Indian gems and jewellery sector which is a major contributor to country’s exports by accounting 12 per cent of total exports. It would enable depositors to earn interest on their on their gold accounts. These schemes are in addition to the implementation Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGBS) which was approved by the Union Cabinet. Under this scheme, bonds will be issued with an interest rate decided by Union Government and calculated on value at the time of investment.

11. Haryana Assembly has passed Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2015 that seeks to fix matriculation as minimum educational qualification for elections to Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs). With this Haryana became second state in India after Rajasthan to fix educational and other qualifications for the candidates contesting Panchayat elections.

12. India and Belarus have set the bilateral trade target of one billion dollar by 2018. The decision was taken at the Seventh Session of the India-Belarus Intergovernmental Commission held in Minsk, Belarus. The meeting was co-chaired by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman co-chaired and her Belarusian counterpart Minister for Industry Vitali Mikhailovich Vovk.

13. Ace Indian Golfer Anirban Lahiri has become the first Indian to qualify for the prestigious President’s Cup of Golf. World No.40, Lahiri qualified to this prestigious cup through automatic qualifications as team member of the International Team.

14. Haryana government has completely banned the gutka, pan masala and other similar products containing tobacco in the state for one year from September 3, 2015. In this regard State Food and Drugs Administration has issued notification in the interest of public health.

15. Queen Elizabeth II on 9th September 2015 became the longest-reigning Monarch of Britain and the longest-reigning female monarch in history. She surpassed the previous record held by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria who had reigned thousand-year-old dynastical institution of Britain for more than 63 years and 7 months. It should be noted that, presently Queen Elizabeth II (88 years old) is world’s oldest living monarch.

16. Renowned Agriculture expert Professor Ramesh Chand has been appointed as new full time member of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. With this appointment he became third full-time member of NITI Aayog, Union Government’s think tank which had replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission. Besides Mr Chand, economist Bibek Debroy and former DRDO chief V K Saraswat are other two full-time members of NITI Aayog.

17. Andhra Pradesh by has e-Pragati, a comprehensive architecture to leverage the latest advances in e-governance tools. With this launch, Andhra Pradesh became first state in India to execute and conceive state-wide enterprise e-governance architecture. It is the rechristened version of AP State Enterprise Architecture (APSEA) that seeks to bring all state government services under one roof.

18. Indian weightlifter Deepak Lather won a gold medal in fifth Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) held in Apia, Samoa. He won the medal the 62 kg category after finishing with a total of 258 kg with 120 kg in snatch. He has created a new CYG record and 138 kg in clean and jerk. It is second gold medal India has won in in weightlifting at this edition of CYG. Earlier, Jamjang Deru had won the gold medal in the 56 kg weight category on the opening day of the event. In the fifth edition of Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG), India is being represented by 25 athletes competing in eight different disciplines out of total nine events.

19. Reliance Defence Ltd (RDL) led by Anil Ambani has inked memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) to set up a strategic partnership for construction of naval ships. The partnership will include construction of frigates and destroyers to address the demands of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) over the next 10 years. Both signatory parties are also going to incorporate a joint venture (JV) company which will encompass both construction of new naval vessels as well as repair, maintenance, overhaul and refit opportunities of existing commercial and naval vessels in the Gulf region. In this proposed JV Company, RDL will be the majority partner with 51 per cent stake and ADSB will have 49 per cent of stake. Background The MoU signing between RDL and ADSB follows the joint statement issued during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in August 2015 which had highlighted cooperation and manufacture of defence equipment in India.

20. State owed telecom service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has decided to upgrade Broadband speed to minimum 2 Mbps in the country. It was announced by Union Information Technology (IT) Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at a function held in Gurgaon, Haryana. The speed will be at no additional cost for all its existing Broadband customers from 1 October 2015 from existing speed plans of 512 Kbps & 1 Mbps. Besides, BSNL is also going of free night calling services from its landline to all operator networks and free incoming roaming services for its mobile customers.

21. For the first time, Qatar has deployed ground troops in Yemen to counter the Shia Houthi rebels who have taken over the country. In this regard, Qatar has deployed around one thousand ground troops, supported by armoured vehicles and military helicopters in Marib province of Yemen. Earlier in March 2015, Qatar along with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members (expect Oman) had signed a joint statement with Saudi Arabia to form coalition in order to take military action against the rebels in order to bring regional stability in the Gulf region.

22. The sixth Indo-Maldives joint Training Exercise has commenced at Pangode Military Station in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. Aim of the Joint Exercise is to acquaint forces of both countries with each other’s operating procedure and increase understanding and interoperability between Armies of both countries.

21. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully positioned India’s latest communication satellite GSAT-6 into its orbital slot. It was positioned in its orbital slot 83 Degree east after carrying out four drift arresting maneuvers. It has been collocated with other four communication satellites INSAT-4A, IRNSS1C, GSAT 12 and GSAT 10. About GSAT-6 satellite GSAT-6 satellite was carrying S-Band and C-Band transponders meant for public and strategic purposes. It weighs 2117 kg and has mission life of nine years. The satellite is having S-Band Unfurlable Antenna (UFA) of 6 m diameter. This is the largest antenna ever made by ISRO for a satellite. This antenna is utilized for five spot beams over the Indian mainland to exploit the frequency reuse scheme and to increase frequency spectrum utilization efficiency in India. GSAT-6 is the 25th geostationary communication satellite of India and 12th in the GSAT series. Application: It will provide S-band multimedia communication and broadcasting services across the country. C-Band is for strategic purpose and it will provide national security and law enforcement agencies a secured satellite telephony services. Background ISRO had successfully launched GSAT-6 from an indigenous cryogenic engine GSLV-D6 rocket from Sriharikota on 27 August 2015. ISRO had performed successive orbit raising operation of the satellite and had deployed the UFA successfully after the launch.

22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Badarpur-Faridabad Metro in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). The metro corridor will connect the national capital with the satellite town and give impetus to economic growth in the region by fast transportation of people. It is also first environment-friendly metro in Indian as all the stations and depot have been equipped with solar power plants.

23. Group of Twenty (G-20), a forum of world’s 20 largest economies, including India launched Women-20 (W20), an engagement grouping of women leaders in order to push for gender inclusive global economic growth. It was launched in the on-going G-20 Summit of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Ankara under the Turkish Presidency. The W20 group would 20 women leaders from G20 nations. It will work as an outreach group to promote gender inclusiveness in economic growth process by empowering women. It would host its first summit in October 2015 in Istanbul after all member countries appoint their respective nominees. Gulden Turktan from Turkey has been appointed as the first President W20 forum. About Group of Twenty (G20) G20 is the premier forum for global economic and financial cooperation. Established: in 1999 as a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on member countries in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. It brings together 20 nations that represent world’s major advanced and emerging economies, representing around 85 per cent of global GDP. Presidency of the G20: It rotates annually among its members. Members: Brazil, China, Russia, India, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Canada, France, Indonesia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US) and European Union (EU).

24. China and its strategic partner Pakistan have launched a joint air exercise called Shaheen (Eagle)-4 in China. It is fourth edition of air exercise between the air forces of both countries which was launched as part of a series of military exchange programmes between two countries. In this edition of exercise, Chinese contingent was represented by fighter jets, fighter bombers and early warning planes. Pakistani counterpart included fighter jets and early warning planes. Chinese air force by this joint air exercise is willing to expand the scope of cooperation with various countries in the region. The first edition of such joint air drill between both countries took place in Pakistan in March 2011. Late in September 2013 the second drill took place in China’s western Xinjiang Uygur region and third drill again took in Pakistan’s Punjab province in May 2014.

25. Union Government is going to develop Bodhgaya in Gaya district of Bihar as Spiritual Capital of the country in order to serve the civilisational bond between India and the Buddhist world. It was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing delegates from 90 countries on the concluding day of the International Buddhist Conclave held at Bodh Gaya. In his address Prime Minister called Gautam Buddha as India’s crown jewel and called Bodh Gaya as the land of enlightenment.

26. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain won 2015 Italian Grand Prix of Formula One. This was his seventh victory of the season. His win for the season 2015 of Formula One began with Australian Grand Prix and later won Chinese Grand Prix, Bahrain Grand Prix, Canadian Grand Prix, British Grand Prix and Belgian Grand Prix.

27. Union Government has given its nod to implement One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen. It was announced by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar in New Delhi. Facts about One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme OROP will provide ex-servicemen of same rank and same length of service uniform pension regardless of date of retirement. The benefit will be given with effect from 1st of July 2014 and it will benefit all three services- Army, Navy and Air Force. Pension will be re-fixed every five years and future enhancements in rates of pension would be automatically passed to the past pensioners. Armed forces personnel who retire voluntarily would be not covered under OROP scheme. However, it will be applicable to personnel who have already retired prematurely. All arrears will be paid in four half-yearly installments and all widows will be paid arrears in one installment. Estimated cost to implement OROP scheme would be around 8000 crore rupees to 10,000 crore rupees at present and it will increase further in future. Union Government also has decided to constitute one member Judicial Committee for examination of interests of retirees of different periods and different ranks. The Committee will also cover inter-service issues of the three forces and submit its report in six months.

28. Delhi High Court in its landmark judgment has allowed women to get permanent commission in Indian Navy and allowed them to board on warships. The ruling was given by a Division Bench of Delhi HC headed by Justice Kailash Gambhir on the writ petition moved by a group of women naval officers both retired and serving. The HC also ruled that, henceforth female naval officers will have full term service in the Indian Navy and also enjoy retirement benefits same as their male counterparts. Presently, Indian Army and Air Force allow permanent commission for female officers. While, Indian Navy has limited the role of women officers serving in short service commission of 14 years. In case of Navy, female officers are only allowed to serve in the administrative, medical and education branches. They are also working as observers, to monitor censors on aircrafts. Implications: It will eliminate the gender discrimination and ensure the rights of women officers in Indian Navy similar to their counterpart in other forces. To follow up the ruling of Delhi High Court, Indian Navy now has to review its rules banning women on warships. Note: Women in Indian army and the Air Force were allowed permanent commission by the Delhi High court in its ruling of 2010.

29. Eminent Bollywood Music composer Aadesh Shrivastava passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was 49 and died due to cancer.

30. Indian-American Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri has been selected for the prestigious 2014 National Humanities Medal of White House. She has been selected for this award for enlarging the human story and will be presented with it by US President Barack Obama. The award also recognizes her fictional works which have illuminated the Indian-American experience in beautifully wrought narratives of estrangement and belonging. About Jhumpa Lahiri Her original name is Nilanjana Sudeshna. Her Work: Her debut short story collection Interpreter of Maladies (1999) has won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Her first novel was Namesake (2003) was adapted in a movie with the same name which was directed by Mira Nair. Suresh Kalpenn acted in this movie. The Lowland (2013) it was nominee for the Man Booker Prize. Currently, she is Professor of creative writing at Princeton University. About National Humanities Medal It is an annual award given by US President. Established: It had succeeded annual Charles Frankel Prize in the Humanities (established in 1988) in 1996. Bestowed on persons, groups or institutions in recognition for their work which has deepened United States understanding of the humanities, broadened US citizens’ engagement with the humanities or helped to preserve and expand US’s access to important resources in the humanities. Since its inception in 1996 it has been bestowed upon (including this year’s) 175 recipients, 163 individuals and 12 organisations.

31. State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has bought a 15 per cent stake in Russia’s second-largest oil field Vankor from Rosneft for about 1.35 billion US dollars. In this regard, ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) the overseas investment arm of ONGC has signed agreements to buy 15 per cent stake in the Vankor oil field located in East Siberia. The agreement to buy stake in Vankor was signed by the OVL Managing Director Narendra Verma and Chairman of Rosneft Management Board Igor Sechin in Vladivostok. Under the terms of the agreement OVL will get two seats on the Board of Directors of Vankor, a subsidiary of Rosneft that operates the Vankor field. The 15 per cent stake Vankor oil field will give OVL about 3.5 million metric tonnes of oil a year of its total 2.5 billion recoverable reserves barrels (or 500 million tonnes). Rosneft will retain full control of infrastructure of the Vankor cluster. Presently, Rosneft (Russian national oil company) holds 100 per cent stake in Vankor which started production in 2009. With this stake acquisition Rosneft, stake will come down to 85 per cent. The stake acquisition is subject to relevant board, Russian government and Regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by mid-2016. This is fourth biggest acquisition by OVL. It already has a 20 per cent stake in the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas field located off Russia’s far eastern coast and also owns Imperial Energy which has fields in Siberia. 16 per cent stake in Mozambique’s offshore Rovuma Area 1 fields.

32. Disaster Mitigation conference of member counties of South Asian Association on Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has begun in New Delhi on 3 September 2015. The two day conference seeks to chalk out and undertake various joint efforts on various issues related to disaster mapping and mitigation in the member nations. Key facts The conference is being held by keeping in mind the prevalent geo-climatic conditions as well as increased frequency of natural disaster and calamities in the SAARC region. It is also being held in the wake of the recent Nepal earthquake (April 2015). It calls for enhanced levels of preparedness and risk resilience amongst member countries. It also seeks collaborative action amongst member countries to deal jointly and individually in disaster situations and ensure minimal loss of lives and property. South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise (SAADMEx) India has taken the lead to begin SAADMEx, a simulation exercises on disaster management in the region. In this regard, India has requested all SAARC countries to participate in this exercise. SAADMEx aims at augmenting current levels of individual and joint preparedness of member countries in the rescue, relief and response operations during disaster situations. The exercise will be conducted in two phases. First phase is the current coordination conference which will discuss the requirements and modalities of the main exercise. Second phase will cover the main exercise which will be held from November 23-26, 2015 in New Delhi. Three components of second phase of SAADMEx are Table Top Exercise (TTx) Field Training Exercise (FTx) and After Action Review (AAR).

33. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to issue coins of 5 rupees denomination to commemorate golden jubilee year of Indo-Pak War 1965. These coins will be issued under in The Coinage Act, 2011 and will be considered as legal a tender.

34. India and Australia have agreed to deepen their bilateral defence partnership based on their shared strategic interests by setting up of a joint working group on defence research and material cooperation. This decision was taken after the delegation-level talks between Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his visiting Australian counterpart Kevin Andrews in New Delhi.