Comprehensive News Analysis - 18 August 2016

Table of Contents:

A. GS1 Related:
B. GS2 Related:

1. Bangladesh backs Modi on Balochistan

2. In a first, juvenile to be tried as adult in gang-rape case

C. GS3 Related:

1. S&T News

D. GS4 Related
E. Important Editorials : A Quick Glance

The Hindu

1. Read: An anachronistic law

2. Disquiet on the western front

3. Read: Uniting the divided world order

The Indian Express

1. An experiment with power

2. Read: Story of Gilgit-Baltistan: Snatched by British, occupied by Pakistan

PIB

1. BARC develops portable kit for detection of Chromium contamination of water

2. 2nd Meeting of BRICS Ministers for Disaster Management to be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan on August 22-23, 2016

3. New steps to enhance transparency in Power Sector

4. National Commission for Scheduled Caste Submits Three Reports to President of India

The Business Line:

1. Read: Flexibility needed

Quick Bits and News from States

1. It’s a result of 12 years of hard work, says Sakshi Malik

2. Suresh Prabhu announces four new trains

3. SC to decide if ban on possession of beef is unconstitutional

4. More cold chains, food parks to boost farm incomes

5. Antwerp port offers to help develop AP trade

6. Suu Kyi to discuss frozen dam project in China

F. Concepts-in-News: Related Concepts to Revise/Learn:
G. Fun with Practice Questions 🙂
H. Archives

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Useful News Articles

A. GS1 Related

Nothing here today folks!


B. GS2 Related


  1. Bangladesh backs Modi on Balochistan

Topic: Pakistan and Bangladesh

Category: India’s Neighbourhood

Key points:

  • Bangladesh on Wednesday came out in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stand on the Balochistan issue, saying Dhaka would soon make a policy declaration on Pakistan’s human rights abuses in Balochistan
  • As part of the counter-terror strategy, India and Bangladesh have agreed on a “MoU on data exchange”, which will ensure pre-emptive intervention targeting terrorists

 

2. In a first, juvenile to be tried as adult in gang-rape case

Topic: Judiciary

Category: Polity

Key points:

  • In a first instance in rape cases, the Juvenile Justice Boardasked a child in conflict with law (CCL) to face trial as an adult for allegedly kidnapping and gang-raping a minor along with his friends in March this year
  • The Board transferred the case to a Sessions court on the basis of a report submitted to it by experts tasked to preliminarily assess the mental and physical capacity of the delinquent juvenile to commit the crime

 

C. GS3 Related


  1. S&T News

Read: Stephen Hawking’s prediction about black holes observed in lab

Talks about Hawking radiation which explains the shrinkage of a black hole now observed in a virtual experiment

 

D. GS4 Related


E. Important Editorials: A Quick Glance

 

The Hindu


  1. Read: An anachronistic law

Talks about the sedition law introduced in 1870 and the SC case related to it. Last year, in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, the SC declared unconstitutional the notorious Section 66A of the Information Technology. Look that up too

 

2. Disquiet on the western front

Topic: Pakistan

Category: India’ Neighbouhood

Key points:

  • In April this year, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a Committee to Strengthen Border Protection (CSBP) with a mandate “to study all types of gaps in fencing and all other vulnerabilities on Indo-Pakistan Borderand to suggest comprehensive approach to fix these gaps in fencing and other vulnerabilities on interim and permanent basis”
  • It is surprising that there is hardly any bilateral treaty/legal basis to guide the management of the border between India and Pakistan. The India Pakistan Border Ground Rules, 1960-61, which is ‘supposed’ to form the basis of the management of the International Border (IB) between the two sides, has not been signed by the two governments. More so, India does not officially recognise the ground rules
  • More curiously, even though the two sides have not yet signed the ground rules, they have to abide by it in Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat since there is practically nothing else to go by. That, strictly speaking, is an ad hoc arrangement to manage a border that runs into thousands of kilometres
  • While the border in Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat has not had any significant issues due to the non-finalisation of the 1960-61 ground rules, this poses a serious problem in the Jammu sector, especially given Pakistan’s non-recognition of the finality of this border and the recurrent ceasefire violations that happen in the region
  • The other major treaty-related confusion is regarding the basis of border management on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. India has generally argued that the Shimla Agreement of 1972 (which brought the current LoC into existence) made the Karachi Agreement of 1949 (which refers to the Ceasefire Line) irrelevant, something Pakistan disagrees with
  • The so-called 2003 Ceasefire Agreement is yet another example of bilateral ad hocism. India and Pakistan have so far taken no serious steps to formalise the 13-year-old agreement.The ceasefire agreement, as it stands today, is not a written document with properly laid-down rules, norms or principles which would have enabled the two sides to better manage the border and reduce violence and casualties
  • There are a number of physical challenges to securing the border, especially the maintenance of the fence which has successfully reduced infiltration and cross-border crime. The fence has a number of gaps across the States it runs through
  • Inadequate personnel and the consequent hardship faced by troops on the ground are the other major challenge facing the management of India’s western border
  • The sheer lack of boots on the ground, which results in 16-18 hour duty for the soldiers in such prohibitive conditions, needs to be addressed, as well as the issue of stagnation within the ranks of the force

 


The Indian Express


1. An experiment with power

Topic: Power Sector

Category: Economy

Key points:

  • Electricity distribution has become better in Manipur according to many of its inhabitants
  • Electricity supply has three aspects: Generation, transmission and distribution. Generation will be a major issue in Manipur, especially in times other than the rainy season. Much of the power will have to come from outside the state — Arunachal Pradesh (Lower Subansiri), Assam (Bongaigaon) and Tripura (Palatana) — even if hydroelectricity generation from the Loktak project increases
  • Manipur is not the only state to experiment with prepaid electricity. Haryana and Lucknow, in UP, has prepaid electricity vouchers. These vouchers require a prepaid electricity meter, so that consumers can be alerted when a recharge is necessary
  • The purpose of prepaid meters and prepaid vouchers is to reduce aggregate technical and commercial losses (ATC), a part of which is euphemism for theft
  • People have been jailed for stealing electricity and tampering with meters. The power situation has improved. Collections from payments of electricity bills have increased. At the same time, demand for electricity has reduced by 50 per cent and tripping incidents have become rarer. The number of consumers has also gone up. One should reiterate that this is an increase in the number of legal consumers. There is better planning — on the supply side — and there is no need for VIP lines (those guaranteed uninterrupted power supply regardless of what was happening in the rest of Manipur).
  • If consumers know exactly how much electricity they are consuming (there are instant alerts) and how much that costs (not quite the same with post-paid bills), they are more judicious in using electricity

 

2. Read: Story of Gilgit-Baltistan: Snatched by British, occupied by Pakistan


PIB


  1. BARC develops portable kit for detection of Chromium contamination of water 

Chromium is widely used in various industries like leather, steel, chrome plating, paint manufacturing, wood preservation etc. Untreated effluents from these industries cause widespread contamination of water has been reported in several parts of the country. BARC has developed a simple, user friendly, quick and cost effective kit for onsite determination of Cr(VI), which meets IS10500. It provides the much needed solution to measure the level of Chromium contamination in drinking water and tap water, lakes, rivers as well as ground water. The procedure involves adding a specified amount of specific reagents to the water sample and identifying the developed colour


2. 2nd Meeting of BRICS Ministers for Disaster Management to be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan on August 22-23, 2016 

The 2nd Meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China& South Africa) Ministers for Disaster Management will be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan on August 22-23, 2016. The two-day meeting will focus on two distinct but inter-related themes: a) Flood Risk Management; and b) Forecasting of Extreme Weather Events in the context of Changing Climate. It is a follow up of the 1st meeting of the BRICS Ministers for Disaster Management convened by the Russian Federation in St. Petersburg on April 19-20, 2016.

 

3. New steps to enhance transparency in Power Sector 

Shri Piyush Goyal launches ‘TARANG’ ‘e-Trans’ & ‘DEEP’

Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines opened a new chapter to enhance transparency in power transmission sector of the country by launching the ‘TARANG’ Mobile App, ‘e-Trans’ & ‘DEEP’ e-bidding web portals, developed by Rural Electrification Corporation Transmission Projects Company Limited (RECTPCL), a subsidiary of REC Ltd, in New Delhi today.

The Minister informed that with the perspective of good governance, and keeping in line with the “Digital India” initiative of Government of India, ‘TARANG’ (Transmission App for Real Time Monitoring & Growth) Mobile App & Web Portal has been developed by RECTPCL, under the guidance of Ministry of Power. Introduction of the electronic platform shall enhance ease, accountability & transparency and would boost confidence of investors in power transmission sector. Better price discovery shall ultimately benefit the power consumers in India.

Apart from Tarang, Shri Goyal unveiled the ‘e-Trans’ web platform for e-bidding and e-reverse auction for Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) in transmission projects.

The Minister also launched the ‘DEEP (Discovery of Efficient Electricity Price) e-Bidding’ portal for medium term (1-5 years) purchase of power, on the occasion. He informed that the Portal will provide a common e-bidding platform with e-reverse auction facility to facilitate nation-wide power procurement through a wider network so as to bring uniformity and transparency in the process of power procurement.

 

4. National Commission for Scheduled Caste Submits Three Reports to President of India 
The reports are:-

1. Annual Report of NCSC 2015-16,

2. Report on the Effective Utilization of Funds under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP)-2016, and

3. Report on Atrocities against Kuravan community in Tamil Nadu-2016

 

The Business Line:


  1. Read: Flexibility needed

Towards the end of the article note why IRDA wants companies dealing with goods of public relevance to list in stock exchanges

 

Quick Bits and News from States


  1. It’s a result of 12 years of hard work, says Sakshi Malik

SakshiMalik scripted history by becoming the first woman wrestler from India to bag an Olympic medal and only fourth female athlete from the country to climb up the podium at the biggest sporting event.Sakshi Malik won first medal for India in Women’s 58-kg freestyle

 

2. Suresh Prabhu announces four new trains

New trains:

a) Antyodaya Express: Dedicated train for unreserved passengers,

b) Humsafar — a fully third AC train(The Tejas category of trains will run at 130 km an hour with local cuisine, Wi-Fi and other amenities on board)

c) UDAY (Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri), which will be overnight trains plying on the busiest routes to increase capacity by 40 per cent

 

3. SC to decide if ban on possession of beef is unconstitutional

Agreeing to apply its judicial mind on the raging cow debate, the Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to decide on whether ban on mere possession of bovine meat is unconstitutional and infringes on the right to privacy and choice of food of a citizen.The Bombay high court had held that punishing a person for mere possession of beef amounted to State intrusion into a citizen’s right to life and personal liberty — a freedom assured under Article 21 of the Constitution while upholding the ban on slaughter

 

4. More cold chains, food parks to boost farm incomes

The government plans to set up 100 new cold chain projects at a cost of Rs. 12,000 crore to Rs.13,000 crore and has kicked off the process to invite investors to set up six new mega food parks, in a bid to boost farm sector incomes by establishing farm to fork linkages. India loses an estimated Rs.92,000 crore a year due owing to wasted food.

 

5. Antwerp port offers to help develop AP trade

Belgium’s Antwerp Port Authority, which operates the largest port in Europe after Rotterdam, has offered its expertise to explore trade through ports in the east coast of India to Europe and assist in the development of greenfield ports in Andhra Pradesh. The European nation is also keen to help develop industrial and petroleum clusters, inland waterways and smart cities in AP.

 

6. Suu Kyi to discuss frozen dam project in China

Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi left for a high-profile trip to China on Wednesday to discuss the fate of a jointly built dam and hydroelectric plant that Myanmar put on hold amid questions over which country will benefit from it.

According to officials, the five-day visit will tackle a new and delicate era in relations, including development aid and Myanmar’s upcoming complex peace process involving the government, the military and ethnic armed groups


F. Concepts-in-News: Related Concepts to Revise/Learn:
  • Section 124 A
  • Doha Rounds
  • Gilgit Baltistan
  • Public Good
  • Kuravan Community

 

G. Fun with Practice Questions 🙂
Question 1: Which of the following is/are correct about the sedition law as laid down by Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code?
  1. It is to thwart attempts to bring in hatred or contempt or disaffection towards the government established by law
  2. Imprisonment for life can be awarded for its breach

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2 


Question 2: Which of the following statements is/are correct?
  1. The Kuravar is an ethnic Tamil community native of southern India engaged in salt trade
  2. The Kuravar community is listed in the Scheduled castes list while they have tribal traits

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2 


Question 3: Which of the following statements is/are correct?
  1. Apublic good is a good that is both non-excludable and non-rivalrous in that individuals cannot be effectively excluded from use and where use by one individual does not reduce availability to others
  2. Coal is a public good

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2 


Question 4: Which of the following statements is/are the mandate of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?
  1. To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes under the Constitution or under any other law or order of the government
  2. To inquire into complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2


Question 5: Which of the following is/are correct?
  1. Gilgit- Baltistan is a Pakistan administered territory
  2. There is no outstanding dispute between India and Pakistan regarding Gilgit- Baltistan

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 2 only

d) All the above

 

Check Your Answers

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