Comprehensive News Analysis - 19 August 2016

Table of Contents:

A. GS1 Related:
B. GS2 Related:

1. 73% of Law Ministry budget goes for poll-related work

2. Can’t avoid pesticides, say farm experts

C. GS3 Related:

1. We used less lethal, non-lethal munitions in Kashmir: CRPF

2. Panel suggests corporate bond index, easier norms for FPIs

3. Giant hybrid airship takes off for first time

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

The Hindu

1. Read: Death by liquor

2. Sakshi Malik, champion

3. Read:‘Time for a National Water Commission’

The Indian Express

PIB

1. 5th Meeting of the India Russia Working group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation

2. India Post Payments Bank Incorporated

3. INS Satpura Visits Pohnpei, Micronesia

4. Supreme Court directs CPCB to receive one per cent Environment protection charge from manufacturers/dealers in Delhi & National Capital region

5. As part of its commitment to the people of Andhra Pradesh

6. Central Government decides to simplify the consent mechanism for Open Market Borrowings (OMBs) under Article 293(3) of the Constitution of India for raising OMBs by the States.

7. MoU signed between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and the Roads and Highways Department of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on Route Permit for carrying Petroleum Goods via Bangladesh

The Business Line:

1. Care work: the future of work

Quick Bits and News from States

1. Centre funding 16 yoga research projects

2. Vacate PoK, India tells Pakistan

3. Army’s plan to procure carbine hangs fire

4. ‘NAM principles more relevant now’

5. Centre unveils Internet portal for online tracking of mines

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. 73% of Law Ministry budget goes for poll-related work

Topic: Accountability

Category: Governance

Key points:

  • Almost 73 per cent of the Rs.5,011 crore budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Law and Justice for the current financial year has been earmarked for election-related expenses
  • According to the Financial and Outcome Budget released by the Law Ministry, it has been allocated about Rs.4,112 crore under the non-plan and Rs.900 crore under the plan revenue heads
  • The Organs of State Elections have been granted Rs.3,649.29 crore. While Rs.1,761.43 crore is given for Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections in States or Union Territories, Rs. 1,847.86 crore has been earmarked for other election-related expenses
  • This financial year, the government has to spend Rs.40 crore for the issuance of voter identity cards
  • The budget also provides Rs. 140 crore for the National Legal Services Authority, which extends free legal services to the weaker sections and also organisesLokAdalats for dispute settlement
  • The income tax appellate and national tax tribunals have been allocated Rs. 73.48 crore
  • The Law Ministry has been given Rs. 256 crore for the implementation of the e-courts’ second phase
  • The “Access to Justice” project is being implemented in the eight North-Eastern States, and Jammu and Kashmir, at a total cost of Rs.30 crore for five years (2012-17)

 

2. Can’t avoid pesticides, say farm experts

Topic: Agriculture

Category: Governance

Key points:

  • In its recently presented report in Parliament for 2015-16, titled “Impact of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on agriculture and allied sectors in the country,” an expert panel said fertilisers and pesticides changed the face of agriculture by enhancing production and productivity, but excessive and unscientific use of pesticides caused tremendous harm to the environment and affected human population indirectly
  • But they say their judicious use, combined with safe agricultural practices, is the only way out as the country’s growing demand for food cannot be met through organic farming


C. GS3 Related


  1. We used less lethal, non-lethal munitions in Kashmir: CRPF

Topic: Riot Control

Category: Security

Key points:

 

  • The CRPF on Thursday told the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that it used 1.6 million pellets in 32 days in Kashmir to control street protests
  • The CRPF said it used 14 types of “less lethal and non-lethal” munitions to control crowds, including Oleoresin grenades, pepper balls, stun grenades and electric shells

Note: Check out other non- lethal options

 

2. Panel suggests corporate bond index, easier norms for FPIs

Topic: Capital market

Category: Economy

Key points:

  • The ‘Report of the Working Group on Development of Corporate Bond Market in India’ has been submitted to the RBI Governor in his capacity as Chairman of the FSDC (Financial Stability and Development Council) Sub Committee, which comprises members from various regulators
  • It suggested easing of norms for foreign investors, a corporate bond index on the lines of Sensex or Nifty, and making it mandatory for large corporates to tap this market for funds beyond a threshold
  • Large corporates with borrowings from the banking system above a cut-off level may be required to tap the market for a portion of their working capital and term loan needs. Necessary guidelines may be issued by RBI taking into account market conditions by September 2016
  • It also wanted tightening of norms for credit rating agencies by mandating them to strictly adhere to timely public disclosure of defaults

 

3. Giant hybrid airship takes off for first time

Topic: Air transport innovations/Defence

Category: S & T

Key points:

  • The Airlander- a blimp-shaped, helium-filled airship — considered the world’s largest aircraft — has flown for the first time with a short but historic jaunt over an airfield in central England
  • It is designed to use less fuel than a plane, but carry heavier loads than conventional airships. Its developer, Hybrid Air Vehicles, says it can reach 16,000 feet, travel at up to 148 kmph and stay aloft for up to two weeks


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

 

The Hindu


  1. Read: Death by liquor

It is on the  Prohibition Debate?


2. Sakshi Malik, champion 

Topic: Sports

Category: Governance

Key points:

  • Malik’s is the story of a young girl working through the system, of being drawn to wrestling after accompanying her grandfather to the akhara, of knowing that dedication would take her places, to tournaments whose names she didn’t know initially. Haryana has outdone the rest of the country in getting its sportspersons to the greatest competitions: Malik’s Rohtak-to-Rio journey must nudge the authorities to accept that it is the state’s responsibility to provide its young the opportunity to train and compete
  • Malik’s journey also validates wrestling at a time when it is struggling to ensure its continuance as an Olympic sport. In 2013, the International Olympic Committee had actually initiated the process to discontinue it from the 2020 Games onwards. The IOC votes on considerations such as television ratings, popularity and anti-doping measures
  • But one of the things wrestling did in the wake of that scare was to increase the number of medals on offer to women at the Olympics. From the older breakdown of seven medals each for men in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, the number came down to six each; women now got to compete for six medals instead of the earlier four (women don’t compete in Greco-Roman at the Games). If anyone still thought that wrestling, with its ancient connect, should cease to be in the Olympics, Malik’s victory celebration must surely have melted them

Note to P.V Sindhu: We want gold. No pressure though



The Indian Express
PIB


  1. 5th Meeting of the India Russia Working group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation 

The talks during the meeting were held in a constructive atmosphere and both sides acknowledged their mutual interest in further strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation between Russian and Indian companies in different sectors. Both sides also took note of the discussions held during the meeting of subgroups on Modernization, Mining, Fertilizers and Civil Aviation.

 

2.India Post Payments Bank Incorporated 

The India Post Payments Bank Limited has received the Certificate of Incorporation from the Registrar of Companies, Ministry of Corporate Affairs yesterday under the Companies Act 2013. This would be the first PSU under the Department of Posts.

 

3.INS Satpura Visits Pohnpei, Micronesia 

In a demonstration of India’s commitment to peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and Indian Navy’s increasing footprint and operational reach, Indian Naval Ship INS Satpura today entered Pohnpei Micronesia on a two day visit, for an operational turn around, as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.

The ship is enroute to India after participation in Exercise RIMPAC-16, which is the largest multilateral naval exercise in the world, conducted biennially by the US Navy off the Hawaiian Coast.


4.Supreme Court directs CPCB to receive one per cent Environment protection charge from manufacturers/dealers in Delhi & National Capital region 

Hon’ble Supreme Court has directed all manufacturers/dealers of Delhi-NCR, selling diesel cars with engine capacity of 2000 cc and above, to pay 1% Environment Protection Charge (1% of Ex-Showroom price of the vehicle).

 

5. As part of its commitment to the people of Andhra Pradesh and to compensate the financial impact arising-out of the bifurcation of State of Andhra Pradesh, the Central Government decides to give Special Assistance of Rs.1,976.50 crore to Andhra Pradesh during 2016-17. 

 

6.Central Government decides to simplify the consent mechanism for Open Market Borrowings (OMBs) under Article 293(3) of the Constitution of India for raising OMBs by the States. 

In the spirit of Co-operative federalism and in order to bring-in the transparency and predictability in the Open Market Borrowings (OMBs) by the States, the Central Government has decided to simplify the consent mechanism for OMBs under Article 293 (3) of the Constitution.

Till now, the States were required to obtain quarterly consent from the Central Government for raising OMBs within the Net Borrowing Ceiling (NBC) fixed for each of the States as per the formula prescribed by the Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC).

The simplified procedure will ensure that consent under Article 293(3) is issued only on three occasions during the year, one in the month of April for first nine months after fixation of borrowing ceilings, second in the month of December for the first two months of the fourth quarter and last in the month of March after the assessment of actual borrowings by the States.

 

7.MoU signed between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and the Roads and Highways Department of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on Route Permit for carrying Petroleum Goods via Bangladesh 

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and the Roads and Highways Department of People’s Republic of Bangladesh today signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Dhaka. The MoU enables IOCL to send its trucks carrying Motor Spirit, High Speed Diesel, Superior Kerosene Oil & Liquefied Petroleum Gas from Meghalaya to Tripura via territory of Bangladesh. The validity of this facility is till end September, 2016. Both sides have also agreed to extend the transit facility for a further short period on need basis.

 

The Business Line:


  1. Care work: the future of work

Topic: Labour

Category: Economy

Key points:

  • Across the world there is much gloom and doom about the impact of technological changes on jobs, as automation and other innovations are seen to threaten not just blue-collar jobs but also many forms of office work
  • But even so, some of the extreme pessimism may be misplaced because of the possible emergence of other forms of employment that are more based on human interaction. Particularly care services
  • Many care services necessarily require face-to-face relationships, and even if technologies can assist in these and make them more productive, the human element cannot be eliminated
  • This in turn means that the care economy, will continue to be an important source of employment generation in the foreseeable future, and is likely to expand at a faster rate than many other economic activities
  • The category of “health workers” includes healthcare managers, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologist and psychotherapists, other healthcare therapists and complementary medicine therapists, dentists and dental nurses and other health care assistants
  • If reasonably adequate care services are to be provided to people across the world in 2030, this will require a massive increase in care employment, even in the very limited occupational categories mentioned
  • In most countries and regions, this is likely to be a significant proportion of the working age population — and therefore an even larger proportion of the actual employed population
  • In terms of providing such services to a reasonable level, many more workers will be required in related activities as part of the support and administrative systems to deliver these services
  • It is evident that Asia dominates in the requirement, simply because of its large population — but what is surprising is that, despite the current perceptions of a younger population than in other regions, the requirement in terms of elderly care is also going to be very large, amounting to well over half the total requirement in 2030 This provides some idea of the potential of the care economy to generate jobs in the future. But this will notbe delivered by market forces on their own, and nor will such jobs be “decent work” if the market alone is to determine this. The need for state intervention — and for public provision of these essential care services — is therefore paramount

 

Quick Bits and News from States


  1. Centre funding 16 yoga research projects

The Department of Science and Technology has funded a wide range of research institutionsto study the efficacy of yoga and whether it has a role in alleviating stroke, type-2 diabetes, Parkinson’s and schizophrenia.SATYAM, an acronym for Science and Technology of Yoga and Medicine, has been conceived to develop good science around yoga and has nothing to do with religious beliefs, say associated officials.

 

2. Vacate PoK, India tells Pakistan

Spat of words again between the foreign ministries of two countries. Real mature!

 

3. Army’s plan to procure carbine hangs fire

Uncertainty hangs over the Army’s six-year-old quest to procure modern carbines for its infantry units, with commercial bids set to expire next month even as some have raised questions over the field trials.Carbines are rifles with short-range barrels and more suitable for close quarter combat. The Army has put out a requirement for a gun with an integrated sight and laser designator.

 

4. ‘NAM principles more relevant now’

NAM to be held at Venezuela. The Indian PM may or may not attend. The Indian government’s offer of supplying Venezuela much needed pharmaceutical products in exchange for oil being discussed

 

5. Centre unveils Internet portal for online tracking of mines

The Ministry of Mines unveiled a web portal for the easy access to information regarding the mining sector in India, including a framework for rating mines.The star rating system will be based on parameters such as efforts taken to mitigate environmental impact of the mines and to resettle and rehabilitate the people affected and the adoption of international standards for mining operations and reporting.

 

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:
  • National Water Commission
  • Prohibition
  • Airlander
  • Payment Bank
  • Prohibition

 

G. Fun with Practice Questions 🙂
Question 1: Which of the following is/are correct?
  1. The tax rate under the Income Declaration scheme is 45% which includes 7.5% penalty and 7.5% surcharge and the normal tax rate of 30%
  2. The tax rate under the disclosure of foreign assets scheme was 60%

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2 


Question 2: : Which of the following is/are to be the divisions of the proposed National Water Commission?
  1. Irrigation Reform
  2. River Rejuvenation
  3. Water Security
  4. Water Quality

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1,2 and 4 only

d) All the Above 


Question 3: Which of the following statements is/are correct about the Airlander, the giant hybrid Aircraft developed in England?
  1. It is a helium filled airship
  2. It uses less fuel than an ordinary plane

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2 


Question 4: Which of the following states has/have imposed prohibition of alcohol?
  1. Gujarat
  2. Bihar
  3. Nagaland
  4. Kerala

a) 2 only

b) 2 and 4 only

c) 1,2 and 3

d) All the Above


Question 5: Which of the following is/are correct about payment bank?
  1. It cannot lend and issue credit card
  2. Payment banks are to target India’s migrant labourers, low-income households and small businesses, offering savings accounts and remittance services with a low transaction cost

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 2 only

d) All the above

 

Check Your Answers

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