UPSC 2017: Comprehensive News Analysis - June 26

• Three decorated chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra were tugged along the Grand Road in front of the 12th century temple as lakhs of devotees converged for the annual rath yatra here on Sunday.

Ahmedabad event

• The 140th rath yatra of Lord Jagannath began in Ahmedabad amid tight security as lakhs of devotees flocked the 15-km journey route to catch a glimpse of the deity.

2. Forum set up to resist child marriage UNICEF to support initiative of 33 boys and girls to prevent untimely marriages in Odisha

Where it can be used ?

• Role of NGOs and World intitutions(like UNICEF) in governance and addressing social issues

What’s in news ?

• Children who have resisted parental and societal pressure to get married before the legal age have joined hands to bring an end to the regressive practice in Odisha.
• As many as 33 boys and girls recently formed the ‘Odisha Child Marriage Resistance Forum’ and resolved to prevent untimely marriages and spread awareness among parents. Despite modern times and a massive awareness programme, child marriages continue to take place in Odisha.
• As per an analysis by Census Directorate, Odisha, prevalence of child marriage still exists in society.

2. Being smart Any attempt to improve our cities depends on how data are compiled and shared

Context: Centre added 90 cities in the Smart Cities List

Issues with the present system and using data analytics to measure outcome :

• There is a high-visibility campaign around the Smart Cities Mission, but there is little evidence to suggest that State and local governments have either the fine-grained data or the capability to analyse them in order to understand the evolving needs of their communities.
• The Centre has apparently decided to skirt such a fundamental problem by adopting a ‘managed urbanisation’ approach in the chosen cities, with the powers of municipal councils delegated to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), under the Companies Act, that will act in its own wisdom.
• Given that this is the model adopted by the two-year-old Mission, the Centre must present a status report on what the SPVs have achieved so far.

How data can help in Smart Cities :

• Any serious attempt at improving the quality of life in cities would depend on how governments approach data.
• It would be smart, for instance, to use sensors to estimate the flow of vehicles and pedestrians, and create smartphone applications for the public to report on a variety of parameters.
• Making such data open would enable citizens’ groups to themselves come up with analyses to help city administrators make decisions, boost transparency and make officials accountable.

International Case study

• There are several international examples now, such as the Array of Things sensors being installed on Chicago streets, which let people download the raw data on air quality, transport, pedestrian movement and standing water.

Conclusion :

• More importantly, the ideology that guides the plan should recognise that the vibrant life of cities depends on variety and enabling environments, rather than a mere technology-led vision.
• Pollution-free commons, walkability and easy mobility, with a base of reliable civic services, is the smart way to go.

1. Whose privilege? Legislatures must not invoke power to punish for breach of privilege

Context : Privileges of Legislative assembly

• The Karnataka Assembly’s resolution imposing a one-year prison sentence and 10,000 fine on the editors of two tabloids is indefensible and deserving of unsparing criticism.

Constitutional Privileges :

• The Constitution confers certain privileges on legislative institutions with the idea of protecting freedom of speech and expression in the House and ensuring that undue influence, pressure or coercion is not brought on the legislature in the course of its functioning.

Issues :

• There is no law codifying the legislative privileges.
• There is little merit in subjecting anyone, leave alone a journalist, to penal action for allegedly breaching a legislator’s privilege, unless there is a move or attempt to obstruct the functioning of either the House or its members.
• It is a thinly disguised mechanism to insulate elected representatives from criticism.

Conlusion :

• The legislature must use the power to punish for contempt or breach of privilege sparingly, invoking it mainly to protect the independence of the House and not to take away the liberty of critics.
• Legislators are in a position to clarify facts and refute misconceived criticism.
• There is no reason for them to seek imprisonment for contempt. There are many unsettled questions about the very nature of legislative privileges.
• The absence of codification gives the House the freedom to decide when and how breach of privilege occurs.

2. Whole world looking at India, says Modi PM meets CEOs ahead of his meet with Trump

Context : PM’s US visit

What’s in news ?

• India’s growth presents a win-win partnership for both India and the U.S., Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a group of American CEOs on Sunday.
• The Prime Minister’s pitch before the CEOs of prominent American companies was a prelude to extensive interactions he is expected to have with Mr. Trump and senior members of his cabinet on Monday.
• America’s economic and employment recovery is the topmost political priority for the Trump administration.

Issues and concerns :

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to receive assurance from U.S. President Donald Trump on important bilateral issues but the U.S. leader is unlikely to address India’s core concerns on Pakistan and China.

3. Erdogan rejects Arab states’ demands Turkish troops stay in Qatar base

Context : Ongoing tussle between Gulf countires

• Turkey’s President on Sunday rejected a demand by major Arab states to remove Turkish troops from Qatar, saying their sweeping list of ultimatums has threatened the small Gulf country’s sovereignty.

Iran’s support

• Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday said his country wants to bolster ties with Qatar and rejected the blockade of the Gulf Arab emirate.

1. Price Waterhouse verdict to miss SC date Both SEBI, audit firm want extension

• The final order by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) against Price Waterhouse in the Satyam matter may be delayed as both the capital market regulator and the audit firm want to seek an extension of the July deadline set by the Supreme Court in January.
• While the SEBI wants the apex court to extend the July deadline by three months to complete the probe, Price Waterhouse favours an extension by more than three months, according to persons directly involved in the matter. The case will come up for hearing on July 5.

Basin info :

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulator for the securities market in India.
• It was established in the year 1988 and given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992

2. NASA-ISRO satellite at stake

Scientists keep fingers crossed

• Space scientists in India and America are on tenterhooks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump meet for the first bilateral in Washington on Monday.
• At stake is the world’s most expensive earth-imaging satellite till date being jointly made by the NASA and the ISRO.
• The satellite aims to study global environmental change and natural disasters. However, climate change seems to be a red rag for the current American administration.

F. Concepts-in-News: Related Concepts to Revise/Learn

G. Bills/Acts/Schemes/Orgs in News

Question 1: In the famous Puri Ratha Yatra festival, for which of the following gods, chariots will be drawn ?

Question 2: Consider the satements NISAR satellite::

Question 3: Which of the following is not a constitutional body ?

Question 4: Consider the gulf countries:

Question 5: Consider the statements about UNICEF :

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