02 Jul 2020: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

2 July 2020 CNA:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
HEALTH
1. Convalescent plasma for those not responding to steroids: govt.
2. Bombay HC allows minor rape victim to terminate pregnancy
3. China downplays fears over swine flu
C. GS 3 Related
SECURITY
1. Centre designates 9 individuals as terrorists
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Ministry reconstitutes Central Zoo Authority
ECONOMY
1. More ‘private trains’ soon on tracks
2. SBI unit to set up SPV for aiding NBFCs on liquidity
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Police reform and the crucial judicial actor
2. How not to tame the digital dragon
ECONOMY
1. Reforming India’s digital policy
F. Prelims Facts
1. Two more species added to India’s list of butterflies
2. Special Protection Group (SPG)
3. Hunter Report: Protests in Country
G. Tidbits
1. Foodgrain scheme meets less than 15% of target
2. Modi quits Chinese social media site
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

2. Bombay HC allows minor rape victim to terminate pregnancy

Context:

The Bombay High Court has allowed a 17-year-old rape victim to terminate her 25-week pregnancy, though a medical report had advised her against it.

Details:

  • At the time of filing of the petition, the girl was 23 weeks pregnant and was barred from seeking termination of pregnancy as she had crossed the 20-week ceiling under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.
  • She needed a nod from the court to go ahead with the termination.

Read more about the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971 and  Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 covered in 31st January 2020 Comprehensive News Analysis.

3. China downplays fears over swine flu

Context:

China played down the threat of a new swine flu strain with pandemic potential that researchers discovered in pigs, saying the study is not representative.

Details:

  • It is called G4 EA H1N1.
  • The new strain found in China, according to the study, had all the essential hallmarks to infect humans and raised fears over another potential pandemic.
  • The G4 virus mentioned in the relevant report is a subtype of the H1N1 virus which caused a flu pandemic in 2009.

Read more about Swine Flu H1N1.

Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Ministry reconstitutes Central Zoo Authority

Context:

The Environment Ministry has reconstituted the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

Details:

  • The CZA would now include an expert from the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, and a molecular biologist.

Central Zoo Authority (CZA):

  • CZA is a statutory body chaired by the Environment Minister.
  • It is tasked with regulating zoos across the country.
  • Every zoo in the country must obtain recognition from CZA for its operation.
  • The authority lays down guidelines and prescribes rules under which animals may be transferred among zoos nationally and internationally.

Structure of CZA:

  • Apart from the chairman, it consists of 10 members and a member-secretary.
  • Almost all of them are officials in the Environment Ministry and non-government experts are those who are wildlife conservationists or retired forest officers.

 

Category: ECONOMY

1. More ‘private trains’ soon on tracks

Context:

The Railways kick-started the process to allow private players to operate certain trains on its network by inviting Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the operation of passenger train services on over 100 routes with 150 modern trains.

Details:

  • This is the first initiative for private investment in running passenger trains over the Railways network, and will attract investments of about ₹30,000 crore.
    • The Delhi-Lucknow Tejas is the first train that is not operated by the Indian Railways, as Railways geared up to allow private train operators.
  • The majority of trains will be manufactured in India and the private entity will be responsible for financing, procuring, operation and maintenance of the trains, which will be designed for a maximum speed of 160 kmph.
  • The concession period for the project will be 35 years, and the private entity will pay to Indian Railways fixed haulage charges, energy charges as per actual consumption, and a share in gross revenue determined through a transparent bidding process.

Objectives of the initiative:

  • To introduce modern technology rolling stock with reduced maintenance.
  • Reduce transit time.
  • Boost job creation.
  • Provide enhanced safety.
  • Provide world-class travel experience to passengers.
  • Reduce demand supply deficit in the passenger transportation sector.

 

2. SBI unit to set up SPV for aiding NBFCs on liquidity

Context:

According to RBI, State Bank of India’s SBICAP unit would set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to assist NBFCs and HFCs to improve their liquidity following the Centre’s approval of a Special Liquidity Scheme (SLS) for the purpose.

Background – Special Liquidity Scheme (SLS) :

  • Under the 20-lakh crore rupees economic relief package titled Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Prime Minister had announced the Special Liquidity Scheme of 30,000 crore rupees to buy investment-grade debt paper from both primary and secondary markets.
  • Such paper would be fully guaranteed by the government.
  • The special liquidity scheme is expected to break the low confidence cycle in the market for lending to the NBFCs, housing finance companies and microfinance institutions.
  • It will help these low rated finance companies to raise debt.
  • It was announced to ward off any potential systemic risks to the financial sector.

Details:

  • The RBI also issued guidelines specifying the norms that would make non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs) eligible to avail funds under SLS.
    • NBFCs and HFCs looking to avail the funds should not have net non-performing assets of more than 6% as on March 31, 2019, and should have made a net profit in at least one of the last two preceding financial years.
    • The Capital to Risk (Weighted) Assets Ratio/Capital Adequacy Ratio of NBFCs/HFCs must not be below the regulatory minimum, i.e., 15% and 12%, respectively, as on March 31, 2019,
    • They should not have been reported under the SMA-1 or SMA-2 category by any bank for their borrowings during one year prior to August 1, 2018; and should be rated investment grade by a SEBI-registered rating agency.

 

2. Special Protection Group (SPG)

  • The Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Home Affairs, in November 2019 and has been passed in both houses of the Parliament.
  • The Bill amends the Special Protection Group Act, 1988.
    • The Act provides for the constitution and regulation of the Special Protection Group (SPG) to provide security to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers, and their immediate family members.

To know more about Special Protection Group, read Security: Status Symbol or Protection: RSTV – Big Picture.

3. Hunter Report: Protests in Country

  • The Legislative Council of the Government of India constituted the Hunter Commission to examine the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh in 1919.
  • The investigating committee was led by Lord William Hunter.
  • In its report, the majority of the members concluded that General Dyer firing at the mob was justified and they only reprimanded General Dyer for not following appropriate procedures before the firing. Martial law declared in Punjab was justified.
  • A minority report was submitted by the Indian members of the Commission who questioned the need for martial law at that time.
  • There were widespread protests against the findings of the Hunter Committee.

G. Tidbits

1. Foodgrain scheme meets less than 15% of target

According to data provided by the Food Ministry, the scheme to provide free rations to eight crore migrants under the Aatmanirbhar package reached less than 15% of its target beneficiaries.

  • The scheme was announced by the Finance Minister to support migrant workers without ration cards, but the Centre had left it to the States to identify such people.
  • Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Telangana had 0% distribution, and seven States had less than 1%.
  • Overall, foodgrains were distributed to only 15% of the estimated eight crore beneficiaries in May 2020.
  • Prime Minister announced the extension till November, of the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), originally meant to provide additional free foodgrains and pulses to all ration card-holders from April to May.
  • However, the Aatmanirbhar food package, which was meant to provide free foodgrains to migrants and those without ration cards, in May and June, was not extended.

This topic has been covered in the 1st July 2020 Comprehensive News Analysis. Click here to read.

2. Modi quits Chinese social media site

What’s in News?

Prime Minister Modi initiated the process of exiting Weibo following the Union government’s decision to ban 59 Chinese apps. Read more on June 30, 2020 CNA.

  • This marks a sudden end to Mr. Modi’s “Weibo diplomacy” that was launched with fanfare in 2015 as a means to directly communicate with the people of China before his first visit there as Prime Minister.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. “Striped Hairstreak” and “Elusive Prince” recently seen in news are:
  1. Species of butterflies spotted in the Western Ghats.
  2. Species of butterflies spotted in Arunachal Pradesh.
  3. Species of non-venomous snakes identified in Arunachal Pradesh.
  4. Species of venomous spiders identified in Arunachal Pradesh.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

Lepidopterists in Arunachal Pradesh have added two species to India’s expanding list of butterflies.

  1. Striped Hairstreak: was first recorded by Japanese entomologists in the Hainan province of China. It was located in Vijaynagar bordering Myanmar.
  2. Elusive Prince: has a Vietnamese connection and was thought to be the more familiar Black Prince found in the Eastern Himalayas. It was located on the periphery of the Namdapha National Park.
 Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to Central Zoo Authority:
  1. It is a statutory body chaired by the Environment Minister.
  2. It regulates the exchange of animals of the endangered category listed under Schedule – I and II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 among zoos.
  3. The exchange of animals between an Indian and a foreign zoo is also approved by the Authority.

Which of the given statement/s is/are incorrect?

  1. 1 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

All the statements are correct.

Q3. Birbal Nath committee recommendations are associated with which of the following?
  1. Formation of Special Protection Group (SPG).
  2. Allowing private train operators in Indian Railways.
  3. Establishment of Central Zoo Authority.
  4. Launch of Special Liquidity Scheme to help low rated finance companies to raise debt.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

SPG was formed in 1985 after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as an executive body on the recommendation of the Birbal Nath committee. The SPG Act was enacted by Parliament in 1988.

Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to Namdapha National Park:
  1. Situated in Arunachal Pradesh, it is also a tiger reserve.
  2. It is located between the Patkai range and the Dapha Bum range of Mishmi Hills.

Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • Namdapha National Park is located in the Changlang district of the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • It was declared a tiger reserve and national park in 1983.
  • It is located between the Patkai range and the Dapha Bum range of Mishmi Hills.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. In the light of the recent incident of police violence in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, examine the associated concerns with respect to police violence and suggest suitable corrective measures in this direction. (15 marks, 250 words)
  2. The impending reform measures under consideration in the digital services sector in India will have to delicately balance the often contradictory objectives. Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)

Read the previous CNA here.

2 July 2020 CNA:- Download PDF Here

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  1. Plz ,include analysis major RS TV shows