Justices Maheshwari and Khanna made SC judges

GS PAPER - 02 POLITY - Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions

 

Context:

      ★ Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, and Justice Sanjiv Khanna of Delhi High Court were on Wednesday appointed as judges of the Supreme Court following Presidential approval.

      ★ With the Centre having received the collegium recommendations on 10 January, it cleared their names within 6 days.

      ★ The two appointments will take the strength of the top court to 28, with three vacancies.

 

More about the news:

     ★ Their names had been recommended by the collegium comprising the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices A. K. Sikri, S. A. Bobde, N. V. Ramana, Arun Mishra on 10 January.

     ★ The collegium’s decision to elevate Justice Khanna was taken after it recalled its older recommendation of 12 December, 2018 wherein names of Chief Justice of the Delhi high court Rajendra Menon and Justice Pradeep Nandrajog of the Delhi high court were considered for elevation instead of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Dinesh Maheshwari .

 

Background:

    ★ The earlier collegium comprising of CJI Gogoi and Justices Madan B. Lokur, A. K. Sikri, S. A. Bobde and N. V. Ramana had recommended elevation of the Chief Justice of the Delhi high court Rajendra Menon and Justice Pradeep Nandrajog of the Delhi high court instead.

         

Collegium System: ★ The Collegiums System of appointment of judges was born through “three judges case”which interpreted constitutional articles on October 28, 1998. ★ The Collegium System is a system under which appointments/elevation of judges/lawyers to Supreme Court and transfers of judges of High Courts and Apex Court are decided by a forum of the Chief Justice of India and the two chief justices of high courts and two senior judges of the Supreme Court ★ There is no mention of the Collegium either in the original Constitution of India or in successive amendments. ★ The collegium sends its final recommendation to the President of India for approval. The President can either accept it or reject it. In the case it is rejected, the recommendation comes back to the collegium. If the collegium reiterates its recommendation to the President, then he/she is bound by that recommendation.

                                                                                                                                        Source:- The Hindu

Panel to meet on Jan. 24 to pick new CBI chief

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

 

Context:

        ★ Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection panel to appoint a new CBI director is likely to meet on January 24

 

More about the news:

       ★ Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads the committee, in which the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge are the other members.

       ★ The post of the CBI director has been lying vacant since January 10 after the high-powered committee decided to oust Verma as CBI Director over corruption charges. Verma’s two-year tenure was to end on January 31.

 

Interim Director - Illegal:

      ★ IPS officer M Nageswara Rao was named the interim director of the CBI.

      ★ On Tuesday, Kharge wrote to the PM, calling the appointment of Rao as interim Director of the agency “illegal” and also asked for the immediate convening of the selection committee to appoint a new CBI chief without further delay.

         

Central Bureau of Investigation: ★ The CBI owes its origin to the Delhi Special Police Establishment, established in 1941, to enquire into cases of corruption in the procurement during the Second World War. ★ Later, based on the recommendations of the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption, CBI was established by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Later, it was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel and now it enjoys the status of an attached office. ★ The CBI is not a statutory body. It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.The CBI is the main investigating agency of the Central Government. ★ It plays an important role in the prevention of corruption and maintaining integrity in administration. It works under the overall superintendence of Central Vigilance Commission in matters related to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.   Composition of CBI: ★ The CBI is headed by a Director. He is assisted by a Special Director or an Additional Director. Additionally, it has a number of joint directors, deputy inspector generals, superintendents of police and all other usual ranks of police personnel. ★ The Director of CBI has been provided security of two-year tenure in office by the CVC Act, 2003 (Vineet Narain Case). The CVC Act also provides the mechanism for the selection of the Director of CBI and other officers of the rank of SP and above in the CBI. ★ The Director of the CBI is appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Central Vigilance Commissioner as Chairperson, the Vigilance Commissioners, the Secretary to the Government of India in-charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Secretary (Coordination and Public Grievances) in the Cabinet Secretariat.   Organisation of CBI: At present (2013), the CBI has the following divisions:            ☪ Anti-Corruption Division            ☪ Economic Offences Division            ☪ Special Crimes Division            ☪ Policy and International Police Cooperation Division            ☪ Administration Division            ☪ Directorate of Prosecution            ☪ Central Forensic Science Laboratory

                                                                                                                                       Source:- The Hindu

‘Slump in numeracy skills of rural Class VIII students’

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

 

Context:

       ★ The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2018, shows that more than half of Class VIII students cannot correctly solve a numerical division problem and more than a quarter of them cannot read a primary level text.

       ★ The ASER survey covered almost 5.5 lakh children between the ages of 3 and 16 in 596 rural districts across the country.

 

Key findings of the Study:

                      ★ In an encouraging trend, it found that enrolment is increasing and the percentage of children under 14 who are out of school is less than 4%.

                      ★ The gender gap is also shrinking, even within the older cohort of 15-and-16-year-olds. Only 13.6% of girls of that age are out of school, the first time that the figure has dropped below the 15% mark.

 

Concern:

          ★ In 2008, 84.8% of Class VIII students could read a text meant for Class II; by 2014, only 74.6% could do so, and by 2018, that percentage had fallen further to 72.8%.

          ★ Four years ago, 44.1% of students in Class VIII could correctly divide a three digit number by a single digit number; in 2018, that figure had fallen slightly to 43.9%.

          ★ At the Class III level, where there has been gradual improvement since 2014. However, even in 2018, less than 30% of students in Class III are actually at their grade level, that is, able to read a Class II text and do double digit subtraction.

          ★ These overall percentages also camouflage wide differences in skill level between States, or even between students in a single classroom.

          ★ In government schools in Uttar Pradesh, however, a quarter of students cannot recognise letters yet, while another 37% can recognise letters, but not read words. Urgent and immediate help is needed if these students are not to be left behind.

                                                                                                             Source:- The Hindu

Tobacco companies are targeting children: study

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

 

Context:

        ★ A report Titled ‘Tiny Targets’, released on 16 January said that tobacco companies in India are systematically targeting children as young as eight by selling tobacco products and placing tobacco advertisements near schools.

        ★ These tactics, happening all over the country, clearly violate the Section 5 and 6 of Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act.

    

Key Findings of the Report:

       ★ Consumer Voice and Voluntary Health Association of India -- undertook a study in 20 cities across six states in India.

       ★ To gather evidence regarding tobacco products being sold around educational institutions in violation of the law, two groups working in the area of tobacco control

       ★ The study was conducted to determine the extent of tobacco products being marketed and sold around schools in India.

       ★ The study said, Despite the prohibition on sales of tobacco products near educational institutions, numerous shops/vendors/points of sale sell and advertise tobacco products around schools.

                                                                                                                                     Source:- The Hindu

States cannot pick police chiefs on their own: SC

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

 

Context:

       ★ The Supreme Court on 16 January 2019, rejected the pleas made by five States to implement their own local laws for selection and appointment of their State police chiefs.

         

More about the news:

       ★ SC refused to modify its July 2018 verdict on the selection and appointment of state police chiefs.

       ★ It said the directions in the judgment “are wholesome and would serve the public interest”.

       ★ A Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi-led bench rejected pleas of five states – Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal, Haryana, and Bihar – to modify the July 2018 verdict to let them apply local laws to select their police chiefs.

       ★ The five states had told the court that they have framed a comprehensive law, dealing with the procedures to appoint police chiefs in pursuance of the 2006 apex court verdict on police reforms.

 

Directions issued by the Supreme Court in appointing DGPs:

      ★ The top court had on July 3 issued directions on police reforms and underlined the steps for appointment of regular police chiefs.

      ★ It said the states will have to send a list of senior police officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at least three months prior to the retirement of the incumbent.

      ★ The commission will then prepare a panel and inform the states, which, in turn, will appoint one of the persons from that list.

      ★ The states submitted the choice of the police chiefs should be left to them since it pertains to a state subject.

                                                                                                                                   Source:- The Hindu

Cut red meat, sugar by 50%: Lancet’s diet plan for the world

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

 

Context:

        ★ A recent Lancet report by EAT-Lancet Commission has provided a nutritious and sustainable diet plan

 

Highlights of the Report:

       ★ According to the report, over the past 50 years, dominant diets have become nutritionally suboptimal, which calls for a global transformation of the food system.

       ★ The study has recommended a diet plan which could potentially avert between 10.9 million and 11.6 million premature deaths globally per year, reducing adult deaths by 19-23.6%.

       ★ The Commission recommended that the average adult, whose daily requirement is about 2,500 calories, must strive to source around 800 calories from whole grain, 204 calories from fruits and vegetables, and not more than 30 calories from red meat.

       ★ It also suggested that the ideal diet should have no “added sugar” or unhealthy saturated fats

                                                                                                                                  Source:- The Hindu

Bengaluru tops list of world's most dynamic cities: Survey

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - growth, development and employment.

 

Context: 

       ★ JLL’s City Momentum Index, Bengaluru is the world’s most dynamic city, among 131 major established and emerging business hubs globally.

 

Key findings of the Report:

        ★ Asia Pacific is home to 19 of the top 20 cities in this year’s index as urban growth continues to shift away from the West to the East.

        ★ The absence of European and American cities demonstrates a marked East-West growth divide, reflecting Asia’s continued rapid urbanization and economic growth, driven by globalization, innovation and demographic factors.

        ★ Indian and Chinese cities dominating the rankings.

        ★ Only one city outside of Asia Pacific, Nairobi, ranks in the top 20 most dynamic cities in the globe – and even in Nairobi there is a strong Asian influence, with significant amounts of investment from China, particularly focused on infrastructure projects.

 

India’s Stand:

         ★ According to the sixth City Momentum Index published by global real estate services firm, JLL. Delhi, Pune and Chennai took 4th , 5th and 7th spot respectively.

 

Challenge:

        ★ Investing in infrastructure and greater transparency is essential. The cities need to address the environmental and social impacts of rapid growth such as social inequality, congestion and environmental degradation.

                                                                                                                           Source:- Economic Times

RBI eases norms for external commercial borrowing

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

 

Context:

       ★ In a bid to improve ease of doing business, the Reserve Bank of India has decided to liberalise external commercial borrowing (ECB) norms, allowing all companies that are eligible for receiving foreign direct investment, to raise funds through the ECB route.

 

More about the news:

      ★ Under the RBI New External commercial Borrowing norms, The list of eligible borrowers has been expanded.All entities eligible to receive foreign direct investment can borrow under the ECB framework.

                   ☪ Among those now eligible are: port trusts, units in special economic zones, microlenders, not-for-profit companies, registered societies/trusts/cooperatives and non-government organisations.

     ★ The RBI has decided to keep the minimum average maturity period at 3 years for all ECBs, irrespective of the amount of borrowing, except for borrowers specifically permitted to borrow for a shorter period.

                  ☪ Earlier, the minimum average maturity period was five years.

     ★ The RBI kept the borrowing limit under the automatic route unchanged at $750 per financial year but replaced the sector-wise limits.

         

External Commercial Borrowing: ★ ECB is the financial instrument used to borrow money from the foreign sources of financing to invest in the commercial activities of the domestic country. Simply, borrowing money from the non-resident lenders and investing it in the commercial activities of India is called as external commercial borrowings. ★ External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) includes commercial bank loans, buyers’ credit, suppliers’ credit, securitized instruments such as Floating Rate Notes and Fixed Rate Bonds etc., ★ ECBs are being permitted by the Government as a source of finance for Indian Corporate for expansion of existing capacity as well as for fresh investment. ★ ECBs provide opportunity to borrow large volume of funds. The funds are available for relatively long term. Interest rate are also lower compared to domestic funds ★ ECBs are in the form of foreign currencies. Hence, they enable the corporate to have foreign currency to meet the import of machineries etc. ★ Corporate can raise ECBs from internationally recognised sources such as banks, export credit agencies, international capital markets etc. ★ The ECBs have emerged as a major form of foreign capital called as FDI. PSUs and corporate use this ECB as a major platform for the source of investment

                                                                                                                    Source:- Hindu Business Line

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Australia on the safety in Mines, Testing and Research Station

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

 

Context:

        ★ The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and australia on the Safety in Mines, Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS).

        ★ The memorandum of understanding will become operative from the date of signing and remain in effect for three years.

 

Impact:

The MoU will help in establishing a partnership between DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety ) and SIMTARS for:

       ★ implementation of risk based safety management system, providing training,

       ★ organising, conference, seminar and other technical meetings, setting up occupations safety and health academy and national mine disaster centre, and

       ★ modernising R&D laboratory of DGMS.

 

Background:

      ★ Mining accident rates in Australia is the lowest in the world. 

      ★ Australia has pioneered in conceptualising and implementing risk based Safety Management Plans for the mining sector using the technique of hazard identification and risk assessment.

      ★ SIMTARS is known to have exclusive expertise in Mines Safety Management Systems.

                                                                                                                                                 Source:- PIB 

Cabinet approves expenditure sanction for Integrated E-filing and Centralized Processing Centre 2.0 Project

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

 

Context:

        ★ The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to expenditure sanction for Integrated E-filing & Centralized Processing Center 2.0 Project of the Income Tax Department.

 

Objective of the Project:

a.   Faster and accurate outcomes for taxpayer.

b.   First time right approach,

c.   Enhancing user experience at all stages.

d.   Improving taxpayer awareness and education through continuous engagement.

e.   Promoting voluntary tax compliance.

f.    Managing outstanding demand. 

 

Benefits:

         ★ Pre-filling of ITR and acceptance by taxpayer as a means to improve accuracy and to reduce refund/processing turnaround time drastically,

         ★ Facilitation to taxpayers in resolving outstanding tax demands;

         ★ Integrated contact centers for taxpayer assistance and tax payer outreach program through digital media and employer/partner accreditation program to bring significant enhancement in services to taxpayers.

                                                                                                                                                   Source:- PIB

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Act, 2019

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

 

Context:

        ★ The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Act, 2019 which was passed by the Parliament on January 3, 2019 received the assent of the President of India on January 10, 2019.

        ★ It has now been notified in the Gazette of India.

        ★ The bill seeks to do away with the no-detention policy in schools.

 

Highlights :

       ★ The Right to Education Act, 2009 prohibits detention of children till they complete elementary education i.e., class 8. The Bill amends this provision to state that a regular examination will be held in class 5 and class 8 at the end of every academic year.

       ★ If a child fails the exam, he will be given additional instruction, and take a re-examination. If he fails in the re-examination, the relevant central or state government may decide to allow schools to detain the child.

       ★ Provisions of the Bill regarding assessment and detention are at variance with what most states have demanded. In this context, the question is whether these decisions should be taken by Parliament or left to state legislatures.

       ★ It is unclear as to who will conduct the examination (which may lead to detention): centre, state, or the school.

 

No Detention Policy:

       ★ According to this provision “no child admitted in a school shall be held back in any class”. This translates into automatic promotions to the next class every year until Class VII. Instead of exams, schools are supposed to hold Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluations (CCE) for every child.

                                                                                                     Source:- Times Of India

Saksham 2019, annual event of PCRA, launched

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

 

Context:

        ★ ‘Saksham’, an annual high intensity one-month long people-centric mega campaign of Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was launched.

 

Saksham:

        ★ Saksham (Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav) is a campaign organised by Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) to sensitize the masses about conservation and efficient use of petroleum products which will lead towards better health and environment.

        ★ This campaign is aimed at showing the way forward for making a change and enhancing the conservation capabilities of people. It helps understand the need for fuel conservation and find solutions thereof.

        ★ The campaign seeks to promote effective utilization of petroleum products, something that will lead to environmental protection.

        ★ It also educates the masses on how the efficient and optimal use of energy can protect the health and the environment.

                                                                                                                        Source:- PIB

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