ISRO announces Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award

GS PAPER - 03 AWARD AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Context :

As part of the centenary year celebrations of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, father of Indian space programme, ISRO institutes two categories of awards in journalism.
ISRO has announced its “Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research”.

Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science Technology and Research :

To recognize and reward journalists who have actively contributed towards the field of space science, applications, and research.
Eligibility :
- The nominations are open to all Indians who have a good experience in journalism.
- The articles published from 2019 to 2020 will be considered

Dr. Vikram sarabhai :

Vikram Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919.
He was an Indian physicist, acclaimed as the father of India's space programme. He was also called the "Renaissance man".
Sarabhai was instrumental in forming India’s future in astronomy and setting up the country’s space research facilities.
One of his first milestones was establishing the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947.
He also served as a Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
He founded the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) which eventually became the largest government space agency in the world.
Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, widely regarded as the father of India's nuclear science program, supported Dr. Sarabhai in setting up the first rocket launching station in India. This centre was established at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram
Sarabhai was the mastermind behind building India’s first satellite, Aryabhata.
He was one of the founding members of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA).
Vikram Sarabhai received the Padma Bhushan in 1966 for his contribution to India’s progress. He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972, posthumously.

Source :- PIB

UNIDO and National Institute of Solar Energy to partner for skill development program

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

Context :

An agreement was signed between the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to initiate a skill development programme for different levels of beneficiaries in the solar thermal energy sector.

More in the news:

The agreement is part of the ongoing MNRE-GEF-UNIDO project implemented jointly by UNIDO and to support capacity building and skill development of technical manpower in the Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy Technologies (CST) which are being used to replace conventional fossil fuels e.g. coal, diesel, furnace oil etc. and save costs and emissions in the industrial process heat applications.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) :

UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.
It is also a member of United Nation Development programme.
As of 1 April 2019, 170 States are Members of UNIDO.
Members regularly discuss and decide UNIDO’s guiding principles and policies in the sessions of the Policymaking Organs.
Mission : To promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States.

National Institute of Solar Energy :

National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institution of the Ministry of New and Renewable (MNRE), is the apex National R&D institution in the field of Solar Energy.
The Government of India converted 25 year old Solar Energy Centre (SEC) under MNRE to an autonomous institution in September, 2013 to assist the Ministry in implementing the National Solar Mission and to coordinate research, technology and other related works.
It is located in Gurugram, Haryana.

Source :- PIB

India emerges second largest scrap importer

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

Context :

India has emerged the world’s second largest scrap importer toppling South Korea.

Key highlights :

Scrap imports In India increased by 35% in the first half of this year to 3.87 million tonnes.
This signifies that the Indian system is not consuming internal scrap of steel, that is generated from old vehicles and machinery components, due to lack of efficient metal recycling facilities and technology

Benefits of using Internal Scrap :

It will improve India’s balance of trade.
Mobilising internal scrap will create millions of jobs in recycling dominated industries like plastic, rubber, glass, fabric, metal industries and technology and the auto sector.

Way Forward :

India lacks regulations in scrapping and recycling is mostly done by the unorganised segment.
Thus, there is a need for a comprehensive metal recycling policy so that India can mobilise Internal scrap market.
The government can incentivise internal scrap mobilisation in the automobile industry, by steps like waiver in the registration fee for a new car can be provided if the buyer produces a certificate for scrapping an old car.

Source :- The Hindu Business Line

Pakistan expels Indian envoy, suspends bilateral trade

GS PAPER - 02 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - India and its neighborhood- relations.

Context :

Pakistan has decided to downgrade it diplomatic ties with India and suspend bilateral trade.
Pakistan has also decided to approach the United Nations, including the UN Security Council over India’s move on Kashmir.
- Pakistan PM Imran Khan has termed the Government of India’s decision to remove the special status for the state of Jammu and Kashmir by modifying Article 370 as illegal since it violates UNSC resolution 47.

UNSC RESOLUTION 47 :

Resolution 47 of the UNSC focuses on the complaint of the Government of India concerning the dispute over the State of Jammu and Kashmir, that India took to the Security Council in January 1948.
In October 1947, following an invasion by soldiers from the Pakistan Army in plainclothes and tribesmen, the Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh sought assistance from India and signed the Instrument of Accession.
After the first war in Kashmir (1947-1948), India approached the UN Security Council to bring the conflict in Kashmir to the notice of Security Council members.

What happened at the UNSC?

India’s position was that it was ready to hold a plebiscite, a direct vote in which an entire electorate votes on a specific proposal, to know of the people’s desire and accept the results of the vote.
Pakistan denied its involvement in the conflict and counter-accused India.
In response the UNSC, under Resolution 39 (1948) stated “with a view to facilitating…the restoration of peace and order and to the holding of a plebiscite, by the two Governments, acting in co-operation with one another and with the Commission, and further instructs the Commission to keep the Council informed of the action taken under the resolution.”
It also ordered for the conflict to cease and to create conditions for a “free and impartial plebiscite” to decide whether Jammu and Kashmir would accede to India or Pakistan.

UNSC order to Pakistan :

The UNSC ordered that Pakistan was to withdraw its tribesmen and Pakistan nationals who had entered “the State for the purpose of fighting” and to prevent future intrusions and to prevent “furnishing of material aid to those fighting in the State”.
It was also ordered Pakistan to cooperate with maintaining peace and order.

UNSC order to India : The UNSC had a more comprehensive set of orders for India.

It said that after the Pakistani army and tribesmen had withdrawn from the State and the fighting had ceased, India was to submit a plan to the Commission for withdrawing forces from Jammu and Kashmir and to reduce them over a period of time to the minimum strength required for civil maintenance of law and order.
India was ordered to appraise the Commission of the stages at which steps had been taken to reduce military presence to the minimum strength and to arrange remaining troops after consultations with the Commission.
Among other instructions, India was ordered to agree that till the time the Plebiscite Administration found it necessary to exercise the powers of direction and supervision over the State forces and police, these forces would be held in areas to be agreed upon with the Plebiscite Administrator.
It also directed India to recruit local personnel for law and order and to safeguard the rights of minorities.

India & Pakistan react to the UNSC Resolution 47 :

Both countries rejected Resolution 47

India’s contention :

India’s contention was that the resolution ignored the military invasion by Pakistan and placing both nations on an equal diplomatic ground was a dismissal of Pakistan’s aggression and the fact that the Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh had signed the Instrument of Accession.
India also objected to the Resolution’s requirement that did not allow India to retain military presence which it believed it needed for defence.
The Resolution’s order to form a coalition government, would also put Sheikh Abdullah, the Prime Minister of the Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir, in a difficult position.
India also believed that the powers conferred on the Plebiscite Administrator undermined the state’s sovereignty. India also wanted Pakistan to be excluded from the operations of the plebiscite.

Pakistan Contention :

Pakistan objected to even the minimum presence of Indian forces in Kashmir, as allowed by the resolution. It also wanted an equal representation in the state government for the Muslim Conference, which was the dominant party in Pakistani-held Kashmir.

Source :- The Hindu ; Indian Express

India signs UNISA; experts call for local laws supporting treaty

GS PAPER - 02 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Context :

Indian Government has signed the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements(UNISA).

United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements(UNISA) :

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation ("the Convention") on 20th December 2018.
The UN has authorized that the Convention will be open for signature in Singapore and will be known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation”.
The Convention provides a uniform and efficient framework for the enforcement of international settlement agreements resulting from mediation and for allowing parties to invoke such agreements.
The Convention defines two additional grounds upon which a court may, on its own motion refuse to grant relief.
- Those grounds relate to the fact that a dispute would not be capable of settlement by mediation or would be contrary to public policy.

Benefits :

The signing of the Convention will boost the confidence of the investors and shall provide a positive signal to foreign investors about India’s commitment to adhere to international practice on Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR).
However,experts have called this as a base convention that will have to be translated into an effective law in India.
- The law supporting the convention should cover all government contracts with investors for mediation both in India and in a third country choice of disputing parties.

Steps taken by India to Promote ADR mechanism :

In order to encourage international commercial arbitration in India, to evolve a comprehensive ecosystem of arbitration the Government is establishing the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC)as a statutory body.
- The Committee chaired by Justice B.N. Srikrishna ("Srikrishna Report") to review the institutionalization of arbitration in India had recommended the establishment of NDIAC.
The Commercial Courts Act, 2015, has been further amended and legislative exercise to further replace the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 with The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2018 is currently underway.
Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2018 has been passed by Lok Sabha to resolve commercial disputes worth Rs 3 lakh or more.
Several measures have been taken by the Ministry of Law and Justice to introduce Online Dispute Resolution mechanism.

Source :- The Hindu

India contributes USD 5 million to UN Palestine refugee agency

GS PAPER - 02 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests

Context :

India has contributed USD 5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian Refugees.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) :

UNRWA is a relief and human development agency that was established in 8 December 1949.
UNRWA has been providing health, education, relief and social services, as well as emergency humanitarian assistance across its five fields of operation in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip since 1950.
The Agency currently serves 5.4 million Palestinian refugees which is 20% of the world’s refugees.
Further,UNRWA is the only UN agency dedicated to helping refugees from a specific region or conflict and is separate from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR).
Funding : UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States.
- UNRWA also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United Nations, which is used mostly for international staffing costs.

Source :- The Hindu

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die

GS PAPER - 02 POLITY - Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

Context :

The 1st session of the 17th Lok Sabha has been adjourned sine die.

Adjourned sine die :

Adjournment sine die means terminating a sitting of house for an indefinite period.In other words,when the House is adjourned without naming a day for reassembly,it is called adjournment sine die.
The power of adjournment as well as adjournment sine die lies with the presiding officer of the House.
He can also call a sitting of the House before the date or time to which it has been adjourned or at any time after the House has been adjourned sine die.

Source :- PIB ; The Hindu

RBI lowers repo rate by 35 basis points to 5.40%

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - Growth and Development

Context :

In its third bi-monthly policy statement of the current financial year ( FY- 2019-20), the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has cut the repo rate for the fourth time in a row.

Cut in repo Rate :

The MPC slashed repo rate by 35 basis points to 5.40%, the lowest in over nine years.
RBI has also kept the door open for lowering rates further by retaining an accommodative policy stance.
All this has been done to support the sluggish economic growth and to stimulate aggregate demand.

Repo Rate :

Repo stands for ‘Repurchasing Option’.
It refers to the rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the RBI.

Other Decisions Taken by RBI :

The RBI has decided to allow round-the-clock fund transfers through NEFT from December 2019 in order to promote digital transactions.
- Currently, the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) operated by the RBI as a retail payment system is available for customers from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on all working days with the exception of the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Repetitive bill payments to be covered under Bharat Bill Payments System :

RBI has allowed the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) operated Bharat Bill Payment Service (BBPS) hub to enable payments for all recurrent billers (except prepaid recharges).
At present, it is available only for DTH services, electricity, gas, telecom and water bills.
Allowing all billers to plug into BBPS would mean that all payment providers will be able to offer customers anytime, anywhere payment services for every biller from their own sites or locations.

Barath bill Payment system :

The Bharat bill payment system is a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conceptualised system driven by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
It is a one-stop ecosystem for payment of all bills providing an interoperable and accessible “Anytime Anywhere” bill payment service to all customers across India with certainty, reliability and safety of transactions.
It has multiple modes of payment and provides instant confirmation of payment via an SMS or receipt.

Creation of a central payment fraud registry :
- The RBI also proposed creation of a central payment fraud registry that will track banking fraud.
  - At present, there is a Central Fraud Monitoring Cell of the central bank.
- Currently, RBI has a mechanism in place for banks to report all banking frauds to the Central Fraud Monitoring Cell of the Reserve Bank. The proposed registry extend the platform to all payments operators.
- Payment system companies will be provided access to the registry for near-real time fraud monitoring and the aggregated fraud data will be published to educate customers on emerging risks.
- Risk monitoring and management involving fraudulent activities in digital payments is imperative, considering the massive growth of the industry, including infrastructure, volume and value of transactions.
GDP growth projection Lowered :
- The RBI also revised its Gross Domestic Product(GDP) growth forecast for 2018-19 down to 6.9% from 7%.
- It has also flagged worries over weakening growth prospects due to sluggish consumption and low investment activity.
- The central bank has also noted that global economic activity has slowed down since the previous monetary policy meeting owing to trade tensions among leading economies.

Monetary Policy committee :

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is a 6 member committee formed after the amendment in the RBI Act, 1934 through the Finance Act, 2016.
The basic objective of Monetary Policy Committee is to maintain price stability while accelerating the growth rate of the economy.
It is headed by its Governor, which is entrusted with the task of fixing the benchmark policy interest rate (repo rate) to contain inflation within the specified target level i.e.inflation targeting.

8th AUGUST 2019 DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

ISRO announces Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award

GS PAPER - 03 AWARD AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Context :

As part of the centenary year celebrations of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, father of Indian space programme, ISRO institutes two categories of awards in journalism.

ISRO has announced its “Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research”.

Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science Technology and Research :

To recognize and reward journalists who have actively contributed towards the field of space science, applications, and research.

Eligibility :

The nominations are open to all Indians who have a good experience in journalism.

The articles published from 2019 to 2020 will be considered

Dr. Vikram sarabhai :

Vikram Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919.

He was an Indian physicist, acclaimed as the father of India's space programme. He was also called the "Renaissance man".

Sarabhai was instrumental in forming India’s future in astronomy and setting up the country’s space research facilities.

One of his first milestones was establishing the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947.

He also served as a Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

He founded the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) which eventually became the largest government space agency in the world.

Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, widely regarded as the father of India's nuclear science program, supported Dr. Sarabhai in setting up the first rocket launching station in India. This centre was established at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram

Sarabhai was the mastermind behind building India’s first satellite, Aryabhata.

He was one of the founding members of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA).

Vikram Sarabhai received the Padma Bhushan in 1966 for his contribution to India’s progress. He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972, posthumously.

Source :- PIB

UNIDO and National Institute of Solar Energy to partner for skill development program

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

Context :

An agreement was signed between the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to initiate a skill development programme for different levels of beneficiaries in the solar thermal energy sector.

More in the news:

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) :

UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.

It is also a member of United Nation Development programme.

As of 1 April 2019, 170 States are Members of UNIDO.

Members regularly discuss and decide UNIDO’s guiding principles and policies in the sessions of the Policymaking Organs.

Mission : To promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States.

National Institute of Solar Energy :

National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institution of the Ministry of New and Renewable (MNRE), is the apex National R&D institution in the field of Solar Energy.

The Government of India converted 25 year old Solar Energy Centre (SEC) under MNRE to an autonomous institution in September, 2013 to assist the Ministry in implementing the National Solar Mission and to coordinate research, technology and other related works.

It is located in Gurugram, Haryana.

Source :- PIB

India emerges second largest scrap importer

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

Context :

India has emerged the world’s second largest scrap importer toppling South Korea.

Key highlights :

Scrap imports In India increased by 35% in the first half of this year to 3.87 million tonnes.

This signifies that the Indian system is not consuming internal scrap of steel, that is generated from old vehicles and machinery components, due to lack of efficient metal recycling facilities and technology

Benefits of using Internal Scrap :

It will improve India’s balance of trade.

Mobilising internal scrap will create millions of jobs in recycling dominated industries like plastic, rubber, glass, fabric, metal industries and technology and the auto sector.

Way Forward :

India lacks regulations in scrapping and recycling is mostly done by the unorganised segment.

Thus, there is a need for a comprehensive metal recycling policy so that India can mobilise Internal scrap market.

The government can incentivise internal scrap mobilisation in the automobile industry, by steps like waiver in the registration fee for a new car can be provided if the buyer produces a certificate for scrapping an old car.

Source :- The Hindu Business Line

Pakistan expels Indian envoy, suspends bilateral trade

GS PAPER - 02 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - India and its neighborhood- relations.

Context :

Pakistan has decided to downgrade it diplomatic ties with India and suspend bilateral trade.

Pakistan has also decided to approach the United Nations, including the UN Security Council over India’s move on Kashmir.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan has termed the Government of India’s decision to remove the special status for the state of Jammu and Kashmir by modifying Article 370 as illegal since it violates UNSC resolution 47.

More in the news:

This decision comes after Indian Parliament adopted a resolution scrapping special status to J&K under Article 370 and passed a bill bifurcating the state into two Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Pakistan has also closed a corridor in its airspace which will result in an additional up to 12 minutes of flying time for overseas flights.The flights will have to be diverted to other routes due to the closure.

However,experts have said that Pakistan’s decision to suspend bilateral trade ties with India would hit the neighbouring country more as they import essential items like onions, tomatoes and chemicals.

UNSC RESOLUTION 47 :

Resolution 47 of the UNSC focuses on the complaint of the Government of India concerning the dispute over the State of Jammu and Kashmir, that India took to the Security Council in January 1948.

In October 1947, following an invasion by soldiers from the Pakistan Army in plainclothes and tribesmen, the Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh sought assistance from India and signed the Instrument of Accession.

After the first war in Kashmir (1947-1948), India approached the UN Security Council to bring the conflict in Kashmir to the notice of Security Council members.

What happened at the UNSC?

India’s position was that it was ready to hold a plebiscite, a direct vote in which an entire electorate votes on a specific proposal, to know of the people’s desire and accept the results of the vote.

Pakistan denied its involvement in the conflict and counter-accused India.

It also ordered for the conflict to cease and to create conditions for a “free and impartial plebiscite” to decide whether Jammu and Kashmir would accede to India or Pakistan.

UNSC order to Pakistan :

The UNSC ordered that Pakistan was to withdraw its tribesmen and Pakistan nationals who had entered “the State for the purpose of fighting” and to prevent future intrusions and to prevent “furnishing of material aid to those fighting in the State”.

It was also ordered Pakistan to cooperate with maintaining peace and order.

UNSC order to India : The UNSC had a more comprehensive set of orders for India.

India was ordered to appraise the Commission of the stages at which steps had been taken to reduce military presence to the minimum strength and to arrange remaining troops after consultations with the Commission.

Among other instructions, India was ordered to agree that till the time the Plebiscite Administration found it necessary to exercise the powers of direction and supervision over the State forces and police, these forces would be held in areas to be agreed upon with the Plebiscite Administrator.

It also directed India to recruit local personnel for law and order and to safeguard the rights of minorities.

India & Pakistan react to the UNSC Resolution 47 :

8^th AUGUST 2019 DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS