Cabinet approves extension of Biomedical Research Career Programme

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

Context :

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP).

The Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) :

It is an Alliance between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Wellcome Trust (WT).
The Programme will fulfil the objectives of building and nurturing talent of highest global standards in cutting-edge biomedical research in India, which has led to important scientific breakthroughs and applications to meet societal needs.
BRCP will make it attractive for high quality Indian scientists working abroad to return to India, and has increased the number of locations geographically within India where world-class biomedical research is undertaken.
The Programme would continue to build this capacity as also strengthen clinical research and work towards addressing important health challenges for India.

Source :- PIB

Coffee Board Activates Blockchain Based Marketplace in India

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Context :

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has launched blockchain based coffee e-marketplace.

Blockchain based coffee e-marketplace :

It is a pilot project which will help integrate the farmers with markets in a transparent manner and lead to realisation of a fair price for the coffee producer.
It will also reduce the number of layers between coffee growers and buyers and help farmers double their income.

Blockchain-based marketplace app:

Blockchain-based marketplace app for trading of Indian coffees is intended to bring in transparency in the trade of Indian coffee, maintain the traceability of Indian coffee from bean to cup so that the consumer tastes real Indian coffee and the grower is paid fairly for his coffee produced.
This initiative will help in creating a brand image for Indian Coffee through traceability in reducing growers dependency on intermediaries by having a direct access to buyers for a fair price for their produce, in finding the right coffee suppliers for exporters and within the stipulated time to meet the growing demands and in building a better trust and long term relationship due to increased visibility towards the traceability and transparency of the produce.

Source :- PIB

U.S. circulates draft resolution on Azhar in Security Council

GS PAPER - 02 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.

Context :

The US has circulated a draft resolution in the UN Security Council proposing to blacklist Jaish chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.
The move comes after UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee had failed to designate Azhar as a terrorist after China placed a hold on a listing request that the U.S,U.K.and France had brought before the Committee.

More about the news:

This is the first time the US has moved a draft resolution directly in the Security Council to designate Azhar.
The previous proposals have been listed in the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee to designate Azhar.
Unlike a listing proposal,which is generally under a 10-day no objection period,the draft resolution is not under any no-objection provision.
The draft resolution will be discussed informally and then it goes to the Council.
However,during voting it could again face a veto by China.Any veto has to be publicly justified by the country.
China has objected to the United States move for circulating a draft resolution in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
China has said that the resolution has reduced the authority of the UNSC 1267 committee as the main anti-terrorism body of the security council.

Source :- The Hindu

Punjab & Haryana HC bars stating of caste in proceedings

GS PAPER - 02 polity - Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Context :

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has instructed Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh not to mention the caste of the accused, victims or witnesses in proceedings before the court.

End to a 'colonial legacy' practice :

The Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that caste system is profoundly illogical and is also against the basic tenets of the Constitution.
The court has directed the Secretaries (Home) of the governments to issue instructions to all investigating officers not to mention the caste of the accused, victims or witnesses in recovery memos, FIRs, seizure memos, inquest papers and other forms prescribed under Code of criminal procedure 1973 and Punjab Police Rules.

Basic features of the Constitution:

Mentioning of caste/status separately in the criminal proceedings is a colonial legacy and requires to be stopped forthwith.
Right to dignity is a fundamental right and a basic human right.
Human dignity is one of the basic features of the Constitution.
The Constitution of India also guarantees a casteless and classless society. Segmentation of the society into groups cannot be determined by birth. All are born equal.
The bench further states that, Thereof is no scientific, intellectual, social and logical basis for caste system. The caste system is profoundly illogical and is also against the basic tenets of the Constitution.

Source :- The Hindu

U.S. tracking debris from ASAT test

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Awareness in the fields of Space

Context :

The US is tracking 250-270 objects of debris in the space generated due to India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test in lower earth orbit, but the International Space Station or ISS is not at risk, the Pentagon said.

More about the news :

In the backdrop of the success of Mission Shakti, an ASAT missile testing, the USA has said that India and USA would continue to pursue shared interests in space and scientific and technical cooperation. In 2016, USA had designated India uniquely as Major Defense Partner’.
The USA has also raised concerns over space debris and reported to have been tracking space debris from Mission Shakti.
However, India has assured that that there will be no space debris left and the debris would die down in 45 days.
This is because the test was conducted in the lower atmosphere. A low-orbit satellite was shot down using anti-satellite (ASAT) missile.

Source :- The Hindu

Govt. defends move on Finance Act

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

Context :

The Constitution Bench is hearing a clutch of petitions, including one by Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh, challenging certain provisions of the Finance Act, 2017 which modify the terms of appointment and functioning in various statutory tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal.

Background :

The member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh has Challenged certain provisions of the Finance Act, 2017 which modify the terms of appointment and functioning in various statutory tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal.

Center response :

The decision of Speaker to categorise a Bill as money bill is beyond the scope of judicial review, Attorney General KK Venugopal submitted before the Supreme Court.
Center Says that, that Article 122 of the Constitution states that the conduct of business and Proceedings of the parliament cannot be questioned before the Court of Law.
Venugopal stressed that considering the majority judgement in the Aadhaar case is applicable, the question of judicial review ought not to arise while making submissions regarding the aspect of Money Bill.

Money Bill :

A money bill is defined under Article 110 of the Indian Constitution.
A Bill is said to be a Money Bill if it only contains provisions related to taxation, borrowing of money by the government,expenditure from or receipt to the Consolidated Fund of India.
Bills that only contain provisions that are incidental to these matters would also be regarded as Money Bills.

Passage of Money Bill:

A Money Bill may only be introduced in Lok Sabha, on the recommendation of the President.

It must be passed in Lok Sabha by a simple majority of all members present and voting.
Following this, it may be sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations, which Lok Sabha may reject if it chooses to.
If such recommendations are not given within 14 days, it will be deemed to be passed by Parliament.

While all Money Bills are Financial Bills,all Financial Bills are not Money Bills.For example,the Finance Bill which only contains provisions related to tax proposals would be a Money Bill.
However,a Bill that contains some provisions related to taxation or expenditure, but also covers other matters would be considered as a Financial Bill.

Source :- The Hindu

Data ownership, a bone of contention

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

Context :

The E-commerce industry has expressed concerns over the draft E-commerce policy proposal that companies should share aggregate data with the government

Issue :

The ownership of aggregate data remains a bone of contention between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and stakeholders, including start-ups and SMEs, in the ongoing consultations over the draft e-commerce policy.
The issue had come up for discussion during a recent meeting between industry representatives and DPIIT officials.

National E-commerce Policy:

Recently,Department of Industry and Internal Trade has released the draft National E-commerce Policy.
The prime objective of the policy is to prepare and enable stakeholders to fully benefit from the opportunities that would arise from progressive digitalization of the domestic digital economy.
The draft policy has been divided into 6 categories –

Data
Infrastructure Development,
E-commerce marketplaces,
Regulatory issues,
Stimulating the domestic digital economy and
Export promotion through e-commerce.

The draft Ecommerce policy has proposed that Government be given access to source code,algorithms of Artificial Intelligence systems.
It bars sharing of sensitive data of Indian users with third party entities,even with consent.
The government is of the view that companies should not be the sole owners of such data and that it should also be used for the betterment of public as it belongs to citizens as well.

Source :- The Hindu

Israel unveils world’s longest salt cave

GS PAPER - 01 GEOGRAPHY - Ggeographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Context :

A research team from Israel has claimed that Malham Cave in the Negev Desert, Israel is the longest salt cave in the world.

Malham Cave :

The cave is 10 kilometres long.
The Malham Cave extends through Mount Sodom, Israel’s largest mountain to the southwest corner of the adjacent Dead Sea.
The cave’s main opening is located close to a salt pillar popularly called “Lot’s wife.
Previously, Cave of the Three Nudes, (6.85 km) long salt cave in Iran’s Qeshm Island was considered the world’s longest salt cave.

29th MARCH 2019 Daily Current Affairs

Cabinet approves extension of Biomedical Research Career Programme

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

Context :

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP).

The Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) :

It is an Alliance between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Wellcome Trust (WT).

The Programme will fulfil the objectives of building and nurturing talent of highest global standards in cutting-edge biomedical research in India, which has led to important scientific breakthroughs and applications to meet societal needs.

BRCP will make it attractive for high quality Indian scientists working abroad to return to India, and has increased the number of locations geographically within India where world-class biomedical research is undertaken.

The Programme would continue to build this capacity as also strengthen clinical research and work towards addressing important health challenges for India.

Source :- PIB

Coffee Board Activates Blockchain Based Marketplace in India

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Context :

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has launched blockchain based coffee e-marketplace.

Blockchain based coffee e-marketplace :

It is a pilot project which will help integrate the farmers with markets in a transparent manner and lead to realisation of a fair price for the coffee producer.

It will also reduce the number of layers between coffee growers and buyers and help farmers double their income.

Blockchain-based marketplace app:

Blockchain-based marketplace app for trading of Indian coffees is intended to bring in transparency in the trade of Indian coffee, maintain the traceability of Indian coffee from bean to cup so that the consumer tastes real Indian coffee and the grower is paid fairly for his coffee produced.

Source :- PIB

U.S. circulates draft resolution on Azhar in Security Council

GS PAPER - 02 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.

Context :

The US has circulated a draft resolution in the UN Security Council proposing to blacklist Jaish chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

The move comes after UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee had failed to designate Azhar as a terrorist after China placed a hold on a listing request that the U.S,U.K.and France had brought before the Committee.

More about the news:

This is the first time the US has moved a draft resolution directly in the Security Council to designate Azhar.

The previous proposals have been listed in the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee to designate Azhar.

Unlike a listing proposal,which is generally under a 10-day no objection period,the draft resolution is not under any no-objection provision.

The draft resolution will be discussed informally and then it goes to the Council.

However,during voting it could again face a veto by China.Any veto has to be publicly justified by the country.

China has objected to the United States move for circulating a draft resolution in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

China has said that the resolution has reduced the authority of the UNSC 1267 committee as the main anti-terrorism body of the security council.

Source :- The Hindu

Punjab & Haryana HC bars stating of caste in proceedings

GS PAPER - 02 polity - Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Context :

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has instructed Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh not to mention the caste of the accused, victims or witnesses in proceedings before the court.

End to a 'colonial legacy' practice :

The Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that caste system is profoundly illogical and is also against the basic tenets of the Constitution.

Basic features of the Constitution:

Mentioning of caste/status separately in the criminal proceedings is a colonial legacy and requires to be stopped forthwith.

Right to dignity is a fundamental right and a basic human right.

Human dignity is one of the basic features of the Constitution.

The Constitution of India also guarantees a casteless and classless society. Segmentation of the society into groups cannot be determined by birth. All are born equal.

The bench further states that, Thereof is no scientific, intellectual, social and logical basis for caste system. The caste system is profoundly illogical and is also against the basic tenets of the Constitution.

Source :- The Hindu

U.S. tracking debris from ASAT test

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Awareness in the fields of Space

Context :

The US is tracking 250-270 objects of debris in the space generated due to India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test in lower earth orbit, but the International Space Station or ISS is not at risk, the Pentagon said.

More about the news :

In the backdrop of the success of Mission Shakti, an ASAT missile testing, the USA has said that India and USA would continue to pursue shared interests in space and scientific and technical cooperation. In 2016, USA had designated India uniquely as Major Defense Partner’.

The USA has also raised concerns over space debris and reported to have been tracking space debris from Mission Shakti.

However, India has assured that that there will be no space debris left and the debris would die down in 45 days.

This is because the test was conducted in the lower atmosphere. A low-orbit satellite was shot down using anti-satellite (ASAT) missile.

Source :- The Hindu

Govt. defends move on Finance Act

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

Context :

The Constitution Bench is hearing a clutch of petitions, including one by Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh, challenging certain provisions of the Finance Act, 2017 which modify the terms of appointment and functioning in various statutory tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal.

Background :

The member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh has Challenged certain provisions of the Finance Act, 2017 which modify the terms of appointment and functioning in various statutory tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal.

Center response :

The decision of Speaker to categorise a Bill as money bill is beyond the scope of judicial review, Attorney General KK Venugopal submitted before the Supreme Court.

Center Says that, that Article 122 of the Constitution states that the conduct of business and Proceedings of the parliament cannot be questioned before the Court of Law.

Venugopal stressed that considering the majority judgement in the Aadhaar case is applicable, the question of judicial review ought not to arise while making submissions regarding the aspect of Money Bill.

Money Bill :

A money bill is defined under Article 110 of the Indian Constitution.

A Bill is said to be a Money Bill if it only contains provisions related to taxation, borrowing of money by the government,expenditure from or receipt to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Bills that only contain provisions that are incidental to these matters would also be regarded as Money Bills.

Passage of Money Bill:

A Money Bill may only be introduced in Lok Sabha, on the recommendation of the President.

It must be passed in Lok Sabha by a simple majority of all members present and voting.

Following this, it may be sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations, which Lok Sabha may reject if it chooses to.

If such recommendations are not given within 14 days, it will be deemed to be passed by Parliament.

While all Money Bills are Financial Bills,all Financial Bills are not Money Bills.For example,the Finance Bill which only contains provisions related to tax proposals would be a Money Bill.

However,a Bill that contains some provisions related to taxation or expenditure, but also covers other matters would be considered as a Financial Bill.

Source :- The Hindu

29^thMARCH 2019 Daily Current Affairs