Daily Current affairs - May 14th, 2018 for all competitive exams
Govt. planning to bring ordinance on SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
The government is planning to bring an ordinance to overturn the Supreme Court verdict putting safeguards on arrests under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and subsequently introduce a bill to insulate it from further judicial scrutiny.
- The government is likely to introduce the bill in monsoon session of Parliament to incorporate the legislation in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, laws under which cannot be challenged in courts.
- Also, once included in the Ninth Schedule, the legislation gets protection under Article 31-B (validation of certain Acts and Regulations) and is not subject to judicial scrutiny.
In its March 20 order, the apex court had laid down new guidelines for police officers on how to ensure that innocent people, especially public officials, are protected from false complaints under the act. The “dilution” triggered massive protests by various Dalit and political outfits.
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About SC/ST Act:
The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is popularly known as POA, the SC/ST Act, the Prevention of Atrocities Act, or simply the Atrocities Act. The SC/ST Act was enacted on September 9, 1989. The rules for the Act were notified on March 31, 1995.
The SC/ST Act lists 22 offences relating to various patterns or behaviours inflicting criminal offences and breaking the self-respect and esteem of the scheduled castes and tribes community. This includes denial of economic, democratic and social rights, discrimination, exploitation and abuse of the legal process.
The prime objective of the SC/ST Act is to deliver justice to marginalised through proactive efforts, giving them a life of dignity, self-esteem and a life without fear, violence or suppression from the dominant castes.
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DGFT enhanced Merchandise export from India scheme beyond June 30
The Director General of Foreign Trade has said that the rates enhanced under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), a scheme to promote exports, would continue beyond June 30.
- Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) under Foreign Trade Policy of India (FTP 2015-20) is one of the two schemes introduced in Foreign Trade Policy of India 2015-20, as a part of Exports from India Scheme.
- Objective of Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) as per Indian Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 (FTP 2015-20) is to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and associated costs involved in export of goods/products, which are produced/manufactured in India, especially those having high export intensity, employment potential and thereby enhancing India’s export competitiveness.
Parliament panel to look into black money recovery, performance of PSBs
A parliamentary panel headed by veteran BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi decided to study the recovery of black money and performance of public sector banks (PSBs) among a host of subjects.
- The 30-member Estimates Committee, in a meeting, decided to study a host of subjects related to various ministries in the year 2018-19.
- As per the memorandum of the committee, the panel will look into the import of uranium for nuclear plants, mining activities and environment, upgrading of India Post offices and the drought situation in the country among other matters.
Indian Army tests ‘Air cavalry’ concept
Indian Army has tested in the desert terrain of Rajasthan the military concept of ‘Air Cavalry’ that was used by the US Army.
- To enhance its defence capabilities, the Army tested the concept under which weaponised helicopters carry out combined action against the enemy.
- This being done by the Indian Army, with an eye on the future, which is focusing on strengthening its combative air assets by procuring attack helicopters
- This is a new concept for the Indian Army and it is aimed at reshaping land battle by defeating the enemy by offensive punch from the air in coordination with tanks on the ground
Under the 'Air Cavalry' concept, attack helicopters are fully integrated with tanks and mechanised ground forces. A fleet of armed helicopters simultaneously flies in air and performs a number of tasks, including troop insertion in forward areas, on the spot aerial recce, launching attacks and it proves more powerful and a good speed in the action is achieved.
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Army finalises Rs.15,000 crore Ammunition production project
Indian Army has finalised a mega 15,000 crore rupees project under which a range of ammunition for its critical weapons and tanks will be produced indigenously. 11 private firms would be involved in the ambitious project.
- The immediate aim of the closely guarded project — said to be the biggest ever initiative for the indigenisation of ammunition — is to create an inventory for all major weapons to enable the forces to fight a 30-day war while the long-term objective is to cut dependence on imports.
Ivory is government property: SC
The Supreme Court, in Wild Life Warden v Komarrikkal Elias case, has held that elephant tusk is a property of the Government.
- The Supreme Court observed that there is a clear “declaration” in the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 on elephant tusks being government property.
- Section 39(1) (c) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 says that an ivory imported into India and an article made from such ivory in respect of which any offence against this Act or any rule or order made there under has been committed, shall be deemed to be the property of the state government, and where such animal is hunted in a sanctuary or national park declared by the Central Government, such animal or any animal article, trophy, uncured trophy or meat derived from such animal shall be the property of the Central Government.
Domestic violence act applies after divorce too: SC
The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that the Domestic Violence Act, intended to safeguard women against marital abuse, will apply even after divorce.
- The court observed that the act extends to all man-woman relationships, and also protects divorced women from their former husbands.
- The apex court has upheld Rajasthan High Court’s interpretation that ‘domestic relationship’ is not confined to the “relationship as husband and wife or a relationship in the nature of marriage, but it includes other relationship as well such as sisters, mother, etc.”.
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005
It is an act to provide for more effective protection of the rights of Women guaranteed under the Constitution who are victims of violence of any kind occurring within the family and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Domestic Violence Act 2005 is the first significant attempt in India to recognise domestic abuse as a punishable offence, to extend its provisions to those in live-in relationships, and to provide for emergency relief for the victims, in addition to legal recourse. It extends to the whole of India except the State Jammu & Kashmir.
It aims to protect women from physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic abuse at home.
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China’s plans to import Indian drugs fail to enthuse Indian pharma firms
China’s much-publicized announcement to slash tariffs on 28 medicines, including cancer drugs from India, has failed to create any buzz among the Indian pharmaceutical firms.
- On May 4, China, the second largest market for pharmaceuticals after the US, said it has removed import duties on as many as 28 medicines, including all cancer drugs.
- China has exempted import tariffs (duties) for 28 drugs, including all cancer drugs, from May 1.
ICBC launches China's 1st India-dedicated investment fund
A state-run Chinese bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has launched the country's first India-dedicated publicly offered investment fund, saying the Indian market offers the best opportunity for Chinese investors due to the prospects of double-digit growth.
- The fund, named the ICBC Credit Suisse India Market Fund, will invest in exchange-traded funds listed on more than 20 exchanges in Europe and the US that are based on the Indian market.
- It is China's first publicly offered fund for investing in India.
German online bank uses Bitcoins to transfer loans
German Radoslav Albrecht has founded an online bank that allows clients to transfer loans anywhere in the world using Bitcoin.
- Bitbond uses cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to bypass the Swift international transfer system to lend money across the globe rapidly and at low cost.
- Bitcoin is used as collateral for loans, but never as a way of transferring credit in currency internationally.
UNDP to setup Skill development centre in Hyderabad
Aimed at empowering vulnerable and marginalised women by imparting skills training, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced to set up a skill development centre at 'Bharosa,' an integrated support centre for distressed women and children in Hyderabad.
- 'Bharosa,' an initiative of Hyderabad City Police, is a state-of-the-art centre to support women and children who are victims of violence.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. Headquartered in New York City, UNDP advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries.
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Vijaya bank tags Reliance naval as NPA
State-run Vijaya Bank has classified the Anil Ambani group-led Reliance Naval and Engineering, whose auditors had recently expressed doubts about the company’s ability to continue as a “going concern”, as non-performing asset from the March quarter.
- The company, which was earlier known as Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering, was bought over by Anil Ambani Group in 2016 and renamed as Reliance Defence and Engineering.
- It owes more than Rs.9,000 crore to more than two-dozen banks, mostly state-run, led by the troubled IDBI Bank.
Fino payments bank launched Digital suite
Fino Payments Bank launched a suite of digital products that can be accessed online and through mobile phones with the focus to build the transaction platform. Fino had launched its mobile banking app BPay in 2017.
- The latest initiatives include Unified Payments Interface (UPI), BHIM app - using which customers can access UPI and make P2P payments, net banking, digi savings account which can be opened with only Aadhaar number and PAN card and FasTag for making digital payments at toll plazas on national highways.
First ever meeting of South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network held in India
SAWEN recently its first ever meeting in India. Representatives of seven countries participated in the meeting and the members agreed on having an operational framework for strengthening the regional body to combat wildlife crime.
- During the meet six proposals, including tracking of wildlife smuggling route, review of existing laws and a structure for the organisation were tabled.
SAWEN is a regional network comprises eight countries in South Asia –Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It aims at working as a strong regional intergovernmental body for combating wildlife crimes by attempting common goals and approaches for combating illegal trade in the region.
The South Asia region is very vulnerable to illegal traffic and wildlife crimes due to presence of precious biodiversity and large markets as well as traffic routes for wildlife products in the region. The collaboration in harmonising as well as enforcing the wildlife protection in the region is considered very important for effective conservation of biodiversity.
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Sarah Mullally has appointed as first female Bishop of London
Former chief nursing officer the Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the first female Bishop of London at a service held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
- The 56-year-old was appointed to the role in December and becomes the 133rd Bishop of London.
Netta Barzilai of Israel wins Eurovision Song Contest
Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, the annual international singing competition that involves countries from Europe to Australia
- It was the fourth time Israel has won the contest, now in its 63rd year.
- The winning nation must host the following year's contest, so Barzilai's victory means that Eurovision 2019 will be in Israel.
Fifty-two countries have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since it started in 1956. Of these, twenty-seven have won the contest. The contest, organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is held annually between members of the Union. Broadcasters from different countries submit songs to the event, and cast votes to determine the most popular in the competition.
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Lata Mangeshkar conferred with Swara Mauli award
Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar was honoured with the Swara Mauli title by spiritual guru Vidya Narsimha Bharati Swami.
- Mangeshkar, 88, was conferred with the award at her residence in Mumbai.
- Her sisters Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar and brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar were also present.
Mangeshkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country, in 2001 - the second vocalist, after MS Subbulakshmi to receive the honour.
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Pakisthan hockey legend Mansoor Ahmed passes away in Karachi
Pakistan’s World Cup-winning hockey goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmed passed away at a city hospital after battling a prolonged heart ailment.
- The 49-year-old Olympian had been suffering for weeks from complications stemming from a pacemaker and stents implanted in his heart, and had reached out to India for help in securing a heart transplant.
Noted Lyricist, Poet, Politician Balkavi Bairagi passes away
Noted Hindi film lyricist, Nandram Das Bairagi, popularly known as Balkavi Bairagi, passed away.
- Bairagi, a Lok Sabha member between 1984 and 1989 and also a former Rajya Sabha MP. He was 87. He wrote several Hindi poems, among which, "Jhar gaye paat, bisar gayi tehni" is considered a gem by many Hindi poets.
Neymar wins French player of the year prize
Neymar was named as France’s player of the year at an awards ceremony in Paris.
The Paris Saint-German superstar took the prize despite missing the last three months of the season due to injury.
- The world’s most expensive player scored 19 goals in just 20 league games for PSG before suffering a foot injury in February.
- Neymar, who joined in PSG’s Ligue 1 title celebrations on Saturday night, refused to discuss his future after collecting his award.
