Neostencil.com – Live online classroom for ias preparation ......2017/05/31 · 1.5 Madras HC...

1

NeoStencil – Live Online Classes For IAS Preparation | +91 95990 75552 | [email protected]

http://neostencil.com/

2


INDEX

1. National news 1.1 Madhya Pradesh to device Happiness Index

1.2 India has moved from brain drain to brain gain

1.3 Govt Policy to improve ‘Make in India’ initiative

1.4 Cow Slaughter banned

1.5 Madras HC stays new curbs on cattle trade

2. International News 2.1 Manchester attack and its impact on British election

3. Polity and Governance 3.1 Fresh move to impeach Justice Nagarjuna Reddy

3.2 Law commission recommendation on Bail Reforms

3.3 Law panel in moral quandary

4. Economy 4.1 Roof Top Solar programme makes poor progress

4.2 RBI outlines action plan for resolving stressed loans

4.3 FIPB scrapped by Union Cabinet to boost FDI inflow

4.4 SEBI targets participatory notes norms

5. Science and Tech 5.1 Indian researchers use novel route to kill YB bacteria

5.2 Mango Tree extract could prevent heart injury

5.3 Moon orbiting solar system third largest dwarf planet found

5.4 ISRO set to launch heaviest rocket

6. Environment / Geography 6.1 Cobra Lily blooms after 84 years

7. Security

7.1 Army to get 11 Apache helicopters

7.2 More Akash system for Army


3


8. India and World

8.1 India upset at Canadian Visa denial

8.2 African Development Bank’s meet

8.3 Indian Navy Rescue a Maladivian Ship

8.4 India-Germany signs dozen agreements

8.5 UAE ready for air traffic pact

9. Short News

9.1 Jamseenpa scripts history scales mount Everest

9.2 Private sector key to defence

9.3 Mines sweeper deal to be inked soon


4


Current Affairs (21-May to 31 May, 2017)

1. National News

1.1 Madhya Pradesh to device Happiness Index

Madhya Pradesh (MP) government has tasked the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur

with finding a quantifiable answer to that eternal question — what constitutes happiness and

how happy are people really.

State government had, in July 2016, set up the Anand Mantralaya or the Ministry of Happiness,

with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as its first “happiness minister.”

MP government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT-Kharagpur (the only

institute to have a Happiness Centre) to devise a Happiness Index for the State.

1.2 India has moved from brain drain to brain gain

Over 1,000 Indian scientists working abroad have returned to India in the last two-three years

according to the reports of Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences.

Scientists were being attracted back to India through several scholarships and fellowships, such

as the Ramanujan fellowship.

Department of Science and Technology (DST) is all set to roll out a scheme to attract scientists

from abroad on a longer term basis. The program, called Visiting Advanced Joint Research

(VAJRA) Faculty Scheme.

It will offer accomplished NRI scientists the opportunity to undertake research in India for a

maximum period of three months every year, while granting them the status of adjunct faculty

in an Indian institution round the year.

1.3 Govt Policy to improve ‘Make in India’ initiative

The Union Cabinet approved a policy that provides preference to local

suppliers in Government procurement.

Aims of New Policy

The new policy — aimed at pushing the ‘Make in India’ initiative

— is to boost domestic manufacturing and services, thereby

creating employment and enhancing income.

It will also stimulate the flow of capital and technology into domestic manufacturing and

services.

It will also provide a further thrust towards the manufacture of parts, components and sub-

components of these items.


5


Policy will be implemented through an order pursuant to the General Financial Rules, 2017 to

provide purchase preference (linked with local content) in Government procurement.

The order also covers autonomous bodies, government companies/entities under the

government’s control.

Under the new policy, local suppliers are those whose goods or services meet prescribed

minimum thresholds (ordinarily 50%) for local content.

In-Flight Wi-Fi Net access soon

On-board Wi-Fi may soon become a reality as the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has

sent a revised proposal that will enable in-flight access to voice, data and video services.

The Centre will need to amend the Telegraph Act, 1885, as well as the related Indian Telegraphy

Rules to provide on-board Wi-Fi services.

At present, both domestic and international passengers are unable to use in-flight Internet

services over Indian airspace.

Even international airlines that offer such a facility to its passengers have to discontinue the

service while the aircraft is flying over the Indian airspace.

A large number of countries, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, permit the use

of Internet on flights.

1.4 Cow Slaughter banned

The Centre has banned the sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets across the country.

Under a notification, titled the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock

Markets) Rules, 2017, those who wish to sell cattle — bulls, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and

camels — may do so only after they formally state that the animals have not been “brought to

the market for sale for slaughter”.

Monitoring committee

Monitoring committees at the State and district levels will be set up to implement the rules

and monitor the functioning of animal markets.

The committee will further keep records of the sale of animals to ensure they are not resold

within six months of purchase.

Committee will also keep ID records of the buyer, seller and animal.

Rules to regulate animal market

The new rules banning the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter aim at

regulating such markets and also the sale of bovines.

The rules are very “specific”, that sellers and buyers have to ensure that cattle are not brought

or sold in the markets for slaughter purpose and an undertaking to this effect has to obtained.

SC directives on rules


6


The notification banning the sale of cattle for slaughter issued follows a Supreme Court

directive to the government to form an inter-ministerial committee to recommend ways of

preventing cattle smuggling.

The SC directive itself was in response to a 2014 writ petition by Gauri Mulekhi of People for

Animals.

The committee recommended, among other things, rules to be framed under the Prevention of

Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 to regulate livestock markets.

Cattle trade rules go against 1960 law

The rules take away the rights of the owner to even sell the carcass of an animal dying of

“natural causes” in the market. The rules prescribe that the carcass will be incinerated and not

be sold or flayed for leather.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, enacted on December 26, 1960, however, does not

impose any such restriction. It does not ban a cattle owner to sell the carcass of his animals for

leather.

The Act further recognises slaughter for food. Section 11 of the Act does not categorise

slaughter of animals for food as cruelty.

The restriction on trade of cattle or carcasses in livestock markets will have to be tested on the

touchstone of the fundamental right to occupation, trade or business under Article 19 (1) (g) to

see whether it is “reasonable.”

Though Section 38 of the 1960 Act confers the Centre the power to make rules, several judicial

precedents hold that this rule-making power does not allow going “beyond the scope of

enabling Act or which is inconsistent therewith or repugnant.”

1.5 Madras HC stays new curbs on cattle trade

Madras High Court Bench in Madurai stayed the operation of Rules 22(b)(iii) and 22(e) of the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) Rules 2017 notified by the

Centre.

The new rules ban the sale of bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers, calves and camels

for slaughter in ‘animal markets.’

HC granted the interim stay for a period of four weeks on a public interest litigation petition

filed by S. Selvagomathy (45), an activist-cum-lawyer based here, challenging the constitutional

validity of the 2017 Rules on various grounds including the legislative competence of the Centre

to frame them.


7


2. International News

2.1 Manchester attack and its impact on British election

A suicide bombing was carried out at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, following a

concert by American singer Ariana Grande.

The attacker was identified as Salman Ramadan Abedi, a 22-year-old British Muslim who

detonated a shrapnel-laden improvised explosive device at the exit of the arena after the event.

How will Manchester attack affect British election

Devastating attack on the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester has added a terrible and tragic

new twist to British politics with less than two weeks to go to the snap general election.

While political parties have continued to suspend their election campaign as a mark of respect,

attention will increasingly focus on the impact that the attack will have on the voting box.

Impact on British Election

The Conservatives were hit by a controversy over plans to change the way elderly people pay

for their social care. The party’s subsequent decision to abandon the manifesto appeared to go

against the “strong and stable” image that the Conservatives convey of themselves.

Recent polls have suggested greater public support for Prime Minister Theresa May when it

comes to issues such as security.

Recent experience, including in France, where a terror attack took place just days before the

first round of the election, suggest that such incidents don’t always bolster the right.

The Conservatives have also not been immune to criticism over issues relating to security,

including over cuts to police budgets.

There have also been warnings that exiting the EU could make it harder for Britain to fight

terrorism.

It’s early days after the attack but attempts by the far right to gain political momentum from the attack

have so far been angrily shouted down, while people from across Manchester’s diverse communities

rallied to support those impacted by the attack.


8


3. Polity and Governance

3.1 Fresh move to impeach Justice Nagarjuna Reddy

Over 60 members of the Rajya Sabha, cutting across party lines, have submitted a motion

seeking the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Justice C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy of the

High Court for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

This is the second attempt by members of the Upper House to remove Justice Nagarjuna

Reddy. The first one made by 61 MPs on December 5 last failed after 19 signatories withdrew.

Allegations against the judge include interfering in the judicial process in several cases; and

caste slurs, including death threats against Dalit Junior Civil Judge Sanku Rama Krishna at the

courts in Rayachoti, a town in Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa district. Rayachoti is also Justice

Nagarjuna Reddy’s hometown.

Judges Impeachment Procedures

The next step in the process is for the Vice President to constitute a three-member committee

under the 1968 Judges (Inquiry) Act, which generally consists of a sitting Supreme Court judge

and two High Court Chief Justices. This is done in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.

The committee will function like a trial court, examining the accusations against Justice Reddy

and ruling whether they are well founded. Thereafter, it will advise in favour or against the

judge’s removal.

The committee’s decision will then be placed in both Houses of Parliament for a vote, and would

require a two-third majority of MPs present voting in favour of the motion in the same session,

or an absolute majority of a joint session, for the judge to be removed.

Constitutional Provision under Article 124

Article 124 (4) of the Constitution stipulates that a minimum of 50 Rajya Sabha members or

double that number from the Lok Sabha are required as signatories to initiate impeachment, the

only means to remove judges from office in the country’s higher judiciary.

3.2 Law commission recommendation on Bail Reforms

The Law Commission, in its 268th Report, highlights the problem by remarking that it has

become the norm for the rich and powerful to get bail with ease, while others languish in

prison.

The commission headed by the former Supreme Court judge B.S Chauhan observed that the

existing system of bail in India is inadequate and inefficient and has so far failed to achieve its

purpose.

Observations


9


While making recommendations to make it easier for all those awaiting trial to obtain bail, the

report observes that the existing system of bail in India is inadequate and inefficient to

accomplish its purpose.

One of the first duties of those administering criminal justice must be that bail practices are

“fair and evidence-based”.

Decisions about custody or release should not be influenced to the detriment of the person

accused of an offence by factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, financial conditions or social

status.

The main reason that 67% of the current prison population is made up of undertrials is the

great inconsistency in the grant of bail.

Even when given bail, most are unable to meet the onerous financial conditions to avail it.

The Supreme Court had noticed this in the past, and bemoaned the fact that poverty appears to

be the main reason for the incarceration of many prisoners, as they are unable to afford bail

bonds or provide sureties.

Recommendations

The Commission seeks to improve on a provision introduced in 2005 to grant relief to

thousands of prisoners languishing without trial and to decongest India’s overcrowded prisons.

Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure stipulates that a prisoner shall be released on

bail on personal bond if he or she has undergone detention of half the maximum period of

imprisonment specified for that offence.

The Law Commission recommends that those detained for an offence that would attract up to

seven years’ imprisonment be released on completing one-third of that period, and those

charged with offences attracting a longer jail term, after they complete half of that period.

For those who had spent the whole period as undertrials, the period undergone may be

considered for remission.

In general terms, the Commission cautions the police against needless arrests and magistrates

against mechanical remand orders.

It gives an illustrative list of conditions that could be imposed in lieu of sureties or financial

bonds.

It advocates the need to impose the “least restrictive conditions”. However, as the report warns,

bail law reform is not the panacea for all problems of the criminal justice system.

3.3 Law panel in moral quandary

The Law Commission sought views from the public and stakeholders on whether or not

gambling and betting are “morally correct in the Indian circumstances”.

Primarily, it wants public inputs on the question of legalising gambling and betting — conducted

clandestinely across the country and the cause of ruin for many families.

Views would be compiled for a report to be handed over to the government. The question came

up after the Supreme Court asked the commission to study the possibility of legalising betting in

the backdrop of the IPL betting scandal.


10


Questions on gambling

The various questions the commission wants to generate opinion on include whether legalising betting

and gambling will help in curbing illegal activities;

Will licensing gambling and betting help the government earn substantial revenue and generate

employment;

Is legalising betting and gambling morally correct in the Indian circumstances;

What can be a possible model by which people engaging in such activities can be safeguarded

against bankruptcy;

If legalised, should foreign betting and gambling companies be allowed to have a foothold in the

country.

Legal Provision on gambling in India

The law on gambling is a grey area and a topic of debate for years.

Gambling is covered under an archaic law, the Public Gambling Act of 1867. The Constitution has

enabled the States to enact their own gambling legislation.

However, there is no uniformity in the various State laws and most of these laws pertain to

physical gambling and not online or virtual gambling, which is seen to be a route to crime,

corruption and money laundering.

Section 67 of the Information Technology Act of 2000 vaguely prohibits online transmission and

publication of material which “corrupt” persons.


11


4. Economy

4.1 Roof Top Solar programme makes poor progress

The government is unlikely to meet its much publicised target of 175 GW (gigawatt = 1,000

megawatt) of renewable energy by 2022 due to the poor

progress of the rooftop solar programme.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy was considering

increasing the contribution of other sources such as

biogas and small hydro to make up the difference.

Issues involved in Rooftop solar programme

Tariff structure is not remunerative for people to set up

rooftop solar. The cost of doing so higher than the money they stand to make.

Most roofs in India are flat, and people find several alternative uses for these such as drying

clothes, and even hosting parties or meals. There are parts of India where people even sleep on

their roofs. So they don’t want to cover that whole space with solar panels.

New Plan to incentivise roof top solar

The government’s current plan is to get 10 GW from biomass powered plants and 5 GW from

small hydro (hydro projects below 25 MW in scale).

According to a May 2016 report by the Standing Committee set up by the Ministry, the country

has a potential of 19.7 GW of energy capacity from small hydro. It has so far utilised only about

21% of this.

4.2 RBI outlines action plan for resolving stressed loans

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has outlined a broad plan to resolve stressed assets at lenders in the

wake of the amendment of the Banking Regulation Act.

The RBI, which has sought information from lenders on the current

status of large stressed assets and is working on norms for

expediting the process of taking cases through insolvency and

bankruptcy.

The Reserve Bank is working on a framework to facilitate an

objective and consistent decision making process with regard to

cases that may be determined for reference for resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy

Code, 2016 (IBC).

The RBI is also exploring the possibility of credit rating assignments determined by it, in order to

avoid conflict of interest.

Oversight Committee


12


The two-member Oversight Committee (OC) would also be reconstituted and put “under the

aegis” of the RBI.

The OC would be enlarged to include more members so that it could set up benches to deal with

the volume of cases.

The central bank would soon name additions to the OC, who would join the existing members.

4.3 FIPB scrapped by Union Cabinet to boost FDI inflow

In a move to reduce red tape in government and facilitate ease of doing business, government

abolished the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) that vets foreign investment

proposals.

In the last three years, 91-95% of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India came through the

automatic route.

Only in 11 sectors, there is need for prior government approval which will now be dealt by the

department concerned.

In this year’s (2017-18) Budget, the Finance Minister had announced that the government had

decided to do away with the FIPB and the details would be finalised shortly.

FDI proposals over ₹5,000 crore will continue to require final approval from the Cabinet.

With FIPB getting abolished, it is expected that foreign investment proposals will be considered

by the concerned ministry in consultation with the DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy &

Promotion).

4.4 SEBI targets participatory notes norms

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) plans to further tighten norms for issuance of

offshore derivative instruments (ODIs) and participatory notes (PNs) as part of its overall effort

to reduce the exposure investors take via such instruments in the Indian equity market.

In a consultation paper released, the capital market regulator has proposed levying a regulatory

fee of $1,000 on every foreign portfolio investor (FPI) that issues ODIs or PNs.

SEBI-registered FPIs will have to pay this fee once every three years for each of their ODI

subscribers. “It is proposed that beginning April 1, 2017, for a period of every three years,

regulatory fees of $1,000 be levied on each ODI issuing FPI for each and every ODI subscriber

coming through such FPI,” states the SEBI paper.

The regulator has also proposed to prohibit ODIs from being issued against derivatives for

speculative purposes. Currently, ODIs are issued against derivatives along with equity and debt.

SEBI has given time until December 31, 2020, to wind up ODIs issued against derivatives, which

are not for hedging purpose. It will be incumbent on ODI issuing FPI to ensure that ODI is

issued against those derivatives which are purely for hedging purpose and not for naked

speculation, said the SEBI paper.


13


5. Science and Tech

5.1 Indian researchers use novel route to kill YB bacteria

A team of Indian researchers has been able to achieve 100-fold reduction in TB bacterial load in

lungs of mice after 60 days of treatment using bergenin — a phytochemical isolated from

tender leaves of sakhua or shala tree (Shorea robusta).

Unlike the regularly used antibiotic drugs that target the TB bacteria, the bergenin compound

modulates the immune system to kill the bacteria found inside the macrophages (a type of

white blood cells).

The researchers undertook several studies to understand the mode of action of the compound.

The compound was unable to directly kill TB bacteria when treated with the compound.

However, in the case of in vitro studies, the compound was able to kill the bacteria found inside

infected cells. In mice infected with TB and treated with the compound, there was significant

reduction in the bacterial load in the lungs.

5.2 Mango Tree extract could prevent heart injury

A group of doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has shown the

protective effects of mangiferin (a compound present in the bark of all mango trees) on reperfusion

injury in diabetic rats.

Significance of Magniferin

Mangiferin, found in the bark, leaves and fruit of mango

trees, is known to possess several beneficial properties —

antioxidant, antitumour, anticancer, antidiabetic and

antibacterial properties.

All the diabetic rats treated with mangiferin showed improved blood-pumping ability, restored

antioxidants, reduced swelling and death of cells. The architecture of the myocardium was

maintained despite the injury and the heart muscle fibre remained intact.

Glucose present in the blood of patients with diabetes leads to the formation of certain

proteins (advanced glycation end products or AGE), which causes various complications of

diabetes.

Mangiferin favourably reduced this protein, thus preventing stress, swelling and cell death

after the heart injury.

The study on the heart tissue revealed how mangiferin reduced cell death — it increased the

expression of proteins which act against cell death and decreased the proteins causing cell

death.

Mangiferin also decreased the level of inflammatory and stress proteins.

5.3 Moon orbiting solar system third largest dwarf planet found


14


Scientists have discovered a new moon orbiting the third largest dwarf planet, that resides in

the frigid outskirts in our solar system.

With this discovery, it appears that most of the known dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt larger

than 965 kilometres across have companions. These bodies can provide some insight into how

moons formed in the young solar system.

The team uncovered the moon in archival images of 2007 OR10 taken by the Hubble Telescope.

About Dwarf planet

The dwarf planet is about 1,528 kilometres across, and the moon is estimated to be 240

kilometres to 400 kilometres in diameter.

2007 OR10, like Pluto, follows an eccentric orbit, but it is currently three times further than

Pluto is from the sun.

2007 OR10 is a member of an exclusive club of nine dwarf planets. Of those bodies, only Pluto

and Eris are larger than 2007 OR10.

5.4 ISRO set to launch heaviest rocket

An indigenous rocket as heavy as 200 full-grown Asian elephants could well take “Indians into

space from Indian soil”.

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk- III) —

the heaviest rocket ever made by India that is capable of carrying the

heaviest satellites.

The maiden launch of the GSLV-Mk III (earlier named Launch Vehicle

Mark-3) and subsequent flights, this rocket could be India’s vehicle of

choice to launch Indians into space, from Indian soil using Indian

rockets.

The heavy lift rocket is capable of placing up to 8 tonne in a low Earth

orbit, enough to carry India’s crew module.

ISRO has already prepared plans of hoisting a two to three human crew into space as soon as

the government gives it a sanction of about $4 billion.

If the human venture materialises, India would become only the fourth country after Russia, the

U.S. and China to have a human space flight programme.


15


6. Environment / Geography

6.1 Cobra Lily blooms after 84 years

The incredibly rare Arisaema translucens, more commonly known as the cobra lily, was recently

rediscovered in the western Nilgiris after 84 years.

Barely a few hundred cobra lily plants are left in the wild and they can

be found only in a small area measuring less than 10 square kilometres

in the Nilgiris.

News of the discovery was published in May 2017 in Phytotaxa, a

journal on botanical taxonomy.

Of the handful cobra lily species found in the Nilgiris, only two are

endemic needs for the protection of the patch of land where the

Arisaema translucens were found.

Likely to have been quite common once, cobra lilies have vanished in the past decades along

with the disappearance of the shola tree patches in which they were found.

The rediscovery of the plant highlights the importance of preserving whatever is left of shola

tree patches, even inside plantations and tea fields.


16


7. Defence / Security

7.1 Army to get 11 Apache helicopters

After several years of wrangling, the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) are both likely to

operate the Apache multi-role attack helicopters.

The Army had initially asked for 22 attack helicopters to be transferred to its custody, which

was rejected by the Air Force.

The IAF has strongly opposed the creation of a separate

mini-Air wing by the Army, which the former felt would

reduce its role.

The Army will get 11 Apache helicopters, while the

original order of 22 helicopters will be with the IAF. It will

go through.

India will exercise the optional clause in the original deal signed with the U.S. in November

2015. Under a $3-billion deal, India has contracted 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook

heavy-lift helicopters through the Foreign Military Sales program.

The Army has for long pitched for its own dedicated attack helicopter fleet integrated with its

strike corps and has recently expressed the desire to have 39 Apaches.

Presently, India operates a mix of Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack helicopters which are with

the IAF.

7.2 More Akash system for Army

The Defence Ministry has decided to cancel the Army’s global contest for Short Range Surface to

Air Missile (SR-SAM) systems and instead procure two additional regiments of the indigenously

developed Akash missile systems.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley two weeks ago. The Army is expected to begin inducting the

systems by December 2018.


17


The Army has a requirement for four regiments of SR-SAMs. It had earlier ordered two Akash

regiments and formally began inducting them in May 2015. Two more regiments were meant to

be procured by a global tender for which competition was under way between 3-4 global firms.

Of the Akash systems, the first regiment has been inducted and operational and induction of the

second regiment will be completed in the next 2-3 months.


18


8. India and World

8.1 India upset at Canadian Visa denial

Adding to the growing number of bilateral issues, India objected to Canada’s denial of entry to

a former police official.

The official response came days after former Inspector-General of the Central Reserve Police

Force (CRPF), Tejinder Singh Dhillon, was denied entry into Canada on grounds of human

rights abuse.

According to news reports, Canadian authorities alleged that he was in service of a

government “that engages or has engaged in terrorism, systematic or gross human rights

violations, or genocide, a war crime or a crime against humanity.”

Mr. Singh, who retired as Inspector-General of CRPF in 2010, was denied entry under a

subsection of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Canada has used the allegation of human rights in the latest case, after seven years. In 2010,

Canada had denied visa to a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal, three serving Brigadiers, a

retired Lt. General and a former senior official of the Intelligence Bureau on the ground that

their organisations had violated human rights.

However, in a late evening press release, the High Commissioner of Canada regretted

inconveniences caused to Mr. Singh and his family.

8.2 African Development Bank’s meet

India’s strategic safari took a step further this week with the African Development Bank (AfDB) holding

its annual meeting for the first time in this country.

Economic development

The meeting puts some important financial and policy flesh

to the new relationship developing between India and the

continent, which was politically signalled by the largest-ever

India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015.

New Delhi had become a vigorous provider of lines of credit as part of its aid programme. These

provided a useful bridge for Indian firms to find local business partners and establish a

commercial presence in Africa.

An additional stamp of legitimacy has now been provided to this programme by the AfDB, acting

as an intermediary for such concessional finance.

In addition, the summit will see India and Japan workout the modalities of an economic and

transport corridor, probably through eastern and southern Africa, which will be a path breaker

in terms of India partnering with another country to carry out an aid project in another set of

countries.


19


India Africa relation new phase

There are some standard arguments as to why India’s relationship with Africa is entering a new

phase.

Indian trade with the continent is doubling every five years and India is now a larger trading

partner for Africa than Japan or the United States.

Over 15% of India’s overseas investment now goes to Africa.

Countries like Nigeria are key providers of oil and if India’s plans to commit several billion

dollars to the development of Mozambique’s gasfields see fruition that Indian Ocean littoral

state will emerge as India’s energy partner in the 21st century.

It also reflects Indian concerns that it has done little to cement political and military ties in its

own maritime backyard at a time when US influence is waning and the Chinese presence is

rising.

Beijing’s enormous Belt Road initiative, parts of which would touch Africa and the Indian

Ocean, only underline why New Delhi needs to become a much larger player in Africa.

Among the areas outside of Asia, eastern and southern Africa will probably emerge as the most

important geographical areas of interest to India in the new century.

8.3 Indian Navy Rescue a Maladivian Ship

The Indian Navy successfully rescued a Maldivian ship ‘MV Maria 3’ which had suffered

propulsion failure and was adrift for five days at high sea.

At the time of rescue, the Maldivian ship had six sailors on board, including a woman, from

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

The ship, which had departed from Male on May15, had lost contact with shore from next day

following which the Maldivian Coast Guard had sought Indian Navy’s assistance in search and

rescue operations.

Indian Naval warship INS Kirch was informed about the Maldivian vessel’s location, following

which the adrift ship was towed back to Male.

8.4 India-Germany signs dozen agreements

India and Germany agreed on the need to resume free trade talks between India and the

European Union soon, and signed a dozen wide-ranging but low-profile MoUs on the subjects of

education, health, skill development and sustainability.

Both countries reaffirmed their strong commitment to the EU-India Broad Based Trade and

Investment Agreement (as the FTA is called) and their commitment to bring about a resumption

of the negotiations at the earliest possible date.

PM Modi also described Berlin as a “reliable partner” in India’s development—listing skill

training, infrastructure development, the creation of smart cities and cleaning of rivers as some

of the areas where Asia’s third largest economy was benefitting from German expertise.


20


India supports a strong EU because a strong EU supports India and plays an important role in

today’s global order.

EU unity, proactiveness and strong relations with other countries is extremely important for

global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role

towards that through the medium of Germany.

The two countries also signed a joint declaration of intent on development initiatives,

sustainable urban development, continued development of cluster managers and skill

development, cooperation in the field of digitalization, cooperation in the field of railway

security and promotion of vocational training.

8.5 UAE ready for air traffic pact

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is in favour of India’s proposal for a unified bilateral air traffic

pact provided the Gulf nation gets access to more Indian airports.

India has signed separate agreements with emirates of the UAE which is a unique arrangement

as bilateral air traffic rights are generally signed between two countries.

It has an agreement each with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha stated that India is contemplating a single air

traffic pact with UAE to align with global practice.

Agreement Procedure

As per the global practice, countries sign air service agreement bilaterally which decides the

equal number of flights or seats per week that can fly into each other’s country depending upon

their own requirements. Then, the government distributes the allocated seats to the respective

airlines.

Airlines from India and UAE are entitled to fly around 1.34 lakh seats a week from both sides at

present. Airlines from India and Dubai have exhausted their bilateral entitlement.

The air traffic agreement between India and the UAE has been a bone of contention for both the

countries in the recent past.

While Dubai has been constantly demanding more entitlements, India has refrained from

renewing its present bilateral agreement due to lack of viable slots available for Indian carriers

in Dubai.


21


9. Short News

9.1 Jamseenpa scripts history scales mount Everest

Climber Anshu Jamsenpa scripted history by scaling Mount Everest twice

within five days.

Ms. Jamsenpa, a mother of two, had conquered the world’s highest peak

for the fourth time on May 16 last.

The mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh began her double ascent on

May 19 morning, her husband Tsering Wange informed.

The 32-year-old had achieved the feat of summiting Mount Everest twice

within 10 days in 2011. Ms. Jamsenpa had also climbed it in 2013 from

the Nepal side.

9.2 Private sector key to defence

In order to build the country’s domestic defence manufacturing base, Defence Public Sector

Undertakings (DPSUs) will have to compete with the private sector which is being promoted in a

big way says Defence Minister.

The recent policy on Strategic Partnerships approved by the Defence Ministry “factors in both

these contents” sending a clear message to the DPSUs that they need to improve efficiency and

capabilities.

The Strategic Partnership policy which is part of the Defence Procurement Procedure intends to

open up manufacturing of four major defence platforms for the Indian private sector.

9.3 Mines sweeper deal to be inked soon

After repeated delays and protracted negotiations, India and South Korea are set to be close to

finalising the deal for 12 minesweepers for the Indian Navy.

The deal for 12 minesweepers or Mine Counter Measure Vessels is worth about ₹32,640 crore

and the ships would be manufactured in India under Transfer of Technology.

The first ship is expected to be delivered three years after the contract is signed. Minesweepers

are crucial to detect mines and explosives planted by the enemy targeting our ships as they

enter or leave harbours.


22


The Navy is presently left with four ageing minesweepers which will be retired by 2018 end.

However, efforts to procure new MCMVs have been repeatedly delayed.

The Acceptance of Necessity for construction of 12 new MCMVs was approved by the Defence

Acquisition Council on February 28, 2015 on nomination basis to GSL.


Neostencil.com – Live online classroom for ias preparation ......2017/05/31 · 1.5 Madras HC...

Documents

Transcript of Neostencil.com – Live online classroom for ias preparation ......2017/05/31 · 1.5 Madras HC...