Daily Current Affairs : 18-Mar-2020
Major Topics Covered :
MONKEY DEATHS IN KERALA
PERMANENT COMMISSION FOR WOMEN IN NAVY
MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2020
GOVERNMENT EXPLANATION OF CAA TO SUPREME COURT
BLUE REVOLUTION
START-UP INDIA SCHEME REGARDING ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
NATIONAL ANTI-PROFITEERING AUTHORITY
MONKEY DEATHS IN KERALA
Why in news?
A disease is spreading among the Bonnet macaque population in Vadakkanchery, near Thrissur, in Kerala, claiming 11 animals so far.
Highlights:
The cause of disease needed to be investigated further.
Veterinary experts suspect that a sexually transmitted disease might have broken out among the monkey population. All the dead ones were found to be females in the breeding age group. Autopsy indicated that the dead animals had uterine infections.
About Bonnet Macaque –
IUCN status – Least Concern
Like other macaques, the Bonnet Macaque is very sociable. They communicate with an interesting range of gestures and facial expressions.
Habitat - Bonnet Macaque troops have a home range with a core area of around 120 acres (50 hectares). They are comfortable in trees and on the ground, and as well as living in many different forest types, they will use plantations and agricultural areas.
Source : Hindu and WORLDANDTRUST.ORG
PERMANENT COMMISSION FOR WOMEN IN NAVY
Why in news?
The Supreme court upheld the right of serving Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers of the Navy to be granted permanent commission (PC) on a par with their male counterparts.
Highlights:
The bench criticised the government excuses for reeking of stereotypical mindsets.
Women officers of all branches/cadres could be directed to serve on board ships, both during training and subsequent employment in accordance with the exigencies of service.
Source : Hindu
MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2020
Why in news?
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Bill to extend the upper limit for permitting abortions from 20 weeks to 24 under special circumstances.
Highlights:
The “special categories of women” include rape survivors, victims of incest, the differently abled and minors.
Ritesh Pandey of the BSP and Amol R. Kolhe said abortion should be considered a fundamental right of a woman.
Congress said unrestricted abortions should not be encouraged as “abortions are a crime against humanity”.
Source : Hindu
GOVERNMENT EXPLANATION OF CAA TO SUPREME COURT
Why in news?
Home Ministry told the Supreme Court that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is a “benign” law, which does not lead to expulsion or refoulment of illegal migrants.
Highlights:
It relaxed the settled principles of Indian citizenship for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians persecuted in the “theocratic states” of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the Ministry said.
The country is divided primarily on the basis of religion with no fault of citizens in 1947 and these six persecuted minorities had been suffering historic injustice in the three countries. India represents the sole rational and logically feasible place to seek shelter for these communities.
The Ministry dismissed fears about the CAA facilitating a nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) to expel “doubtful citizens”.
Section 14A of the Citizenship Act of 1955, which provides for the preparation of NRC and issuance of national identity cards, was introduced way back in 2004.
The section, along with the Citizenship Rules of 2003, dealt only with the “process” of registration of Indian citizens and issuance of national identity cards.
Source : Hindu
BLUE REVOLUTION
Why in news?
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing various schemes/programmes for development of fisheries sector with a view towards enhancement of fish production.
Highlights:
India, one of the major fish producing nations in the world stands 2nd in aquaculture production in the world.
The various schemes for increasing fish production are –
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) on Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries at a total central outlay of Rs. 3000 crore has been implemented since 2015-16 for development of fisheries in the country
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Fund (FIDF) has been implemented with a fund size of Rs. 7522.48 crore for providing access to concessional finance for development of fisheries infrastructure in the country.
The Government of India during 2018-19 has extended the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fish farmers to help them to meet their working capital needs.
Source : PIB
START-UP INDIA SCHEME REGARDING ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Why in news?
For employment generation and promotion of entrepreneurship in dairy and small ruminant sector especially in rural areas, the Government is implementing two schemes, namely; Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS), and Entrepreneurship Development and Employment Generation (EDEG) across the country
Highlights:
The government is running various schemes for promoting start-ups in India such as
Rashtriya Gokul Mission,
National Programme for Dairy Development,
Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund,
National Livestock Mission,
Livestock Health and Disease Control
Source : PIB
NATIONAL ANTI-PROFITEERING AUTHORITY
Why in news?
Patanjali Ayurveda has been asked by the National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) to deposit the profiteered amount of ₹75.08 crore in the Consumer Welfare Fund (CWF) as it denied consumers the benefit of a reduction in GST rates.
Highlights:
About NAA :
Composition:
1 Chairman:
Officer of the level of Secretary to the Government of India.
4 Technical Officers:
From the centre of states.
Aim:
The "anti-profiteering" measures enshrined in the GST law provide an institutional mechanism to ensure that the full benefits of input tax credits and reduced GST rates on supply of goods or services flow to the consumers.
Institutional Framework:
NAA,
A Standing Committee,
Screening Committees in every State and the
Directorate General of Safeguards in the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC).
Working:
Affected consumers who feel the benefit of commensurate reduction in prices is not being passed on when they purchase any goods or services may apply for relief to the Screening Committee in the particular State. However, in case the incident of profiteering relates to an item of mass impact with 'All India' ramification, the application may be directly made to the Standing Committee. After forming a prima facie view that there is an element of profiteering, the Standing Committee shall refer the matter for detailed investigation to the Director General of Safeguards, CBEC, which shall report its findings to the NAA.
Powers of NAA:
In the event the NAA confirms there is a necessity to apply anti-profiteering measures, it has the authority to order the supplier / business concerned to reduce its prices or return the undue benefit availed by it along with interest to the recipient of the goods or services. If the undue benefit cannot be passed on to the recipient, it can be ordered to be deposited in the Consumer Welfare Fund. In extreme cases, the NAA can impose a penalty on the defaulting business entity and even order the cancellation of its registration under GST.
SOURCE : BUSINESSLINE