Daily Current Affairs : 26-Nov-2019
Major Topics Covered :
COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PARLIAMENT
SANGAI FESTIVAL 2019 BEGINS IN MANIPUR
MAHARASHTRA BILL ON PROTECTING MEDIAPERSONS
MANIPUR, J&K RECORD MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CASES UNDER UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES (PREVENTION) ACT
CONSTITUTION DAY BEING CELEBRATED TODAY (26TH NOV 2019)
GOVT LAUNCHES CREDIT-LINKED SUBSIDY SERVICES AWAS PORTAL
JOHADS/ KHADIN
BODOLAND
GAMOSA
COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PARLIAMENT
Part of GS- 2 IR
Why in news?
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed youngsters from India and the Commonwealth during the inaugural session of the 10th Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Delhi Assembly.
Highlights:
The Commonwealth Youth Parliament is an annual gathering hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
It brings together young people aged 18–29 from across the Commonwealth of Nations to discuss issues of democracy and governance.
The Commonwealth Youth Parliament rotates annually through the nine regions of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
It is for the first time that an Indian Legislature is hosting the Commonwealth Youth Parliament.
Source: AIR
SANGAI FESTIVAL 2019 BEGINS IN MANIPUR
Part of GS-1 A&C
Why in news?
In Manipur, week-long Manipur Sangai Festival 2019 started from 24th November, 2019. The festival is organized by the State Tourism Department and biggest festival held annually to promote tourism.
Highlights:
Every year the State of Manipur celebrates the “Manipur Sangai Festival” from 21st to 30th November.
The ‘Festival’ is named after the State animal, Sangai, the brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur.
It started in the year 2010.
Every edition of the festival showcases the tourism potential of the state in the field of Arts & Culture, Handloom, Handicrafts, Indigenous Sports, Cuisine and Music of the state etc.
Endangered (EN) — IUCN.
Endemic species found only in Manipur, India.
State animal of Manipur
Habitat:
Floating marshy grasslands, Phumids, of the Keibul Lamjao National Park, located in the southern parts of the Loktak Lake (largest freshwater lake in eastern India)
Phumdi- floating mass of entangled vegetation formed by the accumulation of organic debris and biomass with soil
Conservation
Schedule – I animal in wildlife (Protection) act, 1972
Keibul Lamjao National Park – Manipur
Name- sangai (sa“animal” and ngai “in awaiting”)
By nature, the deer, particularly the males, even when running for its life stops occasionally and looks back as if he is waiting for someone and hence the name
Sangai festival- annual cultural festival organised by Manipur Tourism Department
Source: AIR
MAHARASHTRA BILL ON PROTECTING MEDIAPERSONS
Part of GS-2 Polity and Governance
Why in news?
President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to a legislation passed by the Maharashtra Assembly in 2017 that makes violent attacks on media persons a non-bailable offence.
Highlights:
The Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2017, also has a provision of imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000.
It was passed by the Assembly in 2017, but received the President’s assent in October after the Union Home Ministry scrutinised the legislation and consulted all concerned Ministries.
The MHA had returned the Bill to the Maharashtra government last year to seek clarification.
Additional Information:
Maharashtra is the first State to pass such a legislation.
In 2017, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an advisory to all States to ensure the “safety and security of journalists”.
The advisory was issued days after Bengaluru-based journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead near her home.
Source: The Hindu
MANIPUR, J&K RECORD MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CASES UNDER UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES (PREVENTION) ACT
Part of GS-3 Security and Defence
Why in news?
More than 35% cases registered under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were recorded in Manipur, as per the National Crime Records Data (NCRB) provided by the Home Ministry in the Rajya Sabha last week in November, 2019.
Highlights:
With 156 cases, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) recorded 17% of such cases, followed by Assam (133) which reported 14% of all cases registered under it in 2017 in the entire country. Uttar Pradesh (109 cases) recorded 12% and Bihar (52 cases) accounted for 5% of total cases.
Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can file a chargesheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests and the duration can be extended further after intimating the court. The anti-terror act has death penalty and life imprisonment as maximum punishment.
The NCRB is yet to publish the crime report for 2018.
The data reveals that though U.P. has recorded only 12% cases, it topped the States in the number of arrests made under the Act. Of the 1,554 persons arrested across the country, nearly one-fourth- 382 were made in it alone, followed by Assam-374, Manipur-352, J&K-35 and 57 in Jharkhand.
Under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) (Recommendation and Sanction of Prosecution) Rules 2008, the competent authority in the Home Ministry or the State government has to give sanction to file a charge sheet in seven days after being approached by the investigating agency.
UAPA Bill:
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Amit Shah, on July 8, 2019. The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Act provides special procedures to deal with terrorist activities, among other things.
Who may commit terrorism: Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation if it:
commits or participates in acts of terrorism,
prepares for terrorism,
promotes terrorism, or
is otherwise involved in terrorism.
The Bill additionally empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds.
Approval for seizure of property by NIA: Under the Act, an investigating officer is required to obtain the prior approval of the Director General of Police to seize properties that may be connected with terrorism.
The Bill adds that if the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of such property.
Investigation by NIA: Under the Act, investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above. The Bill additionally empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.
Insertion to schedule of treaties: The Act defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within the scope of any of the treaties listed in a schedule to the Act. The Schedule lists nine treaties, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979). The Bill adds another treaty to the list. This is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).
Source: The Hindu
CONSTITUTION DAY BEING CELEBRATED TODAY (26TH NOV 2019)
Part of GS-2 polity and Constitution
Why in news?
Constitution Day or Samvidhan divas, is being celebrated today across the country to mark the adopting of the Indian Constitution by the Constituent Assembly on this day in 1949.
Highlights:
It came into force on 26th January, 1950, marking the beginning of a new era in the history of Indian Republic.
The government has planned yearlong activities throughout the country to mark 70 years of the adoption of the Constitution.
A joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament will be held to celebrate the Samvidhan Divas.
It is aimed at reiterating and reorienting the citizens towards the values and principles expressed in the Constitution and encouraging all Indians to play their rightful role in strengthening the Indian Democracy.
It also aims to create awareness of Fundamental Duties as enshrined in the Constitution.
Constitution Day was first celebrated in 2015 (125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar), when Narendra Modi Government decided to mark the day as a tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar who played an important role in its framing as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
The constituent assembly took two years, eleven months and seventeen days to accomplish the stupendous task of drafting the historic document.
It had many members who fought for the freedom of the country and came from different regions, religions, communities reflecting the country's diversity.
The Constitution declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens justice, equality and liberty and endeavours to promote fraternity.
The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world. The Indian constitution stood the test of the time as India has been a successful democracy unlike many others who had become independent in the same time.
The Constituent Assembly was established to draft a constitution for India.
In his address on 17th December 1946 in one of the debates, Drafting Committee chairman Dr B R Ambedkar underlined the need to have a common ground in the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Chairman of Union Constitution Committee Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave his famous Tryst with Destiny speech at the august assembly on the eve of India's Independence.
In his address in the assembly on 15th August 1947, Rules of Procedure Committee Chairman, Rajendra Prasad called for a clear vision for the nation.
Source: AIR
GOVT LAUNCHES CREDIT-LINKED SUBSIDY SERVICES AWAS PORTAL
Part of GS-3 Economy
Why in news?
Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri launched Credit-linked Subsidy Services Awas Portal, CLAP, in New Delhi (26th Nov 2019).
Highlights:
The portal provides a transparent and robust real-time web-based monitoring system for credit-linked Subsidy Services, CLSS, beneficiaries.
Using the portal, a beneficiary can track his application status in real-time.
Addressing media persons after the launch, Hardeep Singh Puri expressed confidence that CLAP will be quite instrumental in addressing the grievances of beneficiaries in a much comprehensive and organized manner.
The initiative would also benefit other stakeholders to work in synergy to release subsidy to beneficiaries on time.
Important Points:
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is an initiative that was introduced in 2015 to provide affordable housing to the urban poor population in India by 2022.
This scheme focuses on slum rehabilitation, Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), making housing affordable for all, and offer a subsidy for survey-led independent house construction or renovation.
Among the four focus areas mentioned above, CLSS is the only scheme that will be implemented as a central sector scheme.
Through the CLSS, the Government of India aims at increasing the credit flow in institutions to meet the housing needs of the urban poor population in our country.
Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme will be implemented by two central nodal agencies in India, namely HousingUrban Development Corp and National Housing Bank.
Source: AIR
JOHADS/ KHADIN
Part of GS- Water
Why in news?
Haryana’s Johads (community-owned rainwater storage wetland mainly used for harnessing water resources) are all set for a revamp.
Highlights:
Features: It collects and stores water throughout the year, to be used for the purpose of recharging the groundwater in the nearby water wells, washing, bathing and drinking by humans and cattle.Some johads also have bricked or stones masonry and cemented ghat.
Names: Johad in Haryanvi language and Rajasthani language are also called sarovar, taal and talab in Hindi language, and water pond or lake in English. Johads are called as khadin in Jaisalmer district.
Clarification: Smaller cemented water tanks called tanki or tanka in parts of Rajasthan are also sometimes mistakenly referred to as johad. Concretised rain-fed tanka and canal-fed diggi are different from the johads.
The state government has come out with a plan of rehabilitating over 16,400 ponds in rural areas across the state in order to analyze pond water to ascertain its suitability for irrigation and other uses.
To analyse water resources, other than canal water, for irrigation purposes, Haryana’s Pond and Waste Management Authority in coordination with various departments of the state government has started surveying these ponds.
How did the pond rehabilitation begin in Haryana?
In April this year, Haryana’s Pond and Waste Management Authority on the National Green Tribunal’s orders asked urban local bodies to identify water bodies under their jurisdiction and assign them a unique identification number so that data can be collected for the preservation of such water bodies.
Currently, three departments- animal husbandry and dairying, irrigation and urban local bodies- are coordinating with the Pond and Waste Management Authority- governed by Haryana’s Pond and Waste Management Authority Act- to rehabilitate ponds across Haryana.
What is Haryana’s Pond and Waste Management Authority Act?
An Act to establish an authority in the State for development, protection, rejuvenation, conservation, construction and management of pond, utilisation of pond water and treatment thereof, to manage and utilise treated effluent of sewage effluent treatment plants for irrigation, thereby reducing over-exploitation of ground water.
The Authority’s primary functions are to conduct survey and study the ponds, their boundaries and protected areas, to analyze pond water for ascertaining its suitability for irrigation and other uses, to take steps for regulation, control, protection, cleaning, beautification, conservation, reclamation, regeneration, restoration and construction of ponds, to make environmental impact assessment of the ponds, to develop infrastructure including pumping machinery, channels and pipe systems for utilization of pond water and effluent of sewage effluent treatment plants for irrigation.
Source: Indian Express
BODOLAND
Part of GS-2 IR, North-East
Why in news?
The central government extended the ban on the Assam-based insurgent group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) by five more years for its involvement in a series of violent activities including killings and extortion, and for joining hands with anti-India forces.
Highlights:
The Home Ministry has declared the NDFB along with all its groups, factions, and front organisations as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The Bodos have had a long history of separatist demands, marked by armed struggle. In December 2014, separatists killed more than 30 people in Kokrajhar and Sonitpur.
In the 2012 Bodo-Muslim riots, hundreds were killed and almost 5 lakh were displaced.
The Bodoland disputes
Bodos are the single largest tribal community in Assam, making up over 5-6 per cent of the state’s population.
They have controlled large parts of Assam in the past.
The four districts in Assam- Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang- that constitute the Bodo Territorial Area District (BTAD), are home to several ethnic groups.
In 1966-67, the demand for a separate state called Bodoland was raised under the banner of the Plains Tribals Council of Assam (PTCA), a political outfit.
In 1987, the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) renewed the demand. “Divide Assam fifty-fifty”, was a call given by the ABSU’s then leader, Upendra Nath Brahma.
The unrest was a fallout of the Assam Movement (1979-85), whose culmination- the Assam Accord- addressed the demands of protection and safeguards for the “Assamese people”, leading the Bodos to launch a movement to protect their own identity.
Who are the NDFB?
Alongside political movements, armed groups have also sought to create a separate Bodo state.
In October 1986, the prominent group Bodo Security Force (BdSF) was formed by Ranjan Daimary. The BdSF subsequently renamed itself as the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), an organisation that is known to be involved in attacks, killings, and extortions.
Source: Indian Express
GAMOSA
Part of GS-1 A&C
Why in news?
Kaso Sakhi (Friend of Turtles), a self-help group from Biswanath Ghat, Assam has woven 36 ‘gamosa’ (white rectangular piece of cloth with red border)with images of endangered turtles to spread the message of conservation of rare freshwater turtles.
Highlights:
This has been done under a project initiated by the Wildlife Conservation Society/Turtle Survival Alliance and funded by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.
A part of the money from this gamosa would go to conservation of rare turtles such as the Assam Roofed Turtle (Panghshura sylhetensis).
Biswanath Ghat is located on the northern banks of the Brahmaputra, which flows through the Kaziranga National Park (KNP).
Its high biodiversity led to the 401.5 sq km Biswanath Wildlife Division becoming a part of KNP.
Gamosa:
The Gamosa/Gamusa is an article of great significance for the people of Assam.
It is generally a white rectangular piece of cloth with primarily a red border on three sides and red woven motifs on the fourth (in addition to red, other colors are also used).
Although cotton yarn is the most common material for making/weaving gamosas, there are special occasion ones made from Pat silk.
The multipurpose Assamese gamosa is valued as a gift for visitors, used as a scarf, anti-dust mask, wrapped around the head as a turban.
Source: The Hindu
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