Daily Curret Affairs : 28-Nov-2019
Updated: Feb 12, 2020
Major Topics Covered :
RBI REVISES FRAMEWORK ON CURRENCY SWAP ARRANGEMENT FOR SAARC NATIONS
NAMED DRIVER POLICY; TELEMATICS
EMISSIONS GAP REPORT 2019
LOKPAL LOGO, MOTTO RELEASED- ‘MA GRIDHAH KASYASVIDHANAM’
WAR CASUALTIES’ HOUSING LIMIT EX-TENDED
LOK SABHA PASSES SPECIAL PROTECTION GROUP (AMENDMENT) BILL
PSLV-C47 SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES CARTOSAT-3 AND 13 COMMERCIAL NANOSATELLITES INTO SUN SYNCHRONOUS POLAR ORBIT
THE DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU (MERGER OF UNION TERRITORIES) BILL, 2019
INDO-SRI LANKA JOINT EXERCISE FROM DEC 1- EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI-VII: 2019
RBI REVISES FRAMEWORK ON CURRENCY SWAP ARRANGEMENT FOR SAARC NATIONS
Part of GS- 2 IR
Why in news:
With an objective to strengthen financial stability and economic cooperation, the Reserve Bank of India revised the framework on currency swap arrangement for SAARC countries till 2022.
Highlights:
A currency swap between countries is an agreement to exchange currencies with predetermined terms and conditions.
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Under the framework for 2019-22, the central bank will continue to offer swap arrangement within the overall corpus of $2 billion.
The framework is valid from November 14, 2019 to November 13, 2022.
Based on the terms and conditions of the framework, the RBI would enter into bilateral swap agreements with SAARC central banks, who want to avail swap facility.
Earlier, the SAARC currency swap facility came into operation on November 15, 2012 with an intention to provide a backstop line of funding for short term foreign exchange liquidity requirements or balance of payment crises till longer term arrangements are made.
Source: Economic Times
NAMED DRIVER POLICY; TELEMATICS
Part of GS-3 Economy
Why in news:
The working group set up by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has proposed the implementation of telematics insurance - the system of ‘pay as you drive’ and ‘pay how you drive’ covers based on data gathered from the insured vehicle and its driver - for motor vehicles.
Highlights:
The panel has recommended ‘Named Driver Policy’ as an option for private car and two wheeler policies.
A ‘named driver policy’ as an automobile insurance policy provides coverage only for drivers specifically named on the policy and not for other individuals driving the vehicle.
Telematics, or black box insurance, is a car insurance where a small box is fitted to the car.
The black box measures various aspects of how, when and where the car is driven.
This data can be used to calculate a personalised renewal quote or premium, or in services like the accident alert and theft recovery.
The device will have four components - a GPS system, a motion sensor (or accelerometer), a SIM card, and a computer software.
“IIBI (Insurance Information Bureau of India), which acts as data repository for insurance companies, can manage the data and its protection,” the IRDAI panel said.
Source: Indian Express
EMISSIONS GAP REPORT 2019
Part of GS-3 Environment and Ecology
Why in news:
World action to combat global warming inadequate, says UNEP. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released its annual Emissions Gap Report for the year 2019.
Highlights:
The Greenhouse gas emissions have risen 1.5 per cent per year over the last decade. Emissions in 2018, including from land-use changes such as deforestation, hit a new high of 55.3 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent.
Even if all current unconditional commitments under the Paris Agreement are implemented, temperatures are expected to rise by 3.2°C over pre-industrial levels.
The United States is the highest producer of greenhouse gases when measured on a per capita basis. Overall, China is the world’s largest producer.
India is the third-largest emitter behind the United States and China respectively.
India’s per capita emissions, however, are significantly below the United States, China and many others.
G20 nations collectively account for 78 per cent of all emissions, but only five G20 members have committed to a long-term zero emissions target.
Initiatives for reducing CO2- To meet the 1.5°C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement, global greenhouse gas emissions must fall by 7.6 per cent each year between 2020 and 2030.
To deliver on these cuts, the levels of ambition in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) must increase at least fivefold for the 1.5°C goal and threefold for the 2°C.
Each year, the Emissions Gap Report assesses the gap between anticipated emissions in 2030 and levels consistent with the 1.5°C and 2°C targets of the Paris Agreement.
For the first time, it looks at how large annual cuts would need to be from 2020 to 2030 to stay on track to meeting the Paris goals.
Source : The Hindu
LOKPAL LOGO, MOTTO RELEASED- ‘MA GRIDHAH KASYASVIDHANAM’
Part of GS-2 Policy and Governance
Why in news:
Anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal released its logo and motto . Lokpal Chairman Justice (retired) Pinaki Chandra Ghose launched the new logo for the apex anti-corruption ombudsman. A new motto was also adopted.
Highlights:
The new motto of Lokpal is ‘Ma Gridhah Kasyasvidhanam’ which in English means “Do not be greedy for anyone’s wealth.”
It has been taken from a sloka of ‘Ishabasoupanishad’.
The logo symbolises how Lokpal protects and cares for the people of India by establishing justice as per law.
The logo symbolizes various essence of LOKPAL figuratively in shapes such as- ombudsman (judges bench), people (three human figures), vigilance (Ashok chakra forming eye–pupil), law (shape of book in orange) and judicial (the tricolor two hands are placed below forming a unique balance).
The logo is in tricolor representing the national essence of LOKPAL.
The Lokpal became functional after the appointment of its Chairman and members in March 2019.
Source : Times of India
WAR CASUALTIES’ HOUSING LIMIT EX-TENDED
Part of GS- 3 International Security
Why in news:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the proposal to extend the period of retention of government accommodation by Battle Casualties from all the three Services.
Highlights:
Families of Armed Forces personnel killed in action against enemy forces will now be able to retain government accommodation for one year.
Earlier, this period was three months.
The provision will also be available for those martyred in enemy air attacks.
The government’s decision will not just boost the morale of the troops and their families but also came as a relief as shifting homes after losing a breadwinner can be extremely difficult.
Source : The Hindu
LOK SABHA PASSES SPECIAL PROTECTION GROUP (AMENDMENT) BILL
Part of GS-3 International Security
Why in news:
Lok Sabha passed the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019. According to the proposed amendment, the SPG will provide security to Prime Minister, and members of his immediate family residing with him at his official residence allotted to him for a period of five years.
Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019:
Highlights:
The Bill says that when the proximate security is withdrawn from a former Prime Minister, such proximate security shall also stand withdrawn from members of his or her immediate family.
It says it is considered essential to amend the act to focus on the core mandate, as the security of the prime minister, as head of the government, is of paramount importance for the government, governance and national security.
Replying to the debate on the bill, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the bill should not be seen as a political vendetta as the vindictive approach is not the ethos of BJP.
It clarified that the security cover has not been removed from the Gandhi Family but it has been changed to Z Plus security with CRPF and Ambulance.
He said, as per original Act, SPG cover solely meant for the security of the Prime Minister. The main aim of bringing the amendment is to make SPG more efficient in securing Prime Minister.
Special Protections Group Act, 1988:
Highlights:
Based on the recommendations of the Birbal Nath committee report, SPG came into existence in 1985.
From 1985 to 1988, SPG was governed by an Executive Order and only in 1988 the SPG Act came into existence.
Under the Act, the Special Protection Group (SPG) provides security to the Prime Minister and his immediate family members.
It also provides security to former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members for a period of one year from the date on which they cease to hold the office.
Beyond this period, the SPG security is provided based on the level of threat as decided by the central government.
The threat must: (i) emanate from a military or terrorist organisation, and (ii) be of a grave and continuing nature.
If the SPG security is withdrawn from a former Prime Minister, it will also be withdrawn from his immediate family members, unless the level of threat faced by the immediate family member warrants such security.
Source: AIR
PSLV-C47 SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES CARTOSAT-3 AND 13 COMMERCIAL NANOSATELLITES INTO SUN SYNCHRONOUS POLAR ORBIT
Part of GS-3 S&T
Why in news:
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its forty ninth flight (PSLV-C47), successfully launched Cartosat-3 along with 13 Nanosatellites of USA from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
Highlights:
PSLV-C47 lifted-off at 0928 Hrs (IST) from the Second Launch Pad. After 17 minutes and 38 seconds, Cartosat-3 was successfully injected into a sun synchronous orbit of 509 km.
Subsequently, the 13 nanosatellites were injected into their intended orbits. After separation, solar arrays of Cartosat-3 were deployed automatically and the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network at Bengaluru assumed control of the satellite.
“Cartosat-3 is the most complex and advanced earth observation satellite built by ISRO.” Dr Sivan said.
He further added that it was a third generation agile advanced satellite having high resolution imaging capability.
The mission life of the Cartosat-3 is 5 years.
Cartosat-3 will address the increased user’s demands for large scale urban planning, rural resource and infrastructure development, coastal land use and land cover, etc.
ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan congratulated and complimented the launch vehicle and satellite teams involved in the mission. He also acknowledged the support from Indian Industry.
These satellites were launched under commercial arrangement with New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
PSLV-C47 was the 21st flight of PSLV in 'XL' configuration (with 6 solid strap-on motors). This was the 74th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 9th satellite of Cartosat series.
About 5000 visitors witnessed the launch live from the Viewer’s Gallery in Sriharikota.
Source: PIB
THE DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU (MERGER OF UNION TERRITORIES) BILL, 2019
Part of GS-2 Polity and Governance
Why in news:
Lok Sabha passed the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019.
Highlights :
The First Schedule to the Constitution specifies the territories that come under various states and UTs.
The Bill amends the First Schedule to merge the territories of the two UTs (a) Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and (b) Daman and Diu.
The merged territory will form the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Both the UTs are located in the western region of the country. Dadra and Nagar Haveli has just one district while Daman and Diu has two. The combined population of the two UTs is 5 lakh 80 thousand.
Currently, administrators shuttle between the two UTs on specific days which creates problems for administrative functioning.
The merger was decided to improve delivery services to the people.
The country currently has nine UTs after the creation of the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
However, with the merger of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the number of UTs will come down to eight.
Article 240(1) of the Constitution allows the President to make regulations for certain UTs, including the UTs of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
The Bill amends the Article to replace these two UTs with the merged UT.
Suggestion of Lok Sabha: The First Schedule to the Representation of the People Act, 1950 provides one seat in Lok Sabha to each of the two UTs. The Bill seeks to amend the Schedule to allocate two Lok Sabha seats to the merged UT.
The Bill provides that the jurisdiction of the High Court of Bombay will continue to extend to the merged UT.
Related to employment: There will be no change in the status of Group III and IV employees.
Source : The Hindu
INDO-SRI LANKA JOINT EXERCISE FROM DEC 1- EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI-VII: 2019
Part of GS- 3 Defence and Security
Why in news:
The seventh edition of India-Sri Lanka joint training exercise, Exercise MITRA SHAKTI– 2019 is scheduled to be conducted at Foreign Training Node (FTN), Pune from 01 - 14 December 2019.
Highlights:
Exercise MITRA SHAKTI is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy and interaction between armies of India & Sri Lanka.
The Ministry of Defence said the aim of this joint training exercise is to build and promote positive relations between the armies of India and Sri Lanka with focus on sub unit level training for counter-insurgency & counter-terrorism operations in urban and rural environments under a United Nations mandate.
Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik revealed today that 72 joint exercises have been conducted by the Army, 39 by the Navy, and 21 by the Air Force in the last 3 years.
Earlier this week that Naval Exercise ‘Milan 2020’ is scheduled to be held at Vishakhapatnam in March 2020, for which 41 countries have been invited.
The Indian Navy Guided Missile Stealth Frigate INS Trikand and Patrol Aircraft P8-I recently participated in the inaugural edition of the bilateral maritime exercise, ‘Roar of the Sea‘, between the Indian Navy and Qatari Emiri Naval Forces in Doha.
The maiden India-US joint tri-services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise ‘Tiger Triumph’ concluded last week. India recently completed a joint military training Exercise Shakti-2019 with the French Army in Rajasthan, which included newly inducted HAL Rudra helicopters, the weaponised version of the Advanced Light Helicopter ‘Dhruv’ manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
The Indian Armed Forces were also in Uzbekistan for the first Indo-Uzbekistan joint military exercise Dustlik-2019, where training was focused on counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in the urban scenario as well as sharing of expertise on skills at arms.
Source : Times of India
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