UPSC Daily Current Affairs : 19-June-2020

Topic Covered :

US SUPREME COURT BLOCKS ORDER TO END DACA, MANY INDIANS AMONG BENEFICIARIES

Why in news?

The US Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a Trump administration order rescinding a popular Obama-era protection from deportation for hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants, including many from India, who had been brought to this country as children.

Highlights:

Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the 5-4 majority opinion, called the decision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has overarching jurisdiction on immigration issues, to rescind the 2012 order as “arbitrary and capricious”.
The order does not prevent future attempts though.
The US citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has said there are an estimated 699,350 DACA recipients, also called Dreamers, protected by DACA.
The United States has told India at least 2,550 of them are from India.

What is DACA :

DACA is a federal government program created in 2012 under Barack Obama. It allowed people brought to the US unlawfully as children the temporary right legally to live, study and work in America, instead of living in the legal shadows, fearing deportation.
Those applying were vetted, and then action to deport them would be deferred for two years, with a chance to renew on a rolling basis. They would become eligible for basics like a driving license, college enrolment or a work permit. The program is not designed as a path to permanent residency or citizenship.
Those protected under Daca are known as “Dreamers”

PM LAUNCHES AUCTION PROCESS OF COAL BLOCKS FOR COMMERCIAL MINING

Why in news?

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the auction process of 41 coal blocks for commercial.

Highlights:

It was part of the series of announcements made by the Government of India, under the AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
The Coal Ministry in association with FICCI launched the process for auction of these coal mines.
A two stage electronic auction process is being adopted for allocation of the coal mines.
Now the market has been opened for coal, so, any sector can buy coal as per their requirements.
Reforms will not only benefit the coal sector but other sectors such as Steel, Aluminium, Fertilizers and Cement as well. It will also help in increasing the power generation.

Source : PIB ( https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1632370 )

GARIB KALYAN ROJGAR ABHIYAAN

Why in news?

PM Modi to launch Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan on 20th June to boost livelihood opportunities in Rural India.

Highlights:

Focused campaign of 125 days across 116 districts in 6 states to work in mission mode to help migrant workers.
Campaign will create durable infrastructure along with boosting employment opportunities
Public works worth Rs 50,000 crore to be carried out under Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan
A total of 116 Districts with more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers across six States, namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha have been chosen for the campaign which includes 27 Aspirational Districts.
These districts are estimated to cover about 2/3 of such migrant workers.
The Abhiyaan will be a coordinated effort between 12 different Ministries/Departments, namely, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Road Transport & Highways, Mines, Drinking Water & Sanitation, Environment, Railways, Petroleum & Natural Gas, New & Renewable Energy, Border Roads, Telecom and Agriculture.

Source : PIB ( https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1632370 )

TRUMP SIGNS BILL PRESSURING CHINA OVER UIGHUR MUSLIM CRACKDOWN

Why in news?

U.S. President Donald Trump signed legislation on Wednesday calling for sanctions over the repression of China's Uighur Muslims, as excerpts from a book by his former national security adviser alleged he had approved of their mass detention.

Highlights:

The bill, which Congress passed with only one “no” vote, was intended to send China a strong message on human rights by mandating sanctions against those responsible for oppression of members of China's Muslim minority.
The United Nations estimates that more than a million Muslims have been detained in camps in the Xinjiang region.
The U.S. State Department has accused Chinese officials of subjecting Muslims to torture, abuse “and trying to basically erase their culture and their religion.”
China denies mistreatment and says the camps provide vocational training.

KODUMANAL DIG THROWS LIGHT ON MEGALITHIC BURIAL RITUALS

Why in news?

The Kodumanal excavation of 10 pots and bowls, instead of the usual three or four pots, placed outside three-chambered burial cists and inside the cairn-circle, has thrown light on burial rituals and the concept of afterlife in megalithic culture.

Highlights:

Earlier excavations revealed that the site served as a trade-cum-industrial centre from 5th century BCE to 1st century BCE.
The rectangular chambered cists, each two metres long and six metres wide, are made of stone slabs, and the entire grave is surrounded by boulders that form the circle.
“The grave could be of a village head or the head of the community as the size of two boulders, each facing east and west, are bigger than other boulders,” said an expert coordinating the excavation.
Believing that the deceased person will get a new life after death, pots and bowls filled with grains were placed outside the chambers.
This is probably the first time that 10 pots have been found near the cists during excavations in the State
Further digging in the burial chambers and the opening of the pots are expected to reveal more details.
Previous excavations have revealed that multi-ethnic groups lived in the village, located about 500 metres away from the Noyyal river.
Mr. Ranjith told that the findings unearthed so far include an animal skull, possibly of a wolf or a dog; precious stones like beryl, carnelian, quartz, jasper, beads, gold pieces and needles; copper smelting units; the mud walls of a workshop; potteries; and Tamil Brahmi script.

Source : Hindu ( https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/excavation-at-kodumanal-reveals-megalithic-belief-in-afterlife/article31862510.ece )

De Facto IAS