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CURRENT AFFAIRS

(1st – 15th June 2018)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Science & Technology 04

AGNI-5 successfully test fired 04

ISRO offers lithium battery technology 05

Security 06

SURYA KIRAN – XIII 06

Geo-Intelligence Asia-2018 06

U.S. wants India out of S-400 deal 07

International Relations 08

International conference on the TRIPS-CBD linkage 08

Modi, Mahathir dialogue 09

Shangri-La dialogue 09

India not ready to sign Hague treaty 10

India and Paris Act, 1971 11

Polity & Governance 12

Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 12

Centre not to file counter affidavit on Article 35A 13

Dam Safety Bill, 2018 14

Regulating Medical Education 15

Centre notifies Cauvery Authority 16

Economy 17

New Benami Transactions Informants Reward Scheme, 2018 17

Mutual Fund Exit Load, Credit Card dues now taxable under GST 18

Bill averting Ponzi Schemes 18

India leading country in coconut production and productivity 19

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Social Policies, Initiatives & Reports 20

SEVABHOJYOJANA 20

National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 20

KrishiKalyanAbhiyan 20

India’s rank marginally improves in peace index 22

NITI Aayog to launch composite Water Management Index 23

Environment & Ecology 23

Life in plastic on Waste Management Framework 23

Draft Pesticide Management Bill 24

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Science & Technology: AGNI-5 SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED

Long-range ballistic missile Agni-5 was successfully test-fired off the Odisha coast, proving its

reliability. This is the sixth successful test of the missile and the second in its pre-induction

configuration.

About Agni-5:

Agni-5 can carry nuclear warheads weighing 1.5 tonnes to a distance of over 5,000 km and is the

longest missile in India’s arsenal capable of reaching most parts of China. With a smaller payload the

range can go up much higher.

The missile features many new indigenously developed technologies, including the very high

accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate

Micro Navigation System (MINS) which improves the accuracy of the missile.

About Agni series:

The Agni missile is a family of surface-to-surface medium to intercontinental range ballistic

missiles developed by India. Various versions of Agni missile are mentioned below:

NAME TYPE RANGE

Agni-I MRBM 700-800 KM (operational)

Agni-II MRBM 2,000-3,000 KM (operational)

Agni-III IRBM 3,000-4,000 KM (operational)

Agni-IV IRBM 3,500-5000 KM (about to be operational)

Agni-V CBM 5,000-6,000 KM (under testing)

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ISRO OFFERS LITHIUM BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

The drive for indigenously made lithium ion batteries on a large scale has got a push with the

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) offering its production technology to Indian industry.

An REQ (request for quotation) issued invites multiple qualified companies or start-ups to use its

power storage technology to produce a range of Li ion cells for many purposes, mainly EVs or

electric vehicles.

One time fee for transfer:

ISRO’s rocket sciences node VikramSarabai Space Centre will transfer its in-house technology

non-exclusively to each qualified production agency for a one-time fee of Rs. 1 crore. The Li ion cell

production initiative is part of the government’s plan to achieve 100% EVs in the country by 2030.

Li ion battery is much in demand for use in handy consumer electronics goods too.

What is the present status?

Currently the batteries are imported mostly from China, South Korea and Taiwan. To drive Indian EV

dream of the coming decades, national think tank NITI Aayog has also earlier called for setting up

local production.

What is the objective?

VSSC is now offering to transfer this technology to competent Indian industries/start-ups on non-

exclusive basis to establish Li ion cell production facilities in the country that can produce cells of

varying size, capacity, energy density and power density catering to the entire spectrum of power

storage requirements.

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Security: SURYA KIRAN – XIII

The 13th edition of bilateral annual military Exercise Surya Kiran, between India and Nepal Army

commenced at pithoragrah. The aim of exercise is joint training of troops in counter

insurgency/counter terrorism operations in both jungle & mountainous terrain and disaster

management. Exercise SURYA KIRAN can be termed as the facade of long standing strategic ties

between India and Nepal.

As part of the exercise important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter insurgency,

counter terrorism operations and disaster management will be conducted. Both the Armies will also

share their valuable experiences in countering such situations as also refined drills and procedures

for joint operation wherever the need as arises.

The culmination of exercise will be done with a 72 hours joint exercise which will show the joint skills

of soldiers while conducting any counter terrorist operation.

GEO-INTELLIGENCE ASIA - 2018

The eleventh edition of GeoIntelligence Asia 2018 organised by GeoSpatial Media and

Communication with Directorate General of Information System as Knowledge Partners and Military

Survey as Co-organisers, took place at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

About the meet:

The theme of seminar was ‘GeoSpatial: A Force Multiplier for Defence and Industrial Security’.

The seminar brought together the military, security officials including BSF and police forces,

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Government and industry together to examine the latest technology solutions and on the critical

role of geospatial technology in military and security applications.

U.S. WANTS INDIA OUT OF S-400 DEAL

The United States is trying to discourage India from buying large defence systems from Russia,

an action that may attract sanctions.

What is the U.S. law?

Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), a 2017 law, requires that

countries that have significant defence cooperation with Russia be sanctioned by America.

View of US administration:

The Donald Trump administration has publicly expressed its desire to protect India from

CAATSA, considering the U.S.-India strategic ties. Defence Secretary and Secretary of State have

urged lawmakers to make changes in the law so that partners like India are not punished. But

effortsin this direction are being strongly resisted by Democratic lawmakers who want to put the

administration on the mat on Russia relations.

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International Relations: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE TRIPS CBD LINKAGE

India has taken the lead in seeking to revive WTO discussions on issues related to preventing

theft of traditional knowledge. Government of India, along with the centre for WTO studies, Indian

Institute of Foreign Trade and the South Centre (an inter-governmental organisation based in

Geneva), are organising an International Conference on TRIPS-CBD (Conference on Biodiversity)

Linkage in Geneva on 7-8 June 2018.

What will happen at the conference?

Brazil and South Africa are some of the other countries that have joined hands with India on this

crucial initiative. The international conference will bring together indigenous people/local

communities in developing and developed countries, internationally acclaimed academicians

working on the subject, Geneva based negotiators and capital based experts. They will brainstorm

on the options for energising negotiations on this subject in the WTO.

What is CBD?

The Convention on Biological Diversity is a multilateral agreement on sustainable development and

fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resource. It has

membership of 196 countries.

History of examining relationship between TRIPS and CBD:

The Doha Ministerial Declaration in 2001 had asked the TRIPS Council of the WTO to examine

the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the

protection of traditional knowledge and folklore. It also mandated that while doing so, the Council

should be guided by the objectives and principles set out in the TRIPS Agreement and should fully

take into account the development dimension. While there has been considerable debate and

deliberations on the subject no common understanding has yet been reached at the WTO.

Importance of TRIPS-CBD linkage for India:

TRIPS-CBD Linkage is important for India and other developing countries because it seeks to

address bio-piracy. It has been a long-standing demand that patents should not be granted for

existing traditional knowledge and associated genetic resources. Further, it has also been argued

that where traditional knowledge forms a basis for further scientific developments that are sought

to be patented, there should be a mechanism to ensure disclosure of information in this regard.

This is considered essential not only from the point of view of addressing information asymmetry at

the patent office but it also enabling better assessment of the inventive step involved. The

developing countries seek an amendment in the TRIPS Agreement to make disclosure of source or

origin of genetic resource by patent applicants, submission of evidence of prior informed consent of

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local communities and evidence of fair and equitable sharing of benefits under the relevant national

regimes mandatory.

MODI, MAHATHIR DIALOGUE

Prime Minister NarendraModi met his newly elected Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohammad

and the two leaders had a productive exchange of views on strengthening the strategic partnership.

Mr. Modi, who arrived on the second leg of his three-nation tour, met 92 year old Mahathir in his

office at Peranda Putra complex, Putrajaya.

About Mr.Mahathir coming to power:

Mr. Modi is among the first world leaders to meet Mr.Mahathir after he became the world’s

oldest elected leader when his opposition alliance registered a stunning victory over the

BarisanNasional (BN) coalition, which had ruled Malaysia since 1957.

SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE

The IISS Asia Security Summit was launched in 2002 by British think tank the International

Institute for strategic studies and the Singaporean government. This annual dialogue brings together

defence ministers and military chiefs from 28 Asia-Pacific countries to talk about security in the

region.

It gets its name from the location of the meeting, the Shangri-La hotel in Singapore.

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Why is the Shangri-La dialogue important?

The dialogue gathers military representatives from some of the world’s most powerful countries

to discuss pressing and significant defence and security issues.

The meeting is a chance for defence ministers, military chiefs and high ranking defence officials to

hold bilateral meetings on its sidelines.

It is also attended by legislators, academic experts, journalists and business delegates from around

the world, making it a vehicle for public policy development and discussions on defence and security

in the Asia-Pacific.

What was on the agenda?

Major topics include the North Korea nuclear crisis, disputes in the south China Sea, migration,

cybersecurity, counterterrorism and military competition.

INDIA NOT READY TO SIGN HAGUE TREATY

The government is not yet ready to sign the Hague treaty on inter-country abduction of

children by parents fleeing a bad marriage.

There has been immense pressure from the U.S. on the government to sign the treaty though the

government has long held the view that the decision could lead to harassment of women escaping

marital discord or domestic violence.

Report of central committee:

A committee constituted by the centre to examine legal issues involved in international

parental abduction submitted its report in April, opposing a central provision of the Hague

Convention. It said that the criterion of habitual residence of the child, which is used to determine

whether the child was wrongfully removed by a parent as well as to seek the return of the child to

the country of habitual residence, was not in the best interest of the child.

What is Hague convention?

The Hague Convention is a multi-national treaty that seeks to protect children wrongfully

removed by one of the parents from the custody of the other parent.

Nodal body:

It also recommended setting up of a Child Removal Disputes Resolution Authority to act as a

nodal body to decide on the custody of the child as well as model law to deal with such disputes.

However, the government is contemplating assigning the National Commission for Protection of

Children the responsibility to adjudicate on such cases along with a judicial expert.

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While the government had decided in late 2016 that it will not sign the Hague treaty, later it

appointed a panel to prepare a report indicating that there was some rethinking within the

government on the matter.

INDIA AND PARIS ACT, 1971

On March 28, 2018, the World Intellectual Property Organization has notified a declaration

referring to the deposit by India, on October 7, 1974, of its instrument of ratification on the Berne

Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works of September 9, 1886, as revised at Paris

on July 24, 1971.

India has availed itself of the facilities provided for the Article II and Article III of the Appendix to the

Berne Convention during the 10 years period that will expire, on October 10, 2024. The said

declaration shall enter into force, with respect to the territory of the Republic of India, on March 28,

2018.

Provisions of Article II:

The Article II of the Appendix would enable India to substitute for the exclusive right of

translation of a work, which has been published in printed or analogous forms of reproduction,

granted by the competent authority, only for the purpose of teaching, scholarship or research.

Provisions of Article III:

The Article III of the Appendix would enable India to Substitute for the exclusive right of

reproduction of a work, which has been published either in printed or analogous forms of

reproduction, or in audio-visual form of lawfully made audio-visual fixations, to publish an edition

which has not been distributed/ on sale for a period of six months, except when either the

translations is not published by the owner of the right to translation or with his authorization, or

when the translation is not in a language general in use in India.

Continuation of existing position:

India has been the member of Berne Convention since 20th April, 1928 and has been submitting

the declaration as per Article II & III of the Appendix from time to time. The present notification is in

continuation of India’s earlier position.

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Polity & Governance: INDECENT REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN (PROHIBITION) ACT, 1986

Based on the observations made by Parliamentary Standing Committee and recommendation

made by the National Commission for Women on the basis of consultation with civil society groups

and like minded individuals, WCD has proposed amendments in IRWA keeping in mind the recent

technological advancement in the field of communications such as social media platforms, over the

top services etc.

Proposed amendments in the parent Act:

• Amendment in definition of term advertisement to include digital form or electronic form or

hoardings or through SMS, MMS etc.

• Amendment in definition of distribution to include publication, license or uploading using

computer resource, or communication device

• Insertion of a new definition to define the term publish

• Amendment in section 4 to include that no person shall publish or distribute or cause to be

published or cause to be distributed by any means any material which contains indecent

representation of women in any form.

• Penalty similar to that provided under the Information Technology Act,2000

• Creation of a Centralized Authority under the aegis of National Commission of Women

(NCW). This Authority will be headed by Member Secretary, NCW having representatives

from Advertising Standards Council of India, Press Council of India, Ministry of Information

and Broadcasting and one member having experience of working on women issues.

• This centralized Authority will be authorized to receive complaints or grievances regarding

any programme or advertisement broadcasted or publication and investigate/examine all

matters relating to the indecent representation of women.

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CENTRE NOT TO FILE COUNTER AFFIDAVIT ON ARTICLE 35A

The centre has decided not to file any “counter-affidavit” on Article 35A, which has been

challenged in the Supreme Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition.

View of state political parties:

The State government has filed an affidavit opposing any such move. Chief minister Mehbooba

Mufti and the former Chief minister, Omar Abdullah, had objected to any tinkering with the

provision.

Provision of Article 35:

Article 35A allows the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to decide the ‘Permanent Residents’ of the

state, prohibits a non-State resident from buying property in the State and ensures reservation in

employment for residents.

Background of Article 35:

Article 35A was incorporated into the constitution by an order of the then President Rajendra

Prasad on the advice of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet in 1954.

It grants a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order followed the 1952 Delhi Greement

between Nehru and the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Abdullah, which

extended Indian citizenship to the ‘state subjects’ of Jammu and Kashmir.

Arguments in petition:

The petition filed by “We The Citizens, said Article 35A is against the very spirit of oneness of

India, as it creates a class within a class of Indian Citizens.”

A second petition, filed by Jammu and Kashmir resident CharuWaliKhanna, has challenged Article

35A for protecting certain provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, which restrict the

basic right to property if a native woman marries a man not holding a permanent resident

certificate.

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DAM SAFETY BILL, 2018

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has approved the proposal

for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2018 in the parliament.

Benefits:

It will help all the states and Union Territories of India to adopt uniform dam safety procedures

which shall ensure safety of dams and safeguard benefits from such dams. This shall also help in

safeguarding human life, livestock and property.

The draft Bill has been finalised after wide consultation with leading Indian experts and international

experts.

Details:

• The Bill provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all

specific dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning.

• The Bill provides for constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety which shall evolve

dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations as may be required for the

purpose.

• The Bill provides for establishment of National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body

which shall discharge functions to implement the policy, guidelines and standards for dam

safety in the country.

• The Bill provides for constitution of a State Committee on Dam Safety by State Government.

National Dam Safety Authority:

• It shall maintain liaison with the State Dam Safety Organisation and the owners of dams for

standardisation of dam safety related data and practices.

• It shall provide the technical and managerial assistance to the States and State Dam Safety

Organisations.

• It shall maintain a national level data base of all dams in the country and the records of

major dam failures.

• It shall examine the cause of any major dam failure

• It shall publish and update the standard guidelines and check-lists for the routine inspection

and detailed investigations of dams and appurtenances.

• It shall accord recognition or accreditations to the organisations that can be entrusted with

the works of investigation, design or construction of new dams.

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REGULATING MEDICAL EDUCATION

The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2017, which seeks to regulate medical education

and practice, and replace the Medical Council of India, ran into rough weather in January when the

medical fraternity protested against it, terming the Bill as “anti-poor”.

They also protested against the proposed “bridge course” in the Bill, which allows AYUSH

practitioners to prescribe modern medicine, arguing that this provides opportunities for quacks.

Response of government:

Faced with these protests, the LokSabha referred the Bill to a Parliamentary Standing Committee

in January.

The government considered the recommendations made by the Standing Committee, as well as the

general feedback, and tabled its report in the House on March 20. On March 28, the Union Cabinet

approved the amendments to the NMC Bill, which seeks to replace the Indian Medical Council Act of

1956.

What are the amendments?

• The approved amendments include allowing for the final MBBS examination to be held as a

common exam across the country. This way students will not be subjected to an additional

licentiate exam for the purpose of obtaining a license to practice medicine.

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• The MBBS exam will serve as an exit test to be called the National Exit Test. This test will also

serve as the screening test for doctors with foreign medical qualifications who want to

practice in India.

• The Cabinet has also removed the bridge course provision. It has been left to the State

governments to take necessary measures for addressing and promoting primary health care

in rural areas.

• The amendments also concern fee regulation. The maximum limit of 40% seats for which fee

can be regulated in private medical institutions and deemed universities has been increased

to 50% seats. Further, it has been clarified that the fee will also include all other charges

taken by the college.

• Responding to the demands from States to increase their representation in the NMC, the

nominees of States and Union Territories in the NMC have been increased from three to six.

The NMC will comprise 25 members, of which at least 21 will be doctors.

The amendment will also introduce stringent punishment for unqualified medical practitioner, or

quacks, including a provision for imprisonment of up to one year along with a fine extending up to

Rs. 5 lakh.

CENTRE NOTIFIES CAUVERY AUTHORITY

Three months after the Supreme Court’s order, the Union government issued a notification for

the Cauvery Water Management Authority.

What will the authority do?

The authority will decide the sharing of the river water among States of Karnataka, Kerala and

Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The sharing of water will be on the basis of

judgement by Cauvery water tribunal.

The authority’s mandate will be to monitor the storage, apportion shares, supervise operation of

reservoirs and regulate water releases with the assistance of the regulation committee.

It will regulate water release by Karnataka at the Biligundulu gauge and discharge station.

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Economy: NEW BENAMI TRANSACTIONS INFORMANTS REWARD SCHEME, 2018

It was found in many cases that black money was invested in properties in the names of others,

even though benefits were enjoyed by the investor concealing his beneficial ownership in his tax

returns. The Government had earlier amended Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 by Benami

Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 to make the law stronger.

Need for people participation:

With the objective of obtaining people’s participation in the Income Tax Department’s efforts to

unearth black money and to reduce tax evasion, a new reward scheme titled “Benami Transactions

Informants Reward Scheme, 2018”, has been issued by the Income Tax Department. This reward

scheme is aimed at encouraging people to give information about benami transactions and

properties as well as income earned on such properties by such hidden investors and beneficial

owners.

Provisions of the scheme:

• Under the Benami Transactions Informants Reward Scheme, 2018, a person can get reward

up to Rs. 1 crore for giving specific information in prescribed manner to the Joint or

Additional Commissioners of Benami Prohibition Units (BPUs) in Investigation Directorates

of Income Tax Department about benami transactions and properties as well as proceeds

from such properties which are actionable under Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988,

as amended by Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act,2016.

• Foreigners will also be eligible for such reward. Identity of the persons giving information

will not be disclosed and strict confidentiality shall be maintained.

• Details of the reward scheme are available in the Benami Transactions Informants Reward

Scheme, 2018, copy of which is available in Income Tax offices and on the official website of

Income Tax department.

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MUTUAL FUND EXIT LOAD, CREDIT CARD DUES NOW TAXABLE UNDER GST

Free services provided by banks, such as withdrawals from ATMs and issuance of chequebooks

to customers, will not be taxed under the goods and services tax (GST), the government clarified,

providing relief to financial institutions as well as consumers.

What will be taxed?

The government, however, said that interest charged on outstanding credit card dues, finance

lease and exit fees paid by mutual fund investors will be taxable under GST. Since interest levied on

loans are not taxed, any additional interest for delayed payment has also been kept out of GST.

Why the clarifications have been issued?

Government statement also provides clarity on cases where customers are serviced from

multiple branches. In such a case, the location of the supplier of services will be the customer’s

home branch. Banks and insurers also do not have to ascertain the pace of consumption of the

services they provide and can rely on the client’s GST identification number. Banks can also issue a

consolidated tax invoice to clients GST identification number. Banks can also issue a consolidated tax

invoice to clients at the end of a month, the government clarified. Banks also need not register in

states where they only have ATMs and no branches. These measures will reduce the compliance

burden.

With the demand for centralized registration yet to be met, banks have to obtain registration in all

states they operate and consequently file multiple returns.

BILL AVERTING PONZI SCHEMES

Instances of people losing their hard-earned money to Ponzi schemes keep coming to light. The

Banning of Unregulated Deposit Scheme Bill, 2018 was approved by the Union Cabinet in February

to provide comprehensive legislation to deal with illicit deposit schemes in the country.

What are the provisions of the bill?

The Bill imposes complete prohibition of unregulated deposit taking activity. It provides for

deterrent punishment for promoting or operating an unregulated deposit taking scheme, stringent

punishment for fraudulent default in repayment to depositors, designation of a competent authority

by the State government to ensure repayment of deposits in the event of default by a deposit taking

establishment, powers and functions of the competent authority including attachment of assets of a

defaulting establishment, designation of courts to oversee repayment of depositors and to try

offences under the Act, and listing of Regulated Deposit Schemes in the Bill with a clause enabling

the Central government to expand or prune the list.

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The Bill contains a substantive banning clause which bans deposit takers from promoting, operating,

issuing advertisements or accepting deposits in any Unregulated Deposit Scheme.

Objectives of the Scheme:

The bill would ban unregulated deposit taking activities altogether, by making them an offence

ex-ante, rather than the existing legislative-cum-regulatory framework which only comes into effect

ex-post with considerable time lags.

• The bill creates three different types of offences, namely, running of Unregulated Deposit

Scheme, fraudulent default in Regulated Deposit Schemes, and wrongful inducement in

relation to Unregulated Deposit Scheme.

• It provides for severe punishment and heavy pecuniary fines to act as deterrent. It has

adequate provisions for disgorgement or repayment of deposits in cases where such

schemes nonetheless manage to raise deposits illegally. The bill provides for attachment of

properties/ assest by the competent authority, and subsequent realization of assets for

repayment to depositors.

• Clear-cut time lines have been provided for attachment of property and restitution to

depositors.

• The bill enables creation of central online database, for collection and sharing of

information on deposit taking activities in the country. Primarily, the Bill defines the

“deposit taker” and “deposit” comprehensively.

• The primary responsibility of implementing the provisions of the proposed legislation lies

with the State governments.

INDIA LEADING COUNTRY IN COCONUT PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY

India has made unprecedented progress in coconut cultivation from mid 2014 to 2018 and now

it has become the leading country in production and productivity.

Production levels of coconut:

Productivity increased to 11516 fruits per hectare in 2017-18 as compared to 10122 in 2013-14.

Export of coconut:

Owing to an increase in production of coconut, India has been exporting coconut oil to Malaysia,

Indonesia and Sri Lanka since April 2017. Till March 2017, India was importing coconut oil. Also, for

the first time India has been exporting dry coconut in large quantities to the U.S. and European

countries. In 2017-18, India exported coconut worth Rs. 1602.38 crore while imports stood at Rs.

259.70 crore.

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Social Policies, Initiatives & Reports: SEVABHOJYOJANA

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India has introduced a new scheme namely

‘SevaBhojYojana’ with a total outlay of Rs. 325.00 crores for Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20.

About the scheme:

The scheme envisages to reimburse the Central Government share of Central Goods and Services

Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) on purchase of raw items such as ghee,

edible oil, atta/maida/rava/flour, rice pulses, sugar, burra/jiggery etc which go into preparation of

food/Prasad/langar/bhandara offered free of cost by religious institutions. The objective of the

scheme is to lessen the financial burden of such Charitable Religious Institutions who provide

Food/Prasad/Langar/Bhandara free of cost without any discrimination to Public/Devotees.

NATIONAL SPORTS UNIVERSITY ORDINACE, 2018

National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 has come into force as the President of India has

given his assent to the Union Cabinet’s decision to promulgate the said ordinance. Earlier, the Union

Cabinet, in its meeting held on 23rd May, 2018, had decided to approve the proposal of the Ministry

of Youth Affairs and Sports to promulgate the National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 by which

National Sports University will be established with headquarters at Manipur.

National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 will be on the lines of the National Sports University Bill,

2017, introduced in LokSabha. This will be a specialized University, first of its kind, to promote sports

education in the areas of sports sciences, sports technology, sports management and sports

coaching besides functioning as national training centre for select sports disciplines by adopting the

best international practices.

Background:

The proposal was formally announced by the Finance Minister in his Budget speech of 2014-15.

For setting up of University, 325.90 acres of land has been made available by the Government of

Manipur in Koutruk, West Imphaldistrct of Manipur. The University would provide a boost to sports

activities in the country, and also improve the country’s sports performance at the national and

international levels. The proposed University has also considerable employment generation

potential.

KRISHI KALYAN ABHIYAN

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s welfare has launched the KrishiKalyanAbhiyaan from

1st June, 2018 till 31st July, 2018 so as to aid, assist and advice farmers on how to improve their

farming techniques and raise their incomes. The KrishiKalyanAbhiyaan will be undertaken in 25

villages with more than 1000 population each in Aspirational Districts identified in consultation with

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Ministry of Rural Development as per directions of NITI Aayog. In districts where number of villages

(with more than 1000 population) is less than 25, all villages will be covered.

Who will launch the plan?

An Action plan comprising specifically identified activities under various departments of the

ministry namely, Department of Agriculture, Coperation& Farmers welfare (DAC&FW), Animal

Husbandary Dairying & Fisheries (DAHD&F) and Department of Agricultural Research & Education

(DARE-ICAR) will be implemented to saturate these 25 villages in each district with these activities.

The overall coordination and implementation in the 25 villages of a district is being done by

KrishiVigyan Kendra of that district. 111 officers have also been made in-charge of one district each

for overall coordination and field level monitoring. These officers have been selected from

subordinate/attached/autonomous organizations/PSUs etc. of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers

Welfare.

What will the plan cover?

Various activities to promote best practices and enhance agriculture income are being

undertaken under this plan such as:

• Distribution of soil health cards to all farmers

• 100% coverage of bovine vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in each village

• 100% coverage of sheep and goat for eradication of Peste des Petis ruminants (PPR)

• Distribution of Mini Kits of pulses and oilseeds to all

• Distribution of Horticulture/Agro Forestry/Bamboo plant at 5 per family

• Making 100 NADAP pits in each village

• Artificial insemination saturation

• Demonstration programmes on Micro-irrigation

• Demonstration of integrated cropping practice

In addition, demonstration programmes on Micro Irrigation and Integrated Cropping Practise will

also take place so as to familiarize farmers with the latest techniques and how they can be

incorporated at the grass root level.

Training programmes are being conducted in each of the villages by ICAR/KV’s for Bee Keeping,

Mushroom cultivation and Kitchen garden. Women participation and farmers will be given

preference for the training program.

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INDIA’S RANK MARGINALLY IMPROVES IN PEACE INDEX

India’s rank has marginally improved in “global peacefulness”, at a time when there is an overall

decline of global peace owing to escalation of violence in West Asia and North Africa. Pakistan too

has improved marginally, according to the Global Peace Index (GPI), released by Austraia based

Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

About Institute for Economics and Peace:

The IEP, world’s leading think tank that develops metrics to analyse peace and quantify its

economic value, released the 12th edition of the GPI, or measure of global peacefulness.

India’s performance:

India’s GPI rank was 137 out of 163 countries in 2017, when the year 2016 was assessed. In 2018,

when the year 2017 is assessed, India’s rank moved up to 136. This is in line with the performance of

some of the South Asian countries. Nepal moved up from 93 to 84, while Sri Lanka moved up too,

from position 80 to 67. Pakistan moved from 152 to 151.

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NITI AAYOG TO LAUNCH COMPOSITE WATER MANAGEMENT INDEX

NITI Aayog has come up with the Composite Water Management Index as a useful tool to assess

and improve the performance in efficient management of water resources. This index is an attempt

to inspire states and UTs towards efficient and optimal utilization of water, and recycling thereof

with a sense of urgency.

In view of limitations on availability of water resources and rising demand for water, sustainable

management of water resources has acquired critical importance. The index can be utilised to

formulate and implement suitable strategies for better management of water resources. It has been

finalized after an elaborate exercise including seeking feedback from the states and consultation

with reputed experts.

The index would provide useful information for the states and also for the concerned Central

Ministries/Departments enabling them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for better

management of water resources.

Environment & Ecology: LIFE IN PLASTIC ON WASTE MANGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Both the Solid Waste Management Rules and the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016,

which built on previous regulations, mostly remain on paper. State governments have simply not

given them the necessary momentum, and the producers of plastic articles that are invariably used

just for a few minutes have shown little concern about their negative environment impact.

Amount of plastic waste into oceans:

The Centre’s somewhat liberal estimate shows over 60% of about 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste

generated daily is collected. That essentially means a staggering 10,000 tonnes of trash is being

released into the environment, a lot of it going the sea.

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Also, not every piece of plastic collected by the system is scientifically processed. It is no surprise,

therefore, that the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system is on the UN map of 10 rivers

worldwide that collectively carry the bulk of the plastic waste into the oceans. The effects are

evident: they threaten marine life and the well-being of people, as microplastics are now found even

in drinking water.

Contribution of non-government bodies:

In their response to the crisis, communities and environmentally minded individuals are ahead of

governments and municipal authorities. They segregate waste, compost at home, conduct “plastic

free” social events and help recover materials that would otherwise just be dumped in the suburbs

and wetlands. But, valuable as they are, voluntary efforts cannot achieve what systemic reforms can.

What centre should do?

It is centre’s responsibility to ensure that the Environment (Protection) Act, the overarching law

that enable’s anti-pollution rules to be issued, implemented in letter and spirit. Ideally, regulation

should help stop the manufacture of single-use plastic articles such as carry bags and cutlery and

encourage the use of biodegradable materials.

What are the challenges?

The provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules require manufacturers of compostable

bags to get a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board, but this has not stopped

counterfeit products from entering the market.

Local bodies mandated under rules to ensure segregation, collection and transfer of waste to

registered recyclers have spectacularly failed to fulfil their responsibilities. The State Level

Monitoring Committees provided for under the rules have not been made accountable. The wast

management framework is dysfunctional. India and the world face a plastic crisis , solving it will take

more than slogans.

DRAFT PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT BILL

The proposed Pesticide Management Bill, which is likely to be finished soon, will harm both

farmers and the domestic industry by not making it mandatory for the active ingredients of

pesticides to be revealed in the registration process.

The draft Bill will allow importers to register readymade products without registering the active

ingredients. This would prevent Indian manufacturers from registering ‘me-too registrations’, and

producing pesticides at a cheaper price.

What could be possible implications?

The farmers were able to buy a pesticide from Indian manufacturers at less than half the rate as

sold by importers or multi-national corporations. For example, Bispyribac sodium, a herbicide for

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paddy, was introduced in the market at Rs. 8,000 per kg by an MNC but is now sold by Indian

manufacturers at Rs. 3,500/kg.

What are the provisions under existing Bill?

The Bill, a draft of which was made available for public feedback by the Ministry for Agriculture

and Farmers Welfare, is intended to replace and update the Insecticides Act, 1968. The existing law

mandates the registration of active ingredients, and allows for “me-too” registrations under Section

9(4).

However, in 2007, the government started allowing importers to register new formulations while

keeping active ingredients secret for a fixed period. Though this policy was challenged in Gujarat

High Court and struck down in 2013, importers have been reluctant to comply.

State of pesticide market:

Currently, the domestic pesticide market is valued at around Rs. 20,000 crore, of which

importers hold 30%. If the draft Bill was approved in its current form, it would demolish the concept

of Make in India in the pesticides sector.

Most of the imported products are 25-30 years old, and their patents have long expired. By not

registering active ingredients, they are effectively ever-greening their patents and harming the

domestic industry.