{Current Affairs} Daily News Notes: 17th to 28th Feb, 2013

• Ahead of the next general elections in 2014, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government has proposed constitution of a high-power committee to review and assess the implementation of Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee’s recommendations and Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme. Background: The Rajinder Sachar Committee, appointed in 2005 by the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was commissioned to prepare a report on the latest social, economic and educational condition of the Muslim community of India. The committee was headed by the former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Rajinder Sachar. The committee prepared a report of 403 pages, and presented in the lower house (Lok Sabha) of the Indian Parliament on 30 November 2006. The report is first of its kind revealing the backwardness of Indian Muslims, according to Sachar Committee report some of the major concers are: [1.] The status of Indian Muslims are below the conditions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; [2.] The overall percentage of Muslims in bureaucracy in India is just 2.5% whereas Muslims constitute above 14% of Indian population. On 16 August 2011 Sachar was arrested in New Delhi during protests over the detention of Anna Hazare and his supporters.

{Current Affairs} Daily News Notes: 3rd to 17th Feb, 2013

• Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways C.P. Joshi on Tuesday revealed that only 100 km of the 2,400-km Trans-Arunachal Highway announced on January 31, 2008 under the Prime Minister’s package for Arunachal Pradesh had been completed so far. The Trans-Arunachal (declared as National Highway 229) highway from Tawang to Mahadevpur will pass through Bomdila, Nechipur, Seppa, Sagalee, Ziro, Daporijo, Along, Pasighat, Roing, Teju, Mahadevpur, Namchik, Changlang, Khonsa and Kanubari. The project components include construction of two-lane feeder roads connecting all district headquarters. The Minister said that under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP-NE) construction, 10,141 km of two-lane highway had been planned for providing connectivity to all district headquarters of the northeastern region in two phases. So far 1,000 km had been constructed. 

{Current Affairs} Daily News Notes: 29th Jan to 2nd Feb, 2013

• The government, on Thursday, announced a downward revision in GDP (gross domestic product) growth to 6.2 per cent for fiscal year 2011-12 from the earlier provisional estimate of 6.5 per cent. Alongside, however, the GDP growth for 2010-11 fiscal stands revised upwards to 9.3 per cent from 8.4 per cent, as per the first revised estimates of ‘National income, consumption expenditure, saving and capital formation’, released here by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) for 2011-12 along with second revised estimates for 2010-11 and the third revised estimates for 2009-10. Other Highlights: [1.] GDP at factor cost at constant (2004-05) prices in 2011-12 is estimated at ` 52,43,582 crore as against ` 49,37,006 crore in 2010-11 registering a growth of 6.2 per cent during the year as against a growth of 9.3 per cent in the year 2010-11. At current prices, GDP in 2011-12 is estimated at `83,53,495 crore as against ` 72,66,967 crore in 2010-11, showing an increase of 15.0 per cent during the year, as against an increase of 19.0 per cent in the previous year. GDP at market prices at constant (2004-05) prices in 2011-12 is estimated at ` 56,31,379crore as against ` 52,96,108 crore in 2010-11 registering a growth of 6.3 per cent during the year as against a growth of 10.5 per cent in the year 2010-11.; [2.] At constant (2004-05) prices, the Gross National Income at factor cost in 2011-12 is estimated at ` 51,96,848 crore as against` 48,82,249 crore in 2010-11 showing a rise of 6.4 per cent during the year, as against an increase of 8.8 per cent in the previous year. At current prices, the Gross National Income in 2011-12 is estimated at` 82,76,665 crore as compared to `71,85,160 crore in 2010-11, showing a rise of 15.2 per cent during the year, as against an increase of 18.4 per cent in the previous year;[3.] The growth rate of 6.2 per cent in the GDP during 2011-12 has been achieved due to growth in financing, insurance, real estate & business services (11.7%), transport, storage and communication (8.4%), electricity, gas & water supply (6.5%) and trade, hotels & restaurants (6.2%); [4.] At constant prices, the primary sector, i.e. agriculture, forestry & fishing has shown a growth of 3.6 per cent during 2011-12 as against 7.9 per cent during the year 2010-11. The growth of secondary sector is 3.5 per cent and that of service sector is 8.2 per cent during 2011-12, as against a growth of 9.2 per cent and 9.8 per cent, respectively, in the previous year; [5.] Gross Domestic Capital Formation has increased from ` 28,71,649 crore in 2010-11 to ` 31,41,465 crore in 2011-12 at current prices and it increased from `21,20,377 crore in 2010-11 to `21,31,839 crore in 2011-12 at constant (2004-05) prices. The rate of Gross Capital Formation at current prices is 35.0 per cent in 2011-12 as against 36.8 per cent in 2010-11; [6.] The per capita income (per capita Net National Income at factor cost) in real terms, i.e. at 2004-05 prices, is estimated at ` 38,037 for 2011-12 as against `36,342 in 2010-11, registering an increase of 4.7 per cent during the year, as against an increase of 7.2% during the previous year. The per capita income at current prices is estimated at ` 61,564 in 2011-12 as against ` 54,151 for the previous year depicting a growth of 13.7 per cent, as against an increase of 17.1% during the previous year. [InfoGraphic]
• Section 126 of the Representation of the People, 1951, prohibits displaying any election matter by means, inter alia, of television or similar apparatus, during the period of 48 hours before the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in a constituency. Violation of the aforesaid provisions of Section 126 is punishable with imprisonment upto a period of two years, or with fine or both. Concerned TV/Radio/Cable/FM channels are free to approach the state/district/local authorities for necessary permission for conducting any broadcast related events which must also conform to the provisions of the model code of conduct and the programme code laid down by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the Cable Network (Regulation) Act with regard to decency, maintenance of communal harmony, etc.

{Current Affairs} Daily News Notes: 25th to 28th Jan, 2013

• Union Minister of Shipping presented a cheque of Rs.5 lakhs to Selvi Prema, daughter of Jayakumar, a Mumbai based Auto Driver from Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu, who has topped in the recently held All India Chartered Accountancy Exam. 

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 15th to 24th Jan, 2013

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 9th to 14th Jan, 2013

• Close on the heels of the border skirmishes in Kashmir valley, Pakistani troops have crossed the LoC and killed 3 soldiers of the Indian Army and injured two. According to the sources, men of the Pakistani regular contingent wore black combat uniform and the ambush had been laid 600 metres inside Indian territory. “Pak army troops, having taken advantage of thick fog & mist in the forested area, were moving towards our posts when an alert area domination patrol spotted and engaged the intruders. The firefight between Pak and own troops continued for approximately half an hour after which the intruders retreated back towards their side of Line of Control. Two soldiers Lance Naik Hemraj and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh laid down their lives while fighting the Pak troops” it added. The Pakistani offensive came two days after Islamabad complained about the death of a soldier in the Indian troops’ firing in Poonch-Uri belt. India said the jawans undertook “controlled retaliation” in response to unprovoked Pakistani firing.
• Soon after Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar stressed on Thursday that Islamabad had no intentions of escalating tensions with India over recent violations in the Line of Control (LoC) ceasefire agreement, the Pakistan Army claimed another soldier had been killed in cross-border firing by India in the afternoon. Meanwhile, Pakistan has approached the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan to investigate the ceasefire violations. Optimistic about the peace process weathering this storm, the Minister said: “Because of some unnecessary statements, [negative] atmospherics were created which I hope both countries will show their commitment to correct. If we have a mechanism to face such challenges, then as a responsible country we should revert to those mechanisms that exist so that we can continue with our relations as normal neighbours.” As to the inferences being drawn by the Indian media between the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Pakistan army, Ms. Khar said the government of Pakistan would not respond to the unofficial statement that came out of India.
• India has rejected Pakistan’s proposal for a United Nations probe into the chain of killings along the Line of Control (LoC) that began on Sunday morning and led to the killing of two Indian soldiers on Tuesday. The Indian response was to a Pakistani suggestion for investigating the incidents by the U.N. Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) which is present on both sides of the LoC.
• The Chinese government said that it did not back “all-weather” ally Pakistan’s proposal for a U.N. probe, which India rejected on Thursday. Asked if China agreed with Pakistan’s call, it said: “As a neighbour and friend of both India and Pakistan, we sincerely hope that the two countries properly and calmly resolve the dispute through dialogue and consultation, so as to maintain peace and stability in South Asia.” While China’s close military ties with Pakistan have historically been a source of distrust in India-China relations, officials and analysts here say the Chinese government will continue to adhere to its stated policy in the past two decades of not involving itself in disputes between the countries. However, India has, in the recent years, objected to Chinese investments in infrastructure projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which Beijing has continued — arguing that its interests were “purely commercial” — despite New Delhi’s protests. India has, for its part, responded by stepping up its involvement in exploration projects in the South China Sea.
• “Disappointed over the continuing pattern” of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan on Friday increased its scale of protest and “summoned” Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal to the Foreign Office while reiterating its resolve to remain invested in the peace process. Simultaneously, Pakistan has begun contacting other countries through their diplomatic missions in Islamabad to present its case and enlist their help in de-escalating tension along the LoC. And though New Delhi has made clear its position on an enquiry by the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (Unmogip), Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani reiterated that this was the only available mechanism to establish the truth about the ceasefire violations.
• Defence Minister A.K. Antony said on Friday that India had enough firepower on the border to take care of any situation and described the beheading of an Indian soldier on Tuesday as a “turning point.” India requested a brigadier-level flag meeting on a day when the Pakistan Foreign Office summoned High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal to complain about the firing purportedly from the Indian side of the LoC that killed a Pakistani soldier on Thursday.
• Even as fresh firing was reported along the Line of Control on Sunday evening, Pakistan agreed to attend a flag meeting in Poonch area of Jammu region on Monday. At the flag meeting, the Indian side is expected to strongly protest the Pakistani intrusion and the beheading of a soldier and demand the return of the severed head believed to have been carried by Pakistani army regulars as a trophy.
• The Brigade-level flag meeting between Indian and Pakistani authorities at Chakan Da Bagh near the Line of Control in Poonch on Monday afternoon ended without any breakthrough. Brig. Sandhu made it clear to the other side that India reserved the “right to retaliate” until there was publicly an apology besides returning of the severed head of Lance Naik Hemraj and the weapons looted from the two slain soldiers. He also demanded an assurance that there would be no repeat of such an “unprecedented and unprofessional heinous act” and made it clear that the Indian Army would respond to such a violation of the November 2003 ceasefire with “appropriate and quick response”. Sources said that, contrary to expectations, there was no discussion on restoration of cross-LoC trade and travel that remains suspended since January 10. As many as 65 trucks loaded with perishables have been returned to Poonch and Rajouri and over a hundred passengers have been stranded on either side of the LoC in the Jammu-Poonch sector on the Indian side and the Hajeera-Rawalakote area across the border.

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 7th & 8th Jan, 2013

• Justice D. K. Jain, Judge, Supreme Court of India, will be the Chairman of the 20th Law Commission of India. The Twentieth Law Commission was constituted through a Government Order with effect from 1st September, 2012. It has a three-year term ending on 31st August, 2015.  The Terms of Reference of the 20th Law Commission include the following: [1.] Identify laws which are no longer needed or relevant and can be immediately repealed; [2.] Identify laws which are not in harmony with the existing climate of economic liberalization and need change; [3.] Suggest suitable measures for quick redressal of citizens grievances, in the field of law; [4.] Examine the Laws which affect the poor and carry out post-audit for socio-economic legislations; [5.] Keep under review the system of judicial administration to ensure elimination of delays, speedy clearance of arrears and reduction in costs so as to secure quick and economical disposal of cases without affecting the cardinal principle that decision should be just and fair; [6.] Simplification of procedure to reduce and eliminate technicalities and devices for delay so that it operates not as an end in itself but as a means of achieving justice; [7.] Examine the existing laws in the light of Directive Principles of State Policy and to suggest ways of improvement and reform corresponding laws; [8.] Examine the existing laws with a view for promoting gender equality and suggesting amendments thereto.

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 6th Jan, 2013

• The Prime Minister will lay the foundation for the 20,000 crore rupees BPCL Kochi Refinery expansion project tomorrow. The Project envisages increasing the refining capacity of the Refinery from the current level of 9.5 million metric tonnes to 16.5 million metric tonnes per annum, at a cost of 14,000 crore rupees. It also involves a 6,000 crore rupee diversification project of the Refinery into the petrochemical field.

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 1st to 5th Jan, 2013 - Happy New Year

• Center has appointed renowned economist and public finance expert Urjit Patel as a Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), putting an end to weeks of speculation over who would fill the position left vacant by the exit of Subir Gokarn, whose term ended Monday. Patel presently is working as a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a US-based think-tank. He is also a consultant to the Boston Consulting Group.

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 26th to 31st Dec, 2012

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 25th Dec, 2012

• Christmas is being celebrated all over the world today, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Pope Benedict celebrated the traditional Roman Catholic Christmas eve mass before a packed congregation in St Peter's Basilica. The Pope appealed for a solution to the Arab Israeli conflict and an end to the civil war in Syria.
• The Chhattisgarh Government has launched a widespread campaign to distribute homoeopathic medicines door-to-door with the objective of preventing and treating malaria in rural areas.
• Legendary South Indian composer Ilayaraja is among nine artistes from the field of music who will receive the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2012 for his creative and experimental music, while Grammy Award-winning percussionist T. H. Vinayakram, veteran playwright Ratan Thiyam and violinist N.Rajam are the three personalities chosen for the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship. The Akademi has selected 36 persons from the fields of music, dance, theatre and puppetry for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2012. The Fellowship of the Akademi is restricted to a very limited number at a given time. At present, there are only 40 such Fellows. Nandini Ramani and Arun Kakade will receive Akademi Award 2012 for overall contribution/scholarship in performing arts.
• Delhi High Court Chief Justice said 5 fast-track courts for which approval had been given, to deal with sexual assault cases, would become operational in the first week of January 2013, after the winter vacation. About the feasibility of day-to-day hearing, he said: “The Administrative Committee [of the High Court] has issued directions to all additional sessions judges in Delhi that cases of sexual assault should be tried on a day-to-day basis from the date of commencement of trial. This gang rape [case] will also be conducted on a day-to-day basis to ensure speedy trial.”
• Opposing the death penalty as punishment for those found guilty of rape, several women’s groups have sought changes in the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012, as there is no evidence to suggest that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to rape. The activist said the death penalty was often used to distract attention from the real issue. The women’s groups said the Bill must not be passed in its current form because of loopholes and lacunae which included no amendment to the flawed definition of consent under Section 175 of the IPC and it does not recognise the structural and graded nature of sexual assault, based on concepts of hurt, harm, injury, humiliation and degradation. The Bill also does not use well-established categories of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault and sexual offences.
• India and Russia have moved to strengthen their economic ties by inking a pact on a Kremlin-backed $2 billion investment fund and agreeing to open talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that will also involve Belarus and Kazakhstan. Russian sovereign wealth fund Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) signed a pact with State Bank of India (SBI) for setting up a $2 billion investment consortium for promoting investments (including mutual investments) between the two countries. The RDIF and SBI would each invest up to $1 billion in the consortium. The emphasis would be on projects geared towards higher purchasing power of the population, creation of value addition in the extraction and processing of natural resources as well as development of manufacturing businesses and service sector companies. Further, both countries have also agreed to take the first steps towards operating a “ranging station” that will help accurately fix the location of satellites. A military side agreement on receiving precision signals from Glonass was signed last year, following active interest shown by National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon. Also, Russia and India resolved to further extend their partnership in the energy sector, which has moved beyond investment (Sakhalin-I) to direct trade (Gazprom-Gail) and is now seemingly set for joint investment in downstream and upstream sectors. India put its interest areas on the table — equity participation through ONGC-OVL in the existing and new projects in Siberia, Russia’s Far East and the Arctic Shelf, besides interest in acquiring equity stake in discovered or producing assets and in proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in Russia. However, there was no substantial progress on issues of discord — delay in commissioning aircraft carrier Gorshkov, stalemate on clinical trials in Russia, applicability of the Nuclear Limited Liability Act to six new reactors to be put up by Russia at Kudankulam, inability of Russian companies Sistema and Severstal to move ahead with their investment plans in India and the tax imposed on Imperial Energy, an Indian company operating in Russia.
• The U.N. General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to restart talks on a treaty regulating the global trade of conventional arms, after a similar effort failed in July. Talks in July collapsed largely because of U.S. reluctance to move forward with plans to establish a treaty that would impose the regulations on a 60 billion dollar industry.
• NATO member Turkey has agreed to lift its veto on non-military cooperation between the alliance and Israel which it imposed over a deadly raid on a Turkish aid ship to Gaza in 2010, said a diplomat. Ankara took the retaliatory measure after the Israeli army stormed the ship carrying humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip while it was in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea, leaving nine Turks dead. The agreement comes after NATO agreed early this month to deploy Patriot anti-aircraft missiles along the Turkish border with Syria.
• NASA scientists are planning to capture a 5,00,000 kg asteroid, relocate it and transform it into a space station for astronauts to refuel at on their way to Mars. “The feasibility is enabled by three key developments: the ability to discover and characterise an adequate number of sufficiently small near-Earth asteroids for capture and return; the ability to implement sufficiently powerful solar electric propulsion systems to enable transportation of the captured asteroid; and the proposed human presence in cislunar space in the 2020s enabling exploration and exploitation of the returned asteroid,” NASA said. It would be the first time a celestial object has ever been moved by humans. An 'asteroid capture capsule' would be attached to an old Atlas V rocket and directed the asteroid between the Earth and the Moon. From here space explorers would have a stationary base from which to launch trips deeper into space. The technology would also open up the possibility of mining other asteroids for their metals and minerals.

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 23rd & 24th Dec, 2012

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 21st & 22nd Dec, 2012

{News Notes} Daily News Notes: 15th to 20th Dec, 2012