Current Affairs for IAS Exams – 19 November 2015

:: National ::

Delhi government clears the Jan Lokpal bill

The Bill brings the Chief Minister’s office under its purview and ensures that any investigation and trial by the Lokpal has to be completed within six months.
The draft Bill envisages a system where a corrupt person found guilty would go to jail within two years of the complaint being filed and his ill-gotten wealth confiscated.
It also envisages power to the Jan Lokpal to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats without government permission.
The Bill also envisages CAG audit in the cases.
The Jan Lokpal Bill (Ombudsman Bill) is an anti-corruption Bill drawn up by activists seeking the appointment of an independent body that would investigate corruption cases, complete the investigation and trial in a time-bound manner.
Once passed and notified, people will be able to complain directly and imprison corrupt politicians and bureaucrats under the law.

Telangana’s tribal master craftsman set to zoom into big league

65-year old tribal master craftsman from the remote confines of Adilabad district in Telangana State would be conferred prestigious national-level ‘Shilp Guru Award’ from President Pranab Mukherjee.
The Ojha artisan community which primarily makes brass metal objects for the GondAdivasis of Adilabad district to which he belongs.
The brass metal casting of Pjhas, popularly known as Dhokra art though has its range of traditional artefacts limited to about 50 is looking up after a few design development projects taken up recently.

Justice Thakur has been appointed as CJI

President Pranab Mukherjee appointed Justice T.S. Thakur, judge of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India with effect from December 3 as 43rd Chief Justice of India till January 3, 2017.
Justice Thakur’s appointment comes shortly after a five-judge Constitution Bench on October 16 struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission law and restored the collegium system of judicial appointments.
The present incumbent and Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu had recommended Justice Thakur’s name, following which the Union Law Ministry processed his file and sent it to the Prime Minister’s Office, from where after approval, it reached the President.

Apex court nod for draft paper on appointment of judges (Register and Login to read Full News..)

Cabinet okays Rs.2,000-cr. package for Kashmiri migrants' rehabilitation (Register and Login to read Full News..)

:: International ::

Strike at the root of terror funding: Modi

They derive funding from a variety of criminal activities, which includes smuggling of narcotics, bank robberies, vehicle thefts, fake currency or State-sponsored activities in failed States.
The Prime Minister said disrupting fund flow would constrain the capabilities of terrorists and reduce their ability to execute attacks.
Globalisation of organised crime poses a major threat to economies throughout the world.
The Black Money Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets and Imposition of Tax Act, providing stringent penalties and prosecution of offenders, was enacted.

China, Russia urge unified global front against terrorism (Register and Login to read Full News..)

:: Economy ::

CCEA approves 10 per cent stake sale in CIL

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a 10 per cent disinvestment in Coal India, the third government stake sale in the company’s history
At the company’s current market capitalisation, a 10 percent stake sale will fetch the government around Rs. 21,100 crore.
the disinvestment target of the government is Rs.69,500 crore for this financial year
So far, the government has been able to pare its stake in only four companies —Power Finance Corporation, Ru-ral Electrification Corporation,Dredging Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation — and has earned only Rs.12,600 crore.
The Department of Disinvestment has reportedly asked for the disinvestment target to be brought down to Rs.30,000crore. If this happens, then a suc-cessful Coal India stake sale could see the government overshooting its target.
The CCEA also approved a three per cent interest subvention scheme for SME exporters in a move to boost exports.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Mr.NarendraModi, has given its approval for Interest Equalisation Scheme(earlier called Interest Subvention Scheme) on Pre & Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit with effect from April 1, 2015 for five years,
Cabinet had given its approval to several moves that would empower the National Highway Authority of India to get stalled projects moving.
The first has to do with allowing NHAI to extend the tolling period for concessionaires who have been facing project delays for no fault of their own, such as unavailability of land or relevant clearances.
The second involves authorising NHAI to pay compensatory annuities to the concessionaire corresponding to the actual period of delay, when the delay was not attributable to the concessionaire.

Tata Steel commissions Kalinganagar Steel Project (Register and Login to read Full News..)

:: Sports ::

Delhi High Court paves the way for DDCA hosting India-South Africa Test

In a respite for Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA), the Delhi High Court on Wednesday paved the way for holding of fourth cricket Test match of the India-South Africa series at FerozshahKotla Stadium here from December 3 to 7.
The Court directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to issue a provisional occupancy certificate for the venue.
The Court directed DDCA to deposit Rs.50 lakh with the municipal body towards property tax dues within two weeks.
Disposing of DDCA's writ petition, a Division Bench also appointed Justice MukulMudgal, a former Judge of Delhi High Court and former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, to oversee the affairs of the match.
The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA), facing numerous corruption-related charges from the Delhi Government, had appealed to the High Court for permission to stage the Test.
Justice Mudgal was asked by the High Court on Wednesday to oversee the conduct of the match.