Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 05 October 2020

::NATIONAL::

Seeking to make the procedure to opt for postal ballot more convenient for those above 80 years of age and people with disabilities, the Election Commission has come out with a set of new instructions.
The form required to opt for the postal ballot would be delivered at the residence of all those aged above 80 and people with disabilities by the booth level officer under his polling station. It would be up to these two categories of voters to opt for postal ballot.
“If he/she opts for postal ballot, then the BLO will collect the filled-in form 12-D from the house of the elector within five days of the notification and deposit it with the returning officer forthwith,” according to the October 3 letter sent by EC to all State chief electoral officers.
These instructions have been issued based on the feedback the poll panel received from civil society and media during its visit to poll-bound Bihar last week.
The EC said the fresh instructions would be applicable to all elections and byelections.
As per the instructions, the returning officer would deploy polling teams, which will deliver and collect the postal ballot on pre-informed dates and then deposit it with the returning officer.

Supreme court acts against involuntary narco tests

Involuntary administration of narco or lie detector tests is an “intrusion” into a person’s “mental privacy”, a Supreme Court judgment of 2010 has held.
The judgment is significant amid reports that the Uttar Pradesh government wants to subject the Hathras rape and murder victim’s family members to these tests.
The consequences of such tests on “individuals from weaker sections of society who are unaware of their fundamental rights and unable to afford legal advice” can be devastating, the court said.
It may involve future abuse, harassment and surveillance, even leakage of the video material to the Press for a “trial by media.” Such tests are an affront to human dignity and liberty, and have long-lasting effects.
“An individual’s decision to make a statement is the product of a private choice and there should be no scope for any other individual to interfere with such autonomy,” the apex court had held.

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::ECONOMY::

Centre starts implementing Swaminathan commission recommendations

Union Minister RaosahebDanve has said that the Central Government has started implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission and is working towards doubling the income of farmers by 2022.
The minister while addressing a press conference in Osmanabad today assured the farmers that the recent laws will not affect the minimum guaranteed price or market committee for agricultural commodities but will provide alternative selling options to the farmers for their agricultural products.
Mr Danve further said that the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister, NarendraModi has started various schemes including Kisan Credit Card, Prime Minister crop insurance scheme, Prime Minister irrigation scheme among others.
Criticizing the Opposition for misleading public about these new laws, he reiterated that the new Agriculture Act will not close the guarantees for farmers' commodities or close down the Agricultural Produce Market Committee.

PM set to inaugurate RAISE 2020 summit on artificial intelligence

Prime Minister NarendraModi will inaugurate the Summit RAISE 2020 - ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020 today. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and NITI Aayog are organizing the Mega Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence from today to 9th of October.
The summit will discuss cross-sector subjects like ‘Leveraging AI for Pandemic Preparedness’, the Impetus that Innovation Places on Digitisation’, Inclusive AI and Partnerships for Successful Innovation.
In the spirit of 'SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas', Prime Minister Modi plans to leverage AI for inclusive development, representing the country's 'AI for All' strategy. Directed by the Prime Minister’s vision, India will soon stand out in the international community not just as a leader in the Artificial Intelligence field, but also as a model to show the world how to responsibly direct AI for social empowerment.
The summit will be a global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and chart a course for using AI for social transformation, inclusion and empowerment in areas like Healthcare, Agriculture, Education and Smart Mobility, among other sectors. During the summit, delegates and experts in research, policy and innovation on Artificial Intelligence will join from across the globe.
The Summit will also feature some of the most exciting startups working in Artificial Intelligence-related fields. Start-ups chosen through the AI Solution Challenge will showcase their solutions in the AI Startup Pitch fest scheduled on 6th October.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

China moves towards closer ties with Bangladesh

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he stands ready with Bangladesh leaders to better align the two countries’ strategies and jointly promote the construction of his multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to take the strategic partnership of the two countries to new heights.
Mr. Xi made the remarks on Sunday in an exchange of congratulatory messages with his Bangladesh counterpart, Mohammad Abdul Hamid, on the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relationship.
With over $26 billion Chinese investments and $38 billion dollars funding commitments, Bangladesh is one of the largest recipients of China’s massive infrastructure project.
China has also offered zero-tariff treatment to 97% of Bangladesh’s exports by adding 5,161 more items to the existing list of 3,095 duty-free products.
The BRI seeks to build rail, maritime and road links from Asia to Europe and Africa in a revival of ancient Silk Road trading routes.
Earlier, China had sent medical team to Bangladesh to share its experience of handling coronavirus, which had emerged first in Wuhan in December last year.Bangladesh is also among a dozen countries where the clinical trials of Chinese vaccine are under way.

::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

MoeFCC to bring in detailed plan for improving quality of zoos

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister PrakashJavadekar said that a detailed plan will be prepared to improve the quality of zoos across the country. He said, budget allocation will be enhanced to improve the experience of people who visit zoos.
The Minister today virtually interacted with children as part of Wild Life Week 2020 and gave away the PraniMitra Award. He congratulated all the awardees who have shown exemplary compassion towards zoo animals.
Mr.Javadekar said, an economic valuation of ecosystem service of national zoos in Delhi showed that nature gives you more than what you spent on it.
He said, government is committed to creating more zoos in the country and efforts will be made to promote public participation in conservation of wildlife. He said, development of zoos can ensure coordination between wildlife and humans.

::SPORTS::

Kitataand Kosgei wins London marathon

Ethiopian ShuraKitataoutsprinted Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba to win a thrilling London Marathon on Sunday as a stunned World record holder EliudKipchoge faded late in the race to suffer his first defeat since 2013.
In cold, wet conditions, 24-year-old Kitata edged clear in the final metres to win by one second over Kipchumba in a relatively slow two hours, 05.41 minutes.

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