Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 12 September 2020

::NATIONAL::

EC issues revised guidelines to bring down criminalisation of politics

Election Commission today issued revised guidelines for publishing details of criminal antecedents by candidates and the political parties regarding candidates nominated by them.
As per the revised guidelines, the candidates as well as the political parties, regarding candidates nominated by them, will publish the details of criminal antecedents, if any, in newspapers and television.
The first publicity will be within the first four days of the last date of withdrawal. Second publicity will be within the 5th to 8th day of the last date of withdrawal. The third publicity will be from 9th day till the last day of campaign which is two days prior to the date of poll. The Poll Body said, the timeline will help the voters in exercising their choices in a more informed manner.
Regarding the publicity by uncontested winning candidates as well as the political parties who nominate them, the Commission clarified that uncontested winner candidates as well as the political parties who nominate them shall also publicise the criminal antecedents, if any, as prescribed for other contesting candidates and political parties.
A compendium of all instructions and formats issued so far, in this matter, is being published for the benefit of stakeholders. Election Commission said, it will help in creating more awareness amongst the voters and other stakeholders.

Parliamentary panel wants virtual courts to stay

Parliamentary Panel on Law and Justice headed by BJP MP BhupenderYadav has recommended continuation of virtual courts even in a post-COVID scenario but also sounded a word of caution that infrastructure needs to be upgraded especially in district courts to implement this.
This is the first report to be presented by any parliamentary panel on the impact of the pandemic.
The committee further stressed that, “It is time, the courtroom which is often regarded as the last bastion of antiquated working practices opens its doors to latest technology.”
During the pre-COVID period, the video-conference (VC) set up was primarily used for conducting remand matters to prevent movement of prisoners between courts and jails. Such VC facilities have been operationalised between 3,240 court complexes and corresponding 1,272 prisons.
Stakeholders including Bar Association members and others who met the committee have noted that the present infrastructure does not support virtual court proceedings. The committee was informed that 3,477 court rooms are supported with facilities for virtual proceedings while 14,443 are still to be provided with them.

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::ECONOMY::

New guidelines issued by RBI to appoint CCO in banks

Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines for appointment of Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) in banks to ensure uniform approach with regard to compliance and risk management culture across the banking industry.
Accordingly, RBI has said that the CCO must be appointed for a minimum fixed period of three years. The person should be a senior executive of the bank, preferably in the rank of a general manager or an equivalent position or he could also be recruited from outside.
Further, there shall not be any responsibility which brings elements of conflict of interest, especially the role relating to business. He must not be a member of any committee which brings his/her role in conflict with responsibility as member of the committee, including any committee dealing with purchases/sanctions.
As per the circular, no vigilance case or adverse observation from the RBI should be pending against the candidate identified for appointment as the CCO.
Selection of the candidate for the post of the CCO should be done on the basis of a well-defined selection process and recommendations made by the senior executive-level selection committee constituted by the board for the purpose.

State startup rankings 2019 released

State of Gujarat and Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been named the best performers in the State StartUp Rankings 2019. They have been recognized for their outstanding performance in simplifying commerce, enhancing productivity and leveraging technology. The State Startup Rankings was released in New Delhi today.
Karnataka and Kerala are the top performing states in the State StartUp Rankings for fostering innovative entrepreneurship to attract business and finance.
Speaking on the occasion, Commerce and Industry Minister PiyushGoyal said that during COVID period, Indian Startups have come up with brilliant ideas and solutions to the many problems that the country and the world face.
Mr Goyal said, they also see a number of startups coming up with innovative ideas on delivery of groceries, meeting the essential requirements of the people of the country, and coming up with newer ideas to promote the digital economy and e-commerce in different ways.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

India and China agrees upon five points of disengagements along LAC

India and China have agreed on five points to guide their approach to the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In the bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi held yesterday along the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Ministerial meet in Moscow, both the Ministers agreed for early disengagement and easing of tensions at the LAC.
Sources also said, the Indian side highlighted its strong concern in the meeting at the massing of Chinese troops with equipment along the Line of Actual Control. The presence of such a large concentration of troops was not in accordance with the 1993 and 1996 Agreements and created flash points along the LAC.
The two sides also agreed to continue to have dialogue and communication through the Special Representative mechanism on the India-China boundary question. They also agreed in this context that the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs, should also continue its meetings.
The Chinese side has not provided a credible explanation for this deployment. The provocative behavior of Chinese frontline troops at numerous incidents of friction along the LAC also showed disregard for bilateral agreements and protocols.
The Indian side clearly conveyed that it expected full adherence to all agreements on management of border areas and would not countenance any attempt to change the status quo unilaterally.
It was also emphasized that the Indian troops had scrupulously followed all agreements and protocols pertaining to the management of the border areas.

Britain agrees to normalise ties with Israel

Bahrain has become the latest Arab nation to agree to normalise ties with Israel as part of a broader diplomatic push by US President Donald Trump and his administration to fully integrate the Jewish State into the Middle East.
He announced the agreement last night following a three-way phone call he had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The three leaders also issued a brief six-paragraph joint statement, attesting to the deal. Mr Trump said that it is another historic breakthrough.

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::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

Centre launches new Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework

Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today launched the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework, CSCAF 2.0, along with the ‘Streets for People Challenge’ in a virtual event.
The objective of CSCAF is to provide a clear roadmap for cities towards combating Climate Change while planning and implementing their actions, including investments. CSCAF initiative intends to inculcate a climate-sensitive approach to urban planning and development in India.

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::SPORTS::

SASCOC takes over cricket South Africa

South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has asked Cricket South Africa’s Board to step aside as it investigates “many instances of maladministration and malpractice” in the crisis-ridden organisation.
SASCOC’s action, which means that there is no one to run CSA’s daily affairs, is another setback to the Board which is in the middle of administrative chaos and facing allegations of corruption and racial discrimination.
CSA’s former CEO Thabang Monroe was fired last month following the findings of a forensic report that revealed “acts of serious misconduct”.

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