Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 17 September 2020

::NATIONAL::

Supreme court to ensure quick trial in cases against politicians

The Supreme Court on Wednesday resolved to ensure that pending criminal trials against sitting and former legislators, which run to over 4,000 across the country, will be completed in a time-bound manner.
“Are you serious about completing these trials in a time-bound manner?” a three-judge Bench led by Justice N.V. Ramana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Centre.
There are over 2,500 criminal cases pending against sitting legislators.The Bench specifically asked about the status of cases registered by the Central agencies such as the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate against politicians. Cases range from corruption to money laundering.
Amicus curiae and senior advocate Vijay Hansaria and advocate SnehaKalita replied that some of these cases were stuck at the stage of framing of charges.In his latest report to the apex court, Mr.Hansaria suggested the setting up of one special court in each district to exclusively try politicians.
He recommended that chief justices of each high court be requested to furnish an action plan for expeditious disposal of these cases within a year.He said corruption cases should be given “topmost priority.”
Mr. Mehta recommended various measures such as expiration of any stay orders within one month, appointment of more special court judges, infrastructure, etc.

Centre disagrees on sending farm bills to committees

The government did not agree to the Opposition demand to send the three agriculture-related Bills and the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill to the parliamentary standing committees.
At an informal meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Opposition leaders from the RajyaSabha, the government refused to make this commitment.
According to sources, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, in a passing reference, said if the Opposition needed more time to debate on various subjects, then the monsoon session must be extended by another five days.
Sources also said that the government had so far not agreed for a debate on the border stand-off with China in either House of Parliament.
On Tuesday, Congress members staged a walkout when Speaker Om Birla refused to give them an opportunity to seek clarifications.

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::ECONOMY::

LokSabha passes Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020

LokSabha passed the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 today. This Bill replaces the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance which was promulgated on 26th June this year. Speaking about the Bill, Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman said it will help in safeguarding interest of the co-operative bank depositors' in the country. She also raised the issue of PMC bank and asserted that this bill will protect depositors’ interest in similar situations.
The Finance Minister added that out of these, 105 co-operative banks are unable to maintain even minimum regulatory balance whereas 47 have reported negative net worth. She said the amendments to section 3, 45 and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, proposed in the current bill seeks to bring parity in terms of rules and regulations in co-operative banks as applicable in the commercial banks.
The bill also enables the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to make a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation of co-operative banks to secure its proper management, and in the interest of depositors.
The minister affirmed that the cooperative societies which do not use words like bank, banking or banker in their names and entities that do not clear Cheques are not covered under the purview of the new bill.

EXIM bank finds self reliance to earn $180billion from import substitution

Promoting self-reliance in sectors such as electronics and defence equipment, among others, can lead to import substitution of over $186 billion for India , says a study by Export and Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).
Other sectors identified for import substitution and enhancing domestic production include machinery, chemicals and allied sectors, and select agricultural products, according to the study titled ‘Self-Reliant India: Approach and Strategic Sectors to Focus.’
The study has also included sectors such as auto components, and iron and steel where, though there is overall trade surplus for the country, but in some sub-categories, there is trade deficit, particularly with China.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

IBSA calls for comprehensive reform on UNSC

India, Brazil and South Africa emphasized the need for the international community to redouble efforts to achieve tangible progress for accelerated and comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council.
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, chaired the customary meeting of IBSA Foreign Ministers through video conferencing on Wednesday.
On this occasion, the ministers adopted the IBSA Joint Ministerial Statement on the Reform of the UN Security Council, as a common endeavour of the Global South.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankarsaid they issued a Joint Statement on reform of UNSC and expressed collective frustration with the slow progress of reforms in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations.
The Ministers also exchanged views on furthering IBSA cooperation. They exchanged views on various issues of global significance including peace, security, countering terrorism, climate change, and sustainable development.
Further, the Ministers shared their experience on COVID-19 pandemic situation and appreciated the work done by the IBSA Fund for Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger.

India joins Djibouti code of conduct as observer

India has joined the Djibouti Code of Conduct/ Jeddah Amendment, DCOC/JA, as Observer. The move came following the high level meeting of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/ Jeddah Amendment held virtually on 26th of August.
DCOC/JA is a grouping on maritime matters comprising 18 member states adjoining the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the East Coast of Africa and Island countries in the Indian Ocean Region. India has joined Japan, Norway, the UK and the US as Observers to the DCOC/JA.
The DCOC, established in January 2009, is aimed at repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean Region, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

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::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

IIM researchers develop wearable gadgets to maintain social distancing

Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode based incubatee start-up has come up with a unique user friendly wearable device that alarms proximity for helping implement social distancing norms.
Known as the Veli Band, this wearable device has been developed by Qual5 India Pvt. Ltd, a startup co-founded by woman entrepreneur Kiranmayee.Thestart up was mentored and funded by IIMK’s business incubator and entrepreneurship development center.
Veli Band helps implement social distancing and location and contact tracing which can help organizations comply with social distancing norms during the current pandemic situation.
Veli Band momentarily vibrates, sounds buzzer, and flashes LED simultaneously to notify wearers that another band is within 3 feet.
The device to be worn on the wrist can anonymously keep track of interactions with other devices and thus not only help in maintaining a safer workplace but also aid in tracking employee movements in real time.
Veli band is omni directional, comes with a rechargeable battery and uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology for detection.

::SPORTS::

Djokovic wins over Karuso in Rome masters

Novak Djokovic turned the page on his contentious U.S. Open exit and began his clay-court season with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over wildcard Salvatore Caruso in the second round of the Rome Masters on Wednesday.
On arrival here, Djokovic vowed to be “the best version” of himself and he kept his emotions in check in an imperious display against the unseeded local hope.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka was beaten 6-0, 7-6(2) by teenager Lorenzo Musetti, who won for the first time on the professional circuit.

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