Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 20 September 2018

::NATIONAL::

Cabinet brings in law that makes triple talaq a criminal offence

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared an ordinance that makes talaq-e-biddat , or instant triple talaq, a criminal offence that will attract a maximum jail term of three years. President Ram Nath Kovind later in the day gave his assent.
The new law, however, incorporates safeguards, including a provision for bail to an accused before the start of the trial.
While instant triple talaq will continue to be a “non-bailable” offence — the police cannot grant bail at the police station — the accused can approach a magistrate for bail even before trial.
“There was an overpowering urgency and a compelling necessity to bring the ordinance as the practice continued unabated despite the Supreme Court’s order last year,” Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters.
He said 201 cases had been reported from across the country after the Supreme Court banned triple talaq in August 2017. Since January 2017, 430 cases had been reported until September 13 this year. “What is important is that the practice of triple talaq continues in spite of the Supreme Court having annulled it and the LokSabha having passed a Bill that is pending in the RajyaSabha. We have all the evidence and a series of papers in this regard,” Mr. Prasad said.
Opposition parties and women activists on Wednesday wondered why no similar provisions are made for Hindu men deserting their wives.

CCEA approves Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project

The government has approved a 65% hike, and extended by two years, a project to improve the stability and working of dams in 11 States.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister NarendraModi, approved the Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project (DRIP) project on Wednesday. Out of the Rs. 3,466 crore cleared, Rs. 2,628 crore would be funded by the World Bank and Rs. 747 crore by the States and Implementing Agencies (IAs), and the balance Rs. 91 crore by the Central Water Commission (CWC).
“The (DRIP) project will improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams and mitigate risks to ensure safety of downstream population and property. The primary beneficiaries are both urban and rural communities dependent on reservoir and downstream communities, who are prone to risk associated with dam failure or operational failure” said a press statement accompanying the decision.
In lieu of the funds, dam managers would have to adhere to recommendations by the CWC as well as subject themselves to six monthly reviews by the World Bank and an audit by an independent French agency, said an official in the Union Water Ministry, who did not wish to be identified.
Kerala, which saw devastating floods and questions raised on the management of its dams, will see 16 of the reservoirs managed by its Water Resources Department and 12 by that State’s Electricity Department, get funded under the DRIP programme to the tune of Rs. 514 crore.

::ECONOMY::

ESIC brings in new proposals for beneficiaries

Considering the change in employment pattern and the current scenario of employment in India which has transformed from a long term employment to fixed short term engagement in the form of contract and temping, the ESI Corporation has approved a Scheme named “ATAL BIMIT VYAKTI KALYAN YOJNA” for Insured Persons (IP) covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.
This scheme is a relief payable in cash directly to their Bank Account in case of unemployment and while they search for new engagement. Detailed instructions including eligibility conditions, application format, etc. will be issued separately.
ESI Corporation has approved the proposal for reimbursement of Rs. 10/- per person to the employers to encourage the seeding of Aadhar (UID) in ESIC database of their workers and their family members. It will curtail the multiple registrations of same Insured Persons and thus enable them to avail the benefits requiring longer contributory conditions.
ESI Corporation has approved the proposal for relaxing the eligibility conditions for availing Super Specialty treatment has now been relaxed from earlier insurable employment of 2 years to 06 months with contribution requirement of only 78 days.
Besides, the eligibility for availing Super Specialty treatment for dependents of Insured Person has now been relaxed to insurable employment of one year with 156 days of contributions. This relaxation will immensely help the Insured Persons and their beneficiaries to avail Super Specialty treatment free of cost as per revised eligibility.

Finance commission moots restructuring of centrally sponsored schemes

Several Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) are just boutique in nature with ‘dubious’ outcomes, the 15th Finance Commission of the Union Government has noted while calling for urgent rationalisation of the CSSs.
The pruning of such schemes would give the State governments greater measure of flexibility in financing, Commission Chairman N.K. Singh said here on Wednesday.
“There are far too many of these boutique schemes with dubious outcomes in the States. Even the ones which are operational do not justify the high establishment cost being incurred on them,” he told.
The proliferation of the CSSs was debatable until the Ninth Five-Year Plan, when the total number of schemes shot up to 360, accounting for about 60% of Central assistance. In 2013, the Planning Commission announced the merger of several CSSs, reducing the count to 66. These were further pruned to 27 following the report of a committee of CMs led by ShivrajsinghChauhan recently.
State governments have already demanded an increased flow of untied fiscal resources in place of tied resources that come with CSS. Mr. Singh said Maharashtra was no different and has raised the need for larger devolution even though the 14th Finance Commission had recommended devolution of a significantly higher share of 42% of the divisble pool to States compared with the 32% recommended by the Thirteenth Finance Commission.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

India –Romania relationships enhances further

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has thanked Romania for agreeing to take lead to re-start negotiations on India-EU-BTIA. He was making a Joint Press Statement following delegations level talks with the Prime Minister of Romania, Ms.VioricaDancila, in Bucharest, Romania today.
Saying that his discussions with the prime minister were fruitful, the Vice President said that they focused on strengthening trade and investment relationship covering sectors such as ICT, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, agri-foods, tourism. He further said that they intend to deepen and diversify economic and technological cooperation between two countries.
The Vice President acknowledged and admired the strong acceptance of Ayurveda, a traditional system of Medicine amongst Romanians. He further said that Government of India has decided to open an Ayush Information cell in Romania to disseminate more information about Ayurveda, encourage Ayurveda practice.
The Vice President said that Terrorism is one of the foremost threats to international peace and security. We resolved to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It is a global challenge that requires a global response, he added.
The Vice President said that he will convey the Prime Minister's invitation to the India's Prime Minister to visit Romania. He also invited the Romanian Prime Minister to visit India. India looks forward to cooperation with Romania to further strengthen the traditional bonds of friendship with Romania and its people, he added.

South Korea to extend ties with India

One of the major foreign policy initiatives of President Moon Jae-in of South Korea is the government’s ‘New Southern Policy’, with a goal of deepening ties with South East Asian nations as well as India, and building an inclusive regional architecture in Asia, said an expert.
In an interaction with a group of Indian journalists, ChoeWongi, head of the Centre for ASEAN-India Studies at Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said there were similarities “between our approach and that of India towards regional issues”.
“India wants to be more vocal about maritime security in the region. We are aware of it. There are increasing activities by China in the Indian Ocean region. There are concerns about the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative)... Nobody is appreciating what they are doing in the South China Sea. But a confrontational approach is not good,” he said. “China is... the largest trading partner of most countries in Asia. Whether we like China or not, we have to live with it,” said Mr.Choe, who’s involved in training South Korean diplomats.
He added that South Korea, as part of this strategy, wants to build stronger ties with ASEAN and India on multiple fronts — economic, bilateral and strategic. India and South Korea have agreed to boost bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 from $20 billion now.
“Recipient countries should be cautious with China. You can blame China. But the recipient countries should also be blamed,” he said, referring to allegations of debt trap. Mr. Hyun, who’s an adviser at the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Bank, said India has huge potential to play a bigger role in international politics.

::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

NDMA holds workshop on application of GIS in disaster management

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is conducting a two-day training-cum-workshop programme on ‘Application of GIS (Geographic Information System) in Disaster Management’ here today. The training programme aims to help participants develop skills for effectively utilising the geo-information tools for disaster management.
Speaking during the inaugural session, Dr. D. N. Sharma, Member, NDMA, underlined the importance of quantifying risks in a qualitative manner through geo-spatial tools to reduce disaster losses. He added that this workshop would serve as the first step towards integrating and sharing of GIS database on one platform by different stakeholders.
In a post-disaster situation, critical decision-making depends on quality geospatial information and there is a need to make it authoritative so that all stakeholders are able to use the same information and ensure a unified response to any given situation.
NDMA is working towards integrating geospatial data for research, mitigation and post disaster management. This system will help the Centre as well as State Governments, local bodies, civil societies and other stakeholders to handle the complete disaster cycle in an effective and efficient manner.

::SPORTS::

India beats Pakistan by 8 wickets

The atmosphere was electric and the players charged up, but the big battle — despite the result pleasing a majority of spectators in the stands — between India and Pakistan turned out to be a lop-sided affair, just like their last meeting in the Champions Trophy final in 2017.
While Pakistan had dominated proceedings that evening at The Oval, it was India’s turn to avenge the loss, that too in style, with an eight-wicket win in just 29 overs here on Wednesday.
Two individuals, pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and part-time offieKedarJadhav, proved their utility and fitness, at the biggest stage by breaking the back of Pakistan and bowling it out for a meagre 162 in the concluding Group A clash of the Asia Cup on Wednesday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.