Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 26 July 2021

::NATIONAL::

Supreme Court Verdict on 97th Constitutional Amendment

The recent Supreme Court verdict striking down a part of the 97th Constitution Amendment as it dealt with cooperative societies under the domain of the States, has brought the focus on the extent to which the Centre can seek to lay down policy for the functioning of cooperative societies.

What is the 97th Constitution Amendment?

Recognising that ‘cooperative societies’ came under Entry 32 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule, the Amendment proposed to create a framework for the functioning of cooperative societies.
It introduced Part IXB in the Constitution so that the concept of cooperative societies gains constitutional recognition.
The idea was to empower Parliament to frame laws for cooperative societies that function across States (multi-State cooperative societies) and State legislatures to make laws for all other cooperative societies falling under their jurisdiction.

The Amendment set out basic rules such as

1. a maximum of 21 directors in a society,

2. a fixed term of five years for elected members,

3. a six-month cap on the time limit for which a society’s board of directors can be kept under supersession or suspension, and

4. reservation of one seat for the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes, and two seats for women on the board of every cooperative society, that is, every society that has members from these sections.

Gatekeeper Model

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)has recommended the “Gatekeeper Model” where selected inmates, trained to identify prisoners at risk of suicide, would refer them to treatment or supportive services.

About:

Buddy system: The advisory said the concept of a ‘Buddy System’ — social support through trained prisoners called “buddies” or “listeners” — was found to have a good impact on the well-being of suicidal prisoners.
e-Mulakat: e-Mulakat was an online platform enabling relatives/friends/ advocates of prisoners to book prior appointments for interviewing prisoners through the National Prisons Information Portal.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

Russian Olympic Committee

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there are 335 sportspersons from Russia competing with athletes from around the world. Yet, unlike their counterparts, the Russians are not allowed to use their country’s name, flag and anthem, and are competing under the acronym ROC, meaning Russian Olympic Committee.

About:

Russia has historically been among the world’s top sporting nations, has been ‘banned’ from the Tokyo Olympics.
In December 2019, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned Russia for four years from competing in international events, including the Tokyo Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The ban was enacted after new revelations came up about a doping programme that Russia had been accused of.
The ban is not outright, and 335 athletes from Russia are still playing at Tokyo, only under the name ROC, meaning Russian Olympic Committee – the team that sends Russian athletes to all Games. In effect, the ‘punishment’ only consists of forcing them to not use Russia’s name, flag or national anthem.
The ROC players are only those who have been able to prove that they were not part of the doping scam.

G20 Environment Ministers Meeting

G20 Environment Ministers meet in Italy amid floods and fires.

About:

The meeting ended with approval of a joint communique based on three macro areas:

Biodiversity: Protection of natural capital and restoration of ecosystems with solutions based on nature and restoration of soil, protection of water resources, oceans and seas.
Efficient use of resources and circular economy: Focus on sustainable textiles and fashion, circular cities, education and training.
Sustainable finance: Focus on specific financing needs for the protection and restoration of ecosystems as a contribution to the future shape of global financial system.

::ECONOMY::

REC Limited

On the 52nd Foundation Day of REC Limited, Union Power Minister released a report on Key Regulatory Parameters of Power Utilities.

About:

REC Limited is a Navratna NBFC focusing on Power Sector Financing and Development across India.
It was established in 1969.
It provides financial assistance to state electricity boards, state governments, central/state power utilities, independent power producers, rural electric cooperatives and private sector utilities.
Its business activities involve financing projects in the complete power sector value chain; different type of projects includes Generation, Transmission, Distribution Projects, and Renewable Energy projects.
REC’s funding illuminates every fourth bulb in India.

::SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY::

I-STEM

The Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM), the national web portal for sharing R&D facilities.

About:

I-STEM is an initiative of Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India.
I-STEM project has been accorded extension for five years,until 2026 and enters its second phase with added features.
Under Phase II, the portal will host indigenous technology products listed through a digital catalogue.
I-STEM portal facilitates researchers to access slots for the use of equipment, as well as to share the details of the outcomes, such as, patents, publications and technologies.
The I-STEM portal in its new phase will be designed as a dynamic digital platform that will provide boost to research and innovation especially for 2 tier and 3 tier cities and also for the emerging start-up ecosystem.

The goal of I-STEM:

To strengthen the R&D ecosystem of the country by connecting researchers with resources, in part by promoting technologies and scientific equipment development indigenously, and
providing necessary supplies and supports to researchers by enabling them an access to existing publicly funded R&D facilities in the country through the I-STEM web portal.

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