(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 28 September 2019

::NATIONAL::

OIC wants India to rescind actions revoking article 370

Calling on India to “rescind” its actions revoking Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Saudi Arabia joined Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Niger to issue a statement on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Kashmir contact group, criticising the government’s actions there.
The MEA did not respond to the statement from the organisation that represents 57 member states, but has routinely dismissed any comments on what it considers India’s “internal matter”.
Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations on September 25, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also pointed to the fact that several major Muslim community groups including the Jamaatulema-e-Hind had backed the government’s moves in Kashmir.
In fact, the OIC group’s statement is one of very few at the United Nations that have been critical of India’s actions, even though Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah MehmoodQureshi made the situation in Kashmir their single talking point at dozens of bilateral and multilateral meetings.
In contrast, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to make any comment on Kashmir, indicating her support for the government’s actions.
Turkish President RecepTayyipErdogan, the only leader to raise Kashmir at the UN thus far and said Kashmir remains “besieged and eight million people are stuck in Kashmir despite resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council”, stressed that the only solution for the “Kashmiri people” was through dialogue.

Vice president too supports simultaneous elections

Calling frequent elections in the country a matter of concern, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday pitched for “simultaneous and broad” elections in the country.
Because of elections, there will be a code of conduct for almost one and a half months and everyone has to follow a three-line formula — election, selection, and correction, he said.
“That is why it is in the interest of the country (that) there should be a broad and simultaneous election across the country within 15 days’ period so that there is no deviation, dilution, and diversion of the public work,” he said.
He was speaking at the ‘Punyabhushan’ award ceremony.He presented the prestigious award to noted archaeologist G.B. Deglurkar.LaudingMr.Deglurkar, the Vice President said archaeological sites are the bridges that connect the present with our past.
“Archaeology is a fascinating subject that enhances our understanding of history through hard evidence. Because of this characteristic, it can be more credible than any other human science,” he said.
Mr. Naidu said archaeology plays a significant role in revealing different facets of the past. It is the primary source of information for prehistory and very useful in revealing different facets of the past to mankind, he added.

::ECONOMY::

Finance ministry to push for infrastructure spending

Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman on Friday said the ministries have cleared most of the dues of goods and services to suppliers, mostly MSMEs, and the remaining payments will be done in the next few days.
The minister also said that ministries have been asked to provide detailed capital expenditure plans for the next four quarters as the government looks to boost growth with spending push.
After meeting infrastructure ministries, Expenditure G.C. Murmu, who was also present at the press conference, said that out the total outstanding dues of about ₹60,000 crore, ₹40,000 crore has been cleared.
This meeting assumed significance amid concerns raised by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that their payments were not being cleared by the different wings of the government within time.
Ms.Sitharaman also said that the government’s capital expenditure was on track and Budget estimates would be met.The consumption was on rise and credit offtake was growing, which together should result in “bouyancy” in the economy, she added.
To a query on the fiscal discipline with rebate in corporate tax and expenditure, the minister said the government will reconcile fiscal deficit numbers later.
The finance minister will be meeting heads of public sector enterprises on Saturday to review capital expenditure plans.

Centre approves construction of more than 1 lakh houses under PMA

The Centre has approved the construction of 1.23 lakh houses under the PradhanMantriAwasYojana (Urban), taking the total number of houses sanctioned under the scheme to over 90 lakh, a statement said on Thursday.
The approval was given by the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) on Wednesday evening.
With this approval, over 90 lakh houses have so far been sanctioned against the target of 1.12 crore by 2022 under PMAY (Urban), a flagship programme of the Modi government.
“So far, an overall investment of ₹5.54 lakh crore has been approved which includes ₹3.01 lakh crore from the central and state governments while ₹2.53 lakh crore as the private investment,” the Ministry said in the statement.
Around 53.5 lakh houses are so far grounded for construction, it stated. Under PMAY (Urban), the government provides financial assistance to beneficiaries.
Last month, Union Housing and Urban Affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said that the target of ‘Housing for All’ would be achieved in 2020, two years before the deadline.

Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

::INTERNATIONAL::

Iran condemns US sanctions on china and Russia

Iran's Foreign Ministry today condemned new United States sanctions against China and Russia, saying they endanger international trade security.
In an official statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said, the actions of US President Donald Trump's economic terrorism team have gone against international trade security.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday the actions against Chinese entities were in response to violations of unilateral US sanctions over buying Iranian oil.
Mr Mousavi also slammed US sanctions against Russian entities allegedly involved in Syria and called on the world to stand up against US bullying.
The US Treasury yesterday announced that three individuals, five shipping vessels and a Moscow-based front company were sanctioned over an operation to move money and fuel to Russian forces supporting the Government of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.Iran and Russia had supported Assad during Syria's eight-year conflict.
Tehran and Washington have been at loggerheads since May last year when Trump abandoned the nuclear accord and subsequently began reimposing sanctions on Iran in a stated campaign of maximum pressure.

Palestine says all agreements to be called off with Israel if it proceeds with annexation of west bank

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the United Nations he would terminate all signed agreements with Israel, if Israel moved forward with plans announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex a key part of the West Bank.
Netanyahu is trying to form a new government following a deadlocked election. He pledged before the vote to impose Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea which account for one-third of the West Bank.
The promise was widely condemned, including by UN chief Antonio Guterres who warned it would violate international law. Abbas said that if any Israeli government is to proceed with this plan, all signed agreements with the government of the occupation and any obligations therein will be terminated.
He also claimed the right to defend Palestine's rights by all possible means, regardless of consequences, while remaining committed to international law and combating terrorism. Abbas also renewed a pledge to hold fresh parliamentary elections, which last took place in 2006.
Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz later told the assembly, his country wants peace with all its neighbours, and called on the Palestinian Authority to stop incitement.

::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

India plans to double non fossil fuel target by 2022

India’s renewable energy target will be increased to 450 GW, Prime Minister NarendraModi said at the United Nations Climate Action Summit here on Monday.
“India today has come not just to talk about the seriousness of this issue, but to present a practical approach and a road map. We believe an ounce of practice is worth more than a tonne of preaching,” he said.
India would spend approximately $50 billion “in the next few years” on the JalJeevan Mission to conserve water, harvest rainwater and develop water resources, he added.
Mr.Modi also said India planned to “considerably increase the proportion of the biofuel blend in petrol and diesel.”He said India had plans to make the transport sector green through the use of electrical vehicles.
He also announced two international initiatives. First, a platform with Sweden and other countries, for governments and the private sector to work together to develop low carbon pathways for industry.
Second, a Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. This initiative was approved by the Union Cabinet last month and ₹480 crore has been allocated for technical assistance and projects.

::SPORTS::

Deepak Punia becomes world number 1 wrestler

In the latest rankings issued by the international wrestling federation, World Championship silver medallist wrestler Deepak Punia has jumped to world number one position in 86kg category. But, BajrangPunia lost the top rank in the 65kg category.
In 57kg, world bronze medallist Ravi Dahiya has entered the top-five bracket. He is ranked five, while Rahul Aware stands at number two.