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Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 29 July 2019

::NATIONAL::

PM addresses nation through Mann kiBaat programme

Prime Minister NarendraModi has said, the people of Jammu and Kashmir want good governance and those who spread hatred and pose hurdles will never succeed in their sinister plans.
Sharing his thoughts in the Mann Ki Baat Programme on All India Radio, Mr Modi said, the people of Kashmir are eager to join the national mainstream, and their enthusiasm is reflected in the community mobilisation programme known as 'Back to Village’ in the state.
Citing the success of the programme, the Prime Minister said, large scale participation of people in this programme proves that the power of development is stronger than the might of bullets and bombs.
The Prime Minister described the year 2019 as very fruitful for India in the realm of Space. He said the nation watched with pride as Chandrayaan II made strides into Space from Sriharikota. He added that visuals of Chandrayaan II lifting off filled people's hearts with glory, zest and joy.
The Prime Minister said his call to conserve water in the previous Mann Ki Baat episode has evoked an immense response. He said people have shared information on traditional methods and the media has embarked upon quite a few innovative campaigns. He also hailed Haryana where crops that require meagre water are being encouraged.
The Prime Minister said the Cleanliness campaign which began five years ago gathered momentum with mass participation and is now setting up newer benchmarks in cleanliness and sanitation. He said this movement has now advanced from cleanliness towards beautification.

Himalayan states demand green bonus and a separate ministry

Himalayan States on Sunday came together at a conclave here to demand a separate Ministry to deal with problems endemic to them and a green bonus in recognition of their contribution to environment conservation.
The twin demands formed part of a common agenda of the Himalayan States which was handed over to Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman.
Explaining the rationale behind the demand for a green bonus, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said most of the country’s rivers originate in the Himalayas and therefore, the Himalayan States had to play the most significant role in the PM’s water conservation initiative.
The States were also at a disadvantage because large swathes of land fell into eco-sensitive zones where all sorts of development activities could not be carried out.

::ECONOMY::

Model tenancy law to rebuild trust between owner & tenant

The Model Tenancy Act, 2019 drafted by the Union Ministry for Housing and Urban Development, is expected to benefit both owners and tenants, thus releasing lot of housing stock for rental purpose.
“There is a huge trust deficit prevalent between homeowners and tenants, creating a huge demand and supply gap when it comes to the home rental market,” said AmarendraSahu, co-founder & CEO, Nestaway Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a service provider in the space. “The Model Tenancy Act, 2019, offers a balance between the rights and benefits, for both owners and tenants; and identifies the role of property managers,” he added.
He said when the company started in 2015, about 20% of its owner base was reluctant to give their house on rent fearing eviction risks.
Commenting on the Act, AnujPuri, chairman, Anarock Property Consultants, said, “At first look, the draft policies seem to favour both tenants and landlords. In all fairness, it aims to regulate the rental housing market by a more market-oriented approach by carefully balancing the interests of both land owners and tenants.”
According to Mr.Puri, while the capping of the security deposit amount to a maximum of two months may benefit tenants, the heavy penalty that will now be imposed for non-vacancy of the residential unit would act as a deterrent and protect the interest of owners.

Opposition questions government’s airport privatisation move

The Congress on Sunday attacked the Union government over its airport privatisation process and alleged that the Adani group was being favoured in the entire exercise.
The party made the charge after The Hindu reported on how the government had ignored the key recommendations of the NITI Aayog and the Finance Ministry that suggested a cap on the number of airports to be handed over to a single company and consideration of their prior experience in handling airport operations.
“There are 123 airports in the country operational today, and of these, only 14 are making profits. All the other airports are incurring a loss. Out of these 14 airports, five have been given to the Adani group,” Congress spokesperson PawanKhera said at a press conference.
After a bidding process conducted by the Airports Authority of India, Adani Enterprises Limited emerged as the highest bidder.
Mr.Khera said that though the Adani group might have emerged as the highest bidder in the tendering process, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) of the Finance Ministry had recommended a cap.
“During the UPA regime, one company, GMR, had qualified for both Delhi and Mumbai, but it was decided that one group will not be given more than one airport. Here too, the DEA had suggested that no company be given more than two airports,” he said.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

President reaches Benin, to expand cooperation in West African region

President Ram NathKovind has reached Benin on the first leg of his three nations' tour to the West African region.
The seven-day visit is the first high-level tour of any Head of State from India to the three West African countries- Benin, The Gambia and Guinea. Mr Kovind reached the Cardinal Bernadine de Cotonou International Airport in Cotonou, the largest city in Benin this evening.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet that Benin's Foreign Minister AurelienAgbenonci received the President at the airport. Union Minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Member of Parliament DilipGhosh are accompanying the President.
Mr Kovind will hold talks with his Beninese counterpart Patrice Talon tomorrow. Later, the President will address the National Assembly in Porto Novo. Mr Kovind will also meet members of the Indian Community at a reception hosted in his honour in Cotonou.
During the visit to The Gambia, Mr Kovind will hold delegation-level talks with President Adama Barrow in the capital, Banjul, on Wednesday. As a special gesture, the National Assembly, which is currently in recess, will hold a special session for the address of President Kovind on the same day.
On the last leg of his visit, the President will reach Conakry, the capital of Guinea on 1st August. Mr Kovind will hold delegation-level talks with his counterpart on 2nd August.

India- Nepal logistics summit inaugurated

Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli has stressed upon smooth and quality logistics between India and Nepal.
Inaugurating India-Nepal Logistics Summit in Kathmandu today Mr.Oli said, smart logistics plays a crucial role in making trade and transit arrangements easy, hassle-free and cost-effective.
He said Nepal and India have a significant volume of trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people movement for which smooth and quality logistics including easy transit facilities is very essential.
He also said connectivity remains a topmost agenda in bilateral cooperation and many initiatives have been taken on crucial components of road, rail, inland waterways and air connectivity.
In his address, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri said, India is fully committed to providing all necessary support to Nepal in achieving its goal of prosperity.

::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

UN report suggests new guidelines to improve infant diets

Commercial baby foods often contain too much sugar and display confusing ingredient lists, according to a UN report that proposed new guidelines on Monday to improve infant diets.
The World Health Organization (WHO) examined nearly 8,000 products from more than 500 stores in Austria, Bulgaria, Israel and Hungary between November 2017 and January 2018.
A high sugar intake can increase the risk of overweight and dental cavities, the organisation warned. And early exposure to overly sweet products can create a potentially harmful lifelong preference for sugary foods.
Up to 60% of inspected food products were labelled as suitable for infants under six months old, contrary to WHO recommendations, “that infants receive exclusively breast milk for the first six months of life”, said the report.
The WHO said it was updating its guidelines to help member countries adopt new legislation to curb high sugar intake. The WHO wants the promotion of breast milk substitutes to end, and recommends that children between six months and two years be fed nutrient-rich foods prepared at home.

::SPORTS::

Mary Kom and Simranjitkaur win gold

Six-time world champion Mary Kom in 51kg category and SimranjitKaur in 60kg category grabbed a gold each in 23rd President's Cup Boxing Tournament in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.
The Olympic bronze medallist Mary decimated Australian April Franks 5-0 in finals. SimranjitKaur defeated Indonesia's Asian Games bronze medallist HasanahHuswatun 5-0 in the final bout.
With this, Indian boxers finished their campaign in the Tournament with nine medals. The rich haul comprised seven gold and two silver.