Also in News- Current Affair, February 2017 - Current Affairs PDF Download

ALSO IN NEWS

10.1. SUPREME COURT GETS FIVE JUDGES
 Five more judges were sworn in to the Supreme Court taking the total strength to 28.
 The SC judges and the Chief Justice of India are appointed by the President under clause (2) of Article 124 of the constitution.

Strength of the Supreme Court
 At present, the maximum strength of the Supreme Court can be 31 (one Chief justice and thirty other judges).
 The number of SC judges was increased from 26 to 31 in 2009 following the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2008.
 The number was originally 8 but it has been increased five times since.

10.2. INTER-DEPARTMENTAL TASK FORCE FOR BENAMI FIRMS
Why in news?
 A task force comprising members of various regulatory Ministries and enforcement agencies has been set up for a major crackdown on shell companies.
 

Background
 The move comes days after the government, during a small sample analysis of shell companies, found that RS.1, 238 crore in cash was deposited in these entities during the November-December period, after demonetisation.
 The Serious Fraud Investigation Office filed criminal prosecutions for cheating the national exchequer after a probe against the entry operators running a group of 49 shell companies and other proprietorship concerns
 There are about 15 lakh registered companies in India and only 6 lakh of them file their annual returns, raising suspicion that a large number of these companies are indulging in financial irregularities

About the task force
 The task force has been constituted under the co-chairmanship of the Revenue Secretary and the Corporate Affairs Secretary to monitor the actions taken by various agencies.
 The agencies will invoke the stringent Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act against the shell companies, freeze their accounts and strike off the names of dormant companies.
 Disciplinary action will be initiated against professionals abetting the companies and entry operators, who are used to launder unaccounted-for incomes into the banking system for projecting them as white money.

10.3. CITIZENS’ FORUM FOR WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS
Why in News?
 A group of eminent citizens will set up a Citizens Whistleblower Forum (CWF) to hear complaints of corruption from whistleblowers.
 Whistleblower Protection Act was passed in 2011 by the Parliament. But the government has still not notified the Act.

About the initiative
 The founding members of the initiative are Justice (retd.) A.P. Shah (Chairperson), Prashant Bhushan, former CIC Wajahat Habibullah, social activist Aruna Roy etc.
 After scrutinizing the complaints, the forum will decide course of action on a case by case basis. The actions may include –
o Taking the matter up with the concerned authorities.
o Putting PIL in courts.
o Making the matter public.

10.4. PROMOTING DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS
Why in News?
 The responsibility to promote digital transactions in India has been shifted from NITI Aayog to the Ministry of IT and Electronics (MEITY).

Significance
 By shifting the responsibility to promote digital transaction to MEITY, the government is trying to utilize the core competence of specific ministries.
 NITI Aayog would have a role to monitor and recommend ways to improve government schemes and growth of IT-enabled services.

10.5. EAST COAST ECONOMIC CORRIDOR
 India and ADB signed USD 375 million pact for loans and grants to develop 800-km Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, which is the first phase of a planned 2,500-km East Coast Economic Corridor. About East Coast Economic Corridor
 It is India’s first coastal economic corridor stretching from Kolkata in West Bengal to Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.
(Please refer September 2016 Current affairs for more info)

10.6. SUPREME COURT MAKES LEGAL SERVICES AFFORDABLE
 The Supreme Court introduced ‘Middle Income Group Scheme’ to provide affordable legal services where fees would be charged as per the schedule attached to the scheme.
 The scheme will be administered through a society named ‘Supreme Court Middle Income Group (MIG) Legal Aid Society’ registered for this purpose. The Patron-in-Chief of the society is Chief Justice of India and the Attorney General is its ex-officio Vice President.
 Its beneficiaries will be litigants in the SC whose gross income is less than Rs. 60,000 per month or Rs. 7.5 lakh per annum.

Relevant Constitutional Provisions
 Right to free legal aid or free legal service is an essential fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution and forms the basis of reasonable, fair and just liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
 Article 39-A says that the State shall “ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.

10.7. CITY WEALTH INDEX
 As per City Wealth Index, 2017 released by international property consultant Knight and Frank, Mumbai ranks 21st ahead of Toronto, Washington DC and Moscow.
 This shows that contrary to popular belief, Mumbai is still ahead of Delhi in all financial aspects including becoming the corporate hub in post-liberalised India.
 The index tracks the growing super-rich population in 125 cities across 89 countries and provides perspective on the issues that are influencing ultrahigh net worth individuals (UHNWI) investment and lifestyle decisions.

10.8. MOBILE WORKERS MORE PRODUCTIVE: ILO REPORT
 The International Labour Organization (ILO) in its report titled "Working anytime, anywhere: The effects on the world of work" says that the uncoupling of paid work from traditional office spaces is increasing in India.
 Nearly 19% of all Indians employed in the formal sector are mobile workers.

Advantages of mobile workers
 Reduction in commuting time
 Greater working time autonomy leading to more flexibility in terms of working time organization and better overall work-life balance and productivity.
 It can promote inclusive labour markets and societies, as it increases the labour market participation of certain groups, such as older workers, young women with children etc.

Future challenges
 Both companies and government policies in India are yet to start a debate on the matter. There is a need to help all stakeholders adapt to this rapidly changing nature of work.
 Managers may resist teleworking because of their inability to control or monitor physically dispersed subordinates
 80 per cent of overtime done by teleworkers remains unpaid, compared with 60 per cent of overtime done by office workers.

10.9. E-LAABH
Why in news?
 To pay subsidies in cash like in LPG to the targeted beneficiaries, the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development and Fisheries Dept. launched e- laabh software.

Advantages
 Earlier farmer had to visit department at least three times for every feed requirement and now only one time for the verification of documents.
 It would be step towards eliminating corruption in the process of procurement by dept. through bidding and disbursement of feed to farmers.
 Farmers now have the choice in buying the quality of feed.
 In the long run it may increase the yield and will promote the health of calves.
 Department would also save the cost on tender process, procurement, storage and distribution.
 Concept if successful would become precursor to Universal Basic Scheme by bringing all cash components equal to subsidies of all schemes so that beneficiary can utilize it judiciously based on her requirements.

10.10. INDIA RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS INDEX
 It is a measure started in 2015 to see how socially inclusive the company is.
 It is a collaborative effort of non-profits-Oxfam India, Corporate Responsibility Watch, Praxis and Partners in Change.
 The index recognizes the role of businesses in creating an environment in which the rights of workers and other stakeholders throughout the supply chain are respected.
 It ranks the top 100 BSE-listed companies on their performance on five parameters:
o Inclusiveness in supply chain
o community as business stakeholders
o community development
o respecting employee dignity and human rights
o non-discrimination at the workplace
 The 2016 index notes marginal improvement in almost all above elements.

10.11. SPECIAL ARM UNDER COMMERCE MINISTRY
Why in news?
“Special arm under commerce ministry” is suggested for future trade policy by a Govt. commissioned report submitted by a global consultancy firm for future trade policy. Currently, it is pioneered by PMO and Ministry of External Affairs.

What does the Report say?
 India’s future trade (policy) model should have the Commerce Department at the helm, supported by External Affairs and Finance ministry.
 Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) should be created at apex for all trade promotion activities for the country.
 Makes a strong case for a higher profile for the Indian Trade Service (ITS) in matters of trade policies & systems.
 At present, the officials belonging to the IAS, IRS and IFS have a relatively superior role over ITS cadre regarding decisions on crucial trade policy matters.
 Implementation of work should be done by using digital platform extensively.
 Recruitment of professional with specific expertise in trade policy formulation.

What is the role of DGFT?
 Providing services such as trade representation in foreign countries, research & development, market intelligence, business matchmaking services as well as public relations, advertising and marketing services.

Suggested Role of Transformed DGFT (DGFT 3.0 - pre- and post-liberalization being the earlier two versions)
 Provide (foreign trade) monitoring and training services.
 Hold export promotion campaign.
 Industrial trade fair.
 Greater focus on small and medium firms
 

Significance
 It will improve India’s ease of doing business (currently ranked 130/190 )
 Deploying digital technology will transform the Trading across the border and ease of doing business.
 Revive the goods export from contraction happened since December 2014 and current demonetization.
 It fits in appropriately as small yet efficient in the policy of Government being a facilitator and enabler for doing the business.

10.12. DEFENCE INNOVATION FUND
 The Defence Minister announced a Defence Innovation Fund to be set up soon to promote start-ups in the defence sector.
 Bharat Electronics Ltd and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd will contribute initially to set up the 100 crore Fund.
 The Fund will support innovation and technology development in identified areas and will be open to both Indian and foreign firms.

10.13. NATIONAL WOMEN’S PARLIAMENT
Why in News?
 A three-day National Women’s Parliament (NWP), was organized by Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and a government school in Amravati recently.
About the National Women’s Parliament
 This is the first such initiative that will connect over 10,000 higher secondary girls with eminent women personalities.
 The theme of the National Women’s Parliament was ‘Empowering Women — Strengthening Democracy’.
 It brought people from diverse backgrounds (governments, NGOs, etc.) to share ideas and knowledge on women’s Parliament. 7 plenary sessions were held with discussions on subjects like –
o Socio-political challenges in women empowerment.
o Women’s status and decision-making.
o Building own identity and vision for the future.

10.14. RASHTRIYA KISHORE SWASTHYA KARYAKRAM
Why in news?
 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently launched “Saathiya Resource Kit” and “Saathiya Salah” mobile app for adolescents as part of Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK).

About the Apps
 The kit has been launched to help Peer Educators, the most important component of RKSK, to communicate with adolescents and answer all their questions concerned with health at the grass root/village level.
 Peer Educators (1.6 lakhs) will be recognized as “Saathiya” (a good friend of adolescents) and will be trained in phase manner.
 The Resource Kit comprises of Activity book, Bhranti-Kranti game, Question-Answer book and education diary.
 Any adolescent who is unable to interact with Peer Educators out of any reasons like shyness, family members can access useful information through Saathiya- Salah mobile app or toll free Saathiya helpline.

About Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (National Adolescent Health Programme)
 It was launched in 2014 by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to comprehensively address the health needs of adolescents under the National Rural Health mission.

10.15. RASHTRIYA YUVA SASHAKTIKARAN KARYAKARAM
Why in News?
 The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has integrated 8 of its schemes under one umbrella scheme known as Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakaram (RYSK).

About the Scheme
 This scheme will act as the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
 The schemes that have been integrated under RYSK are as follows:
 Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)
 National Youth Corps (NYC)
 National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD)
 Youth Hostels (YH)
 Assistance to Scoring and Guiding Organisations
 National Discipline Scheme (NDS)
 National Young Leaders Programme
 The scheme will benefit youth in the age group of 15-29 years as per the definition of “youth” in National Youth Policy, 2014.
 Two schemes under the ministry have been kept out of this umbrella scheme. They are National Service Scheme (NSS) and Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD).
 The integration of the schemes will help achieve better implementation and improve the effectiveness of the various schemes by utilizing the existing field-administrative setup.

10.16. KHELO INDIA SCHEME
Why in News?
 Khelo India National Level Competitions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports took place in January.
 The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is set to start off rural games as “Grameen Khel Mahakumbh” under Khelo India Scheme.

Khelo India Scheme
 It is a national programme which aims to develop grassroots level talent by providing them with a national level platform.

 Khelo India Scheme is based on Gujarat’s model of “Khel Mahakumbh” in which schools and colleges from across the country participate in 27 different disciplines.
 The GOI of India merged the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan with Khelo India in 2016.
 Two other schemes that were brought under the umbrella of Khelo India are: Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) and National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS).

10.17. IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
 According to a report prepared by the National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC) of the National Security Guard, the year 2016 witnessed a 26% increase in IED blast incidents as compared to 2015.

About IEDs
 It can be called a homemade bomb with Five Basic Parts:
 A power supply, often provided by car batteries or alkaline flashlight batteries
 A trigger or some other direct or indirect means of setting the device off, such as a radio signal, trip wire, timer or firing button that someone presses. A common form of remote trigger is a cell phone.
 A detonator, a small explosive charge that sets off the main charge. These are usually electrical, like those used for explosions in construction.
 A main charge, the primary explosive that's behind the blast, like unexploded landmines.
 A container to hold everything together. It may be designed to force the blast in a specific direction.

10.18. ISRO AIDED BY INDIA'S ENTRY INTO MTCR
 MTCR has facilitated access to high-end testing technology for its solid rocket booster propulsion system, which fires up the first stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
 Earlier, testing this system was a slow process due limited technology access.
 Many key components to upgrade the technology were in controlled items lists under MTCR due to their dual military use.
 Access to MTCR’s controlled items has led to major efforts in making India a bigger player in the $300-billion satellite launch market.

10.19. TRAPPIST-1
 Recently NASA has discovered a new Exoplanet system having seven earth sized planets orbiting a cool dwarf-star known as TRAPPIST-1, which is 39 light years from Earth.
 TRAPPIST-1 (The Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope) is named after a robotic telescope in the Atacama Desert of Chile used to study the star.
 It is a small star with 8 per cent the mass of the sun and only slightly bigger than the planet Jupiter, lying in the constellation Aquarius. It is an “ultracool dwarf planet” with surface temperature much less than sun.
 Six of the planets of the system lie in the habitable or goldilocks zone with ambient surface temperature to support life.
 Out of these six planets at least three planets classified as TRAPPIST-1 e, 1 f and 1 g have an ocean.
 All seven planets’ planetary orbits are closer to their host star, than Mercury is to our sun.
 This is the first time so many habitable-zone planets found around a single star outside our solar system.

10.20. THOR EXPERIMENT
 The THOR experiment aims to investigate electrical activity from thunderstorms.
 The interaction between charged particles, at the height of 10 to 100 Kms in the atmosphere, produces a variety of dazzling electric phenomena from blue jets to red sprites.
 The Thor experiment will look at them with a thundercloud imaging system from the vantage point of the International Space Station.
 It will help to understand how these discharges influence water vapour levels, cloud formation, and eventually changes in climate.
 The experiment is called ‘Thor’ after the god of thunder, lightning and storms in Nordic mythology.

10.21. URANIUM RESERVES FOUND IN MEGHALAYA
 Uranium mineralization in Meghalaya has been found over a large area around Domiasiat, Wahkyn, Lostoin etc.
 Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL) under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has already made a plan to develop the mineral resources at Domiasiat.
 The project has the potential to generate substantial nuclear fuel for the atomic power plants of the country.

10.22. PREDATOR FOUND FOR DENGUE CAUSING MOSQUITO
 Dengue affects more than 390 million people each year. In 2016, more than 1 lakh confirmed cases of dengue were reported in India (WHO Estimate).
 Researchers at the Calcutta University recently found that the Lutzia fuscana larvae demonstrated a preference for feeding on Aedes aegypti larvae (the dengue-causing mosquito)
 “Lutzia fuscana” mosquito is a natural predator of Aedes aegypti.
 Thus, Lutzia larvae, being a potential biological control method, can be the better solution than using dangerous chemicals to kill Dengue mosquito.
 Since 1928 India has been using Gambusia afinis or mosquito fish as a biological control agent against mosquito larvae. It is an exotic species and has been distributed throughout the warmer and some temperate parts of the world.

10.23. ARCTIC VAULT RECEIVES NEW SEED DEPOSITS
Why in news?
Some 50,000 new samples from seed collections around the world, including India, have been deposited in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
About Svalbard Global Seed Vault
 It is owned and administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food on behalf of the Kingdom of Norway.
 It is a gene bank built underground on the isolated island in a permafrost zone some 1,000 kilometers from the North Pole.
 It was opened in 2008 as a master backup to the world's other seed banks, in case their deposits are lost.
 It is the world’s largest repository built to safeguard against wars or natural disasters wiping out global food crops.

10.24. VX NERVE AGENT
Why in news?
A preliminary report from Malaysian authorities has found that Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, was killed by the banned nerve agent VX.

About VX nerve agent
 It acts on the nervous system (hence the name nerve agents), typically the nerves that control breathing.
 It inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine secreted by the cholinergic nerves. This results in more acetylcholine, which overstimulates the tissues, resulting in respiratory paralysis and death.
 The VX nerve agent is banned under international law because it’s a chemical weapon as defined in the Chemical Weapons Conventions.