LOKPAL LOGO LAUNCHED (Polity) the Chairman of Lokpal, Justice

LOKPAL LOGO LAUNCHED (Polity)

The Chairman of Lokpal, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose launched the logo of Lokpal, at an event held in New Delhi. The motto of Lokpal “मा गधःृ कयिवनम”् (Do not be greedy for anyone’s wealth) was also adopted. The Logo design of Prashant Mishra, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh was selected for adoption as Logo of Lokpal.

An open competition was conducted on Mygov portal (mygov.in), as well as through Lokpal reg istry mail, to invite entries for Logo and Motto/Slogan for using the same as Logo and Motto/Slogan of Lokpal in stationary, backdrop, and any other way that Lokpal deem fit. Through the Mygov portal, a total of 2236 entries received for Logo and total 470 5 entries were received for Motto/Slogan from people of varied age groups and from different parts of the country.

LOGO: The logo of Lokpal is based upon literal meaning of LOKPAL which means: LOK - meaning people and PAL- meaning caretaker, i.e. ‘caretake r of people’. The logo is in tricolor representing the national essence of LOKPAL and symbolizes how Lokpal protects and cares for people of India by establishing justice as per law. It also symbolizes various essence of LOKPAL figuratively in shapes like - people (three human figures), ombudsman (judges bench), vigilance (Ashok chakra forming eye–pupil), judicial (the tricolor two hands are placed below forming a unique balance) and law (shape of book in orange).

MOTTO: However, none of the motto received t hrough portal was found suitable and thus on 17 October 2019, the Lokpal in its full bench meeting based on their own inputs and discussion unanimously decided to take one portion of the above 1st sloka of ‘Ishabasoupanishad’. The finally selected slogan/m otto for office of Lokpal is thus -“मा गधःृ कयिवनम”(् Do not be greedy for anyone’s wealth), which in hindi means मा गधःृ = लोभ , मत करो , कयिवत=् कसी के , धनम=्् धन का i.e. कसी के धन का लोभ मत करो .

UNION CABINET EXTENDS TERM OF 15TH FINANCE COMMISSIO N (Economy)

The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the term of the 15th Finance Commission till October 30, 2020. The cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi also gave its approval to the finance commission to submit the first report for the fiscal ye ar 2020 -21.

The term of the 15th Finance Commission has been extended till October 2020 to enable the presentation of the final report covering the fiscal year 2021 -22 to 2025-26.

The term extension will enable the commission to examine all comparable esti mates for financial projections in the view of new reforms to finalise its recommendations from the period starting from 2020 to 2026.

The implementation of the model code of conduct had delayed the working of the commission, as it was able to complete its visit to states only recently. This, as a result, impacted its detailed assessments on the requirements of different states.

STRATEGIC PARTERNERSHIP COUNCIL AGREEMENT RATIFIED (International)

Union Cabinet headed Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Post Facto the Agreement signed by Prime Minister for establishment of Strategic Partnership Council between India and Saudi Arabia. The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on 29 October 2019 during former’s two-day visit to the Gulf Kingdom.

The council will be headed by PM Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed and meet every 2 years. It will coordinate decisions regarding strategically important issues.

Strategic Partnership Council Agreement will significantly boost strategic ties between India and Saudi Arabia and will open new avenues of partnership in strategic areas such as defence, counter-terrorism, energy security as well as renewable energy.

The Agreement will enable leadership at highest-level in both India & Saudi Arabia to meet regularly as well as monitor progress in ongoing initiatives/projects under strategic partnership. It will also help identify new areas for forging strategic engagement and will define goals to be achieved and benefits to be derived. The proposal aims to benefit citizens with improved economic and commercial linkages with Saudi Arabia irrespective of any gender/class/income bias.

E-CIGARETTE BAN BILL PASSED (Social Sector)

Leaving the e-cigarettes lobby squirming, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday gave green signal to the Bill that seeks prohibition of e-cigarettes in India with Union Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan, calling the ban as a "pre-emptive strike" on the "hazardous" addiction.

E-cigarettes are battery operated devices that produce aerosol by heating a solution containing nicotine. These include all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), Heat Not Burn Products, e-hookah and the likes.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco and therefore are not regulated under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The COTPA Act, regulates the sale, production, and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products in India, and prohibits advertisement of cigarettes.

MUDRA LOAN TURNING INTO NIGHTMARE FOR GoI (Economy)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expressed concern over rising bad loans from Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), a scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2015, which offers faster credit, with ticket sizes starting from
50,000 and going up to
10 lakh, to small businesses.

“While such a massive push would have lifted many beneficiaries out of poverty, there has been some concerns at the growing level of non-performing assets among these borrowers,” RBI Deputy Governor M.K. Jain said at an event organised by the Small Industries Development Bank of India.

With stress in such loans increasing, the central bank is set to ask bankers to monitor such loans closely as unsustainable credit growth in the sector could risk the system.

The government had in July informed Parliament that total NPA in the Mudra scheme of over
3.21 lakh crore has jumped to 2.68% in FY19 from 2.52% in FY18. Since the inception of the scheme, over 19 crore loans have been extended under the scheme up to June 2019, it had said. Of the total,
3.63 crore accounts are in default as of March 2019.

ATAPAKA BIRD SANCTUARY SEES MIGRATORY BIRDS (Environment)

The Atapaka Bird Sanctuary on the West Godavari-Krishna district border at Kaikaluru in Kolleru Lake has become the lone safe breeding ground for the two migratory bird species.

Atapaka village is the only location in the lake where bird lovers can have a glimpse of the Painted Storks from close, less than 100 metres, and it’s the prime spot for photographers.

The present water level in Kolleru Lake, including Atapaka Sanctuary, is posing a slight challenge for the birds to hunt their prey in the deep waters. However, the water level is expected to start recceding in the coming weeks. Heavy inflow of water had been witnessed in the Kolleru Lake owing to recent rains.

The migratory birds have chosen a few locations within Kolleru Lake for breeding and have arranged the nests. “Until the last breeding season, Atapaka and surrounding locations were preferred for nesting by the migratory birds. This season, we have sighted nests far away from the sanctuary at Adivilanka, Agadala Lanka and Ingilipaka Lanka in the Kolleru Lake,” pointed out Ms. Vijaya.

JHARKHAND - PEOPLE’S REPRESENTATION ACT INVOKED IN JHARKHAND

The ECI has enforced Section 130 of the Act on the first day of Jharkhand polls on 30 th November. Section 130 of the Act prohibits any person on the date or dates on which a poll is taken at any polling station, to commit any of the following acts within the polling station or in any public or private place within a distance of 3 [one hundred metres ] of the polling station, namely:— (a) canvassing for votes; or (b) soliciting the vote of any elector; or (c) persuading any elector not to vote for any particular candidate; or (d) persuading any elector not to vote at the election; or (e) exhibiting any notice or sign (other than an official notice) relating to the election. (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub- section (1) shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees. (3) An offence punishable under this section shall be cognizable.