Current Affairs December 2013

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RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected]

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Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Contents ...... 6

...... 7 No capital gains tax or stamp duty on foreign banks converting to WoS - - ...... 7 Medium enterprises to be included under priority sector: RBI - .. 8 Cyber Coalition 2013: NATO’s largest ever cyber security exercise held in Estonia ...... 8 Direct cash transfer better option than other anti poverty schemes: Planning Commission ...... 9 P.V. Sindhu clinches Macau Grand Prix ...... 9 Suwannapura bags India Open golf tournament ...... 9 Rory McIlroy clinches Emirates Australian Open Golf Tournament ...... 9 Raheel Sharif becomes chief of Pakistan Army ...... 9 Panipat gets India’s first Synthetic Rubber Plant ...... 10 Satyananda Mishra is the new chairman of Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) ...... 11 Another Tiger Reserve to come up in Maharashtra ...... 11 MOM enters Mars trajectory: ISRO Chang’e- ...... 12 India among countries exempted from Iranian oil sanctions by the US ...... 12 3: China’s lunar probe carrying ‘Jade Rabbit’ moon buggy lifts off ...... 13 RBI permits banks to pay interest at shorter intervals RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected]...... 13 RBI makes punching PIN mandatory for debit card transactions done every time ...... 13 President inaugurates Hornbill Festival of Nagaland st- - ...... 14 India at 94th spot on Corruption Perception Index: Transparency International ...... 14 India successfully te fired nuke capable Prithvi II missile ...... 15 India Post offers Express Parcel and Business Parcel services – ...... 15 India’s CAD improves to $ 5.2 billion in second quarter ...... 16 Dabhol Bangalore gas pipeline launched ...... 16 Indian diplomat Abhay Kumar writes anthem for SAARC ...... 16 Government disinvest Power Grid Corp further with $1.1 billion FPO ...... 17 India to be hub of oil demand growth after 2020: IEA ...... 17 Karnataka Assembly passes rigorous ESMA Bill ...... 18 NASA discovers signs of water in atmosphere five distant planets ...... 19 RBI relaxes ECB norms for infrastructure firms ...... 19 Ms Sushma Singh will be the next Chief Information Commissioner of India ...... 20 India ranked 98th in Forbes ‘doing business’ list 2013 M ...... 20 Gross NPAs touched Rs. 2.9 lakh crore by March: ICRA ...... 20 icrosoft mulls stronger encryption of Internet traffic ...... 21 Bill for creation of Telangana gets assent of Union Cabinet - ...... 21 Oxford researchers develop new malaria vaccine ...... 22 India to host 2017 under 17 FIFA World Cup ‘Brazuca’ : The new FIFA World Cup ball unveiled © 2013 www.gktoday.in 2 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Anti- ...... 22 ...... 23 apartheid hero Nelson Mandela passed away ...... 23 China’s air defense zone unacceptable by White House ...... 24 Malala wins UN Human Rights Prize 2013 - -big-to-fail)...... 25 Bali Ministerial of the World Trade Organisation 2013 RBI proposes new capital rules for D SIBs (banks too ...... 25 Ministerial panel recommends bail out package to the sugar industry including financial ...... 26 assistance to sugar cane farmers ...... 26 India contributes $1 million to UN women’s body - ...... 27 Stamps of India National Exhibition 2013 (SINE) ...... 27 Mr. Ahmet Uzumcu re appointed as OPCW Director General ...... 28 Employing manual scavengers made an offence - ...... 29 Union Government denies introduction of ILP in Meghalaya - ...... 29 Tejas test fires missile successfully All ...... 30 Jordan gets UNSC seat as its non permanent member – unfilled chemical munitions of Syria destructed: OPCW twister...... 30 “Pad kid poured curd pulled cold” Psychologists reveal the world’s most frustrating tongue RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected]...... 30

...... 31 “LOB” Clause agreed between India and Mauritius South Korea to expand its ADIZ ...... 32 Assembly polls verdict: BJP bags MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, AAP makes stunning debut ...... 32

...... 32 December 10 observed as Human Rights Day across the globe ...... 33 EC declares AAP a state party ...... 33 Investments by FIIs’ in stock market cross Rs 1 lakh crore mark in 2013 ...... 34 Telugu film industry suffered 300 crores losses in 2013 ...... 34 Investment corpus of pensions sector to reach above $1 trillion by 2025: Report ...... 35 Miss Venezuela, Alyz Henrich crowned Miss Earth 2013 ...... 35 Star India is now the official sponsor of Indian cricket team - ...... 36 “Miss Earth Venezuela” Alyz Henrich wins the Miss Earth beauty pageant 2013 ...... 36 India to Host 2017 FIFA U 17 World Cup ...... 37 PepsiCo appointed D Shivakumar as head of Indian region ...... 37 Congress victorious in Mizoram Assembly polls 2013 ...... 38 India permits unlisted companies to directly raise capital abroad ...... 38 Oldest known human DNA decoded ...... 39 Uruguay becomes first country to legalize sale and production of marijuana ...... 39 Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel join hands for sharing telecom infrastructure IOC ranked No.1 on India’s Fortune 500 list © 2013 www.gktoday.in 3 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

...... 39 ...... 40 Raman Singh takes oath as Chhattisgarh CM PFBTA: Newly discovered greenhouse gas ’7,000 times more potent than CO2 ...... 40 RBI grants license to Doha Bank to start banking operations in India ...... 40

...... 42 Supreme Court restricts the use of red beacon light on vehicles ...... 42 US and UK spying on virtual world, online games ...... 43 Mr. Ranjan Mathai appointed India’s High Commissioner to the UK ...... 43 The coldest place on Earth is in East Antarctica ...... 44 Israel, Jordan, Palestinians signed Water sharing Deal - ...... 44 Retired Justice DP Buch: Gujarat’s fourth Lokayukta - ...... 44 GSP Plus: EU grants duty free market access to Pakistani goods ...... 45 Sergio Perez joined Sahara Force India with multi year deal for 2014 F1 season ...... 45 NGT banned burning of plastic, rubber across the country ...... 46 India’s trade deficit with China nears record $30 b ...... 46 India’s Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade held in US on visa fraud charges “Unbreakable”: The autobiography of Mary Kom unveiled permission...... 47 Indian Govt pulls up Army chief for accepting U.S. military honor ‘Legion of Merit’ without its RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address:...... [email protected]...... 47

...... 47 India clinched Women’s Kabaddi World Cup ...... 48 India defeats Pak to lift Men’s Kabaddi World Cup ...... 48 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2014 to be held in Bhubaneswar ...... 49 Australia regains Ashes Test Series ...... 49 Germany defeats France to lift Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup 49 India sticks to top position in ICC ODI rankings ...... 50 Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung recommended imposition of President’s rule in Delhi ...... 50 Union Cabinet Okays fresh amendments to Code of Conduct for ministers ...... 51 China’s Jade Rabbit makes soft landing on Moon ...... 51 Centre appoints Harsh Bhanwala as new NABARD Chairman ...... 51 C.V.R Rajendran is new CMD of Andhra Bank - ...... 52 Mobile makers should install “SoS” button for women safety: Finance Minister - ...... 52 DRDO develops heavy drop system improving Army’s para dropping capacity ‘Indian Idol 2′ winner Sandeep Acharya passed away...... 53 Supreme Court: No sanction required for prosecution in court monitored cases ...... 53

...... 53 Angela Merkel sworn in as German chancellor for 3rd time ...... 54 RBI mid quarter monetary policy review: All rates remain unchanged ...... 54 South India’s 1st high altitude cricket stadium inaugurated in Wayanad district, Kerala ...... 55 Historic Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill passed

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

...... 55 ...... 56 Iran space mission sends monkey to space for second time - ...... 56 West Bengal adopts Bill to tackle illegal activities of Chit Funds – EU bestows “GSP Plus” status on Pakistan ...... 57 “Deterrence Stability and Escalation Control in South Asia” A study cautions nuclear ...... 58 instability in South Asia RBI outlines action plan to tackle NPAs; discussion paper open for public comments ...... 59 Devyani Khobragade case: Government transfered diplomat to Indian permanent mission to UN ...... 60

...... 60 Sebi exempts govt from making open offer to IOB shareholders ...... 60 UTIP Study: Kolkata ranked top in public transport among Indian cities ...... 61 UN lowered India’s growth forecast to 4.8% for 2013 – Tejas ...... 61 Indian scientists discovered insulin pills for diabetics ...... 62 India rolls out its First indigenous LCA ...... 62 Western Ghats: Nod for farming activities by Ministry of Environment & Forests ...... 63 Russia frees former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky ...... 63 RBI: Inflation linked bonds for sale from December 23, 2013 RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected]...... 64 Kirobo: World’s first robot astronaut ...... 64 First human artificial heart transplant executed in France - ...... 64 Ms. Usha Sangwan: The first woman managing director of LIC ...... 65 CCEA approved Rs 6,600 cr interest free loans for sugar mills ...... 65 SEBI sets out deposit norms for members in debt segment India- rogramme ...... 65 Canara Bank got license to open a branch in New York ...... 66 Venezuela: Signed Cultural Exchange P ...... 66 CCEA allowed RIL Higher Gas Prices in Lieu of Bank Guarantee ...... 66 Govt allowed CIL to pump gas from CBM mines ...... 67 Cabinet approved FTA in trade and services with ASEAN - ″ 67 First Ministerial Level Talk held for BCIM Trade Corridor e- ...... 68 Mr. Mikhail Kalashnikov: Designer of AK 47 ( ”Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947 ) passed away ...... 68 Pramaan would make SMSs a valid documentary proof ...... 68 Michiaki Takahasi: Developer of chickenpox vaccine passed away e- ...... 69 Defense Ministry clears procurement proposals worth over Rs 16000 cr ...... 69 Inclusion: IT Training for Rural Sc/St/Women Beneficiaries’ Project Launched ...... 69 Mr. Sidharth Birla took charge as President of FICCI ...... 70 Mr. Vinod Kumar Duggal appointed as the Governor of Manipur ...... 70 Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar: Ambassador of USA ...... 71 Andhra Pradesh High Court directs 2 Telugu actors to return Padma Shri Government sanctioned Quadricycle as a new vehicle © 2013 www.gktoday.in 5 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

...... 71 - ...... 72 SEBI: Foreign portfolio investors will be treated on par with FIIs on tax issues ...... 72 SEBI made fund raising easier for corporate India and tightened noose on fraudsters ...... 73 Year 2014 to bring 8.5 lakh new jobs: Report ...... 73 Fiscal deficit to be around 5.2% in FY14: CRISIL ...... 73 M. Veerappa Moily is the new Environment and Forests Minister ...... 74 Service Tax revenue grew over 300 times in past two decades - icts...... 75 Indians consume double the recommended salt intake: Study ...... 75 SBI to act as lead bank for four newly formed Meghalaya distr 75 State civil services officers to face UPSC test for promotion to AIS ...... 76 Australian school introduces world’s first standing classroom to combat childhood obesity ..77 59.4% of Indian rural households have no latrines: NSSO survey ...... 77 CCEA nod to continuation of National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen during 12th Plan ...... 78 Cabinet approves raising foreign investment to 62% in Axis Bank ...... 78 Deepika Kumari clinches 34th National Archery Championship ...... 78 Legal wing of CBI brought under agency director ...... 79 China offers its Beidou Navigation System free of cost to neighbours RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected]...... 79 US President signs budget bill into law to prevent government shutdown ...... 80 Arvind Kejriwal takes oath as Chief Minister of Delhi ...... 81 India, US sign $1billion contract for six “Super Hercules” aircrafts – ...... 81 Veteran actor Farooq Sheikh passed away - ...... 82 ‘Guardian’ Microsoft launched new app for women’s safety ...... 82 PNB opens first hi tech branch of Punjab in Kharar ...... 82 J.N. Chaudhary appointed as new chief of NSG Cabinet approves constitutional status for JAC

No capital gains tax or stamp duty on foreign banks converting to WoS

December 1, 2013 Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Wholly-owned Subsidiaries (WoS) As per a notification by the the conversion of existing foreign bank branches into in India will not be liable to capital gains tax or stamp duty.- The central bank clarified that Government of India has inserted, by the Finance Act, 2012, a new Chapter XII BB titled ‘Special Provisions relating to Conversion of Indian Branch of a foreign bank into a subsidiary company’ in Income Tax Act, 1961, inter alia, exempting capital gains arising from such conversion from capital gains tax, with effect from April 1, 2013. vide Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2012 It further added that a new section- ‘8E’ had been inserted in Indian Stamp Act, 1899 , exempting from stamp duty on any conversion of a branch of a foreign bank into wholly owned subsidiary or transfer of shareholding of a bank to a holding company in terms of the scheme or guidelines of RBI. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 6 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

- As per RBI, foreign banks with complex structures and which did not provide adequate disclosures would have to operate in India only through WoS in order to regulate and avoid 2008 type crisis. - Although RBI has allowed foreign banks to list their subsidiaries in the local stock exchanges, it has also prescribed that the minimum paid up equity capital or net worth for a WoS would be Rs. 500 crore. However, foreign banks functioning in India before August 2010 have been given the option toSome continue Facts: their operations in branch model. rd · State-run banks 2/3 of the aggregate assets 4.3% of total deposits. in the country control about of the · CitibankIndian banking system, whereas, foreign banks manage around

is the largest foreign bank operating in India in terms of asset base. Other · key foreign banks are StanChart,43 foreignwhich has banks 100 branches, HSBC 50, Deutsche Bank 17 and DBS 12 branches. Medium enterprises to be included under priority sector: RBI As of March 2013, there were in India with 333 branches. December 1, 2013 Reserve Bank of India medium service enterprises

As per the , the incremental bank loans to (as defined in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006) provided after NovemberHow would RBI’s 13, step2013, to treatup to medium theRATHNAKUMAR credit enterprises limit R. Email underof Rsaddress: priority10 [email protected], sector would help? qualify as priority sector advances. This dispensation- would remain in force up to March 31, 2013.

The medium sized units across various sectors are feeling the heat of ongoing- slowdown, as payments from large companies are not being made timely. These enterprises have limited bargaining power and can’t endure dues for long. With lending to medium sized units set to be treatedStatus of Priorityas priority Sector sector Credit lending, banks would look to give loans to viable units which will in turn help banks in meeting priority sector lending targets. -

As per a recent- report by RBI, priority sector credit had increased in 2012 13, against a decline in overall growth. However, growth overall in priority target sectorof 40%. credit was lower than the growth in overall credit. In 2012 13, credit to priority sectors by public and private sector banks was at 36.3% and 37.5% respectively, against the For micro and small industries, dues were at Rs 2.84 lakh crore, as of March 2013, growth of 20.3% Cyber Coalition 2013: NATO’s largest-ever cyber-security exercise held in Estonia compared to 2012. December 1, 2013 NATO held Cyber Coalition 2013: Largest- - - Defenceever cyber exercises to practise Tartu,avertingEstonia large.scale, simultaneous cyber attacks on member states and their Objective:allies. The drill was hosted by National College training center in participant - Cyber Coalition an exercise with technical components to give its s a good learning about NATO’s Cyber Defence capabilities, identify areas for improvement withineducation the NATO wide Cyber Defence community. It also aims to better the capability, Whocooperation all participated and in information Cyber Coalition sharing 2013? between NATO and NATO nations and partners in cyber defence via mode of , research and development, lessons learnt.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

from Switzerland, Austria,Sweden, Ireland and Finland Ne Representatives of 27 nations and NATO partners government, legal participated in the drill. w Zealand and the European Union took part as observers. A total of 400 people participated, including About Cyber Defence Exercisand ITes experts. Participants put their skills to the test to show how they would respond· Objective: to a cyber attack.

· First exercise: Cyber defence exercises allows its participants to learn and test the skills · Secondneeded to Exercise: fend off aBaltic real attack. Cyber Shield (2010), 2008, a joint between Swedish and Estonian universities. organised by Swedish National · Defence College (SNDC), various Swedish Locked institutions Shields. and the Estonian Cyber LockedDefence Shields 2013 League. · Since 2012, the exercise series is called · international calledTook placeBoolea in .the end on April 2013 · Blue Teams were part of an- coalition forces in unstable country · - - Locked Shields (CDx) is a real time network defence exercise · CDx has a game based approach which means that no organisation will play their real life role and the scenario is fictional. · Exercise organised by NATORATHNAKUMAR Cooperative R. Email address: Cyber [email protected] Defence Centre of Excellence together with its partners. Direct cash transfer better option than other anti-poverty schemes: Planning Commission Technical support by Cisco, Clarified Networks, Clarified Security and Bytelife. December 1, 2013

- According- to a study by the Planning Commission, the cost of bringing all households above the poverty line would have-poverty been Rs.budget 55,744 crore during 2011 12 if cash- transfers were used instead Asof anti per povertythe analysis schemes. by the This Planning would have Commission: been sufficient to plug the poverty gap and would be just a fraction· of annual anti instead of initiating new anti poverty schemes.

· Of Rs. 55,744,- Rs 42,932 crore would have had to be transferred to the below poverty line households in rural areas and the rest Rs 12,812 crore to those in urban areas. · In 2011 12, the UPA government had spent Rs 72,822.07 crore on food subsidy. The expenditure in the same year on the UPA’s seven flagship schemes was Rs. 1,09,379 crore. · This cost- is likely to increase as the annual cost of implementing the Food Security Law alone What isis Poverty estimated Gap? at Rs 1.2 lakh crore. PoverThety gap anti poverty programmes in our country have leakages and is inefficient. line. is the amount of cash required for a household to lift it above the poverty line. It is the difference Tendulkarin the level Committeeof consumption of the households below the povertyIndia line and those on the Rs. 874.50 Poverty Line BankAs per the $1.25report, a a day household of five people in subsists with a monthly consumption of which is the . This poverty line is in proximity to the World P.V. Sindhu clinches Macau Grand Prix Poverty Line of an income of (on a Purchasing Power Parity basis). December 1, 2013

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

India badminton Macau Canada ’s rising star P.V. Sindhu achievedMalaysia another Openfeat as she lifted the Open Grand Prix Gold title by defeatingArjuna award ’s Michelle Li in the final clash, in Macau. This is her second Grand Prix Gold title after the in May 2013. Sindhu was recently Suwannapura bags India Open golf tournament conferred with the this year for her remarkable performances in badminton. December 1, 2013 Thailand’s Thidapa Suwannapura Women’s Indian Open g the Delhi - won the olf tournament played at India Golf Club. The win also made— Suwannapura the second Thai to win thet. title, after three time winner and defending champion Phatlum Pornanong. Rory McIlroy clinches Emirates Australian Open Golf Tournament ’s Gauri Monga was tied fifth the best show by an Indian in the tournamen December 1, 2013 Irish golfer Rory McIlroy Adam Scott Emirates Australian Open Golf Tournament , defeated his contender at the Australia’s triple crown winning for the first time in 2013. He snatched the title from Scott who was trying to be only the second player after compatriot Robert Allenby in 2005 to win Raheel Sharif becomes chief of Pakistan Army by claiming the Australian Open, Masters and PGA titles in the same season. December 1, 2013 Raheel Sharif the new chief of Pakistan army. Lt General promoted and appointed as RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address:President [email protected] Mamnoon Hussain Prime Minister Mr. Nawaz Sharif As per official announcement, Committeeon the advice of named General Sharif as chief of army staff and General Rashad Mehmood as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCSC). The retiring chief of army staff General Ashfaque Parvez Kayani handed over the charge to the Panipat gets India’s first Synthetic Rubber Plant new chief on November 29, 2013. December 2, 2013 India Synthetic Rubber Plant Panipat in Haryana.

’s first “ Taiwan” was unveiled at Japan. The plant has been set up by Indian Synthetic Rubber eLtd-SBR (ISRL) (Styrene which Butadieneis a joint venture Rubber) promoted by Indian Oil, TSRC Corporation, , and Marubeni Corporation, The plant will be the country’s first unit to produce whose output will be 120 Rs.kilo958 tonnes crore, synthetic has rubber annually. The rubber produced would be used in forindustrialInternational units for manufacturing automobile and daily . need products. The project, which is estimatedWhat is SBR (Styrene to cost-butadiene or Styrene-Butadienebeen Rubber) financed? through debt raised from Japan Bank Styrene-butadiene Cooperation or Styrene and-Butadi Mizuhoene Corporation Rubber Bank (SBR) rubbers styrene abrasion describestires families of synthetic derived from and butadiene. These materials have good resistance and good aging stability when protected by additives. About 50% of car are made from various Satyananda Mishra is the new chairman of Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) types of SBR. December 2, 2013 Ex- India Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Satyananda Mishra has been appointed as the chairman of Multi Commodity Exchange of Ltd (MCX) board.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

The Forward Markets Commission (FMC)

also approved the appointment of Satyananda Mishra as the independent Director of MCX’s board. The position of the chairman was vacant since previous chairman, Venkat Chary, resigned in August 2013 on account of the new guidelines of Forward Markets Commission (FMC) which stated that About Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) the age limit of people on the board should not be more than 70 years. clea The MCX is country’s first listed commodity futures exchange that facilitates online trading, and ring and settlementForward of Contracts commodity Regulation futures transactions, Act, 1952 (FCRA, thereby 1952) roviding. a platform for risk management. It began functioning in November 2003 and operates within the regulatory Another Tiger Reserve to come up in Maharashtra framework of the December 2, 2013 Maharashtra National Tiger Conservation Authority up between Bhandarawill have and its fifthGondia tiger districts. reserve in Nagzira as the The Nagzira has-Navegaon given nod tiger to the reserve development of the conservation zone. The tiger reserve will be set

will be established to conserve tigers wandering outside the Tadoba reserve territory. The Nagzira sanctuary, which was of 150 square kilometer and the NavegaonWhere are the National other four Park, tiger reserves was of in 130 Maharashtra? square kilometer, which has been increased to 700 square kilometer to form a new tiger reserve. RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] The· otherMelghat four tiger reserves in Maharashtra are in: · Tadoba · Pench · Sahyadri About National Tiger Conservation Authority:

India The Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Project Tiger” was launched in April, 1973 with the objective “to ensure maintenance of a viableeducation population of Tigers in for scientific, economic, aesthetic, TheculturalWild and Life ecological (Protection) values Act,, and 1972 to preserve for all times, areas of biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, and enjoyment of the people.” was amended keeping in view the needs of the Project Tiger for providing enabling provisions for constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau. So, the National Tiger Conservation Authority was constituted from September 4, 2006 to strengthen· tiger conservation. The functions are as follows: · · Ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management · Preparation of reserve specific Committeestiger conservation plan Lay down annual/ audit report before Parliament · Instituting State level Steering under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation. BureauAccording(Wildlife approval Crime forCon declaringtrol Bureau) new Tiger Reserves. The NTCA has constituted a multidisciplinary Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control with effect from 6.6.2007. The WCCB comprises the officers from Police, Forest, Customs and other enforcement agencies to effectively control illegal trade in wildlife. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 10 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF)

Budget The announcement for creation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) was announced by the ProtectFinance Minister in speech of 2008. A onetime grant of Rs. 50 Crore was provided to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for raising, arming and deploying a Special Tiger MOM enters Mars trajectory: ISRO ion Force for 13 tiger reserves. The rest of the reserves were taken up later. December 2, 2013 India - the Mars Orbiter Mission’s (MOM) In a historic development, ’s first Mars mission spacecraft’s was propelled into the Mars Transfer Trajectory freeing it from the influence of Earth’s gravity. ISRO successfully conducted the Trans Mars Injection (TMI) operations to put MOM on course to the Red Planet with the help of spacecraft’s 440 Newton liquid engine which was fired for about 22 minutes providing a velocity increment of 648 metres/secondSpacecraft Control to the spacecraft.Centre at ISROWith Telemetry,this, the Earth Tracking orbiting andphase Command of the spacecraft Network ended (ISTRAC) and is now on path to Mars. The spacecraft is being continuously monitored from the About India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) ‘Mangalyan’: in Bangalore with support from Indian Deep· Space Network (IDSN) antennae at Byalalu. ‘Mangalyan‘ · PSLV C25 The Mars OrbiterSatish Mission Dhawan (MOM) Space has Centre been namedatSriharikota. · Launched onboard on November 5, 2013 at 14:38 hours from the first launch pad of RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] · India’s first interplanetary mission to planet Mars with an orbiter craft designed to orbit Mars in an elliptical orbit. ObjectivesIt will of India’s reach Mars Martian Orbiter transfer Mission (MOM) trajectory ‘Mangalyan’: in September 2014. Subsequently, it is planned to · enter into a 372 km by 80000 km elliptical orbit around Mars.

To showcase India’s technologicalenvironment prowess to. send a satellite to orbit around Mars · and conduct important experiments such as looking for signs of life, take pictures of the red planet and study Martian · To develop the technologies required for design, planning, management and operations of an interplanetary mission. · Design and realisation of a Mars orbiter with a capability to anagement. survive and perform Earth · bound manoeuvres, cruise phase of 300 days, Mars orbit insertion or capture. · Deep space communication, navigation, mission planning and m Incorporate autonomous features to handle contingency situations. Key PayloadsExploration on PSLVof Mars C25 surface: features, morphology, mineralogy and Martian atmosphere by 1. indigenous scientific instruments. 2. 3. Lyman Alpha Photometer (LAP) 4. Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM) 5. Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA) Mars Colour Camera (MCC) India among countries exempted from Iranian oil sanctions by the US Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometre (TIS) December 2, 2013

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

India

As stated by the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, is once again among a small list of countries that qualifies for an exemption2012 National from unilateral Defence Authorisation sanctions imposed Act (NDAA),by the US on countries importing oil from Iran. China Korea, Malaysia Africa, Singapore, LankaUnder, SectionTurkey and1245Taiwan of the U.S.’ the exception granted to India, along with , South , South Sri exception. , was based on India’s additional significant reductions in the volume of their purchases of Iranian crude oil. It is the fourth time when India has qualified for a NDAA between P5+1 and Iran Though, a major breakthrough interim deal was struck during the recent talks on limiting Iran’s nuclear programme but the US has cautioned that this would not offer relief from sanctions with respect to any increases in Iranian crude oil purchases by existing customers or any purchases by new customers, and the sanctions will continue to be Chang’e-3: China’s lunar probe carrying ‘Jade Rabbit’ moon buggy lifts off enforced over the next six months. December 2, 2013 ‘soft landing’ China - Chang’e-3 In an attemptprogramme. to carry out its first ever on moon, launched its lunar mission Soft Landing:whichA is carrying country’s first moon rover marking a major milestone for China’s space About Chang’e-3 lunar landing probe by a spacecraft on the moon or a planet at a sufficiently low velocity for the equipment· China or’s firstoccupants lunar torover remainRATHNAKUMAR mission unharmed. R. Email address: [email protected]

· Launching Site: aimed at exploring the Moon’s surface and southwesternlooking for natural resources such as rare metals. · Launched on Xichang Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China’s · Carrier: Sichuan-3B province · Key Payload : December-wheeled 2,robotic 2013 rover called Yutu (or Jade Rabbit) module. Long March · Expected landing:: Six -December.and a landing Note: the United States SovietIn the Union, Moon’s northern- hemisphere in mid If the lunar mission is successful, China will become the third country, after RBI permits banks to pay interest at shorter intervals and the former to soft land on the moon. December 2, 2013

banking platform. RBI has decided allow banks decide on the periodicity of interest payment on rupee savingsshorter and thanterm depositsquarterly keeping intervals in view that the banks are functioning on core deposits.Banks are now allowed to pay interest on rupee savings and term deposits at intervals . The step may trigger intense competition among banks to attract - The central bank has also extended the period for banks to exercise freedom to offer interest rates on incremental NRE (Non Resident External) deposits with maturity of 3 years and above without any ceiling in order to pass on the benefit of exemption provided on such deposits from CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) and SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio) requirements. The banks could have this freedom till January 31, 2014.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

RBI makes punching PIN mandatory for debit card transactions done every time December 2, 2013 their PIN With an aim to minimize frauds, RBI has made it mandatoryPoint for debit-of-Sales card (PoS) holders to punch in numbers every time they use the card. In June 2013, the central bank had extended the deadlineWhy this step for by implementation the RBI to make punching of mandatory PIN mandatory PIN for punching debit card at transactions done every time? and merchant outlets till November 30, 2013 following representation of banks.

The PIN functions as another layer of security for the debit card which reduces the chances of fraud. transaction.While using it at PoS, merchants will first swipe the cards at a PIN enabled PoS terminal and punch in the transaction amount. That will be followed by customers punching their PINs to complete the President inaugurates Hornbill Festival of Nagaland December 5, 2013 Nagaland Hornbill Festival

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated ’s famous . Hornbill (name of a bird) Festival, considered one of the biggest events in the state, puts on display the rich tradition andHornbill cultural Festival heritage of the Naga people. Nagaland is also observing the golden jubilee (50 years) of its formation as a state. culture Hornbill Festival is a festival celebrated in Nagaland every year in the first week of December. The festival showcases rich of Naga tribes which includes shows of music and dance. The festival Village, Kisama RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, at Naga Heritage games, sports which is about 12 km from Kohima the state capital. The Hornbill Festival provides a colourful mixture of dances, performances, crafts,India parades, union. , food fairs and religious ceremonies. The festival both exposes the culture and tradition of tribal peoples, and reinforces Nagaland’s identity as a unique state in ’s federal India at 94th spot on Corruption Perception Index: Transparency International

December 5, 2013 corruption International,India at 94th place 177 countries. Afghanistan NorthAccordingKorea toand a Somalia survey by watchdog Transparency is positioned while Denmark onand corruption index which ranked , As per Corruption Perception are Index viewed (CPI) as2013: the world’s most corrupt countries · New Zealand have scored the best. Pakistan China thposition. · India, with a score of 36 out of 100, ranked 94 on the index, above at rank 127 but below which stood at the 80 · Globally, almost 70% of countriesSyria are, Libya found to have a “serious problem” with public servants on the take, and none of the 177 countries surveyed this year achieved a perfect score. st · BhutanPerformance ranked of 31countries, like 91, Nepal 116, and Pakistan Mali which 127 are and riddenBangladesh with war 136. and rd · conflicts deteriorated the most on the index. Bangladesh 144. Sri Lanka th · In 2012, Bhutan was ranked 33 , Sri Lanka at 79, Nepal 139, Pakistan 139 and th nd · Among BRICS Africa andBrazil India remained stagnant atRussia the same(127 94th). spot both in 2013 and 2012. · Denmark and group,New Zealand India is behind China (80best), South on the index. (both 72 ). It is, however, better than have scored the © 2013 www.gktoday.in 13 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· Afghanistan, and Somalia most corrupt. Top 10 least corrupt countriesNorth in the Korea world, according to theare CPI categorized 2013: as the world’s 1. Denmark 2. New Zealand (tied with Denmark for No. 1) 3. Finland 4. Sweden (tied with Finland for No. 3) 5. Norway 6. Singapore (tied with Norway for No. 5) 7. Switzerland 8. Netherlands 9. Australia 10. Canada (tied with Australia for No. 9)

India successfully test-fired nuke-capable Prithvi II missile

December 5, 2013 India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) - Prithvi II

Integrated successfully Test Range test atfired Chandipur nuclear capable missile 230as part of a regular training exercise. The indigenously developed ballistic missile with a maximum rangePrithvi- II of 350 km was fired from in Balasore district, about · kmFirst from missile Bhubaneswar. Integrated Guided Missile

Development ProgramRATHNAKUMAR (IGMDP) R. Email address: [email protected] · Medium: Surface developed-to-surface by DRDO under the · Fuel Type - · Payload capacity · Range: 350km: Single stage liquid fuelled · Variants: Prithvi :I 500 to 1000Prithvi kg II for Dhanush · 2003 for Army, Air Force and; for the Navy India Post offers Express Parcel and Business Parcel services Inducted into the SFC in December 5, 2013 India’s Department of Post (DoP) has ‘Express Parcel’ Business Parcel’ services. launched two new parcel services namely 1. Express and ‘ Parcel: . India Post aims to generate revenue of Rs 100 crore from these

It is an air mail service for retail and bulk customers under which parcel will be shipped through airlines. IndiaRs. Post has fixed service charge for Express Parcels in andthe range of Rs.30 (local service) to Rs.80 (for delivery in other state) for items weighing up to Rs.500 gram. It20 will identified charge 8 tocities Rs.20— for additional 500 gram up to 5 kg Chenna Rs.10i, Delhi to Rs.22 for every additional Hyderabad 500 gm thereafter. This service will be initially available between Agra, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, 2. Business Parcel: NCR, Patna, Guwahati, , Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Pune, Parwanoo, Shillong, Surat and Thiruvananthapuram. It is a contractual service, designed to suit requirementsurface transmission of business modes.customers for an economical and reliable distribution solution. It will provide an economical distribution solution to its customers using Customers will have to pay in the range of Rs.45 to Rs.115 for items weighing up

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Rs.3 nationwide coverage. to 2 kg, Rs.12 to 0 for additional 1 kg up to 5 kg and Rs.14 to Rs.32 thereafter for every 1 kg. This service will have ParcelsIndia’s CAD booked improves under to both $ 5.2 the billion services in second will bequarter delivered at most in 72 hours. December 5, 2013 India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) $ 5.2 billion (1.2% of GDP) - has improved significantly to in the second quarter (July September) of this fiscal mainly due to decrease in gold imports and increase in exports. As per the RBI, the (CAD), the difference between outflow and inflow of foreign exchange, stood at $ 21 billion, or 5% of the GDP, in the second quarter of last fiscal. On a Balance of Payment (BoP) basis, there was a narrowing of foreign exchange reserves of $10.4 billion in second quarter as compared to that of USD 0.2 billion in the same period of last fiscal. - Improvement in trade-13. deficit combined with a surge in net invisibles receipts resulted in a reduction of the CAD to $26.9 billion (3.1% of GDP) in H1 of 2013 14 from $37.9 billion (4.5% of GDP) in H1 of 2012 target to contain the CAD at $70 billion or 3.7% of GDP and the fiscal deficit at 4.8% of the GDP this fiscal (2013-14). The government has set a At present, both the government and RBI are expecting the CAD to be below $56 billion in the current fiscal compared to the record high of USD 88.2 billion, or 4.8% of the GDPRATHNAKUMAR last fiscal. R. Email address: [email protected] In addition to rise in exports, a number of steps taken by the RBI paid off in improving the CAD. The central bank reduced the import of gold by hiking the import duty to 10% and restricting import of gold bars and medallions. During the period when rupee was depreciating, it took measures to boost exports.

2012As a -result, gold imports have declined from 142 tonnes in April and 162 tonnes in May to 23.5 tonnes in October, 11.16 tonnes in September, 3.38 tonnes in August and 47.75 tonnes in July. In 13, India imported an estimated 835 tonnes of gold, a key reason for the record CAD of $88.2 billion,Dabhol –or Bangalore 4.8% of GDP. gas pipeline launched December 5, 2013 India th Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dedicated to the Nation GAIL Ltd’s 1,000 km long natural gas pipelineAbout Dabhol from-Banglore Dabhol Gas to Pipeline: Bangalore during the inaugural ceremony of the 8 Asia Gas Partnership Summit· (AGPS). · million) · Constructed in a period of 19 months · Investment of 4500 croreMaharashtra (US$690 Design capacity of 16 MMSCMD of natural gas which can produce 3,000 MW of clean energy Starts at Dabhol in and passes through Belgaum, Dharwad, Gadag, · Bellary, Devanagere, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Ramanagaram, Bangalore Rural and · Bangalore Urban districts. Connects South India to the national gas grid for the first time. · Traverses via 18 National Highways, 382 roads, 20 railway tracks, 11 major rivers and 276 water bodies, including Asia’s largest river crossing in the rocky terrain at Ghatprabha. Construction involved pipeline laying in some of the world’s steepest slopes of 60 to 70 degrees and sharp elevations of upto 700 meters in a 3.5 km stretch. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 15 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Indian diplomat Abhay Kumar writes anthem for SAARC December 5, 2013 Kathmandu-

In a bid to foster regional consciousness and bring member states closer, based Indian diplomat Abhay Kumar composed an anthem for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). SAARC Anthem by Kumar will be translated in Hindi, English, Nepali, Bengali, Who is Abhay Kumar ? Pashto, Urdu, Sinhala, Dzongkha and Dhivehi, languages spoken in the South Asian region. · · First · Indian poet, artist and diplomat. · secretary, Press, Information and Communication, Indian Embassy. · The Earth Anthem written, produced and directed by him in eight languages. Wrote first ever South Asian Anthem · Honoured with the SAARC Literary Award for his contribution to contemporary South Asian AffairsPoetry. and nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2013. Note 2011:- ‘ASEAN Gov2. Way’ award on behalf of the Public Diplomacy Division,‘Beethoven’sMinistry of ExternalSymphony No 9 (Ode to Joy) ‘Let’s All Unite and Celebrate Together’ . is ASEAN’s anthem , the European Union use Government disinvest Power Grid Corp further with $1.1 billion FPO ‘ and is the anthem of the African Union December 5, 2013 disinvestment go Follow-on-Public Offer (FPO) subscribed.Following its plan to achieveRATHNAKUMAR the Rs.40, R. Email address: 000 [email protected] crore target for this fiscal, the vernment issued of Power Grid Corporation which was fully . The sale of 78.70 crore shares valuing $ 1.1 billion, or 17% stake, could fetch around Rs 7,083 crore at the upper end of the price band. 57.89% With this offer, the government holding in the company will come down to from the current level of 69.42%. 2007.This is the second FPO from Power Grid, which sold a 10% stake along with a similar stake divested by the government in November 2010.Rs The40,000 company crore from hit the disinvestment capital market in with the current IPO in October fiscal. So far in the current fiscal, the government has raised over Rs 1,300 crore through minority India to be hub of oil demand growth after 2020: IEA stake sale in PSUs. It has aims to fetch December 5, 2013 -based International India

KeyAs per predictions Paris of IEA published in its World Energy Energy Agency Outlook: (IEA), will become the largest single source of global· oil demand growth after 2020.

· The global oil demand is projected to touch 101 million barrels per day (mbpd) by year 2035 particularlyfrom today’sChina around 87 mbpd. · The centre of energy demand is shifting decisively in favour of emerging economies, Japan, India, Korea and theand MiddleAustralia East, which drive global energy use 33% higher. · India’s oil consumption will exceed 8 mbpd by 2035, which is more than current consumption of put together. · Currently, within Asia, China dominates the region, before India replaces it from 2020 as the principal engine of oil demand growth. India’s energy demand are estimated to double by 2035 on back of economic growth and population increase. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 16 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

By 2035, India is likely to be the largest importer of coal and will be second largest importer · of oil next to China and will be number four- in importing gas after European Union, China and Japan. th · Although the energy demand will be twooilfold,- the consumption per capita in India will still be 1/4 of the OECD average. · China is predicted to become the largest importing country by replacing US and India will become the largest importer of coal by the early 2020s. InternationalIndia’s Energy coal Agencyimports (IEA) will surge primarily because India uses the fossil fuel for generation of electricity and 68% of electricity in India is generated from coal. - The International Energy Agency was established by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as a response to the oil shock of 1973 74. IEA advises its 24 member Karnataka Assembly passes rigorous ESMA Bill countries on issues related to energy security. December 5, 2013 Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Bill (ESMA), 2013 non-bailable offence The Legislative Assembly without of warrant. passed a stringent Why Essential Services which Maintenance will render Bill striking(ESMA), 2013? work a and empowers the police to arrest a striking employee power, health definesThe Essential‘Essential Services Services’ Maintenance Bill (ESMA), 2013 aims to restrain employees working in water, , transport and serviceRATHNAKUMAR sectors R. Email from address: going [email protected] on strikes, inconveniencing people. The bill as any service connected with the production, generation, storage, transmission, supply or distribution of water or electricity and any transportation serviceth for the thecarriage of passengers or goods by motor vehicles. It empowers the government to declare even those services that the State has powers to make laws for under List II of the 7 Schedule of Constitution, as essential services. As per the bill, upon conviction, those who commence a strike or continue to go on strike or take part in any strike will be penalized with a sentence up to 1 year or with fine up to Rs 5,000 or both. Those inciting or funding strikes also face the same punishment. Those giving financial aid to illegal strike also will be booked under law. The order will come into force for a period of 1 year from the date the government publishes the order.NASA discoversHowever, signs it can of be water extended in atmosphe up to 6re months. five distant planets December 5, 2013

NASA scientists have found signs of water in the atmospheres of five distant planets. few exoplanets Though some previous studies have also reported the presence of atmospheric water on a Which are the five planetsorbiting where stars NASA beyond has found the signs solar of water? system, but this is the first study to conclusively measure and compare the profiles and intensities of these signatures on multiple worlds.

The1. fiveWASP planets-17b are: 2. HD209458b 3. WASP-12b 4. WASP-19b

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

5. XO- RBI relaxes ECB norms for infrastructure firms 1b e December 5, 2013 India infrastructure The Reserve Bank of (RBI) relaxed External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) norms for companies raising foreign funds for projects. As per the relaxation given by the central bank, firms can now raise funds through the ECB route for their infrastructure projects through their holding companies or core investment firms, which will facilitate them to arrange finances for these projects expeditiously. As per RBI, such funds should be used in Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for a specific project. Currently, SPVs are permitted to raise ECB funds for infrastructure projects, while there were restrictions for parent firms in doing so. However, the central bank has stipulated a number of conditions to avail this facility. For example, infrastructure projects are required to be executed by the SPV set up exclusively for the project. The SPV should give an undertaking that no other method of funding, such as trade credit, will be used What is External Commercial Borrowing (ECB)? for that portion of fresh capital expenditure funded through ECB proceeds. ·

· Any money that has been borrowed from foreign sources for financing the commercial activities in India are called External Commercial Borrowings. The ECBs are defined as money borrowed from foreign resources including the following: The Government of IndiaRATHNAKUMAR permits R. Email ECBs address: as [email protected] a source of finance for Indian Corporates for · expansion of existing capacity as well as for fresh investment · · Commercial bank loans · Buyers’ credit and suppliers’ credit Securitised instruments such as Floating Rate Notes and Fixed Rate Bonds etc. asCreditInternational from official export credit agencies and commercial borrowings from the Objectiveprivate of External sector Commercial window Borrowing of(ECB) Multilateral Financial Institutions such · Finance Corporation (Washington), ADB, AFIC, CDC, etc.

Government permits the ECBs as an additional source of financing for expanding the existing capacity as wellRailways as for fresh investments. The ECB policy of the Government · seeks to emphasize the priority of investing in the infrastructure and core sectors How ECBsuch is different as Power, from telecom, FDI? , Roads, Urban infrastructure etc. It mustThere be noted is also that emphasis ECB means on the any n kindeed of of capitalfunding for other Small than and Equity Medium. If the scale foreign enterprises. money is used to finance the Equity Capital, it would be termed as Foreign Direct Investment.

The ECB should satisfy the ECB regulations stipulated by the Government or its agencies such as RBI. The Bonds, Credit notes, Asset Backed Securities, Mortgage Backed Securities or anything of thatThe naturefollowing are areincluded not included in ECB. in the ECBs ·

Any Investment made towards core capital of an organization such as equity shares, convertible preference shares or convertible debentures. We should note here that those · instruments which can be converted into equity are called convertible. The convertible instruments are covered under the FDI Policy. Any other direct capital is not allowed in ECB.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Ms Sushma Singh will be the next Chief Information Commissioner of India December 6, 2013

India The senior most Information Commissioner Ms Sushma Singh will be the next Chief Information Commissioner of (CIC), she will succeed Ms Deepak Sandhu. The decision to appoint Sushma Singh, a former IAS officer, as the next CIC was taken unanimously by a panel consisting of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Law SushmaMinister SinghKapil Sibal. She will be the second woman to become CIC after Ms Deepak Sandhu whose term· comes to an end later this month. · Jharkhand cadre · Former Secretary to the Government of India She joined the IAS in 1972, Offices held earlier: Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CentralSecretary Information to the CommissionGovernment of India in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and also in The RTIthe Ministryact forprovides the Developmentfor establishment of the Northof EasternCentral Regionand State (DONER).information

2005 commissioner as· a designated authority to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person. Commissioner. · Under26 Octoberthe CIC,2005:the Mr.Chief WajahatInformation HabibullahCommissioner became India’s first Chief Information Government of India except in matter RATHNAKUMAR re R. -Emailappropriation address: [email protected] writing enjoys-off losses completefor financial and administrative powers of a Department of the . s · TherelatingChief to theInformation creation ofCommissioner posts, and Information which it needs bythe thespecificPresident concurrenceon the ofrecommendation the Ministry of Financeof a committee — Commissioners shall be appointed comprising Prime Minister as · Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in theInformation Lok Sabha; aCo Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister. · TheAccordingChief Information to the RTICommissioner Act 2005, Chiefshall not be eligible forreappointmentmmissioner / . Information · TheCommissionergeneral shallsuperintendence, hold office for adirection term of 5 yearsand ormanagement till he attains the age of 65 years.of the Commission are vested in the of the affairs Chief Information Commissioner, who is assisted by the India ranked 98th in Forbes ‘doing business’ list 2013 Information Commissioners. December 6, 2013 India business poverty, corruption ranked 98th in the Forbes list of world’s best countries for doing that has cited technol and discrimination against girls among the challenges facing the country. The rating of 145 nations was done on the several factors viz. property rights, innovation, taxes, Irelandogy, corruption, freedom (personal, trade and monetary), red tape, investor protection,- businessstock marketenvironment performance, etc. topped the Forbesand ‘doing business’. list, as it maintains an extremely pro which attracts investments from world’s biggest companies. Ireland was followed by New Zealand Hong Kong

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

International, The data for the report was collected from reports of various organizations viz. Freedom House, Heritage Foundation, Property Rights Alliance, Transparency World Bank and World Gross NPAs touched Rs. 2.9 lakh crore by March: ICRA Economic Forum, etc. December 6, 2013 banking

Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency (ICRA) warned the industry that it may suffer more shocks due to the pile up of its’ gross bad assets which- is set to touch 4.4 %, or Rs 2.9 trillion of total assets by this fiscal end. Gross bad assets were 4 % of total assets at the end of the July September quarter. Net NPAs stood at 2 % or Rs 0.9 trillion in March and 2.7 per cent or in Q2 or Rs -1.25 trillion. - As per ICRA estimates, unamortized losses worth Rs. 6,000 7,000 - crore would impact banks’ profitability- in the second half of FY14. It also said that the banking system require- Rs. 4.1 5.7 lakh crore by FY18 to meet the Basel III norms. It expects net profit of state run banks this fiscal year to be 30 40 % lower than FY13, which will pull down their return on equity to 6 8% from 9.7% in H1. accoun ICRA analyzed 26 public sector banks and 15 private sector banks. These 41 banks collectively t for around 90 % of the total credit portfolio and deposits as of the September quarter this fiscal· year. ICRA Limited, an Indian independent and professional investment information and credit Microsoft mulls stronger encryptionRATHNAKUMAR of Internet R. Email address: traffic [email protected] rating agency credit rating agency was set up in 1991. Its headquarters are at Gurgaon. December 6, 2013

In the face of NSA syping, software giant Microsoft is eyeing a stronger encryption and it is taking Why a need for encryption of Internet traffic ? steps to protect the privacy of online communications. US The move by Microsoft is in the wake of revelations of vast online surveillance programs led by the National Security Agency. Comparing US government surveillance to sophisticated malware and cyber attacks, the software giant will encrypt Internet traffic traveling through its data centers. It is takingTechnique steps used to by ensureMicrosof thatt any government surveillance of the Internet is conducted legally rather than by a technological subterfuge. - – constraints.Microsoft plans to switch over to stronger 2,048 bit encryption keys by the end of next year a technology that reportedly takes ten years to crack in real time because of computing power Bill for creation of Telangana gets assent of Union Cabinet December 7, 2013 Telangana India th . The Union Cabinet has approved for the creation of with 10 districts and sketched the draft for carving out the ’s 29 state from the currentAndhra Pradesh The Cabinet chaired by PM Manmohan Singh gave its nod to a draft reorganization bill based on the recommendationsWhat next? of Group of Ministers (GoM) and dropped a debatable move to add two districts of Rayalaseema to Telangana.

Now, the bill will be sent to the President with a request to make a reference to Andhra Pradesh assembly to obtain its views. The government intends to bring the bill in the winter session of parliament but it depends on when the President returns the bill after signing it. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 20 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Highlights of the Telangana Bill: · 10 districts Andhra Pradesh 13 districts. · Hyderabad years.Telangana will have and the rest of · Both the states will have as their capital for a period not exceeding 10

Governor of Telangana will have to bear a special responsibility for security of life, liberty · and property of all those who reside in the common capital area. The Governor may be assisted by two advisors to be appointed by the Government of India (GoI). Financial and other assistance to the creation of a new capital for the successor state of · Andhra Pradesh will be provided by the Government of India. The capital will be recommended by an expert panel. For proper management of water resources and projects on Krishna and Godavari rivers, · Polavaraminstitutional mechanism with full involvement and participation of government of India will be set up. · will be declared as a national project and will be executed by the union divigovernment following all environmental and R&R norms. · ArticleThere are 371 detailed D provisions in the bill on matters relating to coal, power, oil and gas, for educationsion of assets and liabilities and allocation of government employees. will continue for the both states to ensure equitable opportunities and public employment. Current admission quotas in higher technical and medical institutions will remain for a period not exceedingOxford researchers 5 years. develop newRATHNAKUMAR malaria vaccineR. Email address: [email protected] December 7, 2013 new malaria vaccine mosquito-borne disease. In a major scientific development,results scientists at Oxford University have developed a which can guard against the deadly The vaccine has shown promising in the first clinical trial in which some of the adult volunteers were completely protected against malaria. It’s the first time that a vaccine has been shown to have a protective effect through a sufficiently high immune response involving cells called CD8 T cells. It is CD8 immune cells that are seen to vanguardHow this vaccine a protective is different response from existing against vaccines? malaria in similar studies in mice.

antibodies and T cells At present, every vaccine in use generates antibodies. But there are twoarly divisionsCD8+ T to cells. the body’s immune system for combating infection: . The latest vaccine is different in a way that it aims to induce– an immune response involving T cells particul CD8 T cells are vital because they are the main killer cells in the immune system. They can attack nearly all India to host 2017 under-17 FIFA World Cup types of infected cells in this case liver cells infected with the malaria parasite. December 7, 2013 The Under-17 FIFA World Cup 2017 tournament will be hosted by India Africa,Ireland and Uzbekistan. India will get the opportunity to participate in the 24-nation. India biennial bagged mega the eventlandmark for rightsthe first by beatingtime. other bidders like South football As a host nation This will be(Under the biggest- ever tournament India will be hosting and the first FIFA event in the country’s history. Previously, India has hosted Asian Football Co federation’s Youth Championships 20) in 2006 and then the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 but never any FIFA tournament. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 21 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

whileChile

This year’s (2013) tournament was hosted by the United Arab Emirates will be the host FIFAcountry president for the 2015Sepp edition. Blatter required infrastructure supported India hosting the event and wants India to build the ‘Brazuca’ : The new FIFA World Cup ball unveiled and facilities. December 7, 2013 Sports Adidas – the “Brazuca,” Brazil goods manufacturer unveiled the new ball for 2014 World Cup called What does Brazucain mean? honor of at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro. Adidas has been following the tradition of providing the official ball for every World Cup tournament since 1970. – – anythingThe word“Brazilianish”. “Brazuca” has a dual meaning, used as a term for Brazilians living overseas including its many footballers but also as slang used to describe national pride or The ball is decorated with a ribbon design in shades of blue, gold and green, which the manufacturer says represents the traditional “wishRio de bracelets” Janeiro wornin Brazil. in Brazil. The ball will be introduced in the inaugural game of FIFA World Cup 2014 on June 12, 2014 in Sao SouthPaulo, Africaand will. be played with until the final on July 13, 2014 in Previously, Adidas manufactured a ball named “Jabulani” for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in held in Anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela passed away

December 7, 2013 Nelson MandelaRATHNAKUMAR (95),R. Email address: [email protected] The South African anti apartheid icon passed away at his residence at Johannesburg. death of the great statesman is being mourned Nelsonby his nation Rolihlahla and theMandela: world with tributes flooding in from the leaders and Bornpeople all over the globe. Thembu clan.Sobriquet:The Father of the Nation(South Africa), Madiba as Tata: July 18, 1918 to the royal family belonging to Xhosa -colonial African National, or Congress (ANC) (“Father”). He studied lawYo at Fort Hare University and the University · of Witwatersrand.nationalist and Joineddemocratic anti socialist politics. and the · and becameSouth a founding African member National of its Party uth League. Politically he was a In 1948, when theTransvaal chapter came to power, he rose to · prominence in the ANC’s 1952 Defiance Campaign, was appointed superintendent of the organisation’s and headed the 1955 Congress of the People. · Repeatedly arrested on the charges of sedition and, with the ANC leadership, was unsuccessfully prosecuted in the Treason Trial from 1956 to 1961. · SpentArrested27 inyears 1962 inand prison convicted of conspiracy to subvert the government, and sentenced to Prisonlife imprisonmentand in the Rivonia Trial. · , initially on Robben Island, and later in Pollsmoor aninternational Victor Verster Prison. · In 1990, he was released following escalating pressure from campaign for his release and growing civil tension. Initiated talks with President F.W. de Klerk to abolish apartheid and establish multiracial elections in 1994, in which he led the ANC to victory.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· ’s first black president

· In 1994, he became South Africa Truth and formed and Reconciliation a Government Commissionof National Unity in an attempt to defuse racial tension. · He also promulgated a new constitution and created the promote to investigate past human rights abuses.healthcare services. · His governmentPresident took initiatives of the ANC with from liberal 1991 economicto 1997. policy and took steps to · Served Secretary land reforms, General combat of the poverty, Non-Aligned and expand Movement from 1998 to 1999. · Served asmedi the ator between Libya United Kingdom Pan Am Flight 103 bombing trial Lesotho. · Acted as and the in the , and supervised military interventionHIV/AIDS in Nelson MandelaHe didn’t Foundation.contest for a second term, and subsequently became an elder statesman, Awardsfocusing and Honors: on charitable work in fighting poverty and through the

1993MandelaNobel was Peace showered Prize, the withUS severalPresidential national Medal and of international Freedom honorsSoviet Order from countries of Lenin and theorganizationsBharat Ratna. across the globe. He received more than 250 honours, including the , the , and China’s air defense zone unacceptable by White House

December 7, 2013 China defense RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] ’s new air zone over the East China Sea was not recognized- by the United States. From this moveWhat’s the of issue? China, tensions will create in one of the world’s most geo politicallydefence sensitive areas. the international China had set up an air zone- that covered- airspace over parts of the disputed East China Sea and required all non commercial air forces.crafts to notify its authorities of their flight plans to avoid triggering a response from air defence The ADIZ is a predefined area over international airspace within which the Chinese Japan military will monitor and track aircraft. The zone extends into international airspace east of China’s territorial airspace into the East China Sea, and up to 130 km from ’s territorial airspace. The Chinese ADIZ overlaps with the ADIZ that Japan has already established in the region, with both zones covering the disputed Diaoyu or ChSenkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The move is likely to fuel tensions with Japan, coming at a time when both countries have sparred over the disputed Senkaku or Diaoyu islands in the East Malala wins UN Human Rights Prize 2013 ina Sea. December 7, 2013 , - education UN Human Rights Prize 2013. ThePakistani winners teen of activist the prestigious Malala Yousafzai United whoNations survived Prize bulletin theinjury Field of inflicted Human by Rights the Taliban for 2013 for arechampioning- girls’ has won the · Ms. Malala Yousafzai (student activist), Pakistan

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· Mauritania · Mr. Biram Dah Abeid (campaigner –against slavery) fromKosovo · Ms. Hiljmnijeta Apuk (humanFinland rights– activist and campaigner for rights of people with Deafdisproportional restricted growth short stature) from · Ms. Liisa Kauppinen- of President Moroccoemeritus of the World Federation of the · Mexico ’s – Ms. Khadija Ryadi former President of the Association for Human Rights the Vienna Supreme Court of Justice the Constitutional Court The twentieth anniversaryUnited of the Nations Office ofHeadquarters the High Commissioner in New York foron Human Human Rights Rights Day and (December Declaration 10). and Programme of Action are also organized with the Award Ceremony Whatwhich is would the United take placeNations at Prize in the Field of Human Rights? · every five years. · An honorary award given to individuals – andAmnesty organizationsInternational in recognition of outstanding achievementNelson in Mandelahuman rights in · The Laureates who won this award later are , Jimmy Carter, Martin Luther King, and Eleanor Roosevelt. The Prize not only gives public recognition to the achievements of the recipients themselves, but also sends a clear message to human rights defenders the world over that the international community is grateful for, and supports, their tireless efforts to promote all Bali Ministerial of the World Trade Organisation 2013 human rights for all. December 7, 2013 RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] What is WTO Ministerial Conference? -

The WTO Ministerial Conference is the topmost decision making body of the World Trade Organization which regularly convenes every two years. It brings together all members of the WTO, all of which are countries or customs unions. The Ministerial Conference can take decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade agreements. Agriculturenegotiations Least- Yemen The conference- has key issues- to discuss viz. Trade facilitation, , Cotton What wasdeveloped India’s stand cou at ntriesthe Bali Ministerial Monitoring of the mechanism, World Trade Organisation Small and 2013 vulnerable ? economies, ’s accession,India E commerce “Non violation”he ‘Peace in intellectualClause’ property, etc. World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevedo decided not to agree tosafeguards t for subsidiesfor agriculture given to the subsidies farmers that for the food security purposes by poor countries. has proposed for Bali talks. Here, India stands - to seek Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said that for India, food security is non negotiable, it is an integral part of the millennium development goals and the need for public stockholding of food grains to ensure food security must be respected, and for this SouthWTO rulesAfrica must, Nepal be, Egyptupdated., Uganda , Namibia, Argentina, Zimbabwe, Ecuador,Venezuela, Mauritius an dForNicaragua this valuable cause, India got support from many WTO members like What is the Peace Claus e under current context and why an issue over this Peace Clause? Peace, etc. Clause’, -

Under this ‘ developing WTOcountries Disputes can provide Settlement WTO Bodyprohibited subsidiesAgreement to farmers on Subsidieswithout inviting and Countervailing any dispute under Measures the Agreement on Agriculture, developed countries-and-void. will have the right to drag these countries to the , under the

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Note :

Developed countries pressurizing India to accept a peace clause, which offers four years of immunityOutcome of theagainst 9th ministerial penalties conference imposed of for the breachingWorld Trade theOrganization farm subsidy (WTO) cap of 10 per cent under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA).

Because of India’s concern of Food security, WTO’s Bali Ministerial Conference revised draft decisions on a package of issues designed to streamline trade, allow developing countries more options for providing food security, boost least developed countries’ trade and help development moreOther generally. Related Article(s):

RBI proposes new capital rules for D-SIBs (banks too-big-to-fail) India declines WTO Peace Clause proposal December 7, 2013 ofToIndia safeguard the financial system from any possible crisis situation where large financial institutions faltered due to loss of confidence in the financial system, the Reserve Bank Key Elements (RBI) of the released RBI Report the on draft D-SIBs report (banks too to - introducebig-to-fail) increased capital requirements by 2016 for banks· regarded as too big to fail and make them subject to greater regulatory- oversight.

· It outlines the methodology- to be adopted for identifying the D SIBs and regulatory policies · for them. The sample of banks for RATHNAKUMARD SIBs will R. Emailbe selected address: [email protected] when its’ size is more than 2 % of GDP . · Banks classified as systemically- important will be required to hold additional capital in the range of 0.2 % to 1 % of their risk weighted- assets. - · The- banks designated as D SIBs will be subjected to more intense superv- ision in the form of higher frequency and higher intensity of off and on site monitoring. · A D SIB in lower bucket will attract lower capitala ,charge and a, D SIB in higher, bucket will Bankattractand higherPunjab capital charge. Large banks such- as the State Bank of Indi ICICI Bank HDFC Bank Canara Domestic systemically important National banks Bank (D-SIBs) were likely to fall under this category of systemically important banks (D SIBs) or too large to fail. — theTheseeconomy are large. and highly interconnected financial institutions whose failures failure might trigger a financial crisis or can impact the orderly functioning of the financial system and harm Ministerial panel recommends bail out package to the sugar industry including financial assistance to sugar cane farmers December 8, 2013 Agriculture - AnWhy informalthe need for group a financial of ministers,package for sugar headed mills by ? Minister Sharad Pawar recommended a number of incentives to cash starved sugar mills including financial package to pay cane farmers. - quintaOwing l. to an increase in prices of fuel and fertilizer, farmers are insisting that mills pay Rs.280 Rs.300 per quintal for sugarcane. But millers hold that they can afford to pay only Rs.225 per decline in the prices of sugar. - At present, sugar industry is facing a financial crisis due to higher cost of production and - This has led to 3400 crore rupees cane arrears from 2012 13 during the marketing year that ended in September 2013. Thus, owing to liquidity crunch, the sugar mills demanded interest free loans for working capital requirement, hike in import duty, export © 2013 www.gktoday.in 25 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

farmers. subsidiesRecommendations among of others.the Panel This headed financial by Agriculture package Minister will Sharad allow Pawar: millers to pay money they owe to the -

To ensure timely payments to cane growers, the PM- constituted panel recommended loan recasting for mills as per the RBI norms, incentives for production for raw sugar of up to 4 million tonnes and setting· up of buffer stock besides 7200 doublingcrore rupees ethanol atblending 12 percent in petrol interest to 10%. rate to sugar mills · The 12% bailout interest includes paid by Government of Indiaby (GoI) the banks and Sugarto pay Developmentoff the arrears ofFund the (SDF).sugarcane growers. on the financial support on the loan will be The GoI will pay 5% of the loan, · Thewhilemills the 7%will will have be paid to repayby the SDF.loan sThis in makes5 years the loan amount free of interest for the sugar mills. · , but can get a moratorium on · repayment- in the first two years. To increase import duty on sugar (but at present there is no hike in import duty). Note:An inter departmental panel will be set up to coordinate with oilBrazil marketing.Maharashtra companiesand and Pradeshsugar mills for ethanol blending. India is the second biggest sugar producer in the world after Uttar India contributes $1 million to UN women’s body are the top sugar producing state of India. December 8, 2013 RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] India - to WomenTo help global efforts to ensure gender equality and empowerment of women, ). contributed $1 million· India’s to the PermanentUN as the fourth Representative installment of to India’s the UN, multi Mr.year Asoke pledge K Mukerjito provide USD 5 Mn UN (United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women urged UN About WomenUN Women to focus on increasing the use of information and communication technology for empowerment of women.

UN· Women is a United Nations entity working for the empowerment of women and girls. · · Became operational in January 2011 · Member of the United Nations Development GroupDelhi India,HeadquartersBhutan, Maldivesat New York,and USA . UN Women’s Office based in New covers four countries: Sri Lanka In these countries, the organization strengthen · women’s rights by working with women, men, feminists, women’s networks, governments, local authoritiesEnding violenceand civil society.against women, It stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on many etc.priority areas such as Promoting Leadership and Participation, Economic Empowerment, national planning and budgeting for women, Stamps of India National Exhibition 2013 (SINE)

December 8, 2013 Stamps of IndiaNational Exhibition 2013 (SINE) The 4th Edition of Delhi. organized by Bharatiya Daktikit Sangstha, Kolkata at NDMC Convention Centre, Parliament Street, New © 2013 www.gktoday.in 26 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

To celebrate 100 years of cinema in India, SINE acknowledges the contribution of legendary yesteryear actors like Durga Khote, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Smita Patil and queen of melody, Suraiya,Year 2013 It features is being a rangecelebrated of stamps as a and centenary postcards milestone on these iconicto showcase personalities. the cinematic heritage of the Indian film industry in the last 100 years. Mr. Ahmet Uzumcu re-appointed as OPCW Director General

December 8, 2013 -

At the 18th Session of the Conference of State Parties, Mr. Ahmet Uzumcu was re appointed as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) OPCW Director General. · international · Objective: · An independent, body established in 1997. · To implement the ChemicalNetherlands Weapons. Convention. · Has a working relationship with the UN. Headquarters: The Hague, the AboutConducts Ambassador inspections Ahmet Uzumcu of destruction procedures, as well as evaluating members’ own declarations, in order to examine that the convention is being followed. Director- (OPCW)Turkish career diplomat general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons RepresentedRATHNAKUMARTurkey R. Email address: [email protected] since 2010 at the United Nations Office in 2006 and Conference on 2013:DisarmamentNobel in Geneva and the North Atlantic TreatyUzumcu. Organization (NATO) Council between 2002 and 2004 Peace Prize Syriawent to OPCW headed by Ahmet OPCW is currently working in destroying ’s chemical weapons stockpiles which marks as the Employing manual scavengers made an offence first time the OPCW is working in a war zone. December 8, 2013 Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 India Employing or engaging a person has become an offence now as comes into force across except J&K. The law forbids the employment of manual scavengers, the manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without protective equipment and the construction of insanitary latrines. latrineThe law also has provisions for rehabilitation of manual scavengers and providing them alternative employment. With the enactment of this law, the construction and maintenance of the insanitary Key pointss has of the become Prohibition an offence. of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013: 1.) Prohibition of Insanitary and Employment or engagement as Manual Scavengers It will be an offence to: · · PenaltyConstruct against or offenders: maintain an insanitary latrine · Engage or employ a person to work as the Manual Scavenger

First contravention is punishable with imprisonment up to 1 year or with the fine up to Rs 50,000 or both.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

2.) ProhibitionAny subsequent of person contravention from engagement is punishable or with employment imprisonment for up hazardous to 2 years cleaning or with the of a sewerfine or upa septic to Rs 5tank lakh or both. Penalty: ·

· First contravention is punishable with imprisonment up to two years or with a fine up to two lakh rupees or with both 3.) UnderAny subsequent this Act, offences contravention are cognizable is punishable and nonwith- bailimprisonment able up to five years or with fine 4.) Timeup to bound five lakh survey rupees of orManual with both Scavengers in Urban and rural areas 5.) Comprehensive Rehabilitation of the Manual Scavengers within a time bound framework · · · Manual Scavengers will be issued Photo Identity card · Government will provide initial cash aid Children of the Manual Scavengers will be provided scholarship · Residential plot with financial aid will be allocated for the construction of the house or a · ready built house · Imparting Manual Scavengerslegal livelihood skill Providing concessional loan with subsidy for assuming alternative occupation 6.) Vigilance/ Monitoring MechanismRATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] Extending any other or programmatic help

The implementation of the Act will be under the following Vigilance/Monitoring panels at various Vigilance Committees levels of State and Centre. · committees · Sub- MonitoringDistrict Committees level will be headed by District Magistrate · Division level committees will be headed by Sub Divisional Magistrate

State level committees will be headed by Chief Minister CentreUnion Government level committees denies will introduction be headed of by ILP Minister in Meghalaya of Social Justice and Employment December 8, 2013 Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya

The demand to create has been rejected by the Union Government on grounds that the ConstitutionArticle does 19 (D) not of provide the Constitution for extending the special provision to new areas. WhatThe Government is Inner Line clarified Permit that (ILP)? it was bound by which allows any Indian citizen to move freely throughout the territory of theState country. government

ILP is an official travel document issued by an empowered to permit inward Whytravel Inner of anLine Indian Permit citizen(ILP) is issued? into a protected or restricted area for a limited period. It is mandatory for Indian citizens from outside those specific States to get permit for entering the protected State. the international Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. The ILP system empowers the government, Nagaland to regulate and movementMizoram. to certain areas located near borders. It is issued under the At present, ILP is active in Arunachal Pradesh

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

In context of Meghalaya, various organizations in the state have been demanding ILP system claimingTejas test the-fires demography missile successfully of the State is changing due to the intense inflow of people. December 8, 2013 India Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas air-to-air missile precision. ’s first indigenously designed and developed Indian successfully launched an infrared seeking that hit its target with WithAbout LCA the Tejas success achieved in the test, the plan to induct the aircraft in the Air Force has moved further. Tejas (Radiance) by Prime Minister AB Vajpayee – Last Chance Aircraft The LCA was christened - in June 2004. The Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA sometimes called ) is the - world’s singlesmallest,- light weight, multi role combat aircraft.- The aircraft is designed to meet the requirements of Indian Air Force as its frontline multi mission- seat tactical aircraft- to replace the MiG 21 series of aircraft. The delta wing configuration, with no tailplanes-of- or foreplanes, features a single vertical fin. The LCA- is constructed of aluminium lithium alloys, carbon fibre composites,- and titanium and it integrates modern design concepts and the state art technologies such as relaxed static stability, flyby wire Flight Control System, Advanced Digital Cockpit, Multi Mode Radar, Integrated Digital Avionics System, Advanced Composite Material Structures and a Flat Rated Engine. The LCA program was launchedRATHNAKUMAR in 1985. R. Email Hindustan address: [email protected] Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the Principal Jordan gets UNSC seat as its non-permanent member Partner in the design and fabrication of LCA and its integration leading to flight testing. December 8, 2013 Jordan non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been elected as a Syria issues. . Jordan has replaced Saudi Arabia which was recently elected for the position but rejected theWhich seat are inthe protest new members at the on UN UNSC? council’s failure to end the war in and act on other Middle East - Besides, Lithuania, Chile, Nigeria and Chad replacingJordan isAzerbaijan the , latestGuatemala entrant, Pakistan on, Morocco the UNSC as its non permanent member. will also join as Argentina new members, Australia of , Luxembourg the council,, South Korea and Rwanda . and Togo. The other five temporary council membersSome key points about that UNSC will remain next year are Article 23 of Chapter V of United Nations Charter. – The UNSC was established in 1946- as per The Permanentcouncil has 15Members: members which are further categorized into 5 permanent and 10 non permanent members1. China of the Council. The non permanent members have term of 2 years. 2. France 3. Russian Federation 4. The United Kingdom 5. The United States of America What are the key responsibilities of the UNSC? The UNSC United Nations of international is one of the six key organs of the and is entrusted with the maintenance peace and security. Its powers include the establishment of © 2013 www.gktoday.in 29 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013 peacekeeping of through operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization military action Security Council resolutions; it is the only UN body with the authority to All unfilled chemical munitions of Syria destructed: OPCW issue binding resolutions to member states. December 8, 2013 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Syria

As per all of ’s unfilled munitions have been destroyed. The United Nations- and OPCW teams are workingNobel in tandem Peace inPrize Syria 2013 with an aim to remove the most toxic chemicals from Syria by the end of the year for destruction at sea and destroy the entire stockpile.program by mid 2014. The OPCW, which won the , has been instructed by theWhy destruction United Nations of Chemical to supervise weapons is going the destruction on in Syria? of the Syrian government’s chemical weapons Bashar-al Assad Sarin gas The Syrian government under was accused by the US and its Western allies of using Chemical weapons (mainly ) to crush the rebellion in the country.Russia Syria rejected the intervention,allegations and blamed theChemical rebels for Weapons its use. TheConvention matter went to the extent that the US started contemplating military action against the country which wasOrganisation opposed by for the. Later, Prohibition on Russia’s of Chemical Weapons Syria joined (OPCW) which requires all parties to declare and destroy all of the chemical weapons they possess. has the job is to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention. Syria “Pad kid poured curd pulled cold”RATHNAKUMAR – Psychologists R. Email address: reveal [email protected] the world’s most frustrating tongue twister joined the OPCW and agreed to dismantle its chemical arsenal to avoid possible U.S. military strikes. December 9, 2013 speech-

To· shed light on the brain’s planning processes, a tongue twister study conducted by researchers at the annual meeting of the Acoustical Society of America in San Francisco. · Psychologists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology asked the volunteers to say the sentence 10 times in a row, at a fast lick. The volunteers recorded different combinations of words (like “the top cop saw a cop top”) · but the most challenging“Pad one kid was poured the phrase curd pulled ‘Pad kid cold” poured curd pulled cold’, while saying it, many of them clammed up and stopped talking altogether.- Peter piperThe jumble and of his words peck of pickled pepper” She soundsells nonsensicalseashells bybut itthe is seathe shore” most tricky tongue twister ever, leaving tongue tangling classics like “ Why scientists study tongue twisters? and “ · in the dust.

· Scientists study speech errors such as tongue twisters to understand how the brain sentences.processes and plans speech. They study the two categories of tongue twisters: i) Simple lists of paired words. ii) Whole-

This operation would assist in understanding that when things go wrong, how a typical, error free operation would go and when certain combinations of sounds are spoken too quickly, people seem to“LOB” lose Clause control agreed of their between mouths. India and Mauritius December 9, 2013

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Mauritius and India Limitation Of Benefit (LOB) - - round- agreed on the principleactivities. of including a or anti treaty shopping law clause in the revised tax treaty to ring fence its jurisdiction from any attempts toof businesstripping and money laundering The LOB clause limits treaty benefits to those who meet certain conditions including those related What is Limitation, residency Of Benefit and (LOB) investment provision ? commitments of the entity seeking benefit of a Double Taxation ·Avoidanc e -Agreement (DTAA).

An anti abuse provision that sets out where residents of the Contracting States are · entitled to the treaty’s benefits third- Purpose : Aimed at preventing ‘treaty shopping’ or inappropriate use of tax pacts by · country investors. · ‘LOB’ policy. To limit the ability of third country residents to obtain benefits under the said treaty. What is ‘Treaty shopping’ ? India’s desire is to discourage ‘Treaty shopping’ by the

The practice of structuring a multinational business in order to take advantage of more favorable tax treaties available in certain jurisdictions. A business that resides in a home country and not having a tax treaty with the source country (from which it receives income), can establish an operation in a second source country having a favorable tax treaty, in order to minimize its tax South Korea to expand its ADIZ liability with the home country.RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] December 10, 2013 t China South Korea The latest movedefense in a regional struggle over airspace above the Eas Sea marks the- ’s decision to expand its ADIZ. China’s new air zoneJapan over the East China Sea is creating tensions in the world’s most geo politically sensitive areas that includes the disputed Diaoyu or Senkaku islands in the East China Sea,Why China’swhich ADIZare controlledis fueling tensions by with andJapan but & S.Korea claimed ? by China, and the submerged Leodo reef, which is ·under South Korea’s control. international

The new aerial zone extends into airspace east of China’s territorial airspace into the East China Sea, and up to 130 km from Japan’s territorial airspace. The Chinese ADIZ overlaps with the ADIZ that Japan has already established in the · region, with both zones covering the disputed Diaoyu or SenkakuIslands in the East China Sea. The zone includes a rock 15 feet below the water’s surface known internationally as Socotra. The formation lies within the economic zones of both China and South Korea, and it has long been a point of modest contention between the neighbors. The rock is controlled by South Korea, where it is known as Ieodo. Seoul uses the site as an oceanic research center, having constructed an orange tower of beams and a helipad atop the rock in 2003. The research center has solar panels, wind monitors, barometric sensors and a solar radiation South Koreameasurement to expand itssystem, ADIZ: and the monitoring data are displayed in real time on a government The latestWeb site.move in a regional struggle over airspace above the East China Sea marks the South Korea’s decision to expand its ADIZ, it’s new zone includes two small islands and a submerged rock that is the subject of a long-running dispute with China. Korea’s latest declaration is viewed as an

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013 attempt fortify its control over parts of the East China Sea surrounding the Leodo reef, which, earlier, lay beyond the southern edge of its zone. The eastern and western limits of its ADIZ have not been expanded. Note: Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) are not territorial claims, but they mark airspace that countr ies think it important to monitor. Related Article(s)

Assembly polls verdict: BJP bags MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, AAP makes stunning debut China’s air defense zone unacceptable by White House December 10, 2013 Rajasthan, Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Delhi The BJP clinched majority of seats in the Assembly Elections in Madhya . The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) made remarkable debut in where it Aclinched glance 28at 2013of 70 Stateseats. Assembly In Delhi, thoughPoll Results: the BJP secured highest number of seats (31) but it fell short Partyof 5 seats for attainingSeats theWon majority. in Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan Chhattisgarh DELHI BJP 31 165 162 49 Congress 8 58 21 39 AAP 28 - - - BSP 0 4 3 1 Others 2 - 6 - Independent 1 3 - 1

RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] December 10 observed as Human Rights Day across the globe December 10, 2013

‘20 Years Working for Your Rights’.December 10 was observed as Human Rights Day across the globe marking the Universal DeclarationWhat is the significance of Human of HumanRights. Rights The Day?theme chosen for the year 2013 is December 10 1948

holds significance asights it was on this day in when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)formal adopted establishment and proclaimed, of Human the Rights Universal Day Declaration of Humanth Rights (UDHR), the thefirst global declarationon of Decemberhuman r 4, and1950, one of the first major achievements of the newresolution United 423(V),Nations. inThe occurred at the 317 Plenary Meeting of the DecemberGeneral Assembly 10 when the General Assembly declared viting all memberVienna states Declaration and any and other Programme interested of Action organizations (VDPA) to celebrate as they saw fit. in Vienna, Austria In 1993, the UNGA adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights which led to the creation of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for the promotion and protection-yearly of all human rights. Year 2013, the office of the UNand HighNobel Commissioner for Human Rights marks 20 years since its establishment. In addition, it is traditionally on December 10 that the five United Nations Prize in the Field EC declares AAP a state party of Human Rights Peace Prize are awarded. December 10, 2013 Delhi

In the 2013 state assembly elections, AAP emerged as the second largest party in Delhi winning 28 seats in the assembly. After a remarkable performance in the Delhi state assembly

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013 election Commission. About Aam Aam Aadmi Aadmi Party Party (AAP) (AAP) is all set to be recognized as ‘a state party’ by the Election · India Against Corruption · Mr. Arvind Kejriwal– launched AAP on November 26, 2012, who was the former · member of – (IAC) movement, founded by Anna Hazare. · Election symbol Broom Stick Central manifesto to implement the Jan Lokapal Bill within 15 days of coming toetc. power. How doesThe EC AAP recognizes led several a ‘state protests party’? like a campaign against an alleged nexus between government and private corporationselection commission relating to price rises for electricity and water in Delhi, one assemblyAs per the criteriaseat for of every 25 seats in the ,state a party can be called as a state party if all its candidates get minimum of 8 percent votes or secure minimum of 6% of the total votes polled and Note: . After the announcement, the party will have the option of retaining its originalnational symbol party or. it may design an alternative symbol for its party. How much If adoes political recognition party matter is recognizedfor any party? asHow a does “State recognition Party” of in a Party four as or a ‘State more Party’ States helps then that it will partyautomatically ? become a -

EC recognition of any party as a State Party will entail the party to participate in the all party meetings convened by the EC/State/Central Government, get a permanent common symbol for all their contestants, privilege toRATHNAKUMAR address R. the Email votersaddress: [email protected] through the All India Radio and Doordarshan duringInvestments poll. by FIIs’ in stock market cross Rs 1 lakh crore mark in 2013 December 10, 2013 Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)

equity- investments in the Indian stock market have crossed Rs 1 lakh crore so far in 2013, while inflows are likely to boost up further after state assembly poll worthresultsRs have 7,46,334 improved crore the probability of a BJP led governmentRs 6,45,757 at the Centre. crore As per SEBI information, FIIs, key investorss1,00,577 in thecrore Indian ($18 stock billion). market, were gross buyers of shares and sellers of equities worth till December 6, 2013. This translates into a net inflow of R -

Since FIIs entry into the country’s capital markets in 1992 93, net inflows have exceeded Rs 1 lakh crore only in 2010 and 2012. The overseas investors had net invested Rs 1,28,360 crore in 2012, forwhileBharatiya in 2010, theyJanata made Party a record (BJP) net inflow of Rs 1,33,266 crore. As per experts, fund inflow by FIIs will step up further in the coming months as a major win in assembly elections has improved the likelihood of the party coming to power at the Centre in 2014. Noticeably, of the total net inflow, around Rs 37,000 crore flowed in during the last 3 months, followingTelugu film the industry steps takensuffered by 300the croresRBI to lossesresurrect in 2013 the weakening rupee and revive economic growth. December 10, 2013 -

140Year- 2013 proved ominous for Telugu film industry as among- 170 odd films released till December 7, 2013, only 12 to 14 films were either blockbusters, hits and average grossers, while more than odd films were disasters and left more than 70 odd producers battling for existence. The downslide caused the Telugu cinema industry hefty losses of around Rs 300 crore.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

- - While films like ‘Atharintiki Daredi’ bagged the spot of being most successful this year with 85 crore plus, other films that touched 40 crore mark were Mirchi, Badshah, Nayak, Seethamma likeVakitlo, whereas Gundejari Gallanthaiyinde and Balupu crossed 22 crores, while Prema Katha Chitram, grossed 15 crores and films like Tadaka,- touched 10 crore mark and even small movies ‘Swamy Ra Ra’ ( 7 crores) ‘Anthakamundhu Aa Tharvatha’ and Adda ( 3 to 4 crores) but industry sank deeply under the heap of 100 -odd flops. However, dreary performance of few star films jolted the industry since their films could not even fetch their production cost by a big margin ‘Ramayya Vasthavayya ( 19 crores out of 35 crores), Shadow ( 12 crores out of 30 crores), Greekuveerudu (10 out of 22 crores), Iddarammayilitho (22 out of 33 crores), Toofan (10 out of 60 crores), Masala (10 out of 24 crores), Bhai (12 cores out of 25Major crores) factors Sahasam behind (5 outthe ofdebacle: 11 crores) and the list goes on.

The failure of films and heavy losses can in 2013 can be attributed to certain factors- like poor scripts, surging salaries of stars, technicians and- rampant piracy and most significantly Telugu audience are not willing to digest crap in the name of star movies and rejected new age small movies, if they lacked novelty and even the 60 days bandh in Seemandhra added to producer’s Investment corpus of pensions sector to reach above $1 trillion by 2025: Report woes as it hampered collections of many films. December 10, 2013

Pension Fund Regulatory RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] andAs per Development the report Authority jointly prepared (PFRDA by) Act the 2013, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and global professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY), after the passage of the potential. As per CII-CY report: investment corpus in the Indian pensions sector is ·likely Pensions to crossbusiness $1 trillion by 2025 as the sector moves forward to realizeIndia its full growth - insurance offers a promising opportunity because of ’s changing · demographics, an insufficient government funded pensions system and the presence -plus. · of a vivacious and funds managementinfrastructure sector. By 2030, 180 million Indians or 12% of the population will be in the age bracket of 60 · Pensions systems play a major role for the sector, providing stability in capital markets.- The government has set a funding target of $1 trillion for the infrastructure sector for the · 12th Plan (2012 16) period, while it expects the private sector to contribute 45% of the targeted investment. 16%.Private pension funds are likely to provide 24% of the total corpus by 2025, while pensions Currentand Status: annuity products offered by life insurance companies are expected to contribute around - - At present, the retirement funds corpus is in range of Rs.12 15 trillion, of which the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) holds one third of the total, while the Public Provident Fund (PPF) and NPS accountMiss Venezuela, for about Alyz 2.5% Henrich each. crowned Miss Earth 2013 December 10, 2013 Miss Venezuela, Alyz Henrich was crowned Miss Earth 2013 title at a pageant organized at Philippines

Versailles Palace, . It is the second beauty pageant title for Venezuela this year. In

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

India

TheNovember Top 3 runners 2013, Gabriela-up: Isler, of the same nation was crowned Miss Universe 2013. ’s contestant1. Shobita Dhulipala couldn’t make itKorea to the top 16 of the event. 2. Thailand 3. Miss Earth Fire 2013 Catharina Choi of Austria About Miss Earth: Earth water 2013 Punika Kulsoontornrut of Miss Earth Air 2013 internationalis Katia Wagner of environment. Nicole Faria,Miss Earth who won is an in annual 2010, is the first Indian beauty contestant pageant promoting to have won environmental the title. awareness. The contest held its maiden edition in 2001 to promote the preservation of the Star India is now the official sponsor of Indian cricket team

December 12, 2013 Star India cricket International Pvt. Ltd., the television network, bags sponsorship rights of12 the- Indian team covering BCCI events, Cricket Council (ICC) events and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events,· from January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017. This brings to an end a year partnership with Sahara,· the existing team sponsor, whose contract expires on December 31,2013. - The BCCI fixed the base price for India’s international matches at Rs. 1.5 crores per match. · Star India bid Rs.1.92 crore per match for bilateral series, and Rs. 61 lakh per match for ICC sponsored tournaments.

Sahara bid Rs. 2.35 croreRATHNAKUMAR per BCCI R.match Email address: and [email protected]. 91 lakh for ICC games. The total amount bid · by them stood at Rs. 252 crore in contrast to Rs. 203 crore bid by Star. ( Sahara’s bid rejected on technical grounds) - · The team sponsorship rights include the rightbroadcasting, to be called the series official title team and sponsor, team and to sponsorship.display a commercial logo on the men’s, women’s, Under 19 and A teams’ kits. · Star now holds all three important rights:

Why SaharaStar is alsoIndia the was title disqualified, sponsor for albeit BCCI’s its international bid was higher and ? domestic matches till March 31, The 2014, and holds the broadcast, internet and mobile rights to Indian cricket until March 2018. - sp reasons are not known, but there was a bone of contention among the Sahara Group and the BCCI on the Indian Premier League Pune franchise. In October 2013, the board terminated Sahara “Missonsored Earth IPLVenezuela” team Pune Alyz Warriors Henrich overwins thefranchise Miss Earth fees. beauty pageant 2013 December 13, 2013 “Miss Earth Venezuela” Alyz Henrich

City, Philippines. Miss Earth won the international13th edition of the Miss Earth Pageant held at the Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntilupa Eighty - is an annual beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness. eight contestants from all over the world competed and the winner was. Alyz Henrich’s cause for the pageant is to ensure water preservation. The Venezuelan beauty chosen to keep waters of an island cleans as her environmentalOther winners advocacy. are: · Miss Korea · Miss Thailand Miss Earth Fire: Catharina Choi Miss Earth Water: Punika Kulsoontornrut © 2013 www.gktoday.in 35 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· Miss Austria India Miss Earth Air: Katia Wagner About’s Missparticipant Earth beautyfor the pageantpageant was Sobhita Dhulipala, who failed to make it in the list of top 16. She· wonEstablish the Miss Photogenic and the Miss Eco Beauty Title contests. the environment. · ed in 2001 to uphold the advocacy to preserve and restore · - worldwide.Headquarters are at Manila, Philippines · The title holder serves as the ambassador for environmental protection campaigns

India to Host 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup Nicole Faria is the first Indian contestant to have won the title in 2010. December 13, 2013 India - Football an international will host the- 2017 Under 17 World Cup . This will be the first- time India will host football competition at world level. The 2017 FIFA U 17 World Cup will be the 17th tournament of the FIFA U 17 World Cup. It is the world championship of association football for male players under the age of 17 organized by Fédération Internationale de Football AssociationBrazil, (FIFA). committee - history.After the meeting in Salvador da Bahia, FIFA executive unveiled that By virtue of being the host country, India will take part in the 24 nation tournament- for the first time in its RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] India hosted Asian Football Co federation’s Youth Championships (Under 20) in 2006 and then the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 but never any FIFA tournament. – New Delhi

Tournament will be held in -6 venues which are to be selected from eight cities , Margao, byBanglore,Nigeria Pune , Mumbai, Kolkata,Mexico. ChileKochi will and be Guwahati. the host country for the 2015 edition. Note:· The 2013 FIFA U Korea17 World Cup was- held in the United ArabJordan Emirates and won after defeating- SouthAfrica FIFA awarded South to host Under 20 World Cup in 2017, to host Women’s Under 17 World Cup in 2016 and to host 2016 FIFA Under 20 PepsiCo appointed D Shivakumar as head of Indian region Women’s World Cup. December 13, 2013 India

BeveragesWhat type of andresponsibilities food giant will PepsiCo D.Shivakumar lookappointed after? former Nokia senior executive D. Shivakumar as the· company’s new chairman and chief executive officer (CEO)- for the Indian region.

· Oversee all aspects in India, including the crore Pepsi Cola,investments Lay’s, Slice,in India Kurkure,that Tropicana,PepsiCo announcedQuaker and NourishColast month. (a joint venture with Tata Global Beverages) brands. · Responsible for deploying the Rs. 33,000Bangladesh , Nepal,Bhutan , the Maldives . Note:Also look after theed franchiseGautham businessesMukkavilli, in current General Manager Sri forLankaPepsiCo and has been named the senior Vice-President , Business – He will succe India Beverages( who Transformation AMEA at PepsiCo).

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Congress victorious in Mizoram Assembly polls 2013 December 13, 2013 Mizoram Congress Mizo National Front (MNF) in Rajasthan Assembly, poll results, Chhattisgarh are out andand Delhi has defeated its main rival by a huge margin. Although Congress faced- debacle in the assembly elections Madhya Pradesh , it has managed to save face in Mizoram by registering a second consecutive win in the small Christian dominated state that MNF once wanted to take outtoric of the1986 IndianMizo Union. Accord Laldenga. It is Congress’ fourth electoral win after Mizoram attained statehood in 1987, following the signing Results:of the his between the Centre and MNF led by the legendary 33 seats Lal Thanhawla ongress New Land Use Policy (NLUP),Of the total 40 seats Congress clinchedjhum or shifting limiting cultivation.its opponent Four MNF- to a just 5 seats. Many give the credit of Congress’ triumph to – ‘s popular C th which was evolved to tackle - time chief minister Lal Thanhawla (71) has won from 2 seats Serchhip and Hrangturzo. It is his 9 electoral win since India permits unlisted companies to directly raise capital abroad Mizoram became a Union territory in 1972 and a full fledged state in 1987. December 13, 2013 India

As per the Department of Industrial PolicyThis step and Promotionmay help India (DIPP), in controlling’s FDI policy high hasCurrent been Accountmodified Deficit to allow (CAD). unlisted firmsRATHNAKUMAR to directly R. Email address: list [email protected] on stock exchanges abroad to raise capital for acquisitions or retiring overseas debts.

Unlisted companies are heretofore not allowed to directly list in overseas markets without prior or subsequent listing in Indian markets. But following the changes made in the ‘Consolidated FDI Policy’As per inrevised this regard, FDI Policy: they would be allowed to do so. · inInternational Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)/ Financial ActionUnlisted Task firms Force are (FATF) allowed to directly list abroad only on exchanges

· compliant jurisdictions or those jurisdictions with which SEBI has signed bilateral agreements. · The companies will be allowed to raise capital abroad and use the same for retiring outstanding overseas debt or for operations abroad including for acquisitions. · If the funds raised are not utilised abroad, the company should repatriate the funds to India policy.within 15 days and park it with a scheduled bank and may be used domestically. · The listing companies raising funds overseas would have to be fully compliant with the FDI

The listing firms would also have to abide by the guidelines on downstream investment and · the criteria of eligibility of who can raise funds through ADRs/GDRs would be as prescribed Why hasby the the government government. allowed unlisted firms to raise capital abroad? The scheme will be implemented on a pilot basis for a period of 2 years. -

The government has set a target to slash the CAD to below $56 billion this fiscal (2013 14), as unlagainst $88.2 billion in the last financial year. The value of Rupee versus US dollar has declined drastically because of high CAD and other global factors. The government’s step to allow the isted companies to raise capital abroad would help in easing the pressure on CAD as the firms would not have to buy or borrow the foreign currency (mainly dollars) from domestic markets © 2013 www.gktoday.in 37 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

which puts strain on CAD. Besides, the step may also improve CAD if the unused capital is sent back homeOldest to known a scheduled human DNAbank decoded or utilized domestically. December 13, 2013

Leipzig, Germany oldest DNA ever found. theThemitochondrial researchers DNA at the Max Planck four Institute-lakh year for Evolutionaryold thigh bone Anthropology in havegenus decoded Homo. the They have almost completely decoded (mt DNA) taken from of human family inrepresentativeSpain of the The thigh bone was discovered at a burial site Sima de los Huesos (Bone Pit) that was preserved What did ’sthe northern researchers Sierra find after de Atapuercadecoding the highlands. oldest DNA? The scientists have found that the mitochondrial genome of Denisovans belongs to the extinct relatives of Neanderthals in Asia.

This research has enhanced the knowledge of the human genetics by 300000 years andthe alsoSpanish tells homininsabout the journey of human’s evolution. After comparing the code with the modernDenisovans humans, apes, toNeanderthalsNeanderthals. and their sister group, Denisovans, researchers found that were more closely related to the geographically more distant than Uruguay becomes first country to legalize sale and production of marijuana

December 13, 2013 Uruguay legal to grow, sell and consume marijuana. - has become the firstRATHNAKUMAR nation inR. Email the address: world [email protected] to make it The country’s parliament has passed the government sponsored bill which allows registered Uruguayans over 18 to buy up to 40g (1,4oz) of the drug a month. Though possession of the drug is not a crime in the country, but with this legislation coming into toeffect in April 2014, the price of marijuana will be set at 1 dollar per gram, aiming to undercut the current price of $1.40 in the illegal market. A specialized body would be set up by the government regulate the sale and production of the drug and it will administer a database of adult citizens registered to consume marijuana. The law would permit registered Uruguayans over the age- of 18 to buy up to 40 grams of marijuana from pharmacies every month and cultivate a maximum of 6 year.plants on their property a year. The legislation will also permit for the creation of so called cannabis clubs, composed of up to 45 members who will be able to grow a maximum of 99 plants a Why Uruguay is legalizing marijuana trade?

The government of Uruguay intends to curb the market of illegal marijuana this new legislation as its previous attempts businessand policies have failed. The law is an experiment programme under which the government will sell the drug at a price lower than that in the illegal markets to defeat them and Criticism:push them out of this . It will also be able to tax the revenue generated from it. The whole programme will be regulated and administeredinternational by the government.International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) The project has drawn national and criticism. The health has warned that the law would be in complete contravention to the provisions of the international drug treaties to which Uruguay is signatory. As per experts, this move would encourage the– drug market and would– schizophrenia. cause social damage as marijuana is highly addictive and is 15What times is International more carcinogenic Narcotics Control than Board tobacco. (INCB)? It produces psychological disorders like depression, anxiety and for heavy consumers

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) United Nations to monitor countries’ compliance with international drug treaties. is an independent body of experts established Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel join hands for sharing telecom infrastructure by the December 13, 2013 Bharti Airtel, infrastructure- of Reliance Industries. has inked an Reliancesharing Jio, agreement with the telecom subsidiary

The deal will allow the telecom unit, to access Bharti’s nationwide infrastructure while Bharti will have in return access to the optic fibre capacity established by Jio in future. As a result, RIL might be able to kick off telecom and broadband services in the near future by utilizing Bharti’s infrastructure, much earlier than if it had to create its own infrastructure. It has slashed Reliance Jio’s time to market by several years. Airtel will also benefit from the deal as its cash flows will be boosted by lease rentals from Jio. services. The deal is also extended to joi-ntly laying optic fibre and starting other forms of infrastructure

This is the second infrastructure sharing deal between the two companies. In April 2013, both had entered into an agreement under which Bharti has provided capacity on its i2i submarine cable to RelianceIOC ranked Jio. No.1 on India’s Fortune 500 list December 13, 2013 India by business magazine Fortune,RATHNAKUMARstate-run R. EmailIndian address: Oil [email protected] Corp (IOC) biggest company in termsAccording of annual to the revenue, latest annual list of Fortune 500- companies in publishedReliance Industries second place . is country’s Indian Oil Corp (IOC) followed by Mukesh Ambani led private sector giant at the l- was the biggest with annual revenue of Rs 4,75,867 crore, followed by fourth.Reliance Industries (RIL) with a ful year revenue of Rs 4,09,883 crore. This is followed by Bharat AsPetroleum per Fortune (Rs 2,44,822 500, India crore) Top at 10 the Companies third place are: and Hindustan Petroleum (Rs 2,17,771 crore) at Rank Company 1. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) 2. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) 3. Bharat Petroleum 4. Hindustan Petroleum 5. State Bank of India 6. Tata Motors 7. ONGC 8. Tata Steel 9. Essar Oil 10. Coal India Raman Singh takes oath as Chhattisgarh CM December 13, 2013 Raman Singh Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh rd - (61) of BJP was sworn in as for the 3 term in row. Governor Shekhar Dutt administered Singh the oath of office and secrecy during a grand swearing in ceremony.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

- Raman Singh has retained the CM post as the BJP registered victory by winning 49 of the 90 seats. Congress could manage 39 seats in the 90 member Assembly while the rest of the 2 seats were bagged by BSP and an Independent each. With this, Singh has now joined the elite club of BJP chief ministers who have scored three consecutiveRBI grants license terms to in Doha their Bank respective to start states. banking operations in India December 13, 2013 India Doha Bank start banking The Reserve Bank of has granted- license to to Doha Bank operations in largest India and commercial has allowed bank it to in open the a statebranch of in Qatar Mumbai to provide full scale banking services. international which is the intends to expand its operations at the local, regional and levels. The bank will soon start operations as a foreign bank branch in Mumbai and will offer wholesale banking, retail banking, treasury and trade finance services to all customers in India. - This licence will further boost the niche roleinfrastructure Doha Bank is playing and facilitating the movement of trade between Qatar and India. Qatar India bilateral annual trade is about $16 billion and there are huge opportunities of growth available in and other sectors in India. There is a large diaspora of Indian population in Qatar and various Indian companies are active in RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] infrastructure projects. As per Doha Bank, the licence will pave the way for the bank to support all expatriatesPFBTA: Newly with discovered its solutions greenhouse especially remittance gas ’7,000 timessolutions. more potent than CO2 December 13, 2013

Researchers at University of Toronto have discovered a new greenhouse gas that is 7,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide to cause greenhousePerFluoroTriButylAmine effect which causes warming(PFTBA), of the Earth. - As per the scientists, the newly discovered gas, highest has radiative been in efficiencyuse by the electrical industry since the mid 20th century. The discoverers have claimed that PFTBA which does not occur naturally has the - of any molecule2 detected in the atmosphere up to now. COThe2 study showed that PFTBA was 7,100 times more powerful at warming the Earth over a 100 it.year time period than CO . This gas remains in the atmosphere for about 500 years, and unlike Do we which need to is worry absorbed about byPFTBA? forests and oceans, there are no known natural “sinks” on Earth to absorb

2 Not at current levels. The current concentration of PFTBA in the atmosphere is very low as compared to CO so it does not displace the focus of our concerns from the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and coal as the main drivers of climate change. However, higher concentration of the gas would contribute to a serious global warming. So we need to ponder over using such compounds in Supreme Court restricts the use of red beacon light on vehicles large quantity without first understanding their impact on climate change. December 13, 2013 The

Supreme Court has banned the use of red beacon light with flashers on all vehicles except those used by high dignitaries holding constitutional post; also banned pressure horns, multiple sound emitting horns and musical horns in vehicles. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 40 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

a PIL filed by resident Abhay Singh beacon. TheWhy thecourt Supreme passed Court the restricted order on the use of red beacons?Uttar Pradesh on misuse of red red lights represent power

The apex court stated that the and create an arrant difference among those who are allowed to use it and the ones who are not. But a large number of those using vehicles with red lights have neither respect for the laws of the country, nor they treat the ordinary Ascitizens per the with directions respect. Even of Supreme criminals Court: were getting away using red lights because the police were too “scared”· to stop a car with a beacon. So, to avoid such practices, the court decided to restrict them.

· The term “high dignitaries” used in proviso (iii) to Rule 108(1) of the 1989 Rules takes within its fold the holders of various posts, positions and offices specified in the Constitution. The motor vehicles carrying “high dignitaries” specified by the Central Government and their counterpartsotherwise. specified by the State Government may be fitted with red lights but the red · lights with or without flasher can be used only while the specified high dignitary is on duty and not The State Governments and Administration of Union Territories cannot enlarge the scope of the term “high dignitaries” beyond what is prescribed in clauses ‘c’ and ‘d’ of Notifications dated 11.1.2002 and 28.7.2005 issued by the Central Government. Therefore, they shall amend the relevant rules and notifications to bring them in tune with the · 1989 Rulesin and notifications dated 11.1.2002 and 28.7.2002- issued by the Central Government. This exerciseRATHNAKUMAR must be R. completedEmail address: [email protected] within a period of three months. The men uniform; operational agencies which require un hindered access to the roads for performance of their duty; those engaged in emergency duties such as ambulance colours,services, fire services, emergency maintenance etc, and police vehicles used as escorts or · pilots or for law and order duties shall not be entitled to have red lights but lights of other e.g., blue, white, multicoloured etc… No motor vehicles except those specified- in Rule 119(3) of the 1989 Rules or similar provisions contained in the rules framed by the State Governments or the Administration of Union Territories shall be fitted with multi toned horns giving a succession of different notes · or with any other sound producing device giving an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise. The police officers and other authorities entrusted with the task of enforcing the provisions of the 1988 Act and the Rules framed thereunder must discharge their dutiesthe without any fear or favour and should impose appropriate penalty on those who violate the prohibition contained in Rule- 108(1) and Rule 119 and similar rules framed by State Governments and the Administration of Union Territories. The owners/users of the vehicles fitted with multi toned horns other than those allowed to use such horns under Rule 119(3) of the 1989 Rules or corresponding rules framed by the State Governments and the Administration of the Union Territories shall, within a period of one month from today, remove the multi toned horns. The officers authorised to enforce the provisions- of the 1988 Act and the rules framed there under by the Central Government, the State Governments and the Administration of Union Territories shall also ensure that multi toned horns are Territories.removed from all the vehicles except those specified in rule 119(3) of the 1989 Rules or corresponding rules framed by the State Governments and the Administration of Union

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

The Chief Secretaries of all the States and the Administrators of Union Territories shall cause VIPs whoa notice can publisheduse Red beacons in the newspapers while on duty: having wide circulation in their respective States and LIST A:the (With Union Flasher) Territories incorporating the directions contained in this order. P - -

RS.resident; Vice President; Prime Minister; ex Presidents; ex PMs; deputy PM; CJI and SC Judges; LS Speaker; Union Cabinet Ministers; plan panel deputy chairperson; leaders of opposition in LS and LIST B: (Without Flasher)

CEC; CAG; Union Mos & dy ministers; LS deputy speaker; RS dy chairman; plan panel members; AG; Cabinet secy; services chiefs & officiating chiefs of staff; heads of CAT, UPSC, minorities commission, SCUS &and ST UK commission. spying on virtual world, online games December 13, 2013 -

As per the secret documents disclosed by whistle blower Edward Snowden, in an effort to identify terrorist threats, US and British spies have reportedly penetrated the massive communities playing Why are US and UK intelligence agencies fearing from online gaming platform? video games such as World of War craft, etc. business US and British intelligence fear that - the terrorists could use the hugely popular platform to plot attacks, as online gaming is RATHNAKUMAR a big R. Email address:attracting [email protected] tens of millions of users worldwide who inhabitWhy there their are concerns digital onworlds the spying as makeof onlinebelieve games? characters, living and competing with the avatars of other players. - The US and UK spying agencies conducted operations illegally; not taking permission from the authorized owner of the online games. This has raised concerns over the privacy of the online gamers. It is however, unclear that how these agencies accessed the data, or how many communications were collected. It is also not clear how the NSA ensured that it was not monitoring innocent Americans whose identity and nationality may have been concealed and compromised Mr. Ranjan Mathai appointed India’s High Commissioner to the UK behind their virtual avatar. December 13, 2013 Ranjan Mathai as India

TheAbout External Mr. Ranjan Affairs Mathai Ministry appointed former Foreign Secretary ’s High Commissioner· to the United Kingdom. He succeeded Jaimini Bhagwati, who retired recently. · Pl - An IFS officer of 1974 batch, who retired as Foreign Secretary this year. · ayed a critical role in the Indo Bangla Ganges WaterFrance Sharing accord during Sheikh Hasina’s infirstIsrael stintand as theQatar Prime Minister. Note:Apart The Commonwealth from serving of as Nations India’s Ambassador to , he also had postings among other places. a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat (ranking as ambassador) is an intergovernmental organization of 53 member states that were mostly territories of the former British Empire. In them, in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another. There are a few technical differences, like Ambassadors present their diplomatic credentials to the host country’s head of state; High Commissioners are recognized to the head of government, etc.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

The coldest place on Earth is in East Antarctica December 13, 2013 East Antarctica o o NASA satellites discovered- a desolate and remote ice plateau in , the coldest place on earth. The remote region plunged as low as minus 94.7 C (minus 135.8 F). This beat the ThepreviousScientists recordmade of 89.2the degreesdiscovery Celsiuswhile measuredexamining at the32 Russianyears ofVostokglobal Researchsurface Stationtemperatures in East recordedAntarcticaby on viz.July remote21, 1983.sensing satellites, the new Landsat 8, a joint project of NASA and US Geological Survey (USGS), etc. The super -cold temperatures are due to, air being caught and held for a while. If the skies arethe clear for a few days, the ground radiates remaining heat into space, creating a layer of super-chilled air above the snow. Here, Antarctica air is dry, ground chilly, and the skies cloudless. The cold air swoops down off a dome and gets trapped in a chilly lower spot. That’s why, by causing the air to be stationary for extended periods, while continuing to radiate more heat away into space, one can get the absolute lowest temperatures. o Can humans exist at minus 94.7 C?

The· number of human activities becomes extremely difficult at such low temperatures. The human skin does not keep the body warm at such temperatures. In the winters, the thick unlesssnow and long hours RATHNAKUMAR of darkness R. Email considerably address: [email protected] affect vision. In summers, the strong · ultraviolet radiation from the hole in the ozone layer can cause great damage to the eyes special protection is used. It would become extremely difficult to pass urine in East Antarctica if the temperature was Note:recordedAntarctica 26is degreesEarth’s Celsiussouthernmost lower, becausecontinent, thecontaining freezing pointthe geographicof urine is minusSouth 120Pole. degreesIt is the coldest,Celsius.driest, Thisand shouldwindiest makecontinent, it obviousand whyhas therethe highest is littleaverage to no habitatioelevationn ofof theall theregion.continents.

Israel, Jordan, Palestinians signed Water sharing Deal

December 16, 2013 Mid- Israel, Jordan Palestinians the - East governments ( and the ) signed a historic trilateral agreement at The WorldDead BankSea in Washington, which outlines regional water sharing initiatives from the Red Sea to Dead Sea to relieve shortages in thesea waterless is depleting lands. 1m (3.3ft) a year has unique water properties like humans can float naturally on the surface, etc. Owing to human intervention, the . Thus, in order to save the Dead Sea, a pipeline will built on the Jordanian side of the Aqaba Gulf to carry sea water from a desalination plant at the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, while providing drinking water to the region. The plan attributes the development- of a desalination plant in Aqaba that will produce water to be shared with Israel, increased water quotas to Jordan from Israel’s Sea of Galilee and the sale of waters made potable and salt free from Israel to the Palestinians. Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Study Program The deal is an outcome-$400m. of the cooperation since 2005 among Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority on- the . Expected cost of the project is $250m - electricity; The Red Sea Dead Sea Water Conveyance Study Program will help to save the Dead Sea; supply water and develop hydro and bring out strategic, political and economic cooperation.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Retired Justice DP Buch: Gujarat’s fourth Lokayukta December 16, 2013 DP Buch was sworn as the fourth Lokayukta of the Gujarat

Retired High Court Judge by Governor KamlaWhat was Beniwal, the dispute on between the post CM Narendrathat was Modi lying and Governor, vacant for over a the decade issue of and appointment over which of Lokayukta? Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Governor Kamla Beniwal were on a collision course for three years. - drawnThe issuelegal triggered a major controversy when the Governor appointed Justice (retd) R.A. Mehta as decision.Lokayukta on August 25, 2011, without consulting the state government. This led to a long battle that reached the Supreme Court, which later on preserved the Governor’s credibility. But after wining the legal battle over the appointment, Mr. Justice Mehta rejected to take chargeAbout Lokayukta of Lokayukta in August, 2013 because the government didn’t accept his objectivity and -corruption

Lokayukta is an anti investigator organization in the Indian states. The institution of Note:Lokayukta has- been set up to inquire into the allegations against Public Functionaries in the State and for matters connected therewith. The anti corruption investigator post of Gujarat was lying vacant since the last officer, Justice GSP Plus: EU grants duty-free market access to Pakistani goods R M Soni’s term expired in December 2003. December 16, 2013 including Pakistan Generalized System of Preferences Plus RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] European Parliament approvedJanuary the 1, Single 2014. Delegated Act under which ten countries are privileged to (GSP Plus) Scheme. The Act will come into forceeconomy from The European Union being Pakistan’s most important trading partner supports the integration of HowPakistan do Generalized with the System global of Preferences by Plus granting (GSP Plus) Pakistan’s status helpful exports for Pakistan? to the EU reduced tariffs under the EU’s· Generalized Scheme of Preferences.- there will be zero duties on over 90% of all products thatThe statusIslamabad provides exports Pakist toan the duty blocfree of 27or preferentialnations. duty rate access for a total of · 3,500 products. It means

EU trade concessions will benefitBangladesh the country’sand largest manufacturer and exporter, the textile and clothing industry, the most by allowing its products to compete with About thoseGeneralized of regional System of rivals Preferences like Plus (GSP Plus) Status Sri Lanka, which already have duty free · access to theGeneralized bloc’s market.Scheme of Preferences pay lower duties on their exports to the EU The EU’s “ ” (GSP) allows developing country · Theexporters“GSP+” to full removal of. This tariffs gives on them essentially vital access the sameto EU marketsproduct and categories contributes as those to their covered economic by the growth. general arrangement. · enhanced preference means international ,environment These are granted to countries which ratify and implement conventions Sergio Perez joined Sahara Force India with multi-year deal for 2014 F1 season relating to human and labor rights and good governance. December 16, 2013 Mexican driver Sergio Perez - British- Sahara ForceIndia 23-year- Formula One signed a multi year contract with the

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

TheSahara 2014 Force Formula India’s 1 2014 grid line up alongsideof many teams Nico Hülkenberg are taking shape,and helps such to as: create– one of the most Redexciting Bull: pairing on the grid. Ferrari: Mercedes: Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren: Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, Force India: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, About Sergio Jenson Perez Button and Kevin Magnussen, · Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez, etc.

· Member of the FerrariDriverAcademy till 2012 and took his first Formula One podium at the · In2012 December Malaysian 2013, Grand Force Prix India signed Perez in a 15million Euro deal. Note:Previous Sahara teams:Force India McLaren, Formula Sauber One Team

is a Formula One racing team based in Silverstone, United Kingdom which currently holds an Indian license. The team was formed in October 2007 when a consortium led by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and Michiel Mol, bought the Spyker F1 NGT banned burning of plastic, rubber across the country team for € 90 million. December 17, 2013 The banned “unregulated open burning

National Green Tribunal RATHNAKUMAR (NGT) R. Email address: [email protected] ” of plastic, rubber or such other articles across the country. NGT directed all the municipal authorities to ‘set up, operationalise and coordinate the waste management systems within their limits business All the plastic waste/scrap dealers and/or recyclers including the members of the PVC and Plastic Waste Dealers Association, respondentPlastic Waste herein, (Management shall be bounded and from Handling) carrying Rules, on their 2011. of separatism of plastic waste and its eventual transfer to recyclers or disposal contrary to and without registration under the Delhi. TheAbout NGT’s National judgment Green Tribunal came on a plea alleging illegal burning of plastic, rubber and related waste in various villages in North and North West India healthyNationalenvironment Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT) is a federal legislation- enacted by the Parliament of , under India’s constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a . The tribunal itself is a special fast track court to handle the expeditious India’s trade deficit with China nears record $30 b disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues. December 17, 2013 China India’s figure.As per the data released by the ’s General Administration of Customs, trade deficit with China after 11 months of this year has reached a record $29.5 billion, exceeding 2012’s annual The num Towardsbers underlinethe end of the2013, sharp India’s decline exports in to once China-burgeoning reached only trade, $14.87 which billion reached out of total $74 billionbilateral in trade 2011 of when $59.24 China billion. became India’s biggest trading partner.

In 2012, India’s the trade deficit with China registered a 10% decline to reach 66.50 billion dollar, even as both the countries announced an ambitious 100 billion trade target to be achieved by 2015. The decline was partly the result of 20% slump in India’s exports, largely on account of iron ore What is Trade deficit? mining bans by China and partly on account of global slowdown.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

An economic measure of a negative balance of trade in which a country’s imports exceeds its exports.India’s Deputy A trade Consul deficit General represents Devyani an outflowKhobragade of domestic held in US currency on visa fraudto foreign charges markets. December 17, 2013 India Devyani Khobragade false statements in connection with the visa’s Deputy application Consul Generalfor an Indian national employeearrested in New York for an alleged case of visa fraud and making who was domestic ThehelperU.S. in State her home.Department Later on, she released on a $250000 bond after she pleaded notfirm guilty about in aits court. policies in support of the domestic workers the Vienna Convention on ConsularRelations(VCCR) clarified that Indian diplomat does not enjoy immunity from US laws. It is . Under , the Indian Deputy Consul General enjoys immunity from the jurisdiction of US courts only with respect to acts performed in the exercise of consular functions. Ms. Devyani is currently employed as the Deputy Consul General for Political, Economic, Why was Ms. Devyani Khobragade arrested? Commercial and Women’s Affairs at the Consulate General of India in New York.

Indian diplomat Ms. Devyani was accused of paying her domestic assistant just a few dollars an hour and lying on a visa application. The minimum wage paid to the employee in USA is $4,500 a What is the reaction of Indian Embassy over the arrest of Indian Diplomat? month, but she was paying onlyRATHNAKUMAR $530 a month.R. Email address: [email protected] Article 41 (section 3) of VCCR

The Indian embassy pointed to (Personal Inviolability of Consular Officers) which clearly says that proceedings against a consular officer “shall be conducted with the respect due to him by reason of his official position”. The Indian Government has taken this issue forcefullyVienna Convention withthe on Consular US saying Relations that theof 1963: action by law authorities was in complete violation of this ArticleThe Vienna and leastConvention expected on from Consular a friendly Relations country. of 1963 international

is an treaty that defines a framework· for consular relations between independent countries. A consul normally operates out of ·an embassy in another country, and performs two functions: protecting in the host country the interests of their countrymen, and furthering the commercial and economic relations between the two countries. While a consul is not a diplomat, they work out of the same premises, and under this treaty they are afforded most of the same privileges, including a variation of diplomatic immunity called consular immunity.“Unbreakable”: The treatyThe autobiography has been ratified of Mary by Kom176 countries. unveiled December 17, 2013

titled Mary Kom, the legendary boxer from North East wrote her autobiography “Unbreakable”. The book was inaugurated by Bollywood Megastar Amitabh Bachchan at Mumbai. Mary decided to pen down her life’s battles, so that she could inspire and motivate others to never loose hope and fight for their dream. The autobiography details her rise to the top from a modest background; the book beautifully brings out her long lasting spirit and is an inspirational story for everyone, especially for women.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

About Mary Kom · Five- Boxing

· time World champion, and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships. · First Indian womenawards boxer to qualify and win a bronze medal at the London Olympics in the flyweight (51 kg) category. · Won lots of International like Padma Bhushan (2013), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award (2009), Padma Shree (2006), Arjuna Award (2003), etc. Appointed the Boxing Association’s Ambassador for Women’s Boxing Indian Govt pulls up Army chief for accepting U.S. military honor ‘Legion of Merit’ without its permission in 2009. December 17, 2013 Th ‘Legion of Merit’ ,the sixth highest Americane Indian government military pulled honor up the country’s Army chief General IndianBikramDefense Singh for accepting a , without its approval. The Ministry questioned that the bestowment of the honor was not the part of General Singh’s itinerary during his visit to the U. S., then why he accepted the ‘Legion of Merit’, without prior clearance from the government. General Bikram Singh is the fifth Indian armed forces officer, to have received the award after Field Marshal Kariappa and first Indian What is Legion of Merit? RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] Chief of Army Staff Gen Rajendra Singhji.

It is the sixth highest American U.S. Military award which is awarded to both US military personnel as well as to military and political figures of other nations for exceptionally meritorious conduct and Note: services.As per the norms, any Indian defense forces official has to seek permission from the government to accept foreign honors.

India clinched Women’s Kabaddi World Cup

December 18, 2013 Indian Kabaddi World Cup 2013 sports in Jalandhar,won women’s Punjab. championship for a third consecutive time, Women’svanquishing World debutant Cup KabaddiNew Zealand 2013: in the final match played at Guru Gobind Singh complex Organizer: India Final Match: Jalandhar, Punjab. Teams Played Government: 8 Teams of viz. Punjab,India, Pakistan , Denmark, England, Kenya,Mexico, New Zealand, and United States Guru Gobind Singh sports complex in Winner: India Key Players: India’s Anu Rani declared Best Stopper and Ram Bateri Best Raider. defeated New Zealand was announced India defeats Pak to lift Men’s Kabaddi World Cup

December 18, 2013 India clinched men’s Kabaddi World Cup rival Pakistan Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Ludhiana, Punjab . for the fourth time in row, defeating its arch in the neck and neck final clash played at

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Men’s World Cup Kabaddi 2013: Organizer: Final Match: Ludhiana, Punjab. Teams PlayedGovernment: 11 Teams of Punjab, India from ArgentinaGuru, Canada Nanak, England Dev Stadium, Denmark in , Pakistan, India, Kenya, Scotland, , Spain, and played representing their respective nations. The teams were Winner: India Sierra Leone Key thePlayers: US India’s Haravinder Singh Dulla Best Raider andBalbir Singh Best Stopper defeated Pakistan was voted Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2014 to be held in Bhubaneswar of the tournament. December 18, 2013 International Hockey Federation (FIH),Bhubaneswar, of Odisha th Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament As per the announcement- 2014. of capital will host the 35 edition of the Bhubaneswar to be held from December 13 21 in India Orissa government.The event will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in which is currently undergoing renovation.Hockey Champions The Trophy event will be hosted by Hockey in collaboration with state · The Hockey Champions Trophy

· Founder: Pakistan Nur is Khan an in international 1978 field hockey tournament organized by the International Hockey Federation (since 1978). · Initiator: RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] 1978 · Teams: 8 elite hockey’s Air teamsMarshal round robin format · Period: Pakistan Hockey Federation as a men’s tournament in 1987 biennial competeevent from in a the 2014 editions of hockey. introducInitially, it was an annual event from 1980 for men and for women. · Achievers:Later changed Australia into a onward due to the tion of theGermans Hockey World League. Dutch (8). Pakistan is the only Asian champion, with stands3 on toptitles. in men’s event by winning the trophy 13 times thefollowedNetherlands by theand Australia (9), and the Argentina titles. In the women’s event both · India has never won Hockey haveChampions won the Trophy trophy 6 times, while won 5 Winners of 2012 – Australia - Argentina

Australia regains Ashes Test Series : Men’s , Women’s December 18, 2013 Australia in England rd The Ashes: reclaimed the Ashes test series just four months after the last series defeat with a 3 Test victory on homeTest soil.cricket Australia and England

The Ashes is a conceptional prize in a series played between . The Ashes are5 Tests regardedplayed asbiennially being held by the team that won the last Test series between those sides or,Why if is thatit called series the Ashes? was drawn, by the team that last won such a series. Traditionally, Ashes series consists of with England and Australia taking turns as host. newspaper,The associationThe ofSporting the term Times ‘the Ashes’ with England v/s Australia test series hasEnglish a story cricket behind. had In 1882, Australia defeated England for the first time in Test on England’s soil. Following this, a British , published a satirical obituary stating that the

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013 died, and the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia. 1882– skipper Ivo Bligh The mythical ashes tourinstantlythe quest became to regain associated the Ashes with. the 83 series played in Australia, before which the English had vowed to “regain those ashes”. The English media therefore called the

After England had won two of the three Tests of theashes series, of a groupa wooden of Melbourne bail, women presented a small urn to Bligh. Among those women was Florence Morphy, whom Bligh married within a year. The contents of the urnterracotta are reputed to be the and were amusingly described as “the ashes of Australian cricket”. There is ambiguity whether that “tiny silver urn” is the same as the small urntrophy given to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) by Bligh’s widow However,after his demisereplicas in 1927. The urn has never been the official of the Ashes series, having been a personal gift to Bligh. of the urn are often held aloft by winning teams as a symbol of their victory in an AshesGermany series. defeats France to lift Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup December 18, 2013 Germany France Hero Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup Delhi, India registered a record sixth title win defeating in - the title clash of the held at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in . Germany’s Niklas Wellen stunned the opponent with a brilliant hat trick to guide defending India sticks to top position in ICC ODI rankings champions to victory. December 18, 2013 RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] Africa, the Indian cricket team top position in the latest ICC ODI rankings. India Despite the Australia dingy performance against South has retained its Other latest ICC rankings: topped the rankings chart with 120 points, which is followed· A.B. by Devilliers ofwith 114 points. World’s number one Batsman. · South Africa replaced Virat Kohli as the

· Indian skipper, M.S. Dhoni was placedspinner at numberSaeed Ajmal, 6 and Shikhar Dhawan was placed at 10 · spot in the rankings table.All Rounders, Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh In the bowler’s rankings, Pakistani was ranked no. 1. · SouthIn the Africa category ofTest team on the ICC test rankings chart retained his number one position. Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung recommended imposition of President’s rule in Delhi is no.1 December 18, 2013 Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung has recommended President’s rule in Delhi imposition of among other options as the impasse continued over formation of a new government in Delhi after a suspended verdict with no party ready to assume power. In his report submitted to the President, Jung listed Central rule with the Assembly being kept in suspended animation as one of the options. As per the report, none of the party is in a position to form the government and so far there is no clarity on government formation. It also noted that AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal sought more time for further consultations.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Hence, Jung has suggested that the President’s rule should be imposed in Delhi by keeping the Assembly under suspended animation till any government is formed. If no party comes forward to stakeWhat claimhas happened to form the so government, far? the President’s rule can be imposed in the next two days.

In the recently held Assembly Elections in Delhi for 70 seats, no party could secure clear mandate of 36 seats. As per the results, BJP won 31 seats along with its ally Akali Dal got 32 seats, AAP clinched 28 seats followed by Congress 8 seats. BJP has already refused to form the government citing “lack of clear mandate”. At this point AAP has become a key player as its support to BJP or Congress can facilitate in government formation. Though AAP is ready to support any of these two parties but has some conditions. As a condition for its support, AAP’s chief Arvind Kejriwal made 18 suggestions to be implemented by the government forming party in Delhi. Of 18 suggestions the Congress is ready toUnion implement Cabinet 16Okays but freshis opposed amendments to two toof Codeit. Hence, of Conduct the stalemate for ministers persists. December 18, 2013

-year-old Code of Conduct for Ministers.In a bid to curb the misuse of bureaucrats by ministers for political motives, both at the Centre and Whatin the are states, the approved the government amendments toapproved the Code offresh Conduct amendments for Ministers? to a 50

As a fresh amendment to the Code of Conduct for Ministers (CCM), a new clause aimed at checking RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] the politicalParagraph executive 2 from(f) misusing bureaucrats“After for taking political office, purposes and so will long be addedas he remainsto the CCM. in office,As per theCabinet’s minister proposal, shall: -it uphold will also the help political check civilimpartiality servants offrom the cultivating civil services political and backing.not ask theThe civil new servants to act inwill any now way read which as: would conflict with the duties and responsibilities of the civil servants.” Does Code of Conduct for Ministers have legal backing? No. legal expects The CCM for Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and Ministers of the respective state governments hasWhen no will the fresh backing. CCM come However, into effect? the current proposal all the ministers to adhere to the instructionsWhil mentioned in the document scrupulously. ,

e the new clause will come into effect at the Centre immediately, it will be sent to the state governmentsChina’s Jade Rabbit for their makes adoption. soft landing on Moon December 18, 2013 China’s Chang’e-3 lunar spacecraft Yutuor Jade Rabbit and Russia which is carrying its first moon rover 400- rover made -a “soft landing” on the moon since Sinus1976. IridumWith this accomplishmentThe Bay of Rainbows. China has Whatjoined is the Soft elite Landing? club of the US to achieve this feat. The probe touched down on an ancient Soft kilometreLanding is (250 a mile) wide plain known in Latin as , or

About Chang’e-3 lunarlanding probe by a spacecraft on the moon or a planet at a sufficiently low velocity for the· equipmentChina’s first or occupants lunar rover to remain mission unharmed.

aimed at exploring the Moon’s surface and looking for natural resources such as rare metals.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· Launching Site: southwestern · Launched on Xichang Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China’s · Carrier: Sichuan-3B province · Key Payload: December-wheeled 2, 2013robotic rover called Yutu (or Jade Rabbit) Long March · Landing Site:: Sinus Six Iridum The Bay of Rainbows and a hemisphere.landing module. , or in the Moon’s northern Centre appoints Harsh Bhanwala as new NABARD Chairman

December 18, 2013 Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Chairman National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has been appointed as of the at India Infrastructure by the- Centre. Bhanwala, succeeds Prakash Bakshi, who retired as NABARD Chairman. Previously, Bhanwala was an Executive Director C.V.R Rajendran is new CMD of Andhra Bank Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL), a state owned infrastructure lender. December 18, 2013 India appointed C. V. R. Rajendran as Bank Chairman and Managing Director ofTheMaharashtra Union Ministry of Finance, Government of - Andhra . Previously, he was Executive Director of Bank . As CMD of Andhra Bank, Rajendran will have a 5 year term or until Mobile makers should install “SoS” button for women safety: Finance Minister superannuation, whichever is RATHNAKUMARearlier. R. Email address: [email protected] December 18, 2013

Nirbhaya Fund. On the first anniversary of December 16 brutal act that jolted the country, the Centre approved anseveralSoS alertproposals button for improving women’s safety under the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram announced that mobile handset makers will have to introduce Proposal from the Ministriesto ensure of Home that Affairs women and Information in distress Technology: can be reached by the police in the minimum possible time.

The police administration will be integrated with the mobile phone network to rapidly respond to distress calls. The scheme will be launched in 157 cities in two phases (55 in phase I and 102 in phaseProposal II). from the Road Transport Ministry: schemeA programme ‘Security of women in road transport in the country’ will be launched in 32 towns, each with a population of over 1 million. The expected cost is about Rs. 1,700 crore. Under this , public transport vehicles will have GPS for easy tracking, CCTVs and more women drivers Proposal from the Railway Ministry: and conductors, among others measures.

It proposes to start a public scheme for establishing an SoS alert system in trains in select zones. The facility will cover all service providers from all telecom circles. It will have a call recording What is Nirbhaya Fund? facility and a call centre. Nirbhaya Fund in Budget 2013- is a Rs. 1000- crore fund was announced by Finance Minister P Chidambaram What is SoS? 14. The fund is aimed at enhancing the safety and for empowerment of women. It was named after Nirbhaya the pseudonym given to the victim of the incident to hide her identity.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

SOS International distress signal (· · · – – – · · ·

is the widely used description for the Morse Code ). Earlier,What is the SOS compos wasition used of asSOS? the maritime radio distress signal but from 1999 it was replaced by the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. SOS is still recognized as a visual distress signal. S O The SOS distress signal is a continuous sequence of three dits, three dahs, and three dits,- all run together without letter spacing. The three dits form the letter , and three dahs make the letter , so elements.“SOS” became an easy way to remember the order of the dits and dahs. SOS is the only 9 element signalWhat is the in Morsefull form code, of SOS? making it more easily identifiable, as no other symbol uses more than 8 not an abbreviation save our ship save our souls send out succour” It must be noted that SOS is mnemonics. and there it does not stand for anything. Although some phrases like “ “, “ ” and “ were popularly associated DRDO develops heavy drop system improving Army’s para-dropping capacity with SOS, these may be regarded as December 18, 2013 Heavy Drop System (HDS) -

DRDO has developed a 16 ton capacity to improve Army’s para dropping capacity. The - system (HDS) consists of a platform and a highly advanced system of Aerialparachutes Delivery to drop Research loads consisting and Development of military storesEstablishment such as vehicles (ADRDE), including BMP- class, supplies and ammunition from IL 76 heavy lift aircraft. - an Agra based laboratory of the DRDO designed and developedRATHNAKUMAR theR. Email three address: prototypes [email protected] of the system. These systems are re usable type to provide drop practice to the troops during their regular military training during peace time. The bulk production of 146 numbers is being initiated at L&T for the mechanical platform and OPF About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Kanpur for the parachute systems. · Formed in 1958, Defence Defense. · Headquarters: New Delhiworks under the Department of Research and · Development of MinistryIndia of -class technology Aim: To make prosperous by establishing world science and Note: base and provide our Defence Services decisive edge -by equipping- them with internationally competitive systems and solutions. The system is extension of technology developed by DRDO for ‘P 7 HDS’, the 7 tonne capacity Supreme Court: No sanction required for prosecution in court-monitored cases Heavy Drop System developed earlier and already accepted by Indian Army for induction December 19, 2013 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - monitored Supremecorruption Court held that no approval from the Central Government is required by the Delhi Special Police Establishment to (DSPE) prosecute senior bureaucrats Prevention in court of Corruption Act cases. The court cleared that the sanction is not necessary under section 6A of the Act when the case under the is monitored by court. The court gave this ruling over the petition filed in coal blocks allocation scam to seek its direction What is Coal allocation scam? to do away with the provisions of prior sanction of the Centre in cases monitored by court. Public Sector Entities (PSEs) Coal allocation scam or Coalgate is a political scandal concerning the Indian Government’s allocation of the nation’s coal deposits to and private companies by © 2013 www.gktoday.in 52 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

per the audit report Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India of coal blocks without bidding has caused a Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. As of the What is the Delhi Special Police, allocation Establishment (DSPE) Act? huge loss of 1.86DSPE lakh Act, crore 1946 to the India’s exchequer. special police force

is a legislation which provides for the constitution of a in Delhi for the investigation of certain offences in the Union territories, for the superintendence and administration of the said force and for the extension to other areas of the power and jurisdiction of the members of the said force in regards to the investigation of specific offences as mentioned in this‘Indian law. Idol 2′ winner Sandeep Acharya passed away December 19, 2013

- monthSandeep- Acharya, who won the second season of Indian Idol inRajasthan 2006, passed. away Aboutat Gurgaon. Sandeep He was Acharya suffering from jaundice and is survived by his wife and a one old daughter. Golden The Voiceplayback of Rajasthan.singer belonged to Bikaner, Winner of India Idol Season 2 Runner up in the Mere Saath Saara Jahaan“. on April 22, 2006. After winning the singing reality show, he released his first album “ Winner of the best new Bollywood talent in New Jersey, USA.

Bagged the Sur Aradhna awardRATHNAKUMAR for the best R. Email upcoming address: [email protected] male singer category. The upcoming album and songs of Playback singer are such as, ‘O Sanam Tere Bina’, Kuyn Ni Aayo re,Angela etc. Merkel sworn in as German chancellor for 3rd time December 19, 2013 German Chancellor Angela Merkel

- sworn in for a thirdGermany term after being- history.reelected in a vote in the lower house of parliament. The event marks the Merkel’sbeginning conservative of the third soUnioncalled bloc grand– coalition in the ’s post war

coalition The with Christian their rivalsDemocratic Social Union Democrats (CDU) (SPDand Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) won Europe 41.5% of vote. economy To gain absolute majority they formedparties. ). By this coalition, for the next four years, ’s biggest will be ruled by the Germany’s two biggest The new government faces a host of challenges, from bedding down European reforms aimed at shielding the bloc from future crises, to seeing through Merkel’s costly switch from nuclear to renewableNote: Angela energy, Merkel etc. is a former research scientist who has been the Chancellor of Germany since 2005, and the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since 2000. She is the first woman to hold either office.

RBI mid quarter monetary policy review: All rates remain unchanged

December 19, 2013 India -

The Reserve Bank of (RBI) in its mid quarter Monetary Policy- Review kept the interest rates unchanged. By this move, the central bank gave the indication that solely monetary policy can’t deal with the inflation; the government must take initiatives on supply side reforms and put in place better storage facilities to hold food prices. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 53 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

economic environment 2013. ThisWhat are has Key policy come rates? as a welcome relief for the industry which is facing depressing as indicated 1.8% growth in industrial output in November

The Key Policy Rates or signally rates are decided by RBI. These are Bank Rate, Repo Rate, Reverse RepoOn the Rate, basis Marginal of an assessment Standing Facility, of the Cash current Reserve and Ratio evolving and Statutory macroeconomic liquidity situation,ratio (SLR). the RBI decided to: ·

· Keep the policy Repo Rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) unchanged at 7.75%, and · Keep the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks unchanged at 4.0% of the Net uncertain.Demand and Time Liability (NDTL). · Wait for more data before taking policy action, as current inflation is high but its trajectory is

Thus, the reverse repo rate under the LAF will remain unchanged at 6.75%, and the Marginal South India’s 1st high altitude cricket stadium inaugurated in Wayanad district, Kerala Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 8.75%. December 19, 2013 South India cricket Krishnagiri in the hilly Wayanad district by Kerala Cricket Association ’s first high altitude stadium built in about 2800 feet above the sea level. , inaugurated by state Governor Nikhil Kumar. The stadium spreads over 4.4RATHNAKUMAR hectares R. Email area address:international and [email protected] is situated at The Kerala Cricket Association had invested 6.5 crore rupees for construction of the stadium. The· stadiumHPCA Stadium has all amenities Stadium on ( par with Cricket standards Association and can Stadium) accommodate in about 10,000Dharamshala, spectators. Himachal Pradesh is situated at an altitude of 1,457 m (4,780 ft 2 in) above sea level. Himachal Pradesh Historic Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill passed

December 19, 2013 Lokpal corruption The parliament passed the historic and Lokayuktas Bill, paving the way for establishment of an ombudsman-year to- fight against in public offices and ensure accountability on the part of Siddpublichi, Maharashtra officials, including. the Prime Minister, but with some safeguards. Welcoming the Bill’s passage,What is Lokpal 76 Bill 2011?old social activist Anna Hazare broke his fast, into its ninth day, in Ralegaon The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 - India The Lokpal Bill, 2011, also referred to as , is an anti corruption law in which “seeks to provide for the establishment of the institution of Lokpal to antiinquire- into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for matters connectingHighlights of Lokpalthem. andThe Lokayu bill waskta Bill introduced 2011 in parliament following massive public protests led by · corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his associates. · The bill provides for the setting up of a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas at the States. The Lokpal consists of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight members of which 50% shall be judicial members.The Chairperson mayjudiciary be either. a serving or retired Chief Justice of India, or a Judge of the Supreme Court or an eminent person. Fifty per cent of the total members shall be from the higher

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· Committee Minister,The Chairperson and the members of the Lokpal shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Selection consists of the Prime Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge nominated by him. One eminent person · recommended by the Selection committee and nominated by the President will be its fifth member. · Lokpal will have the power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them by Lokpal. A high powered Committee chaired by the Prime Minister will recommend selection of the · Director, CBI. Directorate of Prosecution headed by a Director of Prosecution under the overall control of Director.mmission. · The appointment of the Director of Prosecution, CBI will be made on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Co Transfer of officers of CBI investigating cases referred by Lokpal with the approval of Lokpal. The Bill also mandates setting up of Lokayuktas through enactment of a law by the State Legislature withinPeter O’Toole 365 days of ‘Lawrencefrom the date of Arabia’ of commencement fame passed away of the Act. December 19, 2013 Peter O’Toole film Lawrence of Arabia, LegendaryPeter O’Toole actor (81), applauded for his role in the classic 1962 RATHNAKUMAR R. Email passed address: [email protected] away in London. playing in Lawrence of Arabia He was an Irish actor who made his film debut in 1959. He rose to stardom T. E. Lawrence– for Becket (1964), The Lion in (1962) Winter for(1968), whichGood hebye, wasMr. Chipsnominated(1969), forThe Academy Ruling AwardClass (1972),for the The first time.Stunt HeMan received(1980), sevenMy Favorite further Year VenusOscar nominations– BAFTA (1982) and (2006) and holds the record for the most Academy- Award acting 2012.nominations without a win. He bagged four Golden Globes, a and an Emmy, and was the recipient of an Honorary Academy Award in 2003. He bid adieu to his 50 year acting career in Iran space mission sends monkey to space for second time

December 19, 2013 Iran has revealed that it has successfully sent a monkey into space for the second time in 2013 as part of a space mission aimed at manned space flight. – named Fargam – health As per Iran’sIn President Hassan Rouhani, the monkey , or Auspicious came back from space in perfect . For this programme,- Iran used a liquid fuel rocket technology for the Earth.first time. January 2013, Iran had claimed to have sent a monkey to an altitude of about 120km (75 miles) in a Pishgam rocket for a sub orbital flight before returning successfully to However, the success of the first monkey flight was debated when a different animal was shownWhy the inWest images apprehends released Iran’s after space theprogramme? touchdown. But Iran rebuffed those debates explaining that the picture of another monkey was mistakenly which was undergoing suitability tests. missiles international The Western nations have raised concerns over Iran’s space programme as they fear the technology could be used in ballistic . Iran is already under pressure to give up its alleged nuclear programme and is also under the US imposed crude oil trade embargo for the same reason.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

West Bengal adopts Bill to tackle illegal activities of Chit Funds December 19, 2013

Bill ‘West Bengal Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments Bill, 2013′. With a view to tackle illegal activities of Chit Funds, the West Bengal Assembly adopted a fresh

The bill has arrived close on the heels of Sardha Chit Fund Scam which swindled the investors of their money. Under the provisions of the new Bill personal properties of a person, who has borrowed money from defaulting Chit Fund Company will be attached besides, the properties of the owner, partners, directorsAs per State andFinance employeesMinister, of the theFinancialGovernment Institutionshas return will alsoed moneybe impounded.to 2 lakhs 87 thousand people thus far, who have been cheated by the Sardha Group. The Government has spent 165 crore rupees for this purpose till now. There are vociferous demands for CBI investigations into the case and recompense the duped investors by selling of the properties of those who were involved in the scam. What happened in Sardha Chit Fund Scam? The Saradha Chit Fund Scam scheme is a financial Eastern scam thatIndia was. caused by the collapse of a Ponzi run by Saradha Group, a syndicate of Ind–300ian firms that was–6 thought to be operating a wide depositors.Therange of collective investment schemes in The group crumbled in April 2013, inflicting an estimated loss of Rs. 200 billion (US$4 billion)to- over 1.7 million RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] state government of West Bengal set up an inquiry commission to investigatemulti the- collapseand also set up a fund of Rs. 5 billion ($92 million) to ensure that low income investors are schemes.not bankrupted. The Union Government through the Income Tax Department also launched a agency investigation along with the CBI to probe the Saradha scam, as well as other similar Ponzi EU bestows “GSP-Plus” status on Pakistan

December 19, 2013 The European Union (EU) GSP-Plus status to Pakistan, likely to encourage the textile and other industries as it grants exporters duty-free access to 28 member nations of the EU group. has given a move that is

Pakistan was in-f talks with several EU member countries to get the status. international Under this, 75 Pakistani products would have duty ree access to European markets. The status will facilitate Pakistan to export products worth over $ 1 billion to markets and the textile industry alone is expected to earn profits of more than Rs 1 trillion a year. likeExpertsBangladesh are of theand view that the EU trade concessions- will benefit Pakistan’s textile and clothing industry, mainly by enabling its products to compete with those of regional competitors billion. Sri Lanka, which already have duty free access to the bloc’s markets. Currently, ofWhat Pakistan’s is EU’s GSP total system? exports to the EU, textile and clothing makes over 50% which is worth $ 9.5 · “Generalised Scheme of Preferences” (GSP)

The EU’s “GSP+” allows developing country exporters to pay lower duties on their exports to the EU. This gives them vital access to EU markets and contributes to their economic growth. The enhanced preferences means full removal of tariffs on essentially the same product categoriesenvironment as those covered by the general There arearrangement. 3 key arrangements These GSP are scheme: granted to countries which ratify and implement international

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· GSP rd

· The “GSP+”standard scheme, which offers generous tariff cuts to developing nations. Practically, this means partial or entire removal of tariffs on 2/3 of all product categories. enhanced preferences means full removal of tariffs on essentially the same product categories as thoseernance. covered by the general arrangement. These are granted to nations · “Everythingwhich ratify andbut implementArms” (EBA) international conventions relating to human and labour rights, dutyenvironment- and- good gov Note: scheme for Least Developed Nations (LDCs), 2014. which grants free quota free access to all products, except for arms and ammunitions. “Deterrence Stability and Escalation Control in South Asia” – A study cautions nuclear instability in South Asia The EU has modified its GSP system which will come into effect from January 1, December 19, 2013 Deterrence Stability and Escalation Control in South Asia - India and Pakistan As per a study entitled - released by a major think tank in Washington“conditions has that warned could that lead in tothe uncontrolled fifteen years sinceescalation.” tested Acconuclear devices in 1998, both have introduced 17 new nuclearIndia weapon andPakistancapable delivery systems and this has produced rding to the experts contributing to the study, although y. were of the view Keyafter developments the 1998 tests contributingthat acquisition to nuclearof nuclear risk: capabilities would be stabilizing and that it would facilitate· more normal relations, it has- not worked out that wa “theatre nukes”

RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] · India’sPakistan’s“Cold introduction Start” of short range, tactical delivery vehicles, or whose utility depends on their propinquity to battlefields. arms. conventional military strategy as a risk factor that could prompt a · Subnuclear- response and may have already driven Pakistan’s interest in battlefield nuclear Lashkar -e- conventional actions of violent groups can also trigger nuclear action. For instance, Taiba’s 26/11/2008 terror attack on Mumbai, and this unique situation in terms · of nuclear deterrence implies that the escalatory danger posed by these groups is more likely than the threat of nuclear -terrorism. The progress- in diplomatic efforts- to cut nuclear risks has so far been insufficient in comparison to nuclear weapon related developments and doctrinal change. Thus far, only four military related Confidence Building and Nuclear Risk Reduction Measures have been What isnegotiated Cold Start Doctrine? between India and Pakistan since 1998, and no new measures have been agreed Cold sinceStart 2007.military doctrine Indian Armed Forces

is a developed by the . It involves the various branches of India’s military conducting offensive operations as part of unified battleHigh groups. levels The of preparednessCold Start doctrine and rapidis intended mobilization to allow are India’s the mainconventional aims of forcesthis doctrine. to perform holding attacks in orderOperation to Parakram prevent a nuclear retaliation from Pakistan in case of a conflict.

Post December 13, 2001 Parliament attack, it took over 3 weeks for India’s strike corps to mobilize to border by Operation Parakram. In this backdrop, Indian army announced a new limited war doctrine in 2004 that would allow it to mobilize quickly and undertake retaliatory attacks in response to specific challenges posed by Pakistan’sinternational “proxy war” in Kashmir. This doctrine aims to establish the capacity to launch a retaliatory conventional strike against Pakistan that would inflict significant harm on the Pakistan Army before the community could intercede, and at © 2013 www.gktoday.in 57 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

attacks.the same time, pursue narrow enough aims to deny Islamabad a justification to escalate the clash to the nuclear level. This was further strengthened to fight with hidden war like 26/11 Mumbai terror – The Cold Start Doctrine emphasises on 3 main problems with India’s erstwhile doctrine as identified to handle sudden tides across border of Pakistan quick deployment- and manoeuvre, thenlack of strategic surprise, holding corps lacks offensive power. Though India has denied having a cold start treaty, yet in January 2011, while speaking to the media in the run up to Army Day, the Army chief, General V K Singh, came closer than any other government official,tion Vijayee while Bhavadescribing defence the widely speculated Indian war fighting doctrine popularly referred to as “Cold Start”. On the same goals and interest, On May 12, 2011, India launched Opera · exercise involving 50,000 troops in Bikaner and Suratgarh near the Pakistan border in order to boost the synergy between the defence forces. · The main objective of the operation was to cut down mobilization time of military, which took 27 days to mobilize during 48Operation hours. Parakram. · The Indian Army confirmed that exercise was successfulPrahaar and it has reduced mobilization time drastically to In July 2011, a new solid fuelled tactical ballistic missile , of 150 km range, · was tested.- Prahaar is designed to provide the Indian army’s invading battle groups with lethal fire support.“Operation Sudarshan Shakti” During Oct Dec, 2011 Indian army conducted its largest war game in the last two RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] · decades, titled under the Southern Command Headquarters, to revalidate its cold start doctrine. Analysis:The entire doctrine has been built keeping in mind two factors, Rapid, Unpredictable Response, Not crossing the nuclear threshold.

This Cold Start doctrine represents advancement in India’s conventional capabilities. The persistent consequencesdisengagement of India’s political leadership from security issues is a cause for concern, for they may turn to a limited war strategy during the next crisis without having evaluated the potential . At present, Cold Start remains more of a concept than a reality. However, with favourable political and diplomatic atmosphere of trade and talks, India’s will to use it is under the cloud as it was not put into use after the 26/11 attacks but its contemplated that India’s traditionally risk averse political leadership has been unwilling to use it unless guaranteed of sure results and of late seem to be a culmination of India’s military capability to do so which has taken a long while to bring into effect the changes required to give effect to this plan and this has raised questions if India’s political leadership will be firmer in possibly authorizing its use in the future. Military operations of the type envisaged in Indian Army’s new war doctrine incorporates swift, fluid and relentless offensive operations, without the luxury of pauses and time duration spans of defensive operations to which Indian Army’s higher echelons are so conditioned to today.

Hence, cold start- doctrine is one of the punitive options short of war available to India to raise Pakistan’s cost in waging a proxy war and designed to avoid crossing Pakistan’s nuclear red lines throughRBI outlines large actionscale plan offensive to tackle operations NPAs; discussion with Strike paper Corps open deep for public into Pakistan. comments December 19, 2013

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

India - - The1. Reserve Bank of (RBI) outlined a corrective action plan to minimize rising Non performing2. assets (NPAs). The plan include three steps: 3. To motivate early identification of problem cases. To restructure the accounts timely , which are considered to be viable, and Banks must take prompt actions for recovery or sale of unviable accounts. EconomyAs per the RBI discussion paper, “Early recognition of Financial Distress, Prompt StepsCentral for RepositoryResolution and of Information Fair Recovery on forLarge Lenders: Credits Framework (CRILC) for Revitalizing Distressed Assets in the ”, which is open for public comments till January 1, 2014, it would set up a to collect, store, and disseminate credit data to lenders. The credit information will include all types of exposures as defined under RBI Circular Bankson exposure norms, and will also include data on lenders’CRILC investments in bonds/debentures issued fundby the- borrower/obligor.- will have to furnish credit information to on all their borrowers having aggregate tw based and non fund based exposure of Rs.5 crore and above . On the asset sales front, the RBI has shown readiness in allowing a lender to spread any loss over o years provided theproposed loss is fully more disclosed expensive and allowing future borrowingsleverage buyouts for borrowers by specialized who entities. do not cooperateIt also suggests with takeout lenders financing/refinancing in resolution. possible over a longer period and not construing it as restructuring.What are Non performing RBI also Assets (NPA)?

Any asset, including a leasePDFdRATHNAKUMAR asset, R. Email becomes address: [email protected] a non performing when it ceases to generate incomeNote: for the bank are called Non Performing Assets or Bad loans. economy RBI proposed these rules to help banks to recover bad debts in an effort to ease the financial totalstressbanking on banksassets. as the slows. This discussion comes as there is fear of bad loans to gain a Linkrecord for highPaper: of around Rs. 2.9 trillion by the end of the fiscal or 4.5 per cent of the

DevyaEarlyni Khobragade recognition case: of Financial Government Distress, transfered Prompt Steps diplomat for Resolution to Indian and permanent Fair Recovery mission for Lenders:to UN Framework for Revitalizing Distressed Assets in the Economy December 21, 2013 The India

Why MsMinistry Devyani of Khobragade External hasAffairs been transferred transferred to diplomatIndia’s Permanent Ms Devyani Mission Khobragade in the United Nations?to ’s Permanent Mission in the United Nations, giving her full diplomatic immunity. nd statements in connection with theMs. visaDevyani application Khobragade, for an India’s Indian deputy national consul employee general in New York, arrested in the 2 week of December· 2013 for an alleged case of visa fraud and to make false who was domestic helper in her home. · Later on, she was released on a $250000 bond after she pleaded not guilty in a court. She will have to face a maximum of 15 years in jail if convicted on both matters. · The U.S. StateVienna Department clarified that Indian diplomat does not enjoy immunity from US laws. It is firm about its policies in support of the domestic workers. Under the convention on consular relations (VCCR), the Indian Deputy · DueConsul to Generalthe fear enjoys that Ms. immunity Khobragade from themay jurisdiction be detained of USagain, courts posted only towith UN. respect Here, sheto acts will performed enjoy full in diplomatic the exercise immunity of consular and functions. US can’t arrest her.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Sebi exempts govt from making open offer to IOB shareholders December 21, 2013 India

BankCapital(IOB). market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of (SEBI) exempted the government from making an open offer to public shareholders for acquiring shares of Indian Overseas The order was issued after the Government planned to raise its stake in IOB by 5% to 79 % by infusion of Rs 1,200 Crore. After the purchase government’s stake in IOB will raise by little over 5% to 79.01%. SEBI in its order has said that the minimum public shareholder level in IOB, which is 10% for public sector units, would be maintained even after the proposed hike in Government hike in the bank. ThereNote: willAs perbe no the change rules, in when the management entities holding control 25% of the or bank. more stake in a company acquire an additional 5% or more stake in the firm, they are required to make an open offer so as to provide an exit opportunity to the public shareholders. UTIP Study: Kolkata ranked top in public transport among Indian cities

December 21, 2013 International Association of Public Transport (UTIP) As per a study conducted by the Hyderabad , Kolkata (31)Delhi ranked(79). top in the public transport among Indian cities. The About the UTIP studyother cities studied by the UTIP are Mumbai (41), Chennai (54), (55), · Bangalore‘Future (65) of and Urban Mobility 2.0′ RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] · · Study entitled Data collected from 84 cities acrossITP). the world · Released by Arthur D Little, a management consultant based in Boston and International Association of Public Transport (U · The best cities are Hong Kong, Stockholm and Amsterdam, while the worst are Baghdad, Hanoi and Atlanta. Parameters taken into account: share of trips made in public transport, smart card About penetration,International Association road density, of Public frequency Transport of(UITP) public transport and initiatives taken in the · public sector. -

· Headquarters:International organization Brussels, Belgium for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision · Formation:makers, scientific 17 August institutes 1885 and the public transport supply and service industry. · business know- · It is a platform for worldwide cooperation, development and the sharing of how between its 3,400 members from 92 countries. It is the global advocate of public transport and sustainable mobility, and the promoter of UN lowered India’s growth forecast to 4.8% for 2013 innovations in the sector. December 21, 2013 India

United Nations lowered ’s economic growth forecast for 2013 to 4.8% and warned emerging ThemarketUN’s economies World Economic of the possible Situation negative and Prospects impact of 2014 a tapering report of the US Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program. lowered India’s economic growth forecast by 1.3 % for 2013, while it pegged India’s growth rate down 1.2 % at 5.3 per cent in 2014. It projects India’s economic growth at by 5.7 % in 2015. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 60 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

As per the UN report: · China economy · ’s growth was expected to maintain a pace of about 7.5 % over the next few years, though India’s was forecast to grow by more than 5 %. · Global economy is expected to expand by 3.0 % in 2014 and by 3.3 % in 2015, compared with estimated growth of 2.1 per cent for 2013. The predictions are based on an end to the euro’s protracted recession and somewhat Indian scientists discovered insulin pills for diabetics stronger growth in the United States. December 21, 2013 pill form of insulin treatment diabetes

Indian scientists have discovered a , so now patients would becausebe spared from the pain of jabbing themselves with a needle every day. The process to transform delivery of this therapy from a shot to a pill was a challenge bloodstream. body’s digestive enzymes that are so good at breaking down food also break down insulin before it can get to work. Besides, insulin doesn’t get easily absorbed through the intestine into the

To overcome these hurdles, scientists combined two approaches to shield insulin from the digestive enzymes· and then get it into the blood. They packaged insulin in tiny sacs made of lipids, or fats, called liposomes, which are already · used in some treatments.RATHNAKUMAR Then, R. Email they address: wrapped [email protected] the liposomes in layers of protective molecules called polyelectrolytes. To help these “layersomes” get absorbed into the bloodstream, they attached folic acid, a About kindDiabetes of vitamin B that has been shown to help transport liposomes across the intestinal wall · into the blood.

· Diabetes suppresses the production or use of insulin, which is a hormone that helps blood glucose or blood sugar become absorbed into cells and gives them energy. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, and type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make or use insulin very well, causing glucose to remain in the India rolls out its First indigenous LCA – Tejas blood, which can lead to serious problems. December 21, 2013 Tejas, India - ’s firstDefense indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which is all set to replace the MiG 21 series, developed by the Research and Development Organization (DRDO) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as its principal partner. Tejas is the smallest, light weight, single engine, single seat, supersonic, multirole, combat aircraft, and best in its class in the world. It has many features of stealth fighter aircraft. It will be used by both the Indian Air Force(IAF) and the Navy. This fourth generation combat aircraft has Carbon Composites, light weight/high strength material for primary- structures, quadruplex Digital Flight Control System; glass Cockpit and digital Avionics to give multirole capabilities with carefree maneuvering. These capabilities are further raised by several on board Sensors, Communication and Navigation Systems that are supported by powerful Mission Computers and Cockpit Display System. © 2013 www.gktoday.in 61 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

This is for the first time an indigenously designed and developed military fighter aircraft has Features of stealth fighter aircraft certified for Indian Air Force · -by-

· The aircraft has a totally digital fly wire control system; the wings are made entirely of composite structures. · Built by unstable configuration’ technique. It has open architecture- software for avionics. What isDRDO the future can planning update ofit asDefense and whenResearch required. and Development Organization (DRDO)? · It integrates a ‘glass cockpit’ in which information is displayed ‘real time’ to the pilot. · - Plans to test fire the- indigenous Astra missile and guns from the Tejas. · Working on MARK II type Tejas aircraft, which has a better thrust and improved radar · system than Mark I type Tejas LCA (i.e. inducting in the Indian Air Force) Working on the- Combat variant, Trainer variant and Naval variants of Tejas. · DRDO developed a special facility in Goa, to notice the conditions for a Tejas for Navy landing, take off and maneuver from an aircraft carrier. - Note: Stealth aircraft are designed to avoid detection usingstealth a variety technology of advanced. technologies that reduce reflection/emission of radar, infrared, visible light, Radio Western Ghats: Nod for farming activities by Ministry of Environment & Forests Frequency (RF) spectrum, and audio, collectively known as December 22, 2013 The Environment Kasturirangan panel report RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] and agriculture in Ministry,Ecologically following Sensitive the Areas ‘in principle’ (ESA). acceptance of the · , issued a fresh order on easing norms on activities related to plantations

The Ministry elucidated that the recommendations made by the Kasturirangan panel, neither put any fresh restrictions on land use in the ESA nor do they in any way impact the · continued occupation of land in possession of the local people and affect their— day to day activities or normal livelihood. — The new order cleared that the boundary of the ESA and the regulatory regime an emotive issue in some of the affected states would be finalized after the draft What arenotification the recommendations for the same made is by placed the Kasturirangan in the public panel? domain and comments on it from all stakeholders including state governments arepanel: received.

The· key suggestions made by the K. Kasturirangan

· Promotion of Ecotourism; economically empower the local population, Incentives green growth in the Western Ghats, etc. Ban on mining, quarrying, sand mining, thermal power plants, building and construction · projects on areas that are 20,000 sq m or more, township and area development projects with an area of 50ha and above and red category of industries in ESA. Russia frees former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky Defined 37% of the Western Ghats landscape as ecologically sensitive. December 22, 2013

Mikhail Khodorkovsky,Germany an oil tycoon and political opponent of Vladimir Putin, released from prison after being pardoned by the Russian President.. He left for where his mother is being treated for cancer He spent

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Who is Mikhail Khodorkovsky? President Putin signed a decree pardoning his former political opponent on humanitarian grounds. once Russia He is a Russian businessman, an oligarch, a philanthropist, a public figure and an author. He was ’s richest man as head of oil giant Yukos, spent 10 years in custody for tax evasion and RBI: Inflation linked bonds for sale from December 23, 2013 theft after funding opposition parties. December 22, 2013 India ssue Inflation Indexed National Savings Securities Cumulative (IINSS-C) bonds (or inflation linked bonds) The Reserve Bank of (RBI) will i Objective: for retail investors by opening the ThesubscriptionIINSS-C onbonds December 23, 2013 and close it on December 31, 2013. The move will help to protect retail investors from price rise. investments. will offer investors a return i.e. 1.5% more than inflation based on the Inflationconsumer linked price bonds index. Interest will be compounded half yearly, enhancing effective yield on · The limit for investment per applicant per annum: – · Eligibility for subscription: Rs 5,000 Rs 5 lakh. · Individuals, Hindu Undivided Family, charitableCPI). · institutions and universities. — The interest rate on these bonds would be linked to the Consumer Price Index ( halfThe- interest rate would RATHNAKUMARcomprise R.two Email parts address: [email protected] a fixed rate of 1.5% per annum and inflation · rate based on CPI with a lag of three months. It would be compounded on the principal on yearly basis and paid at the time of maturity. For senior citizens (65 years and above of age), early repurchase will be allowed after one · year from date of issue and other investors can redeem them after three years but with ofpenaltyBonds of Ledger 50 per centAccount of the (BLA) last coupon paid. · DistributionRBI will act as or a sale central of bonds depository, would as be these through securities banks: will be issued in the form and ,held with RBI.and SBI, nationalized banks and three private banks HDFC Bank ICICI Bank Axis Bank and Stock Holding Kirobo: World’s first robot astronaut Corporation of India. December 22, 2013 Kirobo International About the, theworld’s world’s first robot first astronaut robot astronautKirobo talks about Christmas in its first chat with the JapaneseJapan commander of the Space Station.

Kirobo is ’s first humanoid robot astronaut, developed by Tomotaka Objective:Takahashi, to accompany Koichi Wakata, the first Japanese commander of the International- Space Station. To see how well robots and humans can interact. A pint sized android equipped with artificial intelligence and capable of learning howCreated to respondjointly appropriatelyby advertising to humans.firm Dentsu, the University of Tokyo, robot developer Robo Garage and Toyota.

The robot’s capabilities include voice and speech recognition, natural language processing, speech synthesis and telecommunications, as well as facial recognition and video recording. Kirobo is © 2013 www.gktoday.in 63 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

- va specially designed to navigate zero gravity environments and will assist Commander Wakata in Firstrious human experiments. artificial heart transplant executed in France December 24, 2013

ris,France. An artificial heart that can give patients up to five years of extra life has beenFrench successfully Biomedical implanted firm Carmatfor the first time,- at Georges Pompidou- Hospital in Pa TheDefense equipment designed to (EADS).overcome the worldwide shortage of transplant donors was produce by About Artificial, a start Heartup funded by the Dutch based European Aeronautic and Space Company · Lithium-ion batteries. · Powered by external, wearable · Inside the heart, surfaces that come into contact with human blood are made partly from bovine tissue instead of synthetic materials such as plastic that can cause blood clots. · Uses a range of “biomaterials”, including– bovine tissue, to reduce the likelihood of the body rejecting it. Europe. · Weighs about 900g (around 2 lb) nearly three times more than an average healthy human heart. It is expected to cost 140,000 to 180,000 euros in · It mimics heart muscle contractions and contains sensors that adapt the blood flow to the patient’s moves. Intended to replace a real heart for as many as five years, unlike previous artificial hearts Ms. Usha Sangwan: The first womanRATHNAKUMAR managing R. Email director address: [email protected] of LIC that were created mainly for temporary use. December 24, 2013 India Life Insurance The Government of appointed Ms Usha Sangwan as the first woman managing director of Corporation of India (LIC) and Vijay Kumar Sharma as an MD and chief executive officer of LIC Housing Finance. With these appointments, LIC is set to function at its full strength of four MDs. These are S B Mainak, Sushobhan Sarkar, Usha Sangwan and V K Sharma. About Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) As per the norms, LIC can have four MDs, and a chairman, as part of its top management. · - · · Indian state owned insurance group and Investment Company. · CurrentHeadquarters: Chairman: Mumbai. SK Roy · OffersFounded: a 1variety September of insurance 1956. products to its customers such as insurance plans, pension plans, unit- linked plans, special plans and group schemes. CCEA approved Rs 6,600 cr interest-free loans for sugar mills

December 24, 2013 Committee - cash- The Cabinet on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved Rs 6,600 Crore interest free loans to starved sugar mills in order to make payments to cane farmers. The interest subvention will be 12%, which will be borne by the Sugar Development Fund. The loans provided by banks to sugar mills are solely for making payments to sugarcane farmers, including arrears. The loans are equivalent to the excise duty paid by the mills in the past three years. Mills will have to repay the loans in five years and can avail of a moratorium on repayment for the first two years.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

The PM-constituted panel headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar recommended for interest- free loans, to help millers to clear dues and make timely payment in the current crushing season 2013 -14 to cane growers. Currently, is facing a financial crisis due to higher cos t of production and This has led to Rs. 3400 crore cane arrears from 2012-13 during the marketing year that endedsugar industryin September 2013. Thus, owing to liquidity crunch, the sugar mills demanded decline in interestthe prices-free of sugar.loans for working capital requirement, hike in import duty, and export subsidies among others. This financial package will allow millers to pay money they owe to the farmers.

SEBI sets out deposit norms for members in debt segment

December 24, 2013 The Securities and Exchange Board of India

As per the circular issued by SEBI – (SEBI) sets out minimum deposit requirements for members· in the debt segment of the stock exchanges.

· As per the norms for stock brokers and proprietary trading members, the base minimum capital requirements will be applicable for the debt segment as well.- · As per the profile of the members, the base minimum deposit requirements range from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for members of stock exchanges having nation wide trading terminals. · For Clearing Members (CM) and Self Clearing Members (SCM) the deposit shall be Rs 10 lakh. No exposure shall be granted against such deposit requirement of the CM/SCM. No deposit will required from members seeking registration in the debt segment if they are · RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] already members of another segment on the stock exchange. No deposits would be applicablen. in case, the clearing members ‘clears and settles trades only on gross basis for both securities and funds, and where no settlement guarantee is provided Canara Bank got license to open a branch in New York by the clearing corporatio December 24, 2013

from To expand its global presence, the Canara Bankreceived a license the US regulators to open a branch in New York. As stated by the Chairman and Managing Director of Canara Bank, R. K. Dubey, the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve approved theAbout proposal Canara Bank of the bank to open a branch in New York. This is the first time that anIndian bank has secured· an approval -of the US regulators. · Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka. · FoundedAn Indian state owned bank. banking : 1906 Operates in four segments: treasury operations, retail operations, wholesale banking India-Venezuela: Signed Cultural Exchange Programme operations and other banking operations. December 24, 2013 India and Venezuela

signed a programme on cultural exchanges in the fields thereafter.of publication, film and media, image and space arts, stage and music arts. TheExcerpts programme of the Programme will last of Culturalfor three Exchange years and will be renewed automatically

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· · To promote the exchange of bilingual publications (traditional and contemporary stories). · To make an issue of the magazine ‘’Actualidades” (a CELARG publicatInternationalion) on the Republic of Fair.India or on Indian writers. · On a reciprocal basis, participation of India in the Venezuela’s Book

· To encourage the participation of Venezuelan and Indian poets and writers in the literature · festivals organized by both countries. To encourage the participation of India in the Venezuela’s World Festival of Poetry. · To boost the exchange of knowledge with specialists in the Delhifield of drawing techniques with natural pigments, specialists in dying with natural inks, as well as the use of enzymes. · Participation of a Venezuelan theatre company in the New ’s Festival to diffuse Amthe Venezuelan theatre in the Republic of India. · Encourage the acquisition of Distribution Rights of Indian film works by the film distributor azonia Films. Encourage the institutional links between the Autonomous National Center of Film Making · of the BolivarianRepublic of Venezuela and the Institute of Cinema and Television of the Republic of India. Participation of one dancer or couple of dancers from India at the International Dance CCEA allowed RIL Higher Gas Prices in Lieu of Bank Guarantee Festivals Solos y Duetos (Solos & Duets). December 25, 2013 Committee RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected]

The Cabinet on Economic Affairs (CCEA) allowed Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) to sell natural gas at the revised doubled price from April, 2014 provided the firm gave a bank guarantee. The contractor would be allowed to sell D1 and D3 (fields) gas at revised prices from April 1, 2014. The sale would be permitted on the basis of a bank guarantee by RIL in favor of the government. - The bank guaranteeKG- D6(aroundblock. $9 billion )will be encashed if it is proved that the company stored gas Note:or deliberately put down production at the main Dhirubhai 1 and 3 (D1 and D3) fields in the includingeastern offshoreCoal-Bed Methane (CBM) The new gas pricing formula will be applicable to all producers and all forms of gas Govt allowed CIL to pump gas from CBM mines and shale gas. December 25, 2013 Committee - India

The Cabinet on Economic Affairs (CCEA) allowed state owned Coal Ltd (CIL) to pump methane gas trapped in coal beds of its existing mines. This move will open a new revenue stream for the world’s largest coal miner and help unlock several mines that have remained out of bounds because of the presence of the explosive gas that make mining unsafe. Presently, rules and regulations prohibit mining firms from extracting Coal Bed Methane (CBM) during mining as the policy does not allow for simultaneous extraction of methane (CBM) and coal. Only those companies that successfully bid for mines with CBM are allowed to explore and produce such gas. The government auctioned 33 CBM blocks since 2001. mi - CIL holds at least 20% of the estimated 60 billion tones of coal resources in India. It has many coal Cabinetnes in approved eight States FTA that in trade are estimatedand services to withhave ASEAN CBM reserves of 3.5 4 trillion cubic feet. December 25, 2013

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

ASEAN). Objective:The Cabinet approved a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in trade and services with- the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( To promote the movement of Indian professionals in the 10 nation ASEAN. The Note:Agreement on Investment would protect, promote and increase foreignIndia investment flows into the country and also removes and barriers. 2009. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (CECA) between and ASEAN was signed in 2003. The Cabinet approved the Agreement on Trade Goods under the CECA with the ASEAN in July First Ministerial Level Talk held for BCIM Trade Corridor

December 25, 2013 India, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar - held the first ever official level discussions on the ambitious BCIM economic corridor to link India and China with Bangladesh- and Myanmar. The economic advantages of the BCIM trade corridor are: infrastructure and Approach to numerous markets in Southeast Asia, Improvement of transportation - Creation of industrial zones RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] projects,Currently,telecommunication the four nations raised an ambitious proposal that included developing multi modal transport, such as road, rail, waterways and airways, joint power networks, etc. As a first step, they will identify realistic and achievable infrastructure projects to boost physical connectivity. Over the next six months, each country will come up with a joint study report proposing concrete projects and financing modalities, before the next meeting of the four nations in June 2014, hosted byThe Bangladesh. linking of all four countries by road has strengthen the belief that this corridor would subsequently open up the whole of the northeastern region of India to Southeast Asia and China andBCIM turn Trade it into Corridor a significant channel of trade. The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM)

economic corridor is a test case for cooperation Myanmar.between India and China in regional development as well as addressing common challenges. It aims to connect Kolkata with China’s Kunming city with a highway running through Bangladesh and Mr. Mikhail Kalashnikov: Designer of AK-47 ( ”Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947″) passed away

December 26, 2013 -

Mikhail Kalashnikov (94), the Russian gun designer whose AK 47 rifle became the weapon of choice for many national armies and guerrillas aroundAbout AK the- 47 world,( ”Avtomat passed Kalashnikova away. 1947″) “Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947″. ’47 selective-fire, gasOfficially-operated known 7.62×39mm as assault rifle ′ from-a- the year (1947)- it went into production. It is a and has a rate of fire of 600 rounds minute. The AK 47 has only eight © 2013 www.gktoday.in 67 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

moving parts can be broken down and reassembled in 30 seconds and will work in conditions that would render many other small arms inoperable. Invented by Mikhail Kalashnikov, who received e-Pramaan would make SMSs a valid documentary proof numerous honors including the Hero of Socialist Labor and Order of Lenin and Stalin Prize. December 26, 2013 Soon, SMSs will be acceptable as “documentary proof” for a variety of citizen-services ranging from making payments to registrations. The Department of electronics and information technologY (DeitY) project. , a part of the ministry of Communication· and Information Technology, is all set to flag off a new online authentication

The Central Government launched a platform with about 241 applications for the public · after completing pilot project of mobilee-Pramaan governance project with about 100 departments and testing proof of concepts. · SMS authentication is part of the which has an overall outlay of Rs 23 crore; it will become reality by June 2014. The online authentication project of the Union government would enable SMSs to be usedhealth as Aadhaar,documentaryeducation proof for various registrations and payments. The applications relate to services will cover areas viz. Right to Information (RTI), , Michiaki Takahasi: Developer of chickenpox vaccine passed away , directory services, etc. December 27, 2013 RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected]

Dr. Michiaki Takahashi (85), a Japanese virologist, who developed a vaccine for Thethe chidiseasecken pox virus passed away. Dr. Takahashi developed his vaccine by growing live but weakened versions of the virus in animal and human cells. was not sourced by the vaccine, but the vaccine encouraged Aboutimmune Chicken system Pox to create antibodies. Thus, it fools the immune system into · thinking that it has seen- this disease before. · · Caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) which is a form of herpes. · Highly contagious disease that is spread via contact with infected person. Symptoms: rashes in the body, fever,- loss of appetite, headache and tiredness. It’s most common in kids under age 12, but anyone can get chickenpox. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus, a form of herpes. If a person contracts the virus, has an active infection and then recovers, the virus is not actually gone from the body. It can hide in nerve cells for years or decades, then emerge again to cause shingles, a painful condition that causesDefense a Ministryskin rash clears and occursprocurement mostly proposals in adults. worth over Rs 16000 cr December 27, 2013 The Defense missiles - Ministry cleared procurement proposals worth over Rs.16, 000 crore including that of Israeli Barak . The Ministry had put on hold procurement of Barak I missiles because of a CBI· probe in the case since 2006. The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defense minister AK Antony approved the- proposal. The proposal is for crore.Acquiring two deep submarine rescue vessels for the Navy while approving the indigenous construction of the 16 anti submarine warfare shallow water craft at the cost of Rs.13,000

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· -

· 262 Barak I missiles worth- Rs.880 crore, which are expected to be put on the aircraft carrier · INS Virat and picked out air defense system for the new aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Aquiring 41 indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruvs, for the Army. e-Inclusion: IT Training for Rural Sc/St/Women Beneficiaries’ Project Launched In the Rs.300 crore procurement, one of the choppers would be provided to the Navy. December 27, 2013 India - - occasion, ‘e-Literacy: TowardsThe Government Empowering of Rural launched India’ e inclusion project to make people e literate. On this Minister of Communication & IT, Mr. Kabil Sibal- released the handbook titled About e-Inclusion project bearing profiles of 50 beneficiaries who have successfully undertaken the basic IT trainingNational programme e-Governance under the Plan E Inclusion (NeGP) project.

It’s· the initiative under the program.for creating a transparent and accountable· governance model for enabling service delivery at the doorstep of citizens. Initially around 45 thousand people will be trained under the · Beneath the project, economically weaker sections of the-literate. society including rural SC, ST and women will receive IT training. It will make at least one individual in every household e The project will improve the quality of life of people, especially those living in rural India and will allow them to actively participate in knowledge based activities and also access financial, social and governmentMr. Sidharth Birlaservices took by charge using as Internet. President of FICCI RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] December 27, 2013 India

Mr. Sidharth Birla, Chairman of Xpro Limited took the charge as the President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and · Industry (FICCI) on December 21, 2013. He succeeded the HSBC India ViceCountry-President. Head Naina Lal Kidwai. · Chairperson and MD of Bharat Hotels, Jyotsna Suri elected as Senior - ChairmanAbout Federation of Ambujaof Indian Chambers Neotia of group, Commerce Harshavardhan and Industry (FICCI) Neotia · elected as Vice Presidentbusiness of FICCI. - -for- · Establish:FICCI is the1927 largest and oldest apex organization in India. ( a non · Headquarters:government, notNew Delhiprofit organization) Mission: Indian industry

To enhance efficiency and global competitiveness of and to expand business opportunities both in domestic and foreign markets through a range of specialized Mr. Vinod Kumar Duggal appointed as the Governor of Manipur services and global linkages. December 27, 2013

Manipur. Mr.About Vinod Vinod Kumar Kumar Duggal Duggal, the former Home Secretary has been appointed the new GovernorAn of

Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1968 batch, retired as union home secretary in March 2007. He will replace the present Governor of the state, Ashwani Kumar, who was given © 2013 www.gktoday.in 69 | Page

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Nagaland. an additional charge of Manipur, whileIndia being a Governor of Previously, he was a member of the NationalDelhi Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the apex body for disaster management in , which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar: Ambassador of USA He also worked as municipal commissioner of from 1996 to 2000. December 28, 2013

Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar became the Ambassador of United States of America (USA) in December 2013. He succeeded Ms. Nirupama Rao and his About Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar position in Beijing was taken by Ashok K. Kantha. India China inAnSingapore Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the1977 batch. Apart from serving- as ’s Ambassador to , he also had postings and CzechRepublic. Andhra Pradesh High Court directs 2 Telugu actors to return Padma Shri Played a key role in negotiation of US India nuclear agreement. December 28, 2013 The Mohan Babu and Brahmanandam Kanneganti to surrender Padam Shri to the President Andhraof PradeshIndia, as Highthey allegedlyCourt directedmisused to it.TeluguThe HCactorsgave its decision on the petition filed by the BJP senior leader N Indraseena Reddy. Why High Court directed Telgu actors to return Padam Shri? RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] · actor -producer

Tollywood Mohan Babu bestowed the award in · 2007 and comedian Brahmanandam in 2009, in acknowledgment of their services to the Telugu film industry. They both used the title ‘Padma Shri’ before their names for promoting the Telugu · feature film “Denikaina Ready” (‘Ready for Anything’, produced by Mr. Mohan Babu nationaland starringawards his son Vishnu). · AfThe petitioner argued that as per the Article 18(1) of the Constitution, the does not amount to a title and cannot be used as suffixes or prefixes. · termath, the Court took the serious note of the actors for prefixing the name of the award to their names in the credits of the Telugu movie that was released in This2012. will be a lessonAnd raised for theobjection actors for who using misuse ‘Padma the Shri’ honorary in title award. cards in a wrong way (as if it was About theirPadma surname)Awards and delivered judgment in the petitioner’s favour. Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Padma Awards, the country’s highest civilian awards, are conferred in three Categories viz. literature And education, sports . The Awards are given in all disciplines/ fields of activities,· ‘Padma viz. Vart,ibhushan’ social work,is awarded Public affairs,for exceptional science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, · , civil service, etc. · ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. and distinguished service; The awards‘Padma Bhushan’are announced for distinguishedon the occasionservice of highof Republic order andDay every

year. The Awards are conferred by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan sometime around March/ April.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Government sanctioned Quadricycle as a new vehicle December 28, 2013 Quadricycle - The road transport and highways ministry sanctioned “ ” as a new category of vehicle on Indian roads. These vehicles are safer than three wheelers as they have four wheels with fully enclosed body structure with batteryhard top- and doors. After integrating- suggestions and objections, transport Aboutminister Quadricycle Oscar Fernandes Vehicle approved the proposal that under this category, - powered or electric four wheelers will also be considered.- passeng It is a four wheel vehicle with a small engine to be positioned between a three wheeler and a er car which does not meet the same safety and emission norms of regular passenger cars and· have their own set of regulations. – –

· The vehicle will be of two types passenger carriers and goods carriers with different · maximum kerb weights and length. It will be allowed to ply only on city roads as transport vehicles and not as personalres. vehicles. · Passenger carriers will have a maximum weight of 450kg and a max length of 3 metres, 500kg.while goods carriers will have a maximum weight of 500kg and a length of 3.7 met Note:It Kerb will be(Curb) permittedweight tois carrythe atotal maximumweight ofof fouran passengersautomobile orwith a maximumstandard weightequipment, of up toall necessary operating consumables (e.g., motor oil and coolant), and a full tank of fuel, while not loaded with either passengers RATHNAKUMAR or cargo. R. Email address: [email protected]

SEBI: Foreign portfolio investors will be treated on par with FIIs on tax issues

December 28, 2013 India (

In consultation with the Finance Ministry, Securities and Exchange Board of SEBI) decided to treat the three categories of Financial Portfolio Investors (FPIs) uniformly for tax purposes. In other Thewords, Foreign the new Institutional rule aims to Investors bring all foreign (FIIs) investors -under a commonQualified framework Foreign called Investors the SEBI (QFIs)(Foreign Portfolio Investors) Regulations, 2013. FPIs , their sub accounts and will soon be - merged into a single and new investor class, called . As per their risk profiles, FPIs are divided into three categories. These· are as follows:- -

· Category I –the lowest risk entities comprises foreign government- and government related foreign investors. · Category II – regulated entities such as university funds, university related endowments and pension funds, etc. Category III otherconsider entities the viz. FPIs Qualified similar Foreign to Foreign Investors Institutional (QFIs), etc. Investors (FIIs) on tax purposes.Stock market regulator SEBI received a clearK note M Chandrashekharfrom the Department panel of Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry to The proposal was made by the that reviewed various classes of foreign investors and suggested to unify foreign investment norms met for the first time. The clarity on tax treatment of FPIs is aimed at encouraging inflows into the domestic equity and debtOther markets.than uniform tax zone for FPIs, the SEBI

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· market. · Made grading of Initial Public Offering( IPO) voluntary to boost the dormant primary

wrongdoing.Allowed companies to issue debt through a shelf filing, along with regulations empowered it Note:toUnder monitorthe former investors’system, calltax recordstreatment andfor conductFIIs was searchesdifferent from at companiesthat for sub suspected-accounts and of QFIs. Beneath the new FPI norms, all categories of FPIs would be given similar tax treatment as currently available to FIIs.

SEBI made fund-raising easier for corporate India and tightened noose on fraudsters

December 28, 2013

In order to raise funds easier for companies through- genuine equity or debt offers, the market regulator SEBI approved new norms for its search and seizure operations, settlement proceedings, The measures of new norms:- refund to investors and crackdown on illicit money pooling schemes. · Financial Portfolio Investors (FPIs) Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) · To consider the Initial Public Offer (IPO) similar to on tax purposes. To raise funds through of equity shares and allowed · companies to file shelf prospectus for debt offers that would be valid for multiple offers within a year. To ensure faster refund RATHNAKUMARof money R.to Email investors, address: [email protected] essential checks are put in place to avoid any · misuse of its newly granted powers with regard to conduct of search and seizure of fraudsters and market manipulators. And detailed regulations have also been put in place for settlement of administrative and civil proceedings in a transparent manner, while ensuring that serious offences like insider trading are kept out of settlement window. - These decisions are related to the promulgation of an ordinance by the government for grant of greater powers to SEBI to check mushrooming of illegal money pooling schemes across the country andYear to 2014 take to strict bring actions 8.5 lakh against new jobs: fraudsters Report and market manipulators. December 28, 2013 andAs perhealthcare a survey. by recruitment platform year 2014 MyHiringClub.com augurs well for job seekers as more than 8.5 lakh new jobs are expected across various sectors, including FMCG According to the survey based on a study conducted among more than 5,600 firms across 12 industry sectors, the forecasted number of new jobs in 2014 is higher than the estimated 7.9 lakh employment opportunities created in 2013. All the employments have been projected in for the organised sector. Apart from FMCG, more jobs areSectror expected-wise in expected healthcare, number IT, retail of jobs:and hospitality sectors. · · · FMCG: 1.5 lakh · Healthcare: 1.33 lakh · IT and ITeS: 1.2183,400 lakh · BankingRetail: 86,700 · Hospitality: and Financial services: 61,400

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· Education · Entertainment · Real estate:, Training 38,700 and Consultancy: 42,900 Media and : 42,800 Fiscal deficit to be around 5.2% in FY14: CRISIL

December 28, 2013 CRISIL 4.8% 2013- As per ratings agency , government will miss its fiscal deficit target by 0.40% this fiscal 14 and suggested Public Sector Units (PSUs) should dip into their cash reserves to reduce the gap by paying extra dividends. As per the rating agency, taking into account the current scenario, wherein the front loading of expenditure has resulted in 84.4% of the budgeted fiscal deficit target being hit by November 2013, the fiscal deficit is expected to touch 5.2%. As per CRISIL, the government can narrow down its fiscal deficit by as much as Rs 20,000 crore this fiscal by using cash reserves of PSUs. The agency says that top 20 PSUs will have a cash reserve of Rs 1,60,000 crore by March 2014 and are “comfortably placed” to pay a special dividend of 40% of the corpus (Rs 64,000 crore) without impacting growth plans. This amount will be Rs 27,000 crore more than the dividend paid by the companies in 2012 and after calculating the stake of the government in the firms, will lead to excess revenue of Rs 20,000 crore. This Rs 20,000 crore extra income would make around 20 basis points of the fiscal deficit, which can help the government reach nearer to its stated fiscal deficit target of 4.8%. The agency expressed concerns over the revenue collections from the taxation and also about M. Veerappa Moily is the new Environment and Forests Minister the Government not being ableRATHNAKUMAR to reach R.its Email Rs address: 40,000 [email protected] crore divestment target. December 28, 2013

Environment The current Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Marpadi Veerappa Moily, has Ministrybeen assigned of Environment an additional & Forestscharge of ( MoEF)the and Forests Ministry after Thethe exit MoEF of Jayanthi Natarajan. - India is the chief agency in the administrative framework of the Central Government accountable for the planning, promotion, co ordination and overseeing the implementation of ’s environmental and forestry policies and programmes. The main concerns of MoEF are implementation of policies and programmes pertaining to pollution.conservation of the country’s natural resources including its lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the prevention and abatement of Service Tax revenue grew over 300 times in past two decades

December 29, 2013

Finance Ministry is focusing on- service tax revenue which has grown significantly by over-95. 300 times in past about two decades. As per official data, the finance ministry has earned revenue of about Rs 1.32 lakh crore in 2012 13 (provisional- figures) compared to Rs 407 crore in 1994 -95. The ministry had set a target for 2012 13 to collect Rs 1,32,697 crore but the actual realization was Rs 1,32,518 crore. The number of assessees have also increased by over 400 times since 1994

Revenue from- service tax has witnessed such a tremendous growth on account of surge in number of services being covered which led to increase in number of assessees under service taxation. During 2012 13, there were about 17.12 lakh registered assessees for the levy compared to only

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

- Th

3,943 in 1994 95 when service tax was brought in. e total number of taxable services has also increased from 3 in 1994 to 119 in 2012. of taxation It is worth recalling thatSection on July 66D 1, of 2012, the Finance the finance Act. ministry had introduced the concept of service tax based on the ‘negative list’ which authorized government to tax almost all theVoluntary services Compliance mentioned Encouragement in Scheme (VCES) The VCES

Finance Ministry is implementing which allows a service tax defaulter to pay dues withoutWhy Voluntary any penaltyCompliance or Encouragementlate payment Schemecharges. (VCES)? Under VCES, an individual may make a declaration to the designated authority on or before December 31, 2013.

It has come to the notice of the government that of the 17 lakh people who voluntarily registered nonthemselves- as service tax providers-filers only 7 lakh- actually- paid service tax, the remaining 10 lakh did not. Though these- people have charged the service tax from their customers but have not These payers are classified as no or stop filers. No filers are those who have never filed service tax whereas stop filers are those who have paid for a year or two but later stopped filing service tax. In order to make these evaders pay the due service tax the government has chosen VCES path rather than forcing them through punitive action. -

2012The ministry-13. has set an indirect tax collection target of Rs 5.65 lakh crore for 2013 14, through customs, excise and service tax.RATHNAKUMAR That figure R. Email is address: up from [email protected] the Rs 4.73 lakh crore collected in the fiscal Indians consume double the recommended salt intake: Study December 29, 2013

World Health As per a study, the intake of salt by Indians is nearly twice the amount recommended by the India Organisation (WHO). Indians consume about 3.7 grams of sodium, corresponding to about 9.3 grams of salt per day. The positive thing is that salt (or sodium) intake has decreased slightly in between 1990 and 2010. As· per the research byage the University of Cambridge and Harvard School of Public Health:

· The global aver salt consumption in 2010 was around 10 grams per person per day, corresponding to 4 grams per day of sodium. salt). · In 181 of 187 nations studied, national intakes exceeded the WHO recommended intake of 2 grams per day of sodium (about 5 grams per day of · In 119 countries (88.3% of the world’s adult population), the national intake exceeded this recommended amount by more than 1 gram per day– of sodium. There are also majorEurope regional variations around this global average. Highest intakes Is excessare consumption found in rofegions Common lying Salt along(NaCl) theharmful? old Silk Road from East Asia, through Central Yes. Asia to Eastern and the Middle East. disease Earlier sudies have found that high or low salt diets are both harmful. The risk of heart USattacks, strokes, congestiveDisease heart Control failure, and and Prevention death from (C heartDC) , increases considerably when people consume more than 7 grams or less than 3 grams of sodium a day. A recent study by the based Centers for had found that there is no benefit of reducing salt intake to below 2.3 g per day. The study could not find any consistent evidence to support a link between sodium intake and either a beneficial or adverse effect on health.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

SBI to act as lead bank for four newly-formed Meghalaya districts December 29, 2013 India Meghalaya The Reserve Bank of Basic(RBI) designated Statistical SBI Returns to act (BSR)as the reporting.lead bank in four newly constructed districts in . The central bank also assigned StateBank of India (SBI), the district working Whatcodes is a for Lead the Bank purpose Scheme (LBS)? of The four new districts of Meghalaya· are North Garo Hills, East Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills and South West Garo Hills.

· The RBI introduced ‘Lead Bank Scheme’ in 1969, based on the recommendationsbanking. of · the Gadgil Study Group. The basic idea was to have an “area approach” for targeted and focused Under the Scheme, each district had been assigned to different banks (public and private) to · act as a consortium leader to coordinate the efforts of banks in the district particularly in matters like branch expansion and credit planning. The Lead Bank was to act as a consortium leader foreconomy coordinating. the efforts of all credit institutions in each of the allotted districts for expansion of branch banking State civil services officers to face UPSC test for promotion to AIS facilities and for meeting the credit needs of the rural December 29, 2013 a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) AllIndia Services (AIS). State civil services officers will have to face test and interview for theirTami promotion. RATHNAKUMAR to the R. three Email address: [email protected] The Ministry of Personnel Therecentlyselection changedto IAS, the IPS rulesand forIFoS promotionfrom states’ fromservices state services.will be made The movethrough wasa opposed1000 marks by somefour- stagestatesprocess includingincluding l Nadua written exam and interview. The new norms are · – - · A state civil services officer will have to face the written examination comprising two papers- on aptitude test; and general studies in addition to state specific questions. · SuccessThere will be a third written paper on essay, comprehensionAnnual andConfidential precis type Report only for non (ACR)state civil services officers in addition to two papers. · ful candidates will face an interview and their – will be assessed by a board. · NoThe final merit list will be based on the marks obtained in four components written exam, · length of service, assessment of ACR and interview. Note: cap on the number of attempts. - – The scheme might be reviewed, after its implementationand for 3 years. – So far, the selection of state services officers into the three All India Services Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Indian Police Service (IPS) Indian Forest Service (IFoS) was Australian school introduces world’s first standing classroom to combat childhood obesity done on the basis of review of their seniority and ACRs. December 29, 2013 Australia

As part of a novel experiment, Mont Albert Primary School Diabetes in has launched the world’s first standing classroom which aims to- combat the menace of childhood obesity. In this experiment being conducted by the researchers of Baker IDI Heart and Institute, a grade six class at this school has been fitted with height adjustable desks to allow the student to sit or stand.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

health The researchers will monitor the standing students with an objective to know if being upright can Whyimprove this theirexperiment? , fitness, learning and memory. Pupils will also be fitted with devices to measure how long they spend sitting, with lesson plans revised to reduce the time students are idle.

As per scientists, prolonged sitting- during the school hours poses health risk by contributing to obesity in students as during these hoursdiseases children perform less physical activity.vascular Earlierdisease studies obesity.have shown students spent two thirds of a school day sitting, and long hours of childhood sitting can contribute to the onset of such such as Type 2 diabetes, cardio and

In this experiment in which students are required to attend school hours standing they will engage more muscles that are likely to be of great benefit for keeping the blood flowing throughout their body and reducing the level of fatigue. If researchers find this exercise beneficial for the cardiovascular health, learning and memory of the standing students compared to a traditional class, this pilot study would be expanded to a much larger trial to find if it can make an impact on lessons59.4% of across Indian Australia.rural households have no latrines: NSSO survey December 29, 2013

As per a survey conducted by the National Sample SurveyIndia Office. (NSSO), 59.4% of rural Indian households lack latrine facility. The survey throws light on keyby indicatorsNational Sampleof living Surveyconditions Office like (NSSO)drinking water, sanitation, hygieneRATHNAKUMAR and R.housing Email address: condition [email protected] in . KeyThe finding survey of was the done NSSO fromSurvey: July 2012 to December 2012 Access to underDrinking the Water: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) · water. · Around 88.5%Kerala rural households and 95.3% urban households improved source of drinking

· Condition in is poor where 29.5%Bihar , of rural householdsand Rajasthan have access to safe drinking water whereas in Tamil Nadu it was 94%. · Access to safe drinking water in Uttar Pradesh are above national average. · In Bihar, 97.6% (rural) and 99.7% (urban) households improved source of drinking water · InandNagaland in Uttar Pradesh with 96.6% and 99.2% of rural and urban households respectively. year.85.8% of rural households and 89.6% of urban households had adequate drinking water. Sanitation & Hou singonly Condition: 16% rural households have sufficient drinking water throughout · · 59.4% and 8.8% households in rural India and urban India respectively lacked latrineAroundfacilities. 62.3% of rural household and 16.7% of urban households lacked bathroom facility. · Only 31.9% and 63.9% households in rural India and urban India respectively had access to latrine facility for its exclusive use. · 38.8% and 89.6% households in rural and urban India respectively were found to have access to improved type of latrine. · 80% of rural households and 97.9 percent of urban househo lds had electricity for domestic use.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

65.8% of - rural households and 93.6% of urban households lived in a house with pucca · structure whereas 24.6% of rural households and 5% of urban households lived in a house with semi pucca structure during 2012. · Only 26.3% and 47.1% households in rural India and urban India respectively had good ventilation in environmenttheir houses. · 31.7% and 82.5% of rural and urban household respectively had improved drainage facility in the of their dwelling units. · OnlyAround10.8% 32%of ofurban ruraldwelling householdsunits andwere 75.8%situated of urbanin slum. household’s areas had some garbage disposal arrangement CCEA nod to continuation of National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen during 12th Plan

December 29, 2013 Th th Cabinet Committee Nationale ‘National Scheme Schemefor Welfare for of WelfareFishermen of(NSWF): Fishermen’ will continue during the 12 Plan Period as the · Devised by: on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved for the same. of Agriculture. · Objectives: The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry

Provision of basic amenities like drinking water and sanitation in fishing villages, better living standards for fishermen and their families. It also envisages Key benefitssocial to security be provided for underactive this fishermen scheme in 12andth Plantheir Period: dependants, and strives to ensure their RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] · Outlay:economic security. · · Rs 640 crore saving-cum- · Construction of additional 4,600 houses per year insurance · Coverage of 3.5 lakh fishermen under relief every year Additional coverage of 3 lakh fishermen under group accident · Amount of assistance and compensation to fishermen for the cost of construction of a house has been enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. Cost of the construction of a tubewell has been increased to Rs 40,000 from Rs 30,000 for all Cabinet approves raising foreign investment to 62% in Axis Bank states and Union territories, and Rs 45,000 from Rs 35,000 for North Eastern states. December 29, 2013 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Bank 62% has given nod to the proposal of Axis for hiking foreign investment from 49% to entailing an inflow of about Rs 7,250 crore. It willWhat bewould subject be the toeffect the of aggregate the hike in foreign foreign investment institutional in Axis investors Bank? holding not exceeding 49% of the paid up equity share capital of the bank. -

As a result of the inflow and increase in stake by foreign investors, the bank will turn into foreign owned, whereby every future investment in seven subsidiaries will be governed by the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). According to the FDI policy, downstream investment by an Indian company, which is not owned and/or controlled by a resident entity/ies into another Indian company would be in accordance or compliance with the relevant sectoral conditions on entry route. The bank’s seven subsidiaries are Axis Capitals, Axis Finance Pvt Ltd, Axis Private Equity ltd, Axis Trustee Services Ltd, Axis Asset Management Company, Axis Mutual Fund Trustee Ltd and Axis UK Ltd.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

Deepika Kumari clinches 34th National Archery Championship December 29, 2013

Archery Jamshedpur.Ace archer Deepika Kumari created history by clinching her sixth consecutive title at the 34th National Championships held at JRD Tata Stadium, With this achievement, Deepika now holds more individual titles at the national meet than Dola Banerjee, who won 5 national titles. Top Achievers at the However,National Meet:the record of winning most individual titles is still held by Bengal 1. Jharkhand (Gold-archer Krishna- Ghatak,- with seven consecutive titles between 1975 and 1982. 2. - - - 3. Punjab (Gold -1, Silver10, Silver-3, Bronze2, Bronze-4. Total:5. Total: 8) 17) SSCB (Gold 3, Silver 3, Bronze 4. Total: 9) Legal wing of CBI brought under agency director

December 29, 2013

legal In a bid to provide more autonomy to CBI, government has brought the agency’s directorate of prosecution or the wing, which used to report to Law Ministry, under the command of the CBI director, making his orders final in probes. With this change, the agency director will not only oversee the promotions and postings but also What is the responsibility of Directorate of Prosecution (DoP) in CBI? write the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs), as done earlier by law ministry.

RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] The DoP in CBI is responsible for conducting and supervising cases pending trial, appeal and revision in courts. It oversees and monitors the conduct of prosecution in courts and gives advice to CBI officers on all legal matters of general or specific importance and on issues coming up during probe or trial. director.The DoP was the chief functionary of CBI’s prosecution wing and was vested with powers of direction and control over prosecuting officers. Those powers have now been transferred to the CBI How would placing the legal wing of CBI under the command of CBI director change things?

It was observed that in a number of cases, the investigation by the CBI was overturned by the DoP; but under the new structure the CBI director will have the authority to take a final view on probes and,The Lokpalsubsequently, the charge sheets. Bill, which has been passed by both Houses of Parliament, also provides for the DoP chaired by the DoP to be placed under the CBI director. As per the Lokpal Bill, the DoP will be China offers its Beidou Navigation System free of cost to neighbours appointed in consultation with the Lokpal and CVC. December 30, 2013 China developed Beidou Satellite Navigation System (BDS) In a strategic move, is ready to offerPakistan its neighbouring, , Bangladesh nations useand ofThailand its indigenousl. y free of charge. The offer has generated interest from a number of nations including- Sri Lanka ’ Global PositioningAs per the Chinese System government, (GPS) the country wants to expand the use of the BDS,- which already has 16 satellites operating for the Asia Pacific and is being promoted as an alternative to the US Countries interested in Beidou Navigation. China System: intends to offer BDS to nations in the Asia Pacific region, and particularly in South and Southeast Asia, where the satellites can provide the highest accuracy.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

China has already reached agreement with Pakistan and Thailand on use of the Beidou network. It is in talks with Sri Lanka, for which it has already launched a satellite, and Bangladesh, over cooperation on satellite use. In early2014, Thailand will become the first country to set up a satelliteWhat is Beidou station Satellite based Navi ongation Beidou, System with (BDS)? both nations signing a $ 319 million deal. Beidou Satellite Navigation System (BDS) Chinese

Beidou-1: is a satellite navigation system. It consists of Beidoutwo separate-2 : satellite- constellations: COMPASS A limited test system that has been operating- since35 2000satellites Objective of Beidou A full Satellitescale global Navigation navigation System (BDS): system which is also known as and is currently under construction as of January 2013 . Beidou 2 will have in its network.

Initially, when the BDS was launched in 2011, it was serving only the government and military. However, over the past year the navigation system- is being widely used for- civilian purposes domestically. In China, around 80% of passenger buses and trucks use the BDS. Now China intends toUS expand President its signs satellite budget navigation bill into serviceslaw to prevent to Asia governmentPacific and shutdown to South and South East Asia regions. December 30, 2013 - budget

US President Barack Obama has inked a two party federal bill, preventing the risk of a standgovernment- shutdown for two years in the country. - RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] buThe legislation was passed by both the- Senate and the House of Representatives after a prolonged off between the Democrats and the Republicans. The bill had been drafted by a cross party ThedgetDefence panel set up after October’s 16 day government shutdown. Afghanistan Bill, among others, provides $527 billion in base defence spending and $80 billion for theWhy wardid the in US government, shutdownin addition happen? to a crackdown on assault* in military and relaxes restrictions on transferring detainees from the federal prison at Guantanamo Bay. – th – The US Congress failed to pass the government budget due to disagreement between the Republicans, who have majority in the lower house e House of Representatives and the Democrats, who control the upper house, the Senate. Since President Barack- Obama’s election, the parties have never come to a resolution on a US budget that extends further than a few months. They’ve just negotiated around the margins and come up with short term fixes. policies. Now, the Republicans are using budget deadlines to gain political leverage over contentious healthcare - the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) reasons.This time the issue was Mr.- Obama’s reform programme which continues to be very controversial for a range of The Republican controlled House of Representatives though approved budgets but eliminated funding of this programme or wanted it delayed by one year. The Senate rejected these demands. It led to a deadlock situation and no budget bill could be agreed by both houses, resulting Arvind Kejriwal takes oath as Chief Minister of Delhi into the shut down. December 30, 2013

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

- - Delhi The top most leader of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, sworn in as the new Chief Minister of . He was administered the oath by the Lieutenant Governor of the capital Najeeb Jung. Along with Kejriwal, six others: Manish Sisodia, Girish Soni, Rakhi Birla, Satyendra Jain, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Somnath Bharti, took oath as ministers. The AAP has come to power after winning 28 seats out of 70 in the recentlyrnment. held assembly polls in Delhi. Although it didn’t have the majority, the Congress party extended its unconditional support to AAP for forming gove Now, Kejriwal government has the task to deliver on the promises they have made which include cutting down The new government has to prove majority in the assembly on January 2, 2014. electricityArvind Kejriwal: tarriff and improve water supply to all parts of the national capital. · Born: August 16, 1968 in Siwani in Haryana · Education · Worked for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) as a Joint Commissioner in the Income: Graduated Tax Department. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur · Jan Lokpal Bill

· Instrumental in drafting a proposed and his efforts to bring and implement the Right to Information (RTI) Act at grassroots level. RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] · 2012: Launched Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which ousted the Shiela Dixit’s regime of Congress · after winning 2013 Assembly polls. In the assembly elections he defeated his rival Shiela Dixit by a huge margin of 25, 864 votes. Became the second youngest Chief Minister of Delhi. Chaudhry Brahm Prakash was the India, US sign $1billion contract for six “Super Hercules” aircrafts youngest Chief Minsiter at 34 when he took over in 1952. December 30, 2013 India and defence

the- US have signed another mega deal worth $1.01 billion in which the US will supply- six- additional C 130J “Super Hercules” aircraft. The “letter of “Foreign Militaryoffer Sales” and acceptance” (FMS) programme for the six. new four engine C 130Js,- which will be delivered within 3 years, was inked theunderHindon the US government’s Delhi - atThePanagarh Indian Air in Force already. has six C 130Js tactical airlift aircraft, which are based at India’s first Mountain airbase Strike on Force: the outskirts XVII Corps of . The upcoming six new C 130Js will be stationed mountain West Bengal strike corps XVII Corps Panagarh. The XVII Corps India’s new which has been named will also have its headquarters4,057 in -km Line of Actual Control with (LAC) a total of over 80,000 soldiers, is being brought up by the Army in a project worthChina around Rs 90,000 crore. This new corps will fill operational voids alongFactbox: the C-130J ‘Super Hercules’ as well as add to the Indian Army’s ground offensiveManufactured capabilities by the against United States. for the first time. · World’s most advanced and tactical aircraft. · special operations requirement.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

· Infrared Detection Set (IDS), - · Self-protectionEquipped systems with an the aircraft can perform survivabilitprecision low leveldefense flying, airdrops and landing in blackout conditions. with air-to-air receiver refueling and other capability features are included to ensure aircraft · y in hostile air environment environments. The aircraft also is equipped of austere, high-elevation airstrips in hot conditions. for extended range operations. · Ideally suited to Rolls India’s Royce mission AE2100 engines, which often involves operating out

· Powered by four and Dowty six bladed props which recentprovideUttarakhand the aircraft with tremendous power.2012 Sikkim The aircraft has already demonstrated its responsiveness during the · flood disaster and earthquake where it played a major role in relief operations.Daulat Beg Oldi, in J&K, The rugged aircraft- demonstratedrecently. its agility when IAF landed it at the world’s highest airstrip in - the place where Indian and Chinese troops had a stand off The aircraft showed that it can even land at a small Veteran actor Farooq Sheikh passed away forward airbase on a semi prepared runway. December 31, 2013 Farooq Sheikh Dubai. Farooq Sheikh: NotedBorn: Marchveteran 25, actor 1948 (65) passed away in

RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected] Hava Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Chashme Buddoor, Kissi Se Na Kehna, Noorie.He started his career in acting in Bollywood in 1973 with the film and gained accolades for his roles in movies like Last Film:He Club played 60 the role of a father in Ranbir Kapoor starring film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani released this year (2013). ‘Guardian’ – Microsoft launched new app for women’s safety which released in December 2013 December 31, 2013

(app) ‘Guardian’ inTheIndia technology giant Microsoft launched a new application ‘Nirbhaya’. with safety features, exclusively for Windows phone users About the. appIt builds ‘Guardian’ up this app, chiefly to protect women from incidents such as · Windows Azure cloud solution and the Bing Maps API Uses Microsoft · and allow anyone we wish to track our movements. This can be done by switching on the “track me” feature. crisis.Users will be able to place a call for help through an ‘SOS’ alert button and also · connect to security agencies, police and hospitals easily via this app in times of

Helps women in distress by alerting their friends, families, as well as it is available as an · integrated solution for Police or security agencies, which can monitor distress SOS calls and provide help through a portal. · The SOSapp allowsmessages us to will add continue multiple tobuddies go out who even will if ourbe alerted phone in is emergency destroyed situations. It will let them opt out in case they’re not so willing to take our SOS call. . The

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

evidence. Note:groups. The application is capable of one touch video recording that may be used as Garage. Microsoft Garage is a global employee innovation initiative that gives Microsoft employees The app an outlet developed to explore by a group ideas of in Microsoft their free India time. employees in India inside the Microsoft

Related News: PNB opens first hi-tech branch of Punjab in Kharar Mobile makers should install “SoS” button for women safety: Finance Minister December 31, 2013 Punjab India - -

Salient features National of the Bank first (PNB)hi-tech branchwhich is ’s second largest bank opened its first hi tech branch at Kharar,· Punjab.-

· The self services system of the branch would provide all services to all the customers from 7am to 11pm daily. · This would be done through automated machines- for cash deposit, cheque deposit, cash withdrawal and passbook updating machine. To educate and aware the customers about the hi tech systems and their usage, a special counter has been- established at the bank branch. In order to ensure foolproof security of its ATMs, the bank has adopted these securities measure, whichJ.N. Chaudhary are under appointed e surveillance as newRATHNAKUMAR system. chief of R.NSG Email address: [email protected] December 31, 2013 Mr. Jayanta Narayan Chaudhary National Security Guard (NSG) Assam-Meghalaya retire in May 2015 Arvind Ranjan appointed. as new chief of . Mr. AboutChaudhary National is Security the 1978 Guard batch (NSG) IPS officer of cadre and is due to · . He succeeded

· Set up in 1984 as a Federal Contingency Deployment Force to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country. . · Operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Home Affairs and is headed by the Director General of the Indian Police Service (IPS) The NSG members are also known as Black Cats because of the black drill cotton coveralls and Cabinet approves constitutional status for JAC balaclavas or helmets they wear. December 31, 2013 Judicial Appointments Commission judiciary The Union Cabinet approvedconstitution constitutional amendment status to bill a proposed (JAC), for the appointment and transfer of judges to the higher . In other words, the cabinet approved a to make the appointment /transfer of judges more transparent. The status ensures that the composition of the commission cannot be altered through an ordinary legislation and it would require an amendment in the Constitution to do so. Presently, the composition of the proposed panel is defined in the JAC Bill, 2013 which was introduced along with a separate constitutional amendment bill inRajya Sabha during the monsoon session. There were demands that the composition as well as the functions of the proposed JAC must be mentioned in the Constitution as a precaution against future changes.

Current Affairs Compendium December 2013

The JAC Bill defines Excerpts of the Judicial Appointments Commission the establishment (JAC) Bill, 2013 of the – proposed body to recommend appointment and transfer· of judges of the Supreme Court and the high courts.

· The new Article 124 A of the Constitution will define the composition of the JAC and Article 124 B will define its functions. · The JAC will be headed by the CJI and have five other members, including the Law Minister and two eminent persons. India To appoint the two eminent persons for the appointments commission would be · done by the collegium that will include the Prime Minister of , the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. Functions viz. recommending names for appointment as judges of the Supreme Note:Court, Chief Justices of Highcommittee Courts and judges of High Courts; recommending transfer of Chief Justices of High Courts and judges of High Courts, etc. A parliamentary standing which examined the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) Bill, 2013 also made a similar recommendation.

RATHNAKUMAR R. Email address: [email protected]