January 10, 2019
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INDIAN AFFAIRS- JANUARY 10, 2019 PM Modi launches road, sewerage projects in Maharashtra On January 9,2019,PM Modi, launched the four-laning of Solapur-Osmanabad section of NH-211, underground sewerage system and three sewage treatment plants.It was launched in road and underground sewerage system projects developed at an investment of Rs.1,100 crore. KeyPoints: i. Mr. Modi also laid the foundation stone for a Rs.1,811 crore housing project of 30,000 units under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.Mr. Modi commissioned the four-laned 98.717 km Solapur- Tuljapur-Osmanabad section on NH-211 (New NH-52). The Rs.972.50-crore toll road project will improve connectivity between Solapur and the Marathwada region. ii. The housing project will benefit the homeless poor like rag pickers, rickshaw pullers, textile and beedi workers. iii. Mr. Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rs.244 crore water supply and sewerage system as part of area- based development in the Solapur smart city area.This project, developed under the smart city mission, is expected to bring about significant improvements in service delivery. About Maharashtra ♦ Capital:Mumbai ♦ CM:Devandra Fadnavis ♦ Governor:Vidyasagar Rao ♦ India’s first Jean Monnet centre of excellence was opened in Mumbai. Cabinet approves ST status to 6 Assam communities On 9th January 2019,Union Cabinet has approved Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities of Assam.The communities that are proposed to be extended ST status include, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Chutiya, Matak, Moran and the tea tribes. The move came before the centre introduced the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 in Lok Sabha.This amendment bill will give a status to the various tribal people About Assam ♦ Capital:Dispur ♦ Chief minister:Sarbananda Sonowal ♦ Governor:Jagdish Mukhi ♦ The 3rd Dwijing festival took place in the bank of aie river at chirang district of Assam Lok Sabha passes “The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill – 2019” On 08th January 2019, the Lok Sabha passed “The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019” by voice vote after a brief discussion. The Bill has been formulated recognizing the need for regulation of the use and application of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology, for establishing identity of missing persons, victims, offenders, under trials and unknown deceased persons. Key points i. The bill was introduced by Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had set up a DNA profiling advisory committee. ii. The key components of this Bill include establishment of a DNA Regulatory Board and accreditation of DNA laboratories undertaking DNA testing, analysing. iii. Establishment of the National and Regional DNA Data Banks, as envisaged in the Bill, will assist in forensic investigations. iv. The Bill will add value in empowering the criminal justice delivery system by enabling the application of DNA evidence, which is considered the gold standard in crime investigations About the Lok Sabha ♦ Speaker: Sumitra Mahajan (16th Lok Sabha) ♦ No. of Seats: 545 Lok Sabha has passed the Personal Laws (Amendment Bill), 2018 On 07th January 2019, the Lok Sabha has passed the Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018. The bill was moved by Minister of State for Law PP Chaudhary. The bill was introduced as various recommendations were made to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce. Key points i. The bill seeks to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce in five personal laws Hindu Marriage Act(1955), Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act(1939),Divorce Act(1869), Special Marriage Act(1954) and the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act(1956). ii. In 2010 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution on the ‘Elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members’, which was signed and ratified by India. iii. The Law Commission of India in its 256th Report recommended the elimination of discrimination against people affected by the disease. iv. Leprosy is a chronic infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. “Web- Wonder Women” Campaign launched to recognize Indian origin female drivers-of- change: Women and Child Development Ministry On January 9, 2019, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has launched an online campaign, ‘#www: Web- WonderWomen’. Objective: To recognize the exceptional women who have been driving positive agenda of social change via social media. Key Points: i. The partners of the campaign are: Breakthrough and Twitter India. ii. Entries via Nominations from across the world are now invited open till 31st January, 2019. iii. Nominations have been invited in a large number of categories including Health, Media, Literature, Art, Sports, Environmental protection, fashion among others. iv. The shortlisted entries will be open for public voting on Twitter and the finalists will be selected by a specialized panel of judges. For more details: Click Here Ministry of Women and Child Development: ♦ Union Minister: Smt Maneka Gandhi. ♦ Minister of State: Dr. Virendra Kumar. ♦ Secretary: Shri Rakesh Srivastava. Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE) approved by UGC for better research publications On January 7, 2019, the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Satya Pal Singh announced that the University Grants Commission (UGC) approved list of journals and the proposal to establish a Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics (CARE). Objective: Aim to refine and strengthen the Credibility of Research Publications. Key Points: i. The good quality Research Journals in disciplines will be maintained by CARE and referred to as ‘CARE Reference List of Quality Journals’. The disciplines are: Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Arts, Culture, Indian Knowledge Systems etc. ii. The ‘CARE Reference List of Quality Journals’ will be regularly updated and published by the UGC and the Members of the Consortium at their respective websites and will be used for all academic purposes. iii. Additionally, to review its quality mandate relating to promotion of Research and to review the existing M.Phil/ Ph.D Regulations, the UGC constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. P. Balram. Background: ♦ A research paper led by Professor Bhushan Patwardhan had found that 88% of 1,009 journals recommended by universities and included in the white list were dubious and only 112 journals met the criteria set by UGC to be included in the list. UGC: ♦ Headquarters: New Delhi. ♦ Chairman: Prof. D. P. Singh. Indian Forest Service to be renamed as Indian Forest and Tribal Service: DoPT On January 8, 2019, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) proposed renaming of the Indian Forest Service as Indian Forest and Tribal Service. i. The move was made for the IFS to be more receptive towards tribals and forest dwellers. ii. This was made after a directive from the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) suggested to do so. About Indian Forest Service: ♦ It came into existence in 1996 under the All India Services Act, 1951. Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT): ♦ Minister of State: Dr. Jitendra Singh. Andaman to be First Island to operate seaplanes under UDAN-3 The Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved operations of seaplanes in the Andaman Islands under UDAN-3 (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) making Andaman the first island of India to operate seaplanes. Key Points i. The Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu has approved operations on 13 water aerodrome routes out of five are from Andaman islands which others are from dams in Gujarat and coastal areas in Kerala. ii. The Islands of Andaman that would be connected through seaplanes are Campbell Bay, Car Nicobar, Havelock, Hutbay, Neil, Long island and Diglipur. iii. Operation of Seaplanes which are commonly used in Maldives and Mauritius is a part government’s ambitious regional connectivity scheme and it will give a huge push to tourism in the strategically important region. About Andaman & Nicorbar Islands ♦ Capital: Port Blair ♦ Lieutenant Governor: Admiral (Ret.) Devendra Kumar Joshi J-K Law Department set up a 3-year state law commission under the chairmanship of Justice M K Hanjura On January 7, 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir Law Department set up a State law commission, for three years, under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd) M K Hanjura. Key Points: i. It will have a chairperson, two full-time members and two part-time members. ii. The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Shri. Achal Sethi will be the ex-officio member of the commission. iii. The functions of the Commission are: To identity redundant and obsolete laws that can be repealed and suggest measures for quick redress of public grievances To examine the laws that affect the poor and carry out post-audit of socio-economic legislations, To ensure speedy clearance of arrears and reduction in costs and quick and economical disposal of cases. Jammu & Kashmir: ♦ Lakes: Mansar Lake, Dal lake, Anchar Lake, Khushal lake, Tarsar Lake. National Parks in Jammu and Kashmir: ♦ Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park, Salim Ali National Park “Development of North East Circuit: Umiam (Lake View) – U Lum Sohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang – Orchid Lake Resort” project under Swadesh Darshan inaugurated by Meghalaya CM On January 9, 2019, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri. Conrad K Sangma, inaugurated the project “Development of North East Circuit: Umiam (Lake View) – U Lum Sohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang – Orchid Lake Resort” under Tourism Ministry’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme. About the Project: i. The project was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in July 2016 for Rs. 99.13 Crores. ii. It has facilities like: Traditional Healing Centre, Tribal Rejuvenation Centre, Tourist Information Centre, Multipurpose Hall, Log Huts, Cafeteria, Sound and Light show, Souvenir Shops, Water Sports Zone, Zip Line, Canopy Walk, Trekking Routes, Cycling Track, Last Mile Connectivity, Caravan Parking, Public Toilets, and Solid Waste Management.