INSIGHTSONINDIA # DAILY CURRENT EVENTS AUGUST 2016 DAILY CURRENT EVENTS AUGUST 2016 Table of Contents GS I ............................................................................................................................ 6 Paper 1 Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues. .......................................................................................... 6 Independence Day ........................................................................................................................... 6 DoNER (Ministry Of Development Of North Eastern Region, North East India) Minister Remembers Tirot Sing’s Contribution to Freedom Struggle ....................................................................................... 6 Paper 1 Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. .......................................... 6 More toilets only mean more scavengers, says Bezwada Wilson ............................................. 6 ICHR plans encyclopedia of village folklore from across India ................................................. 8 Paper 1 Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. ................................................................................................................ 8 Buddhist remains unearthed in A.P. ................................................................................................ 8 Topic – Paper -1: Geography of India .......................................................................................... 10 Heavy rainfall not linked to global warming, says IIT study ...................................................... 10 India to run short of high-tech minerals ........................................................................................ 10 GS II ......................................................................................................................... 12 Paper 2 Topic: Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Mahadayi tribunal term extended ............................................................................................... 12 Paper-2: Salient features of constitution ...................................................................................... 12 Tax is not a barrier to free trade, says SC ..................................................................................... 12 Blow to AAP as HC says L-G is Delhi’s administrative head ...................................................... 13 Paper 2 Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. ................................................................................................................................................ 13 ‘HCs have just a few minutes to hear each case’ .................................................................... 13 EC to now review national, State status of political parties every 10 years .......................... 14 Paper 2 Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. 14 Now, direct election of local body chiefs to be scrapped ..................................................... 14 Paper 2 Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. .................................. 15 Central Board for Workers’ Education renamed ....................................................................... 15 NHRC registering more cases, says there is more awareness .................................................. 15 Paper 2 Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. ..................................................................................... 16 ‘Fail-safe’ system ............................................................................................................................... 16 Madras HC disposes of pleas challenging classical status to Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam 16 LS passes bill on higher compensation for employee’s injury .................................................. 16 Parliament passes bill for easier debt recovery .......................................................................... 16 MPs petition PM for hike in MPLAD Fund ...................................................................................... 17 © www.insightsonindia.com 1 © www.insightsias.com DAILY CURRENT EVENTS AUGUST 2016 Gujarat’s new land acquisition Bill approved by the President of India ............................... 17 Should the Indian Standard Time (IST) be advanced to 6 hours? .......................................... 17 Central Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2016 ............................................................. 18 Centre accepts some suggestions of collegium ....................................................................... 18 Centre notifies Good Samaritan SOPs ......................................................................................... 19 Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims of Terrorist / Communal / Left Wing Extremist Violence and Cross Border Firing and Mine/IED Blasts on Indian Territory .............................................. 19 Dignity and Self-Respect: a new mantra for Swachh Bharat Mission .................................... 19 No role in Lokpal nominations: Centre to SC .............................................................................. 20 First Phase of Saurashtra Narmada Avataran For Irrigation Project ....................................... 20 Paper 2 Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources, issues relating to poverty and hunger. ...................... 21 Special status for Andhra Pradesh: MPs raise slogans ............................................................... 21 In botched sterilisation deaths, India matches Bangladesh .................................................... 21 MAA– a programme to promote breastfeeding ....................................................................... 21 Govt pledges ‘foot & mouth disease’ free India, extends scheme to 16 more states ...... 23 GM mustard trials: CIC asks govt to reveal bio-safety data .................................................... 23 Prices of essential drugs capped .................................................................................................. 24 Cabinet approves introduction of the “Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016” .......................... 24 Indians spend 8 times more on private hospitals than on govt. ones .................................... 25 Pellet guns are here to stay; committee suggests alternatives ............................................... 26 First meeting of newly constituted National Council of Senior Citizens held ........................ 26 327% rise in agrarian riots in 2015, NCRB report shows .............................................................. 26 Paper-2: Development industry .................................................................................................... 27 Foreign funds pour in; 3,000 NGOs get over Rs. 22,000 cr. ....................................................... 27 Paper 2 Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. ........................................................ 27 Paid maternity leave increased to 6 months .............................................................................. 27 Sakshi Malik announced brand ambassador of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign .... 27 South India’s first Children’s Court in Hyderabad....................................................................... 28 Paper 2 Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures. ............................................................... 28 NSEL settlement scandal is back in spotlight .............................................................................. 28 New steps to enhance transparency in Power Sector ............................................................. 30 Web Portal for Star Rating of Major Mineral Mines .................................................................... 30 Digital Locker Authority soon to push paperless governance ................................................. 30 POCSO e-Button ............................................................................................................................... 31 PM’s annual award for extraordinary and innovative work instituted ................................... 32 Centre moves on vote totaliser machines .................................................................................