CURRENT AFFAIRS FEBRUARY 2018 FOR UPSC/IAS AND QUESTION BANK Mahadayi is an indian river that originates at Bhimgad in the Western Ghats in the Belagavi February -2018 Current Affairs district of Karnataka. This river is referred as ‗mandovi‘ in goa. The river has a catchment area of around 2000 square kilometer in karnataka and Mahadayi water dispute (GS2: Issue and around 1500 square kilometer in goa. This river is challenges pertaining to federal structure) also responsible for waterfalls such as ‗Dudhsagar‘ and ‗Varapoha‘. The state capital of goa is situated Issue: Parliament had established a tribunal under on the left bank of mandovi. ‗Mapuso‘ is a tributary Article 262 in November 2010 to adjudicate on this of this river. Mormaguo harbor is also formed by matter. The tribunal has 3 years to submit its report. this river. It is one of the west flowing rivers of This can be extended by further 2 years. Karnataka India, it finally reaches Arabian Sea. Other major government has opposed the request of Goa west flowing rivers include: Narmada, Tapti, Mahi, government to extend the tribunal‘s term by for the Sabarmati and Luni. third time. Source: Mechanism to solve inter-state water dispute in http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/st India ate-opposes-goas-plea-to-extend-term-of- 1. The genesis of the Inter-State River Water mwdt/article22695779.ece Disputes Act, 1956 lies in the Government of India Ceasefire violations along the „International Act, 1935. It contains provision similar to Sections Border‟ and „Line of Control‟ between India and 130 to 132 of the Act of 1935.This act had been Pakistan (GS3: Security challenges and their passed in pursuance of Article 262 of the management in border areas) Constitution. Issue: It has been reported that a total of 860 2. According to the act, decisions given by the ceasefire violations took place along the border in tribunals so constituted will be final and binding 2017. This was the highest number of ceasefire and no appeal can lie in Supreme Court. Thus the violations reported in a year ever since 2003 jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and other courts ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. is clearly barred in such matters. However, the These ceasefire violations have caused damage to tribunal is only vested with decision making role, both public and private property, along with loss of the implementation of such decision is not its lives of military personnel and civilians. outlook. Border infrastructure 3. Furthermore, tribunal‘s responsibility is not limited only to adjudicate the matters but also The government has decided to upgrade its investigation of matters which are of public infrastructure along Indo-Pak and Sino-India border importance like water pollution, flood control, and has sanctioned 370 Crore to this effect. This sustainability of river basin productivity, climate would enable Indian security forces to meet any change effects and others. credible threat with utmost efficiency and effectiveness Mahadayi River India shares its border with WWW.IASJNANA.COM CURRENT AFFAIRS FEBRUARY 2018 FOR UPSC/IAS AND QUESTION BANK 1. Bangladesh:4,096.7 2. China:3,488 1. Increase outlay for research of small science projects 3. Pakistan:3,323 4. Nepal:1,751 2. Encourage collaborations of small science 5. Myanmar:1,643 6. Bhutan: 699 projects among the scientists 7. Afghanistan: 106 3. Enhanced competitive grants for the Indian Total :15,106.7 Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Border Area Development Programme (BADP) 4. Investor driven model for funding of projects This programme was started in the year 1986-87 for balanced development of border areas of States 5. Creative governance structures bordering Pakistan, namely Jammu & Kashmir, 6. Incentivize small ideas Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan. During the Eighth Plan, the programme was revamped and its 7. Encourage private investment in this area coverage was extended to the States on the eastern border with Bangladesh. In the Ninth Plan period, India not only needs an increase in resources the programme has been extended to all the land pertaining to research and development but it also borders in response to the demands of the State needs a mechanism that creates an ecosystem that Governments and the Ministry of Home Affairs. encourages and incentivizes small ideas. Thus, in 1997-98, BADP was extended to States Source: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/big- bordering Myanmar. In 1998-99 the States discoveries-have-small-origins/article22695426.ece bordering China were included under the Programme and from 1999-2000, the Programme „Rohingya refugee situation‟ (GS3: security was further extended to include the States bordering challenges and their management in border Nepal and Bhutan also. The main objective of areas) BADP is to meet the special needs of the people Issue: There are several thousands of Rohingyas in living in remote, and inaccessible areas situated India and several more are trying to cross over to near the border. Indian Territory since there is political un-stability Source: in their home state in Myanmar. Indian government http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/cease- has decided for deportation of illegal migrants fire/article22695430.ece staying in India which also includes Rohingyas and also the Indian government has maintained a tight Innovation and research ecosystem in India vigil to ensure no illegal migration takes place along (GS3: Science and Technology) its border. Several personalities have condemned Issue: The recent economic survey report laments such a stringent position of the Indian government that only 0.8% of India‘s GDP is spent on research as they believe it is against 1951 Refugee and development. It calls for doubling of this share. Convention even though India is not its signatory. Some countries such as USA, Japan, and China Others have also lamented that Indian governments spend 2% of their GDP on research and has ceded enough space for China to in this matter development. Who are Rohingyas? Measures to improve this situation WWW.IASJNANA.COM CURRENT AFFAIRS FEBRUARY 2018 FOR UPSC/IAS AND QUESTION BANK The Rohingya are often described as "the world's changes in long title and certain Sections to bring most persecuted minority". They are an ethnic Medium Enterprises and Handlooms in NABARD‘s group, majority of whom are Muslim, who have mandate. lived for centuries in the majority Buddhist Myanmar. Currently, there are about 1.1 million 4.The proposed increase in the authorized capital Rohingya who live in the Southeast Asian country would enable NABARD to respond to the commitments it has undertaken, particularly in Ever since clashes erupted in Rakhine state of respect of the Long Term Irrigation Fund and the Myanmar between Rohingyas and Myanmar recent Cabinet decision regarding on-lending to military force, a deluge of Rohingyas have sought cooperative banks. Further, it will enable NABARD asylum in neighboring countries, it is estimated that to augment its business and enhance its activities around 650000 Rohingyas have found refugee in which would facilitate promotion of integrated rural Bangladesh alone development and securing prosperity of rural areas including generation of more employment. Role of India 5.The transfer of entire shareholding in NABARD India has provided basic supplies for rehabilitation held by RBI to the Central Government will remove of Rohingyas and as also inked a pact with the conflict in RBI's role as banking regulator and Myanmar to promote development in the restive shareholder in NABARD. Rakhine state Source: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a- Source: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a- boost-to-rural-entrepreneurship/article22695294.ece disquieting-silence/article22695320.ece „A separate state flag for Karnataka‟ (GS2: Issue Amendments to NABARD act (GS3: and challenges pertaining to federal structure) mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment) Issue: The Karnataka government set up a committee to explore the possibilities of a separate Issue: The amendments recognize the vital role of state flag for the state. It wanted the committee to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and look into the constitutional and legal precedence they are brought under the refinance ambit of that might arise in its idea of implementing a NABARD separate state flag Other amendments include Arguments for a separate flag 1.It enables Central Government to increase the 1.No constitutional restriction or a legal restriction authorized capital of NABARD from Rs. 5,000 on states to have their own flag crore to Rs. 30,000 crore and to increase it beyond Rs. 30,000 crore in consultation with RBI, as 2.States in USA have their own separate flag deemed necessary from time to time 3.Various institutions including the armed forces 2.Transfer of 0.4 per cent. equity of RBI in have a flag of their own NABARD amounting to Rs. 20 crores to the Government of India. Arguments against a separate flag 3.The proposed amendments in NABARD Act, 1.It goes against the fraternity principle enshrined in include, certain other amendments including the constitution WWW.IASJNANA.COM CURRENT AFFAIRS FEBRUARY 2018 FOR UPSC/IAS AND QUESTION BANK 2.Unlike the American federal structure, Indian trade is limited to specific types of goods and to federal structure is a ‗Union of States‘ rather than specific days of the week. ‗federation of states‘ as in USA Source: http://indianexpress.com/article/north-east- 3.It might be dangerous to nationalistic ideals india/china-agrees-to-resume-mansarovar-yatra- through-nathu-la-government-5057038/ Another line of arguments proposes a separate state flag but with conditions, these conditions are aimed Competition Commission of India (GS2: at preventing to create a hierarchy of separate regulatory bodies) loyalties Issue: CCI has imposed a fine of 136 crore on Source:http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op- Google for unfair trade practices in the Indian ed/should-states-have-their-own- market on the grounds of ‗infringing anti-trust flags/article22695446.ece conduct‘.