General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - November 2019

Nov 2019

Jan 24, 2020

Centre Designates Daman as Headquarters of Merged UTs

The Centre designated Daman as the headquarters of the merged Union Territories of Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
The Central government also approved amendments/extension/repeal in legislations and regulations dealing with the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Value Added Tax (VAT) and state excise in a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
These amendments will lead to 'minimum government, maximum governance' by way of having common taxation authorities, better delivery of services to citizens by reducing duplication of work and improving administrative efficiency.

SC Refuses to Stay CAA

The Supreme Court refused to stay the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), but indicated that the matter would be referred to a Constitution bench.
The court, which issued notice to the central government in December 2019, gave it four more weeks to respond, after a request by Attorney general K. K. Venugopal. Venugopal pointed out that there were only 60 petitions when the case was first heard in December 2019 but at least 144 petitions have been filed till now and copies of the fresh petitions had not been supplied to the central government yet.

India Falls 10 Ranks in Democracy Index

India dropped 10 places in the Democracy Index's global ranking to 51st place, with the survey describing the erosion of civil liberties in the country as the primary cause of the democratic regression.
The Democracy Index - prepared by Economist Intelligence Unit, the research and analysis division of The Economist Group - provides a snapshot of the state of democracy worldwide in 165 independent states and two territories.
It is based on electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.
Norway topped the index, with a score of 9.87, while North Korea was at the bottom of the global rankings, with a score of 1.08. China's score fell to 2.26, and it is now ranked 153rd, close to the bottom of the rankings.

Jan 23, 2020

Andhra Capital Bill Hits Roadblock

In a temporary setback to YSR Congress party government in Andhra Pradesh led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the two crucial bills pertaining to the state capital hit a roadblock in the state legislative council. The opposition Telugu Desam Party, which has 28 members in the 58-member legislative council, against only nine members of the YSRC, stonewalled the passage of the bill by invoking Rule 71 of the legislative proceedings, which allows for a debate on disapproving the government bills.
The state assembly had a day earlier passed two bills, one on repealing AP Capital Region Development Authority Act enacted in 2014 to develop Amaravati as the state capital and the second one on creation of three capitals as part of the decentralised administration, after the suspension of 17 TDP members.
Even if the council rejects the bills, they could be re-introduced in the state assembly and passed. But, if the council refers the bills to the select committee, the plans to shift the administrative capital to Visakhapatnam would be delayed by a few weeks.

BJP Backs Haryana CM's Move to Retain CID's Control

The Bharatiya Janata Party's leadership has backed Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's decision to take control of the state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as it stepped in to iron out differences between him and state Home Minister Anil Vij over the issu. Vij has been unhappy with Khattar's decision.
The leadership has conveyed to Vij that all the CID reports on law and order that his ministry requires will be provided to him as per the precedent, but Khattar will continue to keep control of the department.
Vij opposed the move when Khattar announced his decision to retain the CID's control, saying the agency is an integral part of the home portfolio and the allocation of business rules specify that.

Malls, Shops and Eateries to Remain Open 24/7 in some Mumbai Areas

Maharashtra Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray announced that the state Cabinet has approved the proposal to allow malls, shops and eateries to remain open for 24 hours in some areas of Mumbai.
Aaditya Thackeray said that from January 27, malls, multiplexes, shops and eateries in non-residential areas like Bandra Kurla Complex and Nariman Point will remain open for 24 hours.
Aaditya Thackeray also clarified that the cabinet decision will not increase pressure on Mumbai police as the government will not allow the pubs and bars to remain open for 24 hours. He added that the time limit for pubs and bars is already set at 1:30 am and the state government will not bring any changes in the excise law.

Jan 22, 2020

SC on Speakers

The wisdom of the legislature in entrusting Speakers (of the state assembly or parliament) with the responsibility of ruling on the disqualification of lawmakers who defect (shift parties) needs to be revisited, the Supreme Court ruled in a case on defection of a Congress MLA from Manipur.
The judgment comes at a time when a discussion is already underway among presiding officers of legislatures on how to secure the legislative Speaker's dignity in the matters related to the defection of lawmakers. As first reported earlier, in two conferences in as many months, many presiding officers have expressed the view that their role vis-à-vis the tenth schedule should be limited and other mechanisms must be evolved to decide cases of defection. The tenth schedule deals with the anti-defection law.
A top functionary of the Lok Sabha said that a panel has already been constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on the issue and that many assembly Speakers have voluntarily sought a reduction of their power as far as the tenth schedule is concerned.

Goa Lokayukta Indicts Former CM

The Goa Lokayukta has indicted former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and two officials for renewing mining leases, including 31 in a single day in 2015, which the Supreme Court later cancelled in 2018. It has asked Goa's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to file a case against Parsekar and the two officials—P. K. Sain and Prasanna Acharya--for alleged corruption and recommended a further probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Sain is a former mines secretary and Acharya ex-director of mines. Parsekar headed a Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the state from 2014 to 2017.

TMC to Introduce Anti-CAA Resolution

Bengal's parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee said that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will introduce a resolution in the state assembly later in January 2020 demanding the withdrawal of the amended citizenship act.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee followed Kerala and Punjab, saying her government too would pass a resolution in the assembly.

Trade in Focus of Brazil President's Visit

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will arrive in India for a four-day visit, during which he will be the chief guest at the annual Republic Day parade 2020 and hold talks with the Indian leadership on bolstering trade and investment.
Bolsonaro will be accompanied by seven ministers, the chairman of Brazil-India Friendship Group in Brazil's Parliament, senior officials and a delegation of over 80 businessmen.
According to Brazil's ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, India and Brazil will sign more than 15 agreements and launch an action plan for their strategic partnership during the visit.
This is Bolsonaro's first state visit to India. Former Presidents of Brazil have been the chief guest at the Republic Day parades in 1996 and 2004.

Jan 21, 2020

DPIIT launches paperless licensing process for petroleum service stations

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) launched paperless licensing process for petroleum service stations such as retail outlets storing and dispensing petrol/diesel for motor conveyances. It was launched through Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) under the Petroleum Rules, 2002.
Paperless application and grant of licence process for road tankers for transportation of petroleum under the rules has already been launched earlier this month.

IKEA launches online store in Pune

Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA has launched its online store in Pune, its second market in India after Mumbai to have online presence first without a physical store.
This is in line with IKEA's plans to reach many more Indian customers faster and provide affordable home furnishing solutions. Per Hornell, market and expansion manager, IKEA India, "Maharashtra is a very important market for IKEA, and we see a lot of potential in Pune. IKEA's priority is to meet consumer expectations by being affordable, accessible and sustainable."
Customers can either assemble the product themselves or book IKEA's assembly services.

Govt names two new JS-ranked officers under CDS

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet cleared the appointment of two joint secretaries in the newly-created department of military affairs under the defence ministry. Rajeev Singh Thakur, a 1995 batch IAS officer from Rajasthan cadre, and Shantanu, a 1997 batch officer from Tripura cadre, have been posted to the DMA, headed by India's first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat. Their appointments are among the 31 JS-level postings approved by the committee.
Apart from the two joint secretaries, the department will be staffed with two 13 deputy secretaries, 25 under secretaries, 22 section officers and a support staff of around 100 people.
The DMA is an addition to the four existing verticals in the defence ministry --- the departments of defence, defence production, defence research and development and ex-service welfare.
As CDS, Rawat is the principal military adviser to the defence minister on all matters related to the tri-services. He took over as the country's first CDS on December 31.
The DMA will oversee key matters relating to India's neighbouring countries including border disputes and incidents, development of infrastructure in forward areas and deployment of forces. These countries include China, Pakistan and Bhutan.

Jan 20, 2020

Mumbai to Get Back Mounted Police

Acccording to Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Mumbai will get a mounted police unit for traffic and crowd control after a gap of 88 years, and the horses will be deployed on duty after taking part in the Republic Day Parade at Shivaji Park this year.
The mounted police unit, which would patrol the streets of the bustling metropolis, was disbanded in 1932 due to growing vehicular traffic.

Water, Power, Pollution Fight in AAP 'Guarantee'

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal released a "guarantee card" ahead of the February 8 state assembly polls, promising that the government's flagship schemes — free water, electricity and bus rides — will continue if the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is re-elected.
Kejriwal made at least eight new commitments, including deploying 'mohalla marshals' in residential areas, reducing pollution to a third, and making bus rides free for students.
Releasing the "Kejriwal ka guarantee" card, the party chief said that these would be distributed in every household in Delhi so that people did not fall for the "lies" that he alleged were being spread by opposition parties. "The opposition is saying many of our schemes will only last till March 31, so this is our guarantee that these schemes will continue for the next five years; 24-hour electricity will continue and 200 units of free power will continue. Free water for those who consume up to 20,000 litres a month will also continue. All schemes of the AAP government will continue.
He released the card, which bears his photo and the party's election slogan "Achche beete paanch saal, lagey raho Kejriwal", by signing it.

Panel To Study Impact Of Verdicts On Society

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice plans a study to assess the impact of legislations and court judgements on the society.
The study is being carried out months after Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu in October called for the need for a Legislative Impact Assessment (LIA), saying that it will help in realising the stated objectives of various laws. Naidu had said that a detailed assessment is required at both pre-legislation and post-legislation stages.
At a meeting last week, the Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Bhupender Yadav-led 28 member panel unanimously agreed to start work on the study.

Mughalsarai Railway Division Renamed

Following the renaming of Uttar Pradesh's Mughalsarai railway station in 2018, the Centre in a notification issued changed the name of the railway division as well from Mughalsarai to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Railway Division.
The names of other Railway offices in this Division, bearing the name "Mughalsarai", may also be changed accordingly.
The Mughalsarai railway junction station comes under the East Central Railway zone. It is one of India's busiest junctions catering to nearly 500 trains a month and home to the largest railway marshalling yard in Asia.

Gujarat Ranked Top For Water Efficiency, Delhi Among Worst Performing States

Gujarat has been ranked the best for parameters on efficiency targets in the review of state and Central government water departments by the ministry of Jal Shakti. Rajasthan is the third best and Delhi is among the worst performing states, according to the ranking for 2019 circulated to different state governments recently.
Among the seven Central departments reviewed, the Survey of India has got the top billing followed by the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) and Central Water Commission. The Central Pollution Control Board, the country's pollution watchdog, has got the lowest rank, in the ranking for the year 2019.

Congress to Battle for Delhi in Alliance

Having announced the names of 54 candidates, the Delhi Congress only has one more day to release the list of remaining 16 contenders who will represent the party in the February 8 assembly elections.
Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra confirmed that the party has finalised an alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on four seats to woo Purvanchali voters. In Burari, Kirari, Uttam Nagar and Palam, the RJD contenders will seek votes under the Congress banner.
The Congress, which was in power in Delhi for 15 years till the 2015 defeat, will be contesting the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections in partnership with another party for the first time.

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