National:
Uttar Pradesh Government launches first International festival on Birds
Uttar Pradesh Government has launched International festival on Birds in a bid to promote state as an international bird-watching destination.
The first-of-its-kind festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS).
It has been jointly organised by the State Forest department in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).
The three-day international festival (from 4 to 6 December 2015) on birds will be held the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) in Agra.
Over 80 Indian ornithlogists and around 25 top international bird experts and are participating in the first-of-its-kind festival.
National Chambal Sanctuary
NCS was set up in 1979 as a riverine sanctuary along the Chambal River. It is managed by the Wildlife wing of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and its head-quartered are located at Agra.
The sanctuary is the main area for the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a fresh water crocodile species reintroduction programmme in the Chambal River.
The river supports the largest population of the Gharial in the wild in the country. It also supports more than 320 resident and migrant birds.
Himachal Pradesh becomes first State to launch Rotavirus vaccination project
Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to start Rotavirus vaccination project under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
The project was launched by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh from Dharamsala in district Kangra by administering the Rotavirus vaccine drops to the children aged less than 5 years.
Rotavirus vaccination project is based on the analogy of the polio vaccine. Under it Rotavirus drops would be administered to the children at 6, 10 and 14 weeks after birth.
The vaccination project will help in controlling the deaths amongst small children due to Diarrhoea.
About Rotavirus
The Rotavirus is a genus of double-stranded RNA virus in the family Reoviridae. It most common causative agent of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea (MSD) among infants below 11 months age group in India.
Transmission: The virus spreads from person to person due to bacterial and parasiting agents that are primarily transmitted through contaminated food or water.
Impact on Health: It causes gastroenteritis after it damages the cells that line the small intestine and causes gastroenteritis.
Private vehicles in Delhi can run only on alternate days
A day after the Delhi high court said living in the city was like "living in a gas chamber", the Arvind Kejriwal government decided to allow private vehicles with even and odd registration numbers on alternate days from January 1 next year.
This effectively means vehicles ending with an even number will be allowed on a certain day, while those with odd number plates can be driven the next day. The rule will not apply to public vehicles.
Odd-Even Formula:
• Allow only odd and even numbered private vehicles (including two wheelers) to run on alternate days. Plan to be tested from January 1 to 15.
• Put more buses on road during this period, use school buses if needed.
• Request Dehli Metro to extend hours of operation.
• Temporary closure of Badarpur, Rajghat power plant,. Seek NGT intervention in closing Dadri Plant.
• Trucks to be allowed entry into Delhi after 10 or 11 PM.
• Modify Swachh Bharat app to accept complaints on polluting vehicles, open burning etc.
Fact Punch:
Delhi, on an average, adds nearly a 1000 cars everyday to its already choking roads. Studies also say the national capital has more cars than Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai combined.
Married daughters eligible for appointment on compassionate grounds: Allahabad HC
Allahabad High Court in its judgment has made married daughters of deceased government employees eligible for appointments on compassionate grounds in government jobs.
Ruling in this regard was given by a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Yashwant Verma on a petition filed by a Vimla Srivastava.
The petitioner had challenged the validity of clauses 2C-3 of Uttar Pradesh Recruitment of Government Servants Dying in Harness Rules.
The Clause 2C-3 only allowed unmarried or widowed daughters of deceased government employees eligible for appointment on compassionate grounds.
Allahabad High Court Judgment
High Court held that clause 2C-3 is unconstitutional and violated fundamental rights.
Observed that when married son could get jobs on compassionate grounds then there is no reason to deny the same to married daughter.
Pointed out that the exclusion of married daughters violated Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of sex, religion, caste etc.) and Article 16 (equality of opportunity in matters of public employment).
44th Navy Day observed on 4 December 2015
44th Navy Day was observed on 4 December 2015. On this occasion, Chief of Naval staff Robin K Dhowan along with Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag paid tributes to martyrs at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi.
President Pranab Mukherjee extended his greetings and felicitations to all members of the Indian Navy and their families on this occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to Indian Navy personnel and saluted their impregnable spirit and utmost devotion with which they protect our Motherland.
Background
Every year Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day on December 4 to commemorate the success of the Operation Trident of 1971 India-Pakistan War. In this operation Indian Navy sank three Pakistani vessels near the largest Pakistani port of Karachi. Operation Trident had also resulted in first use of anti-ship missiles in the Arabian Sea region.
CEA Dr Arvind Subramanian Committee suggests GST rate of 17-18 per cent
Chief Economic Advisor Dr Arvind Subramanian led Committee has recommended standard rate for Goods and Services Tax (GST) at 17 to 18 per cent. The Committee has submitted its report to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi.
Recommendations of Dr Arvind Subramanian Committee
Standard GST rate of 17 to 18 per cent. It is the rate at which most products would likely be taxed. Not to specify GST rate in Constitutional Amendment Bill.
Revenue-neutral rate of 15 to 15.5 per cent. It is a single rate at which there will be no revenue loss to the centre and states in the GST regime.
Eliminate all taxes on inter-state trade including one per cent inter-state tax on transfer of goods.
Two options for states: Single rate of 1 per cent or a range of 17-18 per cent. Allocation to states will depend on revenues raised by Centre and states.
Three-tier GST rate structure: Essential goods will be taxed at a lower rate of 12 per cent. Demerit goods such as luxury cars, aerated beverages, pan masala and tobacco products will be taxed at 40 percent and remaining all goods will be taxed at a standard rate of 17 to 18 per cent.
Excluded real estate, electricity and alcohol and petroleum products while calculating tax rates but suggests bringing them under the ambit of GST soon.
Background
Union government had set up the committee under chairmanship of CEA Dr. Subramanian in June 2015 to arrive at GST rates by factoring in the economic growth rate, taxpayer base and tax compliance levels.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
GST aims to bring uniform indirect tax regime throughout the country by subsuming central and state indirect taxes into single indirect tax.
It seeks to enhance fiscal federalism by removing barriers across states and integrate the country into a common market, boosting government revenue and reducing business costs.
Unesco Asia Pacific Award of Excellence presented to Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple
The Unesco Asia Pacific Award of Excellence was presented to Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple.
Unesco representative Moe Chiba presented the award to Cochin Devaswom Board president M.P. Bhaskaran Nair.
The award comprises a brass plaque. ‘Award of Excellence’ certificates were presented to important stakeholders, master craftsmen and contributors to the project. The Unesco established Asia Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation to promote conservation of heritage in Asia and the Pacific in 2000.
The award recognises private efforts and also public private initiatives in conserving structures of heritage value.
Since the inception of the awards, India has received the Award of Excellence four times till date.
The honour for Vadakkunnathan temple conservation is the first time that the ‘Award of Excellence’ is reaching a south Indian State.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had been working on the conservation of the temple kitchen, the murals, the wood carvings and the south and west gopurams (gateways) since 1997.
Delhi Assembly passes Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill, 2015
The Delhi Assembly has unanimously passed the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill, 2015 for establishment of statutory anti-corruption ombudsman.
The Bill provides powers to Lokpal to act against any government functionary including those of the Centre and in the national capital territory (NCT) of Delhi through its own investigation wing.
Key provisions of Jan Lokpal Bill, 2015
Composition: Janlokpal will be a three member body with Chairperson and two members. They would be appointed by on recommendation of selection committee consisting of Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition and Speaker of Delhi Legislative Assembly.
Jurisdiction: On receiving corruption complaints from the government or from members of public Janlokpal is empowered to investigate an allegation of corruption in the NCT including the Chief Minister’s office.
It can even probe acts of corruption against Union ministers and central government officials working in the NCT of Delhi.
Investigation time period: The Lokpal will have to complete the investigation within a period of six months.
Constitution of Special Courts: Delhi Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court may constitute special courts as recommended by Janlokpal. The proceedings instituted by the Janlokpal cannot be stayed by any court.
Quantum of Punishment: Rigorous imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 10 years. In rarest of rare cases it may be extended to life term. Those who file false cases against public functionaries would be also punished.
Confiscation of Assets: The assets accumulated through corrupt means will be confiscated. Janlokpal may also confiscate property belonging to public servant if it has not been disclosed.
Power of transfer or suspension of Public Servant: Janlokpal may recommend Government to suspend or transfer the public servant for a specified period if it feels that continuance of public servant under investigation might tamper with evidence or influence witnesses or affect the investigation.
Whistleblowers Protection: Janlokpal can issue necessary orders to provide full protection for whistleblowers by protecting confidentiality and providing security. It can also initiate criminal action against the person involved in harassment of whistleblower.
International:
British astronaut to run a marathon in space
A British astronaut will attempt to become the first man to run a marathon in space, as part of his 173-day mission to the International Space Station.
Tim Peake will run a digital version of next year’s London Marathon on a treadmill as the ISS orbits the earth, at the same time as more than 37,000 people run in the race on the ground.
To combat weightlessness, Mr. Peake will wear a harness that tethers him to the treadmill as he runs. He will watch a video of the London course on a big screen in front of him.
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is the only person to have run a marathon in space. She ran on a treadmill in 1997 at the same time as the Boston Marathon.
China announces $60 billion package to Africa during FOCAC
Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced a 60 billion dollars package to African nations during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The package will benefit Africa in 10 major areas (sectors) such as industry, infrastructure, agriculture, financial services, trade and investment facilitation, green development, poverty reduction and public welfare, public health, peace and security and people-to-people exchanges.
With this package, China is seeking to expand its investments in resource-rich Africa which can help it to absorb its excess manufacturing capacity.
It is also consider as part of its efforts to re-engage with the continent and integrate it within its ambitious One Belt and One Road (OBOR) and Maritime Silk Route connectivity framework.
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC): It is the summit in which over 50 African countries are participating. It is also expected to unveil the contours of China’s security partnership with Africa.
It would mainly focus on counter-terrorism, peacekeeping and funding to train troops within the framework of the African Union (AU).
Australia passes Anti-Terrorism law to strip citizenship
Australia’s Federal Parliament has passed Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill, 2015 to strip citizenship of convicted persons on terrorism charges.
The new legislation allows government to strip dual nationals of their citizenship if they are convicted of terrorism offences.
Key provisions
Those who are found to have fought for banned terrorist group overseas, their citizenship will be automatically terminated.
The dual nationals would lose their citizenship if the person is convicted of a terrorism offence and sentenced to at least 6 years’ of imprisonment those who are found engaged in terrorist acts such as providing or receiving training in for carrying a terrorist attack, recruit or finance terrorists (organisations) or terrorism.
If any person is convicted of terrorism in the previous decade then the new law has retrospective measures to allow revoking of citizenship convicted terrorists.
Background
As per the Australian Government, the law was deemed necessary due to current terrorist threats around the world including in Australia from banned terrorist outfit Islamic state.
There also has been increasingly concern about the flow terrorist recruits to Iraq and Syria to join IS extremist groups from Australia.
Current Affairs: 4th December, 2015 Current Affairs: 3rd December, 2015 Current Affairs Round up November, 2015.
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