DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 12 SEPTEMBER 2019

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

12 SEPTEMBER 2019

IMPORTANT TOPICS FOR TODAY

BY SUMIT BHARDWAJ

1.Sit down and talk, UN chief Antonio Guterres tells India and Pakistan(GS-2)

CONTEXT:UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remains concerned about any escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue and appeals to both sides to deal with it through dialogue, his spokesperson said.
Mr. Guterres met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit last month in Biarritz, France, and has spoken to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a press briefing on Tuesday
His comments came as India and Pakistan clashed at the 42 session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The UN chief has maintained that his good offices are available for mediation if both sides ask for it. But India has ruled out any third-party mediation, arguing that the issue is an internal matter.
And, as was said by the High Commissioner for Human Rights recently, the situation in Kashmir could be resolved only with the full respect for human rights, Mr. Dujarric said.
Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic relations with India and expelled the Indian High Commissioner following the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

G7 summit:

The 45th G7 summit was held on 24–26 August 2019, in Biarritz, France.In March 2014, the G7 declared that a meaningful discussion was currently not possible with Russia in the context of the G8. Since then, meetings have continued within the G7 process. However, according to a senior administration official, Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron had agreed that Russia should be invited to the next G7 Summit to be held in 2020.

Key Takeaways Of The Summit:

Discussion on forest fires in the Amazon rainforests. G7 countries pledged $20 million help to fight fires in the Amazon rainforests.
US trade conflicts with France over GAFA tax & other related issues, Iran over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), US-China trade wars.
G7 leaders backed the existence and importance of the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 on Hong Kong and called for violence to be avoided.
The United States of America offered a better deal after UK’s Brexit.
There was a call for reinstating Russia back into the group. Russia was removed from the group after it annexed Crimea in 2014. But the consensus for the same was not achieved.
As a reflection of strong bilateral relations between India & France, a special invitation was sent to India to become a part of this summit.
On the sidelines of this summit, India highlighted its large-scale efforts to address various environmental issues like, reducing biodiversity, climate change, water stress & ocean pollution.
India highlighted the steps taken in this regard which include, vow to eliminate single-use plastic, harnessing solar energy, saving water, and protecting flora and fauna.
On a session on Digital transformation at G7 Summit, Indian PM remarked, “India’s usage of technology for enhanced & innovative digital payment initiatives.” India is putting enormous efforts in leveraging digital technology to fight social inequalities through empowerment and inclusion.
Indian Prime Minister also had a brief discussion with the US President over the Kashmir issue, reiterating that, ‘it is an internal matter of India & any related issues on it will be resolved bilaterally with Pakistan’.
The need for a dedicated multilateral Green Bank was demanded. The purpose of this bank would solely be to finance the projects supporting renewable energies and mitigating environmental challenges.
This bank will complement and collaborate with other existing multilateral- regional & national institutions in co-financing the projects.

42 session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva:

The 42nd session of the Human Rights Council is being held at its headquarters in Geneva from September 9 to 27
The United Nations Human Rights Council is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis. The headquarters of UNHRC is in Geneva, Switzerland

2.We’re capable of dealing with terror, says PM(GS-2,3)

CONTEXT:India is fully capable of dealing with the challenge of terrorism as it has already proved and will display it in future too, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.
He was speaking at the launch of the National Animal Disease Control Programme in Mathura
Mr. Modi said his government amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to make it more stringent.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA):

This law is aimed at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India.
Its main objective is to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.
The Act makes it a crime to support any secessionist movement or to support claims by a foreign power to what India claims as its territory.
The UAPA, framed in 1967, has been already amended twice since: first in 2008 and then in 2012 and now again.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019

The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Who may commit terrorism: Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation if it: (i) commits or participates in acts of terrorism, (ii) prepares for terrorism, (iii) promotes terrorism, or (iv) is otherwise involved in terrorism. The Bill additionally empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds.

Approval for seizure of property by NIA: If the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of properties that may be connected with terrorism.
Investigation by NIA: Under the Act, investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above. The Bill additionally empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.
Insertion to schedule of treaties: The Act defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within the scope of any of the treaties listed in a schedule to the Act. The Schedule lists nine treaties, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979). The Bill adds another treaty to the list. This is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).

Why was it being opposed?

This is a potentially dangerous amendment which will empower officials of Union Ministry to brand any person ‘a terrorist‘, without following due process. The name of such a person will be included in the ‘Fourth Schedule’ proposed to be added in the parent Act. The only statutory remedy available to such a person is to make an application before the Central Government for de-notification, which will be considered by a Review Committee constituted by the Government itself.
The amendment does not provide any legal consequence in case an individual is designated a terrorist. The inclusion of one’s name in the Fourth Schedule as a terrorist per se will not lead to any conviction, imprisonment, fine, disqualifications or any sort of civil penalties. So this is simply a power for the government to brand any one as a terrorist.
An official designation as a terrorist will be akin to ‘civil death’ for a person, with social boycott, expulsion from job, hounding by media, and perhaps attack from self-proclaimed vigilante groups following.(SOURCE:RSTV)

3.National Animal Disease Control programme as well as the National Artificial Insemination Programme LAUNCHED BY PM NARENDRA MODI IN MATHURA(GS-2)

CONTEXT:Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Animal Disease Control programme as well as the National Artificial Insemination Programme in Mathura . He also participated in the “Swacchata hi Sewa” programme in Mathura.

KEY TAKEAWAYS OF National Animal Disease Control programme as well as the National Artificial Insemination Programme :

In a key initiative aimed at doubling farmers income, Prime Minister Narendra Modi LAUNCHED the National Animal Disease Control Programme for eradicating Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis in livestock from Mathura.
With 100 Percent funding from the Central Government of Rs 12,652 Crores for a period of five years till 2024, the programme aims at vaccinating over 500 Million Livestock against the Foot and Mouth Disease.
The programme also aims at vaccinating 36 Million Female Bovine Calves annually in its fight against the Bruce-llosis disease. The Programme has two components – to control the diseases by 2025 and their eradication by 2030.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also LAUNCHED the National Artificial Insemination Programme on Wednesday. He is also expected to launch simultaneously nationwide workshops in Krishi Vigyan Kendras in all 687 Districts of India on vaccination, disease management, artificial insemination and productivity.
During his visit to Mathura, the Prime Minister will also take part in the Swachhta Hi Seva Programme.
The launch of the National Animal Disease Control Programme will herald the nation into a mission mode to save and nurture livestock, Indian farmers most valuable source of additional income.(SOURCE:DD NEWS)

4.NCST recommends ‘tribal area’ status for Ladakh(GS-2)

CONTEXT:The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) on Wednesday wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah and Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, recommending that Ladakh be declared a tribal area under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas after setting up autonomous district and regional councils.
The NCST feels this will help “democratic devolution of powers, preserve and promote distinct culture of the region, protect agrarian rights including rights on land and enhance transfer of funds for speedy development of the region,” it said.
The NCST’s recommendation comes against the backdrop of growing demand from a predominantly tribal population and political leaders of Ladakh for according “tribal area” status to the region.
The Home Ministry is the central authority for declaring an area as a “tribal area”.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is an Indian constitutional body was established through Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
On the 89th Amendment of the Constitution coming into force on 19 February 2004, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has been setup under Article 338A on bifurcation of erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to oversee the implementation of various safeguards provided to Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution.
By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- (i) the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and (ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
The second commission constituted on 2007 with Urmila Singh as the Chairperson. The third Commission constituted on 2010 with Rameshwar Oraon as the Chairperson.

Composition

The Commission comprises a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three full-time Members (including one lady Member). The term of all the Members of the Commission is three years from the date of assumption of charge.

Powers, Functions And Responsibilities

To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards;
To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Tribes;
To participate and advise in the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State;
To present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards;
To make in such reports, recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or any State for effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes, and
To discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes as the President may, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by rule specify.

5.Dabolim Airport(GS-1,3)

CONTEXT:The Navy has decided to shut Goa’s Dabolim airport for six hours every Saturday from November 2 for the maintenance of its runway, which has been deteriorating following heavy rain, an official said on Wednesday
The Dabolim airport is part of the naval airbase of INS Hansa and doubles up as a civilian facility.

IT’S A VERY IMPORTANT AIRPORT FROM HISTORIC POINT OF VIEW:

Dabolim Airport or Goa Airport is the sole international airport in Goa. It is located in Dabolim and operates as a civil enclave in a military airbase named INS Hansa. It is 4 km from the nearest city Vasco da Gama, 23 km from Margao, and about 30 km from the state capital Panjim.
The airport's integrated terminal was inaugurated in December 2013. In fiscal year 2017–18, the airport handled over 7.6 million passengers. Due to capacity constrains at the terminal and air traffic congestion due to strong military and naval presence, a second airport at Mopa was proposed and is already under early stage of construction with scheduled completion in 2020
The airport was built, in 1955, by the Government of the Estado da Índia Portuguesa, on 249 acres (101 ha) of land, as the Aeroporto de Dabolim, which was later officially renamed to Aeroporto General Bénard Guedes. Until 1961, the airport served as the main hub of the Portuguese India's airline TAIP (Transportes Aéreos da Índia Portuguesa), which on a regular schedule served Daman, Diu, Karachi, Mozambique, Portuguese Timor, and other destinations.
During the Indian annexation of Goa, in December 1961, the airport was bombarded by the Indian Air Force with parts of the infrastructure being destroyed. Two civilian planes that were in the airport – a Lockheed Constellation from TAP (Transportes Aéreos Portugueses) and a Douglas DC-4 from TAIP – managed to escape with refugees, during the night, to Karachi.In April 1962, it was occupied by the Indian Navy's air wing when Major General K.P. Candeth, who had led the successful military operation into Goa, "handed over" the airport to the Indian Navy before relinquishing charge as its military governor to a Lieutenant Governor of the then Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu in June 1962.
For civilian air travel out of Vasco da Gama and Goa, the Indian Navy and the Government of India invited the public sector airline (known now as Indian) to operate at Dabolim from 1966 after the runway was repaired and jet-enabled. A new domestic terminal building was built in 1983, designed to process 350 arrivals and departures simultaneously, while the international terminal, built in 1996 was designed for 250.

6.Man portable anti-tank guided missile successfully tested: Defence ministry(GS-2,3)

CONTEXT:The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully flight-tested indigenously developed Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. The defence ministry said it was the third series of successful testing of MPATGM which will be used by the Army. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO for the successful test of the missile. Officials said the test paves the way for the Army to develop the third generation man portable anti-tank guided missile indigenously. "In a major boost for Indian Army, DRDO today successfully flight tested indigenously developed low weight, fire and forget MPATGM in the ranges of Kurnool," the defence ministry said. It said the fire and forget missile was launched from a man portable tripod launcher and it hit the intended target.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) :

DRDO works under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
It is working to establish world class science and technology base for India and provides our Defence Services decisive edge by equipping them with internationally competitive systems and solutions.
Dr G. Satheesh Reddy is the incumbent Chairman of DRDO.

Genesis & Growth

DRDO was established in 1958 after combining Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
Starting with 10 laboratories, DRDO has now grown to a network of 52 laboratories which are deeply engaged in developing defence technologies covering various disciplines, like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, combat vehicles, engineering systems, instrumentation, missiles, advanced computing and simulation, special materials, naval systems, life sciences, training, information systems and agriculture.
Presently, the Organisation is backed by over 5000 scientists and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel.
Several major projects for the development of missiles, armaments, light combat aircrafts, radars, electronic warfare systems etc are on hand and significant achievements have already been made in several such technologies.

Mission

Design, develop and lead to production state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied equipment for our Defence Services.
Provide technological solutions to the Services to optimise combat effectiveness and to promote well-being of the troops.
Develop infrastructure and committed quality manpower and build strong indigenous technology base.

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

IGMDP was brain child of renowned scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
It was intended to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.
After keeping in mind the requirements of various types of missiles by the defense forces, the program recognized the need to develop five missile systems.
The IGMDP formally got the approval of Indian government on July 26, 1983.
It brought together the country’s scientific community, academic institutions, R&D laboratories, industries and the three defence services in giving shape to the strategic, indigenous missile systems.

The missiles developed under IGMDP are:

Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Prithvi
Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Agni
Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile – Trishul
Medium-range surface-to-air missile – Akash
Third generation anti-tank missile – Nag
The Agni, which was initially conceived as a technology demonstrator project in the form of a re-entry vehicle, was later upgraded to a ballistic missile with different ranges. Dr. Kalam played a major role in the development and operationalisation of Agni and Prithvi missiles.

7.Centre to bring ordinance to ban e-cigarettes in country(GS-2)

CONTEXT:The Union Cabinet is likely to approve an ordinance prohibiting the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes in the country. The law would make production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution or advertisements of e-cigarettes a cognizable offence.

e-cigarettes :

What are e-cigarettes?

An electronic cigarette (or e-cig) is a battery-powered vaporizer that mimics tobacco smoking. It works by heating up a nicotine liquid, called “juice.”

Nicotine juice (or e-juice) comes in various flavors and nicotine levels. e-liquid is composed of five ingredients: vegetable glycerin (a material used in all types of food and personal care products, like toothpaste) and propylene glycol (a solvent most commonly used in fog machines.) propylene glycol is the ingredient that produces thicker clouds of vapor.
Proponents of e-cigs argue that the practice is healthier than traditional cigarettes because users are only inhaling water vapor and nicotine

WHO report on e- cigarettes and effects:

As per the report, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (also known as e-cigarettes) emits nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco products. In addition to dependence, nicotine can have adverse effects on the development of the foetus during pregnancy and may contribute to cardiovascular disease.
The WHO report further says that although nicotine itself is not a carcinogen, it may function as a “tumour promoter” and seems to be involved in the biology of malignant disease, as well as of neurodegeneration.
Foetal and adolescent nicotine exposure may have long-term consequences for brain development, potentially leading to learning and anxiety disorders.
The evidence is sufficient to warn children and adolescents, pregnant women, and women of reproductive age against ENDS use and nicotine.

Why ban them?

Studies say ENDS have cancer-causing properties, are highly addictive and do not offer a safer alternative to tobacco-based products. Experts say e-cigarettes are just a mechanism to deliver nicotine in an attractive format.

Way ahead:

The government should also impose appropriate restrictions on the sale and advertisement, online and otherwise, of e-cigarettes, including proper health warnings, in order to plug the existing regulatory vacuum. This should be done with immediate effect, and simultaneously the government should also commission independent scientific research on the benefits and risks posed by these products in the Indian context.

8.Army to hold ‘Him Vijay’ from October(GS-3)

CONTEXT:The Army is scheduled to conduct a major Exercise ‘HimVijay’ beginning October in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with its newly created Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) involving 15,000 troops, defence sources said on Wednesday.
The exercise will coincide with the proposed visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The Mountain Strike Corps raised recently to meet any threat from China in the east will carry out its first exercise with its Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in October

Integrated Battle Groups

Background:

After the Parliament terrorist attack(2001), Indian Army undertook massive mobilisation of troops but it lost the element of surprise due to delay.
Therefore, to launch swift offensive mobilisation of troops, Indian Army formulated the proactive doctrine of “Cold Start” in 2004, but its existence was consistently denied in the past. In 2017, it was acknowledged for the first time by General Vipin Rawat.
It will be formed by integrating the existing elements of infantry, tank regiments, artillery, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs), engineers and signals.
It will have six battalions of infantry, armoured and artillery, commanded by Major General or Brigadier.

9.California passes Bill that will reshape gig economy(GS-3)

CONTEXT:It will enhance contract workers’ rights
In a major legislative development that could have a profound impact on the gig economy, California’s State Senate passed, 29 to 11, a Bill requiring ride hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to treat their contract workers as employees.
The Bill, which is likely to pass the State Assembly and get the Governor’s signature to become law, will enhance workers’ rights, increase costs for gig economy companies and potentially have knock-on effects in other States.
The Bill, known as AB 5, is a consequence of a California Supreme Court 2018 ruling on employee status and could cost Uber and Lyft $3,625 per driver as per a report from Barclays, released in June.

In this August 28, 2019, photo, supporters of a measure to limit when companies can label workers as independent contractors rally at the Capitol in Sacramento. | Photo Credit: AP

GIG economy:

A gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organizations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements. The term "gig" is a slang word meaning "a job for a specified period of time" and is typically used in referring to musicians. Examples of gig employees in the workforce could include freelancers, independent contractors, project-based workers and temporary or part-time hires.
The trend toward a gig economy has begun as a study by Intuit predicted that by 2020, 40 percent of American workers would be independent contractors. There are a number of forces behind the rise in short-term jobs. For one thing, in the digital age, the workforce is increasingly mobile and work can increasingly be done from anywhere, so that job and location are decoupled. That means that freelancers can select among temporary jobs and projects around the world, while employers can select the best individuals for specific projects from a larger pool than that available in any given area.
Digitization has also contributed directly to a decrease in jobs as software replaces some types of work to maximize time efficiency. Other influences include financial pressures on businesses leading to a flexible workforce and the entrance of the Milennial generation into the labor market. The current reality is that people tend to change jobs several times throughout their working lives and the gig economy can be seen as an evolution of that trend.
In a gig economy, businesses save resources in terms of benefits, office space and training. They also have the ability to contract with experts for specific projects who might be too high-priced to maintain on staff. From the perspective of the freelancer, a gig economy can improve work-life balance over what is possible in most jobs. Ideally, the model is powered by independent workers selecting jobs that they're interested in, rather than one in which people are forced into a position where, unable to attain employment, they pick up whatever temporary gigs they can land.

10.Bond yields harden 10 bps to 6.68%(GS-3)

CONTEXT:Yields on sovereign bonds hardened on Wednesday, on rising oil prices and higher U.S. treasury yields.
The yield on the 10-year benchmark government bond ended at 6.68% on Wednesday compared to its previous close of 6.58%.
Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.93% to trade at $62.96 per barrel.
Rising oil prices could impact the country’s fiscal deficit adversely.
Bonds yields hardened despite the dovish stance of the Reserve Bank of India, which had maintained that supporting growth would be its top priority.
Meanwhile, the rupee ended 5 paise higher against the dollar at 71.66 — the fifth straight session of gain.
The Indian currency was able to cut early losses after equities gained and on the back of strong Asian currencies.

What exactly are sovereign bonds?

A bond is like an IOU. The issuer of a bond promises to pay back a fixed amount of money every year until the expiry of the term, at which point the issuer returns the principal amount to the buyer. When a government issues such a bond it is called a sovereign bond.

Why is India borrowing in external markets in external currency?

Indian government’s domestic borrowing is crowding out private investment and preventing the interest rates from falling even when inflation has cooled off and the RBI is cutting policy rates.
If the government was to borrow some of its loans from outside India, there will be investable money left for private companies to borrow; not to mention that interest rates could start coming down.
A sovereign bond issue will provide a yield curve — a benchmark — for Indian corporates who wish to raise loans in foreign markets. This will help Indian businesses that have increasingly looked towards foreign economies to borrow money.
Globally, and especially in the advanced economies where the government is likely to go to borrow, the interest rates are low and, thanks to the easy monetary policies of foreign central banks, there are a lot of surplus funds waiting for a product that pays more.
In an ideal scenario, it could be win-win for all: Indian government raises loans at interest rates much cheaper than domestic interest rates, while foreign investors get a much higher return than is available in their own markets.