Daily CURRENT AFFAIRS

Daily Current Affair - UPSC/KAS Exams - 2nd July 2021

What is in news : The Supreme Court Thursday said it is for the legislature to frame law for timely disposal of disqualification petitions by the Speaker or Chairman of the House under the tenth schedule of the Constitution.

Anti-Defection Law

• The 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution (which talks about the anti-defection law) is designed to prevent political defections prompted by the lure of office or material benefits or other like considerations. The Anti-defection law was passed by Parliament in 1985 and reinforced in 2002.
• The 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution popularly referred to as the ‘Anti-Defection Law’ was inserted by the 52nd Amendment (1985) to the Constitution.
• ‘Defection’ has been defined as, “To abandon a position or association, often to join an opposing group”.
• The anti-defection law was enacted to ensure that a party member does not violate the mandate of the party and in case he does so, he will lose his membership of the House.  The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies.
• The Anti-Defection Law aims to prevent MPs from switching political parties for any personal motive.

Grounds for disqualification:

• If an elected member gives up his membership of a political party voluntarily.
• If he votes or abstains from voting in the House, contrary to any direction issued by his political party.
• If any member who is independently elected joins any party.
• If any nominated member joins any political party after the end of 6 months.
• The decision on disqualification questions on the ground of defection is referred to the Speaker or the Chairman of the House, and his/her decision is final.
• All proceedings in relation to disqualification under this Schedule are considered to be proceedings in Parliament or the Legislature of a state as is the case.

Exceptions under the Anti Defection Law

• In the situation where two-thirds of the legislators of a political party decide to merge into another party, neither the members who decide to join nor the ones who stay with the original party will face disqualification.
• Any person elected as chairman or speaker can resign from his party, and rejoin the party if he demits that post.
• Earlier, the law allowed parties to be split, but at present, this has been outlawed.
• Deciding Authority: Any question regarding disqualification arising out of defection is to be decided by the presiding officer of the House.

What is in news :The Union Law Ministry notified the Ordinance that prohibited employees engaged in essential defence services from taking part in any agitation or strike.

Details :

• Any person, who commences a strike which is illegal under this Ordinance or goes or remains on, or otherwise takes part in, any such strike, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to one year, or with fine, which may extend to ₹10,000, or both
• The notification added that anyone instigating or inciting others to take part in a strike declared illegal under the Ordinance shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend up to two years, apart from having to pay fines.

What is gross NPA ratio:

• Total NPA/Total Advances=Gross NPA Ratio.
• NPA is advances which donot earn interest for 90 days and more. Banks make provision for standard, sub-standard, doubtful and loss assets based on age of advance and mortgage value available at different rates. If provision amount is deducted we get Net NPA.

NPA:

• NON-PERFORMING ASSETS (NPA) are assets for which interest is overdue for more than 90 days. It includes sub-standard assets, doubtful assets and loss assets - all these three assets combined. In other words, they are bad loans for which interest has not been realized for more than 90 days.
• The Reserve Bank of India has defined Net NPA as Net NPA = Gross NPA – (Balance in Interest Suspense account + DICGC/ECGC claims received and held pending
• The net NPA (Net NPA = Gross NPAs - Provisions) divided by the total advances of a branch reflects the gross NPA ratio. It measures the overall quality of the bank’s loans. The lower the ratio, it is good for the bank, as it reflects that more loans are standard assets, which can be recovered on time.

What is in news : The gross non-performing asset ratio (GNPA) of India’s scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) may climb by the end of the current fiscal year to as much as 11.2% under a severe stress scenario, from 7.48% in March 2021

ENVIRONMENT  & GEOGRAPHY

What is in news : The progress of the monsoon has stalled since June 19, leaving many parts of the country experiencing deficient rainfall. This monsoon “break” is likely to continue till the second week of July, as is the heatwave currently affecting parts of north western and central India, according to IMD

Details :

Mid-latitude westerly winds, an unfavourable Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) and the absence of the formation of low-pressure systems over the north Bay of Bengal are some of the reasons why the progress of the monsoons has stalled

What is a break in monsoon : A rainless interval in monsoon season is called a break.The monsoon rains take place only for a few days at a time. They are interspersed with rainless intervals. These breaks in monsoon are related to the movement of the monsoon trough.

Heat Wave

• A heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western and South Central parts of India.
• Heat waves typically occur between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July.
• Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent globally due to climate change.

What is in news : SC directs NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) to issue norms for financial help to kin of Covid victims

National Disaster Management Authority

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex statutory body for disaster management in India.
• The NDMA was formally constituted on 27th September 2006, in accordance with the Disaster Management Act, 2005 with Prime Minister as its Chairperson and nine other members, and one such member to be designated as Vice-Chairperson.

Mandate: Its primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response. It is also the apex body to lay down policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters.

Vision: To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, proactive, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.

Functions and Responsibilities of NDMA

• Approve the National Disaster Plan
• Lay down policies on disaster management
• Approve plans prepared by Ministries or Departments of the Central Government in accordance with National Plan
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by State Authorities in drawing up State Plan
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by different Ministries or Departments of Central Government for purpose of integrating measures for disaster prevention or mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects
• Coordinate enforcement and implementation of disaster management policy and plan
• Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation
• Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as determined by Central Government
• Take such other measures for prevention of disasters or mitigation or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situation or disaster as it may consider necessary
• Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of National Institute of Disaster Management

Institutional Framework for Disaster Management in India

• The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has provided the legal and institutional framework for disaster management in India at the national, state and district levels.
• In the federal polity of India, the primary responsibility of Disaster management vests with the state government.
• The central government lays down the plans, policies and guidelines and provides technical, financial and logistical support while the district administration carries out most of the operations in collaboration with central and state level agencies.

National Executive Committee (NEC)

• A National Executive Committee is constituted under Section 8 of DM Act, 2005 to assist the National Authority in the performance of its functions.
• Union Home secretary is its ex-officio chairperson.
• NEC has been given the responsibility to act as the coordinating and monitoring body for disaster management, to prepare a National Plan, monitor the implementation of National Policy etc.

National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): NIDM has the mandate of human resource development and capacity building for disaster management within the broad policies and guidelines laid down by the NDMA.

National Disaster response force (NDRF): NDRF is the specialized force for disaster response which works under the overall supervision and control of NDMA.

What is in news : 6 years of Digital India campaign was celebrated recently

What is Digital India: Digital India was an initiative taken by the Government of India for providing high-speed internet networks to rural areas. Digital India Mission was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 1st July 2015 as a beneficiary to other government schemes including Make in India, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Startup India, BharatNet, and Standup India.

Details:

• It is under Ministry of Electronics and Information
  • Digital India Mission is mainly focused on three areas:
  • Providing digital infrastructure as a source of utility to every citizen.
  • Governance and services on demand.
  • To look after the digital empowerment of every citizen.
• There are major nine pillars of Digital India that are mentioned in the table below:

1. Broadband Highways    
2. Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity       
3. Public Internet Access Programme
4. e-Governance     
5. e-Kranti   
6. Information for All
7. Electronics Manufacturing       
8. IT for Jobs
9. Early Harvest Programmes

What is in news : AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) extended in Nagaland for another six months by Home ministry

Armed Forces Special Powers Act

• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament and it was approved by the President on September 11, 1958. It became known as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958.
• The Act came into force in the context of increasing violence in the North-eastern States decades ago, which the State governments found difficult to control.
• AFSPA gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. They have the authority to prohibit a gathering of five or more persons in an area, can use force or even open fire after giving due warning if they feel a person is in contravention of the law.
• If reasonable suspicion exists, the army can also arrest a person without a warrant; enter or search premises without a warrant; and ban the possession of firearms.

Disturbed Areas

• A disturbed area is one which is declared by notification under Section 3 of the AFSPA. It can be invoked in places where the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.
• An area can be disturbed due to differences or disputes between members of different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities.
• The Central Government, or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory can declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs would usually enforce this Act where necessary, but there have been exceptions where the Centre decided to forego its power and leave the decision to the State governments.
• Once declared ‘disturbed’, the region is maintained as disturbed for a period of three months straight, according to The Disturbed Areas (Special Courts) Act, 1976. The government of the state can suggest whether the Act is required in the state or not.

History of Nagaland Insurgency

• The British annexed Assam in 1826, and in 1881, the Naga Hills too became part of British India.
• In 1946 Naga National Council (NNC) was formed under the leadership of Angami Zapu Phizo. It declared Nagaland “an independent state” on August 14, 1947.
• On March 22, 1952, Phizo formed the underground Naga Federal Government (NFG) and the Naga Federal Army (NFA).
• The Government of India sent in the Army to deal with insurgency and, in 1958, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was enacted.
• The Naga Hills, a district of Assam, was upgraded to a Nagaland state in 1963.
• On November 11, 1975, the government got a section of NNC leaders to sign the Shillong Accord, under which this section of NNC agreed to give up arms.
• A group of about 140 members led by Thuingaleng Muivah, who were at that time in China, refused to accept the Shillong Accord, and formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) in 1980.
• In 1988, the NSCN split into NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) after a violent clash. While the NNC began to fade away, the NSCN (IM) came to be seen as the “mother of all insurgencies” in the region.
• NSCN (IM) seeks a “Greater Nagalim” comprising “all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas”, along with Nagaland. That included several districts of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur, as also a large tract of Myanmar

• A movable tunnel aquarium was thrown open to the public at Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in the city on Thursday. The aquatic park, based on the Amazon River concept, will house a wide range of flora and fauna and aquatic animals such as alligator gars, sting rays, eels, sharks, lobsters and snails. Aimed to enhance passenger experience, the aquarium has an entry fee of ₹25 per passenger. The project is a joint initiative of Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation, SWR, and HNi Aquatic Kingdom
• Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari took over as Vice-Chief of the Air Staff on Thursday, while Lt. Gen. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma assumed office as the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Strategy)
• Google India publishes its first transparency report in accordance with the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules (“IT Rules”), 2021
• K.V. Sampath Kumar, 64, editor of Sudharma, reckoned world’s only Sanskrit daily, dies