Defence

Exercise Topchi".

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the exercise Topchi ) + Mains (GS III science and technology)

What's the NEWS

• Using ultra light Howitzers and indigenous Swathi weapon-locating radar, Indian Army demonstrated its artillery firepower at the annual ''Exercise Topchi'' held at Deolali camp in Nashik district
  

• The event took place at the vast firing ranges at Deolali Camp in the morning.

Know! more about the exercise

• It not only showcased the artillery firepower, but also the aviation and surveillance capabilities.
  

• In addition to the gun fire, the display of rockets, missiles, surveillance and target acquisition radars, remotely piloted aircraft and hi-tech equipments was awe-inspiring.
  

• The precision of delivering the explosives in the target area, the coordination and timings of the firepower stunned all those present.
  

• Latest ultra light Howitzer M-777, self-propelled gun K-9 Vajra and indigenous Swathi weapon-locating radar is testimony to the increasing lethality and technical threshold of Army
  

• The Army's aviation assets included the indigenous advanced light helicopter, light combat helicopter, Cheetah & Chetak helicopters, it added.

 Ultra Light Howitzer M777

• It is a towed 155 mm artillery piece that is used by the ground forces of Australia, Canada, India and Saudi Arabia.
  

• It is manufactured by BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems division (London, England). It was inducted in the Indian Army on November 9, 2018.
  

 Swathi Weapon Locating Radar

• Swathi Weapon Locating Radar is a mobile artillery locating phased array radar developed by India.
  

• It is a counter-battery radar designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for Counter-battery re.
  

• It has been developed by DRDO's Bangalore based laboratory, LRDE and the Government owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

 

National Events

Cabinet approves Introduction of Registration of Marriage of NRI Bill 2019

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the amendment in NRI bill  ) + Mains (GS II India diaspora )

What's the NEWS

• The Union Cabinet has approved the introduction of Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Bill, 2019, for creating more accountability and offering more protection against exploitation of Indian citizens, mostly women by their NRI spouses.
  

• The Bill provides for amendment of the legal framework to act as a deterrent to the erring NRI spouses and creating more accountability and offer protection against exploitation of Indian Citizens married to NRIs.
  

• Once the Bill is passed, marriages performed by NRIs would be registered in India or Indian Missions & Posts abroad, and necessary changes would be carried out in the:

1.     Passports Act, 1967; and

2.     Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 by insertion of Section 86A.

• Serving Judicial summons for Court proceedings in India is a major problem, which would be taken care of by this Bill by amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
  

• Thus, the Bill would offer great protection to Indian citizens married to NRIs and serve as a deterrent to NRIs against harassment of their spouses. This Bill would benefit Indian women married to NRIs worldwide.
  

Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Finland on Cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the MoU  ) + Mains (GS II bilateral relations )

What's the NEWS

• The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Memorandum of Understanding between India and Finland on cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space
  

Know! the impact of the MoU

• The signed MoU will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space.
  

• Cooperation with the Government of Finland would lead to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity.
  

The Memorandum of Understanding shall enable the following potential interest areas of cooperation such as

o    Remote sensing of the earth

o    Satellite communication and satellite based navigation

o    Space science and planetary exploration

o    Development, testing and operation of space objects and ground system

o    Launching of Finnish Space objects by Indian launch vehicles

o    Processing and use of space data

o    Developing innovative applications and solutions based on space technologies and use of artificial intelligence

o    Cooperation around emerging New Space opportunities and data ecosystems and sustainable used of outer space.

Social Issues

Cabinet approves Extension of tenure of the National Commission for SafaiKarmacharis beyond 31.3.2019 for three year

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about NCSK   ) + Mains (GS II welfare scheme for vulnerable section of population )

What's the NEWS

• The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for Extension of tenure of the National Commissionfor SafaiKarmacharis(NCSK) beyond 31.3.2019 for three years.
  

Know! more about NCSK

• The NCSK was established in the year 1993 as per the provisions of the NCSK Act 1993 initially for the period upto 31.3.1997.The NCSK Act ceased to have effect from 29.2.2004. After that the tenure of the NCSK has been extended as a non-statutory body from time to time. The tenure of the present Commission is upto 31.3.2019.
  

• The major beneficiaries of the proposal would be the SafaiKaramcharis and persons engaged in manual scavenging in the country since the NCSK will work for their welfare and upliftment.
  

• The NCSK has been giving its recommendations to the Government regarding specific programmes for welfare of SafaiKaramcharis, study and evaluate the existing welfare programmes for SafaiKaramcharis, investigate cases of specific grievances etc.
  

• Also as per the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, the NCSK has been assigned the work to monitor the implementation of the Act, tender advice for its effective implementation to the Centre and State Governments and enquire into complaints regarding contravention/non-implementation of the provisions of the Act.
  

Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS)

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about CLCS-TUS  ) + Mains (GS III economic development )

What's the NEWS

• The government approved a three-year extension of the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme for MSMEs with total outlay of 2,900 crore.
  

• The scheme has been approved for continuation beyond thethe 12th five-year Plan for three years from 2017-18 to 2019.
  

Know! more about CLCS-TUS

• This scheme aims at improving the competitiveness of MSMEs by integrating various ongoing schematic interventions aimed at up-grading technology through Credit Linked Capital Subsidy (CLCS), hand holding for zero defect zero effect manufacturing (ZED), increasing productivity through waste reduction (Lean), design intervention (Design), cloud computing (Digital MSMEs), facilitation of intellectual property (IPR) and nurturing new ideas (Incubation).

 Zero Defect & Zero Effect,

• In addition, the scheme through Zero Defect & Zero Effect, component will promote reduction in emission level of green house gases and improve the competitiveness through reduction in defect / wastage during the manufacturing process of the products.
  

• It will also promote the innovation, digital empowerment of MSMEs, design interventions and support the protection of intellectual property of MSMEs.
  

• The scheme will facilitate technology up-gradation to MSEs, improvement in Quality of products by MSMEs, enhancement in productivity, reduction in waste and shall promote a culture of continuous improvement.

 

AYUSH

AYUSH Minister launches e-AUSHADHI portal for Online Licensing System of AYUSH Medicine

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the portal   ) + Mains (GS II development in the field relating to health )

What's the NEWS

• e-AUSHADHI portal is intended for increased transparency, improved information management facility, improved data usability and increased accountability.
• The Minister informed that timelines will be fixed for processing of application through this portal with SMS and e-mail status updates at each step of the process.
• This new e-portal is an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Automated Drug Help Initiative.
• This new e-portal is an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Automated Drug Help Initiative.
• This portal will not only aid the licensing authority , manufactures and consumers, as it will provide real time information of the licensed manufactures and their products, cancelled and spurious drugs, contact details of the concerned authority for specific grievances.

 

Social Issues

National Policy for Domestic Workers

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the Policy   ) + Mains (GS II social justice )

What's the NEWS

• The Central Government has not enacted any separate law to protect the interest of domestic worker,the Ministry of Labour & Employment is considering to formulate a National Policy on Domestic Workers which is in the draft stage.

The salient features of the proposed draft National Policy on Domestic Workers are as under:

(i) Inclusion of Domestic Workers in the existing legislations.

(ii) Domestic workers will have the right to register as unorganized   workers. Such registration will facilitate their access to rights & benefits.

(iii) Right to form their own associations/unions

(iv) Right to minimum wages, access to social security

(v) Right to enhance their skills

(vi) Protection of Domestic Workers from abuse and exploitation

(vii) Domestic Workers to have access to courts, tribunals for grievance redressal

(viii) Establishment of a mechanism for regulation of private placement agencies.

(ix)  Establishment of a grievance redressal system for domestic workers.

 

The Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act, 2008

·        The Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act, 2008 has been enacted for providing social security to all unorganized workers including domestic workers.

• The Act provides formulation of social security schemes viz life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits & old age protection.
• The State Governments are mandated under the Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act, 2008 to formulate suitable welfare schemes for the unorganized sector workers including domestic workers relating to provident fund, employment injury benefits housing, education schemes for children, skill up gradation of workers, financial assistance & old age homes.

Infrastructure Development

National Gas Grid

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about National gas grid) + Mains ( GS III infrastructure development - energy )

What's the NEWS

• The Union Government has envisaged the development of the National Gas Grid.

• The government is implementing various projects of about 14,239 Km gas pipelines which would add to the existing 16,788 Km natural gas pipeline.

Development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network

• Under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has been recognised as the authority to grant authorization to the entities for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in Geographical Areas.
  

• Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board identifies the geographical areas for authorizing the development of the CGD network in synchronization with the development of natural gas pipeline connectivity/ natural gas availability.

Objectives of the National Gas Grid

• To remove regional imbalance within the country with regard to access for natural gas and provide clean and green fuel throughout the country.
  

• To connect gas sources to major demand centres and ensure availability of gas to consumers in various sectors.
  

• Development of City Gas Distribution Networks in various cities for the supply of CNG and PNG.
  

• The National Gas Grid together with providing gas connections to households will provide better infrastructure for automobiles using gas.
  

• The National Gas Grid will also aid in renewing of the fertilizer sector and also give a boost to the Power and Automotive sector.

 

Prelims Practise Question

Consider the following statement

1.The Ministry of Ayush has launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, for online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and related matters

2.The National commission for Safai Karamchar is a non-statutory body which givesits recommendations to the Government regarding specific programmes for welfare of Safai Karamcharis

Find the correct statement from the option given below

a.     1 only

b.     2 only

c.      Both

d.     none

 

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