NATIONAL OCTOBER 2016

NATIONAL OCTOBER 2016

• Haryana issues notification changing name of Gurgaon
  Gurgaon city has now officially been renamed Gurugram. More than six months after the process to rename the city was initiated, the Haryana Government has now issued a gazette notification to this effect. However, the process to rename Gurgaon district is still in pipeline and it may take another week for it to be notified. 
  
  The notification to change the name of Gurgaon city had been sent for printing after the Haryana Government got a No-Objection Certificate from the Union Government in this regard earlier October, 1st week, 2016. However, the Haryana Cabinet approval to change the name of Gurgaon district came only on October 18 delaying the process to rename it. 
  
• Maoist encounter on Odisha-Andhra border
   Maoists suffered their biggest setback in an area where they have notched up some of their biggest successes in recent years. Twenty four Maoist cadres – among them some of the big guns of the dreaded Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of the CPI (Maoist) — lay dead at the end of the encounter with a joint team of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha police. 
  
  It was this remote, rugged, forested terrain known as the ‘cut off’ area – a cluster of some 150 villages separated from the mainland by two reservoirs — that the Maoists had made their home for over a decade now. Situated in the tri-junction of three states – Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh – it was an area where the writ of the state simply did not run and Maoists did as they pleased till recently. The densely forested area made it possible for the Maoists to roam freely from one state to the other even as it made it difficult for security forces to enter the area. 
  
  Though killing of tribals on suspicion of being police informers and attacks on public assets like mobile towers and construction sites have continued intermittently, it has been clear for some time now that the Maoist hold on the area is slackening. The biggest proof of the dwindling clout of the Red rebels in the area is the frenetic pace at which work on a 918 metre bridge over river Gurupriya, a project that has had to be abandoned repeatedly in the last few years due to stiff opposition from Maoists, has been progressing in recent months. 
  
  On a visit to the area in June 2016, additional chief secretary UN Behera had boasted that the bridge would be completed before the deadline of September 2017. Once completed, the bridge would connect the ‘cut off’ area to mainland Malkangiri by road, making it easier for security forces to reach there – the main reason the Maoists have opposed it all these years. 
  
• Five probe reports submitted to SIT on black money: Supreme Court
  Five reports on the probe against Indians whose names have figured in the Panama papers for allegedly holding bank accounts in foreign countries, have been filed before the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on blackmoney. 
  
  The reports were filed by a Multi-Agency Group (MAG), comprising officials of CBDT, RBI, FIU and ED. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy was informed by the probe agencies that SIT was looking into the matter.The bench posted the matter for further hearing on November 24, after the petitioner advocate M L Sharma said he was not well. 
  
  On October 3, the apex court was told by the Department of Economic Affairs that an undisclosed income of about Rs 8,186 crore has been brought under the tax ambit despite non-sharing of any information by the Swiss authorities. 
  
  The Centre, which had sought dismissal of the PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into Panama paper leaks, said about Rs 1,282 crore has been levied in 159 cases pertaining to concealment of tax due to the government. 
  
  So far, 164 prosecution complaints have been filed in 75 cases. The apex court-appointed SIT on blackmoney has been kept updated on the progress in these investigations. 
  
  The Finance Ministry has refused to respond to the allegations relating to an interim plea of advocate M L Sharma seeking a direction that the offshore portfolio investors, who invest in the Indian stock market through participatory-notes, should not be allowed to withdraw money till further orders. 
  
  It said the issue related to market regulator Sebi which was the competent authority in this regard. The ministry had also opposed the contention raised in the PIL that re-appointment of U K Sinha as Sebi chief was illegal and hence should be quashed. 
  
  Seeking dismissal of the PIL, it had said the SIT on blackmoney has been kept informed on regular basis about the development made in the probe. 
  
  The PIL had sought a court-monitored CBI probe into the Panama papers leak which contained an unprecedented amount of information, including more than 11 million documents covering 2,10,000 companies in 21 offshore jurisdictions. 
  
  Each transaction spanned different jurisdictions and may involve multiple entities and individuals. The plea also suggested that a direction be given to CBI to lodge FIR and conduct investigation against the SEBI chairman, his associates and share brokers for alleged offences, including under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act. 
  
  The petition had alleged that Panama papers included the names of nearly 500 Indians, including celebrities and industrialists, who have allegedly parked funds in offshore accounts in transactions brokered by the law firm. 
  
• Centre amends election rules, armed forces to now get e-postal ballots
  The Centre has amended the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 enabling service voters, including armed forces personnel, to cast their vote in elections through e-postal ballot. Under this system a blank postal ballot paper would be transmitted to them electronically. This would cut short the delay experienced in the present system in two-way transmission of ballot paper by the postal services. 
  
  The technical team of the Election Commission has developed the system to transmit blank postal ballot electronically to the voter. Voters entitled to postal ballot such as service voters, can download the postal ballot and print the blank postal ballot and after marking his vote in the blank postal ballot would return the same to the concerned Returning Officer by post as in the present system of postal ballot. 
  
  The Commission proposed that the all the categories of voters eligible for postal ballot may be allowed to cast their votes through this new system. However, on a pilot basis, the e-postal ballot system has been introduced for service voters consisting of central para military forces, other forces subject to the provisions of the Army Act, armed forces of a State serving outside that State and those employed under the Central Government in a post outside India. 
  
• CABE to form panel to promote Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme
  The Central Advisory Board of Education, CABE has decided to form a Sub-Committee under the Chairpersonship of Telangana Education Minister Kadiyam Shrihari for the promotion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme in the country. 
  
  The decision was taken at the 64th meeting of CABE, the highest advisory on education matters which was chaired by Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar. 
  
  The Sub- Committee will also look into the issues of girl education. States have recommended allowing them to review no detention policy. Under the no-detention policy, the students up to Class 8 are automatically promoted to the next class without being held back even if they do not get a passing grade in their examinations. 
  
  The Central government may bring in suitable amendment for this purpose. It was decided to codify it and will be incorporated in the Right to Education rules so that the level of standard of each class could be specified. He said, there should be accountability of all the stakeholders in improving learning outcomes. It was decided in the meeting that the task of completing the training of untrained teachers will be completed within next five years. He said, there are five lakh untrained teachers in schools which will be trained. 
  
• Supreme Court refuses to re-examine its 1995 verdict on Hindutva
  The Supreme Court on 25th October said, it will not re-examine its 1995 verdict on Hindutva at this stage as it is not the reference for hearing electoral malpractice issue. 
  
  A seven-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, said the court will not go into the larger debate as to what is Hindutva or what is its meaning and will not re-consider the 1995 judgement. The apex court is hearing a matter related to electoral malpractices arising out of its 1995 judgement, popularly known as the 'Hindutva' verdict. 
  
  Social activist Teesta Setalvad had sought to intervene in the matter with an application stating that religion and politics should not be mixed and a direction be passed to de-link religion from politics. 
  
• Govt launches Biotech-KISAN scheme to empower farmers, especially women
  Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on 26th October launched new initiatives Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network) to empower farmers, especially women. Under the scheme, fellowship will be given to women farmers for training and education in the farm practice. 
  
  According to Dr Harsh Vardhan, the aim of the initiative is to connect farmers, scientist and science institution across the country. Biotech-KISAN will connect farmers to best global practices, training workshop in India and other countries. 
  
  The scheme also aims at addressing individual problem of the smallholding farmers by providing solution. The scheme will be implemented in 15 agro-climatic zones of India in phased manner with the objective of linking new technology to the farm by understanding the problem of the local farmer.
  
• Cabinet approves setting up of National Academic Depository
  Union Cabinet on 27th October approved setting up of a National Academic Depository (NAD) for school learning certificates, degrees and other academic awards of Higher Education Institutions, on the pattern of a Securities Depository. 
  
  It aims at bringing another dimension and enhancement of the vision of Digital India. The NAD will be established and operationalised within the next three months and rolled out throughout the country in 2017-18. 
  
  Under it, academic institutions will be responsible for the authenticity of data digitally uploaded by them into the system. The depositories will ensure the integrity of the data in the NAD. 
  
  The NAD will register educational institutions, boards, students and other users as well as verifying entities like banks, employer companies, government agencies and academic institutions. 
  
  It will provide digital or a printed copy of the academic award with security features to the students or other authorized users. The NAD will verify academic awards online on the request initiated by any authorized user. In his Budget Speech, Finance Minister had incorporated this commitment to establish a Digital Depository. 
  
• Approval for New Indian institute of science education and research
  The Cabinet also gave its ex-post facto approval for establishment and operationalization of new Indian Institute of Science Education and Research at Berhampur, Odisha. The establishment of the Institute at temporary campus from the Academic Year 2016-17 will involve a cost of over I52 crore rupees for the initial three years. 
  
• Pak official held on espionage case
  Delhi Police busting an espionage ring whose 'kingpin' is a Pakistan high commission official on 27th October. The government declared Mehmood Akhtar persona non grata after he was nabbed buying classified documents from two men from Rajasthan at the Delhi zoo. Indian officials found that Akhtar enjoyed immunity even though he wasn't a diplomatic passport holder. 
  
  Besides Maulana Ramzan Khan and Subhash Jangid who were nabbed from the zoo, Akhtar was in touch with Shoaib from Rajasthan. An FIR under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act has been registered against the accused, joint commissioner (crime) Ravindra Yadav said. A hunt for at least 10 people, including defence personnel who allegedly leaked the documents, is on. 
  
  Pakistan retaliated by declaring a staffer in the Indian high commission in Islamabad, Surjit Singh, persona non grata. Pakistani foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry summoned Indian high commissioner Gautam Bambawale and asked him to ensure that Singh left Islamabad in 48 hours. Pakistan accused Singh of espionage and said his activities violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and established diplomatic norms. 
  
  The fresh row comes at a time when the Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers are involved in exchange of heavy fire on the international border in the Jammu sector. It also seems to have put paid to the possibility of a high-level engagement in December on the sidelines of Afghanistan-related Heart of Asia conference. 
  
  Despite its high-decibel campaign to isolate Islamabad diplomatically India extended an invite to the, Pakistan foreign ministry to participate in the meeting to be attended by foreign ministers of 14 countries. Pakistan confirmed its participation but has not yet officially said if Sartaj Aziz, who is advisor to PM Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, will come to India. 
  
• One-Man Judicial Panel submits report on OROP
  The one-man judicial committee on One Rank One Pension submitted its report to the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi on 26th October. The Government had appointed the committee under the Chairmanship of Justice L Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. 
  
  The judicial committee had held hearings in around 20 cities / towns across the country and interacted with cross sections of Ex-Servicemen as well as their associations. 
  
  The committee also received over 700 representations from individuals and various Ex-Servicemen associations and had held extensive interactions with all stakeholders before submitting its report. 
  
• Inter State Council, Standing Committee reconstituted
  The Government has reconstituted the Inter State Council and the Standing Committee of the Inter State Council. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the chairman of the council where all states Chief Ministers are members. Six Union Ministers including Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, M Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari and Manohar Parrikar are also members. 
  
  There are 10 permanent invitees to the council including Suresh Prabhu and Ramvilas Paswan. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the chairman of the standing committee of the Inter State Council. The Standing Committee wil have continuous consultation and process matters for consideration of the Council. It will also process all matters pertaining to Centre State Relations before they are taken up for consideration in the Inter-State Council. 
  
• Armed forces are answerable to government: Supreme Court
  The Supreme Court on 28th October said, Armed forces are answerable to the government otherwise there will be martial law in the country. A bench of Justices Amitava Roy and U U Lalit made this observation as it dismissed a plea seeking action against Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for allegedly interfering and claiming credit for the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army in PoK. 
  
  Advocate M L Sharma, who had filed the plea, said that Union Ministers including the Defence Minister had been claiming credit for the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army, for which they are not entitled to because as per the provisions of the Constitution, the President is the head of the armed forces. He alleged that the armed forces' action was being used for the personal interests of a few. The court said the plea was not maintainable and hence dismissed. 
  
• No deadlock in appointment of judges: Supreme Court
  Supreme Court on 28th October said, there should not be a deadlock in appointment of judges. In an open court hearing, a three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice Thakur accused the government of trying to stall the appointment procedure of Judges. 
  
  Chief Justice said that no action has been taken for the past nine months since a Constitution Bench scrapped the NJAC law and asked the government to frame a new Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for Judicial Appointments. 
  
• Govt launches 'Mission Madhumeha through Ayurveda' 
  On 28th October is first National Ayurveda Day. The theme for the day is Prevention and Control of Diabetes through Ayurveda. The government on 28th October launched 'Mission Madhumeha through Ayurveda' on the occasion of National Ayurveda Day in New Delhi. 
  
  The Mission Madhumeha will be implemented throughout the country through a specially designed National Treatment Protocol for effective management of Diabetes through Ayurveda. 
  
• Govt to set up 10 new groups of Secretaries to focus on governance issues
  Government is setting up ten new groups of Secretaries which will focus on governance issues related to sectors including agriculture, energy and transport. 
  
  The group will submit their reports by the end of November, 2016. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Secretaries in New Delhi on 27th October and asked them to undertake a critical review of the work done by the government in the respective sectors that they will be studying. 
  
  The team of Secretaries has the collective wisdom and experience to create policies to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people. The Prime Minister exhorted them to put their best to the task ahead. During the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary made a brief presentation on the work done so far, as a follow up to the reports presented by the eight Groups of Secretaries to the Prime Minister in January 2016. 
  
• United Nations commemorates Diwali for the first time
  United Nations commemorated festival of lights Diwali for the first time. The facade of the UN headquarters was lit in bright hues and the words 'Happy Diwali', along with the image of a traditional 'diya', projected onto the building. 
  
  The UN Secretariat building will be lit up for Diwali from October 29-31. Earlier in June, the UN building was lit up on the occasion of the International Yoga Day. 
  
• Govt to use postal network for distribution of subsidized pulses
   The Government has decided to use postal network for distribution of subsidized pulses. The decision was taken in the Inter Ministerial Committee on prices of essential commodities headed by Union Consumer Affairs Secretary, Hem Pande in New Delhi on 15th October. 
  
  The committee reviewed availability and prices of essential commodities specially pulses and suggested that in the absence of government outlets in the states, postal networks should be used for the distribution. 
  
  It was observed that the prices of pulses are declining, while prices of some of the other commodities are stable. The committee also decided to release more Chana from buffer stock to ensure availability at reasonable prices during ongoing festival season. 
  
  It also reviewed procurement arrangements of Kharif pulses by government agencies. It was informed that so far 500 procurement centres have been opened and farmers are being paid through check or bank transfer instantly. 
  
• BIMSTEC countries express commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms
  The BIMSTEC countries have expressed commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In the BIMSTEC Leaders Retreat Outcome Document, the seven nations-Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand, emphasised that there can be no justification for acts of terror. 
  
  They strongly condemned the recent terror attacks in the region. The seven nation bloc expressed belief that states who encourage and support terror, and provide sanctuary to terrorists, should be identified, and held accountable. 
  
  They called for strong measures against such states. They recognised the need for urgent measures to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization. 
  
  The nations renewed their commitment to the early conclusion of BIMSTEC Free Trade Area negotiations, and direct the Trade Negotiating Committee and Working Groups to expedite the finalization of its constituent Agreements. 
  
  They also committed to expedite the signing of the BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, and to early ratification of the BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking. 
  
  The BIMSTEC nations resolved to strengthen cooperation to protect and preserve the environment. They stressed the necessity of pursuing sustainable development and of the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. 
  
  They recognized that cooperation in sustainable development of fisheries in Bay of Bengal region can make a significant contribution towards ensuring food security and improving livelihoods of people. 
  
• Irom Sharmila launches party
  Beginning her political journey, rights activist Irom Sharmila on 18th October announced a new political party. The party, named the Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), will contest the Assembly polls in Manipur in 2017. 
  
  Announcing this at the Manipur Press Club, Ms. Sharmila said that she will be contesting from two constituencies in the State, Thoubal and Khurai. While Khurai is her home constituency, Thoubal is the constituency of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. 
  
  She will be the co-convenor of the party, which includes a number of activists and entrepreneurs. Erendro Leichombam, an academician, is the convenor. 
  
  Sharmila has broken her 16-year-long fast for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) on August 9 earlier 2016, had previously announced her decision to test political waters. 
  
• Election Commission supports idea of simultaneous elections
  The Election Commission has welcomed the idea of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Zaidi said that the Commission has told a Parliamentary committee and the Law Ministry that such an exercise can be undertaken once political parties are unanimous in amending the Constitution and the poll panel's demands like buying new EVMs are met. 
  
  Believing it to be a positive step towards electoral reforms, the Election Commission has supported the idea of holding simultaneous elections to the Parliament and State Assemblies. 
  
  The Commission's remarks are significant against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently pitching for concurrent polls to panchayats, urban local bodies, states and the Parliament to reduce expenditure substantially. 
  
  Consequently, the Law Ministry had sought suggestion from Election Commission on feasibility of holding simultaneous elections. In its response to Law Ministry, the Commission had supported the idea. Besides, the experts too believe that such a system could ensure political and administrative stability. Elections in many states in different times restrict and affect the administrative works. 
  
  Doing away with the several separate elections every year is likely to reduce expenditure substantially. It would free up large numbers of security personnel and other staff, besides, reducing disturbance from political rallies. Following country's independence, simultaneous polls were held on four occasions in the country. However, the system changed after that. 
  
  With Election Commission's expression of willingness to hold simultaneous polls, one can hope that idea of holding simultaneous elections to the Parliament and State Assemblies will be put into practice in coming days. 
  
• Reallocation only for Telangana and AP: Krishna Tribunal
  The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar has decided to confine the reallocation of Krishna water between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 
  
  In its verdict delivered on 19th October, the KWDT-II decided to maintain status quo on the allocation made to upper riparian States Maharashtra and Karnataka and take up further action on distribution of water to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh out of the allocation made to the erstwhile united State. The tribunal had given four weeks time to the two States to file their views and objections and posted the next hearing to December 14. 
  
  The verdict would mean that the project specific allocations and other operational protocols would be confined to the two States much against their demand that allocations be made afresh among the four riparian States. It comes in the light of forceful pleas submitted by the two States on the need to reallocate water among the four States consequent on the bifurcation of the erstwhile AP. 
  
  They contended that the allocation in 2013 was made before the enactment of the AP Reorganisation Act and that even Parliament had given its endorsement for reconsideration of the allocations made before bifurcation. They claimed they had been disappointed by the verdict as the tribunal did not pay heed to their concerns. 
  
  The two States argued that Section 89 in the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 was implicitly incorporated to ensure reallocation among all the riparian States, but the tribunal maintained that the provision pertained to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The Union Water Resources Ministry too had concurred with the view that the Section was confined to the two States and favoured redistribution of water between them. 
  
• AP topped in wind-power installations in April-September
  As much as 435 MW of wind-power capacity was installed in Andhra Pradesh in April-September 2016. The State accounted for a third of the 1,305 MW installed across the country in the period, according to data from the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association. 
  
• 15% of country's population undernourished
  Highlighting the grim picture of farmers' suicide placed by the NCRB data - stating that so far about 3,08,826 farmers committed suicide from 1995-2014 - representatives of FIAN India, Land and Livelihood Knowledge Activists Hub and Peoples Forum on BRICS said it's high time that BRICS nations focus on impending crisis in agriculture. 
  
  On the occasion of World Bioethics Day - marked on October 19 with the theme Human Rights and Human Dignity - the forum said that despite number of food entitlement programmes, India tops world hunger list with over 15% of the country's population is still undernourished. Nonetheless, more clear human rights approach is still missing when people should have the right to safe and adequate food in dignity to satisfy the basic nutritional needs. 
  
  India also has the world's highest number of malnourished and hungry children, 44% of children under the age of five are underweight and malnourished, and have a higher risk of death from common childhood illness such as diarrhea and pneumonia. About 59% of women are anaemic. Hunger in India is a complex issue as it is widespread and the root causes are different across various sections of the society. 
  
  India has improved its ranking 80 out of 104 in Global Hunger Index in 2015, but fighting hunger remains a challenge as undernourishment and mortality among children and women remain alarmingly high. This means that we are miserably failing and falling short with right to food and nutrition only successfully avoiding hunger deaths but not able to realize the right to food and nutrition in a reality, according to foundation. 
  
  Meanwhile, FIAN India representatives also highlighted the grim picture of farmers' suicides placed by the NCRB data, around 1.7 suicides take place every hour that comes to 42 suicides per day. 
  
  The forum also highlighted that about 52% of the agricultural households in the country are estimated to be indebted. Only 10 per cent of poor and small farmers have got the benefit from farming related schemes. Suicides by farmers touched a grim high in 2015. The year 2015 recorded 2,590 suicides until October - the higher ever since 2001. It went on to register 610 more deaths in just two months of January and February 2016. 
  
• Supreme Court raises series of questions in debate on Hindutva judgment
  The Supreme Court on 20th October asked whether anyone can raise the issue of deaths along the border and seek votes for a particular party. The question was among several raised during a day-long hearing to revisit its two-decade-old 'Hindutva' judgment.