Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 15-06-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 15-06-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. India: Society – Rising star Sushant Rajput ends life, reason unknown – Hindi film industry star Sushant Singh Rajput (34), whose boyish charm and emotional range stood out in films that blended realism with the demands of commercial cinema, was found dead in his duplex apartment at Bandra in Mumbai. His body was found around 1.30pm after his domestic help, who tried to wake him up for lunch, found the bedroom door locked and called in a locksmith to open it. Sushant’s stylist and manager were in the flat when the room was opened. Police said he was found hanging. A police team probing the case said the actor, best known for his convincing performances in Kai Po Che and an M S Dhoni biopic, was under treatment for depression and was on medication.
2. Defence/India-Russia Relations – In a first, Indian tri-services team to march in Red Square – In a first, an Indian military contingent, comprising members of all three services, will march through Moscow’s Red Square on June 24. The participation was restricted to the Army in 2015, the only time Indian forces joined the parade. The Russian parade is held every year on Victory Day (May 9), which marks the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945, but has been delayed this year due to Covid. PM Narendra Modi was invited as a special guest for the event this year. With Modi unlikely to attend, the government is hoping to make up for his absence by sending a tri-service contingent to the parade which showcases Russia’s military might. A contingent comprising about 75-80 will leave for Moscow on June 19. President Vladimir Putin had invited Modi for the event during their meeting in Vladivostok last year.
3. International Relations: India-Pak – India objects to harassment of envoys in Pak – After India expelled two Pakistan officials accused of espionage, the situation for Indian diplomats and staff in Islamabad remains tense. With Pakistan looking to enforce reciprocity, the Indian high commission is finding it difficult to resume normal functioning as its diplomats and officials face aggressive surveillance. India registered another protest in the form of a note verbale to Pakistan conveying that this behaviour violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 and the 1992 Code of Conduct that the two countries signed.
4. India: Society – Abuse has increased during lockdown, say 71% of elderly – Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, a survey with focus on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic found 71% elderly respondents are of the opinion that cases of abuse against them increased during the lockdown period and after. A majority 56.1% of the respondents said they were suffering abuse in their families or by society. The forms of abuse include a wide range from disrespect and verbal abuse, silent treatment (not talking to them), ignoring their daily needs, denying proper food, denying medical support, cheating financially, physical and emotional violence and forcing the elderly to work. The survey was steered by volunteers of civil society organisation Agewell Foundation between June 1 to June 12 and is based on responses of 5,000 elderlypeople in different parts of the country.
5. International Relations: India-Nepal – Indo-Nepal border posts missing: SSB officials – Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) officials said that they have informed the home department and the Lakhimpur Kheri district magistrate in Uttar Pradesh about the “missing” pillars on the Indo-Nepal border that served as demarcation. Nepal has also inaugurated five new border outposts in the area where members of ‘Sashastra Prahari Bal’ (Nepal’s armed police force) have been deployed. Meanwhile, in India, all border outposts have been put on high alert, with intensified patrolling.
6. George Floyd Protests – More racial tensions in US after a cop kills another black man –  A white police officer who shot dead a black man in Atlanta, Georgia, was summarily sacked and the city’s white police chief resigned, as racial tensions continued to torment America this weekend more than two weeks into the George Floyd murder protests that have spread across the country. A Wendy’s fast-food joint where the encounter took place was torched by a mob that blocked highways in a city that has a majority black population — in a state that only last week was embroiled in an electoral fiasco with allegations of African-Americans being disenfranchised to facilitate a whitedriven Republican victory.
7. Covid-19 Updates – New wave of cases from Beijing market spreads to Liaoning – After weeks with no news coronavirus infections, Beijing has recorded dozens of new cases in recent days, all linked to a major wholesale food market, raising concerns about a resurgence of the disease.
8. World Politics/Terrorism – Nigeria: Islamic militant attacks in Borno kill dozens – At least 60 people are believed to have been killed in twin attacks in Borno state. Armed militants also attacked a UN humanitarian hub with rocket launchers, reportedly accusing them of being "non-believers." Jihadists connected to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militant group killed at least 20 soldiers and 40 civilians over the weekend in twin attacks in the restive northeast Nigerian state of Borno.
9. Indian Economy – GST mop-up hit by Covid, ‘act of God – Amid the chorus for GST compensation from states, the Centre has conveyed that there is a need to factor in the “abnormal situation” due to the coronavirus pandemic, which it described as an “act of God”, indicating that there was no insurance for 14% growth in GST collections during these times. Three years ago, while introducing GST, the Centre had promised to compensate states for “revenue loss”, if collection growth was under 14% in a year.
10. Indian Economy – Sebi plan faces resistance from promoter-driven cos – The Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (Sebi’s) plan to replace existing concept of promoters with controlling shareholders is facing stiff opposition from promoter-driven companies. The proposal is aimed at creating more professionally managed companies and check the excessive interference of promoters holding minority stake. Several companies are learnt to have given feedback urging the regulator not to go ahead with the move. The proposal was floated in September and the market regulator had referred the matter to its Primary Market Advisory Committee (PMAC). The regulator has also reached out to some industry participants seeking their views.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	CIFT	Project Asst	5	Degree (Fisheries)	June 17, 2020	http://cift.res.in/project-assistant
2	IIHR	Young Professional-II, Skilled Asst, SRF, JRF,	10	10th/ 12th Class, Deg., PG	June 17, 2020	https://www.iihr.res.in/sites/default/files/WEB%20ADVERTISMENT_2.pdf
3	CLRI	Research Associate, SRF, JRF, Project Asst Level II	32	BE/ B.Tech, ME/ M.Tech, MCA, M.Sc	June 25, 2020	https://clrirecruitment.in/Notification_01-2020.pdf
4	NAL	Scientist, Sr Scientist	36	PG	July 13, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-RRC-Eastren-Railway-Cultural-Scouts-Guides-Quota.pdf
5	IIT, Kanpur	Asst Registrar, Catering Manager, Jr. Superintendent	21	10+2, Degree (Engg), Diploma, PG	July 12, 2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-IIT-Kanpur-Assistant-Registrar-Junior-Technician-Other-Posts.pdf
6	WII	Project Manager, Database Operator, Training Ass	9	Degree, PG (Relevant Discipline), Ph.D	--	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/06/Notification-Wildlife-Institute-of-India-WII-Project-Personnel-Post.pdf
7	RMRC, NE Region	Medical Social Worker & Project Technical Officer	7	Degree, PG	June 19, 2020	http://rmrcne.org.in/images/pdf/appoint/adm102_covid19_615.pdf

 

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• SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

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• 1. CONSTITUTION AND LAW (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

1.1 Punjab and Haryana High Court directed Police on racial comments 

• News –

1. The Punjab and Haryana High Court came down heavily upon the Police authorities in the state for using a racial slur while referring to an African national accused in a criminal case under the NDPS Act. The term ‘Nigro’ was used while referring to an African national in the challan papers presented under Section 173 Cr.P.C before the trial court in an NDPS case.

• Observations of Justice Rajiv Narain Raina –  

1. Justice Rajiv Narain Raina observed that, this is a highly offensive word across the globe and no one has any business to use it, and much less the police. He further observed that in India, whose population itself is a pride collation of persons of different skin colors ranging from white to black and aboriginal, persons coming to India from foreign lands must be treated with respect and dignity.
2. He said that this pernicious practice must be stopped forthwith, by taking disciplinary action against the errant officials.

• Directions given to Police –  

1. There is a need to sensitize the Police officers to get rid of the underlying racism.
2. It directed never to use the unprintable word in any police document including in challans.
3. Director General of Police, Punjab to consider the entire issue and notify instructions in this regard to the police force calling upon them never to use the offensive term 'nigro' or 'negro' while referring to "black" persons in case papers.

• Mahatma Gandhi recalled  –

1. Justice Raina also recalled Mahatama Gandhi, and his resonating contribution in the aprtheid movement. Mahatama Gandhi was politically nurtured in South Africa for two decades pioneering the apartheid movement and fighting against colour discrimination and for freedom against black laws as he did for ours in different ways in the freedom struggle.

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• 2. ECONOMY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper

2.1 Rights issue amidst Covid-19 pandemic

• Key point –

1. As per the reports, several companies, including Mahindra finance, Tata Power, Shriram Transport Finance among others plan to raise funds (more than Rs 10,000 crore) through rights issue during the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Success of RIL -

1. It recently concluded its rights issue, raising a total of Rs 53,124 crore and witnessing an oversubscription of 1.59 times or received applications worth over Rs 84,000 crore.
2. This shows that there is investor appetite in the market for good companies with strong credentials at a good price.

• Rights issue -

1. It is a dividend of subscription rights to buy additional securities in a company made to the company's existing security holders.
2. When the rights are for equity securities, such as shares, in a public company, it is a non-dilutive pro rata way to raise capital.

• Why rights issue in current times -

1. For this, there is no requirement of shareholders’ meeting and an approval from the board of directors is sufficient and adequate.
2. The turnaround time for raising this capital is short and is much suited for the current situation. Thus the rights issue are a more efficient mechanism of raising capital.
3. Has SEBI made changes to ease rights issue: Over the last one year, the regulator has undertaken major steps to reform the rights issue process. It also provided some temporary relaxations in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

• Temporary relaxations provided in the wake of Covid-19 by SEBI -

1. It relaxed certain guidelines for right issues that open on or before March 31, 2021.
2. It reduced the eligibility requirement of average market capitalization of public shareholding from Rs 250 crore to Rs 100 crore for a fast track rights issuance
3. It also reduced the minimum subscription requirement from 90 per cent to 75 per cent of the issue size.
4. Also, listed entities raising funds up to Rs 25 crores (erstwhile limit was Rs 10 crores) through a rights issue are now not required to file draft offer document with the regulator.

• Reforms undertaken by SEBI for rights issue -

1. In November 2019, it streamlined the rights issue process and the timelines for completion was significantly reduced from T+55 days to T+31 days — a 40 per cent cut in the time. 
2. It has also reduced the advance notice for the record date from seven working days to three working days. 
3. In January 2020, it laid down the detailed procedure of the improved rights issue process and the dematerialised rights entitlements (RE) framework.
4. Shareholders with small holdings, who were earlier not able to renounce REs for lack of an accessible platform, can renounce and trade their REs easily now.

2.2 NHAI becomes first construction sector organisation to become fully digital with the launch of the ‘Data Lake’ software.

2.3 RBI constituted working group headed by RBI executive director P. K. Mohanty to review private bank shareholding norms.

2.4 EPFO leverages network of CSCs (Common Service Centres) to conduct annual Jeevan Pramaan/life certificate submission for pensioners.

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• 3. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper)

3.1 Indian Gaur in Nilgiris

•  Gaur - 

1. The gaur, Bos gaurus, also called the Indian bison, is one of the largest extant bovines.
2. It is native to South and Southeast Asia and has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986. 
3. It has been listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss but the population is stable in protected areas of South India, particular in Western Ghats and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
4. The global population has been estimated at maximum 21,000 mature individuals by 2016.

• Estimation exercise of Indian gaur - 

1. In February 2020, it was carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division, Tamil Nadu. It revealed that more than an estimated 2,000 Indian gaurs inhabit the entire division.
2. 794 gaurs were directly sighted over a one-week period during the exercise.
3. Habitat fragmentation has been cited as major factor in pushing gaurs into proximity with humans.
4. In 2019, three people were killed and seven others injured by Indian gaur.

• Near human settlements - 

1. It was observed that a majority of the gaurs seen around Kundah, Kotagiri, Coonoor and Kattabettu, preferred to inhabit tea estates and human settlements, while the animals largely avoided forested areas.
2. The reasons for this may be due to the easy availability of food in and around these settlements, the lack of threat from predators, and the spread of invasive flora into reserve forests.
3. It is believed that increasing human pressures are leading to problems - though there were substantial populations of gaurs in other areas, interactions with humans were comparatively less due to native forests being largely free of invasive flora, and land-use patterns also remaining relatively unchanged.

• Gaur deaths - 

1. Around 60 gaurs die every year in the Nilgiris Forest Division, many of them are attributed to accidents related to living close to human habitations.
2. A further gaur census has to be conducted in future to precisely gauge the dynamics of the Indian gaur population in the Nilgiris division.

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• 4. FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

4.1 India-Tanzania relations 

•  Key point - 

1. PM Modi thanked Tanzanian President for assistance in stranded Indians' evacuation from African nation in the wake of Covid-19.

• History -

1. From the 1960s to the 1980s, India and Tanzania had the same view on anti-racism and anti-colonialism.
2. In November 1962, India opened a High commission in Dar es Salaam and consulate general in Zanzibar in October 1974.

• Recent meeting between PM Modi and Tanzania President -

1. PM Modi and Tanzania President expressed contentment at the growing development partnership, educational linkages, trade and investment flows between the two countries, and discussed possibilities of further accelerating these trends.
2. During their telephonic conversation, PM Modi recalled his July 2016 visit to Dar-es-Salaam and stressed on the importance that India attaches to its traditionally friendly ties with Tanzania.
3. PM Modi also said that India is committed to remain a reliable partner for Tanzania's development journey.  
4. PM Modi conveyed his best wishes to President Magufuli and the people of Tanzania for the presidential and parliamentary elections there later this year.
5. India is the biggest trading partner of Tanzania – it comprises 16% of Tanzania’s foreign trade.
6. India is also one of the top five investment sources in Tanzania.

• India’s major exports to Tanzania

1. Intentional attacks against civilians, imprisonment and extra-judicial executions.
2. Torture at secret detention sites operated by the CIA.

• The ICC -

1. Petroleum products, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, motor vehicles, electrical goods, articles of iron and steel, sugar, machinery, etc.

• Tanzania’s major exports to India - 

1. Gold ore, cashew nuts, pulses, timber, spices (mainly cloves), ores and metal scrap, gemstones, etc.

• Bilateral Treaties & Agreements - 

1. Agreement on the establishment of a Joint Trade Committee (2000)
2. MOU for Co-operation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2002)
3. MoU on Exchange of Programme on Co-operation in the field of Education (2003)
4. MOU on Defence Cooperation (2003)
5. Agreement on Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion (2011). Earlier DTAA was signed in 1979.
6. MOU for Cooperation in the field of Hydrography between Tanzania and India & Protocol on exchange of Hydrographic Data (2015)
7. Loan Agreement between Exim Bank and Government of Tanzania on line of credit for US$ 500 million for water supply projects in 17 towns across Tanzania (May 2018).

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• 5. GOVERNMENT SCHEMES (Prelims, GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3)

5.1 Sahakar Mitra: Scheme on Internship Programme

• Key points -

1. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare on June 11 launched Shahakar Mitra: Scheme on Internship Programme, an initiative by National Cooperative Development Cooperation (NCDC).
2. The professional graduates in a discipline such as IT, Agriculture and allied areas, etc. will be eligible for the internship under the scheme.
3. Professionals who are pursuing or have completed their MBA degrees in Cooperation finance, Agri-Business, Forestry, International Trade, Project Management, Rural Development, etc. will also be eligible for the scheme.

• Highlights - 

1. The scheme supports the PM Modi’s call for Atmanirbhar Bharat that emphasizes the importance of vocal for local.
2. The scheme will give an opportunity to the young professionals of practical exposure as well as learning from the working of NCDC and cooperatives as a paid intern.
3. NCDC has also come up with a complementary scheme to promote start-up cooperative ventures.
4. Sahakar Mitra will also provide professionals from academic institutions with an opportunity to develop leadership and entrepreneurial roles through cooperatives as Farmers Producers Organizations (FPO).
5. The scheme is expected to help cooperative institutions to gain access to the new and innovative ideas of young professionals, while in return the interns will get experience of working in the field and will be get confidence to be self-reliant.

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Not Available Today

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 Pedestrianisation in market places

• News –

1. The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has recommended holistic planning for pedestrian friendly market spaces in various cities and municipal areas in the country in consultation with stake holders.

• Suggested steps –

1. Selection of Market Location – Cities with population more than one million may select at least 3 market places and notify them for Pedestrianisation.  Non Million plus cities may select at least  one market area for pedestrianisation.
2. Holistic Planning of the Area – The planning for pedestrian friendly market space may be doe in consultation with the stake holders – Vendors, Municipal officers, Traffic police, parking facility owners, Shop owners and consumers.  Plan could be made keeping the trees and other greens intact, adding tree canopy to improve walkability with clear spaces demarcated for vending, waste collection and access to toilet facilities.
3. Once the plan is made and firmed up cities may start implementation n two phases – short term and long term.  
4. Short-term recommendations include interventions that are quick, temporary, east to install, ad ensure safety to commuters after the lockdown. On-street parking space or even carriageway lanes can be repurposed to provide more walking and waiting space. Cyclists may be allowed with dedicated/ear-marked pathways. Municipal Bodies may increase the width of foot paths of the streets leading to the market.
5. Long term permanent structures for promoting pedestrianisation can be developed after temporary short-term measures are found working.

• Significance -

1. As cities look to ease the lockdown and provide safe, affordable and equitable modes of transport while ensuring physical social distancing, the need for pedestrianisation of market spaces through walking and cycling friendly cities is of utmost importance.
2. The pandemic COVID-19 presents us with an opportunity to reimagine streets for people.
3. To make market areas COVID-19 safe and people-friendly, the need of the hour is for Indian cities to consider pedestrianizing them.

• Conclusion -

1. Even before COVID-19 hit the world, a few Indian cities like Chennai, Pune and Bangalore started transforming into people-friendly cities.  Over the last five years, Chennai has implemented more than 100 km of pedestrian-friendly streets across the city, including a pedestrian plaza at the commercial heart of the city.

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• 8. SOCIAL ISSUES (Prelims, GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2)

8.1 Remdesivir included in ‘investigational therapy’ for restricted emergency use on Covid-19 patients: Health Ministry

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• 9. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3)

9.1 Indian-American Soil Scientist Rattan Lal wins World Food Prize 2020

•  Highlights -

1. Indian-American soil scientist Dr Rattan Lal wins World Food Prize — ‘Nobel’ of agriculture.
2. Dr Rattan Lal's model could help restore soil health, more than double global annual grain yield and decrease the land area under grain cultivation along with fertilizer use.
3. The World Food Prize is considered equivalent to the Nobel Prize in the field of agriculture, and the recipient is awarded $250,000 for improving the quality and availability of food.
4. Dr Lal’s contribution to soil conservation also increased the global food supply by helping small farmers improve their soil’s health.
5. Rattan Lal’s research led to improved food production along with a better understanding of how atmospheric carbon can be held in the soil to help combat climate change.

• Key indications -

1. Dr Lal’s model indicates that restoring soil health can lead to multiple benefits by the year 2100, including more than doubling the global annual grain yield to feed the growing world population, while decreasing the land area under grain cultivation by 30 per cent and decreasing fertilizer use by half.

• World Food Prize -

1. It was established by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Norman Borlaug in 1986.
2. The foundation is based in Des Moines, Iowa in US
3. And, the first recipient of this award was Indian agricultural scientist Dr M.S. Swaminathan in 1987, regarded as the father of India’s Green Revolution.

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• 10. FACTS, CHARTS, RANKINGS and EDITORIALS (Prelims + GS Mains)

10.1 Not Available Today

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• Women in Peacekeeping: A Key to Peace was the theme of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers observed in May 2020.
• An automated respiratory assist device named ‘Sundaram Ventago’ has been jointly developed by TVS Group, Sundaram Medical Foundation and IIT-Madras.
• The headquarters of UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) is at Rome.
• International Day of Conscience was celebrated by the United Nations in April 2020.
• Singapore is hosting the World Cities Summit in July 2020.

10.3 Today's best editorials to read

• We offer you 7 excellent editorials from across 10 newspapers we have scanned. 

CLICK HERE TO OPEN AND READ!

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• SECTION 3 - MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

Solve the online quiz given, right now. Check scores, and relative performance!

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