This page contains "17th July 2018" current affairs analysis from different newspapers and magazines like The Hindu, Indian express, PIB and Yojna.
Quality and relevance are two key features considered while writing the content, all the topics are based on the pattern of previously asked questions in exams like UPSC CSE, IAS, State PCS, SSC, Banks PO and likewise competitive exams.
Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013
Why in news ?
The supreme court has asked the centre to file an affidavit in next 10 days, detailing the steps taken by government to appoint a Lokpal.
Development so far In Lokpal appointment
Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 was passed in 2014, but is not implemented yet because the act has a provision of having the leader of opposition in the Lokpal selection committee.
There was no Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the 16th Lok Sabha and hence centre kept on saying that in absence of LoP 'lokpal selection committee' is incomplete and that is delaying the Lokpal appointment.
Centre also suggested that in order to go ahead with the act, the act has to be amended to replace "Leader of opposition" in selection committee with leader of "single largest Opposition party". However in April 2017, SC clarifies that the ACT can be implemented in its present form without any amendment, and appointment process need not be stalled just because of the absence of the LoP.
Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013
Lokpal and Lokayukta Act was introduced in parliament in 2013, and was passed in 2014 after a long detailed discussion, the act is one of the most discussed act of Indian Parliament.
The ACT is an anti corruption act for the establishment of an institution of Lokpal to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for matters connecting them.
The act extends to whole of India, including Jammu & Kashmir and is applicable to "public servants" within and outside India. The act mandates for creation of Lokpal for Union and Lokayukta for states.
Lokpal is a multi member body consisting of a Chairman and a maximum of 8 other members. Out of the maximum eight members, half should be judicial members and there must be at least 50% members from SC/ST/OBC and Women. The chairman and other members has to be appointed by President on the recommendation of a selection committee, the selection committee consists of following members:
1) Prime Minister (Chairperson)
2) Speaker of Lok Sabha
3) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
4) Chief Justice of India or a Judge nominated by him / her
5) One eminent jurist
The term of office for Lokpal Chairman and Members is 5 years or till attaining age of 70 years. The source of salary for Lokpal and Members is Consolidated Fund of India.
Granting visa process liberalised for minorities from three nations
In a bid to curb corruption and money extortion involved in "Visa extension, Visa transfer and grant of Citizenship in India" for minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afganistan, the Home Ministry has come up with liberalised process for granting long-term visas (LTVs) to them.
Under the initiative the security clearance time limit of applicants has been reduced from 45 days to 21 days. An application is forwarded to three agencies for verification - 1) State government, 2) Intelligence Bureau and the 3) Home Ministry. State governments has to pass the application within 21 days, otherwise the application will be deemed to be cleared.
Visa facility for persecuted Hindus from Pakistan was started in 2011 and further liberalised in 2014.
What is Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2015 ?
In 2015, Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Afghanistan nationals who came to India on or December 31, 2014 and belonging to the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian and Jain communities got concessions from the government regarding their stay in India without proper documents or expiry of documents. These persons were also allowed to register properties and take up employment in all Indian states except Assam.
The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2015 was proposed to grant citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis, Christians and Buddhists from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who came to India before 2014.
The bill was strongly opposed in Assam saying, the move will pave the way for granting citizenship to illegal Hindu immigrants from Bangladesh in Assam and that is in violation of the Assam Accord, 1985.
PM inaugurated Bansagar Dam project
What is Bansagar Dam project ?
Bansagar Dam project, recently inaugurated by Indian PM, is a joint venture (JV) between Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Governments. The project also includes a bridge over the Ganga in Chunar and a medical college.
It is multipurpose river valley project built on Son River situated in Ganges Basin in Madhya Pradesh. The total network of canal from the dam is 171 KM long.
Mirzapur Medical College, 100 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras and bridge over Ganga River at Balughat, Chunar were also inaugurated during the event. The bridge will facilitate connectivity between Mirzapur and Varanasi.
Bansagar Dam project will provide big boost to irrigation in the region, benefiting 1 lakh 70 thousand farmers of Mirzapur and Allahabad districts of Uttar Prade.
IFFCO iMandi - Ecommerce APP
What is IFFCO iMandi ?
IFFCO iMandi is an e-commerce platform launched by IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited) in partnership with Singapore-based technology firm iMandi. Launched with a cost of 80 crore rupees, the app will be a 'one stop shop' for agri inputs and produce, FMCG, electronics, loans, insurance etc.
IFFCO iMandi will help 5.5 crore farmers those are already associated with the cooperative. IFFCO eBazar Ltd an IFFCO subsidiary will hold 26% shares while remaining 74 % shares are with I-tech Holdings and some other investors.
The app launched in Chandigarh also have a web portal associated with it to address all needs of the farming community is available for download at Play Store and App Store for Android and iOS phones and can be accessible on web at www.iffcoimandi.in.
In order to keep the farmer engaged the app also have features like communication (chat and calling), entertainment and information/advisory content apart from buy-sell interface.
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