This page contains "20Th 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.
CAATSA, 2+2 talks and worries for India
Indian External Minister and Defence Minister and their counterparts from USA are going to meet at very first meeting of 2+2 dialogue between two countries.
What is 2+2 dialogue ?
Indian and US are planning to conduct a 2+2 dialogue, 2+2 is so named because two ministers (External Affairs and Defence) will attend the talks from both side. During their meetings two sides are expected to strengthen their strategic and security ties and exchange views on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.
US has postponed an earlier instance of meeting to be held in Washington, citing "unavoidable reasons", but a new date has been fixed for the much-awaited dialogue between two countries, to be held in New Delhi.
CAATSA and worries for India
USA already have, CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) in place and have passed National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for 1019 recently for countries having significant defence relations with Russia.
NDAA is passed without any waiver in the Senate version, while previous version passed by the house was having a waivers for 180 days. Even if there were waivers included, it would be tough for India to scale down its relations with Russia.
Way forward
Unfortunately India is stuck in the crossfire of the Trump administration's secondary sanctions against both Russia and Iran.
India is expected to raise its objection against CAATSA during 2+2 talks, as almost all major defence deals between Indian and US would be held up due to this.
What is Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill - 2018 ?
"Fugitive Economic Offender bill 2018", is passed by Lok Sabha, the bill now replace the "Fugitive Economic Offender Ordinance - 2018" promulgated by the President.
Why such a bill is needed ?
There have been many instances of economic offenders fleeing and skipping the jurisdiction of Indian courts. This indicates that existing civil and criminal provisions are not entirely adequate to deal with the severity of the problem, therefore government had to brought the "Fugitive Economic Offender bill 2018" in picture.
What is Fugitive Economic Offender bill - 2018 ?
The "Fugitive Economic Offender bill-2018" empowers a "Special Court" under the "Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002" to declare a person as a "Fugitive Economic Offender" and direct the Central government to confiscate all the assets belonging to the offender.
Confiscated property also includes those assets that are proceeds of the crime and other property belonging to such offender in India and abroad, including benami property.
According to bill a "Fugitive Economic Offender" is one who is trying to avoid criminal proceedings against him in India and has left India to do so, or is already being abroad, refuses to return to India to face the charges.
To ensure that courts are not over-burdened, cases involving 100 crore rupees or more under frauds, cheque dishonour or loan default will be covered under the bill.
Concerned government investigation agencies has to file an application before the Special Court for a declaration that an individual is a fugitive economic offender, than a notice will be issued by the court to alleged individual.
The bill disqualifies a "fugitive economic offender" from availing the "Indian judicial system" for "civil cases". The appointment of an administrator is also mandated under the proposed bill.
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 reintroduced in 2017 was recommended by State Transport Ministry to make Indian roads safer, the bill was passed in Loksabha while still pending in rajya sabha.
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017
The bill provides for a National Road Safety Board and takes into account taxi aggregators, third party insurance, computerisation of licensing authorities etc. The bill also proposes an increase in the existing fines for breaking road rules.
The process of obtaining a driving licence will be online to eradicate the need of a middle man, where driving tests will be automated and learner?s licences will be issued online.
A number of categories has been added regarding driving licence validity, the previous act of 1988 had provisions of DL validity for 20 years until a person turns 50, and for five-year periods after the age of 50.
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 has removed the cap on payments to be made under third-party insurance, the amount was capped in 2016 version of the Bill.
The new bill also has a provision regarding "Vehicle recall", under this rule the manufacturer has to recall defective vehicle posing danger to the environment, the driver or other road users. The manufacturer in such cases has to reimburse full cost of the vehicle or replace the defective vehicle, and if necessary pay a fine as specified by the government.
The old act provided 12,000 Rupees for grievous injury and 25,000 for death, while the amendment bill provides 50,000 Rupees for grievous injury and 2 lakh or more for death.
According to bill an "Aggregator" is defined as "a digital intermediary or market place for a passenger to connect with a driver for the purpose of transportation."
States have earlier used central government rules to formulate their own. However, given the State's jurisdiction on this matter, they should formulate their own policies to use aggregators to their full potential.
Aggregators, now have to be compliant with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the proposed bill also seeks to regulate them.
A new Solatium Fund has been introduced under the new bill, the money for the same will come either from the government, or from a grant or loan. 1988 Act already has a Solatium Fund for victims of hit-and-run accidents.
International Army Games : Moscow
An Indian Army team has reached Moscow to participate in the International Army games, India is participating in two competitions 1) Tank Biathlon, and 2) Elbrus Ring : Elbrus ring is a mountain warfare combat patrol competition, to be held in the vicinity of Elbrus Mountain, Russia.
Russia organises "Army Games" every year, this year has 28 competitions to be held in seven countries including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Iran and Kazakhstan and Russia.
Tanks used by India in last year events broke down in the final stage of the competition due to their old age, last year's tanks used by India were take from the country itself. This year India will be using tanks offered by Russia, Pakistan is also participating while china participating in 18-20 competitions is bringing its own tanks for the games.
India has been participating in the Army Games since its inception and may be selected to host the Army Scout Masters Competition in 2019.
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