4Th July 2018 : Daily Current Affairs - UPSC CSE/IAS and State PSC

This page contains "4th 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.

Delhi govt vs lieutenant governor (LG) issue

Why in news ?
Supreme court is going to deliver verdict on Delhi Government-LG tussle, the pleas was filed by Delhi government against a Delhi High Court judgement holding the Lieutenant-Governor as the administrative head of the Capital.

In 1991, Delhi got special status to have its own democratically elected government and legislative assembly, this was done through 69th constitutional amendment.

In order to provide some kind of voice and governance to Delhi people, Article 239AA was added to constitution mandates that a Council of Ministers shall aid and advice the LG in his functions regarding laws made by the Legislative Assembly.

The whole controversy is moving around a proviso to Article 239AA (4), which mandates that "In case of any dispute between Delhi Government and LG, the later will inform the matter to President and by the time President has not taken any action and if the matter is urgent; LG can use its discretion powers to take immediate action"
Discuss: Delhi govt vs lieutenant governor (LG) issue



What is Project Sashakt ?

Why in news ?
A high-level committee headed by Sunil Mehta on "Restructuring stressed assets and creating more value for public sector banks (PSBs)" has submitted its report to Finance Minsiter Pitush Goyal.

What is "Project Sashakt"

The committee contains "no" recommendation for creation of a "Bad Bank" and suggest a transparent market-based solution with a focus on asset turnaround to ensure job protection and creation. According to report "Project Sashakt" is to ensure the operational turnaround of the banks and stressed companies so that the asset value is retained.

Five-pronged resolution processes suggested by the committee will bring in credible long term capital to limit the burden on the domestic banking sector while preventing similar build-up of non-performing loans in the future using robust governance and credit architecture.

Five-pronged resolution suggested by the commmitee:
The committee has classified small, medium and large assets range from 0-50 Crores Rupee, 50-500 Crore Rupee and 500 crore and more respectively, resolutions suggested by committee are applicable to all small, medium and large assets.

These resolutions covering both performing and non-performing assets are also applicable to any asset whose resolution is still pending and assets already before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

1) Small and medium-sized enterprises(SME) resolution approach.

According to report, for SME resolution a steering committee will be created by banks for formulating and validating the schemes, with a provision for additional funds. The resolution of these assets will be done by a single bank having the liberty to customise it. The resolution should be completed in 90 days.

2) Bank-led resolution approach

A bank led resolution is suggested by the committee for medium assets ranging from 50-500 crore rupees to be achieved in 180 days. The resolution plan has to be approved by lenders holding at least 66 per cent of the debt.

Indian Banks Association (IBA) has to appoint a steering committee to validate the process within 30 days. Through this route, multiple banks and lenders involvement can create an issue in arriving to at a consensus.

3) AMC/AIF led resolution approach

An asset management company (AMC) will be created to deal with large loans involving 500 crores and more. Alternative investment fund (AIF) will be responsible to raise funds from institutional investors, AIF can also bid for assets in National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The lead bank can discover price discovery through the open auction route. Security receipts have to be redeemed within 60 days

4) NCLT/IBC approach

5) Asset-trading platform

Discuss: What is Project Sashakt ?


Happiness Curriculum by Delhi Government

Why in news ?
Delhi government has recently launched a "Happiness Curriculum", for students of nursery to Class 8 in government schools, this will add a 'happiness' period of 45 minutes.

More in news
"Happiness Curriculum" launched under the presence of Dalai Lama is designed and prepared by a team of 40 Delhi government teachers, educators and volunteers over a period of six months.

Under the new Curriculum, a 45 minutes 'happiness' period will be added and every class will start with a a five-minute meditation session. The new curriculum will help to ensure sound physical and mental health of students and will try to solve problems caused by negative and destructive emotions like anger, hatred and jealousy.
Discuss: Happiness Curriculum by Delhi Government



Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016

Why in news ?
Proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has been termed as Anti-Assam by Assamese regional parties, who along with locals are engaged in a series of protest against the bill.

What is Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016

The government has introduced "Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016" in parliament in July 2016, to amend Citizenship Act, 1955, the bill seeks to achieve following things:

1) The bill seeks to provide citizenship to illegal migrants, from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who are of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities.

2) Changes in conditions regarding acquiring "citizenship by naturalisation", by reduce the requirement of 11 years of continuous stay in the country to six years.

While seeking to provide citizenship to illegal migrants of 6 minorities (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian), it excludes Muslims like Shias and Ahmadis who also face persecution in Pakistan.

Why the bill is opposed ?

According to "Assam Accord (1985)", signed between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the AASU; March 24, 1971, was decided as the cut off date for migrants from Bangladesh into Assam. As per the accord all persons coming to Assam after March 24, 1971 are illegal immigrants and should be deported back.

Supreme Court of India has ordered to update NRC (National Register of Citizens of India) in Assam to detect Bangladeshi nationals who might have entered the State illegally after the midnight of March 24, 1971.

If the bill is passed that is to provide citizenship on the basis of religion, it is contradictory to NRC which does not distinguish people on the basis of religion.
Discuss: Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016

Test Your preparation with: 04 Jul, 2018 | Current Affairs multiple choice questions

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