This page contains "27th June 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.
2) National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
Why in news ?
The government is planning to certify pollution monitoring instruments to improve the measurement and forecast of air pollution episodes, the move is motivated by two major point 1) To boost local manufacturing and 2) To fulfil massive demand for such instruments as part of the government?s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) provides for setting up 1,000 manual air-quality-monitoring stations with an increase of 45% from present number and 268 automatic stations triple the current 84. NCAP is also planing to setup air-quality-monitoring stations in rural areas.
The National Physical Laboratory, a CSIR lab, will certify these instruments, while Department of Science &Technology (DST) would take the lead on technology interventions.
A separate component on 'Technology Assessment Cell' has been envisaged under NCAP to evaluate the technologies for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
3) "Women in Prisons" report : Ministry of Women and Child Development
Why in news ?
Ministry of Women and Child Development has recently released a report with title "Women in Prisons", the report covers various facilities provided and issues faced by women in prisons and possible methods to resolve them.
"Women in Prisons" report
The report highlights a number of issues related to women prisoners including, pregnancy and childbirth, mental health, legal aid, reintegration in society and their care giving responsibilities etc, and issues a comprehensive list of 134 recommendations to address these issues.
The report has also suggested various changes in National Model Prison Manual 2016, to bring it in line with international standards and norms.
Main features of the report are listed below:
1) The report covers wide range of issues faced by women in prison and considers the need of: pregnant, elderly, disabled women and having recently given birth but their children are not with them in prison, those who have miscarried, or those who have recently undergone abortion.
2) The report has also considered religious and customary beliefs of women inmates.
3) According to report a women detention can be suspended for a period if she has a care giving responsibility or at least arrangements should be made for their children. If a women has a child more than 6 years of are with no relative to left the child with, the child should go to child care facility.
Extended and frequent meetings of child and prisoner women should be encouraged to address the problem of loss of ties.
4) Related to bail, the report says: under trial women having served 1/3 time of maximum prison awarded in their cases; should be granted bail. Section 436A of the CrPC has to be changed for the purpose which provides for release after half of the maximum sentence has been served.
5) A separate accommodation for mothers in post-natal stage is also suggested by the report for a year after child birth.
6) Prisoners having language barriers are to be provided with independent interpreter.
7) To address grave problem of re-integration in society, the report proposes a comprehensive after-care programme to be put in place, covering employment, financial support, regaining of child custody, shelter, counselling, continuity of health care services etc.
8) The report also suggest the prison authorities to be touch with local police so that the released prisoners are not harassed by them because of attached stigma.
9) To make grievance redressal system more robust, the report suggest not only the prisoner herself but her legal adviser or family members should be allowed to make complaints regarding her stay in prison.
10) Access to female counsellors/psychologists is also suggested by the report to make sure the mental needs of prisoners are well taken care of. More on women in prison : As per the available data till 2015, Indian prisons have around 4.2 lakh prisoners, out of which 17,834 (4.3%) are women (66.8% are under trial). The data available also suggest a surge in women population in prisons from from 3.3% in 2000 to 4.3% in 2015.
4) Udyam Sangam 2018
Why in news ?
International MSME Day 2018 was celebrated in New Delhi, where president of India has inaugurated Udyam Sangam-2018. MSME sector account for at least 10% growth of the country, more than heavy industries and provide employment to 60% Indian population.
Udyam Sakhi Portal
On women day, Ministry of MSME has launched, "Udyam Sakhi Portal" to support Female entrepreneur, the portal will provide learning tools, incubation facility, training programs for fund raising, mentors, one-on-one investor meet, market survey facility and technical assistance.
Solar Charkha Mission
To generate employment in rural areas and promote green economy, Government of India has launched Solar Charkha Mission. The mission will cover 50 clusters and every cluster will employ 400 to 2000 artisans. Rs 550 is proposed to be invested in the mission as a subsidy from MSME ministry.
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