This page contains "30th 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.
1) DISHA dashboard to monitor Government Schemes
Why in news ?
Ministry of Rural Development has launched a dashboard under "DISHA (Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DDCMC), this will help in monitoring government schemes by geography in real time. The dashboard will help MPs, MLAs and District Magistrates in taking data driven decisions.
DISHA dashboard
The dashboard will help to track the progress of multiple and diverse schemes in a certain district, block and gram panchayat. Dashboard access is provided to to all members of Parliament and State Assemblies as well district officials, and will be used to monitor 18 schemes in current phase. The plan is to monitor all 42 Central schemes using the dashboard.
The data from the dashboard can be filtered based on time, scheme and geography. For the time being the tool is available for legislators and government officials only, but ministry is planning to make it available to common people as well.
2) Fugitive Economic Offender Ordinance
Why in news ?
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya is summoned on or before August 27, 2018 by a special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court on the application of ED under the Fugitive Economic Offender Ordinance.
Fugitive Economic Offender Ordinance
There have been many instances of economic offenders fleeing and skipping the jurisdiction of Indian courts, therefore government had to brought the ordinance in picture. According to the ordinance Special courts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 can declare a person as a fugitive economic offender and order immediate confiscation of assets.
According to Ordinance 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.
Cases involving ₹100 crore or more under frauds, cheque dishonour or loan default will be covered under the ordinance. Constitutional safeguards are allowed for the accused like hearing through counsel, time to file a reply, serving summons notice and appeal before a high court, whether in India or Abroad.
3) HAM (Hybrid-Annuity Model)
Why in news ?
In a bid to promote "Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)", Road and Transport Minister met representatives from the country?s top banks and insurance companies in Mumbai, asking them to extend credit for road development projects.
What is HAM (Hybrid-Annuity Model) ?
HAM or Hybrid-Annuity Model is a mix of two models EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) and BOT (build, operate, transfer) models.
1) EPC (engineering, procurement and construction)
In EPC, private players are paid by NHAI for construction of roads projects, these players have no ownership in road toll collection or maintenance. NHAI has every right and ownership on these projects
2) BOT (build, operate, transfer)
In BOT, private players build, operate and maintain the road for a specified number of years before transferring the asset back to the government. In this model NHAI does not pay for the construction or maintenance while private players has sole responsibility to arrange finances for the project.
In return these players collects Toll (Annuity fees) from the government. Private players gets a pre fixed Annuity fees, while toll risks are borne by the government.
3) HAM, as said earlier is a mix of above two public-private partnership model, here 40% cost is released by NHAI on behalf of government while remaining 60% cost of construction is arranged by developer.
4) Ban on Oxytocin
Why in news
Government has banned manufacturing, storing and importing of "Oxytocin" in any form or name on recommendations of Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).
More about Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a life saving drug used to stop bleeding during childbirth or during abortion. The decision is taken to curb its illegal use in production of milk.
Misoprostol is an alternate to Oxytocin, but government has already banned Misoprostol in private clinic because it can be used in sex-selective abortions.
Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd (KAPL) a PSU will be the sole supplier now on a demand basis to registered private and public hospitals and for export. A barcode system is also proposed to track manufacturing to usage route supply chain to curb misuse.
Concerns has been raised by experts about efficiency of KAPL to cater demand specially in villages and remote areas, when mortality in India is still an big issue.
5) Global real estate transparency index
Why in news
India's rank in Global real estate transparency index is improved by one position up to 35th in 2018 from 36th in 2016.
More in news
Further improvement is also expected in next survey 2020 due to various government initiative in the sector such as Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), GST and Benami Transactions Act.
An improvement in rank will help in foreign investment inflow in real state sector of the country. UK topped the list followed by Australia and the US. France, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland and Sweden.
Other Tit Bits
1) 9th Heads of Mission Conference : The theme of the mission was "Unprecedented Outreach:Unparalleled Outcomes". In the conference Indian Ambassadors & High Commissioners came to Delhi to discuss country's foreign policy priorities and other important issues.
Economic reform initiatives and steps taken for ease-of-doing business was also briefed to envoys by the government.
2) The Nyishi, belonging to the Tani group, is the largest ethnic community in Arunachal Pradesh
3) World Social Media Day : Celebrated on 30 June every year, was started by Entertainment company "Mashable".
4) Mumbai's building clusters in UNESCO World Heritage List : Two cluster of building of Mumbai belonging to Victorian Gothic and Art Deco architecture has been added to UNESCO World Heritage List.
Elephanta Caves and the majestic Victoria Terminus (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) are already part of the list from Mumbai, added in 1987 and 2004 respectively.
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