Daily Current Affairs 11 February 2020

Current Affairs of Today Are

1) SC/ST atrocities law 

• The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a 2018 amendment that barred persons accused of committing atrocities against those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes from getting anticipatory bail.
• But two of the judges on the Bench, Justices Arun Mishra, and Vineet Saran, held in their joint opinion that a High Court would also have an “inherent power” to grant anticipatory bail in cases in which prima facie an offense under the anti­atrocities law is not made out. 
• The two judges held that a High Court, in “exceptional cases”, could quash cases to prevent the misuse of the anti­atrocities law.
• The judge said the express provisions of the Constitution and statutes like the Act, meant to protect the oppressed classes, underline the social or collective resolve to ensure that “all humans are treated as humans, that their innate genius is allowed outlets through equal opportunities and each of them is fearless in the pursuit of her or his dreams”.
•  All three judges on the Bench have upheld the constitutionality of Section 18A of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act of 2018. The sole purpose of Section 18A was to nullify a controversial March 20, 2018, the judgment of the Supreme Court diluting the stringent anti­bail provisions of the original Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989.
• A two ­judge Bench of the Supreme Court had on March 20, 2018, held that there was no “absolute bar” on accused person obtaining anticipatory bail under Section 438 CrPC, “if no prima facie is made out or if judicial scrutiny reveals the complaint to be prima facie malafide”.  The March 20, 2018 judgment was a response to the court’s belief that the law was abused to file false complaints.
• The verdict had led to widespread violence. Consequently, Parliament amended the 1989 law and inserted Section 18A into it. Section 18A re­affirmed the original legislative bar on pre­arrest bail.
• Several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court to declare Section 18A “arbitrary and unconstitutional”. All of them were dismissed by the Bench on Monday as without merit.

Source: The Hindu

2) The U.S. Department of State has approved air defense system sale to India

• The U.S. Department of State has approved the potential sale of a $1.867 billion Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) to India. The potential sale, which is being processed via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) the route, is now before the U.S. Congress for consideration, with a 30­day window for Congress to raise any objections to the sale
• The Integrated Air Defence Weapon System, also known as the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS), provides integrated air missile defense and is currently deployed around  Washington, DC. The IADWS system includes radar, launchers, targeting, and guidance systems, advanced medium­range airto­air missile (AMRAAM) and Stinger missiles, and related equipment and support
• The government had asked to buy an IADWS comprised of five AN/MPQ­64Fl Sentinel radar systems; 118 AMRAAM AIM­120C­7/C­8 missiles; three AMRAAM Guidance Sections; four AMRAAM Control Sections and 134 Stinger FIM­92L missiles, as per a statement from the State Department. 
• Also included are 32 M4A1 rifles; 40,320 M855 5.56mm cartridges; Fire Distribution Centres (FDC); Handheld Remote Terminals; Electrical Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensor Systems; AMRAAM Non-­Developmental Item-Airborne Instrumentation Units (NDI­AIU); Multi­spectral Targeting System­Model A (MTS­A); Canister Launchers (CN); High Mobility Launchers (HML); Dual Mount Stinger (DMS) Air Defence Systems; Vehicle Mounted Stinger Rapid Ranger Air Defence Systems, the statement said. 
• Communications, testing and training equipment, and documentation and technical and logistics support are also part of the package, as per the statement.

Source: The Hindu

3) Indian pilots begin astronaut training in Russia

• The four Indian pilots chosen as candidate­astronauts began their 12­ month training at the Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Centre (GCTC) in Moscow, Russian space business company Glavkosmos
• Much of the training will take place at the GCTC facilities. The full program includes basic or generic astronaut training followed by activities specific to the first Indian human space mission, Gaganyaan.
• The four candidates are fighter pilots from the Indian Air Force and were chosen from among hundreds of applicants over the last few months. At the end of all training modules in India and Russia, one or two of the four will be finally named to circle the earth in the first crewed Gaganyaan, which is planned around 2022.
• In June 2019, the Human Space Flight Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Russian government­owned Glavkosmos signed a contract for the training, which includes Russian support in the selection of candidates, their medical examination, and space training
• The 12-­month training program includes comprehensive and biomedical training of the Indian candidates, combined with regular physical practices. They will study in detail the systems of the Soyuz manned spaceship, as well as be trained in short­term weightlessness mode aboard the Il­-76MDK aircraft
• The Il­-76MDK is an Ilyushin­78 military transport plane specially re­designed for parabolic flights of trainee astronauts and space tourists. The candidates will also be trained to take appropriate actions during emergencies — for example, should the spacecraft make an abnormal landing in (unplanned) climate and geographic zones.

Source: The Hindu

4) National Institute of Financial Management, Faridabad to be renamed as Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management

• The Government of India has decided to rename the National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM), Faridabad as Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM).
• NIFM, Faridabad was set up in 1993 as a registered society under Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India with the mandate to train officers of various Finance and Accounts Services recruited by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) through the Civil Services Examination as also officers of Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS). The Union Finance Minister is the President of the NIFM Society.
• Over some time, the Institute has become a premier resource center to meet the training needs of the Central Government for a senior and middle level of management in the fields of Public Policy, Financial Management, Public Procurement and other governance issues for promoting highest standards of professional competence and practice. NIFM also caters to the State Governments, Defence establishments, Banks, other Financial Institutions and PSUs. It has ventured beyond training into the field of management education and runs certain AICTE approved programs leading to Post Graduate Diplomas in Management, in various areas of Financial Management.
• Late Shri Arun Jaitley, former Union Finance Minister and Padma Vibhushan awardee, had played a stellar role during his illustrious career as the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs during the period 26th May 2014 to 30th May 2019. He oversaw the introduction of the path-breaking Goods and Services Tax which brought the country under one tax regime. Under his stewardship, the merger of Railway Budget with the general budget was effected. He also ensured the introduction of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
• Aligning the vision and aspiration of the Institute for the future with the vision and contribution of Late Shri Arun Jaitley, the Government has decided to rename the National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM)as the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management.

Source PIB

5) Web Portal Launched for Star Rating of Mines in India

• To promote green, safe and sustainable mining practices using technology as a tool, the Ministry of Coal (MoC) has launched a web portal for star rating of coal mines. Union Minister for Coal & Mines Shri Pralhad Joshi launched this portal in New Delhi today which enables all operational coal mines across India for self-rating, their subsequent validation by Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO), further evaluation and finally award of star rating. 
• Based on the star ratings obtained through a well-defined mechanism on this web portal, the highest-scoring mines in the country will be awarded in a public ceremony. Besides, all the mines will be given an official certificate by the CCO mentioning their star rating and the particular reporting year. The mines that score from 91 to 100% will get 5 stars, 81 to 90% 4 stars, 71 to 80% 3 stars, 61 to 70% 2 stars, 41 to 60% 1 star and mines that score from 0 to 40% will get No star on the portal as per laid down procedures of the Star Rating Policy for Coal Mines in India. 
• The portal will provide a login to each coal mine for self-evaluation along with necessary documents for testimonials. The field offices of CCO will be provided a separate login to the web portal through which they can access the submissions of self-evaluation. A validation committee constituted through CCO will put the final remarks based on the laid down policy and finally, the star rating will be recorded on the portal. 
• Notably, the Ministry of Coal last year had formulated a Star Rating Policy for Coal Mines in India. This policy envisages 50 evaluation parameters in Opencast Mines and 47 in Underground Mines as star rating criteria under seven broad modules namely - Mining Operations Related Parameters, Environment related parameters, Adoption of Technologies: Best Mining Practices, Economic performance, Rehabilitation & Resettlement related parameters, Worker-related Compliance and Safety and security-related parameters.

Source: PIB

6) Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR-2020

• The fifth edition of Joint Military Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR-2020 between India and the United Kingdom will be conducted at Salisbury Plains, the United Kingdom from 13 to 26 February 2020. The exercise will comprise of 120 soldiers each from the Indian and United Kingdom Army who would be sharing their experiences gained during the conduct of various counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in the past.
• The aim of this exercise is to conduct company level joint training with an emphasis on counter-terrorists operation in Urban and Semi-Urban areas. Training on modern weapon systems, equipment and simulator training has also been planned. Notably, in the series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR with the United Kingdom is an important exercise in terms of the security challenges faced by both the nations in the realm of changing facets of global terrorism. The exercise is conducted alternatively in the United Kingdom and India.
• The joint military exercise displays a bilateral willingness to work jointly and share operating procedures to deal with a situation in a specified operational setting. Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR will promote defense cooperation and enhance interoperability while sharing experiences between both the armies.

Source: PIB

7) National Deworming Day (NDD)

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) conducted the tenth round of National Deworming Day (NDD), on 10/2/2020. This will be followed by the mop-up day on February 17, 2020. As part of this campaign, children and adolescents aged 1-19 years are being administered Albendazole (400 mg) across government, government-aided schools, anganwadis, private schools, and other educational institutions. The NDD is implemented to reduce the prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), commonly called the parasitic intestinal worms, among all children and adolescents. Infections with the main STH – roundworm, whipworm, and hookworms – contribute to 50.1 lakh disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) worldwide (WHO, 2010). One DALY can be thought of as one lost "healthy" year from the life. In India, over 22 crore children under 14 years are at risk of STH infections (WHO, 2017).  Launched in 2015, the NDD is the largest public health program implemented on a single day reaching crores of children and adolescents through two NDD rounds every year. This year today, 19 states took up activities to reach 9.35 crore of the target population. NDD will be observed in 34 States/UTs over the next weeks and is expected to reach an estimated 30 crore of the target population.
• Implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Human Resource Development, NDD is a key intervention of Anemia Mukt Bharat. Its success and impact lie in convergence with the Swachh Bharat Mission. NDD presents opportunities to further policy dialogue on health and nutrition as a way of supplementing efforts under POSHAN Abhiyaan.
• In preparation for the NDD round today, Anganwadi workers and teachers are trained on community mobilization and administration of deworming tablets. ASHAs, PRI members and youth volunteers engage in the program for community mobilization and awareness about the program. Deworming through Albendazole is an evidence-based, globally-accepted, effective solution used to control worm infections in all children. However, it can have minor side effects and some children, especially those with high worm infections, might experience nausea, mild abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. Comprehensive adverse event protocols are in place by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to safeguard from these occurrences.

Source: PIB

8) Hunar Haat

• In “Hunar Haat” at Indore which is organized from 08th to 16th February 2020, 125 stalls have been set up and more than 250 master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts from across the country are participating. These artisans include a large number of women artisans. They have brought with them indigenous exquisite handmade products. “Bawarchikhana” will provide a taste of traditional delicacies of several states. Cultural programs, being organized daily, will also be a major attraction of the “Hunar Haat” in Indore.
• The Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that “Hunar Haat”, being organized across the country by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, have proved to be a “Mega Mission” of economic empowerment of needy master artisans and craftsmen. He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating “Hunar Haat” along with Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Lalji Tandon, at Indore, Madhya Pradesh
• “Hunar Haat” has become a “Mega Mission” of indigenous Craft, Cuisine & Culture and economic empowerment of master artisans, craftsmen. The success of “Hunar Haat” can be gauged from the fact that about 3 lakh needy master artisans, craftsmen & culinary experts have been provided employment and employment opportunities through “Hunar Haat” in the last about 3 years. These beneficiaries include a large number of women artisans.
• In the next 5 years, about 100 “Hunar Haat” will be organized across the country which will result in employment opportunities to lakhs of artisans and craftsmen and people associated with them.
• Central Government has sanctioned 100 “Hunar Hubs” in different parts of the country. Training is being provided to master artisans, craftsmen, and traditional culinary experts according to modern needs in these “Hunar Hubs” and they are also being provided national-international markets.
• “Hunar Haat”, being organized at prominent places across the country, have proved to be financially beneficial for the needy artisans and craftsmen as each “Hunar Haat” generates business worth crores of rupees for indigenous handmade exquisite products of artisans and craftsmen. These artisans are receiving orders for their products not only from domestic markets but also from international markets. “Hunar Haat” has become “Employment and Empowerment Exchange” for master artisans and craftsmen.

Source: PIB

9) The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) held in India

• The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme, is going to be hosted by India during 17th to 22nd February 2020 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. This was announced by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar at a press conference in New Delhi.
• As the host, India shall be designated the President for the next three years. The Government of India is Signatory to the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Wild Animals (CMS) since 1983. The Government of India has been taking necessary actions to protect and conserve migratory marine species. Seven species that include Dugong, Whale Shark, Marine Turtle (two species), have been identified for the preparation of the Conservation and Recovery Action Plan.
• “Hosting CMS COP-13 is a significant step towards wildlife conservation in India. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the opening of the CMS COP13 on Monday, 17 February 2020; representatives from 130 countries, eminent conservationists and international NGOs working in the field of wildlife conservation will be attending the COP”, said the Union Environment Minister.
• On 15th and 16th February, Pre-COP meetings will take place including the Stakeholder Dialogue, High-Level Segment Meeting, and the Champion Night Award Ceremony. The Opening Ceremony and Plenary session of the COP will take place on 17th February followed by Side Events and Working Group meetings till the Closing Ceremony on 22nd February. Simultaneously, numerous national and international organizations will showcase best practices in wildlife conservation in the exhibition area.
• The theme of CMS COP13 in India is, “Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home. “The CMS COP 13 logo is inspired by ‘Kolam’, a traditional art form from southern India. In the logo of CMS COP-13, Kolam art form is used to depict key migratory species in India like Amur falcon, humpback whale, and marine turtles.
• The mascot for CMS COP13, “Gibi - The Great Indian Bustard” is a critically endangered species that has been accorded the highest protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird flyway network, i.e, the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans, and covers at least 279 populations of 182 migratory waterbird species, including 29 globally threatened species.
• As the host, India shall be designated as the Presidency during the intersessional period following the meeting. The COP Presidency is tasked to provide political leadership and facilitate positive outcomes that further advance the objectives of the Convention, including steering efforts towards implementing the Resolutions and Decisions adopted by the Conference of Parties.
• Migratory species of wild animals move from one habitat to another during different times of the year, due to various factors such as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc. The movement between habitats can sometimes exceed thousands of kilometers/miles for some migratory birds and mammals. A migratory route will typically have nesting sites, breeding sites, availability of preferred food and requires the availability of suitable habitat before and after each migration.
• India is home to several migratory species of wildlife including snow leopard, Amur falcons, bar-headed Geese, black-necked cranes, marine turtles, dugongs, humpbacked whales, etc. and has signed non legally binding MOU with CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Raptors (2016).

Source: PIB