Current Affairs - 2019-20

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Article 311 provides protection to Public servants. There is need for rationalization and simplification of procedures to prevent the corrupt and dishonest elements in the system from cornering the benefits of the constitutional safeguards. Central Government has constituted a GoM to consider measures that can be taken to tackle corruption. One of the terms of reference is to consider amendment to Article 311 of the Constitution to provide for summary proceedings in cases of grave misdemeanour or blatant corruption by public servants. The issue is under consideration of GoM.

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Indore ranked first, Bhopal occupied the second spot  and Visakhapatnam the third spot as per the Swachh Survekshan 2017. 

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Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Ordinance, 2016 extinguishes the liabilities of the Reserve Bank and the guarantee of the central government towards Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.

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The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) won the international competition to adopt the Wax Deoiling Technology at Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) in Assam. The Wax Deoiling Plant is based on indigenously developed technology and in line with the Make in India initiative. The Wax Deoiling Technology is used to produce waxes from petroleum streams. Paraffin wax is used for making candles, polishes, medicines, food packaging, paints, leather etc, while Microcrystalline Wax is mainly used in cosmetic industry.

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Recently, the AYUSH Ministry has inaugurated India’s first advanced Homoeopathy Virology lab in Kolkata. The cost of laboratory is Rs. 8 crore. Currently, it is the only one in India for conducting basic and fundamental research in homeopathy for viral diseases such as influenza, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and swine flu.

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Cluster of Differentiation 36 (CD36) recombinant human protein is supplied as a lyophilized powder. This protein is suitable for use in analysis of protein structure the study of protein-protein interactions, and cell biology research applications.

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Recently, the Union Defence Ministry has approved most of the proposals of a committee of experts, headed by Lt. Gen. D.B. Shekatkar (Retd) to bring host of reforms in the military and improve financial management. Recommendations of the committee are: Capital expenditure: Roll-on defence budget must have enough capital expenditure available for modernisation. It must be against the present practice of surrendering unspent capital budget at the end of each financial year. Performance audit: It must be conducted of non-combat organisations under the Defence Ministry. It must include those dealing with defence estates and accounts, Director- General of Quality Assurance, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Cadet Corps (NCC). Downsizing or rationalisation of manpower: It will lead to significant savings. Joint services War College: It must be established for training middle-level officers. Reduce deployment of active-duty soldiers in avoidable postings: They will be replaced by retired officers and jawans in the running of NCC. Comprehensive reforms in the running of NCC: Transfer of NCC out of the Defence Ministry to the HRD Ministry: NCC can be run by re-employed or on-contract ex-service personnel.

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The Helsinki Rules are an international guideline that regulate how rivers and their connected groundwaters that cross national boundaries may be used. The International Law Association (ILA) adopted the Helsinki Rules in Helsinki, Finland in 1966. The Helsinki Rules established a common legal framework guiding the use of surface water and connected groundwater in international drainage basins. The Helsinki Rules describe in detail the relevant factors to be considered, including the drainage area within each basin state, hydrology, and climate in the basin. These factors determine basin water resources within each state and their variability.
The Helsinki Rules were succeeded by the Berlin Rules on Water Resources in 2004. The ILA adopted the Rules on International Groundwaters, also known as the Seoul Rules, in Seoul, Korea in 1986.

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Base Movement is the newly formed little know terror group active in south India. It has extended its operations to Kerala from Tamil Nadu. Base Movement had suspected allegiance to Al Qaeda as the word ‘Al Qaeda” means base and the movement was said to be a South Indian outfit of Al Qaeda. This mysterious outfit has announced launch of its operations by sending letters and emails to various institutions in South India.

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The Indian government announced to adopt ‘Swiss Challenge’ method for development of railway stations and national highways in India. "Swiss Challenge" is a model of auctioning infrastructure projects in India.