Mrunal Current Affairs Topiclist_ 2015 March Week1 to Week4 (1-31st)

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Mrunal http://mrunal.org [Current Topiclist] March Week1 to Week4 (1st to 31st) Only Topiclist Posted By Mrunal On 03/04/2015 @ 12:00 pm In CurrentArchive | 27 Comments 1. Abbreviations 2. IRDiplomacy 1. March W1 & W2 2. MarW3W4IR/Diplomacy 3. Economy, Banking, Finance 1. March W1 & W2 2. MarW3W4Economy 4. Policy, Governance, Accountability, Administration 1. March W1 & W2 2. MarW3W4Polity, Governance 5. Environment & Agriculture 1. March W1 & W2 2. MarW3W4Environment, Agro 6. Science Tech, Defense 1. March W1 & W2 2. MarW3W4SciTech, Defense, IT, Healthcare 7. History and Culture 1. March W1 & W2 2. MarW3W4History & Culture 8. Download Link for Current Affairs Excel File 9. FAQ / Moral Disclaimers List of Abbreviations P Only important for prelim only P+M important for prelim and mains M+I Important for mains, essay and interview but has none or negligible utility in prelims. OLF One line fodder point that can be quoted in some descriptive answer, essay, interview or Group discussion. But doesn’t warrant an article by itself. Ignored Because (A) I see bad:cost benefit in pursuing it OR (B) I don’t think it’s important for UPSC exam given the trend in last few years. (C)I already covered it in old article. IRDiplomacy March W1 & W2 M+I Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar’s SAARC yatra continues. M+I Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes USIran deal because he fears it’ll allow Iran to develop nuke weapons. How does it affect Indian

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Transcript of Mrunal Current Affairs Topiclist_ 2015 March Week1 to Week4 (1-31st)

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    Mrunalhttp://mrunal.org

    [CurrentTopiclist]MarchWeek1toWeek4(1stto31st)OnlyTopiclist

    PostedByMrunalOn03/04/2015@12:00pmInCurrentArchive|27Comments

    1. Abbreviations2. IRDiplomacy

    1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4IR/Diplomacy

    3. Economy,Banking,Finance1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4Economy

    4. Policy,Governance,Accountability,Administration1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4Polity,Governance

    5. Environment&Agriculture1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4Environment,Agro

    6. ScienceTech,Defense1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4SciTech,Defense,IT,Healthcare

    7. HistoryandCulture1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4History&Culture

    8. DownloadLinkforCurrentAffairsExcelFile9. FAQ/MoralDisclaimers

    ListofAbbreviationsPOnly importantforprelimonlyP+M importantforprelimandmains

    M+I Importantformains,essayandinterviewbuthasnoneornegligibleutilityinprelims.

    OLF Onelinefodderpointthatcanbequotedinsomedescriptiveanswer,essay,intervieworGroupdiscussion.Butdoesntwarrantanarticlebyitself.

    IgnoredBecause(A)Iseebad:costbenefitinpursuingitOR(B)IdontthinkitsimportantforUPSCexamgiventhetrendinlastfewyears.(C)Ialreadycovereditinoldarticle.

    IRDiplomacyMarchW1&W2

    M+I ForeignSecretaryS.JaishankarsSAARCyatracontinues.

    M+IIsraeliPrimeMinisterBenjaminNetanyahuopposesUSIrandealbecausehefearsitllallowIrantodevelopnukeweapons.HowdoesitaffectIndian

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    interst?

    M+IModisthreenationtourtotheSeychelles,MauritiusandSriLankaforIndianOceanoutreachandbecomeanetsecurityproviderinIndianocean,tocounterChinesepresence.SAGARconceptSecurityandGrowthforAllintheRegion.

    M+I

    Modi2Mauritiustrip:(1)openinguptheoceaneconomy,orblueeconomy.(2)Indiawillbuildtransportinfrastructure(seaandairlinks)fortheAgalegaIslands(3)IndiagavecoastalpetrolvesselMCGSBarracuda,formaritimesecurityonloan+grant.(4)Indiatohelpinsugarcanecultivationandtourismpromotion.(5)developfinancialcentresandpetroleumhubs(6)IndiracalledMauritiusChhotaBharatduringhervisitin70sbecause70%juntaisIndia.MauritiuscelebratesitsNationalDayonMarch12topayhomagetoGandhisdandimarchonsamedayin1930.(6)ModiwilladdresstheissueofDTAA,roundtrippingandtaxavoidancebyIndiancompanieswhodeliberatelyregisterinMauritiusandtheninvestinIndia,toavoidtaxes.

    M+I

    Modi2SeychellesTrip(1)1%of93,000juntaisIndia,only15/116islandsareinhabited,buthasverylargeEEZ(2)IndiagavesecondDornieraircraftfortheircoastalsurveillance,earlierprovidedRadartechnologyaswell.(3)cooperationforhydrography,infraandotherfancythings.(4)SeychellesisaleaderamongtheSmallIslandDevelopingStates(SIDS),vocalmemberagainstclimatechangeandpartofPanAfricaneNetworkofhospitals

    OLF

    ExNepalPMandpresentmaoistoppositionleaderBaburamBhattaraivisitsIndia,saysIndiahasaroletoplayintheconstitutionmakingconflictinNepal,&peacefulNepalisinIndiasinterest.EarlierModihadsaidNepaleseConstitutionshouldbebasedonconsensusrathermajority.Butatthattime,hewascriticizedforinterferinginNepaliaffairs.

    OLFUnitedStateswilldeploy60%ofitsNavytoAsiaPacificregionby2020,underthePivottoAsiadoctrine.Tocounterthem,Chinahasraiseditsdefensebudgetby10%.Mainfocus:SubmarinesandChineseJ20stealthaircrafttocounterUSP8APoseidonsurveillanceaircraft.

    OLFChinaisfundinga$1.3billionportprojectinColombo.Butsuddenly,SriLankangovernmenthassuspendedthisprojectforenvironmentclearance.ChinesegovernmenthastoldSriLankanottodiscriminateagainstChinesecompany(vs.Indiancompanies)

    OLF NigeriasBokoHaramgrouppledgesallegiancetotheIslamicState(IS)groupleaderAbuBakralBaghdadi

    OLF

    Thisyear,ChinaandRussiawillcommemoratethe70thanniversaryofWW2victoryandsimultaneouslyRussiawilljoinascorepartnertoChinastwininitiativestheSilkRoadEconomicBeltandtheMaritimeSilkRoad.CollectivelythesetwotransportcorridorsaimtointegrateEuropeanandAsianeconomieswithChinaastheanchor.

    OLF

    J&KhasaseparatepreventivedetentionlawcalledPublicSafetyAct(PSA).Underthisact,DeputyCommissioner(districtcollector)cangetanypersonintopreventivecustodyforupto2yearswithnotrial,ifheisathreattothesecurityoftheState.SeniorseparatistleaderMasaratAlamwasimprisonedunderthisactforalongtime.HewasmastermindofthestonepeltingmobsinKashmir.Version#1:newCMMMSayeedorderedreleaseofsuchpoliticalprisonersbecausenocriminalchargesframedsofar.Version#2:HisreleasefilewasalreadyokayedbyUnionHomeministry

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    duringPresidentsrule.Eitherway,nowunioniscontemplatingtoarresthimagainunderNIAact.

    Ignored IraqiforceslaunchattacktocaptureTikritfromISIS.

    Ignored UNhumanrightscommissionvs.SriLanka.Basicsalreadycoveredinoldarticle.

    Ignored KnifeattackerslashesthefaceofU.S.envoytoSouthKoreaMarkLippert.ThisattackerwantedtheNorthandSouthKoreasunited.

    Ignored AmericanHindudiasporaangrybecauseNewYorkmayordeclaredEidasschoolholidaybutnoholidayonDiwali.

    Ignored

    FormerSecretaryofStateHillaryClintonusedherpersonalemailaccountfordoingofficialwork.Thisgoesagainstpublicrecord/transparencylawsinUSA.Althoughshehassubmitted~55,000pagesofemailrecordsfromthatprivateidtotheGovernmentbutoppositionarguesshehasnotgivenalldata.Thiscouldbeadisturbingpointforherpresidentialcandidacy.

    Ignored

    BiochemistryprofessoratGermanysLeipzigUniversity,refusedtoacceptanIndianstudentforinternshipsayingwerehearingalotofaboutrapeprobleminIndiaandwehavemanyfemalestudentsintheuniversity,whosesafetywillbethreatened!.Later,GermanenvoytoIndiaMichaelSteinerwroteinhisstronglywordedlettertothesaidprofessorIndiaisnotacountryofRapists.

    IgnoredMaldivesExPresidentMohd.NasheedarrestedUnderantiterrorismlaw,becausein2012,HetriedtoarrestaseniorjudgeUsingmilitarywithoutauthority.Finalverdicthesgiven13yearsjail.

    MarW3W4IR/Diplomacy

    POnly

    OperationRaahattorescueIndiancitizensfromYemen.Reasonsforconflict:ShiaHuthisrebelshaveoustedYemenisPresidentAbdRabbuMansourHadi.SincetheseHuthisarealliesofIran(Shia),soSaudiArab(Sunnimonarchy)beginsairstrikeonthoserebelsinYemen.PakistanwillalsosendtroopstosupportSaudiArabia.Indianworkerscaughtincrossfire,hencetheneedforOp.Raahattorescuethem.FeaturesofOp.Raahat:MinisterofStateforOverseasIndianAffairsGeneral(Retd.)V.K.SinghtooverseeoperationsfromDjiboutiport.INSSumitrashiftedfromantipiracyopstorescueopinDjibouti.INSMumbai,Tarkashwillalsoreachsoon.TwoIAFC17GlobemastersandtwoAirIndiaflightsalsoarranged.Sototal3shipsx4planes.MEAintouchwithYemenisGovernmentandrebelsforasafepassageofIndians.ModicallsupthenewSaudikingSalmanBinAbdulAziztohelpout.ChallengesSaudibeganairstrikesonMarch26,soIndiashouldhavebegunopssooner.ButIndianGovernmentsayspeoplewerewarnedinadvance,buttheydidnotmoveoutquickly.4klegalworkersand5killegalworkersstranded.

    POnlyOscarwinningfilmSlumdogMillionaireisbasedonVikasSwarupsQ&A.NowthisgentlemanhasreplacedSyedAkbaruddinastheMEAspokesperson.

    P+MIndiaQatarsignagreementonprisonertransfer.IndianprisonersconvictedinQatarcanbebroughttoIndiatoservetheremainingpartoftheirsentenceinIndianjails,andviceversaforQatariprisonersinIndia.

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    P+M

    Modi2SriLanka:{Tourism}RamayanaTrailinSrilankaandBuddhistcircuitinIndia.FestivalofIndiainSriLanka.CulturalcentreinauguratedatJaffna.VisaonarrivalforSriLankaAirIndiatorundirectflightsbetweenDelhiandColombo.{Finance}Currencyswapagreementbetweencentralbanksofbothcountries{Disaspora}>300Million$loantoSriLankanrailways.20khomesgiventorefugeesinNorthernSriLanka.IndiawantsunitedsriLankabutasksthemimplement13thAmendmenttogivegreaterpowerdevolutiontoTamilmajorityprovincesinNorthandEast.{Energy}:TrincooilfarmandpowerplantwithhelpofIndianOil.nodefensepactthough,butSrilankapromisesnottodockforeignsubmarinesonitsports.SriLankahassigneditsfirstnuclearagreementwithIndia,butthisagreementonlyaimsfornukesafetyoperationsandnotenergygenerationatpresent.Triconmaleetobedevelopedasregionalpetroleumhub.

    M+I

    IndiaJapancivilnucleardealnotmovingforwardbecauseJapanwants(1)IndiatosharenationspecificdataaboutwhichcountriessuppliedIndiawhattypeofnuclearfuelandtechnology.(2)IfIndiabreaksitsvowandbeginstestingnuclearweaponsthenJapanwillCancelthedealandaskedIndiatoreturnalltheequipmentsandtechnologies.BoththeseconditionsarenotinthebestinterestofIndiasenergysecurity.+Becauseofthem,evenintheUSnucleardealisstalledbecause(1)JapanscloutoverNuclearsuppliersgroup(NSG)(2)AmericancompaniesrelyonJapanesecompaniesMitsubishiandToshibatoproducenuclearreactors.

    OLFForeignSecretaryS.JaishankarsaysaColdWarpoliticalorderstillpersistsinIndiaU.S.relations.WhileIndiasActeastpolicyoverlapswithUSAsRecalancetoAsiapolicy.Butnucleardealisstillunderobstacles.

    OLF

    1996:IndiafavourUNGAresolutionforbanningantipersonnelmines.But1997:Indiadidnotsigntheminestreaty,eventhough80%ofJoinedthetreaty.Indiawasamajormanufacturerofundetectablelandmines,andusedthemalongLoCparticularlyafterOperationParakram,whichwasinitiatedafterDecember2001AttackonParliament.However,statisticsrevealthousandsofIndianarmedforcesandciviliansaccidentallyinjuredbecauseofthesemines.

    OLF

    WestsflawedapproachtowardsISISIEarlierthedeathofSaddamHusseinandMuammarQaddafididnotbringpeace,butinsteadledIraqandLibyaintofurtherchaosbysplintergroups.ArabSpringhappenedonlyinrepublicannationsEgypt,Syria,Libya,Yemen.While,8monarchiesSaudiArabia,Kuwait,Qatar,Oman,Bahrain,theEmirates,JordanandMoroccowereneverdestabilized.BecausemostofthemareenemiesofIran(Shia),Westturnsblindeyestohumanrightsviolationsinthere.YemenisciviliansgettingkilledinSaudiaerialbombarding,yetWestdoesntcryabouthumanrights,liketheydoincaseofSyria.Many1stworldcitizensfromAustralia,US,Englandetal.begantojoinISIS.NowUSAplanningtotalkwithAssadforpeacefulregimechangeandsettledownthenukeissueswithIran.

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    OLF

    InternationalAtomicEnergyAgency(IAEA)chiefYukiyaAmanobeginssafetyinspectionofIndiannukeplantsandsuggestsfollowingmeasures:separatelawtoprovideindependencetotheAtomicEnergyRegulatoryBoard(AERB)bylaw.UPAGovernmentdesignedabillpostFukushimadisasterbutbilllapsedinLokSabha.AERBshoulddevisestrategytoincreasesafetyofactinidesandothernuclearwaste.setupanationalpolicyfornuclearsafetyandradioactivewastemanagementimproveinternalemergencyarrangementsduringaccidents.Sidenote:NuclearSuppliersGroup(NSG)conferenceinJune.Indiawishestobecomefullmember,althoughobstacleisthatwevenotsignedNPT.

    OLF

    ChinawantsastableAfghanistantoensurepeaceinitsownXinjiangregion.ChinagotPakistaniArmyandISItoironoutnegotiationsbetweentheAfghanunitygovernmentandtheTalibans.EvensetuptheChinaAfghanistanPakistantrilateraldialogueatheartofAsiaconference.HostedTalibandelegationtwiceinBeijing.USAalsoreducedsomesanctionsfromTalibanandinreturnofthisSinoAmericanvalvetglovetreatmenttheAfghaniTalibanshavedistancedfromAlQaedaandshowedwillingnesstonegotiate.ISIbelievedtohaveimprisonedMullahOmartopreventterrorattacks.Indianinterests:PakistanmaytrytoblockChabaharport,sothatonlyPakistanremainseconomicentrypointtoAfghanistan.Pak.MaytrytosabotageIndiasproposed4ironsteelplantsinHajigak.SolutionbefriendIranandAfghaniPresidents.

    OLFPresidentObamarelaxesnormstogetL1Bvisameantforcorporateexecutives.ThiswillhelpinbringingmoreforeigninvestmentandthespecialisedworkersinUS

    OLF

    U.N.SecretaryGeneralwantedtogivesocialsecuritybenefitstospousesofgay/LGBTemployeesworkingistheUnitedNationsoffices.ButIndia,China,Russia,Pak,Saudietal.opposedthisresolution,sayingBankKiMoondidnotconsultwithmemberstates.However,motionwasdefeated.andIndiafacedcriticismfromvariousquartersincludingUSA

    OLF

    HindugonecrazierthanusualaboutSriLankaSriLankanPresidentMaithripalaSirisenagivesthetitleofFieldMarshaltoSarathFonseka.GeneralFonsekawasinstrumentalinwipingoutLTTEbuthadfalloutwithpreviousPresidentRajpaksha,soRajpakshagothimjailed,andbannedfromcontestingelections.ButnewPresidentSirisenabegantofixit.DuringLTTEfighting,SriLankanArmyhadtakenoverNorthernTamillandtocreatehighsecurityzones.NewPresidentSirisenagivesbackthoselanddeedstooriginalowners.SirisenasvisittoChina.BothleaderproposetriangulardialogueamongIndia,ChinaandSriLanka.FormerSriLankanPrez.ChandrikaKumartungawillheadataskforceforareconciliationofTamils.

    AIIBbasicsalreadycoveredinoldarticleunderdiplomacysection.ButHindugonecrazierthanusual.Dailycommentaryonwhichnewcountrywantstojoinit?bottomlineisAustralia,Britain,France,Germany,Luxembourg,Singapore,NewZealand,SwitzerlandetalmanyerstwhileproUSpartiesnowinterested.MeansUSdominatedIMFWorldbankpowerwaning.

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    OLF EarlierJapanwashesitanttojoinAIIBbecauseitselfdominatesADB(HQManila),butnowJapaneseMNCslobbiedandgotGovernmenttosilentagreetojoinAIIBbyJune.ThechiefsofIMFandADBhavevoicedsupportforAIIB.U.S.TreasurySecJacobLewmetChinesePrimeMinister(Premiere)LiKequiangtoironoutdifferences.

    OLF

    Chinahasprovidesdetailsitsonebeltoneroadinitiative.Itllhavetwocomponents(1)OverlandSilkRoad(OSR)(2)MaritimeSilkRoad(MSR).TogethertheyllcoverEurasiafromthePacificcoasttotheBalticSea.TheyllshiftgeoeconomicpowerfromUSEUtowardsEurasia,ledbyChina.Innext107ears,4.4billionpeoplewillbecoveredanditllgeneratetradeabove2.5trilliondollarswithhelpofRCEP.CollectivelySilkRoad+RCEPwillcounterUSAsAsianPivot+TPP.SriLankawillget~40million$fromAIIBforthisSilkroadproject.Moredetailsunderoldarticleunderdiplomacysection.

    OLF

    LeeKuanYew:thefoundingfatherandfirstPrimeMinisterofSingapore(From1959to1990).DiedofPneumoniarelatedcomplicationsat91age.Modiattendedhisfuneral.BrokeoffwithMalaysiatocreateSingapore(SanskritnameSimhapura).HelpedDengXiaopingrebuildChinainPostMaoera.ShanghaiturnedtoManhattanofEast.LeepraisedIndiraGandhiandjustifiedemergency,butinColdwarNAMera,IndiaandSingaporesinterestcouldnotalign.SolaterLeebecamecriticthatIndiawasnotarealcountrybut32separatenationsarrayedonBritishraillineTheirethnicmix,votingpatternsandcoalitiongovernmentensurenodecisionistakenontime.Indianpoliticiansandbureaucratshavefeudalmindsetwhoseeentrepreneursassinnerformakingprofits.LeewarmedupafterNarsimhaRaosLookEastPolicy,soughtourmilitaryassistance.HecalledCalledIndiaanationofunfulfilledgreatness.IndiaChinawillreshapeworldorderbeforeendof21stcentury.AlthoughChinawontgowarwithIndiabecauseitcanwinbysimplyplayingbyrulesofinternationaleconomy.Appliedsocialengineeringtocreateapluralnationwithfourofficiallanguagesandahousingpolicytointerminglepeopleofvariousraces.{Antipoints}curbsonmediaandfreedomofexpression.HejustifieditunderAsianvaluesi.e.goodofsocietycomesbeforerightsofindividuals.nepotism,familymembersmadelotofmoneySingaporeCitystatemodelleadstoricheconomybutincomeinequalityrising.

    OLF USDepartmentofJusticeupdateshatecrimestrainingmanual,FBIaskedtotrackhatecrimesagainstHinduandSikhssince2013.

    IgnoredUNhumanrightsinvestigatoraskedUNSCandICCtotakeactionagainstviolatorsofhumanrightsinSyria.Butneithertookaction.SonowUNinvestigatorswillingtosharenamesandevidenceswithanycountrythatwantstopursuethismatter.

    IgnoredModitovisitEuropeinApril.wantedanIndiasummitatBrussels,butEUauthoritiesdidnotreplyintime(conspiracyanglebecauseoftheslowprogressinItalianmarinescase.)SoangryModicancelsBrusselstripaltogather.

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    Ignored

    KashmirballbyballUnionMinisterofStateforExternalAffairsGen.V.K.SinghattendsPakistanNationalDaycelebrationhostedbyPakistaniembassybutfeelsdisgustedwithpresenceHurriyatleaders,andsubsequentlytweetswithhashtags#duty#disgust.J&KCMSayeedsaysAFSPAwillbegraduallyremovedbytakingarmyinconfidence.

    IgnoredChineseSpecialRepresentativeYangJiechicomestomeetNSAAjitDovaltodiscussborderdispute(1)2000kmsArunanchalPradeshborder(2)4000kmsLadakhborder.

    IgnoredDenmarkplanningtojoinNATOsmissiledefenseprogrambyinstallingmissileandradarsonitswarships.Russiawarnsifthishappens,wellattackDanishwarships.

    Ignored LunaticcopilotcrashesGermanysLufthansasaeroplaneinFrenchAlps.150dead.

    IgnoredDuringG20summit@Brisbane,Australia2014,oneoftheimmigrationofficialmistakenlyforwardedWorldleaderspassportnumber,emailidetc.toAsianfootballtournamentorganizers,thusendangeringtheirsecurity.

    Ignored VisitofIndiandefenceMinistertoJapan.Ignoredbecausemostlysameoldbolbachchan.

    Economy,Banking,FinanceMarchW1&W2

    BankingFinance P+M

    RBIandFinminsignagreementtoimplementrecommendationsofUrjitPatelCommitteeonmonetarypolicyreforms.(1)inflationtargetingatCPI26%i.e.@4%withbandof2%.Mustgetinflationbelow6%byJan2016.(2)failureifinflationabove6%during3consecutivequartersof2015ORifinflationbelow2%in3consecutivequartersof2016.(3)RBIwillhavetoexplainGovernmentinsuchcase.iffactorsbeyondRBIscontrol,thenitcanraisemonetarypolicyratestocombatinflation.(4)MonetarypolicytobedecidedbyaMonetaryPolicyCommittee(4)among3functionsofcontrollinginflation,foreignexchangerateandinterestrate,RBIwillgivefirstprioritytoinflation.

    BankingFinance P+M

    RBIsaysloanstosanitation,healthcareanddrinkingwaterfacilities,renewableenergyandincrementalloanstoexporters,willcomeunderPrioritysectorlending.PlusRBIpanelrecommendsbothforeignbanksaboveandbelow20branches,shouldhavesamePSLtargetsi.e.40%.

    BankingFinance P+M

    GoldrefinerMMTCPAMPpreparingagoldmetalaccountschemewithhelpofSwitzerlandsPAMP.Customercandepositminimum50gmsgold.Hellearngoldinterestinsteadofrupeeinterestoverthetime.Thisgoldwillbeloanedtojewelers.

    BankingFinance OLF

    RajanbhaiisdistressedoverthefactthatpostGlobalfinancialcrisis,thecentralbanksaroundtheworldareprintingmoneyandreducinginterestratestoverylowlevels.ButsinceRBIhastocombatinflation,wecanfollowthatpathofreducinginterestrates.ThishasledtoavalancheofcapitalinflowsinIndia,andmaycreateforeignexchangerateinstability.

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    BankingFinance P+M

    AssuchRajanbhaireleasesBiMonthlypolicyreview.Butin2015,twicehemadesurprisechangesinreporate.January2015:reporeducedfrom8%to7.75%.AndnowagaininMarch2015hereduceitfurtherfrom7.75to7.50.(25basispoint.)Lowerreporatemeanscheaperloans,moredemandandbusinessexpansion.ThisisdonebecauseRajanbhaiperceivesJaitleybudgetasnoninflationaryduetoconcisetaxbreaksandsubsidies.Sohehasreducepolicyrate(=reporate)toshowthatfiscalandmonetarypolicywillworkinacomplementaryway.

    BankingFinance POnly

    Undercoinageact2011,GovernmentofIndiawillrestartprinting1rupeenote,withbilingualsignatureofthefinanceSecretary.RBIwillputthese1Rs.Noteintocirculation.NotewillbearAshokaPillarsymbolinthewindowwithoutwordsSatyamevJayate,andcarryahiddennumeralinthecentre.

    BankingFinance OLF

    RBIexpandsLTVdefinition.NowLoantoValueratioforhousingsector,willalsoincludestampduty,registrationfeesandotherdocumentcharges.Thiswillhelpgetbiggerhousingloans,butupto10lakhrupees.

    BankingFinance P+M

    AtpresentmoneymarketsarecontrolledbytheRBI.Butmutualfundsalsoplayasignificantroleinmoneymarket,andareregulatedbySEBI.EarlierBimalJalanandFSLRCreportsrecommendedthatRBIshouldnotbemanagingGovernmentdebt(throughGSec,TBills).ItshouldbedonebyAnautonomouspublicdebtmanagementauthority/agency,willsellsuchagovernmentsecuritiestofinancialintermediariesonvoluntarybasis.Toimplementthisreform,Budget2015sFinanceBillwillamendmentsections45Uand45W.Afterthis,RBIwillceasetoregulategovernmentbondsandothermoneymarketinstruments.ThenperhapsPublicdebtmanagementagency(PDMA)willbemadesetupandmaderesponsibleforhandlingGSec,Tbill.AndRBIwillfocusonlyonthecorefunctionsofcentralbanki.e.(1)controllinginflation(2)bankingsupervision(3)controllingforeignexchangeratevolatility.

    BankingFinance POnly

    EmployeeProvidentFund(EPF)andPPFschemesenjoythisstatus.EEEstatus(exemptexemptexempt)i.e.(1)moneydepositedinthescheme(2)interestearnedinthescheme(3)moneywithdrawnfromtheschemeaftermaturity.Atallthreestages,itisexemptedfromincometaxcalculation.Inbudget2015,whilegreatlyincreasetheexemptionlimitinnewpensionscheme(NPS)from1lakhto1.5lakh,butstillitdoesnotenjoyEEEstatus.Presently,NPShasover80lakhsubscribers,butgiventhisEEEanomaly,itwillbedifficultexpandthebasefurther.

    BankingFinance P+M

    GIFTcity,Gandhinagar,GujaratInternationalFinancialServicesCentre(IFSC).ItllbetreatedasanSEZ,andentitiesinsideit,willbetreatedasnonresidentIndianslocatedoutsideIndia.RBIFEMAwillpermitsettingupforeignbankshere.ForeignbanksinIndiacansetup.Indianbankswithoffshorepresence,cansetup.EachbankcansetuponlyoneIBUthough.ButtheycantacceptwithretailcustomersorinIndiancurrency.Minimumcapital

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    requirement20million.CRRSLRapplicable:Nope.RBIwonthelpviareporateandotherliquiditymeasures.PSLnormswontapply.Similarly,IRDAwillpermitforeigninsurersandreinsurers.SEBIwillpermitstockexchanges,merchantbankers,depositoryreceipts(DR).

    BankingFinance Ignored

    SBIbeginsonlineauctionofseizedpropertiesworth1200crorerupees.

    BankingFinance P+M

    InsurancebillpassedtoincreaseFDIlimitfrom26%to49%.CongressabstainsinLokSabhaandvotesinfavorinRajyasabha.Cheaperpremiumwillimproveinsurancepenetration,andmakejuntassavingsflowtolongterminfrastructureprojects.

    BoP POnlyAsperRBInorms,FollowingcitizensareforbiddenfromacquiringpropertyinIndia:Pakistan,Bangladesh,SriLanka,Afghanistan,China,Iran,NepalorBhutan.2moreregionsaddedinthisblacklist:HongKongandMacaubothadministeredbyChina.

    FiscalPolicy Ignored

    1997:ChinduhadIntroducedtheconceptofthreeslabsofincometaxi.e.10%,20%,30%.ChindusayspostliberalizationthathasbeenriseInnumberofsuperwealthypeopleinIndia.

    FiscalPolicy POnly

    ShellcompaniesarethecompanieslocatedabroadbutcontrolledfromIndia,toevadetaxes.GovernmentaimstocurbthembyintroducingPlaceofeffectivemanagement(POEM)inITAct.thereby,suchoffshorecompanieswillbetaxableinIndia,ifkeyManagementdecisionsaretakenfromIndia.

    FiscalPolicy OLF

    [email protected]%in2014.Projects8.18.5%growthratefor2015.ButIMFreportsays,hardly7.5%possiblefor2015.

    FiscalPolicy

    Ignored

    IncometaxDepartmentdemands20,500croresfromCairnIndiaforsharetransactiontoparentcompanyandsubsequentcapitalgains.CairnplanningforinternationalarbitrationunderIndiaUKbilateralinvestmentprotectiontreaty.EarlierVodafone(Netherlands)andNokia(finland)alsocalledforarbitrationundersimilartreatieswiththeirnationsthusprovingMNCsdonthavemuchfaithinIndiansystem.

    FiscalPolicy OLF

    EconomistJimONeilhadgiventhetermBRICS.NowhesaysIndiapoisedtobecomeworlds7thlargesteconomyin2017,and5rdlargesteconomyin2020.

    FiscalPolicy OLF

    1983:DoubletaxationavoidanceagreementsignedbetweenIndiaMauritius.Underthisagreement,ifacompanyregisteredinMauritiussellsassetsfromIndia,thenIndiacantlevycapitalgainstax.onlyMauritiuscanlevyCGT,buttheyhave0%CGT.SoIndianbusinessmanmisusethisprovisionforroundtrippingi.e.investingtheirownmoneyinIndia,butviaMauritiusroutetoreducetaxliability.DuringhisMauritiustrip,Modisaidhellworktostopthisabuse.AtalPensionYojanaIsforcitizensinunorganizedsector,whojoinedNPSbutnotanyothersocialsecurityscheme.Atalwillgivepensionfrom1000to5000permonthat60yearsage,depending

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    HRD P+M onhowmuchmoneysubscribercontributed.Membershipagelimit18to40years.Unionwillcontribute50%ofmoneygivenbysubscriberorRs.1000,whicheverislessforfirst5yearsupto201920.

    HRD P+M

    PradhanMantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana.Membershipage:18to50withabankaccount.PayRs.330peryearpremium.Get2lakhaccidentcoverfromLIC.Variousministriescancocontributepremiumfortheirrespectivebeneficiaries.CommonPublicityExpenditurewillbebornebyGovernment.

    HRD P+M

    MinorityaffairsMinistryhadsetupProfessorAmitabhKundu(JNU)ToassesstheimpactofminoritywelfaremeasurestakenafterSacharcommitteereportandPrimeMinisters15programforminorities.Amitabhagavereportinlate2014.observation:(1)Financialandphysicaltargetsaremeagrecomparedtothegroundlevelrequirement.(2)NeedtoincreasethebudgetaryallocationtominorityaffairsMinistry(3)MinorityscholarshipsshouldbemadeDemanddriven(4)Separateleadershipdevelopmentschemeforminoritywomen.

    HRD OLF

    Over5lakhabandonedchildrenuserailwaystationforliving,beggingandlaboring.Womenministry,RailwayMinistryandNGOshavejoinedhandsForrehabilitationofthesekids.Tollfreehelpline1098.Publicawarenesscampaign.UltimatelyAuthoritieswilltrytogetthischildrenbacktotheirparentsorprovidethemeducationandvocationalskills.

    HRD OLF

    RighttoEducation(RTE)Act,2009mandatesthatnochildrenshouldbefailedtillclass5.Butthishasledtodeclinedlevelofleaning,asseeninASERreport.Therefore,DelhiDy.CMcumEducationministerManishSisodiarequestedunionHRDministrytoreducethisprovisiontillclass3only.

    HRD OLFDelhi,KeralaandTamilNaduareIndiasbestrankedStatesintermsofgenderrelatededucationindicators,saysHRDandUNISEFreport.

    Industryagro OLF

    Dr.B.MeenakumariCommitteegivesreportfordeepseafishingPolicyandGuidelinestoAgricultureministry.

    IndustryMFG P+M

    NSSO2013:morethan5.5croreMSMEinIndia,mostlyownedbySC,ST,OBCyetonly4%ofthemgetinstitutionalfinance.Budget2015announcedMicroUnitsDevelopmentRefinanceAgency(MUDRA)Banktogivethemlastmilecreditdelivery.ItllfirstbeginasasubsidiaryofSIDBIandlaterconvertedtoafullfledgedbankthroughanactofparliament.Ifbanksfailstomeetprioritysectorlendingnorms,theyvetodepositmoneyinNABARDsRIDForSIDBIsSEDF.RBIwillpulloutRs.20,000croresfromsuchprioritylendingshortfallfunds,andgiveittoMudra.

    infra OLFUnderSmartcityinitiative,DelhiMuni.Willputsmartsignageonhistoricmonuments.JustscantheirQRcodeinmobileandyougetallinformationonsmartphone.

    infra Ignored Spectrumauctionballbyball.Onlyfinaloutcomeandits

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    consequencesimportant

    infra OLF UnionGovernmentsetupataskforceforthedevelopmentofAjmer,AllahabadandVisakhapatnamassmartcities.

    infra OLF

    FordevelopmentinNaxalareas,Governmentworkingontwoprongedstrategy(A)physicalinfra:NITIayogtoannounceadditionalcentralAssistance(ACA),HighwayministrytofocusonRoadRequirementPlan(RRPI)andcommunicationministrytouseUniversalServiceObligationFund(USOF)forincreasingmobilepenetration.Strategy(B)Humanresourceinfra:UnderPanditDeenDayalUpadhyayaGrameenKaushalyaYojana,asubcomponentRoshni.Roshniwillsetup1ITIand2skilldevelopmentcentresineachofthe34Naxalaffecteddistrictsin9states.Theyllprovideshortterm&longtermskilltrainingtoyouth,sotheycangetlivelihood&dontgetbrainwashedbynaxals.

    infra OLF LICwillgive1.5lakhcroreinnextfiveyearsforrailwayprojects.

    infra OLF

    RailwaywantstosetuptwofactoriesinBihar(1)electriclocomotive@Madhepuraand(2)[email protected],jointventureandFDIproposalinvitedfromGE,Siemensandothergiants.

    MarW3W4Economy

    BankingFinance Ignored

    April1:Bankswillbeclosedforaccountingpurposeand2ndand3rdAprilarepublicholidaysundernegotiableinstrumentsAct,sototal3continuousholidaysandunlessRBIintervenes,itllbegreatinconveniencetocustomers.

    BankingFinance Ignored

    AtpresentRBIgovernoraloneresponsibleformakingmonetarypolicybutbothUrjitpatelCommitteeandbudget2015wantedaCommitteesystemwithmajorityvotingfordecidingmonetarypolicyofIndia.But(A)Rajanbhaiwants5memberbodywith2outsiderexpertsbutnoGovernmentrepresentatives.(B)butFinminJaitleywants8memberCommitteewithGovernmentnomineeswithoutvotingpower.AlthoughofficiallyJaitleydenieshavinganyriftwithRajanbhai.IgnoredbecausebasicsofurjitpatelalreadycoveredinoldarticleandnoofficialannouncementmadeaboutcompositionofMonetarypolicyCommittee

    BankingFinance POnly

    RailwayslaunchesRuPayprepaiddebitcard.Partners:UnionBankofIndiaandtheNationalPaymentCorporationofIndia.Utility:Buytickets,doshopping,payforIRCTCservices.1lakhaccidentinsurancecoverage.Cardlimits(1)10kifpartialKYC(2)50kiffullKYCDocumentsprovided.Forthefirst6months,notransactioncharges.SubsequentlyRs.10servicechargepertransaction.

    BankingFinance Ignored

    InsuranceCompaniesbeganraisingFDIafterparliamentbillispassed.SBIgeneralinsurancespartnersSBI:IAGwillbeturnfrom74:26to51:49.IAGAustraliancompany.Sameway,Max

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    Bupa.BupaIsBritishcompany.IgnoredbecausesuchbizGKnotusuallyseeninUPSC

    BankingFinance Ignored

    RBIasksNBFCstogetcreditratingdonebeforeMarch2016.onlytheNBFCswithcreditratingofinvestmentgrade,willbeallowedtoacceptfreshdepositsfromjunta.

    BankingFinance Ignored

    OlataxiappcomesupwithspecialrewardschemefordriverssuchaseasyloanstobuynewcarsusingSBIsOlaPragatiofferwithjust10%downpaymentandquickloanprocessing.skilltraining,fueldiscount,freecarservices2lakhmedicalhealthinsurancefordriverandfamilyusingICICIprudential.ThiswillhelppromotingMicroentrepreneurshipamongthedrivers.

    BankingFinance POnly

    SEBIplanningseparateplatformtohelpstartupcompaniesgetcapital.Nameofthisplatform=AlternateCapitalRaisingPlatform.Whichinvestorscanparticipatehere?Highnetworthindividuals(HNIs),qualifiedinstitutionalbuyers(QIB),Familytrusts,NBFCsandotherentitieswith500crorenetworth.Whocantparticipatehere?Retailinvestors,becausetoomuchriskinvolved.Benefit:IT/ECommercecompanieswonthavetoapproachforeigncountriesforcapital.

    BankingFinance Ignored

    GiventherisingNPAproblem,RBImandatesthebankstokeepsideemergencyfundcalledCountercyclicalcapitalbuffer.RecentlyRBIrelaxeditsnormstohelpbanks.

    BankingFinance OLF

    ~12,000NBFCsareregisteredwithRBI,mostoftheminvolvedinloaning,andsomeevenacceptdeposits.Nowtopreventmenaceofshadowbanking,RBIhasupdatedtakeovernormsforNBFCs.

    BankingFinance P+M

    GIFTCity:CommerceSecretarysaysSEBIandRBIworkingtoprovidegreatercapitalaccountconvertibilityinFinancialSEZsuchasGIFTcity,Gujarat.PercyMistryCommitteehadrecommendedit(2007),otherwisewecantbecomeaninternationalfinanicialcentrelikeLondon,NYorTokyo.WhatiscapitalaccountconvertibilitywhatbenefitsandharmsitposetoIndianeconomy?RefertoPowerPointcodeL3/P2

    BankingFinance POnly

    CompaniesAct2013,provides3typeofcompaniesOnepersoncompany,privatelimitedcompanyandpublicltdcompany(2subtypeslistedandunlisted).ListedcompanieshavetofollowstrictnormsundercompaniesAct.Thatswhymanyofthembeganprocesstoturnintoprivateltd.Companiese.g.TVSautomobileReasons:privateltd.ArenotrequiredtoappointwomendirectorsorindependentdirectorsintheBoD.CangiveloanstodirectorsNoneedtosetupaseparateauditCommitteenorestrictiononhowmuchoftheprofitcanbedolledouttoexecutive/directorsasremuneration.Soinconclusion,betterregisteredasprivateltd.Companyorlimitedliabilitycompany(LLP),becausenopointinsettingupapublicltd.CompanyunlessyouwanttolaunchanIPOtogetequityfinancefromaamjuntaa.SEBIrequirespubliclistedcompaniestodisclosetheirboarddecisionswithin30minutes,andother

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    materialinformationwithin24hours.Thisdoesntapplyforprivateltd.Companies.

    BankingFinance POnly

    CompaniesAct2013requireslistedpublicltd.Companiesatleast1womandirectorinBoD.Elsepenaltyfrom5kto5lakhandseparatepenaltybySEBIforupto25croresfornoncomplianceofSEBIscorporategovernanceguidelines2014.Butmanycompaniesyettoappointwomen.Someonlygottheirfamilymemberladiesinboardofdirectorsoactimplementedinletterbutnotinspirit.

    BankingFinance OLF

    SEBIannouncesnormsformunicipalbonds,EIPO,AdharBasedEKYC.Arguesinfavourofallowingpensionfundstopourmoneyincapitalmarket,andrelaxationofREITsnorms.Andallowingbankstoconvertdebttoequityforstressedcompanieswithrecoverypotential.

    BankingFinance OLF

    AttheMintCorporationheldinDelhi,FinanceMinisteradvocatesmoreuseofcheques,plasticcurrencyandothernegotiableinstruments.Itwillcutdownthecostofprintingmoney,andhelpfightingagainstblackmoneyproblem.

    BankingFinance P+M

    GIFTcityGujaratinternationalfinancialtechcity.JVbetweenGJurbandevelopmentco.ltdandIL&FS.30kmfromStatecapitalGandhinagar.GIFTcityisplannedasafinancialSEZ.RBItoamendFEMArulestoallowfortransactioninforeigncurrenciessinceGIFTcitywilldeemedtobeaforeignterritory.SEBIguidelines:(1)AnyIndianorforeignstockexchangecansetupasubsidiaryinIFSC.(2)investorscaninvestforeigncurrencydirectlyintheMutualfunds/hedgefundsoperatinginthisarea.(3)manyothertechnicalnuancesnotimportantfromexampointofview.IRDAtoallowforeigninsurerstosetupbranchesinIFSC.SEBIrelaxesguidelinesforsettingupthisInternationalfinancialservcieNSEwillsetupinternationalexchangefortradingofshares,bonds,currenciesandderivatives.Smartcity=automatedwastecollectionsystem,centralisedcooling.Challenges:lackoffullcapitalaccountconvertibility.TAXrateshouldbereducedMalaysia3%,Dubai0%.Alternatedisputeresolutionsystemneededforfasterlegalresolutions

    BankingFinance Ignored

    LabourMinistryofplanningtoamendtheEPFact,allowingtheworkerstochoosebetweenEPFOandNPS.IfworkerschoosesNPS,thenemployerwillnotberequiredtocontributetoEPFO.Ignoredbecauseformalbillisyettobedrafted.

    BoP OLF

    IMFchiefsays(1)Indiawillhave7.5%growthratefor201516.(andnotabove8%,asEconomicSurveyandBudget).(2)Indiatobeworldslargesteconomyby2030,butmustfocusoninclusivegrowth,morewomenlaborerparticipation.(3)JanDhanfinancialinclusionisunparallelintheworld.(4)itwasamistaketoignoreRajanbhaispredictionaboutsubprimecrisis.PostSubprimecrisistillQuantitativeEasing(QE)years,Americandollarsflewtoemergingeconies.Indiareceivedabove450

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    BoP OLFbillion$.USFedsplanningtoraiseratesbyendof2015.IMFfears,thiswillleadtoflightofforeigninvestedcapitalfromIndiabacktoUSA.AlthoughRajanbhaisaysheisfullyprepared,andJanetYellenshouldthinktwicebeforeplayingwithaag(fire),Paani(water)andRajanbhai.

    FiscalPolicy OLF

    OftenMNCstransferassetsfromonesubsidiarycompanytoanotheratbelowmarketprices,toreduceprofitandtaxliability.Thishasledtoriseinnumberoftransferpricingcases.Finallytoputanend,Budget2014cameupwithprovisionofAdvancepricingagreementbetweencompaniesandIncometaxdepartment.Govt.permitteditforpreviousfouryears.Thiswillhelpreducingnumberoflitigationsandpromoteeaseofdoingbiz.

    FiscalPolicy P+M

    BlackmoneyBillapprovedincabinet.(1)10yearsjail+300%taxforstashingblackmoneyabroad.(2)mustdeclareforeignassetsinITreturnelse7yearsjailadditionallyseparateBenamiTransactions(Prohibition)BilltostopblackmoneyindomesticassetsITacttobeamendedtoprohibitofmorethanRs.20kincash

    FiscalPolicy P+M

    BlackmoneyBilltabledinLokSabha.OfficiallyitscalledUndisclosedForeignIncomeandAssets(ImpositionofTax)Bill,2015.Tobeeffectivefrom1/4/2016.Salientfeatures(1)stashingblackmoneyabroad=310yearsjailtime,andpenaltyof3timesthetaxevadedor90%oftheundisclosedincome.(2)30%Taxonallforeignincome.Noexemption,ordeduction.(3)Onusonthesuspecttoprovehesnotguilty.(4)ifvoluntarydisclosureofblacckmoneyhiddenabroadthenlenientpunishmenti.e.30%tax+100%penalty.(5)ifforeignincome/assetnotdisclosedinITreturnthen10lakhpenalty,evenifblackmoneyisnothiddeninit.(6)Taxofficialsgivenmorepowersofinvestigation.Appealstructure:ITAT

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    detailsonlyafterBillispassed

    FiscalPolicy Ignored

    DelhihostsUrjaSangam2015,aglobalenergysummit.Here,ModiasksrichpeopletovoluntarilygiveupLPGsubsidy,therebyreducingGovernmentsubsidybillby100crorerupees.

    FiscalPolicy OLF

    NITIAyogformsaworkinggrouponhowtomakeCentrallysponsoredschemes(CSS)moreeffectiveandtheirimplementationbytheStatesmorefiexible.NITIAayogchiefexecutiveofficerSindhushreeKhullarwillbethechiefofthisgroup.14thFinancecommission(YVReddy)gave42%verticletaxdevolutiontostates.So,obviouslyUnionwillcutdowntheallocationofCSS,hopingthatstateswillbearmoreburdenfromtheirownshare.Thissubgroupwillgiverecommendationsforsmoothtransitionintothatnextgameplan.Unionalreadythinkingofcuttingdowncontributiontocentrallysponsoredschemesfrom75%to50%.Theyllgive100%contributiontoselectedschemesonly.

    FiscalPolicy OLF

    Governmentaimstoborrow6lakhcrorefrommarketbyissuingGSecandTbills.60%ofthemwillbeissuedinAprilSeptember2015period.TheyevenplantoissueGSecwith40yearsmaturityperiod!RBInothappywiththis,sayingifsomuchmoneypulledoutofmarketbyGovernment,thencorporatebonds/debentureswillnotfindmuchinvestors.Samereason,iftheproposedPublicdebtManagementagencyismadetoborrowarbitrarilyfrommarketdependingonwhimsandfanciesofGovernment,itllhurtIndianeconomyinlongrun.AssuchFRBMActrequiresGovernmenttocurbfiscaldeficitto3%ofGDP,butthenifCSOdoctorsreporttoraiseGDPnumber(asRajanbhaiandEconomicsurveyalleges),thenentiresystemwillcollapse,similartosovereigndebtcrisisinGreece.

    HRD OLF SCsaysAadharcardisnotmandatorytogetgovt.subsidies.Ifanyofficialinsistsforthiscard,hellhavetofaceconsequences.

    hrd Ignored

    NSSOsaysIndianfamiliesfood,Expenditureandworkhabitdiffersbythecaste.SC/SCSpendlargerportionoftheirincomeinfoodexpenditurecomparedtoOBC.SCsMostlyengagedinrurallabourorurbanwagejobs,whileOBCsmostlySelfemployedorsalariedjobs.

    HRD OLF

    InBihar,Friends,relativesandNakalMafiasbecomeSpidermantoclimbschoolbuildingstohelpstudentscheatinboardexams.(1)educationministersaysstatealonecantcurbit.PatnaHCunhappy(2)SocialanglepassingMatriculationexamnecessaryforgirlsissue,thereforerelatives/villagersevenriotagainstexamsquads.(3)Ifvigilancetightenedthenonly12%willpassboardexam,likeitdidin1996(4)betteroptforopenbooksystemexam.

    HRD Ignored

    NuclearscientistcumChairmanofIITBombayBoD,AnilKakodkarcriticisesHRDministryforfasttrackingtheselectionofIITdirectors.Itsnotpossibletointerview36candidatesinadayandappointdirectoramongthem.(wellmaybeheshouldpreachthesamethingtoUPSCaswell.)Inbudget2015,governmenthadannouncedhundredcrore

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    HRD OLFrupeesforMadressamodernisation.But3000MadressasaffiliatedwithDaroolUlum,havepledgedtheyllnotacceptGovernmentmoney,northeyllstartmodernteachingintheirinstitutes.

    HRD OLF

    ExNACmembercumEconomistJeanDrezebeginsfreshroundofcriticismagainstAadharUIDAI.projectrunningwithoutlegalframeworkoriginallyitwasplannedasavoluntaryfacilitybutslowlybecomingcompulsorydespitejudicialinterventions.e.g.FromApril1,UIDcompulsoryforMNREGApaymentin300districts.Itwilltakeyearsbeforehundredpercentcoverageisachieved.SothosewithoutAadharcardwillbedeprivedofGovernmentschemebenefits.itcreatesavastinfrastructureofsocialcontrolthatcanbemisused,Fourthingsmustworkperfectlybiometricdevice,computer,mobileandinternet.Otherwise,bureaucratscanharasspeopleinpretextofelectricity/internetconnectivityissues.(e.g.babusayinginternetnotworkingright,giveaddition10rupeessoIwilluseinternetfrommypersonalmobiletorunthismachineandgetDBTtransferredinyouraccountandsoon).JeansearliercriticismagainstthewholeideaofDBTthatmaleheadoftheruralfamilywillblowawayallthemoneyonbidi,tobacco,desiliquorandgambling.

    industryagro OLF

    NewschemeforAgroindustryinnovationEntreprenuership.Who?MSMEministry.Features:500newincubationcentres.DirectlevelacceleratorProgram.helpstartupcompanieswithhelpofSIDBI.FinancestartupcompaniesthroughEquity,QuasiEquity,Angelfund,Venturecapitalfundetc.remainingfeaturesmostlybolbachchantype.OLFbecauseschemedoesnthaveafancynameorabbriviation.

    industryagro OLF

    NDDBchiefsaysIndiacantfollowChinesedailymodelbecausewevetofocusonpovertyalleviation,employmentgenerationandsustainabledevelopment.Althoughwearelargestproducerofmilkintheworld,ourchallengesareregionalimbalance,shortageoffodder

    industryagro P+M

    Inbudget2014,theFinanceMinisterhasannouncedthesettingupofapricestabilisationfund(PSF)Tocombatfoodinflation.FinallyfundissetupwithRs.500crore.Thismoneywillloanedtostateandcentralagenciesasworkingcapitalorforbuyingperishableagrihorticulturalcommoditiesfromfarmersandsellatcheaperpricetocustomers.AtpresentPSFwillonlyfocusonOnionandpotatoes.)Ifanylossesoccurred,Costwillbesharedbyunionandstate.Additionally,stateswillsetuptheirownrevolvingfund,whereUnion:statescontributionwillbeintheratioof50:50forgeneralstatesand75:25fornortheasternstates.

    industryagro OLF

    RBIrevisesthenormsforAgriloanreschulementduringnaturalcalamities.If50%croplossinadistrict,thentheruleswillbetriggeredbankcangiverelieftofarmerbyextendtheloanpaymentperiodto35710yearsdependingintypeofloanand

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    damage.

    IndustryMFG Ignored

    HindunewspapersbossKasturiandSonslimitedbeganofferingVRStoemployeesforthefirsttimes.Moralofthestory:ifonewantstorunanewspaperthroughsubscriptionfromonlyUPSCaspirantsandadrevenuefromonlyDelhiscoachingwallas,thenhellhavetocutdowncostssoonerorlater!

    IndustryMFG Ignored

    MakeinIndia:FordmotorsopensitsSanandPlant(Ahmedabad),partofMakeinIndia.Andaimstotripletheexports.SanandKadiHalol135kmsareawillbecomeDetroitofIndia.Governmentbuyskeychains,cufflinks,goldplatedmugsandothersouvenirstopromotemakeinIndia,duringNarendraModisEuropevisit.

    infra Ignored RailwayplatformtickettoberaisefromRs.5toRs.10.

    infra IgnoredUnionhaspermittedtotal14portstohandleimportofhighendcars/vehicles.Latestadditions(1)Pipavav,Gujarat(2)L&T,Chennai.

    infra POnlyRailbudget2015announcedKayakulpcounciltotransformIndianrailways.RatanTatawillheadthisbody,itllhaverepresentativesfromrailtradeunionsaswell.

    infra OLF

    GovernmentdoingafeasibilitystudytoConstructanadvancedformilitaryandcivilianpurposeinTawang,ArunanchalPradesh.Becausein62swar,ChinasforcesenteredIndiathroughthisroute,soairconnectivityisverycrucial,Otherwisebyroadittakes16hourstoreachTawangfromGuwahati

    infra OLF

    NaturalGas(CH3)=>Ammonia(NH3)=>Urea.Therefore,priceandsupplyofNaturalgasaffectsureaproduction.Departmentoffertilizercomesupwithfollowingproposal:GAILwillarrangepoolofnaturalgasandsupplythemtoallfertilizercompaniesatprice=Averageof(desi+importedgas).Benefit:companiesgetgasatreasonableprice,canproducemoreureadomesticallyso,Governmentsubsidybillonimportedureawilldecline.{Anothermove}ThegovernmentisplanningtosetupatleasttennewureaplantsincoalrichStatesofChhattisgarh,Jharkhand,Bihar,WestBengal,Maharashtra,UttarPradeshetal.Chinaalsousingtechnologytoproduceureafromcoal,wealsoneedtoexplore,tobecomeselfrelianceandreducesubsidybill.Anothersolution:convertingAPMCmandiwasteintomanure.

    infra Ignored

    2009:DepartmentoftelecommunicationhadbannedprepaidmobileSIMSinJ&KandNorthEastforsecurityreasons.Althoughlaterthebanwaslifted,butstringentconditionswereplacedonsuchcards.ThenMinistrysetupCommitteeunderHomeSecretaryLCGoyal,andextendedprepaidcarsforthisregionsforanother2years.

    infra P+M

    ParliamentpassesMinesandMinerals(DevelopmentandRegulation)AmendmentBill,2015andtheCoalMines(SpecialProvisions)Bill,2015.BenefitsGovernmentmonopolyendedovercoalextraction.Foreigninvestmentpermitted.

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    infra Ignored

    Railwaysmisc.Tocheckmenaceoftouts,railwayupgradeitsonlineticketbookingsystem.Nowonceyourbuyaticket,youllbeloggedoutautomaticallyandwillhavetofillinyourdetailsagaintobuynextticket.AnexpresstrainstartedtoconnecttwoimportantTakhtsoftheSikhPanthSriAnandpurSahibandAmritsar

    infra OLF

    CoalministrylaunchesonlineCoalProjectsMonitoringPortal(eCPMP)foralllargeprojects,bothpublicandprivate.Complaints/disputescanbefiledonline.ThiswillremovebottlenecksandfasttracktheprojectsbyimprovingcommunicationbetweenBusinesstoGovernment(B2G),UnionGovernmenttoStateGovernment(G2G)andsoon.

    infra OLF

    Geotechnicaltextileproductsareusedforworkrelatedsoil,rocke.g.layingdownroadsandpavementsinhillyareas,slopestabilization,protectingriverembankmentstunnelsrailtracketc.MarineEngineeringSoilErosionlandfillsandwastemanagement.BenefitsofGeotextileproductslessmaintenance,needlessspace.roadwillnothavepotholes.groundstabilityduringdisasters.Indiaisaleadingproducer,andnowMinistryofTextilewillpromotethissectorinNorthEast.

    infra IgnoredPMOasksRailwayministerwhytrainsarelate,Prabhubeginsanalysingemergencyerafilesbecausetrainsranonscheduleduringthattime.

    Policy,Governance,Accountability,AdministrationMarchW1&W2

    POnlyModisMotionofthankstoPresidentspeech,defeatedinRajyaSahba.ThemodifiedversionthanksPresidentbutwithregretthatthereisnomentionofhighlevelcorruptionorblackmoney.ThismotionthanksdefeatisfourthinthehistoryofIndianparliament.

    POnlyMaharashtraGovernmentscraps5%MuslimquotainGovernmentjobsandadmissions.Butthosewhoalreadygotjob/admissiontheyllcontinuetostay.

    P+M

    Delhiisaunionterritorytherefore,TheHomeMinistryisthenodalauthorityofmakingalltopbureaucraticappointments.TherehadbeenalogjambetweenAAPGovernmentvsMHAaboutappointmentofDelhichiefSecretary.Result:GoaChiefSecretaryKKSharma,willtakeoverasDelhiChiefSecretary.

    P+M

    99thAmendmentAct2014replacescollegiumsystemwithNJAC.ANationalJudicialAppointmentsCommissionwillselectthejudgesforSupremecourt.ManyPILsfiledinSCagainstthisact.Agitatedattorneygeneralsaysjudgesjobistojudgecasesandnotappointbrotherjudges,andindependenceofjudiciarydoesnotincludesittingjudgesmakingjudicialappointments.

    P+M

    UnionMinisterofStateforHomeKirenRijijusaysArticle370(J&K)oftheConstitutionisatemporaryandtransitionalprovision.Somedayitllhavetoberemoved,tofullyintegrateJ&KintoIndia.However,healsoconfessed

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    thatModiGovernmentdoesnthavethenumberstopasssuchConstitutionalamendmentbill,sooppositionshouldnotworry.

    P+M

    LawCommissionJusticeA.P.Shah:255threportaboutelectoralreforms(1)bannewspaperadvertisementsontheeveofelectionsbebanned.(2)banIndependentcandidatesfromcontestingelectionsbecausemostlytheyredummycandidateswithnochancesofwinning(3)ifanycandidateindulgesinpaidnewsdisqualifyhim(4)banelectionrelatedbroadcastfrombothprintandelectronicmediafor48hoursbeforeelection(5)needtoregulateexitpollsandbringmoretransparencyintheirmethodology.(6)makeitcompulsoryforpartiestodeclarealldonations,eveniflessthanRs.20,000(7)needcollegium/selectionCommitteetopickElectioncommissioners(8)didnotfavorcompulsoryvotingmodelofGujaratandNGOsdemandforrighttorecallrighttoproportionalrepresentation.

    P+M

    LawCommissionJusticeA.P.Shah:255threportaboutelectoralreforms(1)bannewspaperadvertisementsontheeveofelectionsbebanned.(2)banIndependentcandidatesfromcontestingelectionsbecausemostlytheyredummycandidateswithnochancesofwinning,theyonlyconfusethevotersandsplitvoteshare.(3)ifanycandidateindulgesinpaidnewsdisqualifyhim(4)banelectionrelatedbroadcastfrombothprintandelectronicmediafor48hoursbeforeelection(5)needtoregulateexitpollsandbringmoretransparencyintheirmethodology.(6)makeitcompulsoryforpartiestodeclarealldonations,eveniflessthanRs.20,000,iftotal20croresor20%ofpartycontributioncomesfromsuchsmallamounts.UploadallsuchdataonECIwebsite,penaltyfornondisclosure.(7)needcollegium/selectionCommitteetopickElectioncommissioners.ItshouldincludePM,LoPinLokSabha/leaderoflargestoppositionpartyandCJI.(8)didnotfavorcompulsoryvotingmodelofGujaratandNGOsdemandforrighttorecallrighttoproportionalrepresentationorevenstatefundingofelection.However,indirectsubsidiesinkindmaybegiventopoliticalparties.(9)introducecommonelectoralrollsforparliament,VidhanSabhaandlocalassemblyelectionsbyamendingtherelevantacts.(10)MustuseEVMtotalizertopreventvoterharassmentafterresults.(11)setupmoreelectionbenchesinhighcourtandtheyshouldpassorderwithin90daysafterargumentconclusion.(12)Amendthe10thscheduleaboutantidefection.ThedisqualificationdecisionshouldbemadebyPresident/governorwithhelpofECI,insteadofSpeaker/chairman.(12)ECIshouldbegivenseparateindependentSecretariat.(13)ifcandidatefailstogiveproperrecordofelectionExpenditures,debarhimfor5years,insteadofpresent3years.

    M+I

    BritishfilmmakerLeeslieUdwinmadeadocumentaryIndiasdaughteraboutDec2012gangrape.SheinterviewedaccusedMukeshSinghinTiharJail,whoshowednoremorseandinsteadblamedthevictim.GovernmentofIndiabansitstelecastonBBC/NDTV.Butmoviesurfacedonyoutube.Probanarguments(1)Mukeshsvillainousremarkswillenragethepublic,scarethewomenandmaycreatelawandorderproblems.(2)casestillgoinginSupremecourtsonotapttoreleasesuchvideo,theymayaffectjudgesviewpointabouttheaccused.(3)allegationsthatLeesliepaidmoneytoMukeshtomakesuchcontroversialremarksand/orshefilmedhimwhilehewasunawareofthecamera.(4)LeeslieviolatedtermsandconditionslaiddownbyTiharjailadministration.Antibanarguments(1)needtoexposetheregressivemalemindset.(2)intheageofyoutube,notpossiblebanany

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    videofully.(3)LeesliehadgotallrawfootagesclearedbyTiharjailadministrator,onlyafterthatmoviewasedited.

    M+I

    SpecialCBIJudgeBharatParasharsummonsMohanforcoalscam.Mohan,KumarMangalamBirlaandthencoalSecretaryPCParakhaccusedunderPreventionofCorruptionAct(PCA)1988forgivingTalabiraIIcoalblocktoBirlasHINDALCO.Primeministerisnotimmunefromcriminalcases,whetherheisintheofficeoroutsidetheoffice.AlthoughMohanmaytrytododgeitbysaying,Iwasapublicservantatthattime,soGovernmentpermissionnecessarybeforebeginningmyprosecutionunderPCAact.ThenballwillfallinPresidentPranabscourttograntthesanction.

    OLF

    QuotesAgainsttheordinanceRaj(1)GVMavalankar:ordinanceareinherentlyundemocratic,andcannotbejustifiedexceptincaseofextremeurgencyoremergency.(2)mid80s:BiharGovernmentbeganpracticeofissuingandrenewingOrdinancesatregularinterval.SCjudgmentsaid:Thepowertopromulgateanordinanceisessentiallyapowertobeusedtomeetanextraordinarysituationanditcannotbeallowedtobepervertedtoservepoliticalends,becauseitiscontrarytoalldemocraticnormsthattheExecutiveshouldhavethepowertomakealaw..

    OLF egov:DelhiGovernmenttouploaderationcardsonitswebsite.Beneficiarycantakeprintoutanduseittoavailfoodsecurityactentitlements.

    OLFCICordersDelhiLieutenantGovernorsofficecomesunderRTIact.DelhiHCordersAttorneyGeneralsofficecomesunderRTIact.Untilnowbothhadbeendodgingtransparency,citingpendingcourtcasesaboutinterpretationofpublicauthorityterminRTIact.

    OLFOverthelast10years,expenditurebypoliticalpartiesfortheLokSabhaelectionshasraisedby400percent,saysareport.2004election~230croresspent,2014election:~1160croresspent.

    OLFWesternUttarPradeshpolicesettingupasocialmediamonitoringlabtocounterhatespeechonFacebookandTwitter.BecauseearliermiscreantsusedsocialmediatoinciteriotsatMuzaffarnagar,Deoband,MeerutandAligarh.

    OLFDelhijudgeordersGovernmenttostrictlyimplementArmsactandstoppeoplefromfiringgunsduringmarriageprocessionbecauseitcankillinnocentbystanders.

    OLFSEBIoffers2yearsspecialhardshipleavetoitswomenemployees.Sotheycantakecareoftheirfamily,kidsandhealth,overandabovethematernityleave.Ifotherorganizationsfollowedthesamemodel,itllhelpincreasingwomenparticipationinworkforce.

    OLF

    InternationalParliamentaryUnion(Geneva)sayswomenparticipationinparliamentshavedoublesinlast20years.Nowtheyhold~22%ofallparliamentaryseatsworldwide.Bestnation:Rwanada,Boliva,Andorra,Sweden.Over120nationsprovideQuotatowomeninparliamentseats.PerhapsIndiashouldconsideraswell.

    OLF

    AnAssameseMuslimtraderwasarrestedinDimapur(Nagaland)onchargeofrapingaNagawoman.NagalandnewspapersandbloggerswronglyreferredhimasIBI(illegalBangladeshiimmigrant).Theenragedmobtooklawintotheirownhands,bargedintotheprison,draggedhim&murdered

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    himinfullpublicviewattownsquare.Version1:ShowsthedisenchantmentofpeopletowardsIndianpoliceandjudiciaryinrapecases.Version2:Personwasfalselyaccused,butmurderedafterherefusedtopayillegaltaximposedbyNagasecessionists.

    OLFModigovernmentsettingupOneStopCentresprovideassistance,legaladviceandpsychologicalcounsellingtowomenwhofacedviolenceorabuse,plusamobilehelplinenumber.

    OLFRTI:PMOrefusestodiscloseThelettercorrespondencebetweenCMModiandPMVajpayeeduringGodharariots,sayingthirdpartyinformationCannotbedisclosed.ThirdpartybeingModihimself.

    OLFSCupholdslifesentencefor6oilmafiaswhomurderedIOCmanagerManjunathShanmughamforhiscrusadeagainstOiladulterationin2005.(sothecaseisgoingoninonecourttoanotherforlast15years).

    Ignored Modibecomesthefirstprimeministertohavelaunch@parliamentcanteen.

    Ignored JapanwillingtoallowIndianlawyerstopracticeinJapanifIndiareciprocatesbyallowingJapaneselawyershere.

    Ignored Landacquisitionbill,ModivsOppositionvsAnnaballbyball.BasicsalreadycoveredinoldarticleonLandordinance.Ignored Salmankhandrivingandpoachingcases.Ignored KerjiwalvsP.Bhushanvs.YogendraYadav.Kejriwalsnaturopathy.

    Ignored 58RajyaSabhaMPpetitiontoVicePresident,tobeginimpeacehmentprocessofMadhyaPradeshHCjudgeSKGangeleforsexualharassment.

    IgnoredFrom2009,ArmyadoptedCommandExitpromotionpolicy,underwhichtheofficersfrominfratryandartillarybranchesweregivenfirstpreferenceinpromotiontoColonelrank,comparedtotheofficersfromotherbranches.FinallyArmytribunalhasquashedthispolicyasviolationofArticle14.

    Ignored RahulGandhissecurityprofiling/politicalsnooping.

    MarW3W4Polity,Governance

    POnlyAfterDec2012Delhigangrape,thenUPAgovernmenthadsetupNirbhayaFundwithRs.1kCroreforfinancingwomensafetyprojects,butRTIrevealshardly200croresusedsofar.Nirbhyafundispartofpublicaccountthatfactisimportantforprelims.

    POnlyModiyettonominatetwoAngloIndianmembersinLokSabhadespitecompleting10monthsinpower.Ifappointmentnotmadeby31stmarch,theyllloseentireyearsallocationoffundsunderMPLADS.RefertotheoryinLaxmikanth

    POnly132ndInterparliamentaryunionheldatHanoi,Vietnam.Theme:SustainableDevelopmentGoals:Turningwordsintoaction.LokSabhaSpeakerSumitraMahajanattended.Statescansetuplegislativecouncils(VidhanParishad)onlyafterParliamentapproval.Following6statesalreadyhaveit:Currently,onlysixStatesfollowthebicameralsystemAndhra,Bihar,J&K,Karnataka,MaharashtraandUP.Followingproposalsarepending(1)threestateswanttocreateupper

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    P+M

    house:Assam,RajasthanandOdishaButparliamentyettoclear(2)Andhrawantstoraisenumberofmembersfrom50to58initslegislativecouncil.TheresneedforanationalpolicyforcreationofupperhouseinStatelegislatures.Otherwisewantonlystategovernmentdecidedtosetupandabolishthem.Accordingtoexpert,demandforVidhanParishadincreasingduetoriseinnumberofpoliticianswhocantgetelectedorfindjobsinstateownedPSUs.Antiargument:(1)suchseatsmostlyhoggedbydefeatedmembersofrulingpartywhogetnominatedtoupperhouse.(2)suchvidhanparishadsdonthavemuchpower,exceptdelayinglegislationforfourmonths.Theyonlyincreasefinancialburdenonstate.

    P+M

    Jatreservation.1992:IndraSwahnyjudgementSClays11parametersforinclusionofbackwardclasses,conceptofcreamylayergiven,50%maximumtotalreservation,subsequentlynationalcommissionforbackwardclassessetup.2014,Feb:NationalBackwardclasscommissionsaysJatsnotentitledforOBCstatus.2014,March:UPAgovernmentnotifiedJatsasOtherbackwardcommunity.2015,March:SChasstuckdownJatsOBCreservationsaying(1)10yearsagoNCBCdidasurveyanddidnotfindJatsbackward.so,ifGovernmentnowcallsthembackward,itsRetrogradegovernance(2)NCBCcommissionwasnotinfavorofgivingreservationtoJats.ItsdecisionordinarilybindingonGovernmen,unlesstherearecompellingreasonstodosomethingopposite.(3)justbecausestategovernmentshavegivenreservationtothem,thataloneisnotacompellingreasons.BecauseJatsarepoliticallyorganized(4)GovernmentshouldinsteadfocusongivingOBCstatustoothersocialclassessuchastransgenders.Constitutionalangles:15/4and16/1:statecanmakespecialprovisionsandreservation38:Statetoeliminiateinequality46:statetopromoteeducationamongSC/ST.protectthemfromsocialinjustice355:claimsofSC/STinGovernmentjobs.340:Presidenttoappointcommissionforbackwardclasses341/342:PresidenttospecifycastesandtribesinSC/ST.Epilogue:GroupofJATstudentsfilepetitionclaimingtheyalreadyhadfilledentranceexamformsasOBCcategoryformedical/dentalentranceexams,andgotdecentranksinOBCbutnowtheyllbeconvertedtoGeneralcategory.ButSCrefusestogiveanyrelieftothem.

    P+M

    2013:CICorderedpoliticalpartiesarepublicauthoritiesanswerabletoRTIs.ButnoneofthepartiesappealedagainsttheordertoCICortoanyhighercourt.SonowCICsaysitcantforceuncooperativeparties,RTIcampaignersneedtoapproachgovernmentorcourts.ExpertsfearthiswilldefeattheRTIpurposeifallbodiesbecomeuncooperativelikethis.

    P+MUnionInformationandTechnologyMinistrylaunchedBharatniti.in,apublicpolicyportaltoputwhatsandhowsofpolicymaking,usingTraditionalIndianwisdom.MainsQuestion:Relevanceofonlinemediainpolicydiscourses.

    P+M

    DigiLockerisaGovernmentportalthatallowsuserstosaveinsurance,medicalreports,PANcard,passport,marriagecertificate,schoolcertificateandotherdocumentsinthedigitalformat.Theycanbeverifiedonlineandprinted.Highestnumberofusers:Gujarat>UP>Maharashtra.DigilockerisoperatedbyDEITYDepartmentofElectronicsandInformationTechnology,underthecommunicationandITMinistry.Atpresent10MBfreespace.

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    Governmentplanningtoincreaseitto1GB.

    P+M

    DelhiPolicelaunchesBeatbookapp.SinceBritishRajandCr.PCsystem,Beatpolicemanhastorecordhisdailyactivities,petrolingrouteetc.Butinpenpapermodeittakeslotoftime.ThiswebbasedappwillhelpmoniterGPSCoordinatesofthepolicemenandautomaticallyupdatehisbeatbook,andnotifySuperiorofficersThroughacentralisedserver.ThisfollowsModisvisionforSMARTpolicing.

    P+MGovernmentlaunchesTwitterSamvadincollaborationwithTwitteranditsIndianacquiredZipdialcompany.Feature:selectedGovernmenttweetswillbedirectlysenttocitizensmobileasSMS.Willhelpinegovernance,disasterManagement,rescueops,lawandorderManagement.

    P+M

    ITActSection66Aremoved.Timeline2008:UPAGovernmentamendedITact2000toadd66Aprovidesjailupto3years2012:ShreyaSinghalfilesPIL.2015,March:SCstrikesdownSection66AReasons:Article19(2)empowersthestatetoputreasonablerestrictionsonfreedomofspeechforpublicinterest.ButthedefinitionsgiveninITactsection66Aweretoovague,andopentomisuse.Thoughtcontrolandrestrictionsonfreeideas,isacopyrightoftotalitarianregimes,ourConstitutionenvisagesarepublicandademocracy.Sinceoffensespoorlydefined,subjecttoarbitraryinterpretationandarrestevenformerecausingannoyance,inconveniencetosomeVIP.SC2013guidelinesaysarrestcanbemadeonlyafterauthorizationfromaSeniorpoliceofficerbutguidelinenotfollowedalways.AssemTrivediarrestedforacartoon,AProfessorarrestedinW.BengalforforwardingcartoonaboutMamtaBenarjee,2PunegirlsarrestedforfacebookpostaboutShivSenasforcefulBandhonMumbaicity,andlatestaUPteenagerarrestedforapostagainstSPleaderAzamKhan.AntiargumentsSection69Aand79stillnotremovedfromITact.SoGovernmentfreetoblockwebsitesandcontentforprotectingpublicorder,Indiassovereigntyetc.Policecanstillarrestpersonforonlinecontent,underIPCsection153(hatespeech),296A(religiousoutrage),505(Publicmischief)etc.

    M+I

    GujaratstateassemblypassesantiterrorBillnamedGujaratControlofOrganisedCrimeBill(GUJCOC).Earlieritwasrejectedtwice:Kalam(2004)andPratibha(2008).Salientfeaturesphonetapingpermittedandadmissibleasevidenceincourts,personcanbedetainedforupto180daysbasedonphonetappingaloneconfessionmadebeforeSPorhigherpoliceofficerisadmissibleincourt.stateGovernmentanditsofficersareimmunefromanylegalaction/compensationtosuspects,whiledoingworkinpublicinterestandgoodfaith[{}AntiargumentsnotalignedwiththeprovisionsofNSA,CrPC,EvidenceActorNIAAct.draconianprovisions.AimstomuzzlejholachhapNGOsandcivilsocietyactivists.POTAhadsimilarprovisionsbutwasrepealedduetomisuses.{}ProArgumentsGujaratsvulnerablecoastline,riseinnumberoforganizedcrimegangs.MaharashtraControlofOrganisedCrimeAct(MCOCA)hassimilardraconianprovisions.

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    M+I

    TheParliamentaryStandingCommitteeonPersonnelandLaw,beginsstudyonholdingsimultaneousLokSabhaandAssemblyelectionsfrom2019.CommitteeChairmanRajyaSabhaMP,E.M.SudarsanaNatchiappan(Congress).willsavelotofmanandmaterialExpenditure.PostIndependentIndiasfirstfourelectionswereheldinthismanner,butthenpracticediscontinuedduetothedissolutionofsomeStateassemblies.Pro:170thLawcommissionreport.LKAdvaniAnti:ExCECSYQureshi,becauseifaStategovernmentwasdissolvedwithinsixmonths,thengivenstatewillhave(A)toleratethatpartyforfouryearsOR(B)workunderpresidentialrulefor4years.Itllgoagainstthespiritofdemocracy,andonepartywillbeabletorunlikeadictatorforfiveyears.

    M+I

    SriLankanPrimeMinisterRanilWickremesinghetables19thConstitutionalamendmentbill.ProvisionconvertpresidentialformofGovernmenttoparliamentarysystem.reducepresidentialpowers.Presidentcanhaveonly2terms.Thencantgetreelected.Inshort,planstoundotheConstitutionalchangesmadebypreviousPresidentRajapaksa.TopicbecomesimportantforGS2MainscomparingConstitutions.

    OLF DelhiGovernmentwillnotgivepermitstotaxisunlesstheyinstallGPSmetersforwomensafety.

    OLFUnionGovernmentprovides33%reservationforwomeninthedirectrecruitmentfornongazettedpostsofconstablestosubinspectorsinthepoliceforcesofallUnionTerritories,Delhiincluded.

    OLFEChasbegandeduplicatingexercisetoremovduplicatevotersbycrosscheckingvotersidnumberswithaadharnumber.EChopefulthatafterremovingduplicates,voting%willbe8485%inanyelection.

    OLF1stGlobalDalitconferenceheldinWashington.TheywantUScongresstopassaresolutioncondemningpracticeofuntouchabilityinIndia,NepalandotherSouthAsiannations.

    OLF

    PoliticalpartiesareexemptedfromIncometaxandgetothertaxbenefits.Only200outof1600partiesactuallycontestinanylocal,stateofnationalelection.Itmeansremaining1400aremainlysetupfortaxavoidancepurpose.NowCICsaystheirregistrationwillbecancellediftheyrenotcontestingelection.

    OLFKarnatakaGovernmentwantstobuild2damsacrossCauveryriveratMekedatu.TamilnaduGovernmentaskedModitostopitsconstruction,elseTamilnaduswatersupplywillbeaffected.

    OLFPublicprosecutorUjjwalNikamsaysKasabneveraskedforBiryani.Nikamcookedupthatstorytoenragepublic,sothatmediastopsportrayingKasabasascapegoatandmisguidedyouth.NowMaharashtraGovernmenthastermedNikamsactionasunfortunate.Makesagoodcasestudyforethics.

    OLFLokSabhaSecretariathasputGodseasanunparlimentarianword.ShivSenaMPHemantTukaramGodseobjects,whyentirecommunityssurnamebedeemedasanunparliamentarianwordforthedeedsofonemanNathuramGodse!?Amnestyinternationalreportondeathsentences:No.1isChina.Iran,IraqandSaudiArabiaaccountedfor75%ofworldexecutions.Indiancourtsaward~64deathsentenceayearbutnohangingsin201415becauseofSC

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    OLF

    judgmentthatmentaldisabilityandPresidentialdelayindisposingmercypetitionfilesarealsothegroundsforcommutingdeathsentences.Latestexecution:Kasab(2012)andAfzalGuru(2013).UtahbecomesfirstAmericanstatetolegalizeexecutionbyfiringsquad,duetoshortageoflethalinjectiondrugs.Pak.ResumedexecutionofprisonersafterPeshawararmyschoolmassacre.~8kPakistaniprisonersondeathrow.Nocredibleevidenceorstatisticstoshowthatfearofcapitalpunishmentreducescrimerateinacountry.

    OLF

    KarnatakaStateassemblypassesbills:Class1to5mustbetaughtinchildsmothertongueorKannadaKannadatobeoneofthecompulsorylanguageforclass1to10,(ExceptCBSE/ICSE).ItllbecomelawoncePresidentassents.

    OLF

    Supremo/HighcommandcultureinIndianpoliticalparties.Evennondynasticalpartieshaveite.g.AAP,AIUDF,AsomGanaParishad(AGP),TrinamoolCongresstonameafew.suchcentralizationcomesbecauseourpartiesdonthaveindependentcivilsocietyorganizationalbasetoputacheckontheme.g.RSSonBJPorerstwhileAnnamovementonKejriwal.IndianstatesmaaibaapnaturefromgivingjobsunderMNREGAtotransportingpeopleviarailwaystobuildingindustrialcomplexesthroughPSUs.SupremoleadertriestobecomebossofbothpartyandGovernment(PM/CM)tocontrolthisflow,dolloutlargessetovotebank,loyalworkers,contractorsandcorporateswhohelphiminelections.Endresult:electoralcorruption.Politicalfragmentationwithnewpartiespoppingupeverynowandthenbydisgruntledleaderse.g.YSRCongress,YogendraYadavsproposedpartyetc.

    OLF UPpassesabilltofixaccountabilityandfinancialpowersofMayors.

    OLFUnderIPCSection304A,rashandNegligentdrivinggetsmax.2yearsevenifdeathcaused.Supremecourtsaysthereisneedforstringentpunishment.DelhiHCtoosaysdrunkdriverislikeasuicidebomberanddeservesasternpunishment.

    OLF

    In2011,municipalCorporationofDelhi(MCD)wassplitinto3partsNorth,SouthandEast,bythenCMSheilaDixit,hopingthatitwillimproveefficiency.ButnowNorthandEastDelhicivicbodiesinfinancialcrisis,unabletopaysalariestostaffandevencancelledshoepurchaseplanforprimaryschoolkids.Now,authoritiesplanningforremerger,butpoliticalpartiesnoncommittal.Moralofthestorydecentralizationnotalwaysgood,sometimeseconomiesofscalebetter.

    OLFPlannedmergerof6JantaParivarparties:SamajwadiParty,theRashtriyaJanataDal,theJD(U),theIndianNationalLokDal,theJanataDal(Secular)andtheSamajwadiJanataParty.TheirmainleaderwillbeMulayamSinghYadavandElectionsymbol:Bicycle.

    Ignored Budget2015sessionmostproductiveinLokSabhaoveradecadebecausebothhousesworkedmorethantheirscheduledtime.

    Ignored GoaGovernmentdoesntlistGandhiJayanti(2ndOct)instatepublicholidays.LaterapologizesforTypingmistake.FIRagainstExCongressMinisterRenukaChaudharyfortakingbribesfrom

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    Ignored apersontogethimLokSabhaelectionticketsinAndhraPradesh.

    IgnoredControversiessurrounding(1)MysteriousdeathofKarnatakaIASofficerDKRavi.CBIinquiryordered.(2)AquitalsinHashimpuramassacre(1987)(3)FireaccidentinParliamentcomplex(4)M.P.GovernorssonaccusedinVyapamrecruitmentsscam,founddeadinmysteriouscircumstances

    Ignored

    Aftertakingoverthepower,ModiGovernmenthadaskederstwhileCongigovernorstovoluntarilyresign.ButonegovernorAzizQureshihaddraggedModiGovernmenttoSupremecourt.Aftermath:hewastransferredtoMizoramandfinallyremovedfromoffice.NowWestBengalGovernorKeshariNathTripathiwillholdadditionalchargeofMizoram.

    IgnoredChiefJusticeofIndiaJusticeH.L.DattuholdingconferenceofHighCourtchiefjusticesongoodFriday.Christianscriticise,ButDattusayseveninpast,conferencesheldonpublicholidays.Besidesifhelponworkingdaythencourtworkwillsuffer.

    Ignored DelhiHighCourtsaysevenforeignairlinehavingevenoneofficeinIndia,isboundbytheSexualHarassmentofWomenatWorkplaceAct2013.

    Ignored

    Controversiessurrounding(1)MysteriousdeathofKarnatakaIASofficerDKRavi.CBIinquiryordered.(2)AcquittalsinHashimpuramassacre(1987)(3)FireaccidentinParliamentcomplex(4)M.P.GovernorssonaccusedinVyapamrecruitmentsscam,founddeadinmysteriouscircumstances(5)CAGreportsaysHoodaGovernmentfloutednormstohelpRaabertVadragrablandinHaryana.(6)UPPSCpaperleakedonwhatsapp,examcancelled.(7)AAPinfighting,MedhaPatkarquits.(8)SCissuesnoticetoBJPleaderL.K.AdvanietalforBabriMasjiddemolitioncaseof1992.(9)Landamendmentbillballbyball.

    Ignored GujaratHighCourtsaysliveinrelationshipandsubsequentbreachofpromisetomarry,isnotrape.

    Environment&AgricultureMarchW1&W2

    POnly

    ExAnchorofCCTV(ChineseDoordarshan)Ms.ChaiKingsdocumentaryonChinaspollutionproblem,hasbecamehitoninternet.EvenChineseparliamentexpectedtodebateonit.MoviesimpactisevencomparedtoRachaelCarsonsbookSilentSpring(1962)thatstartedenvironmentmovementinUSA.

    POnly

    ThedifferenceinpartialpressureoftheCO2betweenseawaterandairfacilitategaseousexchange.Duetothisphysicochemicalprocess,Oceanactsasthelargestcarbonsinkonearth.Thedissolvedcarbondioxideisimportantbecause(1)itregulatesPHofseawaterandtherebyhealthofmarineorganisms(2)helpsmarineorganismsformcalcareousmaterial,latertheydie=>sediments=>petroleum(3)helpPhytoplanktonsinphotosynthesis.

    POnly SarusCraneistheofficialbirdofUPstate.NGTordersdeclaringDhanauriandParasaulaswetlandtoprotectthisspecies.

    POnly2012:googledevelopstrekkercamera,toprovideStreetviewofnotabletouristsites.LatestMaping:(1)Amazonrainforest(2)Sagarmathanationalpark,MountEverest.

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    POnly CorroboreefrogsfoundingAustralianranges.Atonepoint,only4wereleft,henceconsideredtherarestfrogintheworld.

    POnlyGlobalForestWatchisanonlineplatformthatgeneratessatelliteimagesofforestlossworldwide,usinggooglemaps.GovernmentsandNGOsuseitasbenchmarktoassessforestloss.

    POnly

    UlvellaleptochaeteisanendophyticAlgaefoundinBritishIslesandIndianOcean.Thesearemicroscopicalageliveinsidemacroscopicseaweeds.Suchendophyticmarineorganismsusuallyproducetaxol/paclitaxelwhichcanbeusedinanticancerdrugs.Althoughthisalgaeisyettobetestedforpresenceofthisanticancercompound.

    POnly

    ChamaleonsemegedinAfricapostGondwanaperiod,around90millionyearsback.RamanSpectruscopydecodestheChameleoncolorchangingmechanism.Theirskinismadeupoflatticeofnanocrystalscallediridophores,thatcancometogetherandshiftlightswavelengthtochangecolor.

    POnly

    Buddha/MalabarPeacockbutterflyisendemictoSouthAsia.RemainingvaritiesofpeacockbutterfliesfoundinWestBengal.PlusanewMalayanGreenBandedPeacockbutterfly(Papiliopalinurus)alsodiscoveredinW.Bengalrecently.ThisbutterflyisalsofoundinMynmar,BorneoandPhilippines.

    POnlyHighestpopulationofRhinosinIndia:(1)KazirangaNationalParkinAssam(2000)(2)JaldaparaNationalPark,W.Bengal(250).ButinBengal,therhinomalefemaleratiois2:1,hencedifficulttomanagesustainablepopulation.

    POnly

    SolarImpulse2(Si2),theworldsfirstsolaraircraftthataimstocircumventglobewithoutadropoffuel.ItbeganjourneyfromAbuDhabiandlandedinAhmedabad.PilotscumdevelopersareAndreBorschbergandBertrandPiccardfromSwitzerland.Aircraftweight:2300,wingslargerthanBoeing747butweightsjustlikeacar.speedbetween36to140kmph.planstocoverworldin25daysflightspreadacross5monthsduration.

    P+M

    PresidentapprovesMaharashtraAnimalPreservation(Amendment)Bill,1995tobanslaughterofcattle.Beefsellingpunishableupto5years.Willaffect1crorepeopleslivelihood.NorthEasternstatesdontprohibitit.remainingstateseithercompletelyprohibitorselectivelypermitwithcertificatestoslaughtercattleotherthancow.ProslaughterPoints:cheapsourceofproteinforpoors.Livelihoodtomillions.Nopointinwastinggrassfoddertouselessoragedanimal.Antislaughterpoints:Theweakandmeekneedmoreprotectionandcompassion.

    P+M

    CriticallyEndangeredGreatIndianBustards(GIB)istheStatebirdofRajasthan.Total150GIBliveinIndia,outofthem~100inRajasthanalone,andremaininginMaharashtra,Gujarat,andAndhraPradesh.Butthenewcensussaysonly50GIBleftinRajasthan.AndzeroGIBleftinUttarPradeshandBihar.ThardesertofRajasthanisthebreedinggroundforGIB.OfficiallyitscalledDesertNationalParkbutlegallyitsonlyasanctuarythereforehumanactivitiespermitted,evenSupremecourtpermittedschoolconstructionshere.Otherdangers(1)installationofwindmills(2)shortageofforestguards.

    P+MWorldconferenceondisasterriskreductionatSendai,Japanfrom1418thMarch2015.Indiashomeministerwillparticipate.Theywillevolvestrategy

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    followingthecurrentHyogoFrameworkofAction.OLF ISROstudysaysSunderbanslosinggreencoverandlandmass.

    OLFNGTordersONGCandotherbodiestopay~95crorestothetraditionalfishermenfamiliesofRaigaddistrictinMaharashtra.Thisisthehighestcompensationorderpassedsofar.

    OLFGlobalwarming/climatechangewillincreasepestpopulationandvarietybecause(1)insectdevelopmentstagesgetchanged(2)theydontdiequicklyinwintersbecausetemperaturenotcoldenough.

    OLF

    MadhyaPradesh>SingrauliDistrict>MahanCoalmines.Tribalsareopposingit.GreenpeaceactivistMs.PillaiwantedtoraisethismattertoBritishMPs.ButGovernmentofIndiabannedherforeigntravel.Newcondition:ifshegiveswrittenundertakingthatshewillnotmakeanysubmissionsaboutrightsviolationsinIndiabeforeaBritishParliamentaryCommittee,onlythenshellbeallowedtotravel.BecausesuchtestimoniesleadtoreleaseofbiasedannualreportsbyEUandUSparliamentsandadversetradenegotiations.Finalverdict:DelhiHCliftsthebansayingdevelopmentactivitesandcounterpointdebatesgoingonsinceages.Butthatcantbeusedforcurtailingcitizensfundamentalrights,mereexpressionofcounterpointcantbeclaimedantinationalactivity.hencePillaifreetogo.

    Ignored Australianauthoritieskill~700koalasbecausetheywerestarvingduetofoodshortage.

    Ignored JapansAoshimaislandisalsoknownasCatislandbecausecattohumanpopulationratiois6:1.

    MarW3W4Environment,Agro

    POnlyTottenGlacieristhelargestinEastAntarctica.Butithasbeenmeltingatfastrate,Scientistsnowfoundtwopathwayschannelingwarmoceanwaterunderitandtherebyincreasingthemelting.

    POnly Chennaihighestpercapitaemitterofgreenhousegases,saysIISc.

    POnly CyclonePamravagedPacificnationVanutu(capitalPortVila).ItspresidentBaldwinLonsdaleseeksworldhelp.

    POnly

    FirstcountrytousebiofuelinaviationCanada(2012).Recently,HainanAirlinesbecomesChinasfirstcompanytoflyBoeing737withbiofuel.ThisbiofuelhasconventionalATFfuelanddiscardedcookingoilfromrestaurantin50:50ratio.Chineserestaurantscanselloffusedcookingoil,otherwisetheyusedtoeitherthrowitawayorreuseitmultipletimeinfoodpreparationwhichisbadforhumanhealth.

    POnly

    IndiasnotedenvironmentalistRajendraSingh(nicknameWaterman)wonStockholmWaterPrize2015(Sweden,KingCarlXVIGustaf).HewasborninUP,workedinRajasthanfordecadestosolvedroughtissueinIndianvillages.EarlierhewantMagsaysayawardtoo(2001)forcommunitybasedwaterManagement.HisviewsGovernmenthasreplacedrejuvenationwithcontractordrivensewagetreatmentandriverfrontDevelopment.merelydeclaringGangaasnationalriver=insufficient.Pollutermustbepunished.

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    hesrunningJalJanJodocampaigntospreadwaterconservationmessage.

    POnly

    BritishnaturalistCharlesDarwincameacrossfossilsofToxodonandMacruchenia.TheseSouthAmericanmammalshadtrunklikeelephant,headlikeahippoandteethlikearodent.DarwinwasunabletoplacetheseSouthAmericanungulatesinthelineofmammalianevolution.(ungulates=animalswithhooves).Theory1:theyrerelatedwithAfricanmammalslikeelephantsandaardvarks.Theory2:theyrerelatedwithSouthAmericanSouthAmericanmammalslikearmadillosandsloths.Theory3:theyrerelatedwithCamels.LatestconclusionthroughDNAanalysisToxodonandMacrucheniabelongtoperissodactylsoddtoedhoofedmammalslikerhinos,tapirs,andhorses.Andnotrelatedwithcamelinanyway.

    POnly

    MadhavGadgilwinsUSAsTylerPrizeforEnvironmentalAchievementfor2015(2lakhdollars).HeplayedkeyroleindraftingNationalbiodiversityact2002.HewaschairmanoftheWesternGhatsEcologyExpertPanel(WGEEP),butGovernmentdidnotlikehisreport.Notonebit.SotheysetupanotherpanelunderKasturirangan.Nonetheless,AmericanenvironmentaliststooknoteofGadgilsreportandgavehimtheaward.

    POnly AfricanElephantSummit,atKasane,Botswana.DelegatessayAfricanelephantswillbeextinctwithinfewdecadesduetopoachingandivorytrade.

    POnly

    Usingbiorefining,Itispossibletoturnmacroalgae(seaweeds)intobioethanol(fuel),andbyproductslikeagar,pigment,lipidsandfertilziers.Importantseaweedspecies:GelidiellaacerosaandGracilariadurafromWesterncoastofIndia,andGelidiumpusillumcollectedfromsoutheastcoast.Challenge:needtogrowmillionsoftonesofseaweed.Butgoodthingisseaweedfarmingcanprovidelargescaleemploymenttomanyfishermen,andreducecoastaleutrophicationandgolbalwarming.

    POnly CamelisthestateanimalofRajasthan.NowStategovernmenthaspassedthelawslaughter/crueltytocamelPunishableupto5yearsjailandfine.

    POnlyPolyhousecultivationintunneldomeshapedgreenhouselikestructures.KeralaAgriculturalUniversity(KAU)hasdevelopedaseedlesshybridcucumberthatisidealforpolyhousecultivation.TillnowweweredependentonMNCsfromAsiancountrytoprovideussuchcultivars.

    POnlyWWFcelebratesearthhouron28March2015,askingpeopletoswitchofflightfor60minutesafter8:30PM.170+countries,~40UNESCOworldheritagesitesparticipated

    POnly

    Tostopthenuisanceof>8500MonkeysinDelhi,municipalcorporationwillinstallpowerfencingorsimiantapearoundGovernmentbuildings.Thefencewillgiveaverylowvoltageshocktotheanimal,soitdoesntdiebutjustgetsscarredoff.

    P+M

    Roads,trainsandpowerlinesarecalledLinearinfrastructureprojects.UnderModiraj,environmentministrydilutedclearancenormsforcuttingtreesforsuchprojectsundertheForestConservationActof1980.Pro(1)Roadsandpowerlinesvitalforeconomicgrowth,mobilityanddeliveryofservices.Anti(1)Habitatfragmentation(2)wildlifedeathsinroadaccidentsandpoaching(3)landslidesanderosion(4)artificialplantationtocompensatetheforestloss,cannotcompensatefor#1,2,3.Therefore,NationalGreenTribunal

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    hasorderedthatnolinearprojectoranyothernonforestactivitybecarriedoutinaforestareaunlessafinalorderhasbeenpassedbytheStategovernment.

    P+M

    KarnatakasBandipurTigerreservetousedronetomonitermovementofanimals,poachersandforestfire.Aprivatecompanykeyfalconhasgivendroneonmonthlyrent,alongwithandroidappHejje(Pugmark)tocoordinatemovementofforestguardsandtigers.Itfliesatalowlevel,localpeoplefeargettingcaughtbyit,thusdronedeterspoachersandjunglemafia.Simultaneously,sensorbasedcamerainstalledatkeyplacestotrackmovementofmenandanimals.Priceofdrone~2lakhrupees.Factoids:1973ProjectTigerbegan,Total47tigerreservesin18statescovering~2%geographicalarea,60%ofworldTigersinIndia.Tigerreserveshave(1)bufferareawhereforest+nonforestland(2)coreareaexclusivelyfortigeronly.

    P+M Disaster:J&KdevastatedbyanotherfloodinJelum.

    P+M

    InMarchW1,PresidentapprovedMaharashtraAnimalPreservation(Amendment)Bill,1995tobanslaughterofcattle.Beefsellingpunishableupto5years.NorthEasternstatesdontprohibitit.remainingstateseithercompletelyprohibitorselectivelypermitwithcertificatestoslaughtercattleotherthancow.ProslaughterPoints:Whatabout1crorepeopleslivelihooddirectlyinbeefindustryandindirectlyinleatherindustry.cheapsourceofproteinforpoors.Livelihoodtomillions.Nopointinwastinggrassfoddertouselessoragedanimal.Lions,tigersandothercarnivoresinMumbaizoosnowgetchickenastheirprimaryfeed.Keepersworryabouttheanimalslosingstrengthduetolackofbeef||Antislaughterpoints:Theweakandmeekneedmoreprotectionandcompassion.ExUnionEnvironmentministerJairamRameshhadsaidmeatandbeefindustryresponsibleforhugeamountofmethaneemissionharmingtheenvironment.

    P+M

    UndertheNationalGreenTribunalact,NGTcandeliverjusticeonlyinmatterspertainingtofollowingactsWaterAct,TheWaterCessAct,TheForestConservationAct,TheAirPollutionAct,EnvironmentProtectionAct,PublicLiabilityInsuranceActandTheBiologicalDiversityAct.ForestministrycontendsthatNGTcantdeliveranyVerdictonmattersrelatedtoclimatechange.Becauseclimatechangesubjectiscoveredunderinternationalconventionsandprotocols.

    P+M

    Chinaplanningtoinstallamegasolarpowerplantingeosynchronousorbit.Itwilltransfertheelectricityusingmicrowaveorlaserstoacollectoronearth.Spacebasedsolarpanelscangenerate10timesmoreelectricitythangroundbasedpanelsperunitarea.EntireideainspiredfromAmericansciencefictionwriterIssacAsimovsshortstoryReason.Challenges:commerciallyviablespacepowerplantwillrequire10,000tonnesofmaterial.NeedverycheapSatellitelaunchvehicletosenditinspace.solarpanelsneedtobeverylightweightJaitapurNuclearPowerProject(JNPP).Capacity9900MW.PartnersAreva(France)andNPCIL(India).Itllbethelargestpowergeneratingstationintheworlduponcompletion.However,since2005,Governmentbegunissuing

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    OLF compensationchequestoaffectedfamiliesbut60%ofthemendedupinlitigationbecausemultiplefamilymembersclaimingrightoverthesamefarmsduetooutdatedlandrecords.

    OLF NGTcallsRailwaysthebiggestopentoilet,andordersfineofRs.5000toanyonefoundlitteringordefecatingontracksorplatforms.

    OLF

    Giventhehighairpollutionandsmogproblem,ParisMayorcomesupwithnovelsolution.Foraweekonlyvehicleswithoddnumberedplatescandrive.Remainingwillhavetousepublictransportfreeofcost.Ruleexemptedfortaxis,electriccars,ambulanceandotherpublicvehicles.Thismoveisexpectedtoreduceno.ofcarsonstreetby50%,therebyeasingcongestionandairpllution.Parishadimposedsimilarrulein2014too.Factoid:PlanetsmostpollutedcitywasAhvazinIran.SaysWHO.

    OLFCFLlampscontainmercury,whichifnotrecycled,cancreatevarietyofdiseases.Buteveryyear,Delhialonegenerate~75kilosofMercuryduetobroken/thrownawayCFLs.

    OLF

    InMarch2015,RBIhadbroughtrenewableenergyunderprioritysectorlendingnorms.Subsequently,publicsectorbankshavesettargettoloan1.7lakhcrorerupeestothisarea,todevelop~35,000MWrenewableenergy.SBIbeinghighest75kcrores.Simultaneously,GovernmentpermitsPowerGridCorporationLtd(PageCIL)togetsoftloanfromADBandbegin20kMWgreencorridor.

    Ignored AssamsKanzirangaNationalParkslatestsurveysaysrhinopopulationhasincreasedto2400.

    Ignored DelhiuniversitytosetupitsownweatherstationformonitoringmicroclimateofDelhi.

    Ignored Tigersandleopardsdonotdrinkblood.Thesecarnivoresdonothaveanymechanismtosuckbloodwhentheykilltheirprey.

    Ignored MithiVirdi,Bhavnagardistrict6000MWnukepowerplantplanned.VillagersallegeCRZpermissiongivenwithoutinspection.

    Ignored

    Britishscientistsfindanewamphibianspeciesintheageofdinosaurs,namedMetoposarusAlgarvensis,itwasalargesalamander,withlegslikecrocodile,headlikeatoiletseatandsizelikeacar.ItseemsthereporterinchargeofHindusweeklydinodiscoveriessection,hasshiftedtoIndianexpress.

    ScienceTech,DefenseMarchW1&W2

    Defense POnlyTheDefenceAcquisitionCouncil(DAC)clears(1)buyingPilatusbasictraineraircraftfromSwitzerland(2)buildingMineCountermeasureVessels(MCMV)@GoaShipyard(3)HTT40traineraircraftfromHAL.

    Defense OLF

    HomeMinistryhasgiveninprincipleapprovalforrecruitmentofwomenofficersintheIndoTibetanBorderPolice(ITBP).SofromnextroundofCAPFexam,UPSCwillnotifyvacanciesaccordingly.ITBPguards~3500kmIndiaChinaborderathighaltitudesalongtheHimalayanranges.

    Defense OLF OneRankOnepensiontobeimplementedfrom1/4/2015.

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    Defense IgnoredMinesweepervesselINSAlleppey(boughtfromRussiain70s)gotdecommissioned.Nowwereleftwithonly5minesweepervessels.

    Defense POnlyPakistandevelopingindigenousDronenamedBarraq(flyinghorse)andlaserguidedmissileforthatdrone,namedBarq(lightening)

    Defense POnlyLargestdefenceimportersof2014.number1isS.Arabia.ThenIndia,China,UAE,Taiwanetc.inthepreviousyear,Indiawas1stlargestimporter.

    IT/electronics POnlyUndernationalnumberingplan2003,theDepartmentoftelecomhasreserved111to115numbersasspares.ButVodafoneusing111.TRAIordersvodafonetostopthis.

    IT/electronics OLFCloudSelfOrganisedLearningEnvironment(SOLE)facilityinIndiaandUS.InSOLEmethod,childrenareputintoselforganizedgroupsandselfstudywithhelpofcomputers,withminimalrules.

    IT/electronics OLF

    Americanengineerswiredminicomputersintocockroachsnervoussystem,tocontrolitsmovements.Suchliveinsectbotscan(1)gointosmallplaces,detectenvironment2)escapepredatorsandmovethroughdebrisbetterthanhumandesignmechanicalrobots.Althoughcontrollingbiologicalorganismsthroughartificialmeans,raisesethicalconcerns.

    IT/electronics OLF

    AfterFacebookacquiredOculusVirtualrealityfor$2billion,GoogledeploysateamtobuildAndroidOperatingsystemforVirtualrealityapplications,anditwillbedistributedfreeofcost.Googlehopesthismovewillhelptocapturethemarketjustlikeitdidinandroidpoweredsmartphones.

    Medical IgnoredConsumeraffairsministryrequiresevencosmeticproductstoputred/greendotlabeltonotifywhethertheyrevegetarianornonveg.OnepharmagiantReckittBenckisergoestocourtsayingthisgoesagainstdrugandcosmeticactprovisions.

    Medical OLF

    EvenchildrenfromwelltodoIndianfamiliesareshorterandsmallerthanSubSaharankidsbecauseIndianmothershavelessbodymassduringpregnancy.Indianeedstocomeoutwithnationalguidelinesforhealthyweightgainduringpregnancy.

    Medical Ignored Peshawarpolicearrestsover450parentsfornotallowingpolioworkerstovaccinatetheirchildren.

    Medical POnly

    GileadScienceblockbusterHepatitisCdrugSovaldisellsfor$1,000apill.Henceunaffordablebymanyinthedevelopingcountries.FinallyNATCONatcoPharmasigneddealwithGileadtosellgenericcopiesofthisdrugto91developingnationsandpay7%royaltytoGilead

    Medical OLFNewdatafromCensus2011:childbirthdecliningeveryyearandasaresultchildsexratioalsodecliningbecause(1)peoplestophavingmorebabiesassoonastheygotasonand(2)sexselectiveabortion.

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    Medical IgnoredSunPharmaceuticalsDilipShanghvibecomesrichestIndian($21.5billion).Forbeswealthiestpeopleinworld:Diliprank37,MukeshAmbaniranks43rd.AzimPremji48th.

    Medical IgnoredResearcherworkingonOralswabtechniquetodetectTB.Althoughnofinalproductorfunkyabbreviationyetlaunched.Henceignored.

    Medical Ignored Researchersworkingonachikungunyavaccinethatisbasedonameaslesvaccinevirus.Finalproductyettobelaunched.

    Medical OLF

    HealthMinistrytocelebrateInternationalWomensDayasSafeMotherhoodDay:freecheckupsfrom8thto10thMarch2015.4060yearswomenwillgetbreastcancertest,3060yearswomenwillgetcervicalcancertests.PregnantwomenwillgetMotherandChildProtection(MCP)cards.Familyplanningservicesandnutritionaladvicefreeofcosttoall.

    Medical OLFCountrywithlargestopendefecation(1)Indiaofcourse(2)Indonesia(3)Pakistan.UNICEFsaysover40millionPakistanidonthaveaccesstotoilet,thereforestuntedgrowth&lowHumandevelopment.

    Medical OLFFrancesParliamentworkingonabill,thatllallowTerminallyillpatientstooptforheavysedativestoundergodeepsleepuntiltheydie.Criticssaythisamountstoeuthanasiaindisguise.

    Medical P+M

    Modilaunches3doseROTAVACvaccine.ThisisIndiasfirstindigenouslydevelopedandmanufacturedrotavirusvaccineforchildrenunder5,withhelpofUS.Rotaviruskills~80kkidseveryyearinIndia.WellevensupplythisVaccinetootherlowincomecountriesfor$1adose,ItwillalsopromotemakeinIndia.

    Medical POnly

    PeoplewithAbloodgrouparemorevulnerabletomalariabecauseplasmodiumparasitedamagestheirprotein,makestheseredbloodcellsclump(Rosettes)tovesselwallsandtherebyobstructingbloodflowandevencausingdeathsaysanewreport.

    Medical POnlyMutationisapermanentchangeofthenucleotidesequenceofthegenomeofanorganism.MITresearcherssaytheH1N1SwinefluvirushasundergonemutationinIndia,thusithasbecomeeasiertospread,moredeadly,difficulttocure.

    Medical OLFMedicalTerminationofPregnancy(MTP)AmendmentDraftBillproposestoallowayurvedacharyas,homoeopathsandnursestoconductabortions.IndianMedicalAssociation(IMA)isagainstthismove,sayingitllputwomenslivesindanger.

    Medical P+M

    PharmaJanSamadhan:anonlineportalwherepubliccanfilecomplaintabout(1)overpricedmedicines(2)shortageofmedicines(3)saleofmedicinewithoutapprovalofNPPA.NationalPharmaceuticalPricingAuthority(NPPA)willbeginactionwith48hours.Overall,matterfallsunderchemical

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    fertilizerministry.

    SciTech Ignored

    IITJodhpuranalyzedbigdataaboutIndiancuisine,andrevealedt