Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020

Dear Aspirants

IASbhai Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020-21 is an initiative to dilute major articles from leading Newspapers in India which are most relevant to UPSC preparation –‘THE HINDU, LIVEMINT , INDIAN EXPRESS’ and help millions of readers who find difficulty in answer writing and making notes everyday. Hence we choose articles on daily basis and analyse them with respect to UPSC PRELIMS 2021.

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

HIGHLIGHT INFO:

ORANGE COLOUR: Important for Prelims.

RED COLOUR: Important for Mains.

BLACK COLOUR: Must Read !

BLUE COLOUR : Important Links/Survey.

PINK COLOUR: Reports/Themes/Summits.

Page Contents:

Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020 | Prelims & Mains 2021

Today's Must Read Articles :

CORPAT 2020

‘One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance’

HEADLINES:

Three UN organisations launch a new global coalition of global leaders to tackle AMR

WHY IN NEWS:

20-member group to be co-chaired by Bangladesh and Barbados prime ministers

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Health : AMR : UN

ISSUE:

GLOBAL LEADERS GROUP ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

OVERVIEW

In the wake of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global group called ‘One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance’ was launched .

LAUNCHED BY

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
World Health Organization (WHO).

ABOUT GLOBAL LEADERS GROUP ON AMR

This 20-member group comprises heads of states, current and former ministers of different countries, leaders from the private sector and civil society.
It is co-chaired by the prime ministers of Barbados and Bangladesh, Mia Mottley and Sheikh Hasina Wazed, respectively.

The heads of FAO, OIE and WHO are ex-officio members of the group.

The group was created in response to a recommendation from the Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (IACG) .
The IACG was convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations after the UN high-level meeting on AMR in 2017.

AIM

The group will harness the leadership and influence of these world-renowned figures to catalyze global attention and action to preserve antimicrobial medicines.

The focus will be on averting the disastrous consequences of antimicrobial resistance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The group has to monitor the global response to antimicrobial resistance
Maintain public momentum

Provide regular reports on the science and evidence related to AMR to the UN member states

Advocate for the inclusion of AMR ‘lens’ in investments on agriculture, health, development, food and feed production
Push for multi-stakeholder engagement on the issue.

IASbhai WINDUP:

The group will meet twice a year.

SUGGESTED READING : AMR WEEK 2020

SOURCES: DownToEarth | Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020

Ordinance to ban online gaming

HEADLINES:

Tamil Nadu Governor promulgates ordinance to ban online gaming

WHY IN NEWS:

It provides for ₹5,000 fine, prison term

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : Ordinance

ISSUE:

Innocent people, mainly youngsters, were being cheated due to online gaming, and some had even been pushed to take the extreme step.

ORDINANCE TO BAN ONLINE GAMING

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday promulgated an ordinance to ban online gaming in the State.
Ordinance is providing for the levy of a ₹5,000 fine and six months imprisonment for those found to be engaging in it.

In order to avoid such incidents of suicide and protect innocent people from the evils of online gaming, the ordinance was formulated.

The Governor promulgate an ordinance by amending the Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930.

WAGERING OR BETTING

The ordinance provides for banning persons who are wagering or betting in cyber space using computers or any communication device or resource.
People who open/keep common gaming houses will be punished with a fine of ₹10,000 and two years’ imprisonment, the statement added.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

The ordinance provides for banning “electronic transfer of funds” for wagering or betting, distributing the winnings or prize money.

It also provides for punishing the persons running the company which conducts online gaming through wagering and betting.

ORDINANCE MAKING POWER OF GOVERNOR

He can promulgate ordinance when the Legislative Assembly is not in session in case of the unicameral legislature.
He can promulgate ordinance when both Legislative assembly and council are not in session in case of a bicameral legislature.

The ordinance introduced by him can be withdrawn anytime

He can roll-out an ordinance for only those matters on which state legislature can make laws
His ordinances have the same effect on policies as state’s acts will have.
If his ordinance legislates on matters which state government has no power on, the ordinance stands null and void

His power to promulgate ordinance is not a discretionary power.

Aid and Advise of Council of Ministers (headed by CM) advice is a pre-requisite

IASbhai WINDUP:

President’s instructions on the following three cases are must:

If a bill containing the same provisions would have required the previous sanction of the President for its introduction into the state legislature
If he would have deemed it necessary to reserve a bill containing the same provisions for the consideration of the President
If an act of the state legislature containing the same provisions would have been invalid without receiving the President’s assent

SOURCES: THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020

Study on ‘status of radicalisation’

HEADLINES:

In a first, govt. approves study on ‘status of radicalisation’

WHY IN NEWS:

Researchers to arrive at definition, suggest changes to UAPA

MINISTRY? :- Union Home Ministry

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : UAPA

ISSUE:

The Union Home Ministry has, for the first time, approved a research study on “Status of radicalisation in India”.

STATUS OF RADICALISATION

The study will attempt to legally define “radicalisation” and suggest amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), the police think tank of the Ministry, had invited research proposals from academics and legal experts in 2018.

It received 75 proposals, and two topics, “Status of radicalisation in India: an exploratory study of prevention and remedies” .

Also the“Functioning and impact of open prisons on rehabilitation of prisoners” were shortlisted by the Ministry in September.

The study will be religion-neutral and will go by facts and the reported cases.
Radicalisation is yet to be defined legally, this leads to misuse by the police.
It should be defined and necessary amendments made to the UAPA.

FIELD VISITS

Study would take a year to conclude as it required field visits and interviews.
Radicalisation has to be addressed in a systematic manner and a policy should be devised by the Centre.

IASbhai WINDUP:

Aggressive policing measures could be counter-productive as the youth who were radicalised were “misguided” and not the culprits.
Merely sending young men behind the bars will not solve the purpose, right thinking people in the community will have to be mobilised.

SOURCES: THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020

Initial vaccine support-GAVI

HEADLINES:

‘Initial vaccine support will cover 92 low- and middle-income economies

WHY IN NEWS:

Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, which has already secured up to 700 million doses, will announce deals with manufacturers to get more doses, says its CEO

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Health:Diseases

ISSUE:

Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, says over $2 billion has been raised for the Gavi COVID-19 Vaccines Advance Market Commitment (COVAX AMC) so far.

GAVI

A public-private global partnership.

GAVI aims to increase access to immunisation in poor countries and has extended its services to handle the biggest immunisation crisis .

Gavi’s COVAX AMC is an effort to jumpstart countries’ ability to deliver COVID-19 vaccines.
Initial, catalytic support will be made available to 92 low- and middle-income economies eligible for participation in the Gavi COVID-19 Vaccines Advance Market Commitment (COVAX AMC).
This is to assist them in planning for delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
It will include support for technical assistance and strengthening cold chain equipment.
Gavi and its Alliance partners — WHO and UNICEF — are finalising details on the operationalisation of this support.

IASbhai WINDUP:

India is eligible for the Gavi COVAX AMC on detailed terms of participation in the COVAX Facility including the need for technical assistance.

SOURCES: THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020

Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis : Impact on Horn of Africa

HEADLINES:

How Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis is impacting the Horn of Africa

WHY IN NEWS:

The US and China have several strategic military bases in that region, the closest being Djibouti.

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : IR

ISSUE:

If the conflict were to spill outside Ethiopia’s borders, it may potentially destabilise the Horn of Africa region.

RECENT DEVELOPMENT

The conflict escalated this week when Tigrayan forces in northern Ethiopia fired rockets across the border into Eritrea.

Eritrea claims that Ethiopian government was using an Eritrean airport to attack Tigray.

On Saturday night, there were reports of rockets landing near the airport in Asmara, Eritrea’s capital, but there were no casualties.

WHY IS THERE ANIMOSITY BETWEEN TIGRAY AND ERITREA?

The animosity between Tigrayans and Eritrea goes back to the Ethiopian-Eritrean war that occurred between 1998 and 2000.

Many veterans from the TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front) who participated in the Ethiopian-Eritrean war between 1998 and 2000 are now part of the Tigray region’s paramilitary forces.

The animosity between these TPLF veterans and Eritrea continues till date.
This war that occurred approximately two decades ago was extremely brutal and resulted in the deaths of thousands of soldiers.
Last year, Abiy won the Nobel Peace Prize because of his efforts that resulted in peace with Eritrea’s leadership.
Despite their improvement in relations with Addis Ababa, Asmara continues to remain hostile to Tigrayans .

Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 202Eriteria

Tigray region of Ethiopia.

HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS

After the conflict started earlier this month, thousands of Ethiopian civilians were displaced.

The UNHCR reported that thousands of refugees had been crossing over the border and arriving in Sudan.

There have been reports of blocked roads, with internet and communication lines being cut off in Ethiopia.
Prior to the start of this conflict, there were already several thousand civilians who were internally displaced in Tigray.
Now, this latest conflict has only increased the number of displaced people and may lead to a humanitarian crisis.

Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020

SOURCES : IE | Tigray region prepare to cross the Setit River on the Sudan-Ethiopia border

IASbhai WINDUP:

IMPACT ON HORN OF AFRICA REGION

If the conflict were to spill outside Ethiopia’s borders, it may potentially destabilise the Horn of Africa region.
The US and China have several strategic military bases in that region, the closest being Djibouti.
President Vladimir Putin had approved the creation of a Russian naval facility in Sudan earlier this week.

Clearing the way for Moscow’s first substantial military foothold in Africa since the Soviet fall.

If these military bases and facilities were to be impacted in any way, it may cause foreign powers to get militarily involved in the region’s conflict.
“The stability of Ethiopia is important for the entire Horn of Africa region.
I call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

SOURCES: IE | Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020

PK Mohanty Committee

HEADLINES:

RBI committee for conversion of large NBFCs into banks, entry of corporates

WHY IN NEWS:

The Internal Working Group of the RBI, headed by PK Mohanty, has said “large corporates and industrial houses may be allowed as promoters of banks only after necessary amendments to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949”

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: RBI

ISSUE:

The RBI has been against allowing corporate houses to set up or run commercial banks.

Internal Working Group (IWG) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recommended the guarded entry of corporates into the banking space.

This will help in conversion of big NBFCs into banks and hike in promoters’ stake to 26 per cent from 15 per cent.

The group also proposed a hike in minimum capital for new banks from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,000 crore.

PK MOHANTY COMMITTEE

The committee, headed by PK Mohanty, has said “large corporates and industrial houses may be allowed as promoters of banks only after necessary amendments to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949”.

Also strengthening of the supervisory mechanism for large conglomerates, including consolidated supervision.
This is to prevent connected lending and exposures between the banks and other financial and non-financial group entities.
Large non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), with an asset size of Rs 50,000 crore and above, including those which are owned by a corporate house, may be considered for conversion.

REVISED ELIGIBILITY FOR NEW BANKS

For payments banks intending to convert to a small finance bank (SFB), track record of three years of experience as payments bank may be considered as sufficient.

SFBs and payments banks may be listed within six years from the date of reaching net worth of capital requirement prescribed for universal banks.

Also if 10 years from the date of commencement of operations, whichever is earlier, it has proposed.
The minimum initial capital requirement for licensing new banks should be enhanced from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,000 crore for universal banks and from Rs 200 crore to Rs 300 crore for small finance banks.
The initial voting capital should be raised from Rs 150 crore to Rs 300 crore in five years.

IASbhai WINDUP:

The IWG was constituted by the RBI on June 12 to examine and review the extant licensing and regulatory guidelines.
These guidelines are related to ownership and control, corporate structure and other related issues.

Non-operative financial holding company (NOFHC) should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for universal banks.

The Reserve Bank may take steps to ensure harmonisation and uniformity in different licensing guidelines

SOURCES: IE | Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020

Virtual court and e-challan project

HEADLINES:

Virtual court and e-challan project launched in Assam;

WHY IN NEWS:

Maharashtra also got it’s 2ndvirtual court recently

MINISTRY? :- Ministry Of Law & Justice

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : e-challan : Virtual Court : Pending Cases : Judiciary

ISSUE:

In over 10 lakhcases, online fine of more than Rs.123 Cr has been realised till 9th November

The Virtual Court (traffic) and e-Challan project have been recently (12^th November, 2020) inaugurated in Assam by Shri SarbanandaSonowal, the chief minister of Assam.

E-CHALLAN

E-challan solution is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) whereas the software has been developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).
It will replace the present concept of manual challan with an electronically generated digital challan.

VIRTUAL COURT

Virtual Court is an online court being managed by Virtual Judge (which is not a person but an algorithm) whose jurisdiction can be extended to entire state and working hours may be 24X7.
There is no brick& mortar building of the court.

Maharashtra’s 2^nd virtual court called “NyayKaushal” was recently inaugurated on 31^st October by CJI and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud .

IMPLEMENTATION

Virtual court is an initiative of E-Commitee of Supreme Court along with Department of Justice, Ministry of Law& Justice, Government of India.

In a trial by Virtual Court, neither litigant shall come to the court nor will Judge have to sit physically in the court to adjudicate the case.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The communication may only be in electronic form and the sentencing and further payment of fine or compensation will also be online.

Only single process is allowed and there can be no argument.

On payment of Fine, such matters may be treated as disposed off.
Citizen neither have to wait in lines in courts nor have to confront Traffic Police man.
It will increase productivity of citizen as well as judicial officers.
It will promote greater accountability and less corruption in Traffic Police Department thus bettering life of people.

IASbhai WINDUP:

A Virtual Court was inaugurated in Delhi on 26^th July 2019 and in Haryana on 17^th August 2019 to initially try Traffic Challan cases.
Currently there are 9 Virtual courts functioning in India- Delhi (2 Courts), Haryana (Faridabad), Maharashtra (Pune), Madras, Karnataka (Bengaluru), Maharashtra (Nagpur), Kerala (Kochi) and Assam (Gauhati).

They are all dealing with Traffic Challan cases only.

Over 30 lakh cases have been handled by 7 virtual courts and in over 10 lakh cases online fine of more than Rs.123 Cr has been realised till recently.
In fact, one single court in Delhi has singlehandedly collected more than Rs.115 crore as online fines.

SOURCES: PIB | Current Affairs News Analysis | 21st Nov 2020

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