1. Election Commission proposes remote voting for inter-state migrants
Tags: National National News
The Election Commission of India has moved a proposal to all political parties to enable domestic migrants to vote for their home constituencies from their place of stay through a new remote EVM (RVM).
Important facts
RVM has been developed with the help of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL). It is based on the currently used EVM system.
The Election Commission has sought written views of all recognized national and state-level parties by January 30, 2023, and has scheduled a demonstration of the RVM prototype to party representatives on January 16.
The Election Commission has also sought views of political parties on legal, administrative and technical challenges in implementing it.
According to the Election Commission, the Multi Constituency Remote EVM for Domestic Overseas Voters can handle 72 constituencies from a single remote polling booth.
It is expected that this step will help in boosting voter turnout and strengthen the democratic process of India.
Why has the proposal of remote voting been brought by the Election Commission?
There were 834 million registered voters in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections out of which only 66.44% voted.
In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the number of registered voters increased to 912 million while the voter turnout was barely 67.40%.
Registered voters are unable to vote for various reasons, the main reason being domestic migration.
Voters who are absent from their home places on the day of poll, even if they want to vote but are unable to reach their constituencies to vote due to various reasons.
That is, a large part of the population is disenfranchised due to the need for work or lack of resources to travel.
This goes directly against the EC’s “No voter left behind” goal.
2. India, Cyprus signs three agreement during S. Jaishankar visits to Nicosia
Tags: place in news Person in news International News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is on a three day visit (29-31 December 2022) to Cyprus signed a number of agreements with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides in the capital Nicosia on 29 December 2022. This is the first visit of S. Jaishankar to Cyprus.
Three agreement signed
Both the ministers signed agreements to;
- Increase defence and military cooperation between the two countries ,
- Letter of Intent on immigration and mobility to check illegal migrations , as well as the agreement on
- Cyprus joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
S. Jaishankar also released the commemorative stamp on the 75 years of Indian Independence and 60 years of establishing diplomatic ties with Cyprus.
The minister said India and Cyprus were collectively working on pressing issues such as food and energy security, maritime security, as well as on sustainable environment.
During his three-day visit to Cyprus, Jaishankar will call Annita Demetriou, President of the Cyprus Parliament's House of Representatives.
He will also address the business and investment community of Cyprus, apart from an interaction with the Indian Diaspora.
Republic of Cyprus
It is an island European country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
It gained its Independence from Britain in 1960. The country has a majority population which are of Greece descent while the minority population are of Turkish origin.
Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and created a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983. Except Turkey no country recognises Turkish Cyprus.
India also recognises the Cyprus government.
Capital: Nicosia
Currency: Euro
President: Nicos Anastasiades
3. US Vice-President Kamala Harris names Indian-American Rajeev Badyal to the National Space Council Advisory Group
Tags: Person in news International News
The American Vice President Kamala Harris has named Indian American Rajeev Badyal to the National Space Council's Users Advisory Group (UAG). The UAG is tasked to maintain a robust and responsible US space enterprise and preserve space for current and future generations. The UAG is headed by US Air Force Rtd General Lester Lyles.
Rajeev Badyal is currently the vice-president of Project Kuiper of Amazon. Under Project Kuiper a number of Low Earth Orbit satellites will be launched by Amazon that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world.
The UAG will provide the National Space Council advice and recommendations on matters related to space policy and strategy, government policies, laws, regulations, treaties, international instruments, programmes, and practices across the civil, commercial, international, and national security space sectors.
Kamala Harris
She is the first woman to be elected as the Vice-President of the United States.
She was elected as the Vice President in 2020 and Joe Biden was elected as the President of the United States of America.
Her mother Shyamala Gopalan was a Tamilian who immigrated to the United States and married a Jamaican Donald Harris.
4. Benjamin Netanyahu sworn in as the Prime minister of Israel for a record 6th time
Tags: Person in news International News
Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Israel for the sixth time on 29 December 2022. 73 years old Netanyahu was ousted from power 18 months ago. He replaced Yair Lapid whose party failed to win a majority in the Israeli Parliamentary election held on 1 November 2022. This was the 5th general election in Israel in the past four years.
The longest serving Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu heads a coalition government which is considered to be one of the most right wing governments in the history of the country.
The Israeli Parliament is called the Knesset. It is a unicameral house which has a term of four years. It has 120 members.
In the 120 member Israeli Parliament called as Knesset, Netanyahu has the support of 64 members. It included his Likud party supported by the ultra-orthodox Shas, United Torah Judaism, the far-right Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionist Party, and Noam.
However the controversial leader is already facing protest in the country. During his speech to the Knesset thousands of people gathered outside the Knesset to protest against his government.
The Israeli Parliament is called the Knesset. It is a unicameral house which has a term of four years. It has 120 members.
State of Israel
It is a small country located in West Asia. It is the only Jewish nation in the world with the Jews constituting ¾ population of the country.
Israel was created by dividing the Palestine region into two. The Arab part was called Palestine and the Jewish part was called Israel.
It came into being on 14 May 1948.
Capital: Jerusalem (But it is not recognised internationally). The Government of India also doesn't accept Jerusalem as the capital of Israel .
Currency: Israeli shekel
Parliament: Knesset
President: Isaac Herzog
5. India-assisted Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project handed over to Bhutan's Druk Green Power Corp
Tags: International News
The 720 MW Mangdechhu Hydropower Project built with India's assistance in Bhutan was handed over to Bhutan's Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) on 27 December.
Important facts
It was handed over during a program held in the capital of Bhutan which was attended by Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Bhutanese Minister for Economic Affairs and Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to Bhutan.
With the handing over of this project, India and Bhutan have successfully completed four major hydroelectric projects.
About Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project
This 720 MW Project was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering in 2019.
The Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant has been established on the Mangdechhu River in the Trongsa district of central Bhutan.
The commissioning of the project has increased Bhutan's Electrical Power Generation Capacity by 44 per cent and it is now at 2,326 Mega Watts.
It is a benchmark hydroelectric project completed in an efficient manner at optimum cost, while maintaining high quality and performance standards.
Since commissioning, the project has generated over 9000 million units of energy, reducing emissions by 2.4 million tonnes annually.
The project received the Brunel Medal 2020 from the Institute of Civil Engineers, London.
It was recognized for its excellence in civil engineering and for its social and environmental credentials.
The project increased Bhutan's hydropower revenue by 31 percent in 2020.
6. Union Home Minister presides over the conference of Lieutenant Governors, Administrators of Union Territories
Tags: Summits National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the conference on development works in Union Territories in New Delhi on 29 December.
Important facts
Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of UTs including from Delhi, Chandigarh, Andaman and Nicobar, Puducherry, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir attended the conference.
The conference reviewed the economic development, tourism and major schemes and future roadmap of the Union Territories to ensure their strong growth.
Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta and Umang Narula, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh represented Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh UTs respectively.
The objective of the conference is to ensure the development of the Union Territories in all respects including development works, projects and centrally sponsored schemes, besides ensuring that they (schemes) do not miss the deadline.
The focus of the conference was on economic development, tourism potential and flagship schemes.
In another programme, Shah also inaugurated the Border Security Force’s BSF App and BSF Manuals.
7. IT minister launches 'Stay Safe Online' campaign to tackle cybercrime
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
As part of India's G20 presidency, the Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Communications and Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched the "Stay Safe Online" campaign and the “G20 Digital Innovation Alliance” (G20-DIA), at Delhi on 28th December.
Important facts
MeitY, the nodal ministry for the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG), has represented India in several working groups and ministerial sessions.
During India's G20 presidency, MeitY will focus on three priority areas, namely Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Cyber Security, and Digital Skill Development, together with the Stay Safe Online campaign and DIA programme under the DEWG.
MeitY aims to advance the vision of digital transformation of the global digital economy for public service delivery through innovation in a secure cyber environment and a future-ready digitally skilled workforce.
About Stay Safe Online Campaign
It aims to raise awareness among citizens to stay safe in the online world due to the widespread use of social media platforms and rapid adoption of digital payments.
Rapid growth in the number of Internet users in India and rapidly evolving technology have presented unique challenges.
The campaign will sensitise citizens of all age groups, especially children, students, women, senior citizens, teachers, officials of Central/State Governments, etc., about cyber risk and ways to deal with it.
The campaign will be run in English, Hindi and local languages to reach out to a wider audience.
About G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20-DIA)
It aims to identify and enable adoption of innovative and impactful digital technologies developed by startups from G20 countries.
It can address the needs of humanity in the critically important sectors of agri-tech, health-tech, ed-tech, fin-tech, secured digital infrastructure, and circular economy.
Startup products in the aforementioned six themes enabled through Digital Public Goods Infrastructure can create a global population-scale impact and reduce the digital divide and enable sustainable, and inclusive techno-socio-economic development.
8. Indian Army inaugurates first ever two-storey 3-D printed dwelling unit in Ahmedabad
Tags: Defence Science and Technology National News
The Indian Army inaugurated its first 3-D Printed House Dwelling Unit (with Ground plus One configuration) for soldiers at Ahmedabad Cantt on 28 December 2022.
Important facts
The dwelling unit has been constructed by Military Engineering Services (MES) in association with MiCoB Pvt Ltd, incorporating the latest 3D Rapid Construction Technology.
The 71 sqm dwelling unit with garage space was completed in just 12 weeks using 3D printed foundations, walls and slabs.
The disaster-resistant structures comply with Zone-III earthquake specifications and green building norms.
The formation is a testimony to the commitment of the Indian Army in promoting the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan'.
About Technology
This technique uses a solid 3D printer that accepts computerized three-dimensional designs.
It builds up a 3-D structure in a layer-by-layer manner by extruding a specially designed special type of concrete.
The Ahmedabad-based Golden Katar Division of the Indian Army has been instrumental in taking forward the project with manifold applications in operation.
What is 3D Printing?
3D printing uses computer aided design (CAD) to create three-dimensional objects through the layering method.
The model to be printed with the help of software is first developed by the computer, which then instructs the 3D printer.
9. India grants permission to NEA to export additional 40 megawatts of electricity
Tags: International News
India has allowed the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to export an additional 40 MW of power from two more hydroelectric projects.
Important facts
The Central Electricity Authority of India has approved the sale of surplus power from two more hydro projects - 25 MW Kabeli B-1 and 20 MW Lower Modi - at competitive rates in the Indian energy market.
With this, 452.6 MW of surplus power can be exported to India from 10 hydropower projects.
NEA has stopped the export of surplus power to India from 19 December as generation from river-based hydroelectric power stations has reduced.
NEA has generated a net income of Rs 11.16 billion by trading 1.36 billion units of surplus power at a competitive rate in the Indian energy market till 18 December.
The current electricity demand of Nepal stands at around 1,680 MW, while the domestic production is 1,000 MW.
10. Department of Posts launches Online request Transfer Portal for Gramin Dak Sevaks
Tags: National News
The Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications has launched an ‘Online request Transfer Portal’ for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) on 28th December.
Important facts
Alok Sharma, Director General Postal Services launched the portal through video conference in the virtual presence of Chief Postmaster Generals of 23 Postal Circles and senior officers of the Department.
The process from the stage of receiving application from GDS to approval and issue of transfer order through the above portal has now been made paperless and simplified.
The launch of this portal is a major step towards bringing transparency and accountability in governance processes by leveraging technology.
The online process will also save time and resources.
Transfer of more than 5000 GDS at a time has been approved through the online portal on the day of portal launch.
About Department of Posts
For more than 150 years, the Department of Posts (DOP) has played an important role in the socio-economic development of the country.
It is the largest network of post offices in the world with more than one lakh 56 thousand post offices all over India.
Postal facilities are provided through Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS).
It provides services for Indian citizens like delivering mail, accepting deposits under small savings schemes, providing life insurance cover under Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI), bill collection etc.
Formed - 1 October 1854
Headquarters - New Delhi
Director General Postal Services - Alok Sharma
