1. UN General Assembly Grants Observer Status To International Solar Alliance
Tags: International News
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has granted Observer Status to International Solar Alliance (ISA), India's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations.
- A total of 108 countries participated in the Assembly, including 74 Member Countries and 34 Observer and Prospective Countries, 23 Partner Organizations and 33 Special Invitee Organisations.
- The launch of the ISA was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and former French President Francois Hollande in November 2015, at the 21st session of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Paris, France.
- In 6 years, the International Solar Alliance has become an example of positive global climate action through partnerships to benefit global energy growth and development.
Observer Status Observer status is a privilege granted by some organizations to non-members to give them an ability to participate in the organization's activities. Observer status is often granted by intergovernmental organizations (IGO) to non-member parties and international nongovernmental organizations (INGO) that have an interest in the IGO's activities. |
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Responsibilities of UNGA includes:
It also establishes numerous subsidiary organs to advance or assist in its broad mandate. Headquarters: New York, United States President: Abdulla Shahid Convened: 10 January 1946 India’s Permanent Ambassador to the UN, T S Tirumurti. |
International Solar Alliance The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an alliance of 124 countries initiated by India, most of them being the sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The primary objective of the alliance:
Formation: 30 November 2015 Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India Director General: Ajay Mathur |
2. PM Modi Addresses Democracy Summit
Tags: International News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a virtual address on 10th December 2021 at the Summit for Democracy, hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden, that Democracies should jointly deal with social media and cryptocurrencies.
The PM further added that, we all need to constantly improve our democratic practices and systems. And, we all need to continuously enhance inclusion, transparency, human dignity, responsive grievance redressal and decentralization of power.
In this context, today's assembly provides a timely platform for furthering cooperation among democracies. India would be happy to share its expertise in holding free and fair elections, and in enhancing transparency in all areas of governance through innovative digital solutions. We must also jointly shape global norms for emerging technologies like social media and crypto-currencies, so that they are used to empower democracy, not to undermine it.
For more information about the Democracy Summit, see news of 10th December.
3. Nicaragua cut its diplomatic relation with Taiwan
Tags: International News
- The Central American countryNicaragua has become the latest country to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of China.
- The decision was praised by China, which demands that any country that wants diplomatic relations with it must cut existing ties with Taipei.
- Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland one day.
- However, Taiwan sees itself as a democratically-governed, independent country, though it has never formally declared independence from the mainland.
- Taiwan's list of international allies has dwindled from 21 down to 14 since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May 2016.
- Before Nicaragua, the Pacific Island nations of Kiribati and the Solomon Islands were the latest countries to cut ties with Taiwan in favour of China in 2019.
Capital of Nicaragua: Managua
President of Nicaragua : Daniel Ortega
Capital of Taiwan : Taipei
4. India co-chairs Global Methane Initiative Steering Leadership Meeting
Tags: National News
A Steering Leadership meeting of Global Methane Initiative (GMI) has been held virtually in which the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, V.K. Tiwari as the Vice Chairman of this global initiative informed the participants about the work being carried out by India to mitigate the emission of methane.
Global Methane Initiative(GMI) A voluntary Government and an informal international partnership having members from 45 countries including the United States and Canada.
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5. Funds for Beti Bachao Andolan used in advertisement
Tags: National News
According to a report submitted in Parliament on 9th December,by the committee on Empowerment of Women, out of a total of Rs 446.72 crore released under the scheme between 2016 and 2019, 78.91 percent was spent on media advocacy, and not on sectoral intervention on health and education for women.
- The committee is chaired by Heena Vijaykumar Gavit and the report is titled “Empowerment of women through education with special reference to Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao(BBBP).”
- Committee found that the total utilization under the scheme was also poor.
- Since the inception of BBBP in 2014-15 till 2019-20, the total budgetary allocation under the scheme was ₹848 crore, excluding the COVID-19 stricken financial year of 2020-21.
- During this period, ₹622.48 crore was released to the States but only 25.13% of the funds, i.e. ₹156.46 crore, had been spent.
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Yojana Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao is a campaign of the Government of India that aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls in India.
Launched on: 22nd January 2015 by PM Narendra Modi Related Ministries: Ministry of Women and Child Development Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry of Education |
6. No proposal under consideration to scrap Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Tags: National News
Stating the Government of India position ,Law Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Lok Sabha that the section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code(IPC) 1860 which deals with sedition in sub -judice before the Supreme Court and the government has no intention of scrapping the section.
Sedition law in India Section 124 A which defines sedition was introduced by the British in 1870 by amending the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860. It defines sedition as : "Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in [India], shall be punished with [imprisonment for life], to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added."
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7. Nagaland Government demands withdrawal of AFSPA form Nagaland
Tags: National News
- Nagaland Chief Minister Mr. Neiphiu Rio has demanded the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special powers Act from the state following the death of 14 civilians in the Army operation against the Naga insurgents in the Mon district of Nagaland on 4 December 2021.Nagaland’s Mon district
- Nagaland’s Mon district borders Myanmar from where members of the NSCN (Khaplang-Yung Aung) are said to carry out hit-and-run operations.
- The Konyak Union, the apex body of the Konyak Naga Tribe from the Mon district of Nagaland has also demanded the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or, AFSPA, from the entire Northeast of India and withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the Mon district of Nagaland .
- The Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangama has also demanded the withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur .
- The Nagaland government has two member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the circumstances leading to the killing of the civilians by the armed forces.
AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act )1958 To deal with the Naga insurgents in the Naga denominated areas of the state of Assam and the Union Territory of Manipur the Government of India parliament passed a law Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958(AFSPA), which was later extended to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Under this act President ,Governor of the has the power to declare the whole or a part of the state as a disturbed area. It confers special powers to certain officers of the armed forces to:
Similar law has been enacted by the Parliament for other regions of India which are facing insurgency . The Armed Forces (Punjab and Chandigarh) Special Powers Act, 1983 was enacted to deal with the terrorism in Punjab. It was withdrawn in 1997.The Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990 was enacted by the Parliament to give special powers to the armed forces to deal with insurgency and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.The wide power given to the Armed force has also given rise to its abuse. In any counter -insurgency operation there is bound to be civilian casualties . The civilian casualties have inflamed the local public opinion against the armed forces . Committee and Commission report on AFSPA
Why Government is not repealing the act The armed forces operating in the area says that they need the law operate in a very hostile area were the local population is also hostile to the armed forces. Army officials also cite the need to protect the morale and integrity of the army as reason not to scrutinize allegations against army personnel.
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8. Opening day of Summit for Democracy
Tags: International News
Theme of the Summit: “combating authoritarianism, fighting corruption and promoting human rights”
It has been organised by the State Department of the United States.
While inaugurating the summit the US President Joe Biden said that
“Democracy doesn't happen by accident. We have to renew it with each generation,” in a message, which will bring together leaders of 100 countries, civil society and private sector representatives.
Sitting beside his Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and addressing over 50 Countries, Biden said, “We have to stand for justice and the rule of law for free speech, free assembly, a free press, freedom of religion, for all the inherent human rights of every individual,”.
- Biden announced plans for the U.S. to spend up to $424 millions around the world to support Independent media, anti-corruption work and more.
Indian Prime Minister Mr Narender Modi also participated in the summit virtually .
The PM said that the “four pillars of Indian democratic governments” are “sensitivity, accountability, participation and reform orientation”.
Major countries like Russia, China, Saudi Arabia have not been invited to the summit.
Pakistan was invited to the summit but it chose to back off from the summit over the fear that it will offend its close ally China.
Summit for Democracy This is a virtual summit hosted by the United States of America to “renew democracy at home and confront autocracy abroad”.
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9. Rajya Sabha passes Pharma Education Bill
Tags: National News
- Rajya Sabha passed the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021 which amends the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Act, 1998.
- It has already been passed by the Lok Sabha .
- The 1998 Act established the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, and declared it as an Institution of National Importance.
- The Bill declares six additional National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research as Institutions of National Importance. These institutes are located in:
(i) Ahmedabad,
(ii) Hajipur,
(iii) Hyderabad,
(iv) Kolkata,
(v) Guwahati,
(vi) Raebareli.
- The Bill provides for a Council to coordinate the activities among the institutes under the Bill to ensure the development of pharmaceutical education and research and maintenance of standards.
- An Institution of National Importance refers to an autonomous institute established under an Act, with the power to hold examinations, grant degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions or titles.
- These institutes of national importance receive funding from the central government.
10. Government of India extends PMGAY-G till March 2024
Tags: National News
The Government of India has extended the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin(PMAY-G) beyond March 2021 till March 2024 so as to provide financial assistance for the construction of the remaining 155.75 lakh houses under the scheme. .
The scheme was launched on 20 November 2016 to 2 crore 95 lakh houses by 2022.
Out of this 155.75 lakh houses are to be constructed and it will require Rs 2,17,257 crore, with a central share of Rs 1,25,106 crore and a state share of Rs 73,475 crores .
The continuation of the scheme till March 2024 will ensure that the remaining 155.75 lakh households within the overall target of 2.95 crore houses would be provided assistance for construction of pucca houses with basic amenities to achieve the objective of ‘housing for all’ in rural areas.
As of November 29 this year, 1.65 crore PMAY-G houses have been constructed out of the total target of 2.95 crore houses.
Under the PMAY-G yojana the cost of the scheme is shared in a 60 :40 ratio between the Central Government and the State Government .
In the Hilly states, Union Territory and in the North- Eastern States the ratio is 90:10 between Centre and States.
