Pollution Due to Idol Immersion

Idols are constructed by plaster of paris, clay, cloths, small iron rods, bamboo and decorated with different paints such as varnish, water colors etc. which can lead to significant alteration in the water quality after immersion. Paints which are used to colour these idols contains various heavy metals such as Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, Zinc, Chromium and Lead .Particularly, red, blue, orange and green colours contain mercury, zinc oxide, chromium and lead, which are potent carcinogens. Two heavy metals such as Lead and Chromium also add in the water bodies through Sindoor (a traditional red colored cosmetic powder, usually worn by married women and often used in the festivals). The floating materials released through idol in the river and lake after decomposition result in eutrophication, increase in acidity and heavy metal concentration. Heavy metal pollution caused by idol immersion can damage the ecosystem as it kills fishes, damages plants, blocks the natural flow of the water, causing stagnation. The effects of idol immersion on various water bodies of India like Bhoj wetland, Budhabalanga river, Ganges river, Hussainsagar lake, Kolarriver, Sarayu river, Tapi river, Chhatri lake, north and west lakes of Bangalore and Yamuna river have been observed so far. 

A study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)-Impacts of Dussehra Festival on the River Hooghly: A case study-showed that every year at least 15,000 idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in the Hooghly River alone. The study states that this releases 16.8 tonnes of varnish and garjan oil and 32 tonnes of colours in the water. These colours contain a good doze of heavy metals like manganese, lead, mercury and chromium. The study also found that during Dusshera, oil and grease in the river increased by 0.99 milligram per litre (mg/l) and the concentration of heavy metals increased by 0.104 mg/l.

According to CPCB, general guideline for idol immersion mentioned below:

• Idols should be made from natural materials as described in the holy scripts. Use of traditional clay for idol making rather than baked clay, plaster of paris, etc. may be encouraged, allowed and promoted.

• Painting of Idols should be discouraged. In case idols are to be painted, water soluble and nontoxic natural dyes should be used. Use of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes for painting idols should be strictly prohibited.

• Worship material like flowers, vastras (clothes), decorating material (made of paper and plastic) etc. should be removed before immersion of idols. Biodegradable materials should be collected separately for recycling or composting. Non biodegradable materials should be collected separately for disposal in sanitary landfills. Clothes may be sent to local orphan house(s).

• Public should be educated on ill effects of immersion in the holy water bodies through mass awareness programme.

• The "Idol Immersion Points" shall be cordoned and barricaded. Synthetic liner may be placed in the bottom, well in advance. The said liner shall be removed on completion of immersion ceremony so that remains of idols would be brought to the bank. Bamboo and wooden logs, if any would be reused. Clay, etc may be taken to sanitary land fill for disposal.

In Pune, the municipal corporation has successfully convinced people not to immerse the 'nirmalya' into the water. Instead, they have installed large bins shaped as traditional pots or 'kalashes' to receive this nirmalya. While this is a good first step, the appropriate management of the nirmalya is still crucial considering the volumes that are collected every year.

These guidelines if followed and acted upon can help in bringing tremendous change in the water quality of water bodies post idol immersion. Debris flowing through in water bodies can be collected and treated with technical measures that can prevent the further deterioration of the river during immersion period 

Source:: iasscore 

CURRENT AFFAIRS Important Points

1. Stan Wawrinka wins 2016 US Open men’s title defeating champion Novak Djokovic.

2.Germany’s Angelique Kerber has defeated Karolina Pliskova  to win 2016 US Open Women’s Singles title.

3.Jamie Murray (Britain) and Bruno Soares (Brazil) has won the 2016 US Open Men’s Doubles title.They defeated Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez

4.Army Green have won the Durand Cup Football Title 2016.defeated Neroca FC 6-5 via penalty shootouts.

5.BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Swamy awarded ‘Tamil Ratna’ in United States.Swamy has honoured for fighting corruption and working for more transparency in the functioning of the government.

6.The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has launched “e-nivaran” (electronic resolution) facility for online redressal of taxpayers’ grievances related to refunds, ITRs and PAN issues.

7.The Union government has launched a toll-free number 1924 to register postal complaints.

8.Haryana has won ‘Best Horticulture State’ award of the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) for the concerted efforts made by the state government to increase the income of the farmers in horticulture.

9.Chief Minister of Nagaland T R Zeliang has received “Pangkor Dialogue Award 2016″ at Ipoh city in Malaysia for the efforts made by the people of the state for environmental preservation and promotion.

10.Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik has launched a new pension scheme for construction workers in Bhubaneswar.

Source:: testcurrentaffairs 

Lokpal and Lokayukta (Amendment) Act, 2016

Context: The Parliament has proposed amendments to the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013.

What is’Lokpal’ and ‘Lokayukta’ means?
The ‘Lokpal’ is the central governing body that has jurisdiction over all members of parliament and central government employees in case of corruption. Whereas, the ‘Lokayukta’ is similar to the Lokpal, but functions on a state level.  Scope of the ‘Lokpal’ is based on a national government level basis and the scope of the ‘Lokayukta’ relied on a state level.

What are the Functions and Responsibilities of Lokpal and Lokayukta?
To address complaints of corruption, to make inquiries, investigations, and to conduct trials for the case on respective state and central government with having responsibility to help in curbing the corruption in the central and state government.
What are the salient features of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act? 1. The Lokpal to consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight Members, of which fifty percent shall be judicial Members. Fifty per cent of members of Lokpal shall be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
2. The selection of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal shall be through a Selection Committee consisting of –
a.) Prime Minister;
b.) Speaker of Lok Sabha;
c.) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha;
d.) Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court Judge nominated by CJI;
e.) An eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India
3. A Search Committee will assist the Selection Committee in the process of selection.  Fifty per cent of members of the Search Committee shall also be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
4. Lokpal’s jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants including Group ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ officers and employees of Government.  On complaints referred to CVC by Lokpal, CVC will send its report of Preliminary enquiry in respect of Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ officers back to Lokpal for further decision.  With respect to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees, CVC will proceed further in exercise of its own powers under the CVC Act subject to reporting and review by Lokpal.
5. All entities receiving donations from foreign source in the context of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs. 10 lakhs per year are brought under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.
6. Lokpal will have power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them by Lokpal.
7. A high powered Committee chaired by the Prime Minister will recommend selection of the Director, CBI.
8. Attachment and confiscation of property of public servants acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending.
What is the enquiry procedure of the Lokpal? The Lokpal’s inquiry wing is required to inquire into complaints within 60 days of their reference.  On considering an inquiry report the Lokpal shall-
(i) order an investigation; (ii) initiate departmental proceedings; or (iii) close the case and proceed against the complainant for making a false and frivolous complaint.  The investigation shall be completed within 6 months.  The Lokpal may initiate prosecution through its Prosecution Wing before the Special Court set up to adjudicate cases.  The trial shall be completed within a maximum of two years.

What changes have been done by the government recently? 1. Amendment of section 44:
a.) Amends section 44 of parent Act that deals with provision of furnishing of details of assets and liabilities of public servants within 30 days of joining the government service.
2. Declaration of Assets:
a.) Now the every public servantshall make declaration of their assets and liabilities in the form and manner as prescribed by government. It has abolished the previous 30 days timeline.
b.) Gives extension of the time given to public servants and trustees and board members of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to declare their assets and those of their spouses.
3. Amendment of section 59:
a.) In section 59, the form and manner of declaration of assets and liabilities by public servants under section 44 has been amended.
4. Enable the leader of the single largest opposition party in the LokSabha in the absence of a recognised Leader of Opposition to be a member of the selection committee that would select the ombudsman.

View more at: http://goo.gl/EAOuqX

Source:: iasscore 

Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate

Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) will be the internal benchmark lending rates. Based upon this MCLR, interest rate for different types of customers should be fixed in accordance with their riskiness.

MCLR is calculated using different components such as:

a) Marginal cost of funds: 

The marginal cost that is the novel element of the MCLR. The marginal cost of funds will comprise of Marginal cost of borrowings and return on net-worth. According to the Reserve Bank of India, the Marginal Cost should be charged on the basis of following factors: 

• Interest rate given for various types of deposits- savings, current, term deposit, foreign currency deposit 

• Borrowings – Short term interest rate or the Repo rate etc., Long term rupee borrowing rate 

• Return on net-worth – in accordance with capital adequacy norms.

b) Negative carry on account of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR):

It is the cost that the banks have to incur while keeping reserves with the RBI. The RBI is not giving an interest for CRR held by the banks. The cost of such funds kept idle can be charged from loans given to the people.

c) Operating Costs:

It is the operating expenses incurred by the banks.

d) Tenor Premium:

It denotes that higher interest can be charged from long term loans.

The MCLR applicable from 1 April, 2016 have to be revised monthly by considering some new factors including the Repo rate and other borrowing rates.

 Source:: iasscore 

Computer (Q & A)

1. Which one of the following would not be considered as a form of secondary storage?
(a) Floppy Disk (b) Optical Disk (c) RAM (d) Flash Drive (e) Hard Disk
(Ans : c)

2. The Processor is an example of computer–
(a) Software (b) Output Unit (c) Storage (d) Program (e) Hardware (Ans : e)

3. A hexadecimal number is a number to the base–
(a) 2 (b) 20 (c) 16 (d) 4 (e) 8
(Ans : c)

4. Java in computer programming is a–
(a) Compiler (b) Hardware Device Driver (c) Low-level Language
(d) High-level Language (e) Programming Mid-level Language
(Ans : d)

5. Which of the following is not a binary number?
(a) 01010 (b) 11111 (c) 31121 (d) 00000 (e) 110110
(Ans : c)

6. What does the acronym WAN stand for?
(a) Widest Area Network (b) Wild Area Network (c) Wide Area Networking
(d) Wide Area. Network (e) Wider Area Network (Ans : d)

7. FTP is an acronym for–
(a) File Transaction Protocol (b) File Truncation Protocol (c) File Translation Protocol
(d) File Transfer Protocol (e) File Transmission Protocol
(Ans : d)

8. Connections to the Internet using a phone line and a modem are called….. connections.
(a) Digital (b) Dial-up (c) Broadband (d) Dish (e) Both (b) and (c) (Ans : b)

9. Documents converted to….. can be published to the web.
(a) A doc file (b) HTTP (c) machine language (d) HTML (e) None of these
(Ans : b)

10. What is extension of Microsoft Word document?
(a) txt (b) doc (c) ppt (d) xls (e) psd
(Ans : b)

Source:: testcurrentaffairs 

China Pakistan Economic Corridor – CPEC Explained

China Pakistan Economic Corridor, popularly known as CPEC, is an ambitious infrastructure development project of Pakistan in partnership with China. It is a part of Chinese One-Belt-One-Road initiative. It includes country-wide rail-road and gas-pipeline network and development of other transit corridor facilities. The project includes development of a port in Gwadar region, known as Gwadar port; construction of power plants which will generate 4500 MW of electric power.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor Finances

China has included CPEC into its 13th Five Year Plan which proves its importance for China. China has invested a huge sum of 46 billion dollars in Pakistan. The investment is made in the form of highly subsidized interest loan to Pakistan. Out of this, $ 11 billion of this investment will be dedicated to development of countrywide rail-road transit network connecting Chinese Xinjiang city Kashgar to port city Gwadar. A loan of $33 billion will be provided to private consortium under the aegis of China Pakistan Economic Corridor for development of energy generation capacity in Pakistan.

Read More: Top 50 Cities of CHINA

Gwadar Port and Gwadar City

The construction of a deep sea port in Gwadar region of Balochistan province started in 2002 and and initial infrastructure construction finished by 2006. Now upgrade and expansion of Port is going on under CPEC agreement. Apart from port China has also granted $230 billion build Gwadar International Airport. Apart from this China is also going to invest $4.5 billion on roads, power, hotels and other infrastructure for the industrial zone as well as other projects in Gwadar city.

Gwadar port is connecting point of Chinese ambitious One Belt One Road project and Maritime Silk Route Project.

Economic Impact on Pakistan

Pakistan views the economic corridor as a game changer in Pakistani economic development. It will generate huge revenue for government, boast private sector and industry, build world class infrastructure, attract foreign direct investment, minimize electricity deficiency to zero, supply of enough gas and oil through proposed pipe lines, create better opportunities of employment,

Pakistan has a chronic energy shortage issue and it requires 4500 MW of electricity to alleviate this crisis. Even best of its cities suffering from long power cuts. Under CPEC has private consortium will develop 10,400 MW energy generating capacity by 2020. Most of these plants are coal based but

Pakistan is critically dependent on CPEC and cannot afford losing it in any case. All government machinery, state functionaries, special agencies, media and even military all are unanimously supporting and focused on guaranteeing the success of this China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Employment Opportunities in CPEC

The CPEC is considered to generate 7,00,000 new jobs in Pakistan, which is essential for Pakistan today in order to bring their young generation in mainstream.

String of Pearls Policy of China

Gwadar port is also seen as a part of China’s strategic policy to contain India in Indian Ocean known as String of Pearls Policy. U.S. consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton was first to mention about this geopolitical theory. China is building naval bases in the form of various ports in Indian Ocean. China has been denying about any such strategic interest and claiming it as pure economic projects but facts are contrary to Chinese claim.

According to theory, China has been establishing a network of ports, dubbed the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, extending from their own coastlines through Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, the east coast of Africa, and up through the Mediterranean to Greece. China has been working on building 15 ports from Hong Kong to Sudan including Sittwe in Myanmar, Hambantota in Sri Lanka and a Port in Maldives.

The security concern of India proved to be true when Chinese navy ships came to its Sri Lankan Port, India registered a strong protest against this activity of China in Indian region. With China already building ports in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Maldives, and Myanmar, Bangladesh was the last remaining link on a chain that would leave India completely surrounded.

Indian Concern

India has raised its concern to Chinese authorities over construction in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir which is a disputed area between India and Pakistan. Under the aegis of CPEC the Karakoram Highway will be reconstructed and developed to connect China to Pakistan passes through the disputed region.

India was never against CPEC, until Chinese state media started calling Gilgit-Baltistan a Pakistani territory, which is actually a disputed region between India and Pakistan. India believes that a such development projects may address many problems in Pakistan and may bring stability there which is beneficial for the region.

Balochistan Issue and CPEC

Balochistan is least developed province of Pakistan and epicenter of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Pakistani government has been ignoring the Baloch region since its incorporation into Pakistan. At the time of independence Balochistan was an independent princely state but later Pakistan annexed it. Since its annexation the demand and struggle for independence is going on which is being suppressed from time to time by excessive use of force by Pakistani military by killing thousands. As Balochistan’s Gwadar city is crux of CPEC but people are raising voice against this project. Pakistan need to build install confidence in Baloch people instead of killing them.

You may like to read more:

India & China Relations

Marco Polo : An Italian Travelled China and Far East

Pakistan Transfers Control Of Gwadar Port To China

Newspaper articles- 16th Sep 2016

National

Babies fall victim to antibiotic resistance – Infected with ‘superbugs’ in birth facilities within 72 hours of being born, thousands of Indian babies are dying due to an ‘alarming degree’ of drug resistance, a major study has found.

‘Yatri Mitra’ to the aid of rail passengers in need of assistance – In an initiative to improve the railway travel experience of elderly, differently-abled and ailing passengers, the Ministry of Railways has announced the launch of ‘Yatri Mitra Seva’ to simplify access to wheelchairs, battery operated cars and porter services. The scheme will be operational at all major railway stations.

Centre bans sharing of Aadhaar details – Agencies in possession of Aadhaar number of an individual will not be allowed to publish or post the information publicly and will have to ensure security and confidentiality of the 12-digit identification number under the Aadhaar Act.

Gold key to lower GST rate – The Centre is set to propose that the rate of tax on gold consumption be doubled under the Goods & Services Tax (GST) regime so as to allow the GST council the elbow room to set a lower standard GST rate.

Editorial

The full circle of reason – Its faith in Pakistan as an interlocutor for peace shaken, Afghanistan opts for a tighter embrace of its old ally India.

When the river weeps  – The amount of water the river receives during the summer rains is becoming increasingly unreliable. In good years, when the river receives enough rainfall, there is no discord between the two States. We need to find ways to recharge the Cauvery, increase inflow of water and efficiency of water use, and clean up hotspots of pollution.

International

BRICS members to unite against terror groups – Underscoring the demand for an international legal order to deal with the threat of terrorism, BRICS High Representatives in charge of security, on Thursday agreed to intensify cooperation against terror groups like the IS in West Asia and North Africa region (WANA).

Delink drug prices from R&D costs: UN – As the debate over unaffordable blockbuster drugs such as Sovaldi and Epipen rages on, a landmark report by the United Nations High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines has called for delinking drug prices from research and development (R&D) costs.

Indonesia to resume work on “Giant Sea Wall” to save sinking Jakarta – Indonesia will resume land reclamation that will help prevent Jakarta from sinking below sea level, a Cabinet Minister said, five months after work was suspended due to regulatory and environmental concerns.

Environment

U.S expects India to ratify Paris treaty this year – The U.S is confident that India will be able to ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change before the end of the year, according to a senior Obama administration official.

Ganga water has heavy metal, pesticide traces, says CPCB – Water quality of the river Ganga shows the presence of bacterial contamination besides traces of pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides, says the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Indian Express

What upper castes owe – Reservations combined with economic opportunities and social empowerment of Dalits could stem atrocities against them.

Newspaper articles- 15th Sep 2016

National

Cash flow to NGOs needs regulatory law: Apex court – Noting that NGOs get “mind-boggling” funds and it has become a “major problem,” the Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will consider asking the Law Commission of India to bring an effective law to regulate the flow of money to a total 29.99 lakh NGOs functioning in the country.

National security best left to govt., Army: SC – Noting that the Centre and the Army are the best judges to decide on matters of national security and threat perceptions, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a petition to direct the government to stop funding separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir.

End sterilisation camps, says SC – The Supreme Court directed the Centre to finalise the National Health Policy by December 31, 2016, and end mass sterilisation camps, saying that the poor and tribal men and women cannot be reduced to mere statistics in the country’s population control campaigns.

Editorials

Letting Nepal be – It is time for New Delhi to decide to what extent it is in the interest of India to deepen its intervention in the political afairs of Nepal. There is much to do bilaterally on the environmental, cultural, economic fronts, and the dangers of keeping Nepal constantly insecure and on the boil open up the possibility of societal instability leaching to adjacent Indian States.

Sapping India’s vitality – The death of several people in Delhi linked to an outbreak of dengue, chikungunya and malaria has once again exposed the inadequacy of national public health programmes that aim to eliminate vector-borne diseases.

No Hyderabad blues – The Central government has announced a special package to the Andhra Pradesh on September 7 which has raised considerable controversy. The package is generous in terms of resources to augment its infrastructure and to create institutions of governance and development, but falls short of declaring it as a “special category State”.

Towards an equilibrium – Media reports that the Defence Minister has directed the three Chiefs of Staff — through the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee — to implement the Seventh Central Pay Commission (CPC) award without any further delay, are extraordinary.

Competing for an equal world – A tiny step to impart a sense of dignity to the efforts of para-athletes is to recognise them as differently abled, not disabled.

International

India raises Balochistan, PoK at UN; hits out at Pak – Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the U.N., India on Wednesday accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India may help Nepal build railway line – India is likely to ofer Nepal’s new Prime Minister help in building an east-west railway line and better access to its ports on his first visit this week, as it tries to regain ground lost recently to China.

BRICS meet in New Delhi to focus on security issues – China has signalled that it wants the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) grouping to acquire a larger security dimension, ahead of the departure to New Delhi of State Councillor, Yang Jiechi for a meeting of the national security advisers of the five emerging countries.

Afghanistan situation not civil war: Ghani – During the visit of Afghanistan president, India said it would extend $ one billion in development assistance to Afghanistan. India’s development assistance, will focus on capacity building in the social sector as well as clean energy projects of hydel-power and solar energy.

Energy

‘India wastes 15-20% of its renewable energy’ – The natural variations in wind and solar energy, and lack of adequate electricity storage facilities, result in about 15-20 per cent of all renewable energy generated in India going waste, according to a top oicial in Panasonic India’s energy division.

Indian Express

Rampage of day biters – Vector control requires action at household level and robust public health systems.

A deeper friendship – Indo-Afghan relations are among the few bilateral ties that include elements of civilisational, emotional and strategic imperatives and bonds but Delhi and Kabul have failed to translate their enormous mutual trust into an effective strategic partnership.

Manipur’s common cause – The struggle against AFSPA holds that this counter-insurgency law has created more unrest in Manipur than it has curbed. The people of Manipur are raising issues of justice, accountability, and fundamental rights to life and liberty, critical to the future of Indian democracy.

Here is everything you need to know about Lithium batteries  – With a limit on maximum capacity and the dangers it poses if not manufactured correctly, are lithium ion batteries ready to power the devices of the future?

Newspaper articles- 14th Sep 2016

National

Approved strength of judges enough to end backlog: Law panel head– Law Commission of India Chairman and former Supreme Court judge Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan said “working judges”, and not increasing sanctioned strength of judges, may be a solution to modern-day demands of judicial workload caused by the heightened legal awareness among the public about their liberties.

Editorials

A first step to wholesome reform – Last week the Supreme Court of India made it mandatory for the police to upload within 48 hours a First Information Report (FIR) drawn up by it suo motu or on a complaint.

Sharing without caring – The Cauvery water dispute is turning out to be less about water and irrigation and more about linguistic chauvinism and regional identity.

Involve the States more in higher education – State universities produce over 95 per cent of the nation’s graduates, including from the private college system through the affiliation route. Yet they have little presence in bodies that frame policies and decisions regarding regulation or funding.

In trade, three is not a crowd – India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are moving at a furious pace to cut one another out of the trade equation.

International

India hardsells NSG bid to China – Starting a phase of direct bilateral negotiation, India discussed its bid for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) with China on Tuesday. The talks, which officials on both sides described as “pragmatic”, were the first since India’s failed bid for membership at the NSG’s June plenary in Seoul.

Economy

Urjit Patel stares at half-empty RBI board – The central board of the RBI, which provides broad direction to the central bank, currently has eight of the 16 director positions nominated by the Centre lying vacant, with the terms of two more sitting members due to end over the next couple of months.

 Indian Express

Poor account – It is unfortunate to see bank officials in many parts of the country making one-rupee deposits in Jan-Dhan accounts simply with a view to hide their “zero-balance” status, as an investigation by this newspaper has revealed.

Accountability of justice – The framers of our Constitution did not intend the judiciary to be “superior” to Parliament and the executive, but intended it to be the sentinel on the qui vive should the other two wings overstep the boundaries of their jurisdiction or omit to discharge their duty as public trustees.

Chimera of choice – Surrogate mothers are caught in a vortex of exploitation which the new bill does not address.

Newspaper articles- 13th Sep 2016

National

GST Council gets Cabinet nod, roll-out likely in April – The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the setting up of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) Council and its Secretariat. The Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on the GST could cease to be the forum at which the discussions between the Centre and States would take place, the Centre said after announcing the creation of the Council.

Pulse buffer stock to be increased to 20 lakh tonnes “The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Department of Consumer Affairs for increasing the buffer stock to 20 lakh tonnes. It will be built through domestic procurement and imports of 10 lakh tonnes each,” an official statement said.

International

Russia-China naval drills follow rejection of The Hague verdict     China and Russia on Monday began their first naval exercises in the South China Sea (SCS), setting the stage for a deeper military and political engagement, reinforced by the meeting at Hangzhou between the two heads of state.

Editorial / Opinion

They are the world The findings of the Unicef report, Uprooted: The Growing Crisis for Refugee and Migrant Children , could not be grimmer. Over 50 per cent of the 50 million children who have migrated or been forcibly displaced across borders are said to have fled violence. About one in three children who live outside their country of birth is a refugee.

There is a people’s alternative – Kerala has a two-pronged strategy to get on the path of progress: long-term projects for comprehensive development, and succour for the poor and disadvantaged, writes the author. Read if you have time.

Why healthcare access eludes India –Part IV of the Constitution of India talks about the Directive Principles of State Policy. Article 47 under part IV lists the “Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health”. Despite the consensus among political and academic circles of living up to the principle, successive governments have failed to address India’s health-care needs for a vast majority of its population.

The Margarita mirror –This week, for only the second time, India will not be represented by its Prime Minister at a NAM Summit, highlighting the organisation’s challenges and the country’s missed opportunities

Transit at Gojadanga – Migrants from Bangladesh are often unaware that they are being trafficked, and are sometimes sold into prostitution or forced labour. Indian laws barely penalise traffickers

Economy

Cabinet nod for expanded trade with China, APAC – India is likely to benefit from offers of China and South Korea for duty concessions in sectors including textiles, chemicals and iron and steel, according to government sources. Industry sources, however, said the Indian industry had not gained much from APTA so far, especially in textiles.

Indian Express

Raja Mandala: New dynamic in the north west – C Rajamohan writes on the geopolitics between India, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Newspaper articles- 12th Sep 2016

Jharkhand at bottom of Swachh table; government red-faced – The survey was conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) between May and June 2015 covering 73,176 households in 3,788 villages across the country has placed Sikkim at the top of the list and Jharkhand at the bottom of the list.

Kerala decentralises disaster management – As a multi-hazard prone State, Kerala is embarking on a project to strengthen the network of emergency operations centres at the State and districtlevel and bolster its community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives through local bodies.

Do police get away with rights violations? – NCRB data from 2006 to 2015 show that on an average, 120 FIRs are filed against the police for rights violations. From 2012 to 2015, cases with the NHRC against the police have always been more than 30,000, constituting around 30 per cent of all the cases it receives.

Task force moots new panel on BPL – A task force headed by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya to prepare a road map for elimination of poverty has submitted its report to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and suggested setting up of a committee to identify people below the poverty line (BPL).

Editorials

Labour’s love’s lost – The proposed labour reforms seek to weaken worker protection at a time when the Indian economy is not creating enough jobs, and the right kind of jobs.

Chronicles in unlearning – For the first time in the last two centuries, we are witnessing a virulent form of anti-intellectualism which will leave a lasting impact on the future of a wide range of activities from filmmaking and art to other forms of knowledge production.

ISRO makes India proud again – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) crossed an important milestone with the successful launch of weather satellite INSAT-3DR using a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle equipped with the indigenous cryogenic upper stage.

On Suu Kyi’s itinerary – The National League for Democracy government in Myanmar, which has been in oice for less than half a year, has carefully charted out a balanced and astute foreign policy under the Foreign Minister, Aung San Suu Kyi.

International

China, Russia to hold joint exercises in S. China Sea – China and Russia will hold an eight- day joint naval exercise from tomorrow in the contentious South China Sea, the first drill by any country in the contested waters since an international tribunal rejected Beijing’s historic claims to the resource-rich sea.

Economy

Cabinet may discuss GST Council set-up – The Union Cabinet is likely to take up in its next meeting on Monday the constitution of the GST Council. This constitutional body, to be headed by the Union Finance Minister and comprising State Finance Ministers, will decide the rates at which the GST will be levied and collected and have to be paid across the country by consumers.

Finmin revises criteria for recapitalisation of PSU banks – State-owned banks looking forward to the next round of capital infusion will need to fulfil a new set of criteria, including credit recovery, as the Finance Ministry has revised the recapitalisation norms.

Small growers apply for licence to export tea – Over the last decade, Tea Board of India has taken initiatives to motivate small tea growers to work as collectives, by forming producer-societies or self-help groups, for sustainable green tea leaf trade business.

A case of canary in a coal mine for Railways – Within the commodities, it ferries, half of the Railways’ freight income accrues from transporting coal from pitheads (and ports in case of imported coal) to power plants and a few other end-user industries. Railways tweaked its tariffs for carrying coal. This would affect economy a lot.

Science and Technology

India to lead global coalition to fight epidemics – India is all set to lead the global fight against epidemics as it is a key member of the newly formed Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) with its headquarters at the Norwegian Institute for Public Health, in Oslo.

Anthropocene: why this naming has risen in the earth’s history – A group of geoscientists gathered at Cape Town, South Africa, and have recommended that mankind’s impact on Mother Earth has been so profound in recent years, that it is time to describe a new geological epoch in the history of earth, calling it Anthropocene.

Indian Express

An Unsolicited Response – Fali S Nariman, in his article, ‘My unsolicited suggestion’ (IE, September 7), subtly but surely points out the perils of Justice Chelameswar’s recent public revelations about the lack of transparency in the collegium that appoints judges.

Unequal by law – draft Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 bill is exclusionary and highly controversial at best.

From Plate to Plough: Connecting the drops – An enduring solution to India’s water woes lies in buffer stocking during monsoon months and release during lean seasons.