Today's Update

Today's Questions
28 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-questions/20324-28-may-2019

Today's Editorial (Hindi)
28 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-editorial-hindi/20323-28-may-2019

Today's Editorial
28 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-editorial/20322-28-may-2019

Today's Headlines (Hindi)
28 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-headlines-hindi/20321-28-may-2019

Today's Headlines
28 May 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-headlines/20320-28-may-2019

राइट टू हेल्थ स्कीम लागू करने वाला देश का पहला राज्य
आचार संहिता खत्म होते ही अब छत्तीसगढ़ में राइट टू हेल्थ स्कीम को लागू करने की तैयारी शुरू हो गई है। मिली जानकारी के मुताबिक जल्द ही छत्तीसगढ़ राइट टू हेल्थ स्कीम लागू करने वाला देश का पहला राज्य बन सकता है। इस योजना के लागू होने के साथ ही बिना स्मार्ट कार्ड के हर जरूरतमंद व्यक्ति को मुफ्त स्वास्थ्य सेवा मुहैया हो सकेगी।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20316-2019-05-28-05-28-34
#Chhattisgarh #TSSinhadev #Health #NationalHealthScheme

स्विट्जरलैंड ने साझा की स्विस बैंकों की जानकारी
स्विट्जरलैंड ने अपने वैश्विक वित्तीय केंद्र होने की हैसियत को दोबारा हासिल करने के लिए अपने बैंकों की जानकारियों को खुफिया रखने की प्रतिबद्धता छोड़ दी है। खासतौर पर देखा गया है कि स्विस बैंकों के भारतीय ग्राहकों की जानकारियों को साझा करने की प्रक्रिया में तेजी आई है। पिछले एक हफ्ते में करीब ऐसे एक दर्जन मामले सामने आए हैं।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20315-2019-05-28-05-27-25
#Switzerland #FTA #FederalTaxAdministration #Schweizerische #Nationalbank

Triple talaq bills lapse
With the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and the one on banning triple talaq have lapsed as they were not passed by Rajya Sabha. The two bills could not be passed by Rajya Sabha in the Budget session, the last Parliament session of the outgoing government.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20319-triple-talaq-bills-lapse
#LokSabha #Amendment #Budget #RajyaSabha #MuslimWomen #talaqbills

Proposal for SHP rejected
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has rejected a proposal by a private company in Tamil Nadu seeking Central finance assistance for their small hydropower project (SHP) due to non-compliance with the provisions in the scheme. M/s. Dazzle Power (P) Ltd. had proposed to set up 0.35 MW small hydro project at Tuklapatti Canal Drop, Madurai.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20318-proposal-for-shp-rejected
#SHP #MNRE #CFA #TamilNadu #MW #Madurai

Sikkim's New chief minister
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) president Prem Singh Tamang, popularly known as P S Golay, on 27 May 2019 took oath as the chief minister of Sikkim. Eleven SKM MLAs were also administered the oath by Governor Ganga Prasad at Paljor Stadium. Golay, who is not a member of the state assembly at present as he did not contest the polls, was elected as the SKM Legislature Party leader.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20317-sikkim-s-new-chief-minister
#PSGolay #SKM #Sikkim #PawanKumar #SDF #Ganga #PaljorStadium

Today Update's

Today's Questions
04 June 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-questions/20408-04-june-2019

Today's Editorial (Hindi)
04 June 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-editorial-hindi/20405-04-june-2019

Today's Editorial
04 June 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-editorial/20404-04-june-2019

Today's Headlines (Hindi)
04 June 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-headlines-hindi/20407-04-june-2019

Today's Headlines
04 June 2019
Read Here: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/today-s-headlines/20406-04-june-2019

देश की सबसे लाभकारी सरकारी कंपनी
देश की सबसे बड़ी तेल एवं गैस उत्पादक कंपनी ऑयल एंड नेचुरल गैस कॉरपोरेशन (ओएनजीसी) इंडियन ऑयल कॉरपोरेशन (आइओसी) को पीछे छोड़कर फिर से देश की सबसे लाभकारी कंपनी बन गई। शेयर बाजारों में सूचीबद्ध कंपनियों की ओर से जारी किए गए नतीजों के मुताबिक 2018-19 में ओएनजीसी का शुद्ध लाभ 34 फीसद बढ़कर 26,716 करोड़ रुपये पर पहुंच गया।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20400-2019-06-04-05-09-18
#IOC #ONGC #RIL #MukeshAmbani #NaturalGas #IndianOil

अभी भी भारतीय बैंकों पर है NPA का दबाव
ग्लोबल रेटिंग एजेंसी फिच ने कहा है कि भारतीय बैंकिंग सेक्टर फंसे कर्ज (एनपीए) और पूंजीगत कमी की समस्या से अभी भी दबाव में है। एजेंसी का कहना है कि पिछले वित्त वर्ष के शुरुआती नौ महीने (अप्रैल-दिसंबर, 2018) के दौरान बैंकों का एनपीए घटकर 10.8 फीसद रहा, जो उससे पिछले वित्त वर्ष (2017-18) की पूरी अवधि में 11.5 फीसद रहा था।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/20399-npa-2
#NPA #Globalrating #BBPlus #BBBminus #GDP #PNB #BOB #SBIBank

India rejects OIC stand
Three months after New Delhi had toned down its criticism of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) reference to Jammu and Kashmir, India on 3 June 2019 raised the decibel and rejected the OIC’s reference to Kashmir as “unacceptable” and said that the grouping has “no locus standi”.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20403-india-rejects-oic-stand
#OIC #JammuandKashmir #RaveeshKumar #UAE #Muslimworld #UnitedNations

Draft education policy revised
The Centre 3 June 2019 revised the draft National Education Policy by dropping a contentious clause that proposed to make Hindi mandatory in schools. The draft education policy led to a massive outcry, especially in Tamil Nadu, where the DMK and other political parties accused the Centre of imposing the language on non-Hindi speaking states.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20402-draft-education-policy-revised
#education #NationalEducationPolicy #TamilNadu #NEP #HRD

U.N. bid to curb N.Korean missile tests
A U.N. agency's bid to curb North Korea's missile programme with an airspace safety audit and at the same time revive its air traffic has been delayed amid U.S. concerns that it may breach U.N. sanctions. Airlines currently take indirect routes to avoid North Korea due to the threat of surprise missile tests, which have been witnessed by some passengers on commercial flights.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/20401-u-n-bid-to-curb-n-korean-missile-tests
#UN #NKorean #ICAO #airspace #missile #Airlines

OBC panel gets extension
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the extension of the term of the commission constituted under Article 340 of the constitution to examine the issue of Sub-categorization within other Backward Classes in the Central List by six months beyond 31st July, 2019 and upto 31st January, 2020.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21105-obc-panel-gets-extension
#OBC #NarendraModi #Commission #Article340 #UTs #TamilNadu

MoU approved for Uses of Outer Space
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Bolivia on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes".
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21104-mou-approved-for-uses-of-outer-space
#MoU #OuterSpace #NarendraModi #ABE #ISRO #UnionCabinet

ITLU at Moscow approved
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the setting up of ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) at Moscow, Russia. The ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) at Moscow will enable effective technical coordination for timely interventions on diversified matters with Russia and neighbouring countries for realization of the programmatic targets of ISRO.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21103-itlu-at-moscow-approved
#ITLU #ISRO #NarendraModi #Space #USA #Moscow #Russia

MoU between India and Bahrain apprised
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised about the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between India and Bahrain on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21103-itlu-at-moscow-approved
#MoU #India #NarendraModi #NSSA #ISRO #DOS #MEA

UNISA approved
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing of the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements (UNISA) resulting from mediation by the Republic of India scheduled to be held at Singapore on 7th August, 2019, or at United Nations Headquarters.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21101-unisa-approved
#UNISA #ADR #NDIAC #NarendraModi #IIIA #Singapore

Triple Talaq Bill passed
Parliament marked a historic moment when Rajya Sabha passed the much-debated and politically contentious triple talaq bill that makes the Muslim practice of instant divorce punishable.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21100-triple-talaq-bill-passed
#Talaq #LokSabha #Muslim #TripleTalaqBill #MarriedMuslim #RajyaSabha

The Code on Wages Bill 2019
The Lok Sabha passed The Code on Wages Bill, 2019. It is a historic Bill which aims to transform the old and obsolete labour laws into more accountable and transparent ones which is need of the hour.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/21099-the-code-on-wages-bill-2020
#WagesBill2019 #LokSabha #historicBill #BonusAct

Creamy layer’s exclusion from SC/ST quota
The Union government on 2 December 2019 asked the Supreme Court to refer to a seven-judge Bench the question whether the creamy layer should apply or not to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe people while providing them reservation in government promotions.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22252-creamy-layer-s-exclusion-from-sc-st-quota.html
#Creamylayer #ST #MNagaraj #Articles341 #SC #judgment

Promotion of endangered languages
The government has launched a scheme for the promotion of endangered languages in central and state universities, Union HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said in the Lok Sabha on 2 December 2019.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22251-promotion-of-endangered-languages.html
#Promotion #HRD #RameshPokhriyalNishank #UGC #LokSabha

India to get its second spaceport
The work on the country’s second spaceport has started in Tamil Nadu as Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is gearing up for increased launch activities in coming years.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22250-india-to-get-its-second-spaceport.html
#India #Isro #TamilNadu #PSLV #GSLV #SSLV #Kulasekarapattinam

Russia-China gas pipeline
Russia and China on 2 December 2019 launched a giant gas pipeline linking the countries for the first time, one of three major projects aimed at cementing Moscow's role as the world's top gas exporter.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22249-russia-china-gas-pipeline.html
#Russia #CEO #VladimirPutin #XiJinping #GasPipeline

Cybersecurity policy upgraded
India is ready to update its cybersecurity policy, and as a first step towards formulating the new document “National Cybersecurity Strategy 2020, the government is inviting suggestions from the citizens.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22248-cybersecurity-policy-upgraded.html
#Cybersecurity #NCSS2020 #space #RajeshPant #India

UK's Brexit election
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 13 December 2019 won the historic UK General Election as his Conservative Party crossed the 326-mark required for a majority in Parliament, marking a victory for his "Get Brexit Done" message and setting the UK on course to leave the European Union (EU) in the New Year.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22333-uk-s-brexit-election.html
#UK #Brexit #BorisJohnson #election #British

Antenna of RISAT-2BR1
Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 12 December 2019 undertook an operation to unfurl the antenna that was inside the radar imaging earth observation satelliteRISAT-2BR1, a day after it was launched from Sriharikota.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22332-antenna-of-risat-2br1.html
#Antenna #RISAT #2BR1 #ISRO #PSLV #MOM #satellites

Renewable energy generating state
Tamil Nadu has overtaken Karnataka to become India's top renewable power generating state in FY20 (till October). Of the total renewable power generation in the country, nearly 17.2 per cent was from Tamil Nadu.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22331-renewable-energy-generating-state.html
#TamilNadu #FY20 #CEA #India #megawatt #SolarPolicy

E-Pharmacy rules
E-pharmacies, in recent years, have been able to fulfil unmet medical needs of the large Indian population by enabling access to affordable medicines to people in remote areas.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22330-e-pharmacy-rules.html
#EPharmacy #DTAB #FDI #AIOCD #DISHA #PDPBill #DCC

FM in the world's most powerful women list
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, HCL Corporation CEO and Executive Director Roshni Nadar Malhotra and Biocon Founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw have been named among the world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22329-fm-in-the-world-s-most-powerful-women-list.html
#FM #CEO #NirmalaSitharaman #HCL #PowerfulWomen #India

SEZs deemed to be multi-sector SEZs
The central government has notified that all notified and existing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) shall be deemed to be multi-sector economic zones. This would release land parcels in single commodity SEZs for other sectors.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22400-sezs-deemed-to-be-multi-sector-sezs.html
#SEZs #EPZ #amendment #Asia #TamilNadu #manufacturing

Threat to outer space security
Rising space power China on 23 December 2019 attacked the newly created US Space Force as a "direct threat to outer space peace and security". Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that China is "deeply concerned about it and resolutely opposed to it".
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22399-threat-to-outer-space-security.html
#SpaceForce #DRDO #satellite #orbit #OST #BNSS

What is Wi-Fi calling?
Wi-Fi calling is the buzz word in the Indian telecom industry right now. Airtel has already launched its Wi-Fi calling service in the country (available only in some areas for now), while Reliance Jio is still testing it in some circles and is expected to announce it very soon.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22398-what-is-wi-fi-calling.html
#WiFiCalling #RelianceJio #TamilNadu #telecom #Indiantelecom

China, South Korea, Japan meet
The leaders of China, Japan and South Korea are holding a trilateral summit in China this week amid feuds over trade, military maneuverings and historical animosities. Most striking has been a complex dispute between Seoul and Tokyo, while Beijing has recently sought to tone down its disagreements with its two neighbors.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22397-china-south-korea-japan-meet.html
#China #THAAD #Asiantroika #ShinzoAbe #Japan #nuclear

EIU survey on urban areas
Three cities in Keralafeature among the fastest-growing urban areas across the world, according to a ranking released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22591-eiu-survey-on-urban-areas.html
#EIU #Kollam #urban #TamilNadu #UAE #Gujarat

Ration card portability implemented
The Centre has rolled out the ‘one nation, one ration card’ initiative in 12 states including Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22590-ration-card-portability-implemented.html
#Rationcard #RamVilasPaswan #NFSA #Maharashtra

FAIRS Export Certificate Report
India’s animal husbandry sector underwent a significant change last year due to a “landmark move” by the government which helped ease import regulations, according to a report released by the US Department of Agriculture.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22589-fairs-export-certificate-report.html
#FAIRS #DPPQS #OAA #GAIN #India #DAHD #FAIRS

Iran-U.S. conflict
Five days after Major General Qassem Soleimani, the Quds Force chief, was killed in a U.S. air strike outside Baghdad airport, Iran on 8 January 2020 launched ballistic missile attacks at American troops in two military bases in Iraq.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22588-iran-u-s-conflict.html
#Iran #PMF #missile #MGQS #QudsForce #Article51

Only Indian in list of umpires
Anil Chaudhary is the lone Indian named in the list of 19 match officials, including 16 umpires, for the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup starting in South Africa from January 17.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22587-only-indian-in-list-of-umpires.html
#Indian #AnilChaudhary #ICC #WorldCup #T20 #SriLanka

Anti-subsidy duty imposed
India has imposed anti-subsidy duty for a period of five years on copper wire rods from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam after concluding a probe that these imports have impacted domestic players.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22620-anti-subsidy-duty-imposed.html
#AntiSubsidy #DGTR #Malaysia #WTO #GATT #India #CVDs

SC not to review Sabarimala case
A nine-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad A. Bobde on 13 January 2020 said its objective was not to review the Sabarimala women entry case but examine “larger issues” of law like the prohibition of women from entering mosques and temples to genital mutilation among Dawoodi Bohras and the banning of Parsi women who married inter-faith from entering the fire temple.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22619-sc-not-to-review-sabarimala-case.html
#SC #Sabarimala #CJI #Article137 #India #DawoodiBohras

Crimes were committed against the state
India registered 8,536 crimes under the ‘offences against the state’ category in the National Crime Records Bureau’s 2018 report, a 5% decrease from 2017.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22618-crimes-were-committed-against-the-state.html
#India #PDPPAct #TamilNadu #UttarPradesh #Sikkim

Panel for issues on royalty rates for major minerals
The Centre has decided to set up an 11-member panel including mines secretaries from various states, to examine issues pertaining to the revision of rates of royalty for minerals.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22617-panel-for-issues-on-royalty-rates-for-major-minerals.html
#royalty #stakeholders #Chhattisgarh #minerals

Private property is a human right
A citizen’s right to own private property is a human right. The state cannot take possession of it without following due procedure and authority of law, the Supreme Court has held in a judgment.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22616-private-property-is-a-human-right.html
#Privateproperty #humanright #Article300A #AjayRastogi

Early warning systems for landslides
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has announced that it is testing the regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) in the West Bengal’s Darjeeling district and in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/25189-early-warning-systems-for-landslides.html
#landslides #GSI #Earlywarningsystems #TamilNadu #UPSCOnlineClasses #OnlineClassses #IASOnlineclasses

India's first AMHUB
The Tamil Nadu government, through its nodal investment promotion and facilitation agency Guidance, has partnered with World Economic Forum (WEF) to establish what it described as India’s first advanced manufacturing hub (AMHUB) in the state.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/26454-india-s-first-amhub.html
#Indias #AMHUB #WEF #TamilNadu #UPSCOnlineClasses #OnlineClassses #IASOnlineclasses

NASA to launch Indian Sat
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has chosen an indigenous experimental satellite developed by three students from Tamil Nadu for launch in suborbital space.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/26543-nasa-to-launch-indian-sat.html
#NASA #IndianSat #TamilNadu #suborbitalspace #UPSCOnlineClasses #OnlineClassses #IASOnlineclasses

Watch: KSG DYK- Classical wind music instrument “Narasinghapettai nagaswaram” got GI tag from which State?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hSlJC8GULVM

Today's Headlines - 20 July 2023
NITI's Export Preparedness Index 2022
GS Paper - 3 (Economy)

Tamil Nadu has pipped Maharashtra and Gujarat to emerge as the top state in the Niti Aayog's Export Preparedness Index 2022. The index is aimed at assessing the readiness of the states in terms of their export potential and performance. Gujarat had topped the chart in the last two rankings.

More about the Index

Tamil Nadu with an overall score of 80.89 topped the third edition of rankings. Maharashtra with a score of 78.20 was second while Karnataka (76.36) was third.
Gujarat with a score of 73.22 was fourth, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Kerala in that order in the ranking of coastal states, according to the government think tank's report released on 17 July 2023.
Among hilly/Himalayan states, Uttarakhand (59.13) has ranked at the top position. It is followed by Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram in that order.
Haryana (63.65) topped the chart among the landlocked regions. It was followed by Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
In the category of union territories/small states, Goa (51.58) was ranked first. Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar and Ladakh were ranked second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Flashback

The index can be used by the regions to benchmark their performance against their peers and analyse potential challenges to develop better policy mechanisms to foster export-led growth at the sub-national level.
The ranking is based on four main pillars: policy, business ecosystem, export ecosystem and export performance.
The index is also aimed at promoting competition among all states (coastal, landlocked, Himalayan and UTs) to bring about favourable policies, ease the regulatory framework, create necessary infrastructure and assist in identifying strategic recommendations for improving export competitiveness.

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Today's Headlines - 27 July 2023
Raigad landslide brings back focus on Madhav Gadgil report
GS Paper - 1 (Geography)

A landslide in Maharashtra’s Raigad district claimed 27 lives, flattened an entire village, and brought back into focus the 2011 Dr Madhav Gadgil report on conservation of the Western Ghats. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said as per the recommendation of the report, the mapping of all the landslide-prone villages in the state, including those on the Western Ghats, was carried out during his tenure as the Chief Minister of the state between 2014 and 2019 and was submitted to the Union government.

What does the report state?

In 2010, then Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh appointed the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), to be chaired by ecologist Dr Madhav Gadgil. The commission submitted its 552-page report to the Centre in August 2011.
The report recommended classifying 64 percent of the Western Ghats, spread over six states, into Ecologically Sensitive Zones called ESZ 1, ESZ 2 and ESZ 3. It also recommended designating the entire region as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
Almost all developmental activities like mining, construction of thermal power plants, dams were to stop along with the decommissioning of similar projects that have completed their shelf life in ESZ 1.
It said that both the Athirappilly and Gundia hydel project sites should not be accorded environmental clearance as they fall in this zone.
For Goa, WGEEP recommended an indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in ESZs 1 and 2, a phasing out of mining in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 1 by 2016, and continuation of existing mining in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 2 under strict regulation with an effective system of social audit.
In the Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra, the panel advised that in ESZs 1 and 2, no new polluting (red and orange category) industries, which would include coal-based power plants, should be permitted to be established, and the existing red and orange category industries should be asked to switch to zero pollution by 2016.
Further, it found that plains and coastal tracts in these districts were under “severe environmental and social stress”.
In all the zones, genetically modified crops should not be allowed, use of plastic bags be prohibited, Special Economic Zones should not be permitted, new hill stations should not be allowed, changing the land use from farmland to non-farm land and the stoppage of diversions of rivers to protect the ecology of the region, and public lands should not be converted into private lands.
The report also suggested a bottom-to-top approach instead of a top-to-bottom approach in governance of the environment, indicating decentralization and more powers to local authorities.
It recommended theestablishment of a Western Ghats Ecology Authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, as a professional body to manage the ecology of the region and to ensure its sustainable development.
What was the need for this report?

The Gadgil commission was formed by the Ministry of Environment in 2010 to study the impact of population pressure, climate change and development activities on the Western Ghats.
Accorded the World Heritage status by UNESCO, the Western Ghats are a 1,600-km-long mountain chain running the western coast of the country covering six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
These Ghats are home to high mountain forests, which moderate the tropical climate of the region and present one of the best examples of the monsoon system on the planet.
They are home to 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species. About 60 percent of the mountain range is in Karnataka.

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Today's Headlines - 13 August 2023
Katchatheevu island a political issue
GS Paper - 2 (Polity)

Ahead of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremsinghe’s visit to New Delhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to PM Modi requesting him to retrieve the island. The transfer of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka, by the Union government, without the state government’s consent, has deprived Tamil Nadu fishermen’s rights and adversely impacted their livelihoods.

Where is the island of Katchatheevu?

Katchatheevu is a 285-acre uninhabited speck in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka.
It is no more than 1.6 km in length and slightly over 300 m wide at its broadest point.
It lies northeast of Rameswaram, about 33 km from the Indian coast. It is about 62 km southwest of Jaffna, at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, and 24 km away from the inhabited Delft Island, belonging to Sri Lanka.
The only structure on the island is an early 20th century Catholic shrine – St Anthony’s church. During an annual festival, Christian priests from both India and Sri Lanka conduct the service, with devotees from both India and Sri Lanka making the pilgrimage.
This year, 2,500 Indians made the journey to Katchatheevu from Rameswaram for the festival.
Katchatheevu is not suited for permanent settlement as there is no source of drinking water on the island.
What is the island’s history?

The island is relatively new in the geological timescale, being the product of a 14-century volcanic eruption.
In the early medieval period, it was controlled by the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka. In the 17th century, control passed to the Ramnad zamindari based out of Ramanathapuram, about 55 km northwest of Rameswaram.
It became part of the Madras Presidency during the British Raj. But in 1921, both India and Sri Lanka, at the time British colonies, claimed Katchatheevu in order to determine fishing boundaries.
A survey marked Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka, but a British delegation from India challenged this, citing ownership of the island by the Ramnad kingdom.

What is the agreement now?

In 1974, Indira Gandhi made attempts to settle the maritime border between India and Sri Lanka, once and for all.
As a part of this settlement, known as the ‘Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement’, Indira Gandhi ‘ceded’ Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.
At the time, she thought the island had little strategic value and that ceasing India’s claim over the island would deepen its ties with its southern neighbour.
Moreover, as per the agreement, Indian fishermen were still allowed to access Katchatheevu “hitherto”. Unfortunately, the issue of fishing rights was not ironed out by the agreement.
Sri Lanka interpreted Indian fishermens’ right to access Katchatheevu to be limited to “rest, drying nets and for visit to the Catholic shrine without visa”.
Another agreement in 1976, during the period of Emergency in India, barred either country from fishing in the other’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Again, Katchatheevu lay right at the edge of the EEZs of either country, retaining a degree of uncertainty with regards to fishing rights.

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Today's Headlines - 28 August 2023
Indore named best city in Smart Cities Mission
GS Paper - 2 (Infrastructure)

The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry named Indore the best city and Madhya Pradesh the best state in the Smart Cities Mission in its India Smart Cities Awards 2022. Surat and Agra were named second and third best among cities and Tamil Nadu second in states, with the third prize being shared by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. A total of 66 winners in different categories were announced; the awards would be presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in Indore on 27 September 2023.

More about the News

The cities were selected based on their ranking in terms of progress of projects, project outcomes and presentations submitted for the awards.
Indore has topped the cleanliness rankings under the Swachh Bharat Mission, being named the cleanest city for the past six years in a row.
Madhya Pradesh, too, won the tag of the cleanest state in the Swachh Survekshan 2022. In the Smart Cities awards, Indore had shared the first place with Surat last time.
In the Smart Cities Awards 2022, Coimbatore’s project of model roads, restoration and renovation of lakes was ranked the best in the category of built environment, while Jabalpur won the award for its incubation centre in the economy category.
Chandigarh’s public bike sharing and e-governance services won in the mobility and governance categories, respectively. Chandigarh also won the overall award in the Union Territory category.
Flashback

Under the Smart Cities Mission, which was launched in 2015, the 100 selected cities have completed 76% of the proposed projects worth Rs.1.10 lakh crore, while the remaining projects worth Rs.60,095 crore “will be completed by 30 June 2024, a ministry statement said.
Earlier this year, the mission’s deadline was extended from June 30 to next year to allow all 100 cities to complete their projects.
Most notable milestone achieved in the mission has been the Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC), which is operational in all 100 Smart Cities.
These ICCCs work as the brain and nervous system for city operations, using technology for urban management.
The urban services have significantly improved in diverse fields like crime tracking, safety and security of citizens, transport management, solid waste management, water supply, disaster management etc.

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Today's Headlines - 01 September 2023
Validity of ‘self-respect’ marriages
GS Paper - 2 (Polity)

The Supreme Court observed that there is no blanket ban on advocates solemnising “self-respect” marriages under Section 7(A) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. In doing so, a Bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Aravind Kumar set aside a 2014 ruling of the Madras High Court holding that marriages performed by the advocates are not valid and that “suyamariyathai” or “self-respect” marriages cannot be solemnised in secrecy.

What are ‘self-respect’ marriages?

On 17 January 1968, the Hindu Marriage (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 1967, received the President’s approval and became the law.
This amendment modified the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, by inserting Section 7-A into it. However, it extended only to the state of Tamil Nadu.
Section 7-A deals with the special provision on “self-respect and secular marriages”.
It legally recognised “any marriage between any two Hindus”, which can be referred to as “suyamariyathai” or “seerthiruththa marriage” or by any other name.
Such marriages are solemnised in the presence of relatives, friends, or other persons, with parties declaring each other to be husband or wife, in a language understood by them.
Further, each party to the marriage garlands the other or puts a ring on the other’s finger or ties a “thali” or mangal sutra. However, such marriages are also required to be registered as per the law.
The rationale behind the Tamil Nadu government amending the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, to include “suyamariyathai” or “self-respect” marriages, was to radically simplify weddings by shunning the need for mandatory Brahmin priests, holy fire and saptapadi (seven steps).
This allowed marriages to be declared in the presence of the couple’s friends or family or any other persons. In a nutshell, the amendment was made to do away with the need for priests and rituals, which were otherwise required to complete wedding ceremonies.
In its recent order, the Supreme Court allowed a petition challenging a Madras High Court order dated 5 May where the court had ordered the initiation of disciplinary action against the advocates who solemnised such marriages in their offices and issued marriage certificates to consenting adults.
What has the top court ruled on ‘self-respect’ marriages in the past?

In “S. Nagalingam vs Sivagami” (2001), a bench of Justices DP Mohapatra and KG Balakrishnan recognised the petitioner’s marriage with his wife to be a valid one despite the ceremony of “saptapadi” or seven steps around the sacred fire, not taking place.
Clarifying that the parties in the present case did not consider the “saptapadi” ceremony to be as essential as per their personal law, the court said that Section 7-A of the Hindu Marriage Act (Tamil Nadu State Amendment) would apply instead.
The main thrust of this provision is that the presence of a priest is not necessary for the performance of a valid marriage. Parties can enter into a marriage in the presence of relatives or friends or other persons and each party to the marriage should declare in the language understood by the parties that each takes the other to be his wife or, as the case may be, her husband and the marriage would be completed by a simple ceremony requiring the parties to the marriage to garland each other or put a ring upon any finger of the other or tie a thali,” the court had observed in its ruling.

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