9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – July 22, 2017

A stronger river referee: (Indian Express, Editorial) Inter-State River Water Disputes gets a new Bill Context: The government introduced the long-awaited Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill 2017. Introduction: The Interstate Water Disputes Act 1956, has been amended about half a dozen times. The amendments have stuck to a template, which relies exclusively on tribunals… Continue reading A stronger river referee:

Speaking for the voiceless: (Indian Express, Editorial) A need to redefine the process of criminal justice Context: An analysis of rape cases of minors reveals that nothing has changed even after the enactment of the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act in 2012. The Criminal justice process would benefit from more elements of… Continue reading Speaking for the voiceless:

Creating a new normal: (Indian Express, Editorial) (Leaving no stones unturned for a clean India) Context: India has set itself a seemingly impossible goal, to end open defecation by October 2, 2019. India’s primary concern: Lack of toilets allows faecal germs to spread, which cause sometimes fatal illnesses like cholera and diarrhoea, especially among children.… Continue reading Creating a new normal:

Untrained teachers get 2 years to qualify: (The Hindu) Bills passed for Untrained teachers Context The Lok Sabha passed a Bill that offers untrained teachers teaching in schools’ time till March 31, 2019, to acquire B.El. Ed (Bachelor of Elementary Education) or D. El. Ed. (Diploma in Elementary Education) qualifications to hold their jobs as… Continue reading Untrained teachers get 2 years to qualify:

Digital trade games: (The Hindu, Editorial) (Global Digital Trade Paradigm at Proposed RCEP Treaty of ASEAN countries) Background: In order to broaden and deepen the engagement among ASEAN countries, the leaders of 16 participating countries established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to enhance parties’ participation in economic development of the region. Recently, the negotiators… Continue reading Digital trade games:

Protection of personal data a right’: (The Hindu) (The 2016 case on protection of privacy) Context Petition held by students alleging that a Contract between Facebook and Whatsapp in 2016 was a violation of the citizens’ right to privacy. The issue The Bench is hearing a petition filed by students led by Karmanya Singh Sareen.… Continue reading Protection of personal data a right’:

SC: mentally retarded adult not a child: (The Hindu) (Biological age is that matters for SC) Context: The Indian Law considers a person’s age only through age not through mental age. This evaluation of age needs to be reconsidered as far as the mentally challenged ones are concerned. POCSO Child sexual abuse laws in India… Continue reading SC: mentally retarded adult not a child:

‘Major deficiencies in Army’s ammunition reserves’: (The Hindu) (Follow up audit on Ammunition Management in Army) Context The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has presented a bleak picture of the Army’s War Wastage Reserve (WWR) ammunition. The report tabled on Friday is a follow-up audit on the measures taken after the CAG’s earlier report on… Continue reading ‘Major deficiencies in Army’s ammunition reserves

Audit slams Railways on food quality: (The Hindu) Context A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in Parliament has found severe deficiencies in the catering services of the Indian Railways. The result of Joint inspection There are deficiencies in respect of quality of food served were noticed. The food available to travelers are unsuitable… Continue reading Audit slams Railways on food quality:

WCO lauds India’s trade facilitation plan:  Trade Facilitation Pact to promote Ease of doing business: Context: The World Customs Organisation (WCO) describes India’s National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) as a best practice other nations can adopt. Introduction: A National Trade Facilitation Action Plan has been released for a time bound map for implementing of… Continue reading WCO lauds India’s trade facilitation plan:

Floor price for voice, data not ‘workable’, says TRAI: (The Hindu) TRAI rejects telcos proposal on flour price for voice Background: Recently, some telecom services providers, in a meeting with TRAI, had sought imposition of a floor price for both voice and data services. The telecom operators had argued that telcos offering below cost tariffs… Continue reading Floor price for voice, data not ‘workable’, says TRAI:

H1N1 returns: what can be done to control the virus: (The Hindu, Editorial) (H1N1 returns: Preventive measures you should take) Context: At least 22 people died of H1N1 infections in Mumbai in 2017, and more than 500 cases were registered Statistics related to H1N1 virus: This year, 12,500 people have been infected with the influenza… Continue reading H1N1 returns: what can be done to control the virus: