9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 28th, 2018

Haryana cabinet nod to death penalty for rape of victim aged 12 or less Context: Haryana Chief Minister, who had expressed anguish and concern over recent incidents of rape, had said that provisions of “harsher punishment for rape” were required in the state. What has happened? The Haryana government has given its nod to a… Continue reading Haryana cabinet nod to death penalty for rape of victim aged 12 or less

Into priesthood: on training Dalits to become priests Context: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the independent trust which manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, had taken a unique decision to train Dalit and tribal youth in the procedures of performing temple rituals and practices.   It is in this context we need to… Continue reading Into priesthood: on training Dalits to become priests

Land Bill JPC hits a roadblock Context: A meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Land Acquisition Bill was cancelled on Tuesday for lack of quorum as only six of the 31 members turned up. The Bill seeks to remove the consent clause for acquiring land for industrial corridors, public-private projects, rural infrastructure, affordable… Continue reading Land Bill JPC hits a roadblock

The 1947 singularity Context: In the debates on India’s contemporary history, the meaning and significance of 1947 and of the framing of the Constitution have always been contested. Arguments contested: Did the Constitution mark a moment of discontinuity with the colonial past, and a desire to transform Indian political and social structures? Was it simply… Continue reading The 1947 singularity

‘Korean investments will be protected’ Context: Assuring Korean firms that their investments in India would be protected, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called upon Korean companies to invest more in India. Bilateral trade between India and Korea: Korea ranks 16th in terms of FDI equity inflows to India. The bilateral trade between India and… Continue reading ‘Korean investments will be protected’

Vietnam to discuss South China Sea with India Context: Vietnam will take up South China Sea-related issues during the March 2-4 visit by President Tran Dai Quang Details: Vietnam Ambassador has said that South China Sea-related issues will be discussed with India as the situation in South China Sea is complicated China’s claims over most… Continue reading Vietnam to discuss South China Sea with India

‘Trump revs up rhetoric on Harley-Davidson duty Context: U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised Indian tariffs again, mentioning the import duty on Harley-Davidson motorbikes for the third time in a year. Details: President Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called him up personally to tell him about cutting the tariffs as he… Continue reading ‘Trump revs up rhetoric on Harley-Davidson duty

Cornered by the Quad? Context: The four Quad countries, Australia, India, Japan and the U.S., pushing back the China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and are working to establish a joint regional infrastructure scheme as an alternative to the same Challenging China: As a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the BRI is aimed… Continue reading Cornered by the Quad?

Maldives declines invitation for MILAN exercises Context: Maldives has declined an invitation to join the MILAN series of multilateral exercises hosted by Indian in March at Andaman and Nicobar. The Indo- Pacific Maritime Dialogue recently organized by Indian Navy and the National Maritime Foundation jointly. About MILAN: MILAN is a congregation of littoral navies conducted… Continue reading Maldives declines invitation for MILAN exercises

Going grey: on Pakistan and the FATF watch list Context: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that monitors countries on action taken against terror-financing and money-laundering has decided to place Pakistan back on its watch list, or “greylist”, from June, 2018. Why the decision has been taken? The decision is both appropriate and overdue. The… Continue reading Going grey: on Pakistan and the FATF watch list

‘‘Rational tax system soon to boost EVs’ Context:   The government on Tuesday said it was trying to bring out an industry-friendly new National Automotive Policy as well as a rational system of taxation for promoting electric and hybrid vehicles. Significance of this decision: The policy will help create a more ‘enabling’ environment for the sector… Continue reading ‘‘Rational tax system soon to boost EVs’

No discrimination Context: Recently, Delhi high court has said that companies cannot deny health insurance to those suffering from genetic disorders. Case involved: The verdict came on an insurance claim by one Jai Prakash Tayal against United India Insurance Company Limited. Tayal, who was suffering from hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, was suddenly denied his insurance claim… Continue reading No discrimination