17-18 july 2015

17 july

AAI formed enquiry panel to probe World University Games fiasco

The Archery Association of India (AAI) on 16 July 2015 constituted a three-member committee to investigate the reasons behind men’s compound archery team’s failure to appear for the bronze medal play-off at the World University Games.

World University Games was held in Gwangzhou, Korea from 3 July to 14 July 2015.

The committee comprises AAI secretary general Anil Kamineni, treasurer Virendra Sachdeva and Ethics Committee chairman KS Kang. The committee would submit its report at the earliest.

Men’s compound team of India comprising Gurwinder Singh, Kanwalpreet Singh and and Aman were unavailable at the start of the match against Italy at 10am local time in Gwangju and as per the World Archery rules the game was forfeited.

As per the World Archery rules if a team is not present at the start of a final match then that game is forfeited.

Besides, AAI also barred the concerned coaches from any international assignment till the outcome of the report.

Union Government approved signing of India-Canada Civil Aviation Pact

The Union Cabinet on 16 July 2015 approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Canada in the field of Civil Aviation. The MoU will help in enhancing the experience and technical knowledge in the field of Civil Aviation between India and Canada.

It will also deepen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Highlights of the Agreement
• Under the MoU, an appropriate platform shall be formalized for exchange of views on the possibilities of fostering economic cooperation between the two countries in the areas of civil aviation.
• There will be a cooperation programme in the areas of safety of aircraft operations and related issues that will provide more up-to-date knowledge to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
• Apart from the above, India firms will also be benefited from the exchange of technical knowhow with Canadian companies as the aviation industry is far more developed in Canada.
• Canadian companies will gain from enhanced access to the fast developing civil aviation industry in India.

PM launched Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana to impart skill training to youth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 July 2015 launched the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana in New Dehi.

The programme aims to impart skill training to 24 lakh youth during 2015-16 with focus on first time entrants to the labour market and class 10 and class 12 drop outs.

Key characteristics of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKY)

• It will cover 24 lakh persons and skill training would be based on the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and industry led standards.
• It will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) training partners.
• In addition, Central and State Government affiliated training providers would also be used for training purposes.
• Skill training would be on the basis of skill gap studies conducted by the NSDC for the period 2013-17.
• Focus of the training would be on improved curricula, better pedagogy and better trained instructors.
• Training would include soft skills, personal grooming, behavioral change for cleanliness, good work ethics.
• A monetary reward will be given to trainees on assessment and certification by third party assessment bodies. The average monetary reward would be around 8000 rupees per trainee.

Funds Allocation

• Out of the total outlay of 1120 crore rupees to be spent on skill training of 14 lakh youths, 220 crore rupees has been allocated for recognition of prior learning.
• 67 crore rupees has been allocated for awareness building and mobilization efforts. Mobilization would be done through skill melas organized at the local level with participation of the State Governments, Municipal Bodies, Pachayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and community based organizations.
• 67 crore rupees has been allocated for mentorship support and placement facilitation for trainees.
• 150 crore rupees has been allocated for training of youth from the North-East region.

Monitoring of the programme

• Sector Skill Councils and the State Governments would closely monitor skill training that will happen under the PMKVY.
• Skill Development Management System (SDMS) would be put in place to verify and record details of all training centres a certain quality of training locations and courses.
• Biometric system and video recording of the training process would be put in place where feasible.
• All persons undergoing training would be required to give feed back at the time of assessment and this would become the key element of the evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of the PMKVY scheme.
• A robust grievance redressal system would be put in place to address grievances relating to implementation of the scheme.

Kerala Cricket Association not a public office: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on 15 July 2015 observed that the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) was not a public office. KCA is a member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The observation was made by Justice A Muhamed Mustaque in a judgment related to writ petitions filed by KCA president T C Mathew and other office-bearers.

The petitions were filed against the proceedings initiated by the Thrissur Vigilance Court against the office-bearers of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The proceedings were related to alleged corruption in the purchase of land for a proposed stadium at Edakochi in Ernakulam district.

In the judgment, the court ruled that since the KCA was not a public office and was not under the legal obligation under any statutory law or government decision to construct a stadium no complaint would be maintainable against the KCA office-bearers.

Further, the court observed that if the stadium was constructed based on any positive law or on a directive of the government that function would have come within the ambit of public duty.

FlipKart appointed Eric Lange as Vice President of Product Management

India’s largest online retailer Flipkart on 15 July 2015 appointed Eric Lange as the vice president of product management for its customer experience division.

He is expected to take charge in August 2015 at the company’s headquarters in Bengaluru.

Lange is a Silicon Valley veteran and earlier worked with Yahoo and search engine major Google.

He was the third high-profile Silicon Valley technology executive to join Flipkart in 2015.

Earlier, in March 2015, a former Google executive and Motorola vice president Punit Soni joined the company as chief product officer.

Also, in April 2015, another Google executive Piyush Ranjan joined Flipkart as senior vice president and head of engineering. At Google, he managed Google's Android One engineering group.

Cameroon banned Islamic veil after suicide bombings in Fotokol

Cameroon on 16 July 2015 banned wearing of full-face Islamic veil, including the burka, in the Far North region. The decision follows two suicide bomb attacks in which two women dressed in the religious garments blew themselves up on 12 July 2015 in Fotokol, Cameroon.

At least 13 people were killed in the attack. The Governor of the mainly Muslim region said the measure was to prevent further attacks.

Besides, Muslims in the north of Cameroon have also been banned from holding large gatherings without permission at the end of Ramadan.

Northern region of the Central African country joined Chad, Congo and Gabon in making the religious garment, including the burka, illegal in public spaces.

All these countries are affected regions due to Boko Harams, the Islamist group based in Nigeria. Boko Haram militants usually use female suicide bombers as they can smuggle bombs into public places without detection.

Champions League T20 scrapped due to limited public following

The Governing Council (GC) of the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) on 15 July 2015 decided to scrap the CLT20 competition due to its limited public following.

The GC consists of representatives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket Australia (CA).

As the championship has been scrapped, the 2015 CLT20, scheduled for September and October, will not go ahead as planned.

The decision assumes significance against the backdrop of Supreme Court appointed Justice Lodha Committee’s verdict on 14 July 2015 suspending the IPL teams Chennai Super Kings and (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals for two years.

Incidentally, the CSK are CLT20 defending champions as well as one of the competitors after finishing runners-up in the IPL 2015.

About CLT20

• It was an annual international Twenty20 cricket competition played between the top domestic teams from major cricketing nations.
• It was launched in 2008 with the first edition held in October 2009.
• Before the scrapping of the tournament, IPL, Big Bash League (Australia), Ram Slam T20 Challenge (South Africa) and Caribbean Premier League were the direct entrants and Haier T20 Cup (Pakistan) and Sri Lanka Premier League were qualifying stage entrants.

Greek parliament passed a bill to implement EU mandated austerity measures

Hellenic Parliament of Greece on 16 July 2015 gave its nod to the European Union mandated austerity related legislative measures, thus, paving the way for Greece to tap into EU bailout funds.

Out of total 300 strength of the unicameral legislature, the legislation was approved with 229 votes in favour, 64 against and six abstentions and won the support of three pro-European opposition parties.

The EU Summit on 12 July 2015 gave in principle approval to a bailout package worth between 82- 86 billion euro to Greece subject to approval of following legislative measures by the Greece Parliament.

• Streamlining of the Value Added Tax (VAT) system and the broadening of the tax base to increase revenue
• Upfront measures to improve long-term sustainability of the pension system as part of a comprehensive pension reform programme
• Safeguarding of the full legal independence of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT)
• Full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union
• Introducing quasi-automatic spending cuts in case of deviations from ambitious primary surplus targets after seeking advice from the Fiscal Council and subject to prior approval of the lending institutions

The approval of legislation by the Parliament gives much needed relief to Greece as people have been reeling under severe capital controls as their ATM withdrawals limited to 60 euro per day and banks and the stock exchange shut since 29 June 2015.

Further, Greece will be able to access 7 billion euro bridge loans from a special fund by the EU in order to meet its 20 July 2015 deadline to pay 4.2 billion euro to the European Central Bank (ECB).

Overall direct lending to farmers should not fall below average of past 3 years: RBI

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 16 July 2015 directed banks to ensure that their overall direct lending to farmers should not fall below the average of last three years.

The direction was given by RBI against the backdrop of government expressing concern over adverse impact of any reduction in direct credit, given the adverse weather conditions.

Further, the RBI warned the banks that direct lending below the target set for priority sector lending will attract usual penalties.

The apex bank also said that banks should also continue to maintain efforts to reach the level of 13.5 percent direct lending to beneficiaries who earlier constituted the direct agriculture sector.

In an effort to increase direct lending to agriculture, the RBI in April 2015 revised the target for direct lending to small and marginal farmers under priority sector norms to 7 percent for 2015-16 and to 8 percent for 2016-17.

Direct lending to the most disadvantaged farmers, the small and marginal farmers, has been around 6 percent of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (or Credit Equivalent Amount of Off-Balance Sheet Exposure, whichever is higher).

Also, the distinction between direct and indirect agriculture has been dispensed with and loans to food and agro processing units will form part of agriculture. Banks' overall target for agriculture stands at 18 percent.

CCI imposed Rs 671 crore penalty on 4 state-run insurance companies

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on 17 July 2015 imposed penalty of 671.05 crore rupees upon four Public Sector Insurance Companies.

The penalty was imposed for manipulating the bidding process initiated by Government of Kerala for selecting insurance service provider for Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna for the years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13. The beneficiaries of the schemes were BPL and poor families.

These companies and their penalties are National Insurance (162.80 crores rupees), New India Assurance (251.07 crores rupees), Oriental Insurance (100.56 crores rupees) and United India Insurance (156.62 crores rupees).

The orders were passed on anonymous information in Suo Moto case received by CCI under Section 19(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 against the four Insurance companies. The information alleged contravention of the provisions of section 3 of the Act which deals with anti-competitive agreements including bid rigging.

The Commission noted the impugned conduct of these companies to have resulted in manipulation of the bidding process in contravention of the provisions of section 3(1) read with section 3(3)(d) of the Act.

In its order, the fair trade regulator also asked them to cease and desist from anti-competitive.

DoT released A K Bhargava committee report on Net Neutrality

The report of the A K Bhargava committee on Net Neutrality was on 16 July 2015 released by the Department of Telecommunications. The six member committee was appointed in January 2015.

Though the Committee unhesitatingly recommended for adherence of the core principles of Net Neutrality, it also suggested few exceptions in the interests of national security and businesses.

Highlights of report

• Legitimate traffic management practices may be allowed but should be tested against the core principles of Net Neutrality. Further, Improper (Paid or otherwise) Prioritization may not be permitted.
• India specific Net Neutrality approach should be formulated by taking into account international best practices that serve specific needs of the country.
• The primary goals of public policy in the context of Net Neutrality should be directed towards achievement of developmental aims of the country by facilitating Affordable Broadband, Quality Broadband and Universal Broadband for its citizens.
• User rights on the Internet need to be ensured so that Telecom or Internet Service Providers do not restrict the ability of the user to send, receive, display, use, post any legal content, application or service on the Internet, or restrict any kind of lawful Internet activity or use.
• Over-the-top (OTT) application services should be actively encouraged and any impediments in their expansion and growth should be removed.
• There should be a separation of application layer from network layer as application services are delivered over a licensed network.

• Specific OTT communication services dealing with messaging should not be interfered with through regulatory instruments.
• In case of OTT VoIP international calling services, a liberal approach may be adopted. However, in case of domestic calls (local and national), communication services by TSPs and OTT communication services may be treated similarly from a regulatory angle for the present.
• Content and application providers cannot be permitted to act as gatekeepers and use network operations to extract value in violation of core principles of Net Neutrality, even if it is for an ostensible public purpose. In this regard, the committee expressed its objections to Facebook’s Internet.org.
• In order to deal with the complexities of the new digital world, a think-tank with best talent may also be set up.

RBI permitted CBS-enabled Cooperative Banks to issue ATM cards in tie-up with a sponsor bank

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 16 July 2015 permitted Cooperative Banks with Core Banking Solution (CBS) to issue ATM cards/ATM-cum-debit cards in tie with a sponsor banks.

The decision was taken by the RBI in an attempt to move towards a less-cash economy and with an aim to inculcate the habit of using electronic payment channels among bank customers.

Further, these cooperative banks by virtue of being a sub-member ofNational Financial Switch (NFS) are required to fulfil the risk management requirements prescribed by the sponsor bank and meet expenses devolving on them under the agreement with the sponsor bank.

Also, banks should set up their own arrangement for issuing cards, authorization of cards and customer support/redressal mechanism and ensure to provide uninterrupted services to their customers.

The RBI took the decision after it received representations from cooperative banks not having their own ATMs and sought permission to issue ATM-cum-debit cards to their customers in tie-up with banks having their own ATM network.

After examining the representations in light of requirement to become a direct member or a sub-member of the NFS for carrying out such transactions, the RBI arrived at this decision.

Following are the criteria to become a sub-member of NFS:

• Core Banking Solution (CBS) fully implemented
• Licence for conducting banking business
• Introduction from sponsor bank (a bank having ATM network connectivity)
• Connectivity with National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI)

The decision is in addition to the earlier decision of the RBI taken on 16 April 2015 to allow State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) to install offsite/ mobile ATMs as per their need and potential in their area of operation.

However, they were allowed to install mobile ATMs only with prior permission of the RBI and subject to satisfying the following criteria:

• CRAR not being less than 9 per cent
• No default in maintenance of CRR/SLR during the preceding financial year
• Net NPA being less than 5 per cent
• The bank should have a track record of regulatory compliance and no monetary penalty should have been imposed on the bank on account of violation of RBI directives/guidelines during last two financial years

IAMAI-ICRIER released a report titled An Inquiry into the Impact of India’s App Economy

Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Indian Council for Research on International Economic relations (ICRIER) on 14 July 2015 released a report titled An Inquiry into the Impact of India’s App Economy.

It provides a detailed analysis of the entire value chain of the App Economy in India, including importantly its impact on growth and employment.

Highlights of the Report
• The mobile application industry in India is forecast to grow to 1964 crore rupees by 2016 from 974 crore rupees in 2014
• The mobile application currently account for 75000 jobs in India as per the estimates for increase in employment between 2014 and 2016.
• It projected that employment in this industry will range between 1.51 lakh and 1.59 lakh by 2016.
• The aggregate number of jobs that apps could create in India during the period 2014-16 lies between 91476 and 604867.
• It follows from above point that, the multiplier effects could result in an increase in employment within the industry by up to 8 times during the period 2014 to 2016.
• If direct employment increases at a faster rate, the multiplier effects will result in massive benefits to overall employment in the economy.
• Moreover, there is also a demonstrated need for seed funding for entrepreneurs who are trying to break into the local market.
• Even though smartphone penetration in India was estimated at just 10 per cent of total mobile users, the country experienced 100 million downloads per month, placing it amongst the top five regions for Google Play, the official Android mobile app store.
• It highlights the need for skilled app developers to go beyond trouble-shooting and focus on developing improvements in user interfaces/user experiences (UI/UX) through enhanced design that also serves local needs.

CCEA approved creation of Intra State Transmission System in 7 States

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 16 July 2015 approved the creation of an intra state transmission system in seven states of the country. The seven states include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

The system will be created at an estimated cost of 8548 crore rupees of which 3419 crore rupees (40 percent of the total coast) will be contributed by National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF). The remaining cost will be met through KfW (German Development Bank) loan (40 percent of the total cost) and remaining 20 percent as State contribution.

The decision was taken during a CCEA meet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The project is proposed to be completed within a period of three to five years.

Activities envisaged under the project includes establishment of 48 new Grid sub-stations of different voltage levels with total transformation capacity around 17100 MVA (Mega Volt Ampere) by installing over 7800 ckt-kms (Circuit Kilometers) of transmission lines in these seven states

India and World Bank signed Financing Agreement for Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project

India and World Bank on 16 July 2015 signed Financing Agreement for assistance of 250 million US dollars for Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project. It is a loan for an implementation period of 5 years and Andhra Pradesh Government will be the implementing agency of project.

The Financing Agreement was signed by S Selvakumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in Union Government and Onno Ruhl, Country Director (India) of World Bank on behalf of the World Bank.

While, the Project Agreement was signed by Jagdish Chander Sharma, Principal Secretary, Land and Disaster Management on behalf of Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Highlights of the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project

The objective of the project is to restore, improve and enhance resilience of public services, environmental facilities, and livelihoods in targeted Communities of Andhra Pradesh.
It aims to increase the capacity of the State to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency.
Direct beneficiaries of the project will be populations of the affected coastal areas specifically the four heavily impacted districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari.
It will have seven components:
- Resilient electrical network
- Restoration of connectivity and shelter infrastructure
- Restoration and protection of beach front
- Restoration of environmental services and facilities and livelihood support
- Capacity building and technical support for disaster risk management
- Project implementation support
- Contingency Emergency Response

Union Cabinet approved setting up of Panagariya Committtee to classify Caste Census data, 2011

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 July 2015 gave its approval to set up an expert group to classify the Caste names returned in the Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011.

The expert group will be chaired Arvind Panagariya, Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog and will be serviced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Tribal Welfare.

As per the released SECC data on 3 July 2015, there are about 46 lakh Caste/Sub Caste names/ synonyms/surnames/ clan/gothra names. The caste census was the first since 1932.

The approval was given in lieu of the failure of the states in consolidating different categories and is in line with the one taken by the UPA government on 19 May 2011.

The SECC was conducted by the respective State/UT Governments. The field survey on economic data has since been completed and the socio economic data relating to rural areas has been released by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). The work on urban data is under progress.

Union Cabinet approved redevelopment of 400 railway stations through Swiss Challenge method

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 July 2015 gave its approval for redevelopment of 400 railway stations (‘A-1’ and ‘A’ category). These stations will be redeveloped by adopting the Swiss Challenge method.

These stations are generally located in metros, major cities, pilgrimage centres and important tourist destinations across the country.

Why Swiss Challenge Method?
• Need to redevelop large number of stations in light of inability of Indian Stations Development Corporation Ltd. (IRSDC) to redevelop such a large number of identified stations. IRSDC is the agency under which redevelopment of identified stations is being undertaken
• It will also encourage innovative ideas from interested parties at no cost to the Railways.
• It will allow interested parties to come up with their designs and business ideas including permitting commercial development of real estate by the Zonal Railways. The proposals presented by these parties will be put online and a second person can give suggestions to improve and beat that proposal.

Swiss Challenge method
Swiss Challenge Approach means a Private Sector Participant (Original Project Proponent) submits an unsolicited or suo-motu proposal and draft contract principles for undertaking a project, not already initiated by the Government Agency or the Local Authority. The Government Agency or the Local Authority then invites competitive counter proposals in such manner as may be prescribed by the Government.

Proprietary information contained in the original proposal shall remain confidential and will not be disclosed.

INS Astravahini decommissioned after 31 years of service

INS Astravahini, indigenously built Torpedo launch and recovery vessel (TLRV), was on 16 July 2015 decommissioned after its 31 years service to the nation. The vessel had immensely contributed in the trials of indigenous torpedoes developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL).

It was decommissioned at a ceremony presided over by Commodore K A Bopanna, Naval Officer-in-Charge ( Andhra Pradesh Division) at the Ship Building Centre, Andhra Pradesh.

About INS Astravahini
• It was an auxiliary vessel of the torpedo launching and recovery (TLRV) class. It was ordered to be built by the NSTL in October 1981 for Defence Research and Development Activities.
• It was commissioned in Indian Navy in 1984 at Visakhapatnam.
• It was only one of its class and was extensively used by the NSTL as a test platform to launch and recover experimental torpedoes for their induction into the Indian Navy.
• The ship was commanded by Lt Rohan Kulkarni.

White-Fi technology of Microsoft to boost Digital India Initiative

White-Fi technology: Uses unspent spectrum on TV for internet usage

White-Fi technology or TV White Space Technology was in news in the second week of July 2015 as Microsoft announced plans to introduce this technology in India to providelast mile connectivity and give a boost to the Digital India initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to Microsoft, its technology can provide free Wi-Fi connectivity to the roughly one-billion Indians who don't have any net access and it plans to start with International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Bangalore campus.

Characteristics features of White-Fi technology

White-Fi technology uses the unused spectrum in frequencies utilised for broadcasting of television signals and use it for the internet. In technology parlance, these unused spectrum spaces are called White Space and thus it is also called TV White Space technology.
The 200-300 MHz spectrum in the white space can reach up to 10 km as compared to current Wi-Fi technology that allows you a range of about 100 metres. The 200-300 MHz spectrum currently belongs to Doordarshan TV channel and isn't used at all.
It can be run on solar power and thus overcome a key hindrance that currently impedes internet service providers, namely the high cost of installation equipment.

How it would aid Digital India initiative?

Under the Digital India initiative, the government plans to use the national optic fibre network project to deliver e-services to all corner of the country. However,

Reaching the end consumer may still require wireless technology, particularly in far flung areas as network will be deployed only at the gram panchayat level.
Generally 200-600 MHz frequency is used for TV channels to carry data, however, in India, 93 percent of this spectrum is not utilised. White-Fi will use this vacant spectrum to provide connectivity.
It has potential to provide free connectivity to large sections of the Indian population through wider coverage and economical deployment and licence-free access.
It is best suited to provide digital connectivity to low-income group segments which mostly remain unattractive to commercial telecom providers.

Other countries where Microsoft has helped implement the technology are Kenya, Singapore, the U.S. and London.

Indian American Sunita Viswanath honoured as Champions of Change by US White House

Indian American woman Sunita Viswanath was on 16 July 2015 honoured as Champions of Change by the White House of United States (US). She was among 12 other faith leaders who were awarded for their efforts in protecting environment and communities from the effects of climate change.

Sunita was selected for her work to encourage Hindus to take care of the environment. Sunita is co-founder and active board member of the 14-year-old front-line women's human rights organisation, Women for Afghan Women.

Born in Chennai, she has been working with women's and human rights organisations for almost three decades.

Sunita is also co-founder and board member of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, living and building a Hinduism that prioritises social justice, and upholding the Hindu principles of ekatva (oneness), ahimsa (non-violence) and sadhana (faith in action).

The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.

18 july

RBI signed Special Currency Swap Agreement with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka

The Reserve Bank of India on 17 July 2015 signed a Special Currency Swap Agreement with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Under the arrangement, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka can draw up to1.1 billion US dollar for a maximum period of six months. This special arrangement is in addition to the existing Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for the SAARC Member Countries.

Earlier on 25 March 2015, the Reserve Bank of India had signed aCurrency Swap Agreement with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for 400 million US dollar under the existing SAARC Currency Swap Framework within the overall limit of 2 billion US dollar.

The swap arrangements are intended to provide a backstop line of funding for the SAARC member countries to meet any balance of payments and liquidity crises till longer term arrangements are made or if there is need for short-term liquidity due to stressed market conditions.

The proposal to extend the additional currency swap facility of 1.1 billion US dollar for a limited period was decided by the Union Government in April 2015 based on the recommendation of the Reserve Bank of India for mitigating the possible currency volatility in the spirit of strengthening India’s bilateral relations and economic ties with Sri Lanka.

Veteran Telugu playback singer V Ramakrishna died

Veteran Telugu playback singer V Ramakrishna passed away on 15 July 2015 after battling cancer. He was 68. He is survived by wife, a daughter and a son.

Born in 1947, Ramakrishna sang about 5000 songs in a career spanning nearly four decades. He had done huge hit songs in films like Andala Ramudu, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Mutyala Muggu.

He made his singing debut in 1972 with the Telugu song Vayase Oka Poolathota from the movie Vichitra Bandham. He was also popular for a number of devotional songs that he sang.

He was also famously known for signing many memorable songs for legendary NT Rama Rao and other top stars. His songs in NT Rama Rao's Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy Charitra were a runaway success.

J&K’s special status under article 370 of the Indian Constitution cannot be altered: HC

The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) High Court on 18 July 2015 declared that special status of Jammu and Kashmir under the article 370 of the Indian constitution is not alterable.

The observation was made by the bench comprising Justices M A Attar and A M Magray while ruling that the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 cannot be enforced in the state. It was enacted by Indian Parliament in 2002.

To further substantiate its observation, the court cited previous judgments of the Supreme Court of India related to the article 370 and the article 35 (A) of the Indian Constitution that clarifies the sovereign existence of the state from the legal point of view.

Under the article 370, the state is allowed to have a constitution of its own and freed from enforcement of legislations made by the parliament until it gets ratified by the state legislature.

SC judge sought clarity on constitutional status of Chief Justice of India

Justice Kurian Joseph of the Supreme Court (SC) on 15 July 2015 sought a clarification from the Union Government on the constitutional status of the Chief Justice of India.

The question was raised during the hearing of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, 2014.

The six-member NJAC, chaired by the Chief Justice, gives equal status to the executive and judiciary in the appointments and transfers of judges in the higher judiciary including the Chief Justice of India.

As per the clarification sought by Justice Kurian, the basis of ambiguity on the constitutional role of the Chief Justice lies in the fact that the Schedule 3 and Article 124 of the constitution address him/her with two different designations.

While in the Schedule 3, which deals with forms of oath and affirmations, the Chief Justice takes oath as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, as perthe Article 124 the President’s Warrant of Appointment identifies him/her as the Chief Justice of India.

While the former designation restricts the Chief Justice to a particular office within the purview of the SC and treats him/her as a mere first among equals as no separate oath was prescribed to the office, the latter designation (Chief Justice of India) puts him/her on a higher pedestal in which he represents the judiciary of the Republic of India as a whole.

As per Justice Kurian, the clarity on the role of the Chief Justice is of paramount importance in deciding the validity of the NJAC Act, 2014 as it relegates him/her to one among the six members of the commission since no veto powers provided to the NJAC chairperson.

Kutchi New Year observed in Kutch Region of Gujarat

Kutchi New Year: Hindu New Year in Kutch Region of Gujarat

Kutchi New Year of Kutchi community in the Kutch region in Gujarat was observed on 18 July 2015. Kutchi community observes this New Year on the second day of shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in Ashada month – Ashadhi Beej or Dwitiya.

This day is associated with beginning of rains in Kutch, which is largely a desert area.

The Kutchi New Year celebrated in a traditional way by organizing satsangs, musical competitions and other cultural programmes in Kutch region. Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and other regional deities are worshipped on the day.

2nd Sohra Marathon held in Meghalaya

2nd Sohra Marathon-2015 was held in Meghalaya on 17 July 2015. The marathon was flagged off at Mawkdok in East Khashi

Hills District by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who also joined the runners in the marathon.

The marathon, named after the Cherrapunji’s historical name Sohra,started and ended at Mawkdok crossing through 13 destinations.

The marathon saw participation of thousands of people from all walks of life including ministers, bureaucrats, officials, bankers, policemen, tourists, parents, children and persons with disabilities.

The events of the day included Full Marathon (42.2 km), Half Marathon (21.1 km), 10 km Run and Kids Fun Run. Music and cultural events added a feel of festivity around the venue and enthralled the visitors.

Winners of the Marathon
• The first three winners of the Full Marathon in the male category were Vikas Kumar, Jomsingstar Ramsiej and Honton Rynjah
• The first three winners of the Full Marathon in the female category were Shyamilee Singh, Darishisha Iangjuh and Habari Warjri

The event was jointly organized by Department of Sports & Youth Affairs and Department of Art & Culture under the Chief Minister’s Youth Development Schemealong with sponsorship from many agencies including the State Bank of India.

Jagannath Rath Yatra began in Puri, Odisha

The annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) began on 18 July 2015 at Puri of Odisha. The nine-day-long Rath Yatra will see congregation of more than 50 lakh devotees from India and abroad.

The 2015 celebration of Ratha Yatra is theMillennium’s first Nabakalebar Rath Yatra, where all the Lords of Puri Jagannath Temple get new avatar after nineteen years.

The nine-day yatra is taken out to worship the 12th century shrine of Lord Jagannath.

The Odisha government has made all effort to ensure a smooth conduct of the grand festival.

During the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will be brought out of the temple and will be taken to Gundicha temple, the place of their aunt's house, which is the feminine creative aspect of divinity.

During the journey, the chariots on which the deities are carried will be pulled by thousands of devotees. The three deities will stay in the Gundicha temple for a week and then return.

The Return Rath Yatra (Bahuda Jatra) from Gundicha temple will take place on 26 July 2015.

Besides Puri, the 138th annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath also began in Ahmadabad. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel performed the 'Pahind-rituals’ the symbolic path cleaning on chariot of Lord Jagannath at temple.

Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra is being carried on for more than one thousand years and has not changed at all in these years. The Rath Yatra is celebrated by Hindus between June-July every year on the second day of Sukla Paksha (waxing cycle of moon) in the month of Ashadh.

Scientists created mini heart on microchip with stem cells

Scientists belonging to the University of California of the USA conducted a research that led to the development of mini heart (Cardiac Microphysiological System)on a microchip using human stem cells. The study was led by Indian-origin scientist Anurag Mathur.

The Cardiac Microphysiological System, which is hardly the width of a human hair, is expected to replace non-human animal models that are used in drug discovery and development process.

The invention was published in the second week of March 2015 in the Scientific Reports journal in an article titled Human iPSC-based Cardiac Microphysiological System For Drug Screening Applications.

What is Microphysiological System?

Microphysiological systems are engineered organs that are developed to address the formidable pharmacological and physiological gaps between monolayer cell cultures, animal models and humans. The Cardiac Microphysiological System is the latest human organ - after a lung, a liver and a piece of intestine – were developed under laboratory environment.

How Cardiac Microphysiological System/ mini heart was developed?

It was developed using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)that can form many different types of tissues. These cells, once tricked into forming heart tissue, were grown around a special silicon microchip with cell and media channels that mimicked the heart’s blood vessels.

Significance of Cardiac Microphysiological System

Apart from replacing the animal models used in the drug discovery process that do not mimic human responses; the organ-on-chip will help in the development of personalized medicine in future as doctors will be able to predict how certain drugs react on specific patients, thus preventing many illnesses and loss of valuable time.

Doctors will be able to calculate the approximate dose needed for patients with heart conditions by deploying this bionic heart technology as they will be able to have his or her heart modelled in a lab with all the tests done

MAIT- IMRB released ITOPS 2015 Study on IT hardware market performance

Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT) and IMRB International (formerly Indian Market Research Bureau) on 17 July 2015 jointly released the ITOPS 2015 Study.

The study deals with the performance of the IT hardware market performance between April 2014 and March 2015 that included notebooks, desktops, phablets, tablets, smart phones, servers and peripherals.

As per the study, while demand for desktop computers and notebook PCs in urban areas is declining, the popularity of these devices is picking up smartly in rural India.

Highlights of ITOPs 2015 study

• Sales of desktops and notebooks shrank 4 percent and 15 percent respectively in urban India in 2014-15. In rural India, sales of desktops grew 33 percent and of notebooks 11 percent.
• In terms of sales of units, while in urban India desktop sales declined from 5.01 million in 2013-14 to 4.8 million, the rural sales grew from 1.30 million to 1.73 million units.
• For 2015-16, the desktop market is forecast to continue its slide by 10 per cent while notebooks are expected to return to growth at 17 per cent.
• For notebooks, sales in urban areas declined to 5.81 million from 6.84 million units year-on-year, while in rural areas they rose to 0.36 million from 0.32 million.
• For smart phones and tablets, the revenue was up 88 per cent to more than 65815 crore rupees in 2014-15 from 34900 crore rupees in 2013-14.
• The growth is expected to continue in 2015-16 with smartphones expected to grow 27 per cent, phablets 65 per cent and tablets 16 per cent.
• Overall the total PC sales (which include desktop computers and notebooks) stood at 10.62 million units, registering negative growth of 10 per cent over 2013-14 fiscal. The decline was mainly due to introduction of larger screen phones with multiple features eating into the share of notebooks.
• Overall size of Indian ICT hardware market was pegged at 15.87 billion US dollars, up 23.98 per cent over 2013-14.

Union Government launched Delhi Police Railway Helpline Number 1512

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary on 17 July 2015 launched the Centralized Delhi Police Railway Helpline number 1512. This helpline will serve as a very useful mechanism for rail passengers.

The passengers now can file complaints and make suggestions from moving trains without deboarding through this helpline. An FIR will be lodged on fax or email and copy of the FIR will be sent to the complainant through fax/email/post.

Benefits of this Helpline
• Any person can make calls on this all-India Helpline Number from anywhere across the country.
• This Helpline will deal with cases related to problems faced by passengers at Railway Stations and on moving trains.
• Cases can also be lodged on Police Control Room No.100 and the Delhi Police Railway’s dedicated WhatsApp No 875081512 where related Photos and Videos can also be received.
• STD facilities have been provided in the Delhi Police Control Room to contact anybody in distress. The Delhi Police Railway Control Room will promptly transfer the complaint to escort duty staff in running train for immediately attending to the passenger’s grievance.
• Police Officers will remain in touch with complainants till their problem is resolved.
• Passengers having their mobile phones registered anywhere else across the country, they can also access the Delhi Police Railway Helpline by dialing 1XXX-XX-1512.
• A phone call on 1512 from anywhere in India will land in the concerned Control Room of State Government Railway Police (GRP), thereby leading to swift response to attend the distress call.

A woman having a child through surrogacy is entitled to maternity leave: Delhi HC

Delhi High Court on 17 July 2015 ruled that a woman, who is in government service and has a child through surrogacy, is also entitled to maternity leave. In its direction, the court said that denial of leave would be detrimental to both mother and child.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher in his judgement said that confining maternity leave to only where a female employee herself carries a child would be turning a blind eye to the advancement that science has made.

The court in its verdict said that the word maternity would also cover a situation where a female employee engages services of another woman to conceive a child with or without the genetic material being supplied by her and/or her male partner.

The court also said that non-provision of leave to a commissioning mother, who is an employee, would, be in derogation of the stated Directive Principles of State Policy as contained in the Constitution.

Commissioning mother is the Legal mother
In its 31-page verdict, the court said that where a surrogacy arrangement is in place, the commissioning mother will continue to remain the legal mother of the child, both during and after the pregnancy. Further it said that, maternity should be established vis-a-vis the commissioning mother, once the child is conceived, albeit in a womb, other than that of the commissioning mother.

The commissioning mother's entitlement to maternity leave cannot be denied only on the ground that she did not bear the child. A commissioning mother is entitled to maternity leave as she "needs to bond with the child and at times take over the role of a breast-feeding mother, immediately after delivery of the child.”

Background
The court verdict came on the plea of a woman (a government servant), who had twins through surrogacy route. She was denied maternity leave on ground that she was not eligible as she not carried the babies to term herself. Later she was allowed to take maternity leave under rules which provide for maternity leave when a child is adopted.

Delhi High Court’s verdict came nearly six months after a similar verdict of Kerala High Court. Kerala High Court in its verdict held that the relief granted was limited to an employee of a state government department. But Delhi High Court’s decision may benefit all government employees across India, as it interpreted provisions of a Central law.

Ministry of Railways modified few tatkal ticket booking rules

Ministry of Railways on 17 July 2015 modified some rules pertaining to purchase of takal tickets of Indian Railway. Under the modified rules, passengers booking tatkal tickets from computerised reservation counters will no longer be required to furnish photocopy of identity proof or to indicate its number at the time of booking at the counter or through internet.

As per the proposed changes, one of the passengers has to produce identity proof in original during the journey. However, if the traveler fails to produce the identity proof all the passengers booked on that ticket will be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly.

The passenger will have to produce anyone of the following proofs of identity in original during the journey. The identity cards that will be consideredincludes
(i) Voter Photo Identity Card issued by Election Commission of India.
(ii) Passport
(iii) PAN Card issued by Income Tax Department
(iv) Driving Licence issued by RTO
(v) Photocopy Identity Card having serial number issued by Central/State Government
(vi) Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/College for their Students
(vii) Nationalised Bank Passbook with photograph
(viii) Credit Cards issued by Banks with laminated photograph
(ix) Unique Identification Card “Aadhar”
(x) Photo identity cards having serial number issued by Public Sector Undertaking of State/Central Government, District Administrations, Municipal bodies and Panchayat Administrations.

These changes will be effective from 1 September 2015.

Prashant Pathrabe appointed as Interim Director of Film and Television Institute of India

Prashant Pathrabe was on 17 July 2015 appointed as Interim Director of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). His appointment was approved by Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry. However, he will also continue to serve as the Director of Press Information Bureau (PIB) unit in Pune.

Pathrabe succeeded incumbent Director DJ Narain who superannuated the office on 4 July 2015. Pathrabe is Maharashtra-based senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer of 1992 batch.

Pathrabe had been associated with the media field for nearly two decades. Previously he had served as director of the National Film Archive of India (NFAI). He had also worked in Doordarshan News and AIR News in Mumbai.

Background
Pathrabe's appointment as Director of FTII comes at a time when the institute is at the centre of a major controversy with students protesting and boycotting classes after government announced its decision to appoint Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of its governing council.

The FTII administration too has taken a tough stand by asking students to resume academic activities or else face action including possible rustication. But, the situation was still worsening all the more. Resultantly, the government had to make the interim appointment.

CCI approved deal involving Aegon Religare Life Insurance Joint Venture

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on 17 July 2015 approved the proposed deal related to a Joint Venture Aegon Religare Life Insurance Company where Religare Enterprises will now exit this joint venture.

Under the transaction, Religare Enterprises will sell its entire holding in the life insurance joint venture while existing shareholders including the Netherlands-based Aegon and Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd (BCCL) will hike their stakes.

Post deal, Aegon, BCCL and K P Corporate Solutions will have 49 percent, 48.585 percent and 2.415 percent stake respectively in the company. Currently, Aegon, BCCL, Religare and K P Corporate Solutions Ltd are the joint venture partners of Aegon Religare Life Insurance Company Ltd (ARLIC).

Aegon, a global provider of life insurance, pension and asset management, operates in the Indian life insurance space through its shareholding in ARLIC. While, BCCL has presence in media, print, TV and Internet segments. BCCL is present in the domestic life insurance sector through its stake in ARLIC.

Uruguayan soccer legend Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia died

Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia, the Uruguayan soccer legend, died on 16 July 2015 following a heart attack. He was 88. Coincidentally, 16 July 2015 marked the 65th anniversary of the Maracanazo match in which Ghiggia won the goal in a stunning 2-1 victory over Brazil in the final game of the 1950 FIFA World Cup.

Ghiggia gave Uruguay its second World Cup title in the Maracanazo match when Brazilians were expected to win but the loss is still known in Brazil. He was the last surviving Uruguayan player from the match.

Ghiggia started his professional career with the famous Uruguay club Penarol. He played for both Uruguay and Italy's national teams in his career. He played 12 international matches for Uruguay and scored four goals, all of which came in the 1950 tournament.

Ghiggia was born on 22 December 1926 in Montevideo.