17-18 march

Haryana Assembly passed Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill, 2015

The Haryana Legislative Assembly passed the Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill, 2015on 16 March 2015. The bill bans cow slaughter, sale of beef and prescribes rigorous punishment for its violation. The bill also covers a wide range of administrative measures intended to conserve and improve the livestock.The important provisions of the bill are:

  • It prohibits the slaughter of cow and its progeny and imposes punishment of up to 10 years with a fine ranging from 30000 rupees to one lakh rupees for any violation. However, the killing of a cow in an accident or for self-defence will not be considered slaughter.
  • Any person found exporting a cow for the purpose of slaughter either directly or through his agent or servant or any other person can be awarded rigorous imprisonment for not less than three years, which may extend up to seven years with fines ranging from 30000 rupees to 70000 rupees.
  • For exporting a cow out of the State, people will have to apply for permit and file a declaration that cows for which permit for export is required will not be slaughtered. However, no permit for export of cows will be issued for a State where cow slaughter is not banned.
  • The Bill also authorises any police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector or any person authorised on behalf of the government to enter, stop and search any vehicle used or intended to be used for export of cows.
  • Sale of beef is banned in the State and violation of the ban will entail rigorous imprisonment for not less than three years and up to five years with a fine of up to 50000 rupees. In case of non-payment of fine, all violators will have to spend an extra year in imprisonment
  • The government or a local authority will establish an institution to accept, keep, maintain and care for infirm, injured, stray and uneconomic cows.

Article 48 of the Constitution of India

The above provisions of the bill are in tune with the Article 48 (Directive Principle of State Policy) of the Constitution of India which states that the State shall endeavour to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and shall, in particular, take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter, of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.

Committees and legislations on cow slaughter

Cow slaughter is a State Subject (List II) under Schedule VII of the Constitution. Since the coming of NDA government led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre in May 2014, the clamour for legislating complete ban on cow slaughter in the BJP-ruled States have increased.

Moreover, the Union government also is mulling upon the idea to bring a national law on banning cow slaughter.

Even the Supreme Court in 2005 had upheld the validity of a law enacted by the Gujarat government prohibiting cow slaughter.

Although recently states like Maharashtra enacted legislations completely banning the cow slaughter but the legislations related to cow slaughter have been in vogue in some form since Independence.Besides, in 1947 Datar Singh Committee and in 2002 National Commission on Cattle headed by Justice Guman Mal Lodha were appointed to look into the issue of cow slaughter.

Ashu Suyash appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CRISIL

Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) on 16 March 2015 announced to appoint Ashu Suyash as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.

Her appointment was confirmed by the Board of Directors of the Company

She will succeed Roopa Kudva and will take charge from June 2015. Rupa Kudva was the MD and CEO of CRISIL from 2007 to September 2014. She had joined CRISIL in 1992.

Ashu has over 26 years of experience in the Indian financial services industry. She currently is the CEO of L&T Investment Management Ltd. She was appointed to this post following the acquisition of Fidelity Worldwide Investment’s India Asset Management business by L&T Investment Management Ltd.

CRISIL is an Indian unit of Standard & Poor.

 

Mirach decided to file 400 million US dollar defamation suit against Sahara Group

The United States (US)-based Mirach Capital on 16 March 2015 decided to file a 400 million US dollar defamation lawsuit against the Sahara group. Mirach Capital alleged that the failed financing deal with the Sahara Group has caused irreparable harm and shaken investor confidence.

Further, it has accused Sahara Group of hurling unfounded allegations against it despite factual evidence that completely dispels Sahara’s trumped up allegations of forgery.

Mirach further accused Sahara’s representatives of breaching an exclusivity contract with it following public comments by its CEO Saransh Sharma regarding the group’s acquisition strategy of the Sahara assets.

Mirach asserted that no US federal authorities have contacted it and its directors to date for any investigation.

However, Sahara Group had alleged that Mirach and its CEO Saransh Sharma’s criminal conduct and lack of financial capabilities to honour such huge commitments led to the breaking down of the deal, leading to the loss of precious time, resources and position of Sahara

 

Supreme Court cautioned government officials not to insist on Aadhaar

The Supreme Court (SC) on 16 March 2015 cautioned government officials to not to insist citizens on usage of Aadhar cards. A three-judge bench presided over by Justice J Chelameswar and comprising Justices Kurian Joseph and C Nagappan warned that such action would have serious consequences for government officials.

SC asked the Union Government to write to all the state governments to ensure that the officials adhered to the apex court order of September 2013 wherein it had held that Aadhaar was not mandatory for the people.

Also, the apex court said that no person should suffer for not getting the Aadhaar card in spite of the fact that some authority had issued a circular making it mandatory.

It further said that it needs to be checked whether a person applying for the Aadhar card voluntarily is entitled for it or not. Also it needs to be ensured that it is not given to any illegal immigrant.

SC caution to government officials came while hearing a set of petitions, including the one filed by Justice K S Puttaswamy, former Karnataka High Court judge, challenging Constitutional validity of the card being issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

 

Wipro appointed Abid Ali Neemuchwala as COO and Group president

Wipro Limited on 16 March 2015 announced the appointment of former Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) top executive Abid Ali Neemuchwala as the Group President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company. He will take the charge from April 2015. The move is intended to help the company to streamline processes and allow dealing with strategic priorities at the company.

In his role in Wipro, he will head the service lines of Global Infrastructure Services, Business Application Services, Business Process Services, and Advanced Technology Solutions. He will also head Business Operations; the geographies comprising Continental Europe, Africa, and Latin America; Strategic Engagements, Advisor Relationships as well as the Marketing function.

In his previous role with TCS, he was heading the Business Process Services globally. Apart from this, he was also involved in several leadership roles during his 23-year-long career with TCS.

 

Union Ministry of DoNER announced to appoint Mary Kom as brand

ambassador of NE region

Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) on 14 March 2015 announced to appoint Olympic Bronze medallist boxer MC Mary Kom as the brand ambassador of the North-East region. She as the brand ambassador of the Northeast will showcase the potential of the region which offers 2.4 trillion rupees business opportunities across various sectors.

Her name was selected from the list of shortlisted famous personalities by a committee headed by DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh.

About MC Mary Kom

• Mary Kom is nicknamed Magnificent Mary.

• She is a five-time World Amateur Boxing champion and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each of the six world championships.

• She won a bronze medal in 2012 London Olympics in the flyweight (51 kg) category and is the only Indian woman boxer to qualify for this category.

• She is also first Indian woman boxer to get a Gold Medal in the 2014 Asian Games held at Incheon, South Korea.

• She belongs to Kom tribal community of the north-eastern state of Manipur.

• She had announced to quit boxing after the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016.

Her Awards

• Padma Bhushan (2013)

• Padma Shree (2010)

• Arjuna Award for Boxing (2003)

Her Autobiography

•Unbreakable
• A biographical sports drama film featuring Priyanka Chopra in and as Mary Kom was released in 2014. It was directed by Omung Kumar

 

Union government launched new body NCCF to develop national forest certification system

Union government on 16 March 2015 launched a new national body Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF) to develop national forest certification system.

The body NCCF was launched with stakeholders from all fields including the environment ministry, industry, forest experts, technology experts and others.

The body aims promote responsible trade in forestry sector and ensure better management of forests in India.

NCCF will develop national forest certification system and standards till 2016. National forest certification system would also help in combating climate change.

Forest resources have been under strain primarily because of commercial use of wood and deforestation due to changes in land use. But forest certification could help in combating climate change by promoting responsible trade in forestry sector which leads to best management of forest resources which are both economically viable and environmentally friendly.

NCCF officials said the idea behind this was that there should be responsible forestry practice and it should be socially equitable, economically viable and environment friendly.

However, ineffectiveness and failures of both these approaches have led to a third approach - forest certification - which introduces policy changes through commercial power rather than central or local power and uses market acceptance rather than regulatory compliance as an enforcement mechanism.

 

SIPRI released Trends in International Arms Transfers 2014 report

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on 16 March 2015 released Trends in International Arms Transfers 2014 report. According to it, India is the world's largest importer of weapons and military equipment, accounting for 15 percent of global imports, with Russia being its majority supplier.

Highlights of the Report

• The volume of transfers of major weapons in 2010–14 was 16 percent higher than in 2005– 2009.

• The five biggest exporters in 2010–14 were the USA, Russia, China, Germany and France. Together, they accounted for 74 percent of the volume of arms exports. Combined, the USA and Russia supplied 58 percent of all exports.

• China replaced Germany as the third largest arms exporter in 2010–14, in 2005–2009 China was ranked ninth.

• Total exports from all EU member states in 2010–14 were 16 percent lower than in 2005–2009; in 2005–2009 EU export volumes were higher than those for the USA or Russia, while in 2010–14 they were below US and Russian export totals.

• The five biggest importers in 2010–14 were India, Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE and Pakistan. Together, they received 33 percent of all arms imports.

• The main recipient region in 2010–14 was Asia and Oceania (accounting for 48 percent of imports), followed by the Middle East (22 percent), Europe (12 percent), the Americas (10 percent) and Africa (9 percent).

• Between 2005–2009 and 2010–14, arms imports by states in Africa increased by 45 percent, Asia and Oceania by 37 percent, the Middle East by 25 percent and the Americas by 7 percent. Imports by states in Europe decreased by 36 percent.

India: The largest importer of arms

• India was the largest importer of major arms in 2010–14, accounting for 15 percent of the global total. Between 2005–2009 and 2010–14 imports increased by 140 percent.

• In 2010–14 India’s imports were three times larger than those of its regional rivals China and Pakistan.

• This contrasts with 2005–2009 when India’s imports were 23 percent below China’s and just over double those of Pakistan.

• India has so far failed to produce competitive indigenous-designed weapons and remains dependent on imports.

• In 2010–14 Russia supplied 70 percent of India’s arms imports, the USA 12 percent and Israel 7 percent. The acquisitions from the USA are a break with the recent past.

• Prior to 2005–2009 India barely received any major weapons from the USA. However, there now appears to be an upward trend in arms imports from the USA. Imports in 2010–14 were 15 times higher than in 2005–2009 and included advanced weapons such as anti-submarine warfare aircraft. In 2014 additional deals with the USA were agreed, including for 22 combat helicopters.

About SIPRI

SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.



Supreme Court quashed the Union Government’s decision to include Jats in the Central OBC list

The Supreme Court of India (SC) on 17 March 2015 quashed the Union Government’s decision to include Jats in the Central Other Backward Classes (OBC) list.

The SC declared the Union government’s decision as null and void because of the following reasons:

  • The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) in its report on 26 February 2014 had rejected the Union government’s request for recommending inclusion of Jat community in the central list of backward classes because they do not form socio-economic backward class. However, the Union Government overlooked the commission’s recommendation and issued a notification on 4 March 2015 including Jats in the Central OBC list.
  • As per the Mandal Commission’s recommendation though Caste is a prominent factor it cannot be the sole factor of determining the backwardness of a class.
  • Inclusion of politically organised castes like the Jats in OBC list is not good for other backward classes.

Besides, the SC also asked the Union Government to consider new and emerging form of backwardness to decide the OBC list and referred the case of transgender which must be given benefits of OBC reservation.

The SC decision came on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the OBC Reservation Raksha Samiti which represents the members of communities that are included in the Central List of Backward Classes.

Constitutional dimension

Article 15(4) of the Indian Constitution empowers the government to provide for special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens.

Article 16(4) of the Constitution empowers the government to provide for reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the government, is not adequately represented in the public services.

18-MARCH 2015

 

Union Environment Ministry revoked suspension of Goa mines

Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 17 March 2015 revoked a three-year-old order that banned mining in Goa. This revocation will pave the way for resumption of iron ore extraction in 72 mines out of total 89 mines in the state.

The remaining 17 mining areas are located within the one-kilometre radius of wildlife sanctuaries.

The revocation was disclosed by Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. The decision to lift the ban on mining was taken as per the directives of the Supreme Court. Now, the Goa government will have to decide the ore extraction limits for individual miners so that total mining does not exceed the cap of 20 million tonnes (20MT) set by the apex court for all output in Goa.

The Supreme Court in April 2014 had lifted the ban on mining but ruled that the iron ore extraction would require clearances by the union environment ministry and approval from the state government. It also set a cap of 20MT a year. 

Background
Former Union Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan in 2012 had suspended environmental clearances for 89 mining leases in Goa. She suspended the clearances after a commission chaired by former Supreme Court Justice MB Shah submitted a report highlighting rampant illegal e3xtraction of the raw material in the state. 

Natarajan’s order of 2012 brought a halt in the practice of iron ore mining in the state, where irregularities in mining, inaction, abuse of law and regulations were estimated to have contributed to a 35000 crore rupees mining scam.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka from 13 March and 14 March 2015. This was the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Sri Lanka since 1987.

He also became the first Indian Prime Minister to make journey to Jaffna and Talaimannar region of Sri Lanka.

He visited Sri Lanka in the third leg of his five-day journey to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka from 10 March and 14 March 2015.

Main highlights of the visit

  • During the visit, Modi on 13 March 2015 met the President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed a wide-range of issues and fortifying the cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
  • He also met the opposition leader of Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Nimal Siripala de Silva, leaders of the Tamil National Alliance and the Former President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumaratunga. He also met Northern Province Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran.
  • He also asserted on early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment that provides for devolution on the Tamil majority Northern and Eastern provinces.
  • He expressed India’s strong desire to cooperate and develop a Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka and a Buddhist Circuit in India and flagged of a train service from Talaimannar to Madhu Road.
  • On 13 March 2015, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Parliament of Sri Lanka and assured Sri Lanka about India’s full commitment and support in development partnership with Sri Lanka.
  • He also expressed contentment with Government of India’s decision to extend the benefit of visa on arrival facility to Sri Lanka starting 14 April 2015.
  • Modi paid a visit to Mahabodhi Society and interacted with the Buddhist monks in Colombo.
  • He also visited Anuradhapur, Sri Mahabodhi Tree and offered prayers along with Sirisena.
  • He also visited Jaffna and laid a foundation stone of the Jaffna Cultural Centre. He also visited Naguleswaram Temple in Jaffna and offered prayers in the temple.
  • In Jaffna, Prime Minister Modi handed over homes at Ilavalai North-West Housing Project site and said that around 27000 more homes would be constructed.

 

Union Cabinet approved the Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of Tax) Bill, 2015

The Union Cabinet on 17 March 2015 approved the Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of Tax) Bill, 2015 to deal with cases relating to black money stashed away in other countries.

Important provisions of the Bill

  • Concealment of income and assets and evasion of tax in relation to foreign assets will be prosecutable with punishment of rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years.
  • Offence of stashing unaccounted money abroad will be made non-compoundable (A non-compoundable offence is one in which the complainant (the government in this instance) does not enter into a compromise with the accused.
  • The offenders will not be permitted to approach the Settlement Commission
  • Penalty for such concealment of income and assets at the rate of 300% of tax shall be levied

  • The government will give a short window to those stashing black money abroad to declare their wealth, pay taxes and penalty, and escape prosecution under the proposed law.
  • Non filing of return or filing of return with inadequate disclosure of foreign assets will be liable for prosecution with punishment of rigorous imprisonment up to 7 years.
  • Income in relation to any undisclosed foreign asset or undisclosed income from any foreign asset will be taxable at the maximum marginal rate.  Exemptions or deductions which may otherwise be applicable in such cases shall not be allowed.
  • Beneficial owner or beneficiary of foreign assets will be mandatorily required to file return, even if there is no taxable income.
  • Abettors of the above offences, whether individuals, entities, banks or financial institutions will be liable for prosecution and penalty.
  • Date of Opening of foreign account would be mandatorily required to be specified by the assessee in the return of income.
  • The offence of concealment of income or evasion of tax in relation to a foreign asset will be made a predicate offence under the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). This provision would enable the enforcement agencies to attach and confiscate unaccounted assets held abroad and launch prosecution against persons indulging in laundering of black money.
  • The definition of proceeds of crime under PMLA is being amended to enable attachment and confiscation of equivalent asset in India where the asset located abroad cannot be forfeited.
  • The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) will also be amended to the effect that if any foreign exchange, foreign security or any immovable property situated outside India is held in contravention of the provisions of this Act, then action may be taken for seizure and eventual confiscation of assets of equivalent value situated in India.  These contraventions are also being made liable for levy of penalty and prosecution with punishment of imprisonment up to five years.

Background

The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while presenting the Union Budget 2015-16 on 28 February 2015 had spelled out government’s intention to bring a law in the budget session of the Parliament to curb black money stashed abroad.

Besides, he also had proposed following steps in the Union Budget 2015-16 to curb black money:

  • To introduce a more comprehensive Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Bill in the Parliament.
  • Quoting of PAN will be made mandatory for any purchase or sale exceeding the value of one lakh rupees.
  • There will be prohibition on acceptance or payment of an advance of 20000 rupees or more in cash for purchase of any immovable property.
  • The third party reporting entities would be required to furnish information about foreign currency sales and cross border transactions

 

Rajya Sabha passed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015 by voice vote

Rajya Sabha on 12 March 2015 passed the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2015 by voice vote. The bill seeks to increase foreign investment limit in local insurers to 49 percent from 26 percent. The Bill will replace the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014 that was brought to amend the Insurance Act, 1938, the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Act, 1999.

The Bill was earlier passed in Lok Sabha on 4 March 2015. This passage of the Bill in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha ended a seven-year long wait.

 

BJP MLA Kavinder Gupta elected as Speaker of 12th Legislative Assembly of J&K

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Kavinder Gupta on 18 March 2015 was elected as the speaker of 12th Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Gupta is a BJP MLA from Gandhinagar constituency of Jammu region and he replaces the Pro-tem Speaker Muhammad Shafi of the National Conference party. The motion for election of speaker of the house was moved by State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Basharat Bukari and seconded by Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh of BJP.

Gupta is the first time MLA and had defeated senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla in the state polls in December 2014. Earlier he has served as Mayor of Jammu city.

 

Lewis Hamilton of Britain won Australian Grand Prix of Formula One

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain on 15 March 2015 won the 2015 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia. Only 11 cars were able to take the chequered flag.

This was the first Australian Grand Prix win for Lewis Hamilton since 2008 and overall it was his 34th Grand Prix. Hamilton, who led the race from start to finish, was followed by teammate Nico Rosberg (second place), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), Felipe Massa (Williams). 

Results of the Australian Grand Prix

Ranking

Player

Team

1

Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes

2

Nico Rosberg

Mercedes

3

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari

4

Felipe Massa

Williams

5

Felipe Nasr

Sauber

6

Daniel Ricciardo

Red Bull

7

Nico Hulkenberg

Force India

8

Marcus Ericsson

Sauber

9

Carlos Sainz

Toro Rosso

10

Sergio Perez

Force India

 

Tropical grass Darbha identified as an eco-friendly food preservative by SASTRA University

The researchers at SASTRA University, Thanjavur on 16 March 2015 identified traditional tropical grass Darbha as an eco-friendly food preservative. The finding evolved from the study conducted on the grass Darbha which was jointly undertaken by the Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB) and the Centre for Advanced Research in Indian System of Medicine (CARISM) of the SASTRA University under the supervision of Dr. P Meera and Dr. P Brindha respectively.

Main findings of the Study

In order to find the fermenting property of Darbha grass, the researchers placed five tropical grass species including Darbha grass, lemon grass, Bermuda grass and bamboo grass in the Cow’s curd as it could ferment easily.

On this, they found that

• Electron microscopy of Darbha grass represented stunning nano-patterns and hierarchical nano or micro structures while they were absent in other grasses.

• Darbha grass alone was found to attract enormous number of bacteria into the hierarchical surface features. These bacteria are responsible for fermentation of curd.

• Darbha could be used as a natural food preservative in place of harmful chemical preservatives.

• Further, the artificial surfaces mimicking the hierarchical nano patterns on the surface of darbha grass could find applications in health care where sterile conditions were required.

Use of Darbha grass during Vedic period

Darbha grass (Desmotachya bipinnata) is considered a sacred material in Vedic scriptures and is said to purify the offerings during such rituals.

During eclipse, people use to place the Darbha grass in food items that could ferment and were removed with the end of eclipse.

Darbha grass was used as a disinfectant during Vedic period because it was the sole grass that acted as disinfectant during eclipses.

During eclipses the blue and ultraviolet radiations, which are known for their natural disinfecting property, are not available in sufficient quantities.

As a result uncontrolled growth of micro-organisms in food products takes place during eclipses.



Anil Kakodkar resigned from the post of Chairman of Board of Governors of IIT Bombay

The nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar on 17 March 2015 resigned from the post of Chairman of Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. He resigned two months before his tenure was to end in May 2015. His resignation was confirmed by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD).

Prior to his appointment as the Chairman of the IIT Bombay’s Board of Governor in 2006, he served as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission from 2000 – 2009. From 1996 – 2000 he served as the Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay.

He was instrumental in design and construction of the Dhruva reactor, a completely original but high-tech project.

Apart from playing a major role in India's nuclear tests asserting sovereignty and advocating India's self-reliance on thorium as a fuel for nuclear energy, he also served as Chairman of several high level committees appointed by the Union Government.

These include Chairman of the High Level Safety Review Committee appointed by the Ministry of Railways in 2012 and Chairman of the Committee to Recommend Autonomy Measures to Facilitate IITs Scaling Greater Heights appointed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2011.

For his achievements in the file of nuclear sciences, he was awarded Padma Shri in 1998, Padma Bhushan in 1999 and Padma Vibhushan in 2009 by the Union Government.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Seychelles

 

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Seychelles from 10 March and 11 March 2015. With this, Modi became the first Prime Minister of India to visit Seychelles in 34 long years.

Modi was received by the President of Seychelles, James Michel at the Seychelles International Airport. During this visit, India and Seychelles signed four agreements to boost security cooperation. These include agreements on
• Cooperation in hydrography
• Cooperation in renewable energy
• Cooperation in Infrastructure development 
• Cooperation in Sale of navigation charts and electronic navigational charts

Besides on 11 March 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the State House and signed the Visitors Book.

He also unveiled the Plaque and Operationalisation of Radar for the CSRS India-Seychelles Cooperation Project in Seychelles.

Before concluding his Seychelles visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed a massive gathering at a civic reception and touched areas like mitigating climate change, renewable energy and Make in India.

 

China-backed AIIB to be joined by France, Germany, Italy

AIIB: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was in news in third week of March 2015. It was in news as it was reported that France, Germany and Italy have agreed to join the AIIB after the United Kingdom (UK) decided to join the bank. 

UK was the first Western nation to join the bank disregarding reservations expressed by the United States (US) which raised concerns over its transparency. If these US-led western allied join the bank, the total number of the bank’s member states including India will go up to 30. 

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a 50 billion dollar international investment bank and was floated in 2014 by President Xi Jingping. The bank was floated to provide support to infrastructure projects in Asia. It is expected that the bank will be formally established by end of 2015. 

India along with 20 other countries on 23 October 2014 signed an agreement to become the founding member of the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

 

Union Government appointed VK Mathur, Girija Shankar as Chairmen of Allahabad, Chennai bench of DRAT

Union Ministry of Finance on 17 March 2015 appointed Chairmen for the Allahabad and Chennai bench of Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT). VK Mathur was appointed as the Chairman of Allahabad bench of DRAT while Girija Shankar was appointed as Chairman of Chennai bench of DRAT.

The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

The appointment was done for a period of five years or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

About Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT)

The Government of India in 2000 constituted 33 Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) and 5 Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DARTs) across the country to help financial institutions recover their bad debts quickly and efficiently. The five DRATs are located at Allahabad, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

The DRT enforces provisions of the Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions (RDDBFI) Act, 1993 and also Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interests (SARFAESI) Act, 2002.

Appeals against orders passed by Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT) lie before Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT).

Each DRT is presided over by a Presiding Officer. The Presiding Officer is generally equivalent to the rank of District and Sessions Judge.

 

Tripura Biodiversity Board launched a project to link conservation to economic concerns

The Tripura Biodiversity Board on 17 March 2015 launched a project to link conservation to economic concerns.

The project was launched by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest S Talukdar at the Pragnya Bhavan in Tripura. The project will link conservation and sustainable utilisation of bio-resources with the livelihood and economic concerns of the owners through access benefit sharing.

The project aims to strengthen the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Biological Diversity Rules, 2004. The project also aims to create awareness amongst the various stakeholders with respect to the real economic values of bio-resources.

 

Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan

The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) was held in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan from 14 March to 18 March 2015 The conference was hosted by the Government of Japan in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), as secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.

The conference reviewed the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005 – 15) and adopted a Post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.

The third conference on disaster risk reduction was held vide United Nations (UN) resolution passed in December 2013 to hold the Third UN WCDRR at Sendai in Japan.

India was represented at the conference by the Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh.

The objectives of the conference were

• To complete assessment and review of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action;

• To consider the experience gained through the regional and national strategies/institutions and plans for disaster risk reduction and their recommendations as well as relevant regional agreements within the implementation of the Hyogo Framework of Action;

• To adopt a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction;

• To identify modalities of cooperation based on commitments to implement a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction;

• To determine modalities to periodically review the implementation of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.

Background

World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction is a series of United Nations conferences on preparing for, responding to and mitigating the risk of natural disasters.

The first World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction took place in 1994 that resulted into the adoption of Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a Safer World.

The second world conference was held in Kobe, Japan from 18 January 2015 to 22 January 2015. The second conference adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015

The Hyogo Framework for Action was an outcome of the 2005 conference held in Kobe, Japan. The HFA suggests five specific priorities for action. These were

• Making disaster risk reduction a priority

• Improving risk information and early warning

• Building a culture of safety and resilience

• Reducing the risks in key sectors

• Strengthening preparedness for response

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Mauritius between 11 March and 12 March 2015 as part of his three nation tour to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka that took place from 10 March to 14 March 2015.

Prime Minister of Mauritius Sir Anerood Jugnauth gave the ceremonial reception to Prime Minister Modi during his arrival in the country. During his visit, five Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed between the two nations. These include:
• MoU in the field of Ocean Economy
• MoU on Programme for Cultural Cooperation for the year 2015-18
• MoU on the Protocol for the importation of fresh mango from India
• MoU for the Improvement in Sea and Air Transportation Facilities at Agalega Island of Mauritius
• MoU on Cooperation in the field of Traditional System of Medicine and Homeopathy

Besides on 12 March 2015, Prime Minister Modi joined the National Day celebrations in Mauritius as the guest of honour and also greeted people of the Island nation and offered prayers by pouring Ganga Jal at Ganga Talao, Mauritius. 

He also addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius and attended the programme to mark the commissioning of the Barracuda, a ship in the service of the National Coast Guard of Mauritius.

He also paid homage to the valiant Aapravasis for their human spirit and also described the Aapravsi Ghat as signifying the enduring links between India and Mauritius.

 

India to host seventh Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2016

India will host the seventh Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) in 2016. This was announced by Home Minister of India Rajnath Singh on 17 March 2015 at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan.

Also, this will be the first AMCDRR to be hosted by India in the post-2015 framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, though India had hosted the Second AMCDRR in 2007.

The conference in 2016 will be held in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

The ministerial conference is set to endorse a regional implementation plan of the new post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. This will form a key element of the initial global effort to implement the new framework.

The Sixth Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction was held in Thailand from 23 June to 26 June 2014.

It was the final regional inter-governmental meeting in Asia before the completion of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-15 and the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015.

Previous Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

• First AMCDRR held in China in 2005 
• Second AMCDRR held in India in 2007 
• Third AMCDRR held in Malaysia in 2008 
• Fourth AMCDRR held in Republic of Korea in 2010 
• Fifth Asia Ministerial conference held in Indonesia in 2012

HDFC Bank launched mobile app Chillr to instantly transfer money to any person in India

HDFC Bank on 17 March 2015 launched a mobile application Chillr that allows customers to instantly transfer money to any person in India. Chillr is a first-of-its kind application that is linked directly to customers’ bank accounts and is exclusively for customers of HDFC Bank. The bank launched the app in partnership with Kochi-based mobile value added service company MobME.

Key characteristics of the app

• It allows customers of HDFC Bank to transact 24 hours a day.
• The maximum transaction limit is 5000 rupees or ten transactions per day and 50000 rupees a month.
• The money can be transferred to any contact in the phone book once the app is downloaded on the phone.
• The app is safe and can be accessed only with an M-PIN known to the customer alone. 
• HDFC Bank customers can download the app from iStore or from Play.

Co-founder MobME & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Chillr:

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