Download - Mrunal Current Affairs Topiclist_ 2015 March Week1 to Week4 (1-31st)

4/4/2015 MrunalCurrentAffairsTopiclist:2015MarchWeek1toWeek4(131st)

http://mrunal.org/2015/04/currentaffairstopiclistmarch2015.html/print/ 1/45

Mrunalhttp://mrunal.org

[CurrentTopiclist]MarchWeek1toWeek4(1stto31st)OnlyTopiclist

PostedByMrunalOn03/04/2015@12:00pmInCurrentArchive|27Comments

1. Abbreviations2. IRDiplomacy

1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4IR/Diplomacy

3. Economy,Banking,Finance1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4Economy

4. Policy,Governance,Accountability,Administration1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4Polity,Governance

5. Environment&Agriculture1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4Environment,Agro

6. ScienceTech,Defense1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4SciTech,Defense,IT,Healthcare

7. HistoryandCulture1. MarchW1&W22. MarW3W4History&Culture

8. DownloadLinkforCurrentAffairsExcelFile9. FAQ/MoralDisclaimers

ListofAbbreviationsPOnly importantforprelimonlyP+M importantforprelimandmains

M+I Importantformains,essayandinterviewbuthasnoneornegligibleutilityinprelims.

OLF Onelinefodderpointthatcanbequotedinsomedescriptiveanswer,essay,intervieworGroupdiscussion.Butdoesntwarrantanarticlebyitself.

IgnoredBecause(A)Iseebad:costbenefitinpursuingitOR(B)IdontthinkitsimportantforUPSCexamgiventhetrendinlastfewyears.(C)Ialreadycovereditinoldarticle.

IRDiplomacyMarchW1&W2

M+I ForeignSecretaryS.JaishankarsSAARCyatracontinues.

M+IIsraeliPrimeMinisterBenjaminNetanyahuopposesUSIrandealbecausehefearsitllallowIrantodevelopnukeweapons.HowdoesitaffectIndian



interst?

M+IModisthreenationtourtotheSeychelles,MauritiusandSriLankaforIndianOceanoutreachandbecomeanetsecurityproviderinIndianocean,tocounterChinesepresence.SAGARconceptSecurityandGrowthforAllintheRegion.

M+I

Modi2Mauritiustrip:(1)openinguptheoceaneconomy,orblueeconomy.(2)Indiawillbuildtransportinfrastructure(seaandairlinks)fortheAgalegaIslands(3)IndiagavecoastalpetrolvesselMCGSBarracuda,formaritimesecurityonloan+grant.(4)Indiatohelpinsugarcanecultivationandtourismpromotion.(5)developfinancialcentresandpetroleumhubs(6)IndiracalledMauritiusChhotaBharatduringhervisitin70sbecause70%juntaisIndia.MauritiuscelebratesitsNationalDayonMarch12topayhomagetoGandhisdandimarchonsamedayin1930.(6)ModiwilladdresstheissueofDTAA,roundtrippingandtaxavoidancebyIndiancompanieswhodeliberatelyregisterinMauritiusandtheninvestinIndia,toavoidtaxes.

M+I

Modi2SeychellesTrip(1)1%of93,000juntaisIndia,only15/116islandsareinhabited,buthasverylargeEEZ(2)IndiagavesecondDornieraircraftfortheircoastalsurveillance,earlierprovidedRadartechnologyaswell.(3)cooperationforhydrography,infraandotherfancythings.(4)SeychellesisaleaderamongtheSmallIslandDevelopingStates(SIDS),vocalmemberagainstclimatechangeandpartofPanAfricaneNetworkofhospitals

OLF

ExNepalPMandpresentmaoistoppositionleaderBaburamBhattaraivisitsIndia,saysIndiahasaroletoplayintheconstitutionmakingconflictinNepal,&peacefulNepalisinIndiasinterest.EarlierModihadsaidNepaleseConstitutionshouldbebasedonconsensusrathermajority.Butatthattime,hewascriticizedforinterferinginNepaliaffairs.

OLFUnitedStateswilldeploy60%ofitsNavytoAsiaPacificregionby2020,underthePivottoAsiadoctrine.Tocounterthem,Chinahasraiseditsdefensebudgetby10%.Mainfocus:SubmarinesandChineseJ20stealthaircrafttocounterUSP8APoseidonsurveillanceaircraft.

OLFChinaisfundinga$1.3billionportprojectinColombo.Butsuddenly,SriLankangovernmenthassuspendedthisprojectforenvironmentclearance.ChinesegovernmenthastoldSriLankanottodiscriminateagainstChinesecompany(vs.Indiancompanies)

OLF NigeriasBokoHaramgrouppledgesallegiancetotheIslamicState(IS)groupleaderAbuBakralBaghdadi

OLF

Thisyear,ChinaandRussiawillcommemoratethe70thanniversaryofWW2victoryandsimultaneouslyRussiawilljoinascorepartnertoChinastwininitiativestheSilkRoadEconomicBeltandtheMaritimeSilkRoad.CollectivelythesetwotransportcorridorsaimtointegrateEuropeanandAsianeconomieswithChinaastheanchor.

OLF

J&KhasaseparatepreventivedetentionlawcalledPublicSafetyAct(PSA).Underthisact,DeputyCommissioner(districtcollector)cangetanypersonintopreventivecustodyforupto2yearswithnotrial,ifheisathreattothesecurityoftheState.SeniorseparatistleaderMasaratAlamwasimprisonedunderthisactforalongtime.HewasmastermindofthestonepeltingmobsinKashmir.Version#1:newCMMMSayeedorderedreleaseofsuchpoliticalprisonersbecausenocriminalchargesframedsofar.Version#2:HisreleasefilewasalreadyokayedbyUnionHomeministry



duringPresidentsrule.Eitherway,nowunioniscontemplatingtoarresthimagainunderNIAact.

Ignored IraqiforceslaunchattacktocaptureTikritfromISIS.

Ignored UNhumanrightscommissionvs.SriLanka.Basicsalreadycoveredinoldarticle.

Ignored KnifeattackerslashesthefaceofU.S.envoytoSouthKoreaMarkLippert.ThisattackerwantedtheNorthandSouthKoreasunited.

Ignored AmericanHindudiasporaangrybecauseNewYorkmayordeclaredEidasschoolholidaybutnoholidayonDiwali.

Ignored

FormerSecretaryofStateHillaryClintonusedherpersonalemailaccountfordoingofficialwork.Thisgoesagainstpublicrecord/transparencylawsinUSA.Althoughshehassubmitted~55,000pagesofemailrecordsfromthatprivateidtotheGovernmentbutoppositionarguesshehasnotgivenalldata.Thiscouldbeadisturbingpointforherpresidentialcandidacy.

Ignored

BiochemistryprofessoratGermanysLeipzigUniversity,refusedtoacceptanIndianstudentforinternshipsayingwerehearingalotofaboutrapeprobleminIndiaandwehavemanyfemalestudentsintheuniversity,whosesafetywillbethreatened!.Later,GermanenvoytoIndiaMichaelSteinerwroteinhisstronglywordedlettertothesaidprofessorIndiaisnotacountryofRapists.

IgnoredMaldivesExPresidentMohd.NasheedarrestedUnderantiterrorismlaw,becausein2012,HetriedtoarrestaseniorjudgeUsingmilitarywithoutauthority.Finalverdicthesgiven13yearsjail.

MarW3W4IR/Diplomacy

POnly

OperationRaahattorescueIndiancitizensfromYemen.Reasonsforconflict:ShiaHuthisrebelshaveoustedYemenisPresidentAbdRabbuMansourHadi.SincetheseHuthisarealliesofIran(Shia),soSaudiArab(Sunnimonarchy)beginsairstrikeonthoserebelsinYemen.PakistanwillalsosendtroopstosupportSaudiArabia.Indianworkerscaughtincrossfire,hencetheneedforOp.Raahattorescuethem.FeaturesofOp.Raahat:MinisterofStateforOverseasIndianAffairsGeneral(Retd.)V.K.SinghtooverseeoperationsfromDjiboutiport.INSSumitrashiftedfromantipiracyopstorescueopinDjibouti.INSMumbai,Tarkashwillalsoreachsoon.TwoIAFC17GlobemastersandtwoAirIndiaflightsalsoarranged.Sototal3shipsx4planes.MEAintouchwithYemenisGovernmentandrebelsforasafepassageofIndians.ModicallsupthenewSaudikingSalmanBinAbdulAziztohelpout.ChallengesSaudibeganairstrikesonMarch26,soIndiashouldhavebegunopssooner.ButIndianGovernmentsayspeoplewerewarnedinadvance,buttheydidnotmoveoutquickly.4klegalworkersand5killegalworkersstranded.

POnlyOscarwinningfilmSlumdogMillionaireisbasedonVikasSwarupsQ&A.NowthisgentlemanhasreplacedSyedAkbaruddinastheMEAspokesperson.

P+MIndiaQatarsignagreementonprisonertransfer.IndianprisonersconvictedinQatarcanbebroughttoIndiatoservetheremainingpartoftheirsentenceinIndianjails,andviceversaforQatariprisonersinIndia.



P+M

Modi2SriLanka:{Tourism}RamayanaTrailinSrilankaandBuddhistcircuitinIndia.FestivalofIndiainSriLanka.CulturalcentreinauguratedatJaffna.VisaonarrivalforSriLankaAirIndiatorundirectflightsbetweenDelhiandColombo.{Finance}Currencyswapagreementbetweencentralbanksofbothcountries{Disaspora}>300Million$loantoSriLankanrailways.20khomesgiventorefugeesinNorthernSriLanka.IndiawantsunitedsriLankabutasksthemimplement13thAmendmenttogivegreaterpowerdevolutiontoTamilmajorityprovincesinNorthandEast.{Energy}:TrincooilfarmandpowerplantwithhelpofIndianOil.nodefensepactthough,butSrilankapromisesnottodockforeignsubmarinesonitsports.SriLankahassigneditsfirstnuclearagreementwithIndia,butthisagreementonlyaimsfornukesafetyoperationsandnotenergygenerationatpresent.Triconmaleetobedevelopedasregionalpetroleumhub.

M+I

IndiaJapancivilnucleardealnotmovingforwardbecauseJapanwants(1)IndiatosharenationspecificdataaboutwhichcountriessuppliedIndiawhattypeofnuclearfuelandtechnology.(2)IfIndiabreaksitsvowandbeginstestingnuclearweaponsthenJapanwillCancelthedealandaskedIndiatoreturnalltheequipmentsandtechnologies.BoththeseconditionsarenotinthebestinterestofIndiasenergysecurity.+Becauseofthem,evenintheUSnucleardealisstalledbecause(1)JapanscloutoverNuclearsuppliersgroup(NSG)(2)AmericancompaniesrelyonJapanesecompaniesMitsubishiandToshibatoproducenuclearreactors.

OLFForeignSecretaryS.JaishankarsaysaColdWarpoliticalorderstillpersistsinIndiaU.S.relations.WhileIndiasActeastpolicyoverlapswithUSAsRecalancetoAsiapolicy.Butnucleardealisstillunderobstacles.

OLF

1996:IndiafavourUNGAresolutionforbanningantipersonnelmines.But1997:Indiadidnotsigntheminestreaty,eventhough80%ofJoinedthetreaty.Indiawasamajormanufacturerofundetectablelandmines,andusedthemalongLoCparticularlyafterOperationParakram,whichwasinitiatedafterDecember2001AttackonParliament.However,statisticsrevealthousandsofIndianarmedforcesandciviliansaccidentallyinjuredbecauseofthesemines.

OLF

WestsflawedapproachtowardsISISIEarlierthedeathofSaddamHusseinandMuammarQaddafididnotbringpeace,butinsteadledIraqandLibyaintofurtherchaosbysplintergroups.ArabSpringhappenedonlyinrepublicannationsEgypt,Syria,Libya,Yemen.While,8monarchiesSaudiArabia,Kuwait,Qatar,Oman,Bahrain,theEmirates,JordanandMoroccowereneverdestabilized.BecausemostofthemareenemiesofIran(Shia),Westturnsblindeyestohumanrightsviolationsinthere.YemenisciviliansgettingkilledinSaudiaerialbombarding,yetWestdoesntcryabouthumanrights,liketheydoincaseofSyria.Many1stworldcitizensfromAustralia,US,Englandetal.begantojoinISIS.NowUSAplanningtotalkwithAssadforpeacefulregimechangeandsettledownthenukeissueswithIran.



OLF

InternationalAtomicEnergyAgency(IAEA)chiefYukiyaAmanobeginssafetyinspectionofIndiannukeplantsandsuggestsfollowingmeasures:separatelawtoprovideindependencetotheAtomicEnergyRegulatoryBoard(AERB)bylaw.UPAGovernmentdesignedabillpostFukushimadisasterbutbilllapsedinLokSabha.AERBshoulddevisestrategytoincreasesafetyofactinidesandothernuclearwaste.setupanationalpolicyfornuclearsafetyandradioactivewastemanagementimproveinternalemergencyarrangementsduringaccidents.Sidenote:NuclearSuppliersGroup(NSG)conferenceinJune.Indiawishestobecomefullmember,althoughobstacleisthatwevenotsignedNPT.

OLF

ChinawantsastableAfghanistantoensurepeaceinitsownXinjiangregion.ChinagotPakistaniArmyandISItoironoutnegotiationsbetweentheAfghanunitygovernmentandtheTalibans.EvensetuptheChinaAfghanistanPakistantrilateraldialogueatheartofAsiaconference.HostedTalibandelegationtwiceinBeijing.USAalsoreducedsomesanctionsfromTalibanandinreturnofthisSinoAmericanvalvetglovetreatmenttheAfghaniTalibanshavedistancedfromAlQaedaandshowedwillingnesstonegotiate.ISIbelievedtohaveimprisonedMullahOmartopreventterrorattacks.Indianinterests:PakistanmaytrytoblockChabaharport,sothatonlyPakistanremainseconomicentrypointtoAfghanistan.Pak.MaytrytosabotageIndiasproposed4ironsteelplantsinHajigak.SolutionbefriendIranandAfghaniPresidents.

OLFPresidentObamarelaxesnormstogetL1Bvisameantforcorporateexecutives.ThiswillhelpinbringingmoreforeigninvestmentandthespecialisedworkersinUS

OLF

U.N.SecretaryGeneralwantedtogivesocialsecuritybenefitstospousesofgay/LGBTemployeesworkingistheUnitedNationsoffices.ButIndia,China,Russia,Pak,Saudietal.opposedthisresolution,sayingBankKiMoondidnotconsultwithmemberstates.However,motionwasdefeated.andIndiafacedcriticismfromvariousquartersincludingUSA

OLF

HindugonecrazierthanusualaboutSriLankaSriLankanPresidentMaithripalaSirisenagivesthetitleofFieldMarshaltoSarathFonseka.GeneralFonsekawasinstrumentalinwipingoutLTTEbuthadfalloutwithpreviousPresidentRajpaksha,soRajpakshagothimjailed,andbannedfromcontestingelections.ButnewPresidentSirisenabegantofixit.DuringLTTEfighting,SriLankanArmyhadtakenoverNorthernTamillandtocreatehighsecurityzones.NewPresidentSirisenagivesbackthoselanddeedstooriginalowners.SirisenasvisittoChina.BothleaderproposetriangulardialogueamongIndia,ChinaandSriLanka.FormerSriLankanPrez.ChandrikaKumartungawillheadataskforceforareconciliationofTamils.

AIIBbasicsalreadycoveredinoldarticleunderdiplomacysection.ButHindugonecrazierthanusual.Dailycommentaryonwhichnewcountrywantstojoinit?bottomlineisAustralia,Britain,France,Germany,Luxembourg,Singapore,NewZealand,SwitzerlandetalmanyerstwhileproUSpartiesnowinterested.MeansUSdominatedIMFWorldbankpowerwaning.



OLF EarlierJapanwashesitanttojoinAIIBbecauseitselfdominatesADB(HQManila),butnowJapaneseMNCslobbiedandgotGovernmenttosilentagreetojoinAIIBbyJune.ThechiefsofIMFandADBhavevoicedsupportforAIIB.U.S.TreasurySecJacobLewmetChinesePrimeMinister(Premiere)LiKequiangtoironoutdifferences.

OLF

Chinahasprovidesdetailsitsonebeltoneroadinitiative.Itllhavetwocomponents(1)OverlandSilkRoad(OSR)(2)MaritimeSilkRoad(MSR).TogethertheyllcoverEurasiafromthePacificcoasttotheBalticSea.TheyllshiftgeoeconomicpowerfromUSEUtowardsEurasia,ledbyChina.Innext107ears,4.4billionpeoplewillbecoveredanditllgeneratetradeabove2.5trilliondollarswithhelpofRCEP.CollectivelySilkRoad+RCEPwillcounterUSAsAsianPivot+TPP.SriLankawillget~40million$fromAIIBforthisSilkroadproject.Moredetailsunderoldarticleunderdiplomacysection.

OLF

LeeKuanYew:thefoundingfatherandfirstPrimeMinisterofSingapore(From1959to1990).DiedofPneumoniarelatedcomplicationsat91age.Modiattendedhisfuneral.BrokeoffwithMalaysiatocreateSingapore(SanskritnameSimhapura).HelpedDengXiaopingrebuildChinainPostMaoera.ShanghaiturnedtoManhattanofEast.LeepraisedIndiraGandhiandjustifiedemergency,butinColdwarNAMera,IndiaandSingaporesinterestcouldnotalign.SolaterLeebecamecriticthatIndiawasnotarealcountrybut32separatenationsarrayedonBritishraillineTheirethnicmix,votingpatternsandcoalitiongovernmentensurenodecisionistakenontime.Indianpoliticiansandbureaucratshavefeudalmindsetwhoseeentrepreneursassinnerformakingprofits.LeewarmedupafterNarsimhaRaosLookEastPolicy,soughtourmilitaryassistance.HecalledCalledIndiaanationofunfulfilledgreatness.IndiaChinawillreshapeworldorderbeforeendof21stcentury.AlthoughChinawontgowarwithIndiabecauseitcanwinbysimplyplayingbyrulesofinternationaleconomy.Appliedsocialengineeringtocreateapluralnationwithfourofficiallanguagesandahousingpolicytointerminglepeopleofvariousraces.{Antipoints}curbsonmediaandfreedomofexpression.HejustifieditunderAsianvaluesi.e.goodofsocietycomesbeforerightsofindividuals.nepotism,familymembersmadelotofmoneySingaporeCitystatemodelleadstoricheconomybutincomeinequalityrising.

OLF USDepartmentofJusticeupdateshatecrimestrainingmanual,FBIaskedtotrackhatecrimesagainstHinduandSikhssince2013.

IgnoredUNhumanrightsinvestigatoraskedUNSCandICCtotakeactionagainstviolatorsofhumanrightsinSyria.Butneithertookaction.SonowUNinvestigatorswillingtosharenamesandevidenceswithanycountrythatwantstopursuethismatter.

IgnoredModitovisitEuropeinApril.wantedanIndiasummitatBrussels,butEUauthoritiesdidnotreplyintime(conspiracyanglebecauseoftheslowprogressinItalianmarinescase.)SoangryModicancelsBrusselstripaltogather.



Ignored

KashmirballbyballUnionMinisterofStateforExternalAffairsGen.V.K.SinghattendsPakistanNationalDaycelebrationhostedbyPakistaniembassybutfeelsdisgustedwithpresenceHurriyatleaders,andsubsequentlytweetswithhashtags#duty#disgust.J&KCMSayeedsaysAFSPAwillbegraduallyremovedbytakingarmyinconfidence.

IgnoredChineseSpecialRepresentativeYangJiechicomestomeetNSAAjitDovaltodiscussborderdispute(1)2000kmsArunanchalPradeshborder(2)4000kmsLadakhborder.

IgnoredDenmarkplanningtojoinNATOsmissiledefenseprogrambyinstallingmissileandradarsonitswarships.Russiawarnsifthishappens,wellattackDanishwarships.

Ignored LunaticcopilotcrashesGermanysLufthansasaeroplaneinFrenchAlps.150dead.

IgnoredDuringG20summit@Brisbane,Australia2014,oneoftheimmigrationofficialmistakenlyforwardedWorldleaderspassportnumber,emailidetc.toAsianfootballtournamentorganizers,thusendangeringtheirsecurity.

Ignored VisitofIndiandefenceMinistertoJapan.Ignoredbecausemostlysameoldbolbachchan.

Economy,Banking,FinanceMarchW1&W2

BankingFinance P+M

RBIandFinminsignagreementtoimplementrecommendationsofUrjitPatelCommitteeonmonetarypolicyreforms.(1)inflationtargetingatCPI26%i.e.@4%withbandof2%.Mustgetinflationbelow6%byJan2016.(2)failureifinflationabove6%during3consecutivequartersof2015ORifinflationbelow2%in3consecutivequartersof2016.(3)RBIwillhavetoexplainGovernmentinsuchcase.iffactorsbeyondRBIscontrol,thenitcanraisemonetarypolicyratestocombatinflation.(4)MonetarypolicytobedecidedbyaMonetaryPolicyCommittee(4)among3functionsofcontrollinginflation,foreignexchangerateandinterestrate,RBIwillgivefirstprioritytoinflation.

BankingFinance P+M

RBIsaysloanstosanitation,healthcareanddrinkingwaterfacilities,renewableenergyandincrementalloanstoexporters,willcomeunderPrioritysectorlending.PlusRBIpanelrecommendsbothforeignbanksaboveandbelow20branches,shouldhavesamePSLtargetsi.e.40%.

BankingFinance P+M

GoldrefinerMMTCPAMPpreparingagoldmetalaccountschemewithhelpofSwitzerlandsPAMP.Customercandepositminimum50gmsgold.Hellearngoldinterestinsteadofrupeeinterestoverthetime.Thisgoldwillbeloanedtojewelers.

BankingFinance OLF

RajanbhaiisdistressedoverthefactthatpostGlobalfinancialcrisis,thecentralbanksaroundtheworldareprintingmoneyandreducinginterestratestoverylowlevels.ButsinceRBIhastocombatinflation,wecanfollowthatpathofreducinginterestrates.ThishasledtoavalancheofcapitalinflowsinIndia,andmaycreateforeignexchangerateinstability.



BankingFinance P+M

AssuchRajanbhaireleasesBiMonthlypolicyreview.Butin2015,twicehemadesurprisechangesinreporate.January2015:reporeducedfrom8%to7.75%.AndnowagaininMarch2015hereduceitfurtherfrom7.75to7.50.(25basispoint.)Lowerreporatemeanscheaperloans,moredemandandbusinessexpansion.ThisisdonebecauseRajanbhaiperceivesJaitleybudgetasnoninflationaryduetoconcisetaxbreaksandsubsidies.Sohehasreducepolicyrate(=reporate)toshowthatfiscalandmonetarypolicywillworkinacomplementaryway.

BankingFinance POnly

Undercoinageact2011,GovernmentofIndiawillrestartprinting1rupeenote,withbilingualsignatureofthefinanceSecretary.RBIwillputthese1Rs.Noteintocirculation.NotewillbearAshokaPillarsymbolinthewindowwithoutwordsSatyamevJayate,andcarryahiddennumeralinthecentre.

BankingFinance OLF

RBIexpandsLTVdefinition.NowLoantoValueratioforhousingsector,willalsoincludestampduty,registrationfeesandotherdocumentcharges.Thiswillhelpgetbiggerhousingloans,butupto10lakhrupees.

BankingFinance P+M

AtpresentmoneymarketsarecontrolledbytheRBI.Butmutualfundsalsoplayasignificantroleinmoneymarket,andareregulatedbySEBI.EarlierBimalJalanandFSLRCreportsrecommendedthatRBIshouldnotbemanagingGovernmentdebt(throughGSec,TBills).ItshouldbedonebyAnautonomouspublicdebtmanagementauthority/agency,willsellsuchagovernmentsecuritiestofinancialintermediariesonvoluntarybasis.Toimplementthisreform,Budget2015sFinanceBillwillamendmentsections45Uand45W.Afterthis,RBIwillceasetoregulategovernmentbondsandothermoneymarketinstruments.ThenperhapsPublicdebtmanagementagency(PDMA)willbemadesetupandmaderesponsibleforhandlingGSec,Tbill.AndRBIwillfocusonlyonthecorefunctionsofcentralbanki.e.(1)controllinginflation(2)bankingsupervision(3)controllingforeignexchangeratevolatility.


EmployeeProvidentFund(EPF)andPPFschemesenjoythisstatus.EEEstatus(exemptexemptexempt)i.e.(1)moneydepositedinthescheme(2)interestearnedinthescheme(3)moneywithdrawnfromtheschemeaftermaturity.Atallthreestages,itisexemptedfromincometaxcalculation.Inbudget2015,whilegreatlyincreasetheexemptionlimitinnewpensionscheme(NPS)from1lakhto1.5lakh,butstillitdoesnotenjoyEEEstatus.Presently,NPShasover80lakhsubscribers,butgiventhisEEEanomaly,itwillbedifficultexpandthebasefurther.

BankingFinance P+M

GIFTcity,Gandhinagar,GujaratInternationalFinancialServicesCentre(IFSC).ItllbetreatedasanSEZ,andentitiesinsideit,willbetreatedasnonresidentIndianslocatedoutsideIndia.RBIFEMAwillpermitsettingupforeignbankshere.ForeignbanksinIndiacansetup.Indianbankswithoffshorepresence,cansetup.EachbankcansetuponlyoneIBUthough.ButtheycantacceptwithretailcustomersorinIndiancurrency.Minimumcapital



requirement20million.CRRSLRapplicable:Nope.RBIwonthelpviareporateandotherliquiditymeasures.PSLnormswontapply.Similarly,IRDAwillpermitforeigninsurersandreinsurers.SEBIwillpermitstockexchanges,merchantbankers,depositoryreceipts(DR).

BankingFinance Ignored

SBIbeginsonlineauctionofseizedpropertiesworth1200crorerupees.

BankingFinance P+M

InsurancebillpassedtoincreaseFDIlimitfrom26%to49%.CongressabstainsinLokSabhaandvotesinfavorinRajyasabha.Cheaperpremiumwillimproveinsurancepenetration,andmakejuntassavingsflowtolongterminfrastructureprojects.

BoP POnlyAsperRBInorms,FollowingcitizensareforbiddenfromacquiringpropertyinIndia:Pakistan,Bangladesh,SriLanka,Afghanistan,China,Iran,NepalorBhutan.2moreregionsaddedinthisblacklist:HongKongandMacaubothadministeredbyChina.

FiscalPolicy Ignored

1997:ChinduhadIntroducedtheconceptofthreeslabsofincometaxi.e.10%,20%,30%.ChindusayspostliberalizationthathasbeenriseInnumberofsuperwealthypeopleinIndia.

FiscalPolicy POnly

ShellcompaniesarethecompanieslocatedabroadbutcontrolledfromIndia,toevadetaxes.GovernmentaimstocurbthembyintroducingPlaceofeffectivemanagement(POEM)inITAct.thereby,suchoffshorecompanieswillbetaxableinIndia,ifkeyManagementdecisionsaretakenfromIndia.

FiscalPolicy OLF

[email protected]%in2014.Projects8.18.5%growthratefor2015.ButIMFreportsays,hardly7.5%possiblefor2015.

FiscalPolicy

Ignored

IncometaxDepartmentdemands20,500croresfromCairnIndiaforsharetransactiontoparentcompanyandsubsequentcapitalgains.CairnplanningforinternationalarbitrationunderIndiaUKbilateralinvestmentprotectiontreaty.EarlierVodafone(Netherlands)andNokia(finland)alsocalledforarbitrationundersimilartreatieswiththeirnationsthusprovingMNCsdonthavemuchfaithinIndiansystem.

FiscalPolicy OLF

EconomistJimONeilhadgiventhetermBRICS.NowhesaysIndiapoisedtobecomeworlds7thlargesteconomyin2017,and5rdlargesteconomyin2020.

FiscalPolicy OLF

1983:DoubletaxationavoidanceagreementsignedbetweenIndiaMauritius.Underthisagreement,ifacompanyregisteredinMauritiussellsassetsfromIndia,thenIndiacantlevycapitalgainstax.onlyMauritiuscanlevyCGT,buttheyhave0%CGT.SoIndianbusinessmanmisusethisprovisionforroundtrippingi.e.investingtheirownmoneyinIndia,butviaMauritiusroutetoreducetaxliability.DuringhisMauritiustrip,Modisaidhellworktostopthisabuse.AtalPensionYojanaIsforcitizensinunorganizedsector,whojoinedNPSbutnotanyothersocialsecurityscheme.Atalwillgivepensionfrom1000to5000permonthat60yearsage,depending



HRD P+M onhowmuchmoneysubscribercontributed.Membershipagelimit18to40years.Unionwillcontribute50%ofmoneygivenbysubscriberorRs.1000,whicheverislessforfirst5yearsupto201920.

HRD P+M

PradhanMantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana.Membershipage:18to50withabankaccount.PayRs.330peryearpremium.Get2lakhaccidentcoverfromLIC.Variousministriescancocontributepremiumfortheirrespectivebeneficiaries.CommonPublicityExpenditurewillbebornebyGovernment.

HRD P+M

MinorityaffairsMinistryhadsetupProfessorAmitabhKundu(JNU)ToassesstheimpactofminoritywelfaremeasurestakenafterSacharcommitteereportandPrimeMinisters15programforminorities.Amitabhagavereportinlate2014.observation:(1)Financialandphysicaltargetsaremeagrecomparedtothegroundlevelrequirement.(2)NeedtoincreasethebudgetaryallocationtominorityaffairsMinistry(3)MinorityscholarshipsshouldbemadeDemanddriven(4)Separateleadershipdevelopmentschemeforminoritywomen.

HRD OLF

Over5lakhabandonedchildrenuserailwaystationforliving,beggingandlaboring.Womenministry,RailwayMinistryandNGOshavejoinedhandsForrehabilitationofthesekids.Tollfreehelpline1098.Publicawarenesscampaign.UltimatelyAuthoritieswilltrytogetthischildrenbacktotheirparentsorprovidethemeducationandvocationalskills.

HRD OLF

RighttoEducation(RTE)Act,2009mandatesthatnochildrenshouldbefailedtillclass5.Butthishasledtodeclinedlevelofleaning,asseeninASERreport.Therefore,DelhiDy.CMcumEducationministerManishSisodiarequestedunionHRDministrytoreducethisprovisiontillclass3only.

HRD OLFDelhi,KeralaandTamilNaduareIndiasbestrankedStatesintermsofgenderrelatededucationindicators,saysHRDandUNISEFreport.

Industryagro OLF

Dr.B.MeenakumariCommitteegivesreportfordeepseafishingPolicyandGuidelinestoAgricultureministry.

IndustryMFG P+M

NSSO2013:morethan5.5croreMSMEinIndia,mostlyownedbySC,ST,OBCyetonly4%ofthemgetinstitutionalfinance.Budget2015announcedMicroUnitsDevelopmentRefinanceAgency(MUDRA)Banktogivethemlastmilecreditdelivery.ItllfirstbeginasasubsidiaryofSIDBIandlaterconvertedtoafullfledgedbankthroughanactofparliament.Ifbanksfailstomeetprioritysectorlendingnorms,theyvetodepositmoneyinNABARDsRIDForSIDBIsSEDF.RBIwillpulloutRs.20,000croresfromsuchprioritylendingshortfallfunds,andgiveittoMudra.

infra OLFUnderSmartcityinitiative,DelhiMuni.Willputsmartsignageonhistoricmonuments.JustscantheirQRcodeinmobileandyougetallinformationonsmartphone.

infra Ignored Spectrumauctionballbyball.Onlyfinaloutcomeandits



consequencesimportant

infra OLF UnionGovernmentsetupataskforceforthedevelopmentofAjmer,AllahabadandVisakhapatnamassmartcities.

infra OLF

FordevelopmentinNaxalareas,Governmentworkingontwoprongedstrategy(A)physicalinfra:NITIayogtoannounceadditionalcentralAssistance(ACA),HighwayministrytofocusonRoadRequirementPlan(RRPI)andcommunicationministrytouseUniversalServiceObligationFund(USOF)forincreasingmobilepenetration.Strategy(B)Humanresourceinfra:UnderPanditDeenDayalUpadhyayaGrameenKaushalyaYojana,asubcomponentRoshni.Roshniwillsetup1ITIand2skilldevelopmentcentresineachofthe34Naxalaffecteddistrictsin9states.Theyllprovideshortterm&longtermskilltrainingtoyouth,sotheycangetlivelihood&dontgetbrainwashedbynaxals.

infra OLF LICwillgive1.5lakhcroreinnextfiveyearsforrailwayprojects.

infra OLF

RailwaywantstosetuptwofactoriesinBihar(1)electriclocomotive@Madhepuraand(2)[email protected],jointventureandFDIproposalinvitedfromGE,Siemensandothergiants.

MarW3W4Economy


April1:Bankswillbeclosedforaccountingpurposeand2ndand3rdAprilarepublicholidaysundernegotiableinstrumentsAct,sototal3continuousholidaysandunlessRBIintervenes,itllbegreatinconveniencetocustomers.


AtpresentRBIgovernoraloneresponsibleformakingmonetarypolicybutbothUrjitpatelCommitteeandbudget2015wantedaCommitteesystemwithmajorityvotingfordecidingmonetarypolicyofIndia.But(A)Rajanbhaiwants5memberbodywith2outsiderexpertsbutnoGovernmentrepresentatives.(B)butFinminJaitleywants8memberCommitteewithGovernmentnomineeswithoutvotingpower.AlthoughofficiallyJaitleydenieshavinganyriftwithRajanbhai.IgnoredbecausebasicsofurjitpatelalreadycoveredinoldarticleandnoofficialannouncementmadeaboutcompositionofMonetarypolicyCommittee


RailwayslaunchesRuPayprepaiddebitcard.Partners:UnionBankofIndiaandtheNationalPaymentCorporationofIndia.Utility:Buytickets,doshopping,payforIRCTCservices.1lakhaccidentinsurancecoverage.Cardlimits(1)10kifpartialKYC(2)50kiffullKYCDocumentsprovided.Forthefirst6months,notransactioncharges.SubsequentlyRs.10servicechargepertransaction.


InsuranceCompaniesbeganraisingFDIafterparliamentbillispassed.SBIgeneralinsurancespartnersSBI:IAGwillbeturnfrom74:26to51:49.IAGAustraliancompany.Sameway,Max



Bupa.BupaIsBritishcompany.IgnoredbecausesuchbizGKnotusuallyseeninUPSC


RBIasksNBFCstogetcreditratingdonebeforeMarch2016.onlytheNBFCswithcreditratingofinvestmentgrade,willbeallowedtoacceptfreshdepositsfromjunta.


OlataxiappcomesupwithspecialrewardschemefordriverssuchaseasyloanstobuynewcarsusingSBIsOlaPragatiofferwithjust10%downpaymentandquickloanprocessing.skilltraining,fueldiscount,freecarservices2lakhmedicalhealthinsurancefordriverandfamilyusingICICIprudential.ThiswillhelppromotingMicroentrepreneurshipamongthedrivers.


SEBIplanningseparateplatformtohelpstartupcompaniesgetcapital.Nameofthisplatform=AlternateCapitalRaisingPlatform.Whichinvestorscanparticipatehere?Highnetworthindividuals(HNIs),qualifiedinstitutionalbuyers(QIB),Familytrusts,NBFCsandotherentitieswith500crorenetworth.Whocantparticipatehere?Retailinvestors,becausetoomuchriskinvolved.Benefit:IT/ECommercecompanieswonthavetoapproachforeigncountriesforcapital.


GiventherisingNPAproblem,RBImandatesthebankstokeepsideemergencyfundcalledCountercyclicalcapitalbuffer.RecentlyRBIrelaxeditsnormstohelpbanks.

BankingFinance OLF

~12,000NBFCsareregisteredwithRBI,mostoftheminvolvedinloaning,andsomeevenacceptdeposits.Nowtopreventmenaceofshadowbanking,RBIhasupdatedtakeovernormsforNBFCs.

BankingFinance P+M

GIFTCity:CommerceSecretarysaysSEBIandRBIworkingtoprovidegreatercapitalaccountconvertibilityinFinancialSEZsuchasGIFTcity,Gujarat.PercyMistryCommitteehadrecommendedit(2007),otherwisewecantbecomeaninternationalfinanicialcentrelikeLondon,NYorTokyo.WhatiscapitalaccountconvertibilitywhatbenefitsandharmsitposetoIndianeconomy?RefertoPowerPointcodeL3/P2


CompaniesAct2013,provides3typeofcompaniesOnepersoncompany,privatelimitedcompanyandpublicltdcompany(2subtypeslistedandunlisted).ListedcompanieshavetofollowstrictnormsundercompaniesAct.Thatswhymanyofthembeganprocesstoturnintoprivateltd.Companiese.g.TVSautomobileReasons:privateltd.ArenotrequiredtoappointwomendirectorsorindependentdirectorsintheBoD.CangiveloanstodirectorsNoneedtosetupaseparateauditCommitteenorestrictiononhowmuchoftheprofitcanbedolledouttoexecutive/directorsasremuneration.Soinconclusion,betterregisteredasprivateltd.Companyorlimitedliabilitycompany(LLP),becausenopointinsettingupapublicltd.CompanyunlessyouwanttolaunchanIPOtogetequityfinancefromaamjuntaa.SEBIrequirespubliclistedcompaniestodisclosetheirboarddecisionswithin30minutes,andother



materialinformationwithin24hours.Thisdoesntapplyforprivateltd.Companies.


CompaniesAct2013requireslistedpublicltd.Companiesatleast1womandirectorinBoD.Elsepenaltyfrom5kto5lakhandseparatepenaltybySEBIforupto25croresfornoncomplianceofSEBIscorporategovernanceguidelines2014.Butmanycompaniesyettoappointwomen.Someonlygottheirfamilymemberladiesinboardofdirectorsoactimplementedinletterbutnotinspirit.

BankingFinance OLF

SEBIannouncesnormsformunicipalbonds,EIPO,AdharBasedEKYC.Arguesinfavourofallowingpensionfundstopourmoneyincapitalmarket,andrelaxationofREITsnorms.Andallowingbankstoconvertdebttoequityforstressedcompanieswithrecoverypotential.

BankingFinance OLF

AttheMintCorporationheldinDelhi,FinanceMinisteradvocatesmoreuseofcheques,plasticcurrencyandothernegotiableinstruments.Itwillcutdownthecostofprintingmoney,andhelpfightingagainstblackmoneyproblem.

BankingFinance P+M

GIFTcityGujaratinternationalfinancialtechcity.JVbetweenGJurbandevelopmentco.ltdandIL&FS.30kmfromStatecapitalGandhinagar.GIFTcityisplannedasafinancialSEZ.RBItoamendFEMArulestoallowfortransactioninforeigncurrenciessinceGIFTcitywilldeemedtobeaforeignterritory.SEBIguidelines:(1)AnyIndianorforeignstockexchangecansetupasubsidiaryinIFSC.(2)investorscaninvestforeigncurrencydirectlyintheMutualfunds/hedgefundsoperatinginthisarea.(3)manyothertechnicalnuancesnotimportantfromexampointofview.IRDAtoallowforeigninsurerstosetupbranchesinIFSC.SEBIrelaxesguidelinesforsettingupthisInternationalfinancialservcieNSEwillsetupinternationalexchangefortradingofshares,bonds,currenciesandderivatives.Smartcity=automatedwastecollectionsystem,centralisedcooling.Challenges:lackoffullcapitalaccountconvertibility.TAXrateshouldbereducedMalaysia3%,Dubai0%.Alternatedisputeresolutionsystemneededforfasterlegalresolutions


LabourMinistryofplanningtoamendtheEPFact,allowingtheworkerstochoosebetweenEPFOandNPS.IfworkerschoosesNPS,thenemployerwillnotberequiredtocontributetoEPFO.Ignoredbecauseformalbillisyettobedrafted.

BoP OLF

IMFchiefsays(1)Indiawillhave7.5%growthratefor201516.(andnotabove8%,asEconomicSurveyandBudget).(2)Indiatobeworldslargesteconomyby2030,butmustfocusoninclusivegrowth,morewomenlaborerparticipation.(3)JanDhanfinancialinclusionisunparallelintheworld.(4)itwasamistaketoignoreRajanbhaispredictionaboutsubprimecrisis.PostSubprimecrisistillQuantitativeEasing(QE)years,Americandollarsflewtoemergingeconies.Indiareceivedabove450



BoP OLFbillion$.USFedsplanningtoraiseratesbyendof2015.IMFfears,thiswillleadtoflightofforeigninvestedcapitalfromIndiabacktoUSA.AlthoughRajanbhaisaysheisfullyprepared,andJanetYellenshouldthinktwicebeforeplayingwithaag(fire),Paani(water)andRajanbhai.

FiscalPolicy OLF

OftenMNCstransferassetsfromonesubsidiarycompanytoanotheratbelowmarketprices,toreduceprofitandtaxliability.Thishasledtoriseinnumberoftransferpricingcases.Finallytoputanend,Budget2014cameupwithprovisionofAdvancepricingagreementbetweencompaniesandIncometaxdepartment.Govt.permitteditforpreviousfouryears.Thiswillhelpreducingnumberoflitigationsandpromoteeaseofdoingbiz.

FiscalPolicy P+M

BlackmoneyBillapprovedincabinet.(1)10yearsjail+300%taxforstashingblackmoneyabroad.(2)mustdeclareforeignassetsinITreturnelse7yearsjailadditionallyseparateBenamiTransactions(Prohibition)BilltostopblackmoneyindomesticassetsITacttobeamendedtoprohibitofmorethanRs.20kincash

FiscalPolicy P+M

BlackmoneyBilltabledinLokSabha.OfficiallyitscalledUndisclosedForeignIncomeandAssets(ImpositionofTax)Bill,2015.Tobeeffectivefrom1/4/2016.Salientfeatures(1)stashingblackmoneyabroad=310yearsjailtime,andpenaltyof3timesthetaxevadedor90%oftheundisclosedincome.(2)30%Taxonallforeignincome.Noexemption,ordeduction.(3)Onusonthesuspecttoprovehesnotguilty.(4)ifvoluntarydisclosureofblacckmoneyhiddenabroadthenlenientpunishmenti.e.30%tax+100%penalty.(5)ifforeignincome/assetnotdisclosedinITreturnthen10lakhpenalty,evenifblackmoneyisnothiddeninit.(6)Taxofficialsgivenmorepowersofinvestigation.Appealstructure:ITAT



detailsonlyafterBillispassed

FiscalPolicy Ignored

DelhihostsUrjaSangam2015,aglobalenergysummit.Here,ModiasksrichpeopletovoluntarilygiveupLPGsubsidy,therebyreducingGovernmentsubsidybillby100crorerupees.

FiscalPolicy OLF

NITIAyogformsaworkinggrouponhowtomakeCentrallysponsoredschemes(CSS)moreeffectiveandtheirimplementationbytheStatesmorefiexible.NITIAayogchiefexecutiveofficerSindhushreeKhullarwillbethechiefofthisgroup.14thFinancecommission(YVReddy)gave42%verticletaxdevolutiontostates.So,obviouslyUnionwillcutdowntheallocationofCSS,hopingthatstateswillbearmoreburdenfromtheirownshare.Thissubgroupwillgiverecommendationsforsmoothtransitionintothatnextgameplan.Unionalreadythinkingofcuttingdowncontributiontocentrallysponsoredschemesfrom75%to50%.Theyllgive100%contributiontoselectedschemesonly.

FiscalPolicy OLF

Governmentaimstoborrow6lakhcrorefrommarketbyissuingGSecandTbills.60%ofthemwillbeissuedinAprilSeptember2015period.TheyevenplantoissueGSecwith40yearsmaturityperiod!RBInothappywiththis,sayingifsomuchmoneypulledoutofmarketbyGovernment,thencorporatebonds/debentureswillnotfindmuchinvestors.Samereason,iftheproposedPublicdebtManagementagencyismadetoborrowarbitrarilyfrommarketdependingonwhimsandfanciesofGovernment,itllhurtIndianeconomyinlongrun.AssuchFRBMActrequiresGovernmenttocurbfiscaldeficitto3%ofGDP,butthenifCSOdoctorsreporttoraiseGDPnumber(asRajanbhaiandEconomicsurveyalleges),thenentiresystemwillcollapse,similartosovereigndebtcrisisinGreece.

HRD OLF SCsaysAadharcardisnotmandatorytogetgovt.subsidies.Ifanyofficialinsistsforthiscard,hellhavetofaceconsequences.

hrd Ignored

NSSOsaysIndianfamiliesfood,Expenditureandworkhabitdiffersbythecaste.SC/SCSpendlargerportionoftheirincomeinfoodexpenditurecomparedtoOBC.SCsMostlyengagedinrurallabourorurbanwagejobs,whileOBCsmostlySelfemployedorsalariedjobs.

HRD OLF

InBihar,Friends,relativesandNakalMafiasbecomeSpidermantoclimbschoolbuildingstohelpstudentscheatinboardexams.(1)educationministersaysstatealonecantcurbit.PatnaHCunhappy(2)SocialanglepassingMatriculationexamnecessaryforgirlsissue,thereforerelatives/villagersevenriotagainstexamsquads.(3)Ifvigilancetightenedthenonly12%willpassboardexam,likeitdidin1996(4)betteroptforopenbooksystemexam.

HRD Ignored

NuclearscientistcumChairmanofIITBombayBoD,AnilKakodkarcriticisesHRDministryforfasttrackingtheselectionofIITdirectors.Itsnotpossibletointerview36candidatesinadayandappointdirectoramongthem.(wellmaybeheshouldpreachthesamethingtoUPSCaswell.)Inbudget2015,governmenthadannouncedhundredcrore



HRD OLFrupeesforMadressamodernisation.But3000MadressasaffiliatedwithDaroolUlum,havepledgedtheyllnotacceptGovernmentmoney,northeyllstartmodernteachingintheirinstitutes.

HRD OLF

ExNACmembercumEconomistJeanDrezebeginsfreshroundofcriticismagainstAadharUIDAI.projectrunningwithoutlegalframeworkoriginallyitwasplannedasavoluntaryfacilitybutslowlybecomingcompulsorydespitejudicialinterventions.e.g.FromApril1,UIDcompulsoryforMNREGApaymentin300districts.Itwilltakeyearsbeforehundredpercentcoverageisachieved.SothosewithoutAadharcardwillbedeprivedofGovernmentschemebenefits.itcreatesavastinfrastructureofsocialcontrolthatcanbemisused,Fourthingsmustworkperfectlybiometricdevice,computer,mobileandinternet.Otherwise,bureaucratscanharasspeopleinpretextofelectricity/internetconnectivityissues.(e.g.babusayinginternetnotworkingright,giveaddition10rupeessoIwilluseinternetfrommypersonalmobiletorunthismachineandgetDBTtransferredinyouraccountandsoon).JeansearliercriticismagainstthewholeideaofDBTthatmaleheadoftheruralfamilywillblowawayallthemoneyonbidi,tobacco,desiliquorandgambling.

industryagro OLF

NewschemeforAgroindustryinnovationEntreprenuership.Who?MSMEministry.Features:500newincubationcentres.DirectlevelacceleratorProgram.helpstartupcompanieswithhelpofSIDBI.FinancestartupcompaniesthroughEquity,QuasiEquity,Angelfund,Venturecapitalfundetc.remainingfeaturesmostlybolbachchantype.OLFbecauseschemedoesnthaveafancynameorabbriviation.

industryagro OLF

NDDBchiefsaysIndiacantfollowChinesedailymodelbecausewevetofocusonpovertyalleviation,employmentgenerationandsustainabledevelopment.Althoughwearelargestproducerofmilkintheworld,ourchallengesareregionalimbalance,shortageoffodder

industryagro P+M

Inbudget2014,theFinanceMinisterhasannouncedthesettingupofapricestabilisationfund(PSF)Tocombatfoodinflation.FinallyfundissetupwithRs.500crore.Thismoneywillloanedtostateandcentralagenciesasworkingcapitalorforbuyingperishableagrihorticulturalcommoditiesfromfarmersandsellatcheaperpricetocustomers.AtpresentPSFwillonlyfocusonOnionandpotatoes.)Ifanylossesoccurred,Costwillbesharedbyunionandstate.Additionally,stateswillsetuptheirownrevolvingfund,whereUnion:statescontributionwillbeintheratioof50:50forgeneralstatesand75:25fornortheasternstates.

industryagro OLF

RBIrevisesthenormsforAgriloanreschulementduringnaturalcalamities.If50%croplossinadistrict,thentheruleswillbetriggeredbankcangiverelieftofarmerbyextendtheloanpaymentperiodto35710yearsdependingintypeofloanand



damage.

IndustryMFG Ignored

HindunewspapersbossKasturiandSonslimitedbeganofferingVRStoemployeesforthefirsttimes.Moralofthestory:ifonewantstorunanewspaperthroughsubscriptionfromonlyUPSCaspirantsandadrevenuefromonlyDelhiscoachingwallas,thenhellhavetocutdowncostssoonerorlater!

IndustryMFG Ignored

MakeinIndia:FordmotorsopensitsSanandPlant(Ahmedabad),partofMakeinIndia.Andaimstotripletheexports.SanandKadiHalol135kmsareawillbecomeDetroitofIndia.Governmentbuyskeychains,cufflinks,goldplatedmugsandothersouvenirstopromotemakeinIndia,duringNarendraModisEuropevisit.

infra Ignored RailwayplatformtickettoberaisefromRs.5toRs.10.

infra IgnoredUnionhaspermittedtotal14portstohandleimportofhighendcars/vehicles.Latestadditions(1)Pipavav,Gujarat(2)L&T,Chennai.

infra POnlyRailbudget2015announcedKayakulpcounciltotransformIndianrailways.RatanTatawillheadthisbody,itllhaverepresentativesfromrailtradeunionsaswell.

infra OLF

GovernmentdoingafeasibilitystudytoConstructanadvancedformilitaryandcivilianpurposeinTawang,ArunanchalPradesh.Becausein62swar,ChinasforcesenteredIndiathroughthisroute,soairconnectivityisverycrucial,Otherwisebyroadittakes16hourstoreachTawangfromGuwahati

infra OLF

NaturalGas(CH3)=>Ammonia(NH3)=>Urea.Therefore,priceandsupplyofNaturalgasaffectsureaproduction.Departmentoffertilizercomesupwithfollowingproposal:GAILwillarrangepoolofnaturalgasandsupplythemtoallfertilizercompaniesatprice=Averageof(desi+importedgas).Benefit:companiesgetgasatreasonableprice,canproducemoreureadomesticallyso,Governmentsubsidybillonimportedureawilldecline.{Anothermove}ThegovernmentisplanningtosetupatleasttennewureaplantsincoalrichStatesofChhattisgarh,Jharkhand,Bihar,WestBengal,Maharashtra,UttarPradeshetal.Chinaalsousingtechnologytoproduceureafromcoal,wealsoneedtoexplore,tobecomeselfrelianceandreducesubsidybill.Anothersolution:convertingAPMCmandiwasteintomanure.

infra Ignored

2009:DepartmentoftelecommunicationhadbannedprepaidmobileSIMSinJ&KandNorthEastforsecurityreasons.Althoughlaterthebanwaslifted,butstringentconditionswereplacedonsuchcards.ThenMinistrysetupCommitteeunderHomeSecretaryLCGoyal,andextendedprepaidcarsforthisregionsforanother2years.

infra P+M

ParliamentpassesMinesandMinerals(DevelopmentandRegulation)AmendmentBill,2015andtheCoalMines(SpecialProvisions)Bill,2015.BenefitsGovernmentmonopolyendedovercoalextraction.Foreigninvestmentpermitted.



infra Ignored

Railwaysmisc.Tocheckmenaceoftouts,railwayupgradeitsonlineticketbookingsystem.Nowonceyourbuyaticket,youllbeloggedoutautomaticallyandwillhavetofillinyourdetailsagaintobuynextticket.AnexpresstrainstartedtoconnecttwoimportantTakhtsoftheSikhPanthSriAnandpurSahibandAmritsar

infra OLF

CoalministrylaunchesonlineCoalProjectsMonitoringPortal(eCPMP)foralllargeprojects,bothpublicandprivate.Complaints/disputescanbefiledonline.ThiswillremovebottlenecksandfasttracktheprojectsbyimprovingcommunicationbetweenBusinesstoGovernment(B2G),UnionGovernmenttoStateGovernment(G2G)andsoon.

infra OLF

Geotechnicaltextileproductsareusedforworkrelatedsoil,rocke.g.layingdownroadsandpavementsinhillyareas,slopestabilization,protectingriverembankmentstunnelsrailtracketc.MarineEngineeringSoilErosionlandfillsandwastemanagement.BenefitsofGeotextileproductslessmaintenance,needlessspace.roadwillnothavepotholes.groundstabilityduringdisasters.Indiaisaleadingproducer,andnowMinistryofTextilewillpromotethissectorinNorthEast.

infra IgnoredPMOasksRailwayministerwhytrainsarelate,Prabhubeginsanalysingemergencyerafilesbecausetrainsranonscheduleduringthattime.

Policy,Governance,Accountability,AdministrationMarchW1&W2

POnlyModisMotionofthankstoPresidentspeech,defeatedinRajyaSahba.ThemodifiedversionthanksPresidentbutwithregretthatthereisnomentionofhighlevelcorruptionorblackmoney.ThismotionthanksdefeatisfourthinthehistoryofIndianparliament.

POnlyMaharashtraGovernmentscraps5%MuslimquotainGovernmentjobsandadmissions.Butthosewhoalreadygotjob/admissiontheyllcontinuetostay.

P+M

Delhiisaunionterritorytherefore,TheHomeMinistryisthenodalauthorityofmakingalltopbureaucraticappointments.TherehadbeenalogjambetweenAAPGovernmentvsMHAaboutappointmentofDelhichiefSecretary.Result:GoaChiefSecretaryKKSharma,willtakeoverasDelhiChiefSecretary.

P+M

99thAmendmentAct2014replacescollegiumsystemwithNJAC.ANationalJudicialAppointmentsCommissionwillselectthejudgesforSupremecourt.ManyPILsfiledinSCagainstthisact.Agitatedattorneygeneralsaysjudgesjobistojudgecasesandnotappointbrotherjudges,andindependenceofjudiciarydoesnotincludesittingjudgesmakingjudicialappointments.

P+M

UnionMinisterofStateforHomeKirenRijijusaysArticle370(J&K)oftheConstitutionisatemporaryandtransitionalprovision.Somedayitllhavetoberemoved,tofullyintegrateJ&KintoIndia.However,healsoconfessed



thatModiGovernmentdoesnthavethenumberstopasssuchConstitutionalamendmentbill,sooppositionshouldnotworry.

P+M

LawCommissionJusticeA.P.Shah:255threportaboutelectoralreforms(1)bannewspaperadvertisementsontheeveofelectionsbebanned.(2)banIndependentcandidatesfromcontestingelectionsbecausemostlytheyredummycandidateswithnochancesofwinning(3)ifanycandidateindulgesinpaidnewsdisqualifyhim(4)banelectionrelatedbroadcastfrombothprintandelectronicmediafor48hoursbeforeelection(5)needtoregulateexitpollsandbringmoretransparencyintheirmethodology.(6)makeitcompulsoryforpartiestodeclarealldonations,eveniflessthanRs.20,000(7)needcollegium/selectionCommitteetopickElectioncommissioners(8)didnotfavorcompulsoryvotingmodelofGujaratandNGOsdemandforrighttorecallrighttoproportionalrepresentation.

P+M

LawCommissionJusticeA.P.Shah:255threportaboutelectoralreforms(1)bannewspaperadvertisementsontheeveofelectionsbebanned.(2)banIndependentcandidatesfromcontestingelectionsbecausemostlytheyredummycandidateswithnochancesofwinning,theyonlyconfusethevotersandsplitvoteshare.(3)ifanycandidateindulgesinpaidnewsdisqualifyhim(4)banelectionrelatedbroadcastfrombothprintandelectronicmediafor48hoursbeforeelection(5)needtoregulateexitpollsandbringmoretransparencyintheirmethodology.(6)makeitcompulsoryforpartiestodeclarealldonations,eveniflessthanRs.20,000,iftotal20croresor20%ofpartycontributioncomesfromsuchsmallamounts.UploadallsuchdataonECIwebsite,penaltyfornondisclosure.(7)needcollegium/selectionCommitteetopickElectioncommissioners.ItshouldincludePM,LoPinLokSabha/leaderoflargestoppositionpartyandCJI.(8)didnotfavorcompulsoryvotingmodelofGujaratandNGOsdemandforrighttorecallrighttoproportionalrepresentationorevenstatefundingofelection.However,indirectsubsidiesinkindmaybegiventopoliticalparties.(9)introducecommonelectoralrollsforparliament,VidhanSabhaandlocalassemblyelectionsbyamendingtherelevantacts.(10)MustuseEVMtotalizertopreventvoterharassmentafterresults.(11)setupmoreelectionbenchesinhighcourtandtheyshouldpassorderwithin90daysafterargumentconclusion.(12)Amendthe10thscheduleaboutantidefection.ThedisqualificationdecisionshouldbemadebyPresident/governorwithhelpofECI,insteadofSpeaker/chairman.(12)ECIshouldbegivenseparateindependentSecretariat.(13)ifcandidatefailstogiveproperrecordofelectionExpenditures,debarhimfor5years,insteadofpresent3years.

M+I

BritishfilmmakerLeeslieUdwinmadeadocumentaryIndiasdaughteraboutDec2012gangrape.SheinterviewedaccusedMukeshSinghinTiharJail,whoshowednoremorseandinsteadblamedthevictim.GovernmentofIndiabansitstelecastonBBC/NDTV.Butmoviesurfacedonyoutube.Probanarguments(1)Mukeshsvillainousremarkswillenragethepublic,scarethewomenandmaycreatelawandorderproblems.(2)casestillgoinginSupremecourtsonotapttoreleasesuchvideo,theymayaffectjudgesviewpointabouttheaccused.(3)allegationsthatLeesliepaidmoneytoMukeshtomakesuchcontroversialremarksand/orshefilmedhimwhilehewasunawareofthecamera.(4)LeeslieviolatedtermsandconditionslaiddownbyTiharjailadministration.Antibanarguments(1)needtoexposetheregressivemalemindset.(2)intheageofyoutube,notpossiblebanany



videofully.(3)LeesliehadgotallrawfootagesclearedbyTiharjailadministrator,onlyafterthatmoviewasedited.

M+I

SpecialCBIJudgeBharatParasharsummonsMohanforcoalscam.Mohan,KumarMangalamBirlaandthencoalSecretaryPCParakhaccusedunderPreventionofCorruptionAct(PCA)1988forgivingTalabiraIIcoalblocktoBirlasHINDALCO.Primeministerisnotimmunefromcriminalcases,whetherheisintheofficeoroutsidetheoffice.AlthoughMohanmaytrytododgeitbysaying,Iwasapublicservantatthattime,soGovernmentpermissionnecessarybeforebeginningmyprosecutionunderPCAact.ThenballwillfallinPresidentPranabscourttograntthesanction.

OLF

QuotesAgainsttheordinanceRaj(1)GVMavalankar:ordinanceareinherentlyundemocratic,andcannotbejustifiedexceptincaseofextremeurgencyoremergency.(2)mid80s:BiharGovernmentbeganpracticeofissuingandrenewingOrdinancesatregularinterval.SCjudgmentsaid:Thepowertopromulgateanordinanceisessentiallyapowertobeusedtomeetanextraordinarysituationanditcannotbeallowedtobepervertedtoservepoliticalends,becauseitiscontrarytoalldemocraticnormsthattheExecutiveshouldhavethepowertomakealaw..

OLF egov:DelhiGovernmenttouploaderationcardsonitswebsite.Beneficiarycantakeprintoutanduseittoavailfoodsecurityactentitlements.

OLFCICordersDelhiLieutenantGovernorsofficecomesunderRTIact.DelhiHCordersAttorneyGeneralsofficecomesunderRTIact.Untilnowbothhadbeendodgingtransparency,citingpendingcourtcasesaboutinterpretationofpublicauthorityterminRTIact.

OLFOverthelast10years,expenditurebypoliticalpartiesfortheLokSabhaelectionshasraisedby400percent,saysareport.2004election~230croresspent,2014election:~1160croresspent.

OLFWesternUttarPradeshpolicesettingupasocialmediamonitoringlabtocounterhatespeechonFacebookandTwitter.BecauseearliermiscreantsusedsocialmediatoinciteriotsatMuzaffarnagar,Deoband,MeerutandAligarh.

OLFDelhijudgeordersGovernmenttostrictlyimplementArmsactandstoppeoplefromfiringgunsduringmarriageprocessionbecauseitcankillinnocentbystanders.

OLFSEBIoffers2yearsspecialhardshipleavetoitswomenemployees.Sotheycantakecareoftheirfamily,kidsandhealth,overandabovethematernityleave.Ifotherorganizationsfollowedthesamemodel,itllhelpincreasingwomenparticipationinworkforce.

OLF

InternationalParliamentaryUnion(Geneva)sayswomenparticipationinparliamentshavedoublesinlast20years.Nowtheyhold~22%ofallparliamentaryseatsworldwide.Bestnation:Rwanada,Boliva,Andorra,Sweden.Over120nationsprovideQuotatowomeninparliamentseats.PerhapsIndiashouldconsideraswell.

OLF

AnAssameseMuslimtraderwasarrestedinDimapur(Nagaland)onchargeofrapingaNagawoman.NagalandnewspapersandbloggerswronglyreferredhimasIBI(illegalBangladeshiimmigrant).Theenragedmobtooklawintotheirownhands,bargedintotheprison,draggedhim&murdered



himinfullpublicviewattownsquare.Version1:ShowsthedisenchantmentofpeopletowardsIndianpoliceandjudiciaryinrapecases.Version2:Personwasfalselyaccused,butmurderedafterherefusedtopayillegaltaximposedbyNagasecessionists.

OLFModigovernmentsettingupOneStopCentresprovideassistance,legaladviceandpsychologicalcounsellingtowomenwhofacedviolenceorabuse,plusamobilehelplinenumber.

OLFRTI:PMOrefusestodiscloseThelettercorrespondencebetweenCMModiandPMVajpayeeduringGodharariots,sayingthirdpartyinformationCannotbedisclosed.ThirdpartybeingModihimself.

OLFSCupholdslifesentencefor6oilmafiaswhomurderedIOCmanagerManjunathShanmughamforhiscrusadeagainstOiladulterationin2005.(sothecaseisgoingoninonecourttoanotherforlast15years).

Ignored Modibecomesthefirstprimeministertohavelaunch@parliamentcanteen.

Ignored JapanwillingtoallowIndianlawyerstopracticeinJapanifIndiareciprocatesbyallowingJapaneselawyershere.

Ignored Landacquisitionbill,ModivsOppositionvsAnnaballbyball.BasicsalreadycoveredinoldarticleonLandordinance.Ignored Salmankhandrivingandpoachingcases.Ignored KerjiwalvsP.Bhushanvs.YogendraYadav.Kejriwalsnaturopathy.

Ignored 58RajyaSabhaMPpetitiontoVicePresident,tobeginimpeacehmentprocessofMadhyaPradeshHCjudgeSKGangeleforsexualharassment.

IgnoredFrom2009,ArmyadoptedCommandExitpromotionpolicy,underwhichtheofficersfrominfratryandartillarybranchesweregivenfirstpreferenceinpromotiontoColonelrank,comparedtotheofficersfromotherbranches.FinallyArmytribunalhasquashedthispolicyasviolationofArticle14.

Ignored RahulGandhissecurityprofiling/politicalsnooping.

MarW3W4Polity,Governance

POnlyAfterDec2012Delhigangrape,thenUPAgovernmenthadsetupNirbhayaFundwithRs.1kCroreforfinancingwomensafetyprojects,butRTIrevealshardly200croresusedsofar.Nirbhyafundispartofpublicaccountthatfactisimportantforprelims.

POnlyModiyettonominatetwoAngloIndianmembersinLokSabhadespitecompleting10monthsinpower.Ifappointmentnotmadeby31stmarch,theyllloseentireyearsallocationoffundsunderMPLADS.RefertotheoryinLaxmikanth

POnly132ndInterparliamentaryunionheldatHanoi,Vietnam.Theme:SustainableDevelopmentGoals:Turningwordsintoaction.LokSabhaSpeakerSumitraMahajanattended.Statescansetuplegislativecouncils(VidhanParishad)onlyafterParliamentapproval.Following6statesalreadyhaveit:Currently,onlysixStatesfollowthebicameralsystemAndhra,Bihar,J&K,Karnataka,MaharashtraandUP.Followingproposalsarepending(1)threestateswanttocreateupper



P+M

house:Assam,RajasthanandOdishaButparliamentyettoclear(2)Andhrawantstoraisenumberofmembersfrom50to58initslegislativecouncil.TheresneedforanationalpolicyforcreationofupperhouseinStatelegislatures.Otherwisewantonlystategovernmentdecidedtosetupandabolishthem.Accordingtoexpert,demandforVidhanParishadincreasingduetoriseinnumberofpoliticianswhocantgetelectedorfindjobsinstateownedPSUs.Antiargument:(1)suchseatsmostlyhoggedbydefeatedmembersofrulingpartywhogetnominatedtoupperhouse.(2)suchvidhanparishadsdonthavemuchpower,exceptdelayinglegislationforfourmonths.Theyonlyincreasefinancialburdenonstate.

P+M

Jatreservation.1992:IndraSwahnyjudgementSClays11parametersforinclusionofbackwardclasses,conceptofcreamylayergiven,50%maximumtotalreservation,subsequentlynationalcommissionforbackwardclassessetup.2014,Feb:NationalBackwardclasscommissionsaysJatsnotentitledforOBCstatus.2014,March:UPAgovernmentnotifiedJatsasOtherbackwardcommunity.2015,March:SChasstuckdownJatsOBCreservationsaying(1)10yearsagoNCBCdidasurveyanddidnotfindJatsbackward.so,ifGovernmentnowcallsthembackward,itsRetrogradegovernance(2)NCBCcommissionwasnotinfavorofgivingreservationtoJats.ItsdecisionordinarilybindingonGovernmen,unlesstherearecompellingreasonstodosomethingopposite.(3)justbecausestategovernmentshavegivenreservationtothem,thataloneisnotacompellingreasons.BecauseJatsarepoliticallyorganized(4)GovernmentshouldinsteadfocusongivingOBCstatustoothersocialclassessuchastransgenders.Constitutionalangles:15/4and16/1:statecanmakespecialprovisionsandreservation38:Statetoeliminiateinequality46:statetopromoteeducationamongSC/ST.protectthemfromsocialinjustice355:claimsofSC/STinGovernmentjobs.340:Presidenttoappointcommissionforbackwardclasses341/342:PresidenttospecifycastesandtribesinSC/ST.Epilogue:GroupofJATstudentsfilepetitionclaimingtheyalreadyhadfilledentranceexamformsasOBCcategoryformedical/dentalentranceexams,andgotdecentranksinOBCbutnowtheyllbeconvertedtoGeneralcategory.ButSCrefusestogiveanyrelieftothem.

P+M

2013:CICorderedpoliticalpartiesarepublicauthoritiesanswerabletoRTIs.ButnoneofthepartiesappealedagainsttheordertoCICortoanyhighercourt.SonowCICsaysitcantforceuncooperativeparties,RTIcampaignersneedtoapproachgovernmentorcourts.ExpertsfearthiswilldefeattheRTIpurposeifallbodiesbecomeuncooperativelikethis.

P+MUnionInformationandTechnologyMinistrylaunchedBharatniti.in,apublicpolicyportaltoputwhatsandhowsofpolicymaking,usingTraditionalIndianwisdom.MainsQuestion:Relevanceofonlinemediainpolicydiscourses.

P+M

DigiLockerisaGovernmentportalthatallowsuserstosaveinsurance,medicalreports,PANcard,passport,marriagecertificate,schoolcertificateandotherdocumentsinthedigitalformat.Theycanbeverifiedonlineandprinted.Highestnumberofusers:Gujarat>UP>Maharashtra.DigilockerisoperatedbyDEITYDepartmentofElectronicsandInformationTechnology,underthecommunicationandITMinistry.Atpresent10MBfreespace.



Governmentplanningtoincreaseitto1GB.

P+M

DelhiPolicelaunchesBeatbookapp.SinceBritishRajandCr.PCsystem,Beatpolicemanhastorecordhisdailyactivities,petrolingrouteetc.Butinpenpapermodeittakeslotoftime.ThiswebbasedappwillhelpmoniterGPSCoordinatesofthepolicemenandautomaticallyupdatehisbeatbook,andnotifySuperiorofficersThroughacentralisedserver.ThisfollowsModisvisionforSMARTpolicing.

P+MGovernmentlaunchesTwitterSamvadincollaborationwithTwitteranditsIndianacquiredZipdialcompany.Feature:selectedGovernmenttweetswillbedirectlysenttocitizensmobileasSMS.Willhelpinegovernance,disasterManagement,rescueops,lawandorderManagement.

P+M

ITActSection66Aremoved.Timeline2008:UPAGovernmentamendedITact2000toadd66Aprovidesjailupto3years2012:ShreyaSinghalfilesPIL.2015,March:SCstrikesdownSection66AReasons:Article19(2)empowersthestatetoputreasonablerestrictionsonfreedomofspeechforpublicinterest.ButthedefinitionsgiveninITactsection66Aweretoovague,andopentomisuse.Thoughtcontrolandrestrictionsonfreeideas,isacopyrightoftotalitarianregimes,ourConstitutionenvisagesarepublicandademocracy.Sinceoffensespoorlydefined,subjecttoarbitraryinterpretationandarrestevenformerecausingannoyance,inconveniencetosomeVIP.SC2013guidelinesaysarrestcanbemadeonlyafterauthorizationfromaSeniorpoliceofficerbutguidelinenotfollowedalways.AssemTrivediarrestedforacartoon,AProfessorarrestedinW.BengalforforwardingcartoonaboutMamtaBenarjee,2PunegirlsarrestedforfacebookpostaboutShivSenasforcefulBandhonMumbaicity,andlatestaUPteenagerarrestedforapostagainstSPleaderAzamKhan.AntiargumentsSection69Aand79stillnotremovedfromITact.SoGovernmentfreetoblockwebsitesandcontentforprotectingpublicorder,Indiassovereigntyetc.Policecanstillarrestpersonforonlinecontent,underIPCsection153(hatespeech),296A(religiousoutrage),505(Publicmischief)etc.

M+I

GujaratstateassemblypassesantiterrorBillnamedGujaratControlofOrganisedCrimeBill(GUJCOC).Earlieritwasrejectedtwice:Kalam(2004)andPratibha(2008).Salientfeaturesphonetapingpermittedandadmissibleasevidenceincourts,personcanbedetainedforupto180daysbasedonphonetappingaloneconfessionmadebeforeSPorhigherpoliceofficerisadmissibleincourt.stateGovernmentanditsofficersareimmunefromanylegalaction/compensationtosuspects,whiledoingworkinpublicinterestandgoodfaith[{}AntiargumentsnotalignedwiththeprovisionsofNSA,CrPC,EvidenceActorNIAAct.draconianprovisions.AimstomuzzlejholachhapNGOsandcivilsocietyactivists.POTAhadsimilarprovisionsbutwasrepealedduetomisuses.{}ProArgumentsGujaratsvulnerablecoastline,riseinnumberoforganizedcrimegangs.MaharashtraControlofOrganisedCrimeAct(MCOCA)hassimilardraconianprovisions.



M+I

TheParliamentaryStandingCommitteeonPersonnelandLaw,beginsstudyonholdingsimultaneousLokSabhaandAssemblyelectionsfrom2019.CommitteeChairmanRajyaSabhaMP,E.M.SudarsanaNatchiappan(Congress).willsavelotofmanandmaterialExpenditure.PostIndependentIndiasfirstfourelectionswereheldinthismanner,butthenpracticediscontinuedduetothedissolutionofsomeStateassemblies.Pro:170thLawcommissionreport.LKAdvaniAnti:ExCECSYQureshi,becauseifaStategovernmentwasdissolvedwithinsixmonths,thengivenstatewillhave(A)toleratethatpartyforfouryearsOR(B)workunderpresidentialrulefor4years.Itllgoagainstthespiritofdemocracy,andonepartywillbeabletorunlikeadictatorforfiveyears.

M+I

SriLankanPrimeMinisterRanilWickremesinghetables19thConstitutionalamendmentbill.ProvisionconvertpresidentialformofGovernmenttoparliamentarysystem.reducepresidentialpowers.Presidentcanhaveonly2terms.Thencantgetreelected.Inshort,planstoundotheConstitutionalchangesmadebypreviousPresidentRajapaksa.TopicbecomesimportantforGS2MainscomparingConstitutions.

OLF DelhiGovernmentwillnotgivepermitstotaxisunlesstheyinstallGPSmetersforwomensafety.

OLFUnionGovernmentprovides33%reservationforwomeninthedirectrecruitmentfornongazettedpostsofconstablestosubinspectorsinthepoliceforcesofallUnionTerritories,Delhiincluded.

OLFEChasbegandeduplicatingexercisetoremovduplicatevotersbycrosscheckingvotersidnumberswithaadharnumber.EChopefulthatafterremovingduplicates,voting%willbe8485%inanyelection.

OLF1stGlobalDalitconferenceheldinWashington.TheywantUScongresstopassaresolutioncondemningpracticeofuntouchabilityinIndia,NepalandotherSouthAsiannations.

OLF

PoliticalpartiesareexemptedfromIncometaxandgetothertaxbenefits.Only200outof1600partiesactuallycontestinanylocal,stateofnationalelection.Itmeansremaining1400aremainlysetupfortaxavoidancepurpose.NowCICsaystheirregistrationwillbecancellediftheyrenotcontestingelection.

OLFKarnatakaGovernmentwantstobuild2damsacrossCauveryriveratMekedatu.TamilnaduGovernmentaskedModitostopitsconstruction,elseTamilnaduswatersupplywillbeaffected.

OLFPublicprosecutorUjjwalNikamsaysKasabneveraskedforBiryani.Nikamcookedupthatstorytoenragepublic,sothatmediastopsportrayingKasabasascapegoatandmisguidedyouth.NowMaharashtraGovernmenthastermedNikamsactionasunfortunate.Makesagoodcasestudyforethics.

OLFLokSabhaSecretariathasputGodseasanunparlimentarianword.ShivSenaMPHemantTukaramGodseobjects,whyentirecommunityssurnamebedeemedasanunparliamentarianwordforthedeedsofonemanNathuramGodse!?Amnestyinternationalreportondeathsentences:No.1isChina.Iran,IraqandSaudiArabiaaccountedfor75%ofworldexecutions.Indiancourtsaward~64deathsentenceayearbutnohangingsin201415becauseofSC



OLF

judgmentthatmentaldisabilityandPresidentialdelayindisposingmercypetitionfilesarealsothegroundsforcommutingdeathsentences.Latestexecution:Kasab(2012)andAfzalGuru(2013).UtahbecomesfirstAmericanstatetolegalizeexecutionbyfiringsquad,duetoshortageoflethalinjectiondrugs.Pak.ResumedexecutionofprisonersafterPeshawararmyschoolmassacre.~8kPakistaniprisonersondeathrow.Nocredibleevidenceorstatisticstoshowthatfearofcapitalpunishmentreducescrimerateinacountry.

OLF

KarnatakaStateassemblypassesbills:Class1to5mustbetaughtinchildsmothertongueorKannadaKannadatobeoneofthecompulsorylanguageforclass1to10,(ExceptCBSE/ICSE).ItllbecomelawoncePresidentassents.

OLF

Supremo/HighcommandcultureinIndianpoliticalparties.Evennondynasticalpartieshaveite.g.AAP,AIUDF,AsomGanaParishad(AGP),TrinamoolCongresstonameafew.suchcentralizationcomesbecauseourpartiesdonthaveindependentcivilsocietyorganizationalbasetoputacheckontheme.g.RSSonBJPorerstwhileAnnamovementonKejriwal.IndianstatesmaaibaapnaturefromgivingjobsunderMNREGAtotransportingpeopleviarailwaystobuildingindustrialcomplexesthroughPSUs.SupremoleadertriestobecomebossofbothpartyandGovernment(PM/CM)tocontrolthisflow,dolloutlargessetovotebank,loyalworkers,contractorsandcorporateswhohelphiminelections.Endresult:electoralcorruption.Politicalfragmentationwithnewpartiespoppingupeverynowandthenbydisgruntledleaderse.g.YSRCongress,YogendraYadavsproposedpartyetc.

OLF UPpassesabilltofixaccountabilityandfinancialpowersofMayors.

OLFUnderIPCSection304A,rashandNegligentdrivinggetsmax.2yearsevenifdeathcaused.Supremecourtsaysthereisneedforstringentpunishment.DelhiHCtoosaysdrunkdriverislikeasuicidebomberanddeservesasternpunishment.

OLF

In2011,municipalCorporationofDelhi(MCD)wassplitinto3partsNorth,SouthandEast,bythenCMSheilaDixit,hopingthatitwillimproveefficiency.ButnowNorthandEastDelhicivicbodiesinfinancialcrisis,unabletopaysalariestostaffandevencancelledshoepurchaseplanforprimaryschoolkids.Now,authoritiesplanningforremerger,butpoliticalpartiesnoncommittal.Moralofthestorydecentralizationnotalwaysgood,sometimeseconomiesofscalebetter.

OLFPlannedmergerof6JantaParivarparties:SamajwadiParty,theRashtriyaJanataDal,theJD(U),theIndianNationalLokDal,theJanataDal(Secular)andtheSamajwadiJanataParty.TheirmainleaderwillbeMulayamSinghYadavandElectionsymbol:Bicycle.

Ignored Budget2015sessionmostproductiveinLokSabhaoveradecadebecausebothhousesworkedmorethantheirscheduledtime.

Ignored GoaGovernmentdoesntlistGandhiJayanti(2ndOct)instatepublicholidays.LaterapologizesforTypingmistake.FIRagainstExCongressMinisterRenukaChaudharyfortakingbribesfrom



Ignored apersontogethimLokSabhaelectionticketsinAndhraPradesh.

IgnoredControversiessurrounding(1)MysteriousdeathofKarnatakaIASofficerDKRavi.CBIinquiryordered.(2)AquitalsinHashimpuramassacre(1987)(3)FireaccidentinParliamentcomplex(4)M.P.GovernorssonaccusedinVyapamrecruitmentsscam,founddeadinmysteriouscircumstances

Ignored

Aftertakingoverthepower,ModiGovernmenthadaskederstwhileCongigovernorstovoluntarilyresign.ButonegovernorAzizQureshihaddraggedModiGovernmenttoSupremecourt.Aftermath:hewastransferredtoMizoramandfinallyremovedfromoffice.NowWestBengalGovernorKeshariNathTripathiwillholdadditionalchargeofMizoram.

IgnoredChiefJusticeofIndiaJusticeH.L.DattuholdingconferenceofHighCourtchiefjusticesongoodFriday.Christianscriticise,ButDattusayseveninpast,conferencesheldonpublicholidays.Besidesifhelponworkingdaythencourtworkwillsuffer.

Ignored DelhiHighCourtsaysevenforeignairlinehavingevenoneofficeinIndia,isboundbytheSexualHarassmentofWomenatWorkplaceAct2013.

Ignored

Controversiessurrounding(1)MysteriousdeathofKarnatakaIASofficerDKRavi.CBIinquiryordered.(2)AcquittalsinHashimpuramassacre(1987)(3)FireaccidentinParliamentcomplex(4)M.P.GovernorssonaccusedinVyapamrecruitmentsscam,founddeadinmysteriouscircumstances(5)CAGreportsaysHoodaGovernmentfloutednormstohelpRaabertVadragrablandinHaryana.(6)UPPSCpaperleakedonwhatsapp,examcancelled.(7)AAPinfighting,MedhaPatkarquits.(8)SCissuesnoticetoBJPleaderL.K.AdvanietalforBabriMasjiddemolitioncaseof1992.(9)Landamendmentbillballbyball.

Ignored GujaratHighCourtsaysliveinrelationshipandsubsequentbreachofpromisetomarry,isnotrape.

Environment&AgricultureMarchW1&W2

POnly

ExAnchorofCCTV(ChineseDoordarshan)Ms.ChaiKingsdocumentaryonChinaspollutionproblem,hasbecamehitoninternet.EvenChineseparliamentexpectedtodebateonit.MoviesimpactisevencomparedtoRachaelCarsonsbookSilentSpring(1962)thatstartedenvironmentmovementinUSA.

POnly

ThedifferenceinpartialpressureoftheCO2betweenseawaterandairfacilitategaseousexchange.Duetothisphysicochemicalprocess,Oceanactsasthelargestcarbonsinkonearth.Thedissolvedcarbondioxideisimportantbecause(1)itregulatesPHofseawaterandtherebyhealthofmarineorganisms(2)helpsmarineorganismsformcalcareousmaterial,latertheydie=>sediments=>petroleum(3)helpPhytoplanktonsinphotosynthesis.

POnly SarusCraneistheofficialbirdofUPstate.NGTordersdeclaringDhanauriandParasaulaswetlandtoprotectthisspecies.

POnly2012:googledevelopstrekkercamera,toprovideStreetviewofnotabletouristsites.LatestMaping:(1)Amazonrainforest(2)Sagarmathanationalpark,MountEverest.



POnly CorroboreefrogsfoundingAustralianranges.Atonepoint,only4wereleft,henceconsideredtherarestfrogintheworld.

POnlyGlobalForestWatchisanonlineplatformthatgeneratessatelliteimagesofforestlossworldwide,usinggooglemaps.GovernmentsandNGOsuseitasbenchmarktoassessforestloss.

POnly

UlvellaleptochaeteisanendophyticAlgaefoundinBritishIslesandIndianOcean.Thesearemicroscopicalageliveinsidemacroscopicseaweeds.Suchendophyticmarineorganismsusuallyproducetaxol/paclitaxelwhichcanbeusedinanticancerdrugs.Althoughthisalgaeisyettobetestedforpresenceofthisanticancercompound.

POnly

ChamaleonsemegedinAfricapostGondwanaperiod,around90millionyearsback.RamanSpectruscopydecodestheChameleoncolorchangingmechanism.Theirskinismadeupoflatticeofnanocrystalscallediridophores,thatcancometogetherandshiftlightswavelengthtochangecolor.

POnly

Buddha/MalabarPeacockbutterflyisendemictoSouthAsia.RemainingvaritiesofpeacockbutterfliesfoundinWestBengal.PlusanewMalayanGreenBandedPeacockbutterfly(Papiliopalinurus)alsodiscoveredinW.Bengalrecently.ThisbutterflyisalsofoundinMynmar,BorneoandPhilippines.

POnlyHighestpopulationofRhinosinIndia:(1)KazirangaNationalParkinAssam(2000)(2)JaldaparaNationalPark,W.Bengal(250).ButinBengal,therhinomalefemaleratiois2:1,hencedifficulttomanagesustainablepopulation.

POnly

SolarImpulse2(Si2),theworldsfirstsolaraircraftthataimstocircumventglobewithoutadropoffuel.ItbeganjourneyfromAbuDhabiandlandedinAhmedabad.PilotscumdevelopersareAndreBorschbergandBertrandPiccardfromSwitzerland.Aircraftweight:2300,wingslargerthanBoeing747butweightsjustlikeacar.speedbetween36to140kmph.planstocoverworldin25daysflightspreadacross5monthsduration.

P+M

PresidentapprovesMaharashtraAnimalPreservation(Amendment)Bill,1995tobanslaughterofcattle.Beefsellingpunishableupto5years.Willaffect1crorepeopleslivelihood.NorthEasternstatesdontprohibitit.remainingstateseithercompletelyprohibitorselectivelypermitwithcertificatestoslaughtercattleotherthancow.ProslaughterPoints:cheapsourceofproteinforpoors.Livelihoodtomillions.Nopointinwastinggrassfoddertouselessoragedanimal.Antislaughterpoints:Theweakandmeekneedmoreprotectionandcompassion.

P+M

CriticallyEndangeredGreatIndianBustards(GIB)istheStatebirdofRajasthan.Total150GIBliveinIndia,outofthem~100inRajasthanalone,andremaininginMaharashtra,Gujarat,andAndhraPradesh.Butthenewcensussaysonly50GIBleftinRajasthan.AndzeroGIBleftinUttarPradeshandBihar.ThardesertofRajasthanisthebreedinggroundforGIB.OfficiallyitscalledDesertNationalParkbutlegallyitsonlyasanctuarythereforehumanactivitiespermitted,evenSupremecourtpermittedschoolconstructionshere.Otherdangers(1)installationofwindmills(2)shortageofforestguards.

P+MWorldconferenceondisasterriskreductionatSendai,Japanfrom1418thMarch2015.Indiashomeministerwillparticipate.Theywillevolvestrategy



followingthecurrentHyogoFrameworkofAction.OLF ISROstudysaysSunderbanslosinggreencoverandlandmass.

OLFNGTordersONGCandotherbodiestopay~95crorestothetraditionalfishermenfamiliesofRaigaddistrictinMaharashtra.Thisisthehighestcompensationorderpassedsofar.

OLFGlobalwarming/climatechangewillincreasepestpopulationandvarietybecause(1)insectdevelopmentstagesgetchanged(2)theydontdiequicklyinwintersbecausetemperaturenotcoldenough.

OLF

MadhyaPradesh>SingrauliDistrict>MahanCoalmines.Tribalsareopposingit.GreenpeaceactivistMs.PillaiwantedtoraisethismattertoBritishMPs.ButGovernmentofIndiabannedherforeigntravel.Newcondition:ifshegiveswrittenundertakingthatshewillnotmakeanysubmissionsaboutrightsviolationsinIndiabeforeaBritishParliamentaryCommittee,onlythenshellbeallowedtotravel.BecausesuchtestimoniesleadtoreleaseofbiasedannualreportsbyEUandUSparliamentsandadversetradenegotiations.Finalverdict:DelhiHCliftsthebansayingdevelopmentactivitesandcounterpointdebatesgoingonsinceages.Butthatcantbeusedforcurtailingcitizensfundamentalrights,mereexpressionofcounterpointcantbeclaimedantinationalactivity.hencePillaifreetogo.

Ignored Australianauthoritieskill~700koalasbecausetheywerestarvingduetofoodshortage.

Ignored JapansAoshimaislandisalsoknownasCatislandbecausecattohumanpopulationratiois6:1.

MarW3W4Environment,Agro

POnlyTottenGlacieristhelargestinEastAntarctica.Butithasbeenmeltingatfastrate,Scientistsnowfoundtwopathwayschannelingwarmoceanwaterunderitandtherebyincreasingthemelting.

POnly Chennaihighestpercapitaemitterofgreenhousegases,saysIISc.

POnly CyclonePamravagedPacificnationVanutu(capitalPortVila).ItspresidentBaldwinLonsdaleseeksworldhelp.

POnly

FirstcountrytousebiofuelinaviationCanada(2012).Recently,HainanAirlinesbecomesChinasfirstcompanytoflyBoeing737withbiofuel.ThisbiofuelhasconventionalATFfuelanddiscardedcookingoilfromrestaurantin50:50ratio.Chineserestaurantscanselloffusedcookingoil,otherwisetheyusedtoeitherthrowitawayorreuseitmultipletimeinfoodpreparationwhichisbadforhumanhealth.

POnly

IndiasnotedenvironmentalistRajendraSingh(nicknameWaterman)wonStockholmWaterPrize2015(Sweden,KingCarlXVIGustaf).HewasborninUP,workedinRajasthanfordecadestosolvedroughtissueinIndianvillages.EarlierhewantMagsaysayawardtoo(2001)forcommunitybasedwaterManagement.HisviewsGovernmenthasreplacedrejuvenationwithcontractordrivensewagetreatmentandriverfrontDevelopment.merelydeclaringGangaasnationalriver=insufficient.Pollutermustbepunished.



hesrunningJalJanJodocampaigntospreadwaterconservationmessage.

POnly

BritishnaturalistCharlesDarwincameacrossfossilsofToxodonandMacruchenia.TheseSouthAmericanmammalshadtrunklikeelephant,headlikeahippoandteethlikearodent.DarwinwasunabletoplacetheseSouthAmericanungulatesinthelineofmammalianevolution.(ungulates=animalswithhooves).Theory1:theyrerelatedwithAfricanmammalslikeelephantsandaardvarks.Theory2:theyrerelatedwithSouthAmericanSouthAmericanmammalslikearmadillosandsloths.Theory3:theyrerelatedwithCamels.LatestconclusionthroughDNAanalysisToxodonandMacrucheniabelongtoperissodactylsoddtoedhoofedmammalslikerhinos,tapirs,andhorses.Andnotrelatedwithcamelinanyway.

POnly

MadhavGadgilwinsUSAsTylerPrizeforEnvironmentalAchievementfor2015(2lakhdollars).HeplayedkeyroleindraftingNationalbiodiversityact2002.HewaschairmanoftheWesternGhatsEcologyExpertPanel(WGEEP),butGovernmentdidnotlikehisreport.Notonebit.SotheysetupanotherpanelunderKasturirangan.Nonetheless,AmericanenvironmentaliststooknoteofGadgilsreportandgavehimtheaward.

POnly AfricanElephantSummit,atKasane,Botswana.DelegatessayAfricanelephantswillbeextinctwithinfewdecadesduetopoachingandivorytrade.

POnly

Usingbiorefining,Itispossibletoturnmacroalgae(seaweeds)intobioethanol(fuel),andbyproductslikeagar,pigment,lipidsandfertilziers.Importantseaweedspecies:GelidiellaacerosaandGracilariadurafromWesterncoastofIndia,andGelidiumpusillumcollectedfromsoutheastcoast.Challenge:needtogrowmillionsoftonesofseaweed.Butgoodthingisseaweedfarmingcanprovidelargescaleemploymenttomanyfishermen,andreducecoastaleutrophicationandgolbalwarming.

POnly CamelisthestateanimalofRajasthan.NowStategovernmenthaspassedthelawslaughter/crueltytocamelPunishableupto5yearsjailandfine.

POnlyPolyhousecultivationintunneldomeshapedgreenhouselikestructures.KeralaAgriculturalUniversity(KAU)hasdevelopedaseedlesshybridcucumberthatisidealforpolyhousecultivation.TillnowweweredependentonMNCsfromAsiancountrytoprovideussuchcultivars.

POnlyWWFcelebratesearthhouron28March2015,askingpeopletoswitchofflightfor60minutesafter8:30PM.170+countries,~40UNESCOworldheritagesitesparticipated

POnly

Tostopthenuisanceof>8500MonkeysinDelhi,municipalcorporationwillinstallpowerfencingorsimiantapearoundGovernmentbuildings.Thefencewillgiveaverylowvoltageshocktotheanimal,soitdoesntdiebutjustgetsscarredoff.

P+M

Roads,trainsandpowerlinesarecalledLinearinfrastructureprojects.UnderModiraj,environmentministrydilutedclearancenormsforcuttingtreesforsuchprojectsundertheForestConservationActof1980.Pro(1)Roadsandpowerlinesvitalforeconomicgrowth,mobilityanddeliveryofservices.Anti(1)Habitatfragmentation(2)wildlifedeathsinroadaccidentsandpoaching(3)landslidesanderosion(4)artificialplantationtocompensatetheforestloss,cannotcompensatefor#1,2,3.Therefore,NationalGreenTribunal



hasorderedthatnolinearprojectoranyothernonforestactivitybecarriedoutinaforestareaunlessafinalorderhasbeenpassedbytheStategovernment.

P+M

KarnatakasBandipurTigerreservetousedronetomonitermovementofanimals,poachersandforestfire.Aprivatecompanykeyfalconhasgivendroneonmonthlyrent,alongwithandroidappHejje(Pugmark)tocoordinatemovementofforestguardsandtigers.Itfliesatalowlevel,localpeoplefeargettingcaughtbyit,thusdronedeterspoachersandjunglemafia.Simultaneously,sensorbasedcamerainstalledatkeyplacestotrackmovementofmenandanimals.Priceofdrone~2lakhrupees.Factoids:1973ProjectTigerbegan,Total47tigerreservesin18statescovering~2%geographicalarea,60%ofworldTigersinIndia.Tigerreserveshave(1)bufferareawhereforest+nonforestland(2)coreareaexclusivelyfortigeronly.

P+M Disaster:J&KdevastatedbyanotherfloodinJelum.

P+M

InMarchW1,PresidentapprovedMaharashtraAnimalPreservation(Amendment)Bill,1995tobanslaughterofcattle.Beefsellingpunishableupto5years.NorthEasternstatesdontprohibitit.remainingstateseithercompletelyprohibitorselectivelypermitwithcertificatestoslaughtercattleotherthancow.ProslaughterPoints:Whatabout1crorepeopleslivelihooddirectlyinbeefindustryandindirectlyinleatherindustry.cheapsourceofproteinforpoors.Livelihoodtomillions.Nopointinwastinggrassfoddertouselessoragedanimal.Lions,tigersandothercarnivoresinMumbaizoosnowgetchickenastheirprimaryfeed.Keepersworryabouttheanimalslosingstrengthduetolackofbeef||Antislaughterpoints:Theweakandmeekneedmoreprotectionandcompassion.ExUnionEnvironmentministerJairamRameshhadsaidmeatandbeefindustryresponsibleforhugeamountofmethaneemissionharmingtheenvironment.

P+M

UndertheNationalGreenTribunalact,NGTcandeliverjusticeonlyinmatterspertainingtofollowingactsWaterAct,TheWaterCessAct,TheForestConservationAct,TheAirPollutionAct,EnvironmentProtectionAct,PublicLiabilityInsuranceActandTheBiologicalDiversityAct.ForestministrycontendsthatNGTcantdeliveranyVerdictonmattersrelatedtoclimatechange.Becauseclimatechangesubjectiscoveredunderinternationalconventionsandprotocols.

P+M

Chinaplanningtoinstallamegasolarpowerplantingeosynchronousorbit.Itwilltransfertheelectricityusingmicrowaveorlaserstoacollectoronearth.Spacebasedsolarpanelscangenerate10timesmoreelectricitythangroundbasedpanelsperunitarea.EntireideainspiredfromAmericansciencefictionwriterIssacAsimovsshortstoryReason.Challenges:commerciallyviablespacepowerplantwillrequire10,000tonnesofmaterial.NeedverycheapSatellitelaunchvehicletosenditinspace.solarpanelsneedtobeverylightweightJaitapurNuclearPowerProject(JNPP).Capacity9900MW.PartnersAreva(France)andNPCIL(India).Itllbethelargestpowergeneratingstationintheworlduponcompletion.However,since2005,Governmentbegunissuing



OLF compensationchequestoaffectedfamiliesbut60%ofthemendedupinlitigationbecausemultiplefamilymembersclaimingrightoverthesamefarmsduetooutdatedlandrecords.

OLF NGTcallsRailwaysthebiggestopentoilet,andordersfineofRs.5000toanyonefoundlitteringordefecatingontracksorplatforms.

OLF

Giventhehighairpollutionandsmogproblem,ParisMayorcomesupwithnovelsolution.Foraweekonlyvehicleswithoddnumberedplatescandrive.Remainingwillhavetousepublictransportfreeofcost.Ruleexemptedfortaxis,electriccars,ambulanceandotherpublicvehicles.Thismoveisexpectedtoreduceno.ofcarsonstreetby50%,therebyeasingcongestionandairpllution.Parishadimposedsimilarrulein2014too.Factoid:PlanetsmostpollutedcitywasAhvazinIran.SaysWHO.

OLFCFLlampscontainmercury,whichifnotrecycled,cancreatevarietyofdiseases.Buteveryyear,Delhialonegenerate~75kilosofMercuryduetobroken/thrownawayCFLs.

OLF

InMarch2015,RBIhadbroughtrenewableenergyunderprioritysectorlendingnorms.Subsequently,publicsectorbankshavesettargettoloan1.7lakhcrorerupeestothisarea,todevelop~35,000MWrenewableenergy.SBIbeinghighest75kcrores.Simultaneously,GovernmentpermitsPowerGridCorporationLtd(PageCIL)togetsoftloanfromADBandbegin20kMWgreencorridor.

Ignored AssamsKanzirangaNationalParkslatestsurveysaysrhinopopulationhasincreasedto2400.

Ignored DelhiuniversitytosetupitsownweatherstationformonitoringmicroclimateofDelhi.

Ignored Tigersandleopardsdonotdrinkblood.Thesecarnivoresdonothaveanymechanismtosuckbloodwhentheykilltheirprey.

Ignored MithiVirdi,Bhavnagardistrict6000MWnukepowerplantplanned.VillagersallegeCRZpermissiongivenwithoutinspection.

Ignored

Britishscientistsfindanewamphibianspeciesintheageofdinosaurs,namedMetoposarusAlgarvensis,itwasalargesalamander,withlegslikecrocodile,headlikeatoiletseatandsizelikeacar.ItseemsthereporterinchargeofHindusweeklydinodiscoveriessection,hasshiftedtoIndianexpress.

ScienceTech,DefenseMarchW1&W2

Defense POnlyTheDefenceAcquisitionCouncil(DAC)clears(1)buyingPilatusbasictraineraircraftfromSwitzerland(2)buildingMineCountermeasureVessels(MCMV)@GoaShipyard(3)HTT40traineraircraftfromHAL.

Defense OLF

HomeMinistryhasgiveninprincipleapprovalforrecruitmentofwomenofficersintheIndoTibetanBorderPolice(ITBP).SofromnextroundofCAPFexam,UPSCwillnotifyvacanciesaccordingly.ITBPguards~3500kmIndiaChinaborderathighaltitudesalongtheHimalayanranges.

Defense OLF OneRankOnepensiontobeimplementedfrom1/4/2015.



Defense IgnoredMinesweepervesselINSAlleppey(boughtfromRussiain70s)gotdecommissioned.Nowwereleftwithonly5minesweepervessels.

Defense POnlyPakistandevelopingindigenousDronenamedBarraq(flyinghorse)andlaserguidedmissileforthatdrone,namedBarq(lightening)

Defense POnlyLargestdefenceimportersof2014.number1isS.Arabia.ThenIndia,China,UAE,Taiwanetc.inthepreviousyear,Indiawas1stlargestimporter.

IT/electronics POnlyUndernationalnumberingplan2003,theDepartmentoftelecomhasreserved111to115numbersasspares.ButVodafoneusing111.TRAIordersvodafonetostopthis.

IT/electronics OLFCloudSelfOrganisedLearningEnvironment(SOLE)facilityinIndiaandUS.InSOLEmethod,childrenareputintoselforganizedgroupsandselfstudywithhelpofcomputers,withminimalrules.

IT/electronics OLF

Americanengineerswiredminicomputersintocockroachsnervoussystem,tocontrolitsmovements.Suchliveinsectbotscan(1)gointosmallplaces,detectenvironment2)escapepredatorsandmovethroughdebrisbetterthanhumandesignmechanicalrobots.Althoughcontrollingbiologicalorganismsthroughartificialmeans,raisesethicalconcerns.

IT/electronics OLF

AfterFacebookacquiredOculusVirtualrealityfor$2billion,GoogledeploysateamtobuildAndroidOperatingsystemforVirtualrealityapplications,anditwillbedistributedfreeofcost.Googlehopesthismovewillhelptocapturethemarketjustlikeitdidinandroidpoweredsmartphones.

Medical IgnoredConsumeraffairsministryrequiresevencosmeticproductstoputred/greendotlabeltonotifywhethertheyrevegetarianornonveg.OnepharmagiantReckittBenckisergoestocourtsayingthisgoesagainstdrugandcosmeticactprovisions.

Medical OLF

EvenchildrenfromwelltodoIndianfamiliesareshorterandsmallerthanSubSaharankidsbecauseIndianmothershavelessbodymassduringpregnancy.Indianeedstocomeoutwithnationalguidelinesforhealthyweightgainduringpregnancy.

Medical Ignored Peshawarpolicearrestsover450parentsfornotallowingpolioworkerstovaccinatetheirchildren.

Medical POnly

GileadScienceblockbusterHepatitisCdrugSovaldisellsfor$1,000apill.Henceunaffordablebymanyinthedevelopingcountries.FinallyNATCONatcoPharmasigneddealwithGileadtosellgenericcopiesofthisdrugto91developingnationsandpay7%royaltytoGilead

Medical OLFNewdatafromCensus2011:childbirthdecliningeveryyearandasaresultchildsexratioalsodecliningbecause(1)peoplestophavingmorebabiesassoonastheygotasonand(2)sexselectiveabortion.



Medical IgnoredSunPharmaceuticalsDilipShanghvibecomesrichestIndian($21.5billion).Forbeswealthiestpeopleinworld:Diliprank37,MukeshAmbaniranks43rd.AzimPremji48th.

Medical IgnoredResearcherworkingonOralswabtechniquetodetectTB.Althoughnofinalproductorfunkyabbreviationyetlaunched.Henceignored.

Medical Ignored Researchersworkingonachikungunyavaccinethatisbasedonameaslesvaccinevirus.Finalproductyettobelaunched.

Medical OLF

HealthMinistrytocelebrateInternationalWomensDayasSafeMotherhoodDay:freecheckupsfrom8thto10thMarch2015.4060yearswomenwillgetbreastcancertest,3060yearswomenwillgetcervicalcancertests.PregnantwomenwillgetMotherandChildProtection(MCP)cards.Familyplanningservicesandnutritionaladvicefreeofcosttoall.

Medical OLFCountrywithlargestopendefecation(1)Indiaofcourse(2)Indonesia(3)Pakistan.UNICEFsaysover40millionPakistanidonthaveaccesstotoilet,thereforestuntedgrowth&lowHumandevelopment.

Medical OLFFrancesParliamentworkingonabill,thatllallowTerminallyillpatientstooptforheavysedativestoundergodeepsleepuntiltheydie.Criticssaythisamountstoeuthanasiaindisguise.

Medical P+M

Modilaunches3doseROTAVACvaccine.ThisisIndiasfirstindigenouslydevelopedandmanufacturedrotavirusvaccineforchildrenunder5,withhelpofUS.Rotaviruskills~80kkidseveryyearinIndia.WellevensupplythisVaccinetootherlowincomecountriesfor$1adose,ItwillalsopromotemakeinIndia.

Medical POnly

PeoplewithAbloodgrouparemorevulnerabletomalariabecauseplasmodiumparasitedamagestheirprotein,makestheseredbloodcellsclump(Rosettes)tovesselwallsandtherebyobstructingbloodflowandevencausingdeathsaysanewreport.

Medical POnlyMutationisapermanentchangeofthenucleotidesequenceofthegenomeofanorganism.MITresearcherssaytheH1N1SwinefluvirushasundergonemutationinIndia,thusithasbecomeeasiertospread,moredeadly,difficulttocure.

Medical OLFMedicalTerminationofPregnancy(MTP)AmendmentDraftBillproposestoallowayurvedacharyas,homoeopathsandnursestoconductabortions.IndianMedicalAssociation(IMA)isagainstthismove,sayingitllputwomenslivesindanger.

Medical P+M

PharmaJanSamadhan:anonlineportalwherepubliccanfilecomplaintabout(1)overpricedmedicines(2)shortageofmedicines(3)saleofmedicinewithoutapprovalofNPPA.NationalPharmaceuticalPricingAuthority(NPPA)willbeginactionwith48hours.Overall,matterfallsunderchemical



fertilizerministry.

SciTech Ignored

IITJodhpuranalyzedbigdataaboutIndiancuisine,andrevealedt

Download - Mrunal Current Affairs Topiclist_ 2015 March Week1 to Week4 (1-31st)

Top Related