Daily Current Affairs for State Exams: 12 May 2022

Daily Current Affairs 12 May 2022

Important News: World

India Refuses Sending Of Any Troops to Sri Lanka:

Why In News:

Recently Indian High Commission in Colombo denied speculations of sending Indian Military in Sri Lanka to maintain law and order situation.

Key Points:

Recently there were speculations made by media that India might send its Military to assist Lankan Government to stabilise the civil war like situation in the country.
There were widespread social media speculations that Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family have been provided shelter in India and very soon India might intervene in Lankan crisis.
Yesterday the spokesperson of Indian High Commission denied all such speculations.
It is worth noting here that Sri Lanka is facing worst of its Economic Crisis since its independence.
It is believed by the people of Sri Lanka that the Rajapaksa regime is actually responsible for the present crisis in the nation.

Source: Times of India

Important News :India

A High Level Meeting Held To Review Mission Amrit Sarovar:

Why In News:

Recently a High Level Meeting was held to review the progress of the Mission Amrit Sarovar.
This meeting was presided over by the Secretary, Rural Development.

Key Points:

Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 24^th of April.
The chief aim of the Mission is to conserve water for future generations.
It aims to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in each district of India. These water bodies will be known as “Amrit Sarovars”.
This will lead to the creation of about 50000 water bodies throughout India.
This is going to be an all-government approach, i.e., it will have six ministries working under collaboration for this mission.
For this Mission Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Application and Geo Informatics has been appointed as the Technical Partner.
This initiative can also involve utilisation of NGOs and citizen participation.

Note: The deadline to complete this Mission is 15^th of August 2023.

Source: PIB

Oman To Speed-Up Approval Of Indian Pharmaceutical Products Registered With USFDA, UKMHRA and EMA:

Why In News:

Recently on 11^th May a joint commission meeting of India-Oman was organise in national capital Delhi.
It was co-chaired by Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and his counterpart Mr. Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef.

Key Points:

In this high level meeting both parties agreed to some key issues like:
Oman agreed to speed up the approval process of Indian Pharma products which are already registered with registered With USFDA, UKMHRA and EMA.
Both the countries will release joint Market Research Report which will highlight the future prospects and opportunities for Indian companies in the field of medicines in Oman.
India appreciated Oman efforts to join India’s initiative in terms of One Sun One World One Grid under International Solar Alliance (ISA) to promote green energy and use of solar based energy.
Both the nations agreed to further boost bilateral-trade and also agreed to resolve all the tariff and non-tariff barrier issues.
India and Oman also agreed to enhance co-operation in 3-Ts i.e., Trade, Technology and Tourism.

Importance Of The Meeting:

Indian Pharma industry is one of the best industries in the world and also plays significant role in Indian Revenue Generation. By this meeting it will get a necessary boost in coming future.
The Bilateral Relation of India and Oman will reach new heights.
The agreement of Oman to come along in ISA is a welcome move since it is a tropical country, it will be very helpful in solar power generation in coming future.

Source: PIB

Supreme Court Puts All The Trials Of Cases Pertaining To Sedition Charges On Hold.

Why In News:

Yesterday the Honourable Supreme Court ordered to hold the cases pending w.r.t. the sedition charges.

Key Points:

In the previous hearing before Supreme Court on validity of Section 124A, Government of India agreed to file an affidavit to assure that it will re-examine the section.
It was argued before court that provisions under Section 124A of IPC are violation of civil liberties and human rights.
In this regard Government assured to come up with a solution to strike a balance between national security and civil liberties.
Meanwhile the Court asked to put on hold to the ongoing trials in terms of Sedition charges already pending before courts.
The supreme court also directed the Centre and State Governments not to file any fresh cases until the Government comes up with a fresh legislation.

Source: Indian Express and The Hindu

Criminalisation of Marital Rape:

Why In News:

Recently a bench of Delhi High Court delivered a split verdict on the issue of marital rape pending before it.

Key Points:

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday gave a fractured verdict regarding the post marriage rape.
In this judgement the two judge bench of the Delhi High Court had a split decision with Justice Shakdher calling the sexual intercourse with wife without her consent amounting to the rape.
While Justice Shankar said that the exception under IPC regarding sex without consent as Constitutionally valid.

Other Important Facts:

The petitioners have challenged the provisions under Section 375 of IPC which incorporates provisions regarding rape of a woman.
According to the provisions of above section the sexual intercourse done by husband with his wife without her consent, if she is not minor, will not amount to the act of rape.

Note: After the split verdict the case can now be filed before the Supreme Court for its consideration.

Source : Times of India and Indian Express.

Home Minister Announced to Lift AFSPA From Assam:

Why In News:

Recently Home Minister Amit Shah announced that there is a possibility that AFSPA will be lifted from Assam completely.

Key Points:

Home Minister said in a public briefing that looking upon the law and order situation in the state in last six years it is possible to revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act completely from the state.
He said that most of the terror outfits in the state have surrendered and by and large the law and order situation of the state is well under control.

About AFSPA:

Armed Forces Special Powers Act was enacted by the Indian Parliament in the year 1958.
Its aim was to give powers in the hands of Indian Armed Forces to maintain law and order in “disturbed areas”.
For the first time it was implemented in parts of Naga Hills, later on was implemented in seven North Eastern States including Assam.

Criticism of The Act:

This Act gives the extra ordinary powers in the hands of the Armed Forces.
The officer of Armed Forces can fire upon any person in the disturbed area which may even lead to his death.
Arrest any person without warrant even on grounds of suspicion.
Enter into any premise and search it if he finds it necessary etc.
These powers many a times lead to situation of violation of civil liberties and misuse of authorities.

Source: Times Of India

Important News : Personality

Indian Journalist Danish Siddiqui Awarded Pulitzer Award:

Why In News:

Recently four Indians were honoured with Pulitzer Award 2022 in the Feature Photography category.

Key Points:

Danish Siddiqui, Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad and Amit Dave from Reuters News Agency have been awarded with the Prestigious Pulitzer Award for their outstanding contribution in the field of journalism.
Danish was given this award posthumously as he died in Afghanistan while covering the news during Taliban invasion of Afghanistan.
He has been globally acclaimed for his coverage of the war torn nation.
He is also known for his aerial shoot of mass cremation in Delhi during peak of Covid wave in India.

Note : Danish died in July 2021 in Afghanistan.

Source: Times of India

Important News : Environment

NGT Directed UP Government Not To Continue Sand Mining:

Why In News:

Recently the National Green Tribunal has directed UP not to continue sand mining in the rivers until Sand Replenishment Report comes.

Key Points:

NGT asked Government to carry on scientific investigations on the status of recycling of sand in the riverbed before allowing its mining.
NGT further said that this investigation must be done by a Credible Institution.
This investigation should be done in accordance with Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020
It also asked the Government to properly empower and equipment the regulatory authorities to cut down the sand mining menace in the state.

Note: There were instances of illegal sand mining reported in the areas of Banda District of Uttar Pradesh.

Source: Down to Earth