1- Mahendra Singh Dhoni becomes first Indian Captain to register 100 ODI wins

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become first Indian Cricket team Captain to register the 100 One Day International (ODI) match wins.

He was able to achieve this feat after Indian team defeated Bangladesh in the 2015 ICC World Cup quarter-final match by 109-run in Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia. He is the third captain in the history of the cricket to record 100 wins. Other two captains to achieve this feat are – Australians Allan Border (107 wins) and Ricky Ponting (165 wins).

Mahendra Singh Dhoni had started his captaincy in 2007 after he took over from Rahul Dravid.

Since then under his captaincy, Indian Cricket team has won 2007 World Twenty20, CB Series of 2007-08, Asia Cup 2010, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Champions Trophy 2013.

It should be noted that former Indian Captain Mohammad Azharuddin had recorded 90 wins in ODIs, followed by Sourav Ganguly with 76 wins.

2- Parliament passes Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015

Parliament of India

Parliament has passed Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015. It was first passed in Lok Sabha on 4 March 2015 and later in Rajya Sabha on 20 March 2015.

This bill will replace the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) second ordinance, 2014.

Key highlights of Bill

• The bill has provisions for allocation of coal mines through a transparent bidding process i.e e-auction.
• The e-auction of coal blocks will ensure the continuity in coal mining operations and promoting optimum utilization of coal resources.
• The bill also facilitate e-auction of coal blocks for private companies for captive use and allot mines directly to state and central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
• It has provisions that propose strong measures for rehabilitation and compensation for displaced persons.
• The bill also provides for vesting of the right, title and interest over the land and mine infrastructure together with mining leases to successful bidders.

3- Former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar’s book released

Meira Kumar

Former Lok Sabha Meira Kumar’s book entitled “Indian Parliamentary Diplomacy – Speaker’s Perspective” was released on 19 March 2015.

The book was released by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and its first copy was presented to the President Pranab Mukherjee at a function held in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

The book features an account of the parliamentary diplomacy and its role in furthering foreign policy and strengthening international relations. It is also a collection of select speeches and reports by Kumar during her stint as Lok Sabha speaker and as leader of Indian parliamentary delegations at several international fora.

About Meira Kumar

• She was the first unopposed elected woman Speaker of Lok Sabha and served from 2009 to 2014.
• Kumar was also 5 time Member of Parliament and was elected to 8th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th Lok Sabha.
• She also had served as a Cabinet Minister in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of Manmohan Singh led UPA Government (2004–2009).
• Prior to joining politics she was a lawyer and a former diplomat.

4- Union Cabinet approves 33% reservation for women in police forces of UTs, Delhi

Union Cabinet on 20 March 2015 approved 33 percent reservation for women in police forces of all seven Union Territories (UTs) including Delhi Police.

This decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

The reservation in this regard will be

• Applicable in each category of SC, ST, OBC and others in direct recruitment in non-gazetted posts from constables to sub-inspector.
• Available to women against all prior vacancies that existed on the date of issue of this order after Cabinet approval and vacancies arising henceforth.

Union Government has taken this decision to augment the representation of the women in the police forces in order to make police more gender sensitive. This decision will also instill confidence among women to enable them to approach the police without hesitation for seeking protection and assistance as and when required.

Background

• At present Chandigarh has 6.18 per cent women police force highest among all 7 UTs. While, Puducherry with 5.89 per cent has lowest representation.
• Delhi has 7.61 per cent and Lakshwadeep has 10.52 per cent women among its police force.
• The average women representation in police forces across pan India is only 5.33 per cent i.e. 84,479 police women. The actual needed total strength is of 15.85 lakh women police force in the country.

5- Parliament passes Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015

Parliament has passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015. The bill was first passed in Rajya Sabha and later in Lok Sabha on 20 March 2015.

The Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha after the Union government had accepted the recommendations of the Select Committee. The amendments in the bill were made in the bill passed by Lok Sabha on 4 March 2015.

The bill amends the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 in order to regulate the mining sector in the country.

Key highlights of Bill

• Addition of new schedule-The bill adds a new 4th schedule in the parent Act to include mining of bauxite, iron ore, limestone and manganese ore as notified minerals.
• Lease period-Bill has changed it for 50 years, as against present 30 years for all minerals other than coal, lignite and atomic minerals. While, there is no provision for renewal of mining concessions, unlike the parent Act.
• Auction of notified and other minerals-State governments will grant mining leases and prospecting licence-cum-mining leases along with approval of Union government. In this case, Union government will prescribe the terms and conditions for selection of bidders as also the procedure for auctions.
• Maximum area for mining-Union government is permitted to increase the area allowed for mining, instead of granting additional leases as per parent Act. Union government may reserve some mines exclusively for some specific purposes.
• Institutions-District Mineral Foundation (DMF) to be set up in mining areas affected by mining operations to address local area grievances. National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) to be set up for regional and pan-India planning and detailed mine exploration.

6- Japan and China hold first security talks after 4 years

Japan and China on 19 March 2015 held their first security talks in Tokyo after four years since the ties had worsened over a row over islands in the East China Sea.

In the security talks both nations agreed to keep alive and foster a nascent recovery in bilateral ties plagued by the legacy of Japan’s wartime aggression and a territorial dispute.

However, both nations failed to set a timetable for the implementation of a scheme designed to ensure real-time communication between their armed forces.

Background of East China Sea dispute

• Sino-Japanese relations had worsened after China had claimed its rights over the group of tiny East China Sea islets.
• The islets comprises group of eight uninhabited islands and rocks. They have a total area of about 7 sq km in China Sea and are controlled by Japan.
• These islets are close to strategically important shipping lanes in this region and also offer rich fishing grounds. The region surrounding these islets is also thought to contain oil deposits.
• China claims that these islets have been part of its territory since ancient times. While, Taiwan separately is also claiming its right the islands.

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