1- Rajya Sabha passes Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014

Rajya Sabha has passed the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders Amendment Bill, 2014.  It was unanimously passed by a voice vote. The bill seeks to modify the list of Scheduled Castes in three states- Haryana, Karnataka, Odisha and one Union Territory- Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Amendments

The Bill amends the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Dadra and Nagar Haveli) Scheduled Castes Order, 1962. The Bill adds the following communities to the list of Scheduled Castes: Haryana: Kabirpanthi, Julaha. Karnataka: Bhovi, od, odde, Vaddar, Waddar. Odisha: Dhoba, Dhobi, Dom, Dombo, Duria Dom, Katia, Kela, Nalua Kela, Khadala and Turi.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli: Chamar.

Background

The bill was first tabled in 2014 but lapsed after the previous 15th Lok Sabha was dissolved. It was again introduced by the NDA government to end all kinds of atrocities against the Scheduled Castes in these states. The bill was introduced in Parliament as per the provisions of Article 341 of the Constitution.

Article 341- It empowers the President to specify castes which will be deemed as Scheduled Castes through a notification. It also empowers Parliament to include or exclude castes from the list of Scheduled Castes in the notification.

2- Ranchi Rays wins Champions of Hero Hockey India League 2015

Hero Hockey India League 2015

Ranchi Rays won the third edition of Champions of Hero Hockey India League (HHIL) 2015. In the final match they defeated Jaypee Punjab Warriors by score of 3-2 in the penalty shootout after 2-2 tie in regular time match. With this Jaypee Punjab Warriors took second position followed by Delhi Waveriders in third position.

Awards from the Hero Hockey India League (HHIL)

2015 Hero Goal of the Day- Barry Middleton of Ranchi Rays.

Man-of the-Match- Tyler Lovell of Ranchi Rays.

Hero Most Valuable Player of the Tournament- Ashley Jackson of Ranchi Rays

Dhruv Batra Motivator of the Tournament- PR Sreejesh.

Ponty Chadha Trophy for Upcoming Player of the Tournament- Harmanpreet Singh of Uttar Pradesh Wizards.

Airtel Award for Most Goals in the Tournament- Jaypee Punjab Warriors.

About Hockey India League

Hockey India League is organized by Hockey India. Number of teams is Five which are franchisee based. Teams have players from India and around the world.  The event is sanctioned by International Hockey Federation (FIH).

3- India Union Government accepts 14th Finance Commission

Union government has accepted recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission (FC) as per its agenda of cooperative federalism. The accepted recommendations are for the five-year period 2015-16 to 2019-20.

Key facts

Government has accepted FC’s recommendation to increase the devolution of tax receipts from the Centre to the states to 42 percent. Previously, 13th FC had pegged the states’ share at 32 per cent. The share of States in the Centre’s net tax receipts will go up by Rs. 1,78,000 crore in 2015-2016. It is the largest ever change in percentage of devolution. As per the increased devolution suggested by 14th FC, States will get Rs 3.48 lakh crore in 2014-15 and Rs 5.26 lakh crore in 2015-16. Higher tax devolution will allow states greater autonomy in financing and designing of schemes as per their needs and requirements. FC also recommended the distribution of grants of Rs 2 .88 lakh crore to states for strengthening duly elected gram panchayats and municipal bodies for five years. FC also has identified 11 revenue deficit states and granted them Rs 48,906 crore as additional resources for the year 2015-16.

Background

The 14th Finance Commission was constituted in January 2014. Commissions chairman was former RBI governor Y V Reddy and its members were Sushma Nath, M. Govinda Rao, Abhijit Sen, Sudipto Mundle. In December 2014, Commission had submitted its report to the President Pranab Mukherjee.

4- State Bank of India and Indian Army signs MoU on Defence Salary Package

State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Army on the Defence Salary Package (DSP). Signed MoU is revised version of the first MoU which was signed on DSP between two parties in 2011 and was valid for a period of three years. The revised MoU meets the requirements of serving soldiers, pensioners and their families.

Key facts about new MoU

MoU include provisions for number of free and concessional banking services like drafts, cheque books, funds transfers to any other bank in India through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), free ATM cards etc. It also includes provision for implementing the Nepal Express Remittance Scheme. This scheme will benefit of the Nepali Domicile Gorkha Soldiers serving in the Indian Army in order to instantly transfer funds to Nepal. MoU adds improved features for linking of the Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) to the Savings account instead of the debit card. It also seeks to enhance the PAI amounts and the exemption percentage of margin money for house and car loans. It also waives off of the processing charges on the loans. The revised MoU is going to benefit 19.5 lakh pensioners and 10 lakh serving personnel with access modern banking facilities. These personnel’s either hold Pay or Pension accounts with SBI.

5- Chris Gayle becomes first batsman to hit double century in World Cup history

Chris Gayle

West Indies opener batsman Chris Gayle created history by becoming the first batsman to score a double century in the World Cup. He made this record by scoring 215 runs off just 147 balls in a Pool-B match against Zimbabwe held at Manuka Oval stadium in Canberra, Australia. Gayle’s record score comprised of 10 fours and 16 sixes that helped West Indies score 372 runs during the match. His fastest double century in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) also broke the previous record which was held by Indian batsman Virender Sehwag. In December 2011, Sehwag had scored a double century in 140 balls in a match against West Indies held at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. With this record, Gayle also became the first non-Indian to score a double century in one day cricket. Indian cricketers to hit double century in ODI’s are Sachin Tendulkar – First cricketer to reach double century landmark. He made 200 runs against South Africa in 2010. Virendra Sehwag- second cricketer who scored 219 against West Indies. Rohit Sharma- third cricketer to score 209 runs against Australia in 2013. In November 2014, he broke his previous record and became highest ODI scorer with 264 runs in match against Sri Lanka. He is only cricketer to hit 2 double centuries in ODIs.

6- TRAI removes interconnection usage charges (IUC)

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has removed the interconnection usage charges (IUC). Earlier, IUC of 20 paise was charged for calls made from landline to landline or landline to mobile. TRAI also has reduced network IUC on calls made from mobile phones by about 30 percent to 14 paise per call from 20 paise earlier.

The main aim to remove IUC is to boost fixed line phone connections in the country and lower tariffs of calls for the customers.

What interconnection usage charges (IUC)?

• IUC are the charges that a landline or mobile service provider has to pay to the other service providers for transmitting its customers’ phone calls.
• Generally, an IUC gets added to the price of the call made by customer, which the customer has to pay. Because of addition IUC, call tariffs were high.

Impacts of IUC

• Due to high call tariffs, landline connections in the country had declined in past few years. While, the mobile subscriber base had increased since the mobile incoming calls were made free.
• At the end 2014, mobile subscriber base in the country had reached all-time high at 94.39 crore. While, the landline connections had declined to 2.7 crore subscriber.

Implications of removing IUC

• It will help to boost fixed line phone connections in the country and lower tariffs of calls for the customers.
• Thus in turn promote an investment and adoption of wireline networks which is much needed for the delivery of high-speed Internet in the country to remove digital divide.

7- NGT issues the whip on vintage cars

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued whip on vintage cars and directed that no such car will be permitted on the roads of Delhi. This order was issued by bench of NGT headed by Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar on the lines of its earlier order that had banned all vehicles older than 15 years.

In its order NGT bench also mentioned that, no fitness certificates to the vintage cars will be issued by any authority without specific permission of the tribunal.

NGT’s order was issued on a plea hearing, filed by Madan Mohan, director of 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally, who had moved the tribunal seeking permission for the rally.

Background

• In November 2014, NGT in its judgment had held that vehicles which are more than 15 years old are banned to run on the city roads.
• NGT also had directed the concerned authorities take appropriate steps in accordance with law including seizure of these vehicles it they are found running on road.

About National Green Tribunal

NGT is a special fast-track court to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues. It was constituted by Parliament under National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT) under India’s constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.

8- Rana Bhagwandas first Hindu Chief Justice of Pakistan passes away

First Hindu Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Rana Bhagwandas passed away in Karachi, Pakistan. He was 72 year old. He was the first Hindu and the second non-Muslim to head of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. First non-Muslim CJP was Alvin Robert Cornelius (He was Christian).

Rana Bhagwandas

About Rana Bhagwandas

• Bhagwandas was born on 20 December 1942 in Naseerabad, Larkana district (now in Qamber Shahdadkot district of Sindh province).
• He was considered an expert on constitutional law and had a postgraduate degree in Islamic Studies.
• In 1967, two years after he started practicing as an advocate he was appointed as a judge. In 1994, he was appointed as a judge of the Sindh High Court.
• In 2005 for first time he was appointed as acting Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) for few days and again in 2006 during the absence of then CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry.
• During the Pakistan’s judicial crisis of 2007, he was again appointed as acting Chief Justice.
• After his retirement from Supreme Court, he was appointed as the chairman of Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) of Pakistan. In 2009, as chairman FPSC, he had headed the interview panel for the selection of Pakistan’s Civil Servants.

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