Indian Polity - Current Affairs for February, 2016

Inspired by the memory and vision of late president APJ Abdul Kalam, V. Ponraj, his erstwhile scientific adviser has floated a party called Abdul Kalam Vision India Party. Party will contest in all constituencies of TN and strive to create new history and bring about a revolution and change in Indian politics.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for establishment of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Self Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) in NITI Aayog. AIM will be guided by Mission High Level Committee and a Mission Director will be appointed with other manpower by NITI Aayog. Mission will be headquartered in New Delhi.

Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Sushri Uma Bharti has announced that Jal Manthan convention will become an annual feature at the valedictory address at Jal Manthan-2 in New Delhi on 23rd February.The Minister also announced that her Ministry will closely monitor all the 46 projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yaojna (PMKSY).The two day event with the theme ‘Integrated Approach for Sustainable Water Management’ had wide consultations and discussions on River Basin Approach for Sustainable development, Ground water, Water security, Principles of allocation of water, innovation in water governance, Water management, coordination between centre and states, Water conservation and need for a National Legislation on water. Ministers for irrigation from UP, Telengana, Sikkim and Chhattisgarh, eminent experts in water sector, representatives of NGOs and senior officers of the Central and State Governments attended the event.

Election Commission of India on 23rd February 2016 hosted an International Seminar on “Leveraging Technology for Transparent and Credible Elections”. The Seminar was organized for Members of the Executive Board of Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), and the Oversight & Audit Committee of A-WEB, who were in New Delhi to take part in the 4th Executive Board meeting of the organization. Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. Nasim Zaidi, and Election Commissioners, Mr. A.K. Joti and Mr. O.P. Rawat were part of the event which saw delegates from
11 countries participating in the Seminar which have a population of over 1.7 billion, which means that the delegates present represented over one fifth of humanity. Zaidi referred to Information Communication and Technology (ICT) initiatives such as the single window National Voter Services Portal launched in 2015, which provides multiple voter centric services, development of safe and appropriate technology for providing electronic Postal Ballot facility to Overseas Indian Voters and the gradually increasing use of Voters Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)/ ECI has also been working on an E-Governance vision 2020 to provide inclusive, integrated single window view of services to all stakeholders in all phases of the electoral cycle.

Polling for 2019 general elections will be conducted through paper trail-based electronic voting machines to “enhance transparency”, according to CEC Nasim Zaidi who also indicated voting through the internet is not the aim, though ICT will be used to reach voters. Paper audit trail machines are being demanded by voters.

PM Narendra Modi launched the Rurban Mission aimed at reducing the migration to cities in a town named Dongargad in Chhattisgarh. This mission aims at creating 300 urban growth centres in different parts of the country for proper economic development. The mission has been launched to reduce pressure and inflow of people from villages to cities.

Following the revoking of the President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh on 19th February 2016, Dissident Congress Leader Kalikho Pul was sworn in as the CM prior to a claim being staked by his group as well as another group led by former CM Nabam Tuki. Total strength of the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly is around 50 seats. Tuki questioned the formation of the government in the state without his approval. He pointed out that 14 rebel MLAs have been disqualified by the Assembly Speaker. The dissenting Congress faction comprises 21 leaders and since the support of 11 BJP MLAs. a numerical majority in the 50 member Assembly has been attained. Congress had appealed to SC for maintenance of status quo, but the apex court refused.

BJP’s senior leader Vijay Rupani has been elected as party president in Gujarat. He is currently a cabinet minister for portfolios like transport, employment and labour. He was general secretary of the party of several years and has been chosen unanimously for the post. He is likely to take charge w.e.f 22nd February 2016.

Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has provided approval for the Proposal for Notification of Commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement of the WTO as well as ratification and acceptance of the Instrument of Acceptance of Protocol of TFA to WTO Secretariat and constitution of National Committee on Trade Facilitation. TFA contains provisions for movement, release and clearance of goods including transit goods apart from measuring effective cooperation between customers and appropriate authorities regarding trade facilitation and customs compliance issues. This matches with India’s Ease of Doing Business initiative. TFA shall come into force following acceptance by 2/3rds of the WTO members. NCTF will be established under the joint chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Revenue and Department of Commerce.

National Research Development Corporation, a DSIR enterprise of MST, GOI has entered into a memorandum of agreement with IACS for commercialisation of technologies and intellectual properties developed at IACS. The MoA was exchanged between the two decades old organisations. While NRDC has been working for more than 60 years in commercialising technologies, IACS is the oldest research institute in the nation.

MoU was signed on 15th February 2016 between Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation of Sweden on Technical Cooperation within the rail sector. Following areas of cooperation were identified through the understanding-

• Benchmark Railways policy development, regulations, organization and specific characteristics for each country.
• Exchange of knowledge, technical expertise, innovation, technology, sustainable solutions and research.
• Other cooperation projects agreed between the participants, such as, tilting coaches/trains, capacity allocation (time tabling) and optimisation of maintenance and improved freight/combination traffic.
• Training and continuing education program in reliability and maintenance of Rail transport system for Railway engineers and managers.

Hearing the Arunachal Pradesh case, the apex court on 11th February indicated that governors have no role to play in issues pertaining to anti defection law which is in the speaker’s domain. Governor JP Rajkhowa’s position was examined by five-judge constitution Bench headed by Justice JS Khehar also asked "How can the governor take away the constitutional powers of the speaker to disqualify lawmakers on the grounds of defection?” At the time of hearing, SC also said governor may have the power to summon and advance the sitting of the House, but he cannot ask that a particular party-wise composition be maintained, as it would amount to interference in the duties of the speaker.

MoU was signed between Ministry of Railways and State Government of Telangana for formation of JV companies for the development of rail infrastructure within the state. The MoU was signed against the Budget’s promise to set up JVs with states for focused project development as well as land acquisition and resource mobilisation as well as project implementation and critical rail project monitoring. and Railways has projects on the anvil valued at INR 3.5 lakh crore and additional lines of 9000 km. 17 states have already consented for the formation of the JVs and around 5 states have signed MoU with Railway Ministry for this.

An MoU was signed between Ministry of Railways and Government of Chattisgarh for the formation of JV companies for development of railway infrastructure in the state. Augmenting the new railway lines in the state will also help in exploring the complete potential of its natural resources and help the transport system within the state.