Current Affairs Questions & Answers - June 28, 2017

ANSWER: China

Explanation:
The United States is set to declare China as one among the world’s worst offenders on human trafficking in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report.

The report will be unveiled by the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to the US Congress.

The declaration would place China in the same category as North Korea, Zimbabwe and Syria.

The move will be Donald Trump administration’s first major public rebuke of China’s human rights record. Trump’s administration has so far avoided direct public criticism of China.

The report is expected to receive condemnation from China’s Communist government.

The US is seeking China’s cooperation in combatting North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. China will be placed in “Tier 3,” which will be the ranking system’s lowest category.

Countries listed in this tier are those who have failed to meet minimum standards to prevent human trafficking.

Countries like Sudan, Iran and Haiti have recently been on that list. As per the report, forced begging in China which particularly affects children is a matter of great concern.

The 2016 report had called China as a “source, destination and transit country” for forced labour and sex trafficking.

In this year’s report, China has been downgraded to the lowest classification as it had not increased its anti-trafficking efforts from the previous year.

Tier 3 Nations: The Implications

• Countries placed on Tier 3 are liable to be penalised with sanctions, including the withholding of non-humanitarian aid and assistance that could affect agreements with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
• Officials of the Tier-3 countries are also liable to be barred from participating in US government educational and cultural exchange programs.
• However, the US president retains the authority to waive the sanctions taking into account national interest or if he feels that the penalties could adversely affect vulnerable populations.
• The previous administrations of the US have often granted waivers for the tier-3 countries.

ANSWER: Organic

Explanation:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has come out with draft regulations for organic food products to ensure the authenticity of organic foods.

FSSAI’s guidelines have been prepared in view of rising demand for organic food products.

Organic foods will have to comply with the government’s provisions under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) or the Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India) run by the Agriculture Ministry or any other standards notified by FSSAI.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has invited comments from the public regarding the provisions of the draft regulations.

At present, the consumers do not have any method to check the authenticity of the organic food products due to the absence of a regulatory framework.

Organic foods are defined as those food products that are produced in accordance with specified standards for organic production.

Organic farm produce means the product obtained from organic agriculture, while organic food means food products that have been produced in accordance with specified standards for organic production.

Other features FSSAI’s regulation mandates that labelling of organic foods should provide full and accurate information regarding the organic status of the organic foods.

Organic food products must carry a certification mark or a quality assurance mark provided by the notified certification bodies. FSSAI’s regulations have exempted organic food marketed by the original producer or producer organisation through a direct sale from verification compliance.

However, this exemption will not be applicable to processed organic products.

ANSWER: Rajeev Shukla

Explanation:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has constituted a special seven-member committee to analyse the few contentious Lodha panel reforms which are being opposed by the state units.

The seven-member Lodha committee has been formed under the head of Rajeev Shukla.

The other members of the committee include former India captain Sourav Ganguly, T.C. Mathew (Kerala Cricket), Naba Bhattacharjee (North East representative), Jay Shah (Gujarat Cricket Association), BCCI Treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary and BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary.

The decision to form the panel was arrived at the BCCI’s Special General Meeting in Mumbai.

One of the major reforms of the Lodha Committee which are being opposed by the state units speaks about disqualifying any individual who is more than 70-years-old, and who has already completed nine years in cricket administration.

The BCCI committee has been asked to submit its written report by July 10. BCCI’s move to constitute a committee is widely seen as its attempt to delay the implementations of the reforms suggested by the Lodha Committee.

Lodha Committee: Know More

• Justice Lodha committee was appointed by the Supreme Court in 2014 to make recommendations to the BCCI in order to prevent frauds and conflict of interest in cricket administration.
• The committee was appointed in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal in Indian Premier League (IPL). The recommendations of the committee are aimed at resolving issues of governance, transparency, and conflict of interest in BCCI.
• As per the Lodha Committee recommendations approved by the Supreme Court, no official should hold a position for more than three tenures of three years each, with no two consecutive terms.
• The office bearers are subjected to an age cap of 70.

ANSWER: New Delhi

Explanation:
The 6th India - Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting co-chaired by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Commerce & Industry from India and Dr. Than Myint, Union Commerce Minister from Myanmar was held on 27th June 2017 at New Delhi.

The Joint Trade Committee plays a key role in facilitating issues related to enhancement of the bilateral economic partnership between the two countries.

Both countries have long history of shared religious, linguistic and ethnic ties.

Myanmar is India’s gateway to South East Asia and ASEAN with which India is seeking greater economic integration through ‘Act East’ Policy.

Myanmar shares a long land border of over 1600 Kms with India as well as a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.

The bilateral relationship has been further strengthened by the high level exchanges between our countries. Prime Minister of India visited Myanmar in November 2014 for the Twelfth India-ASEAN Summit. State counsellor of Myanmar visited India in October 2016

Trade and Commerce play a significant role in the bilateral relationship of the two countries, with India’s trade with Myanmar growing by 6.01% from USD 2.05 bn in 2015 -16 to USD 2.18 bn in 2016-17.

The total export achieved in 2016-17 was 1.11 USD Billion, reflecting an annual growth of 3.79%. The import stood at 1.06 USD Billion showing a growth of 8.43%.

During the meeting discussions were held on exploring the feasibilities of direct shipping lines with Sittwe port and Vizag/ Chennai. Similarly, the need for direct air connectivity with Chennai/ Guwahati was discussed.

The quick finalisation of the Mode of Operation(MoO) for making the Border Haats functional on the ‘India-Myanmar border’ was lauded.

It was noted that 10 points spread across 4 states viz., Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur, have been identified for operationalising Border Haats.

Both sides also agreed to explore opening of two new Border Trade Points at Pangkhuwa and Zoninpuri.

Both sides also agreed to deepen their engagements in some of the mutually identified core sectors.

Comprehensive MoUs would be explored in areas of Health Care and Textiles. The MoUs on capacity building between RBI and CBM signed on 22 September, 2015 and on cooperation in the field of Power Sector signed on 19 October, 2016 will be operationalised quickly.

The proposed MoU between RBI and Central Bank of Myanmar on currency exchange rate fixation also needs to be expedited. Myanmar side was also requested to explore the suggestion of opening of a Counsellor Office in the North-East.

Project Development Fund for CLMV was also highlighted. The 4th India - CLMV Business Conclave has emerged as the main B2B forum for countries of the region and India.

The 5th Edition is now poised to be organized in Cambodia. She expressed the hope that the Conclave along with JTIF set up by the Ministry will help faster growth of business to business contacts and FDI inflows between the two countries.

The Minister requested the Government of Myanmar and its business community to actively partner in India’s initiatives to strengthen her manufacturing capacities, viz. ‘Make in India’ and stated that India is also ready for a similar move in Myanmar.

ANSWER: Assam State Public Financial Institutional Reforms Project

Explanation:
An agreement for IBRD Credit of USD 35 Million from World Bank for “Assam State Public Financial Institutional Reforms Project” was signed at New Delhi.

The agreement was signed by Shri Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary (MI), Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. John Blomquist, Acting Country Director, World Bank (India) on behalf of the World Bank.

The Implementing Entity Agreement was signed by Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Department of Finance, on behalf of Government of Assam, and the Country Director (India) on behalf of the World Bank.

The programme size is USD 44 million, of which USD 35 million will be financed by the Bank, and the remaining amount will be funded out of State Budget. The programme duration is 5 years.

The objective of the project is to improve predictability and transparency in budget execution and efficiency in tax administration in Assam.

The project will benefit the citizens of Assam through efficient processes, enhanced transparency and better service delivery (such as electronic payments and collections for services, better public procurement, and enhanced taxpayer services) provided by public institutions.

ANSWER: International Economic Association

Explanation:
Kaushik Basu has taken over as president of the International Economic Association (IEA).

Basu will serve a three-year term as the President.

Kaushik Basu has served as India’s chief economic adviser from 2009 to 2012. He has also served as senior vice-president and chief economist at the World Bank from 2012 to 2016.

At present, Basu is the C. Marks Professor of International Studies at Cornell University. IEA

IEA: Know More

• The International Economic Association (IEA) is one of the key organisations of professional economists and has been significant in determining global economic policy and research.
• Amongst the past presidents of IEA were the Nobel Laureates Robert Solow, Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz.
  IEA produces a large number of research papers and books and organises roundtables on topics of present-day interest.
• Its principal activities include International Congress organised every 3 years. The occasion serves as one of the major assemblies of economists from around the world.

ANSWER: Enfield, north London

Explanation:
The world’s first ATM (automated teller machine) celebrated its 50th anniversary.

In the past five decades, ATM machines have heralded a transformation in the way people obtained and used cash.

ATM machines were the brainchild of Scottish inventor Shepherd-Barron.

The first ATM was opened on June 27, 1967, by Barclays Bank in Enfield, north London. English actor Reg Varney became the first person to withdraw cash from the first ATM machine.

At present, there are over 3 million cash machines across the globe.

Around 70,000 cash machines are present in the UK alone.

The World’s most northerly ATM machine is present at Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway. The most Southerly ATM is situated at the McMurdo station of the South Pole.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Barclays Bank has transformed the first ATM that it commissioned at its Enfield branch into gold.

ANSWER: Ankush Dahiya

Explanation:
Ankush Dahiya (60kg) clinched a gold while L Devendro Singh (52kg) settled for a silver medal on the final day of the Ulaanbaatar Cup boxing tournament in Mongolia.

The 19-year-old Ankush, who is a former Asian youth silver-medalist, defeated Korean Man Choe Chol in a split verdict, while Devendro lost to Indonesia’s Aldoms Suguro, again a split decision.

India thus signed off with a gold, a silver and three bronze medals from the tournament.

K Shyam Kumar (49kg), Mohammed Hussamuddin (56kg) and Priyanka Chaudhary (60kg) – lost their respective semi-final bouts to settle for bronze medals on Saturday.

Devendro, a Commonwealth Games silver-medalist besides a former Asian Championships silver-winner, was the first to step inside the ring for India and was his usual aggressive self against Suguro.

This is Ankush’s maiden international medal at the senior level.

ANSWER: Book

Explanation:
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu launched a book which explained how emergency is the Darkest Hour of Indian history and there is a need for systematic documentation of the emergency to make younger generation aware of its ill effects on our country.

The book launch was organised as part of the day-long convention organized to mark the anniversary of the Emergency by Megh Nirghosh Media today in Ahmedabad.

The freedom of speech and expression ensured in our Constitution comes with responsibility. He said the real essence of democracy lies in people’s participation.

Gujarat from where the Navnirman Movement emerged during emergency was followed by efforts by Sarvodaya, Rashtriy Swayam Sevak Sangh in restoring the democracy in the country.

Emergency: Know More

• In India, "the Emergency" refers to a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had a state of emergency declared across the country.
• Officially issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352(1) of the Constitution because of the prevailing "internal disturbance", the Emergency was in effect from 25 June 1975 until its withdrawal on 21 March 1977.
• The order bestowed upon the Prime Minister the authority to rule by decree, allowing elections to be suspended and civil liberties to be curbed.
• For much of the Emergency, most of Gandhi's political opponents were imprisoned and the press was censored.
• The Emergency is one of the most controversial periods of independent India's history.
• Documents that have surfaced over the past few years indicate that Indira Gandhi had planned to impose the emergency only temporarily for some time till the violence that was erupting in the country had subsided.

ANSWER: Sunil Kakar

Explanation:
IDFC Ltd on 27th June announced the elevation of its CFO Sunil Kakar as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from July 16 for three years.

Kakar has also been appointed as additional director.

Both the appointments are subject to shareholders’ approval at the annual general meeting (AGM).

Besides, the company announced that the Board has approved the resignation of veteran banker Vikram Limaye from the post of MD and CEO who is set to join leading stock exchange NSE as its new Managing Director and CEO.

Kakar joined IDFC as the Group Chief Financial Officer and was responsible for finance and accounts, business planning and budgeting and investor relations, among others.

Prior to joining IDFC, he had worked with Max New York Life Insurance Company since 2001 as CFO.

He has also worked with Bank of America for 18 years in various roles.

Vikram Limaye will quit the Committee of Administrators (COA) for BCCI on July 14 when the Supreme Court reopens, to take over as the Managing Director and CEO of National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Limaye is a member of a panel appointed by the Supreme Court to administer the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has cleared Limaye’s appointment as head of NSE provided he gives up his role in COA.

Limaye was with IDFC since 2005 and has over 25 years of experience of working with financial institutions, global investment banks, international commercial banks, and global accounting firms

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Aadhaar is not a valid identification document for Indians travelling to Nepal and Bhutan, the Union home ministry has said. Indians can travel to Nepal and Bhutan–both countries for which they don’t need visas–if they possess a valid national passport or election ID card issued by the Election Commission.

Moreover, to ease travel, persons over 65 and below 15 years can show documents with photographs to confirm their age and identity. These include PAN card, driving licence, Central Government Health Service (CGHS) card and ration card but not Aadhaar.

Aadhaar (UID) card is not an acceptable travel document for travel to Nepal/Bhutan.

The advisory assumes significance as Aadhaar is mandatory for a host of things, including government subsidies on LPG and other social welfare schemes.

The Aadhaar card, which has a 12-digit unique identification number and personal details like name and address, acts as a proof of identification and residence.

Indians entering Bhutan by road are required to obtain an ‘Entry Permit’ on the basis of a valid travel document from the immigration office of Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing, located on the Indo-Bhutan border opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal.

The border with Nepal is an open one with people who enter the country needing to show any valid identity card. Nepal shares borders with five Indian states–Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Around six lakh Indians are living or domiciled in Nepal.

Bhutan, which shares borders with Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal, has about 60,000 Indian nationals, employed mostly in the hydroelectric power and construction industry.

In addition, between 8,000 and 10,000 daily workers enter and exit Bhutan everyday in border towns. In another development, Indians flying abroad will not be required to fill departure cards from next month.