Indian Polity - Current Affairs for January, 2016

Emerging and developing economies have attained more influence in the governance architecture of the IMF. The voting rights have increased to 2.6% from the current 2.3%. China’s voting rights have increased from 3.8 percent to 6 percent as per the new division. Two other countries which gain from the reforms are Russia and Brazil. Close to 6 percent of the quota shares will shift to emerging and developing nations from US and EU nations. Combined quotas or what the capital countries contribute increases to USD 659 billion from USD 329 billion. IMF reforms were agreed by 188 members in the year 2010 in the aftermath of the international financial meltdown.

President of India has signed a Proclamation under A356(1) imposing President’s Rule in relation to the state of AP. The Legislative Assembly of the State in suspended animation w.e.f January 26 2016. Taking note of the constitutional breakdown occurring in the State of Arunachal Pradesh as reported by Governor of AP, the move was made.

BJP chief Amit Shah has been selected for his second presidential term with PM Narendra Modi among the first to propose Shah’s name as he had filed the nomination papers for the election at the BJP headquarters. Modi Shah team has cornered a decisive electoral victory in India after a long time.

Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the new Model Prison Manual comprising of 32 chapters to bring in basic uniformity in laws, rules and regulations governing administration of prisons and management of prisoners all across the nation. Key revisions in the new manual comprise the following:

• Access to free legal services
• Appointment of jail visiting advocates
• Setting up legal aid clinic in each prison
• Legal literacy classes in prison
• Safety and reformation of women prisoners was also of critical importance in prison administration

FTAPCCI has signed an MoU with Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation for implementation of skill development programmes in the State. Agreement was signed during the FTAPCCI president and APSSDC MD’s partnership summit at the CII in Vizag recently. MoU envisages training programmes and job melas as well as sector specific councils, research projects and facilitating self employment.

Stating child rape cases are "atrocious, inconceivable and cruel crimes", the Supreme Court on 11th January favoured tougher punishment for offenders but said it was for Parliament to consider harsher measures, including chemical castration.SC Women Lawyers Association send a plea asking for chemical castration of child rapists to which the bench responded with unequivocal stand on harsher punishment. Chemical castration involves the administration of antiandrogen drugs which reduce sex drive, compulsive sexual fantasies and capacity for sexual arousal. Bench also indicated that rape of toddlers or girls between the ages of 2 to 10 stood at different footing than rape of minor girls and separate provision needs to be made by the Parliament to deal with child rape cases.

NDA government on January 7th had issued a notice asking the allowance of Jallikattu and bullock cart racing in Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and TN. Ruling AIADMK and opposition DMK in TN have welcomed the move that has lifted the ban but SC has now enforced the ann on Jallikattu and bullock cart racing, two harvest season traditional sports. These festivals have not been celebrated for the past 4 years.

Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the 24th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair which began with China as the guest of honour country. The theme was the presentation of the cultural heritage of India. The 9 day fair has been considered as the largest in Asia which hosts around 30 nations where series of programmes include dramas, discussions, folk and classical dances, discussions, workshops, author meets, seminars, conferences and cultural programmes.

Jammu and Kashmir has been placed within the Governor’s rule with the aim of government formation under Mehbooba, Mufti Sayeed’s daughter still taking time. 26 MLAs of PDP have backed her for the CM’s post following the death of the 79 year old Sayeed. PDP coalition ally BJP also indicated the decision on the new government formation would occur once the 4 day mourning period was over.

12 years after the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has been set up, it will now emerged with the Ministry of External Affairs in line with principle of minimum government and maximum governance. Proposal for the merger was cleared by PM Narendra Modi, according to MEA minister Sushma Swaraj who also holds charge of MOIA. MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup announced that the decision to merge the 2 ministries was in line with overall objective of minimising government and maximising governance. Proves Bharatiya Diwas, the flagship event of MOIA will now be celebrated by MEA on January 9th 2015. Established in 2004 as the Ministry of NRI affairs, this ministry was renamed MOIA in September 2004. The primary aim of the ministry is to connect the Indian diaspora with their motherland.

Shatrughan Singh released his biography “Anything But Khamosh,” on 6th January 2016. Book release saw LK Advani and Yashwant Sinha sharing stage and BJP leader Kirti Azad and Union Ministers General (Retd.) V.K. Singh and Harsh Vardhan attended the launch. Former SP leader Amar Singh was also present. The film star-politician, the book reveals, was once disappointed with Mr.Advani, whom he sees as the tallest leader of his party, when the latter had denied him a third Rajya Sabha term in 2008.

With a view to enhancing representation of women in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh approved 33% posts at Constable level for being filled up by women. The 33% reservation of Constable level posts in CRPF & CISF and 14-15% posts at Constable level in border guarding forces that is BSF, SSB & ITBP will immediately commence. CAPFs comprise 5 security forces namely Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal(SSB).

The bullet train corridor has been facilitated through setting up of a separate company on the lines of the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation build to operate the ambitious project of the NDA. Company will bear registered in January and process has been initiated by IRFC. Company will be registered in the name of Indian Railways initially and later made into a JV with contribution of railways likely to be 50% and Maharashtra and Gujarat to have stake of 25% each.