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CURRENT AFFAIRS
JANUARY 2017
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2.3. INDIA-KENYA
Why in news? East African Community (EAC)
Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya paid a The East African Community (EAC),
State Visit to India. comprising Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda,
Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, has
Highlights of the visit emerged as one of the most successful of
India announced a $100 million Line of Credit to Kenya for Africas Regional Economic Communities.
agricultural mechanization. Having established a customs union, it is
building a single market and wants to set up
Mr. Kenyatta invited India to engage more intensely at
a monetary union.
COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa). EAC is market of 168 million consumers
India invited Kenya to join the framework agreement of the and have a combined GDP of $161 billion.
International Solar Alliance (ISA).
India offered its expertise in the area of LED smart street lighting and LED bulbs for domestic use.
Defence cooperation
In maritime surveillance, security, sharing of white shipping information and joint hydrographic surveys.
India has also invited Kenya to participate in exhibitions like Aero-India and DEFEXPO.
2.4. INDIA-UKRAINE
Why in news?
Mr. Stepan Kubiv, Deputy PM of Ukraine, paid visit to India. Ukraine commended India for not supporting
Russias claims over the Crimean peninsula and wanted to partner modernization plans of Indian armed forces.
Background
Following the intervention in Crimea, Russia annexed the region in March 2014. However, India has
maintained that the situation should be resolved peacefully.
India and Ukraine are also on track to revive high-level political dialogue. The last big visit from India was 12
years ago when President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam visited Kiev in 2005.
Defence cooperation: Ukraine wants to complete the contract, signed in 2009, on modernisation and
overhauling of An-32 fleet for the Indian Air Force.
Significance of visit
The visit from Ukraine is significant as the last major visit from Ukraine was by President Viktor Yanukovych
in 2012 in Delhi.
Deputy Prime Minister participated in the Republic day celebrations to mark the beginning of a new phase of
India-Ukraine ties after a gap of several years caused by Ukraines war with Russia over Crimea.
2.5. INDIA-USA
Why in news? Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC):
India and the US have signed a MoU to collaborate in the fields MCC is a US agency providing eligible
of developmental activities and aid in third world countries. countries with grants to fund country-led
solutions for reducing poverty through
The MoU has been signed between the Millennium Challenge
sustainable economic growth.
Corporation (MCC), and Development Partnership Development Partnership Administration
Administration (DPA) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India. (DPA): DPA looks after implementation of
Details about MoU Indias development cooperation
programmes with partner countries.
India and US share a vision of reducing poverty globally through
sustainable economic growth. Based on this shared vision, they intend to cooperate with the goal of advancing
their mutual interests to strengthen regional integration and connectivity, particularly in the areas of energy,
trade, and investment.
The two countries would collaborate on exchange of information and experience in sectors or issues
pertaining to project development or implementation in partner countries.
India and US might also provide advisory or technical assistance to third countries regarding sector policy
reform, project and sector management, project implementation, and economic growth promotion
strategies in relevant sectors.
The MoU also facilitates officials of two countries to site visits to cross-border or other relevant projects,
and capacity building of partner countries.
Indias Position
India made it clear that it has a long-standing and principled position on this subject. India conveyed that it is
for Britain and Mauritius to reach an amicable solution on this matter bilaterally.
The approach by the U.K. is seen by the Indian side as a positive move, signalling Britains eagerness to
partner with India on security matters in the region.
3.9. DISINVESTMENT
Why in News?
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved divesting 25% of stake in five general
insurance companies.
The five general insurance companies are Oriental Insurance, National Investment Fund (NIF)
National Insurance, New India Assurance, United India Insurance It was created in 2005. All the
and General Insurance Corporation of India. proceeds from the disinvestment of
Centre Public Sector Enterprises
What is Disinvestment? were to be channelized in this fund.
75% of the income of the NIF is
Disinvestment refers to the government selling or liquidating its
used in social sector schemes such
assets or stakes in PSE (public sector enterprise). It is also referred to as those that promote education,
as divestment or divestiture. health and employment while 25%
Disinvestment was popularized in India post the New Economic is to be utilized in the revival of
Policy of 1991. PSUs.
Disinvestment is mainly done when a PSU has been running in losses This rule was relaxed during global
for years and is not contributing anything to the exchequer but has economic slowdown and the govt.
rather becomes a burden on the government. approved 100% NIF income
Disinvestment proceeds can help the government fund its fiscal utilization for social sector from
2009 to 2013.
deficit.
Way Forward
This is a welcome step. Now amendments to the existing provisions of the EPF Scheme are required to add
SCBs for collection of PF dues and authorise other private banks in future. This should also be done soon to
reap the benefits of the step.
Significance of Wetlands
It helps to maintain sedimentation and balance of soil, helpful in water, carbon and nutrient cycles.
It helps to regulate the amount of water as excess water from rainfall and floods gets absorbed and can be
used in times of need.
It is source of livelihood through fishing and rice farming to travel, tourism and water provision.
Wetlands host a large variety of life, protect our coastlines, provide natural sponges against river flooding
and store carbon dioxide to regulate climate change.
They provide habitat for wildlife and migratory birds and help in conservation of environment.
6.12. E-CIGARETTES
Why in News?
E-cigarette is a type of Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).
A study by University of California It is a battery-powered device using electricity to vaporise a nicotine
says that E-cigarettes are attracting a containing fluid.
new population of adolescents who These do not have tar like conventional cigarettes.
might not otherwise have smoked It resembles a cigarette by having a red LED to simulate the tip of a
tobacco products. real cigarette.
Background It also produces a bluish vapour that resembles cigarette smoke.
It can be an Electronic non-nicotine delivery system (ENNDS) too
Supreme Court has banned orally where the liquid is not nicotine.
ingested tobacco products recently. The liquid here is dissolved into propylene glycol or/and glycerine to
Government has put high taxes on create an aerosol.
cigarettes. WHO has termed both ENDS and ENNDS as vaping a tobacco-free
The above steps seem to have version of the cigarette in which a liquid is inhaled through a vaporiser.
pushed the sale of e-cigarettes.
Patriarchal mindset still prevalent in India where preference is given to son over daughter.
Mushrooming of illegal practice among ultrasound centers in neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi where parents are told about the sex of foetus in liu of some money.
Way forward
Inter-state co-ordination in necessary to crack down upon unholy nexus between doctors, quacks and illegal
ultrasound centres.
It is high time to understand that no society can flourish if half of its population is discriminated.
Educating girls and encouraging them to be at par with boys will help to achieve the goal of higher sex ratio
in the long run.