Current Affairs Analysis – 24.February.2020

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First anniversary of National War Memorial

Context :

The first anniversary of the iconic National War Memorial (NWM) will be observed on 25 February. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the monument to the nation on 25 February 2019.

The memorial is a tribute to the fallen heroes in the line of duty during various wars and internal security challenges since Independence. 

National War Memorial :

  • National War Memorial has names of 25,942 soldiers martyred after Independence engraved.
  • The Memorial is spread over 40 acres in the India Gate complex in Delhi. It was built at a cost of around Rs.176 crore in a record time of one year.
  • The memorial has been built in the memory of the martyred jawans who lost their lives protecting India during the Indo-China War in 1962, Indo-Pak Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka and the Kargil Conflict in 1999.
  • The memorial consists of four concentric circles namely the ‘Amar Chakra’ or Circle of Immortality, ‘Veerta Chakra’ or Circle of Bravery, ‘Tyag Chakra’ or Circle of Sacrifice and ‘Rakshak Chakra’ or Circle of Protection.

PM-KISAN completed the first year on 24 February

Context :

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) celebrated the first anniversary of the new Central Sector Scheme on 24 February 2020. The Central Government has released more than Rs.50850 crores so far. The total number of beneficiaries covered under the scheme, based on estimates of the Agriculture Census 2015-16, is about 14 crore.

PM-KISAN scheme :

  • The scheme was aimed to augment the income of the farmers, with less than 2 hectares of land, by providing income support to all landholding farmers’ families across the country. 
  • The scheme will enable the farmers to take care of expenses related to agriculture and allied activities and domestic needs. 
  • Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs.6000 per year is transferred in three 4-monthly installments of Rs.2000. The amount will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria relating to higher-income status. 
  • The PM-KISAN Scheme was formally launched on 24 February 2019 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
  • The scheme was announced in Piyush Goyal’s interim budget 2019-20 and is completely funded by the central government.
  • The State/UT Governments are responsible for the identification of beneficiaries. A special web-portal www.pmkisan.gov. has been launched for the Scheme. 
  • The financial benefits are released to the beneficiaries on the basis of the data of farmers prepared and uploaded by the state/UT governments on the PM-Kisan web-portal.

International Judicial Conference 2020

Context :

The International Judicial Conference 2020 was held from 21st-23rd February, 2020 in New Delhi.

  • The Conference was organized by the Supreme Court of India.
  • The theme of the Conference was ‘Judiciary and the Changing World’.
  • Important Topics of discussion at the Conference included :
    • Gender Justice,
    • Contemporary Perspectives on Protection of Constitutional Values,
    • Dynamic Interpretations of the Constitution in a Changing World,
    • Harmonisation of Environment Protection vis-à-vis Sustainable Development and
    • Protection of Right to Privacy in the Internet Age.

Highlights from the Conference :

  • Sustainable Development: The Indian judiciary was appreciated for its balance between development and environment, and continued guidance in it.
    • E.g. Judgement on Sardar Sarovar Project
  • Increased Accessibility: The Supreme Court was hailed for the “extraordinary effort” to make its judgments more accessible to the common man by making them available in nine vernacular languages, keeping in mind the nation’s linguistic diversity.
  • Gender Justice: The recent directives for granting equal status to women in the Army, guidelines for preventing sexual harassment at the workplace, etc. were appreciated.
  • Global Reference: The Chief Justice of India said that the Supreme Court’s judgments are cited by courts of other countries and have served as a “beacon of hope” to independent and developing nations.
    • A 2001 verdict of the South African court cited the Indian case of Narain Das Jain v Agra Nagar Mahapalika decided by the Supreme Court in 1991 to benchmark the compensation to be provided while acquiring land.
  • Use of ICT: The need for technology was highlighted to deliver speedy justice.
  • The Government is making an effort to connect every court of the country to the E-court Integrated Mission Mode Project. The establishment of the National Judicial Data Grid will make court procedures easier.
  • Future Challenges: It was highlighted that issues like data protection and cyber crimes pose new challenges for the judiciary.

5 schemes for children living in government-run homes in Tamil nadu

Context :

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced 5 schemes for children living in government-run homes on the birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa. The aim is to honour the late leader CM J. Jayalalithaa’s birthday.

5 Schemes :

  • The state government announced special financial assistance for girls who face difficulties after leaving government-run homes on completion of 18 years of age. The scheme will ensure the social and financial safety of the girls. 
  • The TN State Government has increased the monthly amount paid to the foster parents of the girls to Rs.4,000 from Rs.2,000.
  • The state government will deposit Rs.2 lakh to an orphan girl residing in government-run homes when she completes 21 years of age. The aim is to help them get a better life in society after they leave government homes.
  • The government also announced employment for the destitute children from government homes in social welfare, social justice, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) departments, the categories of C and D, which would not fall in the purview of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission. From now, they will also be prioritized in jobs in noon meal centres and anganwadis.
  • The govt would award gold, silver and bronze medals and certificates to three district collectorates who improve child sex ratio, given that ratio was lesser than the average in those districts.
  • The state has also announced a 50% subsidy for “Ulemas” to buy two-wheelers, and increase their pension to Rs.3,000.

Hunar Haat

Context :

Held recently in New Delhi.

WHAT IS IT :

Organised by ministry of minority affairs under “USTTAD” scheme at different parts of the country. It is an exhibition of handicrafts and traditional products made by artisans from the minority communities. These Haat aim to provide market exposure and employment opportunities to artisans, craftsmen and traditional culinary experts.

Significance :

“Hunar Haat” have become a successful mission to provide employment and employment opportunities and national as well international markets for thousands of master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts.

What is USTTAD SCHEME :

USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme aims to preserve heritage of traditional arts and crafts of minority communities and build capacity of traditional craftspersons and artisans and establish linkages of traditional skills with the global market.

Similar programmes by states :

  1. Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana- MP.
  2. The Rythu Bandhu scheme- Telangana.
  3. Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income augmentation (KALIA)- Odisha.

Sources: pib.

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