Thursday, December 29, 2011

HEADLINES

• Uncertainty looms as the Lokpal Bill goes to the Rajya Sabha where the UPA does not have a majority
• Anna Hazare gives up his fast
• Russian Court rejects the petition to ban the Gita

NATIONAL NEWS

• Japan keen on civilian nuclear cooperation with India, says its PM, Yoshihiko Noda
  • Allaying apprehensions regarding nuclear cooperation after the Fukushima accident, Japan expressed keenness to expand ties in this sector while considering safety aspects as well;
  • Seeking to expand cooperation in the 60th year of establishing diplomatic ties, India and Japan decided to expedite the planned infrastructure projects and agreed to enhance the currency swap arrangement from USD3 Billion to USD15 Billion. The Prime Ministers of both countries discussed the expansion of investment from Japan into India as well;
  • They also agreed to expand cooperation in maritime security including safety and freedom of navigation and anti-piracy activities by promoting exercises and sharing of information. The coast guard of both countries are scheduled to hold exercises in January 2012.
• On why the Lokpal Bill requires President's assent before tabling in parliament
  • According to Clause 3 of Art.117 of the Indian Constitution the presidential assent is mandatory for tabling any bill that seeks to set up a body which will draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India;
  • Therefore President Patil had to give assent to the Lokpal Bill when it was introduced in the Lok Sabha and after it was amended before going to the Rajya Sabha.
• Legal Experts say that the Lokpal law vulnerable to repeal by a Govt in power unless there is constitutional status
• Parliament passes Bill to protect Cooperatives
  • The Parliament passed the Constitution (111th Amendment) Bill to insulate about 6 lakh cooperative societies from political and Govt interference and to strengthen cooperatives;
  • The amendment will grant citizens a fundamental right to form cooperative societies and allow for voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of cooperative societies. This will be the latest fundamental right added;
  • The Bill provides for reservation of one seat for the SC or ST and two seats for women on the board of every society, provided it has members in those categories in the society;
  • IT also seeks to specify the number of directors of a society and provides a fixed term of 5 years from date of election.
• Infant Mortality rate (IMR) shows slight decline
  • The IMR has shown a 3 point decline, dropping from 50 deaths per 1000 live births to 47 and moved closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals target of 30;
  • However, while the national average was 47, it still stands for 51 in rural areas and 31 in urban areas. The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, which provides for free transport, food and drugs and diagnostics to all pregnant women and sick newborns, will promote institutional deliveries and reduce the mortality rate further.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• Iran rebuffs US threat of economic sanctions; says it will retaliate by blocking all oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery which 1/5th world oil supply uses
• North Korea's Kim Jong-il laid to rest in Pyongyang
• Argentina's president Cristina Kirchner diagnosed with cancer

EDITORIALS, OPINIONS & COLUMNS

• Read this article on the crisis in India's health care system

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• Read this article which discusses the top ten breakthroughs in science and tech in 2011