Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 15 May 2017
:: National ::
China says Belt and Road initiative would be on the lines of Panchsheel
Chinese President proposed five principles of peaceful co-existence or Panchsheel — the brainchild of China, India and Myanmar in the 1950s — as the mantra for advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI), and as a vehicle for achieving sustainable globalisation.
Despite India’s decision to skip the two-day Belt and Road Forum (BRF), the once special relationship between New Delhi and Beijing echoed during the opening session of the conclave.
In his keynote address, President Xi highlighted that China “will enhance friendship and cooperation with all countries in the world on the Belt and Road Initiative on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence”.
Mr. Xi emerged as the new defender of globalisation, countering the resistance to open economic borders in the U.S. and parts of Europe, with a solid integrative plan.
India’s decision to boycott the BRF, as a mark of protest against the infringement of its sovereignty by the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), provided Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif an opportunity to appear magnanimous at the conclave.
In his address, he signalled Islamabad’s openness for a dialogue with India, and offered to accommodate “all countries” in the CPEC.
India’s decision to stay away has raised eyebrows here, as other countries such as Japan and Vietnam, which have serious maritime disputes with China, have sent high-level official delegations, to the BRF.
Public hearing on Kulbhushan Jadhav in ICJ
The Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, will hold public hearings on the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested and sentenced to death by Pakistan in April over allegations of espionage and abetting terror.
The one-day hearing will involve two sessions of an hour and a half, according India and Pakistan an opportunity to make their case, starting with India in the morning. Pakistan’s session will follow in the afternoon.
The court’s judgment, which could follow as early as in a few days or take several months, is binding with no appeal.
ICJ President Ronny Abraham directed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to “act in such a way as to enable the court to enforce any decision it takes on the India plea,” effectively staying Jadhav’s execution until the court was able to hear and deliberate on the matter.
The Indian team, led by former solicitor general Harish Salve who won the stay at the ICJ last week, is expected to focus on the violations of the Vienna convention by Pakistan on the issue of consular access.
Also on the lack of transparency in the Pakistani military court, which India has said, in its 12-page appeal, qualifies for the trial to be pronounced “illegal”.
The southwest monsoon has advanced earlier this year
The southwest monsoon has advanced into the south Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands three days ahead of its normal onset, according to the India Meteorological Department.
However, IMD said it was too early to forecast whether the monsoon would hit the Kerala coast ahead of the normal onset date, June 1.
The IMD said the monsoon could advance into some parts of southwest Bay of Bengal, some more parts of southeast Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of Andaman Sea, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and some parts of east-central Bay of Bengal during the next 72 hours.
Educational societies seeking minority status now be required to register as NGO with NITI
Educational trusts and societies seeking minority status will now be required to register as non-governmental organisation with the NITI Aayog, whether they need government aid or not.
The registration with the NITI Aayog portal Darpan is likely to put all the financial transactions of the trust and its office-bearers under government scanner as details such as PAN and Aadhaar of all trustees and office-bearers will be required for the enrolment.
The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, however, said the rule will not be applicable to institutions run by individuals.
Minority status permits schools and colleges to have a say in the reservation quantum and limits interference from the government.
As per the requirement, the unique ID should match corresponding details on the NGO’s website.
Since its inception in 2004, the commission has awarded minority status certificates to 12,954 schools and colleges in the country.
The government last year made it mandatory for NGOs and voluntary organisations to register with the NITI Aayog portal to enable them to apply for grants from any Ministry.
However, the trusts and NGOs not seeking government funding were not required to do so.
The Constitution gives linguistic and religious minorities the fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
A society or trust consisting of members of a minority community, or even a single member of a minority community, may establish an institution.