Current Affairs for IAS Exams – 18 May 2016
:: National ::
Centre is looking to make a bank of all its land holdings
The Centre is examining the possibility of making a bank of all its surplus land holdings across the country from which parcels could be auctioned to private industry.
The move will ensure that non-availability of land doesn’t dampen new investments and economic growth. Other than for private industry such land identified in Delhi, Mumbai and other metros could be used for urban renewal projects.
A committee set up under Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das is inventorying all the holdings, including that of government companies, in coordination with the Urban Development Ministry.
The decision comes in the wake of the Centre’s legislation on land acquisition reforms failing to clear Parliament even a year after an ordinance for it was allowed to lapse. Even the Government’s allies are opposed to this Bill.
Geospatial Information regulation Bill turned into diplomatic war
The Geospatial Information Regulation Bill, 2016, turned into a diplomatic war of words when India “firmly” rejected Pakistan’s objections to the draft Bill, saying Islamabad does not have any right to object to an internal matter of India.
“The proposed bill is an entirely internal legislative matter of India, since the whole of the State of J&K is an integral part of India. Pakistan or any other party has no locus standi in the matter,” said Vikas Swarup.
The draft Geospatial Information Bill plans to bring in a set of legally binding regulations regarding the geospatial information of India which may include provisions to penalise inaccurate depiction of India in maps. .
The MEA’s response came after Pakistan wrote to the UN Secretary General raising “serious concerns” over the draft Bill, specifically criticising the depiction of Jammu and Kashmir in the bill as “incorrect and legally untenable”.
The Pakistan Foreign Office issued a statement saying it has expressed “serious concern” to the UN over a draft bill in the Indian Parliament over the map of Kashmir and has asked the world body to uphold its resolutions and urge India to stop such acts which are in “violation of international law.”
Reacting to Pakistan’s letter, Union Minister of State for Home KirenRijijusaid it was the duty of the government to ensure that India’s geography is projected properly.
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:: International ::
White House says blocking aid to Pak could complicate bilateral ties
The Obama administration has opposed the Republican-controlled Congress’s move to block $450 million in aid to Pakistan for failing to “demonstrate its commitment” and taking action against the Haqqani network.
A White House statement in this regard came as the bill made its way to the House of Representatives from House Armed Services Committee.
The White House asserted that it shares the view of the lawmakers with regard to the Haqqani network, but such a move would “unnecessarily complicate progress” in bilateral ties.
According to the National DefenseAuthorization Act 2017, of the total amount of reimbursement and support authorised for Pakistan during the period beginning on October 1 this year, and ending on December 31, 2017, $450 million would not be eligible for a national security waiver unless the Secretary of Defence certifies that Pakistan continues to conduct operations against Haqqanis.
Under this new proposed provision, the Defense Secretary also needs to certify that Pakistan is demonstrating commitment to prevent the Haqqani Network from using North Waziristan as a safe haven.
It also needs to show that it is actively coordinating with Afghanistan to restrict the movement of terrorists, including the Haqqani Network, along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
There is similar certification requirement in the year ending on September 31, 2016, but the amount is $300 million.
The Defence Secretary has not been able to give necessary certification for the release of the fund to Pakistan so far.
The House Armed Services Committee says that it will continue to review the reimbursements made to Pakistan and how it aligns with the future of U.S. policy, including key counter-terrorism objectives, in the region.
The Obama Administration has opposed any move to either restrict or condition U.S. military aid to Pakistan, arguing that its ties with Islamabad are very important.