21 June 2024, The Indian EXPRESS
In Srinagar, PM: Statehood for J&K soon, preparations for state polls on
Page no- 1
GS3- Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Srinagar on Thursday that preparations for Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have begun, and that statehood would soon be returned to the Union Territory.
- Addressing an event at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on the first day of his two-day visit to Srinagar, the PM also mentioned the recent militant attacks in J&K and said no stone would be left unturned to “teach a lesson to the enemies of peace”.
Mahtab made pro-tem Speaker, Cong says convention flouted
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GS2- Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges
- Days before the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, President Droupadi Murmu Thursday appointed seven-term MP from Odisha Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of Lok Sabha — which triggered a political row as the Congress said it was against convention.
- Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the President has appointed Mahtab, as Speaker pro-tem under Article 95(1) of the Constitution to perform the duties of Speaker till election of the Speaker.
- The Union minister said the President has also appointed Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Sudip Bandyopadhyay to assist Mahtab in administering the oath to newly elected Members of 18th Lok Sabha till the election of the Speaker.
- The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha begins Monday.
What is UGC-NET, Exam to qualify for a Univ teacher’s job?
Page no- 18
GS2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education
- The University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) was cancelled by the Ministry of Education late on Wednesday, just a day after it was held.
- In a statement, the Ministry said that it received inputs from the National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre indicating that the integrity of the examination may have been compromised.
- The cancellation has hit more than 9 lakh candidates who sat for the exam this year, and has prompted protests by student organisations.
- Candidates will now have to take the examination all over again.
Engaging China in Modi 3.0
Page no- 18
GS2- Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
- It is four years this week since the Galwan clashes of June 15, 2020 that rocked India-China ties, and the border standoff is yet to be resolved.
- About 50,000 to 60,000 troops are still deployed on each side of the border. Managing the relationship with China is the most pressing challenge for the Narendra Modi government in its third term.
- The Prime Minister is likely to be in the same place at the same time as China’s President Xi Jinping during the leaders’ summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on July 3-4.
- It remains to be seen if a meeting takes place between the two leaders, and whether it leads to a breakthrough.
Bihar quota struck down: what is the 50% ceiling that court relied upon?
Page no- 18
GS2- Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure
- Patna High Court on Thursday set aside notifications by the Bihar government increasing reservation in government jobs and educational institutions from 50% to 65%.
- “It is to break the stranglehold of a few at the expense and to the detriment of the many that reservation to backward classes was envisaged.
- But merit cannot be completely effaced and sacrificed at the altar of reparations. This was the principle on which the 50% limit was laid down for reservations,” the High Court said.
Indians’ funds in Swiss banks plunge 70% to four-year low
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GS3- Money-Laundering and its prevention
- Funds parked by Indian individuals and firms in Swiss banks, including through local branches and other financial institutions, fell sharply by 70% in 2023 to a four-year low of 1.04 billion Swiss Francs (₹9,771 crore), annual data from Switzerland's central bank showed on Thursday.
- The decline in aggregate funds of Indian clients with Swiss banks for the second consecutive year, after hitting a 14-year-high of CHF 3.83 billion in 2021, was largely driven by a sharp plunge in funds held through bonds, securities and various other financial instruments.
