Current Affairs from The Hindu DATE:24-03-15
S.NO. / NEWS ITEM / SYLLUBUS / ESSENCE OF THE ARTICLE1. / Need terror-free atmosphere for talks, says Modi (Pages 1 and 10) / a) I.R / a) PM Modi reached out to Pakistan on its National Day and called for a bilateral dialogue in a terror-free atmosphere.
2. / Afghanistan: new entente in place? (Page 9) / a) I.R / a) Pushed by Pakistan-China initiatives, talks look likely between the Taliban and Afghanistan. This could block Indias economic interests in the region.
3. / Mufti: govt for gradual removal of AFSPA (Page 10) / a) I.R
b) National / a) Jammu and Kashmir CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that his govt would work towards the gradual removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act after taking the Army on board.
4. / Sirisena hands over land deeds to Northern Tamils (Page 12) / a) International / a) Sri Lankan President Sirisena told Northern Tamils of Sri Lanka that under his rule, every measure would be taken to resolve issues faced by people irrespective of their race or religion.
5. / Liberating black gold (Page 8) / a) National
b) Polity / a) The passing of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2015 and Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill 2015 marks a significant step forward in the Central govt reforms push.
6. / Centre to re-brand Jan Aushadhi scheme (Page 11) / a) National
b) Social issue / a) The govts Jan Aushadhi scheme (which was set up with the intention of providing access to affordable medicines for all) is set to receive momentum with a new name and opening of 1000 stores on a single day.
7. / A.P Capitan likely to be named Amaravathi (Page 1) / a) National
b) History / a) With the State govt almost deciding to name the new capital Amaravathi, the spotlight turned on the banks of River Krishna (35km away from Guntur).
S.NO. / NEWS ITEM / SYLLUBUS / BACKGROUND / IMPORTANT POINTS
1. / Need terror-free atmosphere for talks, says Modi (Pages 1 and 10) / a) I.R / a) India – Pakistan relations
b) Kashmir issue
c) Simla Agreement
d) Lahore Declaration / a) PM Modi reached out to Pakistan on its National Day and called for a bilateral dialogue in a terror-free atmosphere in a letter to his counterpart Nawaz Sharif among controversy over the Pakistan High Commission inviting Kashmiri separatist leaders to annual celebrations.
b) Indias response to the Hurriyat interaction with the Pakistan High Commission is a response from the earlier tough stand the govt took in August last year when it cancelled Foreign Secretary-level talks after Pakistan High Commissioner met Kashmiri separatist leaders ahead of the talks despite calls by India to not go ahead with it.
c) External Affairs Ministry spokespersonrestated that there are only two parties and there is no place for a third party in resolution of India-Pakistan issues and added that the only way forward to proceed on all outstanding issues is a peaceful, bilateral dialogue within the framework of Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.
2. / Afghanistan: new entente in place? (Page 9) / a) I.R / a) Afghanistan – Pakistan relations
b) Terrorism
c) Taliban
d) Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP)
e) Al-Qaeda
f) China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral dialogue
g) Chabahar Port linking project / a) Negotiations between the Afghan unity govt and Taliban appear likely, with the Pakistan military influencing the Taliban to agree to talks. This comes in the wake of unprecedented concessions by Afghan President Ghani to Pakistan.
b) Over the last few months, he has acted against TTP militants operating from Afghan soil, provided Pakistan access to TTP prisoners, agreed to send army cadets to Pakistan for training and engaged directly with Pakistans military. All these concessions have come at great political risk with some Afghan leaders expressing disappointment with the negotiations.
c) This is not the first time that efforts have been made to bring Taliban to the negotiating table. Under President Hamid Karzai too several efforts were made but the Taliban refused to participate, claiming it would talk only to the Americans who have occupied Afghanistan and are the real power.
d) One factor is Chinas attitude. It is increasingly wary of terrorism entering into Xinjiang via Afghanistan and wants Pakistan to calm the borders.
e) It is with this aim that China took a lead in Heart of Asia conference, institutionalised the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral dialogue, and played host to a two-member delegation from the Talibans Qatar office that visited Beijing in Nov 2014. The Chinese govt is also comfortable working with President Ghani.
f) Second, the Taliban position has shifted, a change evident after the US helped establish a Taliban presence in Qatar in Jan 2012. The US also gave in to some of the Talibans demands and the UN sanctions regime was recast. In return, the Taliban made some pronouncements, distancing itself from al-Qaeda, and indicated that it is open to a negotiated settlement.
g) Third, Pakistans stance has also changed. On Feb 19, Pak military officials revealed that the Taliban had signalled its readiness for talks.
h) A ceasefire will be the first major hurdle and unless the Taliban can take all its factions on board, the conflicting demands could be challenging. To resolve this, it would need to take into confidence its field commanders and foot soldiers.
i) A second challenge will be to work out a method to get past the remaining sanctions on some of its leading figures. A third would be winning acceptance for power-sharing. Combining the Talibans vision of a Sharia state with existing constitution will be great task.
j) At the end of the day, successful negotiations are predicated on Pakistan being an impartial mediator. However, this is an uncertain premise given the distrust over Pakistans role in earlier talk attempts. There is also pessimism whether Pakistan will be able to develop a better relationship with the new unity govt in Afghanistan, with distrust running deep between both nations.
k) From an Indian perspective, Pakistans increasing role in Afghanistan is likely to impact Indias economic commitments in Afghanistan. Pakistan is likely to block progress on the Chabahar Port linking project in order to remain the sole gateway to Afghanistan.
l) Indias plans of developing four iron-ore blocks and building a steel plant in Hajigak will also be threatened by Pakistans presence. Indias limited influence in Afghanistans political realm means that it needs to join hands with another major player in the region.
m) With Chinese supporting Pakistan, Indias hopes lie with Iran. The ongoing P5+1/Iran talks and Irans integration with the world economy hold the key to an India-Iran joint effort in Afghanistan. If that does not happen, Indias options will be reduced. India will be keeping a close eye on fate of dialogue between Taliban and Ghanis team and Paks role therein.
3. / Mufti: govt for gradual removal of AFSPA (Page 10) / a) I.R
b) National / a) India – Pakistan relations
b) Kashmir issue
c) Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) / a) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that his govt would work towards the gradual removal of the AFSPA after taking the Army on board.
b) He also restated the need for talks with Pakistan and the Hurriyat. And he had blamed the attacks on non-state actors and said Pakistan must control in extremists if it wanted peace with India.
c) On the AFSPA, he said there were certain reservations as far as the Defence Ministry and some Army officers were concerned.
d) He stressed the need for initiating a meaningful dialogue with all internal stakeholders, irrespective of their ideological positions, to resolve all the outstanding issues of Kashmir.
e) On cross-border firing, he said he would leave no stone unturned to ensure peace at the border with Pakistan.
4. / Sirisena hands over land deeds to Northern Tamils (Page 12) / a) International / a) Sri Lankan internal issues
b) Tamils issues / a) Sri Lankan President Sirisena told Northern Tamils of Sri Lanka that under his rule, every measure would be taken to resolve issues faced by people irrespective of their race or religion.
b) Participating in a function where he handed over title deeds of land in the former High Security Zones to the original owners, he said the govt has been giving a high priority to resolve land issues of the people in North and East.
c) Northern Chief Minister Wigneswaran praised him for one of his recent speeches, urging other national leaders also to adopt a similar approach toward Tamils.
5. / Liberating black gold (Page 8) / a) National
b) Polity / a) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2015
b) Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill 2015
c) Land Acquisition Act / a) The passing of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2015 and Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill 2015 marks a significant step forward in the Central govts reforms push.
b) It effectively ends govt monopoly over the extraction of coal, which has existed after coal mining was nationalised in 1973.
c) Parliamentary approval for the auction of coal blocks also provides closure to one of the biggest scandals to have rocked the country in recent times.
d) Quite apart from the windfall revenue to the States, the passage of the Bills is a game changer in other ways. It has opened up the path for foreign investments in the sector, as well as for commercial mining of coal, which can have a beneficial effect on prices going forward.
e) The move is also beneficial to the state-owned Coal India Ltd, which may now get the room to bring in some much needed technology and best practices, while opening up prospects of a better future for millions of mine workers.
f) The passage of Bills also marks a significant political victory for PM Modi. With the exception of the contentious Land Acquisition Act, the govt has now won parliamentary approval for three of the four major reform moves initiated via the ordinance route, sending a strong message to political parties on the economic advantages of reforms.
6. / Centre to re-brand Jan Aushadhi scheme (Page 11) / a) National
b) Social issue / a) Jan Aushadhi scheme
b) 12th five year plan / a) The Union governments Jan Aushadhi scheme (which was set up with the intention of providing access to affordable medicines for all) is set to receive momentum with a new name and the opening of 1000 stores on a single day.
b) The scheme has under-performed since its inception in 2008 with only 98 of 178 stores opened being functional. The new initiative is in line with a business plan approved in Aug 2013 to open 3000 stores during 12th Plan period from 2013-14 to 2016-17.
7. / A.P Capitan likely to be named Amaravathi (Page 1) / a) National
b) History / a) Amaravathi
b) Satavahanas dynasty
c) Maha Stupa
d) River Krishna / a) With the State govt almost deciding to name the new capital Amaravathi, the spotlight turned on the temple town located on the banks of River Krishna (35 km away from Guntur).
b) Named after Amareswara Swamy Temple (one of the pancharamalu) in the southern region, this small village and the neighbouring Dharanikota were once the seat of power during the period of Satavahanas who ruled during the 2nd and 3rd century BC. Since then, it continued as the capital of many Andhra dynasties.
c) Amravathi has been a popular Buddhist site. The grand Maha Stupa is among the largest of Andhra Stupas in the South. It began as brick cored structure at the time of Christ but was completed during 150-200 AD.
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