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Table of Contents

Polity & Governance ..................................................................................... 1

1. Ministry withdraws order on fake news (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper II) ....... 1

2. State election panels: Independent of central EC, with similar powers (Relevant for GS

Prelims, GS Mains Paper II) .......................................................................................................... 2

Economics ........................................................................................................ 5 1. 11 public sector banks put under RBI prompt corrective action framework (Relevant

for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III) ................................................................................................ 5

2. Government names Bhanu Pratap Sharma as new Banks Board Bureau chairman

(Relevant for GS prelims, GS Mains Paper III) ............................................................................. 5

3. Why India is on US currency monitoring list? (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS mains Paper III:

Economics) ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Environment ..................................................................................................... 9 1. Blackbuck poaching case: Salman Khan gets five years in jail, fined Rs 10,000; all you need

to know (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III) ............................................................. 9

2. What the new Coastal Regulation Zone draft says, how it differs from the earlier version

(Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III) .......................................................................... 10

Science & Technology ................................................................................. 14 1. Chip in TV set-top boxes: Why govt wants accurate viewership data (Relevant for GS

Prelims, GS mains Paper II) ........................................................................................................... 14

2. Why new hormone rules for women runners affect one and not the other (Relevant for

GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III; Science & Technology) .......................................................... 16

3. Chemical weapons: All you need to know (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III) .............................................................................................................................................................. 18

Social Issues .......................................................................................... 21 1. 'Bharat Bandh' on SC/ST ruling: All you need to know (Relevant for GS prelims, GS

mains Paper I) ................................................................................................................................... 21

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Internal Security .................................................................................. 22

1. Left wing affected regions (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III: Internal

Security) ............................................................................................................................................ 22

Miscellaneous .............................................................................................. 25 1. Unnao rape case: Here s everything you need to know .......................................................... 25

2. No cash in ATMs: Why is there a shortage? What happens next? (Read only for

understanding) ................................................................................................................................. 28

3. Strong anti-minority feelings : What the NIA probe in six bomb blasts found (Read only

for understanding) ........................................................................................................................... 29

4. Nanak Shah Fakir released, opposed, cleared: Why film on Guru Nanak Dev is at center

of row (Read only for understanding) ......................................................................................... 31

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Polity and Governance

1. Ministry withdraws order on fake news (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper

Decision follows directions from PM

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry withdrew its order, issued recently, under which accreditation of any journalist found guilty of disseminating fake news could be cancelled. Intervention by PM

The PM has directed that the press release regarding the fake news be withdrawn and the matter be addressed only by the Press Council of India, a senior official in the PMO said. Earlier announcement

Announcing the norms on Monday night, the Ministry, headed by Smriti Irani, said accreditation of a journalist could be cancelled if the news reported by him/her was found to be fake. The notification, which did not define the phrase fake news, said complaints would be referred to the Press Council of India if they pertained to the print media and to the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) if they related to the electronic media. The regulatory agencies would have 15 days to dispose off a complaint. During the period of probe, the journalist s accreditation would be suspended, the note said. The note further said that on first violation, the accreditation would be suspended for six months, on the second violation for a year and on the third violation, it would be cancelled permanently. Government interference in Press

The government has no mandate to control the press. The media were also worried about growing incidents of fake news, but the Press Council is the right platform to deal with complaints of any fake news. What does accreditation mean for journalists?

Journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) are eligible, along with members of their family, for subsidised health services under the Central Government Health Scheme, meant for employees of the Union government. But there are ways in which PIB accreditation is important for a journalist to carry out her professional responsibilities. The PIB accreditation card has two important advantages. First, in certain events involving the President and Prime Minister, and other Ministers, only PIB accredited journalists are allowed entry.

Second, accreditation allows a journalist to protect her sources. Since it comes after security clearance from the Home Ministry, accredited journalists are allowed to enter the premises of most Union government ministries without prior appointment. She is not required to register or record her presence at the reception, or with any other official in the Ministry. This firewalls the journalist from attempts at finding out when and on how many occasions she visited the premises, and which officers she met. The anonymity of sensitive sources is one of the essential principles of journalism across the world. It may take years for a source to start confiding in a reporter. The trust between the journalist and her source is, to a large extent, based on the latter s faith that his/her identity will not be revealed. This becomes paramount when a source is willing to speak out against a senior official or Minister, or against the policies of the government. Reporters and photographers with five years of experience as a working journalist, and freelance journalists with 15 years working experience are eligible for PIB accreditation. Applications for accreditation are vetted by a Central Press Accreditation Committee headed by the DG, PIB. (Adapted from the Hindu and the Indian Express)

2. State election panels: Independent of central EC, with similar powers (Relevant for

GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper II)

Amid a standoff between the Bengal SES and BJP over the withdrawal of a notification that had extended the last date of nominations in panchayat polls, The Indian Express explains an SEC s role and powers. What is a State Election Commission s mandate? How is it different from that of the

Election Commission of India?

Supervision and conduct of elections are entrusted with two constitutional authorities — the Election Commission (EC) of India and the State Election Commissions (SECs). Set up in 1950, the EC is charged with the responsibility of conducting polls to the offices of the President and Vice President of India, to Parliament, and to the state Assemblies and Legislative Councils. The SECs, which were appointed in each state more than four decades after the EC was set up, supervise municipal and panchayat elections. Although the two authorities have a similar mandate, they are independent of each other and draw powers from different laws. The SEC in Bengal draws it powers from the West Bengal State Election Commission Act, 1994. It has nothing to do with the Representation of the People Act, which lays down the EC s powers. Each SEC is governed by a separate state Act. Why were the SECs established decades after the EC?

Under the Constitution, establishment of local self-government institutions is the responsibility of the states (entry 5, List II, Seventh Schedule). However, experience

showed that not all state governments were serious about empowering Panchayati Raj institutions as elections were not being conducted regularly. The Constitution was amended in 1992 to define the term (five years) for these institutions. Simultaneously, another provision was made for setting up a constitutional authority, the SEC, on the lines of the EC to conduct regular panchayat elections. The SEC was to be appointed by the respective state governments.

The ECI and SECs have a similar mandate; do they also have similar powers?

The provisions of Article 243K of the Constitution, which provides for setting up of SECs, are almost identical to those of Article 324 related to the EC. In other words, the SECs enjoy the same status as the EC. For example, like the removal of a Chief Election Commissioner, the State Election Commissioner can only be removed via impeachment — except that the latter s removal will be passed by the state Assembly and not by Parliament. In 2006, the Supreme Court emphasised the two constitutional authorities enjoy the same powers.

In Kishan Singh Tomar vs Municipal Corporation of the City of Ahmedabad, the Supreme Court directed that state governments should abide by orders of the SECs during the conduct of the panchayat and municipal elections, just like they follow the instructions of the EC during Assembly and Parliament polls. The BJP has approached the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court on the West Bengal SEC s withdrawal of its earlier notification extending the last date for filing nominations for the panchayat polls. How far can courts intervene?

Courts cannot interfere in the conduct of polls to local bodies and self-government institutions once the electoral process has been set in motion. Article 243-O of the Constitution bars interference in poll matters set in motion by the SECs; Article 329 bars interference in such matters set in motion by the EC. Only after the polls are over can the SECs decisions or conduct be questioned through an election petition. This power enjoyed by the SECs are the same as those by the EC. This is also the reason why the Supreme Court this week refused to issue any directions to the West Bengal SEC in response to the BJP s plea to extend the last date of nomination. How far do the SEC and EC collaborate for an election?

They operate independently. In fact, in a letter to all states in 1996, the EC had clarified that its chief electoral officers, who represent the EC in each state, should not be entrusted with any work related to preparation of electoral rolls for municipal or panchayat polls. The EC, however, has shared its electoral rolls with the SECs in the past. Initially it would also lend its electronic voting machines to SECs for municipal polls, until the latter bought their own. But this is where the cooperation ends. The EC has no role in the actual conduct of local body elections. In practice, are the SECs as independent as the EC?

Although state election commissioners are appointed by the state governors and can only be removed by impeachment, in the last two decades many have struggled to assert their independence. One of the most widely remembered cases of confrontation happened in Maharashtra in 2008. Then state election commissioner Nand Lal was arrested and sent to jail for two days in March 2008 after the Assembly found him guilty of breach of privilege in an alleged conflict over his jurisdiction and powers. Lal had asserted that as the state election commissioner he had the power to hold elections to the offices of mayor, deputy mayor, sarpanch and deputy sarpanch. After a Congress MLA moved a privilege motion objecting to the notification, the privileges committee of the Assembly asked him to appear and explain. Lal did not, which led to the committee concluding that he was creating hurdles in constitutional and legislative functions , a breach of privilege. He was sent for two days of civil imprisonment. (Adapted from Indian Express)

Economics

1. 11 public sector banks put under RBI prompt corrective action framework

(Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III)

Lending to the corporate sector, particularly small and medium enterprises, is becoming increasingly difficult with more than half the country s public-sector banks (PSBs) now under the RBI s Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework, which restricts lending activities of the banks, government sources said. Government sources also confirmed that at least three-four more banks are expected to be brought under the PCA framework because of deteriorating performance. What is Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework?

Under Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework, Reserve Bank of India has set some trigger points such as CRAR (Capital to Risk weighted Assets Ratio), Non-Performing Assets (NPA), Return on Assets (RoA), Leverage Ratio for initiation of certain structured and discretionary actions in respect of banks breaching such trigger points. The initiation of PCA results in restrictions imposed on the bank from lending to distribution of dividend, expansion of branch, staff expansion etc. In other words, PCA framework are supervisory tools which involves monitoring of certain performance indicators of the banks as an early warning exercise and is initiated once such thresholds as relating to capital, asset quality etc. are breached. (Adapted from The Indian Express)

2. Government names Bhanu Pratap Sharma as new Banks Board Bureau chairman

(Relevant for GS prelims, GS Mains Paper III)

The government appointed Bhanu Pratap Sharma, former secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), as the new chairman of the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) along with three other members. The Board, earlier chaired by former Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai, has been reconstituted after its original two-year term expired last month. About Banking Boards Bureau

The BBB is a body of eminent professionals and consists of only one government official. It is a six-member body with at least three former bankers, two professionals and secretary, department of financial services representing government. Vinod Rai, the veteran CAG, has been appointed as head of the BBB. It will replace the existing system of Appointments Board in which appointments for top-level jobs at public-sector banks are made by an appointments committee led by the RBI

Governor. The BBB has been set up to insulate public-sector banks from interference by the government. Functions

The BBB will hold investment in public-sector banks on behalf of the government. 1. The BBB will recommend the appointment of senior-most officials in public-sector banks. 2. The BBB will advise banks on the ways of raising fund. 3. It will also guide banks on mergers and consolidations. 4. It will also guide banks on mergers and consolidations. (Adapted from The Indian express and Background from PrepMate-Cengage

Economics book, Chapter 16, page 237)

3. Why India is on US currency monitoring list? (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS mains

Paper III: Economics)

For the first time, it meets two of three criteria: significant bilateral surplus with US; and persistent intervention in forex markets. On April 13, the US Treasury Department delivered to Congress the semi-annual Report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the United States Treasury, which found that six major trading partners warrant placement on the Monitoring List for their currency practices. Five of these countries — China, Germany, Japan, Korea and Switzerland — were already on the list, India has been added this year. The US move and the higher rise in March trade deficit created nervousness in the foreign exchange market on Monday, with the rupee falling 29 paise against the US dollar to close at 65.49, a more than six-month low. What does the report say?

Frequent intervention by the central bank in the foreign exchange market means that India has increased its purchases of foreign exchange over the first three quarters of 2017. Despite a sharp drop-off in purchases in the fourth quarter, net annual purchases of foreign exchange reached $56 billion in 2017, equivalent to 2.2% of the GDP. The pick-up in purchases came amidst relatively strong foreign inflows, both of FDI and portfolio investment. Notwithstanding the increase in intervention, the rupee appreciated by over 6% against the dollar and by more than 3% on a real effective basis in 2017. India had a significant bilateral goods trade surplus with the US, totalling $23 billion in 2017, but the current account is in deficit at 1.5% of the GDP and the exchange rate is not deemed to be undervalued by the IMF.

So, India met two of the three criteria for the first time in this report — having a significant bilateral surplus with the US and having engaged in persistent, one-sided intervention in foreign exchange markets. US Treasury Secretary Steven T Mnuchin says in the report, We will continue to monitor and combat unfair currency practices, while encouraging policies and reforms to address large trade imbalances. How do central banks intervene and why?

Central banks intervene in the foreign exchange market to reduce volatility in the exchange rate and often to build foreign exchange reserves or to manage these reserves. They intervene to ensure that their currencies are neither overvalued or undervalued. If the currency is overvalued, it can hurt a country s competitiveness in exports while an undervalued currency will have an impact on inflation. For instance, when the currency is appreciating, a central bank intervenes in the market by buying foreign exchange — say, the USD or Euro or any other currency — which leads to an increase in the supply of the local currency and in turn lowers its value. To combat depreciation of the currency, the central bank sells foreign exchange. It is also done to manage expectations in the forex market. India s central bank — the RBI has intervened in the market to build the country s reserves especially after 2013 when the rupee came under attack. Since then reserves have risen. Why has the RBI been buying dollars?

The US report says India has generally been a net purchaser of foreign exchange since late 2013, when the RBI sought to build a stronger external buffer in the wake of large emerging market outflows globally. Prior to 2013, intervention for several years had generally been less frequent, and when it had occurred, it had been broadly symmetric, as for example during 2007 and 2008, when the RBI engaged in both purchases and sales of foreign exchange at various points in the midst of volatile global financial markets. The RBI has noted that the value of the rupee is broadly market-determined, with intervention used only during episodes of undue volatility . Foreign exchange intervention picked up in the first three quarters of 2017, in the context of strong capital inflows, with FDI of $34 billion and foreign portfolio flows of $26 billion over the first three quarters of the year. On what basis is a country named a currency manipulator ?

The three pre-conditions for being named currency manipulator are: a trade surplus of over $20 billion with the US, a current account deficit surplus of 3% of the GDP, and persistent foreign exchange purchases of 2% plus of the GDP over 12 months. All three apply to India. While there has not been a dramatic increase in trade surplus with the US, the RBI accumulated reserves by absorbing the inflows into domestic capital markets. This caution seems unwarranted considering that India runs a trade deficit overall, based on 36 currency REER (real effective exchange rate), the rupee is still overvalued, said Abhishek Goenka, CEO, IFA Global. What about the rupee? Will this report of the US Treasury impact the currency?

The rupee fell 29 paise against the US dollar to close at 65.49 on Monday. However, forex dealers don t expect a sharp fall as the RBI then props up the rupee by selling dollars. Notwithstanding the pick-up in intervention, the rupee appreciated 6.4% against the dollar

over 2017, while the real effective exchange rate also continued its general uptrend from the last few years, appreciating by 3.1%. In its most recent analysis, the IMF maintained its assessment that the rupee is moderately overvalued. The RBI s most recent annual report assessed the rupee to be closely aligned to its fair value over the long term . How have India s foreign exchange reserves moved?

According to latest RBI data, released last Friday, India s forex reserves rose by $503.6 million to touch a record high of $424.86 billion in the week ended April 6, 2018. Of this, foreign currency reserves were $399.776 billion. Direct intervention has supported a steady increase in foreign exchange reserve levels. At the end of 2013, foreign currency reserves were $268 billion, or 2.3 times short-term external debt, 6 months of import cover, and 14% of the GDP. How are analysts viewing this Monitoring List of the US Treasury?

Indranil Sen Gupta of Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research says, We continue to expect the RBI to recoup foreign exchange reserves if it can, despite being put on the US Treasury Report s currency manipulator watch list. It should continue to pursue an asymmetrical policy of buying forex when the dollar weakens and allowing Rs 65-66 per dollar when it strengthens. The RBI s forex reserves are inadequate: import cover, at 11 months, is running well below the pre-global financial crisis level of 14 months, share of portfolio investments has jumped to 120% of forex reserves from pre-crisis level of 70%. Second, we see RBI forex intervention at $15bn/ 0.6% of the GDP in FY19 — which is well

below 2% of the GDP required to be named currency manipulator — with the current account deficit set to rise to 1.9% of the GDP when portfolio inflows are slowing, Merrill Lynch says. (Adapted from The Indian Express)

Environment

1. Blackbuck poaching case: Salman Khan gets five years in jail, fined Rs 10,000; all

you need to know (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III)

Verdict of Jodhpur court

A Jodhpur court held Bollywood actor Salman Khan guilty and awarded him five years in jail in a case related to blackbuck poaching filed against him in 1998. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the actor. Salman s lawyers plan to move the sessions court as well as the Rajasthan High Court for bail. If the bail application is not heard today, the actor will have to spend the night in jail today. He is currently being taken to Jodhpur Central Jail, where Asaram Bapu is lodged in a rape case. Actors Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, Neelam and Tabu, who were co-accused in the case, were however acquitted by the court. Dushyant Singh, who was allegedly accompanying the actors when the poaching took place, was also acquitted. What is the Kankani blackbuck shooting case all about?

A complaint was registered by the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan against the actors, who allegedly hunted down two blackbucks during the filming of the movie. According to the complaint, Salman Khan is accused of killing two black bucks in Bhagoda ki Dhani near Jodhpur on the intervening night of October 1-2, 1998. He was also charged for possessing a weapon with an expired license. All of them were in a Gypsy car that night, with Salman Khan in the driving seat. He, on

spotting a herd of black bucks, shot at and killed two of them, public prosecutor Bhawani Singh Bhati had said. But on being spotted and chased, they fled from the spot leaving the dead animals there, he said, adding that there was adequate evidence against them. Who all are the accused?

Besides the actors — Salman Khan, Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, Neelam and Tabu — the case involves two more accused, Dushyant Singh, who has now been acquitted and Dinesh Gawre, said to be Salman Khan s assistant. What are the charges they faced?

While Salman Khan faced charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the other actors were charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code. Under Section 51, enforcement can be performed by agencies such as the Forest Department, the Police, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), the Customs and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Chargesheets can be filed directly by the Forest Department.

Here s how the Kankani case progressed:

While Salman was released on bail on October 17 the same year, he was later held guilty by a trial court in 2006. He was charged under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and was sentenced to five years jail term. He was also asked to pay a fine of Rs 25,000. While the actor spent six days in jail, the sentence was suspended by the Rajasthan High Court. The final arguments in the case were completed in the trial court on March 28 this year, following which Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri reserved the judgment for today. During the final arguments, the prosecution counsel had described the spot of alleged poaching, citing the statements of witnesses Poonam Chand and Chhoga Ram and the post-mortem report. However, while submitting his arguments, Khan s counsel H M Saraswat ran the video recording of the statements of Poonam Chand and drew the attention of the court to the contradiction in his statements taken by the investigating officer and the statements

given by the witness. Videography of the statements of Poonam Chand clearly showed that the official noting

the statements had been copying them from a paper lying on the table beside him, argued Saraswat. Salman was earlier acquitted in two poaching cases by the high court and in a case under Arms Act by the lower court. The actor later appeared in the district and sessions court for filing bail bonds after the state challenged his acquittal in the case under Arms Act. What are the other poaching cases against the actor?

The actor was also charged with two other poaching cases of Chinkara deer and blackbuck in Bhawad village and Mathania village respectively. He was acquitted in both the cases. However, the verdict in the Chinkara deer case was challenged by the Rajasthan government in the Supreme Court following which the actor was issued notice. The matter is currently pending with the top court. (Adapted from The Indian Express)

2. What the new Coastal Regulation Zone draft says, how it differs from the earlier

version (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III)

The new draft if implemented will not only have an effect on how common areas used by fisherfolk are managed, but also bifurcate coastal zones along rural areas based on population density.

The draft Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), 2018, which was released by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) last week, has the potential to change the way coastal stretches in India are governed. India s coastline runs over 7,500 kilometres. The new draft if implemented will not only have an effect on how common areas used by fisherfolk are managed, but also bifurcate coastal zones along rural areas based on population density. Environmentalists claim that the draft has opened up fragile inter-tidal areas to real estate agents and framed with an intent to favour large-scale industry at the cost of fishing communities. Changes in the new draft

The purpose of the current notifications vis-à-vis the previous one released in 2011 remains more or less the same. The new draft aims to conserve and protect the unique environment of coastal stretches and marine areas, besides livelihood security to the fisher communities and other local communities in the coastal areas and to promote sustainable development based on scientific principles taking into account the dangers of natural hazards, sea level rises due to global warming…. A major change in the new draft pertains to the CRZ limits on land along tidal influenced water bodies . The proposed limit has been reduced from 100 metres to 50 metres or the width of the creek, whichever is less. Mapping of high tide and hazard lines

The draft makes the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) the final authority to lay down standards for High Tide Line (HTL). Earlier the demarcation was carried out by one of the agencies authorised by MoEF, on recommendations of the NCSCM. The hazard line, which was demarcated by the Survey of India (SOI), has been delinked from the CRZ regulatory regime, and will now be used as a tool for disaster management and planning of adaptive and mitigation measures. Pooja Kumar from the Chennai-based Coastal Resources Centre points out that the 2011 notification placed a lot of importance on the hazard line. The 2018 notification takes away the protection that the hazard line could provide; instead, it merely states that the hazard line should be used as a tool for disaster management. This means that one can build in these areas after preparing an environment assessment report stating that certain precautions have been considered, she said. Bifurcation of CRZ-III areas

CRZ-III areas — land that is relatively undisturbed such as in rural areas, and do not fall in areas considered close to shoreline within existing municipal limits — have been divided into two categories: CRZ-III A refers to rural areas with a population density of 2,161 people per square kilometre or more as per the 2011 Census. Such areas shall have a No Development Zone (NDZ) of 50m from the HTL, the draft notes.

CRZ-III B refers to rural areas with a population density lesser than 2,161 people per square kilometre. Such areas shall continue to have an NDZ of 200m from the HTL. Kumar questions the accuracy of data that is used for classification. We had a look at 2011 Census [data], and only state-wise population density is available, so how does one narrow down to the coastal region? she enquires. Kanchi Kohli, a researcher at the Centre for Policy Research, pointed out that revenue records are not available of how many people live in some of the CRZ-III areas. They [through the draft] want to open up certain parts of the coast. It is clear that the state governments have asked for this. Some of these common areas are used by fisherfolk to dry fish and park their boats, she said. Projects that require MoEF s approval

Only those projects located in CRZ-I (environmentally most critical) and CRZ-IV (water and seabed areas) shall require MoEF clearance. All other projects shall be considered by Coastal Zone Management Authorities (CZMAs) in the states and union territories. The draft also allows for construction of roads and roads on stilts, by way of reclamation in CRZ-1 areas , only in exceptional cases for defence, strategic purposes and public utilities, to be recommended by the CZMA and approved by the Ministry. However, it does not explicitly state what strategic projects are. Interestingly, it notes that in cases where roads are constructed through mangroves or are likely to damage the latter, a minimum three times the mangrove area affected/ destroyed/ cut during the construction… shall be taken up for compensatory plantation…. Floor space index for CRZ-II

While the 2011 notification had frozen the floor space index or floor area ratio for CRZ-II areas at 1991 Development Control Regulation (DCR) levels, the new draft proposes to de-freeze the same and permit FSI for construction projects as prevailing on the date of the new notification. Kohli points out that certain kinds of buildings in metro cities such as Chennai and Mumbai have been exempted from CRZ -II areas. Certain buildings will be managed by FSI through Town and Country Planning Department, and will not require CRZ clearances, she said. Criticism

Kohli notes that the draft empowers CZMAs at the state-level, which is responsible for the Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs). The idea is to complete the process of drawing up plans in consultation with coastal dwellers. Land and sea are constantly merging. As a result, this cannot be done through satellite images. One has to visit the area… The issue is that the process of creating CZMPs is flawed…, she said. The MoEF has said that the relaxations/ amendment proposed in the CRZ notification, 2018, shall come into effect only after respective CZMPs that were to be framed under the

previous CRZ notification, have been revised or updated by states/UTs and approved by the ministry. The National Green Tribunal has noted that it has been seven years since the deadline set by the 2011 notification to submit CZMPs to the MoEF has passed. Several states have held public hearings in this regard. While Maharashtra has requested an extension, the public hearing in Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu was forcibly cancelled last week due to opposition from fisherfolk. According to Pooja Kumar, the dilutions introduced by the new draft will affect customary land use and traditional land rights. It does maintain the language of long-term housing plans. What is the point of it if livelihoods and related spaces are not taken care of? Coastal spaces are fluid. Applying models that pertain to inland areas to the coast is problematic… Delhi and its corridors of power lack an understanding of what these places

are, Kohli said. (Adapted from The Indian Express)

Science and Technology

1. Chip in TV set-top boxes: Why govt wants accurate viewership data (Relevant for

GS Prelims, GS mains Paper II)

What is the background and relevance of the discussion between TRAI and the

Ministry?

In a letter written to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding new licences for Direct-To-Home service providers last month, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said it was proposed to ask DTH operators to install a chip in the new Set-Top-Boxes which can give data about channels watched and their duration . In its response to the Ministry s March 12 letter, TRAI has said that since installing a chip was not part of the initial reference from the Ministry, it was not discussed for the recommendations for new DTH licences that the regulator gave in 2014. (It was on these recommendations that the Ministry had asked TRAI further questions.) A new issue , TRAI said, could not be part of a back reference , and if the Ministry desires the regulator s recommendation on it, it must ask officially. The Ministry has not sent such a request yet.

Background and relevance of the discussion between TRAI and the Ministry

How is television viewership in India measured currently?

The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), an industry body that is jointly owned by advertisers, ad agencies, and broadcasting companies, represented by The Indian Society of Advertisers, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation and the Advertising Agencies Association of India respectively, measures television viewership in the country, using television rating points, or TRPs. BARC has installed BAR-O-meters in 33,000-odd empanelled households (as of September 2017) across the country. These households are classified into 12 categories under the New Consumer Classification System (NCCS), the so-called new SEC that was adopted by BARC in 2015, based on the education level of the main wage earner and the ownership of consumer durables from a predefined list of 11 items ranging from an electricity connection to a car. While watching a show, the members of the household register their presence by pressing their viewer ID button, thus capturing the duration for which the channel was watched and by whom and providing data on viewership habits across age and socio-economic groups. This data is one of the most important considerations for advertisers and agencies while choosing a channel to advertise their products. It is important to note that like any good statistical survey, the panel used to capture TRPs must be representative of the country s population, and the methodology must be economically viable for the industry.

So, why does the I&B Ministry need a chip-based activity log?

The Ministry, sources said, feels that a recorded activity log can lead to a more accurate assessment of viewers , which can be used by advertisers and advertising agencies. Also, the sources said, there were concerns within the Ministry that BARC was underreporting viewership numbers for Doordarshan. Finally, according to these sources, the data produced by BARC may not be accurate, and this could be impacting the advertising costs of the government — with some channels with low viewership being able to charge more for advertisements. BARC, the sources said, was a monopoly which did not disclose its methodology in sufficient detail, and senior Ministry officials felt that installing the chip could capture more accurate viewership data for all DTH households. A BARC spokesperson, however, said being the only agency that the industry subscribes to does not automatically make it a monopoly. We operate strictly within government guidelines , the spokesperson said, and BARC s systems and processes are periodically audited by global firms . When did these doubts first arise?

The integrity of viewership data has been controversial for a decade. In January 2008, the I&B Ministry sought TRAI s recommendations on various issues relating to television audience measurement. In August 2008, TRAI recommended self-regulation through an industry-led BARC. The regulator also laid down how many households must be empanelled, how they should be rotated, who should own the television viewership assessment body, etc. As issues persisted, however, the Ministry went back to TRAI in 2012. In 2013, the regulator reiterated most of its 2008 recommendations, adding, A minimum panel size of 20,000 to be implemented within 6 months of the guidelines coming into force. Thereafter, the panel size shall be increased by 10,000 every year until it reaches the figure of 50,000. The panel of homes has to remain representative of all television households in the country. And will the proposed chip in set-top boxes produce better data?

The idea is still in a nascent stage, but a basic chip that passively records TV viewership data of all households that have set-top boxes will only be able to capture the duration of viewership for each channel — even though it will be able to potentially capture this data for a much larger TV-watching population. No information about the TV-watching habits of different age groups will be captured — unless every household that has a set-top box also has a system by which every member of the household is able to register her presence while watching a particular channel. Also, for the data to reflect viewership patterns of different socio-economic groups, each set-top box will have to have a unique marker that identifies the particular household. Data from a basic chip, then, will be quantitatively richer, but not necessarily better qualitatively — which is essential for the advertising industry and, therefore, the broadcasting industry. Also, the proposal is only for set-top boxes of DTH customers,

whereas TRAI recommends that TRP measurements should be platform-agnostic, i.e., it should reflect the viewership of cable TV and IPTV, etc., as well. Are there any other concerns about a chip in set-top boxes?

As explained above, if the chip is to capture qualitative data across age groups and socio-economic segments, each set-top box will have to be equipped with a unique identifier, which is rather similar to inviting the government into living rooms to watch which households and family members are watching what at any given time. Concerns over privacy are bound to be expressed. (Adapted from The Indian Express)

2. Why new hormone rules for women runners affect one and not the other (Relevant

for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III; Science & Technology)

World athletics body has introduced regulations that restrict the participation of female athletes with high testosterone levels in certain international track & field events. The Indian Express explains. Why did the international athletics body come with these new eligibility regulations

for female runners?

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had been asked by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) to finalise regulations that would clearly specify events in which women with high but naturally occurring levels of testosterone could participate. This was after the CAS had directed the IAAF to provide fresh evidence to prove that women athletes with higher than normal levels of testosterone had a distinct advantage. It all started after Indian sprinter Dutee Chand had successfully challenged the now suspended guidelines for hyperandrogenism (a medical condition characterised by high levels of male sex hormones such as testosterone) in 2014. What were the old guidelines and how have they changed?

Earlier, women with testosterone levels of 10 nanomoles per litre or more were ineligible to participate in track and field events. Dutee challeged the rule, arguing that she had naturally occurring high levels of testosterone. CAS ruled in favour of the Indian sprinter. This opened the doors for several other athletes with hyperandrogenism. Now, IAAF has said that female athletes with 5 or more nanomoles per litre testosterone cannot participate in 400m, 800m and 1500m races. How much do testosterone levels vary between males and females?

Testosterone levels in females usually range between 0.12 to 1.79 nmol/L while the male range is much higher — 7.7 to 29.4 nmol/L. The IAAF has concluded that it is only possible for a woman to have a testosterone level of 5 nmol/L or greater in the case of a tumour or if the athlete falls in the intersex category. Who is an intersex person?

An intersex person is one who has both male and female sex organs or other variations including chromosomes and does not fall exclusively into the defined male or female physical characteristics. What do the guidelines mean for Dutee Chand and who else do they affect?

Chand is free to compete in her two pet events — the 100 metres and the 200 metres — because these do not fall under the restricted events category. However, the new guidelines will make it difficult for South Africa s Caster Semenya to compete in 800m and 1,500m at international events. Semenya had to undergone therapy after winning the gold in 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships, to reduce her testosterone levels. When do the new regulations come into effect?

From November 1, 2018. What did the IAAF base its guidelines on?

The IAAF based the evidence in part on a study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, in July last year. The study, which researched the link between track and field performance and higher than usual testosterone levels, involved 1,332 elite female athletes and 795 male athletes — a total of 2,127 subjects. A blood sample was taken from each of these athletes, a number of whom had participated in the 2011 and 2013 World Championships. Women with higher levels of testosterone were seen to have a distinct advantage in 400m, 400m hurdles, and 800m and also in hammer throw and pole vault. So, why did the IAAF not include hammer throw and pole vault in the guidelines?

Katrina Karkazis, an expert on testosterone and its effects, who testified when sprinter Chand knocked on the doors of CAS, feels that the IAAF wanted to target women from the Global South — Indian subcontinent and Africa — which specifically means Semenya. Is there any way that an athlete with higher testosterone levels can now participate

in the female category in restricted events?

In order to participate in events of the length between 400 metres and a mile, a female athlete with higher levels of testosterone must reduce her levels to below 5 nmol/L. This can be done, the IAAF says, through medication or use of hormonal therapy. Moreover, the athlete has to show that her testosterone levels are below the upper limit for a period of six months. The IAAF has said that an athlete does not have to undergo any kind of surgery. What if an intersex athlete does not wish to comply with the new regulations?

The athlete will not be debarred from competing in the female category in restricted events if the event is a national competition and will also be allowed to compete in other events outside the restricted events. The other option for an intersex athlete is to compete against men at any competition or participate in the intersex category. What is the logic of the IAAF in asking women to keep their testosterone levels below

the upper limit for a six-month period?

The time period is essential, the IAAF says, to ensure that an athlete does not get any advantage of previously high levels of testosterone which was present in the body.

(Adapted from The Indian Express)

3. Chemical weapons: All you need to know (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper

What are chemical weapons?

It is a toxic chemical in a delivery system such as bomb or artillery. The definition was expanded for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) — 192 countries as signatories — that seeks to limit availability of chemicals that can be used as tools of mass destruction while allowing member states to retain rights to use some of these chemicals for peaceful purposes such as riot control. According to CWC s Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons(OPCW), … The Convention defines each component of a chemical weapon as a chemical weapon— whether assembled or not, stored together or separately. Anything specifically designed or intended for use in direct connection with the release of a chemical agent to cause death or harm is itself a chemical weapon. What is nerve gas?

It is a compound that acts by incapacitating the mechanism within the body responsible for the conduction of nerve impulses. This is usually done by blocking the action of acetylcholineesterase — a compound that catalyses the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. When acetylcholinesterase is prevented from performing its normal function of breaking down acetylcholine, muscles go into a state of uncontrolled contraction — a sign of paralysis or a seizure-like state. Death usually happens because paralysis extends to the cardiac and respiratory muscles. Other symptoms could include dilation of pupils, sweating and gastrointestinal pain etc. Nerve agents can also be absorbed through the skin.

How do nerve gases compare with other chemical weapons?

They are among the most lethal. In the CWC list of chemicals under various degrees of manufacturing restriction, nerve gases are among the most restricted, given that they have no use other than in chemical warfare. When countries started to develop newer weapons to bypass these restrictions, they preferred nerve agents. That is how Novichok evolved: because restrictions are based on chemical formulae, newer molecules can bypass restrictions. Novichok is said to be 5-8 times more lethal than VX nerve agent and its effects are rapid, usually within 30 seconds to 2 minutes. How many countries possess or use chemical weapons?

Of the 192 CWC signatories, Albania, India, Iraq, Libya, Russia, Syria, and the US declared possession. Albania, India, Libya, Russia — and Syria — declared completion of destruction of chemical weapons. According to OPCW, 96.27% or 69,610 of 72,304 tonnes of the world s stockpile of chemical weapons have been verifiably destroyed . What was verified in Syria?

OPCW says: The Syrian Arab Republic acceded to the Convention on 14 October 2013. The Executive Council, supported by a UN Security Council Resolution, decided on an

accelerated plan… Destruction of Syria s chemicals weapons equipment and munitions began in October 2013 and by January 2016 the destruction of all chemical weapons declared by Syria has been completed. What has Syria s record been like?

In August 2013, an alleged nerve agent had killed 1,100 in in Ghouta. Since October 2013, when destruction was declared begun, there have been alleged chemical attacks in April 2014 (Kfar Zeita, poison gas, 2 dead, 100 ill); May 2015 (Sarmin, chlorine, 6 dead); August 2015 (Marea, mustard gas, 50 ill); September 2016 (Aleppo, chlorine, 2 dead), April 2017 (Khan Sheikhoun, sarin, 70 dead) and Douma. Who else have used chemical weapons?

* In World War I, chlorine and phosgene gases were released on the battlefield. * Iraq used chemical weapons in Iran during the 1980s war, and mustard gas and nerve agents against Kurdish residents in 1988. * In Matsumoto in Japan in 1994, 8 people died and 500 were affected in a sarin attack. * In a sarin attack in the Tokyo subway in 1995, 12 people died and 50 were injured. Other chemical weapons

The Chemical Weapons Convention defines a chemical weapon, which includes nerve gas, as anything specifically designed or intended for use in direct connection with the release of a chemical agent to cause death or harm is itself a chemical weapon. All 192 states of the Chemical Weapons Convention have the right to use some of these for peaceful purposes – a common example would be a teargas shell. Choking agents

Fluid builds up in lungs, choking victim. Examples include chlorine, phosgene, diphosgene and chloropicrin. Blister agents

Burns skin, mucous membranes and eyes; causes large blisters on exposed skin; blisters windpipe and lungs; large casualties, low percentage of deaths. Examples: sulphur mustard, nitrogen mustard, phosgene oxime, Lewisite Blood agents

Cyanide destroys ability of blood tissues to utilise oxygen, causing them to starve and strangling the heart. Examples include hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen chloride, Arsine, VX Riot control agents Cause tears, coughing and irritation to eyes, nose, mouth and skin; constrict airway and shut eyes; teargas and pepper spray are examples of such agents (Adapted from Indian Express)

Social Issues

1. 'Bharat Bandh' on SC/ST ruling: All you need to know (Relevant for GS prelims, GS

mains Paper I)

- The NDA government today filed a petition seeking review of the Supreme Court order diluting the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which protects marginalised communities against discrimination and atrocities. Supreme court has refused to review the petition in fast track manner. - In the review petition drafted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Centre is likely to contend that the order will weaken the provisions of the Act, thereby reducing the fear of law, which may result in more violations. Supreme Court Judgement

On March 20, the Supreme Court banned automatic arrests and registration of criminal cases under the SC/ST Act, triggering widespread criticism and outcry from the dalit community. 1. The apex court said public servants can't be prosecuted without the approval of the appointing authority, and private citizens too should be arrested only after an inquiry under the law. 2. It further ruled that preliminary inquiry in a case under the Act would be conducted by the Deputy Superintendent of Police to ensure the allegations are not frivolous. Rationale behind the judgement

The amendment in the law was a bid to protect honest public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act. View of Political Parties and Dalit organisations

However, dalit organisations and some political parties fear the dilution of the provisions of the Act might lead to increase in violence against Dalits. After holding agitations over the last few days to protest against the top court's ruling on the SC/ST Act, several dalit outfits have called for a Bharat Bandh today. (Adapted from The Times of India)

Internal Security

1. Left wing affected regions (Relevant for GS Prelims, GS Mains Paper III: Internal

Security)

Naxalism was once called by the government as the biggest internal security threat faced by the country. However, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Maoist influence has been gradually shrinking. In figures released on Monday, the MHA, which recently redrew the red corridor, brought down the number of districts affected with Naxal violence from 106 to 90, spread across 11 states. The list also includes the 30 worst-affected district — six down from the previous one.

In 2015, the NDA government had adopted the National Policy and Action Plan , which aimed at addressing Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the country. In the last couple of years though, Maoists have managed to carry out big strikes killing scores of policemen. In Chhattisgarh, over two dozen policemen were killed in separate incidents in 2017; at least nine CRPF personnel were killed in a similar attack in Sukma last month. Which states are included in the LWE-affected areas?

The report considers Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Bihar as states that are severely affected by LWE. West Bengal, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh (earlier a part of the severely affected category) are considered partially affected. Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are classified as states that are slightly affected. According to the report, Maoists are making a foray into Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and planning to link the Western and Eastern Ghats through these states. They are not only planning to increase their activities in these areas, but also carve out a base for themselves in the tri-junction. The report also notes that the Maoists are attempting to make inroads into Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and their success in doing so can have long-term strategic implications. Is the recently drawn red corridor different from the older one?

In 2015, the total number of LWE-affected districts was 106. It rose to 126 in 2017 following bifurcation of states and districts, and the expansion of Maoists activities. All expenses incurred by the affected areas are covered under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme of the MHA, which provides funds for transportation, communication, hiring of vehicles, stipend for surrendered Maoists, and temporary infrastructure for security forces. Of the 106 districts, 36 accounted for 80 to 90% of the country-wide LWE violence and were categorized as Worst Affected Districts . In its recent review, the Home Ministry noted that 44 of the 126 districts reported negligence violence, and they were removed from the list. Eight new districts which witnessed Maoist movements were added to the SRE list. Currently, 30 instead of 36 of the worst affected districts account for 90% of the LWE violence. So, which are the new districts where Maoists are making inroads?

Eight new districts have been included by the MHA. Kerala: Malappuram, Palakkad and Wayanad Andhra Pradesh: West Godavari Chhattisgarh: Kabirdham Madhya Pradesh: Mandla Odisha: Angul and Boudh Which are the districts that have now been excluded?

As many as 44 districts have been removed from the list. Among them the majority belongs to the following states:

* Telangana: 19 districts * Odisha: 6 districts * Bihar: 6 districts * West Bengal: 4 districts * Chhattisgarh: 3 districts * Jharkhand: 2 districts * Maharashtra: 1 district

What were the criteria for removing the districts and including new ones?

The primary criterion was incidents of violence . The 44 districts, which have been excluded, did not report any significant incidents of violence due to LWE in the last three years. Similarly, three new districts in Kerala were added following reports of Naxal movement, and their overground activities. Incidents of violence have seen a 20% decline with a 34% reduction in related deaths in 2017 as compared to 2013. The geographical spread of LWE violence also shrunk from 76 districts in 2013 to 58 districts in 2017. The new districts will receive the SRE fund from the Centre, which will monitor development and security-related projects. Last year, the combined SRE expenditure in LWE-affected districts was Rs 445 crore. What is the multi-pronged strategy of the government?

The multi-pronged strategy primarily includes development and security aspects of affected districts. Projects related to development include infrastructure, roads, cellphone connectivity, bridges and schools. As per MHA data, 2,329 mobile towers were installed in Maoist-affected areas in the first phase of the project aimed at improving cellphone connectivity, with the maximum number of towers being installed in Jharkhand (816), followed by Chhattisgarh (519). In the second phase, the government plans to install another 4,072 mobile towers. Similarly, 4,544 kilometers of road have already been built of the sanctioned 5,422 km. The second phase of constructing 5,411 km of road will start soon and is estimated to cost Rs 10,780 crores. Earlier, 11 of the 36 worst affected areas had no Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV), and only six Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). Now, all the 36 districts have JNVs, and eight districts have functional KVs. Three new KVs are also being built. Eight bridges, which were built to enhance connectivity to remote areas in LWE-affected states, were constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 1,000 crores. (Adapted from The Indian Express)

Miscellaneous

1. Unnao rape case: Here s everything you need to know

BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh s Unnao district, was sent to seven-day police custody. Earlier in the day, the four-time lawmaker was produced before a Lucknow court, a day after he was arrested by the CBI. He remained defiant in claiming his innocence and said he had faith in the judiciary . The CBI also made a second arrest in the case as it took into custody Shashi Singh, the woman who allegedly took the victim to BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar on the day of crime. The victim, on the other hand, expressed confidence of getting justice following Prime Minister Narendra Modi s assurance that the country s daughters would definitely get justice . She was taken to the CBI zonal headquarters for questioning and later to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in the city for medical examination WHAT IS THE UNNAO RAPE CASE?

The case came to light when the victim and her family tried to immolate herself outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath s residence, alleging police inaction against the accused. The family alleged that the woman was raped by the MLA and his accomplices last year. The kin added that the family was thrashed after a complaint was filed with the police in this regard. I was raped. I have been running pillar to post for the last one year, but no one is listening

to me. I want to see all of them arrested, otherwise I will kill myself, the victim said. She added, I had even approached the CM to no result. When we lodged an FIR, we were threatened. The case worsened when the victim s father died in judicial custody a day later. Here is how the case progressed thereafter: BJP MLA s BROTHER ARRESTED

The MLA s brother, Atul Singh Sengar, was arrested along with four others, by the UP-Crime Branch, for allegedly thrashing the victim s father. According to Unnao district jail superintendent A K Singh, the father was sent to jail on April 4 in connection with an Arms Act case, with some marks on his back, suggesting that he was beaten up by sticks. On April 5, he complained of stomach ache and vomiting. We called the district hospital physician who came to the jail on April 6 and gave him medicines. They also asked us to conduct his blood, urine and ultrasound tests, for which we again took him to the district hospital on April 7.

Since the physician did not find anything serious, he was brought back to the jail the same evening, Singh said. The next evening (April 8), he again complained of abdominal pain and vomiting. His

blood pressure too was very low, so the jail doctor asked us to take him to the district hospital. He was admitted there but passed away hours later, he added. Atul was charged under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code. SIT FORMED

The victim was made to appear before Rajiv Krishan, Additional Director General of Police, Lucknow, who ordered a probe by the Lucknow police. Later, a special investigation team was formed to probe the alleged rape case as well as the custodial death of the father. NHRC NOTICE TO YOGI ADITYANATH GOVERNMENT

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the state police chief, seeking a detailed report on the death of the father, and directed authorities to ensure the aggrieved family is not subjected to further harassment . The commission observed that the allegations, if true, raised a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim family. It also issued notices to the chief secretary and the director general of police of Uttar Pradesh, seeking a detailed report, including action taken against the delinquent police officials , who allegedly refused to register an FIR. SC AGREES TO HEAR PLEA FOR CBI PROBE

Based on a petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the plea for a CBI probe into both the cases. Meanwhile, in more trouble for the BJP legislator, the Allahabad High Court took suo-moto cognizance of the rape case and appointed an amicus curia in the case. VICTIM APPEALS TO CM FOR JUSTICE

While alleging that the district magistrate had confined them to a room in a government guest house, the victim appealed to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to provide her justice. I appeal to CM Yogi Adityanath to provide me justice. The DM has confined me to a hotel room, they are not even serving me water. I just want the culprit to be punished, ANI had quoted her as saying. Fearing trouble, the girl s mother refused to return to Makhi village till the situation normalised. The MLA and his associates must be planning something. No one in the village will dare support us. No one will raise voice against the MLA and his family. They hold all administrative posts in the village, she had told Indian Express. However, Lucknow ADG Rajeev Krishna said the family would be provided full security.

ACCUSED S WIFE THREATENS SUICIDE

Sangeeta Singh Sengar, the wife of accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar, met Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh and demanded a narco test on her husband to prove his innocence. While threatening to commit suicide if her husband was proven guilty, Sangeeta alleged evidences were being hidden and that there was political motive behind the case. FIR REGISTERED AGAINST KULDEEP SINGH

While facing flak from all quarters, the state government decided to hand over the case to the CBI after the Special Investigation Team submitted its report and a video that purportedly showed the girl s father saying he was assaulted by Sengar s brother Atul in the presence of police. The government also directed the police to file an FIR against the BJP leader and four others. DOCTORS SUSPENDED

The government also received a separate report from Unnao district magistrate on the lapses on part of the government hospital. Two doctors – DK Dwivedi and Prashant Upadhyay – were suspended and while disciplinary proceedings were initiated against three of them – Dr Manoj Kumar, Dr G P Sachan and Dr Gaurav Agrawal – for laxity in giving proper medical care and treatment to the victim s father prior to judicial custody and at the district hospital. HC SLAMS UP GOVT OVER DELAY IN MLA S ARREST

The government was pulled up by the Allahabad High Court over the delay in the arrest of the rape accused. The court also questioned the conduct of the police in the case, saying whom a victim approach to will register a complaint. BJP MLA DETAINED BY CBI

Kuldeep Singh was finally detained by the CBI on Friday. However, the Allahabad High Court directed the agency to arrest the MLA instead. NO COMPROMISE SAYS YOGI ADITYANATH

Under fire over his government s handling of the rape case, Yogi Adityanath said his government had not deviated from its zero-tolerance policy on crime and corruption. As soon as the matter came to the notice of the government on April 9, we immediately constituted an SIT Special Investigation Team and initiated action in the matter…the policemen and doctors found guilty in the SIT report were suspended, he told reporters in Chitrakoot. We have referred the matter to the CBI…our government will not compromise on the zero-

tolerance policy it has followed against crime and corruption since the beginning. We will firmly deal with criminals, however influential they might be, Adityanath added. RAPED ACCUSED ARRESTED

After questioning him for nearly 15 hours, the CBI on Friday finally arrested the BJP MLA for raping the minor girl. Kuldeep was produced before a Lucknow court.

(Adapted from The Indian Express)

2. No cash in ATMs: Why is there a shortage? What happens next? (Read only for

understanding)

Why is there a shortage of cash in ATMs in some states?

There could be a combination of factors. Some of these include the printing of Rs 2000 notes in smaller numbers, the conversion of Rs 2000 cassettes in ATMs to Rs 200 cassettes, which has reduced the machines cash-carrying capacity; hoarding of cash by the public ahead of festivals; a mismatch between the growth of currency in circulation with the growth in economic activity in the 18 months since demonetisation; and the return of cash transactions, with an increase in the average ticket size of ATM withdrawals since pre-demonetisation days. As we understand from various sources, the printing of Rs 2000 denomination notes has

been less, with more emphasis on printing of lower-value notes. ATM transactions have been steadily increasing, though not at the heady pace we saw from 2012-16. They have definitely come back to the pre-demonetisation days. The ticket size has also increased from Rs 2,900 to Rs 3,100 across our portfolio of ATMs, said Radha Rama Dorai, MD, ATM and Allied Services, at FIS, one of the leading firms managing ATMs in India. How does the Reserve Bank of India decide how much cash is required?

Early every calendar year, before the start of the fiscal, the RBI holds a meeting to calculate the country s annual cash requirement. It works on an econometric model that takes into account variables such as the number of notes in circulation, the number that have been destroyed, and the number needed for replacement — all keeping an eye on projected GDP growth and inflation for the coming fiscal, and on the volume of electronic transactions, including fund transfers and payments through cards, during the past year. The RBI collects data from its 19 regional offices, and then decides on how much currency to allocate to each office — remittances are generally made quarterly. The Ministry of Finance, whose Coins and Currency Division oversees the exercise, is then intimated. Officials said the amount of currency to be printed in a year is a closely guarded secret between the RBI and the Ministry. Based on the estimate of currency needed, an indent or order is placed with the country s four currency note printing presses, with clear instructions on denominations and numbers of notes each would print. And how is this cash crunch different from the one after demonetisation?

During demonetisation there was a cash crunch not just at ATMs but also in bank branches as currency notes of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 were withdrawn from the system, and new notes were yet to come in sufficient numbers. This time, the cash crunch is only at ATMs, suggesting a role for possible logistics issues. At the time of demonetisation, banks had surplus deposits as the public, including likely hoarders of black money, deposited old

high-value notes. But with gradual remonetisation over the last year, deposits could have reduced, even as withdrawals increased — which, in conjunction with other factors, may have contributed to a temporary cash crunch. So, how should this crunch be viewed?

Rama Dorai of FIS stressed that different states have seen cash crunches at different times, and this is not in itself a new phenomenon . Economist and India Equity Strategist for Credit Suisse, Neelkanth Mishra, said that it was not unusual for currency demand to rise in the first half of April. A study of historical trends shows there is nothing unusual in this trend — the increase is the lowest since 2013, and as % of GDP, it is the lowest in nearly 10 years, Credit Suisse said in a note issued late Tuesday evening. The note added that currency in circulation as % of GDP has not yet settled into the normal seasonal pattern,

and it is possible that the government stopping the printing of Rs 2,000 denomination notes may have caused some concern and triggered some hoarding . (Adapted from the Indian Express)

3. Strong anti-minority feelings : What the NIA probe in six bomb blasts found (Read

only for understanding)

In September 2006, a series of bomb blasts ripped through Malegaon, a town in Maharashtra, killing at least 30 people and injuring many more. Barely five months later, in February 2007, explosions in two carriages of the Delhi-Lahore Samjhauta Express left over 60 people dead. In May that year, a bomb blast in the 400-year-old Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, and the ensuing clashes between the mob and police, left more than 15 dead. On October 11, 2007, an explosion near the Ajmer Dargah killed three people and injured over 17. Nearly a year later, in September 2008, three bomb blasts — two in Malegaon and one in Modasa, Gujarat — led to the death of at least seven people. What was common in all the six incidents was pointed out by the NIA, which has probed the cases since 2011, in its chargesheet filed in the Samjhauta Express blasts case. The agency claimed that attackers in all the incidents were linked by a common ideology: they were all associated with Hindu extremist organisations, had strong anti-minority feelings , and were agitated about terrorist attacks on temples. The prime accused in all the blasts — Sandeep Dange and Ramji Kalsangra — still remain elusive. There was a partial conviction in the Ajmer blast case; in the Mecca Masjid case, all five-main accused were acquitted on Monday; and the Modasa blast case was closed by the NIA in 2015. The change of course

In the 2008 Malegaon blasts case charge-sheet, the NIA did not mention the name of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur. Another key accused, Lt Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit, was granted bail

last year. The names of Dange and Kalsangra only cropped up when then ATS chief Hemant Karkare tracked a motorcycle, linked to Sadhvi Pragya, that was used in the blast. The flip-flops in all the cases were first flagged in 2015 by the special public prosecutor in the Malegaon case, Rohini Salian. After the change in government at the Centre, the NIA asked me to go soft into these terror cases…, Salian told The Indian Express in October that year. The NIA did not appeal after Aseemanand was granted bail in both the Samjhauta Express and Mecca Masjid blasts cases. It also did not challenge the acquittal in 2017 of Aseemanand and other accused in the Ajmer Dargah case. In the case of Purohit too, the agency, which had earlier argued in the Supreme Court against his bail, now did not contest his plea. Instead, the NIA got two witnesses, Dr R P Singh and Yashpal Bhadana, and recorded their statement in connection with the 2008 Malegaon blasts before a magistrate, saying that they were coerced by the Maharashtra ATS to make an accusation. Start-stop investigations

Following the 2008 Malegaon blasts, the Maharashtra ATS arrested Sadhvi Pragya and Purohit in September that year. Pragya s motorbike was used to plant the explosives in Malegaon, it was alleged. But within a month, ATS chief Karkare, who was heading the probe, was killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, throwing the investigation out of gear. Around the same time, the Rajasthan ATS, which was probing the 2007 Ajmer Dargah case, arrested Lokesh Sharma and Devendra Gupta (both allegedly associated with the RSS), for their role in the Mecca Masjid, Ajmer Dargah, Samjhauta Express and Malegaon blast cases. Former RSS pracharak Sunil Joshi, who was murdered in 2007, was the leader of the group, which had carried out the attacks, it was alleged. In the 2006 Malegaon blasts case, nine people were arrested under the stringent MCOCA by the Maharashtra ATS, which claimed the blasts were carried out by the banned SIMI. The CBI, which took over the probe from the ATS, also concluded that the nine men had carried out the blasts. However, it was Aseemanand s confession, which he later retracted, that helped the Muslim youths get bail. According to the chargesheet filed by the NIA in the Samjhauta Express blasts case, Dange and Joshi chose the train because most of the travellers were Pakistani Muslims. Joshi had said, For this, we need a different kind of bomb, we need to assemble a variety of chemicals. For a number of simultaneous blasts on a running train, SIM card bombs won t do, the chargesheet alleged. The trial in the train blast case is currently under way at the Panchkula court in Haryana. Aseemanand, who was an accused in this case as well, was released on bail in 2015. Joining the dots

Detailed investigations in the six cases revealed the role of rightwing groups in all of them. According to the NIA, the planning to carry out the attacks started as early as in 2001, and some of the alleged attackers met for the first time in Jaipur on October 26, 2005. It was soon after this meeting that Devendra Gupta, Lokesh Sharma and Sunil Joshi arranged mobile phones and SIM cards that were used in the attacks. As many as 11 SIM cards were purchased from West Bengal and Jharkhand using fake ID cards. Joshi and Dange also taught others how to make bombs, it was alleged. Similar bombs The bombs used in the Mecca Masjid, Ajmer Dargah and Malegaon blasts had many common features. Barring the Samjhauta blasts, almost all bombs contained metal pipes with grooves in single rows on one side. Potassium chlorate, which was used in the Samjhauta Express attack, was placed in a suitcase with an arming device similar to the ones used in the Mecca Masjid and Ajmer blasts. In its charge sheet in the Mecca Masjid blasts case, the NIA said, Mobile and SIM cards were used in the form of timer, the containers were same, lock system was same, printed circuit boards were same, which suggest that both the bomb blasts were executed by the same groups. A forensic analysis of the two unexploded IEDs recovered from the Samjhauta Express listed similarities such as cut length of flexible wires were into the mobile phones from right lateral side in both the blasts (Mecca and Ajmer). The bomb container in both the case were made of iron pipes of tubular shapes with black paint…. (Adapted from the Indian Express)

4. Nanak Shah Fakir released, opposed, cleared: Why film on Guru Nanak Dev is at

centre of row (Read only for understanding)

Kamaldeep Singh Brar explains the controversy over Nanak Shah Fakir , a film SGPC now wants banned; SC ruled in favour of its release. What is the controversy around the film Nanak Shah Fakir?

Produced by Harinder Sikka, a columnist and writer, Nanak Shah Fakir is the first ever film about Guru Nanak Dev. Sikka says making a movie on the life of the first Sikh guru was his dream . But the Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht says

that no person must portray the Sikh Guru and his family members and that as such portrayals hurt the sentiments of the community, the film must be banned.

The SGPC maintains that even the existing pictorial depictions of Guru Nanak Dev should never have been allowed, but their circulation is so widespread that it cannot hope to pull those back now. Now, says the SGPC, it wants to draw the line at celluloid portrayals. In May 2003, the Dharam Prachar Committee of SGPC passed a resolution (number 5566), which laid down that: Characters of Sikh Gurus, their respected family members, panj pyare, cannot be played by real life actors. Only baptised Sikhs can play role of other important Sikh personalities . The SGPC executive committee adopted and passed the resolution on July 10, 2003. The Akal Takht also adopted the same resolution. In order to ensure that its concerns are addressed, the SGPC has long demanded representation in the Central Film Certificate Board. Several times in the past, SGPC has raised objections to the manner in which Sikhs or Sikhism are presented in Bollywood movies. Many Bollywood movies, such as Bole So Nihal starring Sunny Deol, had to first satisfy SGPC officials for a smooth release. What authority does the SGPC have to decide how the Guru should be depicted?

As a democratically elected body, the SGPC looks at itself as the Sikh parliament and the community s widest representative. Although its main mandate is to ensure the smooth running of gurdwaras, since its formation in 1920, its Dharam Prachar Committee has made many pronouncements on religious issues. The SGPC s clout is seen in its tight control over both clerical and temporal matters such as the appointments of the Panj Pyare, and over the three Takhts under it — the Akal Takht, Takht Damdami Sahib, and Takht Keshgarh Sahib. Wasn t this film released two years ago? Why the fresh release?

The film was actually first released in 2015. Sikka had obtained the green light for the film from the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal body of the Sikh community. The Akal Takht also gave Sikka a letter, praising his services to the community. But after several Sikh bodies began to object to the film, the SGPC stepped in and demanded a ban. The Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab at the time, as well as Chandigarh administration suspended the screening of the movie. However, it was released in the rest of the country and in select places in other countries with a significant Sikh diaspora. But Sikka withdrew the film from everywhere, deciding to seek the SGPC s approval first. What was the need for Sikka to seek the SGPC s approval?

The SGPC s views on various matters relating to the Sikh community carry influence in the community across the world. Praise for the film from the SGPC would have ensured that more people saw the film. But didn t the SGPC too clear Nanak Shah Fakir later?

The SGPC finally gave its approval to the film in 2016. By then, Sikka had modified the film to present Nanak s character in animation. In Sikka s original film on Nanak, the Guru was played by actor Harish Khanna. In 2014, SGPC had passed Char Sahibzaade about the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh on the grounds that it was an animation movie and no real-life actor played any role in it. In Sikka s film, though the characters of Guru Nanak Dev s

parents and sister continued to be played by real-life actors, an SGPC sub-committee cleared the film. At the time, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar had claimed he was not taken into confidence while giving the clearance. Why the U-turn by SGPC now?

The SGPC decided to take back approval last month after Sikh bodies, including organisations such as Dal Khalsa, Sarbat Khalsa, Damdami Taksal, and others started objecting to the movie. Padma Shri Nirmal Singh Raggi, celebrated for his Gurmat Sangeet, who has sung six Shabads in Nanak Shah Fakir, is also against the release of the film. Considered a moderate voice in the community, and a campaigner for permitting Sikh women to become raagis at the Golden Temple, Nirmal Singh says if the community has decided something, it should be respected. It is better to not make such movies. I had advised producer Sikka against depicting character of Guru Nanak Dev ji and his family in movie. But he didn t listen .

What happened in the Supreme Court?

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the release of the movie. Echoing previous rulings on demands to ban films, the Court noted that once the Central Board of Film Certification gives a film the go-ahead, no one can be allowed to obstruct it. The Court asked state governments to ensure law and order and said freedom of expression cannot be crippled. The SGPC has said it will file a review petition in the court. What is the Punjab government s stand on the issue?

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Tuesday that while authors, film-makers had the creative freedom of expression, such freedom could not be allowed to violate the religious sensitivities of any community. However, the Punjab government has been saved from having to make any decisions on the film as Sikka has said he will not be releasing the movie in the state given the sensitivities . (Adapted from Indian Express)

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