NATIONAL Cabinet approved Amendment to put Political Parties out from the ambit (scope, bounds of something) of RTI

ACT The Union Cabinet of India on 2 August 2013 cleared an amendment to the RTI Act to keep the political parties out of its ambit. The cabinet also approved a move to seek a review of the decision of Supreme Court barring convicted legislators from holding their seats pending a hearing on their appeals. The introduced amendment can be cleared in the Parliament by simple majority and will clarify that term, Public Authorities, will not include the political parties. About the RTI Act Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information. It is an initiative taken by Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions to provide a RTI Portal Gateway to the citizens for quick search of information on the details of first Appellate Authorities, PIOs etc. It promotes transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority. It extends to the whole of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In order to ensure greater and more effective access to information, it was decided to repeal the Freedom of Information Act, 2002 and enact another law for providing an effective framework. To achieve this object, the Right to Information Bill was introduced in the Parliament and was passed by the Lok Sabha on 11 May, 2005 and by the Rajya Sabha on 12 May, 2005 and it received the assent on 15 June, 2005. The RTI Act is the flagship (best thing or most important thing owned or produced by a organization) Act introduced by the Congress in 2005 to increase transparency. Telangana, the 29th State of India announced by UPA and Congress Coordination Committee Congress and the UPA unanimously decided to create a separate Telangana State carving out of Andhra Pradesh on 30 July 2013. The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of Congress Party, on 30 July 2013 decided to recommend to the Central Government to form the 29th State which will comprise of 10 districts. The districts that will be a part of the new State are Hyderabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahaboobnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Rangareddy and Warangal . Hyderabad, the central point of the Telangana, will be the common capital of the newly proposed State and the other regions, Rayalaseema and Andhra for a period of 10 years. A new capital for Andhra will be identified in Seemandhra region within this period. Telangana State will have a geographical area of 10 of the 23 districts of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Out of 42 Lok Sabha seats and 294 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana is likely to have 17 Lok Sabha seats

and 119 Assembly seats. About Telangana Region The population of Telangana is 35.19 million (2011 Census). It includes seven million population of Hyderabad, which emerged as a major IT hub during the past two decades. The region has geographical area of 1.14 lakh sq km. The districts which are a part of Telangana region are Hyderabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahaboobnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Rangareddy and Warangal. Hyderabad and Warangal are the two largest cities in the Telangan region. Warangal city was declared as a World Heritage City by UNESCO in March 2013 . The two major Rivers Krishna and Godavari flow through the region. Telangana Movement- A Background 1. The Telangana region was a part of erstwhile Hyderabad State which was merged into Indian Union on 17 September 1948. 2. The Hyderabad State was merged with Andhra State with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act 1956 and so the united Andhra Pradesh state came into being on 1 November 1956. 3. In 1956 Gentlemens Agreement was signed by Bezawada Gopal Reddy, CM of Andhra State and Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, CM of Hyderabad State for safeguarding Telangana people. 4. The Telangana agitation began in 1969 as people protested the failure of implementation of Gentlemens Agreement and other safeguards. 5. In 1969 Marri Chenna Reddy launched the Telangana Praja Samithi by demanding separate Telangana State. 6. The separate State movement came in to limelight again when a new political party Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was formed by K Chandra Shekhar Rao on 27 April 2001. 7. The UPA Government on 9 December 2009 took the decision of formation of Telangana State, in the backdrop of indefinite fast by TRS leader K Chandrashekhar Rao. 8. This decision had ignited street protests in the non-Telangana regions and opposition from Ministers, MLAs and leaders from within the party that forced the Central Government and the Congress leadership to put the issue on hold. 9. The Centre held rounds of meetings with all the parties from the State and set up a Commission under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court Judge Justice Srikrishna. The Sri Krishna Commission The Government of India constituted a five member Committee headed by Justice Sri Krishna for consultations on the Situation in Andhra Pradesh (CCSAP) on 3 February

2010 to resolve the Telangana issue. The Sri Krishna Committee submitted its report to the Union Home Ministry on 30 December 2010 and suggested six options. The six options are 1. Maintain status quo 2. Bifurcation of the State into Seemandhra and Telangana; with Hyderabad as a Union Territory and the two states developing their own capitals in due course. 3. Bifurcation of State into Rayala-Telangana and coastal Andhra regions, with Hyderabad being an integral part of RayalaTelangana. 4. Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhra and Telangana with enlarged Hyderabad Metropolis as a separate Union Territory. 5. Bifurcation of the State into Telangana and Seemandhra as per existing boundaries with Hyderabad as the capital of Telangana and Seemandhra to have a new capital. 6. Keeping the State united by simultaneously providing certain definite Constitutional/Statutory measures for socio-economic development and political empowerment of Telangana region creation of a statutorily empowered Telangana Regional Council. Political Parties stand on Telangana In favour Indian National Congress Bharatiya Janata Party Telangana Rastra Samithi Telugu Desam Party Communist Party of India (CPI) Against All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) Neutral YSR Congress The Constitutional procedure for creation of New States: Article 3 of the Indian Constitution vests the power to form new States in Parliament. Article 3 states: Parliament by Law, a) Form a new State by separation of territory from any State or by uniting two or more States or parts of States or by uniting any territory to a part of any State;

b) Increase the area of any State; c) Diminish the area of any State; d) Alter the boundaries of any State; e) Alter name of any states. No Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the President. The President shall, before giving his recommendation, refer the Bill to the Legislature of the State which is going to be affected by the changes proposed in the Bill, for expressing its views on the changes within the period specified by the President. The President is not bound by the views of the State Legislature, so ascertained. By a simple majority and by the ordinary legislative process Parliament may form new States or alter the boundaries of existing States and there by changes in the political map of India. History of Andhra Pradesh State Andhra State, the first state formed on linguistic basis, was created in 1953 from out of the erstwhile Madras Presidency with Kurnool as the capital. The Hyderabad State was merged with Andhra State with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act 1956, so that the united Andhra Pradesh state came into being on 1 November 1956. Hyderabad was also selected as the capital of the united state of Telugu-speaking people. Special Constitutional provision for Andhra Pradesh State Article 371 (D) and (E) were inserted by the Constitution (Thirty-Second Amendment) Act, 1973. This Act provided the necessary Constitutional authority for giving effect to the provision of equal opportunities to different areas of the State of Andhra Pradesh and for the Constitution of an Administrative Tribunal with jurisdiction to deal with grievances relating to public services. It also empowered Parliament to legislate for the establishment of a Central university in the State. Under this provision Direct recruitment to posts in any local cadre under the State Government for candidates of these regions Regarding admission to any university or other educational institutions, preference will be given to local candidates, who have resided or studied in those regions for a specific period. Analysis The decision on Telangana is also to the fulfillment of the announcement made by the then Home Minister P Chidambaram on 9 December 2009 for creation of Telangana. This is the first decision of the UPA to form a new State in the last nine years. The Congress party however made it clear that no demand for creation of any other State would be considered as it emphasised that this case cannot be compared with any other. This assertion comes against the backdrop of demands for creation of

separate States of Vidarbha and Gorkhaland. While Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS), which has been spearheading the demand for separate State, accepted the decision and supporters of united Andhra Pradesh stepped up protests against division. INTERNATIONAL China agreed to set-up 4 Coal-Fired Power Plants at Gadani, Balochistan The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif on 1 August 2013 announced that China has agreed to setup four coal-fired power plants at Gadani Power Corridor in Balochistan, Pakistan. He also made an announcement that the corridor would be renamed as Gadani Power Park. The first plant in the park would be established to attract local and foreign investors. Nawaz Sharif also confired that the park envisages establishment of eight coal fired power plants with an aggregate capacity of 5200 MW. The Project is being developed with an aim of creating economic and employment opportunities in the far-flung and backward region of Balochistan and Sindh. USA and China held Discussions on Human Rights Issues USA and China held in-depth and frank discussions at Kunming in China on the rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and other human rights issues, including specific cases of concern. Who: USA and China. Where: Kunming, China. What: held discussions on human rights issues. When: In the last week of July 2013. Why: to discuss issues like rule of law and human rights issues.

ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY Rare Egyptian Vultures Spotted in the Forest Range of Odisha Rare Egyptian vultures were spotted near Laxmipur in Chikiti forest range of Odisha's Ganjam district in the month of July 2013. The forest department declared that it would carry out a survey of the birds in order to find out more about them. The survey would help in locating their nesting site. Thirteen Egyptian vultures were spotted. It is important to note that this sighting of the rare Egyptian vultures indicate rich biodiversity as well as healthy trend. The Berhampur forest division also planned to submit the proposal to the wildlife wing of the forest department in order to undertake the projects for conservation of the endangered species. Action plan will be prepared after detailed survey has been performed.

These vultures were sighted at different places in monsoon. It was found that these Egyptian vultures fed on small animals as well as fish. The number of vultures in south Asia, especially in Nepal and India, declined considerably over past few years. The major reason for this is residues of the poisonous veternary drug in the animal carcasses. PERSONALITY, AWARD, REPORT US Senate passed a Resolution to remember Wisconcin Gurudwara Victims US Senate on 2 August 2013 unanimously passed a resolution to remember victims of Wisconcin Gurudwara killed in shooting on the occasion of the first anniversary of the tragic incident. Wisconcin Gurudwara is located at the Oak Greek.The resolution was passed to honor the victims who were shot dead by a white supremacist called Wade Michael Page. It condemned hatred and acts of violence towards racial and religious groups. The resolution approved by the senate commended (praise formally) the heroism of the first responders and members of the community who courageously and selflessly put their lives in danger to prevent the death of more innocent people.

Who: US Senate. Where: USA. What: passed a resolution to remember victims of Wisconcin Gurudwara. When: 2 August 2013. Why: to remember victims of Wisconcin Gurudwara. Hemendra Prasad Barooah, the Noted Assam Tea Planter Passed Away at 87 Hemendra Prasad Barooah (87), the noted Assam tea planter passed away on 31 July 2013 in Bangkok.. He died due to cardiac arrest. Life Sketch of Hemendra Prasad Barooah He was a Padmashree awardee. The flagship company B&A Limited owned by Hemendra Prasad Barooah , at present owns nine tea gardens that have an average production of 57 lakh kg of tea. It is important to note that he was the single support of the veteran tea garden owners during the peak of ULFA insurgency in Assam. He was also the first Assamese tea entrepreneur to bring out an IPO. Who: Hemendra Prasad Barooah Where: Bangkok

What: died When: 31 July 2013 Why: because of cardiac arrest Dadra and Nagar Haveli Celebrated Its 60th Liberation Day 2 August: Liberation Day of Dadra and Nagar Haveli The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli were liberated from the Portuguese rule in 1954. About Dadra and Nagar Haveli Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the Union Territory of India, is situated between or surrounded by Gujarat and Maharashtra. 500 sq kilometer small area. Indian Nationalist volunteers had librated Dadra and Nagar Haveli and it became centrally administered Union territory from 11 August 1961. Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli Dadra and Nagar Haveli were the Portuguese overseas territories, which remained a part of the Portuguese India from 1779 until 1954. After India got its independence in the year 1947, the residents of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, along with assistance from volunteers of Azad Gomantak Dal, National Movement Liberation Organisation (NMLO), United Front of Goans (UFG) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, subtracted these territories from the Portuguese India in 1954. Integration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli into India Despite enjoying the de facto independence, Dadra and Nagar Haveli territories were recognised all over the world as the possessions of the Portuguese. Thereafter, the territory was administered by Varishta Panchayat of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli from 1954 to 1961. Finally, on 31 December 1974 an official treaty was signed between India and Portugal, which recognised the sovereignty of India over Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. World Breastfeeding Week observed to Encourage Breastfeeding 1 to 7 August 2013: World Breastfeeding Week World Breastfeeding week was observed to encourage breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for babies. The week organised by the WHO and UNICEF. This year's theme is breastfeeding support: close to mothers. The World Health Organisation, recommends exclusive breastfeeding till a baby is six months old and continue breastfeeding with nutritious complementary foods up to two years or beyond. Across the globe only an estimated 38 per cent of babies are exclusively breastfed for six months . The trend of faltering (loose strength or momentum) growth in children begins in critical first two years and a major cause is inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices. Apart from preventing infections in babies, breastfeeding has a protective effect against child obesity and lowers the risk of several chronic conditions including asthma, diabetes and heart diseases in adult life.

The National Rural Health Mission is promoting infant and young child feeding practices at the health facility, community outreach and household levels. Who: WHO. What: observed World Breastfeeding week. When: 1 to 7 August 2013. Why: to encourage breastfeeding. Pravasi Friend launched its Operations in Kochi Pravasi Friend will help NRIs and NRKs to complete a large list of mandatory tasks such as legal services, medical services, spiritual needs and government departmental services . Under Pravasi Friend, Assistance is given in buying, renting out and maintaining their properties, providing property documentation, investigation, home security services, besides securing admissions for their children in schools and colleges in the state. Who: Pravasi Friend. Where: Kerala. What: launched its operations in Kochi, Kerala. When: 1 August 2013. Why: to provide assistance to NRIs.

Union Ministry for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Delhi state government on 31 July 2013 launched IGL Suraksha Yojana, a group accident insurance scheme for nearly 2.5 lakh drivers of CNG run public transport vehicles in Delhi. New schemes like IGL Suraksha Yojana are required to be introduced to benefit the common man. IGL would be paying the premium amounting to nearly 35 lakh rupees for the insurance scheme, which is currently being offered through Oriental Insurance Company. What is IGL Surakhsa Yojana IGL Suraksha Yojana is an initiative being undertaken by IGL under its CSR programme. Under the scheme, a sum of 1.5 Lakh rupees would be paid to the nominee in case of Death of a Driver in an accident while driving the CNG run Public Transport vehicles. An additional amount of 25000 rupees towards childrens education allowance per child subject to a maximum of 50000 rupees for two children would also be paid to the family in such cases. In case of an accident requiring treatment for fracture a maximum sum of 10000 rupees would be paid to the driver. In case of permanent disability that leads to loss of

employment, than a lump sum equal to 100 percent is payable to such insured person. In case of partial disability, a graded compensation from 1500 rupees to 75000 rupees would be paid to the driver. The insurance policy is being issued through Oriental Insurance Company in the first year and IGL would be paying premium for the policy to cover drivers of nearly 2.5 lakh CNG run public transport vehicles operating in the capital. IGL Suraksha Yojana would be absolutely free for the drivers and the procedure for claim would be quite simple. The claim forms would be available at all CNG stations of IGL as office of Oriental Insurance Company in the capital. In case of death claim, nominee will have to submit copies of FIR, postmortem report, viscera report, copy of driving license of the deceased and copy of RC of public transport vehicle being driven. In case of disability, the claim would have to be supported by certificate from government approved panel. However, acceptance of claim would be subject to the driver having a valid driving licence and the CNG mode being endorsed on RC at the time of accident.

Who: Union Ministry for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Delhi state government. Where: New Delhi. What: launched IGL Suraksha Yojana. When: 31 July 2013. Why: accident insurance scheme for drivers of public transport vehicles.

The Delhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar retired from his office on 31 July 2013. He served to the police force for 37 years. His tenure as the Delhi Police commissioner was 13 months. He will be succeeded by Bhim Sain Bassi.

An Agenda for Indias Growth: Essays in Honour of P. Chidambaram The book entitled An Agenda for Indias Growth: Essays in Honour of P. Chidambaram, was released in New Delhi on 31 July 2013 by Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh. The book, which is edited by Sameer Kochhar of the Skoch Foundation, encompasses various excellent essays by well known distinguished experts. In the book, all the authors dated their association with P. Chidambaram from 1991, when he was the Minister of Commerce as well as a key reformer initiating trade policy reform.

In one essay of this book, Montek Ahluwalia gave detailed account of P. Chidambarams role in trade policy reforms of 1991. During that time, he was the Commerce Secretary of Chidambaram. SPORTS IOC Sold Exclusive Broadcasting Rights for 2014, 2016 Olympics to STAR India The International Olympic Committee sold the broadcasting rights for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics to STAR India. It is important to note that this move is crucial because India is suspended from the Olympic movement. The IOC suspended India from Olympic in December 2012 because of disputed elections. The IOC announced that STAR India was given the exclusive rights of the 2014 and 2016 Olympics in India, as well as Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka . Though the value was not disclosed, but the overall package includes the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing in China, 2014 Sochi Winter Games and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. Through the IOC deal with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the Indian public broadcaster Doordarshan has the rights for 2012 London Games. The pay-television rights were held by ESPN. STAR India acquired the exclusive rights for all kinds of media platforms, which also include free-to-air television, mobile and the Internet as well as subscription television. The exclusive rights were made for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Aditya Mehta clinched the Snooker Gold Medal in the World Games

India's number one snooker player, Aditya Mehta on 31 July 2013 clinched the gold medal in the World

Games, beating China's Liang Wenbo, 3-0, in the final of the quadrennial event at Cali, Columbia. Aditya Mehta hails from Mumbai. Mehta had earlier defeated Thailand`s Dechawat Poomjaeng 3-1 in the semifinal. Poomjaeng defeated another Indian and eight-time world champion Pankaj Advani 3-1 in the quarterfinals. Poomjaeng won the bronze medal after securing a 3-2 win over Brazil`s Igor Figueiredo in his third-place play-off match.

Who: Aditya Mehta. Where: Columbia. What: clinched the gold medal in the World Games.

ECONOMY FDI to increase in Print Media from 26 Percent to 49 Percent The executive committee of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) on 2 August 2013 approved a proposal to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from 26 percent to 49 percent in print media. The INS will recommend of 49 percent FDI in print through the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) route to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Government eased the Norms for FDI in Multi-Brand Retail The Union Government of India on 1 August 2013 relaxed the norms for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the multi-brand retail. The government also raised the FDI caps in different sectors increasing the cap in telecom sector to 100 percent. The decision was taken to attract more investments in retail and provide more clarity and space to the investors. As per the decision made on the FDI, the government has made it mandatory for the multi-brand retailers like Tesco and Walmart to source 30 percent of their products from the small and medium enterprises of India only at the time of starting the business. The norm of 50 percent investment in the back-end infrastructure for the retailers will be applicable, only during the first tranche of investments (within three years) of up to 100 million dollars. The Rate of Interest Subvention Scheme for Exports Increased to Three Percent The Union government of India on 31 July 2013 decided to enhance the rate of interest subvention scheme for exports to three per cent, to reverse the declining trend in exports. The scheme will cover the

entire MSME besides some other sectors. The rate of interest subvention was raised to 3 per cent from 2 per cent with immediate effect and that the scheme would now include more businesses. The Salient Features of the Scheme are as following: State-run banks give loans to exporters of select goods, and micro, small and medium enterprises at a discount to the existing rate of interest. The government will reimburse the difference to those banks. The scheme is expected to cover toys, carpets, handlooms, handicraft, sports goo ds, processed foods and readymade garments in addition to 235 tariff lines in engineering and six tariff lines in textile sectors. India at present is facing a sharp decline in exports despite a steep fall in its currency, which has resulted in further widening of its current account deficit. Exports declined 4.6 per cent to 23.79 billion US dollars in June 2013, the second straight month of decline. India's current account deficit widened to an all-time high of 4.8 per cent of the GDP in 2012-13, exports need to be boosted to solve this problem. The government has set an export target of 325 billion US dollars for the fiscal year 2013-14.