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October 31, 2020October 31, 2020 (https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/159873/) by Insights Editor

(https://www.insightsonindia.com/author/insightseditor/)

INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY- 31 October 2020

InstaLinks help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view.
These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an
examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical
background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think
analytically.
Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

1. Who is a star campaigner? (https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/who-is-a-star-campaigner-3/)

2. New wage code bars bonus for those facing sex abuse charges. (https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/new-
wage-code-bars-bonus-for-those-facing-sex-abuse-charges/)

3. China gears up for ‘strategic period’. (https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/china-gears-up-for-strategic-period/)

GS Paper 3:

1. What is Rural Development Fund? (https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/what-is-rural-development-fund/)

2. Draft model Act on land titles. (https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/draft-model-act-on-land-titles/)

Facts for Prelims:

1. WII to conduct study on Olive Ridley turtles.

2. Punjab waives vehicle tax for bus operators.

3. SERB – Power scheme for women scientists.

GS Paper  : 2
 

Topics Covered: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

Who is a star campaigner? (https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/who-

is-a-star-campaigner-3/)

What?

Status of Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath as a star campaigner for the party revoked.

Who?

The status has been revoked by the Election Commission.

Why?

For “repeated violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and for completely disregarding the advisory issued to him”.

Implications:

Now, the entire expenditure on any campaigning by Mr. Nath for the November 3 by-election would be borne by the
candidate in whose constituency he campaigns.

Who are star campaigners?

They can be described as persons who are nominated by parties to campaign in a given set of Constituencies. These
persons are, in almost all cases, prominent and popular faces within the Party. However, there are no specific definitions
according to law or the Election Commission of India.

Benefits:

The expenditure incurred on campaigning by such campaigners is exempt from being added to the election
expenditure of a candidate. However, this only applies when a star campaigner limits herself to a general campaign for the
political party she represents.

Recently, the Election Commission has revised norms for star campaigners for polls during the pandemic. As per the revised
norms:

1. Maximum number of star campaigners reduced from 40 to 30 for a recognised party.

2. For unrecognised registered parties, the number of star campaigners has been reduced from 20 to 15.

3. Besides, they now require permission from the district election official 48 hours prior to campaigning.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. Who is a star campaigner?

2. How they are recognised?

3. Recommended limits on their number by Election Commission.

4. Benefits.

Sources: the Hindu. (https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/MShareArticle?OrgId=GCF7TQN88.1&imageview=0)

 
 Topics Covered: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the
performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and
betterment of these vulnerable sections.

New wage code bars bonus for those facing sex abuse charges:
(https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/new-wage-code-bars-bonus-for-
those-facing-sex-abuse-charges/)

Context:

There is a Provision in the Code on Wages that says those indulging in sexual harassment of any form could run the risk
of losing out on bonus dues from their employers.

The new Code is expected to become operational once the government notifies the rules.

Related provisions in the new wage code:

The new code includes ‘conviction for sexual harassment’ as a ground for denying bonus payouts to employees.

As per the extant law, bonus dues are barred only in case of employees dismissed for fraud, violent conduct and
theft or sabotage.

Significance:

The prospect of losing one’s benefits may make employees more careful of their conduct, and they should be made aware of
this provision.

This serves as an additional deterrent apart from the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) law of 2013.

 As per the PoSH law guidelines:

1. Firms are required to form an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to inquire into complaints.

2. The Committee is required to make recommendations to employers on the action required pursuant to its inquiry
in such complaints.

3. If the ICC upholds a complaint, it could be construed as a conviction.

4. ICC has the powers to decide if someone is guilty and report it further to the police, though not all sexual
harassment cases translate into a police case.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. Overview of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) law of 2013.

2. About the Internal Complaints Committee.

3. Powers of ICC.

Mains Link:

The prospect of losing one’s benefits may make employees more careful of their conduct. Discuss this in the context of a
Provision in the Code on Wages that says those indulging in sexual harassment of any form could run the risk of losing out on
bonus dues from their employers.

Sources: the Hindu. (https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/MShareArticle?OrgId=G5J7TQNJN.1&imageview=0)

Topics Covered: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

China gears up for ‘strategic period’:
(https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/china-gears-up-for-strategic-
period/)

Context:

China’s ruling party-Communist Party of China (CPC)– sets long-term targets for boosting economy and military power.

Key targets announced: 

It announced three goals to be achieved by 2025, 2027 and 2035:

1. Boosting domestic consumption and innovation.

2. A national security and defence modernisation plan ahead of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) centennial in
2027.

3. A ‘Vision 2035’ longer-term economic blueprint that calls for “big leaps” in economic strength and technological
prowess.

Significance:

The new economic blueprint would broadly push for China to double its GDP and current per capita GDP of $10,000 by
2035.

The plan is also to realise what it called “the unity of a rich country and a strong Army”.

It stressed the importance of informatisation and to “strengthen military training and war preparation”.

Sources: the Hindu. (https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/MShareArticle?OrgId=GCF7TQESU.1&imageview=0)

GS Paper  : 3

Topics Covered: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices.

What is Rural Development Fund?

(https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/what-is-rural-development-fund/)

Context:

The Centre has asked the Punjab Government to explain its utilisation of the Rural Development Fund (RDF) that it gets
largely from the Food Corporation of India (FCI). This has enraged the state government.

What is Rural Development Fund or RDF?

RDF is the 3 per cent cess levied on the purchase or sale of agricultural produce under the Rural Development Fund Act,
1987 which is executed by Punjab Rural Development Board (PRDB) with the Chief Minister as its chairman.

From where does Punjab get this fund and what is it used for?

It comes mainly from central government’s purchase agency, Food Corporation of India, which buys around 13 million
tonnes of wheat and 16 million tonnes of paddy every year.

This fund is supposed to be used for the creation and maintenance of rural infrastructure in and outside
mandis. But there have been charges in the past that it was diverted by the state for other purposes.
InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. About RDF.

2. How is it funded?

3. What is it used for?

4. Powers of Centre wrt to RDF.

Mains Link:

What is Rural Development Fund? What is its significance? Discuss.

Sources: Indian Express.

Topics Covered: Land reforms in India.

Draft model Act on land titles:

(https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/draft-model-act-on-land-titles/)

Context:

The NITI Aayog has released the draft model Act and rules for states on conclusive land titling.

Objective: To reduce litigations and ease the land acquisition process for infrastructure projects.

Under The Model Act:

1. State governments will have the power to order for establishment, administration and management of a
system of title registration of immovable properties.

2. The land dispute resolution officer and land title appellate tribunal are one-shot institutions which will fade
away as the work reduces.

3. After three years of its notification, the register of title attains conclusivity without any external action.

4. Conclusive land titles are guaranteed by the state for correctness and entail provision for compensation by
the state in case of any dispute.

5. Any person aggrieved may file an objection before the Title Registration Officer within three years from the
date of such notification. Following this, the Title Registration Officer shall make an entry to that effect in
Register of Titles and in the Register of Disputes and refer the case to the land dispute resolution officer.

6. A party aggrieved with an order of the land dispute resolution officer may file an appeal before the Land Titling
Appellate Tribunal within 30 days of passing of such an order.

7. A special bench of High court shall be designated to deal with appeals against the orders passed by the Land
Titling Appellate Tribunal.

Need for and significance of Conclusive Land titles:

Conclusive land titles are guaranteed by the state for their correctness and entail provision for compensation by the state in
case of any disputes.

Conclusive land titling will facilitate easy access of credit to farmers and reduce a large number of land-related
litigations.

It will also enable transparent real estate transactions and land acquisition for infrastructure development.

Guaranteed title systems have been developed and adopted in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
and the United Kingdom.
Sources: Economic Times.

Facts for Prelims

WII to conduct study on Olive Ridley turtles:

The Odisha government has requested the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to conduct a fresh study for identifying the
movement of Olive Ridley sea turtles, which would help the State renew its conservation efforts along its coast.

Key facts:

The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.

They inhabit warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.

These turtles, along with their cousin the Kemps ridley turtle, are best known for their unique mass nesting called
Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.

Rushikulya rookery coast in the Ganjam district of Odisha, Gahirmatha beach and the mouth of the Debi River, are
the major nesting sites in Odisha.
Punjab waives vehicle tax for bus operators:
The Punjab government has ordered 100% waiver on motor vehicle tax till December 31 for all stage carriage, mini and
school buses, while deferring payment of arrears of taxes, without interest and penalty, to March 31, 2021.

Power scheme for women scientists:

POWER- Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research.

It is a scheme to mitigate gender disparity in science and engineering research funding in various S&T programs
in Indian academic institutions and R&D laboratories.

Launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the Department of Science
and Technology (DST).

It will have two components namely: (1) SERB-POWER Fellowship; (2) SERB- POWER Research Grants.
 

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Draft model Act on land titles INSIGHTS करेंट अफे यर्स+ पीआईबी नोट्स [ DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS +
(https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/10/31/draft- PIB Summary in HINDI ] 31 October
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Join the discussion…

sourabh • 10 months ago

Dear @Insights

It's a request dont repeat the news again, if it has been covered
before.

Star campaigner was covered in 8th oct

https://www.insightsonindia...
1△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Anjali Joshi > sourabh • 10 months ago

1- You will be flooded by information due to upsc market, filter
it

2- Think of new joinees. Imagine yourself, you began CA

today and Insights skipped Star campaigner because other
Sourabh asked insights to not repeat the things.
4△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

ilias > sourabh • 10 months ago

helps you to revise....

we can just skip if we want ..........

1△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Nitish Joshi > sourabh • 10 months ago

just filter out and read through...there may be someone who
has just joined the platform...maybe someone who like to
revise it....cheers!
2△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Rikkard-Is-A-Miser > sourabh • 10 months ago

they always do that..TBH it may look irritating in starting but
this way we already end up doing multiple revision even
without putting much effort...in upsc 80% material is same.
only 20% new content you'll see every year. daily reading it
multiple times will make us remember these stuff...you can
ignore it if you don't want to read it or don't have time
 ignore it if you don t want to read it or don t have time
(sometimes I do that)
6△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Isha • 10 months ago

Anybody preparing with Kannada Literature optional please contact
@ 8970925650 telegram.
△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Anjali Soni • 10 months ago

thanks insight
△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Anushka Raj • 10 months ago

Thanks insights
△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Tech Work • 10 months ago

Satisfactory
△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Insights Admin • 10 months ago

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