11th June, 2022

Daily Handouts
 Handout No.960 |1|

INDEX
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS_ 11th June, 2022
1. TNA NOTES
(1) Former CAG pushes for more accountability in government [The Hindu] ........................................ 1
(i) Solution to this problem ........................................................................................................ 1
(2) Online gaming: T.N. to promulgate ordinance [The Hindu] ............................................................. 1
(i) Regulation of Online – gaming in India ................................................................................... 2
(ii) Other instances to regulate online gaming ............................................................................ 2
(iii) Why are states resorting to ban online gaming? ..................................................................... 2
(iv) Why did courts strike down the online gaming law? ............................................................... 2
(v) What can be done to address the challenges posed by online gaming? ................................... 2
(3) Is tying the knot a way to untangle even grievous cases? [The Hindu] ............................................. 2
(i) Questions raised on this move ............................................................................................... 2
(ii) Inferences that can be drawn................................................................................................. 2
(iii) What is Avunculate marriage? ............................................................................................... 3
(iv) Article 142 of Indian Constitution........................................................................................... 3
(4) War takes toll on Surat diamond trade [The Hindu] ........................................................................ 3
(i) Diamond trade in India .......................................................................................................... 3
(ii) Challenges of diamond industry in India ................................................................................. 3
(iii) Policy support measures for diamond industry ....................................................................... 3
(5) Tenure of NATGRID CEO curtailed: MHA [The Hindu] ..................................................................... 3
(i) What is National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)? ....................................................................... 3
(6) When can a Rajya Sabha vote be rejected? [Indian Express] ........................................................... 4
(i) How can votes be rejected in an open ballot system? ............................................................. 4
(ii) Can votes be rejected if a ballot paper is marked with another pen? ....................................... 4
(7) Ranganayaki Ammal [The Hindu] ................................................................................................... 4
(i) Who is Ranganayaki Ammal? ................................................................................................. 4
(8) How the President is elected [Indian Express] ................................................................................ 5
(i) What is the election process? ................................................................................................ 5
(ii) Check out the below facts (Year of election - President of India) ............................................. 5
(iii) Miscellaneous ....................................................................................................................... 6

2. DEEP NOTES (EDITORIAL)

(1) Nupur Sharma episode is also putting pressure on and shrinking room for India’s allies abroad.
Delhi must be mindful of this ......................................................................................................... 6
(2) What IPEF offers India: Opportunities, tough negotiations ............................................................. 6
(3) What India must do to protect its ties with the Islamic world ......................................................... 6
(4) The gulf of sensitivity that India will have to cross............................................................................................ 6
(i) Gulf Importance for India....................................................................................................... 6
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 Handout No.960
TNA NOTES
1. Former CAG pushes for more accountability in
government [The Hindu]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: Polity & Governance,
Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional
posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of
various Constitutional Bodies
 Article Relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about CAG
 Mains: Challenges in the functioning of CAG
 Context: Former CAG (Rajiv Mehrishi) comments
on CAG functioning
 Synopsis:
o Rajiv Mehrishi said,
 CAG did not even meet the standards of
chartered accountants of private companies
when it came to assurances
 CAG officials see only the accounts that
government departments want them to see
 There is inadequate data (which is also ‘obscure’
and ‘error ridden’) and time to assure the money
earned or spent by government is in consistent
with what they have approved.
 Solution to this problem
 Digitisation
 Business process re-engineering
 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
o Appointed & Removed by: President
o Removal process: It is Similar to the Judge of a
supreme court. The process is as following
o Service conditions of CAG
 Salary decided by parliament
 Not eligible for reappointment in state & central
government
o Functions: CAG has an authority to audit:
 All receipts and expenditure of the Government
of India and the state governments
 The accounts of those bodies and authorities
substantially financed by the government
o CAG acts as an External auditor of Government-
owned corporations
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o CAG Conducts supplementary audit of
government companies
 UPSC Mains Previous Year Question: “The
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a
very vital role to play.” Explain how this is
reflected in the method and terms of his
appointment as well as the range of powers he
can exercise. [2018, 150 Words, 10 Marks]
 UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question
In India, other than ensuring that public funds
are used efficiently and for intended purpose,
what is the importance of the office of the
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?
[UPSC 2012]
1. CAG exercises exchequer control on
behalf of the Parliament when the
President of India declares national
2. CAG reports on the execution of projects
or programmes by the ministers are
discussed by the Public Accounts
Committee.
3. Information from the CAG reports can be
used by the investigating agencies to
press charges against those who have
violated the law while managing public
finances.
4. While dealing with the audit and account
of government companies, CAG has
certain judicial powers for prosecuting
those who violate the law.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: C
 Issue: CAG
 Dimension: Lacunae in functioning
2. Online gaming: T.N. to promulgate ordinance [The
Hindu]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: Polity & Governance,
Topic: Government policies and interventions
aimed at development in various sectors and
issues arising out of their design and
implementation & GS3 – Subject: Internal
Security, Topic: Challenges to internal security
through communication networks
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: ---------------------------------
 Mains: Regulation of Online Gaming
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 Handout No.960
 Context: Tamil Nadu government constituted a
committee to examine issues related to online
gaming
 Synopsis of the article:
o Based on the committee’s report, the
government will promulgate an ordinance against
online gaming
o Regulation of Online – gaming in India
 Online gaming is designated as ‘state-issue’. So,
each state can manage and regulate them
 For online games that involve betting or
gambling, GST is 28%
 18% GST rate is imposed on games that do not
involve betting or gambling
 Other instances to regulate online gaming
o The Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021
banned online gambling and skill-based gaming
platforms like rummy, poker and fantasy sports
that involves risking of money
o But the Karnataka high court has struck down the
ban on online gaming and some other parts of
the law
o Such situation is also witnessed in case of Tamil
Nadu and Kerala
o Why are states resorting to ban online gaming?
 Addictive in nature
 Psychological implications
 Deviates youngsters towards crimes
 Leads to addiction and financial distress
o Why did courts strike down the online gaming
law?
 Violation of fundamental rights of trade and
commerce, liberty and privacy, speech and
expression
 Arbitrary law that failed to distinguish between
games of skill and chance
 Lack of legislative competence of State
legislatures to enact laws on online skill-based
games
o Is regulation of online gaming a better solution?
 Outright ban may not stop playing such online
games
 It shifts users to grey or illegal offshore online
gaming apps
 This results in loss of tax revenue for the State
and job opportunities for locals
 Users cannot avail remedies for any unfair
behaviour or refusal to pay out winnings
o What can be done to address the challenges
posed by online gaming?
 State governments should introduce a reform-
oriented policy structure
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 Regulation based on checks and balances is
needed at state level
 Government should work with online gaming
industry and its investors to create a policy
structure
 Issue: Regulation of Online Gaming
 Dimension: Example of Tamil Nadu
3. Is tying the knot a way to untangle even grievous
cases? [The Hindu]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: Polity & Governance,
Topic: Structure, organisation and functioning
of the Judiciary & GS1 – Subject: Indian Society,
Topic: Role of Women and Women
Organisations
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about Article 142, Avunculate
Marriage
 Mains: Supreme Court judgements
 Context: Concerns over Supreme Court’s
decision in two cases
 Synopsis:
o On the grounds of maintaining stability,
Supreme Courts employed its extraordinary
powers to spare convicts
o Case 1:
 Because a man married his deceased wife’s
sister, Supreme Court released him under
Article 142, though he was arrested under
attempt to murder
o Case 2:
 A man booked under POCSO Act for raping a
minor was released by Supreme Court invoking
Article 142 for marrying the victim
 Taking the custom of ‘Avunculate Marriage’ in
Tamil Nadu, the court has aside the case to
retain peace in the family
o Questions raised on this move
 Jail term of convict will be absolved by
marrying victim or victim’s family members?
 Is marrying the victim/victim’s family member
a solution to reduce the intensity of the crime?
o Inferences that can be drawn
 Court rendered supremacy to domestic
stability over punishment due to a convicted
man
 This might increase the rate of violence and
sexual harassment against women within their
families
 Such decisions are in favour of the accused and
lacks any substance
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 Handout No.960
o What is Avunculate marriage?
 Marriage with a parent’s sibling or with one’s
sibling’s child
 Ex: A girl getting married to her mother’s
brother
 Common among South Indians
o Article 142 of Indian Constitution
 Empowers the apex court to issue directives to
do “complete justice”
 Enables the Supreme Court to investigate and
punish any person for its contempt
 Under this, court is not restrained by lack of
jurisdiction or authority of law
 Issue: Supreme Court Observations in rape
cases
 Dimension: Concerns
4. War takes toll on Surat diamond trade [The Hindu]
 Syllabus: GS3-Subject: Economy, Topic: Indian
Economy and issues relating to planning,
mobilization, of resources, growth,
development and employment & GS2 –
Subject: International Relations, Topic: Effect
of policies and politics of developed and
developing countries on India’s interests,
Indian diaspora
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about diamond trade in India
 Mains: Challenges of diamond trade
 Context: Russia – Ukraine war disrupted
diamond industry in India
 Synopsis:
o Diamond trade in India
 India is world’s largest cutting and polishing
centre for diamonds
 India is known for easy availability of high
skilled labour, cutting-edge technology, and
lower costs of operation
 India imports raw materials from Russia,
Australia and African countries like South
Africa, Zimbabwe and Congo
 75% India’s end products are consumed by U.S.
o Challenges of diamond industry in India
 Geopolitical tensions (non-availability of raw
materials due to Ukraine war lest diamond
industry workers unemployed)
 India imports 27% to 30% raw materials from
Russia
 Slump in the market in pre and post pandemic
times
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 Increase in import duties on precious stones
 Tightening of lending terms by banks
 Stringent customs inspection procedures
 Withdrawal of Generalised System of
Preferences (GSP) benefit by the USA
o Policy support measures for diamond industry
 India signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with
the UAE to boost exports
 Government has reduced custom duty on cut
and polished diamond and coloured gemstones
from 7.5% to 5% and NIL
 Revised Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act to
boost exports of gems and jewellery
 Issue: Russia – Ukraine Crisis
 Dimension: Impact on Indian diamond industry
5. Tenure of NATGRID CEO curtailed: MHA [The
Hindu]
 Syllabus: GS3-Subject: Internal Security, Topic:
Various Security Forces and Agencies and their
Mandate
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about NATGRID
 Mains: -----------------------------------
 Context: Ministry of Home Affairs curtailed the
tenure of CEO of NATGRID and moved him to
the Border Security Force (BSF)
 Synopsis:
 What is National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)?
o It is the integrated intelligence grid connecting
databases of core security agencies of the
Government of India.
o Post terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008,
NATGRID is proposed as a counter-terrorism
measure.
o Significance:
 One-stop destination for security and
intelligence agencies
 Uses Big Data and analytics to provide
technology-intensive solutions
 Secures centralized database to stream
sensitive information from various data
sources such as banks, credit cards, visa,
immigration and train and air travel details, as
well as from various intelligence agencies.
o Administering agency: Ministry of Home
Affairs
 Practice Prelims Question
Consider the following statements
1. NATGRID is an intelligence sharing
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 Handout No.960
network that collates data from various
databases of the various agencies and
ministries of the Indian government.
2. It functions under the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY)
Which of the above statements is/are
correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
 Issue: NATGRID
 Dimension: ----------------------
6. When can a Rajya Sabha vote be rejected? [Indian
Express]
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: Polity & Governance,
Topic: Parliament and State legislatures –
conduct of business & Structure, organisation
and functioning of the Executive
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about Rajya Sabha Election
procedure
 Mains: Rajya Sabha Elections
 Context: Elections for 57 Rajya Sabha seats
across 15 states was held yesterday
 Synopsis:
o Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected
through single transferable votes through an
open ballot
o Members of a state’s Legislative Assembly vote
in the Rajya Sabha elections in what is called
proportional representation with the single
transferable vote (STV) system
o Each MLA’s vote is counted only once
o There are multiple instances in the past where
the votes of MPs and MLAs are rejected due to
violation of rules
o How can votes be rejected in an open ballot
system?
 Open ballot voting applies in elections to
Council of States only
 Every political party which has MLAs can
appoint an authorised agent to verify whom its
members have voted for
 In 2016, Randeep Surjewala’s vote was
rejected after he showed it to another MLA
instead of his party’s authorised agent
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o Can an authorised agent represent two
parties simultaneously?
 No, as per the Rule 39AA of the Conduct of
Elections Rules, 1961, MLAs of a political party
should show their ballots only to the
authorised agent of that party only
o Can an MLA or minister be appointed as an
authorized agent?
 No, there are no such restrictions in elections
to the Council of States and State Legislative
Council by MLAs
o Can an Independent MLA show his marked
ballot paper to the authorised agent of any
party?
 No, Independent MLAs should insert the
marked ballot paper in the ballot box without
showing it to any agent
o Action taken by Presiding officer if shown
 Presiding Officer or a polling officer will take
away the ballot paper and will be cancelled for
violating voting procedure
o Can votes be rejected if a ballot paper is
marked with another pen?
 Yes, in the ballot paper, an MLA has to mark his
or her choice of candidates by ranking them
and they should use a special pen provided by
the Election Commission
 In 2016, the EC directed the Haryana Police to
register an FIR on the complaint of senior
lawyer R K Anand against the Returning Officer
for allowing the use of an unauthorised pen for
voting in the Rajya Sabha election
 Issue: Rajya Sabha Elections
 Dimension: Procedure to reject votes in open
ballot system
7. Ranganayaki Ammal [The Hindu]
 Syllabus: GS1-Subject: Indian Culture, Topic:
Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and
Architecture from ancient to modern times
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about Ranganayaki Ammal
 Mains: -----------------------------------------
 Context: One of the first women to enter the
male-dominated world of Carnatic percussion
 Synopsis:
o Who is Ranganayaki Ammal?
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 Handout No.960 |5|

 President is elected by an electoral college

consisting of,
 Profession: Musician  MPs of both houses of parliament
 She learnt mridangam under the guidance of  MLAs of states and Delhi and Puducherry
the legendary Pudukottai Dakshinamurthi Pillai  Nominated members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha
 In the All-India music conference held in 1927 and Assemblies and members of State Legislative
in Madras Ranganayaki Ammal was the only Councils are not part of electoral college
woman among the 23 mridangam artistes who  Votes are weighted whose value is determined
performed at the event. based on population of each state as per 1971
 In the 1940s, she performed with several Census
leading artistes such as Brinda and Muktha and  Value of each MLA vote varies from 208 in U.P. to
Flute Mali. 7 in Sikkim
 In 1966, she joined the Padmavati College in  U.P.’s 403 MLAs contribute 208 * 403 = 83,824
Tirupati as faculty, and later worked at the votes
Sadguru Sangita Samajam in Madurai  Sikkim’s 32 MLAs contribute 32 * 7 = 224 votes
 She was also trained in Bharatanatyam  Total weighted votes from all State Assemblies =
5,43, 231 (5.43 lakh)
 Issue: Persons in news
 Dimension: Ranganayaki Ammal  776 MPs (543 in Lok Sabha and 233 in Rajya
8. How the President is elected [Indian Express] Sabha) should also contribute same votes as
 Syllabus: GS2-Subject: Polity & Governance, MLAs
 Value of each MP vote is 5.43 lakh/776,
Topic: Parliament and State legislatures –
rounded off to 700
conduct of business & Structure, organisation
 Total weights from Assemblies + Parliament =
and functioning of the Executive
10.86 lakh
 Article relevance for UPSC:
o Check out the below facts (Year of election -
 Prelims: Learn about Procedure for President
President of India)
elections
 1952 – Rajendra  1982 – Giani Zail
 Mains: Election procedure of Indian President
Prasad Singh
 Context: Election Commission notified election  1957 – Rajendra  1987 – V R Krishna
of India’s next President on July 18 Prasad Iyer
 Synopsis:  1962 – Sarvapalli  1992 – Shankar
o Under Article 62(1), on July 18, elected MLAs Radha Krishna Dayal Sharma
and MPs across India will elect India’s 15th  1967 – Zakir Hussain  1997 – K R
President  1969 – V.V. Giri (acting Narayanan
President due to  2002 – A P J Abdul
 Article 62(1) says “an election to fill a vacancy
sudden demise of Kalam
caused by the expiration of the term of office Hussain)  2007 – Pratibha
of President shall be completed before the  1974 – Fakruddin Ali Patil
expiration of the term” Ahmed  2012 – Pranab
o What is the election process?  1977 – B D Jatti (acting Mukherjee

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 Handout No.960 |6|
th
President from 11  2017 – Ram Nath Notes:
th
Feb to 25 July, 1977) Kovind Significance:
& Neelam Sanjeeva  Comprehensive approach to address growing
Reddy Chinese footprint (IPEF – economic,
 Issue: President elections AUKUS/QUAD - security)
 Dimension: Procedure  Addresses concerns that Ukraine crisis may erode
Miscellaneous
US focus on Indo-Pacific
S.
Facts Context  Boost supply chain resilience
No.
Zaporizhzhia & Ukraine launched air Challenges:
1. Kherson – Cities in strikes on Russian  Not FTA but only a framework to regulate trade &
Ukraine targets in its cities commerce (no concrete proposal)
Ramsay Hunt  Non-inclusive agenda (promotes US domestic
Syndrome — economic agenda)
Justin Bieber (world
neurological disease  Higher standards on four pillars may conflict with
famous musician)
caused by Varicella domestic policies (Ex: liberal data flow v/s India’s
2. was diagnosed with
Zoster virus that data localisation mandate)
Ramsay Hunt
causes inflammation of Importance for India: Allows India to jointly shape
Syndrome
the nerves involved in rules governing Indo-Pacific’s economic future
facial movements 3. What India must do to protect its ties with the
Sant Tukaram Shila Prime Minister to
Islamic world
3. Mandir – temple in inaugurate Sant
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/b
Pune, Maharashtra Tukaram Temple
eyond-damage-control-7963534/
DEEP NOTES (EDITORIAL) 4. The gulf of sensitivity that India will have to cross
1. Nupur Sharma episode is also putting pressure on https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-gulf-
and shrinking room for India’s allies abroad. Delhi of-sensitivity-that-india-will-have-to-
must be mindful of this cross/article65515239.ece
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/n Issue Name: Hate Speech & relations with West Asia
upur-sharma-gulf-nations-india-7963549/ Dimension: Challenges & Suggestions
Issue Name: Hate Speech Context: Several countries have protested against
Dimension: Issues & key lessons controversial remarks by an Indian political leader
Context: Several countries have protested against Notes:
controversial remarks by an Indian political leader Gulf Importance for India:
Notes:  India signed FTA with UAE & negotiating for
Key lessons: wider FTA with GCC
 Domestic politics is not disconnected from India’s  India import 40% of oil/gas requirement from
international relations WANA (West Asia & North Africa) region
Issues:  More than eight million Indians work in WANA
 Strained bilateral relations with West Asia (Qatar region
protested with Indian mission)  Gulf remittance is an importance source of forex
 Dents India’s image of multi-cultural and religious for India
country  West Asia is an important source of investment in
 Disturbs communal harmony and peace in the India
society Challenges:
2. What IPEF offers India: Opportunities, tough  Strained bilateral relations with West Asia (Qatar
negotiations protested with Indian mission)
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/b  Calls for boycotting Indian goods in Gulf countries
uilding-on-common-ground-7963518/ Way Forward:
Issue Name: IPEF  Foster an understanding in society at large of
Dimension: Challenges & Suggestions other faiths and their sensitivities.
Context: India has joined US-led Indo-Pacific Conclusion: Greater sensitivity to all faiths promote
Economic Framework (IPEF) social harmony & external interests.
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