WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS

READY RECKONER

Date: 14-08-2021 to 20-08-2021

Weekly Current Affairs Ready Reckoner (14th to 20th August)

Blue Sheet
Date: 14-08-2021 to 20-08-2021
S.
Issue Name Context
No.
Polity
Chief Information Commissioner has rejected the plea
Article 370 abrogation – Plea
1. to disclose the information related to the abrogation of
on disclosure of information
article 370 citing security reasons.
Vehicle Scrap Policy – Step
The government of India has launched the Vehicle
2. towards reducing the
Scrap policy to tackle pollution.
pollution
Tribunals – Bill passed to Parliament has passed Tribunal Reforms Bill, 2021
3.
bring reforms replacing the Tribunal Reforms Ordinance, 2021.
National Human Rights Commission has expressed
Criminal Justice – Slow pace
4. concerns over the slow pace of reforms in the criminal
of reforms
justice system.
International Relations
External Affairs Minister stated that peacekeeping
International Peace – India
plays a crucial role in India’s vision of ensuring
5. proposes a four-point
international peace and proposed a four-point
framework.
framework.
Economy
Thermal Power Plants – Ministry of Power has informed the parliamentary
6. Status of Stressed coal- committee about the status of the stressed coal-based
based project thermal power plants projects.
Security
Delhi High Court issued notice to the central
Cyber Security – Inefficiency
7. government over the inaction of CERT-In in the cyber
of CERT-In
security breach.
Afghanistan–Taliban Taliban has captured power in Afghanistan within few
8.
captures the power days after the withdrawal of the NATO force.
Environment
Clean Energy – National India has launched National Hydrogen Mission to
9.
Hydrogen Mission launched. develop alternatives for fossil fuel.
Cabinet has approved ratification of the Kigali
Climate Change – Kigali
10. agreement to the Montreal Protocol to contain
Agreement
greenhouse gas emissions.
Biodiversity – Decline in According to a global study, there is a decline in
11.
pollinator population. ecosystem services provided by pollinators.

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Weekly Current Affairs Ready Reckoner (14th to 20th August)
WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS READY RECKONER
1. Issue: Article 370 abrogation – Plea on 3.
disclosure of information
Context:
Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) has
rejected the plea to disclose the
information related to the abrogation of
article 370 citing security reasons.
Notes:
 CIC has rejected the plea under the
Right to Information Act, 2005.
 Security and the strategic interest of
the country were cited as the reason
for rejecting the plea.
2. Issue: Vehicle Scrap Policy–Step
towards reducing the pollution
Context: 4.
The government of India has launched the
Vehicle Scrap policy to tackle pollution.
Notes:
Key features of the policy
 All commercial and private vehicles will
have to get a fitness certificate.
 Commercial vehicles over 15 years and
private vehicles over 20 years old will
be marked for scrapping if they fail to
pass the test.
 Those opting for the scheme will get a
road tax rebate of up to 25% on
personal vehicles and up to 15% on
commercial vehicles.
Significance
 Phasing out of old and defective
vehicles.
 Reduce vehicular pollution.
5.
 Attract capital investment.
 Boost economy which was hit by the
pandemic.
 Employment generation.
 Improve road and vehicle safety.
 Improve fuel efficiency.
 Provide low-cost raw materials for the
automotive, steel, and electronic
industry.
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Issue: Tribunals – Bill passed to bring
reforms
Context:
Parliament has passed Tribunal Reforms
Bill, 2021 replacing the Tribunal Reforms
Ordinance, 2021.
Notes: Significance
 The act will streamline existing
tribunals and speedy disposal of the
cases.
Concern:
 Can increase the burden on the High
Courts.
 It undermines the independence of the
judiciary.
 Previous judiciary judgments have
been overlooked.
Issue: Criminal Justice – Slow pace of
reforms
Context:
National Human Rights Commission has
expressed concerns over the slow pace of
reforms in the criminal justice system.
Notes: Issues
 Delay in delivery of justice leads to
violation of human rights.
 Increased police custodial tortures
leading to custodial deaths.
Reforms Needed:
 Establishment of fast-track courts and
special laws.
 Document digitalization will help in
speeding the investigation and trials.
 Increasing awareness about the laws.
 Police personnel to be increased.
Issue: International Peace–India
proposes a four-point framework.
Context:
External Affairs Minister stated that
peacekeeping plays a crucial role in India’s
vision of ensuring international peace and
proposed a four-point framework.
Notes: Four-point framework
 Focus on operationally proven, cost-
effective, widely available, reliable, and
field-serviceable technologies.
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Weekly Current Affairs Ready Reckoner (14th to 20th August)

 Need for a sound information and 9. Issue: Clean Energy – National

intelligence foundation for early Hydrogen Mission launched.
warning.
Context:
 Ensuring that technological
India has launched National Hydrogen
improvements are continuous and are
Mission to develop alternatives for fossil
available o the ground.
fuel.
 Consistent training and capacity
building of peacekeepers in the realm Notes: Reasons
of technology.  To reduce India’s dependency on coal.
6. Issue: Thermal Power Plants – Status of  Address the problem of pollution and
Stressed coal-based Projects rising oil prices.
 More efficient than petrol.
Context:
 It acts as a decarbonizing agent for
Ministry of Power has informed the
industries as it can reduce carbon
parliamentary committee about the status dioxide emissions.
of the stressed coal-based thermal power
 Help India to meet its renewable
plants projects.
energy target.
Notes: Reasons  India can become self-reliant in the
 Lack of adequate fuel supply. energy sector.
 Reduced power demands.
10. Issue: Climate Change – Kigali
 Delay in approval of an increase in the
tariffs. Agreement
 Delay in payments by Discoms. Context:
7. Issue: Cyber Security–Inefficiency of Cabinet has approved ratification of the
CERT-In Kigali agreement to the Montreal Protocol
to contain greenhouse gas emissions.
Context:
Delhi High Court issued notice to the Notes:
central government over the inaction of  It will help to reduce the emission of
CERT-In in the cyber security breach. up to 105 million tonnes of carbon
dioxide equivalent to greenhouse gas.
Notes:
 The decision is in synergy with the
 Cyber-attacks on online platforms have
ongoing programmes and schemes of
increased.
India to protect the environment.
 CERT-In was unable to take any action
 It will help for innovation of alternative
to tackle these issues.
non-HFC chemicals.
8. Issue: Afghanistan – Taliban captures
the power 11. Issue: Biodiversity – Decline in
pollinator population.
Context:
Taliban has captured power in Afghanistan Context:
within few days after the withdrawal of the According to a global study, there is a
NATO force. decline in ecosystem services provided by
pollinators.
Notes: Notes: Reasons
 Lack of resistance by the Afghanistan
 Habitat destruction.
forces.
 Uncontrolled grazing by the animals.
 Threat to the women’s rights has
increased.  Heavy application of fertilizers.
 Imposition of Sharia law in place of  Widespread use of fertilizers.
democracy.  Monocropping.
 It can become a threat to India’s internal Impact:
security as many terrorist organizations  The quality and quantity of food will
are active in Afghanistan. reduce.

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