1) The World Health Organisation (WHO) during June 2015 declared India free of which infection which was much prevalent in the country at a period of time? –Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus
Explanation: The WHO’s declaration of India now being free of maternal and neonatal tetanus has been hailed as a significant public health milestone by the country. The elimination of neonatal tetanus is defined as less than one case in 1000 live births in every district across the country. Abolishing a disease that was once responsible for 15% of deaths in the country is surely a matter of great pride for India. The disease usually occurs in newborns through infection of the unhealed umbilical stump, especially when the stump is cut with a non-sterile instrument. Nagaland was the last Indian state to achieve maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination.
2) The Union Cabinet on 10 June 2015 decided to bring in an ordinance to amend the Negotiable Instruments Act, which provides for filing of cheque bounce cases in place where the cheque was issued. What the govt. wants to achieve by brining this ordinance? – It seeks to overturn a Supreme Court 2014 ruling said the case has to be initiated where the cheque-issuing branch was located
Explanation: The Supreme Court had passed a judgement in 2014 that if a person receives a cheque from someone and the cheque gets bounced, then the jurisdiction for initiating action lies in the State where it was issued. This ruling resulted in filing of over 18 lakh cases in various courts spread across the country and immense hardships to people involved in these cases. Government had brought a Bill (Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Act, 2015) in this regard in Parliament and it was passed in the Lok Sabha in May 2015. The amendment passed by the Lok Sabha provided that cases of bouncing of cheques can be filed only in a court in whose jurisdiction the bank branch of the payee (person who receives the cheque) lies. If a complaint against a person issuing a cheque has been filed in the court with the appropriate jurisdiction, then all subsequent complaints against that person will be filed in the same court, irrespective of the relevant jurisdiction area. However, as the Rajya Sabha could not pass it, the government has brought this ordinance so as to give relief to these people.
3) What is the name of the Kerala port project, which has been awarded by the state govt. to Adani Ports and SEZ as agreed to in the State Cabinet on 10 June 2015? – Vizhinjam Port Project
Explanation: Vizhinjam Port Project comprises of an international port and deep-water container transshipment terminal and is worth multi-thousand crore. The project was awarded to Adani Ports despite strong opposition from the Opposition which disagreed on the specifics during an all-party meet convened by the government on 3 June 2015 and continued to air its differences in public. The Adanis have demanded a grant of Rs. 1,635 crore. This is being made available as a viability grant fund to be shared equally by the state and Central Governments, a first for a port project. The Adanis will invest on their own Rs. 2,454 crore.
4) Which prominent European country’s Parliament on 9 June 2015 voted overwhelmingly in favour of a bill that seeks to hold a referendum to gauge the mood of its citizens on the issue of remaining part of the European Union (EU)? – Britain
Explanation: It is worth mentioning that British Prime Minister David Cameron had promised to hold a referendum on the critical issue – whether the country should remain part of the EU or exit from it. The British Parliament on 9 June voted overwhelmingly in favour of the bill, the EU Referendum Bill, with 544 MPs voting in its favour and just 53 opposing it. The passing of the bill thus brings the proposed EU referendum closer to reality. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond justified the referendum saying that finally the citizens will have a final say on UK’s place in Europe. The govt. had proposed to undertake the referendum by the end of 2017. On the other hand, many prominent corporates have warned that a British withdrawal from the EU would threaten jobs and harm its economy.
5) According to information released on 9 June 2015, the Union Govt. canceled the registration of 4,470 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). What is the primary reason for this government action? – Non-filing of annual returns and other anomalies
Explanation: The decision to cancel the registration of these entities under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) was taken after examination of their activities that allegedly include non-filing of annual returns and other anomalies. De-registration of these entities was done between 5 May to 9 June 2015. This bars these NGOs from receiving foreign funds. According to the govt., all NGOs were given proper notice by the Foreigners Division of the Home Ministry with adequate time to reply before their FCRA licences were cancelled. The NGOs in this list includes a number of top universities, Supreme Court Bar Association and Escorts Heart Institute. It is worth mentioning that the Union Govt. had in April 2015 cancelled the licences of nearly 9,000 NGOs for the same offence.
6) Pappu Yadav, the expelled MP of the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on 9 June 2015 announced the formation of his own political party to take on Lalu-Nitish Kumar combine in Bihar. What is the name of this new party? – Jan Adhikar Party (JAP)
Explanation: Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) is the name of the new political outfit floated by Pappu Yadav, who was expelled from the party some time ago due to alleged anti-party activities. JAP is expected to fight elections from a number of seats in the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar, likely to be held in September-October 2015.
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