Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 17 September 2020

SSC CGL Current Affairs

::NATIONAL::

The Supreme Court on Wednesday resolved to ensure that pending criminal trials against sitting and former legislators, which run to over 4,000 across the country, will be completed in a time-bound manner.
“Are you serious about completing these trials in a time-bound manner?” a three-judge Bench led by Justice N.V. Ramana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Centre.
There are over 2,500 criminal cases pending against sitting legislators.The Bench specifically asked about the status of cases registered by the Central agencies such as the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate against politicians. Cases range from corruption to money laundering.
Amicus curiae and senior advocate Vijay Hansaria and advocate SnehaKalita replied that some of these cases were stuck at the stage of framing of charges.In his latest report to the apex court, Mr.Hansaria suggested the setting up of one special court in each district to exclusively try politicians.
Mr. Mehta recommended various measures such as expiration of any stay orders within one month, appointment of more special court judges, infrastructure, etc.

The government did not agree to the Opposition demand to send the three agriculture-related Bills and the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill to the parliamentary standing committees.
At an informal meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Opposition leaders from the RajyaSabha, the government refused to make this commitment.
According to sources, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, in a passing reference, said if the Opposition needed more time to debate on various subjects, then the monsoon session must be extended by another five days.

LokSabha passed the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 today. This Bill replaces the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance which was promulgated on 26th June this year. Speaking about the Bill, Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman said it will help in safeguarding interest of the co-operative bank depositors' in the country. She also raised the issue of PMC bank and asserted that this bill will protect depositors’ interest in similar situations.
The Finance Minister added that out of these, 105 co-operative banks are unable to maintain even minimum regulatory balance whereas 47 have reported negative net worth. She said the amendments to section 3, 45 and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, proposed in the current bill seeks to bring parity in terms of rules and regulations in co-operative banks as applicable in the commercial banks.
The bill also enables the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to make a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation of co-operative banks to secure its proper management, and in the interest of depositors.
The minister affirmed that the cooperative societies which do not use words like bank, banking or banker in their names and entities that do not clear Cheques are not covered under the purview of the new bill.

Promoting self-reliance in sectors such as electronics and defence equipment, among others, can lead to import substitution of over $186 billion for India , says a study by Export and Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).
Other sectors identified for import substitution and enhancing domestic production include machinery, chemicals and allied sectors, and select agricultural products, according to the study titled ‘Self-Reliant India: Approach and Strategic Sectors to Focus.’
The study has also included sectors such as auto components, and iron and steel where, though there is overall trade surplus for the country, but in some sub-categories, there is trade deficit, particularly with China.
“These sectors account for more than $186 billion of imports by India, with a share of nearly 39% in overall imports and 50% in the non-oil imports by India,” the study showed.
The study recommended several sector-specific strategies for reducing import dependence by enhancing domestic production, based on an assessment of the specific needs and issues faced by each of the sectors.

India, Brazil and South Africa emphasized the need for the international community to redouble efforts to achieve tangible progress for accelerated and comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council.
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, chaired the customary meeting of IBSA Foreign Ministers through video conferencing on Wednesday.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankarsaid they issued a Joint Statement on reform of UNSC and expressed collective frustration with the slow progress of reforms in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations.
The Ministers also exchanged views on furthering IBSA cooperation. They exchanged views on various issues of global significance including peace, security, countering terrorism, climate change, and sustainable development.

India has joined the Djibouti Code of Conduct/ Jeddah Amendment, DCOC/JA, as Observer. The move came following the high level meeting of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/ Jeddah Amendment held virtually on 26th of August.
DCOC/JA is a grouping on maritime matters comprising 18 member states adjoining the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the East Coast of Africa and Island countries in the Indian Ocean Region. India has joined Japan, Norway, the UK and the US as Observers to the DCOC/JA.
The DCOC, established in January 2009, is aimed at repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean Region, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode based incubatee start-up has come up with a unique user friendly wearable device that alarms proximity for helping implement social distancing norms.
Known as the Veli Band, this wearable device has been developed by Qual5 India Pvt. Ltd, a startup co-founded by woman entrepreneur Kiranmayee.Thestart up was mentored and funded by IIMK’s business incubator and entrepreneurship development center.
Veli Band helps implement social distancing and location and contact tracing which can help organizations comply with social distancing norms during the current pandemic situation.
The device to be worn on the wrist can anonymously keep track of interactions with other devices and thus not only help in maintaining a safer workplace but also aid in tracking employee movements in real time.

Novak Djokovic turned the page on his contentious U.S. Open exit and began his clay-court season with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over wildcard Salvatore Caruso in the second round of the Rome Masters on Wednesday.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka was beaten 6-0, 7-6(2) by teenager Lorenzo Musetti, who won for the first time on the professional circuit.