Current Affairs For SSC CGL Exam

19 December, 2013

Devyani moved to UN mission

• The First contours of a resolution of the Devyani Khobragade case emerged after New Delhi transferred the IFS officer to India's permanent mission in the United Nations from her present post of deputy consul-general in New York, giving the US an opportunity to grant her full diplomatic immunity.

• Hours later, US Secretary of State John Kerry called National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, called Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and expressed regret and remorse over the episode.

• If Khobragade's transfer goes through smoothly, sources said, India is considering proposing an agreement to extend full diplomatic immunity to all personnel of the two countries under the Vienna Convention for Diplomatic Relations, regardless of whether they are posted at consulates or the embassy.

• Russia is said to have such an agreement with the United States.

Lokpal Bill finally passed

• The Lok Sabha passed the historic Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013, paving the way for establishment of an ombudsman to fight corruption in public offices and ensure accountability on the part of public officials, including the Prime Minister, but with some safeguards. The measure was adopted by the Elders .
• The Bill was passed unanimously following a brief discussion as members from Seemandhra disrupted the proceedings protesting against division of Andhra Pradesh. Samajwadi Party and Shiv Sena members walked out, opposing the new law.
• Following are some important features of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, passed by Parliament.

• Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta at the level of the states.
• Lokpal will consist of a chairperson and a maximum of eight members, of which 50 per cent shall be judicial members.
• 50 per cent of members of Lokpal shall be from SC/ST/OBCs, minorities and women.
• The selection of chairperson and members of Lokpal shall be through a selection committee consisting of Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge nominated by CJI, eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India on the basis of recommendations of the first four members of the selection committee.
• Prime Minister has been brought under the purview of the Lokpal.
• Lokpal’s jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants.
• All entities receiving donations from foreign source in the context of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs 10 lakh per year are brought under the jurisdiction of Lokpal.
• Provides adequate protection for honest and upright public servants.
• Lokpal will have power of superintendence and direction over any investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them by Lokpal.
• A high powered committee chaired by the Prime Minister will recommend selection of the Director, CBI.
• Directorate of Prosecution headed by a Director of Prosecution under the overall control of Director.
• The appointment of the Director of Prosecution, CBI on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission.
• Transfer of officers of CBI investigating cases referred by Lokpal with the approval of Lokpal.
• The bill also incorporates provisions for attachment and confiscation of property acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending.
• The bill lays down clear time lines for preliminary enquiry and investigation and trial and towards this end, the bill provides for setting up of special courts.
• A mandate for setting up of the institution of Lokayukta through enactment of a law by the State Legislature within a period of 365 days from the date of commencement of the

Most Searched Sportsperson: Sachin Tendulkar

• India's cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who recently retired from all forms of the game, is the most searched sportsperson and also features among the top-10 most searched Indian personalities of 2013, according to Google.
• Besides Tendulkar, the other most searched sportspersons are athletic legend Milkha Singh, India cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Lionel Messi, Roger Federer, Sania Mirza, Rahul Dravid, Chris Gayle, Ravindra Jadeja and Saina Nehwal.
• In a survey carried out by Google India, the much scandalised 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) is the second in the top trending list. This year's IPL was rocked with charges of spot-fixing and betting charges.
• Dravid, who led Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, and India's Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal also featured among the top-10 most searched news.

Revised weight category in Rio Olympics

• India found itself at the wrong end of the reforms announced by wrestling's world governing body FILA. With the new rules, the country is staring at a nightmarish prospect of having to field just one of Sushil Kumar or Yogeshwar Dutt, both medal winners at London Olympics, for the Rio Games in 2016.
• FILA dropped a weight category in freestyle wrestling while rejigging the existing ones. Grapplers will now compete in 57 and 65kg categories instead of the 55, 60 and 66kg classes, like they did at the 2012 London Games.
• For India, its three top wrestlers compete in these three categories — Amit Kumar, who won silver at this year's world championships, in 55kg; London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar in 60kg and double Olympic medallist Sushil in 66kg. The revised weight category in freestyle wrestling would be 57, 65, 74, 86, 97 and 125kgs. The changes will come into effect from January 1.
• It is expected that 20-year-old Amit, regarded as the best young talent in the country, will move his weight class from 55 to 57kg. Consequently, the toss up for the one remaining lightweight spot (65kg) is between Sushil and Yogeshwar.

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