Current Affairs 3rd July 2019

Current Affairs 3rd July 2019 - Important Points

• Legislative provision to give India NATO ally-like status passed by -  US Senate 
• Special Rhino Protection Force deployed - Kaziranga National Park
• New Zealand bans Single-Use Plastic shopping bags from - 1st July 2019 onwards
• High Powered Committee for ‘Transformation of Agriculture’ constituted by - PM Narendra Modi 
• Which area is declared ‘Disturbed Area’ under AFSPA for 6 more months? - Nagaland 
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan for Water Conservation launched in - 256 districts
  Current Affairs 3rd July 2019 - Details

Legislative provision to give India NATO ally-like status passed by -  US Senate 

The US Legislature has sanctioned a legislative provision that allows India accordance with America's NATO allies and nations like Israel and South Korea for growing defence assistance. The National Defence Authorisation Act for the FY 2020, was approved by the Senate India Caucus Co-Chair Senator John Cornyn with the help of Senate India Caucus Co-Chair Senator Mark Warner. The Act provides for augmented United States-India defence assistance in the Indian Ocean in the areas of humanitarian support, counterterrorism, counter-piracy and maritime security.
Benefits for India

• The bill would be inked into law after both chambers of the United States Congress approve it. The
  House is believed to take up its version of the National Defence Authorisation Act this month prior
  legislators adjourn for the August recess.
• This bill will pave the way to deliver state-of-the-art weapons and sensitive technology to India. 
  This bill will make India a big subordinate of United States in defence contracts also it will upsurge
  India’s status.
• Earlier, the United States-India had inked Communication, Compatibility and Security Pact in 2018.
  As a result, both nations are sharing sensitive data. India is getting a lot of assistance in the fight
  against terrorism.

Special Rhino Protection Force deployed - Kaziranga National Park

An 82 members Special Rhino Protection Force which is competent to fight against poachers and understand animal behaviour, was just deployed in Kaziranga National Park.
More about Special Rhino Protection Force

• The procedure of forming special force was started in 2015. In July 2018 members recruited were agreed appointment letter after which they were trained at Forest Guard School in eastern Assam’s Makum.
• All employees also underwent weapons training at 9th Assam Police Battalion in Nagaon district of Assam.
• Basically, Special Rhino Protection Force is a tiger protection force that was termed following the rhino since threat of poaching is extra for single-horned Rhino.
• This Special Rhino Protection Force has been raised by initiative of both central and state governments so as to curb rhino poaching in tiger reserve. The state government of Assam would be paying salaries of Special Rhino Protection Force members and same amount would be compensated by National Tiger Conservation Authority, which suggested formation of this special
  force.
• It involves 82 personnel among whom 8 are females. Out of 82 Special Rhino Protection Force
  personnel, 60 have been allocated ranges under Eastern Assam Wildlife Division on southern
  bank of river Brahmaputra.
  Task
  Special Rhino Protection Force personnel will be deployed under Eight ranges of Kaziranga National Park to control rhino poaching as well as shielding tigers since Kaziranga is also a tiger reserve.

New Zealand bans Single-Use Plastic shopping bags from - 1st July 2019 onwards

New Zealand has formally prohibited single-use plastic shopping bags with effect from 1st July 2019. It has also announced heavy fines for businesses that endure to deliver such items.
According to the United Nation Environment Programme above 80 nations have already introduced similar prohibitions.
Key Highlights

• The Waste Minimisation (Plastic Shopping Bags) Regulations 2018, legislation regarding plastic
  prohibition was declared in August 2018 and came into effect on 1st July 2019.
• It is believed to have little practical effect, as New Zealand’s major supermarkets have already willingly prohibited plastic bags.
• Under new regulations, New Zealand venders including supermarkets, stores and restaurants will no longer be able to sell/distribute any single-use plastic shopping bags but law permits reusable
  bags to continue being provided.
• Only exceptions are Plastic shopping bags in fruit/vegetable section and other areas of supermarkets.
  Single-use plastic shopping bags
• It is defined as any plastic bag which has handles and is below 70 microns in thickness.
• The initiative was approved as Plastic pollution has become increasing worldwide concern. Every
  year approximately a million birds and more than 100000 marine mammals are injured/killed by
  becoming entangled in packaging/ingesting it via the food chain.
• Firms that will disallow New Zealand’s restriction will face hefty penalties including fines of up to
  100000 New Zealand dollars.

High Powered Committee for ‘Transformation of Agriculture’ constituted by - PM Narendra Modi 

PM Narendra Modi has founded a High-powered Committee of CMs for ‘Transformation of Indian
Agriculture’. High-Powered Committee was formed succeeding to the discussions of Governing Council
meeting of NITI Aayog and in keeping with ability of Centre government for Agriculture reforms, rural
development, water conservation and its appropriate.
About High Powered Committee
It will suggest policy measures, attract investments and raise growth in food processing.
The 9 members committee is led by Devendra Fadnavis CM Maharashtra. Other members
comprise Narendra Singh Tomar- Union Agriculture, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj
Minister and Ramesh Chand- NITI Aayog member and CMs of Gujarat, MP, Karnataka, UP, Haryana,
Arunachal Pradesh.
Committee will present its report within two months.
Terms of Reference of Committee
To discuss actions for transformation of agriculture in nations and for increasing farmer’s livelihood.
To study various necessities of Essential Commodity Act so as to fascinate private investments in
agricultural marketing and infrastructure.
To propose mechanism for connecting of market reforms with e-NAM- National Agriculture
Market, GRAM and other relevant Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
To suggest modalities for implementation and time-bound execution of agriculture sector reforms.
To recommend policy measures to raise development in food processing, boost agricultural export
and entice investments in value chains and logistics, modern market infrastructure.

Indian Pro Boxer Vaibhav Yadav wins

Indian pro boxer Vaibhav Yadav became World Boxing Council Asia silver Welterweight
Champion subsequently winning the title bout organised in Pattaya, Thailand.
Highlights
He secured the title following beating Fahpetch Singmanassak of Thailand. Vaibhav secured a
3rd-round knockout victory over Singmanassak.
The fight was organised by Asian Boxing Council and permitted by World Boxing Council.
More about Vaibha Yadav
The 24 years old Indian boxer is nicknamed ‘Ahir boxer’.
He belongs to New Delhi and till date have record of 5-1-0 on pro circuit.
He is a cousin of Commonwealth Games Gold-medallist Vikas Krishan who has also turned pro
now.
More about Asian Boxing Council
It is a professional boxing organization that is accountable for approving title fights in Greater
Asian region.
It was recognized in 1985 with HQ in Thailand.
Asian Boxing Council Organisation is a Federation of national professional boxing commissions
which was set-up as a confederation affiliated with World Boxing Council.

Which area is declared ‘Disturbed Area’ under AFSPA for 6 more months? - Nagaland 

Centre has announced complete State of Nagaland as a ‘disturbed area’ for a time period of six
extra months under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act with effect from 30th June 2019. The
central government point was notified by Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Key Highlights
Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been effective in Nagaland for more than a few decades.
On August 3rd, 2015 a framework pact was inked by Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM General
Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and central government in attendance of PM Narendra Modi Armed
Forces Special Powers Act but still even following it Armed Forces Special Powers Act was not
withdrawn. This framework arrangement came after more than 80 rounds of negotiations in last 18
years.
Current Scenario
Central government announced complete of Nagaland to be a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of 6
months in use of its supremacies conferred by Section 3 of Armed Forces (Special Powers)
Act,1958 (No. 28 of 1958), with a justification that area comprising complete State of Nagaland is
in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that execution of armed forces in aid of civil power is
essential.
About AFSPA
On passing of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Bill by both Houses of Parliament and sanctioned by
President on 11th September 1958 it became as Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. This
Act came into existence in framework of growing violence in North-eastern States of India decades
ago, which State governments examined difficult to control.
It empowers security forces to maintain public order in ‘disturbed areas’ and If sensible suspicion
happens, Armed forces have power to ban a gathering of 5 or above persons in an area, can

carry-out search operations anywhere without permit, arrest anyone without permit, restrict
possession of firearms among others.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan for Water Conservation launched in - 256 districts

Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat freshly released Jal Shakti Abhiyan which is a campaign for water conservation and water security in 1592 stressed blocks in 256 districts.
More about Jal Shakti Abhiyan

• It is a collective effort of various Union Ministries and State Governments, being synchronized
  by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
• It includes focus area of water stressed 256 districts and 1592 blocks.
• Central government delegates, led by joint secretaries and additional secretaries, are allotted to
  these 256 districts and district administrations will also propose Two members to join the team.
• This team of officers from central government and district administration will visit and effort on water stressed districts and blocks to make sure water conservation intercessions.
  Campaign is centred on 5 aspects
  1. Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
  2. Renovation of traditional and other water bodies or tanks
  3. Reuse of water and revitalizing structures including bore wells
  4. Water-shed development
  5. Rigorous afforestation
  Water conservation efforts will also be accompanied with special interventions including,
  Development of Block and District Water Conservation Plans, Promotion of efficient water use for
  irrigation and Better choice of crops via Krishi Vigyan Centres.
  Phases
  Campaign will operate via citizen participation during-
  1. Monsoon season- from 1 July to 15 September, 2019.
  2. Added Phase 2- from 1 October to 30 November, 2019 for States getting North East receding
  monsoons.
  With present move government goals to deliver drinking water to every household on importance
  and in a supportable manner. It is also believed to bring positive modification in people for water
  conservation.