Current Affairs 09 February 2022

CONTENTS

1. TN Assembly re-adopt the Anti NEET Bill
2. Haryana Cabinet nod for anti-conversion Bill
3. Restoration of JCPOA
4. The China-Russia relationship
5. I&B Ministry’s powers to regulate content on TV

TN Assembly Re-Adopt the Anti NEET Bill

Context:

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has once again adopted a Bill that was earlier returned by Governor.

• The Bill seeks to grant exemption from the mandatory National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) for seats allotted by the Government in undergraduate medical and dental courses in Tamil Nadu.

Relevance:

GS-II: Social Justice and Governance (Issues related to Education, Government Policies and Initiatives), GS-II: Polity and Governance (Centre-State Relations)

Dimensions of the article:

1. The provisions of Permanent Exemption Bill for NEET in Tamil Nadu
2. Governor’s function in passing a Bill
3. What comes next in TN NEET bill?
4. What happens when the President considers the Bill?

Click Here To Read More: TN Assembly Re-Adopt the Anti NEET Bill

Haryana Cabinet nod for anti-conversion Bill

Context:

The Haryana Cabinet approved the draft of the Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022, which seeks to prohibit religious conversion effected through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage or for marriage, by making it an offence.

Relevance:

GS-II: Social Justice and Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives, Issues arising out of the design and implementation of Policies), GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights), GS-I: Indian Society

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022
2. Freedom of Religion in our Constitution
3. What is Religious Conversion?
4. Anti-Conversion laws in Indian States
5. Why have the laws been criticised?
6. Important Cases Regarding Marriage and Conversion of Religion

Click Here To Read More; Haryana Cabinet nod for anti-conversion Bill

Restoration of JCPOA

Context:

Recently, the US has restored sanctions waivers to Iran to allow international nuclear cooperation projects, as indirect American-Iranian talks on reviving the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran enter the final stretch.

• The waiver allows other countries and companies to participate in Iran’s civilian nuclear programme without triggering US sanctions on them, in the name of promoting safety and non-proliferation.
• The waivers were revoked by the United States in 2019 and 2020 under former President Donald Trump, who pulled out of the nuclear agreement. The agreement is formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Relevance:

GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
2. History regarding the Iran Nuclear Deal
3. U.S. pull out of the deal and its implications

Click Here To Read More: Restoration of JCPOA

The China-Russia Relationship

Context:

President Vladimir Putin’s show of strength with President Xi Jinping in Beijing amid the standoff with NATO on Ukraine was intended to demonstrate that Russia and China were on the same page on the “core interests” of upholding “international equity and justice” in the face of US “unilateralism”, and supported each other against “external interference and regional security threats”.

Relevance:

GS-II: International Relations (Important Foreign Policies and Agreements affecting India’s Interests)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. History of China-Russia relationship
2. China-Russia against US
3. Different interests of China and Russia
4. Russia-India-China Grouping (RIC)
5. Significance of Russia-China ties and RIC to India

Click Here To Read More: The China-Russia Relationship

I&B Ministry’s Powers to Regulate Content on TV

Context:

The Kerala High Court will pronounce its judgment on an Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) order banning a Malayalam news channel over its connections with radical groups.

Relevance:

GS II- Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of this Article:

1. In which sectors can the I&B Ministry regulate content?
2. What kind of powers does it have?
3. What kind of content is not allowed?
4. Do other agencies play a role?

Click Here To Read More: I&B Ministry’s Powers to Regulate Content on TV