Research: Canine Distemper Virus killing endangered tigers, red pandas and lions

January 8, 2014

As per researchers at Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly, the infection caused by the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is killing endangered tigers, red pandas and lions in the country. The disease has been detected in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Patna Zoo and many areas of West Bengal and Darjeeling.

What is Canine Distemper Virus(CDV)?

Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) is a disease causing virus common in domestic dogs and ferrets, although it can infect wild animals as well.

How does Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) affects animals?

CDV impacts different systems of the body including nervous and respiratory system in these animals. It shatters the immunity system and causes various secondary bacterial infections. As this disease damages the brain of the animal, it severely affects their decision making power. Due to this, the animals go beyond their natural habitat and enter human settlements. It renders them easy prey for poachers.

How does the infection of Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) occur?

Activities of direct contact like licking are the major source of CDV transmission among tigers, lions and red pandas. Besides this, eating dogs infected with the virus, drinking water from same source are some other modes of transmission of infection.

Can Canine Distemper Virus(CDV) be checked?

Yes. If all the dogs in the buffer zone of forest are vaccinated, it can stop the spread of disease.

Presidential assent to Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2013

January 8, 2014

President of India Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013. This approval renders the Bill to turn into an Act. The Bill provides for setting up an anti-graft watchdog that will bring within its ambit even the office of the Prime Minister with certain safeguards. As per the Bill, an institution of Lokpal at Centre and Lokayuktas in the states will be established within 1 year from the date of its coming into effect. Key features of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013: Provision of an institution of Lokpal at the centre level and Lokayuktas at the states levels. A Lokpal consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of 8 members, of which 50% should be of judicial members. 50% of the total members of the Lokpal should be from SC/ST/OBCs, minorities and women. For the appointment of the Chairperson and members of the Lokpal, there will be a selection panel which will include the Prime Minister,Lok Sabha Speaker, Lok Sabhas leader of opposition, the Chief Justice of India or the Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice. Then the President of India will nominate the eminent Jurist on the basis of the suggestions of the first four members of the selection panel. Prime Minister within the ambit of the Lokpal All categories of the public servants will be under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal Any/all entities receiving donations from a foreign source more than Rs. 10 lakh will be covered under this act in terms of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Honest and upright public servants will be given protection.

Lokpal will have the right to supervise and direct any investigation agency including the CBI on the cases, which will be referred to them from the Lokpal itself. The high power committee headed by the Prime Minister of India will recommend the Director of the CBI. The Director of Prosecution, CBI will be recommended by theCentral Vigilance Commission. Transfer/s of the officer/s of CBI, who are investigating the cases referred by the Lokpal will need prior approval from the Lokpal. Property gained by corrupt means is liable to be attached and confiscated even if the prosecution of the case remains pending. Time-bound preliminary enquiry and trial. Besides, special courts may be set up towards the end of the legal proceedings. States must set up Lokayukta institution through enactment of a law by the State Legislature within 365 days from the date on which the Act comes into effect.

CRISIL Inclusix- Financial Inclusion Index rises 2.7 % in 2012

January 8, 2014

The Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) stated that financial inclusion gained momentum in India with a significant rise in new savings accounts, increase in agriculture credit accounts and expansion of bank branches in deeper geographies. Indias overall CRISIL Inclusix score has risen by 2.7% in financial year 2012 (the highest annual increase since 2009) Key points of CRISIL Inclusix, the financial inclusion index: Based on data (March 31, 2012) provided by the Reserve Bank of India. The index measures financial inclusion up to the level of each of the 638 districts in India. Agricultural credit accounts increased by 11.1%, which is the most since fiscal 2009. The number of bank branches in the bottom 100 districts increased by 6%, faster than the all-India growth of 5.6%. New deposit accounts in three regions north, south and east, contributed 42% to the rise in CRISIL Inclusix. The overall Inclusix score remained relatively low at 42.8 on a scale of 100, the score reflects underpenetration of formal banking in the country. Just one in two Indians has a bank savings account and one in seven approach to bank credit. There are wide disparities in access to financial services, too. While Indias six largest cities have 10% of Indias bank branches, the bottom 50 districts have merely 2% of bank branches. Note: To speed up inclusion, financial services need to flow beyond the south and the large cities. The policy makers will have to incentivise expansion of banking services in the districts that have low CRISIL Inclusix scores through an increase in branch network and partnerships with other players.

CAG can audit Telecom firms accounts: Delhi HC

January 8, 2014

As per the ruling of the Delhi High Court, the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) can audit the accounts of mobile companies on a condition that the audit has to be only an audit relating to the receipts (revenues) and nothing else. The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India and Cellular operators had argued in its plea to the court that that under Article 149 of the Constitution, CAG is empowered only to audit the

accounts of the Union and of the State governments and such authorities or bodies as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament. They also argued that if a constitutional provision (Article 149) imposed restrictions on the power of a constitutional authority, no law made by Parliament could widen that power.

What is the issue?

The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India and Cellular petitioners had moved the Court following issuance of three letters to all telecom service providers; one by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the other two by the Director General of Audit, Post & Telecommunications requiring all the telecom firms to produce their books of accounts and other documents having a bearing on the verification of the revenue to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India from 2006-07 onwards. What did the Delhi HC say? Dismissing the writ petitions, the court held that the accounts of the licensees (telecom companies), pertaining to the revenue receipts can be said to be the accounts of the Central Government and thus subject to a revenue audit as per Section 16 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971. However, it directed that the CAGs audit has to be only an aud it pertaining to the receipts and no more and that the CAG would not confuse himself with his extensive all encompassing power under Section 14(2) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971 which includes inquiries into aspects like faithfulness, wisdom and economy in expenditures.

What does Article 149 of the Constitution of India say?

Article 149 is about Duties and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It says, the Comptroller and Auditor General shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States and of any other authority or body as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States as were conferred on or exercisable by the Auditor General of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in relation to the accounts of the Dominion of India and of the Provinces respectively.

Addressing judges lord, lordship, your honour not mandatory: Apex Court
January 8, 2014

The Supreme Court observed that addressing judges my lord, your lordship or your honour in courts is not mandatory. The judge expects to be called only in a respectful and dignified manner. The court was hearing a petition filed advocate Shiv Sagar Tiwari demanding abolishing the use of such terms and ordering the courts that the judges should not be addressed in such a traditional manner. As per the petition, addressing judges as my lord or your lordship in courts is a relic of colonial era and a sign of slavery. The court refused to accept the plea and said that it is for the lawyer to choose how he addresses the judge and the judge does not take exception if he/she is called Sir. However, the court declined to order the courts to abolish the use of the conventional terms.

Janet Yellen becomes the first wome chief of Federal Reserve Bank of US
January 8, 2014

Janet Yellen (67) has been confirmed as the new chief of the Federal Reserve Bank of the she has become the first woman to head the worlds most powerful central bank.

US. With this,

Yellen who was earlier nominated by President Barack Obama was elected with the 56-26 vote in the US senate voting. Yellen will replace current chairman Ben Bernanke, who steps down on January 31, 2014 after 8 years in this service, during which the pair tackled the countrys worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.