CURRENT AFFAIRS
08 JULY 2020
NATIONAL NEWS:
A) Army pulls back 1.5 km from clash site.
Indian troops have moved back 1.5 km from the site of the June 15 clash at the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, creating a buffer zone, which will be off-limits for foot patrolling by them for the next 30 days. This is as per the agreement reached during the Corps Commander-level talks on June 30. According to a defence source, the Chinese have fully moved out of the Patrol Point 14 area, the clash site, and thinning down of troops is under way at Hot Springs and Gogra, which could take two or three days to complete.
However, the disengagement by China at Pangong Tso as marginal. The primary objective of the first phase of disengagement was to have no eyeball-to-eyeball positions, which has been achieved through this arrangement. The next layer of deployment of 50 personnel on each side is about 1 km further behind. Within 6 km, there are just 80 people on both sides. The Indian Army, which used to patrol till Patrol Point 14 until the recent stand-off, could lose that right if a final solution is not found. The official said this was a cause of concern as the Chinese had entered well within the Indian perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The defence source cited above said that the initial process of disengagement at several places and the verification is expected to take two weeks, stating that it is going to be a long process for full disengagement. Another round of talks will be held after that to take the process forward.
B) Top priority’ to complete strategic roads.
On July 7, 2020, the defense Minister of India, Mr. Rajanth Singh directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) that the work on the strategic Darbuk Shyok Daulat Beg Oldi (DSDBO) road to be completed by October. This was conveyed at a meeting to review the progress of the construction activities in the border areas with BRO Director-General Lieutenant General Harpal Singh. On the 255-km DSDBO road, the ongoing construction is almost done. Stating that an alternative route is also being made here, there was full focus on connectivity, terming it a “top priority”.
C) Revenue collection through excise drops by 50%.
As per the data, the liquor shops across the State are doing around 60,000-65,000 home deliveries daily. “Of these deliveries, 90% are in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The largest share is from the areas within the MMR limits as shops have not been allowed to open yet.” The demand for beer and country liquor has gone down considerably leading to a drop in revenue collection. “One of the reasons for the decreased demand for beer is hotels and restaurants have not been opened. Besides, the loss of employment and migration of labour class has resulted in a drop in consumption of country liquor.” Excise duty is one of the major revenue sources of the State, outside the Goods and Services Tax. According to State Budget 2020-21, the State collected revenues worth ₹17,977 crore in 2019-20 as per the revised estimates. According to budget estimates for 2020-21, the State was to earn ₹19,225 crore in the ongoing fiscal. The move to reopen alcohol shops had come under criticism after long queues were observed outside the shops despite the lockdown. As a result, the State government allowed online delivery of alcohol from May 15.
D) Centre to lay down vaccine trial norms guidance document on anvil: DBT
India has five promising vaccine candidates. The government is readying a document that will lay down guidelines for companies and institutions working on potential COVID-19 vaccines. Ms. Swarup who is the secretary in the department of Biotechnology told that there are five promising candidate vaccines from India, including Covaxin from Bharat Biotech and one from Zydus Cadilla.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
A) TikTok may be banned in U.S.: Pompeo.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said on July 6 that the United States is “looking at” banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok,. Pompeo told that they are taking this matter very seriously. When Pompeo was asked whether the United States should be considering a ban on Chinese social media apps, especially TikTok. He said that with respect to Chinese apps on people’s cell phones, he can assure that the United States will get this one right too. He do not want to get out in front of the President, but it’s something they are looking at.
B) China censors Internet in Hong Kong
China has unveiled new powers to censor Hong Kong’s internet and access user data using its feared national security law but US tech giants have put up some resistance citing rights concerns. The online censorship plans were contained in a government document of 116 pages which was released on the night of 6 July. It also revealed the expanded powers for police, allowing warrantless raids and surveillance for some national security investigations. A week ago, China imposed the law on semi-autonomous Hong Kong by targeting subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces. Despite assuring that only a small number of people would be targeted by this law, the new details shows that it is the most radical change in the freedoms and rights of Hong Kong since Britain handed the city back to China in 1997.
