Nov-16Nov Flashcards
Nov-16Nov -Index
- Terror Financing and Demonetisation
- Centre Extends AFSPA to Arunachal Pradesh
- Revised DTAA between India and Cyprus
- India Takes Steps to Boost Cyber Security
- Aviation Security
- Indigenously Developed Sonar Systems
- Tapas
- INS Chennai
- US-2I
- Upgraded Jaguar DARIN-III
- Modern RFID Access Control System
- Military Exercises
- 4.12.1. India China
- 4.12.2. India-Bangladesh
- 4.12.3. India-Nepal
- 4.12.4. India-Sri Lanka
- Military Exercises
4.1. TERROR FINANCING AND DEMONETISATION
Why in news?
The Centre had declared that all currency notes of 500 or 1000 denominations ceased to be legal tenders from 8th November midnight.
How will it affect terror financing?
The government targeted the fake currency notes in circulation which were an important source of terror financing, though an accurate number of such fake notes has only been a subject of speculation.
As per a study done by the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, in 2015 on behalf of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Rs. 400 crore worth fake notes were in circulation in the economy which is merely 0.025 per cent of the total budget outlay of Rs. 19.7 lakh crore as announced this fiscal.
As per the study Rs. 70 crore fake notes were pumped into the economy every year.
The problem with the fake notes is that it is difficult to identify and count such notes in open market as they can be detected only when they enter the banking system.
In 90% cases, the fake notes were printed in Pakistan and reached Bangladesh via any route, before being pumped into India through smugglers.
With the raw currency, the ink and the silver thread, all being sourced from the same source by both India and Pakistan, some of the security features of the old notes had been compromised.
The new notes will however be difficult to be faked as they have advanced safety features.
Apart from this, the demonetization has given a body blow to the hawala racket which supplied loads of cash to terrorists based in J&K for their day to day operations.
4.2. CENTRE EXTENDS AFSPA TO ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Why in news?
The Centre has decided to extend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Why this step in the peaceful state of Arunachal Pradesh?
The main reason as per the Centre is violence and intimidation resorted to by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), to dominate areas under the NSCN (Khaplang).
This comes after the NDA government had signed a ‘framework agreement’ with NSCN-IM in September 2015 to find a final solution to the six-decade-old Naga issue.
AFSPA was being extended in the districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding, all bordering Assam, as these districts were being declared as “disturbed area” under Section 3 of the AFSPA.
The NSCN-IM was desperate to regain control from the NSCN-K, which was banned last year after its alleged involvement in an ambush on an Army convoy in Manipur’s Chandel district.
The NSCN-IM, is the largest group representing the Nagas demands a “Greater Nagalim” or a contiguous land for the Nagas, across the States of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur.
As per the Centre, the ceasefire signed with NSCN-IM, in 1997 is only for Nagaland; excluding Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
4.3. REVISED DTAA BETWEEN INDIA AND CYPRUS
Why in news?
A revised Agreement between India and Cyprus for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal evasion (DTAA) with respect to taxes on income, along with its Protocol, was signed today in Nicosia, which will replace the 2 decades old existing DTAA.
What are the improvements in the new agreement?
The new DTAA provides for source based taxation of capital gains arising from alienation of shares, instead of residence based taxation provided under the existing DTAA, applicable for all investments made after 1st April 2017.
It provides for assistance between the two countries for collection of taxes and updates the provisions related to exchange of information to accepted international standards.
The Agreement expands the scope of ‘permanent establishment’ in line with the Indian tax laws and updates the text of other provisions in accordance with the international standards and consistent policy of India in respect of tax treaties.
4.4. INDIA TAKES STEPS TO BOOST CYBER SECURITY
Why in news?
The Central government recently announced some
measures, to strengthen cyber security in India.
What are the proposed measures?
All organizations having a significant IT infrastructure will
need to appoint cyber security officers.
Efforts are being made to strengthen “Cert-IN”.
State Certs in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala and Jharkhand are being planned.
Three new sectoral Certs in power sector – generation, transmission and distribution, have been set up, in addition to the banking one.
A National cyber coordination center is being set up to provide near real time situational awareness and rapid response to be completed in 5 years.
Box–Maharashtra has become first state in the country to have a cyber-police station in each district simultaneously.
The state government’s cyber-crime wing is setting up 51 cyber-crime labs in Maharashtra which will have trained manpower and modern equipment to deal with the new-age crimes in the cyber world.
4.5. AVIATION SECURITY
Why in news?
Government has taken steps to upgrade aviation security, where passengers’ travel and booking history will be tracked.
The measures have been taken after a series of blasts occurred at airports in Turkey and Belgium recently.
Key features
Under this passenger profiling system, potential troublemakers will come under the scanner of aviation security authorities the moment their tickets are booked unlike in US where they are screened 24 hours before flight.
Air travel data will be tracked and a criminal check will be run to see whether a passenger’s name is in the terror blacklist.
Profiling will not be based on religion, caste or creed. But on ticket booking history to check whether the pattern of travel is suspicious or not.
4.6. INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED SONAR SYSTEMS
Why in news?
Recently, Navy inducted 4 types of sonars, indigenously developed by DRDO that will boost its underwater surveillance capability.
Key takeaways
The systems included are
Abhay - compact hull mounted sonar for shallow water crafts,
Humsa UG - upgrade for the Humsa sonar system, NACS - Near-field Acoustic Characterization System
AIDSS - Advanced Indigenous Distress sonar system for submarines. Abhay is designed and developed for the smaller platforms such as shallow water crafts and coastal surveillance/patrol vessels to help in detecting, localizing, classifying and tracking sub-surface and surface targets in both its active and passive modes of operation. AIDSS is “distress sonar” with an Emergency Sound Signaling Device used to indicate that a submarine is in distress and enable quick rescue and salvage.
4.7. TAPAS
Why in news? DRDO recently test flown UAV TAPAS 201(RUSTOM-II). As per the DRDO, it is a drone meant for meeting the surveillance needs of the forces and is not a UCAV meant for combat as reported by media. Significance TAPAS 201, a multi-mission UAV is being developed by DRDO to carry out the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the three Armed Forces with an endurance of 24 hours. It is capable to carry different combinations of payloads like Medium Range Electro Optic (MREO), Long Range Electro Optic (LREO), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and Situational Awareness Payloads (SAP) to perform missions during day and night. Immensely contributes towards the Make-in-India initiative as many critical systems such as airframe, landing gear, and flight control and avionics sub-systems are being developed in India with the collaboration of private industries.
4.8. INS CHENNAI
Why in news?
The 3rd Ship in the Kolkata class guided missile destroyers INS Chennai was handed over to the navy recently.
Features
It has been built by Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai.
It is among the largest destroyers constructed in India, displacing 7,500 tonnes and with a length of 164m, it can sail at a top speed of over 30 knots (around 55km) per hour.
It is armed with supersonic surface-to-surface BrahMos, Long Rang Surface-to-Air Barak-8 missiles, heavyweight torpedo tube launchers, rocket.
Undersea warfare capability includes indigenously developed anti-submarine weapons and sensors, hull-mounted sonar HUMSA-NG.
For defence against enemy missiles, INS Chennai is fitted with ‘Kavach’ chaff decoy system and for protection from enemy torpedoes, has ‘Mareech’ torpedo decoy system, both developed in India.
Apart from performing a range of maritime warfare roles, the ship also has 2 operational multi-role helicopters on board.
Nearly 60% of the ship has been built at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai. The weapons and sensors were brought from Israel and Russia.
4.9. US-2I
Why in news?
India is likely to purchase Japanese amphibious airplanes, the ShinMaywa US 2i.
Significance
The aircraft will be helpful in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief especially in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and in Lakshadweep, where no regular landing strips exist currently.
The primary reasons for this purchase seem to be the strengthening bilateral relations between New Delhi and Tokyo, and the Chinese announcement of having built the world’s largest flying boat, known as AG-600.
There have been debates over whether these planes will serve any utility to India.
Japan wants to make progress in defence exports which was banned in Japan since 1964, to be overturned only recently in 2014.
Some experts believe that the deal could help in creating a future roadmap for more such deals with Japan, especially in naval warships and equipment.
The Make in India initiative will get a boost as it will be manufactured by private sector, and final assembly and integration will take place in India, though doubts remain full technology will be transferred or not.
The contentious issues are the high price which is around $3 billion over 7 years and the utility of the aircraft for India.
4.10. UPGRADED JAGUAR DARIN-III
Why in news?
The upgraded Jaguar DARIN III twin-seat aircraft has received Initial Operation Clearance (IOC) recently.
Significance The indigenous aircraft is now equipped with world class avionics system in terms of data handling and overall capabilities. The total design covering system requirement capture, specification preparation, software, hardware, electrical and mechanical design and development were carried out indigenously by HAL. Three DARIN I Standard Jaguars have been upgraded to DARIN III Standard by HAL. The upgrade incorporates new state-of-the-art avionics architecture including the Open System Architecture Mission Computer (OSAMC), Fire Control Radar, Solid State Digital Video Recording System (SSDVRS), Autopilot Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) and more.
4.11. MODERN RFID ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM
Paradip Port has introduced the modern RFID Access Control System (RFID) for controlling and tracking the entry and exit of vehicular and human traffic, becoming the first major port to do so successfully.
The move has helped in increasing the productivity of the port due to smooth movement of traffic across the gates.
The new RFID system helps in, faster movement of cargo, lesser congestion, simplified online payment procedure, availability of real-time information on details of men and vehicles inside the restricted area.
The new RFID system is beneficial to the port users in that they can avail data related to their cargo inflow and outflow over any desired period of time.
Maritime Security of the port is also enhanced as it keeps a record of the details of the vehicles along with the credentials of drivers & helpers.
Port users are facilitated with additional convenience of one more HEP (Harbour Entry Permit) Issue Section and more counters compared to the earlier system of two HEP Issue Sections.
- MILITARY EXERCISES
- 4.12.1. INDIA CHINA
An opening ceremony of the sixth India China Joint Training Exercise “Hand – in – Hand 2016” was held at the parade ground in Aundh Military Camp, Pune today.
The aim of the joint exercise is to acquaint both the Armies with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop of counter terrorism environment and enhancing confidence and trust between the two armies in case they are called upon into joint anti-terrorism operations under the UN mandate.
A spectacular display of Indian martial arts of Kalyaripattu, Khukri dance and Malkhamb by soldiers of Indian Army and a massed martial arts display by the Chinese contingent will also be there.
The joint training will also help in upholding the values of Peace, Prosperity and Stability in the region
4.12.2. INDIA-BANGLADESH
The Sixth India-Bangladesh Joint Military Exercise “SAMPRITI-2016” commenced at Bangabandhu Senanibas, Tangail recently.
Main focus was on Counter-Terrorism Operations in mountainous and jungle terrain under the United Nations Mandate.
SAMPRITI series of bilateral exercises is one of the major bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between India and Bangladesh.
4.12.3. INDIA-NEPAL
Indo-Nepal Joint Military Exercise Surya Kiran-X commenced at Army Battle School, Saljhandi, Nepal. It was the tenth in the series of such exercise between the two nations.
The Surya Kiran series of Exercises are being conducted annually, alternatively in Nepal and India.
In the series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, Surya Kiran series with Nepal is the largest in terms of troop’s participation.
