Important Picks of the Day :

[ NATIONAL ]

PM Gatishakti to bring together 16 ministries, use satellite imagery for mapping and end silos

PM Modi will launch PM Gatishakti National Master Plan on October 13th, announced on August 15^th for providing multi modal connectivity infrastructure to various economic zones.

India closely following developments in Afghanistan, it concerns all of us: Jaishankar

Jaishankar made the remarks during a press appearance with his Kyrgyz counterpart & underlined the importance of the Taliban regime meeting the expectations of the global community.

Pakistan among Commonwealth invitees as India marks 100 years of Parliament’s PAC 

A two-day function will be organized in Dec to mark the centennial of PAC, Parliament’s oldest committee. It will be inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind on Dec 4^th. 

NIA raids multiple locations across J&K amid the rise in civilian killings

The raids across Jammu and Kashmir are part of its crackdown against terrorists after the recent civilian killings in Kashmir.

Army Chief General Naravane on a 4-day visit to Sri Lanka to boost defense ties

Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane is on a four-day visit to Sri Lanka from October 12-16 to enhance defense cooperation between the two nations.

Some people look at human rights with political calculations: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that looking at human rights with an eye on political gains and loss harms these rights as well as democracy. He said some people try to dent the country’s image in name of human rights. Speaking at the 28^th National Human Rights Commission Foundation (NHRC) Day program, PM Modi said some people see human rights violations in the same type of incident and the same people do not see human rights violations in any other such incident.

India’s coal crisis: 115 out of 135 power plants face a shortage

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued a report on the state of India’s acute coal scarcity, claiming that the majority of the country’s power facilities are in a state of emergency. As per CEA, over 80% of the country’s coal-fired facilities are in the critical, or “supercritical,” stage, which means their supplies may run out in less than 5 days. Coal India, for its part, has allegedly increased supply to compensate for some of the deficit. 

Domestic flights allowed to operate at full capacity from October 18

There will be no capacity restrictions on scheduled domestic flights from October 18th, the civil aviation ministry said in an official release on Tuesday. This means that from the winter schedule — which comes into effect from the end of next month — airlines can have a full complement of domestic flights.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

China says it carried out beach landing drills in province opposite Taiwan

China’s military said on Monday (October 11) it had carried out beach landing and assault drills in the province directly across the sea from Taiwan, though it did not link the exercises to current tensions with Taipei.

After 13^th core commander level talk failed on Sunday, Chinese mouthpiece, Global Times talks of war, says ‘if India starts a war, it will definitely lose’

“New Delhi needs to be clear about one thing: It will not get the border the way it wants. If it starts a war, it will definitely lose. Any political maneuvering and pressure will be ignored by China,” an editorial in Global Times said.

“In handling the border dispute with India, it is of the utmost importance for China to do two things. First, we should stick to the principle that no matter how India makes trouble, China’s territory belongs to China and we will never cede it. India is still sleepwalking on the border issue. We can wait for it to wake up,” GT.

Xi announces $233 million biodiversity fund for ecological protection

Calling for ambitious, pragmatic, and balanced global environmental protection targets, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday announced a $233 million fund to support biodiversity protection in developing countries.

Kristalina Georgieva to remain IMF chief gets support from the board

Fingers were raised at IMF chief Georgieva after a previous report that said that she had manipulated data in favor of China when she was at the World Bank. IMF board on Monday expressed its confidence in her. The investigation by law firm WilmerHale concluded that Georgieva had manipulated data in favor of China while at the global body, which she has denied.

Legal method to be adopted for appointment of new DG ISI: Fawad Chaudhry

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa have “ideal” civil-military relations and they both never take any steps that could “disrespect” each other, Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry said on Tuesday, amid late in issuing notification of ISI chief.

PM Gatishakti to bring together 16 ministries, use satellite imagery for mapping and end silos

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch PM Gatishakti National Master Plan’ on October 13, announced on August 15^th for providing multi modal connectivity infrastructure to various economic zones.

The project is the brainchild of the PM who has been a strong advocate of ending silos in govt functioning and bringing more inter-departmental and ministerial synergies.

ANI– Gatishakti will break inter-ministerial silos and integrate the planning and designing of projects with a common and holistic vision, enhance India’s global competitiveness through next-generation infrastructure and seamless multi-modal connectivity, ensure seamless movement of goods and people and enhance the ease of living as well as the ease of doing business.

Initially, Gatishakti will include 16 ministries – Railways, Civil Aviation, Petroleum, MEITY, Shipping, Road Transport, Textiles, and Food Processing.

• An empowered group of secretaries, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, will be formed for quick decision-making and DIPP will be the nodal agency.
• Gatishakti will apply technologies like Geographic Information System-based Enterprise Resource Planning with 200+ layers of evidence-based decision-making besides planning tools for route planning, dashboard-based periodic monitoring, and the latest satellite imagery.

BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics) is designing its interface.

• It also uses satellite imagery available from ISRO and base maps from the Survey of India.
• Visualization of BISAG maps will be available to people at large including the private sector, thus bringing efficiency.
• There will be a conceptual change in the functions of govt.

With this application, a holistic, integrated approach will be followed and there will be real-time coordination among various departments, therefore will increase efficiency and will also save money on projects, an official said.

India closely following developments in Afghanistan, it concerns all of us: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday during a joint press appearance with his Kyrgyz counterpart Ruslan Kazakbaev after a “constructive” meeting at Bishkek that India is closely following the developments in Afghanistan and underscored the importance of the Taliban regime meeting the expectations of the international community as elaborated in a UNSC resolution.

Jaishankar said that discussion on developments in Afghanistan and its implications for the peace and security of the region occupied some time in his talks with Kazakbaev. He said “India and the Kyrgyz Republic have a shared approach to developments in Afghanistan”

The UNSC resolution 2593 – Afghan territory not be used for sheltering, training, planning, or financing terrorist acts; and specifically refers to terrorist individuals proscribed by the UNSC, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad

India & Afghanistan Crisis: India including the west are in “Wait and watch Mode” at least officially, while China, Russia, Turkey, and Pakistan, though not officially recognize, are optimistic about relations with the Taliban.

• Nevertheless, every country, especially Big-Powers is looking for the option, where they can play in Afghanistan, or at least want to assure that it won’t go against them.
• India’s main concern is about the terror network especially the Haqqani Network, which secured the top-level position with help of Pakistan in the system, as India suffering from cross-border terrorism for decades.
• Last month, PM Modi had called for ensuring that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation in Afghanistan and use it for its selfish interests.
• Jaishankar arrived here on Sunday as part of his 4-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia intending to further expand bilateral ties with the 3 Central Asian countries.

Minister of State of External Affairs, Meenakashi Lekhi at a yoga session with Ms. Tamara Vucic, First lady of Serbia: she tweeted “It was a pleasure to have the first lady at a yoga session, this morning. These pictures exhibit the incredible global appeal of yoga and the enduring bond of India-Serbia friendship”

Pakistan among Commonwealth invitees as India marks 100 years of Parliament’s PAC 

ThePrint: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has invited all Commonwealth countries, including Pakistan Senate (upper house) Chair Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani to India on August 24^th, in December for a function to mark the centennial of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, the oldest parliamentary committee in India, is responsible for ensuring executive accountability.

The two-day function to mark its centennial will be inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind on December 4^th, while the valedictory session is likely to be addressed by PM Modi.

Why Name ‘Pakistan’: India and Pakistan have not had diplomatic ties since 2019 when Islamabad downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi following the scrapping of Article 370.

Adding to this, the latest reports from the border suggest fresh attempts to push terrorists into India.

What does PAC do: According to the Lok Sabha website, the PAC’s mandate is to examine the statement of accounts showing the appropriation of sums granted by Parliament for the expenditure of the Government of India, the annual financial accounts of the govt, and such other accounts laid before the House as the committee may think fit.

The current head of PAC Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that Pakistan is also part of the Commonwealth and hence the invite. We took the MEA into confidence before sending out the invites.

He, however, said it is yet to confirm on who all will be participating in the 2-day event.

NIA raids 18 locations across J&K amid the rise in civilian killings

In J&K, National Investigation Agency on Tuesday raided the Galbugh Kakapora, Parimpora, Chattabal, Chanapora, Solina, and Chattabal in central Kasmir to crack down on the Overground Networks (OGN) of terror outfits, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, Al Badr, The Resistance Front (TRF), People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF), Mujahideen Gazwatul Hind (MGH), which have spread in J&K and beyond.

Forces identify 6 LeT militants behind Kashmir minority killings, focus on busting terror network

ThePrint– The security forces in Kashmir Valley are tracking 6 terrorists, some of whom were caught on a CCTV camera, and their Pakistani handler, for the spate of minority killings (7) in Srinagar last week.

• (Sources) also said several overground workers (OGWs, several dozens) of terror groups have been picked up and interrogation is on.
• Meanwhile, in Shopian, the security forces Mon evening shot dead Mukhtar Shah of Ganderbal, who had gunned down a street hawker in Srinagar last week.

A special team from Delhi in Srinagar: A special team from the national capital, led by a senior counter-terrorism officer from various security agencies, is in Srinagar, working on the case along with J&K Police to unearth the entire network and just to look for those who pulled the trigger.

Arms license racket: CBI searches residence of dismissed advisor to Jammu-Kashmir LG

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting searches at the premises of IAS officer Baseer Ahmed Khan, who was removed as the advisor of J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha last week, in connection with the alleged arms licensing racket in J&K

• The CBI is also carrying out raids at 14 locations in J&K, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi as part of its probe into the case, reported.
• Khan, a 2000 batch IAS was made an advisor in March last year when GC Murmu was the Lt governor and he continued in the post under Murmu’s successor Sinha.
• Before he was appointed an advisor, he was the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir.

Arms License case: The CBI is investigating two cases about alleged bulk issuance of arms licenses in the erstwhile state of J&K during the period 2012 to 2016.

• It has been alleged that more than 2.78 lakh arms licenses were issued to non-entitled persons in over 22 districts of J&K.
• The federal probe agency, during its investigation, found the role of certain gun dealers who allegedly connived with public servants, including the then-District Magistrates and ADM of concerned districts.
• The suspects allegedly issued illegal arms licenses to ineligible persons.

In July this year, the CBI had conducted searches at around 40 locations in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Anantnag, Baramulla, Delhi at the official and residential premises of certain public servants, along with the premises linked to 20 gun dealers in the case.

Pakistani terrorist believed to be the mastermind: (ThePrint reported on Sunay) that a Pakistani terrorist, who infiltrated about 20 days back, is believed to be the mastermind of these attacks, who might have had at least two previous stints in Kashmir.

• While the minority killings have been claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), the actual group behind this is Pakistan-based LeT.
• The TRF is a front of the LeT and surfaced in October 2019 as part of a Pakistani ploy to give a local face to the terrorism in Kashmir.
• Sources also said several phone intercepts and inputs over the past few weeks suggested that there is pressure on the local terrorists from their Pakistani handlers to carry out targeted attacks.

Pakistani terrorist arrested from Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar: ANI

Delhi Police Special Cell on Tuesday arrested a terrorist of Pakistani nationality (accused, identified as Mohd Asraf resident of Pakistan’s Punjab) from the Laxmi Nagar area in the national capital. As per information shared by police, the terrorist was living with fake IDs of an Indian.

Delhi Police on Tuesday claimed that the arrested Pakistani terrorist, Mohammad Ashraf has been living in the country for more than a decade using Indian identity, and got married in Vaishali, Ghaziabad, took cover as peer baba, who was on a mission to carry out blasts during festivals.

• One AK-47 assault rifle with one extra magazine and 60 rounds, one hand grenade, two sophisticated pistols with 50 rounds have been seized from his possession.
• Relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Act, Arms Act, and other provisions are being invoked against the man.
• Police also conducted a search operation at his present address at Ramesh Park in Laxmi Nagar. More details are awaited. (ANI)

Encounter breaks out in Shopian’s Feripora, 5th gun-battle in 36 hours

An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in the Feripora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Tuesday.

An official said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the party, which was retaliated, thus triggering an encounter in the area and 2-3 militants are believed to be trapped in the area.

7 terrorists killed in various encounters in J&K at various places during the last 24 hours: 3 terrorists of LeT were killed in an encounter yesterdays evening at Tulran Imamsahab area in South Kashmir’s Shopian district. Identification being ascertained. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition recovered. Search going on,” police said

• Earlier, the firefight between terrorists and security forces took place forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation based on a specific input.
• As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where terrorists were hiding they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter.

Army Chief General Naravane on a 4-day visit to Sri Lanka to boost defense ties

Chief of Army Staff General (COAS) MM Naravane is on a 4-day visit to Sri Lanka (1^st visit) from Oct 12-16, during which he will be meeting the country’s senior military and civil leadership to enhance defense cooperation between the two nations.

• While in Sri Lanka, COAS will interact with the Service Chiefs, visit the Headquarters of the Sri Lankan Army, the Gajaba Regimental HQ, and the Lankan Military Academy.
• The Chief will witness the culmination phase of the joint military exercise between India and Sri Lanka, “Exercise Mitra Shakti”, and later address the students and faculty at the Defence Services Command and Staff College at Batalanda.
• He is also scheduled to call on the Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
• Gen Naravane’s visit comes days after the foreign secretary traveled to Lanka and held extensive talks with the top leaders to boost cooperation in a range of areas.

China says it carried out beach landing drills in province opposite Taiwan (REUTERS)

China’s military said on Oct 11, it had carried out beach landing and assault drills in the province directly across the sea from Taiwan, without linking to current tensions with Taipei.

• PLA -the drills had been carried out “in recent days” in the southern part of Fujian province (Chinese invasion of Taiwan due to its geographical proximity).
• The action had involved “shock” troops, sappers, and boat specialists, the Chinese military newspaper added.
• The troops were “divided into multiple waves to grab the beach and perform combat tasks at different stages”, it added, without providing further details.
• It showed a video of soldiers in small boats storming a beach, throwing smoke grenades, breaking through barbed wire defenses, and digging trenches in the sand.
• The drills appeared to involve a small number of troops.
• The weather was clear and the seas were calm – suggesting the drill did not happen on Mon as southern Fujian is currently being affected by a tropical storm passing between Taiwan and the Philippines.

US and China seek the right level of pressure as Taiwan tensions grow (SCMP)

• The issue of the self-ruled island is regarded as one area of tension between Beijing and Washington which could lead to conflict
• Both sides are trying to lay down firm markers while avoiding the risk of miscalculation

With Taiwan often seen as a potential trigger for “hot conflict” between Beijing and Washington, a crucial question is whether the nuclear-armed powers know what level of pressure is just right as both try and lay down firm markers amid their flaring tensions.

Beijing considers the self-ruled, US-aligned island as a province to be reunited with the mainland and this month has sent a record number (150) of military planes on sorties into the Taiwanese air defense zone.

US allies have meanwhile stepped up, with Japan resolutely backing Taiwan – including its bid to join a regional trade pact – and Australia entering the new Aukus partnership with the US and Britain in what is widely viewed as a response to a rising China.

Kristalina Georgieva to remain IMF chief gets support from the board

Fingers were raised at IMF chief Georgieva after a previous report that said that she had manipulated data in favor of China when she was at the World Bank. IMF board on Mon expressed its confidence in her.

The investigation by law firm WilmerHale concluded that Georgieva had manipulated data in favor of China while at the global body, which she has denied.

Drawn out uncertainty over whether Georgieva would keep her job ended Monday when the IMF board said it “reaffirms its full confidence in the Managing Director’s leadership and ability to continue to effectively carry out her duties.”

• The board added it would “meet to consider possible additional steps to ensure the strength of institutional safeguards.”
• WilmerHale’s controversial findings center on the drafting of the 2018 and 2020 editions of the World Bank report that ranks countries according to their ease of doing business.
• The push came while bank leadership was engaged in sensitive negotiations with Beijing over increasing the bank’s lending capital.

IMF: Established in 1944, has now 190 member countries with the capability to lend is $1 trillion. The Executive Board (the Board) is responsible for conducting the day-to-day business of the IMF, composed of 24 Directors, who are elected by member countries or by groups of countries, and the Managing Director, who serves as its Chairman.

• The Board usually meets several times each week. It carries out its work largely based on papers prepared by IMF management and staff.
• Following the entry into force of the Board Reform Amendment on Jan 26, 2016, members who have consented to their quota increases can pay their quota increases under the 14^th General Review of Quotas.
• Quota and voting shares will change as members pay their quota increases.
• The largest borrowers: Argentina, Egypt, Ukraine, Pakistan (gray list)