NATIONAL:
1. Withdrawing AFSPA
Why in news – Assam aims to withdraw Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, (AFSPA) completely from the state by November 2023.
Key Points –
• Disturbed Areas (Section 3 of AFSPA) notification was removed by the Centre from the entire state of Assam in 2022.
• However, AFSPA is still in force in 8 districts of Assam.
About AFSPA 1958-
• Gives sweeping powers to the armed forces.
• Allows them to open fire’, even causing death, against any person in contravention to the law or carrying arms and ammunition.
• Arrest individuals without warrants, on the basis of “reasonable suspicion”, and also search premises without warrants.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. NEP SAARTHI
Why in news – The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced a new initiative titled “NEP SAARTHI”.
Key Points –
• SAARTHI - Student Ambassador for Academic Reforms in Transforming Higher Education in India.
• Aim - to involve students in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to nominate 3 students from their institutions to be considered as NEP SAARTHIs.
• At least 300 students from higher education institutes from across the country would be selected as "NEP Saarthis".
ECONOMY:
1. Adani-Hindenburg Report
Why in news – The Supreme Court made public the report of the Sapre Committee in the Hindenburg-Adani row case.
Key Points –
• Minimum public shareholding - SEBI regulations require a publicly listed company to have a minimum of 25% of its shares to be held by the public.
• Related Party Transaction (Indian Accounting Standard 24) –
(a) A transfer of resources, services or obligations between a reporting entity and a related party, regardless of whether a price is charged.
(b) RPT transactions involve company’s directors, their relatives and their related companies.
(c) May lead to crony capitalism.
