Current Affairs August 2016 - Committees
News 1 - Govt to set up a committee to review e-commerce rules
The government has decided to set up a committee to be headed by the NITI Aayog CEO Mr. Amitabh Kant to look into all issues including foreign direct investment norms pertaining to the fast growing e-commerce industry in the country.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has allowed 100 per cent FDI through the automatic route in the marketplace format of e-commerce retailing in March 2016. However, FDI has not been permitted in the inventory-based model of e-commerce.
News 2 - CBDT constitutes new committee to review media policy
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has constituted a new committee to "review" the existing media policy for communicating the activities of the board and the income tax department to the public.
The nine-member committee is headed by Gopal Mukherjee. The committee has been asked to submit its report to the policy-making body of the I-T department by September 30. Under the current scheme of things, a commissioner rank officer of the department officiates as the spokesperson of the CBDT who is tasked to interact with media persons.
News 3 - Shashi Shekhar Committee on World Culture Festival of AOL submitted report to NGT
A seven-member committee of experts headed by Shashi Shekhar submitted its report to National Green Tribunal (NGT). The panel was appointed by the NGT to assess the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplain in Delhi where the World Culture Festival of the Art of Living was held in march 2015.
The committee has reported that the “entire floodplain area used for the main event site” has been “completely destroyed” causing “invisible loss of biodiversity” that “may never be able to return”.
News 4 - Abhinav Bindra to Head NRAI Review Committee on Rio Debacle
India's first and only individual Olympic gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra was named Chairman of a five-member review committee to probe the shooters' Rio Games debacle. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) said the mandate of the committee is to examine and identify the causes behind shooting not securing any medals at the Rio Olympics.
Other members of the committee include former tennis player Manisha Malhotra, who has also been appointed Convener of the committee, NRAI Secretary Rajiv Bhatia and two journalists. The NRAI Review Committee has been asked to submit its report within a maximum period of four weeks.
News 5 - Sports Ministry constitutes panel to inquire into athlete OP Jaisha's allegations
Sports Ministry has constituted a two-member committee consisting of Shri Onkar Kedia, Joint Secretary (Sports) and Shri Vivek Narayan, Director (Sports) to inquire into the allegations of Marathon runner O.P. Jaisha. The committee will submit its report in seven days.
According to media reports, Jaisha collapsed at the end of the marathon run in Rio Olympics 2016, as there were no Indian officials present to provide her water and energy drinks at refreshment points.
News 6 - PM announces Task Force to prepare action Plan for next three Olympics Games
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced that a Task Force will be set up to prepare a comprehensive action plan for effective participation of Indian sports persons in the next three Olympic games 2020, 2024 and 2028.
The Task Force will prepare overall strategy for sports facility, training, selection procedure and other related matters. The Task Force will comprise of members who are in house experts as well as those from outside.
News 7 - Union Government constitutes Committee to suggest steps to promote card payments
The Finance Ministry has set up a high-level committee to suggest steps to promote card payments through incentives like tax rebates and cash back schemes with an aim to discourage cash transactions. The committee will review the payments system in the country and recommend measures for encouraging digital payments.
The 11-member committee will be headed by former Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal. The Committee will submit its report in one year. Its member will include former RBI Deputy Governor H R Khan, Chairman of Indian Banks Association, President of Nasscom and CBDT Chairperson.
News 8 - Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection submits report to MHA
The Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection has submitted its report to the Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The Committee headed by former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta was appointed in April 2016 for streng thening border protection and addressing the issue of gaps and vulnerability in border fencing along Indo-Pakistan Border.
The panel has made a detailed study on threat perception, field visits and made a detailed recommendations pertaining to strengthening of border protection on Indo-Pakistan Border.
News 9 - Najeeb Jung appoints 3-member panel to examine 400 files submitted to him by AAP Govt
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has set up a three-member committee to examine irregularities in the files submitted to him by the AAP government, after the Judgement of Delhi High Court. About 400 files have been received for ex-post facto approval of the Lt. Governor.
The committee will comprise former Comptroller and Auditor General V K Shunglu, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami and Chief Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar. The committee will examine the role of public functionaries and fix responsibility. The Committee has been asked to submit its interim reports and recommendations within six weeks.
