Today in History (February 6th, 1952)
In 1952, the UK’s longest-reigning monarch, Elizabeth II, ascended the throne after her father, King George VI’s death.
Summary of Today’s News
Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference 2024
Context
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) – Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference (CASGC) 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- The theme: Cross-Border Challenges in Justice Delivery.
- The conference serves as a unique platform by offering a forum for interaction among different stakeholders in the Commonwealth legal fraternity.
- It includes a round table conference tailored for Attorneys and Solicitors general aiming to develop a comprehensive roadmap to address the challenges in legal education and transnational justice delivery.
- Commonwealth of Nations is a global intergovernmental organization of nations, mainly former territories of the British Empire and dependencies. The organization was constituted by the London Declaration in 1949.
Abhinav Bindra Selected as Torchbearer for the Paris Olympics 2024
Context: Abhinav Bindra has been selected as a torchbearer for the Paris Olympic Games 2024.
- He will be part of the Olympic torch relay, which is set to last 68 days, covering 65 territories, including five overseas territories.
- He was an India’s first individual gold medalist in the men’s 10m air rifle event at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
- The Paris 2024 Games will be the biggest sporting event organised in France. They will take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024
UPI Payments at Eiffel Tower in Paris
Context: India launched Unified Payment Interface (UPI) at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
- The UPI was formally launched at the Republic Day reception held in France.
- Indian tourists now make payments in rupees in France.
Benefits of UPI
- Simplified, hassle-free online payments
- Safe and secure mode of money transfer
Directorate General of GST Intelligence
Context: The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) is investigating Mahadev Online Book, allegations of illegal betting application, and its promoters for suspected violation of GST rules and non-payment of tax.
Key points
- The Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI) now renamed as Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI).
- It is an apex intelligence organization functioning under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Department of Revenue, and Ministry of Finance.
- It is entrusted with the task of collection, collation, and dissemination of intelligence relating to the evasion of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the duties of Central Excise and Service Tax on an all India basis.
Whip
Major political party issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha MPs asking them to be present in the House as the Prime Minister of India will reply to the Motion of Thanks on the Presidential address delivered recently.
Key Points
- A whip in parliamentary parlance is a written order that party members be present for an important vote, or that they vote only in a particular way.
- The term is derived from the old British practice of “whipping in” lawmakers to follow the party line.
- The importance of a whip can be inferred from the number of times an order is underlined.
- Appointment:
- In India all parties can issue a whip to their members.
- Parties appoint a senior memberfrom among their House contingents to issue whips — this member is called a Chief Whip, and he/she is assisted by additional Whips.
Types of whips:
- One-line whip:A one-line whip, underlined once, is usually issued to inform party members of a vote, and allows them to abstain in case they decide not to follow the party line.
- Two-line whip:A two-line whip directs them to be present during the vote.
- Three-line whip: A three-line whip is the strongest, employed on important occasions such as the second reading of a Bill or a no-confidence motion, and places an obligation on members to toe the party line.
InTranSE Program
It was During the launch event of ” Digital India Future LABS Summit 2024” held at IIIT- Delhi.
Key Points
- The Intelligent Transportation System Endeavor(InTranSE) is a revolutionary collaborative research and development programme.
- It is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & IT.
- Purpose:To synergize the transformation in Intelligent Transportation System.
PM-DevINE scheme
Context:
PM laid foundation stone for Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor under the PM’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) scheme.
Key Points
- Kamakhya Temple Situated on Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, Assam, it is one of the 51 Shakti peethas.
- An important pilgrimage centre for tantric worshippers.
- Annual festival Ambubachi Mela commemorates yearly menstruation of goddess Kamakhya.
