9th February, 2024 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
The Public Examinations (Prevention Of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024

The bill is introduced to address and prevent the use of unfair means in public examinations. It encompasses a wide range of definitions and stipulations that clarify the roles, responsibilities, and penalties associated with the conduct of public examinations. The bill’s enactment underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring a transparent, equitable, and merit-based assessment system.
Chapter II of The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, elaborates on what constitutes unfair means and offenses related to the conduct of public examinations, setting a comprehensive legal framework to maintain the integrity of the examination process. This chapter is pivotal in delineating the actions considered as malpractices and the legal repercussions for those involved in such activities.
Chapter VI introduces a significant amendment to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 1944, by incorporating offenses under The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, into the ordinance’s legal framework. This amendment signifies the legislative intent to embed the new act within the broader scope of criminal law in India, ensuring that the legal mechanisms for addressing unfair means in public examinations are robust and integrated with existing legal provisions.

Also Read: Persons: Weekly Current Affairs Bitbank (January 8 to 14, 2024): Who has recently been appointed as the CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone?

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INTERNATIONAL
India to Fence Indo-Myanmar Border for Enhanced Security

In an endeavor to bolster border security measures, India has embarked on a significant project to fence the entire 1643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border.
Home Minister Amit Shah made the announcement, underscoring the government’s commitment to fortifying national borders and enhancing surveillance capabilities.
India’s decision to fence the entire border effectively terminates the Free Movement Regime, signaling a shift towards stricter border control policies.
With the surge of anti-Junta rebels and tribal militants crossing over since the 2021 Myanmar military coup, the fencing initiative aims to curb unauthorized border crossings and enhance security measures.
The 1643-kilometer-long India-Myanmar border traverses through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, covering regions prone to border infiltrations.
Approval has been granted for additional fencing works covering approximately 20 km in Manipur, with implementation scheduled to commence shortly.

Yemen Appoints Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak as New Prime Minister

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, in a significant move, appointed Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak as the country’s new Prime Minister. This appointment comes at a critical time as Yemen faces increased tensions and security challenges. The outgoing Prime Minister, Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, has been appointed as an advisor to the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, marking a notable shift in the country’s political landscape.
Yemen, strategically located on the Arabian Peninsula, is currently experiencing heightened tensions due to a series of Red Sea attacks on ships by Houthi rebels. These attacks have prompted retaliatory strikes by the United States and the United Kingdom, signaling a potential escalation in the conflict.

Nayib Bukele Secures Re-election As El Salvador President

El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele triumphantly secures his reelection, despite lingering concerns over authoritarian tendencies. Bukele’s landslide victory underscores his firm stance against gang violence and his vision for democratic reforms.
Bukele’s resounding victory is fueled by his aggressive crackdown on gang violence, a pervasive issue in El Salvador. His policies, which have led to the imprisonment of thousands without formal charges, have resonated strongly with voters seeking security and stability.
President Nayib Bukele’s reelection victory reflects his enduring popularity and his administration’s efforts to combat gang violence and promote economic prosperity. However, the challenges of maintaining democratic principles amidst concerns of authoritarian rule loom large. As Bukele navigates his second term, striking a balance between security imperatives and democratic values will be crucial for El Salvador’s future.

ECONOMY
RBI’s Analysis Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2022-23

The annual performance report of the Indian banking sector, compliant with Section 36(2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, presents a comprehensive analysis of the sector’s achievements and challenges. It encompasses cooperative banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), providing insights into their contributions to the country’s economic framework.
SCBs have experienced significant growth, with their combined balance sheets expanding by 12.2% in the fiscal year 2022-23, marking a nine-year high. This growth is attributed mainly to credit expansion in the retail and services sectors.
Additionally, SCBs have strengthened their capital buffers and asset quality, with the Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio reaching a ten-year low of 3.9% by March 2023 and further dropping to 3.2% by September 2023. Remarkably, no bank was under the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework by March 2023, indicating improved health of the banking sector.
NBFCs have shown remarkable growth and improvement in asset quality, with their combined balance sheets growing by 14.8% in 2022-23. The sector has witnessed a significant credit expansion, particularly in unsecured loans, micro-finance, and MSME loans. The Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio for NBFCs declined to 4.1%, showcasing an improvement in asset quality.

Published date : 09 Feb 2024 04:13PM