20 March 2019: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

Read the daily PIB update and stay up-to-date on current affairs for the UPSC exam

Social Media Platforms present “Voluntary Code of Ethics for the 2019 General Election”

Context:

The Social Media Platforms and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), presented a “Voluntary Code of Ethics for the General Election 2019” to Election Commission. The Code of Ethics has been developed as a follow up to the meeting with IAMAI and representatives of Social Media Platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Google, ShareChat and TikTok etc with the election commission.

Details:

• The ‘Code of Ethics” has been developed to ensure free, fair & ethical usage of Social Media Platforms to maintain the integrity of the electoral process for the General Elections 2019.
• The Code voluntarily agreed upon by the Participants comes into operation with immediate effect.
• The Platforms have committed to process any violations reported under Section 126 of RP Act, 1951 within three hours as per Sinha Committee
• The Platforms have also agreed to create a high priority dedicated reporting mechanism for the ECI and appoint dedicated teams during the period of General Elections for taking expeditious action on any reported violations.
• Participants have also agreed to provide a mechanism for political advertisers to submit pre-certified advertisements issued by Media Certification and Monitoring Committee.
• The Code of Ethics also promises to facilitate transparency in paid political advertisements. IAMAI has agreed to coordinate with participants various steps mentioned in this code. Participants have also committed to voluntarily undertake voter awareness campaigns.

 About Umesh Sinha committee:

Sr. Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha committee had set up to review and suggest modifications and changes in the provisions of Section 126 and other sections of the Representation of the People Act 1951, provisions of Model Code of Conduct and any other ECI instruction in this regard.

Induction of Indigenous Bridge in Corps of Engineers

Details:

• In another inspiring example of indigenisation of defence equipment, 5 Metre Short Span Bridge was formally handed over to the Indian Army in a ceremony at the Talegaon facility of Larsen & Toubro Limited.
• The Bridge is indigenously designed & developed and is the result of close coordination between the Corps of Engineers and the DRDO laboratory at Pune R&DE (Engineers).
• The equipment has been manufactured by Larsen & Toubro Limited and has been delivered three months ahead of schedule.
• All stakeholders have put in concerted efforts to overcome challenges and realise the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the government, which aims to ensure self-sufficiency in our defence needs.
• The Bridge will meet the important requirement of providing mobility to own forces by speedy establishment of bridges.

Indian Navy – first Responder to Cyclone ‘IDAI’ in Mozambique

Context:

The ships of First Training Squadron of Indian Navy (Sujata, Sarathi and Shardul) operating in the Southern Indian Ocean were diverted to Port Beira, Mozambique based on request received from the Government of Mozambique to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to the local population post the devastation caused by cyclone ‘IDAI’ which struck the coast of Mozambique on 15 Mar 19.

Details:

• Cyclone ‘IDAI’ made landfall at Beira, Mozambique in early hours of 15 Mar 19 causing widespread damage and loss of human life in the Central and Northern provinces of the country.
• Preliminary inputs indicate that city of Beira faced the maximum devastation with large scale damage to infrastructure.
• The INships are likely to set up medical camps and provide food, water, blankets and other necessary relief items, as required by the local authorities.

About IDAI cyclone:

Intense Category 3 Tropical Cyclone IDAI is regarded as one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere as a whole. The storm caused catastrophic damage in multiple nations, leaving more than 400 people dead and hundreds more missing.

Tropical cyclone scales:

• Australia and Fiji:

Tropical cyclones that occur within the Southern Hemisphere to the east of 90°E officially use the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale.

• North Indian ocean:

Any tropical cyclone that develops within the North Indian Ocean between 100°E and 45°E is monitored by the India Meteorological Department use the following scale.

• Atlantic, Eastern and Central Pacific:

Tropical cyclones that occur within the Northern Hemisphere to the east of the anti-meridian, are officially monitored by either the National Hurricane Center or the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. And uses the Saffir-Simpson scale.

• Western pacific:

Tropical cyclones that occur within the Northern Hemisphere between the anti-meridian and 100°E, are officially monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

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