NATIONAL:
1. Suspension of MPs
Why in news - 141 Opposition Member of Parliament – 95 from the lower house (Lok Sabha) and 46 from the upper chamber (Rajya Sabha) – have been suspended for disrupting Parliamentary proceedings since December 14.
Key Points - Opposition MPs had been demanding a statement in parliament from either of Home Minister Amit Shah or PM Mr. Narendra Modi on last week's security breach.
Rules for Suspension of MPs -
• In Lok Sabha, the Speaker acts in accordance with Rules 373, 374, and 374A of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
• In Rajya Sabha, the Chairman acts as per Rules 255 and 256 of the Rules.
(i) Rule 373 and Rule 255: The presiding officers can direct an MP to withdraw from the House for any disorderly conduct.
(ii) Rule 374 and Rule 256: The presiding officer can “name” the legislator if the MP continues to disrupt the House proceedings, after that, the House can move a motion to suspend the MP until the end of the session.
(iii) Rule 374A-As per this rule, an MP “named” by the Speaker shall automatically stand suspended for a period of five days or the remaining part of the session. It was incorporated in the Rule Book of Lok Sabha in 2001.
On March 15, 1989, a total of 63 Opposition MPs were suspended in the Lower House for three days for protesting over their demand for tabling of the report of the Inquiry Commission led by Justice M P Thakkar on the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
2. Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023
Why in news - The Lok Sabha has passed the Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Key Points -
• The bill has provisions to amend the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017 which allows the central government to set up an Appellate Tribunal.
• The Bill has provisions to increase the age limit for the President of the Tribunal from 67 to 70 years, and for members from 65 to 67 years. The Tribunal comprises of a President, a Judicial member, and two technical members.
• The Bill also allows advocates with at least 10 years of experience to be appointed as the judicial member.
3. National Geosciences Data Repository Portal
Why in news - The union Ministry of Mines is to launch the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal on 19th December 2023 in a ceremony in New Delhi.
Key Points -
• It is a comprehensive online, sharing, platform for accessing and analyzing geospatial information across India.
• The NGDR initiative spearheaded by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskarachaya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N).
About GSI:
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
• Its main functions relate to creating and updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.
• GSI is an attached office of the Ministry of Mines.
• Headquarters: Kolkata
• It has six regional offices located in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata and state unit offices in almost all states of the country.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. 10-Nation Coalition
Why in news - US announces 10-nation coalition to secure Red Sea shipping against Houthi attacks.
Key Points -
• The United States announced a 10-nation coalition to quell the Houthi missile and drone attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea, with Britain, France, Bahrain, and Italy among countries joining the "multinational security initiative."
• It also included the United States, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.
About Houthis -
• The Houthis have been embroiled in a civil war with the Yemen government for almost a decade. They are in power in northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. The official government now operates out of Aden.
• Houthi tribe, they are Zaydi Shias. Zayadism is a sub-sect of Shia Islam and it believes in following the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad’s family, as the political leader of the state.
• They have attempted to revive Zayadism amid the growing influence of Sunni Salafist thought, which is inspired by the hadith or the sayings of the Prophet.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Human Solidarity Day (20 December)
Why in news - International Human Solidarity Day is observed on 20 December annually to highlight the importance of unity in diversity.
Key Points -
• The General Assembly, on 22 December 2005, by resolution identified solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should underlie relations between peoples in the twenty-first century, and in that regard decided to proclaim 20 December of each year International Human Solidarity Day.
• By resolution the General Assembly, on 20 December 2002, established the World Solidarity Fund, which was set up in February 2003 as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Programme.
SPORTS:
1. IPL Auction 2024
Why in news - Australia's Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins shatter all records for most expensive players during 2024 IPL auction in Dubai.
Key Points -
• Mitchell Starc has gone to the Kolkata Knight Riders for 24.75 crore rupees and Pat Cummins to Sunrisers Hyderabad camp for 20.50 crore rupees.
• The most expensive Indian player was Harshal Patel. PBKS grabbed him for ?11.75 Crore.
• A total of 10 franchises may collectively spend 262.95 crore rupees in a paced bidding war. The highest amount in the purse is with Gujarat Titans (GT) with 38.15 crore rupees, while Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have the least with 13.15 crore rupees.
BIHAR:
1. Mukhyamantri Prakhand Parivahan Yojana (MMPPY)
Why in news - The state transport department on rolled out the first phase of Mukhyamantri Prakhand Parivahan Yojana (MMPPY).
Key Points:
• Mukhyamantri Prakhand Parivahan Yojana (MMPPY) to enhance transport network across the state, especially focusing on the rural connectivity.
• Under this scheme, Rs five lakh subsidy will be provided to each beneficiary for the purchase of a bus. In the first phase, subsidies for purchase of 3,600 buses will be given.
POINTERS:
• Recently, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed $250 million loan for- Industrial Corridor Development in India.
• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has recently awarded highway projects through which model- Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) Model
• Which State has won the recently held Vijay Hazare Trophy- Haryana
• The first case of the new sub-variant of coronavirus, JN1, has been found in- Kerala
• Recently, the world's largest yoga centre has been constructed in- Varanasi
• Recently, a conference of the Chairman and Members of the State Public Service Commission of the country was held in –Prayagraj
• Good Governance Week is being organized from -19th to 25th December
• Who Won the Women’s and men’s title of 75th Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championship 2023 respectively - Maharashtra and Airport Authority of India (AAI)
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