Current Affairs 2020

1. Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 passed by Lok Sabha

The bill seeks to increase the upper limit of legal abortions to 24 weeks for special categories of women such as rape survivors or victims of incest.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 17, 2020. The bill seeks to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 and increase the upper limit of legal abortions to 24 weeks for special categories of women. 

The bill was passed in the lower house of the Parliament through a voice vote. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan stated that the proposed bill seeks termination of pregnancy in cases involving victims of incest, rape survivors, minor girls, differently-abled girls or in case of a pregnancy that has substantial foetal abnormalities.

The Union Cabinet had approved the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill on January 29, 2020 under the chairmanship of PM Narendra Modi.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Amendment bill: Key Features

• The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 proposes requirement for an opinion from one provider for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation and introducing the requirement of opinion from two providers for termination of pregnancy up to 20-24 weeks of gestation.

• The amended bill proposes increasing the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women such as vulnerable women including survivors of rape, victims of incest and others such as differently-abled women and minors.

• Under the amendment bill, the upper gestation limit will not apply in cases of substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by the Medical Board. The composition, functions and other details of the Medical Board will be prescribed subsequently in Rules under the Act.

• Further, the name and other details of the woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed except to a person authorised by the law.

2. Operation Vanilla: All You Need to Know about Indian Navy’s support to Madagascar

INS Airavat arrived at Madagascar's Port Antsiranana on January 30 with the relief material.

Operation Vanilla in News: The Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Vanilla’ on January 28 to provide relief and assistance to the cyclone-hit population of Madagascar. INS Airavat arrived at Madagascar's Port Antsiranana on January 30 with the relief material. 

INS Airavat, deployed in the Southern Indian Ocean, was diverted to Madagascar as a part of Indian Navy's 'Operation Vanilla' to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the people in the cyclone-ravaged areas of  Madagascar.

• About INS Airavat

INS Airavat was commissioned in the Indian Navy on May 19, 2010. It is the Indian Navy’s one of the biggest and heaviest naval ships. It is capable of carrying 10 battle tanks, more than 500 troops, and 11 combat trucks. INS Airavat provides a comfortable platform to Sea King and Dhruv helicopters. It is also equipped with two indigenous rocket launchers to provide support in amphibious operations.

• About Operation Vanilla

Indian Navy Ship Airavat reached Seychelles to provide all necessary help to Madagascar. The INS Airavat carried five pallets each of victualing, naval stores and clothing and three pallets of medicines.

The Indian Navy provided drinking water, emergency food, clothes, temporary shelters, evacuation-related help, medical assistance, emergency transportation and communication assistance to the people of Madagascar. “Operation Vanilla” is a part of the Government of India’s scheme – ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR)'.

• Where is Madagascar?

Madagascar is a country located in the Indian Ocean, about 400 kms away from the coast of East Africa. Madagascar is the world’s second-largest island country after Greenland. 

About Madagascar Disaster

Madagascar was severely affected by cyclone Diane recently. Around 92,000 people were affected due to floods in the country. President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, had requested the international community to help the country with all possible measures. Heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides caused the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of a large number of people.

3. Delhi Election 2020: Schedule, voting date and all you need to know!

Delhi Election 2020: The Election Commission appointed Retired IAS officer Vinod Zutshi as a special general observer for Delhi Assembly Elections 2020. Mr Zutshi was previously associated for 7 years with the Election Commission of India.

The appointment of Special General Observer comes in the wake of the poll preparedness meeting held between Delhi chief secretary, Commissioner of Police, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer and Senior Members of Delhi Government.

The EC had earlier appointed former IRS officer B Murli Kumar as special expenditure observer and former IPS officer M K Das as special police observer for Delhi Elections 2020. 

• AAP's "28-point guarantee card" 

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party released its manifesto for the upcoming Delhi Elections on February 4, 2020. The manifesto includes a plan to keep main markets open for 24 hours and 24-hour provision of electricity and clean water.

Aam Aadmi Party Manifesto: Key Details

• The guarantee card promises financial assistance worth Rs 1 crore for the kin of a sanitation worker if he dies during duty.

• The manifesto also includes a plan to establish 24x7 markets on a pilot basis in key commercial areas. The markets will be allowed to remain open round the clock.

• The manifesto also promises to provide free pilgrimage to 10 lakh senior citizens.

• The manifesto also promises to introduce Deshbhakti Curriculum in Delhi government schools after the successful implementation of the Happiness Curriculum.

• The manifesto also includes a promise to introduce English, soft skills and personality development classes for the students who have completed their schooling from any Delhi school in the last five to boost employment opportunities.

• The manifesto includes a plan to develop the riverside of Yamuna River to create new tourism spots.

Delhi Election Dates: All Important Dates

Issuance of Notification	January 14
Last Date for filing of nomination	January 21
Scrutiny of nomination	January 22
Last date for withdrawal of nomination	January 24
Polling Day	February 8
Counting of Votes- Result	February 11

The current Delhi Assembly term will end on February 22, 2020. The new government will have to be formed before the day. The Election Commission has given time till February 12, before which the election should be completed. 

Delhi Election Opinion Poll

As per IANS-CVoter opinion poll, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party is set to retain its power with 59 seats, while the BJP is predicted to win 8 seats and the Congress is predicted to open its account with 3 seats. 

Delhi Elections 2015

Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP had swept the Delhi Elections 2015 with 67 seats in the 70-member assembly. While the BJP was reduced to three seats, the Congress drew a blank despite being in power in Delhi for 15 years between 1998 and 2013. 

Party	Seats Won
AAP	67
BJP	3
Congress	-