Current Affairs 8 & 9 May 2022

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

UR for Persons of 15 years and above in Urban Areas declined to 8.7% in Q3-2021: 13th PLFS by NSO

i.In accordance with the 13th Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the Unemployment Rate (UR) for persons of 15 years and above in urban areas dipped to 8.7% in October-December (Q3) 2021 from 10.3% in Q3-2020. 
ii.It was 9.8% in July-September (Q2) 2021.
iii.UR among females also declined to 10.5% in Q3-2021 from 13.1% in October – December 2020.  It was 11.6% in Q2-2021.
About National Statistical Office (NSO):
NSO works under the aegis of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI)
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
>> Read Full News

ICG Commissions 2nd Air Squadron ‘845 Squadron’ Equipped With Dhruv ALH Mk III Helicopters in Kochi, Kerala

On May 4, 2022, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Director General (DG) Virender Singh Pathania commissioned ICG’s second Air Squadron, 845 Squadron (CG) under the administrative and operational control of Coast Guard Air Enclave at Nedumbassery in Kochi, Kerala. The Squadron is equipped with the indigenously developed Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter Mark III (ALH Mark III) helicopters. 

• Four helicopters have been positioned in Kochi to cover the entire coast of Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep. 
• The Squadron will be led by Commandant Kunal Naik which has 9 officers and 35 men.
• It will aid in search and rescue operations and long-range maritime surveillance.

Key Points:
i.These choppers will further boost search and rescue operations, and the security of the western seaboard.
ii.Dhruv ALH Mark-III are designed and developed by Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
iii.It is powered by two Shakti engines and is equipped with surveillance radar, electro optic pod, medical urgent care unit, high-intensity searchlight, infrared suppressor, heavy machine gun, and glass cockpit.

IRCTC’s Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train Covering Ramayana Circuit will Include a Stop at Nepal’s Janakpur

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is set to run its First ‘Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train’ on June 21, 2022. The proposed 17 Nights/18 Days pilgrimage will run on Ramayana Circuit identified under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, covering prominent places associated with the life of Lord Shri Rama, including Ram Janaki temple in Janakpur located in Nepal.

• The Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train is the Government of India’s initiative of Dekho Apna Desh, to promote domestic tourism.

Key Points:
i.The train with ten 3AC class coaches, can accommodate a total of around 600 tourists and is fitted with a well equipped pantry for dishing out freshly-cooked vegetarian meals.
ii.The train will also be fitted with security cameras, along with security guard services for each coach. 
iii.The all inclusive package for the pilgrimage starts from Rs 62,370/- per person. IRCTC also offers a 10% discount for early 100 bookings as special promotions.
iv.IRCTC also tied up with Paytm and Razorpay payment gateways for providing EMI (Equated Monthly Instalments) payment options to the customers. 
v.Also the Government and Public Sector Undertaking employees can avail for LTC (Leave Travel Concession) facility on this tour as per eligibility based on the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance.
Itinerary:
i.The train starts its 18 days journey from Safdarjung Railway Station, Delhi with stops at Uttar Pradesh (UP)(Ayodhya, Varanasi); Janakpur, Nepal; Bihar; Madhya Pradesh(MP); Karnataka (Hampi); Tamil Nadu’s (Rameshwaram, Dhanushkodi, Kanchipuram); Telangana (Bhadrachalam).
ii.The journey will culminate in Delhi on the 18th Day after covering over 8000 kms.
About Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
i.The Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in 2014-15.
ii.The aim of the scheme is to develop theme-based tourist circuits and harness the tourism potential of India.

RPF Signs MoU with Association for Voluntary Action for Trafficking Free India

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Association for Voluntary Action (AVA), also known as Bachpan Bachao Andolan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a trafficking-free India.

• The Association for Voluntary Action (AVA) is associated with the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF).

Key Points:
i.Both the RPF and the AVA agreed to share information, strengthen the capacity of RPF personnel and railway employees to combat human trafficking, raise awareness & increase sensitization, and assist each other in the identification & detection of human trafficking instances.
ii.Under the terms of the MoU, both stakeholders would work together to expand the scope, reach, and effectiveness of RPF’s “Operation AAHT” (Action Against Human Trafficking) across India.

• “Operation AAHT” aims to take stringent action against human trafficking through rail and has been rescuing victims of human trafficking from the clutches of traffickers.

Efforts Of RPF Against Trafficking:
i.The Railway Protection Force is in charge of the security of railway property, passenger area, and passengers.
ii.Since 2018, it has been carrying out its responsibilities as prescribed by the Ministry of Railways’ Standardized Operating Procedure for the rescue of children and collaborating with other stakeholders to rescue over 50,000 children under “Operation Nanhe Farishte”.
iii. The RPF has also set up Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in over 740 locations across India, with the goal of combating human trafficking in collaboration with other agencies.
Note: The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 was awarded jointly to Kailash Satyarthi of India and Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan, “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.”
About Association of Voluntary Action (AVA):
Its mission is to end all types of violence against children and to build a society where all children are free, safe, and healthy, & receive quality education. 
Founder – Nobel laureate Mr. Kailash Satyarthi

MHA and SECI sign MoU to Realize India’s Green Energy Initiative

On 6th May 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) which envisages collaboration between both MHA and SECI for jointly undertaking the solar rooftop Photovoltaic (PV) power plants. 
This MoU is in line with the efforts of the Government of India to realise the green energy objectives. 
Note: This MoU will facilitate the use of green power in the security establishments across India.
Background: 
As a step toward the Government of India’s efforts to promote renewable energy and thereby move towards a carbon-neutral economy, the MHA under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah has initiated a proposal to install Solar Energy Panels in the campuses of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and National Security Guard (NSG). 
Key Points:
i.SECI has estimated the total solar power potential of 71.68 Megawatts in the campuses of CAPF and NSG. 
ii.SECI, an expert in the field of Solar power projects, will support the MHA in implementing the rooftop solar PV power plants either directly or through an agency or agencies selected through a competitive bidding process. 

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Gives NoC for Merger Between Equitas Holdings & Equitas SFB

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a No-Objection Certificate (NoC) with conditions to the proposal for the voluntary merger of Equitas Holdings Limited (EHL) and Equitas Small Finance Bank (ESFBL), a subsidiary of Equitas Holdings Limited.
The merger is being carried out to comply with RBI small finance bank (SFB) norms, which require the promoter to reduce its stake in the subsidiary to 40% within five years of commencement of operations by the SFB.
RBI’s Mandate for Small Finance Banks (SFBs):
i.According to conditions laid down by RBI for SFBs in June 2016 and guidelines for licencing of SFBs in the private sector in November 2014, equity shares of SFBs should be listed on recognised stock exchanges within three years from the date the net worth of SFB reaches Rs. 500 crores.

• The applicable date for listing in the case of ESFBL was September 4, 2019. However, it began its banking operations with a net value of more than Rs 500 crore.
• Compliance with regard to listing was honoured by an Initial Public Offering (IPO) and the listing of ESFBL shares on exchanges from November 2, 2020.

ii.The other condition is that if a promoter (here EHL) owns more than 40% stake in the subsidiary (here ESFBL), it must be reduced to 40% within five years from the date of commencement of banking operations by the SFB. The applicable date for ESFBL is September 4, 2021.

• EHL held 74.59% stake in ESFBL at the end of March 2022.

Other conditions laid down by RBI on NoC:
i.Prior to the scheme taking effect,

• EHL should divest its stake in its subsidiary, Equitas Technologies.
• Equitas SFB will also have to get RBI approval before bringing Equitas Development Initiatives Trust (EDIT) and Equitas Healthcare Foundation (EHF) under its purview.

ii.The RBI has also indicated that the NoC should not be seen as a waiver of any of the RBI’s regulatory obligations, that any modification from the existing regulatory instructions must be obtained separately, and that the RBI may impose further conditions as it deems necessary.
About Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited (ESFBL):
MD & CEO – Vasudevan Pathangi Narasimhan 
Establishment – 2016
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Tagline – It’s Fun Banking

Indian Bank Launches Digital Broking Solution ‘E-Broking’

Indian Bank, a public sector bank, has introduced its digital broking solution – ‘E-Broking’, as a strategic move toward comprehensive digitalisation of its customer products.

• E-Broking, an instant and paperless demat & trading account opening service, is now available through the bank’s mobile banking app, IndOASIS.

The product was introduced in collaboration with Fisdom, the bank’s financial technology partner.
Highlights:
i.The E-Broking initiative will assist the bank in increasing its CASA (Current Account Savings Account).
ii.This initiative also enables the customers to invest in the ongoing Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) Initial Public Offering (IPO) effectively.
iii. IndOASIS, the bank’s mobile banking app, would provide users with a unified experience ranging from demat and trading account opening to reduced broking services backed by research-based investment in the secondary market, starting with equity, futures, options, and initial public offerings on a single platform.
About Indian Bank:
MD & CEO – Shanti Lal Jain
Establishment – August 15, 1907
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Tagline – Taking Banking Technology To The Common Man

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Boeing And Air Works Collaborate On Indian Navy’s P-8i Fleet

Boeing India, Headquartered in Delhi is a subsidiary of US based company has collaborated with Indian company Air Works Group to deliver Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft fleet. The collaboration was initiated at the Boeing India Aatmanirbharta in Defence conference being organized in New Delhi.
About Collaboration
i.Air Works and The Boeing Company are partnering  to undertake heavy maintenance checks on three Indian Navy P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft simultaneously at Air Works, Hosur.
ii.The collaboration between Boeing and Air Works has enabled faster turnarounds and enhanced operational capability within India for key defence platforms.
iii. Boeing’s strategic collaboration with Air Works was an important first step under the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub launched in 2021.
iv.The  Collaboration began with their service on the P-8I Poseidon aircraft, and has grown to include checks and MRO on the landing gear of the Indian Air Force’s Boeing 737 VVIP aircraft.
About Air Works
Established in 1951, Air Works Group is India’s biggest independent MRO with a pan-Indian presence across 27 cities. Air Works also undertakes modification and assembly of rotary-wing aircraft and is an Authorized Service Centre (ASC) for Bell and Leonardo helicopters.
Managing Director & CEO – Anand Bhaskar
Headquarters – Gurugram, Haryana

Nexcharge, JV of Exide & Leclanché, Begins Production at India’s Largest Lithium-ion Battery Plant in Gujarat 

Nexcharge (a brand of Exide Leclanche Energy Private Limited), a joint venture(JV) of Exide Industries Limited and Switzerland’s Leclanche SA have begun mass production at India’s largest lithium-ion battery plant at Prantij, Gujarat. 

• The new state-of-the-art facility spread across 6,10,098 square feet with a total installed capacity of 1.5 Gigawatt hours (GWh) is the largest facility in India for the production of lithium-ion battery packs and modules. 
• The 6 automated assembly lines of the facility will produce batteries for automobiles and energy storage applications. 
• Nexcharge has invested USD 33 million in building and setting up the plant. 

RIL Becomes First Indian Company to Cross USD 100Bn Revenue

Reliance Industries Limited(RIL) has become the first Indian company to reach USD 100 billion(bn) revenue in fiscal 2022. RIL’s revenue in FY22 has increased 47% to Rs 7.9 lakh crore (USD 105 billion) with the growth in its oil to chemical (O2C) and consumer business (Jio & Retail) business. 

• With a profit growth of 26% to Rs 67,845 crore (US 9 billion), RIL retains its top position as India’s most profitable private company. 
• RIL has announced a dividend of Rs 8 per fully paid-up equity share of Rs 10 each for the financial year ended on 31st March 2022. This is subject to the approval of members of the company at the ensuing Annual General Meeting of the company. 
• The TATA Group (collection of over 30 companies across 10 sectors) had a revenue of USD 103 billion in FY2021. The TATA group’s FY2022 numbers are yet to be declared. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS     

Priyanka Mohite Becomes First Indian Woman To Scale Five Peaks Above 8,000m

Priyanka Mohite has become the first Indian woman to scale five peaks above 8,000 metres (m) after she climbed the third highest mountain in the world Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), situated in the eastern Himalayas on the border between Sikkim state, northeastern India, and eastern Nepal on May 5, 2022.
Other Peaks Scaled:
i.In 2013, She climbed the world’s highest peak Mount Everest (8,849 m) located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas between the borders of China and Nepal.
ii.In 2016, She climbed Mount Makalu (8,485 m) the fifth highest mountain in the world, located in the Mahalangur Himalayas southeast of Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region, China, and Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres) located in Tanzania, Africa.
iii.In 2018, She Scaled Mount Lhotse (8,516 m) the fourth highest mountain in the world, located between Tibet and the Khumbu region of Nepal.
iv.In April 2021, she had scaled Mount Annapurna (8,091 m), the 10th highest mountain peak in the world located at the Gandaki Province, north-central Nepal and had become the first Indian woman climber to achieve the feat.
About Priyanka Mohite:
i.Priyanka Mohite was from Satara District of Maharashtra, started to scale mountains in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra as a teenager.
ii.In 2012, she scaled Bandarpunch, a mountain massif of the Garhwal division of the Himalayas, in Uttarakhand and In 2015, she scaled Mount Menthosa (6,443 m) which is the second-highest peak in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.
iv.In 2021, The Government of India(GoI) awarded her with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2020 for outstanding contribution in the field of land adventure.
v.She was also the recipient of the Maharashtra Government’s Shiv Chhatrapati State award for adventure sports for 2017-2018. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS          

M Narayanan Appointed as Part-Time Chairman of CUB for a Period of Two Years

The City Union Bank (CUB) Limited has appointed M Narayanan, as its part-time Chairman after the approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a period of two years with effect from May 4, 2022.

• M Narayanan succeeds part-time Chairman R Mohan, who has stepped down from the office of Chairman of the Board after completing his three-year term on May 3, 2022.
• However, R Mohan will continue to act as an Independent Director of the Board of the Bank till June 27, 2022.

About M Narayanan:
i.M Narayanan was inducted into the CUB board on May 3, 2016, as an Independent Director representing sectors such as agriculture, rural economy, accountancy, and Information Technology.
ii.He has handled Finance, Accounts & Taxation in companies Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Dalmia Cements, Fenner, RAMCO Cements and Dishnet.
iii.Narayanan is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA), Cost Accountant, and System Auditor, with a professional experience of more than 2 decades in various corporations.
About City Union Bank(CUB):
Headquarters – Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu
Managing Director and Chief Executive officer – Dr N. Kamakodi
Tagline – Trust and Excellence since 1904 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Navy Plans To Acquire GISAT-2 Satellite To Boost Capacity In Indian Ocean Region

As part of its modernisation and network-centric warfare and communications programme, the Indian Navy is looking to acquire a dedicated earth imaging satellite — Geo Imaging Satellite-2(GISAT 2) or EOS-05 in this fiscal year. The launching vehicle will be Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-F12.

• The GISAT 2  is the second satellite in this series and it will be designed to provide near real-time images of large areas of region of interest at frequent intervals, which will help the navy not only in surveillance but also operations planning.
• Operating from a geostationary orbit (GEO), the satellite will facilitate near real-time observations under cloud-free conditions too.

Acquiring Plans
i.The satellite is expected to enhance the navy’s operational capabilities in the Indian Ocean region, which is strategically and geopolitically important, especially in the backdrop of increasing Chinese presence.
ii.The GISAT 2, is among 21 planned procurements planned for the capability development/modernisation of the navy is being undertaken in accordance with the long-term plans being put in place for the next decade.
iii. Apart from GISAT 2, the navy seeks to procure: Next generation missile vessels, fleet support ship (FSS), high and medium altitude long endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems, multi-role carrier borne fighters, indigenous aircraft carrier-2; next generation fast attack craft; next generation corvettes, destroyers, fast interceptor craft and survey vessel; national hospital ship; electronic warfare system; extra large unmanned underwater vehicle; anti-ship missiles (consolidated case for requirements up to 2030); medium range anti-ship missile system, simulator and missiles; MR SAM missiles etc.
GISAT Satellites
Geo Imaging Satellite or GISAT is an Indian imaging satellite class for geostationary orbit with a high temporal resolution, meant for providing near real time imaging with fast revisit capability and real time monitoring. Two satellites will provide resolution in the range of 42 to 318 m.
i.The first Satellite GISAT-1 or EOS-03 is the first state-of-the-art agile Earth observation satellite from Geostationary orbit to provide near real time imaging of large area region of interest at frequent intervals.

• It was launched on 12 August 2021 but failed to reach orbit as cryogenic upper stage of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) could not ignite. The launching vehicle was GSLV-F10.

SPORTS

2nd Khelo India University Games 2021 held in Bengaluru, Karnataka: Jain University emerge Overall Champions

i.From 24th April to 3rd May 2022, the 2nd edition of  Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2021, a national level multi-sport event was hosted by the Karnataka government, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS), and Jain University, Bengaluru (Karnataka). 
ii.It was held at five venues viz. Jain Global University campus, Jain Sports School, Kanteerava Stadium, Field Marshal Cariappa Hockey Stadium, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence.
iii.Its mascot was ‘Veera’, an elephant & the Logo of Khelo India University Games 2021 features the iconic Vidhana Soudha building – the Legislative House in Bengaluru – with two elephants on either side.
iv.This edition has been won by Jain (Deemed-to-be University) with 20 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze medals. 
About Ministry of Youth Affairs And Sports:
Union Minister– Anurag Singh Thakur (Constituency- Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh)
Minister of State– Nisith Pramanik (Constituency- Coochbehar, West Bengal)
>> Read Full News

Santosh Trophy National Football Tournament 2021-22: Kerala defeats West Bengal & won the title for the 7th time 

The Kerala Football team captained by Jijo Joseph has won the 2021-22 Santosh Trophy, the 75th edition of the tournament defeating 32 time champions West Bengal. This is the 7th time that Kerala has lifted the Santosh Trophy title. 

• The 2021-22 Santosh Trophy was held at the Kottappadi Stadium and the Payyanad Stadium in Malappuram, Kerala.
• Runner-up(West Bengal) will receive Kamala Gupta Trophy & the third-place winner will receive, Sampangi Cup.
• Kerala team(Winner) was handed over with a cash prize of ~Rs.1 crore.

Santosh Trophy is an annual national competition among various regional and state association teams held since 1941. 

• The trophy is named after the late Maharaja Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhary of Santosh, now in Bangladesh.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Athletics Day 2022 – May 7

World Athletics Day is annually observed across the globe on 7th May to encourage sports activities throughout the world and to promote the importance of fitness and health.  
Background:
i.The observance of the World Athletics Day was introduced as a social responsibility project titled “Athletic for a Better World” by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), formerly the International Amateur Athletic Federation, the world governing body for the sport of track and field athletics.
ii.The first World Athletics Day in 1996 was themed around the Centennial edition of the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
iii.The first World Athletics Day (1996) was launched by then IAAF president Primo Nebiolo with an aim to create awareness about athletics among the youngsters. 
Note: In 2019 the IAAF was renamed as World Athletics. 
About World Athletics: 
World Athletics was formerly known as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). 
IAAF was founded in Stockholm, Sweden on 17th July 1912. 
President– Sebastian Coe
Headquarters– Quai Antoine, Monaco
>> Read Full News

Southern Railway Celebrates 67th Railway Week

On 6th May 2022, Southern Railway organised an event for the distribution of the 67th Railway Week Award at ICF Dr. Ambedkar Arangam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Railway Week is annually celebrated across India from 10th to 16th April to commemorate the first train run on Indian soil on 16th April 1853 from Bori Bunder to Thane. From 2021 onwards, the Railway week National Award has been renamed as ‘National Railways Award’.

• 2022 marks the observance of the 67th Railway Week. 

i.During the celebration event, the Southern Railway awarded 37 Efficiency Shields to Divisions/Workshops/Units for outstanding performance in different areas of railway working for the year 2021-22. 

• Tiruchirappalli Division won the Overall Efficiency Shield and the Palakkad Division won the runner-up shield.
• 41 Gazetted and 157 non-gazetted staff were honoured with General Manager’s (Individual) Awards and group awards were presented to 11 Group from various departments. 

STATE NEWS

NHAI Signs Two MOUs in Lucknow Contributing Enhanced National Highway Infrastructure

On May 6, 2022, The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) organised a two-day regional conference in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP) as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. During the event, two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed contributing to enhanced National Highway Infrastructure and contributing to a sustainable environment in UP and other states.

• NHAI and the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) have signed a first-of-its-kind MoU to involve the Self Help Groups (SHGs) in taking up the plantation drive along the National Highways. This will eventually expand to other states like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh.
• The second MoU was signed between NHAI and Ammann Apollo India Private Limited for creating a talent pool of a highly skilled workforce, fully trained on advanced technologies in Highway construction, rehabilitation and maintenance.

Dignitaries Present:
i.The Signing of the MoU was done in the presence of General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd.) Minister of State for Road Transport and Highway and Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Alka Upadhyaya, Chairperson NHAI, Manoj Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of UP.
Note:
i.In the Financial Year (FY) 2021-22, NHAI has awarded projects for a total length of 6,306 km with a total project cost of Rs. 2.47 Lakh Crore, which is the highest length of the award by the authority in the last three years.
About National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):
i.NHAI under the administrative control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) was constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1988.
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi.
Chairman – Alka Upadhyaya

New Electoral Map for Jammu and Kashmir was Released

Redrawing the electoral map of Jammu and Kashmir, a three-member Delimitation Commission earmarked 47 Assembly seats for Kashmir division and 43 for Jammu in its final order submitted just a day before its two-year tenure was to end. The total number seats in the Jammu & Kashmir to 90 from 83 earlier.

• The three members of the panel are retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai(head) with two other ex-officio members, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir KK Sharma.

Three other important decisions made from the order of the delimitation panel, they are
i.Reorganisation of the Parliamentary constituencies such that the five Lok Sabha seats now are made up of exactly 18 Assembly constituencies each, taking the total number to 90.
ii.Reservation of nine Assembly seats for Scheduled Tribes – six in Jammu and three in Kashmir, and
iii.The commission recommended the Jammu & Kashmir region as one single Union Territory and therefore, one of the Parliamentary Constituency has been carved out for the new Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat.Commission has merged parts of two districts Rajouri-Poonch from Jammu areas with Kashmir’s three districts Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian.
New Electoral Map for Jammu and Kashmir
i.A gazette notification was issued after the panel, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, signed the final order giving Jammu six additional seats and one more to Kashmir; earmarking it as 47 Assembly seats for Kashmir division and 43 for Jammu.
ii.Before restructuring, Jammu had 37 Assembly constituencies, and Kashmir 46 Assembly constituencies.
iii. The seats are at par with nominated members of the Puducherry Assembly who have the right to vote.
iv.For the first time, nine seats out of the assembly’s 90 have been proposed for Scheduled Tribes. Of these, three will be in Kashmir (Gurez, Kangan,and Kokernag) and six in Jammu (Gulabgarh, Rajouri, Budhal, Surankote, Mendhar,and Thannamandi).
v.In addition seven seats have been reserved for Scheduled Castes – Ramnagar, Kathua, Ramgarh, Bishnah, Suchetgarh, Marg and Akhnoor, all of which are in the Jammu region.
vi.There are 24 seats in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) that will continue to remain vacant.
About Delimitation Commission
i.The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India and works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India.The panel was set up in March 2020 and term was to end on March 6, 2022.
ii.Composition: Retired Supreme Court judge Chief Election Commissioner Respective State Election Commissioners.
iii. Function: 

• To determine the number and boundaries of constituencies to make population of all constituencies nearly equal. 
• To identify seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, wherever their population is relatively large. 
• In case of difference of opinion among members of the Commission, the opinion of the majority prevails. 
• The Delimitation Commission in India is a high power body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called in question before any court.

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