Morning Brief: US Offers India Armed Drone; Lok Sabha Passes Bill To Scrap No-Detention Policy; ISRO Ropes In Private Players To Build Satellites

Good morning, dear reader! Here’s your morning news and views brief for today.

US Offers India Armed Guardian Drone

Amid reports of a downturn in India-US relations, the Trump administration has offered India the armed version of the Guardian drone, which it has provided only to some North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies. If the deal goes through, this will be the first time that the US will sell this drone to a country which is not its treaty ally. It will also be the most advanced high-tech unmanned aircraft in the region, giving India an edge over Pakistan and China. In June 2017, the US had approved the sale of 22 unarmed, naval variant of the drone to India.

The sale of armed drone, loaded with sensitive and classified technology, became possible after the Trump administration overhauled the US arms export policy. The new policy allows the sale of armed and surveillance drones to allies. However, India will have to sign the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement with the US to get access to the advanced defense system.

Bill To Do Away With No-Detention Policy Passed

The Lok Sabha has passed a bill to amend the Right to Education (RTE) Act to abolish the “no-detention” policy in schools. Under the policy, a student cannot be detained up to class VIII. However, the amendment gives states the option to continue with the no-detention policy if they wish. The policy was introduced by the United Progressive Alliance government as part of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, which came into force on in April 2010.

Now, a student who fails to clear the final examination in Classes V and VIII will have to appear for a re-examination. The re-examination must be held within a period of two months from the date of the declaration of results. If the student fails again, he/she can be detained. However, the bill prohibits schools from expelling a student before he/she completes elementary education. Experts have supported the move, saying it was necessary to improve the "learning outcomes".

ISRO Ropes In Private, State-Run Firms To Build Satellites

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed a contract with two private and a state-run firm to build 27 satellites in the next three years. While the two private firms are Alpha Design Technologies and Tata, the state-run firm which has signed the contract is Bharat Electronics Limited. This is the first contract signed by ISRO to rope in private players for manufacturing and assembly of satellites. To limit its focus on research and development, the space agency is encouraging private players to undertake satellite and rocket manufacturing.

According to reports, each of the three players will build 3 satellites per annum for three years. The contract can be extended for two more years, which means 18 additional satellites can be built. The satellites will weigh between 1.5 tonne to 3 tonne and are meant for imaging, communication, and weather forecasting.

Government Decides To Withdraw FRDI Bill

To avoid controversies ahead of the 2019 elections, the National Democratic Alliance government has decided to withdraw the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill 2017. Cabinet’s approval is awaited to clear the move. It was not taken up during the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha in August 2017.

The “bail-in” clause in the bill, which suggests that financial institutions can use depositor money to stay afloat, had stirred controversy. It was also criticized for the alleged lack of clarity over protecting existing levels of deposit insurance for smaller deposit. The government has defended the bill. It has repeatedly said that the bail-in provision “may not be required to be used”.

Women Have The Right To Enter Sabarimala Temple: SC

The Supreme Court has observed that women have the right to enter temples while hearing a petition on their entry into the Sabarimala temple. The temple prohibits women aged between 10 to 50 years from entering. The Kerala government has said that it supports the entry of all women, irrespective of their age, to the temple. The state government has changed its stand now. In 2017, it had said that it does not support the entry of women.

“The right to enter a temple is not dependent on a legislation. It is the constitutional right,” a constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra has observed. Representing ‘Happy To Bleed’ campaigners, senior advocate Indira Jaising contended that the prohibition of entry of women into temples violates fundamental rights. The bench also said, “Your right as a woman to pray is equal to that of a man and is not dependent on a law to enable you to do so.”

Pakistan Training Terrorists In Deep Sea Diving To Hit Indian Warships

Intelligence reports have revealed that Pakistan is presently training Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in deep sea diving techniques and may use them to “target strategic assets of the Navy." The report, processed by India's Multi Agency Centre, says that the terrorists are being trained in Bahawalpur. According to NDTV, India’s basaltic missile submarines - INS Arihant and INS Arighat - capable of firing nuclear-tipped missiles, could be targeted by the terrorists.

The report says that the government is taking the threat seriously. Citing sources, it said the threat is "specific" and Naval bases have been alerted. India's Naval bases and ports have a multi-layered security grid and are equipped with systems which can detect movements, including deep sea divers.

MUST READ OPINIONS AND COLUMNS

The State Of State Government Finances: If states had resisted populist farm loan waivers, their finances would have been in much better shape.

Pets And Peeves: Bengaluru’s new pet licensing laws are beset by the familiar failing of public policy — confusion and multiplicity of objectives

SWARAJYA SPECIAL

In Name Of Honour: Killing Of Jat By Dalits Worsens Caste Complexities

In Jind, Dalits killed a Jat allegedly because his family brought shame to them by marrying one of their women. Jats are called “upper caste” and Dalits “lower caste”. Why would the latter feel slighted when their women get a chance at upper social mobility? Because caste-realities are more complex than we think.

We hope you enjoyed reading our morning brief. Have a great day ahead!

SUBSCRIBE NOW: For more insights and detailed analysis, get a copy home and enjoy reading Swarajya in print. Subscribe here for just Rs 349.

Swarajya Apps: Enjoy reading morning brief and all other articles from Swarajya on your mobile. Download our app here on Android and iOS.