31 March 2015 Current Affairs
Gujarat Legislative Assembly Passes Anti-Terror Bill
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly on 31 March 2015 passed Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime (GUJCOC) Bill, 2015. The Gujarat Control of Organized Crime Bill (GUJCOC), which was introduced in the Gujarat Assembly by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel-led state government, was earlier returned by the President of India thrice to the state government for reconsideration. The Bill is a modified version of the original 2003 Gujarat Control of Organized Crime (GUJCOC) Bill which was not cleared by the earlier NDA and UPA government for last one decade. According to a controversial provision in the Bill, recording of phone calls intercepted by investigating agencies will be admissible in the court as evidence. The Bill also puts the onus of proving the innocence on the accused. The GUJCOC Bill, which is on the lines of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), was rejected in 2004 and 2008 by the then president AJP Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil respectively who had suggested some amendments in the provisions related to telephone interception and confession made before police officer being considered as evidence in court.
Myanmar Army and Rebels Signed Draft Ceasefire Agreement
Myanmar’s government and 16 ethnic rebel groups have on 31 March signed a draft nationwide cease-fire agreement. The draft is aimed at ending more than 65 years of civil unrest and armed conflict in the country.The agreement, reached after seven rounds of talks since 2013, agreed at resolving four points of contention.
Vice Admiral SPS Cheema Takes Over as new Chief of Western Naval Command
Vice Admiral Surinder Pal Singh Cheema took over the reins of the Western Naval Command as Flag Officer Commanding-in-chief (FOC-in-C). He took charge from Vice Admiral Anil Chopra at a ceremonial parade held at INS Shikra in Mumbai on 31 March. With this, he has the unique distinction of shouldering responsibilities as commanding-in-chief for the fourth time. Earlier, Cheema while serving in Mumbai had commanded INS Nishank, INS Trishul and INS Virat. Prior to this appointment SPS Cheema was Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command.