DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS BITS
TOPIC – 1 – PALM 400 Drones
The Indian army has recently tested the prototype version of the PALM-400 drones successfully.
About PALM 400 Drones:
- The PALM 400 – acronym for ‘Precision Attack Loitering Munition‘ is a long-range, high-precision loitering munition system.
- It is the result of a joint venture between AVision Systems (Israel), UVision Air Ltd, and Aditya Precitech Private Ltd (APPL).
- It is built to fly over areas where armored vehicles are concentrated or are anticipated.
- Each PALM 400 selects its targets when armored vehicles enter the kill zone and launch an armor-piercing projectile, penetrating it from the top where there is least protection.
Features:
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- It can be discharged from a canister and fly 3000-4000 feet above a kill zone for up to 120 minutes.
- It has a range of more than 100 km and travels at a speed of 50 to 140 knots (90 to 260 km/h).
- It uses electro-optical/infrared stabilized cameras to detect and engage targets both during the day and at night.
- It uses complex navigational techniques that enable it to function even in environments where the GPS has been disabled.
- It can loiter above a target in stealth mode, collect information, and immediately strike at time-sensitive threats.
TOPIC – 2 – BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting
Recently, the Minister of State for External Affairs participated in the 19th The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Ministerial Meeting virtually from Bangkok.
About BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting:
- During the meeting, the Ministers approved several documents including rules of Procedure for Core BIMSTEC Mechanisms, Sectoral BIMSTEC Mechanisms and BIMSTEC’s External Relations for submission to the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.
- The meeting also approved the draft Host Country Agreement between India and the BIMSTEC Secretariat for establishing BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate in India.
- The Meeting also approved the Terms of Reference for an Eminent Person’s Group on the Future Directions of BIMSTEC.
- The Terms of Reference were finalized under the special scheme for institution building.
- Besides BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 was also approved and will be launched at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.
- The Meeting also gave its nod to the Administrative and Disciplinary Rules of the Secretariat and amended Financial Rules and Regulations of the BIMSTEC Secretariat.
Key facts about BIMSTEC
- It is a regional organization that was established on 06 June 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
- Member countries: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal
- The Chairmanship of BIMSTEC rotates according to the alphabetical order of the English names of the Member States.
- During the Third BIMSTEC Summit, the Secretariat was established in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
TOPIC – 3 – Fumarate Hydratase
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology in the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute have made an important breakthrough in understanding what goes wrong in our bodies during the progression of inflammatory diseases.
Why in news?
- Scientists have found that an enzyme called Fumarate Hydratase is repressed in macrophages, a frontline inflammatory cell type implicated in a range of diseases including Lupus, Arthritis, Sepsis and Covid-19.
- They have made an important link between Fumarate Hydratase and immune proteins called cytokines that mediate inflammatory diseases.
- The research revealed that when Fumarate Hydratase is repressed, RNA is released from mitochondria which can bind to key proteins ‘MDA5’ and ‘TLR7’ and trigger the release of cytokines, thereby worsening inflammation.
What are cytokines?
- Cytokines are signalling proteins that are released by cells at local high concentrations.
- The role of cytokines is to facilitate the regulation of the immune response in the body.
What is Lupus?
- Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system starts attacking your own tissues and organs.
- The condition primarily affects the kidney, but it also has an impact on the skin, blood vessels, connective tissue, heart, brain, and nearly every other organ.
- It is treated by immunosuppression via drugs such as mycophenolate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab
- The SLEDAI disease activity index is used for the prognosis of this disease.
TOPIC – 4 – Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
Constitutional experts and opposition parties have termed the ‘non-election for the post of deputy speaker’ as unprecedented and unconstitutional.
Why in News?
- Parliament has been functioning without a deputy speaker, a post usually held by the main Opposition party, for nearly four years.
About Deputy Speaker:
- History:
- The institutions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker originated in India in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919(Montague-Chelmsford Reforms).
- In 1921, Frederick Whyteand Sachidanand Sinha were appointed by the Governor-General of India as the first Speaker and the first Deputy Speaker (respectively) of the Central Legislative Assembly.
- At that time, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were called the President and Deputy President, respectively, and the same nomenclature continued till 1947.
- Mavalankarand Ananthasayanam Ayyangar had the distinction of being the first Speaker and the first Deputy Speaker (respectively) of the Lok Sabha.
- Constitutional Provision w.r.t. Office of Deputy Speaker:
- Article 93of the Constitution says that the House of the People (Lok Sabha) shall choose two members of the House to be, respectively, Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
- The article also says that when the office of Speaker/Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the House shall choose another member to be Speaker or Deputy Speaker.
- Election of Deputy Speaker:
- Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker is also elected by the Lok Sabha itself from amongst its members.
- He is elected after the election of the Speaker has taken place.
- The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the Speaker.
- Term of Office:
- Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker remains in the office usually during the life of the Lok Sabha. However, he may vacate his office earlier in any of the following three cases –
- if he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha;
- if he resigns by writing to the Speaker; and
- if he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days’ advance notice.
- Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker remains in the office usually during the life of the Lok Sabha. However, he may vacate his office earlier in any of the following three cases –
- Role/Power of Deputy Speaker:
- The Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the Speaker’s office when it is vacant.
- He also acts as the Speaker when the latter is absent from the sitting of the House. In both cases, he assumes all the powers of the Speaker.
- Deputy Speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker. He is directly responsible to the House.
- He also presides over the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament in case the Speaker is absent from such a sitting.
- The Deputy Speaker has one special privilege, that is, whenever he is appointed as a member of a parliamentary committee, he automatically becomes its chairman.
- When the Speaker presides over the House, the Deputy Speaker is like any other ordinary member of the House. He can speak in the House, participate in its proceedings, and vote on any question before the House
TOPIC – 5 – TROPEX 2023
Indian Navy’s major Operational level exercise TROPEX for the year 2023, conducted across the expanse of IOR for four months from Nov 22 – Mar 23, culminated this week in the Arabian Sea
About TROPEX 2023:
- Full form:Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX 2023).
- This operational level exercise is conducted biennially and witnesses participation not only by all Indian Navy units but also of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard assets.
- Features:It witnessed the participation of approximately 70 Indian Navy ships, six submarines and over 75 aircraft.
- As part of the exercise, all surface combatants of the Indian Navy including Destroyers, Frigates, and Corvettes as well as submarines and aircraft are put through complex maritime operational deployments.
- The overall exercise construct included the Coastal Defence exercise Sea Vigil and the Amphibious Exercise AMPHEX.
- Timeline: Nov 2022 to March 2023.
TOPIC – 6 – Madhav National Park
Three Tigers, as part of a tiger reintroduction project, will soon be released in Madhav National Park.
About Madhav National Park:
- Location:
- It is situated near Shivpuri town in Shivpuri District, which lies in the northwest region of Madhya Pradesh.
- It lies on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands of India, forming a part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills intermixed with plateaus and valley sections.
- It was named after Madho Rao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior belonging to the Scindia dynasty of the Marathas.
- The Park was the hunting ground of Mughal emperors and Maharaja of Gwalior.
- It got the status of a National Park in 1958.
- The Sakhya and Madhav Sagar lakes are two of the most critical zones of the park and are always surrounded by animals and birds seeking relief from the heat.
- The Park is gifted with a diverse ecosystem comprising lakes, forests, and grasslands.
- Vegetation: The Park represents the Northern Tropical dry deciduous mixed forest as well as dry thorn forest.
- Flora: Some of the main tree species found inside the park include Khair (Acacia catechu), Salai, Kerdhai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash, and others alike.
- Fauna:
- It is home to antelopes like Nilgai, Chinkara, Chowsinga, and Deer, including Chital, Sambar, and Barking Deer.
- Animals like the Leopard, Wolf, Jackal, Fox, Wild Dog, Wild Pig, Porcupine, Python etc., are also sighted in the park.
TOPIC – 7 – Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols mission
Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on Wednesday that it is partnering with the Italian Space Agency ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana) to build and launch the MAIA mission.
About Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols mission:
- It is a joint mission between NASA and the Italian Space Agency ASI.
- This will investigate the health impacts of air pollution in the world’s most populated cities.
- Its primary goal is to benefit societal health. Epidemiologists and public health researchers will be directly working on the development of a satellite mission.
- It will consist of the PLATiNO-2 satellite, which will be provided by ASI, and a science instrument that will be built at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
- The MAIA mission will collect and analyse data from the observatory, sensors on the ground and atmospheric models.
- The JPL hosts a pointable spectropolarimetric camera which captures images from multiple angles in the ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared and shortwave infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- During the course of the three-year mission, MAIA will focus on 11 primary target areas that include major urban centres across the world: Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Rome, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Barcelona, Spain, Beijing, Johannesburg, New Delhi, Taipei, Taiwan; and Tel Aviv.
- The MAIA observatory is set to launch before the end of 2024.
TOPIC – 8 – Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR)
Recently, two researchers from Tamil Nadu have spotted a rare moth species for the first time in India in the buffer zone of Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Why in news?
- The researchers from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission are the first in the world to photograph the moth species Mimeusemia ceylonica.
- It was first illustrated and described by English entomologist George Hampson and was sighted 127 years ago – at Trincomalee in Sri Lanka in 1893.
- Mimeusemia ceylonica is a moth species belonging to the subfamily Agaristinae and family Noctuidae.
Key facts about Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
- The Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu is one of the protected areas having diverse flora and fauna.
- It was declared as the “First Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu” and the 17th Tiger Reserve of the country.
- It consists of the Kanyakumari Wildlife sanctuary in the south and the Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary in the North.
- The river Thamirabarani originates from this tiger reserve.
- The reserve is also known as the “River Sanctuary” with as many as 14 rivers originating from this Tiger Reserve.
- Flora: This region has got vegetation types which gradually change from dry thorn forest to dry deciduous, moist deciduous and a patch of West coast wet evergreen forests on the higher reaches of the reserve.
- Fauna: Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Pipit, Grey Headed Bulbul, Blue Winged Parakeet etc.
TOPIC – 9 – Kinzhal Missile
Russia recently fired hypersonic Kinzhal missiles as part of a massive wave of strikes on Ukraine.
About Kinzhal Missile:
- The Kh-47M2, nicknamed “Kinzhal” (Dagger), is a nuclear-capable, Russian air-launched ballistic missile.
- It was one of six “next generation” weapons unveiled by Russian President Putin during a speech in March 2018.
Features:
-
- The Kinzhal can reach speeds of up to Mach 10 (12,350 km/hr).
- It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads with a payload of up to 480 kg and a thermonuclear option with a 10-50 kt warhead.
- It has a reported range of 1,500-2,000 km.
- The Kinzhal has a length of 8 m, a body diameter of 1 m, and a launch weight of approximately 4,300 kg.
- It is designed to be launched from MiG-31 fighter jets at altitudes of about 18 km (59,000 ft).
- This missile maneuvers during all stages of its flight to overcome hostile air defense systems.
What are Hypersonic Missiles?
- A hypersonic missile is a weapon system which flies at least at the speed of Mach 5e. five times the speed of sound and is manoeuvrable.
- These missiles are extremely fast and far harder for surface-to-air missile defence systems to target.
TOPIC – 10 – International Criminal Court (ICC)
The New Yoke Times recently reported that the Pentagon — United States Ministry Of Defence — is blocking any evidence-sharing with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to punish Russia for the alleged atrocities in Ukraine.
About International Criminal Court (ICC):
- It is the only permanent international criminal tribunal.
- Background: It was created by the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (its founding and governing document), and began functioning on 1 July 2002 when the Statute came into force.
- Mandate: It investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.
- HQ: Hague, Netherlands.
- Members: 123 nations are States Parties to the Rome Statute and recognize the ICC’s authority; the notable exceptions being the US, China, Russia, and India.
- Funding: The Court is funded by contributions from the States Parties and by voluntary contributions from Governments, international organizations, individuals, corporations, and other entities.
- Composition:
- Judges: The court has eighteen judges, each from a different member country, elected to nonrenewable nine-year terms.
- The Presidency: Consists of three judges (the President and two Vice-Presidents) elected from among the judges. It represents the Court to the outside world and helps with the organization of the work of the judges.
- Judicial Divisions: 18 judges in 3 divisions, the Pre-Trial Division, the Trial Division, and the Appeals Division.
- Office of the Prosecutor (OTP): OTP is responsible for receiving referrals and any substantiated information on crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court. OTP examines these referrals and information, conducts investigations, and conducts prosecutions before the Court.
- Registry: The core function of the Registry is to provide administrative and operational support to the Chambers and the Office of the Prosecutor.
- Jurisdiction of ICC:
- Unlike the International Court of Justice, which hears disputes between states, the ICC handles prosecutions of individuals.
- The ICC is only competent to hear a case if:
- the country where the offence was committed is a party to the Rome Statute; or
- the perpetrator’s country of origin is a party to the Rome Statute
- The ICC may only exercise its jurisdiction if the national court is unable or unwilling to do so.
- The ICC only has jurisdiction over offences committed after the Statute’s entry into force on 1 July 2002.
- Relation with UN:
- While not a United Nations organization, the Court has a cooperation agreement with the United Nations.
- When a situation is not within the Court’s jurisdiction, the United Nations Security Council can refer the situation to the ICC, granting it jurisdiction.
TOPIC – 11 – Glacial Retreat
Why in News?
Recent studies on Himalayan glaciers show that the variability in retreat rate and mass balance in different sectors of the mountain range is primarily linked to topography and climate.
- However, variable retreat rates of glaciers and inadequate supporting field data make it challenging to develop a coherent picture of climate change impact.
What are the Factors Influence Glacial Dynamics?
- A team from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (Uttarakhand) studied two glaciers with different characteristics, the Pensilungpa Glacier (Ladakh) and the Durung-Drung Glacier, (Ladakh) for a comparative study of glacier fluctuations between 1971 and 2019.
- They quantitatively evaluated the influence of the debris cover on the loss of ice mass in summer and on the terminal recession of glaciers.
- Their study confirms that the glacier retreat rate is controlled by climate change and the topographic setting and morphology of the glacier.
- They also found that the thickness of the debris cover significantly alters the glacier response to climate forcing.
- Other factors such as snout geometry, glacier size, elevation range, slope, aspect, debris cover, as well as the presence of supra and proglacial lakes also influence the heterogeneous glacial dynamics.
What is Glacial Retreat?
- About:
- Glacial retreat refers to the process of a glacier shrinking or receding in size over time due to a decrease in ice accumulation or an increase in ice melt.
- Causes:
- This can be caused by a number of factors, including rising global temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, or changes in the geography of the surrounding landscape.
- Impacts:
- As a glacier retreats, it can lead to a number of significant environmental impacts, including changes in water availability, alterations to local ecosystems, and increased risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides.
- In addition, the loss of glacial ice can contribute to rising sea levels, which can have significant impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems around the world.
TOPIC – 12 – PAN card-Aadhaar linking
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has asked all taxpayers to link their permanent account number (PAN) with their Aadhaar by March 31, 2023.
About:
- The Income-tax Department announced the linking of PAN with Aadhaar after it came across instances where multiple permanent account numbers (PANs) were allotted to one person, or where one PAN was allotted to more than one person.
- To have a robust way of de-duplication of the PAN database, it was made mandatory for a taxpayer who is eligible to obtain Aadhaar, to quote his Aadhaar in the application form for PAN and return of income.
Who needs to link PAN with Aadhaar?
- The Income-tax Act makes it mandatory for every person who has been allotted a PAN as on July 1, 2017, to intimate his/her Aadhaar number so that Aadhaar and PAN can be linked.
- This is required to be done on or before March 31, 2023, failing which the PAN shall become inoperative.
There are a few categories of individuals for whom this linkage is not compulsory.
- Any person of age 80 years and above
- A non-resident as per the Income-tax Act
- A person who is not a citizen of India
TOPIC – 13 – Coronary artery disease (CAD)
In a recent study published in JAMA, researchers investigated whether treat-to-target (TTT) low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) therapy was useful to treat coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.
About the disease:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It is sometimes called coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease.
- CAD is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart (called coronary arteries) and other parts of the body.
- Plaque is made up of deposits of cholesterol and other substances in the artery.
- Plaque buildup causes the inside of the arteries to narrow over time, which can partially or totally block the blood flow. This process is called atherosclerosis.
- Symptoms: Angina, or chest pain and discomfort. Angina can happen when too much plaque builds up inside arteries, causing them to narrow.
- Factors: Overweight, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating, and smoking tobacco are risk factors for CAD.
TOPIC – 14 – Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KoSO) has been observing the Sun, capturing images of sunspots, and recording changes in its behaviour since last 100 years now.
About:
- KoSO is one of the world’s oldest observatories studying the Sun.
- Owned and operated by: Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
- The idea of taking pictures of the Sun using a 20-inch telescope was first proposed by the astronomer Norman Pogson, who was appointed Government Astronomer of the Madras Observatory in 1861.
- The Madras Observatory was set up as the private effort of an official of the British East India Company in 1786, and came to be managed subsequently by the company.
- KoSO is the only observatory which provides high-resolution digitised images for such a long period (with coverage of more than 75 per cent).
How sun’s images have been taken?
- White light images of the Sun (similar to viewing it with the naked eye using solar filters) have been captured every day, using a 6-inch telescope.
- Visible light images are taken because they reveal sunspots on the surface of the Sun.
- Solar magnetic plages (a bright region on the Sun’s chromosphere) are best captured in the strong chromospheric absorption lines, like the Ca II (called Ca II K).
- H-alpha observations and prominences, also recorded since 1911, taken on photographic films and plates, are available.
- A new telescope mounted with CCD cameras has taken over and, since 2017, continued to observe the Sun
TOPIC – 15 – Moth Mimeusemia ceylonica
Two researchers from Tamil Nadu have spotted a rare moth species for the first time in India in the buffer zone of Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) after it was last sighted 127 years ago.
About the species:
- Mimeusemia ceylonica is a moth species belonging to the subfamily Agaristinae and family Noctuidae.
- It was first illustrated and described by English entomologist George Hampson in 1893.
- The species has been photographed for the first time, before that only illustration of the species was available in the literature.
- This is the first record of the species from Tamil Nadu, India.
- The species was rediscovered during a moth survey conducted on October 11, 2020 at the Agasthyamalai Community-based Conservation Centre (ACCC) situated in the buffer zone of KMTR, Tirunelveli district
TOPIC – 16 – Macquarie Island
The Federal government of Australia proposed the expansion of the marine park covering Macquarie Island’s Economic Exclusion Zone.
About –
- Macquarie Island is located around 1,500km southeast of Tasmania.
- Macquarie Island is the exposed crest of the 1,600km-long undersea Macquarie Ridge.
- Macquarie Island the only piece of land in the world formed entirely of oceanic crust.
- Macquarie Ridge is one of only 3 such ridges that impede the Antarctic Circumpolar Circulation.
- This results in distinct differences between the west and east sides of the ridge, which are used in different ways by different species.
- The oceanography is further divided north to south by two major ocean fronts, the Sub-Antarctic Front and the Polar Front, creating 3 distinct bodies of water.
- They are closer here than anywhere else in the Southern Ocean and as they interact with the Macquarie Ridge create at least 6 different large-scale oceanographic habitats.
- Diversity – It has a diverse set of habitats supporting vast variety of wildlife.
- Including 4 species of penguins and 4 species of albatross, the island recorded 57 seabird species.
- Protection – Macquarie Island and its surrounding seas are already protected as a Tasmanian reserve.
- The area is also a World Heritage Area.
- The Australian federal government proposed expansion of the marine park covering the island’s Economic Exclusion Zone.
TOPIC – 17 – Project Greensand
Project Greensand will be the world’s first cross-border carbon storage project.
About :
- Project Greensand is a carbon storage project in Denmark’s North Sea.
- The project aims to bury vast amounts of planet-heating carbon dioxide gas beneath the North Sea floor.
- It hopes that it can help the Nordic nation and others meet climate targets.
- It reverses the traffic in the pipes by pumping CO2 into the depleted reservoir of the Nini West oil field in Denmark.
- CCS – Capture and storage of CO2 goes under the name Carbon Capture Storage (CCS).
- CO2 is captured and stored underground.
- The UN climate panel points out that CCS has the potential to contribute significantly to achieving the goal of reducing CO2 emissions.
TOPIC – 18 – Sodium intake reduction
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Global report on Sodium Intake Reduction shows, the world is off-track to achieve its global target of reducing sodium intake by 30%, by 2025.
About –
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has set the global target of reducing sodium intake by 30% by 2025.
- Countries are encouraged to establish sodium content targets for processed foods, in line with the WHO Global Sodium Benchmarks
- Reducing salt intake has been identified as one of the most cost-effective measures countries can take to improve population health outcomes.
Report Findings
- Only 5% of WHO Member States are protected by mandatory and comprehensive sodium reduction policies.
- 73% of WHO Member States lack full range of implementation of such policies.
- Only 9 countries (Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uruguay) have a comprehensive package of recommended policies, according to the UN health body.
- WHO has developed a Sodium country score card for Member States based on the type and number of sodium reduction policies they have in place.
- A sodium country score from 1 (the lowest level) to 4 (the highest level) to each member state based on the level of implementation of sodium reduction policies and other measures is allocated.
- Of the 194 WHO member states, 56 remain in score 1 in the sodium country score card.
Sodium (Na)
- Sodium is an essential nutrient.
- It increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death when eaten in excess.
- The main source of sodium is table salt (sodium chloride), but it is also contained in other condiments such as sodium glutamate
TOPIC – 19 – Mimeusemia ceylonic
Two researchers from Tamil Nadu have spotted a rare moth species for the first time in India in the buffer zone of Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) after 127 years ago.
About
- Mimeusemia ceylonica is a moth species belonging to the subfamily Agaristinae and family Noctuidae.
- The species was last sighted 127 years ago at Trincomalee in Sri Lanka in 1893.
- It was illustrated and described by English entomologist George Hampson.
- The species was rediscovered during a moth survey conducted at the Agasthyamalai Community-based Conservation Centre (ACCC) situated in the buffer zone of KMTR, Tirunelveli district in 2020.
- It was again spotted at the Vallanaadu Blackbuck Sanctuary in Thoothukudi district in 2022.
TOPIC – 20 – UK’s new immigration law
Context
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) has mentioned the launch of new legislation on migrant channel crossings at Downing Street.
- The new plan will ban refugees arriving in the UK by small boats from claiming asylum.
About Britain’s Migration policy:
- The 2022 Nationality and Borders Act barred people from claiming asylum in Britain if they had passed through a safe country such as France.
- But in practice, people fleeing war and persecution can’t be sent home, and no countries — other than Rwanda and Albania have agreed to take deportees.
- This week Britain unveiled the Illegal Migration Bill, which calls for people arriving by unauthorized routes to be detained, deported to their homeland or “a safe third country” and banned from ever re-entering the U.K.
The migrant population in Britain:
- The British government has noted that the people migrating to the UK are economic migrants rather than refugees and points to an upswing last year in arrivals from Albania, a European country that the U.K. considers safe.
- The other main countries of origin last year were Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
- Of those whose applications have been processed, a large majority were granted asylum in the U.K.
Why do people want to migrate to Britain?
- Most of the migration to the UK has been observed from France, in view of Cultural ties and native links.
| France and England under the Channel opened in 1994, have agreed to share the migrated people namely as refugees and migrants. |
Does the bill affect India?
- Indians are the third-largest group of migrants crossing into the UK over the English Channel on risky small boats so far this year, according to the UK Home Office.
- Indians now account for about a fifth of 1,180 migrants who have attempted the perilous crossing this year. Afghans were the most numerous, followed by Syrians.
- The arrangement of permitting Indians to enter Serbia without a visa ended on January 1 as part of Serbia’s efforts to comply with EU visa requirements, resulting in some Indians travelling in small boats into the EU and then to the UK.
| Serbia is the only country in Europe that allowed Indians without any entry permits. |
- So, definitely, the new illegal immigration bill will impact the Indians who were entering the UK from sea routes, without any permits for taking asylum.
India-UK mobility agreement:
- Migration and mobility partnership: It will include “covering the movement of students and professionals as well as irregular migration keeping in view the UK’s new skills-based immigration policy”.
- The agreement included a young professionals scheme to allow 3,000 young Indian professionals to come to the UK each year.
- The scheme was confirmed in November 2022 and India and the UK exchanged letters formalising the scheme in January 2023, with an implementation date to be announced.
Context
Recently, Indonesian government authorities unveiled the site of the country’s new capital, from Jakarta to Borneo.
Key-highlights
- The city is expected to be inaugurated on August 17 next year to coincide with Indonesia’s Independence Day.
- The final stages of the city, however, likely won’t be completed until 2045, marking the nation’s hundredth anniversary.
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About Jakarta (the Indonesian Island)
- Jakarta is the largest city and capital of Indonesia.
- The city lies on the northwest coast of Java at the mouth of the Ciliwung (Liwung River), on Jakarta Bay (an embayment of the Java Sea).
- It is coextensive with the metropolitan district of Greater Jakarta (Jakarta Raya).
- Jakarta is home to about 10 million people and three times that number in the greater metropolitan area.
Problems surrounding the city:
- Jakarta lies on a low, flat alluvial plain with historically extensive swampy areas.
- It is easily flooded during the rainy season.
- The draining of swamps for building purposes and the continuous decrease of upland forest vegetation have increased the danger of floods.
- With such an excess of water in the soil, Jakarta has a shortage of clean drinking water, for which there is increasing demand.
| The area is quite fertile for fruit and other horticulture, as most of the soil is of old volcanic origin. |
Why is the government planning to change the capital?
- Sinking land: Jakarta is congested, polluted, prone to earthquakes, and rapidly sinking into the Java Sea.
- It has been described as the world’s most rapidly sinking city and it is estimated that one-third of the city could be submerged by 2050.
- Causes: The main cause is uncontrolled groundwater extraction, but it has been exacerbated by the rising Java Sea due to climate change.
Issues in shifting the location:
- local habitat loss:
- It has been reported that the new capital region is home to orangutans, leopards, and a wide array of other wildlife, which will be affected by deforestation or any changes in their habitat.
- Also Forest Watch Indonesia, an Indonesian non-governmental organisation that monitors forestry issues that most of the forested areas in the new capital are “production forests” meaning permits could be granted for forestry and extractive activities that would lead to further deforestation.
| Until now, there has been no certainty regarding the protection status of the remaining natural forests in the new capital city area. |
- Affect livelihood of indigenous communities:
At least five villages with more than 100 Indigenous Balik people are relocated, with more villages expected to be uprooted to expand the capital region area.
EDITORIAL – 1 – Vice-President Appoints Personal Staff Members to Standing Panels
Why in news?
- Rajya Sabha chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar has appointed at least eight of his personal staff to various house committees under the Upper House.
What’s in today’s article?
- Committees of Parliament – About, significance, various committees
- News Summary
Committees of Parliament
- A Parliamentary Committee is a panel of MPs that is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker/Chairman.
- It works under the direction of the Speaker/Chairman and presents its report to the House or to the Speaker/Chairman.
- Parliamentary Committees have their origins in the British Parliament. They draw their authority from:
- Article 105, which deals with the privileges of MPs, and
- Article 118, which gives Parliament authority to make rules to regulate its procedure and conduct of business.
- Reports of Departmentally Related Standing Committees are recommendatory in nature.
- They are not binding on the government, but they do carry significant weight.
Significance
- Limited time for discussion in Parliament
- The process of law-making is often complex, and Parliament has limited time for detailed discussions.
- Parliament has only around 60- 70 sittings a year; Committee meetings are independent of Parliament’s calendar.
- MPs often do not get adequate time to put forward their views
- The time to speak on a Bill is allocated according to the size of the party in the House.
- Committees are small groups with relatively less demands on their time; hence, every MP gets a chance and the time to contribute to the discussion.
- Promotes real discussion
- Because the discussions are confidential and off-camera, party affiliations usually do not come in the way of MPs speaking their minds.
- Facilitates inter-ministerial coordination
- The Committees work closely with multiple Ministries, and facilitate inter-ministerial coordination.
- Bills that are referred to Committees often return to the House with significant value-addition.
Various Committees of the Parliament
- Parliamentary Committees can be classified into 2 types of Parliamentary Committees– Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.
Standing Committees
- Standing Committees are permanent (constituted every year/ periodically) and work on a continuous basis. They can be classified into the following six categories:
- Financial Committees
- Departmental Standing Committees
- Committees to Enquire
- Committees to Scrutinize and Control
- Committees Relating to the Day-to-Day Business of the House
- House-Keeping Committees or Service Committees
Financial Committees
- It includes the Estimates Committee, Public Accounts Committee, and the Committee on Public Undertakings.
Departmentally Related Standing Committees
- Seventeen Departmentally Related Standing Committees came into being in 1993 to examine budgetary proposals and crucial government policies.
- The aim was to increase Parliamentary scrutiny, and to give members more time and a wider role in examining important legislation.
- The number of Committees was subsequently increased to 24 (16 Committees for Lok Sabha and 8 for Rajya Sabha).
- Each of these Committees has 31 members — 21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha panels are headed by members of these respective Houses.
Ad hoc Committees
- Ad hoc Committees are appointed for a specific purpose.
- They cease to exist after they have completed the task assigned to them, and have submitted a report to the House.
- The principal Ad hoc Committees are the Select and Joint Committees on Bills.
- Committees like the Railway Convention Committee, Committee on Food Management and Security in Parliament House Complex, etc. also come under the category of Ad hoc Committees.
JPC/Select committees
- Parliament can also constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) with a special purpose, with members from both Houses, for detailed scrutiny of a subject or Bill.
- Also, either of the two Houses can set up a Select Committee with members from that House.
- JPCs and Select Committees are usually chaired by ruling party MPs, and are disbanded after they have submitted their report.
News Summary: Vice-President Appoints Personal Staff Members to Standing Panels
- Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar’s has appointed eight of his personal staff members to 12 parliamentary standing committees and eight departmental standing committees under the Rajya Sabha.
Why these appointments are criticised by the opposition?
- Departure from the existing tradition
- There is no rule under which the Speaker or the Chairman can appoint their personal staff to assist the committees.
- Constitutional experts claim that the definition of Parliamentary committees is very clear that they comprise only the members (MPs) and officers of the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha secretariat for assistance.
- Personal staff of the Speaker or the Chairman are not part of Parliamentary secretariats. So far, no such appointments have been made
- Centre’s interference
- The roles of these officials are to keep the Rajya Sabha Secretary General updated on the developments and deliberations of various committees.
- Hence, many critics termed this move as an alleged attempt by the Centre to closely monitor parliamentary committees.
EDITORIAL – 2 – Rules on Money Laundering tweaked
Why in news?
- The Union government tweaked rules under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), putting non-government organisations (NGOs) and “politically exposed persons” under tighter scrutiny.
- These amendments are in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
What’s in today’s article?
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
- Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
- News Summary
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
- PMLA is a criminal law of the Parliament of India passed in 2002 to prevent money laundering and confiscate property derived from the laundered money.
- PMLA became law and came into force on July 1, 2005.
- The act has undergone various critical changes from time to time in order to give itself more strength and meaning.
- Eg., the definition of Money Laundering under the act was broadened via amendments done in 2012 and again in 2019.
- The act gives blanket powers to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for seizing, investing, searching and attaching assets.
Objectives of the PMLA act
- Prevention and controlling money laundering
- Confiscation and seizing of property involved in or derived from money laundering
- Providing punishment to offenders
- Appointment of adjudicating authority and appellate tribunal concerning money laundering matters
- Maintaining records and putting obligations on financial institutions, banking companies and institutions
- Dealing with every issue related to money laundering
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
- The Financial Action Task Force is an intergovernmental institution established in 1989 in the endeavour of the G7 to create policies to battle money laundering.
- In 2001, its directive was expanded to include terrorism financing.
- FATF releases grey and black lists, in which few countries are mentioned.
- A grey list is created to check its nation’s progress on measures against money laundering and terrorism financing activities.
- A black list includes non-cooperative countries against battling money laundering and terror financing.
News Summary: Rules on Money Laundering tweaked
- The Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance brought in The Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Amendment Rules, 2023.
- This has widened the ambit of reporting entities under money laundering provisions.
Key highlights of the amendment
- Rules related to politically exposed persons (PEP)
- The rules related to PEP covers individuals working for a foreign country, senior politicians, functionaries of political parties, senior bureaucrats, judges, and military personnel.
- Earlier, these entities and individuals were not included in the PMLA.
- For these people, banks will need to maintain records on the nature and value of transactions.
- The new rule also lays down the procedure:
- for how this information will be shared,
- the time for which such data will be retained, and
- the manner in which identity records of such clients will be maintained by banking companies, financial institutions and intermediaries.
- The rules related to PEP covers individuals working for a foreign country, senior politicians, functionaries of political parties, senior bureaucrats, judges, and military personnel.
- For NGOs
- For NGOs, the new rules add more data retention requirements:
- Every banking company or financial institution must register the details of such a client on the DARPAN Portal of Niti Aayog.
- These records should be maintained for a period of five years.
- For NGOs, the new rules add more data retention requirements:
- For identifying beneficial owners by reporting entities
- The term beneficial owner was defined to mean ownership of or entitlement to more than 25 percent of shares or capital or profit of the company.
- The threshold of 25 per cent is now reduced to 10 per cent, thereby bringing more indirect participants within the reporting net.
- Regarding cryptocurrencies
- The tweaks to the PMLA rules brought transactions involving crypto assets under the ambit of the money laundering watchdog.
- The ED is the main agency probing allegations under PMLA.
- The notified activities included transactions between fiat currencies and crypto, between one crypto and another, safekeeping of such assets and participating or offering financial services based on these.
- In other words, this would cover those who carry out transactions as well as those that offer crypto-based financial services, such as some popular Web3 financial services.
- The tweaks to the PMLA rules brought transactions involving crypto assets under the ambit of the money laundering watchdog.
What was the purpose of bringing these amendments?
- Bringing uniformity in PEPs
- The move to define PEPs under PMLA is to bring uniformity with a 2008 circular of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for KYC norms/anti-money laundering standards for banks and financial institutions.
- RBI had already defined PEPs in line with FATF norms.
- With this amendment, the same definition will be applicable everywhere.
- The move to define PEPs under PMLA is to bring uniformity with a 2008 circular of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for KYC norms/anti-money laundering standards for banks and financial institutions.
- Proposed FATF assessment of India
- The amendments assume significance ahead of the proposed FATF assessment of India, which is expected to be undertaken later this year.
- These amendments remove ambiguities before the FATF assessment.
- The amendments assume significance ahead of the proposed FATF assessment of India, which is expected to be undertaken later this year.
EDITORIAL – 3 – Framework for Adopting Cloud Services by Stock Exchanges
Why in News?
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) unveiled a framework for the adoption of cloud services by stock exchanges, clearing corporations and other regulated entities (REs).
What in Today’s Article?
- What is the Background behind the Unveiling of the Framework?
- What is the Framework for Adopting Cloud Services?
What is the Background behind the Unveiling of the Framework?
- Cloud computing refers to the on-demand delivery of computing services (storing, managing and processing data, running applications and other software) over the internet or a network of remote servers.
- Instead of buying and maintaining computer products and services, one can pay to use a cloud computing service saving the time, effort and cost of doing it.
- It is becoming increasingly popular for delivering IT services, thanks to its scalability, ease of deployment, and lower maintenance costs.
- However, it also introduces new cyber security risks and challenges that businesses need to be aware of.
What is the Framework for Adopting Cloud Services?
- A crucial addition to SEBI’s existing guidelines on cloud computing, the framework will cover –
- Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC),
- Selection of Cloud Service Providers (CSPs),
- Data ownership and data localisation,
- Due-diligence by REs,
- Security controls,
- Legal and regulatory obligations, etc.
- The main objective of the framework is –
- To identify and address the critical risks associated with cloud computing and
- To establish mandatory control measures that REs must implement before adopting cloud services.
- The framework will come into force immediately for all new or proposed cloud onboarding assignments or projects of the REs.
- For REs that are currently availing cloud services should ensure that wherever applicable, all such arrangements are revised and they should be in compliance with the framework within 12 months.
EDITORIAL – 4 – Central Government to reconsider ‘safe harbour’ clause in IT Law
Why in News?
- The Central government formally outlined the Digital India Act, 2023.
What’s in today’s article?
- Background (Need to replace IT Act, Key Proposals of Digital India Act)
- About Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 (Key Provisions)
- News Summary
Background:
- The Central government in December 2022 had released the draft Digital India Bill for public consultation by the end of this month.
- The Digital India Act will subsume the Information Technology Act 2020, which according to experts and government officials need a revamp owing to changing internet scenarios.
- The proposed bill, alongside the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill, 2022 whose draft was released recently, will contribute to the evolving framework which is light on regulation, safeguards consumer rights and catalyses innovation.
Key aspects of Digital India Bill:
- The government is considering a departure from the long-held understanding of ‘intermediaries’ on the Internet – sites that typically act as a platform for users to access services on the Internet.
- Present Scenario –
- Under the Information Technology Act, 2000, there is no classification of intermediaries.
- Proposal –
- The new law will prescribe different kinds of intermediaries because their regulation has to be different.
- Intermediaries will be bucketed as social media platforms, e-commerce platforms, AI platforms, fact-checking platforms etc.
- Present Scenario –
- New Regulator for Internet –
- The new Bill is also expected to prescribe a new regulator for the online space along the lines of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) or the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
- The new law is also expected to introduce penal consequences for violations, and prescribe governing provisions for emerging technologies like the metaverse and blockchain.
- Once finalised, the Bill will impact Big Tech companies like Google, Amazon, Meta, Amazon and Apple, among others.
Why is the Digital India Act Important?
- Since IT Act, 2000 the Digital India Act will be the most significant piece of IT legislation as it will potentially govern the entire country’s digital laws for the next decade or two.
- With this new law, the country hopes to future-proof its digital laws and enable businesses to compete on a global scale.
- The Digital India Act will be designed to stimulate the digital economy for Indian businesses and transform the nation into a worldwide digital powerhouse.
- The Government believes India can achieve a trillion-dollar digital economy by 2026, centred around the Digital India Act.
About Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022:
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology formulated a draft Bill, titled ‘The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022’.
- The purpose of the draft Bill is to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process personal data for lawful purposes.
- The Bill frames out the rights and duties of the citizen (Digital Nagrik) on one hand and the obligations to use collected data lawfully of the Data Fiduciary on the other hand.
News Summary:
- The Central government formally outlined the Digital India Act, 2023. The Act will replace the decades-old Information Technology Act, 2000.
- Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, announced that the government is reconsidering a key aspect of cyberspace — ‘safe harbour’.
- Safe harbour is the principle that so-called ‘intermediaries’ on the internet are not responsible for what third parties post on their website.
- This is the principle that allows social media platforms to avoid liability for posts made by users.
- The Minister said that intermediaries for which safe harbour was applied as a concept have now morphed into multiple types of participants and platforms on the internet.
- They are now functionally very different from each other, and will require different types of guardrails and regulatory requirements.
- The Minister also said that the constitutional protections for freedom of expression, under Article 19, will be given priority over in comparison to social media platforms’ own moderation policies.
EDITORIAL – 5 – India’s logistics system
Why in news?
India’s logistics and connectivity infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the country’s needs, creating a drag on competitiveness and growth prospects.
Why is logistics sector important?
- It is a differentiating sector that can largely affect any country’s exports, thereby adding a significant competitive edge, with the underlying assumption of a robust logistics sector.
- The logistics industry comprises all supply chain activities, mainly transportation, inventory management, flow of information and customer service.
- It determines the success of not only the country’s supply chain but also influences it on a global scale.
What is the status of India’s logistics sector?
- India’s logistics are estimated to account for about 14.4% of GDP and more than 22 million people rely on it for their income.
- The Department of Commerce’s logistics division for India is given the responsibility for the Integrated Development of Logistics Sector.
- The Special Secretary to the Government of India is responsible for the development of an action plan to facilitate the overall development of the logistics sector.
- State-wise rankings of logistics sector in India:
TWhat is government’s role towards the development of the logistics sector?
- National Logistics Policy – The objective of the policy is to boost the nation’s economy and corporate competitiveness by establishing an integrated, sustainable and cost-efficient logistics network.
- The policy aims to reduce the logistics cost, which stands at 14% of GDP to 9-10%.
- National Logistics Law – The law’s provisions will make it possible to assign a distinct logistics account number in place of cumbersome registration processes.
- Logistics Master Plan – An Inter-Ministerial Committee will be used to supervise the master plan’s execution.
- State wise local logistics strategies will be created in coordination and cooperation with the federal plans.
- National Multimodal Facilities and Warehousing – The standards for the National Logistics Platform (iLOG) are currently being finalised in conjunction with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEiTY).
- The iLOG will work to integrate a single platform for the various IT solutions that have been developed by various stakeholders, including logistics service providers.
- National Logistics Workforce Strategy – The approaches include introduction of a Certified Logistics Professional (CLP) scheme, and to incentivise the engagement of such professionals.
- The Driver Employment and Empowerment Programme is one of the strategies, and it aims to lower logistics costs by making truck driving a desired career due to the severe scarcity of truck drivers.
- PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan – The Union Budget 2023 doubled the funding of the plan and has announced an outlay of ₹2.4 lakh crore for the Indian Railways.
- Railways offer an economic mode of logistics movement given their pan-India network, which can play an important role in enabling a coordinated and integrated logistics system.
Why railways is vital in improving India’s logistics?
- Convenience over cost – Freight movement cost is the highest in the road sector, nearly twice the rail cost.
- However, the convenience of road transport has taken precedence over cost, and the railways in India have been losing freight share to other more flexible modes.
- Rise in container traffic – The convenience of moving non-bulk commodities has led to an increase in containerised traffic over the last decade.
Non Bulk cargo is commodity cargo that is transported unpackaged in large quantities.
- It has grown from 7.6 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU) in 2008 to 16.2 million TEUs in 2020.
TEU is a unit of cargo capacity.
- China – China uses special trains to carry containers that connect significant ports to the inland, and has dedicated rail lines to move container traffic and planned double-decker container carriages for greater efficiency.
What is the way forward?
- By focusing on the digital aspect, the government’s aim is to upgrade the existing system will lead to faster, better communication with fewer errors and will benefit the sector significantly.
- An integrated logistics infrastructure with first and last-mile connectivity is essential to make rail movement competitive with roads.
- Such a move will facilitate exports by rail to neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh.
- Increased adoption of the railways for cargo movement is crucial to improve the country’s logistics competitiveness.