Daily Current Affairs UPSC 03 April 2024

BIMSTEC Charter

• The Lower House of Nepal's Federal Parliament approved the Charter of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
• The BIMSTEC Charter is a foundational document that outlines the goals, principles, and structure of the BIMSTEC group.
  • It was signed and adopted in March 2022 during the 5th BIMSTEC Summit.
  • The Charter will only come into force after endorsement by all member countries, with Nepal being the first to do so.
• BIMSTEC was established in 1997 to enhance regional cooperation on economic prosperity and social progress.
• Members of BIMSTEC include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)

• India and EEU bloc officials have initiated talks to begin negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• About EEU:
  • The EEU is a project for economic integration in the former Soviet region with the objective of creating a common market similar to the European Union (EU).
  • It was established by the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union signed in 2014 in Astana (now Nur-Sultan).
  • The EEU consists of 5 member countries: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.
• Within the EEU, Russia is India's top trading partner with a bilateral trade worth USD 49.4 billion in FY2023.

Havana Syndrome

• Joint media investigation links mysterious symptoms to Russian intelligence unit.
• Havana Syndrome:
  • Refers to mental health symptoms experienced by US diplomats.
  • Symptoms include hearing sounds, nausea, vertigo, headaches, memory loss, and balance issues.
  • First detected in Havana in 2016.

Katchatheevu Islet

• Debate resurfaces on India-Sri Lanka fishing issue.
• Islet located northeast of Rameswaram (India) and southwest of Jaffna (Sri Lanka).
• 1974 Maritime Boundary Agreement placed Katchatheevu on Sri Lankan side.
  • Agreement demarcated maritime boundary from Palk Strait to Adam's Bridge.

Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) requires linking CGHS beneficiary ID with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID from April 1.
  • Aim is to create digital health identification and store digital health records of CGHS beneficiaries.
  • ABHA is a 14-digit Unique Health Identifier number under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• CGHS Overview:
  • Nodal Ministry: MoHFW.
  • Established in 1954 to provide comprehensive medical care to Central Government employees and pensioners enrolled under the scheme.

Exercise ‘Gagan Shakti’

• Indian Air Force conducting largest exercise 'Gagan Shakti' at Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer district.
• Major fighter aircraft and modern helicopters demonstrating striking capabilities in the exercise.

Shallowfake

• A video of the US Vice President has become popular online.
• Shallowfake refers to manipulated media made with basic and inexpensive tools, not AI.
  • Deepfakes, on the other hand, are created using AI technology.
• Shallowfake is sometimes known as cheapfake.

Paradip Port

• Paradip Port surpasses Kandla as highest cargo handling major port of the country in FY 2023-2024.
• About Paradip Port (in Odisha):
  • First major port on East Coast after independence.
  • Located near confluence of river Mahanadi and Bay of Bengal.
  • Administered by Board of Trustees setup by Government of India.
  • Union Cabinet approved 'Deepening and Optimization of Inner Harbour Facilities including Development of Western Dock' in 2020.
  • Centre announced development of Paradip Port as Green Hydrogen hub along with Deendayal Port and V.O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin) Port.

Rukmini Devi Arundale (1904 – 1986)

• Rukmini Devi Arundale:
  • Book on Rukmini Devi Arundale recently published.
  • Born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
  • Indian classical dancer and member of Theosophical movement.
• Key Contributions:
  • Revived Bharatnatyam dance form.
  • Founded Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai.
  • Played role in passing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in 1960.
• Achievements:
  • First woman nominated to Rajya Sabha in 1952.
  • Awarded Padma Bhushan in 1956 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1967.
• Values: Compassion, Non-violence, Rationalism.

Growing number of US States restricting or banning diversity programmes on University Campuses

• Affirmative action in university admissions.
• Previously, universities used affirmative action to give special consideration to minority students.
• Aimed to bridge inequalities and increase representation of historically oppressed groups.
• Supreme Court decision in June 2023.
• Put an end to affirmative action in university admissions.
  • Affirmative actions are positive steps to increase the representation of historically oppressed groups in society, such as in education and employment.

Comparison of Affirmative Action in India and the US:

India:

• Constitutional Origin: Affirmative action explicitly provided for in the Constitution.
• Provisions: Articles 15 (4), 16 (4), etc., enable the state to implement reservation policies.
• Purpose: To address historical discrimination against groups like ex-untouchables.
• Targeted Groups: Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections.
• System: Upper ceiling for reservation set at 50% by the Supreme Court.

USA:

• Constitutional Origin: Affirmative action permitted under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
• Provisions: Began through an executive order in 1961 and later backed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Purpose: To combat discrimination against minority groups and women.
• Targeted Groups: African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, etc.
• System: Based on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs with no upper legal limit.

Appeal against CAT Order in Contempt Proceedings Lies before the Supreme Court (SC)

• Appeal against CAT Order in Contempt Proceedings Lies before the Supreme Court (SC).
• Allahabad High Court ruled that appeals against CAT orders in contempt proceedings must be made to the Supreme Court, not High Courts.
  • T. Sudhakar Prasad v. Government of A.P. (2001) established that contempt jurisdiction is solely with the Tribunal.
  • Orders under Section 17 (Contempt) of the AT Act are appealable only to the Supreme Court.
  • L Chandra Kumar vs. UoI (1997) previously allowed High Courts to have appellate jurisdiction over Tribunal orders.
• About CAT:
  • Established under Article 323 A through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976).
  • Jurisdiction includes adjudication of disputes and complaints related to recruitment and conditions of service in public services under the Government's control.

Tribunal System in India:

• Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies established to reduce the workload of the judiciary and provide subject expertise for technical matters.
• Constitutional Recognition of Tribunals.
  • Article 323A of the Indian Constitution empowers only Parliament to establish Administrative Tribunals.
  • Article 323B allows appropriate legislatures to establish tribunals for other matters.

Arunachal Pradesh (AP) was, is and will always be a part of India: External Affairs Minister

• Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, according to the External Affairs Minister.
• China renamed 30 places in Arunachal Pradesh as 'South Tibet'.
• India-China Border Disputes:
  • Line of Actual Control (LAC) divides the two nations.
  • Border is not formally demarcated and there is no mutually agreed LAC.
  • India considers LAC to be 3,488 km long, while China considers it to be around 2,000 km.
• LAC divided into three sectors:
  • Western Sector (Ladakh): India considers Johnson Line as border, China claims McDonald Line.
  • Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand): Largely undisputed.
  • Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim): China claims AP as part of Tibetan Autonomous Region.
• Key dispute resolution initiatives:
  • 1993 Agreement on Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the LAC.
  • 1996 Agreement on Confidence-Building Measures in the Military Field Along the LAC.
  • 2013 Border Defense Cooperation Agreement.

India’s Coal and Lignite Production hits all-time high of over 1 billion Tonnes for FY 2023-24

• Union Minister of Coal reports over 1 billion tonnes of coal and lignite produced in FY 2023-24, a 70% increase in the last decade due to government support.
• Significance: Enhances energy security, reduces Forex reserves spent on imports, aims to replace imported coal for power generation by 2025-26.
• Current Status of Coal Sector in India:
  • India has the 5th largest coal reserves globally and is the 2nd largest consumer.
  • Production: Coal India Limited (CIL) is the top producer, accounting for over 70% of coal production.
  • Import: India imported 217.75 million tonnes of coal in FY 2023-24, mainly non-coking coal.
• Challenges Faced by the Coal Sector in India:
  • Unpredictable and prolonged rainfall in coal-rich regions.
  • Power sector consumers not paying outstanding dues.
  • Labor disputes and industrial relations issues in coal fields.
  • Difficulties in land acquisition and environmental concerns.
  • Lower coal quality with high ash and sulfur content.
  • Outdated mining techniques leading to lower productivity, increased costs, and safety risks.

Key reforms undertaken in the Coal sector:

• Coal Mines Special Provisions Act, 2015: Implemented to make the auction process more transparent.
• Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2021: Allowed for composite Prospecting Licence-cum-Mining Lease (PL-cum-ML).
• Ending captive mining regime: Enabled commercial mining and sale of excess production.
• Single Window Clearances: Introduced to streamline and expedite the operationalization of coal mines.

Total Asset Monetization Program of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) crossed Rs.1 Lakh Crore

• Three modes of asset monetization by MoRTH:
  • Toll-operate-transfer (TOT): Concessionaire collects fees for selected National Highway projects
  • Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT): Investment scheme for infrastructure projects
  • Securitisation: Assets pooled and repackaged into interest-bearing securities
• Asset Monetisation (AM):
  • Background: Vijay Kelkar committee suggested AM for India in 2012
  • Definition: Creating revenue by transferring underutilised public assets to private sector
  • Also known as 'asset or capital recycling'
• Objectives:
  • Unlock value from public infrastructure investment.
  • Utilize private sector efficiencies in infrastructure management.
• Initiative: National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) for FY 2022-2025.

Amid Gaza war, the first batch of Indian construction workers leave for Israel

• Indian construction workers leaving for Israel amid Gaza war.
  • Facilitated by NSDC International through a government-to-government agreement.
• Ethical concerns raised due to sending workers to a war-torn zone.
• Ethical Issues associated with such arrangement:
  • Life vs Living: Workers from disadvantaged backgrounds risking their lives for higher wages.
  • Exploitation of workers: Claims of mistreatment of workers from outside Israel.
  • Moral Dilemma: Workers may face psychological trauma and dilemma of intervention or reporting violence.

Measures Undertaken for the Safety of Indian Workers in Israel:

• Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Temporary Employment: This agreement was established to recruit construction workers and caregivers from India to work in specific labor market sectors in Israel.
• As per the agreement:
  • Equal Treatment: Indian workers are entitled to equal treatment in terms of labor rights as Israeli citizens.
  • Provision of Lodging and Benefits: Indian workers are provided with proper lodging, medical insurance, social security coverage, as well as wages and benefits as mandated by law.