Dec 7,8,9th 2024 Current Affairs

Index:

1. RBI Retains Repo Rate Amid High Inflation

Key Highlights

  1. Repo Rate:
    • The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to maintain the repo rate at 5% for the 11th consecutive time.
    • The decision reflects the RBI’s focus on curbing inflation while supporting growth.
  2. Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR):
    • The CRR has been cut by 50 basis points to 4%, aimed at easing liquidity conditions.
    • This measure will infuse ₹1.16 lakh crore into the banking system, helping banks offer more credit and soften interest rates.
  3. Inflation Outlook:
    • Inflation surged to a 14-month high of 2% in October 2024 due to food price increases.
    • Retail inflation for 2024-25 has been revised to 8%, higher than the previous projection of 4.5%.
  4. Economic Growth Forecast:
    • Real GDP growth for the July–September quarter dropped to 4%, the lowest in seven quarters.
    • GDP growth projection for 2024-25 has been downgraded to 6% from the earlier 7.2%.
  5. Key Statements:
    • RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das emphasized balancing inflation management and economic growth.
    • Persistently high inflation has reduced disposable income, impacting private consumption and real GDP growth.
  6. Policy Stance:
    • The MPC maintains a neutral stance, prioritizing inflation control while keeping growth resilient.

 

Implications

  • The measures are expected to:
    1. Stabilize the economy in the short term.
    2. Boost credit growth and lower borrowing costs for businesses and consumers.
    3. Support resilience amid global and domestic uncertainties.

GS 3 – Economy

2. Cyclone FENGAL - A Case Study

Context:

  • Cyclone FENGAL made landfall near Puducherry on November 30, 2024.
  • Despite being classified as a low-intensity cyclone (wind speed: 75–95 km/h), it caused large-scale destruction.

 

  1. Classification of Cyclones (IMD):
  • Based on associated wind speeds:
    • Low Pressure: <31 km/h
    • Depression: 31–49 km/h
    • Deep Depression: 50–61 km/h
    • Cyclonic Storm: 62–88 km/h
    • Severe Cyclonic Storm: 89–117 km/h
    • Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: 118–221 km/h
    • Super Cyclone: >222 km/h

 

  1. Comparison of FENGAL with Past Cyclones:
  • Historical devastating cyclones:
    • Odisha Super Cyclone (1999): 260 km/h
    • Cyclone Phailin (2013): 215 km/h
    • Cyclone Amphan (2020): 185 km/h
  • Observation: FENGAL was a low-intensity storm compared to these cyclones.

 

  1. Impact of FENGAL:
  • Geographical Spread: Tamil Nadu & Puducherry severely affected.
  • Rainfall Statistics:
    • Mailam (Villupuram): 510 mm in 24 hours.
    • Puducherry: 490 mm in a single day (broke the 2004 record of 211 mm).
  • Casualties: 12 lives lost (mostly in Tamil Nadu).
  • Infrastructure Damage:
    • Air, rail, and road transport disrupted.
    • Highways inundated.
    • Overflowing rivers and lakes.
  • Agriculture: Standing crops destroyed over large areas.

 

  1. Reasons for High Destruction Despite Low Intensity:
  • Slow Movement: FENGAL moved slowly (sometimes <6 km/h) during genesis and landfall.
  • Stationary Behavior: Stayed stationary for ~12 hours after landfall near Puducherry, leading to continuous rainfall and high winds.
  • Maintained Intensity Post-Landfall: Unusual for cyclones, which typically weaken after landfall.

 

  1. Key Takeaways for Disaster Management:
  • Slow-moving cyclones can cause disproportionate damage due to prolonged exposure to heavy rains and winds.
  • Enhanced focus required on post-landfall behavior for better prediction and mitigation.
  • Comparison with other recent cyclones (e.g., Cyclone Dana in October 2024) shows varying human impacts depending on the movement and behavior of storms.

GS Paper I: Geography (Cyclone mechanisms and their effects).

GS Paper III: Disaster Management and Mitigation Strategies.

3. Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024

Context:

  • The Rajya Sabha passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024.
  • Aims to amend the Oilfields Act, 1948, governing exploration and extraction of petroleum and natural gas.

 

Key Features of the Bill:

  1. Expanding Definition of Mineral Oil:
    • Current Scope: Petroleum and natural gas are defined as mineral oil.
    • Amendment: Includes all naturally occurring hydrocarbons like coalbed methane, shale gas, and gas hydrates.

 

  1. Introducing Petroleum Lease:
    • Replaces traditional leases with petroleum leases allowing private players to undertake activities like prospecting, exploration, and extraction.
    • The “petroleum lease” will define the rights and duties of leaseholders.

 

  1. Expanding Centre’s Regulatory Powers:
    • Gives the Centre authority to regulate operations such as oil production and processing units.
    • Introduces rules to promote sustainable practices, e.g., reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

  1. Decriminalisation of Offences:
    • Replaces criminal penalties with fines for violations, such as unauthorized operations or royalty non-payment.
    • Current punishment: Six months imprisonment or fine of ₹1,000. Proposed fine: ₹25 lakh for first violations, followed by ₹10 lakh for subsequent breaches.

 

Rationale for the Bill:

  • To boost domestic oil and gas production.
  • Encourages private sector participation.
  • Promotes sustainable practices for greenhouse gas reduction.
  • Aligns with India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in energy.

 

Concerns Raised:

  1. States’ Rights:
    • Critics argue it encroaches upon state powers under the Indian Constitution (Entry 50 of the State List).
    • States fear losing control over local royalties and revenues from mineral oil exploration.
  2. Centralized Powers: Some view expanded central regulatory powers as undermining federalism.
  3. Environment and Local Impact: Environmentalists highlight the need to prioritize sustainability in the wake of severe environmental impacts.

 

Why is the Bill Criticized?

  • Opposition: Parties argue the bill dilutes states’ power to manage local resources and could reduce financial returns.
  • Federal Concerns: Critics label the bill’s provisions as moving toward a “dangerously unbalanced” federal structure.
  • Judicial Scrutiny: Supreme Court upheld states’ power to tax mining activities, hinting at possible constitutional conflicts.

GS Paper II:

  • Federal Structure and State-Centre Relations.
  • Government policies and interventions for development.

GS Paper III:

  • Energy security and sustainable development.

Environmental impact of resource extraction.

4. Hornbill Festival in Nagaland and Liquor controversy - Flowchart

5. HTS Militant Group Captures Damascus, Assad Flees

Key Developments

  1. Seizure of Damascus:
    • Militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured Damascus, marking the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after a 13-year civil war.
    • The situation represents a seismic shift in West Asia, impacting the region’s political landscape.
  2. Fate of Assad:
    • President Assad fled Damascus on Sunday to an unknown destination.
    • Later reports suggested that he and his family reached Moscow, as per Russian news agencies citing Kremlin sources.
  3. Impact on Allies:
    • The capture of Damascus is a major setback for Russia and Iran, who were Assad’s key allies during the war.
    • The ousting weakens their influence in the region, raising questions about future dynamics in West Asia.
  4. Role of HTS:
    • HTS, formerly the Nusra Front (an al-Qaeda affiliate), severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 under the leadership of Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.
    • Their rise highlights the continuing influence of militant groups in Syria’s power vacuum.
  5. Call for Elections:
    • Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali announced plans for free elections to allow the people to choose their leadership democratically.

 

Indian Context

  • The Indian Embassy in Damascus remains operational, with officials and Indian nationals reported to be safe.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in close contact with Indians in Syria, ensuring their safety amid the crisis.

 

Implications

  1. Geopolitical Shifts:
    • The fall of Assad marks a realignment of power in West Asia, with potential repercussions for regional stability.
    • The reduced influence of Russia and Iran could alter their foreign policy strategies.
  2. Humanitarian Crisis: Syria faces further challenges, including displaced populations, economic collapse, and the resurgence of militant groups.
  3. Global Security: The empowerment of HTS could lead to greater security concerns, as militant groups may seek to expand their influence beyond Syria.

 

GS Paper 2: International Relations – Regional and global impact of civil wars, implications for India’s foreign policy.

GS Paper 3: Internal Security – Rise of militant groups, implications for counter-terrorism strategies.

6. Chandigarh Leads in Enforcing New Criminal Laws

CONTEXT: Chandigarh has become the first Union Territory/State to fully implement the three new criminal laws introduced in India:

  1. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Replaces the Indian Penal Code, 1860)
  2. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (Replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872)
  3. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (Replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898)
  • These laws emphasize time-bound investigations, zero FIRs, and digital evidence handling to modernize India’s criminal justice system.

 

Key Reforms in Chandigarh

  1. Technological Integration:
    • Tablets Provided: 170 tablets supplied to police for crime scene documentation with mandatory audio-visual recording of search-and-seizure operations.
    • DigiLocker for Evidence:

 

  • Crime scene videos and related evidence are uploaded to DigiLocker with time-stamped hash values to ensure data integrity.
  • Courts can access recordings securely, maintaining the chain of custody.

 

  1. Enhanced Infrastructure:
    • Increased internet speed at police stations.
    • Set up videoconferencing facilities for speedy trials and online testimonies.
    • Established 80 videoconferencing locations, including hospitals, courts, and forensic stations, for official and private witnesses to depose.

 

  1. Facial Recognition:
    • Deployment of “Chitra Khoji” software to match suspect photos with a database of over 1 crore prisoners.

 

  1. Zero FIRs:
    • 14 Zero FIRs registered since July 1, with all cases pertaining to sexual offenses against women.
    • Cases can be filed irrespective of jurisdiction, ensuring prompt action and victim assistance.

 

  1. Digitization of Courts:
    • Two courts are fully digitized; 30 more are under preparation.
    • Online trials conducted for sensitive cases like those involving gangsters to ensure security.

 

  1. Improved Conviction Rate:
    • Nationwide, the new laws have raised the conviction rate from 58% to 85%.
    • Chandigarh registered 1,179 FIRs, filed 245 chargesheets, and achieved convictions in 4 cases under the new laws.

 

Features of the New Criminal Laws

  1. Time-Bound Investigations: Mandates prompt case registration and time-bound investigation processes.
  2. Zero FIR Provision: Victims can register FIRs at any police station, irrespective of jurisdiction, ensuring accessibility and speedy action.
  3. Mandatory Audio-Visual Recording: Crime scene investigations and search-and-seizure operations require mandatory audio-visual documentation.
  4. Videoconferencing in Trials: Allows for remote trial procedures, reducing costs, improving security, and increasing efficiency.

 

Challenges and Way Forward

  • Challenges:
    • Infrastructure gaps in rural or resource-constrained areas.
    • Training police and judicial officials to adopt new technology.
  • Recommendations:
    • Nationwide rollout of similar reforms with adequate funding.
    • Regular training programs for law enforcement and judicial personnel.

GS Paper 2: Governance – Police reforms, digitization in public administration.

GS Paper 3: Internal Security – Use of technology in law enforcement and justice delivery.

7. Other Headlines of the Day

8. India's Balance of Payments & Forex Reserves

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