Dec 19th 2024 Current Affairs

Index:

1. India-China Talks: Key Highlights

Context: India and China held the first meeting of Special Representatives (SRs) on boundary issues in five years. Discussions were led by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval (India) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (China) in Beijing.

Key Outcomes

  1. Affirmation of LAC Disengagement:
    • Both sides positively affirmed the outcomes of their disengagement agreement on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
    • Focus on drawing lessons from the four-year-long military standoff at LAC to maintain peace and tranquillity at the borders.

 

  1. Mansarovar Yatra and Border Trade:
    • Discussions included potential resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers, and enhancing border trade.

 

  1. Six-Point Consensus:
    • Substantive discussions resulted in a six-point consensus aimed at:
      • Promoting peace along the borders.
      • Developing bilateral relations.

 

  1. No Discussion on Direct Flights:
    • The resumption of direct flights and journalist exchanges, discussed earlier, was not part of this meeting.

 

Strategic Importance

  • Signals positive momentum in restoring bilateral ties after prolonged tensions.

Aimed at enhancing economic, cultural, and trade exchanges.

2. Policy on Sacred Groves: Supreme Court Directions

Context: The Supreme Court has directed the Central Government to formulate a comprehensive policy for the management of sacred groves across India.

What Are Sacred Groves?

  • Sacred groves are patches of forest traditionally protected by local communities for religious and cultural reasons.
  • They play a crucial role in:
    • Conserving biodiversity.
    • Protecting endangered species.
    • Serving as repositories of traditional knowledge.

Geographical Spread: Commonly found in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

Supreme Court’s Recommendations

  1. Nationwide Survey:
    • A survey to identify the exact number and extent of sacred groves.
    • Mark boundaries while allowing flexibility to accommodate their natural growth.
  2. Ecological and Cultural Preservation:
    • Sacred groves to be protected for their ecological value.
    • Respect for the cultural and traditional rights of local communities.
  3. Policy Development:
    • Union Environment Ministry to create a plan for their management, considering both environmental and community rights.

Legislation and Policy Framework

  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Empowers states to declare any area a community reserve to conserve fauna, flora, and biodiversity.
  • National Forest Policy, 1988: Recognizes the role of communities in protecting forest patches and promotes afforestation efforts.

Significance

  • Acknowledges the sacred groves’ role in combating climate change and maintaining biodiversity.
  • Highlights the need for community-driven initiatives, as demonstrated by successful efforts like Piplantri village (Rajasthan), where barren land was converted into lush greenery.

Challenges and Recommendations

  • Challenges:
    • Encroachments and unregulated land-use changes.
    • Lack of comprehensive data on the groves.
  • Recommendations:
    • Clear policy guidelines to protect sacred groves.

Community involvement in preservation and management.

3. Centralised Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS)

Key Highlights

  1. Complete Integration:
    • All 17,130 police stations in India are now linked through CCTNS.
    • This integration ensures 100% registration of FIRs, chargesheets, and investigation reports on a centralised online platform.
  2. Timeline and Budget:
    • Launched in 2009 with a budget of ₹2,000 crore.
    • Achieved full connectivity recently with the inclusion of the last 40 police stations in Manipur, Nagaland, Bihar, and other regions.
  3. Features of CCTNS:
    • Database includes:
      • Past and current crime records.
      • Accused, charge-sheeted individuals, convicts, habitual offenders, and proclaimed offenders.
      • Missing persons, unidentified bodies, and stolen vehicles.
    • Analytical tools to generate crime statistics at the station level.

Relevance to New Criminal Laws

  • CCTNS plays a key role in implementing the three new laws that replace colonial-era legislation:
    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).

New Functionalities and Changes

  • Enhanced provisions under the new laws:
    • Mandatory videography of crime scenes.
    • Forensic evidence collection.
    • Biological sample collection upon request.
    • Informing victims about investigation progress within 90 days.
    • Seeking permission from senior officers before arrests in specific cases.
  • Integration with other pillars of the criminal justice system:

Judiciary, prisons, prosecution, and forensics through the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS).

4. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)

Overview

  • Issued by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of India.
  • Unit Denomination: 1 unit = 1 gram of gold.
  • Objective: To reduce the demand for physical gold and promote financial investments in gold.

 

Features

  1. Investment Security:
    • Quantity of gold is protected.
    • Redemption price based on the average market price of gold (999 purity) over the preceding three business days, as published by IBJA.
  2. Interest Rate: Fixed at 5% per annum, credited semi-annually.
  3. Trading Flexibility: Tradable in the secondary market.
  4. Tenor: 8 years, with an option for premature redemption after 5 years.
  5. Tax Benefits: Capital gains tax exempt on redemption.

 

Advantages

  • Compared to Physical Gold:
    • No storage cost or risk.
    • Market value assured on maturity.
  • Wealth Appreciation:
    • Example: SGBs issued in 2016 doubled in value by 2024 (from ₹3,119 to ₹6,938 per gram) plus interest.

 

Recent Developments

  1. Reduction in Issuances:
    • SGB tranches reduced from 10 per year to 2.
    • No issuance so far in FY 2024-25.
  2. Decline in Borrowing via SGBs:
    • FY 2024-25: Gross SGB issuances reduced to ₹18,500 crore (from ₹29,638 crore).
    • Net borrowing via SGBs cut to ₹15,000 crore (from ₹26,138 crore).
  3. Customs Duty on Gold:
    • Reduced from 15% to 6% in July 2024, boosting demand for physical gold.

 

Challenges and Concerns

  1. High Cost of Financing: SGBs impose a significant fiscal burden due to interest payments and redemption costs.
  2. Reduced Relevance: As an investment instrument, SGBs lack broader social utility.
  3. Policy Shift: Government views duty cuts as more effective in boosting gold demand.

 

Future Outlook

  • Possible Discontinuation: Given the high fiscal costs and limited benefits, the government is considering phasing out the scheme.

Premature Redemption Window: Scheduled for October 2024 – March 2025 for SGBs issued between May 2017 and March 2020.

5. Gaganyaan Mission: Assembly of HLVM3

Overview

  • Mission Objective: Demonstrate human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three into a 400 km orbit for a 3-day mission, followed by a safe sea landing.
  • Phases:
    • Three uncrewed missions.
    • One crewed mission.

 

HLVM3 (Human-Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3)

  1. Development:
    • Upgraded version of the LVM3, human-rated for Gaganyaan.
    • Assembly started on December 18, 2024, at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
  2. Components:
    • S200 Motors: Nozzle end segment stacking completed; now proceeding with assembling, control systems, and avionics.
    • L110 and C32 Stages: Fully prepared and at the launch complex.
    • Crew Escape System: Delivered to SDSC.
    • Orbital Module (OM):
      • Crew Module Integration: At VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre).
      • Service Module Integration: At URSC (U.R. Rao Satellite Centre), Bengaluru.
      • Final OM-level tests to take place at URSC.

 

Timeline

  • First Uncrewed Flight: Early 2025 from SDSC.

10th Anniversary of LVM3-X/CARE: Assembly coincides with the milestone of the first experimental flight of LVM3 on December 18, 2014.

6. Selection of NHRC Chairperson

Overview of NHRC

  • Full Form: National Human Rights Commission.
  • Established: 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
  • Role: To protect and promote human rights, including rights relating to life, liberty, equality, and dignity guaranteed under the Indian Constitution or international covenants.

 

Recent Developments

  1. High-Power Committee Meeting: Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
    • Attendees:
      • Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha: Mallikarjun Kharge.
      • LoP in Lok Sabha: Rahul Gandhi.
    • Agenda: Selection of the NHRC Chairperson.
    • Likely Candidate: Justice K.M. Joseph (retired Supreme Court judge).

 

  1. LoP Recommendations:
    • Names proposed for other NHRC posts:
      • Justice S. Muralidhar (retired Chief Justice of Odisha High Court).
      • Justice Akil Kureshi (retired Chief Justice of Tripura High Court).
      • Justice V. Ramasubramanian (former Supreme Court judge).

 

  1. Dissent by Opposition Leaders:
    • Allegation: Shortlisted names were not shared in advance.
    • Likely Action: Submission of a dissent note regarding the selection process.

 

NHRC Chairperson Selection Process

  • Eligibility: Chairperson must be a retired Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  • Committee Composition:
    • Prime Minister (Chairperson).
    • Union Home Minister.
    • Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha.
    • LoP in Rajya Sabha.
    • Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
    • Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha.

 

Concerns Highlighted

  1. Transparency Issues: Lack of prior communication on shortlisted names.
  2. Vacancies in NHRC: Critical posts of members remain vacant, potentially affecting the commission’s efficiency.
  3. Selection Disputes: Dissent notes from Opposition leaders raise questions about the fairness of the process.

 

Significance of NHRC

  1. Safeguarding Human Rights: Investigates violations and recommends corrective action to the government.
  2. Institutional Credibility: Independence and impartiality are crucial for its effectiveness.
  3. Role in Governance: Advises on legislation and policies to uphold human rights.

7. Improving National Entrance Exams

8. Arctic Tundra: From Carbon Sink to Carbon Source - Infographic

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