Monthly Current Affairs Consolidation (January) Part-I PDF

Current Affairs (CONSOLIDaTION) JANUARY 2024 (Part – I) Drishti, 641, First Floor, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi-110009 Inquiry (English): 8010440440, Inquiry (Hindi): 8750187501...

Current Affairs (CONSOLIDaTION) JANUARY 2024 (Part – I) Drishti, 641, First Floor, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi-110009 Inquiry (English): 8010440440, Inquiry (Hindi): 8750187501 Email: [email protected]  Contents Polity and Governance.........................................................................................................1 z India Maldives Relations.......................................................................................................................................... 1 z Shimla Development Plan 2041.............................................................................................................................. 3 z Reforming Organ Transplantation........................................................................................................................... 5 z Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana................................................................................................. 7 z Selection of Tableaux on the Republic Day............................................................................................................. 8 z Website Blocking by the Government................................................................................................................... 10 z Bilkis Bano Case and Remission............................................................................................................................. 11 z Concerns over Hit-and-Run Law............................................................................................................................ 13 z Concerns Over Existing Examination System......................................................................................................... 14 z Supreme Court Legal Services Committee............................................................................................................ 16 z Outlook of OTT in 2024......................................................................................................................................... 17 z PRITHvi VIgyan Scheme......................................................................................................................................... 19 z Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection Project............................................................ 20 z Section 132 of the Income Tax Act,1961............................................................................................................... 21 z Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Year End Review 2023................................................................... 22 z Bharatmala Phase-1: Deadline Extended.............................................................................................................. 23 z Sanitation Challenges in Indian District Courts..................................................................................................... 24 z Technological Innovations Implemented Under MGNREGA Scheme.................................................................... 26 z Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Adds Beneficiaries to PM-Kisan................................................................................. 27 z Scheme of Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment............................................................................ 28 z SHRESHTA.............................................................................................................................................................. 29 z Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana......................................................................................... 30 Economic Scenario.............................................................................................................32 z World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects Report................................................................................................. 32 z Lentil Production India.......................................................................................................................................... 33 z World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024.......................................................................................... 34 z Navigating GST Challenges.................................................................................................................................... 35 z World Economic Situation and Prospects Report for 2024................................................................................... 36 z Concerns over Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016......................................................................................... 38 z Decline of Saffron Production in Kashmir.............................................................................................................. 40 z Debt Sustainability and Exchange Rate Management........................................................................................... 42 z Supreme Court Verdict on Adani-Hindenburg Case.............................................................................................. 44 z India’s Toy Industry............................................................................................................................................... 45 z Interest Rate Adjustments in Small Savings Schemes........................................................................................... 46 z Extended PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components.............................................................................. 47 z RBI Guidelines on Inoperative Accounts and Unclaimed Deposits........................................................................ 48 z India’s Steel Sector................................................................................................................................................ 49 z Inflation in India: Demand vs. Supply.................................................................................................................... 50 z Banks’ Gross NPAs Drop to 3.2%........................................................................................................................... 52 International Relations.......................................................................................................54 z India and Saudi Arabia Sign Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024................................................................................... 54 z Annual Exchange of Nuclear Installation Lists: India and Pakistan........................................................................ 54 z Issue of Indians Jailed Abroad............................................................................................................................... 56 z Global Geopolitical Intricacies and Opportunities for India.................................................................................. 57 z India-Italy Migration and Mobility Agreement...................................................................................................... 59 z Red Sea and Panama Canal................................................................................................................................... 60 Social Issues.......................................................................................................................63 z Vaccine Drive to Fight Cervical Cancer.................................................................................................................. 64 z Global Risks Report 2024: WEF............................................................................................................................. 64 z Rise of Child Marriages in West Bengal................................................................................................................. 66 z Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956................................................................................................................. 67 z Caste Based Discrimination in Indian Prisons........................................................................................................ 69 z Sickle Cell Disease.................................................................................................................................................. 71 z Prioritizing the Poor, Youth, Women, and Farmers.............................................................................................. 71 z Huntington’s Disease............................................................................................................................................. 73 Science & Technology.........................................................................................................75 z Heat-Tolerant Covid-19 Vaccine by IISc................................................................................................................. 75 z ISRO Tests Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell............................................................................................ 76 z Counter-Drone Technology and UAV Development............................................................................................. 77 z Antimicrobial Resistance....................................................................................................................................... 78 z Peregrine Mission One.......................................................................................................................................... 80 z GSAT-20 (GSAT-N2) Aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9..................................................................................................... 80 z India to Join SKAO as a Full Member..................................................................................................................... 81 z Space Missions in 2024.......................................................................................................................................... 82 z Efficacy of Liquid Nano Urea.................................................................................................................................. 84 z Lithium-Deal with Argentina................................................................................................................................. 84 z Pegasus Spyware................................................................................................................................................... 87 z X-ray Polarimeter Satellite: ISRO........................................................................................................................... 88 Environment and Ecology...................................................................................................90 z Project Tiger.......................................................................................................................................................... 90 z Natural Pathogenic Fungi to Save Eucalyptus Forests........................................................................................... 92 z Darjeeling Zoo’s Conservation Breeding Programme for Snow Leopards............................................................. 93 z Varied Progress in Clean Air Target....................................................................................................................... 95 z Northeast African Cheetah.................................................................................................................................... 96 z Sustainable Agriculture......................................................................................................................................... 96 z Wetland City Accreditation................................................................................................................................... 98 z Buxa Tiger Reserve................................................................................................................................................ 99 z Biodiversity Credits.............................................................................................................................................. 101 z Captive-bred Wolves into the Wild in Gujarat.................................................................................................... 102 z Pelagic Birds........................................................................................................................................................ 102 z Balancing Climate Goals and Biodiversity Protection.......................................................................................... 103 Security............................................................................................................................105 z Peace Pact with ULFA.......................................................................................................................................... 105 Art and Culture.................................................................................................................106 z GI Tags for Over 17 Products............................................................................................................................... 106 Geography.......................................................................................................................108 z 150 Years of India Meteorological Department.................................................................................................. 108 z Rock Glaciers....................................................................................................................................................... 109 Ethics...............................................................................................................................111 z Decoding Psychoanalysis..................................................................................................................................... 111 Miscellaneous..................................................................................................................113 z Atal Setu Nhava Sheva Sea Link........................................................................................................................... 113 z President of India Presents Sports and Adventure Awards 2023........................................................................ 114 z US Religious Freedom Designations.................................................................................................................... 115 z Proposed Hypotheses on the Parting of the Red Sea.......................................................................................... 116 z India as a MICE Destination................................................................................................................................. 117 z Expansion of Litchi Cultivation Across India........................................................................................................ 117 z PMLA Notice to Offshore Crypto Firms............................................................................................................... 118 Rapid Fire Current Affairs.................................................................................................120 z India Celebrates 76th Army Day and 8th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day.............................................................. 120 z Indian Air Force AN-32 (K-2743).......................................................................................................................... 120 z Argentina’s Inflation Surges Past 200%............................................................................................................... 121 z Spacetime: Geometry of Universe...................................................................................................................... 122 z Gangireddu Melam.............................................................................................................................................. 122 z Indian Army Eyes Upgraded ‘Pup Tents’ for Icy Heights Along LAC.................................................................... 124 z Indian of the Year Award 2023............................................................................................................................ 124 z ICD 11 TM Module 2 Launch: Global Integration of Ayush Medicine................................................................. 124 z National Youth Day 2024..................................................................................................................................... 125 z Startups for Railways........................................................................................................................................... 125 z Sisal Leaves: A Green Revolution in Menstrual Hygiene..................................................................................... 125 z Impact of Wind Turbines on Forest Bats............................................................................................................. 126 z Privileges Committee to Seek Responses from Suspended Rajya Sabha MPs.................................................... 126 z World Hindi Day.................................................................................................................................................. 126 z Nanoplastic Contamination in Bottled Water..................................................................................................... 127 z High Court Nod: Yakshagana Mela Reinstates All-Night Shows.......................................................................... 127 z Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2023......................................................................................... 127 z India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime Likely to End....................................................................................... 128 z Floods in Telangana Reveal Paleolithic Tools...................................................................................................... 128 z Warmest Year on Record 2023............................................................................................................................ 129 z Pravasi Bharatiya Divas........................................................................................................................................ 129 z World Typing Day................................................................................................................................................ 129 z National Birds Day............................................................................................................................................... 130 z BIS: 77 Years of Shaping Standards..................................................................................................................... 130 z Martian Plasma Waves........................................................................................................................................ 130 z Moradabad’s Brassware Industry........................................................................................................................ 130 z Panspermia.......................................................................................................................................................... 131 z Term of Trade...................................................................................................................................................... 131 z Roche’s Breakthrough Antibiotic......................................................................................................................... 131 z MeitY Launches ERNET India’s Web Portal......................................................................................................... 131 z Qatari Court Decision on Indian Naval Personnel............................................................................................... 132 z Reverse Flipping.................................................................................................................................................. 132 z Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2023............................................................................................................. 132 z Aditya-L1 into L1 orbit......................................................................................................................................... 132 z Warlis’ Lesson: Peaceful Leopard Coexistence in Maharashtra.......................................................................... 133 z Cyber Kidnapping................................................................................................................................................ 133 z World Braille Day................................................................................................................................................. 134 z Reviving Ancient Water Bodies in Coastal Karnataka Towns.............................................................................. 134 z Savitribai Phule Birth Anniversary....................................................................................................................... 134 z Rani Velu Nachiyar Birth Anniversary.................................................................................................................. 135 z IREDA’s 2024 Roadmap....................................................................................................................................... 135 z Family Pension Guidelines for Government Servants/Pensioners...................................................................... 135 z Snow Leopard...................................................................................................................................................... 135 z Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund................................................................................................................. 137 z K-SMART App....................................................................................................................................................... 137 z India-UAE Joint Exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’.................................................................................................. 137 z No Tsunami Threat to India................................................................................................................................. 137 z Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School................................................................................................................ 138 z Ayodhya’s Transformational Projects.................................................................................................................. 138 z Constitution of the Sixteenth Finance Commission............................................................................................ 138 z Trial Essential to Define ‘Religious Character of Place of Worship’: Allahabad HC............................................. 138 w w w. d r i s h ti IA S.c om CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 1 Polity and Governance Highlights z India Maldives Relations z Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection z Shimla Development Plan 2041 Project z Reforming Organ Transplantation z Section 132 of the Income Tax Act,1961 z Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana z Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Year End Review 2023 z Selection of Tableaux on the Republic Day z Bharatmala Phase-1: Deadline Extended z Website Blocking by the Government z Sanitation Challenges in Indian District Courts z Bilkis Bano Case and Remission z Technological Innovations Implemented Under MGNREGA Scheme z Concerns over Hit-and-Run Law z Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Adds Beneficiaries to PM-Kisan z Concerns Over Existing Examination System z Scheme of Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment z Supreme Court Legal Services Committee z SHRESHTA z Outlook of OTT in 2024 z Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana z PRITHvi VIgyan Scheme India Maldives Relations Why in News? The Maldives has recently found itself in the midst of diplomatic turmoil, raising questions about its relations with India through undiplomatic remarks, military positioning, and the scrapping of crucial agreements. Note: 2 CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m ¾ Maldives has also signed new deals with China, z There is an inscription of Vajrayana Buddhism, further complicating the geopolitical landscape. that had existed in the Maldives in ancient times. What are the Major Points Related to India and Maldives Relations? € Regional Stability: A stable and prosperous Maldives aligns with India’s “Neighbourhood ¾ Historical Ties: The diplomatic and political First” policy, promoting peace and security in the relationship between India and the Maldives dates Indian Ocean region. back to 1965 when the British relinquished control of the islands. € Since the democratic transition in 2008, India has invested years in building deep relationships with various stakeholders in the Maldives, including political, military, business, and civil society figures. ¾ Maldives’ Significance for India: € Strategic Location: Located south of India, the ¾ India’s Significance for Maldives: Maldives holds immense strategic importance in the Indian Ocean, acting as a gateway to the € Essential Supplies: India is a crucial supplier of Arabian Sea and beyond. everyday essentials, including rice, spices, fruits, z This allows India to monitor maritime traffic vegetables, and medicines. and enhance regional security. z India also aids in building Maldivian € Cultural Link: India and Maldives share a deep infrastructure by providing materials like cultural and historical connection dating back cement and rock boulders. centuries. € Education: India serves as the primary education z Until the first half of the 12 century, Buddhism th provider for Maldivian students who pursue was the principal religion in the Maldivian higher education in Indian institutions, including islands. scholarships for deserving students. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S.c om CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 3 € Disaster Assistance: India has been a consistent € It has caused unease in India and could lead to a source of aid during crises, such as tsunamis and regional geopolitical contest. drinking water shortages. What are the Key Takeaways From Recent z The provision of essential items and support China-Maldives Deals? during the Covid-19 pandemic showcases ¾ Elevation of Bilateral Ties: India’s role as a reliable partner. € China and Maldives announced the elevation € Security Provider: India has a history of providing of their countries’ ties to a Comprehensive security assistance, intervening during a coup Strategic Cooperative Partnership, signifying attempt in 1988 through Operation Cactus and the deepening of their relationship. conducting joint naval exercises for the protection ¾ Key Agreements: of the Maldives. € Belt and Road Initiative: The nations will jointly z Joint Exercises include- “Ekuverin”, “Dosti” accelerate the formulation of the Cooperation and “Ekatha”. Plan on the Belt and Road Initiative, fostering € India’s Dominance in Maldives Tourism: Indian connectivity and infrastructure development. tourists have become the leading source market for the Maldives since the Covid-19 pandemic. In € Tourism Cooperation: Both countries pledged to 2023, they accounted for a significant 11.2% of strengthen collaboration in the tourism sector, total tourist arrivals, amounting to 18.42 lakh recognizing its significance to the Maldives’ visitors. economy. € Disaster Risk Reduction: The agreements Note: Eight Degree Channel separates Indian Minicoy encompass cooperation in disaster risk reduction, (part of Lakshadweep Islands) from that of Maldives. emphasizing joint efforts to address and mitigate What are the Major Challenges Related to India the impact of natural disasters. Maldives Relations? € Blue Economy: They expressed their commitment ¾ India-Out Campaign: In recent years, Maldivian to advancing cooperation in the blue economy, politics has witnessed a campaign centered on an focusing on sustainable use of ocean resources. “India Out” platform, branding Indian presence as € Digital Economy: Efforts to strengthen investments a threat to Maldivian sovereignty. in the digital economy were underscored. € Key campaign points include the demand for the ¾ Economic Assistance: withdrawal of Indian military personnel. € China has extended support to the Maldives by € Current Maldives’ President has set a deadline of providing grant assistance, although the specific 15th March, 2024, for the withdrawal of Indian amount remains undisclosed. troops. z The agreements also highlight the importance ¾ Tourism Strain: The tourism scenario in the Maldives of China-Maldives trade, with bilateral trade has gained significant focus due to a diplomatic in 2022 totaling USD 451.29 million. dispute arising from disparaging comments directed at the Indian Prime Minister after his promotional visit to the Lakshadweep islands. Shimla € Consequently, a boycott Maldives trend has been floating social media as a response to the Development Plan 2041 controversy. Why in News? ¾ China’s Rising Influence in Maldives: Chinese is becoming increasingly visible in the Maldives. The Recently, the Supreme Court has approved the Maldives’ proximity to key shipping lanes and India Shimla Development Plan 2041 that is aimed at makes it strategically important for China, potentially regulating construction activities in Himachal Pradesh’s fueling its interest in deeper engagement. capital city, terming it Sustainable. Note: 4 CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m What is the Shimla Development Plan 2041? ¾ The court mentioned that the NGT cannot dictate the state government’s formulation of the plan but ¾ About: can scrutinize the plan on its merits. € The draft Development Plan for the Shimla ¾ The court acknowledged that the 2041 development Planning Area 2041 was published in February plan appears to be balanced and sustainable, but it 2022. emphasized that parties are still open to challenging € The development plan has been prepared by the specific aspects of the plan on their merits. Town and Country Planning Department of Himachal Pradesh under the AMRUT (Atal What is the National Green Tribunal (NGT)? Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban ¾ It is a specialized body set up under the National Green Transformation) sub-scheme of the Government Tribunal Act (2010) for effective and expeditious of India. disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other z The plan is GIS (Geographic Information natural resources. System)-based. It covers Shimla Municipal Corporation and its adjoining areas under the ¾ With the establishment of the NGT, India became provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Town and the third country in the world to set up a specialized Country Planning Act, 1977. environmental tribunal, only after Australia and New Zealand, and the first developing country to do so. € The plan states that “town planning does not come under the purview of NGT”. ¾ The NGT Act provided a specialized role to the tribunal to act on issues where a dispute arose under ¾ Background of Legal Battles: seven specified laws (mentioned in Schedule I of € The initial approval for the plan was granted by the Act): The Water Act 1974, The Water Cess Act the previous state government in February 2022. 1977, The Forest Conservation Act 1980, Air Act € However, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) 1981 , Environment Protection Act 1986, Public intervened and issued stay orders in May 2022, Liability Insurance Act 1991 and the Biological terming the plan illegal and in conflict with Diversity Act 2002. earlier orders passed in 2017. ¾ NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications z The NGT’s 2017 verdict had prohibited or appeals finally within 6 months of filing the same. construction on buildings above two floors ¾ The NGT has five places of sittings, New Delhi is the and the attic floor in the Shimla planning area. Principal place of sitting and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata z The NGT found the scheme violated the ban and Chennai are the other four. by allowing more floors and new constructions ¾ The Tribunal is headed by the Chairperson who sits in restricted areas. The NGT warned of damage in the Principal Bench and has at least ten but not to law, environment and public safety if the more than twenty judicial members and at least state continued. ten but not more than twenty expert members. € The state government appealed to the Supreme ¾ Decisions of the Tribunal are binding. The Tribunal Court, and in May 2023, the Supreme Court has powers to review its own decisions. If this fails, directed the government to address objections the decision can be challenged before the Supreme to the draft development plan and issue a final Court within ninety days. plan within six weeks. What is AMRUT? What is the Supreme Court’s Ruling? ¾ Launch: June 2015 ¾ In January, 2024, the SC gave its approval to the ¾ Concerned Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Shimla Development Plan 2041, setting aside the Affairs previous orders of the NGT, stating that it was ¾ Purpose: beyond the jurisdiction of the tribunal to direct the € To ensure that every household has access to a state government on how to formulate the tap with the assured supply of water and a development plan. sewerage connection. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S.c om CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 5 The Priority zone of the Mission is water supply z What Does the THOT Act, 1994 Say? followed by sewerage. ¾ About: € To increase the amenity value of cities by € The law governs the transplantation of human developing greenery and well maintained open organs and tissues in India, including the donation spaces (e.g. parks). of organs after death. € To reduce pollution by switching to public € It lays down regulations governing healthcare transport or constructing facilities for non- providers and hospitals, and stipulates penalties motorized transport (e.g. walking and cycling). for violations. ¾ Components: ¾ Organ Donors and Recipients: € Capacity building, reform implementation, water € A transplant can be either from a pool of organs supply, sewerage and septage management, of deceased persons donated by their relatives storm water drainage, urban transport and or from a living person who is known to the development of green spaces and parks. recipient. z The reforms aim at improving delivery of € In most cases, the Act allows living donations citizen services, bringing down the cost of from close relatives such as parents, siblings, deliver y, improving f inancial health, children, spouses, grandparents, and augmenting resources and enhancing grandchildren. transparency. It also includes replacement of ¾ Donations From Distant Relatives and Foreigners: street lights with LED lights. € Altruistic donations from distant relatives, in- ¾ State Annual Action Plan (SAAP): laws, or long-time friends are allowed after € AMRUT has made states equal partners in additional scrutiny to ensure there is no financial planning and implementation of projects by exchange. approval of SAAP once a year by MoHUA and € Living donations from close relatives involving states have to give project sanctions and approval Indians or foreigners must be accompanied by at their end, therefore actualisation of documents establishing their identities, family cooperative federalism. trees, and pictures that prove the donor-recipient ¾ Supervision: relationship. € An Apex Committee (AC), chaired by the Secretary, z Donors and recipients are also interviewed. MoHUA and comprising representatives of related ¾ Donations from Unrelated Persons: Ministries and organisations supervises the € Donations from unrelated persons require Mission. documents and photographic evidence to prove their long-term association or friendship with the Reforming recipient. Organ Transplantation € These are examined by an external committee to prevent illegal dealings. Why in News? ¾ Fines and Punishments: Recently, the Delhi High Court has recommended € Offering to pay for organs or supplying them for an optimal timeframe of 6-8 weeks for completing payment; initiating, negotiating, or advertising organ transplant processes involving living donors. such arrangements; looking for persons to supply ¾ High Court directed the government to establish organs; and abetting in preparing false documents specific timelines for all stages of organ donation can attract a jail term up to 10 years and a fine applications in accordance with The Transplantation up to Rs 1 crore. of Human Organs and Tissues (THOT ) Act, 1994, ¾ Formation of NOTTO: and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues € National O r gan and T issue Transplant Rules, 2014 (THOT Rules). Organization (NOT TO) is a National level Note: 6 CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m organization set up under Directorate General of may be prescribed by the Central Government Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family. from time to time”. z T his has b een mandated as p er the € State government and Union Territories “shall Tr a n s p l a n t a t i o n o f H u m a n O r g a n s constitute one or more Authorisation Committee (Amendment) Act 2011. consisting of such members as may be nominated z National Network division of NOTTO would by the State Government and the Union function as apex centre for All India activities Territories.” of co ordination and ne t wo r k in g f o r ¾ Powers: procurement and distribution of Organs and € Under Section 9(5), the Committee is expected Tissues and registry of Organs and Tissues to conduct a thorough inquiry while reviewing Donation and Transplantation in the country. applications for transplant approval. What Do the THOT Rules, 2014 Say? € A crucial aspect of the inquiry is to verify the ¾ Authorisation Committee: authenticity of the donor and recipient, and € Rule 7 of the 2014 Rules provides for the ensure that the donation is not driven by constitution of the Authorisation Committee and commercial motives. the nature of enquiry and evaluation conducted ¾ Role of Parliament: by it. € Section 24 of the Act allows the Centre to make € Rule 7(3) says the Committee must ensure there rules, subject to parliamentary approval, for is no commercial transaction involved in cases carrying out the various purposes of the Act. where the donor and recipient are not near z These can relate to the manner and conditions relatives. under which a donor may authorise the z Rule 7(5) says that if a recipient is in a critical removal of their organs before death. condition and needs transplantation within a z Also how a brain-stem death is to be certified, week, the hospital can be approached for an or the steps to be taken to preserve human expedited evaluation. organs removed from anyone, etc. ¾ Living Donor Transplantations: € For living donor transplantations, Rule 10 describes the application process, which requires joint applications by the donor and recipient. € Rule 21 requires the Committee to personally interview applicants and determine their eligibility to donate. What is the Authorisation Committee? ¾ About: € The Authorisation Committee oversees and approves organ transplant procedures involving donors and recipients who are not near relatives. What did the High Court Decide? € This approval is crucial, especially in cases where organs are donated for reasons of affection, ¾ Constitution of Authorisation Committees attachment, or other special circumstances, to € The Act mandates state governments/Union ensure ethical compliance and prevent illegal Territories to form one or more authorisation practices. committees, consisting of nominated members. ¾ Composition: € High Court underscores the necessity of it to € Section 9(4) of the Act,1994 says the “composition maintain the integrity and effectiveness of organ of the Authorisation Committee shall be such as transplantation protocols. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S.c om CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 7 ¾ Timelines for Living Donor Transplantation ¾ This initiative, launched in the fiscal year 2021-22, Application: aims to uplift Scheduled Caste (SC) communities by € The high court stipulates that the timeline for generating employment opportunities through skill processing living donor transplantation development, income-generating schemes, and applications should not exceed a maximum of various initiatives. 10 days from the date of application. What are the Key Highlights of the PM-AJAY? € Within a maximum of 14 days, the court ¾ Objectives: mandates the verification of documents € Reduce poverty in the SC communities by the concerning the domicile status of the recipient ge n e r at i o n o f a d di t i o nal e m p l oy m e nt and donor. opportunities through skill development, € Any opportunity given to the donor or recipient income-generating schemes and other initiatives. to complete required documentation must be € To increase literacy and encourage enrolment communicated within the prescribed timeline of SCs in schools and higher educational under the Rules. institutions by providing adequate residential ¾ Scheduled Interviews and Family Meetings facilities in quality institutions, in the aspirational € After four to six weeks of receiving the districts/SC majority blocks and elsewhere in application, interviews should be scheduled India. within two weeks. ¾ Components of PM-AJAY: € The committee should conduct the interview, € Development of SC-Dominated Villages into an facilitate a family meeting, and convey the “AdarshGram”: This component was formerly decision within this timeframe. known as Pradhan Mantri AdarshGram Yojana z The court emphasizes that the entire process, (PMAGY) and the objective of this component is from submission to decision, should ideally to ensure integrated development of SC-majority not exceed six to eight weeks. villages. ¾ Recommendations to Government: z Provide adequate infrastructure for socio- economic development needs. € The high court calls for the judgment to be presented to the Secretary, Ministry of Health z Target improvement in identified socio- and Family Welfare, ensuring the prescription of economic indicators (Monitorable indicators). timelines for all steps in the consideration of ‹ T he monitorable indic ator s are organ donation applications, after consulting distributed across 10 domains. These relevant stakeholders. domains encompass crucial aspects such as Drinking water and Sanitation, Education, Health and Nutrition, Social Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Security, Rural Roads and Housing, Jaati Abhuyday Yojana Electricity and Clean fuel, Agricultural Practices, Financial Inclusion, Digitization, Why in News? and Livelihood and Skill Development. z Eliminate disparity between SC and non-SC Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and population. Empowerment highlighted the Pradhan Mantri z Ensure completion of education up to at least Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a the secondary level for all SC children. comprehensive scheme amalgamating three Centrally z Address factors leading to maternal and infant Sponsored Schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to mortality. Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu z Eliminate the incidence of malnutrition, Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY). especially among children and women. Note: 8 CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m z Achievements: ‹ Atleast 10% of the total funds for skill ‹ Under the Adarsh Gram Component, a development total of 1834 villages have been Declared ‹ Promote SC Women Cooperatives as Adarsh Gram during the current engaged in the production and marketing FY2023-24. of consumer goods and services. € ‘Grants-in-aid’ for District/State-level Projects: z Achievements: z This component was formerly known as ‹ During the FY 2023-24, the perspective Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste plan for 17 states has been approved Sub Plan. under the Grant-in-aid component. z The scheme aims at the socio-economic € Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational development of SCs through grants for the Institutions: following types of projects: z It enables and encourages SC students to attain z Comprehensive Livelihood Projects: Such quality education and reduce dropout rate, projects which create an entire eco-system Implemented through the State Governments, for producing sustainable income, or social UT Administrations and central and State advancement to the SCs only shall be taken up. Universities/Institutions The projects should preferably be a combination z The cost norms for construction/expansion of of two or more of the following: hostels will be as under: ‹ Skill Development: Skilling courses as ‹ North Eastern Region: Rs.3.50 lakh per per norms of the Ministry of Skill inmate. Development and Entrepreneurship. ‹ Northern Himalayan Regions: Rs.3.25 Related facilities and infrastructure for lakh per inmate. conducting Skill Development Activities ‹ Gangetic Plains & Lower Himalayan conducted by the Government. Skill Development Institutions can also be Region: Rs3.00 lakh per inmate. funded. z 100% Central assistance for hostels for boys ‹ Grants for Creation/Acquisition of ’hostels as well– earlier it was cost sharing with Assets for Beneficiaries/Households: No the State. standalone individual asset distribution z Achievements: During the FY 2023-24, a total is allowed under the scheme. If the of 15 new hostels have been sanctioned. project involves acquiring or creating assets crucial for livelihoods, beneficiaries can receive financial Selection of Tableaux assistance for loans, up to Rs. 50,000 or on the Republic Day 50% of the asset cost, whichever is less, per beneficiary/household. Why in News? ‹ Infrastructure development: Recently, the Ministry of Defence has proposed a Development of infrastructure related to rollover plan for the States and Union Territories (UTs) the project and also Hostels and to showcase their tableaux in the Republic Day Parade. residential schools. ¾ It comes after a few states’ governments have z Special Provisions: criticized the central government for not allowing it ‹ Upto 15% of the total Grants exclusively to be a part of the 2024 Republic Day Parade Tableaux. on viable income-generating economic development schemes/programmes for Which States/Union Territories have been SC Women. Selected for the Republic Day Parade? ‹ Upto 30% of the total Grants utilized for ¾ 16 States and UTs have been selected for the 2024 infrastructure development Republic Day Parade, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S.c om CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 9 Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, € The sketch or design must be simple, colourful, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, easy to comprehend and avoid statistical data Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and unnecessary details. and Uttar Pradesh. € Additionally, the Ministry shares basic guidelines ¾ The MoD has included a provision for States and that must be included in the proposal like the use Union Territories that are not selected for the of eco-friendly material and technology. Republic Day parade to showcase their tableaux at € Writing or use of logos on the tableaux is not the Bharat Parv. allowed except for the name of State/UT € The Government of India organizes the six-day presenting, which can be in Hindi in the front, mega event “Bharat Parv” from January 26-31, English at the back and in the regional language as part of the Republic Day celebrations. This on the sides of the tableau. alternative event takes place at the historic Red ¾ Committee of Experts: Fort. € The MoD constitutes a committee of experts ¾ The Government has finalized a rotational plan to from the fields of arts, culture, painting, ensure that every State and Union Territory gets an sculpture, music, architecture, and choreography, opportunity to present their tableaux at the Republic among others, to screen proposals. Day parade within a three-year cycle (2024-2026). z The expert committee, consisting of renowned € The rotational system, agreed upon by 28 States, artists recommended by IGNCA (Indira Gandhi intends to provide fair opportunities to all National Centre for the Arts) and ICCR (Indian regions, mitigating accusations of political bias Council for Cultural Relations), selected the and fostering a more inclusive celebration. tableaux of 16 States and UTs for the year 2024 What is the Selection Process of Tableaux? parade after four rounds of meetings. ¾ Ministry Responsible for Conducting Parade: € In the first phase, the panel carries out a basic € The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is responsible for evaluation and suggests modifications in the conducting the parade and coordinating sketch or design. arrangements with States and other agencies. € Once the designs are approved post any € Preparations for the ceremony, which has become modifications, participants present a three- synonymous with national pride and patriotism, dimensional model of the proposed tableau to begin months in advance. This process includes the panel. the selection and shortlisting of tableaux. € These are examined by experts for final selection. € The Ministry of Culture collaborates with the Only shortlisted candidates are informed about MoD in the selection process, given the cultural the next round. and artistic nature of the tableaux, supporting What is Republic Day? in the evaluation and promotion of cultural displays. ¾ India became Independent on 15th August, 1947 which is celebrated as Independence Day. ¾ Selection and Shortlisting: € There is a standard procedure for selecting parade ¾ Republic Day is celebrated as the day when India participants. Every year, months ahead of the acquired a written Constitution and became an event, the MoD invites States, UTs and independent republic. departments to submit sketches or designs for € The term ‘Republic’ indicates that India has an tableaux on a broad theme. elected head called the President. z For instance, the theme of 2024 is ‘Viksit ¾ The Constitution of India was adopted by the Bharat’ (Developed India) and ‘Bharat- Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 and Loktantra ki Matruka’ (India-Mother of came into effect on 26th January 1950. Democracy). € 26th November is observed as Constitution Day. Note: 10 CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m ¾ 26th January was chosen to be observed as the What is the Legal Framework within the Republic Day because it was on this day in 1930 when Government to Block Websites or Online Contents? the Indian National Congress (INC) declared Purna ¾ Information Technology Act, 2000: Swaraj or Indian independence from the British regime. € In India, the IT Act, 2000, as amended from time € During INC’s Lahore session of December 1929, to time, governs all activities related to the use Purna Swaraj resolution was passed. The session of computer resources. was presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru. € It covers all ‘intermediaries’ who play a role in the use of computer resources and electronic records. Website Blocking z The Information Technology (Intermediary by the Government Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 issued by the Ministry of Electronics Why in News? and Information Technology, under IT Act 2000 Website blocking orders have grown over a 100-fold regulates the content and conduct of from 2013 to October 2023, shows a reply to a Right to intermediaries and digital media platforms, Information (RTI) application. and have resulted in the blocking of several websites and channels that allegedly violate What are the Trends of the Website Blocking the rules. Orders in India? ¾ Section 69 of the IT Act: ¾ The Union government issued 62 website blocking € It confers on the Central and State governments orders in 2013, and in 2023, 6,954 till October. the power to issue directions “to intercept, ¾ These orders are issued under Section 69A of the monitor or decrypt any information generated, Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. transmitted, received or stored in any computer ¾ The increase in website blocking orders has occurred resource”. alongside a significant rise in internet use, especially € The grounds on which these powers may be since the substantial reduction in mobile data prices exercised are: in 2016. z In the interest of the sovereignty or integrity ¾ Most of the web pages blocked are likely to be of India, defence of India, the security of the individual posts, videos or profiles. state. ¾ Location of web/application servers are traced on z Friendly relations with foreign states. immediate basis as and when required or in case they are not complying with the laws of the land or they z Public order, or for preventing incitement to are required to be blocked as per court orders. the commission of any cognizable offence relating to these. z For investigating any offence. Why the Government Blocks Websites and what are the Challenges in Blocking them? ¾ Government website blocking is primarily driven by concerns related to national security, public order, and legal regulations. ¾ It aims to counter threats such as Terrorism, Hate Speech, or illegal content. ¾ However, this practice encounters various challenges. Users can easily circumvent blocks using tools like VPNs, making enforcement difficult. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S.c om CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 11 € VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network” and describes the opportunity to establish a protected Bilkis Bano Case and Remission network connection when using public networks. Why in News? ¾ Website blocking has become much harder due to evolutions in the encryption technologies used by Recently, the Supreme Court has nullified the Web browsers and firms, increasingly blurring the Gujarat government’s decision to grant Remission to 11 level of visibility that Internet providers have on their convicts involved in the gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 users’ activity. Riots in the state. What are the Implications of What is the Background of Bilkis Bano Case? Blocking Websites by the Government? ¾ During 2002 Gujarat riots, Bilkis Bano, a pregnant ¾ Impact on Freedom of Expression: woman at the time, was subjected to a brutal € Website blo cking , especially when not gangrape, while seven members of her family, transparently justified, can raise concerns about including her three-year-old daughter, were killed by Freedom of Expression. It is crucial to strike a a mob during the riots. balance between protecting national interests ¾ Following extensive legal proceedings, the Central and safeguarding citizens’ rights to express their Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigated the case. opinions. ¾ In 2004, SC moved the trial from Gujarat to Mumbai ¾ Impact on Information Access: after Bilkis faced death threats; directed the central government to appoint a special public prosecutor. € Blocking websites may hinder access to valuable ¾ In 2008, a Mumbai court convicted 11 individuals for information and diverse perspectives. This can their involvement in the gangrape and murder, limit the public’s ability to stay informed about marking a significant step towards justice for Bilkis various issues and make well-rounded decisions. Bano. € If the government blocks websites without due ¾ However, in August 2022, the Gujarat government diligence, it may unintentionally impede the granted remission to these 11 convicts, leading to dissemination of knowledge and hinder the their release. This decision sparked controversy and public’s right to access information. legal challenges due to concerns regarding the ¾ Economic Consequences: authority and jurisdiction responsible for granting such remissions. € B l o c k i n g we b s i te s c a n have e c o n o mi c repercussions, especially if it disrupts the What is the SC’s Ruling Nullifying Gujarat operations of legitimate businesses hosted on Government’s Remission Grant? those platforms. ¾ Lack of Authority and Concealed Facts: € Businesses and entrepreneurs may face challenges € The Cour t emphasized that the Gujarat if their websites are blocked, impacting not only government lacked the authority or jurisdiction their revenue but also potentially stifling to issue the remission orders. innovation and economic growth. € Under Section 432 of the CrPC, state governments ¾ Public Perception and Trust: do have the power to suspend or remit a sentence. € The government’s decisions to block websites can But the court noted that Section 7(b) of the law clearly states that the appropriate government shape public perception and trust in its ability to is the one in whose jurisdiction the offender is uphold democratic values. sentenced. € If the public perceives website blocking as € It pointed out that the decision to grant remission arbitrary or unjustified, it can lead to a loss of should be within the domain of the state where trust in government institutions, potentially the convicts were sentenced, not where the crime impacting overall civic engagement. occurred or where they were imprisoned. Note: 12 CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m ¾ Criticism of the Remission Process: executive power, and in all cases of € The Court highlighted serious flaws in the death sentences. remission process, mentioning that the orders € Under Article 161, a Governor can grant pardons, lacked proper consideration and were obtained reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment, through the concealment of facts, constituting or suspend, remit or commute the sentence. fraud upon the court. z This can be done for anyone convicted under ¾ Overreach and Unlawful Exercise of Power: any law on a matter which comes under the € The Court criticized the Gujarat government’s State’s executive power. overreach, asserting that it unlawfully exercised € The scope of the pardoning power of the power that rightfully belonged to the Maharashtra President under Article 72 is wider than the government in issuing remission orders. pardoning power of the Governor under Article ¾ Directives and Rejection of Liberty Plea: 161. € Rejecting the convicts’ plea to protect their ¾ Statutory Power of Remission: liberty, the Court directed them to surrender to € The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) provides jail authorities within two weeks. for remission of prison sentences, which means the whole or a part of the sentence may be What is Remission? cancelled. ¾ About: € Under Section 432, the ‘appropriate government’ € Remission is the complete ending of a sentence may suspend or remit a sentence, in whole or in at a reduced point. Remission is distinct from both part, with or without conditions. furlough and parole in that it is a reduction in € Under Section 433, any sentence may be sentence as opposed to a break from prison life. commuted to a lesser one by the appropriate € In remission, the nature of the sentence remains government. untouched, while the duration is reduced i.e., € This power is available to State governments so the rest of the sentence need not be undergone. that they may order the release of prisoners € The effect of the remission is that the prisoner is before they complete their prison terms. given a certain date on which he shall be released ¾ Landmark Cases of Remission: and in the eyes of the law he would be a free man. € Laxman Naskar v. State of West Bengal (2000): € However, in case of breach of any of the conditions z In this case, SC stipulated the factors that of remission, it will be cancelled, and the offender govern the grant of remission namely: has to serve the entire term for which he was ‹ Whether the offence is an individual act originally sentenced. of crime without affecting the society at ¾ Constitutional Provisions: large? € Both the President and the Governor have been ‹ Whether there is any chance of future vested with sovereign power of pardon by the recurrence of committing crime? Constitution. ‹ Whether the convict has lost his € Under Article 72, the President can grant pardons, potentiality in committing crime? reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment ‹ Whether there is any fruitful purpose of or suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person. confining this convict any more? ‹ Socio-economic condition of the convict’s z This can be done for any person convicted of any offence in all cases where: family. € Epuru Sudhakar v. State of AP (2006): ‹ The punishment or sentence is by a court-martial, in all cases where the z SC held that judicial review of the order of punishment or remission is available on the following grounds: ‹ The sentence is for an offence under any ‹ non-application of mind; law relating to the Union government’s ‹ order is mala fide; Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S.c om CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 13 ‹ order has been passed on extraneous or fleeing an accident spot and failing to report wholly irrelevant considerations; the incident to a police officer or a magistrate. ‹ re l e va n t m a t e r i a l s ke p t o u t o f z However, if the driver reports the incident consideration; immediately after the accident, they will be ‹ order suffers from arbitrariness. charged under Section 106(1) instead of Section 106(2). Section 106(1) provides for a NOTE: punishment of up to five years for causing ¾ Pardon: It removes both the sentence and the death by any rash or negligent act not conviction and completely absolves the convict from amounting to culpable homicide. all sentences, punishments, and disqualifications. ¾ Need: ¾ Commutation: It denotes the substitution of one form € The new law comes in the backdrop of concerning of punishment with a lighter form of punishment. figures related to road accidents in India. For example, a death sentence may be commuted z In 2022, India recorded over 1.68 lakh road to rigorous imprisonment. crash fatalities, averaging 462 deaths daily. ¾ Respite: It denotes awarding a lesser sentence in z India experienced a 12% increase in road place of one originally awarded due to some special accidents and a 9.4% rise in fatalities, while fact, such as the physical disability of a convict or global road crash deaths decreased by 5%. the pregnancy of a woman offender. ‹ On average, there are 19 deaths per hour ¾ Reprieve: It implies a stay of the execution of a due to road accidents in India, almost one sentence (especially that of death) for a temporary death every three and a half minutes. period. Its purpose is to enable the convict to have z More than half of road fatalities occurred on time to seek pardon or commutation from the national and State highways, which make up President. less than 5% of the total road network. z India, with only 1% of the world’s vehicles, Concerns over Hit-and-Run Law contributes to about 10% of crash-related deaths and suffers an annual economic loss of Why in News? 5-7% of its GDP due to road crashes. ¾ Principle Underlying the Law: The recent protests by transporters and commercial € The National Crime Records Bureau recorded drivers in states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Punjab shed light on the contentious Section 47,806 hit-and-run incidents which resulted in 106 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). the deaths of 50,815 people in 2022. z Offenders have a legal duty to report road ¾ This section, which stipulates severe penalties for accidents to the police or magistrate, and hit-and-run incidents, has become a focal point of there are provisions to criminalize the discontent among the driving community. omission of this duty. ¾ The countrywide truckers’ strike has been called off € The principle underlying Section 106 (2) of hit- after the government assured that it would consult and-run law is to deter rash and negligent driving stakeholders before implementing a contentious and to punish those who flee the scene without law against hit-and-run. reporting or helping the victims. What is the Hit-and-run Law? € The law reflects the legislative intent to enforce moral responsibility on the offender towards the ¾ Provisions: victim. € The hit-and-run provision is part of the Bharatiya z Drawing parallels with existing laws, such as Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which is set to replace the Section 134 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, colonial-era Indian Penal Code, 1860. highlights the government’s commitment to z Section 106 (2) of the BNS, 2023 stipulates a ensuring a prompt and responsible response penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a fine for from drivers in the aftermath of accidents. Note: 14 CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY, PART-I 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m ‹ Section 134 of the Motor Vehicles Act, ¾ Perceived Unfair Blame: 1988, requires the driver of the vehicle € Drivers argue that they are often unfairly blamed to take all reasonable steps to secure for accidents, irrespective of the actual medical attention for the injured person circumstances. unless it is not practicable on account of € The legislation’s punitive approach may mob fury or any other reason beyond exacerbate this perception of unfairness and his control. contribute to a negative impact on the transport industry. What are the Concerns of the Protesters? ¾ Possible Misuse by Authorities: ¾ Section 106 (2) of the BNS, 2023: € They are concerned that the law may be abused € Transporters and commercial drivers are by law enforcement agencies and that the harsh demanding the withdrawal or amendment of penalties could hurt the transport industry as a Section 106 (2) of the BNS, 2023. whole. € Protesters argue that the prescribed penalties, ¾ Unfair Treatment and Limited Categorization: including a 10-year imprisonment and Rs. 7 lakh € The current legislation raises concerns about the fine, are excessively severe. fairness of penalties imposed on truck drivers € The widely circulated view that Section 106 (2) of and individual vehicle drivers, the BNS stipulates imprisonment of up to 10 years z For instance, an exception has been made and a fine of Rs. 7 lakh for fleeing an accident under 106 (1) of the BNS for doctors in the spot and failing to report the incident to a police event of rash or negligent acts, where the officer/magistrate is grossly incorrect. punishment will be up to two years with a z While this Section discusses a maximum fine. punishment of 10 years and a fine, there is no € This limited categorisation is problematic and is actual mention in the BNS about the fine against the principles of equality, as the liability being Rs 7 lakh. of a wide variety of people working in other sectors also needs to be moderated. NOTE: ¾ Lack of Differentiation: ¾ Section 161 of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) € Section 106(2) lacks differentiation between rash Act, 2019, provides compensation for victims of and negligent driving, which are two distinct hit-and-run accidents. types of offences with different degrees of € The compensation for death is Rs 2 lakh and for liability. grievous hurt, it is Rs 50,000. Unlike Section 106 z They also contend that the section does not (2) of BNS, the compensation in this case is not consider the contributory factors in negligent recoverable from the drivers. acts, such as the behaviour of commuters, road ¾ Challenging Conditions: conditions, lighting on the road, and other € They argue that the penalty is excessive and fails similar factors, which may affect the driver’s to consider the challenging work conditions of responsibility. drivers, such as long driving hours and difficult € Applying one clause to all situations may unfairly roads. prejudice drivers in different circumstances. € Transporters also argue that accidents may be caused by factors beyond the driver’s control, such as poor visibility due to fog, and fear of mob Concerns Over violence against drivers if they stop to assist at Existing Examination System accident sites. z The fear of violence further complicates the Why in News? decision-making process for drivers in the In the ever-evolving landscape of educatio