VisionIAS Daily Current Affairs 30 June & 01 July 2024 PDF

30th JUNE, 1st JULY, 2024 Three criminal laws are effective from today (July 1) The three new criminal laws were passed by Parliament in 2023. Section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which provides for pu...

30th JUNE, 1st JULY, 2024 Three criminal laws are effective from today (July 1) The three new criminal laws were passed by Parliament in 2023. Section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which provides for punishment in hit and run cases, has been put on hold. Significance of new criminal laws Reformative justice: Such as community service instead of imprisonment. Modernising the justice system: for ex Indian Penal Code (1860) is outdated and does not reflect current norms of criminal jurisprudence. Seamless flow of information:Designed to improve coordination and collaboration between parties involved in investigation and judicial proceedings. New Act Replacing Major Points Community services for petty offense such as including attempted suicide to obstruct public servants' duties. Bharatiya Nyaya Indian Penal Code,1860 Sexual acts against women under section 18 are classified as rape, regardless Sanhita 2023 of consent. Terrorist act is defined as a separate offence. Detention of undertrials: Accused detained for half the maximum sentence Bharatiya must be released on bond, except for death penalty or life imprisonment cases, Nagarik Criminal Procedure Code, or those with multiple pending charges. Suraksha 1973 Signatures and finger impressions: Magistrate of the first class can order Sanhita 2023 an accused person, to give specimen signatures or finger impressions or handwriting or voice samples. Bharatiya Electronic and digital records are granted equal legal status as paper documents. Sakshya Indian Evidence Act, 1872 Oral evidence comprises all statements, including electronic ones, permitted or Adhiniyam 2023 required by the Court from witnesses regarding matters under inquiry. World Bank approves $1.5 bn loan to accelerate India's green energy push This is the second round of funding in a series of two operations (First in June 2023) under Low-Carbon Energy Programmatic Development Policy Operation. Development Objective: To accelerate the development of low-carbon energy in India. The operation consists of three pillars: Promoting green hydrogen (GH) to strengthen the enabling policies and regulations for GH. Scaling up renewable energy (RE) to scale up RE penetration in India, reduce RE costs, and improve RE grid integration. Enhancing climate finance for low-carbon energy investments to launch India’s carbon market and to enable private sector investments in low-carbon energy. Why India is being Supported Expected rapid growth in India’s energy demand and huge reliance on coal. Key role of India in reaching global climate change targets. To support India’s Long -term (Net Neutrality by 2070) and short term targets (by 2030 under NDCs). Decarbonizing the hard-to-abate industrial and transport sectors. Government program to support low carbon energy growth Renewable Energy Missions and Power Market Reforms: support for large-scale grid-connected Solar Parks; PM KUSUM scheme etc. National Green Hydrogen Mission Incentives to adopt electric and hybrid vehicles through FAME Scheme - I & II etc. AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI 1/4  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report, 2024 Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has developed the SDG-NIF in consultation with concerned Min- istries, UN Agencies, and other stakeholders. This annual report facilitates monitoring of the SDGs' progress at national level. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is centered around 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets. Key highlights of SDG-NIF SDG Goals National Indicator 2015-16 2023-24 Proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty 24.85% 14.96 No Poverty Number of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) provided bank credit linkage (in Lakh) 18.32 14.96 Zero hunger Gross Value Added in agriculture per worker (in ₹) 61,427 87,609 Gender Equality Exclusive women SHGs in bank-linked SHGs 88.92% 97.53% Clean water and Percentage of population using an improved drinking water source in rural 94.57% 99.29% sanitation areas Reduced inequalities Percentage of budget allocated for welfare of SCs and STs 2.86% 6.19% Sustainable cities and Percentage of wards with 100% door to door waste collection 43% 97% communities Progress in other Goals Health and well-being (Goal 3) Maternal Mortality Ratio has declined from 130 per 1,00,000 live births in 2014-16 to 97 per 1,00,000 live births in 2018-20 Under-five mortality rate has declined from 43 per 1000 live births in 2015 to 32 per 1000 live births in 2020 Quality Education (Goal 4) Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher secondary education has increased from 48.32 in 2015-16 to 57.60 in 2021-22. The Ministry of Environment (MoEFCC) approved funds for next phase of Bustard Recovery Program The conservation program has been running since 2016 for long-term recovery of Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican. It is implemented by the Wildlife Institute of India and the next phase is proposed from 2024 to 2033. It includes habitat development, in-situ conservation, completion of the conservation breeding centre, releasing captive-bred birds, etc. About Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican Both are species of Bustards in India, and the other two are Bengal Florican and Houbara Bustard. Conservation Status Schedule I and IV of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 IUCN: Critically Endangered Appendix I of CITES. Great Indian Listed under Species Recovery Program. Bustard Behaviour and Characteristics: Males play no role in the incubation and care of the young. A grassland species, endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Omnivorous and opportunist eaters. Habitat: confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat; Small populations occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Conservation Status Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 IUCN: Critically Endangered Lesser Behaviour and Characteristics: Florican A grassland species, endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Male floricans are generally shorter and lighter than their female counterparts. Omnivorous and known for aerial courtship display Habitat: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI 2/4  ‘Impact of Climate Change on Marginal 'Constitutional Morality' essential to India's Farmers’ Report by FEED diversity: CJI Report was released by the Forum of Enterprises for Equita- Constitutional morality entails adherence to constitutional ble Development (FEED) which is dedicated to advocating for norms that enable the practice of the Constitution not only marginal farmers. in letters but also in spirit. It goes beyond the literal interpretation to encompass Key highlights a commitment to constitutional values such as sovereignty, social justice, and equality. Vulnerability due to extreme weather: Over 1/3rd of marginal farmers had to cope with extreme weather events at least British historian George Grote first coined the term. He emphasised the balance between freedom and twice in five years. restraint, where citizens obey constitutional authorities Reduction in agriculture income: Climate change may but also have the freedom to criticize them. reduce annual agricultural income by 15-18% and by 20- According to the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: 25% in unirrigated areas (Economic Survey of 2017- 18). Constitutional morality is necessary for the peaceful working of a democratic Constitution. However, it is not Livelihood Diversification: Over 86% of farmers altered a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated. their occupations due to climate impacts. Alternative A strong nexus exists between the form of livelihood includes temporal migration, seeking work administration and the form of the Constitution. under MGNREGA, etc. ♦ Thus, it is possible to undermine the Constitution, without changing its form by merely changing the Hurdles in adoption of CRA practices: High up-front cost, form of the administration and making it inconsistent limited knowledge about options, small land holdings and with the spirit of the Constitution. lack of physical resources are the major hurdles in adoption » Therefore, he favoured prescribing forms of of Climate Resilient Agricultural (CRA) practices. administration in the Constitution itself. Key Recommendations Some constitutional provisions related to Constitutional Mo- rality Strengthening existing platforms like the Global Alliance Fundamental Rights: Individuals’ rights against the for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA) developed by the arbitrary use of state power. FAO. Fundamental Duties: Citizens have responsibilities to the Shift focus from land productivity (grains produced per nation. hectare) to water productivity (grains produced per cubic Separation of power: Judicial review of legislative and meter of irrigation water). executive actions, legislative oversight of the executive, etc. Mission mode approach on Education, Training, Orientation, and Extension Support to farmers. Supreme Court Judgement related to Constitutional Moral- ity Categories of Farmers based on Landholding Krishnamoorthy case (2015): Court emphasised that Marginal: Less than 1 hectare constitutional morality is essential for good governance. Justice K S Puttaswamy case (2018): Court reiterated its Small: 1-2hectare duty to uphold constitutional morality by nullifying any law or Semi- Medium: 2-4 hectare executive action that contravenes the constitution. Navtej Singh Johar Case (2018): While striking down Section Medium: 4-10 hectare 377 of the IPC, the Court emphasizing constitutional morality Large: 10 hectare and above over societal morality. Also in News Santhal Rebellion Employees’ Pension Scheme The 169th anniversary of the Santhal rebellion is celebrated. EPS scheme has been amended to give proportionate withdrawal June 30 is celebrated as Hool diwas every year in commemoration benefits to members with less than six months of contributory ser- of rebellion. vice. About Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856) So far, completing 6 months of contributory service was mandatory for such withdrawal benefit. Leaders: Siddho, Kanho, Chand, and Bhairav, along with sisters Phulo and Jhano. About EPS 1995 Location: Rajmahal Hills Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment. Cause: exploitation and oppression of the Santhals by British Pension scheme: EPS is a “Defined Contribution-Defined Benefit” colonial authorities and moneylenders. Scheme. Employees’ Pension Fund is made up of contributions by: Karl Marx has referred to it as India’s first organised mass Employer @ 8.33% of wages; and revolution in his book Notes on Indian History. Central budget @ 1.16% of wages up to an amount of The Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act of 1876 enacted by the British Rs.15,000/- per month. after the rebellion. Withdrawal benefit: Given to EPS members who leave the scheme The territories called 'Santhal Paraganas' were created. before completing 10 years of contributory service. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non- Minimum Superannuation pension: Rs.1000 Santhal. AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI 3/4  Anti dumping duty Eco-friendly supercapacitors India initiates anti-dumping probe into import of glass fibre from Chi- Researchers at Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapur- na, Thailand, Bahrain am, have developed a method to produce activated carbon for super- About Anti dumping duty: capacitors from coconut husks. Dumping is said to occur when the goods are exported by a It can be used to attain sustainable and efficient green solutions country to another country at a price lower than its normal value. for high-performance supercapacitors. This is an unfair trade practice which can have a distortive Activated carbon acts as an ideal material for a supercapacitor effect on international trade. because of the high surface area. Purpose: protect domestic industry from cheap imports. A supercapacitor is an electrochemical energy storage device, The use of anti dumping measures as an instrument of fair which can be used to store and deliver charge by reversible competition is permitted by the WTO Anti-dumping Agreement. adsorption and desorption of ions. Shyok River Gandhi Sarovar Five soldiers died after a tank was swept away by Shyok river in La- dakh. A massive avalanche hit the Gandhi Sarovar also known as Chorabari Tal located near Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand. Shyok river Gandhi Sarovar It is a right tributary of the Indus River. Originally known as Kanti Sarovar. Originates from the Rimo glacier Originates from the Chorabari Bamak Glacier. and joined by Nubra River from the It is believed that at this Lake Lord Shiva imparted the knowledge north. of yoga to the Saptrishis. Shyok and Nubra are the main Kedarnath Temple rivers of Nubra Valley. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas (dedicated to bhagwan Shiva) in India. Drains northern Karakoram A part of the Char Dham circuit in the state (Yamunotri, Gangotri, mountains. and Badrinath are the remaining 3). Its placer deposit contains Gold. Shyok village on its riverbank is the last Indian village on the road to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), a military base near the India-China border. Liberalised Remittances Scheme (LRS) Smart City Mission Indians took out $17 billion in 2023-24 for overseas travel under the RBI’s LRS. About Liberalised Remittances Scheme Centre government has extended the Smart City Mission timeline till March, 2025. Genesis: Introduced in 2004 Benefit: all resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to About Smart City Mission freely remit up to USD 2,50,000 per financial year for any permissible Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). current or capital account transaction or a combination of both. It was launched in 2015 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. There are no restrictions on the frequency of remittances under Aimed at promoting cities that provide core infrastructure, a it. clean and sustainable environment, and a high quality of life The Scheme is not available to corporates, partnership firms, through the application of 'smart solutions'. Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), Trusts etc. Personality in news Prasanta Chandra (P.C.) Mahalanobis On ‘Statistics Day (June 29)’, MoSPI launched eSankhyiki portal to establish a comprehensive data management and facilitate ease of dissemination of official statistics in the country. Statistics Day celebrates birth Anniversary of P.C. Mahalanobis. P.C. Mahalanobis (1893-1972) Contributions: Founded the Indian Statistical Institute Established the National Sample Survey (1950) and set up Central Statistical Organisation. Shaped India’s second Five year Plan (1956-61), also called the Mahalanobis Plan. ♦ It focused on development of public sector and rapid industrialisation. Gave Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure. Recognition Received Padma Vibhushan. Establishement of Mahalanobis International Award given to individual for lifetime achievements in statistics in a developing country or region. ♦ Supported by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI 4/4 4/4