Current Affairs – 13th Apr 2024

Articles Covered

  1. Vice-President’s greetings on the eve of birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
  2. India Celebrates World Quantum Day 2024 – Aspires to lead in Quantum Science and Technology
  3. Great Barrier Reef
  4. Command Hospital becomes first in country to conduct successful piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants
  5. Volcanic Vortex Rings
  6. Government takes measures to operationalize Gas-based Power Plants to help meet Summer Electricity Demand
  7. Indian Institute of Spices Research develops three more microbial formulations to help farmers improve agricultural productivity
  8. BepiColombo
  9. IAF IN OPERATION MEGHDOOT
  10. Candidates have a right to privacy from voters: SC judgment
  11. Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme
  12. CURTAIN RAISER NAVAL INVESTITURE CEREMONY 2024
  13. invasive species threaten natural ecosystems

Vice-President’s greetings on the eve of birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

  • Ambedkar, a great son of Bharat, was not only the architect of the Indian Constitution but also a champion of social justice.
  • His relentless efforts towards eradicating social inequalities and discrimination continue to inspire generations. He pioneered social change to build an egalitarian India, through a constitutional framework promoting rule of law, civil liberties, gender equality, and empowerment of marginalized sections.

As we commemorate his birth anniversary, let us embrace the ideals laid by Dr. Ambedkar and work towards realizing his vision of a just and equitable society.

  1. BR Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer.
  2. Name:Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is popularly known as Babasaheb, meaning “respected father” in Marathi and Hindi.
  3. As an economist: He earned doctorates in economics from both Columbia University and the London School of Economics. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), was based on the ideas that Ambedkar presented to the Hilton Young Commission.

Anti-Caste Movement:

  1. Ambedkar was born into a poor low Mahar (dalit) caste, who were treated as untouchables and subjected to socio-economic discrimination. He campaigned against social discrimination towards the untouchables.
  2. In 1930, Ambedkar launched Kalaram Temple movementto enter Kalaram Temple.
  3. The Poona Pactwas an agreement made in 1932 between Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi on the reservation of electoral seats for the depressed classes in the legislature of British India government.
  4. In 1956, he converted to Buddhism initiating mass conversions of Dalits.
  • Architect of Constitution: He was independent India’s first law and justice minister.He was the architect of the Constitution of India by serving as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee.
  • Hindu Code Bills:Ambedkar recommended the adoption of a Uniform Civil Code. He resigned from the cabinet in 1951, when parliament stalled his draft of the Hindu Code Bill, which sought to enshrine gender equality in the laws of inheritance and marriage.

Political parties/groups formed by him:

  1. Depressed Classes Federation (DCF) in 1930.
  2. Independent Labour Party (ILP) in 1936.
  3. Scheduled Castes Federation (SCF) in 1942.

Key Literary works:

  1. Annihilation of Caste
  2. Rande, Gandhi and Jinnah
  3. Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development
  4. The Buddha and His Dhamma: It is the last book of Ambedkar which is a scripture for those who follow Navayana Buddhism.
  5. Waiting for a Visa:His autobiography.

Awards and Honours:

  1. In 1990, the Bharat Ratna was posthumously conferred upon Ambedkar.
  2. In honor of Ambedkar, Indian Constitution Day (National Law Day) is celebrated on 26 November.
  3. Ambedkar’s birthdate is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti. The United Nations has celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti since 2016.

India Celebrates World Quantum Day 2024 – Aspires to lead in Quantum Science and Technology

  1. India celebrates World Quantum Day 2024 on April 14, 2024, with aspirations to become a global leader in various fields of Quantum Science and Technology.
  2. Quantum Mechanics, the study of atoms and sub-atomic particles, has now advanced to such an extent that it has now moved to the engineering domain and is leading to novel and varied applications. Researchers worldwide have utilized its principles to develop technologies such as LEDs, lasers, and ultra-precise atomic clocks used in the Global Positioning System.
  3. Considerable attention is now being paid to controlling and manipulating quantum systems for Quantum Computing, Quantum Communications, and Quantum Sensing applications.
  4. To advance the awareness and appreciation of quantum science and technology among the public worldwide, an international initiative was taken in 2022, commemorated annually as the World Quantum Day on April 14th.

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India emphasized the global impact of quantum technology:

  • “Quantum Technology is the new technology frontier, reached after decades of fundamental research leading to our ability to exploit the principles of superposition, entanglement, and measurement.
  • It promises to lead to applications with immense potential for the global economy in areas ranging from medicine to the discovery of advanced materials, and from safe communication to extremely sensitive sensors.”
  • Discussing quantum technology’s global reach and the need to eliminate potential threats by quantum computers, Prof. Sood said, “Governments and private players in almost all scientifically advanced nations are investing heavily in its development and exploitation to tap its immense potential for enhancing computing, communication, and sensing capabilities with significant implications for national prosperity and security.
  • The threat emerging from quantum computers that breaches the encryption algorithms used by conventional computing systems needs to be addressed by PQC and QKD to make the world quantum-safe.
  • Ensuring ethical development and deployment of quantum technology will also become important as newer applications get developed, and for this, engagement with a wide range of stakeholders ─scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and the public ─ must continue.”
  • Regarding India’s plans to excel in quantum technology on the global stage, Prof. Sood expressed optimism and confidence and mentioned that India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM) will bolster India’s competitiveness by leveraging the national strengths built through previous R&D initiatives and strengthening them further in a focused and directed manner.
  • The National Quantum Mission (NQM), conceptualized by the Prime Minister Science Technology Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) received Cabinet approval on April 19, 2023 with a total outlay of Rs 6003.65 Crore for a period of eight years.

  • The Mission aims to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT). This will accelerate QT-led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country, and make India one of the leading nations in the development of QT and applications.
  • Being implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), NQM envisages well-orchestrated and synergistic efforts through a hub-spoke-spike model, involving Centres of Excellence (CoEs), consortia projects, individual scientist-centric projects, etc. This mission is guided by a Mission Governing Board (MGB) chaired by Dr. Ajai Chowdhry and assisted by the Mission Technology Research Council (MTRC) chaired by the PSA to the Government of India.
  • The Mission aims to establish four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in domains such as (i) Quantum Computing, (ii) Quantum Communication, (iii) Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and (iv) Quantum Materials & Devices. A Call for Pre-Proposals to establish T-Hubs was given on January 20, 2024, inviting contributions from academic institutions and R&D labs.
  • Underscoring DST’s pivotal role in taking India’s quantum mission forward, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, said, “India is one of the few countries making concerted efforts to leapfrog in quantum technologies and has reasons to be optimistic to become a leader in the area as it is still evolving. DST has taken up the challenge to build a world-class R&D capability in quantum technologies. Central to its efforts is the setting up of four hubs in Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices.”
  • Karandikar also underlined that NQM will be a consortium of academia and R&D labs in collaboration with startups and industry. This will help bring talents in the relevant areas across the country to work together for the development of the technology and its translation in myriad areas.
  • Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman, MGB and Founder HCL Technologies highlighted the importance of quantum technology in the digital economy and geopolitics for India:
  1. “On this World Quantum Day, the nation’s decision to embark on the National Quantum Mission and seize the opportunities presented by the quantum revolution is a source of immeasurable hope and delight.
  2. The imminent economic potential and consequential effects of quantum computing on worldwide digital economies are critical considerations for geopolitical strategies.
  3. The substantial financial investment of ₹6,000 crore in the National Quantum Mission will undoubtedly facilitate the advancement of research and innovation across numerous sectors, benefiting scientists, researchers, and startups throughout the country.”
  4. Chowdhry also stressed the importance of quantum cryptography and encryption as an indispensable component of protecting critical institutions such as Banks and Electrical grids which will be required to implement quantum cryptography to improve security. He reiterated his confidence that the country will endeavour to achieve predetermined standards in the realm of QT by NQM.
  • Urbasi Sinha, Quantum Information and Computing Lab, Raman Research Institute and India Representative on the World Quantum Day Network shared her remarks on NQM: “As a country representative for the World Quantum Day network, I am very excited with the boom in quantum technologies that the country is currently witnessing with the impetus that has been received through the National Quantum Mission and look forward to contributing majorly to all the above efforts as a part of the Mission.”
  • Asserting the importance of research and development on Quantum Communications, Prof. Sinha said, “India has made significant advances in the domain of secure quantum communications, both in fibre as well as free space domain with several ground-based milestones achieved over the last few years.
  • Through the National Quantum Mission and beyond, we are looking forward to further leaps in long-distance quantum communications.
  • We are aiming to have a country-wide free space quantum key distribution (QKD) network by using a satellite as a trusted node as well as a fibre-based QKD network.
  • We will also make advances towards multi-node quantum repeater networks for entanglement distribution-based quantum communication.
  • Going forward, India envisages being a lead player in the quest towards the global quantum internet, which would involve connecting India with other countries through quantum communication links.”
  • Conveying his good wishes on the occasion of World Quantum Day, Prof. R Vijayraghavan, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research said, “With the launch of the National Quantum Mission, India is gearing up to develop not only quantum software but also build state-of-the-art quantum computing hardware for practical applications. Happy World Quantum Day!”

Great Barrier Reef

New evidence from the Australian Marine Conservation Society revealed that the coral bleaching observed earlier this year in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef is far worse than expected.

  1. It is a complex of coral reefs, shoals, and islets in the Pacific Ocean.
  2. It is located off the northeastern coast of Australia in the Coral Sea.
  3. It is the longest and largest reef complex in the world. It is the largest living structure on Earth.
  4. It extends in roughly a northwest-southeast direction for more than 2,300 km, at an offshore distance ranging from 16 to 160 km, and its width ranges from 60 to 250 km.
  5. It has an area of some 350,000 square km.
  6. The reef, which is large enough to be visible from space, is made up of nearly 3,000 individual reefs and over 900 islands.
  7. UNESCO declared the Great Barrier Reef a WHS IN 1981
  8. Much of the Great Barrier Reef is a marine protected area, managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority of Australia.

Biodiversity:

  • It is estimated that the reef is home to around 2000 species of fishand around 600 different coral species.
  • It is home to 4,000 mollusk speciesand over 250 different shrimp species.
  • The reef is also home to six of the seven known species of sea turtles, more than a dozen sea snakes, and nearly two dozen species of birds.

Command Hospital becomes first in country to conduct successful piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants

  • The operations were performed on a seven-year-old boy suffering from congenital external and middle ear anomalies with severe degree of hearing loss and an adult with single-sided deafness (SSD).

The Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) department at Command Hospital (Southern Command) in Pune conducted two piezoelectric Bone Conduction Hearing Implants (BCI), becoming the first government hospital across the country to procure and conduct successful piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants.

  • The Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) department at Command Hospital in Pune conducted two piezoelectric Bone Conduction Hearing Implants (BCI)
  • It became the first government hospital across the countryto procure and conduct successful piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants.

Active Piezoelectric Bone Conduction hearing implant system: 

  1. It is an implantable medical electronic device for hearing impaired patients [conductive loss (including aural atresia), mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness]
  2. Bone conduction implantation is the definitive hearing solution for certain groups of patients with conductive/ mixed hearing loss or patients with single sided deafness, who are not candidates for cochlear implantation and do not benefit with hearing aids or middle-ear surgery.

Bone Conduction:

  • Discovery:It was discovered by Ludwig van Beethoven,the famous 18th century composer who was almost completely deaf. Beethoven found a way to hear the sound of the piano through his jawbone by attaching a rod to his piano and clenching it in his teeth.

Ways of Hearing:

  • Eardrums (air-conducted or air-transmitted):
  • The vibrations from the environment travel through the air to our eardrums.
  • The eardrums in turn vibrate, decoding these sound waves into a different type of vibrations that are received by the Cochlea, also known as the inner ear.
  • The Cochlea is connected to our auditory nerve, which transmits the sounds to our brain.
  • Bones (bone-conducted or bone-transmitted):
  • Bone Conduction bypasses the eardrums whereby the bone conduction devices (such as headphones) perform the role of eardrums.
  • These devices decode sound waves and convert them into vibrations that can be received directly by the Cochlea so the eardrum is never involved.
  • The sound reaches the ears as vibrations through the bones (or skull) and skin.

Piezo electricity

  • Literally it means electricity resulting from pressure and latent heat
  • It is the electric charge that accumulates in certain solid materials (crystals, certain ceramics, and biological matter such as bone, DNA, and various proteins) in response to applied mechanical stress.

Applications: 

  1. The production and detection of sound, piezoelectric inkjet printing, generation of high voltage electricity, as a clock generator in electronic devices.
  2. It is used in the pickups of some electronically amplified guitars and as triggers in most modern electronic drums.
  3. Everyday uses: Generating sparks to ignite gas cooking and heating devices, torches, and cigarette lighters.

Volcanic Vortex Rings

Mount Etna volcano has been sending up almost perfect rings of smoke into the air which are a rare phenomenon that scientists refer to as volcanic vortex rings.

  • Vortex rings are generated when gas,predominantly water vapour, is released rapidly through a vent in the crater.
  • The rings can remain in the air for up to 10 minutes, but tend to disintegrate quickly if conditions are windy and turbulent.
  • This phenomenon was first observed at Etna and Vesuviusin Italy in 1724.
  • In more recent times, volcanic vortex rings have been observed at volcanoes such as

Redoubt in Alaska, Tungurahua in Ecuador, Pacaya in Guatemala, Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla in Iceland, Stromboli in Italy, Aso and Sakurajima in Japan, Yasur in Vanuatu, Whakaari in New Zealand, and Momotombo in Nicaragua.

Key facts about Mount Etna

  1. It is sometimes referred to simply as Etna, is an active volcanoon the east coast of Sicily, the largest island in the MEDITERRANIAN SEA
  2. Etna’s peak is the highest in Italy south of the Alps,and it is Europe’s largest and one of the most active volcanoes.
  3. Etna’s summit has five craters, which are responsible for most of the volcano’s eruptions; there are also “flank” eruptions that occur out of 300-odd vents of varying sizes along the slopes of the mountain.
  4. It is in almost constant activity, and has seen, since the year 1600, at least 60 flank eruptions and many more summit eruptions.

Government takes measures to operationalize Gas-based Power Plants to help meet Summer Electricity Demand

Section 11 Directions issued to ensure Maximum Power Generation from Gas-based Generating Stations

  1. In order to help meet the high electricity demand in the country during the summer season, the Government of India has decided to operationalize gas-based power plants.
  2. To ensure maximum power generation from Gas-Based Generating Stations, the Government has issued directions to all Gas-Based Generating Stations under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (under which the appropriate government may specify that a generating company shall, in extraordinary circumstances operate and maintain any generating station in accordance with the directions of that Government).
  3. A significant portion of the Gas-Based Generating Stations (GBSs) is currently unutilized, primarily due to commercial considerations.
  4. The order under Section 11, which is on similar lines as done for imported-coal-based power plants, aims to optimise the availability of power from Gas-Based Generating Stations during the ensuing high demand period.
  5. The order shall remain valid for generation and supply of power from May 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.

GRID-INDIA to inform Gas-based Generating Stations of Power Requirement

  1. As per the arrangement, GRID-INDIA will inform the Gas-based Generating Stations in advance, of the number of days for which Gas-based power is required.
  2. Gas-Based Generating Stations holding Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Distribution Licensees shall first offer their power to PPA holders. If the power offered is not utilised by any PPA holder, then it shall be offered in the power market.
  3. Gas-Based Generating Stations not tied to PPAs must offer their generation in the power market. A high-level committee headed by Chairperson; Central Electricity Authorityhas been constituted to facilitate the implementation of this direction.
  4. The decision to operationalize gas-based generating stations is part of a series of measures taken by the Government of India, to ensure that the electricity demand in the summer season is met.
  5. The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh held a series of meetings on this, emphasizing the need for ensuring adequate availability of power to meet the load during the hot-weather season.

Other Measures to Meet Summer Electricity Demand

The government has taken the following measures to meet the summer demand, apart from the decision on gas-based generating stations:

  1. Planned Maintenance of Power Plants to be shifted to Monsoon Season
  2. New Capacity Additions to be Speeded up
  3. Partial Outages of Thermal Power Plants being brought down
  4. Surplus Power with Captive Generating Stations to be Utilized
  5. Surplus Power to be offered for sale in Energy Exchange
  6. Section 11 Directions for Imported-Coal-Based Power Plants, to make full capacity available for generation
  7. Shifting of hydro power generation to peak hours
  8. Advance planning by all stakeholders to ensure coal availability

India’s electricity demand has been rising rapidly, driven by economic growth, particularly during hot-weather and high-demand periods. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country during the 2024 hot weather season. The above measures are being taken in this context, in anticipation of the high electricity demand during the season.

Indian Institute of Spices Research develops three more microbial formulations to help farmers improve agricultural productivity

Three new microbial formulations based on granular lime and gypsum have been developed and validated by the ICAR- Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode.

Microbial Formulation:

  1. It refers to a combination of one or more microbial strains/species conjugated with a safe, economical, and easy-to-use material as the carrier.
  2. Application: They are utilized in a myriad of industrial sectors, including food, agriculture, and sewage water treatment, as biocontrol agents, and in phytoremediation
  • The formulations are Bactolime, Bactogypsum and Trichogypsum were developed using IISR’s own patent applied-technology.
  • Bactolime: It integratesbeneficial bacteria or plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria with liming materialinto a single formulation.
  • The bacteria will ensure the availability of essential nutrients to plants and help in enhancing nutrient use efficiency.
  • It will integrate liming material and beneficial bacteria to perform the function of improving the low pH of the soil and ensuring delivery of plant beneficial bacteria through a single product.
  • Bacto Gypsum and Trichogypsum:These are gypsum-based bacterial formulations.
  • They will act by buffering the soil pH to a near-neutral level,creating a favourable environment for the establishment of the microbes.
  • This will improve the physical condition of the soil, enhance the availability of secondary nutrients, and boost overall microbial activity. 
  • Another product using this formulation technology,Tricholime, which integrates Trichoderma and lime,was released a few months ago.

Use of Gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) in Agriculture:

  1. Source of calcium and sulphur for plant nutrition: Gypsum is an excellent source of sulphur and calcium for plant nutrition and improving crop yield as calcium is essential for most nutrients to be absorbed by plants roots and helps stimulate root growth.
  2. Improves acidic soils and treats aluminum toxicity: Gypsum has the ability to reduce aluminum toxicity, which often accompanies soil acidity, particularly in subsoils.
  3. Surface-applied gypsum leeches down to the subsoil and results in increased root growth.
  4. Improves soil structure: Gypsum has been used to improve aggregation (Flocculation) and inhibit or overcome dispersion in sodic soils. Soluble calcium enhances soil aggregation and porosity to improve water infiltration
  5. Flocculation is needed to give favourable soil structure for root growth and air and water movement.

Helps reduce runoff and erosion: Using gypsum as a soil amendment is the most economical way to cut the non-point run-off pollution of phosphorus.

BepiColombo

A fleeting visit by the BepiColombo mission to Venus has revealed surprising insights into how gases are stripped away from the upper layers of the planet’s atmosphere.

  • It is an international mission comprised of two spacecraft ridingtogether to Mercuryto orbit and study the planet from unique vantage points.
  • The primary scientific objectives of the mission are to study Mercury’s magnetic field,its composition, the geologyof its surface, and its interaction with the solar wind.
  • The mission will also investigate the planet’s exosphereand study its geological history.
  • The spacecraft were launched onOctober 20, 2018, aboard an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana. It is scheduled to begin orbiting Mercury in 2025.
  • It is a joint project betweenthe European Space Agency(ESA) and the Japanese counterpart JAXA.
  1. ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter(MPO) will study the planet’s surface and interior.
  2. JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter(MIO) will study the planet’s magnetic field.
  3. ESAis also responsible for the launcher, the interplanetary cruising engine, and the placement of BepiColombo into Mercury’s orbit.

The mission was named after Giuseppe “Bepi” Colombo, an Italian mathematician and engineer who made significant contributions to the understanding of Mercury’s orbit.

It will be the second mission ever to orbit Mercury and the most complex one.

IAF IN OPERATION MEGHDOOT

  • Meghdoot was launched on 13 April 1984, when the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) advanced to the Siachen glacier to secure the heights dominating the Northern Ladakh region. The operation involved the airlifting of Indian Army soldiers by the IAF and dropping them on the glacial peaks.
  • Although the operation began in 1984, IAF helicopters were already operating in the Siachen Glacier since 1978, flying the Chetak helicopters which was the first IAF helicopter to land in the Glacier in October 1978.
  1. By 1984, Pakistan’s cartographic aggression in the uncharted territory of Ladakh, allowing foreign mountaineering expeditions in Siachen, was becoming a cause of concern. Having received intelligence inputs about an impending Pakistani military action in the area, India decided to thwart Pakistan’s efforts to legitimize its claim on Siachen.
  2. The Indian Army launched Operation Meghdoot, to secure strategic heights on Siachen with the deployment of troops.
  3. Playing an irreplaceable role in this effort, IAF’s tactical and strategic airlifters, An-12s, An-32s and IL-76s transported stores and troops and air-dropped supplies to high altitude airfields, from where Mi-17, Mi-8, Chetak and Cheetah helicopters ferried men and material to dizzying heights on the glacier, far above the limits set by the helicopter manufacturers.
  4. Soon, about 300-odd troops were positioned on the strategically important peaks and passes of the glacier. By the time the Pakistan army reacted by advancing its own troops, the Indian Army was occupying strategically crucial mountain peaks and passes, thereby gaining a tactical advantage.
  5. In extending valuable support to the Army’s fight for maintaining military dominance on this desolate glacier since April 1984, the IAF’s incredible performance at the extremes of temperature and altitude remains a continuing saga of fortitude and skill.
  6. While the initial operations involved only the use of transport and helicopter aircraft transporting men and material, the IAF gradually expanded its role and presence in the region with the deployment of fighter aircraft as well.
  7. The IAF’s Hunter aircraft kick-started fighter operations from the high-altitude airfield at Leh, when a detachment of Hunters from No 27 Squadron commenced operations in September 1984.
  8. In the next couple of years, the Hunters flew an impressive total of more than 700 sorties from Leh. As an increasingly large number of fighters sweeps and simulated strikes began to be carried out over the glacier itself, it served as the ultimate morale booster for Indian troops deployed on the glacier, and sent a stern message to the adversary to avoid any misadventures in the area.
  9. Later, live armament sorties were carried out at the high-altitude firing range at Kar Tso, south of Leh. With the ground infrastructure becoming more conducive for fighter flying, MiG-23s and MiG-29s also started operating from Leh and Thoise.
  10. The IAF also inducted the Cheetal helicopters for operating in the glacier in 2009. The Cheetal is a Cheetah helicopter which is re-engineered with a TM 333 2M2 engine having better reliability and load carrying capability at high altitude.
  11. More recently, on 20 August 2013, in a significant show of capability, the IAF landed one of its latest acquisitions, the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules four-engine transport aircraft at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the world’s highest airstrip, near the line of actual control in Ladakh.
  12. Today, nearly all the aircraft of the IAF including Rafale, Su-30MKI, Chinook, Apache, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III & Mk IV, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, C-17, C-130 J, IL-76 and An-32 operate in support of Op Meghdoot.

In the highest battlefield in the world, known for its extreme climatic conditions, IAF helicopters form the lifeline and the sole link of Indian troops with the outside world, playing a critical role in continuing the four-decade old military operation; responding to emergencies, supplying essential logistics and evacuating the sick and wounded from the 78 km long glacier. Flying in such ruthless terrain, records of human endurance, flying and technical proficiency are being set by the IAF nearly every day.

Candidates have a right to privacy from voters: SC judgment

They need not bare details which are of no concern to voters or of relevance to the candidature for public office, SC said

The Supreme Court on April 9 held that an election candidate has a right to privacy from voters and need not lay out every scrap of his or her personal life and possessions, past and present, for the electorate to examine with a magnifying glass.

  • A Bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Kumar said a candidate’s choice to retain his privacy on matters which were of no concern to the voters or were irrelevant to his candidature for public office did not amount to a ‘corrupt practice’ under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. Such non-disclosure would not amount to a “defect of a substantial nature” under Section 36(4) of the 1951 Act.

Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that election candidates have a right to privacy and are not required to disclose every detail of their personal life and belongings to voters.

Voters have the right to access information necessary for selecting the candidate they wish to vote for.

The key points from the SC judgment

  • Legal Clarification: A candidate’s decision to maintain privacy on matters irrelevant to voters or their candidacy is not considered a ‘corrupt practice’ under the Representation of People Act, 1951.

(RPA) Representation of the People Act 1951

  1. It governs how elections are carried out.
  2. It outlines the requirements and restrictions for becoming a member of the houses.
  3. It includes measures to prevent corrupt behaviors and other crimes.
  4. It establishes the process for resolving uncertainties and disputes that arise from elections.

Significance: It prohibits corrupt behaviors such as booth capturing, bribery, or inciting enmity, ensuring the fairness and integrity of elections.

  1. Non-disclosure Not a Significant Defect: The justices stated that such non-disclosure does not constitute a “defect of a substantial nature” under the Act.
  2. No compulsion to disclose all information: Candidates are not compelled to disclose every aspect of their life to voters for scrutiny at a time of declaring their assets during elections.
  3. SC clarified that candidates don’t need to disclose every small item of movable property, like clothes, shoes, or stationery, unless they hold significant value or reflect on the candidate’s lifestyle and candidacy.

Right to Privacy

  1. There is no specific provision for this right in the constitution.
  2. However, the extension of Article 21 – the right to life and liberty covers all these areas.
  3. It safeguards the individual’s personal space from both State and non-State actors.
  4. It allows individual to take life decisions without external interference.
  • Assessment of Asset Disclosure: The court stated that each case must be evaluated individually to determine if the non-disclosure of significant assets constitutes a defect or not.
  • Non-Disclosure of luxurious items like Expensive watches:Not sharing details about luxurious items would be considered a substantial defect.
  • Non-Disclosure Inexpensive Items: If a candidate and their family own simple, inexpensive assets such as simple watches, omitting their value may not be seen as a problem.
  • Objective of Disclosure of assets: As per SC judgment, The candidates’ declaration of assets aimed to promote democratic participation among citizens and empower voters with information to make informed and thoughtful voting decisions.

Section 123(2) [corrupt practices] of the Act of 195

  1. Section 123(2) deals with undue influence, which occurs when a candidate interferes, directly or indirectly, with voters’ ability to freely exercise their electoral rights.
  2. This interference can include threats of harm, social isolation, or expulsion from a caste or community.

Previous Legal Case Overview

  1. The legal case is from Arunachal Pradesh where MLA Karikho Kri challenged a Gauhati High Court decision for voiding his election to the 44-Tezu Assembly Constituency.
  2. Kri had won the elections on May 23, 2019, as an independent candidate.
  3. The Gauhati High Court ruled against Kri for not declaring three vehicles as assets in his election affidavit filed in Form No 26 appended to the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961.
  4. The vehicles in question were a Kinetic Zing Scooty, a Maruti Omni van used as an ambulance, and a TVS Star City motorcycle. 
  5. The scooter was sold as scrap in 2009, and the other two vehicles were also sold. However, the High Court did not review the buyers’ statements.
  6. Supreme Court Decision in this case The Supreme Court sided with Kri, stating that once sold, vehicles cannot be considered assets of the candidate.
  7. Non-disclosure of these vehicles cannot be seen as an attempt on his [Kri] part to influence voters improperly.

Therefore, the omission of the three vehicles from disclosure does not constitute a violation of Section 123(2) [corrupt practices] of the Act of 1951.

Other Corrupt practices under the RPA, 1951

  • Section 123 of the Act: It outlines corrupt practices, including bribery, undue influence, spreading false information, and inciting enmity.
  • Section 123(3): It prohibits candidates from using their race, caste, community, or language to gain votes.
  • Section 123(4): It expands the definition of corrupt practices to include intentionally spreading false statements that could affect the outcome of the election.

 

According to the Act, an elected representative can lose their position for:

  1. Being convicted of certain offenses.
  2. Involvement in corrupt practices.
  3. Failing to declare election expenses.
  4. Having interests in government contracts or works.

Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme

According to recent data, nearly 75% of the allocated funds to the 39 Members of Parliament (MPs) in Tamil Nadu under the MPLADS from 2019 to 2024 have not been utilised so far.

  • It is an ongoing Central Sector Schemewhich was launched in 1993-94.
  • Objective:The Scheme enables the Members of Parliament to recommend works for creation of durable community assets based on locally felt needs to be taken up in their constituencies in the area of national priorities namely drinking water, education, public health, sanitation, roads etc.

Under the scheme annual MPLADS fund entitlement per MP constituency is Rs. 5 crores.

  1. Lok Sabha Members can recommend works within their Constituencies.
  2. The Rajya Sabha Membersof Parliament can recommend works in one or more districts in the State from where he/she has been elected.
  3. The Nominated Membersof the LS AND RS may select any one or more Districts from any one State in the Country for implementation of their choice of work under the scheme.
  4. MPs are to recommend every year, works costing at least 15 per centof the MPLADS entitlement for the year for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste population and 5 per cent for areas inhabited by S.T. population.
  5. In case an elected MP wishes to contribute MPLADS funds outside the constituency or the State/UT, they can recommend work up to Rs 25 lakh in a financial year.
  6. MPs do not directly receive funds under MPLADS. The Centre directly transfers the sanctioned amount in two installments of Rs. 2.5 crore to the district authorities of the concerned MP’s nodal district after a recommended project gets approval.

Implementation

  1. The role of an MP is, however, limited to the recommendation of a project.
  2. The onus is on the district authority to sanction, execute and complete the recommended project within a particular timeframe.

Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has been responsible for the policy formulation, release of funds and prescribing monitoring mechanism for implementation of the Scheme.

CURTAIN RAISER NAVAL INVESTITURE CEREMONY 2024

Chief of the Naval Staff to Present Gallantry & Distinguished Service Medals during Naval Investiture Ceremony at Goa

  • Naval Investiture Ceremony 2024 will be held at INS Hansa, Goa on 14 April 2024 to felicitate Naval personnel who have demonstrated gallantry, leadership, professional accomplishment and distinguished service of a high order.
  • During the ceremony Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) will confer Gallantry and Distinguished Service awards to the recipients on behalf of the Hon’ble President of India.
  • The awards being presented during the ceremony, include Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty) and Vishisht Seva Medals.
  • The CNS will also present the Capt Ravi Dhir Memorial Gold Medal for promoting Flight Safety and the Lt VK Jain Memorial Gold Medal for pioneering research in the field of Weapon Improvement and Electrical Engineering. Unit Citations to various units will also be awarded during the ceremony.

The event would commence with a ceremonial parade and will be witnessed by the spouses and family members of awardees along with several senior officials of the Indian Navy.

The ceremony will be live streamed over the ‘Indian Navy YouTube’ Channel from 5:00 PM onwards on 14 April 2024.

invasive species threaten natural ecosystems

As the invasive chital eats away at Andamans’ forest cover, a look at what invasive alien species is, and why they pose a threat to a place’s natural flora and fauna.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration recently sought help from the Wildlife Institute of India to manage the teeming population of chital (spotted deer) in Ross Island (officially known as the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island).

Chital (Spotted Deer or Axis Deer):

  1. It is a herbivore animal and found in deciduous or semi evergreen forests and open grasslands.
  2. It is protected under Schedule-III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

IUCN status of chital is least concern.

Chital, native to mainland India, were introduced to the tiny island by the British in the early 20th century. Having no natural predators or competitors, and being good swimmers, chital swiftly spread across the Andamans.

Invasive Alien Species (IAS):

  • Defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): It defines IAS as “species whose introduction and/or spread outside their natural past or present distribution threatens biological diversity”. 
  • These include animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms, and can influence all kinds of ecosystems.
  • As per CBD, IAS need an introduction either through natural or human intervention, survive on native food resources, reproduce at a fast rate, and edge out native species in the competition over resources.
  • Example: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) found that the co-occurrence of lantana and Pogostemon benghalensis caused“significant decline in the richness of native plants and that of palatable plants” in Madhya Pradesh’s Kanha Tiger Reserve.

Some Examples of Invasive Wildlife in India:

  1. The list of invasive wildlife in India is dominated by certain species of fish such as the African catfish, Nile tilapia, red-bellied piranha, and alligator gar, and turtle species such as the red-eared slider.
  2. Lantana camara: Its invasion has resulted in the scarcity of native forage plants for wild herbivores; it has invaded more than 40% of India’s tiger range.
  3. Prosopis Chilensis: A drought-resistant plant native to the arid regions of South American countries is threatening the native vegetation of islands in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.
  4. Prosopis juliflora: It is a water-guzzling invasive species which extracts maximum water from the ground impacting the groundwater levels adversely affecting local biodiversity and ecology

Reason for the Spread of Invasive Alien Species (IAS):

  • Globalization: It has resulted in greater trade, transport, travel and tourism, all of which can facilitate theintroduction and spread of Invasive Alien Species.
  • Climate Change:Warming temperatures and climate change could favour the “expansion of invasive species’’.
  • Example: Warmer winters allow insects like the Asian longhorned beetle(native to eastern Asia) to survive in colder regions, posing a threat to hardwood forests.
  • Habitat Degradation:With rising urbanisation, construction projects, deforestation, and unsustainable land-use changes are also increasing and disrupting and degrading the native ecosystems and allowing IAS to establish themselves in those habitats easily.
  • Anthropogenic Reasons:Some IAS were intentionally introduced for economic reasons, such as agriculture, aquaculture, or ornamental plants.
  • Example: Lantana camarais a commonly found decorative plant, and has colonised national parks across the country. Its spread has resulted in changes in ecosystem function, and the shrinking of native species indigenous to a particular region.
  • Inadequate Biosecurity Measures: Measures such as inadequate inspection protocols for imported goods, insufficient regulations on the movement of potentially IAS are one of the major reasons for the spread of IAS.
  • Lack of Awareness:Public ignorance, inadequate management strategies, and insufficient funding and resources for research, monitoring, and eradication programs are other major reasons for the spread of IAS.

Challenges of Invasive Alien Species (IAS):

1.Ecological Challenges:

  • Impact on the Balance of the Ecosystem: IAS act as disruptors in the food chain and disturb the balance of the ecosystem. In habitats where there is no competition, IAS can dominate the entire ecosystem.
  • Examples:In Keoladeo Park, Bharatpur in Rajasthan, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the African catfish has been known to prey on water fowls and migratory birds as well.
  • The proliferation of chital in the Andamans has affected the regeneration of native vegetation, as the deer are known to consume seeds and seedlings.
  • Threat to Biodiversity:IAS are one of the five major direct drivers of biodiversity loss globally, alongside land and sea use change, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, and pollution.
  • IAS have been a major factor in 60% and the only driver in 16% of global animal and plant extinctions that have been recorded, and at least 218 invasive alien species have been responsible for more than 1,200 local extinctions.
  • Impact on Climate Change:Climate change is predicted to increase the competitive ability of some IAS, extending the area suitable for them and offering new opportunities for introductions and establishment. IAS can also amplify the impacts of climate change.
  • IAS reduces the resilience of natural habitats, making them more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. 
  • Example: Some grasses and trees that have become IAS can significantly alter fire regimes, especially in areas that are becoming warmer and drier.
  • IAS,especially trees and grasses, can sometimes be highly flammable and promote more intense fires.

2.Challenges on Regulations:

  • Narrowly Defined: In India, thelegal definition of IAS under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (amended in 2022), is narrower. IAS are defined as “species of animal or plant which is not native to India, and whose introduction or spread may threaten or adversely impact wildlife or its habitat.” 
  • It leaves out species within India which might be invasive to a particular region like the chital in Andamans, which are protected in mainland India, but have become a menace in the island chain.
  • Weak Threat Management:Only 17% have enacted specific national laws or regulations for IAS management.
  • 45% of all countries do not invest in the management of IAS. It escalates the threat of IAS spilling over into neighboring states.

Geographical Implications:

  • Progressive Increase: It is estimated that by 2050, the total number of alien species will be 33% higher than the number observed in 2005.
  • High Geographical Impact: 34% of the impacts of biological invasions were reported from the Americas, 31% from Europe and Central Asia, 25% from Asia and the Pacific and about 7% from Africa.
  • Most negative impacts are reported on land (about 75%) with considerably fewer reported in freshwater (14%) and marine (10%) habitats.
  • IAS are most damaging on islands, with numbers of alien plants now exceeding the number of native plants on more than 25% of all islands.

3.Socio-economic Challenges:

  1. Cultural and Recreational Impacts: Invasive plants may alter the aesthetics of landscapes, impacting recreational experiences and consecutively affects thetourism sector and local economy of the region.
  2. Social Implications: Disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
  3. These impacts exacerbate existing inequities, posing threats to livelihoods and exacerbating environmental degradation in already vulnerable areas.
  4. Spread of Diseases:IAS like Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti spread diseases such as malaria, Zika and West Nile Fever.
  5. High Anthropogenic Introduction:As per Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report, 37,000 alien species have been introduced by human activities to regions and biomes around the world.
  6. Many IAS have been intentionally introduced for their perceived benefits,without consideration or knowledge of their negative impacts.
  7. Impact on Food Supply:The reduction of food supply is the most common impact of alien invasive species.
  8. Example: Caribbean false mussels have damaged locally important fishery resources in Kerala, by wiping out native clams and oysters.
  9. As per Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report,the global economic cost of IAS was over $423 billion annually in 2019. These costs arise out of the damage IAS inflict on an area’s natural ecosystem.
  10. IAS cost the Indian economy$127.3 billion (Rs. 8.3 trillion) in the last 6 decades.
  11. As per India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan of 2019, published by the National Biodiversity Authority, the cotton mealy bug (Phenacoccus solenopsis) is an invasive species native to North America, which has severely affected cotton crops in the Deccan, leading to yield losses.
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