Current Affairs – 13th Feb 2024
Articles Covered:
- Earth-wide telescope confirms black hole shadow is ‘real’
- Law Commission Report suggests creation of Epidemic Plan and Standard Operation Procedure to deal with future epidemics
- Looking at taking forward India-U.A.E. comprehensive strategic partnership: PM Modi
- SC says jail, not bail, is the rule under the UAPA: How courts have been granting bail in UAPA cases
- Wayanad elephant kills man: Behind escalating human-animal conflict in Kerala
- Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi skips customary Assembly address, hits out at Speaker M Appavu
- Not unconstitutional to appoint deputy chief ministers: Supreme Court
- Swachhata Green Leaf Rating System: A Noble Initiative Awaiting Implementation
- Gupteswar forest in Odisha declared as Bio-Diversity Heritage site
Earth-wide telescope confirms black hole shadow is ‘real’:
The Event Horizon Telescope is a worldwide network of radio telescopes that work together
EVENT HORIZON TELESCOPE:
Scientists have obtained the first image of a black hole, using Event Horizon Telescope observations of the center of the galaxy M87.
The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is a planet-scale array of eight ground-based radio telescopes forged through international collaboration. The EHT links telescopes around the globe to form an Earth-sized virtual telescope with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution.
Event Horizon Telescope:
- The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is a large telescope array consisting of a global network of radio telescopes.
- The collaboration draws on a wide range of expertise and includes over 200 scientists and engineers working with telescopes around the world.
- The resolution of a radio image is limited by the size of the telescope that receives the signal.
- For that reason, scientists have built antennas in groups, or arrays, to increase their functional size.
- Information from multiple telescopes in an array can be combined as though it came from a single larger dish.
EHT array: Following Telescopes are part of it –
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Objective: The EHT was designed to capture images of a black hole. It offers scientists a new way to study the most extreme objects in the Universe predicted by Einstein’s general relativity during the centennial year of the historic experiment that first confirmed the theory.
Bodies involved: Thirteen partner institutions worked together to create the EHT. Key funding was provided by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), the EU’s European Research Council (ERC), and funding agencies in East Asia.
Technique Used: The EHT observations use a technique called very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI).
- A black hole is a place in space where gravitational force is so high that even light cannot get out.
- The gravity is so strong because the matter has been squeezedinto a tiny space. This can happen when a star is dying.
- Because no light can get out, one can’t see black holes. They are invisible.
- High configuration space telescopes can help find black holes.
- Black holes in the modern sense werefirst predicted as a consequence of Albert Einstein’s general Theory of relativity in 1915.
Types of Black Hole:
Black holes are mainly of two types, i.e.
- Stellar-mass black hole
- Supermassive black hole
- Stellar black holes are made when the centre of a very big star falls in upon itself, or collapses. When this happens, it causes a supernova.
- A supernova is an exploding star that blasts part of the star into space.
- Stellar black holes have mass ranging from 5 to 60 timesthe mass of Sun.
- On the other hand, Supermassive black holes have mass many millions of times more than Sun.
- Most galaxies have a supermassive black holeat their centre.
- The one at the centre of our own Milky Way galaxy, Sagittarius A, has some 4 million times our Sun’s mass.
Inside a Black Hole
- At the core of a black hole, all the black hole’s mass is concentrated into a tiny point of infinite density. This point is known as a singularity.
difference between a Black Hole and a Neutron Star
- Like black holes, neutron star is formed due to the process known as supernova explosion when the centre of a very big star falls in upon itself, or collapses.
- The major difference between a black hole and a neutron star is the mass of these celestial bodies.
- The mass of a neutron star is generally 1 to 3 times the mass of Sun. Anything greater than that will be identified as a black hole.
- Another big difference between the two is that a neutron star would be having a hard surface while a black hole does not have a surface.
Law Commission Report suggests creation of Epidemic Plan and Standard Operation Procedure to deal with future epidemics
Highlighting the limitations of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (EDA), the 286th Law Commission Report states “the management, control and prevention of epidemic diseases cannot be restricted to a century-old law.”
- The 286th Law Commission Report recommended creation of an Epidemic Plan and Standard Operation Procedure to address future epidemics, underlining there is no clear demarcation between the powers of the Centre, state, and local authorities during an epidemic, which leads to uncoordinated responses.
- Highlighting the limitations of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (EDA), the 286th Law Commission Report states “the management, control and prevention of epidemic diseases cannot be restricted to a century-old law.”
- The report notes that the EDA was not designed to combat modern issues with the spread of infectious diseases. Globalisation and increased connectivity, it states, can result in infectious diseases rapidly turning into epidemics or pandemics.
Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897
- The Epidemic Diseases Act was introduced by the Britishto tackle the epidemic of bubonic plague that broke out in the then state of Bombay.
- This law aims to provide for the better prevention of the spread of dangerous epidemic diseases. Under the act, temporary provisions or regulations can be made to be observed by the public to tackle or prevent the outbreak of a disease.
- Section 2A of the Actempowers the central government to take steps to prevent the spread of an epidemic. It allows the government to inspect any ship arriving or leaving any post and the power to detain any person intending to sail or arriving in the country.
- Section 3provides penalties for disobeying any regulation or order made under the Act. These are according to section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).
- Section 4gives legal protection to the implementing officers acting under the Act.
- The Epidemics Diseases Act is routinely enforced across the country for dealing with outbreaks of diseases such as Swine Flu, Dengue.
For Example, in 2009, to tackle the swine flu outbreak in Pune, Section 2 powers were used to open screening centres in civic hospitals across the city, and swine flu was declared a notifiable disease.
Looking at taking forward India-U.A.E. comprehensive strategic partnership: PM Modi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, cooperation between India and the U.A.E. witnessed upswing in diverse sectors in the last nine years
The status of India-U.A. E relations
The upcoming visit will be the Prime minister’s seventh visit to the UAE since 2015 and the third in the last eight months. Further, UAE President was felicitated in a road show when he was in Gandhinagar in January this year as the chief guest of the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
In this short duration. India’s relationship with UAE has evolved into becoming one of the most prominent bilateral relationships for New Delhi.
Areas of cooperation between India-U.A.E. relationship
Strategic cooperation:
- India is a part of a number of important groupings such as the I2U2 or the West Asian Quad comprising India, Israel, the United States and the UAE.
The UAE is also part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) infrastructure project that was signed during the G-20 summit in Delhi. This is aimed to counter China’s Belt and road initiative in the region. - Energy cooperation– The UAE is only nation from the gulf region which has strategic oil reserves stored in India. An agreement was signed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to invest in the strategic crude oil storage facility in Mangaluru.
Economic cooperation:
- The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner and India’s second-largest export destination. The bilateral trade between the two countries grew to $85 billion in 2022-23.
The UAE is also the fourth-largest overall investor in India.
The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aims to increase trade in services to $115 billion in five years.
The Indian government has also approved the signing and ratification of a bilateral investment treaty with the UAE.
- Technical cooperation– India and U.A.E. have a robust financial technology cooperation. For example-
The RuPay card, a key component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), is accepted in the UAE.
From July 2023, the rupee was accepted for transactions at Dubai’s airports.
India and the UAE have operationalized a rupee-dirham settlement system where the Indian Oil Corporation made a rupee payment to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for crude oil imports.
- Climate change cooperation-PM Modi attended the COP 28 climate summit held in Dubai. To address the issue of finance, India and the UAE co-launched the Global Green Credit Initiative.
Areas of divergence between India and U.A.E.
- There are challenges like unclear regulations, labour lawsand transparency faced by Indian businesses’ in U.A.E.
- The UAE and Iran have territorial disputesbetween them. Any escalation in this will affect India’s trade and energy security.
- The UAE is home to a large number of Indians. There are so many blue-collar workers andmanual laborers as well. They face many issues such as terrible working and living conditions, and discrimination in treatment vis-a-vis other workers.
India and UAE display great convergence and mutual respect at all levels. There are certain divergences, but those exist even among the best of friendly nations.
SC says jail, not bail, is the rule under the UAPA: How courts have been granting bail in UAPA cases
In 2019, the Supreme Court in a two-judge bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar ruled in Zahoor Ahmed Shah Watali v NIA, that for granting bail under UAPA, courts must not examine the evidence but only accept it at face value. |
In 2019, the Supreme Court effectively closed the window, especially for trial courts, to look at the prosecution’s case critically while granting bail in UAPA cases. Courts have, however, given bail in some cases. Here is a look at them.
Granting bail in UAPA cases
- Recently, the Supreme Court denied bail to Gurwinder Singh, an accused in an alleged Khalistan module.
- He has been accused of a being part of a larger conspiracy with Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistan group banned by the Indian government.
- Courts have sometimes granted bail under the UAPA, despite its stricter bail conditions. They have interpreted Section 43D (5) to allow bail in exceptional cases.
- However, in most instances, courts still deny bail, even though some rulings have made it harder for the state to oppose bail.
The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967
- Enacted in 1967, UAPA is the primary counter-terror law in India.
- It was enacted to outlaw and penalise unlawful and terrorist activities, which pose a threat to the integrity and sovereignty of India.
These activities include:
- Aiding and abetting terrorists
- Funding terrorists
- Inciting anti-national feeling in the masses
- Other unlawful activities against the state
Key provisions of UAPA
Wide ranging powers to Central Govt
- It provides wide-ranging powers to the Central Government to designate organisations as terrorist organisations
- It also prescribes the penalties for taking part in the activities of such organisations.
Applicability
- It is also applicable if the offences are committed outside India. Both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged.
Timeline
- A charge sheet can be filed in maximum 180 days after the arrests.
- The investigation has to be completed within 90 days.
- If investigation is not completed with the stipulated time, the accused is eligible for default bail.
Special court
- The act establishes a special court designated to conduct trials.
Sanction to prosecute under UAPA
- Section 45(1) of the UAPA says no court shall take cognizance of any offence under the act without the previous sanction of the central or state government or any officer authorised by them
- Under Section 45(2), the sanction for prosecution has to be given within a prescribed time only after considering the report by the competent authority.
2019 Amendment of UAPA
- The original act was amended in the years 2004, 2008, 2013, and 2019 to increase its scope and ambit. 2019 amendment changed the following:
Who may commit terrorism: The amendment additionally empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same same grounds.
Approval for seizure of property by NIA:
Insertion to schedule of treaties
- The Act defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within the scope of any of the treaties listed in a schedule to the Act.
- The Schedule lists nine treaties, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979).
- The Amendment adds another treaty to the list. This is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).
Supreme Court on Section 43D (5) of UAPA:
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Wayanad elephant kills man: Behind escalating human-animal conflict in Kerala
Incidences of wild animals — mainly elephants, tigers, bison, and wild boars — attacking human beings have reported from across the state.
- Government data for 2022-23 recorded 8,873 wild animal attacks, of which, 4193 were by wild elephants, 1524 by wild boars, 193 by tigers, 244 by leopards, and 32 by bison. Of 98 reported deaths, 27 were due to elephant attacks.
- Beyond posing risk to humans, these attacks also devastated Kerala’s agriculture sector. From 2017 to 2023, there were 20,957 incidents of crop loss due to wild animal raids which also killed 1,559 domestic animals, mainly cattle.
Wayanad worst-affected
- Wayanad, which boasts of a forest cover of 36.48 per cent, has lost 41 lives to elephant attacks and seven to tiger attacks over the last decade. Its geographical location plays a role in this.
- The district’s forests are a part of a greater forested area comprising Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Bandipur National Park, and BR Tiger Reserve in Karnataka, and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Sathyamangalam Forest in Tamil Nadu. Wild animals, especially elephants and tigers, traverse state borders in search for food.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:
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Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
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Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi skips customary Assembly address, hits out at Speaker M Appavu
Governor Ravi had skipped parts of the official speech prepared by the ruling DMK government last year as well.
- In his latest tussle with the M K Stalin government, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Monday walked out of the Assembly after refusing to read out the customary address to the House at the beginning of the first session every year.
- Last year, too, Governor Ravi had skipped parts of the official speech prepared by the ruling DMK government.
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly was rocked by unprecedented scenes when Governor R N Ravi skipped certain portions from the customary speech submitted to him by the state government for reading at the start of the Assembly session.
- The article highlights the debate about the rising mistrust between the governor’s office and chief ministers of opposition-led governments and the role of the governor in parliamentary democracy.
Meaning and Provisions Related to the Governor’s Address to the Legislature
Constitutional provisions: The Governor is expected to address the first Assembly session of the state every year and the first session of a new legislature after the state assembly elections, under Articles 175 and 176 of the Constitution.
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Observations by the Judiciary
The court observed that Governor had exceeded his jurisdiction as he had no discretion in convening the assembly session. |
Implications of Governor’s Deletion or Addition to his Address
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Not unconstitutional to appoint deputy chief ministers: Supreme Court
Currently, 14 out of 28 states have deputy CMs, with Andhra Pradesh leading the pack with five deputy CMs
The post of deputy chief minister may not be defined under the Constitution but there is no illegality in appointing senior leaders of the ruling party or a coalition of parties as deputy chief ministers, the Supreme Court observed on Monday, dismissing a public interest litigation that demanded the practice be struck down as being unconstitutional.
DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
- The post of Deputy Chief Minister in India is not a constitutional one, but a political arrangement to appease allies or factions within a party.
- The Deputy CM is equivalent to a Cabinet Minister in terms of rank and perks but does not have any specific financial or administrative powers.
- The Deputy CM has to report to the Chief Minister and seek his or her approval for any decision related to his or her portfolio.
- The Deputy CM does not have access to the files or matters that are meant for the Chief Minister.
BACKGROUND of the post of Deputy CM
- The first leader to hold the post of deputy CM in independent India was the Congress’s Anugrah Narayan Sinha.
- He was one of the tallest leaders to emerge from Bihar, termed the “mason of modern Bihar and its politics”.
- Later on, Karpoori thakur became deputy CM in 1967.
- Subsequently more states began to follow this pattern.
- As of 22 May 2023, 11 out of the 28 states have deputy chief ministers.
- In the northeastern states, where multi-party coalition governments are the norm, four of the seven states have Deputy CMs.
Appointment and removal
- The appointment and removal of a deputy chief minister is entirely at the discretion of the chief minister.
- The chief minister may appoint more than one deputy chief minister, as is the case in some states like Uttar Pradesh.
- The chief minister may also reshuffle or drop a deputy chief minister at any time, as per their political calculations.
Significance of the Post of Deputy Chief Minister
- The position of deputy chief minister is used to bring political stability and strength to a coalition government. It is also a way of rewarding loyal and influential leaders of the ruling party or alliance.
- The Deputy CM acts as the chief minister’s deputy and assists them in the administration and governance of the state.
- In some cases, the Deputy CM may act as a bridge between the ruling party and its allies, or between different regions or communities within the state.
- The Deputy CM may be seen as a potential successor to the Chief Minister, or as a check and balance on his or her authority.
- The Deputy CM may have some influence on policy-making and governance, depending on his or her rapport with the Chief Minister and other ministers.
- The Deputy CM may also perform some of the functions of the chief minister in their absence, such as presiding over cabinet meetings, attending official functions, or representing the state in inter-state or national forums.
- However, the deputy chief minister does not have any constitutional authority to act on behalf of the chief minister or to issue any orders or directives without their consent.
Swachhata Green Leaf Rating System: A Noble Initiative Awaiting Implementation
The Swachhata Green Leaf Rating system, an initiative to ensure top-notch hygiene in the hospitality sector, has yet to make a significant impact. With only a pilot project in Jammu and Kashmir, the scheme is still waiting to take off. The government is considering incentives to encourage more states to adopt it for cleaner and more sustainable tourism
- Launched in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, the Swachhata Green Leaf Rating system aims to promote safe sanitation practices and prevent pollution in water bodies.
- The rating system is designed to be implemented in all hospitality facilities, including hotels, lodges, homestays, ‘Dharamshalas’, and camps, based on compliance with guidelines.
Hygiene and Sanitation Rating System for the hospitality sector yet to take off
- The implementation of a government-backed rating system for hygiene and sanitation in the hospitality sector faces hurdles as most states have not shown interest except for Jammu and Kashmir.
- The Swachhata Green Leaf Rating, introduced by the Union Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, aims to ensure world-class standards in hotels, resorts, and homestays.
- Despite multiple communications from the ministry, response from states and union territories remains low. The program emphasizes the adoption of good practices such as proper waste management and reduction of single-use plastic to promote safe sanitation.
- With its focus on preventing pollution and encouraging sustainable tourism, the rating system relies on public participation for success.
- The government plans to incentivize participation and extend support to rural areas, aiding small hospitality units with low-cost technologies.
- Implementation involves a structured committee system to oversee verification and compliance at various administrative levels.
- Significance: The Swachhata Green Leaf Rating system holds significant potential in raising hygiene and sanitation standards across the hospitality sector, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for travellers. Its emphasis on public participation and incentivization reflects a proactive approach towards promoting sustainable tourism practices and environmental conservation nationwide.
Gupteswar forest in Odisha declared as Bio-Diversity Heritage site
The state government has asked the Odisha Biodiversity Board to prepare a long-term plan for intensive conservation and development of these sites through direct participation of the local communities.
- The State Government of Odisha has recently declared the pristine Gupteswar Forest, in Odisha’s Koraput district as a Biodiversity heritage site.
- This is the fourth Biodiversity-Heritage Site ( BHS) of the state.
Significance:
- The designation of Gupteswar as BHS will boost the cultural attachment of people with this forest will also lead to the conservation of its precious biodiversity.
- Consequently, the state government has asked the Odisha Biodiversity Board to prepare a long-term plan for intensive conservation and development of these sites through direct participation of the local communities.
- This forest in the long run would add to the livelihood of the people through eco-tourism and minor forest produce.
Gupteswar Forest:
- The forest is spread over 350 hectares of demarcated area.
- Along with its sacred grooves traditionally worshipped by the local community, the site is bestowed with a wide range of flora and fauna.
- As per the Biodiversity inventory and survey conducted by the Odisha Biodiversity Board, the site shows the presence of various types of mammals, birds, amphibian, reptiles, pices, butterflies, moths and many more.
- The site also has a rich floral diversity embracing many varieties of trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers and so on.
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