Content:

1. India, China have set ties on right track: Jaishankar
2. What are the controversies around pardoning power?
3. What are the toxins of the 1984 Bhopal disaster?
4. Centre proposes 95% govt. job reservation for locals in Ladakh
5. On World Wildlife Day, making a clarion call to protect India’s critically endangered species
6. S. Korea President declares martial law, parliament votes against move

India, China Have Set Ties On Right Track: Jaishankar

Context : Disengagement and Verification along  LAC in Demchok and Depsang.

Relevance : GS 2 (International Relations )

• Process: Withdrawal of troops and verification by patrols, focusing on friction points post-September 2022.

Diplomatic Engagement

• Meetings: Continuous engagement with 17 WMCC and 21 SHMC meetings, plus discussions between foreign ministers and national security advisors.

Current Status

• Completed Disengagement: At Pangong Tso and Hot Springs.
• Next Steps: Focus on de-escalation and reducing troop presence.

Measures to Avoid Friction

• Temporary Measures: Buffer zones implemented and reassessed based on the situation.

Core Principles

• Respect the LAC, no unilateral status quo changes, and adhere to previous agreements.

What are the controversies around pardoning power?

History of Pardoning Power in the U.S.

• Origins: Derived from the British ‘royal prerogative of mercy,’ used historically to grant clemency.
• U.S. Constitution: Grants the President absolute power to pardon federal criminal offenses, except in cases of impeachment.

Current Controversy

• Hunter Biden’s Pardon: President Joe Biden granted an unconditional pardon to his son for federal tax and gun convictions, sparking controversy due to previous promises not to pardon him.
• Historical Context: Pardoning power has been controversial, with notable instances including George Washington’s pardon of ‘whiskey rebellion’ leaders and Bill Clinton’s pardon of his half-brother.

Indian System

• Constitutional Provisions: Articles 72 and 161 grant the President and Governor the power to pardon, commutation, remission, respite, or reprieve.
• Judicial Review: The Supreme Court allows judicial review of pardoning power on grounds of arbitrariness or extraneous considerations.

Way Forward

• Modern Criticism: Pardoning power is often seen as politically motivated rather than correcting judicial errors.
• UK Example: The Criminal Cases Review Commission investigates miscarriages of justice, reducing reliance on the royal prerogative of mercy.
• Exercise of Power: Must be transparent and free from nepotism to maintain public trust in democratic institutions.

What Are The Toxins of the 1984 Bhopal Disaster?

Context : Forty years after the Bhopal disaster on December 2-3, 1984, several hundred tonnes of toxic waste still remain around the ill-fated Union Carbide plant.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment )

Main Toxins Released During the Disaster

• Methyl Isocyanate (MIC): Highly toxic, reacts with water to release boiling vapors.

• Hydrogen Cyanide: Suspected in fumes, indicated by the blood-red viscera of victims.

• Hexachlorobutadiene: Possible carcinogen causing liver damage.

• Chloroform: Affects the central nervous system; possible carcinogen.

• Carbon Tetrachloride: Acute toxin damaging the liver and causing irregular heartbeat.

• Trichlorobenzene: Volatile, spreads through air, water, and soil, damaging liver and kidneys.

Contaminants Found at the Site

• Mercury: Present in significant quantities and known to damage multiple organs.

• Chromium, Copper, Nickel, and Lead: Heavy metals found in elevated concentrations, which can cause various health issues, including cancer.

• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Long-lasting compounds that can cause cancer, reproductive disorders, and immune system disruption.

Environmental Impact

• Soil, Air, and Water Contamination: Elevated concentrations of toxic compounds have been found in soil, air, and water samples collected from the area.

• Ongoing Health Issues: Survivors and their descendants continue to suffer from chronic health problems, including cancer, lung diseases, and neurological damage.

The disaster’s legacy is a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures and environmental regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Centre Proposes 95% Govt. Job Reservation For Locals in Ladakh

Context : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed 95% reservation in government jobs for locals in Ladakh, along with one-third reservation for women in hill councils.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance )

Key Proposals

• 95% Job Reservation: Aimed at addressing unemployment among locals.
• One-Third Reservation for Women: To ensure gender representation in hill councils.
• Constitutional Safeguards: To preserve the land and culture of Ladakh.
• Official Languages: Urdu and Bhoti to be declared official languages.
• Review of Pending Laws: To address local concerns, empowerment, and wildlife areas.

Background

• Protests for five years since losing constitutional safeguards under Article 370.
• Demands: statehood, inclusion in the sixth schedule, job reservations, and parliamentary seats.

Next Steps

• January 15 meeting to discuss the sixth schedule.
• Immediate recruitment for gazetted posts, followed by non-gazetted posts.

On World Wildlife Day, Making A Clarion Call to Protect India’s Critically Endangered Species

Context : World Wildlife Conservation Day (December 4)

Relevance : GS 3 (Environment )

Rich Biodiversity

• Global Significance: India, with 2.4% of the world’s land area, houses 7–8% of global species,  which includes 45,000 species of plants and 91,000 of animals , making it a megadiverse country.
• Biodiversity Hotspots: Includes four of the world’s 34 hotspots—Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and Sundaland.

 Conservation Challenges

• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Economic growth and population pressures lead to habitat destruction, increasing conflicts.
• Endangered Species: India has 73 critically endangered species(2022), with numbers rising from 47 in 2011.
• Mammals: Kashmir stag (Hangul), Malabar large-spotted civet, Andaman Shrew, Jenkin’s shrew, Nicobar shrew, Namdapha flying squirrel, large rock rat, Leafletted leaf-nosed bat.
• Carnivores: Lions, tigers, and cheetahs, though popular, are only three on the critically endangered list.
• Birds: The Great Indian Bustard faces threats from powerlines in Rajasthan and lacks sufficient conservation attention.

Threats and Solutions

• Habitat Loss: Primary threat due to deforestation and urbanization.
• Targeted Conservation: Efforts needed for specific species like the Great Indian Bustard, threatened by human activities.

S. Korea President Declares Martial Law, Parliament Votes Against Move

Context : South Korea President declares martial law.

Relevance : GS2 (International Relations )

Declaration

• President’s Action: President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, citing threats from North Korea and opposition activities.

Immediate Reaction

• Parliament: Lawmakers quickly voted against the declaration, demanding its lifting.
• Public Protest: Protests erupted outside the National Assembly.

Military and International Response

• Military Role: General Park An-su issued a decree banning political activities.
• International Concern: The US expressed grave concern; China advised caution to its nationals.

Outcome

• Parliament Vote: MPs voted to block the martial law declaration.
• Lifting Martial Law: President Yoon lifted the decree following political pressure.
• This incident highlights the clash between executive power and democratic processes in South Korea.