Contents:

1. Reservation must not be based on religion, SC tells West Bengal.
2. Govt. stable, says Syria PM; Israel conducts air strikes.
3. India used 114 mg of antibiotics for every kg of meat in 2020.
4. On reforms in merchant shipping.
5. Approach EC to enact POSH Act in political parties: SC
6. Frigate INS Tushil commissioned into Indian Navy in Kaliningrad
7. National Food Security Act still driven by figures from 2011 Census, lawyer tells SC

Reservation Must Not Be Based On Religion, SC Tells West Bengal

Background :

The case stems from a policy by the West Bengal government to include several castes, largely from Muslim communities, in the State’s OBC list.

Relevance: GS 2 ( Polity and Governance ).

• Supreme Court Observation: Reservation policies should not be based on religion.
• West Bengal Appeal: The State of West Bengal appealed a Calcutta High Court judgment that invalidated its policy of including several Muslim communities in the State’s OBC list.
• High Court Judgment: Concluded that religion was the sole criterion for declaring these communities as OBCs, which it deemed inappropriate.
• Advocate’s Argument: Senior advocate Kapil Sibal contended that the inclusion was based on socio-economic backwardness, not religion.
• Future Hearing: The Supreme Court scheduled the case for January7.
• Survey Clarification: The Supreme Court previously asked West Bengal to explain the survey methods used to determine the communities’ social and educational backwardness and their underrepresentation in State public services.

Govt. Stable, Says Syria PM; Israel Conducts Air Strikes

Background:

Syria’s political landscape has undergone a major transformation with the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by militant groups led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.

Relevance: GS 2( International Relations).

• Political Overthrow:
  • President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown, leading to a power shift in Damascus.
  • The new ruling alliance is led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and a former senior al-Qaeda militant.

• Promise of Change:
  • Al-Jolani pledged a representative government and religious tolerance.
• Impact on Refugees:
  • Large numbers of refugees are fleeing to neighboring countries in search of safety.
• Israel’s Military Actions:
  • Israel has launched air strikes on suspected chemical weapons and long-range rocket sites to prevent extremist control.
  • Israel has also taken control of a buffer zone inside Syria following the withdrawal of Syrian forces.
• Turkiye’s Military Actions:
  • Turkiye’s allied opposition forces have captured the town of Manbij from U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria.
• India’s Call for Peace:
  • India has urged a peaceful and inclusive political process in Syria.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the importance of unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in Syria.

India Used 114 mg of Antibiotics For Every KG of Meat in 2020

Background:

Antibiotics save lives but their overuse, especially in livestock, leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, threatening both animal and human health.

Relevance: GS 2( Health)

• Overuse in Livestock :A significant portion of global antibiotic use is in livestock, with estimates suggesting around 70% used for farm animals in the 2010s.
• Resistance Concerns :
  •  Overuse can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing health risks to both animals and humans.
  • Humans can be exposed to these resistant pathogens through contaminated meat and dairy products.
• Measurement and Usage
  • Antibiotic use varies by animal size, with chickens receiving the least and sheep the most.
  • Usage is measured in milligrams per kilogram of meat product, with sheep at 243 mg, pigs at 173 mg, cattle at 60 mg, and chickens at 35 mg.
• International Variations
  • In 2020, India used 114 mg of antibiotics per kg of meat, compared to Norway’s 4 mg.
• Reduction Efforts
  • Between 2011 and 2022, several European countries cut veterinary antibiotic sales by more than half, with critical antibiotics for humans also seeing significant reductions.
• Effective Use
  • The goal is not to eliminate antibiotics entirely but to use them more effectively .

On Reforms In Merchant Shipping

Background: The Indian Government is introducing the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 to modernize the maritime sector and attract global investment, replacing outdated laws from 1958 and 1838.

Relevance: GS 3 (Infrastructure )

 Merchant Shipping Bill:

• Vessel Registration: Allows foreign investment and reduces ownership thresholds, enabling NRIs, OCIs, and LLPs to register Indian vessels.
• Expanded Vessel Definition: Includes various offshore and non-mechanized vessels (e.g., submersibles, barges), addressing regulatory gaps.
• Ship Recycling: Facilitates temporary registration for vessels destined for demolition, supporting India’s ship recycling hubs.
• Maritime Training: Introduces a legal framework to regulate private maritime training institutes.
• Marine Pollution: Aligns India’s regulations with international conventions to combat marine pollution.
• Seafarer Welfare: Extends welfare provisions to Indian seafarers working on foreign-flagged ships.

Coastal Shipping Bill:

• Coastal Shipping Focus: Separates the technical regulation of ships and commercial operations along Indian coasts, integrating inland and coastal shipping.
• Sagarmala Alignment: Promotes coastal shipping with better infrastructure and connectivity for coastal cargo, supporting the Sagarmala program.

Approach EC to Enact POSH Act in Political Parties: SC

Background:

The Supreme Court of India recently addressed a petition seeking the application of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) to political parties.

Relevance : GS 2 (Polity and Governance )

• Supreme Court’s Direction:
  • The Supreme Court directed the petitioner to first approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the application of the POSH Act to political parties.
  • The court noted that the ECI is the “competent authority” concerning political parties.
• Petitioner’s Request:
  • The petitioner sought a judicial declaration that political parties must comply with the POSH Act, including the formation of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
  • The petitioner argued that political parties should be bound by the POSH Act to ensure a safe work environment for women.
• Court’s Guidance: The court advised that if the petitioner’s concerns are not effectively addressed by the ECI, she could move the appropriate judicial forum in accordance with the law.

Frigate INS Tushil Commissioned into Indian Navy in Kaliningrad

Background:

India and Russia are enhancing cooperation in AI, cybersecurity, space exploration, and counter-terrorism, highlighted by the commissioning of INS Tushil in Kaliningrad.

Relevance : GS 2( International Relations)

• Enhanced Cooperation: India and Russia will collaborate in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, space exploration, and counter-terrorism.
• INS Tushil Commissioning:
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the increased “Made in India” content in naval ships, including INS Tushil.
  • The INS Tushil is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate, part of Project 1135.6.
• Collaborative Efforts:
  • The INS Tushil showcases the collaborative capabilities of Russian and Indian industries.
  • Six Krivak class frigates are already in service, with three Talwar class ships built in St. Petersburg and three Teg class ships built in Kaliningrad.
• Stealth Frigates Deal:
  • In October 2016, India and Russia signed an agreement for four stealth frigates; two built in Russia and two at Goa Shipyard Ltd. under technology transfer.
  • The second frigate, Tamal, is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of next year.
• Indian Navy’s Role:
  • The Indian Navy plays a crucial role in maritime security across various regions, from the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden.
  • The Navy is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the region.
• Design and Armament:
  • INS Tushil is designed for blue water operations, equipped for air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic warfare.
  • The ship is armed with advanced weapons for comprehensive naval warfare capabilities.

National Food Security Act Still Driven by Figures From 2011 Census, Lawyer Tells SC

Background:

The Supreme Court of India noted that the NFSA relies on outdated 2011 Census data, affecting food grain distribution, especially for migrant workers post-pandemic.

Relevance:  GS 2( Social Justice, welfare scheme)

• Supreme Court Hearing: The Court is hearing a suo motu case on food security, particularly for migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Prashant Bhushan’s Argument: Advocate Bhushan criticized the reliance on the outdated 2011 Census for distributing food under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), arguing that it no longer reflects current needs, especially post-pandemic.
• Impact of the Pandemic: Bhushan emphasized that the situation of the poor has worsened in the last five years due to the pandemic, and an updated Census (2021) could have revealed millions of additional eligible beneficiaries.
• Centre’s Defence: The Centre, represented by Aishwarya Bhati, maintained that the NFSA currently covers 81.35 crore beneficiaries .
• Discriminatory Claims: Bhushan argued that the current system is discriminatory, as it excludes 2-3 crore people who should also be eligible for food subsidies.
• Court’s Remarks: The Supreme Court noted that a long-term solution to food insecurity should focus on generating employment for the poor.