Published on Dec 19, 2024
Daily Current Affairs
Current Affairs 19 December 2024
Content :
- Positive signals emerge from India-China talks.
- State water policymaking matters.
- Foreigners’ entry restricted in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland.
- All 17,130 police stations in the country linked through centralised online platform CCTNS.
- Formulate policy to manage sacred groves, SC tells govt.
- Gagan Gill, Easterine Kire to get Sahitya Akademi awards
- Net direct tax collections rise 16.5%
- Gaganyaan: Assembly of HLVM3 Begins at ISRO for Uncrewed Flight
Positive Signals Emerge From India-China talks
Background:
- India and China have a long-standing border dispute along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly in the Ladakh region.
- Tensions peaked in 2020 with the Galwan Valley clash, leading to ongoing efforts for de-escalation and disengagement.
Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations)
- Disengagement Agreement: India and China reaffirmed their commitment to the October 2024 disengagement agreement along the LAC.
- Boundary Talks: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing for the first boundary talks since 2019, focusing on peace and stability at the border.
- Positive Developments: Talks included resuming the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, data sharing on trans-border rivers, and border trade.
- Six-Point Consensus: The dialogue resulted in a six-point consensus to maintain peace and improve bilateral relations.
- Notable Exclusions: Issues like direct flight resumption and journalist exchanges, discussed earlier, were not part of this meeting.
- These discussions represent progress in resolving border tensions and fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
State Water Policymaking Matters
Context: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for a comprehensive water policy for Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing the need for a strategic re-imagining of water management due to the challenges faced since the state’s bifurcation.
Relevance: GS 2(Governance)
- Importance of State-Level Water Policy:
Water governance in India is primarily managed at the state level, making state policies crucial for effective water management - Localized Water Resource Development: Different states have unique water management needs. For instance:
- Maharashtra: Focuses on regulation.
- Jharkhand: Prioritizes supply augmentation.
- Climate Change Impact: Climate change exacerbates water-related risks, necessitating innovative and adaptive water management strategies.
- Conventional Approaches: Policy emphasizes supply augmentation through projects like:
- Polavaram Dam.
- River interlinking.
- Shift to Demand Management: The focus needs to shift from supply augmentation to demand-side management to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Overcoming institutional inertia is critical for this transition.
- Institutional Reforms:Adopting models like an Independent Water Resources Regulatory Authority can:
- Address regional imbalances.
- Improve water use efficiency.
Risk Management include:
- Groundwater depletion.
- River pollution.
- Dam safety.
Andhra Pradesh’s long coastline also adds compounded climate risks. - Intergovernmental Coordination: Effective water policy demands seamless coordination across various government levels to tackle extra-territorial risks and enhance holistic water governance.
Foreigners’ Entry Restricted in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland
Context: The Union Home Ministry has reimposed the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram.
Relevance: GS 3 (Security)
Reimposition of PAR:
- The Union Home Ministry has reimposed the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram after a gap of 14 years due to security concerns from the influx of foreigners from neighboring countries.
- Foreigners visiting these states must now seek prior permission and special permits.
Guidelines and Background:
- PAR guidelines discourage foreigners from visiting protected areas without extraordinary reasons.
- Initially relaxed in 2010 to promote tourism, the latest order (issued in December 2022) was valid until 2027 but has now been withdrawn.
Manipur Government’s Statement:
- Foreigners must obtain Protected Area Permits (PAP) for entry, per the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958.
- The government dismissed the existence of the “Kuki-Zo Council,” citing it as an unauthorized and suspicious group.
Warning Against Unverified Claims:
- Media and government agencies were urged not to recognize claims or press releases from unverified organizations.
Local Tensions:
- A new group warned Chief Minister N. Biren Singh against using Kuki-dominated roads for traveling to a festival in a Naga-dominated area, highlighting ongoing regional tensions.
Police Stations To Linked Through Centralised Online Platform CCTNS.
Context:
The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) is a centralized online platform designed for filing and tracking First Information Reports (FIRs), chargesheets, and investigation reports in police stations across India.
Relevance: GS 2 (Governance)
Completion of Integration:
- Nearly 15 years after its launch, all 17,130 police stations in India are now connected through CCTNS.
Launch and Budget:
- Initiated in 2009 with a budget of ₹2,000 crore, CCTNS aims to establish a comprehensive database accessible to law enforcement nationwide.
Key Features:
- Maintains crime records, including:
- Details of accused individuals and convicts.
- Habitual offenders.
- Missing persons and unidentified bodies.
- Stolen vehicles.
Analytical Capabilities:
- Generates analytical reports on criminal cases, property cases, and crime statistics at the police station level.
Enhancements for New Criminal Laws:
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) implemented 23 functional modifications to accommodate three new criminal laws (effective July 1):
- Replacing the Indian Penal Code, Evidence Act, and Criminal Procedure Code.
New Provisions in CCTNS:
- Key updates include:
- Seeking senior officers’ permission for arrests in certain cases.
- Informing relatives about arrests.
- Mandatory videography of crime scenes.
- Enhanced focus on forensic evidence collection.
- Updating victims on investigation progress within 90 days.
Integration with Criminal Justice System (ICJS):
- CCTNS integrates police data with other criminal justice components, including:
- Courts, prisons, prosecution, forensics, and fingerprints via the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS).
Formulate Policy To Manage Sacred Groves, SC Tells Govt
Context:
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to create a comprehensive policy for the management of sacred groves across India, emphasizing their religious, cultural, and ecological significance.
Relevance:GS 2 (Polity & Governance)
Sacred Groves:
- Patches of trees protected by local communities for their religious and cultural importance.
- Contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation.
Regions:
- Found predominantly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Supreme Court Directive:
- Focuses on addressing the vanishing groves, especially highlighted in a petition from Rajasthan.
Policy Responsibility:
- Traditionally, wildlife management has been a state responsibility.
- The court urges the Centre to take a proactive role in protecting sacred groves.
Comprehensive Survey:
- Tasked to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- The survey aims to:
- Identify and protect sacred groves.
- Determine their extent and area with flexible boundaries for future growth.
- Prevent any reduction in grove areas.
- The survey aims to:
National Forest Policy of 1988:
- Justice Mehta highlighted the policy, which encourages community involvement in improving forest patches they depend on.
Piplantri Village Example:
- Piplantri Village transformed barren land into lush groves, showcasing the success of community-driven initiatives.
Ecological Value:
- Sacred groves hold immense ecological value and act as community reserves.
- Protect them against unauthorized land use changes and exploitation.
Gagan Gill, Easterine Kire to Get Sahitya Akademi Awards
Context: The annual Sahitya Akademi Awards were announced, recognizing 21 writers for their exceptional contributions to Indian literature across various categories and languages.
Relevance: GS 1 (Culture & Heritage)
Major Recipients:
- Gagan Gill: Awarded for her Hindi poetry book “Main Jab Tak Aai Bahar”.
- Easterine Kire: Honored for her English novel “Spirit Nights”.
Categories and Winners:
- Poetry:Eight works, including contributions by:K. Jayakumar (Malayalam),Haobam Satyabati Devi (Manipuri),Dileep Jhaveri (Gujarati).
Novels:
- Three works, including:
- “Psychiatric Ward” by Sohan Kaul (Kashmiri),
- “Swrni Thakhai” by Aron Raja (Bodo).
Short Stories:
- Two collections, such as:
- “Chhichimira” by Yuva Baral (Nepali),
- “Purzo” by Hundraj Balwani (Sindhi).
Essays:
- Three works, including those by:
- Mukesh Thali (Konkani),
- Mahendra Malangia (Maithili).
Literary Criticism:
- Three notable contributions.
Play:
- “Seched Sawnta Ren Andha Manmi” by Maheshwar Sorn (Santali).
Research:
- Contribution by A.R. Venkatachalapathy (Tamil).
Special Mention:
- Paul Kaur: Recognized for her Punjabi poetry book “Sun Gunvanta Sun Budhivanta: Itihaasnama Punjab”.
Net Direct Tax Collections Rise 16.5%
Context: India’s net direct tax collections for the fiscal year 2024-25 have shown robust growth, with a significant rise in non-corporate tax receipts.
Relevance: GS 3 (Economy)
- Growth in Net Direct Tax Collections: Increased by 16.5% to ₹15.82 lakh crore as of December 17, 2024.
- Corporate vs. Non-Corporate Taxes:
- Corporate Tax: Grew by 8.6% to ₹7.43 lakh crore.
- Non-Corporate Tax: Surpassed corporate taxes, rising by 22.5% to ₹7.97 lakh crore.
- Gross Tax Receipts: Grew by 20.3% to ₹19.21 lakh crore.
- Securities Transaction Tax (STT): Recorded a significant surge, increasing by 85.5% to over ₹40,100 crore.
- Refunds Issued: Increased by 42.5%, reaching nearly ₹3.39 lakh crore.
- Advance Tax Collections: Grew by 20.9% to over ₹7.56 lakh crore.
- Historical Context: In the fiscal year 2023-24, net direct tax revenues had risen by 17.7% to ₹19.58 lakh crore.
- Other Taxes: Including Equalization Levy, Fringe Benefit Tax, Wealth Tax, etc., saw a modest growth of 5.9%.
Gaganyaan: Assembly of HLVM3 Begins at ISRO for Uncrewed Flight
Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has initiated the assembly of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) for the Gaganyaan mission’s first uncrewed flight.
Relevance: GS 3 (Space)
HLVM3 Assembly:
- The assembly is underway at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
- The uncrewed flight is planned for early next year.
Launch Campaign Commencement:
- The launch campaign began on December 18, 2024, with the stacking of the S200 motor’s nozzle end segment.
Preparation and Integration:
- S200 Motors: Segment assembly, control systems, and avionics integration are in progress.
- L110 and C32 Stages: Both are ready at the launch complex.
- Crew Escape Systems: Components have been delivered to SDSC.
Integration:
- Crew Module: Integrated at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
- Service Module: Prepared at U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC).
- Orbital Module: Integration and tests to follow at URSC.
Gaganyaan Project:
- Objective: To demonstrate human spaceflight capability, launching a crew of three to an orbit of 400 km for three days and ensuring their safe return to Earth.
- Mission Plan: Includes three uncrewed missions followed by one crewed mission.
Anniversary Significance:
- The assembly coincides with the 10th anniversary of the LVM3-X/CARE mission (December 18, 2014).