DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 9th March 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – GS 3

Context: Kerala on Wednesday (March 6) declared man-animal conflict as a state-specific disaster (as per Disaster Management Act), becoming the first state in the country to do so.

Background:-

• Kerala has been reeling under increasing count of man animal conflicts

What difference will it bring?

• At present, managing man-animal conflict is the responsibility of the forest department, which acts as per the Wild Life Protection Act.
• Once the issue is declared a state-specific disaster, the onus to deal with it shifts to the state disaster management authority, which, powered by the Disaster Management Act, can take quicker and more decisive action.
• The Chief Minister is theex officio chairman of state disaster management authority and several departments, including the forest department, are stakeholders.
• In the districts, the district disaster management authority is headed by the district collector, who is also the executive magistrate.
• Once an issue is declared a state-specific disaster or a national disaster, the disaster management authority can take quick decisions and actions overriding all other norms. Also, district collectors can directly intervene in their capacity as the chairman of the district disaster body.
• In the past, every time a life has been lost to man-animal conflict, there has been mounting chorus to tranquilise/capture/kill the animals responsible.At present, the chief wildlife warden — there is only one such post in the state — is the only authority to take a call on a wild animal wreaking havoc in human settlement. Also, in the past, there have been cases where the decision to tranquilise a killer animal, such as a wild elephant, has been questioned in court.Once the issue is under the disaster management authority, it can take actions overriding other norms, including those under the Wildlife Protection Act.
• As per section 71 of the Disaster Management Act, no court (except the Supreme Court or a High Court) shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of anything done by relevant authorities in pursuance of any power conferred by the Disaster Management Act. Section 72 of the Act says that the provisions of this Act will have an overriding effect on any other law during the specific period that a disaster has been declared.
• Other state-specific disasters: In 2015, Odisha had declared snakebite a state-specific disaster. In 2020, Kerala declared Covid as a state specific disaster.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – Art & Culture

Context: As an independent art form, Chhau stands at a critical crossroad. Its easy adaptability has diluted its essential form, rising concerns about its originality.

Background:

• Chhau, the dance form, defies every label. It is too codified to be folk, too folk to be classical, and too classical and too folk to be martial.

About Chhau Dance :

• Chhau dance is a tradition from eastern India (West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.) that enacts episodes from epics including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore and abstract themes.
• Its three distinct styles hail from the regions of Seraikella, Purulia and Mayurbhanj, the first two using masks.
• The Seraikella Chhau developed in Seraikela, the present day administrative headquarters of the Seraikela Kharsawan district of Jharkhand, the Purulia Chhau in Purulia district of West Bengal and the Mayurbhanj Chhau in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
• The Chhau dance is mainly performed during regional festivals, especially the spring festival of Chaitra Parva which lasts for thirteen days and in which the whole community participates
• Its origin is traceable to indigenous forms of dance and martial practices.
• The Chhau blends within it forms of both dance and martial practices employing mock combat techniques (called khel), stylized gaits of birds and animals (called chalis and topkas) and movements based on the chores of village housewives (called uflis)
• The dance is performed at night in an open space to traditional and folk melodies, played on the reed pipes mohuri and shehnai. The reverberating drumbeats of a variety of drums dominate the accompanying music ensemble.
• In 2010 the Chhau dance was inscribed in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Source: Scroll

Syllabus

• Prelims : Current event

Context:India’s first city-specific Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan (ZCBAP) has been launched in Nagpur.

Background:

• The plan seeks to contribute towards India’s net-zero emission goal by 2070.

About CITY-SPECIFIC ZERO CARBON ACTION PLAN (ZCBAP)

• Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan (ZCBAP) by Nagpur aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from buildings by 2050.
• This initiative by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL) aligns with India’s climate goals and global commitments.
• The ZCBAP focuses on transforming buildings within Nagpur to meet net-zero emission goals. By doing so, it contributes toward India’s broader net-zero emission target by 2070.
• The plan encompasses various types of buildings, including: public buildings, affordable housing, commercial buildings, and homes with a strong focus on decarbonization and sustainable development.
• It addresses greenhouse gas emissions reduction through considerations related to building materials, design, construction, management, and even deconstruction, targeting a significant portion of Nagpur’s energy consumption and emissions.

Source: Times of India

Syllabus

• Prelims – Science

Context: Recently, ‘Fy’ algae was spotted in Yellowstone National Park.

Background:

• The Yellowstone National Park, located in the western United States.It holds the distinction of being the world’s first national park, established on March 1, 1872.

About ‘FY’ ALGAE

• ‘Fy’ algae is a fungus.
• It belongs to the Fusarium strain flavlolapis family and has been trademarked as ‘Fy’.
• It has been discovered in 2009 by NASA researcher Mark Kozubal.
• ‘Fy’ algae is an extremophilic organism, meaning it can thrive under extreme conditions such as high temperatures and acidity.
• One of its remarkable traits is its ability to break down various materials and convert them into food.
• Scientists have recognized its potential as a source of packed proteins for space missions.
• This protein-packed microbe has potential use in meatless burgers, dairy substitutes, and protein powders.
• The ‘Fy’ algae can be cultured by feeding it a simple mixture of water, salts, and sugar. Ordinary metal catering trays serve as the growth medium.
• A tray of this algae reportedly contains proteins equivalent to 35 chickens.

Source: Smithsonian Magazine

Previous Year Question

Q1. With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a fungus.
2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.
3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Syllabus

• Prelims- Current Event

Context: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has recently notified the Commitment and Settlement Regulations.

Background:

• These regulations play a crucial role in streamlining the settlement and commitment mechanisms under the competition law. commitments are proactive proposals made by accused enterprises to address competition concerns, while settlements are agreements reached during ongoing investigations to resolve cases efficiently.

About THE COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA (SETTLEMENT) REGULATIONS 2024:

• Settlement Regulations, 2024 were introduced by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to reduce litigation and ensure quicker market correction.
• These regulations provide a mechanism for enterprises to settle cases during ongoing investigations.
• The Competition Act, 2002 was amended on April 11, 2023, through the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023.
• The Amendment Act introduced Section 48A and 48C in the Act to create a settlement mechanism.
• They specify the procedure for filing settlement applications and conducting settlement proceedings.
• The regulations provide for the form and contents of the application for settlement, circumstances in which the settlement applications can be rejected by CCI, and the manner of determining the Settlement Amount, among other things.
• These regulations aim to streamline the process and make it more efficient for enterprises to navigate inquiries and alleged contraventions under the Act.

Competition Commission of India (CCI)

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body established under the Competition Act, 2002.
• Its primary objective is to promote fair competition, prevent anticompetitive practices, and ensure a level playing field for businesses.
• The CCI investigates cases related to antitrust violations, mergers, and abuse of dominant market positions.

Source: PIB

Syllabus

•    Prelims and Mains – GS2

Context: Recently, the Birth and Death (Amendment) Act of 2023 was passed.

Background:

• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 that paves way for digital birth certificates which will be a single document to be used for admission to educational institutions, applications for driving licence, government jobs, passports or Aadhaar, voter enrolment, and registration of marriage, among others, will come into effect from October 1.

Key features of the Birth and Death (Amendment) Act of 2023:

• It adds that the Registrar General of India will maintain a national database of registered births and deaths.
• Chief Registrars and Registrars will be obligated to share data on registered births and deaths with the national database. The Chief Registrar shall maintain a similar database at the state level.
• It provides digital registration and electronic delivery of certificates of births and deaths.
• It collects the Aadhaar numbers of parents and informants in case of birth registration.
• It states that the national database may be made available to other authorities preparing or maintaining other databases like population registers, electoral rolls, ration cards, etc.
• The information will be used for purposes including admission to an educational institution, preparation of voter lists, appointment to a government post, etc.
• Any person aggrieved by any action or order of the Registrar or District Registrar may appeal to the District Registrar or Chief Registrar, respectively, within 30 days.

Concerns/Issues with the Birth and Death (Amendment) Act of 2023:

• Denying admission to school without a birth certificate may violate the fundamental right to education under Article 21A.
• Linkage across databases does not require consent from the person whose data is being linked, which is against the right to privacy.
• It does not provide alternative proof if a person does not have a birth certificate.
• It centralizes the database which may lead to mass surveillance.

Source: The Hindu

Q1.) Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body established under the Competition Act, 2002.

Statement-II:

The Competition Act, 2002 was amended to introduce a settlement mechanism through the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Q2.) With reference to ‘Fy’ algae sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a fungus.
2. It thrives in equatorial region.
3. Scientists have recognized its potential as a source of packed proteins for space missions.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q3.) With reference to Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan (ZCBAP), consider the following statements:

1. Nagpur is the first city in India to start a city-specific Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan.
2. Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan by Nagpur aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from buildings by 2050.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  9th March  2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – b