DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th July 2024

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Polity

Context: MPs from various parties introduced several Private Member’s Bills in the Lower House, including proposals for private sector reservations for the socially disadvantaged, 10 Lok Sabha seats for those under 35, a special package for Dalits and backward communities in Bihar and a special Act to control floods in the state.

Background:

• Private members bill have very less chance of getting through the house.

About Private bills

• An MP who is not a minister is a private member and Bills introduced by private members are referred to as private member’s Bills and those introduced by ministers are called government Bills.
• Before the private Bill can be listed for introduction, the Member must give at least a month’s notice, for the House Secretariat to examine it for compliance with constitutional provisions and rules on legislation.
• While a government Bill can be introduced and discussed on any day, a private member’s bill are introduced and discussed on Fridays.
• To date, only 14 of Private Bills have become Acts. Six of the 14 Bills became law in 1956 and the last one to receive parliamentary approval was the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Bill, 1968, on August 9, 1970.
• Importance of Private Members’ Bills lies in the fact that they enable legislators to draw attention to issues which might not be represented in government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework requiring legislative intervention.
• Though the last private Bill to be passed by Parliament was more than five decades ago, these draft laws constitute a major chunk of legislative business.
• The 16th Lok Sabha saw 1,114 Private Members’ Bills being introduced.
• In the last 10 years, as against 78 Government Bills, 459 Private Members’ Bills have been introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Paris olympics started on Friday with some celebration events attracting criticism for insensitivity.

Background:-

• The first written evidence of the official Games dates from 776 BC, when the Greeks began measuring time in Olympiads, or the duration between each edition of the Olympic Games. The first Olympic Games were held every four years in honour of the god Zeus.
• In 393 AD, the Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned the Olympic Games for religious reasons, claiming that they encouraged paganism. They were not revived until the modern era.
• While French baron Pierre de Coubertin is widely recognized as the “father of the modern Olympics,” the concept dates back to 1830s Greece.

Modern Greece and the Revival of the Olympics

• Greece gained independence after centuries of foreign rule, including four centuries under Ottoman control. The nation faced economic and cultural lag compared to much of Europe. Greek intellectuals viewed independence as a chance for national revival.
• Poet Panagiotis Soutsos (1806-1868) invoked Greece’s ancient glory to inspire national pride, writing several poems in the early 1830s. Soutsos suggested that March 25, the anniversary of the Greek War of Independence, be marked by a revived version of the ancient Olympics.
• By the 1850s, Evangelos Zappas, a wealthy veteran of the Greek War of Independence, supported Soutsos’ idea. Zappas proposed to the Greek government to hold the Games which he would fund from his own pocket.
• After three years of lobbying, Zappas’ Olympics were held in 1859 in a city square in Athens. A number of competitions were organised-and winners received cash prizes.
• Zappas left his fortune to fund future Olympiads. Thus, the games were held again in 1870, 1875, and 1888.
• Efforts to revive the ancient Olympics were not limited to Greece. In 1859, inspired by Zappas’ Olympics, W P Brookes, a doctor in Wenlock, England, organized the “Annual Wenlock Olympic Games.” In 1866, he held the first “National Olympic Games” in London, attracting participants from across Britain.
• The British aristocracy, promoting amateurism, restricted participation to “gentlemen,” a move that was adopted in Greece, leading to a decline in the quality and interest in the early Olympics.
• In 1880, Brookes proposed an international Olympic competition open to all, aiming to rejuvenate the Olympics. Thus far, both in Britain and Greece, the Olympics had been restricted to nationals.
• It is this idea that Pierre de Coubertin eventually claimed as his own in 1892, after meeting Brookes and witnessing the Wenlock games in 1890.
• In 1894, he organized the “Congress for the Revival of the Olympic Games” in Paris, leading to the proposal for the first International Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
• The first Olympic Games of the modern era took place in Athens, in the country where the original Games took place in Antiquity, in April 1896. Paris hosted the second Games in 1900.
• The Paris 1900 Olympic Games saw women compete for the first time.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Recently, minister of state in the ministry of home affairs, gave a detailed answer to a question regarding government efforts to tackle cybercrimes in Rajya Sabha.

Background:

• The country has been witnessing a massive increase in cyber crimes.

Government efforts to tackle cybercrime

• The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up the ‘Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’ (I4C) as an attached office to deal with all types of cyber crime in the country, in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.
• Seven Joint Cyber Coordination Teams (JCCTs) have been constituted for Mewat, Jamtara, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Vishakhapatnam, and Guwahati under I4C covering the whole country based upon cyber crime hotspots/ areas having multi jurisdictional issues by on boarding States/UTs to enhance the coordination framework among the Law Enforcement Agencies of the States/UTs.
• The state of the art ‘National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Investigation)’ has been established, as a part of the I4C, at New Delhi to provide early stage cyber forensic assistance to Investigating Officers (IOs) of State/UT Police.
• The ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’ has been launched, as a part of the I4C, to enable public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cyber crimes, with special focus on cyber crimes against women and children.
• The ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’, under I4C, has been launched for immediate reporting of financial frauds and to stop siphoning off funds by the fraudsters. A toll-free Helpline number ‘1930’ has been operationalized to get assistance in lodging online cyber complaints.
• The Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platform, namely ‘CyTrain’ portal has been developed under I4C, for capacity building of police officers/judicial officers through online course on critical aspects of cyber crime investigation, forensics, prosecution etc. along with certification.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial assistance to states/UT’s under the ‘Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC)’ Scheme for their capacity building such as setting up of cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories, hiring of junior cyber consultants and training of LEAs’ personnel, public prosecutors and judicial officers.
• National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Evidence) has been set up at Hyderabad. Establishment of this laboratory provides the necessary -5- R.S.US.Q.NO. 249 FOR 24.07.2024 forensic support in cases of evidence related to cyber crime, preserving the evidence and its analysis in line with the provisions of IT Act and Evidence Act; and reduced turnaround time.

Source: MHA

 Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: An Indian contingent is part of the 21st edition of Khaan Quest, a multinational peacekeeping exercise, which commenced in Mongolia on July 27 with an opening ceremony held at the Five Hills Training Area in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

Background:

• The exercise has around 430 participants from 23 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Türkiye, the United States, and the United Kingdom, among others.

About KHAAN QUEST

• The exercise first started as a bilateral event between USA and Mongolian Armed Forces in the year 2003.
• Subsequently, from the year 2006 onwards the exercise graduated to a Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise with current year being the 21st
• Aim of Exercise KHAAN QUEST is to prepare Indian Armed Forces for peacekeeping missions while operating in a multinational environment, thereby increasing interoperability and military readiness in peace support operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.
• The exercise will focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.

Source: PIB

 Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Banni, a vast grassland in the southern part of Kutch, Gujarat, is being readied to host cheetahs from Africa as part of the next phase of Project Cheetah.

Background:

• Banni offers the advantage of having no leopards, making it a potential long-term site for a larger cheetah population once sufficient prey is established.

Key Takeaways :

• The Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India formally commenced on September 17, 2022, to restore the population of cheetahs, which were declared extinct in the country in 1952.
• The project involves the translocation of cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

• The project is implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and cheetah experts from Namibia and South Africa.
• As of now, 20 cheetahs have been introduced in India under Project Cheetah:
• 8 cheetahs from Namibia (5 males and 3 females) introduced on September 17, 2022, at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
• 12 cheetahs from South Africa (6 males and 6 females) introduced on February 18, 2023, at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Purpose of Project Cheetah:

• Reintroduce Cheetahs in India: The primary objective is to reestablish a viable and sustainable population of cheetahs in India. These magnificent animals were declared extinct in the country in 1952, and Project Cheetah aims to reverse this loss.
• Conservation: Project Cheetah focuses on conserving the genetic diversity of cheetahs. By preserving the species, we ensure that future generations can appreciate and benefit from their existence.
• Ecosystem Balance: Reintroducing cheetahs plays a crucial role in restoring the balance of the ecosystem. As apex predators, cheetahs help regulate herbivore populations, which in turn affects vegetation and overall forest health.
• Research and Education: The project supports research and education related to cheetah conservation, ecology, and biology. By improving our understanding of cheetahs, we can better manage their habitats and protect them effectively.
• Ecotourism: Promoting ecotourism and wildlife tourism generates income and creates jobs for local communities. Simultaneously, it raises awareness about cheetah conservation, fostering a sense of responsibility among visitors.
• Community Engagement: Engaging local communities is vital. Project Cheetah addresses human-cheetah conflict, encourages coexistence, and ensures that communities actively participate in safeguarding these animals.
• National Pride: By restoring India’s pride in having cheetahs, the project showcases the country’s commitment to wildlife conservation. Cheetahs symbolize India’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.
• Global Cooperation: Collaboration with international organizations and other countries allows us to share knowledge, expertise, and resources. Together, we can work towards the long-term survival of this iconic species.

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: A consortium of smallholder farmers in Mokokchung, Nagaland, is pioneering a sustainable shift away from traditional plastics by producing and adopting compostable bioplastic bags derived from Cassava starch.

Background:

• Despite government efforts to ban single-use plastics, the impact has been limited due to the lack of alternative lightweight materials.

Key takeaways :

• Nagaland’s smallholder farmers are leading a remarkable initiative by producing compostable bioplastic bags made from cassava starch.
• This effort aims to reduce plastic usage and promote eco-friendly alternatives.
• The initiative producing compostable bioplastic bags made from cassava starch is supported by the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), this project is spearheaded by Eco Starch, a local MSME.
• The primary goal is to replace single-use plastics with biodegradable alternatives.
• The concept of ‘cassava village’ is central to this initiative, emphasizing local economic growth, alternative livelihoods, and employment opportunities.

Cassava-Based Bioplastics:

• Cassava, a root crop, serves as the raw material for these bioplastic bags.
• Eco Starch has established a manufacturing facility in Mokokchung, Nagaland, where they produce these eco-friendly bags.
• Farmers within a 30-40 km radius are mobilized to cultivate cassava, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials.
• The first cassava harvest is expected within a year, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach.

Key Lessons:

• Sustainable Alternatives: Using locally available resources like cassava showcases the potential for sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics.
• Community Involvement: Empowering women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and local youth fosters community engagement and inclusive growth.
• Economic Empowerment: Developing ‘cassava villages’ provides alternative livelihoods and generates employment, benefiting the local economy.
• Scalability and Expansion: Diversifying product lines can create more jobs and cater to a broader market, further enhancing local economic benefits.

Source: PIB

Q1.) Consider the following statements about a private bill

1. Only opposition MPs are referred as private members and bills introduced by them are called private bills.
2. Number of Private Bills introduced in parliament have considerably decreased over time.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q2.) With reference to the Cassava-Based Bioplastics initiative in Nagaland, consider the following statements:

1. The initiative to produce compostable bioplastic bags made from cassava starch are supported by the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR).
2. The concept of ‘cassava village’ is central to this initiative.
3. The primary goal is to replace single-use plastics with biodegradable alternatives.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Q3.) With reference to the project cheetah, consider the following statements:

1. Project Cheetah is a program to reintroduce cheetahs to India which were declared extinct in the country in 1952.
2. The project involves the translocation of cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are 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 ’  27th July 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  d

Q.2) – a

Q.3) – c