DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th March 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Schemes

Context: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently addressed the beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi scheme.

Background:-

• Recalling the launch of PM SVANidhi Yojna during the covid pandemic, Prime Minister threw light on a recent study which states that the income of street vendors has grown manifold and the digital records of purchases are also helping them avail benefits from the bank.

About PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi)

• PM SVANidhi is a central-sector micro-credit scheme launched on 1st June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to provide handholding support to street vendors.
• The scheme facilitates a working capital collateral-free loan of ₹10,000, with subsequent loans of ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 with a 7% interest subsidy.
• The scheme focuses on increasing the digital footprint in India by promoting the use of digital transactions among street vendors.
• To incentivize the adoption of digital transactions, a cashback of up to ₹100 per month is given to Street Vendors.
• The scheme aims to formalize the street vendors and open up new opportunities for this sector to move up the economic ladder.
• A recent study by SBI has hailed the performance of the scheme stating that 43% beneficiaries are women street vendors. Moreover 44% of the PM SVANidhi beneficiaries belong to OBC category, while Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes account for 22%.
• PM SVANidhi has helped promote ‘inclusive entrepreneurship’ and proven to be a gender equalizer.

Source: PIB

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Polity

Context: The Supreme Court has criticised the Tamil Nadu governor R.N. Ravi for refusing to re-induct lawmaker K. Ponmudi as minister even after the suspension of his conviction by the top court.

Background:

• This is the newest chapter in the conflict between states ruled by opposition parties, and their Governors, who are appointed by the President on the Centre’s advice.

Law on Governor-state relations:

• Although envisaged as an apolitical head who must act on the advice of the council of ministers, the Governor enjoys certain powers granted under the Constitution, such as giving or withholding assent to a Bill passed by the state legislature, or determining the time needed for a party to prove its majority, or which party must be called first do so, generally after a hung verdict in an election.
• There are, however, no provisions laid down for the manner in which the Governor and the state must engage publicly when there is a difference of opinion. The management of differences has traditionally been guided by respect for each other’s boundaries.

What have been the friction points in recent years?

• In recent years, these have been largely about the selection of the party to form a government, deadline for proving majority, sitting on Bills, and passing negative remarks on the state administration.

For example:

• Allegations of the Centre using the Governor’s position to destabilise state governments have been made since the 1950s. In 1959, Kerala’s E M S Namboodiripad government was dismissed based on a report by the Governor.
• In December 2020, KeralaGovernor Arif Mohammed Khan turned down a request to summon a special sitting of the Assembly to debate the three central farm laws.
• Following the Karnataka polls in 2018, Governor Vajubhai Vala invited the BJP to form the government and gave B SYeddyurappa 15 days to prove majority. Challenged by Congress and JDS in the Supreme Court, it was reduced to three days.

Why does this friction happen?

• Governors have become political appointees.The Constituent Assembly envisaged governor to be apolitical. But politicians become Governors.
• In 2001, the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, headed by retired CJI M N Venkachaliah and set up by the Atal Behari Vajpayee, said “Governor owes his appointment and his continuation in the office to the Union Council of Ministers, in matters where the Central Government and the State Government do not see eye to eye, there is the apprehension that he is likely to act in accordance with the instructions, if any, received from the Union Council of Ministers”.
• There is no provision for impeaching the Governor, who is appointed by the President on the Centre’s advice. While the Governor has 5-year a tenure, he can remain in office only until the pleasure of the President.
• In the Constitution, there are no guidelines for exercise of the Governor’s powers, including for appointing a CM or dissolving the Assembly. There is no limit set for how long a Governor can withhold assent to a Bill.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – Polity

Context: The Supreme Court emphasized the need to prevent the arbitrary use of preventive detention powers, overturning a Telangana High Court decision.

Background:

• It clarified that preventive detention is meant to avert future harm, not as a form of punishment, and should be based on careful consideration of facts.

About PREVENTIVE DETENTION

• Preventive detention involves detaining an individual without trial in order to prevent them from committing a crime.
• Unlike criminal proceedings, which relate to punishing someone for an offense they have committed, preventive detention does not involve an offense.
• The objective of preventive detention is prevention, not punishment.
• It aims to prevent the detainee from engaging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state.

Legal Basis in India:

• The power to enact preventive detention laws in India comes from the Constitution itself.
• Article 22 of the Indian Constitution addresses preventive detention:
• Article 22(3)(b) allows for preventive detention and puts restrictions on personal liberty to ensure state security and public order.
• Article 22(4) states that no law providing for preventive detention shall authorize the detention of a person for a period longer than three months. In case of extended detention, an advisory board’s report is required for sufficient cause.

Source: Economic Times

Syllabus

• Prelims – Science

Context: Recently, Thailand ordered a close watch on livestock after an outbreak of anthrax in neighbouring Laos.

Background:

• The situation has raised concerns as more than 50 suspected human cases have been reported in Laos. Thailand has not reported any anthrax cases since 2001.

About ANTHRAX:

• Anthrax is a zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis.
• It primarily inhabits herbivorous wildlife and livestock, and it is usually fatal among these animals.
• Bacillus anthracis forms hardy spores that can survive in the environment for long periods.
• People become infected when these spores enter their bodies.
• Anthrax spores can enter the body through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion.

Common Routes are:

• Cutaneous Anthrax: Spores enter through cuts or abrasions on the skin.
• Inhalational Anthrax: Inhalation of spores (rare but severe).
• Gastrointestinal Anthrax: Ingestion of contaminated meat.

Symptoms:

• Initial Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, cough, and difficulty breathing.
• Progression: Rapidly worsens, leading to respiratory failure.

Treatment:

• Early antibiotic therapy (e.g., ciprofloxacin, doxycycline).

Preventive Measures:

• Vaccination: Anthrax vaccine for high-risk individuals (e.g., laboratory workers, military personnel).
• Avoid Exposure: Handle animal products with care.
• Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Antibiotics after exposure to spores.

Geographical Spread

• Anthrax is global in its geographical spread.
• It is endemic to many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, Central and Southwest Asia, Central and South America and Australia.

Source: Live Science

Syllabus

• Prelims – Economy

Context: Recently, the Expert Committee tasked with developing the Gujarat International Finance Tech-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC) as a ‘Global Finance and Accounting Hub’ has successfully submitted its comprehensive report to the Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA).

Background:

• This significant milestone marks a crucial step toward establishing GIFT IFSC as a prominent player in the global financial landscape.

About GUJARAT INTERNATIONAL FINANCE TECH-CITY INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRE (GIFT IFSC) :

• The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC) is India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) under the Special Economic Zone Act, 2005.
• It was established as a financial hub to provide world-class infrastructure and services for financial institutions and companies operating in areas such as banking, insurance, capital markets, and asset management.
• The centre aspires to become India’s gateway for inbound and outbound requirements of international financial services, and aims to attract top talent in the country by providing the finest quality of life.

Key Features of GIFT IFSC:

• It is a Multi Services Special Economic Zone with 105 hectares of land.
• It commenced its business operations in April 2015.
• The Union Budget 2016 provided a competitive tax regime for the IFSC at GIFT SEZ.
• It has generated employment for over 16,000 individuals.
• The average daily turnover on international exchanges is over $20 billion.
• The IFSC Banking Business Asset size is approximately $33 billion.
• The reinsurance premium booked in IFSC is $297 million.

Source: PIB

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: In a dispute between the States of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over sharing of Pennaiyar river water resources, the Supreme Court recently directed that a new Negotiation Committee be constituted to re-explore the possibility of settlement by negotiations between the States.

Background:

• Recurring fight between states over sharing of waters is not new and invariably flares up in years of deficient rainfall.

Factors responsible for Inter-State Water Dispute:

• When a river flows across a boundary between the states, the upstream state is usually at an advantage. Creating an asymmetry between upstream and downstream states.
• The total water demand in India is projected to increase by 22% and 32% in 2025 and 2050 respectively. The rising demand has put stress on limited water reserves further aggravating the Inter-State water dispute.
• Under Schedule VII of the Indian Constitution, the power to use water for storage, electricity, irrigation, etc. is mentioned under the State list and ‘interstate water’ under the Union list. However, these powers are interconnected, and usage by one State affects usage by other States, thus creating ambiguity on water usage rights.
• Water governance architecture in India is based on a fragmented piecemeal approach. It relies on numerical measures such as arithmetic hydrology, surplus, deficit, etc. ignoring the social, ecological, and cultural processes associated with water.

Various mechanisms to deal with the Inter-State Water Dispute:

Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution,

• Entry 17 of State List reads “Water, that is to say, water supplies, irrigation and canals, drainage, and embankments, water storage and water power subject to the provisions of entry 56 of List I (Union List)”.
• Entry 56 of List I provides that “Regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys to the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the Union are declared by Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest”.
• Article 262 says that Parliament by law may provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint concerning the use, distribution, or control over the waters of, or in, any inter-state river or river valley. In the exercise of the the power conferred by Article 262 of the Constitution;

Parliament has enacted two laws-

• Under the Inter-State Water Disputes (ISWD) Act of 1956 a state government that has a water dispute with another state government may request the central government to refer the dispute to a tribunal for adjudication.
• Under the River Boards Act of 1956, River Boards can be set up by the central government for the regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys.

National Water Policy 2012

• National Water Policy 2012 seeks to address issues such as scarcity of water, inequities in its distribution, and the lack of a unified perspective in planning, management, and use of water resources.

Issues/Challenges associated with resolving the Inter-State Water Dispute:

• Delayed resolution due to prolonged proceedings and delays in the disposal of river water disputes. For example, it took 11 years for the Godavari water dispute tribunal to give its decision.
• Article 262 deters the Supreme Court from adjudicating interstate river water disputes. However, Article 136 empowers the SC to hear appeals against the tribunal’s orders, further causing ambiguity in the implementation of tribunal orders.
• The politicization of disputes as some political parties are using interstate water disputes as avenues for pursuing political goals.
• Lack of multidisciplinary approach as tribunals in India primarily consist of members from the judiciary thus lacking inputs from specialists such as ecologists hampering the quality of orders.

Source: Live Law

Q1.) Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC) is India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) under the Special Economic Zone Act, 2005.

Statement-II:

GIFT IFSC was established as a financial hub to provide world-class infrastructure and services for financial institutions and companies operating in areas such as banking, insurance, capital markets, and asset management.

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 Anthrax, consider the following statements:

1. Anthrax is a zoonotic viral disease.
2. Bacillus anthracis forms hardy spores that can survive in the environment for long periods.
3. Anthrax is global in its geographical spread.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Q3.)Consider the following statements about the Preventive detention:

1. Preventive detention involves detaining an individual without trial.
2. It aims to prevent the detainee from engaging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state.

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 ’  30th March  2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c