Current Affairs 4/3/24

1. Indian Heritage

• Culture

• Modern Indian history

• The Freedom Struggle

• Post-independence

• Indian Society

A. population and associated issues

B. poverty and developmental issues

C.urbanization

   7. Geographical features

8.Indian Constitution

9. Polity

What is PESA Act, 1996?

The 73rd constitutional amendment, ratified in 1992, aimed to promote local self-governance in rural India by establishing a three-tiered Panchayati Raj Institution. Nevertheless, its applicability to scheduled and tribal regions was restricted by Article 243(M). This article allows Parliament to extend its provisions to these areas, with specific exclusions and adjustments, without being considered as a constitutional amendment.

In response to the Bhuria Committee’s 1995 recommendations for tribal self-rule in India’s scheduled areas, the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act of 1996 was enacted and became effective on December 24, 1996. While the state legislature holds an advisory role in facilitating the operation of Panchayats and Gram Sabhas, the PESA grants the Gram Sabha absolute authority, ensuring their autonomy without interference from higher levels. PESA is the cornerstone of tribal law in India, supporting self-governance and acknowledging traditional decision-making processes. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is primarily responsible for implementing PESA’s requirements in the states.

Objectives of the PESA Act, 1996

The following are the goals of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) PESA Act:

• To extend the panchayat-related provisions of Part IX of the Constitution about the scheduled territories with some changes
• It recognizes the traditional rights over natural resources held by tribal communities that live in the Scheduled Areas. It also affirms their right to self-govern through their forms of self-government.
• To create gram sabha as the center of all operations by establishing participatory democracy in local governance.
• To create a proper administrative structure that complies with standard practices.
• To uphold and protect the ethnic communities’ traditions and customs.
• To give panchayats the precise power required to address tribal needs properly.
• To stop panchayats at the higher level of the Gram Sabha from taking over the functions and power of panchayats at the lower level.

Provisions of the PESA Act, 1996

The PESA Act is also known as Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act. It aims to empower local self-governance in scheduled areas in India. Here are the provisions of the PESA Act in short sentences:

• Recognition of gram sabhas as the decision-making body in tribal areas.
• Granting authority to gram sabhas to manage and control natural resources, such as land, water, and forests.
• Ensuring participation of tribal communities in the decision-making process regarding land acquisition and development projects.
• Protecting the traditional rights and customs of tribal communities.
• Providing autonomy to panchayats in scheduled areas. It is done to plan and implement socio-economic development programs.
• Facilitating the transfer of certain powers and responsibilities from higher levels of government to panchayats in scheduled areas.
• Ensuring the safeguarding of tribal culture, heritage, and traditions.
• Promoting self-governance and self-determination among tribal communities.
• Strengthening the administrative and financial capacities of panchayats in scheduled areas.
• Establishing institutional mechanisms for conflict resolution and dispute settlement at the local level.

10. Governance

A. institutions

B. regulatory

Competition Commission of India

The Competition Act, 2002 was passed by the Parliament in the year 2002, to which the President accorded assent in January, 2003. It was subsequently amended by the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007.

In accordance with the provisions of the Amendment Act, the Competition Commission of India and the Competition Appellate Tribunal have been established. The Competition Commission of India is now fully functional with a Chairperson and six members. The provisions of the Competition Act relating to anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position were notified on May 20, 2009.

Duties of the CCI

The main objective of competition law is to promote economic efficiency using competition as one of the means of assisting the creation of market responsive to consumer preferences.¹² The Competition Act is aimed at addressing the evils affecting the economic landscape of the country in which interest of the society and consumers at large is directly involved. One of the avowed objectives of the Act is to promote consumers’ welfare by preventing market distortions caused by such actions and agreements of the enterprises which militate against the competition and consumers’ interest. The competition law by its very nature envisages that there are situations where the Commission has a role and has to control behaviour of the enterprises in the market place in order to achieve consumer welfare.¹³

Section 18 of the Act which is in consonance with the preamble of the Act, casts an obligation on the CCI to ‘eliminate’ anti-competitive practices and promote competition, interests of the consumers and free trade.¹⁴ The exercise of power under Section 18 is subject to other provisions of the Act. The aim of the Commission is the institution of a system of undistorted competition which is commensurate to the promotion of the interests of the consumer.¹⁵ The preamble of the Competition Act and Section 18 mandates the Commission to “protect the interest of consumers” and it is important to ensure that consumers’ surplus is not adversely impacted.

C. Government policies

D. role of NGOs

E. measures

11. Social Justice

A. Welfare schemes

B Health

C. Education

D. Human Resources

E. poverty and hunger

12. International relations

A. India and its neighbourhood

B. groupings and agreements

C.Indian diaspora

13. Economic Development

A. Government Budgeting

National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) 

Constitution

The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) was constituted (view:1MB)   on 01st October,2018 by the Government of India under Sub Section (1) of section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013 (view:1MB) 

Functions and Duties

As per Sub Section (2) of Section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013 (View:1MB)  , the duties of the NFRA are to:

• Recommend accounting and auditing policies and standards to be adopted by companies for approval by the Central Government;
• Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards;
• Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such standards and suggest measures for improvement in the quality of service;
• Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary or incidental to the aforesaid functions and duties.

Sub Rule (1) of Rule 4 of the NFRA Rules, 2018(view:1MB)   , provides that the Authority shall protect the public interest and the interests of investors, creditors and others associated with the companies or bodies corporate governed under Rule 3 by establishing high quality standards of accounting and auditing and exercising effective oversight of accounting functions performed by the companies and bodies corporate and auditing functions performed by auditors.

Companies and Bodies Corporate Governed by the Authority

As per rule 3 of the NFRA rules,2018 (view:1MB)  , the Authority shall have power to monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards, oversee the quality of service under sub-section (2) of section 132 (view:1MB)   or undertake investigation under sub-section (4)(view:1MB)   of such section of the auditors of the following class of companies and bodies corporate, namely:-

• Companies whose securities are listed on any stock exchange in India or outside India;
• Unlisted public companies having paid-up capital of not less than rupees five hundred crores or having annual turnover of not less than rupees one thousand crores or having, in aggregate, outstanding loans, debentures and deposits of not less than rupees five hundred crores as on the 31st March of immediately preceding financial year;
• Insurance companies, banking companies, companies engaged in the generation or supply of electricity, companies governed by any special Act for the time being in force or bodies corporate incorporated by an Act in accordance with  clauses (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of sub-section (4) of section 1 (view:1MB)  of the Act;
• Any body corporate or company or person, or any class of bodies corporate or companies or persons, on a reference made to the Authority by the Central Government in public interest; and
• A body corporate incorporated or registered outside India, which is a subsidiary or associate company of any company or body corporate incorporated or registered in India as referred to in clauses (a) to (d), if the income or networth of such subsidiary or associate company exceeds twenty per cent. of the consolidated income or consolidated networth of such company or the body corporate, as the case may be, referred to in clauses (a) to (d).

B. industrial

India’s first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) at Kalpakkam

In a historic milestone marking entry into the vital second stage of India’s three stage nuclear program, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi witnessed today, commencement of “Core Loading” at India’s first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister took a tour of the Reactor Vault and the Control Room of the Reactor. He was briefed about the salient features of this reactor. 

India has developed comprehensive capabilities spanning the entire spectrum of the nuclear fuel cycle. Government had approved in 2003, the creation of Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) to construct and operate India’s most advanced nuclear reactor-Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

In line with the true spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, PFBR has been fully designed and constructed indigenously by BHAVINI with significant contribution from more than 200 Indian industries including MSMEs.  Once commissioned, India will only be the second country after Russia to have commercial operating Fast Breeder Reactor.

The Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) will initially use the Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel. The Uranium-238 “blanket” surrounding the fuel core will undergo nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, thus earning the name ‘Breeder’. The use of Throium-232, which in itself is not a fissile material, as a blanket is also envisaged in this stage. By transmutation, Thorium will create fissile Uranium-233 which will be used as fuel in the third stage. FBR is thus a stepping stone for the third stage of the program paving the way for the eventual full utilization of India’s abundant thorium reserves.

In terms of safety, the PFBR is an advanced third generation reactor with inherent passive safety features ensuring a prompt and safe shut down of the plant in the event of an emergency.  Since it uses the spent fuel from the first stage, FBR also offers great advantage in terms of significant reduction in nuclear waste generated, thereby avoiding the need for large geological disposal facilities.

Upon completion of the core loading, the first approach to criticality will be achieved, leading to generation of power subsequently.

Notably, despite the advanced technology involved, both the capital cost and the per unit electricity cost is comparable to other nuclear and conventional power plants.

The growth of the Indian nuclear power program is imperative to meet the twin goals of energy security and sustainable development. As a responsible nuclear power with advanced technology, India remains committed to expand peaceful applications of nuclear technology, both in power and non-power sector, while ensuring the security of nuclear and radiological materials.

E.issues

14. Technology

Ashwini Vaishnav Launches Digital Intelligence Platform and CHAKSU

Union Minister for Communications Ashwini Vaishnav today launched the Digital Intelligence Platform and CHAKSHU – Report Suspected Fraud Communication Facility on Sanchar Saathi Portal at a function in New Delhi. Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) developed by the Department of Telecommunications aims at facilitating coordination among the Stakeholders to Curb the Misuse of Telecom Resources in Cybercrime and Financial Fraud. While the Chakshu facilitates citizens to report suspected fraud communication received over call, SMS or WhatsApp to defraud. These include KYC expiry or update of bank account, gas connection and impersonation as a government official or relative for sending money and disconnection of all mobile numbers by the Department of Telecommunications.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Government has laid special focus on cyber security to provide safeguards against cyber frauds. He said, these two initiatives will further strengthen the Government’s efforts in the fight against cyber fraud.  Mr Vaishnaw said that since the launch of the Sanchar Saathi Portal in May last year, more than one core fraudulent moble connections were delisted. The Portal detects fraudulent connections and triggers re-verification. He said, every day more than 2 thousand 500 such connections are being disconnected.

ICAT, Manesar awards the First PLI- Automotive Certificate to OLA Electric Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

nternational Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), Manesar, one of the divisions of National Automotive Board (NAB)- under Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), Govt. of India has awarded its first PLI – Automotive Certificate to M/s. Ola Electric Technologies Pvt. Ltd. under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme of MHI for Automobiles and Auto Components.

The certificate was handed over by Dr. Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary – MHI to Dr. S.J. Dhinagar, Head of Engineering & Sr. VP- Ola Electric, in the presence of Shri Saurabh Dalela, Director-ICAT & senior officials from MHI, ICAT and M/s. Ola Electric.

M/s. Ola Electric’s Battery Electric Vehicle – 2W [Ola S1 Pro (Gen2)] met the criteria of DVA of 50% (min.) for the Automotive PLI certificate, demonstrating their commitment to the indigenization of advanced automotive technology products.

India’s 1st Green Hydrogen Plant

India’s 1st Green Hydrogen Plant in Stainless Steel Sector located at Jindal Stainless Limited, Hisar. The inauguration also witnessed the presence of Secretary, Ministry of Steel Sh. Nagendra Nath Sinha, Managing Director (Jindal Stainless Limited), Sh. Abhyuday Jindal, Founder, Hygenco Sh. Amit Bansal,  and other officials of the Ministry of Steel.

India emerging as a Green leader

The Minister mentioned that India’s rich history of environmentalism, deeply embedded in traditions and practices, is now being revitalized through modern strategies. The country is making significant strides in tackling climate change with initiatives like the Panchamrit (five fold strategy to fight climate change) and Mission LiFE (a worldwide effort dedicated to supporting eco-friendly lifestyle and protecting the environment), showcasing a holistic approach to development that balances both nature and human prosperity. “As a government we are encouraging companies, citizens, and state governments to focus on “green growth” and “green jobs” to achieve the target of net zero carbon emission by 2070.”, he added.

National Green Hydrogen Mission transforming India’s Steel Industry

The Minister also highlighted India’s progress in the steel sector, evolving from a net importer to a net exporter and aiming to become the world’s largest producer of crude steel. One key initiative in this journey is the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched last year with an outlay of around ₹20,000 crore with an aim to make India a Global Hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. The Mission is also supporting pilot projects in the steel sector with a budget of around ₹500 crore until FY 2029-30.

“Allocation of 11% additional outlay for infrastructure development in this year’s Interim Union Budget also reflects the importance the government attaches to sectors crucial for growth.”, the Union Minister mentioned while highlighting the benefits industry accrue from the government’s push towards sustainability solutions, including infrastructure spending.

Green Hydrogen Milestone: Industry Transformation

While congratulating Hygenco and Jindal Stainless, for the commissioning of India’s first long-term off-take green hydrogen plant, the Union Minister mentioned that this innovative green hydrogen project seamlessly aligns with the government’s vision for a cleaner and more sustainable future. “The project not only aligns with the government’s vision but also creates valuable employment opportunities, showcasing the potential of responsible industrial practices.”, he added. The Minister urged other industry stakeholders to enthusiastically adopt clean technologies, actively participating in India’s transformative journey towards a greener economy and fostering a conscientious industrial landscape.

The Minister highlighted the government’s readiness to initiate robust national green policies, 13 task forces to identify action points for each aspect of green steel production, and implementation of Steel Scrap Recycling Policy for enhancing the availability of domestically generated scrap.

“The need of the hour, therefore, is for stakeholders to come together to build a globally competitive as well as sustainable steel industry.” the Minister said while emphasizing the monumental significance of energy transition in this new world order, and stating unequivocally that the next era of growth belongs to India and, within India, to the steel industry.

15. Environment

16. Security

ADITI scheme

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies, during DefConnect 2024 in New Delhi on March 04, 2024. Under the scheme, start-ups are eligible to receive grant-in-aid of up to Rs 25 crore for their research, development, and innovation endeavours in defence technology. “The scheme will nurture the innovation of youth, and help the country leap forward in the field of technology,” the Raksha Mantri said as he addressed a gathering of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers.

The ADITI scheme worth Rs 750 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26 falls under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework of Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence. It aims to develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies in the proposed timeframe. It also envisages to create a ‘Technology Watch Tool’ to bridge the gap between the expectations and requirements of the modern Armed Forces and the capabilities of the defence innovation ecosystem. In the first edition of ADITI, 17 challenges – Indian Army (3), Indian Navy (5), Indian Air Force (5) and Defence Space Agency (4) – have been launched.

Shri Rajnath Singh voiced Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s unwavering commitment to encourage the youth to bring forth innovative ideas. He asserted that to motivate young innovators, iDEX was expanded to iDEX Prime, with the assistance increasing from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 10 crore. Following the encouraging participation in providing solutions to the challenges given by the Services and DPSUs, ADITI scheme has now been launched, he said.

The Raksha Mantri stated that the idea behind the schemes/initiatives such as ADITI, iDEX, iDEX Prime is to also transform India into a knowledge society. “As times are changing, new technologies are coming into existence. To become a developed country, it is necessary for us to achieve a technological edge. We have to transform our country into a knowledge society,” he said.

The event also witnessed the launch of the 11th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC), heralding a new chapter in the collaboration between the defence establishment and the start-up ecosystem. The DISC 11 introduces 22 problem statements – Indian Army (4), Indian Navy (5), Indian Air Force (5), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (7) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (1) – aimed at addressing critical defence challenges, inviting innovators to propose innovative solutions that can enhance the country’s defence capabilities and contribute to national security.

17. Disaster Management