Daily Current Affairs UPSC 13 June 2024

Financial Intelligence Unit - India (FIU-IND)

• FIU recently imposed a fine on Axis Bank for its failure to identify suspicious transactions made in the name of the National Security Guard, a counter-terrorist commando force.

About FIU-IND

1. Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Finance oversees the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND)
FIU-IND reports directly to the Economic Intelligence Council, which is led by the Finance Minister

2. Establishment: FIU-IND was established by the Government of India in 2004

3. Mandate: FIU-IND is the central national agency tasked with receiving, processing, analyzing, and sharing information on suspected financial transactions. It also collaborates with national and international intelligence agencies to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF)

• The Prime Minister has declared that financial assistance will be provided to the families of those who lost their lives in a fire incident in Kuwait from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

About PMNRF

• Establishment of PMNRF in 1948 to help displaced persons from Pakistan.
• Current usage of PMNRF for providing immediate relief to families affected by natural disasters and medical treatment.
• Funding for PMNRF comes entirely from public contributions, without any budgetary support.
• Accepts voluntary contributions from individuals, organizations, trusts, companies, and institutions.
• Contributions to PMNRF are exempt from income tax, providing a tax benefit to donors.

Mercy Petition

The President has denied the plea for clemency from a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist who was given the death penalty for the Red Fort attack in December 2000.

Constitutional clauses regarding the President's authority over mercy petitions.

• Article 72 gives the President of India the authority to provide pardons, reprieves, respites, suspensions, remissions, or commutations of sentences for individuals convicted of various offenses.
• The President can exercise this power in cases where the sentence was given by a court martial, for offenses against laws falling under the executive power of the Union, or for sentences of death.
• This provision allows the President to intervene in the legal process and provide relief to individuals who have been convicted of crimes under specific circumstances.

Nitrous oxide

• Nitrous oxide emissions have increased by 40% over the past 40 years, with China and India being the largest emitters according to a recent study.

About Nitrous oxide

• Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless, non-flammable gas that occurs naturally in the environment and is known for causing euphoria, earning it the nickname 'laughing gas'.
• The gas is used for anesthesia and has other therapeutic benefits, but it also has a global-warming potential 273 times that of CO2 over a 100-year timescale.
• Sources of nitrous oxide emissions include agricultural activities such as the use of fertilizers, vehicular gas emissions, and other industrial processes.

Sea cucumbers

• Sea cucumbers play a crucial role in the recovery of coral reefs according to new research.

About Sea Cucumbers

• Sea cucumbers are part of the echinoderm animal group, which also includes starfish and sea urchins.
• They are known as the janitors of tropical seas because they consume decomposing organic matter and convert it into recyclable nutrients, helping to buffer the ocean's acidification.
• Sea cucumbers exhibit both sexual and asexual reproduction.
• They are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Threats to Sea Cucumbers: Sea cucumbers face threats from illegal harvest, trade, and trafficking.

Greater Adjutant Stork

• The increasing urban development in Assam is having a negative impact on the survival of Greater Adjutant storks.

About Greater Adjutant Stork

• Habitat: Adjutant storks mostly breed in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam.

Characteristics: 

• They are omnivorous and primarily feed on large carrion.
• The name "adjutant" comes from their distinctive military-style walking.
• Adjutant storks are known to be monogamous.
• Both male and female participate in nest building.
• They lack vocal muscles and rely on unique behavior and tactile communication.
• IUCN: Adjutant storks are classified as Near Threatened.
• Threats: Threats to adjutant storks include habitat loss, disturbance of breeding and feeding sites, hunting of adults, and more.

Atomic clock

• A new portable Atomic clock provides highly precise timekeeping while on the ocean.

Working of atomic clock

• Time is measured by the vibrations of atoms.
• Contains an element such as cesium or calcium and a source of microwave radiation.
• Electron of the element can be excited to a higher state by microwave radiation.
• Time is accurately measured by observing the frequency of the transition.
• Frequency is the number of waves that pass a point in a unit of time.

New Craters on Mars

• Three craters found on Mars by Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
• Located in Tharsis volcanic region on Mars.
• PRL recommended names for craters to International Astronomical Union (IAU).
• Craters named Lal, Mursan, and Hilsa by IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature.

About IAU

• Established in 1919, this organization is responsible for designating names to celestial bodies and their surface features on a global scale.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda

• The death anniversary of Birsa Munda, a freedom fighter and tribal leader, was commemorated.

Background of Bhagwan Birsa Munda

• Born in the Munda tribe in Ulihatu, Khunti district.
• Also known as ‘Dharti Aaba’.

Contributions of Birsa Munda

• Started the faith of Birsait.
• Emphasized prayer, abstinence from alcohol, and faith in God.
• Led the 'Ulgulan (The Great Tumult)' movement against tribal exploitation.
• Resulted in the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908) to protect tribal land.

Legacy of Birsa Munda

• Birth anniversary celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on 15th November.

Values associated with Birsa Munda

• Courage, Justice, Leadership, etc.

Twenty-Five Years of Kargil War

• The Indian Army recently started a Pan-India Motorcycle Expedition to pay tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War.

About Kargil War (1999)

• The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan in the Kargil district of Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LOC).
• Pakistan's objective was to sever the link between Kashmir and Ladakh.
• The war began shortly after the signing of the Lahore Declaration in 1999.
• It laid the foundation for peaceful relations, with the aim of resolving all issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, through peaceful means.
• During the conflict, the Indian Army successfully expelled Pakistani intruders and recaptured Tiger Hill and other strategic posts as part of Operation Vijay.

Aftermath of the War

• Following the Kargil War, various military and intelligence reforms were implemented based on the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee.
• These reforms included reorganizing the mechanisms between the Defence Ministry and the Service Headquarters, as well as creating the position of Chief of Defence Staff.
• There was a focus on strengthening surveillance capabilities and developing necessary technology domestically.
• Additionally, a full-time National Security Adviser was appointed to advise the Prime Minister on security threats.

IIT-KGP publishes study on drought due to depleting groundwater (GW) levels

Key Findings:

• Severity of groundwater drought increased 22 times during the pre-monsoon season from 1996 to 2016.
• Groundwater drought occurs when water tables drop below normal levels.
• Affected regions include large parts of North India, including major cities like Delhi-NCR, Jaipur, and Lucknow.

About Groundwater:

• 30% of the world's freshwater is groundwater.
• India is the largest groundwater user in the world, accounting for more than 25% of the global total.
• Groundwater contributes nearly 62% in irrigation, 85% in rural water supply, and 50% in urban water supply.
• Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra plains possess 60% of the country's groundwater resources.
• High utilization states include Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.
• 11% of assessed groundwater units are overexploited, and 3% are critical.

Causes of Groundwater Depletion:

• Excessive use of groundwater for agricultural and industrial purposes due to rising population.
• Shifting climate patterns affecting water availability.
• Unsustainable urbanization, such as encroachment of water bodies and concretization.
• Subsidies that facilitate low-cost pumping technologies and free electricity.

Steps Taken

• Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL): Implemented in 7 states to improve groundwater management.
• "Catch The Rain" Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Promotes rainwater harvesting and water conservation.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Includes water conservation and water harvesting structures.
• Financial Assistance to States: Utilizing grants for rainwater harvesting under the 15th Finance Commission.
• Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater (2020): Prepared by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to improve groundwater recharge.

World Economic Forum (WEF) released ‘Global Gender Gap Report 2024’

• The report uses the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) to assess the current status and progress of gender equality by analyzing 14 indicators across four main categories.

Key findings

Global:

• Top Countries: Iceland, Finland, Norway, New Zealand, and Sweden are the top five countries in terms of gender parity.
• Progress: The share of women in parliamentary positions has been steadily increasing since 2006, but at the current rate, it will take 134 years to reach full parity.
• Workforce: Women make up 28.2% of the STEM workforce and 47.3% of the non-STEM workforce globally.

India:

• Ranking: India was ranked 129th globally and 5th in South Asia, with small declines in Educational Attainment and Political Empowerment.
• Education: Women have high representation in primary, secondary, and tertiary education enrolments in India.

Recommendation

• Investment: Achieving gender parity by 2030 would require a collective investment of $360 billion per year.
• Interventions: Targeted interventions and equitable access to emerging technological competencies are needed to close the gender gap.
• Business Policies: Businesses should implement effective diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and focus on upskilling their workforce.

Note: The Gender Inequality Index (GII) is a composite metric of gender inequality based on reproductive health, empowerment, and the labor market.

 World Bank Releases ‘Global Economic Prospects Report’

• A report recommended that Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) increase their public investments significantly in order to achieve their development objectives.

Key highlights

Investment Levels

• Public investment in EMDEs typically makes up around 25% of total investment.
• However, there has been a significant slowdown in public investment in these economies over the past decade.

Benefits

• Increasing public investment by 1% of GDP can lead to a GDP growth of over 1.5% and a rise in private investment by 2.2% in the medium term.
• Public investment is crucial for providing public goods and services that may not be profitable for the private sector, such as healthcare and education.

Recommendations (“three Es” package of policy priorities) to harness the benefits of public investment

• Expansion of fiscal space through improving tax collection efficiency, enhancing fiscal frameworks, and reducing unproductive spending.
• Improving the efficiency of public investment by addressing corruption and poor governance, promoting public-private partnerships, etc.
• Enhanced global support through coordinated financial assistance and effective technical support for structural reforms.

About public investment

• Public investment typically involves the State making investments in fixed assets through central or local governments or publicly owned industries.
• This can include investments in physical infrastructure like transportation and buildings, as well as investments in human capital such as education and skills.
• Public investment can also encompass intangible investments in knowledge and technology to support economic growth and development.

Twenty fifth anniversary of International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention No. 182

• India ratified the "worst forms of child labour" convention in 2017, along with convention No. 138 on minimum age of employment.
• This was the first ILO Convention to be universally ratified.

Prevalence of Child Labour in India

• According to the 2011 census, 10.1 million children (3.9% of total child population) are working in India.
• States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh have a high concentration of working children.
• Child labour is commonly found in agriculture, household industries, and roadside dabas.

Reasons for Child Labour in India

• Poverty forces families to rely on their children's labour for income.
• Lack of quality education increases the likelihood of children entering the workforce early.
• Disasters, conflicts, and mass migration lead to economic instability, pushing children into labour.
• Industries like agriculture and domestic work create a demand for cheap labour.
• Weak legislation and enforcement of laws contribute to the persistence of child labour.

Government measures to prevent child labour

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 24 of the Constitution prohibits the employment of children under 14 years old in factories, mines, or hazardous occupations.
• Article 39(e) mandates that States must focus on policies that protect the health and strength of workers, including children, and prevent their exploitation.

Legal Framework:

• The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2016 bans the employment of children under 14 years old in all occupations and adolescents under 18 years old in hazardous occupations.

30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

• The UNCCD is part of the Rio Conventions, which also include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), all established in 1992.

About UNCCD

• UNCCD, founded in 1994, is the only international agreement that legally connects environmental issues with sustainable land management in order to promote development.
• There are 196 countries and the European Union included in the membership.

Objectives of UNCCD:

• The main goal is to protect and restore land for a safer, just, and sustainable future.
• It promotes a bottom-up approach, involving local communities in combating desertification.

Report: Global Land Outlook.

Flagship Initiatives:

• In 2015, the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) target setting programme was introduced to achieve sustainable land management.
• India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares by 2030.
• The Strategic Framework 2018-2030 encourages nations to address desertification and land degradation in national policies.
• Other initiatives include the Great Green Wall, The Changwon Initiative, International Drought Resilience Alliance, and G20 Global Land Initiative.

Issue of Land Degradation and Desertification

• Land degradation refers to the decline in the quality of soil for current and future use.
• Up to 40% of the world's land area is affected by land degradation, leading to the loss of 100 million hectares of healthy land annually.
• In India, 32% of the land is degraded and 25% is experiencing desertification.