Current Affairs 3rd Sep 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Use of Regional Languages in High Courts

Context: Recently the Chief Justice of India while addressing a convocation function remarked that while judges and lawyers are familiar with English, many common citizens who bring their cases to court struggle to understand the legal process.

About Use of Regional Languages in High Court

• Out of 25 High Courts, only 4- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar — are allowed to use Hindi in their proceedings.
  • These HCs were allowed to Use of Hindi language after a decision of the Cabinet Committee in 1964.
• New Proposals:
  • Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Karnataka have proposed using regional languages in their High Courts.
  • The Chief Justice of India was consulted on these proposals in 2012.
  • After thorough deliberation with other judges, he decided not to accept them.
  • Reason for Non-inclusion: Inclusion will impact judges and lawyers who are not proficient in regional languages.

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees (DRSCs)

Context: Nearly three months after the Lok Sabha polls, Standing Committees have not been formed owing to disagreements between the government and the Opposition over who would chair the panels.

About DRSCs

• Origin: Set up in 1993 on the basis of reports of Rules Committees of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Composition:
  • Members- 31
    • 21 – Lok Sabha (Nominated by LS Speaker)
    • 10 – Rajya Sabha (nominated by the RS Chairman)
  • Chairman:
    • Chairpersons to 8 committees under the Rajya Sabha are appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
    • Chairpersons to 16 committees under the Lok Sabha are appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
  • Tenure: Tenure of all members, including the chairman, is 1 year.
• Functions:
  • Scrutiny of Budget:To consider the Demands for Grants of the concerned Ministries/ Departments
    • DRSC does not have the power to suggest Cut Motions.
  • Examine Policies: Review the policies and programs implemented by the ministries.
  • Consider Bills: To examine the Bills related to Ministries/Departments referred to the Committee by any of the House.

Bio- E3 Initiative

Context: The National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) under the Bio-E3 initiative is promoting bio-manufacturing and innovations in livestock health, diagnostics, biomolecules and alternative proteins for a sustainable bio-economy.

What is the Bio-E3 Initiative?

• Bio-E3 stands for Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment.
• Aim: To encourage High-Performance Manufacturing.
• Thematic/ Focus Areas:
  • High-value bio-based chemicals, biopolymers & enzymes
  • Smart proteins & functional foods
  • Precision biotherapeutics
  • Climate-resilient agriculture
  • Carbon capture & its utilisation
  • Marine and space research.
• Key features of the policy:
• To Support innovation-driven Research, Development and entrepreneurship across various thematic sectors.
• Establishment of Biomanufacturing, Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundry to commercialise Bio-technology.
  • Biofoundary: It is a facility that uses automation and analytics to support the engineering of biological systems.
  • Encourage Circular Bioeconomy.

Joint Commander’s Conference

Context: The first Joint Commanders Conference (JCC) is scheduled to be held in Lucknow. The meeting is expected to see extensive deliberations on the ongoing modernisation efforts in the Armed Forces.

About Joint Commander’s Conference

• Host: Indian Army
• Theme: Sashakt aur Surakshit Bharat: Transforming the Armed Forces
• Features:
  • For the first time, a platform has been created where all the military commanders from the three services will come together to discuss the ongoing transformation in defence forces.
  • This conference will be held
  • It will be addressed by the Defence Minister and the Chief of Defence staff

What are Joint Logistics Nodes (JLNs)?

• It is a network of logistics centres that provides comprehensive support to the Indian Armed Forces and streamlines their supply chain.
• Significance:
  • JLNs provide integrated logistics cover to the Armed Forces for their small arms ammunition, rations, fuel, general stores, civil hired transport, aviation clothing, spares
  • It helps to synergise their operational efforts.
• Operational JLNs: Mumbai, Guwahati, and Port Blair
• Upcoming JLNs: Leh, Siliguri, Sulur and Prayagraj

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