Current Affairs 9th April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Table of Contents

Orsk

Context

Russia has evacuated around 2,000 people from their homes in the Russian city of Orsk after rising waters in the Ural river flooded riverside villages and caused a dam to burst.
The water levels in Orsk, Russia prompted warnings about potential additional flooding.
Additionally, the rising waters pose a threat to the southern part of Orenburg, where a “federal emergency” has been declared due to the Ural River’s overflow.

Mapping- Orsk

Location and Geography: South-western Russia
- Second largest city in Orenburg Oblast, Russia
- Located on the steppe, 100 km southeast of the Ural Mountains
- Straddles the Ural River (border between Europe and Asia)
Significance:
- Near the Kazakhstan-Russia border
- Emerged as an industrial centre by the 1930s due to natural resources.

Zaporizhzhia

Context: Ukraine had attacked the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant three times.

About Zaporizhzhia

Zaporizhzhia is a city located in southeastern Ukraine, on the banks of the Dnieper River.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and one of the ten largest in the world.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear power plant was occupied by Russian forces in 2022.

VVPATs

Context: The Supreme Court announced that petitions for 100% verification of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips would be considered, ahead of the first phase of voting on April 19.

What is VVPAT?

VVPAT machines, connected to EVMs, print a slip showing the voter’s choice, which is visible behind a glass window for seven seconds before being stored securely.
The system is designed to enhance voter confidence by providing a physical audit trail of electronically cast votes.

Evolution and Adoption of VVPATs

Initiated in 2010, VVPATs were introduced to make EVM-based voting more transparent.
Following trials and political feedback, the Election Commission (EC) approved VVPAT design in 2013, amending the Conduct of Elections Rules for implementation.
VVPATs saw first use in Nagaland in 2013, reaching 100% adoption by June 2017.

Current VVPAT Counting Process

Based on the Indian Statistical Institute’s (ISI) recommendation, VVPAT slips from five randomly selected polling booths per Assembly constituency are counted.
This process was mandated by the Supreme Court in 2019, increasing from the previous one polling station per constituency.

Legal Battles over VVPAT Verification

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of VVPATs for election transparency in Subramanian Swamy vs Election Commission of India, leading to government funding for VVPAT implementation.
A 2019 petition by Chandrababu Naidu sought a minimum of 50% VVPAT verification; however, the EC argued against it due to potential result delays and infrastructure challenges.
EC’s Stance on 50% VVPAT Counting: Counting VVPAT slips is time-consuming, with EC citing an hour per station for matching slips with EVM counts, predicting significant delays in result announcement if increased.
- Infrastructure and manpower are cited as constraints against expanding VVPAT slip counting.

Political Demand for Increased VVPAT Verification

Opposition parties argue for broader VVPAT verification to ensure voting transparency, ranging from demands for 50% to 100% verification.
The INDIA alliance, including major opposition parties, demanded 100% VVPAT slip verification in December and sought a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner.

Examples, Data and Case Studies For Value Addition

Government initiative, Agriculture (GS 2, GS 3): Farmers in Rajasthan’s Shekhawati region are employing solar power for running electrical appliances and polyethene houses for drip irrigation.
- These methods have improved crop yields and incomes, with one farmer’s annual profit reaching ₹15 lakh due to organic farming with vermicompost.
- Additionally, the region is experiencing a substantial increase in the area of crops, nearly 3.5 times due to innovative practices and government subsidies for horticulture.
- Increased income from agriculture is evident, with the annual turnover of the ‘bakra mandi’ (goat market) in Sikar reaching ₹600 crore.
Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, Climate Change (GS 2, GS 3): The Supreme Court of India has broadened the scope of the Constitution’s Articles 14 and 21, emphasising the protection of lives and livelihoods against climate change impacts.
- The Court has historically viewed environmental protection as integral to fundamental rights, as seen in the landmark M C Mehta v Union of India case (1987).