The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 4 February 2023

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis for UPSC

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 3 February 2023

• The Supreme Court on Friday recorded a submission by Attorney General R. Venkataramani that warrants of appointment of five judges to the top court will likely be issued by February 5.
• “It is happening… The five warrants of appointment are being issued… It goes to the President by evening,” Mr. Venkataramani said.
• The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Justices Pankaj Mithal, Sanjay Karol, P.V. Sanjay Kumar, Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Manoj Misra for appointment to the top court on December 13, 2022.
• They have been pending with the government for nearly two months.
• The collegium had further proposed Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Rajesh Bindal and Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Aravind Kumar to the government for appointment as Supreme Court judges on January 31.
• The appointment of all seven would see the court function with its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges.

The Hindu Editorial Today

• Controversy looms over Sri Lanka’s celebration of the 75th anniversary of its Independence (February 4, 1948), with a question having been raised on whether it is worth wasting Sri Lankan rupees 300 million on this event.
• Nationwide local government elections are to be held before the end of February. But there is a debate on whether it is prudent to spend public money on an election while also facing an economic crisis.
• The main point in any celebratory discourse is that Sri Lanka’s ‘national heroes’ won political independence from the British without any bloodshed — in contrast to other countries where the path to independence was, in many cases, a violent one.
• In South Asia, Sri Lanka’s exceptionalism in 1948 has been its peaceful, non-violent nature. However, social and political peace has been a short-lived one. Since the early 1970s, violent confrontations between the state and citizens have become the rule in politics.
• The insurgency in the northern Tamil society began in 1983, seeking autonomy for a Tamil ‘nation’, leading to a long and protracted civil war. The human cost of state versus citizen conflict has been enormous, with still no official count of how many perished.

• The highest court of India reached the almost last frontier of transparency in its agreeing to the live telecast of some of its hearings — a move warmly welcomed by activists clamouring for more openness in judicial proceedings.
• The Chief Justice of India’s statement, that Supreme Court of India judgments will now be translated in four languages (Hindi, Gujarati, Odia and Tamil, as “the English language in its ‘legal avatar’ is not comprehensible to 99.9% of the citizens”) is another step towards making judicial processes more accessible.
• the Court ruled that a charge sheet filed against an accused in a criminal case is not a ‘public document’ within the meaning of the Right to Information Act 2005 or the Indian Evidence Act — therefore, the demand that a charge sheet in a criminal case should be uploaded on to a public website as soon as it is filed in court was untenable.
• Youth Bar Association of India vs Union of India (2016), it directed that the First Information Report (FIR) in any case should be on the relevant investigating agency’s website within 24 hours of its registration.
• But in the Court’s view now, the charge sheet (i.e., the Final Report specified by the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973) is on a footing different from the FIR, and hence cannot be shared with anyone other than the accused and the victim.
• This was presumably because a charge sheet was a comprehensive account of the crime in question and had vital information such as a list of prosecution witnesses and documents in support of the investigating officer’s conclusions.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s latest Budget is noteworthy for the emphasis she has laid on the government’s commitment to move towards net-zero carbon emission by 2070.
• As an article presented at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos last month notes, India holds the key to hitting global climate change targets given its sizeable and growing energy needs.
• The transition to green alternatives from the current reliance on fossil fuels is therefore an urgent imperative and an opportunity to leverage this move to catalyse new industries, generate jobs on a sizeable scale, and add to overall economic output.
• With the electric vehicle (EV) revolution poised to take off as every automobile major rolls out new EV models to tap demand, the availability of indigenously produced lithium-ion batteries has become a necessity, especially to lower the cost of EVs.
• Another key proposal relates to the establishment of a viability gap funding mechanism to support the creation of battery energy storage systems with a capacity of 4,000 MWh. Energy storage systems are crucial in power grid stabilisation and essential as India increases its reliance on alternative sources of power generation including solar and wind.

• Two years after it captured power through a coup, Myanmar’s military is struggling to maintain its grip on power in a country that has become a land of many mutinies.
• On February 1, the second anniversary of the coup that toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, thousands joined the opposition’s call for a “silent strike” by shutting shops and staying at home.
• The Tatmadaw (the military) imprisoned the entire government and most of the ruling party lawmakers, including Ms. Suu Kyi, cracked down on democracy protests and started ruling the country directly — old tactics that have helped the Generals to rule through fear.
• Since the coup, some 3,000 civilians have been killed, 40,000 houses destroyed and about 1.5 million people displaced.
• The junta is neither interested in nor capable of addressing these problems. And the war it is fighting against its own people is not helping the Generals’ cause either — a report by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, an independent group of international experts, says the junta has stable control over only 17% of the country.
• Regional and international players, especially ASEAN, China and India, should push the Generals to start talks with the opposition.

• Chennai-based Global Pharma Healthcare has recalled its eye drops from the U.S. market after U.S. government agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that several people have suffered from adverse events that are possibly associated with the use of the product. The eye drops are not sold in India.
• The CDC had alerted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that to date, there were 55 cases of adverse events, including eye infections, permanent loss of vision, and one death with a bloodstream infection.
• The FDA had recommended the recall due to manufacturing violations, including lack of appropriate microbial testing, formulation issues (the company manufactures and distributes opthalmic drugs in multi-use bottles, without adequate preservatives), and lack of proper controls concerning tamper-evident packaging.

• The Chinese Foreign Ministry in a Friday statement acknowledged that the balloon was from China and expressed regret. “The airship is from China. It is a civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological, purposes. Affected by the Westerlies and with limited self-steering capability, the airship deviated far from its planned course,” the statement said.
• Blinken’s visit was set to be the first by a Secretary of State to China since Mike Pompeo’s in 2018, reflecting the downward slide in relations, starting during the Trump administration and continuing under the Biden administration.
• Both sides have clashed over a number of issues from Taiwan, where each has accused the other of changing the status quo, to trade, where Beijing has been angered by U.S. export controls while Washington has criticised unfair trade practices. Other issues are human rights in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and Chinese support for the Russian war in Ukraine.

Q) With reference to the Red Sanders, consider the following statements:

1. It is endemic to the Western Ghats.
2. It is categorized as endangered under the IUCN Red List of threatened species.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

रेड सैंडर्स के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिये:

1. यह पश्चिमी घाटों के लिए स्थानिक है।
2. इसे संकटग्रस्त प्रजातियों की IUCN रेड लिस्ट के तहत लुप्तप्राय के रूप में वर्गीकृत किया गया है।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Explanation :

The recent trade database of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has recorded 28 incidents of Red Sanders confiscation, seizure, and wild specimen being exported from India.

• It is a flora species that are endemic to a distinct tract of forests in the Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh.
• Geographical conditions required: It usually grows in rocky, degraded and fallow lands with Red Soil and a hot and dry climate.
• Protection Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix II
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule IV

Q) In which of the following states is Biligiriranganatha Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (BRT Wildlife Sanctuary) located?

1. Karnataka
2. Maharashtra
3. Kerala
4. Tamil Nadu

बिलीगिरिरंगनाथ स्वामी मंदिर वन्यजीव अभयारण्य (बीआरटी वन्यजीव अभयारण्य) निम्नलिखित में से किस राज्य में स्थित है?

1. कर्नाटक
2. महाराष्ट्र
3. केरल
4. तमिलनाडु

Explanation:

• The Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT) is located in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka State. This unique Bio-geographical habitat is in the middle of the bridge between Western and Eastern ghats in South India.

Q) Consider the following statement:

1. As per Section 33(7) of the RPA (Representation of the People Act), 1950, one candidate can contest from a maximum of two constituencies.
2. More constituencies were allowed until 1996 when the RPA was amended to set the cap at two constituencies.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

निम्नलिखित कथन पर विचार करें:

1. आरपीए (जन प्रतिनिधित्व अधिनियम), 1950 की धारा 33(7) के अनुसार, एक उम्मीदवार अधिकतम दो निर्वाचन क्षेत्रों से चुनाव लड़ सकता है।
2. अधिक निर्वाचन क्षेत्रों को 1996 तक अनुमति दी गई थी जब आरपीए को दो निर्वाचन क्षेत्रों में कैप सेट करने के लिए संशोधित किया गया था।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

• As per Section 33(7) of the RPA (Representation of the People Act), 1951, one candidate can contest from a maximum of two constituencies.
• More constituencies were allowed until 1996 when the RPA was amended to set the cap at two constituencies.
• Since 1951, many politicians have used this factor to contest from more than one seat – sometimes to divide the opponent’s vote, sometimes to profess their party’s power across the country, sometimes to cause a ripple effect in the region surrounding the constituencies in favour of the candidate’s party and all parties have exploited Section 33(7).

Q) Consider the following statement:

1. The Sixth Schedule contains special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the four north-eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur.
2. The Sixth Schedule under Article 248 provides for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

निम्नलिखित कथन पर विचार करें:

1. छठी अनुसूची में चार उत्तर-पूर्वी राज्यों असम, मेघालय, त्रिपुरा और मणिपुर में जनजातीय क्षेत्रों के प्रशासन के लिए विशेष प्रावधान हैं।
2. अनुच्छेद 248 के तहत छठी अनुसूची स्वायत्त प्रशासनिक प्रभागों के गठन का प्रावधान करती है

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

• Article 244: The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 provides for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions — Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) — that have some legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state.
• The Sixth Schedule contains special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the four north-eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Q) Which of the following protected area has highest number of one horned rhinos ?

1. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Orang National Park
3. Manas National Park
4. Kaziranga National Park

निम्नलिखित में से किस संरक्षित क्षेत्र में एक सींग वाले गैंडों की सर्वाधिक संख्या है?

1. पोबितोरा वन्यजीव अभयारण्य
2. ओरंग राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
3. मानस राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
4. काजीरंगा राष्ट्रीय उद्यान

• Only the Great One-Horned Rhino is found in India.
• Also known as Indian rhino, it is the largest of the rhino species.
• he species is restricted to small habitats in Indo-Nepal terai and northern West Bengal and Assam.
• In India, rhinos are mainly found in Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
• Assam has an estimated 2,640 rhinos in four protected areas, i.e. Pabitora Wildlife Reserve, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Kaziranga National Park, and Manas National Park.

Mains Practice Question:

Q) “The conflict between agreement and disagreement is the first and foremost sign of a healthy democracy”, Analyse the statement. (150 words)

“सहमति और असहमति के बीच संघर्ष एक स्वस्थ लोकतंत्र की पहली और सबसे महत्वपूर्ण निशानी है”, इस कथन का विश्लेषण कीजिए। (150 शब्द)

Introduction:

• The consequences of the irreparable damage by soil degradation on human and healthy ecosystems can affect the government’s food security efforts for sustainable future.

Body:

Why is soil important?

• Healthy soils are essential for our survival.
• They support healthy plant growth to enhance both our nutrition and water percolation to maintain groundwater levels.
• Soils help to regulate the planet’s climate by storing carbon and are the second largest carbon sink after the oceans.
• They help maintain a landscape that is more resilient to the impacts of droughts and floods.

What is soil degradation?

• Soil degradation is the physical, chemical and biological decline in soil quality.
• It can be the loss of organic matter, decline in soil fertility, and structural condition.
• Today, nutrient loss and pollution significantly threaten soils, and thereby undermine nutrition and food security globally.
• The main drivers contributing to soil degradation are industrial activities, mining, waste treatment, agriculture, fossil fuel extraction and processing and transport emissions.
• The reasons behind soil nutrient loss range from soil erosion, runoff, leaching and the burning of crop residues.
• Soil degradation in some form or another affects around 29% of India’s total land area.
• Nearly 3.7 million hectares suffer from nutrient loss in soil (depletion of soil organic matter, or SOM).

Conclusion:

• As consumers and citizens, we can contribute by planting trees to protect topsoil, developing and maintaining home/kitchen gardens, and consuming foods that are mainly locally sourced and seasonal.

Mains Practice Question:

Q) Discuss the significance of electoral literacy for a stronger democracy.(150 words)

एक मजबूत लोकतंत्र के लिए चुनावी साक्षरता के महत्व पर चर्चा करें।(150 शब्द)

Sharing is caring!