Current Affairs – June 27, 2024

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Parliament} Election of Speaker

• Context (PIB): Honourable Om Birla was elected as speaker of the 18^th Lok Sabha.

Election process of Lok Sabha Speaker

• Article 93 of IC requires the Speaker to be a member of the House. Except that there are no qualifications for the Speaker prescribed in the IC. The date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President.
• The Speaker is elected from among the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of members present and voting in the House. He is eligible for re-election.
• A member of the ruling party is elected as the speaker by the Lok Sabha convention.

Term of Office of the Speaker

• The Speaker holds office from the date of his/her election till immediately before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha.
• Speaker does not vacate his office upon the dissolution of Lok Sabha.
• However, he has to vacate his office earlier in any of the following three cases:
  1. If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha;
  2. If he resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker; and
  3. If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all then members of the Lok Sabha. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days’ advance notice.
• He cannot preside at the sitting of the House when a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under consideration of the House.
• He can speak and take part in the proceedings of the House at such a time and vote in the first instance.

Also refer > Presiding Officer of Lok Sabha, Powers of the Speaker

{GS2 – Polity – Laws} The Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996

• Context (TH): The PESA Act 1996 empowered the Scheduled Tribes as political stakeholders.

PESA Act 1996

• Historically, the tribal communities in India have been marginalised and excluded from the mainstream political and economic systems.
• They faced numerous challenges, such as displacement, loss of land and resources, and cultural erosion.
• The PESA Act 1996 was brought in as a response to the long-standing demands of the tribal communities in India for greater autonomy and control over their own affairs.
• It drew inspiration from the provisions of the 73^rd and 74^th amendments of the Indian constitution.
• It extends the provisions of Part IX of the Indian Constitution relating to the Panchayats to the Scheduled areas with certain modifications.

Significant provisions of the PESA Act 1996

• Gram Sabha: The PESA Act establishes the Gram Sabha, a forum for the community’s participation in the development process.
• The Gram Sabha is responsible for the identification of development projects, the preparation of development plans, and the implementation of these plans.
• Consultation: The Act requires that the Gram Sabha be consulted before any development projects or activities are undertaken in the Scheduled Areas.
• Funds: The Act allows for the transfer of funds to the Gram Sabha and the Gram Panchayat to enable them to perform their functions.
• Land: The Act protects the land rights of tribal communities in the Scheduled Areas and requires their consent before any land is acquired or transferred.
• Cultural and social practices: The Act protects the cultural and social practices of the tribal communities in the Scheduled Areas and prohibits any interference in these practices.

Applicability of PESA Act, 1996

• As of now, applicable in 10 states of Fifth Schedule Areas: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan.

Role of PESA in forest conservation

• Empowerment of tribal communities: The Act has contributed to the empowerment of tribal communities by giving them a greater say in the development process.
• Control Over Natural Resources: It grants tribal communities control over the management and utilisation of natural resources within their regions, such as land, water, and forests.
• Protection of land rights: The consent of the Gram Sabha must be obtained before any land is acquired or transferred.
• Sustainable Development: Local communities and tribals who have lived in harmony with nature for centuries can manage resources in an environmentally sustainable manner.
• Ensuring Benefits for Tribals: The PESA Act mandates that Gram Sabhas play a crucial role in identifying beneficiaries for various government schemes.
• Preservation of cultural and social practices: The PESA Act has helped to protect the traditions and way of life of tribal communities.
• Promotion of decentralisation: The Act has promoted decentralisation by giving more powers and functions to the Gram Sabha and the Gram Panchayat.
• Improved access to basic services: The PESA Act has contributed to the improvement of access to basic services, such as education, healthcare, and drinking water, in the Scheduled Areas.

Limitations of the PESA Act 1996

• Limited coverage.
• Lack of awareness.
• Limited resources.
• Lack of trained personnel.
• Political interference.
• Conflicts with other laws.

Suggested Measures for Effective Implementation of the PESA Act

• Convergence of laws: Forest Rights Act (2006), the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (2013), etc. can be converged with the PESA Act.
• Objective role allocation: The roles of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs should be defined clearly regarding the implementation of the PESA Act.

{GS2 – IR – Africa} India-Kenya Bilateral Relations

• Context (DTE): Kenya and India to forge Bilateral Collaboration in space. The focus will be on expanding Africa’s space capabilities in climate change and food security challenges.

India-Kenya relations

A brief history of India-Kenya relations

• There was an established trade network that connected India and the Swahili Coast (includes modern-day Kenya, Tanzania, and parts of Mozambique) before the arrival of Europeans.
• This network facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between the two regions, including spreading Islam and Indian culture to the Swahili Coast.
• It was largely maintained by Arab and Persian traders who transported goods such as gold, ivory, and slaves in exchange for textiles, spices, and other luxury items in India.
• During the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, both countries were under the British Empire’s control.
• They have a shared history of fighting against the oppressive and exploitative rule of colonial powers.
• In 1948, before Kenya’s independence, India established the office of Commissioner for British East Africa residents in Nairobi.
• After the independence of Kenya in 1963, India elevated the position of the Commissioner to that of a High Commission, officially upgrading diplomatic relations between the two countries.
• India later also set up an Assistant High Commission in Mombasa, the second-largest city in Kenya.
• The India-Kenya Trade Agreement was signed in 1981, under which both countries accorded each other Most Favored Nation status.
• The India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was set up at the Ministerial level in 1983.

Development Cooperation and Capacity Building

• India offers development assistance to Kenya in the form of loans and credit.
• Joint efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to consolidate economic collaboration during the post-COVID-19 period.
• According to the Kenya Investment Authority (Ken Invest), India is the second largest investor in Kenya.
• Over 400 Kenyan nationals enrol in training and scholarship programmes every year in various fields under the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.

{GS3 – S&T – AI} Global Principles for Information Integrity **

• Context (DTE): UN announces a global framework to fight online misinformation and hate speech.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres says erosion of information integrity compromises the UN’s missions and priorities, including peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.

Global Principles for Information Integrity (GPII)

• It is a comprehensive framework aimed at addressing the escalating threats posed by misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech in the digital realm.
• It emphasises the necessity of safeguarding human rights and the urgent need for a coordinated international response to make online spaces safer and more humane.
• The seeds for the GPII were sown in the 2021 UN report Our Common Agenda, which envisioned future global cooperation and multilateral action.

Comprehensive recommendations under UN GPII

• Combating disinformation and hate speech: Governments, tech companies, advertisers, and media should avoid supporting or spreading disinformation and hate speech.
• Promoting media freedom: Governments should ensure access to information, maintain free and independent media, and protect journalists, researchers, and civil society.
• Enhancing tech company responsibilities: Tech companies should design products with safety and privacy in mind, apply policies consistently, and focus on protecting vulnerable groups.
• Ethical AI development: AI developers must ensure ethical & safe AI upholding human rights.
• Reforming business models: Tech companies should adopt models that prioritise human rights, privacy, and safety and give users control over their data.
• Transparency in advertising: Advertisers should demand transparency to ensure their budgets don’t fund disinformation or hate.
• Data transparency and accountability: Tech companies and AI developers should be transparent, allow academic access to data, conduct independent audits, and develop accountability frameworks.
• Protecting children: Governments should take special measures to protect and empower children and support parents, guardians, and educators.

Impact of harmful information on global stability

• The unchecked proliferation of false narratives is not only fueling conflict but also undermining democracy, human rights, public health and climate action.
• With the advent of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, these threats are becoming more severe, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as children.
• A recent UN staff survey revealed that 80% of respondents believe harmful information endangers them and the communities they serve.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Rainforest Conservation

• Context (DTE): Indonesia plans to protect 15 million hectares of its rainforests.

• The country is home to 10-15% of all known plants, mammals, and birds on Earth.

About Rainforest

• Tropical rainforests are mainly located between 23.5°N (Tropic of Cancer) and 23.5°S (Tropic of Capricorn).
• Distribution: Central and South America, central and western Africa, western India, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Australia.
• The tropics receive direct sunlight, which creates intense solar energy and keeps temperatures high, usually between 21° to 30°C (70° to 85°F).
• The warm, humid atmosphere in the tropics, with humidity levels between 77% and 88%, results in frequent and intense rainfall, ranging from 200 to 1000 centimetres (80 to 400 inches) annually.
• Tropical rainforests are so warm and humid that they generate up to 75% of their rainfall through processes like evaporation and transpiration.
• Rainforest climate, also known as tropical rainforest climate, is characterised by consistently high temperatures and significant rainfall throughout the year.

Indonesia’s Recent Forest Protection Initiative

• Indonesia unveiled plans to safeguard up to 15 million hectares of rainforest at the Oslo Tropical Forest Forum, hosted by Norway.
• It will lead to a significant increase in the protected forest area, with backing from the Bezos Earth Fund.
• The initiative aims to fulfil Indonesia’s obligations under the 2015 Paris Agreement and the new Global Biodiversity Framework.

India’s Initiatives

• India has several initiatives aimed at protecting its rainforests, including:
  • Project Tiger: Focused on tiger conservation. Indirectly protects rainforest habitats in tiger reserves.
  • Project Elephant: Aims to protect elephants and their habitats, which include some rainforest areas.
  • National Afforestation Programme (NAP): This programme promotes afforestation and reforestation efforts across the country, including in rainforest regions.
  • Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA): Manages funds collected for compensatory afforestation to mitigate the impact of forest land diversion.
  • Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP): This project focuses on biodiversity conservation, including protecting rainforest biodiversity.

Also refer > Wild Life Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act, Forest Rights Act.

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} Traditional Farming and Indigenous rice varieties

• Context (DTE): Cauvery Delta farmers revert to traditional farming of Indigenous rice varieties amidst rising challenges of growing conventional crops.

Traditional farming

• Centuries-old agricultural methods, usually practised with minimal use of modern technology or inputs. Relies on the use of local seeds and breeds, manual labour, Indigenous knowledge, etc.
• Also focuses on natural resource utilisation and maintaining ecological balance.

Traditional Farming v/s Conventional Farming

Indigenous rice varieties

• Traditional rice varieties that have evolved in a particular geographic region over centuries, adapting to local climate, soil, and farming practices.
• It can be distinguished by its physical characteristics, such as grain shape, colour, and flavour, as well as its ecological adaptability and resistance to pests and diseases.
• Examples of Indigenous rice varieties: Mappillai Samba, Karrupu Kavuni, Thooya Malli, Thanga Samba, Kichadi Samba, Kala Jeevan, Kullakaar, Thooyamalli, Karunkuruvai.

Advantages

• Lesser water and fertilisers are needed, unlike modern varieties, which are very water intensive.
• Ecological adaptation to the climatic and natural challenges of the region.
• Preserve genetic diversity, which is important for the long-term resilience of agriculture.
• Ensures a robust gene pool for future plant breeding.
• Often have higher nutrient levels, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Challenges

• Low yield initially compared to other varieties.
• Susceptible to diseases.
• Lack from the government and other organisations.
• Market challenges arise as crops may not be in high demand.
• Vulnerable to climate changes.
• Continued cultivation leads to reduced genetic diversity.

{Prelims – In News} Kenya Mapping

• Context (NDTV): Violent protests are happening in Kenya against government’s proposed tax hikes.

About Kenya

• Location: Eastern Africa along the equator.
• It shares borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean.
• Capital: Nairobi, Currency: Shilling, Chief port: Mombasa.
• Languages: Swahili is a national and official language, with English being another official language.
• Kenya’s diverse geographical landscape includes rugged mountain peaks and pristine coastlines, including the Aberdare Range highlands, the Great Rift Valley, white sandy beaches, and coral reefs.
• Lake Turkana (Rudolf) is the world’s largest permanent desert lake. Many anthropologists consider this area the cradle of humankind due to the abundance of hominid fossils.

{Prelims – In News} eSakhsya App

• Context (TH): This mobile-based application helps police record the scene of crime, search for and seizure in a criminal case, and upload the file on the cloud-based platform.

About eSakhsya (e evidence) App

• It is developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
• It is a mobile-based application to help the police to:
  • Record the scene of the crime;
  • Search and seizure in a criminal case and
  • Upload the file to the cloud-based platform.
• The police official will need to upload a selfie after completing the procedure.

• Recorded files are to be uploaded with each First Information Report (FIR).
• The app will be available to all police stations that register and download it.
• The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) requires audio-video recording of all search and seizure operations in criminal cases.

{Prelims – In News} International Sugar Organisation *

• Context (PIB): India Hosts the 64^th Council Meeting of the International Sugar Organisation.

International Sugar Organization

• An intergovernmental body based in London, it was established under the International Sugar Agreement of 1968 and dedicated to enhancing the global sugar market.
• Membership of around 88 nations including India.
• The ISO is the only worldwide forum for the exchange of views by major producing, consuming and trading countries at an intergovernmental level.
• The ISO administers the International Sugar Agreement (ISA), 1992, which is related to international cooperation in sugar-related matters.
• Encourages expanded sugar use, especially in non-traditional applications.
• However, it lacks the authority to regulate the global sugar trade through price-setting or export quotas.
• Earlier, India hosted the 41^st session of the ISO Council Meeting in 2012.

Status of the Sugar Industry in India

• India is the largest consumer and second-largest producer of sugar globally.
• 15% share in global sugar consumption and a robust 20% production rate.
• Nearly 5 crore farmers are engaged in the cultivation of sugarcane.
• Two primary production regions:
  • Northern belt encompassing Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab and Bihar.
  • Southern belt comprising Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
• The southern region benefits from a tropical climate, which is conducive to higher sucrose content in crops, resulting in increased yields per unit area compared to northern India.

Government initiatives

• The Government has encouraged sugar mills to divert sugar to ethanol and export surplus sugar so that mills may have better financial conditions to continue their operations.
• The National Policy on Biofuels 2018 provides an indicative target of 20% ethanol blending under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme by 2025.
• Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP): The government has set the FRP for the 2023-2024 sugar season at Rs. 315 per quintal.
• The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) was recently launched by world leaders under India’s G20 presidency to expedite the global uptake of biofuels.
• The workshop on ‘Sugar and Bio-Energy: Emerging Vistas’ being organised during ISO includes various insightful sessions such as:
  • Sustainability through Diversification.
  • Mechanization & Modernization of the Sugar Sector.
  • Digitization of the Sugar Sector.
  • Global Demand and Supply of Sugar.
  • Green Hydrogen.