- DEFENCE
TWO NAVY OFFICERS TO EMBARK ON GRUELLING BLUE -WATER GLOBAL VOYAGE
- Indian Navy’s Women Officers Set for Global Circumnavigation Expedition Overview: • Voyage: Lt. Commanders A. Roopa and K. Dilna of the Indian Navy are set to embark on a circumnavigation of the globe onboard INSV Tarini.
- Preparation: The officers have been preparing for the Sagar Parikrama expedition for the past three years.
- Training and Experience: Mentorship: Training under retired Commander Abhilash Tomy, a renowned circumnavigator and Golden Globe Race hero.
- Previous Expeditions:
- Trans-Oceanic Expedition: Participated in a voyage from Goa to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, via Cape Town, South Africa, and back.
- Double-Handed Mode Expeditions: Undertook voyages from Goa to Port Blair and back, and from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius.
- Significance:
- Maritime Heritage: The Indian Navy emphasizes preserving maritime heritage and promoting seamanship skills through such expeditions.
- Navy’s Commitment: Sailing Tradition: The Indian Navy has revitalized its sailing tradition with efforts from sail training ships like INS Tarangini and INS Sudarshini, and circumnavigations aboard INSV Mhadei and INSV Tarini.
2. INTERNATIONAL
A CRUCIAL ELECTION IN SRI LANKA
- The crisis, marked by shortages of fuel, gas, and medicines, along with power cuts, triggered massive protests and the call for systemic political change.
- The dominance of the Rajapaksas has faded, and traditional parties like the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the United National Party have weakened.
- Tamils and Muslims have diverse political stances, making it difficult to predict how their votes will be distributed.
- The new President will face the ongoing economic recovery, debt negotiations, and the challenge of securing parliamentary support in a likely fragmented legislature.
3. BILATERAL
INDIA’S EFFORTS AT PEACEMAKING BETWEEN RUSSIA, UKRAINE HAVE LIMITED POTENTIAL
- NSA Ajit Doval’s Visit: Doval’s visit to Russia included meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ahead of the BRICS summit in October 2024.
- BRICS Summit: The summit will feature leaders from India, China, Brazil, South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
- Key Meetings: Doval-Wang Meeting: Focused on resolving the India-China military standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Both sides agreed to expedite disengagement.
- Doval-Putin Meeting: Doval briefed Putin on Modi’s Ukraine visit, indicating India’s potential mediatory role.
- Challenges in Mediation:
- Complex Conflict: The Russia-Ukraine war involves multiple stakeholders and peace proposals, including those from Türkiye, Indonesia, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia, Brazil, and China.
- Escalation Risks: Recent escalations include Ukraine’s invasion of Kursk and Russian missile strikes, complicating peace efforts.
- Resource Intensive: Effective mediation requires significant diplomatic effort, time, and patience.
- India’s Diplomatic Efforts:
- Message Conveyance: India has conveyed messages between Russia, Ukraine, and Western countries.
- Upcoming Diplomatic Engagements: Modi’s visits to the U.S. for UN meetings, the Quad Summit, and the BRICS summit will be crucial.
4. STATES
CYBER TEHSIL – A RADICAL STEP TOWARDS PRO-POOR REVENUE GOVERNANCE IN MADHYA PRADESH
- Cyber Tehsil is an innovative initiative in Madhya Pradesh aimed at improving revenue administration through digital and IT interventions. It is designed to make the processes of land record management, registration, and dispute resolution more transparent, efficient, and accessible, particularly for rural families.
- Key features:
- Digitization of Processes: The entire process of handling revenue cases such as mutation, partition, and land sales is done online, reducing the need for physical visits and paperwork.
- Timely Resolutions: It aims to resolve revenue cases, including longpending disputes, quickly, often within 15 days.
- Transparency and Accountability: By minimizing human interference and utilizing digital platforms, Cyber Tehsil enhances accountability and reduces the possibility of irregularities.
- Accessibility: People can access these services through various online portals and mobile platforms, making it easier for rural residents to engage with the revenue administration. Overall, Cyber Tehsil represents a significant step towards modernizing governance and promoting a pro-poor approach in revenue management.
5. POLITY
CIC ASKS RAILWAY TO DISCLOSE LIST OF STAFF WITH DISABILITIES
- The Central Information Commission (CIC) is an apex body established under the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005. It is responsible for adjudicating complaints and appeals pertaining to the right to information. The CIC ensures transparency and accountability in the functioning of public authorities by enforcing the provisions of the RTI Act.
- Functions and Powers of CIC
- Adjudication: The CIC adjudicates on complaints and appeals regarding the denial of information under the RTI Act.
- Monitoring and Reporting: It monitors the implementation of the RTI Act and reports its findings to the Parliament.
- Advisory Role: The CIC advises public authorities on the implementation of the RTI Act.
- Enforcement: It has the power to impose penalties on Public Information Officers (PIOs) for non-compliance with the provisions of the RTI Act.
- Composition
- Chief Information Commissioner: Heads the CIC.
- Information Commissioners: Up to 10 Information Commissioners assist the Chief Information Commissioner.
- Recent Case: Disclosure of Employees with Disabilities in Southern Railway
- Petition: M. Aravind filed an RTI petition seeking names and disability certificates of employees hired under the disability category, citing concerns about fake certificates.
- Initial Response: Southern Railway’s CPIO refused, citing privacy concerns and lack of public interest. CIC’s Ruling
- Decision: No malafide intent by CPIO. Emphasized public scrutiny to prevent fraud.
- Advisory: Under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act, advised proactive disclosure of disability category hires, aligning with Section 4’s suo motu disclosure requirements.
- Key Takeaways
- Transparency and Accountability: Essential in public recruitment.
- Public Interest vs. Privacy: Balancing act.
- Proactive Disclosure: Prevents fraudulent practices (Reference to Puja Khedkar IAS Case) Conclusion The CIC ensures transparency in public administration, addressing fraudulent practices to protect deserving candidates’ opportunities.
ONE LINER
- Turkey has officially applied to join BRICS
- India has achieved Tier 1 status in the Global Cyber Security Index (GCI) 2024
