- ENVIRONMENT
SPEAK AS ONE ON GLOBAL GOVERNANCE, MODI TELLS DEVELOPING WORLD, SEEKS UN REFORM
- Global South Summit – Outcomes
- Call for Unified Global Governance:
- Theme: “Just and Inclusive Global Governance.”
- Objective: Addressing the gap between the Global North and Global South. Action: Developed countries are urged to support bridging global disparities.
- Announcement of the “Global Development Compact”:
- Focus Areas:
- Trade
- Capacity Building
- Technology Sharing
- Aid: Training for developing countries on trade facilitation, supported by a $3.5 million fund.
- Concerns Over Global Tensions and Conflicts:
- Issues Highlighted:
- Ongoing conflict in Gaza, causing significant civilian casualties (more than 40,000 deaths).
- Growing global instability.
- Call for Multilateralism and UN Reform:
- Key Points:
- Emphasis on the need to revive multilateralism. ○ Criticism of the slow progress in the UN reform process.
- Mention of the “Summit of the Future” as a potential milestone for global governance.
- Concerns:
- Terrorism, extremism, separatism, and technology divides identified as major global challenges.
- Highlighting the failure of developed countries to meet their responsibilities.
- India’s Leadership Role:
- Prime Minister’s Remarks: Advocated for solutions to global issues through just and inclusive governance.
- Focus on the Global South: Prioritizing issues specific to the Global South and advocating for an expanded UN Security Council.
- Participation and Representation:
- Leaders: 20 leaders from the Global South attended the session.
- Countries Represented: Included Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and others.
- Special Mention: Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus, participating for the first time since his political exile.
2. POLITY
LOK SABHA SPEAKER CONSTITUTES SIX NEW PARLIAMENTARY PANELS
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC):
- Composition: Comprises 22 members – 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha.
- Function:
- Examines the annual audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
- Ensures that public funds are used efficiently and for the intended purposes.
- Chairperson: Usually a senior member from the principal opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
- Tenure: One year. Estimates Committee:
- Composition: Comprises 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha.
- Function:
- Examines the estimates included in the budget. ○ Suggests ‘economies’ in public expenditure.
- Evaluates whether the funds allocated are being used effectively.
- Chairperson: Appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker, generally from the ruling party. Tenure: One year.
- Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU): Composition: Comprises 22 members – 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha.
- Function: Examines the reports and accounts of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
- Evaluates the performance of PSUs to ensure they are working in the public interest.
- Chairperson: Appointed by the Speaker, traditionally from the ruling party. Tenure: One year.
- Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs):
- Function: Examines matters concerning the welfare of OBCs.
- Suggests measures for the betterment of OBC communities.
- Composition & Tenure: Similar to other parliamentary committees, with members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and a tenure of one year.
- Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs):
- Function: Examines issues related to the welfare of SCs and STs.
- Reviews the implementation of laws and policies designed for the upliftment of these communities.
- Composition & Tenure: Members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with a one-year tenure.
- Standing Committees:
- Function: Departmentally related committees cover all Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.
- Examine bills, budgets, and policies of respective departments.
- Composition: Consist of members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Tenure: Generally one year
3. POLITY
SC TAKES SUO MOTU COGNISANCE OF RAPE AND MURDER OF DOCTOR
- Suo Motu is a Latin term that translates to “on its own motion.”
- In the context of the judiciary, it refers to the power of a court to initiate legal proceedings or actions on its own, without any formal prompting from another party or external request.
- This is often employed by the courts to address issues of significant public interest, especially when the rights of individuals are at risk, and no one has approached the court to seek redress.
- Types of Jurisdictions:
- Original Jurisdiction:
- The power of a court to hear a case for the first time, as opposed to appellate jurisdiction.
- For instance, the Supreme Court of India has original jurisdiction in cases involving disputes between states or between the government and states.
- Appellate Jurisdiction: This is the power of a higher court to review and change the outcome of a decision made by a lower court.
- The Supreme Court of India, for example, hears appeals against the decisions of the High Courts in civil, criminal, and constitutional matters.
- Advisory Jurisdiction: The President of India can seek the advisory opinion of the Supreme Court on any question of law or fact of public importance.
- This is not binding, but it carries significant weight.
- Writ Jurisdiction: Under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, the Supreme Court can issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
- High Courts have a similar power under Article 226 but with a broader scope that includes other legal rights as well.
4. ENVIRONMENT
BAYA WEAVERS
- Scientific Name: Ploceus philippinus
- Common Name: Baya Weaver
- IUCN Status: Least Concern Habitat and Distribution
- Geographical Range: Baya weavers are found across the Indian subcontinent, including India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
- Specific Location: In this context, they are found in Amreli, Gujarat.
- Preferred Habitat: They typically inhabit grasslands, agricultural fields, and open woodlands. They are often seen near water bodies.
- Nesting Behavior – Nest Construction: Baya weavers are known for their intricate and pendulous nests, which are woven from grass, leaves, and other plant fibers.
- Location of Nests: These nests are usually built on the branches of trees, often hanging over water bodies to protect from predators.
- Materials Used: Grass, leaves, and plant fibers.
- Purpose: The nests are used for breeding and protecting their young ones.
- Ecological Significance
- Role in Ecosystem: Baya weavers play a crucial role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations and aiding in seed dispersal.
- Indicator Species: Their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem, as they require specific conditions for nesting and foraging.
5. ECONOMY
MIGRANT WORKERS
- Migrant Workers
- Exploitation and Lack of Rights: Migrant workers, particularly in gig sectors, face exploitation due to lack of local support and inability to voice grievances.
- Migrants are often paid lower wages, work in unsafe conditions, and have no access to social security or legal protections.
- Social and Economic Marginalization: Migrants are often treated as a lower class by local communities, leading to social alienation.
- Economic instability due to precarious job conditions, with many migrants unable to secure stable employment.
- Impact of Local Reservation Bills: State-level initiatives like Karnataka’s quota-for-locals bill could further marginalize migrant workers by limiting their employment opportunities.
- Potential for demographic shifts and challenges in sectors heavily reliant on migrant labor, such as construction and agriculture.
- Health and Living Conditions: Migrants face poor living conditions, lack of access to basic amenities, and are vulnerable to health risks, especially during pandemics or natural calamities.
- Recommendations to Improve Migrant Workers’ Conditions – Legal Protections and Social Security: Implementation of robust legal frameworks to protect the rights of migrant workers, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to social security.
- Inclusion in Local Policies: Incorporate migrant workers into local labor laws, with specific provisions to safeguard their interests in regions with high dependence on migrant labor.
- Education and Skill Development: Initiatives to provide education, vocational training, and skill development for migrants to enhance their employability and integrate them better into local economies.
- Healthcare Access: Provision of healthcare services and facilities tailored to the needs of migrant workers, ensuring they have access to regular medical care and health insurance.
- Awareness and Empowerment: Programs to educate migrant workers about their rights, and empower them to seek legal redress in cases of exploitation or abuse.
ONE LINER
- Neelakurunji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is included on the IUCN official Red List of threatened species
- Fair Price Shops (FPS) known as ration shops, will soon have a new name as Jan Poshan Kendras
