- VIKRAM MISRI TO VISIT DHAKA ON MONDAY AS TENSIONS MOUNT
SUBJECT: BILATERAL
- Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of India, to visit Dhaka on December 9, marking India’s first high-level diplomatic outreach to Bangladesh after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led regime.
- Recent Developments in Bilateral Ties
- War of Words:Escalation of tensions due to attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.
- Diplomatic Actions: Bangladesh summoned India’s Assistant High Commissioner in Agartala after vandalism at their mission in Tripura.
- Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, Ashrafur Rahman, called back for consultations amid protests outside the Kolkata mission.
- Suspension of Services:Bangladesh suspended visa and consular services at Agartala citing security concerns.
- Trigger Events – Arrest of Vaishnav monk Chinmoy Das on November 25 in Chittagong amid communal clashes.
- India expressed “deep concern” over denial of bail and demanded transparent legal processes.
- Key Issues – Communal tensions affecting the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh.
- Impact of domestic political changes in Bangladesh on India-Bangladesh relations.
- Increasing protests and security challenges for diplomatic missions.
- Diplomatic Expectations – Structured dialogue during Vikram Misri’s visit to address tensions.
- Fair and transparent legal proceedings in Bangladesh.
- Resolution of visa service suspension and security issues.
- Strategic Significance
- India-Bangladesh relations are critical for regional stability and addressing cross-border issues.
- Importance of maintaining strong bilateral ties amid changing political landscapes in Bangladesh.
2. NO CARD NO WORK MGNREGS DELETIONS HOT RURAL WORKERS HARD
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
- Reports of workers being deleted from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) due to Aadhaar-related issues.
- Issues – Aadhaar Linking and Deletions:
- Workers’ names deleted as Aadhaar-based payment systems (ABPS) became mandatory.
- Matching Aadhaar details with job cards and bank accounts has led to widespread exclusions.
- Delayed Wages and Connectivity Problems: App-based attendance systems fail in areas with poor connectivity, resulting in no payments.
- Impact on Livelihood: Workers struggle for alternative jobs; many dependent on MGNREGS wages.
- Protests: NREGA Sangharsh Morcha demands rollback of Aadhaar mandates, improved fund allocation, and solutions for job card deletions.
3. SC TO HEAR PLEA TO REDUCE WATER LEVEL AT MULLAPERIYAR
SUBJECT: INTERSTATE RELATION
- Supreme Court to hear a plea in January 2024 to reduce Mullaperiyar Dam’s water level from 142 ft to 120 ft, citing safety concerns.
- Key Issues
- Wayanad Landslides:Recent landslides claimed over 220 lives, raising concerns about the dam’s safety.
- Dam Breach Fears: Potential risk to 5 million people in Kerala.
- Likely impact on districts of Idukki, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kottayam.
- Petitioner’s Argument: The dam, built in 1895, has exceeded its lifespan of 50 years.
- Two earlier judgments (2006, 2014) declared the dam “eternally safe.”
- Significance Highlights the importance of balancing infrastructure safety with disaster preparedness.
4. EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY TO SUPPORT GAGANYAAN MISSION
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- ISRO and ESA signed a Technical Implementing Plan (TIP)for ground tracking of Gaganyaan missions.
- Key Details
- Agreement Objectives:Ground station support for data flow and communication continuity during orbital module operations.
- Gaganyaan Mission Overview: Demonstrates human spaceflight capabilities.
- Aims to send a three-member crew for a three-day mission at 400 km orbit.
- Significance of Partnership: Builds on past ISRO-ESA collaborations.
- Enhances technological reliability for India’s first crewed space mission.
- Relevance
- Strengthens international cooperation in space technology.
- Marks India’s strides in advancing human space exploration
5. RBI’s MULEHUNTER TO PREVENT DIGITAL FRAUD
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- RBI launched MuleHunter, an AI/ML tool, to tackle digital fraud involving mule accounts.
- Key Details
- Technology: Centralized infrastructure leveraging data from banks and payment operators.
- Trained AI for identifying fraudulent accounts.
- Purpose:
- Enhance fraud detection efficiency.
- Address the rising volume of digital frauds.
