- GOVT. STILL WORKING SAYS SYRIA PM ISRAEL HITS SUSPECTED WEAPON SITES
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia after militants seized Damascus.
- Assad’s departure ends over 50 years of dynastic rule
- Key Militant Groups Involved:
- Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS): Led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.
- Former Al-Qaeda affiliate.
- Humanitarian Impact: Streams of refugees crossing to neighboring countries.
- Shops remain shut; limited return to normalcy in Damascus
- Israel’s Response: Conducted airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites to prevent extremists’ access.
- Established a buffer zonenear Syria.
- Russia’s Role: Provided asylum to Bashar al-Assad.
- Significant shift as it previously supported Assad’s regime.
- Iran’s Influence: Assad’s removal weakens Iran’s network of Shia militia groups, including Hezbollah.
- Risks instability and increased influence of Sunni Islamist factions.
- Turkey’s Position: Secured key towns and opposed Kurdish forces.
- Has interests in border securityand refugee management
2. NATURAL FARMING
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE
- Natural farming is an ecological farming approach that minimizes human intervention and emphasizes natural processes. It seeks to create a balanced and self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem.
- Key Features:
- No Tillage: The soil is left undisturbed, preserving its structure and promoting beneficial microbial life.
- No Chemical Fertilizers or Pesticides: Natural inputs like cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, and pulse flour mixtures are used to nourish plants and manage pests.
- Mulching: Organic matter like straw or leaves covers the soil, conserving moisture, suppressing weeds, and enriching the soil.
- Local Seed Varieties: Emphasis is on using locally adapted seeds, promoting biodiversity and resilience.
- Minimal Irrigation: Water conservation is prioritized through techniques like mulching and soil improvement
3. OPPOSITION TO MOVE NOTICE TO REMOVE VICE-PRESIDENT
SUBJECT: POLITY
- The immediate trigger for this move was Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s decision to not allow Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge to speak immediately after the Leader of the House, J.P. Nadda, made accusations against the Congress.
- The Opposition views this as unfair and a violation of their right to respond.
- Constitutional Process (Article 67(b)): The removal of the Vice-President requires a specific procedure outlined in Article 67(b) of the Constitution:
- Resolution in Rajya Sabha: A resolution to remove the Vice-President must be passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
- This means a majority of the total strength of the Rajya Sabha, not just those present and voting.
- Agreement by Lok Sabha: After the Rajya Sabha passes the resolution, it must be agreed to by the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
4. T.N ASSEMBLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION AGAINST TUNGSTEN MINING IN STATE
SUBJECT: STATES
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly opposes granting mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Limited in biodiversity heritage sites in Madurai.
- Potential impact on rare species, historical monuments, and local livelihoods.
- Biodiversity Heritage Sites: Protected areas under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Tamil Nadu government declared the region a biodiversity heritage site in 2022.
- Constitutional Articles:
- Article 48A:State duty to protect and improve the environment.
- Article 21:Right to a clean and healthy environment as part of the right to life
5. UNION GOVT NAMES SANJAY MALHOTRA AS RBI GOVERNOR
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- 26th Governor of RBI, succeeding Shaktikanta Das.
- Takes charge during a challenging period of inflation management
- Inflation remains a significant concern globally and domestically.
- Central bank’s role in ensuring growth while keeping inflation in check
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor
- The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the head of the central bank and plays a crucial role in the country’s monetary and financial stability.
- Appointment: The RBI Governor is appointed by the Government of India.
- Responsibilities:
- Monetary Policy: The Governor heads the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which sets key interest rates to manage inflation and support economic growth.
- Financial Stability: Ensuring the stability of the financial system, including banks and other financial institutions.
- Currency Management: Managing the issuance and circulation of currency, and maintaining the value of the rupee.
- Regulation and Supervision: Regulating and supervising banks and other financial institutions to ensure their soundness and protect depositors’ interests.
- Foreign Exchange Management: Managing the country’s foreign exchange reserves and regulating foreign exchange transactions.
- Developmental Role: Promoting financial inclusion and supporting the development of the financial sector.
