11-December-2023-Daily-Current-Affairs

‘NATIONS MUST BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE’

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The latest draft of a crucial climate document released during the ongoing United Nations COP-28 climate summit outlines a timeline and framework for global adaptation to climate change. Emphasizing the need for adaptation plans, the document calls for measurable progress by 2030. Despite the spotlight on greenhouse gas mitigation, the importance of adaptation to the current and anticipated impacts of climate change is underscored.

Key Points:

Adaptation Goals and Timeline:

• All countries are urged to establish detailed adaptation plans by 2025.
• Demonstrable progress in implementing these plans is expected from countries by 2030.

Focus on Mitigation vs. Adaptation:

• While much attention is given to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, the document highlights the critical role of adaptation.
• Adaptation involves country-specific actions, such as building defenses against floods, establishing cyclone warning systems, and adopting resilient crops.

Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA):

• Initiated during COP-21 in Paris, the Global Goal on Adaptation seeks a common framework for all countries.
• Workshops held post-COP in Sharm el-Sheikh generated proposals for concrete adaptation targets.

Challenges in Funding Adaptation:

• Adaptation efforts, especially in vulnerable developing countries and island states, require significant investments.
• The inadequacy of funds reaching these regions remains a challenge, with trillions of dollars needed.

Conclusion:

The draft adaptation document, while outlining a timeline and the importance of adaptation, faces criticism for lacking clearly defined targets and frameworks. Experts express disappointment over the absence of specific indicators and outcome targets. As the COP-28 summit unfolds, the discussion on adaptation becomes pivotal, reflecting the global community’s commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.

 

FREEBIE POLITICS WILL TAKE A TOLL ON ECONOMY

GS 3 (ECONOMY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressing the National Human Rights Commission event on the 75th Human Rights Day, cautioned against the detrimental impact of “freebie politics” on India’s economy. Emphasizing the need to empower minds and resources, he highlighted the distortion in expenditure priorities caused by the race for freebies.

Key Points:

Critique of Freebie Politics:

• Vice-President Dhankhar expressed concern over the distortion in expenditure priorities due to the prevalence of freebie politics.
• He emphasized the adverse impact of such politics on macroeconomic stability, cautioning against increased dependence through fiscal grants.

Call for National Debate:

• Dhankhar urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to catalyze a healthy national debate on freebie politics.
• Encouraged the NHRC to generate a comprehensive paper on the issue, fostering discussions on the implications of this political approach.

Global Recognition and Governance Model:

• Dhankhar expressed dismay at India’s unfair treatment by some global entities.
• Highlighted India’s governance model as free from corruption, favoritism, and nepotism, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and merit.

Corruption as a Threat to Human Rights:

• Terming corruption as the greatest threat to human rights, Dhankhar acknowledged its containment in India.
• Praised positive changes in India, positioning it as a role model for the world in advancing human rights through transparent and accountable governance.

Technological Advancements and Human Rights:

• Recognized the role of technology in service delivery as a game-changer for promoting human rights, especially for vulnerable sections.
• Applauded the transformative impact of government schemes, such as providing gas connections to poor households, on human rights and infrastructure.

Collective Endeavor for Human Rights:

• Concluding his address, Vice-President Dhankhar emphasized that human rights are a collective endeavor, acknowledging the appointment of a tribal woman as the President of India as a testament to this principle.

Conclusion:

Vice-President Dhankhar’s address underscores the need for a nuanced discussion on freebie politics’ implications and its impact on India’s economic stability. The recognition of India’s governance model and advancements in human rights, coupled with the call for transparency and accountability, reflects a commitment to fostering a conducive environment for sustainable development.

‘MAYAWATI HAS NAMED NEPHEW AS SUCCESSOR’

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Mayawati, the president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has reportedly named her nephew, Akash Anand, as her political successor during a national-level party meeting in Lucknow. While this announcement was conveyed by a senior BSP official, the party’s official statement did not mention such a decision. Mayawati urged party members to work diligently for the upcoming 2024 parliamentary polls, emphasizing the need to remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine the BSP.

Key Points:

Declaration of Successor:

• Mayawati declared Akash Anand as her political heir, as revealed by Udayveer Singh, BSP district head from Shahjahanpur, during a press interaction.
• Akash Anand, the 28-year-old national coordinator of the party, has been entrusted with the responsibility of strengthening the organization in various states.

Growing Stature and Campaigning:

• Akash Anand played a significant role in the BSP’s campaigns during the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2022 Assembly elections.
• His active involvement in leading initiatives like the ‘Swabhiman Sankalp Yatra’ in Rajasthan reflects his increasing prominence within the party.

Official Statement Discrepancy:

• Despite the verbal declaration of a successor, the official statement released by the BSP did not acknowledge or confirm this decision.
• The absence of this information in the official communication raises questions about the clarity and consensus within the party regarding the announcement.

BSP’s Electoral Outlook:

• Mayawati urged party leaders and workers to focus on the 2024 parliamentary polls and remain vigilant against potential efforts by opposition parties to harm the BSP.
• Emphasizing the party’s role as a movement for marginalized sections, Mayawati called for dedicated efforts to secure a favorable outcome in the upcoming elections.

Conclusion:

The reported naming of Akash Anand as Mayawati’s political successor adds a new dimension to the dynamics of the BSP. However, the discrepancy between the verbal announcement and the official statement raises questions about internal coherence. Mayawati’s call for vigilance and dedicated efforts underscores the party’s determination to regain political significance, especially in the context of the approaching 2024 parliamentary polls.

CASES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS BEING FORCED TO COMMIT CYBERCRIMES ON THE RISE

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Cases of human trafficking victims being coerced into committing cybercrimes are on the rise, with the first-ever Interpol operation against such fraud schemes revealing an expanding trend beyond southeast Asia. Named “Operation Storm Makers II,” the global exercise involved Indian enforcement agencies and resulted in the arrest of 281 individuals on charges ranging from human trafficking to telecommunications fraud.

Key Points:

Diverse Fraud Schemes:

• Fraudulent activities discovered included fake cryptocurrency investments, work-from-home scams, and online gambling schemes, all driven by victims of human trafficking.
• “Operation Storm Makers II” highlighted the global nature of these fraud networks, dispelling the notion that such activities were confined to southeast Asia.

Arrests and Investigations:

• The operation led to the arrest of 281 individuals in various countries, addressing charges like human trafficking, corruption, passport forgery, and sexual exploitation.
• Over 360 investigations were initiated, showcasing the complexity and scale of these interconnected cyberfraud operations.

Rescue of Trafficking Victims:

• A total of 149 human trafficking victims were rescued during the operation, underscoring the severe exploitation and abuse faced by individuals coerced into cybercrimes.
• The investigations into these cases continue, reflecting the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle these networks.

Global Scope and Revenue Generation:

• The UN Human Rights Office report highlighted that human trafficking victims, primarily men, are forced into online scams across several countries, including Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Thailand.
• The scam syndicates generate billions of dollars in annual revenues, with estimates suggesting large numbers of people involved in such operations.

Human Rights Abuses:

• Victims face a spectrum of human rights abuses, including threats to safety, torture, sexual violence, and forced labor.
• The UN report emphasized the gravity of the situation, pointing out that at least 1,20,000 people in Myanmar alone might be held in situations involving forced participation in online scams.

Conclusion:

The alarming increase in cases where human trafficking victims are compelled to engage in cybercrimes underscores the complex challenges faced by law enforcement globally. “Operation Storm Makers II” sheds light on the interconnected nature of these fraudulent activities, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to dismantle these networks and protect the rights of vulnerable individuals coerced into such schemes.

DEVELOPMENTAL AND REGULATORY POLICY MEASURES TAKEN BY RESERVE BANK OF INDIA (RBI)

GS 3 (ECONOMY): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has undertaken significant developmental and regulatory policy measures, reflecting its commitment to fostering a dynamic and transparent financial ecosystem. Notably, these measures focus on enhancing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction limit for specific categories and introducing key initiatives such as the Fintech Repository and Web-Aggregation of loan products (WALP).

Enhancing UPI Transaction Limits:

Proposal Details:

• The RBI proposes a substantial increase in the UPI transaction limit for payments to hospitals and educational institutions from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh per transaction.
• Currently, the general UPI limit stands at ₹1 lakh, with exceptions for certain categories like Capital Markets, Collections, Insurance, where the limit is ₹2 lakh.

About UPI:

• Launched in 2016, UPI is an instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India.
• It employs a robust 2 Factor Authentication and contributes significantly, accounting for over 40% of India’s digital transactions.
• India’s recent UPI Payment Deals with France, UAE, and Sri Lanka showcase its growing international relevance.

Setting up Fintech Repository:

Operationalization Timeline:

• The Fintech Repository, a pivotal initiative, is set to be operationalized by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub in April 2024 or possibly earlier.
• This repository aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for financial technology innovations, fostering collaboration and advancements in the sector.

Regulatory Framework for WALP:

Objective and Transparency:

• The regulatory framework for Web-Aggregation of loan products (WALP) aims to enhance transparency in the operations of financial institutions.
• WALP involves aggregating loan offers from multiple lenders on an electronic platform, empowering borrowers to compare and choose the best available option tailored to their needs.

Conclusion:

The RBI’s strategic policy measures, encompassing the augmentation of UPI transaction limits, the establishment of a Fintech Repository, and the introduction of regulatory frameworks like WALP, underscore its commitment to fostering a resilient and transparent financial ecosystem in India. These initiatives not only address immediate requirements but also pave the way for innovation and collaboration in the financial technology landscape.

CITY OF LAKES PROJECT AND 3I MODEL

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – TIMES OF INDIA

Delhi’s strides in combatting climate change, specifically through initiatives like the City of Lakes project and the 3i model, were spotlighted during a discussion hosted by C40, a global network of nearly a hundred mayors committed to addressing the climate crisis.

• The 3i model, tailored for Electric Vehicles (EVs), emphasizes Inclusion, incentivization, and Innovation.
• By promoting accessibility, providing incentives, and fostering innovation, Delhi aims to accelerate the adoption of EVs.
• The City of Lakes project focuses on revitalizing water bodies within the city, offering eco-tourism opportunities, and bolstering heat resilience, crucial during extreme weather events.
• This initiative has notably elevated groundwater levels by up to 2 meters, showcasing its positive impact on environmental sustainability and climate resilience in Delhi.
• These breakthroughs underscore the city’s commitment to comprehensive strategies for climate action and sustainable urban development.

CLIMATE CHANGE PERFORMANCE INDEX (CCPI) 2024

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

In the latest Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), India has made significant progress, securing the 7th position, up from the 8th position in the previous year.

• The CCPI, released by German watch, serves as an independent monitoring tool to evaluate countries’ climate protection efforts across four key categories: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, Renewable energy, Energy use, and Climate policy.
• The top three positions in the CCPI rankings (1-3) remain vacant. India’s improved ranking reflects its ongoing commitment and efforts toward climate mitigation and sustainable practices.
• German watch, the organization behind CCPI, also publishes The Global Climate Risk Index, contributing to the comprehensive assessment of global climate-related challenges and countries’ resilience strategies.