11-November-2023-Daily-Current-Affairs

BALER: A MACHINE FOR OFF-SITE MANAGEMENT OF FARM STUBBLE

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

With the issue of farm fires gaining attention from the Supreme Court, the need for effective stubble management solutions in Punjab has become crucial. Balers, specialized machines facilitating off-site stubble management, have emerged as a viable option. This technology compresses crop residue into transportable bales, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to burning stubble.

                

Key Points:

Baler Machines Overview:

• Balers have been in use for a decade, with approximately 2,000 currently operating in Punjab.
• Notably, 1,268 balers benefit from significant subsidies (50-80%) through the Centre’s Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme.

Paddy Stubble Management Challenge:

• After harvesting paddy crops, stubble remains on the fields, necessitating removal before the next crop can be sown.
• Traditional methods involve burning stubble, contributing to significant air pollution, prompting the search for alternative solutions.

In Situ and Ex Situ Management:

• In situ management involves incorporating stubble into the soil using machines like super seeders, but this method faces challenges, including vulnerability to insect attacks.
• Ex situ management, preferred by many farmers, entails the use of baler machines for compressing and transporting agricultural residue to off-site locations.

Baler Machine Operation:

• Farmers use tractor-mounted cutters to harvest crop residue, followed by two days of drying and arranging stubble with a rake.
• A tractor-mounted baler machine compresses the stubble into manageable bales using netting, facilitating easy transport to factories or dumping sites.
• Fields treated with balers allow immediate ploughing and sowing of the next crop.

Challenges and Current Availability:

• Despite their effectiveness, balers face limitations in terms of availability and coverage in Punjab.
• A single baler costs around Rs 14.5 lakh without subsidies, and with additional costs for the rake and cutter.
• Current operational balers cover only 15-18% of the total rice fields in Punjab, given the vast agricultural expanse.

‘GOVERNORS CANNOT SIT ON BILLS PASSED BY HOUSE’

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

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has reinforced the democratic essence of a parliamentary system, emphasizing the limitations on a Governor’s authority in dealing with bills passed by state legislatures. The judgment, delivered in response to a writ petition filed by the Punjab government against Governor Banwarilal Purohit, clarifies the dynamics between elected representatives and gubernatorial discretion.

Key Points:

Democratic Power Dynamics:

• The Supreme Court underscored that the real power in a parliamentary democracy resides with the elected representatives of the people.
• Governors, as titular heads, are bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, except in areas explicitly granted discretionary powers by the Constitution.

Governor’s Role and Responsibilities:

• The court stressed that Governors are constitutional statesmen, entrusted with guiding the government on matters of constitutional concern.
• It highlighted that the power to make decisions affecting governance is primarily vested in the elected arm of the state.

Governor’s Discretion and Warning:

• While acknowledging the limited areas where Governor’s exercise discretion, the court warned against overstepping boundaries, cautioning Governor Purohit for holding back key Bills.
• The court directed the Governor to promptly decide on the pending Bills related to Sikh gurdwaras, the police, and higher education.

Breach of Practice Allegation:

• Governor Purohit had cited a breach of practice and procedure in the Assembly session where the Bills were passed.
• The court dismissed this argument, asserting that the Speaker, as the guardian of the House’s privilege, acted within his jurisdiction in adjourning the House sine die.

House Autonomy and Speaker’s Authority:

• The court emphasized the autonomy of each legislative house to judge the lawfulness of its proceedings.
• It affirmed the Speaker’s authority in adjourning the House, categorically stating that it is constitutionally inappropriate for the Governor to question the Speaker’s jurisdiction.

Conclusion:

In affirming the supremacy of elected representatives and parliamentary principles, the Supreme Court’s ruling provides clarity on the delineation of powers between Governors and state legislatures. This decision reinforces the foundational principles of democratic governance, ensuring a balanced and constitutional functioning of the parliamentary system.

WHY WILL SATURN’S RINGS BRIEFLY ‘DISAPPEAR’ FROM VIEW IN 2025?

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

Saturn, renowned for its stunning ring system, is poised to exhibit a fascinating celestial event in 2025. Contrary to speculation, Saturn’s rings won’t vanish permanently but will momentarily become imperceptible from Earth, presenting a rare astronomical occurrence. This phenomenon results from a combination of Saturn’s axial tilt and an optical illusion, contributing to the rings’ periodic disappearance and reappearance.

                      

Key Points:

Saturn’s Tilt and Changing View:

• Similar to Earth’s 23.5-degree axial tilt, Saturn boasts a 26.7-degree tilt of its rotation axis.
• The planet’s expansive ring system is also tilted concerning the plane of Saturn’s orbit.
• During Saturn’s orbit around the Sun, its nodding motion and the changing view of its rings create a dynamic celestial display.

Alignment and Optical Illusion:

• Every 13 to 15 years, Saturn’s ring edge aligns precisely with Earth, causing an optical illusion.
• The rings, inherently thin, reflect minimal light in this alignment, rendering them nearly invisible from Earth.
• This alignment is anticipated in March 2025, marking a temporary phase of Saturn’s rings being imperceptible.

Potential Future Disappearance:

• While the 2025 event is a temporary alignment, Saturn’s rings face a potential permanent disappearance in the future.
• A 2018 NASA report suggests that within the next 300 million years, or possibly sooner, Saturn might lose its rings entirely.
• The phenomenon, known as ‘ring rain,’ involves the gravitational pull of Saturn gradually pulling the rings into the planet.

‘Ring Rain’ Explanation:

• Under the influence of Saturn’s magnetic field, a dusty rain of ice particles is drawn towards the planet.
• NASA estimates that this ‘ring rain’ drains a significant amount of water products from Saturn’s rings in a short time.
• The process contributes to the gradual depletion of the rings, possibly leading to their eventual disappearance.

Age and Temporality of Saturn’s Rings:

• Saturn, at four billion years old, acquired its rings relatively late in its lifespan, with the rings not exceeding 100 million years in age.
• The transient nature of the rings prompts reflection on the possibility of other gas giants, like Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune, having once possessed substantial ring systems.

Conclusion:

The upcoming celestial event in 2025, where Saturn’s rings momentarily vanish from view, offers a captivating spectacle for astronomy enthusiasts. Understanding the interplay of Saturn’s axial tilt, ring alignment, and potential future disappearance adds depth to our appreciation of the dynamic nature of celestial bodies. While the disappearance in 2025 is a temporary alignment, the prospect of Saturn losing its rings in the future underscores the transient and evolving nature of astronomical features, inviting contemplation on the broader cosmic timeline.

A PLAN TO JOIN THE RED SEA WITH MEDITERRANEAN

GS 2 (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The concept of the ‘Ben Gurion Canal,’ aiming to link the Red Sea and the Mediterranean as an alternative to the Suez Canal, has resurfaced in discussions, coinciding with Israel’s strategic objectives and ongoing developments in the region. This ambitious proposal, initially envisioned in the 1960s, could potentially reshape global maritime trade dynamics. As we explore the details, it becomes evident that the project’s theoretical promise is overshadowed by multifaceted challenges.

               

1. The Suez Canal’s Historical Significance:

• Opened in 1869, the Suez Canal played a pivotal role in revolutionizing global maritime trade.
• Despite its historical importance, the canal faces congestion issues and political complexities, as exemplified by the Ever Given incident in March 2021.

1. The Ben Gurion Canal Project: A Theoretical Alternative:

• The proposed canal through Israel’s Negev Desert seeks to provide an alternative route to the Suez Canal, potentially transforming maritime trade dynamics.
• The concept resurfaced amid Israel’s strategic considerations, with discussions linking it to efforts to eliminate Hamas and gain control over the Gaza Strip.

III. Challenges and Implications:

• Logistical, political, and funding challenges pose significant obstacles to the realization of the Ben Gurion Canal.
• The estimated cost, potentially exceeding $100 billion, raises questions about feasibility compared to alternative solutions for the Suez Canal.
• The proposed route’s length, coupled with geographical constraints, may impact the canal’s attractiveness for shipping compared to the shorter Suez Canal route.

1. Historical Perspectives and Nuclear Considerations:

• Historical documentation, such as a declassified 1963 US government memorandum, highlights initial considerations of using nuclear explosives for canal excavation.
• Named after Israel’s founding father, the Ben Gurion Canal Project remains one of the most ambitious infrastructure proposals, despite past unconventional suggestions.

1. Hurdles to Construction:

• The complexity and prohibitively high cost, estimated at $100 billion, present substantial challenges to implementing the Ben Gurion Canal.
• The nuclear option, initially considered due to cost concerns, introduces additional risks and uncertainties.
• Security concerns, including constant military threats, further complicate the practicality of constructing a canal with daily freight transportation potential.

Conclusion:

While the Ben Gurion Canal Project sparks intrigue for its potential impact on global trade, the existing challenges, encompassing logistical, financial, and security aspects, underscore its theoretical nature. The endeavor’s viability remains contingent on overcoming these hurdles, making it a subject of complex exploration within the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

SCIENTISTS REDISCOVER LONG-LOST MAMMAL IN REMOTE INDONESIA MOUNTAINS

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

In a thrilling discovery, scientists from Oxford University have unearthed the elusive Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna in the Cyclops Mountains of Indonesia, more than 60 years after it was initially documented. Named after the renowned naturalist David Attenborough, this unique mammal, with features resembling a hedgehog, anteater, and mole, holds significance in the realm of biodiversity.

           

1. Background of the Rediscovery:

• The species, scientifically recorded once in 1961 by a Dutch botanist, reemerged during a four-week expedition led by Oxford University scientists.
• Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna had become a mystery, and its rediscovery is attributed to the deployment of over 80 trail cameras.

1. The Triumph of Persistence:

• Biologist James Kempton, leading the expedition, described the euphoria and relief upon spotting the creature in the forest undergrowth.
• The elusive mammal was captured on the last memory card retrieved, concluding a journey marked by challenges, including an earthquake and malaria.

III. Unique Traits and Habitat:

• Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna, part of the monotreme group, showcases distinct features due to its egg-laying evolutionary lineage separated 200 million years ago.
• The species is a shy, nocturnal burrow-dweller, contributing to the difficulty in locating it.

1. Cultural Significance:

• Embedded in local culture, the echidna is linked to resolving conflicts, involving a tradition where parties search for the mammal and a marlin in the forest and ocean, respectively.

Conclusion:

The rediscovery of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna stands as a testament to the persistence and dedication of scientists in uncovering the mysteries of remote ecosystems. This finding not only enriches our understanding of unique mammalian species but also emphasizes the delicate balance between conservation, cultural significance, and the challenges inherent in exploring untouched landscapes.

INDO-PACIFIC MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS (IPMDA) 

GS 3 (SECURITY): SOURCE – TIMES OF INDIA

During the 4th Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC), the Chief of the Indian Navy emphasized the significance of Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). The GMC, an initiative by the Indian Navy, serves as a platform for collaborative efforts in maritime security among nations.

                             

• IPMDA, launched at the 2022 Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo, focuses on technology and training to bolster maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific.
• Its key functions include tracking dark shipping involved in illegal activities, monitoring tactical-level operations, and providing a near-real-time view of maritime activities in partner nations’ waters.
• Notably, IPMDA integrates three crucial regions of the Indo-Pacific: Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean Region, showcasing its comprehensive approach to enhancing maritime security and cooperation in the region.

INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY CODE (IBC) 2016

GS 3 (ECONOMY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Supreme Court upheld sections of IBC 2016 relating to the appointment of resolution professional (RP), adjudicatory process and interim moratorium.

           

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) is a pivotal legal framework in India aimed at addressing insolvency issues efficiently and within a defined timeframe. It encompasses both individual and corporate insolvency, offering a structured resolution process.

Key Features:

• Time-Bound Resolution: IBC provides a systematic and time-bound approach to resolve insolvency, preventing delays in the resolution process.
• Insolvency vs. Bankruptcy: While insolvency signifies the inability to repay debts, bankruptcy involves a legal declaration by a court, affirming insolvency and initiating protective measures for creditors.
• Government Intervention: Enacted to consolidate insolvency-related laws, IBC primarily targets Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), a longstanding concern affecting the Indian economy.
• Creditor-Centric Approach: IBC shifts the responsibility of initiating insolvency resolution from the debtor to the creditor, streamlining the process.
• Proposed Amendments: Recent amendments focus on removing obstacles, streamlining corporate insolvency resolution, and safeguarding last-mile funding, promoting investment in distressed sectors