3-January-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

MHA SEEKS TO PACIFY TRUCKERS PROTESTING NEW HIT-AND-RUN LAW

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

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) aims to address the concerns of truckers protesting against the stringent provisions of the yet-to-be-implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to hit-and-run cases. The protests have led to disruptions in transportation and fuel shortages across several states. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has assured consultations before invoking the new penal section.

Background and Protests:

• Nationwide protests by transporters, including bus and taxi unions, against Section 106 of the BNS.
• The section proposes a maximum ten-year punishment for rash and negligent driving, leading to strikes from January 1 to January 30.

MHA’s Clarification and Appeal:

• The Union Home Secretary, Ajay Bhalla, convened a meeting with the All India Motor Transport Congress to address the concerns.
• Bhalla clarified that the new laws are yet to be implemented, and decisions on invoking Section 106(2) would follow consultations with the transport congress.

Impact on Transportation and Fuel Supply:

• Widespread strikes by truckers and transport bodies led to disruptions in transportation and fuel shortages.
• Violent protests in Rajasthan, with a police vehicle burned and three security personnel injured.

Panic Buying and Fuel Queues:

• Chaos at fuel stations in northern, western, and central states due to panic buying amid fears of fuel shortages.
• Chandigarh imposed temporary restrictions on petrol and diesel sales to manage the situation.

Oil Marketing Companies’ Response:

• The Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers urged oil marketing companies to communicate and find solutions to the issues instead of agitation.
• Long queues seen at petrol pumps in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Telangana.

Political Responses and Regional Impact:

• Political leaders expressed concerns, with references to the hit-and-run law being compared to the contentious farm laws.
• Impact varies across states, with disruptions reported in Mumbai, Nagpur, Jammu, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.

Conclusion:

The ongoing protests highlight the challenges posed by the proposed hit-and-run law, leading to disruptions in transportation and fuel supply across states. While the MHA seeks consultations and appeals for a return to work, the situation remains tense, with potential economic ramifications and the need for a balanced approach to address the concerns of both transporters and authorities.

CM OKAYS PLAN TO ACQUIRE 147 ACRES FOR INDUSTRIAL HUB IN NORTH-WEST DELHI

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

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has given the nod for the acquisition of 147 acres in Rani Khera, north-west Delhi, to establish an environmentally friendly industrial hub. The proposal, prioritizing services sector companies in land allotment, is now with Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena for final approval. Initially conceived during the Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government, the AAP government took up the project in 2015, facing delays due to various factors, including land acquisition issues.

Project Approval and History:

• Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approves the acquisition of 147 acres for an eco-friendly industrial hub in Rani Khera.
• The project, initially conceptualized during Sheila Dikshit’s tenure, faced delays and obstacles.

Land Acquisition and Environmental Focus:

• The Chief Minister’s Office emphasizes an environmentally friendly approach, prioritizing industries with no pollution.
• The government aims to promote services sector industries and offers concessional rates for land.

Smart IT Park and Priority Sectors:

• Plans include the development of a smart integrated IT park in Rani Khera, focusing on pollution-free blocks.
• Priority to IT companies, media, biotechnology, research, and innovation sectors for land allocation.

Night-Time Economy Boost:

• Kejriwal grants permission for 32 shops and restaurants to operate 24×7, aligning with the AAP government’s focus on the night-time economy.
• The government aims to create a business-friendly environment and strengthen economic growth.

Conclusion:

The approval for the industrial hub in Rani Khera reflects the Delhi government’s commitment to economic development and environmental considerations. The emphasis on services sectors, the creation of a pollution-free IT park, and the push for a vibrant night-time economy showcase the government’s multi-faceted approach to fostering growth and creating a conducive business environment in the region.

TRANSFORMING NARRATIVES: UNRAVELLING INDIA’S TRANSITION IN SLUM DEFINITIONS

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

The shifting perspectives on slums have significantly influenced Indian government policies, transforming from viewing slums as a threat to be eradicated to recognizing them as subjects of technocratic solutions. Nipesh Narayanan’s research, analyzing Rajya Sabha debates from 1953 to 2014, provides a nuanced understanding of the evolving discourses surrounding slums and their impact on legislative and policy decisions.

Evolution of Discourses:

• Slums’ conceptualization has been a subject of changing debates in the Indian Parliament, influencing legislative and policy approaches.
• Nipesh Narayanan’s research explores the dynamic nature of slum definitions and their consequences over five decades.

Historical Eras and Transformations:

• Dividing the study into four eras, the paper delves into how slums were perceived and treated during different periods.
• Each era reflects a distinct shift, from viewing slums as an epidemic requiring eradication to recognizing them as entities needing development.

1950s-1960s: Slums as Aftermath:

• Initial discussions considered slums as a consequence of partition, influx of population, and spatial constraints.
• Slums were seen as an epidemic, emphasizing health issues, spatial constraints, and the need for eradication. The Slum Areas Act of 1956 marked a turning point.

1970s-1980s: Transition to Development:

• A shift occurred, recognizing slums as a necessary evil that required development.
• Town planning emerged, pushing slums to peripheries, focusing on providing basic amenities rather than clearance.

1980s-1990s: Economic Transformation:

• Economic reasoning took precedence, viewing cities, including slums, as assets for state economic growth.
• Housing policies changed, adopting a broader approach, and targeted funding for slum redevelopment emerged.

2000s-2014: Technical and Economic Focus:

• Statistical information broadened slum definitions, transforming them into technical and economic subjects.
• Policies shifted towards implementation efficacy and economic development, relying on data-driven approaches.

Conclusion:

The reliance on technological solutions and data-driven policies reflects a broader shift in urban problem-solving approaches.

The paper critically underscores the potential dangers of reducing slums to numerical data and calls for a comprehensive understanding beyond statistical information to address the complexities of slum formation.

The historical analysis provides valuable insights into the dynamics of urban development and socio-economic inequalities.

NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO INDIA: INCOIS

GS 1 (GEOGRAPHY): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), part of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), has confirmed that India faces no tsunami threat following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake near Honshu, Japan.

• While the Pacific Ocean Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) and Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami bulletin for Japan, ITEWC monitors sea level changes in the epicentral region and provides timely reports in case of a potential tsunami threat.
• The epicenter, directly above the earthquake’s point of origin, is crucial in assessing the impact. INCOIS, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is dedicated to delivering optimal ocean information and advisory services to various stakeholders, ensuring preparedness and safety.

HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE

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

Huntington’s disease is a severe neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the HTT gene, leading to a faulty huntingtin protein. Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) were employed in a study by the University of Szeged in Hungary, offering unique insights into disease progression and potential therapies.

Huntington’s Disease:

• Huntington’s disease results from a mutated HTT gene, producing toxic fragments that disrupt cellular processes.
• Mutations cause an expanded polyglutamine tract in the huntingtin protein, impacting nerve cell functioning.
• Severity correlates with the length of the polyglutamine tract.
• Inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation.

Symptoms and Treatment:

• Initial symptoms include forgetfulness and loss of balance, progressing to uncontrollable movements.
• No cure exists, and available treatments only alleviate symptoms.

Key Highlights of the Study:

• Fruit flies were engineered to express mutated human HTT gene polyglutamine tracts.
• The Gal4/UAS system allowed targeted protein expression in neurons.
• Flies with mutated HTT gene exhibited neurodegeneration and impaired climbing ability.
• A control group with a normal polyglutamine tract showed minimal effects.
• Overexpression of the Yod1 gene in flies eliminated disease-like effects, including neurodegeneration and motor impairments.

Conclusion:

The study’s innovative use of fruit flies provides valuable insights into Huntington’s disease, revealing specific genetic targets that may pave the way for potential therapeutic interventions in the future.

FIVE NATIONS BECOME FULL MEMBERS OF BRICS

GS 2 (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

BRICS, an influential group comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded its membership, adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates while Argentina withdrew its planned entry.

Significance of Expansion:

• Multipolarity and Challenge to Western Order: The inclusion of new members will enhance multipolarity, challenging the established Western-led global order.
• South-South Cooperation: The expansion fosters cooperation among developing countries, providing India an opportunity to assert leadership in the global south.
• Collective Voice for Global Restructuring: The enlarged BRICS can collectively advocate for the restructuring of global institutions.
• Oil Production Boost: The inclusion of oil-producing nations may lead to increased oil production among BRICS members.

Challenges with BRICS:

• Divergence in Worldviews: Variations in how member countries perceive BRICS, with India seeing it as non-Western and China viewing it as anti-Western.
• Economic Disruptions: Economic and political sanctions on members could lead to disruptions.
• Internal Trust Deficit: A lack of trust and common understanding of standards, criteria, and expansion procedures among member states.
• Overlapping Group Dynamics: Overlapping with other groups like IBSA (India, Brazil, and South Africa) may pose coordination challenges.

In navigating these challenges, BRICS faces the complex task of balancing diverse perspectives and ensuring effective collaboration for a reshaped global order.

HEALTH TAX PROPOSAL FOR SUGAR PRODUCTS IN INDIA

GS 3 (SOCIETY): SOURCE – THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Public health researchers advocate implementing a health tax, ranging from 20% to 30%, in addition to the existing Goods and Services Tax (GST) on sugar products.

• Currently, sugar is taxed at 18% GST, while sugar-sweetened beverages attract 28% GST with a 12% additional cess.
• India, being the world’s largest consumer of sugar, faces health concerns, with an average person consuming five times the WHO-recommended threshold for free sugar intake annually.
• Imposing a health tax is expected to curb obesity, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, tooth decay, and certain cancers.