Daily Current Affairs UPSC 13 July 2024

Molecular Chaperones

• Researchers at S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences have developed a new single molecule technique to study protein folding and chaperones.
• This method could help in tracking the progression of diseases such as cancer, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
• Proteins typically fold into specific 3-D structures to become functional.
• Newly synthesized proteins in cells are at risk of folding incorrectly, which can lead to toxic species forming.
• Cells have a network of molecular chaperones that help prevent protein aggregation and promote efficient folding.
• Endogenous proteins act as a control mechanism to prevent aggregation and ensure proper protein folding.

Margin Trading Facility (MTF)

• Margin Trading Facility (MTF) is becoming more popular for investing in the stock market.
• With MTF, the buyer only pays a portion of the total value of the stock, while the broker covers the rest with a loan that incurs interest.
• Advantages of MTF include the potential for increased profits by having access to more capital and being able to invest in a wider range of stocks.
• Challenges of MTF include the higher risk of losses, the cost of interest on the loan, and other potential drawbacks.

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserves (STR)

• Study shows lack of awareness about vulture conservation in key habitats of STR
• STR declared as tiger reserve in 2013 in Erode district, Tamil Nadu.
• Contiguous with Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (TN); Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve and Bandipur Tiger reserves (Karnataka).
• Links Eastern and Western Ghats.
• Notable fauna includes Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Sloth bear, Gaur, Black Buck, Spotted deer, Nilgiri langur, etc.
• Forest types in STR include Tropical dry thorn, tropical dry mixed deciduous, Tropical semi evergreen, Sub tropical hill forest.
• Concerns in STR include smuggling of Sandalwood and poaching.

International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-REC)

• I-REC is a certificate that proves one MWh of electricity was generated from renewable sources and added to the grid.
• MNCs can use I-RECs to meet their renewable energy consumption requirements in different countries with fewer obstacles.
• I-RECs are valid until they are redeemed by an end consumer or withdrawn.
• India is a major seller of I-RECs.
• The International Tracking Standard Foundation created I-REC.

Reserve Bank of India- Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RBI-IOS), 2021

• The Madras High Court has confirmed the constitutionality of the RBI-IOS 2021, which prohibits complainants from using lawyers to represent them in front of the ombudsman.
• Lawyers only have a statutory right, not a fundamental right, to appear in judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings.
• The RBI-IOS 2021 was launched in 2021 by combining three previous ombudsman schemes of the RBI, including those for banking, NBFCs, and digital transactions.
• The scheme also covers additional regulated entities such as all commercial banks, NBFCs registered with the RBI, and Credit Information Companies.
• The RBI-IOS 2021 allows for the free resolution of customer complaints related to deficient services provided by entities regulated by the RBI.

U.S.-South Korea sign joint nuclear deterrence guidelines

• The guidelines for nuclear deterrence aim to prevent and respond to aggression from North Korea.
• The US and South Korea established a joint Nuclear Consultative Group in 2023 to work together on nuclear deterrence strategies.
• The agreement involves combining US nuclear assets with South Korean conventional weapons to enhance the response to North Korean nuclear threats.
• South Korea, lacking its own nuclear weapons, heavily relies on the US for security against North Korea's nuclear arsenal.
• Both countries have committed to conducting joint military exercises to effectively implement the deterrence guidelines.

Squalus hima

• A new species of 'Squalus hima' was discovered by scientists from the Zoological Survey of India in Kerala.
• Squalus hima is a type of dogfish shark in the Squalidae family.
• Dogfish sharks, unlike most sharks, are venomous.
• Commonly known as spurdogs, they have smooth dorsal fin spines.
• Squalus hima have angular short snouts, small mouths, and bodies without spots.
• They are exploited for their liver oil, which is used in pharmaceutical industries for high-end cosmetic and anti-cancer products.

Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

• IPBES was awarded the Blue Planet Prize for 2024 by the Asahi Glass Foundation in Japan.
• The Blue Planet Prize is given annually to individuals and organizations for their achievements in scientific research and solutions to global environmental issues.
• The prize includes a monetary award of US$500,000.
• IPBES, established in 2012 in Panama City, is an independent intergovernmental body focused on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• While not a UN body, IPBES receives secretariat services from the United Nations Environment Programme.
• The IPBES secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany.
• Currently, IPBES has over 145 member States, including India, and all UN member States are eligible for membership.

Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)

• India and Taiwan have agreed to recognize each other's organic certifications for products.
• This agreement will make it easier for Indian organic products to be exported to Taiwan without needing additional certifications.
• The agreement will benefit the organic sector by increasing trade opportunities for products like rice, processed food, tea, and medicinal plants.
• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in India and the Agriculture and Food Agency in Taiwan are responsible for implementing this agreement.

Exercise in news

• Indian Air Force Contingent has arrived in Australia for Exercise Pitch Black, a multinational exercise held every two years focusing on large force employment missions with international aircraft.
• Exercise Sagar Kavach - 01/24 is a coastal security exercise along the Andhra Pradesh coast to test the effectiveness of coastal security mechanisms against threats from the sea.
• The exercise involved assets from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Police, fisheries, customs, and other security agencies to ensure comprehensive security measures. 

Decreasing RTI Appeals Pendency: MoPPG&P Data

About Right to Information Act 2005

• The RTI Act 2005 grants citizens the right to access information held by Public Authorities (PAs) to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in government processes.
• The Department of Personnel and Training under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions serves as the nodal agency for the implementation of the RTI Act, replacing the earlier Freedom of Information Act, 2002.

Key Features of the RTI Act 2005

• The Act outlines the structure and functions of Central and State Information Commissions.
• Public Authorities are required to designate Central/State Public Information Officers (CPIO/SPIOs) to provide requested information to citizens.
• The Act provides a system of appeals for aggrieved individuals, including appeals to a higher authority and the Central/State Information Commissioner within specified timeframes.
• The burden of proof for justifying denial of information lies with the CPIO/SPIOs.
• Appeals must be disposed of within a set timeframe, and decisions made by the Information Commissioners are binding.

Achievements of the RTI Act 2005

• The Act has expanded its coverage to include offices such as the Chief Justice of India and the Comptroller and Auditor General.
• An online portal, RTI Online, has been established to facilitate the filing of RTI applications.
• The Act has contributed to a reduction in the backlog of appeals, with the number decreasing from around 35,000 in 2019-20 to 23,000 in 2023-24.

"IAMA calls for more consultation on Karnataka gig worker law"

• According to IAMA, provisions like mandatory registration, database updation, and monetary contributions by firms in the Draft Karnataka Gig Workers Bill may affect the Ease of doing business.
• Currently, Rajasthan is the only state with legislation for gig worker welfare.
• Gig workers are individuals who earn from work outside of traditional employer-employee relationships.
• They are broadly classified into platform-based workers and non-platform-based workers.

Platform-based Gig Workers

• Work is based on online software apps or digital platforms.

Non-platform based Gig Workers

• Casual wage workers in conventional sectors.
• Work part-time or full-time.

Concerns for Gig Workers

• Gig workers lack safeguards like minimum wage and traditional employment benefits.
• They face challenges in upward mobility within organizations.

Balancing Social Security and Business for Gig Workers

• Specialized savings and insurance products should be developed for gig workers.
• Collaboration between policymakers, corporations, and workers is essential for a fair gig economy.
• Efforts should be made to create a more stable income environment for gig workers and discourage a race-to-the-bottom mentality.

Initiatives for Gig Workers

• The 2020 Social Security Code extends benefits to gig workers and establishes a Social Security Fund with contributions from aggregators.
• The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code aims to create a safe work environment and regulate contract labor.

Resolution on Ukraine's Nuclear Facilities

• The resolution focuses on ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, particularly the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Major points of Resolution

• It condemns attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, which poses a risk of nuclear accidents.
• Calls for all parties involved in the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law.

Measures to Protect Civilian Nuclear Sites During Conflict

• The resolution outlines seven pillars for maintaining nuclear safety and security during times of conflict, as defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• These pillars include safety and security systems, radiation monitoring, emergency preparedness, logistical supply chain, and more.
• It references the 2009 IAEA General Conference Decision that prohibits armed attacks or threats against nuclear installations.
• It also mentions Additional Protocol I of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits attacks on installations containing dangerous forces, such as nuclear power plants, even if they are considered military objectives.

"NITI Aayog's 4th SDG India Index 2023-24 Released"

• Measures progress of all States and Union Territories on 113 indicators aligned to National Indicator Framework.
• Composite score computed for each State/UT based on performance across 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Scores range from 0-100, with 100 indicating achievement of 2030 targets.
• States categorized as Achiever, Front runners, Performers, and Aspirants based on scores.

Key Findings

National Level

• India's composite score improved from 66 in 2020-21 to 71 in 2023-24.
• Significant progress observed in Goals 1, 8, and 13, now in front runner category.
• Goal 13 showed highest increase in score followed by Goal 1.
• Government interventions like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, Ayushman Bharat led to rapid improvement.

State/UT Level

• All States showed improvement in overall score.
• 32 States and UTs in front-runner category.
• 4 states in Performer category: Meghalaya, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Bihar.
• Top States: Uttarakhand and Kerala with scores of 79 each.
• Top UT: Chandigarh.

Supreme Court's View on Arresting Power under PMLA Section 19

• The observations were made during the hearing of the case involving Arvind Kejriwal and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).

Section 19 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

Authority for arrest

• Those with authority to make arrests include the Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director, or any other officer authorized by the Central Government.
• This authority can be granted through a general or special order.

Basis for arrest

• A person can be arrested if there is material in their possession or a reason to believe that they have committed an offense under the Act.
• The reason for this belief must be recorded in writing.

Key takeaways from the judgment

• Section 19 of PMLA grants powers that should be used carefully and in accordance with constitutional protections.
• If a person arrested under PMLA challenges their arrest, the conditions set by the legislature must be reviewed by the judiciary.
• The arrestee should be provided with reasons to believe for their arrest.

Other judgments related to arresting power under PMLA

Pankaj Bansal Vs Union of India and others (2023): 

• Emphasizes the significance of communicating the grounds of arrest, as required by Article 22(1) of the Constitution.
• Highlights the importance of ensuring that individuals are informed of the reasons for their arrest to uphold their rights.

V Senthil Balaji Vs State and others (2023): 

• Stresses the necessity of recording 'reasons to believe' in writing to promote fairness and accountability in legal proceedings.
• Underlines the importance of documenting the rationale behind decisions to ensure transparency and prevent arbitrary actions.

About Prevention of Money Laundering Act ( 2002)

• The law was put in place to combat the act of legitimizing money earned from illegal activities.
• It allows the government or public authorities to seize assets obtained from unlawfully obtained funds.

"BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Meet in New Delhi"

• The first edition of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers' Retreat took place in Thailand in 2023.

About BIMSTEC

• BIMSTEC is a regional organization established in 1997 through the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
• It consists of 7 member states: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan.
• The Permanent Secretariat of BIMSTEC is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• BIMSTEC operates on principles such as sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful co-existence.
• The organization focuses on 7 areas: Trade; Environment and Climate Change; Security; Agriculture and Food Security; People-to-People Contact; Science, Technology, and Innovation; Connectivity.
• The combined GDP of BIMSTEC member states amounted to USD 4.5 trillion in 2022, approximately 4.5% of global GDP.

Significance of BIMSTEC for India

• BIMSTEC plays a crucial role in regional cooperation, aligning with India's Neighbourhood First Policy and Act East Policy.
• The organization holds geostrategic importance for India as sectoral cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region helps secure critical lines of communication in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and boost trade.
• BIMSTEC contributes to India's security objectives, supporting the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision and enhancing maritime cooperation in the IOR.
• BIMSTEC has the potential to address the shortcomings of SAARC and become a meaningful platform for regional cooperation in South Asia.

Associated Challenges

• Challenges facing BIMSTEC include slow progress and inertia in implementing initiatives, such as the lack of advancement in adopting the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement.
• The organization has faced irregular meeting schedules, with only 5 summit meetings held by 2024 despite plans for biennial summits.
• Stalled projects like the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement hinder connectivity and economic cooperation goals within BIMSTEC.