UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 8th December 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Hatti community

Subject: History and Culture

Why in News?

An organisation of the Hatti community in Himachal Pradesh will organise a protest march on December 16 to press their demand for the implementation of a law giving the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the community.

About the Hatti community:

• The Hattis are a close-knit community who take their name from their traditional occupation of selling home-grown crops, vegetables, meat, and wool at small-town markets known as ‘haats’.
• Hatti men traditionally don a distinctive white headgear on ceremonial occasions.
• The Hatti homeland straddles the Himachal-Uttarakhand border in the basin of the Giri and Tons rivers, both tributaries of the Yamuna.
• The Tons marks the border between the two states, and the Hattis living in the Trans-Giri area in today’s Himachal Pradesh and Jaunsar Bawar in Uttarakhand were once part of the royal estate of Sirmaur. Jaunsar Bawar was conquered by the British in 1814.
• The two Hatti clans, in Trans-Giri and Jaunsar Bawar, have similar traditions, and inter-marriages are common.
• They are governed by a traditional council called ‘khumbli’ which decides community matters.
• According to the 2011 census, members of the community numbered 2.5 lakh but at present population of the Hattis are estimated at around 3 lakhs.

Source: The Print

Pashupatinath Temple

Subject: Art and Culture

Why in News?

The sale and consumption of meat, alcohol, and other intoxicants have been restricted around the Pashupatinath Temple area due to the Hindu festival of Bala Chaturdashi.

About the Pashupatinath Temple:

• It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupati, a form of Shiva.
• Location: It is located on the bank of the Bagmati River on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal.
• In 1979, the temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Features:
  • The temple complex includes 518 temples, buildings, and structures. 
  • The main temple is designed in the Nepalese pagoda style, with a tiered roof and plinth.
  • It is a two-tiered structure with a gold-plated roof.
  • The temple has two interior rooms where the Pashupatinath idol is placed.
  • It is a cubic structure with four main doors, all covered with silver sheets.
  • One of the most astonishing decorations of the temple is the huge golden statue of Nandi, Shiva’s bull.

What is a Pagoda?

• A Pagoda is a tower like, multistorey, solid or hollow structure made of stone, brick, or wood, usually associated with a Buddhist temple complex, common in China, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. 
• The pagoda structure derives from that of the stupa, a hemispherical, domed, commemorative monument first constructed in ancient India. 
• Pagodas are constructed around a central staircase and can have many forms.
• A pagoda has three sections: a base, a body, and a top, which often takes the form of a miniature pagoda.

Source: The Print

GS-II

National Mission for Clean Ganga

Subject: Government Intiatives

Why in News?

Recently, Under the National Mission for Clean Ganga a total of 450 projects have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 38,022.37 Crore, out of which 270 projects have been completed and made operational.

Background:-

• So far, a total of 450 projects have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 38,022.37 Crore, out of which 270 projects have been completed and made operational.

About National Mission for Clean Ganga:-

• Launched: 12th August 2011.
• Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Objective: to ensure effective control of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach to promote inter-sectoral coordination for comprehensive planning and management.
• NMCG was listed as a society under the Societies Registration Act, of 1860.
• It is responsible for implementing the government’s ambitious Namami Gange programme.
• It acted as the implementation arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.
  • NGRBA was dissolved in 2016 and replaced by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga
• NMCG is an initiative taken by the Government of India to address the pollution of the river Ganga by providing financial and technical assistance.
• Further, to maintain minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga to ensure water quality and environmentally sustainable development.
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has undertaken comprehensive public awareness campaigns to foster a sense of responsibility and engagement among the public in efforts to clean and conserve the Ganga River.
• Through educational materials, community outreach, school programs, mass media campaigns, and online engagement.

Challenges:-

• Land Acquisition: In many instances, the Detailed Project Reports (which prescribe all the steps necessary to execute a project, and the roles of agencies) needed revision.
• Lack of Local Initiatives: State Governments are under the impression that building treatment plants was entirely the Centre’s responsibility.
• Improper Funding: Though NMCG is a ₹20,000 crore mission, the government has so far given in-principle approval for projects worth ₹37,396 crore, of which only ₹14,745 crore has been released to States for infrastructure work, as of June 2023.
• Municipal Solid Waste Management: The mission faced criticism for not adequately addressing the problem of municipal solid waste flowing into the Ganga.
• Inadequate Sewerage Coverage: Much of India’s urban population resides outside sewerage networks, resulting in a substantial portion of waste not reaching STPs.
• Improper Waste Disposal: The study by the Quality Council of India revealed that rubbish heaps are found near ghats in numerous towns along the river, indicating improper waste disposal practices. This poses a threat to the cleanliness of the Ganga.

Source: PIB

Ethics Committee

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

 Recently, the ethics committee of the Lok Sabha is believed to have recommended the expulsion of Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha for her “unethical conduct” and “breach of privileges”.

Background:-

• Ethics Committee, tasked with overseeing the moral conduct of parliamentarians.

About the ethics committee:-

• The ethics committee was constituted in 2000.
• Objective: to oversee the moral and ethical conduct of members and examine cases of ‘unethical conduct’ referred to it.
• The Committee examines complaints filed against members of the House by other members; outsiders through a member; or referred by the Speaker.
• The Committee makes a prima facie inquiry before deciding to examine a complaint.
• It presents its report to the Speaker, who places it before the House for consideration.
• The term ‘unethical’ is not defined.
• It is left to the Committee to decide whether any act is unethical or not.

Privileges Committees:-

• While the Ethics Committee handles cases of unethical conduct, the Privileges Committee, or Special Inquiry Committee, deals with more severe accusations against a member.
• These committees have historical precedence, with a special committee in 1951 finding a member guilty of promoting a business interest through questions in return for financial benefits.

About Committees of Parliament:-

• Parliamentary committees are broadly categorized as Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.
• Standing Committees are permanent and operate continuously, while Ad Hoc Committees are temporary and disband upon task completion.
  • It includes Financial Committees, Departmental Standing Committees, Committees to Enquire, Committees to Scrutinise and Control, Committees Relating to the Day-to-Day Business of the House, and House-Keeping Committees.
• Ad Hoc Committees are subdivided into Inquiry Committees and Advisory Committees.
• The Parliamentary committees draw their authority from the constitution.
• Article 105: Powers, privileges, etc., of the houses of Parliament and of the members and committees thereof.
• Article 118: Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulations, subject to the provisions of this constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business.

Functions of the Parliamentary Committees:-

• Reviewing and scrutinising the work of the government.
• Power to summon ministers and officials.
• Parliamentary committees play a key role in the legislative process by examining and reviewing bills before they are passed into law.
• They can make recommendations for changes to the bill and ensure that it is consistent with the Constitution and the laws of the land.

Signification of Parliamentary Committees-

• Parliamentary committees are crucial for legislative decision-making, offering expertise to MPs who may lack in-depth knowledge on specific issues.
• These committees, acting as mini-parliaments, comprise MPs from various parties, elected proportionally.
• They serve as instruments for meticulous scrutiny, closely examining bills and seeking input from external stakeholders, including the public.

Source: The Hindu

Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA)

Subject: Government Schemes

Why in News?

The Union Education Minister recently urged the Odisha Chief Minister to implement the PM-USHA scheme for higher education in the state.

About the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA):

• It was launched in 2013 as a centrally sponsored programme to improve access, equity, and quality in higher education through the planned development of higher education at the state level.
• It aims to work with 300-plus state universities and their affiliated colleges.
• Objectives:
  • creating new academic institutions,
  • expanding and upgrading the existing ones,
  • developing institutions that are self-reliant in terms of quality education, professionally managed, and characterised by a greater inclination towards research.
• Funding:
  • It aims at providing strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. 
  • The central funding is based on norms and is outcome-dependent.
  • Funds flow from the central ministry through the state governments/union territories before reaching the identified institutions.
  • Funding to states would be made on the basis of the critical appraisal of State Higher Education Plans, which would enlist each state’s strategy to address issues of equity, access, and excellence in higher education.
• PM-USHA places greater emphasis on the improvement of the quality of teaching and learning processes in order to produce employable and competitive graduates, postgraduates and PhDs. 
• The programme focuses on state higher educational institutions and draws upon the best practices from colleges and universities across the nation.

Source: Times of India

Derek O’Brien writes: Let’s bring laughter back to Parliament

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The article celebrates the infusion of wit and humor in parliamentary debates, highlighting instances of playful banter among politicians. It emphasizes the positive impact of humor in diffusing tension and fostering a lighter atmosphere in the political arena. The ironic touch is noted as the article points out the absence of a dedicated “Wit and Humour” page on the Rajya Sabha website.

Key Highlights:

• Introduction: The article explores the positive impact of humor in parliamentary debates, emphasizing recent instances of wit in economic discussions.
• Historical Perspective: Various anecdotes showcase the witty exchanges among prominent politicians, such as Piloo Mody, Madhavrao Scindia, and Ram Manohar Lohia.
• Current Scenario: The article humorously notes the absence of a dedicated “Wit and Humour” page on the Rajya Sabha website, highlighting an ironic aspect of parliamentary proceedings.

Key Terms:

• Parliamentary debates
• Wit and humour
• Playful banter
• Political discourse
• Rajya Sabha
• Economic parameters

Key Phrases:

• “State of the country’s economy”
• “Friendly banter”
• “Cutthroat political colosseum”
• “Bring back some wit”
• “Lighter side of political debates”
• “Positive impact of humor”
• “Diffusing tension”
• “Ironic touch”

Key Quotes:

• “It is because you had a good governor for three years.” – Chairman of the House
• “Let me confirm, sir, that is the only reason all this (progress) happened in Bengal.” – Response to the Chairman’s remark
• “‘Wit and Humour’ page on the Rajya Sabha website reads ‘Feature under Development.'”

Anecdotes:

• Piloo Mody’s witty response to disagreeing with a minister’s speech.
• Madhavrao Scindia’s comment on the Janata government’s performance.
• Ram Manohar Lohia’s anecdote about Nehru’s grandfather being a chaprasi in the Mughal court.
• Mahavir Tyagi’s humorous remark on Nehru’s statement about Aksai Chin.

Key Statements:

• “In the cutthroat political colosseum, let’s bring back some wit into Parliamentary debates.”
• “Nothing like friendly banter to cool off a heated exchange.”

Key Examples and References:

• Instances of witty exchanges involving Piloo Mody, Madhavrao Scindia, Ram Manohar Lohia, Mahavir Tyagi, and others.
• The absence of a dedicated “Wit and Humour” page on the Rajya Sabha website.

Critical Analysis:

• While the article positively highlights the role of humor, a more critical analysis could explore potential drawbacks or criticisms associated with the use of wit in parliamentary discussions.

Way Forward:

• Encourage more friendly banter and wit in parliamentary discussions to foster a congenial atmosphere.
• Consider developing a dedicated “Wit and Humour” page on parliamentary websites to showcase the lighter side of politics.
• Conduct a more in-depth analysis of the impact of humor on political discourse, addressing potential challenges or criticisms.

Source: Indian Express

GS-III

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Recently, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), under the United Nations Environment Programme, met in Nairobi.

Key highlights:-

• It met for its third round of negotiations (INC-3) to develop an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution worldwide.
• Under the UNEA Resolution 5/14, the INC is responsible for delivering a global plastics treaty by 2025
• INC-3 was a make-or-break opportunity as countries came together to negotiate the ‘zero draft’ text developed by the Committee’s Secretariat, with various options for core obligations and control measures.
• UNEA Resolution 5/14- UNEA adopted a resolution to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
• A zero draft is a preliminary version of a document that contains various options for potential provisions or elements of the document.
• The zero draft as prepared by the Secretariat contained strong options for an international legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
• The zero draft was a good starting point for the negotiations because it catered to ambitions at all levels: strong and binding, moderate and flexible, weak and voluntary.

About Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC):-

• Establishment: 2022.
• It was established at the 5th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2).
• The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) was established to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment between 2022 and 2024. 
• The instrument must include marine, land, and water plastic pollution, and promote the sustainable production and consumption of plastics through environmentally sound waste management policies based on the circular economy approaches.
• Under the legally binding agreement, countries are expected to develop, implement and update national action plans reflecting country-driven approaches to contribute to the objectives of the instrument.
• They will be expected to promote national action plans to work towards the prevention, reduction and elimination of plastic pollution and to support regional and international cooperation.
• It aims to engage with stakeholders across the value chain of plastics production including manufacture, use, recycling, and disposal at the sub-national, national, regional, and global levels.
• The INC is assisted by the IUCN whose prior expertise in international negotiations and initiatives regarding the implementation of circular economies locally, regionally, and globally, as part of ensuring a strong and effective global plastics treaty.

Mitigation Efforts to Reduce Plastic in India:-

• The Indian government has implemented bans on certain single-use plastic items known to cause environmental harm.
• National Frameworks and Policies: The Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016), focus on reducing plastic waste, enhancing recycling, and phasing out the use of non-recyclable plastics.
• The Swachh Bharat Mission, a nationwide campaign to clean up the streets, roads, and infrastructure of India’s cities and rural areas, addresses plastic waste as a significant component of municipal solid waste.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Under the EPR framework, producers, importers, and brand owners are held responsible for the collection and processing of post-consumer plastic waste, ensuring a reduction in plastic waste leakage into the environment.
• Recycling and Waste Management Innovations
• Public Awareness Campaigns
• Numerous NGOs and community-based organizations in India are actively involved in beach clean-ups, awareness drives, and promoting sustainable practices at the local level.

Source: DTE

Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR)

Subject: Environment

Why in News?

In a key archaeological finding, the forest department of Satpura Tiger Reserve recently found a rock painting dating back 10,000 years, in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram.

About the Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR):

• Location:
  • It is located in the Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • It is located in the Satpura ranges of the Central Indian Landscape.
  • It lies south of the river Narmada.
• Satpura, basically meaning "Seven Folds", forms a watershed between the Narmada and Tapti Rivers and is triangular in shape.
• It is part of the Deccan bio-geographic zone of India. 
• It is part of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
• STR is part of one of the largest tiger habitats in the world, extending over 10,000 sq. km along with the forest areas of Betul, Harda, Khandwa, and Melghat forest divisions.
• Corridor: It has corridor connectivity with Pench National Park.
• The habitat is also an important testimony to human evolution, as it houses more than 50 rock shelters that are almost 1500 to 10,000 years old.
• Geological formations include the Deccan trap series, Gondwanas, and Metamorphic rocks.
• Flora:
  • This reserve is largely made up of mixed forests with a sizable proportion of Sal and Teak.
  • These mixed forests consist of tree species like jamun, baheda, palash, mahua, saja, bija, tendu, arjun, semal, salai, kusum, achar, etc.
  • Twenty-six species of the Himalayan region and 42 species of the Nilgiri area are found. Hence, STR is also known as the northern extremity of the Western Ghats.
• Fauna: Tigers, leopards, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, chousingha, Indian gaur, blue bull, and jungle cats, along with co-predators, birds, reptiles, and fish, are also found.

Source: ETV Bharat