Weekly Current Affairs (1st to 7th August 2024) | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

International Conference of Agricultural Economists

On October 25, 2023, Prof. Ramesh Chand, a member of NITI Aayog, declared that the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists will occur from August 2-7, 2024, at the Pusa Institute in New Delhi. This is the first time in 66 years that India will host this major conference, indicating how the country's involvement in global agricultural discussions has expanded. The initial conference happened in 1958 during India's struggles with poverty and hunger. The event in 2024 emphasizes India's progress in sustainable development and food security.

Key Details of the Conference

• Theme: Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems
• Inauguration: By Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Participants: Around 1,000 attendees, with 740 international representatives from 75 countries
• Gender Representation: 45% female participation among attendees

Objectives and Focus Areas

• The conference aims to deal with complex agricultural issues and offer young researchers an opportunity to connect. It will feature lectures, discussions, and exhibitions led by top agricultural economists, connecting economic concepts with sustainable farming practices. The conference is centered on enhancing food systems to meet global sustainability objectives and promoting international cooperation in agriculture, positioning India as a frontrunner in the sector.

About International Conference of Agricultural Economists

• The International Conference of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) was founded in 1960 and convenes every three years. It addresses challenges in agriculture and rural development. The inaugural conference occurred in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Topics discussed include food security, sustainability, and economic strategies. The IAAE boasts members from over 100 countries and advocates for collaboration across diverse fields. It underscores the significance of technology in agriculture and publishes proceedings that contribute to global agricultural research. Recent conferences have examined the impact of climate change on agriculture.

India and China Hold 30th Round of Border Issues

• On October 25, 2023, India and China had their 30th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in New Delhi. They called their talks "detailed, positive, and forward-thinking."

Background of the Stand-off

• The disagreement between India and China began in 2020 and has involved both military and diplomatic efforts to handle the tensions. The WMCC plays a crucial role in talks about border matters, along with higher-level military discussions.

Significance of the Meeting

• This recent WMCC meeting is part of broader attempts to settle ongoing problems and restore peace. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the importance of respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to improve relations between the two nations.

Ongoing Diplomatic Engagements

• Diplomatic initiatives, such as discussions between Foreign Ministers and prior meetings, aim to maintain progress in resolving border conflicts. Recent gatherings in Astana and Vientiane have demonstrated a unified approach in negotiations.

Military Coordination Efforts

• Regular talks among Corps Commanders also complement the WMCC meetings, with the 21st round occurring in February 2023. However, there haven't been significant breakthroughs in reducing tensions in critical areas. There is speculation that India might consider relaxing some economic restrictions on Chinese firms. This potential move is based on recent economic studies indicating that increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China could be advantageous.

About Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC)

• Establishment and Purpose: The WMCC was established by India and China in 2017 to collaborate on border issues and maintain peace. This forum facilitates dialogue and conflict resolution, illustrating the evolving relationship and the necessity for stability.
• Function and Focus: The WMCC conducts regular meetings between military and diplomatic representatives from both countries, concentrating on regional security, counterterrorism, and trade to manage conflicts.
• Significance: The WMCC contributes to problem-solving and relationship management between India and China, underscoring their deepening ties and the importance of stability.

ADB Loans $200 Million for India’s Waste Management Improvement

Climate and Disaster Resilience

• The strategy will cover safeguarding the environment, preparing for disasters, promoting gender equality, and ensuring fairness in city services.
• It aims to enhance the capacity of city management teams in handling waste and sanitation more effectively.
• The initiative will promote knowledge sharing among cities and collaboration with private firms to enhance service delivery.

About Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0

• Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, which commenced in 2021, concentrates on sustaining and enhancing sanitation practices.
• Its objective is to refine waste management in cities by fostering community participation.
• The mission advocates for utilizing scientific methods such as composting and recycling to process waste.
• It also strives to construct more public toilets, particularly for women.
• This endeavor aligns with the United Nations' sustainable development objectives and aims to cultivate cleanliness in urban areas, thereby improving urban life and addressing environmental challenges effectively.

Cabinet Approves Eight High-Speed Road Corridor Projects

• These projects aim to enhance connections for travelers and goods transport in different areas.

Key Projects Overview

• One project involves constructing a four-lane circular road in Ayodhya to facilitate visits to the Ram Mandir by pilgrims.
• Another project is a bypass in Guwahati to improve travel and connectivity in the region.

Ayodhya Ring Road

• Length: 68 km
• Cost: ₹3,935 crore
• Purpose: This road aims to make it easier for pilgrims visiting the Ram Mandir from Lucknow airport and major railway stations.

Guwahati Bypass

• Length: 121 km
• Cost: ₹5,729 crore
• Features: Includes a major bridge over the Brahmaputra River.
• Connectivity: Connects long-distance traffic on National Highway 27, linking cities like Siliguri, Silchar, Shillong, and Tezpur.

Tharad to Ahmedabad Corridor

• Length: 214 km
• Lane Configuration: Six-lane
• Connectivity: Connects key national corridors between Amritsar and Jamnagar and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
• Freight Advantage: Enhances transport routes for industrial regions in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan to major ports in Maharashtra.

Agra to Gwalior Corridor

• Length: 88 km
• Cost: ₹4,613 crore
• Significance: Improves travel connectivity between Agra and Gwalior, boosting economic interactions and regional integration.

These projects represent a significant step forward in India's road infrastructure, supporting tourism and freight transport, and encouraging economic growth and regional integration.

Madras High Court Declares Section 77-A Unconstitutional

• The Madras High Court recently decided that a part of the Registration Act from 1908, called Section 77-A, is not allowed by the Constitution. This section, added in 2022 by a State change, let District Registrars cancel property papers if there were accusations of cheating or fake documents.

Key Findings of the Court

• Judges S.S. Sundar and N. Senthilkumar worried about this. They said that while this section could help honest landowners, it might create big issues for property owners who were actually right.

Legal Implications:

• The judges talked about Sections 22-A and 22-B that already let officials reject registering documents in certain situations. Disputes about property titles are usually managed by civil courts following a careful legal process.

Judicial vs. Executive Authority:

• The court mentioned that District Registrars are not judges. This could lead to bias because they work for the government, raising worries about fairness in managing property issues.

Purpose of the Registration Act:

• The main aim of the Registration Act is to keep correct public records of property. The court said that just registering a document doesn't solve property title problems, which are usually tricky and need a detailed legal check. Even though Section 77-A let District Registrars cancel registrations, these cancellations are not final. People who disagree can challenge them in civil courts, limiting how effective this rule is.

About Section 77-A:

• Section 77-A of the Indian Income Tax Act, started in 2015, lets taxpayers fix mistakes in their tax reports within a year of filing without penalties. This is to handle honest errors rather than planned tax dodging, trying to create trust and lower disputes. However, there are limits based on the type of mistake and when it's corrected.

14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue

• The 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue took place in New Delhi, demonstrating the commitment to strengthen defense cooperation between the two nations, especially amidst increasing security concerns in the region.
• The meeting was overseen by India's Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Vietnam's Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien. This dialogue builds upon the 'Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' signed in June 2022, which acts as a blueprint for ongoing collaboration.

Proposed Areas for Cooperation

• Delegation Exchanges and Dialogue: Regular meetings and exchanges between defense officials.
• Staff Talks: Discussions among military staff to enhance coordination.
• Service-to-Service Cooperation: Collaboration across various branches of the armed forces.
• Education and Training: Sharing knowledge and training programs.
• Defence Industry Cooperation: Collaborating on defense technology and production.

• Cyber Security: Safeguarding against online threats.
• Information Security: Protecting sensitive information.
• Military Medicine: Providing medical support and advancements for military personnel.
• Submarine Search and Rescue: Techniques and technology for submarine emergencies.

The discussions resulted in a Letter of Intent aimed at enhancing training exchanges to bolster the preparedness and operational capabilities of both countries.

• Defense collaboration is a crucial aspect of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam.
• Vietnam plays a significant role in India's Act East Policy and holds strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific Region.
• The 14th Defence Policy Dialogue marks a vital stride in bolstering bilateral relations, focusing on contemporary security challenges and enhancing military capabilities to ensure readiness for future adversities.

Unprecedented Glacier Retreat Observed Across The Andes

•  Recent research in Science shows glaciers in the Andes are melting faster than expected, surprising scientists. This fast melt suggests big climate changes that could affect the whole world. 
•  Andrew Gorin led a study that used carbon dating on bedrock revealed as glaciers shrink. Tests showed drops in beryllium-10 and carbon-14 levels, pointing to major glacier melting. The exposed bedrock likely goes back over 115,000 years, indicating glaciers are smaller now than in millennia. 

Geographical Significance

•  The Andes host 99% of the world's tropical glaciers, very sensitive to climate changes due to their location. Andrew Gorin says changes in the Andes could be a sign of wider global climate shifts, impacting stable conditions crucial for modern society. 

About Andes mountains

•  The Andes, spanning 7,000 km, are the world's longest mountain range, acting as a barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon Basin. They house over 7,000 plant species, with Ojos del Salado, the highest active volcano, reaching 6,893 meters. The Andes support varied ecosystems like puna grasslands and were central to the Inca civilization. They are also rich in minerals like copper and lithium. 

Boilers Bill 2024

• The government agreed on the Boilers Bill, 2024, on 2nd August 2024, to present in the Rajya Sabha.

• The Boilers Bill, 2024, is created to update the regulations regarding boilers to align with current industry and safety standards.

• The new Bill plans to make three out of the seven offenses from the old Act non-criminal, meaning they will now attract penalties instead of criminal charges. This change aims to streamline the legal process and ensure better regulation of boilers.
• Non-criminal violations will now face penalties, which will be administered through an executive mechanism instead of the courts, making it quicker and simpler to resolve issues.

• The Bill emphasizes safety by mandating that only qualified individuals handle boiler repairs to maintain safe operations.
• It is structured into six chapters, each grouping similar rules together for easier comprehension and navigation of the regulations.

• The Boilers Act of 1923 was initially aimed at preventing boiler accidents by certifying boilers before use and establishing a Central Boiler Board to oversee regulations enforced by the states.
• It covered various steam-generating devices and included inspections of design, construction, and operation, with penalties or shutdowns for non-compliance.
• Amendments in 2007 expanded its scope to include pressure vessels and introduced additional safety measures.