Weekly Current Affairs (8th to 14th May 2024) | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

Afghanistan Flash Floods Cause Severe Damage

Impact and Government Response

• The recent onslaught of torrential rains in Afghanistan unleashed devastating flash floods, particularly hitting the northern province of Baghlan. Reports indicate over 300 deaths in Baghlan alone, with widespread destruction across other northern regions including Badakhshan, Ghor, and Herat provinces.
• The Taliban-led Afghan Government swiftly declared a state of emergency, mobilizing resources through the Ministry of National Defense to provide essential aid such as food and medical supplies. Despite challenges posed by damaged infrastructure and ongoing rainfall, emergency personnel, bolstered by the national army and police, have been tirelessly engaged in rescue operations and relief efforts.

International Aid and Response

• International bodies like the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have been pivotal in responding to the crisis. The WFP has been actively distributing emergency food supplies, while the IOM has been conducting comprehensive disaster assessments, revealing extensive damage with thousands of homes destroyed or damaged, particularly in the Baghlani Jadid district.

Challenges Faced

• Relief efforts have been hindered by continuous light rains and the widespread destruction of infrastructure. The head of Baghlan’s natural disaster management department has expressed concerns over a potential rise in the death toll as ongoing rains threaten further flooding, underscoring the urgent need for sustained support and assistance.

About Baghlan Province

• Baghlan Province, situated in northern Afghanistan, holds strategic and economic importance due to its key transport routes and rich agricultural potential. Renowned for its abundant natural resources such as coal and natural gas, as well as agricultural products like sugar beets, rice, and almonds, Baghlan has a historical legacy shaped by Persian empires and Islamic dynasties, alongside enduring conflicts involving various military forces.

Understanding Flash Floods

• Flash floods, characterized by rapid and extreme surges of water into typically dry areas, pose a significant threat due to their sudden onset. Triggered by intense rainfall, dam breaches, or ice jams, these floods offer little to no warning, emphasizing the critical need for preparedness and effective response strategies.

Idashisha Nongrang Appointed Meghalaya’s First Woman DGP

Appointment Process

• On May 11, 2024, Senior IPS Officer Idashisha Nongrang made history by being appointed as Meghalaya’s first woman Director General of Police (DGP). Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma officially announced this groundbreaking decision, highlighting its significance for the state. Nongrang’s elevation to this prestigious position also marks her as the first tribal woman to achieve such a milestone.

Selection Procedure

• The selection process for the new police chief was meticulously overseen by the Meghalaya Security Commission, headed by Chief Minister Sangma. From a pool of three candidates shortlisted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Nongrang emerged as the chosen candidate to assume the role. Her appointment comes as the incumbent DGP, LR Bishnoi, is set to retire on May 19, 2024.

Other Contenders

• Initially, the UPSC recommended three candidates for the position: RP Meena, Deepak Kumar, and Idashisha Nongrang. Prior to these recommendations, two other officers, GP Singh and Harmeet Singh, were also considered. However, both declined the opportunity to serve as the state’s top police officer.

ICMR Warns: Packaged Food Labels May Mislead Consumers

Misleading Claims

The guidelines identify several instances where food labeling can be misleading:

1. Sugar-Free Products: Despite being perceived as healthy, these products may contain high levels of fats, hidden sugars like maltitol and fructose, and refined cereals, leading to elevated caloric intake.
2. Packed Fruit Juices: Labels such as ‘real fruit or fruit juice’ can mislead consumers when the product contains as little as 10% actual fruit pulp, with the rest comprising water, sugar, and additives.
3. Whole Grain Misrepresentation: A ‘made with whole grain’ label does not guarantee that the product isn’t heavily processed or that whole grains are the primary ingredient.
4. Organic Labels: To qualify as 100% organic, a product must be free from artificial preservatives, flavors, colors, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers. This is verified by the ‘Jaivik Bharat’ logo approved by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).

Reading Labels and Nutritional Claims

Consumers are advised to adopt a discerning approach when reading labels, focusing on:

1. Ingredients List: Cross-referencing the actual content with claims made on the packaging.
2. Nutrition Information: Paying attention to serving sizes and nutritional facts such as calories, fats, sugars, and other nutrients per serving.
3. Certifications and Logos: Understanding the significance of certifications like the ‘Jaivik Bharat’ logo.
4. Expiry Dates: Noting manufacture and use-by dates to ensure product freshness and safety.

Consumer Advisory

• Despite regulatory efforts by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the risk of misinterpretation persists. Consumers are encouraged to critically evaluate food labels to make informed dietary choices. Awareness of the distinction between ‘nutrition facts’ and ‘nutrition claims’ is vital, along with understanding serving sizes and the actual amount per serving detailed on the label.

About ICMR and FSSAI

• The ICMR, established in 1911, operates under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is engaged in promoting biomedical research in India and played a significant role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The FSSAI, established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is responsible for safeguarding public health by regulating food safety in India. It leads initiatives such as the ‘Eat Right Movement’ and sets standards for food articles while accrediting laboratories for food testing.

India to Spend ₹2 Crore Per Km on China Border Roads

Road Construction Initiatives

• A significant portion of the VVP's ₹4,800 crore budget over three years is allocated towards road construction. With 113 roads approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), major projects are concentrated in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. The construction endeavors encompass both roadways and steel bridges, with an estimated cost of ₹2 crore per kilometer, underscoring the substantial investment in infrastructure for robust connectivity.

Project Details

1. Uttarakhand Pithoragarh Project:

   • Location: Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, India.
   • Total Road Length: 43.96 km.
   • Total Cost: ₹119 crore.
   • Cost Per Kilometer: Approximately ₹2.71 crore.

2. Sikkim Chungthang-Mangan Project:

   • Location: Chungthang and Mangan blocks, Sikkim, India.
   • Total Road Length and Bridges: 18.73 km of roads plus 350 meters of steel bridges.
   • Total Cost: ₹96 crore.
   • Cost Per Kilometer: Approximately ₹5.03 crore.

Strategic Importance

• The VVP forms part of India's strategic response to China's development of "moderately prosperous" Xiaokang villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly in regions facing Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. By fortifying border areas, India aims to facilitate livelihood opportunities, enhance surveillance capabilities, and maintain border control.

India To Manage Iran’s Chabahar Port For Ten Years

Strategic Significance

• India’s utilization of Chabahar Port enables it to bypass Pakistan, establishing a direct route to Afghanistan and Central Asia. This initiative is viewed as a strategic response to the growing influence of Pakistan’s Gwadar port and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

India’s Engagement and Investments

• India's involvement with Chabahar dates back to 2003, with a commitment of $100 million for port development in 2013. Formalizing the partnership in 2016 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Iran, India allocated an additional $85 million for the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar. Discussions on expanding India’s role in the port have persisted, particularly under Iran’s former president Hassan Rouhani in 2018.

Extension of Agreement

• The forthcoming 10-year agreement will replace the existing annual renewal contract, providing a stable framework for India's operational control at Chabahar. This long-term commitment underscores the port's pivotal role in enhancing connectivity to the Indian Ocean Region and facilitating access to Indian markets for landlocked Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Geopolitical Context

• The agreement’s timing coincides with heightened tensions in West Asia, emphasizing the need for alternative regional connectivity solutions like Chabahar. Furthermore, India’s recent approval to manage Myanmar’s Sittwe Port underscores its broader strategy to enhance connectivity across the region, solidifying its position in global trade and politics.

International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Shahid Beheshti Terminal

• The INSTC, established in 2000, is a multi-modal network connecting India, Russia, Iran, Europe, and Central Asia, aiming to reduce cargo transit time and costs. The Shahid Beheshti Terminal, operational since 2017, plays a crucial role within Chabahar Port, enhancing Iran’s trade connectivity with Afghanistan, Central Asia, and global markets, while also contributing to the INSTC's objectives.

2024 World Wildlife Crime Report

Key Findings on Animal Species

Rhino and Pangolin: Most Affected

• Rhino Horn Market: Largest impact at 29%.
• Pangolin Scales Market: Second-largest impact at 28%.
• Elephant Ivory Market: Third-largest impact at 15%.

Additional affected species: Eels, crocodilians, parrots, cockatoos, carnivores, turtles, tortoises, snakes, seahorses, and others, contributing to various smaller percentages.

Key Findings on Plant Species

Cedars and Sapindales: Most Affected:

• Cedars and Sapindales Market: Largest impact at 47%.
• Rosewoods Market: Second-largest impact at 35%.
• Agarwood and other Myrtales Market: Third-largest impact at 13%.

Other affected plant species: Golden chicken fern, orchids, and others.

Seizures of Biodiversity Products:

• Corals: 16% of seizures.
• Crocodilians: 9%.
• Elephants and Bivalve Molluscs: Each 6%.

Various other species also accounted for numerous seizures, reflecting the diversity of the illegal wildlife trade.

Commodity Seizures:

• Coral Pieces: 16% of all seizures.
• Live Specimens: 15%.
• Animal Product Medicines: 10%.

Other commodities included animal meat, shells, small leather products, and others, constituting smaller percentages.

Report Insights:

The third edition of the report continues to analyze trends, harms, and the impact of wildlife crime. It underscores the persistence of wildlife trafficking despite global action and notes the adaptability of traffickers.

Recommendations:

• Stronger Coherence and Cooperation: Emphasis on international collaboration and alignment across the trade chain.
• Increased Investment: Necessity to enhance data and analytical capabilities.
• Addressing Corruption and Technology: Importance of tackling corruption and modernizing criminal justice responses.
• Strategic Interventions: Need for prioritized, strategic measures to mitigate wildlife trafficking.

Addressing organized crime broadly is critical to tackling wildlife crime. The report calls for a comprehensive strategy recognizing the interconnectedness of wildlife trafficking and larger criminal networks.

Nagaland Government To Form Committee to Resolve Long-Standing Naga Conflict

The Role of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC)

Composition and Objective:

• The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) will comprise members from the council of ministers and leaders representing all political parties within the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA). Acting as a facilitator, the primary objective of the PAC is to foster a harmonious resolution to the longstanding Naga political conflict.

Establishment of Political Consultative Committees:

• Under the directive of Parliamentary Affairs Minister KG Kenye, Legislature Party leaders have been entrusted with forming "Political Consultative Committees" (PCCs). These committees will be established in collaboration with their respective party organizations. Aligned with the ethos of the all-party opposition-less government, the initiative seeks to garner broad consensus for an early and peaceful settlement to the political impasse.

Structure of PCCs:

• The composition of the PCCs will be contingent upon the size of party legislators in the NLA. A seven-member committee will be constituted for parties with 10 MLAs and above, a five-member committee for those with five MLAs and above, a three-member committee for parties with one MLA and above, and a convener and co-convener for Independent MLAs.

Concerns Regarding Stalemate:

• The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) has voiced apprehensions that the failure of ongoing negotiations could precipitate a return to severe human rights violations in Nagalim. There is mounting pressure from the Naga populace for a definitive resolution to the protracted Naga political talks. Presently, tensions persist between the Government of India and NSCN-IM, particularly concerning the contentious issue of granting Nagaland a separate flag and constitution – a demand that has been rebuffed by the Indian Government.

Background on the Naga Political Issue:

• The roots of the Naga political issue can be traced back to the British colonial era when Nagas asserted their independence in 1947. The Naga National Council initiated an armed rebellion, which was quelled by the Indian government in the late 1950s. Subsequently, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) emerged, later splintering into NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) factions, advocating for a sovereign Nagaland. Although a ceasefire agreement was brokered in 1997, the issue remains unresolved. Negotiations are hampered by NSCN(IM)'s demands for a separate flag and constitution, compounded by objections from other Northeast Indian states regarding potential territorial concessions to Nagas.