UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 30th March 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Archaeological Survey of India Delisting Lost Monuments

Subject: Art and Culture

Why in News?

Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has chosen to remove 18 "centrally protected monuments" from their list as they are considered to have lost their national significance.

• Understanding Monument Delisting: Delisting implies that ASI will no longer safeguard, preserve, or care for the monument. Once a monument is delisted, restrictions on construction activities around it are lifted.
• Legal Basis: Section 35 of the AMASR Act defines the delisting process, allowing the Central Government to declare through official notification that a monument no longer holds national importance, thereby removing its protected status.
• Monuments Delisted by ASI: The delisted monuments include Kos Minar No.13 in Haryana, Barakhamba Cemetery in Delhi, Gunner Burkill’s tomb in Jhansi, a cemetery in Lucknow, and the Telia Nala Buddhist ruins in Varanasi.
• Challenges Faced due to "Untraceable" Monuments

• Some monuments, especially smaller or lesser-known ones, have been lost over time due to urbanization, encroachments, neglect, and construction activities like dams and reservoirs.

  • Survival Issues: 14 monuments lost to rapid urbanization, 12 submerged by reservoirs, and 24 untraceable.
  • Difficulty in Locating Monuments: Factors like inadequate documentation and changes in the landscape hinder location efforts.
  • Preservation Challenges: Without knowing a monument's location, regular inspection and protection become impossible.
  • Security Concerns: Insufficient deployment of security personnel due to financial constraints.
• Total Lost Monuments: As per the Ministry of Culture, out of India's 3,693 centrally protected monuments, 50 were missing. A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in 2013 highlighted at least 92 missing monuments nationwide.
• Conclusion of Delisting Decision: ASI's choice to delist 18 centrally protected monuments suggests that these sites are no longer deemed nationally important and will not receive protection or conservation efforts from ASI.

Source: Indian Express

GS-II

India-led 'Group of Friends'

Subject: International Relations

Why in News? 

At the second meeting of the India-led Group of Friends (GOF), India launched a new database designed to record crimes against UN peacekeepers.

About 'Group of Friends' to Promote Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers:

• Established in 2022 to promote accountability for acts of violence against UN peacekeepers.
• Comprises 40 member states with India, Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco, and Nepal as co-chairs.
• Engages with the UN Secretary-General to bring perpetrators to justice and exchange best practices.
• Convenes two member meetings annually and hosts events to enhance safety for peacekeepers.

Group of Friends' Role:

• Represents member states' political will to implement U.N. Security Council resolution 2589.
• Resolution 2589 urges states hosting UN peacekeeping operations to ensure justice for crimes against UN personnel.

India's Contribution to UN Peacekeeping:

• India is the largest cumulative contributor of peacekeepers to the UN.
• Lost 177 peacekeepers in duty, the highest among troop-contributing nations.
• Strongly advocates for accountability in peacekeeping missions.

Source: Economic Times

State Governments and Governors

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The Supreme Court criticized Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for refusing to re-induct lawmaker K. Ponmudi as a minister despite the suspension of his conviction.

Background

This conflict arises between states governed by opposition parties and Governors appointed by the President on the Centre's advice.

Law on Governor-State Relations

• Governors are intended to be apolitical heads but possess certain powers granted by the Constitution.
• These powers include giving assent to Bills, determining time for proving majority, and managing differences without specified public engagement protocols.

Friction Points in Recent Years

• Friction areas include government formation, deadlines for proving majority, handling of Bills, and criticism of state administrations.
• Examples:
  • In 1959, Kerala's E M S Namboodiripad government was dismissed based on a Governor's report.
  • In December 2020, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan declined to convene a special Assembly session on the central farm laws.
  • After the 2018 Karnataka polls, Governor Vajubhai Vala's actions faced challenges in the Supreme Court regarding government formation.

Reasons for Friction

• Political appointments have led to Governors becoming politically aligned, contrary to the apolitical vision of the Constituent Assembly.
• The lack of guidelines on Governor's powers, appointment processes, and Bill assent duration contribute to conflicts.
• There is no provision for impeaching Governors, who serve at the President's pleasure despite a fixed tenure.

Source: Indian Express

PREVENTIVE DETENTION

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The Supreme Court highlighted the importance of preventing the arbitrary use of preventive detention powers, overturning a decision by the Telangana High Court.

Background

The concept of preventive detention clarified:

• Preventive detention aims to avoid future harm rather than serve as a form of punishment.
• It should be implemented based on a thorough assessment of facts.

About Preventive Detention

• Preventive detention involves holding an individual without a trial to prevent them from committing a crime.
• Unlike criminal proceedings focused on punishing a committed offense, preventive detention is not tied to any offense.
• The primary goal is prevention, not punishment.
• It seeks to stop the detainee from participating in activities that could harm the state's security.

Legal Basis in India

• India's authority to enact preventive detention laws stems from its Constitution.
• Article 22 of the Indian Constitution addresses preventive detention:
  • Article 22(3)(b) permits preventive detention with constraints on personal freedom to safeguard state security and public order.
  • Article 22(4) specifies that no preventive detention law can permit detaining a person beyond three months. Extension requires an advisory board's report citing sufficient cause.

Source: Economic Times

Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The Supreme Court has dismissed review pleas contesting its stance on invoking the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) proceedings.

• Clarification: Section 120B of the IPC cannot be utilized for PMLA proceedings unless the alleged conspiracy relates to a scheduled offense.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

• Objective: Enacted in 2002 to prevent money laundering and allow confiscation of assets linked to money laundering.
• Applicability: Covers financial institutions, banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, and their intermediaries.
• Provisions: Grants authorities the power to seize assets obtained through illegal means and money laundering.
• Amendments: Updated in 2005, 2009, and 2012 for enhanced effectiveness.
• Proof Requirement: Accused individuals must prove that suspected assets are not from criminal activities.

Penalties under PMLA

• Actions: Freezing/seizing property, attaching crime-derived assets, rigorous imprisonment (3-7 years).
• Special Cases: Money laundering linked to NDPS Act can lead to imprisonment up to 10 years plus fines.
• Fines: Monetary penalties as a consequence of violations.

Authorities for PMLA Investigation

• Enforcement Directorate (ED): Investigates PMLA violations.
• Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND): National agency managing suspect financial transaction data.

Article 120 of Indian Penal Code (IPC)

• Definition: Section 120 discusses "Conspiracy to commit an offense".
• Criminal Conspiracy: Agreement between individuals to perform illegal acts.
• Punishment: Section 120B determines penalties for criminal conspiracy based on the severity of the offense.
• Categories: Distinguishes between serious offenses and other illegal acts, prescribing appropriate punishments.

Source: The Hindu

GS-III

Cnemaspis vangoghi

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Recently, scientists in India have identified a novel lizard species known as Cnemaspis vangoghi.

About Cnemaspis vangoghi:

• Located in the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, Cnemaspis vangoghi is a fresh lizard species.
• It is christened after the famous Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890) due to its striking resemblance to one of his renowned artworks, The Starry Night.
• This small gecko boasts a unique yellow head and forebody, embellished with light blue markings on its back.
• Its habitat preference includes rocky terrains, although it can occasionally be spotted on structures and trees.
• Both species are inhabitants of low-elevation, deciduous forests within the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, contributing to the existing five locally restricted vertebrates.
• These daytime creatures are primarily active during cooler periods like early mornings and evenings, predominantly dwelling on rocks.
• Their limited distribution highlights a fascinating instance of micro-endemism in species thriving at lower elevations.
• Micro-endemism alludes to a scenario in ecology and biogeography where a species or a cluster of species are confined to a very restricted geographical area, often spanning merely a few square kilometers or less.

Source: India Today

Eco-Niwas Samhita

Subject: Economy

Why in News?

The Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS) has recently been in the news due to the introduction of the Residential Envelope Transmittance Value (RETV), which measures the heat transfer through a building's envelope.

About Eco-Niwas Samhita

• The Eco-Niwas Samhita is a Residential Energy Conservation Building code created by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
• This code establishes standards that control heat gain and loss, ensuring proper natural ventilation and daylighting potential in residential buildings.
• It was launched in two parts:
• ENS 2018 (Part 1) sets the minimum standards for designing energy-efficient residential building envelopes.
• ENS Part 2, known as ENS 2021, focuses on ensuring building code compliance and addresses electromechanical systems.
• It also covers topics like Energy Efficiency in Electro-Mechanical Equipment for Building Operation, Renewable Energy Generation, Embodied Energy of Walling Materials, and Structural Systems.

Residential Envelope Transmittance Value (RETV)

• The Residential Envelope Transmittance Value is a metric used to assess heat transfer through a building's envelope.
• Lower RETV values result in cooler indoor environments and reduced energy consumption.
• For optimal efficiency, enhanced occupant comfort, and lower utility costs, it is advisable to maintain an RETV of 15W/m² or lower.

Source: The Hindu

Global Spread of H5N1 Bird Flu

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Since 2020, the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu has been spreading globally, presenting a significant threat to birds and mammals.

Details about H5N1 Bird Flu

• H5N1 originated from a virus outbreak on a goose farm in China in 1996 and has evolved into a highly pathogenic strain.
• The virus spread rapidly from Europe to Africa, Asia, North America, South America, and recently reached mainland Antarctica.
• H5N1 is a subtype of the influenza A virus causing severe respiratory disease in birds, commonly known as avian influenza or "bird flu."
• Influenza A viruses are categorized by subtypes based on the properties of their surface proteins, with H5N1 being one subtype.

Extent of Spread

• The virus has impacted birds in over 80 countries, leading to the mass culling of poultry and wild birds.
• Additionally, it has started infecting mammals such as seals, sea lions, and marine mammals.
• Human cases of bird flu are rare, mainly affecting individuals with significant exposure to infected birds on poultry farms.
• The first instance of bird flu outbreak was recorded in Maharashtra in 2006.
• The H5N1 virus prompted the culling of millions of poultry to contain the virus but has resurfaced intermittently.

Impact on Animals

• Bird Species Affected: Various bird species, including Great Skuas and Barnacle Geese, have suffered high mortality rates due to H5N1.
• Threat to Endangered Species: Endangered birds like the California condors have been significantly affected, with a considerable portion of the population falling victim to the virus.
• Impact on Mammals: H5N1 has crossed species barriers, infecting mammals such as foxes, pumas, skunks, and marine mammals like sea lions and dolphins.
• Consequences: There have been mass mortalities of marine mammals, particularly elephant seals, raising concerns about the long-term ecological repercussions.

Factors Contributing to Spread

• Impact of Climate Change: Some scientists link the widespread dissemination of bird flu to climate change, which influences bird behavior and aids virus transmission.
• Warmer Seas: Increased sea temperatures have weakened marine mammal populations, rendering them more vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

Source: Indian Express