11th Feb 2021 Current Affairs Analysis
By IASToppers' Editorial Team | 2021-02-11 17:00:00
Polity & Governance
Parliament passes landmark Major Port Authorities Bill,2020
Parliament recently passed the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020.
Major Port Authorities Bill 2020:
Aim: Decentralizing decision making and to infuse professionalism in governance of major
ports.
Objective:
It seeks to provide for regulation, operation and planning of major ports in India and provide greater autonomy to these ports.
Board of Major Port Authority:
The bill provides for the creation of a board for each major port.
It will replace Board of Port Trusts created under the 1963 Act, that have members appointed by the central government.
Composition:
It will include 11 to 13 Members from the present 17 to 19 Members representing various interests.
Chairperson and a deputy Chairperson: Appointed by the Central government on the
recommendation of a selection committee.
One member each from:
Respective state governments Railways Ministry
Defence Ministry Customs Department
Two to four independent members, and two members representing the interests of the
employees of the Major Port Authority.
The professional independent Members will strengthen decision making and strategic planning.
Power:
Fix the scale of rates for:
Services that will be performed at ports Access to and usage of the port assets
Different classes of goods and vessels, among others
It will not be with retrospective effect and must be consistent with the provisions of
the Competition Act, 2002, or any other laws in force, subject to certain conditions. Enter into contracts, planning and development, fixing of tariff except in national interest,
security and emergency arising out of inaction and default.
In the present MPT Act, 1963 prior approval of the Central Government was required in 22 instances.
Allows the Board to use its property, assets and funds as deemed fit for the development of the major port.
The Board can also make rules on:
Declaring availability of port assets for port related activities and services
Developing infrastructure facilities such as setting up new ports, jetties
Providing exemption or remission from payment of any charges on any goods or
vessels
Funding:
Under the 1963 Act, the Board has to seek prior sanction of the Central government to raise any loan.
Under the Bill, for meeting its capital and working expenditure requirements, the Board may raise
loans from any:
Scheduled bank or financial institution within India, or
Any financial institution outside India that is compliant with all the laws.
However, for loans above 50% of its capital reserves, the Board will require prior sanction of the Central government.
Corporate Social Responsibility:
The Board may use its funds for providing social benefits to Board’s employees, customers, business partners, local communities, environment and the society at large. It includes:
Development of infrastructure in areas such as education, health, housing, and skill development.
Other features:
The Bill is more compressed in comparison to the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 by eliminating overlapping and obsolete Sections.
Role of Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) has been redefined:
Functions: To fix reference tariff for purposes of bidding for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
PPP operators will be free to fix tariff- based on market conditions.
The Bill defines PPP projects as projects taken up through a concession contract by the Board.
An Adjudicatory Board has been proposed:
This Board will replace the existing Tariff Authority for Major Ports constituted under the
1963 Act. Composition:
Presiding Officer and two members, as appointed by the Central government.
Functions:
Carry out the residual function of the erstwhile TAMP for Major Ports Look into disputes between ports and PPP concessionaires
Review stressed PPP projects
Suggest measures to review and revive stressed PPP projects
Look into complaints regarding services rendered by the ports/ private operators operating within the ports
It includes the provision for safeguarding the pay and allowances and service conditions including pensionary benefits of the employees of major ports
Any person contravening any provision of the Bill or any rules or regulations will be punished with a fine of up to one lakh rupees.
Application:
It will apply to the major ports of Chennai, Cochin, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Kandla, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Mangalore, Mormugao, Paradip, V.O. Chidambaranar, and Vishakhapatnam.
It imparts faster and transparent decision making benefiting the stakeholders and better project execution capability.
Reorient the governance model in central ports to landlord port model in line with the successful
global practice.
Help in bringing transparency in operations of Major Ports.
Providing full autonomy in decision making and modernizing the institutional framework of Major Ports. Thus, empowering the Major Ports to perform with greater efficiency.
[Ref: The Hindu]
SC protects MP and 6 journalists from arrest
The Supreme Court Protected a Member of Parliament and six journalists from arrest in multiple sedition FIRs registered against them for allegedly tweeting and sharing unverified news, regarding a farmer died during tractor rally on Republic Day parade.
The act signify as the consequences of such riots and religious tensions would affect a sensitive State sharing international border.
The court issued notice to States and law enforcement authorities, including the Centre, Uttar
Pradesh and the Delhi Police.
The Solicitor general said he was only appearing for one State. The FIRs were registered in multiple States, including Uttar Pradesh.
This led the CJI to indicate that a stay on arrest would be necessary.
What is Sedition law?
Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with the sedition, was drafted by
Thomas Macaulay and included in the IPC in 1870.
What does Section 124A states?
Section 124A IPC states: “Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or
excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which a fine may be added; or, with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which a fine may be added; or, with fine.”
Punishment under Section 124A:
Sedition is a non-bailable offence.Punishment under the law varies from imprisonment up to three years to a life term and fine. A person charged under this law can’t apply for a government job.
required.
The state guidelines regarding Sedition:
The guidelines included preconditions to be kept in mind while invocation of 124A. These were that:
The words, signs or representations in question must bring the government into;
Hatred or contempt or must attempt to cause disaffection, enmity or disloyalty to the government;
Must also be an incitement to violence or must be intended to create public disorder or a reasonable apprehension of public disorder.
Comments expressing disapproval or criticism of the government with a view to obtaining a change of government by lawful means without any of the above are not seditious under section
124A.
To ensure that the section is not raised arbitrarily, the circular also directed that a legal opinion from the district law officer should be taken by the public prosecutor addressing fulfilment of these conditions.
[Ref: The Hindu]
SC rejects plea seeking President rule in Uttar Pradesh
The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL positioning President’s rule in Uttar Pradesh for alleged breakdown
of constitutional machinery and rising crime in the state.
A Bench headed by CJI threatened to impose cost on petitioner, saying there was no research on the claims made in his petition.
Grounds of imposition of President’s rule:
The President’s Rule can be proclaimed under Article 356 on two grounds: Article 356 empowers the President to issue a proclamation;
If he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of a state cannot be
carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
Notably, the president can act either on a report of the governor of the state or otherwise too (i.e., even without the governor’s report).
Article 365 says that whenever a state fails to comply with or to give effect to any direction from the Centre;
It will be lawful for the president to hold that a situation has arisen in which the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
Consequences of President’s rule:
He can take up the functions of the state government and powers vested in the governor or any other executive authority in the state.
The state governor, on behalf of the President, carries on the state administration with the help of the chief secretary of the state or the advisors appointed by the President. The President either suspends or dissolves the state legislative assembly.
The Parliament passes the state legislative bills and the state budget.
He can declare that the powers of the state legislature are to be exercised by the Parliament. The Parliament can delegate the power to make laws for the state to the President or to
any other authority specified by him in this regard,
The Parliament or in case of delegation, the President or any other specified authority can make laws conferring powers and imposing duties on the Centre or its officers and authorities.
The President can authorise, when the Lok Sabha is not in session, expenditure from the
state consolidated fund pending its sanction by the Parliament
He can take all other necessary steps including the suspension of the constitutional provisions relating to any authority in the state.
The President can promulgate, when the Parliament is not in session, ordinances for the governance of the state.
[Ref: The Tribune]
Issues related to Health & Education
World Pulses Day 2021
World Pulse Day 2021 was celebrated on February 10
About the World Pulse Day:
The World Pulses Day is celebrated on February 10 every year since 2019 by United Nations
General Assembly.
It also adopted 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP).
Aim: Increase awareness and access to pulses globally.
Burkina Faso was the first to propose the observance of World Pulses Day.
Pulse production in India:
India is the largest producer as well as the consumer of pulses in the world.
Major pulses that are grown in India are tur (arhar), urad, moong, masur, peas and gram. Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions.
nitrogen from the air.
Therefore, these are mostly grown in rotation with other crops.
Major pulse producing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Benefits of Pulses:
They are rich in nutritional and protein values and are an important part of a healthy diet. Pulses, and legumes (lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans, soybeans, and peanuts.) play an equally important role in health maintenance and overall improvement.
They also contribute majorly to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable
Development.
It plays a critical role in marking challenges of poverty, food chain security, degraded health,
and climate change.
Pulse and legume crops help in improving the feasibility of agricultural production systems. They contribute to environmental benefits through nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, which increases the productivity and fertility of the farmland.
Key Facts:
World Pulses Day 2021 was celebrated under the theme #LovePulses.
[Ref: India Today]
Environment, Ecology & Disaster Management
Villagers breathe new life into India’s only orchid sanctuary
Collaborative efforts are being made by villagers of Sessa and officers of the Khellong Forest Division to increase the ecotourism potential for the orchid sanctuary and surrounding areas.
Sessa Orchid Sanctuary:
Location:
It is located in the Himalayan foothills in West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. It is bordered with Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in its Southwest.
It is part of the Kameng protected area complex (KPAC), which is an Elephant Reserve.
which includes Sessa, Eaglenest, Pakke, Nameri, and Sonai Rupai sanctuaries and associated reserved forest blocks.
Features:
It was notified in 1989 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
It is natural home to more than 236 species of orchids, mushrooms and other medicinal
plants.
It is an orchid hotspot. Nearly half of India’s orchid species can be found here.
It has at least five endemic species of orchids: Biermannia jainiana, Gastordia arunchalansis,
Epipogium sessanum etc.
It is drained by the Tippi Naala (Tippi river), which joins the Kameng river at Tippi village.
Conservation:
BirdLife International has designated Sessa and Eaglenest Sanctuaries as an Important Bird
Area.
Arunachal Pradesh and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) India signed a
MoU to create a Red Listing of orchids at the state level to assess the risk faced by different species.
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), a consortium of major international and regional organizations, identified the Eastern Himalayan region around Arunachal Pradesh as a
critical global biodiversity rich area deserving of conservation focus.
They identified the North-Bank Landscape (i.e., North bank of Brahmaputra, extending up the Eaglenest and Sessa slopes) and the Tawang region as worthy of particular focus. Sessa is within the Conservation International Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot area.
Key Facts:
The Orchids are a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants. Orchid growth depends on its own micro-climate.
They can be lithophytes, perennial epiphytes, and found in habitat areas such as
grasslands or forest.
[Ref: Indian Express]
Oil leak from titanium factory hits Thiruvananthapuram coast
A furnace oil leak from Travancore Titanium Products Ltd (TTP), has spilt over to a part of the coastal area in Thiruvananthapuram.
Travancore Titanium Products Ltd (TTP) is a public sector unit making Titanium Dioxide.
The leak spilt over to the sea via the drainage.
The thick oil has mixed with the sea sand and sedimented at the coast. Company officials said the leak has been plugged.
As a precaution, the public have been barred from visiting the coast at Shanghumugham and Veli.
The Coast Guard has started a surveillance to find out the extent of spill in the sea.
Oil spill:
Oil spill is the leakage of petroleum onto the surface of a large water body.
Oceanic oil spills are becoming a major environmental problem, chiefly as a result of intensified
petroleum exploration and production on continental shelves.
Spectacular oil spills from wrecked or damaged super tankers are rare because of stringent shipping and environmental regulations.
Thousands of minor and several major oil spills related to well discharges and tanker operations are reported each year, with the total quantity of oil released annually into the world’s oceans
exceeding one million metric tons.
The unintentional or negligent release of used gasoline solvents and crankcase lubricants by industries and individuals greatly aggravates the overall environmental problem.
Combined with natural seepage from the ocean floor, these sources add oil to the world’s waterways at the rate of 3.5 million to 6 million metric tons a year.
Oil spill damage:
The costs of oil spills are considerable in both economic and ecological terms.
It prevents sufficient amounts of sunlight penetration and reduces the level of dissolved oxygen in water.
Ruins the insulating and waterproofing properties of feathers and fur of birds and marine
mammals, which may die from hypothermia.
Ingested oil can be toxic to affected animals damaging their habitat.
Reproductive rate may slow the long-term recovery of animal populations.
Saltwater marshes and Mangroves frequently suffer from oil spills.
If beaches and populated shorelines are fouled, tourism and commerce may be severely affected.
One of the industries most affected by oil spills is fishing.
Major oil spills are frequently followed by the immediate suspension of commercial
fishing.
The immediate environmental effects of oil spills have been readily identified, but their long-term impact on the ecological system of an affected area is more difficult to assess.
Oil spill Clean Up:
Till date, no thoroughly satisfactory method has been developed for cleaning up major oil spills.
Floating booms can be placed around the source of the spill or at entrances to channels and
Skimming techniques, physically separate the oil from the water and place the oil into
collection tanks.
To use of various sorbents (e.g., straw, volcanic ash, and shavings of polyester-derived plastic) that absorb the oil from the water.
Use of chemical surfactants and solvents over a slick in order to accelerate its natural
dispersion into the sea.
Onshore removal of oil that has penetrated sandy beaches and coated rocky shores is a laborious affair, frequently involving small armies of workers wielding hand tools or operating heavy construction-type equipment to scrape up contaminated debris and haul it away. [Ref: The Indian Express]
Adoption of NDCs can be a life-saver
New research by the Lancet Planetary Health Journal highlights the benefits to health if countries adopt to climate plans that are consistent with the aim of Paris Agreement.
About the findings:
The study indicates that adopting policies that are consistent with achieving the Paris Agreement and prioritizing health could save:
6.4 million lives due to better diet 1.6 million lives due to cleaner air
2.1 million lives due to increased exercise.
The countries considered in the study represent 50 per cent of the world’s population and 70
per cent of the world’s emissions – Brazil, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, South
Africa, the UK and the US.
Paris Agreement:
Paris Agreement is an international agreement to combat climate change reached on the 21st
session of the Conference of the Parties (COP).
More than 190 nations meeting in Paris in December 2015 reached a landmark agreement to strengthen the global climate effort.
The Paris Agreement commits countries to undertake “nationally determined contributions” and establishes mechanisms to hold them accountable and to strengthen ambition in the years ahead.
Objective:
Keep the global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level.
Pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.
What are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)?
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions are reductions or intended reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions by a country under the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change.
The Paris Agreement requires all Parties to put forward their best efforts through NDCs and
to strengthen these efforts in the years ahead.
The National pledges by countries to cut emissions are voluntary and the collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the Agreement will be assessed after 5 years.
India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC):
India’s INDC include a reduction in the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by
2030 from 2005 level.
40 per cent share of non-fossil fuel-based electricity by 2030.
India has also pledged to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
[Ref: Indian Express]
Bilateral & International Relations
China warns off US warship from South China Sea Islands
China warned off US warship sailing near contested islands in the South China Sea.
About South China Sea:
The South China Sea is a marginal sea in the Western Pacific Ocean.
It is bounded in the north by the shores of South China, in the west by the Indo-Chinese
Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan), and in the south by Borneo, eastern Sumatra and the Bangka Belitung Islands.
It contains over 250 small islands, atolls, cays, shoals, reefs, and sandbars.
Significance of South China Sea:
It is a region of tremendous economic and geostrategic importance.
One-third of the world's maritime shipping passes through it, carrying over US$3 trillion in trade
Huge oil and natural gas reserves are believed to lie beneath its seabed.
It also contains lucrative fisheries, which are crucial for the food security of millions in Southeast Asia.
Territorial Claims:
Several countries have made competing territorial claims over the South China Sea.
Both the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (Taiwan) claim almost the entire body as their own, demarcating their claims within what is known as the nine-dotted
line or nine-dash line.
This line extends for 2,000 kilometers from the Chinese mainland, encompassing over half of the sea.
The claim had no basis in the international law.
Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand also lay claim to
various island groups in the region. For example:
Vietnam, China, and Taiwan lay claim over waters west of the Spratly Islands.
Paracel Islands are disputed between Vietnam, China & Taiwan.
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has been keen to ensure that the territorial disputes within the South China Sea do not escalate into an armed conflict.
[Ref: The Hindu]
Key Facts for Prelims
INS Viraat
The Supreme Court recently ordered status quo on the dismantling of India's decommissioned aircraft carrier 'Viraat'.
INS Viraat:
In November 1959, the ship was commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987.
It served to Indian Navy for 29 years before being decommissioned in March 2017. It is the world's longest serving warship.
It was a Centaur-class aircraft carrier.
In place of it the only active aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya was commissioned in 2013. It played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989 (during the Sri Lankan Peacekeeping operation) and in Op Parakram in 2001-2002 (post the terrorist attack on Parliament). [Ref: Economic Times]
World Sustainable Development Summit 2021
Prime Minister recently inaugurated World Sustainable Development Summit 2021.
World Sustainable Development Summit:
It is the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
It was instituted in 2001 after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and the signing of the Paris Agreement.
Aim: To provide long-term solutions for the benefit of the global community through initiating a
step in the direction of achieving constructive action in combating issues pertinent to the future of humanity.
The theme of the 2021 Summit is ‘Redefining our common future: Safe and secure
environment for all’.
[Ref: PIB]
Astrocyte
A common characteristic was found in the brain structure of people who died by suicide; there was a sharp fall in the density of a particular nerve cell throughout the brain.
The observation was made in a report published by scientists from Canada.
About the research:
A number of astrocytes, a type of supportive nerve cells, was found to be at much lower level in brains of people who had died by suicide.
The study focused dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, dorsal caudate nucleus and mediodorsal
thalamus.
The three regions of the brain considered to be responsible for emotion regulation.
About Astrocyte:
Astrocytes are a sub-type of glial cells in the central nervous system. It looks like the end of a frayed rope.
These cells were considered to be simply helper cells that provide nutrition and structural
support to the neurons.
Active role in neurotransmission.
Astrocytes can strongly modulate most facets of neuronal activity, including neuronal firing, neurotransmitter synthesis, neurotransmitter reuptake and synaptic transmission.
Because the quantity of astrocytes in the human brain plays a significant role in depression, medicines that induce growth of these cells or curb their depletion could be a probable
[Ref: Down to Earth]
Appe midi
An 84-year-old man has collected more than 100 appe midi varieties of mangoes which were on the verge of extinction.
He has preserved these mangoes, used for pickling as whole fruit, by growing them on his premises in Belur of Shivamogga district.
About Appe midi (appe raw mangoes):
Appe midis are very popular in Malnad region of Karnataka.
Most of the mango varieties which are suitable for appe midies are being lost. They have a distinct taste and aroma.
They have a shelf life ranging from three to five years.
The pickle prepared out of this mango variety is known as ‘Appe Midi Uppinakayi’ and the pickle can be stored for three years because the raw mangoes do not deteriorate so fast.
These mangoes grow in big bunches and sometimes a tree can yield 15000 to 20000 mangoes. [Ref: The Hindu]
TROPEX 21
TROPEX stands for Theater Level Operational Readiness Exercise. It is Indian Navy’s biggest exercise held every two years.
It features participation from all of the operational units of Indian Navy along with units from Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Objective: To test the combat readiness of the Navy in a complex multi-dimensional scenario set
in the context of the current geo strategic environment.
The exercise is being conducted over a vast geographical expanse in the Indian Ocean Region including its adjunct waters.
Plantation Labor (PL) Act, 1951
which includes tea garden workers.
It envisages the employers to provide the workers with housing, medical facilities, sickness
and maternity benefits and other forms of social security measures.
It is implemented through the concerned State Governments for which separate Rules have been framed by them.
