Prelims Nuggets

FSSAI needs an energy shot to regulate processed food

Context: Recently, the social media influencer drawn into the Cadbury’s Bournvita controversy has a supporter. The Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest — India (NAPi), a think tank working on nutrition policy, has issued a statement saying it stands by him.

What is the controversy?

  • Revant Himatsingka, who calls himself @foodpharmer on social media, with 1,35,000 followers on Instagram, drew the ire of Mondelez India, the company that owns Bournvita, with his April 1 video in which he flagged the product’s high sugar content.
  • In January, the NAPi said that a Bournvita advertisement and product packaging was misleading and did not disclose the sugar content.
  • The organisation has filed a formal complaint with the Department of Consumers Affairs, working under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
  • It alleges the ads violate the provision of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
  • However, this has brought to the boil the real issue at hand — the Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) dragging its feet over implementing its own guidelines to regulate packaged and processed food.

Packaging and labelling regulations of FSSAI

As per the food safety and standards (packaging and labelling) regulations, 2011, FSSAI regulations are a complete set of guidelines that all food product brands and manufacturers should abide by. It also inflicts 12 fundamental labelling regulations for any food packaging as given below; –

  • Food’s name
  • Ingredients list
  • Information related to nutrition
  • Vegetarian or non-vegetarian declaration of food
  • Food additives used in the declaration
  • Manufacturer’s name and address
  • Details for customer care
  • Quantity
  • Retail price rate
  • FSSAI license number and logo
  • Batch identification number, country of origin, marketing date
  • Instructions for usage.

What is the permissible limit of sugar content?

  • The threshold for sugar to avoid warning labels is 6 g per 100 g.
  • In 2020, the FSSAI looked into 1,306 product samples across 30 food companies, including dairy, confectionery, sweets and snacks.  None of the products could meet the requirements.
  • Hence a panel constituted by FSSAI then proposed increasing the threshold arbitrarily by six times i.e., 36-gram sugar per 100 grams.
  • Despite this, only 20% of products were found to be meeting the new threshold.

Maharishi Initiative

G20 Meetings of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) 2023 in Varanasi under India's Presidency saw the launch of MAHARISHI Initiative.

About MAHARISHI 

  • MAHARISHI stands for Millets And otHer Ancient Grains International Research Initiative.
  • MAHARISHI secretariat shall be housed at Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad with technical support from ICRISAT, One CGIAR Centres and other International organisations.

Focus areas of MAHARISHI are:

  • Establish mechanisms to connect researchers and institutions working in identified grain crops to enhance the dissemination of research findings and identify research gaps and needs.
  • Establish web platforms to connect researchers, exchange data, share communication products and thematic briefs to encourage research & information sharing.
  • Organise capacity building activities and international workshops & conferences.
  • Performance identification and recognition to scientists.

SATHI Portal for Seed Quality Assurance

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched SATHI Portal & Mobile App.

About SATHI Portal

  • SATHI stands for Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory.
  • SATHI is a centralised online system for seed traceability, authentication & inventory designed to deal with challenges of seed production, quality seed identification & seed certification.
  • This portal will ensure seed quality assurance and identify the source of seed in the seed production system.
  • SATHI portal will consist of integrated 7 verticals of seed chain: Research Organisations, Seed Certification, Seed Licensing, Seed Catalogue, Dealer to Farmer Sales, Farmer Registration and Seed DBT.
  • Seeds with valid certification can only be sold by valid licensed dealer to centrally registered farmers who will receive subsidy through DBT directly into their pre-validated bank accounts.
  • There will be QR code under this system, through which the seeds can be traced.

Need for SATHI Portal

  • Goods Quality Seeds are critical inputs for a robust agriculture. However, inferior quality or spurious seeds affects the agriculture sector output and causes loss to farmers.
  • It is expected that if farmers have access to newer and quality seeds having resistance against climate change and new types of pests, agricultural production can be increased by 20%.

Delay in Bills: Pinarayi, Stalin to fight together

Context: The “inordinate” gubernatorial delay in giving assent to Bills passed by their respective State legislatures has accorded Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Tamil Nadu counterpart M.K. Stalin a consequential opportunity to make a common political cause in addressing a vola tile issue that has roiled both administrations and strained their relations with the BJP led Central government.

Office of Governor

  • Powers and functions of the Governor can be categorised under the following categories
  1. Executive powers
  2. Legislative Powers
  3. Judicial Powers
  4. Financial Powers
  • Now power and function of the Governor pertaining to giving assent to a bill falls under category of legislative powers.

Constitutional Provisions

  • Article 200 - When a Bill has been passed by the Legislative Assembly of a State or, in the case of a State having a Legislative Council, has been passed by both Houses of the Legislature of the State, it shall be presented to the Governor and the Governor shall have following options
    • He may give his assents to the Bill , thus the bill becomes an Act.
    • He may withholds assent , the bill thus ends and does not becomes an Act.
    • He may return the bill for the reconsideration of House or houses.  If the bill is passed again with or without amendments and presented to Governor for his assent, the governor must give his assent to the bill.
    • He may reserves the Bill for the consideration of the President.
  • There is an exception to this rule and that is related to the case of Money bill. If a money bill is presented to the Governor then:
    • He may give assent to the bill.
    • He may withhold the assent.
    • He may reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President.
  • Thus Governor cannot return a money bill for the reconsideration of the House, or as the case may be. However, Governor normally gives his assent to the Money bill as it is introduced in the state legislature with the prior permission of the Governor.
  • Article 200 also makes it mandatory for the Governor to reserve a bill for the consideration of the President , if in the Opinion of the Governor provisions of bill derogate from the powers of the High Court as to endanger the position which that Court is by this Constitution designed to fill. 
  • Article 201 - When a Bill is reserved by a Governor for the consideration of the President, the President shall have following options
    • He may give his Assent. 
    • He may withhold his Assent.
    • He may direct the Governor to return the bill to the House or, as the case may be.
  • When the governor reserves a bill (ordinary or money) for the consideration of the President, he will not have any further role in the enactment of the bill. If the President gives his assent to the bill, it becomes an Act. This means that the assent of the governor is no longer required.
  • In case of a Money Bill, The President may give his assent or withhold his assent, but cannot return it for reconsideration. 
  • When a Bill is returned for the reconsideration, the House or Houses shall reconsider it accordingly within a period of six months from the date of receipt of the Bill and, if it is again passed by the House or Houses with or without amendment, it shall be presented again to the President for his consideration. President is not bound to give his assent to such reconsidered bill.  

India to host maiden Global Buddhist Summit

Context: Leaders and scholars from the global Buddhist community will convene in New Delhi to discuss contemporary global concerns from a Buddhist approach. The maiden conference is being organised by the Union Cultural Ministry and the International Buddhist Confederation, an umbrella organisation that acts as a forum for Buddhists worldwide. The conference is considered as a big step forward in India's aspirations to interact with Buddhism, which has millions of adherents worldwide. Recently, India, as chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), hosted a meeting on Buddhist heritage that included all countries.

Theme of the Summit: ‘Responses to Contemporary Challenges from Philosophy to Praxis’. 

India to host maiden Global Buddhist Summit
Image source: narendramodi.in

Objectives of the Summit

  • The gathering's major objective is to explore methods of disseminating and internalising universal principles while encouraging collaboration among Dharma practitioners across philosophical, cultural, and national boundaries.
  • The ultimate objective is to solve acute global concerns while also developing a long-term plan for a peaceful and harmonious future.
  • The summit intends to explore Buddhist teachings and practices in order to identify answers to challenges like- climate change, poverty and war, among others.

About Buddhism

Buddhism belongs to the Shramana school of religious movements. The word Shramana means one who performs acts of austerity and ascetic. 

Basic details of Buddha

  • Buddha was born at Lumbini village of Kapilavastu Nepal in 563 BC in the Shakya Kshatriya clan.
  • His clan considered themselves to be descendants of Ikshvaku dynasty.
  • He died in 483 BC near Kushinara (Kushinagar, UP) and the event is known as Mahaparinirvana.
  • Mahabhiraskramana or the Great Going Forth is the event when Gautam Buddha left his home and discarded worldly life.

Places Visited by Buddha

  • After leaving his home in search of enlightenment Buddha visited Vaishali and learnt Sankhya darshan. He then went to Rajgriha and learnt yoga.
  • He later went to Uruvela where he attained enlightenment. This event is known as Sambodhi.
  • He then went on to Sarnath where he delivered his first sermon also called Dharmachakrapravartana. Buddha delivered his maximum sermons from Shravasti and made Magadha his promotional centre.
  • Ashta-mahasthana refers to the eight significant places associated with the life of Buddha. These include: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Sankissa, Rajgriha and Vaishali.

Religious Teachings 

  • Buddhism is based upon triratnas i.e., Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
  • Buddha propagated Ashtangik marga also called Madhya marga. He was always silent on the discussion of the existence of God but believed in rebirth.
  • Buddha was against caste system and opened the gates of Buddhism for all castes. He allowed women to be admitted in sangha.
  • Buddha suggested that when desires are conquered, nirvana will be attained which means that a man will become free from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
  • Buddha’s chief disciple was Upali, and his most favourite disciple was Ananda. Buddha regarded the social world as creation of humans rather than of divine origin. Therefore, he advised kings and gahapatis to be humane and ethical. 

Buddhist Councils

  • 1st Buddhist Council
    • Place: Rajgriha, Bihar 
    • Ruler: Ajatshatru
    • Accomplishment: Buddha’s teachings were compiled into Sutta Pitaka (Ananda) and Vinaya Pitaka (Upali)
  • 2nd Buddhist Council
    • Place: Vaishali 
    • Ruler: Kalashoka (Shishunaga dynasty)
    • Accomplishment: Buddhist sangha was divided into schools i.e., Theravada or Sthavira and Mahasanghik or Sarvastivadin.
    • Theravadi is the oldest Buddhist school with its main center in Kashmir. Mahasanghik’ s main center was in Magadha.
  • 3rd Buddhist Council
    • Place: Pataliputra 
    • Ruler: Ashoka
    • Accomplishment: Compilation of the third pitaka i.e., Abhidhamma Pitaka which explains the tenets of Dhamma.
  • 4th Buddhist Council
    • Place: Kashmir 
    • Ruler: Kanishka
    • Accomplishment: Compilation of Vibhashashastra by Vasumitra, a commentary in Sanskrit on the difficult aspects of Buddhist texts.

Buddhists again broke into 2 schools i.e., Theravadi or Sthavira became Hinayana and Sarvastivadin or Mahasanghik became Mahayana schools.

Sects in Buddhism 

  • Buddhist texts mention about 64 sects or schools of Buddhism. Teachers travelled from place to place, trying to convince one another and laypersons about the validity of their philosophy. 
  • Debates took place in the Kutagarashala – literally, a hut with a pointed roof or in groves where travelling mendicants halted. 
  • If a philosopher succeeded in convincing one of his rivals, the followers of the latter also became his disciples. So, support for any sect could grow and shrink over time. 

Prominent sects of Buddhism

1. Hinayana School

  • Hinayana is also known as Shravakayana. They saw Buddha as a great soul but not God. They were orthodox in nature. 
  • Hinayana followers believed in helping themselves over others to attain salvation. They did not believe in Bhakti and idol worship. Their scriptures are written in Pali.
  • Later divided into 2 sects i.e., Vaibhashika and Sautrantika. 
  • Sub-schools of Hinayana: 
    • Staviravadin or Thervadins: Earliest school from which all other schools of Buddhism originated. They follow the original doctrines of Buddha closely. They believe only in the three Pitakas.
    • Sarvastivada: This is one of the early Buddhist schools which originated during the time of Ashoka (Separated from Sthaviravadins). This school is popular in Kashmir and Central Asia. This school has been broadly divided into- Vaibhasika and Sautantrika. 
    • Mahasanghika: It is a school which came into existence after the 2nd Buddhist Council. It separated from the Staviravadis over the differences in following monastic practices. Sub-sects of Mahasanghika school are- Lokottarvada, Kukkutika and Caitika. 
    • Sammitiya: A subsect of Hinayana tradition which believes that though an individual does not exist independently from the five skandhas, or components that make up his personality, he is at the same time something greater than the mere sum of his parts. It popular in Gujarat and Sindh during 7th Century. Their important centre of learning was at Valabhi, Gujarat.

2. Mahayana School

  • Its prime centre was in Andhra Pradesh. Its scriptures are written in Sanskrit.
  • They see Buddha as incarnation of God and started his idol worship.
  • Mahayana attaches importance to role of Bodhisattvas who delay their own salvation to help others to its path.
  • They believed in the concept of transmigration of soul and rebirth. Later divided into 2 sects i.e., Shunyavaad (Founder: Nagarjuna) and Vigyanvaad. 
  • In 8th century AD, Vajrayana School developed as an offshoot of Mahayana school in which Tara is considered as wife of Buddha.
  • In early medieval period a new form of Mahayana called Mantrayana came up in which Bodhisattva Avalokiteshwar began to be worshipped.
  • Sub-Schools of Mahayana
    • Yogachara School: Important scholars of this school were: Asanga and Vasubandhu. It attaches foremost importance to meditation as a means of attaining the highest goal. Hence, the name Yogachara.
    • Madhyamaka School: Founder of this school was Nagarjuna. Idea of Shunyata is important feature of this school. It means that appearances are misleading, and that permanent selves and substances do not exist. Important scholars of this school were Buddhapalita, Bhavaviveka and Chandrakirti.

Boddhisatvas in Mahayana Buddhism

BODDHISATTVARELEVANCE
AvalokitesvaraBodhisattva of compassion. Most universally acknowledged Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism.Has many avatars, most famous being Padmapani (Holding Lotus).
MaitreyaBoddisattva to be reborn. Future Boddhisattva.
ManjushriBoddisattva of awareness and wisdom.
PadmasambhavaMost famous in Tibetan and Bhutanese Buddhism. Regarded as a second buddha there.
VajrapaniAn early bodhisattva in Mahayana. Vajra means weapon.
TaraFemale bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism. A manifestation of Avalokitesvara.She represents the virtues of success in work and achievements. A manifestation of Avalokitesvara.

Buddhist Literature

  • Tripitakas are the oldest source of studying Buddhism. 
  • Sutta Pitaka: Encyclopedia of Buddhist thought and Buddhas religious ideas. It is divided into five groups or Nikayas. They contain popular works such as Theragatha and Therigatha and Jataka tales.
  • Vinaya Pitaka: Rules of Buddhist Sangha. It contains two main sections (i) Sutta Vibhanga (ii) Khandaka and an appendix known as Parivara. Sutta Vibhanga contains Patimokka, a set of monastic rules, 227 for monks and 311 for nuns. Patimokka was recited by congregations of monks in the fortnightly uposatha ceremony held on the full moon and new moon days. 
  • Abhidhamma Pitaka: Buddhist principles and concept of dhamma
  • Vishuddhimarga written by Ashvaghosha serves as a key composition to tripitakas.
  • Mahavastu (by Hinayana sect) and Lalitvistara (by Mahayana sect) are biographies of Buddha.
  • Pragyaparimita Sutra serves as the most important text for Mahayana sect. It was written by Nagarjuna who is known as the Einstein of India.

Buddhist Sangha

  • Eight personal possessions allowed to a monk comprised three robes, an alms bowl, razor, needle, belt and water strainer.
  • Senior monks held authority within a monastic community. 
  • Four most serious offences (known as parajika) involving expulsion from sangha were: (i) Sexual intercourse, (ii) killing someone (iii) Stealing (iv) Making false claims of spiritual attainment.

Buddhist Laity

  • According to tradition, first lay followers of Buddha were two merchants, Tapassu and Bhallika.
  • The laity was a person who had taken refuge in Buddha, dhamma and sangha but had not taken monastic vows. The laity included male followers (upasakas) and female followers (upasikas). 
  • There was a growing differentiation (social-stratification) amongst people engaged in agriculture – Buddhist literature refers to landless agricultural labourers, small peasants and large landholders. 
  • The term Gahapati was used in Pali texts to refer to small peasants and large landholders.

Buddhism and Women

  • Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted. (In Buddha’s lifetime only).
  • This was made possible through the mediation of Ananda (Buddha’s dearest disciple). 
  • Buddha’s foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni. 
  • Therigatha is a collection of verses composed by bhikkhunis (part of Sutta Pitaka). It provides an insight into women’s social and spiritual experiences. 

Reasons for decline of Buddhism

  • Decline of Buddhist Sanghas: Sanghas became centres of corruption. Discipline of Vinay Pitaka was violated. 
  • Revival of Brahmanical Hinduism: Rites and rituals of Hinduism were simplified. It also incorporated Buddhist principle of non-violence and accepted Buddha as a Hindu incarnation.
  • Buddhism lost royal patronage, which it received during the period of Asoka, Kaniska, and Harshavardhana. The Gupta rulers were great patrons of the Brahmanical religion.
  • Buddhism was divided into several groups like "Hinayana,” "Mahayana” "Vajrayana” "Tantrayana" and "Sahajayana," and ultimately, it lost its originality.
  • Buddhist monks gave up Pali and took up Sanskrit, the language of intellectuals which was rarely understood by the common people. So, people rejected it.
  • Mahayana Buddhists started worshipping Buddha as a God. Image worship was a clear violation of the Buddhist doctrines, which opposed the critical rites and rituals of Brahmanical Hinduism.
  • Northern India was mostly ruled by the Rajputs from the eight to twelfth century who found great pleasure in fighting. They discarded the Buddhist principle of non-violence.

G7 Climate and Environment Ministers’ commit to decarbonize power grids by 2035

Context: The G7 nations agreed to accelerate the phase-out of "domestic unabated coal power" and decarbonize their power systems by 2035 at the conclusion of their climate and environment ministers conference on Sunday in Sapporo, Japan.

More about news: 

  • The G7 states further stated that there is an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 43 per cent by 2030 and 60 per cent by 2035, aligned to 1.5 degrees in light of the most recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The Group of 7 (G7) is an informal group of seven countries - the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, the heads of which hold an annual summit with European Union and other invitees.India, Australia, South Korea and South Africa were invited to 47th G7 summit hosted by UK.

Together the G7 member countries represent 40% of global GDP and 10% of the world’s population.G7 has no legal existence, permanent secretariat or official members.Leaders of G7 countries meets annually and discusses emerging global issues.The presidency of G7 meetings is held by each of the 7 countries in turn, each year.

Condemning Russia’s attempts at ‘geopolitical coercion’

  • In its communiqué, the G7 has condemned Russia’s “illegal unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, violation of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and disregard to the impacts that its war is having on people worldwide’’.

Unprecedented triple global crisis

  • The G7 has said that they are facing an “unprecedented triple global crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution that are mutually reinforcing and intrinsically linked, as well as an ongoing global energy crisis of unprecedented scale which has worsened economic and social disruptions, health threats and environmental damage.

Limitations of these discussion

  • The group failed to say how it will increase its efforts to assist other countries scale up their energy transition and energy efficiency.
  • Though G7 committed to decarbonising their power sector by 2035, they failed to agree to a proposal made by the UK and Canada to phase out coal by 2030. This proposal saw objections from Japan, the US and the European Union. 
  • Japan’s attempt to promote ammonia co-firing as a form of clean technology in the power sector domestically and in Asia via the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) was degraded by the rest of the group.

How to address these challenges 

  • Multilateral cooperation can steadfast their commitment to the Paris Agreement, keeping a limit of 1.5°C global temperature rise within reach through scaled up action in this critical decade
  • Full, swift and effective implementation of the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP15) with its mission to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030
  • And, to welcome the landmark international legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).

About Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)

  • In 2021, 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNCBD was held virtually in Kunming, China. The COP 15's major goal was to create and accept a post-2020 "Global Biodiversity Framework" to replace and update the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (SPB) 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
  • The first draft of the GBF was released in July 2021, containing 21 targets for 2030 and 4 Goals to achieve humanity “living in harmony with nature,” vision by 2050.
  • Parties will reconvene in 2022 for further negotiations and to come to a final agreement on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Kunming Declaration

  • The declaration called for immediate and comprehensive action in all areas of the global economy to reflect biodiversity concerns.
  • More than a hundred countries, including India, have pledged to
  • Work together to design, adopt, and implement a viable post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
  • Reverse the current biodiversity loss.
  • Ensure that biodiversity is on the mend by 2030 at the very latest.
  • China established the Kunming Biodiversity Fund with a budget of around USD 230 million to fund programs that safeguard biodiversity in underdeveloped nations.
  • It also praised many countries' efforts and commitments to safeguard 30% of their land and sea regions by 2030 (30 by 30 objective), which is crucial for reversing a major cause of environmental degradation.
  • Global Environment Facility, UNDP, and UNEP have pledged to expedite financial and technical assistance to developing countries to help them implement the Global Environment Facility.

 About BBNJ Treaty also known as the “Treaty of the High Seas”

  • The United Nations General Assembly decided, in 2015, to develop an international legally binding instrument under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)  on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction(BBNJ). 
  • This “BBNJ Treaty”, also known as the “Treaty of the High Seas”, is an international legally binding agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, currently under negotiation at the United Nations.

Justice Joseph recuses from hearing plea against Goel’s appointment as EC

Context: Supreme Court judge Jus tice K.M. Joseph on Mon day recused from hearing a petition challenging the appointment of Arun Goel as the Election Commissioner. 

Election commissioners to be appointed by a committee 

SC In Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India, Constitution Bench of Supreme Court has held that Election Commissioners (ECs) including the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) will be appointed by the President on the advice of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and the CJI till a specific law is framed by the Parliament. However, if the Leader of Opposition (LoP) has not been recognised by the Speaker, then the Leader of the largest Party in the Opposition in the Lok Sabha having the largest numerical strength will be in the committee to appoint the ECs and CEC. 

Conduct of elections - article 324(1) 

Election Commission shall be responsible for Superintendence, Direction and Control of the preparation of the Electoral Rolls for and the conduct of all elections to - 

  • Parliament 
  • Legislature of every State 
  • Offices of President and Vice-President 
  • Law Can be Made for Appointments - The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf by Parliament, be made by the President. 

Constitution of election commission - article 324(2) 

  • The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time-to-time fix. ∙ When any other Election Commissioner is so appointed the Chief Election Commissioner shall act as the Chairman of the Election Commission. 

Appointment of election commissioners - article 324(2) 

  • Appointment of Election Commissioners - the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf by Parliament, be made by the President.
It is here where the Supreme Court’s judgment will have an impact. This is because the President has to go according to the advice tendered by the Committee comprising PM, LoP & CJI. This in a way takes away power from the central government to appoint ECs or CEC as per their choice.

∙ Appointment of Regional Commissioners - The President may also appoint after consultation with the Election Commission such Regional Commissioners as he may consider necessary to assist the Election Commission in the performance of its functions. 

Removal- article 324(5)

  • The CEC shall be removed from his office in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  • Conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment. 
  • Any other Election Commissioner or a Regional Commissioner shall not be removed from office except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. 
  • Thus, the process of removal of CEC and other Election or Regional Commissioners is different as provided in the Constitution.
The Constitution Bench has asked to ensure parity for other Election Commissioners and suggested that Removal of Other Election Commissioners to be same as that of CEC.

The Election Commission (conditions of service of election commissioners and transaction of business) act, 1991 

The Act determines the conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners and also provides for the procedure for transaction of business by the Election Commission.

Term of office 

  • The Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner shall hold office for a term of six years from the date on which he assumes his office. 
  • Provided that where the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner attains the age of sixty five years before the expiry of the said term of six years, he shall vacate his office on the date on which he attains the said age. 
  • Provided further that the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner may, at any time, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office. 

Artemis Mission

Context: SpaceX has postponed the first test flight of the Starship rocket due to a technical issue. 

  • NASA has picked the Starship spacecraft for the Artemis III mission. Starship consists of a 50-metre-tall spacecraft designed to carry crew and cargo which is atop a 230-foot-tall first-stage Super Heavy booster rocket. It is the most powerful rocket ever built which is designed to send astronauts to the moon and Mars and beyond.

Artemis Mission

  • The Artemis program is a series of missions for Moon exploration led by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) along with three partner agencies—the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
  • Aim:
    • Take humans to the Moon, explore the possibilities of extended stay there, and establish a permanent base on the Moon. 
    • Investigate the potential to use the Moon as a launch pad for deep space explorations and to facilitate human missions to Mars.

Artemis 1

  • The first in the series, NASA’s Artemis 1 mission was successfully lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida on November 16, 2022.
  • Artemis 1 is an unmanned lunar orbiter mission to test the Space Launch System rocket of NASA and the Orion space capsule, in which astronauts will ride on future missions. 

Artemis 2

  • Artemis 2 will be a 10-day long crewed mission where the four astronauts will fly around the Moon and return to Earth. The mission aims to test and stress Orion’s life-support systems to make sure that it is capable of supporting astronauts to live and work in deep space and collect valuable flight test data.
  • After multiple manoeuvres, it will place the crew on a “lunar free return trajectory,” where Earth’s gravity will naturally pull the spacecraft back home after flying by the Moon.
    • In the lunar free return trajectory, the spacecraft does not need any propulsion on its return journey. It takes advantage of the Earth-Moon gravity field to ensure the planet’s gravity naturally pulls it back.
  • Expected to launch by 2024. 

Artemis 3

  • Artemis 3 is a crewed mission which aims at landing humans on the Moon. It would be the first human landing on the moon by NASA since Apollo 17 in 1972.
    • It will land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon.
  • The four astronauts aboard the Orion module will dock with the Lunar Gateway and remain in space for 30 days. The landing system will then take two astronauts down to the Moon's South Pole, a region previously unvisited by humans.
  • The astronauts are expected to spend a week exploring the surface and perform a variety of scientific studies, including sampling water ice - first detected on the Moon in 1971.
  • Expected to launch by 2025. 

G20 health working group meet in Goa: Focus on comprehensive global health architecture, Minister urges G20 delegates

Context- Recently the second meeting of the health working group for G20 began in Goa.

Focus areas of discussion

discussions will continue on the three priorities set by the Indian presidency –

Three technical sessions were held on the first day of the meeting

  • The first session focused on health emergency prevention, preparedness and response, with delegates discussing collaborative surveillance systems supported by advanced networks of laboratories and relevant infrastructure.
  • The discussion also centred on embedding anti-microbial resistance as part of any health emergency governance system and it being complementary to such ongoing efforts at various levels of government.
  • The second session focused on creating better collaborations at various levels for access and availability of safe, effective, and quality medical countermeasures.
  • The discussions centred on methods such as public-private partnerships, and international collaborations through a network-of-networks platform.
  • In the third session, a discussion on the draft outcome document was done exclusively among G20 member states in an hour-long session afterwards.
  • It was emphasised that any consensus must be built through measures that are evidence-based, inclusive, fair, equitable, transparent and need-based.

India’s proposals

  • With plugging the gap of inequitable access and creating a global manufacturing network for medical countermeasures – vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics – being priorities for the health working group, India is likely to raise the issue of intellectual property rights during a public health emergency.
  • The discussion is likely to focus on voluntary licensing and technology transfer by pharmaceutical companies, according to officials in the know of the matter.
  • For digital health, India is likely to propose a digital toolbox under an intra-government agency like the World Health Organization that can be accessed by other countries as per their need India will open up its teleconsultation platform eSanjeevani to all, just like it offered the vaccine management system CoWIN previously.
  • India focused on the need for collaborative surveillance, community protection, safe and scalable care, access to medical countermeasures and emergency coordination.
  • focus on reducing the drivers of pandemic risk, to prevent them before they emerge, surveillance, lab systems and strengthening the public health workforce”.

As Berlin shuts its nuclear reactors, Finland opens Europe’s largest one

Context; Recently Finland’s next-generation Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor, the largest in Europe, has gone into regular production after months of delays, and Germany ended its nuclear era.

About Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor

  • Olkiluoto 3, now producing around 14% of the country's power.
  • It is expected to remain operational for “at least the next 60 years”.
  • The plant is owned and operated by Teollisuuden Voima (TVO), a subsidiary of Pohjolan Voima
  • It is located on Olkiluoto Island, on the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia
  • The Olkiluoto plant consists of two boiling water reactors (BWRs), each producing 890 MW of electricity and
  • One EPR producing 1,600 MW. This makes unit 3 currently the most powerful nuclear power plant unit in Europe and the third most powerful globally

G7 Ministers commit to work for carbon free electricity by 2035

Context: The G7 countries' Climate and Energy Ministers and envoys committed to working towards carbon-free electricity production by 2035 and accelerating the phase-out of coal. The participants also agreed to accelerate solar and wind energy investments to produce 1,000 GW of solar power and 150 GW of wind power from offshore platforms by 2030, in line with the IPCC's recommendation to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

More on news

To prevent global warming it is necessary to change into the carbon-neutral energy system, and many countries have declared that they aim for a carbon-neutral society. The focus is on transition of energy source from fossil fuels to carbon-free energies. Carbon-free energy sources are nuclear power and renewable energy, including synthetic fuel called “e-fuels.” E-fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, methane, and DME are made by renewable energy.

About Carbon free energy

Energy sources that are considered carbon-free do not generate any carbon emissions during their production, and are usually sourced from resources like nuclear or large hydroelectric. While these resources can play a crucial role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, their usage can also have adverse effects on the environment and economy. For instance, nuclear power plants produce radioactive waste that requires long-term safe storage, which can be expensive. Similarly, building new large hydroelectric resources requires dam construction that can have lasting negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystems.

What is Renewable energy?

Renewable energy refers to naturally replenishing resources that generate zero emissions during their production. Examples of renewable energy sources include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and biowaste, as well as certain forms of hydroelectricity. 

While all renewable energy is carbon-free, not all carbon-free energy is renewable. Only naturally-replenishing sources are renewable.

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About G7

  • The G7 (Group of Seven) is an intergovernmental organisation of the world's seven largest so-called "advanced" economies, which dominate global trade and the international financial system. 
  • Its members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the United States. 
  • Russia joined in 1998, creating the G8, but was excluded in 2014 for its takeover of Crimea. 
  • China has never been a member, despite its large economy and having the world's biggest population. 
  • Japan took over the G7 presidency in 2023, which means it will host the organisation's annual summit in May 2023 at Hiroshima. 
  • The EU is not a member of the G7 but attends the annual summit.
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Initiatives of G7

  • The G7 played crucial role in setting up a global fund to fight malaria and Aids in 2002. 
  • Ahead of the 2021 G7 summit in the UK, the G7 finance ministers agreed to make multinational companies pay more tax. 
  • It has also provided financial aid to developing countries, and addressed climate change.
  • The G7 countries, have officially launched the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), a joint initiative to fund infrastructure projects in developing countries. 

National highways constructed in India

Context:  Recently NHAI data reveals that in 2022-23 10,993 kilometres of national highways have been constructed. It is 13.7% less than the goal of 12500 Km. While the pace of the construction of national highways touched a record high of 37 km a day in 2020-21, it slowed to 30.11 km a day in 2022-23.

About NHAI

  • The National Highways Authority of India was set up by an act of the Parliament, the NHAI Act, 1988.
  • It is aimed at the development, maintenance and management of national highways and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  • It has been entrusted with the National Highways Development Project, which along with other minor projects, has vested in it 50329 km of National Highways for development, maintenance and management.
  • Its objective is to ensure that all contract awards and procurements conform to the best industry practices regarding transparency of the process, adoption of bid criteria to ensure healthy competition in the award of contracts, implementation of projects conform to best quality requirements and the highway system is maintained to ensure best user comfort and convenience.

Mandate

Vision

  • To meet the Nation’s need for the provision and maintenance of the National Highways network to global standards.
  • To meet the user’s expectations in the most time-bound and cost-effective manner, within the strategic policy framework set by the Government of India.
  • To promote economic well-being and quality of life of the people.

Mission

  • To develop, maintain and manage National Highways vested in it by the Government.
  • To collect fees on National Highways, regulate and control the plying of vehicles on National Highways for its proper management.
  • To develop and provide consultancy and construction services in India and abroad and carry on research activities about the development, maintenance and management of highways or any other facilities there.
  • To advise the Central Government on matters relating to highways.
  • To assist on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon, any State Government in the formulation and implementation of schemes for highway development.

Importance of NHs

  • National Highways are the arterial roads of the country for the inter-state movement of passengers and goods.
  • They traverse the length and width of the country connecting the National and State capitals, major ports and rail junctions and link up with border roads and foreign highways.
  • The total length of NH (including expressways) in the country at present is 1,32,499 km.
  • While Highways/Expressways constitute only about 1.7% of the length of all roads, they carry about 40% of the road traffic.