19 October 2022

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

1 – FATF: GS II – Topic International Relations:

Context:

• Pakistan is predicted to be taken off the Financial Action Task Force’s “grey list” at its plenary meeting this week in Paris, though it will still be obliged to notify members on its efforts to curb the funding of terrorism and money laundering. India will closely monitor this decision.

About FATF:

• The global organisation in charge of monitoring money laundering and terrorism financing is known as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
• The intergovernmental organisation works to eliminate these illegal actions and the harm they do to society by creating worldwide norms.
• The FATF tries to create the required political will to implement these kinds of national legislative and regulatory reforms as part of its role as a policy-making body.
• The FATF produced the FATF Recommendations, commonly known as FATF Standards, to enable a coordinated international response to combat terrorism, organised crime, and corruption.
• They aid law enforcement in locating the funds that criminals use to commit crimes like the trafficking of people and the sale of illegal substances.
• The FATF aims to halt funding for WMDs, particularly nuclear weapons.

The duties of FATF include:

• To address new risks, the FATF updates its regulations frequently. The regulation of virtual assets is one such area, which is growing more crucial as cryptocurrencies gain prominence. The FATF also looks at methods for money laundering and terrorism financing.
• The FATF holds non-compliant nations responsible by monitoring the full and effective execution of the FATF Standards.

The FATF’s goals are as follows:

• The proper use of judicial, administrative, and operational procedures must be encouraged in order to stop money laundering, the funding of terrorism, and other risks to the integrity of the global financial system.

Source The Hindu

 2 – AK 203 Assault Rifles: GS III – Topic Internal Security:

Context:

• According to a senior Russian official, the Indo-Russian joint venture at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh will begin manufacturing AK-203 assault rifles by the end of 2022.

About:

• The assault rifle known as the AK-203 is regarded to be the most current and technologically advanced version of the AK-47.
• It is an AK-100 rifle chambered in 7.6239mm (one that offers the AK-74M system, in multiple cartridges and lengths).
• The Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.5645 mm assault rifle, which is currently employed by the Army, Navy, and Air Force as well as other security forces, is anticipated to be replaced by this model.
• Use of the INSAS weapon at high altitudes is not advised. These rifles also have problems with oil leaks, jamming, and other things.

The AK-203’s advantages and strengths:

• These rifles are well-liked and have weathered testing in both extreme cold and heat due to their reliable build and user-friendliness.
• This specific type has a 30-round magazine and is an upgraded AK-47.
• These rifles never jam because they are AK line goods, unlike INSAS weapons.
• These weapons, which are Kalashnikov rifle adaptations, can fire through sand, dirt, water, and bad weather.
• Additionally, these weapons provide a high level of flexibility, customizability, and adaptability.
• The more potent 7.62 mm NATO standard ammo that AK-203 rifles fire.
• The rifle can fire 600 rounds per minute, or 10 bullets per second, in automatic and semi-automatic modes.

Source The Hindu

3 – Uniform Civil Code: GS II – Topic Government Policies and Interventions:

Context:

• It is a “affront to the nation’s unity” for people of other religions and denominations to follow different property and marriage laws. According to the administration’s case before the Supreme Court, Article 44 of the Uniform Civil Code dissociates religion from social relations and the law.

About:

• All national citizens are subject to the same personal law thanks to the Uniform Civil Code. A single, all-inclusive standard that will be applied to everyone, regardless of where they choose to worship, will be provided by this code, which will replace the current religion personal laws in force in India. The Uniform Civil Code is often referred to as “UCC.” It simply means that there is a single law that governs every area of life in the entire nation, excluding any particular religion. The Indian Constitution’s Article 44, Part 4, particularly refers to the “Uniform Civil Code.” One of the Directive Principles of State Policy is Article 44.
• The ability of a nation to accommodate its diverse population and commitment to justice is impacted by the adoption of an unified civil code.

Constitutional clauses mentioning the UCC

Article 44:

• Since the Constitution mandates that “The State must endeavour to obtain for the Citizens a consistent civil code across the territory of India,” a UCC must be in place.
• Given that this is located within the chapter on the Directive Principles of State Policy, it is considered that it is advisory in nature.

Article 37:

• thinks that a single civil code is not a promise provided by the constitution nor a fundamental right, despite being named as a national aim in the Indian Constitution.
• A UCC cannot be acquired through litigation. Judges still express their thoughts in spite of this.

History of the Uniform Civil Code:

• The idea of establishing a global civil code has been hotly debated ever since colonial India. The British government first put out the idea in 1835 as part of a plan to codify Indian laws abroad and improve the administration of justice. Before the nation obtained independence, criminal laws were created and made uniformly applicable (during the colonial era). Despite the fact that several municipalities had the same legislation, each one was watched.

Justifications for UCC:

• If everyone could uphold the same civic principles as a result of a national code, conflict would be reduced.
• There is a potential that the peace will get better and there won’t be as many riots if and when everyone in the neighbourhood starts following the same rules.
• Women’s rights and secularism: In support of the country’s secular foundation, UCC will work to abolish all forms of discrimination based on gender and religion.
• UCC may therefore bring all communities together in order to preserve women’s rights to a life of dignity and to have control over both their bodies and their lives.
• With the implementation of a logical, uniform, and common personal law, many damaging, unfair, and unjust ceremonies and practises that are currently practised in various cultures can be eradicated.
• legislation that forbid manual scavenging, as an example. Even while this practise may have been widespread in the past, it is unacceptable in a developed democracy like India.
• Simple Administration: Thanks to UCC, India’s sizable population will be simpler to administer.

Criticisms of the UCC:

• Some of the unique aspects of Indian society will vanish, and multiculturalism and diversity would be hindered. These distinctive features of this country’s legal system will disappear under a unified one.
• Religious organisations are against a uniform civil code because they think it will interfere with religious matters and infringe upon fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 25 of the constitution.

Way Ahead:

• The Constitution’s basic ideals encourage diversity and work to foster mutual respect among Christians of all denominations.
• Gradual modifications In general, unified legislation is a desirable thing, but if it is passed rapidly, it may compromise the nation’s integrity and unity.
• A democracy with the rule of law requires the gradual introduction of reform and order.

Source The Hindu

4 – GI Tags: GS II – Topic Government Policies and Interventions:

 Context:

• The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) made the decision to submit an application for the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kerala cashew due to an unanticipated rise in demand and record-breaking sales during Onam. Due to the overuse of mechanised processing in many places, accreditation for drum-roasted cashews produced the traditional method will highlight their rarity.

About:

• In India, geographic indicators tags are also referred to as “GI tags” or “GI tags.” The law goes into effect on September 15, 2003.
• A geographical indicator is used to identify items with a particular geographic origin and traits or a reputation coming from that origin (GI).
• Such a name exudes a quality of brilliance and uniqueness that is primarily connected to its country of origin.
• In India, geographically branded goods are prized as the best representations of the illustrious country.
• Once ten years have elapsed, this tag may be renewed.
• The slogan and logo for the Geographical Indications (GI) of India were unveiled by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry.
• The first item to receive a GI label was India’s Darjeeling tea in 2004.
• A fresh piece of legislation for the protection of geographical indications (GI) in India is the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. (GI Act).
• In order to assure conformity with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, India, a WTO member, passed the Act.

Advantages of GI Tags:

• If a person has the right geographic indicator, they can use it to stop other people from supporting noncompliant products.

Source The Hindu