21 December 2022

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

 1 – Appointment of Speaker: GS II – Topic Parliament-related issues

Context:

• The 181 Gujarat MLAs chosen in the most recent elections took their oaths in the assembly on Monday. However, the Congress has not yet chosen a leader for the assembly.
• Both Jetha Bharwad, a Sehra MLA and the owner of the Panchmahal Dairy, and Shankar Chaudhary, a Tharad MLA and the owner of the Banas Dairy, presented their nominations for the office of deputy speaker on Monday.

 The choice of a speaker:

• According to the Indian Constitution, the Speaker must be a member of the House.
• Although there are no precise criteria specified for being elected as the Speaker, knowledge of the Constitution and the laws of the country is believed to be a crucial benefit for the office’s occupant.
• Typically, a member of the ruling party is chosen to serve as Speaker. The ruling party nominates its candidate in accordance with a process that has evolved over the years after informal conversations with the leaders of other parties and groupings in the House.
• Once chosen, the Speaker will command the respect of the whole House by upholding this tradition.

Voting:

• The Speaker (along with the Deputy Speaker) is chosen from among the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of the MPs present and voting in the House.
• The Prime Minister or the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs frequently offers the candidate’s name after a selection has been made.

Tenure of Speakers:

• The Speaker’s time in office runs from the day of their election to the day before the next Lok Sabha’s first meeting (for 5 years).
• The speaker can run for reelection after being chosen.
• Whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker continues to serve until the newly-elected Lok Sabha meets.

Powers and obligations of the speaker:

• He or she has the last say in the House regarding how the Indian Constitution’s articles, the Lok Sabha’s rules of procedure, and parliamentary precedents should be read.
• He or she is in charge of presiding over a joint session of both Houses of Parliament.
• The President convenes such a meeting to resolve a bill impasse between the two Houses.
• A tenth of the members of the House must be present in order to adjourn or suspend a session of the House (called the quorum) (called the quorum).
• Voting: When the House is evenly divided on a matter, the Speaker has the authority to cast the deciding vote. The Speaker chooses not to cast a vote in the first case.
• There are various types of votes, and a casting vote is one of them; it is used to break ties.
• The person who determines whether a bill is a money bill or not is known as the money measure.
• Disqualification of Members: In accordance with the terms of the Tenth Schedule, the speaker may decide to disqualify a Lok Sabha member for defecting.
• The Speaker is given these powers by the 52nd amendment to the Indian Constitution.
• A 1992 Supreme Court decision states that the Speaker’s decision in this matter is subject to judicial review.
• He or she serves as the ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG), which serves as a link between the Indian Parliament and the many other parliaments throughout the world.
• He also serves as the nation’s ex-officio chairman of the conference of presiding officers of legislative bodies.
• The Speaker appoints the members of the House Committees, which function under his or her general supervision.
• He or she selects the chairs of each legislative committee.
• He serves as the direct chairman of the Rules Committee, Business Advisory Committee, and General Purposes Committee.
• Defending the rights and privileges of the House, its Committees, and its members is the Speaker’s responsibility.

Source Economic Times

2 – COP 15: GS III – Topic Environment-related issues

Context:

• At a U.N. biodiversity meeting early on Monday, negotiators came to a historic accord that would be the largest effort to safeguard the world’s lands and oceans and provide crucial funding to save biodiversity in developing countries.
• The global framework is unveiled on the final day of the COP15 United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Montreal. The usually heated debates received a much-needed lift on Sunday as China, which is hosting this conference, issued a new draught.
• At the CBD’s fifteenth Conference of Parties (COP 15) in Montreal, Canada, Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, delivered India’s National Statement. It runs from December 7 until December 19.
• The ministers are anticipated to support the Post-2020 GBF talks and related decisions at COP 15 of the CBD in order to ensure the conference’s success, including the adoption of a successful Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

What is the objective of COP 15?

• The ambitious Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which would ensure that the three goals of the treaty are realised by 2030, was finalised by participants in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 15th meeting. (COP15).
• In addition to outlining the steps that must be taken for humanity to coexist peacefully with nature by the year 2030, the COP 15 will provide a bold 2050 vision.
• The GBF, which will also be decided upon during COP15, will consist of four goals and 20–22 targets in order to accomplish this goal.

What does the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) actually mean?

• The CBD is a legally-binding international agreement that calls on all states to protect biodiversity.
• Ecosystems, organisms, plants, fungi, and bacteria on Earth are all covered. The goal is to create sustainable development, which is human progress without endangering biodiversity.
• The CBD was confirmed on December 29, 1993, following its signing in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
• Every two years, the governing board meets to discuss the progress made and the work still left to be done to save biodiversity all over the world.

What makes COP15 so significant?

• We are currently dealing with a biodiversity crisis in addition to the climate catastrophe, which is possibly more dangerous and may be getting worse even quicker.
• At least a million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction. According to the most recent Living Planet report from WWF, wildlife has decreased by 69% since 1970.
• Nature’s ability to offer the resources needed for human survival, such as clean air and water, food, medicines, and materials, would undoubtedly deteriorate if we don’t take action to end the biodiversity catastrophe.
• The stakes are bigger than ever when it comes to the future of both our planet and ourselves.
• The future is still uncertain even though the challenge usually appears insurmountable.
• The capacity of COP15 to stop this worrying trend makes it crucial, but only if immediate, coordinated global action is adopted.

Source The Hindu

 3 – ST Status to Betta Kuruba: Prelims Specific Topic

Context:

• The Lok Sabha on Monday approved the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2022. The already-classified Kadu-Kuruba tribe has been replaced on Karnataka’s list of Scheduled Tribes by the Betta-Kuruba tribe.
• The majority of the members, including MPs from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, supported the Amendment but requested that the government consider creating a comprehensive Bill to include all such communities left off the list rather than presenting legislation one at a time. The Bill was subsequently approved by voice vote following a discussion in which the majority of the members expressed support for this goal.

With regard to the proposed Bill:

• Four pieces of legislation were offered to the parliament to grant ST status and include new tribes in the current status in the States.

 Details of the bill:

• To add the Narikoravan and Kuruvikkaranhill tribes on Tamil Nadu’s ST list.
• Kadukuruba, which Karnataka earlier placed on the ST list, would be changed to Betta-Kuruba.
• Establishing new Devnagri-script equivalents for the already-classified BhariyaBhumia tribe on the Chhattisgarh ST list.
• The Hattee community in Sirmaur district’s Trans-Giri region has been added to Himachal Pradesh’s ST list.

How do communities get added to or removed from ST list?

• A particular community’s inclusion or exclusion from the ST list is requested by the government or administration of a State or Union Territory to start the process.
• By using the power entrusted to it by Article 342 of the Constitution to inform the public of the changes, the President’s office has thelast say.
• Before the President can decide whether to include or exclude a community from the list of Scheduled Tribes or Scheduled Castes, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha must first approve a Bill that modifies the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
• Governments within states are able to advocate for the inclusion or exclusion of particular groups from the list of SCs/STs.

Source The Hindu

 4 – Christmas Heart Syndrome: Prelims Specific Topic

Context:

• During the winter holidays, heart attacks are more frequent, and from December 25 to January 1st, more people pass away from heart attacks than at any other time of the year. Here is a comprehensive explanation of Christmas Heart Syndrome, including with details on risk factors, signs, and heart health advice.

Symptoms:

• vision that is obstructed by an anxiety
• Abrupt sensation
• Fluttering
• Chest discomfort
• Tiredness
• Feeling of disorientation

Some people, particularly those who already have medical issues, should proceed with greater caution. These persons include:

• High blood pressure: To maintain a proper electrolyte balance in your body, speak with your doctor beforehand. Sugar and salt intake that is excessive can raise blood pressure and blood sugar levels, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Always go for whole grains and fruit over processed foods with lots of calories.
• Diabetes and cardiovascular health – Heart disease is made more likely by the high sugar content of fruit juice and aerated drinks. Artificial sweeteners should be used instead of sugar to lower the risk.
• Stress – Infrequent sleep patterns may raise your stress level. Even on holidays, it’s crucial to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night and to get to bed early.

The following are some crucial tips for maintaining cardiovascular health during such events:

• Be active; set aside time to exercise even over the holidays.
• You can stay well hydrated by drinking enough water and avoiding processed juices and carbonated drinks.
• Prescription medications should be taken exactly as directed in order to prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiac problems.
• Have a salad before the main course to help you manage your appetite.
• You can reduce stress by getting enough sleep and avoiding loud noises.
• Avoid smoking and drinking since they both increase your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure.

Source Livemint

 5 – Surety Bond Insurance: Prelims Specific Topic

Context:

• The innovative Surety Bond Insurance from Bajaj Allianz was unveiled in India by Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways.
• Insurance “will play a crucial part in this expansion,” Shri Gadkari said in his remarks at the product launch, adding that “India is well on its route to become a $ 5 Trillion economy and fulfilling the dream of our honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji.” To realise Modi Ji’s goal, infrastructure projects, particularly those involving road construction, must be finished more quickly. The advancement of the social and economic structures of our country depends on these endeavours. With this new Surety Bonds instrument, there will surely be an increase in capacity and liquidity; such products stand to enhance the industry. We are confident that expanding our road network would promote greater economic development, employment opportunities, and social harmony.
• The first-ever surety bonds insurance programme for Indian highway contractors will be made available on December 19 by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. A government ministry asked the Insurance Regulatory and Developmental Authority of India two years ago to look into the viability of surety bonds (IRDAI).

What purposes do surety bonds serve?

• There are three parties to a surety bond: the obligee, the surety, and the principal. The surety gives the obligee (often a government organisation) financial guarantee that the principle (company owner) will fulfil their obligations. A principal’s obligations may include abiding by state rules and regulations controlling particular business licences or carrying out the terms of a building contract, depending on the type of surety bond. If the principal violates the obligations, the obligee may file a claim against the bond to recover any losses or damages. The surety is required to make repairs, but they are only up to the bond’s amount. Surety bonds act as a means of risk transfer as a result.
• Financial guarantees and corporate bonds are not the same as surety bonds. The tasks that need to be completed or provided in order to finalise the insured product are discussed. Corporate bonds are promises to pay back debt or loans.

Why are products for surety bonds for highway contractors introduced?

• The first-ever surety bonds insurance products will be introduced by general insurance providers for highway contractors.
• The new regulation will help to increase liquidity in the infrastructure industry by freeing operating funds that construction companies have been holding back as bank guarantees.
• Contractors can use this money to expand their businesses and upgrade the country’s infrastructure.
• This will help to address the issues created by the construction of new roadways.
• Over the course of the current fiscal year, the rate of road development slowed down. The federal government may only partially achieve the ministry’s actual target of 12,000 to 14,000 km in fiscal year 2023, which is fewer than the reported building goals for the prior fiscal year.

source  PIB