Source: The Economic Times

3. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

Recently, the scientists at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) have estimated turbulence parameters in the lower troposphere over the central Himalayan region for the first time.

Key Highlights of the study

• The researchers have calculated the magnitude of refractive index structure (Cn2).

  • Cn2 is a constant that represents the strength of the atmospheric turbulence using observation from their Stratosphere Troposphere Radar.

• The proper and timely information of the higher values of the atmospheric turbulence parameters and understanding of time and space distribution of turbulence structure in the troposphere could help improve performance of numerical weather prediction and climate models.

• It is also important to model clear-air turbulence as that would aid in limiting the air traffic disasters, particularly over the complex mountainous regions.

• The characterization of turbulence in the mountainous region is vital to understand the dynamics of mountain induced wave disturbances and other related phenomena.

• The magnitude of atmospheric turbulence is large at the lower altitudes due to the mountain wave activities and presence of low-level clouds.

Source: PIB

4. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Recently, a team from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has developed a device for the prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

About Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

• It occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body and especially in the legs.

• The symptoms of DVT can include pain, swelling, redness, and enlarged veins in the affected area, but some DVTs have no symptoms.

• The earliest case of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was described by Sushruta in his book Sushruta Samhita around 600–900 BC.

• DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE) are the two main manifestations of venous thrombo embolism (VTE).

• • The Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism).

Source: PIB

5. Back to Village Programme

Recently, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has stated that the third phase of Back to Village (B2V-3) is commencing from 2nd of October 2020.

About Back to Village Programme

• It is a first-of-its kind initiative of the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

• It is aimed to involve the people of the state and government officials in a joint effort to deliver the mission of equitable development.

• It focuses on reaching out to the people at the grassroots level to create in the rural masses an earnest desire for decent standard of living.

• The programme is aimed at energizing Panchayats and directing development efforts in rural areas through community participation.

• It has been conceived with the objective of ensuring that developmental initiatives are built on the feedback and cooperation of the people.

Source: All India Radio

6. Breach of legislature's privilege

Recently, a motion for breach of privilege was moved in the Maharashtra Assembly against Republic TV’s Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami.

Provisions of the Constitution to protect the privileges of the legislature

• The powers, privileges and immunities of either House of the Indian Parliament and of its Members and committees are laid down in Article 105 of the Constitution.

• Article 194 deals with the powers, privileges and immunities of the State Legislatures, their Members and their committees.

• The parliamentary privilege refers to the right and immunity enjoyed by legislatures, in which legislators are granted protection against civil or criminal liability for actions done or statements made in the course of their legislative duties.

What does breach of legislature's privilege constitute?

• While the Constitution has accorded special privileges and powers to parliamentarians and legislators to maintain the dignity and authority of the Houses but these powers and privileges are not codified.

  • There are no clear and notified rules to decide what constitutes a breach of privilege and the punishment it attracts.

• Any act that obstructs or impedes either House of the state legislature in performing its functions, or which obstructs or impedes any Member or officer of such House in the discharge of his duty, directly or indirectly, to produce such results is treated as breach of privilege.

• It is a breach of privilege and contempt of the House to make speeches or to print or publish libel reflecting on the character or proceedings of the House, or its Committees, or on any member of the House for or relating to his character or conduct as a legislator.

Procedure to be followed in case of Breach of Privilege

• The Legislative Assembly Speaker or Legislative Council Chairman constitutes a Privileges Committee consisting of 15 members in the Assembly and 11 members in the Council.

• The members to the committee are nominated based on the party strength in the Houses.

• The Speaker or Chairman first decides on the motions and if the privilege and contempt are found prima facie, then the Speaker or Chairman will forward it to the Privileges Committee by following the due procedure.

• At present, there is no Privileges Committee in either House of the state legislature.

• The Privilege Committee has quasi-judicial powers which will seek an explanation from all the concerned, will conduct an inquiry and will make a recommendation based on the findings to the state legislature for its consideration.

• The punishment can include communicating the displeasure of the state legislature to the offender, summoning the offender before the House and giving a warning, and even sending the offender to jail.

Source: The Indian Express

7. NDPS Act

Recently, actor Rhea Chakraborty and nine others have been booked under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

About Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act

• The NDPS Act was enacted in the country in 1985.

• It is the primary legislation for dealing with drugs and their trafficking.

• It was passed as India had to fulfil obligations as a signatory of various international conventions on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to prevent its use and illicit trafficking.

• The Act has provisions for the court to grant immunity from prosecution to an addict involved in a small quantity of drugs after they voluntarily seek to undergo medical treatment for de-addiction under section 64A.

• The Act also has the maximum punishment of the death penalty under section 31A for certain offences involving commercial quantities of a drug if the accused has been convicted before as well.

• The central government is authorised to add or omit from the list of psychotropic substances under the Act.

• The NDPS Act is meant to make stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Source: The Indian Express

8. 5-point plan to de-escalate LAC stand-off

Recently, the Foreign Ministers of India and China arrived at a ‘Five Points’ agreement to reduce the prevailing tension on the Ladakh border on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.

Key highlights of the 5-point plan to de-escalate LAC stand-off

• It reiterates the process of dialogue, disengagement, and easing of the situation.

• The process of dialogue, disengagement, and easing of the situation was comprehensively dealt with in the previous five agreements given below:

  • 1993 ‘Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility Agreement’ forms the basis of all follow-up agreements.

  • 1996 ‘Confidence Building Measures’ denounced the use of force

  • 2005 ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ and patrolling modalities.

  • 2012 ‘Process of Consultation and Cooperation’

  • 2013 ‘Border Cooperation Agreement’, signed as a sequel to Depsang intrusion by PLA

• The five-point plan is following the consensus between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping to:

  • not allow differences to become disputes;

  • disengaging quickly to ease tensions;

  • abiding by the existing India-China border protocols; and

  • avoiding escalatory action

Significance of India-China talks

• Meeting during the increased border tension: The process of dialogue between the nations is vital especially when the two are neighbours with strained relations.

• The meeting between the two foreign ministers was an attempt to break the state of impasse as series of talks have taken place at multiple levels without yielding any results.

• The talks were conducted in keeping with the Chinese policy of ‘talking and fighting simultaneously’ (yi bian dan-yi bian da).

• The moot point regarding the action plan between India and China is their implementation as these have been violated by the PLA in pursuit of its “Nibble and Negotiate” strategy.

Background of escalation and de-escalation

• The genesis of the current stand-off was the aggression undertaken by the PLA in the form of incursions by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

• The political intent was to give a strong message to Delhi to kowtow Beijing’s interest and the military aim was to make quick territorial gains in the Depsang, Galwan and Pangong Tso area.

• The conflict situation consists of actions such as building fortifications, clashes between patrolling parties, laying of mines, air intrusions alongside certain provocative political actions.

• The de-escalation process starts with gradual disengagement of troops alongside the dismantling of war-waging infrastructure, pulling back, and finally withdrawal to the designated locations.

India's future strategy

• India must continue its proactive posture not only in Ladakh but across the complete length of LAC.

• India must insist on April 2020 status quo and make it clear to the Chinese that the border issue cannot be delinked from bilateral relations.

Source: The Hindu

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