Content:
- India, Kuwait elevate ties to ‘strategic partnership’.
- Worst to best: The fiscal evolution of Odisha in the last two decades.
- Are Manipur militants using Starlink devices?
- What are the new interception rules and safeguards?
- For democracy to thrive, expression and dialogue must coexist
- Tiger from Similipal forest in Odisha strays into Purulia in West Bengal.
- Israeli strikes land on school, near hospital complex in Gaza, killing 28.
India, Kuwait Elevate Ties to ‘Strategic Partnership’
Context: This was PM Modi’s first visit to Kuwait, completing his engagement with all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Relevance: GS 2( Bilateral Relations)
- Defence Cooperation MoU: India and Kuwait signed an agreement for the exchange of defence personnel, joint exercises, and the supply of military equipment.
- Strategic Partnership: The visit elevated bilateral ties to the level of a “strategic partnership.”
- Economic Engagement: PM Modi invited the Kuwaiti Investment Authority to explore opportunities in India’s energy, defence, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors.
- Cooperation & Collaboration : Additional MoUs were signed for cultural exchange and sports collaboration.
- Recognition: PM Modi was conferred the ”Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer”, Kuwait’s highest civilian honor.
- Cultural Interaction: PM Modi met translators of Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata into Arabic, emphasising cultural ties.
Worst to best: The Fiscal Evolution of Odisha In The last Two Decades
Context: Odisha’s fiscal journey over the past two decades highlights a transformation from being one of the most indebted Indian states in the to becoming the least indebted.
Relevance: GS 3 ( Economic development)
- Debt-to-GSDP Ratio (2000-2024): Odisha’s debt-to-GSDP ratio peaked at 57.3% in 2002-03, significantly higher than the average for Indian states, straining its fiscal health.Now the debt-to-GSDP ratio declined to 16.0% in 2023-24, the lowest among States.
- Fiscal Reforms : The passage of the OFRBMA marked a turning point, introducing benchmarks such as a revenue surplus, a fiscal deficit cap of 3% of GSDP, and a debt limit of 25% of GSDP.
- Revenue Growth: Key tax reforms (VAT introduction, IT-enabled tax administration) and higher non-tax revenue (especially from mining leases tied to market prices) generated consistent revenue surpluses from FY06.
- Capital Outlay: Despite fiscal constraints, Odisha prioritized capital expenditure, funded by borrowings, to boost infrastructure and development.
- COVID-19 Resilience: Odisha was the only state to post a revenue surplus during the pandemic, driven by higher non-tax revenues and effective fiscal management.
- Interest Payments-to-Revenue Ratio: This ratio fell below the OFRBMA benchmark of 15%, reflecting sustainable debt levels and disciplined fiscal practices.
Are Manipur Militants Using Starlink devices?
Context: The Indian Army’s seizure of weapons and what appeared to be Starlink branded equipment, despite the service being unauthorised in India.
Relevance: GS 3 (Security)
Starlink Technology:
- Provides high-speed, low-latency internet using a low Earth orbit satellite constellation.
- Popular in remote areas, disaster zones, and regions with restricted internet access.
- Service is pending approval in India but operational in other countries.
Controversy:
- Starlink-branded devices with extremist group markings were found during raids in Manipur.
- Musk responded, claiming Starlink is disabled over India.
- Similar cases include Starlink devices seized from smugglers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and sales on IndiaMART.
Technical Limitations:
- Satellite internet cannot perfectly align with international borders.
- Unauthorized devices brought from other regions may still function unless restricted by geographic identifiers.
Legal Restrictions in India:
- Satellite-based communication devices are strictly regulated under the Indian Wireless Act and Indian Telegraph Act to combat terrorism.
- Unauthorized use, including Starlink devices, is illegal.
Challenges in Regulation:
- Identifying illegal buyers is complicated by shadow companies and obfuscation.
- India allows Starlink’s app to be downloaded, contrasting with banned apps like TikTok.
What Are The New Interception Rules and Safeguards?
Context: The Union Government notified the Telecommunications (Procedures and Safeguards for Lawful Interception of Messages) Rules, 2024, empowering enforcement and security agencies to intercept phone messages under specific conditions.
Relevance: GS 2 (Governance)
- Authorization: Interception orders can be issued by the Union Home Secretary, State Home Secretaries, or a Joint Secretary in unavoidable circumstances.
- Operational Flexibility: In remote areas, senior officers of authorised agencies can issue interception orders, subject to approval within three days and confirmation within seven days.
- Record Management: Interception records must be destroyed every six months unless required for legal or functional purposes.
- Usage Restrictions: Messages intercepted without confirmation cannot be used, including in court.
- Relaxed conditions for interception now include “remote areas” and “operational reasons.”
- Legal Context: The rules build on the Supreme Court’s 1996 directive in PUCL v. Union of India, emphasizing privacy safeguards.
For Democracy To Thrive, Expression and Dialogue Must Coexist: Dhankhar.
Context: Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasized the need for lawmakers to be accountable, citing a sharp drop in parliamentary productivity during the Winter Session.
Relevance: GS 2 (Polity & Governance)
- Accountability in Parliament: Dhankhar stressed that citizens would demand answers from lawmakers about their roles and responsibilities.
- Agriculture’s Role: Reflecting on Charan Singh’s legacy, he called agriculture the backbone of rural development, crucial for transforming the rural economy and achieving national development goals.
- Economic Aspirations: Dhankhar noted India’s growing global economic stature but emphasized the need to strengthen rural and agricultural sectors to meet the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
- Recognition: The awards celebrated contributions to agriculture, rural development, and journalism.
Tiger from Similipal forest in Odisha strays into Purulia in West Bengal.
Background: A three-year-old female tiger from Odisha’s Similipal Reserve Forest has strayed into West Bengal’s Purulia district, crossing through Jhargram.
Relevance: GS 3 (Environment)
- Tiger Habitat: Purulia, with fragmented forests and no prey base, is unsuitable for sustaining a tiger population.
- Tiger’s Origin: The tiger, fitted with a radio collar, was translocated to Similipal from Maharashtra.
- Mitigation Efforts: West Bengal Forest Department is trying to drive the tiger back to Similipal or capture and release it into suitable wild habitat to prevent human-animal conflict.
- Public Advisory: Police and forest officials, assisted by Central Armed Police Forces, are urging locals to avoid forest areas to ensure safety.
- Past Incident: In 2018, a tiger was hunted down in the same region after straying into Purulia.
- Tiger Population in West Bengal: The State’s tiger population is concentrated in the Sundarbans, with about 100 individuals.
Israeli Strikes land on school, near hospital complex in Gaza, killing 28
Context: The prolonged Israel-Hamas conflict has escalated violence in Gaza, causing a severe humanitarian crisis and drawing international condemnation.
Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations)
Casualties in Gaza:
- Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed at least 28 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.
Israeli Military Actions:
- The Israeli military confirmed targeting a school in Gaza City but provided no comment on the Deir el-Balah strike.
- Drone strikes and airstrikes were reported in Gaza City and Rafah, killing seven more individuals.
Hospital at Risk:
- Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza reported damage to its generators and threats to its fuel tank due to nearby bombings by Israeli forces.
Ceasefire Developments:
- Palestinian groups claim that a ceasefire deal is “closer than ever” despite continued violence.
International Response:
- Pope Francis condemned the “cruelty” of Israeli bombings, especially the targeting of children, schools, and hospitals.
