Current Affairs 07 February 2025

Content:

1. Appointment of Ad-hoc Judges to High Courts: Supreme Court’s Order (January 30, 2024)
2. ₹10,147-Crore Worth Contracts Signed for Pinaka Ammunition
3. U.S. Doubles Down on Deportations Amid Outrage Over Shackled Indian Immigrants Returned on Military Plane
4. International Big Cat Alliance Comes into Force as a Treaty-Based Inter-Governmental International Organisation
5. Pigeon Pea Farmers in Dilemma as Centre Extends Duty-Free Import Period for Arhar Dal by Another Year

On the appointment of ad-hoc judges to High Courts

Context : Supreme Court’s Order (January 30, 2024)

• Allowed High Courts to appoint retired judges on an ad-hoc basis to hear only criminal appeals.
• The ad-hoc judges must function as part of a Bench led by a sitting judge.
• Relaxed the Lok Prahari (2021) rule, which restricted such appointments to High Courts with judicial vacancies exceeding 20%.
• Capped the number of ad-hoc judges at 10% of a High Court’s sanctioned strength (i.e., 2 to 5 per High Court).

Relevance : GS 2(Judiciary)

Previous Instances of Ad-hoc Judicial Appointments

• 1972 – Justice Suraj Bhan appointed to Madhya Pradesh High Court (election petitions).
• 1982 – Justice P. Venugopal appointed to Madras High Court.
• 2007 – Justice O.P. Srivastava appointed to Allahabad High Court (Ayodhya title suits).

Lok Prahari Judgment (2021) – Rule & Conditions

• Rule Set: Ad-hoc appointments allowed only when judicial vacancies exceed 20% of the sanctioned strength.
• Conditions Identified for Appointment:
  • High Court vacancies exceed 20%.
  • Cases in a category pending for more than 5 years.
  • More than 10% of total cases pending for over 5 years.
  • Case clearance rate lower than the rate of new case filing.
• Court recommended each Chief Justice form a panel of retired judges for potential ad-hoc appointments.

Article 224-A: Constitutional Provision for Ad-hoc Judges

• Introduced via 15th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1963.
• Mandates:
  • Allows retired judges to be appointed to High Courts on an ad-hoc basis.
  • Requires consent of both the retired judge and the President of India.
  • Ad-hoc judges enjoy the same powers, privileges, and jurisdiction as sitting High Court judges.
  • Remuneration and allowances are determined by a Presidential order.
• Procedure for Appointment: Outlined in the 1998 Memorandum of Procedure (MoP).

Latest Order & Justification

• 62 lakh pending cases in High Courts (as of January 25, 2024).
  • 18.2 lakh criminal cases and 44 lakh civil cases.
• Supreme Court removed the 20% vacancy requirement to allow flexibility in appointing ad-hoc judges.
• New restriction: Ad-hoc judges can only hear criminal appeals to ensure faster disposal of cases.

₹10,147-crore worth contracts signed for Pinaka ammunition

• Contract Signing:
  • The Defence Ministry signed contracts worth ₹10,147 crore for advanced ammunition for the Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch System (MRLS).
  • Deals were signed with Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL).

Relevance : GS 3(Technology )

• Types of Ammunition Procured:
  • Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 – Used to disperse sub-munitions over a large area, targeting mechanized forces, vehicles, and personnel.
  • High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF)-Mk-1 (enhanced) rockets – Improved lethality for the Pinaka MRLS.

• Strategic Significance:
  • Enhances the range and firepower of the Pinaka MRLS.
  • Upgraded Pinaka to be the mainstay of India’s long-range rocket artillery.

• Technological Advancements:
  • Last November, DRDO successfully tested guided Pinaka rockets with a range of 75 km.
  • Ongoing efforts to extend range to 120 km and further to 300 km.
  • A Pinaka battery (214-mm MRLS) can launch 72 rockets within 44 seconds

• Software Upgrade:
  • A separate contract was signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for Shakti software upgrades, likely enhancing fire control and operational efficiency.

Implications:

• Boosts India’s indigenous defence manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Strengthens artillery capabilities against enemy forces along contested borders.
• Enhances India’s deterrence posture with improved precision-strike capabilities.
• Supports self-reliance in defence production by involving domestic firms.

This procurement marks a significant step in modernizing India’s artillery capabilities with enhanced range, precision, and operational flexibility.

U.S. doubles down on deportations amid outrage over shackled Indian immigrants returned on military plane

• Use of Military Plane for Deportation
  • For the first time, a U.S. military C-17 aircraft was used to deport Indian nationals.
  • The move was expressly ordered by former U.S. President Donald Trump as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration.
  • The transport method included shackling and handcuffing deportees, sparking outrage in India.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

• U.S. Justification and Official Statements
  • U.S. Embassy spokesperson Chris Elms defended the move, calling it “critically important” for national security and public safety.
  • U.S. Border Patrol chief Michael W. Banks released a 24-second video showcasing the deportation process, reinforcing a deterrent message against illegal migration.

• Global Implications and Criticism
  • Other countries, including Guatemala, Peru, Honduras, Ecuador, and Colombia, have also witnessed deportations via military planes.
  • Colombian President Gustavo Pedro criticized the practice, calling it “undignified.”

• Policy Context and Military Involvement
  • The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) primarily handles deportations using chartered and commercial flights.
  • However, the U.S. military’s involvement in deportations marks a significant shift, expediting removals under Trump’s immigration policies.
  • The cost-effectiveness of military aircraft over other methods remains unclear.

• Statistics on Indian Deportees
  • 24,974 Indian nationals are currently detained by ICE for criminal or immigration violations.
  • An estimated 7,25,000 undocumented Indians live in the U.S., the third-largest such group after Mexico and El Salvador.
  • The timeline for future deportation flights to India remains undisclosed.

Implications

• Diplomatic Strain: The treatment of Indian deportees, including the use of military aircraft and shackling, may strain India-U.S. diplomatic relations, especially in human rights discussions.
• U.S. Immigration Crackdown: The move aligns with Trump-era hardline immigration policies, signaling a tough stance on illegal migration.
• Potential Precedent: If normalized, military-assisted deportations could become a global trend, influencing other countries’ migration policies.
• Impact on Indian Diaspora: The fear of deportation may rise among undocumented Indian immigrants, pushing them to seek legal status or return voluntarily.
• Legal & Human Rights Concerns: The method of deportation could violate international human rights norms, leading to legal challenges and diplomatic negotiations in the future.

International Big Cat Alliance comes into force as a treaty-based inter-governmental international organization

Key Developments:

• IBCA officially comes into force on January 23, 2025 as a treaty-based inter-governmental international organization.
• Ratification: Five countries — Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia — have ratified the Framework Agreement under Article VIII (1).
• Membership: 27 countries, including India, have consented to join IBCA.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment)

Objectives & Significance:

• Global conservation platform for collaboration among big cat range and non-range countries, conservation organizations, and international stakeholders.
• Aims to reverse the decline of seven major big cat species and restore their habitats.
• Ensures long-term survival of big cats and contributes to global ecological balance.

Big Cats Covered by IBCA:

1. Tiger (Panthera tigris)
2. Lion (Panthera leo)
3. Jaguar (Panthera onca)
4. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
5. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
6. Puma (Puma concolor)
7. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Scientific Classification & Roaring Ability:

• Panthera genus includes Tiger, Lion, Jaguar, Leopard, and Snow Leopard (capable of roaring).
• Puma and Cheetah are not part of Panthera but are often listed as big cats.
• Lion’s roar is the loudest (audible up to 8-10 km).

India’s Role in Big Cat Conservation:

• Historically home to Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Indian Leopard, Indian/Asiatic Cheetah, and Snow Leopard.
• Indian Cheetah declared extinct in 1952.
• Cheetah reintroduction project (2022): Government of India introduced African Cheetahs in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.

Conclusion:

• IBCA marks a significant global step in big cat conservation.
• India’s leadership in this initiative reinforces its commitment to wildlife protection and ecological balance.

Pigeon pea farmers in dilemma as Centre extends duty-free import period for arhar dal by another year

• Decision: The central government has extended the duty-free import period for arhar (tur) dal until March 31, 2026 (DGFT notification, January 20, 2025).

Relevance : GS 3(Agriculture)

• Farmers’ Concerns:
  • Farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka are selling their produce below Minimum Support Price (MSP) due to cheaper imports.
  • Market price for arhar has dropped to ₹7,000 per quintal, compared to ₹12,000 per quintal last year.
  • Fear of declining profitability may discourage farmers from cultivating arhar in future seasons.

Economic and Policy Impact:

• Self-Sufficiency at Risk:
  • India has been promoting self-reliance in pulses, yet heavy reliance on imports continues.
  • Experts warn that falling MSP realization will reduce domestic production, increasing import dependency in the long run.

• Trader & Industry Concerns:
  • Dal mill associations demand reversal of the decision and an increase in MSP to ₹9,000 per quintal.
  • Traders are hesitant to purchase local produce, waiting for cheaper imported pulses.

• Import Trends:
  • India imports pulses mainly from Myanmar, Australia, Africa, and Canada.
  • Arhar and urad primarily come from Africa and Myanmar, while chana, peas, and masoor come from Australia, Russia, and Canada.

Wider Implications:

• Impact on Other Pulses:
  • Duty-free import continues for arhar, urad, masoor, chana, and yellow peas (moong excluded).
  • Prices of all pulses, including chana and masoor, have fallen below MSP.
  • Example: Chana MSP is ₹5,650 per quintal, but mandi prices are lower.

• Contradiction with Government Goals:
  • Despite multiple budget speeches advocating self-sufficiency in pulses, India continues to depend on imports.
  • The policy shift could be counterproductive to domestic pulse production targets.

Conclusion:

• Short-Term Benefit: Ensures stable prices for consumers due to increased supply.
• Long-Term Risk: Could disincentivize domestic farmers, leading to greater import dependency and loss of agricultural income.