Content :
- Biden pardons son Hunter despite past pledges not to
- Oxford study lauds PRAGATI system for fast-tracking projects
- No voter must be turned down, SC tells EC over increased voter limit
- India’s ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ plan
- Madhya Pradesh gets its eighth tiger reserve in Ratapani
Biden Pardons Son Hunter Despite Past Pledges Not To
- Details: President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son convictions related to gun and tax offences has ignited debates on presidential powers and potential favouritism.
- Relevance : GS 2 (International Relations )
- Implications: Critics argue it undermines justice and fairness; defenders see it as correcting political bias.
US Presidential Pardon Power:
- Constitutional Basis: Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.
- Scope: Applies to federal offences, not state crimes.
- Types: Full pardon, commutation, reprieve, amnesty.
- Exclusions: Cannot reverse impeachment decisions.
- Controversies: Usage can be contentious, especially if benefiting political allies or family members.
- Irrevocable: Once a pardon is granted, the next president cannot revoke or change it.
Oxford study lauds PRAGATI system for fast-tracking projects
- PRAGATI System Overview: Launched in 2015, PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) aims to fast-track infrastructure projects by integrating Central and State government stakeholders.
- Relevance : GS 2(Governance )
- Project Acceleration: PRAGATI has fast-tracked 340 projects worth $205 billion since 2015.
- Economic Impact: Every rupee spent on infrastructure results in a GDP gain of ₹2.5 to ₹3.5.
- Close Monitoring: The system ensures close monitoring and timely completion of infrastructure projects.
- Collaborative Approach: PRAGATI unites stakeholders from Central and State governments, fostering accountability and efficiency.
- Sustainability: It promotes faster environmental clearances and the use of green technologies.
- Quality of Life: PRAGATI has improved essential services like roads, railways, water, and electricity for millions of Indians.
- Overcoming Bureaucratic Inertia: The system symbolizes India’s commitment to overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and promoting a Team India mindset.
No voter must be turned down, SC tells EC Over Increased Voter Limit
- Context: Petition challenges the Election Commission’s decision to increase voters per polling station from 1,200 to 1,500, arguing it may disenfranchise underprivileged voters.
- Relevance : GS 2(Election )
- Concerns Raised: Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna emphasised that “no voter should be turned down,” urging the Election Commission to explain its position.
- Petition Details: Filed by activist Indu Prakash Singh, it contends that increasing voters per station, instead of adding more EVMs or polling stations, could increase exclusion and overcrowding.
- Impact on Voters: The petition claims longer wait times at polling stations could negatively affect daily wage workers, calling for equal participation in elections.
- Legal Mandate: The Representation of People Act, 1951 mandates sufficient polling stations for each constituency, which the petition argues is being overlooked.
- No Fresh Data: The petition argues the increase lacks support from updated data, especially as no new Census has been conducted since 2011.
- EC Justification: Senior advocate Maninder Singh defended the move, stating the limit of 1,500 voters has been in place since 2015, and technological advancements have reduced issues.
- Court Direction: Chief Justice Khanna directed the Election Commission to file an affidavit within three weeks.
India’s ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ Plan
- Context: ONOS provide equitable access to scholarly journals in public institutions (₹6,000 crore for 2025-2027).
- Relevance : GS 2(Governance )
- Subscription Model: Relies on traditional subscriptions, while global trend shifts towards Open Access (OA).
- Cost Issues: India spends ₹1,500 crore annually on subscriptions; OA now covers over 50% of global research.
- Article Processing Charges (APC): OA journals charge authors high fees (e.g., ₹6,790 per paper).
- Copyright Concerns: Researchers often lose copyrights, limiting control over their work.
- Global Open Acces Movement: U.S. and EU pushing for free access to publicly funded research from 2026.
- Publishing Challenges: Commercial publishers profit from taxpayer-funded research without compensating researchers.
- Long-Term Preservation: Gaps in article preservation by publishers; need for self-archiving solutions.
- Self-Reliance Opportunity: India can develop an independent, world-class scholarly publishing ecosystem.
- ONOS Limitations: Risks reinforcing outdated models and ignoring deeper issues like copyright retention and self-reliance.
Madhya Pradesh Gets Its Eighth Tiger Reserve in Ratapani
- Context : New Tiger Reserve: Madhya Pradesh’s Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary has been officially declared a tiger reserve, becoming the state’s eighth.
Relevance : GS 3 (Environment )
- Area Breakdown: The core area spans 763.8 sq km, with a buffer area of 507.6 sq km, covering a total of 1,271.4 sq km.
- Economic Benefits: Ecotourism promotion is expected to boost local employment and improve livelihoods for nearby communities.
- NTCA Funding: The designation enables funding from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for better management and conservation efforts.
- Conservation Support: Eco-development programs will aid the region’s inhabitants, supporting sustainable development.
- Geographical Significance: Located in the Vindhya Hills, Ratapani also includes the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Community Rights Protected: The tiger reserve includes nine revenue villages in the buffer zone, ensuring the protection of local villagers’ rights.
- River Basin: The reserve lies near the Betwa River Basin, playing a vital role in the local ecosystem’s water management and supporting diverse wildlife.
- Future Developments: Madhav National Park is also set to receive approval for tiger reserve status within the next 15 days.
