Content:
- India, China have set ties on right track: Jaishankar
- What are the controversies around pardoning power?
- What are the toxins of the 1984 Bhopal disaster?
- Centre proposes 95% govt. job reservation for locals in Ladakh
- On World Wildlife Day, making a clarion call to protect India’s critically endangered species
- S. Korea President declares martial law, parliament votes against move
India, China Have Set Ties On Right Track: Jaishankar
Context : Disengagement and Verification along LAC in Demchok and Depsang.
Relevance : GS 2 (International Relations )
- Process: Withdrawal of troops and verification by patrols, focusing on friction points post-September 2022.
Diplomatic Engagement
- Meetings: Continuous engagement with 17 WMCC and 21 SHMC meetings, plus discussions between foreign ministers and national security advisors.
Current Status
- Completed Disengagement: At Pangong Tso and Hot Springs.
- Next Steps: Focus on de-escalation and reducing troop presence.
Measures to Avoid Friction
- Temporary Measures: Buffer zones implemented and reassessed based on the situation.
Core Principles
- Respect the LAC, no unilateral status quo changes, and adhere to previous agreements.
What are the controversies around pardoning power?
History of Pardoning Power in the U.S.
- Origins: Derived from the British ‘royal prerogative of mercy,’ used historically to grant clemency.
- U.S. Constitution: Grants the President absolute power to pardon federal criminal offenses, except in cases of impeachment.
Current Controversy
- Hunter Biden’s Pardon: President Joe Biden granted an unconditional pardon to his son for federal tax and gun convictions, sparking controversy due to previous promises not to pardon him.
- Historical Context: Pardoning power has been controversial, with notable instances including George Washington’s pardon of ‘whiskey rebellion’ leaders and Bill Clinton’s pardon of his half-brother.
Indian System
- Constitutional Provisions: Articles 72 and 161 grant the President and Governor the power to pardon, commutation, remission, respite, or reprieve.
- Judicial Review: The Supreme Court allows judicial review of pardoning power on grounds of arbitrariness or extraneous considerations.
Way Forward
- Modern Criticism: Pardoning power is often seen as politically motivated rather than correcting judicial errors.
- UK Example: The Criminal Cases Review Commission investigates miscarriages of justice, reducing reliance on the royal prerogative of mercy.
- Exercise of Power: Must be transparent and free from nepotism to maintain public trust in democratic institutions.
What Are The Toxins of the 1984 Bhopal Disaster?
Context : Forty years after the Bhopal disaster on December 2-3, 1984, several hundred tonnes of toxic waste still remain around the ill-fated Union Carbide plant.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment )
Main Toxins Released During the Disaster
- Methyl Isocyanate (MIC): Highly toxic, reacts with water to release boiling vapors.
- Hydrogen Cyanide: Suspected in fumes, indicated by the blood-red viscera of victims.
- Hexachlorobutadiene: Possible carcinogen causing liver damage.
- Chloroform: Affects the central nervous system; possible carcinogen.
- Carbon Tetrachloride: Acute toxin damaging the liver and causing irregular heartbeat.
- Trichlorobenzene: Volatile, spreads through air, water, and soil, damaging liver and kidneys.
Contaminants Found at the Site
- Mercury: Present in significant quantities and known to damage multiple organs.
- Chromium, Copper, Nickel, and Lead: Heavy metals found in elevated concentrations, which can cause various health issues, including cancer.
- Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Long-lasting compounds that can cause cancer, reproductive disorders, and immune system disruption.
Environmental Impact
- Soil, Air, and Water Contamination: Elevated concentrations of toxic compounds have been found in soil, air, and water samples collected from the area.
- Ongoing Health Issues: Survivors and their descendants continue to suffer from chronic health problems, including cancer, lung diseases, and neurological damage.
The disaster’s legacy is a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures and environmental regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Centre Proposes 95% Govt. Job Reservation For Locals in Ladakh
Context : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed 95% reservation in government jobs for locals in Ladakh, along with one-third reservation for women in hill councils.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance )
Key Proposals
- 95% Job Reservation: Aimed at addressing unemployment among locals.
- One-Third Reservation for Women: To ensure gender representation in hill councils.
- Constitutional Safeguards: To preserve the land and culture of Ladakh.
- Official Languages: Urdu and Bhoti to be declared official languages.
- Review of Pending Laws: To address local concerns, empowerment, and wildlife areas.
Background
- Protests for five years since losing constitutional safeguards under Article 370.
- Demands: statehood, inclusion in the sixth schedule, job reservations, and parliamentary seats.
Next Steps
- January 15 meeting to discuss the sixth schedule.
- Immediate recruitment for gazetted posts, followed by non-gazetted posts.
On World Wildlife Day, Making A Clarion Call to Protect India’s Critically Endangered Species
Context : World Wildlife Conservation Day (December 4)
Relevance : GS 3 (Environment )
Rich Biodiversity
- Global Significance: India, with 2.4% of the world’s land area, houses 7–8% of global species, which includes 45,000 species of plants and 91,000 of animals , making it a megadiverse country.
- Biodiversity Hotspots: Includes four of the world’s 34 hotspots—Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and Sundaland.
Conservation Challenges
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: Economic growth and population pressures lead to habitat destruction, increasing conflicts.
- Endangered Species: India has 73 critically endangered species(2022), with numbers rising from 47 in 2011.
- Mammals: Kashmir stag (Hangul), Malabar large-spotted civet, Andaman Shrew, Jenkin’s shrew, Nicobar shrew, Namdapha flying squirrel, large rock rat, Leafletted leaf-nosed bat.
- Carnivores: Lions, tigers, and cheetahs, though popular, are only three on the critically endangered list.
- Birds: The Great Indian Bustard faces threats from powerlines in Rajasthan and lacks sufficient conservation attention.
Threats and Solutions
- Habitat Loss: Primary threat due to deforestation and urbanization.
- Targeted Conservation: Efforts needed for specific species like the Great Indian Bustard, threatened by human activities.
S. Korea President Declares Martial Law, Parliament Votes Against Move
Context : South Korea President declares martial law.
Relevance : GS2 (International Relations )
Declaration
- President’s Action: President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, citing threats from North Korea and opposition activities.
Immediate Reaction
- Parliament: Lawmakers quickly voted against the declaration, demanding its lifting.
- Public Protest: Protests erupted outside the National Assembly.
Military and International Response
- Military Role: General Park An-su issued a decree banning political activities.
- International Concern: The US expressed grave concern; China advised caution to its nationals.
Outcome
- Parliament Vote: MPs voted to block the martial law declaration.
- Lifting Martial Law: President Yoon lifted the decree following political pressure.
- This incident highlights the clash between executive power and democratic processes in South Korea.
