Content:
1 . SC seeks govt. response on PIL for chemical castration.
2 .How does La Niña affect India’s climate?
3 .What is the procedure for removing judges?
4 .Wholesale food inflation eased in Nov.
5 .UN talks on drought deal in Saudi fail to produce pact.
SC Seeks govt. Response on PIL for Chemical Castration
Context: Supreme Court Seeks Government Response on PIL for Stricter Measures Against Sex Offenders:
- A law mandating chemical castration for sex offenders.
- A complete ban on free online pornography.
- Denial of bail for accused in heinous crimes against women until the trial begins.
Relevance: GS 2 (Polity & Governance)
- The petition, filed by the Supreme Court Women Lawyers’ Association and represented by senior advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani.
- Advocate Pavani highlighted that 12 years after the Nirbhaya case, women still do not feel safe and called for pan-India safety guidelines for women.
Court’s Observations:
- Justice Surya Kant described chemical castration as a “radical” suggestion.
- The Bench emphasized that crimes against women persist not due to a lack of laws but because of poor enforcement.
Proposals :
- The petition asked for the Law Commission of India to consider drafting a law that includes:
- Chemical castration for all convicts of sexual offences against women and children.
- Permanent castration for those sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
- It also proposed fast-track courts to expedite cases involving serious crimes.
How does La Niña affect India’s climate?
Context: La Niña is significantly influences global weather, particularly in India, where it impacts the monsoon and winter seasons.
Relevance: GS 1 (Geography ) , GS 3 (Climate Change)
La Niña is a climate phenomenon that occurs when the ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific cool periodically. The term “La Niña” is Spanish for “little girl”.
Monsoon Impact:
- Brings normal or above-normal rainfall during India’s monsoon season, boosting agriculture.
Winter Impact:
Results in colder winters, especially in northern India.
Global Effects:
- Leads to droughts in Africa and intensifies hurricanes in the Atlantic.
Current Situation (2024):
- A low 57% likelihood of La Niña forming this winter.
- If it forms, it is expected to remain weak.
Meteorological Insights:
- Higher wind speeds during La Niña winters may reduce air pollution.
- Lower Planetary Boundary Layer Height (PBLH) could trap pollutants near the ground.
Future Outlook
A persistent La Niña into 2025 could:
- Mitigate summer heatwaves.
- Support robust monsoons, contrasting with the disruptive effects of El Niño.
What is the Procedure for Removing Judges?
Context:
Fifty-five Rajya Sabha MPs filed a motion seeking Justice Yadav’s removal.
Relevance: GS 2 (Polity)
Issue:
- Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court made communally charged remarks, stating the country should be run by the majority’s wishes.
- His speech violates the Reinstatement of Values of Judicial Life (1997), which mandates judicial impartiality and integrity.
- While the Judges (Inquiry) Bill, 2006 proposed minor penalties for misconduct, it remains unpassed.
- The stringent removal process ensures judicial independence but often delays action, even in cases of proven misconduct.
Procedure for Removal:
- Articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution provide for the removal of Supreme Court or High Court judges on grounds of ‘proved misbehaviour’ or ‘incapacity’.
Removal requires:
- Motion passed in both Houses of Parliament by a special majority (two-thirds of members present and voting, plus a majority of total membership).
- Approval by the President of India.
The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 outlines the process:
1. Notice of Motion: Signed by 50 Rajya Sabha or 100 Lok Sabha members.
2. Admittance: By the Chairman or Speaker.
3. Inquiry Committee: Comprising judges and a jurist investigates.
4. Parliamentary Vote: If the judge is found guilty, the motion proceeds.
The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is unlikely to admit the motion, while the Supreme Court has sought details of Justice Yadav’s speech, highlighting the need for judges to uphold the dignity of their office.
Wholesale Food Inflation Eased in NOV
Context: Overall inflation in wholesale prices cooled to a three-month low of 1.9%
Relevance: GS 3 (Inflation)
Overall Inflation:
- Wholesale price inflation eased to 1.89% in November, compared to 2.4% in October.
Food Price Trends:
- Food price inflation declined to 8.9% from 11.6%.
- Vegetable inflation fell sharply to 28.6% from over 63%.
- Potato prices surged by 82.8%, while onion inflation dropped to 2.85%.
Primary Articles and Fuel:
- Inflation for primary articles reduced to 5.5% from 8.1%.
- Prices in the fuel and power category declined by 5.83% year-on-year.
Manufactured Products:
- Inflation for manufactured products rose to 2%, driven by higher prices for food products, furniture, and pharmaceuticals.
Economic Impact:
- Rising prices of food and manufacturing inputs are likely to squeeze industry profit margins, indicating economic challenges ahead.
UN talks On Drought Deal in Saudi Fail To Produce Pact
Context:
The 12-day meeting of parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), known as COP16, concluded as parties tried to finalise a deal.
Relevance : GS 3(Climate Change )
Negotiation Outcome:
- The UN-hosted COP16 talks in Saudi Arabia failed to produce a binding protocol on drought response.
- The meeting concluded a day later than planned, with negotiators unable to finalise an agreement.
Progress Made:
- While no binding deal was reached, significant progress was made toward a future global drought regime, with plans to finalise it at COP17 in 2026 in Mongolia.
Drought Impact:
- Droughts, exacerbated by environmental destruction, cost over $300 billion annually.
- By 2050, 75% of the global population is expected to be affected by drought.
Disagreements on Framework:
- Developed nations pushed for a non-binding framework, while African countries and indigenous groups sought a binding protocol to hold governments accountable for drought preparedness.
Financial Support:
- The talks resulted in over $12 billion in pledges, aimed at bolstering drought resilience, alongside the formation of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership.
Future Goals:
- The UNCCD emphasised the need to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by the decade’s end, requiring $2.6 trillion in global investments.
