Daily Current Affairs 11 August 2023 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 11 August 2023 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

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Import License for Laptops

Source: Deccan Herald
GS III: Economy

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Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Import License for Laptops

Why in News?

The government had on August 3 announced that imports of laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs and ultra-small form factor computers and servers would be allowed only against a valid licence for restricted imports.

News in Brief

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• Companies such as Apple, HP, Lenovo, Dell, Asus and Xiaomi are looking to ship in as many laptops and tablets as possible to the country before import restrictions kick in on November 1.
• These firms will increase imports by up to 50% more than what they had initially planned till October end to ensure there is enough pipeline stock for 4-6 months when the new licensing regime for imports of laptops, tablets, and personal computers begins.

Import License for Laptops

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• Companies/traders can import IT Hardware like Laptops, Tablets, All-in-one Personal Computers, and Ultra small form factor Computers and Servers (IT devices) after obtaining a licence.
• There is no ban on imports.
• For a smooth transition under the new notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has prepared a portal, and companies/traders can apply online for a license.

• It is expected that DGFT will issue a licence within 1-2 days, if details are filled in properly.
• The ministry will also extend all support to the industry for clearance of shipments in transit, if any.
• Importer-exporter code (IEC), a unique 10-digit code issued by the DGFT is mandatory for the license.

  

• Validity of license
  • 24 months for capital goods
  • 18 months for raw materials components, consumables and spare
  • License term is renewable
• Types of licenses
  • Open general license (OGL) – Allows importers to bring in certain goods without the need for individual licences.
  • Restricted or specific license – Issued for goods that must be monitored due to trade agreements, international obligations, or to protect domestic industries, computers and laptops will likely fall into this category.

Need for Import License

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electronics imports, including laptops, tablets, and personal computers, accounted for $19.7 billion between April and June 2023, expanding at a rate of roughly 6% each year.

• To reduce reliance on foreign markets and to make India a global manufacturing hub.
• Also to boost Make in India thrust and more specifically in those sectors identified for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
• India hopes to produce $300 billion in electronics annually by 2026.

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Assam Rifles Security Forces

Source: PIB
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

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Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Assam Rifles
3. Central Armed Police Forces

Why in News?

Police in Manipur have registered an FIR accusing the Assam Rifles (AR) of preventing police from doing their duty, including blocking their way with armoured vehicles, which allegedly allowed Kuki militants suspected of killing Meiteis to escape.

News in Brief

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• Manipur’s Bishnupur district filed an FIR against the personnel of the 9th Battalion Assam Rifles for ‘obstructing public servant’ along with two other charges.
• This followed a very public roadside spat between the Manipur police and Assam Rifles.

About Assam Rifles

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• The Assam Rifles holds a significant position as a multifaceted paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs in India.
• Established in 1835, it serves as the oldest paramilitary force in the country.
• The Assam Rifles plays a pivotal role in maintaining internal security, border management, and counterinsurgency operations, particularly in the North Eastern region of India.
• It also collaborates with the Army in times of need and is known for its versatility and adaptability in various challenging terrains.

Functions

• The Assam Rifles is entrusted with safeguarding India’s borders, especially along the Indo-Myanmar border, where it plays a vital role in curbing cross-border smuggling, illegal immigration, and maintaining friendly relations with neighboring countries.
• The force has a unique role in bridging the gap between the civilian population and the government, thus contributing to the welfare and development of the remote and marginalized areas in the North East.
• Counterinsurgency operations are a core responsibility of the Assam Rifles.
• Their expertise in this domain is showcased through successful operations against various insurgent groups, contributing to the restoration of peace and stability in regions prone to conflict.
• The force is often called upon to assist local law enforcement agencies during law and order situations.
• It actively engages in disaster management and humanitarian assistance operations during natural calamities.

Central Armed Police Forces

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The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in India are a group of paramilitary forces that operate under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

These forces play a crucial role in maintaining internal security, law and order, counterinsurgency operations, and disaster management. Here are the main CAPFs in India:

1. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): As mentioned earlier, the CRPF is one of the largest paramilitary forces in the world. It is primarily responsible for maintaining law and order, counterinsurgency operations, and providing assistance during elections and other critical situations.
2. Border Security Force (BSF): BSF is responsible for guarding India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It also plays a significant role in preventing smuggling, illegal immigration, and cross-border terrorism.
3. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF): CISF is responsible for securing various critical infrastructure, including airports, industrial establishments, and government buildings. It also provides security to the Delhi Metro and other public sector units.
4. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): ITBP is tasked with guarding India’s borders with China in the Himalayan region. It also engages in disaster relief and search and rescue operations.
5. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB): SSB is responsible for guarding India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan. It focuses on border management, anti-smuggling activities, and countering trans-border crime.
6. National Security Guard (NSG): While NSG is known for its counter-terrorism operations, it’s also considered one of the CAPFs. It specializes in handling high-risk situations, including hostage rescue and anti-terrorist operations.
7. Assam Rifles: As previously explained, Assam Rifles serves a dual role as a paramilitary force and the oldest regiment of the Indian Army. It is primarily responsible for security operations in the North Eastern regions.
8. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): While not a traditional CAPF, NDRF is a specialized force dedicated to disaster response and relief operations. It plays a vital role in managing natural and man-made disasters.

These CAPFs collectively contribute to India’s internal security, maintaining law and order, disaster management, and other critical security-related tasks. They often collaborate with each other and with the state police forces to ensure the safety and security of the nation.

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Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)

Source: Down To Earth
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

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Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)
3. Amazon Rainforest

Why in News?

Recently leaders from the eight countries across the Amazon, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela met during an ongoing Amazon Summit organised by the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO).

News in Brief

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• The group failed to agree on the goal to protect the rainforest.
• Colombia had proposed that 80 per cent of the Amazon should be protected from deforestation and degradation by 2025 but did not find support from all the members.
• There was no pledge to halt oil drilling in the area; rather, the leaders concentrated on “initiating a dialogue” on the viability of mining and other fossil fuel-related operations.

Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework

• By 2030, member nations were required to safeguard at least 30% of land and water.
• During the discussions, it was highlighted how important nations with a wealth of biodiversity, such those in the Amazon area, are.

Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)

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• The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) is an international organization comprising eight South American countries that share the Amazon rainforest.
• ACTO was founded in 1995 through the signing of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty.
• Also known as the Treaty of Cooperation Regarding the Protection of the Amazon Rainforest.
• This treaty outlines the organization’s objectives and principles, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development, environmental conservation, and the equitable sharing of benefits among member countries.
• ACTO was created to ensure the responsible management of the Amazon ecosystem and the well-being of its inhabitants.

The eight-member countries of ACTO are:

1. Brazil
2. Colombia
3. Peru
4. Venezuela
5. Ecuador
6. Bolivia
7. Guyana
8. Suriname

Key objectives and areas of focus for ACTO

• Conservation and Sustainable Development: ACTO works to promote conservation efforts, sustainable land use, and responsible natural resource management in the Amazon region. It emphasizes the need to balance economic development with the protection of the rainforest’s biodiversity.
• Environmental Protection: The organization aims to combat deforestation, illegal logging, and other activities that contribute to environmental degradation. It also seeks to address pollution, habitat loss, and other threats to the Amazon ecosystem.
• Research and Information Sharing: ACTO facilitates the exchange of scientific research, data, and information related to the Amazon’s ecology, climate, and biodiversity. This helps member countries make informed decisions for sustainable development.
• Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: ACTO recognizes the rights and contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities living in the Amazon region. It promotes their involvement in decision-making processes that affect their territories and resources.
• Transboundary Cooperation: The organization fosters collaboration among member countries to address cross-border challenges, such as managing shared river basins, protecting migratory species, and responding to natural disasters.
• Promotion of International Cooperation: ACTO seeks partnerships with international organizations, governments, and other stakeholders to mobilize resources, expertise, and funding for initiatives that support its goals.

Amazon Rainforest

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Geographical Extent

• The Amazon rainforest covers approximately 5.5 million square kilometers (2.1 million square miles), making it the largest tropical rainforest in the world.

  

• It stretches across nine countries in South America: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana (an overseas territory of France).
• River Basin
  • The Amazon Basin is one of the world’s largest drainage basins, covering an area of around 7 million square kilometers (2.7 million square miles).
  • The Amazon River and its tributaries flow through this vast basin, forming an intricate network of waterways.
• Amazon River
  • The Amazon River is the second-longest river in the world, after the Nile.
  • It flows for approximately 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) from its source in the Andes Mountains of Peru to its mouth on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Brazil.
  • The river and its tributaries play a critical role in transporting water, sediment, and nutrients through the region.
• Climate and Rainfall
  • The Amazon has a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and humidity.
  • It experiences heavy rainfall throughout the year, with distinct wet and dry seasons.
  • The region’s climate is influenced by the interplay of air masses from the Atlantic Ocean and the Andes Mountains.

Biodiversity

• Flora
  • The Amazon is home to an estimated 390 billion individual trees belonging to around 16,000 species.
  • It contains a vast array of plant species, including towering canopy trees, shrubs, epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants), and a diverse range of vegetation types.
• Fauna
  • The rainforest supports an incredible diversity of animal species, including jaguars, tapirs, sloths, capybaras, various monkey species, and a multitude of bird, insect, and fish species.
  • Many of these species are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth.

Ecological Importance

• Biodiversity Hotspot: The Amazon is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, hosting a staggering array of plant, animal, and microbial species, many of which are unique and endemic. The rainforest’s biodiversity contributes to global genetic diversity and holds immense potential for scientific research and the development of new medicines.
• Carbon Sink: The Amazon acts as a substantial carbon sink, sequestering large amounts of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This process plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by offsetting carbon emissions.
• Climate Regulation: The rainforest generates significant amounts of moisture through transpiration, contributing to regional and global climate patterns. The “flying rivers” of moisture released by the Amazon affect weather systems, rainfall, and temperature across South America and beyond.
• Ecosystem Services: The Amazon provides a range of ecosystem services, including pollination, water purification, and soil fertility, which support agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

Challenges

• Deforestation and Land Conversion: Deforestation, driven primarily by logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development, poses a severe threat to the Amazon. Loss of habitat contributes to biodiversity decline, disrupts ecosystems, and releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.
• Illegal Logging and Mining: Unregulated activities such as illegal logging and mining exacerbate deforestation, leading to habitat destruction, pollution, and degradation of indigenous territories.
• Climate Change: The Amazon’s ability to sequester carbon is compromised by climate change itself. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can alter the forest’s structure and make it more susceptible to fires and disease outbreaks.

Potential Solutions

• Conservation and Protected Areas: Expanding and strengthening protected areas and indigenous territories can help safeguard the Amazon’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.
• Sustainable Land Use: Promoting sustainable agroforestry practices and responsible logging can balance economic development with environmental protection.
• International Cooperation: Collaborative efforts involving governments, NGOs, and international organizations are essential to address transboundary challenges, share knowledge, and mobilize resources.
• Indigenous Rights: Recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples is crucial for both environmental and social sustainability. Indigenous communities often play a vital role in forest conservation.
• Raising Awareness: Public awareness campaigns can promote informed consumer choices, discourage deforestation-linked products, and build support for conservation efforts.

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Renaming Kerala as Keralam

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these

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Overview

1. News in Brief about Renaming Kerala as Keralam
2. How is a state in India being renamed?
3. History of Keralam

Why in News?

The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was passed unanimously, with the Congress-led Opposition not suggesting any changes.

News in Brief about Renaming Kerala as Keralam

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• State of Kerala moving the resolution to Renaming Kerala as Keralam in Malayalam.
  • In Malayalam language it is Keralam while in other languages it is called Kerala.
• The need to form a united Kerala for the Malayalam-speaking communities had strongly emerged since the time of the national freedom struggle.
• The name of our state is written as Kerala in the First Schedule of the Constitution.
• Assembly unanimously requests the Union Government to take immediate steps to amend it as ‘Keralam’ under Article 3 of the Constitution and it be renaming Kerala as Keralam.

How is a state in India being renamed?

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Renaming a state in India is a constitutionally regulated process that requires the involvement of both the state legislature and the Parliament. The procedure for renaming a state is outlined in Article 3 of the Constitution of India, along with relevant legislative actions.

Constitutional Provisions: Article 3 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Parliament of India to initiate the process of renaming states. It states that Parliament may, by law, alter the name of a state or make provisions with respect to the name of a state. However, the consent of the concerned state’s legislative assembly must be obtained before such a law is enacted.

Steps Involved

• Proposal and Resolution: The process typically begins with a proposal from the state government or a member of the Parliament,suggesting the renaming of a state. The proposal is usually accompanied by a resolution explaining the reasons behind the proposed change.
• State Legislative Assembly Consent: Before any legislative action is taken, the consent of the concerned state’s legislative assembly is essential. The state assembly debates the proposal and passes a resolution either in favor or against the renaming. This step ensures that the views and sentiments of the people of the state are considered.
• Introduction of a Bill: If the state assembly gives its consent, a bill seeking to alter the name of the state is introduced in either house of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha). The bill goes through the standard legislative procedure, including readings, debates, and committee scrutiny.
• Parliamentary Approval: Both houses of Parliament must pass the bill by a simple majority. The bill’s provisions, including the proposed name change, are thoroughly discussed and debated to ensure comprehensive understanding and consensus.
• Presidential Assent: Once both houses of Parliament pass the bill, it is sent to the President of India for assent. The President’s assent is a formal step that signifies the final approval of the bill.
• Publication in the Gazette of India: After receiving the President’s assent, the changed name of the state is published in the Gazette of India. This official publication marks the completion of the renaming process.

Considerations and Sensitivities

• Renaming a state is a sensitive issue, as it involves cultural, historical, and emotional aspects.
• Therefore, it is essential for the authorities to ensure that the proposed name change is respectful and takes into account the sentiments of all stakeholders.
• Public consultations, historical significance, and the overall impact on the state’s identity are crucial considerations.
• The process aims to balance the need for administrative changes with the preservation of cultural and historical identities, ensuring that the sentiments of the people are duly respected and considered.

History of Keralam

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Asoka’s Rock Edict II of 257 BC: Refers to the local ruler as Keralaputra which means in Sanskrit for son of Kerala, and also son of Chera referring to the Chera dynasty.

The history of Kerala, India is rich and diverse, spanning thousands of years. The region’s geographical location along the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent has facilitated cultural exchange, trade, and interactions with various civilizations over time. Here is an overview of the history of Kerala:

Ancient Period (Prehistoric to 3rd Century BCE):

• Archaeological evidence suggests that Kerala has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era.
• The ancient history of Kerala is intertwined with the Dravidian civilization.
• The region was known as Keralaputra in ancient texts.
• Trade relations existed with ancient Sumeria, Egypt, and the Roman Empire.
• Several dynasties and tribal groups had influence in the region.

Sangam Age (3rd Century BCE – 4th Century CE)

• This era saw the development of a unique Tamil culture in Kerala, closely connected to the Tamil Sangam literature.
• The Chera dynasty played a prominent role during this period, ruling over a significant portion of the region.
• Trade, especially in spices like black pepper, made Kerala an important center for maritime trade.

Medieval Period (8th Century – 18th Century)

Kerala’s history during the medieval period is characterized by the emergence of several powerful kingdoms and the arrival of foreign powers due to its strategic coastal location.

• Cholas and Cheras: The Chola dynasty’s influence expanded into Kerala during the medieval period, leading to political and cultural interactions. The Chera dynasty continued to be relevant as well.
• Zamorin of Calicut: The Zamorin, or Samoothiri, of Calicut (Kozhikode) emerged as a significant power in the region and established trade connections with the Arab world and Europe. Vasco da Gama’s arrival in 1498 marked the beginning of European colonial interests in Kerala.
• European Colonialism: The Portuguese, Dutch, and British all established their presence in Kerala, primarily for trade in spices. The Portuguese were the first to arrive, followed by the Dutch and then the British. These colonial powers exerted influence over various parts of Kerala.

Modern Period (19th Century – Present): The 19th century saw significant social and political changes in Kerala.

• British Colonial Rule: The British East India Company gradually took control over Kerala, integrating it into British India. Social reforms, such as the abolition of the caste-based “Sati” practice, were introduced.
• Formation of Modern Kerala State: After India gained independence in 1947, the princely states in Kerala were merged to form the state of Travancore-Cochin. In 1956, linguistic reorganization led to the formation of the present-day Kerala state.
• Social and Political Movements: Kerala witnessed various social reform movements, including movements against untouchability and for education reform. The state also saw the rise of political movements advocating for land reforms and better working conditions for laborers.
• Economic and Social Development: Kerala has achieved notable progress in various social indicators, including literacy and healthcare. The state’s emphasis on education and social welfare has contributed to its Human Development Index (HDI) ranking higher than many other Indian states.

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