CURRENT AFFAIRS - 30.11.2023

 

1. Who paid to kill Pannun? Indictment in US, probe in India What US prosecutors on Wednesday charged an Indian national, identified as Nikhil Gupta, with murder-for-hire, accusing him of paying a hitman to kill Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "On or about June 9, 2023, CC-1 and GUPTA arranged for an associate to deliver $15,000 in cash to the UC in Manhattan, New York, as an advance payment for the murder," according to the charges. The US national, Gupta's alleged associate, has not been named in the indictment. In India External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India constituted a high-level inquiry committee on November 18 to probe these allegations. This follows a Financial Times report last week that US authorities foiled a plot to kill Pannun, and issued a warning to the Indian government. What next? Bagchi said India will take necessary follow-up action based on the findings of the inquiry committee. Though there was no official word on its composition, reports said it would be a multi-agency probe. Who is Pannun? Pannun, a dual citizen of US and Canada, is a leader of the so-called 'Sikhs for Justice'. He is wanted by Indian probe agencies on various terror charges. He has been listed as a terrorist by the Indian government. His organisation was banned by India in 2019. Earlier this month, Pannun threatened to target Air India flights on November 19 - the date of the cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad. It was also the birth anniversary of former Indian PM Indira Gandhi. The timing The alleged foiled plot and the US concerns were reported two months after Canada said it was looking at credible allegations linking Indian agents to the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani extremist, in a Vancouver suburb. India has fiercely rejected Canada's accusations, leading to a massive diplomatic row. India says unlike the US, Canada is yet to provide any "specific or relevant" information for India to look into. More details here

2. A setback for AAP as SC okays Centre's move Centre prevails The Supreme Court on Wednesday permitted the Centre to extend Delhi chief secretary Naresh Kumar's tenure for six months, 24 hours before he was set to retire. In a major setback to the AAP government, the top court held that the central government's decision did not violate the law or the Constitution. Why Chief Justice DY Chandrachud-headed bench said the Centre has the power to appoint and extend the tenure of the chief secretary of the national capital territory of Delhi as the officer deals with the entire administration including police, public order and land, which falls beyond the legislative and executive powers of the Delhi government. The other judgment The bench cited its judgment on Centre-Delhi government services row earlier this year and subsequent developments to uphold the Union government's move. The May 11 judgment of a five-judge constitution bench had held that the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over the administration of services except for public order, police and land. The verdict was touted as a big victory for the AAP government. The bench noted the subsequent developments such as the promulgation of an Ordinance by the Centre that took back full control over services, and the passage of the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act 2023 in Parliament. Why a setback The bid to extend Kumar's tenure was the latest bone of contention between the Arvind Kejriwal government and Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena, who have been involved in a series of run-ins over various issues. Significantly, Kumar is reportedly not on good terms with the Delhi government owing to allegations against his son in a case related to the acquisition of 19 acres by the National Highways Authority of India in 2018 for the construction of the Dwarka Expressway. The bench said the tenure of chief secretaries is normally extended at the recommendation of the state governments concerned, but the position of the top bureaucrat in the Delhi government is distinct.

3. Did Myanmar turmoil force Manipur outfit to give up arms? A peace pact The Centre and the Manipur government on Wednesday signed a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur, in a move seen as a big boost to the peace process in the restive state. What next? According to the agreement, the separatist rebel outfit has agreed to return to the mainstream, abjure violence, cease all illegal activities and explore a peace settlement within the four corners of the Constitution. Significance The UNLF — comprising around 400-500 armed Meitei rebels, many of whom are based in Myanmar— is not only the oldest but the first valley-based outfit to come to the negotiating table. The security establishment is hopeful that UNLF's move will encourage other valley-based Meitei rebel groups to realise the futility of armed rebellion and participate in the peace process in due course. A Myanmar link Formed in 1964, the UNLF had until now resisted peace overtures and remained adamant on their demand for sovereignty. However, the ongoing turmoil in the neighbouring country seems to have dealt a big blow to the outfit. Earlier this year, there were reports that UNLF chief Khundongbam Pambei was nabbed by the Myanmar Junta. There is no clarity on his whereabouts. He had taken over the role of chairman of the rebel group after its erstwhile chief Sana Yaima alias Rajkumar Meghen was apprehended by Bangladeshi security forces and handed over to India in 2010. Peace process in NE The Modi government has signed peace pacts with several northeastern rebel outfits since it took over in 2014, enabling a decline of 73% in violent incidents, 72% in fatalities of security forces and 86% in civilian killings.

4. Why govt extended free-ration scheme for 5 years A govt decision With the parliamentary election due in April-May next year, the Modi government on Wednesday extended the PMGKAY scheme to provide 5 kg of free foodgrains per month to 81.35 crore poor for another five years. A decision that would cost the exchequer about Rs 11.80 lakh crore was taken in the Cabinet meeting, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, on Tuesday. Till 2029 Giving details on Wednesday, I&B Minister Anurag Thakur said, "The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) has been extended for another five years from January 1, 2024." The scheme was last extended till December 31, 2023. Why this extension The government said the extension of the free ration scheme reflects the long-term commitment and vision of the government for addressing national food and nutrition security. This should help mitigate any financial hardship of the affected strata of society in a sustainable manner and ensure a long-term pricing strategy with zero cost to the beneficiaries, it said. The government said the monthly savings of ration card holders are significant because of the free foodgrains. A track record PMGKAY was introduced in 2020 as a pandemic relief measure, in addition to the 5 kg of subsidised foodgrain under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). In December 2022, as PMGKAY ended after multiple extensions, it was subsumed under the NFSA providing ration-free for one year. The base scheme Under the NFSA, up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population are being covered under two categories — Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households. While AAY households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month, priority households get 5 kg per person per month.

NEWS IN CLUES 5. Identify this government agency Clue 1: It is directly overseen by the PMO Clue 2: It has its origin in a research body set up by Jawaharlal Nehru Clue 3: Scientist Vikram Sarabhai was instrumental in its formation Scroll below for answer

6. An SC appeal for 'political sagacity' 'Please sit and discuss' The Supreme Court on Wednesday noted that Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has taken decisions on eight bills and asked him to meet CM Pinarayi Vijayan along with the minister concerned to discuss the bills, hoping some "political sagacity" takes over. Why A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud took note of the submissions of Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the office of the governor, that out of eight Bills, seven have been "reserved" for consideration by the President, while one has been assented by Khan. But The top court, meanwhile, permitted the state government to amend its plea to seek issuance of guidelines for the governors on grant or decline of assent to the bills passed by the assembly in a time-bound manner. Quote-unquote "Let us hope that some political sagacity takes over the state and we hope some sagacity prevails. Otherwise, we are here to lay down the law and do our duty under the Constitution," the CJI said. A change of mind At the outset, senior lawyer K K Venugopal, appearing for the state government, said time has come for this court to lay down some guidelines as to when the bills can be reserved for the presidential assent. The governor cannot be allowed to sit over the Bills as it halts the governance, he added. The bench, which was initially of the view that the plea of the state government can now be disposed of as the governor's office has taken decisions on the bills, later decided to keep it pending to consider laying down guidelines on the issue. How the case came up The case came up after the Kerala government moved court flagging how the governor was delaying the consideration of eight bills passed by the state assembly by withholding his assent on them. The proposed legislations involve immense public interest and provide for welfare measures that would stand deprived and denied to the people of the state to the extent of the delay.

7. The last battle of 2023 Telangana votes today The southern state of Telangana, which has 3.26 crore voters, goes to the polls today. It is primarily a contest that involves CM K Chandrashekar Rao's Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), the Congress and an emerging BJP. It is the last state that goes to assembly polls this year. Seat sharing and arrangements The BRS alone has fielded candidates in all 119 seats. As per a seat-sharing agreement, BJP and actor Pawan Kalyan-headed Jana Sena are contesting in 111 and 8 seats respectively. Congress has given one seat to its ally CPI, and it is contesting from 118 other seats. Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM has fielded candidates in nine segments in and around Hyderabad. Triangular fight BRS and Congress seem to be locked in a tough battle for power in India's youngest state. While BRS aims to continue its winning streak since 2014, Congress is determined for a comeback after defeat in 2018. Many political observers highlight that Karnataka victory earlier this year seems to have significantly increased the Congress's chances in Telangana. The BJP is determined on making deep inroads in the southern state this year. It seems to be aiming for anti-incumbency votes as well as trying to build up a loyal support base of its own based on the planks of Hindutva and Modi's welfare schemes. Focus of campaigns KCR is known for his welfare-centric approach, a lot of which also stresses on direct cash transfer schemes. He also prominently highlights his work towards Telangana's statehood, which materialised in 2014. Congress's campaign stressed on the BRS government's alleged corruption cases and its own poll guarantees covering subsidies in power and LPG, increasing MSP, generating jobs, financial assistance to women, and more. The BJP campaign focused on "double engine government," with commitments like appointing a backward caste leader as CM, flagging corruption and criticising KCR's alleged "family rule". Past performance In the 2018 elections, BRS (then Telangana Rashtra Samithi) secured 88 of 119 seats with a 47.4% vote share, while Congress secured 19 seats. A win for KCR would mark the first instance of a CM from a southern state securing a third consecutive term in office.

8. Nawaz Sharif one hurdle away from contesting election again An acquittal In a major relief to Nawaz Sharif ahead of national election, a Pakistani high court on Wednesday acquitted the former prime minister in the Avenfield corruption case. Also, his acquittal in another corruption case was maintained after an appeal by the anti-graft body challenging it was withdrawn. Tell me more A two-member Islamabad High Court bench headed by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq found Sharif not guilty on an appeal against his conviction in the graft case in which he was sentenced to 10 years in jail in 2018. In the same year, the 73-year-old Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo was acquitted by a trial court in the Flagship corruption case. But the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the anti-corruption watchdog, had challenged his acquittal in the IHC. But the NAB has now withdrawn its appeal against his acquittal. The case The Avenfield corruption case was about having properties in London with ill-gotten money. Sharif was on bail in the case while his appeal against conviction was being heard by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). One more hurdle Sharif is, however, still convicted in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case in which was sentenced to seven years in jail in 2018. His appeal against the sentence is being heard at the IHC. He had challenged his sentences in the Avenfield property and Al-Azizia cases in the IHC. The politics Sharif is the only Pakistani politician who became the prime minister of the coup-prone country for a record three times. He returned to Pakistan after about four years in October to lead his party in the parliamentary polls scheduled for February 2023. Sharif was allowed to go to London in November 2019 on medical grounds. As he extended his stay abroad, the IHC declared him a proclaimed offender in both cases in December 2020. He is now galvanising his party cadres for the national election.

9. A stock-taking of Paris climate agreement in Dubai Following a year of unprecedented heat and drought, COP28, the UN climate summit in Dubai starting today is poised to confront contentious issues. In Dubai Delegates from nearly 200 countries are convening this week for the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, where conference host and OPEC member the UAE hopes to sell the vision of a low-carbon future that includes, not shuns, fossil fuels. That narrative, backed by other big oil producer nations, will reveal international divisions at the summit over how to combat global warming. Countries are split over whether to prioritise phasing out coal and oil and gas, or scaling up technologies such as carbon capture to try to diminish their climate impact. In focus Decisions are to be made on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change impacts, establishing Loss and Damage Fund for vulnerable countries, and means to support green economies. Challenges galore COP28's primary objective is a debut evaluation of nations' advancement in achieving the Paris Agreement's 2015 goal — limiting global temperature rise to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius, with an aspiration for 1.5C. The latest assessment by the IPCC calls for a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. India at COP28 After Glasgow summit in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the annual climate change conference for the second time in three years. India calls for a balanced approach, emphasising its energy security needs and reliance on coal to meet peak power demand which crossed 240 GW this year. Supporting the global tripling of renewable energy targets India commits to ramp up renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.

10. You share your b'day with... Source: Various

Answer To NEWS IN CLUES Indian Space Research Organisation. The former director of ISRO's human spaceflight programme, V R Lalithambika, has been honoured with the prestigious Légion d'honneur, the highest French civilian award, for her contributions towards enhancing space-research cooperation between India and France. She has worked closely with the French National Space Agency. Acclaimed translator and author from India Arshia Sattar also received the award for her “commitment to cultural relationships and cooperation between diverse literary worlds”. COURTESY : TIMES TOP 10