UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 28-01-2021
iasparliament
January 28, 2021
India’s Agreement with IEA
The Framework for Strategic Partnership between the International Energy Agency (IEA) members and India was signed.
This partnership would be a stepping stone towards India becoming a full member of the IEA.
The IEA Secretariat will be responsible for implementation of the cooperative activities in India.
To know more about International Energy Agency, click here.
Elephant Corridor Case
The Supreme Court appointed a conservationist as a Member of Technical Committee of the National Elephant 2 Action Plan.
This three-member Committee was constituted for looking into the Elephant Corridor Case.
It hears complaints by land owners against the action taken by the Nilgris Collector, which included allegations about arbitrary variance in acreage of the elephant corridor.
The Supreme Court upheld Tamil Nadu government’s authority to notify an ‘elephant corridor’ and protect the migratory path of the animals through the Nilgiri biosphere reserve.
The corridor is situated in the Sigur plateau and sustains elephant (Keystone species) populations and their genetic diversity.
The elephants cross the plateau in search of food and water.
Sigur plateau
Sigur plateau connects the Western and the Eastern Ghats.
It has the Nilgiri Hills on its south western side and the Moyar River Valley on its north-eastern side.
Keystone species
A keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a unique role in the way an ecosystem functions.
Without them, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.
Its disappearance could affect other species that rely on it for survival. To know more, click here.
Public Safety Rules 2017
The situation turned violent when few farmer groups deviated from the agreed route and marched towards central Delhi.
The Union government issued orders to temporarily suspend Internet in some areas of Delhi under a rarely used provision of a British era Act.
The order was issued under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety Rules 2017) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
The rules empower the Union Home Secretary and a State’s Home Secretary to pass directions to suspend the telecom services in an area due to public emergency or public safety.
All such orders have to be reviewed by a committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary within five days.
World Economic Situation and Prospects 2021
The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2021 was released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
It said that the world economy was hit by a once-in-a-century crisis a Great Disruption unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
India's economy is projected to grow at 7.3% in 2021.
The global economy shrank by 4.3% in 2020, over two-and-a-half times more than during the global financial crisis of 2009.
The modest recovery of 4.7% expected in 2021 would barely offset the losses of 2020.
IGN Framework
India has said that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) needs inclusive reforms to act effectively.
India, along with Brazil, Japan and Germany are pressing for urgent reform of the UNSC and for a permanent seat in it.
For this, in 2008, the UN General Assembly has decided to facilitate the reform process through the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) framework on equitable representation and expansion of the UNSC.
The UNGA’s adoption of a 2015 resolution to allow the IGN on the basis of a framework document generated some enthusiasm.
But, it was dampened by the U.S., Russia and China being opposed to serious reform of the Council.
In any case, the exercise has been deferred in view of the pandemic.
Cairn and India
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) awarded Cairn Energy an amount of $1.2 billion in damages for the tax authorities’ decision to take by force and subsequently sell the company’s shares, etc.
Cairn has said that it may begin attaching Indian assets including bank accounts in different world capitals, unless the government resolves to discuss paying the amount awarded.
It would consider this extreme option if India did not respond, as it was under pressure from its shareholders who expect early resolution.
It said that the U.K.-India Bilateral Investment Treaty, the UNCITRAL arbitration rules, and the New York Convention to which India is a signatory, that would be breached if India fails to pay the dues.
To know more about Permanent Court of Arbitration, click here.
