Daily Current Affairs

To The Point Notes

1.LTTE Ban Under UAPA

The LTTE:

• Founded in 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran.
• Aimed to establish a separate Tamil state (‘Tamil Eelam’) in Sri Lanka through armed struggle (from 1983 onwards).

India’s Involvement:

• Signed accord with Sri Lanka, sent troops to stabilize the situation (1980s).
• Faced conflict with the LTTE, withdrew Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1989 without achieving objectives.

LTTE’s Demise:

• International efforts for peace negotiations.
• Defeated by Sri Lankan forces in 2009.

Ban in India:

• May 2024: Union Government banned LTTE citing threats to national security.
• UAPA Tribunal issued a show cause notice to the LTTE.
• Tamil Nadu government also enforced the ban.

 

2.Indus Water Treaty

Pakistan Delegation Visits J&K Power Projects:

• A Pakistani delegation visited power projects on rivers covered by the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.

Projects Under Scrutiny:

• 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project (Drabshalla)
• 1,000 MW Pakal Dul Project (Marusudar River)
• Both projects are on tributaries of the Chenab River.

Pakistan’s Objections:

• Pakistan has raised concerns about other projects in J&K and Ladakh, including 10 hydroelectric projects.

About the Indus Water Treaty (1960):

• World Bank-brokered agreement between India and Pakistan.
• Divided control of Indus River system:
  • India: Beas, Ravi, Sutlej (Eastern Rivers)
  • Pakistan: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab (Western Rivers)
• Provisions:
  • India can generate hydropower on western rivers using run-of-the-river (RoR) projects with specific design and operation criteria.

 

3.The GST Council

Established in 2016:

• Created by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act.

Constitutional Mandate (Article 279A):

• Plays a central role in shaping and implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Composition:

• Chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
• Includes:
  • Union Minister of State (Revenue)
  • Finance/Taxation Minister (or nominated minister) from each state government

Decision-Making:

• Cooperative federalism approach:
  • Centre: One-third voting power
  • States: Two-thirds voting power (ensuring state representation)

Key Functions:

• Recommends policies to the Union and state governments on various aspects of GST:
  • Tax rates
  • Exemptions
  • Thresholds

 

4.Strict Bail Conditions for Money Laundering: The ‘Twin Test’

PMLA Bail Challenges:

• Delhi High Court stayed bail granted to Delhi CM under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
• Reason: Trial court allegedly failed to apply the mandatory “twin test” for bail under PMLA.

Stringent Bail Provisions:

• Section 45 of PMLA:
  • Starts with a presumption of no bail for PMLA offenses.
  • Mentions exceptions but emphasizes bail as an exception, not the norm.

The ‘Twin Test’ for Bail:

• Two mandatory conditions for bail under PMLA when the public prosecutor opposes it:
  1. Reasonable Grounds for Innocence: Court must have reason to believe the accused is not guilty.
  2. Low Risk of Repeat Offenses: Court must be satisfied the accused is unlikely to commit crimes while on bail.

Similar Provisions in Other Laws:

• Strict bail conditions exist in other laws for serious offenses:
  • Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1940)
  • Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985)
  • Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (1967)

 

5.Celebrating Kabir Das

Kabir Jayanti (or Kabir Prakat Diwas)

• Celebrated annually on the full moon day of Jyeshtha (around June)
• Honors the birth anniversary of Sant Kabir Das (estimated 1398 CE)

Enduring Legacy

• Renowned for his poignant Hindi poetry (Bhajans & Dohas)
• Explored themes of universal love, social justice, and self-realization
• Famous for his two-line couplets (“Kabir Ke Dohe”)

Literary Works:

• Kabir Granthawali, Anurag Sagar, Bijak, Sakhi Granth, Panch Vani
• Major works compiled by Guru Arjan Dev (5th Sikh Guru)

Teachings:

• Rejected established religious traditions (Hinduism & Islam)
• Criticized rituals, priestly class, and caste system
• Advocated for a formless Supreme God and salvation through Bhakti (devotion)

Lasting Impact:

• Inspired the “Panth of Kabir” religious community
• Kabir Jayanti celebrates his message of love, tolerance, and social harmony
• Teachings on God’s unity and overcoming religious divisions remain relevant

 

 

6.Srinagar Recognized as a World Craft City

A Prestigious Designation:

• Srinagar becomes the 4th Indian city to be recognized as a “World Craft City” by the World Craft Council (WCC).
• Follows Jaipur, Malappuram, and Mysore.

Celebrating Kashmiri Craftsmanship:

• WCC recognition highlights Srinagar’s renowned crafts:
  • Papier-Mache
  • Hand-Knotted Carpets
  • Pashmina Shawls
  • Kani and Sozni embroidery

Building on UNESCO Recognition:

• This achievement follows Srinagar’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts in 2021.

World Craft Council (WCC):

• Founded in 1964 to elevate crafts’ cultural and economic significance.
• Promotes international cooperation and support for craftspeople.

 

 

7.Kozhikode: India’s First UNESCO City of Literature

A Landmark Achievement (October 2023):

• Kozhikode, Kerala, becomes India’s first city to be designated a UNESCO “City of Literature.”
• Recognition by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for its rich literary heritage.

A Thriving Literary Hub:

• Kozhikode (Calicut during British rule) boasts a vibrant literary tradition.
• Historical trading center that interacted with diverse cultures (Persian, Arabic, Chinese, European).

Nurturing Literary Talent:

• Over 500 libraries and 70 publishing houses foster a love for knowledge and literature.
• Prestigious literary awards like P.A. Lalitha Award and Mathrubhumi Literary Award celebrate local writers.
• Renowned Malayalam author M.T. Vasudevan Nair significantly shaped the city’s literary landscape.

Celebrating the City of Literature:

• Starting June 23rd of each year, Kozhikode will celebrate “City of Literature Day.”
• Special awards in six categories will honor outstanding literary achievements.

About UNESCO:

• Founded in 1945, UNESCO promotes international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication.
• India is a founding member of this UN specialized agency headquartered in Paris.

About UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN):

• Established in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities leveraging creativity for sustainable development.
• Kozhikode joins over 350 cities in 100+ countries in the UCCN.
• Prague was the first “City of Literature” (2014).
• Gwalior, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Jaipur, and Srinagar are other Indian cities in the UCCN.