Retribution for the south, accolade for the north
Why in the News?
The South Indian states face the risk of reduced political representation due to its lower population size compared to the northern states, amid the recent passing of Women Reservation bill, 2023 in the Parliament.
Delimitation and political representation:
Role of population in fiscal transfers:
An Accounting System for Carbon
Climate ‘polycrisis’:
Developing a ‘carbon infrastructure’ for accounting carbon:
The NCA can help in bringing transparency about the carbon footprint of human activities, create new livelihoods and new forms of organising its economy and society, alignment between development and ecological sustainability, besides helping India to meet its commitment to becoming net zero by 2070. Thus, NCA is a polysolution to a polycrisis.
Chemistry Nobel Prize 2023
Why in the News?
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov “for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots” and have been lauded as pioneers in the exploration of the nanoworld.
Work of the Awardees:
Quantum dots:
The discoveries:
Applications:
In future, quantum dots can contribute to flexible electronics, miniscule sensors, slimmer solar cells and perhaps encrypted quantum communication.
The Office of the Speaker: India vs the US
Why in the News?
The U.S. House of Representatives Speaker, Republican Kevin McCarthy was voted out from his position in the lower chamber of Congress by hardliners within his party.
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Office of the Speaker |
|
|
India |
USA |
Succession to Presidential office |
No such line of succession in Presidential/ Prime ministerial post, and only conduction of elections is a way to fill the post. |
The office of Speaker is second in the line of presidential succession, following the vice president. |
Membership of the House |
The Speaker has to be compulsorily a member of the Parliament. |
The Constitution does not explicitly require the speaker to be an incumbent member of the House of Representatives. |
Election |
The Speaker is elected from amongst the members of the house (Lok Sabha) |
A candidate must receive a majority of votes from the members present and voting |
Oath taking |
No oath is administered by the Speaker |
The new speaker is sworn in by the dean of the United States House of Representatives, the chamber's longest-serving member. |
Speaker pro tempore |
The deputy Speaker is also elected from amongst the members of the house, who shall act as the presiding officer in the absence of the Speaker. Speaker Pro Tem is elected to preside over the first session, after the speaker of the previous Lok Sabha resigns before the first sitting of the new Lok Sabha. |
Speaker may designate a member to serve as speaker pro tempore. At the start of their term, the speaker is required to create a secret ordered list of members to temporarily serve as speaker of the House if the speakership became vacant. |
|
|
despite having the right to vote, the speaker usually does not participate in debate. |
term |
5 years |
At the House's pleasure; elected at the beginning of the new Congress by a majority of the representatives-elect, and upon a vacancy during a Congress |
Removal |
By absolute majority |
Simple majority |
Similarities:
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
Why in the News?
A news portal NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief have been arrested under UAPA due to alleged connections to illegal funding from India.
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967:
The 1967 anti-terror law was amended in 2014 by introducing a dedicated Chapter (Chapter IV) towards punishing terrorist activities and empowered the National Investigating Agencies and the state agencies.
Section 35 of UAPA was amended this provision to allow the government to categorise individuals as terrorists besides earlier provision of categorising organisations only as terror groups. Once the person is so categorized, their name will be added to Schedule 4 of the Act, a step to tackle terrorism and Naxalism in the country.
Provisions of the Act:
Challenges associated with the act:
The definition of ‘unlawful activity’ includes ‘disaffection against India’ which does not have a defined meaning under the Act and can be used to target anyone or curb popular dissent.
Supreme Court verdicts on the Act:
National Action Plan for Green Shipping
Why in the News?
At the INMEX SMM India 2023 maritime industry exhibition, the potential benefits of National Action Plan for Green Shipping were projected by the Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan.
Potential of India’s maritime sector:
Vision of India’s maritime sector:
Transformative reforms:
Recent achievements:
Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF)
Why in the News?
Incessant rains have caused flash floods in north Sikkim after the South Lhonak Lake burst, which has killed 14 people so far and 102, including at least 23 Army personnel, are missing.
The South Lhonak Lake outburst:
A GLOF caused by the Chorabari Tal glacial lake, led to floods in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath in 2013, killing thousands of people. |
BlueWalker 3 satellite
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
National Turmeric Board
National Investment Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)
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