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May 21, 2023 Current Affairs

231 stolen antiquities returned to India in last 9 years

Antiquity

  • The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, implemented on April 1, 1976, defined “antiquity” as “any coin, sculpture, painting, epigraph or other work of art or craftsmanship; any article, object or thing detached from a building or cave; any article, object or thing illustrative of science, art, crafts, literature, religion, customs, morals or politics in bygone ages; any article, object or thing of historical interest” that “has been in existence for not less than one hundred years.”
  • For “manuscript, record or other document which is of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value”, this duration is “not less than seventy-five years.”

Indian laws

  • In India, Item-67 of the Union List, Item-12 of the State List, and Item-40 of the Concurrent List of the Constitution deal with the country’s heritage.
  • Before Independence, an Antiquities (Export Control) Act had been passed in April 1947 to ensure that “no antiquity could be exported without license.” In 1958, The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act was enacted.
  • Then in 1971, Parliament saw an uproar over the theft of a bronze idol from Chamba and some important sandstone idols from other places.
  • This, along with the UNESCO convention, prompted the government to enact The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 (AATA), implemented from April 1, 1976.
  • The AATA states-
    • It shall not be lawful for any person, other than the Central Government or any authority or agency authorised by the Central Government in this behalf, to export any antiquity or art treasure.
    • No person shall, himself or by any other person on his behalf, carry on the business of selling or offering to sell any antiquity except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence.”
  • This licence is granted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). After the AATA was implemented, the Centre asked traders in antiquities and art objects to declare their possessions of antiquities by June 5, 1976, and individual owners by July 5, 1976.

7th Schedule

The 7th Schedule of Indian Constitution has three lists namely, the Union list, state list, and concurrent list that show the division of power between the Union and States concerning certain subjects. The Union List has a total of 97 subjects, the State List has 66 subjects, and the Concurrent List has 47 Subjects.

The union list now has 100 subjects, the State list has 61 subjects, and the Concurrent List has 52 subjects summarized under it. Before we learn about the subject included in these three lists, let’s first look at the key features of union, state, and concurrent lists.

Union List of Seventh Schedule

The following are the features of the union list under the 7th schedule of Indian Constitution:

  • The central government or the union government can make laws on all the subjects mentioned under the union list in the Indian Constitution.
  • The union list is considered stronger and more powerful as it has more subjects than the state list.
  • It has many important subjects apart from those mentioned in the concurrent list.
  • All the issues or subjects related to the nation’s security, the nation’s welfare, and the uniform legislation throughout the country are secured by India’s constitution and included in the union list.
  • The union list is always considered dominant to the state list, and it is taken care of by the constitution of India in case any subject overlaps with each other. The judgment made by the union will prevail.
  • It is possible for the Parliament to confer power and impose duties upon a state through the law made on a subject of the union list or to authorize the centre to conform power and impose duties on a state.
  • The union list has 15 specific subjects on which the Parliament can exercise power to levy taxes.
  • A new subject named taxes on services was added to the union list by the 88th Amendment.
  • The Parliament has got the power to expand the jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court concerning the matters subjected to the union list.

State List of 7th Schedule

The second list included under the 7th schedule of Indian Constitution is the State list. Listed are a few important features of the state list:

  • The 42nd amendment act 1976 was made where five subjects were descended from the state list to the concurrent list. These five subjects are the administration of justice, constitution, and organization of all the courts, except the supreme court and the high court, Education, Forests, Protection of Birds and Wildlife, Weights, and Measures.
  • Under the Indian Constitution, only state legislatures can pass the laws on the subject listed under the state. Nevertheless, all of these can only be achieved under normal circumstances.
  • The subject enumerated in the state list can be legislated on by parliament in the national interest under Article 249.
  • The parliament is also authorized to overpower the legislation making of the state list under 3 main conditions, i.e., if the Rajya Sabha passes any resolution, On the imposition of article 250, i.e., the national emergency, If two or more states pass the resolution, the parliament can legislate the subjects in the state lists.

Importance of State List in 7th Schedule of Indian Constitution

A law made under the resolution of states applies to the state that passed such a resolution. It can be adopted by other states if they pass the same resolution. Changing or repealing a law made by the parliament in response to a state resolution can only be done by Parliament and not by any States on their own, during the active president’s rule, and for implementing the international agreements.

  • The issues related to the regional and local importance that allows the diversity of interest are mentioned in the state list.
  • The state list has 20 specific subjects on which the Parliament can exercise power to levy taxes.
  • There were special provisions relating to the national capital in the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1991.
  • Public order, police, and land are the three subjects on the state list that the daily government cannot legislate for.

Concurrent List of Indian Constitution

Both the union and the state manage the concurrent list. Mentioned are the features of the concurrent list incorporated under the 7th Schedule of Indian Constitution:

  • Five subjects were added to the concurrent list after the 42nd Amendment of 1976. These five subjects are the administration of justice, constitution, and organization of all the courts, except the supreme court and the high court, Education, Forests, Protection of Birds and Wildlife, Weights, and Measures.
  • The concept of a concurrent list wasn’t originally of India as it is adopted from the constitution of Australia.
  • As the central and state governments are authorized to make laws on concurrent subjects, if any legislation classes between the state and Centre, then the law made by the central government can overrule the legislation by the State Government.
  • The topics which are not very important but on which uniformity of legislation is required throughout the country are enlisted in the concurrent list.
  • The Concurrent list has 03 specific subjects on which the Parliament and state can exercise power to levy taxes.

Union List, State List, Concurrent List Subjects

As of 1st November 2021, there were 97 subjects covered in the union list (now 100 subjects); in the state list, there were 66 subjects (now 61 subjects), and the concurrent list has 52 subjects (originally 47 subjects). Below we have mentioned subjects for each list in detail.

Union List Subjects

The union list under the 7th Schedule of Indian Constitution originally had 97 subjects which have been revised to 100 subjects. Some of the important subjects under the Union list include Defence, Army, International Relations, Ports, Railways, Highways, Communication, etc.

Subjects Under Union List

Defence of India

Naval, military, and Air Force works

Arms, firearms, ammunition, and explosives

Atomic energy and mineral resources

Industries declared by Parliament by law, Inter-State trade and commerce, Inter-State quarantine

Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation

Preventive detention for reasons connected with defence or Foreign Affairs

Foreign Affairs: related to Union and any foreign country

United Nation Organization

War and Peace

Foreign jurisdiction

Citizenship, Naturalization and Aliens

Extradition

Pilgrimages to places outside of India

Railways

Piracy and crime committed on higher seas

Highways declared by law made by parliament

Lighthouses, including the light ships and bacon

Maritime shipping and navigation

Reserve Bank of India, Corporation tax 

State List Subjects

The state list under the 7th schedule originally had 66 subjects which have been revised to 61 subjects. A few of the important subjects in State list are Public order, Police, Public health and sanitation, Hospitals and dispensaries, Betting and gambling, and more.

Subjects Under State List

Public order

Prisons, reformatories, and other institutions of the same nature

Public health and sanitation

Pilgrimages other than those outside of India, Inter-State migration

Relief of the disabled and unemployable

Burials and burial grounds, cremations, and cremation grounds

Libraries, museums, and other similar institutions

Communication through roads, bridges, ferries, and other means of communication

Agriculture, including agricultural education and research

Pounds and prevention of cattle trespass

Water supplies, irrigation, canal, drainage, and embankments

Fisheries

Gas and Gas works

Inns and innkeepers

Betting and gambling

Salaries and allowances of members of the Legislature of the state

State public services and state public service commission

Public Debt of the state

Taxes on Agriculture Income

Duties in respect of succession to agricultural land

Concurrent List Subjects

A total of 52 subjects are enumerated in the concurrent list that is illustrated below. Some crucial broad subjects under the Concurrent list of 7th Schedule of Indian Constitution are Trade unions, Education, Marriage, Succession, Forest, and Adoption.

Subjects Under Concurrent List

Actionable wrongs

Bankruptcy and insolvency

Trust and trustees

Evidence and oaths, recognition of laws, public acts, and judicial proceedings

Prevention of cruelty to animals

Economic and social planning

Charities and charitable trust

Factories

Protection of wild animals and birds

Commercial and industrial monopolies

Relief and rehabilitation of people displaced from their original place of residence

Price control

Adulteration of foodstuffs and Other goods

Trade unions and Industrial and Labour disputes

Shipping and navigation on inland waterways

Boilers

Drugs and poisons

Legal Medical and other professions

Vital statistics, including registration of birth and death

Electricity

Residuary Powers Under Schedule 7 of Indian Constitution

The Residuary powers refer to the exercising of jurisdiction on subjects that are not mentioned either in the state list or the concurrent list. The subjects like cyber laws, Information Technology, etc., are included in the residual list. Ideally, just topics are handled by the union government, and under Article 248, the parliament can exercise its authority to decide such subjects.

Issues with 7th Schedule Indian Constitution

The first issue concerning the seven schedules in the Indian Constitution is that according to it, there should be separate powers for state and union where no one should interfere with each other. However, in some matters, the Union has the leverage to extend its duration over some subjects mentioned in the state list.

For example, if any law made by the state legislature is unacceptable to the Parliament or the central government, under Article 254 Union has the right to void the law. In such cases, the law made by Parliament will prevail over the state.

  • Any legislation not covered by the state list of the concurrent list must be passed by the parliament, which has the sole authority to make any laws about them under Article 248.
  • The parliament is solely authorized to make the laws about National interest in the state list under Article 249.
  • Several states have been arguing and demanding providing them with more authority in health restructuring the 7th schedule.
  • The P.V. Rajamannar Committee was formed in 1969 and examined the relationship between the Centre and the states. Based on it, the committee made recommendations, demanding federalism at the centre and the autonomy of states.
  • On some grounds, the state and union’s roles are quite uncertain. For example, during the pandemic, the Union imposed a public curfew by invoking the Disaster Management Act 2005. In contrast, the states imposed the curfew by invoking the Epidemic Disease Act of 1897.

 

Quad leaders to meet tomorrow in Hiroshima, White House confirms

  • The Quad leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism.
  • They also released the ORAN Security Report to support industry investment in open, interoperable and secure telecom platforms. Quad Investors’ Network has been launched as a private sector-led platform to facilitate investments in strategic technologies.

Quad

  • Known as the ''Quadrilateral Security Dialogue'' (QSD), the Quad is an informal strategic forum comprising four nations, namely -- United States of America (USA), India, Australia and Japan. One of the primary objectives of the Quad is to work for a

    free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

  • The group met for the first time in 2007 on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). It is considered an alliance of maritime democracies, and the forum is maintained by meetings, semi-regular summits, information exchanges and military drills of all the member countries.

Formation of QUAD

  • Since its establishment in 2007, the representatives for the four-member nations have met periodically**. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the first to pitch the idea for the formation of Quad in 2007.**
  • In fact, its origins can be traced back to the evolution of Exercise Malabar and the 2004 Tsunami when India conducted relief and rescue operations for itself and neighbouring countries and was later joined by the US, Japan and Australia. Therefore, China issued formal diplomatic protests to the members of the Quad.

Principles of Quad

  • The motive behind the Quad is to keep the strategic sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any military or political influence.
  • It is basically seen as a strategic grouping to reduce Chinese domination. The core objective of the Quad is to secure a rules-based global order, freedom of navigation and a liberal trading system. The coalition also aims to offer alternative debt financing for nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

INSV Tarini to Return to Indian Shores After 17000NM Voyage

  • INSV Tarini is returning home after successfully completing the 17000-nautical miles trans-ocean inter-continental voyage in seven months.
  • The ‘flag in’ event will showcase the exemplary valour, courage and perseverance of the crew, especially the two women officers, who participated in the entire expedition. The two women officers undertook the voyage from Goa to Rio de Janerio via Cape Town and back, spanning over 188 days of sailing on the vessel.
  • The current sailing expedition of INSV Tarini is part of the run-up towards the Navy''s next big project to send a woman to circumnavigate the globe solo.
  • The officers that participated in this expedition were shortlisted from volunteers after rigorous selection at the Ocean Sailing Node (OSN).
    • Ocean Sailing Node was established on 24 Aug 2016 with the aim of promoting and undertaking ocean sailing activities and is located at INS Mandovi.

INS Tarini

  • It is the second sailboat of Indian Navy after INSV Mhedi.
  • It is known for circumnavigating the globe with an all-women officer crew in the historic expedition titled ''Navika Sagar Parikrama'' in 2017.

Shri Bhupender Yadav Inaugurates Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management at Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education in Dehradun

  • The establishment of the CoE-SLM was announced by the Prime Minister of India during the 14th Conference of the Parties (COP-14) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in September, 2019.
  • Aims:
    • To set Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets,
    • Develop drought risk and early warning systems,
    • Mainstream gender considerations,
    • Promote good governance of land tenure and rights,
    • Assess the impacts of land degradation on greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
    • To facilitate the restoration of degraded land through technical support, capacity building, and knowledge sharing at the national and sub-national levels.
    • To promote South-South Cooperation and address land degradation issues through sustainable land management practices.
  • Objectives: The CoE-SLM has set forth specific objectives to guide its actions:
    • Assessing land degradation,
    • Capacity building on sustainable land management frameworks aligned with SDGs,
    • Strengthening the assessment, monitoring, and reporting of land-based indicators outlined by the UNCCD.

BHUPENDRA YADAV RELEASES YOUNG TIGRESS FROM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK TO MOTICHUR RANGE OF RAJAJI TIGER RESERVE

  • Rajaji National Park is an Indian national park and tiger reserve spread over three districts of Uttarakhand: Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal.
  • It is situated along the hills and foothills of the Shiwalik ranges and represent the Shiwalik ecosystem.
  • In the year 1983, Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary was merged with Motichur and Chilla wildlife sanctuaries and made into Rajaji National Park. It was named after the famous freedom fighter Rajgopalachari popularly known as "Rajaji"
  • It''s location in a transition zone between temperate western Himalaya and central Himalaya enhances the species diversity.
  • Flora:
    • The area is covered with diverse forest types ranging from semi-evergreen to deciduous and from mixed broad-leaved to Terai grassland and has been classified as Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest type.
    • Some popular floras found in this park include: Rohini, Palash, Shisham, Sal, Sandan, Khair, Arjun, Baans, Semul, Chamaror etc.
  • Fauna:
    • Rajaji Tiger Reserve has a sizeable population of Tiger and Asian Elephants. It is home to a variety of wild animals like Leopard, Jungle cat, Himalayan Black Bear, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Goral, Sambar, Wild Pig, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer etc.
    • Large number of butterflies and small birds are also observed that simply add beauty to this region.

Sebi proposes institutional mechanism for AMCs for deterrence of possible mkt abuse, fraudulent transaction

Asset Management Companies (AMCs):

  • It is a firm that invests the funds pooled from individual investors in securities with the objective of optimal return for investors in exchange for a fee.
  • AMC maintains the diversity of portfolio by investing in both high-risk and low-risk securities such as stock, debt, real- estate, shares, bonds, pension funds, etc.
  • Because they have a larger pool of resources than the individual investor could access on their own, AMCs provide investors with more diversification and investing options.
  • AMCs are colloquially referred to as money managers or money management firms.
  • Those that offer public mutual funds or ETFs are also known as investment companies or mutual fund companies.
  • SEBI is the Indian Capital Market Regulator which governs and controls every AMC in India.

Researchers Reveal How Vitamin K May Help Prevent Diabetes

  • It is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in two forms.
  • The main type is called phylloquinone, found in green leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale, and spinach.
  • The other type, menaquinones, are found in some animal foods and fermented foods. Menaquinones can also be produced by bacteria in the human body.
  • Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones.
  • Vitamin K is found throughout the body including the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and bone.
  • It is broken down very quickly and excreted in urine or stool. Because of this, it rarely reaches toxic levels in the body even with high intakes, as may sometimes occur with other fat-soluble vitamins.

Border Roads Organisation rescues over 70 people stranded at HP’s Baralacha La Pass

  • It is a high mountain pass located along the Leh-Manali highway that connects Leh district in Ladakh and Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh.
  • It is situated in the Zanskar range.
  • It lies close to River Bhaga, which originates from the Surya Taal Lake & is a tributary of the River Chenab.
  • Elevation: It is located at the height of 16,040 feet above the sea level and is one of the highest motorable passes in India.
  • It also finds mention in Rudyard Kipling''s celebrated novel ''Kim'', wherein the source of the Suraj Tal is used by the novel''s character Lama to enter into India from Tibet.

Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

  • It is a road construction executive force in India that provides support to Indian Armed Forces.
  • It was formed on 7 May 1960 to secure India''s borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and north-east states of the country.
  • Motto: The organisation motto is Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam (everything is achievable through hardwork).
  • BRO develops and maintains road networks in India''s border areas and friendly neighboring countries.
  • This includes infrastructure operations in 19 states and three union territories (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.
  • Officers and personnel from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) form the parent cadre of the BRO.
  • It is also staffed by Officers and Troops drawn from the Indian Army''s Corps of Engineers on extra regimental employment (on deputation).

Forest guards suspended for failing to halt encroachment in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary

  • It is located in the Western Ghats, in Belgaum District near Jamboti Village, Karnataka.
  • It shares its boundary with the north of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, north-west of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, north of Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary and east of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in December 2011.
  • Rivers: Sanctuary forms the headwaters of a number of rivers like Tillari, Malaprabha and Mhadei and several perennial streams.
  • At the western boundary of the sanctuary many geo-morphological lime stone formations and caves are situated.
  • Vegetation: Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests.
  • The sanctuary has been named after the Bhimgad Fort, constructed and commanded by Shivaji in the 17th century as a defence from Portuguese troops.
  • It is famed for its Barapede caves which serve as the only known breeding area of a threatened species on the verge of extinction called Wroughton''s free-tailed bat.
  • Flora: The area is also home to several endemic plant species such as Ancistrocladusheyneanus, Diospyrospaniculata, Euonymus indicus, Myristicaarborea, etc.
  • Fauna: Major animals found here include Elephants, King Cobras, Wild Dogs, Foxes, Chitals, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Leopards and Tigers.

Russia says Ukrainian city of Bakhmut captured

Wagner Group:

  • What is it? The Wagner Group also known as PMC Wagner is a Russian paramilitary organization.
  • Origin: The group is believed to have been founded in 2014 by a Russian veteran of the Chechen war who so admired Hitler he named the group after Richard Wagner, the führer''s favorite composer.
  • The skull is the symbol of the Wagner Group.
  • The organization first came to the world''s attention in 2014, fighting alongside Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
  • The organization has also been active across Africa in recent years — Libya, Sudan, Mozambique, Mali and the Central African Republic.
  • Today there are thought to be some 10,000 Wagner Group members.
  • The S. government has called Wagner a "proxy force" of Russia''s defense ministry.

‘führer’

  • Führer, also spelled Fuehrer means leader.
  • It is a title used by Adolf Hitler to define his role of absolute authority.
  • As early as July 1921 he had declared the Führerprinzip (“leader principle”) to be the law of the Nazi Party.






POSTED ON 21-05-2023 BY ADMIN
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