27 June 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
27-June-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu and Indian Express.
1. Caste will have no role to play in appointment of temple priests: HC
Topic: GS2 – Indian polity.
Context:
- The Madras High Court has ruled that caste should not play a role in the appointment of temple priests.
More about the news:
- The court stated that as long as a person is well-versed, properly trained, and fully qualified to perform rituals according to the applicable Agama Sastra, they can be appointed as a temple priest irrespective of their caste or creed.
- The court referred to a previous Supreme Court verdict that differentiated between secular and religious functions, stating that the appointment of an Archaka is a secular function.
- The court also cited a 2002 Supreme Court verdict that rejected the claim that only Brahmins or specific caste groups should perform rituals, stating that any trained person qualified to perform the puja can do so.
- The court emphasized that the Archaka position falls under the secular part and temple trustees can proceed with appointments to temples where the applicable Agama is not in doubt.
Source: The Hindu, 27 June 2023, page – 4
2. Hundreds stranded as flash flood, landslips disrupt Himachal highways.
Topic: GS3 – disaster management.
Context:
- The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, has been blocked due to flash floods and landslides, leaving hundreds of commuters, including tourists, stranded.
- The 70-km Mandi-Pandoh-Kullu stretch has been severely affected by the floods and landslips.
Reasons for frequent landslides in himalayan region:
- Geological factors: The Himalayan region is characterized by steep slopes, rugged terrain, and fragile geological formations. The presence of weak rocks, such as shale and clay, makes the region more prone to landslides.
- Tectonic activity: The Himalayas are situated in a seismically active zone. Earthquakes and associated tectonic movements can trigger landslides by destabilizing slopes and causing the release of accumulated stress in the rocks.
- Heavy rainfall: The Himalayan region receives significant rainfall, especially during the monsoon season. Intense and prolonged rainfall saturates the soil, increasing its weight and reducing its stability. This can lead to slope failures and landslides.
- Snowmelt and glacial activity: The melting of snow and glaciers in the Himalayas contributes to the instability of slopes. Rapid snowmelt or glacial retreat can introduce large volumes of water into the soil, further weakening it and increasing the likelihood of landslides.
- Deforestation and land-use changes: Human activities, such as deforestation, construction of roads, and urbanization, can disturb the natural balance of slopes and increase the susceptibility to landslides. Removal of vegetation cover destabilizes slopes and reduces their ability to absorb rainfall.
- Poor infrastructure and construction practices: Inadequate engineering practices, improper drainage systems, and haphazard construction on slopes can contribute to landslides. Improperly designed roads, buildings, and retaining structures can disturb the stability of slopes and trigger slope failures.
- Climate change: Climate change has been linked to an increase in extreme weather events, including intense rainfall and rapid glacier melting. These changes can exacerbate landslide risks in the Himalayan region.
Ways to reduce impact of landslides:
- Land-use planning and zoning: Implement effective land-use planning and zoning regulations that restrict construction in high-risk landslide areas. Identify and map landslide-prone areas to guide development activities and prevent construction in vulnerable zones.
- Slope stabilization and engineering measures: Employ engineering techniques to stabilize slopes and mitigate landslide risks. This can include constructing retaining walls, installing rock bolts or soil nails, and using slope terracing or geotextiles to reinforce unstable slopes.
- Drainage management: Ensure proper drainage systems to control surface water runoff. Adequate drainage can prevent saturation of soils and reduce the likelihood of landslides. This includes constructing surface drains, culverts, and slope channels to divert water away from vulnerable areas.
- Vegetation and forest management: Promote afforestation and maintain healthy vegetation cover on slopes. Planting trees, shrubs, and grasses helps to stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and enhance slope stability. Sustainable forest management practices can also help in maintaining the ecological balance and reducing landslide risks.
- Early warning systems: Establish and maintain effective early warning systems for landslides. This can include monitoring rainfall patterns, soil moisture levels, ground movement, and other indicators of slope instability. Timely alerts can help evacuate people from high-risk areas and prevent loss of life.
- Emergency preparedness and response: Develop and implement robust emergency response plans for landslides. This includes establishing coordination mechanisms, training emergency response teams, and conducting regular drills to ensure an effective response in the event of a landslide.
Conclusion:
Reducing the impact of landslides requires a multidisciplinary and coordinated approach involving government agencies, communities, scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders.
Source: The Hindu, 27 June 2023, page – 12
3. S&P retains FY24 India growth projection at 6%
Topic: GS3 – Indian economy.
Context:
- S&P Global Ratings has retained India’s GDP growth forecast at 6%.
- India is expected to be the fastest-growing economy among Asia-Pacific nations.
- S&P Global Ratings expects India, Vietnam, and the Philippines to have the fastest growth at around 6%.
Reasons for better economic growth possibility:
- Robust economic growth in the first quarter of FY24: The Indian economy grew at 8.7% in the first quarter of FY24, which was the highest growth rate in any quarter since 2011. This strong growth was driven by a number of factors, including a pickup in manufacturing activity, strong exports, and a rebound in private consumption.
- Positive outlook for the global economy: The global economy is expected to grow at a healthy pace in FY24, which will provide a tailwind for Indian exports. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected global growth of 3.6% in FY24, which is higher than the growth rate of 3.1% in FY23.
- Continued government support for growth: The Indian government has announced a number of measures to support economic growth in FY24, including increased spending on infrastructure and public services. The government has also taken steps to simplify the tax regime and improve the ease of doing business.
- Improving investment climate: The investment climate in India has been improving in recent years, which is expected to boost investment and growth in FY24. The government has taken a number of steps to improve the investment climate, including simplifying the regulatory framework and providing tax breaks for investors.
Source: The Hindu, 27 June 2023, page – 14
4. HC upholds conviction of 5 policemen in custodial death
Topic: GS2 – custodial deaths
Context:
- The Delhi High Court has upheld the conviction and 10-year sentence of five Uttar Pradesh policemen for the custodial torture and death of a 26-year-old man in 2006.
Issue of custodial deaths in India:
Custodial deaths are a grave violation of human rights and the Supreme Court of India has delivered several significant judgments regarding this issue.
- DK Basu v. State of West Bengal (1997): In this landmark judgment, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines to prevent custodial torture and deaths. The court emphasized the importance of safeguarding the fundamental rights of arrested persons and provided guidelines for arrest, detention, and interrogation procedures.
- Prakash Kadam v. Ramprasad Vishwanath Gupta (2011): The Supreme Court held that custodial deaths are a violation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The court directed the establishment of a separate panel to investigate custodial deaths and to submit reports to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Data related to custodial deaths in India:
- According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), there were 1,888 custodial deaths in India over the last 20 years.
- The state with the highest number of custodial deaths is Gujarat, with 80 deaths.
- The most common cause of custodial deaths is police brutality.
Reasons for higher rate of custodial deaths in India:
- Torture and ill-treatment: Custodial deaths often occur due to torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement officials. This can be a result of the use of excessive force, physical abuse, psychological intimidation, or other forms of torture during interrogation or detention.
- Lack of accountability: There is a lack of accountability for custodial deaths, which contributes to their high rate. In some cases, law enforcement personnel responsible for custodial deaths are not held adequately accountable, leading to a culture of impunity.
- Overcrowding and inadequate facilities: Many prisons and detention centers in India suffer from overcrowding and lack of proper facilities. Overcrowding can lead to unsanitary conditions, increased tensions among inmates, and instances of violence, which may contribute to custodial deaths.
- Delayed trials and prolonged detention: Prolonged detention and delayed trials can lead to increased stress, mental health issues, and instances of violence among inmates. This can further exacerbate the risk of custodial deaths.
- Lack of training and awareness: Inadequate training of law enforcement officials regarding human rights, proper arrest procedures, and non-violent interrogation techniques can contribute to custodial deaths. Lack of awareness about human rights standards and protocols may lead to the use of excessive force or coercive measures during detention.
- Corruption and misconduct: Instances of corruption and misconduct within the criminal justice system can also contribute to custodial deaths. This may involve illegal detentions, manipulation of evidence, or the use of force for personal gain.
Way forward:
- Strict implementation of existing laws and guidelines: The existing guidelines and legal provisions related to custodial deaths, such as those laid down by the Supreme Court in the DK Basu case, should be strictly implemented. This includes ensuring proper arrest procedures, preventing torture and ill-treatment, and conducting prompt and impartial investigations.
- Training and capacity building: Law enforcement personnel should receive comprehensive training on human rights, including the prohibition of torture, proper arrest procedures, and non-coercive interrogation techniques. Special emphasis should be placed on sensitizing them to the rights of arrested persons and the consequences of custodial deaths.
- Accountability and disciplinary action: Instances of custodial deaths should be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible should be held accountable. This includes not only the direct perpetrators but also the supervising officers who may be complicit or negligent. Strict disciplinary action, including criminal prosecution, should be taken against those found guilty.
- Strengthening oversight mechanisms: Effective oversight mechanisms should be established to monitor custodial practices and ensure compliance with human rights standards. This can involve independent bodies, such as human rights commissions or ombudsman institutions, with the power to conduct regular inspections, receive complaints, and take appropriate action.
- Improved infrastructure and conditions: Adequate infrastructure and facilities should be provided in prisons and detention centers to ensure humane treatment of detainees. Overcrowding should be addressed, and access to medical care, sanitation, and basic amenities should be ensured.
- Awareness and legal literacy: Public awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate individuals about their rights during arrest and detention. Legal literacy programs can empower individuals to assert their rights and seek redressal in case of any violations.
Conclusion:
Addressing the issue of custodial deaths requires a multi-faceted approach that combines legal reforms, capacity building, accountability, and public awareness. By taking these steps, it is possible to create a criminal justice system that respects and protects the human rights of all individuals.
Source: The Hindu, 27 June 2023, page – 2.
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