29 March 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Free speech is an integral part of healthy and civilised society: SC

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 1)

Fundamental Right to Free Expression

• The Supreme Court ruled that free speech through poetry, theatre, stand-up comedy, and satire must be protected.
• A criminal case against a public figure was quashed, which accused him of inciting discord through a poem.

Court’s Stand on Reasonable Restrictions

• The Court emphasized that restrictions on free speech must remain reasonable and should not be oppressive.
• Authorities must ensure that such restrictions do not overshadow the fundamental right to free speech.

Role of Free Speech in Society

• Free speech is essential for a healthy and civilised society.
• A person’s views cannot be silenced just because they are disliked by the majority.
• Law enforcement must adopt a strong and balanced approach instead of reacting to every hostile viewpoint as a threat.

Criticism of Misuse of Law

• The judgment stated that the State and police should not misuse their power to target individuals for their opinions.
• Authorities should not act on behalf of those who feel insecure and view criticism as a threat to their position.

Concerns Over Stifling Art and Poetry

• The Supreme Court noted a growing tendency to suppress artistic and poetic expression.
• The poem in question was seen as promoting non-violence, aligning with historical figures advocating peaceful resistance.

2. Judicial Transparency Under Scrutiny: Calls for Mandatory Asset Disclosure Gain Momentum

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 22)

Analysis of the news:

Supreme Court’s Stance on Asset Disclosure

• In 1997, the Supreme Court passed a resolution requiring judges to declare their assets to the Chief Justice, but not to the public.
• In 2009, a voluntary disclosure system was adopted, leading to some judges publishing their assets on the SC website.
• However, this effort has been inconsistent, with no updates since 2018, and the lack of public access to current judges’ declarations.
• Despite a 2019 SC ruling stating that judicial asset declarations are not “personal information,” transparency remains limited.

Lack of Transparency in High Courts

• The situation in High Courts is even more opaque. Out of 770 High Court judges, only 97 (less than 13%) have voluntarily disclosed their assets.
• Most High Courts have resisted public disclosures, with some even explicitly opposing the idea under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
• Efforts by journalists and activists to access such information through RTI applications have largely been unsuccessful, with courts citing legal exemptions.

Legislative Recommendations and Inaction

• In 2023, a parliamentary committee recommended legislation mandating judges’ asset disclosures, but no concrete steps have been taken to implement it.
• This lack of progress highlights the judiciary’s reluctance to be subjected to the same transparency norms that apply to other public officials.

Comparison with Other Public Servants

• Unlike judges, many public servants, including bureaucrats, ministers, and elected representatives, are required to disclose their assets.
• The RTI Act has played a key role in ensuring government officials declare their assets annually, often making them publicly accessible.
• Politicians must disclose their wealth while filing election nominations, with any discrepancies leading to disqualification.
• This contrast raises questions about why the judiciary remains an exception.

Conclusion

• The reluctance of the judiciary to embrace transparency undermines public trust in the legal system.
• Given the judiciary’s critical role in upholding democracy and justice, ensuring accountability through mandatory asset disclosure is essential.
• Without such reforms, concerns over corruption and lack of oversight in the judiciary will continue to persist.

3. India’s New Project to Monitor Tigers Outside Reserves

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Cover Page, Page – 01)

Analysis of the news:

Need for the Project

• With nearly 30% of India’s tiger population living outside protected reserves, there is an urgent need for structured monitoring and conservation efforts.
• These tigers face higher risks of poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat fragmentation.

Key Objectives

The project aims to:

• Strengthen monitoring of tigers outside reserves
  
  
• Mitigate human-animal conflicts
  
  
• Prevent poaching and illegal wildlife trade
  
  
• Promote community participation in conservation efforts
  
  

Implementation Strategy

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will implement the project across 80 forest divisions in 10 states, prioritizing areas with recurring human-wildlife conflicts like Wayanad (Kerala), Chandrapur (Maharashtra), and Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh).

Funding and Resource Allocation

• The initiative has a proposed budget of ₹176.45 crore until 2026-27, with funding sought from the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

Challenges and the Way Forward

• Human-Tiger Conflict: With 378 human deaths due to tiger encounters since 2020, increased compensation for victims and proactive conflict mitigation measures are necessary.
  
  
• Poaching Risks: Cases in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra highlight the need for enhanced patrolling and intelligence-driven wildlife protection.
  
  
• Community Engagement: Conservation success depends on local communities’ cooperation through awareness programs and sustainable livelihood options.

Conclusion

• By addressing these concerns, the initiative can strengthen India’s tiger conservation efforts beyond protected reserves, ensuring a balanced coexistence between humans and wildlife.

4 ONE NATION ONE PORT

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2116160 )

One Nation One Port Process (ONOP) Initiative

• It involves a comprehensive review of existing procedures and documents related to containers, dry bulk, and liquid bulk cargo for export-import, transshipment, and coastal operations.
• The initiative aims to reduce processing time for documentation, thereby lowering logistics costs.
• The National Logistics Portal – Marine (NLP-Marine) has been integrated with the Enterprise Business System (EBS) to digitize and automate port operations.
• A review of ONOP implementation has shown substantial improvement in port documentation.
• Additional efforts include modernization, mechanization, connectivity development, and the launch of Sagar Aankalan guidelines to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in the global maritime sector.

5. India’s Carbon Offset Plan Hits the Ground

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2116421 )

Establishment of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM)

• A National Steering Committee for Indian Carbon Market (NSCICM) was formed to oversee its implementation.
• In December 2023, the scheme was amended to introduce the Offset Mechanism, allowing non-obligated entities to voluntarily participate in climate mitigation projects.

Operationalization of the Offset Mechanism

• The Offset Mechanism enables businesses, industries, and organizations not covered under mandatory compliance to earn carbon credits for projects that reduce, remove, or avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• This mechanism encourages participation in climate action and supports emission reduction efforts in sectors not covered under compliance rules.

Approval of Eight Methodologies

• The Government of India has approved detailed procedures for the Offset Mechanism along with eight methodologies to support carbon credit generation.
• These methodologies include:
  • Renewable energy projects (Hydro and Pumped storage).
  • Green hydrogen production.
  • Industrial energy efficiency.
  • Landfill methane recovery.
  • Mangrove afforestation & reforestation.
• These initiatives will strengthen voluntary carbon markets and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Prelims Facts

1. Cabinet okays ₹22,919 crore scheme for electronics component manufacturing

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)

Analysis of the news:

• The scheme aims to strengthen India’s electronics manufacturing sector beyond semiconductors and IT hardware.
• It focuses on manufacturing passive components and sub-assemblies to boost domestic value addition.
• Unlike previous production-linked incentive schemes, incentives will be based on factory turnover and employment creation.
• The scheme targets investments worth ₹59,350 crore and production valued at ₹4,56,500 crore.
• It aims to generate 91,600 direct jobs in the electronics sector.
• The focus areas include sub-assemblies such as display and phone camera controllers.
• Bare components like circuit boards, hardware enclosures, and lithium-ion batteries are also covered.
• The initiative aligns with India’s goal of becoming a global electronics manufacturing hub.

2. NCLAT cuts CCI fine on Google to ₹217 cr.

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)

 National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT):

• The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) was established under the Companies Act, 2013.
• It serves as an appellate authority for orders passed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
• NCLAT also hears appeals against decisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
• It was constituted on June 1, 2016, to streamline corporate dispute resolution in India.
• The tribunal is headquartered in New Delhi.
• It consists of a chairperson, judicial members, and technical members.
• Its rulings can be challenged only in the Supreme Court of India.
• The tribunal plays a crucial role in corporate insolvency resolution and competition law enforcement.
• It aims to ensure faster resolution of corporate disputes and protect stakeholders’ interests.

3. The Sagaing Fault: Massive 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 22)

Analysis of the news:

Devastation and Regional Impact

• The tremors led to 144 fatalities and collapsed buildings. Neighboring Thailand also witnessed damage, including the collapse of a Bangkok skyscraper, which killed nine people.
• Parts of Northeast India felt the tremors, though no significant casualties or property damage were reported.

Tectonic Causes and Fault Line

• The earthquake resulted from strike-slip faulting between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, where these plates move sideways against each other.
• The Sagaing Fault, a major geological fault running north to south through Myanmar, is highly prone to seismic activity.
• Such faults occur when two blocks of rock slide past each other, releasing stored elastic energy and triggering strong earthquakes.

Myanmar’s Seismic Vulnerability

Myanmar frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location on the Sagaing Fault. Historical data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) indicates that since 1900, at least six earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher have struck near this fault line. Notable past events include:

• 1990: A 7.0 magnitude quake collapsed 32 buildings.
  
  
• 1912: A 7.9 magnitude quake occurred near Friday’s epicenter.
  
  
• 2016: A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit the region.
  
  

One of the most destructive earthquakes occurred in 1839, estimated at 8.3 magnitude, killing between 300-400 people. Experts consider this a potential historical parallel to the recent quake.

check more – 28 March 2025 : Daily Current Affairs