Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 17 December 2024 | Download PDF

• The India Meteorological Department now anticipates that La Niña will emerge by late 2024 or early 2025, which is also expected to lead to a milder winter due to this delay.

Key Points:

• • La Nina means The Little Girl in Spanish. It is also sometimes called El Viejo, anti-El Nino, or simply “a cold event.”
  • La Nina events represent periods of below-average sea surface temperatures across the east-central Equatorial Pacific.
  • It is indicated by sea-surface temperature decreased by more than 0.9℉ for at least five successive three-month seasons.
  • The La Nina event is observed when the water temperature in the Eastern Pacific gets comparatively colder than normal, as a consequence of which, there is a strong high pressure over the eastern equatorial Pacific.
• Conditions of La Nina:

• • La Nina is caused by a build-up of cooler-than-normal waters in the tropical Pacific, the area of the Pacific Ocean between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
  • La Nina is characterized by lower-than-normal air pressure over the western Pacific. These low-pressure zones contribute to increased rainfall.
  • La Nina events are also associated with rainier-than-normal conditions over southeastern Africa and northern Brazil.
  • La Nina is also characterized by higher-than-normal pressure over the central and eastern Pacific.

• The 11th edition of bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka — SLINEX — will be conducted under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) off Visakahpatnam coast from December 17 to 20. 

Key Points:

• • The exercise will be held in two phases — the Harbour Phase (from December 17 to 18) and the Sea Phase (December 19 to 20).
  • Initiated in 2005, SLINEX is a significant series of bilateral naval exercises that have strengthened maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka over the years. 
  • The 2024 edition aims to further reinforce the strong maritime ties between India and Sri Lanka while promoting a safe, secure, and rules-based maritime environment.
  • The Indian Navy has deployed INS Sumitra, a Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Eastern Fleet, along with a Special Forces team.  
  • The Sri Lankan Navy is being represented by SLNS Sayura, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, with an embarked Special Forces team.
• Other bilateral exercise with Sri Lanka

• • Mitra Shakti – Joint Military Exercise.

• More than 63 lakh teachers were trained through various NISHTHA programs between 2019 and 2022.

Key Points:

• • The National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) is a skill and knowledge improving program for teachers and principals in India. 
  • The program was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Education. 
  • The goal is to improve the quality of elementary school education and provide the teachers with the necessary training in child development, pedagogy and ICT. 
  • The scheme will be implemented in all states and UTs all over India.
  • The programme has been applauded to improve the education quality of India.
• Objectives:
• The scheme equips teachers with essential skills and knowledge through:

• • 18 activity-based training modules, fostering hands-on learning.
  • Collaboration across multiple departments, ensuring holistic development.
  • Integration of ICT in teaching, learning, and assessment, modernizing education methods.
  • Art-based pedagogy, encouraging creativity and innovation among students.
  • Development of social-personal skills and creating a safe, healthy school environment.
  • Emphasis on school security and safety measures.
  • Inclusive education, focusing on health, well-being, and equal opportunities.
  • Cultivating school leadership qualities among educators.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewed his pitch for a nationwide Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Saturday (December 14), recalling the views of veteran leaders Dr BR Ambedkar and KM Munshi on the matter.

Key Points:

• • A Uniform Civil Code refers to a single law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.
  • It is intended to replace the system of fragmented personal laws, which currently govern interpersonal relationships and related matters within different religious communities.
• Constitution of India on UCC

• • Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the State shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.
  • These, as defined in Article 37, are not justiciable (not enforceable by any court) but the principles laid down therein are fundamental in governance.
  • These principles consist of all the ideals which the State should follow and keep in mind while formulating policies and enacting laws for the country.

• The Opposition in Rajya Sabha is preparing to move a motion for impeachment of Allahabad High Court Judge for his controversial remarks inciting communal hatred.

Key Points:

• Impeachment Process for Judges in India:
  • • The process involves Parliament passing an address to the President to remove the judge.
    • To pass the motion, two–thirds of the MPs present and voting in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha;
    • Must approve it, with a majority of more than 50% of the total membership of each House.
• Key Constitutional Provisions

• • • Article 124(4): The judge can only be removed by a Presidential order, passed after a majority vote in both Houses of Parliament.
    • The vote must come from two-thirds of the members present and voting.
    • Articles 218 of the Constitution extends the same rules to High Court judges.
    • The impeachment process ensures judicial independence by maintaining a high bar for removal, limiting political influence.
• Grounds for Impeachment:

• • A judge of the Supreme Court or High Court can be impeached on two grounds: “proved misbehaviour” or “incapacity” as per the Constitution of India.
• Further clarified in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, including:

• • Misuse of office
  • Grave offences that undermine the judge’s integrity
  • Contravention of the provisions of the Constitution.
• Procedure under the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968:

• • The impeachment motion must be signed by at least 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha.
  • Committee Formation: Once the motion is introduced, the Speaker or Chairperson of the respective House forms a three-member inquiry committee:
  • Headed by the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge.
  • The second member is usually a Chief Justice of any High Court.
  • The third member is a distinguished jurist, appointed by the Speaker or Chairman.
  • Inquiry Process: The committee investigates the charges, cross-examines witnesses, and regulates its procedure.

• Tigress Jamuna has recently left the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha, following Tigress Zeenat’s earlier departure. 
• Jamuna is currently located approximately 20 to 25 kilometers from Similipal’s core zone, having ventured into the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary area. 
• Both tigresses were relocated from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to enhance the genetic diversity of the tiger population in Similipal, which has faced concerns over inbreeding. 

Not3:

• At present, STR has around 27 tigers and 12 cubs

About:

• TATR is Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park, located in Chandrapur district. 
• The reserve features a tropical dry deciduous forest ecosystem, home to various species like sambar, chital, wild pig, and gaur.

Refer to Addapedia notes for detailed info on Similipal Tiger Reserve.

• A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) revealed that over 90% of city sewage in Odisha is being discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment.

Key Points:

• The report indicated gaping holes in the management of sewage in five big cities – Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Rourkela and Berhampur, where urban growth has outpaced the water treatment infrastructure leading to unregulated discharge into water bodies.
• As per the report, out of 558.64 million litre per day (MLD) sewage waste generated in these five municipal corporations in May 2022, only 52.97 MLD, just about 9.48 per cent, was collected by the existing sewerage systems. 
• The remaining 505.67 MLD, which comes to around 90.52 pc was left uncollected, and had been discharged into water bodies.
• Out of 216.51 MLD sewage waste generated under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) jurisdiction during the period, only 29.75 MLD had been collected by the existing sewerage systems, while the rest 186.76 MLD were discharged into water bodies.
• Similarly in Cuttack, only 20.62 MLD out of a total of 167.20 MLD sewage was collected and the remaining 146.58 MLD was dumped into nearby water bodies.
• Rourkela and Sambalpur too, were found to be dealing with a similar problem while in Berhampur Municipal Corporation area, the entire sewage waste was directly discharged to water bodies
• Only 26.78 pc households were found to be connected to sewer lines in Bhubaneswar, 20.75 pc in Cuttack, 2.86 pc in Rourkela and zero pc in Sambalpur Municipal Corporation area.

• Litterateur Subhransu Panda has been awarded the Akshaya Upanyasa Puraskara 2024 for his novel ‘ITARA.‘ 
• This recognition highlights Panda’s contributions to contemporary literature and underscores the novel’s significance in the literary landscape. 

Key Points:

• • The award is instituted by celebrated author Padma Bhushan Dr Pratibha Ray.
• It was founded by Pratibha Ray in 2021 in remembrance of her late spouse and honours outstanding Odia novelists under 50

• It recognizes outstanding contributions to Odia literature.
• The award comprises a plaque, certificate, and ₹51,000 cash prize.

About:

• Panda’s novel, ITARA, published by PEN IN BOOKS, is a pioneering work in Odia literature, addressing the LGBTQ+ issue and shedding light on the struggles of transwomen in Odisha. 
• The author hopes that his book will inspire a shift in societal perception towards the transgender community.

• The Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha government to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) regarding the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on drinking water quality in the state.

Key Points:

• According to a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), approximately five million people in Odisha suffered from diarrhoea and typhoid due to contaminated water between 2017-18 and 2021-22. 
• The report highlights that these health issues arose from poor sanitation and delayed sewerage projects, which resulted in significant water pollution.
• The most affected districts included Khurda, Sundargarh, and Ganjam, with thousands also suffering from hepatitis and renal diseases.

About: 

• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is a constitutional authority responsible for auditing and overseeing the financial affairs of the Government of India and the state governments. 
• CAG’s role is to ensure transparency, accountability, and the proper utilization of public funds.
• The CAG is a constitutional office, and its functions are enshrined in Articles 148 to 151 of the Indian Constitution.
• The CAG submits audit reports to the President of India, who in turn presents them to Parliament.

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