{"id":3248,"date":"2024-12-16T11:07:20","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T11:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/?p=3248"},"modified":"2024-12-16T11:07:55","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T11:07:55","slug":"mlc-daily-current-affairs-16-december-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawentranceindia.com\/blogs\/mlc-daily-current-affairs-16-december-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"MLC Daily Current Affairs – 16 December 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today in History (December 16th<\/sup>,1971)<\/h1>\n

\u201cToday, on Vijay Diwas, we honour the courage and sacrifices of the brave soldiers who contributed to India\u2019s historic victory in 1971. Their selfless dedication and unwavering resolve safeguarded our nation and brought glory to us. This day is a tribute to their extraordinary valour and their unshakable spirit. Their sacrifices will forever inspire generations and remain deeply embedded in our nation\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Revise<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. Which country developed the Dark Eagle Anti-Missile System?<\/strong>
\na) Russia
\nb) China
\nc) United States
\nd) India
\nAnswer: c)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The United States has developed the Dark Eagle Anti-Missile System and is nearing operational readiness after a successful test flight.<\/p>\n

2.What approval did the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) grant to the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL)?<\/strong>
\na) Athlete Training Unit (ATU)
\nb) Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU)
\nc) Anti-Doping Research Unit (ADRU)
\nd) Sports Medicine Unit (SMU)
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has granted approval for the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) as an Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU).<\/p>\n

3. What is the primary purpose of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)?<\/strong>
\na) Enhancing athlete performance
\nb) Monitoring an athlete’s biological markers over time
\nc) Providing nutrition advice
\nd) Offering psychological support
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is an advanced anti-doping tool that monitors an athlete’s biological markers over time.<\/p>\n

4. What method of fishing involves dragging heavy weighted nets across the sea floor?<\/strong>
\na) Longline fishing
\nb) Gillnet fishing
\nc) Bottom trawling
\nd) Spearfishing
\nAnswer: c)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> Bottom trawling is a method of fishing that involves dragging heavy weighted nets across the sea floor to herd and capture target species like ground fish or crabs.<\/p>\n

5.Which of the following is a major ecological impact of bottom trawling?<\/strong>
\na) Increased fish populations
\nb) Habitat destruction
\nc) Enhanced coral growth
\nd) Reduced pollution
\nAnswer: b)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> Bottom trawling can cause physical damage to the seabed and the structures that support marine life, leading to habitat destruction.<\/p>\n

6.How does bottom trawling impact carbon sequestration?<\/strong>
\na) Increases carbon storage in sediments
\nb) Enhances carbon uptake by marine plants
\nc) Disturbs sediments and releases stored carbon
\nd) Promotes carbon sequestration by corals
\nAnswer: c)<\/strong>
\nExplanation:<\/strong> Bottom trawling disturbs sediments and releases stored carbon, contributing to climate change and reducing the ability of deep-sea habitats to sequester carbon effectively.<\/p>\n

Summary of Today’s News<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Simultaneous Polls Bill Not in LS List for Today<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Context<\/strong>
\nThe Union government has not included the Constitution amendment Bill on holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Assemblies in the revised list of business for Monday, indicating that the Bill could be delayed.
\nThe Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill) were earlier listed for Monday in the Lok Sabha.
\n\u2022Discussion Invitation: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has invited Mallikarjun Kharge for discussions to end the impasse.
\nBill Status<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Dropped from List: The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were earlier listed for Monday in the Lok Sabha but were dropped from the revised list of business.
\n\u2022 Possible Delay: The Union government has not included the Constitution amendment Bill on holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Assemblies in the revised list of business for Monday, indicating a potential delay.
\nLegislative Process<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Introduction of Bills: The Centre may introduce the Bills after the Rajya Sabha completes the discussion on the Constitution and after the passage of supplementary demands for grants in the Lok Sabha.
\n\u2022 Speaker’s Permission: If the Centre wants to bring the Bills on Monday, permission from Speaker Om Birla is necessary to introduce a supplementary list of business.
\nHistorical Context<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Simultaneous Elections History: General elections to the House of the People and all State Assemblies were held simultaneously in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967.
\n\u2022 The cycle was disrupted due to the premature dissolution of some Assemblies in 1968 and 1969.
\n\u2022 Law Commission’s Suggestion: The Law Commission, in its 170th report, suggested that holding separate elections for State Assemblies should be an exception rather than the rule.
\nCurrent Legislative Agenda<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Rajya Sabha Agenda: The first item on the agenda after the question hour and zero hour is the discussion and voting on Supplementary Demands for Grants \u2014 First Batch for 2024-2025.
\n\u2022 Appropriation Bills: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move two Appropriation Bills along with the Supplementary Grants.
\n\u2022 Goa Bill: The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, will be moved by Mr. Meghwal.
\nPolitical Developments<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Kharge Invited for Talks: Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has invited Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for another round of discussions to end the impasse.
\n\u2022 No-Confidence Motion: The Opposition has moved a no-confidence motion against Mr. Dhankhar, alleging partisan chairing of proceedings.
\n\u2022 BJD’s Stance: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided not to support the no-confidence motion proposed by the INDIA bloc against Mr. Dhankhar, citing a lack of consultation.<\/p>\n

SCHENGEN AREA<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Context<\/strong> Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of Europe\u2019s Schengen free-travel area from next month.<\/p>\n

Background<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Although the Schengen agreements guarantee free travel, several members including Germany and the Netherlands have recently increased controls to stem illegal immigration.
\nAbout Schengen Area<\/strong>
\n\u2022 The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 29 European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their mutual borders.
\n\u2022 Establishment: The Schengen Area was established on March 26, 1995.
\n\u2022 Member Countries: The Schengen Area includes 25 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).
\nKey Features<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Free Movement: Citizens of Schengen countries can travel freely within the area without needing to show a passport or go through border checks.
\n\u2022 Common Visa Policy: The Schengen Area has a common visa policy, allowing travelers to use a single visa to visit multiple Schengen countries.
\n\u2022 External Borders: Schengen countries have harmonized controls at their external borders, ensuring security while allowing free movement within the area
\nSignificance:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Economic Benefits: The Schengen Area facilitates trade and tourism, benefiting the economies of member states.
\n\u2022 Cultural Exchange: It promotes cultural exchange and strengthens ties between European countries.
\n\u2022 Security: Harmonized external border controls enhance security while maintaining the freedom of movement within the area.<\/p>\n

BEIJING\u2019S WAR AGAINST AIR POLLUTION: If Beijing can do why not Delhi?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u2022 Beijing, with a yearly average air quality index (AQI) of 144 in 2015, was as polluted then as Delhi is today (Delhi\u2019s average AQI is 155 for 2024). However, Beijing has successfully reduced its pollution level by one-third between 2013 and 2017.
\nBackground
\n\u2022 Emerging Economies: Both Beijing and Delhi are capitals of emerging economies. If Beijing could achieve significant pollution reduction at its development stage, Delhi can and should do the same.
\nSimilarities between Beijing and Delhi<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Urbanization and Economic Growth: Both cities have seen rapid industrialization and urbanization, leading to increased emissions.
\n\u2022 Dependence on Fossil Fuels: Both cities rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy and transportation, contributing to air pollution.
\n\u2022 Regional Pollution Impact: Both cities are affected by regional pollution sources, particularly during winter.
\nBeijing\u2019s Successful Strategies<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Long-Term Planning and Implementation: Beijing\u2019s 20-year anti-pollution program was executed in three phases: 1998-2008, 2009-12, and 2013-17. It was a gradual plan with public participation, managed by the local government.
\n\u2022 Targeted Pollution Sources: Pollution sources were categorized into energy and coal combustion, transportation, and industrial structures.
\n\u2022 Energy Structures: Implemented ultra-low emission renovation and clean energy alternatives in power plants, renovated coal-fired boilers, and eliminated residential coal consumption.
\n\u2022 Transportation Structures: Retrofitted cars and public service vehicles with diesel particulate filters (DPF), tightened emission standards, scrapped old vehicles through subsidies, and expanded subway and bus infrastructure.
\n\u2022 Industrial and Construction Activities: Tightened environmental requirements, intensified end-of-pipe (EOP) treatment, eliminated obsolete industrial capacity, created a green construction model, and enforced video monitoring with penalties for violators.
\n\u2022 Regional Cooperation: Focused on regional cooperation during the last phase (2013-17), with five neighboring provinces working together to reduce pollution.
\nLessons for Delhi<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Political Will and Leadership: Strong government commitment is essential to implement and enforce effective policies.
\n\u2022 Transport System: An efficient bus-metro integrated transport system is needed. Delhi\u2019s DTC bus fleet is outdated and insufficient, and the metro lacks last-mile connectivity.
\n\u2022 Vehicle Scrapping: Implement a well-thought-out subsidy-for-scrap program for old vehicles.
\n\u2022 Cycling and Walking Lanes: Build exclusive cycling and walking lanes and explore ideas like cross-subsidization through affordable public transport and expensive private transport using congestion or high parking charges.
\n\u2022 Urban Layout: Develop an urban layout that brings places of work and residence closer to reduce long commutes.
\n\u2022 Energy Supply Overhaul: Overhaul Delhi\u2019s coal-fired electricity supply from both the supply and demand sides. Promote solar rooftops connected to the grid with electricity bill discounts.
\n\u2022 Regional Coordination: Coordinate with neighboring regions to control pollution sources originating there, similar to Beijing\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n