February 8th, 2025 Daily Current Affairs with GS Points

Politics:

Private Member Bills in Rajya Sabha:

• Two Private Member Bills on the same subject introduced in Rajya Sabha.
• Manoj Kumar (MP): Proposed a constitutional amendment to ensure Parliament sessions for a minimum of 120 days per year.
• Derek O'Brien (MP): Proposed that Parliament sessions should be held for at least 100 days per year.
• Parliamentary Sessions & Constitution:
  • Article 85 & 174 of the Constitution mention parliamentary sessions.
  • Constitution mandates that there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions for both Parliament and State Assemblies.
  • Constitution does not specify the exact number of sessions or days Parliament should meet annually.
  • Currently, India holds three sessions: Budget, Monsoon, and Winter, which is a parliamentary tradition, not constitutionally mandated.
• Constitutional Review Commission (2002): Recommended 120 days of session for Lok Sabha and 100 days for Rajya Sabha annually.
• What is a Private Member Bill?
  • Private Member Bill: A bill introduced by any MP who is not a minister (can be from ruling or opposition party).
  • Public Bill: A bill introduced by a minister.
  • Government Policy Reflection: Private Member Bills do not reflect government policy, while Public Bills do.
  • Government Resignation if Bill Defeated: Government is not obligated to resign if a Private Member Bill is defeated, but must resign if a Public Bill is defeated, as it indicates a lack of confidence in the government's policy.
  • Notice Period: 30 days notice required for Private Member Bills, 7 days for Public Bills.
  • Introduction in Session: Private Member Bills can only be introduced on Fridays during sessions. Public Bills can be introduced on any day when Parliament is in session (not "any day", but any day during sessions).

Delhi Assembly Elections Result & Historical Context:

• Delhi Assembly Election Results: BJP won the recent elections.
• Historical Context of Delhi:
  • 1952: Delhi was a Part C category state.
  • 1956: Became a Union Territory (UT).
  • 1993: Granted National Capital Territory (NCT) status.
  • Balakrishnan Committee: Recommended NCT status for Delhi.
  • 69th Constitutional Amendment Act: Enacted to grant NCT status.
  • Article 239AA: Added to the Constitution, specifically for Delhi's NCT status.
• Powers of Delhi Assembly:
  • Delhi Assembly has powers similar to other state assemblies, except in three areas: Public Order, Police, and Land. In these areas, the Central Government has more powers.
• Delhi Assembly Seats & Cabinet Size:
  • Total Assembly seats in Delhi: 70.
  • Maximum cabinet members: 7 (10% of assembly seats).

Environment:

India Achieves 100 GW Solar Power Milestone:

• India's solar power capacity reached 100 GW (Gigawatts) by January 31st.
• Government Initiatives for Solar Power:
  • National Solar Mission: Aiming for 280 GW solar capacity by 2030.
  • Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Scheme for promoting solar rooftop installations.
  • PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan): Scheme for de-carbonizing the agricultural sector through solar pumps.
  • International Solar Alliance: Initiative led by India with France to promote solar energy globally.

India's Largest Solar Cell Manufacturing Plant in Tamil Nadu:

• India's largest solar cell manufacturing plant being established in Gangaikonda, Tamil Nadu.
• Capacity: 4 Gigawatts.
• Developer: Tata Power Company.
• To be inaugurated by Tamil Nadu CM.
• Gangaikonda Historical Significance: (User to answer - related to which dynasty and king in history).

North India's First Green Hydrogen Plant in Himachal Pradesh:

• First Green Hydrogen Plant in North India being set up in Dabgota, Himachal Pradesh.
• Capacity: 1 Megawatt.
• Developers: Jointly established by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) and Oil India Limited.

Defense:

SARATH-20 - Search and Rescue Aid Tool:

• SARATH-20 (Search and Rescue Aid Tool - 20) - Upgraded version of an existing scheme.
• Purpose: To conduct search and rescue operations in the Indian Ocean.
• Developed by: INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services), Hyderabad.
• Parent Ministry: Works under the Ministry of Earth and Sciences.

International Affairs:

Donkey Route - Illegal Immigration:

• Donkey Route in news, related to illegal immigration.
• Meaning: Illegal immigration route, often involving dangerous journeys.
• Context: Indians using Donkey Route to enter the USA, often via Mexico, facing deportations.

BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 in Gujarat:

• BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Youth Summit 2025 being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, starting February 8th.
• Organized by: Ministry of Youth Affairs.
• Theme: "Youth as a bridge between BIMSTEC countries".
• BIMSTEC Member Countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka (7 countries).
• Significance: BIMSTEC acts as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Panama Withdraws from China's Belt and Road Initiative:

• Panama withdraws from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Previous Withdrawals: Italy and Philippines withdrew last year.
• Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): China's infrastructure and investment project spanning across Asia, Africa, and Europe, including Maritime and Silk Road routes.
• India's Stand: India strongly opposes BRI due to sovereignty concerns, as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).
• Start Year of BRI: 2013.

US Sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC):

• USA imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• Background of ICC:
  • Established: 2002, based on the Rome Statute of 1999.
  • Purpose: To prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
  • Distinction from ICJ (International Court of Justice): ICC prosecutes individuals, ICJ settles disputes between states.
  • UN Membership: ICJ is a UN member, ICC is not.
• Current Context: ICC considering arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Benjamin Netanyahu, in the context of Israel-Palestine conflict.
• US Sanctions: USA (under Trump administration - implied) imposed sanctions on ICC due to potential investigation of Israel.
• ICC Details:
  • Members: 124 member states.
  • Headquarters: The Hague.
  • Ukraine & Rome Statute: Ukraine recently ratified the Rome Statute but is not yet a member.
  • Non-Member Countries: India, China, Russia, USA are not members of ICC.