Summarized Current Affairs (February 21 & 22) - Honey GS Academy

Comprehensive Current Affairs (February 21 & 22) - Honey GS Academy

This summary covers key current events with GS (General Studies) implications, aimed primarily at competitive exam preparation. Includes detailed explanations and background.

1. International Mother Language Day (Feb 21)
   • Focus: Primarily for Non-Group 2 candidates.
   • Theme: "Silver Jubilee Celebrations" (marking 25 years).
   • Context: Promotes linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingual education. Crucial for preserving endangered languages and fostering tolerance.
   • Background: Proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999, it commemorates the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), where students were killed protesting for the recognition of their mother tongue.
2. Article 101(4) - MP Disqualification
   • Context: Amritpal Singh, a newly elected MP (Khadoor Sahib, Punjab) currently in jail under the NIA Act, faces potential disqualification for absence from the Lok Sabha.
   • Rule: MPs absent for 60+ *consecutive sitting days* without *prior* permission from the House are disqualified. Days when the House is adjourned for 4+ consecutive days are *not* counted in this 60-day period.
   • Procedure:
     • MP must submit a written request to the Committee on Absence of Members, explaining the reason for absence.
     • The Committee reviews the request and makes a recommendation to the House.
     • The entire House, *not* just the Speaker, votes on the leave request. Approval requires a majority vote.
   • Context: This provision ensures that MPs are actively participating in parliamentary proceedings and representing their constituents. It prevents prolonged, unjustified absences.
   • Amritpal Singh's Case: He has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which is procedurally unusual. He should first address the Committee on Absence of Members.
3. Lokpal Jurisdiction & Rekha Gupta Case
   • Conflict: The Lokpal ordered an inquiry into a sitting High Court judge, asserting its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court stayed the order, asserting the Constitutional appointment and independence of High Court judges.
   • Lokpal's Jurisdiction (Key Areas):
     • Prime Minister: Former/Current PMs. Exceptions: Matters related to:
       • International relations
       • External and internal security
       • Public order
       • Atomic energy
       • Space
     • Ministers: Former/Current Union Ministers.
     • Government Officials: All groups (A, B, C, D) and equivalent ranks, including IAS officers.
     • Institutions: Heads, officials, and employees of:
       • Bodies established by an Act of Parliament.
       • Societies/trusts/bodies receiving full or partial funding from the Central Government.
     • Foreign Contributions: Individuals receiving foreign contributions exceeding ₹10 lakh in a financial year (under the FCRA, 2010).
   • Arguments:
     • Lokpal: High Courts were originally established under the *Indian High Courts Act of 1861* (pre-independence), and therefore fall under its purview.
     • Supreme Court: High Court judges are appointed under the *Constitution* (Articles 214 for High Courts and 124 for the Supreme Court), not under any pre-independence Act. Their independence is paramount.
   • Context: This case highlights the ongoing tension between the need for accountability (represented by the Lokpal) and the principle of judicial independence. The Supreme Court's final decision will have significant implications for the balance of power.
   • Lokpal Act, 2013: Created the Lokpal as an anti-corruption ombudsman. It's a statutory body, not a constitutional one. The case is currently sub-judice (under judicial consideration).
4. UP Assembly - Translation Facility
   • Innovation: The Uttar Pradesh Assembly is the *first* legislative assembly in India to provide real-time translation facilities for its members.
   • Languages Supported: Awadhi, Braj Bhasha, Bhojpuri, Bundeli, and English.
   • Context: This promotes inclusivity and allows MLAs to participate more effectively in debates and discussions, regardless of their primary language. It recognizes the linguistic diversity of the state.
   • Technology Used:The system likely employs AI-powered translation technology to provide simultaneous interpretation.
5. Soil Health Card (SHC) - 10th Anniversary
   • Launched: February 19, 2015, in Suratgarh, Rajasthan, by Prime Minister Modi.
   • Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
   • Purpose: Provides farmers with a card detailing the nutrient status of their soil (based on 12 parameters) to guide fertilizer application and improve soil health.
   • Parameters Analyzed:
     • Macro-nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K)
     • Micro-nutrients: Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B)
     • Secondary Nutrients: Sulfur (S)
     • Physical Parameters: pH level (acidity/alkalinity), Electrical Conductivity (EC - measures salinity), Organic Carbon (OC - indicator of soil health)
   • Current Status: The scheme has been renamed "Soil Health and Fertility" and is now a component of the *Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)* - a larger scheme promoting agricultural development.
   • Context: The SHC scheme aims to promote sustainable agriculture by:
     • Reducing excessive and imbalanced fertilizer use (which can harm the environment and be economically wasteful).
     • Improving soil health and fertility, leading to higher crop yields.
     • Promoting site-specific nutrient management.
   • Card Validity & Update: While originally envisioned for a 3-year update cycle, testing is generally done twice a year (during the off-season in Kharif and Rabi), and updates are provided as needed.
6. Waterless Concrete (IIT Madras)
   • Development: Researchers at IIT Madras have developed a type of concrete that does *not* require water for its production.
   • Key Ingredient: Sulfur is used as a binder instead of water.
   • Significance: This is particularly important for construction in water-scarce environments, such as on Mars or in arid regions on Earth. It could revolutionize construction in such areas.
   • Type of Concrete Likely a form of sulfur concrete, known for its high strength and resistance to acids.
7. Science & Technology
   • Majorana One: The world's first topological qubit-based quantum chip, developed by Microsoft.
     Significance: Topological qubits are more stable and less prone to errors than other types of qubits, potentially leading to more reliable quantum computers.
   • Encephalitis (Japanese Encephalitis): The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Japanese Encephalitis a "global threat."
     • Cause: A virus transmitted by the *Culex* mosquito.
     • Transmission: Mosquito-borne; human-to-human transmission is *not* confirmed.
     • Context: Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, which can cause severe neurological damage and death. A vaccine exists.
   • HKU5-CoV-2: A new coronavirus discovered in bats in China. More research is needed to understand its potential impact.
8. Government Policy - Ayushman Bharat
   • Delhi has now implemented the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
   • West Bengal remains the only state in India *not* participating in the scheme.
   • Context: AB-PMJAY is India's flagship public health insurance scheme, providing financial protection for healthcare costs to a large segment of the population (primarily the poor and vulnerable).
   • Coverage: Provides up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
9. Digital Pilot License
   • India has become the second country, after China, to issue digital pilot licenses.
   • Issuing Authority: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
10. Appointments
    • Anantha Nageswaran: Tenure extended as the Principal Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister (until 2027).
    • B.V.R. Subrahmanyam: Tenure extended as the CEO of NITI Aayog (by one year).
    • Kaash Patel: First Indo-American Director General of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) - *not a recent appointment, but a noteworthy fact*.
11. Purnima Devi Barman (Assam)
    • Named Time Magazine's Woman of the Year (for the past 25 years).
    • Recognized for her conservation work protecting the *Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila)*, an endangered species.
    • "Hargila Army": She leads an all-female conservation group dedicated to saving the stork. She also received the UN's Champions of the Earth award in 2022.
12. Telangana & AP Current Affairs

    Telangana

    • Hyderabad has been selected for the Metro Urban Vegetable Cluster Scheme. This scheme aims to promote vegetable cultivation in urban and peri-urban areas.
    • The Indiramma Housing Scheme, a major housing program for the poor, had its foundation stone laid in Narayanpet district (Appakapalli village) by the Chief Minister.

    Andhra Pradesh:

    • Trash Tax Abolished: The Andhra Pradesh government abolished the user charges (often called "trash tax") levied on households for municipal solid waste collection in urban areas. This is a retrospective abolition, effective from December 31, 2023.
    • Suraksha App: A mobile application aimed at enhancing women's safety is set to be launched (expected around March 5th). Details are still limited, but it likely involves features like emergency SOS, location sharing, and connection to law enforcement.
    • Unorganized Sector Worker Data:
      • Total unorganized sector workers in AP: 1.8 crore.
      • Registered on the e-Shram portal: 81.46 lakh.
      • Gender Breakdown: 56% women, 44% men.
      • Largest Sector: Agriculture (67% of registered workers).
    • Context: The e-Shram portal is a national database of unorganized workers, aimed at providing them with social security benefits. The AP worker data is crucial for understanding the state's labor demographics and for designing targeted welfare programs.