Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 19th December 2024

Sacred Groves : Supreme Court Direction

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Union Government to formulate a comprehensive policy for managing sacred groves across the country.

• Sacred Groves are small patches of forests or natural vegetation that are protected by local communities due to their religious and cultural significance.
• These areas are often dedicated to local deities and serve as both ecological sanctuaries and sites of spiritual reverence.
• They act as repositories of biodiversity, sheltering rare plant and animal species.
• Hunting and deforestation are usually prohibited, while sustainable activities such as honey collection or gathering deadwood are permitted.
• Sacred groves are scattered across India but are particularly found in regions like:
  • The Western Ghats
  • The Himalayas
  • The northeastern hill tracts
  • Central India

Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems:

All 17,130 police stations across India are now linked through the CCTNS platform.

• CCTNS is a centralized online platform conceptualized under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Launched in 2009 with a budget of ₹2,000 crore, it is part of India’s National e-Governance Plan.
• It aims to establish a comprehensive and integrated system to enhance the efficiency and transparency of police operations at the police station level.
• Classified as a Mission Mode Project (MMP), the system provides law enforcement with tools for investigation, data analytics, policymaking, and delivering citizen-centric services.
• It connects all 17,130 police stations across 28 states and 8 Union Territories.
• Recently achieved 100% deployment, including in remote areas like Manipur, Nagaland, and Lakshadweep.
• Stores records of accused persons, habitual offenders, proclaimed offenders, and crime-related data such as missing persons and stolen vehicles.
• Generates crime statistics and detailed reports for analysis at the police station level.
• Enables tracking of complaints, verification requests, and case updates, making police processes more accessible.
• Integrated with the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS), connecting police data with courts, prisons, prosecution, forensics, and fingerprint databases.

100-Day Tuberculosis (TB) Campaign:

The Government of India recently launched a 100-day tuberculosis (TB) campaign, focusing on active screening in 347 high-risk districts. In its first week, the campaign detected 6,267 new TB cases.

• Over 5 lakh individuals have been actively screened through health and wellness centres and 850 mobile testing vans.
• The campaign targets 25 crore vulnerable individuals, including:
  • Family members of TB patients.
  • People with conditions like diabetes, HIV, or those who smoke or drink excessively.
  • Individuals with BMI below 18.5 or who had TB in the past.
• Camps are organized at health and wellness centers supported by 850 mobile testing vans.
• Screening focuses on symptoms like persistent cough (15+ days), fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, breathlessness, chest pain, and blood in sputum.
• Missing TB cases (the gap between estimated and detected cases) have been reduced from 15 lakh to 2.5 lakh, according to the Health Ministry.

Tuberculosis (TB):

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs.
• TB is a curable and preventable disease if detected early and treated appropriately.
• There are two types of TB infections:
  • Latent TB: In this state, the bacteria remain inactive in the body and cause no symptoms. It is not contagious but can become active.
  • Active TB: In this condition, the bacteria cause symptoms and can be transmitted to others.
  • Globally, one-quarter of the population is estimated to have latent TB.
  • Individuals infected with TB bacteria have a 5-15% lifetime risk of developing the disease.
  • People with compromised immune systems—such as those with HIV, malnutrition, diabetes, or those who use tobacco—have a significantly higher risk of falling ill with TB.

Jharkhand HC Ruling on Private Sector Job Quota Law:

The Jharkhand High Court has stayed the implementation of the Jharkhand State Employment of Local Candidates in Private Sector Company Act, 2021, which mandated a 75% reservation for local candidates in private-sector jobs with salaries up to Rs 40,000.

• This law, introduced to boost employment for locals but faced criticism for violating constitutional principles.
• The Jharkhand Small Scale Industries Association (JSSIA) filed a petition challenging the 75% local quota law, arguing that it violates the principle of equality, and the freedom to conduct business.
• The advocates representing JSSIA contended that the Act unfairly creates a division between local and non-local candidates, restricting employers’ ability to hire freely.
• The petition referenced the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020, which was struck down by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for violating constitutional rights.
• The Jharkhand HC stayed the Jharkhand State Employment of Local Candidates in Private Sector Company Act, 2021 implementation.
• The court found merit in the JSSIA’s argument that the law violates Article 14 Right to Equality, by discriminating against non-local candidates.
• And the Article 19(1)(g) freedom to conduct business, by restricting private companies’ hiring choices.

Milkweed fiber : Study

The Union Ministry of Textiles is encouraging by extending its research and development efforts into new natural fibers, including milkweed fiber.

• Milkweed fiber is the seed fiber obtained from milkweed plant.
• Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) plant belongs to the genus Asclepias of the family Asclepiadaceae and is also known as stubborn weed.
• In India, it is found as a wild plant in the Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Milkweed contains an abundance of milk sap in its leaves, stems and pods.
• It contains oily material and lignin, a woody plant substance, which makes them too brittle for spinning.
• It has a hydrophobic–oleophobic surface due to the natural waxes found on the surface of the fiber.
• It is used in paper industries.
• In addition, it is also used as an insulative filling material.
• It is used in such water-safety equipment as life jackets and belts.
• Researchers discovered that it readily absorbs oil while simultaneously repelling water, thus making it an effective fiber to help clean up oil spills.

Bhutan Confers Royal Honour on Indian Educationist Arun Kapur:

Indian educationist Arun Kapur, known for his contributions to education in India, Bhutan, and Oman, has been honoured by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel. At the 117th Bhutanese National Day celebrations, held at the Changlimithang stadium in Thimphu, Kapur was conferred the prestigious Red Scarf and the title ‘Dasho’, a rare honour usually given to senior Bhutanese officials

Good Governance Week to Begin on December 19, 2024:

Good Governance Week 2024 is scheduled to take place from December 19 to December 24, 2024. As part of this national initiative, the Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore campaign will be held across more than 700 districts, states, and union territories of India. The campaign focuses on the redressal of public grievances and enhancing service delivery to rural areas.

Tom Cruise Receives US Navy’s Highest Civilian Honor:

Tom Cruise has been awarded the US Navy’s prestigious Distinguished Public Service Award for his exceptional contributions to the military, particularly through his iconic roles in movies like Top Gun. The recognition is for his influence in promoting the military and inspiring public awareness of the armed forces.

Real Madrid Clinches Intercontinental Cup 2024 Victory Over Pachuca:

Real Madrid triumphed in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, defeating Mexico’s Pachuca 3-0 in a dominant performance at Lusail Stadium, Qatar. The Spanish giants were in control throughout the match, with Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Jr all contributing to the scoreline.

Mamata Banerjee Launches Banglar Bari Housing Initiative:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched the “Banglar Bari” housing scheme, a state-funded initiative aimed at providing affordable housing to the people of West Bengal. This move comes as a response to the alleged negligence by the BJP-led Central government regarding the distribution of funds under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY). The launch, which took place at the state secretariat Nabanna, involved the handing over of the first installment of Rs 60,000 to 42 beneficiaries across 21 districts

India’s rise from 23rd in global smartphone exports in 2019 to 3rd in 2024:

India’s ascent from the 23rd position in global smartphone exports in 2019 to securing the 3rd spot in 2024 marks a monumental achievement in its manufacturing and export capabilities. With smartphone exports crossing ₹20,000 crore in November 2024, this growth highlights India’s success in leveraging government initiatives and a robust domestic production ecosystem.

38th National Games Uttarakhand Unveils Mascot, Logo, Anthem, and Tagline:

Uttarakhand marked a significant milestone in sports as it unveiled the mascot, logo, jersey, anthem, and tagline for the 38th National Games 2025 at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun. With the Games scheduled from January 28 to February 14, 2025, the event symbolizes a blend of tradition, athleticism, and the state’s rich heritage.