30 December 2023

Centre, Assam sign peace pact with ULFA faction

 The Union Home Ministry and the Assam government signed a memorandum of settlement with
the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
 Home Minister Amit Shah described the tripartite settlement as significant for Assam's peace,
highlighting the government's success in eliminating violent groups in the state.
 ULFA cadres have agreed to surrender arms and ammunition, vacate their camps, and join the
mainstream, engaging in the peaceful democratic process established by law to maintain the
country's integrity.
 Home Minister Shah announced that since 1979, a total of 700 ULFA cadres had decided to
participate in the peace process.
 The Home Ministry will create a time-bound program to fulfill ULFA's demands, and a monitoring
committee will be formed for this purpose.
Additional notes: United Liberation Front of Asom

Interest rates up on two schemes; no hike for PPF

 The Union government decided to increase the returns on the Sukanya Samriddhi Account
Scheme (SSAS) from 8% to 8.2% for the first quarter of 2024.
 Returns on three-year time deposits will be raised from 7% to 7.1% for the same period.
 This adjustment applies only to the mentioned schemes, and the interest rates for all other small
savings schemes remain unchanged.
 The decision comes after a period of anticipation, as returns on these schemes were significantly
increased before the last Lok Sabha poll in January 2019.
 Despite the adjustment in SSAS and three-year time deposits, there is no major revision for other
popular schemes such as the Public Provident Fund (PPF), whose interest rate remains frozen at
7.1%.
Additional notes: Small Saving Schemes

In SC, Kerala seeks norms for Governors on reserving Bills

 Kerala has moved the Supreme Court seeking guidelines on the circumstances under which :
○ the Governor may reserve Bills presented to him for the consideration of the President,
○ withhold his assent,
○ or return them to the Assembly.
 The state made the plea through an amendment to its writ petition.
  The state made the plea through an amendment to its writ petition.
 Kerala is seeking the court's interpretation of the phrase "as soon as possible" in the first proviso
to Article 200 of the Constitution, which outlines the timeline for the disposal of Bills presented to
the Governor.
Article 200 allows the Governor to send Bills to the President, withhold assent, or return them to
the Assembly as soon as possible.
 Kerala highlighted instances where Governor Arif Mohammed Khan delayed action on eight Bills
passed by the State legislature for up to three years.
 The Governor sent seven of the eight Bills for the President's consideration without examining
each one or providing reasons for reserving them, taking this step after the court issued notice on
November 20.
 The state's standing counsel, C. K. Sasi, emphasized the plea to declare that the Governor failed to
exercise powers and duties under the Constitution by not acting on the Bills.
 Kerala also seeks a court directive to the Governor to dispose of pending Bills without further
delay.
 The Supreme Court is expected to consider the case when it resumes functioning after the
holidays.
Additional notes: Governor's discretion and related topics

Indian Navy unveils new epaulettes for admirals

The epaulettes are the true reflection of maritime heritage, the Navy said.
 The Indian Navy has unveiled a new design of epaulettes for admirals following Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's announcement during Navy Day celebrations on December 4.
 The new design features an octagon drawn from the naval ensign, inspired by the rajmudra of
Chhatrapati Shivaji, and is described as a true reflection of India's rich maritime heritage.
 Some of the ranks in British nomenclature will be renamed to reflect an Indian connection,
aligning with the Navy's commitment to embracing Indian heritage.
 The epaulettes include the
○ golden Navy button at the top,
○ followed by an octagon,
○ an Indian sword,
○ a crossed telescope,
○ and stars indicating ranks.
 Prime Minister Modi stated that the new epaulettes, inspired by Chhatrapati Veer Shivaji Maharaj,
symbolize India moving forward and leaving behind a slave mentality.
 The epaulettes are designed to be similar to the Navy's insignia.
 In September 2022, during the commissioning of the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant,
Prime Minister Modi unveiled a new Naval ensign and announced that the Navy would rename its
ranks in line with Indian traditions.
Additional notes: Indian Navy's new Nishan

ISRO all set to launch XPoSat, 10 other payloads on Jan. 1

ISRO all set to launch XPoSat, 10 other payloads on Jan. 1

 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the PSLV-C58 X-ray Polarimeter
Satellite (XPoSat) mission on January 1, marking the New Year.
 The launch will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 9:10 a.m.
 The PSLV will carry XPoSat along with 10 additional payloads for the mission.
 The XPoSat mission aims to launch the satellite into an eastward low inclination orbit. After
injection, the PS4 stage will be restarted twice to reduce the orbit to a 350 km circular orbit,
maintaining 3-axis stabilized mode for Orbital Platform experiments.
 XPoSat is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO for research in space-based polarization
measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.
 It carries two payloads:
○ POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) developed by the Raman Research Institute,
○ and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) developed by the Space Astronomy Group of
URSC, Bengaluru.
 The mission will also include payloads from startups, educational institutions, and ISRO centers,
such as Dust Experiment (DEX) by PRL, Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) by VSSC, Si-based High
Energy Cell by VSSC, Radiation Shielding Experimental Module (RSEM) by TakeMe2Space, and
WESAT by the LBS Institute of Technology for Women.
Additional notes: X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat): An ISRO space

Javier Milei writes to BRICS leaders, rejects invite for Argentina to join the grouping

 Argentine President Javier Milei has formally rejected an invitation to join the BRICS grouping by
sending letters to its leaders.
 BRICS, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, announced in August that it
would admit six new members, including
○ Argentina,
○ Ethiopia,
○ Iran,
○ Saudi Arabia,
○ Egypt,
and the United Arab Emirates,
 ○ and the United Arab Emirates,
with the membership effective from January 1, 2024.
 President Milei's letters stated that Argentina's membership is "not considered appropriate at this
time."
 Javier Milei, a libertarian outsider, recently assumed office after defeating traditional political
parties in Argentina's elections. During his campaign, he pledged not to join BRICS.
 The president's foreign policy differs from the previous government, and he indicated that some
decisions made by the previous administration would be reviewed.
 Despite earlier vows to cut ties with major trading partners China and Brazil, President Milei has
taken a more conciliatory tone since taking office.
Additional notes: BRICS Grouping

Core sectors’ growth skids to 6-month low in November

 Output from India's eight core sectors grew at a six-month low pace of 7.8% in November
compared to 12% in October.
 The Index of Core Industries (ICI) was down 3.34% from October levels, standing at 150.3, the
lowest since March 2023.
 Cement recorded its first contraction in the year, and overall production slipped to the lowest
level in 13 months.
 Refinery products and coal were the only sectors to witness a month-on-month increase and
recorded double-digit year-on-year growth.
 Steel production grew at a 13-month low pace of 9.1%, while crude oil contracted by 0.4% in
November.
 Fertilizer production grew at the slowest pace in three months (3.4%), and natural gas output
growth slowed to 7.6%.
 Refinery products grew at the highest pace in 17 months (12.4%), and coal output grew by 10.9%,
marking the slowest rise in five months.
 Electricity generation growth slowed from 20.3% in October to a five-month low of 5.6% in
November.
 The slowdown in growth is attributed to base effects from last November and a housing
slowdown, according to Bank of Baroda chief economist Madan Sabnavis. The decline in fertilizer
growth was expected due to the end of rabi sowing.
Additional notes: Eight Core Industries

India closing in on lithium deal with Argentina, tapping Australia, Chile

 The Mines Ministry, through state-owned Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), has entered into a draft
exploration and development agreement with Argentinian miner CA-MYEN for the possible
acquisition and development of lithium blocks.
 KABIL has also signed a non-disclosure agreement with Chilean miner ENAMI for potential
exploration, extraction, processing, and commercialization of lithium and appointed consultancy
major PwC to identify investable projects in Australia.
 Latin American nations, primarily Chile and Argentina, contribute 30-35% of the world's lithium
supplies. Chile, with 11% of global lithium reserves, supplies 26%, while Argentina, holding nearly a
fifth of global reserves, supplies about 6%.
 Talks are in advanced stages for the acquisition of lithium blocks in Argentina, with the reported
cost potentially running into a couple of hundred crores. The proposal will be presented for
Cabinet approval.
 KABIL's board has approved the Draft Exploration and Development Agreement, and the Ministry
has given necessary approval for the agreement with CA-MYEN.
 Over the past year, India has intensified its search for critical minerals, including lithium, a crucial
element in India's transition to green energy and reducing its carbon footprint.
 Currently, India has put up lithium blocks for auction in J&K and Chhattisgarh, with most domestic
  Currently, India has put up lithium blocks for auction in J&K and Chhattisgarh, with most domestic
requirements being met through imports, resulting in an import bill of about ₹24,000 crore.
Additional notes: India's Lithium discovery

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A quiet reprieve
India did well to work its channels with Qatar away from the limelight
[editorial]
 The Qatari court of appeals has reduced the capital punishment for eight former Indian naval
personnel, providing relief to the individuals and their families.
 While the reduction in the punishment is a positive development, the conviction's uphold is
disappointing, requiring the government and families to reassess their legal strategy for a review
petition with Qatar’s Court of Cassation.
 The government may explore various options, including seeking a review of the conviction with
Qatar’s ruling Emir, appealing for clemency, or considering the option for the men to serve out
their terms in India under a 2015 bilateral Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
 The government's diplomatic and political efforts at the highest level are crucial to convey the
importance of the matter for India.
 The development follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outreach to the Qatari leadership
during COP28 on December 1.
 New Delhi has chosen not to react publicly to the case, avoiding rhetoric and targeting Doha,
which is considered commendable and non-counterproductive.
 It is important to handle the case cautiously, considering any potential connections to India’s
intelligence services and reviewing operations that could jeopardize Indians overseas.
 The government's consistent and calibrated position, coupled with a quiet but determined push, is
hoped to bring the eight Indians safely back home.

Rift over relief

Criteria for awarding disaster relief must laid down clearly
[editorial]
 Recent conflict between the Central and Tamil Nadu governments over flood relief has been
disheartening for those affected.
 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and State Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin engaged in a
verbal duel over relief semantics.
 The focus should have been on ensuring the return to normalcy in the southern districts of Tamil
Nadu after heavy rainfall on December 17 and 18.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of the Centre's support, leading
to a resolution.
 The State has requested ₹21,692 crore in total relief funds from the Union government.
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the release of ₹450 crore to the State Disaster
Response Fund (SDRF) and ₹500 crore for a flood mitigation project in Chennai.
 Central government does not declare any natural disaster a national disaster; classification
depends on assessments by its teams.
 The Centre should provide clear guidelines for relief efforts and consider revising its position on
excluding long-term or permanent restoration works from SDRF/NDRF.
 A parliamentary committee suggested in March 2021 that States hit by severe disasters be
allowed to use more than the 25% flexi-fund component of centrally sponsored schemes for post-
disaster permanent restoration works.
 Relief should be extended to the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector, which employs
nearly 1.4 crore people in the State.
 The Centre should consult cyclone-vulnerable states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha,
West Bengal, and Gujarat to formulate new norms on disaster management to avoid political
West Bengal, and Gujarat to formulate new norms on disaster management to avoid political
controversies.