Evening edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna at a Delhi police station demanding an FIR registration for a youth allegedly injured by pellet guns during a protest. The incident highlights concerns about police action during protests and the treatment of victims.
Key points
- Rahul Gandhi protested at Parliament Street police station, Delhi.
- Demand was to register an FIR for pellet injuries sustained by youth Sahil Lochab during a July 20 protest.
- Lochab reportedly lost 99% vision in his right eye due to the injury.
- The protest raises questions about police accountability and the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.
Background & context
Protests in Delhi often involve demonstrations and sit-ins. The use of less-lethal weapons like pellet guns has been a subject of controversy in past protests.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Sahil Lochab, the victim, is a 19-year-old student of Delhi University's School of Open Learning (SOL).
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: Governance, Polity; Accountability of government machinery, Rights and liberties of citizens.
Why in news?
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar advocated for a more equitable distribution of national resources, arguing that southern states, particularly Karnataka, contribute significantly to the national economy and deserve a proportionate share.
Key points
- Karnataka CM seeks a fairer share of national resources for southern states.
- Highlights Karnataka's contribution to GST collections, exports, and the tech/innovation ecosystem.
- Warns that excessive enforcement actions are causing wealthy businesspersons to leave the country.
- Southern Chief Ministers had previously raised concerns about equitable resource distribution.
Background & context
Discussions about fiscal federalism and resource allocation between the Centre and states are ongoing in India. Southern states have often been perceived as economic powerhouses contributing more to the national exchequer.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Bengaluru is a preferred destination for global corporations due to its talent pool and business environment.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: Federalism, Centre-State Relations, Indian Economy; Economic development, Fiscal policy.
Why in news?
Tamil Nadu government formed a four-member expert committee to investigate the mass death of fish in the Kosasthalaiyar river, near the Ennore estuary, amidst concerns about industrial pollution affecting fishermen's livelihoods.
Key points
- A four-member expert committee formed to probe mass fish death in Kosasthalaiyar river, Tamil Nadu.
- Environment Minister denied toxic industrial effluents as the cause, attributing it to sewage mixing.
- Committee instructed to submit a report within 10 days.
- Concerns raised about the ecological sensitivity of the Ennore estuary area.
- Fishermen's livelihoods are reportedly affected.
Background & context
The Kosasthalaiyar river flows through Chennai and its vicinity, and its estuary region is ecologically significant. Pollution from industrial and domestic sources is a recurring issue in many Indian rivers.
★ Prelims fact capsule
2,150 kg of dead fish were removed from the Ennore estuary.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper III: Environment and Ecology; Pollution, Conservation, Environmental Impact Assessment.