Afternoon edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
Reports highlight severe floods in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, causing widespread devastation and impacting a significant population. Simultaneously, concerns are raised about alleged wastage of public funds on political celebrations amidst economic hardship.
Key points
- Heavy rains and overflowing rivers, originating from Nepal, have caused severe floods in 15 districts of Bihar, affecting around 50 lakh people.
- Uttar Pradesh is also facing severe floods, with hundreds of villages cut off and destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods.
- Allegations have been made regarding the misuse of public funds for Prime Minister's birthday celebrations, with funds allegedly spent on lighting lamps and distributing motorcycles.
- The flood situation has led to a scarcity of essential resources like food, water, and medicines in affected areas.
Background & context
India frequently faces natural disasters like floods, particularly during the monsoon season, exacerbated by factors like deforestation, changing rainfall patterns, and inadequate infrastructure. Economic crises can deepen the impact of such disasters on vulnerable populations.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Bihar floods affected approximately 50 lakh people across 15 districts.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 1: Geography (Floods, Natural Disasters), Social Issues. GS Paper 3: Disaster Management, Economy.
Why in news?
A special NIA court in Chhattisgarh has termed the 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack as a 'rarest of rare' case and awarded the death penalty to all 10 convicts.
Key points
- The attack, which occurred on May 25, 2013, claimed the lives of 27 people, including prominent Congress leaders.
- The NIA court, after considering aggravating and mitigating circumstances, found the case to be 'rarest of rare', deeming life imprisonment inadequate.
- The court referenced Supreme Court judgments in similar cases like Machhi Singh v. State of Punjab and Mohd. Ajmal Mohammad Amir Kasab v. State of Maharashtra.
- The report from the jail superintendent indicated that the convicts were physically and mentally healthy, with residences and agricultural land.
Background & context
The Jhiram Valley incident was a significant Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh that highlighted the challenges of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India. The legal proceedings in such high-profile terror cases often involve complex judicial scrutiny regarding sentencing.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Jhiram Valley Maoist attack killed 27 people, including senior Congress leaders.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 3: Internal Security (Terrorism, Left-Wing Extremism), Law and Order.
Why in news?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) froze the 'Grass and Twin Flower' symbol for the Trinamool Congress and allotted new symbols and names to its two warring factions for upcoming byelections.
Key points
- The ECI froze the 'All India Trinamool Congress' party name and its symbol for the byelections in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
- The Mamata Banerjee-led faction was allotted the 'football player' symbol and the name 'Mamata All India Trinamool Congress'.
- The Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction received the 'envelope' symbol and the name 'Democratic Trinamool Congress'.
- Mamata Banerjee's faction has moved the Supreme Court challenging the ECI's decision, alleging it did not comprehensively consider the party structure and relied on statements from rebel legislators facing disqualification proceedings.
Background & context
Symbol allocation is crucial for political parties to contest elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has the authority to freeze or allot symbols in cases of disputes within a political party, as per established electoral laws and precedents.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The original Trinamool Congress symbol is 'Grass and Twin Flower'.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 2: Polity (Elections, Role of ECI), Governance.