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1 November 2023
GS area: Polity (Parliament, Parliamentary Committees)
The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee examined allegations that MP Mahua Moitra received money and gifts in exchange for asking specific questions in Parliament and shared her parliamentary login credentials with a third party. The case puts two parliamentary accountability bodies in the spotlight.
The deeper point is about the institution's design. Parliament has no ombudsman outside itself. The Speaker appoints the committee and the committee reports to the Speaker. Critics note this limits independent scrutiny.
Static linkage: Parliament (Polity), Parliamentary committees.
GS area: Economy (Infrastructure)
The National Rail Plan 2030 set a target to raise rail's share of total freight from about 32 per cent to 45 per cent. The plan also targets an average freight train speed of 50 km per hour. The current operating ratio in 2021-22 was 107:100, meaning Indian Railways spent more than it earned, with over 75 per cent of expenses going to staff costs and pensions.
The modal shift argument is straightforward. Rail emits far less CO2 per tonne-kilometre than road transport. Freight shifting to rail also reduces congestion and road wear costs. The bottleneck is speed and reliability rather than capacity.
Static linkage: Indian Railways (Economy, Infrastructure).
GS area: Science and Technology (Defence)
The Light Combat Helicopter Prachand is India's first indigenously developed multi-role combat helicopter. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited designed and built it. The Indian Army completed successful day and night firing operations this week.
Static linkage: Defence (Science and Technology, Internal Security).
GS area: Environment (International Institutions)
India hosted a Country-Led Initiative under the United Nations Forum on Forests in Dehradun. The UNFF was established in 2000 by the UN Economic and Social Council. It has universal membership from all UN member states.
Static linkage: Environment (Forests, Biodiversity).
GS area: Governance (Regulatory Bodies)
The Competition Commission of India joined the 18-member steering committee of the International Competition Network. The ICN is an informal network of 140 competition agencies globally, dedicated to improving competition law enforcement through convergence of practice.
Membership of the steering committee gives India a voice in shaping global competition norms.
Static linkage: Governance (Regulatory bodies, Economic laws).
GS area: Science and Technology (Space)
A new study using lunar crystals from Apollo missions in 1972 revised the minimum age of the Moon to 4.46 billion years. The earlier estimate was about 40 million years younger. Researchers used atom probe tomography to date zircon crystals.
Static linkage: Space (Science and Technology).
Check yourself
With reference to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, consider the following statements: 1. It was established as a permanent committee in 2000. 2. Its members are appointed by the Speaker for one-year terms. 3. It conducts a prima facie inquiry before formally examining an accused member. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Check yourself
Consider the following statements about the National Rail Plan 2030: 1. It targets increasing rail's freight share to 45 per cent. 2. It targets an average freight train speed of 50 km per hour. 3. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor connects Mumbai to Chennai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Check yourself
The Light Combat Helicopter Prachand is associated with which of the following?
Check yourself
Which of the following statements about the International Competition Network (ICN) is correct?
Check yourself
With reference to the United Nations Forum on Forests, consider the following statements: 1. It was established by the UN General Assembly in 2000. 2. It has universal membership from all UN member states. 3. Its four global objectives include reversing the decline in forest cover. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?