UPSC Key- March 17, 2023: Know about Suspension of a Member of Parliament, Indo-Pacific and Tokyo summit

BJP moves to get Rahul suspended from House; police send him notice

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance

Main Examination: General Studies II: Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story- Turning up the heat on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the UK on Indian democracy, the ruling BJP has initiated moves to suspend him from Lok Sabha if he does not apologise in the House. The party has already approached Speaker Om Birla, seeking to form a special committee to explore the possibility of suspending the Wayanad MP from the House. BJP sources said the matter is “not just a privilege issue, it’s much beyond that”.

• Hoping for House action against him, the BJP, sources said, has approached the Speaker to constitute a special committee on the lines of the panel constituted to look into the cash-for-query scandal in 2005- Know about the panel which was constituted to look into the cash-for-query scandal in 2005?

• Who can suspend MPs, and for how long?

• Can courts intervene in a matter of suspension of MPs?

• Do presiding officers have a role in breaking a deadlock?

• What is the reason for suspending an MP?

• What is Rule 256 of Rajya Sabha’s rules of procedure?

• Speaker of Lok Sabha-Role, Powers and Functions

• Chairman of Rajya Sabha – Role, Power and Functions

• What are the Rules under which the Presiding Officer acts?

• Provisions for Suspension of a Member of Parliament- Rules 373, 374, and 374A of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha

• The maximum suspension for Rajya Sabha under Rules 255 and 256

• Is suspending an MP a common practice in Parliament?

• Isn’t the barring of an elected representative of the people an extreme step?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍CRITIC & CRITICISM

📍Rahul counter: Whether am allowed to speak, shut up is test of democracy

📍Suspension of MPs: the rules, and the powers of presiding officers

Japan PM set to outline ‘open, free’ Indo-Pacific plan in visit next week

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story-SIXTEEN YEARS after Japan’s then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave his seminal speech, “The Confluence of Two Seas”, in the Indian Parliament, his successor, Fumio Kishida, an Abe loyalist, is set to announce a new plan for a “free and open” Indo-Pacific during his India visit next week. Kishida, who will be in India on March 20-21, is set to make the announcement in a speech organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs, an Indian government-funded think-tank.

• By choosing Delhi to announce the new plan, Kishida is signalling India’s importance-in this backdrop, examine India-Japan Bilateral relations

• India-Japan Bilateral Relations-Know the Background and what is the Present Status?

• The Term ‘Indo-Pacific’-What does it mean? Define this term in Geopolitical and in geographical context.

• Know the importance of Indo-Pacific region for India

• India’s Indo-Pacific Strategy-Know in Detail

• ‘Contemporary geopolitical idea of the Indo-Pacific’-What is that?

• India and Japan-Examine both countries geopolitical stature

• India is a nuclear weapon power and Japan is not. But that only presents a partial picture. While Japan does not have nuclear weapons, it relies on the US nuclear umbrella for its security-Compare India and Japan Nuclear power status

• India, Japan and QUAD

• QUAD 22 saw dichotomy among Quad leaders on two pressing challenges-What were those and know each QUAD member’s stand on those pressing challenges

• Do You Know-The Indo-Pacific concept was first proposed by then Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, during his visit to India in 2007, when he delivered “The Confluence of Two Seas” speech in Parliament. Abe was invited as chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in 2014, and conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2021 for his contribution to India-Japan ties.

• What is ‘Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)’?

• Know the objectives of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)

• Fundamentally, the ‘Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) complements the “Quad Plus” process-How far you agree with this statement?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍The significance of the Indo-Pacific for India

THE CITY

Fresh trouble for Sisodia as CBI books him in ‘feedback unit snooping’ case

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story- In mounting trouble for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR against him in connection with a snooping case related to the Delhi government’s alleged ‘Feedback Unit (FBU).’

• Who is Manish Sisodia?

• Why the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Manish Sisodia?

• The new liquor policy was very much in news-why?

• For Your Information-Proposed in 2020, it came into effect in November 2021. Delhi was divided into 32 zones with each zone having 27 liquor vends. It marked the exit of the government from selling liquor — only private liquor shops would run in the city, and each municipal ward would have 2-3 vends. It aimed to end the liquor mafia and black marketing, increase revenue and improve the consumer experience, and ensure equitable distribution of liquor vends. The government also made the rules flexible for licensees, such as allowing them to offer discounts and set their own prices instead of selling on MRP fixed by the government. Following this, discounts were offered by vendors, which attracted crowds. After protests by the opposition, the excise department withdrew the discounts for some time.

• What provision in the new liquor policy was the point of contention?

• What differences exist between the old liquor policy and the new liquor policy?

• What exactly CBI said on Delhi excise policy?

• What is the Feed Back Unit; is it still operational?

• Do You Know- Feed Back Unit was setup in September 2015 with approval from the Delhi Cabinet of Ministers, the ‘Feed Back Unit’ was tasked with gathering ‘relevant information and actionable feedback’ regarding the working of government departments, autonomous bodies, institutions and entities under the jurisdiction of the Delhi government. Its mandate also included conducting sting operations, or ‘trap cases’, by its personnel, dubbed intelligence ‘assets’, on ‘targets’ or subjects – mainly individuals – under the Secretary of the Vigilance department but the ‘direct control of the Chief Minister’s Office.’

• What was the organizational setup of the FBU?

• What were the finances of the FBU like?

• What is the Secret Service Fund?

• What work did the FBU undertake?

• What are the charges against the FBU?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Govt’s ‘feedback unit modelled after Intelligence Bureau’

EXPRESS NETWORK

Govt nod to acquire defence hardware worth over Rs 70k cr

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: 

• General Studies III: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

• General Studies III: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story-The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisitions worth more than Rs 70,500 crore. This includes additional BrahMos missiles, utility helicopters, Marine Diesel Engine for the Navy, and Long-Range Stand-Off Weapon for IAF’s Su-30s. The procurements will be made under Buy Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category. Acceptance of Necessity is the first step in the long defence acquisition process, and may or may not necessarily culminate into a final order.

• The procurements will be made under Buy Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category-What is Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category?

• What is Acceptance of Necessity?

• Defence Acquisition Council-About, Role and Functions

• Why Defence Acquisitions Council was created?

• What is the Indigenisation of Defence?

• Why Indigenisation of Defence?

• Indigenisation of Defence and Make in India-connect the dots

• Do You Know-In 2018, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had accorded approval for the procurement of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), fitted with state-of-the-art sensor suite, for the Navy. These platforms are aimed at strengthening maritime security by undertaking a multitude of operational roles. In 2021, the Cochin Shipyard Limited had emerged as the lowest bidder for the construction of six Next Generation Missile Vessels at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore.

• What is Make in-India Programme?

• Can you name some prominent schemes by the Government of India in Make in India programme category?

• What is Make in India policy of defence and how it can boost exports

• What are the India’s defence industry components?

• What is Defence acquisition?

• Why Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)?

• Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)-know its key features

• How much India spends in defence as compared to other sectors?

• What is budget for defence imports?

• What Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says about India’s defence and defence expenditure?

• When it comes to defence exports then why exports of defence products from India are limited to few countries like Vietnam?

• India can recalibrate not reduce the defence expenditure-do you agree?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:  

📍Defense Acquisition Procedure

THE WORLD

Japan, South Korea renew relations at Tokyo summit

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story-Japan and South Korea agreed to resume regular visits between their leaders and take steps to resolve a trade dispute during a long-awaited summit Thursday. Japan’s prime minister called their meeting a “big step” to rebuilding the two nations’ security and economic ties as they try to overcome a century of difficult history. The summit could revise the strategic map of northeast Asia. The two U.S. allies, who have long often been at odds over their history, are seeking to form a united front, driven by shared concerns about a restive North Korea and a more powerful China.

• Map Work-Japan and South Korea

• Relations between South Korea and Japan-go back to history

• The summit could revise the strategic map of northeast Asia. The two U.S. allies, who have long often been at odds over their history-What happened between the two nations?

• For Your Knowledge-Japan effectively colonized the Korean Peninsula between 1910 and 1945, in a regime that imposed Japanese names and language on Koreans and conscripted many into forced labor or forced prostitution in military brothels before and during World War II. Japan paid $800 million in reparations to South Korea’s military-run government in 1965, but this money was never distributed to victims. A semi-government fund offered compensation to former “comfort women” when the government apologized in 1995, but many South Koreans believe that the Japanese government must take more direct responsibility for the occupation. The two sides also have a longstanding territorial dispute over a group of islands controlled by South Korea and claimed by Japan.

• The Tokyo summit between South Korea and Japan highlights what?

• Strengthening Japan-South Korea ties in the current strategic environment is urgent-Why?

• South Korea and Japan and North Korea-Connect the dots

• What’s expected at the summit?

• What’s at stake for the region?

• How are Japan and South Korea addressing history?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍JAPAN-SOUTHKOREA SUMMIT: WHAT HAS KEPT THE TWO APART

French govt passes pension reform Bill without any voting

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story-Similar scenes repeated themselves in numerous other cities, from Rennes and Nantes in eastern France to Lyon and the southern port city of Marseille, where shop windows and bank fronts were smashed, according to French media. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told radio station RTL on Friday that 310 people were arrested overnight. Most of the arrests, 258, were made in Paris, according to Darmanin. Macron has made the proposed pension changes the key priority of his second term, arguing that reform is needed to keep the pension system from diving into deficit as France, like many richer nations, faces lower birth rates and longer life expectancy.

• What are France’s proposed pension reforms?

• Some Key Features-In a press conference addressing the proposed reforms, Prime Minister Borne stated that the minimum retirement age to be entitled to a full pension will be gradually increased by three months every year, starting this year. This would go on till 2030, by which time, the retirement age would have increased from 62 to 64. Furthermore, starting from 2027, people will need to have worked for at least 43 years to get a full pension. A key feature of the reforms is an increase in pensions for some, especially minimum-wage workers. According to the latest proposals, the minimum pension for low-income workers who have a full career will be increased to 85 per cent of SMIC (minimum wage), i.e. nearly €1,200 at present. Currently, more than 2 million workers fall under this category and are likely to see their pensions rise by a minimum of € 100 a month.

• What are some of the criticisms of this scheme?

• Who is criticising the reforms?

• How are protests likely to play out?

• Pension Schemes in India and Pension Schemes in France-Compare and Contrast

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍What are France’s proposed pension reforms, which have led to widespread protests?

EXPLAINED

Iran-Saudi deal, brokered by China: What the big gambit holds for Beijing, West Asia and India

Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

Key Points to Ponder:

• What’s the ongoing story- China’s big geopolitical card in West Asia, the Saudi-Iran detente announced last week, is an ambitious new gambit that seeks to secure long-term economic interests as well as lay the foundations for political influence in the region, to rival the role that the United States has traditionally played.

• The March 9 announcement of the deal came when the National People’s Congress, the Chinese parliament, was in session-So what’s the big deal?

• “China was clearly “proactive” in pursuing an “achievement” in a region dominated by US influence. Unlike the Palestinian issue, the Saudi-Iran conflict is not an intractable problem”-Analyse

• Saudi Arabia and Iran bilateral relations-know in detail

• Map Work-Saudi Arabia and Iran

• Quick Recall-Saudi Arabia and Iran have announced the restoration of diplomatic ties after four days of previously undisclosed talks in Beijing on Friday (March 10), Reuters reported. The announcement could not only lead to a major realignment in West Asia, it also poses a major geopolitical threat to the United States, with China acting as peace broker for the historic deal.

• Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to revive two key agreements they concluded during an earlier phase of positive bilateral relations-What are those two agreements?

• Why relation between these two countries were severed?

• For Your Information-The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran is rooted in Islamic sectarianism. While Iran is the foremost Shia state in the world, Saudi Arabia is considered to be the religious home of Sunni Islam. In modern times, this sectarian rivalry has translated into a tussle for regional hegemony. This has played a role in both sides being involved in multiple proxy conflicts against each other in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and most devastatingly, Yemen.

• Given the plethora of issues that divide Iran and Saudi Arabia, it is pertinent to ask why a deal has suddenly been struck now. What changed?

• China’s desire to be a global diplomatic power-Know China’s role in this particular situation

• The deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran and China brokering it-How it will impacted USA and Israel?

• India has so far avoided commenting on the Iran-Saudi détente-Examine India’s role

• How World responded?

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

📍Saudi Arabia, Iran to renew ties: What it means for the world

📍How the Saudi Arabia-Iran deal could affect ongoing Middle East flashpoints

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