Trees in Corbett fell prey
to nexus of greed , says SC
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The Supreme Court on Wednesday condemned the
illegal felling of more than 6,000 trees to construct a building for “ eco-
tourism “ in Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand .
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The court cited it as a classic case of “ nexus
“ between politicians and officials working to ransack the environment for
short term commercial ends.
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What
is the case all about ?
A petition was filed by an environment activist challenging the
Uttarakhand’s govt proposal to have a tiger Safari and a specialized zoo to
have caged animals at the national park
.
● What the judgment says :
Ø
The court said that it was “ amazed at the
audacity “ of former Uttarakhand
ministers and officials . The court has ordered
a CBI enquiry in the case and has directed the agency to submit its report
within three months .
Ø
The court said that the cost of restoration of
the forest will be incurred from errant politicians and officials .
Ø
The court has. Proposed to form a panel and the
panel of the representatives of NTCA , Wildlife Institute of India ( WII)
,central empowered committee and a joint secretary .
Ø
The committee
will recommend whether Wild Safaris should be allowed in specialized
wildlife conservation zones .
Ø
In case the committee allows Safaris in these
zones . The committee will have to recommend guidelines for their operation .
The guidelines would be applied on a Pan India basis.
Ensure Pakistan does not
use loans to foot defense bills , India to IMF
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India in a review meeting of IMF on Pakistan loan batted for “
stringent monitoring “ of the funds given . India stressed that such funds must
not be used for defense bills or repayment of loans from other countries .
·
India in earlier review meetings had abstained to
participate and vote . This is the first time India took part in a review
meeting on Pakistani Loans.
·
IMF
loans to Pakistan :
Following Floods and external shocks Pakistan
economy was on verge of collapsing , when it requested loans from IMF .The IMF
in July last year okayed a 3 billion
dollar stand by Arrangement ( SBA ) that
is going to expire next month . Pakistan has requested a 1.2 billion dollar
additional loan from the IMF .
PM launches India’s first
underwater line Metro line in Kolkata
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday
inaugurated Kolkata Metro’s Esplanade Howrah maidan section .
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The Metro line passes through the country’s
first underwater tunnel below Hooghly Rover .The 4.8 km long section was made
at a cost of Rs. 4,965 crore .
Navy commissions INS Jatayu
MH 60 R helicopter squadron
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The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned INS
Jatayu on Minicoy island in Lakshadweep . This is the second base in
Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti .
·
Minicoy island is at the nine degree equator
line and at a very important strategic position . It separates Maldives and
India .
·
Looking at increased closeness of Maldives
and China this has become even more
important .
Don’t promote betting ,
govt tells media celebrities
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The Central Consumer Protection Authority in an
advisory has warned manufacturers , advertisers ,social media platforms , and
broadcasters against promoting illegal acts such as Gambling or betting .
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The advisory noticed that betting platforms were
introducing celebrities to advertise their products . This gives a “ false
impression that indulging in these activities is acceptable “.
·
It warned that stringent action of guidelines is
violated .
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Currently there is no law in India that bans
betting and Gambling .
·
However states like Sikkim , Telangana , Tamil
Nadu , Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have banned these betting and gambling
by making their own laws .
States
Take Rs.13,608 crore on offer , SC advises
Kerala
·
The Supreme Court ( SC ) advised Kerala govt to accept Rs.13,608 crore being offered by center and accept the conditions put by
center,except withdrawing the suit.
·
SC also asked the center if it was
fair to put a precondition that the Petition filed by Kerala be withdrawn
for release of funds .
·
Justice Suryakant Mishra said “ we want to find
a structured solution to it . If you both can resolve the immediate emergency .
There will be time to hear the suit .” .
·
About
the case :
Ø
Kerala govt is facing financial emergency .
Ø
It is unable to pay pension and salaries to its
staff .
Ø
Kerala had filed suit in the Supreme Court
alleging the center was violating federal structure and causing economic harm
by limiting borrowing powers of states .
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Center accused Kerala of financial mismanagement
.Center agreed to offer Rs.13,608
immediate release to Kerala on preconditioning that Kerala withdraw its case .
Ø
Kerala Earlier in a meeting with the Central
govt rejected the offer .Kerala had sought Rs.26,226 crore to clear
its “ unmet arrears and
immediate obligations “ .
Human wildlife conflict a state
specific disaster : Kerala
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The Kerala cabinet on Wednesday declared human
wildlife conflict a state specific
disaster .
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The government also decided to form a committee
to look into the matter .
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The decision comes after increasing death of
civilians , damage to crops .
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Wayanad district of Kerala is among the most
affected by it .
Fresh complaint filed against Delhi
CM for skipping ED summons
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The Enforcement Directorate ( ED ) has
field a fresh Petition in Rouse Avenue court in Delhi against Arvind Kejriwal
for non compliance with its summons .
Ø
Arvind Kejriwal skipped the eighth summon by ED
on March 4 .
World
Healey Concedes as
Trump , Biden win big in primaries
Ø
On “ Super Tuesday “ , the day on which
elections of primaries and Caucuses were held for 15 US states , Nikkie Healy went out of the contest .
Ø
Nikkie Healy was able to win only one state. The
remaining 14 were won by Donald Trump .
Ø
There were no participants against Joe Biden ,
so he got all the votes .
Ø
With this it has become very good that the US
Presidential Contest in November will be between Trump and Biden .
‘US is using
Philippines as pawn in South China sea , says Beijing
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China on Wednesday accused the US of using the
Philippines as a “ pawn “ in the South China sea .
Ø
Replying to the incident of collision between
Chinese and Philippines vessel in South China sea . Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Mao Ning said ,China “
took control measures’ ‘ against Philippine ships ‘ “ illegal intrusion “ into
water it claims .
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“ China urges the United States not to use the
Philippines as a pawn to stir up trouble in the South China Sea . “. she said .
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The US earlier had condemned China’s action as “
provocative “ .
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The US and
Philippines have historically strong relations . The US has many Naval and
Airforce bases in the Philippines .
With 8,565 dead , UN
says 2023 was the deadliest year in a decade for migrants
Ø
UN’s International Organization for Migration (
IOM ) on Wednesday released data on Migrants death in 2023 .
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At least 8565 people died on Migration routs in
2023 . This is 20% more than total death
in 2022 .
Ø
The
Mediterranean route remained the deadliest with 3129 deaths .
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People from
South West Asian countries and North African countries try to migrate to Europe
.
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Those from
South America try to move to North American countries . Many also died
illegally migrating from Myanmar .
China says it’s economy off to a
strong start in 2024 , set to attain growth goals
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Exports rose by
10 % in the first two years of the month and the priority will be on
supporting scientific innovation and integrated development of Urban and Rural
regions , China’s top planning official Jheng Shinje told .
·
China assumes a
GDP growth of 5% this year .
