Context: The Supreme Court upheld the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) powers to summon individuals for information.

Gist:

• Criticised Tamil Nadu District collectors for not responding to ED summons, and accused them of disrespecting law, court, and Constitution.
• Endorsed the sweeping powers of ED to summon anyone for any information.

Prelims Connect (Institutions in news)

Context: World Bank warns South Asia, including India, failing to utilize demographic dividend.

Prime concerns:

• Job creation lags behind working-age population growth.
• India’s employment growth below average for 2000-2023, with the employment ratio declining second only to Nepal.
• Region could achieve 16% higher output growth with better employment rates.
• Weak employment trends in non-agricultural sectors due to institutional and economic challenges.

Recommendations include supporting women’s participation, increasing access to finance, trade openness, easing financial regulations, and improving education.

Context: India’s new EV policy allows imports of electric vehicles from any country, including China.

Policy Includes:

• Lowering import taxes on certain electric vehicles.
• Car manufacturers must commit to investing at least $500 million and commence domestic manufacturing within three years to benefit from the tax reduction.
• Aim: To encourage investment and production of electric vehicles within India.
• Impact: It could potentially increase the availability of electric vehicles in the Indian market, including those from Chinese manufacturers.

Prelims Connect (Policies/Schemes/Programs)

Context: Hundreds of houses have been flooded in coastal areas of Kerala due to high swell surge or Kallakkadal.

Kallakkadal

• A combination of two Malayalam words meaning “thief” and “sea,” symbolising the ocean’s sudden arrival.
• Refers to coastal flooding caused by swell waves during the pre-monsoon season on the southwest coast of India.

Factors responsible for formation:

• Caused by ocean swells generated by distant storms or intense gale winds, travelling thousands of kilometres until they reach the shore.
• Strong winds in the southern Indian Ocean generate ocean swells, which then move northward to affect the Kerala coast and Lakshadweep.

Concerns

• Kallakkadal occurs without precursors or local wind activity (challenging to predict)

Preparedness measure: Early warning systems like the Swell Surge Forecast System offer forecasts up to seven days in advance.

Source: Indian Express

Transformation in India’s defence ecosystem:

• Defence ecosystem in India has seen significant transformations with a focus on indigenization, domestic procurement, and defence
• India aims to achieve a defence production target of Rs 1,35,000 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 1,75,000 crore by 2025.

Steps for defense indigenization:

• Policies like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make In India aim to reduce risks associated with disruptions in critical supply chains.
• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 mandates 50% indigenous content in procurement contracts and introduces the Buy (Global-Manufacture in India) category.
• Initiatives like Srijan Indigenisation Portal and defence industrial corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have attracted significant investments.
• Progress in building naval platforms like INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and Project 17A frigates, demonstrates advancements in indigenous defence capabilities.
• Initiatives like Innovations for Defence Excellence and funding schemes support innovation and participation of MSMEs, startups, and academia in defence R&D.

The way ahead:

• Provide equal career opportunities for women in the armed forces.
• The transformation in the defence sector aligns with the goal of making India a resilient and self-reliant nation by 2047, fostering global partnerships in defence.

Source: Indian Express

India’s foreign policy:

• India’s strategic geography has expanded to include island states and territories from the South Pacific to the African coast.
• The concept of the “Indo-Pacific” has gained prominence, driven by India’s evolving relations with China and the US.
• India’s engagement with Europe has increased, marked by high-level visits, growing trade, and agreements with the European Free Trade Association.
• The expansion of India’s geographic vocabulary has led to increased focus on regions like Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Amid this expansion, “South Asia” has seen a decline, with SAARC’s failure prompting a shift towards sub-regional cooperation.
• New geographies like “Zomia” and “Khorasan” are gaining strategic attention due to emerging challenges and tensions in regions surrounding India.

Source: Indian Express

Context: The IMD forecasts above-normal temperatures across most of India from April to June.

Heat waves:

• A period of unusually high temperatures, with specific thresholds defined by the IMD.
• IMD declares a heat wave if maximum temperatures reach at least 40°C in the plains or 30°C in hilly regions, with departures of 4.5-6.4°C from normal.
• A heat wave is also declared if actual maximum temperatures exceed 45°C, with severe heat waves above 47°C.

Factors responsible for heatwaves:

• Climate change contributes to more frequent and lethal heat waves globally.
• El Niño weather conditions are also influencing heat wave occurrences.

Concerns:

• Significant risks to public health, agriculture, livelihoods, and disease spread.
• Higher temperatures can cause heat stress, illness, and mortality

The way ahead:

• The Election Commission of India has issued an advisory to manage the impact of heat waves during voting,

Source: The Hindu

Context: Katchatheevu Island issue

Katchatheevu Island:

• Katchatheevu became part of Sri Lanka through an agreement signed in 1974.
• The islet is historically significant for fisher folk from both India and Sri Lanka, hosting an annual festival at St. Anthony’s Church.
• The 1974 agreement faced opposition in the Indian Parliament, leading to debates and walkouts, particularly from Tamil Nadu politicians.
• The issue resurfaced in 1991, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister demanding retrieval.
• The Union government’s stance, as of 2013 and 2022, asserts that Katchatheevu is under Sri Lankan jurisdiction, with no territory ceded by India.

Source: The Hindu

Findings of World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s State of the Global Climate report-2023

• 2023 is the hottest year globally.
• Average temperature rise from pre-industrial levels is 1.45°C, nearing the 1.5°C limit.
• Record-breaking events – ocean temperature rise, glacier retreat Sea levels are rising
• These events disrupt activities, including agriculture, affecting development globally.

Steps to address climate change:

• The Paris Agreement became legally binding in 2016.
• India has implemented initiatives such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change and the National Solar Mission to shift towards renewable energy.

The way ahead:

• The timing of the State of the Global Climate report is opportune for political discourse.
• Political parties should address climate change concerns and outline action plans.

Source: The Hindu

Context: UNSC resolution for ceasefire in Gaza adopted.

USA’s response to the Israel’s Gaza war:

• Historically, the U.S. has supported Israel’s military actions in Palestine.
• It took five and a half months for the USA to allow a UNSC resolution for a ceasefire.
• Despite the resolution, the USA is not enforcing it, tarnishing its global image.
• The USA continues to support Israel despite criticism, unlike past presidents who applied pressure.

Conclusion:

• The US administration must demand an immediate ceasefire, boost aid to Gaza, and stop arms sales to Israel if the conflict continues.

Source: The Hindu