1. POMPE DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, India’s first patient diagnosed with the Pompe disease died after spending nearly six years in a semi-comatose state.

Pompe Disease

• About: It (also known as acid-maltase disease and glycogen storage disease II) is a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive weakness to the heart and skeletal muscles.
• Caused by: Mutations in a gene that makes an enzyme called acid. alpha-glucosidase (GAA), which the body uses to break down glycogen, a stored form of sugar used for energy.

oPompe disease happens when your body can't make a protein that breaks down a complex sugar, called glycogen, for energy. Too much sugar builds up and damages your muscles and organs.

• Types: Onset - First few month of Life, Late Onset - Any Age
• Symptoms: Trouble eating and not gaining weight, Poor head and neck control, Rolling over and sitting up later than expected, Breathing problems and lung infections, Enlarged and thickening heart or heart defects and Enlarged liver.
• Treatment: The treatment includes enzyme replacement therapy (ERT).

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2. COMMITTEES IN PARLIAMENT Syllabus GS Paper 2 - Polity)

Context: Recently, the ethics committee of the Lok Sabha is believed to have recommended the expulsion of Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from the Lok Sabha for her "unethical conduct" and "breach of privileges."

Committee of Privileges

• About: It is a Parliamentary Committee present in both the Houses of the Parliament.
• Composition: 15 members in Lok Sabha (10 in case of Rajya Sabha) nominated by the Speaker (Chairman in case of Rajya Sabha).
• Functions: The committee reviews matters related to breaches of privilege.

oThe committee outlines the steps for the House to implement its recommendations.

oIf the Speaker refers a privilege question to the Committee, the Committee's report is presented to the Speaker, who may make final decisions or have it placed on the House's Table.

Ethics Committee in Parliament: Each house of the parliament has its own ethics committee.

• Lok Sabha

oConstitution: 2000

oComposition: 15 Members including Chairman

oAppointment: By Lok Sabha Speaker

oTenure: 1 year.

• Rajya Sabha

oConstitution: 1997

oComposition: 10 Members including Chairman

oAppointment: By Rajya Sabha Chairman

oTenure: 1 year.

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3. GRAM MANCHITRA APPLICATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Recently, the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj informed the Lok Sabha about the Gram Manchitra application.

Gram Manchitra Application

• About: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj initiated the Geographic Information System (GIS) application known as "Gram Manchitra."
• Features: This application empowers Gram Panchayats to conduct planning at the local level, utilizing geo-spatial technology for effective decision-making.
• Unified Geo-Spatial Platform: "Gram Manchitra" serves as a single, unified Geo-Spatial platform, enhancing the visualization of developmental works across various sectors. It aids in decision support for the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).
• Mobile-Based Solution: The Ministry introduced mActionSoft, a mobile-based solution enabling the capture of photos with Geo-Tags (GPS Coordinates) for works with assets as an output.
• Geo-Tagging Process: Assets undergo geo-tagging in three stages—before the work begins, during the work, and upon completion. This establishes a comprehensive repository of information on various works and assets related to multiple sectors.
• Finance Commission Funds: Assets created under the finance commission funds are geo-tagged with photographs by the Panchayats, ensuring transparency and accountability in fund utilization.

Significance

• These tools play a crucial role in assisting Gram Panchayat officials in developing realistic and achievable development plans.
• They provide decision support for identifying potential project sites, tracking assets, estimating project costs, and assessing project impacts.

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4. PARLIAMENTARY GRANTS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Indian government sought parliamentary approval for an additional expenditure (Additional grant) of nearly Rs 1.3 lakh crore, primarily allocated to higher-than-budgeted food and fertilizer subsidies, as well as spending on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA).

Parliamentary Grants

• Supplementary Grant: It is granted when the amount authorised by the Parliament through the appropriation act for a particular service for the current financial year is found to be insufficient for that year.
• Additional Grant: It is granted when a need has arisen during the current financial year for additional expenditure upon some new service not contemplated in the budget for that year.
• Excess Grant: It is granted when money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that service in the budget for that year.

oIt is voted by the Lok Sabha after the financial year. Before the demands for excess grants are submitted to the Lok Sabha for voting, they must be approved by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

• Vote of Credit: It is granted for meeting an unexpected demand upon the resources of India, when on account of the magnitude or the indefinite character of the service, the demand cannot be stated with the details ordinarily given in a budget.

oHence, it is like a blank cheque given to the Executive by the Lok Sabha.

• Exceptional Grant: It is granted for a special purpose and forms no part of the current service of any financial year.
• Token Grant: It is granted when funds to meet the proposed expenditure on a new service can be made available by reappropriation.

oA demand for the grant of a token sum (of Re 1) is submitted to the vote of the Lok Sabha and if assented, funds are made available.

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5. INDIA INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Report/Indices)

Context: The India Infrastructure Report 2023 on Urban Planning and Development was released by  former Vice-President of India.

India Infrastructure Report 2023

• Policy Landscape: The document comprises 25 chapters that delve into the policy ecosystem, offering insights into the existing state of urban development.
• Focus: Specific attention is given to urban governance topics, including urban transportation planning and urban redevelopment, reflecting a holistic approach to city management.
• Role of Digital Technology: Emphasis is placed on the transformative role of digital technology in urban development, with a spotlight on smart cities and the performance-based ranking of cities.
• Financial Dimensions Explored: The report delves into financial aspects such as the financial sustainability of urban local bodies, the dynamics of public-private partnerships (PPPs), and the effectiveness of municipal bonds.
• Services: Special attention is dedicated to critical urban issues, including housing, migration patterns, and the delivery of public services, recognizing their pivotal roles in urban dynamics.

India Infrastructure Report (IIR)

• About: It is an annual publication initiated by the IDFC Foundation in 2001.
• Published by: IDFC Foundation, Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd. (iDeCK) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
• Objectives: To identify and analyze holistic aspects related to infrastructure development and to provide resources for formulating urban policy.

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6. LAKADONG TURMERIC (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, Meghalaya's Lakadong turmeric has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Lakadong Turmeric

• About: It is renowned globally as one of the finest turmeric varieties, boasting a curcumin content ranging from 6.8 to 7.5 percent.
• Organic Cultivation Practices: This turmeric variant distinguishes itself by its darker hue, owing to its cultivation through organic methods without the use of fertilizers.
• Geographic Specificity: Indigenous to the Lakadong area of Jaintia Hills, this turmeric variety is characterized by its high curcumin content, setting it apart from other turmeric types.
• Meghalaya's Diverse GI Products: Meghalaya proudly boasts other GI products, including Garo Dakmanda (traditional dress), Larnai pottery, and Garo Chubitchi (alcoholic beverage), each recognized for their unique cultural and regional significance.

GI Tag

• About: It is a symbol used on items that come from a particular geographical area and have qualities or a reputation linked to that place of origin.
• Nodal Ministry: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Tenure: 10 Years
• Regulated By: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999.
• The World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) also regulates Geographical Indications.
• India’s First GI Product: Darjeeling Tea (2004-05).

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7. JAMMU KASHMR ASSEMBLY BILLS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023

• Expansion of J&K Assembly Seats: This Bill proposes an increment in the total number of seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from 107 to 114.
• Scheduled Tribes Reservation: As a notable change, the bill introduces the reservation of nine seats for Scheduled Tribes, marking the first time such a provision has been made.
• Basis on Delimitation Commission Report: The increase in the number of seats aligns with the recommendations put forth by the Delimitation Commission.
• Empowerment of Lieutenant-Governor: The bill grants the Lieutenant-Governor the authority to nominate three members in the Assembly, including two from the Kashmiri migrant community, one of whom must be a woman. 

oAdditionally, the third member is to be a representative of individuals from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) who sought refuge in India after the wars with Pakistan in 1947, 1965, and 1971.

• Amendment in Terminology: The J&K Reservation Bill aims to substitute the term "weak and underprivileged classes (social castes)" with "other backward classes" in the J&K Reservation Act of 2004.
• Target of the 2004 Act: The 2004 Act specifically addresses reservations concerning appointments and admissions in professional institutions. 
• It focuses on members belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and other socially and educationally backward classes.

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8. NHRC (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Manipur government recently announced its intention to submit a comprehensive report to the National Human Rights Commission in the coming weeks, detailing the recent efforts undertaken by the administration to "de-escalate the violent situation in the state and return to normalcy."

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• About: It is an independent statutory body in 1993 under the provisions of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, later amended in 2006. 
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Composition: One Chairperson, five full-time Members and seven deemed Members.

oA person who has been the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court can become a chairman.

• Appointment:  Appointed by the President on the recommendations of a 6 member committee consisting of the Prime Minister.
• Tenure: 3 years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
• Removal: On the charges of proved misbehavior or incapacity, if proved by an inquiry conducted by a Supreme Court Judge.
• Function: It is the watchdog of human rights in the country, that is, the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the international covenants2 and enforceable by courts in India.

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9. INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: Recently, UNESCO approved the inclusion of Gujarat's traditional Garba dance in its 'Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.'

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

• About: UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.
• List Published by: Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Established: In 2008 when the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took effect.
• Gujarat's Garba dance: It is the 15th Intangible Cultural Heritage element from India to join this list. 
• The addition highlights Garba's pivotal role as a unifying force that fosters social and gender inclusivity, according to an official press release.

Garba Dance

• About: It is a form of Gujarati dance which originates from the state of Gujarat, India.

oIt is a ritualistic and devotional dance that is performed on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Navaratri, which is dedicated to the worship of the feminine energy or ‘Shakti’. 

oThe dance takes place around a perforated earthenware pot lit with an oil lamp, or an image of the mother goddess Amba.

• Modern Garba is also heavily influenced by Dandiya Raas, a dance traditionally performed by men.

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10. GROUP OF COMPANIES DOCTRINE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court issued a significant verdict affirming that an arbitration agreement can be binding on non-signatory firms under the "group of companies" doctrine.

• According to the doctrine, a firm which is not a signatory to an arbitration agreement between two parties can be held bound if such a company is part of the same group of companies which agreed to such a clause or agreement.

Group of Companies

• About: "Group of Companies" doctrine in Indian Arbitration, it is essential to delve into the fundamentals of Indian Arbitration Law.
• Consent in Arbitration Agreement: Section 7 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996, mandates consensus ad idem for a valid arbitration agreement. 

oThis mutual agreement reflects the parties' common intention to resolve disputes through arbitration, serving as the foundation for arbitration proceedings.

• Genesis of Contention: The concept of "consent" forms the basis for debate surrounding the "Group of Companies" doctrine in Indian Arbitration. 

oCriticized globally for potentially diluting consent and altering arbitration dynamics, this doctrine has sparked discussions among jurists and arbitration practitioners.

• Indian Jurisprudence Embracing the Doctrine: Contrary to global criticism, the Indian legal landscape has embraced the "Group of Companies" doctrine.

 
Role of the Doctrine in Complex Commercial Transactions

• The "Group of Companies" doctrine has become particularly relevant due to the escalating complexities associated with commercial transactions.
• In addressing multifaceted agreements and disputes, this doctrine empowers Arbitral Tribunals and Indian courts to extend the arbitration agreement to members within a company group with a relationship to the principal contract.

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