National
News 1.
The Digital India Mission- How The Modernization Of Tech Changed the Face of Cases being tried In UP.
With approx 9.2 million cases, UP has retained its top position for second year in a row for the speedy disposal and entry of cases in the Digital India Mission.
Current Affairs: With over 9.21 million cases disposed of and entered through the online e-prosecution portal controlled by the Union Government. UP became the first state in India known for its speedy disposal and entry of cases followed by Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh under its Digital India Mission.
Digital Mission and the changing face of trials-
Gone are the days of cases being pending in courts for years and the saying, “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied.” The Uttar Pradesh Government has proved it. With cases being uploaded on the online portal as soon as the chargesheet is filed with the police officers, the whole department and the system of justice springs into action and tries the cases with utmost speed of being disposed of as fast as it can, sometimes even within a month. The Government of Uttar Pradesh and the offices concerned have started the digitisation of the cases on an online portal which not only updates the families of the victims about the timely procedure of cases but it also ensures that the justice is delivered on time to them.
Interoperable Criminal Justice System Of Uttar Pradesh-
- “The portal, managed by the Centre under its Digital India Mission, ensures communication between the police department and the prosecution directorate under the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS).”
- “This enables transfer of data among courts, police, jails and forensic science laboratories which is aimed at providing timely justice to the victims and their families.”
- This updates the families about the timings of their cases being tried, the appearances and everything else on a single portal.
- This provides not only timely information but keeps the aggrieved families in the loop about the timely updates of their cases.
Conviction Under The POCSO Act-
The conviction of 34 cases relating to the Act, showcases that all of these cases were tried on a speedy basis within a month of the charges being filed.
When and how does an e-prosecution portal come into play-- The e-prosecution portal comes into play as soon as the police file the chargesheet of the case.
- “The e-Prosecution portal comes into play once police file a charge sheet in a case. Once the details of the case are uploaded, sending summons to production of witnesses is monitored through the platform,”
- Additional Director General of Police (Prosecution) Ashutosh Pandey.
The Tech Savvy Government Of Uttar Pradesh-
To ensure that the timely justice is served, the government of Uttar Pradesh has provided the government officials with a laptop and has trained them to upload the correct details of the case in an efficient manner.
The Additional Help Provided To The Legal Justice System-
The additional help was sought from the following in achieving this milestone-- From the office of the Director General of Police,
- Principal Secretary (Law), Principal Secretary (Home) and
- Registrar of Allahabad High Court
- The POCSO ACT, 2012-
“The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
Long Title: An Act to protect children from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography and provide for establishment of Special Courts for trial of such offences and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”
News 2
No Sale Of Gold Jewellery Without HIUD From April 1
The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution mandates all gold jewellery to be hallmarked for sale from April 1st 2023, no gold jewellery shall be sold without the hallmark after March 31st 2023
Current Affairs: The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution prohibits the selling of gold jewelry without a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number from April 1st 2023.
According to The Indian Express, Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, “In consumer interest, it has been determined that sale of gold jewellery and gold antiques hallmarked without HUID should not be permitted after 31st March 2023.”
“Earlier, the HUID used to be four digits. As of now both HUIDs (4- and 6-digit) are used in the market. We are saying that after March 31 only 6-digit alphanumeric code will be allowed,” Khare added.
HIUD Number on Gold Jewellery:
According to the Department of Consumer Affairs website, a HUID number is a six-digit alphanumeric code. It is assigned to each piece of jewellery during the hallmarking process and serves as a unique identifier for each gold item. The Assaying & Hallmarking centre manually stamps the jewellery with a unique number. According to the department, the HUID allows for easy tracking of specific pieces of jewellery and serves as quality assurance.
The Department of Consumer Affairs website says, “In HUID-based Hallmarking, registration of jewellers is automatic with no human interference. It is aimed at ensuring the purity of Hallmarked jewellery and checking any malpractice. HUID is a secure system and poses no risk to data privacy or security. HUID-based Hallmarking is a win-win for everyone. It brings about transparency, ensures consumers’ rights, and obviates the chances of Inspector Raj”.
Importance of Hallmarking Gold Jewellery:
The HUID is stamped on the jewellery at the time of hallmarking. As per the government website, “Hallmark is a mark on gold jewellery which is affixed by an entity recognized by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to assure its fineness and purity.”
Checking for Hallmark on Gold Jewellery:
A BIS Hallmark consists of three symbols — the BIS logo, a symbol to indicate the purity and fineness of the jewellery, and then the HUID. No gold jewellery is made of 100 percent gold, as the yellow metal in itself is very soft and has to be mixed with other metals to shape it into jewellery items. The “purer” the jewellery, i.e., the more gold a piece of jewelry has, the more expensive it will be.
According to the government website, there are three categories of hallmarked jewellery-
- 22K916 means that it is 22-carat gold and the piece of jewellery has 91.6 percent gold.
- 18K750 means that it is 18-carat gold and the piece of jewellery has 75 percent gold.
- 14K585 means that it is 14-carat gold and the piece of jewellery has 58.5 percent gold.
“You may check the purity of gold jewellery at any BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. For this you will have to pay a fee of Rs 200,” the government website says.
However, a consumer cannot apply to the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre for getting a hallmark on her gold jewellery, that has to be done through a BIS-registered jeweller.
About the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution:
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution is responsible for formulating policies, regulations, and laws relating to consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
It is headquartered in New Delhi.
The current Minister is Shri Piyush Goyal.
Some of the major schemes implemented by the Ministry include:
- National Food Security Act,
- Public Distribution System, and the
- Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana.
The ministry also runs a National Consumer Helpline to address consumer grievances and complaints.
News 3
MP Govt. Launches Ladli Bahna Yojna
Madhya Pradesh govt launches Ladli Bahna scheme to provide Rs 1,000 per month to every woman and help them achieve financial independence
Current Affairs: Madhya Pradesh’s State Government has launched an innovative plan to empower women financially. Each lady will receive one thousand rupees each month under the Ladli Bahna scheme.
This scheme will be launched from Bhopal by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The Madhya Pradesh government will give Rs 1,000 every month and 12,000 every year to women who don’t pay income tax, irrespective of caste and community. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan kicked off the Ladli Bahna Yojana application process today at Bhopal’s Jamboree Maidan in the presence of around one lakh women.
About the Ladli Bahna Yojna:
The Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana is being implemented in the state with the goals of increasing women’s economic independence, improving their health and nutrition, and increasing their control over family decisions.
The plan will see 1000 rupees each month deposited into the accounts of local women aged 23 to 60. The government aims to reach out to one crore women in the state for which a provision of Rs 8,000 crore has been made in the Budget presented recently.
Applications for the plan will be accepted from the 15th of March through the 30th of April, after scrutiny, a list of beneficiaries will be put out on May 1 and the final list on May 31, they added. Money being distributed beginning on the 10th of June.
Criteria for determining Eligibility of Women to be a part of this Scheme:
CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that “Women above the age of 23 will be eligible for the scheme,” he added. “Ladies over the age of 60 who are currently receiving a pension of Rs 600 will now be eligible to a pension of Rs 1,000,”. The “Ladli Behna Yojana” is projected to help women whose yearly family income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh.
Beneficiaries will continue to get the benefits of other schemes, Chouhan said. “I want to empower all sisters economically and socially. The respect of women will increase in society. If sisters are strong then the family will be strong, and then society and the state,” the CM said.
International
News 1
Post-Quake Reconstruction To Focus On Shorter Buildings : Turkish Prez
Speaking at the National Risk Shield Meeting in Istanbul on Friday, Turkish Prez Erdogan laid out Turkey’s post-quake reconstruction plans.
Multiple devastating earthquakes struck Turkey, the country’s southern region, in early February, killing tens of thousands and displacing many more. According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 2,14,000 buildings in the region “collapsed, were on the verge of collapsing or were severely damaged” during the quakes.
About the Earthquake:
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake impacted southern and central Turkey as well as northern and western Syria on February 6, 2023. The epicenter was located 32 kilometers (20 miles) west of Gaziantep, a significant city in south-central Turkey. Following this, another 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Kahramanmaraş Province, 95 kilometers to the north-northeast of the first. There was massive destruction and tens of thousands of deaths.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake was the biggest to strike Turkey since the Erzincan earthquake in 1939, and there were over 10,000 aftershocks in the three weeks that followed. There was widespread devastation in an area (approximately 350,000 kmsq.) that affected an estimated 16% of Turkey’s population.
Development experts from the U.N. have estimated that about 1.5 million people were left homeless.
Reconstruction Plans:
The Turkish Prez, on March 4 at the National Risk Shield Meeting in Istanbul, said that reconstruction after the massive earthquakes would focus on rebuilding shorter buildings and developing more durable surfaces. The President also emphasized the importance of finding permanent housing for earthquake victims.
Locational Changes:
“When planning new settlements, we will be moving our cities away from lowland plains and towards mountains with more durable surfaces,” he said, and added, “We will not compromise on horizontal development,”. Xinhua news agency reported that the Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKI) will focus on constructing buildings of three or four storeys high.
Structural Changes:
The meeting comes two days after the Istanbul municipality launched its own Earthquake Mobilization Plan, in which it outlined measures to fortify structures in March against probable future major earthquakes. Turkish Urbanisation Minister Murat Kurum previously stated that new residential buildings will be developed in two specified zones on Istanbul’s Anatolian and European sides to replace dangerous ones.
About Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye):
President- Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Capital- Ankara
Currency- Turkish lira
News 2
Russia became the largest supplier of crude oil in Feb
Indian refiners are enjoying a rise in refining margins from processing discounted Russian crude
Russia continued to be the single largest supplier of crude oil. It has been supplying more than one-third of all oil India imported, according to energy cargo tracker Vortexa. India’s crude oil imports from Russia increased to 1.6 million barrels per day in February. It is calculated to be higher than total imports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Crude oil is converted into petrol and diesel at refineries. Russia’s share was was less than 1 percent in India’s import basket before the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, imports rose to 1.62 million barrels per day in February 2023. It has captured almost 35 percent market share.
India is the third largest importer of crude oil after China and the USA. Oil import from Saudi fell 16 per cent month-by-month and that from the US reduced to 38 per cent. For the last few decades Iraq and Saudi Arabia have been the largest importer for India.
What is the reason for this surge?
- Discount offered to Indian Refiners is an external boost
- Russia wants to fill the gap created by the EU ban on its supply
India-Russia
The Two countries enjoy a long history of a relationship. Military-technical cooperation between Russia and India has progressed from a buyer-seller model to one that involves collaborative research, development, and manufacture of modern defence technologies and systems. India and Russia conducted a joint tri-services exercise called “INDRA 2019” at Pune, Babina, and Goa.
Crude Oil
Crude oil, or simply oil, is a naturally occurring yellowish-black liquid mixture of hydrocarbons,and is found in geological formations. Petroleum is recovered by oil drilling, and after extraction is refined through fractional distillation by refineries.
Russia
Capital- Moscow
President – Vladimir Putin
Currency- Russian Ruble
News 3
Iran makes sweeping pledge of cooperation to IAEA before board meeting
Iran is supposed to provide access to information, locations, and people, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said at Vienna airport soon after landing
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced that Iran has given assurances that it will assist a long-stalled investigation into uranium particles found at undeclared sites, and even reinstall removed monitoring equipment. This comes after IAEA chief Rafael Grossi’s return from a trip to Tehran just two days before a quarterly meeting of the agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors. However, Iran has made similar promises before that have not been fulfilled.
Iran ready to provide information and access
- The IAEA and Iran issued a joint statement which gave little detail but expressed Iran’s readiness to provide further information and access to address the outstanding safeguards issues.
- Grossi stated that Iran would also allow the re-installation of extra monitoring equipment that had been removed last year. This suggests a significant improvement after years of Iranian stonewalling.
Hope for improved relations
- This move by Iran is likely to prevent a Western push for another resolution ordering Iran to cooperate.
- The possibility of a marked improvement in relations between Iran and the IAEA is now more likely.
Monitoring equipment to be re-installed at multiple locations
- Grossi announced that all of the monitoring equipment would be re-installed, but did not specify where stating only that it would be at multiple locations.
- Follow-up talks in Iran between the IAEA and Iranian officials aimed at finalizing details are expected to happen “very, very soon”.
https://twitter.com/iaeaorg/status/1632067793712455680?s=20
The IAEA: Promoting Safe and Peaceful Nuclear Technology
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a global organization that promotes cooperation in the nuclear field.
- It was established in 1957 as part of the United Nations family to achieve “Atoms for Peace.”
- The IAEA is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, at the Vienna International Centre, and collaborates with member states and partners worldwide to ensure the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
- The IAEA’s mission is focused on the interests and requirements of member states, strategic plans, and the vision outlined in the IAEA Statute.
- The organization’s mission is built on three main areas of work: Safety and Security, Science and Technology, and Safeguards and Verification.
Appointments and Resignations
News 1
Latest appointments: Women are taking the lead in various sectors
Manisha Saxena appointed DG of tourism, Meenakshi Negi named member secretary, NCW
Senior bureaucrat Manisha Saxena has been appointed as director general of tourism in the tourism ministry. Mrs. Saxena is a 1996 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Mizoram-Goa-Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre. She has held various posts including the Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare. She has more than 25 years of experience in Service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was the Nodal officer in Delhi for the overall management of COVID matters. Before that, she was designated as chairperson of the “Single Use Plastic” Committee.
Meenakshi Negi, a 1989 batch Indian Forest Service officer of Karnataka cadre, has been named as member secretary of the National Commission for Women (NCW).
Khilli Ram Meena, a 1993 batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, will be the additional secretary, of the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Meena is at present an additional secretary and financial advisor in the Ministry of Rural Development.
Ministry of Tourism
It is a government agency formed in 1996. It is responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations, and laws relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India. The head of the ministry is the Minister of Tourism (India) held by Shri G. Kishan Reddy. The potential for tourism in India was first recognized with the setting up of a Tourist Traffic Committee, an ad-hoc body, in 1948, to suggest ways and means to promote tourism in India
National Commission for Women
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is the statutory body of the Government of India. It is concerned with advising the government on all policy matters affecting women. It was established on 31 January 1992 under the provisions of the Indian Constitution, as defined in the 1990 National Commission for Women Act. The first head of the commission was Jayanti Patnaik. As of 30 November 2018, Rekha Sharma is the chairperson. It is headquartered in New Delhi.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
The Ministry of Minority Affairs is the ministry in the Government of India that was carved out of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and created in 2006.
Minister – Smriti Zubin Irani
News 2
Senior legislator-elect, Timothy D Shira takes oath as Pro-tem Speaker in Meghalaya
Timothy D Shira, a senior NPP MLA, was sworn in as the Pro-tem Speaker of the Meghalaya assembly on March 4. Governor Phagu Chauhan administered the oath at Raj Bhavan in Shillong.
Deputy CM warns of stern action
- Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong condemned the attack on HSPDP MLAs for supporting the NPP-led alliance and warned of stern action against those who create trouble in the state.
- He also reminded that the NPP emerged as the single largest party in the elections and will have the right to stake claim to form the government.
PM to attend CM’s swearing-in ceremony
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend Conrad Sangma’s swearing-in ceremony as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya.
- The ceremony will take place in Shillong, the capital city.
- This visit is significant as the Northeast region has been a priority area for the government in terms of development and security.
Curfew imposed in Sahsniang village
Curfew was imposed in Sahsniang village in West Jaintia Hill District following the counting of votes. The curfew may be lifted tomorrow after reviewing the situation.
Pressure groups protest against HSPDP MLAs
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) and Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) protested against the two HSPDP MLAs for supporting the NPP-led alliance and have given them a deadline of March 7 to withdraw their support.
Finance
News 1
World Bank signs USD 1 billion loan to support India’s health sector
Bank says the loans will support India’s efforts to improve public healthcare infrastructure across the country
The Government of India and the World Bank recently signed two loans of USD 500 million each to support India’s health sector development.
According to a release by the World Bank, this combined financing of USD 1 billion will support the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), launched in October 2021, which aims to improve the public healthcare infrastructure across the country.
Loans to prioritize health service delivery in seven states
- One of the loans will prioritize health service delivery in seven states, including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, as per the release.
- The loans will focus on improving the healthcare infrastructure in these states, which will benefit the populations of these states and generate positive spillovers for other states.
Agreement signed between India and World Bank
The agreement was signed by Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India, and Auguste Tano Kouame, Country Director, India, World Bank. Kouame commented on the importance of pandemic preparedness and health system strengthening, stating that the two projects are supporting India’s decision to increase the resilience and preparedness of the country’s health systems against future pandemics.
India’s health sector performance improves over time
India’s performance in health has improved over time, with the country’s life expectancy estimated to be at 69.8 in 2020, up from 58 in 1990, according to the World Bank. This improvement is higher than the average for the country’s income level, indicating progress in the health sector.
What Is the World Bank, and What Does It Do?
- The World Bank provides financing, advice, and research to developing nations to boost their economies.
- It was founded along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Bretton Woods Agreement to serve international governments.
- The World Bank Group includes five cooperative organizations, often referred to as the World Banks.
- The group offers various financial assistance, products, and solutions for international governments, along with research-based thought leadership for the global economy.
- The Human Capital Project is a World Bank initiative aimed at helping nations invest in and develop their human capital to create a better society and economy.
- David R. Malpass, is the President of the World Bank Group.
- It was established in July 1944.
- Its headquarters are based in Washington, D.C., United States.
$150 Million World Bank Loan to Punjab to Improve Financial Management and Deliver Better Services to Citizens
- The World Bank has approved a $150 million loan to Punjab, a state in northern India, to help manage its finances and improve public services.
- The Punjab: Building Fiscal and Institutional Resilience Program will strengthen various government departments and improve the planning, budgeting, and monitoring functions using digital technology.
- The project will also improve accountability in public procurement systems and introduce performance-based grants to incentivize municipal corporations to improve service delivery.
- The loan has a maturity of 15 years, including a grace period of six months.
MOUs
News 1
All MoUs will be implemented: Andhra CM
The Government of Andhra Pradesh conducted a “Global Investors Summit 2023” at Visakhapatnam on the 3-4 March
The theme for the Global Investor Summit 2023 is “Advantage Andhra Pradesh- Where Abundance meets Prosperity”. 64 companies signed MoUs with the Andhra Pradesh government on the first day, Rs 1.80 lakhs crore proposals expected on the 2nd day. There are expected investments of Rs 2 lakh crore, and the government will fetch five times more on Day One itself.
All the memorandum of Understanding signed at the Global Investor summit would come to reality. Materialization of MoUs will provide direct and indirect employment to 3.92 lakh people in the State.
After these proposals get finalized, industries will provide employment to 3.92 lakh people in the State. Against the expected investments of 2 lakh crore during the two-day summit, the government attracted five times more on Day One itself. Investors exchanged MoUs with the AP government in the presence of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Global Investor Summit
The 2-day summit offers an all-inclusive platform to international and domestic investors, policymakers, diplomats from various countries across the globe, country business delegations, influencers, industry associations, and trade bodies to explore opportunities, and forge partnerships. The state has planned Business-to-Business (B2B) and Government-to-Business (G2B) meetings, keynote speeches, sector-specific plenary sessions, and exhibits as opportunities for global leaders to engage fruitfully.
Moreover, the state has planned activities for international partners to experience local culture, art, and cuisine giving everyone a holistic experience of the state.
Andhra Pradesh
The state of Andhra Pradesh is renowned for its excellent infrastructure, large manufacturing base, talented youth, and business-friendly environment.
Capital- Amravati
Chief Minister – Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy
Legal
News 1
Special Lok Adalat on Matrimonial cases held across J&K
A total of 669 cases involving matrimonial disputes were taken up by 65 Benches in the day long Special LokAdalat.
On Saturday, Special Lok Adalat on Matrimonial Cases was held across J&K as a part of the calendar of activities for the year 2023 prepared by the J&K Legal Services Authority. This was organized under the leadership of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority.
A total of 669 cases of matrimonial disputes were taken up by 65 benches at various courts across the UT of J&K. Out of the total cases, 224 were settled and disposed of, and an amount of Rs. 51,10,500 was awarded as compensation.
Focus of Adalat: amicable settlement of matrimonial disputes amongst the parties and disposal of the case to ensure immediate respite not only to the parties but also to their family members from the evils of litigation leading to unrest in the family.
J&K legal services
Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, Amit Kumar Gupta, said this was the first special Lok Adalat of matrimonial cases in the current calendar year. As per the schedule, the next special LokAdalat shall be conducted on Saturday, April 15, 2023, for quick settlement of Motor Accident Claim cases that are pending before various courts in J&K.
Gupta appreciated the efforts of all the judicial officers, Secretaries DLSA’s, Advocates, staff of the district and tehsil courts, as well as Legal Services Institutions besides litigants for their wholehearted participation. He also highlighted the role of Para Legal Volunteers and the media.
Lok Adalat
Lok Adalat is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism for the settlement of pending cases in court or at the pre-litigation stage. It is a statutory organization under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. In India, it is used as an outside court settlement. Its main objective is to provide speedy justice.
News 2
What happened before, during & after the riot?: Former SC judge
In the Delhi riots of 2020, an inquiry commission must be set up to bring out the facts more clearly
Former Judge of Supreme Court Justice Madan Lokur suggested that an inquiry commission must be set up for the impartial investigation of the events that erupted in 2020 and culminated to form what is known as Delhi riots. He emphasized that the whole nation must know what actually happened in 2020. The former Judge was speaking at the event organized by Constitutional Conduct Group and Karwan-e-Mohabbat to commemorate the third anniversary of Delhi riots.
Riots broke out in the year 2020 in North East Delhi during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The violence burnt up the entire capital with havoc created all over. Justice Lokur said that the Union Home Ministry delayed the deployment of additional forces in the violence-hit areas. The riots continued constantly between February 23 and 26, 2020. Delhi police received several alerts on the day the riots broke out, additional forces were deployed only on the last day. He highlighted that the state government failed to ensure timely and adequate relief and compensation to those affected by the violence.
Justice Madan Lokur
Justice Madan Bhimrao Lokur is a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India. He was elevated to the bench of the Delhi High Court in 1999 and thereafter became the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court and the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He was then appointed as a judge of the supreme court in 2012, where he served for six years until his retirement in 2018.
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the leading judicial authority of India and the highest court of the Republic of India under the constitution. It has the final decision in all legal matters pertaining to common law, excluding legal authority over personal laws. It also has the power of judicial review. The Chief Justice of India is the Head of the Supreme Court, which consists of a maximum of 34 judges, and has extensive powers in the form of original, appellate and advisory jurisdictions. The current Chief Justice of India is Honb’le Justice D Y Chandrachud.
Defence
News 1
North Korea calls on UN to demand immediate end to US, South Korea combined military drills
The statement comes after Seoul and Washington announced more than 10 days of large-scale military exercises in March.
On Sunday, North Korea called on the UN to demand an end to the combined military drills by the US and South Korea. Kim Son Gyong. The Vice Foreign Minister for International Organizations, expressed that the drills and rhetoric from the allies are “irresponsibly raising the level of confrontation.”
The US and South Korea:
It all started when a statement was made after Seoul and Washington to conduct more than 10 days of large-scale military exercises in March.
The U.S. and South Korea say the exercises are in self-defense and are necessary to counter the rising threats from North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, which are banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions.
North Korea blamed the US for the collapse of international arms control systems and said Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons were a just response to ensure the balance of power in the region.
Statement by Kim Son Gyong
Kim said, “The U.N. and the international community will have to strongly urge the U.S. and South Korea to immediately halt their provocative remarks and joint military exercises. It is regrettable that the U.N. has been consistently silent on the exercises, which have a clearly aggressive nature.”
Earlier, Kim accused U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of being “extremely unfair and unbalanced” in his response to North Korea’s missile test.
About UN
The UN was established after World War II to prevent future world wars. It is an intergovernmental organization to maintain international peace and security. It develops friendly relations among nations and achieves international cooperation among them. It has its headquarters in New York and other offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, and The Hague.
News 2
UK, Pakistan sign pact for supply of ammunition to Ukraine via Germany
The UK’s Ministry of Defence recently signed a pact with Pakistan Ordinance Factories to supply ammunition, including artillery rockets, to Ukraine.
This comes six months after Pakistan acted as a bridge for transferring arms to Kyiv on behalf of the UK. The ammunition consignment of 162 containers, including artillery rockets, was shipped from Karachi Port to Ukraine via Germany in February.
Pakistan’s role in the transfer of arms to Ukraine
- Last year, Pakistan played a critical role in the transfer of arms on behalf of the UK to Ukraine.
- The Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi was allegedly part of the air bridge used by the UK for military aircraft flights to Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport in Romania via a British air base in the Mediterranean.
- The air bridge avoided Iran and Afghanistan airspace and allegedly used the West Asian airspace to transfer arms. Artillery ammunition for the Ukrainian army may have been ferried via this air bridge.
Polish entity signs MoU with Pakistani company
- Recently, a Polish entity signed an MoU with a Pakistani company for the supply of defence equipment to Kyiv.
- Some other Pakistani and Polish companies are also involved in the transfer of the equipment, while a Canadian firm is acting as an intermediary.
- Islamabad-based DMI Associates, which is an agent for Pakistan Ordnance Factories, has signed an MoU with the Government Strategic Reserves Agency of Poland.
- Pakistan exported a consignment of Anza Mark-II Man Portable Air Defence Systems to Poland for transporting to Ukraine.
Karachi-based shipping firms facilitate supplies of defence stores
- Karachi-based shipping firm Project Shipping allegedly facilitated supplies of 146 containers from Pakistan Ordnance Factories in January.
- In addition, yet another shipment of 50,000 defence stores was reportedly sent by Pakistan Ordnance Factories via Karachi last month.
- The shipments from Pakistan are reportedly being transferred to Ukraine through Poland’s Gdańsk Port.
Assistance promised to Pakistan by Ukraine
- In return for Pakistan’s assistance, Ukraine has promised to upgrade Pakistan’s Mi-17 helicopters.
- A Ukrainian firm involved with manufacturing aircraft engines and industrial marine gas turbines is allegedly assisting Pakistan in upgrading its helicopters.
Close military and industrial ties between Ukraine and Pakistan
- Ukraine and Pakistan share close military and industrial ties.
- Pakistan had purchased more than 320 Ukrainian T-80UD tanks in service with a fully formed ecosystem for their upkeep, use, ammunition and spare parts.
- Between 1991 and 2020, Ukraine concluded arms contracts worth nearly $1.6 billion with Pakistan.
- Islamabad has reportedly clinched a deal with Kyiv for the repair of its T-80UD fleet at a cost of $85.6 million.
- In 2021, Pakistan and Ukraine agreed to optimise military ties, particularly in the defence production, training, counter-terrorism activities and intelligence domains.
| Current Prime Minister | Capital | Currency | |
| Ukraine | Denys Shmyhal | Kyiv | Ukrainian hryvnia |
| Pakistan | Shehbaz Sharif | Islamabad | Pakistani Rupee |
| United Kingdom | Rishi Sunak | London | Pound Sterling |