21 Nov CA

1.

Assamese filmmaker Utpal Borpujari has been chosen to be a part of the jury for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which is set to begin in Goa from today

Renowned filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has been appointed as the head of the five-member jury for the best web series (OTT) award category.

This year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has introduced a new award category for the best web series (OTT)

Note: Utpal Borpujari has won two National Film Awards – one as a film critic and another as a filmmaker. In 2003, he was honored with the Swarna Kamal for Best Film Critic at the 50th National Film Awards of India. Additionally, in 2018, his debut feature film Ishu earned him the National Film Award and 5 Assam State Film Awards

2.

The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, 2022, was Sunday awarded jointly to the Indian Medical Association and the Trained Nurses Association of India as representatives of the Covid warriors in the country.

The prize honours each and every doctor, nurse, paramedic and karmachari for their selfless service, and for their unflinching dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity

3.

Saturn’s rings will seemingly disappear from view in 2025, a phenomenon caused by the planet’s rotation on an axis. Saturn won’t actually lose its rings in 2025, but they will go edge-on, meaning they will be essentially invisible to earthlings

Every 13 to 15 years, Earth sees Saturn’s rings edge-on, meaning they reflect very little light, and are very difficult to see, making them essentially invisible

Galileo Galilei was the first person to look at Saturn through a telescope, in the early 1610s

4.

The controlled airspace of Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Manipur’s capital Imphal was closed for commercial flight operations on Sunday for nearly three hours after an unidentified flying object was seen

The object was visible from the terrace of the ATC tower; people on the ground including airline and CISF personnel also saw it. The object’s colour was white

All airport operations were kept on hold till further notice and a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) of airspace closure was flashed.

What is a NOTAM?

A NOTAM contains information about the condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.

5.

The Assam Police Child Rights Week campaign, which started on November 14, culminated with the ‘Go Blue’ campaign on World Children’s Day observed globally on November 20.

The ‘Go Blue’ campaign was initiated by Unicef.

Participating in this campaign, iconic landmarks world over are illuminated in blue to express solidarity with the cause of child rights.
The Assam Police Headquarters, along with SP offices and police stations across the state, were also beautifully illuminated in blue.

Through its flagship Sishu Mitra programme, Assam Police has been striving towards strengthening its response mechanisms to ensure protection of child rights across the state. The programme is a collaborative partnership of the Assam Police with UNICEF and UTSAH Child Rights Org. It is one of the largest child-friendly policing programmes in the country.

6.

Assam’s five non-attainment cities, Guwahati, Nagaon, Silchar, Sivasagar and Nalbari, have been identified by the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). These cities’ pollution levels are higher than the recommended air quality guidelines. Accordingly, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has been initiated to develop action plans to bring down the fine particulate matter (like PM10 and PM2.5) by 20-30 per cent within a stipulated time frame.

The idea of clear blue skies and clean air in this part of the country is in danger as a result of the ongoing problem of air pollution in Assam and other northeastern states, according to a new warning from the Delhi-based Centre of Science and Environment.

A large chunk of the population in Assam is breathing toxic air, with Guwahati topping the chart of the highest polluted cities in the state and also having one of the highest black carbon emissions in the country.

7.

Assam Directorate of higher education has invited applications for PG Research Scholarship Scheme 2023. Students who fulfil the eligibility requirements will be able to apply on the official website, dhe-operations.assam.gov.in/scholarship, from November 21 to December 5.

The selected candidates will have to execute a bond before awarding the scholarship to the effect that the entire scholarship amount drawn by the scholar shall be refunded if he/she discontinues the research work / study during the tenure of scholarship or violate any terms and conditions of the award

What is a scholarship bond?

A bond is a legal agreement between the scholarship provider and the recipient, which requires the recipient to work for a specific period of time in a particular field or industry after completing their education. The bond is typically for a longer period than the duration of the scholarship, and failure to fulfill the terms of the bond may result in the recipient having to pay back the scholarship or face legal consequences. The purpose of the bond is to ensure that the scholarship funds are used to benefit the recipient’s education and to provide a return on investment to the scholarship provider by having the recipient work in a specific field or industry.

8.

• The Supreme Court considered the Tamil Nadu government’s argument on the Governor’s discretion to withhold 10 Bills re-passed by the State Legislative Assembly.

More on this news:

• Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud stated that once Bills are re-passed, they are on par with Money Bills, and rejection by the Governor is not permissible.
• The State referred to Article 200’s first provison, emphasizing that if the Bill is re-passed and presented to the Governor, assent cannot be withheld.
• The Chief Justice questioned whether the Governor must send Bills back to the House after withholding assent, to which the State argued that it is a necessary corollary.
• Acknowledging the State’s submission, the court noted that the Governor, after withholding assent and sending back the Bills, cannot refer them to the President.
• The State expressed concern that the Governor’s indefinite withholding of Bills is depriving the people of Tamil Nadu of the benefits of crucial laws passed by the House.

Question: Examine the constitutional provisions related to the Governor’s discretion in withholding assent to bills. Evaluate the impact on the legislative process and the rights of the state government.

9.

• Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles expressed that China is the “biggest security anxiety” for both India and Australia during the 2+2 dialogue.
• Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized consensus on the importance of a strong India-Australia partnership for the overall peace, security, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

Why China is the biggest security anxiety for India?

• Territorial Disputes: India and China have longstanding border disputes, leading to military standoffs and tensions.
• Strategic Rivalry: China’s rising influence in the region poses a strategic challenge to India’s security interests.
• Economic Competition: Economic and trade competition adds another dimension to the security concerns.
• Military Buildup: China’s military modernization and infrastructure development along the border raise security apprehensions.
• Regional Influence: China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region impacts India’s geopolitical standing and security dynamics.

10.

• The Supreme Court has sought a response from Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan in response to a petition by the State government.
• The petition alleges that the Governor is indefinitely withholding key Bills presented for assent, causing delays ranging from seven to 23 months.

Potential implications of governor holding assent with bills:

• Delay in implementation of laws:If a governor holds assent with a bill, it can delay the implementation of the law. This can have a number of negative consequences, such as uncertainty for businesses and individuals, and a lack of clarity about the legal framework.
• Increased political tension:A governor holding assent with a bill can also increase political tension between the governor and the legislature. This can make it more difficult for the two branches of government to work together effectively.
• Legal challenges:If a governor holds assent with a bill, it can also lead to legal challenges. This is because the governor may be seen as acting outside of their authority in refusing to sign a bill into law.
• Loss of public trust: If a governor holds assent with a bill that is popular with the public, it can lead to a loss of public trust in the governor. This can make it more difficult for the governor to govern effectively in the future.
• Political posturing:In some cases, a governor may hold assent with a bill as a form of political posturing. This is especially likely if the governor is from a different party than the legislature.
• Constitutional crisis: In extreme cases, a governor holding assent with a bill can lead to a constitutional crisis. This is because it can raise questions about the separation of powers and the role of the governor in the legislative process.

Way forward:

• Establish clear guidelines for gubernatorial assent: Clearly define the circumstances under which a governor can hold assent with a bill and establish a time frame for the governor to make a decision. This would provide greater transparency and predictability in the legislative process.
• Enhance communication and collaboration between the governor and legislature: Encourage regular dialogue and open communication between the governor’s office and the legislature to foster mutual understanding and address concerns early on. This could help prevent disagreements from escalating to the point of withholding assent.
• Strengthen judicial review mechanisms: Provide clear and accessible mechanisms for judicial review of gubernatorial decisions to ensure that they are within the bounds of the constitution and do not unreasonably obstruct legislative action.
• Empower legislative oversight: Establish robust legislative oversight mechanisms to hold the governor accountable for their actions, including the power to override a gubernatorial veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
• Foster public engagement and dialogue: Encourage public participation in the legislative process and promote open discussions about the implications of gubernatorial assent on the implementation of laws and the overall functioning of the government.
• Consider constitutional amendments: If the issue of gubernatorial assent proves to be a recurring challenge, consider exploring constitutional amendments to clarify the governor’s role in the legislative process and address any perceived imbalances in power. 

Question: Critically examine the implications of a governor holding assent with bills and suggest measures to address the potential challenges arising from this practice.