Current Affairs 23-September-2023 (The Hindu)

Privilege Committee

(D Pg-10.)

Basics of Privileges

• Special rights, immunities, and exemptions - MPs, their committees, and the whole house.
• Source of the privileges - Constitution Article 105, various conventions, resolutions of the houses of parliament.
• Two types
  • Collective privileges – enjoyed by the house as a whole.
  • Individual privileges – to the individual members of the house.

Breach of Privilege

• Means actions that obstruct the parliament or prevent the members from performing their duties.
• Breach – Motion is raised by MP.
• Two conditions.
  1. A specific matter occurred recently.
  2. Matter requires the intervention of the committee to uphold the privileges.

Privilege Committee

• Composition
• 15 members - Lok Sabha
• 10 members - Rajya Sabha.
• Semi-judicial in nature.
• Functions of the committee
• Examines - Breach of privilege referred by Speaker/Chairman.
• Determines - breach of privilege is involved and makes recommendations in its report.
• Procedure to be followed by the House while giving effect to its recommendations.
• Report of Committee is presented to the Speaker. He/she may pass final orders.
• Speaker/Chairman may refer to the Committee a petition of the disqualification of a member on the ground of defection.
• The committee will make a preliminary inquiry and submit a report.

Committees

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act(UAPA), 1967

(D Pg-11.)

Overview

• It deals with unlawful activities in India.
• It can be imposed against individuals or associations.
• It is imposed when they engage in terrorist activities affecting the integrity and sovereignty of India.

Enforcement Body

• Enforcement body: National Investigation Agency (NIA).
• NIA is India's central counterterrorism agency.
• It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Established in 2009 under the NIA Act, 2008.

Unlawful Activity

Unlawful activity is defined as any action taken by any organization or individual with the intention of bringing secession, causing separation, disrupting, or questioning the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.

Declaration of Unlawful Association or Terrorists

• The Central Government can declare certain associations as unlawful based on specific grounds.

Investigation Process

• Investigation is carried out by NIA officers with the rank of Inspector and above.
• Approval of the Director General of NIA is required to seize the property of individuals or organizations.

Time Period for Investigation

• Investigation period: 180 days.
• It can be extended with court permission.
• No bail is granted during the investigation period.

Punishment

• The act provides punishment for individuals or organizations involved in unlawful activities or assisting in such activities.
• Penalty: 7 years imprisonment and a fine.

Banned Organisations

Nagorno-Karabakh Issue

(D Pg-13.)

Conflict Overview

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an ethnic and territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The region is currently governed by separatist Armenians and is referred to as the 'Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast'.

Background

In 1920, Joseph Stalin conquered the Caucasus region, with Armenia having a Christian majority and Azerbaijan having a Muslim majority. Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian-dominated region, was placed under Azerbaijani control.

Old USSR(Soviet Union) area

Lachin Corridor

1988 - Tensions Emerge

In 1988, the legislature of Nagorno-Karabakh expressed a desire to join Armenia, which increased tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This led to the emergence of a separatist movement.

Conflict Escalates

Azerbaijan sought to control the Nagorno-Karabakh region, while Armenia supported the separatist movement. This resulted in intermittent clashes and ceasefire violations.

Mediation Efforts

The Minsk Group, a mediation mechanism established in 1992 by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), has been involved in diplomatic efforts to address the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Points from the Editorial

(D Pg-8.)

2023 G20 summit in New Delhi

• Announcement of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• Countries - India, the U.S., the EU, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Italy, France & Germany.
• Multinational rail and shipping project.
• Aim - to link India with the Middle East and Europe.
• Result - boost to connectivity and trade.
• The project is backed by the U.S.

Reasons for the US’s interest in IMEC

• To contain China and Iran.
• China’s actions angered the U.S.
• China’s engagement with West Asian nations - power politics.
• Belt and road initiative of China.
• The rise of Iran triggered the U.S.
• Iran is not interested to be under the control of the U.S.

India specific points

• IMEC Project - help India to enhance its connectivity and cultural ties with the West Asian nations.
• Concern - U.S. may use India as a tool to counter China.
• Solution - India should establish itself independently in the West Asian region.

India-West Asia relations

• Before colonial era - Arab people in the West Asian region acted as an intermediary (in trade) between Indians & Europeans.
• Later - establishment of direct trade route between Europe and India.
• Result - downgraded ties.
• Colonial era - no major developments.
• After independence - no improvement due to closed economy.
• 1991 - liberalisation of Indian economy.
• Result - establishment of trade ties with West Asia.

Look West Policy, 2005

• Signing of trade and friendship agreements.
• Import of crude oil from the Gulf countries.
• India constructed a Chabahar port in Iran.
• Connectivity to Central Asia through Iran.

Trade ties

• FY 2022-2023
• The UAE - 3rd largest trading partner of India.
• The Saudi Arabia - 4th largest trading partner.
• Investment of Arab companies in Indian telecom sector.
• Investment of Indian companies in Arab’s oil sector.

Defence ties

• India and Oman joint military exercise - Al Naja.
• India and the UAE.
• Bilateral naval exercise - BILAT.
• Bilateral air force - Desert Eagle.
• Import of missiles, UAVs, Air defense systems, and radars from Israel.

Labour and migration

• 8 to 9 million Indians live in West Asia.
• Result - more inward remittances.
• UN report on international migration.
• 2017 - inward remittances from the Gulf region into India were 38 billion U.S. dollars.