{"id":37799,"date":"2025-02-21T19:07:56","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T13:37:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=37799"},"modified":"2025-03-03T15:51:26","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T10:21:26","slug":"news-in-short-21-february-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-02-2025\/news-in-short-21-february-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short-21-02-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Article 101(4)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Amritpal, who faces charges under the stringent National Security Act, might lose his MP seat under <strong>Article 101(4).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 101(4) of the Indian Constitution<\/strong> deals with the disqualification of a Member of Parliament (MP) due to their absence from the sessions of Parliament.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Disqualification for Absence: <\/strong>MPs can be disqualified if they are absent from all meetings of either the Lok Sabha (House of the People) or Rajya Sabha (Council of States) for a period of 60 days without seeking permission from the House.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Effectively, the period of absence is only calculated based on the actual sittings of Parliament.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Permission: <\/strong>The absence must be without permission from the respective House of Parliament. If the MP obtains permission, the disqualification does not apply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This provision ensures <\/strong>that MPs actively participate in legislative proceedings and remain accountable to the people they represent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/what-is-article-1014-why-should-amritpal-not-worry-about-it-9847426\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The criminal proceedings against India\u2019s Got Latent over alleged obscene remarks have sparked a debate on <strong>freedom of speech under Article 19<\/strong> of the Indian Constitution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution<\/strong> deals with the reasonable restrictions that can be placed on the <strong>fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conditions under which speech can be restricted by the state:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Security of the State, Public Order, Decency or Morality, Contempt of Court, Defamation, and Incitement to Offense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Right to Take Offense: <\/strong>Article 19(2) of the Constitution does not recognise offensive speech as a distinct category.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Therefore, the notion of a right to take offence lies beyond the ambit of constitutionally permissible limitations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Constitutional Morality:<\/strong> It&#8217;s a nuanced, evolving concept, not an inherent sentiment.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Must be cultivated and developed over time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dr. B.R. Ambedkar believed the legislature, not the Constitution, should decide forms of administration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/120843\/OPS\/GMSE16PMS.1+G5ME186TG.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>SC Directions on Remission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court directed states with remission policies to consider the premature release of prisoners, even if they haven\u2019t applied for remission beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The ruling applies to all prisoners, except those convicted of certain serious crimes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Remission Law<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Remission refers to reducing the sentence of a convicted person.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 72 gives the President<\/strong> the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, remissions, or commute sentences, including death penalties and military court cases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Article 161 gives the Governor <\/strong>similar powers but only for state law offenses, excluding death sentences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Section 473 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 <\/strong>and <strong>Section 432 of the CrPC<\/strong> give states the power to remit sentences at any time, with conditions such as regular reporting to police officers.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Life sentence convicts cannot be released before serving at least 14 years in prison.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Supreme Courts Ruling&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Previous: <\/strong>In 2013, the SC ruled that remission cannot be granted suo motu (on the court\u2019s initiative) and must be initiated by a convict\u2019s application.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This judgment was based on the idea of avoiding arbitrary releases, especially during festive occasions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recent :&nbsp; <\/strong>The SC observed that many states now have remission policies that provide eligibility criteria for early release.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It ruled that if a remission policy is in place, states have an obligation to grant<strong> suo motu remission<\/strong>, without waiting for the convict\u2019s application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Failing to do so would <strong>violate the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/right-to-equality\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/right-to-equality\/\">right to equality under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>States must create a detailed remission policy within two months if one doesn\u2019t exist.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conditions should account for factors like the motive of the crime and public safety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Do you know ?<\/strong><br>&#8211; Prisons in India have an occupancy rate of 131.4%, with 5,73,220 inmates against a capacity of 4,36,266.<br>&#8211; Most prisoners (75.8%) are undertrials, awaiting final decisions in their cases.<br>&#8211; In 2020, 2,321 prisoners were released prematurely; in 2021, 2,350; and in 2022, the number increased to 5,035.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ayushman Bharat Scheme in Delhi<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Delhi Cabinet approved the implementation of <strong>Ayushman Bharat scheme <\/strong>in the National Capital.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ayushman Bharat Scheme<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was launched in<strong> 2018<\/strong> with the aim of achieving<strong> universal health coverage<\/strong>. It has two key components;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ayushman Arogya Mandir&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>AB PM-JAY<\/strong> is the largest publicly funded health assurance scheme in the world which provides health cover of <strong>Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year <\/strong>for <strong>secondary <\/strong>and <strong>tertiary care<\/strong> hospitalization.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Scheme will apply to all aged 70 and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coverage:<\/strong> It covers up to <strong>3 days<\/strong> of pre-hospitalization and <strong>15 days<\/strong> of post &#8211; hospitalization expenses such as <strong>diagnostics and medicines.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The beneficiary can visit any empanelled public or private hospital in India to avail cashless treatment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is <strong>no restriction<\/strong> on the <strong>family size, age or gender.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eligibility:&nbsp; <\/strong>The inclusion of households is based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas, respectively.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This number also includes families that were covered in the <strong>Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY)<\/strong> but were not present in the<strong> SECC 2011<\/strong> database.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Funding: <\/strong>The funding for the scheme is shared by the Centre and the state in a <strong>60:40 ratio.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, for North-Eastern states, Himalayan states (such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh), and Union Territories, the<strong> ratio is 90:10.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ayushman Arogya Mandir<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The component led to creation of<strong> 1,50,000<\/strong> Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are created by upgrading the <strong>Sub Health Centres (SHCs)<\/strong> and rural and urban <strong>Primary Health Centres (PHCs)<\/strong>, to bring health care closer to the community.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The<strong> aim<\/strong> is to provide Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) along with the provision of<strong> follow-up care<\/strong> to the patients in the community.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The essential health services along with the <strong>provisioning of essential medicines and diagnostics <\/strong>are provided closer to the community through these centers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/india-news\/delhi-cabinet-approves-implementation-of-ayushman-bharat-in-first-meeting-125022100032_1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>BS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Predatory Pricing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS 3\/Economy&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has released the <strong>draft Competition Commission of India (Determination of Cost of Production) Regulations, 2025<\/strong> for Predatory pricing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Predatory Pricing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is the sale of <strong>goods or services below the cost of production to eliminate competition.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a strategy used by <strong>market giants with deep pockets, involving setting prices below average variable costs<\/strong> to sustain short-term losses and eliminate competition.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impacts:&nbsp; <\/strong>While this may benefit consumers in the short term, it can harm the market and consumers in the long run by driving competitors out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulation:&nbsp; <\/strong>The Competition Act, 2002 prohibits predatory pricing under Section 4(2)(a)(ii) as an abusive practice by dominant enterprises.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Draft Regulations:&nbsp; Latest Developments&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The draft regulations update the methodology for determining the costs involved in allegations of <strong>predatory pricing, replacing the 2009 regulations.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This move is part of a broader regulatory overhaul following the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023, aimed at modernizing India\u2019s competition law framework.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The new regulations aim to align India\u2019s approach with global practices and contemporary economic theories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>REITs and InvITs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The SEBI proposed a framework for undertaking fast-track follow-on offers by real estate investment trusts (REITs) and infrastructure investment trusts (InVITs) to make fundraising more efficient.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are REITs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Real Estate Investment Trusts or REITs are investment trusts (like mutual funds) that pool funds from investors to <strong>own and operate income-generating real estate<\/strong> properties.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They pool funds from investors offering them a<strong> liquid way of entering the real estate market<\/strong> while helping them diversify their portfolio and earn regular income plus long-term capital appreciation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are InvITs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) <\/strong>are investment vehicles that <strong>pool funds from investors<\/strong> to own and operate infrastructure assets like highways, pipelines, and power plants.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They <strong>offer regular income through dividends<\/strong> and long-term capital appreciation while helping monetize assets and attract private investment in public infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/markets\/stocks\/news\/fast-track-follow-on-offers-for-reits-invits\/articleshow\/118433705.cms?from=mdr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ET<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Technology Adoption Fund (TAF)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The<strong> Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)<\/strong>, an indigenous arm of the Department of Space (DoS), has launched the <strong>\u20b9500-crore<\/strong> <strong>Technology Adoption Fund (TAF).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aim: <\/strong>To accelerate the development of indigenous space technology, reducing reliance on imported solutions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Features: <\/strong>Provide financial support up to 60% for startups\/MSMEs in space tech and 40% for larger industries, with a cap of Rs 25 Crores per project.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Encourage creation of intellectual property and new space products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open to all eligible Non-Government Entities (NGEs) with commercial potential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offers partial funding and technical guidance\/mentoring for product development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significance:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Invest in domestic R&amp;D and foster collaboration between government and private sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Position India as a global leader in the space industry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhance technology, production processes, and meet market demands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contribute to job creation and economic growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/in-space-unveils-rs-500-crore-technology-adoption-fund-to-boost-indias-space-startups-and-innovation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>DD News<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Software-Defined Radios (SDRs)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Defence Ministry signed two contracts worth \u20b91,917.47 crore for the procurement of software-defined radios (SDR) and rough terrain forklift trucks (RTFLT).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Software-Defined Radio (SDR)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It&nbsp; is an advanced radio system where traditional hardware functions, like circuit boards and filtering algorithms, are replaced by software.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It wirelessly transmits and receives signals in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, with software performing tasks such as frequency selection and other physical layer functions.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A \u20b91,220.12 crore contract was signed&nbsp; for 149 SDRs for the Indian Coast Guard.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These radios will transition to multi-band, multi-mode, and multi-role radios for future operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :TH<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Amritpal, who faces charges under the stringent National Security Act, might lose his MP seat under Article 101(4).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37799"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38324,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37799\/revisions\/38324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}