DAILY

CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

19 OCTOBER 2022

1 – About the FATF:

GS II

Topic à International Relations:

·         Context:

·         At the Financial Action Task Force’s plenary conference this week in Paris, Pakistan is anticipated to be removed off the group’s “grey list,” though it will still be required to update members on its efforts to stop the funding of terrorism and money laundering. India will keep a close eye on this choice.

·         The FATF:

·         The Financial Action Task Force is the name of the international organisation in charge of policing money laundering and terrorism financing (FATF).

·         By establishing global rules, the international organisation aims to eradicate these illegal behaviours and the harm they cause to society.

·         As a part of its function as a policy-making body, the FATF seeks to develop the necessary political will to carry out these kinds of national legislative and regulatory reforms.

·         To enable a coordinated international response to combat terrorism, organised crime, and corruption, the FATF created the FATF Recommendations, often known as FATF Standards.

·         They assist law enforcement in tracking down the money that criminals use to carry out crimes including the selling of illegal drugs and human trafficking.

·         The FATF seeks to stop financial support for WMDs, especially nuclear weapons.

·         The FATF’s obligations include:

·         The FATF regularly modifies its standards to handle emerging dangers. One such area, which is becoming increasingly important as cryptocurrencies gain popularity, is the regulation of virtual assets. The FATF also examines techniques for financing terrorism and money laundering.

·         By overseeing the complete and efficient implementation of the FATF Standards, the FATF holds non-compliant countries accountable.

·         The FATF has the following objectives:

·         To prevent money laundering, sponsorship of terrorism, and other threats to the integrity of the global financial system, proper use of judicial, administrative, and operational procedures must be promoted.

Source à The Hindu

2 –Details of the AK 203 Assault Rifles:

GS III

Topic à Internal Security:

·         Context:

·         By the end of 2022, the Indo-Russian joint venture at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh will start producing AK-203 assault rifles, claims a senior Russian official.

·        About:

·         The AK-203 assault rifle is thought to be the most modern and technologically sophisticated iteration of the AK-47.

·         It is an AK-100 rifle with a 7.6239mm round (one that offers the AK-74M system, in multiple cartridges and lengths).

·         This variant is planned to replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.5645 mm assault rifle, which is currently used by the Army, Navy, and Air Force as well as other security forces.

·         High altitude use of the INSAS weapon is not recommended. These rifles are also prone to jams, oil leaks, and other issues.

·         Advantages and strengths of the AK-203:

·         Due to their popularity and user-friendliness, these guns have withstood tests in both extreme cold and heat.

·         This particular model is an improved AK-47 with a 30-round magazine.

·         Because they are AK line products, as opposed to INSAS guns, these rifles never jam.

·         These guns, which are modifications of Kalashnikov rifles, can fire through sand, dirt, water, and inclement weather.

·         These weapons also offer a high degree of adaptation, customization, and versatility.

·         the AK-203 rifles’ more powerful 7.62 mm NATO standard ammunition.

·         In automatic and semi-automatic settings, the rifle can fire 600 rounds per minute, or 10 bullets per second.

Source à The Hindu

3 – About the Uniform Civil Code:

GS II

Topic à Government Policies and Interventions:

·         Context:

·         People of other religions and denominations who adhere to separate property and marriage rules are a “affront to the nation’s unity.” Article 44 of the Uniform Civil Code, according to the administration’s argument before the Supreme Court, separates religion from social ties and the law.

·         About:

·         The Uniform Civil Code ensures that all national people are governed by the same personal law. This code, which will replace the existing religious personal laws in existence in India, will establish a single, universal standard that will be enforced to everyone, regardless of where they choose to worship. The “UCC” abbreviation stands for the Uniform Civil Code. It simply means that, with the exception of any specific religion, a single law controls every aspect of life throughout the entire country. The “Uniform Civil Code” is specifically mentioned in Article 44, Part 4 of the Indian Constitution. Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy.

·         The adoption of an uniform civil code affects a country’s capacity to accommodate its diverse people and commitment to justice.

·         Constitutional provisions that refer to the UCC:

·         Article 44:

·         A UCC must exist because the Constitution requires “The State to endeavour to obtain for the Citizens a consistent civil code across the territory of India.”

·         This is regarded as advisory in nature because it is contained inside the chapter on the Directive Principles of State Policy.

·         Article 37:

·         believes that although being listed as a national goal in the Indian Constitution, a single civil code is neither a guarantee made by the constitution nor a fundamental right.

·         Litigation cannot be used to obtain a UCC. Despite this, judges still express their opinions.

·         The Uniform Civil Code’s history:

·         Since colonial India, the notion of creating a universal civil code has been the subject of intense discussion. The concept was first proposed by the British government in 1835 as a part of a scheme to codify Indian laws abroad and enhance the administration of justice. Criminal laws were developed and made uniformly applied before the country gained independence (during the colonial era). Even though the laws were the same across several towns, each one was under scrutiny.

·         UCC justifications:

·         Conflict would be diminished if everyone could uphold the same civic standards as a result of a national code.

·         If and when everyone in the neighbourhood begins according to the same standards, there is a chance that the peace will improve and there won’t be as many riots.

·         Women’s rights and secularism: UCC will seek to remove all types of discrimination based on gender and religion in favour of the nation’s secular foundation.

·         In order to protect women’s rights to a life of dignity and to have control over both their bodies and their lives, UCC may therefore bring all communities together.

·         Many harmful, unfair, and unjust ceremonies and practises that are currently practised in diverse cultures can be eliminated with the adoption of a logical, uniform, and common personal law.

·         For instance, laws that prohibit manual scavenging. This behaviour is unacceptable in a mature democracy like India, despite the fact that it may have been common in the past.

·         Simpler Administration: UCC will make it easier to manage India’s enormous population.

·         UCC criticisms include:

·         The multiculturalism and diversity of Indian society will be hampered, and some of its distinctive features would disappear. These distinguishing characteristics of the legal system in this nation will vanish under an united one.

·         Because they believe it will interfere with religious concerns and violate fundamental rights protected by Article 25 of the constitution, religious organisations are opposed to a uniform civil code.

·         Next Steps:

·         The fundamental principles of the Constitution support diversity and promote respect among Christians of all denominations.

·         Gradual adjustments Unified legislation is generally a good thing, but if it is passed quickly, it could jeopardise the integrity and unity of the country.

·         Reform and order must be implemented gradually in a democracy with the rule of law.

Source à The Hindu

4 – Details of the GI Tags:

GS II

Topic à Government Policies and Interventions:

·         Context:

·         Due to an unexpected increase in demand and record-breaking sales during Onam, the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) decided to file an application for the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kerala cashew. Accreditation for drum-roasted cashews produced using the traditional way will draw attention to their rarity due to the overuse of mechanised processing in many locations.

·         About:

·         Geographic indicators tags are also known as “GI tags” or “GI tags” in India. The legislation becomes operative on September 15, 2003.

·         Items with a specific geographic origin and characteristics or a reputation originating from that origin are identified using a geographical indicator (GI).

·         Such a name emanates a brilliance and singularity that are mostly related to its nation of origin.

·         Geographically branded products are highly valued in India as the best representations of the glorious nation.

·         This tag may be renewed once 10 years have passed.

·         The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry introduced the name and logo for India’s Geographical Indications (GI).

·         India’s Darjeeling tea was the first product to be given a GI label in 2004.

·         The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 is a new piece of law for the protection of geographical indications (GI) in India (GI Act).

·         India, a WTO member, approved the Act to ensure compliance with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

·         Benefits of GI Tags:

·         A person can utilise the appropriate geographic indicator to prevent others from supporting noncompliant products if they have it.

Source à The Hindu