Cyclonic Storm ‘Remal’

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has recently initiated comprehensive preparatory measures to ensure minimal loss of life and property at sea due to Cyclonic Storm ‘Remal’ originating in the central Bay of Bengal.

• The word means ‘sand’ in Arabic. The name was suggested by Oman.
• Cyclonic Storm ‘Remal’ is originating in the central Bay of Bengal.
• It will cross the Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts as a severe cyclonic storm.
• It is expected to make landfall between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh.
• Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has made coordination efforts with the concerned state administrations to facilitate a synchronised response to potential contingencies arising from the cyclonic storm.
• The ICG’s Remote Operating Stations at Haldia and Paradip are broadcasting regular and multilingual Very High Frequency alerts, advising transit merchant mariners to take necessary precautions.
• ICG ships and aircraft are conducting surveillance along the projected path of the cyclonic storm to provide timely assistance and support.
• 9 disaster relief teams have been positioned at strategic locations including Haldia, Paradip, Gopalpur, and Frazerganj, ready to provide immediate assistance in the event of an emergency.

Antarctic Parliament [Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM)]

India is hosting the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46), also known as the Antarctic Parliament, from May 20-30 in Kochi, Kerala.

• Antarctic Parliament is also known as the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM).
• The ATCM is an annual meeting of the Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty, which includes the original 12 Parties and those conducting substantial Antarctic research.
• The purpose is to exchange information, consult on Antarctic matters, and recommend measures to further the Treaty's principles and objectives.
• Meetings rotate annually between Consultative Parties, ordered alphabetically by English name.
• Attendees include:
  • Consultative Parties
  • Non-Consultative Parties
  • Observers
    1. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)
    2. the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
    3. Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) (SCAR, CCAMLR, COMNAP)
  • Invited Experts
    1. Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC)
    2. International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO)
• Only the Consultative Parties take part in decision-making. Other participants in the meeting, however, may contribute to the discussions.
• Twelve countries were the original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed on December 1, 1959.
• Twelve countries are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• The treaty came into force in 1961, and a total of 56 countries including India, in 1983 have joined it since then.
• The Antarctic Treaty, which was signed during the Cold War, effectively designated Antarctica as a “no man’s land”, outside the bounds of international geopolitical competition.
• A few key features of the treaty are:
• Antarctica shall be used only for peaceful purposes, and no militarisation or fortification shall be allowed.
• All signatories will have the freedom to carry out scientific investigations, and should share plans for scientific programmes, extend required cooperation, and freely make available the data gathered.
• Nuclear testing or disposal of radioactive waste materials shall be prohibited anywhere in Antarctica.
• India – Since 1983, India has been a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty.
• India votes and participates in all key decision-making processes regarding Antarctica.
• Of the 56 nations that are part of the Antarctic Treaty, 29 have consultative party status.
• India is hosting the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46), also known as the Antarctic Parliament, from May 20-30 in Kochi.
• The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has organised the meeting, which will be attended by the 56 member countries of the Antarctic Treaty.
• India had last hosted the ATCM in New Delhi in 2007.
• India today has two operational research stations in Antarctica named Maitri (Commissioned in 1989) and Bharati (Commissioned in 2012).
• India ratified the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources on 17th June, 1985.
• India is a member of the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources under that Convention.
• India signed the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty on 14th January, 1998.

Windfall Gain

• Windfall gain (or windfall profit) is an unexpected gain in income which could be due to winning a lottery, unforeseen inheritance or shortage of supply.
• Windfall gains are transitory in nature.
• The recent fund transfer from RBI to Union government is a windfall gain to the Union government.
• The amount exceeds government expectations, creates space to increase capital spending, reduce deficit.
• The higher than expected transfer could be a consequence of an increase in interest income from the central bank’s foreign and domestic assets and forex transactions.

Passport rules for MP

Recently External Affairs Ministry have send show-cause notice to an MP for cancelation of his passport.

• Under the Passport Act of 1967, the Central government issues 3 classes of passports:
  1. Ordinary
  2. Official
  3. Diplomatic

• Ordinary passports – It is a deep blue-coloured passports that are issued for personal travel for adults with a validity of 10 years for adults and five years for minors or till they attain the age of 18.
• The ordinary passports are issued through a network of passport offices across the country.
• Official passports – With white jackets are issued to designated Government officials and other individuals specifically authorised by the Centre to work abroad on official assignments.
• Diplomatic passport or Type ‘D’ passport – Is for designated members authorised by the Centre to represent the country.
• These include senior government officials, Members of Parliament and their spouses.
• Such a passport has a maroon jacket and is valid for five years or less, depending on the position of the holder and the nature of their assignment and visit.
• The Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division of the MEA exclusively handles matters related to the issuance of diplomatic and official passports.
• Diplomatic passport holders travelling abroad for official purposes typically do not pay visa fees.
• They have immunity from arrest under international law and expedited immigration.
• Diplomatic passport holders do not need a visa note from the MEA when travelling to any of the 34 countries with which India has mutual visa waiver agreements for diplomatic passports.
• Members of Parliaments and their spouses are entitled to diplomatic passports along with ordinary passports.
• The diplomatic passports can be used for private visits like tourism or to visit friends and relatives, they are not meant to be used when travelling abroad for private business, as per the provisions.
• For private visits abroad, MPs must inform parliament secretariat 3 weeks in advance and get political clearance from MEA.
• Revocation of diplomatic passport - The passport authority can impound or revoke a passport for the following reasons:
  • If the holder has provided wrong information,
  • It he has been convicted in a criminal case,
  • There are pending criminal proceedings in an Indian court and
  • If it is in the overall national interest.
• Section 10(3) of the Passport Act of 1967, which deals with ‘variation, impounding and revocation’ of passports and travel documents mentions the circumstances in detail.
• Prajwal Revanna (MP) case – He is accused of sexual assault and fled to Europe last month using his diplomatic passport without political clearance.
• A 'Blue Corner Notice' seeking information on Revanna's whereabouts has already been issued by the Interpol following a request by the SIT.
• Karnataka CM requested the PM to cancel his diplomatic passport to secure his presence for trial.
• MEA has confirmed it is processing the request after the delay, as there is a court arrest warrant against Revanna now.

R21/Matrix-M

The Serum Institute of India (SII) recently said it has started exports of 'R21/Matrix-M' malaria vaccine to Africa as part of the global fight against the disease.

• The R21/Matrix-M vaccine is a vital new tool to help stop the devastating health and economic impact of malaria.
• R21/Matrix-M vaccine received WHO recommendation for use in children in October 2023.
• The vaccine is easily deployable, cost-effective and affordable.
• It is the second malaria vaccine to be authorized for use in children in malaria-endemic regions.
• It is developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII) with the University of Oxford and Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant.
• SII has started exports of 'R21/Matrix-M' malaria vaccine to to the Central African Republic (CAR) as part of the global fight against the disease.