Current Affair 1:

National Logistics Policy

 

India marks one year of launch of National Logistics Policy on 17th September 2023. We will see few important points related to Policy.

The vision of NLP is to drive economic growth and business competitiveness of the country through an integrated, seamless, efficient, reliable, green, sustainable and cost-effective logistics network by leveraging best in class technology, processes and skilled manpower. This will reduce logistics cost and improve performance.

(i) Integrated Digital Logistics Systems; (ii) Standardization of Physical Assets and Benchmarking of Service Quality Standards; (iii) Logistics Human Resource Development and Capacity Building; (iv) State engagement; (v) EXIM Logistics; (vi) Services Improvement Framework; (vii) Sectoral Plans for Efficient Logistics (SPEL); and (viii) Facilitation of Development of Logistics Parks.

Current Affair 2:

Global No First Use Treaty (GNFU)

 

In recent DELHI Declaration, it was stated: In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible”.  There is now a strong case for India to follow up on the endorsement, by taking the lead along with China, for a Global No First Use Treaty (GNFU).

About GNFU:

In nuclear ethics and deterrence theory, no first use (NFU) refers to a type of pledge or policy wherein a nuclear power formally refrains from the use of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in warfare, except for as a second strike in retaliation to an attack by an enemy power using WMD.

Current Affair 3:

SC making 2014 ruling of no immunity applicable retrospectively

 

News:

The already struck down provision in the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, which made central government sanction mandatory for the CBI to prosecute officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and above, will stand nullified from September 11, 2003 (retrospectively), when it was inserted in the Act.

According to Section 6A of the DSPE Act, the approval of central government is mandatory to conduct inquiry or investigation for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 where such allegation relates to the employees of the central government of the level of Joint Secretary and above.

The judgement is significant as all the pending cases against central government officers under the Prevention of Corruption Act since September 11, 2003, when the provision was inserted, can be prosecuted without the sanction.

The top court emphasised that once a law is declared as unconstitutional or violative of fundamental rights, it would be treated as unenforceable and stillborn. A five-judge Constitution bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul ruled that its 2014 judgement -- which held Section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act as invalid and unconstitutional-- would be applied retrospectively.

The bench also held that Article 20(1) of the Constitution has no applicability either to the validity or invalidity of Section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.

Section 6A (1) of the DSPE Act was held to be invalid and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution by a five-judge bench on May 6, 2014 in the case of Subramanian Swamy.

A question on applicability of the judgement arose as Article 20(1) of the Constitution stated no person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation of a law in force at the time of the commission of the act, nor be subjected to a penalty greater than that which might have been inflicted under the law in force at the time of offence.

 

Current Affair 4:

Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

 

News:

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a road construction executive force in India that provides support to Indian Armed Forces.

BRO develops and maintains road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighbouring countries. This includes infrastructure operations in 19 states and three union territories (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

The BRO is also in charge of maintenance of its road networks. In many areas’ landslides, avalanches and snow block the routes which BRO clears to keep to communication routes open.

The executive head of the BRO is the DGBR who holds the rank of Lieutenant General. In a bid to boost border connectivity, BRO has been entirely brought under the Ministry of Defence in 2015.

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