Blog

General Studies-II

Topic– Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

India- UK Customs Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters

Context:

The Union Cabinet, has approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Customs Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.

The draft text of the proposed Agreement has been finalized with the concurrence of the two Customs Administrations.

About the Agreement:

The agreements are part of the European Community’s strategy vis-à-vis third countries as regards customs co-operation.

They focus on strengthened co-operation of customs authorities with a view

• To creating a level playing field for economic operators and
• To exchanging information on customs legislation and customs rules as early as possible.

Joint Customs Co-operation Committee:

Each agreement establishes a Joint Customs Co-operation Committee which consists of representatives of the customs authorities of the Contracting Parties, i.e. representatives of the third party competent services.

• The Joint Committee has to ensure that the agreement is correctly applied and has examined all questions arising from its application.
• It serves also as a forum to discuss and prepare meetings relating to international organisations like the WCO.
• The Joint Committee can adopt decisions and recommendations to strengthen co-operation or to strive for the solution of problems encountered in the application of customs rules.

Impact:

• The Agreement will help in the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences.
• The Agreement is also expected to facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries.
• The Agreement takes care of Indian Customs’ concerns and requirements, particularly in the area of exchange of information on the correctness of the Customs value, tariff classification and origin of the goods traded between the two countries.

Implementation strategy and targets:

• The Agreement will be signed on behalf of the Governments of the two countries after it is approved by the respective Governments.
• This Agreement shall enter into force from the first day of the month following signature by duly authorised representative of both parties.

Significance:

The Agreement would provide a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries.

It will help in the proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade.

 

General Studies-II

Topic- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

Resigning of High Court judges

Context:

Justice Sharad Kumar Gupta has tendered his resignation from the office of Judge, Chhattisgarh High Court, in pursuance of proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution.

Justice Gupta had earlier informed of his decision to retire from his post after giving his consent for an undisclosed assignment offered to him by the government in the State.

Appointment and conditions of the office of a Judge of a High Court:

According to the Article 217 of the Constitution:

• Every Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• To appoint the chief justice of a High Court, The President takes decision after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State. And,
• In the case of appointment of a Judge other than the chief Justice, President consult with Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State along with the chief Justice of the High court.

Removal of a High Court Judge:

1. A Judge may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office;
2. A Judge may be removed from his office by the President in the manner provided in clause (4) of Article 124 for the removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court;
3. The office of a Judge shall be vacated by his being appointed by the President to be a Judge of the Supreme Court or by his being transferred by the President to any other High Court within the territory of India.

Qualifications:

A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Judge of a High Court unless he is a citizen of India and-

1. has for at least ten years held a judicial office in the territory of India; or
2. has for at least ten years been an advocate of a High Court or of two or more such Courts in succession.

General Studies-II

Topic– Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Routeing system in South West Indian waters

Context:

Routeing system in South West Indian waters separated for Merchant and Fishing Vessels.

Highlights:

The Ministry of Shipping has separated the operation routes of merchant vessels and fishing vessels in South West Indian waters, considering the safety and efficiency of navigation.

Why the Routes were separated?

• The Arabian Sea around the south-west coast of India is a busy sea route.
• The substantial number of merchant ships passing through the area, along with large number of fishing vessels are operating in the area.
• It sometimes causes accidents between them, resulting in damage of property and environmental pollution, and in several instances has resulted in loss of lives also.

Benefits

• It will also ensure improvement in avoidance of collision, ease in flow of traffic along with safety of life at sea and enhance protection of marine environment.
• It is a very proactive and positive step of Directorate General of Shipping which will efficiently regulate shipping traffic in this region.

Chrome facts for Prelims:

Python-5 missile

Python-5 is a fifth-generation air-to-air missile (AAM) manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

• Tejas, India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, added the Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) in its air-to-air weapons capability.
• As a beyond-visual-range missile, it is capable of “lock-on after launch” (LOCAL), and has full-sphere/all-direction (including rearward) attack ability.
• The missile features an advanced seeker which includes an electro-optical and images infrared homing seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for a terminal chase.