16 February 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis

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February 16th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Exercise Sampriti - IX
2. India – Norway Joint Statement
3. Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)

1. Exercise Sampriti – IX

Context:

Joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh Sampriti concluded at Umroi, Meghalaya.

About Exercise Sampriti:

• As part of the ongoing India-Bangladesh defence cooperation, Exercise Sampriti is an important bilateral endeavour between India and Bangladesh.
• The exercise is aimed to strengthen and broaden the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between the Indian and Bangladesh Armies.
• Started in Assam in 2011, the joint exercise is held every year alternately in India and Bangladesh.

2. India – Norway Joint Statement

Context:

India and Norway issued a joint statement on climate and environment during the 13^th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

Details:

• India and Norway agreed to jointly tackle concerns related to oceans, environment and climate matters.
• Ministers of both countries expressed interest to continue and strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation on environment and climate between the two countries, including on ocean affairs.
• Both sides agreed to take up actions that target climate change and air pollution.
• The ministers recognized that the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for phasing down the use of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) could prevent up to 0.4 degree C of warming by end of the century.
  • The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
  • The Kigali Agreement is an amendment to the Montreal Protocol. As per this arrangement, countries that have signed it are supposed to decrease the manufacture and use of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by approximately 80-85% from their respective standards, till 2045. This phase down is supposed to capture the global average temperature rise up to 0.5 degree C by 2100.
• The ministers reiterated the importance of oceans in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They were particularly satisfied that Norway and India will sign a Letter of Intent on integrated ocean management including sustainable Blue Economy initiatives. Know more about the Blue Revolution.
• They welcomed the cooperation between India and Norway on the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and on the minimisation of discharge of marine litter.
  • The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment.
  • It was adopted by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries in May 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden. The Convention entered into force in May 2004.
  • India ratified this Convention in 2006 and it entered into force for India in 2006.
• The Ministers emphasized a shared understanding of the global and urgent nature of marine plastic litter and microplastics and underlined that this issue cannot be solved by any one country alone. They are committed to supporting global action to address plastic pollution and exploring the feasibility of establishing a new global agreement on plastic pollution.
• They also discussed the conservation of migratory species of wild animals.

For more on the 13^th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), check PIB dated 10^th Feb 2020.

3. Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)

Context:

All India Conference of Central Administrative Tribunal 2020 held in New Delhi.

About the Central Administrative Tribunal:

• The Central Administrative Tribunal had been established under Article 323 A of the Constitution for the adjudication of disputes and complaints with respect to recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or other authorities under the control of the Government
• The CAT has been established as a specialist body comprising of Administrative Members and Judicial Members who by virtue of their specialized knowledge are better equipped to dispense speedy and effective justice.
• CAT is distinguishable from the ordinary courts with regard to its jurisdiction and procedure.
• It exercises jurisdiction only in relation to the service matters of the parties covered by the Act.
• It is also free from the shackles of many of the technicalities of the ordinary Courts. The procedural simplicity of the Act can be appreciated from the fact that an aggrieved government employee can also appear personally before the Tribunal.
• An Original Application can be filed by remitting a nominal fee of Rs. 50/- before the Tribunal. A provision has also been made in the Rules that where the Tribunal is satisfied that an applicant is unable to pay the prescribed fee on the ground of indigence, it may exempt such an applicant from the payment of fee.
• The Tribunal is guided by the principles of natural justice in deciding cases and is not bound by the procedure, prescribed by the Civil Procedure Code.
• It is empowered to frame its own rules of procedure and practice.
• The Tribunal has been conferred with the power to exercise the same jurisdiction and authority in respect of contempt of itself as a High Court.
• The Tribunal also has 17 Benches.

February 16th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

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