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Today in History (December 11th,1941)
Adolf Hitler declared that Germany was at war with the United States following the Japanese attacks on the U.S., British, and Dutch positions in the Pacific and in East Asia.
Let’s Revise
Q.1) When was the first Backward Classes Commission in India established?
a) 1947
b) 1953
c) 1960
d) 1975
Answer: b)
Explanation: The first Backward Classes Commission, also known as the Kaka Kalelkar Commission, was established in 1953.
Q.2) What is the primary objective of the Backward Classes Commission?
a) To promote industrial growth
b) To identify socially and educationally backward classes
c) To manage international relations
d) To conduct national elections
Answer: b)
Explanation: The main objective of the Backward Classes Commission is to identify socially and educationally backward classes in India.
Q.3) Who chaired the first Backward Classes Commission?
a) B.P. Mandal
b) Gopinath Bordoloi
c) Kaka Kalelkar
d) B. N. Rau
Answer: c)
Explanation: The first Backward Classes Commission was chaired by Kaka Kalelkar and is often referred to as the Kaka Kalelkar Commission.
Q.4) Which commission is known for its report that led to the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations?
a) Kaka Kalelkar Commission
b) B. P. Mandal Commission
c) Sachar Committee
d) Srikrishna Commission
Answer: b)
Explanation: The Mandal Commission, chaired by B.P. Mandal, submitted a report in 1980 which led to the implementation of its recommendations in the early 1990s, known for addressing the reservations for backward classes.
Q.5) What was the percentage of reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) recommended by the Mandal Commission?
a) 10%
b) 15%
c) 27%
d) 35%
Answer: c)
Explanation: The Mandal Commission recommended a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in government jobs and educational institutions.
Q.6) Who will succeed current RBI governor Shaktikanta Das?
a. Sanjay Malhotra
b. Sanjeev Malhotra
c. Sandeep Malhotra
d. Sant Prasad Malhotra
Answer: a)
Explanation: The Centre announced the appointment of Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday. He succeeds current RBI governor Shaktikanta Das.
Q.7) Foreign Secretary _______ visited Dhaka and conveyed India’s concerns over the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh.
a.Rajiv Kumar
b.Sanjay Sharma
c.Vikram Misri
d.Vikrant Sharma
Answer: c)
Explanation: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka and conveyed India’s concerns over the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh.
Summary of Today’s News
INDI-Alliance’s Call for Dhankhar’s Ouster as Rajya Sabha Chairman.
• Notice Submission: Nearly 60 Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc submitted a notice seeking the removal of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
• Allegations: The MPs accused Dhankhar of conducting the House proceedings in an extremely biased manner since assuming office in August 2022. They presented a six-point chargesheet against him.
• Interruptions and Denials: The notice claimed that Dhankhar constantly interrupted Opposition MPs and denied legitimate requests from the Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, to address falsehoods propagated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president J.P. Nadda.
• Unprecedented Move: Former Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha, V.K. Agnihotri, noted that such a request to remove the Chairperson was unprecedented and unlikely to be taken up this session due to the Winter Session ending soon.
• Article 67: The MPs used Article 67 of the Constitution to move the notice, which requires a 14-day notice of intent for the removal of the Vice-President.
• Unacceptable Remarks: The MPs alleged that Dhankhar made unacceptable remarks against Kharge, lowering the dignity of the House, and praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in a manner unbecoming of his position.
• Criticism of Opposition Leaders: The notice also accused Dhankhar of criticizing statements made by Opposition leaders who were not members of the Rajya Sabha and acting as an impassioned spokesperson for the Union government’s policies.
Article 67(b):
• The Vice President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• Article 67(b) of the Indian Constitution outlines how the Vice President can be removed from office.
• It states that the Vice President may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) passed by a majority of all the then members of the Council and agreed to by the House of the People.
• No such resolution can be moved unless ‘at least a 14-day notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution. The notice must clearly state the intention to initiate the resolution and outline the reasons for it.
• Thus, the process to remove the Vice President begins in the Rajya Sabha, where the Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairperson.
• Grounds for Removal: The Constitution does not specify particular grounds for removal, leaving it to the discretion of the members of Parliament.
India’s Decision to Deepen Ties with Russia
• Conscious Decision: Despite geopolitical challenges, India has decided to deepen and expand its cooperation with Russia, as stated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Moscow.
• Military Cooperation Meeting: Singh co-chaired the 21st India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov.
• Make in India Initiative: The operationalisation of the India-Russia military technical cooperation agreement for 2021-31 is expected to boost the “Make in India” initiative.
• Meeting with Putin: Singh met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, discussing ongoing and prospective areas of cooperation.
• Future Visits: Putin is scheduled to visit India early next year for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Bilateral Relations: Singh emphasized the strong and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia, highlighting new opportunities for Russian industries to participate in “Make in India” projects.
Madhav Gadgil’s Recognition by the United Nations.
• Award Recognition: Ecologist Madhav Gadgil was honored with the United Nations’ annual Champions of the Earth award, the highest environmental accolade.
• Significance: He is the only Indian to receive this award this year.
• Work in the Western Ghats: Gadgil chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, studying the effects of population pressure, climate change, and development on the Western Ghats.
• Panel Recommendations: In 2011, the panel recommended that the entire Western Ghats be designated an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and divided into three Ecologically Sensitive Zones.
