MLC Daily Current Affairs – 14 February 2025

Today in History (February 14^th,2005)

On 14th February in 2005 the YouTube was launched by a group of college students, revolutionizing digital media consumption.

Summary of Today’s News

Law Ministry’s Proposal to Amend the Advocates Act, 1961

The Union government has proposed changes to the Advocates Act, 1961, through the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Key provisions focus on prohibiting lawyer strikes and the inclusion of government nominees in the Bar Council. The Law and Justice Ministry has published the draft bill and is seeking public comments until February 28.

Key Provisions of the Draft Bill
1. Prohibition of Lawyer Strikes
• New Section 35A:
o Advocates, individually or collectively, will be prohibited from calling for a boycott or abstinence from court work.
o Violation will be considered misconduct, subject to disciplinary action.
• Exception for Token Strikes:
o Advocates may participate in strikes only if it does not impede justice, such as symbolic or one-day strikes for legitimate concerns (e.g., working conditions, administrative issues).
2. Changes to Bar Council of India Composition
• Section 4 Amendment:
o The Centre may nominate up to three members to the Bar Council of India, alongside the existing members: the Attorney General, the Solicitor General, and one elected member from each State Bar Council.
3. Power of Central Government to Issue Directions
• New Section 49B:
o The Central Government may give directions to the Bar Council of India for executing provisions of the Act, rules, or orders made thereunder.
4. Criminal Convictions and Advocate Enrollment
• New Clause on Convictions:
o State Bar Councils cannot enroll individuals convicted of crimes punishable with imprisonment of three years or more.
o An advocate’s name will be removed from the roll if convicted of such an offence, confirmed by the High Court or Supreme Court.
5. Expansion of Definitions
• Law Graduate Definition:
o The amendment expands the definition of a law graduate to include those with a law degree from recognized legal education centers or universities, whether domestic or affiliated to a university.
• Legal Practitioner Definition:
o The definition is expanded to include corporate lawyers and lawyers working with foreign law firms.
6. Increased Punishment for Illegal Practice
• The punishment for unauthorized practice of law is increased from six months imprisonment to one year imprisonment and/or a fine up to ₹2 lakh.

Purpose of the Proposed Amendments
The government aims to reform the legal profession and legal education in alignment with global best practices. The amendments seek to address contemporary challenges and meet the needs of a growing nation, with the following objectives:
• Improve legal education and professional standards.
• Equip lawyers to navigate a rapidly changing world.
• Contribute to the creation of a just and equitable society.
These reforms are part of the government’s ongoing agenda to modernize the legal system and ensure its alignment with international standards.

Andhra Pradesh’s Work From Home Policy

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced plans to implement a Work From Home (WFH) policy, with a focus on benefiting women professionals.
What Did the CM Say?
• On February 11, Naidu shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the state plans to offer incentives for developers to create IT office spaces across all cities, towns, and mandals in Andhra Pradesh.
• The policy will encourage IT and Global Capability Centers (GCC) firms to provide flexible work options, particularly aimed at women professionals, to improve workforce participation.
• The policy is part of the broader Andhra Pradesh IT & GCC Policy 4.0.

What is the Andhra Pradesh IT & GCC Policy 4.0?
• Objective: Attract top IT companies and allied services to the state.
• Work From Home (WFH) Focus:
o Encourages companies to offer remote and hybrid work options, supporting work-life balance.
o Aims to ensure equal growth opportunities for women in science and technology fields.
• Goal: Transform the state into a ‘Work-from-Home’ hub.

Policy’s Broader Vision
• Employee-Centric IT Policy: The state has been focused on creating policies that benefit employees, especially since Naidu’s government came to power last June.
• Infrastructure Development: Efforts are underway to establish major industrial hubs in cities like Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Anantapur, and Tirupati through initiatives like the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub.

Key Components of the Policy
1. Investment in IT and Industrial Sectors:
o Speed of Doing Business Reforms: Incentives for industrial development and investment in the IT sector.
o Attract global IT firms looking to expand or set up outside of traditional hubs like Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
2. Vision of ‘Andhra Valley’:
o Naidu aims to turn Andhra Pradesh into an IT hub, akin to Silicon Valley.
3. IT, Electronics, and Communications Secretary:
o Katamaneni Bhaskar outlined key goals:
o Training 10,000 students in advanced technologies.
o Establishing 4G towers under the Digital India Fund.
o MoU with HDFC to support startups.
o Attracting ₹40,000 crore in investments and generating jobs by 2029.

Further Developments and Initiatives
1. Industrial Parks:
o Andhra Pradesh plans to establish 175 industrial parks across all constituencies.
o Plug-and-play industrial parks will be developed with pre-installed infrastructure to make it easier for businesses to set up operations.
2. Focus on SC and ST Entrepreneurs:
o Special provisions to empower SC/ST entrepreneurs.
3. Port and Fishing Industries:
o Accelerating major port development projects like:
 Ramayapatnam Port (52.91% complete)
 Machilipatnam Port (31% complete)
 Mulapeta Port (32% complete)
 Kakinada Gateway Port (24% complete)
4. New Bhogapuram Airport:
o Set to be completed by March 2026, named after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju.

Conclusion
The Andhra Pradesh government is implementing a comprehensive Work From Home policy that emphasizes work-life balance and women’s workforce participation in the IT sector. This initiative is supported by broader efforts to enhance industrial development, attract investments, and reshape the state’s economic landscape.

Blair House: The PM Modi’s Stay During US Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently staying at Blair House during his two-day visit to the United States. The historic building is a renowned landmark in Washington, D.C., and holds significant diplomatic importance.

Location and Significance
• Address: 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C., directly across from the White House.
• Historical Context: Acquired by the U.S. government in 1942, Blair House has served as the premier accommodation for visiting dignitaries.
• Nickname: Often referred to as ‘The President’s Guest House’, it functions as an extension of the White House for high-profile visitors.

Key Features of Blair House
1. Size and Structure:
o Spans 70,000 square feet.
o Comprises four connected townhouses, totaling 119 rooms.
o Includes 14 guest bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, and three formal dining spaces.
2. Interior and Furnishings:
o The building is furnished with fine antique furniture and majestic artwork, carefully curated to represent American history and hospitality.
o Beauty Salon: The property also features a full-service beauty salon for guest use.
3. Maintenance and Funding:
o The U.S. Department of State and General Services Administration maintain the property.
o The Blair House Foundation provides financial and in-kind contributions to support its furnishings and heritage collections.

Blair House’s Role in Diplomacy
• A Hub for Diplomacy: Blair House serves as a primary location for hosting visiting heads of state and dignitaries. It is often used for high-level diplomatic functions, including:
o Foreign policy-related luncheons, dinners, and receptions.
o Official meetings and briefings.
• International Events: In 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted a G-8 Foreign Ministers summit at Blair House. It has also been used for numerous cultural exchanges involving foreign diplomats.

Historical Importance and Usage
• Private Residence Turned Diplomatic Venue: Originally built in 1824 as a private home, Blair House has since become a key venue for international diplomacy.
• Other Uses: Beyond hosting foreign leaders, Blair House has been used for various official purposes, such as the residence of the President-elect before they move into the White House.
• Annual Activities: The property typically sees up to 30 visits from foreign leaders each year, in addition to numerous events and meetings.

Indian Prime Ministers at Blair House
• Past Indian Leaders:
o Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were among the first Indian prime ministers to stay at Blair House during their visits to the US.
o Rajiv Gandhi and P. V. Narasimha Rao, however, chose to stay at hotels instead of Blair House during their visits.
• Manmohan Singh’s Visit:
o In 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stayed at Blair House during his visit. However, during his 2009 visit, he stayed at the nearby Willard Intercontinental Hotel due to security concerns and logistical issues at Blair House.
Challenges for Visiting Leaders
• Security and Privacy: Due to Blair House’s stringent security measures, visiting leaders sometimes find it difficult to receive guests or schedule meetings within the property, which may prompt them to choose hotels instead.

Conclusion: Blair House is not only an iconic Washington D.C. landmark but also a significant site for international diplomacy, playing a crucial role in fostering relations between the U.S. and visiting foreign dignitaries.