News Crux Defence/Military Exercises

Indo-Thai CORPAT 2021

The 32nd edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy was conducted from 12 – 14 November 2021.

• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Tayanchon, a Khamrosin Class Anti-submarine Patrol Craft, along with Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the CORPAT.
• The two navies have been bi-annually undertaking CORPAT along their international maritime boundary line (IMBL) since 2005 with an aim to keep the vital part of the Indian Ocean safe and secure for global trade.

News Crux Obituary

Historian Babasaheb Purandare Passed Away

• Historian Babasaheb Purandare has passed away on 15^th November 2021.
• Babasaheb was a well-known orator, ballad singer, theatre artist, and history chronicler who inspired the modern-day youth to follow the footsteps of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• Babasaheb carried Shivcharitra to the new generation through various new mediums like stories, novels, lectures, and epics. He started writing many stories on Shivaji’s life at a very young age.
• He successfully performed a unique experiment in the play 'Jaanta Raja' based on the life of Shivaji Maharaj.
• He was bestowed with Padma Vibhushan and Maharashtra Bhushan for his works devoted to propagate the history of Maharashtra, especially of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

State In News Arunachal Pradesh

‘Kaiser-i-Hind’: Arunachal’s State Butterfly

• The State Cabinet of Arunachal Pradesh has approved the large, brightly coloured Kaiser-i-Hind as the State butterfly.
• Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis) literally means Emperor of India.
• This butterfly is found in six States along the eastern Himalayas at elevations from 6,000-10,000 feet in well-wooded terrain.
• The butterfly is also found in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and southern China.
• Although the Kaiser-i-Hind is protected under Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, it is hunted for supply to butterfly collectors.
• The conservation status of Kaiser-i-Hind’ (Teinopalpus imperialis) in IUCN Red List is ‘Near Threatened’.

Current News National Polity & Governance

Union Govt. brings Ordinances to Extend Tenure of CBI, ED Chiefs

The Government of India has promulgated two Ordinances to extend the tenure of Directors of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) up to 5 years. The chiefs of the central agencies currently have a two-year tenure.

The Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021

• The ordinance inserts the provision in DSPE Act that “Provided that the period for which the Director holds the office on his initial appointment may, in public interest, on the recommendation of the Committee under sub-section (1) of section 4A and for the reasons to be recorded in writing, be extended up to one year at a time.” “Provided further that no such extension shall be granted after the completion of a period of five years in total including the period mentioned in the initial appointment”.

Appointment of CBI Director: The Director CBI is selected on the basis of the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Chief of Justice of India and the Leader of Opposition.

The Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Ordinance 2021

• “Provided that the period for which the Director of Enforcement holds the office on his initial appointment may, in public interest, on the recommendation of the Committee under clause (a) and for the reasons to be recorded in writing, be extended up to one year at a time.
• “Provided further that no such extension shall be granted after the completion of a period of five years in total including the "period mentioned in the initial appointment”.

Appointment of ED Director: The central government appoints the Director of ED on the recommendation of a committee chaired by the Central Vigilance Commissioner and members comprising of Vigilance Commissioners, Home Secretary, Secretary DOPT and Revenue Secretary.