DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: 29 July 2024

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Why in News: India, a founding member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), is expected to file a complaint against the UN agency concerning its India Employment Report 2024.

About the International Labour Organization (ILO)

The ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) focused on improving labor conditions and living standards globally.

• History: Created in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, reflecting the belief that universal and lasting peace can only be achieved if based on social justice.

• Became a specialized agency of the UN in 1946.

• • Headquarters: Located in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Affiliations: Member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDP), a coalition of UN organizations aimed at meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Membership: Comprises 187 member states: 186 out of 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands.
  • Structure: The only tripartite UN agency that brings together governments, employers, and workers’ representatives from its 187 member states.

• Functions:

• Policy and Program Development: Formulates international policies and programs to promote basic human rights, improve working and living conditions, and enhance employment opportunities.
• International Labour Standards: Creates international labor standards supported by a unique system to supervise their application.
• Technical Cooperation: Implements an extensive program of international technical cooperation in partnership with its constituents to help countries effectively implement these policies.
• Training and Research: Engages in training, education, and research activities to support its efforts.

• Recognition: Awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1969 for its contributions to peace through its activities.

Mekedatu Project

Why in News: The Chief Minister of Karnataka recently stated that his government is open to discussions with Tamil Nadu about the implementation of the Mekedatu project across the river Cauvery.

About the Mekedatu Project:

• The Mekedatu Project is a multi-purpose initiative proposed by Karnataka, aiming to provide drinking water and generate power. It involves constructing a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka.
• The project site is approximately 90 km from Bengaluru and 4 km upstream from the Tamil Nadu border.
• The reservoir is planned at the confluence of the Cauvery River and its tributary, the Arkavathi River.
• Technical Details:

• The project includes building a concrete gravity dam that is 99 meters high and 735 meters long.
• It will feature an underground powerhouse and a water conductor system.
• The dam’s expected capacity is 66,000 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water.
• Once completed, it is projected to supply over 4 TMC of drinking water to Bengaluru.

• Controversy:

• Tamil Nadu, the lower riparian state, opposes the project, arguing that it is against the state’s water interests.
• Tamil Nadu contends that the Mekedatu area is the last free-flowing point of the Cauvery River in Karnataka before it flows unrestricted into Tamil Nadu. The state views the project as an attempt by Karnataka to control this flow.
• According to the Cauvery tribunal and a Supreme Court order, the lower riparian state (Tamil Nadu) must give its no-objection for any project on the Cauvery River.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

Why in News: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently approved changes to the agreement for acquiring 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs from General Atomics in the United States.

About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC):

The DAC is the highest decision-making body within the Ministry of Defence for procurement.

• • Objective: To ensure timely procurement of approved requirements for the armed forces by effectively using allocated budgetary resources.
  • Formation: Established in 2001 based on recommendations from the Group of Ministers on ‘Reforming the National Security System’ after the Kargil War (1999).

• Composition:

• Chaired by the Defence Minister.
• Includes the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Functions:

• Approval: Granting in principle approval for the 15-year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for the defence forces.
• Acceptance: Granting acceptance of necessity for acquisition proposals.
• Categorization: Categorizing proposals as ‘Buy’, ‘Buy & Make’, or ‘Make’.
• Single Vendor Clearance: Addressing issues related to single vendor clearances.
• Offset Provisions: Making decisions on offset provisions for proposals exceeding Rs 300 crore.
• Transfer of Technology: Deciding on Transfer of Technology for ‘Buy & Make’ proposals.
• Field Trials: Conducting field trial evaluations.

Saffron Crop

Why in News: Unpredictable weather patterns have prompted many farmers in Kashmir to switch their saffron fields to apple orchards or to cultivate mustard crops instead.

About Saffron Crop:

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, often referred to as “Red Gold” or the “Golden Condiment.”

• • Commercial Part: The valuable part of the saffron plant is the stigma, the female component of the flower, also known as saffron filament, thread, or stigmata.
  • Reproduction: Saffron plants regenerate from their underground corms or bulbs through vegetative multiplication.
  • Key Constituents: Contains crocin, picrocrocin, and saffranal, which are crucial for both medicinal and aesthetic uses.

• Distribution:

• Native to Greece and Asia Minor, saffron is now grown in various parts of Europe (notably Italy, France, and Spain), China, and India.
• In India, approximately 90% of saffron is produced in Kashmir, where it has been cultivated for centuries.

• Climate Requirements:

• Thrives at elevations of 1,500-2,000 meters above sea level.
• Requires specific climatic conditions with summer temperatures not exceeding 35°C to 40°C and winter temperatures around -15°C to -20°C.
• Can be cultivated in dry, moderate, and continental climates.

• Soil Requirements:

• Prefers loamy, sandy, and calcareous soils.
• Grows best in acidic soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 8.5.