Deepak UPSC Notes

2021-12-19 04:01:25 Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

Quick Facts For Prelims

GS Paper - 2

Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India's Interests

Why in News

Recently, the US has approved the Germany-Russia Nord Stream 2 Pipeline (NS2P) project - which significantly increases Europe’s energy dependence on Russia.

The US had previously imposed sanctions to prevent the completion of this gas pipeline between Russia and Germany.

About:

This is a 1,200-km pipeline that runs from Ust-Luga in Russia to Greifswald in Germany through the Baltic Sea. It will carry 55 billion cubic metres of gas per year.

It was decided to build this pipeline in 2015.

Nord stream 1 system is already completed and together with NS2P, it will supply 110 billion cubic metre of gas a year to Germany.

Implications:

EU’s Dependence on Russia:

It will increase Europe's dependence on Russia for Natural Gas, currently EU (European Union) countries already rely on Russia for 40% of their gas needs.

Bypassing Ukraine:

There is an existing pipeline between Russia and Europe through Ukraine, once the NS2P project is completed it would bypass Ukraine and deprive it of a significant transit fee of around $ 3 billion per year.

Geopolitical win for Russia:

It can be a generational geopolitical win for Russia and a catastrophe for the United States and its allies.

US’ New Stand:

Softer Option to threaten Russia:

The US has gone with the softer option of threatening Russia with consequences should it use the pipeline to harm Ukraine or other countries in eastern Europe.

On one hand, it wants access to Russia’s hydrocarbons, but on the other distrusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, who it holds responsible for a series of affronts, such as the Crimean conflict of 2014 and the alleged interference in the US elections of 2016 and 2020.

Germany’s own Act against Russia:

The US-Germany deal lays out that Germany by itself will put sanctions and limit Russian exports, if 'Russia attempts to use the energy as a weapon and commit further aggressive acts against Ukraine'.

Green Fund for Ukraine:

Germany has to “utilise all available leverage” to extend by 10 years the current Russia-Ukraine gas transit agreement.

Germany also has to contribute at least $175 million to a new $1 billion “Green Fund for Ukraine” that aims at improving the country’s energy independence. Ochish/sharhlash

2021-12-19 04:01:25 Indian Navy Submarines Ochish/sharhlash

2021-12-19 04:01:25 Ochish/sharhlash

2021-12-19 04:01:25 Indian Aircraft carrier - INS Vikramaditya and INS vikrant Ochish/sharhlash

2021-12-19 04:01:25 Canister Missile Ochish/sharhlash

2021-12-19 04:01:25 Agni prime missile Ochish/sharhlash

2021-12-19 04:01:25 GS-3
Defence & Technology

IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program)

It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. It was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012.

The five missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:

Prithvi: Short-range surface to surface ballistic missile.

Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e., Agni (I, II, III, IV, V).

Trishul: Short-range low-level surface to air missile.

Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile.

Akash: Medium range surface to air missile. Ochish/sharhlash

2021-12-19 04:01:25 Agni-P (Prime)

GS Paper - 3

Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

Defence Technology

Indigenization of Technology

Why in News

Recently, a new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-P (Prime) was successfully test-fired by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha, Balasore.

Agni-P is a new generation advanced variant of the Agni class(under IGMDP - Integrated Guided Missile Development Program).

It is a canisterised missile with range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 km.

Canisterisation of missiles reduces the time required to launch the missile while improving its storage and mobility.

Many advanced technologies including composites, propulsion systems, innovative guidance and control mechanisms and state-of-the-art navigation systems have been introduced. The Agni-P missile would further strengthen India's credible deterrence capabilities.

In comparison to other Agni class missiles, Agni-P has improved parameters including manoeuvring and accuracy.

Agni Class of Missiles:

They are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability.

Range of other Agni Missiles:

Agni I: Range of 700-800 km.

Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.

Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km

Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.

Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)with a range of over 5,000 km. Ochish/sharhlash

2021-12-18 03:21:25 Russia - Ukraine - Crimea Ochish/sharhlash

2021-12-18 03:14:43 Enforcement Directorate
GS-2

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

What to study?

For Prelims: ED- objectives, functions and composition.

For Mains: Controversies and issues surrounding it’s independence and misuse, ways to address them.


About Enforcement Directorate:

It is a Multi Disciplinary Organization mandated with the task of enforcing the provisions of two special fiscal laws – Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). 

Historical background:

The origin of this Directorate goes back to 1st May, 1956, when an ‘Enforcement Unit’ was formed, in Department of Economic Affairs, for handling Exchange Control Laws violations under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947 (FERA ’47).

In the year 1957, this Unit was renamed as ‘Enforcement Directorate’. The administrative control of the Directorate was transferred from Department of Economic Affairs to Department of Revenue in 1960.

For a short period of 04 years (1973 – 1977), the Directorate also remained under the administrative jurisdiction of Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms. 

Powers:

The Directorate enforces two laws;

FEMA, a Civil Law having quasi judicial powers, for investigating suspected contraventions of the Exchange Control Laws and Regulations with the powers to impose penalties on those adjudged guilty.

PMLA, a Criminal Law, whereby the Officers are empowered to conduct enquiries to locate, provisionally attach/confiscate assets derived from acts of Schedules Offences besides arresting and prosecuting the Money Launderers.

Composition:

Besides directly recruiting personnel, the Directorate also draws officers from different Investigating Agencies, viz., Customs & Central Excise, Income Tax, Police, etc. on deputation.

Other functions:

Processing cases of fugitive/s from India under Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.

Sponsor cases of preventive detention under Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974(COFEPOSA) in regard to contraventions of FEMA.

Special courts:

For the trial of an offence punishable under section 4 of PMLA, the Central Government (in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court), designates one or more Sessions Court as Special Court(s). The court is also called “PMLA Court”.

Any appeal against any order passed by PMLA court can directly be filed in the High Court for that jurisdiction. Ochish/sharhlash