Daily News Analysis 20 May 2023

Table of Contents

GS-2                                           

• Competition Commission of India (CCI)

Facts for Prelims

• INS Vaghsheer
• Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple
• Kishtwar National Park

 

Competition Commission of India (CCI)

Context                                                                                    

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Ravneet Kaur, a 1988-batch IAS officer, as the first woman chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

About Competition Commission of India:

Role and Composition:

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body established by the Government of India in March 2009.
• It is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002, which replaced the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969.
• The CCI consists of one Chairperson and six Members appointed by the Central Government.
• It functions as a quasi-judicial body, providing opinions to statutory authorities and handling various cases.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The Chairperson and Members of the CCI should possess the qualities of ability, integrity, and standing.
• They should either have judicial experience in a High Court or possess specialized knowledge and professional experience of at least fifteen years in areas such as international trade, economics, law, finance, or management.

Functions and Role:

• The primary goal of the CCI is to eliminate practices that negatively impact competition, protect consumer interests, and ensure free trade in Indian markets.
• It provides opinions on competition issues referred to it by statutory authorities.
• The CCI engages in competition advocacy by raising public awareness and providing training on competition-related matters.
• Consumer welfare is a key focus, aiming to make markets work for the benefit of consumers.
• The CCI promotes fair and healthy competition for economic growth and development.
• It implements competition policies to maximize the efficient utilization of economic resources.

Challenges Faced:   

Digitalization Challenges: The CCI needs to adapt to the complexities of the digital era and understand technological nuances.

Market Definition: Defining relevant markets in the digital space is challenging due to its borderless nature, requiring the CCI to update its market definitions.

Threat of Cartelization: The global shortage of commodities and disruptions in the supply chain can lead to cartelization and manipulation. The CCI must address monopolistic tendencies and prevent price rises and supply-side manipulations.

 

INS Vaghsheer

Context

The sixth Scorpene Submarine of Project-75, Indian Navy’s Kalvari class, ‘Vaghsheer’ recently commenced her sea trials.

 

About Vaghsheer (INS Vagsheer):

• INS Vaghsheer (S26) is a submarine for the Indian Navy.
• It is part of the first batch of six submarines known as the Kalvari-class.
• The submarine is named after the sand fish, a dangerous predator found in the Indian Ocean.
• It was designed by a French company called Naval Group and manufactured by Mazagon Dock Limited.
• The submarine is capable of operating in various naval operations and can work together with other naval forces.

About Kalvari-class submarines:

• The Kalvari-class submarines are a type of attack submarines used by the Indian Navy.
• They are based on the Scorpène-class submarines and are being built for the Indian Navy.
• The submarines were designed by a French company called DCNS.
• The construction of these submarines is being carried out by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai.
• The project, known as Project 75, involves the transfer of technology from the French company Naval Group.
• The submarines are equipped with advanced technology, including stealth features, to reduce detection.

They can launch torpedoes and anti-ship missiles while submerged or on the surface.

 

Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple

Context

Following a police complaint filed by trustees of the renowned Trimbakeshwar Mahadev temple in Nashik district, the Maharashtra government has announced an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The complaint alleges that a group of Muslims forcibly entered the temple, prompting the need for further inquiry.

About Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple:

Location and Significance:

• Trimbakeshwar town is a sacred place for Hindu pilgrims and is situated at the source of the Godavari River in peninsular India.
• It is known for being one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, a revered form of Lord Shiva.
• The unique aspect of this Jyotirlinga is that it represents Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva with its three faces.

Construction and History:

• The present Trimbakeshwar temple was built by Balaji Bajirao, the third Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, between 1740 and 1760.
• It replaced an older temple that was located at the same site.

Temple Features:

• The temple has entry gates on all four sides: East, West, South, and North.
• In spiritual beliefs, each direction symbolizes a different aspect: East represents beginnings, West represents maturity, South represents fulfillment, and North signifies revelation.

Administration and Activities:

• In 1954, the Shri Trimbakeshwar Sansthan was registered as a public trust under the Public Trust Registration Act.

The Sansthan is responsible for conducting daily prayers, organizing festivals, and managing various events throughout the year at the temple.

 

Kishtwar National Park

Context

Snow Leopards spotted in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar National Park.

Location and Confirmation:

• The Kishtwar High Altitude National Park in Jammu and Kashmir has been confirmed to be home to elusive snow leopards.
• A research team from the Department of Wildlife Protection used camera traps to confirm their presence.

Conservation Importance:

• The park is recognized as one of the seven snow leopard reserves under a project initiated by the Central Government.
• Its establishment aims to protect the snow leopard species, its prey, and the fragile mountain ecosystem.

Park Details:

• Located in Doda District, the Kishtwar High Altitude National Park is approximately 40km northeast of Kishtwar Town.
• It was declared a national park on February 4, 1981, covering an area of 400 sq km.
• The park is situated in the Central Crystalline belt of the Great Himalayas, bordered by the Rinnay River, KibarNala catchment, the Great Himalayas, and the Marwa River.
• The park\’s altitude ranges from 1700m to 4800m.

Snow Leopards in India:

Distribution:

• Snow leopards are found in snowy forests across five Himalayan states: Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Protected areas such as Hemis National Park, Gangotri National Park, Khangchendzonga National Park, and Great Himalayan National Park are known habitats for snow leopards.

Conservation Status:

• Snow leopards are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

The global population is estimated to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, and it is expected to decline by about 10% by 2040