
Daily Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Exam – 13 January 2021
In Today’s News:
- SAARC
- Public Interest Litigation.
1. SAARC
News Summary
There is a politically related article in the news regarding SAARC. The news is not important but the SAARC organization is important.
Prelims GS – International Relations
SAARC:
- The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985.
- SAARC comprises eight Member States:
- Afghanistan,
- Bangladesh,
- Bhutan,
- India,
- Maldives,
- Nepal,
- Pakistan and
- Sri Lanka.
- The Secretariat of the Association was set up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987.
Mini Insights
Mains GS2 – International Relations
Objectives of SAARC:
The objectives of the Association as outlined in the SAARC Charter are:
- to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life;
- to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potentials;
- to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia; to contribute to mutual trust, understanding, and appreciation of one another’s problems;
- to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific fields;
- to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries; to strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests; and
- to cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.
Click here to know more about SAARC on the official website.
2. Public Interest Litigation
News Summary
There is a political article in today’s newspaper not relevant for the exam but the concept of PIL mentioned in that article is important.
Prelims GS – Polity/Governance
Public Interest Litigation:(PIL)
- PIL is also known as Social Action Litigation( PIL or SAL)
- Earlier litigation or complaint will be accepted in courts only by the aggrieved parties.
- But around 1979 PIL concept has been introduced.
- PIL refers to a concept where even a person who has not been directly affected or even a person who has not been indirectly affected can also approach the court in the public interest on the behalf of the aggrieved person.
- After the introduction of PIL, the common rule of locus standi is relaxed.
- PIL Concept was introduced by Justice PN Bhagwati.
- Public-spirited people and organizations started seeking judicial intervention mainly for the protection of rights, improving the conditions of the poor (social issues), environment, etc through PIL.
- PIL is the important vehicle of Judicial Activism.
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