OPEC plus:
Why in News?
Oil prices rises as OPEC+ agrees to deep cuts.
About OPEC:
- OPEC is a permanent, intergovernmental organization that was created in the Conference of Baghdad in 1960.
- The creators included Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
- The headquarters of OPEC are in Vienna, Austria.
- However, there are currently 13 nations that are members of the Organization.
Purpose:
- 13 oil-exporting developing countries make up OPEC.
- A permanent international organisation that coordinates and harmonises the national petroleum policies of its members.
- This organization’s mission is to control the global flow of oil and work toward determining the price of that commodity on the world market.
- This was carried out to prevent swings that would harm the economics of both producers and consumers.
What is OPEC + or OPEC Plus?
- The non-OPEC countries which export crude oil are termed as OPEC plus countries.
- OPEC and non-OPEC producers initially came together to form the alliance at a significant conference in Algiers in 2016.
Difference:
- OPEC’s 14 members control 35% of global oil supplies, as well as 82% of proven reserves.
- With the addition of ten non-OPEC countries as OPEC+, including several important countries such as Russia, Mexico, and Kazakhstan, the share of holdings has increased to 55 percent and 90 percent, respectively.
- This gives OPEC+ greater influence over the global economy than OPEC countries.
- Iraq is India’s largest importer, followed by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates.
UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council)
Why in News?
A resolution on Sri lanka related to war crimes will be put to vote.
About UNHRC:
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
Formation:
- In 2006, the United Nations General Assembly established the Council. It succeeded the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
- The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as the Secretariat of the Human Rights Council.
- headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
Members:
- It is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
- The membership of the Council is based on an equitable geographical distribution.
- African States: 13 seats
- Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
- Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats
- Western European and other States: 7 seats
- Eastern European States: 6 seats
- Members of the Council serve three-year terms and are not eligible for re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
Miscellaneous:
- It enables individuals and organisations to bring human rights violations to the Council’s attention.
- The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) assesses the human rights situations in all UN Member States.
National parties in India:
Why in News?
Telangana CM launched new national Party. ( Bharat rashtra samithi )
About national parties:
Conditions for Recognition as a National Party:
- A party is recognised as a national party if any of the following conditions is fulfilled
- If it secures six per cent of valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the legislative assembly; and, in addition, it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states; or
- If it wins two per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election; and these candidates are elected from three states; or
- If it is recognised as a state party in four states.
8 recognised national parties:
1. All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)
2. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
3. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
4. Communist Party of India (CPI)
5.Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M)
6.Indian National Congress (INC)
7.Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
8.National peoples party( NPP)
Ramalinga Adigal
Why in News ?
On the occasion of 200th birth anniversary of Vallar, the Tamil Nadu government has constituted a 14-member special committee for planning the celebration in major cities across the State between October this year and October 2023.
About :
- Also popularly known as Vallalar.
- Born in 1823 at Marudhur, a village near Chidambaram.
- Songs were compiled and published under the title Thiruvarutpa (Songs of Grace).
Organisations :
- Samarasa Veda Sanmarga Sangam (1865)
- To preach the principles of One God, Compassion towards fellow beings, Jeevakarunyam.
- Renamed as Samasara Suddha Sanmarga Satya Sangam (1872).
- Satya Dharma Salai (1867)
- Free feeding house for everyone irrespective of caste at Vadalur.
Thaniperum Karunai Day :
- Tamilnadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that the birth anniversary of Ramalinga Adigal which is celebrated every year on October 5 will be celebrated as ‘Thaniperum Karunai’ day.
ASER Report
About :
ASER – Annual State Education Report
ASER survey provides reliable annual estimates of children’s schooling status and basic learning levels.
- Published by Pratham, a NGO since 2005,
- Originally it was annual publication but after 2016 it has become biennial report.
- ASER 2020 – 1st ever phone based ASER survey.
ASER 2021 report :
- School enrolment
- Govt. school – 70.3%
- Private school – 24.4%
- Learning Outcome
- 92% children had textbook for their grade.
- Online learning
- No access to smartphone – 26.1%
- Paid Tuition class
- 40% students took tuition class because of pandemic.
Tamilnadu Backward Class Commission
About:
The Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission has been constituted as a permanent body under Article 16(4) read with Article 340 of the Constitution of India.
- Chairperson – Justice M.Thanikachalam
- Functioning under chairmanship of Retired Chief Justice of High court.
- Term of office – 3 years
- Quasi-Judicial in nature
Functions:
- Examine and recommend upon requests for inclusion and complaints of over and under inclusion in the lists of Backward Classes / Most Backward Classes.
- Periodic revision of list of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes in this State
- Make recommendations on improved reservation for Christians, Muslims and other Minorities based on their social and educational backwardness.
- Examine and make recommendations on any other matter relating to Backward Classes that may be referred to it by Government from time to time.
- Examine and recommend upon the demand made by various communities to provide for internal reservation within the reservation provided for Most Backward Classes.
Future Officers 