Prelims Focus- 18th December 2023

1.Aenigmachanna gollum

Context: The Gollum snakehead, scientifically known as Aenigmachanna gollum, is a type of dragon snakehead fish that lives in underground water sources in the Indian state of Kerala.

Details:

• The Gollum snakehead, also known as Aenigmachanna gollum, is a snakehead fish with a long, eel-like body that is mostly brown and beige in colour. 
• It has long, transparent fins, with the dorsal fin extending for about three-quarters of its body length and the anal fin extending for more than half of its body length. 
• It has a large pectoral fin and lacks a pelvic fin. 
• Its tailfin is oval-shaped and it has several large scales on the top of its head. 
• Unlike other similar species, the Gollum snakehead has well-developed pigmentation and normal-sized eyes. 
• It has a reduced swim bladder, which means it cannot float in water and instead moves by undulating its fins, similar to an eel.

2.INS TARMUGLI

Context: The Navy has officially included the INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft, into its fleet during a ceremony at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.

Details:

• The INS Tarmugli is a Trinkat Class Fast Attack Craft.
• It was given as a gift to the Maldivian Naval Defence Forces by India in 2006. 
• After returning in May, the ship underwent significant restoration at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. 
• It is equipped with advanced MTU engines, water jet propulsion, communication equipment, radar system, and a 30 mm gun for defence.

3.Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB)

In News: Saint Lucia’s Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) program was launched in partnership with India.

• Under the program, India plans to help Saint Lucia strengthen its tax administration by adding technical knowledge and skills to the tax authority and sharing best practices.  
• The focus of the program is the effective use of automatic data exchange within the framework of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).  
• Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB): TIWB is a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).  
• Modus Operandi: It sends qualified experts to developing countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. 
• They train local country workers in the following areas: fiscal capacity and audits, Tax crime investigation and Effective use of automatically exchanged data.

4.National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)

In News: The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has refused to stay the proposed merger between Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) and Sony.

• It was established under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013 to deal with appeals against the orders of the National Company Law Tribunal(s) (NCLT) with effect from June 1, 2016. 
• Jurisdiction and Jurisdiction: The NCLAT is an appellate court which hears appeals  under Section 61 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 of the NCLT with effect from 1 December 2016. 
• The NCLAT is also an appellate court which hears appeals against the orders of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India under Sections 202 and  211 of the IBC. 
• The NCLAT is also an appellate court which hears appeals against any direction, decision  or order of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). 
• The NCLAT is also an appellate court that hears and resolves appeals from regulations of the National Financial Reporting Agency (as amended by Section 410 (a) of the Corporations Act of 2013).

5.MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) Funds

In News: MLA Legislative Assembly Local Area Development Scheme (MLALAD) funds for Delhi legislators increased from Rs 4 crore to Rs 7 crore.

• • MLALAD funds are given to legislators to enable them to implement development projects in their constituencies under the Member of Parliament’s Local Area Development Fund (MPLAD). 

• Process: 

• • • Each MLA has the opportunity to propose to the deputy commissioner of his district every year within the limits of the allocated funds that his district be integrated into it. 
    • The amount allocated under the MLALAD program is released as a grant for the use of  districts or local governments. 
    • The unused amount of the MLALAD fund does not expire and is allocated to the MLA in the next fiscal year.  

• Features of the fund: 

• • The  work done under this system must be developmental in nature, based on local knowledge. 
  • It is possible to complete the work  within one accounting period and lead to the creation of a sustainable asset. 
  • It is suitable for both rural and urban areas. 
  • Development works such as repair of roads, parks, street furniture, security arrangements such as gates in residential areas and other local works.

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