24-25 November 2013 – Daily Current Affairs
National-Lok-Adalat-2013
1) A world record of disposing over 28 lakh pending judicial cases in one day was created on 23 November, 2013 in the National Lok Adalat held in the Supreme Court, all High Courts, and district and taluk courts across the country. National Lok Adalat was an initiative to reduce the huge number of pending judicial cases by ensuring speedy justice to litigants and making sure that there were no further appeals. This pan-India initiative was organized by which two organisations? - National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) - Lok Adalat aims at reducing pendency, while at the same time drawing attention of the public to the efficacious alternative dispute resolution method. The cases that were disposed of related to criminal compoundable cases, cheque bounce and bank recovery cases, civil suits, motor accident claims, labour, family and matrimonial disputes. In many states, revenue matters, land acquisition references, and consumer, service matters were also taken up.
2) India Meteorological Department (IMD) on 24 November, 2013 issued a fresh cyclone warning of a new looming cyclone, which is expected to turn into a very severe cyclone. This cyclone is expected to be a destructive cyclone and will head towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. What is the name assigned to this cyclone? – Cyclone ‘Lehar’ (IMD announced that the deep depression over south Andaman Sea had moved northwestward to become the third named cyclone this season. ‘Lehar’ would then emerge into southeast Bay of Bengal, intensify further gradually into a very severe cyclonic storm, and move west-northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast)
3) Iran and six world powers on 23 November, 2013 reached agreement on a nuclear deal to temporarily curb Iran’s nuclear programme. Under this agreement reached at nuclear talks held in Geneva, Iran will halt the enrichment of uranium to a level of 20% for six months but would be allowed to continue other parts of its enrichment programme. In return what benefit Iran would receive from these western powers? - The world powers in return would not impose additional sanctions against Iran during that time and would suspend some existing punitive measures (Measures to be suspended include parts of the oil embargo, as well as sanctions against Iran’s petrochemical industry, car production, insurances and trade with precious metals)