CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has recently interviewed the daughter of the Kerala Chief Minister, who is also the owner of an inactive IT firm, sparking significant political controversy.
• About the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO):
  • The SFIO is an investigative agency dedicated to tackling corporate fraud, established by the Government of India. It was founded on July 21, 2015, and was granted statutory status under Section 211 of the Companies Act, 2013.
  • As a multidisciplinary organization operating under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the SFIO comprises experts in various fields, including accounting, forensic auditing, law, information technology, investigation, company law, capital markets, and taxation. Its primary mission is to detect and prosecute white-collar crimes and frauds.
• The SFIO focuses on cases that are characterized by:
  • Complexity, often with interdepartmental and multidisciplinary implications.
  • Significant public interest, evaluated by the scale of the fraud, especially in monetary terms.
  • The potential for investigations to lead to meaningful improvements in regulations, laws, or procedures.
  • The agency investigates serious fraud cases referred by the Department of Company Affairs. Investigations are assigned to the SFIO when the government deems it necessary, based on:
  • Reports from the Registrar or inspector as per Section 208 of the Companies Act, 2013.
  • Notifications of special resolutions passed by companies indicating the need for investigation.
  • Requests from central or state government departments in the public interest.
  • The SFIO may also initiate investigations independently, subject to approval from its Director, who must provide written justification for doing so.
  • Once a case is assigned to the SFIO, no other investigative body may proceed with an investigation related to the same offense under the Act. The SFIO is led by a Director, who holds the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India, and is supported by Additional Directors, Joint Directors, Deputy Directors, Senior Assistant Directors, Assistant Directors, prosecutors, and other administrative staff. Its headquarters is located in New Delhi, with regional offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

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• Tens of thousands of earthworm species are likely to be living in the world’s soils, awaiting discovery by scientists—a task that may take over 100 years to complete.
• About Earthworms:
  • Earthworms belong to the class Oligochaeta within the phylum Annelida, particularly the genus Lumbricus. These terrestrial worms are generally harmless and often beneficial inhabitants of the soil. They thrive in nearly all soil types worldwide, provided there is enough moisture and organic material to support them.
  • Features: The bodies of earthworms are segmented into ring-like structures, with some internal organs, such as the excretory organs, duplicated in each segment. They do not have lungs; instead, they respire through their skin. Lacking eyes, earthworms rely on skin receptors to detect light and touch. They possess five “hearts” that circulate blood throughout their bodies. Their diet primarily consists of decaying plant matter and organic material, but they also consume significant amounts of soil, sand, and small pebbles.
  • Earthworms are hermaphrodites, meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs.
  • Benefits: By breaking down dead and decaying organic matter, earthworms contribute to the formation of rich humus soil, which supports plant growth. Their waste, known as castings, is nutrient-rich and beneficial for plants. Additionally, as they burrow, earthworms create tiny channels that aerate the soil and enhance drainage.

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• A 13th-century stone inscription, known as a Veeragallu, has recently been discovered during renovations at the ancient Kalleshwar temple.
• About Kalleshwar Temple:
  • The Kalleshwar Temple is a Hindu shrine situated in the town of Bagali, located in the Davangere district of Karnataka. It is one of the oldest temples in the area and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple's construction spans two prominent Kannada dynasties: the Rashtrakuta Dynasty in the mid-10th century and the Western Chalukya Empire during the reign of King Tailapa II around 987 AD.
  • Architecture: The temple features a single shrine design accompanied by an adjoining hall (mantapa). Oriented toward the east, it includes a sanctum, an antechamber (also called vestibule or antarala, with a tower known as the sukhanasi) that links the sanctum to a gathering hall (sabhamantapa), which is preceded by a main hall (mukhamantapa).
  • The Shikara of the temple exemplifies early Chola architectural style. Inside, it houses a large Shivalinga believed to be over a thousand years old. This temple is designated as a monument of national importance and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

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• The recently released ‘EnviStats India-2024’ report ranks the Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) first among India’s 55 tiger reserves for its leopard population, estimated at around 360 leopards.
• About Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR):
  • Location: Situated in the Nallamala hill ranges, which are part of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh, NSTR is the largest tiger reserve in India, covering an area of 5,937 square kilometers. It boasts the highest tiger population in the Eastern Ghats landscape and is named after two significant dams in the region: the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and the Srisailam Dam.
  • The reserve includes two wildlife sanctuaries: the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBM). The Krishna River flows through the reserve for approximately 270 kilometers.
  • Topography: The terrain features plateaus, ridges, gorges, and deep valleys.
  • Vegetation: The reserve is primarily composed of tropical dry deciduous forests, with an undergrowth of bamboo and grass.
  • Flora: The habitat supports several endemic species, including Andrographis nallamalayana, Eriolaena lushingtonii, Crotalaria madurensis Var, Dicliptera beddomei, and Premna hamiltonii.
  • Fauna:
  • Key wildlife species include the Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Wild Dog, and Jackal. Prey species consist of Sambar, Chital, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, and Porcupine. The Krishna River is home to Muggers, Otters, and Turtles.