Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) Program

Context: The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $350 million policy-based loan under the second subprogram of the SMILE program.

• Signatories: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce and Industry &  the ADB.

About The SMILE Program

• It is a programmatic policy-based loan (PBL) program which aims to  support the government’s undertaking of wide ranging reforms in the logistics sector in India.
  • Subprograms: The programmatic approach comprises two subprograms, which aim to expand India’s manufacturing sector and improve the resilience of its supply chains.
• The program is fully aligned with ADB’s India Country Partnership Strategy, 2018-2022.
• Objective:
  • To strengthen the institutional bases for multimodal logistics infrastructure development at the national, state, and city levels
  • To standardize warehousing and other logistics assets to strengthen supply chains and incentivize greater private sector investment
  • To improve efficiencies in external trade logistics
  • To adopt smart systems for efficient and low emission logistics.

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About Asian Development Bank (ADB)

• It is a multilateral development bank established with the objective of poverty eradication in its  member countries.
• Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.
• Established: The Bank was established in 1966 with 31 founding members.
  • India was one of the founding members in 1966.
• Membership: Presently, ADB has 68 members (49 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside)
• Shareholders: ADB’s five largest shareholders are Japan and the United States (each with 15.6% of total shares), the People’s Republic of China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%).

India’s First Bio-Bitumen National Highway Inaugurated

Recently, The Union Transport Minister inaugurated India’s First National Highway constructed using Bio- Bitumen material in  Nagpur-Mansar Bypass project of National Highway 44 in Nagpur District.

• This is the first national highway in the country built using bitumen made from crop residues -lignin.
• This road made from bio-bitumen is 40 percent stronger than a traditional asphalt road.

About Bio-bitumen

• Also known as bio-asphalt; Bio-bitumen is a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based bitumen.
• It is petroleum-free manufactured from organic materials such as bio-char, bio-oil, and similar substances.
• It can be used either to supplement bitumen or to lessen the amount of bitumen in the binder mixture.
• Benefits: Reduce the cost of road construction, generate employment and curb pollution due to stubble burning. 

About Bitumen

• Bitumen is a black substance derived primarily from crude oil. 
• It consists of complex hydrocarbons and includes elements such as calcium, iron, sulfur, and oxygen. 
• Bitumen is renowned for its ability to provide waterproofing and adhesive properties. 
• It makes it a vital material in the construction sector.

UN Internal Justice Council

Retired Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur has been appointed chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council.

About United Nations Internal Justice Council

• Appointment: Comprises Five members: Appointed by Secretary-General.
  • Staff representative 
  • Management representative 
  • 2 distinguished external jurists
  • One nominated by the staff and one by management 
• Other four members on the list are from Uruguay, Australia, Austria and United States of America
• Appointment Process: Chair is a distinguished jurist chosen By consensus by the four other members. 
• Function: Responsible for handling the administration of the UN’s internal justice system  which includes the Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA), the UN Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and the UN Appeals Tribunal (UNAT).

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Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA)

• Established: 2009 
• Aim: To provide legal advice and representation to United Nations staff members (and former staff or affected dependents) who wish to appeal an adverse administrative decision, or who are subject to disciplinary action

United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) →

• Court of first instance in the UN’s internal justice system
• It handles disputes and disciplinary matters between the UN and its staff members 
• Administration can appeal the UNDT’s judgments to the UN Appeals Tribunal (UNAT).