September 2020 Editorials Compilation

GS-1 Mains

QUESTIONS : Describe the role of women in armed forces and important challenges they have been facing since independence.

Topic- VICTORY IN A LONG BATTLE FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

WHAT ?

Permanent Commission for Women

WHY IN NEWS ?

The Supreme Court of India recently delivered a much-anticipated ruling that allows women to serve as permanently commissioned (PC) officers in 10 combat support arms and services of the Indian Army.

BACKGROUND :

The Indian Army had already set in motion a series of preparatory actions for the conduct of the Permanent Commission Selection Board for affected women officers.
The associated Selection Board will be scheduled as soon as all affected Short Service Commissioned (SSC) women officers exercise their option and complete requisite documentation.
The order specifies the grant of Permanent Commission (PC) to Short Service Commissioned (SSC) women officers in all the 10 streams of the Army in which they presently serve.

Supreme Court verdict in February 2020

The order follows an earlier Supreme Court verdict in February,2020 that directed the government that women Army officers be granted PC and command postings in all services other than combat.
The court said the “101 excuses” devised by the government to deter women from being on a par with men, including motherhood and physiological limitations, reeks of a stereotypical mindset.
The battle for gender equality is about confronting the battles of the mind.
The Supreme Court at that time ordered the government to implement its decision in three months.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE JUDGEMENT :

Equal physiologically: Women officers of the Indian Army have brought laurels to the force. Keeping their track record in mind their service to the nation can never be denied and it is beyond reproach.
Everyone serving in the Army is an equal citizen: To cast aspersion on the abilities of women on the ground of gender is an affront.
Dignity of women: It is disrespecting not only their dignity as women but the dignity of the members of the Indian Army men and women both as they both serve as equal citizens in a common mission.
Demolished gender stereotypes: Women officers in the Army are not adjuncts to a male-dominated establishment.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR WOMEN :

Equality before law for women (Article 14)
The State not to discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them (Article 15 (i))
Article 39: The State directs its policy towards securing for men and women equally the right to an adequate means of livelihood (Article 39(a)); and equal pay for equal work for both men and women (Article 39(d).
The State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief (Article 42).

POSSIBLE CHALLENGES TO WOMEN BEING IN FRONTLINE COMBAT POSITIONS :

Physical Issues: The natural physical differences in stature, strength, and body composition between the sexes make women more vulnerable to certain types of injuries and medical problems.
Physiological Issues: The natural processes of menstruation and pregnancy make women particularly vulnerable in combat situations
Social Issues: The issue of military sexual trauma (MST) and its effect on the physical and mental well-being of women combatants is grave.
Conventional Barriers: The acceptance of women officers by their male counterparts is still in question, as most of the male officers are predominantly drawn from rural backgrounds.

PERMANENT COMMISSION(PC) Vs. SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION (SSC) :

SSC means an officer’s career will be of a limited period in the Indian Armed Forces whereas a PC means they shall continue to serve in the Indian Armed Forces, till they retire.
The officers inducted through the SSC usually serve for a period of 14 years. At the end of 10 years, the officers have three options.
A PC entitles an officer to serve in the Navy till he/she retires unlike SSC, which is currently for 10 years and can be extended by four more years, or a total of 14 years.
They can either select for a PC or opt-out or have the option of a 4-years extension. They can resign at any time during this period of 4 years extension.

WAY FORWARD :

There is a need to sincerely implement the new reform. This would require a change in the current mindset and need gender sensitization among the stakeholders.
The physical and mental standards for the role must be uniform and gender-neutral.
The professional standards must be adhered to without any gender bias.
Administrative issues should not be cited as a barrier to women’s entry in the Armed Forces. It is the responsibility of the Government to create both administrative and social infrastructure for the easy induction of women into the Armed Forces.
The framework for the induction of women should be incorporated into a policy. As for the concern of preserving the female officers’ modesty and dignity, there should be elaborate codes of conduct to ensure no adverse incident occurs.
Misleading information such as using the patriarchal nature of the society as an excuse to deny women their deserving opportunities should be stopped. India has come a long way, and the society should be supportive of women being inducted in to combat roles.

QUESTIONS : Describe the role of women in armed forces and important challenges they have been facing since independence.

Topic- VICTORY IN A LONG BATTLE FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

WHAT ?

Permanent Commission for Women

WHY IN NEWS ?

SC = allows women as permanently commissioned officers in 10 combat support arms+ services of Indian Army.

BACKGROUND :

Indian Army= set in motion a series of preparatory actions for conduct of PC Selection Board for affected women
associated Selection Board will be scheduled as soon as all affected Short Service Commissioned (SSC) women officers exercise their option and complete requisite documentation.
order specifies the grant of PC to SSC women officers in all 10 streams of Army.

Supreme Court verdict in February 2020

directed government that women Army officers be granted PC + command postings in all services other than combat.
battle for gender equality is about confronting the battles of
SC at that time ordered government to implement its decision in three months.

Significance of the Judgement:

Equal physiologically
Everyone serving in the Army is an equal citizen
Dignity of women
Demolished gender stereotypes

Constitutional provision for women :

Equality before law for women (Article 14)+No discriminate on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them (Article 15 (i)+securing for men and women equally the right to an adequate means of livelihood (Article 39(a)+ equal pay for equal work for both men and women (Article 39(d)+humane conditions of work and for maternity relief (Article 42).

Possible challenges to women being in frontline combat positions:

Physical Issues: stature, strength+ body composition between the sexes make women more vulnerable
Physiological Issues
Social Issues: issue of military sexual trauma (MST)
Conventional Barriers:acceptance of women officers by their male counterparts is still in question

Commission (PC) Vs. Short Service Commission (SSC)

SSC=officer’s career will be of a limited period whereas a PC= continue to serve till they retire.
officers inducted through the SSC usually serve for a period of 14 years.
A PC entitles an officer to serve in the Navy till he/she retires unlike SSC, which is currently for 10 years and can be extended by four more years, or a total of 14 years

WAY FORWARD :

Implement new reforms +need gender sensitization
physical + mental standards for the role must be uniform + gender-neutral.
The professional standards must be adhered to without any gender bias.
Administrative issues should not be cited as a barrier to women’s entry in Armed Forces.
preserving female officers’ modesty+ dignity, there should be elaborate codes of conduct to ensure no adverse incident occurs.
society should be supportive of women being inducted in to combat roles.

QUESTION : Do you think the three-language formula is an attempt to ‘homogenize’ the diverse linguistic fabric of the country which consists of many regional languages? Analyse.

Topic – POLICY LESSONS IN TAMIL NADU’S LANGUAGE FORMULA

WHAT ?

Language Issue

WHY IN NEWS ?

The New Education Policy misses the case of Tamil Nadu following a language formula that is distinctly at variance with that of Delhi for the past 50 years

TAMIL NADU’S LANGUAGE POLICY :

It follows a two language policy which is at variance with Centre advocation of three language policy.
It was the decision of C.N. Annadurai, who led Dravidian Movement, that beyond Tamil and English (in order of preference) no other language would be taught in the schools of Tamil Nadu either as a language or medium of instruction
Tamil Nadu witnessed widespread agitations in 1965when the then Congress state government had attempted to make Hindi the state’s official language.
Opposition from Tamil Nadu in 2019 had forced the Centre to amend the draft NEP and withdraw a proposal to teach Hindi as a third language in schools in non-Hindi speaking States. Yet in the recently approved NEP, the three-language formula finds a place.
Despite the clarification that the NEP, 2020 would not lead to the imposition of any language, this has failed to convince some sections.
Currently, the three-language system is not followed in Tamil Nadu.Tamil Nadu follows the two-language policy of Tamil and English.
Education is a state subjectand the implementation of any policy lies with the states.

IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS :

Article 29 of the Constitution of Indiastates that any section of the citizens who have a “…distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.”
Article 351 gives power to the union government to issue a directive for the development of the Hindi language.

LANGUAGE POLICY ADOPTED BY VARIOUS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES :

Most countries follow a one-language formula (invariably mother tongue) for teaching children in the primary classes.
On reaching middle school they are given a chance to learn one more language, mostly English.
As there is no imposition through schools, voluntary learning of other languages is widely prevalent in these countries.

LANGUAGE POLICY IN SINGAPORE :

Under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew (first PM of Singapore from 1959 to 1990)

In Singapore, 74.2% of the population is Chinese, 13.2% Malays and 9.2% Indians.
Singapore had much more justification to adopt Chinese as its sole official language than India insisting on Hindi being the sole official language. Even today the population of Hindi-speaking people has not crossed 50% in India;
If Lee Kuan Yew(LKY) had wished he could have well declared Chinese to be the sole official language and satisfied the Chinese who were in a majority.
However, LKY used language policy as a strategic tool to achieve socio-economic development.
Giving equal status to English and mother tongue was considered by LKY as a prerequisite not only to work closely with the international community but also to bring in big ticket changes.
The two-language policy prepared Singaporeans in advance for globalisation.
Many compare this policy with C N Annadurai’s view on language

IMPORTANT PART OF ANNADURAI’S LANGUAGE POLICY :

He insisted that all the national languages should be made official languages and English should be the common link language.
He held that the official language should be equidistant to all the members of a multilingual society. English would fit the bill for both students of Hindi and Tamil.
Making Hindi alone as the official language would create disparity among various linguistic groups other than the Hindi-speaking population which will result in partial treatment, giving unfair advantage to the Hindi-speaking population.
Annadurai was also particular that English is the language we communicate with a larger world.
What Annadurai dreamed of as a language policy for ‘the Dravidian land’ was actually implemented in Singapore by Lee Kuan Yew.

HAS TWO LANGUAGE POLICY WORKED WELL IN TN ?

Though comparable to Singapore in language policy, Tamil Nadu’s education standards are not comparable to Singapore’s in terms of outcomes.
Students in the state suffer a serious handicap while dealing with English and Tamil languages. And they do not have command over either.
Counter Argument: This is not the failure of the two-language formula per se but of its implementation and the present Indian educational ecosystem.

THREE LANGUAGE FORMULA (KOTHARI COMMISSION 1968) :

First language: It will be the mother tongue or regional language.
Second language: In Hindi speaking states, it will be other modern Indian languages or English. In non-Hindi speaking states, it will be Hindi or English.
Third Language: In Hindi speaking states, it will be English or a modern Indian language. In the non-Hindi speaking state, it will be English or a modern Indian language.

WHY TN OPPOSED HINDI LANGUAGE :

Language being the vehicle of Culture is protected vociferously by civil society & politicians in the State. Any attempt at diluting the importance of Tamil language is viewed as an attempt at homogenisation of culture.
An important aspect of the opposition to Hindi imposition is that many in Tamil Nadu see it as a fight to retain English.
English is seen as a bulwark against Hindi as well as the language of empowerment and knowledge.
There is an entrenched belief in certain sections of society that the continued attempts to impose Hindi will eventually lead to elimination of English, global link language.
However, voluntary learning of Hind has never been restricted in the State. The patronage for the 102-year-old Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, based in Chennai, proves this
Only compulsion is met with resistance.

IS CRITICISM VALID ?

Out of necessity, many in the Tamil Nadu State have picked up conversational Hindi to engage with the migrant population that feeds the labour needs of society. Teaching the same in schools is thus not a threat to native language .
There is this counter-argument that Tamil Nadu is depriving students of an opportunity to learn Hindi, touted as a national link language.
Unlike the National Education policy-1968 which mandated teaching of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking States, the latest NEP does not explicitly mention the ‘third’ language shall be Hindi.
This means, apart from Tamil and English, students must learn any one of Indian languages.

CONCLUSION :

If India is really interested in the new education policy capable of creating new generations, Delhi can acquire that vision only by studying the educational ecosystem throughout the world.

QUESTION : Do you think the three-language formula is an attempt to ‘homogenize’ the diverse linguistic fabric of the country which consists of many regional languages? Analyse.

Topic- POLICY LESSONS IN TAMIL NADU’S LANGUAGE FORMULA

WHAT ?

Language Issue

WHY IN NEWS ?

NEP misses the case of Tamil Nadu following a language formula that is distinctly at variance with that of Delhi for the past 50 years

TAMIL NADU’S LANGUAGE POLICY :

follows a two language policy
N. Annadurai, who led Dravidian Movement, that beyond Tamil + English
Tamil Nadu witnessed widespread agitations in 1965when Congress state government= attempted to make Hindi the state’s official language.
Opposition from Tamil Nadu in 2019 had forced the Centre to amend the draft NEP + withdraw a proposal to teach Hindi as a third language
Despite the clarification that the NEP, 2020 would not lead to the imposition of any language, this has failed to convince some sections.
three-language system= followed in TN.
Education=state subject+ implementation of any policy lies with states.

IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS :

Article 29 of the Constitution of India+ Article 351= directives by union govt.for Hindi development.

LANGUAGE POLICY ADOPTED BY VARIOUS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES :

Most countries follow a one-language formula (invariably mother tongue) in the primary classes.
On reaching middle school they are given a chance to learn one more language, mostly English.

LANGUAGE POLICY IN SINGAPORE :

2% of the population is Chinese, 13.2% Malays+ 9.2% Indians.
Singapore= much more justification to adopt Chinese as its sole official language
LKY used language policy as a strategic tool to achieve socio-economic development.
equal status to English+ mother tongue
two-language policy prepared Singaporeans in advance for globalisation
Many compare this policy with C N Annadurai’s view on language

IMPORTANT PART OF ANNADURAI’S LANGUAGE POLICY :

all national languages=made official languages+ English=common link language+English=fit the bill for both students of Hindi+Tamil.
Making Hindi alone as official language= create disparity among various linguistic groups
Annadurai=English is language we communicate with a larger world.

HAS TWO LANGUAGE POLICY WORKED WELL IN TN ?

TN’s education standards=not comparable to Singapore’s in terms of outcomes+Students in the state suffer a serious handicap while dealing with English and Tamil languages.
Counter Argument: This is not the failure of two-language formula per se but of its implementation+present Indian educational ecosystem.

THREE LANGUAGE FORMULA (KOTHARI COMMISSION 1968) :

First language=mother tongue or regional language.
Second language: In Hindi speaking states= modern Indian languages or English+In non-Hindi speaking states=Hindi or English.
Third Language: In Hindi speaking states= English or a modern Indian language+In non-Hindi speaking state= English or a modern Indian language.

WHY TN OPPOSED HINDI LANGUAGE :

Any attempt at diluting importance of Tamil language =an attempt at homogenisation of culture+many in Tamil Nadu see it as a fight to retain English.
English =bulwark against Hindi+ language of empowerment+ knowledge.
Belief=continued attempts to impose Hindi will eventually lead to elimination of English.

IS CRITICISM VALID ?

not a threat to native language + depriving students of an opportunity to learn Hindi, touted as a national link language.
NEP =not explicitly mention ‘third’ language shall be Hindi+means, apart from Tamil and English, students must learn any one of Indian languages.

CONCLUSION :

If India is really interested in the new education policy capable of creating new generations, Delhi can acquire that vision only by studying the educational ecosystem throughout the world

QUESTION : Write a note on the origin of Earth and the planets in solar system. Also examine how do scientists study birth of planets in universe.

VENUS IN FOCUS

WHAT ?

Venus Planet

WHY IN NEWS ?

Scientists have detected the presence of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus.The detection indicates the possibility of the presence of lifeforms on Venus.

PHOSPHINE :

Phosphine is a phosphorus atom with three hydrogen atoms attached (PH3) – is highly toxic to people.
On rocky planets such as Venus and Earth, phosphine can only be made by life—whether human or microbe.
Phosphine is made naturally by some species of anaerobic bacteria—organisms that live in the oxygen-starved environments of landfills, marshlands, and even animal guts.

VENUS :

Venus is Earth’s closest planetary neighbour. It is also known as earth’s twin.
Similar in structure but slightly smaller than Earth, it is the second planet from the sun.
Early science observations of Venus revealed that it is a menace of a world that could kill life in multiple ways. Venus is wrapped in a thick and toxic atmosphere that traps in heat.
High Temperature: Surface temperatures reach a scorching 880 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt lead. It is the hottest planet in the solar system.
High Pressure: Highly dense, 65 miles of cloud and haze, puts atmospheric pressure more than 90 times what’s felt on Earth’s surface.
Also, the planet’s atmosphere is primarily suffocating carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds.

IMPORTANT POINTS :

The international scientific team first spotted the phosphine using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii and confirmed it using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope in Chile.
JCMT is the largest astronomical telescope in the world designed specifically to operate in the submillimetre wavelength region of the spectrum.

o ALMA is currently the largest radio telescope in the world.

The researchers did not discover actual life forms, but noted that, on Earth, phosphine is produced by bacteria thriving in oxygen-starved environments.
Biosignatures: Scientists have used probes and telescopes to seek “biosignatures” – indirect signs of life – on other planets and moons in the solar system and beyond.
Phosphine was seen at 20 parts-per-billion in the Venus atmosphere which is a trace concentration. However, Venus is considered to be hostile to phosphine as its surface and atmosphere are rich in oxygen compounds that would rapidly react with and destroy phosphine.
Phosphine acts as a biosignature because it is known to be produced mainly through biological processes, and not through any naturally occurring chemical process.
Earlier in 2011, the European Space Agency’s mission, Venus Express, found signs of ozone, a biomarker, in the upper atmosphere of Venus.

PAVING WAY FOR FUTURE MISSION :

Missions to Venus are not new. The finding can further ignite interest in space missions to Venus.
Spacecraft have been going near the planet since the 1960s, and some of them have even made a landing.
In fact, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also planning a mission to Venus, tentatively called Shukrayaan, in the near future.
As of now, the plan is still on the drawing board. All future missions to Venus would now be attuned to investigating further evidence of the presence of life.

CONCLUSION :

The finding can further ignite interest in space missions to Venus. Missions to Venus are not new. Spacecraft have been going near the planet since the 1960s, and some of them have even made a landing.
All future missions to Venus would now be attuned to investigating further evidence of the presence of life. This can now only be taken further by making in situ measurements in the atmosphere of Venus. This poses its own challenges.

QUESTION : Write a note on the origin of Earth and the planets in solar system. Also examine how do scientists study birth of planets in universe.

VENUS IN FOCUS

WHAT ?

Venus Planet

WHY IN NEWS ?

Scientists=detected presence of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus

PHOSPHINE :

a phosphorus atom with three hydrogen atoms attached (PH3) – is highly toxic to people+ On rocky planets such as Venus+ Earth, phosphine can only be made by life—whether human or microbe+is made naturally by some species of anaerobic bacteria

VENUS :

Earth’s closest planetary neighbour+ also known as earth’s twin+ slightly smaller than Earth+ second planet from sun
High Temperature+High Pressure

IMPORTANT POINTS :

international scientific team first spotted the phosphine using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii and confirmed it using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope in Chile.

o JCMT+ALMA is currently the largest radio telescope in the world.

researchers did not discover actual life forms, but noted that, on Earth, phosphine is produced by bacteria thriving in oxygen-starved environments.
Scientists have used probes+ telescopes to seek “biosignatures” – indirect signs of life
Phosphine was seen at 20 parts-per-billion in the Venus atmosphere which is a trace concentration+Venus is considered to be hostile to phosphine.
Phosphine acts as a biosignature
2011=European Space Agency’s mission, Venus Express, found signs of ozone, a biomarker, in the upper atmosphere of Venus.

PAVING WAY FOR FUTURE MISSION :

ISRO=planning a mission to Venus, tentatively called Shukrayaa+ All future missions to Venus would now be attuned to investigating further evidence of the presence of life.

CONCLUSION :

finding can further ignite interest in space missions to Venus. Missions to Venus are not new. Spacecraft have been going near the planet since the 1960s, and some of them have even made a landing.

QUESTION : Exemplify how the emergence of press in the 19th century, contributed to the growth of nationalism and struggle for independence in India. Also state the steps taken by the British government to suppress its popularity.

PANDEMIC AND A FREE PRESS

WHAT ?

Freedom of Media

WHY IN NEWS ?

Recently, the higher judiciary passed an order that pertains to regulation of Media. In one order, Andhra Pradesh High Court imposed a ban on the media, and even social media, from mentioning anything in relation to a case linked to former Advocate General of the State.

BACKGROUND :

In recent years, there have been quite a few instances of interim injunctions against all media houses obtained by the petitioner solely to prevent any news reporting about them. Such orders by the courts restrain the media from reporting on particular cases or people.
While claiming to be defamed by one publication, they have been able to obtain open-ended stays on publications.

IMPORTANCE OF FREE MEDIA :

Free Media promotes open discussion of ideas that allows individuals to fully participate in political life, making informed decisions and strengthening society as a result — especially in a large democracy such as India.
A free exchange of ideas, free exchange of information and knowledge, debating and expression of different viewpoints is important for smooth functioning of democracy. As the free media by virtue of being the voice of masses, empowers them with the right to express opinions.Thus, free media is critical in a democracy.
With Free Media, people will be able to exercise their rights as questioning decisions of government. Such an environment can be created only when freedom of press is achieved.
Hence, Media can be rightly considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, the other three being legislature, executive and judiciary.

ISSUES RELATED WITH PRESENT MEDIA :

Right to Privacy: The right to privacy emanates from natural rights, which are basic, inherent and inalienable rights.
Article 21 which guarantees right to life guarantees right to privacy impliedly.
Many times, the media has crossed its limits of fair reporting and intruded in personal spheres of life.
In Aarushi Talwar Murder Case, the Supreme Court took a view that transparency and secrecy in an investigation are two different things. Where the apex court questioned a section of media for reporting that had resulted in tarnishing the reputation of the victim and her family members.

Media Trials:

The Supreme Court in Sahara vs. SEBI (2012) observed that the court can grant preventive relief on a balancing of the right to free trial and a free press.
Since such trials by the media are likely to affect the reputation of the judiciary and judicial proceedings adversely, it interferes with the functioning of the judiciary as well.
Paid News: Paid news and fake news can manipulate public perception and can instigate hatred, violence, and disharmony among the various communities within society.
The absence of objective journalism leads to the false presentation of truth in a society which affects the perception and opinions of people.

FREEDOM OF PRESS :

The Constitution, the supreme law of the land, guarantees freedom of speech and expression under Article 19, which deals with ‘Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.
Freedom of press is not expressly protected by Indian legal system but it is impliedly protected under article 19(1) (a) of the constitution, which states – “All citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression”.
In 1950, the Supreme Court in Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras observed that freedom of the press lay at the foundation of all democratic organisations.

WAY FORWARD :

As a matter of principle, courts must avoid blanket orders against publication.
The Supreme Court Judgment in the Sahara vs. SEBI (2012) case can act as an important guiding point for the judiciary in this direction.
Adherence to Media Ethics:
It is important that the media stick to the core principles like truth and accuracy, transparency, independence, fairness and impartiality, responsibility and fair play.
Strengthening Institutional Framework

CONCLUSION :

There is the need to maintain a balance between free expression and other community and individual rights; this responsibility should not be borne by the judiciary alone, but by all those who enjoy these rights.

QUESTION : Exemplify how the emergence of press in the 19th century, contributed to the growth of nationalism and struggle for independence in India.

PANDEMIC AND A FREE PRESS

WHAT ?

Freedom of Media

WHY IN NEWS ?

higher judiciary passed an order that pertains to regulation of Media+ Andhra Pradesh High Court imposed a ban on the media

BACKGROUND :

In recent years, there have been quite a few instances of interim injunctions against all media houses obtained by the petitioner solely to prevent any news reporting about them+While claiming to be defamed by one publication, they have been able to obtain open-ended stays on publications.

IMPORTANCE OF FREE MEDIA :

Free Media promotes open discussion of ideas
A free exchange of ideas, free exchange of information+ knowledge, debating& expression.
people will be able to exercise their rights as questioning decisions of govt.
Media=considered as fourth pillar of democracy, the other three being legislature, executive +judiciary.

ISSUES RELATED WITH PRESENT MEDIA :

Right to Privacy=Article 21 which guarantees right to life guarantees right to privacy impliedly.
Media Trials
Since such trials by the media= likely to affect the reputation of the judiciary+judicial proceedings adversely
Paid News+fake news can manipulate public perception+can instigate hatred, violence, and disharmony among the various communities within society.

FREEDOM OF PRESS :

freedom of speech and expression under Article 19, which deals with ‘Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.
1950= Supreme Court in Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras

WAY FORWARD :

courts must avoid blanket orders against publication.
The Supreme Court Judgment in the Sahara vs. SEBI (2012) case can act as an important guiding point for the judiciary in this direction.
Adherence to Media Ethics
Strengthening Institutional Framework

CONCLUSION :

need to maintain a balance between free expression+other community+ individual rights; this responsibility should not be borne by the judiciary alone, but by all those who enjoy these rights.

QUESTION :Assess the state of democracy in India and suggest the role that the pillars of government need to play to improve the state of affairs in the country.

SEEING DYSTOPIA IN INDIA’S DEMOCRACY

WHAT ?

Assessment of the state of democracy in India.

WHY IN NEWS ?

The United Nations has declared September 15 as ‘International Day of Democracy’. It has a provision which says that it reviews the state of democracy in the world. This calls for an opportunity to review the state of democracy in India.

Basic forms of democracy are:

DIRECT DEMOCRACY: Citizens participate in the decision-making personally. Example- Switzerland.
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY: Elected officials represent a group of people. It is an element of both parliamentary and presidential systems of government. Examples – United Kingdom, India, USA, etc.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF INDIAN DEMOCRACY ?

There are two ways in which the state of democracy in a country can to be assessed. They are:

Procedural state.
The state of outcome because of democracy.

PROCEDURAL STATE :

The factors that need to be taken into concern while assessing the procedural state of democracy in India are:

There are multiparty elections with universal suffrage subjected only to age restriction.
There is smooth changeover in government after elections.
There is an existence of an independent press and
judiciary,and the guarantee of civil liberties justiciable in courts of law.

All these suggest that procedurally it very rightly holds its ground as the largest democracy in the world. However this is only a partial evaluation and the outcome also needs to be assessed to get the right picture on the state of democracy.

BUILT BY THE PEOPLE :

Two leaders who had recognised this criterion in their engagements with the public were Jawaharlal Nehru and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
Nehru was explicit in his speech on August 15, 1947 when he stated that the goal of independence was to create institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman.
Note that Nehru had not promised that the government will create these institutions.
He was far too aware that democracy is not synonymous with statism; it is about the people.
Ultimately, the institutions that enable persons to lead fulfilling lives are built by the people themselves.
Let us look at the examples, all from the United States. In the 1960s, that country saw movements for black empowerment, women’s emancipation and sexual liberation.
These movements were remarkably successful in the outcomes they achieved, while receiving no support from the U.S. state.
This is the sense in which it may be said that it is the people who build the institutions that matter.
That said, however, the state has a role

The Human Development Index (HDI):

It is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable and having a decent standard of living. The HDI is the geometric mean of normalized indices for each of the three dimensions.
The health dimension is assessed by life expectancy at birth, the education dimension is measured by mean of years of schooling for adults aged 25 years and more and expected years of schooling for children of school entering age. The standard of living dimension is measured by gross national income per capita.

OUTCOME :

Responsiveness of the government to the needs of people

In the UN’s World Happiness Report for 2020, the list of top 10 countries is heavily loaded with the democracies of western Europe. The U.S. barely edges into the top 20. India, on the other hand, is ranked 144 out of the 153 countries evaluated. Along with this, there has been a slide in recent years meaning the condition isn’t improving.

Endowment with capabilities: According to Amartya Sen, capabilities are the endowments that allow individuals to undertake the functionings, or do the things, that they value.

In the UN’s Human Development Index 2019, India ranked 129th out of 189 countries. Judged in terms of human development, Indian democracy is severely challenged.
The outcome of democracy points to a sorry state of affairs. Though democracy may be a form of government but surely the people have come to adopt this particular form of government with a goal in mind. We may safely assume a fulfilling life is that goal. Authoritarianism is not compatible with such a life, only democracy, which at least in principle grants individuals a voice in governance, is. Second, people adopt democracy so that they can participate in their own governance. They cannot but have foreseen that they must be endowed with capabilities if this is to be possible at all. Thus, liberty and capability are conjoined as the ultimate aspiration in a democracy.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY :

The International Day of Democracy is celebrated by United Nations since 2007. Its preamble says that “democracy is a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full representation in all aspects of life.”
The International Day of Democracy is important to see the limitations of achieving democracy and how it can be improvised Demands of localising democracy (local self-government) have been there. Movements in the recent years like Occupy Wall Street (United States), Arab Spring, Crisis of Brexit suggest that representation in democracy needs to be improved effectively.

Essential elements of Democracy are:

Freedom
Respect for human rights
Holding periodic, genuine elections by universal suffrage.

It aims at:

Looking ways to invigorate democracy
Tackling economic and political inequalities
Making democracy more inclusive
Making democracies more innovative and responsive to emerging challenges (like migration and climate change).

DEMOCRACY IN INDIA :

Ancient India had democratic republic even before 6th century BCE and India has seen democratic rule through ages. Vaishali (in present day Bihar) is considered one of the first republics around 6th century BCE. Republics at that time were called ‘Mahajanpadas’ and Sabhas and Samitis (assemblies) existed. Panchayat systems were also used in some of these republics.
Anti-colonial movements in India brought democracy in picture during British rule in India. Nehru, Gandhi, Ambedkar, etc helped in bringing universal adult franchise, at a time when literacy rate was very low in the nation.
Government of India Act, 1935 laid foundation of democratic rule in India.
India became independent from British rule in 1947.
Although Gandhi wanted village republic as a basic unit, India went for Westminster (United Kingdoms) type of political model. But India granted Universal Adult Franchise under Article 326 of its Constitution effective since 1950 giving a strong base for democracy.
Indian democracy has stood the test of time that witnessed events like partition of India and Pakistan, massive exchange of population with Pakistan, integration of over 500 princely states and some of the wars in later years with Pakistan and China.
It has evolved from a single majority party after independence to a multi-party system.
Indian Republic at present has a parliamentary system of democracy and a federal structure in which leaders are elected by citizens of various castes, classes, religions, etc.

CONCLUSION :

Dystopia was imagined as a place where the people experience great suffering as they fend for themselves under the watchful eyes of an authoritarian state.

QUESTION :Assess the state of democracy in India and suggest the role that the pillars of government need to play to improve the state of affairs in the country.

SEEING DYSTOPIA IN INDIA’S DEMOCRACY

WHAT ?

Assessment of the state of democracy in India.

WHY IN NEWS ?

UN declared September 15 as ‘International Day of Democracy’. This calls for an opportunity to review state of democracy in India.

Basic forms of democracy are:

DIRECT DEMOCRACY: Citizens participate in the decision-making personally. Example- Switzerland.
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY: Elected officials represent a group of people. It is an element of both parliamentary+ presidential systems of government. Examples – United Kingdom, India, USA, etc.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF INDIAN DEMOCRACY ?

PROCEDURAL STATE :

The factors that need to be taken into concern

multiparty elections with universal suffrage
smooth changeover in government after elections.
existence of an independent press
Judiciary+guarantee of civil liberties justiciable in courts

BUILT BY THE PEOPLE :

Two leaders who had recognised this Jawaharlal Nehru+Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan.
Nehru was explicit in his speech on August 15, 1947 when he stated that the goal of independence was to create institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman.
Note that Nehru had not promised that the government will create these institutions.
He was far too aware that democracy is not synonymous with statism
Let us look at the examples, all from the United States. In the 1960s, that country saw movements for black empowerment, women’s emancipation and sexual liberation.

The Human Development Index (HDI): It is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long+ healthy life, being knowledgeable+ having a decent standard of living+HDI= the geometric mean of normalized indices for each of the three dimensions

OUTCOME :

Responsiveness of the government to the needs of people
Endowment with capabilities: According to Amartya Sen, capabilities= endowments that allow individuals to undertake the functionings, or do the things, that they value.
Liberty+ capability= conjoined as the ultimate aspiration in a democracy.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY

The International Day of Democracy is celebrated by United Nations since 2007. Its preamble says that “democracy is a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full representation in all aspects of life.”

Essential elements of Democracy are:

Freedom
Respect for human rights
Holding periodic, genuine elections by universal suffrage.
It aims at:
Looking ways to invigorate democracy
Tackling economic+ political inequalities
Making democracy more inclusive
Making democracies more innovative+ responsive to emerging challenges

DEMOCRACY IN INDIA :

Ancient India=democratic republic even before 6th century BCE +India has seen democratic rule through ages+Vaishali= considered one of the first republics around 6th century BCE. Republics at that time were called ‘Mahajanpadas’ + Sabhas & Samitis .
Anti-colonial movements in India brought democracy in picture during British rule in India. Nehru, Gandhi, Ambedkar, etc helped in bringing universal adult franchise.
Government of India Act, 1935= foundation of democratic rule
India granted Universal Adult Franchise= giving a strong base for democracy.
has evolved from a single majority party after independence to a multi-party system.
Indian Republic at present has a parliamentary system of democracy + federal structure

CONCLUSION :

Dystopia was imagined as a place where people experience great suffering as they fend for themselves under the watchful eyes of an authoritarian state.

QUESTION : What is meant by global commons? Discuss their significance, concerns and provide a holistic approach for the effective conservation of Natural resources.

MANAGING THE GLOBAL COMMONS

WHAT ?

Pandemic And Disruption Of Our Environment

WHY IN NEWS ?

This year is defined by a pandemic, record-breaking forest fires, floods and droughts in various places, and the rapid melting of Arctic ice.
The disruption of our environment is one of the main factors causing these events.

WHAT IS GLOBAL COMMONS ?

‘Global Commons’ refers to resource domains or areas that lie outside of the political reach of any one nation State.
They are shared resources that cannot be managed within national jurisdictions.
Global commons include the earth’s shared natural resources, such as the high oceans, the atmosphere and outer space and the Antarctic.
It is a term typically used to describe international, supranational, and global resource domains in which common-pool resources are found.

GOVERNING SHARED RESOURCES :

When we want to manage shared resources, we need to balance both private and public interests.
Each individual farmer may benefit from turning on the pump to irrigate his/her land, but on a larger scale, it contributes to declining groundwater levels and electricity blackouts.
In 1968, biologist Garrett Hardin popularised the notion of the tragedy of the commons, which implies that communities cannot manage their shared resources and require governmental interventions to regulate resource use or privatise the resource.
In 1990, political scientist Elinor Ostrom published her landmark book on governing the commons that demonstrated that communities can govern on their own their shared resources, often better than imposed, well-intended solutions from outside.
The spread of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19; greenhouse gas emissions; biodiversity reduction; overfishing; and the accumulation of plastic waste are some of the problems within the scope of global commons.

CHALLENGES :

Empirical research demonstrates that well-intended solutions imposed on community members are typically short-lived.
Multilateral negotiations on climate change and other global commons over decades have had limited success.
The consequences of human activities on a global scale are only being recognised in recent times.
Although we have a good idea of what kind of governance might be successful at the local community level, these insights do not directly address the challenges we face on a global scale.

MANAGEMENT OF THE GLOBAL COMMONS :

The key challenge of the global commons is the design of governance structures and management systems capable of addressing the complexity of multiple public and private interests, subject to often unpredictable changes, ranging from the local to the global level.
As with global public goods, management of the global commons requires pluralistic legal entities, usually international and supranational, public and private, structured to match the diversity of interests and the type of resource to be managed, and stringent enough with adequate incentives to ensure compliance. Such management systems are necessary to avoid, at the global level, the classic tragedy of the commons, in which common resources become overexploited.
Several environmental protocols have been established as a type of international law, “an intergovernmental document intended as legally binding with a primary stated purpose of preventing or managing human impacts on natural resources.

WAY FORWARD :

When rural and urban communities are allowed to self-govern their shared resources, there could be risks involved for which cities and nations need to accept responsibilities.
At the local levels, initiatives and solutions could be developed that fit the local context.
When expertise is not available, higher-level organisations could facilitate learning from peers in similar conditions.
Failures will be inevitable when local-level experimentation is simulated, and higher-level authorities need to provide insurance for those cases.
If local initiatives are successful, higher-level authorities need to ensure that the outcomes of those successes will not be grabbed by outsiders.

QUESTION : What is meant by global commons? Discuss their significance, concerns and provide a holistic approach for the effective conservation of Natural resources.

MANAGING THE GLOBAL COMMONS

WHAT ?

Pandemic +Disruption Of Our Environment

WHY IN NEWS ?

This year =defined by a pandemic, record-breaking forest fires, floods+ droughts+ rapid melting of Arctic ice.

WHAT IS GLOBAL COMMONS ?

refers to resource domains or areas that lie outside of political reach of any one nation State+ sharedrces that cannot be managed within national jurisdictions.
earth’s shared natural resources, such as high oceans,the atmosphere +outer space+ the Antarctic.

GOVERNING SHARED RESOURCES :

balance both private and public interests.
Each individual farmer may benefit from turning on pump to irrigate his/her land, but on a larger scale, it contributes to declining groundwater levels+electricity blackouts.
1968 biologist Garrett Hardin popularised the notion of the tragedy of the commons
Elinor Ostrom published her landmark book on governing the commons that demonstrated that communities can govern on their own their shared resources, often better than imposed, well-intended solutions from outside.
COVID-19; greenhouse gas emissions; biodiversity reduction; overfishing+ accumulation of plastic waste are some of the problems within the scope of global commons.

CHALLENGES :

community members=typically short-lived.
Multilateral negotiations on climate change+ other global commons= limited success.
consequences of human activities on a global scale= being recognised in recent times.
these insights do not directly address the challenges we face on a global scale.

MANAGEMENT OF THE GLOBAL COMMONS :

design of governance structures + management systems capable of addressing the complexity of multiple public and private interests
management of the global commons= usually international +supranational, public and private, structured to match the diversity of interests and the type of resource to be managed+stringent enough with adequate incentives to ensure compliance.
environmental protocols + “an intergovernmental document intended as legally binding with a primary stated purpose of preventing or managing human impacts on natural resources.

WAY FORWARD :

rural +urban communities =allowed to self-govern their shared resources
At the local levels, initiatives+ solutions could be developed
When expertise is not available, higher-level organisations could facilitate learning from peers in similar conditions.
higher-level authorities need to provide insurance for those cases.
higher-level authorities need to ensure that the outcomes of those successes will not be grabbed by outsiders.

GS-2 Mains

QUESTION : How Covid-19 is transforming the education sector in India ? Discuss and suggest a way forward for facilitating digital education in India.

Topic- DISRUPTION AND CHALKING OUT A NEW IDEA FOR EDUCATION

WHAT :

Impact of Covid-19 on Indian Education

WHY IN NEWS ?

Along with a colossal(extremely large ) loss of life and economic damage to the world over, COVID-19, is leaving a lasting impression on education.

BACKGROUND :

Covid-19 is threatening educational institutions to shut down or downsize that will affect jobs and livelihoods.
For professional and non-professional courses, the natural tendency for students would be to opt for online courses as they could cut back and save on hostel, mess and travel costs.

o This means that some institutions may well have to shut down due to their inability to meet costs.

How the educational institutes management, especially in private institutions, is going to balance the demand for education and the costly digital resources, is the question.
It may be called a new phenomenon “acadonomics”, that will involve seeing the economics of moving on to an online mode of the teaching-learning process, whether it is going to be a temporary phenomenon or a long term.

A COMPARISON WITH WEST WORLD :

Private academic institutions in India which are not-for-profit do not have any emergency funds, unlike western universities.

o Their survival is on the annual income that comes from tuition and the other fees collected.

For instance, in the United States, the elite private and state-subsidized universities like Harvard University have endowments of close to $40 billion that can be used for a range of academic activities. This can include giving out fellowships to subsidizing tuition fees.

CONCERNS :

The new social distancing norms would lead to the enforcement of smaller class sizes, thereby increasing the effective teaching load and multiplicity of efforts.
The online teaching mode brings with it increased costs of IT infrastructure such as network bandwidth, servers, cloud resources and software licensing fees.
Online teaching means new hiring in the IT sector and increased costs due to engagements with Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and other online platforms.
Online teaching means setting up multiple studios and educational technology centres which translate into investments in high technology.
Creation of virtual laboratories across all domains of studies and examination centres, etc. would add to the financial woes.
All faculty members are not adept in online teaching. Therefore, additional funds have to be allocated to train faculty for online teaching.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS ON INDIAN EDUCATION :

Article 45 in Directive Principles of State Policy stated that the government should provide free and compulsory education to all until the age of 14 within 10 years from the commencement of the Constitution. Since it was not realized, Article 21A was introduced by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002. It made elementary education a fundamental right rather than a directive principle.
Article 45 was amended to provide for early childhood care and education to children below the age of 6 years.

Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009:

In order to implement Article 21A, the parliament had passed the Right to Education Act.
This Act provided necessary legal backing for the implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
SSA is the government programme that provides for the Universalization of Elementary Education in a time-bound manner. It has been operational since 2000-01.

CONCLUSION :

Acadonomics’ of the future will not only decide the fate of the academic sector in India but also its quality, ranking, research, innovation potential and its collective impact on our country’s economy.

WAY FORWARD :

Soft loans: The onus is on the Centre and State governments to provide soft loans to students to stay with the educational course.
Financial autonomy: The government and regulatory bodies should not interfere in the fee structure.
Maintaining corpus: While replicating any western model in India may not be wholly appropriate, it is high time institutions in India are allowed to create coffers or corpuses for a rainy day.
Corporatization: In India, good quality higher education is subsidized in relation to their direct costs. Educational institutions can be treated like any other corporate body, with an allowable small margin of profit.

QUESTION : How Covid-19 is transforming the education sector in India ? Discuss and suggest a way forward for facilitating digital education in India.

Topic- DISRUPTION AND CHALKING OUT A NEW IDEA FOR EDUCATION

WHAT :

Impact of Covid-19 on Indian Education

WHY IN NEWS ?

Along with a colossal loss of life+ economic damage to world over, COVID-19=leaving a lasting impression on education.

BACKGROUND :

Covid-19 =educational institutions to shut down or downsize that will affect jobs+ livelihoods.
professional + non-professional courses, natural tendency for students= opt for online courses as they could cut back + save on hostel, mess + travel costs
to balance demand for education costly digital resources= question.
“acadonomics” =will involve seeing the economics of moving on to an online mode of the teaching-learning process

A COMPARISON WITH WEST WORLD :

institutions in india do not have any emergency funds, unlike western universities+Their survival is on the annual income – comes from tuition
in the United States, elite pvt.+ state-subsidized universities like Harvard University have endowments of close to $40 billion that can be used for a range of academic activities.

CONCERNS :

The new social distancing norms
increased costs of IT infrastructure due to engagements with Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)+ other online platforms.
Creation of virtual laboratories =would add to the financial woes.
Mostly,faculty members = not adept in online teaching.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS:

Article 45 provide free + compulsory education to all until the age of 14 + Article 21A= made elementary education a fundamental right.

CONCLUSION :

Acadonomics’ = quality, ranking, research, innovation potential + its collective impact on our country’s economy.

WAY FORWARD :

Soft loans to students to stay with the educational course.
Financial autonomy
high time institutions in India are allowed to create coffers or corpuses for a rainy day.
Educational institutions can be treated like any other corporate body, with an allowable small margin of profit.

QUESTION : Data localisation, despite its many advantages, may eventually do more harm than good. Comment..

Topic- A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

WHAT ?

Personal Data related issues

WHY IN NEWS ?

The Gopalakrishnan Committee set up by the government on developing a governance framework for non-personal data recently put out its draft report for public consultations.

BACKGROUND :

The Committee of Experts on the Non-Personal Data Governance Framework headed by K Gopalakrishnan has recommended making privately held non-personal data “open”.
This has raised concerns about state interference in the private data ecoystem.

NON-PERSONAL DATA:

Non-personal data are data that do not identify an individual.
Non-personal data sets can be useful in either framing public policy or creating and providing new services. Non-personal data are viewed as critical for the development of the AI ecosystem.

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL 2019 :

The Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill, 2019, was introduced in the Lok Sabha and is now referred to a joint select committee.

Why is the law important?

Collection of information about individuals and their online habits has become an important source of profits, but also a potential avenue for invasion of privacy because it can reveal extremely personal aspects.
Companies, governments, and political parties find it valuable because they can use it to find the most convincing ways to advertise online.
To prevent the breach of privacy and unwarranted advertising, this bill was a necessity.

IMPORTANCE OF DATA COLLECTED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES :

The report is a missed opportunity to address the governance frameworks around data created by government agencies.
Some of the most important non-personal data sets are held by the government, or result from taxpayer funding.
Such data can be useful in either framing public policy or creating and providing new services.

WHY GOVERNMENT DATA SHOULD BE OPEN TO CITIZENS :

First, the state should be transparent about information that it has. This will improve accountability.
Second, if taxpayer money has funded any of the data sets, then it is an obligation of the state to return the fruits of that funding to the taxpayer.
Third, by permitting the reuse of government data sets, we avoid the need for duplication.
Fourth, government data sets, curated according to publicly verified standards, can lead to increased confidence in data quality and increased usage.
Finally, free flow of information can have beneficial effects on society in general.

GOVERNMENT POLICIES PROMOTING OPENNESS OF DATA :

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, mandates the disclosure of government data on a suo moto basis.
One of the nine pillars of the Digital India Policy is “information for all”.
The National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP), 2012 requires all non-sensitive information held by public authorities to be made publicly accessible in machine readable formats (subject to conditions).
The government has also set up an Open Government Data Platform to provide open access to data sets held by ministries and other agencies of the government.
Various States have also either created their own data portals or have provided data sets to the Open Government Data Platform.

CHALLENGES IN MAKING THE DATA OPEN TO SOCIETY :

There are two reasons for our failure to create an open data-based society.
The first is lack of clarity in some of the provisions of the NDSAP or the relevant implementation guidelines.
The second is the inability to enforce guidelines appropriately.
Data sets released by governments are often inconsistent, incomplete, outdated, published in non-machine readable or inconsistent formats, include duplicates, and lack quality (or any) metadata, thereby reducing re-usability.

ISSUES WITH GOPALAKRISHNANA COMMITTEE REPORT :

The Gopalakrishnan Committee could have evaluated what is going wrong with existing policies and practice pertaining to government data.
The report is a missed opportunity to address the governance frameworks around non-personal data sets in a country created by government agencies, or those resulting from taxpayer money.
The report largely focuses on the dangers posed by data collection by private sector entities.
This has raised concerns about state interference in the private data ecoystem.
Many of the concerns that should be addressed in the report that are central to the governance of the data ecosystem have remained in the background.
For instance, India’s cybersecurity framework continues to be inadequate, while even the Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee report of 2018 highlighted the need to restrict the growing power of the state to carry out surveillance.

DATA LOCALISATION :

It is the practice of storing data on any device that is physically present within the borders of the country where the data is generated.

BENEFITS OF DATA LOCALISATION :

Help in Maintenance of law and order

o Public order related incidents such as lynching across the country which are linked to WhatsApp rumours and fake news can be dealt with due to proper surveillance.

Better implementation of social programs due to proper statistics collection.
Security against foreign attacks and surveillance.
It is considered necessary due to the slow and outdated processes of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty(MLAT).

WAY FORWARD :

Data governance being a relatively new concept in India, the government must take an incremental approach to reforms.
Before trying to reform private sector data governance structure, the reforms should begin with reforming how the government itself deals with citizens’ data. This would result in greater trust in data governance practices and also allow the development of state capacity to govern the data ecosystem.

QUESTION : Data localisation, despite its many advantages, may eventually do more harm than good. Comment..

Topic- A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

WHAT ?

Personal Data related issues

WHY IN NEWS ?

Gopalakrishnan Committee set up by the government on developing a governance framework for non-personal data recently put out its draft report for public consultations.

BACKGROUND :

K Gopalakrishnan= recommended making privately held non-personal data “open”.
This has raised concerns about state interference in private data ecoystem.

NON-PERSONAL DATA:

data that do not identify an individual+can useful in either framing public policy or creating +providing new services& viewed as critical for development of the AI ecosystem.

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL 2019 :

Why is the law important?

Collection of information about individuals+ their online habits has become an important source of profits
Companies+governments+political parties find it valuable
To prevent breach of privacy+ unwarranted advertising

IMPORTANCE OF DATA COLLECTED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES :

Some of the most important non-personal data sets are held by the government, or result from taxpayer funding.
Such data= useful in either framing public policy or creating + providing new services.

WHY GOVERNMENT DATA SHOULD BE OPEN TO CITIZENS :

state should be transparent about information that it has+ will improve accountability.
if taxpayer money has funded any of the data sets, then it is an obligation of the state to return the fruits of that funding to the taxpayer.
by permitting reuse of government data sets, we avoid the need for duplication+government data sets=can lead to increased confidence in data quality+ increased usage+free flow of information can have beneficial effects on society in general.

GOVERNMENT POLICIES PROMOTING OPENNESS OF DATA :

RTI Act, 2005,
Digital India Policy is “information for all”.
NDSAP 2012 requires all non-sensitive information held by public authorities to be made publicly accessible in machine readable formats
set up an Open Government Data Platform to provide open access to data sets
Various States provided Open Government Data Platform.

CHALLENGES IN MAKING THE DATA OPEN TO SOCIETY :

lack of clarity in some of the provisions of the NDSAP
Inability to enforce guidelines appropriately.
Data sets released by governments are often inconsistent, incomplete, outdated

ISSUES WITH GOPALAKRISHNANA COMMITTEE REPORT :

Failed in evaluation practice pertaining to government data.
Report= missed opportunity to address governance frameworks around non-personal data sets created by government agencies+ resulting from taxpayer money.
Focuses on the dangers posed by data collection by private sector entities.
concerns to be addressed in report that are central to the governance of the data ecosystem have remained in the background.

Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee report of 2018 =need to restrict growing power of the state to carry out surveillance.

DATA LOCALISATION :

practice of storing data on any device that is physically present within the borders of the country where the data is generated.

BENEFITS OF DATA LOCALISATION :

Help in Maintenance of law and order
Better implementation of social programs
Security against foreign attacks+ surveillance
necessary due to the slow+ outdated processes of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty

WAY FORWARD :

government must take an incremental approach to reforms.
reforms should begin with reforming how the government itself deals with citizens’ data. This would result in greater trust in data governance practices .

QUESTION : Examine the significance of parliamentary debates in a representative democracy like India. Would you agree that the instruments like Question Hour of Indian Parliament help in bringing the accountability and transparency in decisions?

Topic- A POLITICS OF AVOIDANCE THAT MUST BE QUESTIONED

WHAT ?

Question Hour And Its Significance

WHY IN NEWS ?

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats notified that there will be no Question Hour during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which has been truncated in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, and that Zero Hour will be restricted in both Houses.

MORE ABOUT THIS NEWS :

Opposition MPs have criticised the move, saying they will lose the right to question the government.
The government has clarified that the Unstarred Questions will continue to be received and answered and that the change will relate only to Starred Questions and the Supplementary questions emanating from them that require to be answered orally.

QUESTION HOUR ?

The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is slotted for the Question Hour where Members of Parliament raise questions about any aspect of administrative activity.
In a starred question, a member seeks an oral answer from the concerned minister and this can be followed by supplementary questions, whereas in the case of unstarred questions, a written answer is provided, and no supplementary question can be asked.
Short notice question is one that is asked by giving a notice of less than ten days. It is answered orally.
Ministries receive the questions 15 days in advance so that they can prepare their ministers for Question Hour.
The presiding officers of the both Houses (Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha) are the final authority with respect to the conduct of Question Hour.
Question Hour is regulated according to parliamentary rules.
Question Hour in both Houses is held on all days of the session. But there are two days when an exception is made (Day of President’s address & During Budget presentation)
With the broadcasting of Question Hour since 1991, Question Hour has become one the most visible aspects of parliamentary functioning.

SIGNIFICANCE OF QUESTION HOUR :

Instrument of Accountability: During the Question hour, Members of Parliament (MPs) ask questions to ministers and hold them accountable for the functioning of their ministries.
Regularity: The daily ‘Question Hour’ has an unmatched criticality on account of its regularity and its availability on a basis of equality to every Member of the House, Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha.
Broad Scope: It has a special significance in the proceedings of Parliament since it covers every aspect of government activity, domestic and foreign.
Leads to Wider Debate: Though questions are pointed & specific, our parliamentary history records instances of answers given to questions leading to wider debates, inquiries, and even administrative scandals.
Public Awareness: The information made available through Question Hour adds to public information essential to informed debates on matters of interest or concern.
Stance of Executive: The advantage of Question Hour to the government is that its position in the matter is authoritatively explained

CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT’S MOVE :

Reduced Space for Opposition: The rest of the business of Houses was tightly controlled and set by the government, leaving only Question Hour to hold the government accountable.
Against the Spirit of Democracy: Suspension of Question Hour is not good sign in democratic principles especially in a parliamentary democracy.
Bad Precedence: Parliament is the beacon of legislative functioning and its functioning will set the precedent for Vidhan sabhas to follow in the future.
Lacks Consensus: The move to suspend Question Hour due to pandemic and to find alternate options was not discussed with leaders of political parties and groups

ZERO HOUR :

While Question Hour is strictly regulated, Zero Hour is an Indian parliamentary innovation which is not mentioned in the rules of procedure.
Usually Question Hour is the first hour of a parliamentary sitting. In 2014, Rajya Sabha Chairman shifted Question Hour in the House from 11 am to 12 noon. The move was to prevent the disruption of Question Hour.

ABOUT PARLIAMENTARY FORM OF GOVERNMENT :

A parliamentary form of government in the one in which the executive is accountable to the electorate through a legislature which in turn is periodically elected by the electorate.
This accountability lies at the heart of democratic government and is implemented through procedures put in place by the legislature whose functions include.

o Lawmaking

o Controlling the national finances

o Approving taxation proposals

o Having discussions on matters of public interest and concern

Each of these functions is discharged, daily or periodically, during sittings of the legislature and cover questions, adjournment motion, calling attention, half-an-hour discussion, motion of no confidence, questions of privilege, etc

ISSUES RELATED TO THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM :

Lack of Specialists in Cabinet: Parliamentary system limits executive posts to those who are elected rather than to those who are talented.

Prevalence of Defections and Horse-trading: The Anti-defection Act of 1985 has not been very successful to cure the menace of defections.
Suppression of Representative Democracy: Most laws are drafted by the executive and parliamentary input into their formulation and passage is minimal, with many bills being passed after barely a few minutes of debate.
Politics of Disruption: In India’s Parliament, many opposition members feel that the best way to show the strength of their feelings is to disrupt law-making rather than debate the law.
Focusing Politics rather than Policy

PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT :

The United States and many other democracies follow Presidential system of government. In this system, the President is both head of state and government. Unlike the Parliamentary system of government, there is clear separation between legislature and executive.

MERITS OF PRESIDENTIAL FORM :

Stable executive: It establishes a stable executive which does not depend upon the fluctuating will of the legislature.

Presidential system is more stable than parliamentary as coalition governments in latter can collapse as seen in Indian experience.

Better policy implementation: The tenure of the executive is fixed and, therefore, the policy is carried without any fear or favour. Further, a fixed tenure of office means a greater continuity of policies and programmes and higher standard of administration.
Direct reflection of people’s choice: As the President is elected by the people, it is a direct choice rather than being elected by Member of Parliaments and Legislative assembly.
Better administration: President can appoint anyone as secretaries (minister equivalent). In India minister has to be Member of Parliament.
Stricter separation of powers: In Parliamentary system there is overlap in legislature and Executive, thus weakening the prospect of legislature holding executive accountable.
Faster decisions: US President is more powerful, than India President domestically hence faster decision making is possible in the former
People’s participation: Popular election of the chief executive is supported to stimulate citizens’ interests in public affairs and competition for one important office concentrates public attention on the issue of the day more effectively than the elections for legislative seats.

DEMERITS OF PRESIDENTIAL FORM :

Autocratic: The presidential system appears to be autocratic because the President is empowered to act more or less in his discretion.
Irresponsible: It is irresponsible because the executive is made independent of the legislature. There is no effective means by which the responsibility for the exercise of power may be ensured.
Lack of co-operation: Another weakness of the system is its failure to ensure the co-operation between law-makers and administrators. Frequent conflicts between the legislature and the executive may lead to deadlocks.
Lack of accountability: There is no continuous accountability of the executive to the representatives of the people in the legislature. The fixed term of office of the executive also curtails responsiveness to public opinion.
Inelastic: The biggest demerit of this system is that it is inelastic structure and uncertain in fixing up the final responsibility. It is inelastic because, once the President has been elected, the nation must continue with him, no matter whether it likes or dislikes his policies.
Deadlock on important issues: Frequent conflicts between the legislature and the executive may lead to deadlocks.

CONCLUSION :

The test of a functioning democracy is its ability to face crises — social, economic, political — and seek correctives premised on institutions of democracy.

WAY FORWARD :

World over, the legislative bodies have continued to function with new sets of ‘dos and don’ts. Some ‘dos and don’ts’’ can be introduced in the Parliament.
Admit the Starred Question, reply to it in a set of prepositions and allow the Member concerned to table in writing the permitted number of follow up questions also to be answered in writing the following day.

o This can be supplemented, on occasions, by using a Motion to develop a consensus ‘on matters of general public interest’.

Since the government is accountable to the parliament, the parliamentary proceedings meant to hold the government accountable should not be suspended or curtailed as it will go against the essence of the Constitution.

Topic – A POLITICS OF AVOIDANCE THAT MUST BE QUESTIONED

WHAT ?

Question Hour + Its Significance

WHY IN NEWS ?

LS+RS secretariats notified that there will be no Question Hour during the Monsoon Session due to Covid-19

QUESTION HOUR ?

first hour of every parliamentary sitting is slotted where MPs raise questions about any aspect of administrative activity.
starred question= member seeks an oral answer from the concerned minister + this can be followed by supplementary questions
Short notice question =is asked by giving a notice of less than 10 days.
Ministries receive the questions 15 days in advance
The presiding officers = final authority with respect to the conduct of Question Hour+regulated according to parliamentary rules.

SIGNIFICANCE OF QUESTION HOUR :

Instrument of Accountability
- Regularity: The daily ‘Question Hour’ has an unmatched criticality on account of its regularity
- Broad Scope: covers every aspect of government activity, domestic + foreign.
- Leads to Wider Debate: inquiries+ even administrative scandals.
- Public Awareness
- Stance of Executive: position in the matter is authoritatively explained

CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT’S MOVE :

Reduced Space for Opposition
Against the Spirit of Democracy
Bad Precedence
Lacks Consensus

ZERO HOUR : the time when Members of Parliament (MPs) can raise Issues of Urgent Public Importance+ an Indian parliamentary innovation not mentioned in rules of procedure.

ABOUT PARLIAMENTARY FORM OF GOVERNMENT :

in which executive=accountable to electorate through a legislature which in turn is periodically elected by the electorate+accountability implemented through procedures put in place by the legislature whose functions include.
Lawmaking
Controlling the national finances
Approving taxation proposals
Having discussions on matters of public interest and concern

ISSUES RELATED TO THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM :

Lack of Specialists in Cabinet
- Prevalence of Defections and Horse trading
- Suppression of Representative Democracy
- Politics of Disruption
- Focusing Politics rather than Policy

PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT :

The United States and many other democracies follow Presidential system of government. In this system, the President is both head of state and government. Unlike the Parliamentary system of government, there is clear separation between legislature and executive.

MERITS OF PRESIDENTIAL FORM :

Stable executive
Better policy implementation
Direct reflection of people’s choice
Better administration
Stricter separation of powers
Faster decisions
People’s participation

DEMERITS OF PRESIDENTIAL FORM :

Autocratic
Irresponsible
Lack of co-operation
Lack of accountability
Inelastic
Deadlock on important issues

CONCLUSION :

The test of a functioning democracy is its ability to face crises — social, economic, political — and seek correctives premised on institutions of democracy.

WAY FORWARD :

Admit Starred Question, reply to it in a set of prepositions +allow Member concerned to table in writing permitted number
parliamentary proceedings should not be suspended or curtailed as it will go against essence of the Constitution.

QUESTION : Explain the National Digital Health Mission by giving salient features with result to its digital mode and How it will be helpful as far as the accessibility is concerned? Discuss.

Topic- MIND THE GAP IN INDIA’S HEALTH CARE DIGITAL PUSH

WHAT ?

National Digital Health Mission

WHY IN NEWS ?

Public consultations over the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), is envisioned as India’s first step towards Universal Health Coverage.

NATIONAL DIGITAL HEALTH MISSION :

Its roots lie in a 2018 Niti Aayog proposal to create a centralised mechanism to uniquely identify every participating user in the National Health Stack.
The National Digital Health Mission is a digital health ecosystem under which every Indian citizen will now have unique health IDs, digitised health records with identifiers for doctors and health facilities.
An IT consulting firm has been engaged to build a National Health Stack and a registry of over eight lakh doctors, 10 lakh pharmacists and over 60,000 hospitals is under preparation.
The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), which comes under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), is expected to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of health services in the country.

WHAT IS HEALTH ID?

The health ID will contain information about medical data, prescriptions and diagnostic reports, and summaries of previous discharge from hospitals for ailments.
Participation in NDHM is not compulsory.
Each Health ID will be linked to a health data consent manager — such as National Digital Health Mission — which will be used to seek the patient’s consent and allow for seamless flow of health information from the Personal Health Records module.
This ID is to be created by using a person’s basic details and mobile number or Aadhaar number.
The ID will be applicable across states, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmacies

BENEFITS OF NDHM :

Ease of living: It ‘would help patients save the burden of carrying medical reports to a specialist or other hospitals’. One can also avail Telemedicine support from renowned specialists if required .
Respects privacy: Only anonymised data will be shared upwards, and your consent will be taken every time for sharing any personal identifiable information.
Homogenised software: The scheme also intends to replace existing data generation systems with a new homogenised software for all machines in the health sector in the country with a central processor that will extract the relevant data from individual records.

CHALLENGES :

There is insufficient time for discussions among medical practitioners, hospital managements, associations of various stakeholders in the health-care sector and other members of civil society for any meaningful feedback.
Intra state difficulties:

o Most patients avail medical services from doctors or health-care centres in their own State.

o But when they seek advanced care in other States or migrate to another State they face difficulties because data is not available.

Costs of software change:

o Public health professionals estimate the cost in thousands of crores for all government and private HIPs to upgrade their hardware and connectivity systems, training of present staff, the entry of data afresh apart from other indirect costs.

Rural disconnect:

In rural areas, there is no practice of even storing patient data on computers.

Data privacy: People easily give consent in normal times let alone in a time of medical emergency. It is quite difficult to secure the transferable data of many millions getting stored in the decentralised system

Misplaced priorities: Digitisation is not the immediate problem facing the health sector. The following issues deserve immediate attention:

Unreliable health-care facilities in both the government and private sectors,

Did You Know about similar project by UK?

In 2005, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) started deployment of an electronic health record systems with a goal to have all patients with a centralised electronic health record by 2010.
While several hospitals acquired electronic patient records systems as part of this process, there was no national healthcare information exchange.
The project had been beset by changing specifications, technical challenges and clashes with suppliers, which left it years behind schedule and way over cost.
The program was ultimately dismantled after a cost to the UK taxpayer was more than £12 billion, and is considered one of the most expensive healthcare IT failures.

CONCLUSION :

The article argues that the NDHM may not be the best way to go about addressing data gaps and suggests that instead, the existing practices and systems for the compilation of data as in the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and the Health Management Information System (IDSP-HMIS) could have been reformed for better efficiency and effectiveness.

QUESTION : Explain the National Digital Health Mission by giving salient features with result to its digital mode and How it will be helpful as far as the accessibility is concerned? Discuss.

Topic- MIND THE GAP IN INDIA’S HEALTH CARE DIGITAL PUSH

WHAT ?

National Digital Health Mission

WHY IN NEWS ?

Public consultations over NDHM= envisioned as India’s first step towards Universal Health Coverage.

NATIONAL DIGITAL HEALTH MISSION :

2018= Niti Aayog proposal to create a centralised mechanism to uniquely identify every participating user in National Health Stack.
NDHM= digital health ecosystem under which unique health IDs, digitised health records with identifiers for doctors + health facilities.
comes under AB PM-JAY = improving efficiency, effectiveness+ transparency

WHAT IS HEALTH ID?

will contain information about medical data, prescriptions + diagnostic reports+ summaries of previous discharge from hospitals for ailments.
Each Health ID will be linked to a health data consent manager
ID by a person’s basic details + mobile number or Aadhaar number.
will be applicable across states, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories+ pharmacies

BENEFITS OF NDHM :

Ease of living: help patients save burden of carrying medical reports
Respects privacy
Homogenised software: for all machines in health sector with a central processor

CHALLENGES :

There is insufficient time for discussions among medical practitioners, hospital managements etc
Intra state difficulties: Most patients avail medical services from doctors or health-care centres in their own State.
Costs of software change= in crores

Rural disconnect
Data privacy
Misplaced priorities

Did You Know about similar project by UK?

2005=UK’s National Health Service (NHS) started deployment of an electronic health record systems with a goal to have all patients with a centralised electronic health record by 2010.
was ultimately dismantled after a cost to UK taxpayer was more than £12 billion

CONCLUSION :

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme + Health Management Information System could have been reformed for better efficiency+ effectiveness.

QUESTION : In the phase of rising uncertainty in geo-politics, examine the relevance and implications of Quad grouping.

Topic- A NEW DIMENSION

WHAT ?

Militarization Of QUAD And India

WHY IN NEWS ?

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat stated on Thursday that India believes the Quad would be a “good mechanism” to “ensure Freedom of Navigation Operations” (FONOPs)in the Indian Ocean and surrounding oceans including the Indo-Pacific.

HIGHLIGHTS REGARDING THE “QUAD”

Australia’s request has been pending for four years, to join the annual Malabar exercises with India, the U.S. and Japan.
China’s poses fierce opposition to the militarisation of a coalition seen as a counter to its claims in the Pacific and inroads in the Indian Ocean.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue, Indian Prime Minister had said that India sees the Indo-Pacific as a “geographical concept”, not a “strategy or a club of limited members”.
India is the only country in the Quad that shares a land boundary with China, and the militarisation of the Quad will not help India deal with that threat.
Unlike the U.S., Japan and Australia, which are tied by military alliances, India is a member of other strategic forums, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation with China, Russia and Central Asia, BRICS and RIC, which appear to be at cross purposes with a Quad alliance.

COUNTERING TWIN CHALLENGE :

The threat from Pakistan will be mainly in the form of a proxy war but any threat develops around our northern borders, Pakistan could take advantage and create some trouble there.
As far as China is concerned, there were border management protocols signed from 1993 onwards that have been modified continuously, but of late, some aggressive actions by China have been seen.
Chinese economic cooperation with Pakistan in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, along with continued military, economic and diplomatic support, mandates high levels of preparation and also poses the threat of coordinated action on the Northern and Western fronts.

WHAT IS QUAD ?

It is an informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.
The idea of Quad was first presented by the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007. But the idea at that time couldn’t move ahead with Australia pulling out of it, apparently due to Chinese pressure.
In November 2017, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending “Quad” Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence especially due to rising dominance of China in the region.

QUAD NATIONS AND CHINA :

USA: USA had followed a policy to contain China’s increasing influence in East Asia. Therefore, USA sees the coalition as an opportunity to regain its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

o The US has described China, along with Russia, as a strategic rival in its National Security Strategy, National Defence Strategy and the Pentagon’s report on Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Australia: Australia is concerned about China’s growing interest in its land, infrastructure and politics, and influence on its universities.

o Taking into account its overwhelming economic dependence on China for prosperity, Australia has continued its commitment to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China.

Japan: In the last decade, Japan has expressed concerns related to China’s territorial transgression in the region.

CHALLENGES :

China’s Territorial Claims: China claims that it has historical ownership over nearly the entire region of South China Sea, which gives it the right to manufacture islands. However, the International Court of Arbitration rejected the claim in 2016.
China’s Closeness to ASEAN: The ASEAN countries also have a well-knit relationship with China. The Regional Cooperation Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a recent example of China’s increasing influence over ASEAN nations.
Economic Power of China: Considering the economic might of China and the dependence of Quad nations like Japan and Australia on China, the Quad nations cannot afford to have strained relations with it.
Convergence among Quad Nations: The nations in the Quad grouping have different aspirations, aims at balancing their own interest. Therefore, coherence in the vision of Quad nation as a grouping is absent.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA :

The suggestion is that India is now prepared to join Quad military patrols, which marks a departure from its earlier reticence and public statements by the leadership.
The Indian Navy has not taken part in any joint patrols outside of the Indian Ocean, and even within it, held its first one, with France, only recently.
In terms of the engagement with the Quad, India has not yet formally announced a decision to include Australia in the annual Malabar exercises with the U.S. and Japan, although it is expected to do so.
By joining the quad India has taken a significant turn in its policy for the subcontinent.
It gives New Delhi a powerful platform to advance its interests in East Asia, coordinate strategies with powerful friends and add more strength to its Act East initiative.
The geostrategic term “Indo-Pacific” as opposed to “Asia-Pacific” has been gaining currency.
It will deepen India’s ties with US, Australia and Japan with benefits in diplomatic leverage and sharing.
Working with US and its allies in the Asia-Pacific will provide New Delhi significant leverage in shaping US policies in Afghanistan-Pakistan to the benefit of India.

QUAD A REFLECTION OF MULTI-POLAR FOREIGN POLICY :

Though India is part of Quad, it is not a formal alliance or any security architecture against China. Moreover, alliances are not even feasible in this globalized world based on complex interdependence. But QUAD membership reinforces India’s multi-polar foreign policy as:

India is associated with several forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS etc.
The other members of these grouping face some sought of strategic competition from USA, but India has managed well to maintain strategic autonomy which is a pillar of multi polar world order.
China’s assertion in South China Sea (SCS) compromises freedom of navigation. Through QUAD India seeks to reassert rule based world order to counter China’s growing power and assertion.
Democratic, Cooperative and Peacekeeping endeavour: The QUAD initiative is group of four largest and powerful democracies in the world which values democratic, peaceful, rule based international order.
India held that the Quad was more about sharing democratic experiences than a security arrangement directed at China.

MILITARISATION OF THE QUAD AND ITS EFFECT ON CHINA :

However, the move from conducting exercises together to joint operations would take time, something that makes the CDS’s assertion significant.
It is easy to surmise that his contention that the Quad operations are needed to ensure there is no “fear of any other nation singularly trying to dominate the oceans”, is a veiled reference to China.
It is also clear that the LAC tensions and clashes, as well as the PLA’s refusal to implement border agreements, have convinced New Delhi that new strategies will be required to deal with Beijing.
S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have spoken of the importance of a resolution through talks, there is no doubt that an outcome of the tensions will be a strengthening of India’s ties with global powers such as the U.S., as well as formations like the Quad.
An indication of this is the government’s plans to host a ministerial-level meeting of the Quad in the next month, possibly when the India-US “2+2” meet of Foreign and Defence Ministers is held.
While India considers its options, it is necessary to remember some of the reasons for its reticence in terms of militarising the Quad in any way.
Prime Minister Modi said in 2018 that India sees the Indo-Pacific as a “geographical concept”, not a “strategy or a club of limited members”, and it would be important to know whether that formulation has changed.
India is the only Quad member not already tied in a treaty alliance with the others, and Mr. Jaishankar’s statement that India would never be part of any “alliance system” would run counter to what the CDS suggests.

ABOUT MALABAR EXERCISE :

Malabar is an annual military exercise between the navies of India, Japan and the U.S. held alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The annual Malabar exercise started in 1992 as a bilateral event between the navies of India and the United States.
It was expanded into a trilateral format with the inclusion of Japan in 2015.

DO YOU KNOW ?

Australia’s inclusion would be seen as a possible first step towards the militarisation of the Quad coalition, something Beijing has opposed in the past.
Japan and US have been keen on Australia’s inclusion and have been pushing India to consider it.

MARITIME SECURITY :

The IOR is fast becoming one of the most crucial geopolitical and economic areas of the world and there has been a rise in security concerns. The Indo-Pacific region holds immense geo-political and geo-strategic significance for navies around the world.
Expanded participation in Malabar will help strengthen regional maritime security arrangement in the Indo-Pacific region.
The primary aim of the exercise is to increase interoperability amongst the navies as well as develop a common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations.

CONCLUSION :

There is the need for careful thought on India’s moves with respect to the quadrilateral engagement. India should reflect on the strategic rationale of the military-Quad.
There should be a cost-benefit exercise and any move should lead to commensurate gains in the strategic-operational realm for India.

QUESTION : In the phase of rising uncertainty in geo-politics, examine the relevance and implications of Quad grouping.

Topic- A NEW DIMENSION

WHAT ?

Militarization Of QUAD + India

WHY IN NEWS ?

CDS General Bipin Rawat stated that India believes Quad would be a “good mechanism” to“ensure Freedom of Navigation Operations”in Indian Ocean

HIGHLIGHTS REGARDING THE “QUAD”

Australia’s request= pending for four years, to join annual Malabar exercises
China’s poses fierce opposition to militarisation of a coalition seen as a counter to its claims in the Pacific+ Indian Ocean.
At Shangri-La Dialogue, Indian PM sees the Indo-Pacific as a “geographical concept”, not a “strategy or a club of limited members”.
India=only country in Quad that shares a land boundary with China
Unlike U.S., Japan +Australia, which are tied by military alliances, India is a member of other strategic forums

COUNTERING TWIN CHALLENGE :

The threat from Pakistan
some aggressive actions by China have been seen.
Chinese economic cooperation with Pakistan in PoK, mandates high levels of preparation +poses the threat of coordinated action on Northern + Western fronts.

WHAT IS QUAD ?

informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan + Australia +ensures &support a “free, open + prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.
Quad= first presented by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007.
2017=India, the US, Australia + Japan gave shape to the long-pending “Quad” Coalition to develop a new strategy.

QUAD NATIONS AND CHINA :

USA sees coalition as an opportunity to regain its influence in Indo-Pacific region
Australia is concerned about China’s growing interest in its land, infrastructure + politics+influence on its universities.
Japan= expressed concerns related to China’s territorial transgression in region.

CHALLENGES :

China’s Territorial Claims: over nearly the entire region of South China Sea,
China’s Closeness to ASEAN: The ASEAN countries also have a well-knit relationship with China
Economic Power of China:Quad nations cannot afford to have strained relations with it.
 Convergence among Quad Nations:coherence in vision of Quad nation as a grouping = absent.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA :

suggestion is that India is now prepared to join Quad military patrols
It gives New Delhi a powerful platform to advance its interests in East Asia
will deepen India’s ties with US, Australia+ Japan
Working with US =provide significant leverage in shaping US policies in Afghanistan-Pakistan

QUAD a reflection of multi-polar foreign policy:

India= managed well to maintain strategic autonomy which is a pillar of multi polar world order.
Through QUAD India seeks to reassert rule based world order to counter China’s growing power+ assertion.
3 QUAD values democratic, peaceful, rule based international order.
India=Quad was more about sharing democratic experiences

MILITARISATION OF THE QUAD AND ITS EFFECT ON CHINA :

no “fear of any other nation singularly trying to dominate oceans”, is a veiled reference to China.
new strategies will be required to deal with Beijing considering a LAC
outcome of tensions= strengthening of India’s ties with global powers such as the U.S.+like Quad org.
necessary to remember some of reasons for its reticence in terms of militarising Quad in any way.
PM 2018 = India sees the Indo-Pacific as a “geographical concept”, not a “strategy or a club of limited members”, and it would be important to know whether that formulation has changed.
India =only Quad member not already tied in a treaty alliance with the other.

ABOUT MALABAR EXERCISE :

annual military exercise between the navies of India, Japan+U.S+started in 1992 navies of India + US.+inclusion in 2015.

DO YOU KNOW ?

Australia’s inclusion would be seen as a possible first step towards the militarisation of the Quad coalition, something Beijing has opposed in the past.
Japan and US have been keen on Australia’s inclusion and have been pushing India to consider it.

CONCLUSION :

need for careful thought on India’s moves+ India should reflect on strategic rationale of military-Quad+There should be a cost-benefit exercise.

QUESTION : Government of India should create human capital by empowering youth through skilling and quality education to avert anti-national sentiment and explain how globalisation is impacting youth? Analyse.

Topic- EMPOWER THE YOUTH FIRST

WHAT ?

Youth Empowerment

WHY IN NEWS ?

It is argued that if India wants to achieve the goal of self-reliance we have to start with empowering the Youth.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ?

Youth empowerment is a process where children and young people are encouraged to take charge of their lives. They do this by addressing their situation and then take action in order to improve their access to resources and transform their consciousness through their beliefs, values, and attitudes. Youth empowerment aims to improve quality of life.

STATUS OF YOUTH IN INDIA :

Definition:

The 2014 National Youth Policy (NYP) defined youth as persons between 15 and 29 years.

Major Proportion in Total Population: This segment of the society accounted for 27.5% of the population as per NYP, 2014.
Government Expenditure on Youth: According to the NYP report, the Central government spends about ₹2,710 per youth on education, skill development, employment, healthcare and food subsidies.
Investment as percentage of GDP: The total amount of Union government expenditure is pegged at more than ₹90,000 crore. Assuming that States spend an equal amount, the total investment in our youth would be under 1% of the GDP.
Opportunity Cost of investing in Youth: A World Bank report pegged the projected cost (read: loss) of not investing in children and youth at 4% of the GDP every year. Of this, the costs of unemployment account for 0.6%
Labour Force Contribution: As of 2017-18, youth participation in India’s labour force was 38.3%.
High Unemployment: Drawing from the 2018 State of Working India Report, the youth unemployment rate is pegged to be at least 18.3% (3.47 crore youths).
Unutilized Potential: About 30% of youth fall under the ‘neither in employment nor in education’ category and 33% of India’s skilled youth are unemployed.
Needs Policy Attention in coming years: Around 50 lakh youth are expected to be entering the workforce annually.
Less Time to prevent Demographic Disaster: India has just a decade’s time to seize the opportunity and realise this youth demographic dividend, else it will turn into demographic disaster with high unemployment rate & underutilized potential

THE OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITY AREAS UNDER NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY 2014 :

(i) Creating a productive workforce that can make a sustainable contribution to India’s economic development.

The priority areas for this are

Education
Entrepreneurship
Employment and skill development

(ii) Develop a strong, healthy generation equipped to take on future generations. To be operated through

Health – healthy lifestyle
Sports

(iii) Instil social values and promote community service to build rational ownership – operative tools are

Promotion of social values
Community engagements

(iv) Facilitate participation and civic engagements at all centres of governance to be operated through

participation in politics and governance youth engagement

(v) Support youth at risk and create equitable opportunities for all disadvantaged and marginalized youth. The priority areas being Inclusion and Social Justice.

THE NEED FOR EMPOWERING YOUTH :

To enable youth to acquire such knowledge, skills and techniques which will help them in their personal and social growth as well as foster in them sensitivity towards problems in the society.
To promote national integration and international understanding by developing youth leadership and providing a forum for youth from diverse background.
To promote regional co-operation and exchange between people of various countries.
To foster initiatives for unfolding the potential of youth through a constant process of self evaluation and self -exploration.
To promote research in youth work.

GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVES EMPOWERING INDIAN YOUTH :

SKILL INDIA :

is an initiative of the Government of India which has been launched to empower the youth of the country with skill sets which make them more employable and more productive in their work environment.

Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan NYKS)
National Youth Corps (NYC)
National Programme for Youth & Adolescent Development (NPYAD)
International Cooperation
Youth Hostels (YH)
Assistance to Scouting & Guiding Organisations
National Discipline Scheme (NDS)
National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP)
National Service Scheme (NSS)
Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD)

LEARNING FROM MGNREGA:

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been very effective in providing rural livelihood security and social protection.
Yet only about 4% of youth in the labour force have been impacted by it.
While an urban youth employment programme will be a new intervention, we believe that rural youth employment should be instituted alongside MGNREGA.
The Youth Development Index (YDI) in India serves as an advisory and monitory tool for youth development.

WAY FORWARD :

Government should launch Indian Youth Guarantee (IYG) programme at the earliest.

It is similar to the European Union Youth Guarantee (EU-YG) but tuned to India’s context.
EU-YG emerged in 2010 at a time when youth unemployment rates were soaring above 20%.
EU-Youth Guarantee is a commitment by all its Member States to ensure that all young people under the age of 25 years, within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education, receive a good quality offer of

o employment

o continued education

o apprenticeship

o traineeship

An IYG initiative, with statutory backing, can function as a facilitatory framework for ensuring gainful and productive engagement of youth.

Youth Component Plan :

Such a plan earmarks a specific percentage of funds under a separate head on the lines of the Special Component Plan for the Scheduled Castes and the Tribal Sub-Plan
Objective of Youth Component Plan is to channelise flow of outlays and benefits proportional to the percentage of youth population based on sub-regional requirements.
Existing youth schemes and skilling infrastructure need to be dovetailed and streamlined while leveraging industry to enable an in situ empowerment of youth.

Topic- EMPOWER THE YOUTH FIRST

WHAT ?

Youth Empowerment

WHY IN NEWS ?

It is argued that if India wants to achieve goal of self-reliance we have to start with empowering the Youth.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ?

process where children + young people= encouraged to improve their access to resources +transform their consciousness through their beliefs, values, and attitudes.

STATUS OF YOUTH IN INDIA :

2014 National Youth Policy (NYP) defined youth as persons between 15 and 29 years.
- 5% of the population as per NYP, 2014.
- government spends about ₹2,710 per youth on education, skill development, employment
- Investment as percentage of GDP
- World Bank report pegged the projected cost (read: loss) of not investing in children and youth at 4% of the GDP every year.
- As of 2017-18, youth participation in India’s labour force=38.3%.
- 2018 State of Working India Report, youth unemployment rate= 18.3% (3.47 crore youths).
- Unutilized Potential
- 50 lkyouth= entering workforce annually.
- Less Time to prevent Demographic Disaster

THE OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITY AREAS UNDER NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY 2014 :

(i) Creating a productive workforce

Education+ Entrepreneurship
Employment +skill development

(ii) Develop a strong, healthy generation

Health – healthy lifestyle
Sports

(iii) Instil social values + promote community service

Promotion of social values
Community engagements

(iv) participation in politics,+ governance youth engagement

(v) Support youth at risk and create equitable opportunities for all disadvantaged+ marginalized youth

THE NEED FOR EMPOWERING YOUTH :

foster in them sensitivity towards problems in the society.
To promote national integration+ international understanding
To promote regional co-operation+ exchange between people of various countries.
To foster initiatives for unfolding the potential of youth through a constant process of self evaluation and self -exploration.
To promote research in youth work.

GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVES EMPOWERING INDIAN YOUTH :

SKILL INDIA

Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan NYKS)
National Youth Corps (NYC)
National Programme for Youth & Adolescent Development (NPYAD)
International Cooperation
Youth Hostels (YH)
Assistance to Scouting & Guiding Organisations
National Discipline Scheme (NDS)
National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP)
National Service Scheme (NSS)
Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD)

LEARNING FROM MGNREGA:

very effective in providing rural livelihood security+social protection.
Yet only about 4% of youth in the labour force have been impacted by it.
rural youth employment should be instituted alongside MGNREGA.
Youth Development Index in India serves as an advisory + monitory tool for youth development.

WAY FORWARD :

Government should launch Indian Youth Guarantee (IYG) programme at the earliest

o Employment+continued education +apprenticeship+traineeship

An IYG initiative, with statutory backing, can function as a facilitatory framework for ensuring gainful and productive engagement of youth.

Youth Component Plan to channelise flow of outlays + benefits proportional to the percentage of youth population based on sub-regional requirements.

QUESTION : What should be the role of the World Health Organization and the United Nations to prevent the spread of such deadly diseases like Covid-19?

Topic- TEST BY CHOICE

WHAT ?

Rising Coronavirus Cases In India

WHY IN NEWS ?

Recently, India crossed four million novel coronavirus cases. The ICMR’s latest advisory provides for testing on demand to “ensure higher levels of testing”.

BACKGROUND :

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is gaining grounds and has led to a spike in the number of tests being conducted, as it is quick and cheap.
ICMR has allowed testing on-demand for Covid-19 even as it has allowed states to adapt to the recommendation as per their requirements.

o ICMR is just an advisory body and states were free to make changes as per their needs.

The new strategy lists situations where molecular testing such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) should be preferred over the cheaper and faster but less accurate RAT.
Benefits of test on demand: Since many of those infected have mild or no symptoms, tests on demand might be particularly helpful in detecting cases that might otherwise have been missed.

CONCERNS :

Less testing: Though the number of tests done each day has been over one million for the past week, the test positivity rate nationally is still high at 7.7%, indicating that testing has to be ramped up.
False negative results: RAT can give a high number of false negatives. There is no repeat testing of negative cases. Only a small percentage of people with symptoms but negative results are being validated with a RT-PCR, many of the infected are not being diagnosed.
Low testing capacity: The ICMR recent advisory is theoretically making India’s 1.3 billion people eligible for a test, even when there is no capacity to undertake this.
States might be forced to use their discretionary power to deny tests for people not exhibiting symptoms or in low-risk categories, or selectively charge for testing to pay for procurement of testing kits and to avoid more pressure on the testing infrastructure.
Antigen testing: There is also the possibility of an over-reliance on antigen testing to cope with the growing demand for testing.
States are not validating the negative results from rapid antigen tests with RT-PCR. Non-directed tests on demand might help more in increasing the number of tests done each day and hence in reducing the test positivity rate than in early detection and containment.

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS ?

Coronaviruses are a group of related RNA viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds. In humans and birds, they cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to lethal. Mild illnesses in humans include some cases of the common cold (which is also caused by other viruses, predominantly rhinoviruses), while more lethal varieties can cause SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. In cows and pigs they cause diarrhea, while in mice they cause hepatitis and encephalomyelitis. There are as yet no vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent or treat human coronavirus infections.

WAY FORWARD :

The focus must remain on diagnosing the most probable cases listed out by the ICMR — those with symptoms or at high risk.
Test on demand strategy should be restricted to clusters, hotspots, and containment zones, besides dense urban areas with anticipated high transmission in the unlock phase.
Balance between RAT and RT-PCR test: All states must ramp up testing by not only increasing the number of rapid antigen tests, but also backing it by RT-PCR tests.

QUESTION : What should be the role of the World Health Organization and the United Nations to prevent the spread of such deadly diseases like Covid-19?

Topic- TEST BY CHOICE

WHAT ?

Rising Coronavirus Cases In India

WHY IN NEWS ?

India crossed four million novel coronavirus cases+ ICMR’s latest advisory provides for testing on demand to “ensure higher levels of testing”.

BACKGROUND :

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is gaining grounds +has led to a spike in number of tests being conducted, as it is quick + cheap.
ICMR has allowed testing on-demand

ICMR=advisory body+ states were free to make changes as per their needs.
- reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) should be preferred over cheaper+ faster but less accurate RAT.
- Benefits of test on demand=might be particularly helpful in detecting cases that might otherwise have been missed.

CONCERNS :

Less testing
False negative results
Low testing capacity
States might be forced to use their discretionary power to deny tests for people not exhibiting symptoms
Antigen testing
States are not validating the negative results

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS ?

Coronaviruses= group of related RNA viruses that cause diseases in mammals + birds+In humans and birds, they cause respiratory tract infections+ Mild illnesses in humans include some cases of the common cold while more lethal varieties can cause SARS, MERS, and COVID-19.

WAY FORWARD :

focus must remain on diagnosing those with symptoms or at high risk.
Test on demand strategy should be restricted to clusters, hotspots+ containment zones, besides dense urban area+Balance between RAT and RT-PCR test

QUESTION : “India has not been able to find an alternative to NAM which has been described as the basic tenet of India’s foreign policy”. Discuss.

Topic- WHAT IS IN A NAM AND INDIA’S ALIGNMENT

WHAT ?

Finding alternative to non-alignment

WHY IN NEWS ?

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has stated recently that non-alignment as a foreign policy was a concept of relevance in a specific era and a particular context (Cold War era), though the independence of action enshrined in it remains a factor of continuity in India’s foreign policy.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND :

Non-alignment was a policy fashioned during the Cold War, to retain the autonomy of policy between two politico-military blocs.
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) provided a platform for newly independent developing nations to join together to protect this autonomy.
NAM campaigned for de-colonisation, universal nuclear disarmament and against apartheid.
After the end of the Cold War, the NAM countries were able to diversify their network of relationships across the erstwhile east-west divide.

HOW DID NAM’S RELEVANCE DECLINE POST 1991 ?

One of the blocs (USSR) was disbanded at the end of the Cold War.
De-colonisation was largely complete by then, the apartheid regime in South Africa was being dismantled and the campaign for universal nuclear disarmament was going nowhere.
Freed from the shackles of the Cold War, the NAM countries were able to diversify their network of relationships across the erstwhile east-west divide. Non-alignment lost its relevance, and NAM its original raison d’être.

NAM AND INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY IN THE PRESENT CONTEXT :

For a few years now, non-alignment has not been projected by our policymakers as a tenet of India’s foreign policy.
India has not yet found a universally accepted alternative to the non-alignment yet.
“Strategic autonomy” as an alternative soon acquired a connotation similar to non-alignment, with an anti-U.S. tint.
Multi-alignment has not found universal favour, since it may convey the impression of opportunism, whereas we seek strategic convergences.
Seeking issue-based partnerships or coalitions is a description that has not stuck.
“Advancing prosperity and influence” was a description External Affairs minister settled for, to describe the aspirations that our network of international partnerships seeks to further.

ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY AND POLITICS :

Two major imperatives flow from India’s geography-

1) economic and security interests in the Indo-Pacific space.

2) the strategic importance of the continental landmass to its north and west.

The Indo-Pacific has inspired the Act East policy of bilateral and multilateral engagements in Southeast Asia and East Asia and the Pacific.
Shared India-U.S. interests in dealing with the challenge from China in the maritime domain have been a strategic underpinning of the bilateral partnership since the early 2000s.

ISSUES IN INDIA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE U.S. :

In the immediate-term, Indian and U.S. perspectives are less convergent in India’s continental neighbourhood.
Connectivity and cooperation with Afghanistan and Central Asia need engagement with Iran and Russia, as well as with the Russia-China dynamics in the region.
Russia extends to the Eurasian landmass bordering India’s near and extended neighbourhood.
A close Russia-China partnership should move India to broad-base relations with Russia.
A strong stake in relations with India could reinforce Russia’s reluctance to be a junior partner of China.
As the U.S. confronts the challenge to its dominance from China, classical balance of power considerations would dictate accommodation with Russia.
U.S. should see ties with India as a joint venture not an alliance in which they could pursue shared objectives to mutual benefit and accept that differences of perspectives will have to be addressed.
This template could have wider applicability for bilateral relations in today’s world order, which former could be described as militarily unipolar, economically multipolar and politically confused.
The U.S. could acknowledge that India’s development of trade routes through Iran which could provide it route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan and Russia, respectively.

HAS THE RISE OF CHINA REVIVED THE CONCEPT OF ALLIANCE ?

The fact is that ‘alliance’ is as much a Cold War concept as non-alignment.
During the Cold War, the glue that held countries of an alliance together was composed (in varying proportions) of ideological convergence and an existential military threat.
With the disintegration of USSR and the Warsaw Pact, this glue dissolved and the international options of alliance partners widened, just like those of NAM countries.
As a result, in today’s times the strategic interests of Nations are no longer fully congruent. This is evident in the recent rifts between US & Europe (NATO)
Alliances in the Asia-Pacific face a bigger definitional dilemma. The threat to the alliance partners today is from an assertive China, which they are reluctant to define as a strategic adversary, because of their economic engagement with it and the huge military asymmetry.
In the immediate-term, Indian and U.S. perspectives are less convergent in India’s continental neighbourhood (like Afghanistan & Central Asia)

IMPORTANCE OF NAM FOR INDIA :

Support for India’s Candidature in UNSC

NAM’s total strength comprises 120 developing countries and most of them are members of the UN General Assembly.
Thus, NAM members act as an important group in support of India’s candidature as a permanent member in UNSC.

Global South Cooperation

India is widely perceived as a leader of the developing world. Thus, India’s engagement with NAM will further help in the rise of India’s stature as the voice of the developing world or global south.
In times of increasing protectionism, NAM can provide a platform for South-South cooperation.

Strengthening of Multipolar World Order

A multipolar world order is in concurrence with Indian forigen policy.
Thus, NAM can help in formation of a multipolar world with India becoming a major pole.

CONCLUSION :

India should find the alternative to the non-alignment which accommodate its interest in relations with the U.S. at the same time allow it “strategic autonomy”.

QUESTION : “India has not been able to find an alternative to NAM which has been described as the basic tenet of India’s foreign policy”. Discuss.

Topic- WHAT IS IN A NAM AND INDIA’S ALIGNMENT

WHAT ?

Finding alternative to non-alignment

WHY IN NEWS ?

India’s External Affairs Minister= stated that non-alignment as a foreign policy was a concept of relevance in a specific era+a particular context (Cold War era)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND :

Non-alignment= a policy fashioned during Cold War, to retain the autonomy of policy between two politico-military blocs.
NAM provided a platform for newly independent developing nations to join together to protect this autonomy.
NAM campaigned for de-colonisation, universal nuclear disarmament+against apartheid.
After end of Cold War, NAM countries= able to diversify their network of relationships across erstwhile east-west divide.

HOW DID NAM’S RELEVANCE DECLINE POST 1991 ?

USSR = disbanded at end of Cold War.
De-colonisation was largely complete by then+campaign for universal nuclear disarmament was going nowhere.
Freed from the shackles of the Cold War

NAM AND INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY IN THE PRESENT CONTEXT :

non-alignment=not been projected by our policymakers as a tenet of India’s foreign policy.
India=not yet found a universally accepted alternative to non-alignment yet.
“Strategic autonomy” as an alternative soon acquired a connotation similar to non-alignment, with an anti-U.S. tint.
Multi-alignment has not found universal favour
Seeking issue-based partnerships or coalitions= description that has not stuck.
“Advancing prosperity and influence”

ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY AND POLITICS :

Economic+ security interests in Indo-Pacific space.
strategic importance of continental landmass to its north+ west.
Indo-Pacific= inspired Act East policy of bilateral+multilateral engagements in Southeast Asia +East Asia+ Pacific.
Shared India-U.S. interests in dealing with the challenge from China in the maritime domain.

ISSUES IN INDIA’S ENGAGEMENT WITH THE U.S. :

Indian+ U.S. perspectives= less convergent in India’s continental neighbourhood.
Connectivity+ cooperation with Afghanistan+ Central Asia need engagement with Iran+Russia+ with Russia-China dynamics.
Russia extends to Eurasian landmass bordering India’s near+ extended neighbourhood.
A close Russia-China partnership should move India to broad-base relations with Russia.
A strong stake in relations with India could reinforce Russia’s reluctance to be a junior partner of China
S. should see ties with India as a joint venture
template could have wider applicability for bilateral relations in today’s world order
S. could acknowledge that India’s development of trade routes through Iran bypassing Pakistan+ Russia

HAS THE RISE OF CHINA REVIVED THE CONCEPT OF ALLIANCE ?

During the Cold War,countries of an alliance together was composed of ideological convergence+ existential military threat+disintegration of USSR+ Warsaw Pact= dissolved+ international options of alliance partners widened
in today’s times strategic interests of Nations= no longer fully congruent.
Alliances in the Asia-Pacific face a bigger definitional dilemma+ threat to the alliance partners today is from Chins

IMPORTANCE OF NAM FOR INDIA :

Support for India’s Candidature in UNSC
Global South Cooperation=In times of increasing protectionism, NAM can provide a platform for South-South cooperation.
Strengthening of Multipolar World Order in concurrence with Indian forigen policy

CONCLUSION :

India should find the alternative to non-alignment= accommodate its interest in relations with U.S. at same time allow it “strategic autonomy”.

QUESTION : Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are inter-dependent” Discuss their relationship in the context of India.

Topic- A CASE FOR DOWN-TO-EARTH GOVERNANCE

WHAT ?

Challenges In a Democratic form of Governance

WHY IN NEWS ?

Nine years ago, Anna Hazare ended his historic fast when the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, informed him that Parliament had expressed support for proposed changes to anti-corruption legislation.

WHAT ARE LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTA?

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 provided for the establishment of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States.
These institutions are statutory bodies without any constitutional status.
They perform the function of an “ombudsman” and inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters.

THE MOVEMENT WAS ALL ABOUT :

Anti-Corruption & Accountability: The single point demand of the Anna movement was the institution of the Jan Lokpal to try all government functionaries when accused of corruption; even the Prime Minister.
Substantive Democracy: It was a remarkable movement of citizens — rich, middle class, and poor — coming together to take politics back from politicians and to demand Parliament’s accountability to citizens
Decentralisation: Anna Hazare who was leading the movement said Lokpals and Lokayuktas would not eliminate the root causes of corruption in politics and government. Electoral reforms and decentralisation of power were essential.

PRESENT SITUATION VIS-À-VIS THE IDEAS RAISED IN MOVEMENT :

The movement for fundamental reforms of governance lost its steam.
The nation’s attention has moved on, from weaknesses in institutions of governance, to threats from China on the nation’s borders and to global problems caused by COVID-19.

ISSUES STILL PLAGUING OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM :

Money dominates Electoral Process which leads to Systemic Corruption –

Around the world, electoral democracies have become infected by the disease of funding political parties and elections. Money is required to win elections legitimately, even when people are not bribed to vote.

Communications with citizens, essential for democracy has become expensive.

The race to raise more money for legitimate electioneering purposes can corrupt the process of funding parties and elections.

Challenges with Democratic Process and deliberations –

The problem in electoral democracies is not only with the process by which representatives are elected, but also in the conduct of their deliberations when they come together.

Representatives fight for the largest share of the pie for their constituency rather than the growth of the whole pie.

Elected representatives must shed their local hats and put on a national hat to consider what will be best for the whole country, which seldom happens.

Multi-Party Democracy is a double edged sword –

Emergence of multiple Political parties has enabled even the weakest person to make his voice heard. It has democratised the electoral process.

However, when there are too many parties and too many contradictory points of view to be accommodated within a coalition, governance can break down.

Alternative of Direct Democracy has its own pitfalls –

It is tempting to abandon political parties and parliaments and revert to direct forms of democracy where every decision can be put directly to all citizens to vote on. New Internet technologies make this possible.

But, if all voters have not understood what is at stake, they cannot decide well as the U.K. has understood with its hasty Brexit referendum.

ADMINISTRATIVE FACTORS BEHIND CORRUPTION :

Procedural complexities and the need of middleman to get things done.
Slow moving administrative machinery.
Weakness of the internal grievance redressal machinery.
Bureaucratic resistance to administrative reforms
General culture of secrecy in the bureaucracy.
Peer pressures

POLITICAL FACTORS :

Criminalization of politics
Absence of political will to fight corruption.
Politicization of civil service management (transfers etc)
Political system does not encourage neutrality
Excessive use of money power in elections
Lack of voter maturity (keep voting back the same corrupt govt.)

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK TO TACKLE CORRUPTION :

CBI
CVC
ED responsible for implementing FEMA & PMLA
CAG
Anti Corruption Bureaus in various states
The judiciary
Vigilance Departments (some states)
State level lokayaktas
DRI – Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
Banking sector ombudsman
Consumer forums

NEED FOR THE STRONG LOCAL GOVERNANCE :

Complex issues, where many interests collide, must be resolved by reason, not settled by the numbers.
Hence there is no alternative to good local governance, wherein citizens manage their local affairs democratically.
One-size solutions devised by experts at the centre cannot fit all.
Local systems solutions are essential to solve global systemic problems of environmental sustainability and inclusive growth.

WAY FORWARD :

Electoral funding must be cleaned up, and democracy within political parties improved to make representative democracy work better.
This will require big changes to entrenched systems.
Citizens must appreciate that they have to be the source of solutions, and not become only the source of problems.
Citizens must learn to listen to each other’s perspectives in their villages and in their urban neighbourhoods.

CONCLUSION :

Since India’s Independence 73 years ago when the power of government was transferred from a centre in London to a centre in Delhi, strong local governance remains the unfinished agenda to make India’s democracy strong and deep.

A CASE FOR DOWN-TO-EARTH GOVERNANCE

WHAT ?

Challenges In a Democratic form of Governance

WHY IN NEWS ?

9 years ago, Anna Hazare raised his voice against corruption constituting a body called Lokpal + Lokayaktas.

WHAT ARE LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTA?

Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013= Lokpal for the Union+ Lokayukta for States.
statutory bodies without any constitutional status.
perform the function of an “ombudsman” against corruption.

THE MOVEMENT WAS ALL ABOUT :

Anti-Corruption & Accountability
Substantive Democracy
Decentralisation

PRESENT SITUATION VIS-À-VIS THE IDEAS RAISED IN MOVEMENT :

movement lost its steam+nation’s attention has moved on, to threats from China on the nation’s borders + to global problems caused by COVID-19.

ISSUES STILL PLAGUING OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM :

Money dominates Electoral Process which leads to Systemic Corruption
Challenges with Democratic Process and deliberations
Multi-Party Democracy is a double edged sword
Alternative of Direct Democracy has its own pitfalls –

ADMINISTRATIVE FACTORS BEHIND CORRUPTION :

Procedural complexities +need of middleman to get things done.
Slow moving administrative machinery.
Weakness of internal grievance redressal machinery+ Bureaucratic resistance to administrative reforms+ General culture of secrecy in bureaucracy+ Peer pressures

POLITICAL FACTORS :
Criminalization of politics
Absence of political will to fight corruption+ Politicization of civil service management+ Political system does not encourage neutrality+Excessive use of money power in elections+Lack of voter maturity

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK TO TACKLE CORRUPTION :

CBI
CVC
ED responsible for implementing FEMA & PMLA
CAG
Anti Corruption Bureaus in various states
The judiciary
Vigilance Departments (some states)
State level lokayaktas
DRI – Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
Banking sector ombudsman
Consumer forums

NEED FOR THE STRONG LOCAL GOVERNANCE :

Complex issues, where many interests collide, must be resolved by reason
no alternative to good local governance, wherein citizens manage their local affairs democratically.
One-size solutions cannot fit all.
Local systems solutions= solve global systemic problems of environmental sustainability+ inclusive growth.

WAY FORWARD :

Electoral funding must be cleaned up
Citizens must appreciate that they have to be the source of solutions
Citizens must learn to listen to each other’s perspectives in their villages+ in their urban neighbourhoods.

CONCLUSION :

Since India’s Independence 73 years ago when the power of government was transferred from a centre in London to a centre in Delhi, strong local governance remains the unfinished agenda to make India’s democracy strong and deep.

QUESTION : Slums are a natural development of India’s economic and political structure. Do you agree. Comment. Also discuss why the various slum development strategies in India have not delivered the required results

SMOOTHERING THE HOUSING RIGHTS OF THE URBAN POOR

WHAT ?

Judiciary And Housing Rights of Urban Poor

WHY IN NEWS ?

Supreme Court of India on 31 August 2020 ordered the removal of about 48,000 slum dwellings situated along the railway tracks in Delhi within three months.

The hearing was based on a report filed by the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), which said Railways is not following the Solid Waste Management Rules.

OTHER DIRECTIVES OF SC ORDER :

The court declared no interference, political or otherwise, should be there against their removal.

It said any order of interim stay passed by any court against the removal of these encroachment shall be deemed ineffective.

The court further directed the Railways and local authorities in Delhi to remove plastic waste, garbage, etc, piled up alongside the tracks within three months.

CRITICISM OF THE SC ORDER :

Court ignores the specific issues of Pollution raised in PIL & proceeds on a tangential topic

o The order was passed in the long-running case, M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India & Ors., regarding pollution in Delhi and related report filed by EPCA

o However, neither this case nor the report concerns itself with the legality of informal settlements.

o Still, the Court made an unconvincing connection between the piling of garbage and the presence of slums and gave an eviction order.

Court has ignored principles of natural justice

o The order violates principles of natural justice and due process since it decided on the removal of jhuggi jhopris without hearing the affected party, the jhuggi dwellers.

Court ignores judicial precedents on the right to shelter

o In Olga Tellis & Ors vs. Bombay Municipal Corporation & Ors. (1985), five-judge bench SC held that the right to life also includes the “right to livelihood” and that no eviction shall take place without notice and hearing those affected

o In Chameli Singh vs. State Of U.P. (1995), the Supreme Court recognised the “right to shelter” as a component of the right to life under Article 21 and freedom of movement under Article 19(1)(e).

o In Ajay Maken & Ors. vs Union Of India & Ors. (2019), a case concerning the demolition of Shakur Basti on railway land, the Delhi High Court invoked the idea of the “Right to the City” to uphold the housing rights of slum dwellers.

Court has also ignored state policies governing evictions.

o In Sudama Singh & Others vs Government Of Delhi & Anr. (2010), the High Court of Delhi held that prior to any eviction, a survey must be conducted and those evicted should have a right to “meaningful engagement” with the relocation plans.

o The procedure laid down in this judgment formed the basis for the Delhi Slum and JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015, which has not been referred by the court.

Order considered insensitive in the time of Pandemic

o The pandemic makes urban informal livelihoods more vulnerable and Supreme Court order threatens to leave lakhs of people homeless amid a health and economic emergency

CONCERNS :

The Supreme Court order that threatens to leave lakhs of people homeless amid a pandemic is callous and unconscionable.
Under the premise of environmental protection, the courts have played an active role in such demolition drives.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing has called on member-states to declare an end to forced evictions.
In certain cases, PIL jurisprudence takes a dangerous turn whereby its procedural relaxations are used to deny principles of natural justice to the most marginalised groups.

WHAT ARE SLUMS ?

 Slums are illegal urban settlements on public land and usually grow over a period of time in a constant and irregular manner. Despite this fact. Slums are considered as an i

Ram singh, [12.09.20 17:46]

ntegral part of urbanization and as a manifestation of the overall socioeconomic policies and planning in the urban sector. The existence and rapid growth of slums have been noted as a general urban phenomena common prevalent throughout the globe.

 According to the United Nations agency UN-HABITAT, a slum is a run-down area of a city characterized by substandard housing and poverty and lacking in tenure security. However, due to rising population, the number of slum dwellers is rising day by day.

 Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi, lies on prime property right in the middle of Mumbai (Neza, in Mexico, is the world’s largest slum).

 Half-a-million people or so, live in the 230 hectares that is Dharavi.

 It was founded in 1882 at the time of British Raj. During the 18th century, unplanned localities started to grow when the process of urbanization of Mumbai was going on.

CAUSES FOR GROWING SLUMS :

1) Rural-Urban Migration:

Many people migrate from rural to urban areas in search of employment as employment opportunities is less in rural area as compared to urban areas. Also, many migrants want better facilities and education for their children so that in future their children could support them and their families.

2) Urbanisation :

Urbanisation creates slums because local governments are unable to manage urbanisation and migrant workers without an affordable place to live in. In the situation of large gap between people’s low income and the high land price some people have to look for cheap informal settlements, which are known as slums in urban areas.

3) Poor Housing Planning :

The gap between growing demand for affordable urban housing and insufficient supply has encouraged the formation of slums. Whenever the demand surplus is not met by formal sectors, this gap is typically filled by an informal dwelling such as a slum. While a slum is better than nothing, housing that is safe, clean, and secure is obviously preferred. The challenges that both the market supply and demand sides are facing have prevented sufficient affordable housing for the urban poor, stimulating slum formation.

4) Informal Economy:

Slums grow because of growing informal economy which creates demand for workers, and as demand increases more people migrate from rural area and settle down in slums as the only left option.

5) Lack of Available Urban Land :

In the past 15 years, India’s urban population density has increased 45%. With increasingly densified urban population, there exists a huge demand for land. However, excess control over land development creates an artificial urban land shortage, as this could lead to urban sprawl and corruption in land licensing.

6) Regulatory Constraints:

Development projects in urban areas are subject to a long approval process regarding different aspects from both state and central level, which brings about postponement in tasks. In fact, India is ranked 183 out of 189 economies in dealing with construction permits by the World Bank, which shows the challenges real estate developers face in India.

7) Natural Disasters:

Major natural disasters in poor nations often lead to migration of disaster-affected families from areas crippled by the disaster to unaffected areas, the creation of tent city and slums, or expansion of existing slums. These slums tend to become permanent because the residents don’t want to leave from there.

ISSUES ARISING FROM NEGLECTING SLUM DEVELOPMENT :

 Slums act as a magnet for the rural poor by attracting them towards city life. This it does by partially blinding them from the hardships that accompany life in the city.
 People living in slum areas are also prone to suffer from waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera, as well as from more fatal ones like cancer and HIV/AIDS.
 Also, women and children living in slums are prone to become victims of social evils like prostitution, beggary and child trafficking. Slum dwellers in general and regardless of gender, often become victims of such social evils.
 Slum areas are also commonly believed to be places that generate a high incidence of crime. This is due to official neglect towards education, law and order, and government services in slum areas.
 Then, the majority of slum dwellers in a developing country earn their living from the informal sector which neither provides them with financial security nor with enough earnings for a decent living, keeping them firmly within the vicious cycle of poverty.
 Lastly, hunger, malnourishment, lack of quality education, high infant mortality, child marriage, child labour are some of the other social problems prevalent in slums.

TO IMPROVE URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE,THE GOVT. HAS TAKEN STEPS :

Smart City Mission (to create smart cities) to focus on basic amenities, education, health services, IT accessibility, digitization, e-governance, sustainable development, safety, and security.
Housing for all by 2022 for constructing houses for slum dwellers under the slum-rehabilitation scheme and providing loans at subsidized rates for the economically weaker sections.
AMRUT: Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation to build a gap between infrastructural necessity and their accessibility.
HRIDAY: National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana to preserve and holistically develop the heritage cities of India.
Swachh Bharat Mission for improving cleanliness and sanitation.

FAILED SOLUTIONS :

Slum removal – It made slum inhabitants homeless.
Slum relocation – It moved poor people further away from their workplaces

CONCLUSION :

The affected residents would now need to employ a combination of political and legal strategies to protect their housing rights and ensure that no eviction or rehabilitation is conducted without their prior informed consent.

WAY FORWARD :

Slum upgrading. It improved slum’s living conditions. But it does not address poverty and low wages of the informal economy.
Organized urbanization – Planning & Modifying urban areas to accommodate newcomers.
Legitimizing slums instead of driving them out of their homes.
Improving job opportunities in rural as well as urban areas.
Planning rural development along with urban development.
Economic development.
Better transport facilities.
Affordable housing in urban areas.

Topic- SMOOTHERING THE HOUSING RIGHTS OF THE URBAN POOR

WHAT ?

Judiciary + Housing Rights of Urban Poor

WHY IN NEWS ?

SC on ordered removal of about 48,000 slum dwellings situated along the railway tracks in Delhi within three months.

OTHER DIRECTIVES OF SC ORDER :

court declared no interference, political or otherwise, should be there
court further directed Railways+ local authorities in Delhi to remove plastic waste, garbage, etc, along tracks.

CRITICISM OF THE SC ORDER :

Court ignores the specific issues of Pollution raised in PIL & proceeds on a tangential topic
Court has ignored principles of natural justice
Court ignores judicial precedents on the right to shelter
Court has also ignored state policies governing evictions.
Order considered insensitive in the time of Pandemic

CONCERNS :

threatens to leave lakhs of people homeless amid a pandemic
courts= played an active role in such demolition drives.
denied principles of natural justice to the most marginalised groups.

What are Slums?

illegal urban settlements on public land+ usually grow over a period of time in a constant+ irregular manner + considered as an integral part of urbanization and as a manifestation of the overall socioeconomic policies+ planning
Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi, Mumbai
Half-a-million people or so, live in the 230 hectares that is Dharavi.

CAUSES FOR GROWING SLUMS :

Rural-Urban Migration
Urbanisation
Poor Housing Planning
Informal Economy
Lack of Available Urban Land
Regulatory Constraints
Natural Disasters

ISSUES ARISING FROM NEGLECTING SLUM DEVELOPMENT :

waterborne diseases such as typhoid+ cholera, as well as from more fatal ones like cancer and HIV/AIDS.
prone to become victims of social evils like prostitution, beggary and child trafficking.
Sgenerate a high incidence of crime+ neglect towards education
earn their living from the informal sector
Lastly, hunger, malnourishment, lack of quality education, high infant mortality, child marriage

TO IMPROVE URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE,THE GOVT. HAS TAKEN STEPS :

Smart City Mission
Housing for all by 2022 for constructing houses for slum.
AMRUT: Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
HRIDAY: National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana
Swachh Bharat Mission for improving cleanliness+ sanitation.

FAILED SOLUTIONS :

Slum removal+Slum relocation

WAY FORWARD :

Slum upgrading
Organized urbanization
Legitimizing slums instead of driving them out of their homes.
Improving job opportunities in rural+ urban areas.
Planning rural development along with urban development.
Economic development.
Better transport facilities.
Affordable housing in urban areas

QUESTION : Discuss the factors for the recent India – China LAC standoff. What options India have to diffuse the tension?

Topic-GLIMMER OF HOPE

WHAT ?

Indo-China LAC Dispute

WHY IN INDIA ?

The “five-point consensus” reached by the Foreign Ministers of India and China in Moscow on Thursday provides a glimmer(ray) of hope of a diplomatic solution, while thousands of troops from both countries remain deployed along the border.
The move came after the talks between India’s External Affairs Minister and his Chinese counterpart, on the margins of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Russia.

KEY POINTS

5 POINTS COURSE OF ACTION :

Following the consensus between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping to not allow differences to become disputes.
Disengaging quickly to ease tensions.
Abiding by the existing India-China border protocols and avoiding escalatory action.
Continuing the dialogue between the Special Representatives, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Mr. Wang, as well as the other mechanisms.
Working towards new confidence-building measures (CBMs).

SIGNIFICANCE :

Although divergences remain, the joint statement invoked the consensus among the leaders of the two countries developed since the June 2017 meeting in Astana between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and reiterated at the two informal summits in Wuhan and Mahabalipuram.

REASONS FOR TALK :

o Initially, China appeared to have convinced itself that India had no option but to accept its new claims at LAC.

This confidence was reflected in China’s refusal to pull back its forces from LAC and its dismissive diplomatic tone.

o India’s repeated demand for restoration of the status quo ante on the frontier was not heeded, until the Indian army ramped up its mobilisation and boldly seized some high ground to challenge Chinese military positions.

These moves on the frontier also came along with a series of economic measures against China, such as banning 100s of Chinese applications and specifying country of origin on imports.

o India’s demonstration of the political resolve to escalate the conflict and the military capability to back it may have probably convinced China that it needs to rethink its approach to the current crisis.

ISSUES INVOLVED :

o The joint statement of India and China tries to reduce the tension at LAC, however the separate explanatory comments from both the countries reveal the challenges ahead.

India insists that the objective of the talks is to “restore” the status quo ante, however there is no explicit Chinese commitment to that goal.
China wants to separate the border conflict from the rest of the relationship, however India says the two are inextricably interlinked.

o These deep differences continue to complicate the path towards comprehensive military disengagement and de-escalation.

WAY FORWARD :

The five point plan between both the countries is a welcome step, however India must not blindly trust China amidst the surprise aggression during April-May by the People’s Liberation Army. This is not the first time in the last few months that China has promised to stand down. However, it raised the expectations only to dash them quick de-escalation.

CONCLUSION :

Although the change in China’s political tone is welcome, deep differences that continue to complicate the path towards comprehensive military disengagement and de-escalation persist.

QUESTION : Discuss the factors for the recent India – China LAC standoff. What options India have to diffuse the tension?

Topic- GLIMMER OF HOPE

WHAT ?

Indo-China LAC Dispute

WHY IN INDIA ?

The “five-point consensus” reached by the Foreign Ministers of India and China in Moscow

KEY POINTS

5 POINTS COURSE OF ACTION :

Both narions to not allow differences to become disputes.
Disengaging quickly to ease tensions.
escalatory action.
Continuing the dialogue between the Special Representatives
Working towards new confidence-building measures (CBMs).

SIGNIFICANCE :

Although divergences remain, the joint statement invoked the consensus among the leaders of the two countries

REASONS FOR TALK :

Initially, China appeared to have convinced itself that India had no option but to accept its new claims at LAC.
This confidence was reflected in China’s refusal to pull back its forces from LAC and its dismissive diplomatic tone.
India’s repeated demand for restoration of the status quo ante on frontier=not heeded
banning 100s of Chinese applications + specifying country of origin on imports.
India’s demonstration of political resolve to escalate the conflict+ military capability

ISSUES INVOLVED :

separate explanatory comments from both countries reveal challenges ahead.
China wants to separate the border conflict from the rest of the relationship
deep differences continue to complicate path towards comprehensive military disengagement +de-escalation.

WAY FORWARD :

The five point plan= welcome step+ India must not blindly trust China amidst the surprise aggression during April-May by the People’s Liberation Army.

CONCLUSION :

Although the change in China’s political tone is welcome, deep differences that continue to complicate the path towards comprehensive military disengagement+ de-escalation persist.

QUESTION : The constitutional office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is more symbolic of parliamentary democracy than some real authority. Discuss.

Topic- THE SECOND CHAIR

WHAT ?

The Deputy Speaker In Lok Sabha

WHY IN NEWS ?

Opposition has renewed its campaign seeking the Deputy Speaker’s position in the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha has not had a Deputy Speaker for the last 15 months. Instead, a panel of MPs has been assisting the Speaker

ABOUT DEPUTY SPEAKER :

Article 93 of the Constitution provides for the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
The constitutional office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is more symbolic of parliamentary democracy than some real authority.
There is no need to resign from their original party though as a Deputy Speaker, they have to remain impartial.

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF DEPUTY SPEAKER :

In case of the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker presides over the sessions of the Lok Sabha and conducts the business in the house.
She/he decides whether a bill is a money bill or a non-money bill.
She/he maintains discipline and decorum in the house and can punish a member for unruly behaviour by suspending him/her.
She/he permits the moving of various kinds of motions and resolutions like the motion of no confidence, motion of adjournment, motion of censure and calling attention notice

ELECTION :

Usually, the Deputy Speaker is elected in the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after the General elections from amongst the members of the Lok Sabha.
It is by convention that position of Deputy Speaker is offered to opposition party in India.

TENURE AND REMOVAL :

They hold office until either they cease to be a member of the Lok Sabha or they resign.
They can be removed from office by a resolution passed in the Lok Sabha by an effective majority of its members.

SPEAKER OF THE LOK SABHA :

The chairman or the Presiding Officer of Lok Sabha is called Speaker.
The speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected from all other members by simple majority.
Any member of Parliament is eligible to be nominated as a speaker but most commonly the candidate of ruling party or the party with majority wins this post.
However, there are certain cases when the elected Speaker does not belonged to the majority ruling party of Lok Sabha (G. M. C. Balyogi, Manohar Joshi, Somnath Chatterjee).

ROLE OF SPEAKER OF LS IN A PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY :

Ensure smooth proceedings of the house: The Speaker presides over the meetings of the Lok Sabha and conducts its proceedings. He also presides over the joint sittings of the two Houses of the Parliament. Therefore it enables parliament to successfully carry over the debates and passage of important laws.
Maintain discipline in the Lok Sabha: The Speaker maintains discipline in the House. If any member disrupts or tries to disrupt the proceedings of the House, the Speaker can warn him or can ask him to leave the House. He can suspend a member from the House whom he finds guilty of violating the discipline and decorum. This ensures the smooth functioning of Lok Sabha.
Fix the Agenda of the House: The Speaker, in consultation with other members of the business committee of the House and the Prime Minister, fixes the agenda of the meetings of the House. This ensures timely debates and discussion on important issues of the country.
Permission to ask questions: Each member of the House can put questions to the ministers; the permission of the Speaker is required purpose. This helps the speaker to prevent unnecessary and politically motivated questions while ensuring discussion on the important questions.
Conduct the business of the House: The Speaker conducts the business of the House. He allows the members to introduce the bills or to move motions. He recognises the members on the floor of the House and gives them time for speaking in the House. He fixes time limit for the debates in the House, puts matters to vote, and announces the results. He can warn the members against the use of unparliamentary language and can order the same to be expunged from the records.
Interpretation of Rules of Procedure: The business of the House is conducted according to definite and settled rules of procedure. In case of any dispute regarding the rules of the House, the Speaker interprets and applies these rules. The interpretation of rules made by the Speaker is final and cannot be challenged.
Power to adjourn the House: The Speaker can adjourn the meetings of the House if the quorum of the House is not complete or if the conducting the business of the House is not possible due to a disorderly behaviour of its members. This ensures the presence of members in the parliament; performing his/her duties as mandated by citizens by electing him/her.

BACKGROUND: TIMELINE

The institutions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker originated in India in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms).
At that time, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were called the President and Deputy President respectively and the same nomenclature continued till 1947.
Before 1921, the Governor-General of India used to preside over the meetings of the Central Legislative Council.
In 1921, the Frederick Whyte and Sachidanand Sinha were appointed by the Governor-General of India as the first Speaker and the first Deputy Speaker (respectively) of the central legislative assembly.
In 1925, Vithalbhai J. Patel became the first Indian and the first elected Speaker of the central legislative assembly.
The Government of India Act of 1935 changed the nomenclatures of President and Deputy President of the Central Legislative Assembly to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively. However, the old nomenclature continued till 1947 as the federal part of the 1935 Act was not implemented.

CONCLUSION:

Election by consensus of an Opposition MP as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha will be a course correction.
The government should be kind and the Opposition creative in dealing with this issue.
Convention of electing the Deputy Speaker from the Opposition should be upheld.

QUESTION : The constitutional office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is more symbolic of parliamentary democracy than some real authority. Discuss.

THE SECOND CHAIR

WHAT ?

The Deputy Speaker In Lok Sabha

WHY IN NEWS ?

The Lok Sabha has not had a Deputy Speaker for the last 15 months.

ABOUT DEPUTY SPEAKER :

Article 93 =Speaker+ Deputy Speaker.
The constitutional office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is more symbolic of parliamentary democracy than some real authority

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF DEPUTY SPEAKER :

presides over sessions of Lok Sabha in Speaker absence+ conducts business in house
decides whether a bill is a money bill or a non-money bill.
maintains discipline+decorum in the house
permits moving of various kinds of motions and resolutions

ELECTION :

Deputy Speaker is elected in the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after the General elections from amongst the members of the Lok Sabha.
It is by convention that position of Deputy Speaker is offered to opposition party in India.

TENURE AND REMOVAL :

hold office until either they cease to be a member of the Lok Sabha or they resign.
can be removed from office by a resolution passed in the Lok Sabha by an effective majority of its members.

SPEAKER OF LS :

chairman or the Presiding Officer of Lok Sabha+ elected from all other members by simple majority.
Any member of Parliament is eligible to be nominated as a speaker but most commonly the candidate of ruling party or the party with majority wins this post.

ROLE OF SPEAKER OF LS IN A PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY :

Ensure smooth proceedings of the house
Maintain discipline in the Lok Sabha
Fix the Agenda of the House
Permission to ask questions
Conduct the business of the House
Interpretation of Rules of Procedure
Power to adjourn the House

BACKGROUND: TIMELINE

Speaker and Deputy Speaker= in 1921 under GoI Act of 1919
Both were called the President+ Deputy President till 1947.
Before 1921, the Governor-General of India used to preside over the meetings of the Central Legislative Council.
In 1921, the Frederick Whyte+ Sachidanand Sinha were appointed by the Governor-General of India as the first Speaker + first Deputy Speaker
In 1925, Vithalbhai J. Patel became the first Indian+ first elected speaker
Act of 1935 changed the nomenclatures of President+Deputy President of Central Legislative Assembly to Speaker + Deputy Speaker

CONCLUSION:

government should be kind+ the Opposition creative in dealing with this issue.
Convention of electing the Deputy Speaker from the Opposition should be upheld.

QUESTION : What are various reasons for growing cancer burden in India? Suggest some measures to address the same.

Topic- REDUCING INDIA’S CANCER BURDEN

WHAT ?

Increasing Cancer Cases In India

WHY IN NEWS ?

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)¬National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research(NCDIR) National Cancer Registry Programme Report of August 2020has estimated that the number of cancer cases in India in 2020 is 13.9lakh.

WHAT IS CANCER ?

A disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue.
It can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die and new cells take their place.
When cancer develops, this orderly process breaks down. As cells become more and more abnormal, old or damaged cells survive when they should die and new cells form when they are not needed. These extra cells can divide without stopping and forms tumors, which can spread through the blood or the lymph system and form new tumors far from the original tumor.

MOST PREVELANT FORMS :

In men, the most common cancers are of the lung, oral cavity, stomach and oesophagus, while in women, breast, cervix, ovary and gall bladder cancer share the most common.

RISK FACTORS :

Tobacco use(in all forms) is a major avoidable risk.
factor for the development of cancer in 27% of cancer cases. Other important risk factors include alcohol use, inappropriate diet, low physical activity, obesity, and pollution.

IMPACT :

Cancer causes loss of lives and also has a tremendous socioeconomic impact.
Reducing cancer is a prerequisite for addressing social and economic inequity, stimulating economic growth and accelerating sustainable development.

FOCUS APPROACH :

Community empowerment: As it is estimated that nearly50%¬60% of cancer cases can be avoided by tackling the known risk factors effectively. Community empowerment through a multisectoral approach that brings together government, private practitioners and civil society to increase health literacy and promote certain behaviour can go a long way in reducing potential risk factors.
Improved awareness can also prevent stigma attached to the disease.
Health systems should be strengthened so that there is greater access to screening and vaccination, early detection,and timely, affordable treatment.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DATA :

Population health approaches are also relevant for large¬scale impact.
Programmatic and policy level solutions need to be driven by data.
The information collected through the National Cancer Registry Programme can be harnessed in Cancer Research.
Making cancer a notifiable disease could be one of the ways to help drive this research further by providing greater access to accurate, relevant data that can drive policy decisions.

CHALLENGES IN INDIA :

In India, most cancer research is carried out in tertiary cancer centres and specialised institutions of biomedical science, against well-developed cancer research networks in high-income countries.
The rising burden of cancer in India acts as a major drain on research time, particularly for clinical staff. Besides, infrastructure to support cancer research has a long way to go.
Treatment of cancer is quite expensive and not every patient can afford it. The cost of the drug is around Rs. 50,000-60,000 per month and the duration varies from patient to patient.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CANCER :

The financial costs of cancer are high for both the person with cancer and for society as a whole.
One of the major costs of cancer is cancer treatment. But lack of health insurance and other barriers to health care prevent many people from getting optimal health care.
Uninsured patients and those from many ethnic minority groups are substantially more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage, when treatment can be more extensive, costlier, and less successful.

GOVERNMENT’S STEPS :

Government programmes such as Ayushman Bharat,Swasthya Bharat, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Poshan Abhiyaan and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana and initiatives such as
FSSAI’s new labelling and display regulations and drug price control can encourage inter ¬sectoral and multisectoral action.
Other initiatives such as the National Health Policy, the National Tobacco Control Programme,and the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke are also paving the way for progress.

WAY FORWARD :

Patients should pay attention to symptoms and get check-ups regularly.
Advice persons who addicted to tobacco to avoid at any cost. Vaccines also help lower the cancer risk in human.
Government should cap the prices of cancer medicines as these are very expensive.
Finally, changes in diets can make big difference in cancer prevention. Eat organic and loading up with good dose antioxidants can help in prevention of cancer.
Risk reduction by promoting certain behaviours
Increasing awareness:There is a need for a multisectoral approach that brings together government, private practitioners and civil society to increase health literacy regarding cancer.
Strengthening health infrastructure:The existing health systems need to be strengthened so that there is greater access to screening, early detection, and timely, affordable treatment.
Focussing on cancer research:Domestic cancer research is of crucial importance to guide our efforts on cancer prevention and control.
Data-driven policies:There is a need to focus on programmatic and policy solutions for large-scale impact.

QUESTION : What are various reasons for growing cancer burden in India? Suggest some measures to address the same.

Topic- REDUCING INDIA’S CANCER BURDEN

WHAT ?

Increasing Cancer Cases In India

WHY IN NEWS ?

ICMR= estimated that the number of cancer cases in India in 2020 is 13.9lakh.

WHAT IS CANCER ?

A disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably+destroy body tissue+It can start almost anywhere in the human body. Normally, human cells grow+ divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die + new cells take their place.

MOST PREVELANT FORMS :

In men= cancers of lung, oral cavity, stomach + oesophagus+ in women= breast, cervix, ovary + gall bladder cancer share most common.

RISK FACTORS :

Tobacco use(in all forms)+ alcohol use, inappropriate diet, low physical activity, obesity+pollution.

IMPACT :

Cancer causes loss of lives+ a tremendous socioeconomic impact.
Reducing cancer is a prerequisite for addressing social+economic inequity, stimulating economic growth+ accelerating sustainable development.

FOCUS APPROACH :

Community empowerment
Improved awareness can also prevent stigma attached to the disease.
Health systems should be strengthened

THE IMPORTANCE OF DATA :

Population health approaches are also relevant for large ¬scale impact.
Programmatic+ policy level solutions need to be driven by data.
information collected through the National Cancer Registry Programme can be harnessed in Cancer Research.
Making cancer a notifiable disease could be one of the ways to help drive this research further by providing greater access.

CHALLENGES IN INDIA :

most cancer research=carried out in tertiary cancer centres+specialised institutions of biomedical science, against well-developed cancer research networks in high-income countries.
rising burden of cancer in India acts as a major drain on research time, particularly for clinical staff.
Treatment of cancer= expensive

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CANCER :

The financial costs of cancer= high
lack of health insurance+other barriers to health care
Uninsured patients+ those from many ethnic minority groups= substantially more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage

GOVERNMENT’S STEPS :

Ayushman Bharat,Swasthya Bharat, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Poshan Abhiyaan +Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.
FSSAI’s new labelling+display regulations and drug price control
National Health Policy, the National Tobacco Control Programme+ National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Strokes

WAY FORWARD :

should pay attention to symptoms+ get check-ups regularly.
Advice persons who addicted to tobacco to avoid at any cost.
Government should cap prices of cancer medicines
changes in diets can make big difference in cancer prevention.
Risk reduction by promoting certain behaviours
Increasing awareness+ increase health literacy regarding cancer.
Strengthening health infrastructure:
Focussing on cancer research
Data-driven policies

QUESTION : What are parliamentary committees? How do they ensure legislature’s and executive’s efficiency and accountability?

PARLIAMENT AND ITS PANELS

WHAT ?

Parliamentary Committees

WHY IN NEWS ?

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat is considering changing the rules governing the Departmentally-Related Standing Committees’ (DRSC) tenure to make it to two years from the present one year.

REASON BEHIND THIS :

A significant amount of the tenure of the committees was lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the panels have not been able to complete reports on the subjects they were working on.
The panels should have enough time to work on the subjects selected by them.

WHAT ARE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES?

A good deal of Parliamentary business is transacted in the committees. Both Houses of Parliament have a similar committee structure, with a few exceptions.
Their appointment, terms of office, functions and procedure of conducting business are also more or less similar and are regulated as per rules made by the two Houses under Article 118(1) of the Constitution.
Broadly, Parliamentary Committees are of two kinds – Standing Committees and ad hoc Committees.
The former are elected or appointed every year or periodically and their work goes on, more or less, on a continuous basis.
The latter are appointed on an ad hoc basis as the need arises and they cease to exist as soon as they complete the task assigned to them.

THEIR SIGNIFICANCES:

Apart from debates on bills and issues discussed and debated on the floor of the House, more detailed and in-depth discussions take place on issues as well as legislation in the parliamentary standing committees.
Here, MPs belonging to all major parties put forward their views without much consideration to the political differences they have.
A considerable amount of legislative work gets done in these smaller units of MPs from both Houses, across political parties.
Their reports are tabled in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. The Houses do not hold a specific debate on the report, but it is often referred to during the discussions on the bills and the key issues.
Committee meetings also provide a forum where members can engage with domain experts as well as senior-most officials of the concerned ministries.

DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMITTEES :

Out of the total 24 standing committees, 8 work under the Rajya Sabha and 16 under the Lok Sabha.
Each standing committee consists of 31 members (21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha).
The members of the Lok Sabha are nominated by the Speaker, just as the members of the Rajya Sabha are nominated by the Chairman from amongst its members
Ministers cannot be members of these committees.

BACKDROP :

The tenurial issue has to be looked at against following backdrop:
- The Rajya Sabha undergoes partial biennial renewal, since one-third of its members retire every two years by virtue of clause (1) of Article 83 of the Constitution.
- The Lok Sabha has a fixed tenure of five years, unless sooner dissolved.
Thus it is only once in 10 years that the requirement of major reshuffle of the Standing Committees in both the Houses is expected to coincide, that is after the second round for the Lok Sabha and the fifth biennial round of the Rajya Sabha.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Different tenures
The terms of the members of the two Houses on these committees can be different, in consonance with the tenure of the Houses themselves.
It may be two years for the Rajya Sabha members and for the Lok Sabha members, it may be coincidental with its life.

CONCLUSION :

The sittings of Parliament are steadily declining over the years. From 100-150 sittings in the 1950s, the number is down to 60-70 sittings per year in 2019-20.
In such a scenario, a major part of parliamentary work is done by DRSCs. A longer tenure will help in completion of tasks and deliberations assigned to them.

QUESTION : What are parliamentary committees? How do they ensure legislature’s and executive’s efficiency and accountability?

PARLIAMENT AND ITS PANELS

WHAT ?

Parliamentary Committees

WHY IN NEWS ?

RS Secretariat is considering changing the rules governing the Departmentally-Related Standing Committees’ (DRSC) tenure

REASON BEHIND THIS :

A significant amount of the tenure of committees=lost due to Covid-19 pandemic.

WHAT ARE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES ?

Both Houses of Parliament have a similar committee structure, with a few exceptions.
Parliamentary Committees=Standing Committees +ad hoc Committees.
former = elected or appointed every year or periodically+their work goes on, more or less, on a continuous basis.
Ad hoc= appointed on an ad hoc basis as the need arises and they cease to exist as soon as they complete the task assigned to them.

THEIR SIGNIFICANCES :

Apart from debates on bills+ issues discussed+debated on the floor of House.
legislative work gets done in these smaller units of MPs from both Houses, across political parties.
Their reports= tabled in RS+ LS. Houses do not hold a specific debate on the report, but it is often referred to during discussions on the bills+ key issues.
Committee meetings= provide a forum where members can engage with domain experts+senior-most officials of concerned ministries.

DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMITTEES :

24 standing committees=8 work under the Rajya Sabha +16 under the Lok Sabha.
Each standing committee= 31 members (21 from LS+ 10 from RS).
LS members= nominated by Speaker
Ministers cannot be members of these committees.

BACKDROP :

The Rajya Sabha undergoes partial biennial renewal, since one-third of its members retire every two years by virtue of clause (1) of Article 83 of the Constitution.
LS=fixed tenure of 5 years, unless sooner dissolved.
it is only once in 10 years that the requirement of major reshuffle of the Standing Committees in both the Houses is expected to coincide.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Different tenures
terms of the members of the two Houses on these committees can be different, in consonance with the tenure of the Houses themselves+ may be two years for the RS members and for LS members, it may be coincidental with its life.

CONCLUSION :

A longer tenure will help in completion of tasks and deliberations assigned to them.

QUESTION : What is the bone of contention behind the bitterness in Israel-UAE relations and Does India support the establishment of a sovereign independent state of Palestine? Discuss.

NEW ORDER IN WEST ASIA

WHAT ?

Arab Peace Initiative

WHY IN NEWS ?

The Abraham Accord between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain is mediated by the USA. It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.

THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS :

Has been signed recently by the UAE, Bahrain and Israel, under U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation.
It marks a new beginning in the relations between the Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdoms and the Jewish state.
Under the agreement, the UAE and Bahrain would normalise ties with Israel, leading to better economic, political and security engagement.
The agreements have the backing of Saudi Arabia, arguably the most influential Arab power and a close ally of the UAE and Bahrain. More Arab countries are expected to follow suit.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE NOTED :

Previous Agreements: There were the only two peace deals between Israel and the Arab States in more than a quarter of a century.
Egypt was the first Arab State to sign a peace deal with Israel in 1979.
Jordan signed a peace pact in 1994.
THE AGREEMENT :
As per the agreements, the UAE and Bahrain will establish:
Embassies and exchange ambassadors.
Working together with Israel across a range of sectors, including tourism, trade, healthcare and security.
The Abraham Accords also open the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel and to peacefully pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam.
In the Islamic tradition, the Kaaba in Mecca is considered the holiest site, followed by the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

REASON :

Bringing Israel, the UAE and Bahrain together reflects their shared concern about Iran’s rising influence in the region and development of ballistic missiles. Iran has been critical of both deals.

ARAB-ISRAEL RELATIONS :

Since Israeli independence in 1948, it has fought several wars with Arab neighbouring countries.
The persecuted Jews saw Israel as their promised home while Arabs saw it as an occupation.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AGREEMENT :

The agreement shows how the Arab countries are gradually decoupling themselves from the Palestine question.
The deal buys UAE a lot of goodwill in the US, where its image has been tarnished by its involvement in the Yemen war.
Other gulf states in the region like Bahrain and Oman could follow suit and sign similar agreements with Israel .
If the Arab states do fall in line, it would dramatically bring all Sunni nations in the region in an anti-Iran alliance with Israel.
In South Asia, it will put Pakistan in a bind, whether to follow UAE’s steps (will be seen as giving up Islamic cause of Palestine) or not to follow UAE (since it is already in feud with the Saudis over not taking up Kashmir case, Pakistan cannot afford another hostile Islamic Country)

CONCERN :

The Palestinians have not embraced the USA’s vision. 86% of Palestinians believe the normalization agreement with the UAE serves only Israel’s interests and not their own.
There is a possibility that the Palestine quest is further ignored.
Shia-Sunni rifts in the region may get wide and violent.
Saudi Arabia (Sunni) and Iran (representing Shia) have a long history of enmity. For decades, one of the main sources of instability in West Asia has been the cold war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The Sunni-Shiite schism may also provoke violence between Muslims in such places as Pakistan, Nigeria and Indonesia.

INDIA’S INTEREST IN WEST ASIA ?

Geopolitical:
West Asia occupies an important position in international relations due to its geographical location and proximity to continents and countries South Asia, China, Central Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Energy:
The region is strategically significant due to its enormous energy resources, trade route links to different parts of the world.
It is the world’s largest oil-producing region accounting for 34% of world production, 45% of crude oil exports and 48% of oil proven reserves.
Diaspora:
Indian expatriates have constituted a substantial share of the regional labour market.
Remittances from the region constitute a major chunk of total remittances to India.

OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIA :

o Defence and Security:

India should use this unexpected opportunity to give itself a bigger role in a region which is its strategic backyard. The first step should be to ramp up defence and security relations with UAE.

Israel is already a very close defence partner.

While some work has already happened, India should leverage its economy for a bigger opening in this region. Importantly, India can use its good offices to ensure that any future deal on a regional security framework gives adequate space to Iran, which may be weak but not so weak that it cannot be a hugely disruptive power if it so chooses.

WAY FORWARD :

A balance between Shia and Sunni, between Persian and Arab, is key to any sustainable peace.
The US may be a pre-eminent power in the Middle East, but Russia has made a space for itself, spending a lot less money. In recent years, China has indicated its willingness to play a larger role in this region, and is close to both UAE and Israel and, increasingly, Saudi Arabia.
India should make its moves before this market and this extended neighbourhood come under the Chinese sphere of influence.

CONCLUSION :

In order to bring peace in the region as they have claimed, the signatories and the US should address the more structural issues, which include the unresolved question of Palestine.

QUESTION : What is the bone of contention behind the bitterness in Israel-UAE relations and Does India support the establishment of a sovereign independent state of Palestine? Discuss.

NEW ORDER IN WEST ASIA

WHAT ?

Arab Peace Initiative

WHY IN NEWS ?

Abraham Accord between Israel, the United Arab Emirates+ Bahrain is mediated by the USA+is first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.

THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS :

signed recently by the UAE, Bahrain+ Israel, under Donald Trump’s mediation.
marks a new beginning in relations between Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdoms + Jewish state.
leading to better economic, political+ security engagement.
Agreements=backing of Saudi Arabia, arguably most influential Arab power and a close ally of the UAE+ Bahrain.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE NOTED :

Previous Agreements= only two peace deals between Israel +Arab States
Egypt =first Arab State to sign a peace deal with Israel in 1979+Jordan signed a peace pact in 1994.
THE AGREEMENT =UAE +Bahrain will establish Embassies +exchange ambassadors.
Abraham Accords= open the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel+ to peacefully pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam
REASON= Bringing Israel, UAE+ Bahrain together reflects their shared concern about Iran’s rising influence in the region+ development of ballistic missiles.

ARAB-ISRAEL RELATIONS :

Since Israeli independence in 1948, it has fought several wars with Arab neighbouring countries+ persecuted Jews saw Israel as their promised home while Arabs saw it as an occupation.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AGREEMENT :

decoupling themselves from Palestine question
The deal buys UAE a lot of goodwill in the US,
Other gulf states in the region like Bahrain+ Oman could follow suit+sign similar agreements with Israel
would dramatically bring all Sunni nations in region in an anti-Iran alliance with Israel
In South Asia, it will put Pakistan in a bind
CONCERN =86% of Palestinians believe normalization agreement with UAE serves only Israel’s interests+not their own.
Shia-Sunni rifts in the region may get wide+ violent.
Saudi Arabia (Sunni) + Iran (representing Shia) have a long history of enmity.

INDIA’S INTEREST IN WEST ASIA ?

Geopolitical= West Asia occupies an important position in international relations due to its geographical location and proximity to continents
Energy:
It is the world’s largest oil-producing region accounting for 34% of world production, 45% of crude oil exports and 48% of oil proven reserves.
Diaspora=Remittances from the region constitute a major chunk of total remittances to India.

OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIA :

Defence and Security
Israel is already a very close defence partner.
India should leverage its economy for a bigger opening in this region+ India can use its good offices to ensure that any future deal on a regional security framework gives adequate space to Iran, which may be weak but not so weak that it cannot be a hugely disruptive power if it so chooses.

WAY FORWARD :

A balance between Shia and Sunni, between Persian and Arab
US may be a pre-eminent power in the Middle East, but Russia has made a space for itself, spending a lot less money.
this extended neighbourhood come under Chinese sphere of influence.

CONCLUSION :

Signatories+ US should address the more structural issues, which include the unresolved question of Palestine.

QUESTION : Discuss the future aspect of actual progress in Intra-Afghan talks and challenges before India at the same time.

ANOTHER AFGHAN PEACE PUSH AND A ROLE FOR INDIA

WHAT ?

Taliban Peace Pact

WHY IN NEWS ?

Intra Afghan talks bringing the Taliban face-to-face with representatives of the Afghanistan government and Afghan civil society has finally started in Doha.
The talks are a key outcome of the U.S. Taliban and U.S. Afghanistan agreements.

BACKGROUND OF US AND AFGHANISTAN WAR :

The war in Afghanistan was launched by the US in 2001 after the 9/11 attack. The US-led coalition aimed to overthrow the Taliban.
More than 2,400 US troops have been killed during the conflict.
About 12,000 are still stationed in the country. President Trump has promised to put an end to the conflict.

US- TALIBAN PEACE DEAL COMPRISES OF :

Troops withdrawal– US and Taliban signed an agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan, which will enable the US and NATO to withdraw troops in the next 14 months.
Taliban commitment-The main counter-terrorism commitment by the Taliban is that Taliban will not allow any of its members, other individuals or groups, including al-Qaeda, to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies.

Sanctions removal-
UN sanctions on Taliban leaders to be removed by three months (by May 29, 2020) and US sanctions by August 27, 2020.
The sanctions will be out before much progress is expected in the intra-Afghan dialogue.
Prisoner release– The US-Taliban pact says up to 5,000 imprisoned Taliban and up to 1,000 prisoners from “the other side” held by Taliban “will be released” by March 10. This process took longer than originally foreseen but has now been completed.
Ceasefire-
It has been identified as another potential “trouble spot”.
The agreement states ceasefire will be simply “an item on the agenda” when intra-Afghan talks start and indicate actual ceasefire will come with the “completion” of an Afghan political agreement.

CHALLENGES AHEAD OF INDIA ARISING FROM THIS PACT :

INDIA’S DILEMMA –

India should reconsider its current policy that a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan must come through an “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan controlled process” (considering that the elected Afghan Government is hardly in control of the peace process).
India might, consider the option of entering into direct talks with the Taliban. But, If India does so, it would constitute a major departure from its consistent policy of dealing only with recognized governments.

INTERESTS OF MAJOR POWERS IN THIS AGREEMENT :

US– The peace talks provide U.S. President Donald Trump an exit opportunity weeks before his re-election bid.
European Union– It has made it clear that its financial contribution will depend on the security environment and the human rights record.
China– It can always lean on Pakistan to preserve its security and connectivity interests.
Russia– Blocking the drug supply and keeping its southern periphery secure from extremist influences is key.

WAY FORWARD :

As much as the prospect for peace in Afghanistan depends on actual progress in the intra-Afghan talks, what is equally essential is regional consensus to support the peace process.
India’s vision of a sovereign, united, stable, plural and democratic Afghanistan is one that is shared by a large constituency in Afghanistan, cutting across ethnic and provincial lines.
India should increase its active engagement in the peace process which would allow it to work with like-minded forces in the region to ensure that the vacuum created by the U.S. withdrawal does not lead to an undoing of the progress made so far.

QUESTION : Discuss the future aspect of actual progress in Intra-Afghan talks and challenges before India at the same time.

ANOTHER AFGHAN PEACE PUSH AND A ROLE FOR INDIA

WHAT ?

Taliban Peace Pact

WHY IN NEWS ?

Intra-Afghan talks bringing Taliban face-to-face with representatives of Afghanistan government +Afghan civil society= started in Doha.

BACKGROUND OF US AND AFGHANISTAN WAR :

war in Afghanistan= launched by US in 2001 after 9/11 attack.
More than 2,400 US troops=killed during conflict.
About 12,000= stationed in country+ Trump has promised to put an end to conflict.

US- TALIBAN PEACE DEAL COMPRISES OF :

Troops withdrawal
Taliban commitment
Sanctions removal
Prisoner release
Ceasefire

CHALLENGES AHEAD OF INDIA ARISING FROM THIS PACT :

INDIA’S DILEMMA –

India should reconsider its current policy +Afghan-owned and Afghan controlled process” (considering that the elected Afghan Government is hardly in control of the peace process).
would constitute a major departure from its consistent policy of dealing only with recognized governments.

INTERESTS OF MAJOR POWERS IN THIS AGREEMENT :

US– provide Donald Trump an exit opportunity weeks before his re-election bid.
European Union–made it clear that its financial contribution= depend on security environment+ human rights record.
China– It can always lean on Pakistan
Russia– Blocking the drug supply

CONCLUSION :

A more active engagement will enable India to work with like-minded forces in the region

QUESTION : Curbing hate speech and fake news has emerged as a critical challenge for governments globally. Discuss.

DEFINE THE CONTOURS OF HATE IN SPEECH

WHAT ?

Free Speech And Hate Speech

WHY IN NEWS ?

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India injuncted a Hindilanguage television channel, Sudarshan News, from continuing its broadcast of a series titled “Bindas Bol”.

BACKGROUND :

A plea was made to stop the telecast of a programme ‘Bindas Bol’ on Sudarshan TV containing objectionable content against the Muslim entries into the civil services.
The SC held that the content was prima facie “plainly hurtful” to the community and asked the NBA to suggest measures to strengthen the self-regulatory mechanism to prevent or penalise airing of communal or derogatory content in the electronic media

SUGGESTIONS BY NBA:

All news channels, whether they are NBA members or not, will have to follow the Programme Code containing the proposed amendments.
The News Broadcasters Services Authority (NBSA) should be granted recognition as an independent self-regulatory mechanism to receive and deal with complaints which would strengthen News Broadcasting Standards Regulations of NBSA.
NBSA is an independent body set up by the NBA. Its task is to consider and adjudicate upon complaints about broadcasts.

MAINTAINING THE EQUILIBRIUM :

The government feared that if it did not have the power to regulate speech, it will threaten the stability of society.

The hate and violence got the state to betray its own liberal commitments
Liberals never acquired the confidence of people to let go of state regulation in the name of defending the republic.
The spread of hate speech and its political consequences are now infinitely greater.
The situation, where communication mediums are used to target communities, are not outside the realm of possibility.
It is for this reason we still have so many restraints on speech.

CHALLENGES :

Indian laws present several complications when an attempt is made to distinguish permissible speech from hate speech.
There is no international legal definition of hate speech, and the characterisation of what is ‘hateful’ is controversial and disputed.
Generally, hate speech refers to utterances that incite violence, hatred, or discrimination against people on the basis of their collective identity, be it race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexuality.
It attacks two key tenets of a democratic republic: the guarantee of equal dignity to all and the public good of inclusiveness.
It is the speech which has reached a level of incitement and is beyond advocacy.
Section 153A and Section 295A of the (IPC), which criminalise, respectively, speech that seeks to promote enmity between different groups and speech/acts that outrage/s religious feelings.
Both of these are vaguely worded and are frequently invoked to suppress speech.
They militate against the permissible grounds for limiting free speech enumerated Article (19) (2), and, in particular, the restrictions allowed on considerations of public order and morality.

SOLUTIONS :

There is a need to infuse clarity in legislation by identifying the distinction between merely offensive speech and hate speech, and by making clearer still those categories of exceptional cases where the Constitution permits prior restraint.
Speech that merely causes offence and is no more than disparaging or unpleasant, should continue to remain shielded.
However, the speech that treats communities with disparate concern, by creating in them a sense of dread, a sense of exclusion from civic life, should go unprotected.
Limitation in cases involving the issue of speech should be restricted to those categories of minorities who are vulnerable and a merely offensive statement should not qualify as hate speech.
The SC should not be afraid of delineating the ambiguities and has to handle the exercise delicately. A working definition of hate speech will have to be discovered by interpreting laws in conjunction with the constitutional right to free speech.

WHAT IS HATE SPEECH ?

Law Commission 267th report: In this background, Law Commission of India submitted its 267th report on Hate Speech in 2017, in which it drafted The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2017 by inserting new Sections in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to deal with hate speech. New Sections recommended are:
Insert Section 153C to penalise incitement to hatred.
Insert Section 505A to make ‘causing fear, alarm, or provocation of violence in certain cases’ a specific criminal offence.
There is no legal definition internationally for hate speech, and the characterization of what is ‘hateful’ is controversial and disputed.
It is generally understood as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are.
In other words, it is based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factors. This is often rooted in, and generates intolerance and hatred and, in certain contexts, can be demeaning and divisive.
International law prohibits the incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence rather than prohibiting hate speech

IMPACTS OF HATE SPEECH ?

Human rights violation Atrocity crime Terrorism
The spread of violent extremism Gender-based violence
Communal Violence Polarization of communities and sections of the society
Threat to the protection of civilians, minorities, refugees, women and children
Alleviate the fight against all forms of racism and discrimination Erosion of democratic values
Mobocracy and Mob lynching Deteriorate peace, growth and development Hate speech alienates, marginalizes and undermines personal dignity Hate crime Property damage- public
Deteriorate peace, growth and development
Hate speech alienates, marginalizes and undermines personal dignity
Hate crime Property damage- public and private Rape Genocide

HATE SPEECH AND COMMUNAL TENSIONS IN INDIA :

Hate Speech and Communal tensions in India Communal violence has a long history in India.
In fact, communal violence had started before the arrival of the British rulers in India. Because of communal hate campaign, India has experienced many communal riots in past as well as in present. Out of which the recent example is Delhi Riots 2020.
In a country like diverse India, it is easy to incite an immediate breach of peace by using fighting words on the bases of religion and caste and in the present era, many controversial people for getting unfair advantage have been using their freedom of speech and expression for inciting violence between people belonging to different religion, caste, beliefs and customs.

WAY FORWARD :

Not post facto content regulation, but a market structure that can help provide more checks and balances.
Not let bad media drive out good.
The Court suo motu setting up a regulatory framework does not inspire confidence. It is not its jurisdiction to begin with.
This is something for Parliament to think about.

QUESTION : Curbing hate speech and fake news has emerged as a critical challenge for governments globally. Discuss.

DEFINE THE CONTOURS OF HATE IN SPEECH

WHAT ?

Free Speech And Hate Speech

WHY IN NEWS ?

SC injuncted a Hindilanguage television channel, Sudarshan News, from
continuing its broadcast of a series titled “Bindas Bol”.

BACKGROUND :

A plea was made to stop objectionable content against Muslim entries into civil services.
SC held that content= prima facie “plainly hurtful” to community and asked NBA to suggest measures

SUGGESTIONS BY NBA:

All news channels= follow Programme Code containing proposed amendments.
NBSA= granted recognition as an independent self-regulatory mechanism to receive and deal with complaints

MAINTAINING THE EQUILIBRIUM :

fear=will threaten stability of society.
Hate+ violence got state to betray its own liberal commitments
spread of hate speech+ its political consequences= infinitely greater.
It is for this reason we still have so many restraints on speech.

CHALLENGES :

no international legal definition of hate speech
It attacks two key tenets of a democratic republic: the guarantee of equal dignity to all+ public good of inclusiveness.
Section 153A+ Section 295A owhich criminalise, respectively, speech that seeks to promote enmity between different groups and speech/acts that outrage/s religious feelings.
They militate against permissible grounds for limiting free speech enumerated +restrictions allowed on considerations of public order and morality.

SOLUTIONS :

need to infuse clarity in legislation by identifying distinction between merely offensive speech+ hate speech
Limitation in cases involving the issue of speech should be restricted+ a merely offensive statement should not qualify as hate speech.
SC should not be afraid of delineating the ambiguities+ has to handle the exercise delicately.

WHAT IS HATE SPEECH ?

any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person + based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factors.

IMPACTS OF HATE SPEECH ?

Human rights violation Atrocity crime Terrorism
spread of violent extremism Gender-based violence
Communal Violence Polarization of communities+sections of society
Threat to the protection of civilians, minorities, refugees, women+ children
Alleviate the fight against all forms of racism and discrimination Erosion of democratic values
Mobocracy +mob lynchings
Deteriorate peace, growth+ development
Hate speech alienates, marginalizes+ undermines personal dignity

HATE SPEECH AND COMMUNAL TENSIONS IN INDIA :

In a country like diverse India, it is easy to incite an immediate breach of peace by using fighting words on the bases of religion + caste , many controversial people for getting unfair advantage have been using their freedom of speech+ expression for inciting violence between people belonging to different religion, caste, beliefs +customs.

WAY FORWARD :

Not post facto content regulation, but a market structure that can help provide more checks and balances.
Not let bad media drive out good.
Court suo motu setting up a regulatory framework does not inspire confidence. It is not its jurisdiction to begin with.
This is something for Parliament to think about.

QUESTION : When can MPs be suspended from the House? What Rules are followed in the process? Explain with details.

A POINT OF ORDER

WHAT ?

Suspension of Members of Parliament And No-confidence motion against RS Deputy Chairman

WHY IN NEWS ?

Recently eight Rajya Sabha MPs were suspended for unruly behaviour in the House and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has rejected the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against the Deputy Chairman Harivansh saying that it is “not admissible under the rules”.
A no-confidence motion against the Deputy Chairman is a first in parliament and the convention is that Mr Singh should not preside over house sessions till the matter is settled.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE ?

Opposition parties have accused Deputy Chairman of violating the parliamentary procedures in trying to pass the farm sector Bills in haste, circumventing all demands for proper voting.
They also say that the Deputy Chairman did not allow points of order to be raised and did not allow large numbers of members of Rajya Sabha, from diverse political parties, to even speak against farm bills.

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN :

Rajya Sabha elects a Deputy Chairman to perform the functions of the Chairman in case of a vacancy in the office of the Chairman or when the Vice-President is acting as or discharging the functions of the President.

POINT OF ORDER :

A point of order is an objection to the pending matter or proceeding is in violation of a written and unwritten rule of the House.

VOICE VOTE ?

It involves the speaker putting a question to the house and then asking the house to put forward its opinion in the forms of ayes (yes) or noes.
Based on a rough measure of which side was louder, the speaker decides if the motion was passed or fell through.
The advantage of a voice vote is that it is quick.
The apparent disadvantage is that it is inaccurate, given that the speaker decides what the opinion of the house is based on which side is louder.

REASON FOR SUSPENDING AN MP :

The general principle is that it is the role and duty of the Presiding Officer — Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha — to maintain order so that the House can function smoothly.
In order to ensure that proceedings are conducted in the proper manner, the Speaker/Chairman is empowered to force a Member to withdraw from the House.

RULES UNDER WHICH THE PRESIDING OFFICER ACTS :

Rule Number 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business provides for the suspension of MPs by the Speaker of the House.
To deal with more recalcitrant Members, the Speaker make take recourse to Rules 374 and 374A.
Rule 374 says: The Speaker may, if deems it necessary, name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the business thereof.
Rule 374A was incorporated in the Rule Book on December 5, 2001. The intention was to skirt around the necessity of moving and adopting a motion for suspension.

PROCEDURE IN RS :

Like the Speaker in Lok Sabha, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha is empowered under Rule Number 255 of its Rule Book to “direct any Member whose conduct is in his opinion grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately” from the House.
Unlike the Speaker, however, the Rajya Sabha Chairman does not have the power to suspend a Member. The House may, by another motion, terminate the suspension.
The Chairman may “name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the Council by persistently and wilfully obstructing” business.
In such a situation, the House may adopt a motion suspending the Member from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.

IS SUSPENDING AN MP A DECENT PRACTICE ?

It is a strong action, but it is not uncommon. In general, a balance has to be struck.
There can be no question that the enforcement of the supreme authority of the Presiding Officer is essential for smooth conduct of proceedings.
However,it must be remembered that the job of the Presiding Officer is to run the House, not to lord over it.

IS SUSPENDING AN MP A COMMON PRACTICE IN PARLIAMENT ?

On March 5 this year, seven Congress members — Gaurav Gogoi (Kaliabor), T N Prathapan (Thrissur), Dean Kuriakose (Idukki), Rajmohan Unnithan (Kasaragod), Manickam Tagore (Virudhunagar), Benny Behanan (Chalakudy) and Gurjeet Singh Aujla (Amritsar) — were suspended from Lok Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament.
In November 2019, Speaker Om Birla suspended two Congress Members
In January 2019, Birla’s predecessor in the Speaker’s Chair, Sumitra Mahajan, suspended a total 45 Members belonging to the TDP and AIADMK after they continuously disrupted proceedings for days.
On February 13, 2014, then Speaker Meira Kumar suspended 18 MPs from (undivided) Andhra Pradesh following pandemonium in the House. The suspended MPs were either supporting or opposing the creation of the separate state of Telangana.
Before that, on September 2, 2014, nine Members were suspended for five days.
On August 23, 2013, 12 Members were suspended for five days.
And on April 24, 2012, eight Members were suspended for four days.
On March 15, 1989, when Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister, as many as 63 Members were suspended from Lok Sabha for three days

SOME ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION :

The solution to unruly behaviour has to be long-term and consistent with democratic values.
A previous Speaker had ordered that television cameras be focussed on the demonstrating members so that people could see for themselves how their representatives were behaving in the House.

CONCLUSION:

There must be immediate efforts led by the executive to restore the effective and meaningful functioning of Parliament. Parliament must not abridge right of MPs to take a stand in debates and votes.

QUESTION : When can MPs be suspended from the House? What Rules are followed in the process? Explain with details.

A POINT OF ORDER

WHAT ?

Suspension of Members of Parliament+ No-confidence motion against RS Deputy Chairman

WHY IN NEWS ?

8 Rajya Sabha MPs= suspended for unruly behaviour in House+A no-confidence motion against the Deputy Chairman

WHAT IS THE ISSUE ?

Opposition parties=accused Deputy Chairman of violating the parliamentary procedures in trying to pass the farm sector Bills
They also say that the Deputy Chairman did not allow points of order to be raised

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN :

perform functions of Chairman in case of a vacancy in office of the Chairman or when the Vice-President is acting as or discharging the functions of the President.

POINT OF ORDER :

an objection to the pending matter or proceeding is in violation of a written+ unwritten rule of the House.

VOICE VOTE ?

involves the speaker putting a question to the house + asking house to put forward its opinion in the forms of ayes (yes) or noes.
Based on a rough measure of which side was louder, speaker decides if the motion was passed or fell through.

REASON FOR SUSPENDING AN MP :

To maintain order so that House can function smoothly.
In order to ensure that proceedings are conducted in the proper manner

RULES UNDER WHICH THE PRESIDING OFFICER ACTS :

Rule 374= Speaker may, if deems it necessary, name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently+ wilfully obstructing business thereof.
Rule 374A was incorporated in the Rule Book on December 5, 2001.

PROCEDURE IN RS :

Chairman of RS=empowered under Rule Number 255 of its Rule Book to “direct any Member whose conduct is in his opinion grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately” from the House
Chairman may “name a Member who disregards authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the Council by persistently and wilfully obstructing” business

IS SUSPENDING AN MP A DECENT PRACTICE ?

a balance has to be struck.
There can be no question that the enforcement of supreme authority of the Presiding Officer is essential for smooth conduct of proceedings+ it must be remembered that job of the Presiding Officer is to run the House, not to lord over it.

IS SUSPENDING AN MP A COMMON PRACTICE IN PARLIAMENT ?

November 2019=Speaker Om Birla suspended two Congress Members.
January 2019=Birla’s predecessor in Speaker’s Chair, Sumitra Mahajan, suspended a total 45 Members
On February 13, 2014, then Speaker Meira Kumar suspended 18 MPs from (undivided) Andhra Pradesh
Before that, on September 2, 2014, nine Members were suspended for five days.
On August 23, 2013, 12 Members were suspended for five days.
April 24, 2012=eight Members were suspended for four days.
On March 15, 1989, 63 Members= suspended from Lok Sabha for three days

SOME ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION :

solution to unruly behaviour has to be long-term +consistent with democratic values.
A previous Speaker had ordered that television cameras be focussed on the demonstrating members so that people could see for themselves how their representatives were behaving in the House.

CONCLUSION:

There must be immediate efforts led by executive to restore the effective+ meaningful functioning of Parliament.

QUESTION : The Abraham Accords: “The new dawn of a new Middle East” and its implications on India . Discuss

INDIA AND THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS

WHAT ?

India and Abraham Accords

WHY IN NEWS ?

The White House ceremony on 15th September 2020 marking the formal normalisation of Israel’s ties with UAE and Bahrain has created a significant inflection point in regional history and geopolitics.

ABRAHAM ACCORDS :

It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.
The so-called “Abraham Accords”, announced by United States President Donald Trump, secures an Israeli commitment to halt further annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank.

DO YOU KNOW ?

Except with Jordan and Egypt, Israel does not have diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab states owing to its long-standing conflict with Palestinians
Israel had signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and with Jordan in 1994.

How is the September 15 reconciliation different from previous peace agreements (1979 & 1994)?

Firstly, UAE and Bahrain do not have any territorial dispute with Israel, nor have they ever been at war with it.
Although formally committed to an Arab consensus (two-state resolution of the Palestine cause) UAE & Bahrain have steadily moved towards having substantive links with Israel in recent years.
Hence, the ‘Abraham Accords’ entered with the UAE and Bahrain are ‘peace-for-peace’ deals without any physical quid pro quo by Israel.

IMPLICATIONS OF THIS ACCORD FOR INDIA :

India’s Stance: Geopolitically, India has welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel, calling both its strategic partners
Foreign Policy Significance: India has stronger, multifaceted and growing socioeconomic engagements with Israel and the Gulf countries. Therefore, any changes in regional dynamics will impact the India’s Strategic interests in the region.
Eases India’s Balancing Act: The new accord widens the moderate constituency for peaceful resolution of the Palestine dispute, easing India’s diplomatic balancing act.
New Arena of Proxy War: The possibility of the southern Gulf becoming the new arena of the proxy war between Iran and Israel cannot be ruled out, particularly in Shia pockets. India would have to be on its guard to monitor such conflicts.
Backlash on Jihadi Fringe movement: The Israel-GCC ties may provoke new polarisations between the Jihadi fringe and the mainstream.
Economic Challenges: India has acquired a large and rewarding regional footprint, particularly as the preferred source of manpower, food products, pharmaceuticals, gem and jewellery, light engineering items, etc. This position could be challenged by Israel which has niche strength in defence, security, solar power, horticulture etc.
India–Iran Relations impacted: For decades, one of the main sources of instability in West Asia has been the cold war between Saudi Arabia (Sunni) and Iran (Shia). This accord may make the rift wider and more violent, thus testing India-Iran relations.

WAY FORWARD :

India must be careful and should monitor or even pre-empt any threat to its interests in the Gulf.
Even more important for India is to manage the economic fallout of the Israel-GCC reconciliation.
In the evolving scenario, there may be scope for a profitable trilateral synergy, but India cannot take its preponderance as a given.
India should use this opportunity to give itself a bigger role in a region which is its strategic backyard.

QUESTION : The Abraham Accords: “The new dawn of a new Middle East” and its implications on India . Discuss

INDIA AND THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS

WHAT ?

India and Abraham Accords

WHY IN NEWS ?

White House ceremony on 15th September 2020 marking the formal normalisation of Israel’s ties with UAE and Bahrain

ABRAHAM ACCORDS :

first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.
UAE+ Bahrain=agreed to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.

DO YOU KNOW ?

Except with Jordan+ Egypt, Israel does not have diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab states
Israel had signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and with Jordan in 1994.

IMPLICATIONS OF THIS ACCORD FOR INDIA :

India= diplomatic relations between UAE+ Israel, calling both its strategic partners
Foreign Policy Significance
Eases India’s Balancing Act
New Arena of Proxy War
Backlash on Jihadi Fringe movement
Economic Challenges
India–Iran Relations impacted

WAY FORWARD :

India must be careful+ should monitor any threat to its interests in the Gulf.
India= to manage the economic fallout of the Israel-GCC reconciliation.
India should use this opportunity to give itself a bigger role in a region which is its strategic backyard.

QUESTION : Regional cooperation of SAARC nations on a global disaster like covid-19 will act as building blocks for re-discovering the virtues of multilateralism. Discuss.

UNITING TO COMBAT COVID-19

WHAT ?

Covid-19 And South Asia

WHY IN NEWS ?

growth prospects for the world’s fastest-growing region, South Asia, appear grim.

COVID-19 IN SOUTH ASIA :

India= COVID-19 cases in the world (over 55 lakh)
Bangladesh has around 3.5 lakh cases.
Bhutan+Maldives=managed to largely contain community transmission+ avoid prolonged lockdowns due to a higher testing rate.
Low Mortality
Reasons for Low Mortality=region’s tropical climate, protection offered by a tuberculosis vaccine (BCG), exposure to malaria+ a weaker strain of the virus

GOVERNMENTS IN SOUTH ASIA ANNOUNCED STIMULUS PACKAGE :

India= $22.5 billion relief package to ensure food security+cash transfers to save the livelihoods of an estimated 800 million people living in poverty+ RBI slashed repo and reverse repo rate
Bangladesh, in early April, announced a stimulus package worth about $8 billion in addition to an earlier $595 million incentive package for export-oriented industries.
Pakistan= $6.76 billion+ central bank also slashed the interest rate.
Maldives= $161.8 million emergency fund+ Afghan= $25 million

CONCERNS :

Inadequate Testing
Data Reliability
Implementation of Economic Package
Inoperative SAARC COVID-19 fund
Narrow Geopolitical Rivalry

About SAARC :

established on 8 December 1985.
member—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka+ Afghanistan (2005)
The Headquarters and Secretariat of the Association are at Kathmandu, Nepal.+comprisese world’s area, 21% of world’s population+ 3.8% (2018) of the global economy

OBJECTIVES OF THE SAARC :

 To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia

 To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development

 To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance

 To contribute to mutual trust

 To promote active collaboration+ mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical+scientific fields.

 To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.

 To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums

SIGNIFICANCE OF SAARC FOR INDIA :

Neighbourhood first
Geostrategic significance
Regional stability
Global leadership role
Game changer for India’s Act East Policy
Potential for India’s export

WAY AHEAD :

South Asia region could leverage its existing institutional framework under the umbrella of SAARC to effectively respond to the crisis.
SAARC Food Banks could be activated to tackle the imminent regional food crisis,
SAARC Finance Forum can be activated to formulate a regional economic policy response

QUESTION : Regional cooperation of SAARC nations on a global disaster like covid-19 will act as building blocks for re-discovering the virtues of multilateralism. Discuss.

UNITING TO COMBAT COVID-19

WHAT ?

Covid-19 And South Asia

WHY IN NEWS ?

With the pandemic showing no signs of abating, growth prospects for the world’s fastest-growing region, South Asia, appear grim.

COVID-19 IN SOUTH ASIA :

India has the second largest number of COVID-19 cases in the world (over 55 lakh) after the U.S
Bangladesh has around 3.5 lakh cases.
Bhutan and the Maldives have managed to largely contain community transmission and avoid prolonged lockdowns due to a higher testing rate.
Low Mortality: Unlike other regions, South Asian countries are experiencing a lower mortality rate despite having a higher infection rate.
Reasons for Low Mortality: The region’s tropical climate, protection offered by a tuberculosis vaccine (BCG), exposure to malaria, and a weaker strain of the virus are considered as some of the reasons for low mortality.

GOVERNMENTS IN SOUTH ASIA ANNOUNCED STIMULUS PACKAGE :

India, in late March, announced a $22.5 billion relief package to ensure food security and cash transfers to save the livelihoods of an estimated 800 million people living in poverty. RBI slashed the repo and reverse repo rate to create liquidity for businesses.
Bangladesh, in early April, announced a stimulus package worth about $8 billion in addition to an earlier $595 million incentive package for export-oriented industries.
Pakistan, in late March, unveiled a comprehensive fiscal stimulus package of $6.76 billion. Its central bank also slashed the interest rate.
Maldives, in late April, mobilised a $161.8 million emergency fund and Afghan government allocated about $25 million to fight COVID-19.

CONCERNS :

Inadequate Testing: Countries facing a surge in cases, such as India, could have flattened the curve by increasing the number of tests
Data Reliability: South Asia houses one-fourth of the global population and one-third of the global poor, many COVID-19 deaths might have gone unnoticed, unreported or even under-reported.
Implementation of Economic Package: Although countries like India and Bangladesh announced financial and material stimulus packages, distribution concerns remain unaddressed
Inoperative SAARC COVID-19 fund: The fund was created following Indian PM Narendra Modi’s call to South Asian leaders, but governments are yet to decide on its modus operandi.
Narrow Geopolitical Rivalry: This crisis is likely to result in prolonged economic slowdown in South Asia which will be further complicated by narrow geopolitical rivalry.

ABOUT SAARC :

It was established on 8 December 1985.
Its member countries are—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (2005)
The Headquarters and Secretariat of the Association are at Kathmandu, Nepal.
SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 3.8% (2018) of the global economy

OBJECTIVES OF THE SAARC :

To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life.
To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potentials.
To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia.
To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems.
To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields.
To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.
To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests; and
To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

SIGNIFICANCE OF SAARC FOR INDIA :

Neighbourhood first: Primacy to the country’s immediate neighbours.
Geostrategic significance: Can counter China (OBOR initiative) through engaging our neighbours in development process and economic cooperation.
Regional stability: These regional organisations can help in creation of mutual trust (India & Pakistan) and ensure that regional interest over ride bilateral disputes.
Global leadership role: It offers India a platform to showcase its leadership in the region by taking up extra responsibilities.
Game changer for India’s Act East Policy: Linking of South Asian economies with South East Asian region will bring further economic integration and prosperity to India particularly in its under-developed Eastern region.
Potential for India’s export: With closer economic integration of economies in the region, India’s domestic companies will get access to much bigger market thus boosting their revenues

WAY AHEAD :

South Asia region could leverage its existing institutional framework under the umbrella of SAARC to effectively respond to the crisis.
For instance, SAARC Food Banks could be activated to tackle the imminent regional food crisis,
The SAARC Finance Forum can be activated to formulate a regional economic policy response

QUESTION : The today world needs multilateralism more than ever considering the rise of global issues. Comment

A NEW WORLD ORDER

WHAT ?

UN Reforms And India

WHY IN NEWS ?

Recently, the United Nations has marked its 75th anniversary, celebrating the mantra that “multilateralism is not an option but a necessity”.
However, the coronavirus has exposed the structural weakness of the UN system that was set up amidst the ruins of the Second World War.

CHALLENGES FACED BY UN SYSTEM :

During the Cold War, US and Russia were at each other’s throats and the UNSC was deadlocked. However,during 1990s, post-Soviet Russia was willing to accept US agenda for global security.
All that began to change in the first decade of the millennium, when Russia and China began to offer resistance to US dominance. By third decade, the conflict between the US on the one hand and China and Russia on the other has become full-blown.
To make matters more complicated, there is a growing divergence between US and its European partners on many global issues.
For example: US wants to continue the UN sanctions on Iran. Other powers, including the US’s allies in Europe, are not willing to follow the American lead on this.
The discord between the US and its European partners underlines the problem with viewing the world through the traditional East-West prism.
The US has never been more divided within itself on global issues as it is today.
Also, recently at the UN Security Council, China blocked a serious discussion on the origin and sources of the crisis. While the World Health Organisation did move a bit in that direction, the US was not satisfied and walked out of the forum

HOW TO RESTRUCTURE INDIA’S TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO THE UN ?

India must come to terms with a number of propositions: –

First, it should shed the illusion, cultivated since the 50th anniversary of the UN in 1995, that the expansion of the permanent membership of UNSC, with or without veto, is within reach. Hence, India should leave its desire to get permanent membership in UN as UNSC reform is unlikely to happen soon.
Second, India’s own experience during the Cold War points to the fact that the UN is a lot more than the Security Council. While the UNSC was dysfunctional, India developed a multilateral agenda of its own, from decolonisation and disarmament to a new international economic order. Not all of India’s efforts were successful during the Cold war, but the past underlines the possibilities for shaping the global discourse in the present.
Third, primary objective of India’s present multilateralism must be to ensure its territorial integrity, especially at a time when China and Pakistan have mounted a massive effort to internationalize the Kashmir question.
Fourth, beyond the issues of peace, there is the big challenge of protecting India’s prosperity amidst the unfolding economic, technological and environmental disruptions. The rules governing all these areas are now up for a significant overhaul. As India learnt from its 1970s experience with the nuclear non-proliferation regime, once the rules are set, it is rather hard to change them.
Fifth, India needs to strengthen its recent turn to a more dynamic coalition building. While reclaiming its role in the Non-Aligned Movement, India has also joined the European alliance for multilateralism. India also knows that much of the new rule-making is likely to take place outside the UN. That is where India’s new engagement with the US on building like-minded coalitions acquires much significance.
Sixth, India’s share in the UN budget stands at 0.7 %. The shares of China, Japan and the US are at 8, 10 and 22 %respectively. Raising India’s contribution to at least one per cent might convince its partners that India is serious about pursuing a more vigorous multilateralism.

CONCLUSION :

The global order is faltering in addressing transnational dangers of conflict, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, climate crisis, cyber-security and poverty.
For India, the current UN system is the opportunity to articulate the why, what, when and how of its conception of “Reformed Multilateralism” and work with others on reinvigorating multilateralism.
However, before India can take benefit of reformed Multilateralism, it needs to be beneficent in contributing to rejuvenate multilateralism.

QUESTION : The today world needs multilateralism more than ever considering the rise of global issues. Comment

A NEW WORLD ORDER

WHAT ?

UN Reforms+India

WHY IN NEWS ?

UN= marked its 75th anniversary, celebrating mantra that “multilateralism is not an option but a necessity”.

CHALLENGES FACED BY UN SYSTEM :

During Cold War, US and Russia were at each other’s throats+UNSC was deadlocked.
first decade of the millennium, when Russia + China began to offer resistance to US dominance.
growing divergence between US + its European partners on many global issues.
For example: US wants to continue UN sanctions on Iran. Other powers, including the US’s allies in Europe= not willing to follow American lead on this.
recently at the UN Security Council, China blocked a serious discussion on the origin+ sources of the crisis.

HOW TO RESTRUCTURE INDIA’S TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO THE UN ?

India should leave its desire to get permanent membership in UN as UNSC reform is unlikely to happen soon.
primary objective of India’s present multilateralism must be to ensure its territorial integrity
there is the big challenge of protecting India’s prosperity amidst the unfolding economic, technological and environmental disruptions.
India needs to strengthen its recent turn to a more dynamic coalition building.
Raising India’s contribution to at least one per cent might convince its partners that India is serious about pursuing a more vigorous multilateralism.

CONCLUSION :

For India, the current UN system= opportunity to articulate the why, what, when+ how of its conception of “Reformed Multilateralism”+ work with others on reinvigorating multilateralism.

QUESTION : Explain the major challenges faced by homeless persons during covid-19 pandemic and What measures have been taken by Indian government to address their mental health and homelessness ?

THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS

WHAT ?

Addressing the Mental Health of Homeless Persons

WHY IN NEWS ?

As many as 66.1% of those worst affected in India during the Spanish Flu belonged to oppressed classes and suffered the consequences of multidimensional poverty. Similar trends persist today.

MORE ABOUT THIS NEWS :

The inability to adhere to public health protocols that prescribe distancing and use of hygienic products, the absence of private toilets and basic amenities, and the lack of adequate nutrition are all realities in lower- and middle-income countries.

Amongst those most affected are homeless persons and the ultra-poor, many of whom are employed in the informal sector.

Major cause that led to homelessness include abject poverty, conflict, natural or man-made disasters, lack of access to health and mental health care, social hardships, disruptions in care-giving and domestic violence

PROBLEMS FACED BY HOMELESS PERSONS LIVING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS :

They are at risk of violent victimisation, assault and long-term incarceration. In India, 2 million individuals sleep rough; 35% of them live with one or the other mental health concern.

They are exposed to greater adversity against the backdrop of intergenerational social disadvantage and lack of social security.

Historically, some religious societies started to address the mental illness issue of homeless persons; however, the majority were feared, found to be repulsive and often treated as objects of ridicule. This has resulted in their occupying a lowly place in society’s hierarchical structure even today.

In India, homeless persons with mental illness are also the largest number of long-stay patients in State mental hospitals. Besides a few exceptions, services for this group are scarce globally.

As they are susceptible to physical co-morbidities and co-occurring substance misuse, and unshielded against the consequences of homelessness, malnutrition, sexual violation, loss of support networks and kinship, homeless persons find their longevity impacted.

Further, their experience of loneliness and hyper-segregation contributes to their low sense of self-worth and shrunken group identity, weakening their collective ability to influence change.

RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS :

 Right to Access to Healthcare– Every person shall have a right to access mental health care and treatment from mental health services run or funded by the appropriate government. It also assures free treatment to those who are homeless or below the poverty line. The Act also requires insurance policies to place mental health treatment at par with physical health.

 Right to live with dignity: Every person with mental illness shall have a right to live with dignity.

 Right to Confidentiality: A person with mental illness shall have the right to confidentiality in respect of his mental health, mental healthcare, treatment and physical healthcare

There are 1.77 million homeless people in India, or 0.15% of the country’s total population, according to the 2011 census consisting of single men, women, mothers, the elderly, and the disabled. However, it is argued that the numbers are far greater than accounted by the point in time method. For example, while the Census of 2011 counted 46,724 homeless individuals in Delhi, the Indo-Global Social Service Society counted them to be 88,410, and another organization called the Delhi Development Authority counted them to be 150,000.

INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL EFFORTS :

The UN set up a fund of $2 billion to alleviate the distress of the ultra-vulnerable, including those living with disability or chronic illness.

Along similar lines, Tamil Nadu government, taking cognisance of the mental health needs of homeless persons, will take to scale Emergency Care and Recovery C

Ram singh, [24.09.20 18:40]

entres (ECRC) that will support the treatment and community inclusion of this vulnerable section in 10 districts.

The Department of Health, the National Health Mission, the Institute of Mental Health in Chennai, and The Banyan, a mental health care establishment, will together pursue the goal of improving mental health access and mitigating social and opportunity losses.

WHAT MEASURES TO BE TAKEN ?

States must re-examine the role of social determinants of health in perpetuating unjust structures that normalise deprivation.

Data suggest that deaths by suicide and common mental disorders have also been on the rise during the pandemic. Hence, states must consider relative poverty and its co-relation to mental health in their health policies.

Early enrolment in care centers may result in reduction of exposure to harm, injury and starvation, and better prognosis.
Additionally, facilitation of social needs care and livelihoods may reduce the recurrence of episodic homelessness, critical to sustaining and enhancing well-being gains.

The mental health team that anchors the Centre may should lend further support to District Mental Health Programmes, and should offer counselling support to address mental health issues in the context of the pandemic.

While efforts similar to Tamil Nadu government is a powerful start to acknowledge the need to focus on minority mental health, other governments should also take feedback to further build on care plans and mental health systems for the vulnerable.

WAY FORWARD :

The government should make appropriate budgetary provisions to address the existing infrastructure gaps.

Proper survey should be conducted to identify shortages in mental health professionals and operational barriers to effective implementation of mental health programs.

There is an urgent need of easily available diagnostic test and low cost treatment to provide better primary mental health care. Further, the government should ensure insurance covers for mental illness to reduce the economic burden.

Early Interventions: There is a need to create living conditions and environment that support healthy mental health. It is important to develop a society that respects and protects basic, civil, political, and cultural rights

CONCLUSION :

We must remember that issues of homelessness and mental ill health even independently present intractable problems; in combination, one may confront ethical dilemmas and emerging constraints and challenges.

Also, the pandemic has made a sound case for increased investments in the health and social sectors.

Hence, three sectors — the government, development and corporate sectors — should partner to ensure that the lives of those who live on the fringes matter.

QUESTION : Explain the major challenges faced by homeless persons during covid-19 pandemic and What measures have been taken by Indian government to address their mental health and homelessness ?

THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS

WHAT ?

Addressing the Mental Health of Homeless Persons

WHY IN NEWS ?

As many as 66.1% of those worst affected in India during the Spanish Flu belonged to oppressed classes and suffered the consequences of multidimensional poverty. Similar trends persist today.

MORE ABOUT THIS NEWS :

Amongst those most affected are homeless persons and the ultra-poor+ in the informal sector.
Major cause that led to homelessness= abject poverty, conflict, natural or man-made disasters, lack of access to health+ mental health care, social hardships, disruptions in care-giving+ domestic violence

PROBLEMS FACED BY HOMELESS PERSONS LIVING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS :

violent victimisation, assault+ long-term incarceration.
intergenerational social disadvantage+ lack of social security.
majority were feared, found to be repulsive and often treated as objects of ridicule.
India=homeless persons with mental illness are also the largest number of long-stay patients in State mental hospitals.
susceptible to physical co-morbidities+ co-occurring substance misuse, and unshielded against the consequences of homelessness, malnutrition, sexual violation
Loneliness+ hyper-segregation

RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS :

Right to Access to Healthcare
Right to live with dignity
Right to Confidentiality

1.77 million homeless people in India, or 0.15% of the country’s total population, according to the 2011 census consisting of single men, women, mothers, the elderly.

INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL EFFORTS :

UN set up a fund of $2 billion to alleviate the distress of the ultra-vulnerable
Tamil Nadu= Emergency Care and Recovery Centres (ECRC)
The Department of Health, the National Health Mission, the Institute of Mental Health in Chennai, and The Banyan, a mental health care establishment, will together pursue the goal of improving mental health access and mitigating social and opportunity losses.

WHAT MEASURES TO BE TAKEN ?

States must re-examine the role of social determinants of health
states must consider relative poverty and its co-relation to mental health in their health policies.
Early enrolment in care centers
facilitation of social needs care+ livelihoods
Centre may should lend further support to District Mental Health Programmes+ should offer counselling support
other governments should also take feedback to further build on care plans+mental health

WAY FORWARD :

appropriate budgetary provisions
Proper survey should be conducted to identify shortages in mental health professionals +operational barriers
urgent need of easily available diagnostic test+low cost treatment to provide better primary mental health care.
Early Interventions: There is a need to create living conditions and environment that support healthy mental health

CONCLUSION :

We must remember that issues of homelessness + mental ill health even independently present intractable problems; in combination, one may confront ethical dilemmas and emerging constraints and challenges

QUESTION : What is the importance of SDG? Elaborate on the role of various stakeholders, i.e., Government, civil societies, bureaucracy and citizens in achieving these targets.

ENVIRONMENTALISM AT THE CORE

WHAT ?

Environmental Sustainability

WHY IN NEWS ?

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the World Bank Group’s global practices have recognised environment sustainability as an essential issue of global importance.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ?

‘Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.
This most widely accepted definition of Sustainable Development was given by the Brundtland Commission in its report Our Common Future (1987).
Sustainable development (SD) calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and planet.

THE 17 SDGs ARE :

End poverty in all its forms everywhere
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
Good Health and Well-being
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Reducing Inequality
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Life Below Water
Life On Land
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Global partnership for sustainable development

CORE ELEMENTS OF SD :

1) Environmental Sustainability:

It prevents nature from being used as an inexhaustible source of resources and ensures its protection and rational use.
Aspects such as environmental conservation, investment in renewable energy, saving water, supporting sustainable mobility, and innovation in sustainable construction and architecture, contribute to achieving environmental sustainability on several fronts.
Buying greener products
Avoiding hazardous materials
Energy optimisation
Waste reduction.

2) Social Sustainability:

It can foster gender equality, development of people, communities and cultures to help achieve a reasonable and fairly-distributed quality of life, healthcare and education across the Globe.

3) Economic Sustainability:

Focuses on equal economic growth that generates wealth for all, without harming the environment.
Investment and equal distribution of economic resources.
Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

PRESENT CHALLENGES OF ACHIEVING ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY :

Fear of losing Profits: Some firms are still reluctant to engage in environmentally beneficial activities as they are afraid to compromise on the economic benefits
Adoption by Force: Some firms have positioned environmental practices at the forefront due to legislation and government commitments but not on voluntary basis
Short term green practices: Manufacturing sector, get so serious about the low-hanging fruits of waste reduction and energy efficiency improvements that they fail to recognise the need for restructuring their learning imperatives and see the big picture of environmentalism

ROLE OF COOPERATIVES IN SUSTAINING DEVT. :

Cooperative societies connect the people at the grassroots level to the highest level of the government.
Cooperatives and NGOs help considerably in the upliftment of the socio-economic conditions of the rural poor and also adopt environment-friendly technologies for their functioning and generate awareness among people regarding environmental issues.
Ex: In India, AMUL became the most successful cooperative movement for the sustainable development of rural poor by launching the Operation Flood

ROLE OF NITI AAYOG :

India is committed to achieve the 17 SDGs and the 169 associated targets, which comprehensively cover social, economic and environmental dimensions of development.
At the Central Government level, NITI Aayog has been assigned the role of overseeing the implementation of SDGs in the country.
NITI Aayog has organized several national and regional level consultations to bring together stakeholders and build capacities for the realization of SDGs.
The NITI Aayog releases the Baseline Report of the SDG India Index, which comprehensively documents the progress made by India’s States and Union Territories towards implementing the 2030 SDG targets.
It has constructed the SDG India Index spanning across 13 out of 17 SDGs (leaving out Goals 12, 13, 14 and 17).
The Index tracks the progress on a set of National Indicators, measuring their progress on the outcomes of the interventions and schemes of the Government of India.

SDG & INDIA :

India’s National Development Agenda is mirrored in the SDGs.

India’s progress in SDGs is crucial for the world as the country is home to about 17% of the world population.
The SDG India Index tracks progress of all States and UTs on 62 Priority Indicators selected by NITI Aayog, which in turn is guided by MoSPI’s National Indicator Framework comprising 306 indicators and based on multiple-round consultations with Union Ministries/Departments and States/UTs

GREEEN SUPPLY CHAIN :

These include green procurement, green manufacturing, green distribution, and reverse logistics.

ITS BENEFITS :

Enables Restructuring of Firms & ecosystem: Green supply chain practices enable organisational learning in environmental sustainability. This further promotes environmentalism across all players in manufacturing supply chains.
Helps firms Better Strategize to future needs: The resultant learning system smoothens the knowledge flow in the organisation and help firms to strategise for better performance, bearing in mind the environmental aspects.
Leads to Higher Economic performance in long run: Research shows that green Supply Chain not only lead to a long-lasting natural drive towards environmental performance, but also to higher economic performance .
Society will be prioritised over Profits: Understanding environmental links will enable managers and experts to shape their organisational values, work practices, and performances for the greater good of society

CONCLUSION :

Policymakers should support this thinking (Green Supply Chain) by not merely imposing environmental practices as regulatory norms but by emphasising on the creation of green supply chain-based learning systems in manufacturing.

QUESTION : What is the importance of SDG? Elaborate on the role of various stakeholders, i.e., Government, civil societies, bureaucracy and citizens in achieving these targets.

ENVIRONMENTALISM AT THE CORE

WHAT ?

Environmental Sustainability

WHY IN NEWS ?

UNs MDG+ World Bank Group’s global practices= recognised environment sustainability as an essential issue of global importance.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ?

‘Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs+ given by the Brundtland Commission in its report Our Common Future (1987).

THE 17 SDGs ARE :

End poverty in all its forms everywhere
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
Good Health and Well-being
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Reducing Inequality
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Life Below Water
Life On Land
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Global partnership for sustainable development

CORE ELEMENTS OF SD :

1) Environmental Sustainability:

Buying greener products
Avoiding hazardous materials
Energy optimisation
Waste reduction.

2) Social Sustainability:foster gender equality, development of people, communities + cultures

3) Economic Sustainability:

Focuses on equal economic growth +Investment + equal distribution of economic resources+Eradicating poverty

PRESENT CHALLENGES OF ACHIEVING ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY :

Fear of losing Profits
Adoption by Force
Short term green practices
ROLE OF COOPERATIVES IN SUSTAINING DEVT. :
connect people at grassroots level to the highest level of the government+ help considerably in the upliftment of socio-economic conditions of the rural poor
Ex: In India, AMUL= Operation Flood

ROLE OF NITI AAYOG :

India = committed to achieve the 17 SDGs + 169 associated targets, which comprehensively cover social, economic+ environmental dimensions of development.
NITI Aayog= assigned role of overseeing implementation of SDGs
NITI Aayog has organized several national and regional level consultations to bring together stakeholders and build capacities for the realization of SDGs.
The NITI Aayog releases the Baseline Report of the SDG India Index

SDG & INDIA :

India’s progress in SDGs= crucial for world as country is home to about 17% of world population.
SDG India Index tracks progress of all States+ UTs on 62 Priority Indicators selected by NITI Aayog, which in turn is guided by MoSPI’s

GREEEN SUPPLY CHAIN :

include green procurement, green manufacturing, green distribution+ reverse logistics.

ITS BENEFITS :

Enables Restructuring of Firms & ecosystem
Helps firms Better Strategize to future needs
Leads to Higher Economic performance in long run
Society will be prioritised over Profits

CONCLUSION :

Policymakers should support this thinking (Green Supply Chain) by not merely imposing environmental practices as regulatory norms but by emphasising on the creation of green supply chain-based learning systems in manufacturing.

QUESTION : Discuss the challenges faced by multilateral world order, especially in the context of the United Nation system.

UN AND THE RETREAT FROM MULTILATERALISM

WHAT ?

Challenges to UN

WHY IN NEWS ?

The United Nations commemorated(celebrated) its 75th anniversary on September 21, 2020 by adopting a Declaration.The anniversary comes at a time when the world is witnessing a retreat(going back) from multilateralism.

INTRODUCTION :

Multilateralism is the process of organizing relations between groups of three or more states. Beyond that basic quantitative aspect, multilateralism is generally considered to comprise certain qualitative elements or principles that shape the character of the arrangement or institution. Those principles are:
An indivisibility of interests among participants,
A system of dispute settlement intended to enforce a particular mode of behavior.

CHALLENGES TO UN ARE :

Leadership withdrawal from West

The U.S., which created the international system as we know today, is no longer willing to be its “guarantor of last resort”.
S. President Donald Trump has stressed repeatedly on “America First” and suggested that others too should put their countries first.
The U.S. is not alone in withdrawing from multilateralism. Brexit has shown that nationalism remains strong in Europe.

China not poised to occupy the space left by US

China’s assertion of a role on the world stage is not an embrace of the idea of multilateralism.
Its flagship Belt and Road Initiative consists of a series of bilateral credit agreements with recipient countries with no mechanism for multilateral consultation or oversight.

Increasing Polarisation of World

President Trump has often highlighted China’s culpability in the spread of the pandemic.
He pointed out that China had banned internal flights but allowed international flights from Wuhan to continue. This set the stage for the spread of COVID-19.
President Xi’s sought to project the fight against COVID-19 as a matter of collective responsibility of the international community.
US-China Trade war has further increased the animosity between two countries and threatens to split the world into two economic camps.

Resource Crunch for UN

Over 40 UN political missions and peacekeeping operations engage 95,000 troops, police, and civil personnel. To be effective, they have to be put on a sound financial basis.
The UN peacekeeping budget, a little over $8 billion, is a small fraction of the $1.9 trillion military expenditure governments made in 2019.
There was an outstanding assessed contribution of $1.7 billion for peacekeeping activities by the end of the financial year.

Prospects for Public-Private partnership model for UN seems bleak

Most of the humanitarian assistance, developmental work, and budgets of the UN specialised agencies are based on voluntary contributions. Hence, there are calls for increasing public-private partnerships
The UN provides ‘public goods’ in terms of peace and development often in remote parts of the world and there may not be enough appetite on the part of corporations to fund UN initiatives.

SDGs and Climate Goals are threatened

COVID-19 pandemic has brought in its wake the deepest recession the world has seen since the 1930s
This has made it more difficult to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the UN had adopted.

REASONS FOR FAILING MULTILATERALISM :

Geopolitical competition. [E.g. USA vs. Russia = NATO & Warsaw Pact & Syrian Crisis]
Faith in multilateral institutions has dropped because of rigid rules, and slow paced reforms.
- WTO negotiations are stuck in gridlock.
- Developing nations are not getting due membership in UNSC.
- Multilateral institutions have become prone to conflict instead of consensus.
Bilateral and Regional groups are considered as offering better deals through access to deep market, while balancing free trade with social goals (Subsidy, poverty, etc.)
Developed societies have changed, embracing individualism over social democracy [Joint family to Nuclear family].
Negative consequences of Globalization – income inequalities between developed and developing, crony capitalism, WTO like organizations favoring developed countries over developing, etc.

WHY IS MULTILATERALISM CRUCIAL NOW ?

The value of multilateralism and the necessity to preserve it is newly reminded by the coronavirus pandemic.
Cooperation among nations will be necessary –
1. to reduce the further spread of the virus
2. to develop effective medical treatments

to curtail the worst effects of the inevitable recession that is already in the offing.

INDIA’S ROLE IN REVIVING MULTILATERALISM :

Shift from Non-Alignment to Multi-Alignment

In the Post cold war era, Indian foreign policy has moved from a policy of non-alignment (policy of being neutral with US and USSR blocs) to the policy of Multi-alignment (India is having friendly relations with almost all great powers and developing world).
Multi-alignment is the very essence of India’s foreign policy and the economic policy of India today.
This presents an opportunity for India to become a global mediator and help in developing a framework on Global Issues.

India’s Role in International Activism

India is a key G-20 member country and the world’s fifth-largest economy (and 3rd largest on purchasing power parity) with a long tradition of international activism and promotion of rule-based multilateralism.

Collaborating with Like-minded Countries

Working together with a group of countries from the developed and developing countries could further amplify India’s voice.
- Here, India could work closely with the Alliance for Multilateralism (an initiative launched by Germany and France) to shape both the alliance itself and the reform agenda at large.
- India must redouble its efforts, along with partners such as the USA, to push for a multi-stakeholder model of internet governance

WAY FORWARD :

The Prime Minister of India called for reform of its outdated structures, pointing out that in the absence of comprehensive changes, the world body today faces a crisis of confidence.
The retreat from multilateralism would undermine the UN’s capacity to face diverse challenges.
We need to support reform not only to expand the permanent members’ category of the Security Council but also to revitalise the role of the General Assembly, as it gives greater political space for developing countries

CONCLUSION :

The current context, characterized by a weakening of multilateralism, the return of protectionism and the rise of extremist political movements, undermines the advancement of that global consensus, poses a grave challenge to the world economy and threatens the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

QUESTION : Discuss the challenges faced by multilateral world order, especially in the context of the United Nation system.

UN AND THE RETREAT FROM MULTILATERALISM

WHAT ?

Challenges to UN

WHY IN NEWS ?

The United Nations commemorated(celebrated) its 75th anniversary on September 21, 2020 by adopting a Declaration.

INTRODUCTION :

the process of organizing relations between groups of three or more states+ multilateralism is generally considered to comprise certain qualitative elements or principles that shape the character of the arrangement or institution. Those principles are:
An indivisibility of interests among participants,
A system of dispute settlement intended to enforce a particular mode of behavior.

CHALLENGES TO UN ARE :

Leadership withdrawal from West
China not poised to occupy the space left by US
Increasing Polarisation of World
Resource Crunch for UN
Prospects for Public-Private partnership model for UN seems bleak
SDGs and Climate Goals are threatened

REASONS FOR FAILING MULTILATERALISM :

Geopolitical competition. [E.g. USA vs. Russia = NATO & Warsaw Pact & Syrian Crisis]
Faith in multilateral institutions has dropped because of rigid rules, and slow paced reforms.
WTO negotiations are stuck in gridlock.
Developing nations are not getting due membership in UNSC.
Multilateral institutions have become prone to conflict instead of consensus.
Bilateral and Regional groups are considered as offering better deals through access to deep market, while balancing free trade with social goals (Subsidy, poverty, etc.).
Developed societies have changed, embracing individualism over social democracy [Joint family to Nuclear family].
Negative consequences of Globalization – income inequalities between developed and developing, crony capitalism, WTO like organizations favoring developed countries over developing, etc.

WHY IS MULTILATERALISM CRUCIAL NOW ?

necessity to preserve it is newly reminded by the coronavirus pandemic.
Cooperation among nations will be necessary –
1. to reduce the further spread of the virus
2. to develop effective medical treatments
3. to curtail the worst effects of the inevitable recession that is already in the offing.

INDIA’S ROLE IN REVIVING MULTILATERALISM :

Shift from Non-Alignment to Multi-Alignment
India’s Role in International Activism
Collaborating with Like-minded Countries

WAY FORWARD :

The retreat from multilateralism would undermine the UN’s capacity to face diverse challenges.
We need to support reform not only to expand permanent members’ category of the Security Council but also to revitalise the role of the General Assembly, as it gives greater political space for developing countries

CONCLUSION :

Return of protectionism+ rise of extremist political movements, undermines advancement of that global consensus, poses a grave challenge to world economy +threatens attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.

QUESTION : Throw a light on India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations from ancient time to the recent covid-19 pandemic and explain how are both nations focusing on the renewal and revitalisation of partnerships.

MAKING AMENDS

WHAT ?

India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations

WHY IN NEWS ?

India’s appeal to Sri Lanka to address the aspirations of its Tamil minority will certainly find impact among the Tamil-speaking populace on both sides of the Palk Strait, but it is doubtful if it will have any effect.

REITERATION OF POLICY:

A joint statement by both countries after a virtual summit between PM of India and his counterpart repeated India’s stated policy of seeking to ensure “equality, justice, peace and respect within a united Sri Lanka” for Tamils.
It also explicitly mentioned the need to carry forward the reunite process through the implementation of the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution.
It said Sri Lanka’s PM expressed confidence that SL would work towards “realising the expectations” of all ethnic groups, including Tamils.
However, he appeared to qualify the commitment by linking it to “reconciliation nurtured as per the mandate of the people of Sri Lanka”
India’s interest in the matter is undoubtedly related to speculation that far from implementing the 13th Amendment, Sri Lanka may respond calls to roll back the provincial council system itself.

A BRIEF HISTORICAL PATH OF RELATIONS :

Indo-Srilankan ties is steeped in myth and legend, and influenced by religious, cultural and social affinities.
The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is more than 2,500 years old with free exchange of ideas, trade and intellectual discourse.
The advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka during the time of Emperor Ashoka was the result of cross-border discourse
Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, to this day, contain shrines for Hindu deities
The colonial expansion of European maritime nations reshaped the Sri Lankan economy.
Labour from south India was brought to Sri Lanka to work in plantations which in post-independence era created tensions with indigenous communities and continues to persist till date
The Indian freedom struggle had its influence on Sri Lanka as well. There was cross-border support for the revival of culture, tradition, local languages, spiritual practices and philosophies, and education.
Both countries transformed into modern nations with constitutional and institutionalised governance under colonial rule.
The nearly three-decade long armed conflict between the Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE came to an end in May 2009. During the course of the conflict, India supported the right of the Sri Lankan Government, much to the anger of Srilankan Tamils
Trade between the two countries grew particularly rapidly after the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement which came into force in March 2000 .

IMPORTANCE OF SRI LANKA TO INDIA :

Geopolitical Significance: Sri Lanka’s location in the Indian Ocean region as an island State has been of strategic geopolitical relevance to India’s maritime interests in region
Defence & Security Cooperation: India and Sri Lanka conducts joint Military ( ‘Mitra Shakti’) and Naval exercise (SLINEX). This increases synergy between both militaries thus safeguarding the common interest of countries
Economic importance: Sri Lanka is one of India’s largest trading partners among the SAARC countries. India in turn is Sri Lanka’s largest trade partner globally.
Collaboration at multilateral fora: Sri Lanka is a member of regional groupings like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and SAARC in which India plays a leading role.
Containing China: Among others, freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific together with a rules-based international order and peaceful settlement of disputes are of common interest, which is threatened by increasing presence of China in the subcontinent

CONCERNS IN THE RELATIONSHIP :

Growing Closeness with China: Sri Lanka has long been in India’s geopolitical orbit, but its relationship with China has strengthened in recent years Ex: Hambantota port built by China; participation in BRI; arms supplies etc
Unresolved Tamil Issues: The rehabilitation of Tamils displaced by Sri Lankan civil war and provision of autonomy to Northern & Eastern Sri Lanka where Indian Origin Tamils are in majority, has not progressed at the required pace
Fear of Protectionism: Policies and thinking are becoming communally exclusive, localised and inward-looking.
Asymmetry in relationship: There is asymmetric in terms of geographic size, population, military and economic power, on the one hand, and social indicators and geographical location, on the other.
Trade Balance in favour of India

WAY AHEAD :

Sri Lanka can encourage Indian entrepreneurs to make Colombo another business hub for them, as logistical capacities are improving in Sri Lanka
Integrating the two economies but with special and differential treatment for Sri Lanka due to economic asymmetries needs to be fast-tracked
Engagement of legislatures is also essential for promoting multiparty support.

MAKING AMENDS

WHAT ?

India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations

WHY IN NEWS ?

India’s appeal to Sri Lanka to address the aspirations of its Tamil minority will find impact among Tamil-speaking populace on both sides of Palk Strait

REITERATION OF POLICY:

A joint statement =ensure “equality, justice, peace + respect within a united Sri Lanka” for Tamils.
mentioned need to carry forward the reunite process through implementation of 13th Amendment
It said Sri Lanka’s PM =“realising the expectations” of all ethnic groups, including Tamils.
India’s interest undoubtedly related to speculation=Sri Lanka may respond calls to roll back provincial council system itself.

A BRIEF HISTORICAL PATH OF RELATIONS :

relationship between India +Sri Lanka= more than 2,500 years old with free exchange of ideas, trade+ intellectual discourse.
advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka during the time of Emperor Ashoka
Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka
colonial expansion of European maritime nations reshaped Sri Lankan economy.
Labour from south India =brought to Sri Lanka to work in plantations
The Indian freedom struggle had its influence on Sri Lanka as well.
Both countries transformed into modern nations with constitutional+ institutionalised governance
nearly three-decade long armed conflict between Sri Lankan forces+ LTTE came to an end in May 2009.
Trade =grew particularly rapidly after the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement

IMPORTANCE OF SRI LANKA TO INDIA :

Geopolitical Significance
Defence & Security Cooperation
Economic importance
Collaboration at multilateral fora
Containing China

CONCERNS IN THE RELATIONSHIP :

Growing Closeness with China
Unresolved Tamil Issues
Fear of Protectionism
Asymmetry in relationship
Trade Balance in favour of India

WAY AHEAD :

Sri Lanka can encourage Indian entrepreneurs to make Colombo another business hub for them
Integrating the two economies but with special+ differential treatment for Sri Lanka due to economic asymmetries needs to be fast-tracked
Engagement of legislatures= essential for promoting multiparty support.

QUESTION : India needs to wake up to the dire need for police reforms and at the same time Criminal Justice System in India (CJSI) has been in a state of peril. Identify the major issues and suggest policy measures to reform these .

A DEMARCATION IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC ORDER

WHAT ?

Delhi Violence of 2020

WHY IN NEWS ?

The role of the District Magistrate needs to be clearly differentiated from the role of the Police Commissioner.

VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY 2020 :

Clashes between of pro- and anti-CAA protesters in Jafrabad, Delhi on February 23 night turned into communal violence and spread across northeast Delhi over the next four to six days.
Forty-two people, including a policeman and an IB personnel, lost their lives, while hundreds were injured and shops and houses burnt or destroyed.
Hundreds of people have been arrested or detained so far in connection with the violence.
But till now, not even a single political leader that made hate speeches which advocated violence in the build-up to the riots has been prosecuted.
Delhi Police faced criticism for ineffective handling of the riots.
Delhi Police, having magisterial powers under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to take preventive action, failed to maintain public order

DISTINCTION BETWEEN LAW AND ORDER AND PUBLIC ORDER :

Supreme Court has made a distinction between law and order, relating to individual crime, and public order, pertaining to a community at large. The two concepts have different objectives and legal standards.
Law and order consists of the analysis made by police of the situation in an area and their commitment to firm action and penalties under criminal law.

Public order is a duty imposed on the District Magistrate to assess whether it is necessary to rush to the spot where law and order has been breached to prevent violence spreading and ease tension

PROBLEM OF DUAL ROLE :

The District Magistrate’s role is important in exceptional situations — for example, to prevent a breach of peace at a particular place; and also for grievance redress.
If an official is allotted a dual role, to both keep in place law and order and maintain public order, this could lead to the displacement of one goal in favour of the other.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DINE TO MITIGATE CONFUSION BETWEEN DELEGATION OF POWERS ?

Distinction between independent actions, for which no political clearance is needed, by the District Magistrate to maintain public order and by the police to investigate crime and make arrests should not be ignored.
Maintaining public order requires the District Magistrate to make hard choices between life and property to check violence. Though any death opens the door to an inquiry, there is no justification for lack of effective police action.
District Magistrate is expected to consider protest as legitimate, leveraging governmental action to prevent others exploiting the grievance. Hence, the police should distinguish between wider political support and violence caused by a few.

SC GUIDELINES :

Ram Manohar Lohia vs. State of Bihar: Supreme Court held that in the case of ‘public order’, the community or the public at large have to be affected by a particular action as it “embraces more of the community than ‘law and order’, which affects only a few individuals”. In other words, some agitated people going on a vandalising spree affect “public order” only when they affect a particular community as a whole.
Madhu Limaye case: Court said that “the emergency must be sudden and the consequences sufficiently grave” for an imposition of restrictions. Extension of a restriction over a larger territorial area or for a longer duration requires a relatively higher justification and calibrated response.
Anuradha Bhasin vs. Union of India: Supreme Court held that prohibitive orders should not prevent legitimate expression of opinion, or exercise of democratic rights. Specific restrictions have to be tailored to the goal and stage of the emergency, requiring the adoption of the least restrictive measure.
Aldanish Rein vs State of NCT of Delhi: High Court directed the setting up of an oversight mechanism to periodically review the exercise of magisterial powers by Delhi Police. The Supreme Court is examining whether police officers can act as magistrates in certain cases.

ISSUES FACED BY POLICE IN INDIA :

Overburdened: Police work under incomprehensible pressure as they are understaffed.
Slow filling of vacancies in Police which further aggravates the understaffed situation. More than 5 lakh vacancies exist in police forces as of Jan 2020.
They are poorly paid when compared to their counterparts in developed countries.
Poor Living Conditions: Police infrastructure is perennially underfunded, and, with some notable exceptions, there are few efforts to improve them.
Political Control: They are usually beholden to corrupt and venal superiors.
Prejudiced: Many policemen, like the rest of Indians, carry prejudices—hidden and not-so-hidden—which make their performance uneven and unfair.
Police Abuse: There are complaints against the police including unwarranted arrests, unlawful searches, torture and custodial rapes.
Not Citizen friendly: Interactions with the police are generally considered frustrating, time-consuming and costly.
Weak Investigations: Well over 50% of cases filed by the police (nearly 80% in rape cases) end up in acquittals. One of the reasons is that Police often prioritise law & order over investigative matters.
Structural issues: 86% of the police force are constables, who have no growth path other than a single promotion (to Head Constable) before they retire. This pushes them to adopt corrupt pathways thus reducing the credibility of Police.
Low Public Trust: A study by Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) found that less than 25% of Indians trust the police highly (54% for the army).
Lack of Uniformity across India: Policing in India is a state subject which means there is significant variation across states.
Resource Crunch: Between fiscal 2011 and 2015, states spent 4.4% of their budgeted expenditure on policing on average but this has reduced to 4% over the 2015-19.
Frequent Transfer often leads to dilution of accountability of Police actions and inability to implement long-term reforms.

WAY FORWARD- REFORM OF POLICE SYSTEM :

The Model Police Act of 2006 was circulated to all the states but many of its fundamental principles that remains unfulfilled. There is a need for state to implement it in letter & spirit (considering the evolved scenario).
There is a need to separate law and order from investigation
There is a need to have an independent complaints authority to inquire into complaints of police misconduct.
To check against such abuse of power there has internal accountability to senior police officers, and independent police oversight authorities.
To increase the funding of Police so as to better their infrastructure which reduces the incentives for corruption.
Sensitization of Police when dealing with public especially during sensitive issues like rape and dowry.
Modernisation of Police Forces in the light of growing cyber crimes.
Decriminalization of Politics: These reforms are not implemented due to lack of political will, which in turn could be linked to the growing criminalization of politics.

CONCLUSION :

The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution distinguishes between ‘police’ and ‘public order’. Judicial review of roles and proportionality of decisions for maintaining public order, to check whether they are the least intrusive measure, requires a policy rethink if such duties need to be delegated to the police.

A DEMARCATION IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC ORDER

WHAT ?

Delhi Violence of 2020

WHY IN NEWS ?

role of the District Magistrate needs to be clearly differentiated from the role of Police Commissioner.

VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY 2020 :

Clashes between of pro- and anti-CAA protesters in Jafrabad, Delhi on February 23 night turned into communal violence and spread across north east Delhi
shops and houses burnt or destroyed.
Hundreds of people=arrested or detained so far in connection with the violence.
Delhi Police faced criticism for ineffective handling of the riots.
Delhi Police=failed to maintain public order

DISTINCTION BETWEEN LAW AND ORDER AND PUBLIC ORDER :

Law and order= analysis made by police of the situation in an area + their commitment to firm action and penalties under criminal law.
Public order = duty imposed on the District Magistrate to assess whether it is necessary to rush to the spot where law and order has been breached to prevent violence spreading + ease tension

PROBLEM OF DUAL ROLE :

DM’s role is important in exceptional situations —to prevent a breach of peace at a particular place+ also for grievance redress.
Dual role = lead to the displacement of one goal in favour of the other.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DINE TO MITIGATE CONFUSION BETWEEN DELEGATION OF POWERS ?

Distinction between independent actions by DM to maintain public order +by the police to investigate crime and make arrests should not be ignored.
Maintaining public order requires the DM to make hard choices between life and property to check violence.
police should distinguish between wider political support + violence caused by a few.

SC GUIDELINES :

Ram Manohar Lohia vs. State of Bihar: in the case of ‘public order’, the community or the public at large have to be affected by a particular action as it “embraces more of the community than ‘law and order’, which affects only a few individuals”.
Madhu Limaye case: “the emergency must be sudden+ consequences sufficiently grave” for an imposition of restrictions.
Anuradha Bhasin vs. Union of India: prohibitive orders should not prevent legitimate expression of opinion, or exercise of democratic rights.
Aldanish Rein vs State of NCT of Delhi: High Court directed the setting up of an oversight mechanism to periodically review

ISSUES FACED BY POLICE IN INDIA :

Overburdened
Slow filling of vacancies
Poor Living Conditions
Political Control
Prejudiced
Police Abuse
Not Citizen friendly
Weak Investigations
Structural issues
Low Public Trust
Lack of Uniformity across India
Resource Crunch
Frequent Transfer

WAY FORWARD- REFORM OF POLICE SYSTEM :

The Model Police Act of 2006 =a need for state to implement it in letter & spirit
separate law and order from investigation
need to have an independent complaints authority to inquire into complaints
To check against such abuse of power
To increase the funding of Police
Sensitization of Police
Modernisation of Police Forces
Decriminalization of Politics

CONCLUSION :

The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution distinguishes between ‘police’ and ‘public order’+ to check whether they are the least intrusive measure, requires a policy rethink if such duties need to be delegated to the police.

GS-3 Mains

QUESTION : Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants.

Topic- THE ENVIRONMENT IS A NATIONAL ISSUE

WHAT ?

Environmental Issues And Its Conservation

WHY IN NEWS ?

Environment issues are currently at the centre of a heated debate. Jayanthi Natarajan, a former Environment Minister discusses the issues and suggests policy measures to ensure better environmental conservation.

ENVIRONMENT PERFORMANCE INDEX :

India secured the 168th rank out of 180 countries in the 12th edition of the biennial Environment Performance Index (EPI 2020). India’s rank was 177 in 2018.
The EPI Index 2020 measures the environmental performance of 180 countries by considering 32 indicators of environmental performance across 11 issue categories covering environmental health and ecosystem vitality.
India scored below the regional average score on all five key parameters on environmental health, including air quality, sanitation and drinking water, heavy metals and waste management.
It has also scored below the regional average on parameters related to biodiversity and ecosystem services too.
Among South Asian countries, India was at second position (rank 106) after Pakistan on ‘climate change’.
The 11 countries lagging behind India were — Burundi, Haiti, Chad, Soloman Islands, Madagascar, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoir, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Liberia.
All South Asian countries, except Afghanistan, were ahead of India in the ranking.

SUGGESTIONS FOR INDIA :

India needs to re-double national sustainability efforts on all fronts.
The country needs to focus on a wide spectrum of sustainability issues, with a high-priority to critical issues such as air and water quality, biodiversity and climate change.

ABOUT EPI :

EPI is a biennial index prepared by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
It offers a scorecard that highlights leaders and laggards in environmental performance and provides practical guidance for countries that aspire to move toward a sustainable future.
This index was first published in 2002 designed to supplement the environmental targets set forth in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals

ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION PROGRAMME IN INDIA

Climate Change: National Action Plan on Climate Change
Desertification: National Action Programme to Combat Desertification
Pollution Control: National Clean Air Program
Environmental Impact Assessment: Environment Management Plan
Forest Protection: National Afforestation Programme
Animal Conservation: Project Elephant, Project Tiger

FOCUS ON DEFORESTATION:

Deforestation ought to be a primary concern of any right-thinking government.
Forest clearances for mining and industries, while major, are not the only causes of deforestation.
Population pressure due to which the slash-and-burn (or jhoom cycle) has reduced in forest areas from 17-20 years to two-three years giving no time for forest regeneration and creeping conversion of forest to cultivated land are both major drivers of deforestation.
There is also the increasing use of timber for household and industry purposes.
However, while diversion of forests for mining and industry is regulated by law and challenged in courts, the other major drivers are not even discussed.
‘Nirmal Ganga’ can be achieved by zero discharge of effluents and domestic sewerage.
But ‘Aviral Ganga’ can only be achieved by constant balancing between irrigation needs of agriculture and potable water for cities on the one hand and the environmental flow of the river on the other.

CONCERNS :

India faces a number of serious environmental health risks, like poor air quality and contaminated water.
The great winter smog and pollution in North India is a glaring example of this challenge. Indian cities often figure in the world’s most polluted cities. The high water pollution level is only exacerbating the water scarcity problem in India.
There have been concerns over the alleged preoccupation with “ease of doing business” leading to lax environmental regulations that have proved to be detrimental to the environment.
There are also problems of environmental laws that seem to be only focussed on large sources of pollution and tend to neglect the smaller but numerically larger number of pollution sources.
The lack of coordination between the Centre and the States has had a detrimental impact. ‘Forests’ was a State subject until transferred to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Amendment Act.

ABOUT EIA :

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making.
Environment Impact Assessment in India is statutorily backed by the Environment Protection Act, 1986 which contains various provisions on EIA methodology and process.

ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT OF 1986 :

In the wake of the Bhopal tragedy, the government of India enacted the Environment Act of 1986.
The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment of 1972.
The decisions relate to the protection and improvement of the human environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property.
The Act is an “umbrella” for legislations designed to provide a framework for Central Government, coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous Acts, such as the Water Act and the Air Act.
In this Act, main emphasis is given to “Environment”, defined to include water, air and land and the inter-relationships which exist among water, air and land and human beings and other living creatures, plants, micro-organisms and property.
“Environmental pollution” is the presence of pollutant, defined as any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such a concentration as may be or may tend to be injurious to the environment.

MAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT :

The Act empowers the centre to “take all such measures as it deems necessary”.
By virtue of this Act, Central Government has armed itself with considerable powers which include,
coordination of action by state,
planning and execution of nationwide programmes,
laying down environmental quality standards, especially those governing emission or discharge of environmental pollutants,
placing restriction on the location of industries and so on.
authority to issue direct orders, included orders to close, prohibit or regulate any industry.
power of entry for examination, testing of equipment and other purposes and power to analyse the sample of air, water, soil or any other substance from any place.
The Act explicitly prohibits discharges of environmental pollutants in excess of prescribed regulatory standards.

There is also a specific prohibition against handling hazardous substances except those in compliance with regulatory procedures and standards.

WAY FORWARD :

India needs to re-double national sustainability efforts on all fronts.
It needs to focus on a wide spectrum of sustainability issues, with a high-priority to critical issues such as air and water quality, biodiversity and climate change.
There is a need to balance between the environment and the development needs of the country.
The critical need of the hour is to harmonise the working of the central, state, and local governments.
The environment is a national issue that requires the unwavering participation of all governments, and all citizens.

Short Notes

QUESTION : Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants.

Topic- THE ENVIRONMENT IS A NATIONAL ISSUE

WHAT ?

Environmental Issues And Its Conservation

WHY IN NEWS ?

Environment issues are currently at the centre of a heated debate

ENVIRONMENT PERFORMANCE INDEX :

India secured the 168th rank out of 180 countries in the 12th edition.
EPI Index 2020 measures environmental performance of 180 countries by considering 32 indicators of environmental performance.
India scored below the regional average score on all five key parameters on environmental health
Iscored below the regional average on parameters related to biodiversity +ecosystem services too.
Among South Asian countries, India was at second position (rank 106) after Pakistan on ‘climate change’.
All South Asian countries, except Afghanistan=ahead of India in ranking.

SUGGESTIONS FOR INDIA :

re-double national sustainability efforts on all fronts.
focus on a wide spectrum of sustainability issues

ABOUT EPI :

biennial index prepared by Yale University +Columbia University in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
offers a scorecard that highlights leaders and laggards in environmental performance+ practical guidance
index was first published in 2002 to supplement environmental targets

ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION PROGRAMME IN INDIA :

Climate Change: National Action Plan on Climate Change
Desertification: National Action Programme to Combat Desertification
Pollution Control: National Clean Air Program
Environmental Impact Assessment: Environment Management Plan
Forest Protection: National Afforestation Programme
Animal Conservation: Project Elephant, Project Tiger

FOCUS ON DEFORESTATION:

Deforestation ought to be a primary concern of any right-thinking government.
Population pressure= creeping conversion of forest to cultivated land are both major drivers of deforestation.
increasing use of timber for household and industry purposes.
diversion of forests for mining + industry is regulated by law + challenged in courts, the other major drivers are not even discussed.

CONCERNS :

India=poor air quality+contaminated water.
great winter smog+ pollution in North India +high water pollution level
lax environmental regulations= proved to be detrimental to the environment.
Laws=tend to neglect smaller but larger number of pollution sources.
lack of coordination between Centre+ States has had a detrimental impact.

ABOUT EIA :

process of evaluating environmental impacts of a proposed project or development
(EIA) =tool used to identify environmental, social+ economic impacts

ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT OF 1986 :

Purpose=implement decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment of 1972.
decisions relate to the protection+ improvement of human environment+ prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants + property.

MAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT :

empowers the centre to “take all such measures as it deems necessary”.
coordination of action by state,
planning + execution of nationwide programmes,
laying down environmental quality standards, especially those governing emission or discharge of environmental pollutants,
placing restriction on the location of industries
authority to issue direct orders, included orders to close, prohibit or regulate any industry

WAY FORWARD :

India needs to re-double national sustainability efforts on all fronts.
needs to focus on a wide spectrum of sustainability issues, with a high-priority to critical issues such as air and water quality, biodiversity + climate change.
need to balance between environment +development
harmonise working of central, state+local governments.
unwavering participation of all governments+ all citizens.

QUESTION : Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017

Topic- GST REFORMS NEEDS A NEW GRAND BARGAIN

WHAT ?

GST and Its flaws

WHY IN NEWS ?

40th GST Council meeting and growing voices about compensation to states.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Before GST, States had the power to levy some indirect taxes on economic activity. Therefore, after GST regime was introduced (in 2017), the Centre promised guaranteed compensation to the States for the first five years, for the revenues they lost after the shift from the earlier system

. • The compensation is calculated at a growth rate of 14% keeping 2015-16 as the base year.

CHALLENGES FOR GST DURING THE TIMES OF PANDEMIC :

Shortfall: The tax collection has dropped significantly, while expenditure needs are sharply higher, especially at the frontline of the battle, at the State level.
Centre abdicating responsibility: Using an equivalent of the Force Majeure clause in commercial contracts, the Centre is abdicating its responsibility of making up for the shortfall in 14% growth in GST revenues to the states (compensation amount)
States are left for themselves: It seems that the States have been told that they are on their own to meet the shortfall in revenues.

Why is Centre putting onus on States to finance themselves considered wrong?

Limited Avenues: States do not have recourse to multiple options that the Centre has, such as issue of a sovereign bond (in dollars or rupees) or a loan against public sector unit shares from the RBI.
Less bargaining Power: The Centre can anyway command much lower rates of borrowing from the markets as compared to the States.
Rating Agencies don’t differentiate: In terms of aggregate public sector borrowing, it does not matter for the debt markets, nor the rating agencies, whether it is the States or the Centre that is increasing their indebtedness.
Macroeconomic Stability is Centre’s domain: Fighting this recession through increased fiscal stimulus is basically the job of macroeconomic stabilisation, which is the Centre’s domain.
Erodes Federal Trust: Most importantly, breaking the important promise of compensation, using the alibi of the COVID-19 pandemic causes a serious dent in the trust built up between the Centre and States.

FLAWS IN THE CURRENT GST SYSTEM :

The current design and implementation of the GST system have failed to deliver on the promise of enhanced economic growth and tax buoyancy.

Design flaws:

The article argues that the assured 14% year on year tax growth for five years was too optimistic a target to achieve given the fact that neither the national aggregate nor any of the major States had such high growth rates for the previous five years.
The fixed 14% growth rate may also have not been the right way forward. The article suggests that the GST compensation system should have been based on the successful design as implemented under the Value Added Tax (VAT) system.

Implementation flaws:

The frequent changing of rate slabs has led to confusion and has also led to litigation in some cases. This has led to the politicizing of economic issues such as taxation and hence is a great cause of concern.

WAY FORWARD – GST 2.0

Widening of Tax Base: GST is a destination-based consumption tax, which must include all goods and services with very few exceptions, such as food and medicine.
Low and stable single rate: Widening of the tax base itself will allow us to go back to the original recommendation of a standard rate of 12%, to be fixed for at least a five-year period.

Some extra elbow room for the States’ revenue autonomy can be obtained by allowing the States non VATable surcharges on a small list of “sin” goods such as liquor, tobacco, polluting goods such as SUVs, and industrial fuels such as diesel, aviation turbine fuel and coal.
Sharing with Third Tier of Government: Of the 12% GST, 10% can be equally shared between the States and the Centre, and 2% must be earmarked exclusively for the urban and rural local bodies, which ensures some basic revenue autonomy to them. The actual distribution across panchayats, districts and cities would be given by respective State Finance Commissions.

Topic- GST REFORMS NEEDS A NEW GRAND BARGAIN

WHAT ?

GST and Its flaws

WHY IN NEWS ?

40th GST Council meeting + growing voices about compensation to states.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Before GST, States=power to levy some indirect taxes on economic activity. Therefore, after GST regime was introduced Centre promised guaranteed compensation to the States for the first time
Compensation=calculated at a growth rate of 14% keeping 2015-16 as the base year.

CHALLENGES FOR GST DURING THE TIMES OF PANDEMIC :

Shortfall of tax collection.
Centre is abdicating its responsibility of making up for the shortfall in 14% growth in GST revenues to the states.
States are left for themselves

Why is Centre putting onus on States to finance themselves considered wrong?

Limited Avenues
Less bargaining Power
Rating Agencies don’t differentiate
Macroeconomic Stability is Centre’s domain
Erodes Federal Trust

FLAWS IN THE CURRENT GST SYSTEM :

current design =failed in enhancing economic growth + tax buoyancy.

Design flaws:

fixed 14% growth rate may also have not been the right way forward.
Implementation flaws:
frequent changing of rate slabs=confusion + has also led to litigation in some cases.

WAY FORWARD – GST 2.0

Widening of Tax Base
Low and stable single rate
Some extra elbow room for the States’ revenue autonomy
Sharing with Third Tier of Government: Of the 12% GST, 10% can be equally shared between the States and the Centre

QUESTIONS : Discuss the current economic slowdown being witnessed by the country. What are the underlying causes and what measures are needed to be taken to bounce back on the right growth trajectory?

Topic- INEVITABLE COLLAPSE

WHAT ?

Contraction of India’s GDP Growth

WHY IN NEWS ?

As per the GDP data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)for the first quarter (April, May, June) of the current financial year, the GDP contracted by 23.9 per cent in 1st quarter.

MORE ABOUT TO KNOW :

It is the sharpest contraction since India started reporting quarterly data in 1996.

Gross Value Added (GVA) growth rate also declined by 22.8% in the first quarter of this financial year.

o GDP is a measure of economic activity in a country. It is the total value of a country’s annual output of goods and services. It gives the economic output from the consumers’ side.

o GVA is the sum of a country’s GDP and net of subsidies and taxes in the economy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM GDP DATA :

In terms of the gross value added by different sectors of the economy, data show that barring agriculture, where GVA grew by 3.4%, all other sectors of the economy saw their incomes fall.
The worst affected were construction (–50%), trade, hotels and other services (–47%), manufacturing (–39%), and mining (–23%).

FACTORS FOR GDP CONTRACTION:

o In any economy, the GDP growth is generated from one of the four engines of growth. i.e. private consumption, demand generated by private sector businesses, demand generated by government and exports.

Private consumption has fallen by 27%. It is the biggest engine that drives the Indian economy.
Investment by private sector businesses have fallen by 47%. It is the second biggest engine.
The net export demand has turned positive in this first quarter because India’s imports have crashed more than its exports.
While on paper, this provides a boost to overall GDP, it also points to an economy where economic activity has plummeted.
The government’s expenditure went up by 16% but this was nowhere near enough to compensate for the loss of demand in other sectors (engines) of the economy.

IMPLICATIONS OF GDP CONTRACTION:

It means that the total value of goods and services produced in India in April, May and June this year is 24% less than the total value of goods and services produced in India in the same three months last year.
Since economic liberalisation in the early 1990s, Indian economy has clocked an average of 7% GDP growth each year. This year, it is likely to turn turtle and contract by 7%.
The sectors that create the maximum new jobs in the country are hit the maximum. Their output and incomes are falling — it would lead to more and more people either losing jobs (decline in employment) or failing to get one (rise in unemployment).
On Jobs: The sectors which have contracted (e.g. construction, manufacturing etc.) are the sectors that create the maximum new jobs in the country.
On Informal Sector: The real extent of the economic crisis is expected to be deeper given that the small-scale sector and informal sector is more affected than the organised sector, but is not reflected in the quarterly GDP numbers.
On Banks: The looming defaults in the banking sector after the moratorium ends will add to the banking sector woes, impacting bank’s lending.

Also, there are worries regarding household debt, with incomes stagnating, salary cuts and job losses.

CALCULATING GDP :

Since the total GDP = C + I + G + (X-IM)
The net result is that while, on paper, government expenditure’s share in the GDP has gone up from 11% to 18% yet the reality is that the overall GDP has declined by 24%.

LIMITATIONS ON ACCELERATING GDP GROWTH :

The vicious cycle of falling incomes and poor demand: When incomes fall sharply, private individuals cut back consumption.

o When private consumption falls sharply, businesses stop investing. Since both of these are voluntary decisions, there is no way to force people to spend more and/or coerce businesses to invest more in the current scenario.

o It is true for exports and imports as well.

Increasing fiscal deficit: Even before the Covid crisis, government finances were overextended.

o For April-July, the Centre’s fiscal deficit stood at Rs 8.21 trillion, or 103 per cent of 2020-21 budget estimates of 7.96 trillion.

NEED FOR TARGETED GOVERNMENT SPENDING :

Only when the government spends more by building roads and bridges and paying salaries or by directly handing out money — can the economy revive in the short to medium term.

Increased short term borrowing and Covid-19 fiscal package will consume 2% of GDP.
Increased public infrastructure spending including healthcare will need 1.7% of GDP.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) :

GDP is the final value of the goods and services produced within the geographic boundaries of a country during a specified period of time, normally a year.
GDP growth rate is an important indicator of the economic performance of a country.
It can be measured by three methods, namely,

Output Method :

GDP (as per output method) = Real GDP (GDP at constant prices) – Taxes + Subsidies.

Expenditure Method:

GDP (as per expenditure method) = C + I + G + (X-IM)
C: Consumption expenditure, I: Investment expenditure, G: Government spending and (X-IM): Exports minus imports, that is, net exports.

Income Method: GDP (as per income method) = GDP at factor cost + Taxes – Subsidies

CONCLUSION :

Only when the government spends more by building roads and bridges and paying salaries or by directly handing out money — can the economy revive in the short to medium term.

WAY FORWARD :

The only option is to increase the government’s savings to fund the growth spending using innovative methods.

Efficient subsidy and social spend: The government can save 1% of GDP by higher subsidy efficiency and savings in admin expenses.
Disinvestment: Monetisation of capital owned by state owned enterprises can mobilise 0.7% of GDP.
Asset monetisation: 0.7% of GDP can be mobilised by recycling of PSU infrastructure.
Higher tax buoyancy: A simplified GST structure can garner 0.65% of GDP.
Power sector reforms: Cost reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies to agriculture and household can save 0.3% of GDP.

Short Notes

Topic- INEVITABLE COLLAPSE

WHAT ?

Contraction of India’s GDP Growth

WHY IN NEWS ?

As per MoSPI for first quarter (April, May, June) of current financial year, GDP contracted by 23.9 per cent.

MORE ABOUT TO KNOW :

sharpest contraction since India started reporting quarterly data in 1996.

GVA growth = declined by 22.8% in first quarter of this financial year.

o GDP =measure of economic activity in a country+ total value of a country’s annual output of goods &services.

o GVA = GDP + net of subsidies and taxes in the economy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM GDP DATA :

Except agriculture, where GVA grew by 3.4%, all other sectors of the economy saw their incomes fall.
construction (–50%), trade, hotels+ other services (–47%), manufacturing (–39%)+ mining (–23%).

FACTORS FOR GDP CONTRACTION:

Private consumption has fallen by 27%.
Investment by private sector businesses have fallen by 47%.
India’s imports have crashed more than its exports
government’s expenditure went up by 16%

IMPLICATIONS OF GDP CONTRACTION:

total value of goods+ services produced = 24% less than total value of goods+services produced in India in the same three months last year.
Indian economy likely to turn turtle+ contract by 7%.
sectors that create maximum new jobs= hit the maximum+lead to more and more people either losing jobs or failing to get one (rise in unemployment)
small-scale sector +informal sector is more affected than the organised sector, but is not reflected in the quarterly GDP numbers.
On Banks: The looming defaults in the banking sector after the moratorium

CALCULATING GDP :

Since the total GDP = C + I + G + (X-IM)
government expenditure’s share in the GDP has gone up from 11% to 18% yet the reality is that the overall GDP has declined by 24%.

LIMITATIONS ON ACCELERATING GDP GROWTH :

vicious cycle of falling incomes+ poor demand
Increasing fiscal deficit: Even before Covid crisis, government finances= overextended

NEED FOR TARGETED GOVERNMENT SPENDING :

Only when the government spends more by building roads + bridges and paying salaries or by directly handing out money — can the economy revive in short to medium term.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) :

GDP growth rate is an important indicator of the economic performance of a country+can be measured by three methods,

Output Method :

GDP (as per output method) = Real GDP (GDP at constant prices) – Taxes + Subsidies.

Expenditure Method:

GDP (as per expenditure method) = C + I + G + (X-IM)

Income Method:

GDP (as per income method) = GDP at factor cost + Taxes – Subsidies

CONCLUSION :

needs to invest more on infrastructural projects

WAY FORWARD :

Efficient subsidy and social spend
Disinvestment
Asset monetisation
Higher tax buoyancy
Power sector reforms

QUESTION : Critically analyse the reasons behind the low foreign investment can be seen in India and give suggestive measures to boost such investments as far as Indian economy is concerned.

Topic- MIXED MESSAGING

WHAT ?

Issues of Foreign Investment

WHY IN NEWS ?

Prime Minister Modi elaborately pitched India as an investment destination that could serve as a manufacturing hub at the heart of global supply chains

SIGNIFICANCE TO THIS MOVE :

The worsening relationship between the U.S. and China and the ongoing trade stand-off between the world’s two largest economies present a unique opportunity for India to woo U.S. investors and multinationals looking to shift from China to set up their bases in India.
Even if a few multinational enterprises can be drawn to set up manufacturing bases, either by shifting facilities or as new additional plants, this would benefit the Indian economy through increased FDI, new jobs and higher tax revenue for the government.
There is also strategic significance involved in the pitch given the escalating border feud between India and China and India’s economic and trade ties with China.

U.S -INDIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FORUM :

Established: The USISPF is a non-profit organization established in 2017.

Objective: Strengthening the USA-India bilateral and strategic partnership.

Aim: Strengthening economic and commercial ties between the two countries through policy advocacy that will lead to driving economic growth, entrepreneurship, employment-creation, and innovation to create a more inclusive society.

o Enabling business and governments to collaborate and create meaningful opportunities that can positively change the lives of citizens.

Theme for 2020: US-India Navigating New Challenges.

Economic Relations: In 2019, overall USA-India bilateral trade in goods and services reached USD 149 billion.

o USA energy exports are an important area of growth in the trade relationship.

RCEP :

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is a free trade agreement originally devised to consist of 16 countries across the Asia-Pacific region. The pact looks to drop tariffs and duties between the members so that goods and services can flow freely between them.

INDIA AND RCEP :

India has dropped out of the RCEP in November 2019 in ASEAN+3 summit, because of the following reasons:

o Widening Trade Deficit: India’s trade deficit with the ASEAN, Korea and Japan has widened post-FTAs.

o Tariff elimination due to RCEP could worsen the trade deficit, at $105.2 billion in 2018-19.

The RCEP proposes that 92% of India’s goods would be tariff-free over the next 15 years. India have to slash existing tariffs on up to 90% of all goods.
Since import duties are also a source of revenue for India, it could experience a disproportionate loss of customs revenue.
India’s trade deficit with China is at $48.66 billion, further reduction or removal of customs tariffs will lead to an influx of cheaper products from China.

IMPORT SUBSTITUTION:

Interestingly, most of the recent FDI announcements have been by way of stake acquisitions in existing businesses, and predominantly in the services sector.
Over the decades, it has been established that global FDI investors prioritise and are even willing to pay a premium for policy stability and largely barrier-free access to local and international markets.
The drive for self-reliance has spurred several Ministries to urge companies and industry sectors to replace imports with ‘Made in India’ substitutes.
Separately, from the market access perspective, India’s decision to not join the RCEP multilateral trade pact would put investor companies seeking to tap consumers in RCEP member countries at a tariff disadvantage.

ISSUES OF MANUFACTURING SECTOR AMID LOCKDOWN :

India’s manufacturing activity contracted at its sharpest pace on record in April as a lockdown to combat the rapid spread of the coronavirus led to a slump in demand and massive supply chain disruptions.
Asia’s third largest economy is taking a huge hit from the ongoing nationwide lockdown, which started on March 25, and its gross domestic product is expected to shrink for the first time since the mid-1990s this quarter.
Record contractions in output, new orders and employment pointed to a severe deterioration in demand conditions.
With new orders and output shrinking at the steepest pace since at least early 2005 factories cut jobs at the fastest rate in the survey’s history, signaling a high chance of recession.
A record slump in both input and output prices, suggesting a sharp fall in overall inflation which has held above the Reserve Bank of India’s medium-term target of 4% for six months, failed to stoke demand.
Enterprises suffer from low productivity given that their small size and lockdown prevents them from achieving economies of scale.
The jobs the small enterprises create are low-paying ones.
Numerous regulatory roadblocks, unfavourable land and labour laws, inadequate transport, communication and energy infrastructure, among others.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA :

There are, however, opportunities that appears to be emerging.
While there is hope for a quick recovery in India, we have to make concerted efforts to realise this including an integrated multi-pronged approach through public policy support, private sector participation and citizens’ support.
This presents a huge opportunity for India as many Companies plan to shift out of China. We need to prepare the ground forthwith to welcome such investment into India. We need to try and make life easy for investors.

FDI ?

An FDI is an investment in the form of a controlling ownership in a business in one country by an entity based in another country.
It is thus distinguished from a foreign portfolio investment by a notion of direct control.
FDI may be made either “inorganically” by buying a company in the target country or “organically” by expanding the operations of an existing business in that country.
Broadly, FDI includes “mergers and acquisitions, building new facilities, reinvesting profits earned from overseas operations, and intra company loans”.
In a narrow sense, it refers just to building a new facility, and lasting management interest.

FDI IN INDIA :

Foreign investment was introduced in 1991 under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), driven by then FM Manmohan Singh.

There are two routes by which India gets FDI.

1) Automatic route: By this route, FDI is allowed without prior approval by Government or RBI.

2) Government route: Prior approval by the government is needed via this route. The application needs to be made through Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal, which will facilitate the single-window clearance of FDI application under Approval Route.

FACTORS AFFECTING FDI :

Regulatory framework policy needs to be predictable
Wage Rates
Labour skills
Tax rates
Transport and Infrastructure
Size of economy and its potential for growth
Political stability
Existence of commodities
Exchange rate
Access to free trade areas

CONCLUSION :

Attracting FDI into manufacturing will require the government to convince investors that it is committed not merely in words but in deeds as well to an open,barrierfree global trade and investment order.

WAY FORWARD :

Investor’s confidence must be improved.
Improving physical infrastructure from transport systems to the power sector is essential.
Importance should be given to electronic sector.
Improve access to finance for smaller enterprises.
Making firm entry and exit easier.
Inverted duty structure.
Enhancing the flexibility of labour regulations.
Aim for higher job creation in the formal sector and performance linked tax incentives.
Attractive remuneration to motivate people to join the manufacturing sector.

QUESTION : Critically analyse the reasons behind the low foreign investment can be seen in India and give suggestive measures to boost such investments as far as Indian economy is concerned.

Topic- MIXED MESSAGING

WHAT ?

Issues of Foreign Investment

WHY IN NEWS ?

PM Modi elaborately pitched India as an investment destination that could serve as a manufacturing hub at heart of global supply chains

SIGNIFICANCE TO THIS MOVE :

opportunity for India to woo U.S. investors + multinationals looking to shift from China to set up their bases in India.
would benefit Indian economy through increased FDI, new jobs+ higher tax revenue for govt.
strategic significance = pitch given the escalating border feud between India+ China+India’s economic+trade ties with China.

U.S -INDIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FORUM :

non-profit organization established in 2017.
Strengthening the USA-India bilateral+strategic partnership+Strengthening economic +commercial ties between two countries through policy advocacy
Enabling business+ governments to collaborate+create meaningful opportunities
USA energy exports= an important area of growth in trade relationship.

RCEP :

a free trade agreement originally devised to consist of 16 countries across the Asia-Pacific region+pact looks to drop tariffs+duties between members

INDIA AND RCEP :

India has dropped out of the RCEP in November 2019 in ASEAN+3 summit, because of Widening Trade Deficit+ Tariff elimination .
Since import duties= a source of revenue for India+ it could experience a disproportionate loss of customs revenue.
India’s trade deficit with China is at $48.66 billion.

IMPORT SUBSTITUTION:

FDI announcements= by way of stake acquisitions in existing businesses+ predominantly in the services sector.
global FDI investors prioritise+are even willing to pay a premium for policy stability+barrier-free access to local international markets.
The drive for self-reliance has spurred several Ministries to urge companies and industry sectors to replace imports with ‘Made in India’ substitutes.
India’s decision to not join RCEP multilateral trade pact= put investor companies seeking to tap consumers in RCEP member countries at a tariff disadvantage.

ISSUES OF MANUFACTURING SECTOR AMID LOCKDOWN :

a slump in demand+massive supply chain disruptions.
GDP=to shrink for first time since mid-1990s this quarter.
Record contractions in output, new orders +employment
signalling a high chance of recession.
A record slump in both input+ output prices
Enterprises suffer from low productivity
Numerous regulatory roadblocks, unfavourable land+ labour laws, inadequate transport, communication+ energy infra.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA :

hope for a quick recovery in India, we have to make concerted efforts to realise this including an integrated multi-pronged approach through public policy support, private sector participation+ citizens’ support.
We need to prepare ground forthwith to welcome such investment into India+need to try&make life easy for investors.

FDI ?

an investment in the form of a controlling ownership in a business in one country by an entity based in another country+includes “mergers+ acquisitions, building new facilities, reinvesting profits earned from overseas operations+intra company loans”

FDI IN INDIA :

introduced in 1991 under FEMA driven by then FM Manmohan Singh

Automatic route: By this route, FDI is allowed without prior approval by Government or RBI+ Government route: Prior approval by the government is needed via this route.

FACTORS AFFECTING FDI :

Regulatory framework policy needs to be predictable+Wage Rates+Labour skills+Tax rates+Transport and Infrastructure+Size of economy and its potential for growth+Political stability+Existence of commodities+Exchange rate+Access to free trade areas

CONCLUSION :

Attracting FDI into manufacturing will require
the government to convince investors that it is committed not merely in words but in deeds as well to an open,barrierfree global trade and investment order.

WAY FORWARD :

Investor’s confidence must be improved.
Improving physical infrastructure from transport systems to power sector+Importance should be given to electronic sector.
Improve access to finance for smaller enterprises.
Making firm entry and exit easier.
Inverted duty structure.
Enhancing flexibility of labour regulations.
Attractive remuneration to motivate people to join the manufacturing sector.

QUESTION : Briefly explain the Naga crisis, along with initiatives taken by the Govt. of India to resolve the issues.

Topic- THE SEARCH FOR AN END TO THE COMPLEX NAGA CINFLICT

WHAT ?

Issue of Naga Insurgency

WHY IN NEWS ?

Despite having huge strategic significance, India’s north- eastern frontier has largely remained marginal in the country’s popular imagination as well as mainstream politics. The region has witnessed multiple crises.

The Naga peace process appears to have again hit a roadblock after decades of negotiations. The non-flexibility of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) on the “Naga national flag” and “Naga Yezhabo (constitution) among many more are said to be the primary reasons. But the issue is more complex than the twin conditions, as it affects Nagaland’s neighbours in northeast India.

HISTORY OF NAGA PEACE TALKS :

Naga-Akbar Hydari Agreement (1947):

It was Signed by the Naga National Convention and the Governor of Assam (Akbar Hydari).
Agreement: The right of the Nagas to develop themselves according to their freely expressed wishes. The Governor of Assam was given a special responsibility for a period of 10 years to ensure the observance of the agreement.

Sixteen-point Agreement with the Naga People’s Convention (1960) :

Nagaland formed as a state, under the charge of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Agreement: Any Act or law passed by the Union Parliament affecting the Religious or Social Practices, Customary Laws etc. will not have any legal force.
The Naga leaders also expressed the view that other Nagas inhabiting contiguous areas should be enabled to join the new state.

Ceasefire Agreement (1964) :

Agreement: The Government of India made ceasefire agreement with Naga underground leaders for 1 month from the signing of agreement.

Shillong Agreement (1975):

It was signed between Nagaland Governor and Naga underground leaders.
Agreement:The NNC conveyed their decision to accept, without condition, the Constitution of India. The NNC agreed to give up arms. This resulted in split of NNC into NSCN and its sub-groups.

Ceasefire agreement (1997) :

The Government of India signed a ceasefire agreement with NSCN (IM) in 1997. The key agreement was that there would be no counter-insurgency offensive against the NSCN(I-M), who in turn would not attack Indian forces.

Nagaland Peace Accord (2015) :

The Indian government signed a framework agreement (Nagaland Peace Accord) with the NSCN(I-M) to end the insurgency.
Recently, the State government decided to prepare the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland but later due to pressure from various fractions, the decision was put on hold.

THE HURDLE !!

key demands of the Naga groups?

Greater Nagalim (sovereign statehood) i.e redrawing of boundaries to bring all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast under one administrative umbrella.

Naga Yezabo (Naga Constitution)

Naga national flag.
The current demands of the NSCN (IM) have toned down from complete sovereignty to greater autonomous region within the Indian constitutional framework with due regard to the uniqueness of Naga history and traditions.
However, negotiations with the NSCN-IM have remained complicated, as Nagas are demanding the integration of their ancestral homelands, which include territories in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

o All three states have refused to cede territory to the Nagas.

o Manipur has protested in a petition that any compromise with Manipur’s territorial integrity would not be tolerated.

o The other two States have made it clear that they won’t compromise with their territorial integrity.

Another significant issue is how the weapons in the NSCN-IM camps are going to be managed. As a ‘ceasefire’ group, its cadres are supposed to retain their weapons inside the designated camps for self-defence only, but more often than not, many influential cadres are seen moving with weapons in civilian localities, leading to many problems.
It would be an uphill task for the Centre to ensure that all weapons are surrendered at the time of the final accord.
In the early phase, the Naga insurgents were provided with what has come to be known as ‘safe haven’ in Myanmar.
India’s adversaries (China and Pakistan) also provided them with vital external support at one point in time.
The porous border and rugged terrain make it different for the Security Forces as they cross borders where they are sheltered and fed.

REASONS FOR NOT ACCEPTING NAGA DEMAND OF SEPARATE FLAG AND SEPARATE CONSTITUTION :

Regressive: Yezhabo is far less liberal than what Indian Constitution presently offers for Naga people. It is regressive and some of its provisions are against modern Constitutional values of liberty, equality & rule of law.
Challenges of Wider Acceptance: Yezhabo also proposes Naga leader Muivah as the over-arching figure of Naga politics, development and destiny which will not be acceptable to Naga Citizenry which are spread in adjoining states of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Sets a Bad Precedent: Acceding to the demand of Separate Flag will set a dangerous precedent whereby other states also demand similar provisions.
Identity Politics: Acceding to these demands is akin to giving racial and ethnic identity an equal footing with National Identity which will act as catalyst to Identity Politics in rest of India.
Weakens National Integrity: The overall National Consciousness and National integration process will be weakened.
Failure of Article 370: Working of Article 370 which had provided for separate Flag and Constitution has shown that such type of measures has not yielded results but has instead widened the gap between regional society and Indian mainstream.

OTHER SIDE’S STORY :

A section of people in Nagaland has criticized the Governor for approaching Nagaland like a “law and order issue” instead of a political one.
They claim that the government would not have signed a framework agreement with NSCN-IM in 2015 if Nagaland was a “law and order issue.”
Misunderstandings surrounding the history and identity of the Naga people have further complicated the negotiations.
The Central Government views Nagaland as a “disturbed area” and has kept the state under a draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
The act extends wide-ranging powers to the army, including the use of force and arrests without warrants.

STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVT. OVER LAST 2-3 YEARS TO FAST TRACK THE PROCESS OF FINALISING THE AGREEMENT :

Talks with I-M has clearly spelt out disarmament, rehabilitation and assimilation of cadres and leaders through induction in paramilitary forces and political structures (expanded legislature in Nagaland)- thus ensuring smooth integration into Indian political system.
Legislative and administrative autonomy for Naga regions outside Nagaland has been a part of talks with the Naga leadership.
A breakaway faction of I-M’s arch enemies, NSCN’s Khaplang, joined the peace process with government in 2019.
Government-led outreach programs to bring on board non-Naga people in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam, promising much development as a trade-off for offering Naga people in these states more legislative representation and administrative autonomy.
The State government that has decided to prepare the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) but later due to pressure from various fractions, the decision has now been put on hold.

ABOUT NAGAS :

The Nagas are not a single tribe, but an ethnic community that comprises several tribes who live in the state of Nagaland and its neighbourhood.
Nagas belong to Indo-Mongoloid Family.
Nagas claimed sovereignty on the basis of prior sovereign existence and differences, which is today expressed in terms of “uniqueness”.
There are nineteen major Naga tribes, namely, Aos, Angamis, Changs, Chakesang, Kabuis, Kacharis, Khain-Mangas, Konyaks, Kukis, Lothas (Lothas), Maos, Mikirs, Phoms, Rengmas, Sangtams, Semas, Tankhuls, Yamchumgar and Zeeliang.

WAY FORWARD :

The Centre must negotiate with all the factions and groups of the Insurgents to have a long-lasting peace.
The Government too realised that privileging one insurgent group could eventually distort the contours of the final peace accord and it subsequently enlarged the peace process by roping in seven other Naga insurgent groups under the umbrella of Naga National Political Groups (NNPG).
Nagas are culturally heterogeneous groups of different communities/tribes having a different set of problems from the mainstream population.
In order to achieve the long-lasting solution, their cultural, historical and territorial extent must be taken into consideration.
Another way of dealing with the issue can be maximum decentralisation of powers to the tribal heads and minimum centralisation at the apex level, which should mainly work towards facilitating governance and undertaking large development projects.
For any peace framework to be effective, it should not threaten the present territorial boundaries of the states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. As it will not be acceptable to these states.
Greater autonomy for the Naga inhabited areas in these states can be provided which would encompass separate budget allocations for the Naga inhabited areas with regard to their culture and development issues.
A new body should be constituted that would look after the rights of the Nagas in the other north-eastern states besides Nagaland.

QUESTION : Briefly explain the Naga crisis, along with initiatives taken by the Govt. of India to resolve the issues.

Topic- THE SEARCH FOR AN END TO THE COMPLEX NAGA CINFLICT

WHAT ?

Issue of Naga Insurgency

WHY IN NEWS ?

India’s north-eastern frontier has largely remained marginal in the country’s popular imagination+ mainstream politics.

HISTORY OF NAGA PEACE TALKS :

Naga-Akbar Hydari Agreement (1947):

Signed by the Naga National Convention+ Governor of Assam (Akbar Hydari).

Sixteen-point Agreement with the Naga People’s Convention (1960) : affecting the Religious or Social Practices, Customary Laws etc.

Ceasefire Agreement (1964)

Shillong Agreement (1975): NNC conveyed their decision to accept, without condition, Constitution of India.
Ceasefire agreement (1997)
Nagaland Peace Accord (2015)

THE HURDLE !!

key demands of the Naga groups?

Greater Nagalim (sovereign statehood)+Naga Yezabo (Naga Constitution)+Naga national flag.
current demands of the NSCN (IM)= toned down from complete sovereignty to greater autonomous region within the Indian constitutional framework negotiations with the NSCN-IM= remained complicated, as Nagas are demanding the integration territories in Assam, Manipur +Arunachal Pradesh.

o All three states have refused to cede territory to the Nagas.

o Manipur has protested in a petition

o other two States won’t compromise with their territorial integrity.

many influential cadres=seen moving with weapons in civilian localities, leading to many problems.
uphill task Centre to ensure all weapons= surrendered at time of final accord.
India’s adversaries (China and Pakistan)
porous border+ rugged terrain make it different for the Security Forces

REASONS FOR NOT ACCEPTING NAGA DEMAND OF SEPARATE FLAG AND SEPARATE CONSTITUTION :

Yezhabo= less liberal than what Indian Constitution presently offers for Naga people.
Challenges of Wider Acceptance
Sets a Bad Precedent
Identity Politics
Weakens National Integrity
Failure of Article 370

OTHER SIDE’S STORY :

people in Nagaland= criticized Governor for approaching Nagaland like a “law and order issue”
They claim that govt.= not have signed a framework agreement with NSCN-IM in 2015
Misunderstandings surrounding history+ identity of the Naga people

STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVT. OVER LAST 2-3 YEARS TO FAST TRACK THE PROCESS OF FINALISING THE AGREEMENT :

Talks with I-M has clearly spelt out disarmament, rehabilitation+ assimilation of cadres+leaders through induction in paramilitary forces+ political structures
- Legislative+ administrative autonomy outside Nagaland
- A breakaway faction of I-M’s arch enemies, NSCN’s Khaplang, joined the peace process with government in 2019
- Government-led outreach programs to bring on board non-Naga people in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh+ Assam, promising much development as a trade-off for offering Naga people
- Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN)

ABOUT NAGAS :

ethnic community that comprises several tribes who live in the state of Nagaland+ its neighbourhood+belong to Indo-Mongoloid Family.
nineteen major Naga tribes, namely, Aos, Angamis, Changs, Chakesang, Kabuis, Kacharis, Khain-Mangas, Konyaks, Kukis, Lothas (Lothas), Maos, Mikirs, Phoms, Rengmas, Sangtams, Semas, Tankhuls, Yamchumgar and Zeeliang.

WAY FORWARD :

Negotiation with all factions +groups of Insurgents to have a long-lasting peace.
peace process by roping in seven other Naga insurgent groups under umbrella of Naga National Political Groups.
their cultural, historical+territorial extent must be taken into consideration.
maximum decentralisation of power
not threaten the present territorial boundaries of the states of Assam, Manipur+ Arunachal Pradesh.
Greater autonomy for Naga inhabited areas
new body to be constituted that would look after the rights of the Nagas

QUESTION : What do you understand by blockchain technology? Evaluate its prospects and challenges.

Topic- IN BLOCK-CHAIN VOTING ,LEAVE OUT THE GENERAL ELECTION

WHAT ?

Block-chain Technology And Voting

WHY IN NEWS ?

The Election Commission in August 2020, held an online conference in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (“TNeGA”) and IIT Madras, through which they explored the possibility of using blockchain technology for the purpose of enabling remote elections.

BLOCK-CHAIN TECHNOLOGY ?

A blockchain is a distributed ledger of information which is replicated across various nodes on a “peer-to-peer” network (P2P Network).
The purpose of technology is of ensuring integrity and verifiability of data stored on the ledger.
Blockchain ledgers have traditionally been used as supporting structures for cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum,however, their use in non-cryptocurrency applications too has seen a steady rise like enabling remote voting and elections.

APPLICATIONS OF Blockchain technology:

Healthcare:

Blockchain technology can enhance public health by creating a secure and flexible ecosystem for exchanging electronic health records (EHRs). This technology could also make the space more transparent by creating provenances for critical drugs, blood, organs, etc. In addition, by putting all medical licenses on a Blockchain, fraudulent doctors can be prevented from practising.

Education:

Student records, faculty records and educational certificates can be maintained with the application of Blockchain technology. Blockchain can also simplify certificate attestation and verification. It could even transform the manner in which the policy for educational inclusion is framed by bringing in base uniformity in the tracking of national metrics.

Agriculture:

Blockchain technology can be used to increase transparency, reduce complexity and cost in food-based value chains by enabling trustworthy provenance and traceability from farmer to consumer. Other possible applications include the use of blockchain technology to record and manage agricultural land records as well as agriculture insurance.

Civil Registration:

The civil registration process can be simplified through the application of Blockchain technology to create distributed citizen registration platforms and even register vital events such as births and deaths on a blockchain. This can help make citizen records tamper-proof, resilient, secure and private, thus providing wide-ranging benefits for a variety of stakeholders.

Defence:

Blockchain technology can be used to efficiently maintain and track information regarding defence infrastructure and computer.

Governance:

Blockchain technology can be used to check government corruption, increase efficiency and transparency. Linking file and data movement between departments through a Blockchain would increase visibility into the process and ensure that the data/file moves forward in real time.

Banking and Financial Sector:

Blockchain technology can be used in money transfers, record keeping and other back-end functions in the bank.

ADVANTAGES of Blockchain technology:

Security:

Data in Blockchain technology is almost open source- other users or developers have the opportunity to modify it as they see fit. However, altering logged data within a Blockchain incredibly difficult. This makes Blockchain a particularly secure technology.

Cost efficient:

Blockchain allows peer-to-peer and business-to-business transactions to be completed without the need for a third party, which is often a bank. Since there’s no middleman involvement tied to Blockchain transactions, it is cost-efficient.

Decentralization:

Due to decentralized networks, Blockchain does not have a single point of failure and is better able to withstand malicious attacks.

High Quality Data:

Blockchain data is complete, timely, accurate, consistent and widely available

Empowered users:

Users are in control of their data and information.

Simplification in data management:

With all data collected in single public ledger, it reduces the clutter and complications of multiple ledgers.

CONCERNS :

Nascent technology: Blockchain is still a nascent technology and there are issues such as complex verification process, data limits etc
Large energy consumption: Blockchain technology uses substantial amount of computer power.
Security and privacy: Though considered highly secure, there are still cyber security concerns that need to ensured before general public trust Blockchain technology with their personal data.
Cost: High initial capital cost is a deterrent.

BENEFITS OF REMOTE VOTING :

Solved the problem of ballot portability: Remote voting would appear to benefit internal migrants and seasonal workers, who account for roughly 51 million of the populace (Census 2011).
Useful for People in Remote Places: The envisioned solution might also be useful for some remotely-stationed members of the Indian armed forces (although that exhaustive infrastructure of Elections has helped address this).
Helps Increase Voter Participation: Remote voting solutions may facilitate the participation in elections by specific groups of citizens, including expats, military voters, voters resident in health and care institutions, and prisoners.
Speed and Secure: The blockchain-based voting system not only provides real-time results, but also ensures that the counting is foolproof, and with blockchain, nobody can tamper the results.

CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH BLOCK-CHAIN REMOTE VOTING :

Requirement of physical presence and biometric authentication: The electors would still have to physically reach a designated venue in order to cast their vote, whereby systems would use “white-listed IP devices on dedicated internet lines”, and the system would make use of the biometric attributes of electors.
Adds Vulnerability to failure: Digitisation and interconnectivity introduce additional points of failure external to the processes which exist in the present day.
Technology not yet fully secure: Blockchain solutions rely heavily on the proper implementation of cryptographic protocols. If any shortcomings exist in an implementation, it might be misused.
Prone to targeted Denial-of-Service attacks -where an attacker would be in a position to block traffic from the system, effectively preventing, or at the very least delaying the registration of votes.
Privacy Issues: With such intrusive technology being used in elections, which when interconnected can go against the Puttaswamy judgement [on the right to privacy]

CONCLUSION :

Any solution to electoral problems must be software independent and fault tolerable, where failure or tampering of one mechanism — or several — would not affect the integrity or transparency of the overall process.

WAY FORWARD :

Although India is still at the nascent stage in exploring Blockchain technology, it holds is immense potential for Blockchain applications.
The key lies in overcoming the challenges faced during the early adoption phase – if we can get past the obstacles in the initial stage, Blockchain tech can be put to good use to strengthen the Indian economy.
Instead, the existing systems like the postal ballots and proxy voting provisions should be improved upon to make the systems more inclusive and also robust.
Even if the Election Commission is able to design a system which is proven to be satisfactorily secure, such a system should be limited only to lower-level elections, and not for something as significant as the general election.

QUESTION : What do you understand by blockchain technology? Evaluate its prospects and challenges

Topic- IN BLOCK-CHAIN VOTING ,LEAVE OUT THE GENERAL ELECTION

WHAT ?

Block-chain Technology + Voting

WHY IN NEWS ?

ECI held an online conference in collaboration with Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency+ IIT Madras, through which they explored the possibility of using blockchain technology for enabling remote elections.

BLOCK-CHAIN TECHNOLOGY ?

distributed ledger of information which is replicated across various nodes on a “peer-to-peer” network (P2P Network)
ensuring integrity+ verifiability of data stored on ledger+Blockchain ledgers have traditionally been used as supporting structures for cryptocurrencies, i.e Bitcoin

APPLICATIONS OF Blockchain technology:

Healthcare
Education
Agriculture
Civil Registration
Defence
Governance
Banking and Financial Sector

ADVANTAGES of Blockchain technology:

Security
Cost efficient
Decentralization
High Quality Data
Empowered users
Simplification in data management

CONCERNS :

Nascent technology
Large energy consumption
Security and privacy
Cost: High initial capital cost is a deterrent

BENEFITS OF REMOTE VOTING :

Solved the problem of ballot portability
Useful for People in Remote Places
Helps Increase Voter Participation
Speed and Secure

CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH BLOCK-CHAIN REMOTE VOTING :

Requirement of physical presence and biometric authentication
Adds Vulnerability to failure
Technology not yet fully secure
Prone to targeted Denial-of-Service attacks
Privacy Issues

CONCLUSION :

Any solution to electoral problems must be software independent+ fault tolerable

WAY FORWARD :

Blockchain technology, it holds is immense potential for Blockchain applications.
The key lies in overcoming the challenges faced during the early adoption phase
proxy voting provisions should be improved upon to make the systems more inclusive+ also robust.
system should be limited only to lower-level elections+ not for something as significant as the general election.

QUESTION : Critically examine whether Bt Cotton has helped Indian farmers and Indian economy? Do you think government should stop resisting the usage of such technology?

Topic- THE TWISTED TRAJECTORY OF BT COTTON

WHAT ?

Bt Cotton Cultivation In India

WHY IN NEWS ?

Despite finding huge favour in India , the GM crop has only brought modest benefits

COTTON CULTIVATION IN INDIA:

Cotton is one of the most important fibres and cash crops of India and plays a dominant role in the industrial and agricultural economy of the country.
Cotton in India provides direct livelihood to 6 million farmers and about 40 – 50 million people are employed in the cotton trade and its processing.
Production & Consumption: India is the country to grow all four species of cultivated cotton Gossypiumarboreum and herbaceum (Asian cotton), G.barbadense (Egyptian cotton) and G. hirsutum (American Upland cotton). Gossypiumhirsutum represents 88% of the hybrid cotton production in India and all the current Bt cotton hybrids are G.hirsutuim. In India, majority of the cotton production comes from nine major cotton growing states, which are grouped into three diverse
agro-ecological zones, as under:-
i) Northern Zone – Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan
ii) Central Zone – Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
iii) Southern Zone – Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) CROPS ?

GM is a technology that involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism.
To produce a GM plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells. Usually, the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants. The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA.
One of the methods used to transfer DNA is to coat the surface of small metal particles with the relevant DNA fragment, and bombard the particles into the plant cells.
Another method is to use a bacterium or virus. The viruses and bacteria transfer their DNA into a host cell as a normal part of their life cycle. For GM plants, the bacterium most frequently used is called Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The gene of interest is transferred into the bacterium and the bacterial cells then transfer the new DNA to the genome of the plant cells.

ADVANTAGES OF GM CROPS :

Crop Protection:

The initial objective for developing GM plants was to improve crop protection. GM crops have improved resistance to diseases, pest, insects and herbicides. They also have improved tolerance to cold/heat, drought and salinity.

Insect resistance is achieved by incorporating into the food plant the gene for toxin production from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
Virus resistance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from certain viruses which cause disease in plants.
Herbicide tolerance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from a bacterium conveying resistance to some herbicides.

Economic benefits:

GM crops can increase yield and thus income.
Genetically modified foods have a longer shelf life. This improves how long they last and stay fresh during transportation and storage.

3.Food Security:

Given the increased growth of global population and increased urbanisation, GM crops offer one of the promising solutions to meet the world’s food security needs.

ISSUES WITH GM CROPS :

HUMAN HEALTH RISKS :

Potential impact on human health, including allergies and transfer of antibiotic resistance markers.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS :

They can reduce species diversity. For example, Insect-resistant plants might harm insects that are not their intended target and thus result in destruction of that particular species.
GM technology could also allow the transfer of genes from one crop to another, creating “super weeds”, which will be immune to common control methods.
Viral genes added to crops to confer resistance might be transferred to other viral pathogens, which can lead to new and more virulent virus strains.

ECONOMIC CONCERNS :

Introduction of a GM crop to market is a lengthy and costly process.
It does not result in high yields as promised. For instance, the highest yields in mustard are from the five countries which do not grow GM mustard — U.K., France, Poland, Germany and Czech Republic — and not from the GM-growing U.S. or Canada.

Critics claim that patent laws give developers of the GM crops a dangerous degree of control over the food supply. The concern is over domination of world food production by a few companies.

ETHICAL CONCERNS :

Violation of natural organisms’ intrinsic values by mixing among species.
There have also been objections to consuming animal genes in plants.

INTRODUCTION OF BT-COTTON :

Bt cotton is an insect-resistant transgenic crop designed to combat the bollworm.
Bt cotton was created by genetically altering the cotton genome to express a microbial protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.
In short, the transgene inserted into the plant’s genome produces toxin crystals that the plant would not normally produce which, when ingested by a certain population of organisms, dissolves the gut lining, leading to the organism’s death.

BENEFITS OF BT COTTON :

The resistance to pests reduces the plants’ vulnerability to pest attacks and thus helps increase the yield from the plant.
One study has noted that the adoption of Bt cotton is said to have increased cotton production from India by three times between 2002-2014.
The inherent resistance to pest attacks would also help reduce insecticide spraying on the cotton plant.
This would help reduce the cost of cotton cultivation for the farmers and also would ensure better safety for the farmers due to reduced exposure of farmers to toxic insecticides and pesticides.
The use of Bt cotton would also lead to some environmental benefits.
The reduced pesticide usage would lead to lesser environmental pollution by these harmful chemicals.

CONCERNS WITH BT COTTON –

Questions over yield:

Recent studies have questioned the yield improvements being attributed to the adoption of Bt. Cotton.
They note that the contribution of Bt cotton to yield increase was only about 4% each year and the current yields were lower than in the initial years of Bt adoption.

Increasing resistance of pests:

There are indications that the PBW has developed a resistance to Bt cotton in India. Bollworm spraying has begun to increase. With rising acreage under Bt cotton cultivation, expenditures for spraying for sucking pests also went up.
By 2018, farmers were spending an average of $23.58 per hectare on insecticide — 37% more than the pre-Bt levels.

Neglect of desi varieties:

The growing share of Bt Cotton has led to the neglect of the desi varieties.
The cost of ignoring ‘desi’ varieties would lead to loss of the biological potential and diversity offered by these.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS ?

Legally, sale, storage, transportation and usage of unapproved GM seeds is a punishable offence under the Rules of Environmental Protection Act 1989. Also, sale of unapproved seeds can attract action under the Seed Act of 1966 and the Cotton Act of 1957. The Environmental Protection Act provides for a jail term of five years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh for violation of its provisions, and cases can be filed under the other two Acts.

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS :

Shifting to short duration varieties and short duration crops (140 – 160 days).
Moving away from the Bt technology all together in some regions. Some researchers suggest that Bt cotton in not necessary in some areas
Organic cotton cultivation – backed by research suitable to the agro climatic conditions of India.
Tackling resistance to pink bollworm through practices like Integrated Pest Management.

CONCLUSION :

It is time to pay attention to science and acknowledge that Bt cotton has failed in India, and not enter into further misadventures with other Bt crops such as brinjal or herbi-cide resistance.
Biotechnology can be one of the many tools that can help in addressing the issues of food and nutrition security, climate change, etc. Further steps in the GM technology should be taken with proper consultation of all the stakeholders involved and adequate scientific evidence.

QUESTION : Critically examine whether Bt Cotton has helped Indian farmers and Indian economy? Do you think government should stop resisting the usage of such technology?

Topic- THE TWISTED TRAJECTORY OF BT COTTON

WHAT ?

Bt Cotton Cultivation In India

WHY IN NEWS ?

Despite finding huge favour in India , GM crop has only brought modest benefits

COTTON CULTIVATION IN INDIA:

a dominant role in the industrial + agricultural economy of the country.
direct livelihood to 6 million farmers+ about 40 – 50 million people= employed
cotton production comes from nine major cotton growing states, which are grouped into three diverse
i) Northern Zone – Punjab, Haryana+ Rajasthan
ii) Central Zone – Gujarat, Maharashtra+ Madhya Pradesh
iii) Southern Zone – Telangana, Andhra Pradesh +Karnataka.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) CROPS ?

technology involves inserting DNA into
genome of an organism.
GM plant=new DNA is transferred into plant cells+cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants.
to use a bacterium or virus. Viruses+ bacteria transfer their DNA into a host cell as a normal part of their life cycle.

ADVANTAGES OF GM CROPS :

Crop Protection:from diseases
Economic benefits:

GM crops can increase yield + longer shelf life.

3.Food Security:promising solutions to meet the world’s food security needs.

ISSUES WITH GM CROPS :

HUMAN HEALTH RISKS :
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS :
- They can reduce species diversity.

3 .ECONOMIC CONCERNS :

Introduction of a GM crop to market is a lengthy and costly process.

4.ETHICAL CONCERNS :Violation of natural organisms’ intrinsic values by mixing among species

INTRODUCTION OF BT-COTTON :

an insect-resistant transgenic crop designed to combat the bollworm+created by genetically altering cotton genome to express a microbial protein from bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.

BENEFITS OF BT COTTON :

increase the yield from the plant.
help reduce insecticide spraying on cotton plant.
reduce the cost of cotton cultivation
some environmental benefits.
The reduced pesticide usage

CONCERNS WITH BT COTTON –

Questions over yield: was only about 4% each year+ current yields were lower than in initial years of Bt adoption.
Increasing resistance of pests:
indications that the PBW has developed a resistance to Bt cotton in India.
Neglect of desi varieties

WHAT THE LAW SAYS ?

sale, storage, transportation+ usage of unapproved GM seeds=a punishable offence under the Rules of Environmental Protection Act 1989+ EPA provides for a jail term of five years+ a fine of Rs 1 lakh for violation.

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS :

Shifting to short duration varieties and short duration crops (140 – 160 days).
Moving away from the Bt technology all together in some regions.
Organic cotton cultivation
Tackling resistance to pink bollworm through practices.

CONCLUSION :

time to pay attention to science+ acknowledge that Bt cotton has failed in India, and not enter into further misadventures with other Bt crops such as brinjal or herbi-cide resistance.

QUESTION : It is said that Indian agriculture is the least reformed sector of the Indian economy. In your opinion, what systemic reforms are needed to revive Indian agriculture so that it could revive the Indian economy as a whole ? Critically discuss.

Topic- AN AGRICULTURE- LED REVIVAL AS FLAWED CLAIM

WHAT ?

Agriculture And India’s Economic Revival

WHY IN NEWS ?

In the midst of India’s COVID-19-induced economic slowdown there is claim that Agriculture will lead India’s economic revival.

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has induced a severe economic slowdown in the Indian economy.
Agriculture was the only sector which recorded a modest growth of 3.4%, outpacing 2019’s first quarter’s 3% expansion. Most other sectors saw a contraction, with sectors like construction, trade, hotels, transport and communication services registering almost 50% fall.

ARGUMENTS TO SUPPORT THE CLAIM :

Rabi Procurement: The procurement of rabi wheat in 2020-21 was 12.6% higher than in 2019-20. India’s food grain production in 2019-20 was 3.7% higher than in 2018-19.
Inflation and Prices: Food inflation in the Q1 of 2020-21, at 9.2%, was higher than in the previous year due to sustained demand for food. This shows a shift of terms of trade in favour of agriculture.
Higher Kharif Sowing: the area under kharif sowing in 2020-21 was 14% higher than in 2019-20. Higher kharif sowing was accompanied by higher tractor and fertilizer sales, which bodes well for economic recovery.
Trickle From Package: Government’s economic package for agriculture — as part of the ₹20-lakh crore Atmanirbhar Bharat package — will further position agriculture as the engine of revival.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF EACH CLAIM :

Rabi Precurement – Need to look at market Arrivals

The higher procurement claim hides more than it reveals.
As per official data, only 13.5% of paddy farmers and 16.2% of wheat farmers in India sell their harvest to a procurement agency at an assured Minimum Support Price (MSP). The rest sell their output to private traders at prices lower than MSP.
One should, therefore, be looking not at procurement but market arrivals

o The market arrivals of major 15 crops were lower in 2020 than in 2019.

o In wheat, barley, potato, cauliflower, cabbage and lady’s finger, market arrivals in 2020 were between 50% and 75% of market arrivals in 2019.

o It was only in paddy, lentil, tomato and banana that market arrivals in 2020 constituted more than 75% of market arrivals in 2019.

In addition, there were major losses in the milk, meat and poultry sectors; industry associations estimate the total loss for the poultry industry at ₹25,000 crore.
Thus, the most important problem faced by farmers during the lockdown was the loss of markets, stemming from the disruption in supply chains, closure of mandis and a fall in consumer food demand.
Higher procurement was hardly alleviating the loss faced by farmers

Inflation and Prices – Misplaced notion that it benefitted farmers

Inflation rates estimated using consumer price indices are not representative of farmer’s prices.
Inflation was largely due to disruptions in supply chains and rise in trader margins
The dark side of higher rural inflation in India is that small and marginal farmers are not net sellers, but net buyers of food. So, it was not just that farmer’s prices fell; most were also forced to pay more for food purchases.

Higher kharif sowing – Rise in Rural Unemployment

Given that rabi incomes fell during the lockdown, many rural households may have returned to farming or intensified farming for food- and income-security.
Lakhs of migrant workers returned to their villages from urban areas. They may have taken up agriculture in previously fallow or uncultivated lands.
It is no cause for celebration because the rural unemployment rates rose sharply in 2020, to 22.8% (April), 21.1% (May) and 9.5% (June).

Trickle from Package – Fresh Spending is meagre

Agriculture contributes only about 15% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA). Thus, even if agriculture grows by 4%, it is likely to contribute only 0.6 percentage points to GVA growth.
To contribute a full one percentage point to GVA growth, agriculture will have to grow by 6%, which is unlikely in 2020-21.
Total fresh spending for agriculture in the package is a trickle: less than ₹5,000 crore. The rest are schemes already included in the past Budgets, announcements with no financial outgo or liquidity/loan measures routed through banks.

Atmanirbhar Bharat package :

The total fresh spending for agriculture in the package amounts to less than Rs. 5,000 crore. The rest are schemes already included in the past Budgets, announcements with no additional financial outgo.
The under-investment in the agricultural sector may prove to be counterproductive as this will lead to a condition where the rural incomes will remain depressed, and push the economy further into a vicious cycle of poor demand, low prices and low growth.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIA:

Highest Employment Provider: More Indians depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for employment than on any other sector.
Addresses Malnutrition and provides food security:
Agriculture holds a key to reducing India’s malnutrition problem, directly affecting public health and worker productivity.

Augmenting Economic Growth:

Agriculture has the potential to spur India’s overall gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

o Agricultural growth of 4%, would add at least a percentage point to GDP, increase exports and improve India’s trade deficit.

o Economic transformation in developing nations is propelled by increases in agricultural incomes underpinning industrial growth. For example, China’s economic growth.

India’s vital land and water resources, which farmers used for agricultural production, assumes more significance especially in the face of mounting scarcity, environmental degradation, and climate change.

ACTIONS BY GOI TO INCREASE FARMER’S INCOME :

Subsidizing Input Costs: Providing water,power and fertilizer subsidies to decrease production costs.
Green Revolution: Increasing yields through better farming practices and timely availability of quality inputs, especially high yielding seeds, chemical fertilisers and water.
Stabilizing Output Prices: Through minimum support prices (MSP) and public procurement.
Augmenting Non-Crop related Agriculture Income: KUSUM scheme.
Providing Direct Income Transfers to Farmers: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).

OTHER STEPS TO IMPROVE FARMER’S CONDITION :

Modernise the sector – The focus will be on increasing production from a declining resource base, especially land and water. Modern technologies need to be promoted to make agriculture more efficient, competitive, sustainable, resilient and environment friendly.

Developing agricultural markets – Volatile prices of agricultural commodities are a major source of agrarian distress. Prices steeply fall immediately after a crop harvest, when a majority of farmers sell their produce.
Promote exports of agricultural and processed commodities – Indian agriculture has already achieved food self-sufficiency, and now it needs to leapfrog from the food security syndrome to market-oriented agriculture. This will require a stable and proactive trade policy.
Consolidation of small and marginal farmers – Indian agriculture is dominated by small and marginal farmers—more than 86% holdings have land less than two hectares.
Expand the scope and amount of PM-KISAN
Creating separate Council: The new government may consider constituting an Agricultural Council on the pattern of GST Council .

WAY AHEAD :

Doubling Income Transfer: Instead of frontloading the instalments of PM-KISAN, the government should have doubled the payments to farmers from ₹6,000 a year to ₹12,000 a year.
MSPs at Comprehensive Cost: Instead of raising the MSP for kharif paddy by ₹53 per, or cotton by ₹260 per quintal, the government should have set all MSPs at 150% of the C2 cost (comprehensive cost) of production.
Waiver of Interest: Instead of a moratorium on loan repayments, the government should have waived the interest on loans taken by farmers in 2019 and 2020.
Special Package for Animal Husbandry Sector: Instead of vague loan-based schemes in animal husbandry, the government should have announced a package of direct assistance for the crisis-ridden poultry and meat sectors amounting to at least ₹20,000 crore.

Topic- AN AGRICULTURE- LED REVIVAL AS FLAWED CLAIM

WHAT ?

Agriculture + India’s Economic Revival

WHY IN NEWS ?

In the midst of India’s COVID-19-induced economic slowdown there is claim that Agriculture will lead India’s economic revival.

Background:

The COVID-19=induced a severe economic slowdown in Indian economy.
Agriculture=only sector which recorded a modest growth of 3.4%, outpacing 2019’s first quarter’s 3% expansion.

ARGUMENTS TO SUPPORT THE CLAIM :

Rabi Procurement: 2020-21= 12.6% higher than in 2019-20.
Food inflation in the Q1 of 2020-21, at 9.2%=higher than in the previous year

Higher Kharif Sowing: 2020-21 =14% higher than in 2019-20.
- Trickle From Package:₹20-lakh crore Atmanirbhar Bharat package= further position agriculture as the engine of revival.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF EACH CLAIM :

Rabi Precurement – Need to look at market Arrivals only 13.5% of paddy farmers+16.2% of wheat farmers in India sell their harvest to a procurement agency at an assured Minimum Support Price (MSP). The rest sell their output to private traders at prices lower than MSP.
Inflation and Prices – Misplaced notion that it benefitted farmers

Inflation was largely due to disruptions in supply chains and rise in trader margins

Higher kharif sowing – Rise in Rural Unemployment

many rural households may have returned to farming or intensified farming for food- & income-security+Lakhs of migrant workers returned to their villages from urban areas.

Trickle from Package – Fresh Spending is meagre

Agriculture contributes only about 15% to GVA+ even if agriculture grows by 4%, it is likely to contribute only 0.6 percentage points to GVA growth.

Atmanirbhar Bharat package :
- total fresh spending for agriculture=less than Rs. 5,000 crore.
- The under-investment in the agricultural sector may prove to be counterproductive

SIGNIFICANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIA:

Highest Employment Provider
Addresses Malnutrition+provides food security
Augmenting Economic Growth
Agricultural growth of 4%, would add at least a percentage point to GDP

ACTIONS BY GOI TO INCREASE FARMER’S INCOME :

Subsidizing Input Costs
Green Revolution: Increasing yields
Stabilizing Output Prices: (MSP)
Augmenting Non-Crop related Agriculture Income: KUSUM scheme.
Providing Direct Income Transfers to Farmers: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).

OTHER STEPS TO IMPROVE FARMER’S CONDITION :

Modernise the sector
Developing agricultural markets
Promote exports of agricultural+ processed commodities
Consolidation of small and marginal farmers
Expand the scope and amount of PM-KISAN
Creating separate Council

WAY AHEAD :

Doubling Income Transfer
MSPs at Comprehensive Cost
Waiver of Interest
Special Package for Animal Husbandry Sector

QUESTION : Give important factors responsible for the lack of innovation in the Indian IT industry and How the ban on Chinese apps provide the IT industry with the opportunity to fill this vacuum?”

Topic- EXPLOITING THE CHINESE EXIT

WHAT ?

Significance of the Indian ban on Chinese apps.

WHY IN NEWS ?

This article analyzes the economic opportunities which have opened up for India post the Chinese app ban in India.

HOW TOOK CHINA LEAD IN IT SECTOR ?

Chinese government censored and banned several popular Western websites and applications years ago.
In the intervening years the Chinese Internet market exploded and has grown to over 900 million users.
The Chinese government insulated Chinese entrepreneurs from Big Tech in Silicon Valley.
Home-grown apps at first were faithful reproductions of Silicon Valley, but soon morphed into distinctly Chinese applications tailored solely to the home market.
According to the 2016 White House report, the Chinese have leapfrogged even the U.S. in AI research.
In this case, the intellectual property being produced actually belongs to China and is not a faithful duplicate of someone else’s product or technology.
This has far-reaching implications.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS BAN BY INDIA :

India now has the lowest Internet data costs in the world.
In its attempt to dominate the rest of the world, the Chinese Internet industry desperately needs India’s 500-plus million netizens to continue to train AI algorithms they put together.
The ban on apps in India is not only a geopolitical move but also a strategic trade manoeuvre that can have a significant economic impact.
Ban on Chinese apps allows our home-grown IT talent to focus on the newly arrived Internet user.
However, India’s focus remains on exporting IT services while paying little attention to servicing our own nation’s tech market.
India spent the last two decades exporting technology services to developed countries in the West, the vacuum created as the Indian Internet grew has been filled by American Big Tech and by the Chinese.
After the removal of more than 118 Chinese apps, Indian techies have started trying to fill the holes.

WAY FORWARD :

The primary Indian IT objective must shift from servicing others to providing for ourselves.
Focus should not be simply to replace what the exiting firms have so far been providing.
Focus should be on providing services and products of high quality that will be used by everyday Indians across the country.
The aim of providing netizens with the same services across diverse markets is overarching — regional barriers created by language exist within our own nation.
The fundamental focus of the new digital products should be to provide for hyper-regional necessities and preferences.

CONCLUSION :

Indian IT companies must seize the opportunity provided by the exit of Chinese IT companies and come up with products transcending regional barriers and allowing accessibility.

Topic- EXPLOITING THE CHINESE EXIT

WHAT ?

Significance of the Indian ban on Chinese apps.

WHY IN NEWS ?

article analyzes economic opportunities which have opened up for India post the Chinese app ban in India.

HOW TOOK CHINA LEAD IN IT SECTOR ?

Chinese Internet market exploded and has grown to over 900 million users.
insulated Chinese entrepreneurs from Big Tech in Silicon Valley.
Home-grown apps at first were faithful reproductions of Silicon Valley
Asper Report Chinese have leapfrogged even the U.S. in AI research.
intellectual property being produced actually belongs to China
This has far-reaching implications.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS BAN OF INDIA :

India= lowest Internet data costs in the world.
To dominate, the Chinese Internet industry desperately needs India’s 500-plus million netizens to continue to train AI algorithms they put together.
ban on apps= geopolitical move+strategic trade manoeuvre that can have a significant economic impact.
allows our home-grown IT talent to focus on the newly arrived Internet user.
India’s focus remains on exporting IT services

WAY FORWARD :

Indian IT objective must shift from servicing others to providing for ourselves.
Focus should be on providing services and products of high quality
The aim of providing netizens with the same services across diverse markets is overarching — regional barriers created by language exist within our own nation.
Focus=new digital products should be to provide for hyper-regional necessities and preferences.

CONCLUSION :

Indian IT companies must seize the opportunity provided by the exit of Chinese IT companies

QUESTION : What do you mean by vulnerable employment? With India having one of the highest poor quality jobs tackling the issue of urban jobs becomes important. Comment.

URBAN EMPLOYMENT AS THE FOCAL POINT

WHAT ?

Urban Employment Crisis

WHY IN NEWS ?

The contraction of the economy due to Covid-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the employment situation in urban areas. While the ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan’ launched in June 2020 could be an immediate relief, the ₹50,000-crore employment scheme may not be a suitable substitute for decent urban jobs.

THREATS TO EMPLOYMENT :

 Slowdown in Major Employment Generating Sector: The shrinking sectors that have been affected the most —construction (–50%), trade, hotels and other services (–47%), manufacturing (–39%), and mining (–23%) — are those that create the maximum jobs in the economy.

 Reverse Migration: The magnitude of economic slowdown can be exemplified by a wave of massive ‘reverse migration’ during the early phase of the lockdown whereby millions of workers returned to their home States due to a loss of livelihoods in cities.

 Vulnerable Informal Sector: According to the International Labour Organization, of the 535 million labour force in India in 2019, some 398.6 million have poor quality jobs. Further, the lockdown exposed the state of vulnerable employment in urban low-end informal jobs.

o Vulnerable employment is characterised by inadequate earnings, low productivity and difficult conditions of work that undermine the basic rights of workers.

o The high and persistent incidence of vulnerable employment are a reflection of the nature of the structural transformation process, whereby capital and labour transfer from low to higher value-added sectors.

 Increasing Number of Working Poor: Despite higher economic growth in recent years, working poors are increasing in India.

o The service sector-led growth in recent years has intensified this as there is coexistence of strong job creation in some Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-intensive services.

o The poor quality of jobs and high informality are key for the high level of “working poors”. The working poor are working people whose incomes fall below a given poverty line due to low-income jobs and low familial household income.

CAUSES FOR HIGH INCIDENCE OF INFORMALITY :

Urbanisation : Due to the high pace of urbanisation in India, capital and labour are moving from low value-added activities in a sector to another sector, but not to higher value-added activities.
Creation of poor quality jobs: The service sector-led growth in recent years has intensified this as there is coexistence of strong job creation in some Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-intensive services, along with a significant portion of the jobs being created in ‘traditional low value-added services.

CHALLENGES :

To generate more jobs and second
To reduce vulnerabilities by providing decent wages and some form of job security.

TYPES OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN INDIA :

 Disguised Unemployment:

o It is a phenomenon wherein more people are employed than actually needed.

o It is primarily traced in the agricultural and the unorganised sectors of India.

 Seasonal Unemployment:

o It is an unemployment that occurs during certain seasons of the year.

o Agricultural labourers in India rarely have work throughout the year.

 Structural Unemployment:

o It is a category of unemployment arising from the mismatch between the jobs available in the market and the skills of the available workers in the market.

o Many people in India do not get job due to lack of requisite skills and due to poor education level, it becomes difficult to train them.

 Cyclical Unemployment:

o It is result of the business cycle, where unemployment rises during recessions and declines with economic growth.

o Cyclical unemployment figures in India are negligible. It is a phenomenon that is mostly found in capitalist economies.

 Technological Unemployment:

o It is loss of jobs due to changes in technology.

 Frictional Unemployment:

o The Frictional Unemployment also called as Search Unemployment, refers to the time lag between the jobs when an individual is searching for a new job or is switching between the jobs.

 Vulnerable Employment:

o This means, people working informally, without proper job contracts and thus sans any legal protection. These persons are deemed ‘unemployed’ since records of their work are never maintained.

MULTI-PRONGED STRATEGY TO TACKLE THE ISSUE OF URBAN JOBS :

Given the scale of urbanisation, the focus on urban employment generation programmes should be in coordination with local governments. Actors at the local level need to have more resources at their disposal.
Employment intensive investment policies should embrace both private entrepreneurs as well as by the government. Private investments need to be facilitated by conducive contractual relations between labour and capital. Small and micro enterprises need extra support to balance the interests between labour and capital.
Prioritising labour intensive urban infrastructure: A labour intensive approach to building municipal infrastructure can be a cost effective alternative to capital intensive approach as wage rates are low. Infrastructure investments will generate employment and earnings. Construction of low cost housing, building large scale medical, health and sanitation infrastructure in cities and towns across India can be carried out using labour intensive methods.
While MGNREGA or its substitutes will not be able to absorb a significant proportion of workers (given millions of workers have returned to their home States due to a loss of livelihoods during the pandemic situation), MGNREGA needs to be strengthened and their capacity increased. It can be expanded by both increasing the budgetary allocations and the guaranteed minimum number of days of work.

WAY FORWARD :

In order to create a better employment condition for India, both the central and state governments need to formulate certain specific schemes to improve the working conditions in terms of occupational safety, working hours, payment of adequate wages.
There is a need for National Employment Policy (NEP) that would encompass a set of multidimensional interventions covering a whole range of social and economic issues affecting many policy spheres and not just the areas of labour and employment. The policy would be a critical tool to contribute significantly to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 Mobilising Localised Resources: Given the scale of urbanisation, the focus on urban employment generation programmes should be in coordination with local governments.

Localised Employment-Intensive Investment Policies: A major local initiative would be to design and implement employment-intensive investment policies.
Prioritising Urban Infrastructure: There is a need to prioritise urban infrastructure as it accounts for a large share of total investments in the overall economy.
Launching of Urban Employment Scheme: There is need for immediate launch of an urban employment scheme oriented toward building large-scale medical, health and sanitation infrastructure in cities and towns across India.
Increase Incentives to Reduce Migration: Focusing on rural development to increase employment opportunities in rural areas and to enhance the provision of services like education, health, electricity and water and sanitation services are effective means to control rural to urban migration

CONCLUSION :

For workers in urban areas more jobs need to be generated and vulnerabilities need to be reduced by providing decent wages and some form of job security.

QUESTION : What do you mean by vulnerable employment? With India having one of the highest poor quality jobs tackling the issue of urban jobs becomes important. Comment.

URBAN EMPLOYMENT AS THE FOCAL POINT

WHAT ?

Urban Employment Crisis

WHY IN NEWS ?

contraction of economy due to Covid-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the employment situation in urban areas.

THREATS TO EMPLOYMENT :

Slowdown in Major Employment Generating Sector
Reverse Migration
Vulnerable Informal Sector
Increasing Number of Working Poor

CAUSES FOR HIGH INCIDENCE OF INFORMALITY :

Urbanisation
Creation of poor quality jobs
Low investment by govt.
Urban poverty

CHALLENGES :

To generate more jobs and second
To reduce vulnerabilities by providing decent wages and some form of job security.

TYPES OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN INDIA :

Disguised Unemployment: primarily traced in the agricultural and the unorganised sectors of India.
Seasonal Unemployment: occurs during certain seasons of the year
Structural Unemployment: arises from mismatch between jobs available in market+ skills of available workers in market
Cyclical Unemployment: rises during recessions and declines with economic growth
Technological Unemployment:It is loss of jobs due to changes in technology.
Frictional Unemployment: time lag between jobs when an individual is searching for a new job or is switching between the jobs.
Vulnerable Employment:people working informally, without proper job contracts+ thus sans any legal protection.

MULTI-PRONGED STRATEGY TO TACKLE THE ISSUE OF URBAN JOBS :

focus on urban employment generation programmes should be in coordination with local governments.
Employment intensive investment policies
Prioritising labour intensive urban infrastructure
MGNREGA needs to be strengthened and their capacity increased.

WAY FORWARD :

central + state governments need to formulate certain specific schemes
need for National Employment Policy (NEP)
Mobilising Localised Resources
Localised Employment-Intensive Investment Policies
Prioritising Urban Infrastructure
Launching of Urban Employment Scheme
Increase Incentives to Reduce Migration

CONCLUSION :

For workers in urban areas more jobs need to be generated and vulnerabilities need to be reduced by providing decent wages and some form of job security.

QUESTION : Significance of World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report as far as Indian economy is concerned . Comment

FOR A DIFFERENT YARDSTICK

WHAT ?

World Bank’s Doing Business

WHY IN NEWS ?

The article examines the need to revamp the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ survey to make it more comprehensive.

IMPORTANCE OF DOING BUSINESS REPORT TO INDIA :

India has made remarkable progress on the Doing Business rankings as India has improved its rank by 79 positions in five years (2014-19).
As per the ‘Doing Business’ 2020 report, India had jumped 14 places to the 63rd position on the ease of doing business ranking.
The Doing Business report has been a valued tool for countries seeking to measure costs of doing business.
The Doing Business indicators and methodology are designed with no single country in mind, but rather to help improve the overall business climate.
In the 2020 Doing Business report, published in 2019, India was among those economies that were recognised for their “most notable improvement”.

EASE OF DOING BUSINESS INDEX :

The doing business index estimates the cost to business from regulations. Erratic procedures and delays hamper business in India and simplifying procedures brings economic benefits.
The survey assumes that lower tax rates are best and it supports lighter rules and regulation to encourage shifts from informal to formal sectors.

CONCERNS :

The desire for better ranking in the index has encouraged countries to even slash down vital regulations which could have a detrimental impact in the long run.
There are concerns that the index sidesteps the societal costs of deregulating pollution, worker safety, and health risks.

IGNORING THE IMPACT:

Several indicators of the Doing Business survey presume that less regulation is better, but ignore the impact on health, ecology, worker protection and right to information.
The 2008 global financial crisis resulted from too little banking supervision.
The Centre and the States in India must take into consideration workers’ well-being while considering changes to labour laws, especially during the pandemic.
Global lessons warn India of the pitfalls of diluting the 2005 Right to Information Act.
The survey assumes that lower tax rates are best, which overlooks each country’s fiscal requirements.

CONCLUSION :

The doing business index needs a total revamp wherein aspects such as safety standards, labour rights and environmental performance also find a provision.

QUESTION : Significance of World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report as far as Indian economy is concerned . Comment

FOR A DIFFERENT YARDSTICK

WHAT ?

World Bank’s Doing Business

WHY IN NEWS ?

The article examines the need to revamp the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ survey to make it more comprehensive.

IMPORTANCE OF DOING BUSINESS REPORT TO INDIA :

‘Doing Business’ 2020 report, India= jumped 14 places to the 63rd position
Doing Business report= valued tool for countries seeking to measure costs of doing business.
Doing Business indicators + methodology= help improve the overall business climate.
In 2020 India= among those economies that were recognised for their “most notable improvement”.

EASE OF DOING BUSINESS INDEX :

estimates the cost to business from regulations+ simplifying procedures brings economic benefits.
assumes that lower tax rates are best+ it supports lighter rules+ regulation to encourage shifts from informal to formal sectors.

CONCERNS :

slash down vital regulations= a detrimental impact in long run.
societal costs of deregulating pollution, worker safety, and health risks.

IGNORING THE IMPACT:

Several indicators of the Doing Business survey presume that less regulation is better
2008 global financial crisis resulted from too little banking supervision.
Centre + States in India must take into consideration workers’ well-being
Global lessons warn India of the pitfalls of diluting the 2005 Right to Information Act.
survey assumes that lower tax rates are best

CONCLUSION :

doing business index needs a total revamp wherein aspects such as safety standards, labour rights+ environmental performance also find a provision.

QUESTION : Explain the significance of climate diplomacy for India and efforts in reducing carbon emissions by GoI.

REJECT THIS INEQUITABLE CLIMATE PROPOSAL

WHAT ?

India’s climate action and the issue of phasing out the use of coal.

WHY IN NEWS ?

Recently, the UN Secretary General’s call for India to give up coal immediately and reduce emissions by 45% by 2030 (on a par with the developed countries) is a call to de-industrialise the country and abandon the population to a permanent low-development trap.

CLIMATE PROPOSAL ?

In a move in climate diplomacy, secretary called on India to make no new investment in coal after 2020.
It was in reality a deliberate setting aside of the foundational principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that distinguish between the responsibilities and commitments of developed countries vis-à-vis those of developing countries.

WHY SHOULD INDIA REJECT THIS ?

The UNFCCC itself has reported that between 1990 and 2017, the developed nations excluding Russia and east Europe, have reduced their annual emissions by only 1.3%.

India with the lowest per capita income among the G-20, is undergoing the worst economic contraction currently, whose long-term impact is still very unclear.
It was an unmistakable ratcheting up of pressure on India in the climate arena.
Developed countries of Europe and North America’s phasing out of coal has obscured the reality of its continued dependence on oil and natural gas, both equally fossil fuels, with no timeline for their phase-out.
While it is amply clear that their commitments into the future set the world on a path for almost 3°C warming, they have diverted attention and the passage of resolutions declaring a climate emergency that amount to little more than moral posturing.

INDIA’S TRACK RECORD :

India’s renewable energy programme is ambitious while its energy efficiency programme is delivering, especially in the domestic consumption sector.
India is one of the few countries with at least 2° Celsius warming compliant climate action, and one of a much smaller list of those currently on track to fulfilling their Paris Agreement commitments.
Despite the accelerated economic growth of recent decades India’s annual emissions, at 0.5 tonnes per capita, are well below the global average of 1.3 tonnes, and also those of China, the United States and the European Union, the three leading emitters in absolute terms, whose per capita emissions are higher than this average.
In terms of cumulative emissions (which is what really counts in determining the extent of temperature increase), India’s contribution by 2017 was only 4% for a population of 1.3 billion, whereas the European Union, with a population of only 448 million, was responsible for 20%.

ABOUT DEVELOPED WORLD’SSTRATEGY :

Large sections of United States and other western nations have turned to pressure the developing countries to bear the brunt of climate mitigation.
Their strategies include the promoting developing nation’s natural resources as active sites of mitigation and not adaptation.
Promoting theories of de-growth or the neglect of industrial and agricultural productivity for the pursuit of climate change mitigation.
These are accompanied by increasing appeals to multilateral world financial and development institutions to force this agenda on to developing countries.

REASONS FOR THE PRESSURE ON DEVELOPING NATIONS :

A section of concerned youth in the developing countries unsensitised to global and international inequalities, have also helped promote the undifferentiated rhetoric of a climate emergency.
S. would cease all participation in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation, and begin negotiations to re-enter the agreement on terms.
The EU nations for their long-term reliance on gas and oil while hiding behind their overwhelming rhetorical focus on coal.
EU has been promoting the agenda of carbon neutrality by 2050 as national level goals applicable to all, without any reference to global and international equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in climate action.

WHAT WILL BE CONSEQUENCES IF INDIA CEASES ALL COAL INVESTMENT ?

Currently, 2 GW of coal-based generation is being decommissioned per year, which implies that by 2030, India will have only 184 GW of coal-based generation.
But meeting the 2030 electricity consumption target of 1,580 to 1,660 units per person per year, based on the continuation or a slight increase of the current decadal growth rate, will require anywhere between 650 GW to 750 GW of renewable energy.
Unlike the developed nations, India cannot substitute coal substantially by oil and gas and despite some wind potential, a huge part of this growth needs to come from solar.
None of this will really drive industry, particularly manufacturing, since renewables at best can meet residential consumption and some part of the demand from the service sector.
Currently, manufacturing growth powered by fossil fuel-based energy is itself a necessity, both technological and economic, for the transition to renewables.
Whether providing 70% to 80% of all generation capacity is possible through renewables depends critically on technology development, including improvements in the efficiency of conversion of energy from its source into electricity.
But since the Copenhagen Accord signaled the end of legally binding commitments to emissions reduction by the developed countries, technology development in climate change mitigation technologies has registered a significant fall.
Annual filing of patents shows a marked decline, ranging between 30% to 50% or more from 2009-10 to 2017, across all subsectors and across all developed countries, without exception.
Lacking production capacity in renewable energy technologies and their large-scale operation, deployment on this scale will expose India to increasing and severe dependence on external sources and supply chains.
It is a truism that renewables alongside coal will generate, directly and indirectly, far more employment than renewables alone.

ABOUT UNFCCC :

UNFCCC is an international environmental treaty adopted on 9 May 1992 and opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992, entered into force on 21 March 1994.
The UNFCCC objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system
Currently, there are 197 Parties (196 States and European Union) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

PARIS AGREEMENT 2015 :

Parties to UNFCCC agreed to strive to limit the rise in global warming to well under 2 degrees Celsius, over pre-industrial levels by 2100, under Paris Agreement 2015.
Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) were conceived at Paris summit which require each Party to prepare, communicate and maintain successive nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that it intends to achieve.
Parties shall pursue domestic mitigation measures, with the aim of achieving the objectives of such contributions.
Paris Agreement replaced earlier agreement to deal with climate change, Kyoto Protocol.
USA recently pulled out from the agreement seriously damaging the global effort to reverse climate change, as USA is one of the largest Greenhouse Gas emitter.

INDIA’S INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION (INDCs) :

India’s INDC include a reduction in the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level.
India has also pledged to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
India will anchor a global solar alliance, INSPA (International Agency for Solar Policy & Application), of all countries located in between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.

CONCLUSION :

India must unanimously reject the UN Secretary General’s call and reiterate its long-standing commitment to an equitable response to the challenge of global warming.

QUESTION : Explain the significance of climate diplomacy for India and efforts in reducing carbon emissions by GoI.

REJECT THIS INEQUITABLE CLIMATE PROPOSAL

WHAT ?

India’s climate action+ issue of phasing out use of coal.

WHY IN NEWS ?

UN Secretary General’s call for India to give up coal immediately and reduce emissions by 45% by 2030

CLIMATE PROPOSAL ?

no new investment in coal after 2020.
a deliberate setting aside of the foundational principles of (UNFCCC) that distinguish between responsibilities +commitments of developed countries vis-à-vis those of developing countries.

WHY SHOULD INDIA REJECT THIS ?

developed nations excluding Russia+ east Europe, have reduced their annual emissions by only 1.3%.
India with the lowest per capita income among the G-20
unmistakable ratcheting up of pressure on India in climate arena.
Developed countries of Europe and North America’s phasing out of coal has obscured the reality of its continued dependence on oil and natural gas

INDIA’S TRACK RECORD :

India= energy efficiency efficiency is delivering, especially in the domestic consumption sector.
India is one of the few countries with at least 2° Celsius warming compliant climate action, to fulfilling their Paris Agreement commitments.
India’s annual emissions, at 0.5 tonnes per capita, are well below the global average of 1.3 tonnes
India’s contribution by 2017 was only 4% for a population of 1.3 billion, whereas European Union, with a population of only 448 million, was responsible for 20%.

ABOUT DEVELOPED WORLD’S STRATEGY :

to pressure the developing countries to bear the brunt of climate mitigation.
promoting developing nation’s natural resources as active sites of mitigation+ not adaptation.
Promoting theories of de-growth or the neglect of industrial+Agricultural activities

REASONS FOR THE PRESSURE ON DEVELOPING NATIONS :

youth in the developing countries unsensitised to global+international inequalities
S. would cease all participation in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation, and begin negotiations to re-enter the agreement on terms.
EU nations for their long-term reliance on gas and oil
EU= agenda of carbon neutrality by 2050 as national level goals applicable to all, without any reference to global+ international equity

WHAT WILL BE CONSEQUENCES IF INDIA CEASES ALL COAL INVESTMENT ?

India will have only 184 GW of coal-based generation.
But meeting the 2030 electricity consumption target of 1,580 to 1,660 units per person per year,will require anywhere between 650 GW to 750 GW of renewable energy.
India cannot substitute coal substantially by oil + gas and despite some wind potential
Currently, manufacturing growth powered by fossil fuel-based energy is itself a necessity
Whether providing 70% to 80% of all generation capacity is possible through renewables depends critically on technology development
Annual filing of patents shows a marked decline, ranging between 30% to 50% or more from 2009-10 to 2017, across all subsectors and across all developed countries, without exception.
Lacking production capacity in renewable energy technologies=expose India to increasing+ severe dependence on external sources+ supply chains.
truism that renewables alongside coal will generate, directly+ indirectly, far more employment than renewables alone.

ABOUT UNFCCC :

an international environmental treaty adopted on 9 May 1992 + opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992, entered into force on 21 March 1994.
objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system

PARIS AGREEMENT 2015 :

Parties to UNFCCC agreed to strive to limit the rise in global warming to well under 2 degrees Celsius, over pre-industrial levels by 2100, under Paris Agreement 2015+replaces Kyoto protocol

INDIA’S INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION (INDCs) :

reduction in the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level+ pledged to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

CONCLUSION :

India must unanimously reject UN Secretary General’s call+ reiterate its long-standing commitment to an equitable response to challenge of global warming.

QUESTION : Examine the legal and ethical issues related to how we deal with wild animals which venture into human-dominated landscapes

FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS

WHAT ?

Cruelty Against Animals

WHY IN NEWS ?

For a country that claims adherence(follow) to ahimsa, India’s treatment of its animals betrays a moral failure. The editorial talks about the need to reconsider several aspects of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCES :

Section 11 lists a series of offences, which vary from abandoning an animal to kicking it, mutilating it or killing it, and prescribes the same punishment for all these offences.
Severe offences are treated on a par with less severe ones. This is a clear departure from established principles of penology.
An amendment is required to grade the offences according to their severity, and specify punishments accordingly.
Further, the more severe offences must be made cognizable and non-bailable.
At present, a majority of the offences under the Act are non-cognisable, which means the police cannot investigate the offence or arrest the accused without the permission of a Magistrate.
This facilitates police inaction, and ensures that most culprits of animal abuse go scot free.
The PCA Act creates a plethora of exceptions which significantly dilute the protections available to animals.
Though Section 11 criminalises several forms of animal cruelty, sub-section (3) carves out exceptions for animal husbandry procedures such as dehorning, castration, nose-roping, and branding.
The law does not provide any guidelines for these procedures. This allows individuals to resort to cruel methods.
Many farmers remove horns using hot irons, knives or wires. Nose-roping involves piercing the animal’s nasal septa using a thick, blunt needle.
Branding is traditionally done by applying a hot iron directly to the animal’s skin to imprint an identification mark on its body.
These procedures cause tremendous physical and psychological pain to animals.

VIABLE ALTERNATIVES :

On August 10, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India moved the Delhi High Court seeking the enactment of proper regulations for such animal husbandry procedures.
The petition suggests mandating the use of anesthetics prior to castration, and the replacement of cruel practices such as nose-roping with face halters and branding with radio frequency identification.
Further, as opposed to dehorning cattle, it recommended that farmers breed hornless cattle.
The exceptions in favour of animal husbandry practices need to be reconsidered as there are viable alternatives that would prevent animals from undergoing such trauma.
The PCA Act also suffers from ambiguity in definition.
The law was enacted to “prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals”. However, this phrase is not defined anywhere in the Act.
This is crucial because what constitutes “unnecessary” is entirely a matter of subjective assessment.
In the absence of a clear statutory definition, we are leaving crucial questions of animal welfare to the subjective moral compass of judges.
Given that the aim of law is to achieve a certain standard of objectivity, it is essential that the expression “unnecessary pain or suffering” be defined.

ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA (AWBI) :

It is a statutory body
It is an advisory body advising the Government of India on animal welfare laws, and promotes animal welfare in the country of India.
The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960.
The Board consists of 28 Members, who serve for a period of 3 years.
It works to ensure that animal welfare laws in the country are followed and provides grants to Animal Welfare Organisations.
The Board was initially within the jurisdiction of the Government of India’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture. In 1990, the subject of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was transferred to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, where it now resides.
It frames a range of rules on how animals ought to be humanely treated everywhere. It has also frequently litigated to have stricter laws to ensure animals were not unduly harassed or tortured

WHY IS THERE VIOLENCE AGAINST ANIMALS ?

Violence against animals is considered ‘legal’ as long as it is directed against animals that are declared as ‘vermin’.
This can be understood in the context of the state of the agricultural community in India.
Agricultural losses due to climate change and inefficient policies have been added to by invasion of wild animals. Many of these affected farmers are themselves marginal.

The cause of such violence is two-fold:

Society has delegated the law for handling the ‘vermin category’ of animals to the farmers. They can ‘destroy’ these animals at free-will in whatever manner they see fit.
Government policies have failed to address farmers’ distress. Agriculture has become unviable for many of these communities.

WHAT ARE THE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ANIMAL CRUELTY IN INDIA ?

Compassionate treatment of animals is one of the Fundamental Duties of citizens of India, according to Article 51A.
The Indian Penal Code has provisions for punishing acts like killing, maiming, poisoning etc. of animals that are valued at 10 INR or more under Section 428 and in case of such acts against animals valued at 50 INR and above, under Section 429
Wildlife Protection Act ,1972
PCA Act, 1960

WAY FORWARD :

Mass awareness and sensitization campaigns are needed to make the general public alert to the animal cruelty issue.
There is a need for wide spread adoption of early warning systems to reduce man-animal conflict in the areas bordering forests inhabited by elephants and other wild animals.
It is high time that the PCA Act is subject to amendments and the penalties must be made proportional to the crimes to have an actual deterrent effect.
Marketing and use of imported products developed by animal testing should be banned. Israel imposed such a ban in 2010 and the EU banned them in 2013. Its high time India follows suit.
There is an urgent need to reconsider the exceptions in favour of animal husbandry practices as there are viable alternatives that would prevent animals from undergoing such trauma.

QUESTION : Examine the legal and ethical issues related to how we deal with wild animals which venture into human-dominated landscapes

FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS

WHAT ?

Cruelty Against Animals

WHY IN NEWS ?

For a country that claims adherence(follow) to ahimsa, India’s treatment of its animals betrays a moral failure.

CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCES :

Section 11 lists a series of offences, which vary from abandoning an animal to kicking it, mutilating it or killing it,
Severe offences are treated on a par with less severe ones.
An amendment is required to grade the offences according to their severity+ specify punishments accordingly.
Further, more severe offences must be made cognizable+ non-bailable.
At present, a majority of the offences under the Act are non-cognisable
This facilitates police inaction+ ensures that most culprits of animal abuse go scot free.
PCA Act creates a plethora of exceptions which significantly dilute the protections available to animals.
Though Section 11 criminalises several forms of animal cruelty
law does not provide any guidelines for these procedures+ allows individuals to resort to cruel methods.
Many farmers remove horns using hot irons, knives or wires.
Branding=traditionally done by applying a hot iron directly to the animal’s skin
These procedures cause tremendous physical+ psychological pain to animals.

VIABLE ALTERNATIVES :

On August 10, PETA India moved the Delhi High Court seeking the enactment of proper regulations for such animal husbandry procedures.
petition suggests mandating the use of anesthetics prior to castration, and the replacement of cruel practices such as nose-roping with face halters and branding with radio frequency identification.
Further, as opposed to dehorning cattle, it recommended that farmers breed hornless cattle.
The PCA Act also suffers from ambiguity in definition.
The law was enacted to “prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals”. However, this phrase is not defined anywhere in the Act.
This is crucial because what constitutes “unnecessary” is entirely a matter of subjective assessment.
In the absence of a clear statutory definition, we are leaving crucial questions of animal welfare to the subjective moral compass of judges.
Given that the aim of law is to achieve a certain standard of objectivity

ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA (AWBI)

statutory body+an advisory body advising the Government of India on animal welfare laws+promotes animal welfare in country of India.
The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960.
The Board consists of 28 Members, who serve for a period of 3 years.
It works to ensure that animal welfare laws in the country are followed and provides grants to Animal Welfare Organisations.
Board= initially within the jurisdiction of the Government of India’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
It frames a range of rules on how animals ought to be humanely treated everywhere. It has also frequently litigated to have stricter laws to ensure animals were not unduly harassed or tortured

WHY IS THERE VIOLENCE AGAINST ANIMALS ?

Violence against animals=considered ‘legal’ as long as it is directed against animals that are declared as ‘vermin’.
This can be understood in the context of the state of the agricultural community in India.
Agricultural losses due to climate change+ inefficient policies have been added to by invasion of wild animals.

The cause of such violence is two-fold:

Society has delegated the law for handling the ‘vermin category’ of animals to the farmers. They can ‘destroy’ these animals at free-will in whatever manner they see fit.
Government policies= failed to address farmers’ distress.

WHAT ARE THE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ANIMAL CRUELTY IN INDIA ?

Compassionate treatment of animals is one of the Fundamental Duties of citizens of India, according to Article 51A
IPC has provisions for punishing acts like killing,maiming, poisoning etc. of animals
Wildlife Protection Act ,1972
PCA Act, 1960

WAY FORWARD :

Mass awareness+ sensitization campaigns
need for wide spread adoption of early warning systems to reduce man-animal conflict
high time that PCA Act is subject to amendments+ penalties must be made proportional to the crimes to have an actual deterrent effect.
Marketing+ use of imported products developed by animal testing should be banned.
an urgent need to reconsider the exceptions in favour of animal husbandry practices

QUESTION : Reforms in the agricultural sector are an important prerequisite for ensuring inclusive growth. Critically analyse.

IT’S A NO GREEN SIGNAL FROM THE FARM WORLD

WHAT ?

New Agriculture Bills And Opposition To It

WHY IN NEWS ?

Recently, there have been strong protests from farmers, especially from the states of Punjab and Haryana, against three farm bills that seek to replace ordinances issued in june 2020 .

These are –

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020
The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020

WHAT DO THE ORDINANCES NECESSARY ?

1) The Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill has following provisions

Opens up agricultural sale and marketing outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers
Removes barriers to inter-State trade
Provides a framework for electronic trading of agricultural produce.
Prohibits State governments from collecting market fee, cess or levy for trade outside the APMC markets.

2) The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance relates to contract farming. It has following provisions

Provides framework on trade agreements for the sale and purchase of farm produce.
The mutually agreed remunerative price framework envisaged in the legislation is touted as one that would protect and empower farmers.
The written farming agreement, entered into prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce, lists the terms and conditions for supply, quality, grade, standards and price of farm produce and services.

3) The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance

Removes cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes from the list of essential commodities. The amendment will deregulate the production, storage, movement and distribution of these food commodities.
The central government is allowed regulation of supply during war, famine, extraordinary price rise and natural calamity, while providing exemptions for exporters and processors at such times as well.
Imposition of any stock limit on agricultural produce must be based on price rise. A stock limit may be imposed only if there is a 100% increase in retail price of horticultural produce; and a 50% increase in the retail price of non-perishable agricultural food items

WHY ARE THESE BILLS BEING OPPOSED ?

Against the Spirit of Cooperative federalism :

Since agriculture and markets are State subjects – entry 14 and 28 respectively in List II – the ordinances are being seen as a direct encroachment upon the functions of the States
The provisions are viewed as against the spirit of cooperative federalism enshrined in the Constitution.

End of MSP

Critics view the dismantling of the monopoly of the APMCs as a sign of ending the assured procurement of food grains at minimum support prices (MSP).
To the Centre’s ‘one nation, one market’ call, critics have sought ‘one nation, one MSP’.

No mechanism for price fixation

The Price Assurance Bill, while offering protection to farmers against price exploitation, does not prescribe the mechanism for price fixation.
There is apprehension that the free hand given to private corporate houses could lead to farmer exploitation.
Critics are apprehensive about formal contractual obligations owing to the unorganised nature of the farm sector and lack of resources for a legal battle with private corporate entities.

Food security undermined

Easing of regulation of food items would lead to exporters, processors and traders hoarding farm produce during the harvest season, when prices are generally lower, and releasing it later when prices increase.
This could undermine food security since the States would have no information about the availability of stocks within the State .Black-marketing may increase.

BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE BILLS ?

The Bills aim to do away with government interference in agricultural trade by creating trading areas free of middlemen and government taxes outside the structure of APMCs.
It will allow farmers an option to sell their produce directly to these new zones, without going through the middlemen and paying levies such as mandi fees.
It sought to remove stock holding limits as well as curbs on inter-State and intra-State trade, and create a framework fo contract farming.
Also, these bills promote the creation of (FPO) on a large scale and will help in creating a farmer-friendly environment for contract farming where small players can benefit.
These bills may enable private players to invest in warehousing, grading and other marketing infrastructure.
A combined effect of these bills will help in creating’ One Nation One Market’ for agricultural produce.

WAY FORWARD :

Improve Agricultural Infrastructure to Strengthen Competition: Government should massively fund the expansion of the APMC market system, make efforts to remove trade cartels, and provide farmers good roads, logistics of scale and real time information.
Empowering State Farmers Commissions: Rather than opting for heavy centralisation, the emphasis should be on empowering farmers through State Farmers Commissions recommended by the National Commission for Farmers, to bring about a speedy government response to issues.
Consensus Building: The Centre should reach out to those opposing the Bills, including farmers, explain to them the need for reform, and get them on board.

QUESTION : Reforms in the agricultural sector are an important prerequisite for ensuring inclusive growth. Critically analyse.

IT’S A NO GREEN SIGNAL FROM THE FARM WORLD

WHAT ?

New Agriculture Bills+ Opposition To It

WHY IN NEWS ?

strong protests from farmers, especially from the states of Punjab and Haryana, against three farm bills .

WHAT DO THE ORDINANCES NECESSARY ?

Opens up agricultural sale and marketing outside (APMC) mandis for farmers
Removes barriers to inter-State trade
Provides a framework for electronic trading of agricultural produce.
Prohibits State governments from collecting market fee, cess or levy for trade outside APMC markets.
Provides framework on trade agreements for the sale+purchase of farm produce.
The mutually agreed remunerative price framework envisaged in the legislation is touted as one that would protect and empower farmers.
amendment will deregulate the production, storage, movement and distribution of these food commodities.

WHY ARE THESE BILLS BEING OPPOSED ?

Against the Spirit of Cooperative federalism
End of MSP
No mechanism for price fixation
Food security undermined

BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE BILLS ?

Bills aim to do away with government interference in agricultural trade by creating trading areas free of middlemen
removes stock holding limits + curbs on inter-State and intra-State trade+ create a framework fo contract farming
Also, these bills promote the creation of (FPO)
These bills may enable private players to invest in warehousing, grading+ other marketing infrastructure.
A combined effect of these bills will help in creating’ One Nation One Market’ for agricultural produce.

WAY FORWARD :

Improve Agricultural Infrastructure to Strengthen Competition
Empowering State Farmers Commissions
Consensus Building: The Centre should reach out to those opposing the Bills, including farmers

QUESTION : Discuss about FCRA 2010 and why it has been controversial in the recent past taking into account some important amendments ?

THE FOREIGN HAND

WHAT ?

The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment

WHY IN NEWS ?

Recently, the amendments to the FCRA were passed in Parliament.

IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS :

Bill proposes to make Aadhaar a mandatory identification document for all the office-bearers, directors and other key functionaries of an NGO or an association eligible to receive foreign donations.
The Bill proposes to include “public servant” and “corporation owned or controlled by the government” among the list of entities who are not eligible to receive foreign donations.

CONCERNS RELATED TO THESE AMENDMENTS :

Over-regulation of NGO:

New regulations put onerous conditions on civil society organisations, and educational and research institutions that have partnerships with foreign entities.

No discussion on amendments:

The amendments were not discussed with the stakeholder and passed with limited discussion in Parliament.

Against Constitutional rights:

The International Commission of Jurists has said the new law was incompatible with international obligations and India’s own constitutional provisions on rights.

Discourage social work:

Thousands of NGOs serve extremely disadvantaged sections. Only presumption of guilt against them all, followed by control, amounts to throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Selective barriers:

the over-regulation appears to be towards select categories of global ideas and ideals such as environmentalism, human rights and civil liberties.

Reduce investments and technology flow:

As a growing economy, India has been proactive in seeking global capital and technology.

Against Indian cultural ethos:

Prime Minister has often cited the ancient Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as the framework for its global engagement. It does not go well with India’s legitimate ambitions to be a global player

WHY NEED OF SUCH AMENDMENTS ?

Misuse of foreign funding:

In Parliament, the government alleged that foreign money was being used for religious conversions. For instance, In 2017, the government barred American Christian charity, Compassion International.
Loss to the GDP: during the UPA that an official report even quantified the GDP losses allegedly caused by environmental NGOs, insinuating a foreign conspiracy against India.

To enhance transparency and accountability:

The annual inflow of foreign contribution has almost doubled between the years 2010 and 2019, but many recipients of foreign contribution have not utilised the same for the purpose for which they were registered or granted prior permission under the said Act.

FCRA :

FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect the internal security of the country.
The Act, first enacted in 1976 was amended in the year 2010 when a slew of new measures was taken by the Union Home Ministry to regulate foreign donations.

NGOs IN INDIA :

Worldwide, the term ‘NGO’ is used to describe a body that is neither part of a government nor a conventional for-profit business organisation.
NGOs are groups of ordinary citizens that are involved in a wide range of activities that may have charitable, social, political, religious or other interests.
NGOs are helpful in implementing government schemes at the grassroots.
In India, NGOs can be registered under a plethora of Acts such as the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860, Religious Endowments Act,1863, Indian Trusts Act, etc.
India has possibly the largest number of active NGOs in the world, a study commissioned by the government put the number of NGOs in 2009 at 33 lakh.
Ministries such as Health and Family Welfare, Human Resource Department, etc provide funding to NGOs, but only a handful of NGOs get hefty government funds.
NGOs also receive funds from abroad, if they are registered with the Home Ministry under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

WHO CANNOT ACCEPT FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION ?

Election candidate
Member of any legislature (MP and MLAs)
Political party or office bearer thereof
Organization of a political nature
Correspondent, columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner, printer or publishers of a registered Newspaper.
Judge, government servant or employee of any corporation or any other body controlled on owned by the Government.
Association or company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio news, audio visual news or current affairs programmes through any electronic mode
Any other individuals or associations who have been specifically prohibited by the Central Government

WAY FORWARD :

Delink religious propagation and conversions from the question of foreign funding.
There are adequate laws against conversion by inducement. It cannot be decided against the touchstone of the source of funds, native or foreign.
Seamless sharing of ideas and resources across national boundaries is essential to the functioning of a global community.
Civil societies should not be discouraged unless there is reason to believe the funds are being used to aid illegal activities.
Civil societies supplements government works and sometimes reach to the sections where government cannot.

QUESTION : Discuss about FCRA 2010 and why it has been controversial in the recent past taking into account some important amendments ?

THE FOREIGN HAND

WHAT ?

FCRA Amendment

WHY IN NEWS ?

Recently, the amendments to the FCRA were passed in Parliament.

IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS :

Bill proposes to make Aadhaar a mandatory identification document
“public servant” + “corporation owned or controlled by the government”

CONCERNS RELATED TO THESE AMENDMENTS :

Over-regulation of NGO
No discussion on amendments
Against Constitutional rights
Discourage social work
Selective barriers
Reduce investments and technology flow
Against Indian cultural ethos

WHY NEED OF SUCH AMENDMENTS ?

Misuse of foreign funding
Loss to the GDP: GDP losses allegedly caused by environmental NGOs, insinuating a foreign conspiracy against India.
To enhance transparency and accountability

FCRA :

regulates foreign donations + ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect the internal security of the country.

NGOs IN INDIA :

NGOs= groups of ordinary citizens that are involved in a wide range of activities charitable, social, political, religious or other interests+helpful in implementing government schemes at the grassroots.
In India, NGOs can be registered under a plethora of Acts such as the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860, Religious Endowments Act,1863, Indian Trusts Act, etc.
 India has possibly the largest number of active NGOs in the world.

WHO CANNOT ACCEPT FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION ?

Election candidate
Member of any legislature (MP and MLA)
Political party or office bearer thereof
Organization of a political nature
Correspondent, columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner, printer or publishers of a registered Newspaper.
Judge, government servant or employee of any corporation or any other body controlled on owned by the Government.
Association or company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio news, audio visual news or current affairs programmes through any electronic mode
Any other individuals or associations who have been specifically prohibited by the Central Government

WAY FORWARD :

Delink religious propagation+ conversions from the question of foreign funding.
Seamless sharing of ideas+resources across national boundaries is essential to the functioning of a global community.
Civil societies should not be discouraged
Civil societies supplements government works+ sometimes reach to the sections where government cannot.

QUESTION : Discuss the significance of labour laws in the Industrial growth of India.

CODE DEBATE

WHAT ?

New Version of Labour Codes

WHY IN NEWS ?

The three codes aimed at consolidating diverse labour laws and ushering in reforms fall in this category. The codes were passed in both Houses after a limited debate and in the absence of the Opposition.

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS IN THE 3 LABOUR CODES :

1) Industrial Relations Code Bill 2020

The code, among its important provisions, makes it easier for companies to hire and fire workers.
Companies employing upto 300 workers will not be required to frame rules of conduct for workmen employed in industrial establishments. Presently, it is compulsory for firms employing upto 100 workers.
It proposes that workers in factories will have to give a notice at least 14 days in advance to employers if they want to go on strike.
Besides, every industrial establishment employing 20 or more workers will have one or more Grievance Redressal Committees for resolution of disputes arising out of employees’ grievances.
The code also proposes setting up of a reskilling fund to help skill retrenched workers.

2) Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code Bill, 2020

It spells out duties of employers and employees, and envisages safety standards for different sectors, focusing on the health and working condition of workers, hours of work, leaves, etc.
The code also recognises the right of contractual workers.
The code provides employers the flexibility to employ workers on a fixed-term basis, on the basis of requirement and without restriction in any sector.
It also mandates that no worker will be allowed to work in any establishment for more than 8 hours a day or more than 6 days in a week.
In case of an overtime, an employee should be paid twice the rate of his/her wage. It will be applicable to even small establishments, which have upto 10 workers.
The code also brings in gender equality and empowers the women workforce. Women will be entitled to be employed in all establishments for all types of work and, with consent can work before 6 am and beyond 7 pm subject to such conditions relating to safety, holidays and working hours.
For the first time, the labour code also recognises the rights of transgenders. It makes it mandatory for industrial establishments to provide washrooms, bathing places and locker rooms for male, female and transgender employees.

3) Code on Social Security Bill, 2020

This will replace nine social security laws, including Maternity Benefit Act, Employees’ Provident Fund Act, Employees’ Pension Scheme, Employees’ Compensation Act, among others.
The code universalizes social security coverage to those working in the unorganised sector, such as migrant workers, gig workers and platform workers.
For the first time, provisions of social security will also be extended to agricultural workers also.
The code also reduces the time limit for receiving gratuity payment from the continuous service of five years to one year for all kinds of employees, including fixed-term employees, contract labour, daily and monthly wage workers.

BENEFITS OF LABOUR CODES :

Consolidation and simplification of the Complex laws:

The three Codes simplify labour laws by subsuming 25 central labour laws that have been on the table for at least 17 years.
It will provide a big boost to industry & employment and will reduce multiplicity of definition and multiplicity of authority for businesses.

Single Licensing Mechanism:

The codes provide for a single licensing mechanism. It will give fillip to industries by ushering in substantive reform in the licensing mechanism. Currently, industries have to apply for their licence under different laws.

Easier Dispute resolution:

The codes also simplify archaic laws dealing with industrial disputes and revamp the adjudication process, which will pave the way for early resolution of disputes.

Ease of Doing Business:

According to the industry and some economists such reform shall boost investment and improve ease of doing business. It drastically reduces complexity and internal contradictions, increases flexibility & modernizes regulations on safety/working conditions.
Other benefits for Labour: The three codes will promote fixed term employment, reduce influence of trade unions and expand the social security net for informal sector workers.

CONCERNS RAISED OVER THE NEW LABOUR CODES :

Dilutes rights of Workers:
Workers in small establishments (with up to 300 workers) will have their rights watered down with no protection of trade unions, labour laws.
Workers safety safeguards diluted:
The new rules will enable companies to introduce arbitrary service conditions for workers.
Corporate Friendly:
The new rules provides more flexibility to employers for hiring and firing workers without government permission.
Restricts Freedom of Speech:
Restrictions on strikes and demonstrations is akin to assault on the freedom of industrial actions.
Ambiguity about reskilling Fund:
The Code lacks clarity on the substantive and procedural aspects of reskilling Fund which will fizzle out like the National Renewal Fund in the 1990s
Women’s Safety:
Allowing women to work during night time inspite of various safeguards imposed may increase their vulnerability to sexual abuse.

EXISTING LABOUR CODES :

The social security code replaces nine laws on social security, including the Employees’ Provident Fund Act, 1952, and the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
Industrial Relations Code subsumes the Industrial Disputes Act, 1974, the Trade Unions Act, 1926; and Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code replaces 13 labour laws.

CONCLUSION :

In the changed economic scenario post COVID-19 pandemic, the government has to balance the rights of workers and economic recovery. Favouring one over the other will impact the Country’s prospects in long run.

QUESTION : Discuss the significance of labour laws in the Industrial growth of India.

CODE DEBATE

WHAT ?

New Version of Labour Codes

WHY IN NEWS ?

3 codes

aimed at consolidating diverse labour laws and ushering in reforms fall in this category.

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS IN THE 3 LABOUR CODES :

1) Industrial Relations Code Bill 2020

makes it easier for companies to hire + fire workers+compulsory for firms employing upto 100 workers.
at least 14 days in advance to employers if they want to go on strike.
employing 20 or more workers will have one or more Grievance Redressal Committees+ proposes setting up of a reskilling fund

2) Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code Bill, 2020

envisages safety standards for different sectors, focusing on the health + working condition of workers, hours of work, leaves, etc.+ recognises the right of contractual workers.
flexibility to employ workers on a fixed-term basis +no worker=allowed to work in any establishment for more than 8 hours a day or more than 6 days in a week.
brings in gender equality+first time, recognises the rights of transgenders.

3) Code on Social Security Bill, 2020

Replaces 9 social security laws, including Maternity Benefit Act, Employees’ Provident Fund Act, Employees’ Pension Scheme, Employees’ Compensation Act
universalizes social security coverage
first time, provisions of social security will also be extended to agricultural workers also.
reduces the time limit for receiving gratuity payment

BENEFITS OF LABOUR CODES :

Consolidation and simplification of the Complex laws
Single Licensing Mechanism
Easier Dispute resolution
Ease of Doing Business
Other benefits for Labour

CONCERNS RAISED OVER THE NEW LABOUR CODES :

Dilutes rights of Workers
Workers safety safeguards diluted
Corporate Friendly
Restricts Freedom of Speech
Ambiguity about reskilling Fund
Women’s Safety

EXISTING LABOUR CODES :

The social security code replaces nine laws on social security, including the Employees’ Provident Fund Act, 1952+ Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
Industrial Relations Code subsumes the Industrial Disputes Act, 1974, the Trade Unions Act, 1926+ Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.
Occupational Safety, Health+ Working Conditions Code replaces 13 labour laws.

CONCLUSION :

In the changed economic scenario post COVID-19 pandemic, government has to balance the rights of workers and economic recovery. Favouring one over the other will impact the Country’s prospects in long run.

QUESTION : Discuss the concept of carbon tax, also analyse to what extent it can prove to be an effective policy instrument in achieving INDC targets for India ?

THE BENEFITS OF A CARBON TAX

WHAT ?

Carbon Tax and Climate

WHY IN NEWS ?

China, the largest carbon dioxide emitter, announced that it would balance out its carbon emissions with measures to offset them before 2060. The spotlight is now on the U.S. and India, countries that rank second and third in emissions.

GLOBAL WARMING:

Record heat waves in Delhi, floods in southwest China, and catastrophic forest fires in California this year are indicative of the existential danger from global warming.
India ranks fifth in the Global Climate Risk Index 2020.
Between 1998 and 2017, disaster-hit countries reported $2.9 trillion in direct economic losses, with 77% resulting from climate change, according to a United Nations report.
The U.S. faced the highest losses, followed by China, Japan, and India.
Air pollution has fallen worldwide after the COVID-19 outbreak, including in India. But with resumption of polluting activities, emissions in India are set to rise sharply unless strong action is taken.
Carbon dioxide, the chief culprit in global warming, was 414 parts per million in August 2020 because of past accumulation. As one half comes from the three top carbon emitters, they need to drive de-carbonisation

WHY CARBON TAX ?

Carbon tax is a form of pollution tax. It levies a fee on the production, distribution or use of fossil fuels based on how much carbon their combustion emits
It is imposed on the burning of carbon-based fuels (coal, oil, gas) for reducing and eventually eliminating the use of fossil fuels whose combustion is destabilizing and destroying climate.
It is a powerful monetary disincentive that motivates transition to clean energy across the economy, simply by making it more economically rewarding to move to non-carbon fuels and energy efficiency.
A carbon tax’s burden would fall most heavily on energy-intensive industries and lower-income households.
Policymakers could use the resulting revenue to offset those impacts, lower individual and corporate taxes, reduce the budget deficit, invest in clean energy and climate adaptation, or for other uses.

BENEFITS :

Will Balance Marginal social costs:
The carbon tax will be a Pigovian Tax which balances the marginal social costs such as disease etc and additional emissions.
Greener alternatives:
high price of the materials or energy source according to their carbon content will induce households, including the rich, to shift towards greener alternatives.
Employment generation:
It will provide more employment since the employment elasticity in greener forms of energy is higher than those in fossil fuel-based energy.
Expenditure will come down:
a significant part of more than 3% of India’s GDP currently spent on pollution-induced diseases will come down
Increase tax-revenue :It will also increase tax-revenue which can be used for other green projects.

CONCERN/CHALLENGES OF TAXING CARBON :

Carbon tax is regressive in nature -it affects the poor more than the rich.
Inflation : high transportation cost will lead to inflation and affect the informal sector.
Alone insufficient: increasing carbon taxes is alone insufficient to reduce emissions as income levels rise.
The highest rise in price will be in fuel and energy which affects the poor.

STRONGER ACTION:

India has committed to 40% of electricity capacity being from non-fossil fuels by 2030, and lowering the ratio of emissions to GDP by one-third from 2005 levels.
It is in the country’s interest to take stronger action before 2030, leading to no net carbon increase by 2050.
One way to price carbon is through emission trading, i.e., setting a maximum amount of allowable effluents from industries, and permitting those with low emissions to sell their extra space.
Pilot projects on carbon trading in China have shown success. There is valuable experience in the EU, and some American states — for example, the regional greenhouse gas initiative in the U.S. northeast.
Another way is to put a carbon tax on economic activities — for example, on the use of fossil fuels like coal, as done in Canada and Sweden.
Canada imposed a carbon tax at $20 per tonne of CO2 emissions in 2019, eventually rising to $50 per tonne.
This is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by between 80 and 90 million tonnes by 2022.
The fiscal gains from pricing carbon can be sizeable. A carbon tax at $35 per tonne of CO2 emissions in India is estimated to be capable of generating some 2% of GDP through 2030.
An internally recommended carbon price of $40 per metric tonne in China could generate 14% additional revenues.

WAY FORWARD :

Universal travel passes with a pre-loaded balance to compensate for the rise in transport costs.
Encourage the use of green public transport.
Carbon tax regime in india will be effective only if it is harmonised internationally and carbon tax is levied in other countries too because energy-intensive businesses may move to less strict national regimes.
Most practical way to change energy consumption habits is to lower the price of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

CONCLUSION :

Carbon tax will help in achievement of goals under Paris Agreement to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels.

QUESTION : Discuss the concept of carbon tax, also analyse to what extent it can prove to be an effective policy instrument in achieving INDC targets for India ?

THE BENEFITS OF A CARBON TAX

WHAT ?

Carbon Tax + Climate

WHY IN NEWS ?

China= largest carbon dioxide emitter, announced that it would balance out its carbon emissions with measures to offset them before 2060.

GLOBAL WARMING:

Record heat waves in Delhi, floods in southwest China+ catastrophic forest fires in California this year.
India= fifth in the Global Climate Risk Index 2020.
Between 1998 and 2017, disaster-hit countries reported $2.9 trillion in direct economic losses, with 77% resulting from climate change, according to a United Nations report.
S. faced highest losses, followed by China, Japan,India.
Air pollution=fallen worldwide after COVID-19 +emissions in India are set to rise sharply unless strong action is taken.
Carbon dioxide= 414 parts per million in August 2020

WHY CARBON TAX ?

form of pollution tax+ levies a fee on production, distribution or use of fossil fuels
imposed on the burning of carbon-based fuels (coal, oil, gas) for reducing and eventually eliminating the use of fossil fuels whose combustion is destabilizing and destroying climate.
powerful monetary disincentive that motivates transition to clean energy across the economy+to move non-carbon fuels+energy efficiency

BENEFITS :

Will Balance Marginal social costs: The carbon tax will be a Pigovian Tax
Greener alternatives
Employment generation
Expenditure will come down
Increase tax-revenue

CONCERN/CHALLENGES OF TAXING CARBON :

Carbon tax= regressive in nature -it affects the poor more than the rich.
Inflation : high transportation cost will lead to inflation+ affect the informal sector.
Alone insufficient
highest rise in price= in fuel+energy which affects the poor.

STRONGER ACTION:

India= committed to 40% of electricity capacity being from non-fossil fuels by 2030
country’s interest to take stronger action before 2030, leading to no net carbon increase by 2050.
One way to price carbon is through emission trading, permitting those with low emissions to sell their extra space.
the regional greenhouse gas initiative in the U.S. northeast.
to put a carbon tax on economic activities — for example, on the use of fossil fuels like coal, as done in Canada + Sweden.
Canada imposed a carbon tax at $20 per tonne of CO2 emissions in 2019
reduce greenhouse gas pollution by between 80 and 90 million tonnes by 2022.
fiscal gains from pricing carbon can be sizeable. A carbon tax at $35 per tonne of CO2 emissions in India is estimated to be capable of generating some 2% of GDP through 2030.

WAY FORWARD :

Encourage the use of green public transport.
Carbon tax regime in india= effective only if it is harmonised internationally.
Most practical way to change energy consumption habits is to lower the price of renewable energy+ energy efficiency.

CONCLUSION :

Carbon tax will help in achievement of goals under Paris Agreement to strengthen global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees celsius.

QUESTION : Explain all aspects how a global crisis like covid-19 can devastate developing nation’s economic growth and give some remedial steps by government tackling this.

GROWTH COMPULSIONS , FISCAL ARITHMETIC

WHAT ?

Economic Situation

WHY IN NEWS ?

Global growth prospects for 2020 have been projected by a number of multilateral institutions and rating agencies including that for India.

REAL GDP GROWTH NUMBERS :

Pandemic Devastated Growth: India’s growth in the first quarter of 2020-21 at (-) 23.9% showed one of the highest contractions globally
Real GDP Growth Projection: Reserve Bank of India’s Survey of Professional Forecasters estimate 2020-21 real GDP growth for India in the range of -5.8% to whereas Goldman Sachs projects it as -14.8%.
OECD in its September 2020 Interim Economic Outlook has projected a contraction of -10.2% in FY21 for India

Inflation Projection for this Fiscal

The latest data released by the Ministry of Statistics indicate a Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate of 6.7% for August 2020.
The average CPI inflation during the first five months of 2020-21 is estimated at 6.6%.
Given the injection of periodic liquidity into the system and the inflation trends, the year as a whole may show a CPI inflation of close to 7%.
Since deflator-based inflation tends to be lower than the CPI inflation, it may be about 5% or less.

CONCERNS :

Sharp fall in GDP: The challenge is to minimise this sharp contractionary momentum in real and nominal growth.
No fiscal stimulus:

o The sector ‘Public Administration, Defence and other Services’ contracted at (-) 10.3%.

o States’ capital spending fell by 43.5%.

o It is because of decline in revenue than increase in expenditure.

o It appears that governments are withholding expenditure. That is not the right approach.

Revenue erosion

o The revenue calculations of the Budget were made on the assumption that the nominal income of the country would grow at 10%.

o In the first quarter of 2020-21, the Centre’s gross tax revenues contracted by (-) 32.6%.

o The CAG-based data of 19 States show a contraction of (-) 45% in tax revenues.

Limits to fiscal deficit
The economic situation warrants enhanced government expenditure.
Both monetisation and Open market Operations (OMOs) involve expansion of money supply which can potentially stoke inflation.
RBI has the mandate to maintain annual inflation at 4 per cent until March 31, 2021 with an upper tolerance of 6 per cent and a lower tolerance of 2 per cent.

HOW TO FUND THE HIGH FISCAL DEFICIT ?

There are not adequate resources to support a fiscal deficit of nearly 14% of GDP.
All this will therefore require substantial support from the RBI which will have to take on itself, either directly or indirectly, a part of the central government debt
In the direct mode, the RBI takes on the debt directly from government at an agreed rate.
In indirect mode the RBI would operate only in the secondary market through the OMO (open market operations) route. OMOs involve the sale and purchase of government securities to and from the secondary market by the RBI to adjust the rupee liquidity conditions

FISCAL DEFICIT :

It is the difference between the government’s total expenditure and its total receipts excluding borrowing
Gross fiscal deficit = Total expenditure – (Revenue receipts + Non-debt creating capital receipts)
Gross fiscal deficit = Net borrowing at home + Borrowing from RBI + Borrowing from abroad.
Net borrowing at home includes that directly borrowed from the public through debt instruments (for example, the various small savings schemes) and indirectly from commercial banks through Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).

THE GDP DEFLATOR :

It is also called implicit price deflator, and is a measure of inflation.
It is the ratio of the value of goods and services an economy produces in a particular year at current prices to that of prices that prevailed during the base year.

SIGNIFICANCE :

This ratio helps show the extent to which the increase in gross domestic product has happened on account of higher prices rather than increase in output.
The deflator covers the entire range of goods and services produced in the economy compared to the limited commodity baskets for the wholesale or consumer price indices.
It is seen as a more comprehensive measure of inflation.
GDP deflator is available only on a quarterly basis along with GDP estimates, whereas CPI and WPI data are released every month.

REAL VS NOMINAL GDP :

GDP price deflator measures the difference between real GDP and nominal GDP.
Nominal GDP doesn’t include inflation, while the real GDP includes inflation.
Therefore nominal GDP is more often higher than real GDP in an expanding economy.
The formula to find the GDP price deflator:
GDP price deflator = (nominal GDP ÷ real GDP) x 100

CONCLUSION :

The economic situation warrants enhanced government expenditure; the policy challenge is to minimise the growth fall

QUESTION : Explain all aspects how a global crisis like covid-19 can devastate developing nation’s economic growth and give some remedial steps by government tackling this.

GROWTH COMPULSIONS , FISCAL ARITHMETIC

WHAT ?

Economic Situation

WHY IN NEWS ?

Global growth prospects for 2020=projected by a number of multilateral institutions+ rating agencies including that for India.

REAL GDP GROWTH NUMBERS :

Pandemic Devastated Growth: India’s growth in the first quarter of 2020-21 at (-) 23.9% showed one of the highest contractions globally
Real GDP Growth Projection: Reserve Bank of India’s Survey of Professional Forecasters estimate 2020-21 real GDP growth for India in the range of -5.8% to whereas Goldman Sachs projects it as -14.8%.
OECD in its September 2020 Interim Economic Outlook has projected a contraction of -10.2% in FY21 for India

Inflation Projection for this Fiscal

7% for August 2020+average CPI inflation during first five months of 2020-21 = estimated at 6.6%.

CONCERNS :

Sharp fall in GDP
No fiscal stimulus:
‘Public Administration, Defence + other Services’ contracted at (-) 10.3%+States’ capital spending fell by 43.5%.
Revenue erosion
Centre’s gross tax revenues contracted by (-) 32.6%+contraction of (-) 45% in tax revenues.
Limits to fiscal deficit
monetisation + Open market Operations involve expansion of money supply+RBI = mandate to maintain annual inflation at 4 per cent until March 31, 2021

HOW TO FUND THE HIGH FISCAL DEFICIT ?

require substantial support from RBI which will have to take on itself, either directly or indirectly, a part of the central government debt+RBI takes on the debt directly from government at an agreed rate.
In indirect mode the RBI would operate only in secondary market through OMO route

FISCAL DEFICIT :

difference between the government’s total expenditure+ its total receipts excluding borrowing
Gross fiscal deficit = Total expenditure – (Revenue receipts + Non-debt creating capital receipts)
Gross fiscal deficit = Net borrowing at home + Borrowing from RBI + Borrowing from abroad
Net borrowing at home includes that directly borrowed from the public through debt instruments (for example, the various small savings schemes) and indirectly from commercial banks through Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).

THE GDP DEFLATOR :

also called implicit price deflator+is a measure of inflation.
ratio of value of goods and services an economy produces in a particular year

SIGNIFICANCE :

deflator covers the entire range of goods+ services + seen as a more comprehensive measure of inflation.
available only on a quarterly basis along with GDP estimates, whereas CPI+ WPI data are released every month.

REAL VS NOMINAL GDP :

GDP price deflator measures difference between real GDP+ nominal GDP.
Nominal GDP doesn’t include inflation, while the real GDP includes inflation.
GDP price deflator = (nominal GDP ÷ real GDP) x 100

CONCLUSION :

The economic situation warrants enhanced government expenditure; the policy challenge is to minimise the growth fall

September 2020 Editorials Compilation

Arora IAS

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September 2020 The Hindu Editoirals Summary Compilation (The Hindu Notes) for UPSC IAS Exam ( Arora IAS)

September 2020 Editorials Compilation

Arora IAS

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