DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (DECEMBER 25, 2021)

THE INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. SOYA MEAL AS AN ESSENTIAL COMMODITY

THE CONTEXT: In a bid to cool down the domestic prices of Soya Meal, Government has notified an Order under the Essential Commodities Act to declare ‘Soya Meal’ as an Essential Commodities up to 30th June 2022 by amending the Schedule of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The decision would empower the Union Government and all States/UTs to regulate production, distribution etc. of Soya Meal and to smoothen the sale and availability of this item in the market. It will stop unfair market practices and enhance the availability for consumers like Poultry farm and Cattle feed manufacturers.

According to the ministry, the following stock limits have been promulgated of all Soya meal for a period upto 30 June 2022 with following stock limits for all States and Union Territories:

  • Plant/Miller/Processor: Maximum stock of 90 days production, as per daily input production capacity of Plant/Miller/Processor, defined in its IEM. The storage location should be declared.
  • Trading company/Trader/Private Chaupals: Only Government registered enterprise, maximum stock of 160 MT with a defined and declared storage location.
  • These measures are expected to stop any unfair practices (like hoarding, black marketing, etc.) in the market having the potential to hike the prices of Soya Meal. Consequently, the market price of Soyabean Oil will cool down.

What is meant by the Essential Commodity Act?

The Act gives powers to the central government to add or remove a commodity in the “Schedule.” The Centre, if it is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in public interest, can notify an item as essential, in consultation with state governments.

At present, the “Schedule” contains 9 commodities — drugs; fertilisers, whether inorganic, organic or mixed; foodstuffs, including edible oils; hank yarn made wholly from cotton; petroleum and petroleum products; raw jute and jute textiles; seeds of food-crops and seeds of fruits and vegetables, seeds of cattle fodder, jute seed, cotton seed; face masks; and hand sanitisers.

How and under what circumstances can the government impose stock limits?

  • Under the amended EC Act, agri-food stuffs can only be regulated under extraordinary circumstances such as war, famine, extraordinary price rise, and natural calamity.
  • However, any action on imposing stock limits will be based on the price trigger.
  • Thus, in case of horticultural produce, a 100 per cent increase in the retail price of the commodity over the immediately preceding 12 months or the average retail price of the last five years, whichever is lower, will be the trigger for invoking the stock limit for such commodities.
  • For non-perishable agricultural foodstuffs, the price trigger will be a 50 per cent increase in the retail price of the commodity over the immediately preceding 12 months or the average retail price of the last five years, whichever is lower.

THE SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

2. LIFE EXPECTANCY REDUCED IN 2020

THE CONTEXT: According to the report published in the British Medical Journal November 2021 Observed that life expectancy in 2020 reduced in 29 of the 37 countries surveyed compared to the expected figures, decreased by 1.1-2.3 years for men and 1.1-2.1 years for women.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The reduction of life expectancy across the globe during the first year of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was alarming, reversing progress made in past years, “more than 28 million excess years of life were lost in 2020 in 31 countries, with a higher rate in men than women.
  • Also, the study noted, the excess years of life lost associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 were more than five times higher than those associated with the seasonal influenza epidemic in 2015”.
  • Russia recorded the largest drop in life expectancy — for men it fell by 2.33 years and for women by 2.14 years. This was followed by the United States, where the figure for men reduced by 2.27 years and by 1.61 for women.
  • New Zealand, Taiwan and Norway recorded increases while the figures remained unchanged for Denmark, Iceland, and South Korea.
  • Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, all 37 countries recorded an increase in life expectancy between 2005 and 2019. Only in 2015 was there an anomaly, where life expectancy dropped during the influenza outbreak.
  • According to the report “the overall, the excess years of life lost (YLL) in the 37 countries was 5 times higher during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 than the excess YLL associated with the seasonal influenza epidemic in 2015. The absolute difference was of 2,050 years of life lost per 100,000.

 INDIAN ECONOMY

3. MONETARY POLICY IS FINANCIALLY INCLUSIVE’

THE CONTEXT: According to the RBI deputy Governor, India’s monetary policy is by design financially inclusive, the evidence of which is still coalescing, and increased inclusion will over time enhance policy effectiveness by fostering societal intolerance to inflation.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • “Although it is empirically observed that there is a two-way relationship between monetary policy and financial inclusion, it is unambiguous that financial inclusion is able to dampen inflation and output volatility”.
  • “This is achieved by smoothing consumption by enabling people to draw down financial savings in difficult times for everyday needs. In the process, it makes people interest sensitive. Moreover, inflation targeting monetary policy ensures that even those at the fringe of financial inclusion are secured from adverse income shocks that hit them when prices rise unconscionably”.
  • Observing that financial inclusion appeared to have increased, with the level of the RBI’s financial inclusion index rising from 9 in March 2019, to 53.1 in March 2020, and further to 53.9 in March 2021: “The evidence is still forming and strong conclusions from its analysis may be premature, but India’s monetary policy is by design” inclusive.
  • Financial inclusion appeared to be the lowest in rural, agriculture-dependent areas where food was the main source of income.

Price stability target

  • In this kind of a situation, the efficacy of monetary policy in achieving its stabilisation objective increases by targeting a measure of prices that includes food prices rather than one that excludes them such as core inflation.
  • In India, food accounts for 46% of the CPI, among the highest shares globally.
  • “The lower the level of financial inclusion, therefore, the stronger is the case for price stability being defined in terms of headline inflation rather than any measure of core inflation that strips out food and fuel”.

How to measure Financial Inclusion?

THE ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

4. RECORD DEMAND FOR COAL POWER IN 2021

THE CONTEXT: According to International Energy Agency (IEA), Carbon emissions from coal will be 3 gigatonnes higher in 2024 than required to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The Global demand for coal-fired electricity has grown 6 per cent in 2021 to 7,906 million tonnes (Mt) and generation 9 per cent to 10,350 terawatt-hours (TWh), according to a new report. Generation has increased 12 per cent in India and 9 per cent in China, a record for both.
  • On the supply side, coal production did not keep pace with demand, Shortages occurred due to supply chain issues and adverse weather conditions leading to “power outages and idled factories.
  • IEA projected, major coal producing countries such as China, India, Indonesia and Russia are expected to boost production. As a result, coal production will hit its highest level in 2022 and then plateau as demand flattens.

Coal was in focus at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow November 2021. Cash, coal, cars and trees” was the marketing term used by United Kingdom Prime Minister to capture the UK’s strategy at the summit.

Net Zero Commitment:

  • Several countries made commitments to phase out coal power or stop financing coal abroad through announcements like the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement and the Powering Past Coal Alliance. Despite this, the new IEA report finds that the 2021 rebound in coal consumption and future trends will result in three gigatons higher CO2 emissions from coal in 2024 than its Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE). The NZE outlines a roadmap for the energy sector to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
  • China dominates coal use globally;it is the largest consumer, producer and importer – has no parallel with any other country”, said IEA in the report. The country’s coal consumption is more than half of the global total, despite efforts to expand hydro, wind, solar and nuclear power.

India’s Picture:

  • In India, coal comprised 74 per cent of the power mix in 2021, up from 72 per cent in 2020. As electricity access expands, coal demand is expected to increase by 3.9 per cent on average till 2024.EFENCE AND SECURITY
  • The country plans to boost domestic coal production following the 2021 shortages, rising to an expected 955 Mt by 2024 from 793 Mt in 2021, according to IEA. This is a far cry from India’s support of a coal “phase-down” in the final text of the COP 26 pact – a thorny issue, that attracted a fair amount of backlash from Western media outlets, despite receiving support from countries like China and US.
  • India’s ground reality is complex. Keeping its multiple developmental goals of energy access, livelihoods and poverty reduction in mind, the transition away from coal must be done with clear strategic intent and deliberate planning.

At the same time, the co-benefits of transitioning to a zero-carbon energy system as soon as possible are undeniable. And the Union government’s domestic efforts do not echo its global statements.

5. PRALAY QUASI-BALLISTIC MISSILE

THE CONTEXT: The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden test of ‘Pralay’, a new surface-to-surface conventional quasi-ballistic missile, in a boost for India’s tactical battlefield strategy.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • A quasi-ballistic missile has a low trajectory, and while it is largely ballistic, it can manoeuvre in flight. The missile has a range of 150-500 kilometers and has been developed according to specifications given by eventual user, the Army.
  • According to the Defense Ministry, new missile reached the designated target with a high degree of accuracy, validating the control, guidance and mission algorithms.

Significance:

  • The missile is powered with a solid propellant rocket motor and multiple new technologies. Sources in the defense establishment underlined that accuracy is a highlight of this missile.
  • Capable of being launched from a mobile launcher, it has the latest navigation system and integrated avionics, and will be part of the Artillery Corps of the Army.
  • Pralay will be the longest-range surface-to-surface missile in the inventory of the Army, which sources said will give a fillip to their operational plans.
  • The Army also has the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in its arsenal, with a stated range of 290-plus kilometers.

‘Change tactical battlefield dynamics’

  • According to the Scientist, “It will completely change the tactical battlefield dynamics and India will have two conventional missiles with long range. The BrahMos will be a cruise option and this one will be the ballistic option. Cruise missiles and ballistic missiles have their own distinct advantages.
  • While cruise missiles have high agility, stealth and even loitering capability, ballistic missiles have the advantage of speed and countering them is a very difficult task even for modern air defence systems.

6. INS SUDARSHINI DEPLOYMENT TO GULF COUNTRIES

THE CONTEXT: INS Sudarshini is presently on its culmination phase of deployment to Gulf region as part of Indian Navy’s efforts towards familiarising friendly foreign navies on various facets of operations and training on board sail training platforms and extending ‘Bridges of Friendship’.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • IRI Navy Trainee officers (Sea Riders) designated to undergo sail training visited the ship for a familiarisation tour of the ship. Practical knowledge on subjects of seamanship, sail arrangement, rope work and the technicalities of sail training were shared. Hands-on practical knowledge and experience on sail rigging of both sides was also imparted during this visit.
  • The ship would be staying at Bandar Abbas for three days which includes a visit to Naval Base (Bandar Abbas) and embarkation of Sea Riders from the IRI Navy to provide sail training experience over a day’s sortie.

PLACES IN NEWS:

IMPORTANCE OF BANDAR ABBAS

  • The Port of Bandar Abbas is over 575 nautical miles (775 kilometers or 482 miles direct) southeast of Iran’s Imam Khomeini Port.
  • The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-km-long network of moving freight by ships, railways, and roads. The corridor aims to connect India, Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe via Bandar Abbas. The cities that would be interlinked by this corridor include Mumbai, Moscow, Tehran, Baku, Bandar Abbas, Astrakhan, and Bandar Anzali.
  • This will also synchronize with the Ashgabat agreement, a Multimodal transport agreement signed by India, Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, for creating an international transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.

THE PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION

1. Consider the following statements about Election Commission:

  1. Indian Constitution provides for establishment of Election Commission as multi-member
  2. CEC and ECs have equal powers and equal salary, allowances which are similar to a judge of a High Court.
  3. Constitution has debarred CEC and ECs from any further appointment by government after their retirement.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

      a) 1 only                             b) 1 and 2 only

      c) 2 and 3 only                 d) All of them

ANSWER FOR 24TH DECEMBER 2021

Answer: a)

Explanation:

Eligibility criteria:

  • Adult woman (attained 18 years of age) belonging to any of the following categories.
  • SC Households
  • ST Households
  • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin)
  • Most Backward Classes
  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
  • Tea and Ex- Tea Garden tribes
  • Forest Dwellers
  • People residing in Islands and River Islands
  • SECC Households (AHL TIN)
  • Poor Household as per 14-point declaration



TOPIC- NEW CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES PENSION RULES 2020- CONCERNS OF SECURITY OR A GAG ORDER ON THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH?

THE CONTEXT: The Central Civil Services (Pension Rules) 1972(CSP) have been amended and notified by the Union Government in May 2021. These rules which are part of the Code of Conduct(CoC) of the civil servants, prohibit the retired civil servants belonging to intelligence and security organisations from communicating to the media or publishing any letter, etc without prior clearance. This move is criticised as unreasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech of retired civil servants. The critics also point out that there are other vital areas where changes in CoC are necessary like a post-retirement appointment. Against this backdrop, this write-up examines this whole issue in detail.

WHAT ARE THE AMENDMENTS TO CSP 1972?

The CSP 1972 places conditions on the continuity of pensions of the civil servants.  For instance, Rule 8 of the CSP provides that the pension benefits will be withheld or withdrawn if the pensioner is convicted of a serious crime or is found guilty of grave misconduct. The 2021 amendment adds new conditionalities. Under amended Rule-8(3)(a), officials retired from certain intelligence and security establishments will not be allowed to write anything about their organisation without permission. It says: “no government servant worked in any intelligence or security-related organisation included in the Second Schedule of the RTI Act, shall, without prior clearance from the Head of the Organisation, make any publication after retirement. The new grounds are the domain of the organisation, experience or knowledge gained by virtue of working in that organisation; reference to personnel, etc. The existing rules prevent disclosure of sensitive information, the disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific, or economic interests of the state, or relation with a foreign state or which would lead to incitement of an offense.

ARGUMENTS FOR THE AMENDMENTS IN PENSION RULES?

GOVERNMENT’S POSITION: The government says that the amendment to the CSP 1972 is not a sudden development. Rather these are based on a Committee of Secretaries recommendations years back.

2008 PENSION RULES: The UPA government in April 2008 also amended the 1972 pension rules, imposing restrictions on intelligence, security, and paramilitary organisations. Violation of these restrictions by retired civil servants then also invited disciplinary actions including reduction/withdrawal of pension and prosecution.

INTERNATIONAL EXAMPLES: Such restrictions on retired personnel from intelligence agencies exist in other countries also. For instance, In the United States (US), the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) Publications Review Board (PRB) undertakes such reviews. CIA rules require op-ed essays and books related to intelligence to be submitted for approval before publication.

NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS: The prevailing national security environment is quite challenging and there has been intelligence on the foreign government’s increased efforts to penetrate sensitive government agencies. Also, some high-profile retired officers had written books on their tenure, and some of these had revealed information.

PENSION IS SUBJECT TO GOOD CONDUCT: The pension of government servants is already subject to their conduct after retirement. Rule 8 of the CCS Pension Rules says: the appointing authority can withhold or withdraw a pension if the pensioner is convicted of a serious crime or is found guilty of grave misconduct. The expression ‘grave misconduct’ also includes the communication or disclosure of any secret official code or password or any sketch, plan, model, article, note, document, or information.

RESTRICTIONS ON SERVING PERSONNEL: TheIntelligence Organisations (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1985 already bar serving officers from publishing any material without permission from their department.

WHAT ARE THE CRITICISMS OF THE AMENDMENTS?

PREVENTING CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT: Many retired civil servants have been speaking against the actions and inactions of the Central Government in recent times. Many senior serving officers in the Government to are upset at the manner in which the pursuit of a partisan political agenda is undermining the rule of law. By bringing these amendments the government is attempting to prevent present and future criticism. 

GO BEYOND THE GROUNDS MENTIONED IN 2008 RULES: Unlike the 2008 Rules that confined the grounds of prior permission to security and sovereignty of the state etc, the current rules expand grounds by including domain knowledge, reference to personnel, expertise, and knowledge gained These terms are highly vague and can be so interpreted to include anything the retiree writes. Secondly, many retirees   had done extensive studies post-retirement on subjects like intelligence and security which had nothing to do with “expertise or knowledge gained by virtue of working in that organisation.” Why, then, should they submit the articles for prior scrutiny?

DISCRIMINATORY RULES: Only security and intelligence officials are singled out and the Armed Forces, Ministers, and other Civil Servants belonging to All India Services, etc are kept out of the purview of the Rules which violate Article 14.

AGAINST INTERNATIONAL NORMS: This rule India would become possibly the only “major democratic country in the world today which effectively bars its employees from expressing their views after retirement.

UNDUE RESTRICTIONS ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH: This not only violates the freedom of speech of the retirees but also prevents enlightened opinion and critical commentaries on contemporary issues. The importance of wisdom that retired bureaucrats bring with their years of work and how their domain knowledge is not only appreciated but also used as guiding stones for the current practitioners. For instance, the new rule means former R&AW officials can no longer write articles in the media on any foreign or security-related subject such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, or China without prior clearance as the organization’s ‘domain’ covers them.

ALIGNING RTI AND PENSION RULES ILLOGICAL: Giving cross-reference of RTI list to determine pension eligibility is illogical and unfair for pensioners, especially to those who had retired long ago. The list undergoes changes as and when the courts decide on modification of subjects to be revealed like human rights even in secret organisations or arbitrariness in decisions. On the other hand, “security” and “sensitivity to the national interest” are constant factors in democratic countries that do not undergo changes irrespective of which political party is ruling.

PENSION NOT A BOUNTY BY GOVT: Pension is a long-term compensation for government servants for the service rendered by them. Pension and gratuity are not mere bounties or given out of generosity by the employer. An employee earns these benefits by virtue of his long, continuous, faithful, and unblemished service.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS OF CONCERN LEFT OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT?

POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT(PUBLIC): There exists no cooling off period at all with respect to the retired civil servants taking up government employment as advisors, consultants, etc. For instance, a former Higher Education Secretary soon after his retirement was appointed advisor to the Prime Minister recently. Similarly, many retired higher civil servants have been appointed to statutory bodies like the Human Rights Commissions, Information Commission, Government Corporations, etc. Civil servants are meant to provide sound advice without fear or favor to the political bosses. But when such post-retirement loaves are thrown at them, their advice may become biased and politicized.

POST RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT(PRIVATE): Rule 26, Death-cum-Retirement Benefits Rules, restricts a pensioner from any commercial employment for one year after retirement, except with the previous sanction of the central government. This period was 2 years till 2007 which was reduced to one year. Many civil servants join as Board of Directors or in such other capacity in the private sector soon after their retirement.

POST RETIREMENT POLITICS: There are no rules governing the entry of civil servants into politics after retirement or resignation. This is a major reason for the politicisation of administration which strikes at the root of the principle of political neutrality. Among many examples in the Centre and the states, former Union Home Secretary who retired on June 30, 2013, joined the ruling party at the Centre on December 14, 2013, has twice been elected Lok Sabha MP since then, and is a Union Minister of State. A former Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development took voluntary retirement on November 16, 2018, joined the ruling party at the Centre on November 27 that year, and is now a Lok Sabha MP. An IPS officer of the Karnataka Cadre has resigned and soon after made the President of a political party in Tamil Nadu.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE WAY FORWARD?

CLARIFICATION BY GOVERNMENT: Although the government has the authority to make rules governing the pension of retired employees, there has been no reason provided as to why the amendments became necessary. Clarification in this aspect along with removing the vagueness in terminology will be helpful in allaying the concerns of the retirees.

UPHOLDING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH: Constitutional guarantees protecting the freedom of speech can be restricted through reasonable restrictions but as scholars point out that the amendments go beyond what is permissible under reasonable restrictions. Thus, the government must not be seen as stifling free speech and open criticism of its policies. The wisdom and expertise of retired servants need to be used productively.

ADDRESSING THE LACUNAE IN RTI AND PENSION RULES LINKAGE: The automatic application of RTI exempted organisations to the pension rules needs revision as RTI has different purposes altogether and the list keeps changing. A refined list of organizations whose central functions are related to security aspects needs to be distilled.

LEARNING FROM BEST GLOBAL PRACTICES: India can adopt best global practices to balance the need for freedom of speech and security. In Britain, a cooperative relationship exists between retired British intelligence officers and their original departments on publications. The objective is to stop “real” national secrets (not political) from getting exposed. Any intentional breach will attract the Official Secrets Act. They do not object to varying political opinions aired by retired intelligence employees. In fact, Richard Dearlove, a former MI-6 chief (1999–2004) who joined MI-6 in 1966 and is now chairperson of the board of trustees of the University of London, is often seen as an outspoken critic of some political figures in the UK.

COOLING OFF PERIOD FOR EMPLOYMENT: Whether it is public or private employment or joining politics, a mandatory cooling-off period must be there for the retired civil servants. No government sanction be given unless for compelling reasons in the public interest. The post-retirement appointment of civil servants must be regulated through rules or guidelines in consultations with Union Public Service Commission. (In 2013, the Election Commission had written to the DoPT and Law Ministry, suggesting a cooling-off period for bureaucrats joining politics after retirement, but it was rejected)

WIDE-RANGING CONSULTATIVE PROCESS: Any governmental actions having such a wide range of impacts must be introduced by exhaustive consultations with relevant stakeholders. The working philosophy of the government is held to be evidence-based policy making and for it consultations and deliberations are necessary.

A CIVIL SERVICE CODE: Almost all the countries that have reformed their civil services have done it through comprehensive legislation. Art 309 also mandates such a law dealing with civil services personnel management. Such a law will help provide clarity to many sensitive aspects and can also enable avoiding knee-jerk reactions.

CONCLUSION: The objective of ensuring that retirees do not divulge any sensitive material to the detriment of the nation’s security is best achieved by the reiteration of the Official Secrets Act and stern action thereunder in case of infraction. The recent amendment to the Pension Rules attempts to impose a silence that will seriously affect scholarship and be a permanent impediment to an understanding of the imperatives of our security concerns. Officers who have spent a lifetime in security-related matters are unlikely to be irresponsible and reveal sensitive secrets. At the same time, other crucial areas like post-retirement appointments need a course correction.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Critically analyse the Central Civil Services Pension Rules 2020.
  2. The right to pension cannot be taken away by a mere executive fiat or administrative instruction. Pension is not a mere bounty or given out of generosity by the employer. An employee earns these benefits by virtue of his long, continuous, faithful, and unblemished service. Examine in the light of the 2020 amendment to Central Civil Services Pension Rules 1972.
  3. Regulation of post-retirement activities of civil servants requires going beyond the concerns of national security. Comment