THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. INDIA-CENTRAL ASIA DIALOGUE

THE CONTEXT: The 3rd meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue was held under the chairmanship of the External Affairs Minister of India. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan took part in the meeting.

IMPORTANT OUTCOMES OF THE MEETING

During Pandemic: 

• The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the ongoing Central Asia-India cooperation in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic. The Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries appreciated India’s assistance in supply of vaccines and essential medicines during their early stage of fight against Covid-19.

INSTC Corridor: 

• The Ministers emphasized on optimum usage of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as well as Ashgabat Agreement on International Transport and Transit Corridor to enhance connectivity between India and the Central Asian countries. They stress that connectivity initiatives should be based on the principles of transparency, broad participation, local priorities, financial sustainability and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
• They welcomed the proposal to include Chabahar Port within the framework of INSTC and expressed interest in cooperation on issues related to the development and strengthening of regional connectivity in Central and South Asia. In this regard, the Ministers noted the outcomes of the High-Level International Conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity; Challenges and Opportunities”. 

INSTC CORRIDOR 

Defence and Security:

• The Ministers emphasized that interaction in the fields of defence and security constitutes an important element of India- Central Asia cooperation. In this regard, they noted the importance of holding regular consultations among the National Security Councils of India and the Central Asian countries in the fight against terrorism and other emerging challenges in the region.
• The Ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterated that providing safe haven, using terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism, terror financing, arms and drugs trafficking, dissemination of a radical ideology and abuse of cyber space to spread disinformation and incite violence, goes against the basic principles of humanity and international relations. They stressed that perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with principle of “extradite or prosecute”. In this context, they called for early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. They called on the international community to strengthen UN-led global counter-terrorism cooperation and fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions, Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and FATF standards.

Afghan Crisis: 

• The sides discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the region. The Ministers reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while emphasizing the respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs. They also discussed the current humanitarian situation and decided to continue to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) which unequivocally demands that Afghan territory not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing terrorist acts and called for concerted action against all terrorist groups.

Climate Change: 

• The Ministers expressed appreciation for support to each other in the UN and other multilateral fora including SCO, CICA etc. India highlighted the role of “International Solar Alliance (ISA)” initiative in collective, rapid and massive deployment of solar energy for effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. India also underlined the role of “Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)” in promoting disaster resilient infrastructure for reducing economic losses and improving the well-being of communities in the face of calamities. India looked forward to Central Asian countries joining the ISA and CDRI.
• The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Central Asian countries reiterated support of their countries for permanent membership of India in an expanded and reformed UN Security Council. They welcomed the ongoing non-permanent tenure of India in the UNSC and its priorities.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan informed about their proposal to convene the Second High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028 from 6-9 June 2022 in Dushanbe that will be part of the preparatory process for the UN Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the Water Decade in 2023 in New York.

THE ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

2. INDIA DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH AIR QUALITY MONITORS

THE CONTEXT: According to researchers, with its size, population and aggravating air pollution, India needs 1,600 to 4,000 air quality monitors but has only 804 as of September 2021, most of which are concentrated in urban areas.

THE EXPLANATION: 

• India has nine of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, but with 200 particulate matter 2.5 monitoring sites in operation during the 2010-2016 period, India’s air quality monitor density – about 0.14 monitors per million people – is below China (1.2), the United States of America (3.4), Japan (0.5) and Brazil (1.8), according to research from 2019.
• As a consequence, India does not accurately know the spread of pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, nitrous dioxide, respirable PM 10, the finer particulate matter or PM 2.5, lead, carbon monoxide and ammonia. Chronic exposure to these pollutants contributes to the risk of developing ailments such as cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, as well as of lung cancer, according to the World Health Organization.
• Further, since existing air quality monitors are concentrated in urban areas, health and environmental authorities cannot assess the extent of air pollution in rural areas due to biomass, fuelwood, stubble burning and spraying of pesticides.

Real-time monitoring 

• Ambient air quality is monitored by observing pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM 10, PM 2.5, lead, carbon monoxide and ammonia, present in the air. Currently, the country’s clean air programme has set a tentative national target of 20%-30% reduction of air pollution in132 non-attainment cities by 2024, taking 2017 as the base year. The “non-attainment cities”, called so because they did not meet the national ambient air quality standards at the time, are required to formulate city-specific action plans in order to reduce air pollution. So, while the thrust is on the most-polluted cities, rural and semi-urban areas are not being fully monitored for want of monitors and protocols.
• In India, air quality has been traditionally monitored using manual readings. Data from 804 monitoring stations are used for monitoring ambient air quality. Even after the introduction of real-time monitors, the Central Pollution Control Board continues the practice of using data only from manual monitors to report compliance with air quality standards, according to a Centre for Science and Environment report from 2020.

There are 261 real-time monitors whose data are updated on the central database. This network is technically part of the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme but its data are stored and treated separately because Central Pollution Control Board has not established a method of equivalence between the two monitoring techniques, the 2020 Centre for Science and Environment report pointed out.

Monitoring stations needed 

• The minimum number of stations to monitor suspended particulate matter where the area’s population is less than 1,00,000 is four. The minimum number is three for sulphur dioxide, four for nitrous dioxide, one for carbon monoxide, according to Central Pollution Control Board guidelines for ambient air quality monitoring released in 2003. The number of monitors required increases with the population.
• India’s six megacities (Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi) need at least 23 to 44 air quality monitoring stations each, while the existing number of stations range between nine and 12 [excluding Delhi], according to the Centre for Science and Environment report from 2020.

Measuring pollutants 

• To address the data gaps in monitoring pollutants, India will require 1,600 monitors-4,000 monitors (1.2 monitors-3 monitors per million people), the Elsevier paper said, and warned that even at these densities, only relatively basic information on common air pollutants would be available more frequently, and would cover a relatively limited area.
• India has set aside a budget of Rs 470 crore for control of pollution in the financial year 2021-’22, which includes funding for its ambitious National Clean Air Programme. 

Value Addition:
National Air Quality Index (AQI)

• The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells how clean or polluted the air is.
• The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern.
• Research studies have attributed the key sources of PM2.5 in summer to be: dust and construction activities (35%), transport sector (20%) and industry (20%).
• Would measure

1. Particulate Matter 2.5
2. Ozone
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Ammonia
5. Lead
6. Nitrogen oxide
7. Sulpher dioxide
8. PM 10

Six AQI categories

Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) 

• It was indigenously developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.
• It is run by India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• The objective is to provide Real-time air quality index on 24×7 basis with colour coding along with 72-hour advance weather forecast.
• Another goal is to issue health advisory to prepare citizens well in advance.

Government Measurements: 

• Introduction of cleaner gaseous fuels like CNG, LPG etc, and ethanol blending.
• Banning the burning of biomass.
• Promotion of public transport network.
• Pollution Under Control Certificate.
• Issuance of directions under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• Installation of on-line continuous (24×7) monitoring devices by 17 highly polluting industrial sectors.
• Regulating the bursting of pollution-emitting crackers.
• Notification of graded response action plan for Delhi identifying source wise actions for various levels of air pollution, etc.
• Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI standards for vehicles by 1st April 2020.

3. REINTRODUCTION OF GHARIALS

THE CONTEXT: After successfully reintroducing the critically endangered Gharial (Gavialis Gangeticus) in the rivers of Punjab where it had become extinct half a century ago, the State’s wildlife preservation wing is now keeping its fingers crossed, expecting the breeding of the crocodilians to start in the new few years as the released gharials are healthy and have adapted to the Beas Conservation Reserve as their home.
THE EXPLANATION: 

• The gharial reintroduction in the Beas Conservation Reserve is an ambitious programme of the Punjab government. The reptiles were commonly sighted in the Beas River till the 1960s but later became extinct. The gharial can be found in north Indian rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal and their tributaries.

• Since 2017, 94 gharials released in the Beas Conservation Reserve and there have been only two causalities. These gharials have been dispersed both upstream and downstream of the release sites in the reserve and they can be spotted any time depending on the water levels and season, indicating that the first step of their rehabilitation has been successful. 
• According to Punjab wildlife officials, the next big challenge is their breeding. Once natural breeding of gharials starts it would then be a real success. Normally, expect the breeding to start after 10 years. The eldest of the reintroduced ghairals is seven years old now and we are hopeful that breeding could start in the coming three-four years. The habitat is conducive for egg-laying and hatching and we are taking all necessary steps to provide a safe environment predator. 
• In the first phase of the reintroduction project, 47 gharials were released in 2017-2018 in the river in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts. Later, 23 gharials were released in February 2021 on an island near Saleempur and Tahli Forest in district Hoshiarpur. Most recently, in December 2021, another set of 24 gharials was released near the KullaFatta forests in the reserve in Hoshiarpur district.

Value Addition: 

• Gharials (or gavials) are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts.
• Crocodilians are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and more.
• India has three species of Crocodilians namely:
            Gharial: IUCN Red List- Critically Endangered
            Mugger crocodile: IUCN- Vulnerable.
            Saltwater crocodile: IUCN- Least Concern. 
• All the three are listed on Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 
• However, Saltwater Crocodile populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are included in Appendix II of CITES.
• Habitats include: Fresh waters of the northern India – Chambal river, Ghagra, Gandak river and the Sone river (Bihar).
• Population of Gharials is a good indicator of clean river water.

Habitat and Distribution 

• Primary habitat Chambal river and its prefers to live in riverine habitats with deep, clear, fast-moving water and steep, sandy banks.
• Deep pools, formed at sharp river bends are another preferred spot.
• They use sandy banks (at river’s edge or mid-river) and rocky outcrops for basking.

SECURITY

4. NEW GENERATION BALLISTIC MISSILE ‘AGNI P’ SUCCESSFULLY TESTED

THE CONTEXT: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The Agni P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system. This second flight-test has proven the reliable performance of all the advanced technologies integrated into the system.
• Various telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and down range ships positioned along the eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile trajectory and parameters. The missile followed text book trajectory meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy.

About Agni-V
Agni-V is an Indian nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Missile is having a range of around 5000 to 8000 km. It is a three-stage, solid-fuelled and road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile. It is transported by a truck and launched using a canister.

Significance of Agni V
Agni V is used to enhance India’s nuclear deterrence against China. Earlier, the longest-range missile in India was Agni-III, which had the range of 3000–3500 km. This range was not sufficient to reach targets eastern and north-eastern region of China. Thus, DRDO was working on the upgraded version of this missile called Agni-V.

What is Ballistic Missile? 

• A ballistic missile follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver one or more warheads on a predetermined target.
• A ballistic trajectory is the path of an object that is launched but has no active propulsion during its actual flight (these weapons are guided only during relatively brief periods of flight).
• Consequently, the trajectory is fully determined by a given initial velocity, effects of gravity, air resistance, and motion of the earth (Coriolis Force).

Types of ballistic missiles based on the range 

• Short-range (tactical) ballistic missile (SRBM): Range between 300 km and 1,000 km.
• Medium-range (theatre) ballistic missile (MRBM): 1,000 km to 3,500 km.
• Intermediate-range (Long-Range) ballistic missile (IRBM or LRBM): 3,500 km and 5,500 km.
• Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM): 5,500 km +.

What is the difference between ballistic and cruise missiles 

THE PRELIM PRACTICE QUESTION

Q1. ‘Nord Stream’ sometimes seen in the news is a natural gas pipeline between which of the following countries?

                        A) Russia and Germany

B) Germany and U.K.

C) K. and France

D) Germany and Sweden

FOR 18TH DECEMBER 2021 PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Competition Commission of India is a statutory body established under Competition Act, 2002.

Statement 2 is correct: It consists of a chairperson and 6 Members.

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1. On the freedom of speech, expression READ MORE
2. Is the Controversy Over NDPS (Amendment) Act, 2021 a Storm in a Teacup? READ MORE
3. Value probity and decency in public life READ MORE

1. Age and marriage: On raising the age of marriage for women READ MORE
2. Why India’s Time to Tackle Inequality is Now READ MORE
3. Explained | Is raising marriage age enough to help girls? READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. PM lays the foundation stone of Ganga Expressway READ MORE
2. New generation ballistic missile ‘Agni P’ successfully test-fired by DRDO READ MORE
3. India doesn’t have enough air quality monitors to show the true extent of pollution in the country READ MORE
4. Joint Statement of the 3rd meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue READ MORE
5. Explained: Goa Liberation Day READ MORE
6. Reintroduced gharials thriving in Beas reserve: experts READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. Explained | Is raising marriage age enough to help girls? READ MORE
2. Thar desert expanding fast with land degradation, finds study READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. On the freedom of speech, expression READ MORE
2. Is the Controversy Over NDPS (Amendment) Act, 2021 a Storm in a Teacup? READ MORE
3. Value probity and decency in public life READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Age and marriage: On raising the age of marriage for women READ MORE
2. Why India’s Time to Tackle Inequality is Now READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Explained | Understanding the U.S. strategy of ‘Asia Pivot’ READ MORE
2. China: A nemesis that NATO wouldn’t want READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. MSP for all crops is fiscally unfeasible READ MORE
2. Leverage WTO to reform the MSP regime READ MORE
3. A global summit on inequality needed READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1.  In Punjab, sacred forests are shrinking due to encroachments and invasive species READ MORE  

SECURITY

1. National security, at the cost of citizens’ privacy READ MORE
2. Defence reforms stand at the crossroads READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Value probity and decency in public life READ MORE
2. Be Curious, Not Furious READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Laws cannot be a short cut in the path to social reform. With reference to this statement, critically evaluate the government decision to raise the minimum marriage age of women to 21 years.
2. ‘The Official Secrets Act is not to protect secrets, it is to protect officials’. Critically examine with relevant examples.
3. ‘Democracies have their weaknesses. But over the years, they have proved to be far more resilient than authoritarian regimes’. Explain.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.
• Focus must be on creating social awareness about women’s reproductive health and rights.
• Laws cannot be a short cut in the path to social reform.
• The JPC report and the Data Protection Bill, 2021 protect the government instead of the personal data of Indian citizens.
• The Official Secrets Act is not to protect secrets, it is to protect officials.
• MSP for all crops is fiscally unfeasible, it may be better to use an income policy to directly transfer money into farmers’ accounts.
• WTO reform on the MSP regime in India’s own interest to phase out free supply electricity and water and focus on productivity boosting infrastructure.
• Democracies have their weaknesses. But over the years, they have proved to be far more resilient than authoritarian regimes. So, all those who value their rights and freedoms must abide by constitutional duties.
• The right has been provided for in the Constitution, but it comes with responsibilities. It is to be exercised under reasonable restrictions.
• The present highly unequal economic path led by crony capitalism and following the United States model cannot meet the needs of all citizens sustainably.
• The next Global Summit should be about how to tackle inequalities.

50-WORD TALK

• Unlike the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act, through which the unified combatant commands were created for the Americans, the act of integrating India’s three services was not legislated and only a person like General Rawat could have done it. This does not absolve the political setup of its responsibilities. But in the absence of a legislative Act of Parliament, only a resolute mind and personality could bring about the changes that have now germinated.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

[WpProQuiz 117]

The context: There is no comprehensive anti-discrimination law covering the entire country. The constitutional provisions generally view discrimination from a state-citizen perspective. But this approach does not take into account the discriminatory actions of private individuals. Also, the existing legal framework falls short of ensuring justice to the survivors of discrimination as seen during the Covid 19 pandemic. In mid-2021, many state governments brought draft anti-discriminatory bills to deal with the problems of discrimination faced by people. In this context, the write-up analyses the need for pan-Indian anti-discriminatory legislation.

                                                WHAT IS AN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW?

Discrimination means unfair treatment due to a person’s race, caste, religion, gender, or other identity markers.  Thus, an anti-discrimination law or non-discrimination law or equality law (here and after “law”) means a legislation aimed at preventing discrimination against people based on their personal characteristics. The pith and substance of these laws are twofold. One is the vesting of the right against discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender, among others. The second is the imposition of civil liabilities on persons for engaging in unlawful discrimination. Such laws concretises or give substance to the notion of equality mentioned in the Constitution without which the rights given therein will remain a myth. Thus, the philosophy of the law is to bring an egalitarian society in its widest sense and purpose of the term by establishing a comprehensive anti-discriminatory legal-institutional ecosystem.

WHAT IS THE NEED FOR AN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW IN INDIA?

Structural discrimination: More than 70 years after Independence, our society remains rife with structural discrimination. These prejudices pervade every aspect of life, from access to basic goods, education, and employment, etc. Cases of discrimination continue to be witnessed. They are frequently directed against Dalits, Muslims, Women, Persons of different sexual orientations, ‘Hijras’, persons with disabilities, persons from the North-Eastern States, unmarried couples, and non-vegetarians, among others. Mob lynching, hate speech, communal polarisation, etc are the results of such discriminatory practices. Today there are multiple sources of discrimination that go beyond what is provided in the Constitution.

Discrimination by Private Parties: The Right to Equality under the Constitution prevents the state from discriminating against persons on various grounds. But it is silent on the discrimination practiced by private individuals and organization although Art 15(2) and 17 deal with this aspect but its enforceability and effectiveness has been poor (Art 15 (2) prohibits discrimination on religion, race, caste, etc from accessing shops, hotels, places of public entertainment, wells, tanks, etc.) There is no legal recourse in India if citizens have been discriminated against by private entities such as service providers, landlords, housing societies, employers, educational institutions, retailers, etc. The law would give birth to positive duties of every organisation to make such policies, which make diversification and anti-discrimination mandatory.

Global Examples: India is unique among democracies in that a constitutional right to equality is not supported by comprehensive legislation. In South Africa, for example, a constitutional guarantee is augmented by an all-encompassing law that prohibits unfair discrimination not only by the government but also by private organisations and individuals.

Growing public demand: Beginning from the Sachar committee recommendation for such a law, there have been a few efforts to this end in recent times. Shashi Tharoor introduced a private member’s bill in 2017, while the Centre for Law & Policy Research drafted and released an Equality Bill last year. These attempts recognize that our civil liberties are just as capable of being threatened by acts of private individuals as they are by the state.

Existing laws not enough: The existing laws cover only the major areas of discrimination, like untouchability, sexual harassment at the workplace, etc.(Read Ahead) The questions of many vulnerable groups remain unanswered. For example, why are some minorities or homosexuals not taken as workers by the private landowners? Why does a discriminatory mindset exist regarding someone’s marital status, disability, sexuality, or food habits?

Empirical Evidence: We encounter so many situations every day where someone is refused accommodation because he is a Dalit, or a Muslim, or a Homosexual. NGOs, clubs, schools, colleges, hospitals, no such institution is completely free from this evil. Even sports are not immune from this problem as a famous Indian cricketer pointed out how players from the south faced racial discrimination while playing in the north. During the Covid 19, Sex workers and healthcare workers have been facing stigma and harassment for being carriers of the virus. In Pune, 22 members of staff of a multi-specialty hospital were forced to vacate their accommodation as they had treated a Covid-19-positive and were thought to be infected. Nurses working at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru were evicted from their paying guest accommodations based on the perception that they are infected with the coronavirus.

Human rights and SDGs: The UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of India in 2017 has commended that India needs to strengthen its national framework to reduce all kinds of discrimination and to promote and protect the human rights of all its citizens in an inclusive manner, to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goal 10 of reducing inequality and discrimination.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA?

The Sachar Committee Report, 2006 had recommended taking legislative measures to counter discrimination, especially by setting up an Equal Opportunity Commission.  The Central Government subsequently set up the Expert Group on Equal Opportunity Commission under the chairmanship of Prof.  N. R Madhava Menon to look into the question of framing legislation to implement the recommendations of the Sachar Committee. The Group drafted The Equal Opportunity Commission Bill, 2008 to meet this aim. While the draft Bill was criticized by scholars for having vague and ineffective provisions, it nevertheless provided a boost to the campaign for an equality law in India. The United Progressive Alliance Government did not expedite the legislative process in enacting an anti-discrimination law. The Union Cabinet belatedly approved setting up an Equal Opportunity Commission in February 2014. However, a few weeks later with the change in Government post the Lok Sabha elections, the Bill was more or less ignored. The Private Member Bill of Dr. Tharoor also lapsed after the dissolution of the 16^th Lok Sabha as the treasury benches displayed no interest in taking the bill forward.

INTERNATIONAL MODEL: THE U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a bipartisan Commission comprised of five presidentially appointed members. It enforces the “Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act (No FEAR) 2002” which aims to ensure that all Federal employees feel free to come forward with allegations of discrimination, wrongdoing, or misconduct, by making sure that Federal employees are aware of their rights. This law aims to increase the accountability of federal agencies for acts of discrimination and reprisal. This protection covers the full spectrum of employment decisions, including recruitment, selections, terminations, and other decisions concerning terms and conditions of employment. The EEOC also enforces the Civil Rights Act 1964, Equal Pay Act, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, among others.

WAY FORWARD

Leadership by States: State legislations are contributing to the discourse on anti-discrimination law. In 2021, seven states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, West Bengal, etc have come out with draft bills on this subject. The Centre can take a leaf out of this and make a comprehensive law and establish an Equal Opportunity Commission. This is vital as the states cannot legislate in subjects in Union List.

Ensuring Effective Implementation of existing laws: There are few laws and IPC provisions dealing with anti-discrimination in India. For instance, Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 – Guarantees equal pay for equal work to men and women. Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Section 153 A)- Criminalises the use of language that promotes discrimination or violence against people on the basis of race, caste, sex, place of birth, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other category. Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 – Prohibits the denial or refusal to access mental healthcare facilities or services for people on the basis of race, caste, religion, place of birth, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other category.

Conducting a Caste Census: A comprehensive socio-economic caste census needs to be conducted as it would provide an empirical basis for lawmaking as there exists a strong link between caste, discrimination, and privilege in Indian society.

Fundamental Changes in the socialization process: Discrimination is as much a social problem as it is legal. A law may not solve the discrimination unless the social mores changes which must discard discrimination.

Constitutional morality and Judicial intervention: The judiciary has employed the concept of constitutional morality to end many discriminatory practices in Indian society including those based on sex, gender, etc. The apex court needs to nudge or persuade the representative institutions through “judicial dialogue” to facilitate the process of ending discrimination either overt or covert.

CONCLUSION: Equality of opportunity given in the Constitution remains a myth despite 70 years of independence. This is the context of demand for an anti-discrimination law. There are committee and commission reports as also growing public demands for the same. The Parliament and the executive need to seriously consider enacting a comprehensive anti-discrimination law to further substantive equality and also to give concrete shape to its international commitments.

Questions:

1. For substantial equality in India, constitutional equality must be complemented by a comprehensive anti-discrimination law. Examine.
2. Anti-discrimination law is not a panacea for the problems of inequality and social prejudice that are deeply rooted in Indian society. Nevertheless, it is a necessary step — an idea whose time has come. Critically Analyse.

ADD TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE

KERALA ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUALITY BILL, 2021

The Bill prohibits employers, landlords, traders, service providers, private persons performing public functions, and public authorities, from discriminating on grounds of caste, race, ethnicity, descent, sex, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religious identity, tribe, disability, linguistic identity, HIV-status, nationality, marital status, dietary preference, skin tone, physical appearance, place of residence, place of birth, age or analogous characteristics which are beyond the control of an individual or those that constitute a fundamental choice. At the same time, the Bill balances the anti-discrimination mandate with other rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The anti-discrimination mandate can be restricted in pursuance of a legitimate objective: for instance, a drama company putting up a production of the Ramayana can insist on only male applicants for the role of Ram. That would not be discrimination in the terms covered by the law.

The Bill also introduces affirmative-action provisions whereby public authorities are obliged to progressively realise the diversification of their workforces by recruiting members of disadvantaged sections excluded from society, such as transgender persons or persons with disabilities. Given the backlogs in our judicial system, the Bill establishes a ‘Kerala Equality Commission’ to adjudicate complaints and to provide policy recommendations to the State government. Given that the proliferation of post-retirement public offices for judges does not augur well for judicial independence, the proposed commission does not follow the tried and tested model of former judges presiding over statutory bodies. Rather, appointments to the Commission are left to the political process, with substantial weightage given to the largest parties in the State, both in the Treasury and Opposition benches, to ensure bipartisan buy-in to the process.

The Bill has been forwarded both to the Law Minister of Kerala and the Leader of the Opposition with the suggestion that it should be subjected to a pre-legislative consultation process, so that democratic participation in enacting this historic law is encouraged If this Bill is enacted, it will be the largest expansion of civil rights in the State since the commencement of the Constitution, and it can be a model for other states to follow.

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(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. President Kovind inaugurates landmark Kalibari temple in Dhaka READ MORE
2. Bhutan confers its highest civilian award on PM Modi READ MORE
3. Explained: Why IMD has predicted a cold wave in Northwest India READ MORE
4. India-US announce support to innovations to tackle climate, clean energy challenges READ MORE
5. Parliament Passes Surrogacy Bill, Seeks To Constitute National Surrogacy Board READ MORE

Main Exam 

GS Paper- 1

1. The ties that bind religion, popular culture READ MORE  
2. Preserving the linguistic diversity of Northeast India READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Fifteenth Finance Commission’s Recommendations on Local Bodies: Far too Many Concerns READ MORE
2. The Geopolitics of the Democracy Summit READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Tackling mental health inequalities in our country READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The looming Russia-NATO confrontation READ MORE
2. India’s delicate balancing act between Russia and the US READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. When the chips are down: The Semiconductor Mission can power the development of the chip and display industry READ MORE
2. The challenge of achieving 9.5% growth rate: The key lies in the government’s ongoing emphasis on infrastructure spending as reflected in its capital expenditure READ MORE
3. From financial inclusion to financial integration READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Environmentalists oppose proposed changes to Biological Diversity Act READ MORE
2. Insects help richly in ecological restoration READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Not a licence to kill: The government should review AFSPA in Nagaland and other NE areas READ MORE
2. The What, Where, Why and How of AFSPA READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Revolutionary economist READ MORE
2. Gratitude & Happiness READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (UPSC Mains 2018, GS-III)
2. Discuss how insects help richly in ecological restoration?
3. ‘India’s relations with Russia are not as multi-faceted as India’s ties with the U.S., Europe, or even Japan. They are focused primarily on energy and defense’. Critically examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Leadership is an action, not a position.
• The Semiconductor Mission can power the development of the chip and display industry.
• The key lies in the government’s ongoing emphasis on infrastructure spending as reflected in its capital expenditure.
• The ‘financially-included’ people must be offered products and services that are relevant to their needs.
• Insects help break down organic matter like corpses and animal faeces. This is important as it reuses nutrients, making them available for aerating the soil.
• Insects constitute a substantial part of our ecosystem but the number and diversity of insects are decreasing due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
• Poverty brings with it stress and debt. The bidirectional relationship between poverty and mental health has been well-recognised and evidenced.
• India’s relations with Russia are not as multi-faceted as India’s ties with the U.S., Europe, or even Japan. They are focused primarily on energy and defense.
• The United States could show better understanding of India’s security concerns if it wants to consolidate the India-U.S. partnership and transform it into a virtual, if not a formal, alliance.
• Gandhian economics is difficult to explain as a coherent system of thought, but its ethical principles can never be ignored. Many of his economic thoughts stemmed from what he considered ethically right or wrong.
• The Fifteenth Finance Commission recommendations on local bodies, particularly those relating to urban local bodies, are a dampener.

50-WORD TALK

• Mental health in the current scenario is not a fairy tale. However, we all can strive to be the fairy godmother and provide the necessary mental health infrastructure to promote mental well-being. We must be the change we want to see and help write the next chapter in the book of mental health in an ideal world.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. THIRD ANNUAL DEFENCE DIALOGUE

THE CONTEXT: The third Annual Defence Dialogue between India and France took place between Defence Minister and his French counterpart in New Delhi. A wide range of bilateral, regional, defence and defence industrial cooperation issues were discussed in the annual meeting.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The Ministers reviewed the existing military-to-military cooperation, which has increased in spite of pandemic challenges. They discussed ways to increase defence cooperation in all domains.
• Defence industrial cooperation was discussed with a focus on future collaborations and co-production between the two countries.

France’s resolve to expand strategic cooperation with India came nearly two months after the unveiling of a new security alliance (AUKUS) by Australia, the UK and the US that had infuriated the French government.

Defence & Space Cooperation between the two countries

• Regular talks take place between the service chiefs of both nations. An annual defence dialogue at the ministerial level has also been initiated in 2018.
• Regular defence exercises take place between France and India. Such as
• Exercise Shakti (Army)
• Exercise Varuna (Navy)
• Exercise Garuda (Air Force)
• India also buys defence equipment from France, the most famous of them being Rafale aircraft and P-75 Scorpene project.
• There is a Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) manufacturing facility at Mihan in Maharashtra, which is a joint venture between India’s Reliance Group and the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation.
• France and India signed an agreement for the cooperation of the Gaganyaan mission. France space agency, CNES, will support scientific experiment plans and will provide french equipment, consumables, and medical instruments for Indian astronauts’ use.
• ISRO and CNES (the French space agency) have conducted joint research programmes and satellite launches. Examples of joint Indo-French satellites: TRISHNA, Megha-Tropiques, etc.
• France is a major supplier of equipment and components for the Indian space programme.

THE ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

2. IMD HAS PREDICTED A COLD WAVE IN NORTHWEST INDIA

THE CONTEXT: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a cold wave in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh from mid-December 2021.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is a cold wave?

The IMD defines a cold wave qualitatively as “a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to the human body when exposed.”

• The minimum temperature is likely to fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in these places over mid December 2021.
• The IMD records a cold wave when the minimum temperature is equal to or less than 10 degrees Celsius at a weather station in the plains and is 4.5 degrees to 6.4 degrees below the normal temperature for that period. A cold wave may also be recorded at a station in the plains when the minimum temperature is less than or equal to 4 degrees Celsius.

Why do cold waves occur?

• Cold waves usually occur from mid-December to the end of February in northern India. Sometimes, a cold wave may set in before mid-December. According to IMD, that the cold waves depend on weather systems and wind patterns from the middle latitudes, that is from Europe or West Asia, since the winds from these regions bring cold weather.
• Also, it noted, the factors that bring cold waves to India include the movement of cold air masses brought about by upper-level winds. They can be triggered by strong westerly winds approaching northwest India and transporting cold air towards the southeast direction. The build-up of an extended area of relatively high pressure over northwest Asia can also bring cold waves.“Like heat waves, cold waves are hazardous to those who are exposed to the cold”.

How is it measured?

• For hilly regions, a cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature is less than or equal to 0 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature is 4.5 degrees to 6.4 degrees below the normal.
• In ‘severe’ cold wave conditions, where the minimum temperature is less than or equal to 10 degree Celsius and departs from the normal by 6.5 degrees or more.

 3. COVID-19 AND CLIMATE CRISIS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Arctic Report Card was published by the Arctic Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where it stated that “the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges for Alaska natives in accessing traditional foods”.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The Arctic Circle, one of the most climatologically important regions on the planet, has continued to warm at more than twice the rate as the
• rest of the world through 2021.
• The time between October 2020 and September 2021 was the seventh-warmest since the beginning of records. It was the eighth consecutive year since 2014 when the average temperature of the region was at least 1 degree Celsius above the pre-industrial average.
• The warming has also caused the rapid melting of sea ice. “Summer 2021 saw the second-lowest amount of older, multi-year ice since 1985, and the post-winter sea ice volume in April 2021 was the lowest since records began in 2010,” the report st
  ated.
• The decline in sea ice extent is one of the most iconic indicators of global climate change.
• The melting snow has in turn increased the discharge of the Arctic rivers by 12 percent over the average between 1981 and 2010, which could change the intensity of the water cycle of the region.
• The warming has also caused major disruptions in the ecology of the Arctic region. Scientists observed a higher ocean primary productivity than the long-term average between 2003 and 2020, in seven of the nine sub-regions of the Arctic.

• The green cover of the tundra biome of the Arctic region also increased in 2021. Beavers have been colonizing the Arctic tundra in western Alaska, transforming lowland ecosystems and degrading permafrost by increasing the amount of unfrozen surface water on the landscape in winter.
• The degradation of the permafrost can emanate huge amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas that is much more (more than 25 times) potent than carbon dioxide.
• Other human interventions in the Arctic are also disrupting the region’s environment and its inhabitants. For instance, ships (mostly for trade) ferrying between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans have increased. Ambient marine noise levels have been increasing in the frequency bands used by marine mammals.
• This causes discrepancies in their navigation systems, sometimes leading to the mass stranding of whales, dolphins and other species along the beaches of many countries in and around the Arctic region.

Value Addition:

What is the Arctic Council?

• It is an intergovernmental forum for discussing and resolving issues related to the Arctic region. The issues may include scientific research and the peaceful and sustainable use of resources in the region.

• It works on the overall objective of conserving the pristine environment, biodiversity and the interests and well-being of the local populations.
• It is not a treaty-based international legal entity like the UN organizations or trade or regional groupings such as NATO or ASEAN.
• It was set up by the 8 Arctic countries by means of the Ottawa Declaration of 1996. These countries are the US, Canada, Russia, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

India and Arctic

• India became an Observer in the Arctic Council for the first time in 2013. And, India isn’t a full-time observer.
• India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic in 2007 and set up a research station ‘Himadri’ in the international Arctic research base at Ny-Ålesund in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway.
• It has two other observatories in Kongsforden and Gruvebadet. Himadri is manned for about 180 days a year.

4. INDIA-US ANNOUNCE SUPPORT TO INNOVATIONS TO TACKLE CLIMATE, CLEAN ENERGY CHALLENGES

THE CONTEXT: The launch of the US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 partnership in April 2021 reiterated the commitment of both nations to work together to achieve their ambitious climate and clean energy targets and to strengthen bilateral collaborations.

THE EXPLANATION:

• According to the Science and Technology Ministry, the programme aims to support India-US Science &Technology-based entrepreneurial initiatives that address the development and implementation of next-generation clean and renewable energy, energy storage, and carbon sequestration has been announced to tackle climate and clean energy challenges.
• The programme titled ‘Technology-based Energy Solutions: Innovations for Net Zero’ constitutes a call for Ignition Grants by the United States-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF), in partnership with Social Alpha, a non-profit organization promoting S&T entrepreneurship. It will identify and support ‘technology showstoppers.

What is the need?

• Climate Change is one of the biggest challenges facing our world today, spurring the call for global collaborations to tackle this crisis. The launch of the U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 partnership in April 2021 reiterated the commitment of both nations to work together to achieve their ambitious climate and clean energy targets and to strengthen bilateral collaborations.
• India, the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, has been witnessing increasing extreme weather events, including flash floods in Uttarakhand, increasing cyclones on the western coast and heatwaves in Rajasthan and Delhi in 2021 so far.
• More than 75% of India’s districts, home to 638 million people–nearly half the population–have been identified as hot spots for extreme climate events. India also faces a risk of a 5-4.5% hit to the annual gross domestic product from impacts of extreme weather.

ADD TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE

The US’s special envoy for climate action, visited India in April 2021 to discuss climate finance and action under the bilateral Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030Partnership. The partnership, launched in April 2021, aims to provide financial and technological support to India to meet its Paris Agreement goals on transitioning to renewable energy by 2030

Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE)

• In 2009, India and the US launched the Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE), to accelerate low-carbon economic growth and deployment of clean industrial technologies, through sharing of knowledge and technology.
• PACE mobilized $2.5 billion (Rs 18,382 crore) in private and public investment in clean energy deployment in India. In 2016, both countries launched a $7.9 million (Rs 58 crore) PACEsetter Fund to provide grants for innovations in clean energy solutions.

THE PRELIM PRACTICE QUESTION

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Competition Commission of India is a statutory body established under SEBI Act 1992.
2. It consists of a chairperson and 6 Members.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

        a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

FOR 17TH DECEMBER 2021 PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Answer: c)

Explanation:

• All subsidies which are supposed to distort production and trade fall into the amber box,i.e., all agricultural subsidies except those which fall into the blue and green boxes.
• These include government policies of minimum support prices (as MSP in India) for agricultural products or any help directly related to production quantities (as power, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, etc).

Answer: b)

Explanation:

Blue box subsidies:

• The conditions are designed to reduce distortions. Any subsidy that would normally be in the amber box, is placed in the blue box if it requires farmers to go for a certain production level.
• These subsidies are nothing but certain direct payments (i.e., direct set-aside payments) made to farmers by the government in the form of assistance programmes to encourage agriculture, rural development, etc.

THE CONTEXT: Many state legislatures have passed resolutions requesting the Central Government to withdraw various laws enacted by it including the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 and the Farm laws 2020. As the subject “citizenship” falls under the Union List, there is a view that the states cannot pass resolutions against a law enacted on this subject. This article examines this contention.

                                                WHAT ARE LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS?

A resolution is the decision of the legislature. It reflects the opinion of the assembly about an issue. The legislative businesses are taken up in the form of motions which when voted upon becomes resolutions. In other words, a voted motion is a resolution. The legislature is the highest and the most inclusive representative institution of the country. Thus, it deals with various issues of public interest and hence is called upon to decide and act on them. The resolution in this context reveals the intention and objective of the assembly and its members. The resolution thereby is a device of legislative business to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the assembly.  There are various kinds of resolutions that may be legally binding or non-binding or in between.

                                           WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS?

• Resolution with a legal effect: The resolutions passed by the legislature and the Parliament carry legal consequences. For instance, the resolutions dealing with removal of Vice President, impeachment of President, removal Speaker, alteration of boundaries of the state, etc. It means the resolutions are binding in nature.
• Resolution with quasi-legal effect: These are resolutions regarding the control over the proceedings of the House itself. Although resolutions on procedure and conduct of the business of the House are not acts, they nevertheless have a binding effect only on the House, and the courts cannot enforce them.
• Resolutions having no legal effect: These are resolutions that do not have any legal effect but are sometimes capable of having a political effect.

THE CAA 2019 AND THE LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS

When the CAA was passed, the country witnessed massive protests and also many petitions were filed in the High Courts and the Supreme Court. In addition, many states passed legislative resolutions, a few supporting the CAA and others against it. For instance, Gujrat and Goa passed resolutions congratulating the Centre while the latter included Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan etc. The resolutions passed against the law was challenged in the Supreme Court in Samta Andolan Samiti Vs Union of India, 2020. The petitioner, an NGO claimed that the state legislatures do not have the authority to pass resolutions against a law passed by the Parliament. It contended that states lack legislative competence to pass resolutions on subjects in the Union List. In the instant case, the “citizenship” is covered under Entry 17 of List I and thus the NGO asked the SC to quash the resolutions and declare them null and void.

WHETHER THE STATE LEGISLATURES HAVE THE POWER TO PASS SUCH RESOLUTIONS?

• No legal effect: The resolutions passed by the states fall under the third category as mentioned above. Thus, the resolutions do not have any legal consequences and hence states can pass such resolutions.
• States’ Sovereignty: In Indian federal polity, the states are sovereign in their own defined spheres under normal circumstances. It means any unwarranted restrictions on the state’s power is against the constitutional scheme.
•  Union laws impact the states: In general, the states have a responsibility to enforce the Union laws. Thus, the states should also have the right to express the challenges through resolutions they might face while enforcing them.
• The SC observation: The SC while hearing the said petition prima facie commented that although the “Kerala Assembly has no jurisdiction to disobey the law by the Parliament, “they are only expressing an opinion here.” Moreover, the court observed that through these resolutions, the state legislatures “have not asked the people to disobey. They have only called upon the Parliament to abrogate the law.”
• Public Opinion: There has been growing public opinion against these laws across the country and especially in the above-mentioned states. As the legislature is the microcosm of the people, a responsible government in a modern democracy must reflect public opinion. Thus a resolution is a way of expressing the general public mood on the floor of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    WAY FORWARD   

• Even though the Indian polity is described as quasi-federal due to the presence of a strong centre, states are not mere appendages of the Union. Thus, the states should have wide latitude in dealing with matters of general public interest.
• The Constitution itself provides for the power to the states to make laws contravening the provisions of Union laws under Art 254. Thus, to bar states from passing non-legal resolutions would be a retrograde step.
• The preliminary observations of the SC in the above-mentioned case indicate that the Court does not see any illegality in states passing such resolutions. So the matter is likely to be decided in the states’ favour. (as the case is still pending)

CONCLUSION:  Resolutions are as much a device of parliamentary business as they are expressions of the general public interest. The legislature being the most important deliberative and representative institution under the Constitution should have the freedom to decide its own procedure subject to explicit constitutional boundations.

QUESTIONS

1. The legislative distribution of power between the Union and the states under the Schedule VII of the Constitution extends also to the legislative resolutions passed by the states. Critically Examine.
2. Defining the concept of legislative resolutions, build a case for the power of states to pass them in subjects mentioned under the Union List.

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2. Remain Stress-Free READ MORE

1. Cyclones, floods increased in last 2 decades READ MORE
2. Climate education: Maharashtra shows the way READ MORE

Raising girls’ age to marry: A push directed to improving the health of the mother, child READ MORE

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THE INDIAN HISTORY, ART AND CULTURE

1. THE CHALCOLITHIC CULTURES OF CENTRAL INDIA

THE CONTEXT:According to the Ministry of Culture, the Chalcolithic cultures of Central India are adequately investigated and studied. Much of their aspects are sufficiently researched and analyzed.

THE EXPLANATION:

During field season 2021-22, ASI has received proposals for excavations at the sites of Chalcolithic affiliations at Eran, district Sagar and at Tewar, district Jabalpur of Madhya Pradesh.

Status of Archaeological Investigations in Central India 

Excavation at Eran during 2020-21: Eran (ancient Airikina) is situated on the left bank of the Bina (ancient Venva) river and surrounded by it on three sides. Eran is located 75 km north-west from Sagar district headquarter.

• The recent excavation at this site, during 2020-21, has unearthed a variety of antiquities including a copper coin, an iron arrowhead, terracotta bead, stone beads along with a copper coins, stone celt, beads of steatite and jasper, glass, carnelian, terracotta wheel, animal figurines, miniature pots, iron objects, stone querns, pestles and a red slipped terracotta with inscription in Devnagari.
• The occurrence of few specimens of plain, thin grey ware is noteworthy. The use of iron was evidenced by few metallic objects at the site.
• This excavation at the site also revealed the remains of Chalcolithic culture with four major periods i.e.Period I: Chalcolithic (18th -7th BCE), Period II: Early historic (7th – 2nd century BCE), Period II B: 2nd century BCE – 1st century CE, Period III: 1st – 6th century CE and Period IV: late medieval (16th – 18th century CE).

Excavation at Tewar during 2020-21:Tewar (Tripuri) village is located 12 km west of Jabalpur district on Jabalpur – Bhopal highway. The ancient site of Tripuri is situated nearly 2 km south west from Tewar village. During 2020-21 ASI conducted excavation of Tewar at two locations, TWR 1 and TWR 2.

• This excavation did not reach the natural soil and revealed four folds of cultural sequences i.e.Kushana, Shunga, Satvahana, and Kalachuri. Antiquarian remains in this excavation include viz remains of sculptures, hopscotch, terracotta balls, Iron nails, copper coins, terracotta beads, implements of Iron and terracotta figurine, in ceramics red ware, black ware, red slipped ware with shapes of handi, bowl, spouted pot, small pot, big jar, etc., structural remains consist of brick wall and structure of sandstone columns.

VALUE ADDITION:

The term Chalcolithic is a combination of two words- Chalco+Lithic is an archaeological period that is usually considered to be part of the broader Neolithic (although it was originally defined as a transition between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age).

Important Sites Chalcolithic Culture

Characteristics of Chalcolithic Age

1. Agriculture and Animals

(a) People of Chalcolithic Age survived on hunting, fishing, and farming

(b) Hunting was one of the important occupations

(c) Animals such as sheep, buffalo, goat, cattle, and pig were reared and killed for food

(d) Remains of camels are also found. People ate beef but no traces of eating pork are found

(e) People of Navdatoli grew ber and linseed

(f) Cotton was produced in black cotton soil

(g) Traces of rice cultivation are also found. This shows that their food included fish and rice. Eastern India produced rice and Western India produced barley

(h) The major crops cultivated were barley and wheat, lentil, bajra, jowar, ragi millets, green pea, green and black gram

2. Tools and Weapons

(a) Metals such as copper and its alloys were used to make knives, axes, fishing hooks, chisels, pins, and rods

3. Houses

(a) Use of bricks was extensive during the Chalcolithic people of Harappa but there are no traces of burnt (baked) bricks.

(b) The planning of the houses was simple which was either rectangular or circular.

(c) The walls of houses were made from mud and plastered with cow dung and lime.

(d) The houses mostly had only one room, but sometimes multi-roomed houses were also seen.

(e) For influential people, large mud houses with 5 rooms, 4 rectangular and 1 circular in centre of the settlement are found.

(f) In inamgaon, ovens and circular pit houses are found.

2. COUNTRY MARKS 50 YEARS OF 1971 WAR

THE CONTEXT: The country commemorated 50 years of the decisive victory in the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, which also changed the geography of South Asia.

THE EXPLANATION:

• This marks the culmination of year-long ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ As part this, 30 ‘Mukti Jodhas’ who took part in the war were invited from Bangladesh and honoured.
• December 16 is celebrated as ‘Vijay Diwas’ each year to mark the day of surrender and decisive victory of the Indian armed forces over the Pakistani armed force.
• It was the largest military surrender after the Second World War and the Indian armed forces, along with Mukti Bahini, liberated Bangladesh in a span of just 13 days and also the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers, the largest surrender of armed forces post Second World War.

What were the causes of 1971 war?

• 1971 war was a crushing blow to Pakistan and its military. However, Pakistani military and Pakistani policies were responsible for spread of anti-Pakistan sentiment in Bangladesh.
• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is called Bangabandhu the father of the nation of Bangladesh, clinched electoral victory for his party in 1970.
• However, instead of letting the victors rule, Pakistan military used force to sway the outcome. This resulted in a massive exodus of people from Bangladesh to India. This forced India to intervene.
• On December 3, 1971, Pakistani fighter planes launched a pre-emptive strike on Indian Air Force stations. The war had begun. A day later, India decided to support Bangladeshi nationalist groups, notably Mukti Bahini and Indian forces launched Operation Trident which ended in Indian victory.

THE INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

3. WINTER PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS 2021

THE CONTEXT: Natural disasters such as cyclones and floods have increased in the country and the Arsenic in groundwater beyond the permissible limit has been encountered in three districts in Punjab.

THE EXPLANATION:

Frequency of natural disasters

• According to Ministry of Science and technology, the Natured disasters such as cyclones and floods have increased in the country in the last few years.
• There was a significant rise [86 per decade] in the frequency of post-monsoon (October-December) very severe cyclonic storms in the northern Indian Ocean during the past two decades (2000-2018).
• The frequency of extremely severe cyclonic storms over the Arabian Sea increased during the same period.
• There was also an increased frequency of localised heavy rainfall on sub-daily and daily timescales that has enhanced the flood risk over India, contributing to an increased frequency and impacts of floods in urban areas.

Heavy metals in groundwater

According to the data available with Central Ground Water Board, As of December 13, 2021, 36,873 rural habitations were reported to have quality issues in drinking water sources.

Arsenic in groundwater beyond the permissible limit has been encountered in three districts in Punjab, particularly in Malwa belt Mansa, Faridkot and Sangrur;

• Lead from three districts Bathinda, Ferozepur and Muktsar;
• Cadmium from Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Patiala and Sangrur;
• Chromium from Bathinda, Mansa, and Sangrur districts;
• Uranium from Bathinda, Moga, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Muktsar, Patiala and Sangrur, BishweswarTudu

Old dams

India has 1,175 large dams (including one dam of Punjab, Nangal dam) more than 50 years old (constructed in or before 1971), according to the National Register of Large Dams (2019) maintained by the Central Water Commission.

The country has 227 large dams having more than 100 years of service life (constructed in or before 1921).

Cost economics of renewable energy sources

• According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Power,the country has seen record low renewable energy tariffs of Rs 1.99 per kilowatt-hour for solar power and Rs 2.43 per KWh for wind power, quite favourable as compared to the tariff of electricity produced from non-renewable energy sources.
• In line with the Prime Minister’s announcement at the 26th Conference of the Parties (CoP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the ministry is committed to achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.

Encroachment of water bodies

According to the Ministry of Jal Shakthi, the works related to the enumeration of water bodies, their protection from encroachment or diversion for use for other purposes, comes under the purview of the state government concerned. However, from time to time, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti conducts census of minor irrigation schemes in the country, which captures data regarding water bodies in rural areas associated with irrigation.

There are 516,303 water bodies in the rural areas of the country being used for minor irrigation purposes, out of which 53,396 are not in use for various reasons such as non-availability of water, siltation, salinity, etc.

 4. RAISING LEGAL AGE OF MARRIAGE FOR WOMEN

THE CONTEXT: The Union Cabinet took the decision to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. The legal age of marriage for men is 21 years. With this decision, the government will be bringing the age of marriage for both men and women at par.

THE EXPLANATION:

Why is there a minimum age of marriage?

• The law prescribes a minimum age of marriage to essentially outlaw child marriages and prevent the abuse of minors.Personal laws of various religions that deal with marriage have their own standards, often reflecting custom.
• For Hindus, The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 sets 18 years as the minimum age for the bride and 21 years as the minimum age for the groom. In Islam, the marriage of a minor who has attained puberty is considered valid.
• The Special Marriage Act, 1954 and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 also prescribe 18 and 21 years as the minimum age of consent for marriage for women and men, respectively. For the new age of marriage to be implemented, these laws are expected to be amended.

Why has the government decided to re-examine the age of marriage?

• The NDA government decided to re-examine the age of marriage for women for a number of reasons, including gender-neutrality. An early age of marriage, and consequent early pregnancies, also have impacts on nutritional levels of mothers and their children, and their overall health and mental wellbeing.
• It also has an impact on Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate, and the empowerment of women who are cut off from access to education and livelihood after anearly marriage.
• The recently released National Family Health Survey (NFHS) revealed that child marriage has come down marginally from 27 per cent in 2015-16 to 23 per cent in 2019-20 in the country, but the government has been pushing to bring this down further.

What is the Jaya Jaitly committee?

• In June 2020, the Ministry for Women and Child Development set up a task force to look into the correlation between the age of marriage with issues of women’s nutrition, prevalence of anaemia, IMR, MMR and other social indices.
• The committee, headed by Jaya Jaitly, the committee was to look at the feasibility of increasing the age of marriage and its implication on women and child health, as well as how to increase access to education for women. The committee was to also recommend a timeline by which the government could roll out the implementation of the policy, as well as the amendments that would need to be made in existing laws in order for this to happen.

What did the committee recommend?

• The committee has recommended the age of marriage be increased to 21 years, on the basis of feedback they received from young adults from 16 universities across the country. Over 15 NGOs were also engaged to reach out to young adults in far-flung areas and marginalised communities.
• committee members have said that feedback has been taken from youth belonging to all religions, as well as from rural and urban areas equally.
• The committee also asked the government to look into increasing access to schools and colleges for girls, including their transportation to these institutes from far-flung areas. Skill and business training has also been recommended, as has sex education in schools.
• The committee said these deliveries must come first, as, unless they are implemented and women are empowered, the law will not be as effective.
• The committee has further recommended that an awareness campaign be undertaken on a massive scale on the increase in age of marriage, and to encourage social acceptance of the new legislation, which they have said would be far more effective than coercive measures.

THE SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

5. REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS

THE CONTEXT: According to the report, there are currently 488 media professionals imprisoned around the world,the highest number since Reporters Without Borders began counting more than 25 years ago.

THE EXPLANATION:

• By contrast, the number killed this year — 46 — was the lowest since it began issuing annual tallies, due to the relative stabilisation of conflicts in the West Asia.
• According to RSF, China once again has the highest number of imprisoned journalists at 127.The most dangerous countries were once again Mexico and Afghanistan, with seven and six journalist deaths respectively, followed by Yemen and India with four apiece.
• The number of detained scribes has risen by some 20% over the past year, largely due to crackdowns on the media in Myanmar, Belarus and Hong Kong. RSF said it had also never seen so many female journalists detained, with the overall number of 60 representing a third more than 2020.

• It also stated that the 2021 report “shows that journalism, the main vaccine against disinformation, is completely or partly blocked in 73% of the 180 countries ranked by the organisation,” and, the “2021 Edelman Trust barometer reveals a disturbing level of public mistrust of journalists, with 59% of respondents in 28 countries saying that journalists deliberately try to mislead the public by reporting information they know to be false”. The report noted that “only 12 of the Index’s 180 countries (7%) can claim to offer a favourable environment for journalism”.

WORLD PRESS REPORT 2021

India is ranked 142, same as in 2020, after it had consistently slid down from 133 in 2016. In the South Asian neighbourhood, Nepal is at 106, Sri Lanka at 127, Myanmar (before the coup) at 140, Pakistan at 145 and Bangladesh at 152.

About World Press Freedom Index:

• Published annually by Reporters Without Borders since 2002, the World Press Freedom Index measures the level of media freedom in 180 countries.
• It is based on an evaluation of media freedom that measures pluralism, media independence, the quality of the legal framework and the safety of journalists.
• It also includes indicators of the level of media freedom violations in each region.
• It is compiled by means of a questionnaire in 20 languages that is completed by experts all over the world. This qualitative analysis is combined with quantitative data on abuses and acts of violence against journalists during the period evaluated.

THE ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

6. RARE BUTTERFLY SPECIES SIGHTED IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

THE CONTEXT: Researchers from Mishmi hills of Arunachal Pradesh sighted a rare species of Butterfly, which is first documented in 20 years ago.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The Huang’s Mystic Lethe wui Huang is a species of the brush-footed butterfly first recorded in 1999 from Metok in Southeast Tibet by Hao Huang. It would take another 12 years, in 2011, that the species’ sighting would be re-recorded, this time from Panwa in northern Myanmar’s Kachin state.

• This elusive butterfly did not feature in scientific records for five years after that, until 2016, when it was spotted at Nujiang in China’s northwest Yunnan.
• The proximity to mainland China (and Bhutan and Myanmar) also means that the state shares much of the same geographical features with the neighbouring countries as it does with the other parts of India.
• Lepidopterists, the scientific term for entomologists specialising in studying butterflies and moths, have had a bloom in recent years in Arunachal Pradesh. The state, nestled in the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, usually appears in the mainstream news media with repeated claims of Chinese authority over its landmass.

Since the Huang’s Mystic Lethe wui Huang has not been reported in India until now, it is not safeguarded by the country’s Wildlife (Protection) Act unlike several other species of butterflies.

Butterfly festivals

• In 2018 at the fifth edition of the Northeast Butterfly Meet held in the Seijosa area of Arunachal Pradesh’s East Kameng district, 180 species were recorded. These included the Creteuscyrina, the only one from the Creteus genus found in Southeast Asia.
• Butterfly festivals such as those held at Ziro and Namdapha National Park in Changlang district have become the go-to sites for butterfly sightings.
• At a state ministerial meeting held at the premises of the Pakke Tiger Reserve in Seijosa this November, a decision was taken to adopt the “Kaiser-i-Hind” (Teinopalpusimperialis), as the state butterfly.(To read more about this news article kindly refer to November month Perspective Magazine)
• The ‘Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 Declaration on Climate Change-Resilient and Responsive ‘Arunachal Pradesh, as it has been formally dubbed, is aimed at lowering emissions and achieving sustainable development to help advance India’s agenda on meeting the Paris Agreement goals on climate change leveraging the state’s forest cover and natural resources.

THE PRELIM PRACTICE QUESTION

Q1. Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for agricultural products comes under which of the following box of WTO?

              a) Blue box

b) Green box

c) Amber box

d) S & D box

Q2. In the context of the WTO, the subsidies tied to programmes that limit production are known as-

               a) Amber box subsidies

b) Blue box subsidies

c) Green box subsidies

d) S & D box subsidies

FOR 16TH DECEMBER 2021 PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Answer: D)

Explanation:

1. Holi is not listed in UNESCO intangible heritage sites
2. Kuttiyattamm, Nowruz, Kalbelia are listed in the UNESCO intangible heritage sites.

THE CONTEXT: There has been an unprecedented upsurge in drug abuse in Indian society. The recent cases of drug abuse in Bollywood showcase the level of penetration of this menace. Also, north Indian states like Punjab have been grappling with the issue for quite some years.

FACT-CHECK ON DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA

• In February 2019, AIIMS submitted its report “Magnitude of Substance Use in India” to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Key highlights of the report are:
  • Alcohol is the most abused substance in India.
  • Around 5 crore Indians reported having used cannabis and opioids at the time of the survey (conducted in the year 2018).
  • It has been estimated that there are about 8.5 lakh people who inject drugs.
  • Of the total cases estimated by the report, more than half of them are contributed by states like Punjab, Assam, Delhi, Haryana, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh.
  • About 60 lakh people are estimated to need help for their opioid use problems.
• More and more children are taking to alcohol consumption and the highest percentage of children who are addicted to alcohol are in Punjab followed by West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
• Recently, in Punjab alone, nearly 35,000 cases were registered and over 42,000 persons arrested under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and more than 1000 kg of heroin seized in the last three years by various state agencies.

ABOUT DRUGS AND THEIR ABUSE

The term ‘narcotic’ in the legal sense is quite different from that used in the medical context which denotes a sleep-inducing agent. Legally, a narcotic drug could be an opiate (a true narcotic), cannabis (a non-narcotic) or cocaine (the very antithesis of a narcotic, since it is a stimulant). The term ‘psychotropic substance’ denotes mind-altering drugs such as Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), Phencyclidine, Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Methaqualone, and designer drugs (MDMA, DMT, etc.).

WHAT IS DRUG ABUSE?

• WHO defines Drug Abuse as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.
• Addiction is an advanced stage of substance abuse where the addict develops a compulsion to take the drug, persists in its use despite harmful consequences and exhibits a determination to obtain the drug by almost any means.
• Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome – a cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological phenomena, which are marked by social withdrawal.
• Symptoms of addiction include loss of appetite and weight, loss of interest in day-to-day work, sweating, reddening of eyes, nausea or vomiting and body pain, drowsiness or sleeplessness and passivity, acute anxiety, depression, mood swings among others.

STIMULANTS: These drugs speed up the body’s nervous system and create a feeling of energy. They are also called “uppers” because of their ability to make you feel very awake. Stimulants have the opposite effect of depressants. When the effects of a stimulant wear off, the user is typically left with feelings of sickness and a loss of energy.

DEPRESSANTS slow down activity in the central nervous system of your body. These drugs are also called “downers” because they slow the body down and seem to give feelings of relaxation.

HALLUCINOGENS: When taking hallucinogens, switching emotions is frequent. These drugs change the mind and cause the appearance of things that are not really there. Hallucinogens affect the body’s self-control, such as speech and movement, and often bring about hostility.

Types of drugs include:

• LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
• Cannabis

 PRESCRIPTION DRUGS can be very helpful drugs when used properly and when under the guidance of a qualified physician. These drugs can be used as aids in surgery, to treat medical conditions and while controlling various symptoms. Misuse and abuse of prescription drugs however can be very dangerous.

Types of drugs include:

• Opioids: Codeine, Oxycodone, Morphine
• Central nervous system depressants: barbiturates, benzodiazepines
• Stimulants: dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate

REASONS FOR DRUG ABUSE

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE

• Social factors: Easy availability of drugs, unstable home environment, inadequate parent supervision, use of drugs by peer groups, a part of the culture for heavy drinking & partying, highly competitive environment in schools & colleges
  • Peer pressure and other psychological factors can cause teens to engage in risky behaviours, leading to substance abuse.
  • Youth can get attracted to the glamour attached to drug-taking.
• Economic factors: Poverty and unemployment for example agrarian distress in Punjab
• Political factors: Ties between drug associations, organized criminal gangs, politicians and crook elements of the law enforcement agencies
• Sometimes people resort to drug abuse to overcome various problems like stress, anxiety disorders, physical ailment or even other forms of mental disorder
• The habit of landowners (such as in Punjab) supplying raw opium to farm labourers to make them to work harder, also has contributed to the problem
• Cross border drug trafficking from Pakistan, Afghanistan & Nepal
  • Proximity to the largest producers of heroin – the Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia) and Golden Crescent (Afghanistan – Pakistan & Iran) is one of the main reasons for drug trafficking in India. Additionally, Nepal is also a traditional source of cannabis.
  • India is both a destination and a transit route for drug traffickers in these regions.
  • As a consequence of cross border smuggling, India has been affected by narco-terrorism.

• Glorification of drug abuse in media such as in series and movies- Popular media romanticizing drug use/abuse largely influences adolescents.
• Poor implementation of the NDPS Act and law and order.

IMPACTS OF DRUG ABUSE

1. Social Impact 

• • Results in family violence, divorces, abuses and related problems
  • On a larger scale, it is a threat to the social fabric of society as it results in increase in the crime rate
  • Patients & their family members go through mental trauma & often are ostracized by the society
  • Women in India face greater problems from drug abuse because of domestic violence

2. Economic Impact 

• • Diversion of gov. resources to fight this problem which could have been used for social welfare programs
  • Results in lost human productivity, such as lost wages and decreased production which results from illnesses and premature deaths
  • A family member has to spend a lot of resources including time and money for the rehabilitation of their beloved ones

3. Physiological/health Impact 

• • Physiological effects of drug abuse vary by the type of drugs
  • Common symptoms include delay in sleep, nervousness and anxiety in the user
  • If the abuser stops taking the drug, the body experiences withdrawal symptoms, such as feeling weak, sick, getting hyper and aggressive.
  • Damage to organs, such as the heart, brain, and liver
  • Diseases, such as heart disease, HIV, and cancer
  • Development of mental illnesses, suicides
  • Permanent changes to hormonal or nervous systems

4. Crime:

• • Resorting to monetary crimes to pay for drugs
  • Increasing Incidences of teasing, group clashes, assault and impulsive murders. Drug abuse adversely affects the economic growth of a country by generating un-accounted money in large quantities that are also often used to fund terror and anti-national activities and therefore posing a serious threat to national security too

CONSTITUTIONAL, LEGAL PROVISIONS AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

• According to Article 47, state is duty-bound to prevent the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs except for the consumption of it for medicinal purposes which are not injurious to health

• India is a signatory to three UN Conventions regarding drugs:

1. 1. Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961,
   2. Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971,
   3. Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988

LEGAL PROVISIONS

• NDPS Act, 1985:

• • The Act restricts cultivation, production, sale, purchase, possession, use, consumption, import, and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
  • NDPS Act is a punitive and punishing statute. Punishment is based on the substance and its quantity found. Death penalty or 30 years of imprisonment for the repeated offence of drug trafficking
  • It also contains a regulatory framework.
  • The Act gives authority to the Central and the State government to frame rules in relation to drug-use activities.
  • The regulatory framework also paves a way for the supply of opium, to registered users, for meditative purposes.
  • The act also provides for rehabilitation. It further calls for the national fund for controlling drug abuse
• Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988
  • It provides for detention in certain cases for the purpose of preventing illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and for matters connected therewith
• The government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to deal with drugs control by establishing enforcement agencies like Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB), Narcotics Control Division, Department of Central excise & customs, revenue intelligence &para-military and armed forces
• The Narcotics Control Bureau, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, coordinates actions by various functionaries (Central and State) under the NDPS Act.
• It has also constituted a joint committee to curb the menace of drug smuggling into India along international borders, which comprises four central ministries – Home Affairs, Health, Finance and Social Justice & Empowerment
• The State Governments also have their own Health Departments and Social Welfare Departments each of which has its own set of activities relating to Drug Demand Reduction.

ISSUES/CHALLENGES WITH DRUG CONTROL MECHANISM

• NDPS criminalizes drug use even though there is no such requirement under international conventions. People who are addicted to drugs need medical care and not jail.
• A thin spread of resources hinder rehabilitation measures.
• Rehabilitation:
  • De-addiction centres are not fully equipped and health workers are not properly trained. Often the addicts are treated as prisoners.
  • According to a recent Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) Report, inmates are being ill-treated, subjected to sexual and physical torture, asked to perform sexual favours, and are not allowed to contact their families
  • Post rehabilitation acceptance in society is also a major issue.
• Data: Reliability and accuracy of data provided by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and Narcotics Control Bureau is also a major issue.
  • Despite the easy availability of drugs in Punjab, empirical data available on drug use seems to indicate that women appear to have resisted the urge to use drugs. (i.e.; no separate data of women drugs addict/users/peddlers)
• Even though we have many agencies to control illegal drugs, but there is a lack of an institutionalized mechanism for Joint Platform where the state police, BSF, DRI, NCB, Intelligence Bureau and other important agencies are represented. This joint platform could have helped in better coordination among various agencies, creating synergy and avoiding overlap in operations.

THE WAY FORWARD: EFFORTS TO ERADICATE MENACE OF DRUG ABUSE

ROLE OF MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

• It is the nodal ministry for drug demand reduction that coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse prevention which include assessment of the extent of the problem, preventive action, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts.
• It has the responsibility of creating awareness, educating people about the ill effects of drug abuse, its identification and rehabilitation.
  • Information regarding the ill-effects of alcoholism and drug abuse is disseminated in regional languages through the All-India Radio programme “SanwartiJayen Jeevan Ki Rahen” and also through advertisements in newspapers.
• It supports activities of non-governmental organisations, working in the areas of prevention of addiction and rehabilitation of addicts and also funds Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), etc.
• The Ministry has been implementing the Scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse since 1985, which stresses on developing culture-specific models for the prevention of addiction and treatment and rehabilitation of addicts.
• The Ministry celebrates International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th June every year. National Awards are also conferred to individuals and institutions in order to recognize the efforts and encourage excellence in the field of prevention of substance abuse.
• The Ministry has set up a National Toll-Free Drug De-Addiction Helpline Number 1800-11-0031 to help the victims of drug abuse, their family and society at large.

• CHETNA: is an NGO which runs an unofficial recreation centre for children inside the Nizamuddin Police Station. They mainly focus on developing friendly relations between the police and street children who are more susceptible to drugs and crime.

• The Delhi AIDS Control Society (DACS): suggested a plan in which more than 400 medical officers working in 260 Delhi government dispensaries and 150 specialists working in 32 Delhi government hospitals will be trained on a long-term basis at the Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS) as there was a scarcity of psychiatrists and trained manpower to tackle patients of drug abuse. They also advised keeping a strict check on the sale and purchase of addictive medicines available in pharmacies. The licenses of 20 shops had been cancelled in 2016 that sold such harmful drugs.

• Promotion of healthy Lifestyle
  • There should be more penetration of the idea of a healthy lifestyle, especially in post-Corona times. There must be a renewed focus on Yoga especially for the youth so as to guide them away from the perils of Drug abuse.
  • There must be more public figures participating in the fight against drug abuse. For exams like the recent ‘Fit India’ movement. This could bring much-needed behavioural change in society towards the menace of drug abuse.
• Value Education: Including a subject in the school curriculum about the ill effects of drug abuse and preventive methods will go a long way in solving this issue
• International experiences: India can consider experiences from European and Latin American countries while formulating and implementing legislation to stop drug abuse. In Europe and Latin American countries, it was found that non-punitive measures improved the health and well-being of drug addicts.
  • Example: In Portugal, overdose and drug-related HIV infections got reduced after the decriminalization of drug use.

THE CONCLUSION: The Karnataka High court opined that the NCB should act like ‘Chanakya’ in addressing the menace of drug abuse. The issue needs an iron hand especially towards the sources of drug proliferation. To secure both presents as well as the future of our so-called demographic strength, the youth, the authorities must act like Chanakya, who completely removed the stump of grass from the root as it obstructed his movement. While the borders need more robustness for isolating India from the opium hot lands, the authorities within the territory must be more vigilant to curb the proliferation of substance.

Questions:

1. Analyse the factors responsible for the menace of drug abuse in India. Suggest some measures that India could adopt to address the issue.
2. What do you understand by Drug abuse? Examine India’s vulnerability towards Drug abuse and the legal and constitutional provisions in place to address the issue.

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main:

1. The Chalcolithic cultures of Central India are adequately investigated and studied READ MORE
2. Bharatmala Pariyojana Inner READ MORE
3. Samudrayaan Project READ MORE
4. Country marks 50 years of 1971 war READ MORE
5. The solution to stagnant prices, rising costs: Intercropping READ MORE
6. Rare butterfly species first documented in China 20 years ago has been sighted in Arunachal Pradesh READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. Cyclones, floods increased in last 2 decades READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The land of freedom and democracy READ MORE
2. Policymaking for the future of dispute resolution begins. Meet NITI Aayog’s ODR plan READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Raising girls’ age to marry: A push directed to improving the health of the mother, child READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Wrong forum: The attempt to securitise the climate change agenda could have unintended consequences READ MORE
2. India’s Connect: A Central Asia policy’ READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The WTO’s challenge to MSP is another frontier to cross READ MORE
2. Economy hurt by trade credit freeze READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Climate education: Maharashtra shows the way READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Not a licence to kill: The government should review AFSPA in Nagaland and other NE areas READ MORE
2. The What, Where, Why and How of AFSPA READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. In India, corruption is the great leveller READ MORE
2. Remain Stress-Free READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. A legal guarantee for MSP violates its international law obligations enshrined in the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Elaborate.
2. ‘Violence and instability in the Northeast have important implications for national security and territorial integrity’. In the light of the statement, suggest the way forward for India to address the security and instability issues in the northeast.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Great anger and violence can never build a nation.
• The need is to convince farmers of other effective policy interventions that are World Trade Organization compatible.
• The need is to convince farmers of other effective policy interventions that are World Trade Organization compatible.
• Arguably, India can move away from price-based support in the form of MSP to income-based support, which will not be trade-distorting under the AoA provided the income support is not linked to production.
• The UNFCCC should not only make sure that the promises made by member countries, especially the powerful ones, in previous conferences are kept but also expand the scope of discussions to include climate-related security issues.
• The collapse of trade credit has damaged the informal sector. Business and credit confidence must return, for the economy to revive.
• The nature of the corruption may vary, but the ‘deal-making’ is in-built into a well-entrenched system of localised political-bureaucratic networks.
• Russia would also encourage these central Asian countries to expand their security, economic partnerships with India and have complementarity of policies on regional concerns such as terrorism, drug trafficking and Afghanistan.

50-WORD TALK

• A universal legal framework must be considered to cover the varying practices among different religious groups over marriage. Raising the legal age of marriage for women is a step forward, but it will not suffice to address the multi-pronged and complex realities still breeding on the ground.
• Much investment has been made into the nurturing of law as a professional course. These higher education institutions can play a vital role in the realisation of the requirements laid out. Law schools can help design the pedagogy as well as course structures tailored to such needs and requirements. They can also undertake the responsibility of upgrading the skills of existing personnel as well as training new educators.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

[WpProQuiz 116]