1. RESOURCE EFFICIENCY CIRCULAR ECONOMY INDUSTRY COALITION

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Union Minister launched Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition on the sidelines of 4th G-20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers’ meeting in Chennai.

EXPLANATION:

• Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition is conceived during India’s G20 Presidency, is an industry-led initiative with a global focus on promoting resource efficiency and circular economy practices.
• 39 multinational corporations (MNCs) from sectors such as steel, FMCG, and electronics came together to pledge to adopt resource efficiency and circular economy principles.
• The ECSWG has been involved in discussing environmental issues and promoting global collaboration towards a sustainable and resilient future.
• Embracing a circular economy model enables the transition from the linear “take-make-waste” paradigm and embraces a more sustainable and regenerative approach.

Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition:

• Designed as an autonomous body, the coalition is projected to continue operations beyond India’s G20 tenure, thereby facilitating a sustainable environmental impact.
• The coalition would be led by industries, and the government would only play a supporting role. The coalition includes “39 founding members from 11 different nations.”
• It aims to address environmental challenges arising from waste, including plastics, microplastics, e-waste, and chemical waste.
• It is designed to be a platform for knowledge and best practice exchange, fostering sustainable practices among its participating industries.
• Its core principles revolve around partnership for impact, technology cooperation, and finance for scalability.
• The coalition is structured around the 3 guiding pillars of partnerships for impact, technology cooperation and finance for scale.

The mission of this coalition is to:

• Facilitate and foster greater company-to-company collaboration,
• Build advanced capabilities across sectors and value chains,
• Bring learnings from the diverse and global experiences of the coalition members, and
• Unlock on-ground private sector action to enhance resource efficiency and accelerate circular economy transition.

Significance of RECEIC:

• It would play a pivotal role in promoting alliances, encouraging technological cooperation and knowledge transfer, fostering innovation, and facilitating the exchange of insights to enhance access to finance.
• It will contribute towards progress on key global goals and priorities set by the G20 and other international fora.
• RECEIC will also act as an overarching platform enabling industries to address information gaps and coordination challenges across the G20 members.

What is a circular economy?

• It is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended.

• In practice, it implies reducing waste to a minimum. When a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are kept within the economy by recycling. These can be productively used again and again, thereby creating further value.

Benefits:

• To protect the environment: Reusing and recycling products would slow down the use of natural resources, reduce landscape and habitat disruption and help to limit biodiversity loss.
• Reduction in GHG emission: Another benefit of the circular economy is a reduction in total annual greenhouse gas emissions. According to the European Environment Agency, industrial processes and product use are responsible for 9.10% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, while the management of waste accounts for 3.32%.
• Reduce raw material dependence: Recycling raw materials mitigates the risks associated with supply, such as price volatility, availability and import dependency.
• Create jobs and save consumers money: Moving towards a more circular economy could increase competitiveness, stimulate innovation, boost economic growth and create jobs.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/39-mncs-come-together-for-circular-economy-coalition/article67128308.ece

2. DIGITAL PAYMENTS INDEX

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Payments Index has increased across all parameters, driven by significant growth in payment infrastructure and payment performance across the country over the period.

EXPLANATION:

• The Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Payments Index rose to 57 in March 2023 from 377.46 in September 2022 and 349.30 in March 2022.
• The RBI introduced the composite Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) in January 2021 to capture digitisation of payments. The index has since been steadily rising, crossing the 300-point mark in September 2021.
• As per the Economic Survey 2022-23, India has the highest fintech adoption rate of 87 per cent among the public compared to the global average of 64 per cent.
• Further, India has gained the third place in digital payments, coming only after US and China.
• The increase in RBI’s Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) highlights the remarkable surge in digital payment adoption in India, predominantly propelled by the success of UPI.

Digital Payments Index (DPI):

• RBI is publishing the Digital Payments Index (DPI) semi-annually from March 2021 onwards for measurement of the deepening and penetration of digital payments in the country over different time periods.
• The RBI-DPI is a first-of-its-kind index to measure the spread of digital payments across the country.The Base period of the RBI-DPI has been set as March 2018, at a score of 100.
• The DPI index comprises five broad parameters to evaluate the penetration of digital payments in the country.
• These parameters are –

(i) Payment Enablers

(ii) Payment Infrastructure – Demand-side factors

(iii) Payment Infrastructure – Supply-side factors

 (iv) Payment Performance

(v) Consumer Centricity.

• Out of all the indicators, payment performance has the highest weight of 45%, followed by Payment Enablers with a weight of 25%, and Payment Infrastructure- supply side and demand side with a weight of 15% and 10%, respectively.
• Lastly, the indicator Consumer Centricity has a weight of 5%. This is an important indicator to track the development in all aspects of the digital payments index.
• Each indicator has various sub-parameters, as listed in the table below:

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/rbis-digital-payments-index-jumps-to-39557-in-march-from-37746-in-sept/article67128759.ece

3. IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL AQUIFER MAPPING AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (NAQUIM)

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Government has recently informed the parliament that mapping of acquifers under National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme has been completed by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

EXPLANATION:

National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)

• It is a pioneer programme for the scientific management of aquifers, where a large amount of data is being collected and analyzed.
• It aimed to delineate aquifer (water-bearing formations) disposition and their characterization for preparation of aquifer/ area specific groundwater management plans with community participation.
• The management plans are shared with the respective State Governments for suitable implementation.
• The management plans are subject to a three-tier review, including a review by a National Level Expert Committee (NLEC) before finalization.
• It aims to make expeditious availability of groundwater-related information for suitable interventions to the stakeholders.
• It has been taken up by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation.
• Out of the total geographical area of nearly 33 lakh km² of the entire country, an area of around 25 lakh km² has been identified to be covered under the NAQUIM programme in phases.

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)

• It is a multi-disciplinary scientific organization of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India.
• It is the National Apex Agency entrusted with the responsibility of providing scientific inputs for the management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of groundwater resources of the country.

Mandate:

• To develop and disseminate technologies and monitor and implement national policies for scientific and sustainable development.
• Management of India’s groundwater resources, including their exploration, assessment, conservation, augmentation, protection from pollution, and distribution, based on principles of economic and ecological efficiency and equity.

Its Mission:

• To develop groundwater policies, programmes and practices to monitor and enable the effective use of the country’s groundwater resources in a sustainable manner with the active involvement of all stakeholders.
• To put into place scientific systems and practices which would result in a sustained increase in groundwater use efficiency.
• To disseminate information, skills and knowledge, which would help in capacity building and mass awareness in the ground water sector.

Organization Setup:

• It is headed by the Chairman and has six Members. The central headquarters is at Faridabad.
• The administrative and financial matters of the Board are dealt with by the Director (Administration) and Member(Finance), respectively.
• For undertaking the activities in the field, 18 Regional Offices, each headed by a Regional Director, have been established in the country.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1943353

4. SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (SSLV)

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The government’s effort to privatise part of its space programme by opening bids to build its small satellite launch rocket has attracted initial interest from 20 companies.

EXPLANATION:

• Under a policy driven by Prime Minister, India is following NASA’s lead in opening launch and other space businesses to private investment. The bid to take over the manufacturing and development of the SSLV rocket programme was the first privatisation of its kind under that policy.
• India’s newly created space regulatory body, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, known as IN-SPACe, opened the process by allowing qualified companies to register an interest.
• In this respect, 20 companies had submitted an “expression of interest” (EOI) in the rocket programme.
• To be eligible to bid, companies have to be profitable, and the lead bidder in a consortium has to have at least five years of manufacturing experience and annual revenue of Rs 400 crore.
• India is aiming to increase its share of the global satellite launch market by fivefold within the next decade.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV):

• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a low-cost means of launching satellites weighing up to 500 kg into low-earth orbit.
• It was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation, the national space agency, and had its first successful satellite launch in February 2023.
• It serves a market experiencing a surge in demand for launching clusters of satellites for communication and data.
• A small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a 3-stage Launch Vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages and liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage.
• SSLV is 2m in diameter and 34m in length with a lift-off weight of ~120 tonnes. SSLV is capable of launching a ~500kg satellite in a 500km planar orbit from SDSC/SHAR.
• The key features of SSLV are Low cost, with low turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, Launch on demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.
• The SSLV was developed with the aim of launching small satellites commercially at drastically reduced prices and higher launch rates compared to Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

Key Features:

• Low cost
• Low turn-around time
• Flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites
• Launch demand feasibility
• Minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe):

• It is a single-window, independent, nodal agency that functions as an autonomous agency in the Department of Space (DOS).
• It is formed following the Space sector reforms to enable and facilitate the participation of private players.
• It is responsible for promoting, enable, authorising and supervising various space activities of non-governmental entities, including building launch vehicles & satellites and providing space-based services
• Its mandate includes sharing space infrastructure and premises under the control of DOS/ISRO, and establishing new space infrastructure and facilities.
• The agency acts as an interface between ISRO and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) and assesses how to utilize India’s space resources better and increase space-based activities.
• It also assesses the needs and demands of private players, including educational and research institutions, and explores ways to accommodate these requirements in consultation with ISRO.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/indias-offer-to-privatise-rocket-has-20-potential-bidders/articleshow/102162635.cms?from=mdr

5. AYUSHMAN BHARAT DIGITAL MISSION (ABDM)

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: To promote digital health adoption and make healthcare more accessible, the National Health Authority (NHA) has launched 100 Microsites Project under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

EXPLANATION:

• These microsites will serve as clusters for small and medium-scale clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities that are ABDM-enabled and offer digital health services to patients.
• The microsites will be established across the country in various states/union territories.
• It will primarily be implemented by State Mission Directors of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, while the National Health Authority will provide financial resources and overall guidance.
• The main goal of these microsites is to create a small ecosystem in specific geographic areas where complete ABDM adoption is present and the entire patient journey is digitized.
• Patients visiting these centres will also become part of ABDM, with their health records linked to their ABHA.
• The ABHA(Ayushman Bharat Health Account) Number will be used for the purposes of uniquely identifying persons, authenticating them, and threading their health records (only with the informed consent of the patient) across multiple systems and stakeholders.
• The project intends to raise awareness about ABDM and its benefits among small and medium-scale healthcare providers, encourage them to register on ABDM’s core registries, use ABDM-certified digital solutions and ultimately link digital health records.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM):

• It aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country.
• It will bridge the existing gap among different stakeholders of the Healthcare ecosystem through digital highways.

Vision:

• To create a national digital health ecosystem that supports universal health coverage in an efficient, accessible, inclusive, affordable, timely and safe manner.
• It provides a wide range of data, information and infrastructure services, duly leveraging open, interoperable, standards-based digital systems, and ensures the security, confidentiality and privacy of health-related personal information.

Objectives:

• To establish state-of-the-art digital health systems, to manage the core digital health data and the infrastructure required for its seamless exchange.
• To establish registries at appropriate levels to create a single source of truth in respect of clinical establishments, healthcare professionals, health workers, drugs and pharmacies.
• To enforce the adoption of open standards by all national digital health stakeholders.
• To promote development of enterprise-class health application systems with a special focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for health.
• To adopt the best principles of cooperative federalism while working with the States and Union Territories for the realization of the vision.

Building blocks of ABDM

• Health ID – It standardizes the process of identification of an individual across healthcare providers to ensure that the created medical records are issued to the correct individual or accessed by Health Information User through appropriate consent.
• Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) – It is a comprehensive repository of all healthcare professionals involved in the delivery of healthcare services across both modern and traditional systems of medicine.
• Health Facility Registry (HFR) – It is a comprehensive repository of health facilities of the nation across different systems of medicine. It includes both public and private health facilities, including hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories and imaging centres, pharmacies, etc.
• ABHA Mobile App (PHR) – A PHR is an electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards, and that can be drawn from multiple sources while being managed, shared, and controlled by the individual.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/national-health-authority-launches-100-microsites-project-for-digital-health-adoption-in-ayushman-bharat-digital-mission-11690542056171.html

1. Tiny divine messengers READ MORE
2. What you sow, so you reap READ MORE

1. Water bodies are fast vanishing READ MORE
2. Learning from nature READ MORE

1. Understanding the ideological divide online READ MORE
2. Student suicides: Counselling a must for handling pressure READ MORE

1. Needless accommodation: On the judiciary and the term of the Enforcement Directorate head: By allowing ED chief’s continuance, Supreme Court has undermined its own authority READ MORE   
2. Manipur internet shutdowns: Forgetting the lessons from Kashmir READ MORE
3. Manipur’s crisis needs a proactive government READ MORE
4. Rain fury & roads: Sustainable building solutions need of the hour READ MORE
5. Debate critical issues to keep parliamentary democracy healthy READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Govt. allows Indian companies to list on foreign exchanges through IFSC READ MORE  
2. Land-use changes putting rocky addresses of animals under stress in Sahyadri plateau READ MORE
3. Modi says India can become hub of chip-making industry READ MORE
4. New WMO report says climate change impacts have increased in Asia: What are the key takeaways READ MORE
5. Constitutional or just statutory? Your right to vote & why its status is contested READ MORE
6. Who lived in Peru’s Machu Picchu? Ancient DNA shows incredible genetic diversity at Inca palace READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Ignore extreme climate at your own peril READ MORE
2. El Nino and erratic monsoon: Are farmers prepared? READ MORE
3. Understanding the ideological divide online READ MORE
4. Student suicides: Counselling a must for handling pressure READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Needless accommodation: On the judiciary and the term of the Enforcement Directorate head: By allowing ED chief’s continuance, Supreme Court has undermined its own authority READ MORE   
2. Manipur internet shutdowns: Forgetting the lessons from Kashmir READ MORE
3. Manipur’s crisis needs a proactive government READ MORE
4. Rain fury & roads: Sustainable building solutions need of the hour READ MORE
5. Debate critical issues to keep parliamentary democracy healthy READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Ayushman Bharat expose: How to nudge India’s public health infrastructure READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Why the USA is cosying up to India: If the US and NATO want to check China’s rise, they will need an ally which is likely to grow fast. READ MORE
2. Indo-French bromance is mythical READ MORE
3. Germany’s China document a sign of Europe’s changing perception. It’s shifting to New Delhi READ MORE
4. Germany in Central Asia READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Charting the path for the Sixteenth Finance Commission READ MORE
2. A new national foundation and the ease of doing research READ MORE
3. India needs job-rich economic growth READ MORE
4. Diversifying definition of middle-class beyond income brackets can provide more comprehensive understanding of economic well-being READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Water bodies are fast vanishing READ MORE
2. Learning from nature READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Ravi Chellam writes: Why protecting India’s forests should be a part of national security READ MORE

DISASTER

1. Explained | Himachal floods: a man-made disaster? READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Tiny divine messengers READ MORE
2. What you sow, so you reap READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with this view that diversifying the definition of middle class beyond income brackets can provide a more comprehensive understanding of economic well-being?
2. Recent developments in international politics show that NATO has lost its teeth, and the USA needs to rethink its geopolitical strategies completely. What should be India’s role in the coming world to secure its interests?
3. Sustainability start-ups are key to any climate action strategy. Green financing must look beyond renewable energy and embrace other businesses and technologies. How would you justify this statement?
4. India needs to adopt a whole-of-nation approach involving industry, academia, and think tanks to build a comprehensive institutional base on Arctic issues. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The Ukraine crisis has solidified the Sino-Russian geopolitical alliance. Growing relations between the two will only cement their grip on the Central Asian Republics, pushing Western political and economic engagement with the region to the margins.
• In the larger tussle between geopolitics and geoeconomics, Germany’s China strategy is a necessary but not a sufficient condition to de-risk from China in line with the broader European approach to economic security.
• For an entrepreneur, it is important to understand and transcend ego. This will serve as a constant reminder of the importance of humility and self-awareness in business.
• Regenerative leadership across all our organizations can be a valuable tool in reconnecting our inner and outer ecosystem, with the potential to rebuild a life-affirming economy that is in balance with our natural resources.
• Diversifying the definition of the middle class beyond income brackets can provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of economic well-being.
• Including factors such as access to quality education, healthcare, housing, and social security can offer a more holistic perspective on the middle class.
• A constructive discussion in Parliament, without further inflaming passions, may help the government solve the vexed issue.
• Parliament is a forum for debates and discussions which help a parliamentary democracy thrive. The opposition and the government must work out ways to facilitate smooth and frequent sittings and functioning of the Houses.
• If the USA and NATO want to check China’s rise, they will need an ally which is likely to grow fast. India is in the best position to play that role.
• India flanks China to its south-west and could be an invaluable ally in any future armed conflict between China and the West.
• India is stuck between a rock and a hard place. We have a future superpower China in our backyard, while the world’s biggest bully is knocking on our front door.
• The demand for water has been increasing due to the intensification of agriculture and increased economic activities. But the un-utilised water potential available for the future use has been declining at a faster pace across States.

ESSAY TOPIC

• A secure and reliable cyber space is the key to national security.

50-WORD TALK

• Supreme Court’s bail for activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, comes five years too late. Bail denial is fast becoming the norm in India. Inconsistent judgments and trial delays have led many facing UAPA charges to languish in jail. This is punishment without trial.
• Rajasthan’s social security law for gig workers is welcome. But it’s worth noting that many such provisions already exist in labour codes passed by Parliament and pending with most states. States are loath to accept Centre’s actions. Rajasthan governor’s decision on the law will show whether the Centre reciprocates this.

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 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.

1. Muharram: An annual workshop on self-reflection READ MORE
2. Multiple faith traditions READ MORE
3. AI tools pose threat to research ethics READ MORE

1. Ignore extreme climate at your own peril READ MORE
2. El Nino and erratic monsoon: Are farmers prepared? READ MORE

1. Impact of Bihar’s alcohol ban on intimate partner violence READ MORE
2. Student suicides: Counselling a must for handling pressure READ MORE
3. Ayushman Bharat expose: How to nudge India’s public health infrastructure READ MORE

1. India’s high public borrowing is not unsustainable. But it leaves little room for policy missteps READ MORE   
2. Uniform Civil Code, as conceived by Dr B R Ambedkar READ MORE
3. ECI, parties must stop candidates from filing false poll affidavits READ MORE
4. ED Director Extension: The Supreme Court Against the Rule of Law READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Who killed Beethoven? Hepatitis B, says forensic DNA analysis READ MORE  
2. Govt. may extend PLI scheme to chemicals, petrochemicals sectors READ MORE
3. Putin promises African summit that Russia will make maximum efforts to avert a food crisis READ MORE
4. No accurate count of population of Persons with Disabilities, says parliamentary panel READ MORE
5. Rajya Sabha passes Cinematograph Amendment Bill, 2023 aimed at curbing film piracy READ MORE
6. What is a stapled visa, and why does China issue these to Indians from Arunachal and J&K? READ MORE
7. 39 MNCs come together for circular economy coalition READ MORE
8. Supreme Court to appoint DERC chairperson: What is the Delhi govt, L-G tussle over the post READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Ignore extreme climate at your own peril READ MORE
2. El Nino and erratic monsoon: Are farmers prepared? READ MORE
3. Impact of Bihar’s alcohol ban on intimate partner violence READ MORE
4. Student suicides: Counselling a must for handling pressure READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. India’s high public borrowing is not unsustainable. But it leaves little room for policy missteps READ MORE   
2. Uniform Civil Code, as conceived by Dr B R Ambedkar READ MORE
3. ECI, parties must stop candidates from filing false poll affidavits READ MORE
4. ED Director Extension: The Supreme Court Against the Rule of Law READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Ayushman Bharat expose: How to nudge India’s public health infrastructure READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Elusive consensus: On transparency and the state of India-China ties READ MORE
2. Indo-French bromance is mythical READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Agriculture Revisited READ MORE
2. 28% GST on online skill-based gaming: A losing gamble READ MORE
3. Empowering the power sector: Increased private participation can deliver multiple benefits READ MORE
4. The right climate for green start-ups READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. The hornets’ nests in the Forest Amendment Bill READ MORE
2. Strike a balance on forest laws READ MORE
3. Forest conservation: Need to review new Bill’s contentious provisions READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Ravi Chellam writes: Why protecting India’s forests should be a part of national security READ MORE

DISASTER

1. Explained | Himachal floods: a man-made disaster? READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Muharram: An annual workshop on self-reflection READ MORE
2. Multiple faith traditions READ MORE
3. AI tools pose threat to research ethics READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The police must obey the law while enforcing the law. In light of the statement, discuss the need for police reform in India.
2. Artificial intelligence is presenting a potential threat to the sanctity, originality and integrity of research, especially research in social sciences. Comment.
3. The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways. Examine how a fair and transparent market for agricultural commodities can be a solution for this issue?
4. Sustainability start-ups are key to any climate action strategy. Green financing must look beyond renewable energy and embrace other businesses and technologies. How would you justify this statement?
5. India needs to adopt a whole-of-nation approach involving industry, academia, and think tanks to build a comprehensive institutional base on Arctic issues. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Strategy is not the consequence of planning, but the opposite: its starting point.
• Even though food is a basic necessity, everywhere farmers are in distress, and most capitalist economies have to subsidise agriculture so that agricultural activity does not cease altogether and there is some locally grown food on the table.
• The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.
• A fair and transparent market for agricultural commodities has to be developed, farmers have to be made aware of the latest agricultural techniques and village economies have to be developed, so that the burden on agriculture is reduced.
• Artificial intelligence is presenting a potential threat to the sanctity, originality and integrity of research, especially research in social sciences.
• Creating and sustaining healthy, long relationships is a mutual responsibility and if not, it is a warning sign to examine whether there exists any relationship worth saving at all.
• Both China and India are delusional in lauding France’s independent foreign policies and strategic autonomy.
• Sustainability start-ups are key to any climate action strategy. Green financing must look beyond renewable energy and embrace other businesses and technologies.
• The decision to impose 28% GST on online skill-based gaming —on the pooled revenue—will cripple a promising sector that furthers the Digital India vision.
• The suggestions being offered to rein in the advancements in AI need to move into the domain of regulation, to ensure that the unwarranted effects of these technologies do not spill over onto the modern battlefield.
• India needs to adopt a whole-of-nation approach, involving industry, academia, and think tanks, to build a comprehensive institutional base on Arctic issues.

ESSAY TOPIC

• A secure and reliable cyber space is the key to national security.

50-WORD TALK

• The alarming dropout of 25,000 SC, ST and OBC students from IITs and central universities shows Indian institutions are still not inclusive. Accessibility isn’t just about how many disadvantaged students are admitted, but how many stay, graduate and flourish. This should be tackled with the same gusto as school dropouts.
• After 34 years, marred by clashes and curfews, one of four Shia Muharram processions has peacefully passed along its traditional route through Srinagar. Together with recent gatherings at the Jama Masjid, this shows the secessionist grip on the streets has broken. Remaining restrictions on congregational worship must now be eased.
• Niti Aayog’s multidimensional poverty index showing West Bengal and Gujarat with same poverty levels highlights the policy challenges India’s economic diversity poses. Gujarat’s high per capita income only goes so far when poverty is measured multidimensionally. West Bengal shows focussing solely on social metrics doesn’t work for poverty alleviation either.

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 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 CONTEXT: The Parliament has passed three Farm Bills which replaced three Ordinances in 2020 dealing with free trade of agriculture produce, contract farming and essential commodities. The controversies surrounding these Laws point out not only to the federal and farmers’ opposition but also to the flaws in the way these Laws are made. Law or policy making demands adopting a process that involves wide ranging consultations, debate and eliciting feedback etc. This “policy discourse” is vital for formulation of policies based on evidence. In this context, this write up examines the various aspects of the Farm Laws and in the background of these explains public policy process.  For the purpose of this write up Law and policy, and Government and Parliament are used interchangeably.

THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE THREE FARM LAWS

FARMERS’ PRODUCE TRADE AND COMMERCE (PROMOTION AND FACILITATION) ACT, 2020

• Farmers’ produce trading: The Act allows intra-State and inter-State trade of farmers’ produce outside the various markets and places notified under the State APMC Acts.
• Electronic trade: The Act permits the electronic trading of agricultural produce regulated under any State APMC Act in the specified trade area.  An electronic trading and transaction platform can be set up by companies, FPOs, societies etc to facilitate the direct and online buying and selling of such produce
• Market fee abolished: The Act prohibits State Governments from levying any market fee, cess or levy on farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for trade of farmers’ produce conducted in an ‘outside trade area’.

FARMERS (EMPOWERMENT AND PROTECTION) AGREEMENT ON PRICE ASSURANCE AND FARM SERVICES ACT, 2020

• Farming agreement: The Act provides for a farming agreement between a farmer and a buyer prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce.  The period of an agreement will be one crop season, or one production cycle of livestock.  The maximum period is five years, unless the production cycle is more than five years.
• Pricing of farming produce: The price of farming produce should be mentioned in the agreement.  For prices subjected to variation, a guaranteed price for the produce and a clear reference for any additional amount above the guaranteed price must be specified in the agreement.  Further, the process of price determination must be mentioned in the agreement.
• Dispute Settlement:  All disputes must be referred to the Board for resolution.  If the dispute remains unresolved by the Board after thirty days, parties may approach the Sub-Divisional Magistrate for resolution whose decision can be appealed to an Appellate Authority (presided by the collector or the additional collector) against decisions of the Magistrate. The Magistrate or the Appellate Authority may impose certain penalties on the party contravening the agreement.

ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2020

• Regulation of food items:  The Act provides that the Central Government may regulate the supply of certain food items including cereals, pulses, potatoes, onions, edible oilseeds, and oils, only under extraordinary circumstances.   These include: (i) war, (ii) famine, (iii) extraordinary price rise and (iv) natural calamity of grave nature.
• Stock limit: The Act requires that imposition of any stock limit on agricultural produce must be based on price rise.  A stock limit may be imposed only if there is: (i) a 100% increase in retail price of horticultural produce; and (ii) a 50% increase in the retail price of non-perishable agricultural food items.

THE BENEFITS OF THE FARM ACTS: AN ANALYSIS

ENDING HISTORY OF EXPLOITATION AT MANDIS

• The farmers are receiving a low share of what the consumer pays as indicated by a Reserve Bank of India study covering mandis in 16 States, 16 food crops and 9,400 farmers, traders, retailers. The farmers’ shares were 28 per cent for potato, 33 per cent for onion, 49 per cent for rice, Injecting competition by widening farm markets will benefit farmers which the three farm laws aim at.

BETTER REMUNERATION FOR FARMERS

• Farmers can sell their produce within the State or anywhere else in the country and there will be no restriction on this type of trade. This will benefit the farmers that they will be able to sell their produce to the merchant wherever they get a higher price.

DEREGULATION OF AGRI TRADE

• There will be no need for any kind of license for traders to purchase agricultural produce of farmers in the trade area outside the APMC mandi, but also those holding PAN card or any other document notified by the Central Government can join this trade. This will facilitate trade in agricultural products and will benefit the farmers.

COMPETITIVE MARKETS FOR AGRI PRODUCTS

• Allowing buyers outside APMC mandis promotes competition and halts exploitation. At present, while consumers are paying higher price, farmers are still receiving lower returns due to inefficiencies and imperfections. Unified Market Platform (UMP) in Karnataka resulted in increase of prices by 38 per cent. This implies that current market prices are depressed by 38 per cent due to lack of adequate competition. Opening up the markets can push the APMCs to offer competitive prices.

AGRICULTURE MARKETS STARVED OF 3Cs

• Agricultural markets are starved of capital, competition and commitment. Capital injection postpones operation of the Law of diminishing marginal returns.
• Investment in marketing infrastructure, processing, and logistics benefits society. New provisions of Essential Commodities Act enable scale economies in agricultural marketing which will attract private sector investment especially in supply chain.

ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF MIDDLEMEN IN APMC

• The APMCs still don’t issue formal receipts which are supposed to mention the price, quantity or quality of the produce. Further, due to closed markets, farmers are forced to sell to those middlemen who they have borrowed money from, starting off a vicious circle of exploitation in times of distress sales. Unfair deductions, undercover sales, cartels and collusions at APMCs have continued denying remunerative prices to the farmers.

BENEFITS OF CONTRACT FARMING

• Contract farming enable farmers to offer produce at a predetermined price. When the market price is above contractual price, farmers have the liberty to sell at the higher price. Small farmers have benefitted more than large farmers in contract farming as income derived per acre was the highest for small farmers as a study on contract farming in Karnataka has shown.

THE CHALLENGES OF THE FARM ACTS

• Farmers’ opposition: The primary reason for farmers’ opposition is the lack of clarity on MSP. They demand a legislative backing for MSP as they fear that in the name of open and free trade the mandatory procurement by FCI on MSP will be done away with. Secondly, farmers, feel they will lose the protection of regulation provided by APMC structure and fall prey to the whims and fancies of the private players. Thirdly, they resist contract farming as they fear they will lose their lands due to unfair terms of contract agreement.
• Issue of federalism: Agriculture and markets are State subjects as per entry 14 and 28 respectively in List II. The Acts (except ECA Amendment) are being seen as a direct encroachment upon the functions of the States and against the spirit of cooperative federalism. States contend that entry 33(b) in the Concurrent List (agricultural trade, commerce, production, supply, and food distribution) do not give power to enact Laws by Centre in these areas. Also many States like Punjab, Rajasthan etc have passed their own Farm Bills that run counter to the Central Laws.
• Case study experience: The much hyped Bihar experience presents a mixed bag. In 2004-05, the State Agricultural Board earned 60 crores through taxes and spent 52 crores, of which 31% was on developing infrastructure. With no revenue to maintain it, that infrastructure is now in a dilapidated condition. The large number of migrants from Bihar whose painful trek to and fro during the pandemic has exposed the lack of income and livelihood options in Bihar of which more than 70% are farmers.
• Undemocratic passage of bills: infringement of Parliamentary procedures in getting the Bills passed like the refusal of a division of votes following the debates on the Farm Bills and passing through voice vote have driven the opposition’s resistance. This has resulted in a huge political and public criticism against the manner of passing the Bills.
• Supreme Court intervention: The apex court has stayed the implementation of the Farm Laws and set up a Committee to report on these Laws. This decision has effectively stopped the operationalization of the Laws. It is also held that the court is playing the role of “parliament” which would lead to unnecessary delays and complications.
• Administrative Adjudication: The dispute settlement system takes away the role of Civil Courts which functions on strict principles of Law. While the proposed system will have the Executive (SDM and Collector) as the enforcer, adjudicator and the interpreter of Law. This is a violation of separation of power which is a basic feature of the constitution.  The Bar Council of Delhi has termed the transfer of judicial powers to the Executive as “dangerous and a blunder.” The Council notes its impact on the legal profession, it says that “It will substantially damage District Courts in particular and uproot the lawyers.”
• Policy Flaw: The high rate of indebtedness among the small and marginal farmers decreases the bargaining power to negotiate the price of the farm produce with the sponsors. Another factor is the transportation and transaction cost involved in selling the produce from APMCs to the chosen buyer. Thus the Acts fail to take account of these considerations, which are critical for price assurance and empowerment.
• Food Security: The FCI procurement under MSP is the core of buffer stock of food grains which ensures food security in India. In Covid times, the PDS system and new schemes related to free food grains became possible only because of this institutional structure. The Farm Laws may pose great challenge to the food security by curtailing the FCI role and promoting unregulated agriculture markets that feed on profiteering.            

PUBLIC POLICY: CLARIFYING THE CONCEPT AND MEANING

MEANING OF PUBLIC POLICY

• Public policy is the policy made by the Government. It deals with what the Government choses to do or does not chose to do. In a nutshell, the elected Government translates the needs, wishes and aspirations of the public into concrete measures through formulation of public policies. Once enacted, the administration implements them in accordance with the intent of the policy.

PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS

• The public policy making is conceived as a process or a cycle which involves multiple stages. The actual policy making and its implementation are only two stages in this cycle (see the diagram). It means the success or failure of the policy impinges on not only formulation and implementation but also on other stages.

POLICY DISCOURSE

• Policy discourse means the process of exchange of ideas among various stakeholders concerned with public policy. For instance, the civil society engagement with Government in the formulation of Lok Pal Act. The policy discourse cuts across the various stages of public policy cycle which contribute to evidence-based policy making.

EVIDENCE BASED POLICY MAKING

• It refers to using data and information collected through research studies and consultation for decision making. Evidence thus collected will determine whether a proposed policy is needed at all or whether the policy needs changes etc. NITI Aayog, in Indian context conducts studies and produces reports which contribute to evidence-based policy making.

POLICY ANALYSIS

• Policy analysis is a process of enhancing the effectiveness of a policy. It aids in evidence-based policy making. It refers to identifying the problems requiring policy action and then developing alternative policy options to address the problem. Finally, the pros and cons of these alternatives are also evaluated so that the best course of action can be adopted.

ACTORS IN PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS

• The various actors and institutions involved in policy process includes Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, bureaucracy, civil society organizations like NGOs, trade unions, farmers groups, individual citizens, media etc.

THE FARM LAWS AND THE PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS: AN ANALYSIS

The three Farm Laws made by the Parliament has been criticized on account that they have been made without following a policy cycle approach. The Government of India has denied this and reiterated that it has conducted wide ranging consultations with stake holders. Let us examine these claims in detail

THE GOVERNMENT’S STAND

• The Committee of Chief Ministers constituted on reforming Indian agriculture by Government of India in July 2019 has recommended changes in these Laws. They have undertaken extensive consultations with stakeholders on the ground
• Many State Governments have already amended the Laws dealing with agriculture trade, contract farming etc. long before. For instance, around 16 States have abolished APMC system. These actions point out that there is a general consensus on the reforms. Also, the National Agriculture Policy 2000 has suggested greater private sector involvement in agriculture sector.
• NITI Aayog, has drafted Model Laws on contract farming, free trade in agriculture, land leasing etc. in 2015. These Model Laws have been at the centre of intense scrutiny, discussions and feedback.
• Economic Survey 2019-20 has provided empirical evidence especially in the case of Essential Commodities Act 1955 and shown how the Act has become a tool for harassment, victimization and stifling private investment in agriculture.
• Post enactment of the Laws, the Government has held series of meetings with farmer unions and their leaders and even agreed to amending the Laws after their concerns and apprehensions. This shows the Government was willing to use post policy consultation and feedback to reformulate public policy

CRITIQUE OF THE GOVT’S STAND

• The Govt has used the opportunity of the pandemic to push through these Laws in the form of Ordinances. Ordinance is meant for emergency purpose and there was no emergency for the Govt to enact these Ordinances. No effective engagement with the stake holders was possible in the time of pandemic.
• Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy 2014 provides for comprehensive consultation and eliciting public opinion before policy making. But in the case of these Laws this requirement was observed in the breach
• Agriculture being a State List subject requires States’ consent in Law making. The Committee of Chief ministers constituted by the Government does not replace the role of deliberation in all State Legislatures. Their inputs and suggestions would have provided invaluable evidence for effective policy making.
• The farmers group are the most important constituent of the civil society opposing these Farm Laws. More than 80 percent of the Indian farmers are small and marginal and the pace with which these Laws have been enacted make it impossible for holding any meaningful consultation with these pressure groups.
• The Parliament is the most crucial actor in the public policy cycle. The manner of pushing these Bills by violating procedures and without any proper debate or scrutiny by the Standing Committees has made the policy process myopic.

A POLICY PERSPECTIVE TO THE HISTORICAL QUESTION OF AGRI REFORM

THE BRITISH INDIA

• The farmers and the colonial regime had fought many battles due to the oppressive agriculture   policies of the British.
• For instance, the Indigo revolt against contract farming resulted in colonial Government instituting an Indigo Commission who recommended that farmers should not be compelled to grow Indigo
• Similarly, the Pabna agrarian revolt forced the British to enact Bengal Tenancy Act.
• The point stressed here is that when a colonial Government can listen to the farmers and bring changes in policies, a democratic Government should do more in addressing the farmers concerns by walking an extra mile.

THE POST INDEPENDENCE

• After Independence, the country has seen many incidents of the farmers protesting against legislative and administrative measures.
• Arguably, the biggest among them was 1988 Boat club siege of Delhi by farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Western UP. Around 500000 lakh farmers stayed put in and around the Boat Club for more than 3 weeks.
• Among their demands were the waiver of power and water bills and higher price for sugarcane. The Government has held discussions with the farmers They left only after some of their demands were met.
• Thus, the Government of Rajiv Gandhi which had a brutal majority at the Centre, has engaged with the farmers and incorporated their agenda/inputs for improving the public policy cycle.

MAKING A GOOD PUBLIC POLICY: HOW TO GO ABOUT IT?

PROBLEM DEFINITION

• The Public policy is goal oriented which means it is aimed at solving a problem. Accurate and comprehensive identification of the problem is critical in ensuring the success of a policy. This requires evidence gathering from multiple sources through consultation, research and analytical studies.

CONSENSUS BUILDING

• The actors in policy process have differing motivations to engage in policy process. For instance, in a labour policy the management and workers may have conflicting interests. In a disinvestment policy the staff of PSUs and the Government may not agree on key aspects of the policy. The point is simple. Consensus building across political, federal, civil society and pressure groups and other sectors can’t be wished away.

ADMINISTRATIVE CAPABILITY

• Often the administration is blamed for failure of a policy due to poor implementation. But the crucial point missed here is how a badly formulated public policy can be successfully implemented? So criticizing the administration for poor policy outcome is unfortunate in such a situation.  Secondly, the capacity of the Civil Services in areas like human resource, finance, infrastructure and technology must be enhanced.

PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY

• As per the principle of subsidiarity, nothing that can be done at a lower political/administrative level should be done at a higher level. It means if a public policy can be best formulated and implemented at the state level, then the Centre should not interfere in it. The Schedule 7 of the Indian Constitution List 1 and 2 is based on this principle. Scrupulously following this principle is must for successful public policy.

POLITICAL WILL

• Public policy reflects the preferences of the Government and the party that forms the Government. Thus ideology plays vital role in policy making which makes consultation or concession difficult. Another dimension is the resourcefulness of the Government to formulate and implement what is required on the ground. A weak or a “Soft State” lacks this will and the skill and thereby public policy becomes an exercise in “muddling through” (ad hoc solutions)

CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK

• It is said that a policy is being made as is being implemented and is being implemented as is being made. This means that the policy process is a cyclic process and thus the feedback mechanism from the actors in the policy process must be captured in real time. Tools of e governance has revolutionized the speed and scale of feedback and response mechanisms today.

POLICY SCIENCE

• Policy science is an inter disciplinary approach that systematically studies public policy process. It uses scientific techniques and tools to objectively study the policy problems and suggest alternatives course of options to policy makers. The idea behind policy science is to add “some science to the value laden political process” of public policy. Institutions like National Statistical Office, National Council for Applied Economic Research, Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis and non-profits like Centre for policy research etc need to strengthened in this regard.

SPECIFIC MEASURES FOR MOVING OUT OF THE IMBROGLIO CREATED BY THE FARM ACTS

GRAB THE LOW HANGING FRUIT

• The most contentious issue seemed to be the possible dismantling of APMCs. Thus, the Government can repeal the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020. Then begin drafting a new Act on this subject through comprehensive consultative process. This will create much good will and create a conducive environment for resolution of other issues.

POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT

• States must be taken onboard by engaging with them in a structured manner either through NITI Aayog or by reviving the Inter State Council. Allaying the apprehension of the States can help build political support for reforms.

EARLY HEARING IN THE SUPREME COURT

• The apex court should hear the challenges to these Laws as early as possible and decide them. This will provide a clear view on the future of Farm Laws and end major disputes regarding legislative encroachment and the like.

FARMERS’ APPROACH

• The farmers must give up the attitude of “my way or high way” and must be more open to engagement with the Government. For instance, agreeing to the suspension of the Laws for 18 months can be a good beginning point.

COMMITTEE ON FARM LAWS

• The SC appointed Committee has submitted report to the court. The findings and suggestions of the Committee can open up informed discussion in the Parliament and in the public domain which can be harnessed to generate further momentum on possible solutions.

NATIONAL OVERSEEING AUTHORITY

• Farmers cannot be left to the free will of competitive markets due to skewed asset distribution. A national body, National Agricultural Marketing authority similar to TRAI and SEBI, needs to be created to enhance the bargaining power of farmers and protect them, along with purchasers, sellers and consumers from possibilities of exploitation.

ISSUE OF MSP

• A legislative back up for MSP can be a great act of statesmanship from the part of Union Government which for all practical purposes can remove the trust deficit with respect to the intention of the Government. It will also make the farmers more receptive to reforms and allay concerns of small and marginal farmers.

THE WAY FORWARD: THE POLICY DISCOURSE

The issues related to Farm Bills can also be seen from policy discourse perspective. Any radical reforms in democracy will demand consensus building. In contemporary practices, when there is increasing emphasis on participation, evidence-based policy making, Pre-Legislative Scrutiny and Legislative Impact Assessment then in such scenario, bringing any radical policy change without meeting such standards will be like not learning anything at all from the developments of standards of policy making and promises often made through various platforms by the governments so far.

Therefore, in this article, we will not emphasize about the number of steps to be taken in the Way Forward, rather on the subject of policy discourse. The NITI Aayog has stated in past that the development should be jan aandolan, it seems more on paper than in reality. It is prudent to have policy discourse, so that, the differences in views can be addressed at early stage rather than at the trail-end of the process.

Today, there is not only concept of deliberative democracy but also its practice through RTI, e-governance, social audit and social media. Ballot box democracy is a thing of past, hence, the governments should not behave as if we are still living in that past era. Therefore, proper consultation, deliberation, legislative scrutiny and public view are sine-quo-non for any good policy, otherwise for what all such brouhaha that there should be policy research and discussion.

Now it is a well-known fact that only a good policy doesn’t make good implementation. For effective implementation, effective consultation is also needed with all stake-holders, so that, we can elicit their cooperation at implementation stage and then there will be effective implementation.

THE CONCLUSION: The commercialization of agriculture in colonial India reflected ruthless exploitation by East India Company and resulted in destruction of Indian agriculture. The lessons of history can create morbid fears among the people. Also, the opaque, hasty and undemocratic passage of the Bills have created mistrust among farmers. Recently, the Chief Justice of India has emphasized upon the quality of Law making through quality of discussion in the Legislature. These events show the importance of procedural modalities in a democratic polity and the relevance of policy process. The Government should have been more forthcoming in opening a channel of communication with the States, political parties, farmer community etc before the passage of Bills. What is needed now is to find a middle ground that addresses the legitimate concerns of all stakeholders by adopting a “post public policy cycle”.

1. SILVOPASTURE SYSTEMS

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: A study on deforestation drivers in seven South American countries found that more than 70 per cent of deforestation was driven by an increased demand for pasture. In this regard, silvopasture systems can play a vital role in reversing the negative trend of deforestation for pasture land.

EXPLANATION:

• Livestock’s impact on land use is not only restricted to direct grazing land use but also through indirect land use for fodder crop production.
• In light of the global deterioration of natural resources and forests, silvopasture systems offer a relevant solution to deforestation trends.

Silvopasture system:

• It is an ancient and proven practice that harmoniously integrates trees, forage and livestock on the same land. It presently covers a vast expanse of 550 million hectares worldwide.
• By combining these elements, silvopasture brings numerous environmental advantages as it acts as a buffer against temperature and wind extremes, providing a favourable living environment for livestock.
• Moreover, the trees on silvopasture lands act as natural carbon sinks, sequestering significantly five-10 times more carbon than pastures without trees, all while maintaining or enhancing productivity.
• It also regulates local climatic conditions, buffering against temperature and wind extremes, providing a favourable living environment for livestock.
• Moreover, the extensive root systems of trees within silvopasture plots contribute to nutrient cycling, improved soil stability and quality, while effectively combating erosion.
• Soil infiltration rates in silvopasture systems surpass those of open pastures, enhancing water storage potential. It fosters milder microclimatic conditions compared to their open-pasture counterparts.
• The local climate buffering capacities suggest that silvopasture may offer a ‘middle ground’ between intact secondary forests and managed open fields, retaining the climate benefits of forests while enabling the expansion of agricultural land.
• It offers a multifaceted approach that enhances local climate resilience, mitigates carbon emissions, and promotes sustainable land use.

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/environment/harness-silvopasture-systems-for-local-climate-resilience-90813

2. THE GLOBAL CLIMATE LITIGATION REPORT

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the UNEP released the Global Climate Litigation Report: 2023 Status Review.

EXPLANATION:

Findings of the report:

• The cases for climate justice have more than doubled globally since 2017, showing that climate litigation is becoming an integral part of securing climate action and justice.
• While most climate litigation was in the US, about 17 per cent were reported in developing countries, including the Small Island Developing States
• Climate policies are far behind what is needed to keep global temperatures below the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold, with extreme weather events and searing heat already baking our planet.
• People are increasingly turning to courts to combat the climate crisis, holding governments and the private sector accountable and making litigation a key mechanism for securing climate action and promoting climate justice.
• As climate litigation increases in frequency and volume, the body of legal precedent grows, forming an increasingly well-defined field of law.
• These legal actions were brought in 65 bodies worldwide: International, regional and national courts, tribunals, quasi-judicial bodies and other adjudicatory bodies, including special procedures of the UN and arbitration tribunals.
• Some key climate litigation cases and matters covered in the report:
• UN Human Rights Committee concluded for the first time that a country has violated international human rights law through climate action, finding Australia’s government is in violation of its human rights obligations to Torres Strait Islanders.
• Brazil’s Supreme Court holding that the Paris Agreement is a human rights treaty, which enjoys “supranational” status and a Dutch court ordering oil and gas company Shell to comply with the Agreement were also covered.
• Most ongoing climate litigation falls into one or more of six categories:
• Cases relying on human rights enshrined in international law and national constitutions;
• Challenges to domestic non-enforcement of climate-related laws and policies;
• Litigants seeking to keep fossil fuels in the ground;
• Advocates for greater climate disclosures and an end to greenwashing;
• Claims addressing corporate liability and responsibility for climate harms;
• Claims addressing failures to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Global Climate Litigation Report: 2023 Status Review:

• It was published by the UNEP in cooperation with the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.
• It was launched in conjunction with the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s recognition of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
• It provides an overview of the current state of climate change litigation and an update on global climate change litigation trends.
• It highlights that Climate litigation cases have increased in recent years, which shows courtrooms are increasingly relevant to efforts to address climate change across the world.
• It further demonstrates the importance of an environmental rule of law in combating the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

• It was established by Maurice Strong in June 1972 following the UN conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm.
• The organisation involves in coordinating the responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system.
• It provides leadership, delivers science and develops solutions to issues like climate change, management of marine & terrestrial ecosystems and green economic development.
• It also develops the international environmental agreement and helps in achieving the environmental targets.
• The primary aim of the UNEP is to help the world to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
• Environmental agreements such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Convention on Migratory Species are organised by UNEP.
• It also helps in implementing the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol and Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/cases-for-climate-justice-more-than-doubled-globally-since-2017-finds-unep-90862

3. THE JAN VISHWAS (AMENDMENT OF PROVISIONS) BILL, 2023

TAG: GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Jan Vishwas Bill was passed in Lok Sabha, which seeks to redefine the regulatory landscape of the country.

EXPLANATION:

• The proposed legislation was tabled in Parliament by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry in December 2022 and was later referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for review.
• The JPC presented its report with seven general recommendations to Parliament during the Budget Session in March 2023.

What does the Bill propose?

• It seeks to redefine the regulatory landscape of the country with decriminalisation of minor offences under 42 acts to reduce compliance burden and promote ease of living and doing business in the country.
• It aims to decriminalise around 180 offences across 42 laws governing environment, agriculture, media, industry and trade, publication, and other domains that create barriers to the ease of doing business in the country.
• It seeks to completely remove or replace imprisonment clauses with monetary fines to provide a boost to the business ecosystem and improve the well-being of the public.
• The Bill also proposes compounding of offences in some provisions.
• Broadly, the draft proposes the following changes in existing Acts:
• Decriminalising of offences
• The Bill removes all offences and penalties under the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
• Changes in grievance redressal mechanisms and the appointment of one or more Adjudicating Officers for determining penalties. These officers can conduct inquiries into violations of the respective Acts and even summon individuals for evidence.
• A periodic revision of fines and penalties for various offences in the specified Acts. The Bill proposes an increase of 10% of the minimum amount every three years.

Need for such a law:

• It can make a shift from Micro, small and medium-scale businesses to the formal sector and generate jobs and income through effective and efficient business regulations in place that eliminate unnecessary red tape.
• It can minimize excessive regulation that has proved onerous for business enterprises, especially MSMEs. As currently, there are 1,536 laws which translate into around 70,000 compliances that govern doing business in India.
• It envisages decluttering the system and shedding the baggage of archaic and obsolete laws.

A web of outdated rules and regulations causes a trust deficit, and reducing compliance burden gives impetus to business process reengineering and improves the ease of living of people.

• The Bill seeks to reduce compliance and remove the fear of imprisonment for minor offences, to give an impetus to businesses and improve ease of doing business and living, thus bolstering ‘trust-based governance’.

Criticism of the bill:

• The Bill uniformly substitutes imprisonment clauses with monetary fines or penalties, which experts say is not a good enough attempt at ‘decriminalisation’.
• The blanket removal of imprisonment provision might also remove the deterrence effect of the environmental legislation, especially for large corporations profiteering from the offence.
• The Bill empowers Adjudicating Officers to decide penalties under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986. These Adjudicating Officers may lack the technical competence necessary to decide all penalties under the Air Act and the EP Act.
• The Bill has nothing to do with its objective of decriminalising to promote ease of doing business like theft or misappropriation of postal articles.

Which are the key provisions under consideration?

• As stated above, there are a total of 42 laws under the purview of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill of 2023.
• These are administered by different Union ministries, including finance, agriculture, commerce, environment, road transport and highways, food production and distribution, and electronics and IT.
• Here are some key suggestions in the draft legislation:

The Indian Forest Act, 1927: Trespassing, permitting cattle to trespass; cutting timber; or causing damage in felling a tree in a reserved forest is a punishable offence with a jail term of up to six months or a fine up to Rs 500, or both. The Bill removes the clause of imprisonment. Only a fine of up to Rs 500 will be imposed in addition to compensation for damage done to the forest. The Bill also removes the jail term clause for burning trees near a reserved tree. The JPC has suggested an increase in penalty from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 for violation of sections 26 (1) (e) and 33(e) and (f) of the Act, which deal with the above.

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: The Bill proposes to replace imprisonment for lapses with heavier penalties. For instance, failure to comply with provisions that bar an industrial unit from operating in an air pollution control area will be liable to pay a penalty of up to Rs 15 lakh. The offence currently attracts a jail term of up to six years, along with a monetary penalty.

The Information Technology Act, 2000: The Bill proposes to remove Section 66A, which provides for punishment for sending offensive messages or false information through a communication service. For breach of confidentiality and privacy, the Bill proposes a penalty of Rs 5 lakh. The offence is presently punishable with imprisonment up to two years, with a fine up to Rs 1 lakh, or both.

Disclosing personal information in breach of a lawful contract is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. The proposed Bill replaces it with a penalty of up to Rs 25 lakh.

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: The Bill suggests a penalty of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 15 lakh for inadvertent compliance breaches, such as being unaware of excess discharge of pollutants under Sections 7 and 9 of the Act. The offence currently carries an imprisonment of five years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

The Copyright Act, 1957: The proposed law omits the penalty for making false statements for deceiving or influencing an authority or officer. The offence is presently punishable with imprisonment, which may extend to one year, or fine, or both.

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Under Section 192A, a person using a motor vehicle without a valid permit faces a jail term of up to six months and a fine of Rs 10,000. The Bill proposes the same jail term but omits the compulsion of paying a fine of Rs 10,000.

The Railways Act, 1989: A person caught begging or selling goods without a permit in a railway carriage or at a railway station is liable for punishment. The Bill removes the punishment clause for beggars. It sets a clause of a jail term of up to one year or a fine of a maximum of Rs 2,000 for illegal hawkers, or both.

The Cinematograph Act, 1952: Unauthorised tampering of an already certified film will be punishable with up to three years in jail, a fine of up to Rs. 10 lakh, or both. It also proposes a penalty of up to Rs 10,000 for a person showing an adult movie (A-rated) to a minor.

The Patents Act, 1970: If a person wrongly claims a patent on an article sold by him, he will be liable to pay a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh and a further penalty of Rs 1,000 per day in case of a continuing claim. The offence is presently punishable with a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.

The Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marking) Act, 1937: The Bill removes the provision of jail term for unauthorised marking of an article with a grade designation mark and its sale. Instead, it proposes a penalty of Rs 5 lakh.

The Trade Marks Act, 1999: Falsely representing a trademark as registered is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, with a fine, or both. The Bill proposes a penalty of Rs 25,000-Rs 1 lakh.

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: For the sale of unsafe food, the Bill proposes imprisonment for three months with a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh. Currently, the jail term for the offence is not more than six months, while the fine goes up to Rs 1 lakh. Similarly, for providing misleading or false information, a person can be jailed for up to three months, with a fine extending to two lakh. The Bill proposes that the offence be punishable by a fine extending to Rs 10 lakh.

The High Denomination Bank Notes (Demonetisation) Act, 1978: The Bill decriminalises offences under the Act, which was used to remove high-value banknotes as legal tender in 1978. Noting that the law has outlived its utility, the parliamentary committee suggested the Ministry of Finance repeal the Act.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jan-vishwas-amendment-bill-2023-monsoon-session-parliament-bill-explains/article67095334.ece

4. STARFIRE

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Scientists at Raman Research Institute (RRI) developed a new algorithm called STARFIRE to quantify terrestrial Radio Frequency in space.

EXPLANATION:

• In order to study the early Universe and its evolution, astronomers tune their radio antennas within the 40 to 200 Mega Hertz (MHz) range in search of the 21-cm hydrogen line, believed to contain some of the unknown secrets about the cosmos.
• However, given their faint and weak strength, detecting these signals is extremely challenging. In this regard, scientists have developed new algorithms.

STARFIRE:

• It has been developed by scientists at Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology.
• It is a new algorithm to quantify terrestrial Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) in space for earth-orbiting radio astronomy experiments.
• It can estimate the RFI emitted by FM radio stations, WiFi networks, mobile towers, radar, satellites, and communication devices.
• It can use this calculation for designing and fine-tuning the antennas and other instrument components of missions like India’s Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen (PRATUSH).
• It is capable of estimating and mapping the unwanted Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) signals in space, and can help design instruments that are capable of offering optimal operations in the presence of RFI.
• It enriches the data obtained from the future space-based Astronomy missions.
• It is flexible for users to change properties of the antennas that transmit and receive RFI along with including the astrophysical radio signals from our own galaxy and the cosmos to derive meaningful conclusions about experiment sensitivity.

PRATUSH

• It is one of the several mission opportunities in space contemplated to address the growing RFI on land
• It can study the birth of the first stars and galaxies in the Universe using the 21-cm hydrogen line obtained from the far side of the moon.

Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)  

• Radio frequency interference is the conduction or radiation of radio frequency energy that causes an electronic or electrical device to produce noise that typically interferes with the function of an adjacent device.
• It also refers to the disruption of the normal functionality of a satellite due to the interference of radio astronomy.
• It can disrupt and disturb the normal functioning of electronic and electrical devices, and thus it is important to limit it when possible.
• The fast-advancing technologies and expanding areas of human settlements have led to an increased number of sources emitting RFIs, many even constraining the efforts for recording astronomical observations on land.
• The RFI emitted by Frequency Modulation (FM) stations is one of the major concerns for the frequency band of our scientific interest.

Source: https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/technology/starfire-rri-develops-new-algorithm-to-quantify-terrestrial-radio-frequency-interference-in-space/102120458

5. NATIONAL COAL INDEX

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The National Coal Index (NCI) has shown a significant decline of 33.8% in May 2023 compared to May 2022, which indicates a strong supply of coal in the market, with sufficient availability to meet the growing demands.

EXPLANATION:

Findings:

• The National Coal Index (NCI) fell a significant 33.8% year-on-year to 157.7 points in May, in an indication that supplies in the country remain sufficient.
• Similarly, NCI for non-coking coal declined 34.3% on year to 147.5 points in May. Non-coking coal is mainly used in thermal plants for power generation due to its inherent lack of caking properties.
• There has been a sharp decline in coal auction premiums, too, pointing at sufficient coal availability. The Indian coal industry affirms a substantial stockpile, with companies holding impressive stock.
• This availability ensures a stable supply for various sectors dependent on coal, significantly contributing to the overall energy security of the nation.The trend witnessed in the NCI shows that a more balanced market prevails at the moment.
• With sufficient coal availability, the nation can not only meet the growing demand but also support its long-term energy requirements, thus building a more resilient and sustainable coal industry.

National Coal Index:

• The NCI is a price index which reflects the change in the price level of coal on a particular month relative to the fixed base year.
• This price index combines the prices of coal from all the sales channels- Notified Prices, Auction Prices and Import Prices.
• It was rolled out on 4th June 2020, and the aim is to have an index that will truly reflect the market price.
• The National Coal Index combines coal prices from all sales channels, including notified prices, auction prices and import prices.
• Established with the base year as fiscal year 2017-18, it serves as a reliable indicator of market dynamics, providing valuable insights into coal price fluctuations.
• The concept and design of the Index as well as the Representative Prices, have been developed by the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.

Components of NCI

• The concept and design of the Index as well as the Representative Prices, have been developed by the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.
• NCI is composed of a set of five sub-indices: three for Non-Coking Coal and two for Coking Coal.
• The three sub-indices for Non-Coking Coal are combined to arrive at the Index for Non-Coking Coal, and the two sub-indices for Coking Coal are combined to arrive at the Index for Coking Coal.
• As per the grade of coal pertaining to a mine, the appropriate sub-index is used to arrive at the revenue share.

Implementation of NCI

• The amount of revenue share per tonne of coal produced from auctioned blocks would be arrived at using the NCI by means of a defined formula.
• The Index is meant to encompass all transactions of raw coal in the Indian market.
• This includes coking and non-coking of various grades transacted in the regulated (power and fertilizer) and non-regulated sectors.
• Washed coal and coal products are not included.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/national-coal-index-nci-falls-33-8-in-may-2023-indicating-sufficient-coal-supply-in-new-delhi-market-11690360065671.html

[WpProQuiz 513]

1. MAGROVE CONSERVATION

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: West Bengal government announced the setting up of a ‘Mangrove Cell’ in the State on the occasion of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

EXPLANATION:

• Recently, several islands have been completely submerged, and 100 sq. km of mangroves have been lost in two decades.
• Mangrove Cell will bring certain continuity to the efforts of the State government in mangrove management.
• This cell will have an annual action plan for the plantation of mangroves, and it will look at maintenance and coordinate with NGOs.
• This platform will generate funds from private and international sectors, as well as publish books and conduct research on the subject.

Mangroves in India:

• Mangrove forests, also known as mangrove swamps, mangals, or mangrove thickets, occur in coastal intertidal zones.
• They are productive wetlands that grow mainly in tropical and sub-tropical latitudes. Mangrove forests live between the ocean, the land, and the atmosphere, which functions as a centre for the flow of matter and energy from one system to another.
• Mangrove forest reduces soil erosion caused by currents, waves, surges, and tides. Plants of these forests have dense prop roots, also known as breathing roots, with numerous pores through which the plants breathe.
• The presence of these roots allows the trees to slow down tides’ movement and hence settle down the mud in the water.
• India has about 3% of the total Mangrove cover in South Asia. The mangrove cover in the country is 4,975 sq km [(1.2 million acres)], which is 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area.
• West Bengal has 42.45% of India’s mangrove cover, followed by Gujarat 23.66% and A&N Islands 12.39%. Gujarat shows a maximum increase of 37 sq km in mangrove cover [(over 9,000 acres)].”
• South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal alone accounts for 41.85% of mangrove cover of the country.” South 24 Parganas holds the Sunderban National Park, home to one of the largest mangrove forests in the world.

Sundarbans

• The Sundarbans is in the delta formed by the confluence of the Brahmaputra, Meghna, and Padma rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
• Sundarban is a long stretch between Bangladesh and India. It spans from the Baleswar River of Bangladesh to the Hooghly River in India.
• Being home to the world’s largest mangrove forest area, its protected areas are enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Sundarbans’ largest available tree species are Sundari (Heritiera fomes) and gewa (Excoecaria agallocha).
• The Sundarbans are threatened by natural and human-made disasters, even though a commitment to its protection is made.

Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME) initiative:

• For several years, environmentalists and experts have expressed concerns over unsustainable aquaculture, particularly shrimp collection, after cleaning large tracts of mangrove forests in Sunderbans.
• It is a new initiative for sustainable shrimp cultivation and to restore mangrove cultivation in Sundarbans.
• Under the initiative, farmers have taken up cultivation of shrimp at 20 hectares at Chaital in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas and 10 hectares at Madhabpur in adjoining South 24 Parganas. However, they are doing their part in restoring the mangroves as well.
• The SAIME initiative was started in 2019, and sustainable shrimp cultivation is being conceived by NGOs- Global Nature Fund and Nature Environment and Wildlife Society. Bangladesh Environment and Development Society.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/wb-government-announces-mangrove-cell-on-international-day-of-mangrove-ecosystem/article67123522.ece

2. MULTI-STATE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023

TAG: GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Lok Sabha also passed the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill to increase transparency, accountability and profit in multi-state cooperative societies.

EXPLANATION:

Highlights of the Bill

• The Bill amends the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002.
• It establishes the Co-operative Election Authority to conduct and supervise elections to the boards of multi-state co-operative societies, which seeks to strengthen cooperatives by making them transparent and introducing a system of regular elections
• A multi-state co-operative society will require prior permission from government authorities before the redemption of their shareholding.
• A Co-operative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development Fund will be established for the revival of sick multi-state co-operative societies.  The Fund will be financed through contributions by profitable multi-state co-operative societies.
• The Bill allows state co-operative societies to merge into an existing multi-state co-operative society, subject to the respective state laws.
• The government has decided to form three new multi-state societies to strengthen cooperatives.

1. The first society will act as a platform to export the produce of the farmers.
2. The second society will associate small farmers with the production of seeds, and through these, farmers with 1 acre of land will also be able to associate with seed production.
3. The third society will provide suitable prices to the farmers for their produce by marketing their organic products across the country and the world.

• In addition, if one-third of vacancies are created on the board, a provision has been made to hold elections again for the vacant posts.
• Along with this, there are also provisions for discipline in board meetings and the smooth functioning of cooperative societies.
• The chairman, vice-chairman and members of the committees will be required to call board meetings in three months. A provision has been made to give a majority to the equity shareholders to bring transparency in the governance of the cooperative society.
• Reservation to one Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe and one woman in the committees has been provided in this Bill, which will increase representation of these sections in the committees.
• The minister said that non-compliance with various constitutional requirements could lead to the disqualification of the board members.
• No one will be given a job in blood relations or distant relations in the recruitment process of employees.
• Right to Information has also been included in this bill.
• The Union government has also decided to set up a cooperative university for cooperative education in the coming days.

Cooperative Society and its jurisdiction:

• Co-operatives are voluntary, democratic, and autonomous organisations controlled by their members who actively participate in its policies and decision-making.
• As per the Constitution, states regulate the incorporation, regulation, and winding up of state cooperative societies.
• Parliament can legislate on matters related to incorporation, regulation, and winding up of multi-state co-operatives.
• The Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002, provides for the formation and functioning of multi-state co-operatives.
• In 2011, the Constitution was amended (adding Part IXB) to specify guidelines for running cooperative societies.
• These guidelines provide for: (i) composition of the boards of co-operatives, (ii) election of members of the board, (iii) audit of accounts of co-operative societies, and (iv) supersession of the board.
• The Supreme Court, in July 2021 in Rajendra N Shah vs State of Gujrat held that Part IXB will only be applicable to multi-state co-operative societies, as states have the jurisdiction to legislate over state co-operative societies.

Criticisms of the Bill:

• The new fund will put an additional burden on MSCSs and affect their autonomy.
• Against the federal structure: The bill seeks to take away state governments’ rights and is against the country’s federal structure. The Bill seeks to amend Section 17 of the principal act to allow the merger of any State cooperative society with an existing MSCS.
• Against democratic principles: Central and state governments have been given veto powers over the redemption of their shareholding, which violate the principles of democratic member control and autonomy, as provided in the First Schedule of the Act.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/lok-sabha-passes-multi-state-cooperative-societies-amendment-bill-11690347273525.html

3. WHITE LABEL ATMs

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has informed that in order to drive ATM penetration in the country, non-bank companies have been permitted to set up, own and operate White Label ATMs (WLAs) in the country.

EXPLANATION:

• WLAs provide banking services to the customers of banks in India based on the cards (debit/credit/prepaid) issued by banks. In addition to dispensing cash, WLAs may offer many other services / facilities which inter-alia include:

1. Account Information
2. Cash Deposit

• Regular Bill Payment

1. Mini / Short Statement Generation
2. PIN Change
3. Request for Cheque Book

• RBI has started the steps taken to increase the presence of WLAs and to improve their viability and functioning, with a greater focus on Tier III to VI centres.
• RBI has allowed White Label ATM Operators (WLAOs) to source cash from retail outlets to address the cash sourcing constraints and has enabled on-tap authorisation for WLAs.
• To further give impetus to WLA deployment and to encourage more non-bank players to enter the ATMs industry, RBI has permitted WLAOs to:
• buy wholesale cash above a threshold directly from the Reserve Bank (Issue Offices) and Currency Chests
• source cash from any scheduled bank, including Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks
• offer bill payment and Interoperable Cash Deposit service
• display advertisements pertaining to non-financial products / services, and in addition
• banks are permitted to issue co-branded ATM cards in partnership with the authorised WLAOs and extend the benefit of ‘on-us’ transactions to WLAs as well.

ATM and their types:

• An ATM (Automated Teller Machine) is an electronic machine used for financial transactions.
• It is an ‘automated’ banking platform that does not require any banking representative/ teller or a human cashier.
• ATMs can also be classified into 3 categories based on the labels assigned to them:

1. Bank owned ATMs
2. Brown Label ATMs
3. White Label ATMs

These categories of ATMs are on the basis of ownership of the ATM, ATM location, and service contract of the bank with the service provider.

1. Bank Owned ATMs:

• Such ATMs are set up and owned by the bank itself. Bank is responsible for its operation and maintenance.
• Banks are entitled to the responsibility for cash loading, AMC, and security of the ATMs. ATMs may also be categorized into two types on the basis of location – (i) ONSITE ATM (ii) OFFSITE ATM

ONSITE ATM – These ATMs are located at the premises of the bank branch.

OFFSITE ATM – Offsite ATMs are located at a location away from the bank premises. They are generally set up at important places like Railway Station, Airports, Bus Stand, Market etc.

2. Brown Label ATMs:

• In the case of Brown Label ATMs, service providers own the hardware of the ATM machine. The responsibility of identifying the ATM site, lease agreement with the landlord, and power supply to the ATM kiosk lies with the service provider.
• Thus, the service provider takes the responsibility for the maintenance of the ATM, whereas the sponsor bank takes the responsibility of cash management and provides connectivity to the ATM to the banking network.
• The logo of the sponsor bank is displayed on brown label ATM kiosk premises. Brown Label ATMs are the most cost-effective solution for banks.

3. White Label  ATMs:

• White Label ATMs are owned and operated by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC).
• RBI has granted licenses or permission to non-banking entities to open such ATMs.
• Any non-banking entity with a minimum net worth of ₹ 100 crore can apply for white label ATM.
• NBFCs rely on sponsor banks to settle all issues related to cash management, transaction settlement with other banks etc.
• Customers with debit cards from any bank may withdraw cash from such ATMs, but they will have to pay a fee for the services.
• Unlike Brown Label ATMs, White Label ATMs will not display the logo of any bank like SBI, CANARA BANK, PNB etc. The logo of White Label ATM operators is like Tata Indica, Muthoot Finance etc.
• White Label ATMs also reduce the pre-transaction cost for banks, and there is no hassle to maintain and run such a payment channel.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1942516

4. IMPORTANCE OF MANAGEMENT OF MICROPLASTIC FOR MEETING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs)

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT; GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Microplastics are a significant environmental problem and pose risks to marine life, terrestrial organisms, and human health. Therefore, managing microplastic pollution is important for meeting sustainable development goals in India.

EXPLANATION:

• Microplastics which can enter different ecosystems, pose a serious risk to marine life, terrestrial organisms, and human health.
• With a population of 1.42 billion, India is the most populous country in the world.
• India is facing a mammoth challenge of achieving United Nations-mandated sustainable development goals (SDG) by 2030.
• Access to water plays a critical role in all 17 SDGs, either directly or indirectly.
• Microplastics affect human health, and economic activities and threaten food and energy security. Urgent concerted efforts are required to shift the current trend of water use and misuse.

MICROPLASTICS

• Microplastics are tiny plastic particles up to 5mm in diameter.
• In the last four decades, concentrations of these particles appear to have increased significantly in the surface waters of the ocean.
• Its concern about the potential impact on the marine environment, terrestrial organisms, and human health has gathered momentum during the past few years.
• The number of scientific investigations has increased, along with public interest and pressure on decision-makers to respond.
• A significant environmental problem is microplastic pollution, which has not attracted attention as it is invisible.
• It demands serious and immediate attention before it is too late.

SDGs

• In June 1992, at the Earth Summitin Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than 178 countries adopted Agenda 21.
• Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to build a global partnership for sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment.
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
• There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.

SDG GOAL RELATED TO WATER

• Here are some SDGs that have direct and intricate relation with water:
• SDG 2: Zero hunger
• SDG 3: Good health and well-being
• SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
• SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
• SDG 14: Life below water
• SDG 15: Life on land
• Let us focus only on the key targets of SDG 6, which are:

1. a) Achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
2. b) Improve water quality by reducing pollution and increasing water treatment.
3. c) Increase water-use efficiency in all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater.
4. d) Implement integrated water resources management to support the sustainable use of water resources.
5. e) Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes.
6. f) Access to clean water for every household is an ambitious goal set for India, as multiple stressors impact the water resources, starting from rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and wetlands in India.

ISSUE OF MICROPLASTICS IN INDIA

• Rapid industrialisation, urbanisation and population growth have led to increased plastic consumption and waste generation.
• Inadequate waste management systems, including limited recycling infrastructure and improper disposal practices, exacerbate the issue.
• The country’s vast coastline and numerous rivers make it susceptible to the transport of microplastics from inland areas to the marine environment.
• Due to urban runoff and industrial discharge, both Ganga and Yamuna rivers have been found to carry significant loads of microplastics.
• Coastal regions, including popular tourist destinations, also face the problem of microplastic pollution.
• Microplastics have been detected in seafood, indicating the potential for human exposure through the food chain.

WAY FORWARD

• India should focus on improving waste management infrastructure, promoting recycling and responsible consumption and raising awareness among the public and industries.
• MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, which prohibited single-use plastic items by the end of 2022.
• The permissible thickness of plastic carry bags was increased from 50 to 75 microns and then 120 microns from December 31, 2022.
• It is essential to implement stricter regulations, enhance monitoring and research on microplastics and promote sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.
• It is important to note that managing microplastics is a complex task that requires interdisciplinary efforts from various stakeholders, including government bodies, research institutions, industries and the public.
• Addressing microplastic pollution requires a comprehensive approach involving government agencies, industries, communities and individuals working together to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.

Source:https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/water/amp/managing-microplastic-pollution-is-important-for-meeting-sustainable-development-goals-in-india-90789

5. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION (SCHEDULED TRIBES) ORDER

TAG: GS 2: POLITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: Parliament Passes Amendment to Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order to Add Certain Chhattisgarh Communities in ST List.

EXPLANATION

• Recently, Rajya Sabha passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 to amend the Constitution (Schedule Tribes) Order, 1950
• It aimed for the inclusion of certain communities in the list of Schedule Tribes of Chhattisgarh that was passed in Lok Sabha in December 2022.
• The castes, namely Dhanuhar, Dhanuwar, Kisan, Saundra Saonra and Binjhia communities, are added to the list.
• The three Devanagari versions of the Pando community are also included.
• The Bill states that “The State Government of Chhattisgarh has recommended to modify the list of the Scheduled Tribes to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.”
• According to the provisions of Article 342 of the Constitution, the first list of the Scheduled Tribes was notified on 6th September 1950 in respect
• of various States and Union territories, vide the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. This list was modified from time to time.

SCHEDULE 5 OF THE CONSTITUTION

• At present, 10 States, namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana, have Fifth Schedule Areas.
• According to Article 342 (1), the President may, after consultation with the Governor of the State, by public notification, specify the tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within tribes or tribal communities which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State.
• The Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Tribes specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any tribe or tribal community or part of or group within any tribe or tribal community.
• In Article 244(1) of the Constitution, the expression Scheduled Areas means such areas as the President may by order declare to be Scheduled Areas.
• The President may at any time by order:
• direct that the whole or any specified part of a Scheduled Area shall cease to be a Scheduled Area or a part of such an area.
• increase the area of any Scheduled Area in a State after consultation with the Governor of that State.
• alter, but only by way of rectification of boundaries, any Scheduled Area.
• on any alteration of the boundaries of a State on the admission into the Union or the establishment of a new State, declare any territory not previously included in any State to be, or to form part of, a Scheduled Area.
• rescind, in relation to any State of States, any order or orders made under these provisions and in consultation with the Governor of the State concerned, make fresh orders redefining the areas which are to be Scheduled Areas.
• The criteria followed for declaring an area as Scheduled Area are:
• the preponderance of the tribal population.
• compactness and reasonable size of the area.
• under-developed nature of the area.
• marked disparity in the economic standard of the people.

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES

• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338.
• A New Article 338A was inserted in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
• By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions, namely-
• (i) the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).
• (ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) w.e.f. 19 February 2004.
• It was established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and Anglo-Indian communities.
• Special provisions were made in the Constitution to promote and protect the social, educational, economic, and cultural interests.

Source: https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/rajya-sabha-passes-constitution-scheduled-tribes-order-fifth-amendment-bill-2022-233613?infinitescroll=1

1. Let your work speak for your personality READ MORE
2. The death penalty: a breach of human rights and ethics of care READ MORE

1. Egypt and Ethiopia are finally working on a water deal — what that means for other Nile River states READ MORE
2. Combating climate change & its horrific impact READ MORE
3. The eco collapse we were warned about has begun READ MORE

1. Caste has no place in a modern democracy READ MORE
2. Opinion: UCC undermines autonomy of Scheduled Tribes READ MORE
3. Indian education system creating new forms of inequality. Caste, class lines now more defined READ MORE

1. Resolving the gig paradox READ MORE  
2. Double standards: Supreme Court shows Centre the mirror READ MORE
3. No confidence motion will not bring solace to Manipur READ MORE
4. Mediation Bill, 2021: A welcome legislation: Mediation will help reduce the case burden on courts READ MORE
5. Pending cases cross 5-crore: Justice delayed is justice denied READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Lok Sabha Speaker accepts the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against the Modi government READ MORE  
2. Citing FATF, Centre urges Supreme Court to let S.K. Mishra continue as Enforcement Directorate chief READ MORE
3. Lok Sabha passes Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill READ MORE
4. Centre moves Bill to nominate 2 Kashmiri migrants to J&K Assembly READ MORE
5. Blinken visits Tonga; slams China’s actions READ MORE
6. 530 districts reported as free of manual scavenging: Centre READ MORE
7. What is the Biodiversity Act? What changes has the Lok Sabha cleared in the law? READ MORE
8. Cases for climate justice more than doubled globally since 2017, finds UNEP READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Egypt and Ethiopia are finally working on a water deal — what that means for other Nile River states READ MORE
2. Caste has no place in a modern democracy READ MORE
3. Opinion: UCC undermines autonomy of Scheduled Tribes READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Resolving the gig paradox READ MORE  
2. Double standards: Supreme Court shows Centre the mirror READ MORE
3. No confidence motion will not bring solace to Manipur READ MORE
4. Mediation Bill, 2021: A welcome legislation: Mediation will help reduce the case burden on courts READ MORE
5. Pending cases cross 5-crore: Justice delayed is justice denied READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Indian education system creating new forms of inequality. Caste, class lines now more defined READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The SCO is a success story that can get better READ MORE
2. Expansion of five-nation BRICS faces diverse challenges READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Resilient, but just: On the IMF’s economic outlook and lopsided growth READ MORE
2. Shedding more light on the debt dilemma READ MORE
3. EU’s green rules will derail trade READ MORE
4. Power sector remains a work in progress READ MORE
5. India can’t lead the Global South and not feed it READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Combating climate change & its horrific impact READ MORE
2. The eco collapse we were warned about has begun READ MORE

DISASTER

1. Explained | Himachal floods: a man-made disaster? READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Let your work speak for your personality READ MORE
2. The death penalty: a breach of human rights and ethics of care READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Despite India’s consistent efforts in implementing nutrition programmes such as the ICDS, mid-day meals, and Poshan Abhiyaan over the years, malnutrition remains a persistent challenge for the country. How would you justify this statement?
2. The powers to promulgate regulations with respect to Union Territories rest with the President, undermining the role of parliament in rule-making. Critically examine.
3. Having only one elected Member of Parliament from each Union Territory does not compensate for the absence of local governance. In the light of the statement critically analyse the constitutional justification for Union Territories and their centralised administrative system.
4. As India finds common ground with the US in advancing a regional approach for addressing shared development challenges, it has to continue to maintain its independent strategic vision of its extended neighbourhood in West Asia. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Strategy is not the consequence of planning, but the opposite: its starting point.
• Huge tuition fees and increased living costs in major urban centers where these desirable educational institutes are located are segregating student bodies along caste and class lines.
• Despite India’s consistent efforts in implementing nutrition programmes such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), mid-day meals, and Poshan Abhiyaan over the years, malnutrition remains a persistent challenge for the country.
• As the economy and population surge forward, the need for comprehensive judicial reforms becomes increasingly urgent.
• India’s power sector is on the path to better financial health, efficiency, and productivity, and political will has clearly been a major factor for this revival.
• Having only one elected Member of Parliament from each Union Territory does not compensate for the absence of local governance.
• The unelected bureaucratic system is operating with a sense of entitlement, as if they have been given free rein over the archipelagos, disregarding their history, nature, and the local population’s sensibilities.
• The policies of successive governments in recording land rights have broken down customary land governance systems, intensified their marginalisation and created social conflict amongst the tribals.
• As India finds common ground with the US in advancing a regional approach for addressing shared development challenges, it will continue to maintain its independent strategic vision of its extended neighbourhood in West Asia.
• An inclusive policy demands that disability’s impact on poverty be addressed and includes a capabilities approach.
• The conventional growth strategy will take longer to remove poverty. The alternative strategy will do the job faster, provided it can keep inflation at bay.
• Political dispensation has little impact on crime rates, highlighting the need for effective prosecution to combat caste crimes.
• With growing need for a ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ model, India’s G-20 presidency has focused on adopting resource efficiency and moving to a circular economy.

ESSAY TOPIC

• A secure and reliable cyber space is the key to national security.

50-WORD TALK

• Indian Navy gearing up for the maiden trials of India’s indigenously developed ocean-going multirole unmanned surface vessel is a huge step. This project is of extreme strategic interests and a successful completion would open up the Navy to a new paradigm in changing warfare, visible in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• The fact that just 1-2% Indians pay income tax is a stark indicator of how skewed our tax system is. Although compliance is improving, the tax base isn’t widening fast enough. Such a small proportion of taxpayers in a growing economy implies rampant evasion. The answer is lower tax rates.

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 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 512]

1. MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME (MGNREGS)

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

THE CONTEXT: Rural Development Minister, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, informed that names of over five crore workers have been deleted under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the financial year 2022-23.

EXPLANATION:

• The Ministry stated these deletions are a “regular exercise” conducted by State governments. They have listed five reasons for the deletions, including fake job cards, duplicate job cards, not willing to work, the family shifting from gram panchayat permanently, and a single person in job card and the person is expired.
• There has been a hike of 247% in the deletions during 2022-23 as compared to 2021-22. This year, till June 23, 61 lakh registered workers have been deleted.
• Among the 34 States and union territories, between the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23, West Bengal has reported the largest hike in deletion, a whopping 5,199%.
• The Centre has stopped all payments to the State under the MGNREGS for reportedly not following the programme’s guidelines. It is followed by Telangana (2727%) and Andhra Pradesh (1147%). Uttar Pradesh has reported a deletion of 466% and Uttarakhand 427%.
• As per the statistics maintained by the Rural Development Ministry, there are about 10 reasons listed for deletions of workers and job cards.
• incorrect job card
• fake applicant
• duplicate applicant
• family had been shifted
• person shifted to a new family
• single person in job card and expired
• unwilling to work
• person expired
• non-existent panchayat
• village becomes urban.
• It has been reported that the deletions are spiralling because of the government’s emphasis on linking MGNREGS job cards with Aadhaar cards and making wage payments through the Aadhaar-Based Payments System (ABPS).

About the Scheme:

• The Government of India passed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 in September 2005.
• The MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage.
• The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Govt of India, is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments.
• The Act will be applicable to areas notified by the Central Government.
• The objective of the Act is to enhance the livelihood security of the people in the rural areas by generating wage employment through works that develop the infrastructure base of that area.
• Roughly one-third of the stipulated workforce must be women.
• Cost Sharing: Financial assistance shall be provided by Central and State Governments in the ratio of 90:10 respectively.
• The Gram Panchayat registers households after making an enquiry and issues a job card. The job card contains the details of the adult member enrolled and his /her photo.

Implementation of the scheme:

• The programme is implemented through Panchayati Raj Institutions. The Block Programme Officer shall allot fifty percent works in terms of cost to the Gram Panchayat. Gram Sabha shall recommend works, and the Gram Panchayat shall identify/approve the works for implementation.
• The Block Programme Officer will scrutinize the Annual Plan. The Panchayat Samiti will maintain the priority of works indicated by the Gram Panchayat and approve the Block level Plan.
• The Chief Executive Officer is designated as District Programme Coordinator for the implementation of the Act/Scheme in the district. The DPC shall scrutinize the plan proposals of the Panchayat Samitis. The whole exercise shall be completed by DPC before the end of December each year.

MGNREGA Goals

• Strong social safety net for the vulnerable groups by providing a fall-back employment source when other employment alternatives are scarce or inadequate.
• Growth engine for sustainable development of an agricultural economy through the process of providing employment on works that address causes of chronic poverty such as drought, deforestation and soil erosion.
• The act seeks to strengthen the natural resource base of rural livelihood and create durable assets in rural areas.
• It fosters conditions for inclusive growth ranging from basic wage security and recharging rural economy to a transformative empowerment process of democracy.

Aadhaar-Based Payments System (ABPS):

• It is a bank-led model which allows online financial transactions at Point-of-Sale (PoS) and Micro ATMs through the business correspondent of any bank using Aadhaar authentication.
• Banking Services Offered by ABPS includes cash deposit, cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, mini statement, Aadhaar to Aadhaar fund transfer, authentication, and BHIM Aadhaar pay.
• The model removes the need for OTPs, bank account details, and other financial details.
• It allows fund transfers using only the bank name, Aadhaar number, and fingerprint captured during Aadhaar enrolment, according to the National Payments Corporation of India (NCPI).

The only inputs required for a customer to do a transaction under this scenario are:

• Bank Name
• Aadhaar Number
• Fingerprint captured during enrollment.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliament-proceedings-names-of-over-five-crore-mgnregs-workers-deleted-in-2022-23-minister-tells-lok-sabha/article67120001.ece

2. LUDWIGIA PERUVIANA

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: An invasion of Ludwigia peruviana over the last decade is suppressing edible forage for elephants, gaurs and other herbivores, increasing the risk of man-animal conflict in the area.

EXPLANATION:

• It is threatening elephant habitats and foraging areas in Valparai, a Tamil Nadu hill station close to the Kerala border, and reviving the risk of human-elephant conflicts in the region.
• It grows fast along water bodies, and has infested the majority of the hill station’s swamps, locally known as vails, where elephants used to find lush grass even in the summer.
• The rapid large-scale spread of this weed, which was probably introduced as an ornamental plant for its tiny yellow flowers, has limited the growth of grass and native plants that are palatable to elephants and other animals, including gaur.
• It mainly spreads along the swamps in the middle of the tea estates and forms thickets. These swamps are known for excellent grass covers, sedges and water sources that are very good for herbivores like gaur and elephant in particular.
• Swamps are unique habitats that support amphibians and otters besides the large herbivores. They act as water storage areas that need to be preserved. If Ludwigia colonises, it completely chokes swamps and does not allow grasses to grow.
• Unlike other invasive plants, Ludwigia poses a unique challenge as it grows in swamps, and there is little scope to use machinery which may further destroy the ecosystem.
• Even if Ludwigia is pulled out manually, the soft plant easily breaks, and it spreads again from the root or broken stems that fall in the swamp.

Ludwigia Peruviana

• It is an aquatic weed native to some countries in Central and South America, including Peru.
• It is deciduous species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family.
• Habitat: It is usually found in warmer temperate, sub-tropical and tropical regions that are usually found in wetlands, swamps, marshes and along the edges of lagoons and slow-moving waterways (sometimes also floating on the water surface).

Environmental impacts:

• The Peruvian primrose-willow forms dense colonies along the shore then creep into the water, where it impedes navigation, damages structures, and competes with native vegetation.
• This species is classified as a category I invasive species by the United States state of Florida, where it clogs numerous lakes and rivers, and as a noxious weed by the government of Australia.
• It also causes more wide-ranging ecological damage through increased sedimentation and accumulation of organic material. This results in the deoxygenation of the water column and can lead to the death of aquatic animals.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/peruvian-weed-threatens-elephant-habitats-in-tamil-nadu/article67109844.ece

3. LAW OF THE SEA

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Small Island developing states are facing more extreme weather, increasingly acidic oceans, coral bleaching and harm to fisheries. In this regard, the law of the sea can be used to protect small island states from climate change.

EXPLANATION:

• Climate change will wreak havoc on small island developing states in the Pacific and elsewhere. Some will be swamped by rising seas.
• These communities face more extreme weather, increasingly acidic oceans, coral bleaching and harm to fisheries. Food supplies, human health and livelihoods are at risk.
• The international community has certain legal obligations under the law of the sea. So, island states are asking whether obligations to address climate change might be contained in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• If states do have specific obligations to stop greenhouse gas pollution damaging the marine environment, then legal consequences for breaching these obligations could follow. It is possible small island states could one day be compensated for the damage done.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

• It was adopted in 1982 and lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas, establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources.
• It embodies in one instrument traditional rules for the uses of the oceans and, at the same time, introduces new legal concepts and regimes and addresses new concerns.
• The Convention also provides the framework for further development of specific areas of the law of the sea.
• The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations serves as the secretariat of the Convention on the Law of the Sea
• It provides information, advice and assistance to States with a view to providing a better understanding of the Convention and the related Agreements, their wider acceptance, uniform and consistent application and effective implementation.
• The convention set the limit of various areas, measured from a carefully defined baseline.

 International Tribunal under UNCLOS

• The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial body established by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• The tribunal has jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the convention and certain legal questions requested of it. The answers to these questions are known as advisory opinions.
• Advisory opinions are not legally binding; they are authoritative statements on legal matters. They provide guidance to states and international organisations about the implementation of international law.
• The tribunal has delivered two advisory opinions in the past: on deep seabed mining and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.
• These proceedings attracted submissions from states, international organisations and non-governmental organisations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/climate-change/could-the-law-of-the-sea-be-used-to-protect-small-island-states-from-climate-change–90807

4. NIPAH VIRUS

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: An ongoing nationwide survey by the Pune-based Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) has found evidence of the Nipah virus circulation in the bat population across nine states and one Union Territory.

EXPLANATION:

• The presence of Nipah viral antibodies has been found in bats in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya and the Union Territory of Pondicherry.
• The Nipah virus causes a highly fatal respiratory and encephalitic infection in humans. The Pteropus species of fruit bats, commonly called flying foxes, are the known carriers of the virus.
• One of the priority pathogens with a pandemic potential, case fatality is a big concern, and Nipah’s sudden emergence in 2018-19 in Kerala had warranted the need for constant surveillance.

Nipah virus (NiV)

• It is a zoonotic virus, meaning that it can spread between animals and people.
• Fruit bats, also called flying foxes, are the animal reservoir for NiV in nature.The Nipah virus is also known to cause illness in pigs and people.
• Infection with NiV is associated with encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and can cause mild to severe illness and even death.
• Outbreaks occur almost annually in parts of Asia, primarily Bangladesh and India.

Diagnosis

• It can be diagnosed during illness or after recovery. Different tests are available to diagnose NiV infection.
• During the early stages of the illness, laboratory testing can be conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from throat and nasal swabs, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, and blood.
• Later in the course of illness and after recovery, testing for antibodies is conducted using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Transmission

Nipah virus (NiV) can spread to people from:

• Direct contact with infected animals, such as bats or pigs, or their body fluids (such as blood, urine or saliva)
• Consuming food products that have been contaminated by body fluids of infected animals (such as palm sap or fruit contaminated by an infected bat)
• Close contact with a person infected with NiV or their body fluids (including nasal or respiratory droplets, urine, or blood)

Symptoms

• Infection with Nipah virus (NiV) can cause mild to severe disease, including swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and potentially death.
• Symptoms typically appear in 4-14 days following exposure to the virus. The illness initially presents as 3-14 days of fever and headache and often includes signs of respiratory illness, such as cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.
• A phase of brain swelling (encephalitis) may follow, where symptoms can include drowsiness, disorientation, and mental confusion, which can rapidly progress to coma within 24-48 hours.
• Death may occur in 40-75% of cases. Long-term side effects in survivors of Nipah virus infection have been noted, including persistent convulsions and personality changes.
• Infections that lead to symptoms and sometimes death much later after exposure (known as dormant or latent infections) have also been reported months and even years after exposure

Prevention:

• Nipah virus infection can be prevented by avoiding exposure to sick pigs and bats in areas where the virus is present and not drinking raw date palm sap which can be contaminated by an infected bat.
• During an outbreak, standard infection control practices can help prevent person-to-person spread in hospital settings.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/icmr-niv-survey-finds-proof-of-nipah-virus-in-bats-across-nine-states-one-ut-8860154/

5. THE DNA TECHNOLOGY (USE AND APPLICATION) REGULATION BILL 2019

TAG:GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the government withdrew The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2019 from the Lok Sabha.

EXPLANATION:

• Withdrawing the Bill ended a 20-year effort to build a new regulatory framework for the use of DNA fingerprinting technologyin the criminal justice system.
• It has faced multiple opposition on grounds of the accuracy of DNA technology, potential threats to individual privacy, and the possibility of abuse.
• The present Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in July 2019 and was referred to the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology.
• The committee submitted its report in February 2021, recommending several changes in the draft, but instead of introducing a fresh Bill with changes, the government decided to withdraw it altogether.
• The main provisions of the Bill have already been enacted as part of another law, the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, that was passed by both houses of Parliament 2022.

 THE DNA TECHNOLOGY (USE AND APPLICATION) REGULATION BILL 2019

• The Bill had three primary objectives:
• It sought to set up a DNA profiling board as the regulatory body, one of the functions of which would be to provide accreditation to laboratories authorised to carry out DNA sample tests.
• It provided for the creation of databases DNA Data Banks for storing of DNA information collected from convicts and accused. This database could be indexed and searched for matching samples from crime scenes.
• It sought to facilitate the collection of DNA samples from the convicts and accused.

Criticism of the Bill:

The primary objections were on grounds of privacy, utility and possibility of misuse.

• DNA information can be very intrusive, revealing not just identification traits but also many other features that can be liable for misuse.
• Critics pushed for the inclusion of as many safeguards into the Bill as possible.
• In recent years, apprehensions have been raised about the possibility of this law being used for racial profiling.
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee had objected to the setting up of DNA banks in every state and suggested that one national DNA bank was sufficient.

Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022:

• Unable to get the DNA Bill passed in Parliament, the government in 2022 included several of its provisions in the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill that was brought in to replace the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920.
• The provisions related to collection, storage, access and sharing of DNA information that were part of the DNA Bill have more or less been included in the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill.
• It provides legal sanction to the police to take physical and biological samples of convicts as well as those accused of crimes.
• The police, as per the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, can collect Data.
• Data that can be collected: Finger-impressions, Palm-Print impressions, Footprint impressions, Photographs, Iris and Retina scan, Physical, Biological samples and their analysis, Behavioural Attributes among others.
• CrPC is the primary legislation regarding the procedural aspects of criminal law.
• Any person convicted, arrested or detained under any preventive detention law will be required to provide “measurements” to a police officer or a prison official.
• National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) will store, preserve, share with any law enforcement agency and destroy the record of measurements at national level. The records can be stored up to a period of 75 years.
• It aims to ensure the unique identification of those involved with crime and to help investigating agencies solve cases.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-the-dna-bill-8857810/

1. Why Oppenheimer’s moral dilemma is as significant as the atom bomb READ MORE
2. A fearless conviction that conquered death READ MORE
3. To help girls, focus on oversight, social evils READ MORE
4. The pursuit of perfection READ MORE