1. From shadows to shine, embrace the inner light READ MORE
2. Powerful faculties READ MORE
3. Humanity at a crossroads READ MORE

1. Farm sector is still reliant on rainfall READ MORE
2. The geography of power generation in India is slowly but surely changing READ MORE

1. Language: Emotional connect and more READ MORE
2. Giving the urban Indian a better life READ MORE

1. Court’s message for governors READ MORE
2. CM-Governor discord: Both must not ignore apex court’s advice READ MORE
3. Hasty justice is justice denied READ MORE
4. Electoral Bonds Need Transparency READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. IREDA Launches CSR Portal to Improve Transparency in CSR Initiatives READ MORE
2. Bihar seeks to raise quota to 65% after tabling caste survey READ MORE
3. Where do the wild colours of domesticated silkworm cocoons come from?  READ MORE
4. Free ration scheme to cost exchequer at least ₹15,000 crore extra per year READ MORE
5. ‘80% funds allocated for semiconductor manufacturing scheme remain unused’ READ MORE
6. Aditya-L1 captures first glimpse of solar flares READ MORE
7. 7.5 million new cases of TB in 2022: WHO report READ MORE
8. Zika virus | Centre writes to all States asking them to  strengthen the entomological surveillance READ MORE
9. India’s hidden costs of agrifood systems at $1.1 trillion, third-highest in the world, says new FAO report READ MORE  
10. PM 2.5, Sulphur Dioxide, and more: Where the pollutants in our air come from, and how they impact health READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Language: Emotional connect and more READ MORE
2. Giving the urban Indian a better life READ MORE
3. Farm sector is still reliant on rainfall READ MORE
4. The geography of power generation in India is slowly but surely changing READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Court’s message for governors READ MORE
2. CM-Governor discord: Both must not ignore apex court’s advice READ MORE
3. Hasty justice is justice denied READ MORE
4. Electoral Bonds Need Transparency READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Admission of failure to reduce poverty, hunger READ MORE
2. Vishwakarma scheme goes against social justice READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. On the India-Bhutan talks and the plans ahead READ MORE
2. The War in West Asia Will Define the New Multipolar World READ MORE
3. Dragon diplomacy: Has China undermined the India-Bhutan relationship? READ MORE
4. Why India needs to do more to retain influence over Bhutan READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. A verdict that hampers international law obligations READ MORE
2. How the Indian economy has been navigating a changing world READ MORE
3. Regulator must clarify due clearance order in insolvencies READ MORE
4. A new poverty conundrum READ MORE
5. How smog could affect India’s growth story READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Global climate finance increasing, but scale & pace not enough: New report READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. How is electricity transmitted? | Explained READ MORE
2. Rashmika Mandanna’s deepfake: Regulate AI, don’t ban it READ MORE
3. Solving the mystery of sudden deaths in young adults READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. How ignored landslide warnings led to Subansiri running dry READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. From shadows to shine, embrace the inner light READ MORE
2. Powerful faculties READ MORE
3. Humanity at a crossroads READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The power structure in society is still dominated by dominant castes, while the disadvantaged communities remain underrepresented in the government, bureaucracy, and judiciary. Justify the statement with the help of relevant examples.
2. Implementing reservation in institutions is crucial for ensuring effective and equitable representation of all communities in the country’s governance. Comment on the statement in the light of recent developments.
3. Pollution isn’t just a health hazard; it affects India’s economic activities and needs urgent attention. In the light of the statements suggest some innovative ways to tackle the issue of Pollution in North India during winter.
4. The extension of the PMGKAY free ration scheme for another five years provides a much-needed lifeline to countless citizens but it also shows the economic growth of the country, and its quality is uneven. Critically examine the statement.
5. A holistic approach to the strong regulation of emerging technologies, including deepfake platforms and AI, is needed of time. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.
• The power structure is still dominated by dominant castes, while the disadvantaged communities remain underrepresented in the government, bureaucracy, and the judiciary.
• Implementing reservation in institutions like the bureaucracy and the judiciary is crucial for ensuring effective and equitable representation of all communities in the country’s governance.
• Vishwakarma scheme will have a negative impact on the overall movement toward the annihilation of caste and the pursuit of social justice, as it is likely to strengthen caste-based occupations.
• India’s struggle with pollution has raised concerns among investors and international corporations. Numerous studies have linked China’s air quality to investment decisions.
• Pollution isn’t just a health hazard; it affects economic output, investor confidence, and the nation’s global image. To tackle this problem, leaders must first admit that it is a grave issue that needs urgent attention.
• When the food security scheme was launched, it was expected that the extent and scope of subsidy would be brought down over the years as income levels rose. But the income levels of the beneficiary population have not improved and the budgetary expenditure on the scheme has increased.
• The extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana must be seen as tacit admission by the government that poverty and destitution levels have not improved and raises questions about the claimed economic growth of the country and its quality.
• As the nation stands at the crossroads of an election, the extension of the PMGKAY is both a symbol of hope and resilience.
• The extension of the PMGKAY free ration scheme for another five years is more than a government policy. It iterates India’s dedication to prioritising the welfare of its citizens, especially during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The impact of this programme on the lives of citizens is immeasurable. The allocation numbers reflect the profound impact of the PMGKAY, providing a much-needed lifeline to countless Indians.
• In a globally interdependent world, actions that severely restrict the flow of goods and services across national boundaries are bound to be counter-productive.
• Languages growing simultaneously in any society are a binding force. Language cannot be a reason for mutual exclusion and antipathy.
• A cordial relationship between the Governor and the CM is a prerequisite for smooth conduct of the state’s affairs.
• A holistic approach to the regulation of deepfakes should focus on the interplay between platform and AI regulation, and ways to incorporate safeguards for emerging technologies more broadly.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Many worlds: Multipolarity in the new world order

50-WORD TALK

• In a transforming India, where education and technology act as levelling forces, caste-based affirmative action, refined through caste numbers, can drive more extensive dialogues on aspiration, ambition, freedom, opportunity, and the necessity for a system where citizens are not unfairly privileged or confined by their identities. If a robust methodology were to be used, this effort would be vital in identifying and addressing fault lines to promote gender justice.
• Extending free food for another 5 years is an acknowledgement that the poor continue to need ample support for years ahead. The move also rings the final death knell of farm laws. If government grain procurement is going to be so high, then that rules out entry of private sector.
• Indian envoy in Ottawa describing Canadian police probe into Nijjar killing as tainted and wiretapping of diplomats as illegal shows Delhi is doubling down. But Canada is being duplicitous in citing Vienna Convention on parity even as it illegally tapped diplomats. G7 and Five Eyes can’t play by different rules.

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- A recently published report by Moody’s, a U.S.-based global credit rating agency, has flagged serious concerns about security and privacy vulnerabilities in the Aadhaar, India’s ambitious digital identification programme for residents. The report titled, “Decentralized Finance and Digital Assets”, appreciated the scale and innovative nature of Aadhaar but red-flagged risks from using “centralised” digital ID systems which often lead to exclusion of beneficiaries and denial of entitlements and services promised under welfare schemes by the government.

WHAT IS AADHAAR?

• Aadhaar number is a 12-digit random number issued by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) to the residents of India after satisfying the verification process laid down by the Authority. Any individual, irrespective of age and gender, who is a resident of India, may voluntarily enrol to obtain Aadhaar number.
• The enrolment process is cost-free and requires a person to provide minimal demographic and biometric information such as ten Fingerprints, two Iris Scans, and facial photograph.
• Aadhaar enrolment is done through existing public and private infrastructure.
• While a Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) is managed by the UIDAI, ‘Registrars’ who handle enrolment through authorised connections to the CIDR, are UIDAI partners.
• The objectives of UIDAI were to ensure that all residents have a unique ID and to curb corruption in accessing welfare programmes by eliminating “ghost” and “fake” individuals. This is ensured through Aadhar-seeding with the welfare schemes whereby the government linked the database of beneficiaries with the Aadhaar database.
• India is not the only country to have adopted a foundational identity system; countries such as Sweden, Argentina and Nigeria also have similar digital ID schemes in place.

EVOLUTION OF AADHAAR IN INDIA:

2006

Unique Identify (UID) Scheme for poor families was approved by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

2007

The need for creation of a residents’ database was underscored by the Empowered Group of Ministers.

2010

National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Parliament.

2011

Standing Committee on Finance rejected the Bill and recommended the need for a legislation to protect privacy and data of the individuals.

2013

An interim order was passed by the Supreme Court (SC) stating that no person should suffer from not having Aadhaar.

2015

A 3-Judge SC Bench limited the use of Aadhar for certain welfare schemes.

2016

Aadhar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill was introduced as Money Bill in the Parliament which received the Presidential assent

2017

Aadhar was made mandatory by the Central government for welfare, pension and employment schemes as well as for filing the Income Tax Returns (ITR).

2018

5-judge Constitutional Bench having heard 30 petitions challenging validity of the Aadhar, upheld its validity.

Ruled out the need for Aadhar to open a bank account, get a SIM card or school admissions, or to take examinations etc.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT:

Issues stemming from Centralised Digital ID systems:

• Aadhaar touted as the world’s largest digital ID program, assigns unique numbers to over 1.3 billion Indian residents using biometric and demographic data.
• Verification through biometrics and OTPs allows the beneficiaries to access various public and private services. However, Moody’s highlighted the centralised control of Aadhar data by the government through the UIDAI and the potential misuse or exploitation of personal data by a ‘Surveillance State’.
• This violates the fundamental right to privacy enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and the landmark Puttaswamy Judgement of the apex court of India.

Privacy & Security Concerns

• Since Aadhaar and its seeding with various welfare schemes and public services is built on enormous sensitive data, it is often susceptible to data breaches and data theft.
• The concerns of security and privacy are rooted in the lack of adequate data protection legislation and growing cyberattacks from adversaries, through Dark Net.

Case study- Cyble, a global cyber intelligence agency, in June 2020, highlighted the issue of sale of sensitive data such as Aadhar data, PAN cards etc. on the Dark Web. Cyble hinted at probable leakage of such sensitive data by the private/third party agencies having access to personal data of individuals in the country.

• Sensitive data, such as biometrics, carry a high risk of exploitation. For instance, biometrics can be exploited through “man-in-the-middle” attacks, where attackers gain access to biometric data that they can misuse to access an individual’s financial resources. This is especially concerning in the case of marginalized communities.

Concerns due to Biometric Authentication

• The denial of services to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes such as MGNREGA, PDS, etc. due to difficulties in Aadhar biometric authentication is one of the concerns.
• The labourers from hot, humid climates and manual labourers whose fingerprints are susceptible to change or fade over time, face denial of services/entitlements under MGNREGA, PDS or subsidy schemes.
• The texture of fingerprints alters according to the climate. For instance, in humid climate, fingers become saturated and wrinkled, resulting in acquisition of fingerprints of degraded accuracy.
• On the other hand, hot and arid climate leads to skin dryness, posing challenges for fingerprints authentication. Dry, non-pliable skin fails to lay flat on sensors, preventing the ridges from making sufficient contact. As a result, the resultant fingerprint quality is compromised.
• The failures in authentication in many cases, has also resulted into cancellation of legitimate beneficiary names from some welfare schemes.

Case study of Jharkhand (2021)- People were refused support under PDS due to biometric failure and other technological Aadhar glitches. This led to starvation and death of some people.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO MOODY’S REPORT ON AADHAR?

The Indian government held the Moody’s findings as baseless and has reassured confidence in the Aadhaar technology and system. The Moody’s report lacked sufficient reasons and evidence (primary or secondary data or research) to back its findings; hence, its findings have no substance.

• DBT payments under MGNREGA: The Government of India stressed that as far as the question of deniability of services and payments to workers under MGNREGA was concerned, the government has in place the system of DBT wherein the money is directly credited to the accounts of the labourers, and this does not require the worker to authenticate using their biometrics.
• Alternatives to Biometrics in place: Moody’s has ignored that biometric submission is also possible through contactless means like face authentication and iris authentication. In addition, the option of mobile OTP is also available in many use cases.
• Internationally applauded and Recognised system: Recently, the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), in a report prepared by the World Bank, appreciated the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) such as Aadhaar along with the Jan Dhan bank accounts, and mobile phones, which played a critical role in moving ownership of transaction accounts from approximately one-fourth of adults in 2008 to over 80% now.

In the absence of Aadhar and supporting services, this journey would have taken up to 47 years.

• Safety measures introduced by the UIDAI: Virtual Aadhar is a revocable temporary 16-digit random number linked to the Aadhaar number. When executing authentication or e-KYC services, VID can be utilised instead of Aadhaar number. The UIDAI has warned the “general public not to share photocopy of one’s Aadhaar with any organisation, because it can be misused”. Instead, it recommended that “a masked Aadhaar, which displays only the last four digits of your Aadhaar number,” be used for such purposes.

DECENTRALISED DIGITAL IDs as an Alternative Solution:

Moody’s Report having criticised the centralised Digital IDs such as Aadhar, pitched the concept of Decentralised Digital IDs as an alternative solution. Moody’s emphasises that although DID systems are still in their early stages of development, they hold substantial potential to offer a more robust and private avenue for managing digital identities.

• Decentralized ID systems (DIDs) use cryptography, digital wallets and related technologies to enable multiple entities to contribute credentials and empower individuals to manage their data.
• Unlike traditional systems, DID allows individuals to own and control their digital credentials.
• In DID, a person’s personal data is securely stored in their digital wallet, and the process of verifying their identity does not rely on a single, centralized institution.
• Instead, it occurs on a decentralised digital ledger, such as a blockchain which makes it more secure and reliable compared to the centralised systems such as Aadhar.
• Instead of entrusting a third party to store, manage and transmit data on their behalf, individuals can use decentralized ID systems to exchange credentials directly with one another or a service provider. This helps in reducing the number of intermediaries and increasing efficiency.
• Decentralized ID systems may also enhance effectiveness by reducing the number of times information has to be verified, which could increase convenience, reduce risk and diminish costs.

CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH DECENTRALISED DIGITAL IDs:

• Political risks: While decentralized ID offers a way for individuals to exercise greater control over their personal data, depending on its use context, it could still contribute to polarization. Digital IDs issued by social media companies can contribute to political polarization by reinforcing group identities.
• Data Security Risks: Although decentralized ID aims to minimize data collection and data storage, it still risks increasing the collection of sensitive personal data, opening the possibility of theft or leakage.
• Nascent Stage: DID systems are still in their early stages of development. Therefore, the associated policies, regulations and standards are lacking.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CENTRALISED AND DECENTRALISED DIGITAL IDs:

FINANCIAL SAVINGS due to AADHAR SEEDING:

About 300 schemes of the Central Government and 400 schemes of state Governments have been linked with Aadhaar. The Aadhar-seeding has helped the government in weeding out about 6 crore fake and duplicate beneficiaries due to which savings worth Rs.90,000 crore have been reported as per the UIDAI.

WAY FORWARD:

In order to address the challenges associated with digital IDs such as Aadhar etc., the following measures must be taken into account:

• Robust Data Protection Framework: FATF recommends that digital ID be accompanied by the development of robust, fit-for-purpose regulations. For instance, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) implemented by the European Union in 2018 which applies to all organisations that process the personal data of EU citizens, regardless of the location of the organisation. Individuals are given the right to access, rectify and erase their personal data as well as the right to data portability.

KS PUTTASWAMY JUDGEMENT (2017):

A nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court in Justice K. S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) Vs Union of India unanimously held that the constitutionally protected fundamental right to privacy is an intrinsic part of life and liberty under Article 21.

Therefore, having a robust and comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting the sensitive personal data such as Aadhar, is imperative for ensuring the privacy and security of residents in the country.

• Cybersecurity Augmentation: FATF recommends that government and industry keep pace with technological change by encouraging stakeholder engagement, use of blockchain and cryptography, developing technical and cybersecurity expertise to improve data management, and attempting to educate and raise awareness of the potential of these technologies.
• Decentralised Data Control and Access: As argued by the Moody’s, a person’s personal data is securely stored in their decentralised digital wallet built using blockchain and big data. Also, the process of verifying their identity does not rely on a single, centralized institution. The individuals whose data is being stored and processes must be given effective say in the collection, storage and deletion of data, especially the sensitive personal data like biometrics.

THE CONCLUSION- For an ID system to work for the citizens of a country, accountability and transparency must also be built into the system through meaningful consultations, independent audits and effective grievance redressal.  A well-designed system, with adequate safeguards in place, can facilitate civic empowerment and inclusion, unlocking significant economic value.

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS:

Q. Differentiate between centralised and decentralised digital IDs. Also, analyse the weaknesses in the centralised digital IDs.

Q. The centralised digital IDs pose some security and privacy challenges which can be overcome with adoption of decentralised Digital IDs. Comment.

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THE CONTEXT: Recently, during India’s G20 presidency, the G20 leaders said they would prioritise tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) following the ‘One Health’ approach through research and development, infection prevention and control.

MORE ON THE NEWS:

• The Delhi Declaration during India’s G20 presidencysaw a commitment to strengthen the global health architecture by building more resilient and inclusive health systems.
• It aims to implement the One Health approach to enhance pandemic preparedness and strengthen existing infectious diseases surveillance systems.
• It aims to prioritise tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through research and development (R&D), infection prevention and control, as well as antimicrobial stewardship efforts within respective National Action Plans (NAPs).
• A pledge to facilitate equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines and other medical countermeasures, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, Least Developed Countries was also undertaken.
• One Health approach emphasizes collaboration between human health, animal health, and wildlife sectors to enhance disease surveillance, prevention, and control.

WHAT IS ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)?

• AMR is the ability of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites to evolve to become resistant to antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic.
• AMR is an urgent global public health threat across human, animal, and plant health sectors, and is often referred to as a silent pandemic.
• It is one of the top 10 global health threats facing humanity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
• The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimates that antibiotic consumption in global agriculture is between 63,000-240,000 tonnes per year.

CAUSES OF AMR

• Over the counter use of antibiotic: There is unnecessary and injudicious use of antibiotic fixed dose combinations that is leading to emergence of bacterial strains resistant to multiple antibiotics. Some of the reasons include self-medication and access to antibiotics without prescription, as there is a lack of knowledge about when to use antibiotics.
• Genetic mutation of microbes: Genetic mutations aretaking place at the level of bacterial chromosome inducing the resistance to antibiotics and leading to rising cases of AMR.
• Poor infection control: There is poor infrastructure of infection control which is one of the leading causes of rising cases of AMR. Wastewater effluents from the antibiotic manufacturing units contain a substantial amount of antibiotics, leading to contamination of rivers and lakes.
• Lack of investment in R&D: There is a lack of investment in R&D to tackle AMR. Declining private investment and lack of innovation in the development of new antibiotics are undermining efforts to combat drug-resistant infections.

ISSUES ARISING OUT OF AMR

• High rate of resistance in commonly used drugs:The Indian Network for Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (INSAR) also found a high rate of resistance to commonly used drugs such as ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, erythromycin, and clindamycin, underscoring the importance of taking steps to combat AMR.
• Large number of deaths: Various researches have shown that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a leading cause of death around the world, with a magnitude at least as large as major diseases such as HIV and malaria. An estimated 4.95 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR, and 1.27 million deaths were directly attributed to bacterial AMR.
• Adds burden to communicable disease: AMR adds to the burden of communicable diseases which affects the health systems. Such as the rising levels of antimicrobial resistance threaten not only public-health gains in the field of infectious diseases but also jeopardises cancer treatment, transplants etc.
• Absence of leadership: There is sub-optimal implementation of policies and programmes for AMR because of the absence of leadership and resources. Unlike TB and HIV/AIDS programs, where civil society organisations (CSO) engagement led to major advancement in increasing coverage of the programs, little CSO engagement has been seen for AMR containment in India.

STEPS TAKEN TO ADDRESS AMR BY G20

• The G20 introduced AMR as a key issue in the 2016 Hangzhou, China summit. The 2017 Hamburg Summitresolved to “maximise the impact of existing and new antimicrobial basic and clinical research initiatives as well as product development”.
• The 2022 Bali Summitcommitted to a multi-sectoral One Health approach and to enable global pathogen surveillance to implement the International Health Regulations (2005).
• G20 member countries have well-developed National Action Plans (NAP) to tackle NAPs. However, there are gaps and variability in NAP as in the maturity of NAP development and operationalisation in terms of policy, medicines management and prescribing systems, and patient and public engagement and involvement.
• Indonesia has developed national surveillance plans, Australia prioritised animal health and committed to reducing antibiotic use in livestock. Brazil has shown a reduction in antibiotic use in humans, and the UK and the US are investing in research to develop new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines. India has also taken steps in the right direction.

STEPS TAKEN BY INDIA

• India has always accorded top priority to One Health and AMR and was one of the first few countries to develop a comprehensive National Action Plan on AMR (NAP AMR) in 2017. Subsequently, the formulation of state action plans was prioritised.
• The National Action Plan on AMR (2017-21) emphasised the effectiveness of the government’s initiatives for hand hygiene and sanitation programmes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned the use of antibiotics and several pharmacologically active substances in fisheries. The government has also capped the maximum levels of drugs that can be used for growth promotion in meat and meat products.
• The National Health Policy 2017 also offered specific guidelines regarding use of antibiotics, limiting the use of antibiotics as over-the-counter medications and banning or restricting the use of antibiotics for growth promotion in livestock.
• There has been a special focus on surveillance and research, both for innovative, affordable interventions and for implementation research, with emphasis on intersectoral connections between human, animal, and plant health and the environment.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Global and local effort: There is a need for concerted global and local effort to translate the Delhi declaration into implementable action. There is need to work with developing countries to create regional AMR action plans and bring uniformity. Most G20 countries have well-developed NAPs, but their efficacy varies with policy, planning, performance and patient and public engagement.
• Increase surveillance and awareness: There is a need to expand the scope of existing surveillance and monitoring networks currently limited to a few tertiary care hospitals. Another area that requires attention is promotion of responsible behaviour among citizens by educating people on the dangers of overusing antibiotics.
• Involving academia and Civil society Organizations: Academia can help understand the environmental dimensions of AMR better, develop new technologies and provide training and education to healthcare professionals. CSOs can raise awareness and advocate for policy changes.
• Funding and R&D: G20 countries should consider promoting an international funding mechanism that focuses on AMR R&D. Efforts should be made to promote patent reforms for fostering innovation and ensuring affordability in new antibiotics. Dialogue among developing countries to explore models like the Medicines Patent Pool will be useful.

THE CONCLUSION:

There are rising cases of Antimicrobial Resistance which cause concerns worldwide including in India. Addressing AMR is highlighted as a top priority by the G20 in the Delhi Declaration. Thus, there is a need to develop policies, invest in research and build the ecosystem to reduce the burden of AMR.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION

Q. Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. (2014)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q.1 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a silent and invisible pandemic that cannot be overshadowed by other competing health priorities. Comment.

Q.2 What are the causes of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)? How can India ensure that AMR remains high on the global public health agenda? Explain.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/dont-ignore-the-threat-of-antimicrobial-resistance-9014930/

THE CONTEXT: Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab have approached the Supreme Court to decide a time-frame within which Governors have to either return or grant assent to Bills passed by Legislatures.

MORE ON THE NEWS

• Few States have approached the Supreme Court accusing their Governors of using a non-existent discretion to unreasonably delay the passing of crucial Bills into law.
• The Bills kept in pendency cover sectors such as public health, higher education, Lokayukta and cooperative societies.
• States mandate that the Governor is delaying the Bills by neither assenting nor returning them. It said the Governor has positioned himself as a “political rival” who has caused a “constitutional deadlock” by simply delaying the Bills for months together.

THE PROCESS OF GRANTING ASSENT

• Article 200 of the Constitution covers the options before the Governor when a Bill passed by both Houses of the Legislature is presented to him.
• Article says the Governor could either declare his assent to the Bill or withhold the assent if it is not a Money Bill or reserve the law for the consideration of the President if he thinks the Bill derogates from or endangers the power of judicial review of the High Court.
• In case the Governor chooses to withhold assent, he should return the Bill “as soon as possible” with a message requesting the Legislative Assembly to reconsider the proposed law or any specified provisions or suggest amendments.
• The Assembly would reconsider and pass the Bill, and this time, the Governor should not withhold his assent.
• In short, the constitutional head of the State would adhere to the considered decision of the elected representatives of the people.

DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNOR

• The Article 200 is thus act as “saving clause” that retains the discretion over the fate of the Bill solely in the hands of the State Cabinet.
• Article 163 makes it clear that the Governor is not expected to act independently. The assent or return of the Bill does not involve the discretion of individuals occupying the Governor’s post.
• The Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab case verdict has held that as a formal head of the State a “Governor exercises all his powers and functions conferred on him by or under the Constitution on the aid and advice of his Council of Ministers except in spheres where the Governor is required by or under the Constitution to exercise his functions in his discretion.”

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY DEBATE ON DISCRETION OF GOVERNORS

• Earlier it was thought that the Governor’s exercise of discretion would act as a “potential check on disruptive legislative tendencies” by States.
• Governors did have a discretion to return Bills before the first proviso in the draft Article 175 (now Article 200). This was amended by the Constituent Assembly in 1949.
• But, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, while introducing the amended proviso, said “in a responsible government there can be no room for the Governor acting on discretion”.
• T. Krishnamachari, a Constituent Assembly member from Madras and later Finance Minister, approved of the amendment, saying “the Governor cannot act on his own, he can only act on the advice of the Council of Ministers’’.
• Krishnamachari explained that if the Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly needs modification, the government uses the Governor to return the Bill to the Lower House as quickly as possible for re-legislation.

TIME LIMIT FOR RETURNING THE BILL

• The Article 200 says that Bill should be returned “as soon as possible”. However, there is no definition of the term in Constitution that leads to ambiguity and delay in legislation.
• The States have urged the court to interpret the phrase in the proviso and fix a time limit by which Governors should assent or return a Bill.
• The Supreme Court in its 1972 judgment in Durga Pada Ghosh versus State of West Bengal has interpreted “as soon as possible” mean “as early as practicable without avoidable delay”.
• The 1988 Sarkaria Commission report on Centre-State relations had suggested consultation with the Governor while drafting the Bill and fixing a deadline for its disposal.
• Retired Justice Rohinton F. Nariman, in his 2020 judgment in the Keisham Megha Chandra Singh case, said a ‘reasonable time’ would mean three months.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Code of Conduct: There is a need to frame a ‘Code of Conduct’ that should prescribe certain ‘norms and principles’ that should guide the Governor’s discretion and constitutional mandate.
• Define the term ‘as soon as possible’ in Article 200: There is a need to define the term ‘’as soon as possible” in the Article 200 in a structured manner to avoid any further conflict and any further delay in legislation.
• Implement recommendation of Punchhi Commission : Punchhi commission has recommended that it is necessary to prescribe a time limit within which the Governor should take the decision whether to grant assent or to reserve it for consideration of the President. National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) has laid down a time-limit of four months within which the Governor should take a decision whether to grant assent or reserve it for the consideration of the President.

THE CONCLUSION:

The Governors are the constitutional heads at the state level and hence they cannot usurp the power of the elected governments. Thus, the inactions of the Governors vis-à-vis Bills presented to them violate the constitutional scheme of federalism and democracy.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q) Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected Government of Delhi? Examine. (2018)

Q) Discuss the essential conditions for the exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor.

Discuss the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature. (2022)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Is there a need to rethink over the discretionary powers of the Governor to ensure cooperative federalism? Argue.

REFER TO MAINS FOCUS ARTICLE FOR MORE:

https://blog.lukmaanias.com/2023/11/07/action-and-authority-on-governors-and-implementation-of-decisions-by-elected-regimes/

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/states-in-court-against-their-governors/article67505721.ece

THE CONTEXT:   The effects of bans/restrictions on rice, wheat and sugar shipments are showing in declining Agri exports from India, even as imports are continuing unhindered and hurting farmers.

MORE ON THE NEWS:

• India’s agricultural exports have fallen 11.6% year-on-year in April-September.
• According to Department of Commerce data:
  • Exports of farm commodities, at $ 23.6 billion in April-September 2023, were below the $26.7 billion for April-September 2022.
  • There has been a drop in imports as well, from $19.3 billion to $16.2 billion, resulting in a marginal dip in the agricultural trade surplus (exports minus imports) from $7.4 billion in April-September 2022 to $7.2 billion in April-September 2023.

THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL PRICES:

• India’s farm trade, especially farm prices is strongly correlated with world prices.
• With world prices since coming down, the value of both exports and imports of farm commodities from and into India are set to decline in 2023-24. This comes even as supply disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war have eased.
• In the current fiscal (from April till October 2023), the Food price Index has averaged 123.2 points.
• The FAO’s (UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s) vegetable oils price index, at 120 points for October 2023, is also down from a year-ago level of 151.3 points and the 251.8 points peak of March 2022.

TIMELINE OF EXPORT CURBS:

• In May 2022, Government banned exports of wheat from the country.
• In September 2022, exports of broken rice were prohibited and a 20% duty levied on all white (non-parboiled) non-basmati grain shipments.
• In July 2023, exports of white non-basmati rice were banned.
• In August 2023, a 20% duty was clamped on exports of parboiled non-basmati rice, while basmati shipments were subjected to minimum export price (MEP) curbs.
• In May 2022, Government moved sugar exports from the “free” to “restricted” category and capped the total quantity of the sweetener that could go out during any year.
• Since May 2023, exports have stopped completely, with no fresh quotas for shipments being issued.

WHY HAS INDIA BANNED RICE AND WHEAT EXPORTS?

• Rice: It was imposed to cool down the domestic prices and as a precautionary measure in case El Nino affects the rice crop.
• Wheat: The sudden spike in global wheat prices and the resulting food security risks to India.

ISSUES:

• Declining international prices: It not only lowers the cost competitiveness of the country’s agricultural exports, but also make its farmers more vulnerable to imports. This is being witnessed in cotton and edible oils.
• Shortage to the global food: India is the world’s largest wheat producer The poor countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, who depend on Indian white rice, and those in African countries like Benin and Senegal Togo, and Mali, which import broken rice, are the ones who are suffering the most.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• A multilateral approach could be a potential ‘middle way’ to curb the escalation of an international food price crisis.
  • This approach would involve providing international capital assistance to bridge India’s financing gaps in domestic subsidisation, ensuring affordable prices for both its poorer and middle-class populations.
  • It would also allow India to continue exporting rice internationally, premised on the support it expects to receive in exchange.
  • This facility aims to support poorer food importing countries facing balance of payments constraints or budget shortages and can potentially be extended to include India, as well as other lower-income food exporting countries.
• Rather than pressuring India into normalising its rice trade, a more effective approach would be to address the ‘double burden’ that lies at the core of its export restrictions.

THE CONCLUSION:

If an international price crisis were to occur as a result of an extended Indian export ban, this would no doubt lead to further price instability. Exploring multilateral solutions is therefore critical for an already embattled global food supply chain, amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and projected reductions in crop harvests during the El Nino season.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION :

Q) What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? (2021)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q) Do you think that the recent steps taken by the Government of India in the context of export of agriculture commodities to curb inflation will lead to potential threats to global supply, prices, and food security?

SOURCE: The double-whammy from India’s falling farm exports (indianexpress.com)