Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: International affairs, strategic studies, Grey zone warfare
Central Idea
- The recent incident of a Chinese ‘spy balloon’ sighted 60,000 feet over the skies of Montana in the United States (US) which was finally shot down by a missile from a US F22 fighter jet off the coast of South Carolina has left far too many questions unanswered.
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What the debris indicates?
- While some of the clues emerging from the balloon’s debris have unravelled some information, the incident itself is a reminiscent of Cold War era tactics and is a pointer towards archetypical grey-zone activities which could characterise China’s standard operating procedure in the future.
- The US State Department’s confident claims that the balloon “was clearly for intelligence surveillance and was likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications” point to an incoming precipitation of crisis in US-China relations.
Understanding Chinese perceptions
- Spy balloon episode gives us a peek into the worldview of chinese strategists: There is a strategic awareness in Beijing that even as the war has raged on in Europe for over a year, the US may be turning its attention to the Western Pacific region where it is rebuilding its naval power, resuscitating alliances, and consolidating its position as the centre of its hub-and-spokes network in the Pacific theatre.
- US-Philippines defence cooperation: There has been the renewal of the US-Philippines defence cooperation, which bolsters America’s defences with respect to Taiwan.
- Japan’s return to geopolitics is another basis for such perceptions within China: Japanese PM Fumio Kishida’s warning that East Asia could suffer the same fate as Ukraine has led the nation to radically alter its security policy. On one hand, Japan is building domestic capabilities like incrementally increasing spending on defence, and planning for a missile arsenal to deter China, it is also expanding defence cooperation with the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
- Chinese apprehensions about Indo pacific concept: Chinese strategists have red-flagged the Indo-Pacific concept, likening America’s approach of developing ties with China’s neighbours with an aim of creating regional blocs like NATO to contain China.
- Japan’s new military posturing is being viewed with trepidation in Beijing:
- First, it is believed that Japan will deploy missiles in bases closer to Taiwan.
- Second, there is a belief that Japan’s increasing defence capabilities in the region combined with America’s growing military power in the Western Pacific may exceed China’s comprehensive national power eventually.
Grey-zone warfare: A key feature of China’s aggression and expansionism
- Reclaiming reefs in south China sea: The first step in its expansion into the South China Sea was reclaiming reefs and then building military infrastructure there.
- Villages near Indian border: Similarly, China has constructed ‘xiaokang’ villages near the Indian border in a bid to bolster its territorial claims.
- Spy balloon episode is one of the grey zone tactics: The spy balloon episode marks a major inflection point in this approach, since the US, for the first time, has been at the receiving end of China’s grey-zone tactics.
Conclusion
- The United States uses a variety of tools, from satellites to intercepted communications to surveil China. It’s not unreasonable that China would attempt to do the same to the United States. In between these two views is the realisation that the dragon’s hidden grey-zone tactics have reached the continental US more brazenly than ever before.
Mains question
Q. In the backdrop of Chinese spy balloons episode, Discuss the Chinese perceptions that drive grey-zone activities, and how these tactics could impact the global order in the future?
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Use of AI for health
Context
- With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies, there is potential for these tools to support maternal and neonatal healthcare in low-resource settings, although their development in this field is still in its early stages. AI has the capability of transforming maternal and child health in low and middle-income countries by supplementing conventional practices with advanced technology, thus improving the accuracy of diagnoses, increasing access to care, and ultimately saving lives.
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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target
- The SDGs have set a target to eliminate preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age by 2030, with a specific aim to lower neonatal mortality (NMR) to a minimum of 12 deaths per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality (U5MR) to a minimum of 25 deaths per 1,000 live births across all nations.
Challenges and the current state of maternal and child health in India
- One of the main challenges is the high maternal and infant mortality rates: According to the latest SRS Bulletin, India’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) was 97 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018-2020, and the infant mortality rate (IMR) was 35.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019-21.
- Rates are higher than the SDG targets: According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data, the NMR and U5MR in India are 24.9 and 41.9 respectively. These rates are higher than the SDG targets and are a cause for concern.
- Lack of access to healthcare for many women and children in India: Many rural and remote areas lack basic healthcare facilities, and even when facilities are available, they may not be staffed with qualified healthcare providers. Additionally, cultural and societal barriers can prevent women and children from accessing healthcare.
- Malnutrition: Malnutrition is a major contributor to high maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality rates in India, with about 68 percent of child deaths being linked to malnutrition.
- Low birth weight: In low- and middle-income countries like India, low birth weight is a leading cause of death in the first month of life. Prematurity and low birth weight account for 45.5 percent of deaths during the first 29 days of a newborn in India. Presently, around 18.2 percent of children reported having low birth weight.
Some positive developments in maternal and child health in India in recent years
- Programs and policies aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality: The government has implemented several programs and policies aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality, such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) which provides cash incentives for pregnant women to deliver in health facilities and free health check-up respectively.
- Efforts to increase access and quality health facilities: There have also been efforts to increase the number of healthcare facilities in rural and remote areas and to improve the quality of care provided at these facilities.
- Using technology in Healthcare: In addition, India has also been working on using technology to improve maternal and child health.
- For example: Telemedicine has been implemented in remote areas, and the government has also launched an application, RCH ANMOL, for tracking pregnant women, infants and children for their health, vaccination, and nutrition status. Other digital initiatives include the Draft Health Data Management Policy, Health Data Retention Policy, Unified Health Interface, and Health Facility Registry.
- Predictive modelling of risk factors: By analysing large amounts of medical data, AI algorithms can identify risk factors for maternal and fetal complications and predict the likelihood of certain outcomes. This can help healthcare providers to identify high-risk pregnancies early on and take steps to mitigate the risks.
- Predicting birth weights for effective nutrition programme: Malnutrition is responsible for lowering newborn immunity to infections and diseases. Predicting birth weight for newborns can aid doctors and parents to adopt putative measures such as effective utilisation of Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) pre-emptively.
- AI can make a big impact is in the detection of fetal abnormalities: In LMICs, access to ultrasound technology is often limited, and the quality of images may be poor. By using AI to analyse ultrasound images, healthcare providers can improve the accuracy of diagnoses and detect abnormalities that may otherwise be missed.
- AI can also be used to improve access to care: Virtual care technologies, such as AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, can provide expectant mothers in LMICs with information and support. It has been demonstrated that sending personalised, timed voice messages about pregnancy via mobile phone can positively impact maternal healthcare practices and improve maternal health outcomes.
- Manage and analyse large amounts of medical records: By identifying trends and patterns in this data, healthcare providers can make more informed decisions and improve outcomes for mothers and children.
Challenges to using AI to improve maternal and child health in India
- One of the biggest challenges is data availability and quality: AI relies on large amounts of data to train models, however, in India, there is a lack of data on maternal and child health, and the data that is available may be of poor quality. This can make it difficult to develop accurate and reliable AI-based solutions.
- Limited infrastructure: In many parts of India, there is a lack of basic infrastructure such as electricity and internet connectivity, which makes it difficult to implement AI-based solutions. This can be a particular problem in rural areas where access to healthcare is already limited.
- Ethical concerns: AI-based solutions raise a number of ethical concerns, including issues around privacy, bias, and accountability. It is important to address these concerns to ensure that AI-based solutions are used in a responsible and ethical manner.
- Language and dialects: India has a wide variety of languages and dialects, which can make it difficult to develop AI-based solutions that are accessible to everyone. The lack of data in certain languages or dialects can make it difficult to develop accurate and reliable AI-based solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of different linguistic communities.
- Socio-Economic status: As people living in poverty may not have access to the technology and services provided by AI-based solutions.
Conclusion
- AI has the capability of bringing about a substantial difference in maternal and child health in India. Nevertheless, it is crucial to keep in mind that these innovative technologies should not be utilised as a substitute for conventional healthcare practices, but rather as an additional tool. The integration of AI with the already existing healthcare systems would bring about the best results. It is also essential to involve healthcare providers and local communities in the development and implementation process of AI-based solutions. This way, the solutions can be made more relevant, accessible, and in line with the local context, thereby, maximising their positive impact.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Motion of thanks
Mains level: Freedom of speech in the House and the role of Speaker
Central Idea
- The expunction of portions of the speeches made by some Opposition politicians in Parliament recently is an issue that has sparked off a debate on an action taken by the Speaker. Parliamentarians Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Kharge were both speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President of India for her address to the Members of Parliament of both Houses.
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- After the President’s address, the two Houses move a motion to thank the President for her speech.
- This is customary practice although the Constitution does not provide for any such motion, except direct that each House shall discuss the matters contained in the address.
- This is a practice adopted from the British Parliament.
Debate after the motion
- An occasion to point out lapses on the government’s part: Debate in When such a motion is discussed, MPs are generally permitted to speak on anything under the sun. It is an occasion to point out lapses on the government’s part and discuss the gamut of issues that concern the governance of the country.
- Speeches are generally political and the Chair never insists on relevance: Since the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Parliament, MPs have the right to critically scrutinise the performance of the government.
- Government must respond to the question raised: Accountability to Parliament requires the government to respond adequately to the questions raised by MPs in the debate. Under the Rules of the House, it is the Prime Minister who replies to the debate in both Houses.
The rules that are in place
- Freedom of speech in the House: Article 105 of the Constitution confers on members, freedom of speech in the House and immunity from interference by the court for anything said in the House. Freedom of speech in the House is the most important privilege of a Member of Parliament
- Power of presiding officers and breach of such privilege: Rule 380 of the Rules of procedure of the Lok Sabha and Rule 261 of the Rules of the Rajya Sabha give the power to the presiding officers of these Houses to expunge any words used in the debate which are defamatory, unparliamentary, undignified or indecent. Once expunged they do not remain on record and if anyone publishes them thereafter, they will be liable for breach of privilege of the House.
- Rule 353 if there’s an allegation against a MP or an outsider: There are also occasions when an MP may, during his speech, make an allegation against a fellow MP or an outsider. Rule 353 of the Lok Sabha regulates the procedure in that regard. Under this Rule, the MP is required to give “adequate advance notice” to the Speaker as well as the Minister concerned. The Rule does not prohibit the making of any allegation, the only requirement is advance notice.
Allegations and Speaker rulings
- MP’s who make allegations must be sure about the factual basis: Making an allegation against a Minister or the Prime Minister is considered to be a serious matter; therefore, the presiding officers have carefully laid down a stipulation that the MP who makes an imputation against a Minister should be sure about the factual basis of the allegation, and that he must take responsibility for it.
- Allegations complies with stipulation allowed to remain on record: If the MP complies with this stipulation, then the allegation will be allowed to remain on record. There have been many instances in the Lok Sabha when MPs have made allegations against Ministers.
Here are two rulings made by the Speakers on such occasions
- Allegation bases on press report: On September 2, 1965 when Prakash Vir Shastri, MP, made personal allegations against Humayun Kabir, the then Minister for Education. The MP reiterated his allegation and referred to press reports.
- Ruling- Press report could not be sufficient basis of allegations: In his ruling, the Speaker, Sardar Hukam Singh, said, “Normally the source of information available to members is newspapers. But that is not a sufficient basis for a member to make an allegation against a Minister, member or other dignitaries.
- Allegation based on a weekly: On December 21 1981 in the Lok Sabha, Bapusaheb Parulekar, MP, made a reference to an allegation published in the Sunday (a weekly) against the then Railway Minister, Kedar Pande, and his family members in connection with permanent railway card passes.
- Ruling- The member should be prepared to accept the responsibility for the allegation: The Deputy Speaker, G. Lakshmanan ruled that, “The member should, before making an allegation in the House, satisfy himself after making enquiries that there is a basis for the allegation. The member should be prepared to accept the responsibility for the allegation and the member should be prepared to substantiate the allegation.”
Issue of defamation
- Under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code (Second exception), any statement respecting the conduct of a public servant in the discharge of his public function or his character is not defamation. If such a statement is made in the House against a Minister who is a public servant, it does not come within the ‘mischief’ of Rule 353 or Rule 380.
- Therefore, it does not afford an occasion for the presiding officers to expunge words in or portions of a speech on the ground that they are defamatory.
Conclusion
- In a House where freedom of speech is the most important privilege of a Member of Parliament, establishing defamatory or incriminatory statements as opposed to critical comments, which an MP has the right to make, is important. It also needs to be ensured that the freedom of speech enjoyed by the Members in the House is not needlessly curtailed.
Mains question
Q. What is motion of thanks? Freedom of speech is the most important privilege of a Member of Parliament which should not be needlessly curtailed. Discuss.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: BIMARU states
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central idea: While addressing a summit in UP, PM recalled the tag of ‘BIMARU’, once used to describe the state.
What are BIMARU states?
- The term “BIMARU” is an acronym formed from the first letters of five states – Bihar, MP, Rajasthan, and UP – that were believed to be economically and socially backward in the 1980s and 1990s.
- The term was popularized by economist Ashish Bose in the 1980s to describe the poor economic and social indicators of these states.
- He coined this term in a paper presented to then-PM Rajiv Gandhi.
- These states were characterized by low literacy rates, poor infrastructure, high poverty rates, and low levels of industrialization.
- The term “BIMARU” itself is an amalgamation of the Hindi words “bimar” (sick) and “ru” (a suffix meaning “land of”).
Behind the slang name ‘BIMAR’
The BIMARU states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are characterized by several economic and social features that distinguish them from other states in India. Some of these features include:
- Low per capita income: These have traditionally had low per capita income levels compared to other states in India, with Bihar having the lowest per capita income among Indian states.
- High poverty rates: They have a high percentage of people living in poverty, with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh having some of the highest poverty rates in the country.
- Low literacy rates: They have lower literacy rates than the national average, with Bihar having the lowest literacy rate among Indian states.
- Poor healthcare indicators: They have traditionally had poor healthcare indicators, with high infant and maternal mortality rates.
- Agriculture-based economy: These states are primarily agricultural states, with a significant percentage of the population engaged in agriculture and related activities.
- Significant population: They are among the most populous states in India, with Uttar Pradesh being the most populous state in the country.
Overall, the BIMARU states have traditionally lagged behind other states in India in terms of economic and social development, although in recent years, there has been progress in improving development indicators.
Persisting challenges
These states still face significant challenges, including high levels of poverty and unemployment.
- Still a national laggard: There is still a significant development gap between these states and the more developed regions of the country. For example, in 2019-20, per capita income in Bihar was only about a third of the national average, and in UP, only about half of the population has access to basic sanitation facilities.
- High Population: The share of BIMARU states in the absolute increase in India’s population during 2001-26 will be of the order of 50.4 per cent while the share of the south will be only 12.6 per cent.
How are these states faring now?
- In recent years, some of these states, such as Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, have shown significant improvement.
- In terms of economic growth, several of these states have experienced high growth rates in recent years, with Madhya Pradesh and Bihar recording growth rates of over 10% in 2019-20.
- Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have also recorded growth rates of over 7% in recent years.
- There has also been progress in improving social indicators such as literacy rates and healthcare infrastructure.
- For example, Bihar has seen a significant increase in literacy rates, with the state’s literacy rate increasing from 47% in 2001 to 63% in 2011.
Alternatives to ‘BIMARU’ terms
- PM has urged to refrain the use of such terms as they only serves to reinforce negative stereotypes and inhibit progress towards more equitable development across the country.
- He coined the term such as ‘Aspirational Districts/Blocks’ as alternative to such negative word.
Way forward
This involves several key strategies to address the economic and social challenges that these states face. Some of these strategies include:
- Enhancing economic growth: The BIMARU states need to focus on enhancing economic growth through policies that encourage investment, job creation, and entrepreneurship. This can include measures such as improving the ease of doing business, providing infrastructure, and investing in sectors with high growth potential.
- Improving social indicators: They need to focus on improving social indicators such as literacy rates, healthcare, and sanitation. This can involve investing in education and healthcare infrastructure, and implementing programs that target poverty reduction and social inclusion.
- Enhancing agricultural productivity: Given that agriculture is a major contributor to the economy of BIMARU states, efforts should be made to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency. This can include investments in irrigation and modern agricultural techniques, and support for small and marginal farmers.
- Encouraging inclusive development: In order to reduce disparities and ensure inclusive development, policies and programs should be targeted towards the most vulnerable and marginalized sections of society. This can include measures to promote gender equality, social inclusion, and address issues such as caste-based discrimination.
- Leveraging technology: The BIMARU states can leverage technology to enhance economic and social development. This can involve the use of digital technologies to improve access to education and healthcare and promote entrepreneurship and innovation.
Conclusion
- Overall, while the BIMARU states have made progress in recent years, there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving more equitable development across the country.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Office of Profit
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central idea: Jharkhand CM’s chair remains uncertain as the Election Commission (EC) is understood to have conveyed its decision in an office-of-profit complaint against him to the Governor.
Why in news?
- Under Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the CM could face disqualification for entering into a government contract.
- The Constitution of India does not define the Office of Profit. It has only mentioned it under Article 102 (1) and Article 191 (1).
What is ‘Office of Profit’?
- In India, the concept of an “Office of Profit” refers to a situation where a person holds a government position that brings them financial gain or other advantages, while at the same time they hold an elected or other public office.
- The idea behind this concept is to prevent any conflict of interest and ensure that elected representatives do not hold positions that may compromise their independence and impartiality.
Indian context to this
- MPs and MLAs, as members of the legislature, hold the government accountable for its work.
- The essence of disqualification is if legislators hold an ‘office of profit’ under the government, they might be susceptible to government influence, and may not discharge their constitutional mandate fairly.
- The intent is that there should be no conflict between the duties and interests of an elected member.
- Hence, the office of profit law simply seeks to enforce a basic feature of the Constitution- the principle of separation of power between the legislature and the executive.
What governs the term?
- At present, the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, bars an MP, MLA or an MLC from holding any office of profit under the central or state government unless it is exempted.
- However, it does not clearly define what constitutes an office of profit.
- Legislators can face disqualification for holding such positions, which bring them financial or other benefits.
- Under the provisions of Article 102 (1) and Article 191 (1) of the Constitution, an MP or an MLA (or an MLC) is barred from holding any office of profit under the Central or State government.
An undefined term
- The officials of the law ministry are of the view that defining an office of profit could lead to the filing of a number of cases with the Election Commission and the courts.
- Also, once the definition is changed, one will also have to amend various provisions in the Constitution including Article 102 (1) (a) and Article 109 (1) (a) that deal with the office of profit.
- It will have an overarching effect on all the other sections of the Constitution.
Factors constituting an ‘office of profit’
- The 1959 law does not clearly define what constitutes an office of profit but the definition has evolved over the years with interpretations made in various court judgments.
- An office of profit has been interpreted to be a position that brings to the office-holder some financial gain, or advantage, or benefit. The amount of such profit is immaterial.
- In 1964, the Supreme Court ruled that the test for determining whether a person holds an office of profit is the test of appointment.
What is the ‘test of appointment’?
Several factors are considered in this determination including factors such as:
- whether the government is the appointing authority,
- whether the government has the power to terminate the appointment,
- whether the government determines the remuneration,
- what is the source of remuneration, and
- power that comes with the position
Try this MCQ:
Q. What is an “Office of Profit” in India?
a) A position that is controlled by the government and comes with no financial gain or other benefits.
b) A position that is controlled by the government and comes with some financial gain or other benefits.
c) A position that is controlled by the private sector and comes with no financial gain or other benefits.
d) A position that is controlled by the private sector and comes with some financial gain or other benefits.
Post your answers here.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Read the attached story
Mains level: Social reforms stipulated by Dr. Ambedkar
Dr. BR Ambedkar was India’s first Law Minister after independence. The letter of his resignation is now missing from official records.
Dr Ambedkar as Law Minister
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar served as Independent India’s first law minister.
- He was an Indian jurist, economist, politician, and social reforme, who was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990.
- It is believed that Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi proposed Dr. Ambedkar’s name for the post of Law Minister in the Nehru Cabinet.
Why was he selected for the post?
- Being father of our Constitution: Sardar Patel, then deputy PM, had a high regard for Dr. Ambedkar’s intellectual abilities and his contributions to the drafting of India’s Constitution.
- Political urge for inclusivity: Additionally, Dr. Ambedkar’s role in the Dalit movement and his fight against caste discrimination also made him a significant political figure.
- Representation of the marginalized: His appointment as the Law Minister was seen as a symbol of inclusivity and representation of marginalized communities in the government.
Why did Dr. Ambedkar resign?
- Political differences with Nehru: He resigned as Law Minister, due to differences with the then PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, over the Hindu Code Bill. He specifically wanted to reform Hindu Personal Laws and not every personal laws in India.
- Row over reforming Personal Laws: The bill aimed to reform Hindu personal laws related to marriage, divorce, and inheritance, but Dr. Ambedkar believed that it did not go far enough in granting women’s rights and wanted more radical changes.
- Injustice to women: Ambedkar had proposed a more comprehensive set of reforms that would have given women greater rights in matters such as property ownership and inheritance, but his proposals were met with resistance from Nehru and other members of the government.
Efforts to locate his resignation letter
- The letter was not found in the National Archives of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The Maharashtra government has also been unable to locate the letter in its archives.
- RTI (Right to Information) requests were also unsuccessful.
Significance of his letter
- The missing letter is a matter of concern as it is an important historical document.
- Ambedkar’s resignation was a significant event in India’s political history and the reasons behind it are still relevant today.
- The letter could shed light on the differences between the visionary Dr. Ambedkar and then mainstream politicians.
India’s first Provisional Government (Constitutionally)
- Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India after the country gained independence in 1947.
- The members of his first cabinet, which was sworn in on August 15, 1947, were as follows:
- Jawaharlal Nehru – Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs
- Vallabhbhai Patel – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar – Minister of Law and Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council
- C. Rajagopalachari – Minister of Industry and Supply
- John Mathai – Minister of Railways
- Liaquat Ali Khan – Minister of Finance
- Baldev Singh – Minister of Defence
- Sardar Baldev Singh – Minister of Communications
- Sardar Swaran Singh – Minister of Works, Mines and Power
- Jagjivan Ram – Minister of Labour and Rehabilitation
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad – Minister of Food and Agriculture
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad – Minister of Education
- Sardar K.M. Panikkar – Minister of States
- Rafi Ahmed Kidwai – Minister of Communications (Independent Charge)
- Asaf Ali – Minister of Railways (Independent Charge)
- It is worth noting that this was a provisional government, and the first general election to form a permanent government was held in 1952.
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Note: Azad Hind was not India’s first provisional government. The credit for establishing that – formally known as the ”Hukumat-i-Moktar-i-Hind” – in Kabul on 1st Dec, 1915, goes to Raja Mahendra Pratap and Maulana Barkatullah.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Millets, MIIRA, Shree Anna
Mains level: Millets consumption
On the premises of G20, India is planning to propose the launch of a global initiative ‘MIIRA’ to encourage the consumption and production of millets.
What are Millets?
- Millets are a group of small-seeded grasses that are commonly cultivated and consumed as staple foods in many parts of the world, including Africa and Asia.
- Millets are highly nutritious, gluten-free, and have a low glycemic index, making them an ideal food for people with various dietary requirements and health conditions.
- They are cereals such as sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), foxtail millet (kangni/ Italian millet), little millet (kutki), kodo millet, finger millet (ragi/ mandua), proso millet (cheena/ common millet), barnyard millet (sawa/ sanwa/ jhangora), and brown top millet (korale).
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What is MIIRA?
- “MIIRA” or Millet International Initiative for Research and Awareness will be aimed at coordinating millet research programmes at the international level.
- For MIIRA to take off, India will contribute the “seed money” while each G20 member will later have to contribute to its budget in the form of a membership fee.
- The secretariat will be in Delhi, the sources said, adding that this will, with India being a major producer of millets, ensure a flow of investment from the country’s industry and research bodies.
- It is in line with the UN declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets and the Centre’s plan to make India a global hub for millets.
- It is launched keeping in mind the nutritional value and the climate-resilient nature of millets.
Key objectives
- MIIRA will aim to connect millet research organisations across the world while also supporting research on millet crops.
- Besides setting up a web platform to connect researchers and holding international research conferences, the plan is also to promote millet consumption by raising awareness.
Ecological significance of millets
- Drought resistance: Millets are drought-resistant crops, which means that they can grow in areas with low rainfall and are less susceptible to the effects of drought. This makes them an ideal crop for farmers in regions that are prone to drought and other climate-related risks.
- Soil health: Millets have shallow roots and can grow in poor soil, which means that they can be cultivated in marginal lands that are unsuitable for other crops. Millets also improve soil health by enhancing soil organic matter, reducing soil erosion, and improving soil structure and fertility.
- Low carbon footprint: Millets have a low carbon footprint compared to other crops because they require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. They are also less energy-intensive to produce and transport.
- Resilience to climate change: Millets are known for their resilience to climate change and extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts. By promoting the cultivation and consumption of millets, countries can build resilience to the impacts of climate change and ensure food security in the face of these challenges.
- Biodiversity conservation: Millets are often grown in mixed cropping systems, which promote biodiversity and can help conserve natural resources. The cultivation of millets also supports the conservation of traditional knowledge and local agricultural practices, which can be important for the resilience of rural communities in the face of climate change.
Recent initiatives to promote Millets
- Finance Minister described various types of millets as ‘Shree Anna’ in her budget speech.
- To make India a global hub for Shree Anna, the Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will be supported as the Centre of Excellence.
- In 2018, the Agriculture Ministry declared some millets as ‘Nutri Cereals’ for their “high nutritive value”.
How popular are millets globally?
- Now grown in more than 130 countries, millets are the traditional food for more than half a billion people in Asia and Africa.
- Gobally, jowar is the most widely grown millet crop; its major producers are the US, China, Australia, India, Argentina, Nigeria, and Sudan.
- Bajra, another major millet crop, is mainly grown in some African countries and India, where millets are mainly a kharif crop.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: FATF
Mains level: Not Much
Central agencies, including the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), have begun preparations for the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) mutual evaluation process of India.
What is the news?
- India is due to undergo the mutual evaluation process in the second half of 2022, which will assess the country’s compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing standards.
What is FATF?
- FATF is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering.
- The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris.
- It holds three Plenary meetings in the course of each of its 12-month rotating presidencies.
- As of 2019, FATF consisted of 37 member jurisdictions.
India’s say in FATF
- India became an Observer at FATF in 2006. Since then, it had been working towards full-fledged membership.
- On June 25, 2010, India was taken in as the 34th country member of FATF.
What is FATF’s mutual evaluation process?
- The mutual evaluation process is a review of a country’s legal and institutional framework to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as its implementation of measures to prevent these crimes.
- During the process, the FATF assesses a country’s compliance with its 40 recommendations on anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing, as well as the level of effectiveness of these measures in practice.
- The outcome of the mutual evaluation is a report that highlights a country’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, and assigns a rating based on the level of compliance and effectiveness.
How will FATF evaluate India?
- The FATF’s evaluation will cover a wide range of areas, including India’s legal framework, regulatory system, law enforcement efforts, and international cooperation.
- Central agencies have been working to ensure that India’s anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing laws are in line with international standards, and that their implementation is effective.
Significance of this evaluation
- The outcome of the evaluation will be a report that highlights India’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, and assigns a rating based on the level of compliance and effectiveness.
- The mutual evaluation process is an important tool in the global fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.
- Its outcome can have significant implications for a country’s access to international financial markets and its reputation in the global community.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Geo-heritage conservation in India
The draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2022, aimed at protecting India’s geological heritage that includes fossils, sedimentary rocks, natural structures, has raised alarm in India’s geo-sciences and palaeontology community.
Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics Bill, 2022
Objectives
- Protect and preserve the geo-heritage sites and geo-relics of national importance in India.
- Empower the central government to identify, declare, acquire, preserve, and maintain geo-heritage sites and geo-relics.
- Ensure that the valuable geological specimens and formations are not damaged or destroyed by human activity or natural disasters.
- Promote research, education, and awareness about the significance and value of geo-heritage sites and geo-relics.
- Provide a legal framework for the protection and management of geo-heritage sites and geo-relics, to ensure their long-term preservation and maintenance.
Key Features
- Declaration of geoheritage sites: The central government may declare a site as a geoheritage site of national importance. Geoheritage sites must contain features of geological significance, such as geo-relics or natural rock sculptures. Geo-relics are movable relics such as fossils or meteorites.
- Protection of geoheritage sites: The draft Bill empowers the central government to acquire, preserve, and maintain geoheritage sites. The Director General of the Geological Survey of India will be given powers for this purpose, such as surveying and excavation. Construction on these sites will be prohibited. However, it may be authorised by the Director General to preserve the site or to repair a structure that predates the declaration of the site.
- Protection of geo-relics: The central government may declare that a geo-relic cannot be moved from its site, by notification, unless permitted by the Director General. The Director General may direct the acquisition of a geo-relic to protect it.
- Offences and penalties: Offences under the Bill include (i) destruction or misuse of a geoheritage site, (ii) illegal construction, and (iii) damaging or illegally moving a geo-relic. These offences are punishable with a fine of up to five lakh rupees or imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
Issues raised with this legislation
- Narrow definition of “geo-relics”: The bill defines “geo-relics” as movable geological specimens, but does not include other important geological features, such as geological formations or landscapes.
- No academic participation: The bill gives exclusive powers to the Geological Survey of India (GSI) for identifying, declaring, acquiring, preserving, and maintaining geo-heritage sites and geo-relics, without any role for state geological departments or universities.
- Excessive powers vested to GSI: Experts have criticized the draft bill for vesting exclusive powers in the GSI, without any role for state geological departments or universities. The GSI will be responsible for identifying, declaring, acquiring, preserving, and maintaining geo-heritage sites and geo-relics.
- Lack of public participation: The bill has been criticized for lacking any legal framework for the involvement of local communities or civil society organizations in the protection and management of geo-heritage sites.
- Lacks transparency: The bill has been criticized for lacking transparency and public consultation, with some experts suggesting that it should be redrafted to ensure a more participatory and inclusive approach to the protection and management of geo-heritage sites.
Way forward
- Inclusion of state geological departments and universities: The bill should include the participation of state geological departments and universities in the identification, declaration, acquisition, preservation, and maintenance of geo-heritage sites and geo-relics.
- Public participation: The bill should be amended to include a legal framework for the participation of local communities and civil society organizations in the protection and management of geo-heritage sites.
- Accountability and oversight: The bill should be revised to include provisions for greater accountability and oversight of the GSI, to ensure that its powers are not misused or abused.
- Expanded definition of “geo-relics”: The bill should be amended to include a broader definition of “geo-relics” that encompasses a wider range of important geological features.
- Wider consultation: The drafting and implementation of the bill should be made more transparent and inclusive, with greater consultation with all stakeholders to ensure that their interests are adequately represented.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Axiom Mission 2
Mains level: NA
Central idea: Saudi Arabia will send its first-ever woman astronaut on the US-led Axiom 2 space mission later this year, in the latest move to revamp the kingdom’s ultra-conservative image.
Axiom Mission 2
- Axiom Mission 2 is a private spaceflight mission organized by Axiom Space, a Houston-based aerospace company.
- The mission is scheduled to launch in 2023 and aims to send four private individuals on a 10-day trip to the International Space Station (ISS).
- Rayyana Barnawi will join fellow Saudi male astronaut Ali Al-Qarni on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) during the second quarter of 2023.
- The mission is the second private crewed flight to the ISS, following the Inspiration4 mission by SpaceX.
- The crew is expected to undergo months of training, including simulations, physical conditioning, and emergency procedures.
- The mission is part of Axiom Space’s plan to establish a private space station attached to the ISS, which is expected to be launched in 2024.
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