Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules;
Mains level: Supreme Court judgement on stray dogs;
Why in the news?
The Supreme Court ended the 15-year-old (Animal Welfare Board of India & Anr Versus People for Elimination of Stray Troubles & Ors) AWBI vs. PEST case on July 12, after the final hearing on May 9, sparking mixed reactions.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules are:
- The PCA Act, 1960 was enacted by the Parliament of India to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and to amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.
- The PCA Act, 1960 and ABC Rules, 2001 prohibit the killing of stray dogs and mandate sterilization as the only scientific and humane method of controlling stray dog populations.
- The new ABC Rules, 2023 notified under the PCA Act, 1960 also prohibit wanton killing of stray dogs by municipalities and require them to follow sterilization.
- The Act defines “animal” as any living creature other than a human being. It establishes the Animal Welfare Board of India to promote animal welfare.
- Chapter III of the Act lists different forms of cruelty to animals that are banned, including those related to work animals, captivity, ownership, abuse, mutilation or killing.
- Chapter IV deals with experiments on animals. While it does not make experiments unlawful for the advancement of knowledge, it allows the Board to advise the government to create a committee to control and supervise such experiments.
- Chapter V outlines restrictions, procedures and offences related to performing animals. The Central Government can prohibit any animal from exhibition or training through notification.
Note: In 2022, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying submitted a draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2022 for public comment. The draft includes 61 amendments to further clarify the law and make punishments more stringent.
| The Supreme Court stated that the Central law (PCA Act 1960 and ABC Rules, 2023) which prohibits killing of stray dogs by local authorities remains the governing law of the land. |
What the Supreme Court said on the ‘Duty of every Citizen’:
- The Supreme Court capped off the judgment with the lines: “Compassion to all living beings, is the enshrined Constitutional value and mandate, and cast obligation on the authorities to maintain.”
- This refers to Article 51A(g) of the Constitution of India which states: “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.”
- The court emphasized that Citizens should avoid unscientific and cruel methods like killing stray dogs and instead choose the scientific and humane method of sterilization.
Issues due to stray dogs in India:
- Population: India has an estimated 60 million stray dogs, making it the country with the highest number of stray dogs globally.
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- Rabies Incidence: India accounts for 36% of global rabies deaths and 65% of rabies deaths in the South-East Asia region.
- Between 2012 and 2022, the National Rabies Control Program reported 6,644 clinically suspected cases of rabies in humans.
- Dog Bite Cases: Reports indicate that major cities have seen alarming numbers of dog bite incidents. For example, Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital recorded nearly 48,000 dog bite cases in just six months. In Kerala alone, there were over 1.9 lakh dog bite cases last year, with 21 deaths attributed to rabies.
Way forward:
- Enhanced Public Awareness and Education: Need to implement nationwide campaigns to educate the public on responsible pet ownership, the importance of sterilization, and the humane treatment of stray dogs.
- Strengthening Enforcement of Existing Laws: Need to ensure that municipalities and local authorities are adequately trained and funded to implement the ABC Rules effectively.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA);
Mains level: Review power of Supreme Court;
Why in the news?
The Supreme Court has postponed its review of the decision to uphold key provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) to August 28.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)
- The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) is a crucial legislative framework in India aimed at combating money laundering and related financial crimes.
- The PMLA was enacted by the Parliament of India and came into force on July 1, 2005. It was introduced to prevent money laundering and provide for the confiscation of property derived from or involved in money laundering.
- The main objectives of the PMLA are:
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- To prevent and control money laundering.
- To confiscate and seize property obtained from laundered money.
- To address issues connected with money laundering in India.
What is the Case?
- On July 27, 2022, the Supreme Court upheld key provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) in the case of “Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India”.
- The 540-page ruling accepted the government’s arguments on all challenged aspects, including reversing the presumption of innocence for bail, passing amendments as a Money Bill, and defining the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) powers.
- On August 25, 2022, a different three-judge bench agreed to hear a review petition filed by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram. The petition raised concerns about at least two issues from the Madanlal decision.
What are the Grounds for Review?
- The Supreme Court’s verdict in Madanlal upheld stringent bail conditions for economic offences, imposing a reverse burden of proof on the accused.
- Petitioners argue that, without essential documents like an FIR, charge sheet, case diary, and prosecution documents, an accused cannot adequately present their case.
- The Madanlal verdict upheld Section 50 of the PMLA, allowing ED officials to record statements under oath, admissible in court. It distinguished ED officers from police officers, classifying their investigations as “inquiries.” Petitioners argue that the verdict overlooked provisions granting penal powers to the ED.
How is a Judgment Reviewed?
- The Supreme Court can review its judgments or orders under Article 137 of the Constitution.
- A review petition must be filed within 30 days of the judgment. Typically, review petitions are heard through written submissions (“circulation”) by the same judges who passed the original verdict, rather than in open court.
- Reviews are granted on narrow grounds to correct grave errors causing a miscarriage of justice. One common ground is “a mistake apparent on the face of the record,” which must be glaring and obvious, such as reliance on invalid case law.
Way forward:
- Enhanced Transparency and Documentation: To address concerns about the adequacy of case presentation by the accused, there should be a mandate for providing all essential documents such as FIRs, charge sheets, case diaries, and prosecution documents to ensure a fair trial process.
- Clarification of ED’s Powers and Procedures: Amendments to the PMLA should clearly define the scope and limits of the Enforcement Directorate’s powers, ensuring that ED officers are given appropriate procedural guidelines and oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse of penal powers and uphold due process.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Grid System in Vulnerable Areas;
Why in the news?
The Jammu region has faced severe security issues recently, exacerbated by troop redeployment to the LAC. To address this, around 3,500 additional troops and Special Forces were deployed.
Present Context of J&K
- Security Concerns: The Jammu region has seen a resurgence in terrorist activities, with security forces suffering significant losses. The situation has deteriorated, particularly following the redeployment of troops to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) after the Galwan incident in June 2020.
- Increased Military Presence: In response to the rising threats, additional troops, including Special Forces and Assam Rifles, have been inducted into the region to bolster counter-terrorism operations.
- Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, there has been a strategic shift in militancy from Kashmir to Jammu, with militants adapting their tactics and increasing their operational activities in districts like Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch.
Need to Establish the Grid System in Vulnerable Areas
- Establishing a counter-terrorism grid involves deploying military units strategically in vulnerable areas to dominate potential terrorist movements. This requires thorough threat assessments based on terrain, local population inclinations, and historical data.
- The grid system emphasizes the importance of winning the trust of the local population through community engagement, which is crucial for gathering intelligence on terrorist activities.
Challenges
- Integration of New Troops: Newly inducted troops face the challenge of quickly orienting themselves to the local terrain and population dynamics.
- Divided Local Population: The local population is divided into subsets that either support the state, support terrorists, or remain neutral.
- Gaining the support of the neutral majority is critical for the success of counter-terrorism efforts.
- Operational Control: Recent trends show a shift in operational control from battalion-level commanders to higher command levels, which can hinder effective and timely responses to emerging threats.
About Operation Dudhi
- Historical Context: Operation Dudhi, conducted in May 1991 by the 7 Assam Rifles, is remembered as a successful counter-terrorism operation in the Chowkibal area. It showcased the effectiveness of battalion-level command in conducting operations.
- Lessons Learned: The operation highlighted the importance of allowing commanding officers to maintain control over their units.
- Recent trends of centralizing control may undermine operational effectiveness and responsiveness.
- Need for Integrated Deployment: The success of future operations requires that newly inducted troops be deployed as integral units under existing command structures, rather than in a fragmented manner, to enhance operational coherence and effectiveness.
Way forward:
- Enhance Human Intelligence Networks: It is crucial to build robust human intelligence networks by integrating local informants and community members into counter-terrorism efforts.
- Integrated Deployment of Forces: Newly inducted troops should be strategically integrated with existing units to create a cohesive counter-terrorism grid. This approach will facilitate knowledge sharing and operational synergy, allowing new troops to quickly acclimatize to the local environment and build relationships with the community.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: What is Yen carry trade?
Mains level: Why is it unwinding right now?
Why in the news?
The global stock and bond markets, especially Japan’s, are experiencing turmoil due to the unwinding of the immensely popular yen carry trade.
What is Yen carry trade?
- The yen carry trade is a popular currency trading strategy that involves borrowing Japanese yen at low interest rates and using the funds to invest in higher-yielding assets denominated in other currencies, with the goal of profiting from the interest rate differential.
Why is it unwinding right now?
- Strengthening Yen: The Japanese yen has appreciated significantly, rising over 3% against the dollar after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) raised interest rates to 0.25% and announced a reduction in bond purchases. This strengthening of the yen diminishes the profitability of the carry trade, which relies on a weaker yen to remain viable.
- Interest Rate Changes: Expectations of imminent interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve have contributed to the dollar’s weakness, further impacting the carry trade. As the interest rate differential narrows, the incentive to maintain yen carry positions decreases.
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How does it work?
- Mechanism: The yen carry trade involves borrowing yen at low interest rates and converting it into higher-yielding currencies. Investors use the borrowed yen to purchase assets in currencies that offer better returns, such as U.S. dollars or Australian dollars.
- Investors typically aim for annualized returns of around 5% to 6% on dollar-yen carry trades, which is the difference between U.S. and Japanese interest rates. The strategy can be lucrative as long as the yen does not appreciate significantly against the currencies in which the investments are made.
How did it begin?
- The yen carry trade can be traced back to 1999 when Japan lowered its policy rates to zero following an asset price bubble burst. This led Japanese investors to seek better returns in international markets, effectively turning Japan into the world’s largest creditor nation.
- The contemporary form of the carry trade gained prominence in 2013 under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s quantitative easing policies, coinciding with rising U.S. rates and a depreciating yen. This trend intensified in 2022 and 2023 as the Federal Reserve raised rates rapidly while the Bank of Japan maintained negative short-term rates.
How large Is It?
- The estimated size is about $350 billion in short-term external loans by Japanese banks attributed to yen-funded carry trades. However, this figure may not fully capture the extent of the trades, as it could include commercial transactions or loans to foreign businesses.
- The actual size of yen carry trades could be larger due to the leverage used by hedge funds and computer-driven funds.
Is it coming to an end?
- The Bank of Japan has recently started raising rates, which has led to a stronger yen. As a result, the yield gap between Japanese and other currencies has narrowed, diminishing the profitability of carry trades.
- The appreciation of the yen (by about 13% in a month) has prompted leveraged investors to unwind their positions, leading to a sell-off in global stock and bond markets. This unwinding is driven by the need to repay yen loans as the currency strengthens, causing further declines in asset prices internationally.
Conclusion: The yen carry trade is unwinding due to the strengthening yen and narrowing interest rate differentials. As the yen appreciates, profitability decreases, prompting investors to exit positions, leading to global market sell-offs. This trend signifies a shift in monetary policies and changing economic conditions affecting currency trading strategies.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: US Democracy; Differences Between Democracy and Autocracy;
Why in the news?
Since WWII, U.S. foreign policy framed democracies vs. dictatorships, but this binary blurs with recent domestic political trends and shifting allegiances.
The binary between democracy and autocracy in the USA
Difference between Democracy and Autocracy
- Democracy is defined as a system of government where the population, typically through elected representatives, exercises power. It emphasizes freedom, constitutional governance, and the protection of fundamental rights.
- In contrast, autocracy is characterized by absolute power held by a single ruler, where the will of the ruler supersedes the rights and freedoms of individuals. Autocracies suppress dissent and limit political pluralism, often relying on force and coercion to maintain control.
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Current Political Climate
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- The political landscape in the U.S. has shifted towards a more autocratic style of governance, particularly among factions within the Republican Party. This shift is marked by a growing acceptance of strongman leadership, which seeks to undermine traditional democratic norms and institutions.
- Trump’s rhetoric and actions have often reflected a disdain for the checks and balances that are foundational to American democracy. His assertion of broad presidential powers and his attempts to consolidate authority signal a move away from democratic principles toward a more autocratic governance model.
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Implications of the Shift
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- This trend raises concerns about the future of democracy in the U.S. Supporters of Trump and similar populist leaders often view the federal government as an adversary, promoting a narrative that pits “the people” against a corrupt establishment.
What are the different phases of transformation?
- Rise of the Administrative State: The first phase was the rise of the administrative state under Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon.
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- This broadened the scope of government intervention and generated a complex bureaucracy to address social problems and welfare.
- Centralizing Executive Power: As the administrative state grew, presidents needed to bring it under their direct control. During the 1980 transition, Ronald Reagan’s team employed a large staff to centralize control over policy, budgeting, and appointments. This led to the centralized apparatus that now resides in the Executive Office of the President.
- In 2024, embracing autocratic tendencies: The populist faction of the Republican Party, concentrated among less educated, blue-collar, white, rural, and religious populations disadvantaged by globalization, embraces a strongman vision of leadership that operates beyond democratic norms.
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- Trump waged a campaign against norms and institutions of two-party politics, culminating in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The Supreme Court’s ruling granting Trump immunity from prosecution for official acts has significantly blurred the line between democracy and autocracy.
The present new normal
- Erosion of Democratic Norms and Institutions: Trump showed disdain for legal limitations on presidential power and waged a campaign against democratic norms and institutions. His attempts to overturn the 2020 election results despite losing to Biden exemplified this authoritarian tendency.
- Conservatism and Nationalism: Trumpism embraced conservative values like opposition to abortion, support for gun rights, and backing law enforcement.
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- Trump reshaped U.S. foreign policy to prioritize American interests over global cooperation and multilateralism.
Way forward:
- Strengthen Democratic Institutions: Need to reinforce checks and balances to prevent executive overreach, enhance judicial independence, and protect electoral integrity to ensure democratic principles are upheld.
- Promote Civic Education and Engagement: Need to educate citizens on democratic values, the importance of pluralism, and the dangers of autocracy to foster informed and active participation in the democratic process.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Implication of Military Coup on India Bangladesh relation
Why in the News?
India will require significant political and diplomatic acumen to navigate the fallout from Sheikh Hasina’s fall, which could destabilize and potentially reshape the geopolitics of the subcontinent.
Why Hasina’s fall was not a surprise?
- Long-standing Discontent: Widespread protests against Sheikh Hasina’s government had been brewing over issues like a controversial quota system for government jobs, indicating significant public discontent.
- Authoritarian Drift: Hasina’s government has been accused of suppressing opposition and civil society through measures like the Digital Security Act, which has been used to arrest critics and journalists.
- Historical Context: Since gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh has experienced several military coups, political assassinations, and periods of military rule, including the killing of Hasina’s father, Mujibur Rahman, in 1975.
Five Challenges Beyond 1971
- Engagement with Opposition: Due to prevailing political uncertainity, India need to distance itself from Hasina and engage with her opponents to maintain credibility and influence in Bangladesh.
- Managing Regional Rivalries: India needs to prepare for potential exploitation of the situation by Pakistan and China, which may seek to influence the new government against Indian interests.
- Historical Narratives: India needs to navigate the complex historical narratives surrounding the 1971 liberation of Bangladesh, recognizing that many in Bangladesh do not share the same interpretation.
- Economic Stability: Ensuring economic stabilization in Bangladesh will be crucial, requiring collaboration with regional partners to prevent extremism and maintain stability.
- Recognition of Local Agency: India must acknowledge that Bangladesh has its own political dynamics and agency, which cannot be solely dictated by Indian interests or actions.
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What India must prepare for now? (Way forward)
- Diplomatic Strategy: India needs to develop a proactive diplomatic strategy to engage with the new government in Bangladesh while avoiding perceptions of interference.
- Security Concerns: India must be vigilant about border security and the potential resurgence of anti-India activities, especially if the new government leans towards Pakistan or China.
- Economic Engagement: Strengthening economic ties and leveraging people-to-people connections will be essential for maintaining a positive relationship with Bangladesh, regardless of political changes.
- Learning from Past Experiences: India should draw lessons from its past experiences with political transitions in the region, such as in Afghanistan, to navigate the current situation effectively.
- Collaborative Approach: Working with international partners, including the US and Gulf nations, will be important to address the challenges posed by the political shift in Bangladesh and to ensure regional stability.
Mains PYQ:
Q Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive role in the emergence of Bangladesh. (2013)
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Legislations in News;
Mains level: Concerning features of Anti-Conversion Law;
Why in the news?
The UP Assembly’s amendments to its regressive ‘Anti-conversion’ law appear aimed at facilitating misuse, with over 400 cases registered since the original 2021 law.
What is UP’s ‘Anti-conversion’ law?
- Uttar Pradesh’s “Anti-conversion” law, officially known as the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, prohibits religious conversion through unlawful means such as misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or fraudulent means.
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Why was the Original 2021 Anti-Conversion Law Amended by UP?
- Increased Stringency: The amendments aim to make the original law more stringent, responding to claims of rising cases of forced conversions and the alleged involvement of foreign and anti-national elements in demographic changes.
- Response to Public Discontent: The government cited the need to enhance penalties and legal measures to prevent unlawful conversions, particularly concerning vulnerable groups such as minors and women.
- Legitimacy of Complaints: The amendment allows third parties to file complaints about alleged unlawful conversions, expanding the scope of the law and potentially increasing its application against inter-faith marriages.
What are Its concerning features?
- Harsh Penalties: The amended law introduces severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to 20 years or life for targeting minors, women, or certain communities through coercion or force.
- Bail Conditions: The law imposes stringent bail conditions that make it difficult for accused individuals to secure bail, requiring public prosecutor consent and a presumption of guilt.
- Third-Party Complaints: The provision allowing anyone to file complaints against alleged conversions opens the door for misuse by communal organizations and individuals with vested interests, potentially targeting inter-faith couples.
What does it state about bail conditions and ‘foreign funding’?
- Bail conditions: The amended law states that an accused individual cannot be granted bail unless the public prosecutor has the opportunity to oppose it, and there is reason to believe the accused is not guilty and unlikely to repeat the offence.
- Foreign funding: The law prescribes stiff penalties for receiving funds from foreign organizations for unlawful conversion, with fines and imprisonment aimed at deterring financial support for conversion activities.
How is it different from other states?
- Comparison with Other States: While several states like Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have anti-conversion laws, Uttar Pradesh’s amendments are notably harsher, including provisions for life imprisonment, which are not present in other states.
- Bail and Proof Burden: Other states may not impose such severe bail conditions or the reverse burden of proof required in Uttar Pradesh, making it easier for accused individuals in those states to secure bail.
- Scope of Complaints: In many states, only aggrieved individuals or their close relatives can file complaints, whereas Uttar Pradesh’s amendments allow for broader third-party complaints, increasing the potential for misuse.
Way forward:
- Promote Awareness of Rights: Implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their legal rights concerning religious conversion and inter-faith marriages.
- Legal and Constitutional Review: Stakeholders, including civil society organizations and legal experts, should actively pursue legal challenges against the amended law in the Supreme Court of India.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NSSO
Mains level: Key highlights of NSSO Report;
Why in the news?
The National Sample Survey Office has released the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) report for 2022-23, along with public access to unit-level data on household expenditures.
What does the recent NSSO Report tell us?
- The report utilizes various definitions of poverty established by past committees, with the poverty line (PL) being anchored to calorie norms of 2,400 kcal for rural and 2,100 kcal for urban areas as per the Lakdawala Committee. The Rangarajan Committee’s approach considers broader normative levels, including non-food expenses.
- The average per capita calorie requirement (PCCR) is estimated at 2,172 kcal for rural and 2,135 kcal for urban populations. The report highlights that the average per capita calorie intake (PCCI) for the poorest segments falls significantly below these requirements, indicating nutritional deficiencies.
- The total monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) thresholds are set at ₹2,197 for rural and ₹3,077 for urban areas, with proportions of the population identified as ‘poor’ being 17.1% in rural and 14% in urban contexts. If non-food expenditures for the poorest 10% are considered, these thresholds rise, increasing the proportion of the deprived.
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Approach for measurement is the Issue:
- Defining Poverty: The report defines the poor based on MPCE, which is linked to the ability to purchase essential food and non-food items.
- The reliance on MPCE does not adequately address nutritional needs. While the poverty line is linked to the ability to purchase food and non-food items.
- Caloric Requirement Calculation: The PCCR is derived from the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition’s latest recommendations, weighted by the population distribution across age-sex-activity categories.
- The ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition’s (ICMR-NIN) recommendations for caloric requirements in India are derived from the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Indians.
- The RDA does not adequately account for regional and cultural differences in dietary habits and food availability.
- Fractile Class Analysis: Households are categorized into 20 fractile classes based on MPCE, allowing for the calculation of average PCCI and MPCE for each class.
- Each fractile class represents 5% of the population, allowing for a detailed understanding of expenditure distribution and nutritional intake variations within the population
- MPCE reflects consumption patterns but does not capture the full spectrum of economic well-being or deprivation.
- State-Specific Adjustments: The all-India thresholds are adjusted for regional price differences to derive state-specific MPCE thresholds.
- The methodology for deriving state-specific MPCE thresholds relies on regional price indexes, which can vary significantly in their construction and accuracy.
Recommendations for Improving Nutritional Levels (Way Forward)
- Nutritional Schemes: Govt. needs to develop and expand schemes specifically aimed at improving the nutritional intake of the poorest households.
- Awareness and Education: Govt. should increase awareness about nutrition and healthy eating practices among low-income households.
- Subsidized Food Programs: Need to enhance access to subsidised food items to ensure that households can meet their caloric and nutritional needs.
- Monitoring and evaluation: Govt. should establish robust mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of nutritional interventions and adjust strategies as necessary.
Conclusion: The NSSO HCES 2022-23 report reveals significant nutritional deficiencies among the poorest. To align with SDG goals, expanding targeted nutritional schemes, subsidized food programs, and robust monitoring is essential.
Mains PYQ:
Q How far do you agree with the view that the focus on the lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (2013)
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Waqf Amendment Bill 2024; Waqf Act of 1995;
Mains level: Waqf Amendment Bill 2024; Waqf Act of 1995;
Why in the News?
The government has introduced the Waqf Act Amendment Bill 2024, in order to improve administration and management of the Waqf properties.
Aim: To address existing issues in the management and administration of Waqf properties, ensuring better transparency and efficiency.
- It also seeks to improve the legal framework governing Waqf boards and their operations across India.
Background:
- The Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024 proposes changes to the Waqf Act of 1995.
- The Waqf Board Act, initially enacted in 1995, is a legal framework governing the administration of Waqf properties in India.
- Waqf refers to the endowment of property for religious or charitable purposes, and the act outlines the structure, functions, and powers of Waqf boards responsible for managing these properties.
- The Central Waqf Council is a statutory body that advises and oversees the functioning of state-level Waqf Boards in India, established under the Waqf Act.
- Wakf board’s income is exempt from Income Tax but revenue generated from leasing of properties can be taxed under the service tax and GST laws.
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Features of the Proposed Bill:
- Waqf Board will mandatorily have two Non-Muslim members.
- District magistrates may be involved in overseeing waqf properties to ensure proper management. The survey is to be carried out by the district collector, not by Waqf.
- Properties are to be registered through a Centralized Portal for better scrutiny. Properties already claimed by boards will undergo new verification processes to resolve disputes and prevent misuse.
- Waqf will lose the right to decide whether any property is a Waqf Asset or not.
Present Composition of Waqf Board
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| Chairperson |
Leads the Board |
| State government nominees |
Representatives appointed by the state. (The Waqf Board operates under the supervision of the state government as per the provision of the Wakf Act 1995). |
| Legislators and parliamentarians |
State representatives from the Muslim community |
| State Bar Council members |
Muslim Legal experts providing guidance |
| Mutawalis |
Managers of waqf with an annual income of Rs 1 lakh and above |
| Islamic scholars |
Religious experts contributing to decision-making |
Significance of the Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024:
The bill seeks to bring about significant administrative reforms and ensure more inclusive and efficient management of Waqf assets. Here are some of the significances of the Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024:
- Enhanced Transparency: The bill includes provisions to digitize records and create a centralized database. This will make it easier to track and manage Waqf properties, reducing the potential for fraud and mismanagement.
- Improved Governance: Administrative reforms proposed in the bill by the government will lead to more professional and efficient management of Waqf properties. This could result in better utilization of these resources for charitable and religious purposes.
- Protection of Waqf Properties: The bill aims to protect Waqf properties by regulating leasing and preventing encroachments. Unauthorized use and exploitation of these properties will be prevented, ensuring they are used for their intended religious and charitable purposes.
- Inclusion and Representation: Including Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf Boards is a step toward more inclusive governance, ensuring diverse perspectives in decision-making.
- Efficient Dispute Resolution: The new dispute resolution mechanism will help in resolving conflicts related to Waqf properties more effectively, reducing the burden on regular courts and ensuring quicker justice.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ethanol production in India,
Mains level: Challenges to ethanol production,
Why in the News?
The Finance Ministry has reversed the proposed post-Budget customs duty hike on imported laboratory chemicals following an outcry from scientists.
What are the different kinds of chemicals which are imported into the country?
- Inorganic Chemicals: This category includes substances like ammonia, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid, which are essential for various industrial applications.
- Organic Chemicals: Key imports in this category are methanol, acetic acid, and phenol, which are used in the production of plastics, solvents, and pharmaceuticals.
- Petrochemicals: Significant imports include polyethene, polypropylene, and styrene, which are crucial for manufacturing plastics and synthetic materials.
- Speciality Chemicals: Chemicals such as ethyl vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride are imported for specific applications in industries like adhesives and coatings.
- Agrochemicals: This includes various pesticides and herbicides, which are vital for agricultural productivity and crop protection.
How important are these chemicals for scientific research?
- Foundation for Experimental Work: Laboratory chemicals are essential for conducting experiments in various scientific fields, enabling researchers to test hypotheses and validate results.
- Facilitate Innovation: These chemicals allow for the development of new products and technologies, driving advancements in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and materials science.
- Support Medical Diagnostics: Laboratory chemicals play a crucial role in medical testing and diagnostics, aiding in disease detection and treatment monitoring, which is vital for public health.
What was the issue?
- Steep Duty Increase: The hike in customs duty on laboratory chemicals alarmed the scientific community, with prices of essential chemicals projected to rise dramatically, such as a batch that typically costs ₹1,00,000 now estimated at ₹2,50,000.
- Impact on Research: Researchers expressed concerns that the increased costs would hinder scientific research and experimentation, as many essential chemicals are imported and the hike could disrupt ongoing projects.
Is Ethanol also imported into the country?
- Import Volume: India imported approximately 635 million liters of ethanol in 2022, primarily for use as fuel and in industrial applications.
- Types of Ethanol: There are two main types of ethanol relevant to India:
- Denatured Ethanol: This type is mixed with additives to make it unfit for consumption and is primarily used in laboratories and industrial applications. India has reduced the import tariff on denatured ethanol to encourage its use in manufacturing.
- Undenatured Ethanol: This type incurs a higher import tariff of 150% and is generally used for beverage production.
- Domestic Production Challenges: Although India has a significant capacity for ethanol production, it often faces challenges such as insufficient molasses supply. The government has set ambitious goals for ethanol blending in gasoline, aiming for a 20% blend by 2025.
How was the issue resolved?
- The Finance Ministry clarified that all imported laboratory chemicals, except undenatured ethyl alcohol, will be taxed at the original 10% customs duty rate instead of the proposed 150% hike.
- The customs department had initially hiked the duty to 150% to curb the import of undenatured ethyl alcohol that was being mis-declared as laboratory chemicals to avoid the higher 150% duty on undenatured ethanol.
Way forward:
- Strengthen Local Production of Niche Chemicals: Need to invest in domestic manufacturing capabilities for niche and specialty chemicals to reduce dependency on imports, enhance self-sufficiency, and lower costs for research institutions.
- Facilitate Smooth Import Processes: Govt. should streamline import regulations for essential laboratory chemicals, ensuring clear guidelines and minimal delays, while maintaining necessary checks to prevent misclassification and misuse.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Clean energy
Mains level: Govt. initiative related to clean energy
Why in the News?
In her seventh consecutive Budget address, the Finance Minister unveiled initiatives demonstrating India’s dedication to advancing its clean energy transition.
Recent Observations
- In a seventh consecutive Budget speech, the Finance Minister announced measures indicating India’s commitment to its clean energy transition, including developing policies on pumped hydro storage, energy transition pathways to support nuclear energy, and energy efficiency.
- The memories of this summer’s record-breaking heatwaves, which drove up power demand, reflect both a growing economy and a warming climate.
- India has achieved 3 key milestones in the last decade:
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- Near-universal electrification through the Saubhagya scheme;
- Five-fold increase in installed renewable energy capacity making India the fourth-largest country globally, and
- 40% drop in aggregate losses of power distribution companies.
- India’s annual electricity demand has been growing by 7-9% every year since the COVID-19 pandemic, with peak demand rising even faster. Climate change-induced weather extremes further exacerbate these challenges.
- In 2023 alone, China added 300 GW of solar and wind capacity, while the European Union added 73 GW. As of March, India’s cumulative renewable capacity stood at 144 GW, with another 128 GW in the pipeline
Investing in a cleaner, flexible, and resilient power grid will help our economy grow sustainably and create jobs in the clean energy sectors
- Infrastructure Development: The government has allocated significant resources for infrastructure development, recognizing that a robust energy grid is crucial for economic growth.
- Renewable Energy Capacity Goals: India aims to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. This goal is part of a broader strategy to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix, which currently stands at only 13%.
- Job Creation: Investments in clean energy infrastructure are expected to create numerous jobs.
- Diverse Clean Energy Resources: The Budget encourages the faster deployment of various clean energy resources, including solar and wind, to meet rising energy demands.
- Energy Storage Solutions: The emphasis on developing pumped energy storage systems and battery storage solutions is crucial for addressing the intermittency of renewable energy sources, enhancing grid flexibility and reliability.
- Taxonomy for Climate Finance: The introduction of a taxonomy to identify green activities aims to attract climate finance, facilitating investments in clean energy projects and supporting the transition to a sustainable energy economy.
Way forward:
- Accelerate Renewable Energy Deployment: Need to expedite the deployment of solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects to meet the 500 GW target by 2030.
- Enhance Energy Storage and Grid Resilience: Need to develop robust energy storage solutions, such as pumped hydro and battery storage, to address renewable energy intermittency.
Mains PYQ:
Q Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (2022)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Gender-based laws
Mains level: Weak implementation of gender-based law
Why in the News?
India’s election had 642 million voters, mostly women, but few candidates focused on women’s safety, failing to address the pervasive institutional violence that millions of survivors endure daily.
Gender-based Violence: Prolonged and Institutional
- Judicial and Police Challenges: A significant barrier to justice is the perception among police officers that complaints of gender-based violence are often baseless as per the report published in 2019 by J-PAL, a global policy think tank.
- Survivors frequently encounter a judicial process that is lengthy and traumatizing, which perpetuates a cycle of violence and silence.
- Silence Among Survivors: Many women endure violence in silence due to societal stigma and fear of further victimization.
- National Crime Records Bureau reported 405,861 cases of crimes against women in 2021, including 32,033 cases of rape. However, these figures are believed to represent only a fraction of the actual incidents due to underreporting driven by societal stigma and fear of retaliation
Problems in Rural India
- Caste and Gender Dynamics: In rural areas, the dominance of male and upper-caste individuals in local governance (panchayats) creates additional barriers for women seeking justice.
- The socio-cultural norms often discourage women from reporting violence, as divorce and legal recourse are rarely options available to them.
- Access to Justice: The backlog of court cases (estimated at 40 million) disproportionately affects survivors from marginalized communities, making it even more difficult for them to seek redress.
Strong laws:
- The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961: Made giving and receiving dowry a crime
- The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013: Introduced new offences like stalking, voyeurism, and acid attacks
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005: Defines domestic violence and provides legal recourse for survivors.
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Issue of Weak Implementation of Law:
- Ineffective Enforcement: Despite having strong laws, the enforcement is often inadequate. For example, there are approximately 40 million pending court cases in India, leading to significant delays in justice.
- Corruption and Indifference: Corruption within law enforcement and the judiciary hampers the implementation of laws. Police officials may exhibit insensitivity towards marginalized communities, leading to a lack of trust in the system.
- Administrative Fragmentation: The structure of local governance, particularly through panchayats, is often disempowered and fragmented. This limits their capacity to address local issues effectively, as they lack the necessary funds and authority to implement programs that meet community needs.
- Lack of Coordination: Multiple departmental organizations operate separately, leading to a lack of coordinated action.
- For instance, local officials may be unable to address pressing community issues due to rigid departmental mandates that do not align with the actual needs of the population.
- Inadequate Resources and Training: Many implementing organizations suffer from inadequate staffing and lack of expertise.
- For example, while there may be a sufficient number of government personnel, they often lack the necessary training and resources to execute their duties effectively.
- Cultural and Societal Barriers: Societal attitudes and stigma surrounding issues like gender-based violence can lead to underreporting and a reluctance to seek help.
Way forward:
- Enhance Law Enforcement Training: Need to implement comprehensive training programs for police and judicial personnel focused on gender sensitivity, trauma-informed responses, and the legal rights of survivors.
- Empower Local Communities: Engage community leaders and organizations to create support networks for survivors of gender-based violence. This can include establishing helplines, counseling services, and safe spaces for women to seek help without fear of stigma or retaliation.
Mains PYQ:
Q Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context? (2016)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: How much of India consumes liquor?
Mains level: Impact of liquor consumption over society
Why in the News?
Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala are considering or have considered allowing doorstep delivery of alcohol through platforms such as Swiggy, BigBasket, and Zomato.
Arguments in favour of Online Delivery of Alcohol:
- Revenue Generation: Excise taxes on alcohol sales can help generate significant revenue for Central and State governments.
- Reduce Drunk-Driving Incidents: Doorstep delivery can potentially reduce drunk-driving incidents and prevent road traffic crashes and injuries.
- Access and Safety for Women: Doorstep delivery may reduce on-premise violence against women and allow women to access alcohol without facing social stigma.
Arguments against Online Delivery of Alcohol:
- Economic Costs vs. Benefits: The costs due to alcohol use often exceed the economic benefits from alcohol sales.
- Increased Consumption and Binge Drinking: The availability of alcohol on-demand can increase consumption, promote binge drinking, and lead to alcohol-related harms.
- Public Health Concerns: Alcohol is associated with various health risks including cancers, mental illnesses, liver disease, and increased risk of inter-partner violence.
Consumption of Liquor in India:
- India is the sixth-largest alcohol market worldwide with $52 billion in revenue.
- Per capita alcohol consumption has increased from 1.6 litres in 2003-2005 to 5.5 litres in 2016-2018.
- According to a 2019 survey, there were about 16 crore alcohol users in India in 2018.
- Of these, 5.7 crore frequently consumed alcohol leading to social or interpersonal problems, and 2.9 crore were dependent users requiring therapeutic intervention.
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Can such a system make it safer for women to access alcohol?
- Doorstep delivery may help women access alcohol without dealing with social stigma.
- There is some evidence that it could reduce on-premise violence against women, as seen in Kerala. However, domestic violence related to alcohol use is rampant, and the overall safety of women cannot be presumed.
How should governments regulate liquor consumption? (Way forward)
- Restrict Availability and Marketing: Implement policies to limit the availability and marketing of alcohol.
- Higher Taxes: Increase taxes on alcohol to deter consumption and generate revenue.
- Enforce Drunk-Driving Laws: Strengthen the enforcement of drunk-driving laws with stringent penalties.
- Invest in Treatment Programs: Allocate funds for psychosocial treatments of alcohol-use disorders and mental health initiatives.
- Monitor and Evaluate Impact: Governments should work with health departments to monitor and evaluate the impact of doorstep delivery on alcohol consumption and revise policies if necessary.
- Uniform Policy Standards: Develop more uniform policy standards and ensure better implementation grounded in public health priorities over revenue generation.
Mains question for practice:
Q Analyze the trends in alcohol consumption in India over the past two decades. How has this trend impacted public health and social dynamics? 10M
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: About Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR)
Mains level: Key Features of the BRSR Framework
Why in the News?
- In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced an updated framework for corporate sustainability reporting.
- The revised Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) framework mandates that companies assess and disclose the environmental impact of their entire value chain.
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR)
- In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) framework, mandating that the top 1,000 listed companies in India disclose their performance on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) parameters.
- This initiative aimed to enhance transparency and encourage responsible business practices, building on the earlier Business Responsibility Report (BRR) introduced in 2012.
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Key Features of the BRSR Framework
- Expanded Reporting Requirements: The BRSR Core builds upon the initial Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) introduced in 2021, which mandated the top 1,000 listed companies in India to disclose their ESG performance.
- Mandatory Assurance: Starting from FY 2023-24, the BRSR Core mandates that the top 150 companies obtain reasonable assurance on their ESG disclosures. This requirement aims to improve the credibility of the reported data and combat greenwashing, ensuring that companies provide reliable information about their sustainability practices.
- Nine ESG Attributes: The framework is structured around nine critical ESG attributes, which include greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, energy consumption, and employee well-being.
- Comply or Explain Principle: SEBI has adopted a “comply or explain” approach, allowing companies to either adhere to the specified reporting requirements or provide valid reasons for non-compliance.
- Alignment with International Standards: The BRSR Core is aligned with several internationally recognized frameworks, such as the EU Taxonomy and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.
- Focus on Value Chain: A significant aspect of the BRSR Core is its emphasis on assessing the ESG impacts of a company’s supply chain.
For India, every economic sector must contribute to greener means of production
For India to achieve its sustainability goals and contribute effectively to greener means of production, every economic sector must play a vital role.
Importance of Sectoral Contribution to Sustainability
- Diverse Economic Sectors: The key sectors such as agriculture, construction, power, manufacturing, transport, and tourism are crucial for transitioning to a green economy. For example, electric transport and eco-tourism.
- Government Initiatives: The Indian government is actively promoting green growth through investments in priority sectors, which include manufacturing, renewable energy, and electric mobility. For example, An allocation of ₹19,700 crore for the production of green hydrogen.
- Green Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector is a significant focus for greening efforts, with studies indicating that sustainable manufacturing practices can lead to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the (Zero Defect Zero Effect) ZED initiative aims to create a competitive, qualitative, and clean manufacturing ecosystem.
- Renewable Energy Commitment: India has set ambitious targets for increasing its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030.
- Collaboration and Policy Frameworks: Initiatives like the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) and various policy dialogues aim to facilitate collaboration among sectors to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Way forward:
- Enhanced Accountability: Ensure stricter enforcement of the BRSR and BRSR Core frameworks, expanding the scope to cover more companies and sectors beyond the top 1,000 listed companies.
- Capacity Building: Provide training and resources to companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to improve their ESG reporting capabilities and integrate sustainability into their core operations.
Mains question for practice:
Q Discuss the significance of the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) framework introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in promoting sustainable business practices among Indian corporations. 15M
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Why did the Supreme Court Overrule a Five-Judge Decision of 2004 related to the subcategorisation of SC?
Why in the News?
A seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court has ruled that States can subdivide Scheduled Castes (SC) into groups to allocate sub-quotas within the Dalit reservation.
Will the Weaker Among Dalits Get Representation from Further Sub-Classification?
- The Supreme Court’s ruling allows states to create sub-classifications within the SC category, which is expected to enable states to earmark sub-quotas for the most marginalized sections of Dalits.
- This decision aims to ensure better representation for weaker groups within the SC community who have historically been underrepresented and have not benefitted adequately from existing reservations.
- The ruling emphasizes that treating SC communities as a homogeneous group undermines the objective of reservations, as there are significant differences in advancement and discrimination among various SC communities.
Why Did the Supreme Court Overrule a Five-Judge Decision of 2004?
- The 2004 judgment in E.V. Chinnaiah vs. State of Andhra Pradesh held that SCs constitute a single homogeneous class and that any sub-classification was unconstitutional, as it violated Article 341, which empowers the President to notify the list of SCs.
- The recent seven-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, found this ruling to be incorrect, stating that SC communities are not homogeneous and that there are inter se differences among them.
- The majority opinion argued that the act of notifying a list of SCs does not create a uniform class, and sub-classification is permissible based on “intelligible differentia” and should have a rational nexus to the purpose of doing it.
What are the views on Creamy layer exclusion?
- The concept of the creamy layer, which excludes more advanced members of a community from benefiting from affirmative action, is currently applicable only to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and has not been extended to Dalit communities.
- Justice B.R. Gavai, in a separate opinion, emphasized the need to identify and exclude the more advanced among SCs from affirmative action benefits, arguing that treating all members equally disregards the principle of equality.
- The opinions regarding creamy layer exclusion do not constitute a directive for the government to implement this concept for SCs, as the issue was not directly addressed in the current case.
Do the Judges’ Opinions on this Constitute a Direction to the Government?
- The judges’ opinions on sub-classification and creamy layer exclusion provide a legal framework for states to follow but do not serve as a direct mandate for the government to implement changes.
- The ruling establishes that states have the authority to sub-classify SCs for the purpose of extending reservation benefits, but the specific implementation details and parameters for creamy layer exclusion remain open for further consideration and do not compel immediate action from the government.
Way forward:
- Implementation Framework for Sub-Classification: The government should establish a comprehensive framework that outlines the criteria and process for sub-classification of SCs.
- Addressing Creamy Layer Exclusion: The government should consider developing specific criteria for identifying the “creamy layer” within SCs, similar to the criteria used for OBCs.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: About the Dotson Ice Shelf (DIS) in the Amundsen Sea
Mains level: Reasons behind ocean warming
Why in the News?
New research has documented previously unseen shapes at the base of a West Antarctic ice shelf.
Base of a West Antarctic Ice Shelf
- Basal Melt Dynamics: The base of West Antarctic ice shelves, including the Dotson Ice Shelf, experiences basal melt driven by warm ocean water. This process leads to thinning and hollows out cavities beneath the ice, reducing structural support for the grounded ice above.
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Research: Recent research utilized an AUV equipped with multibeam sonar to explore the topography of the basal melt cavity beneath the Dotson Ice Shelf, revealing previously unquantified melt mechanisms and unique formations at the ice shelf’s base.
- Warm salty water, which is transported through ocean currents, significantly contributes to the melting of ice shelves. This bottom-up melting is critical to understanding the dynamics of ice loss and its implications for global sea level rise.
- The AUV discovered tear-shaped indents and other unique shapes at the base of the ice shelf, indicating diverse melting patterns influenced by the flow of warm water.
About the Dotson Ice Shelf (DIS) in Amundsen Sea
- Dotson Ice Shelf is part of the West Antarctic ice sheet and is located next to Thwaites Glacier in the Amundsen Sea.
- Thwaites Glacier is considered to have a potentially large impact on future sea level rise due to its size and location.
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Reasons behind ocean warming
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities such as burning fossil fuels have significantly increased greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat, leading to global warming.
- Heat Absorption: The oceans have absorbed more than 93% of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions since the 1970s. This resulted in an average increase in ocean temperature of about 1°F (0.6°C) over the past century.
- Impact of El Niño: The El Niño weather pattern, characterized by the abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, contributes to both ocean warming and rising global surface temperatures.
International Efforts and Agreements
- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed by 166 countries in 1992, acknowledging humanity’s role in climate change.
- The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, sets the international community the goal of limiting global warming to “well below” 2°C in this century.
- The Green Climate Fund, established in 2010, aims to help developing countries adopt initiatives to combat climate change and deforestation
Way forward:
- Enhanced Global Commitments: Nations need to reinforce their commitments under international agreements like the Paris Agreement. This includes setting more ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adhering to these goals through stringent policies and regulations.
- Funding and Technology Transfer: Developed countries should increase financial contributions to climate funds such as the Green Climate Fund to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries.
Mains Question for practice:
Q Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent. (2014)
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Concerns about the sidelining of basic research and stagnation in research funding
Why in the News?
Modi’s government launched advanced tech missions and boosted private space participation, achieving a moon landing, amid concerns over basic research neglect and stagnant research funding.
Priority areas – productivity and resilience in agriculture, energy security, and manufacturing and services:
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Productivity and Resilience in Agriculture
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- The Union Budget emphasizes transforming agricultural research to enhance productivity and climate resilience.
- Initiatives such as “speed breeding platforms” have been established to accelerate the development of climate-resilient crop varieties, allowing multiple generations of crops to be grown in a single year.
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- The budget prioritizes energy security with a focus on research and development of small and modular nuclear reactors and advanced thermal power plants.
- The proposed “Critical Minerals Mission” is expected to enhance research in critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies.
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Manufacturing and Services
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- The budget highlights the importance of enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities and attracting foreign investment through initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.
- Plans for “plug and play” industrial parks in 100 cities are expected to facilitate the uptake of indigenous technologies and boost manufacturing output.
- The focus on commercializing technologies with private sector involvement aims to strengthen the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the economy.
Concerns about the sidelining of basic research and stagnation in research funding
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Sidelining of Basic Research
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- Focus on Advanced Technology: The previous two terms of the Indian government emphasized advanced technology missions (e.g., supercomputing, quantum technologies), which raised concerns that basic research was being neglected.
- Limited Funding for Basic Research: The establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Fund (ANRF) aims to prioritize basic research, but there are concerns that the emphasis on “prototype development” alongside basic research may indicate a shift towards translational research, potentially sidelining pure scientific inquiry.
- Disparity in Funding Distribution: Currently, about 65% of research funding is allocated to premier institutions like IITs, while state-run universities receive only about 11% of the funds provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This disparity hampers the growth of basic research across a broader range of institutions.
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Stagnation in Research Funding
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- Actual Expenditure vs. Allocation: Concerns were raised that the actual expenditure on science and technology and higher education in 2023-2024 was much less than the initial allocation for that year.
- Demand for Increased Funding: The scientific community has long demanded higher government funding for basic research, as the private sector has shown limited interest in investing in this area.
- Impact of Inflation: The nominal increases in budget allocations for research may not be sufficient to counteract inflation, leading to a real decrease in available funding for research activities.
Way forward:
- Increase Research Funding: Need to boost the overall research funding as a percentage of GDP to ensure adequate resources for both basic and applied research. This includes adjusting allocations to counteract the effects of inflation.
- Equitable Distribution: The government should ensure a more balanced distribution of funds across premier institutions and state-run universities to foster a broader base of scientific inquiry and innovation.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: About Employment Linked Incentives (ELI)
Why in the news?
The introduction of the new ELI scheme for corporates by the Narendra Modi government acknowledges the disconnect between GDP growth and job creation.
About Employment Linked Incentives (ELI)
- The ELI scheme aims to encourage companies to hire more employees by providing financial incentives for each new hire.
- Target Sectors: The scheme is expected to focus on labour-intensive sectors such as toys, textiles, apparel, furniture, tourism, and logistics, which have significant potential for job creation.
- Incentives Offered: Financial incentives may include tax relief and wage subsidies for new jobs created, along with non-financial incentives like reduced regulatory burdens and support for skill development programs.
Government’s Failure of Initiatives
- Previous Economic Strategies: Over the past decade, the Indian government relied on traditional economic models, such as the trickle-down approach and production-linked incentives (PLI), which did not yield the expected job growth.
- Initiatives like “Make in India” and corporate tax cuts aimed to stimulate investment but failed to translate into significant employment opportunities.
- Jobless Growth: Despite policies designed to boost production, employment growth has been stagnant, with a study indicating a negligible employment growth rate of just 0.01%.
Issue of Job and Ideas Deficit
- Jobs Deficit: The lack of job creation has prompted proposals like reserving jobs for locals, reflecting political pressures in a democracy where job scarcity is prevalent.
- Ideas Deficit: Economists often suggest reforms in labour, education, and business practices as solutions to job creation, but these are complex and difficult to implement.
- Unemployment Trends: The unemployment rate has shown fluctuations, with a reported decline from 6.0% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2022-23.
What can be done?
- Policy Shift: The ELI scheme represents a significant policy shift towards prioritizing job creation over mere economic output. By encouraging firms to hire rather than invest solely in automation, it aims to address the capital-labour imbalance in the economy.
- Support for MSMEs: Special focus on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is crucial, as they employ a substantial portion of the workforce.
- Alignment of Goals: Need to Collaborate among various ministries, particularly finance, skill development, and labour, is essential to ensure that skill development aligns with industry needs, enhancing employability and job creation
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lightning strikes in India
Mains level: NDMA Guidelines for Lightning
Why in the news?
In July, the Odisha government approved a proposal to plant 1.9 million palm trees to mitigate deaths caused by lightning strikes, which were declared a state-specific disaster in 2015.
How many people have lost their lives to lightning in Odisha?
- Over the last 11 years, a total of 3,790 people have lost their lives due to lightning strikes in Odisha.
- In the previous three fiscal years, 791 fatalities were reported, indicating an increasing frequency of lightning strikes.
- On September 2, 2023, Odisha recorded 61,000 lightning strikes in a two-hour period, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people.
Why are Lightning strikes of particular concern in Odisha?
- Odisha is located in a tropical zone and experiences a hot, dry climate that creates ideal conditions for lightning strikes.
- The state has the highest number of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in eastern and central India. The Annual Lightning Report 2023-2024 indicates a significant concentration of lightning activity in this region.
- Research indicates that climate change exacerbates lightning activity, with a 10% increase in lightning occurrences for every degree Celsius of warming. This is particularly relevant in Odisha, where climatic factors contribute to frequent lightning events.
- With 96% of lightning strikes occurring in rural areas, the most affected populations include farmers and daily wage earners who work outdoors, making them particularly vulnerable during peak agricultural seasons.
How can Odisha defend Itself against lightning strikes?
- Planting Palm Trees: The Odisha government has approved a proposal to plant 19 lakh palm trees as a natural defense against lightning strikes. Palm trees are considered effective conductors of lightning due to their height and moisture content, which can absorb lightning and mitigate its impact on the ground.
- Financial Commitment: The state has allocated Rs 7 crore for the palm tree plantation initiative and has banned the felling of existing palm trees to enhance this strategy.
- Public Awareness and Early Warning Systems: While the state has implemented early warning systems to forecast lightning strikes, experts emphasize the need for widespread public education on safety measures during lightning events.
- Concerns: Experts have raised concerns about the effectiveness of palm trees as a long-term solution, noting that it takes 15 to 20 years for them to reach a height where they can effectively mitigate lightning strikes.
NDMA Guidelines for Lightning
- Preparation and Awareness: The Local government should educate the communities about lightning safety and the risks associated with thunderstorms.
- Seek Shelter: During a thunderstorm, individuals should seek shelter in a fully enclosed building or a hard-topped metal vehicle. Open vehicles and structures such as metal sheds or under-construction buildings are unsafe.
- Avoid Trees: Taking shelter under trees is discouraged, as they can attract lightning. If in a wooded area, find the shortest trees for shelter.
- Crouching Position: If no shelter is available, crouch down with heels touching and head between the knees to minimize height and reduce risk.
- 30-30 Rule: After seeing lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before reaching 30, go indoors. This rule helps assess the distance of the storm.
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Way forward:
- Installation of Lightning Rods and Conductors: The government should invest in the widespread installation of lightning rods and conductors in rural and vulnerable areas. These devices can provide immediate protection to critical infrastructure, homes, and open fields where farmers and workers are most at risk.
- Advanced Early Warning Systems: Need to enhance the existing early warning systems with more accurate, real-time data and ensure these warnings are disseminated quickly through multiple channels, including mobile alerts, community announcements, and local radio.
Main PYQ:
Q Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. (2022)
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: The idea of Constitutional Democracy
Why in the news?
The government’s recent decision to lift the ban on government employees participating in RSS activities threatens to undermine the remnants of a free and fair bureaucracy.
Whether or not civil servants are banned from joining RSS
- Lifting the Ban: The Central government has lifted a 58-year ban on government servants joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This ban was originally imposed in 1966 due to concerns about the organization’s political activities.
- Government Justification: The government stated that the activities of the RSS are no longer deemed incompatible with civil service conduct rules, suggesting that the organization has been wrongly categorized as a banned entity.
- Judicial Commentary: The Madhya Pradesh High Court remarked that it took nearly five decades for the government to recognize its mistake in banning civil servants from joining the RSS, indicating a shift in perception regarding the organization.
- Political Reactions: The decision has sparked controversy, with opposition parties criticizing it as a threat to India’s secular fabric and accusing the government of politicizing the civil service. Critics argue that the RSS’s ideology conflicts with the principles of a secular state.
- Support from RSS: The RSS welcomed the decision, asserting that it strengthens India’s democratic system and has historically contributed to national unity and social service.
The idea of Constitutional Democracy
- Constitutional democracy is a system of government that combines the principles of democracy with a constitution that limits the powers of the state and protects the rights of citizens.
- The people are the ultimate source of power, and the government derives its authority from their consent. The constitution places restrictions on the government’s actions and establishes the structure of the government.
- There is a separation of powers between the legislature, executive, and judiciary, with each acting as a check on the others. The rule of law applies equally to all citizens and the government itself.
- Minority rights are protected, and the will of the majority is balanced against the rights of individuals and minority groups. Constitutional democracy guarantees some rights to everyone, irrespective of their status as a minority or majority.
- The origins of constitutional democracy can be traced back to Enlightenment ideas of natural rights, social contract theory, and the separation of powers. The United States Constitution, adopted in 1787, was a pioneering example of a written constitution establishing a federal system of government with a separation of powers
RSS Ideology vs Constitutional Democracy
- Conflict of Ideologies: The lifting of the ban raises questions about the relationship between the RSS’s ideology and the constitutional framework of India. The RSS promotes a vision of a Hindu nation, which may conflict with the secular and pluralistic ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
- Constitutional Morality: The Constitution aims to create a society that respects diverse religions and cultures, contrasting with the RSS’s focus on a singular religious identity. This juxtaposition presents challenges to the commitment of civil servants to uphold constitutional values.
- Historical background of the Constitution: The Constitution was designed to restructure Indian society post-independence, ensuring inclusivity and rejecting the idea of a state aligned with a single religious community. The RSS’s ideology, which criticizes the post-1947 restructuring, poses a fundamental challenge to this vision.
- Democratic Challenges: The existence of non-democratic and exclusionary ideas within a democratic framework complicates governance. The rise of Hindutva politics, which emphasizes majoritarianism and exclusion, threatens the principles of constitutional democracy.
- Need for Reinforcement: To counter the influence of ideologies that contradict constitutional morality, there is a pressing need to reinvigorate the commitment to constitutional democracy among civil servants and the broader public.
Conclusion: To uphold constitutional democracy, it is crucial to reinforce the commitment to secularism, inclusivity, and the rule of law among civil servants and the broader public amidst ideological challenges.
Mains PYQ:
Q To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (2017)
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