Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: GM Insects
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- In April 2023, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) issued the ‘Guidelines for Genetically Engineered (GE) Insects’.
- The guidelines note that GE insects are becoming globally available and are intended to help Indian researchers navigate regulatory requirements.
- However, the guidelines don’t specify the purposes for which GE insects may be approved in India or how the DBT, as a promoter of biotechnology, envisions their use.
Genetically Modified Insects (GE Insects)
- A genetically modified insect is any insect whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
- GE insects offer multiple benefits, such as reducing disease burden, ensuring food security, and conserving the environment.
- India’s bioeconomy contribution is expected to reach 5% of GDP by 2030, and GE insects play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
- GE insects find applications in vector management, crop pest control, healthcare product production, and genetic improvement of beneficial insects.
Guidelines for GM Insects
- Nodal Agency: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is the nodal agency and promoter of biotechnology in India.
- Purpose: The Guidelines provide procedural roadmaps for those interested in creating GE insects.
- Harmonization: The guidelines have been harmonized with guidance from the World Health Organization on GE mosquitoes, emphasizing their potential applications in disease control.
Why discuss this?
- India’s bioeconomy, currently contributing 2.6% to the GDP, aspires to reach 5% by 2030, requiring substantial investment and supportive policies.
- However, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) faces challenges in both funding and policy alignment with these goals.
Challenges in Biotechnology Funding
- Stagnating Funding: Biotechnology funding in India has stagnated, with no return to pre-pandemic levels. The current allocation stands at a mere 0.0001% of India’s GDP, insufficient to drive meaningful growth.
- Impact on Pandemic Preparedness: Inadequate funding hampers pandemic preparedness efforts, undermining national interests and health security.
- Lack of Private Investment: Attracting private investment for biotechnology research and development is challenging and necessitates enhanced funding efforts.
Policies for a Thriving Bioeconomy
Guidelines for Genetically Engineered (GE) Insects: In April 2023, the DBT released guidelines for GE insects, offering procedural guidance but revealing three key issues.
(1) Uncertainty of Purpose
- The guidelines lack clarity regarding the purposes for which GE insects may be approved in India, hindering alignment with the broader bioeconomy commitment.
- Emphasis is placed on improving disease management, food security, and environmental conservation, but the economic potential of GE insects is underemphasized.
(2) Uncertainty for Researchers
- The guidelines only apply to research and not confined trials or deployment, limiting researchers’ options.
- Deployment of GE insects requires community engagement and monitoring due to potential environmental impacts, but criteria for approval remain unclear.
- The absence of clarity on government support for specific insect applications discourages research investment.
(3) Uncertainty of Ambit
- Ambiguity surrounds the definition of ‘beneficial’ GE insects, creating uncertainty among funders and scientists.
- Lack of precise guidelines inhibits progress, particularly in a country with limited public and private funding.
- Inadequate consideration of potential misuse or unintended consequences adds to the uncertainty.
Way forward
- To achieve the ambitious bioeconomy goals set out in the Bioeconomy 2022 report, India must address challenges in biotechnology funding and policy alignment.
- Increased funding, private sector engagement, and clear, supportive policies are essential.
- The guidelines for GE insects should reflect economic opportunities and research priorities, fostering a thriving bioeconomy that benefits India’s society, economy, and environment.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Airshed
Mains level: Transboundary nature of Delhi Air Pollution Menace
Central Idea
- The annual recurrence of ‘severe’ air quality levels in the Delhi-National Capital region and surrounding areas during winter often leads to the misconception that air pollution is a seasonal issue primarily driven by farm residue burning.
- However, this perception falls short of the complex, year-round, multi-source, and multi-pollutant nature of the problem.
This article highlights the need to adopt a comprehensive, science-backed approach to address air pollution effectively.
Year-round, Multi-source Pollution
- Misconception: Labelling air pollution as a ‘winter’ problem caused solely by farm residue burning oversimplifies the issue.
- Complex Reality: Air pollution is a continuous problem arising from various sources, not confined to a particular season.
- Ineffectiveness of City-Centric Strategies: Current initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) focus on cities, ignoring the transboundary nature of pollution.
Transboundary Air Pollution
- Understanding Dispersion: Pollution emitted in one region can significantly impact air quality in another due to transboundary dispersion.
- Inter-state Implications: Weather, topography, and climatic conditions influence transboundary dispersion, creating challenges for downwind regions.
- Limited Jurisdictional Power: Downwind regions often lack the authority to regulate upwind pollution sources, rendering mitigation strategies ineffective.
Need for Airshed Air Pollution Management
- Defining Airsheds: An airshed is a geographic area governed by common meteorology, topography, and climate, impacting air mass dispersion.
- Global Precedents: Countries like the United States, China, and the European Union have implemented effective regional airshed-level frameworks.
Policy Levers in India
- Existing Legal Framework: The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) Act, 2021 recognizes the transboundary nature of air pollution.
- Expanding Scope: The Air Act, 1981, can be expanded to cover multiple jurisdictions and pollution sources under a single air quality management framework.
- Global Experiences: Drawing lessons from frameworks like the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) in the US and the Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) in Europe can inform India’s approach.
Implementation Challenges
- Accountability: Holding upwind polluting regions accountable for transboundary pollution remains a challenge, necessitating legal mechanisms and cooperation.
- Conflict Resolution: Implementing a formal procedure for resolving conflicts arising from the interpretation or application of airshed-level frameworks is crucial.
- Political Will: Ensuring consistent implementation of air quality management measures despite bureaucratic cycles and political considerations is a persistent challenge.
- Cross-Boundary Cooperation: Encouraging cooperation between jurisdictions and regions to collectively address air pollution requires coordinated efforts.
- Data Integration: Integrating data from diverse sources and ensuring uniformity in air quality monitoring can be challenging.
Way Forward
- Legal Framework Expansion: Expanding the scope of the Air Act, 1981, to encompass multiple jurisdictions and pollution sources under a single air quality management framework.
- Global Lessons: Drawing lessons from international frameworks like the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) to inform India’s approach.
- Accountability Measures: Legally binding upwind polluters to address transboundary pollution through mitigation plans.
- Scientific Independence: Separating scientific and technical activities from political negotiations to ensure data-driven decisions.
- Conflict Resolution Mechanism: Implementing a mechanism for resolving disputes arising from framework interpretation or application.
- Promoting Change: Integrating an airshed-level framework within existing legal structures or introducing a new framework to deliver cleaner air for citizens.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: India-Bhutan Relations and China Factor
Central Idea
- The recent three-day visit of Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk to Assam marked a significant milestone in India-Bhutan relations.
- Notably, it was the first-ever visit by a Bhutanese monarch to the state, signifying the close ties between the two neighbours and a fresh chapter of cooperation.
Bhutan and India: Historical Context
- Border Proximity: Despite sharing a 265.8 km border, this visit was the first of its kind, underscoring the uniqueness of the occasion.
- Challenging Times: The peaceful relationship between India and Bhutan faced complexities in the 1990s when insurgent groups from Assam established camps and operated in Bhutan’s southeast forests.
1990s: Indian Insurgent Presence in Bhutan
- Backdrop: Pressure on insurgent groups in Assam, due to Indian military crackdowns and changes in Bangladesh’s political landscape, compelled them to seek refuge elsewhere.
- Bhutanese Sanctuary: Insurgent groups, including ULFA, NDFB, and KLO, set up camps in Bhutan’s Samdrup Jongkhar district, near the Assam border.
Bhutan’s Initial Approach
- Reluctant Engagement: Bhutan initially ignored the presence of Indian insurgents on its territory and attempted dialogue with them.
- Diplomatic Pressure: The situation strained diplomatic relations with India, its significant neighbor, funder, and trade partner.
- Limited Military Capability: Bhutan’s small and inexperienced military hindered decisive action against the insurgents.
- Unfruitful Talks: Despite multiple rounds of dialogue with ULFA and NDFB, no tangible outcomes were achieved, with the KLO refusing to engage in talks.
Triggers for the Military Crackdown
- Direct Threat to Sovereignty: The presence of insurgents became a direct threat to Bhutan’s sovereignty and national security.
- Impact on Relations: Insurgent activities had negative implications for Bhutan-India relations, affecting development, economic activities, and bilateral trust.
- Humanitarian Consequences: Attacks on Bhutanese nationals, threats, extortion, and violence-affected innocent lives and disrupted travel and trade routes.
- Arms Supply to Ethnic Nepalese: Concerns emerged that insurgents might supply arms to ethnic Nepalese Lhotshampas, who were subjected to repression by the royal government, potentially sparking an ethnic insurgency in southern Bhutan.
Operation All Clear: The Result
- Coordinated Offensive: On December 15, 2003, the Royal Bhutan Army, supported by the Indian Army, launched ‘Operation All Clear,’ simultaneously targeting ULFA, NDFB, and KLO camps.
- Indian Support: India provided logistical and medical assistance and sealed the Indo-Bhutan border to prevent insurgent escape into India.
- Significant Outcome: The operation resulted in the killing or capture of at least 650 insurgents, including top leaders from the three groups.
Conclusion
- Bhutan’s historic royal visit to Assam signifies a strengthening of bonds and a reaffirmation of friendship after a complex period.
- The military operation ‘Operation All Clear’ demonstrated Bhutan’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and security, ultimately contributing to regional stability.
- Today, India and Bhutan stand united, fostering peace, cooperation, and prosperity in the region.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Deep Ocean Mission, Samudrayaan
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- India’s Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is a visionary initiative aimed at exploring and harnessing the immense potential of the ocean’s depths.
- Among its groundbreaking objectives, DOM will deploy an indigenous submersible with a three-member crew to reach a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean, marking India’s first foray into the profound oceanic abyss.
Deep Ocean Mission Overview
- Mission Pillars: DOM, principally led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), encompasses six pillars:
- Development of deep-sea mining technologies and a crewed submersible for exploring depths of 6,000 meters.
- Ocean climate change advisory services, involving extensive ocean observations and modeling.
- Technological innovations for deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation.
- Deep-ocean survey to identify potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphides mineralization.
- Harnessing energy and freshwater resources from the ocean.
- Establishment of an advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology.
- Strategic Significance: DOM aligns with the ‘New India 2030′ vision, focusing on a blue economy as a core objective for India’s growth. It is part of the United Nations’ ‘Decade of Ocean Science’ (2021-2030) and complements Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on sustainably utilizing the ocean’s potential for national development.
- Collaborative Efforts: Multiple MoES institutes, including the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), collaborate with national institutes and academia to achieve DOM’s objectives.
Progress on Pillar 1: Deep-Sea Mining Technologies and Crewed Submersible:
- ‘Samudrayaan’ Initiative: India’s deep ocean mission, ‘Samudrayaan,’ was launched in 2021 under the leadership of MoES. It aims to reach a depth of 6,000 meters in the central Indian Ocean using the ‘Matsya6000’ submersible, accommodating a crew of three members.
- Submersible Features: Matsya6000 is equipped with scientific sensors, tools, and an operational endurance of 12 hours (extendable to 96 hours in emergencies). The submersible’s design is complete, with testing and experimentation at a depth of 500 meters scheduled in the upcoming year.
- Mining System: NIOT is developing an integrated system for mining polymetallic nodules from the central Indian Ocean bed. This mineral-rich region, allocated by the United Nations International Seabed Authority (ISA), includes copper, manganese, nickel, and cobalt.
- Successful Trials: NIOT conducted deep-sea locomotion trials with the ‘Varaha’ underwater mining system at a depth of 5,270 meters in the central Indian Ocean. Varaha collected polymetallic nodules during the trial, marking a significant milestone.
- Challenges: Deep-sea exploration faces immense challenges, including high pressure, soft and muddy ocean bed surfaces, power supply constraints, visibility limitations, temperature variations, and corrosion. NIOT and MoES are committed to addressing these complexities.
Significance of the Chosen Depth (6,000 meters)
- Strategic Depth: Targeting a depth of 6,000 meters serves a strategic purpose. India aims to sustainably extract valuable resources such as polymetallic nodules and sulphides, with ISA allocating regions in the central Indian Ocean for exploration.
- Resource Distribution: Polymetallic nodules, rich in metals like copper, manganese, nickel, iron, and cobalt, are found around 5,000 meters deep. Polymetallic sulphides occur at approximately 3,000 meters. By operating at 6,000 meters, India can effectively cover depths of 3,000 to 5,500 meters, spanning its Exclusive Economic Zone and the central Indian Ocean.
Challenges in Deep-Ocean Exploration
- High Pressure: Exploring the deep oceans involves extreme pressure conditions, with water exerting tremendous force. Equipment must be meticulously designed to withstand these conditions.
- Soft Ocean Bed: The soft and muddy ocean bed complicates landing and maneuvering for heavy vehicles.
- Material Durability: Electronics and instruments must endure underwater conditions, unlike space where objects are designed to function in a vacuum.
- Extraction Challenges: Extracting materials from the ocean bed necessitates significant power and energy, with the need to transport extracted minerals to the surface.
- Visibility Constraints: Limited natural light penetration in deep waters poses visibility challenges.
Matsya-6000 and Varaha: A Vision for India’s Ocean Exploration
- Matsya6000: India’s flagship deep-ocean submersible combines features of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous remote vehicles (AUVs). It accommodates a crew of three, is constructed from titanium alloy, and is designed to withstand high pressures.
- Varaha: Varaha is India’s deep-ocean mining system, operating on the flexible riser technique. It successfully conducted deep-sea locomotion trials at a depth of 5,270 meters, marking a world record.
- Unique Ecosystem: India is poised to possess a comprehensive underwater vehicle ecosystem, encompassing deep-water ROVs, polar ROVs, AUVs, deep-water coring systems, and more.
Conclusion
- India’s Deep Ocean Mission is a pioneering endeavour to explore and harness the potential of the ocean’s depths.
- With Matsya6000 and Varaha, India is poised to join the selective nations conducting deep-ocean exploration and mining.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Middle East conflicts and Russia's gains
Central Idea
- Russia’s official stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict places blame on the US for the actions of the militant Islamist organization Hamas.
- However, experts suggest that Russia’s interests deviate from its stated position, as it appears to benefit from the ongoing conflict and the global attention it garners.
Russia’s Interests and Official Position
- Friendship and Disappointment: Russia had hoped for support from Israeli PM in the Ukraine conflict. When Israel did not side with Russia, Putin was reportedly disappointed.
- Diverting Global Focus: This diversion of global attention away from Ukraine and towards the Middle East benefits Russia, as it weakens its adversary, the US.
- Blame Deflection: While publicly advocating for peace and blaming the US, Russia may secretly favor the continuation of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Potential Benefits for Russia
- Public focus shift: The Israel-Hamas conflict provides material for Russian propaganda to manipulate public sentiment.
- US hegemony loss: It can be used to suggest that while Russia is accused of starting the war in Ukraine, Israel’s actions are even more egregious and beyond US control, potentially leading to a larger conflict.
- Affinity in the Islamic World: Despite diminished influence in the Middle East, Russia may use the conflict to demonstrate solidarity with the Arab world. This strategic posturing seeks to convey that Russia supports Palestinians, even though its influence in the region is limited.
Potential Challenges for Russia
- Internal Turmoil: Recent anti-Semitic incidents in some Russian regions pose challenges to the Kremlin. These incidents, like the one in Dagestan, indicate difficulties in maintaining regional security. Escalating anti-Semitic rhetoric could destabilize Russia’s regions, necessitating caution from Moscow.
- Economic Impact: Contrary to expectations, Russia may not experience economic benefits from the Middle East conflict. Rising oil prices, which usually benefit Russia, are not materializing due to oil-producing nations avoiding war support for Palestinians.
Can Russia mediate?
- Controversial Hamas Delegation Visit: A recent visit by a Hamas delegation to Moscow raised concerns and criticism from Israel. The primary goal of the meeting was to secure the release of Russian hostages, potentially limiting Russia’s role as a neutral mediator.
- Challenges in Hostage Negotiations: Negotiating the release of hostages requires engaging with multiple actors, making successful negotiations uncertain.
- Irritation among Israelis: Russia’s behaviour, such as hosting a Hamas delegation and altering its stance, has irritated many Russian-speaking Israelis.
Conclusion
- Russia’s role in the Israel-Hamas conflict appears to be marked by contradictions between its official position and underlying geopolitical interests.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Work Productivity
70 hours Work: Narayana Murthy Suggests
- Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy’s recent call for young Indians to work 70 hours per week has ignited a debate on worker productivity in India.
- He cited Japan and Germany as examples of nations that prospered due to longer working hours post-World War II.
- However, his views raise questions about worker productivity, its relationship with economic growth, and India’s unique context.
Worker Productivity vs. Labour Productivity
- Conceptual Difference: Worker productivity involves mental activities, while labour productivity is associated with manual tasks.
- Measurement: Productivity is typically measured as the output value per unit of labor cost.
- Complexity in Services: In intellectual labor, measuring output independently is challenging; hence, worker income often proxies productivity.
- Fallacious Assumption: Murthy’s assertion that increased working hours lead to higher productivity is contentious, as it could exploit workers without commensurate pay.
Link between Worker Productivity and Economic Growth
- Complex Relationship: While productivity improvements impact economic growth positively, the relationship is intricate.
- Distribution of Income: India’s economic growth hasn’t necessarily benefited all income groups; wealth disparities persist.
- Income Inequality: Income gains have disproportionately favored the top income strata, suggesting a disconnect between productivity and income distribution.
- Factors Influencing Wealth: Factors like hereditary wealth transfers and arbitrary compensation for the super managerial class have contributed to income disparities.
Is India’s Worker Productivity One of the Lowest?
- Proxy Fallacy: Using income as a proxy for productivity can yield misleading conclusions.
- Indian Workforce: Indians are among the hardest working employees globally, but they receive comparatively lower wages.
- Contradictory Statements: Narayana Murthy’s claim about low productivity seems unsubstantiated, possibly driven by motives to push labor reforms.
What data shows?
- In 1980, India’s Gross Domestic Product was about $200 billion, which by 2015 exceeded $2,000 billion.
- Income distribution data from 1980 to 2015 in India:
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- Bottom 50% income groups experienced a 90% increase in income.
- Top 10% income group’s share increased from 30% to 58%.
- Top 0.01% experienced an increase of 1699%.
- Top 0.001% had an increase of 2040%.
Impact of Informal Labor on Worker Productivity
- Rise in Informal Employment: Economic reforms have witnessed a surge in informal employment.
- Limited Formalization: Formalization efforts have mostly focused on tax compliance and not labor standards or conditions.
- Exploitation in MSMEs: Even within the formal manufacturing sector, Micro-Small-Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engage in wage cutting to maximize profits.
- Outsourcing Practices: Large corporations outsource production to smaller labour-intensive units, exacerbating labor exploitation.
Comparing India with Japan and Germany
- Inadequate Comparisons: India’s unique context, including its labor force, technological trajectory, socio-cultural dynamics, and political structures, makes direct comparisons with Japan and Germany inapt.
- Unique Development Path: India’s sustainable development requires enhancing social investments, tapping domestic consumption potential, and focusing on human-centric development.
Conclusion
- The call for extended working hours to boost worker productivity raises complex issues regarding labor exploitation, income distribution, and India’s economic context.
- Direct comparisons with Japan and Germany overlook India’s unique challenges and opportunities.
- A comprehensive approach that addresses these intricacies is essential to ensure sustainable and equitable development in India.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Pegasus Spyware
Mains level: Whatsapp snooping and related issues
Central Idea
- Several prominent opposition leaders recently reported receiving “threat notifications” from Apple regarding a potential state-sponsored spyware attack on their iPhones.
- This incident has drawn parallels with the Pegasus Spyware Case, which targeted individuals globally, including in India.
About Pegasus Spyware
- Functionality: Pegasus, like its name suggests, is a spyware designed to surveil individuals through their smartphones.
- Covert Installation: It infiltrates a target’s device by enticing them to click on an exploit link, installing the malware without their knowledge or consent.
- Comprehensive Access: Once installed, Pegasus grants the attacker complete control over the victim’s phone, enabling eavesdropping, data retrieval, and even activation of the camera and microphone.
What is the Pegasus Spyware Case?
- Global Revelation: In July 2021, a collaborative global investigative project uncovered the use of Pegasus spyware, developed by NSO Group, an Israeli cybersecurity company, to target mobile phones worldwide, including India.
- Government Denials: The Indian government denied the allegations and accused the opposition of undermining national security but did not explicitly deny using Pegasus.
- Supreme Court’s Involvement: On October 27, 2021, the Supreme Court appointed an Expert Committee headed by Justice R V Raveendran to investigate the allegations, considering their public importance and potential violation of citizens’ fundamental rights.
- Cyber Terrorism: This intrusion constitutes a cyber-terrorism attempt and calls for the application of Section 66(F) of the Information Technology Act 2008 (IT Act) to deal with the perpetrators.
Expert Committee’s Mandate
- Terms of Reference: The committee had seven terms of reference, including determining the entity that procured Pegasus, verifying if petitioners were targeted, and assessing the legal basis for using spyware like Pegasus on Indian citizens.
- Policy Recommendations: It was also tasked with making recommendations on a legal and policy framework for cybersecurity to protect citizens’ privacy.
- Technical Expertise: The committee comprised technical experts from various fields, including cybersecurity and forensic sciences.
Key Findings
- Lack of Conclusive Evidence: On August 25, 2022, the Supreme Court revealed that the expert committee did not find conclusive evidence of Pegasus use in the 29 phones it examined.
- Government Non-Cooperation: The Centre did not cooperate with the committee, as observed by the panel itself.
- Malware Discovery: While malware was found in five phones, it could not be definitively linked to Pegasus.
- Inconclusive Determination: The committee concluded that the limited data available made it inconclusive to determine Pegasus use.
- National Security Concerns: The committee’s report contained information about malware that could pose threats to national security and private confidential information.
Implications and Urgent Action
- Fundamental Right to Privacy: Protecting citizens’ smartphones through technologies like encryption is crucial for national security.
- Need for Inquiry: Establishing an independent high-level inquiry with credible members and experts can restore confidence and ensure transparency.
- Global Cooperation: Given the multinational impact of such attacks, coordinated global cooperation is essential for a thorough investigation.
- Data Sovereignty and Privacy: Citizens’ data sovereignty should encompass their right to privacy, with stringent punishments for privacy violations.
Conclusion
- The Pegasus spyware case, which raised significant concerns about citizen privacy and national security, prompted a comprehensive investigation by the Supreme Court-appointed Expert Committee.
- While the committee did not find conclusive evidence of Pegasus use, it emphasized the potential risks associated with malware and cybersecurity.
- The case remains open, and further developments may shed light on the extent of surveillance and privacy infringements.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Article 32, Legislative Powers of Governor
Mains level: State vs . Governor Row
Central Idea
- The Tamil Nadu state government has taken its concerns to the Supreme Court regarding the prolonged delay in the approval of Bills and Government orders by the Governor.
TN Petition to the Supreme Court
- Constitutional Challenge: The TN government has filed a Writ Petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India.
- Objective: The petition seeks a declaration that the Governor’s inaction, omission, and delay in assenting to Bills and considering Government orders forwarded by the Tamil Nadu State Legislature is unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary, unreasonable, and a misuse of power.
- Impact on Administration: The Governor’s delay in signing remission orders, day-to-day files, appointment orders, and granting approvals for prosecution is causing severe disruptions in the state administration.
Article 32 of Indian Constitution
- Article 32 grants individuals the right to move to the Supreme Court of India for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
- It is considered a fundamental right in itself and is often referred to as the “Right to Constitutional Remedies.”
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What are the Discretionary Powers of the Governor?
The Constitution makes it clear that if any question arises whether a matter falls within the governor’s discretion or not, the decision of the governor is final and the validity of anything done by him cannot be called in question on the ground that he ought or ought not to have acted in his discretion.
Constitutional Discretion:
- Reservation of a bill for the consideration of the President (Article 200).
- Recommendation for the imposition of the President’s Rule (Article 356) in the state.
- While exercising his functions as the administrator of an adjoining union territory (in case of additional charge).
- Determining the amount payable by the Government of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram to an autonomous Tribal District Council as royalty accruing from licenses for mineral exploration.
- Seeking information from the chief minister with regard to the administrative and legislative matters of the state.
Situational Discretion:
- Appointment of chief minister when no party has a clear-cut majority in the state legislative assembly or when the chief minister in office dies suddenly and there is no obvious successor.
- Dismissal of the council of ministers when it cannot prove the confidence of the state legislative assembly.
- Dissolution of the state legislative assembly if the council of ministers has lost its majority.
Can the Governor withhold His Assent to a Bill in Exercise of His Discretionary Powers?
- While a plain reading of Article 200 suggests that the Governor can withhold his assent, experts question whether he can do so only on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
- The Constitution provides that the Governor can exercise his executive powers only on the advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 154.
- The larger question is why a Governor should be allowed to withhold assent when the Bill is passed by the Assembly.
Rationale behind Governor’s Power
- Checks and Balances: Delay in approval allows the Governor to scrutinize bills and orders more thoroughly, ensuring that they are in line with the constitution and the interests of the state.
- Prevention of Hasty Decisions: It prevents hasty or ill-considered legislation from being passed, which might have unintended negative consequences.
- Protection of Minority Rights: The Governor can act as a safeguard against the majority’s potentially oppressive decisions, protecting the rights and interests of minority groups.
- Aid to Parliamentary Democracy: The delay provides time for public debate, expert opinions, and stakeholder consultations, which are essential aspects of parliamentary democracy.
- Conflict Resolution: In situations where there are disputes between the state government and the center or between various state institutions, the Governor’s involvement can facilitate resolution.
Issues with the delays
- Delay in Decision-Making: The Governor’s failure to take a decision on the Bills passed by the legislature leads to a delay in decision-making, which affects the effective functioning of the state government.
- Delay in Implementation of Policies and Laws: When the Governor fails to make a decision on a Bill passed by the assembly, it delays the implementation of policies and laws.
- Undermines the Democratic Process: The Governor, who is appointed by the Centre, can use his powers to delay or reject Bills passed by state assemblies for political reasons, which undermines the democratic process.
- Public Perception: The public often views pending Bills with the Governor as a sign of inefficiency or even corruption in the state government, which can damage the government’s reputation.
- Constitutional Ambiguity: There is ambiguity in the Constitution regarding the Governor’s power to withhold assent.
- Lack of Accountability: When the Governor withholds assent, he does not provide any reason for his decision.
Recent Instances of Withholding Assent
- Chhattisgarh (2020): The Chhattisgarh Governor withheld assent to a bill amending the Chhattisgarh Lokayukta Act, 2001.
- Tamil Nadu (2021): The Tamil Nadu Governor reserved a bill exempting state students from NEET medical entrance exams for the President’s consideration after a significant delay.
- Kerala (2023): Kerala’s Governor signed five bills into law but withheld assent to six others, citing concerns about their constitutionality and legality.
Mains Marks Enhancer: Supreme Court’s Stance and Commission Recommendations
- Nabam Rebia and Bamang Felix vs Dy.Speaker (2016): The SC clarified that a Governor’s discretion under Article 200 is limited to deciding whether a bill should be reserved for the President’s consideration. The Court emphasized that actions or inactions by the Governor regarding bill assent can be subject to judicial review.
- Punchhi Commission (2010): This commission recommended the establishment of a time limit within which the Governor should decide on granting assent or reserving a bill for the President’s consideration.
- National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC): NCRWC proposed a four-month time limit for the Governor to decide on a bill’s fate. It also suggested the removal of the Governor’s power to withhold assent except in cases explicitly stipulated in the Constitution.
Conclusion
- The dispute between the government and the Governor underscores the importance of timely decision-making to ensure the effective functioning of the state administration.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Prisoner's Dilemma
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- Defence Minister invoked the concept of the “Prisoner’s Dilemma” to emphasize the importance of international collaboration over competing interests.
- He highlighted the need for countries to find solutions that promote cooperation, trust-building, and risk mitigation in international relations.
What is the Prisoner’s Dilemma?
- Game Theory Basis: The Prisoner’s Dilemma is a renowned concept in Game Theory, a scientific branch that studies decision-making in various scenarios.
- Complex Decision-Making: It illustrates that real-life decisions involve complexity and uncertainty, and outcomes depend on the actions of others.
- Paradox of Conflict: When applied to international relations, it reveals situations where countries engage in actions, such as arms races, driven by mutual fear and mistrust.
Prisoner’s Dilemma Scenario
- Crime Investigation: Imagine two individuals, A and B, facing questioning for a crime without strong evidence.
- Police Offer: The police offer them a choice:
- If one implicates the other, the informant goes free, while the implicated receives a 15-year jail term.
- If both stay silent, both serve one year in prison.
- If both confess, they each get 10 years.
Prisoner’s Dilemma Matrix:
|
A Stays Silent |
A Confesses |
| B Stays Silent |
A: 1 year, B: 1 year |
A: 15 years, B: 0 years |
| B Confesses |
A: 0 years, B: 15 years |
A: 10 years, B: 10 years |
Dilemma and Decision
- Optimal Outcome: On the surface, staying silent seems best, resulting in both serving just one year in prison.
- Uncertainty: However, if one stays silent, they risk a 15-year sentence if the other implicates them.
- Paradox: To avoid the maximum penalty, confessing becomes the rational choice if trust in the other’s silence is uncertain.
- Cooperation Ideal: The best outcome lies in cooperation, where both prisoners stay silent, serving only one year.
Real-Life Applications
- Business Strategy: Similar dilemmas occur in business, such as price wars between companies selling identical products. Cooperation to maintain sustainable pricing can lead to healthier profits.
- Geopolitical Agreements: Countries can avoid ruinous arms races and protect their economies by establishing ground rules in geopolitics, fostering cooperation over competition.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Gatishakti, NMP, NLP
Mains level: Railway cargo
Central Idea
- Rail transport has long been a cost-effective means of moving bulk cargo.
Promoting Railway Cargo: Key Policy Initiatives
- Recognizing its importance in reducing overall logistics costs and promoting sustainable transportation, the Government of India has introduced two key policies:
- PM GatiShakti (PMGS) policy for a National Master Plan (NMP): PMGS focuses on creating a seamless multi-modal transport network in India, leveraging technology for coordinated infrastructure planning.
- National Logistics Policy (NLP), 2022: NLP aims to establish a national logistics portal and integrate platforms across various ministries to streamline cargo movement.
- These policies aim to revolutionize the Indian transportation landscape by fostering infrastructure development, technology integration, and green mobility initiatives.
Barriers to IR’s Bulk Cargo Share
- Non-Price Barriers: IR faces challenges in maintaining its share of bulk cargo, partially due to non-price barriers. To counter this, IR should reduce these barriers and distribute transaction costs more equitably.
- Capital-Intensive Siding: Railway sidings are capital-intensive and favor large industries, leading to higher logistics costs for smaller entities, such as many cement plants.
Initiatives in Bulk Cargo Transportation
- Private Freight Terminals (PFTs): The introduction of PFTs and relaxation of operating conditions have facilitated specialized cargo movement, including automobiles and fly ash.
- Common-User Facilities: To reduce logistics costs and encourage patronage of IR, common-user facilities at cargo aggregation and dispersal points in mining clusters, industrial areas, and large cities are essential.
- Collaboration with States: Collaboration with State governments is crucial, as they possess knowledge of regional clusters and can play a pivotal role in planning industrial and mining activities.
Exploring New Commodities and Efficiency Measures
- Fly Ash Transportation: The IR should actively explore the potential of transporting fly ash, aligning with the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ guidelines. This entails retrofitting power plant sidings with fly ash loading facilities.
- Innovative Wagon Design: The IR should liberalize wagon design to accommodate higher and more efficient loading for various commodities, promoting versatility.
- Environmental Considerations: Environmental regulations should be mode-agnostic and based on cargo quantity and environmental impact potential. This will prevent cargo from shifting to road transport due to cumbersome rail loading requirements.
Revamping Parcel Transportation
- Challenges: The IR’s existing strategy for moving general cargo relies on passenger trains or special heavy parcel van (VPH) trains, but both have experienced setbacks, with a 15% drop in loading leased parcel vans and an 8% decline in full parcel trains.
- High Tariffs: One contributing factor to the decline is the high tariff, with premium and Rajdhani rates surpassing truck rates when factoring in first and last-mile costs. Exceptions exist for cargo destined to the northeast.
- Other Challenges: The issues also include inadequate terminals, inconsistent weighbridges, excessive penal charges, unreliable transit times, complex booking and delivery processes, and self-imposed environmental constraints.
- VPH Parcel Trains: These have proven ineffective and should be discontinued. A covered wagon, specifically a Covered Bogie Wagon Type with Air Brake and Heavy Load (BCNHL), can carry 700% more cargo with 45% more volume. Even if P scale rates are halved, revenue generated would be 3.5 times that of VPH trains.
Containerization Conundrum:
- Expectations vs. Reality: IR hoped that private container train operators (CTOs) would boost general cargo movement through containerization. However, 15 years post-privatization, domestic cargo carried by containers constitutes a mere 1% of IR’s loading and 0.3% of the nation’s total freight, primarily due to high haulage rates and market risks.
- Shipment Size Challenge: General cargo typically involves shipment sizes ranging from a few to hundreds of tonnes. The IR’s current services do not cater to the needs of this diverse segment, creating a gap in service provision.
Future Strategies
- Segmentation: General cargo can be categorized as highly time-sensitive (HTSG), medium time-sensitive (MTSG), and low time-sensitive (LTSG).
- HTSG Cargo: Valuable goods or perishables should continue to be transported by passenger trains. Attaching parcel vans to popular trains can substantially increase parcel loading capacity and revenue.
- MTSG and LTSG Cargo: These price-sensitive categories should be transported under IR freight rates, which are cost-effective compared to truck rates. Individual wagon bookings should be permitted, even if a train isn’t fully loaded, ensuring timely movement.
- Policy and Mindset Change: IR should adopt a flexible approach to freight tariff rules, including freight of any kind (FAK) for wagon loads in the tariff table. Single-wagon indents should be encouraged.
- Incentives and Aggregators: Tariffs may be adjusted based on quantity loaded to promote volumetric loading. Cargo aggregators should be incentivized through policy adjustments.
- Future Prospects: With concerted efforts, the IR can load substantial general cargo tonnage in the coming years, capitalizing on the existing infrastructure and industry capabilities.
Conclusion
- The Indian Railways stands at a critical juncture in transforming cargo transportation for a more sustainable and efficient future.
- With the support of visionary policies, collaborative efforts, and a proactive approach to diversification and environmental challenges, IR can reassert its position as a key player in India’s logistics landscape.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Cloud Seeding
Mains level: Drought mitigation in India
Central Idea
- Solapur, a city with limited rainfall due to its location on the leeward side of the Western Ghats, witnessed an 18% relative enhancement in rainfall through a cloud seeding experiment.
What is Cloud Seeding?
|
Explanation |
| Definition |
Weather modification technique to enhance precipitation. |
| Objective |
Increase rainfall or snowfall in areas facing water scarcity or drought. |
| Seeding Agents |
Silver iodide, calcium chloride, potassium iodide, sodium chloride, etc. |
| Suitable Clouds |
Typically convective clouds with moisture and vertical motion. |
| Methods of Dispersion |
Aircraft, rockets, ground-based generators, drones. |
| Environmental Impact |
Generally considered safe with minimal environmental impact. |
| Effectiveness |
Variable; depends on weather conditions and cloud characteristics. |
About CAIPEEX Experiment
- The initiative, known as the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX phase-4), sought to investigate the effectiveness of hygroscopic seeding in deep convective clouds.
- Over two hours after cloud seeding, an additional 8.67mm of rainfall was recorded, resulting in 867 million litres of augmented water availability.
Importance of the Experiment
- Growing NCD Burden: As India grapples with a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), exacerbated by the consumption of pre-packaged foods, informed consumer choices and food safety become paramount.
- Cloud Seeding Efficacy: The experiment underscores cloud seeding as an effective strategy for enhancing rainfall, particularly in regions with suitable conditions.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: The research evaluates the cost-effectiveness of cloud seeding, estimating the cost of producing water through cloud seeding at 18 paise per litre.
Key Findings and Methodology
- Randomized Seeding Experiment: The study selected 276 convective clouds, with 150 subjected to seeding and 122 serving as the control group.
- Criteria for Seeding: Clouds with characteristics such as significant liquid water content, vertical motion indicative of cloud growth, and depth exceeding one kilometre were targeted.
- Seeding Agent: Calcium chloride flares were employed for cloud seeding, ensuring optimal dispersion and entry into growing clouds.
- Rainfall Enhancement: Seeded clouds produced more rainfall than unseeded ones, resulting in an 18% relative enhancement.
Implications and Future Prospects
- Water Management: While cloud seeding alone cannot alleviate droughts, it can contribute to an 18% increase in rainfall and partially address water requirements.
- Cost Reduction: Utilizing indigenous seeding aircraft could reduce costs by over 50%, making cloud seeding more accessible.
- High-Resolution Numerical Model: The study has developed a numerical model to help stakeholders identify target locations, suitable clouds for seeding, and effective strategies for enhancing rainfall.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- In April 2022, the Indian Parliament passed the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act (CrPI).
- It enabled law enforcement agencies to collect and analyze physical and biological samples, including retina and iris scans of arrested individuals.
Why in the news now?
- While the rules governing the Act were notified in September 2022, full implementation is pending as the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the nodal agency, is still formulating guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- This legislation replaces the antiquated Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, which primarily focused on collecting fingerprints, footprints, and photographs of certain convicted and non-convicted individuals.
CrPI Act: Purpose of the Legislation
- Modernization: The CrPI Act modernizes the process of capturing and recording biometric data and other measurements, supplanting outdated methods.
- Data Utilization: The Act facilitates the use of advanced techniques for capturing and recording body measurements, providing law enforcement with more comprehensive data.
Role of the NCRB
- Central Repository: The NCRB is tasked with storing, processing, sharing, disseminating, and destroying measurement records.
- Common Database: Impressions collected at any police station will be stored in a central database accessible to authorized police and prison officials nationwide.
- Technical Specifications: The NCRB will define equipment specifications for measurement collection, methods for handling and storing data compatible with the NCRB database, and the IT systems to be employed for measurements.
- Authorized Personnel: The Act extends measurement collection authority to police and prison officials, individuals skilled in measurement collection, registered medical practitioners, and authorized personnel.
- Data Retention: Records are to be retained for 75 years.
Implementation Status
- Fingerprinting: Police have been trained to record fingerprints through the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), which assigns a unique National Fingerprint Number (NFN) to suspects.
- Challenges: The provision for iris scanners, DNA collection, and facial recognition systems has not been fully realized. NAFIS workstations are operational in many states, but challenges persist.
Challenges and Concerns
- Privacy Concerns: During debates in Parliament, opposition members raised concerns about the violation of fundamental rights, including the right to privacy.
- Data Protection: Questions have arisen about the safeguarding of DNA samples and facial recognition data.
- Lack of Awareness: Many officers are unaware of the rules specifying that measurements of individuals detained or arrested under certain sections of the law should not be recorded.
- Data Destruction: Individuals are responsible for requesting the destruction and disposal of their records from the central database if they have been falsely implicated or acquitted, which poses challenges.
- Right to Be Forgotten: Advocacy groups have emphasized the need to consider the “Right to Be Forgotten” in data retention policies.
- Training and Scope: Proper training and clear guidelines for DNA sample handling and storage are needed, and the scope of DNA collection in various types of crimes remains unclear.
- Connectivity Issues: Smaller states face connectivity challenges, hindering the fulfilment of secured Internet lease line requirements for data protection.
Conclusion
- The CrPI Act represents a significant step toward modernizing law enforcement data collection techniques.
- However, concerns related to privacy, data protection, and training, along with connectivity issues, underscore the need for comprehensive guidelines and safeguards to balance the imperatives of law enforcement with individual rights and data security.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lewis Model
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- In 1954, the renowned Saint Lucian economist, Sir William Arthur Lewis, presented a groundbreaking theory that suggested developing countries with a surplus labor force could achieve significant industrialization.
- He envisioned a shift of labor from subsistence agriculture to the expanding manufacturing sector.
- However, the Indian experience over the years has shown that this model has not unfolded exactly as Lewis had anticipated.
What is the Lewis Model?
- Lewis’s Theory: Sir William Arthur Lewis’s influential essay, ‘Economic Development with Unlimited Supplies of Labor,’ proposed that countries with surplus labor could industrialize by paying wages just high enough to attract workers away from family farms.
- Key Assumptions: The model assumed that higher wages in the manufacturing sector would match the additional output produced, leading to the creation and expansion of industries without limits.
- Bottlenecks: The primary constraints to this labor transfer were the availability of capital and natural resources, which these countries often lacked relative to their population.
India’s Deviation from the Model
- Historical Perspective: In the early 1990s, agriculture employed about two-thirds of India’s workforce.
- Limited Impact of Manufacturing: While the share of agriculture in employment declined to 48.9% by 2011-12, manufacturing’s share only marginally increased from 10.4% to 12.6% during the same period.
- Recent Trends: The farm sector’s share increased temporarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic, reaching 46.5% in 2022-23.
- Manufacturing’s Decline: Conversely, manufacturing’s share dropped to 11.4% in 2022-23.
- Shift within Subsistence Sectors: Labor movement primarily occurs within subsistence sectors, such as low-paid services and construction, rather than towards manufacturing or high-productivity services.
State-Level Variations
- Gujarat’s Exception: Gujarat stands out with nearly 24% of its workforce employed in manufacturing, mirroring Lewis’s model.
- Industry and Agriculture: Gujarat’s workforce in agriculture remains relatively high compared to other states.
China’s Model vs. India’s Reality
- China’s Success: China leveraged surplus rural labor to become “the world’s factory” during the late 20th century.
- India’s Challenges: India still has surplus labor working in subsistence sectors, but the path to conventional employment opportunities is narrowing.
- Technological Disruption: Manufacturing is increasingly capital-intensive, incorporating labor-saving and labor-displacing technologies.
- New Economic Development Model: NITI Aayog is exploring alternative avenues for job creation, emphasizing activities related to agriculture, such as aggregation, processing, transportation, and bio-based industries.
- Bio-Based Opportunities: Crop residues, bio-fuels, bio-based products, and supply chain services offer potential employment options linked to agriculture.
Conclusion
- India’s journey towards economic transformation has deviated from the classic Lewis model.
- The changing nature of manufacturing and the need for a reimagined labour transition call for innovative approaches that recognize the country’s unique circumstances and opportunities in sectors beyond traditional agriculture.
- NITI Aayog’s exploration of alternative development models signifies a shift toward addressing contemporary challenges and fostering sustainable economic growth.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: LNG imports by India
Mains level: Read the attached story
India-Qatar Diplomatic Spat
- The recent death sentences handed down to eight former Indian Navy personnel by a Qatari court pose a significant challenge to the traditionally amicable ties between New Delhi and Doha.
- In international relations, trade dynamics often play a pivotal role, and in the case of India and Qatar, the balance of trade is heavily skewed in Qatar’s favor, primarily due to imports.
LNG Dependency and Diplomacy
- Trade Imbalance: Qatar enjoys significant leverage in the bilateral relationship because the trade balance is weighted heavily in its favor, with imports from Qatar far exceeding India’s exports.
- LNG Dominance: Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is at the heart of this trade relationship, accounting for nearly 50% of India’s imports by value from Qatar.
- Energy Security: India’s import dependency on natural gas is around 50%, and with a national drive to increase natural gas consumption, LNG imports are expected to grow, even with potential increases in domestic production.
Need for India’s Energy Transition
- Cleaner Alternative: Natural gas is viewed as a cleaner and more affordable alternative to conventional petroleum fuels, aligning with India’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources.
- Energy Security: Given India’s high import dependency on crude oil, natural gas is seen as a critical component of energy security.
- Ambitious Targets: India aims to raise the share of natural gas in its primary energy mix to 15% by 2030, a goal likely to drive increased LNG imports in the years ahead.
Sensitivity of the Present Situation
- Diplomatic Challenge: The case of the retired Navy personnel presents a sensitive challenge for Indian diplomacy, given India’s energy security concerns and ambitions.
- Trade Dependency: India’s energy security relies on Qatar, making diplomatic relations delicate.
Trade Figures
- Imports from Qatar: In FY2022-23, India’s total imports from Qatar were valued at $16.81 billion, with LNG accounting for $8.32 billion or 49.5%.
- Exports to Qatar: In contrast, India’s exports to Qatar in the same period amounted to only $1.97 billion.
- LNG Dependency: Of the 19.85 million tonnes of LNG imported by India in FY23, 10.74 million tonnes (54%) came from Qatar.
Global LNG Dynamics
- Seller’s Market: The global LNG market has become a seller’s market following geopolitical disruptions, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Term Contracts vs. Spot Purchases: Term contracts offer more stability compared to spot purchases, particularly during supply gluts or shortages.
- Qatar’s Position: Qatar, as the world’s largest LNG exporter, has gained significant leverage and stability in the LNG market.
- Long-Term Contracts: LNG importers worldwide, including India, are seeking long-term contracts with major suppliers like Qatar to secure stable supplies.
Future Prospects for India
- Long-Term Contracts: India is actively negotiating for long-term LNG contracts, and Petronet’s existing contract with Qatar is set to expire in 2028.
- Buyer’s Market: Industry experts predict that the global LNG market may become a buyer’s market in the coming years due to new LNG export projects. Qatar remains a key player in this scenario.
Conclusion
- Balancing India’s energy security needs with diplomatic challenges in the backdrop of trade dependency on Qatar, especially in LNG, is a complex task.
- India’s pursuit of long-term LNG contracts reflects its determination to secure stable energy supplies while navigating international relations sensitively.
- The evolving global LNG market dynamics will continue to influence India’s energy choices and diplomatic strategies.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Caste Surveys
Mains level: Read the attached story
Debate: Caste-Based Surveys
- The recent nationwide discussions on caste-based surveys and reservations have ignited debates regarding reservation limits.
- While many call for a similar census across India, Tamil Nadu’s history offers insights into the complexities of caste-based reservations.
- Despite previous efforts, the implementation of OBC (Other Backward Class) reservations remains a challenge in the state.
Genesis of Ramachandran Commission
- Background: The First BC panel (1969-70), led by A.N. Sattanathan, suggested raising BC reservations, but the idea of a creamy layer hasn’t gained political backing.
- Current Backdrop: In 1980, following electoral setbacks, the government in Tamil Nadu, led by M.G. Ramachandran, increased BC (Backward Class) reservations from 31% to 50%, totalling 68% with SC & ST reservations (later 69% with ST exclusive reservation).
- Legal Challenge: The move faced legal challenges, prompting the state government to form a commission to review BC enumeration and classification.
- Commission Formation: The Second BC Commission, chaired by J.A. Ambasankar, was established in late 1982 and submitted its report in February 1985.
Key Highlights of the Commission’s Work
- Socio-Educational-cum-Economic Survey: The Commission conducted a comprehensive door-to-door enumeration of BCs in two stages during 1983-84. Unlike the previous panel, which relied on the 1921 Census, this survey was based on contemporary data.
- Caste Classification: The Commission identified 298 BC communities within main groups such as BCs, Most BCs, Denotified Communities (DNCs), SCs, STs, and others. BCs constituted 67.15% of the state’s population.
- Educational Survey: A sample survey of students in schools and colleges was conducted, along with an assessment of BC representation in public services.
Key Recommendations
- Reservation Quantum Debate: Disagreements arose between Chairman Ambasankar and other members regarding the reservation percentage. While Ambasankar proposed reducing it to 32% to stay within the 50% limit, dissenting members argued for at least 50% due to the BC population’s size.
- Reservation Coverage: Differences also emerged regarding the coverage of reservations. Ambasankar suggested separate lists of BCs for Article 15(4) and Article 16(4), while members favored a single list.
Government Response and Legal Safeguards
- No Change in Reservation Quantum: The government retained the 50% BC reservation and did not accept Ambasankar’s recommendation to reduce it.
- Ninth Schedule: To safeguard the 69% quota, Tamil Nadu enacted a law and placed it under the Ninth Schedule following the Supreme Court’s Mandal Commission case judgment in 1992.
- Subsequent Changes: Over the years, separate quotas for Muslims and Christians were introduced within the BC reservation, but some were later withdrawn or challenged.
- SC Verdict: In 2021, the Supreme Court struck down a law providing 10.5% reservation for Vanniyars within the MBC quota, citing non-contemporaneous data from the Ambasankar panel.
Conclusion
- Tamil Nadu’s experience with caste-based reservations underscores the intricate challenges involved. While the state has maintained a high reservation percentage, debates over quantum and coverage persist.
- The recent legal developments highlight the importance of contemporary data in determining and sustaining reservations, making it a complex and evolving issue.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: India-Qatar Relations
Central Idea
- The recent verdict of the death penalty for eight Indian Navy officials in Qatar has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles.
- The Indian MEA expressed deep shock and initiated a quest for legal remedies.
What is the case about?
- Arrest Details: The Indian Embassy learned about their arrests in mid-September the previous year.
- Consular Access: The first consular access was granted on October 3, more than a month after their detention.
- Solitary Confinement: While the specific charges were never disclosed publicly, the detainees’ confinement in solitary cells hinted at possible security-related offences.
India-Qatar Relations
- Historical Relations: India and Qatar have maintained friendly relations for decades. PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Qatar in 2008 marked a significant turning point, followed by reciprocal visits from the Emir of Qatar and PM Narendra Modi.
- Economic Ties: The bilateral trade between India and Qatar, valued at $15 billion, primarily involves LNG and LPG exports from Qatar to India.
- Defence Cooperation: Defence cooperation is a key component of India-Qatar ties, with the India-Qatar Defence Cooperation Agreement serving as a pivotal milestone.
Challenges in the Relationship
- Religious Controversy: In June 2022, a controversy involving derogatory remarks about the Prophet on a TV show led to tension between India and Qatar. Qatar demanded a public apology, which India addressed by swiftly sacking the individual responsible.
- Recent shift-overs: The imprisonment of the eight ex-Navy personnel constitutes the second significant challenge. It took India by surprise in a country where a large Indian expatriate community resides, making India-Qatar relations a sensitive issue.
Why does Qatar matter to India?
- Expatriate Community: Indians constitute the largest expatriate community in Qatar, with approximately 800,000 individuals working and living there.
- Remittances: The flow of remittances from Qatar and the safety of Indian citizens make Qatar vital for India’s interests.
- Energy Security: Qatar is the largest supplier of LNG to India, making it critical for India’s energy security.
- GCC Membership: Qatar’s membership in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is strategically significant for India, especially concerning issues like Kashmir.
- UNSC Support: India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council requires support from countries like Qatar.
- Business Presence: Several Indian companies, including Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Wipro, MahindraTech, and Larsen & Toubro Limited, operate in Qatar.
- Stability in the Gulf: The stability of the Gulf region is of paramount importance to India’s energy and maritime security.
Conclusion
- The detention and sentencing of eight Indian nationals in Qatar have posed a complex diplomatic challenge for India.
- Against the backdrop of India-Qatar relations, this incident underscores the importance of navigating cultural sensitivities and geopolitical dynamics to secure the release of these individuals.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bhutan-China Border Talks
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- In Beijing, the 25th round of Bhutan-China Border Talks culminated with the signing of a significant Cooperation Agreement.
- This historic agreement reflects the progress made in their quest for border resolution, carrying forward the 3-Step Roadmap initiated in 2021.
- Amid the backdrop of a seven-year gap in talks, these recent developments bear immense significance.
Bhutan-China Border Talks
- Complex Border: Bhutan and the Tibetan Autonomous Region share an extensive contiguous border, spanning approximately 470 km. Prior to 2016, the two nations engaged in 24 rounds of talks to address border disputes.
- Positive Momentum: Talks had been stalled due to the Doklam Standoff in 2017 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic. However, this interlude witnessed discussions at other levels, especially after China raised concerns about a border dispute to Bhutan’s east.
- A Seven-Year Hiatus Ends: After a prolonged pause in boundary talks lasting seven years, the resumption of discussions signals substantial headway.
3-Step Roadmap
- Initiating Border Delimitation: The 3-Step roadmap, established through an MoU in 2021 and facilitated by the Joint Technical Team (JTT), aims to delineate the Bhutanese and Chinese territories conclusively. Despite the absence of diplomatic ties, Bhutan and China seek to formalize their border.
- Steps in the Roadmap:
- Agreement on the border “on the table.”
- On-ground inspections of the border.
- Formal demarcation of the boundary.
India’s Vigilance and Concerns
- Strained Sino-Indian Relations: In the context of deteriorating relations between India and China since the 2020 Line of Actual Control standoff, any warming of ties between China and one of India’s closest neighbours raises concerns in New Delhi.
- Doklam: A Critical Focus: India closely observes discussions related to Doklam, where China has proposed a “swap” of areas under Bhutanese control with territories in Jakarlung and Pasamlung, claimed by China. The Doklam trijunction is strategically significant as it is in close proximity to India’s Siliguri corridor, a vital land link connecting northeastern states to the rest of India.
- China’s Strategic Moves: Since the Doklam standoff in 2017, China has bolstered its presence in the Doklam plateau, constructing underground facilities, new roads, and villages in disputed areas within Bhutan, undermining India’s strategic interests.
- Diplomatic Tensions: India remains cautious about China’s insistence on establishing full diplomatic relations with Bhutan and opening an embassy in Thimphu. Given India’s challenges with Chinese projects and funding in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, China’s presence in Bhutan raises apprehensions.
Conclusion
- The Bhutan-China boundary talks represent a significant stride towards resolving longstanding disputes.
- However, Bhutan’s leadership has emphasized that decisions will be made with due consideration for India’s concerns, maintaining a delicate balance in this Himalayan diplomatic endeavour.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Fertilizer Subsidy
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Union Cabinet has announced revisions to the per-kilogram subsidy rates for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur fertilizers under the nutrient-based regime, distinguishing between the October-March and April-September periods.
Subsidy Rate Changes
- Nitrogen (N): The subsidy per kilogram for nitrogen has decreased by 38% between the first half of FY-24 and the October-March period.
- Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus subsidy has been reduced by 49%.
- Potassium (K): Subsidy for potassium has seen an 84% reduction.
- Sulphur (S): Sulphur subsidy has been lowered by 32.5% during the same period.
Why discuss this?
- Fertilizer subsidies have been an integral part of India’s agricultural landscape since the Green Revolution of the 1970s-80s.
- This overview delves into the concept of fertilizer subsidies, their disbursement, and associated challenges.
Understanding Fertilizer Subsidy
- Origins: Fertilizer subsidies emerged during the Green Revolution to boost agricultural productivity.
- Subsidized Pricing: Fertilizer subsidy entails farmers purchasing fertilizers at prices below the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), often lower than market rates.
- Determining Subsidy Rates: Subsidy rates are influenced by the average price of imported fertilizer over the preceding six months.
Recipient and Payment of Subsidy
- Beneficiary: While fertilizer companies receive the subsidy, it ultimately benefits farmers who procure fertilizers at rates lower than market prices.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Since March 2018, the government introduced a DBT system, where subsidy payments to companies occur post-actual sales to farmers via retailers.
- Retailer’s Role: Each of India’s 2.3 lakh retailers is equipped with a point-of-sale (PoS) machine linked to the Department of Fertilizers’ e-Urvarak DBT portal.
- Neem-Coated Urea Illustration: Neem-coated urea serves as an example. The government fixes its MRP at Rs. 5,922.22 per tonne, while domestic production costs about Rs. 17,000 per tonne. The variance is covered by the central government through subsidy disbursement.
Non-Urea Fertilizers
- Decontrolled Pricing: Non-urea fertilizers have pricing determined by companies rather than government intervention.
- Two Categories: These non-urea fertilizers are categorized into DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) and MOP (Muriate of Phosphate).
- Flat Subsidy: The government provides a uniform per-tonne subsidy to maintain soil nutrition levels and ensure the affordability of other fertilizers.
Challenges Associated with Fertilizer Subsidies
- Low Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE): Indian soil exhibits low NUE, primarily found in Urea, leading to excessive use and groundwater pollution.
- Groundwater Contamination: Excessive fertilizer application contributes to groundwater contamination.
- Overuse: Urea applied to the soil results in losses as NH3 (Ammonia) and Nitrogen Oxides, surpassing WHO-prescribed limits, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
- Health Impacts: Nitrate-contaminated water poses health risks, including “blue baby syndrome” in humans.
Conclusion
- Fertilizer subsidies are a crucial aspect of Indian agriculture, aiding farmers by reducing the cost of essential inputs.
- However, challenges such as overuse, groundwater pollution, and health concerns warrant a comprehensive approach to ensure sustainable and responsible fertilizer usage in the country.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Mumbai Air Pollution
Central Idea
- Mumbai, known for its coastal breeze and cleaner air, is grappling with an annual decline in air quality, resembling Delhi’s long-standing pollution woes.
- The city’s coastal location, once considered a safeguard against air pollution, is no longer a reliable defense.
Air Quality Deterioration in Mumbai
- Geographic Advantage Eroded: Mumbai’s coastal location was historically its shield against air pollution, with sea breezes dispersing particles.
- Comparable Pollution Levels: Last year, Mumbai experienced an extended period of poor air quality, overlapping with Delhi’s notorious smog issue.
Meteorological Influence
- Crucial Wind Patterns: Winds’ direction and strength play a pivotal role in shaping Mumbai’s air quality. Despite similar pollutant emissions to Delhi, the city’s coastal nature provides an advantage.
- Sea-Land Wind Cycle: Typically, winds alternate between sea-to-land and land-to-sea movements every few days, aiding natural cleansing. Disruptions in this cycle can impact air quality.
Reasons for such poor air quality
- La Nina’s Role: The recent dip in La Nina, characterized by ocean surface cooling and altered wind patterns, contributed to elevated particulate matter levels in Mumbai.
- Prolonged Pollution: La Nina’s influence delayed the expected strong wind reversal from the sea, trapping pollutants in the lower atmosphere for extended periods.
- Change in Weather Phenomenon: La Nina has given way to El Nino, albeit weaker. Its specific impact on Mumbai’s air quality remains uncertain.
- Prevalent Construction Projects: The city is currently witnessing construction activities at a staggering 6,000 sites, posing a significant challenge to air quality.
- Dust Displacement: Dust particles from roads and vehicles transporting construction debris add to Mumbai’s pollution burden.
- Domestic Sources: Restaurants, dhabas, and eateries using unclean oils for cooking release ultrafine particles, oil droplets, and condensed organic compounds, along with harmful gases such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
How local weather fuels it?
- Calm Winds and Temperature Gradient: As the monsoon retreated, Mumbai experienced calmer winds. A substantial temperature difference between the city and nearby Sahyadri ranges led to winds carrying dust from construction sites in Navi Mumbai.
- Local Weather Not Sole Culprit: Unfavorable local weather conditions are not solely responsible for Mumbai’s air quality decline.
- Baseline Pollution High: Mumbai’s consistent and escalating pollutant emissions are exceeding its environmental capacity.
- Economic Growth: Increased economic activity, higher vehicle numbers, extensive construction, and elevated consumption contribute to rising emissions.
Conclusion
- Mumbai’s air quality predicament signals the urgency of addressing escalating pollution sources and fortifying mitigation measures.
- While meteorological conditions play a role, the city’s growing economic activity and emissions are the driving forces behind its deteriorating air quality.
- Relevant authorities must take proactive steps to combat this issue and ensure a healthier environment for its residents.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Dam Safety Act
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- India boasts nearly 6,000 large dams, but concerns loom over the safety of these structures, with approximately 80% of them being over 25 years old and posing safety risks.
- With numerous large dams and hydropower projects, the Himalayas play a crucial role in meeting India’s energy needs.
- However, the recent incident of a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in North Sikkim has raised alarm bells about the safety of these structures.
Hydropower boom in the Himalayas
- As of November 2022, the Himalayan states and Union territories, excluding West Bengal, had 81 large hydropower projects (above 25 MW) in operation, with 26 more under construction.
- An additional 320 large projects are in the planning stages, according to the Central Electricity Authority under the Union Ministry of Power.
Discussion: Dam Safety in the Himalayas
- Vulnerability to Natural Hazards: The Himalayas are highly susceptible to natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and GLOFs due to their complex geological and topographical features. These hazards can jeopardize the integrity of dams and reservoirs.
- High Population Density: The Himalayan region is densely populated, with communities residing downstream of dams and hydropower projects. A dam failure can have devastating consequences on human lives and property.
- Ecological Sensitivity: The Himalayas are an ecologically fragile region with unique biodiversity. A dam failure can lead to environmental disasters, impacting delicate ecosystems.
Repercussions
- Climate Change: The melting of glaciers due to global warming contributes to the formation of glacial lakes. As these lakes grow, the risk of GLOFs increases, putting downstream infrastructure at risk.
- Snowball Effects: Landslide dams can lead to impounding of lakes, landslide-induced floods, secondary landslides, channel avulsion, and the formation of flood terraces downstream, impacting communities and infrastructure.
- Delayed Impacts: Run-of-the-river projects, which often bypass large-scale displacement and forest diversion, have been promoted as environmentally friendly. However, their underground components can disturb geology and geohydrology, leading to indirect displacement and environmental impacts.
- Aging Infrastructure: Many dams and hydropower projects in the Himalayas are aging, with approximately 80% of them over 25 years old. Proper maintenance and monitoring are essential to ensure their safety.
Dam Safety Act, 2021 and its Provisions
- The DSA was introduced in response to dam failures caused by deficient surveillance and maintenance.
- It establishes key responsibilities and requires the formation of national and state-level bodies for its implementation.
- The Act outlines the following provisions:
- National Committee on Dam Safety: Responsible for overseeing dam safety policies and regulations.
- National Dam Safety Authority: Tasked with implementing and resolving state-level disputes.
- Chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC): Heads dam safety protocols at the national level.
- State Committee on Dam Safety (SCDS) and State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO): To be established at the state level.
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Challenges in DSA Implementation
- Inadequate Risk Assessment: Experts argue that the DSA does not encourage risk-based decision-making and lacks transparency incentives.
- Transparency Concerns: Dam safety should be a public function, with information readily accessible. However, transparency is impeded when government employees and project engineers dominate national and state bodies, potentially compromising objective decision-making.
Lessons Learned from Recent Incidents
- Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Dam safety protocols must include comprehensive risk assessments that consider factors such as climate change, geological stability, and the potential for GLOFs. Periodic reviews yield updated inundation maps and rule curves for reservoir capacity.
- Hazard Profiling Issues: Hazard risk is influenced by climate change, urbanization, and water usage patterns. Periodic reviews should yield updated inundation maps and rule curves for reservoir capacity. Unfortunately, these reviews are often overlooked or findings are not made publicly available.
- Standardized Safety Evaluation: The DSA mandates comprehensive dam safety evaluations but lacks standardization in how failures are analyzed and reported.
- Transparent Reporting: Transparency in dam safety is paramount. The DSA should be implemented rigorously, with an emphasis on transparent reporting of dam failures and safety assessments.
- Community Involvement: Local communities should be actively engaged in dam safety measures. They can provide valuable insights into the environmental and social impacts of such projects.
Way Forward
- Early Warning Systems: Establishing advanced early warning systems that can detect GLOFs and other potential hazards is crucial. These systems can save lives and minimize damage.
- Regular Maintenance: Aging infrastructure must undergo regular maintenance and upgrades to ensure their continued safety and functionality.
- International Collaboration: Given the transboundary nature of the Himalayan region, international collaboration on dam safety and disaster management is essential. Neighboring countries should work together to mitigate shared risks.
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