Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Bounty Is Curse – Sudan is another example of what happens to natural resource rich but politically mismanaged countries

News: Sudan Civil War has highlighted the growing concern about regional instability.

About the present issue in Sudan

About Operation Kaveri and Sudan evacuation

What are the concerns associated with the Sudan Civil War?

-If Sudan heads the Libya way, it will see another dangerous flood of weapons in the Horn of Africa region. Further, it will give a huge fillip to an assortment of armed groups, including ISIS and al-Qaida affiliates.

How Dutch disease led to Civil War in Sudan?

Note: Dutch Disease in economics refers to a phenomenon wherein a country witnesses uneven growth across sectors due to the discovery of natural resources. This is because the chronic dependence on the export of these natural resources hollows out other sectors of the economy.

Sudan Civil War is not just a straightforward power struggle between two branches of that country’s armed forces. It is also the expression of Dutch disease phenomenon, which is afflicting multiple countries in Africa and beyond.

After South Sudan’s secession in 2011, Sudan’s economy was severely undermined by the loss of oil revenue which constituted more than 50% of the Sudanese government’s revenues and 95% of its exports. Thus, Sudan remains one of the poorest countries in the world with its 46 million people living on an average annual income of $750 per capita.

Further, illegal extraction of natural resources by local warlords due to fragile governance-security structures is also there in Sudan,

What should be done to come out of the Civil War?

Overall, failure to manage natural resources can have deep economic and security implications. In such conditions, the nation needs to take steps to come out of it. Such as Kazakhstan’s National Fund which is financed by oil, gas and mineral revenues.

Healthy reduction – Out-of-pocket health spends must fall faster

News: The latest data from the National Health Accounts for 2019-20 suggests that India is witnessing a steady fall in the average out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), or the amount patients spend themselves directly at the point of treatment.

What are the key findings of the National Health Accounts report?

-From a high of 62.6% in 2014-15, OOPE fell to 47% in 2019-20.

-In the same period, government health expenditure rose from 29 to 41% of total healthcare expenditure.

-Private health insurance appears to have grown in this period, from 3.7 to 7%. Over a five-year timeline, this is a development in the right direction.

What are the key observations of the National Health Accounts report findings?

There is a strong correlation between rising government health expenditure and falling OOPE. For example, the years between 2016-17 and 2017-18 saw an almost 10 percentage point drop in OOPE, in tune with an 8 percentage point rise in government expenditure.

Although the Ayushman Bharat scheme was introduced in the 2018-19 fiscal year, its impact on OOPE is yet to be determined.

What are the concerns associated with the National Health Accounts report?

a) The report figures pertain to the year before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. So, it is reasonable to assume that much has changed in the three years, given the nature of the virus, b) Although the OOPE has reduced, Indians still spend far too much from their own pockets to pay health expenses. For example, OOPEs as a percentage of total healthcare expenditure for countries such as Indonesia, China and Malaysia were around mid-30s, c) Central and state governments still underspend on healthcare. Government health expenditure as a percentage of GDP between 2014-15 and 2019-20 rose only marginally, from 1.13% to 1.35%.  Bur the per capita spend nearly doubled from ~1,108 to ~2,014.

What should be done to reduce OOPEs further?

The aim is to raise health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2025, and the Central government has stayed on this path despite fiscal constraints. As of now, state spending is just 4-5% of their total budget. An increase in allocation by states would help in making an appreciable difference to OOPEs.

Remission Impossible – In Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, govt decisions on early release, paroles are huge blows against justice

News: The existing Bihar Prison Manual has disallowed remission of convicts of terrorism, rape-cum-murder and murder of state officers. Bihar has recently amended the Bihar Prison Manual 2012 to remove the phrase “the murder of a public servant”.  This facilitates the release of a murder convict for political reasons. This will also aid the criminalisation of politics.

What are the other recent examples of government flouting criminal justice procedures?

-The Supreme Court last week tightened up the Gujarat government and the Centre for their reluctance to share files on the early release of 11 lifers in the Bilkis Bano case for political reasons. The SC also remarked that the grant of remission showed “complete non-consideration for the gravity of the offences”.

-Recently, the Haryana government justified frequent paroles to Dera chief and rape-and-murder convict, claiming he wasn’t a “hardcore prisoner”.

What should be done?

Remission if fairly applied is a chance at a second life. But, the government’s flouting criminal justice procedures are huge blows against justice.

Poonch terror attack: It typifies the low-intensity conflict that Pakistan keeps persisting with

News – Recently, five soldiers were killed in Poonch terrorist attack.

What is Pakistan’s strategy in Jammu and Kashmir?

The Pakistan strategy is low-intensity conflict (LIC). It is characterised by hybrid war. Experience shows that there is little scope for a clear-cut victory and defeat in the low-intensity conflict in J&K.

A low-intensity conflict does not just disappear and provides sufficient scope for a bounce back. It is the people who ultimately decide their fate.

It need not be a Pulwama-type attack with dozens of fatalities. It is just something to draw attention and an attempt to show the flag.

What is the immediate reason for the Poonch terror attack?

First, is the G20 Tourism Meeting at Srinagar in the third week of May 2023. Pakistan’s aim is to disrupt the event and have it cancelled. The meet is an opportunity for India to showcase an integrated J&K to an important forum.

Second, and more complex event is the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting at Goa on May 4-5. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto accepted the invitation for this meeting

There is speculation Sino-Pak may collaborate to embarrass India if New Delhi cancels the invitation due to the Poonch attack. If it does not, Bhutto can embarrass India by making awkward statements on Indian soil.

What is the way forward for security management in Jammu and Kashmir?

India must not do anything in a hurry. Foreign policy has been well-handled, and no major decisions are required when there is an international strategic turbulence, and nothing major is at stake.

Recalibration to balance out the attention between the northern and western borders will ensure greater pragmatism and the proper security focus.

The strategic community and the media must assume a larger and more pragmatic role instead of pressuring the government into any hurried decisions.

Operationally, the area south of Pir Panjal perhaps needs a review in terms of the density of troops. The terrain, the target’s proximity to the LoC and a mix of population keeps the area in a state of higher vulnerability.

Virtual digital assets, India’s stand and the way ahead

News- In a recent notification, the government extended the anti-money laundering provisions to virtual digital assets businesses and service providers.

What are some facts about the notification?

Virtual digital assets platforms will now have to register as a reporting entity with the Financial Intelligence Unit-India. The unit is the national agency to strengthen India’s efforts against money laundering and terror financing.

Reporting entity platforms such as CoinSwitch are now mandated to implement know your customer, record and monitor all transactions, and report to the Financial Intelligence Unit-India when any suspicious activity is detected.

Why is this a step in the right direction?

Such rules are already applicable to banks, financial institutions and certain intermediaries in the securities and real estate markets. Extending them to virtual digital assets provides virtual digital assets platforms with a framework to monitor and take actions against malpractices.

A standardisation of such norms will make the Indian virtual digital assets sector transparent. It will also build confidence and assurance in the ecosystem. It will give the government more oversight on virtual digital asset transactions.

Such risk-mitigation measures are in line with global guidelines put forward by the International Monetary Fund and the Financial Action Task Force.

Such guidelines acknowledge the role Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) play in regulating and monitoring the virtual digital assets ecosystem. VASPs are the most efficient bridges and eyes for regulators to effectively implement Anti-Money Laundering provisions.

This could also be the basis for India to reconsider its tax treatment of virtual digital assets. PMLA notification mitigates the most money laundering and terror financing risks. So, there is little reason for the tax rates to be very high.

There is an opportunity to bring virtual digital assets taxes on a par with other asset classes. Reducing tax rates will also help stem the flight of capital, consumers, investments, and talent and tackle the grey economy for virtual digital assets.

This is also significant due to India’s presidency of the G-20. The finance track of the G-20 is discussing the establishment of a global regulatory framework for virtual digital assets. India’s leadership and experience is key here.

There is also an opportunity to consider the steps taken by other G-20 nations. In Asia, Japan and South Korea have established a framework to license VASPs.

The challenge of reviving a sense of fraternity

News– The article explains the importance of the principle of fraternity for Indian democracy.

How did the ideas of the constitution take shape before independence?

The Constitution of India was drafted by the Constituent Assembly. The idea was initially proposed in December 1934 by M.N. Roy.

It became an official demand of the Indian National Congress in 1935 and was officially adopted in the Lucknow session in April 1936 presided by Jawaharlal Nehru.

What are Ambedkar ideas about fraternity?

Fraternity means a sense of common brotherhood of all Indians. It is the principle which gives unity and solidarity to social life. It is a difficult thing to achieve.

Without fraternity, equality and liberty will not be very useful. Fraternity has been most forgotten in our Constitution and in our electoral process.

The idea of fraternity is closely linked to that of social solidarity, which is impossible to accomplish without public empathy.

What are the duties in the Indian constitution that emanates from the principle of fraternity?

The text of the Constitution explains the implication of other principles and the duties arising from them. But it is not the case with fraternity.

Article 51A evaded it except by Article 51A(e). This article refers to the duty of every citizen to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India.

As per Sir Ernest Barker, a distinction has to be made between the psychological fact of common emotion and the political principle of fraternity.

Fraternity is a dubious word. It may be used to denote both emotion and principle. But it is perhaps generally used to denote emotion rather than principle.

What are Ambedkar’s ideas about working for democracy in India?

Democracy is prone to change form and purpose. Its purpose in our times is the welfare of the people. It is a method of government by discussion. It brings revolutionary changes to the economic and social life of people without bloodshed.

Following are some of the requirements to maintain it:

• There must not be inequalities in society.
• There must be equality of law as well as equal protection of law, and observance of constitutional morality.
• There must be no tyranny of the majority over the minority.
• A functioning moral order in society and a public conscience are essential.

What is the real situation of democracy in India?

The ground reality is different. Inequalities continue to persist and so do those emanating from the caste system.

The democratic opposition has progressively declined in substance. Equality in law does not necessarily mean equal protection of the law. There is little regard for constitutional morality.

What is the way forward for the success of democracy in India?

India has immense diversity. There is also an unfortunate legacy of violence at birth that persists and takes different forms. There is a need for constitutional principles in individual and collective terms.

A sense of fraternity is needed as an essential virtue. This cannot be merely in formal terms. It has to be imbibed individually and collectively. It has to be described as moral and spiritual content.

There is a need to invest in our democracy with this moral content at the individual and collective levels. It has to take the shape of an imperative.

GS Paper 3

Maharashtra heatstroke deaths: Protecting the vulnerable this summer

News: Recently, fourteen people died from heatstroke while attending a government award function in an open space in Navi Mumbai. The IMD has predicted a hotter summer this year. So, India has to take steps to prevent many deaths from heat strokes this year.

What are heatstrokes, and what are their implications?

Note: In 2010, heat waves in Ahmedabad took more than 800 deaths. In response, Ahmedabad became the first city to start a threshold-based Heat Action Plan in 2013.

The IMD now predicts the temperature level for the next five days in more than 500 cities and all districts of India.

How can heat strokes be fatal?

About the history of heat strokes

Global level: Heat stroke deaths have plagued various armies for centuries. More recently, devastating heat waves occurred in Chicago in 1995 and the European heat wave in 2003.

Indian level: Traditionally, most cultures in India have words to describe heat stroke — such as “loo” in Hindi and other languages. As Indians are used to hot weather and the country has several other pressing tasks. So there has been a weak national commitment.

What are the ideal solutions for heat waves?

Prepare individual HAPs: The World Meteorological Organisation has declared that the past six years have been the hottest globally, indicating the increasing pace of global warming. Hence, it is imperative that all cities, districts and villages in India prepare for heat waves.

For this, each city and district should appoint a “heat officer” who will ensure that the heat action plan is prepared and implemented. The plan has to be revisited every year and revised when new features are required to protect people.

Role of local government: The local city or district governments have to take the historical temperatures of the cities and issue a red alert if it is in the 99th percentile, an orange alert if it is in the 95th percentile and above, and a yellow alert if is the 90th percentile and above.

Encourage people to carry water while going out and cover their heads or use an umbrella to prevent direct exposure to sunlight.

Long-term solutions: Long-term measures like the greening of cities by increasing the tree cover, painting roofs white (cool roofs) to reflect sunlight and heat, and use of low-energy cooling devices such as fans and coolers will also help to reduce the effect of increasing heat.

Prepare heat wave mortality data: India needs to correlate the daily all-cause mortality with daily temperatures for the last 15-20 years. India also needs to capture and analyse all-cause mortality and hospitalisation in every city and correlate it with daily maximum and minimum temperatures. This will inform authorities if mortality and morbidity are within the usual limits.

Overall, systematic steps are required to protect people from heat wave-related mortality and morbidity. This requires inter and intra-departmental coordination and top-level commitment.

The third-gen web is about public good

News– A 2021 report by the U.S.- India Strategic Partnership Forum states that the third-gen web will be crucial for India to realise its $1.1 trillion digital asset opportunity by 2032.

What are some facts about the third-generation web?

Some experts term the third-gen web as ‘Web3’, while others use the term ‘Web 3.0’.

Web3 is decentralised, privacy-oriented, blockchain-driven and crypto-asset friendly.

Web 3.0 upholds the property of the ‘semantic web,’ which is powered by AI. Semantic web has the ability to recombine information available on different websites to generate new content and knowledge resources that are more authentic and creative.

Followers of Web 3.0 claim that their version has robust capability on the data analytics front. So, it will create far better search engines.

Web3 seeks to radically transform the manner in which data is generated, monetized, shared, and circulated. It advocates decentralized data storage systems.

Web3 has file-sharing systems such as the Interplanetary File System which are cryptographically protected. It is more secure and capable of functioning without the Internet and blockchains. In this manner, Web3 seeks to overcome the data storage barriers of blockchains.

Web3’s boldest element is the strategic role assigned to non- custodial wallets. It functions as digital passports for users to access blockchain-enabled transaction platforms.

These wallets aid the creation of an ownership economy. Here, creators themselves control their content. Fundamentally, they work as digital proof of identity.

Web3 seeks to replace micro-economic organizations with decentralized autonomous organizations.

At a more macro level, it seeks to create a distributed economic system. Here, special classes of native digital tokens and cryptocurrencies would form the media of monetary circulation.

How can India benefit from the third-generation web?

Design-related innovations of India’s handicraft industry are not protected by Intellectual Property rights. The digital tokens minted by Web 3 platforms would enable our handcraft enterprises to secure their innovations.

Web 3-based instruction tools enable the rapid dissemination of grassroots innovations from master artisans to fellow members. It would improve the economic fortunes of craftsmen and artisan communities in north-east, western and peninsular India.

India’s major digital public infrastructure push and the large-scale deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) in rural development projects offer major possibilities for deploying Web 3 in rural areas.

There has been a rapid rise in community data. But this resource remains largely untapped due to a lack of data analytics capabilities at the community level. This limitation can be overcome by Web3 analytics systems.

Web 3.0 can also yield insights from large volumes of community data, generated by IoT-enabled development programmes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Web 3.0’s natural advantage of facilitating ‘analytics at the edge’ provides considerable scope for mapping the water use habits of communities.

Similarly, early warning systems for floods will improve with Web 3.0 due to data analytics facilities being obtained at the sub-basin level. Thus Web 3.0 will have a transformative role in regionally disadvantaged areas.

India’s National Blockchain Strategy 2021 proposes to explore tokenization and apply blockchains solutions for development programmes. A third-gen web strategy can be helpful in achieving it.

Our budget speeches capture the evolution of government policy

News: The article discusses the focus areas of budget speeches from the 1990s to the present time.

Budget speeches provide a broad outline of the government focus areas and policies, they are going to follow in the near future.

What are the focus areas of the budget speeches from the 1990s?

The budget speeches in India have focused on eight broad themes – (i) infrastructure, (ii) technology and innovation, (iii) social security, (iv) human development, (v) food and agriculture, (vi) demographics, (vii) fiscal policy and (viii) boosting national income.

How did some of these focus areas evolve during the course of the budget speeches over the years?

Infrastructure: The announcement of infrastructure projects such as new railway lines, national highways, rural roads and port development has been a key part of the budget speeches.

Budget speeches of past decades talked of building basic infrastructure like roads and ports whereas now speeches emphasize on connecting and building synergies between existing infrastructure, freight corridors, logistics, etc.

India’s gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) as a share of GDP (at current prices) has grown from 23% in the 1990s to 28% in the 2000s and to 30% in the 2010s. GFCF is expected to be 29% of GDP in 2022-23. 

The central government aims to double its capital expenditure to 3.3% of GDP in 2023-24 from an average of 1.7% of GDP in the 2010s.

Technology and Innovation: Over the last 30 years, the central government has steadily adopted advancements in digital technology to improve administration and the delivery of welfare services.

The share of electronic payments in total retail payments (in value terms) is estimated to have grown from 11% to 86%. 

Climate Change: There has been focus on adapting and mitigating the dangers of anthropogenic climate change in the recent budget speeches.

Efforts to fight climate change increased in the early 2010s and this decade’s budgets extensively talk about increasing solar generation capacity, lowering carbon emissions and encouraging sustainable mobility.

Demographics: There has also been focus on using the word urban more than rural. It is because the proportion of India’s population living in urban areas has increased from 25% to 35% over the last three decades. 

Similarly, the mention of items relating to food and agriculture has declined, although budget speeches continue to appeal to ‘farmers’ as before.

Social Security and Human Development: The delivery of welfare remains a critical component of budget speeches.

The emphasis on human development through health and education has grown within welfare services, whereas the emphasis on social security such as pensions and food appear to have diminished.

The most recent budget laid emphasis on skilling and training across industries.

Must Read: Union Budget 2023-24: Key Highlights – Explained

What lies ahead?

Since 2019-20, the government’s narrative has become more focused on building infrastructure, fostering digitization and ensuring targeted welfare delivery.

Given that India is still developing into an economic power, it is important to continuously monitor and assess the Center’s performance on these fronts.

Why have Maoists killed again — and why do they repeatedly attack in Chhattisgarh?

News: Ten personnel of the Chhattisgarh Police’s District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the civilian driver of their vehicle were reported killed in an IED attack by Maoists in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

Why have the Maoists carried out the attack in Chhattisgarh now?

The CPI(Maoist) carries out Tactical Counter Offensive Campaigns (TCOCs) between February and June every year, in order to inflict casualties on security forces.

This period is chosen because with the onset of the monsoon in July, it becomes difficult to conduct offensive operations in the jungles due to tall grasses and overflowing nullahs.

What is the current situation of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in the country?

According to the government, Maoist violence in the country has gone down by 77% since 2010. The number of deaths has also come down by 90%.

The government has cut the number of districts declared to be Naxal-affected from over 200 in the early 2000s to just 90 now, and claims that the geographical spread of violence is actually restricted to just 45 districts. 

What is the situation of Maoists in Chhattisgarh?

It is the only state in the country where Maoists continue to have a significant presence and retain the capability to conduct big attacks.

According to government data, in the last five years (2018-22), Chhattisgarh accounted for more than a third of all Maoist-related violence in this period.

However, the numbers of deaths of security forces personnel have risen as well as fallen in this period.

Why does Chhattisgarh continue to remain troubled by Maoists?

Special forces of the local police were raised in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand to fight with Maoists. They played an important role in making these states rid of Maoists.

However, Chhattisgarh did not have any such special forces by that time. Due to which, Maoists from other states moved to Chhattisgarh. This made Chhattisgarh a concentrated zone of Maoist influence.

Moreover, the lack of roads in the interiors of Bastar has hampered security forces’ activities.

There is also minimal presence of the administration in the interiors of South Bastar, allowing Maoists to continue their influence in the region.

Must Read: Tackling the Maoists: On left-wing extremism

How has the Centre responded to help Maoists affected states?

The Centre has supported LWE states through CRPF, Security Related Expenditure (SRE), Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) and Special Central Assistance for building infrastructure such as roads in LWE districts.

In Chhattisgarh, the CRPF has increased its presence by opening new camps in the jungles of South Bastar.

CRPF has also raised a Bastariya Battalion in Chhattisgarh. The recruits for this battalion are taken from the local population, who know the language and terrain, and could generate intelligence.

Further, Centre is pushing for the erection of mobile towers in the interiors, which would help the local people connect with the mainstream, and also generate technical intelligence.

The Centre has also used the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate to target CPI(Maoist) cadres, leaders, and supporters in order to stop their finances.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

NITI Aayog Releases Report – Promoting Millets in Diets: Best Practices across States/UTs of India

Source: The post is based on the article “NITI Aayog Releases Report – Promoting Millets in Diets: Best Practices across States/UTs of India” published in PIB on 27th April 2023

What is the News?

NITI Aayog has released a report titled “Promoting Millets in Diets: Best Practices across States/UTs of India”.

What is the purpose of the Promoting Millets in Diets report?

The report presents a set of good and innovative practices adopted by state governments and organizations in various aspects of millet value- chain, especially production, processing and consumption. 

What are the key highlights from the Promoting Millets in Diets report?

State Missions and Initiatives to Promote Millets: Odisha Millet Mission launched in 2017 with the aim to revive millets on farms and plates have been the flag bearer in this regard as it simultaneously focuses on production, processing, consumption, marketing and inclusion of millets in government schemes. 

– Other State Mission worth highlighting are Comprehensive Revival Of Millet Cultivation by Tribals in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh Millet Mission, and Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana of Haryana among others.

Millet Production in India: India produces all the nine commonly known traditional millets viz. Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Finger Millet, Foxtail Millet, Proso Millet, Little Millet, Barnyard Millet, Browntop Millet and Kodo Millet. 

– Millets are also the most secure crops for small farmers as they are resilient and climate adaptable in both hot and drought environments.

– However, the area under cultivation of various millets in India has been declining. For instance, the total area of cropland harvesting the three major millet crops i.e. jowar, bajra and ragi grew in India has almost halved across the country since 1966.

The reasons for this decline can be attributed to:

-Promotion of rice and wheat vis-a-vis millet production and lack of suitable initiatives towards millets.

-Low margins associated with millet production vis-a-vis other crops have created disincentives for millet farmers. 

-The relatively shorter shelf life of the crops creates storage-related concerns and gives rise to risks of spoilage.

-Further, changes in lifestyle and consumer tastes, coupled with the unavailability of ready-to-eat millets have contributed to lower demand.

What are the initiatives taken by the Government of India to promote Millet?

Home Minister launches first liquid Nano DAP to cut fertilizer import bill

Source: The post is based on the article “Home Minister launches first liquid Nano DAP to cut fertilizer import bill” published in TOI on 27th April 2023

What is the News?

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister has launched the world’s first liquid Nano DAP.

Note: Nano DAP is the second such variant of fertilizer. Nano Urea was the first one in this series.

What is Nano DAP?

Nano DAP is a unique liquid fertilizer product that contains nanoparticles of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP). 

It is a source of nitrogen and phosphorus – 2 key primary nutrients essential for the growth of crops.

Manufactured by: Nano-DAP is jointly manufactured by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) in association with a private player Coromandel.

– The manufacturing units of Nano DAP have been established in Kalol, Gujarat and Paradeep, Odisha by IFFCO which has patents of both the Nano variant of liquid fertilisers.

What are the expected benefits of Nano DAP?

DAP is the second most consumed fertilizer in the country after urea.

Out of the estimated annual consumption of around 10-12.5 million tonnes, local production is around 4-5 million tonnes, while the rest has to be imported.

Nano-DAP will help to bring down India’s fertilizer import bill.

It is also expected to contribute to bringing down the annual subsidy on non-urea fertilizers.

It will also help farmers reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, thus enhancing the quality and quantity of their produce.Reduced production cost and increased output will greatly boost the annual income of Indian farmers. 

Tax levies on electricity generation: Centre tells States to scrap levies on power generation

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre tells States to scrap levies on power generation” published in The Hindu on 27th April 2023

What is the News?

The Central Government has issued a terse warning to States against resorting to tax levies on electricity generation, including through the imposition of a water cess.

What is the issue?

Some States have imposed taxes/duties under the guise of levying a cess on the use of water for generating electricity. 

However, though the State may call it a water cess, it is actually a tax on the generation of electricity.

The centre has called this illegal and unconstitutional because electricity generated within the territory of one state may be consumed in other states and no state has the power to levy taxes/duties on residents of other states.

What are the grounds based on which the Centre has called the tax levies on electricity generation by States as unconstitutional?

Entry-53 of List-II (State List) authorizes states to put taxes on the consumption or sale of electricity in its jurisdiction. This does not include the power to impose any tax or duty on the generation of electricity.

Article 286 of the Constitution explicitly prohibits states from imposing any taxes or duties on the supply of goods or services or on both where the supply takes place outside the state.

Articles 287 and 288 prohibit the imposition of taxes on the consumption or sale of electricity consumed by the central government or sold to the central government for consumption by the government or its agencies.

As per Entry-56 of the Union List of the Constitution, regulations of issues related to Inter-State Rivers come under the purview of the Centre.

– Most of the hydroelectric plants in states are located /proposed to be developed on Inter-State Rivers. Any imposition of tax on the non-consumptive use of water of these rivers for electricity generation is in violation of provisions of the Constitution.

The distribution and utilization of water bodies in India

Source: The post is based on the article “The distribution and utilization of water bodies in India” published in The Hindu on 27th April 2023

What is the News?

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has released the report of the first census of water bodies.

What is the first census of water bodies?

Click Here to read

What are the other key findings of the census of water bodies?

Usage of water bodies: The majority of water bodies serve as resources for fish farming (55%) with their subsequent uses including irrigation, replenishing groundwater, and providing water for household and drinking needs. 

– In general, the east and the northeast states use most of the water bodies for fish farming.

– Over 50% of the water bodies are used for irrigation in Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka and Jharkhand. 

– In Manipur and Himachal Pradesh, more than 50% are used for drinking. Industrial usage is minimal in all the States.

Water bodies found in: Around 97.1% of water bodies can be found in rural regions; only 2.9% are situated in urban areas. Of these, 83.7% are in use, while the rest are non-functional or unused due to factors such as construction, siltation, irreparable damage, and industrial effluents, among others. 

Owned by: Of the total water bodies, 55.2% are privately owned and the rest are publicly owned. 

Right to marry is not absolute, laws regulate marriage, Centre tells SC

Source: The post is based on the article “Right to marry is not absolute, laws regulate marriage, Centre tells SC” published in The Hindu on 27th April 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has continued to hear a batch of pleas seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriages.

What is the case about?

Click Here to read

What is the Central Government’s stand on same-sex marriage?

The Central Government has opposed same-sex marriage. It has argued that the right to marry is not an “absolute right” and petitioners cannot compel the state to grant legal status to same-sex marriage through a judicial declaration.

It reiterated its humble request to the Supreme Court not to rewrite the Special Marriage Act (SMA) for legal validation of same-sex marriages.

It also said that the legal recognition of same-sex marriage by making the Special Marriage Act gender-neutral should ideally be debated in Parliament and not the court.

This is because the debate in Parliament will be assisted by national views, views of experts, and views on impact, effects and what are implications of several laws.

For instance, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 was the Parliament’s response to the decriminalization of homosexuality by the Supreme Court in 2018. The term ‘transgender person’ in the act is widely defined to include all spectrums of the LGBTQIA+ community.

SC modifies order on ESZ around protected forests

Source: The post is based on the article “SC modifies order on ESZ around protected forests” published in The Hindu on 26th April 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has modified its 2022 order which directed that each protected forest such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries must have an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of one kilometre.

What was the case about?

In June 2022, the Supreme Court had directed all national parks and wildlife sanctuaries falling under protected forests to earmark a minimum distance of one kilometer as ESZ where prohibited activities, including mining and establishment of any new permanent structure, will not be permitted.

However, the Centre and several States had returned to the court seeking modification of the June 2022 judgment saying the judicial direction affected hundreds of villages on the peripheries of forests.

What did the Supreme Court rule?

The Supreme Court has modified its 2022 judgment to have mandatory eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) of a minimum of one kilometre around protected forests, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country.

The court reasoned that ESZ cannot be uniform across the country and has to be “protected area-specific”.

The court said such a stringent observance of the June 2022 judgment would cause more harm than good. This will also increase man-animal conflict rather than abate it.

Henceforth, the 2022 order will not be applicable to ESZs in respect to which draft and final notifications have been issued by the MoEFCC, and where proposals for such notifications have been received by the ministry.

It will also not be applicable where the national parks and sanctuaries are located on inter-state borders or share common boundaries.

However, the court made it clear that mining within the national park and wildlife sanctuary and within an area of one kilometer from the boundary of such national park and wildlife sanctuary shall not be permissible.

Cabinet approves the Policy for the Medical Devices Sector

Source: The post is based on the article “Cabinet approves the Policy for the Medical Devices Sector” published in PIB on 26th April 2023

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023.

What is the need for a National Medical Devices Policy?

The medical devices sector in India is a sunrise sector which is growing at a fast pace. 

The market size of the medical devices sector in India is estimated to be $11 billion (approximately, ₹ 90,000 Cr) in 2020 and its share in the global medical device market is estimated to be 1.5%.

The Indian medical devices sector is on a growth track and has an enormous potential to become self-reliant and contribute towards the goal of universal health care. 

The Government of India has already initiated the implementation of PLI Scheme for medical devices and support for the setting up of 4 Medical device Parks in the States of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

Building upon these measures, a holistic policy framework to accelerate this growth and fulfill the potential of the sector is the need of the hour.

What is the purpose of the National Medical Devices Policy?

Objectives: To accelerate the growth path of the medical devices sector with a patient-centric approach;

– To emerge as the global leader in the manufacturing and innovation of medical devices by achieving a 10-12% share in the expanding global market over the next 25 years;

– To help the Medical Devices Sector grow from the present $11 Bn to $50 Bn by 2030.

Key Features of the policy: Medical devices sector will be facilitated and guided through a set of strategies that will be cover six broad areas of policy interventions:

Regulatory Streamlining: Creation of a Single Window Clearance System for Licensing of Medical Devices; coordination between all the stakeholder departments/ organizations such as AERB, MeitY, DAHD, etc., Enhancing the role of Indian Standards like BIS; Designing a coherent pricing regulation.

Enabling Infrastructure: Developing medical device parks and clusters in line with the National Industrial Corridor Program and the proposed National Logistics Policy 2021 under the ambit of PM Gati Shakti.

Facilitating R&D and Innovation: Supporting R&D and innovation through the establishment of Centres of Excellence in academic and research institutions, innovation hubs, ‘plug and play’ infrastructures and support to start-ups.

Attracting Investments in the Sector: Along with recent schemes and interventions like Make in India, Ayushman Bharat program, Heal-in-India, Start-up mission, the policy encourages private investments, series of funding from Venture Capitalists and Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

Human Resources Development: Skilling, reskilling, and upskilling of professionals in the medical device sector; Supporting dedicated multidisciplinary courses for medical devices in existing institutions; Developing partnerships with foreign academic/industry organizations.

Brand Positioning and Awareness Creation: The policy envisages the creation of a dedicated Export Promotion Council for the sector under the Department which will be an enabler to deal with various market access issues.

What is the significance of this policy?

The policy is expected to provide the required support and directions to strengthen the medical devices industry into a competitive, self-reliant, resilient and innovative industry that caters to the healthcare needs of not only India but also of the world. 

WHO launches ‘The Big Catch-Up’ to restore immunization progress lost during pandemic

Source: The post is based on the article “WHO launches ‘The Big Catch-Up’ to restore immunization progress lost during pandemic” published in Down To Earth on 27th April 2023

What is the News?

Several public health organizations have come together to launch The Big Catch-up Initiative.

What is the Big Catch-up Initiative?

Launched by: World Health Organization, UNICEF, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, along with Immunization Agenda 2030 and a host of other public health organizations.

Purpose: It is a targeted global effort to boost vaccination among children following declines driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Target countries: The initiative will pay special attention to the 20 countries which are home to a majority of the children who have missed their vaccine doses. 

– India is among these 20 countries where around 75% of children have missed essential immunization against preventable but critical diseases in 2021, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

– The disruption has already led to outbreaks of such diseases, including measles, diphtheria, polio and yellow fever becoming more prevalent and severe.

Major activities under the initiative: Strengthen healthcare workforces, improve health service delivery, build demand for vaccines, and address obstacles to restoring immunization.