9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – April 8th, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Explained: Indonesia’s palm oil crisis, and its implications for India
• Ukraine and the anatomy of India’s neutrality 
• Is India’s position on Russia affecting its relationship with the U.S.? 
• Parliament has just passed a dangerous bill 
• BRICS and the creation of a multipolar world 
• Time to revisit the IIM Act 
• Big headache: Minor offences majorly clog courts and harass individuals and businesses. Decriminalise them
• The manacles of caste in sanitation work

GS Paper 3

• Biogas: A sustainable solution for curbing pollution, improving livelihoods & enhancing quality of life
• On fire hazard from e-vehicles: Read the smoke signals
• Safeguard Aadhar: CAG’s audit of UIDAI reveals worrisome laxity. It needs to improve fast

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• U.N suspends Russia from Human Rights Council; India abstains from vote
• Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports releases India’s contribution to UNESCO Fund for Elimination of Doping in Sport in 2022
• Explained: What are the draft guidelines for registration of doctors proposed by NMC?
• Union Minister says EOS-02 satellite will be launched in second quarter of 2022
• Mission Vatsalya: Public participation sought for child protection
• Landmark policy decision to indigenise 101 more weapons and platforms to speed up ‘Atma Nirbharta’ in Defence
• Union Home Minister presided over the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee
• Magical mushroom: Scaling up Ganoderma lucidum cultivation will benefit farmers, users
• Indian Tent Turtles

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Explained: Indonesia’s palm oil crisis, and its implications for India

News: The world’s largest producer and exporter of palm oil, Indonesia, is facing domestic shortages, leading to price controls and export curbs. What explains this situation, and what are the implications for India?

What is the present situation wrt palm oil in Indonesia?

Indonesia has witnessed the domestic prices of branded cooking oil spiral, between March 2021 and March 2022.

On February 1, the Indonesian government imposed a ceiling on retail prices. The price caps, however, led to the product disappearing from supermarket shelves, amid reports of hoarding and consumers standing in long queues for hours.

Besides domestic price controls, the government also made it compulsory for exporters to sell 20% of their planned shipments in the domestic market, at predetermined prices.

What are the possible reasons behind the price rise?

There are two plausible reasons:

1]. Supply disruptions, both man-made and natural, in other cooking oils, especially sunflower and soyabean.

– Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in port closures and exporters avoiding Black Sea shipping routes. Ukraine and Russia together account for nearly 80% of the global trade in sunflower oil.

– Sanctions against Russia have further curtailed trade in sunflower oil, the world’s third most exported vegetable oil

Soyabean oil, too, is facing supply issues due to dry weather in South America.

Supply tightness in sunflower and soyabean — from war and drought, respectively — has, in turn, transmitted to palm oil.

2]. The second factor is linked to petroleum, more specifically the use of palm oil as a bio-fuel. The Indonesian government has, since 2020, made 30% blending of diesel with palm oil mandatory as part of a plan to slash fossil fuel imports. Palm oil getting increasingly diverted for bio-diesel is leaving less quantity available, both for the domestic cooking oil and export market.

What are the implications for India?

India is the world’s biggest vegetable oils importer. Out of its annual imports of 14-15 mt, the lion’s share is of palm oil (8-9 mt), followed by soyabean (3-3.5 mt) and sunflower (2.5).

Indonesia’s restrictions on exports take into account its domestic demand obligations and its ambitious bio-fuel programme. So in that sense, India must get used to a lower supply from Indonesia.

Ukraine and the anatomy of India’s neutrality

News: Recently, India has chosen a non-condemnatory approach and abstention approach in the United Nations (UNs) forum on the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

India’s stand has pushed India at the centre of the debate in the international community. 

What has been the nature of India’s foreign policy?

In 1957, Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru advocated a foreign policy guided by a non-condemnatory approach. India more or less followed the same line in the Soviet interventions in Hungary (1956), Czechoslovakia (1968) or Afghanistan (1979), or the American invasion of Iraq (2003)  

In fact, India also condemned the civilian killings in Ukraine without calling any names.

Why do the western countries want India to embrace the anti-Russian stand? 

(1) From a political point of view: The U.S. considers the assault on Ukraine as an assault on “the free world”. Therefore, its narrative would look weak if the world’s largest democracy (India) does not take the side of the West.  

(2) From an economic point of view: The sanctions imposed by the US on Russia would not work if India continues to trade with Russia. Importantly, China, the world’s second largest economy, refuses to abide by the American sanctions. Further, the adherence of Japan, South Korea and Singapore, the only three Asian nations which have backed the sanctions, would not be strong enough to deter Russia. 

(3) From a strategic point of view: US sees India as a counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific region. Therefore, it wants India to choose sides. 

How the global order has changed?

Since the last two decades, the global order is witnessing rapid changes. There seems to be three great powers (the US, Russia and China) and several middle powers.

The US is an existing power, Russia is a wounded bear with an imperial nostalgia. It is economically weak but in terms of land mass and military might, it remains a superpower, and China is rising fast and seek to displace the American order at the global level.  

India is itself a middle power. In the present conflict, two out of three global powers are India’s partners and one is a competitor. Therefore, it is not wise for India to take side. Taking sides with one partner, would make China (India’s competitor) stronger.  

Why India’s present foreign policy is right? 

It seems India is being selectively targeted. India’s position is not isolated.

– For example, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, a close American ally, abstained from a vote in the UN Security Council. In fact, Israel, and Turkey, both refused to join the sanctions regime.  

The foreign policy of a country does not depend upon the moral commitments. It is based on its national interests. For example, The U.S.-led NATO bombed Yugoslavia in 1999, invaded Iraq in 2003, and destroyed the state of Libya while pursuing its national interest, rather than moral commitments.  

India’s national interests lies in non-alignment. In addition to defence and energy security, India wants Russia for continental security (geopolitical reasons), especially after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan. On the contrary, India wants the U.S., Japan and Australia for India’s maritime security.  

India is not a client state of any great power. In fact, the client states of the West have not joined the sanctions regime.  

India is not an ally of the US. For example, the Quad (India, Australia, Japan and the U.S.) is not an alliance.  

India’s core national interests need pragmatic realism. The strategic autonomy keeps channels open with both sides. It serves our national interests.  

Is India’s position on Russia affecting its relationship with the U.S.?

News: Recently, India’s neutral position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has antagonised the U.S.

In fact, the U.S. has issued a warning against conducting local currency transactions through Russia’s central bank or constructing an alternative payment mechanism that subverts or circumvents the U.S.’s sanctions against Russia.  

What are the issues with India’s neutral stand on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?

Around 140 nations (apart from the western countries) have condemned Russia’s actions in the United Nations General Assembly. India seems to be isolated in its position of being supportive of Russia. 

The west is wary of India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. On the one side, the rest of the world is trying to isolate Russia. On the other side, India’s move may lead to boosting up the Russian economy. 

If nobody stands up for the territorial sovereignty of other countries (Here, Russia invading Ukraine), it will prompt China to do something aggressive with Taiwan. China may also create another border crisis with India. 

Russia is not a dependable partner for India. The crushing sanctions which are going to be faced by it will destroy its economy.  

India’s move could impact the strategic cooperation of India with three nations in the QUAD.

How is India’s stand not wrong? 

Although, India has not directly named while condemning Russia, it has sufficiently criticized Russia.

– Statements have been issued against the transgression of international law; violation of territorial integrity and sovereignty; and the civilian killings.

– In addition, India has supported an independent inquiry.  

India has been adopting the policy to be neutral since 1956. For example, India has done so in Hungary in 1956, in the Czech Republic (which was then Czechoslovakia) and in Afghanistan in 1979. 

The U.S. sanctions have double standards. The US has carved out waivers for Europe on energy purchases, as the continent is dependent on Russia. But the US has ignored India’s defence dependency on Russia 

As per international law, the U.S. sanctions do not have any legal backing. These are “unilateral coercive economic measures” having validity in U.S. laws and European Union (EU) laws.  

India is a developing country. It has not come out of the COVID-19-related economic shock. It has huge economic needs. For example, Petrol, and Food prices are increasing.  

In fact, the amount of oil that India imports from the Russian Federation is very small. Also, India’s moves for diversifying defence purchases will take time. 

Way forward 

The U.S. should take other countries on board while taking international actions. It is because when the US takes unilateral action, it also impacts other countries, and as strategic partners, India has a right to request them to be more understanding of its needs than they have been. 

Both countries should discuss their differences over Russia. They should elaborate on the bilateral agenda 

The 2+2 meeting is a good opportunity to work on other aspects of Indo-US relationship while exchanging views quietly.

The US needs to look beyond the battlefield. Now, the security covers a vast array of non-traditional areas. For example, like mobility, climate change, health, technology and maritime security.

Parliament has just passed a dangerous bill

News: Recently, the Rajya Sabha has passed the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022, just two days after it was passed by the Lok Sabha.

In fact, Maharashtra has become the first state to launch its biometric database of undertrials and convicts.

Such moves are being objected to on account of the violation of the right against self-incrimination guaranteed under Article 20(3) of the Constitution of India.  

What constitutes right against self-incrimination in India? 

In the Kathi Kalu Oghad case (1962), the court held that giving palm impressions or footprints could not be called self-incriminatory. The reason is that such impressions cannot be changed. However, the compulsory extraction of an oral or written statement from the accused are prohibited in the Constitution. 

In 2005, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was amended. It allowed a magistrate to order any person to give their handwriting samples for the purpose of an investigation or proceeding. 

In 2019, the Supreme Court, in Ritesh Sinha v. State of UP Case, ruled that handwriting samples could include voice samples. This would not violate the right against self-incrimination 

What are the issues in the proposed bill? 

The 1962 judgment’s logic used to interpret what would violate the right against self-incrimination is unlikely to apply to technologies in use today. The proposed bill authorizes the agencies to use new and emerging technologies for processing, sharing, and dissemination of data. 

The Bill is vaguely worded. It may lead to new forms of coercion of accused persons. It may lead to new forms of surveillance and the stifling of dissent. 

The new technologies would be used in policing and the criminal justice system. They have new implications for the right against self-incrimination. They will be used to find patterns like one’s personal beliefs or behaviour. In other words, such a pattern of an accused person might be enough to incriminate him. 

The law can lead to unchecked abuse of power by the police. It can lead to harassment of the de-notified tribes’ children, men and women etc. The local police stations have to maintain history sheets of these people as they are labelled as “Habitual Offenders”. 

The new piece of legislation could lead to harassment of a person who is merely alleged of a crime, and not convicted. 

Also, the “measurements” are to be stored at the national level for 75 years. There is no clear procedure outlined for destroying the information. 

The process of digitisation could push the process of criminalisation of oppressed caste communities from the local and state-level to the national level.  

Way Forward 

Parliament must make laws that protect against such blatant attacks on fundamental rights and freedoms, rather than enable them. 

BRICS and the creation of a multipolar world

News: The Russia-Ukraine conflict has brought BRICS grouping at the centre of discussion due to multiple reasons.

The RIC controls 22% of the global GDP, and it accounts for 16% of global exports of goods and services.

Therefore, the current crisis may consolidate BRICS, especially RIC. It has the potential to become a real alternative to the West. It can create a real multipolar world.  

What is the significance of the Ukraine conflict for BRICS?  

Russia is now alienated and has been expelled from the G-8 group. It may now wish to increase its bilateral trade with India and China. It will lead to a strong Russia-India-China (RIC) relationship or a north Eurasian integrationist core within BRICS.  

New alternative arrangements are being developed. For example, India-Russia have agreed Rupee-Ruble cross currency pairing to settle payments in non-dollar currencies.

India is aiming to build a dedicated payment mechanism known as India’s sovereign Financial Messaging Systems (SFMS) like SWIFT. It will enable energy-related payments, and will challenge the dollar’s hegemony.

Such measures may push for internationalisation of the Indian rupee. In fact, Russia has also decided to export discounted crude oil to India to recoil from sanctions. 

How BRICS members have tried to change world economic system in recent years?

In recent years, BRICS members have attempted to change the world economic system, through the following efforts:

– Creation of the BRICS Development Bank.

– Creation of a reserve currency pool ($100 billion) to offer an alternative to countries in the non-Western world to avert serious economic crises.

– BRICS has also demanded an increase in the number of non-Western states in international financial institutes.  

How are the BRICS states different, and how do they disagree with the West?  

Brazil and Latin America: Brazil has strong left socialist tendencies. it disagrees with the West on social issues. In fact, Latin America is sensitive to diktats from the North and recurrences of the Monroe Doctrine.   

South Africa: Some of the local communists belong to the ruling coalition. The West has been accused of abetting the old order.  

In Russia and India, people do not like the moral values of the West. Both are determined to oppose diktats of the West. 

Way Forward 

The present crisis has increased the weight of India. India is at the centre of a diplomatic triangle in the Indo-Pacific.  It is witnessing high-profile visits from the US, Australia, Japan, China and Russia.

Therefore, New Delhi could be looking at a new dawn. 

Time to revisit the IIM Act

News: Recently, IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) witnessed a lot of turbulence over changes in the logo. Other IIMs in the country also witnessed disturbances over a variety of issues.

This has raised questions over governance in the premier management institution of India. 

What changes have been introduced by the IIM Act 2017? 

The Act has given formal shape to the considerable autonomy which the IIMs have been enjoying so far. In fact, the Act has enhanced the autonomy of the IIMs in the following ways:  

(1) The government left the appointment of the chairman and the director to the board, and secondly, it has decided not to influence the working of the IIMs.  

(2) The central government and the state government have one representative on the board of IIMs. These nominees play a passive role. Earlier, they used to be active.  

(3) The IIM Act says that the IIM’s board is accountable to the government. IIM boards evaluate the performance of the institute once every three years through an independent agency. Then, it would submit an action taken report to the government. Further, the report would be placed in the public domain.  

What have been the controversies since the enactment of the IIM Act? 

Erosion of faculty governance in IIMs. Earlier, IIMs used to be called as faculty-governed institutions. The faculties used to be consulted in key decisions like admissions, placement, course syllabi, recruitment of faculty, etc. Now, faculties are not consulted on proposed changes. The decisions are taken at the level of the Director and approved by the Board of the institution.

– For example, in 2008, the Board of IIMA announced a 100% fee hike for its post-graduate programme. Thereafter, the faculty were informed.

– Now, the logo of IIMA has been changed by the director and Board without consulting the faculty members.  

The director appoints the faculty members to the board. The appointed faculty is supposed to act as a bridge between the faculty and the board. However, traditionally, the faculty used to elect its representatives to the board. 

In addition, the norms for the appointment of dean, which is a very important post in an educational institution, has not been fixed. 

In India, the Board members come and go. They have virtually no stake in the IIMs. There is no meaningful accountability of the director or the board in IIMs.  

How can the governance deficit be addressed? 

The government should have a meaningful and active role in the governance of the IIMs. It should expedite the creation of a new higher education regulator in India. 

The govt must constitute an IIM Advisory Board (IAB). It will commission an independent performance audit of each IIM every three years. It should also be empowered to propose chairman and directors for the IIMs like done by the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) for public sector banks. 

The IIM Act must be amended. It should include a provision that faculty members on the board are chosen by the faculty and not by the director. 

The govt nominees on the board should play a role on important issues. They should demand clearly defined criteria for important posts such as those of dean, membership of the board and membership of the committee that evaluates faculty. 

Big headache: Minor offences majorly clog courts and harass individuals and businesses. Decriminalise them

News: The GoI has given a renewed push to decriminalize minor offenses. It has the potential to clog courts, promote ease of doing business and relieve citizens fighting criminal cases for non-serious violations. Example – In 2020 provisions of the Companies Act were decriminalized.

Examples of laws causing high pendency:

Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act (cheque bounce cases), criminalised in 1988. Arguments that this deters issuing of bad cheques must contend with high judicial pendency i.e., 15% pendency in subordinate courts.

Bihar prohibition law that jammed courts and prisons was amended to put emphasis on monetary penalties, still errs towards criminalisation.

What should be done?

Introduction of liberal approaches such as compounding of offences, Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) or community service.

This also has the potential to free up judges to focus on heinous crimes and enforcement of contracts.

The manacles of caste in sanitation work

Context:  Even today, the Indian government and civil society continue to grapple with the inhuman nature of manual scavenging. While in 1993, the government promulgated an Act to stop construction of unsanitary dry latrines and employing manual scavengers, the problem still continues.

Issues with the Act:

Problematic descriptions: The act defined dry latrine as “latrine other than a water-seal latrine”. Manual scavenging was not just a practice related to dry latrines, but also insanitary latrines and open defecation.

In 2013 the Supreme Court forced the Central government to conduct a survey of manual scavengers, on the basis of a PIL filed by Safai Karamchari Andolan. The survey found continuation of practice and hence, Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act was passed.

The construction of dry latrines reduced but the deaths remained high. The government had plans to amend the 2013 Act to completely mechanise the cleaning of sewer and manholes and build new sewers. But the issue of labour safety remains unaddressed.

Issues of dignity of the sanitation workers:

Most sanitation contracts are given to private contractors – such staff hardly have ID cards, leave alone medical insurance policies.

Unlike other labour forces, the sanitation workers do not have a separate rule book that lays down guidelines for their work timings, holidays, a proper place for roll call, removal from duty etc.

There are no vehicles for sanitation workers to travel to their designated workspcases. There are hardly any exclusive trade unions for sweepers. Dalit movements have alos been found wanting int his regard.

In India, sanitation work is caste-ridden and hence, is an urgent need to dissociate caste from labour.

GS Paper 3

Biogas: A sustainable solution for curbing pollution, improving livelihoods & enhancing quality of life

News: Pollutants emitted due to the burning of fossil fuels and biomass not only affect the health of people, but are also responsible for climate change.

The organic portion of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) produces Methane, when dumped improperly, like in landfills.

Disposing of organic wastes in landfills or burning trash is an environmental as well as health hazard. Apart from causing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such unscientific waste disposal leads to diseases like dengue fever and malaria.

Installing large-scale municipal biogas systems can help cities handle organic waste efficiently to overcome the environmental and socio-economic challenges posed by overburdened landfills.

How can Biogas prove immensely beneficial for India?

As per WHO, over four million people die every year all over the world due to high levels of indoor air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels and biomass.

The female members of a household are affected by indoor pollution as they spend more time inside the house. In this case, switching to biogas could be good for these women because they won’t be exposed to harmful smoke and pollution.

Only 26.53% of the total power generated in India is from renewable sources, according to estimates. The high dependence on non-renewable sources is the leading cause of the long-standing energy problems in the country.

Installing biogas plants at the micro- and macro-level can address the critical issues of handling livestock manure and agricultural wastes, deteriorating soil quality, water pollution and deforestation. 

Reduction of carbon emissions: A fully functional biogas digester, for every tonne of feedstock processed, can reduce approximately 2.83 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in a year.

Improving soil quality: Biogas also plays a crucial role in improving soil quality. The digestate, a by-product generated in the biogas plants, can be used as a biofertilizer as it is rich in organic content and revitalises the soil. The use of biofertilisers not only increases crop yield but also improves the nutrient content of the produce, thereby improving the health and well-being of consumers as well as that of soil.

Biogas can also help in reducing gender inequalities and empowering women. As rural households gain access to biogas as cooking fuel, women and girls do not need to spend time collecting firewood and other fuel and can utilise this spare time for education, acquiring new skills, and community work.

– As more and more women are educated and skilled, they have access to new employment and business opportunities. This can help them to be financially independent and have more decision-making power in the household. This will further help to improve the psychological and emotional health of women.

Biogas can significantly contribute to achieving several UN-mandated sustainable development goals (SDG) such as zero hunger; good health and wellbeing; gender equality etc.

As the country aims to provide energy security to every citizen, biogas can play a critical role in transforming the energy dependence of rural and agricultural communities, which majorly depends on burning wood, dung, charcoal, etc.

Thus, Biogas can be one of the best available and feasible options for addressing India’s socio-environmental issues.

Organic wastes can be turned into green fuel that would reduce the dependence on the use of biomass and fossil fuels. This can also save millions of lives. It can also lower the dependency on natural gas imports, as India currently imports a little over half of its total consumption of natural gas.

On fire hazard from e-vehicles: Read the smoke signals

News: Safety concerns have emerged after several recent incidents in which e-scooters have caught fire, causing panic and loss of life. While the government has ordered an enquiry, the authorities must review and reorder the road-safety ecosystem.

What are the reasons behind fire incidents?

Harsh summer driving conditions: The scooter fires could have been caused by the unsuitability of imported lithium-ion battery packs for summer driving conditions.

– India is hotter in summer than most places where e-vehicles are popular, and the standard battery pack designed for North America or China is not tropicalised to withstand Indian summers.

Stressful driving environment: India is also a stressful driving environment, necessitating sudden acceleration/braking, which means a greater load on the battery pack, which therefore gets hotter.

What are some issues with battery packs used in e-vehicles (EVs)?

Spontaneous combustion: A battery pack heated beyond a certain point can spontaneously combust.

– This can happen if a hot pack is recharged without a cooling-off period.

– It can happen long after a crash because of internal short-circuits, which are invisible to inspection.

– Also, a battery pack can reignite —due to invisible internal reactions — spontaneously 24 hours after the fire has been apparently extinguished.

Battery fires burn hotter than petrol fires, and emit a combination of highly toxic smoke and flammable fumes, which can inflame nearby vehicles and structures.

How are fire hazards caused by EVs and Internal Combustion Engines different from each other?

An ICE faces the danger of an electrical short circuit setting off an explosion of the fuel tank, as well as the danger of the fuel line, or the tank being ruptured in a crash, leading to flammable liquid or fumes leakages.

In an e-vehicle crash, the delayed action factor means that the vehicle and/or its battery pack must then be isolated and observed.

– If there is a fire, it cannot be tackled easily. The foam used to smother petrol fires is ineffective.

– The advice is to detach the battery pack if possible, and to direct jets of cool water at it, until it cools, and then it must be kept under observation.

What are the steps that need to be taken?

Packs designed to operate in cooler, less stressful driving conditions must be tested more stringently and, maybe, modified for India. If other technical factors are involved, those must be identified and addressed.

By the Govt

–The government may have to set new standards for battery packs, and warn users to wait for a cool-down before recharging.

– As the number of e-vehicles in service rises, the fire brigade and the police will need to be retrained, and, maybe, issued new equipment. This is because a fire caused by ICE and EV is different in nature and need to tackled accordingly. 

– In addition, the government must launch an outreach campaign to reassure citizens about the safety of this new class of green vehicles.

What is the way forward?

As green vehicles, including cars and buses, are adopted in larger volumes, the fire safety factor will acquire greater importance. Fire departments and police safety protocols must be updated to deal with them.

Safeguard Aadhar: CAG’s audit of UIDAI reveals worrisome laxity. It needs to improve fast

News: CAG presented its performance audit of Aadhaar’s regulator, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The audit covered its mature phase, from 2014-15 to 2018-19. CAG’s audit portrays an unsatisfactory picture of the systems and processes in UIDAI.

How does the UIDAI function?

UIDAI operates Aadhar through a layer of subcontractors. So, when an applicant’s biometrics are uploaded to the Central Identities Data Repository, it may be executed by the third layer of subcontractors. A similar system is in place when a financial intermediary seeks to authenticate the identity of a potential customer by using the Aadhar database.

What does the CAG report state?

CAG’s report shows looseness in the process:

1. UIDAI neither has granular data nor is it able to pinpoint the cause of failure. For example, UIDAI is unable to identify the cause of authentication failures, which causes people to pay to update their biometrics.
2. Issue of duplicate Aadhaar
3. Lack of oversight of subcontractors: Many failed to get their operations audited annually.

All these have bearing on data security.

Way forward:  UIDAI must have more robust systems in place. Need for better grip on data and subcontractors is required.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

U.N suspends Russia from Human Rights Council; India abstains from vote

Source: This post is based on the article “U.N suspends Russia from Human Rights Council; India abstains from vote” published in The Hindu on 7th April 2022.

What is the News?

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has voted to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council(UNHRC).

Note: This is only the second time the UNGA has suspended a country from the 47-member UN Human Rights Council after its formation in 2006. In 2011, Libya was thrown out through a resolution adopted by UNGA through consensus.

What is the UN Human Rights Council(UNHRC)?

Click Here to read about it 

How is a country removed from the UNHRC?

As per the rules, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) can suspend the rights and privileges of any Council member that it decides has persistently committed gross and systematic violations of human rights during its term of membership.

To suspend a member, one needs a two-thirds majority vote by the General Assembly.

Why was Russia suspended?

The resolution titled ‘Suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council was first moved by the United States over Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine.

How did the nations vote in the Russia case?

In the 193-member UNGA, 93 nations voted in favour of the resolution, while 24 were against it. Fifty-eight countries, including India, abstained from the process.

This met the two-thirds majority benchmark in which only the voting members, not abstentions, are counted from the 193-member General Assembly.

Why did India abstain?

India chose to abstain from the vote, saying that any such decision must follow the “due process” of investigation first.

However, India also sharpened its criticism of Russia by reiterating the need to respect the three red lines in international relations: “respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states”, “UN Charter” and “international law”. 

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports releases India’s contribution to UNESCO Fund for Elimination of Doping in Sport in 2022

Source: This post is based on the article “Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports releases India’s contribution to UNESCO Fund for Elimination of Doping in Sport in 2022” published in PIB on 7th April 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released India’s contribution to the UNESCO Fund for Elimination of Doping in Sport in 2022.

What are the Conventions and Declarations related to Anti-Doping?

Copenhagen Declaration

The Copenhagen Declaration on Anti-Doping in Sport was agreed upon by governments at the Second World Conference on Doping in Sport held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2003. 

Purpose: The declaration was the political document through which governments signalled their intention to formally recognise and implement the World Anti-Doping Code.

Significance: This declaration was the first step toward the preparation of the UNESCO International Convention against doping in sports.

India agreed to this declaration in the year 2003.

International Convention Against Doping in Sport

It is also known as the ‘UNESCO Anti-Doping Convention’. It was adopted at the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris in 2005. It entered into force in 2007.

Objective: To promote the prevention of and the fight against doping in sports, with a view to its elimination.

India ratified this convention in 2007.

Note: National Anti-Doping Agency, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, is responsible for adopting, implementing and enforcing anti-doping programmes in India. 

UNESCO Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sports

Established in: 2008

Purpose: The fund assists States Parties to the International Convention against Doping in Sport to develop and implement anti-doping projects.

The Fund has three priorities: Education projects focusing on youth and sports organizations, policy advice and mentoring and capacity-building. 

Why has India contributed to this UNESCO Fund for Elimination of Doping in Sport?

The State Parties had agreed to provide 1% of the contribution of the regular budget of respective nations to UNESCO towards the Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport. This decision was taken as per the resolution of the seventh Conference of Parties(COP) held in Paris in 2019.

Explained: What are the draft guidelines for registration of doctors proposed by NMC?

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: What are the draft guidelines for registration of doctors proposed by NMC?” published in Indian Express on 8th April 2022.

What is the News?

The National Medical Commission(NMC) has released draft guidelines on how the doctors will be registered in order to practise medicine.

What is the purpose of these guidelines?

The guidelines aim to bring uniformity in the registration process of medical practitioners in India.

Key Features of the Guidelines

Unique ID: The Ethics and Medical Registration Board(EMRB) and NMC will generate a Unique ID Number and thereby accord a license to practice medicine to the practitioner in the respective state or union territory.

Note: At present, all doctors have to register with their respective state medical councils, without which they cannot practice medicine.

Eligibility for Indian Medical Graduates for getting registration: They have to 1) Complete their MBBS degree from a recognised college, 2) Finish their mandatory 12-month long internship and 3) Pass the yet-to-be-implemented licentiate exam called National Exit Test (NExT) for getting their registration.

Eligibility for Foreign medical graduates for getting registration: They have to a) Complete their MBBS-equivalent degree from a medical institute “recognised and listed by the NMC” in other countries, b) Be registerable as a medical practitioner in the said country, c) Complete a 12-month internship in India and d) Pass the same NExT exam.

Allowing Foreign Doctors: The guidelines also allow opening the registration to foreign doctors who want to come to India to study in post-graduation courses, fellowships, clinical research, or voluntary clinical services.

What is NExT?

The National Exit Test(NExT) is a proposed examination for granting a license and registration for practising medicine in India, similar to the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) for those wishing to practice in the US.

The exam will act as a country-wide standardized test for passing MBBS, for granting of the license, as well as a qualification test for post-graduation courses instead of the current NEET-PG that students have to sit for after they have completed their MBBS and one-year internship.

It will not be a theory paper, like MBBS finals or NEET PG test. Instead, It will be held in two parts – one written and one practical exam where the students will be judged on their clinical acumen.

Students will have to appear for the first NExT test after completion of MBBS and the second one after completion of the internship. The government expects to conduct the NExT from 2024.

Union Minister says EOS-02 satellite will be launched in second quarter of 2022

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Minister says EOS-02 satellite will be launched in second quarter of 2022” published in PIB on 7th April 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Science & Technology has informed Rajya Sabha about the EOS-02 and EOS-03 satellites.

What is EOS-02?

EOS-02 is a planned Earth observation satellite being developed by the ISRO as a test payload for the maiden launch of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

Purpose: The satellite is intended for applications that include agriculture, forestry, geology, hydrology, and miniaturized power electronics among others.

Launch Date: The satellite will be launched in the second quarter of 2022.

What about EOS-03?

EOS-03 is the First Agile Earth Observation satellite in Geostationary orbit. It was launched from the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-F10(GSLV-F10).

Purpose: It was intended for applications that include near real-time imaging, quick monitoring of natural disasters, spectral signatures for agriculture, forestry etc.

However, ISRO’s attempt to put the EOS-03 satellite using GSLV-F10 into orbit failed due to an anomaly in the Cryogenic Upper Stage.

What about other EOS Satellites?

EOS-01: It was launched in 2020. It is an Earth Observation satellite meant for Agriculture, Forestry & disaster management support

EOS-04: Radar Imaging satellite meant to provide high-quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as Agriculture, Forestry & Plantations, Soil Moisture & Hydrology and Flood Mapping.

EOS-05: Earth Observation Satellite in the Geostationary Orbit.

EOS-06: Earth Observation satellite meant for applications, which include ocean-related services and advisories towards potential fishing zone forecast, and ocean state forecast.

Mission Vatsalya: Public participation sought for child protection

Source:  This post is based on the article “Public participation sought for child protection” published in The Hindu on 8th April 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has sent its draft guidelines for Mission Vatsalya Scheme to States and Union Territories to seek their suggestions.

What is Mission Vatsalya?

Mission Vatsalya focuses on Child Protection Services and child welfare services.

It is essentially a renamed version of the pre-existing scheme called Child Protection Services.

Objectives of the Mission: 1) To secure a healthy and happy childhood for every child in India, 2) To foster a sensitive, supportive and synchronized ecosystem for the development of children, 3) To assist States/UTs in delivering the mandate of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and 4) To achieve the SDG goals.

Components under the mission: ​​ It will include statutory bodies; service delivery structures; institutional care/services; non-institutional community-based care; emergency outreach services (through Childline or the national helpline 1098 for children); training and capacity building.

Key Features of the Mission

Under the mission, the Government plans to partner with the private sector as well as volunteer groups for its scheme for the protection of vulnerable children such as those abandoned or missing.

For this, a Vatsalya portal will be developed that will allow volunteers to register so that State and District Authorities can engage them in executing various schemes.

What is the concern related to the mission?

The mission plans to integrate the massively successful Childline with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ helpline 112 which provides emergency services for medical emergencies, women’s safety and fire.

This move has been opposed by Child rights activists, as they have said the police should not be the first responder to complaints from children. This will take away the space children have to share and open up.

Landmark policy decision to indigenise 101 more weapons and platforms to speed up ‘Atma Nirbharta’ in Defence

Source: This post is based on the article “Landmark policy decision to indigenise 101 more weapons and platforms to speed up ‘Atma Nirbharta’ in Defence” published in PIB on 7th April 2022.

What is the News?

The Defense Minister has released the third Positive Indigenisation List.

What is a Positive Indigenisation List?

The positive indigenisation list essentially means that the Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—will only procure the listed items from domestic manufacturers. The manufacturers could be private sector players or Defense Public Sector Undertakings(DPSUs).

Click Here to read more about it 

What does the third Positive Indigenisation List contain?

The third positive indigenisation contains 101 equipment and platforms, which the Services can procure only from the domestic industry.

This list follows the issue of the first list (101) and second list (108) that were promulgated in 2020 and 2021 respectively. 

The third list includes items such as naval utility helicopters, light tanks, small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and anti-ship missiles among others.

These weapons and platforms are planned to be indigenised progressively with effect from December 2022 to December 2027.

What is the significance of this Positive Indigenisation List?

Firstly, it is likely to stimulate the potential of indigenous Research & Development (R&D) by attracting fresh investment into technology and manufacturing capabilities.

Secondly, it will provide ample opportunities to the domestic industry for understanding the trends and future needs of the Armed Forces.

What are the measures taken by the Government to maximize the participation of domestic industry?

Around 68% of the capital procurement budget has been earmarked for domestic procurement to promote self-reliance & reduce import dependency. 

The government is keeping 25% of the defence R&D budget for the industry, start-ups and academia and the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board.

Union Home Minister presided over the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Home Minister presided over the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee” published in PIB on 7th April 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Home Minister has presided over the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee.

What is the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language?

Setup in: 1976 under section 4 of the Official Languages Act,1963.

Mandate: The Committee shall review the progress made in the use of Hindi for the Official purposes of the Union and submit a report to the President making recommendations. The President shall then lay the report before each House of Parliament and send it to all the State Governments.

Composition: The Committee comprises 30 members of Parliament, 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha. These members are to be elected respectively by the members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

Chairman: As a convention, the Union Home Minister has been the Chairman of the Committee from time to time.

Official Language of the Union

Article 343 of the Constitution of India stated that the official language of the Union is Hindi in Devanagari script, with the official use of English to continue for 15 years from 1947. 

Later, the Official Languages Act of 1963 allowed for the continuation of English alongside Hindi in the Indian government indefinitely until legislation decides to change it.

What are the key highlights from the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee?

During the meeting, Union Home Minister suggested that: 

– Hindi should be accepted as an alternative to English and not to local languages. 

– Elementary knowledge of Hindi should be given to students up to Class 9 and pay more attention to Hindi teaching examinations.

– Republish the Hindi dictionary by revising it.  

Note: Currently, 70% of the agenda of the Cabinet is prepared in Hindi. Nine tribal communities of the North East have converted their dialects’ scripts to Devanagari. Apart from this, all the eight states of the North East have agreed to make Hindi compulsory in schools up to Class X.

Magical mushroom: Scaling up Ganoderma lucidum cultivation will benefit farmers, users

Source: This post is based on the article “Magical mushroom: Scaling up Ganoderma lucidum cultivation will benefit farmers, users” published in Down To Earth on 5th April 2022.

What is the News?

Worldwide, attempts are being made to popularize Ganoderma lucidum (Magical Mushroom) for business and livelihood, by cultivating it on wood logs and sawdust.

What is Ganoderma lucidum (Magical Mushroom)?

It is a medicinal mushroom in use for centuries. It is globally known as “red reishi mushroom”.

The history of consumption of this mushroom can be traced back to 5,000 years ago in China. 

It also finds mention in the historical and medical records of countries like Japan, Korea, Malaysia and India.

It has also earned several nicknames such as “mushroom of immortality”, “celestial herb” and “auspicious herb”.

What is unique about this Magical Mushroom?

Unlike normal mushrooms, the peculiar character of this mushroom is that it grows on wood or wood-based substrate only. 

It thrives well in warm and humid climates and grows preferably in mixed forests of subtropical to temperate regions.

What are the uses of Magical Mushrooms?

It is used to heal diseases like diabetes, cancer, inflammation, ulcer as well as bacterial and skin infections. 

Apart from medicinal uses, it is also used as a base material for manufacturing products such as tea, coffee, energy supplements, health boosters, beverages, baked goods and anti-ageing cosmetics.

Where is this Magical Mushroom cultivated currently?

Its mass production is restricted to countries like China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States of America.

Awareness regarding Ganoderma is spreading and the demand for this mushroom has pushed many countries, including India, to produce it on a large scale and manufacture its products.

What is the Scope of Cultivation in India?

India, a country where the majority of the population primarily relies on agriculture, has great potential to cultivate this mushroom.

It can be grown indoors and is thus safe from the impacts of extreme weather conditions, man-wildlife conflicts, harsh topography and poor soil conditions.

However, in India, the mushroom is mostly restricted to laboratory research at present. Some successful attempts for its cultivation, however, have been made by various Indian organizations.

Indian Tent Turtles

Source: This post is based on the article “Indian Tent Turtles” published in PIB on 7th April 2022.

What is the News?

The Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has informed Rajya Sabha that there are no reports to indicate that the Indian tent turtle is on the verge of extinction due to illegal mining in Narmada River.

What is an Indian Tent Turtle?

Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. 

Conservation status:

• IUCN Status: Least Concern
• Wildlife Protection Act,1972: Schedule 1
• CITES: Appendix II

Geographical Range: The species is endemic to India and Bangladesh.

Habitat: The preferred habitats are freshwater rivers and swamps.

Threats: Due to the attractive appearance of the species, they are illegally traded in the pet market.