9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 23rd, 2023

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GS PAPER - 2

A revived trilateral- Japan and South Korea are shoring up security

Source: The post is based on the article “A revived trilateral- Japan and South Korea are shoring up security” published in “Business Standard” on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

News: This article discusses how Japan, South Korea, and the US held a significant summit at Camp David, reinforcing ties to address security and economic concerns in the Indo-Pacific. These efforts are influenced by historical factors, China’s actions, and shifts in global partnerships.

About Trilateral Summit at Camp David:

Japan, South Korea, and the US met to deepen cooperation.

The summit aimed at addressing security and economic concerns in the Indo-Pacific.

Prompted by historical grievances, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol took initiatives to mend ties.

Resulted in both nations lifting export controls and resuming high-level defence and economic talks.

How has the relationship between Japan and South Korea evolved?

Historical:

The relationship was strained due to the Japanese occupation of Korea.

A significant issue was Korean women forced into prostitution during this occupation.

Recent Changes:

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol proposed a compromise on historical grievances.

He made the first visit to Tokyo by a Korean leader in 12 years.

Both countries lifted export controls against each other.

They resumed high-level defence and economic talks, indicating improved ties and cooperation.

What are the impacts of these summits?

Indo-Pacific Security:

The trilateral summit between Japan, South Korea, and the US can enhance security in the Indo-Pacific against potential threats.

Japan desires greater engagement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

South Korea’s arms export industry grew rapidly between 2017 and 2021, emphasizing its role in regional defense.

Impacts on India and Quad:

Questions arise about India’s capability and willingness to partner with the West.

As the Quad prioritizes development, other regions are forming alternative, security-centric alliances.

Economic Security:

Countries aim to diversify from China-centric supply chains for stability.

Japanese and South Korean companies express concerns about their supply chain vulnerabilities intersecting with both the West and China.

These corporations believe that a trilateral partnership can protect them against US protectionist policies and other geopolitical risks.

Medical prescription guidelines: Go for well-calibrated adoption

Source: The post is based on the article “Medical prescription guidelines: Go for well-calibrated adoption” published in “Live Mint” on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies & Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

News: In this article, author discusses the challenges and considerations of India’s new medical guideline urging doctors to prescribe generic drugs over branded ones. He also emphasises the need for quality assurance, better infrastructure, and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure affordable and quality healthcare in India.

About India’s new medical guideline.

Issue by: On August 2nd, the National Medical Commission (NMC), which oversees India’s medical sector, issued guidelines for registered medical practitioners. These guidelines cover various topics, including medical ethics.

Preference for Generics: An important instruction for registered medical practitioners is to recommend INN generics (International Non-Proprietary Name) rather than branded medications.

Promotion of Government Centers: Urges patients to purchase drugs from government centres and generic pharmacy outlets.

Educational Aspect: Doctors should inform patients about the equivalence of generics to branded drugs in terms of efficacy.

Quality Assurance: Emphasizes the need to ensure the quality and standardization of INN generics.

What are the challenges of India’s new medical guideline?

Challenges of India’s New Medical Guideline

Trust in Quality: Many doctors lack confidence in the quality and reputation of generic drug manufacturers. They’ve used branded generics for years and are hesitant to switch due to concerns about clinical outcomes.

Comparison with Western Markets: Unlike the West, where generics must meet strict quality standards, India’s criteria are less stringent, leading to doubts about drug equivalence.

Transfer of Drug Choice: The guideline might shift drug choice from doctors to chemists. There’s a fear that chemists might dispense pricier drugs for higher trade margins instead of cheaper generics.

Availability Issues: Currently, generic drugs only account for 1-2% of the market share in India.

Quality Assurance: India lacks adequate drug control inspectors and testing labs, making regular inspections of manufacturing facilities challenging.

Prescribing Challenges: Generic drugs often come in fixed-dose combinations, making it hard for doctors to prescribe the right strength variations. Without the flexibility found in branded medicines, doctors might find it challenging to match the exact needs of their patients using generics.

What should be done?

Enhance Trust: Educate doctors on the quality of generic drugs and their manufacturing standards to build confidence in prescribing them.

Quality Control: Increase the number of drug standard control inspectors and expand testing laboratories. Regular inspections of manufacturing facilities are crucial.

Improve Availability: Expand the network of Jan Aushadi centres beyond the current 9,000+ to ensure easier access to generic drugs.

Review Trade Margins: Evaluate and possibly regulate trade margins to ensure that cost savings from generics are passed on to consumers.

Open Dialogue: Encourage discussions between the government, medical bodies, patient groups, and pharmaceutical industry to address concerns and collaborate on solutions.

A strong case to restore Section 8(4) of the RP Act

Source: The post is based on articles A strong case to restore Section 8(4) of the RP Act” published in The Hindu on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act

Relevance: concerns with disqualification of legislators.

News: Recently, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified on being convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment in a 2019 defamation case.

The disqualification was instant because of the Supreme Court of India’s judgment in Lily Thomas vs Union of India (2013).

What did the court rule in Lily Thomas vs Union of India judgment?

Click Here to Read

Now, only Section 8(3) remains in the Act which deals with disqualification of persons convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

What is section 8(3) of Representation of People Act, 1951?

Section 8(3) suggests that upon a conviction with a two-year sentence, a sitting member gets disqualified from the conviction date, decided by the President under Article 103. However, it doesn’t directly say they’re disqualified instantly.

Further, the House’s Secretariat, to which the member belongs, lacks the power to announce that a member is disqualified immediately upon being convicted by a court of law.

Hence, the instant disqualification of Mr. Gandhi didn’t have a strong legal basis.

Is suspending the sentence enough to lift the disqualification, or is it essential to suspend the conviction itself?

In the 1980s and 1990s, certain High Courts (like Allahabad High Court in 1987 and Himachal High Court in 1994) believed that disqualification remains even with a suspended sentence.

However, in the Jayalalithaa case of 2001, the Madras High Court determined that when the sentence is put on hold, the conviction should also be considered as on hold.

In Rahul Gandhi’s situation, the Supreme Court stopped the conviction but didn’t say if stopping the conviction also stops disqualification.

Moreover, disqualification happens when the sentence is two years or more in prison. So, it’s based on the sentence length, not the conviction itself.

Why was Section 8(4) struck down by the SC in Lily Thomas vs Union of India (2013)?

The Supreme Court removed Section 8(4) because Parliament can’t treat lawmakers who are found guilty differently. This is because Article 102(1) says lawmakers and candidates should be treated the same way.

However, when it comes to treating them differently, the Constitution actually allows it. Article 103 says that for current lawmakers, the President will decide if they should be disqualified under Article 102(1).

Read More: Making sense of the disqualification of a Lok Sabha MP and Disqualification of Legislators in India – Explained and Does Rahul Gandhi stand disqualified as an MP following his conviction?

What can be the way ahead?

The Lily Thomas ruling hasn’t changed politicians’ behavior much concerning criminal matters. Powerful ruling party members can quickly delay convictions, avoiding instant disqualification.

Therefore, to safeguard legislators’ careers from sudden disruptions caused by court orders, section 8(4) should be constitutionally restored and protected.

Sidharth Luthra writes on proposed Criminal Codes: It’s still colonial

Source– The post is based on the article “Sidharth Luthra writes on proposed Criminal Codes: It’s still colonial” published in “The Indian Express” on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Polity

Relevance: Important bills and acts

News– The Union Home Minister recently introduced three comprehensive Criminal Justice Codes on procedure, evidence, and offences before Parliament.

What are some positive aspects of the new criminal codes?

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita incorporates community service. It is a commendable inclusion. But, open prisons are still not covered.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), introduces video conference trials and modifies the process of e-filing First Information Reports.

What are issues with the new criminal codes?

It introduces offences such as fake news, terrorism, organised crime, and corruption. However, it does not abolish the existing specialised legislations that address these crimes.

The new Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita fails to incorporate adjustments that align with the principle of reverse burden or presumptions found in the specialized laws pertaining to terrorism, corruption, and organized crime offenses.

The new code increases the penalties for reckless and negligent actions resulting in death. But, it disregards the unique handling of recklessness and negligence practised in Singapore. It also amplifies the vulnerability of medical professionals.

There is lack of a well-defined reasoning behind the decision not to harmonize the penalty for mob lynching with that of murder or intentional culpable homicide.

The restructuring of sections and the decrease in their quantity by consolidating definitions, updating illustrations is commendable. But, it does not significantly change the fundamental nature of the 1860 Code.

Sedition is abolished under Section 124A of the IPC. But, it is reintroduced as Section 150 in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

This closely resembles the concept of sedition and continues to raise concerns about freedom of expression and the potential for misusing it against dissenting voices.

There are already sufficient provisions in existing laws like the IPC/UAPA to address the matters intended to be covered.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita  does not provide comprehensive security to detainees. The chapter on plea bargaining remains unaltered and limited to sentence bargaining, rather than encompassing the option to admit guilt for a lesser offense.

Expanding the authority of the police to request custody (PC) for 40/60 days undermines the right to bail.

Broadening the scope to apply the 15-day request custody provision doesn’t align well with the intention of breaking free from the colonial past,

It does not correspond with BNSS’s stated objective of promoting advanced forensics and scientific investigations to enhance the quality and speed of inquiries.

The government should have contemplated reducing the 15-day PC duration. By extending police powers to request remand, BNSS contradicts Article 21.

Even our colonial rulers who introduced this provision held reservations about the 15-day PC period. Pre-independence Lahore High Court Rules mandate the shortest feasible PC period and prohibit obtaining confessions.

Way forward-

Rationalising laws is a positive step forward. But, for a true departure from the colonial legacy, there is a need for a coherent philosophical framework for criminal justice.

It is imperative to streamline provisions, decriminalize when necessary, introduce criminalization for emerging forms of criminal activity, regulate arrest powers, implement guidelines for bail and sentencing to guide discretion.

There is a need to reinforce the presumption of innocence and safeguard the fair trial rights of the accused, while also securing the participatory rights of victims.

GS PAPER - 3

Not rocket science: Even as we get closer to the Moon, let’s recognise India should be a much bigger player in global space economy

Source: The post is based on the article “Not rocket science: Even as we get closer to the Moon, let’s recognise India should be a much bigger player in global space economy” published in “Times of India” on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Science and Tech (awareness in the field of space)

News: India’s space agency, ISRO, plans to soft land Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon. Despite tight budgets, ISRO consistently delivers advanced science.

How is ISRO progressing with limited funds?

Chandrayaan-3 Mission: Despite budget constraints, ISRO plans to soft land Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon.

Budget Allocation: For 2023-2024, ISRO received ₹12,544 crore, slightly more than ₹12,474 crore in 2021-22 but 8% less than 2022-23.

Collaboration with Private Sector: INSPACe, established in 2020, bridges the gap between ISRO and private space startups, enabling them to utilize ISRO’s technical expertise and infrastructure.

Satellite Launchers: With technologies like PSLV, GSLV, and SSLV, ISRO launched 431 satellites for 36 countries by July 2023.

Earnings: By July 2022, ISRO earned $223 million from foreign satellite launches using PSLV.

What potentials and challenges lie ahead for ISRO?

Potential:

Global Market Share: India aspires to capture a 9% share of the global space market by 2030.

Economic Growth: A report indicates the possibility of India’s space economy reaching $100 billion by 2040, substantially higher than the projected $40 billion.

International Collaborations: Successful missions like Chandrayaan-3 can lead to increased partnerships with other nations.

Challenges:

Budget Constraints: Recent trends show a decline in budget allocations, with 2023-2024 receiving ₹12,544 crore, 8% less than the previous year.

Manpower Issues: ISRO has not expanded its manpower in years and fewer students are pursuing advanced space studies.

Global Ranking: Despite its achievements, India ranks among the top 15 countries for satellites in orbit, holding only 2% of the global space economy.

Nurturing capex- With foreign investments declining, it is necessary to maintain growth in government capital expenditure

Source: The post is based on the article “Nurturing capex- With foreign investments declining, it is necessary to maintain growth in government capital expenditure” published in “Business Standard” on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Indian economy, mobilisation of resources

News: In this article, the author discusses the Indian government’s new projects and their potential impact on the fiscal deficit. The author also emphasizes the importance of maintaining capital expenditure to support economic growth, despite challenges such as slowing tax revenue and declining foreign direct investment.

How are the Indian government’s new projects impacting the fiscal deficit?

Impact on Fiscal Deficit

  1. New Projects Cost: The Union government unveiled projects costing ₹1.2 trillion, such as electric buses, railway enhancements, expanding the Digital India footprint, and support schemes for artisans (Vishwakarma scheme),etc.
  2. Current Year’s Expenditure: Not all the project expenses will affect this year’s fiscal balance. Some costs are shared by the states, and only a fraction of the funds will be used before March 2024.
  3. Pre-election Spending: Additional schemes, such as extending free food grain supplies or increasing income support for farmers, could potentially widen the fiscal deficit beyond the projected 5.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2023-24.
  4. Revenue Shortfalls: In the first quarter of 2023-24, the Centre’s gross tax revenue growth was only 3%, compared to the annual 10% target. The net tax revenue declined by 14%.
  5. Positive Impact of Capital Expenditure: Government’s capital expenditure rose by 59% in the first quarter, attracting more private sector investments, with approved plans rising to ₹3.53 trillion.

What are the challenges in maintaining capital expenditure to support economic growth?

Fiscal Deficit Concerns: With new projects worth ₹1.2 trillion, there’s potential strain on the fiscal deficit.

Tax Revenue Shortfalls: The Centre’s gross tax revenue grew only 3% in the first quarter, missing the 10% annual target. Net tax revenue even declined by 14%.

Lower Disinvestment Receipts: The expected revenue from disinvestments is lower than initially budgeted, offsetting the potential gains from other sectors like the RBI.

Declining Foreign Investment: Foreign investments fell 16% to $71 billion in 2022-23 in comparison to 2012-13 and continued to decline by 22% in the first quarter of 2023-24.

What should be done?

Prioritize Capital Expenditure: Despite fiscal concerns, the government should aim for the projected ₹10 trillion capital spending for 2023-24.

Revenue Expenditure Control: Focus on limiting revenue expenditure, which was projected to grow only 1.4% in 2023-24 over the ₹34.52 trillion in 2022-23.

Boost Domestic Investment: Encourage private sector growth, given the current commitment of ₹1.72 trillion in investments.

Address FDI Decline: Implement strategies to attract foreign investments, given the 16% drop in 2022-23.

The laptop error

Source– The post is based on the article “The laptop error” published in “The Times of India” on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Indian economy

Relevance: Issues related to manufacturing and trade

News– Recently, India banned the import of personal computers, laptops and tablets. A licence would be needed to import a computer.

What are the objectives behind this move of government?

It is essential to diminish reliance on imports and enhance domestic manufacturing. India must pressurise international corporations to establish production facilities within the country.

Security considerations come into play as well. 60% of imported computers are sourced from China. India also has a trade deficit of 100 billion dollars with China.

Why has India not emerged as a major player in computer manufacturing?

One significant factor is India’s zero duty commitment to the 1997 IT agreement with the WTO. This commitment has adversely affected the hardware industry by attracting foreign-made computers due to the absence of tariffs.

Local computer manufacturers faced challenges in competing, due to substantial drawbacks such as inadequate logistics, infrastructure, and elevated costs associated with land, labour, and capital.

In contrast, China offered substantial subsidies to foreign corporations to establish manufacturing operations within its borders.

The Government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aimed at encouraging manufacturing has not yielded the desired outcomes.

Way forward-

Initiating conversation with the companies and establishing a six-month timeframe is a more constructive approach.

International manufacturers are also cautious about China and seeking alternative options. Disrupting China’s influence cannot be achieved abruptly. There exist more effective strategies to address national security apprehensions.

Amendments to the PLI scheme are imperative. Emphasising local designs and incentivizing the relocation of component manufacturers to India should be prioritised. PLI agreements should incorporate a specified end date for high tariffs.

India must adopt the manta of push export rather than stop imports.

Easing credit flow: On the Reserve Bank of India’s Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit

Source: The post is based on articles Easing credit flow: On the Reserve Bank of India’s Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit” published in The Hindu on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy – Mobilization of Resources, Growth & Development

Relevance: About Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit

News: Recently, the RBI has announced to establish a ‘Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit’.

What is “Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit”?

It aims to make borrowing easier for small and marginal borrowers. It will function as a digital hub for credit information, streamlining the loan approval process.

The platform will include an open architecture, open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and open standards that enable the sharing of digital data with lenders by a variety of organisations, including governmental agencies, credit information providers, and digital identification authorities.

The platform would be introduced in a pilot project on products like Kisan Credit Card loans, loans for dairy farmers, credit without collateral for MSMEs, and personal and home loans through participating banks.

Lenders have the ability to get borrower information from places like Aadhaar e-KYC, digital land records, and even data about milk supply from specific dairy cooperatives.

Must Read: What is RBI’s new pilot for frictionless credit?

Why was the platform needed?

A centralized public platform is crucial because it’s hard for small farmers in rural areas to get formal loans. Despite over seven decades of independence, the issue of enhancing inclusive rural credit remains a significant challenge.

Due to the unavailability of the formal credit, many rural borrowers resort to informal sources like moneylenders, often facing high interest rates.

Hence, the proposed digital platform could address this challenge by utilizing digital advancements to ensure timely and cost-effective availability of small loans to those who need financing the most.

Building resilience against landslides

Source– The post is based on the article “Building resilience against landslides” published in “The Indian Express” on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Geography. GS3- Disasters

Relevance: Space exploration

News– The deaths and destruction by landslides in Himachal Pradesh last week have led to much-needed attention on the Himalayan ecosystem.

What are the reasons behind the vulnerability of Himalayan ecosystem?

Tectonic or neo-tectonic actions and surface processes including erosion, weathering, and rainfall impact the Himalayan ecosystem.

Environmental vulnerabilities are exacerbated by extreme climatic events driven by climate changes. It results in occurrences like avalanches, landslides, debris flow, glacial lakes outburst floods, landslide lakes outburst floods, and rapid floods.

Climate change has detrimental effects on glaciers, river systems, geomorphology, and biodiversity.

These events contribute to the instability of the mountain system. Moreover, the Himalayan region faces additional pressure due to human activities.

Mountainous areas are typically characterized by slope instability and a susceptibility to landslides.

Various factors influence these occurrences. These include slope steepness, elevation of hills, rock durability, forest coverage, urban development, and the presence of loosely consolidated sediment.

Activities such as river flow, alteration of the base of slopes, and deforestation contribute to the vulnerability of a region to landslides. Factors like debris flow and underground water weaken slopes, making them prone to sliding.

The collision between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate in the Himalayan region generates subterranean stresses that are discharged as earthquakes. It causes fractures and weakens the litho-structures near the surface of the mountains.

Way forward-

There is a need to create vulnerability maps of Himalayas and classify regions into risk zones ranging from the most vulnerable to the least.

Monitoring can be facilitated through web-based sensors like rain gauges, piezometers, inclinometers, extensometers, InSAR, and total stations.

To comprehensively assess the situation in the Himalayas, the establishment of a Himalayan States Council is imperative.

This council should aim to replicate scenarios of hazards resulting from natural occurrences, environmental deterioration, climate-related events, and human interventions in hill towns and areas.

The disaster management agencies of the respective states should collaborate within this centralized council.

The Himalayan region possesses valuable assets such as glaciers, river systems, mineral deposits, geothermal and hydrocarbon energy reserves. These could be harnessed. Nonetheless, a delicate equilibrium must be maintained between exploiting these resources and ensuring ecological sustainability.

Urban planning must accommodate the unique characteristics of mountainous terrain. Limitations should be placed on extensive constructions. Proper drainage systems need to be established.

Slope cutting should be carried out scientifically, and an emphasis should be placed on constructing retaining walls and adhering to building regulations.

It is crucial to conduct high-resolution mapping for all towns and evaluate their load-bearing capacities as fundamental steps in the formulation of building codes.

How India is becoming a young country but with an ageing workforce

Source– The post is based on the article “How India is becoming a young country but with an ageing workforce” and “Express View on CMIE data: A dissonant note” published in “The Indian Express” on 23rd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Indian economy and employment

Relevance: Employment statisticss of Indian economy

News– While addressing the nation on Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi made a special mention to India being a youthful nation and highlighted the opportunities that lay before India’s youth.

How India workforce is ageing?

The proportion of India’s youth in workforce has declined from 25% in 2016-17 to a mere 17% by the end of the previous fiscal year in March.

The percentage of individuals in workforce within the middle age group has decreased from 38% to 33% during the same timeframe. The oldest age bracket above 45 years has expanded its share from 37% to 49%.

Just in the past seven years, the share of people 45 years and older has gone from one-third to almost one-half.

The overall count of employed individuals has decreased from 41.27 crore to 40.58 crore. The most significant reduction has been observed in the engagement of young individuals.

During 2016-17, the workforce included 10.34 crore people below the age of 30. However, by the end of 2022-23, this figure had declined by more than 3 crores. It is just 7.1 crore.

The employment level of those aged 45 and above increased, despite an overall decline in employment levels.

Which factors explains the ageing workforce?

The youth are being pushed out of the job market.

An effective method to monitor this trend is by examining the metric known as the “Employment Rate.” The Employment Rate for any specific population or age group provides insight into the proportion of that age group or population that is employed.

The population falling under the youth category saw an expansion from 35.49 crore in 2016-17 to 38.13 crore in 2022-23.

While the “young” population grew by 2.64 crore, the count of employed youth declined by 3.24 crore. The youth of India encountered a significant 31% decrease in employment over the past seven years.

This decline is evident in the considerable drop in the Employment Rate for this particular age group. It went from 29% to a mere 19%.

The decrease in employment rates is the most modest among the oldest age category. Remarkably, this is the only age group where the total count of employed individuals has actually increased.

In the age bracket of 25 to 29 years, the employment rate has seen an upward trajectory over the last seven years.

However, this rise in the ER is not attributed to a greater number of individuals from this age group gaining employment. Instead, it is primarily due to a significant decline in the overall population within this cohort.

Why this outcome is hardly unexpected?

India has observed a surge in youth unemployment in recent times. This implies that a considerable proportion of the youth who enter the job market struggle to secure jobs.

India experiences a limited rate of labor force participation, particularly among women. India ranks among the countries with one of the lowest female labor force participation rates globally.

The combined impact of a low labor force participation rate and elevated unemployment rates results in a deteriorating employment rate for India’s youth.

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