9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 23rd, 2021

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• Explained: Personal laws in marriage

GS Paper 2

• Looking beyond the Forest Rights Act
• On Geopolitics of India – As a regional leader, not a victim of circumstance
• The troubling courtroom policymaking by the supreme court
• Common electoral roll: Electoral reform is welcome, but shouldn’t be selective
• e-shram registration is a stepping stone towards protection of informal workers

GS Paper 3

• Our semiconductor shortage is likely to persist for a long while
• Will India Pay For RBI’s Hurry?
• On PSB privatisation: Avoidable delay
• On WTO Ruling against Indian Sugar industry – Lasting solution
• Sleepwalking into Chinese control of critical tech
• Turmoil on the high seas-Indian shippers need stability assurers

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Dr. Subhas Sarkar releases the Hindi translation of Tolkāppiyam and the Kannada translations of 9 books of Classical Tamil literature
• Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurates National Oxygen Stewardship Program
• Railways’ 98% operating ratio not a reflection of its true financial performance: CAG
• Year-End- Review of Ministry of Heavy Industries – 2021
• DRDO conducts maiden launch of indigenously developed new generation surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’
• ‘Anti-national not defined in statutes’
• Global Unicorn Index 2021: India adds 33 unicorns in one year, displacing U.K.
• Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP): Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog launches Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP) to Empower Innovators, Entrepreneurs in 22 Mother Tongues

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Explained: Personal laws in marriage

News: A Bill proposing to increase the age of marriage for women, and ensuring harmony in the age limit across religions, was introduced in Lok Sabha this week and then referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee.

Both aspects of the proposed amendment to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 have raised a debate on female autonomy and the application of personal laws in marriage.

What does the amendment propose?

It proposes three things:

– Increase in the minimum age of marriage for a woman. By amending the definition of a “child” in Section 2(a) to mean “a male or a female who has not completed twenty-one years of age”, the Bill makes the minimum age of marriage same for both men and women.

– Increase in the window for a “child” to file a petition to declare a child marriage void. Under Section 3(3) of the Prohibition of child Marriage Act, 2006 both the boy and the girl have the right to opt out of marriage until two years after attaining majority, i.e. up to the age of 20 years for a girl and 23 years for the boy.

The Bill proposes to extend this window for both the woman and the man to five years after attaining majority. Since the age of majority is 18 for both, this would mean that either the man or the woman can file a petition to declare the child marriage void before they turn 23, or until two years after reaching the new minimum age of marriage.

– Introduction of a “notwithstanding” clause. This essentially calls for equal application of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act across religions, notwithstanding any customs.

What are the issues/concerns with the amendment?

– Since the age of majority is 18, increasing the age of marriage is viewed as a paternalistic approach by the state in personal matters of an individual.

– Additionally, the application of the child marriage law across faiths sets the stage for a debate on the limits of personal law.

– One of the views is that the bill may also be violative of Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.

– Another criticism is that increasing the minimum age of marriage will further push many marriages to illegality and marginalise vulnerable sections. Since the existing Act does not make child marriage automatically illegal, the increase in minimum age might not really benefit women.

– Also, since Muslim law recognises “attaining puberty”, which is legally assumed at 15 years, as the minimum age of marriage, it raises questions as to whether the child marriage law can apply to Muslims.

Can secular law override personal law?

Courts have offered different interpretations:

Views of the Supreme Court

– In Shayara Bano v Union of India (2017), the Supreme Court declared the practice of instant triple talaq as unconstitutional although it is provided for under Muslim law.

– In a 1960 case, the Supreme Court held that the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 would apply over Muslim law on transfer of property.

Views of the High Court:

The Karnataka High Court, in the case of Seema Begaum D/O Khasimsab vs State Of Karnataka (2013) – no Indian citizen on the ground of his belonging to a particular religion, can claim immunity from the application of the P.C.M.

In February 2021, the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted protection to a Muslim couple (a 17-year-old girl married to a 36-year-old man), holding that theirs was a legal marriage under personal law. The HC examined provisions of the PCM Act but held that since the special law does not override personal laws, Muslim law will prevail.

GS Paper 2

Looking beyond the Forest Rights Act

News:  The supporters of tribal rights allege that the Forest Department is overlooking the genuine claims of the tribal people.

A majority of the tribal communities in India are poor and landless. They practice small-scale farming, pastoralism, and nomadic herding.

On the Human Development Index, the tribal-populated States always rank lower than the national average.

Acknowledging their poor status, the government passed the forest rights act to improve their livelihood.

However, even after 15 years, the Implementation of the Forest rights act is faced with many challenges resulting.

What are the issues in implementation?

Firstly, the act requires the constitution of a Forest Rights Committee comprising members from within the village by conducting a Gram Sabha with two-thirds of the members present at the meeting. This process is not followed in many places.

Reasons

-These committees were mostly constituted by the Panchayat Secretaries upon the directives received from District Magistrates at short notice.

-The nominations for members for the taluk-level and district-level committees were also not transparent.

Secondly, The FRA provides for equal rights in titles issued under the Act for women. They have the equitable role at every stage of decision-making. However, on the ground, the women were hardly visible in this regard.

Thirdly, in the initial stages of implementation, there was an insistence on satellite images as evidence while other admissible proofs were ignored, as happened in Gujarat. This resulted in mass rejections of claims by the authorities.

Fourth, various welfare and developmental schemes of the Rural Department were not extended everywhere to the tribal people who received documents of land possession under the FRA. Despite the directives issued by the Ministry to treat them on a par with others.

Fifth, poor awareness levels of FR act among the tribal people is also an issue, especially in the scheduled areas which are remotely located. To effectively present claims, a fair understanding of the Act and its implementation process is necessary.

Sixth, the involvement of NGOs was missing in some interior areas in States like Chhattisgarh, where the insurgency was affecting the lives of the people. Evidence suggests that implementation was better in areas that were fairly close to urban settings or where accessibility was easy.

What are the problems faced by Tribals?

Firstly, tribal areas are witnessing a decline in the quality of forest produce in their vicinity, thus forcing them to look for other sources of livelihood.

Secondly, earnings from activities such as a collection of tendu leaves for rolling local cigars were affected due to the influx of laborers from Bihar who were willing to work for low wages. For ex, Chhattisgarh.

Thirdly, Poor market and exploitation by local traders/middlemen.

Fourthly, they possess lands (including the lands recognised under the FRA) that are small, of poor quality (particularly lands located on hill slopes), and are not very fertile.

Fifthly, to enhance their income, they migrate to work as construction or road-laying labourers.

Lastly, due to the quality of education received by the youth in the remote districts, the possibility of acquiring meaningful jobs remains thin.

What are the suggestions to improve Tribal Livelihood?

NGOs suggest that the livelihoods of the locals would improve if horticulture practices are promoted in addition to bamboo and aloe vera plantations with an assured market.

A popular recommendation to improve tribal livelihood is to enhance medical and ecotourism along the lines of the Kerala model.

Civil society groups suggest providing skill-based education with assured jobs on a large scale to tribals.

On Geopolitics of India – As a regional leader, not a victim of circumstance

News:  The changing geopolitics is demanding India’s leadership role in South Asia.  But India has failed to rise to the challenge on many occasions.

What are the changing Geopolitics that is impacting the Indian ocean countries?

In the Indian Ocean Conference this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar listed the following issues link to India’s neighbourhood.

1) the rise of China that has resulted in territorial tensions.

2) American pull-out from Afghanistan

3) The challenges posed by the novel coronavirus pandemic

What are the issues linked to India’s Afghan policy?

Firstly, India failed to recognize the U.S’s Afghan policy, especially after it signed the Doha Agreement of February 2020.

The Doha Agreement made the Taliban a legitimate interlocutor, without the condition of a ceasefire.

India merely blindsided with the U.S. and the Troika Plus members (Russia, China, and Pakistan) without voicing out its interest. It paved the way for the fall of the Afghan republic.

Secondly, India failed to secure its friends in Afghanistan. India canceled all the visas that had been granted to Afghans prior to August. India resisted allowing Afghans, looking for shelter in India. Afghans felt betrayed by a country they once considered “second home”.

Thirdly, India has been reluctant to support or host those who pose a counter to the Taliban regime today. For instance, the “Resistance Front” led by Ahmad Massoud and former Vice-President Amrullah Saleh.

It was in contrast to the 1990s when India kept up its contacts with the Northern Alliance, supported their families in India, and admitted thousands of other Afghan refugees. This response helped India to build closer ties with Afghanistan after the Taliban was defeated in 2001.

What are the issues associated with India’s policy in countering China?

Firstly, The Government’s reservation towards acknowledging the Chinese actions in Indian territory is seen as an act of low self-esteem.

Secondly, despite dozens of rounds of military and ministerial talks, the Government is unaware of the reasons for the Chinese action. This exposes a lack of strategic thinking.

Those who have analysed the situation more closely have pointed out few objectives behind China’s aggression at the LAC

China is looking to reclaim the territories that it has lost over hundreds of years, from the South China Sea to Tibet.

– To restrict India’s recent efforts at building border infrastructure, bridges, and roads right up to the LAC.

– To restrict any possible perceived threat to Xinjiang and Tibet.

– To restrict India’s ability to threaten China’s key Belt and Road project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), including a second link highway it plans from the Mustagh pass in occupied Gilgit-Baltistan to Pakistan.

– To blunt India’s plan to reclaim Aksai Chin and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) militarily.

What needs to be done to counter China’s increasing role in India’s neighborhood?

First, India should not make spaces for China in its immediate neighborhood. For instance, India’s failure in keeping its promises to provide vaccines to its neighbors has impacted India’s image as a leader.

Second, India can counter China by invoking its democratic system, which is admired by its neighbors. But before that, India should adhere to democratic principles such as pluralism, representative, inclusive power that respects the rights of each citizen, the media, and civil society.

Thirdly, India should forge its alliance with other countries more carefully, keeping in mind the interest of its neighbors.

Recent surveys by think tanks Carnegie and the Centre for Social and Economic Progress have found that India is a preferred strategic partner for most of the countries in the neighbourhood.

However, possible Indian collaborations with the U.S., Japan, Europe, etc. are being seen as “anti-China” collaborations, which these countries would want to avoid.

These partnerships also hamper India’s ability to stand up for its neighbours when required. For instance, India could not stand up for Bangladesh when the U.S. chose to slap sanctions on Bangladesh’s multi-agency anti-terror Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) force.

Thus, India must stop behaving like a “middle power” and decide its best interests and chart its own course of action in its neighbourhood.

The troubling courtroom policymaking by the supreme court

News: A Supreme court bench has sent proposal for the establishment of a National Judicial Infrastructure Corporation (NJIC) to the law ministry. 

There are serious issues of constitutional propriety (correctness) with how the apex court is gradually taking over the administration of the district judiciary 

More about NJIC , here. 

What are the issues with the Supreme Court’s approach? 

Supreme court entering into states and high court’s domain: While the Supreme Court is the apex judicial institution, the Constitution clearly vests the administration of district judiciary (appointments, budgeting, daily running) with the High Courts and state governments. 

– In the past also, the SC in various cases, has entered into domain of state government and high courts. For instance: Various SC judgements involving All India Judges Association (AIJA) where Supreme Court has been in a tussle with the government. 

– In another case, Malik Mazhar Sultan v. U P Public Service Commission, the supreme court expanded the initial litigation question regarding UP Judicial Service Rules, 2001 to include the status of judicial infrastructure in the state.  

SC in various cases has appointed an amici curiae to advise it on the nature of judicial reforms to be implemented. They are generally selected from amongst the senior lawyers of the Supreme Court only. The problem is that neither they have any experience of practising before the district judiciary nor the skill and time required for policy research. 

Also, as they are appointed by court they are highly unlikely to point fingers at the judiciary. 

Courtroom policymaking by the Supreme Court lacks public participation. Policymaking in a democratic polity should be done by political representative elected by the citizens. 

It compromises principle of federalism (which the court has held to be part of the “basic structure”)  

This “one size fits all” solutions does not accommodate the differences between states. 

Common electoral roll: Electoral reform is welcome, but shouldn’t be selective

News: Recently, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have passed the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The bill facilitates a wide array of electoral reform, of which several of them have been pending for over two decades. A common electoral roll can be the next reform the government should consider. In the recent meeting, the ECI also stressed the same.

What are the salient provisions of the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021?

-Extending the qualifying date for registration of young new voters.

About electoral rolls

The process for making electoral rolls is laid down in the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The primary unit of electoral rolls is the assembly election constituency.

Currently, separate electoral rolls are maintained for elections to the Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and local government bodies. Since different elections are held at different times, these electoral rolls should be made every year and kept ready always.

The ECI conducts the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, and State Election Commissions (SECs) conduct panchayat and municipal elections. The SECs have the option of either adopting the electoral rolls created by the ECI or preparing such rolls on their own.

Most SEIs prefer to use the rolls prepared by the ECI. Some states, however, develop their rolls independently, For instance, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Why there is a need for a common electoral roll?

1. The officials responsible for making both these rolls are the same, so a common electoral roll will reduce manpower and cost 2. Considering that a voter for all three tiers of elected bodies is the same, s/he is missing her/his name from one of the rolls, especially the panchayat rolls, is unacceptable, 3. Reduce the workload of Teachers: A major chunk of making electoral rolls fall in the hands of school teachers, 4. The only difference between the PRI and Vidhan Sabha rolls is that the former has information about the ward in which the voter lives. So, this can be integrated.

What needs to be done to adopt a common electoral roll?

-The SECs derive their powers to supervise local body elections from Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution. Hence, all state governments would have to change their electoral laws to adopt ECI electoral rolls for local elections.

-Pilot studies may be conducted in random constituencies to identify the discrepancies between two sets of rolls and their reasons.

Apart from electoral rolls, the government must consider the 40-plus pending proposals, instead of selectively going for politically motivated reforms like simultaneous elections and electoral bonds.

e-shram registration is a stepping stone towards protection of informal workers

News: Data suggests that Indian economy is coming to its pre-pandemic status. But recovery for informal workers and circular migrants is far from complete, as the employment is yet to recover.  

Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) data shows that employment-population ratio for the period May-August 21 was 36.8 per cent compared to 39.6 per cent in the same period two years ago. 

About e-shram Portal 

To provide social security benefits to informal workforce Supreme court directed the government to launch inclusive and universal registration system, which was launched this year and named e- shram portal. 

MGNREGA and the National Food Security Act (NFSA) are also covered under e-shram initiative

Read more here. 

Although e-shram is a positive step, but there is need for a more comprehensive policy for universalising the social security structure. 

What are the implications of the absence of a comprehensive social security policy? 

It can lead to low income which lead to lower consumption which can further lead to higher hunger and poverty. 

It can increase the inequality. As the lack of social security leads to health and educational deprivation which fuels the cycle of inequality. 

Hinders equitable and sustainable growth, as per detailed empirical analysis supported by the ILO and UN.

What is the way forward?

Schemes should be clubbed and simplified: There are numerous schemes under the e-shram portal which have different eligibility criteria and require much more information than available from worker registration on the portal. The schemes require to be clubbed, and restructured with simpler eligibility criteria to make them universal.  

Specific and compulsory benefits of social security should be proposed as are mentioned in code for social security. 

Government needs to allocate sufficient funds for financing universal social protection. Except in the crisis year 2020-21, expenditure by the central government on all major social security/protection programmes has shown a declining trend; from about 1.64% of GDP in 2015-16 to 1.25% of GDP in 2019-20. 

In the current policy initiatives like code on social security, the role of states is limited to few areas. As states have been pivotal in extending social protection in the past, it is important that states and all relevant stakeholders are involved at all stages of the process. 

GS Paper 3

Our semiconductor shortage is likely to persist for a long while

News: The semiconductor chip shortage, currently impacting the automobile industry, is likely to last longer.

How the semiconductor industry evolved in the mid-80s?

The semiconductor industry underwent a major change in the mid-80s as chips started getting commoditized.

– To protect against price risks and secure heavy investments that go into fabs, chipmakers started asked for purchase commitments at pre-agreed prices.

– And to cover for demand variability, excess capacity was maintained.

This means that now, around 80% of all production goes to pre-committed buyers, while the remainder is set for the traders.

Auto industry buys semiconductors from this remainder pool of low cost supplies.

What is the way forward?

Short term

In the near-term, the industry can revert to older systems, reducing features in vehicles, and delaying deliveries of vehicles.

Long term

A longer-term response has also started to emerge.

– Samsung has announced a new chip plant in Texas. Also, both Ford and GM have said they would get into long-term design and manufacturing arrangements.

– Further, national governments have also started treating chip supplies as a strategic imperative. For instance: India’s newly announced $10 billion incentive scheme for high-end chip-making can go a long way in establishing a strong electronics manufacturing base in India.

Will India Pay For RBI’s Hurry?

News: The RBI, in Mar 2020, issued guidelines prohibiting merchants (including all e-commerce websites, streaming platforms) and payment aggregators (such as Razorpay and Instamojo) from storing customer card information. These will come into effect from 1st Jan 2021.

In September 2021, an alternative to the current system was permitted. The alternative system is called Card-on-file Tokenisation (CoFT).

But, even though RBI’s move is well-intentioned, a hurried transition can end up disrupting payment systems in India, adversely affecting both customers and merchants.

What is Card-on-file Tokenisation (CoFT)?

CoFT is the process of de-identifying sensitive cardholder data by replacing the actual card details with an alternative code called the “token”, which is unique for every combination of card and merchant.

The 16-digit credit or debit card number will be converted into unique codes. This set of code is called a token. This makes the storage of card details securer than before.

In the tokenisation system, only the card network and issuing bank will have access to card data.

While seemingly ‘simple’, this modification requires an ecosystem-wide change in tech systems and workflows, with sequential compliance from the many entities in the digital payments transaction chain.

What are the potential implications of RBI’s move?

– Can impact Indian startups and small businesses, which may not be well-equipped to transition to the new system in a short period of time.

– Lack of operational readiness: Banks and card networks are not implementation ready. And, it is only post-operational readiness, that merchants will receive the relevant application programme interfaces (APIs) to build, test and integrate a consumer-ready tokenisation solution.

– Reversal of digital adoption gains: If merchants and payment aggregators purge card data and transition to the new system before the ecosystem is ready, consumers will be forced to manually input card details for every transaction. This will make digital payments tedious and can lead to a situation where less tech-savvy customers go back to using cash.

– Increased consumer risk: The need to repeatedly input card details for every transaction could potentially make consumers more vulnerable to phishing attacks, thus increasing consumer risk rather than reducing it as was intended by the regulations.

– Impact on small businesses: It can also disproportionately hurt India’s small businesses and startups that make use of the digital payments ecosystem to retain and grow their customer base.

– Impact on merchants: Purging of all existing card data without an effective replacement system can also make merchants unable to support customers with subscriptions, refunds, cancellations and other customer service requirements. And at the same time reduce their ability to mitigate frauds during the transition period.

What is the way forward?

RBI should undertake a thorough assessment of the ecosystem’s readiness before enforcing guidelines.

Phased implementation: Card networks and banks should be mandated to set up their infrastructure first, followed by merchants.

Allow the current system of card storage and the new tokenisation alternative to co-exist

Lessons can be learnt from the implementation of the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) in Europe. In the case of the PSD2 norms, the European Commission set up several working groups & worked closely with industry to adopt standards acceptable to a majority of stakeholders.

On PSB privatisation: Avoidable delay

News: Although, the Finance Minister had announced in this year’s Budget that the government will take up the privatisation of two PSBs.

Yet, it unlikely to happen this year.

The Finance Minister, in a written reply to the Parliament, said that the Cabinet has not taken any decision in this regard.

Moreover, the government will need to get the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Acts, 1970 and 1980, and the Banking Regulation Act amended to privatise PSBs.

But the Govt must address a variety of other issues before privatising PSBs.

What are some issues that need to be addressed?

Govt’s stake in privatised banks: It is being reported that the government will retain a 26% stake in the privatised banks. The government holding a significant stake could discourage potential bidders, as it would leave the scope for interference in management. This would also mean that the government will be able to influence appointments, which will defeat the purpose of privatisation.

Regulatory constraints: There are also regulatory constraints in terms of equity holdings in banks. These can be addressed by putting out a clear road map for reducing Govt stake over a period of time. This would provide clarity to potential investors.

Concerns of the employees: The Govt will also need to address the concerns of existing employees of these banks. Bank employee unions are protesting against privatisation. Govt will need to provide exit options to those not willing to work after the ownership change.

What is the rationale behind privatisation of PSBs?

There are strong reasons for privatisation of PSBs –

– They have been a burden on public finances and the government has been borrowing to infuse capital in PSBs.

– Privatisation will allow these banks to raise growth capital from the market.

– Bankers in the public sector fear that their business decisions can be questioned by investigative agencies. This reluctance to take decisions affects the flow of credit in the economy. Thus, privatisation will allow the management to make decisions freely.

It will not be easy for the government to privatise PSBs. But postponing is unlikely to help.

On WTO Ruling against Indian Sugar industry – Lasting solution

News:  The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled against India’s sugar and sugarcane subsidies

Though, the ruling is inconsequential for the country’s current policies concerning the Sugar industry. But it does provide an opportunity to address some of the chronic issues that often require the government to bail this industry out.

Read more here: WTO panel’s sugar report against India

Why the ruling is inconsequential for India as of now?

Firstly, the subsiding of sugar exports by India is not required now. Sugar prices are spiking globally, due to crop damage in Brazil.

As a consequence, the Indian sugar mills are said to have already secured export orders for about 3.8 million tonnes without any government support. The industry seems confident of exporting at least 6 million tonnes of sugar this year.

Secondly, the sugar mills have been permitted to produce ethanol directly from sugarcane juice and sugar for blending with petrol. It has improved the sugar industry’s financial health.

Thirdly, Analysts anticipate the global and domestic prices, and supply situation to remain favorable for the local sugar industry in the next season as well.

The current good run in the sugar sector seems like the ideal time to complete the unfinished reforms in this sector.

What are the issues facing the sugar industry?

Disconnect in the prices of sugarcane and sugar (read input and output): This often causes a liquidity crisis in the sugar industry, leading to the accumulation of cane price arrears.

The fair and remunerative prices (FRP) for sugarcane are generally fixed prior to the cane crushing season, without estimating the market price of sugar.

The state-advised cane prices are generally pitched higher than the FRP, due to political reasons.

What are the suggestions to address the issue of disconnect in the prices of sugarcane and sugar?

Implementation of C Rangarajan committee suggestion: The C Rangarajan committee on sugar sector reforms had suggested that the mills should share 70 percent of their revenue from sugar with cane growers. This is in line with the pricing mechanism followed in many other sugar-producing countries. The sugar industry had accepted the Rangarajan formula, but it has been implemented rarely.

Alternative suggestion: To club the prices of sugarcane with the minimum support prices of other crops and refer it to the agricultural pricing committee.

Sleepwalking into Chinese control of critical tech

News: ISRO has signed an agreement with Chinese smart device manufacturer Oppo to work towards providing NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) messaging services in mobile phones.  

This has wide implications for the national and cybersecurity in the country as there will be huge exchange of data and technical information through this collaboration. 

What are the features of this messaging service? 

It will broadcast safety alerts in areas with poor or no communication, particularly in oceans and during times of disaster.  

It will have military applications and is the fastest method of informing the citizenry in cases of nuclear, biological or chemical threats.  

The news reports also mention exchange of technical information of the NavIC messaging service so as to build various application-specific solutions.

What are the issues with this development? 

Weaponisation of data: Smartphones are the primary sources of population control in the information age and are a mine for critical personal data. This data from here can be weaponised in multiple ways. 

As per China’s National Intelligence and Data Security Law every individual, organisation and institution have to assist the Chinese Communist Party in all national security interests. Under its ‘comprehensive concept of national security’ virtually any issue – military, political, economic, social, technological, cultural etc, comes under intelligence work. This Law also has extraterritorial jurisdiction. Therefore, in event of any future contestation between the two armies, this kind of data breach can severely harm our National security. 

It will help the Chinese to further embed themselves in the Indian market using the trusted brand image of the Indian space agency. This can be used to enhance Chinese surveillance of the Indian population. 

Another concern is the ability of Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to surveil, block or edit the content of NavIC messaging application. The application is on layer 7 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model and vulnerable to both the handset OEM and the OS provider. 

About NavIC 

USA had denied India the access to GPS data during the Kargil war which would have provided it with vital information. To bridge this gap ISRO developed NavIC. 

Read more about NavIC, here and here

What is the way forward? 

There is need to support genuine Indian product companies based in India, especially in the strategic domains. 

Turmoil on the high seas-Indian shippers need stability assurers

News: Global shipping Industry is facing several challenges in the post pandemic world like surging freight rates, logistical bottlenecks and various supply-chain disruptions.  

What are the challenges being faced by the shipping industry? 

Less capacity, more demand: Due to an unexpected increase in consumer demand for goods after the March 2020 lockdowns , shipping companies have struggled to locate adequate capacity. This led to chronic shortages of vessel space, container equipment, warehouses, intermodal hubs, and labour. 

Congestion at major regional trans-shipment ports has reduced the daily container sailing capacity, causing backlogs in export shipments. 

Increase in shipping rates: Global container shipping rates have increased four to five times from their 2019 levels. 

If left unaddressed, these supply-chain issues can decrease competitiveness of India’s booming export industry and drag down the overall economic recovery.

What is the way forward? 

– Companies must strengthen their end-to-end real-time visibility of supply and demand through a ‘global nerve centre, in place of Individual control towers of companies. This will have data all the way from their international suppliers to their customers.

This could also help companies spot international multi-modal solutions which may speed up delivery. 

To implement this idea in India, companies should provide technological aid to their distributors who may lack such IT infrastructure. 

– Companies need to immediately revisit global inventory norms, especially for critical components like automotive chips that are either fully dependent on imports or have a single supply channel outside the country. 

– Optimization in supply chain and its diversification will lead to better health of shipping Industry. 

– Shippers must monitor shipping capacity closely and track where capacity is being deployed. 

They should invest resources in materials which will provide them high revenue with lower proportionate shipping cost. 

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Dr. Subhas Sarkar releases the Hindi translation of Tolkāppiyam and the Kannada translations of 9 books of Classical Tamil literature

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Dr. Subhas Sarkar releases the Hindi translation of Tolkāppiyam and the Kannada translations of 9 books of Classical Tamil literature’ published in Indian Express on 23^rd Dec 2021.

What is the news?

The Minister of State for Education has released the Hindi translation of Tolkāppiyam and the Kannada translations of 9 books of Classical Tamil literature.

Tamil Literature

Tamil writing systems date back to 250 BCE and Tamil sangam poetry contains 2381 poems in Tamil composed by 473 poets. Some important Tamil works are: Tolkāppiyam, the eight anthologies (Ettuttokai) and Ten Songs (Pattuppattu).

Tolkāppiyam

Tolkappiyam was authored by Tolkappiyar and is considered the earliest of Tamil literary work. 

Some in the Tamil tradition place the text in the mythical second sangam, variously in 1st millennium BCE or earlier. 

It is a unique work on grammar and poetics.It consists of three parts of nine sections each. The three parts deals with Ezhuthu (letter), Col (word) and Porul (subject matter). 

Almost all levels of the human language, from the spoken to the most poetic, lie within the purview of Tolkappiyar’s analysis.

The Tolkappiyam in Hindi was translated by Dr. H. Balasubramaniam and Prof. K. Nachimuthu.

Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies) 

It consists of eight works – Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaooru, Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal and Padirruppatu.

Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls) 

It consists of ten works – Thirumurugarruppadai, Porunararruppadai, Sirupanarruppadai, Perumpanarruppadai, Mullaippattu, Nedunalvadai, Madurai Kanji, Kurinjippatttu, Pattinappalai and Malaipadukadam.

Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurates National Oxygen Stewardship Program

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurates National Oxygen Stewardship Program’ published in PIB on 23^rd Dec 2021.

What is the news?

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare has launched the National Oxygen Stewardship Program.

What is the National Oxygen Stewardship Program?

Aim: To empower all healthcare workers engaged in Oxygen management and administration with the essential knowledge and skills to ensure rational utilization and avoid any wastage of medical Oxygen, especially in resource constraint settings.

As part of the programme,  at least one oxygen steward will be identified and trained in each district across the country.

These trained professionals would be responsible for leading the training on oxygen therapy and management in their respective districts, and also support audit of oxygen delivery and preparedness for a surge scenario.

What are the other steps taken by the Government to avoid Oxygen Shortage?

The government of India has sanctioned at least 1500 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants, of which 1463 have been commissioned.

The Centre has also set up OxyCare, a dashboard that disseminates information on the available oxygen stock for its better distribution.

Railways’ 98% operating ratio not a reflection of its true financial performance: CAG

Source:This post is based on the article ‘Railways’ 98% operating ratio not a reflection of its true financial performance: CAG’ published in Indian Express on 23^rd Dec 2021.

What is the news?

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has tabled the Railways Finances Report in Parliament.

What are the key findings of the report?

Operating Ratio(OR): It has deteriorated from 97.299% in 2018-19 to 98.36% in 2019-20 (This is the worst operating ratio in the past 10 years). Moreover, if the actual expenditure on pension payments is taken into account, the ratio will be 114.35 %.

Total Receipts: The total Receipts has decreased by 8.30% in 2019-20 as compared to 6.479% increase in 2018-19.

Cross-Subsidization: Profits from freight traffic were utilised to compensate for the loss on operation of passenger and other coaching services.

What are the recommendations given by the CAG Report?

Firstly, Diversify freight basket to enhance earnings and also exploit idle assets to increase other earnings.

Secondly, take steps to augment internal revenues, so that dependence on Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) and Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR) is contained.

Thirdly, Review the working of loss making PSUs and fast track the winding-up process of non-working Railway PSUs

Fourthly, revisit the passenger and other coaching tariffs so as to recover the cost of operations in a phased manner and reduce its losses in its core activities.

Year-End- Review of Ministry of Heavy Industries – 2021

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Year-End- Review of Ministry of Heavy Industries – 2021’ published in PIB on 23^rd Dec 2021.

What is the news?

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has been continuously working towards making the auto sector in India ‘Atma Nirbhar’ by increasing ’Make in India’ efforts of the Government and to position India as an alternative manufacturing hub for automobiles and its components. 

What are the key initiatives taken by the Ministry of Heavy Industries during the year?

Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India II) Scheme

The Scheme was launched in 2015.

The second phase of the scheme was launched in 2019 with the aim to incentivize demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) by providing upfront subsidies and creating EV charging infrastructure. 

Under the scheme, demand incentive for Electric 2 Wheelers has been increased from Rs 10,000/KWh to Rs 15,000/KWh with maximum cap increased from 20% to 40% of the cost of vehicles.

Moreover, for Electric Buses, 9 cities with over 4 million population (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat and Pune) will be targeted.

National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC)

Productive Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Automobile and Auto Components 

ASPIRE Portal and NATRIP 

SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0: It was launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to facilitate and create an eco system for propagation of Industry 4.0 set of technologies in every Indian manufacturing by 2025, be it MNC, large, medium or small scale Indian company.

Capital Goods scheme: It was rolled out by the Department of Heavy Industries in 2014. Phase I of the scheme fostered partnerships between Academia and Industry for engendering technology development with Government support.

Six Web-Based Technology Innovation Platforms

Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in Capital Goods Sector

DRDO conducts maiden launch of indigenously developed new generation surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’

Source: This post is based on the following articles:

– “DRDO conducts maiden launch of indigenously developed new generation surface-to-surface missile Pralay” published in PIB on 22nd Dec 2021.

– “Pralay missile successfully launched, raising Indian strike options” published in Business Standard on 23rd Dec 2021.

What is the News?

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of ‘Pralay’ Missile.

What is a Pralay Missile?

Pralay is a surface-to-surface conventional quasi-ballistic missile. The main aim of the missile is to defeat interceptor missiles.

Note: Quasi missile trajectory is also ballistic but after a certain range it changes the projectile path to defeat interceptors.

What are the key features of the Pralay Missile?

The missile has the ability to change its path after covering a certain range in the mid-air. The missile has a range of 150-500 kilometres. It has a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg.

The missile can be launched from a mobile launcher and its payload is designed to carry only a conventional warhead. The missile is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor. The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation and integrated avionics.

The missile is based on the Prithvi Defence Vehicle from the Indian ballistic missile programme.

What is the significance of the Pralay Missile?

The indigenous Pinaka can strike targets up to 60-70 km from the launchers; while variants of the Prithvi missile can strike the target upto 250-350 km away. 

The territory between them where the key targets will be located in wartime will be engaged by the Shourya, Prahar and Pralay missile systems.

‘Anti-national not defined in statutes’

Source: This post is based on the article ‘‘Anti-national not defined in statutes’’ published in The Hindu on 23rd Dec 2021.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Home Affairs has informed Parliament that there is no legal definition for the term “anti-national”.

What are the details provided by the Government on the term “Anti National”?

Definition of Anti National

The word ‘anti-national’ has not been defined in statutes.

But it is relevant to mention that the Constitution (Forty–Second Amendment) Act, 1976 inserted in the Constitution Article 31D (during Emergency) which defined ‘anti-national activity’.

However, Article 31D was subsequently omitted by the Constitution (Forty-third Amendment) Act, 1977.

Number of People arrested for indulging in Anti National Activities

​​‘Public Order’ and ‘Police’ are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.

Hence, the data about the number of people arrested for indulging in anti-national activities are not maintained centrally. The responsibility of maintaining law and order, including registration and prosecution of crimes, protection of life and property, rested with the State government.

NCRB Data on Anti National Elements

In 2019,  National Crime Records Bureau has released the annual ‘Crime in India’ report for 2017.

It included for the first time a chapter on ‘Crime Committed by Anti National Elements’. The chapter listed “North East insurgents, Left Wing Extremists and Terrorists (including Jihadi terrorists)” as the three anti-national elements.

Global Unicorn Index 2021: India adds 33 unicorns in one year, displacing U.K.

Source: This post is based on the article ‘‘India adds 33 unicorns in one year, displacing U.K.’’ published in The Hindu on 23rd Dec 2021.

What is the News?

Hurun Research Institute has released the Global Unicorn Index 2021. The index is a ranking of the world’s start-ups founded in the 2000s, are worth at least a billion dollars and are not listed on a public exchange.

What are the key findings of the Global Unicorn Index 2021?

India has a total of 54 Unicorns. It is ranked third in the world, after the United States and China.

Note: A unicorn is a term used in the venture capital industry to describe a startup company with a value of over $1 billion.

India has added 33 Unicorns in a single year. This has helped India overtake the UK in the number of Unicorns.

However, US and China are way ahead of India in the number of Unicorns. The US has added 254 unicorns and now totals 487 companies, while China added 74 to take its tally to 301 Unicorns. These top-two occupants are home to 74% of the unicorn universe.

What is the reason for India’s Unicorn Boom in 2021?

China’s crackdown on tech companies has helped India bolster its attractiveness as an emerging market alternative. Experts predict that India will be home to more than 150 unicorns by 2025.

Moreover, this unprecedented funding boom is expected to spill over to the next year as well, helped by India’s rapid adoption of technology and innovative offerings from startups. 

Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP): Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog launches Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP) to Empower Innovators, Entrepreneurs in 22 Mother Tongues

Source:This post is based on the article ‘Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog launches Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP) to Empower Innovators, Entrepreneurs in 22 Mother Tongues’ published in PIB on 22nd Dec 2021.

What is the News?

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog has launched the first of its kind Vernacular Innovation Program(VIP).

What is the Vernacular Innovation Program(VIP)?

Aim: To enable innovators and entrepreneurs in India to have access to the innovation ecosystem in 22 scheduled languages by the Government of India.

Under the programme, AIM will be training a Vernacular Task Force (VTF) in each of the 22 scheduled languages with each task force consisting of vernacular language teachers, subject experts and technical writers. 

Further, the AIM will also launch a train-the-trainer program where it will collaborate with the design department of IIT Delhi to coach the VTF in design thinking and entrepreneurship and the adaptation of these subjects in the 22 languages and cultures. 

After the training of the task force gets completed by April 2022, the ecosystem will be opened to vernacular innovators.  

Why was the Vernacular Innovation Program launched?

According to the 2011 census, only 10.4% of Indians speak English, most as their second, third, or fourth language. Only 0.02% of Indians spoke English as their first language. 

Hence, India needs to create equal opportunity for the vernacular innovators who represent around 90% of our population.

What is the significance of the Vernacular Innovation Program?

Firstly, the program will help lower the language barrier in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship and empower innovators in the farthest areas of the country.

Secondly, it will help to seamlessly assimilate the knowledge cum technical materials that AIM will develop.

Thirdly, India may be the first nation in the world to launch such an initiative where an innovation ecosystem catering to 22 languages plus English is being built.