Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• Antiquities abroad: What Indian, international laws say

GS Paper 2

• On reservation for women in politics
• peaking Their Mind: Green, Clean And Peaceful
• Vibrant Village Programme: A step towards securing Himalayan borders
• A sustainable model for women’s leadership
• China, India and the promise of the power of two
• The denial of same-sex marriages violates a basic right

GS Paper 3

• How to use technology to track crime
• SVB, Signature Bank collapse: What are ‘Too-Big-To-Fail’ banks, and what makes Indian banks safe

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) being implemented for creation of appropriate infrastructure for the growth of exports
• Eurasian otter raises hope for J&K stream
• Current procedure for inclusion of communities in Scheduled Tribes list adequate, Centre tells Rajya Sabha
• Release of ‘Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022’
• PM-SYM re-evaluation underway: Labour ministry
• Governors cannot precipitate the fall of elected governments: Supreme Court
• Foreign lawyers, firms can operate in India: BCI
• Union Minister says, an umbrella scheme Research, Education and Training Outreach (REACHOUT) is being implemented by the Ministry for capacity building
• Friction over formula: why some States get more from Centre
• 39 Of World’s 50 Most Polluted Cities Are In India: Report

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Antiquities abroad: What Indian, international laws say

News: Private research has found that the catalogue of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, includes at least 77 items with links to a smuggler, who is serving a 10-year jail term in Tamil Nadu.

What is an antiquity?

The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 defined “antiquity” as any coin, sculpture, painting, epigraph or other work of art or craftsmanship and others that “has been in existence for not less than one hundred years.”

For “manuscript, record or other documents which are of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value”, this duration is not less than seventy-five years.

What do international conventions say about protecting antiquities?

The UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property defined “cultural property” as the property designated by countries having “importance for archaeology, prehistory, history, literature, art or science.”

The convention also said that “the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property is one of the main causes of the impoverishment of the cultural heritage of the countries of origin.

What steps have been undertaken by the government for protecting antiquities?

-Before Independence, an Antiquities (Export Control) Act had been passed in April 1947 to ensure that “no antiquity could be exported without license.”

-Item-67 of the Union List, Item-12 of the State List, and Item-40 of the Concurrent List of the Constitution deal with the country’s heritage.

– In 1958, The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act was enacted.

-The government also enacted the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 (AATA). It has been implemented since 1976. Under AATA, “Every person who owns, controls or is in possession of any antiquity” shall register such antiquity before the registering officer “and obtain a certificate in token of such registration.”

How India can bring back antiquities from other countries?

There are three categories of antiquities. These are a) antiquities taken out of India pre-independence; b) Those which were taken out since independence until March 1976, i.e. before the implementation of AATA; and c) Antiquities taken out of the country since April 1976.

For items in the first two categories, requests have to be raised bilaterally or on international fora. Antiquities in the second and third categories can be retrieved easily by raising an issue bilaterally with proof of ownership and with the help of the UNESCO convention.

What are the challenges in Retrieving Stolen Idols and Artefacts?

Non-availability of FIR: According to the UNESCO Convention, the first thing to prove the ownership of the artefacts of the country is the complaint report (FIR in India). But in many cases, there is no FIR in India.

Lack of proper data: Since Independence, only 486 artefacts have been reported missing from the monuments preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). But there is a large gap between what is reported as missing and what is surfacing now in foreign museums.

The inefficiency of the ASI: a) 2013 report of CAG highlighted that the agency “has no vigilance or monitoring cell to function as a deterrence against theft of antiquities”, b) the 2005 report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee highlighted that the ASI’s inability to access the latest technology.

What should be done for protecting antiquities?

–Mirdha Committee (in 1984) had recommended that the ASI “should be accorded the status of a scientific and technical institution and provided autonomy in its functioning”. This should be fulfilled.

-The government should address the “lack of resources” issue with Indian Museums.

GS Paper 2

On reservation for women in politics

News: A protest has emerged in Delhi regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill. The article discusses arguments related to the bill and the history of women’s reservation.

What has been the history of political reservation for women?

During the National Movement: The three women’s bodies sent a letter to the British Prime Minister in 1931 seeking political reservation.

Constituent Assembly:The issue of women’s reservation also came up in Constituent Assembly debates. However, it was rejected on the grounds that a democracy is expected to give representation to all groups.

73rd and 74th amendments: The Committee of the Status of Women in India, 1971 and The National Perspective Plan for Women in 1988 recommended reservation of women in the local bodies.

These recommendations paved the way for the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution which mandate all State governments to reserve one-third of the seats for women in the local bodies.

However, the issue of reservation in the Parliament and Legislative Assemblies still remained and the Women’s Reservation Bill was brought in this regard.

What is the Women’s Reservation Bill?

Click Here to Read

The current government has promised 33% reservation for women. However, there has been no progress from the government in this regard.

What are the arguments for the Bill?

First,affirmative action is necessary for the improving the condition of women.The bill will help in the condition of women because political parties are patriarchal in nature.

Second,women as panchayat leaders have proved themselves and broken the established myths, questioning women leadership. On the other hand, crime rate against women is on the rise as well. Therefore, reservation will ensure women on decision making positions.

Third, despite the national movement, and passing of more than 7 decades after independence, women are still underrepresented in the Parliament.Only legislation can provide assurance of representation in this situation.

Note: Only about 14% of the members in Indian Parliament are women. India has a fewer percentage of women in the lower House than its neighbours such as Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

What are the arguments against the Bill?

First, reservation for women is against the idea of equality enshrined in the Constitution because if reservations are provided, women would not be competing on merit.

Second, women are not the same as a caste group, i.e., they are not a homogenous community. Therefore, the same arguments made for caste-based reservation cannot be made for women.

Third, women’s interests cannot be isolated from other social, economic and political strata.

Fourth,the reservation of seats in Parliament would restrict the choice of voters to women candidates. Therefore, the reservation should be given to political parties rather than legislative bodies.

Dual member constituencies (where constituencies will have two MPs, one of them being a woman) can also be adopted.

Fifth, men hold primary key positions in politics. Therefore, some argue that bringing women into politics could destroy the ideal family.

peaking Their Mind: Green, Clean And Peaceful

News:The articles discuss the power of youth and the Youth 20 (Y20) Summit that will be held later this year.

About the Youth 20 (Y20) Summit

India will host the Youth 20 (Y20) Summit later this year on the sidelines of the G20 presidency. The Y20 Summit will host youth from across the world.

The Summit will provide an opportunity to express global youths’ vision, values and ideas to arrive at solutions that will be shared with G20 leaders.

Five key themes have been chosen for Youth 20 (Y20) Summit –a) Future of Work: Industry 4. 0, Innovation & 21st Century Skills, b) Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction, c) Peacebuilding and Reconciliation, d) Shared Future: Youth in Democracy and Governance, and e) Health, Wellbeing and Sports: Agenda for Youth.

What is the significance of Youth 20 (Y20) Summit?

Youths around the world play an important role in bringing changes in science, sports, technology, business, politics, environmental sustainability and innovation.They provide local solutions to global socio-economic problems.

India’s youth will also bring changes in social, economic, environmental and technological innovation. India’s youth lead in all aspects whether it be a social cause or a billion-dollar startups.

Further, Indian ethos encourages youth to look beyond personal interests towards global problems such as getting united for a more equitable, sustainable, inclusive, intergenerational, progressive and peaceful world.

Indian youths are the network to drive change and developnew ideas for Amrit Kaal.Youth will play a pivotal role in making India a developed nation by 2047.

Hence, Youth 20 (Y20) Summit will act as a platform for the youths from all over the world to express their visions and solutions towards global problems.

Vibrant Village Programme: A step towards securing Himalayan borders

News– The article explains the initiatives taken by government for development of border villages

What are some facts related to the Vibrant Village Programme?

It focuses on the development of our border villages.

The Vibrant Village Programme aims to strengthen and enhance basic infrastructure in the villages along the LAC. The objective is to address the issue of migration.

Border villages are provided with all basic amenities.It includesmodern housing and good roads; water and electricity supply; good education, health and communication facilities; access to Door darshan channels.

A total of 2,962 border villages in five states will be developed under this scheme.

The scheme will also develop growth centres on the “hub-and-spoke model”. It will be donethrough the promotion of social entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship.

Tourism potential will be leveraged through the promotion of local culture and traditional knowledge.It will also develop sustainable eco-agribusinesses through the “One village-One product” concept.The Vibrant Village Programme will address all the issues of illiteracy.

What are other initiatives by the government for the development of border villages?

PM Gram Sadak Yojna connects remote villages with all-weather roads. There has been construction of concrete roads in all villages with over 250 inhabitants.

Remote villages were also connected with a robust optical fibre network. Similarly, under PM Awas Yojna, pucca houses were constructed in remote villages.

People were provided with water and electricity connections and given toilets. Under the Ayushman Bharat Yojna, villagers were covered under the world’s largest health insurance scheme.

A sustainable model for women’s leadership

News– Today the world is home to a transformative generation of 900 million adolescent girlsand young women. They would become the largest segment of women leaders, change makers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in history if provided with resources and opportunities.

What are the issues faced by women?

Adolescent girls face many socio­economic barriers from their earliest years.

The World Bank notes that over 43% of Indian STEM (science, technology, engineering andmathematics) graduates are women. However, they areunder-represented in the workforceand tech leadership.

There are prevailing stereotypes that characterise STEM as a traditionally masculine domain.

Gender norms disproportionately allocate domestic and care responsibilities to women.

The public perception of men as leaders of STEM, finance, and entrepreneurship is another barrier to women empowerment.

Institutional mechanisms for women are weak. They face the barriers of inadequate maternity leave, few flexible work arrangements, lack of childcare facilities in the workplace.

What is the way forward for women empowerment?

A multi­pronged approach is needed for women empowerment. Nurturing girls’ leadership abilities is our collective first step towards reducing barriers for growth of women.

ICT solutions– Women at all levels of society must have inclusion in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT).  EdTech can bridge the accessibility gap in education through hybrid learning models,

There is a need to build and scale up solutions customised to the language, cultural nuances. Internet accessibility can give girls equal access to knowledge through digital inclusion.

Educational empowerment- There is a need to counter the stereotypes against girls. It can be done by inclusion of grade appropriate STEM, financial education, and entrepreneurship syllabi into the educational curriculum for girls.

Elements like Olympiads, innovation labs, bootcamps and competitions should be included in the educational curriculum for girls.

Bodily autonomy and safety– Women need to be empowered to make decisions about their bodies. They should have freedom to decide about their sexual choices. They also need to be free from all forms of violence and harassment.

Participation in sports– The inclusion of women in sports is necessary. It can build their self-confidence. It will promote leadership in women, strengthen their self-belief, and teach them the importance of teamwork.

Economic empowerment– It is crucial for us to recognise, reduce and redistribute unpaid care and domestic work. They should have shared responsibility within the household, and equal participation in decision making spaces.

Policies that provide services, social protection and basic infrastructure to women and create more paid jobs in the care Economy are urgently needed.

China, India and the promise of the power of two

News– The year 2023 marks a high point in India’s diplomacy, with its presidentship of theShanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the G­20. The focus is also on China whichheld important “two sessions” recently.

What is the Chinese perspective about its growth trajectory?

China is advancing modernisation on all fronts. Here, the path to modernisation is focused on high ­quality development.

China has achieved “steady growth”. In 2022, China’s economy grew by 3%. A total of 12.06 million urban jobs were added. China’s GDP has registered an annual growth rate of 5.2% over the past five years. China’s economic strength is steadily reaching new heights.

The focus is upon “people’s well being”. China has historically resolved absolute poverty. It has alleviated close to 100 million rural residents from poverty. Over 70% of the government’s expenditure went toward ensuring people’swell-being. Living standards continue to witness newimprovements.

China is “opening up”. In 2022, China’s total volume of trade in goods exceeded 40 trillion yuan. It registered an annual growth rate of 8.6%. The country remained one of the top destinations for foreign investors.

China’s development has led to “win-win cooperation”. In the period 2013-­2021, China’s contribution to global economic growth averaged 38.6%. It is higher than that of G7 countries combined.

Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) in a speech at the UNGA in 2021. More than 100 countries have expressed their support and over 60 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI.

What are areas of convergence between India and China?

Both countries are neighbours and ancient civilisations with a combined population of 2.8 billion. They are representatives of developing countries and emerging economies.

India and China are both in the process of national rejuvenation and a crucial period of modernisation. China and India have far more common interests than differences.

Bilateral trade volume reaching $135.984 billion in 2022, though there is a trade deficit.

Investments by Chinese enterprises have created a large number of jobs for the Indian people and contributed to India’s economic development.

In his recent meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister.Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said that the development and revitalisation of China and India give a boost to the force of developing countries.

It will change the destiny of a third of the world’s population. It will impact the future o

The denial of same-sex marriages violates a basic right

News: The US Supreme Court decided to overturn bans on same-sex marriage in 13 states in 2015. With petitions seeking the legalization of same-sex marriages in India, it is time for the Indian Supreme Court to do the same.

About the case and Centre’s affidavit on same-sex marriages

What are the issues in the centre’s affidavit on legalising same-sex marriages?

The centre’s view that the legislature has the right to define who can be considered married is a denial of Indian diversity. The government cannot take the responsibility to “regulate or prohibit” human relations.

According to a judge, Marriage matters because it is a “keystone of our social order.” India’s ethos and traditions defining acceptable behaviour should aid in the legalization of same-sex marriages.

GS Paper 3

How to use technology to track crime

News– Recently, a scam happened in Ludhiana. A person posing as the Central Commandant of Crime and Criminal Tracking extracted money from young men. They were issued fake IDs, promised jobs as investigating officers in CCTNS.

What are some facts related to CCTNS?

It includes the national database of crime and criminals. It connects police stations. It also digitise FIR registration, investigation and charge sheets.

The criminal justice systems should also be standardised, harmonised and integrated. Citizens should enjoy the same level of law and order, regardless of residence. CCTNS is designed to achieve that.

CCTNS influences the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS).

What are issues with policing in India?

For IPC crimes, investigation rates are around 65%. investigation rates vary across the states. It is more than 95% in Gujarat, but just about 45% in Jharkhand.

Charge-sheeting rates also vary widely across states. For IPC crimes, the all-India average is just over 72%. It is over 90% in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala and West Bengal, but less than 40% in Assam.

There are variations across states in use of CCNTS. As of January 2022, 97% of police stations have been connected to CCTNS, but the figure is 77% for West Bengal.

There are reasons for this variation among states. Under-staffing is one of the reasons.

In 2016, the MHA brought out a model prison manual. Many states haven’t adopted this and have not updated their old prison manuals.

The agenda of police reforms has been stuck for years. Nothing much has been achieved through Model Police Acts. India is far away from achieving the principles of one country – “one police” and “one prison”.

SVB, Signature Bank collapse: What are ‘Too-Big-To-Fail’ banks, and what makes Indian banks safe

News: The fall of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has had its effects around the world.

Why are Indian banks less vulnerable to bank failures?

This is because a) India’s domestic banks have a different balance sheet structure, where deposits cannot be withdrawn in bulk quantities like SVB, b) Household savings constitute a major part of bank deposits in India. On the other hand, in the US a large portion of bank deposits are from corporates, c) A large part of Indian deposits is with public sector banks, and most of the rest is with very strong private sector lenders, d) The approach of the regulator has generally been that depositors’ money should be protected at any cost, e) India have domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) and f) While the Basel-III Norms prescribe a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 8%, the RBI has mandated a CAR of 9% for scheduled commercial banks and 12% for public sector banks.

About Global-SIBs

Need: 2008 financial crisis highlighted the issues with large and highly interconnected financial institutions in the real economy.

Recommendation: In 2010, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) recommended that all member countries should put in place a framework to reduce risks attributable to Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs) in their jurisdictions.

Further, the Basel, Switzerland-based Financial Stability Board (FSB) has identified a list of global systemically important banks (G-SIBs).

G-SIBs at present: There are 30 G-SIBs currently, including JP Morgan, Citibank, HSBC, Bank of America, Bank of China, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, and Goldman Sachs. No Indian bank is on the list.

Advantages of being SIBs: They are perceived as banks that are ‘Too Big To Fail (TBTF)’, due to which these banks enjoy certain advantages in the funding markets.

How does the RBI Select D-SIBs in India?

The RBI follows a two-step process to assess the systemic importance of banks.

First, a sample of banks to be assessed for their systemic importance is decided. Banks having a size beyond 2% of GDP will be selected in the sample.

Second, Once the sample of banks is selected, a detailed study to compute their systemic importance is initiated. Based on the study, a composite score of systemic importance is computed for each bank. Banks that have systemic importance above a certain threshold are designated as D-SIBs.

Next, the D-SIBs are segregated into buckets based on their systemic importance scores.

What are the concerns associated with D-SIBs?

D-SIB tag indicates that in case of distress, the government is expected to support these banks. This a) encourages risk-taking, b) reduces market discipline, c) creates competitive distortions, and d) increases the probability of distress in the future.

So the RBI recommended that the SIBs should be subjected to additional policy measures to guard against systemic risks and moral hazard issues

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) being implemented for creation of appropriate infrastructure for the growth of exports

Source: The post is based on the article “Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) being implemented for creation of appropriate infrastructure for the growth of exports” published in the PIB on 15th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Department of Commerce is implementing the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) since 2017-18.

About Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)

Under the scheme, the Centre will provide funds for setting up or up-grading export infrastructure in States/UTs.

Aim: To assist Central and State Government agencies in creating appropriate infrastructure for the growth of exports.

Launched by: Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Need: The Centre has delinked Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) Scheme in 2015. Ever since that, the State Governments had been requesting the support of the Centre in the creation of export infrastructure.

Scope: The scheme can be availed by States through their implementing agencies, for infrastructure projects with significant export linkages. These include Border Haats, Land customs stations, quality testing and certification labs, cold chains, trade promotion centres, etc.

Funding pattern: Under the scheme, financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid is provided to Central/State Government owned agencies (or their Joint Ventures with major stake-holding by them).

Performance: Financial assistance for a total of 40 export infrastructure projects has been approved since its implementation.

Eurasian otter raises hope for J&K stream

Source: The post is based on the article “Eurasian otter raises hope for J&K stream” published in The Hindu on 16th March 2023

What is the News?

A team of scientists has spotted Eurasian otters in the Neeru stream of the Chenab catchment.

What is Eurasian Otter?

Scientific Name: Lutra lutra

It is an elusive, solitary otter that has one of the widest distributions.

Range: Its range covers parts of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa .In India, it is present in northern, northeast and southern India.

Habitat: In the Indian subcontinent, Eurasian otters occur in cold hills and mountain streams. During summer (April – June) in the Himalayas, they may ascend up to 3,660 m.

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

CITES: Appendix I

Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II

What is Neeru?

Neeru is a tributary of the Chenab river. It is a 30­km perennial stream that originates in the Kailash Lake at 3,900 meters above mean sea level and drains into the Chenab at Pul­Doda. 

Fed by 13 major tributaries, Neeru flows through several small villages, semi­urban and urbanized areas with Bhaderwah being the largest settlement.

What is the significance of spotting Eurasian Otters near Neeru river?

Eurasian otters are regarded as a flagship species and indicator of high-quality aquatic habitats. Its presence is encouraging for the health of the Neeru stream.

Current procedure for inclusion of communities in Scheduled Tribes list adequate, Centre tells Rajya Sabha

Source: The post is based on the article “Current procedure for inclusion of communities in Scheduled Tribes list adequate, Centre tells Rajya Sabha” published in The Hindu on 16th March 2023

What is the News?

The Tribal Affairs Ministry has said that the current procedure for the inclusion of communities on the Scheduled Tribes list was “adequate”.

What is the current procedure for the inclusion of communities adopted in the ST List?

According to the modalities, for inclusion first framed in 1999, the proposal for inclusion must originate from the respective State or Union Territory government.

Following this, the proposal is sent to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry which sends it to the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI). 

If the ORGI approves the inclusion, the proposal is forwarded to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

Only after the concurrence of these institutions, will the proposal go forward to the Cabinet to bring in the appropriate amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

What are the criteria adopted to decide whether a community should be included in ST List?

The Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) continues to follow the criteria set out by the Lokur Committee in 1965 to decide whether a community can be included in the ST list.

These criteria include 1) indications of “primitive traits”, 2) Distinctive culture, 3) geographical isolation, 4) shyness of contact with the community at large and 5) backwardness.

Release of ‘Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022’

Source: The post is based on the article “Release of ‘Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022” published in PIB on 15th March 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has released the publication titled ‘Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022’.

What is the purpose of Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022?

It gives an overview of the Animal Husbandry sector briefly in terms of important livestock statistics on livestock population, livestock production and other information like animal diseases, infrastructure etc.

It is also the primary source of data on production estimates of four Major Livestock Products (MLPs) like Milk, Egg, Meat and Wool for the year 2021-22 and other technical aspects of the Integrated Sample Survey(ISS).

What are the key findings of the publication?

Contribution of the Livestock sector: In 2020-21, the share of Livestock at constant prices in the Agriculture Sector and total GVA was 30.13% and 4.9% respectively.

Milk Production: In 2021-22, milk production has registered an annual growth rate of 5.29%.

– Top five major milk producing States are Rajasthan (15%), Uttar Pradesh (14%), Madhya Pradesh (8%), Gujarat (7%) and Andhra Pradesh (6%).

Egg Production: The total egg production in the country has increased by 6.19% as compared to the previous year.

– Total five major egg-producing States are Andhra Pradesh (20%), Tamil Nadu (16%), Telangana (12%), West Bengal (8%) and Karnataka (6%).

Meat Production: The total meat production in the country has shown an annual growth rate of 5.62%.

– The total five major meat producing States are Maharashtra (12%), Uttar Pradesh (12%), West Bengal (11%), Andhra Pradesh (11%), and Telangana (10%).

Wool Production: The total wool production in the country has declined by 10.30% as compared to the previous year.

– The top five major wool producing States are Rajasthan (45%), Jammu and Kashmir (23%), Gujarat (6%), Maharashtra (4%) and Himachal Pradesh (4%).

PM-SYM re-evaluation underway: Labour ministry

Source: The post is based on the article “PM-SYM re-evaluation underway: Labour ministry” published in Business Standard on 16th March 2023

What is the News?

The Ministry of Labour has ​​ordered a third-party evaluation of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) to identify the hurdles in the scheme’s implementation.

What is Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan(PM-SYM)?

Click Here to read

What is the progress of the scheme?

Till December 2021, over 4.6 million beneficiaries were added. But, the pace of enrollment has slowed down considerably in the last three years. 

Against an enrollment target of 10 million beneficiaries in each of the financial years starting 2020-21. But just 5.2 lakh workers were enrolled in the past three years till December 2022.

Similarly, against the budgeted ~350 crores in FY23, only ~93 crores could be utilized by December 2022.

What are the challenges faced by the scheme in its implementation?

There are a number of reasons for the scheme’s poor performance in the last three years.

Some of them are: 1) the long-term financial commitment required by the beneficiaries, 2) the outbreak of the pandemic, 3) the presence of the Atal Pension Yojana covering unorganized workers and 4) the provision of free pensions by states like Rajasthan and Haryana.

Governors cannot precipitate the fall of elected governments: Supreme Court

Source: The post is based on the article “Governors cannot precipitate the fall of elected governments: Supreme Court” published in The Hindu on 16th March 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has questioned the Maharashtra governor’s rationale in calling for a trust vote that led to the resignation of the Chief Minister.

What was the issue about?

A political crisis erupted in Maharashtra in 2022. After this, the then-governor of Maharashtra asked the Chief Minister to face a floor test to prove his majority. 

The Supreme Court had refused to stay the Maharashtra governor’s direction to the government to take a floor test in the assembly to prove its majority.

However, the Chief Minister resigned before the floor test in the face of imminent defeat paving the way for the appointment of a new chief minister.

In this context, the Supreme Court made observations on the role of the Governor.

What are the observations made by the court on the role of the Governor?

Governors must exercise their powers with the “greatest circumspection” and must not lend their offices to trigger a particular result.

Governors seriously undermine democracy if they use their constitutional office to call for a trust vote citing dissension within a ruling political party and precipitating the fall of a legitimately established and functioning government.

The Governor cannot ask for a trust vote when there is absolutely nothing to shake the majority on the floor of the House. The trust vote is not for determining who is to be the leader of the House. Governor’s trust vote is where the majority in the House is shaken.

Foreign lawyers, firms can operate in India: BCI

Source: The post is based on the article “Foreign lawyers, firms can operate in India: BCI” published in The Hindu on 16th March 2023

What is the News?

The Bar Council of India(BCI) has opened up a law practice in India to foreign lawyers and law firms.

What is the Bar Council of India(BCI)?

The Bar Council of India is a statutory body established under section 4 of the Advocates Act 1961.

It regulates legal practice and legal education in India. 

Its members are elected from amongst the lawyers in India and as such represents the Indian bar. 

It prescribes standards of professional conduct, etiquette and exercises disciplinary jurisdiction over the bar. 

It also sets standards for legal education and grants recognition to universities whose degrees in law will serve as a qualification for students to enrol themselves as advocates upon graduation.

What has the BCI decided about Foreign Lawyers?

BCI has notified the Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022.

The rules allow foreign lawyers and law firms to register with BCI to practice in India if they are entitled to practice law in their home countries.

The foreign lawyers will be allowed to practice transactional work /corporate work such as joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property matters, drafting of contracts and other related matters on a reciprocal basis.

However, foreign lawyers cannot practice Indian law in any form or before any court of law, tribunal, board, or any other authority legally entitled to record evidence on oath.

What is the significance of these rules?

These rules will help attract foreign direct investment and make India a hub of international commercial arbitration. 

Union Minister says, an umbrella scheme Research, Education and Training Outreach (REACHOUT) is being implemented by the Ministry for capacity building

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister says, an umbrella scheme Research, Education and Training Outreach (REACHOUT) is being implemented by the Ministry for capacity building” published in PIB on 15th March 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Earth Sciences has informed Lok Sabha about the Research, Education and Training Outreach(REACHOUT) Scheme.

What is the Research, Education and Training Outreach(REACHOUT) Scheme?

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences 

Sub-Schemes: It consists of the following sub-schemes: 1) R&D in Earth System Science (RDESS), 2) International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean) and 3) Program for Development of Skilled manpower in Earth System Sciences (DESK).

Objectives of the Scheme: 

– Supporting various R&D activities in the thrust areas of different components of Earth System Sciences that are theme and need-based and that would help in attaining the National goals set up for MoES.

– Develop useful collaborations with international organizations for the mutual transfer of advanced knowledge in science and technology in Earth Sciences and to provide services to developing countries.   

– Develop skilled and trained manpower in Earth Sciences with the support of academic institutions in the country and abroad.

Friction over formula: why some States get more from Centre

Source: The post is based on the article “Friction over formula: why some States get more from Centre” published in The Hindu on 16th March 2023

What is the News?

The 15th Finance Commission has given the population a higher weightage over performance. This revenue-sharing formula has created friction between States and the Centre.

What is the revenue-sharing formula adopted by the 15th Finance commission? 

The Centre’s tax collections are pooled from States and a part of it is distributed among them based on the Finance Commission’s (FC) formula. 

The 15th Finance Commission had arrived at the States’ share in the divisible pool of taxes based on each State’s needs (population, area and forest and ecology), equity (per capita income difference) and performance (own tax revenue and lower fertility rate). The weight assigned to needs was 40%, equity 45%, and 15% to performance. 

As the population was given a higher weightage, it tilted the balance in favour of some northern States.

This meant that Uttar Pradesh and Bihar got 17.9% and 10%, respectively in the 15th FC. Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu got 3.65%, 1.93% and 4.08%, respectively. 

Due to this, for every one rupee that Tamil Nadu gives the Centre, it gets back 29 paise. On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh gets ₹2.73 and Bihar gets back ₹7.06.

This has been a bone of contention between the Centre and the affected States.

What are Southern states demanding now?

According to an economist from Tamil Nadu, southern States have grown faster and contributed larger revenue to the central pool. He said southern states are not against the U.P. getting one rupee for every 10 paise it contributes. But it also wants states like Tamil Nadu should also get the same. 

39 Of World’s 50 Most Polluted Cities Are In India: Report

Source: The post is based on the article “39 Of World’s 50 Most Polluted Cities Are In India: Report” published in NDTV on 16th March 2023

What is the News?

IQ Air, a Swiss air quality technology company has released a report titled “World Air Quality Report, 2022”.

What is the World Air Quality Report?

The World Air Quality Report presents an overview of the state of global air quality in 2022. 

The report is based on PM2.5 data from 7,323 cities and 131 countries.

What are the key findings of the report?

Most Polluted Countries: Chad, Iraq, Pakistan, Bahrain, and Bangladesh are the 5 most polluted countries in 2022.

Most Polluted Cities: Lahore was the most polluted city in the world, followed by Hotan in China and Bhiwadi in Rajasthan.

India: India has ranked 8th in the global list of countries with the most hazardous air quality.

– Bhiwadi in Rajasthan was found to be the most polluted city in India and the third most polluted city in the world.

– New Delhi is the second most polluted capital city in the world, with N’Djamena in Chad topping the list.

– India hosts 12 of the 15 most polluted cities in Central and South Asia.

– A total of 39 Indian cities are on the list of 50 of the world’s most polluted cities based on annual average PM2.5 levels in 2022.