9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – March 1st, 2023

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

Listen to the court – SC warning against renaming places by abusing history, and invoking it selectively, is valuable and timely

Source: The post is based on the following articles

“Plenty In A Name – Why naming public spaces after India’s rich flora, fauna, and not history figures, makes so much sense” published in The Times of India on 1st March 2023.

“The Express View: Listen to the court” published in the Indian Express on 1st March 2023.

Syllabus: GS-1: Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Relevance: About renaming places.

News: The Supreme Court has recently dismissed a PIL that sought a renaming commission focussed on “ancient India”.

Note: Immediately after Independence, to reverse colonial legacies India changed the names of several places

About the case

A PIL has been filed and sought the Court’s intervention in restoring the “original names” of places “renamed by barbaric invaders”. The petitioner had contended that several roads, public places and cities in the country are named after “foreign looters” and argued that the “benevolent nature of Hinduism had resulted in wiping out of it from Pakistan and Afghanistan”.

However, the court dismissed the PIL and said that the “country cannot remain a prisoner of the past”. The bench criticised the petitioner for going by the playbook of those who “invoke history selectively” to create “schisms in society”.

Note: European names were inserted into towns, cities and countries in several parts of the world during the so-called Age of Discovery in the 15th to 18th centuries. For instance, Constantinople was renamed as Istanbul in 1930.

In recent times, such renaming exercises have become the stock-in-trade of the votaries of identity politics who obsess about “outsiders”, “invaders” and “looters”.

What is the significance of the SC’s comment?

The apex court reaffirmed the “rule of law, secularism and constitutionalism” and cautioned against bigotry. The court’s directive to abide by “the principle of fraternity enshrined in the Constitution’s Preamble” and its words of caution against the abuse of history must be heard.

Why India should revamp the philosophy of naming or renaming places after history?

India is expected to add another 416 million people to its cities by 2050, taking the urban population share to 50%. This will be associated with major infrastructure expansion. Each new project, street, or square will need a new name. So, India has to revamp the philosophy of naming.

Words have power, and names can act as economic multipliers. For instance, US data indicates homes on ‘Lake’ streets average 16% more than the national median home value.

What should be done while naming or renaming places?

Follow global protocol: Top airports around the world and most have straightforward geographical titles. For instance, Amsterdam, Beijing, Dubai, Incheon, Los Angeles, and Munich.

Similarly, in many countries, streets are named by their simple number and direction. All of this is both user-friendly and conflict-reducing.

Can pay homage to nature: Singapore Changi Airport has been permitted to be named after a legendary tree, and around 300-odd streets named after Oak in California. India can follow similar approach.

Name after famous personalities: Public spaces can be named after popular figures from arts, entertainment and sport in the contemporary world.

GS PAPER - 2

International courts and climate change

Source– The post is based on the article “International courts and climate change” published in The Hindu on 1st March 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- International relations

Relevance: Legal issues related to climate change

News- A group of 16 countries led by Vanuatu seeks an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the issue of climate change.

What are the various jurisdictions of ICJ? The ICJ has two types of jurisdictions: contentious and advisory.

Contentious jurisdiction– It refers to resolving legal disputes between consenting states,

Advisory jurisdiction– Under it, the UN General Assembly, the Security Council and other specialised bodies of the UN can request the ICJ for an opinion on a legal question.

Unlike contentious jurisdiction, the ICJ’s advisory opinions are non-binding. Yet, they carry normative weight and clarify international law on a relevant issue.

What are the legal opinions sought by Vanuatu from in its draft resolution?

First, what are the international law obligations of countries toward the protection of the climate system from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases?

ICJ will not only interpret and clarify the existing international climate change law but also use the general and customary international law to fill the gaps in these treaties. Thus, the ICJ can use the ‘no-harm’ principle.

Second, what are the legal consequences for states that have caused significant harm to the climate system, the SID states and other people of the present and future generations?

This question seeks to determine the price that states should pay for not honouring their international legal obligations on climate change. As part of climate justice, there is a long-standing demand for climate reparations.

The rich countries have historically caused maximum greenhouse gas emissions. They should compensate developing countries that are disproportionately impacted by climate change.

They have sought the advisory opinion of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

ITLOS has been requested to determine the specific obligations of the countries under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea about preventing and reducing pollution of the marine environment. The challenges of ocean warming, sea level rise and ocean acidification are all linked to the marine environment.

What should be the approach of the international community towards the advisory jurisdiction of ICJ on climate change?

These advisory opinions are not a panacea. They may even turn out to be double edged swords depending on the kind of verdict delivered.

The role of international courts should be welcomed. Developed countries and groupings like the G­20 should support these laudable initiatives of the SID states.

Environment and climate sustainability are important themes of G­20. India, as the president of the G­20, should take a lead given its relentless emphasis on LiFE campaign.

Cooperation amid conflict is India’s burden for G20

Source– The post is based on the article “Cooperation amid conflict is India’s burden for G20” published in The Indian Express on 1st March 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- International relations

Relevance: India approach towards multilateralism in changing global order

News- The inability of the G20 finance ministers to agree on a joint statement last week points to an important reality about multilateralism.

What is the history of multilateralism?

When great powers are at peace with each other, multilateralism has reasonable chances of success. But when they are in conflict with each other, there is less scope for global cooperation.

Multilateral institutions like the G20 need at least a minimal understanding among the major powers on the global rules for being functional.

Such an understanding was not there during the Cold War except in a few areas like nuclear arms control.

The Soviet Union collapse in 1991 opened doors for an expansive phase of multilateralism for nearly a quarter of a century. There was great power cooperation at the UN or in the creation of the WTO.

During the financial crisis of 2008, the Bush administration rallied the top 20 economies of the world to stabilise the global economy.

That type of cooperation among nations no longer exists. There is no consensus on key issues in G20 today.

How multilateralism is facing troubles in recent times?

The political conflict between Russia and the West is growing with the Ukraine war. There are chances that Washington and Beijing might engage in arm conflict over Taiwan.

The rising geopolitical conflict has repercussions for the economic domain. In the last few years, There has been diminishing faith in globalisation and active weaponization of interdependence for particular national objectives.

The new economic conflict has also entered the realm of emerging technologies — especially the digital domain. It promises to reshape the global economy as well as restructure the nature of military power in the international system.

How can India successfully manage its G20 presidency?

There is little possibility that the current military, political and economic tensions between the major powers can be mitigated any time soon.

Reducing the negative impact of the renewed great power conflict on the G20 in itself will be a diplomatic achievement for India.

Delhi’s multilateral diplomacy cannot stand apart from the great power conflict. India is very much part of the renewed great power rivalry. There are deep differences between Delhi and Beijing on multilateral issues.

What is the current status of India relations with major powers?

China has blocked India’s efforts to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Beijing does not support Delhi’s quest for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

There is also growing friction in a range of new areas. India rejected China’s Belt and Road Initiative when it was unveiled in 2017. It did not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Beijing helped Pakistan to put the Kashmir question back on the active agenda of the UNSC in 2019. Yet, India continues to have a presence with China in various forums like the RIC, BRICS and SCO. It is also a member of the China-led AIIB.

India has deepened bilateral strategic ties with the US and Europe. Delhi has also revived the Quad forum with Australia, Japan and the US. The Quad is now one of India’s premier multilateral forums.

What has been the approach of the Indian foreign policy establishment towards multilateralism?

In the past, India seemed to focus on just one kind of multilateralism — the UN and the NAM. Delhi now participates in multiple kinds of multilateral institutions. The UN remains an important focus for India.

A less universal coalition like the G20 is important for multilateralism but is also quite vulnerable to geopolitics.

Delhi also participates in groupings of “like-minded countries” such as the Quad in the pursuit of national and regional interests. India is also a regular invitee to the G7 forum of advanced industrial democracies.

It is also actively trying to reactivate its past coalition with the Global South. Delhi approached the FATF to put some real pressure on Pakistan.

How are the foreign policy options for India in complex global order?

India can’t simply turn its back on China. Its growing economic and military weight makes it a powerful player in the international system. Nor can it ignore Russia, which has just reminded the world of its enormous capacity to disrupt the global order.

Delhi has no option but to try and cooperate with its adversaries to solve larger regional and global problems.

At the same time, national interests demand that India compete with its rivals and collaborate with like-minded countries in the multilateral domain.

The relative mix of cooperation and contestation depends on the context and the nature of the specific issue at hand.

The middle path for India in the new world disorder

Source– The post is based on the article “The middle path for India in the new world disorder” published in The Hindu on 1st March 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- International relations

Relevance: India foreign policy choices in changing global order

News- International politics is undergoing major changes. A new world order is emerging.

What is the shape of current world order?

The U.S. still remains the world’s most powerful military power. But the U.S.’s ability to shape geopolitical outcomes is clearly in decline. It was seen in its withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war or the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

These changes actually leave the world in a flux. There’s a lack of clarity on which direction the world is headed. It makes policy making harder for middle powers like India.

Even if a new cold war breaks out between the U.S. and China, the global order is unlikely to be bipolar.

During the Cold War, the world was divided into two ideologies and two systems. Today’s world is much more diverse ideologically and integrated economically.

What are the foreign policy challenges faced by India in recent times?

India faces an entirely new set of challenges in the new global disorder. The arena of the looming U.S.­China great power contest is Asia. It is unfolding right in India’s neighbourhood.

During the Cold War, India didn’t have hostile relations with any of the opposing superpowers. Today, India would be tempted to join the American bloc as it faces the China problem. There is a convergence of interests between India and the U.S. when it comes to China.

The power imbalance between India and China has widened in recent years. China has also developed a strategic partnership with Pakistan. It is raising its influence in other South Asian and Indian Ocean countries. Besides, the border situation is hostile after the Glawan incident.

But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has complicated India’s options further.

Russia is a traditional partner with which India has deep defence ties. India is under huge pressure from its partners to take a more critical position on Russia’s actions.

Besides, India also worries that the West’s move to isolate Russia in Europe would push the country further into the Chinese embrace. Any policy decisions should factor in these delicate changes under way in global politics.

What is the way forward for Indian foreign policy establishment?

India should prepare itself for a prolonged strategic competition with China. India could perhaps learn a lesson from what China did in the 1970s.

The Soviet Union was China’s ideological brother and neighbour.  It broke away from the Soviet communist fold and built a quasi alliance with the U.S. It helped the ‘imperialist bloc’ to defeat the Soviet communists.

Once it acquired enough economic and military power, China started gradually challenging the U.S.

India’s primary focus should be on transforming itself economically and militarily. It should stay focussed on its rise and bridging the gap with China. It should present itself as a natural stabilising power in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region.

However, China is not the only problem India faces. In continental Asia, India sees a different set of challenges, especially after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power.

India has to address its continental security challenges and manage its inroads into Central Asia. For this, India has to work with Eurasian powers such as Russia and Iran. Both of which are at odds with the U.S.

So, abandoning its strategic autonomy and joining a U.S.­led bloc would limit India’s options in the new world. It will also provoke China. An open conflict with China doesn’t serve India’s strategic interests.

There could be many power centres in the new world order. India should opt for multi­engagement not multi­alignment as some experts have suggested for a multipolar world.

It should aim to create new pillars of the new order by engagement and partnership with middle powers.

Centre-State relations and Punchhi Commission – Explained, pointwise

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Introduction

Recently, the government’s reply to an unstarred question revealed that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to start the process of seeking the states’ comments on the Punchhi Commission’s report on Centre-state relations. This is to obtain updated comments of the State Governments/ UT Administrations on the recommendations.

About Punchhi Commission

India’s federalism has been shaped by the complex interactions between the political actors at the Centre and the state level. Sarkaria Committee and the Punchhi Commission were the most important commissions established to reduce the government’s complexity and streamline its operations.

In April 2007, the government set up a three-person commission led by former Chief Justice of India M.M. Punchhi to look at the roles and responsibilities of different levels of government and how they work together. In 2010, this group submitted its report to the then-Home Minister.  

What is the reason behind the non-implementation of the recommendations of Punchhi Commission on Centre-State relations?

The central government wants to implement the recommendations, but before that, it wants to develop consensus among the states. The standing committee of the Inter-State Council(ISC) met three times in 2017 and once in 2018 to talk about the Punchhi commission’s suggestions.  

The recommendations of the Standing Committee were finalized in the two meetings. But, the Centre has now decided to go back to the states for another round of feedback on the report. Hence, the implementation will be delayed further.

What are the challenges at present in Centre-State relations? 

Political federalism: 

• The Inter-State Council has met only once in the last seven years, while the National Development Council has not met at all.
• The constitutional office of the governor has come under scrutiny several times for encroaching on the powers of state executive and legislature.
• Many important and politically sensitive decisions are taken without reference to, and consultation with, the concerned states. For instance,
  • Article 370 was removed without consulting the state legislature. 
  • Parliament legislated on “agriculture”, entry no. 14 in the state list, to enact the three contentious farm laws, overstepping its jurisdiction and imposing a law on the states.  
  • The BSF’s jurisdiction was extended in Assam, West Bengal and Punjab without any consultation with the concerned states.  
  • The New Education Policy has been flagged as encroaching on the federal nature of the polity. 
  • Students in Tamil Nadu have committed suicide over the discriminatory nature of the NEET examination. Other centralised examinations are also indifferent to languages spoken in different parts of India and education boards of different states.  
  • Recently, the rejection of the Republic Day tableaux of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal by the Centre prompted protests by the respective states. 

Must Read: Issues Related to the Office of Governor – Explained, pointwise

Economic federalism:

• Revenue sharing concern: When it comes to sharing revenue, the states are upset with the Center. In an effort to provide economic relief and fulfil the GST shortfall, the Centre announced in 2020 two alternatives for borrowing to be returned through an extension of the compensation cess beyond June 2022. Some states agreed to look at the ideas, but others didn’t want to “borrow from the market at a higher interest rate. 
• Vertical and horizontal revenue imbalances: Two main challenges in the fiscal transfer system pertain to tackling the vertical ( transfer of Union taxes to states) and horizontal (distribution between countries) imbalances. So far, the share of the states emanating from the combined revenues has remained more or less stable, thus taking care of the vertical balance. As far as horizontal balance is concerned, some Finance Commissions have addressed the issue of equalisation.  
• GST concern: The GST has already taken away much of the autonomy available to states and has made the country’s indirect tax regime unitary in nature.  
• The tenure of the 15th Finance Commission was mired in controversy, and many states expressed apprehensions about devolution.  
• NITI Aayog witnessed a boycott: The recent meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog witnessed a boycott and mounting criticism from some states. 

Environmental federalism: 

The State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) have suffered from a lack of specificity in design and inadequate financial support from the Centre, and rank low among governance priorities in state capitals.

The Centre controls the major part of national revenue (in 2018-19 it raised 62.7% of the aggregate resources of the Centre and states) and plays a large normative role in defining state priorities, only the states can assess and respond to the political and physical implications of climate impacts and local energy transitions.   

What are the major recommendations of the Punchhi Commission on Centre-State relations? 

Issue related to Governor: 

• Appointment: The appointment of the Governor must be done by a panel which among others also has the State Chief Minister. 
• Removal of Governor: The doctrine of pleasure should end and should be deleted from the constitution. Governors should not be removed at the whim of the central government. Instead, a resolution by the state legislature should be there to remove Governor. There should be provisions for the impeachment of the Governor by the state legislature along the same lines as that of the President by Parliament. 

On Inter-State Council (ISC): ISC needs to be “substantially strengthened. The council must meet at least thrice a year on an agenda evolved after proper consultation with states. 

On economic federalism

• Handling the issues listed in the Finance Commission’s terms of reference should be done between the Center and the States. The States should be involved in the Finance Commissions’ work to come up with the final terms of the contract.  
• The commission was worried about the growing amount of money that was being made through cesses and surcharges. It was suggested that the Central Government look at all of the current cesses and surcharges to lower the amount they add to the total amount of taxes collected.  
• The Finance Commission and the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) should work much closer together.

On environmental federalism: 

The Punchhi Commission was formed before major climate initiatives like the Paris Agreement (COP 21), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), etc. However, the committee has a dedicated volume on environmental, resource, and infrastructural issues related to federalism. For example:  

• On water sharing: The National Water Resources Council needs to play a greater role in integrating policy and programmes on a continuous basis.  
• On forest: A National Policy on ‘Compensation’ should be put together through consultation and consensus. 
• On mineral: To determine royalty rates an independent statutory body comprising  experts and representatives from Central, State, and industries and utilities need to be set up. The Central Government, if it differs from the recommendations or modifies them, would need to lay its reasons for the same, before Parliament.

What should be done to improve Centre-State Relations further? 

Apart from implementing the recommendations of the Punchhi Commission recommendations,

The government should also work on economic federalism and a coordinated reform process at all levels of government to speed up growth, reduce poverty, get rid of inequality, and make sure that people develop. This will help make up for the disadvantages and problems that come with new and smaller states.  

There is a need to find a workable solution by making big changes to the way resources are given out. The Finance Commission’s structure can also be changed so that it has more members and advisory bodies.

The GST Council’s job could be expanded so that it could talk about how resources should be used and make suggestions, even though these suggestions are not binding.  

In China and Indonesia over the last 20 years, having a strong political centre was good for everything except the economy. China had to split up its economy and change how it handled money with the states. When it comes to how to handle economic issues with the states, India can learn from how a strong Union government runs a decentralised economy.  

There is a need to evolve institutional mechanisms that will not only align resources, competencies, and capabilities of the governments  at all levels but also engage civil society,  non-governmental  organizations (NGOs), and the private sector in the policymaking implementation process. 

There is a need to go beyond the concept of cooperative federalism and create a new federal architecture for collaborative engagement of the appropriate levels and actors in the policy-making and implementation process. 

Sources: Indian Express, The Print, The Hindu, Economic Times, Research Gate.

GS PAPER - 3

Our Railways are the Northeast’s leading engine for development

Source– The post is based on the article “Our Railways are the Northeast’s leading engine for development” published in the mint on 1st March 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Infrastructure

Relevance: Development of north-eastern region

News-  In the last 8 years, much work has been done to expand the footprints of railways across the northeastern region.

What are important initiatives taken by the government for developments of railway infrastructure in the north-east region?

Railway connectivity– The government has given an unprecedented impetus to connectivity in the region. The Railways in the last 9 years has spent over ₹50,000 crore in the region on laying new railway lines and building bridges, tunnels. It has sanctioned new projects worth nearly ₹80,000 crore.

India is building the Jiribam-Imphal rail line, which has the world’s tallest pier bridge at a height of 141 metres.

In comparison with expenditure of ₹2,122 crore per year between 2009 and 2014, there has been a 370% increase in average annual budget allocation.

Even the region’s farthest corners are being covered. 121 new tunnels are currently being constructed. This includes the 10.28 km-long Tunnel No. 12. It is India’s second longest.

Creating jobs and empowering youths– In an effort to promote local businesses and economy, the North-East Frontier Railway operated the first parcel cargo express train between Assam and Goa in 2022.

To promote more facilities for tourism, the North East Frontier Railways has introduced several modern Vistadome coaches. This is expected to raise tourist footfalls. It will further expand job opportunities, especially for women and disadvantaged communities.

The Indian Railways has also been instrumental in creating employment opportunities for the youth in the region. In the last 3 fiscal years alone, the Railways has engaged more than 20,000 unskilled workers and generated vacancies for skilled work.

A gateway to India’s Act East policy– In 2014, India’s ‘Look East’ policy that focused on forging better economic relations with our eastern neighbours was transformed into a geo-strategically important ‘Act East’ policy.

PM Modi mentioned that the Northeast region would be the gateway to this new policy’s implementation.

A glowing example of this policy is the landmark Agartala–Akhaura rail link being built betweenIndia and Bangladesh at a cost of over ₹1,100 crore. DoNER and the ministry of external affairs are co-funding this project.

Similarly, the Imphal railway line will be extended till Moreh. From there, it will join Myanmar Railways at Kalay, forming a trans-Asian railway.

Projects of geo-strategic importance– The government has decided to build a rail-cum-road corridor that will connect Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. This will include building India’s first underwater rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra river.

In 2017, the strategic Dhola–Sadiya Bridge, which connects northern Assam and eastern Arunachal Pradesh, was opened for traffic. It can support the weight of Indian battle tanks and facilitate quick movement of troops to India’s northeastern borders.

In 2018, Asia’s second longest rail-cum-road bridge, the Bogibeel Bridge over the Brahmaputra in Assam was inaugurated. It will cut down the travel distance between Assam and Arunachal by 80% and also provide logistical support to our defence forces.

A fresh beginning – New GM cotton can reverse the yield decline

Source: The post is based on the article “A fresh beginning – New GM cotton can reverse the yield decline” published in the Business Standard on 1st March 2023.

Syllabus: GS-3: Awareness in the field of biotechnology.

Relevance: About GM pest-resistant cotton.

News: Recently, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for bio-safety field trials has approved the new genetically modified (GM) pest-resistant cotton.

The move highlights a significant shift in the government’s policy concerning GM crops. In the future, more gene-tweaked crops, which are in different stages of development, may also be approved for the gainful utilisation of cutting-edge biotechnology for raising farm output and farmers’ income.

About the GM pest-resistant cotton

The crop is reported to have a set of genes derived from the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The crop produces a kind of protein in the plant that proves lethal for pink bollworms.

Note: Pink bollworm is one of the most destructive pests which feed on the reproductive parts of the plant, depressing the overall yield and marring the lint quality of the produce.

This can prove a boon for cotton growers who are looking for innately pest-tolerant varieties to cut down the cost of repeated spraying of pesticides.

What is the need for GEAC approval of GM pest-resistant cotton?

The desperate need to increase cotton yields: India’s cotton production is stagnating over the past several years at 34-35 million bales (of 170 kg each). Average crop productivity also has descended from 558 kg a hectare in 2007 to around 457 kg in 2021. Hence, fresh Bt-cotton strains are needed.

Reduce cotton imports: India’s cotton exports witness a rise of 200% in value terms in the past 10 months of this fiscal year. Recently, the government waived off import duty on cotton, but this has limited effect.

Why Bt-cotton varieties are notwithstanding pests?

Farmers are also partly responsible for the Bt-cotton varieties losing their inherent capability to withstand pests. Farmers have to plant a strip of non-GM plants on the periphery of the Bt-cotton fields. This belt acts as a refuge for pests and minimises the chances of their acquiring immunity against the Bt toxin by feeding on the main crop. But, the farmers do not undertake this recommended precaution.

What are the challenges faced by Indian cotton industries?

Together price rise and reduced yields hit all segments of the employment-intensive textile sector, including ginners, yarn producers, textile mills, garment makers, and exporters.

The price competitiveness of Indian textile and garment units is not improved compared to Indian counterparts such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

What should be done before introducing GM pest-resistant cotton?

The farmers should be advised to strictly follow the planting of buffer in all GM crops. Else, the new GM pest-resistant cotton will also have limited life spans and would need to be replaced far more quickly than is normally necessary.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

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