9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – November 1st, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Sequence of implementation, EWS quota outcomes
• The ambiguity of reservations for the poor: unconstitutional or not?
• The amendments to the IT Rules, 2021
• The integrated circuit wars
• Independence on a tightrope: India’s foreign policy choice

GS Paper 3

• The Supreme Court was right to stay Bombay HC order on G N Saibaba
• Morbi tragedy – on issues associated with urban governance
• Building the fast lane to logistics – on Multi Modal Logistics Parks
• The gun and the pen – On UAPA
• GM Mustard: A win for science and the farmer

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• WHO releases first-ever list of fungal infections that can be threat to public health
• Anyone conducting ‘two-finger’ test on sexual assault survivors will be held guilty of misconduct: Supreme Court
•  Decentralise MGNREGS for better implementation, says study
• SC agrees to hear plea challenging first amendment to Constitution
• Union Home Minister’s “Special Operation Medal” for the year 2022 awarded for 4 Special Operations
• CCI work may suffer with top level vacancy
• How suspension bridges work, and what could have happened in Gujarat’s Morbi
• Union Minister of State for Rural Development inaugurates the Saras Food Festival-2022
• Suspension of Black Sea Grain initiative expected to further exacerbate food security, fuel, fertilizer supply challenges: India

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Sequence of implementation, EWS quota outcomes

News: The main aim of the reservation policy in India was to ensure the level playing field for the most marginalized and backward sections of the society.

However, with the time the scope of reservation expanded which led to the debate over the exclusion and inclusion of the beneficiaries of reservation.

How reservation Indian is given?

The reservation in India has two forms: a) Vertical Reservation (VR), b) Horizontal Reservation (HR).

Vertical Reservation included reservation to different marginalized social groups such as SC, ST, and OBC. Horizontal Reservation is the reservation given to women, people with disability (PWD), domicile, etc. across each vertical category.

Vertical reservation system was social-group based which made individual eligible only for a single reservation category.

What is 103rd Constitution Amendment Act, 2019 and what changes were made in the Act?

It provided 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). This EWS quota changed the intent of reservation which was usually based on social group identity (caste or tribe).

The amendment explicitly removed individuals who are already eligible for one VR (SC, ST, or OBC) from the scope of EWS reservations. This means that a person belonging to SC category cannot avail the quota under EWS category as that individual already has reservation under SC category.

This exclusion was immediately challenged in court on the grounds that it violated individual right to equality (Art. 14-18).

What are the problems with EWS quota?

Contradicts Indra Sawhney case: The Indra Sawhney case (1992) said that open-category positions must be allocated based on merit in the first step, and VR positions should be allocated to eligible individuals in the second step.

This procedure is called “over-and-above” choice rule and this rule distinguishes from the “guaranteed minimum” rule.

The guaranteed minimum rule guarantees a minimum number of positions to members of beneficiary groups, regardless of whether they enter through reserved or open (“merit”) positions.

Proper Sequencing: Multiple VR categories make sequencing important. This means putting a category after other categories and in a right place so that the proper beneficiaries can avail the benefits.

The current income limit for EWS reservation qualifies almost 98% of the population. Therefore, putting EWS before other categories will make it to fill first which will make EWS to be treated as open positions and the purpose would not be served.

So, it would be better to put the EWS category at the last after other VR categories. This will ensure that quota under other categories is filled by the respective beneficiaries such as SC, ST or OBC making EWS quota more accessible to forward castes.

What is the way forward?

Putting EWS category at the first or at the last all depends on the objectives that the government is aiming to achieve.

If the objective is to make EWS equally applicable to the current VR categories, then EWS-first should be adopted and if the objective is to minimally interfere with the amendment, then EWS-last should be adopted.

Further, lowering the income limit is also not a probable solution as poorer individuals from all social groups (including non-SC-ST-OBC) would be eligible and this would further create confusions.

Therefore, court should take proper stand after considering all the aspects and implications of the EWS quota.

The ambiguity of reservations for the poor: unconstitutional or not?

News: The Constitution Bench led by CJI U. U. Lalit has reserved its judgments regarding challenges against reservations based solely on economic criteria introduced by the Constitution (103rd) Amendment Act, 2019.

Which changes were made in the Constitution by 103rd Constitution Amendment Act?

The 103rd Constitution Amendment Act amended Article 15 and Article 16 of the Indian Constitution.

Article 15 now enables state to take special measures in favour of EWS with maximum 10% reservations in admissions to educational institutions whereas Article 16 now allows 10% reservations for EWS in public employment.

The amendment leaves the definition of ‘economically weaker sections’ to be determined by the state on the basis of ‘family income’ and other economic indicators.

It also excluded SC/STs, OBCs and other beneficiary groups under Articles 15(4), 15(5) and 16(4) as beneficiaries of the 10% EWS reservation.

However, there are different arguments regarding the Act.

What are the different arguments regarding the Act?

Arguments against the Act

Contradictory to Indra Sawhney judgement: SC in Indra Sawhney case held the Narasimha Rao government’s executive order of providing for 10% reservations based purely on economic criteria unconstitutional.

The argument made by the SC was that income criteria cannot be sole reason behind the exclusion from government jobs and the Constitution was primarily concerned with addressing social backwardness.

Arguments for the Act

Does not violate basic structure doctrine:  Some argue that that the amendment violates basic structure of the Constitutions as reservation is given on the basis of economic criteria. However, Constitution does not explicitly mention that backwardness only means social and educational backwardness.

Further, the state may come up with different measures for EWS category in ensuring reservations in education and public employment which may raise concerns. However, using reservations and special measure for addressing poverty do not violate the basic structure doctrine.

Does not contradict reservation under Article 16: Article 16(4) allows reservations for backward classes (SC/STs, OBCs) and it is dependent on beneficiary groups not being ‘adequately represented’ but this adequate representation has been omitted in Article 16(6) for EWS.

This amendment makes easier for the state to provide reservations in public employment for EWS.

However, ‘representation’ is not the aim of EWS reservation. Thus, Question of ‘adequacy’ is relevant only in the context of representation made by the backward classes under Article 16(4). Moreover, there are other challenges with the Act.

What are the challenges ahead?

Breaching the 50% limit: The amendment may be challenged on the ground that it breaches the 50% limit of the reservation as given in the Indra Sawhney judgment. However, the majority of judges held that the 50% ceiling must be the general rule and a higher proportion may be possible in ‘extraordinary situations.’

The court also said that the constitution focuses not one of ‘proportional representation’ but one of ‘adequate representation’. Therefore, the 50% ceiling limit might not be suitable when the beneficiaries constitute more than that.

Equality: There might also be challenges regarding the idea of equality. The majority judges in Indra Sawhney invoked the idea of balancing the equality of opportunity of backward classes against the right to equality of everyone else. Therefore, the court may also face challenges to solve these critical issues in the future.

Defining EWS: The government might face difficulties in defining the EWS category and setting the required income limits for the category.

The amendments to the IT Rules, 2021

News: The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021).

What are the IT Rules, 2021?

IT Rules, 2021 aims at placing obligations on Social Media Intermediaries (SMIs) to ensure an open, safe and trusted internet.

What was the need to amend the IT Rules, 2021?

1. a) to ensure that the interests and constitutional rights of netizens are not being breached by big tech platforms, b) to strengthen the grievance redressal framework in the rules, c) to provide edge to early-stage Indian start-ups form these compliances.

These amendments can be broadly classified into two categories – a) placing additional obligations on the SMIs to ensure better protection of user interests b) involving the institution of an appellate mechanism for grievance redressal.

What are the additional obligations placed on the SMIs?

Increased Compliances: The amendment has extended the obligation of SMIs to ensure that its users are in compliance with the relevant rules of the platform.

Further, SMIs are required to “make reasonable” efforts to prevent prohibited content being hosted on its platform by the users.

However, this has raised concerns amongst the users that the increase in the power of SMIs would allow them to breach the freedom of speech and expression.

Protecting Fundamental Rights: The amendment introduces an obligation to “respect all the rights provided to the citizens under the Constitution including in the articles 14, 19 and 21”.

However, frequent changes in the design of the platform arising out of case-to-case based application could result in heavy compliance costs for SMIs.

Prohibited categories: The amendment now obligates SMIs to remove information or a communication link in relation to the six prohibited categories of content when a complaint arises.

They have to remove such information within 72 hours of the complaint being made. This is an important step towards controlling the spread of the content.

Accessibility: The amendment now obligates SMIs to “take all reasonable measures to ensure accessibility of its services to users along with reasonable expectation of due diligence, privacy and transparency”.

There are concerns that accessibility may require SMIs to provide services of which they are not capable.

However, these obligations are meant to strengthen inclusion in the SMI ecosystem by allowing participation of persons with disabilities and from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Multiple Languages: The amendments also mandate that “rules and regulations, privacy policy and user agreement” of the platform should be made available in all languages listed in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

What are the newly-introduced Grievance Appellate Committees?

The government has instituted Grievance Appellate Committees (GAC).

The committee will be a three-member council out of which one member will be a government officer (holding the post ex officio) while the other two members will be independent representatives.

The GAC is required to adopt an online dispute resolution mechanism which will make it more accessible to the users and users can file a complaint against the order of the grievance officer within 30 days.

This has made the in-house grievance redressal more accountable and appellate mechanism more accessible to users.

What are the concerns associated with GAC?

1. a) the amendments have not made clear whether the users have to approach the GAC before approaching the court, b) there are concerns with the appointment made by the central government in the GAC as it can lead to bias content, c) the IT Rules, 2021 do not provide any explicit power to the GAC to enforce its orders d) it could lead to conflicting of the decisions if users approach both court and the GAC.

The integrated circuit wars

News: Recently, the US President has denied access to China for leading-edge chips that the US doesn’t have the capability to design and manufacture. This created a new phase in the integrated circuit or “silicon chip” war.

About the US Sanctions on China to gain advantage in integrated circuit war

The sanctions not only prohibit the sale of the newest generations of chips to China but also forbid any US firm or those dependent on US technology from selling or licensing software, equipment or technologies that China will need to build its capabilities in chips.

The sanctions restrict US citizens and green card holders from working for or with any Chinese entities in a large number of technology areas.

The sanctions also apply to US allies and their firms, given that they are dependent on US technology in one way or the other.

How the recent US Sanctions will impact China on integrated circuit war?

Impact Chinese purchase: The sanctions will make it difficult for companies like TSMC of Taiwan or Samsung of South Korea from selling the latest generation of chips to China or even helping it in this area. This is because China has always been a big customer for TSMC and Samsung.

Impact Chinese ambitions: Recently, the Chinese President devised a plan to leapfrog the US in multiple technologies and take a critical lead over the West. Without access to the latest generation of chips, its ambitions in Artificial Intelligence research as well as 5G and Blockchain will suffer a big setback.

Impact Chinese Origin US citizens: Much of China’s current tech capabilities were built by people who went to the US, studied and worked with leading US or Western technology companies before coming back home to build up domestic technology companies. Many of these entrepreneurs are Chinese by birth but have since then acquired US citizenship. The sanctions will force them to choose sides.

What are the reasons behind the sanctions?

TSMC is the acknowledged leader in 3-nm processes, which are used to make the most cutting-edge and powerful chips currently, Samsung and Intel are building their own capacities. All three firms are also now working on 2nm processes.

In contrast, Chinese chip fabrication capabilities are several generations behind. For instance, the Chinese latest breakthrough is only in the 7 nm process and most of the chip fabrication facilities in the country are of a much older generation.

China has been pushing technology research in its universities and technology institutes for some time, but it is still behind the US and European research in many areas.

What India needs to do to improve chip manufacturing in India?

India has lagged far behind in this critical area. The government has taken a number of concrete steps ranging from the production-linked incentive scheme to helping firms set up plants in India to license 28-nm fabrication technologies from abroad.

However, they will not be enough for India’s ambitions. So India needs to move up the chip value chain by either buying fully or taking a significant stake in independent chip design and foundry firms around the world that may be available for sale. For that, India needs to encourage active private-sector participation.

Independence on a tightrope: India’s foreign policy choice

News: Recently, the Russian President praised India’s independent foreign policy at the Valdai Club conference in Moscow.

About India’s foreign policy choice during Russia-Ukraine War

Ever since Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, India has been forced to weigh the benefits of its strengthening alliance with the United States against the needs embedded in its ties with Russia that date back to the Soviet era.

This has demanded an intricate balancing act because, a) India’s defence forces largely rely on Russia for hardware and spares, b) India is building closer defence and economic ties with the US through the Quad and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) to counter growing Chinese power in the region.

How India’s foreign policy choice remained neutral in Russia-Ukraine War?

Criticised Russia but engaged with Russia: India has consistently abstained or voted against anti-Russian resolutions in the United Nations. On the other hand, India criticised Russia for not exploring dialogue in its differences with Ukraine.

These critiques, however, did not prevent Russia from becoming a major supplier of crude oil to India, accounting for almost a fifth of its overall imports. In September, Russia became India’s largest supplier because of its willingness to offer competitive rates, forcing traditional West Asian suppliers to cut prices.

Note: Russia is no longer a key source of new defence equipment—Europe, the US and Israel are emerging as key suppliers. Also, India is nowhere near the largest buyer of Russian energy — Europe remains in the top spot.

Similarly, India did not attract sanctions last year despite buying Russia’s S-400 air defence missile systems.

Opt out from one of the Key pillars of IPEF: The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)’screation of “four pillars” is a result of Indian demand. India has joined three of these “pillars” holding up the IPEF, but chose to stay out of the one concerning “connected economies”.

How has India’s independent foreign policy choice hampered its recent ties with the US?

India’s foreign policy choices have raised concerns in the public discourse that India is reviving historic ties with Russia at the expense of the US. But the US has a) Renewed its F16 fighter aircraft deal with Pakistan and b) Removed Pakistan from FATF despite Indian complaints.

GS Paper 3

The Supreme Court was right to stay Bombay HC order on G N Saibaba

News: The article discusses the misuse of technical irregularity provision of the criminal law in the context of G N Saibaba case.

What are the different terms used in the criminal law?

Acquit: In this, the court decides that a person is not guilty of the crime charged against him after a detailed and elaborate trial and hearing of the allegation and evidence presented by both sides.

Convict: in this, the court that a person is guilty of committing a crime after the investigation and presentation of charges against the person and after a detailed trial on all facts and evidence collected by both sides

Discharge: It is a result either of a technical irregularity in the process or the failure to establish any charge against the person after investigation. This technicality has been used by the accused in the current case.

What are the provisions under UAPA?

The UAPA has a provision that requires the prosecution to obtain permission of the government before filing of the chargesheet in order to proceed.

The permission was granted by the government but the accused raised a technicality issue regarding the same for the first time after conviction.

However, the permission granted in the UAPA is different from the permission provided to public servants in the anti-corruption laws.

Moreover, in both the cases, the law states that a technicality can never override an order of conviction passed after detailed examination of facts and an elaborate trial unless there is a failure of justice.

What were the decision taken by HC and SC?

HC pardoned Saibaba and the other accused only technicality of sanction which was not a good step. This situation would have released the terrorists found guilty after an elaborate trial.  Therefore, the Maharashtra Government approached Supreme Court.

SC after looking at the history of the criminal law decided not provide any relief to the accused on the grounds of technicality. It also suspended the operation of the order of the High Court.

According to the SC, there has been no such incident in the history of the criminal law where an order of conviction recorded after a detailed trial has been set aside on the technical grounds of sanction for prosecution in UAPA offences.

How do others view the decision of the SC?

Some sections of the media portrayed the order as if the SC has stayed an acquittal order while other sections talk about personal liberties or human rights mostly to bring pressure on the judiciary.

However, court should not look at those views as justice prevails over the humanity.

Moreover, the charges against Saibaba and the other accused have been factually found by the competent court to in supporting the activities of terrorism of the Naxal.

Therefore, the issue of technicality does not arise after the conviction is done on merits.

What are the impacts of Naxalism?

Naxalism or terrorism has wide range impact including the nation’s integrity and on society.

It is an ideology that that has taken more Indian lives in the past two decades than any other form of terrorism.

It tries to change the government created by the constitution and establish its own version of a communist state.

Therefore, steps taken by SC were apt and it prevented the bigger mishappening in the future by keeping the Naxals behind the bars.

Morbi tragedy – on issues associated with urban governance

News- The article explains the reasons for the Morbi incident. It also explains the negligence on part of the state that caused the incident.

What is negligence on part of the state government?

The negligence by the local administration was responsible for the tragedy. Yet, no FIR has been registered against local administration.

Proceedings against the private contractors who repaired the bridge is not enough.

The Morbi incident is a symptom of the crisis that lies at the heart of urban governance in India.

What is the crisis of urban governance in India?

Urban institutions that oversee governance are in poor state.

There is a dispute over the size of the urban population. It influences the flow of resources and political importance given urban areas. The World Bank agglomeration index in 2010 estimated that 55% of India’s population lives in areas with “urban-like features”. This estimate far exceeds GoI’s estimate for urban population.

The 74th constitutional amendment was enacted three decades ago. But state governments are reluctant to give control over infrastructure to these bodies. It leads to multiple chains of command, lack of accountability and corruption.

Municipal revenue is not proportional to the size of urban economies. Municipal revenue remained stuck at 1% of GDP between 2007-08 and 2017-18. Municipal revenues in South Africa and Brazil are around 6% and 7% respectively.

Why is the state government responsible for the incident?

Under the constitutional framework, the state government should protect the life of every citizen. It is the duty of the state government to prevent incidents like Morbi. Governance is an important element in the constitutional framework. Without accountability, governance is merely a paper exercise.

Bridges and public ways are state property. State must keep them in perfect condition.

There were more people than capacity on the bridge. The administration did not provide enough manpower to prevent the incident.

There is centralisation of power. Gujarat is remotely controlled by the central government in Delhi. There is more than one point of supervision and control in the administration. Appointments of civil and police  in the state are opaque and have political overtones. State machinery is busy in making arrangements for VVIPs visits.

What is the way forward?

Accountability needs to be fixed for the loss of more than 150 lives.

We need to take inspiration from leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri who resigned because of a train accident.

Compensation and commission of inquiry is not enough. There is a need for good governance on part of the state government.

Building the fast lane to logistics – on Multi Modal Logistics Parks

News- The article explains the Multi Modal Logistics Park proposed by the central government.

What are challenges related to logistics in India?

The movement of goods is expensive and inefficient. Logistics cost around 14% of GDP. It is significantly higher than other countries.

Transporting goods by rail costs 45% less compared to roads. But three-fourth transportation of goods is through roads.

What are some facts related to MMLPs?

These are large land parcels with rail and rail connectivity. It is based on the hub-and-spoke model. Goods coming here are seamlessly transferred to trains and other modes of transportation.

Freight from the production zone arrives here. It is shifted to the logistical park nearest its consumption destination.

Mechanised warehousing and cold chain facilities are also available here. Value added services like custom clearance and last stage processing facilities are also provided.

These parks were first mooted by the railway ministry in 2009. Bharatmala Pariyojana revived the idea.

What process will be followed in building these MMLPs?

35 such parks are planned to be built under PPP mode. The first park is coming up in Chennai.

National Highway logistics Management, a wholly owned special purpose vehicle of NHAI is the nodal agency for these parks.

MMLPs will be built in the DBFOT mode of PPP. Concessionaires are required to pay a percentage in gross revenue from the third year. National Highway logistical Management company will be mandated to provide infrastructure inside these parks.

Total investment in 35 MMLPs will be 52500 crore. It will be shared equally between government and private sectors. These will be built on 7000 acres of land.

These parks will handle 700 million metric tonnes of cargo at its peak capacity.

What are the benefits associated with MMLPs?

These parks will reduce the logistics cost from 14% to 10% of GDP.

It will lead to improved train services,use of modern equipment and electronic data exchange.

The movement of inland goods via containers will be facilitated.

It will reduce the freight movement on city roads leading to lower cost and lesser pollution.

It is in line with the new National Logistical Policy which aims to create the cheapest mode of transport. Warehousing charges and handling cost will be lower. Economy of scale due to shared infrastructure and competition will reduce the transportation cost.

MMLPs will be built in the DBFOT mode of PPP. Concessionaires are required to pay a percentage in gross revenue from the third year. National Highway logistical Management company will be mandated to provide infrastructure inside these parks.

What are challenges to MMLPs?        

First is the viability of private players to put their investment in logistical parks.

Another challenge is related to the multiplicity of government agencies involved in setting up MMLPs.

Soaring food and land prices are other concerns. Availability of affordable land remains a big barrier.

The gun and the pen – On UAPA

News- The article explains the observation by the PM in a conclave of state home ministers.

What are the main points of the PM ‘s speech at the conclave of state home ministers?

He called for elimination of all forms of Naxalism whether they are spreading violence through guns or gaining support and influencing youths through writings.

He emphasised on importance on Unlawful Activities Prevention Act to combat terrorism.

What are the issues raised by the speech?

Incitement to violence by mobilising support for armed insurgency is a grave offence. But if there is no proven connection between intellectual writings and violence, it is not logical to treat armed insurgency at par with intellectual writings in support of any ideology.

UAPA has been frequently and unfairly invoked in cases which have no linkages with terror. Umar Khalid in the Delhi riots case, and Jyoti Jagtap of the Kabir Kala Manch in the Elgar Parishad case are good examples of invoking UAPA and eliminating the need for showing concrete evidence to prove their involvement in incitement to violence.

UAPA is an impediment to liberty and subjected to judicial interpretations.

It leads to manipulation of political discourse in such a way that those who question the actions, methods and processes of the state that cause mass resentment are criminalised. The use of political catchwords like “urban naxals” should be seen in that context.

GM Mustard: A win for science and the farmer

News: Recently, the government cleared the GM Mustard Hybrid DMH 11 for commercial cultivation.

Why does the adoption of GM food crops are in the broader national interest?

Scientific innovations and their scaling is the best option to reduce over-exploitation of natural resources (soil, water, biodiversity), increase factor productivity, and helps to achieve sustainable development goals, especially ending poverty and hunger.

Wider adaptability: Genetically modified maize, soybean, cotton, tomato and canola are grown worldwide; the area currently under GM crops is about 200 m ha. Besides India, these have been grown for many years in the US, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Australia, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China.

Meet the existing deficit in India’s production: India is currently importing around 13 million tonnes at a cost of Rs 1.17 lakh crore to the exchequer. Of this, 2.0-2.5 mt soybean oil and 1.0-1.5 mt canola oil is already GM.

It is scientifically proven that the consumption of refined oil does not allow any protein to enter the human system. Thus, the consumption of GM oil is completely safe from a health point of view. So permitting GM crops can meet the existing deficit in edible oils (about 55-60 per cent).

What are the major benefits of GM Mustard?

Farmers report that the yields of mustard are low and have stagnated for a long time at around 1,260 kg/ha, much lower than the global average of 2,000 kg/ha. Yields of canola in Canada, China and Australia are almost three times higher than in India since they use GM hybrid technology. The government’s decision to allow the production of GM Mustard can increase the yield and improve oil production.

Note: Australia has recently released herbicide-tolerant GM Indian mustard, using similar technology of DMH11.

What India needs to do to promote GM food crops?

India needs to a) Provide an enabling environment to test the available seed of Hybrid DMH 11 in the current rabi season, b) Encourage public-private partnerships to produce quality seeds to cover more area next year, c) Scientists at ICAR institutes must be encouraged to develop new GM Mustard hybrids on a mission mode, d) Allowing the production of GM Soybean and GM Maize will also be a positive step.

All this will increase both the productivity and profitability of these crops and doubling farmers’ income

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

WHO releases first-ever list of fungal infections that can be threat to public health

Source: The post is based on the article “WHO releases first-ever list of fungal infections that can be threat to public health” published in India Today on 1st November 2022.

What is the News?

The World Health Organisation(WHO) has released the first-ever list of fungal infections — “priority pathogens”.

What are WHO Fungal Pathogens?

WHO fungal priority pathogens list(FPPL) is the first global effort to systematically prioritize fungal pathogens, considering the unmet research and development (R&D) needs and the perceived public health importance.

Aim: To focus and drive further research and policy interventions to strengthen the global response to fungal infections and antifungal resistance.

Classification: The classification is based on the pathogen’s public health impact or emerging antifungal resistance risk:

– Critical Priority Group: It includes Candida auris, which is a highly drug-resistant fungi, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans.

– High Priority Group: It includes a number of other fungi from the Candida family as well as others such as Mucorales, a group containing “black fungus”, an infection which rose rapidly in seriously ill people, particularly in India, during Covid-19.

– Medium Priority Group: It includes a number of other fungi, including Coccidioides spp and Cryptococcus gattii.

Recommendations given by WHO FPPL: (1) Strengthen laboratory capacity and surveillance; (2) Sustaining investments in research, development, and innovation and (3) Enhancing public health interventions for prevention and control.

What is the need for this WHO fungal priority pathogens list(FPPL)?

Fungal pathogens are a major threat to public health as they are becoming increasingly common and resistant to treatment with only four classes of antifungal medicines currently available, and few candidates in the clinical pipeline. 

Most fungal pathogens lack rapid and sensitive diagnostics and those that exist are not widely available or affordable globally.

The invasive forms of these fungal infections often affect severely ill patients and those with significant underlying immune system-related conditions. 

Populations at greatest risk of invasive fungal infections include those with cancer, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, chronic respiratory disease and post-primary tuberculosis infection.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the reported incidence of invasive fungal infections increased significantly among hospitalized patients. 

Despite these growing concerns, fungal infections receive very little attention and resources, leading to a scarcity of quality data on fungal disease distribution and antifungal resistance patterns. Hence, in this context, this list becomes significant.

Anyone conducting ‘two-finger’ test on sexual assault survivors will be held guilty of misconduct: Supreme Court

Source: The post is based on the article “Anyone conducting ‘two-finger’ test on sexual assault survivors will be held guilty of misconduct: Supreme Court” published in The Hindu on 1st November 2022.

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has declared that any person conducting the invasive ‘two-finger’ or ‘three-finger’ vaginal test on rape or sexual assault survivors will be found guilty of misconduct.

What is a two-finger test?

The two-finger test is an invasive, unscientific and regressive practice where two fingers are inserted into the vagina to assess the laxity of vaginal muscles and examine the hymen. In rape cases, this test is used to gauge whether a person is sexually active.

What did the Supreme Court say about the two-finger test?

The Supreme Court has declared that any person conducting the invasive ‘two-finger’ or ‘three-finger’ vaginal test on rape or sexual assault survivors will be found guilty of misconduct.

The court said that this test has no scientific basis and neither proves nor disproves allegations of rape. It instead re-victimises and re-traumatises women who may have been sexually assaulted and is an affront to their dignity. 

The court said that the legislature had amended the criminal law in 2013 to introduce Section 53A in the Indian Evidence Act.

Note: Section 53A says that the evidence of a victim’s character or her previous sexual experience with any person shall not be relevant to the issue of consent or the quality of consent in the prosecution of sexual offences.

The court also highlighted the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for health providers in cases of sexual violence. These guidelines have forbid the application of the two-finger test.

What are the directions issued by the Supreme Court on this?

The court ordered that a) The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare should be circulated to private and government hospitals, b) Workshops should be held for health providers to prevent the test from being conducted on rape survivors, c) The curriculum in medical schools should be revised, and d) The judgment should be circulated to the health and home departments of the States. The home departments should circulate the judgment to the Director Generals of Police in the States.

 Decentralise MGNREGS for better implementation, says study

Source: The post is based on the article “Decentralise MGNREGS for better implementation, says study” published in The Hindu on 1st November 2022.

What is the News?

An internal study commissioned by the Ministry of Rural Development has argued for decentralization of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) allowing for more “flexibility” at the ground level. 

What is MGNREGA?

Click Here to read

About the study on MGNREGA

The Ministry of Rural Development has commissioned an internal study to assess the implementation of all rural development schemes, including the MGNREGS. 

The members of the study group surveyed seven States — Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Nagaland, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh — and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

What are the problems found by the study on MGNREGA?

Firstly, fund management has been centralized instead of paying the gram sabhas an advance enabling them to decide the work they want to undertake.

Secondly, frequent delays in fund dispersal. The survey quoted various instances to underline this chronic problem. 

– In the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, for example, the surveyors found that because of the delay in the material component the beneficiaries ended up buying the construction material themselves to complete the projects. 

– In Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, the delay in wages was by three or four months and the material component was delayed by six months. 

Thirdly, MGNREGA wages were far below the market rate in many states defeating the purpose of acting as a safety net.

– At present, the minimum wage of a farm labourer in Gujarat is ₹324.20 but the MGNREGA wage is ₹229. The private contractors pay far more. In Nagaland, the wage is ₹212 per day, which does not take into account the difficult terrain conditions. 

What are the suggestions given by the study on MGNREGA?

Decentralization of the MGNREGA scheme allowing for more “flexibility” at the ground level.

Greater diversification of permissible works instead of listing the types of permissible works, broad categories of works may be listed out and flexibility should be given at ground level to select the type of works as per broad categories.

Revolving funds can be setup. This fund can be utilized whenever there is a delay in the Central funds.

SC agrees to hear plea challenging first amendment to Constitution

Source: The post is based on the article “SC agrees to hear plea challenging first amendment to Constitution” published in Indian Express on 1st November 2022.

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition challenging the changes made to the right to freedom of speech and expression by the first amendment to the Constitution.

What is the basis of the petitioner’s arguments?

Section 3(1) of the Constitution (First Amendment) Act,1951 inserted two clauses – “in the interest of public order” and “in relation to incitement to an offense” – to Article 19(2) that deals with restrictions on freedom of speech. The expression “tends to overthrow the state” was also removed through this amendment.

Section 3(2) of the First Amendment effected validation of certain laws even if they took away or abridged the right to freedom of speech and expression.

Why have the petitioners challenged these amendments?

Firstly, these two insertions protected the following sections of the Indian Penal Code from the vice of unconstitutionality:

1) Sections 124A (sedition) 

2) Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc) 

3) Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 

4) Section 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) 

Secondly, the amendment neglects national security by dropping the expression ‘tends to overthrow the State’ which raises grave concern in the context of the dangers posed to the concept of the secular democratic republic by radicalism, terrorism and religious fundamentalism.

Hence, on this basis, the petitioners urged the court to declare Sections 3 (1)(a) and 3 (2) of the First Amendment “beyond the amending power of Parliament” and void since the “same damage the basic or essential features of the Constitution and destroy its basic structure”.

Union Home Minister’s “Special Operation Medal” for the year 2022 awarded for 4 Special Operations

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Home Minister’s “Special Operation Medal” for the year 2022 awarded for 4 Special Operations” published in PIB on 1st November 2022.

What is the News?

Around 63 police officers from Telangana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, have been awarded “Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal” for the Year- 2022.

What is the “Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal”?

Constituted in: 2018 

Objective: To recognize those operations which have a high degree of planning, high significance for the security of the country/State/UT and have a significant impact on the security of larger sections of the society. 

Purpose: The award shall be conferred for Special Operations in the areas such as counter terrorism, border action, arms control, prevention of narcotics smuggling and rescue operations.

The award is announced on the 31st of October every year.  

In a year, normally 3 Special Operations are considered for the award and in extraordinary circumstances; the award may be given to up to 5 Special Operations to encourage State/UT Police.

CCI work may suffer with top level vacancy

Source: The post is based on the article “CCI work may suffer with top level vacancy” published in Livemint on 1st November 2022.

What is the News?

The reduced strength at the top of the Competition Commission of India(CCI) may impact the adjudication process in the short term.

What is the Competition Commission of India(CCI)?

Click Here to read

What is the issue faced by CCI currently?

According to the Competition Act, the CCI shall consist of a Chairperson and not less than two and not more than six other Members to be appointed by the Central Government.

Moreover, according to existing rules, in addition to the chairperson, the CCI needs two members to have a sufficient quorum to take key decisions.

However, currently, CCI has only two whole-time members which include an acting chairperson.

Due to this, the minimum number of members required for adjudication and approving mergers and acquisitions(M&As) has been reduced.

Hence, with these vacancies, CCI’s decisions could take longer considering that the search for a new chairperson is still on.

Note: M&A approvals by CCI are key for foreign direct investment inflows and unless urgent appointments are made, such approvals may remain on hold.

How suspension bridges work, and what could have happened in Gujarat’s Morbi

Source: The post is based on the article “How suspension bridges work, and what could have happened in Gujarat’s Morbi” published in Indian Express on 1st November 2022.

What is the News?

The bridge that collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi has killed at least 134 people.This bridge was a suspension bridge.

What is Suspension Bridge?

The suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders.

The basic structural components of a suspension bridge system include stiffening girders, two or more main suspension cables, and towers and anchorages for cables at either end of the bridge. 

The main cables are suspended between the towers and are connected to the anchorage or the bridge itself. The vertical suspenders carry the weight of the deck and the commuter load on it.

The design ensures that the load on the suspension cables is transferred to the towers at the two ends, which transfer them further by vertical compression to the ground by way of the anchorage cables.

All of this balancing has to happen within the permissible weight restrictions for the bridge, given that the deck is hanging in the air, supported by the two sets of cables.

The suspension cables are the mainstay of carrying the load and ensuring that buckling does not happen. But this is subject to two preconditions: there must be no overloading and no excessive swaying.

What are the possible reasons for the collapse of Morbi Bridge?

Weak Structure: One or two suspension cables of the bridge give way and the bridge breaks and hangs before the rest of the structure collapses. It is a slower process. But the sudden collapse, in this case, suggests that most or all the suspension cables were weak or corroded.

Overcrowding: Overcrowding or very excited crowds jumping on the bridge can have a disproportionate impact on the bridge.

Vertical Cables snapped: The job of the vertical cables in a suspension bridge is to transfer the weight of the deck, by tension, to the twin suspension cables that run horizontally between the two anchorages on either end, which, in turn, transfer the tension to the towers and, through them, to the ground by way of cables whose ends are anchored.

– In Morbi, the vertical cables seem to have snapped entirely from the deck at one end of the bridge, sending part of the unsuspended deck and those on it plunging into the river.

Union Minister of State for Rural Development inaugurates the Saras Food Festival-2022

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister of State for Rural Development inaugurates the Saras Food Festival-2022” published in PIB on 1st November 2022.

What is the News?

Saras Food Festival,2022 has been organized in New Delhi to promote ethnic and home-made handicrafts, paintings, toys, etc., prepared by women of Self-Help Groups(SHGs).

What is the Saras Food Festival?

Organized by: Union Ministry of Rural Development as an effort to empower women on a large scale.

Aim: To give women SHGs an opportunity to showcase their skills in the field of food making and introduce people to the food culture of our country.

Participation: Women from self-help groups formed under the flagship program ‘National Rural Livelihoods Mission’ of the Union Ministry of Rural Development are participating in this festival.

What are the other steps taken to empower Women SHGs?

There are about 8 crore 62 lakh women who are members of SHGs and they have a presence in 97% of Blocks, while 85 % of them are directly connected with the network of the Ministry of Rural Development.

Efforts are on to have at least 25% of all sales by women self-help groups through e-commerce portals annually.

For this, the Government has launched an e-commerce portal for better and more effective marketing of Saras products prepared by women of self-help groups.

The government will also take steps to establish Saras stalls by women SHGs in all State capitals, major cities and metros, airports and railway stations for widening the reach of marketing.

Suspension of Black Sea Grain initiative expected to further exacerbate food security, fuel, fertilizer supply challenges: India

Source: The post is based on the article “Suspension of Black Sea Grain initiative expected to further exacerbate food security, fuel, fertilizer supply challenges: India” published in Indian Express on 1st November 2022.

What is the News?

India has said the suspension of the Black Sea Grain initiative is expected to further exacerbate food security, fuel and fertilizer supply challenges faced by the world, particularly in the global South.

What is the Black Sea Grain Initiative?

Ukraine, one of the world’s largest grain exporters normally supplies around 45 million tonnes of grain to the global market every year.

But following Russia’s invasion of the country, mountains of grains built up in silos, with ships unable to secure safe passage to and from Ukrainian ports, and land routes unable to compensate.

This contributed to a jump in the price of staple foods around the world. 

To overcome this, in July 2022 the UN, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine agreed to the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The deal allowed exports from Ukraine of grain, other foodstuffs, and fertilizer, including ammonia, to resume through a safe maritime humanitarian corridor from three key Ukrainian ports to the rest of the world.

To implement the deal, a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) was established in Istanbul, comprising senior representatives from the Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations.

What has happened to the Black Sea Grain Initiative now?

Russia has announced it was withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative for an indefinite period after it accused Ukraine of a “massive” drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol in Crimea.

This is expected to further exacerbate the food security, fuel and fertilizer supply challenges faced by the world.