9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – November 8th, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• EWS verdict underscores that judiciary has been a reluctant supporter of caste-based reservation
• How India can contribute to the peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war
• The frontliners of the first 1,000-day window of life – on addressing child and maternal health
• The age of minimalism in India-Pakistan ties
• India’s G20 presidency and food security

GS Paper 3

• The questions that CoP-27 must answer to ensure climate justice
• Welcome write-off: Acknowledging failure of 116 projects is the first step
• Regulation could help ONDC counter an e-com duopoly

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Supreme Court, in a majority verdict, upholds constitutional validity of EWS quota
• Early Warning System for the entire world in next five years
• Scheme for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects – ‘IIPDF Scheme’
• Testing & evaluation facility for Sonar Systems of Indian Navy launched by DRDO
• COP27 | We’re on a highway to climate hell, U.N.’s Guterres warns
• Electoral Bond scheme amended, sale from tomorrow
• Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change speaks at the Middle East Green Initiative Summit 2022 at COP 27 Egypt
• Implementation of Broadcast Air-Time Scheduler(BATS) for all Commercial Operations of All India Radio
• DMK wants Tamil Nadu Governor gone: What does the law say on how a Governor can be sacked?
• Renewable energy ministry to continue Bio Energy Programme till 2025-26, provides Rs 858 cr for phase-I
• A third of world heritage glaciers under threat, warns UNESCO study

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

EWS verdict underscores that judiciary has been a reluctant supporter of caste-based reservation

News: The Supreme Court has now upheld the validity of the 103rd constitutional amendment which provided 10% reservation for economically backward communities.

What are the salient features of the 103rd constitutional amendment?

How courts viewed the reservation in various instances?

Right from the Dorairajan case (1951) to M R Balaji (1963) to Indra Sawhney (1992) to M Nagaraj (2006) shows that the Indian judiciary has not been quite supportive of such policies. In Indra Sawhney (1992), the Court even struck down a provision for 10% reservation for economically backward sections, on the ground that the Constitution does not provide for reservation solely based on economic criteria.

In many cases, the court created new conditions in the implementation of such policies by introducing several exclusions/doctrines/rules etc. For instance, a) Parliament had to amend the Constitution through the 77th amendment to overturn Indra Sawhney judgment against reservation in promotions, b) The 85th constitutional amendment was passed to undo the Virpal Singh Chauhan (1995) and Ajit Singh (1999) judgments that had introduced the “catch up rule.”

Note: Under the rule, general candidates, who are promoted after SC/ST candidates, will regain their seniority over earlier promoted SC/ST candidates. 

About Courts vs Constitutional amendments

Constitutional amendments are rarely struck down. This is because the amendments can be struck down only on the narrow ground of being violative of the basic structure of the Constitution.

Since 1973, when the basic structure doctrine was propounded, over 70 amendments had been passed but only five have so far been struck down. The NJAC was the last one in 2016.

As per M Nagaraj case (2006), there are two tests that courts use in any challenge on the ground of basic structure. They are 1) The Width test: This test examines the boundaries of amending power and 2) The identity test: In this, the Supreme Court examines whether the latest amendment alters the identity of the Constitution.

In the present case also making them invalid is difficult as EWS was virtually a fait accompli (mission accomplished). For instance, GoI had approved the creation of over two lakh seats in central universities. Rolling back such steps is easier said than done. A number of states have also begun implementing the EWS quota.

How does the 103rd constitutional amendment stand against basic structure according to the judgment?

According to judges,

-The basic structure doctrine does not bind Parliament from laying down the economic criterion. Such a basis does not impinge on the equality code of the Constitution.

-India’s affirmative action programme so far was catering to only historical injustices and social backwardness. The extension of this benefit to others won’t change the identity of the Constitution.

-In exclusion of SC/ST/OBC categories (from EWS quota), the court said such an exclusion was inevitable for the true operation and effect of the new policy. Also, If existing beneficiaries are not excluded, it would amount to excessive benefits and advantages.

– A number of judgments in which poverty was mentioned as a fundamental source of backwardness. Hence, the reservation on an economic basis is valid.

What are the required changes in the 103rd constitutional amendment?

Opening up the EWS quota to all: The objective of economic emancipation could have been better achieved if the income-based reservation had been thrown open to all sections of society.

Reduce the income ceiling: The income ceiling perhaps can be kept at the same level as the income tax slab. In fact, the existing income criterion of ₹8 lakh a year has already been questioned by the Court in a separate case, as it is liable to result in excessive coverage of socially advanced classes.

How India can contribute to the peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war

News: India’s External Affairs Minister went to Russia on a bilateral visit.

What was India’s approach to the Ukraine crisis so far?

The Western media and think tanks had been relentless in their criticism of the Indian approach to the Ukraine crisis as lacking moral and strategic clarity in the face of Russia’s unprovoked aggression.

Though India refused to endorse Russian aggression, Indian made some crucial diplomatic contributions such as, a) Underlined the importance of respecting the United Nations Charter, b) Emphasised the inviolability of territorial sovereignty, c) Warned against the use of nuclear weapons, d) Sought to draw attention to the economic impact of the war on the “Global South”, e) Helped to overcome issues over the grain shipment deal from Ukraine and f) Aided in reducing the growing risks of the war targeting the nuclear power station at Zaporizhzhia in eastern Ukraine.

What is the course of the Ukraine crisis so far?

1) The shifting politics of the war: Russia’s special military operation that was to produce a quick victory in Ukraine has turned into a terrible misadventure. Russia has suffered huge military losses on the ground in manpower and equipment. 2) Russia’s threat underline its weakness: Russia currently focuses on destroying the Ukrainian cities and the occasional threat to use nuclear weapons underline Russia’s weakness in the Ukraine war rather than its strength.

3) Backfire of sanctions on western countries: The western countries imposed massive sanctions on Russia after it launched a war against Ukraine to bring the Russian economy to its knees. But in reality, the sanctions have major effects on Western societies. For instance, Europe was right in the middle of the gravest conflict since the Second World War. So, there is growing political support in Europe for a quick resolution of the conflict, and 4) Liberalised stand of the US: The US is beginning to recalibrate its current approach to the Ukraine crisis. For instance, recently, the US called for greater flexibility in Ukraine’s approach to negotiations with Russia. The US said that Ukraine’s hardline might intensify the “Ukraine fatigue” in the West and fracture the anti-Western coalition against Russia.

What will be the course of the Ukraine crisis in the near future and what role can India play in it?

The history of warfare tells us that room for diplomacy opens up only when there is a deadlock on the battlefield. The onset of winter will increasingly limit the possibilities for military operations in Ukraine and would give a chance to both sides to pause, regroup and rethink their strategy and tactics.

In that, there are many modest and practical ways in which Indian diplomacy could contribute to the peace efforts.

The frontliners of the first 1,000-day window of life – on addressing child and maternal health

News- The article explains the importance of child and maternal health to address malnutrition among children. It also explains the importance of frontline workers.

Why is addressing malnutrition important?

Optimal maternal nutrition and child feeding are the most effective set of interventions in reducing child deaths, preventing malnutrition and determining cognitive development.

Specifically, the first 1,000 days of life are critical in ensuring optimal growth, child survival and lifelong health and nutrition. In fact, 80% of brain development takes place in the first 1,000 days of life.

What are some facts related to POSHAN Abhiyan?

It is under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).

Its overarching goal is to improve nutritional outcomes by focusing on capacity building, improvement of service delivery, community mobilization and participation, use of technology, and inter-ministerial convergent planning and review.

There is an enhanced focus on documentation of interventions coverage in the first 1,000 days, such as registration of pregnancies, antenatal checkup, and exclusive breastfeeding.

What is the way forward to improve child health and nutrition?

Evidence-based interventions are needed to be delivered with high coverage, continuity over the first 1,000 days of life and across delivery channels, intensity, quality and equity.

The health and nutrition status of women, including the weight and hemoglobin level and age of conception need to be taken care of. These are important determinants of child health.

We need to improve preconception care before delivery. The program by MoHFW to improve preconception care in the Nashik district of Maharashtra shows its utility in improving child health.

Men play a very important role in ensuring maternal and newborn health. They can influence behaviors and good practices around child health within their households and communities.

It is crucial to empower our frontline workers who are driving change at the last mile. There is a need for regular skilling, supportive supervision and motivation of frontline workers to deliver focused and quality nutrition and health services.

What is the importance of frontline workers?

All such interventions are needed to be delivered last mile by the network of the frontline work force like ASHAs, ANMs and Anganwadi Workers.

In many geographies, they are the only access point to basic nutrition and other health services. They are critical in promoting healthy practices, providing on-ground support, and improving awareness.

For example, during the Poshan Pakhwada in March 2022, in a remote village in Uttar Pradesh, the frontline workers made sustained efforts for child health and nutrition. All families with children below two were able to overcome age-old fears and misconceptions. It shows the importance of frontline workers.

The age of minimalism in India-Pakistan ties

News- The article explains the new normal in India Pakistan relationship.

What is the new normal in India-Pakistan relations?

India-Pakistan relations have entered an age of minimalism.

There is very little bilateral contact today, even fewer expectations of a bilateral breakthrough.

‘Cold peace’ exists on the Line of Control, inside Kashmir and in the verbal exchanges between the two sides.

There is no political will for any better relationship, grand gestures or grand outreach. The bilateral contract is tactical, business-like and unemotional.

Several noticeable features characterize the age of minimalism in India-Pakistan relations. The interlocutors on either side appear to have adopted a clinical approach to dealing with the other side. They discuss and deal with only those issues that need urgent attention. The second feature is more focused on conflict management, with little focus on conflict resolution. Engagement is only for tactical purposes. A larger political context is missing.

The most important aspect of this minimalist approach is Delhi’s ability to shed its traditional hesitations about directly dealing with the Pakistani army establishment. The Pakistan army has taken this approach of direct engagement with the military establishment in Pakistan more seriously.

What has been the traditional character of this relationship?

The relationship is characterized by intense engagement, high value terror attacks, Indian responses, a breakdown of talks, and eventual resumption of talks; rinse and repeat.

What development took place in the relationship after 2014?

There was the invitation extended to Nawaz Sharif for Narendra Modi’s inaugural function in New Delhi which he attended.

Modi made a surprise visit to Lahore in December 2015, and there were discreet meetings between the two National Security Advisers.

In January 2016, even after Pathankot attack by a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation, India did not respond.

The Uri attack in December 2016 and surgical strike by India, practically froze the relationship.

The February 2019 terror attack in Pulwama, and the BJP government’s decisions made in August 2019 on Kashmir led to complete stalemate.

What are the reasons behind this new state of relationship?

Present relationship is the history of missed opportunities, failed attempts at conflict resolution, political inability to resolve conflicts due to the dual power centre in Pakistan, and the lack of political will on either side. These disappointments have led to a recognition in New Delhi that making comprehensive peace with Pakistan is very difficult.

Second, there is a recognition on both sides that there is no easy way to resolve their complicated conflicts and that, going forward. Bilateral conflict resolution may get harder due to rising populism fueled by online hate.

Third, India also realizes that the traditional logic in India that it should first settle its conflicts with Pakistan and then move on to addressing the bigger challenges is not paying any dividend.

Four, there is also a certain confidence in New Delhi today that it does not need to talk to Pakistan to ensure peace inside Kashmir. This growing confidence in New Delhi about its capability to defend Kashmir against Pakistan aggression and belief in deterrence by punishment will further moderate India desire for conflict resolution

Finally, both sides today are preoccupied with other geopolitical challenges like Pakistan with the Taliban-led Afghanistan, and India with an aggressive China on its borders.

What will be the future of this strategy?

The Current strategy of minimalist engagement with the Pakistani deep state is unlikely to be able to tackle the larger substantive political questions. The process may run into challenges over time or its tactical utility might eventually be exhausted.

India’s G20 presidency and food security

News- The article explains the issue of food security across the world. It also talks about India’s journey in achieving food-surplus status.

India’s presidency of the G20 offers a historical opportunity for the country to address the growing challenges of food security for creating resilient and equitable food systems.

What are steps taken by India to ensure food security for its people?

India achieved equity in food through the National Food Security Act, 2013. It was supported by targeted public distribution system, the mid-day meal scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services. Today, India’s food safety nets collectively reach over a billion people.

Since Independence, India initiated policy measures, land reforms, public investments, institutional infrastructure, new regulatory systems, public support, and intervention in agri-markets and prices and agri-research and extension.

India diversified its agriculture 1991-2015 period with greater focus on horticulture, dairy, animal husbandry, and fisheries sectors.

The Indian government provided a swift and resilient response to Covid pandemic. It has set a global example in alleviating hunger by bringing in the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana.

Recently, India formally announced an export ban on wheat and rice due to decline in food production. However, it maintained a flexible approach to help countries like Afghanistan with humanitarian aid.

What are the global efforts to ensure food security?

In 2021, through the Matera Declaration, G20 ministers recognized that poverty alleviation, food security, and sustainable food systems are key to ending hunger.

UN Food Systems Summit, held by the G20 leadership, for global food systems transformation created a mechanism focused on five identified action tracks:

Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all; shift to sustainable consumption patterns; boost nature-positive production; advance equitable livelihoods, and build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and stress.

What is the way forward to ensure food security?

There is a need to fast-track the processes and commitments that were started through the UN Food Systems Summit.

The Indian government has institutionalised buying grains from farmers and providing protection to farmers through the MSP regime. These types of measures are needed for ensuring food security for countries across the globe.

There needs to be greater investment in agriculture; food safety nets for the poor and vulnerable; new ways of farming; and diversified livelihoods.

We need to expand south-south cooperation to share experiences on food and agriculture production.

GS Paper 3

The questions that CoP-27 must answer to ensure climate justice

News: The 2022 United Nations Conference on Climate Change also known as CoP-27 (the UN’s 27th Conference of the Parties) has begun. It will discuss the issue of climate change and measures to mitigate it.

What are the reasons behind climate change?

Climate change is caused by concentration of greenhouse gases from human activity.

The current atmospheric concentration of CO2 is mostly a result of past emissions from the developed countries. They argue that there was insufficient awareness or scientific knowledge about the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels.

Therefore, they shouldn’t be held accountable for it and focus should be made on future actions to control climate change. However, it is a misleading statement as past and future actions go hand in hand.

How can developed countries help other emerging countries in reducing the impact on climate?

First, developed countries should provide creative, constructive and fair support to the emerging countries to move from fossil fuel-based energy emission to renewables.

Second, developed countries should provide required financial resources on affordable terms to developing countries to recover from the impact of climate change and adapt themselves to mitigate future challenges.

Third, developed countries should focus on helping developing countries moving to non-fossil fuel-based energy. Some of the ways of providing resources are – supporting labour employed in the fossil fuel-based industries, skilling them for the jobs for green economy, providing rare earths and technology, etc.

What can be the course of action?

Efforts are needed from both developed countries and developing countries to mitigate climate change.

Developed countries can focus on changing lifestyles that impact the climate least whereas developing countries can focus on adopting non fossil fuel-based technologies.

Therefore, a proper balance is required between mitigating the past emission and adopting technologies for future.

Welcome write-off: Acknowledging failure of 116 projects is the first step

News: A report from the NITI Aayog has recommended the removal of 116 infrastructure projects from the overall project-monitoring system.

These public funded projects have not been completed and have been delayed due to various reasons.

What are the reasons behind the delaying of the projects?

Land acquisition – This is one of the major problems faced by any infrastructure projects. Land acquisition with private parties is not the only problem, at times there are also disputes between the Union and state governments over land issues.

Share of Funds: There have been tussles between the central and state government over sharing the fund on infrastructure projects. State governments have stepped behind funding the projects which has caused delay in those projects.

Environmental clearances –These have also caused delay in the projects.

Other reasons behind the delay of the projects are red tape, internal disagreements, etc.

What is the way forward?

Land acquisition problems have been reduced from the past due to the increasing financialisation of savings, greater financial literacy, and the spread of bank accounts.

However, there is a need that the government should come up with a proper compensatory mechanism that can help land acquisition and help to gain trust of the landowners.

Regulation could help ONDC counter an e-com duopoly

News- The article explains the concept of Open Network for Digital Commerce proposed by the government to counter the platform power of e-commerce majors.

What is ONDC?

It will decentralise e-commerce. It will allow buyers and sellers to transact via multiple apps without being locked into a specific platform.

Interoperability will foster competition, lower e-commerce entry barriers and reduce the ability of larger platforms to charge exorbitant commissions from sellers.

It will institute an “issue and grievance management” structure . It will also institute the reputation profile of all network participants.

What are the issues with ONDC?

Big platforms have technological capability. They provide consistent management of customer satisfaction and dispute resolution. ONDC needs to ensure it.

ONDC runs into conceptual problems from an operational and privacy perspective. Different entities in a transaction means disaggregated responsibility.

The issue of reputation is problematic. All customers, sellers and logistics providers must be visible through all buyer and seller sides apps. It requires badging of all network participants. This badging will have to be centralised and publicly available. It has privacy implications.

What is the way forward?

There is a need for regulations to manage conflict of interest, mandating interoperability and data portability.

Privacy issues can be solved by limiting the badging to sellers. But it will raise overhead costs.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Supreme Court, in a majority verdict, upholds constitutional validity of EWS quota

Supreme Court, in a majority verdict, upholds constitutional validity of EWS quotaSource: The post is based on the following articles:

 “Supreme Court, in a majority verdict, upholds constitutional validity of EWS quota” published in The Hindu on 8th November 2022. 

“Reservation policy cannot stay for indefinite period, says Supreme Court” published in The Hindu on 8th November 2022. 

“Explainer: Why EWS quota became such a tangled legal debate” published in The Times of India on 8th November 2022. 

What is the News?

The Supreme Court Constitution Bench has by 3:2 majority upheld the validity of the 103rd Constitutional Amendment which introduced a 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in education and public employment.

What is the 103rd Constitutional Amendment (EWS Quota)?

Click Here to read

What were the main legal challenges before the Supreme Court on EWS Quota?

There were three main legal challenges in this case:

First: Whether the 103rd Constitution Amendment is violative of the basic structure for providing reservation solely on the basis of economic criteria. 

Second: Whether the amendment is violative of the basic structure for excluding the poor among the SC/ST/OBC categories from EWS Quota. 

Third: Whether the amendment is violative of the basic structure for breaching the 50% ceiling limit.

What were the majority judges’ views on EWS Quota?

The majority of judges upheld the EWS Quota on the following grounds: 

Reservation is an affirmative action measure not only for socially and economically backward classes but for any disadvantaged section. Therefore, reservation solely on an economic basis does not violate the constitution.

Exclusion of SC/ST and OBCs from EWS reservations is constitutionally valid.

Quotas for SC, ST, OBCs are limited to 50% and here 10% was being reserved for EWS without impacting the reservations granted to the three other groups. The 50% ceiling limit itself is flexible and only applies to caste-based reservations. The court held that 50% cap can be breached under “extraordinary” situations. 

EWS quota is not a completely alien concept. It is in the Right to Education Act 2009.

What were the minority judges’ views on EWS Quota?

The minority judges have struck down EWS Quota on the following grounds:

-Reservation under Articles 15 and 16 is meant for rectifying the under-representation of socially and educationally backward classes, SCs and STs. Not as a tool for financial upliftment.

–The total and absolute exclusion of constitutionally recognised backward classes of citizens and SC and ST communities is nothing but discrimination which undermines the equality code.

–Permitting a breach of 50% would result in compartmentalisation and the rule of the right to equality will become the right to reservations.

–Article 46’s ambit of promoting educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and other weaker sections and protecting them from social injustice implies that they can’t be excluded from the EWS quota.

-Other affirmative actions like scholarships, interest-free loans, etc. , exist, which can assuage problems of the economically weaker sections. Reservation wasn’t meant for groups not historically disadvantaged.

What were the judges’ views on the policy of Reservation?

The policy of reservation in education and employment cannot continue for an indefinite period.

The reservation policy must have a time span. At the end of 75 years of Independence, India need to revisit the system of reservation in the larger interest of the society as a whole, as a step forward towards transformative constitutionalism.

For instance, quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the House of the People and in State Legislative Assemblies would cease 80 years from the commencement of the Constitution. 

The representation of Anglo-Indian communities in Parliament and Assemblies has already stopped by virtue of the 104th Constitutional Amendment from2020.

Therefore, a similar time limit for a reservation could be a way forward leading to an egalitarian, casteless and classless society.

Early Warning System for the entire world in next five years

Source: The post is based on the article “Early Warning System for the entire world in next five years” published in Indian Express on 8th November 2022. 

What is the News?

The UN Secretary General has launched the Executive Action Plan for the Early Warnings for All initiative.

What is the Executive Action Plan for the Early Warnings for All initiative?

Prepared by: World Meteorological Organisation(WMO)

Purpose: It is a five-year programme to set up early warning systems across the world to save lives and minimize destruction from the growing number of climate disasters.

Features: The plan envisages an investment of $3.1 billion between now and 2027 to create the infrastructure and build capacities in early warning systems. 

– Nearly half the countries in the world, most of them least developed and small island states, do not have any early warning systems.

What are Early warning systems?

Early warning system is an adaptive measure for climate change, using integrated communication systems to help communities prepare for hazardous climate-related events.

It is a proven, effective and feasible climate adaptation measure that saves lives and provides a tenfold return on investment. 

For instance, just 24 hours notice of an impending hazardous event can cut the ensuing damage by 30%.

The Global Commission on Adaptation had found that spending about $800 million on early warning systems could avoid losses of up to $ 3-16 billion every year.

Scheme for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects – ‘IIPDF Scheme’

Source: The post is based on the article “Scheme for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects – ‘IIPDF Scheme” published in PIB on 8th November 2022. 

What is the News?

The Department of Economic Affairs(DEA), Ministry of Finance notified the Scheme for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects – India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme(IIPDF Scheme). 

What is India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme (IIPDF Scheme)?

Setup in: 2007

Nodal Ministry: Department of Economic Affairs(DEA), Ministry of Finance

Type: Central Sector Scheme

Aim: To aid the development of quality PPP projects by providing necessary funding support to the Project Sponsoring Authorities(PSA) both in the Central and State Governments.

Funding: The IIPDF will contribute upto 75% of the project development expenses to the Sponsoring Authority as an interest-free loan. The balance of 25% will be co-funded by the Sponsoring Authority.

Significance: The fund will help the sponsoring authority to cover a portion of the PPP transaction costs thereby reducing the impact of costs related to procurement on their budgets.

Testing & evaluation facility for Sonar Systems of Indian Navy launched by DRDO

Source: The post is based on the article “Testing & evaluation facility for Sonar Systems of Indian Navy launched by DRDO” published in PIB on 8th November 2022. 

What is the News?

Defence Research & Development Organization(DRDO) has launched the Hull Module of the Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterization & Evaluation (SPACE) facility at Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory(NPOL),Kochi.

What is the Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterization & Evaluation (SPACE) facility?

SPACE is a state-of-the-art testing and evaluation facility for sonar systems developed for use by the Indian navy onboard various platforms, including ships, submarines and helicopters.

Constructed by: The SPACE facility is based on the concept design and requirements projected by Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory(NPOL) and has been constructed by M/s L&T Shipbuilding, Chennai.

Uses: It will be mainly utilized for evaluating Sonar systems allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers.

Significance: The uniqueness of this facility lies in the specially designed submersible platform, which can be lowered up to depths of 100 meters using a series of synchronously operated winches.

COP27 | We’re on a highway to climate hell, U.N.’s Guterres warns

Source: The post is based on the article “COP27 | We’re on a highway to climate hell, U.N.’s Guterres warns” published in The Hindu on 8th November 2022. 

What is the News?

The United Nations(UN) Secretary-General addressed the world leaders at the opening of the COP27 UN climate summit in Egypt.

What are the key highlights of the address?

Need for a Climate Solidarity Pact: Humanity faces a stark choice between working together or “collective suicide” in the battle against global warming.

– Nations worldwide are coping with increasingly intense natural disasters that have taken thousands of lives this year alone and cost tens of billions of dollars – from devastating floods in Nigeria and Pakistan to droughts in Kenya and Somalia.

– Hence, a Climate Solidarity Pact — where developed and emerging economies work together to accelerate energy transition — is a must for a better future as Earth fast approaches a tipping point that will make climate chaos irreversible.

On Adaptation: Some 3.5 billion people are currently living in countries which are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.  

– Hence, the world desperately needs progress on adaptation. In Glasgow, developed countries promised to double adaptation support to $40 billion a year by 2025. And we must recognize that this is only a first step. Adaptation needs are set to grow to more than $300 billion dollars a year by 2030.

Phase out the use of Coal: Countries should agree to phase out the use of coal, one of the most carbon-intense fuels by 2040 globally.

On Loss and Damage: COP27 must agree on a “clear, time-bound roadmap” for loss and damage that delivers “effective institutional arrangements for financing”.

Electoral Bond scheme amended, sale from tomorrow

Source: The post is based on the article “Electoral Bond scheme amended, sale from tomorrow” published in The Hindu on 8th November 2022. 

What is the News?

The Government of India has notified several changes to the Electoral Bond Scheme.

What is the Electoral Bond Scheme?

Click Here to read

What are the changes being made to the Electoral Bond Scheme?

The government of India has amended the Electoral Bond Scheme. It has allowed the sale of Electoral Bonds for 15 extra days during the year of elections to the legislative assembly of states and Union territories with the legislature.

Earlier, only an additional period of 30 days was allowed to be specified by the central government in the year of the Lok Sabha elections. 

Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change speaks at the Middle East Green Initiative Summit 2022 at COP 27 Egypt

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change speaks at the Middle East Green Initiative Summit 2022 at COP 27 Egypt” published in PIB on 7th November 2022. 

What is the News?

The Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change has addressed the Middle East Green Initiative Summit 2022 on the sidelines of COP 27.

What is the Middle East Green Initiative(MGI) Summit?

The Middle East Green Initiative(MGI) summit is a Saudi Arabia-led initiative to drive unified climate action. 

Aim: To provide an ambitious and clearly defined roadmap for regional climate action.

Objectives: To ​​plant 50 billion trees across the Middle East region and reduce carbon emissions by more than 10%.

The inaugural MGI Summit was hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2021.

The 2022 summit is being hosted on the sidelines of COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Implementation of Broadcast Air-Time Scheduler(BATS) for all Commercial Operations of All India Radio

Source: The post is based on the article “Implementation of Broadcast Air-Time Scheduler(BATS) for all Commercial Operations of All India Radio” published in PIB on 8th November 2022. 

What is the News?

Prasar Bharati has inaugurated a fully integrated Traffic & Billing application software “Broadcast Air-Time Scheduler (BATS)” for all Commercial Operations of All India Radio”.

What is a Broadcast Air-Time Scheduler (BATS)?

BATS is a fully integrated Traffic & Billing application software.

It allows monitoring of booking, billing and payment receipts at various stages and the system can provide various reports which are very essential in taking many management decisions.

Advantages of BATS

– It will make the Receivable Management more effective and transparent. This will ensure that revenue leakages are avoided and will ensure 100% revenue assurance for the services rendered.

– Increases operational efficiency and reduces cost.

– Contracts are handled seamlessly from Release Order entry to single or multi-invoice billing.

– Ensures accurate billing by effectively managing account hierarchy, different Packages and Products.

DMK wants Tamil Nadu Governor gone: What does the law say on how a Governor can be sacked?

Source: The post is based on the article “DMK wants Tamil Nadu Governor gone: What does the law say on how a Governor can be sacked?” published in Indian Express on 6th November 2022. 

What is the News?

DMK leader has urged all like-minded MPs to support a proposal to be sent to the President of India to remove the Tamil Nadu governor.

How is the Governor appointed and removed?

Under Articles 155 and 156 of the Constitution, a Governor is appointed by the President and holds office during the pleasure of the President.

If this pleasure is withdrawn before the completion of the five-year term, the Governor has to step down.

Note: There is no provision for impeaching the Governor.

What are the Governor’s powers?

Article 163 of the Constitution says the Governor will normally be aided and advised by the Council of Ministers except in those functions which require his discretion.

Hence, the Governor is envisaged as an apolitical head who must act on the advice of the council of ministers.

However, the governor enjoys certain powers granted under the Constitution such as 1) giving or withholding assent to a Bill passed by the state legislature, 2) assenting to the convening of the state legislative assembly, 3) determining the time needed for a party to prove its majority, and 4) which party must be called first do so, generally after a hung verdict in an election.

What happens in case of disagreements between the Governor and the State Government?

There are no provisions laid down in the Constitution for the manner in which the Governor and the state must engage publicly when there is a difference of opinion. 

The management of differences has traditionally been guided by respect for each other’s boundaries.

What have the court’s said to the Governor?

Surya Narain Choudhary vs Union of India(1981): Rajasthan High Court held that the pleasure of the President was not justiciable, the Governor had no security of tenure and can be removed at any time by the President withdrawing pleasure.

BP Singhal vs Union of India (2010): The Supreme Court elaborated on the pleasure doctrine. The court held that the President can remove the Governor from office at any time without assigning any reason and without giving any opportunity to show cause.

– However, the power to remove can’t be exercised in an arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable manner.

– For instance, the Governor cannot be removed on the ground that he is out of sync with the policies and ideologies of the Union Government or the party in power at the Centre.

– Hence, the court held that it will presume that the President had “compelling and valid” reasons for the removal but if a sacked Governor comes to the court, the Centre will have to justify its decision.

What various commissions have said about Governors?

The Sarkaria Commission had recommended that Governors are not sacked before completing their five-year tenure, except in “rare and compelling” circumstances. 

Recommendations have also been made for a provision to impeach the Governor by the Assembly. However, none of these have been implemented.

Renewable energy ministry to continue Bio Energy Programme till 2025-26, provides Rs 858 cr for phase-I

Source: The post is based on the article “Renewable energy ministry to continue Bio Energy Programme till 2025-26, provides Rs 858 cr for phase-I” published in PIB on 8th November 2022. 

What is the News?

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has said that it will continue the National Bio Energy Programme till 2025-26.

What is the National Bio Energy Programme?

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New & Renewable Energy

Aim: To aid the use of huge surplus biomass, cattle dung, and industrial and urban biowaste available in the country for energy recovery.

Sub-Schemes: It will include the three Sub-schemes:

– Waste to Energy Programme: It will support the setting up of large Biogas, BioCNG and Power plants (excluding MSW (municipal solid waste) to power projects).

– Biomass Programme (Scheme to Support Manufacturing of Briquettes & Pellets and Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration in Industries) to support setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation and non-bagasse based power generation projects.

– Biogas Programme to support the setting up of family and medium size Biogas in rural areas.

A third of world heritage glaciers under threat, warns UNESCO study

Source: The post is based on the article “A third of world heritage glaciers under threat, warns UNESCO study” published in The Hindu on 6th November 2022. 

What is the News?

A study conducted by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has found that one-third of the glaciers on the UNESCO World Heritage list are under threat, regardless of efforts to limit temperature increases.

What are the key findings of the study?

Around 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites are home to glaciers representing almost 10% of the Earth’s total glacierized area.

These glaciers have been retreating at an accelerated rate since 2000 due to CO2 emissions, which are warming temperatures.

They are currently losing 58 billion tons of ice every year – equivalent to the combined annual water use of France and Spain – and are responsible for nearly 5% of observed global sea-level rise.

The glaciers under threat are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania.

– Africa: All World Heritage sites in Africa will very likely be gone by 2050 including Kilimanjaro National Park and Mount Kenya.

– Asia: Glaciers in Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas (China) – highest mass loss relative to 2000 (57.2%) and also the fastest melting glacier on the List.

– Europe: Glaciers in Pyrenees Mont Perdu (France, Spain) – very likely to disappear by 2050.

What is the importance of Glaciers?

Half of humanity depends directly or indirectly on glaciers as their water source for domestic use, agriculture, and power. Glaciers are also pillars of biodiversity, feeding many ecosystems.

When glaciers melt rapidly, millions of people face water scarcity and the increased risk of natural disasters such as flooding, and millions more may be displaced by the resulting rise in sea levels.

What are the suggestions given by the study?

Firstly, it is possible to save the other two-thirds of the glaciers on the UNESCO World Heritage list if the rise in global temperatures did not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era.

Secondly, there is also a need for the creation of a new international fund for glacier monitoring and preservation. Such a fund would support comprehensive research, promote exchange networks between all stakeholders and implement early warning and disaster risk reduction measures.

Thirdly, there is an urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and invest in nature-based solutions, which can help mitigate climate change and allow people to better adapt to its impacts.