9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 10th December, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Invesment in Palliative Care in India

Source: The post Invesment in Palliative Care in India has been created, based on the article “Why India needs to invest in palliative care” published in “Indian Express” on 10th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS-2 Governance

Context: The article underscores the urgent need for India to invest in palliative care as an integral part of its healthcare system. It highlights the multifaceted benefits of palliative care in alleviating health-related suffering, especially for patients with terminal illnesses or chronic conditions. Invesment in Palliative Care in India.

What is Palliative Care and Why is it Important?

1. Palliative care focuses on alleviating physical, psycho-social, spiritual, and financial suffering for patients and their caregivers.
2. It ensures individuals live with dignity and die peacefully, particularly in the face of terminal illnesses like cancer.

Why is Dying with Dignity a Global Concern?

1. In countries like the UK, debates around assisted dying have highlighted shortcomings in healthcare systems.
2. Data shows:
   • Two-thirds of requests for assisted dying come from terminal cancer patients.
   • Key reasons include loss of dignity, fear of becoming a burden, inadequate pain management, and financial constraints.

How Does Palliative Care Impact Patients and Caregivers?

1. Patients with suicidal thoughts, when provided adequate care, often live meaningful lives and die with dignity.
2. Palliative care addresses multifaceted issues: pain relief, emotional support, and financial planning.

What is the Current State of Palliative Care in India?

1. Less than 4% of those in need have access to palliative care.
2. Most care is provided by underfunded NGOs facing challenges like procuring licenses for oral morphine, a key pain relief medication.

What Are the Challenges in Expanding Palliative Care?

1. Legislative Hurdles:
   • Advance medical directives and living wills need clear enforcement.
   • Example: The Supreme Court disallowed parents from removing a feeding tube for a 30-year-old in a vegetative state, despite their inability to afford care.
2. Funding Shortages:
   • Even in the UK, hospices are shutting down due to reliance on charity.
   • Accessible palliative care requires significant government investment.

How Does India’s Socioeconomic Landscape Complicate Assisted Dying Laws?

1. India’s stratified society makes vulnerable populations prone to exploitation under assisted dying laws.
2. Example: Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law has led to concerns about its misuse and a decline in accessible healthcare services for vulnerable populations.

What Steps Should India Take to Address Health-Related Suffering?

1. Integrate palliative care into the public healthcare system to make it universally available.
2. Increase investment in training healthcare workers and funding NGOs providing palliative care.
3. Address societal indifference to suffering by promoting awareness about the benefits of hospice and palliative care.

What is the Call to Action?

1. With rising non-communicable diseases and an ageing population, India must act urgently to prioritize palliative care.
2. The focus should be on accessible, compassionate, and affordable care to prevent suffering and reduce calls for assisted dying laws, which could have disastrous implications for the country.

What is at Stake if India Does Not Act?

1. Isolated pleas for assistance in dying may become widespread.
2. Vulnerable populations could be disproportionately affected by poorly implemented laws.
3. Neglecting palliative care will exacerbate suffering, leading to ethical, legal, and social crises.

Reforms in Merchant Shipping

Source: The post Reforms in Merchant Shipping has been created, based on the article “On reforms in merchant shipping” published in “The Hindu” on 10th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS-2 Governance

Context: The article provides an in-depth analysis of the proposed reforms in India’s merchant shipping sector through the introduction of two significant bills—the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, and the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024. Reforms in Merchant Shipping.

Why is a new Merchant Shipping Bill needed?

1. These Acts are outdated and fail to address contemporary needs, especially for offshore vessels, which form 50% of Indian-flagged ships.
2. Regulatory gaps, restrictive provisions, and the lack of a framework for private maritime training necessitate modernisation.

What are the shortcomings of the current laws?

1. Welfare provisions only apply to Indian-flagged ships, while 85% of Indian seafarers work on foreign-flagged vessels.
2. Lack of enabling provisions to implement international conventions.
3. Outdated, license-era provisions hinder modernisation and ease of doing business.

How does the Bill address vessel registration?

1. Reduces Indian ownership threshold from 100% to 51%, allowing NRIs, OCIs, and foreign entities to register Indian vessels.
2. Allows Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) to own ships.
3. Introduces bareboat charter-cum-demise, enabling entrepreneurs to own vessels after charter periods.
4. Temporary registration for vessels destined for recycling, benefiting ship recycling hubs like Alang.

How does the Bill expand vessel regulation?

1. Includes non-mechanised vessels and crafts such as submersibles, hydrofoils, amphibious crafts, Mobile Offshore Units (MOUs), and drones under its ambit.
2. Strengthens coastal security by empowering authorities to regulate all vessel types, addressing gaps exposed during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

How does the Bill tackle marine pollution?

1. Incorporates international conventions like MARPOL, the Bunker Convention, and the Civil Liability Convention.
2. Aligns with IMO standards, reducing sulphur content in marine fuel and banning single-use plastics.
3. Launches the ‘Swachh Sagar’ portal for proper ship-waste disposal.

 What are the new provisions for seafarers?

1. Extends welfare measures to Indian seafarers on foreign-flagged ships.
2. Aligns working conditions with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), ensuring better safety, benefits, and support.

How does the Bill address the gaps in maritime training regulation??

1. Over 160 private institutes operate without a legal framework, leading to unauthorised operations and fraudulent practices. Previously, training was government-controlled, with no need for regulation.

2. The Bill introduces legal provisions to regulate maritime training institutes. It also eliminates unauthorised institutes and ensures high-quality education nationwide.

What is the focus of the Coastal Shipping Bill?

1. Separates technical ship regulations from commercial coastal operations.
2. Covers licensing, coastal plans, and integration of inland and coastal shipping.
3. Supports the Sagarmala program by promoting coastal shipping infrastructure and hinterland connectivity.

What potential benefits do the new Bills offer?

1. Modernises India’s maritime framework in line with global standards.
2. Enhances coastal security, maritime safety, and ease of business.
3. Strengthens infrastructure, promotes environmental sustainability, and boosts seafarer welfare.
4. Unlocks the growth potential of India’s maritime sector, fostering bipartisan support.

Right to disconnect

Source: The post right to disconnect has been created, based on the article “Indians need the right to disconnect” published in “The Hindu” on 10th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,

Context: The article “Indians Need the Right to Disconnect  brings to light the increasing stress and mental health challenges faced by Indian employees due to prolonged working hours and the inability to disconnect from work after office hours.

What do studies reveal about workplace stress in India?

1. A report revealed that Indian women in professional jobs like IT, media, and auditing work more than 55 hours a week.
2. Workers in marginalized and unorganized sectors face even worse working conditions.
3. A study found that 49% of Indian workers experience workplace stress that negatively impacts their mental health.

What is the right to disconnect?

1. The right to disconnect is the ability of employees to disengage from work-related communication outside official working hours.
2. It aims to ensure mental well-being and a better work-life balance.

How have other countries addressed the right to disconnect?

1. France:  The French Supreme Court ruled that employees are not required to work or respond to communication outside working hours. Not being reachable after hours cannot be classified as misconduct.
2. Portugal:  It is illegal for employers to contact employees outside working hours except during emergencies.
3. Spain: Workers have the right to disconnect to protect their privacy and ensure their leave and holidays are respected.
4. Australia: The Fair Work Legislation Amendment established employees’ right to disconnect outside working hours.
5. Ireland: Employees are entitled to disconnect from work for a healthier work-life balance.

Does India have laws for the right to disconnect?

1. India does not have specific laws recognizing the right to disconnect.
2. The Constitution and judicial pronouncements emphasize the need for a healthy and dignified work environment.

What constitutional provisions support workplace well-being?

1. Article 38 mandates the State to promote public welfare.
2. Article 39(e) directs the State to protect workers’ health and strength.

What judicial rulings reinforce workplace dignity?

1. In Vishakha v. State of Rajasthan (1997), the Supreme Court recognized the right to dignity and provided guidelines to ensure workplace safety.
2. In Ravindra Kumar Dhariwal v. Union of India (2021), the Court called for reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities.
3. In Praveen Pradhan v. State of Uttaranchal (2012), the High Court stated that workplace discipline should not involve humiliation or inhumane treatment.

Has there been any legislative action?

1. In 2018, MP Supriya Sule introduced a Private Member Bill in the Lok Sabha to establish the right to disconnect.
2. The bill proposed a penalty of 1% of the total remuneration of employees for companies that violated the provisions.

Why is the right to disconnect important for India?

1. Recognizing the right to disconnect will enhance productivity and support employee well-being.
2. It will foster healthier work environments and strengthen India’s workforce.

By adopting such measures, India can better achieve its goal of becoming the third-largest economy by 2030.

GS PAPER - 3

Food and Energy Security

Source: The post Food and Energy Security has been created, based on the article “In energy-dependent world, the issue of food security” published in “The Hindu” on 10th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Economy-growth, development and employment

Context: The article examines the critical link between food and energy security in an energy-dependent world. Food and Energy Security, It highlights the intertwined crises of food insecurity and energy poverty, exacerbated by climate change, geopolitical tensions, and socio-economic inequalities, emphasizing the need for integrated solutions to address these global challenges.

Why are food and energy insecurities considered intertwined global crises?

1. Food and energy insecurities are deeply interconnected as agriculture, a critical system for humanity, relies heavily on energy and is both a consumer and contributor to climate change.
2. Addressing one issue without tackling the other undermines global stability, as both systems face challenges like climate change, population growth, geopolitical tensions, and reliance on outdated infrastructure.

How is agriculture dependent on carbon-intensive energy, and what are the impacts?

1. Agriculture uses nearly 70% of global freshwater and contributes over 20% of greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Its reliance on fossil fuels for irrigation, mechanization, fertilizer production, and transportation creates environmental degradation and vulnerability to energy price shocks.
3. Rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns further disrupt agricultural productivity, endangering the livelihoods of 2.5 billion people.

How does energy price volatility affect agriculture?

1. Energy price fluctuations directly increase fertilizer costs, leading to higher food prices. For example, natural gas, vital for ammonia synthesis in fertilizers, significantly impacts agricultural costs.
2. Geopolitical actions like China’s phosphate fertilizer export ban in 2021 disrupted supply chains, delaying critical cropping seasons in countries like India.

How does energy poverty exacerbate global inequities?

1. Low-income countries, which account for a small share of global energy demand, are disproportionately affected by supply disruptions.
2. In sub-Saharan Africa, low fertilizer usage and unreliable power grids hinder agricultural productivity, increasing food insecurity.
3. For instance, African countries spent $1.9 billion on fertilizer imports in 2021, more than double the amount in 2016.

How do extreme weather events impact energy and food systems?

1. Extreme weather events disrupt energy and food systems by damaging energy infrastructure and reducing agricultural productivity, leading to higher food prices, especially in rural areas.
2. Renewable energy, such as solar-powered irrigation and biomass energy, can transform agriculture by enhancing efficiency and sustainability, but its adoption is hindered by high costs and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in low-income nations.

What are the financial implications of addressing food and energy insecurity?

1. Ensuring basic caloric needs for vulnerable populations requires $90 billion annually until 2030. Tackling malnutrition needs an additional $11 billion per year.
2. Transforming global food systems could cost $300–$400 billion annually, amounting to 0.5% of global GDP.
3. For low-income nations, these costs often exceed 95% of GDP.

What are the risks of failing to address these twin crises?

1. Inaction could lead to trillions in global economic losses from reduced productivity and adverse health outcomes.
2. Climate-induced energy disruptions may destabilize regions, driving social unrest and mass migration.
3. For example, Africa’s mineral wealth, essential for renewable technologies, is often exploited without benefiting local economies.

Why is inclusivity crucial in addressing these crises?

1. Despite record investments in renewables, ongoing fossil fuel expansion and structural barriers to clean energy access risk excluding vulnerable communities. Solutions must ensure equitable benefits for all.
2. Agriculture must be reimagined as both a provider of sustenance and a cornerstone of sustainable development.
3. Collaborative and inclusive action is essential to prevent hunger and achieve global climate goals.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Bima Sakhi Yojana

News: Yesterday, Prime Minister launched the Bima Sakhi Yojana of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).

About Bima Sakhi Yojana

• It is an initiative of LIC to appoint over two lakh woman insurance agents over the next three years.
• The aim is to empower women aged 18-70 years who are Class X pass.
• To promote financial literacy and institutional awareness, women agents will be provided with specialised training and a stipend for the first three years.
• Stipend Amount: The woman agents will get a stipend of Rs. 7000 per month for the first year, Rs. 6000 per month in the second year and Rs. 5000 per month in the third year.
• Bima Sakhis will also receive the benefit of commission.

About LIC  It came into existence in September 1956 after the Life Insurance of India Act was passed by the Parliament. This Act also nationalised the private insurance sector in the country.  Its mission is to ensure financial security by providing products and services with competitive returns and by rendering resources for economic development.  It is India’s largest government owned life insurance and investment corporation, investing the mobilised fund in global financial markets and different government securities.  Key objectives of LIC  Spread insurance across the country, particularly to rural areas and vulnerable section of society.  Making insurance linked savings attractive  Act as trustees of insured public  Meeting the various life insurance needs of the community  It is headquartered in Bombay, Maharashtra.

Process to remove the Vice President of India

News: The opposition parties have decided to move a no confidence motion against the Vice President of India. Process to Remove The Vice President of India.

About the removal process

• The Vice President can be removed from his/her office before the completion of the term.
• The resolution for removal of Vice President can be introduced only in Rajya Sabha and not in Lok Sabha.
• No such resolution can be moved unless at least 14 days’ advance notice has been given.
• This resolution must be passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha (Effective Majority) and agreed to by Lok Sabha by a Simple Majority.
• Grounds for Removal: No grounds has been mentioned in the constitution for the removal of the Vice President of India.
• There is no precedence of a no-confidence resolution being moved against the Rajya Sabha Chairman. Though a no-confidence resolution was moved against the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman in 2020.

Relevant Articles of the Constitution Article 67 (b): It details the process to remove the Vice President from his/her office. Article 90: It deals with the vacation and resignation of, and removal from, the office of Deputy Chairman.

 

Turner Prize

News: Recently, Indian origin artist Jasleen Kaur was awarded the prestigious Turner Prize 2024 for her exhibition “Alter Altar” that pays tribute to her family history of migration to Scotland. Turner Prize Explained

About Turner Prize

About Turner Prize

• The prize is named after English painter JMW Turner, known for his expressive colouring, imaginative landscapes and dramatic depiction of lights.
• The prize was first awarded in 1984 and founded by a group called the Patrons of New Art.
• It is awarded to a British artist working globally or to an immigrant working in Britain.
• It is given based on the recommendation of a jury, selected every year by UK’s Tate Gallery.
  • The jury comprises gallery directors, curators, critics and writers with at least one member from abroad.
• A prize of 25,000 Pounds is given to the winner while the shortlisted artists get 10,000 Pounds.
• Apart from Jasleen Kaur, the only other Indian origin artist to have won the prize was sculptor Anish Kapoor in 1991.

Manama Dialogue

News: Recently, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar attended the 20th IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. Manama Dialogue Explained.

About the Manama Dialogue

• Manama Dialogue is an annual global security and geopolitical summit held in Bahrain.
• It was initiated in 2004.
• The Dialogue is organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in collaboration with Bahrain’s Ministry of External Affairs.
• It provides a platform for national leaders, ministers, policy makers, and strategic thinkers to address the most pressing regional security issues.
• 2024 Theme was “Middle East Leadership in Shaping Regional Prosperity and Security”.
• It invites participants from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and Latin America.

About International Institute for Strategic Studies  International think tank which focuses on defence and security issues.  Established in 1958  Headquartered in London  Provides strategic advice and analysis on issues related to global security, political risk and military conflict.