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This channel explains daily editorial covering indian express, Hindustan Times, Livemint and Hindu. You can reach to me for any query at @saurabhGSPaper2
Context: Constitution Bench of Supreme Court has pronounced the Electoral Bond Scheme (EBS) for political funding as unconstitutional.
Grounds on which SC held Electoral Bonds to be unconstitutional.
⇒ The scheme violates the voter’s right to information under Article 19(1)(a) due to its anonymity. The court held that information on the funding of political parties is essential for voting to make right and effective choices in a democracy.
⇒ The lack of transparency in financial support for political parties can lead to quid-pro-quo arrangements due to the close connection between money and politics.
⇒ The court ruled that RTI restrictions can only be based on Article 19(2), which doesn't include curbing black money. Even if assuming that curbing black money is a legitimate purpose, it is not proportional to the restrictions posed by this scheme.
⇒ Right to donor privacy is not absolute: SC held that the right to privacy of political affiliation does not extend to those corporate contributions, which may be made to influence policies. It only extends to contributions made as a genuine form of political support. In the Puttaswamy judgment, the court said that the right to informational privacy includes political affiliation.
⇒ Whether unlimited political contributions by companies are unconstitutional SC held that the amended section 182 (3) of the companies act 2013 as unconstitutional, as it is violative of Article 14. This amended section permitted unlimited political contributions by companies. SC said Contributions made by companies are purely business transactions made with the intent of securing benefits in return.
Directions issued by the court
⇒ The SBI has been ordered to immediately cease the issuance of any further electoral bonds and furnish details of such bonds purchased by political parties since April 12, 2019, to the ECI by March 6.
⇒ The ECI shall subsequently publish all such information shared by the SBI on its official website by March 13, 2024.
⇒ Electoral bonds that are within the validity period of fifteen days but have not yet been encashed by the political party will have to be returned, following which the issuing bank will refund the amount to the purchaser’s account.
Context: Six tribal forest villages denied basic rights and facilities under Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 because these are not revenue villages have been excluded from the Thanthai Periyar Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu.
About FRA, 2006:
⇒ The act recognizes the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, upon which these communities depended for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation, and other socio-cultural necessities.
⇒ The act recognises three types of Rights: Land Rights; Use Rights; and Right to Protect and Conserve.
⇒ Rights are claimed by members or community of the Scheduled Tribes who primarily reside in and who depend on the forests or forest lands for bona fide livelihood needs.
o It can also be claimed by any member or community who has for at least three generations i.e. 75 years prior to 13th December, 2005 resided in forests land for bona fide livelihood needs.
Recognition of Rights:
⇒ Gram Sabha makes a recommendation about who has been cultivating land for how long, which minor forest produce to be collected, etc.
⇒ The Gram Sabha’s recommendation goes through two stages of screening committees at the Taluka and District levels. The committees have 6 members: 3 government officers and 3 elected persons.
⇒ The District Level Committee makes the final decision.
Issues in the Thanthai Periyar Sanctuary:
⇒ As per the new notification, cattle-grazers can no longer graze.
⇒ Bargur cattle, a traditional breed native to the Bargur forest hills, may now be prevented from accessing their traditional grazing grounds.
⇒ In 2022, the Madras High Court revised an older order imposing a total ban on cattle grazing in all the forests of Tamil Nadu and restricted the ban to national parks, sanctuaries, and tiger reserves.
⇒ Tamil Nadu is the only State in the country where there is such a ban.
Higher autonomy of panchayats leads to better health outcomes
Context: The recent data published by RBI highlighted that panchayats earn only 1% of their income through taxes and the rest being sourced from Central and State grants.
Recent study by RBI: Linking health outcomes with panchayats autonomy
⇒ Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, and Maharashtra all have high health and sanitation score and low IMR (Infant Mortality rate).
⇒ Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh have a low health and sanitation score and a high IMR.
⇒ RBI study uses the devolution index prepared by Ministry of Panchayati Raj which is based on three parameters i.e., the transfer of subjects; transfer of functionaries; transfer of finances.
Role of Panchayats in healthcare:
⇒ They work with health departments to run clinics in rural areas, promoting institutional deliveries and prenatal/postnatal care to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
Best practice :- Kollam Zilla Panchayat’s special packages for pregnant women.
⇒ They also provide water and sanitation, improving overall health.
BestPractice: Narmada Zila Panchayat sanitation exercise.
⇒ Support vaccination programs to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like Covid 19.
⇒ Provide essential healthcare services to underserved populations.
BestPractice: Silphilli Gram Panchayat (Chhattisgarh) providing free health check-ups for elderly.
⇒ Offer health education and awareness campaigns to promote preventive care.
⇒ Manage community health programs targeting specific health issues.
⇒ Advocate for healthcare infrastructure development and allocation of resources to enhance healthcare delivery in rural areas.
Context: Uttar Pradesh model in tackling malnutrition by supporting community-based micro enterprises led by self-help groups.
Uttar Pradesh Model to tackle malnutrition
⇒ Collaboration between World Food Programme (WFP) and the Department of Women and Child Development, to boost the nutritional value and utilization of supplementary nutrition in Uttar Pradesh's ICDS scheme.
⇒ Government supported community-based micro enterprises led by self-help groups. These enterprises produce fortified and nutritious foods for pregnant/breastfeeding mothers and children, provided as take home ration through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme.
⇒ They have been provided with machinery and raw materials such as wheat at subsidised rates to produce and distribute take home ration.
⇒ National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories-accredited laboratories test the products before dispatch to Anganwadi centres to certify the requisite calorie and protein values and ensure food safety.
⇒ Once the rations are delivered to Anganwadi centres by the women’s groups, the women are reimbursed according to ICDS cost norms.
Which of the following laws have been amended when The Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic substance act was brought in:-
1. Opium act 1857
2. Opium act 1878
3. Dangerous drugs act 1930.
Consider the following statements with respect to Special Category States:
1. Currently 11 states are enjoying this status as they share border with other countries.
2. Under this status, the government pays 90 percent of the fund to the central schemes.
3. These states also enjoy a significant concession on excise, customs duties, income tax, and corporate tax.
Consider the following statements with respect to MPLADS:
1. It is non lapsable fund.
2. Interest on unsued fund must be remitted to Consolidated Fund of India.
3. 15% of the fund must be used for the reas inhabited by Scheduled caste population.
Choose the correct code:
The idea of reformative criminal justice system is inspired from:-
A. Patanjali Sutra
B. Upanishad
C. Smarta tradition
D. Alamkara shastra
Context: The Delhi High Court (Neetu Grover vs Union of India Ors.) dismissed a petition challenging the marriage between two Hindus who are 'Sapindas'.
What is sapinda marriage?
⇒ A sapinda marriage involves individuals closely related within a specified degree of kinship.
⇒ Section 3 of the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) defines sapinda marriages, stating that two persons are sapindas if one is a lineal ascendant of the other within the limits of sapinda relationship or if they share a common lineal ascendant within these limits
⇒ On the mother's side, a Hindu individual is prohibited from marrying within three generations in the line of ascent, and on the father's side, this prohibition extends to five generations.
⇒ If a marriage violates Section 5(v) of the HMA as a sapinda marriage and lacks an established custom allowing such unions, it will be declared void.
⇒ A void marriage implies that it was invalid from the outset and is treated as though it never occurred.
⇒ Declaration of a sapinda marriage as void is based on the violation of Section 5(v) and the absence of a permissible custom. This legal consequence reinforces the notion that the marriage is deemed null and void, erasing its legal existence.
Exceptions to the prohibition against sapinda marriages:
⇒ There is a single exception outlined in the same provision, which comes into play when the customs of the individuals involved allow for sapinda marriages.
⇒ A custom must be consistently and uniformly observed for an extended period, obtaining sufficient legitimacy among Hindus in a local area, tribe, group, or family. This legitimacy is such that the custom attains "the force of law."
Sapinda marriages in other countries:
⇒ In France: The crime of incest was abolished under the Penal Code of 1810, so long as the marriage was between consenting adults.
⇒ Portuguese law: Does not criminalise incest.
⇒ In Republic of Ireland: Recognised same-sex marriages in 2015, but the law on incest has not been updated to include individuals in same-sex relationships.
⇒ Italian law: Incest is a crime only if it causes a “public scandal”.
⇒ In the United States: Incestuous marriages are banned in all 50 states, though incestuous relationships between consenting adults are allowed in New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Context: Tap water availability through the Jal Jeevan Mission has halted mass migration in Kyarkuli Bhatta, Uttarakhand, and reduced conflicts between humans and animals in Kusumdih, Jharkhand.
About Jal Jeevan Mission:
⇒ It is introduced in 2019, to provide 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household by 2024 through the installation of Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC).
⇒ The mission is based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, education and communication
Significance of the scheme:
⇒ Empower the women through Paani Samitis plan comprises 10-15 members, with at least 50% being women members
⇒ Provision of safe water has the potential to reduce infant mortality by nearly 30%, potentially preventing 25% of deaths among children under the age of five in India (equivalent to 1,36,000 child deaths annually).
⇒ Could prevent 4 lakh diarrhoeal deaths (WHO).
⇒ Anticipated to generate economic savings of up to $101 billion or ₹8.37 lakh crore.
⇒ Potential to generate an average of 59.93 lakh person-years of direct employment and 2.22 crore person-years of indirect employment during the construction phase.
Performance of the scheme:
⇒ The mission has successfully provided tap water to 73% of rural households, with over 14 crore households now connected compared to 3.23 crore in August 2019.
⇒ Over 5.29 lakh village water and sanitation committees/Pani Samitis have been formed, accompanied by the development of 5.17 lakh village action plans.
⇒ Approximately 22.98 lakh women have received training to test water samples using field testing kits.
⇒ Presently, there are 2,113 labs across India, and the water quality testing labs of States/Union Territories are now accessible to the public for testing water samples at nominal rates.
⇒ Safe drinking water has been provided to around 15,000 habitations affected by arsenic and 8,000 habitations affected by fluoride.
⇒ In 61 districts affected by Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in 5 states, tap water connections surged from 8 lakh (2.71%) to 2.09 crore (70.82%) households, positively impacting the health of the rural population.
Context: Gender and caste dynamics in India’s labour market uncovers the challenges faced by women in the workplace, particularly those from the lower castes.
Women in workforce:
⇒ 29.4% of women (aged 15-59) were part of India's labour force in 2021-22 (PLFS).
⇒ Rise in rural female labour force participation rate from 19.7 % in 2018-19 to 27.7% in 2020-21 (Economic Survey 2022).
⇒ About 82 % of the total number of working women in India are concentrated in the informal sector (ILO).
Challenges of Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP):
⇒ Structural issues in manufacturing and service sectors have led to a scarcity of employment opportunities.
⇒ Women's participation in informal rural work increases due to rise in female-headed households.
⇒ Higher caste women tend to participate less in the workforce due to better education and societal norms.
⇒ Lower caste women often lack education, resulting in informal jobs.
⇒ The prevailing belief that women should prioritize housework and caregiving roles over professional careers hinders their participation.
⇒ Legal constraints, restrictions on night shifts, alongside economic challenges hinder women participation.
Significance of increasing FLFP:
⇒ Gender parity in the workforce can improve India’s annual GDP by 1.4% (McKinsey report).
⇒ Tackle the phenomenon of feminisation of poverty.
⇒ Brings a diversification of skills in the workforce.
⇒ Positive changes in societal norms and gender roles.
⇒ Improve indicators like IMR & MMR.
Government measures:
⇒ Women Entrepreneurship Portal by Niti Aayog to increase their economic footprint.
⇒ In the NCERT Books, content that perpetuated gender roles, biases, and prejudiced narratives has been removed.
⇒ Support to training and employment program for women aims for employability to women and enhance competencies.
⇒ Mission Shakti for safety, security and empowerment of women.
⇒ G20 Alliance for Empowerment and Progression of Women's Economic Representation (G20 EMPOWER).
⇒ Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH), 2020, allows women to work at night.
Way forward:
⇒ States should formulate policies to facilitate the inclusion of rural women in secure, permanent, salaried positions.
⇒ Expand employer responsibilities to mandate gender pay audits.
⇒ Comprehensive labour market information for the development of well-informed policies.
⇒ Strengthen and enforce existing anti-discrimination laws related to gender and caste in the workplace.
/channel/saurabhPolity/8927
Answer: All of three
⇒ According to Article 356, President's Rule can be imposed on any state of India on the grounds of the failure of the constitutional machinery.
⇒ When President's rule is imposed, the assembly is either dissolved or kept in suspended animation should only be exercised, if there is a possibility of government formation in the near future.
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Answer: (d)
⇒ Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates, or permanent committee, was created and empowered with powers of conferment. The CJI-chaired committee was to consist of two senior-most SC judges, the Attorney General of India, and a member of the Bar nominated by the chair and other members.
/channel/saurabhPolity/8911
Answer: 2 and 3 only
⇒ EQUIP has been launched by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development which sets out to deliver further on the principles of access, inclusion, quality, excellence, and enhancing employability in higher education.
⇒ EQUIP aims at ushering transformations in India’s higher education system by implementing strategic interventions in the sector over five years (2019 – 2024).
⇒ Double the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education and resolve the geographically and socially skewed access to higher education institutions in India. The gross enrolment ratio in higher education in India was 25.18 in 2017-18. Through EQUIP, the target is to raise this ratio up to 52 by 2024.
⇒ Upgrade the quality of education to global standards
⇒ Position at least 50 Indian institutions among the top-1000 global universities and to support 20 prominent higher education institutions in India to get global top 200 rankings.
⇒ Funding plans of EQUIP include - financial autonomy of institutions, increasing state funding of public institutions, mobilization of CSR funds, an alumni donation system, and affordable educational loans for students.
/channel/saurabhPolity/8907
Answer: 2 only
⇒ The NPS is a voluntary and long-term retirement investment plan administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It was launched in January 2004 for government employees.
⇒ The Old Pension Scheme was discontinued in 2004, however, it guaranteed life-long income after retirement.
⇒ Under the OPS, the government pays the entire pension amount to government employees after retirement. Thus, no amount is deducted from employees’ salaries when they are in service while in NPS, contribution of employee depends on him but not more than 10% of basic pay.
⇒ Under the old pension system the retired government employees receive 50 per cent of their last drawn salary plus dearness allowance as pension every month, while this aspect is not considered in the new pension system.
Context: Offering paid leave for menstruation could increase awareness, but it might also exacerbate gender disparities.
Paid leave for menstruation exacerbates gender disparities:
⇒ Discourages companies from hiring women: The Global Gender Gap Report 2021 shows the gender gap widening instead of shrinking. Women's participation in the labour force is lower than men's, and fewer women hold leadership roles. Paid leave for periods could further discourage companies from hiring women.
⇒ Validates the social stigma around menstruation: Would exacerbate period shaming in a country where large swathes of people (both men and women) consider menstruation to be impure
⇒ Case of Japan: In Japan, some companies offer leave for periods, but it's often unpaid and goes unused, because women hesitate to take this leave and openly discuss their periods due to concerns about sexual harassment.
⇒ Enforcement challenges: Introducing paid leave for menstruation presents implementation challenges. Verifying legitimate use and preventing misuse would be complex. E.g: Incidents like the 2020 Bhuj and 2017 Muzaffarnagar where girls were forced to strip to verify menstruation status.
Way forward:
⇒ Need for sensitive and respectful menstruation policies without perpetuating discrimination or abuse.
⇒ Evaluations of menstrual policies in the workplace and greater flexibility in work practices.
⇒ Access to effective Treatment at workplace.
Context: The article highlights India's commitment to equality and inclusion as essential elements of its development agenda.
India's commitment to equality and inclusion:
1. At global level:
⇒ The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration at the G-20 summit, under India’s presidency, underscores the commitment for gender equity by prioritizing inclusion across various sectors such as socio-economic empowerment, bridging the digital divide, climate action, and ensuring food security and health. The declaration emphasizes the importance of promoting women-led development.
⇒ Launched the ‘Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality’ initiative at the World Economic Forum.
o Focuses on areas such as education, healthcare, skill development, enterprise, and capital access, leveraging India's expertise in these fields.
o The launch was accompanied by the introduction of a women’s leadership lounge (We Lead Lounge) at WEF, hosted discussions and showcased products from women entrepreneurs.
o The alliance aligns with India's ethos of global unity and collective progress, as encapsulated in the principles of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Prayaas, Sabka Vikaas'.
2. At national level
⇒ Passing the Women’s Reservation Bill, guarantees one-third of parliamentary and state assembly seats for women, is a revolutionary tool for women’s empowerment and is expected to contribute extensively to improving the processes of India’s governance.
⇒ Allocating nearly $27 billion to the gender budget in 2023-24, reflect a dedication to mainstreaming gender equality and empowering women in governance and other spheres.
India’s significant achievements in promoting equality and inclusion:
⇒ Female labour force participation, rising from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 37% in 2022-23 (PLFS).
⇒ There has been a 28% increase in female enrollment in higher education, particularly in STEM fields, where women now constitute 43% of the student population.
⇒ Participation of over 9 crore women in 83 lakh self-help groups has positively impacted the socio-economic conditions in rural areas.
Context: India improved public sanitation from 2014 to 2019, moving towards being Open Defecation Free. However, challenges remain in ensuring toilet use and addressing social norms.
Current status of sanitation coverage in India:
⇒ Sanitation coverage in India significantly improved from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019.
⇒ The National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey (NARSS) Round-3 (2019-20) reports that 95% of India’s rural population had access to toilets. Of these, 79% owned their toilets, 14% shared facilities, and 1% used public toilets.
Issues with sanitation coverage in India persist despite improvements:
⇒ Although sanitation coverage reached 100% by 2019, only 85% of rural Indians utilize safe and hygienic toilets, revealing a gap in actual usage.
⇒ Malfunctioning facilities, unhygienic conditions, and full pits or collapsing superstructures impede toilet usage.
⇒ Due to inadequate water access.E.g:Gujarat’s Dahod district,
⇒ Cultural norms and behaviours influence toilet usage, with some households employing toilets for purposes other than defecation.
⇒ Overcrowding and limited facilities pose challenges to toilet usage in larger households.
Way forward:
⇒ Enhance the effectiveness of sanitation initiatives by aligning them with other related programs such as the Jal Jeevan Mission.
⇒ Emphasize the transformation of cultural and social norms to boost actual toilet usage.
⇒ Guarantee functional and hygienic toilets, resolving concerns such as collapsing structures and full pits.
Context: All Internet services had been shut down in the wake of the death of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Recent Restrictions imposed by the government
⇒ Internet shutdowns in Jammu and Kashmir: According to an Internet shutdown tracker, the government of J&K suspended Internet services on five other separate occasions. The suspension orders for these instances have still not been uploaded on the government’s websites
⇒ Internet shutdowns in Haryana: Internet was shut down in five different districts following farmers’ protests
Supreme court judgement:
⇒ In the case of Anuradha Bhasin vs. Union of India 2020, the Supreme Court held that the right to access information through the Internet is a fundamental right under Article 19.
⇒ The court emphasized that any government-imposed restrictions on Internet access must be temporary, confined in scope, lawful, necessary, and proportionate and orders from the government limiting Internet access are open to judicial review.
Issues with internet shutdown:
⇒ Non-publication of orders prevents an aggrieved person from approaching a court of law to challenge the legality of an order when the order itself is not available.
⇒ Statutory recognition has been lacking as the Union Government has not sufficiently granted legal recognition to the directives outlined in the Anuradha Bhasin case.
o In 2020, amendments were made to the Telecom Suspension Rules, 2017, restricting Internet suspension orders to a maximum of 15 days.
o However, this amendment failed to incorporate an obligation on the Government to publish such orders, nor did it encompass the Supreme Court's directive for the periodic review of these orders.
Impact of internet shutdown:
⇒ Indian economy suffered losses to the tune of $2.8 billion due to 129 separate instances of Internet suspension, which affected 10.3 million individuals.
⇒ The social-economic-psychological harm from the ban far outweighs its benefits.
⇒ Affect the free flow of information is in fact vital to check and curb any rumours and curtails Freedom of expression.
⇒ Erode public trust: Restrictions without publicly disclosed reasons create a trust deficit.
⇒ Impact marginalised section as internet has become essential for access to government welfare schemes.
Way forward:
⇒ Publications of order of every internet shutdown.
⇒ Government should provide a justification for intermittently disrupting internet services.
⇒ Government should provide clear parameters to delineate the criteria for defining a public emergency and ensuring public safety.
Which of the following statement is correct regarding the appointment of DGP:
1. Only police officers with at least six months of service left before retirement will be considered for appointment as the Director General of Police of a State.
2. UPSC will not assess those IPS Officer who are on central deputation for the appointment of DGP.
3. The number of shortlisted officers for the appointment of DGP cannot exceed three, but may consist of less than three officers.
Which of the following is correct with regard to the word "Pusine judges"
1. The word has a french origin.
2. It is used in common law countries to refer to judges who are ranked lower in seniority to the Chief Justice.
Context: The Bills Like Bhartiya sakshya bill, Bhartiya Nagrik suraksha sanhita and Bhartiya Nyaya sanhita bill seek to move towards a reformative justice system by providing for community service instead of imprisonment. However, they mostly retain the current punitive character of the criminal justice system.
REFORMATIVE THEORY OF PUNISHMNET
“Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future”. This phrase saod by Justice Krishna Iyer in Mohd Giasuddin vs state of AP, beautifully summarizes the reformative theory of punishment .
✅The reformative or the restorative theory of punishment emphasizes on reformation of the offenders through the method of individualism.
✅According to this theory, the judge, while awarding punishment, must take into account various social factors surrounding the offender.
✅These factors include inter alia the age of the offender, the character of the offender, the crime committed, and the circumstances under which the crime was committed. The aim of this theory is rehabilitation of the offender as a law-abiding member of the society. Thus, punishment is not regarded as an end but only as a means to the end.
METHOD OF ACHIEVING REFORMATION
1. PAROLE AND PROBATION
2. EDUCATION
3. THERAPY AND TRAINING
Parole serves the following three purposes-
1. It serves as a motivation for the offenders to mend their ways and be released early.
2. It ensures that the family relations of the offender remain intact.
3. It assists the offender to assimilate into the society and adapt to its folds.
Parole is governed by Prison Act, 1894 and Prisoner Act, 1900. However, each State has its own guidelines which govern the grant of parole.
Probation
Probation means allowing a prisoner of some minor offence to go at large during good behavior. The person released is placed under the supervision or guardianship of a probation officer. The duty of such probation officer is to supervise the probationers assigned to him and to help him secure employment and to help him reform.
In India, Probation is governed by the Probation of offenders act 1958. This Act provides for the release of first-time offenders who have committed such offenses which are punishable with imprisonment of less than 2 years
Context: To tackle malnutrition effectively, government programmes to fortify staples should be supplemented with initiatives on balanced diets.
What is malnutrition?
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. It includes ‘undernutrition’ which includes stunting (low height for age), wasting (low weight for height), underweight (low weight for age) and the other is ‘overweight’ obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer).
Status of malnutrition in India:
⇒ India ranked 111/125 countries with a composite score of 28.7, indicating a serious level of hunger. (#Global Hunger Index 2023)
⇒ Child stunting: 35.5% (#NFHS 5, 2019-2021)
⇒ Undernourishment: 16.6% (#State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report 2023)
⇒ Child wasting: 18.7% (#NFHS 5, 2019-2021)
⇒ Anaemia in women between the ages of 15-24 stood at 58.1 %.
Government programmes:
⇒ Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB): To accelerate the annual rate of decline of anemia from one to three percentage points.
⇒ PM Poshan Shakti Nirman: To better the nutritional standing of school-age children nationwide.
⇒ Poshan Abhiyaan: To improve nutritional outcomes in the country in a phased manner, by adopting a synergized and result oriented approach.
⇒ National Food Security Act (NFSA, 2013): also known as Right to Food Act, to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of the country's population.
Challenges in tackling malnutrition:
⇒ Shifting dietary patterns: from seasonal and varied foods to processed and sugar-laden alternatives, which are calorically dense but nutritionally deficient.
⇒ Socio-economic inequalities & poverty: results in unequal access to nutritious food.
⇒ Poor implementation of policies: Inconsistent or ineffective implementation of nutrition-related policies at various levels can impede progress.
⇒ Lack of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene): Inadequate access contributes to the spread of diseases that compromise nutritional health.
⇒ Lack of nutritional education: can lead to unhealthy dietary practices.
Way Forward:
⇒ Enhancing the financial allocations towards startups working in the field of food systems.
⇒ Government should embrace an outcome-centric strategy, prioritizing the attainment of specific results over mere activity implementation.
⇒ Direct involvement with nutritionally vulnerable groups through crucial nutrition services and interventions.
⇒ Focus on capacity building of ground level workers like ANMs, ASHAs etc.
Consider the following statements with respect to PM CARES Fund:-
1. It has been set up under Societies registration act.
2. Donation under the fund gives 80% exemption under Income Tax act 1961.
3. Minister of Defence is the ex officio trustee.
Context: The State Bank of India's recent report highlights a substantial decrease in income inequality in India over the last decade.
Findings of SBI’s Report on Reduction in Inequality:
⇒ Gini coefficient, a standard measure of inequality that ranges from 0, indicating perfect equality, to 1.
⇒ Decline in the Gini coefficient from 0.472 in 2014-15 to 0.402 in 2022-23, marking a nearly 15% reduction in income inequality.
⇒ The share of top earners with incomes exceeding Rs 10 crores and Rs 100 crores has decreased from 2013-14 to 2020-21.
⇒ More than 36% of individuals originally in the lowest income bracket in FY14 have transitioned to higher income levels. It led to a notable 21% increase in their earnings from FY14 to FY21.
⇒ The report indicates rising female labour force participation primarily in low-paid, part-time self-employed work, contributes to increased income gaps among the self-employed.
⇒ The 90/10 ratio, measuring income gap between the top and bottom 10%, increased from 6.7 to 6.9. The 90/10 ratio significantly rose for self-employed individuals, with the income of the top 10% being 8.3 times that of the bottom 10%.
/channel/saurabhPolity/8929
Answer: 1 and 3 only
⇒ The origin of Parliamentary privileges in India can be traced as far back as 1833 when a fourth member was added to the governor-general's council.
⇒ 44th Amendment Act allowed the media to publish the true reports of the parliamentary proceedings except the same related to the house's secret sitting.
⇒ Parliamentarians can use these privileges against the judges too. Members of Parliament are exempted from any legal action for any statement made or act done in the course of their duties. For example, a defamation suit cannot be filed for a statement made in the House.
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Answer: 1 and 2 only
⇒ As per Section 33(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, one candidate can contest from a maximum of two constituencies. More constituencies were allowed until 1996 when the RPA was amended to set the cap at two constituencies.
⇒ Returning Officer could not reject nomination papers on the ground that candidate information was false.
⇒ Election commission can disqualify a person , failing to lodge account of election expenses. Election Commission can disqualify a candidate for a period of three years for failure to lodge an account of election expenses within time and manner required by law provided the candidate has no good reason or justification for such failure.
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Answer: Both 1 and 2
⇒ The National Green Hydrogen Mission, implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy from FY 2023–24 to FY 2029–30, aims to establish India as a global hub for the production, usage, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
⇒ The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme, a subcomponent of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, seeks to enhance domestic electrolyzer manufacturing and green hydrogen production.
⇒ The Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership (SHIP), also a subcomponent of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, operates as a Public-Private Partnership framework, incorporating dedicated R&D funds with inputs from both the industry and the government.
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Answer: A
⇒ Global report on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) 2023 released by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
⇒ Neglected tropical diseases are a diverse group of conditions caused by a variety of pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins) and associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences.
⇒ NTDs are mainly prevalent among impoverished communities in tropical areas, although some have a much larger geographical distribution.
⇒ It is estimated that NTDs affect more than 1 billion people, while the number of people requiring NTD interventions (both preventive and curative) is 1.6 billion.
⇒ NTDs include: Buruli ulcer; Chagas disease; dengue and chikungunya; foodborne trematodiases; human African trypanosomiasis; leishmaniasis; leprosy; lymphatic filariasis etc.
Context: The India Government has cancelled the license of Centre for Policy Research (CPR). The move, justified by equating CPR's publications with prohibited activities, reflects a troubling pattern of using FCRA as a tool to stifle dissenting voices in civil society.
What is Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)?
⇒ It oversees foreign donations to prevent adverse impacts on internal security. Enacted during the 1976 Emergency due to concerns about foreign interference.
⇒ It is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations. It is mandatory for all such NGOs to register themselves under the FCRA.
Need / Purpose of FCRA:
⇒ It oversees and controls foreign donations, aiming to safeguard internal security.
⇒ Ensuring operations of individuals and associations aligned with the principles of a sovereign democratic republic.
⇒ To bring transparency and accountability in the utilization of foreign contributions.
⇒ To prevent any undue influence on the political process in the country.
FCRA (Amendment) Rules, 2020:
⇒ Public servants were included in the list of ‘persons’ who are prohibited to accept any foreign contribution.
⇒ The applicant must provide the Aadhaar number of all its office bearers, directors, or key functionaries, as an identification document.
⇒ In the case of a foreigner, they must provide a copy of the passport or the Overseas Citizen of India card for identification.
⇒ Impose a blanket ban on the transfer of foreign contribution to any other person.
⇒ Only 20% of the foreign contributions could be used for administrative expenses instead of 50%.
⇒ It restricts the receipt of funds only in an account designated by the bank as an “FCRA account” in such branch of the State Bank of India, New Delhi, as notified by the Central Government and no other funds can be received or deposited in this account.
⇒ It provided that foreign contributions received by an organization cannot be transferred to any other person or organization unless that person or organization is also registered to accept foreign contributions.
Suspension / cancellation of registration under FCRA:
⇒ The government retains the authority to revoke FCRA registration for any NGO found violating the Act. Reasons for cancellation include the Central Government deeming it necessary for public interest.
⇒ An NGO, once deregistered, is ineligible for re-registration for a three-year period.
Concerns associated with FCRA:
⇒ NGOs working on critical issues may face challenges in expressing dissent or advocating for sensitive causes.
⇒ The fear of license suspension or cancellation creates a chilling effect on NGOs, lead to self-censorship, where organizations may avoid engaging in activities that could attract government scrutiny, even if those activities are within legal bounds.
⇒ Strict rules may impede efforts to address and rectify human rights violations, hindering progress in this critical area.
⇒ Government targeting of NGOs addressing environmental, civil liberties, and human rights issues indicates an effort to stifle voices on delicate subjects.
⇒ Impacting India’s democratic image and standing in global freedom and democracy indices.
Way Forward:
⇒ A separate law for voluntary agencies engaged in activities of charitable or public good nature to enable more effective and efficient regulation of the sector. (Vijay Kumar committee).
⇒ Details of NGOs should be available as searchable database information (Vijay Kumar committee).
⇒ The government should allow them grace periods for filing necessary documents instead of abruptly canceling registrations for non-compliance.
⇒ Establishment of NGO coordination centers for better and effective collaboration.