Context

• In his recent Independence Day address, the Prime Minister expressed India’s ambitious dream to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
• This announcement marks a significant moment in the nation's sporting history, as India has never hosted the Olympics before and has historically underperformed in the global athletic arena.
• Whether India can successfully secure its Olympic bid will depend on building consensus both within the country and on the global stage.

The Challenges of Hosting the Olympics

• Infrastructure Requirements
  • The most immediate challenge lies in developing and upgrading the infrastructure necessary to host an event of this magnitude.
  • This includes constructing or refurbishing sports venues, ensuring they meet Olympic standards.
  • The facilities must be capable of hosting diverse events, from athletics to aquatics, and should be adaptable to the specific needs of each sport.
  • Additionally, the infrastructure must include accommodation for athletes, media, and tourists, which often means building an Olympic Village and enhancing local hospitality capacities.
• Financial Investment
  • The financial burden of hosting the Olympics is immense.
  • The costs associated with constructing new facilities, upgrading existing ones, and ensuring the city is prepared to host millions of visitors can run into billions of dollars.
  • For example, the budget for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was initially estimated at $7.3 billion but ballooned to over $15 billion due to various unforeseen challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The economic impact, while potentially beneficial in terms of tourism and global visibility, is often uncertain, with many host cities struggling to recoup their investments.
• Logistical and Operational Complexities
  • The logistics of hosting the Olympics involve coordinating thousands of moving parts.
  • This includes scheduling and managing events, ensuring the timely arrival and departure of athletes and officials, and coordinating with international sports federations and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
  • The complexity of these tasks cannot be understated, as any mismanagement can lead to disruptions, delays, or even cancellations, which can tarnish the reputation of the host city and country.
• Cultural and Social Integration
  • Culturally, hosting the Olympics requires the host city to present itself on a global stage, showcasing its heritage, values, and identity. This is both an opportunity and a challenge.
  • The host city must strike a balance between promoting its own culture and ensuring that the Games remain a celebration of global diversity.
  • This involves careful planning of opening and closing ceremonies, cultural events, and ensuring that the city is welcoming and accessible to people from all backgrounds.
• Global Expectations and Diplomatic Relations
  • Finally, the Olympics are not just a sporting event; they are a diplomatic opportunity.
  • The host city and country are placed under the global spotlight, and the success of the Games can influence international perceptions and relations.
  • This adds another layer of pressure, as any failure or controversy can have diplomatic repercussions.
  • The host city must navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, ensuring that the Games remain apolitical and that all nations feel equally welcomed and respected.

India’s Journey Towards Olympic Ambition

• India’s journey towards realising its Olympic ambitions began in earnest after hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, which was a significant achievement for the country.
• The Indian government took steps to reform sports associations through the National Sports Development Code (Sports Code) and launched the Khelo India Scheme in 2017, aimed at improving the sports ecosystem from the grassroots level.
• The scheme focuses on upgrading sports infrastructure, developing talent, and promoting sports and sports academies across the country.
• One of the key initiatives under this scheme is the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification programme, which identifies and nurtures talented athletes between the ages of nine and 18 years.
• At the Paris Olympics in 2024, 28 Indian athletes who participated were Khelo India athletes, showcasing the success of these initiatives.

How Can India Successfully Bid for 2036 Olympics

• Leveraging State Infrastructure
  • In India, sports are a state subject, with individual states responsible for the development and maintenance of sports infrastructure.
  • Tamil Nadu, for example, has emerged as a leader in this regard, recently announcing the establishment of a Global Sports City on the outskirts of Chennai.
  • This facility is expected to include international-standard sports infrastructure, such as a multipurpose stadium, football grounds, athletic tracks, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and other amenities.
  • Tamil Nadu has also made significant strides in beach sports, hosting international beach volleyball and sailing tournaments in Chennai.
• India’s Great Potential for Cost-Efficient and Eco-Friendly Olympic Bid
  • The cost of hosting the Olympics is often a major concern for host countries, particularly in terms of building new sports infrastructure.
  • However, India can potentially reduce these costs by capitalising on existing venues and facilities, as Paris did for the 2024 Games.
  • According to the Indian government, Tamil Nadu already has nearly 390 Olympic-standard infrastructure facilities, while Delhi has 161 and Odisha has 153.
  • These states have hosted major sporting events in the past, such as the South Asian Federation Games, Khelo India Youth Games, and the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup, which have helped to develop world-class sports facilities.
  • By leveraging the existing infrastructure in these states, India can advance a cost-efficient and eco-friendly bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

Way Forward

• Building a National Consensus for the Olympic Bid
  • India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics will require a collaborative and cooperative approach among various stakeholders, including state governments, sports associations, and the central government.
  • It is essential that the leadership for this effort comes from the highest levels of the Union government.
  • A multi-stakeholder, representative committee should be formed to plan India’s bid, ensuring that the proposal put forward is in line with the criteria set by the FHC.
• Present a Compelling Case Before International Olympic Committee (IOC)
  • India should highlight its existing sports infrastructure, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Odisha, which already have facilities that meet Olympic standards.
  • Sustainability is a significant concern for the IOC, and India must show how it plans to host an eco-friendly Olympics.
  • This could include the use of renewable energy sources, sustainable construction practices, and innovative waste management systems.
  • Moreover, India must present its recent achievements in sports as evidence of its growing prowess on the global stage.
  • The success of the Khelo India program and the rising number of Indian athletes excelling internationally can be used to demonstrate the country’s commitment to nurturing sports from the grassroots level.

Conclusion

• India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympic Games is a bold and audacious vision that reflects the country’s growing confidence and ambition on the global stage.
• While the challenges of hosting such a prestigious event are immense, India has made significant strides in improving its sports infrastructure and developing its athletic talent.
• The success of India’s Olympic bid will depend on building a national consensus, leveraging existing infrastructure, and presenting a compelling case to the IOC.

Why in the News?

• Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said that it has been proven now that chemicals present in fertilizers are the source of several health ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid and even cancer.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Organic Farming in India (Significance, Benefits, Key Initiatives, Challenges, etc.)
• News Summary

Organic Farming in India:

• Organic farming is an agricultural practice that relies on natural processes and inputs to cultivate crops and rear livestock, avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and growth regulators.
• It emphasizes sustainability, environmental health, and the conservation of biodiversity.

Benefits of Organic Farming:

• Enhanced Soil Fertility:
  • Use of compost, green manure, and crop rotation improves soil structure and fertility over time.
• Pest and Disease Control:
  • Natural pest predators and organic pesticides help manage pests without harming beneficial insects or the environment.
• Water Conservation:
  • Organic farming practices promote better water retention in soil, reducing the need for irrigation.
• Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
  • Lower use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides results in reduced carbon and nitrous oxide emissions.
• Improved Farmer Livelihoods:
  • Access to premium markets and reduced input costs can lead to better income stability for farmers.
• Health Benefits:
  • Produces food free from harmful chemical residues, ensuring safer and healthier consumption.
  • Enhances nutritional quality of produce, often resulting in higher levels of vitamins and minerals.
• Economic Advantages:
  • Opens up premium markets for organic products, potentially increasing farmers' income.
  • Reduces dependency on expensive chemical inputs, lowering production costs in the long run.

Government Initiatives & Policies:

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):
  • Launched in 2015, PKVY is a flagship program aimed at promoting organic farming in clusters to ensure uniformity and quality.
  • The scheme encourages farmers to adopt traditional agricultural practices, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER):
  • Launched in 2015, this scheme focuses on the organic agriculture potential of the North Eastern region, aiming to make it a hub for organic produce.
• Jaivik Kheti Portal:
  • Launched in 2018, the portal is a dedicated online platform to facilitate organic farming practices and marketing.
• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):
  • Launched in 2001, NPOP aims at establishing standards for organic products, certifying organic products, and promoting their export.
• Organic Certification:
  • Participatory Guarantee System (PGS): A locally-focused quality assurance system for organic products, which is farmer-friendly and less costly.
  • National Certification System for Organic Products (NCSOP): A more formal certification system to ensure that products labelled as organic meet the required standards.

Challenges Faced:

• Certification Costs:
  • High costs and complex procedures for organic certification deter many small and marginal farmers from adopting organic practices.
• Lack of Awareness and Training:
  • Limited knowledge about organic farming techniques and benefits hampers widespread adoption.
• Market Access:
  • Insufficient infrastructure and limited market linkages restrict the ability of organic farmers to sell their produce at premium prices.
• Supply Chain Issues:
  • Inadequate storage and transportation facilities can lead to post-harvest losses, affecting the profitability of organic farming.
• Transition Period:
  • Farmers need to undergo a transition period (typically two to three years) to convert from conventional to organic farming, during which they may experience reduced yields without immediate financial returns.

News Summary:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers, linking them to serious health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and cancer.
• He emphasized the importance of organic farming for the health of India's population and stressed the role of cooperatives in making India a global leader in organic food production.
• During the signing of an MoU between the National Co-operative Organics Limited (NCOL) and the Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board, Shah pointed out the global demand for organic products and how tapping into this market could significantly increase farmers' income.
• He also mentioned that organic farming enhances soil health, increases groundwater levels, and improves crop production.
• To ensure the quality of organic products, the government established NCOL, which, in collaboration with Amul, will set up international-level laboratories across India to test organic products and land.
• These efforts aim to provide consumers with reliable organic products under the "Bharat" and "Amul" brands, with profits directly benefiting the farmers.

Why in News?

The first official gauge of the economy’s performance so far in 2024-25 has been recently released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Highlights of the RBI’s Report
• Bright Spots in India’s Economy’s Performance
• Indian Economy’s Challenges and Way Ahead

Highlights of the RBI’s Report:

• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth:
  • 
  • Earlier this month, the RBI reduced its Q1 GDP forecast from 7.2% to 7.1%.
  • The RBI anticipates 7.2% GDP growth through 2024–2025 after last year's 8.2% surge.
• Growth in the Gross Value Added (GVA):
  • For the first time in a year, growth in the real GVA in the economy outperformed GDP growth, with a 6.8% uptick in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024-25.
  • This GVA growth in Q1 has been driven by significant growth in the Secondary Sector (8.4%), comprising construction, utility services (such as electricity, gas, water supply) and manufacturing sectors.
• Employment generation:
  • India provisionally created 46.7 million jobs in the financial year ended March 2024, taking the country's total employment to 643.3 million.
  • The country's employment growth rate stood at 6% in that fiscal year, versus 3.2% in the previous fiscal year.
• Bank credit growth:
  • Credit to agriculture and allied activities remained robust, registering a growth of 18.1% at Rs 21.55 lakh crore in July 2024, compared with 16.7% a year ago.
  • Credit growth to industry strengthened significantly at 10.2% to Rs 37.05 lakh crore in July 2024 compared with 4.6% in July 2023.
  • Credit growth to services sector moderated to 15.4% in July 2024 from 19.7% a year ago, primarily driven down by relatively lower credit growth in non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and trade segments.

Bright Spots in India’s Economy’s Performance:

• Normal monsoon: It will boost farm sector output and ease inflation, which could lift the weak rural demand and private consumption.
• Private investment: Increased demand would lessen the need for government expenditure to support growth by encouraging private firms to invest in new capacities.

Indian Economy’s Challenges and Way Ahead:

• The prolonged general election has severely hindered public capital expenditure, and the government will have to work even harder to reach its spending targets.
• The policymakers need to urgently pursue meaningful reforms across all aspects of the economy, and improve the efficiency of its institutions and the judiciary.
• This is critical to lift its growth potential and fulfill hopes of creating gainful employment for its young, fast enough for India’s demographics to yield a dividend.

Why in news?

PM Modi addressed the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

GFF is jointly organized by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India and the Fintech Convergence Council. It aims to showcase India’s strides in Fintech and bring together key stakeholders of the sector.

What’s in today’s article?

• Fintech
• Key highlights of speech delivered by PM Modi at GFF 2024

Fintech

• About
  • Fintech, or financial technology, refers to the use of technology to deliver financial services in a more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly way.
  • It encompasses a broad range of innovations that aim to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services, often through digital platforms.
• Applications
  • Digital Payments
    • Platforms that allow people to make payments, transfer money, and conduct financial transactions online or through mobile devices (e.g., UPI, Google Pay).
  • Lending and Borrowing
    • Online platforms that offer loans to individuals or businesses, often using data-driven algorithms to assess creditworthiness (e.g., peer-to-peer lending, digital loan apps).
  • Wealthtech
    • Platforms and tools for investment management and financial planning, including robo-advisors, online brokerage services, and digital asset management.
  • Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
    • Technologies that facilitate secure, decentralized financial transactions, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and blockchain-based financial services.
  • Regtech
    • Technologies that help financial institutions comply with regulations in an efficient and cost-effective manner, often using AI and big data.
  • Neobanking
    • Digital-only banks that offer banking services without physical branches, often through mobile apps or online platforms.
• Benefits
  • Financial Inclusion
    • Through digital platforms, fintech companies have brought banking and financial services to the underserved and unbanked populations, especially in rural and remote areas.
    • Mobile banking, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms have empowered millions of people, enabling them to participate in the formal economy, save money, access credit, and invest.
  • Job Creation and Economic Growth
    • The fintech sector has become a major driver of job creation in India, offering opportunities in technology, finance, marketing, and customer service.
    • As fintech companies grow, they contribute to the economy by generating employment and stimulating demand for various ancillary services.
    • Additionally, by streamlining financial processes and reducing transaction costs, fintech has improved business efficiency.
    • It supported the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), further boosting economic development.
  • Digital Payments Revolution
    • India’s fintech revolution is perhaps best exemplified by the widespread adoption of digital payments.
    • It has increased transparency, reduced corruption, and made financial transactions more secure and efficient.
  • Impact on Urban and Rural Divide
    • Fintech has helped bridge the urban-rural divide by providing equal access to financial services regardless of geographic location.
    • Through mobile technology, people in rural areas can access the same financial tools and resources as those in urban centers, thereby promoting economic equity and reducing regional disparities.
• Concerns
  • Fintech Companies and Money Laundering Concerns
    • A Parliamentary Committee highlighted that fintech companies were being exploited by scamsters for money laundering purposes.
    • An example cited was the Abu Dhabi-based app called Pyppl, which was reportedly administered by Chinese investment scamsters.
    • This situation posed challenges for Indian law enforcement agencies in tracking the flow of illicit funds gathered through scams on the platform.
  • Fraud Trends and Ratio
    • Despite an increase in the volume of transactions over the past five years, the ratio of fraudulent transactions to total transactions has remained relatively low.
  • Impact on UPI Users
    • The percentage of UPI users affected by frauds stood at 0.0189%.
    • Despite concerns about fintech platforms being used for illegal activities, the overall impact on users remained relatively low compared to the total volume of transactions.

Key highlights of speech delivered by PM Modi at GFF 2024

• India's Fintech Revolution
  • Global Recognition: Modi emphasized how India’s fintech diversity is now as impressive as its cultural diversity to foreign visitors.
  • Investment and Growth: The sector has seen over $31 billion in investments in the last decade and a 500% growth in startups.
  • Infrastructure Development: The increase in broadband users from 60 million to 940 million and the widespread adoption of Aadhaar and Jan Dhan accounts have been key drivers of this revolution.
• Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile Trinity
  • Digital Transactions: The combination of Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar, and mobile technology has facilitated half of the world’s digital transactions in India.
  • Impact of UPI: India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized 24/7 banking, even in rural areas.
• Financial Empowerment
  • Women Empowerment: Modi highlighted the role of Jan Dhan Yojana in empowering women, with over 29 crore bank accounts for women and significant benefits for rural women through self-help groups.
  • Mudra Yojana: The scheme has disbursed Rs 27 trillion, benefiting 70% women, demonstrating the role of fintech in financial inclusion.
• Transparency and Governance
  • Curbing Parallel Economy: Fintech has introduced transparency in financial transactions, particularly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in government schemes, reducing leakages.
• Social Impact of Fintech
  • Urban-Rural Gap Bridging: Fintech has transformed access to financial services, enabling farmers, fishermen, and middle-class families to manage their finances through mobile phones.
  • Democratization of Financial Services: Fintech has made credit, investments, and insurance more accessible, benefiting even small vendors through schemes like PM SVANidhi.
• Advancements in Digital Banking
  • Neobanking and Digital Only Banks: Modi discussed modern concepts like neobanking and the shift from currency to QR codes, highlighting innovations such as Digital Twins technology and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
  • Account Aggregators and e-RUPI: These tools are improving financial management for small businesses and are applicable globally.
• Cybersecurity and Regulation
  • Policy Support: The government is facilitating fintech growth by removing Angel Tax, investing in research, and implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.
  • Cyber Fraud: Modi emphasized the importance of digital literacy and robust regulatory measures to combat cyber fraud.
• Sustainable Economic Growth
  • Green Finance: The government prioritizes sustainable growth, focusing on green finance and financial inclusion to strengthen markets with advanced technologies.
• Future Outlook
  • Modi expressed confidence in the future of India’s fintech ecosystem, predicting it will significantly enhance the quality of life globally and committed to participating in the 10th edition of GFF.

Why in news?

The Tamil Nadu government has announced that the collected works of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi would be "nationalised" — making them freely available for the public to publish, translate and adapt.

What’s in today’s article?

• Key features of Copyright Act, 1957
• Copyright laws and Nationalisation of copyright
• Case of Ambedkar's works

Key features of Copyright Act, 1957

• Background – about Copyright
  • Copyright is an intellectual property right that protects the expression of original works such as literature, music, art, films, and sound recordings under Indian law, specifically Section 13 of the Copyright Act, 1957.
  • Rather than safeguarding ideas themselves, copyright law protects the specific manifestation of those ideas, like books or computer programs.
  • Under Section 14 of the Act, copyright grants a set of exclusive rights to the owner, including the rights to adapt, reproduce, publish, translate, and communicate the work to the public.
  • These rights can only be exercised by the copyright owner or someone authorized by them.
  • While copyright registration records the work in the Copyright Register, it does not create the rights themselves.
• Key features
  • Exclusive Rights
    • The Act grants creators of original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, translate, and adapt their works.
  • Duration of Protection
    • Copyright protection lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 60 years after their death. (literary, dramatic, musical, or artistic works)
    • For works like photographs, sound recordings, and films, the duration is 60 years from the year of publication.
  • Assignment of Rights
    • Section 18 of the Act allows the copyright owner to assign their rights, either wholly or partially, to another party in exchange for compensation.
    • This allows the owner to transfer rights for a specific period, territory, or purpose.
  • Public Domain
    • After the copyright term expires, the work enters the public domain, making it freely available for use without the need for permission.
  • Moral Rights
    • The Act also recognizes the author's moral rights, which include the right to claim authorship of the work and the right to object to any distortion, mutilation, or modification of the work that could harm the author's reputation.
  • Infringement and Remedies
    • The Act provides remedies for copyright infringement, including civil remedies like injunctions and damages, as well as criminal penalties like fines and imprisonment for serious violations.
  • Fair Use Doctrine
    • Certain uses of copyrighted material, such as for criticism, review, research, or education, are considered "fair use" and do not require permission from the copyright owner.
  • Compulsory Licensing
    • In certain cases, the Act allows for compulsory licensing, where the government can permit the use of a copyrighted work without the owner's consent, typically for public interest purposes.

Copyright laws and Nationalisation of copyright

• Copyright laws
  • Under the Copyright Act, 1957, an author is granted several legal rights, including the ability to reproduce, issue copies, perform, adapt, or translate their work.
    • After the author's death, these rights are passed on to their legal heirs.
• Nationalisation of copyright in Tamilnadu
  • In 2001, the Tamil Nadu government created the Tamil Virtual Academy (TVA) to offer online education in the Tamil language.
  • The TVA works with the legal heirs of original copyright owners to transfer the rights of specific works to the government.
  • These nationalized works are then placed in the public domain and made available on the TVA's free commons website, allowing anyone to copy, modify, distribute, and use the works for commercial purposes without needing permission.
  • To date, the Tamil Nadu government has nationalized the works of 179 Tamil scholars and paid a total of Rs 14.42 crore in royalties to their legal heirs.

Case of Ambedkar's works

• Prakash Ambedkar, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's grandson, granted the copyright for Dr. Ambedkar's works to the Maharashtra government in the 1960s.
• The state government then established a committee in 1976, which published the first volume of Dr. Ambedkar's works in 1979 as part of a 22-volume series.
• In 2016, Prakash Ambedkar transferred the copyright to the Nagpur-based Symbiosis Centre, which now holds the rights to most of Dr. Ambedkar's works and manages their translation and digitization.
• These works are available both in print and online. The Maharashtra government retains rights to a few books, which are distributed through specific institutions in Pune.
• In 2018, the Maharashtra government requested the removal of Dr. Ambedkar's works from the Centre, triggering the grant of copyright.

Context

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is lauded as one of the most credible institutions in independent India due to its consistent record of conducting free, fair, and timely elections to the Parliament and State legislatures.
• However, the focus on the ECI often overshadows the critical role of State Election Commissions (SECs), which are equally vital to the democratic framework, especially at the grassroots level.
• Unfortunately, these 34 SECs across the country require urgent attention and strengthening to fulfil their constitutional mandate effectively.

The Systemic Disempowerment of State Election Commissions (SECs)

• A Significant Challenge
  • The systemic disempowerment of SECs represents a significant challenge to the effective functioning of India’s democratic system, particularly at the grassroots level.
  • SECs were established under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution, introduced through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1993.
  • These amendments were pivotal in decentralising governance, granting local bodies the autonomy to govern effectively and bringing democracy closer to the people.
  • SECs were vested with the critical responsibility of overseeing the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to panchayats and urban local governments (ULGs).
  • However, despite the constitutional mandate, the reality has been starkly different, with SECs increasingly finding themselves powerless and undermined by state governments.
• Legal and Institutional Constraints
  • One of the most glaring manifestations of this disempowerment is the frequent legal and institutional conflicts between SECs and state governments.
  • These conflicts often stem from the reluctance of state governments to relinquish control over local elections, thereby undermining the autonomy of SECs.
  • For instance, in Karnataka, the SEC was compelled to file a contempt petition against the state government for failing to comply with a High Court order.
  • The court had directed the Karnataka government to proceed with the delimitation of panchayat raj institutions and conduct overdue elections.
  • The elections had already been delayed by over three and a half years, significantly undermining local governance.
  • Despite a commitment to publish the delimitation and reservation details within two weeks, the state government defaulted on its promise, prompting the SEC to seek judicial intervention.

Impact of Disempowerment of SECs

• Weakened Local Governance
  • When SECs are unable to conduct timely and fair elections, the entire system of local governance is weakened.
  • Local governments, which are supposed to be the closest to the people and most responsive to their needs, find themselves paralysed due to the absence of elected representatives.
  • This not only undermines the principles of democracy but also leads to a governance vacuum at the local level.
  • The performance audits conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India provide a stark illustration of this problem.
  • According to the CAG's audits of the implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment across 18 states, a staggering 70% of urban local governments did not have elected councils at the time of the audit.
  • This was largely attributed to delays in conducting elections, which in turn were often caused by the disempowerment of SECs.
• Erosion of Public Trust
  • When elections are delayed or conducted under questionable circumstances, citizens lose confidence in the electoral process and, by extension, in the institutions that are supposed to represent them.
  • This erosion of trust is particularly damaging in a democracy, where the legitimacy of government institutions rests on the consent of the governed, expressed through free and fair elections.
  • The Annual Survey of India’s City Systems (ASICS) conducted by Janaagraha in 2023 highlights the uneven empowerment of SECs across the country.
  • The survey found that only 11 out of 34 states and UTs had empowered their SECs to conduct ward delimitation, a critical function for ensuring fair and representative elections.
  • These states and UTs account for only 35% of India’s population, according to the 2011 Census.
  • This statistic underscores the widespread nature of the problem: in most states, SECs lack the necessary powers to carry out their constitutional mandate effectively.

The Need for Electoral Reforms

• To address these issues, comprehensive electoral reforms are essential to strengthen the third tier of India’s democracy; local governments.
• Regular and fair elections at this level are crucial for meaningful grassroots democracy and effective service delivery.
• The constitutional mandate for local government elections to be held before the expiry of their five-year term must be upheld with the same sanctity as elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• The Supreme Court recognised this in the 2006 case of Kishan Singh Tomar vs Municipal Corporation of the City of Ahmedabad, emphasising the need for SECs to have equivalent powers to conduct local elections.

Necessary Reforms to Empower SECs in Interest of Grassroot Level Democracy

• Empowerment and Independence of SECs
  • SECs must be brought on par with the ECI in terms of transparency and independence.
  • Currently, state governments appoint SECs, leading to potential conflicts of interest and reduced autonomy.
  • A more robust system would involve a three-member SEC appointed by a committee consisting of the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, and the Chief Justice of the High Court.
  • This would enhance the independence and credibility of SECs.
• Fixed Delimitation Intervals
  • The delimitation of ward boundaries and reservations of seats should occur at fixed intervals, such as every 10 years.
  • This would prevent arbitrary actions by state governments that can lead to undue delays in local elections.
  • A standardised process would ensure fairness and consistency in the electoral process.
• Vesting Powers in SECs
  • The powers of ward delimitation and reservation of seats should be vested exclusively in the SECs.
  • Additionally, SECs should be responsible for determining the reservations for the positions of mayors, presidents, and deputy mayors of local governments.
  • Currently, delays in publishing reservation rosters by state governments cause significant delays in elections to these positions, which undermines the democratic process.
• Addressing Malpractices
  • Malpractices by presiding officers appointed by state governments have been reported, as seen in the 2024 election of the Mayor in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Council.
  • To prevent such issues, SECs should be entrusted with the responsibility of conducting elections for mayors, presidents, chairpersons, and standing committees, ensuring that these processes are free from undue influence.

Conclusion

• The challenges faced by SECs are symptomatic of a broader issue within India’s democratic framework, where the decentralization intended by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments has not fully materialized.
• Strengthening SECs is not just a matter of administrative reform; it is essential for preserving the integrity of India’s democracy at the grassroots level.
• Empowering SECs with greater autonomy, transparency, and the necessary authority will ensure that local governments can function effectively, thereby enhancing citizen trust in these vital institutions.

Why in news?

India has got its second nuclear submarine with the commissioning of INS Arighaat into the Navy. INS Arighaat will join its predecessor INS Arihant strengthening the country’s nuclear triad — the ability to fire nuclear missiles from platforms in the air, land and sea.

What’s in today’s article?

• INS Arihant
• 2nd nuclear missile submarine INS Arighaat

INS Arihant

• About
  • INS Arihant, a 6,000-tonne submarine is the lead ship of India's Arihant class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project.
    • Under the Rs 90,000 crore top secret ATV project, India is currently building three more SSBNs to follow INS Arihant.
    • The second such submarine, INS Arighat commissioned recently.
    • The vessel will be followed by two 7,000-tonne SSBNs under the ATV project.
    • There is also plan to build 13,500-tonne SSBNs with more powerful 190MW reactors.
  • It is India's first indigenous nuclear submarine that has been inducted in the Indian Navy.
  • Launched in 2009, INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016.
• Features
  • Power source
    • It is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core with enriched uranium fuel.
  • Builder
    • Shipbuilding Centre (SBC), Visakhapatnam. It’s India’s first indigenously built nuclear submarine.
    • Its design is based on the Russian Akula-1 class submarines and its 83mw pressurised water reactor has been built with significant Russian assistance.
  • SSBN
    • It is a ‘Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear Submarine’ (SSBN).
    • SSBN's are that class of submarines which can go deep beneath the ocean making them virtually undetectable for months, they also carry nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.
  • Armament
    • It is capable of carrying ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.
    • It is armed with the K-15 Sagarika missiles with a range of 750 km.
    • Later, it will also be armed with K-4 missiles, being developed by the DRDO, which are capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 3,500 km.
      • These 'K' series of missiles are named after former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
• Significance
  • Nuclear triad
    • With INS Arihant, India completed its ‘nuclear triad’.
    • i.e., India can launch nuclear missile from all three key defence bastions — land, air and sea.
    • Triad is important because in an enemy strike, even if the other wings are destroyed, the third can launch a retaliatory strike thus providing a guaranteed ‘second strike’ capability to the country.
  • 
  • Stealth capability
    • Due to satellites, other legs of our nuclear triad (missile sites and air-bases) remain exposed to enemy attack.
    • However, being a SSBN, it can stay deep inside the ocean making them virtually undetectable for months.
  • Part of Elite club
    • INS Arihant places India in the league of select group of five Countries — US, Russia, France, UK and China — which can design, construct and operate Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarines.
  • Credible minimum deterrence:
    • While India remains committed to the doctrine of Credible Minimum Deterrence and No First Use,” the success of INS Arihant gives a fitting response to those who indulge in Nuclear Blackmail.
  • Maritime security
    • INS Arihant will strengthen India’s position in the Indian Ocean region where it has to face challenges from Chinese submarines.
  • Boost to defence manufacturing
    • The Arihant is a live manifestation of Government’s Make in India vision.

2nd nuclear missile submarine INS Arighaat

• About the news
  • India got its second nuclear submarine with the commissioning of INS Arighaat into the Navy, a move that will significantly boost the country’s deterrence capability.
  • The discreet commissioning ceremony of the Arihant-class vessel in Visakhapatnam was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• Features
  • The 6,000-tonne nuclear-propelled submarine will be armed with indigenously made K-15 missiles which have a range of over 700 km.
  • Like INS Arihant, it is powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water reactors which allows it to remain submerged for longer periods when compared to conventional submarines.
  • The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance India’s capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background (Context, Merit vs Spoils System)
• Lateral Entry (Purpose, Process, Pros, Cons, Way Forward, etc.)
• Larger Issues in Indian Bureaucracy

Background:

• Recently, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) withdrew an advertisement for lateral recruitment to 45 government posts.
• This decision followed objections raised by political parties and the intervention of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), highlighting concerns about the need for reservation in such recruitments.

Understanding Merit vs. Spoils System:

• Merit System:
• Introduced in 1858, this system ensures appointments to government posts through a rigorous selection process.
• In India, the UPSC conducts exams to select officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central services.
• The aim is to create a neutral bureaucracy that can provide independent advice to the government.
• Spoils System:
• Originating in the U.S., this system allows the ruling party to appoint its supporters to various government positions.
• While this system was largely replaced by the merit system in 1883, it still exists in a limited form, with a small percentage of senior government posts directly appointed by the President.

About Lateral Entry in Civil Services:

• Lateral entry in administration is the appointment of specialists from the private sector in government organisations.
• It was recommended by the NITI Aayog in its Three-year Action Agenda and also the Group of Secretaries (GoS) on Governance had in its report recommended the induction of personnel in the middle and senior management level in the government.
• Objective:
• Lateral entry was introduced to serve the twin purpose of:
• Bringing in domain expertise in the civil services,
• Addressing the problem of shortage of IAS officers at the Centre.
• With lateral entry, the government aims to recruit outstanding individuals, with expertise in revenue, financial services, economic affairs, agriculture, cooperation and farmers’ welfare, road transport and highway, civil aviation, commerce among many other sectors to serve for the benefit of the country.

Process of Lateral Entry Recruitment:

• The selection process for lateral entry into administration is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
• The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) asks the UPSC to conduct the selection process for lateral entry to various positions in government departments and ministries.
• Subsequently, the UPSC invites online applications for lateral recruitment for these positions.
• Once the candidates have submitted their application, the UPSC conducts interviews of the shortlisted candidates and recommends the list of selected candidates to the DoPT.
• The recommended candidates are then appointed by the Government, generally for a period of 3 to 5 years.

Need for Lateral Entry:

• Shortage of officers:
• There is a shortage of 22.48% or 1,510 officers for the IAS cadre, according to the DoPT.
• The IAS and the Indian Police Service (IPS) have a combined shortage of 2,418 officers.
• Domain Expertise:
• Through lateral entry, domain experts can be recruited from the private sector to the central administration.
• This can be helpful in improving efficiency and create a competitive environment in governance delivery.

Pros of Lateral Entry in Civil Services:

• Expertise and Specialization: Lateral entry allows professionals with specialized knowledge and experience from the private sector to contribute to policymaking and implementation, enhancing the quality of governance.
• Innovation and Fresh Perspectives: Individuals from diverse backgrounds bring new ideas, innovative approaches, and fresh perspectives, potentially improving efficiency and effectiveness in public administration.
• Merit-Based Selection: Lateral entry emphasizes merit, skills, and experience over traditional seniority, promoting a performance-oriented culture within the civil services.
• Shortening Learning Curve: Experienced professionals can quickly adapt and contribute without requiring extensive training, which is often needed for career bureaucrats.

Cons of Lateral Entry in Civil Services:

• Cultural and Bureaucratic Resistance: The traditional civil services may resist the inclusion of lateral entrants, potentially leading to friction, lack of cooperation, and integration challenges.
• Lack of Public Sector Experience: Lateral entrants may lack understanding of government procedures, protocols, and the complexities of public administration, affecting their effectiveness.
• Potential for Bias: The selection process for lateral entry could be perceived as biased or politically influenced, raising concerns about transparency and fairness.
• Short-Term Focus: Professionals entering laterally may focus on short-term goals rather than long-term public service commitments, potentially affecting the continuity and sustainability of policies.

Way Forward:

• To address the concerns associated with lateral entry, certain measures can be taken:
  • Higher Scrutiny: Appointments at the secretary level should be carefully monitored to ensure they influence policy decisions positively.
  • Integration with Public Policy: Even at operational levels like Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary, lateral entrants should be in line with public policy objectives.
  • Balancing Merit with Social Justice: Appointments should combine technical competence with considerations for reservation and social justice, as emphasized by political philosopher Michael Sandel.

Larger Issues in Indian Bureaucracy:

• Challenges for Career Bureaucrats: Despite criticisms of red-tapism and inefficiency, career bureaucrats operate in a complex environment bound by numerous rules and political interference.
• Preserving Autonomy: The effectiveness of bureaucrats depends on their autonomy, particularly regarding postings, tenures, and transfers. Strengthening Civil Service Boards at the Centre and State levels, as recommended by the Supreme Court in the T.S.R. Subramanian case (2013), is crucial.

Conclusion:

• While lateral entry brings certain benefits, it should not overshadow the need to address deeper issues within the Indian bureaucracy.
• A balanced approach that includes both career bureaucrats and lateral entrants, with a focus on merit, social justice, and autonomy, is essential for effective governance.

Why in News?

The Indian government, having nearly exhausted the $10 billion subsidy under its ambitious semiconductor manufacturing incentive policy, is planning a second phase with a $15 billion outlay.

This expansion aims to provide capital support for raw materials and gases used in chip manufacturing, while reducing subsidies for assembly and testing plants.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Semiconductor Ambitions
• India's Major Leap into Semiconductor Manufacturing
• The Semiconductor Manufacturing Incentive Policy

India’s Semiconductor Ambitions:

• Background:
  • In today’s world, semiconductors constitute the backbone of modern electronics, indispensably situated at the junction of a wide range of industries.
  • Given their broad applicability, countries across the globe are strategising to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a single supply source of semiconductor chips.
  • This also serves to fortify national security and economic well-being, considering recent geopolitical conflicts.
• Advantages to India: India has 20% of the world’s semiconductor design workforce, a rapidly evolving technology landscape and a thriving domestic market, all of which are conducive in building an indigenous semiconductor ecosystem.
• How to sustain the growing momentum?
  • Pacing up of initiatives:
    • In the last few decades (prior to the current push), India made multiple attempts to join the global semiconductor industry but fell short primarily due to the lack of proactiveness in policy implementation.
    • Drawing lessons from the past, the government can ensure swift execution of policies under its freshly formulated strategy.
  • Inching up the value chain: To establish an end-to-end semiconductor ecosystem, India can consider strategically moving across the industry value chain.
  • Leveraging the talent edge: Estimates say that India will require 1.2 million skilled people in the semiconductor sector by 2032. The clock is ticking, and India must develop its talent ecosystem fast. 

India's Major Leap into Semiconductor Manufacturing:

• The government is aiming for India to be among the top five global destinations (on the lines of the United States, Taiwan and South Korea) for semiconductor manufacturing by 2030.
• Government initiatives, such as the National Electronics Policy or the USD10 billion production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for semiconductor manufacturing, are also boosting India’s chipmaking aspirations.
• India has been luring foreign companies to set up operations in the country. For example,
  • The country has approved a fabrication plant worth $11 billion being set up by Tata Electronics in partnership with Taiwan’s Powerchip.
  • 3 different chip assembly plants are being set up by the Tatas, US-based Micron Technology, and Murugappa Group’s CG Power in partnership with Japan’s Renesas.
• Hence, with the right blend of proactive actions, tech skills, infrastructural acceleration and fiscal investments, India has the potential to achieve this target. 

The Semiconductor Manufacturing Incentive Policy:

• In the first iteration of the incentive policy released in 2021,
  • The Centre had offered a 30% capex subsidy for chip packaging and testing plants.
  • However, the Centre had increased the subsidy for such plants to 50% in 2022.
• The Semiconductor Manufacturing Incentive Policy 2.0:
  • Focus on chip fabrication:
    • India wants to go up (beyond assembly and packaging facilities) the complexity ladder in the semiconductor ecosystem, where nations like Malaysia already have a stronghold.
    • Therefore, the new scheme could see an increased focus on fabrication plants, and more advanced display technologies.
  • Technology transfer costs:
    • Under the new incentive scheme, the government does not want to support technology transfer costs.
    • This implies that companies that collaborate with others to use their technology for chip fabrication may have to pay for it themselves.
  • Capital equipment and ecosystem support:
    • Under the new scheme, the government could also offer capital equipment and ecosystem support such as gases, chemicals, and raw materials needed at assembly and testing plants.
    • It could also look at incentivising fabrication of micro-LED displays.

Why in news?

In the 2024-25 Budget, the Finance Minister emphasized women-led development, highlighting a strong commitment to women's empowerment.

This dedication is evident in the Gender Budget Statement (GBS), which reported that the Gender Budget has reached 1% of GDP estimates for the first time. The overall budget allocations for pro-women programs now exceed ₹3 lakh crore, reflecting a significant investment in initiatives aimed at advancing gender equality.

What’s in today’s article?

• Gender Budget in India
• Gender Budget of 2024-25

Gender Budget in India

• About
  • Gender budgeting is a policy strategy that integrates a gender perspective into the budgetary process.
  • It aims to assess how government spending and resource allocation impact men and women differently.
  • The goal is to promote gender equality by ensuring that public resources are distributed in a way that benefits all genders equitably.
  • Basically, Gender Budgeting is a tool for gender mainstreaming, applying a gender lens to the entire policy process.
  • It involves gender-sensitive formulation, resource allocation, and continuous monitoring to address vulnerabilities faced by women throughout their life cycle.
• Need for Gender Budgeting
  • Despite India's progress in various sectors, significant gender disparities persist in areas such as education, health, employment, and political participation.
  • Gender budgeting is necessary to address these disparities and to ensure that women's specific needs are considered in policy formulation and implementation.
  • It also promotes accountability in achieving gender equality goals.
• Introduction of Gender Budgeting in India
  • India introduced gender budgeting in 2005-06.
  • The Ministry of Women and Child Development spearheaded this initiative, which was supported by the Ministry of Finance.
  • The Indian government began by identifying and classifying budgetary allocations into three categories:
    • Part A: Schemes where 100% of the budget is allocated for women.
    • Part B: Schemes where at least 30% of the budget is allocated for women.
    • Part C: Schemes that allocate up to 30% of their funds to women
• Implementation of Gender Budgeting
  • Nodal authorities, including the Ministry of Women and Child Development at the central level, spearhead gender budgeting implementation.
  • Departments of Women and Child Development/ Social Welfare, Finance or Planning Department are also responsible for gender budget implementation in states and Union territories.

The Gender Budget (GB) of 2024-25

• About
  • The GB reached 1% of GDP estimates in 2024-25 for the first time, and overall allocations currently stand at more than ₹3 lakh crore for pro-women programmes.
  • Since its introduction in 2005-06, the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) has consistently accounted for an average of 5% of total budgetary allocations, with minor fluctuations.
  • However, in 2024-25, the share of allocations to pro-women schemes has risen to approximately 6.8% of the total budget expenditure.
• Increase driven by two main factors
  • First, the introduction of Part ‘C’ in the GBS, which includes schemes with less than 30% allocation for women.
    • E.g., the PM Kisan scheme in the agriculture sector, which now reports ₹15,000 crore, or 25% of its total outlay, under this category.
  • Second, the rise in Part A allocations, which cover schemes with 100% allocation for women.
    • Previously, Part A constituted 15-17% of GBS allocations, but this has surged to nearly 40% since 2023-24.
    • This change is largely due to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) — both rural and urban — being reclassified from Part B to Part A.
• Issues of both over-reporting and under-reporting
  • The GBS for 2024-25 highlights issues of both over-reporting and under-reporting in gender-related allocations.
  • Over-reporting is evident in schemes like the PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), where 40% of the total ₹920 crore allocation was reported without explanation.
  • Conversely, under-reporting deflates the actual spending on women’s needs.
  • For instance, the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) is now correctly reflected in Part A of the GBS with 100% allocation for women, which was underreported in previous years.
  • Additionally, while increased allocations for the Ministry of Electronics & IT have been correctly reported, pro-women allocations in schemes like PM Vishwakarma, SVANidhi, and Stand-Up India were omitted.
  • In another example, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), despite women constituting 59.3% of all person-days under the scheme, only has 33.6% of its budget reflected in Part B of the GBS.
    • This discrepancy suggests that the actual benefits to women under MGNREGA are not fully captured in the GBS.
• Way forward
  • To minimize anomalies in the GBS, it is essential to include explanations for budgetary entries.
  • Providing these rationales would enhance accounting accuracy, facilitate gender audits, and lead to better gender outcomes in government programs.
  • The recent inclusion of a third part in the GBS reflects years of advocacy by experts for improved reporting.
  • However, the persistent anomalies indicate that the GBS still lacks a scientific and systematic approach.
  • While efforts to reduce misreporting and improve the GBS quality are evident, more progress is needed.

Context

• The Indian judicial landscape has recently been shaped by a series of Supreme Court judgments emphasising the principle that bail is the rule, and jail is the exception.
• This doctrine, traditionally applied to general criminal law, is now being extended to stringent special laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).
• This shift in judicial perspective reflects growing concerns over the potential misuse of these laws and therefore, it is important to examine the implications of these developments, analysing the balance between legal enforcement and civil liberties within the framework of the PMLA. 

The Judicial Reaffirmation of Bail as a Fundamental Right and Critique of the Enforcement Directorate's Practices

• The Judicial Reaffirmation of Bail as a Fundamental Right
  • The SC's recent judgments have reiterated the foundational legal principle that pretrial detention should be an exception rather than the norm.
  • This principle is grounded in the protection of individual liberty and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
  • In the context of BRS Leader K Kavitha's case, the court observed that undertrial custody should not turn into a punishment.
  • This statement underscores the judiciary's concern that prolonged detention without trial could violate fundamental rights, effectively punishing individuals before their guilt is established.
• Critique of the Enforcement Directorate's Practices
  • The judiciary's concern extends to the ED's application of the PMLA, where instances of overreach have been highlighted.
  • For example, a Delhi Court recently criticised the ED for summoning private doctors under the stringent sections of PMLA, labelling such actions as an abuse of power.
  • The court's remark that strong leaders, laws, and agencies generally come back to bite the very citizens they vow to protect reflects a growing unease with the ED's approach.
  • Similarly, a Mumbai court reminded the ED of its constitutional obligation to ensure an expeditious trial, granting bail to two accused who had been incarcerated since October 2020.
  • These judicial interventions indicate a need for a serious review of the ED's functioning under the PMLA.

The Evolution of PMLA

• Initial Purpose and Framework
  • The PMLA was enacted in 2002 in response to India's commitment to international standards on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism, particularly under the directives of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
  • The Act's primary objective was to prevent and control money laundering, confiscate property derived from laundered money, and deal with any other issue connected to money laundering.
  • At its inception, the PMLA was framed with a clear focus on financial crimes, with strict penalties intended to serve as a deterrent against the misuse of illicit funds.
• The 2012 Amendment: Broadening the Definition of Money Laundering
  • The first significant expansion of the PMLA's scope occurred in 2012, when the definition of money laundering was broadened to include activities such as concealment, acquisition, possession, and use of proceeds of crime.
  • This amendment was aimed at addressing the evolving nature of financial crimes, where money laundering schemes had become more complex and sophisticated.
  • By expanding the definition, the amendment sought to cover a wider range of activities associated with money laundering, thereby increasing the law's effectiveness in curbing such crimes.
• The 2015 Amendment: Extending Jurisdiction Beyond Borders
  • The 2015 amendment to the PMLA further extended its reach by including assets located in India as proceeds of crime if the act of money laundering was committed abroad.
  • This amendment was a response to the growing trend of cross-border money laundering, where illicit funds generated from criminal activities in one country were laundered in another.
  • By bringing foreign assets within the ambit of the PMLA, the amendment aimed to prevent India from becoming a haven for laundered money.
• The 2018 Amendment: Reinstating Stringent Bail Conditions
  • In 2018, the PMLA was further amended to revive the "twin conditions" for granting bail under Section 45 of the Act.
  • These conditions required courts to be satisfied that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the accused was not guilty of the offence and that they were unlikely to commit any offence while on bail.
  • This amendment was a significant departure from the earlier, more lenient bail provisions, and it placed a heavy burden on the accused to prove their innocence even before the trial commenced.
• The 2019 Amendment: Expanding the ED's Powers
  • The most controversial amendment to the PMLA came in 2019, when the ED's powers were significantly expanded.
  • This amendment allowed the ED to conduct searches, seizures, arrests, and attachment of property without the need for a FIR or chargesheet.
  • Moreover, money laundering was reclassified as a standalone offence, independent of any scheduled offence, further broadening the ED's jurisdiction.

Challenges Posed by PMLA

• Effectiveness of PMLA in Curbing Money Laundering
  • The effectiveness of the PMLA in curbing money laundering is evident in the significant increase in cases registered and assets attached during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime compared to the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) years.
  • The return of confiscated assets worth Rs 15,000 crore to public sector banks is a notable achievement.
  • However, the low conviction rate (only 25 cases have gone through the court processes; 24 of them resulted in a conviction) raises questions about the Act's efficacy.
  • Moreover, the lengthy judicial processes and stringent bail conditions have resulted in prolonged detention of accused individuals, undermining the principle of justice.
• ED’s Ability to Manage Increasing Caseloads
  • The ED's ability to manage its increasing caseload is another area of concern.
  • With a sanctioned strength of only 2,067 officers, the agency has requested a significant increase in manpower to handle the over 11,000 cases of foreign exchange violations initiated in the past three years alone.
  • The question of how the ED prioritises its cases whether sequentially or based on other considerations remains contentious, with accusations of selective enforcement further eroding public trust.

Way Forward

• While the Act was framed in line with the directives of the FATF, it must operate within the spirit of the Indian Constitution.
• The potential for misuse of the PMLA's stringent provisions by any ruling government is significant, threatening the democratic principles of fairness and justice.
• The SC’s upcoming review of the PMLA's provisions is a critical juncture.
• If the Court fails to provide the necessary relief, the responsibility will shift to the public and their elected representatives to advocate for amendments to the Act.
• Ensuring that the PMLA is not only effective in combating financial crimes but also fair and just in its application is essential for upholding the values of democracy.

Conclusion

• The balance between stringent enforcement of financial laws and the protection of individual rights is delicate and requires constant vigilance.
• The SC’s reaffirmation of bail as a fundamental right in the context of special laws like the PMLA is a step in the right direction.
• However, the challenges posed by the ED's expansive powers under the PMLA highlight the need for judicial oversight and potential legislative reform.

Why in news?

A study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) found that favorable meteorological conditions and slightly reduced emissions led to a decrease in PM2.5 pollution in India between 2021 and 2022. This, in turn, has contributed to a one-year increase in the country's average life expectancy.

The report also underlined that meeting the World Health Organization (WHO)’s pollution guidelines would increase Delhi residents’ life expectancy by 7.8 years.

What’s in today’s article?

• WHO’s revised air quality guidelines 2021
• Key highlights of the report

WHO’s revised air quality guidelines 2021

• 
• In September 2021, the WHO has strengthened its air quality guidelines.
• The revised norms recommend air quality levels for six pollutants:
  • Ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
  • The other two are PM10 and PM2.5 -- particulate matter equal or smaller than 10 and 2.5 microns in diameter.
• The recommended levels for all the six pollutants have been revised downwards from the existing norms that have been in place since 2005.
• The WHO norms are not binding on any country.

Key highlights of the report

• About the report
  • The annual report, "Air Quality Life Index" 2024, has been released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).
  • The report involves an annual assessment of air quality worldwide, highlighting regions where standards have not been met and instances of policy successes and failures.
• Key highlights
  • A dip in particulate pollution (PM2.5) in India between 2021 and 2022
    • India recorded a significant 19.3% drop in particulate pollution in 2022 compared to 2021, the second-highest reduction in the world after Bangladesh.
    • Decline in particulate pollution added an average of 51 days to the life expectancy of every citizen.
    • The researchers attributed this decline to favourable meteorological conditions and a reduced number of thermal inversions.
      • During thermal inversions, a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the ground, causing pollution to build up.
  • Need to meet the WHO's annual PM2.5 concentration standard
  • Indians are likely to lose 3.6 years of life expectancy if the country fails to meet the WHO's annual PM2.5 concentration standard of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.
  • PM2.5 concentrations in India in 2022 were around 9 micrograms per cubic metre, 19.3% lower than 2021.
  • Most significant declines
    • The most significant declines were observed in Purulia and Bankura districts of West Bengal, followed by Dhanbad, Purbi, Paschim Singhbhum, Paschim Medinipur and Bokaro districts in Jharkhand.
    • In each of these districts, PM2.5 concentrations dropped by over 20 micrograms per cubic metre.
  • India's population still living in areas exceeding the national air quality standard
    • 42.6% of India's population still lived in areas exceeding the national air quality standard.
    • The report emphasizes that while air pollution remains the greatest external threat to life expectancy, setting and enforcing ambitious air quality standards could significantly improve public health.
  • Impact of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
    • The report said that PM2.5 concentrations declined by 19% on average in districts with cities covered by India's flagship programme on air quality management, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
      • Launched in 2019, the NCAP is India's first national effort to set clean air targets.
      • It aims for a 20-30% reduction in particulate pollution by 2024, using 2017 as the base year.
      • The revised target is a 40% reduction by 2026, with 2019-20 as the base year.
      • The programme covers 131 non-attainment cities, which consistently failed to meet the prescribed national ambient air quality standards between 2011 and 2015.
    • Districts not covered by the programme saw a 16% decline.
  • Innovative practices highlighted by the report
    • In 2019, Gujarat launched the world's first market for particulate pollution, which has since reduced pollution by 20-30% in Surat and is rapidly expanding to other cities and states.
      • These types of innovative policies demonstrate that it is possible to achieve improvements in air quality and people's health, without unduly impeding economic growth.
    • The report also praised India's clean cooking programme, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
      • The decline in emissions from the residential sector in India can largely be attributed to the nationwide rollout of this scheme.
    • It attributed the reduction in transport-related emissions to the decreased use of diesel in the transport sector.

Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet has expanded the scope of the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF).  The scheme, worth ₹1 lakh crore, would be redesigned to include financial support for Farmers’ Producers Organisations (FPOs) to enhance their financial security and creditworthiness.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About AIF (Objective, Key Features, Benefits of AIF, etc.)
• About FPO (Meaning, Objective)
• News Summary

About Agricultural Infrastructure Fund(AIF):

• It is an initiative launched by the Government of India in July 2020 as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• The primary objective of this fund is to provide financial support to create and modernize agricultural infrastructure, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the agricultural sector in the country.

Key Features of the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund:

• Financial Support:
  • The AIF provides medium to long-term debt financing to develop post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
  • The scheme aims to attract investments for agricultural infrastructure development, with a total allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore to be distributed through banks and financial institutions until 2025-26.
• Interest Subvention:
  • The scheme offers an interest subvention of 3% per annum on loans up to ₹2 crore. This subvention is available for a maximum of seven years.
• Credit Guarantee:
  • Credit guarantee coverage is provided through the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for eligible borrowers.
  • This ensures that the risk is mitigated for lending institutions, encouraging them to extend loans to farmers and agribusinesses.
• Eligible Entities:
  • The fund is accessible to a wide range of entities including farmers, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture.
• Infrastructure Development:
  • The fund supports the development of critical infrastructure such as cold storage facilities, warehouses, grading and sorting units, processing units, and other post-harvest management facilities.
  • It also encourages the development of community farming assets like organic input production units, custom hiring centres, and renewable energy assets.
• Digital Integration:
  • The AIF is integrated with digital platforms such as the e-NAM (National Agriculture Market), ensuring better market access for farmers and reducing inefficiencies in the supply chain.

Benefits of the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund:

• Reduction of Post-Harvest Losses:
  • By improving storage and processing facilities, the AIF aims to reduce post-harvest losses, which are a significant concern in Indian agriculture.
• Increased Farmers’ Income:
  • Enhanced infrastructure and better market access through e-NAM are expected to increase farmers’ income by reducing waste and improving the value realization of their produce.
• Rural Employment:
  • The creation and modernization of agricultural infrastructure will generate rural employment, contributing to the economic development of rural areas.
• Sustainable Agriculture:
  • The focus on modern infrastructure also promotes sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring long-term benefits for the sector.

What is a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)?

• A Producer Organisation (PO) is a legal entity formed by primary producers, viz. farmers, milk producers, fishermen, weavers, rural artisans, craftsmen.
• The main aim of PO is to ensure better income for the producers through an organization of their own.
• The ownership of the PO is with its members. It is an organization of the producers, by the producers and for the producers.
• FPO is one type of PO where the members are farmers.
• FPO operatives provide education and training for their farmer-members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so that they can contribute effectively to the development of their FPOs. 

Centre Redesigns Agricultural Infrastructure Fund to Cover FPOs:

• The Union Cabinet has announced an expansion of the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
• The redesigned scheme will now include financial support for Farmers’ Producers Organisations (FPOs) to enhance their financial stability and creditworthiness.
• The government highlighted that the expanded AIF will make the scheme more attractive and inclusive, thereby strengthening agricultural infrastructure across the country.
• So far, ₹47,575 crore has been sanctioned for 74,508 projects under the AIF, leading to a total investment of ₹78,596 crore in the agriculture sector, with ₹78,433 crore coming from private entities.
• These projects have also generated over 8.19 lakh rural jobs.
• The expansion of the AIF is expected to further boost agricultural growth, improve productivity, increase farm incomes, and contribute to the sustainability of agriculture in India.

Why in news?

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill proposed to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years.

In order to do so, the bill amended the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCM) Act, which was passed by Parliament in 2006.

What’s in today’s article?

• Debate surrounding the minimum age for marriage for girls
• Himachal bill to raise women’s marriage age

Debate surrounding the minimum age for marriage for girls

• The demand to raise the minimum age for marriage for girls to 21 in India has been growing due to several social, economic, and health-related factors:
  • Gender Equality and Education
    • Higher Education: Raising the marriage age allows girls more time to complete their education. This will improve their career prospects.
    • Empowerment: Delaying marriage can help empower women by giving them more time to develop skills and become financially independent.
  • Health and Well-being
    • Maternal Health: Early marriage often leads to early pregnancies, which are associated with higher risks of maternal and infant mortality.
      • Raising the marriage age allows girls to attain physical and emotional maturity, leading to safer pregnancies and better health outcomes for both mothers and children.
    • Child Development: Delaying motherhood gives women the opportunity to provide better care and nurturing to their children.
      • They are more likely to be emotionally and economically prepared.
  • Reducing Child Marriage
  • Combatting Child Marriage: Child marriage is still prevalent in some parts of India, leading to various social issues such as domestic violence, lack of education, and poverty.
  • Economic Development
    • Workforce Participation: Delaying marriage can increase women's participation in the workforce, which contributes to economic development.
  • Key challenges
    • Different age for attaining majority and being allowed to marry
      • The Bill increases the minimum age of marriage for females to 21 years, bringing it on par with that for males.
      • However, the age of attaining majority is 18 years under the Majority Act, 1875.
      • This difference may have consequences regarding the rights and responsibilities of persons between 18 and 21 years of age.
  • Inconsistencies between the minimum age for marriage and various SC Judgements
    • In 2018, the SC said that right to marry is part of right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
    • In another case in 2018, the Court held that when two adults consensually choose each other as life partners, it is a manifestation of their choice.
      • This choice is recognised under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
    • The current Bill restricts the right to marry before the age of 21 years.
    • Hence it raises question about the reasonableness of restriction for those between the ages of 18 and 21 years.
      • For any restriction of fundamental rights by law, there needs to be three criteria.
      • These are: a public purpose, the restriction having a nexus with such purpose, and absence of a less intrusive way to achieve the purpose.
  • Implementation challenges
    • There has been limited success in curbing marriage of girls below the age of 18 years.
      • In 2020, only 785 cases were registered under the 2006 act highlighting the fact that the detection of such marriages remains low.
    • This raises the question of whether the increase in the minimum age would have any significant impact in reducing child marriages.

Himachal bill to raise women’s marriage age

• The Himachal Pradesh Bill amends the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCM) Act by raising the minimum marriage age for both males and females to 21 years, eliminating the previous age distinction.
• The Bill defines a "child" as anyone under 21, regardless of gender, and gives this new age limit overriding authority over any other law or cultural practice that might permit earlier marriage.
• Additionally, it extends the time frame for filing a petition to annul a child marriage, allowing individuals to do so within five years of reaching the age of majority, giving them until the age of 23 to annul the marriage.

Legislative Process and Constitutional Implications of Himachal Pradesh's Marriage Age Bill

• The Himachal Pradesh Bill seeks to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCM) Act by raising the minimum marriage age for women to 21 years, conflicting with the central law that sets it at 18.
• Since marriage is a subject under the Concurrent List, both the central and state governments can legislate on it.
• However, when a state law contradicts a central law, Article 254(1) of the Constitution renders the conflicting part of the state law void unless the President gives assent under Article 254(2).
• The Bill must therefore be reserved for President's consideration by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
• The President’s assent is necessary for the Bill to become law, similar to the process seen with Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill.

Why in News?

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, approved 12 “industrial smart cities” in 10 states to boost domestic manufacturing with an estimated investment of Rs 28,602 crore.

This follows the Finance Minister’s announcement during the Union Budget 2024-25 speech, in which she outlined a plan to sanction 12 industrial parks under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). 

What’s in Today’s Article?

• What is the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)?
• Key Highlights of the Industrial Smart Cities
• Significance of the Industrial Smart Cities

What is the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)?

• It is India's most ambitious infrastructure programme aiming to develop new industrial cities as "Smart Cities" and converging next generation technologies across infrastructure sectors.
• It is aimed at development of futuristic industrial cities in India which can compete with the best manufacturing and investment destinations in the world.
• The same will create employment opportunities and economic growth leading to overall socio-economic development.
• 11 Industrial Corridors Projects are being taken up for development with 32 Projects to be developed in 04 phases up to 2024-25:

Key Highlights of the Industrial Smart Cities:

• The chosen cities for the industrial projects:
  • 
• Strategic investments:
  • NICDP is designed to foster a vibrant industrial ecosystem by facilitating investments from both large anchor industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
  • These industrial nodes will act as catalysts for achieving $2 trillion in exports by 2030, reflecting the government's vision of a self-reliant and globally competitive India.
• Smart cities and modern infrastructure:
  • The new industrial cities will be developed as greenfield smart cities of global standards, built "ahead of demand" on the 'plug-n-play' and 'walk-to-work' concepts.
  • This approach ensures that the cities are equipped with advanced infrastructure that supports sustainable and efficient industrial operations.
• Aligned with the PM GatiShakti:
  • Aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the projects will feature multi-modal connectivity infrastructure, ensuring seamless movement of people, goods, and services.
  • The industrial cities are envisioned to be growth centers for transformation of the whole region.

Significance of the Industrial Smart Cities:

• Vision for a 'Viksit Bharat': The approval of 12 new industrial nodes under the NICDP is a step forward in realising the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ - a developed India.
• Positioning India as a strong player in the Global Value Chains (GVC):
  • These projects will provide developed land parcels ready for immediate allotment, making it easier for domestic and international investors to set up manufacturing units in India.
  • This will mark a significant milestone in India's journey towards becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse and aligning with the broader objective of creating an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' or a self-reliant India.
• Economic impact and employment generation:
  • NICDP is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 1 million direct jobs and upto 3 million indirect jobs being created through planned industrialization.
  • This will not only provide livelihood opportunities but also contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of the regions where these projects are being implemented.
• Commitment to Sustainable Development:
  • The projects under the NICDP are designed with a focus on sustainability, incorporating ICT-enabled utilities and green technologies to minimise environmental impact.
  • By providing quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure, the government aims to create industrial cities that are not just hubs of economic activity but also models of environmental stewardship.

Context

• Less than five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is again confronting a significant global health threat with the outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox).
• This crisis has already escalated into an international emergency, prompting declarations from both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (AfricaCDC).
• Therefore, it becomes imperative to explore the implications of the mpox outbreak, emphasizing the importance of an equitable and coordinated global response, and the lessons that must be applied from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emergence of Mpox as a Global Health Crisis

• Mpox has rapidly transitioned from a regional concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to a global health emergency.
• The WHO’s declaration of mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is particularly significant, as it follows the recent amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), which now include equity as a core principle.
• Although these amendments will not be implemented until 2025, the global response to mpox must prioritise equity from the outset.
• This principle is crucial in ensuring that all nations, particularly those in the Global South, receive the necessary support and resources to combat the outbreak.
• The declaration of a PHEIC is intended to create international cooperation and the rapid mobilisation of resources.
• The global community’s reaction to this declaration will set the tone for how future public health emergencies are managed, especially considering the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vaccine Equity and Manufacturing

• The Inequities of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, high-income countries swiftly moved to secure large quantities of vaccine doses, often through advance purchase agreements with pharmaceutical companies.
  • This approach, while ensuring rapid access for their populations, resulted in vaccine hoarding and limited availability for lower-income countries.
  • Despite global initiatives like COVAX, which aimed to provide equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, the distribution remained heavily skewed in favour of wealthier nations.
  • By mid-2021, many high-income countries had vaccinated a significant portion of their populations, while many low-income countries had barely begun their vaccination campaigns.
  • This inequity was exacerbated by the lack of local vaccine manufacturing capabilities in the Global South.
  • Countries without the infrastructure or expertise to produce vaccines were entirely dependent on external supplies, which were often delayed or insufficient.
  • This dependency highlighted the vulnerability of these nations during global health crises and the need for a more resilient and self-sufficient approach to vaccine production.
• Lessons on Technology Transfer in Addressing Inequities
  • A critical lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of technology transfer in ensuring equitable vaccine distribution.
  • Technology transfer involves sharing the knowledge, expertise, and patents necessary for the local production of vaccines.
  • This process is crucial for empowering lower-income countries to produce vaccines independently, reducing their reliance on external sources, and enhancing their ability to respond to public health emergencies.
  • However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, technology transfer was limited, with many pharmaceutical companies and high-income countries reluctant to share intellectual property and manufacturing know-how.
  • This reluctance stemmed from concerns about protecting commercial interests and maintaining control over production quality.
  • The result was a significant delay in the ability of lower-income countries to produce vaccines locally, contributing to prolonged inequities in vaccine access.

The Case of Oxford/AstraZeneca and India’s Role

• The case of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, marketed as Covishield in India, provides a notable exception.
• The Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, was granted the rights to produce Covishield under a licensing agreement.
• This allowed for the mass production and distribution of the vaccine, not only within India but also to many other low- and middle-income countries.
• This partnership demonstrated the potential of technology transfer to bridge the gap in vaccine access, albeit within the constraints of the existing global intellectual property regime.

Mpox and the Opportunity for a Different Approach

• Opportunity for a Different Approach
  • As the world grapples with the mpox outbreak, the availability of an existing vaccine, MVA-BN (Jynneos), presents an opportunity to apply the lessons learned from COVID-19.
  • Unlike the COVID-19 situation, where vaccines had to be developed from scratch, the MVA-BN vaccine is already approved and in production.
  • This gives the global community a HeadStart in combating the outbreak, provided that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
• Challenges and Possible Solutions
  • The challenge now is to ensure that the MVA-BN vaccine is not only produced in sufficient quantities but also distributed equitably.
  • To achieve this, it is crucial to prioritise technology transfer to countries that have the capacity to produce vaccines but lack the necessary expertise or resources.
  • India, with its robust pharmaceutical industry and experience in vaccine production, is a key player in this effort.
  • Indian manufacturers, such as SII, Bharat Biotech, and Zydus Cadila, have the infrastructure and expertise to scale up production of the MVA-BN vaccine, provided they receive the necessary technological support.

Way Forward

• Expansion of Vaccine Manufacturing in the Global South
  • One of the most significant steps that can be taken to address vaccine inequities is the expansion of manufacturing capabilities in the Global South.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that reliance on a few manufacturers in high-income countries creates bottlenecks and delays in vaccine distribution, particularly when global demand surges.
  • By diversifying manufacturing across multiple regions, the global community can ensure a more resilient supply chain that can better withstand the pressures of a public health emergency.
• Investment in Infrastructure and Capacity Building
  • For the mpox vaccine, investing in the infrastructure and capacity of manufacturers in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is very important.
  • These investments should not only focus on the physical infrastructure but also on training and capacity-building initiatives to ensure that local manufacturers can meet international standards.
  • By empowering LMICs to produce vaccines, the global community can create a more equitable and self-sufficient health system, reducing the disparities that have characterized previous pandemic responses.
• A Better Understanding of Both; The Economic and Ethical Imperatives of Vaccine Equity
  • Beyond the practical benefits, there is a strong ethical imperative to ensure vaccine equity.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic showed that vaccine inequity is not just a moral failure but also a strategic mistake.
  • Ensuring equitable access to the mpox vaccine is therefore not just a matter of fairness but also a crucial component of global health security. 

Conclusion

• The COVID-19 pandemic provided a harsh lesson in the consequences of vaccine inequity and the limitations of a global health system that prioritises the interests of high-income countries.
• As the world faces the mpox outbreak, there is an urgent need to apply these lessons and take a different approach.
• The mpox outbreak presents an opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past and create a model for future public health responses that is grounded in equity and solidarity.

Why in news?

The Supreme Court granted bail to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha in the graft and money laundering cases related to the Delhi excise policy scam. The court emphasized that Kavitha's custody is no longer necessary as the investigation is complete.

The court referred to its earlier decision in the case of Manish Sisodia, asserting that undertrial custody should not be punitive. It highlighted Section 45(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which allows special consideration for women in granting bail.

What’s in today’s article?

• Section 45 of the PMLA
• Key highlights of the judgement

Section 45 of the PMLA

• About
  • Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) speaks about the conditions set for bail.
  • It states that no accused person shall be granted bail unless:
    • the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release; and
    • where the Public Prosecutor opposes the application, the Court is satisfied that:
      • there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence and
      • that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.
    • Basically, this section prescribes a rather high bar for granting bail. The negative language in the provision itself shows that bail is not the rule but the exception under PMLA.
• Twin test of bail under Section 45 of PMLA
  • The twin conditions of bail under Section 45 of the PMLA pose stringent thresholds for an accused.
    • For one, the person has to prove in court that he or she is prima facie innocent of the offence.
    • Secondly, the accused should be able to convince the judge he would not commit any offence while on bail.
  • The burden of proof is entirely on the incarcerated accused, who would be often handicapped to fight the might of the state.
  • The twin conditions make it almost impossible for an accused to get bail under the PMLA.
    • Before the 2019 amendments of PMLA, if someone was accused of a crime related to money laundering, the law automatically assumed they were guilty of the original crime (called the "scheduled offence").
    • The accused had to prove they were not involved in that crime to get bail.
• Exceptions
• There is an important exception allowing bail for individuals who are women, minors (under 16), or those who are sick or infirm, if the Special Court permits.
• This exception is akin to provisions in the Indian Penal Code that provide special consideration for women and minors.
• Legal precedent for such exceptions
  • In 2023, the Delhi High Court granted bail to Preeti Chandra, wife of Sanjay Chandra, under the exception for women in Section 45(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
  • The Enforcement Directorate (ED) argued that she was not a household lady.
  • However, the court rejected this distinction, stating that neither the PMLA nor the Constitution differentiates between types of women, whether they are household women, businesswomen, or political figures.
  • The court criticized the attempt to create sub-classifications within the broader category of "woman," deeming it misconceived.
  • However, the court also specified that to be eligible for bail, the accused must not be a flight risk or likely to tamper with witnesses.

Key highlights of the judgement

• Background of the case
  • The CBI, in its chargesheet, alleged that BRS MLC K Kavitha "demanded, collected, and provided" Rs 100 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to influence the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
  • The ED claimed Kavitha was part of a "South Group" that received undue favors and stakes in wholesale businesses and retail zones from AAP leaders in exchange for the money.
    • The alleged bribes were reportedly used to fund AAP’s 2022 Goa Assembly election campaign.
  • The ED named Kavitha as an accused in its sixth supplementary chargesheet.
• Key highlights of the judgement
  • Bail Justification
    • The court stated that since the investigation is complete and the chargesheet has been filed, Kavitha's custody is no longer necessary.
    • She has been in jail for five months, and the trial is unlikely to conclude soon.
    • The court emphasized that undertrial custody should not become a form of punishment.
  • Criticism of the Delhi High Court's Ruling
    • The court criticized a Delhi High Court ruling that denied bail to an educated, sophisticated woman under the PMLA's beneficiary provision for women.
    • It warned that if such reasoning became law, it would mean no educated woman could get bail, affecting courts in Delhi's jurisdiction.
    • The court rejected the idea of creating distinctions between an MP and a common person, stating that the High Court's reasoning introduced an artificial discretion not present in the statute.

Why in news?

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested in Paris recently on charges related to the alleged use of his messaging platform for illicit activities, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material.

What’s in today’s article?

• Telegram
• France’s case against Telegram and Durov
• Response of the event

Telegram

• Founded by
  • Telegram was founded in 2013 by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai.
  • Before creating Telegram, Durov founded VKontakte, Russia's largest social network, but sold his stake and left Russia in 2014 after facing pressure from the Russian government to censor and hand over data on opposition activists.
  • Telegram is now based in Dubai, which Durov considers a neutral location that supports the platform's commitment to user privacy and freedom of speech.
• About
  • Telegram is a messaging app that allows for one-on-one conversations, group chats, and large channels for broadcasting messages.
  • Unlike WhatsApp, which limits group chats to 1,024 participants, Telegram allows up to 200,000 people in a group, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation.
  • While Telegram offers end-to-end encryption, this feature is not enabled by default and does not apply to group chats, unlike competitors like Signal and Facebook Messenger, which encrypt chats by default.
  • Only Telegram's "secret chat" feature provides end-to-end encryption. With over 950 million active users, Telegram is widely used in France, including by government officials.
  • However, it has also been utilized by extremists and drug traffickers.

France’s case against Telegram and Durov

• Pavel Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport in connection with accusations against Telegram for complicity in drug trafficking, terrorism support, and cyberstalking.
• Telegram’s strong privacy features have enabled some users to conduct illegal activities, such as selling drugs and committing online scams.
• An investigation was launched after 12 alleged violations, with Durov reportedly refusing to cooperate, leading to an arrest warrant.
• Security agencies had quietly begun investigating Telegram for the dissemination of child pornography, with additional charges added later.
• Telegram's policy is to take down illegal content but resists politically motivated censorship.

Response of the event

• Durov's Arrest and Russian-Western Relations
  • Pavel Durov’s arrest has strained relations between Russia and the West.
  • Russian officials, including the Kremlin, have condemned the detention as politically motivated and a double standard on freedom of speech.
  • The Russian Embassy in Paris reported that consular access to Durov was denied.
• Tension Between Governments and Tech Companies
  • Durov’s arrest highlights ongoing conflicts between governments and tech companies over balancing free speech with regulating illegal activities.
  • Critics, including Edward Snowden, have condemned the French government for perceived overreach, calling the arrest an attack on basic human rights.
• Durov’s Neutrality Stance
  • Durov has consistently advocated for Telegram to remain a neutral platform, resisting pressure from governments to engage in geopolitics.
  • He has highlighted the platform's commitment to privacy and free speech.
• Parallels with Other Tech Giants
  • The situation with Telegram mirrors actions against other tech companies like Meta and X (formerly Twitter).
  • Governments have increasingly clashed with these platforms over the regulation of harmful content.
  • Notably, in Brazil, X shut down operations after refusing to comply with a Supreme Court order, citing transparency and free speech concerns.
  • In India, WhatsApp faced pressure to address fake news but refused to compromise user privacy by revealing message sources.

Why in the News?

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government aims to open more than 3 crore accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of the scheme.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About PMJDY (Objectives, Key Features, Achievements, Challenges, etc.)
• News Summary

About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana:

• The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a flagship financial inclusion initiative launched by the Government of India on August 28, 2014.
• The scheme aims to provide affordable access to financial services such as banking, savings and deposit accounts, remittances, credit, insurance, and pension to the unbanked population in the country.
• It is one of the largest financial inclusion initiatives in the world, designed to promote inclusive growth by ensuring that every household has access to essential financial services.

Objectives of the Scheme:

• Financial Inclusion: The primary objective of PMJDY is to ensure that every household in India has at least one bank account, thereby bringing the unbanked sections of society into the formal financial system.
• Access to Financial Services: The scheme aims to provide access to a wide range of financial services, including basic savings accounts, access to need-based credit, remittances, insurance, and pension.

Key Features of the Scheme:

• Zero Balance Accounts: Under PMJDY, beneficiaries can open a basic savings bank account without any requirement of maintaining a minimum balance. However, if the account-holder wishes to get a cheque book, they need to fulfil the minimum balance criteria.
• RuPay Debit Card: Each account holder under the scheme is provided with a RuPay debit card, which can be used for cash withdrawals, making payments, and purchasing goods and services. The RuPay card also comes with an in-built accident insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh (which has been increased to Rs. 2 lakh for accounts opened after August, 2018).
• Overdraft Facility: PMJDY accounts are eligible for an overdraft facility of up to Rs. 10,000 after six months of satisfactory operation. This facility acts as a credit line for account holders, helping them meet urgent financial needs.
• Life Insurance Cover: Account holders under PMJDY are also eligible for a life insurance cover of Rs. 30,000, provided they open the account before a specified date and meet other eligibility criteria.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): PMJDY accounts are linked to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, enabling beneficiaries to receive government subsidies, pensions, scholarships, and other payments directly into their bank accounts.
• Mobile Banking Facility: The scheme also offers basic mobile banking facilities to account holders, enabling them to check their account balance, transfer funds, and perform other banking transactions using their mobile phones.

Impact & Achievements:

• Financial Inclusion: As of 2024, more than 53 crore active PMJDY accounts exist with a total deposit balance of ₹2.3 lakh crore. The scheme has significantly contributed to the financial inclusion of millions of unbanked households.
• Women Empowerment: Over 55% of PMJDY account holders are women, promoting gender equality and empowering women by providing them with access to financial services.
• Rural Penetration: Approximately 67% of the accounts opened under PMJDY are in rural and semi-urban areas, ensuring that financial services reach the remote and underserved regions of the country.

Major Challenges:

• Dormant Accounts:
  • A significant number of Jan Dhan accounts remain inactive or have very low balances. Many account holders, particularly in rural areas, do not actively use their accounts due to a lack of awareness, financial literacy, or limited access to banking services.
  • This dormancy reduces the effectiveness of the scheme, as the financial inclusion goal is not fully achieved if accounts are not being utilized for transactions, savings, or other financial activities.
• Limited Financial Literacy:
  • A considerable portion of the population, especially in rural areas, lacks basic financial literacy. This includes understanding the benefits of having a bank account, using digital banking services, or managing personal finances.
  • The lack of financial literacy leads to underutilization of the services offered under PMJDY, such as overdraft facilities, insurance, and pension schemes.
• Infrastructure Challenges:
  • In many remote and rural areas, there is limited access to banking infrastructure, such as bank branches, ATMs, or banking correspondents. This makes it difficult for account holders to access banking services, deposit or withdraw money, or seek assistance.
  • Connectivity issues, especially in rural regions, also affect the functioning of mobile banking services and digital transactions, limiting the reach of the scheme.
• Operational Burden on Banks:
  • The large-scale opening of Jan Dhan accounts has put an additional operational burden on banks, particularly public sector banks, which often struggle with limited resources and staff.
  • Managing a high volume of low-balance accounts increases the cost for banks, as they have to maintain these accounts and provide services with minimal financial returns.

News Summary:

• On the 10th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the government's goal to open over 3 crore new accounts, aiming to cover the entire adult population.
• RuPay debit cards, which include a ₹2 lakh accident insurance cover, have been issued to 36.14 crore account holders.
• PMJDY has played a crucial role in providing financial support through various government schemes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 56% of the accounts belonging to women.
• The scheme has made significant strides in financial inclusion, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, with 66.6% of accounts opened in these regions.
• The Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity has propelled India's financial inclusion rate to 80% of adults, a remarkable achievement in just six years.
• Additionally, India's digital infrastructure has enabled government-to-person (G2P) transfers totalling $361 billion, benefiting millions of citizens across the country.

Why in News?

The Supreme Court of India stayed a notification issued by the Ministry of AYUSH in which Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 was omitted.

The Rule deals with the power to take action against objectionable or misleading advertisements about Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Drug Regulation in India
• About the Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Drugs
• The SC’s Efforts to Protect Consumers from Being Trapped by Misleading Ads

Drug Regulation in India:

• The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945: These have entrusted various responsibilities to central and state regulators for regulation of drugs and cosmetics.
• Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO):
  • The CDSCO under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India.
  • Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for -
    • Approval of Drugs.
    • Conduct of Clinical Trials.
    • Laying down the standards for Drugs.
    • Control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country.
    • Coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organisations.
    • Further CDSCO along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for grant of licences of certain specialised categories of critical Drugs such as vaccine and sera, etc.
  • The Indian government has announced plans to subject all medical devices, including implants and contraception, to CDSCO scrutiny.
• Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI):
  • DCGI is the head of department of the CDSCO responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, vaccines and sera, etc., in India.
  • DCGI also sets standards for manufacturing, sales, import, and distribution of drugs in India.

About the Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Drugs:

• Definition: The Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 defines Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs as medicines that are used internally or externally to treat, prevent, mitigate, or diagnose diseases or disorders in humans or animals.
• Regulation:
  • The act also establishes the Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB), which sets the standards for these drugs.
  • The Central Government can also make or change rules regarding these drugs after consulting with the board.
• Schedule T under Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940: Schedule T describes the Good Manufacturing Practice for Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani Medicines.

The SC’s Efforts to Protect Consumers from Being Trapped by Misleading Ads:

• In a contempt case against Patanjali Ayurved Limited, the SC (on May 7,2024) directed that advertisers should submit self-declarations that they are not misrepresenting or making false claims about products before promoting them in the media.
• However, the Ministry of AYUSH (on July 1, 2024) notified that Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 was no longer operational.
  • According to the ministry, the basis of this notification is a recommendation made by the ASUDTAB.
• In its recent order, the SC stays centre’s notification (dated July 1) to omit Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, as it runs contrary to directions issued by this court.

Context

• The release of the Hema Committee (HC) report on August 19 marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for gender equality within the Malayalam film industry.
• This report, commissioned by the Chief Minister of Kerala at the request of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), is a critical reflection on the myriad issues faced by women in this sector.
• The reaction to the report has been mixed, with sensationalism and apathy overshadowing meaningful engagement.
• Therefore, it is important to delve into the report's findings, the systemic issues it highlights, and the broader implications for gender equity in the film industry and beyond.

Hema Committee Report, its Significance and Broader Impact

• A Comprehensive Documentation of Gender-Based Issues
  • One of the most critical aspects of the Hema Committee report is its role as a thorough documentation of the gender-based challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
  • The report is not limited to instances of sexual harassment, though these are undoubtedly significant.
  • It goes beyond to expose a wide array of constitutional, labour, and human rights violations that women in the industry endure.
  • By identifying at least 17 distinct forms of exploitation across 30 different professional categories, the report provides an unprecedented level of detail about the systemic issues within the industry.
• A Reflection on Women’s Everyday Struggle
  • These findings are crucial because they bring to light the everyday struggles of women working in various capacities within the film industry, struggles that have often been overlooked or dismissed.
  • For many women, the film industry has been a space where their rights are routinely violated, where power dynamics are skewed against them, and where their contributions are undervalued.
  • The report’s meticulous cataloguing of these issues offers a comprehensive understanding of the scale and scope of gender-based discrimination in the industry.
• Challenging Existing Power Structures
  • The significance of the Hema Committee report also lies in its challenge to the entrenched power structures within the Malayalam film industry.
  • The industry has long been dominated by a patriarchal culture that marginalises women and perpetuates gender inequities.
  • The report, by exposing the extent of exploitation and abuse, directly confronts these power dynamics.
  • It serves as a bold indictment of the industry's failure to protect the rights and dignity of women, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.
• Empowering Women’s Voices and Experiences
  • Another critical aspect of the report's significance is its empowerment of women's voices within the industry.
  • For years, women in the Malayalam film industry have been silenced, their experiences of discrimination and harassment ignored or trivialised.
  • The Hema Committee report provides a platform for these women to share their stories, validating their experiences and bringing them to the forefront of public consciousness.
• A Broader Impact on Gender Equity Discourse
  • Finally, the significance of the Hema Committee report extends beyond the Malayalam film industry.
  • It contributes to the broader discourse on gender equity in the workplace, particularly in industries that have historically been male-dominated and resistant to change.
  • The report's findings resonate with the experiences of women in other industries, highlighting the universal challenges of gender discrimination, harassment, and inequality.

Troubling Aspects of Response to Hema Committee Report

• The Noise of Sensationalism and Apathy
  • Despite the gravity of the report's findings, the public discourse has largely focused on sensational aspects, particularly sexual harassment, overshadowing the broader structural issues.
  • This sensationalism distracts from the need for systemic change, reducing the conversation to isolated incidents rather than addressing the underlying causes of gender inequity.
• The Tendency of Victim Blaming
  • A troubling aspect of the response is the tendency to push the burden of resolution back onto the victims.
  • Women who bravely shared their experiences with the committee are now being urged to take legal action, a process fraught with challenges.
  • The legal system often requires evidence that is difficult to produce in cases of sexual harassment, leading to further victimization and psychological distress for those involved.
• Tendency to Universalise the Issue
  • Another significant issue is the tendency to universalise the problems identified in the report, thereby deflecting responsibility.
  • A member of a film association remarked, "Don’t these issues exist in other industries, why only blame us?" This argument is not only morally questionable but also fundamentally flawed.
  • The film industry, with its unique structure and lack of accountability, cannot be directly compared to other sectors.
  • The challenges faced by women in this industry are exacerbated by the absence of a formal organizational framework, making the need for targeted solutions even more pressing.
• The Irresponsible Role of Bystanders and Government Apathy
  • Apathy, both from individuals and institutions, is a recurring theme in the response to the HC report.
  • Bystanders, whether in the industry or in government, often shirk responsibility, assuming that someone else will address the problem.
  • This lack of accountability perpetuates the status quo, allowing systemic issues to persist unchecked.
  • The Kerala government's response has been particularly disappointing.
  • While the initial decision to establish the Hema Committee was a positive step, the subsequent delay in releasing the report and the lack of concrete action suggest a waning commitment to gender equity.
  • The government's inaction, despite the detailed findings of the report, highlights a broader problem of institutional apathy towards gender-related issues.

Way Forward: The Need for Political Will and Systemic Change

• Kerala, which became the first Indian state to achieve full literacy in 1991, owes much of its progress to the cultural revolution initiated by social reformers and the Left government in 1957.
• Today, the state faces a similar challenge: whether to lead the way in gender inclusion and safety in the film industry or to succumb to apathy and inertia.
• The government's actions in the coming months will be crucial not only for the future of women in Kerala's film industry but also for setting a precedent for other states.
• The choice is between superficial brand-building exercises and genuine political will to implement the necessary reforms.
• The stakes are high, as the success or failure of these efforts will shape the future of gender-inclusive spaces in cinema and beyond.

Conclusion

• The release of the Hema Committee report is a critical moment in the fight for gender equity in the Malayalam film industry.
• However, the response so far has been marked by sensationalism, apathy, and a lack of meaningful engagement with the report's findings.
• The Kerala government must demonstrate the political will to implement the necessary reforms, setting an example for other states and industries to follow and only then can the vision of a truly inclusive and equitable film industry be realised.

Why in news?

The Reserve Bank is piloting an application for frictionless credit —Unified Lending Interface (ULI). It will be launched nationwide soon and will become the UPI on the credit side.

What’s in today’s article?

• Unified Lending Interface (ULI)
• Unified Payment Interface (UPI)

Unified Lending Interface (ULI)

• Background
  • In August 2023, the RBI initiated a pilot project for a public tech platform designed to streamline credit processes, aiming to reduce costs, expedite disbursements, and enhance scalability.
  • Recently, RBI Governor proposed naming this platform the Unified Lending Interface (ULI).
  • He expressed that, much like UPI revolutionized the payments ecosystem, ULI is expected to similarly transform the lending landscape in India.
• Need for ULI
  • India's rapid digitalization has led to the development of digital public infrastructure, encouraging innovation in payments, credit, and financial services by banks, NBFCs, fintech companies, and start-ups.
  • However, the necessary data for credit appraisals is scattered across various systems, creating obstacles to smooth and timely lending.
• About
  • ULI will enable a seamless, consent-based flow of digital information, including state land records, from multiple sources to lenders.
  • This will expedite credit appraisals, particularly benefiting smaller and rural borrowers.
  • The ULI platform, with its standardized APIs, will simplify technical integrations and reduce the need for extensive documentation, making credit delivery quicker and more efficient.
    • It is designed for a plug-and-play approach to enable quicker access.
  • ULI improves digital access from diverse sources for lenders. The ecosystem is based on the consent of potential borrowers and data privacy is protected.
• Benefits
  • ULI will address the large unmet demand for credit, especially in agriculture and MSME sectors, by digitizing access to financial and non-financial data currently housed in separate systems.
  • Experts claim that the combined impact of JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhar, Mobile), UPI, and ULI as a significant advancement in India's digital infrastructure.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

• About
  • UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank).
  • It does so by merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments into one hood.
  • In other words, UPI is an interface via which one can transfer money between bank accounts across a single window.
  • It was launched in 2016, by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• Features of UPI
  • Immediate money transfer through mobile device round the clock 24*7 and 365 days
  • Single mobile application for accessing different bank accounts
  • Hassle free transactions as customers are not required to enter the details such as Card no, Account number, IFSC etc.
• Benefits of UPI
  • For Banks
    • A universal application for one transaction;
    • A single click Two Factor authentication;
    • Safer and more secure; Enables easy transactions;
    • Unique Identifier
  • For Merchants
    • Easier fund collection; In-App Payments (IAP)
    • No risk of storing the customer's virtual address;
    • Tap customers not having credit/debit cards
  • For Customers
    • Single application for accessing various bank accounts;
    • Round the clock availability;
    • One can easily raise a complaint from the mobile app directly;
    • Use of Virtual ID is secure

UPI Transaction: Statistics

• According to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data, payments using UPI were at Rs 20,64,292.40 crore in value in July 2024.
• The total transaction count was 14,435.55 million in July 2024.

Why in news?

A two-year-old child in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district tested positive for polio, a highly infectious viral disease that has been largely eradicated due to vaccination.

The Union health ministry clarified that the case is "vaccine-derived" and does not threaten India's polio-free status. However, officials remain vigilant to prevent any potential spread of the infection.

What’s in today’s article?

• Polio
• Vaccine-derived Polio

Polio

• About
  • Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease caused by the poliovirus.
  • It primarily affects young children and can lead to severe health complications, including paralysis, muscle weakness, and even death.
  • The virus spreads mainly through contaminated food and water or contact with an infected person.
• Symptoms of poliovirus
  • While most polio infections are asymptomatic, a small percentage can cause paralysis by attacking the nervous system.
  • The symptoms can include fatigue, fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, sore throat, neck stiffness, pain or tingling sensations in the arms and legs, severe headaches, and sensitivity to light, also known as photophobia.
• Types
  • There are three types of poliovirus: wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) and wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3).
• Polio in India
  • Polio was once a major public health challenge in India, with thousands of children affected by the disease each year.
  • India launched the Pulse Polio immunization program in 1995 to eradicate polio from the world.
    • The program was part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which was launched in 1988 by the WHO, national governments, and other organizations.
    • The program's goal was to achieve 100% coverage by administering polio drops to children ages 0–5 across the country on a single day.
  • Through mass immunization drives, known as Pulse Polio campaigns, and the relentless efforts of health workers, India successfully reduced polio cases dramatically.
  • India was officially declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, after going three consecutive years without any new cases of wild poliovirus.
  • The country continues to maintain high levels of vigilance, with ongoing immunization efforts to prevent the re-emergence of the disease, particularly from vaccine-derived strains.

Vaccine-derived Polio

• About
  • Vaccine-derived poliovirus is a strain linked to the weakened live virus used in the oral polio vaccine (OPV).
  • While OPV is largely safe and has successfully eradicated polio in most countries, it can, in rare cases, cause the disease in children with weak immune systems.
  • According to experts, OPV can lead to vaccine-derived infections in two ways:
    • the weakened virus may circulate among children, eventually regaining its ability to cause severe infection, or
    • it can cause chronic infection in immunocompromised children, replicating in their gut and slowly regaining its virulence.
      • The recent polio case in Meghalaya appears to be an example of the latter.
  • It is easier to control further spread of such vaccine derived variants because the other children in the area are likely fully immunized.
    • One in every 150,000 children given the OPV in India is infected by it.
    • Even if children in an area where such a case is reported are completely vaccinated, health workers have to immunise them once again as a preventive measure.
• Detection of vaccine-derived polio cases in India
  • India’s last reported case of wild poliovirus (i.e. the infection caused by the naturally occurring version of the virus) was detected in West Bengal’s Howrah district in 2011.
  • India was declared polio-free in 2014 after successfully preventing any wild polio infections for three years.
  • However, during this period vaccine derived polio cases have continued to be reported.
    • An eleven-month-old immunodeficient child from Maharashtra’s Beed district succumbed to vaccine derived polio in 2013.
    • Multiple other cases of vaccine-derived polio have been reported from across the country, with the most recent case (prior to the one in Meghalaya) being reported in Kerala in July 2024.
  • These cases do not affect India’s polio-free status — only the detection of the wild poliovirus will change that.
• Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV) as a tool to prevent the spread of vaccine-derived polio
  • The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is highly effective in preventing the spread of poliovirus and has been central to the global polio eradication efforts due to its ease of administration.
  • However, in rare cases, OPV can cause the infection and spread it to others.
  • This has led some experts to recommend switching to the Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV), which does not carry the risk of vaccine-derived polio because it contains no live virus.
  • However, IPV has its own challenges:
    • it requires trained personnel to administer, which could lower immunization rates, and
    • it does not prevent the transmission of the virus from person to person.
  • High levels of immunization are crucial to prevent outbreaks.
• Use of IPV in India
  • While countries like Canada and the US have fully adopted IPV, India uses both vaccines—IPV during routine immunization and OPV during Pulse Polio Days.
  • Experts note that India uses IPV sub-optimally, administering only one shot compared to the three shots and a booster used in other countries, necessitating the continued use of OPV to maintain immunity levels.

Why in the News?

A new mission to improve weather forecasting, with a budget of at least Rs 10,000 crore is expected to be launched soon. It is likely to be several times bigger than the existing National Monsoon Mission.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About National Monsoon Mission (Objectives, Key Targets, Challenges, etc.)
• News Summary

National Monsoon Mission:

• The National Monsoon Mission (NMM) has made significant advancements in weather and climate prediction by developing state-of-the-art models that are now fully operational. These models cover a wide range of forecasting periods, including:
  • Short-range (1-10 days)
  • Medium-range (10-30 days)
  • Seasonal (up to one season)
• Over the past three years, the models created under the NMM have consistently demonstrated high accuracy in predicting key weather events across different time scales.

Objectives of NMM:

• The primary objective of the National Monsoon Mission is to enhance monsoon prediction capabilities across India for all time scales.
• To achieve this, the mission is implemented nationwide, encompassing all States and Union Territories (UTs).
• Key Targets of the Monsoon Mission:
  • Development of a Seamless Prediction System: Establish a continuous prediction system using the Monsoon Mission models across various time scales:
    • Seasonal Predictions: Covering the entire monsoon season.
    • Extended Range Predictions: Up to four weeks.
    • Short-range Predictions: Up to five days.
  • International Collaboration
    • Initiate and coordinate partnerships between Indian and international institutes to develop systems for predicting extreme weather events and climate applications.
  • Implementation of Climate Application Systems
    • Develop and implement systems for climate applications with significant social impacts, including:
      • Agriculture: Enhancing crop planning and yield predictions.
      • Flood Forecasting: Improving preparedness and response.
      • Extreme Events Forecasting: Mitigating the effects of severe weather conditions.
      • Wind Energy: Optimizing energy production based on weather forecasts.
  • Advanced Data Assimilation
    • Develop an advanced data assimilation system to ensure the preparation of high-quality data for accurate model predictions.

Achievements and Impact of NMM:

• The NMM has successfully integrated these models into operational use, providing reliable forecasts that aid in disaster management, agricultural planning, and energy production.
• By improving the accuracy and timeliness of monsoon predictions, the mission plays a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of weather variability and supporting the socio-economic development of the country.

Challenges of National Monsoon Mission:

• Complexity of Monsoon Dynamics:
  • The Indian monsoon is influenced by a multitude of factors, including oceanic conditions, land surface processes, and atmospheric circulations.
  • The inherent complexity of these interactions makes accurate prediction challenging.
• Data Limitations:
  • High-quality data is crucial for accurate weather prediction models.
  • However, the availability and quality of observational data, particularly in remote and rural areas, can be inconsistent, leading to potential inaccuracies in predictions.
• International Collaboration:
  • While collaboration with foreign institutes is a goal of the NMM, aligning different methodologies, standards, and data-sharing protocols across countries can be complex and requires sustained diplomatic and technical efforts.
• Adaptation to Climate Change:
  • Climate change introduces new variables and uncertainties into weather patterns, complicating the prediction models.
  • Adapting the NMM to account for these changes and improving resilience to climate variability is a critical challenge.
• Regional Disparities:
  • There are disparities in how different regions of India benefit from the predictions made under the NMM.
  • Ensuring that all regions, particularly the most vulnerable, receive timely and accurate forecasts is a challenge that needs continuous attention.

IMD to improve its weather forecasting capabilities:

• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is set to receive a significant upgrade to improve its weather forecasting capabilities, especially for localised and extreme weather events.
• This new mission, with a budget of at least Rs 10,000 crore, aims to enhance IMD's accuracy in predicting weather at the local level, addressing the challenges exposed by recent extreme events like heavy rainfall, landslides, and floods.
  • The new mission is likely to be several times bigger than the existing National Monsoon Mission.
• Despite improvements over the last decade, the IMD has struggled with accurate local predictions, particularly for extreme weather, which has become more frequent due to climate change.
• The mission will focus on developing advanced computer simulation models tailored to India's unique climate scenarios and further strengthening the country's weather monitoring infrastructure.
  • It will include the deployment of more sophisticated instruments like Doppler radars and new weather satellites.
• Additionally, the mission plans to integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to improve hyperlocal forecasting, with successful experimental models already showing promise in cities like Mumbai.

Why in News?

In order to push for adult literacy under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) has defined "literacy" and what it means to achieve "full literacy" in a letter to all States.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• What is the New India Literacy Programme (NILP)?
• Who is Considered Literate under the NILP?
• Significant Literacy Challenge Faced by India

What is the New India Literacy Programme (NILP)?

• About:
  • ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram/ NILP is a centrally sponsored initiative that is launched by the MoE and that aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
  • It was launched (for implementation during 5 years from the FYs 2022-23 to 2026-27) with a financial outlay of Rs.1037.90 crore out of which Rs 700.00 crore is Central share and Rs 337.90 crore is State share.
• Objective: It aims to empower adults aged 15 and above from all backgrounds who missed formal schooling (non-literates), helping them integrate into society and contribute to the nation’s growth.
• Components: The scheme has 5 components:
  • Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN),
  • Critical Life Skills,
  • Vocational Skills Development,
  • Basic Education and
  • Continuing Education.
• The beneficiaries under the scheme:
  • They are identified through door-to-door surveys on Mobile App by the surveyors in the States/UTs.
  • The non-literate can also avail the benefit of the scheme through direct registration from any place through mobile app.
• Other information:
  • The scheme is mainly based on volunteerism for teaching and learning and volunteers can also register through mobile app for this purpose.
  • The scheme is based on technology and implemented predominantly through online mode.
  • The teaching learning material and resources have been made available on the DIKSHA platform of NCERT and can be accessed through the mobile-apps.
  • Further, modes like TV, Radio, Samajik Chetna Kendra, etc., are also to be used for dissemination of FLN.

Who is Considered Literate under the NILP?

• Meaning of literacy: According to the MoE, literacy may be understood as the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, i.e., to identify, understand, interpret and create along with critical life skills such as digital literacy, financial literacy, etc.
• Meaning of full literacy: A State/UT achieving 95% literacy may be considered as fully literate.
• How one is declared literate under the NLIP?
  • An individual has been declared literate after taking the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).
  • In 2023, 3994563 adult learners appeared for FLNAT exams, out of which 3617303 learners were certified ‘literate.’

Significant Literacy Challenge Faced by India:

• Large number of non-literate individuals: According to the Census 2011, there are 25.76 crore non-literate individuals in the 15 years and above age group.
• Women are more disadvantaged:
  • Out of total non-literate individuals, 9.08 crore are males and 16.68 crore are females.
  • Non-literate individuals face disadvantages in various aspects of life such as
    • Financial transactions,
    • Job applications,
    • Comprehension of media and technology,
    • Understanding of rights and
    • Participation in higher productivity sectors.
  • Ineffectiveness of government initiatives: An estimated 18.12 crore adults in India are still illiterate, despite advancements achieved under the Saakshar Bharat program, which certified 7.64 crore people as literate between 2009–10 and 2017–18.
  • Lower pass percentage in FLNAT exam: While the pass percentage in FLNAT hovered between 89.64% to 91.27% in 2023, in 2024 it has dropped a bit lower to 85.27%.
  • Lower budget allocation: In 2023-24, the allocation for NILP was ₹157 crore, but later it was brought down to ₹100 crore in the revised budget estimate.