General Studies Paper 2

Why in News?

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has asked all States to ensure strict implementation of the sexual harassment at workplace law.

What are the Concerns of NCW?

• The NCW has expressing concern over incidents of sexual harassment at coaching centres and educational institutes and asked to ensure strict implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013and guidelines established thereunder.
• In recent years, sexual harassment at workplace is becoming one of the most pressing issues affecting women across the globe.
• Nearly 31,000 complaints of crimes committed against women were received by the NCW in 2022, the highest since 2014.
  • About 54.5 % of the complaints were received from Uttar Pradesh. Delhi recorded 3,004 complaints, followed by Maharashtra (1,381), Bihar (1,368) and Haryana (1,362).
• Crimes that women were subjected to: Domestic violence, Harassment of married womenor dowry harassment, Sexual harasment at workplace, Rape and attempt to rape, Cyber crimes.

What is Protection of Women Against Sexual Harassment Act, 2013

• Background:The Supreme Court in a landmark judgement in the Vishakha and others v State of Rajasthan 1997 case gave ‘Vishakha guidelines.
  • These guidelines formed the basis for the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (“Sexual Harassment Act”).
• Mechanism:The Act defines sexual harassment at the workplace and creates a mechanism for redressal of complaints.
  • Every employer is required to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee at each officeor branch with 10 or more employees.
  • The Complaints Committees have the powers of civil courts for gathering evidence.
  • The Complaints Committees are required to provide for conciliation before initiating an inquiry if requested by the complainant.
• Penal Provisions:Penalties have been prescribed for employers. Non-compliance with the provisions of the Act shall be punishable with a fine.
  • Repeated violations may lead to higher penalties and cancellation of license or registration to conduct business.
• Responsibility of Administration:The State Government will notify the District Officer in every district, who will constitute a Local Complaints Committee (LCC) so as to enable women in the unorganised sector or small establishments to work in an environment free of sexual harassment.

What is the Background & Mandate of NCW?

• About:
  • Under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, the NCW was set up as a statutory body in January 1992.
  • The First Commission was constituted on 31^stJanuary 1992 with Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik as the Chairperson.
    • The commission consists of a chairperson, a member secretary and five other members. The chairperson of the NCW is nominated by the Central Government.
  • Mandate and Functions:
    • Its mission is to strive towards enabling women to achieve equality and equal participation in all spheres of lifeby securing her due rights and entitlements through suitable policy formulation, legislative measures, etc.
    • Its functions are to:
      • Review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women.
      • Recommend remedial legislative measures.
      • Facilitate redressal of grievances.
      • Advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.
    • It has received a large number of complaints and acted suo-moto in several cases to provide speedy justice.
    • It took up the issue of child marriage, sponsored legal awareness programmes, Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats and reviewed laws such as:
      • Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961,
      • Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1994,
      • Indian Penal Code 1860.

What are the major Legal Frameworks for Welfare of Women?

Constitutional Safeguards:

• Fundamental Rights:
  • It guarantees all Indians the right to equality (Article 14), no discrimination by the State on the basis of gender (Article 15(1)) and special provisions to be made by the State in favour of women (Article 15(3)).
• Fundamental Duties:
  • It ensures that practices derogatory to the dignity of women are prohibited under Article 51 (A).

Legislative Framework:

• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
• The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013
• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), 2012

Women Empowerment Schemes:

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
• One Stop Centre Scheme
• UJJAWALA: A Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation
• SWADHAR Greh
• NARI SHAKTI PURASKAR
• Mahila police Volunteers
• Mahila Shakti Kendras (MSK)
• NIRBHAYA Fund.

Way Forward

• There is a need to implement JS Verma Committee recommendations on Sexual Harassment at the Workplace Act:
  • Employment Tribunal:Setting up of an employment tribunal instead of an internal complaints committee (ICC) in the Sexual Harassment at the Workplace Act.
  • Power to Form Own Procedure:To ensure speedy disposal of complaints, the committee proposed that the tribunal should not function as a civil court but may choose its own procedure to deal with each complaint.
  • Expanding Scope of Act:Domestic workers should be included within the purview of the Act.
    • The Committee said any “unwelcome behavior” should be seen from the subjective perception of the complainant, thus broadening the scope of the definition of sexual harassment.
  • Women’s role is continuously expanding in today’s India and the expansion of the role of the NCW is the need of the hour.
    • Further, the State Commissions must also widen their ambit.
  • Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfillment of women and girls’ human rights.
    • All in all, the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – to leave no one behind – cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.
  • Crime against women cannot be resolved in the court of law alone. A holistic approach & changing the entire ecosystem is what is required.
    • All the stakeholders need to get their act together, including Law makers, police officers, forensic dept, prosecutors, judiciary, medical & health dept, NGOs, rehabilitation centres.

Question For Practice

1. We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace. (2014)

General Studies Paper 3

Why in News?

Government will launch the Digital India Innovation Fund to support deep tech startups.

What is Deep Tech?

• About:
  • Deep tech or deep technology refers to a class of startup businesses that develop new offerings based on tangible engineering innovation or scientific discoveries and advances.
  • Usually, such startups operate on, but are not limited to, agriculture, life sciences, chemistry, aerospace and green energy.
  • Deep tech fields like Artificial Intelligence, advanced materials, blockchain, biotechnology, robotics, drones, photonics, and quantum computing are moving more and more quickly from early research to market applications.
• Characteristics of Deep Tech:
  • Impact:The deep tech innovations are very radical and disrupt an existing market or develop a new one. Innovations based on deep tech often change lives, economies, and societies.
  • Time & Scale:The time required for deep technology to develop the technology and reach the market-ready maturity is way more than shallow technology development (like mobile apps and websites). It took decades for artificial intelligence to develop and it is still not perfect.
  • Capital:Deep tech often requires a lot of early-stage funding for research and development, prototyping, validating hypothesis, and technology development.

What is the State of India’s Deep Tech Startups?

• India had over 3,000 deep-tech start-ups, dabbling in new-age technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things, Big Data, quantum computing, robotics, etc., at the end of 2021.
• According to NASSCOM, deep-tech start-ups in India raised USD 2.7 billion in venture funding in 2021, and now account for over 12% of the country’s overall startup ecosystem.
• In the last decade India’s deep tech ecosystem has grown 53%and is at par with that in developed markets like the US, China, Israel, and Europe.
  • Bengaluru accounts for 25-30% of India’s deep-tech start-ups, followed by Delhi-NCR (15-20%) and Mumbai (10-12%).
• Deep-tech start-ups are making their presence felt across sectors like drone delivery and cold chain management to climate action and clean energy.

What are the Challenges Faced by Deep Tech?

• For deep-tech startups, funding is one of the biggest challenges. Less than 20% of startups receive financing.
  • Government funds are underutilized, and domestic capital is lacking for such startups.
• Talent and market access, research guidance, investors’ understanding of deep-tech, customer acquisition and cost for talent are the major challenges faced by them.

What are the Related Initiatives?

• The Atal New India Challenge has been launched under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of the Niti Aayog, with an objective to serve as a platform for the promotion of Innovation Hubs, Grand Challenges, startup businesses, and other self-employment activities, particularly in technology-driven areas.
• Launched in 2021,NASSCOM’s Deep Tech Club (DTC) 2.0 is aimed at scaling the impact to over 1,000 firms that are leveraging technologies such as AI, ML, Internet of Things, robotics, and blockchain.

Way Forward

• Reevaluate the Roadmaps:
  • As the continual growth of the Indian start-up ecosystem is fueled by the ongoing era of constantly emerging new technologies, organizations and the government would need to reevaluate their roadmaps for adopting deep tech.
  • As technologies such as 5G, understandable artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cloud-native technologies, cybersecurity meshes, and customer data platforms will be used in the future. There are a number of factors that can help the booming and resilient Indian startup ecosystem become global leaders in deep technology.
• CSR Budget Utilization:
  • The social sector has traditionally benefited from Corporate Social Responsibility. However, this growing corpus should also be used to develop strategic technologies.
  • A large corporation can be encouraged to contribute to the strategic needs of the nation with some of its budget. There is a need for the government to allow these funds to flow into certain strategic tech startups.

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

Why in News?

According to figures presented in Parliament in December 2022, over the last five years, the number of registered startups in India have grown from 452 in 2016 to 84,012.

• Many of them are located in the cloud, which refers to the servers and data storage that are accessible through the internet, and storage companies are offering a variety of incentives to lure and retain them.

What is the Role of AWS Cloud Services in India’s Start-up Boom?

• About:
  • AWS, or Amazon Web Services, one of India’s largest providers of cloud-based services, has provided start up credits that allow aspirant startups to use a suite of services from computing, storage and hosting for free.
  • AWS has helped “compress” the lifecycle of a startup, allowing them to become more innovative.
  • Cloud services mean that they can simulate experiments on the cloud, run tests, fail, and learn from it.
  • India has the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem after United States (US) and China and therefore, one of the biggest markets for such cloud services.
    • Some of the companies supported by AWS included: HealthifyME, which developed an app called ‘Vaccinate Me,’ which allowed feature phones to book close to 50 million vaccination-appointments.
  • AWS also powered the Ayushman Bharat Digital mission as well as the Cowin system for Covid-19
• India’s Cloud Computing Market:
  • India’s cloud computing market was expected to grow at 28.1% during the forecast period until 2027.
  • The high concentration and increasing number of small and medium-sized businesses in India that are rapidly shifting towards cloud computing is emerging as the major driving factor for the market.
  • Furthermore, growing investment towards the construction of cloud data centres is expected to boost the India cloud computing market.

What is the State of Start-ups in India?

• About:
  • 49% of start-ups are from tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
  • As of September 2022, India is home to107 unicorns with a total valuation of USD 340.79 Billion.
  • According to the India Venture Capital Report 2021 published by Bain and Company, the number of cumulative start-ups has grown at a CAGR of 17% since 2012 and crossed 1,12,000.
• Major Challenges Related to Start-ups in India:
  • Lack of Forward Thrust to Innovation: India’s education system lacks vocational training and industry exposure that keeps students deprived of pursuing innovation. As a result, this makes the Indian higher education system lags behind in terms of research and development.
  • Lack of Recognition: Since nearly 70% of the Indian population lives in rural areas that are still deprived from reliable internet access. Consequently, many village-based start-up go unrecognised and are deprived of government funding initiatives.
  • Bootstrapped Nature: For running a start-up, a significant amount of working capital is required. Many start-ups in India, especially at early stages, are bootstrapped, i.e., self-funded through the founders’ own savings, since domestic financing is limited.
  • Scalability Concern: Small start-ups in India have limited understanding of customers and are confined to only certain regions, where they know the local language and local people.
  • Marginal Penetration in Space Sector: Indian startups in fintech and e-commerce are doing exceptionally well, but space startups remain outliers.
    • Globally, the space economy is valued at USD 440 billion, with India holding less than 2% of the market.

What are the Government’s Initiatives for Startups?

• Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS):It aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization.
• National Startup Awards: It seeks to recognize and reward outstanding startups and ecosystem enablers that are contributing to economic dynamism by spurring innovation and injecting competition.
• SCO Startup Forum: The first-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum was launched in October 2020 to develop and improve startup ecosystems collectively.
• Prarambh: The ‘Prarambh’ Summit aims to provide a platform to startups and young minds from around the world to come up with new ideas, innovation and invention.

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

Why in News?

Recently, Karnataka has categorized the two dominant communities, Vokkaligas and Lingayats, as “moderately backward” from the “backward” category in a move that could increase their share in reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC).

What are the Key Points of the Move?

• Karnataka currently has32% quota for OBC, and 17% and 7% quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, respectively, taking the total to 56%.
• The Panchamasali sub-sect of Veerashaiva Lingayats has demanded inclusion in the 2A category which has 15% quota from their current 3B category which has 5% quota.
• The Cabinet’s decision is based on the recommendations of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.
• The Vokkaliga community, which is currently in the 3A category, will be moved to a newly-created 2C category with 4% reservation. And the Lingayat community, which is in the 3B category, will now be in a new 2D category with 5% reservation.
• The Cabinet decision ensures that there is no sub-categorisation of the Lingayat community.
• The Lingayats are a dominant community who make up nearly 17% of Karnataka’s six crore population– followed by Vokkaligas. The new categories will not affect the existing reservation provided to other communities.
• The reservation will be applicable only in education and jobs, and “not political reservation.

Who are Lingayats?

• About:
  • The term Lingayat denotes a person who wears a personal linga, an iconic form of god Shiva, on the body which is received during the initiation ceremony.
  • Lingayats are the followers of the12^th-century social reformer-philosopher poet, Basaveshwara.
  • Basaveshwara was against the caste system and Vedic rituals.
  • The Lingayats are strict monotheists. They enjoin the worship of only one God, namely, Linga (Shiva).
  • Lingayats had been classified as a Hindu subcaste called “Veerashaiva Lingayats” and they are considered to be Shaivites.
• Separate Religion for Lingayats:
  • Lingayats had distanced themselves from Hindu Veerashaivas because the latter followed the Vedas and supported the caste system, to which Basaveshwara was against.
  • Veerashaivas are the followers of the five peethas (religious centers), called Pancha Peethas. These peethas are set up on similar lines to the four peethas set up by Adi Shankara.

Who are Vokkaligas?

• It is even believed that the Rashtrakutas and Western Gangas were of Vokkaliga origin.
• Vokkaliga is a category defined in terms of occupation, and to that extent could be an ethnic category; these are largely farmers by origin.
• The Vokkaliga caste originates in the Indian state of Karnataka. In the former princely state of Mysore, the Vokkaligas were the largest community.
• As a community of warriors and cultivators, they have historically wielded tremendous demographic, political, and economic dominance in Old Mysore.

How has the Status of OBC Reservation Emerged Over Time?

• The Kalelkar Commission, set up in 1953, was the first to identify backward classes other than the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) at the national level.
• The Mandal Commission Report, 1980 estimated the OBC population at 52% and classified 1,257 communities as backward.
  • It recommended increasing the existing quotas, which were only for SC/ST, from 22.5% to 49.5% to include the OBCs.
• The central government reserved 27%of seats in union civil posts and services for OBCs [Article 16(4)]. The quotas were subsequently enforced in central government educational institutions [Article 15 (4)].
  • In 2008, the Supreme Court directed the central government to exclude the creamy layer (advanced sections) among the OBCs.
• The 102^nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018 provided constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which was previously a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Questions For Practice

1. Do government’s schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economies?(UPSC 2014)
2. Discuss the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body.(UPSC 2022)

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution issued a notification to provide free foodgrains (rice, wheat and coarse grains) to all eligible households under the National Food Security Act, 2013, for one year from January 1, 2023.

• The government, however, discontinued the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

What are Coarse Cereals?

• Coarse cereals are traditionally grown in resource-poor agro-climatic regions of the country.
  • Agro-climatic zone is a land unit in terms of major climates suitable for a certain range of crops and cultivars.
• Sorghum, pearl millet, maize, barley, finger millet and several small millets such as kodo millet, little millet, foxtail millet, proso millet and barnyard millet together called coarse cereals.
  • Sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, maize and small millet (barnyard millet, proso millet, kodo millet and foxtail millet)are also called nutri-cereals.
• Coarse cereals are known for their nutri-rich content and having characteristics like drought tolerance, photo-insensitivity and resilient to climate change

What is NFSA?

• Notified On:
  • 10^thSeptember, 2013.
• Objective:
  • To provide for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
• Coverage:
  • 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population forreceiving subsidised foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
  • Overall,NFSA covers about 81.35 crore citizens.
• Eligibility:
  • Priority Households are to be covered under TPDS,according to guidelines by the State government.
  • Households are covered under theAntyodaya Anna Yojana.
• Provisions:
  • 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.
  • The existing AAY household will continue toreceive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month.
  • Meal and maternity benefitsof not less than Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after child birth.
  • Meals for childrenupto 14 years of age.
  • Food securityallowance to beneficiaries in case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals.
  • Setting up grievance redressal mechanismsat the district and state level.

What are Government Initiatives in this Regard?

• National Food Security Mission
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
• Integrated Schemes on Oilseeds, Pulses, Palm oil and Maize (ISOPOM)
• eNAM Portal

Questions For Practice

1. Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement.(UPSC 2017)
2. What are the reformative steps taken by the Government to make the food grain distribution system more effective?(UPSC 2019)
3. What are the major challenges of Public Distribution System (PDS) in India? How can it be made effective and transparent?(UPSC 2022)

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

Why in News?

The recent tragedies in Seoul, South Korea, and Morbi in Gujarat have once again put crowds and their management under the spotlight.

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)has been mandated, under the provisions of Disaster Management Act 2005 to, inter alia, issue guidelines for the management of disasters that periodically affect the normal life and well-being of the people.

What is Crowd Management?

• Crowd management is defined as the systematic planning for, and supervision of, the orderly movement and assembly of people.
• Crowd management involves the assessment of the people handling capabilities of a space prior to use.
• It includes evaluation of projected levels of occupancy, adequacy of means of ingress and egress, processing procedures such as ticket collection, and expected types of activities and group behaviour.

What are the Causes of Crowd Disaster/Stampede?

• Structural Failures:
  • Demolition of interim facilities, vertical stairs, narrow buildings due to illegal structures, hawkers, and parking.
• Electric/Fire Disasters:
  • A common cause is improper use of firecrackers or incorrect wiring during the celebrations in makeshift kitchens.
  • Electricity supply failure creating panic and triggering sudden exodus.
• Crowd Behaviour:
  • Minimizing the size of the mass, lack of coordination with management, overselling of the tickets, mass panicking by sudden rush or rumours to get celebrity autographs or freebies.
    • People need at least 1 square yard of space each to control their movements. Most people who die in crowds die from asphyxiation while standing upright, not from trampling.
    • Humans lose consciousness after being compressed for just 30 seconds, they can be brain dead within 6 minutes.
  • Inadequate Security:
    • Taking drastic measures such as firing teargas due to insufficient deployment of safety teams.
  • Lack of Coordination among Administrative Agencies:
    • Inadequate coordination between the fire service, the police, the shrine management, etc.

What are the NDMA Guidelines on Crowd Management?

• The first step is to regulate traffic in areas surrounding the pandals and Dussehra grounds.
  • For pedestrians, route maps for reaching the venue and emergency exit route should be put up at strategic points. Barricading to ensure the movement of people in a queue is key to control a burgeoning crowd.
• CCTV cameras to monitor movement and police presence to reduce the risk of snatching and other petty crimes should also be on the organisers’ agenda.
• Medical emergencies can occur in claustrophobic spaces. An ambulance and health care professionals on stand-by can save lives in exigencies.
• On the part of revellers, familiarising people with exit routes, staying calm and following instructions will help prevent stampede-like situations.
• In case a stampede breaks out, protect the chest by placing hands like a boxer and keep moving in the direction of the crowd.
• Organisers should ensure authorised use of electricity, fire safety extinguishers and other arrangements meeting safety guidelines.
• A list of neighbourhood hospitals would come in handy. Simple precautions like wearing light, cotton clothes and knowledge of basic tricks like rolling on the ground to douse off fire are a must.

Conclusion

• In today’s world, crowd management should be the top priority, especially in India.
• A large number of catastrophic events involving large crowds are caused by human error. By planning and implementing proactive measures, these catastrophes can be avoided. Apart from that, it is important to analyse and gain knowledge from previous errors.
• Crowd disasters are a concern for everyone in society. Despite the Government’s responsibility in leading the way, the general public also has a major role to play in preventing such disasters in the future.

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

Why in News?

Armenia and India celebrated 30 years of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2022.

How have Historical Ties been?

• Armenia and India maintain active political ties. Effective cooperation exists between the two nations within international bodies.
• After Armenia’s independence in 1991, Armenian-Indian relations were re-established.
• Diplomatic relations were established between the Republic of Armenia and India in 1992.
• In 1999, the Indian Embassy in Yerevan began operations.
• If the Armenian-Indian political relations can be evaluated as “excellent”, Armenia is the only Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country with which India had diplomatic relations in 1995 (other than Russia).
  • The CIS was founded in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
  • At present the CIS unites: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.
• India and Armenia signed a Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation in 1995.
• But the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries cannot be deemed adequate.

What are the Areas of Cooperation Between the Two Countries?

• Defence Relations:
  • Armenia had already shown interest in Indian military hardware before the 2020 war.
  • In 2020, Armenia signed a USD 40 million arms deal with India for the supply of four SWATHI radars to detect the location of weapons.
  • In October 2022, India signed an agreement with Armenia to export missiles, rockets & ammunition.
    • The missiles will also include Indigenous Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket
    • India may also export its Man Portable Anti – Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) to Armenia.
  • Supply Chain and Economy:
    • In the contest over global supply chains, Armenia provides a potential outpost for New Delhi in the Eurasian corridor which extends from the Persian Gulf to Russia and Europe.
    • Armenia can also prove a worthy developmental partner to India in domains such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and technology.
    • The collaboration can provide an outstanding substitute for the debt-fuelled Chinese Belt and Road Initiative
    • Finally, it goes without saying that Armenia growing purchases of Indian defence hardware would provide an impetus to both public and private sector defence manufacturing in India.

What is the Significance of Armenia for India?

• Countering Pan-Turkism:
  • Turkey’s imperial ambition of establishing a pan-Turkic empire, administered from Ankara, is identifiable in the present-day Caucasus and other parts of Eurasia.
  • The racist doctrine envisions an empire comprising all nations and regions that speak a Turkic-type language, disregarding the extent of difference between those languages and that spoken in Turkey as well as the approval of the regions’ respective populaces.
  • With recent exports of military hardware to Armenia, New Delhi has openly positioned itself on Armenian side in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and has therefore chosen to counter Azerbaijan and its supporters including Turkey and Pakistan as well as Ankara’s expansionist pan-Turkic ambitions.
• Geo-Strategic Benefits:
  • As an ally of Azerbaijan, Pakistan has been supplying men and military hardware to assist the former in its conflicts.
  • Azerbaijan has returned the favour by offering geopolitical, geoeconomics, and geostrategic benefits to its partners in Islamabad.
  • Azerbaijan’s success in Armenia would significantly energize Pakistan, with perilous consequences.
  • The purpose of seizing Armenian territory forcibly is to gain unhindered access to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and the entire Turkic-oriented axis of nations, up to China.
    • Munitions and military hardware could utilise this route to arrive at the doorstep of Kashmir.
  • To prevent this, New Delhi can utilize its military skills and capabilities to assist Armenia in securing itself against Azerbaijan’s energy-funded superior military strength.
• Economic Cooperation:
  • Armenia can play an important role in the Indian-backed International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)and the Iranian-backed Black Sea-Persian Gulf Transport Corridor.

Way Forward

• Armenian-Indian cooperation can become an integral part of broader contacts for Armenia with developed democracies. For these ends,high-quality and subtle diplomacy is imperative.
• The structure of international relations are also changing, creating both potential threats and opportunities.
• In these shifting global relations, Armenia requires a deep diversification of foreign relations.
• The countries of the Global West may become the most auspicious directions.
• By sharing common values, Armenia and the Community of States will be able to work closely together.
  • It is the exact area of cooperation that will ensure the active implementation of the modernization theory, institutionalization, and, possibly, strengthen national defence.

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

Why in News?

Recently, Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) has released a report card of Responsiveness under RTI (Right to Information) Act 2021-22, which shows that Tamil Nadu has been the worst performing RTI responsiveness, furnishing only 14% of the information sought.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report Card?

• Maharashtra was second-worst, sharing 23% of the information asked for.
• Only 10 ICs provided full information in response to the RTI applications filed as part of this assessment. These included Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand and north eastern States of Sikkim, Nagaland and Tripura.
• The SIC of Bihar, which had failed to provide any information under the RTI Act for the assessments published in 2020 and 2021, significantly improved its performance and furnished 67% of the information sought.
• A large number of ICs across the country were returning cases without passing orders.
  • Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh returned around 40% of the appeals or complaints received by them.
  • Of the 18 Information Commissioners the assessment found that 11 had returned appeals or complaints without passing any orders.
• Several ICs have an extremely low rate of disposal per commissioner.
  • For instance, the SIC of West Bengal had an annual average disposal rate of 222 cases per commissioner – each commissioner effectively disposing of less than one case a day – even though more than 10,000 cases were pending.
• Of all the 29 ICs, only the CIC has adopted a norm regarding the number of appeals or complaints to be disposed of by each commissioner in one year.

What is the Right to Information (RTI) Act?

• About:
  • The Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information.
  • The basic object of the Right to Information Act is to empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in a real sense.
• Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019:
  • It provided that the Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner (of Centre as well as States) shall hold office for such term as prescribed by the Central Government. Before this amendment, their term was fixed for 5 years.
  • It provided that the salary, allowances and other service conditions of the Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner(of Centre as well as States) shall be such as prescribed by the Central Government.
    • Before this amendment, the salary, allowances and other service conditions of the Chief Information Commissioner were similar to those of the Chief Election Commissioner and that of an Information Commissioner were similar to those of an Election Commissioner (State Election Commissioners in case of States).
  • It removed the provisions regarding deductions in salary of the Chief Information Commissioner, an Information Commissioner, the State Chief Information Commissioner and a State Information Commissioner due to pension or any other retirement benefits received by them for their previous government service.
  • The RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 was criticized on grounds of diluting the law and giving more powers to the central government.
• Issues in the Implementation:
  • Non-compliance in proactive disclosure by public authorities
  • Hostile approach of Public Information Officers (PIOs) towards citizens and misinterpreting provisions of the Right to Information (RTI) Act to conceal information.
  • Lack of clarity on what public interest is and right to privacy
  • Lack of political will and poor infrastructure
  • Rejection of information requests made by active citizens on important matters of public importance
  • Covert means of attacks and threats against RTI activists and applicants to suppress their voices

What is the Central Information Commission?

• Established: The Central Information Commission was established by the Central Government in 2005, under the provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005). It is not a constitutional body.
• Members: The Commission consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information Commissioners.
• Appointment: They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
• Tenure: The Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner shall hold office for such term as prescribed by the Central Government or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • They are not eligible for reappointment.
• Power and Functions of CIC:
  • It is the duty of the Commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person regarding information requested under RTI, 2005.
  • The Commission can order an inquiry into any matter if there are reasonable grounds (suo-moto power).
  • While inquiring, the Commission has the powers of a civil court in respect of summoning, requiring documents etc.

Way Forward

• Proper functioning of information commissions is crucial for people to realise their right to information.
  • Under the RTI law,information commissions are the final appellate authority and are mandated to safeguard and facilitate people’s fundamental right to information.
• There is an urgentneed for the transparency watchdogs to function in a more effective and transparent manner.
• The digital RTI portal (website or mobile app) can deliver more efficient and citizen-friendly services which are not possible through conventional mode.
  • This will be beneficial for both transparency seekers and the government.

Question for Practice

1. The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.” Discuss. (2018)

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister of India spoke to the Ukrainian President to discuss India’s ongoing G-20 Presidency, and Ukraine’s “10-point Peace Plan”.

• In early December 2022, Ukraine urged the leaders of the Group of Seven nations to support its Global Peace Summit idea in winter that would focus on the peace plan “as a whole or some specific points in particular”.

What is Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Plan?

• Ukraine first announced its peace formula at a November 2022 summit of the Group of 20 major economies. The plan calls for:
  • Radiation and nuclear safety, focusing on restoring safety around Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, which is now-Russian occupied.
  • Food security, including protecting and ensuring Ukraine’s grain exports to the world’s poorest nations.
  • Energy security, with focus on price restrictions on Russian energy resources, as well as aiding Ukraine with restoring its power infrastructure, half of which has been damaged by Russian attacks.
  • Release of all prisoners and deportees, including war prisoners and children deported to Russia.
  • Restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and Russia reaffirming it according to the United Nations
  • Withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities, restoration of Ukraine’s state borders with Russia.
  • Justice, including the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes.
  • Protection of environment with focus on demining and restoring water treatment facilities.
  • Prevention of escalation of conflict, and building security architecture in the Euro-Atlantic space, including guarantees for Ukraine.
  • Confirmation of the war’s end, including a document signed by the involved parties.

What has been the World’s Response to Peace Formula?

• Russia rejected Ukraine’s peace proposal and Moscow reiterated that it would not give up any territory it has taken by force, around a fifth of Ukraine, which Russia has annexed.
• The Western world’s support for Ukraine’s military has run into billions of dollars, led by Washington, and nations have rushed to help Kyiv with demining and fixing power infrastructure.
  • But response to Ukraine’s peace plan and its proposed peace summit has been more cautious.
• The G7 leaders said they were committed to bringing peace to Ukraine “in line with its rights enshrined in the U.N. Charter.”

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

Why in News?

The border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka is intensifying, with both states passing a unanimous resolution to support a legal battle to resolve the dispute.

What is Maharashtra-Karnataka Border Dispute?

• About:
  • The border dispute over Belagavi, Karwar and Nipani in North Karnataka is long-standing.
  • When state boundaries were redrawn on linguistic lines as per the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, Belagavi became part of the erstwhile Mysore state.
    • The Act was based on the findings of the Justice Fazal Ali Commission which was appointed in 1953 and submitted its report two years later.
  • Maharashtra claims that parts of Belagavi, where Marathi is the dominant language, should remain in Maharashtra.
  • In October 1966, the Centre set up the Mahajan Commission, led by former Chief Justice of India Mehr Chand Mahajan, to resolve the border dispute in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.
  • The Commission recommended that Belgaum and 247 villages remain with Karnataka. Maharashtra rejected the report, and in 2004, moved the Supreme Court.
• Basis of Maharashtra’s Claim:
  • Maharashtra’s claim to seek the readjustment of its border was on the basis of contiguity, relative linguistic majority and wishes of the people. If the claim over Belagavi and surrounding areas was based on Marathi-speaking people and linguistic homogeneity, it laid its claim over Karwar and Supa where Konkani is spoken by citing Konkani as a dialect of Marathi.
  • Its argument was based on the theory of villages being the unit for calculation and enumerated linguistic population in each village. Maharashtra also points out the historical fact that the revenue records in these Marathi-speaking areas are also kept in Marathi.
• Karnataka’s Position:
  • Karnataka has argued that the settlement of boundaries as per the States Reorganisation Act is final.
  • The boundary of the State was neither tentative nor flexible. The State argues that the issue would reopen border issues that have not been contemplated under the Act, and that such a demand should not be permitted.

How is the Issue Being Resolved?

• Attempts are often made to resolve inter-state disputes with the cooperation of both sides, with the Centre working as a facilitator or a neutral mediator.
• If issues are resolved amicably, Parliament can bring a law to alter state boundaries, such as the Bihar-Uttar Pradesh (Alteration of Boundaries) Act of 1968 and the Haryana-Uttar Pradesh (Alteration of Boundaries) Act of 1979.
• In the Belagavi issue, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Chief Ministers of both states and asked them to form a six-member team, comprising three ministers from each side, to address all boundary issues.

What are the other Methods Available?

• Judicial Redressal:
  • The Supreme Court in its original jurisdiction decides disputes between states.
  • As per Article 131 of the Constitution reads, the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction in any dispute between the Government of India and one or more States or between the Government of India and any State or between two or more states.
• Inter-state Council:
  • Article 263 of the Constitution gives powers to the Presidentto set up an Inter-state Council for resolution of disputes between states.
  • The Council is envisaged as a forum for discussion between the states and the Centre.
    • In 1988, the Sarkaria Commissionsuggested that the Council should exist as a permanent body, and in 1990 it came into existence through a Presidential Order.

What are Some of the other Inter-State Disputes in India?

Way Forward

• Boundary disputes between the states can be settled by using satellite mapping of the actual border locations.
• Reviving the Inter-state council can be an option for resolution of an Inter-state dispute.
  • Under Article 263 of the Constitution, the Inter-state council is expected to inquire and advise on disputes, discuss subjects common to all states and make recommendations for better policy coordination.
• Similarly, Zonal councils need to be revived to discuss the matters of common concern to states in each zone—matters relating to social and economic planning, border disputes, inter-state transport, etc.
• India is the epitome of unity in diversity. However, to strengthen this unity furthermore, both the centre and state governments need to imbibe the ethos of cooperative federalism.