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GS Paper: GS3

  • Centre in final stages of notifying Emissions Trading Scheme

    After the passing of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill last December, the Centre is now in the final stages of notifying an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

    Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)

    • India does not currently have a national Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). However, there have been some efforts to introduce an ETS in the country.
    • In 2018, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released a draft of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
    • It proposed the introduction of a market-based mechanism for reducing air pollution for the first time.
    • The mechanism was not explicitly called an ETS, but it was described as a “cap-and-trade system.”

    Successful example of Carbon Market: EU’s emissions trading system (ETS)

    • Under the EU’s ETS launched in 2005, member countries set a cap or limit for emissions in different sectors, such as power, oil, manufacturing, agriculture, and waste management.
    • This cap is determined as per the climate targets of countries and is lowered successively to reduce emissions.
    • Entities in this sector are issued annual allowances or permits by governments equal to the emissions they can generate.
    • If companies produce emissions beyond the capped amount, they have to purchase additional permit, either through official auctions or from companies.
    • This makes up the ‘trade’ part of cap-and-trade.

    How is carbon price determined?

    • The market price of carbon gets determined by market forces when purchasers and sellers trade in emissions allowances.
    • Notably, companies can also save up excess permits to use later.
    • Through this kind of carbon trading, companies can decide if it is more cost-efficient to employ clean energy technologies or to purchase additional allowances.
    • These markets may promote the reduction of energy use and encourage the shift to cleaner fuels.

    Other such examples

    • China launched the world’s largest ETS in 2021, estimated to cover around one-seventh of the global carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
    • Markets also operate or are under development in North America, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and New Zealand.

    Significance of Carbon Market

    • The World Bank estimates that trading in carbon credits could reduce the cost of implementing NDCs by more than half — by as much as $250 billion by 2030.
    • Last year, the value of global markets for tradable carbon allowances or permits grew by 164% to a record 760 billion euros ($851 billion).
    • The EU’s ETS contributed the most to this increase, accounting for 90% of the global value at 683 billion euros.
    • As for voluntary carbon markets, their current global value is comparatively smaller at $2 billion.

    What is the progress at UN?

    • The UN international carbon market envisioned in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is yet to kick off as multilateral discussions are still underway about how the inter-country carbon market will function.
    • Under the proposed market, countries would be able to offset their emissions by buying credits generated by greenhouse gas-reducing projects in other countries.
    • In the past, developing countries, particularly India, China and Brazil, gained significantly from a similar carbon market under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997.
    • India registered 1,703 projects under the CDM which is the second highest in the world.
    • But with the 2015 Paris Agreement, the global scenario changed as even developing countries had to set emission reduction targets.

    India’s efforts

    The new Bill empowers the Centre to specify a carbon credits trading scheme.

    • Issuance of credit certificates: Under the Bill, the central government or an authorised agency will issue carbon credit certificates to companies or even individuals registered and compliant with the scheme.
    • Tradable carbon credits: These carbon credit certificates will be tradeable in nature. Other persons would be able to buy carbon credit certificates on a voluntary basis.

    Existing mechanisms

    • Notably, two types of tradeable certificates are already issued in India-
    1. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and
    2. Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs)
    • These are issued when companies use renewable energy or save energy, which are also activities which reduce carbon emissions.

    Lacunas of the bill

    • No clear mechanism: The Bill does not provide clarity on the mechanism to be used for the trading of carbon credit certificates— whether it will be like the cap-and-trade schemes or use another method— and who will regulate such trading.
    • Confusion over nodal agency: The right ministry to bring in a scheme of this nature, pointing out that while carbon market schemes in other jurisdictions like the US, UK are framed by their environment ministries, the Indian Bill was tabled by the power ministry instead of the MoEFCC.
    • Ambiguity over existing certificates: The Bill does not specify whether certificates under already existing schemes would also be interchangeable with carbon credit certificates and tradeable for reducing carbon emissions.
    • Overlapping: The question, thus, is whether all these certificates could be exchanged with each other. There are concerns about whether overlapping schemes may dilute the overall impact of carbon trading.

    Challenges to carbon markets

    • Double counting: of greenhouse gas reductions
    • Quality and authenticity: These parameters of climate projects that generate credits to poor market transparency
    • Greenwashing: Companies may buy credits, simply offsetting carbon footprints instead of reducing their overall emissions or investing in clean technologies.
    • Inefficiency: The IMF points out that including high emission-generating sectors under trading schemes to offset their emissions by buying allowances may immensely increase emissions on net.

    Way forward

    • Alignment with NDCs: The UNDP emphasizes that for carbon markets to be successful, emission reductions and removals must be real and aligned with the country’s NDCs.
    • Transparent financing: It says that there must be “transparency in the institutional and financial infrastructure for carbon market transactions”.

     

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  • Telangana’s Teja Chilli is hot property in many nations

    chilli

    The burgeoning demand for the popular Teja variety of red chilli, famous for its culinary, medicinal and other wide-ranging uses, in the export market is proving to be a boon for the Telangana Agriculture Market.

    Teja Chilli

    • Teja or S17 is one of the hottest varieties of red chillies produced in India. (GI tag not accorded yet.)
    • The chilli is known and liked across the country for its fierce hot flavor and rich aroma.
    • Southern India is the main region of Teja or S17 red chilli production.
    • It has a capsaicin content of 0.50-0.70% making it more pungent and spicy.
    • The huge demand for Oleoresin, a natural chilli extract, is mainly driving the export of Teja variety to various spice processing industries in several Asian countries.

    Where it is produced?

    • Khammam district is the largest producer of Teja variety of red chilli.
    • It is the leading exporter of the pungent fruit.
    • The Mudigonda-based Oleoresin extraction firm of a Chinese company is engaged in export of the by product to its clients.

    Trade significance of this chilli

    • Teja variety of red chilli is being exported to China, Bangladesh and a few other south Asian countries from Khammam mainly through the Chennai port.
    • The export of Teja variety of red chilli is expected to grow from the present ₹2000 crore per annum to ₹2500 crore next year.

     

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  • APJ Abdul Kalam SLV: India’s 1st Hybrid Rocket launched

    rocket

    India’s first hybrid sounding rocket by private players was launched by some students from Pattipulam village off Tamil Nadu coast.

    About APJ Abdul Kalam SLV

    • Martin Foundation in association with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India successfully completed the project known as Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission 2023.
    • The student team included 200 from the fishermen community in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, 100 students from tribal communities across India, and 60 from Tamil Nadu.

    What is a Hybrid Rocket?

    • A hybrid rocket is a type of rocket engine that combines features of both liquid-fueled and solid-fueled rockets. In a hybrid rocket, a solid fuel is burned in combination with a liquid or gaseous oxidizer to produce thrust.
    • The solid fuel in a hybrid rocket is typically made of a polymer, such as hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), which is cast into a cylindrical shape and placed inside the rocket motor.
    • The oxidizer, which is typically nitrous oxide (N2O), is stored in a separate tank and fed into the combustion chamber of the rocket motor.

    How does it work?

    • When the oxidizer is introduced into the combustion chamber, it reacts with the solid fuel, producing a hot gas that is expelled through a nozzle at the end of the rocket.
    • The combustion process can be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the oxidizer, making hybrid rockets more controllable than solid rockets.

    Benefits offered over conventional rockets

    • Hybrid rockets are generally simpler and less expensive to manufacture than liquid rockets, while providing more control than solid rockets.
    • They are also safer than both liquid and solid rockets, since the fuel and oxidizer are stored separately and can be easily shut off in case of an emergency.

     

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  • Agriculture: An Inclusive Model of Madhya Pradesh

    Agriculture

    Central Idea

    • India is today a $3.5 trillion economy. As per the IMF forecast, If the current growth trend continues, the country is likely to be a $5.4 trillion economy by 2027.  No wonder, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the next 25 years, when India completes 100 years of Independence, as Amrit Kaal. There are lessons from Madhya Pradesh’s agriculture model for inclusive sustainable growth.

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    India’s Growth trajectory

    • India seems to be on the right path and is doing pretty well especially when compared to its progress in the first six decades after 1947.
    • As per IMF, it took India almost 59 years since Independence to become a $0.95 trillion economy in 2006. But then it became a $2.3 trillion economy by 2016 it added $1.35 trillion in 10 years.
    • In 2022, it became a $3.5 trillion economy by adding $1.2 trillion in just six years. If India stays this course, the country could rise to a $25 to $30 trillion economy by 2047.

    How inclusive is this growth?

    • Inclusiveness measurement and performance: Inclusiveness is measured by looking at the record of the laggard states, especially the so-called BIMARU states (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh), and also the performance of the agricultural sector that engages the largest share of workforce 46.5 per cent in 2020-21.
    • Performance of GDP at the state level: The country averaged a GDP growth of 6.7 per cent per annum in this period and its agri GDP growth stood at 3.8 per cent per annum. This is satisfying, though not as outstanding as China’s performance.
    • Of all the major states: Gujarat topped the list in overall GDP growth at 8.9 per cent closely followed by Uttarakhand (8.7 per cent), Telangana (8.6 per cent) and Haryana (8 per cent). At the bottom of this list were Jammu and Kashmir (5.2 per cent), Assam (5.4 per cent), West Bengal (5.5 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (5.6 per cent) and Jharkhand (5.7 per cent).
    • Madhya Pradesh (MP): MP is the only state whose agriculture contribution to overall GDP has increased to 40 per cent, as against 18.8 percent at the all-India level its model should aptly be described as inclusive and sustainable.
    • Jharkhand: Jharkhand has performed exceptionally well in agriculture with a growth rate of 6.4 per cent per annum, largely driven by diversification towards horticulture and livestock.
    • Punjab: In contrast, the Green Revolution champion Punjab hasn’t done well. Its Agri-GDP growth was a meagre 2 per cent per annum over this period.

    Inclusive and sustainable Model of Madhya Pradesh

    • Highest growth rate: Madhya Pradesh has performed very well it has clocked the highest growth rate in agriculture at 7.3 per cent. Its overall GDP growth is a respectable 7.5 per cent.
    • Agri-GDP growth is above India Agri-GDP growth: The state’s agri-GDP growth is way above the all India agri-GDP growth and the state is a shining example of doubling the contribution of horticulture in its value of agriculture and allied sector.
    • Well-diversified portfolio in agriculture: MP has made its mark as a top-notch player in tomato, garlic, mandarin oranges, pulses especially gram and soyabean cultivation. MP is also the second-largest producer of wheat after UP, and the third-largest milk producer after UP and Rajasthan.
    • Doubled irrigation coverage: It is following a well-diversified portfolio in agriculture while doubling irrigation coverage from 24 to 45.3 per cent of its gross cropped area over the last two decades.

    Conclusion

    • Madhya Pradesh agriculture model suggests that a well-diversified portfolio in crops is behind the high growth in the farm sector. This is inclusive and sustainable and offers a path for other Indian states.

    Mains Question

    Q. A well-diversified portfolio in crops could be an engine of high growth in India’s farm sector. Discuss. Support your answer with an illustration.

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  • The National Land Monetisation Corporation (NLMC)

    The National Land Monetisation Corporation (NLMC) has decided to involve international property consultancy firms to speed up the process of making money by selling or leasing the land owned by the government.

    What is NLMC?

    • NLMC is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) announced in the Union Budget 2021-22 to carry out monetisation of government and surplus land holdings of public sector undertakings (PSU).
    • It falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and is set up with an initial authorised share capital of ₹5,000 crore and a paid-up capital of ₹150 crore.
    • It is a firm, fully owned by the government, to carry out the monetisation of government and public sector assets in the form of surplus, unused or underused land assets.

    Aims and objectives

    • Monetize underutilised or unused land parcels of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)
    • Facilitate the monetisation of assets belonging to PSUs that have ceased operations or are in line for a strategic disinvestment.
    • Transfer of revenue rights: When the government monetises its assets, it essentially means that it is transferring the revenue rights of the asset (could be idle land, infrastructure, PSU) to a private player for a specified period of time.
    • Govt as facilitator: In such a transaction, the government gets in return an upfront payment from the private entity, regular share of the revenue generated from the asset, a promise of steady investment into the asset, and the title rights to the monetised asset.

    Significant outcomes of land monetization

    • Maximum value realization: It will help monetise them in an efficient and professional manner, maximizing the scope of value realisation.
    • Speed up the process: The setting of the NLMC will speed up the closure process of the CPSEs and smoothen the strategic disinvestment process.
    • Capitalize land assets: It will also enable productive utilisation of these under-utilized assets by setting in motion private sector investments.
    • Economic revitalization: It will boost new economic activities such as industrialisation, boosting the local economy by generating employment and generating financial resources for potential economic and social infrastructure.
    • Advisory to the govt: Besides managing and monetising, the NLMC will act as an advisory body and support other government entities and CPSEs in identifying their surplus non-core assets.

    Need for land monetization

    There are different reasons why the government monetizes its assets.

    • New sources of revenue: One of them is to create new sources of revenue essential to fulfil the government’s target of achieving a $5 trillion economy.
    • Plummeting underutilized assets: Monetisation is also done to unlock the potential of unused or underused assets by involving institutional investors or private players.
    • Capital generation: It is also done to generate resources or capital for future asset creation, such as using the money generated from monetisation to create new infrastructure projects.

    Possible challenges for NLMC

    (1) Volatile market situation

    • The performance and productivity of the NLMC will also depend on the government’s performance on its disinvestment targets.
    • In FY 2021-22, the government has hardly been able to raise expected amounts through various forms of disinvestment.

    (2) Issues with transfer of rights

    • The process of asset monetisation does not end when the government transfers revenue rights to private players.
    • Identifying profitable revenue streams for the monetised land assets, ensuring adequate investment by the private player and setting up a dispute-resolution mechanism are also important tasks.

    (3) Unattractiveness of PPP Model

    • Posing as another potential challenge would be the use of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a monetisation model.
    • For instance, the results of the Centre’s PPP initiative launched in 2020 for the Railways were not encouraging.

    (4) Red tapism

    • The success of the initiative will depend on a range of factors, including the availability of suitable land parcels, market demand etc.
    • It will be highly dependent upon the ability of the government to execute the transactions efficiently.

    Conclusion

    • The government’s move to monetize its vast land assets is aimed at reducing the fiscal burden and boosting infrastructure development in the country.
    • By bringing in international property consultants to help with the process, the government hopes to improve efficiency and transparency, and maximize the returns on its land assets.
    • If successful, the government’s land monetization drive could provide a much-needed boost to the economy and create new opportunities for private investment in the real estate sector.

     

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  • How is the Stock Market regulated in India?

    stock

    The Supreme Court asked the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the government to produce the existing regulatory framework in place to protect investors from stock market volatility.

    Central idea

    • After short-seller Hindenburg Research published a report accusing the Adani Group of stock market manipulation and accounting fraud, its shares plummeted.
    • Investors were reported to have lost lakhs of crores.

    Laws governing the Indian Stock Market

    • The securities market in India is regulated by four key laws —
    1. Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (SEBI Act)
    2. Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (SCRA) and
    3. Depositories Act, 1996
    4. Companies Act, 2013
    • The framing of these laws reflect the evolution and development of the capital market in India.

    Brief explanation of each acts-

    (1) Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (SEBI Act)

    (2) Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (SCRA)

    • The SCRA empowers SEBI to recognise (and derecognise) stock exchanges, prescribe rules and bye laws for their functioning, and regulate trading, clearing and settlement on stock exchanges.

    (3) Depositories Act, 1996

    • As part of the development of the securities market, Parliament passed the Depositories Act and SEBI made regulations to enforce the provisions.
    • This Act introduced and legitimised the concept of dematerialised securities being held in an electronic form.
    • Today almost all the listed securities are held in dematerialised form.

    (4) Companies Act, 2013

    • It is an Act of the Parliament on Indian company law that regulates incorporation of a company, responsibilities of a company, directors, and dissolution of a company.
    • It stipulates the type of Companies that can be formed such as- Public Ltd., Pt. Ltd., One Person Company ex.

    Key role-player: SEBI

    • SEBI set up the infrastructure for doing this by registering depositories and depository participants.
    • The depository regulations empower SEBI to regulate functioning of depositories and depository participants by prescribing eligibility conditions, periodic inspections and powers to impose penalties including suspending or cancelling the registration as well as monetary penalties.

    You should know this!

    Shares and stocks both represent ownership in a company, but they are not the same thing

    • A share is a unit of ownership in a company. It represents a portion of the company’s capital, and the shareholder is entitled to a corresponding portion of the company’s profits or losses.
    • A company can issue different types of shares with varying rights, such as voting rights or dividend payments.
    • Stock, on the other hand, is a broader term that refers to the total capital raised by a company through the issuance of shares.
    • It represents the ownership of a company as a whole, rather than an individual unit of ownership.
    • So, shares are a component of stock, and owning shares of a company means owning a portion of the company’s stock. Stock represents the aggregate value of a company and includes all its shares.

    Can SEBI step in to curb market volatility?

    • No direct meddling: While SEBI does not interfere to prevent market volatility, exchanges have circuit filters — upper and lower — to prevent excessive volatility.
    • Issue directions: SEBI can issue directions to those who are associated with the market, and has powers to regulate trading and settlement on stock exchanges. Using these powers, SEBI can direct stock exchanges to stop trading, totally or selectively.
    • Instant regulation: It can also prohibit entities or persons from buying, selling or dealing in securities, from raising funds from the market and being associated with intermediaries or listed companies.

    What about stock exchanges?

    • The SCRA has empowered SEBI to recognise and regulate stock exchanges and later commodity exchanges in India; this was earlier done by the Union government.
    • In fact, the term “securities” is defined in the SCRA and powers to declare an instrument as a security remain vested in SEBI.
    • The rules and regulations made by SEBI under the SCRA relate to listing of securities like equity shares, the functioning of stock exchanges including control over their management and administration.
    • These include powers to determine the manner in which a settlement is done on stock exchanges (and to keep them with the times for e.g. T+1) etc.
    • It seeks to protect the interests of investors by creating an Investor Protection Fund for each stock exchange.

    Safeguards against fraud

    • Fraud undermines regulation and prevents a market from being fair and transparent. To prevent the two key forms of fraud, market manipulation, and insider trading, SEBI notified-
    1. Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Regulations, 1995
    2. Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulations, 1992
    • These regulations, read with provisions of the SEBI Act, define species of fraud, who is an insider and prohibit such fraudulent activity and provide for penalties including disgorgement of ill-gotten gains.
    • It must be noted that violation of these regulations are predicate offences that can lead to a deemed violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

    Do you know?

    • SEBI has been given the powers of a civil court to summon persons, seize documents and records, attach bank accounts and property, and to carry out investigations.
    • Using these powers, SEBI has acted against entities and individuals like Satyam, Sahara India, Ketan Parekh and Vijay Mallya.

     

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  • Underwater noise emissions pose threat to Indian Marine species: Study

    noise

    Central idea: The rising man-made (anthropogenic) underwater noise emissions (UNE) from ships in the Indian waters are posing a threat to the life of marine mammals like Bottlenose Dolphin, Manatees, Pilot Whale, Seal, and Sperm Whale.

    What is Underwater Noise Emissions (UNE)?

    • Underwater noise emissions (UNE) refer to sounds that are produced underwater as a result of various human activities such as shipping, oil and gas exploration, military sonar, and construction.
    • UNE can have a significant impact on marine life, as many marine animals rely on sound for communication, navigation, and foraging.
    • Excessive underwater noise can interfere with these activities, and can even cause physical harm to marine animals in some cases.
    • As a result, there is growing concerned about the potential impact of UNE on marine ecosystems, and efforts are being made to better understand and mitigate these impacts.

    UNE and marine life

    • Impacts behavioural aspects: The main form of energy for multiple behavioural activities of marine mammals, which include mating, communal interaction, feeding, cluster cohesion and foraging, is based on sound.
    • Threats posed by UNE: The sound that radiates from ships on a long-term basis affects them and results in internal injuries, loss of hearing ability, change in behavioural responses, masking, and stress.

    Key findings about Indian waters

    • Continuous shipping movement is identified to be a major contributor to the increase in the global ocean noise level.
    • The UNE or underwater sound pressure levels in the Indian waters are 102-115 decibels, relative to one microPascal (dB re 1µ Pa).
    • The East Coast level is slightly higher than that of the West, where there is an increase by a significant value of about 20 dB re 1µPa.
    • “The frequencies of ships’ underwater self-noise and machinery vibration levels are overlapping the marine species’ communication frequencies in the low-frequency range of less than 500 Hz.
    • This is called masking, which could have led to a change in the migration route of the marine species to the shallow regions and also making it difficult for them to go back to the deeper water.

     

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  • Diyodar meteorite in 2022 was India’s first Aubrite in 170 years

    meteorite

    Central idea: A rare and unique meteorite, known as the Diyodar meteorite, was discovered in Banaskantha, Gujarat in December 2022. It is significant because it is the first aubrite to be found in India in 170 years.

    What are Aubrites?

    • Aubrites are a type of meteorite that are believed to have formed on a different planet in the early solar system.
    • They are known for their unusual mineralogy and composition and are believed to have originated from a differentiated parent body, such as an asteroid or a planetesimal.
    • They are primarily composed of a mineral called enstatite, which is a magnesium-rich silicate. They also contain other minerals such as nickel-iron, troilite, and chromite.
    • Aubrites are relatively rare, comprising only about 0.1% of all known meteorites.
    • They are believed to have formed under highly reducing conditions, with very little oxygen present.

    Meteorite found in Diyodar, Gujarat

    • The Diyodar meteorite is thought to be around 4.5 billion years old, and it is believed to have originated from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
    • Its discovery provides scientists with an opportunity to study the composition and structure of these unique meteorites.
    • This, in turn, can help researchers to better understand the early solar system and the processes that led to the formation of planets.

    Its composition

    • Around 90% of the meteorite was composed of orthopyroxene.
    • Pyroxenes are silicates consisting of single chains of silica tetrahedra (SiO 4); orthopyroxenes are pyroxenes with a certain structure.
    • Pyroxenes such as diopside and jadeite have been used as gems. Spodumene was historically used as lithium ore.
    • Rocks with pyroxene have also been used to make a crushed stone that is used in construction.

     

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  • An Overview : UAPA and The Concerns

    UAPA

    Central Idea

    • India’s anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), has been misused and turned into a tool of terror. There are two examples of this misuse in recent times. In 2021, Muhammad Manan Dar, a young Kashmiri photojournalist, was arrested and imprisoned for documenting the daily lives of common Kashmiris with his camera. A year earlier, another journalist, Sidheeque Kappan, was charged with participating in a plot to ignite rioting in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.

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    Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act (UAPA)

    • Background: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is an anti-terrorism law in India that was first introduced in 1967.
    • Purpose: The purpose of UAPA is to prevent unlawful activities that threaten the sovereignty and integrity of India.
    • Amendments: UAPA has undergone several revisions since its introduction, with each revision making the law more stringent. Till 2004, “unlawful” activities referred to actions related to secession and cession of territory. Following the 2004 amendment, terrorist act was added to the list of offences.
    • Provisions: UAPA provides for the designation of individuals and organizations as “terrorists” and allows for their arrest and detention without trial for up to 180 days.
    • Criticisms: UAPA has been criticized for being used to stifle dissent and suppress political opposition. Critics argue that the law is vague and overbroad, allowing for its misuse and abuse.

    What is Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA)?

    • Overview: TADA was an anti-terrorism law in India and enacted in 1985 and was in force until 1995. It was enacted to strengthen the legal framework to deal with terrorist activities in India.
    • Provisions: TADA provided for the detention of suspects without trial for up to 180 days. It also allowed the setting up of special courts to conduct trials in cases related to terrorism and provided for the admissibility of confession made to a police officer. TADA also made certain activities punishable as terrorist acts, including illegal arms trade, financing terrorism, and disrupting the sovereignty of India.
    • Criticism: TADA was also criticized for its vague and broad definition of terrorism, which allowed for the targeting of political dissidents.
    • Repeal: TADA was allowed to lapse in 1995 after it was deemed to be incompatible with the Indian Constitution and the principles of democracy and the rule of law. The law was replaced with the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) in 2002, which was also criticized for its draconian provisions and misuse by law enforcement agencies.

    What is Prevention of Terrorism Act 2004 (POTA)?

    • Objective: To provide the government with legal tools to combat terrorism and punish those who support or engage in terrorist activities.
    • Key Provisions: Broad powers to investigate and prosecute individuals suspected of terrorism-related activities. Power to detain suspects for up to 180 days without charge. Use of confessions made to police officers as evidence in court
    • Criticism: Potential for misuse and infringement on civil liberties. Could be used to target religious and ethnic minorities. Could be used to silence political dissent
    • Repealed: 2004 by the United Progressive Alliance government, citing concerns about misuse and potential for human rights abuses.
    • Replacement: Some provisions of POTA were incorporated into the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), which remains in force in India today.

    Worrying statistics

    • UAPA has one of the worst records for prosecution success.
    • According to a PUCL report in 2022, less than 3 per cent of arrests made under the UAPA resulted in convictions between 2015 and 2020.
    • Only 1,080 of the 4,690 people detained under the UAPA between 2018 and 2020 received bail, according to the report.
    • Unlike TADA and POTA, UAPA has never been constitutionally reviewed. Its repeated abuse is a blot on our democracy.

    UAPA

    Some of the key concerns regarding the UAPA

    • Misuse: The UAPA has been criticized for being misused by authorities to target human rights defenders, activists, and dissenters. Critics argue that the act has been used to stifle free speech and to quell any form of peaceful protests.
    • Lack of accountability: The UAPA allows for the designation of an individual or organization as a terrorist entity, without providing adequate means for challenge or appeal, which many argue is against the principles of natural justice.
    • Vagueness: The definitions of “terrorist acts” under the UAPA are broad and vague, and can be interpreted in a way that infringes on the freedom of speech and assembly, leading to the potential for misuse.
    • Restrictions on bail: The UAPA has provisions that make it difficult for people charged under the act to obtain bail, as it requires that the accused show that they are not guilty, shifting the burden of proof from the prosecution to the accused.
    • Excessive punishment: The UAPA provides for harsh punishments, including life imprisonment and the death penalty, for offenses related to terrorism, which many argue are disproportionate and infringe on human rights.

    Why UAPA is necessary?

    • Legal tools to investigate: The UAPA provides the government with legal tools to investigate and prosecute individuals and organizations involved in terrorist activities.
    • Special courts to conduct trials: It allows for the setting up of special courts to conduct trials in cases related to terrorism and provides for stringent punishment for offenses related to terrorism. It also allows the government to designate individuals or organizations as terrorist entities and freeze their assets.
    • Necessary measure to maintain sovereignty and integrity: The act is aimed at countering not just terrorism but also other forms of unlawful activities, such as organized crime, money laundering, and trafficking. It is considered to be a necessary measure to maintain the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, and to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
    • To balance national security and civil liberties: It is necessary to strike a balance between national security and protection of civil liberties. The act can be an effective tool in the fight against terrorism, as long as it is implemented in a fair and just manner and its provisions are not misused to stifle legitimate forms of dissent or activism.

    Conclusion

    • Concerns over the UAPA highlight the need for a balanced approach in the fight against terrorism, one that protects national security while also ensuring the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

    Mains question

    Q. UAPA is continuously in the headlines from the time of its inception. Discuss the concerns and necessity of such Act.

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  • Species in news: Pangolins

    pangolin

    The World Pangolin Day was observed on February 18.

    Why in news?

    • A not-for-profit organization working on the international trade of animals and plants, has brought out a fact sheet reporting that 1,203 pangolins have been found in illegal wildlife trade in India from 2018 to 2022.

    Pangolins

    IUCN status: Endangered

    • India is home to two species of pangolin.
    • While the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is found in northeastern India, the Indian Pangolin is distributed in other parts of the country as well as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
    • Both these species are protected and are listed under the Schedule I Part I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
    • Commonly known as ‘scaly anteaters’, the toothless animals are unique, a result of millions of years of evolution.
    • Pangolins evolved scales as a means of protection. When threatened by big carnivores like lions or tigers they usually curl into a ball.
    • The scales defend them against dental attacks from the predators.

    Why protect Pangolins?

    • Pangolins are currently the most trafficked wildlife species in the world.
    • These Scales has now become the main cause of the pangolin’s disappearance.
    • The scales are in high demand in China, where they are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
    • Pangolin meat is also in high demand in China and Southeast Asia.
    • Consequently, pangolins have seen a rapid reduction in population globally. The projected population declines range from 50 per cent to 80 per cent across the genus.

     

    Try this PYQ:

    Consider the following animals:

    1. Hedgehog
    2. Marmot
    3. Pangolin

    To reduce the chance of being captured by predators which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?

    (a) 1 and 2

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 3 only

    (d) 1 and 3

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”k95x3s7c8y” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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