Recently performers from Rajasthan showcased the Kalbeliya dance in Hyderabad.
What is Kalbeliya Dance?
Kalbeliya Dance is a traditional Indian dance form that originated in the state of Rajasthan.
It is a vibrant, energetic dance that is performed by members of the Kalbeliya, a nomadic tribe of snake charmers in Rajasthan.
It is a highly sensuous dance, with the dancers performing intricate footwork and swaying movements of their arms and body.
In 2010, the Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan were declared a part of its Intangible Heritage List by UNESCO.
Performance Details
The dancers are women in flowing black skirts who dance and twirl, replicating the movements of a serpent.
They wear an upper body cloth called an angrakhiand a headcloth known as the odhani; the lower body cloth is called a lehenga.
All these clothes are of mixed red and black huesand embroidered.
The male participants play musical instruments, such as the ‘pungi’, the dufli, been, the khanjari– a percussion instrument, morchang, khuralioand the dholak to create the rhythm on which the dancers perform.
The dancers are tattooed in traditional designs and wear jewellery and garments richly embroidered with small mirrors and silver threads.
As the performance progresses, the rhythm becomes faster and faster and so dances.
Features of the Kalbeliya Dance
Rapid footwork: The fast, intricate footwork of the Kalbeliya dance is the highlight of this folk dance. The dancers move their feet in quick, sharp movements that form intricate patterns on the floor.
Swirling skirts: The colorful skirts of the female dancers swirl gracefully as they move, adding to the beauty of the dance.
Hand and arm movements: The dancers use their hands and arms to create graceful, fluid movements that are integral to the dance.
Singing: Kalbeliya dancers often sing along to the music as they dance, adding to the atmosphere of the performance.
Reducing gender gaps and increasing women’s empowerment are part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Notwithstanding ethical and constitutional imperatives, there is also evidence suggesting that increasing women’s employment rates can be an engine for economic growth.
What is the issue?
Despite functioning at a fraction of its intended capacity, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been pivotal in providing financial autonomy to women in rural areas.
More than half the MGNREGA workforce are women. However, urban realities are different. Social norms, lack of safety, and hostile transportation options are some of the factors inhibiting urban women to enter the workforce.
What data is explaining?
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) pegs women’s employment rate in urban areas at 22.9% in the last quarter of 2023. There are clear signs of high unmet demand for employment among urban women.
First, the unemployment rate in urban areas, which is a measure of how many would like employment (irrespective of whether they are actively seeking it or not), is 9% compared to 4% in rural areas.
Second, there are two types of unemployment individuals who would like to work and are actively seeking a job versus those who would like to work but may not be actively seeking a job.
A much larger share of unemployed women in urban areas are seeking employment compared to rural areas. Further, nearly 25% of urban women have completed higher secondary education compared to 5% in rural areas. The low urban employment rates among women also points to wastage of much potential.
The article presents statistics from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) indicating that approximately 10.18 crore women in urban areas aged 15-59 are out of the workforce. When including those who are self-employed or engaged in casual labor, this number rises to around 11.65 crore.
Introducing the Women’s Urban Employment Guarantee Act (WUEGA)
The proposal outlines a comprehensive plan to address urban unemployment through the implementation of a Women’s Urban Employment Guarantee Act (WUEGA). This act aims to provide employment opportunities specifically targeted towards women in urban areas.
Programme Management and Decentralization: The proposal suggests that women should form at least 50% (ideally 100%) of the programme management staff under WUEGA. This approach not only ensures women’s active participation but also strengthens the constitutional mandate of decentralization by involving local communities in decision-making processes.
Ensuring Accessibility and Supportive Infrastructure: The proposal emphasizes the importance of providing essential worksite facilities, including childcare facilities, to enable women’s participation in the program. It also advocates for the availability of work within a 5-km radius and proposes free public transportation for women to facilitate their commute to worksites.
Diversifying Employment Opportunities: The proposal highlights the need to diversify urban works to cater to local needs and wider consultation. It mentions existing examples such as plantation and harvesting reeds on floating wetlands and suggests supplementing the list based on local requirements.
Incentives and Welfare Measures: This section discusses the creation of incentives, such as automatic inclusion in welfare boards, to encourage women’s participation in the program. It proposes utilizing welfare boards to provide maternity entitlements, pensions, and emergency funds for program participants.
Skill Development and Apprenticeships: The proposal emphasizes the importance of addressing skill gaps among women to facilitate their transition from school to work. It suggests implementing apprenticeship programs for college students from various disciplines, providing them with opportunities to join as program functionaries and improve their job readiness.
Information Facilitation Centers and Capacity Building: Here, the proposal suggests establishing Information Facilitation Centers at each urban local body, run by women who have completed Class 10, to provide computer training facilities and bridge the gap in skills. It also advocates for regular capacity-building initiatives to empower these centers and enhance women’s job readiness.
Social Audit and Monitoring Mechanisms: The proposal recommends the establishment of a social audit unit within WUEGA, comprising at least 50% women staff, for independent monitoring of the program. It suggests that social audits could serve as opportunities for women who have completed Class 12 to join part-time or full-time roles and enhance their job readiness through acquiring various skill sets.
Successful Women-Led Initiatives in Waste Management
The article highlights successful women-led initiatives, such as the end-to-end waste management program in Karnataka’s gram panchayats. It emphasizes that women not only manage waste collection but also drive ‘Swacch’ vehicles, leading to the acquisition of driving licenses and contributing to the success of the initiative.
Wayforward
The article discusses the financial implications of the proposed program, estimating that the wage component funded by the Union government would cost around 1.5% of the GDP. When adding material and administrative costs, the total cost is expected to be around 2% of the GDP. It advocates for a phased rollout of the scheme with periodic assessments to smoothen costs.
Here, the article suggests that the proposed women’s employment program could serve as a foundation for a broader urban employment program encompassing both genders. It argues that the benefits of such a program outweigh fiscal concerns and calls for a shift towards ensuring income assurance, especially for women.
Prelims: The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events is related to: (2015) a) Central Asia b) Middle East c) South-East Asia d) Central Africa
Mains:
1. The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. (2017)
2. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (2018))
Note4Students:
Mains: International issues;India-West Asia;
Prelims: Two-state solution; Israel-Palestine;
Mentor comments:India has historically supported Palestine while also developing ties with Israel. Prime Minister Modi expressed solidarity with Israel after a Hamas attack but India’s stance on Palestine remains balanced. Over the years, India’s policy towards Palestine has evolved, recognizing Israel in 1950 but supporting a two-state solution. Recent UN votes show India’s continued support for Palestine despite abstaining from some resolutions. What are those?
Let’s Learn.
Why in the News?
The strategic implications of recent events in West Asia have influenced India’s Foreign Policy towards Israel and Palestine, emphasizing the importance of stability and resolution in West Asia.
Background: India’s historical policy towards Palestine:
India’s solidarity with Palestine was rooted in anti-colonial and non-aligned principles, aligning with Arab states and advocating for Palestinian statehood.
• In 1947: Initially, India strongly supported the Palestinian cause, voting against the partition of Palestine and recognizing the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as the legitimate representative of Palestinians.
• In 1992: Despite recognizing Israel in 1950, India did not establish full diplomatic relations until 1992.
• In 2003: India co-sponsored the draft resolution on “the right of Palestinians to self-determination” and voted in favor of it during the 53rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). India also voted in favour of the UNGA Resolution in October 2003 against construction of the Separation Wall by Israel.
• In 2011: India voted in favor of including Palestine as a full member of UNESCO.
• India has further strengthened ties with Israel, marking a strategic shift towards closer relations. This shift is driven by structural imperatives like independent foreign policy, strategic goals, and counterterrorism efforts especially in defense and trade.
Paradigm shift of India’s policy towards Palestine:
While India has maintained its support for the Palestinian cause, it has also deepened its ties with Israel, particularly in defense and trade.
In 1950: India recognized Israel in 1950 but did not establish full diplomatic relations until 1992. Since then, bilateral ties have grown significantly, with India becoming Israel’s top market for defense exports.
In 2017-18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been more public in its engagement with Israel, with Modi being the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel in 2017 and the first to visit Ramallah in 2018.
In 2023: Barely three weeks after the Hamas attack, India abstained from a vote at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that called for an “immediate, durable and sustainable humanitarian truce” in Gaza.
While India maintains support for a two-state solution and Palestinian rights, its alignment with Israel reflects a nuanced balancing act influenced by changing geopolitical dynamics and national interests. India has also faced criticism for its perceived shift towards Israel.
Balancing the approach of India at UNGA after the terror attack:
Recognizing Palestinian rights: India supported resolutions affirming Palestine by condemning Israeli settlements in Palestine, expressing concern over Israel’s occupation of Golan Heights, and calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. It was neither a strong moral critic, like Brazil or South Africa, of the way Israel is conducting the war, nor a mute spectator or enabler of Israel, like the United States or the United Kingdom.
Supporting Two-state solution: This stance reflects India’s commitment to a two-state solution and a balanced approach in addressing the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Despite growing ties with Israel in defense and trade, India maintains support for Palestinian statehood while strategically engaging with Israel.
What is the present Scenario and Indian Interests considering the present context?
Being Leader for Global South: India’s support for Palestine is rooted in National interests, including the humanitarian crises in Gaza and the need to maintain its reputation as a leader in the Global South.
Reflecting towards its commitment: India’s criticism of Israel’s action and its support for a two-state solution reflect its commitment to international law and stability in the Global south region.
The strategic implications of recent events in the region, such as the Abraham Accords and the crises in Gaza, have influenced India’s Foreign policy towards Israel and Palestine, emphasizing the importance of stability and resolution in West Asia.
Way Forward
Supporting a two-state solution requires ending violence, promoting dialogue, condemning settlements, and upholding Palestinian self-determination. India aligns with this approach, emphasizing diplomacy over conflict. In contrast, the U.S., despite claiming support for a two-state solution, votes against relevant UN resolutions and fails to endorse ceasefire calls.
Three undersea cables connecting India to global telecom networks—Asia-Africa-Europe-1, Europe India Gateway, and Tata Global Network—have been damaged in the Red Sea Conflict, possibly due to targeted attacks.
What are Submarine Communications Cable?
Submarine cables are laid on the seabed between land-based stations to transmit telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea.
These cables employ fiber-optic technology, with optical fiber elements coated with protective layers suitable for the marine environment.
Submarine cables offer a reliable, cost-efficient, and high-capacity means of internet connectivity compared to satellites.
India’s Submarine Cable Infrastructure
With 17 submarine cables landing in 14 cable landing stations, mainly in Mumbai and Chennai, India is actively expanding its undersea connectivity.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced regulations categorizing Cable Landing Stations (CLS) into Main CLS and CLS Point of Presence to enhance data flow and reduce reliance on foreign providers.
TRAI’s recommendations also include recognizing submarine cable operations as critical services, proposing legislative amendments, and suggesting exemptions from custom duty and GST for essential goods.
Examples:
MIST Submarine Cable System (connecting India with Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore)
Reliance Jio Infocomm’s India Asia Xpress (IAX) (India to the Maldives, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand)
India Europe Xpress (IEX) (India to Italy via Saudi Arabia and Greece)
SeaMeWe-6 project (Singapore to France via India, Bangladesh, and Maldives)
Africa2 Cable (connecting India with the UK via several African countries)
Vulnerabilities in Telecom Infrastructure
Ongoing Conflict’s Impact: Damage to undersea cable systems in the Red Sea due to regional conflict exposes vulnerabilities in India’s internet and overseas telecom connectivity.
Limited Connectivity: India’s relatively few connections to such cables and regulatory restrictions on expanding the submarine cable industry pose significant concerns.
Choke Points: Cable disruptions underscore a choke point in subsea connections between Europe and Asia, particularly concerning for India due to limited connections and regulatory constraints.
Current Challenges in Submarine Cable Infrastructure
Capacity Shortages: Rising demand from data centers, retail usage, and enterprise applications exacerbates capacity constraints in India’s submarine cable networks.
Opaque Ownership Structures: Lack of transparency in ownership of submarine cable systems raises national security concerns, particularly regarding the involvement of International Long Distance Operators (ILDOs).
Regulatory Constraints: Stringent regulations impede investment in submarine cable infrastructure, limiting redundancy and hindering security measures.
Implications of TRAI Proposals
Digital Transformation: TRAI’s recommendations align with India’s digital ambitions, facilitating the expansion of data centers and enhancing internet connectivity.
Balancing Act: DoT’s decision on TRAI’s proposals will shape the future of India’s submarine cable industry, balancing the interests of stakeholders and national security concerns.
Case Study: Australia’s Cable Protection Zone Regime
Legislative Framework: ACPZs established within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), offer a legislative model for protecting international submarine cables.
Regulatory Authority: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) oversees the enforcement of protection measures within designated zones, ensuring compliance with stringent regulations.
Prohibited Activities: It restricts activities such as seabed trawling, vessel anchoring, and dredging within Cable Protection Zones, mitigating the risk of cable damage.
Way Forward
[A] Replicating Success in Indian Waters
Adopting Legislative Framework: India can collaborate with Australia to enact similar laws within its territorial waters, leveraging sovereign rights over submarine cables within the EEZ.
Establishing Protection Zones: Creation of Submarine Cable Protection Zones, consistent with UNCLOS provisions, enables India to enforce jurisdictional and physical safeguards.
Regional Cooperation: India can advocate for the adoption of Australia’s model legislation across the Indian Ocean Rim Association, fostering multilateral cooperation in protecting subsea infrastructure.
[B] Operational Implementation and Collaboration
Coordination Mechanisms: Collaboration among navies and coastguards of Quad nations and like-minded countries facilitates operational coordination in monitoring and protecting high-density cable zones.
Policy Alignment: Aligning domestic legislative frameworks with regional initiatives ensures seamless coordination and collective action in safeguarding submarine assets.
Reducing Risks: Enhanced cooperation minimizes the risk of cable damage and sabotage, bolstering connectivity and resilience in the Indian Ocean Region.
Conclusion
India stands at a pivotal juncture in safeguarding its subsea infrastructure amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.
India must fortify its submarine cable assets, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and advancing its digital aspirations.
Through proactive legislative measures and strategic collaboration, India can mitigate risks and emerge as a global leader in subsea infrastructure protection.
What do understand by the concept of “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.
What is the Right to Free Speech?
Freedom: Article 19(1) (a) guarantees the freedom of speech and expression to all citizens. It is the first condition of liberty and plays an important role in forming public opinion.
Restrictions: As per Article 19(2), restrictions can be imposed upon the freedom of speech and expression in the interests of:
Sovereignty and integrity of India,
Security of the state,
Friendly relations with foreign states,
Public order, decency or morality, or
In relation to contempt of court,
Defamation, or
Incitement to an offense
Online Discourse: The proliferation of social media platforms necessitates a nuanced understanding of free speech rights in the digital realm, balancing individual liberties with societal interests.
Immunity for Politicians: For politicians, while they enjoy the right to free speech, they are also subject to certain limitations. Criticism of the government or its policies is generally allowed as long as it does not incite violence or hatred.
Legal Conundrum over Digital Defamation
Background: Kejriwal faced defamation charges for retweeting a video by a YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, alleging defamatory statements against the BJP’s IT cell.
Legal Proceedings: The Delhi High Court upheld the summons issued to Kejriwal, citing the widespread impact of retweets by public figures.
Constitutional Considerations: The right to free speech, protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, is subject to reasonable restrictions, including defamation laws under Article 19(2).
Retweeting vs. Endorsement: The court’s intervention underscores the distinction between retweeting and endorsing content. While retweeting may not always signify endorsement, public figures are held to a higher standard of responsibility for their online actions.
Defamation Laws: Indian law, as delineated in Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code, criminalizes statements intended to harm an individual’s reputation. However, applying these laws to online communication poses unique challenges.
Legal Precedents and Interpretations
Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India (2015): Section 66A of The IT Act, 2000, had criminalised sending “offensive messages” utilizing “a computer resource or a communication device”. This provision was quashed by the SC given the ambiguity in the definition of the term “offensive”.
Subramanian Swamy vs. Union of India (2016): The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of criminal defamation laws, balancing the right to reputation with freedom of expression.
Kaushal Kishore vs. Union of India (2017): The Court clarified that additional restrictions on free speech must align with Article 19(2) and cannot be arbitrarily imposed.
Implications for Online Discourse
Scope of Defamation: Online retweets amplify the dissemination of allegedly defamatory content, raising questions about liability and accountability.
Responsibility of Public Figures: Public figures like Kejriwal face heightened scrutiny for their online activities, given their influence and reach on social media platforms.
Conclusion
This defamation case underscores the evolving dynamics of communication in the digital age.
As online discourse continues to shape public opinion, striking a balance between freedom of expression and legal safeguards against defamation remains a pressing challenge.
The Supreme Court’s intervention provides an opportunity to reassess existing laws and norms governing online speech, ensuring that rights and responsibilities are harmonized in the digital realm.
Capital Expenditure Decline: In January, the Centre’s capital expenditure saw a significant decline of 40.5%, totaling ₹47,600 crore compared to ₹80,000 crore in the previous year.
Fiscal Deficit Widening: By the end of January, the fiscal deficit reached 64% of the revised estimates for 2023-24. Despite challenges in expenditure, the government seems poised to meet the revised deficit target of 5.8% of GDP for the year.
What is Fiscal Deficit?
Definition: Fiscal deficit is the excess of total disbursements from the Consolidated Fund of India over total receipts, excluding debt repayment, within a financial year.
Formula: Fiscal Deficit = Total expenditure of the government (capital and revenue expenditure) – Total income of the government (Revenue receipts + recovery of loans + other receipts).
Government Income
Revenue receipts: This includes tax revenues collected by the government from various sources such as income tax, corporate tax, and indirect taxes like GST.
Capital receipts: This encompasses borrowings, disinvestments, and other sources of income.
Tax revenues: Income from GST and other taxes.
Non-tax revenues: Including interest receipts, dividends and profits, external grants, and receipts from union territories.
Other non-tax revenues: Revenue from fiscal, social, and economic services.
Government Expenditure
Revenue Expenditure: Spending on day-to-day operations including salaries, subsidies, and interest payments.
Capital Expenditure: Investment in infrastructure, acquisition of assets, and long-term projects.
Interest Payments: Amount paid by the government as interest on its borrowings.
Grants-in-aid for the creation of capital assets: Funds provided for the creation of capital assets such as roads, bridges, and public buildings.
Impact of economic sectors shut during the pandemic: Closure of economic activities leading to decreased tax revenues.
Government’s missed disinvestment targets: Failure to achieve disinvestment targets resulting in lower capital receipts.
[2] Rise in Expenditure
Factors contributing to high inflation: High inflation rates increasing import and borrowing costs.
Importance of social infrastructure investment: Emphasis on social infrastructure for inclusive growth and employment.
External market volatilities affecting Indian expenditure: Dependency on imports exposing India to external market fluctuations.
Unproductive expenditures like subsidies: Essential but unproductive expenditures adding to fiscal pressure.
[3] Rise in Borrowings
Need for market borrowing for policy implementations: Borrowing for policy measures such as bank recapitalization, farm loan waivers, and UDAY.
Implications of Fiscal Deficit
Vicious circle of borrowing and repayment: Continuous borrowing to repay loans leading to a debt trap.
Inflation: Increased borrowing leading to higher interest rates and inflation.
Reduced private sector borrowing: Government borrowing reducing borrowing opportunities for the private sector.
Discouragement of private investment: Inflation and limited financing discouraging private investment.
Risk of credit rating downgrade: High borrowing increasing the risk of credit rating downgrade.
Limits Revenue Spending: Rising fiscal deficit affecting government allowances like dearness allowance and dearness relief.
Foreign Dependence: Borrowing from foreign sources increasing dependence and exposure to external fiscal policies.
Measures for Control: FRBM Act, 2003
The FRBM Act aims to instil fiscal discipline and ensure inter-generational equity in fiscal management, promoting long-term macro-economic stability.
Targets:
Limit fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by March 31, 2009.
Completely eliminate revenue deficit.
Reduce liabilities to 50% of estimated GDP by 2011.
Prohibit direct borrowing from RBI to monetize the deficit.
Escape Clause: Section 4(2) of the Act allows the Centre to exceed annual fiscal deficit targets under specific circumstances, such as national security, calamity, agricultural collapse, or structural reforms.
Review Committee: In May 2016, a committee under NK Singh was formed to review the FRBM Act. Recommendations included targeting a fiscal deficit of 3% of GDP until March 31, 2020, reducing it to 2.8% in 2020-21, and further to 2.5% by 2023.
Current Targets:
The latest provisions of the FRBM Act mandate limiting fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by March 31, 2021.
Central government debt should not exceed 40% of GDP by 2024-25, among other stipulations.
A recent study aims to delve into the peri-mortem and post-mortem strategies of Asian elephants, offering insights into their behavior in shared human spaces amid environmental changes.
The study area covered fragmented forests, tea estates, agricultural lands, and military establishments in the vicinity of the Gorumara Wildlife Division and Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
Elephants in India
Details
Population Estimate
India hosts the largest population of wild Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), with around 29,964 individuals,
Approximately 60% of the global population (2017 census).
Leading States
Karnataka holds the highest number of elephants, followed by Assam and Kerala.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Endangered.
CMS: Appendix I.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I,
CITES: Appendix I.
Conservation Initiatives
Project Elephant launched in 1992, covering 23 states across India.
Contributed to the increase in wild elephant population from around 25,000 in 1992 to about 30,000 in 2021.
Establishment of Elephant Reserves. Total 33 in numbers covering approximately 80,777 Sq.km.
Recent findings
Peri-Mortem Strategies: Asian elephants were found to carry carcasses by trunks and legs before burying them in a ‘legs upright’ position.
Herding Behavior: Elephant herds exhibit avoidance behavior, choosing parallel routes to bypass paths where calf carcasses were buried.
Burial Locations: Calves were buried in irrigation drains of tea estates, indicating a preference for specific locations.
Herding Dynamics: The unique positioning of carcasses suggests careful handling by herd members, highlighting their care and affection toward deceased calves.
Space Constraints: Prioritizing the burial of the head before the feet indicates strategic decision-making in situations of spatial limitations.
Environmental Context and Elephant Behavior
Impact of Environmental Changes: Rapid environmental transformations and habitat destruction push elephants to explore human-dominated areas, resulting in the emergence of novel behaviors.
Limited Documentation: While similar behaviors are documented in African contexts, elephant calf burial in the Asian context remains largely undocumented.
General Social Behaviour of Elephants
Elephants exhibit a wide range of social behaviors that highlight their complex and intelligent nature.
Matrilineal Social Structure: Elephants live in multi-tiered societies, starting with family units consisting of related females and their calves. These family units form bonds with other families, creating clans and sub-populations. The herds are led by a senior matriarch who makes decisions on movement and resources.
Communication: Elephants communicate through various calls, gestures, and physical contact. They have a sophisticated communication system involving over sixty different calls, including trumpets and rumbles that convey information across long distances.
Empathy and Mourning: Elephants display empathy by comforting distressed companions through physical contact and vocal sounds. They have been observed mourning their dead, showing behaviors akin to mourning seen in humans.
Cooperative Behavior: Elephant herds cooperate in raising their young, with adolescent females assisting in caring for calves. They also engage in cooperative actions like adopting an infant tormented by predators or helping wounded elephants by stopping bleeding and providing support.
Individual Personalities: Elephants have distinct personalities that influence their interactions within the group. Some elephants show strong leadership qualities, while others are more introverted. These individual traits impact how they interact with other elephants.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2020:
Q. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:
The leader of an elephant group is a female.
The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
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India’s GST revenues saw a robust growth of 12.54% in February, exceeding ₹1.68 lakh crore.
This marked the fourth-highest monthly collection since GST’s inception.
Why discuss this?
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in India has been a pivotal component of the country’s tax structure since its implementation in July 2017.
Analyzing the trends and performance of GST revenues offers insights into the economic health and growth trajectory of the nation.
Gross Revenues Overview
Yearly Comparison: The fiscal year 2023-24 witnessed a noteworthy increase, reaching ₹18.4 lakh crore, indicating an 11.7% rise from the previous year.
Yearly Uptick: This year’s growth stands as the third highest since the implementation of GST.
Domestic Transactions: Revenues from domestic transactions surged by 13.9%.
Imported Goods: Revenue from goods imports also saw a notable increase, rising by 8.5%.
State-wise Breakdown
Overall Collection Analysis: After accounting for refunds, February’s GST collection amounted to ₹1.51 lakh crore, indicating a substantial 13.6% growth from the previous year.
State Variability: States exhibited diverse performances, with some experiencing declines while others exceeded national growth averages.
Declining Revenues: Five states witnessed contractions, with Mizoram and Manipur showing significant decreases.
Outperforming States: Twelve states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and Maharashtra, surpassed the national average growth rate.
Compensation Cess Details
Components of GST Intake: February’s gross GST intake included CGST, SGST, and IGST, amounting to ₹84,098 crore.
Cess Collections: Compensation cess collections amounted to ₹12,839 crore, with additional revenue from imported goods.
Revenue Distribution: The Central government allocated substantial sums to CGST and SGST from IGST collections.
Revenue Allocation: After regular distributions, CGST received ₹73,641 crore, while SGST received ₹75,569 crore.
AboutGoods and Services Tax (GST)
Definition: GST is an indirect tax that has replaced many indirect taxes in India such as excise duty, VAT, services tax, etc.
Legislation: The GST Act was passed in Parliament on 29th March 2017 and came into effect on 1st July 2017. It is a single domestic indirect tax law for the entire country.
Tax Structure: It is a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based tax that is levied on every value addition.
Taxation Points: Under the GST regime, the tax is levied at every point of sale. In the case of intra-state sales, Central GST and State GST are charged. All the inter-state sales are chargeable to the Integrated GST.
Components of GST
CGST: It is the tax collected by the Central Government on an intra-state sale (e.g., a transaction happening within Maharashtra).
SGST: It is the tax collected by the state government on an intra-state sale (e.g., a transaction happening within Maharashtra).
IGST: It is a tax collected by the Central Government for an inter-state sale (e.g., Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu).
Advantages of GST
GST has mainly removed the cascading effect on the sale of goods and services.
Removal of the cascading effect has impacted the cost of goods.
Since the GST regime eliminates the tax on tax, the cost of goods decreases.
Also, GST is mainly technologically driven.
All the activities like registration, return filing, application for refund and response to notice needs to be done online on the GST portal, which accelerates the processes.
Issues with GST
High operational cost.
GST has given rise to complexity for many business owners across the nation.
GST has received criticism for being called a ‘Disability Tax’ as it now taxes articles such as braille paper, wheelchairs, hearing aid etc.
Fuels are not under GST, which goes against the ideals of the unification of commodities.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2015:
Q. All revenues received by the Union. Government by way of taxes and other receipts for the conduct of Government business are credited to the:
(a) Contingency Fund of India
(b) Public Account
(c) Consolidated Fund of India
(d) Deposits and Advances Fund
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The Sixth Assembly session of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEA-6) was convened at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
It focussed on the pivotal role of multilateralism in addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Abut United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)
Details
Purpose
Highest-level decision-making body on environmental matters within the United Nations system.
Establishment
Established in 2012 during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).
Frequency
Typically convenes every two years in Nairobi, Kenya.
Membership
Consists of all 193 UN Member States and representatives from observer countries and organizations.
Decision-Making
Adopts resolutions and decisions on global environmental issues.
UNEA-6: Theme and Focus
Theme: Effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Focus: Planning the role of multilateralism in shaping global environmental policy to combat the pressing challenges facing our planet.
Key Outcomes
[A] Environmental Multilateralism
High-Level Dialogues: UNEA-6 dedicated a day to discussing cooperation and convergence with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), emphasizing effective implementation at both national and global levels.
Importance: MEAs play a critical role in addressing specific environmental issues at national, regional, and global levels, providing essential frameworks for international environmental governance.
[B] Energy Transition to Renewable Sources
Rapid Adoption of Renewable Energy: The session emphasized the need for three times the current renewable energy capacity by 2030 to foster a nature and people-positive planet.
Global Standards Development: Efforts are underway to establish globally acceptable standards for renewable energy, ensuring environmental sustainability and responsible sourcing of minerals.
[C] Plastic Pollution
Call for Action: Discussions centered on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, aiming to introduce strong reuse provisions and harmonize definitions of reuse and circularity.
Current Scenario: More than half of global plastic production comprises single-use plastics, with significant leakage into the environment.
[D] Role of Nature-Based Solutions
Potential: Nature-based solutions, including reforestation and land restoration, offer promising avenues to combat the climate crisis and restore biodiversity.
Financial Constraints: Despite their potential, nature-based solutions receive only a fraction of the required funding, highlighting the need for increased investment and innovative financing mechanisms.
Conclusion
As UNEA-6 unfolds, stakeholders worldwide are poised to collaborate and drive actionable solutions to safeguard our planet for future generations.
1. Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of input for rational decision-making is a debatable issue. Critically evaluate with suitable examples. (2021)
2. Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in light of the latest judgment of the Supreme Court on the Right to Privacy. (2017)
Mentor comments: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and State governments are preparing for a smooth transition of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) which was passed in December 2023 and will be in effect from 1st July 2024. While some changes have been made in the BNSS in connection with investigation and police functioning, the scope of secondary evidence has been slightly broadened and some changes have been made in the provisions relating to electronic evidence in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
Let’s Learn.
Why in the News?
Some changes have been made in the provisions relating to electronic evidence in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, which is to replace the Indian Evidence Act.
Context of the News:
The three newly enacted criminal laws, the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (to replace the IPC), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (to replace the CrPC), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (to replace the Indian Evidence Act) are to come into force on July 1, 2024.
Significantly, Section 106(2) of the BNS, which prescribes 10 years imprisonment for fatal accidents if they are not immediately reported to the police, has been put on hold, as notified by the Central government.
Some changes have been made in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in connection with the investigation and police functioning.
The scope of secondary evidence has been slightly broadened and some changes have been made in the provisions relating to electronic evidence in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
Key Highlights of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023:
1. The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita retains most offenses from the IPC (1860). It adds community service as a form of punishment.
2. Sedition is no longer an offense. Instead, there is a new offense for acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
3. The BNS adds terrorism as an offense. It is defined as an act that intends to threaten the unity, integrity, security or economic security of the country, or strike terror in the people.
4. Organized crime has been added as an offense. It includes crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, and cyber-crime committed on behalf of a crime syndicate. Petty organized crime is also an offense now.
5. The BNS retains the provisions of the IPC on rape and sexual harassment. It does not consider recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee (2013) such as making the offense of rape gender-neutral and including marital rape as an offense.
The BNS omits Section 377 of IPC which was read down by the Supreme Court. This removes rape of men and bestiality as offenses.
6. Murder by a group of five or more persons on grounds of certain identity markers such as caste, language, or personal belief will be an offense with a penalty of life imprisonment or death, and with a fine.
7. Most importantly, it criminalizes ‘deceitful’ promises to marry.
The Clarity specified on New Provisions related to Electronic Records is as follows:
On Electronic Records: Definition of “document” includes electronic records on emails, server logs, documents on computers, laptops or smartphones, messages, websites, locational evidence, and voice mail messages stored on digital devices, etc.
On Primary Electronic Evidence: Video recordings stored in electronic form are primary evidence. This may help the investigating agencies in fixing the culpability of a cyber-criminal.
Section 63: ‘Semiconductor memory‘ and ‘communication device’ don’t change the impact of the provision. However, the IT Act, 2000 has a definition of “electronic form” in a broad view.
Present Dilemma on Data Integrity:
Admissibility of Electronic Records: The law regarding the use of electronic records is clear, with specific requirements for their admissibility. A recent Supreme Court judgment emphasized the necessity of a certificate under Section 65-B (4) for electronic records to be admissible.
This certificate, now under Section 63(4) of the BSA, must be signed by two individuals: the person in charge of the device and an expert. While timely submission of this certificate is preferred, its absence can be rectified without harming the accuser’s rights.
Ensuring Data Integrity: The certificate includes a hash value obtained through a specific algorithm to ensure data integrity. The use of secure hash algorithms like SHA256 is recommended to safeguard data integrity, as opposed to potentially vulnerable algorithms like MD5 and SHA1.
Challenges associated with preparedness to adopt New Format:
Preparedness with Cyber Environment: Expert certification for electronic records admission will increase cyber laboratories’ workload as most crimes involve smartphones, with call records and location data aiding investigations.
Lack of Human Resource: Requiring expert-signed certificates for every record may strain cyberlabs lacking manpower. For example, some cyberlabs (such as in Chhattisgarh) are not even notified under the IT Act to give expert opinion on electronic records.
Need Optimal Opinion: Expert opinion should be sought only when record integrity is disputed during trial.
Way Forward:
Need for an Awareness Drive: A general awareness campaign on encryption methods is needed, especially for private agencies using electronic devices for security.
Infrastructure Readiness: Enforcement agencies must prepare infrastructure before July to handle increased responsibilities effectively.
