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  • WTO and India

    India’s WTO Challenge on MSP Programs for Food Grain

    IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    wto

    Central idea: India has been criticized at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for not adequately addressing questions raised by members regarding its Minimum Support Price (MSP) programs for food grain, particularly rice.

    Minimum Support Price (MSP)

    • MSP is the price at which the government buys crops from farmers to support them against any sharp fall in farm prices.
    • It is announced by the Government of India for 23 crops ahead of each sowing season based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
    • It is an important tool to protect farmers from any sharp fall in farm prices.

     Genesis of the row

    • WTO members such as the US, Australia, Canada, the EU, and Thailand have alleged that India did not provide sufficient responses during consultations.
    • The MSP programs have breached prescribed subsidy limits and are under scrutiny at the WTO argued these countries.
    • With this, India became the first country to invoke the Bali ‘peace clause’ to justify exceeding its 10% ceiling for rice support in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.

    What is ‘Bali Peace Clause’?

    • India’s minimum support price (MSP) falls under the amber box subsidies category.
    • India has exceeded its limits for amber box subsidies for rice for two consecutive years, which is why it has been challenged at the WTO.
    • The Bali ‘peace clause’ allows developing countries to exceed their 10% ceiling without facing legal action by other members.
    • However, it is subject to numerous conditions, such as not distorting global trade and not affecting food security of other members.
    • India’s MSP programs are subject to the ‘peace clause’, but some WTO members have accused India of habitually not including all required information in its notifications.

    Allegations of Inadequate Reporting by India

    • WTO members have been accusing India of not reporting all public stockholding programs under the ‘peace clause’.
    • Some members have pointed out that India also lacks an adequate monitoring mechanism to ensure that no stocks are exported.
    • India, on the other hand, argues that it is not obligated to notify any public stockholding programs other than for the crop where the subsidy limits were breached.

    Impact on India’s MSP Programs

    • The criticism from WTO members could have an impact on India’s MSP programs for food grain, particularly rice.
    • The conditions set under the ‘peace clause’ could limit India’s ability to exceed the subsidy limits and support its farmers.
    • India may have to provide more detailed notifications and monitoring mechanisms to address the concerns of other members and ensure compliance with WTO regulations.

    Why is India defending its stance on MSPs?

    • India faces several challenges in the agricultural sector, including climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity.
    • The country also has to deal with farmers’ distress due to low prices for their produce, which is why the MSP program was introduced in the first place.
    • The challenge posed by the WTO to the MSP program could further exacerbate the problems faced by Indian farmers.

    Back2Basics: WTO and its Subsidies Boxes

    The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization that is responsible for regulating international trade between nations.

    • Establishment: It was established on January 1, 1995, and currently has 164 member countries.
    • Objective: To ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.
    • Frameworks: Negotiating and formalizing trade agreements, resolving trade disputes between member countries, and monitoring national trade policies.
    • Working principles: Non-discrimination, transparency, and fairness in international trade.

    The WTO has three types of subsidy boxes – green, blue, and amber. Each box represents a different level of trade-distorting subsidies.

    1. Green box subsidies: These subsidies are considered non-trade-distorting and are allowed under WTO rules. They include measures such as research, disease control, and infrastructure development.
    2. Blue box subsidies: These subsidies are considered less trade-distorting than amber box subsidies but can still distort trade to some extent. They include measures such as direct payments to farmers to reduce production, provided that certain conditions are met, such as the use of fixed areas or yields.
    3. Amber box subsidies: These subsidies are considered the most trade-distorting and are subject to reduction commitments under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. They include measures such as price support, input subsidies, and direct payments that are not subject to certain conditions.

     

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  • Right To Privacy

    DPDP Bill 2022: Need for Sector-Specific Safeguards

    op-ed snap | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

    Central Idea

    • India’s digital economy is growing rapidly and generating massive amounts of personal data. As citizens embrace convenience, understanding how this data is handled and protected has become critical. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill 2022 aims to safeguard citizens’ information from misuse and unauthorised access but lacks specificity in certain clauses such as the interaction with sectoral data protection regulations.

    The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill 2022

    • The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill 2022 is a proposed legislation aimed at safeguarding the personal data of Indian citizens from misuse and unauthorized access.
    • The bill aims to regulate the handling of personal data in the rapidly growing digital economy of India.

    Seven principles of DPDP Bill, 2022

    According to an explanatory note for the bill, it is based on seven principles-

    1. Lawful use: The first is that usage of personal data by organisations must be done in a manner that is lawful, fair to the individuals concerned and transparent to individuals.
    2. Purposeful dissemination: The second principle states that personal data must only be used for the purposes for which it was collected.
    3. Data minimisation: Bare minimum and only necessary data should be collected to fulfill a purpose.
    4. Data accuracy: At the point of collection. There should not be any duplication.
    5. Duration of storage: The fifth principle talks of how personal data that is collected cannot be stored perpetually by default, and storage should be limited to a fixed duration.
    6. Authorized collection and processing: There should be reasonable safeguards to ensure there is no unauthorised collection or processing of personal data.
    7. Accountability of users: The person who decides the purpose and means of the processing of personal data should be accountable for such processing

    Challenges regarding conflicting sectoral regulations in India

    • The DPDP Bill 2022 lacks specificity in certain clauses regarding the interaction with sectoral data protection regulations.
    • While the Bill allows for filling regulatory gaps, conflicting sectoral regulations may create confusion.
    • India already has sectoral regulations regarding data protection, such as the Reserve Bank of India’s directive on storage of payment data and the National Health Authority’s Health Data Management Policy. Any deviation from existing regulations will further require the industry to readjust their operations again at considerable cost.

    Approach to regulate privacy and protect data

    • The two major approaches to regulating privacy and protecting data is comprehensive legislation and sector-specific regulations
    • The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as an example of comprehensive legislation with sector-specific provisions
    • The American sectoral approach as a patchwork of regulations tailored to specific industries, with flaws in inconsistent protection, enforcement, and lack of federal regulation

    Way ahead: Finding the right balance for India

    • There is a need for greater clarity and specificity in the interaction between the DPDP Bill and sectoral regulations in India
    • It is important to build on existing sectoral regulations to avoid undermining their efforts and require further costly adjustments
    • The role of sectoral experts in ensuring a safer, more secure, and dynamic digital landscape for Indian citizens in the future is important.

    Conclusion

    • The DPDP Bill must serve as the minimum layer of protection, with sectoral regulators having the ability to build on these protections for a safer and more secure digital landscape.
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  • Renewable Energy – Wind, Tidal, Geothermal, etc.

    Gravity-Operated Electricity Generation from Defunct Mines

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    gravity

    Central idea: Green Gravity is an Australian renewable energy company that has developed a unique scheme to generate electricity. The company’s plan involves using defunct mines, such as the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka, India, to produce reliable and cost-effective renewable energy.

    The breakthrough: Gravity-Operated Weighted Blocks

    • It uses a weighted block of up to 40 tonnes up to the top of a mine shaft using renewable power during the day when it is available.
    • When backup power is required, the heavy block will fall under gravity, powering a generator via a connected shaft or rotor.
    • The depth to which the block falls can be determined via a braking system, giving control over the amount of power produced.

    Comparison to Pumped Hydropower Storage

    • Green Gravity’s approach is similar to the well-established approach of “pumped hydropower” storage.
    • In this approach, water is pumped upstream electrically into a reservoir and released downhill to move a turbine and produce electricity when needed.

    Need for such technology

    • Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, often faces the challenge of being unreliable during nights or windless days.
    • Charging a battery for backup power is very expensive and inefficient.

    Advantages of Weighted Blocks over Water

    • Using weighted blocks instead of water means that decommissioned mines can be put to use, and the environmental costs and challenges of moving water up can be avoided.
    • This approach can also mean less reliance on coal-produced power and access to reliable power.

    Potential Use in KGF

    • The Kolar Gold Fields in Karnataka, India, is an iconic but defunct gold mine that has the potential to be used for renewable energy production.
    • The weighted block apparatus could produce up to thousands of megawatt-hours of power from the mine’s deep shafts, some of which run nearly 3,000 metres.

     

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  • Pharma Sector – Drug Pricing, NPPA, FDC, Generics, etc.

    Prices of Essential Medicines set to hike

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    medicine

    Prices of 384 essential drugs and over 1,000 formulations are set to see a hike of over 11%, due to a sharp rise in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

    Implications for customers

    • Annual hikes in the prices of drugs listed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) are based on the WPI.
    • The price surge will mean that consumers have to pay more for routine and essential drugs, including painkillers, anti-infection drugs, cardiac drugs, and antibiotics.

    What are Essential Medicines?

    • As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), Essential Medicines are those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population.
    • Ministry of Health and Family Welfare hence prepared and released the first National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) of India in 1996 consisting of 279 medicines.
    • The list is made with consideration to disease prevalence, efficacy, safety and comparative cost-effectiveness of the medicines.
    • Such medicines are intended to be available in adequate amounts, in appropriate dosage forms and strengths with assured quality.
    • They should be available in such a way that an individual or community can afford.

    NLEM in India

    • Drugs listed under NLEM — also known as scheduled drugs — will be cheaper because the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) caps medicine prices and changes only based on wholesale price index-based inflation.
    • The list includes anti-infectives medicines to treat diabetes such as insulin — HIV, tuberculosis, cancer, contraceptives, hormonal medicines and anaesthetics.
    • They account for 17-18 per cent of the estimated Rs 1.6-trillion domestic pharmaceutical market.
    • Companies selling non-scheduled drugs can hike prices by up to 10 per cent every year.
    • Typically, once NLEM is released, the department of pharmaceuticals under the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers adds them in the Drug Price Control Order, after which NPPA fixes the price.

    Who regulates Drugs prices?

    • The NPPA was set up in 1997 to fix/revise prices of controlled bulk drugs and formulations and to enforce price and availability of the medicines in the country, under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995-2013.
    • Its mandate is:
    1. To implement and enforce the provisions of the DPCO in accordance with the powers delegated to it
    2. To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the NPPA
    3. To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages and to take remedial steps
    • The NPPA is also mandated to collect/maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies etc., for bulk drugs and formulations and undertake and/ or sponsor relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/ pharmaceuticals.

    How does the pricing mechanism work?

    • Prices of Scheduled Drugs are allowed an increase each year by the drug regulator in line with the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and the annual change is controlled and rarely crosses 5%.
    • But the pharmaceutical players pointed out that over the past few years, input costs have flared up.
    • The hike has been a long-standing demand by the pharma industry lobby.
    • All medicines under the NLEM are under price regulation.

     

    Try this MCQ

    Q. Which of the following is not a mandate of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)?

    A) Fixing and revising prices of controlled bulk drugs and formulations

    B) Enforcing price and availability of medicines in the country

    C) Monitoring the availability of drugs and taking remedial steps

    D) Regulating the import and export of pharmaceutical products

     

    Post your answers here.
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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    What is the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    wild

    A person in UP was booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, for “illegally” keeping and nursing an injured Sarus crane (Grus Antigone) he found in his village.

    About Sarus

    • The Sarus crane is usually found in wetlands and is the state bird of Uttar Pradesh.
    • Standing at 152-156 centimetres, it is the world’s tallest flying bird.

    What is Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972?

    • WPA provides for the protection of the country’s wild animals, birds and plant species, in order to ensure environmental and ecological security.
    • It provides for the protection of a listed species of animals, birds and plants, and also for the establishment of a network of ecologically-important protected areas in the country.
    • It provides for various types of protected areas such as Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks etc.

    There are six schedules provided in the WPA for the protection of wildlife species which can be concisely summarized as under:

    Schedule I: These species need rigorous protection and therefore, the harshest penalties for violation of the law are for species under this Schedule.
    Schedule II: Animals under this list are accorded high protection. They cannot be hunted except under threat to human life.
    Schedule III & IV: This list is for species that are not endangered. This includes protected species but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules.
    Schedule V: This schedule contains animals which can be hunted.
    Schedule VI: This list contains plants that are forbidden from cultivation.

     

    What is the law on animals and birds under Schedule IV?

    • Species mentioned under Schedules III and IV relate to the prohibition on dealings in trophy and animal articles without a license, purchase of animals by a licensee, and restriction on transportation of wildlife.
    • Section 48 of the Act specifically states that any wild animal or animal article can be transported only after obtaining permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden or any other officer authorised by the state.
    • Section 44 provides for issuing licenses to taxidermists, eating houses (hotels or restaurants), and dealers in animal articles, preserved animal parts or trophies, uncured trophies (whole or any unpreserved part of an animal), captive animals, and snake venom of such species.

     

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  • Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

    Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes among Children

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    diabetes

    The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to Education Boards of all States/UTs, stating schools must ensure proper care/facilities for children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D).

    What is Diabetes?

    • Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels properly.
    • Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is the main source of energy for the body’s cells.
    • Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps the body use and store glucose from food.
    • In diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces effectively, resulting in high blood sugar levels.
    • Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems, such as damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

    Types of Diabetes

    There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

    • Type 1 diabetes: It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in a lack of insulin. This type of diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age. It requires insulin injections or pump therapy for survival.
    • Type 2 diabetes: It is a metabolic disorder in which the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. This type of diabetes is often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. It is typically diagnosed in adults, but it is becoming increasingly common in children and adolescents as well. Treatment for Type 2 diabetes may include lifestyle changes, oral medications, or insulin therapy.

    Menace of diabetes in India

    • According to data from the International Diabetes Federation Atlas 2021, India has the world’s highest number of children and adolescents living with Type I Diabetes Mellitus (TIDM).
    • There are over 2.4 lakh TID patients in the Southeast Asia region.

    Measures to mitigate TID impact on students

    • CBSE circular in 2017 allowed students with T1D in Classes X and XII to carry certain eatables to board exam hall to avoid low sugar episodes.
    • They are permitted to carry medicines, snacks, water, a glucometer, and testing strips.
    • NCPCR suggests states allow students to use smartphones to monitor sugar levels.
    • Tamil Nadu has been providing free insulin to children with T1D since 1988.

    Back2Basics: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

    • NCPCR is a statutory body established in India under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.
    • Its objective is to protect, promote and defend the rights of children in India.
    • It functions as a watchdog to prevent child rights violations, as well as to take action against those responsible for such violations.
    • The NCPCR also advocates for the implementation of laws, policies and programs aimed at promoting child welfare and development.

     

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  • Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act

    AFSPA Further Lifted Form Northeast: Positive Development

    op-ed snap | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

    Central Idea

    • The Centre’s decision to lift the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from more police station limits in Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland is a positive development that sends a message of hope to the region. While insurgency has necessitated the imposition of AFSPA in the past, the prevalence of violence in the region has been on the decline, and the government’s peace negotiations with rebel groups have borne fruit.

    What is Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, (AFSPA )1958?

    • Armed Forces Special Powers Act, to put it simply, gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in disturbed areas.
    • AFSPA gives armed forces the authority use force or even open fire after giving due warning if they feel a person is in contravention of the law.
    • The Act further provides that if reasonable suspicion exists, the armed forces can also arrest a person without a warrant; enter or search premises without a warrant; and ban the possession of firearms.

    What are the Special Powers?

    • Power to use force: including opening fire, even to the extent of causing death if prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons or carrying arms and weapons, etc are in force in the disturbed area;
    • Power to destroy structures: used as hide-outs, training camps, or as a place from which attacks are or likely to be launched, etc;
    • Power to arrest: Without warrant and to use force for the purpose;
    • Power to enter and search premises: without a warrant to make arrest or recovery of hostages, arms and ammunition and stolen property etc.

    Reason for the decision

    • Improved security: The decision was taken due to a significant improvement in the security situation in Northeast India.
    • Decrease in Violence: The prevalence of insurgencies in almost all states in the Northeast may arguably have necessitated the imposition of AFSPA in the past. Statistics suggest that violence in the region has been on the decline. The MHA cited a reduction of 76% in extremist incidents, 90% decrease in deaths of security personnel and a 97% decrease in civilian deaths since 2014.
    • Negotiations with Rebel Groups: The government has negotiated peace with rebel groups in the region, including NSCN-IM, Ulfa, Bodo, and Dimasa groups, with some success.
    • Peace accords: The Mizo rebels, who signed a peace accord in 1986, joined electoral politics and won office. The Tripura government successfully negotiated with the insurgency and got AFSPA removed in 2015. The government must continue to engage with rebel groups to maintain peace in the region.

    Conclusion

    • The Centre’s decision to withdraw AFSPA in an incremental manner is a positive development for the region, and the government must continue to reduce its dependence on AFSPA to impose its writ. The Northeast’s stability is critical, especially with unrest in Myanmar, and the government must make judicious choices to balance regional and ethnic identity assertion with nationalism.
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  • Capital Markets: Challenges and Developments

    Scrapping Tax Benefit for Debt Mutual Funds: Analysis

    op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Central Idea

    • The Finance Bill 2023, passed by the Lok Sabha with 64 amendments, includes the controversial decision to remove the tax benefit for debt mutual funds. While the aim is to remove the advantage of debt funds over bank deposits, this decision will have far-reaching consequences that need to be examined.

    Mutual Funds

    • Investment decisions on behalf of the investors: Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool money from multiple investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. Mutual funds are managed by professional fund managers who make investment decisions on behalf of the investors in the fund.
    • Diversified portfolio of securities: Investors in a mutual fund own a proportional share of the fund’s underlying assets, and the value of their investment rises or falls in response to changes in the value of the securities held by the fund. Mutual funds can provide investors with access to a diversified portfolio of securities, which can help to mitigate the risk of investing in individual securities.

    Key differences between Mutual funds and debt mutual funds

    • Mutual funds and debt mutual funds are both types of investment funds, but there are some key differences between them
    Comparison Mutual Funds Debt Mutual Funds
    Types of Investments Stocks, bonds, commodities, and other asset classes Fixed-income securities such as bonds, debentures, treasury bills, and commercial papers
    Risk Generally higher risk due to the inclusion of stocks and other volatile assets Generally lower risk due to the focus on fixed-income securities
    Returns Potentially higher returns over the long term, but subject to more volatility Lower returns compared to equity mutual funds, but also come with lower risk
    Investment Objective Can vary widely depending on the type of fund Provide regular income to investors while preserving capital
    Liquidity Can be less liquid than debt mutual funds due to volatility in underlying securities Generally considered more liquid due to less volatility in underlying securities

    The Debate Over Scrapping Tax Benefit for Debt Mutual Funds

    • Removal of the tax benefit for debt mutual funds: The Finance Bill 2023 passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha last week with 64 amendments, including the removal of the tax benefit for debt mutual funds.
    • What it means: This change means that investors in debt mutual funds cannot avail the benefit of indexation for the calculation of long-term capital gains. From April 1, such investments will now be taxed at income tax rates applicable to an individual’s tax slab.
    • Motive: This move aims to remove the advantage that such debt funds have over bank deposits. However, the consequences of this decision need to be carefully examined.

    The Impact of Removing Tax Benefit

    • Impact on flow of funds: The removal of the tax benefit will lead to investors reassessing their allocations to debt mutual funds, which may impact flows into these funds.
    • Impact on bond market: This, in turn, may impact the growth and development of the bond market in India since debt mutual funds channel funds into the bond market.
    • For instance: According to a report by Crisil, 70% of the investment in debt funds flows from institutional investors, while individual investors, including high net worth individuals, accounted for 27% as of December 2022.
    • Impact on corporate debt: This change in rule may trigger a shift in investments away from debt mutual funds to other instruments, which will possibly affect flows to the corporate bond market, and demand for corporate debt is likely to be impacted.

    The Need for Rationalization

    • There is a need to acknowledge the finer points of differentiation between bank deposits and debt funds since bank deposits are insured up to Rs 5 lakh while debt mutual funds carry risk depending on the risk profile of the bonds they hold.
    • It has been argued that the capital gains architecture in India needs to be reexamined and reconfigured.
    • Not only are there different rates of taxation for different asset classes, but even the holding period for differentiating between short- and long-term capital gains varies across assets. Thus, rationalisation with regard to the tax rate and/or the holding period is desirable.

    Conclusion

    • While the removal of the tax benefit for debt mutual funds may remove the advantage of such funds over bank deposits, its far-reaching consequences need to be carefully examined. There is a need to acknowledge the finer points of differentiation between bank deposits and debt funds, as well as rationalisation of the tax architecture in India. Therefore, there is a need for broader discussions and debates on these issues.
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  • G20 : Economic Cooperation ahead

    Blue Economy: India’s G20 Presidency Offers An Opportunity

    op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Inclusive Growth & Issues,Indian Economy

    Blue Economy

    Central Idea

    • The potential of the oceans for the sustainable development of the blue economy is immense and the initiatives taken by the Government of India towards achieving it demonstrate India’s commitment to building a sustainable future for its marine resources and the global community. India’s G20 presidency provides an opportunity to promote collective action for the transition.

    What is Blue Economy?

    • Blue Economy is defined by the World Bank as the Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ecosystem.
    • Gunter Pauli’s book, “The Blue Economy: 10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs” (2010) brought the Blue Economy concept into prominence.
    • The UN first introduced “blue economy” at a conference in 2012 and underlined sustainable management, based on the argument that marine ecosystems are more productive when they are healthy. In fact, the UN notes that the Blue Economy is exactly what is needed to implement SDG 14, Life Below Water.
    • The term ‘blue economy’ includes not only ocean-dependent economic development but also inclusive social development and environmental and ecological security.

    The Potential of the Oceans

    • The oceans offer vast opportunities for the prosperity of our planet, with 45% of the world’s coastlines and over 21% of the exclusive economic zones located in G20 countries.
    • They are reservoirs of global biodiversity, critical regulators of the global weather and climate, and support the economic well-being of billions of people in coastal areas.

    Facts for prelims: Government Initiatives

    • The Government of India has launched several initiatives to promote the development of a blue economy, such as
    Initiative Description
    Sagarmala initiative A program launched in 2015 to promote port-led development and boost the country’s maritime sector. It aims to modernize ports, improve connectivity and logistics, and promote coastal community development.
    Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy A policy introduced in 2016 to provide financial assistance to Indian shipyards for the construction of ships. It aims to boost domestic shipbuilding and make Indian shipyards globally competitive.
    Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana A scheme launched in 2020 to boost the fisheries sector in India. It aims to increase fish production, modernize fishing infrastructure, and create employment opportunities in the sector.
    Sagar Manthan dashboard An online dashboard launched in 2018 to track the progress of the Sagarmala initiative. It provides real-time information on project implementation, fund utilization, and other related metrics.
    Deep Ocean Mission A program launched in 2021 to explore the deep sea and harness its resources for national benefit. It aims to explore the deep sea, map its resources, develop technologies for deep-sea mining, and promote ocean conservation.
    Coastal Regulation Zone notification A regulation introduced in 2019 to manage development activities along India’s coastline. It aims to balance the economic development of coastal areas with the conservation of coastal ecosystems and livelihoods of coastal communities.
    • The government has also taken steps to eliminate single-use plastic and combat plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.

    India’s G20 Presidency and the Blue Economy

    • Key priority: India’s G20 presidency has prioritized the blue economy as a key area under the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group.
    • Promote sustainable and equitable development: The aim is to promote the adoption of high-level principles for sustainable and equitable economic development through the ocean and its resources while addressing climate change and other environmental challenges.
    • A guide for future G20 presidencies: India’s commitment to prioritizing oceans and the blue economy under its presidency would ensure continued discussions on this crucial subject and pave the way for future G20 presidencies.
    • Communication and collaboration: Effective and efficient ocean and blue economy governance presents a significant challenge, and India’s G20 presidency can build an effective communication with all stakeholders to share best practices, foster collaborations for advancements in science and technology, promote public-private partnerships, and create novel blue finance mechanisms.

    Challenges and Responsibility

    • Ambitious efforts by countries to expand their blue economies are threatened by intensifying extreme weather events, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise.
    • Marine pollution, over-extraction of resources, and unplanned urbanization also pose significant threats to the ocean, coastal and marine ecosystems, and biodiversity.
    • The inherent inter-connectedness of oceans implies that activities occurring in one part of the world could have ripple effects across the globe.
    • Therefore, the responsibility of their protection, conservation, and sustainable utilization lies with all nations.

    Conclusion

    • India’s G20 presidency offers an opportunity to promote individual and collective actions towards a sustainable blue economy. The stewardship of oceans is an investment that will sustain future generations, and the global community must unite for the well-being of our ocean commons.
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  • Women Safety Issues – Marital Rape, Domestic Violence, Swadhar, Nirbhaya Fund, etc.

    What is Bilkis Bano Case?

    | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Role Of Women & Women Organization

    bilkis bano

    The Supreme Court has indicated it will primarily focus on the question of Gujarat’s jurisdiction to prematurely release 11 men sentenced to life for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family during the 2002 riots.

    Central idea

    • The Bilkis Bano case is a landmark case of gangrape and mass murder that occurred during the 2002 Gujarat riots in India.
    • Bilkis Bano, then a 21-year-old pregnant woman, was raped and her family members were murdered during the riots that followed the Godhra train burning incident.
    • The case was initially left unnoticed, but after persistent efforts by Bano and her supporters, the case was reopened and the perpetrators were brought to justice.

    Initial investigation and cover-up

    • No proper investigation: Despite the gravity of the crime, the initial investigation was not conducted properly.
    • Evidence tampered: The medical examination of Bano was conducted after several days, by which time crucial evidence had been lost.
    • No FIR registered: The police refused to file a First Information Report (FIR) initially, and when they did, they left out crucial details of the incident.

    Reopening of the case

    • Bano and her supporters continued to fight for justice, and in 2004, the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the order of the Supreme Court.
    • The CBI conducted a thorough investigation and filed a charge sheet against 19 accused persons, including police officers and doctors who had tried to cover up the crime.
    • In 2008, the trial began in a Mumbai court.

    Conviction and sentencing

    • In 2017, after a long legal battle, a Mumbai court convicted 11 accused persons, including one police officer, for gang rape and murders.
    • The police officer, who was the main accused, was sentenced to life imprisonment, while the others were given seven years’ imprisonment.
    • The court also acquitted seven other accused persons due to lack of evidence.

    Key issue: Release of convicts

    • In February 2021, the Bombay High Court acquitted five of the convicted persons, citing lack of evidence.
    • The court also upheld the life imprisonment of the police officer and reduced the sentence of the other convicts to three years.
    • The convicts were released from prison after serving their sentence.

    What are the laws on remissions?

    • Prisoners are often granted remission of sentences and released on important occasions such as birth and death anniversaries of prominent leaders.
    • The President and the Governors have the power to pardon, suspend, remit, or commute a sentence passed by the courts under Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution.
    • Under Section 432 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the state governments also have the power to remit sentences as prisons are a state subject.
    • However, the powers of remission of the state government are restricted by Section 433A of the CrPC.
    • It mandates a person serving a life imprisonment sentence for an offence where death is a punishment or where a death sentence has been commuted, cannot be released until they have served at least 14 years in prison.

    Critical reception of the judgement

    • Justice vindicated: Bano and her family members expressed disappointment with the decision of the court to acquit some of the convicts, and they plan to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court.
    • Communal angle to the release: Bano has been a symbol of courage and determination for survivors of sexual violence in India, and her case has highlighted the need for justice and accountability for crimes committed during communal riots.

    Significance of the case

    • The Bilkis Bano case is significant as it highlights the issue of communal violence in India and the failure of the authorities to provide justice to the victims.
    • The case also underscores the need for the protection of the rights of women and minorities in India.
    • The long legal battle fought by Bano and her supporters shows that justice is possible, but it requires persistence, courage and the support of civil society.

     

     

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