Central idea: The Centre has exempted all drugs and food for special medical purposes, imported for personal use, for the treatment of rare diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021 from basic customs duty.
What are Rare Diseases?
Rare diseases are those medical conditions that affect a small percentage of the population.
In India, a disease is considered rare if it affects less than 1 in 2,000 people.
These diseases are often genetic and are chronic, degenerative, and life-threatening.
There are over 7,000 known rare diseases, and it is estimated that about 70 million people in India are affected by them.
Many of these diseases do not have a cure, and the treatment can be expensive and difficult to access.
Need for duty exemption
This decision has been taken to help reduce the burden of the cost of treatment for patients and families.
The drugs and food required for the treatment of these rare diseases are often expensive and need to be imported.
This exemption will result in substantial cost savings and provide much-needed relief to patients with rare diseases.
Key medicines under this exemption
The central government has fully exempted Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a drug used in the treatment of various types of cancer, from basic customs duty.
Previously, the GST rate for Keytruda was cut to 5 per cent from 12 per cent in a meeting held in September 2021 by the GST Council.
Life-saving drugs Zolgensma and Viltepso used in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy were exempted from GST when imported for personal use.
How the new duty exemption works?
The exemption has been granted by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) by substituting “Drugs, Medicines or Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP)” instead of “drugs or medicines”.
To avail of this exemption, the individual importer has to produce a certificate from the central or state director health services or district medical officer/civil surgeon of the district.
How are life-saving medicines taxed?
Drugs/medicines generally attract basic customs duty of 10 per cent, while some categories of lifesaving drugs/vaccines attract a concessional rate of 5 per cent or nil.
In its meeting in September 2021, the GST Council had reduced tax rates for several life-saving drugs.
India’s National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) governs the largest beneficiary-centric program, the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), providing food security to 81.35 crore persons every month. The government is now implementing the Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS). This initiative generates vast amounts of data, which can be leveraged to improve the delivery of other central schemes and welfare programs.
Existing challenges for TPDS
Leakage and diversion of food grains: One of the most pressing issues in the TPDS is the leakage and diversion of food grains meant for beneficiaries, leading to corruption and losses in the system. This problem is primarily due to poor monitoring, lack of transparency, and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Inaccurate targeting of beneficiaries: The TPDS often suffers from errors in identifying eligible beneficiaries, resulting in the exclusion of deserving households and the inclusion of ineligible ones. This misidentification can be attributed to outdated data, lack of verification mechanisms, and manipulation of records.
Inefficient supply chain management: TPDS faces logistical challenges in transporting, storing, and distributing food grains across the vast country. Inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation infrastructure, and delays in procurement and distribution contribute to wastage and inefficiencies in the system.
Limited portability of benefits: Until recently, the TPDS lacked portability, which meant that beneficiaries could only access their food grains from designated Fair Price Shops (FPS) in their home states. This restriction made it difficult for migrant workers and their families to access their entitled benefits.
Lack of transparency and accountability: Corruption, fraud, and manipulation of records are pervasive issues in the TPDS, partly due to the lack of transparency and accountability in the system. The absence of real-time monitoring and the reliance on manual record-keeping exacerbate these problems.
Technological constraints: Many states and union territories in India face technological constraints in implementing IT-based solutions for TPDS operations. Limited access to IT hardware, software, and technical manpower can hinder the adoption of technology-driven reforms, such as electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices and biometric authentication systems
SMART-PDS (Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System) is an initiative by the Indian government aimed at improving the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of the country’s Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
The key objectives of the SMART-PDS initiative
Preventing leakage of food grains: By leveraging technology, SMART-PDS aims to reduce diversion and pilferage of food grains, ensuring that the intended beneficiaries receive their due share of food subsidies.
Enhancing efficiency in the distribution chain: The initiative focuses on streamlining the supply chain from procurement to distribution by incorporating technology-driven solutions, such as electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices, real-time monitoring, and tracking systems.
Data-driven decision-making: Data Analytics on the TPDS ecosystem generates critical information about beneficiaries, food security needs, and migration patterns, addressing the long-standing challenge of credible and dynamic data for efficient delivery of central welfare schemes to vulnerable sections of society.
Convergence and integration with AI: The national leadership’s push for trans-ministerial convergence and AI integration can be a game-changer for both people and governments, bringing accountability across all programs.
Technology-led PDS reforms: The Centre plans to use data analytics, BI platforms, and ICT tools to standardize PDS operations through technology integration with FCI, CWC, transport supply chain, Ministry of Education, Women and Child Development, and UIDAI. This is expected to overcome state-level technological limitations in PDS operations and institutionalize an integrated central system for all PDS-related operations across states/UTs.
Aadhaar authentication and ePoS devices: With 100% digitization of ration cards and the installation of ePoS devices, nearly 93% of the total monthly allocated foodgrains are distributed through Aadhaar authentication mode.
Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)
The government has launched the IM-PDS to implement One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), create a national-level data repository, and integrate data infrastructure/systems across ration card management, foodgrain supply chain, and FPS automation.
The ONORC plan has recorded over 100 crore portability transactions since its inception in 2019.
SMART-PDS benefits beyond ration distribution
The data generated by SMART-PDS has become a tool for central ministries and state governments, benefiting initiatives like e-Shram Portal, Ayushman Bharat, and PM-SVANidhi Yojana.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW) plans to use ONORC/ration card data to map beneficiaries, and seamless tracking of nutrition from ICDS centers to PM Poshan will become a reality with Aadhaar numbers for the newly born.
Conclusion
The transformative potential of SMART-PDS goes beyond food security, enabling data-driven decision-making, convergence, and integration with AI for improved delivery of central schemes and welfare programs across India.
Mains Question
Q. Despite several efforts taken by the government the Targeted Public Distribution System still faces various challenges. In this backdrop discuss the new initiative of SMART-PDS and its key features
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29th Mar 2023
Biotechnology
What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology refers to the industrial use of micro-organism, living plant and animal cells to produce substances useful to the people. It includes the manufacture of antibiotics, vitamins, vaccines, toxic waste disposal systems using microbes etc.
Biotechnology sector in India
Indian biotechnology sector has crossed the $ 3 billion milestones and is growing at the rate of more than 30% over the last few years.
There is also a general perspective that India could even achieve the target of attaining $20 billion by 2020.
Applications of Biotechnology in India
Agriculture
Biotechnology revolutionized research activities in agriculture which include tissue culture in plants, the creation of new transgenic plants and animals which eventually used as bio-reactors to produce the drug from their milk, food etc.
Genetic engineering accelerates improvements in plants by increasing the diversity of the gene pool. It has also helped in the production of plants that have
a short maturing period
higher yield
potential to promote food production even in adverse conditions like drought, salinity etc.
Indian scientists have also come up with an inexpensive algal bio-fertilizer technology for rice.
Animal husbandry
Biotechnology is used in the production of the physiological system, embryos transfer, health and well-being of animals.
Indian scientists have developed a procedure for producing several identical buffalo by using the nuclear transfer technique.
Human health
Biotechnology has enabled the production of human insulin through microbes, human growth hormone etc.
Diagnostic kits to diagnose viral infections, hepatitis B etc.
Industry
In the Industrial sector biotechnology has been used for the production of high fructose corn syrup, sweetening agent for soft drinks, improving the production of alcohol, production of the chemical from agricultural waste etc.
Environment
Biotechnology applications have been successfully made in the treatment of wastes.
An important achievement was made when the Indian borne Anand Chakraborty designed a bacterium Pseudomonas putida that could feed on oil which is of great economic and environmental importance in the battle against oil slicks.
Measures taken
The Indian government has been very supportive to the Biotech sector and the National Biotechnology Development Strategy has been approved.
A new patent regime is in place and the regulatory system is being beefed up.
The public involvement in biotech investments has been strengthened through the small business innovation research initiative of the Department of Biotechnology.
The Department of Biotechnology has also committed to spending 30% of its budget on public-private partnership programmes in Biotechnology.
Biotechnology has also been promoted through emphasizing on higher education, establishing 16 new national level universities, 8 new Indian Institute of Technology and 4 new Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research etc.
Several new interface programmes to connect academic with industry in order to bridge the knowledge to the market chain.
Challenges
Companies have not been able to launch new products at a significant pace because of bureaucratic red-tape and multiple regulatory bodies.
Innovative companies face funding constraints since the investors have shied away from early-stage ventures.
Another issue is the lack of trained manpower. While India has a considerable number of graduates and postgraduates in biotechnology and related fields, they are not employable. Thus companies have to invest heavily in their training before incorporating them into the business.
India also suffers from brain drain. Top global biotech companies are able to poach the brightest Indian minds with attractive job profiles and good remuneration.
Lack of manufacturing capacity. Several biotech parks (established through PPPs) are solely focused on providing biotech services and diagnostics rather than pure biotech manufacturing.
Way forward
India is already facing tough competition from China, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia in terms of attracting investments. Therefore, it is high time that India should enable better technological and scientific competence, better infrastructure, tax and duty exemptions, better course structure, and easier regulatory procedures in order to remain competitive and spur growth in the industry.
The biotech industry should come up with a concrete action plan to effectively utilize the available infrastructure and resources and focus on strengthening innovation to take the biotech industry to new heights.
The government must promote the domestic biotech industry through steps like venture capital, industry-academia link, entrepreneurship incubation centres etc.
Central idea: India is rapidly expanding its solar photovoltaic (PV) sector, but effective waste management strategies for this sector are still lacking. This article explores the challenges and gaps in solar PV waste management in India.
Solar PV Waste in India
India has the world’s fourth-highest solar PV deployment, and the installed solar capacity was nearly 62 GW in November 2022.
A 2016 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that India could generate 50,000-3,25,000 tonnes of PV waste by 2030 and more than four million tonnes by 2050.
India’s solar PV installations are dominated by crystalline silicon (c-Si) technology, which mainly consists of a glass sheet, an aluminium frame, an encapsulant, a backsheet, copper wires, and silicon wafers.
A typical PV panel is made of c-Si modules (93%) and cadmium telluride thin-film modules (7%).
Hazards posed by PV waste
Some of the hazards of solar PV waste are:
Environmental pollution: The accumulation of solar PV waste in landfills can lead to environmental pollution, as the waste contains hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, and other toxic chemicals. Incinerating the encapsulate also releases sulphur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and hydrogen cyanide into the atmosphere.
Health hazards: Improper handling and disposal of solar PV waste can lead to health hazards for workers and people living near the waste disposal sites. The toxic chemicals in the waste can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health issues.
Economy behind PV waste
Financial losses: Improper management of solar PV waste can lead to financial losses for the companies involved in waste collection and treatment. The lack of suitable incentives and schemes in which businesses can invest leads to a small market for repurposing or reusing recycled PV waste in India.
Resource depletion: The disposal of solar PV waste leads to the loss of valuable resources such as silicon, silver, and other critical materials, which can lead to resource depletion.
Recovery and Recycling of PV Waste
As PV panels near expiration, some portions of the frame are extracted and sold as scrap; junctions and cables are recycled according to e-waste guidelines; the glass laminate is partly recycled, and the rest is disposed of as general waste.
Silicon and silver can be extracted by burning the module in cement furnaces.
According to a 2021 report, approximately 50% of the total materials can be recovered.
Challenges particular to India
India faces challenges in the collection, storage, recycling, and repurposing of PV waste.
Only about 20% of the waste is recovered in general, and the rest is treated informally, leading to pollution of the surroundings.
Gaps in PV Waste Management-
Generalized as e-waste: The clubbing of PV waste with other e-waste could lead to confusion, and there is a need for specific provisions for PV waste treatment within the ambit of e-waste guidelines.
Hazards are ignored: PV waste is classified as hazardous waste in India, and there is a need for pan-India sensitisation drives and awareness programmes on PV waste management.
Why does India need to act now?
Considering the rate at which these panels are being installed around the country, India is expected to generate an enormous amount of waste over the next 20 years.
India is expected to become one of the top five leading photovoltaic waste producers worldwide by 2050.
Therefore, India needs to install clear policy directives, well-established recycling strategies, and greater collaboration, so that it doesn’t find itself caught unprepared against a new problem in the future.
Key recommendations
Policymakers should:
Introduce a ban on dumping of waste modules by different entities in the landfills.
Formulate a dedicated PV module waste management regulation.
Introduce incentives like green certificates to provide a level-playing field and encourage recycling and mineral recovery by the industry.
Industries should:
Improve the PV module design to minimise the waste at the disposal stage. This can include sustainable design with reduced use of toxic minerals or adopting a ‘design to disassemble’ approach.
Invest in the second-life use of sub-standard modules to delay waste creation.
Collaborate with research institutes to develop recycling techniques and support pilot demonstrations.
Conceptualise new business models to manage and finance the waste disposal.
Way forward
India needs to pay more attention to domestic R&D efforts as depending on a single module type will dis-uniformly deplete certain natural resources.
It is important to boost capacity for recycling and recover critical materials.
This can be achieved by-
Formulating specific provisions for PV waste treatment,
Pan-India sensitisation drives, and awareness programmes,
Promoting domestic R&D efforts, and
Providing appropriate infrastructure facilities and adequate funding.
In the last eight years, there has been a historic success in curbing Left Wing Extremism violence and the credit for this goes to the CRPF.
Union Home Minister has informed that there has been a 76 per cent decline in the incidents of LWE violence in the country and the fight against Naxalities is in the final stages.
In 2022, the number of deaths of civilians and security forces drastically reduced, with only 98 deaths as compared to 1005 deaths in 2010.
Left vs. Right: Behind the Political Dichotomy
In politics, left refers to people and groups that have liberal views.
That generally means they support progressive reforms, especially those seeking greater social and economic equality.
The far left is often used for what is considered more extreme, revolutionary views, such as communism and socialism.
Collectively, people and groups, as well as the positions they hold, are referred to as the Left or the left wing.
Being ‘Right’ means
The word right, in contrast, refers to people or groups that have conservative views.
It generally means they are disposed to preserve existing conditions and institutions.
They often want to restore traditional ones and limit change.
The far right is often used for more extreme, nationalistic viewpoints, including fascism and some oppressive ideologies.
People and groups, as well as their positions, are collectively referred to as the Right or the right wing.
Confused between Maoists and Naxalities?
Usually, people confuse themselves over Maoists and Naxalities and cannot exactly trace the difference between the two terminologies.
Media seems to be confused with the terms and uses Maoists and Naxalities quite inter-changeably.
This creates confusion in the readers’ minds over the actual meaning of individual terms.
The actual difference between the terms is as follows:
The difference between Maoists’ struggle and the Naxalite movement is that both trace their origin to the Naxalbari uprising of 1967.
But while the Naxalite movement thrives on the original spirit of Naxalbari; the Maoist struggle is an outcome of the 1967 uprising.
Maoists work with an agenda and use weapons to achieve their aims.
Naxalism focuses on mass organisations while the Maoism relies mainly on arms.
(1) Naxalism
Naxalism originated as a rebellion against the marginalisation of the poor forest dwellers and gradually against the lack of development and poverty at the local level in rural parts of eastern India.
It began in 1967 with an armed peasant uprising in Naxalbari village of Darjeeling district in West Bengal.
The term ‘Naxal’ came from the name of the village.
The origin of the Naxals was a result of the split that took place in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1967.
It led to the formation of Communist Party of India (Marxist and Leninist).
(2) Maoism
Maoism originated in China as a form of communist theory derived from the teachings of Chinese political leader Mao Zedong.
Maoists were the loyal believers of the Chairman Mao’s philosophy that “Power flows from the barrel of the gun.”
When the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) was born out of the Naxalbari uprising, a section of communist rebels retained a distinct identity.
Along with Marxism and Leninism, a new concept, which is of Maoism, started emerging in India.
Around 1966, Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) was formed in West Bengal.
History and evolution
Russian Revolution: Naxalism in India, like any other leftist movement around the globe, draws its ideological basis from the Russian revolution.
Overthrowing Tsarist Regime: Lenin successfully fought against the Czarist Rule through a combination of the peasant movement and an armed struggle.
Marxian ideology of class struggle: The prime intent was to bestow power in the hands of the exploited and marginalized and enforce societal control over governance and nation building.
Neo-Marxism: After the success of the Lenin-led revolution in Russia, the intellectual class in many countries got inspired. Prominent amongst them were Fidel Castro and Mao Zedong.
Root cause of origin in India
Corporate exploitation: Since Eastern India is rich in natural resources including forests, minerals and mines, tribal face exploitation and harassment from government and corporate bodies targeting to extract those resources.
Tribal alienation: Tribal communities have been systematically alienated from their traditional rights over natural resources after independence.
Livelihood losses: Tribal livelihood is at stake due to depletion of natural resource base.
Forceful displacement: Forceful displacement from their homeland destroys their traditional governance system.
Absence of governance: In such exploited areas, the absence of governance becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy since the delivery systems are extinguished through killings and intimidation.
Foreign provocations: Many of LWE outfits are supported by external forces inimical to India and the Maoists consider such alliances as strategic assets.
Other factors:
Oppression and HR violations by Security Forces e.g. AFSPA
Violation of Constitutional Protections under PESA and FRA
Prevalence of Acute Poverty
Impact of LWE
Romanticism without a cause: Some sections of society, especially the younger generation, have romantic illusions about the Maoists, arising out of an incomplete understanding of their ideology of Class –Struggle.
Extreme violence: Their doctrine glorifies violence as the primary means to overwhelm the existing socio-economic and political structures.
Destruction of governance mechanism: LWEs aims at creating a vacuum at the grassroots level of the existing governance structures by killing lower-level government officials, police personnel of the local police stations and the people’s representatives of the PRIs.
Radicalization of youths: After creating a political and governance vacuum, they coerce the local population to join the movement.
Urban-Maoism: Many extremists have facilitated mass mobilization in semi-urban and urban areas through ostensibly democratic means often led by well-educated intellectuals.
Outcomes of perpetrating LWE
The Leftist organizations skilfully use state structures and legal processes to further the Maoist agenda and weaken the enforcement regime through:
Recruitment of ‘professional revolutionaries’
Raising funds for the insurgency
Creating urban shelters for underground cadres
Providing legal assistance to arrested cadres and
Mass- mobilization by agitating over issues of relevance/ convenience
Govt initiatives for LWE-affected areas
Aspirational Districts: The MHA has been tasked with the monitoring of the Aspirational district’s programme in 35 LWE affected districts.
HRD measures: Building of schools under the Eklavya model.
Road Connectivity Project for LWE affected areas (RRP-II): This aims for improving road connectivity in LWE affected States. Under this, 9279 km of roads and 392 bridges are sanctioned.
Naxal Surrender Policy: It aims to wean away misguided youth and hardcore naxalites who have strayed into the fold of the naxal movement and cannot find a way back.
National Policy Action Plan: To address Left Wing Extremism approved in 2015, has development as one of the most important component.
SAMADHAN doctrine: It encompasses the entire strategy of government from short-term policy to long-term policy formulated at different levels. SAMADHAN stands for-
S- Smart Leadership
A- Aggressive Strategy
M- Motivation and Training
A- Actionable Intelligence
D- Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas)
H- Harnessing Technology
A- Action plan for each Theatre
N- No access to Financing
Way forward
Indian counterinsurgency has to work with a dual objective of defeating the insurgents militarily and fully quell the insurgent impulses.
This will need institutional overhauls.
States must do more to synergize their efforts by launching coordinated operations, thereby denying Maoists any space for manoeuvrability.
On parallel grounds, it is also important to segregate the population from the insurgents both operationally and ideologically.
The conflict over the distribution of resources can be mended with economic development.
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Saudi Arabia’s cabinet decided to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as Riyadh builds a long-term partnership with China despite US security concerns.
What is SCO?
The SCO is primarily a geopolitical and security organisation with limited infrastructures to pursue economic integration.
The group accounts for about one-third of the world’s land and exports trillions of dollars annually.
It is governed by consensus, which limits the scope of major cooperation between its member states.
It also functions more as a venue for discussion and engagement where high-level dignitaries from across the region can gather to confer, rather than an alliance like the EU, whose members have a common currency, or NATO.
Its establishment
The SCO was founded in June 2001 by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and China.
The genesis of the grouping can be traced back to the post-soviet era in 1996 when these countries, termed ‘Shanghai Five’, came together
Earlier, it focused on regional security to work on regional security, reduction of border troops, and terrorism.
Its particular focus has been on “conflict resolution”, which provided early successes between China and Russia, and then within the Central Asian Republics.
Structure of SCO
The organisation has two permanent bodies —
SCO Secretariat based in Beijing and
Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent.
The SCO Secretary-General and the Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO RATS are appointed by the Council of Heads of State for a term of three years.
But the venue of the SCO council meetings shifts between the eight members (including India and Pakistan).
Members of SCO
Apart from the above-mentioned countries— Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and China.
India and Pakistan are also members of this organisation, both included in 2017.
The SCO also has four observer states — Afghanistan, Belarus , Iran and Mongolia — which may be inducted at a later date.
And “Dialogue Partners” —Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey Egypt, Qatar as well as Saudi Arabia.
Main goals
The main goals of the SCO, as adopted in its Charter in St. Petersburg in 2002, is:
Strengthening mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member states;
Promoting their effective cooperation in politics, trade, economy, research and technology and culture, as well as in education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, and other areas;
Making joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region; and
Moving towards the establishment of a democratic, fair and rational new international political and economic order.”
Why did Saudi Arabia join SCO?
Saudi Arabia could benefit in several ways, such as increased trade and economic cooperation with member states, particularly with China and Russia.
It could also gain a stronger voice in regional security issues and access to the SCO’s anti-terrorism framework.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia could help the organization expand its influence in the Middle East and increase its strategic weight in global affairs.
This is definitely a result of straining its ties with Washington.
The Election Commission of India announced the date for Karnataka Assembly elections. Hence the model code of conduct comes into the picture.
Model Code of Conduct
It is a set of guidelines issued by ECI to regulate political parties and candidates before elections.
The rules range from issues related to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, content of election manifestos, processions and general conduct so that free and fair elections are conducted.
When does it come into effect?
According to the PIB, a version of the MCC was first introduced in the state assembly elections in Kerala in 1960.
It was largely followed by all parties in the 1962 elections and continued to be followed in subsequent general elections.
In October 1979, the EC added a section to regulate the ‘party in power’ and prevent it from gaining an unfair advantage at the time of elections.
The MCC comes into force from the date the election schedule is announced until the date that results are out.
Restrictions imposed under MCC
The MCC contains eight provisions dealing with general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, the party in power, and election manifestos.
For Governments
As soon as the code kicks in, the party in power whether at the Centre or in the States should ensure that it does not use its official position for campaigning.
Hence, no policy, project or scheme can be announced that can influence the voting behaviour.
The code also states that the ministers must not combine official visits with election work or use official machinery for the same.
The ruling government cannot make any ad-hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings etc. which may influence the voters.
Political parties or candidates can be criticised based only on their work record and no caste and communal sentiments can be used to lure voters.
For Political Parties
The party must also avoid advertising at the cost of the public exchequer or using official mass media for publicity on achievements to improve chances of victory in the elections.
The ruling party also cannot use government transport or machinery for campaigning.
It should also ensure that public places such as maidans etc., for holding election meetings, and facilities like the use of helipads are provided to the opposition parties on the same terms and conditions on which they are used by the party in power.
Campaigning
Holding public meetings during the 48-hour period before the hour fixed for the closing of the poll is also prohibited.
The 48-hour period is known as “election silence”.
The idea is to allow a voter a campaign-free environment to reflect on events before casting her vote
The issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in the newspapers and other media is also considered an offence.
Mosques, Churches, Temples or any other places of worship should not be used for election propaganda. Bribing, intimidating or impersonation of voters is also barred.
Is it legally binding?
The fact is the MCC evolved as part of the ECI’s drive to ensure free and fair elections and was the result of a consensus among major political parties.
It has no statutory backing. Simply put, this means anybody breaching the MCC can’t be proceeded against under any clause of the Code..
The EC uses moral sanction or censure for its enforcement.
What if violated?
The ECI can issue a notice to a politician or a party for alleged breach of the MCC either on its own or based on a complaint by another party or individual.
Once a notice is issued, the person or party must reply in writing either accepting fault and tendering an unconditional apology or rebutting the allegation.
In the latter case, if the person or party is found guilty subsequently, he/it can attract a written censure from the ECI — something that many see as a mere slap on the wrist.
However, in extreme cases, like a candidate using money/liquor to influence votes or trying to divide voters in the name of religion or caste, the ECI can also order registration of a criminal case under IPC or IT Act.
In case of a hate speech, a complaint can be filed under the IPC and CrPC; there are laws against the misuse of a religious place for seeking votes, etc.
Using powers under Art. 324
The Commission rarely resorts to punitive action to enforce MCC, there is one recent example when unabated violations forced EC’s hand.
During the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the EC had banned a leader and now party president from campaigning to prevent them from further vitiating the poll atmosphere with their speeches.
The Commission resorted to its extraordinary powers under Article 324 of the Constitution to impose the ban.
It was only lifted once the leaders apologised and promised to operate within the Code.
What if given Statutory Backing?
Both the ECI and several independent experts, believe that giving statutory backing to the MCC would only make the job of the Commission more difficult.
This is because every alleged offence will then have to go to an appropriate court, and right up to the Supreme Court.
Given the flaws of our legal system, election petitions filed decades ago are still pending before many High Courts — it is anybody’s guess what that situation might lead to.
The Dalai Lama has named a US-born Mongolian boy as the tenth Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa, the head of the Janang tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and the Buddhist spiritual head of Mongolia.
Do you know?
“Rinpoche” is a title used in Tibetan Buddhism, which is given to a highly respected teacher or lama. It literally means “precious one” and is used to indicate respect and reverence for the person. The title is often given to senior lamas or to those who are considered to be reincarnations of past masters.
Who is the Dalai Lama?
The Dalai Lama (a title) is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
He is believed to be the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama and is regarded as an important figure not only in Tibet but also around the world.
The Dalai Lama is traditionally both the political and spiritual leader of Tibet, but after China’s occupation of Tibet in 1950, he went into exile in India and since then has been primarily a spiritual leader.
The current and 14th Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, who was born in Tibet in 1935 and has been in exile in India since 1959.
Brief Outline of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism became the predominant religion in Tibet by the 9th century AD, evolving from the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism and incorporating many tantric and shamanic practices.
It has four major schools: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug, with the Janang school being one of the smaller schools that grew as an offshoot of the Sakya School.
Since 1640, the Gelug School has been the predominant school of Tibetan Buddhism, and the Dalai Lama belongs to this school.
Hierarchy and Reincarnation in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition
The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is one of Buddhism’s key beliefs.
Tibet’s hierarchical system seemingly emerged in the 13th century, and it was around this time that the first instances of “formally recognizing the reincarnations of lamas” can be found.
The Gelug School developed a strong hierarchy and instituted the tradition of succession through reincarnation, with the fifth Grand Lama of the school being conferred the title of Dalai Lama.
Several procedures/tests are followed to recognize Tulkus (recognized reincarnations).
Key issue: Chinese interference
The announcement of the boy’s reincarnation has brought attention back to the larger question of the 14th Dalai Lama’s own reincarnation.
The issue of his reincarnation has deep ramifications on international politics, with China seeking to control the succession and take control over Tibet in the cultural sphere.
What lies ahead?
The question of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
The Dalai Lama himself has not provided a definitive answer regarding what will happen, although he has suggested that there may be no Dalai Lama after him.
The question of his reincarnation continues to hold great political implications due to his symbolic authority and importance to millions of Tibetans across the world.
The crucial Z-Morh tunnel that connects Gagangir and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh highway will be inaugurated next month in April.
What is Z-Morh tunnel?
Z-Morh tunnel, also known as the Zoji-Morh Tunnel, is an under-construction tunnel located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The tunnel is being constructed at an elevation of 11,578 feet and is expected to provide all-weather connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.
Location
The Z-Morh tunnel is located on National Highway 1D, which is the only road that connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India.
The tunnel is being constructed in the Zoji-Morh region, which is a high-altitude mountain pass located on the Srinagar-Leh Highway.
It’s Construction
The Z-Morh tunnel is being constructed at a length of 6.5 km and is expected to be completed at a cost of around Rs. 2,000 crore.
The tunnel will have a two-lane carriageway and will be constructed using the latest tunnelling technology.
The project is being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
Significance
The tunnel is expected to provide all-weather connectivity to the Kashmir Valley, which is currently cut off from the rest of India for several months during the winter season due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
The tunnel will also reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Leh by around four hours, as it will eliminate the need to cross the Zoji-Morh pass.
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