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  • Women Cadres (Maoist): Structural Violence and Exploitation

    Women Cadre

    Central idea

    • The Communist Party of India (Maoist) claims to fight for gender equality, but the reality is that women cadres are subject to structural violence and exploitation.

    Women’s representation in the party

    • Negligible representation in the council: Despite constituting 35%-40% of the party, women’s representation in the Central Committee and the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) is negligible
    • Members in the cadre: Only one-woman cadre is a Central Committee member out of more than 20 members, and only two women cadres are DKSZC members out of approximately 20 members

    Concerns over women’s health and nutrition

    • Health challenges: Women face additional health challenges in the jungle and receive inadequate nutrition and healthcare. Most women become anaemic due to the lack of proper nutrition.
    • Menstrual hygiene challenges: Women cadres do not receive menstrual leave and need to be alert all the time with a gun. Only one loin cloth is provided to two women cadres to be shared as a sanitary napkin for six months.
    • Fundamental necessities are not adequate: Women cadres are not allowed to liberally use water and are at the mercy of the unit commander who carries some medical necessities

    Conditions for marriage and reproduction

    • Marriage is not to enjoy family life: The party permits marriage only between willing partners to fight together, not to enjoy family life.
    • Forced vasectomy: Male cadres are forced to undergo vasectomy either before marriage or immediately after marriage.
    • Forced abortion: If a woman cadre gets pregnant, she has to undergo an abortion
    • Silent on divorce and polygamy: The party is silent on issues of divorce and polygamy

    Sexual exploitation and ill-treatment of women

    • Sexual exploitation and ill treatment: Sexual exploitation of women is not uncommon in the party, and instances of suicide by women cadres due to ill-treatment and suspicion are reported.
    • Nominal punishment: Disciplinary action is taken against cadres for moral turpitude, but the maximum punishment is only suspension for a year or demotion.

    Conclusion

    • Women who join the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in the hope of bringing about a revolution for the proletariat and the landless class are often subject to the same structural violence that they are supposed to fight. The party needs to ensure gender equality in reality, not just in its claims, and provide better conditions for women cadres.

    Mains Question

    Q. How do structural inequalities and power dynamics within political movements impact the fight for gender equality? Illustrate.

  • Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): Bus to Become An Arbitration Hub

    Online

    Central Idea

    • India can still become a leader in dispute resolution despite missing the opportunity to establish itself as an arbitration hub. The use of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) can enable India to enhance its ease of doing business and become a more preferred destination for dispute resolution.

    India’s shortcomings in arbitration

    • India’s low rank in the ‘Enforcing Contracts’ category in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report, which indicates the difficulties in enforcing contracts in India.
    • Although India has taken steps to improve its arbitration laws and regulations, it is not yet a preferred destination for arbitration.

    India’s strengths in technology

    • India’s has demonstrated its strengths in technology, especially in the field of ODR.
    • India has a unique advantage in this area due to the widespread adoption of online technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the judiciary lead the way in online hearings.

    What is Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)?

    • ODR is a method of resolving disputes through the use of digital technology and the internet, without the need for physical presence in a traditional courtroom setting.
    • It involves the use of various tools and platforms such as video conferencing, case management systems, digital signatures, and even advanced technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to resolve disputes.
    • ODR offers many advantages over traditional methods of dispute resolution, such as reduced burden on courts, time and cost savings, and increased accessibility to dispute resolution services for parties located in different geographical locations.
    • ODR is becoming increasingly popular around the world, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has made physical hearings and meetings difficult or impossible in many cases.

    Advantages of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in India

    • Convenience: ODR provides a convenient way for parties to resolve disputes without the need to physically travel to a court or other dispute resolution center. This can save time and money, especially in cases where parties are located in different parts of the country.
    • Efficiency: ODR can help to streamline the dispute resolution process by providing tools such as case management systems, automated case flows, and digital signatures and stamping. This can help to reduce the time and costs associated with traditional dispute resolution methods.
    • Accessibility: ODR can make dispute resolution more accessible to individuals and businesses, especially those who may not have the resources to pursue traditional legal remedies.
    • Expertise: ODR platforms can provide access to experts in specific fields, such as intellectual property, international trade, or e-commerce, which can be especially useful in resolving disputes that involve complex legal issues.
    • Confidentiality: ODR can provide a confidential environment for parties to resolve disputes, which can be especially important in cases where sensitive business information is involved.
    • Flexibility: ODR can be tailored to the specific needs of the parties and the dispute, providing a more flexible and adaptable approach to dispute resolution than traditional legal methods.

    Opportunities for ODR in India

    • ORD already in use: Private platforms in India are already resolving lakhs of disputes through ODR and that many corporates have migrated to ODR to resolve small-value disputes.
    • Look beyond the conventional tools: The ODR can be used for more than just audio/video conferencing and can encompass tools such as multi-channel communication, case management systems, automated case flows, digital signatures and stamping, and even advanced technologies such as blockchain, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

    Measures to promote ODR

    Three key measures that can be taken to promote ODR in India are as follows:

    1. Incentivizing the use of ODR: Incentivizing the use of ODR through legislative measures such as setting ODR as a default dispute resolution tool for online transactions, fast-tracking enforcement of ODR outcomes, and exempting or reducing stamp duty and court fees.
    2. Solving infrastructure challenges: Solving infrastructural challenges and optimizing existing setups such as Aadhaar kendras to also function as ODR kiosks. Each court can have an ODR cell along with supplemental technical and administrative support.
    3. Proactive use of ODR by government: Government departments should explore ODR as a grievance redress mechanism. Proactive use of ODR by government entities will not only increase trust in the process but also ensure that citizens have access to a convenient and cost-effective means of resolving disputes with the government.

    Conclusion

    • The ODR has the potential to ensure justice for all, at everyone’s fingertips. While India may have missed the bus to become an arbitration hub, it can still catch up and overtake other countries in ODR.

    Mains Question

    Q. What is Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)? Discuss the advantages of ODR in India and suggest measures that can be taken to promote its use.

  • 13th Apr 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    13th Apr 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 1316]

    [WpProQuiz_toplist 1316]

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || Important Schemes related to depressed classes/SC/ST,Pension, Poverty Eradication, Inclusive Growth and Women Empowerment

    Dear Aspirants,

    This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.

    You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

    Session Details

    YouTube LIVE with Parth sir – 7 PM  – Prelims Spotlight Session

    Evening 04 PM  – Daily Mini Tests

    Join our Official telegram channel for Study material and Daily Sessions Here

    12th Apr 2023

    Nai Manzil Scheme

    OBJECTIVES –

    • To address the educational and livelihood needs of minority communities lagging behind in terms of educational attainments.
    • It aims to provide educational intervention by giving the bridge courses to the trainees and getting them Certificates for Class XII and X from distance medium educational system.
    • It seeks to provide trade basis skill training in four courses at the same time of formal education, in field of (i) Manufacturing (ii) Engineering (iii) Services (iv) Soft skills. It intends to cover people in between 17 to 35 age group from all minority communities as well as Madrasa students.
    • Nodal Ministry –The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs

    Nai Roshni

    OBJECTIVES –

    • Empower and install confidence in women of minority communities by equipping them with knowledge, tools and techniques to interact with government systems, banks and intermediaries
    • Nodal Ministry –The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs

    USTAAD Scheme

    OBJECTIVES –

    • The scheme aims at preserving and promoting the rich heritage of the traditional arts & crafts of the Minority communities. 2.In the light of globalisation & competitive market, these crafts have gradually lost their employability. 3.It also envisages at boosting the skill of craftsmen, weavers and artisans who are already engaged in the traditional ancestral work.
    • Nodal Ministry –The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs

    Hunar Haat

    OBJECTIVES –

    • It is aimed at promoting and supporting artisans from Minority communities and providing them domestic as well as international market for display and sell their products.
    • The Hunar Haat exhibition has been organised by the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) under “USTTAD” scheme In it about 184 master artisans from across the country are showcasing their traditional art and skills at about 100 stalls at the international platform.
    • It seeks to provide an excellent platform to artisans belonging to Minority communities from across nation to display their art and skills before domestic and international visitors.
    • Nodal Ministry –The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs

    Stanapan Suraksha Scheme

    OBJECTIVES –

    • To promote breastfeeding and keep a tab on “inappropriate” promotion of baby food items. Stanpan Suraksha is first-of-its-kind app deveopled for promoting breastfeeding and baby food promotion reporting mechanism.
    • Using it any person can click a photograph of inappropriate baby food promotion around them and related equipment and send it to BPNI.
    • The app also has a city-wise database of trained breastfeeding counsellor to educate and provide assistance to mothers during antenatal and postnatal period. It has sign up option for mothers who wish to become a breastfeeding counsellor, pledging for petition and donation.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Tribal Affairs

    Eklavya Model Residential Schools

    • Eklavya Model Residential School Scheme was started in 1998
    • First school was started in the year 2000 in Maharashtra.
    • EMRSs have been functioning as institutions of excellence for tribal students.
    • In order to further educational opportunities for more ST children, Government has sought to extend the facility of EMRSs in all the 672 Blocks where ST population is more than 50% of the total population in a span of next five years.
    • Funds for establishing the school are arranged by both Centre and State government together.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Tribal Affairs

    Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme

    OBJECTIVES –

    • To decrease the dropout rate in the transition from elementary to the secondary stage. Given for Class 9th and 10th.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana

    OBJECTIVES –

    • Educational empowerment of Scheduled castes.
    • Central assistance is provided to the implementing agencies viz. State Governments/UT Administrations/ Central and State Universities/ Non-Governmental Organisations/Deemed Universities in the private sector, for construction of fresh hostels/expansion of existing hostel facilities for Scheduled Castes students.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    National Overseas Scholarship Scheme.

    OBJECTIVES –

    • Financial support to SC and ST students pursuing Master’s level courses and PhD/Post-Doctoral courses abroad.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    Scheme for up-gradation of merit of SC students.

    OBJECTIVES –

    • Upgrade the merit of SC students by providing them remedial and special coaching in classes IX to XII.
    • Income Ceiling: Rs. 3.00 Lakh per annum .
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS)

    OBJECTIVES –

    • To rehabilitate all the remaining manual scavengers and their dependents in alternative occupations.The main features of the Scheme include one-time cash assistance, training with stipend and concessional loans with subsidy for taking up alternative occupations.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    Sugmay Bharat Abhiyaan

    OBJECTIVES –

    • The target of this scheme is to make at least fifty government buildings disabled-friendly under the campaign in each of the state till the end of 2016 and make 25 per cent of the public transport vehicles under the government as disabled-friendly till mid-2017.
    • A remarkable feature of the scheme is that a website will also be made where the people can put their views on the accessibility of any building.
    • The international airports in the country and railway stations which come under A1, A and B categories will be made fully disabled-friendly.
    • Special set-top boxes will be made available to make watching TV more convenient for the visually impaired. In the next 5 years, almost 200 persons will be trained to speak in sign languages on government TV channels. Government websites will also be made friendlier by using text to speech option.
    • Under the scheme, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will give free motorized tricycles to persons with 70-90% disability.
    • A Sugamya Bharat mobile app which can provide information on disabled-friendly public facilities in a city, will be launched under the scheme.
    • For awareness, a team of experts will conduct workshops for sensitizing the main parties including builders and activists.
    • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    Disha

    OBJECTIVES –

    • Early Intervention and School Readiness Scheme.
    • This is an early intervention and school readiness scheme for children upto 10 years with the disabilities covered under the National Trust Act.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    VIKAASDay Care

    OBJECTIVES –

    • A day care scheme for persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities, above 10 years for enhancing interpersonal and vocational skills.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    SAMARTH Respite Care

    OBJECTIVES –

    • A scheme to provide respite home for orphans, families in crisis, Persons with Disabilities (PwD) from BPL, LIG families with at least one of the four disabilities covered under the National Trust Act.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    GHARAUNDA

    OBJECTIVES –

    • Group Home for Adults.
    • This scheme provides housing and care services throughout the life of the person with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    NIRMAYA Health Insurance Scheme.

    OBJECTIVES –

    • This scheme is to provide affordable Health Insurance to persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    SAHYOGI Caregiver training scheme

    OBJECTIVES –

    • A scheme to set up Caregiver Cells (CGCs) for training and creating skilled workforce of caregivers to care for Person with Disabilities (PwD) and their families.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    GYAN PRABHA Educational support

    OBJECTIVES –

    • Scheme to encourage people with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities for pursuing educational/ vocational courses.
    • Nodal Ministry –Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

    PRERNA Marketing Assistance.

    OBJECTIVES –

    • A marketing scheme to create viable & widespread channels for the sale of products and services produced by persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities
    • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

    Schemes and Policies for Women

           SCHEME      OBJECTIVES             SALIENT                                   FEATURESMINISTRY
    Nirbhaya Fund -Nirbhaya Fund is an Indian rupee 10 billion corpus announced by the Government of India in its 2013 Union Budget.
    -According to the then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, this fund is expected to support initiatives by the government and NGOs working towards protecting the dignity and ensuring the safety of women in India.
    -Nirbhaya (fearless) was the pseudonym given to the 2012 Delhi gang-rape victim to hide her actual identity.    		Earlier Ministry of Home Ministry, Now Ministry of Women & Child
    ICDS-To prevent and reduce young child under-nutrition
    (% underweight children 0- 3 years) by 10 percentage
    points,
    -Enhance early development and learning outcomes in
    all children 0-6 years of age,
    -improve the care and nutrition of girls and women and
    reduce anaemia prevalence in young children, girls and
    women by one fifth by the end of the 12th five-year plan.    		-It is a centrally sponsored scheme
    -The engagement of the Anganwadi worker and helper from the same village
    -It is a universal and self-selecting scheme i.e. anyone can visit the Aanganwadi centre and
    enrol these services.
    -Package of six services i.e.
    o SNP – supplementary nutrition programme
    o Pre-school education
    o Health and nutrition education,
    o Immunization,
    o Health check-up and
    o Referral services to the beneficiaries
    AEC-cum-crèche, AWC-cum counsellor.    		Ministry of Women & Child
    Mahila Police Volunteer It envisages the creation of a link between the police authorities and the local communities in villages through police volunteers who will be women specially trained for this purpose. Under this scheme, it is expected to have at least one such volunteer in every village whose primary job will be to keep an eye on situations where women in the village are harassed or their rights and entitlements are denied or their development is prevented. Joint initiative b/w Min. of WCD and Home Min.Ministry of Women & Child and Home Ministry
    UJJAWALA Yojana A comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitationMinistry of Women & Child
    One-Stop centre scheme1. To provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof.
    2. To facilitate immediate, emergency and non-emergency access to a range of … support under one roof to fight against any forms of violence against women    		1. These centres will provide immediate access to a range of services including medical, legal, psychological and counselling support to the victims.
    2. The OSC will support all women including girls below 18 years of age affected by violence, also for girls below 18 years of age, institutions and authorities established under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 will be linked with the OSC.
    3. In addition to this, a single uniform number –181 will provide 24-hour emergency response to all women affected by violence, through referral (linking with appropriate authorities such as Police, OSC or hospital); funding thru’ Nirbhaya fund    		Ministry of Women & Child
    Swadhar Grehs Homes for relief and rehabilitation of women in difficult circumstances including survivors of rape/assault etc.
    Provision for food clothing, counselling. training, clinical and legal aid; long term    		Ministry of Women & Child
    She-Box Online complaint Management System for women working in both public and private organizations to ensure effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace ActMinistry of Women & Child
    Universalization of Women Helpline  Ministry of Women & Child
    The mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women: To achieve holistic empowerment of women through
    the convergence of schemes/programmes of different Ministries/
    Department of Government of India as well as State
    Governments    		-It aimed at improving the declining Child Sex Ratio; ensuring survival. & protection
    of the girl child; ensuring her education, and empowering her to fulfil her potentials social sector welfare schemes for care, protection and development of
    women.
    -It will provide an interface for rural women to approach the government for availing their entitlements and for empowering them through training and capacity building.    		Ministry of Women & Child
    Mahila Shakti Kendra -Mahila Shakti Kendras will converge all Govt. Schemes for women at National, State, District and Block level
    Skill Development, Employment, Digital Literacy, Health and Nutrition.
    -Through this scheme, the government plans to reach 115 most backward districts in the country with 920 Mahila Shakti Kendra…    		Ministry of Women & Child
    PRIYADARSHINI SCHEME(discontinued in 2016) Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods Programme in the Mid Gangetic PlainsMinistry of Women & Child
    Sabla-Enable the adolescent girls for self-development and
    empowerment
    -Improve their nutrition and health status.
    -Promote awareness about health, hygiene, nutrition, adolescent
    reproductive and sexual health (ARSH) and family and child care.
    -To educate, skill and make them ready for life’s challenges    		Nutrition provision
    – Iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation
    – Health check-up and referral services
    – Nutrition & health education (NHE)
    -Counselling/guidance on family welfare, ARSH, child
    care practices and home management.
    -Upgrade home-based skills, life skills and integrate
    with the national skill development program (NSDP)
    for vocational skills.
    -Mainstream out of school adolescent girls into
    formal/non-formal education.
    -Provide information/guidance about existing public
    services such as PHC, CHC, post office, bank, police
    the station, etc.    		Ministry of Women & Child
    Saksham  Ministry of Women & Child
    Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana-Empower women in agriculture by making systematic investments to enhance their participation and productivity,
    -Create and sustain agriculture-based livelihoods of rural women.    		-a sub-component of the Deendayal Antodaya Yojana-NRLM (DAY-NRLM)
    – Under the Pariyojana, projects are conceived in such a manner that the skill base of the women in agriculture is enhanced to enable them to pursue their livelihoods on a sustainable basis.
    -Under MKSP sustainable agriculture, 58 projects from 14 States have been sanctioned which will benefit 24.5 lakhs Mahila Kisans during the period.    		Ministry of Rural Development
    Beti Bachao Beti Padhao 1.Prevent Female infanticide
    2.Ensure Every Girl Child is Protected
    3.Ensure every Girl Child is educated
    Enforcement of PC & PNDT Act, nation-wide awareness and advocacy campaign and multi-sectoral action in select 100 districts (low on Child Sex Ratio) in the first phase.
    -Under this scheme, there is a strong emphasis on mindset change through training, sensitization, awareness-raising and community mobilization on ground.    		It is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.
    Sukanya samriddhi yojana 1.(Minor) bank account for girl child below the age of 10.
    2.She can withdraw 50% of the money after reaching the age of 18 e.g. for higher education. 18 years deadline will also help to prevent child-marriages.
    For initial account opening, minimum deposit Rs.1000 required.
    Later, any amount in multiples of 100 can be deposited, but maximum Rs. 1.5 lakh per year.
    Interest rate: 9.1% compounded annually.    		Ministry of Women & Child
    Pocso-e Box 1, POCSO e-box is a unique endeavour by NCPCR for receiving an online complaint of Child Sexual Abuse directly from the victim.
    2. Through a well-defined procedure, complaints are directly followed up by a team which counsels the victim, providing further guidance for required legal action. Through a short animation film embedded in the e-box, it assures the victim not to feel bad, helpless or confused as it’s not her fault. With the e-box, it is easy to register a complaint through a step-by-step guided process.    		The Ministry of Women & Child
    It is an initiative of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), for Direct online Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse.
    NARI Due to scattered information on various women-centric schemes/legislations, there is a lack of awareness
    among people regarding the same. To address this problem the government launched NARI portal as a single
    window access to information and services    		Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
    e-samvaad Portal It is a platform for NGOs and civil society to interact with the Ministry of Women and Child Development
    (MWCD) by providing their feedback, suggestions, put up grievances, share best practices etc.
    • This will help in the formulation of effective policies and measures for the welfare of women and children.    		Ministry of Women & Child
    Stree Swabhiman -It aims to create a sustainable model for providing adolescent girls and women access to affordable sanitary products in rural areas.
    -Under this project, sanitary napkin micro manufacturing units (semi-automatic and manual process
    production unit) are being set up at CSCs across India, particularly those operated by women entrepreneurs.
    -The product will be sold under the local brand name and marketed by village-level entrepreneurs.
    -Each facility will employ 8-10 women and educate women of their society to overcome this social taboo.
    -It also has a menstrual hygiene related awareness generation component and is also expected to reduce
    drop-out rates in girls on reaching puberty.    		Ministry of
    Electronics and Information
    technology (MeITY)
    PROGRAM TO TRAIN ELECTED WOMEN REPRESENTATIVES OF
    PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS    		 -The program aimed at capacity building of EWRs is being organized by the National Institute of Public Cooperation and
    Child Development (NIPCCD) of the MoWCD.
    -It is the first-ever initiative which will train approximately twenty thousand EWRs covering nearly 50 EWRs
    from each district (by March 2018) who will go out and administer the villages professionally.
    – It will help in creating model villages, ensure their effective participation in the governance process and help
    preparing women as political leaders of the future.    		Ministry of women and Child
    Support to Training and Employment
    Programme for Women (STEP)    		 -To provide competencies and skill that enable women to become self-employed/entrepreneurs.
    -The scheme is intended to benefit women who are in the age group of 16 years and above across the country.    		Ministry of women and Child
    Rashtriya Mahila Kosh -RMK is a national credit fund for women under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
    -It was established in 1993 for socio-economic empowerment of women.
    -It aims to provide financial services with backward and forward linkages for women in the unorganized sector through Intermediary Micro Finance Organizations (IMOs) and Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and to augment their capacities through multi-pronged efforts.
    -RMK also extends micro-credit to the women in the informal sector through a client-friendly, without collateral and in a hassle-free manner for income generation activities    		Ministry of women and child

  • Role of Parliamentary Committees

    Central idea: This article discusses the importance and functions of parliamentary committees in India.

    Why in news?

    • As little as 25% of the Bills introduced were referred to committees in the 16th Lok Sabha, as compared to 71% and 60% in the 15th and 14th Lok Sabha respectively.
    • This represents a declining trend of national legislation being subjected to expert scrutiny.

    What is a Parliamentary Committee?

    • A committee appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker that works under the direction of the Speaker and presents its report to the House or the Speaker.
    • Two kinds of committees: Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees.

    (1) Standing Committees

    • Permanent and regular committees constituted from time to time in pursuance of the provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
    • The work of these Committees is of continuous nature.
    • Examples include the Financial Committees and DRSCs.

    (2) Ad hoc Committees

    • Appointed for a specific purpose and cease to exist when they finish the task assigned to them and submit a report.
    • The principal Ad hoc Committees are the Select and Joint Committees on Bills.
    • Examples include the Railway Convention Committee and Joint Committee on Food Management in Parliament House Complex.

    Why need Parliamentary Committee?

    • Parliament scrutinizes legislative proposals (Bills) in two ways: discussion on the floor of the two Houses and referring the Bill to a parliamentary committee.
    • Since Parliament meets for 70 to 80 days in a year, there is not enough time to discuss every Bill in detail on the floor of the House.

    Role of the committee in the passage of a Bill

    • The debate in the house is mostly political and does not go into the technical details of a legislative proposal.
    • Referring a Bill to a parliamentary committee takes care of the legislative infirmity of debate on the floor of the House.
    • However, referring Bills to parliamentary committees is not mandatory.

    What is a Select Committee?

    • India’s Parliament has multiple types of committees.
    • Departmentally related Standing Committees focus on the working of different ministries.
    • Each committee has 31 MPs, 21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
    • The main purpose is to ensure the accountability of Government to Parliament through a more detailed consideration of measures in these committees.

    When does a committee examine a Bill?

    • Bills can reach a committee through a recommendation by the minister piloting the Bill or the presiding officer of the House.

    What happens when a Bill goes to a Committee?

    • The committee undertakes a detailed examination of the Bill, inviting comments and suggestions from experts, stakeholders and citizens.
    • The government also appears before the committee to present its viewpoint.
    • The committee’s report makes suggestions for strengthening the Bill.
    • While the committee is deliberating on a Bill, there is a pause in its legislative journey.
    • The Bill can only progress in Parliament after the committee has submitted its report.

    What happens after the report?

    • The report of the committee is of a recommendatory nature.
    • The government can choose to accept or reject its recommendations.
    • Select Committees and JPCs have an added advantage of including their version of the Bill in the report.
    • The minister in charge of that particular Bill can move for the committee’s version of the Bill to be discussed and passed in the House.

    Importance of these Committees

    • Parliamentary committees analyze the impact that a specific piece of legislation may have on governance indicators.
    • It recommends the government to take an ‘Action Taken’ report for the House to judge the progress made on the suggestions of the committee.
    • Though committee reports aren’t binding on the government, it helps the legislature ensure oversight of the executive.

     

  • UGC releases National Credit Framework (NCrF)

    The University Grants Commission (UGC) released the National Credit Framework (NCrF), which will allow students to earn educational credits at all levels, irrespective of the mode of learning i.e. offline, online, or blended.

    What is National Credit Framework (NCrF)?

    • The NCrF is a meta-framework that integrates the credits earned through school education, higher education, and vocational and skill education.
    • It consists of three verticals:
    1. National School Education Qualification Framework (NSEQF)
    2. National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) and
    3. National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)
    • The NCrF provides a mechanism for the integration of general academic education and vocational and skill education, ensuring equivalence within and between these two education streams.
    • Institutions would be free to notify their detailed implementation guidelines with flexibility for catering to their academic requirements.

    Key features

    (1) Credit System

    • Under the NCrF, one credit corresponds to 30 notional learning hours in a year of two semesters.
    • A student is required to earn a minimum of 20 credits every semester.
    • A student can earn more than 40 credits in a year.
    • Maximum credits a student can earn during schooling period is 160.
    • A three-year bachelor’s degree course will result in a total of 120 credits earned.
    • A Ph.D. degree is at Level 8 and earns 320 credits upon completion.

    (2) Study of Vedas:  Students can obtain credits for their proficiency in diverse areas of the Indian knowledge system, including the Puranas, Vedas, and other related components.

    (3) Indian Knowledge System (IKS): UGC notified the final report, which includes the components of the IKS. The IKS comprises 18 theoretical disciplines called vidyas and 64 practical disciplines, including vocational areas and crafts. These disciplines were the foundation of the 18 sciences in ancient India, as per the report.

    (4) Educational Acceleration: The NCrF supports educational acceleration for students with gifted learning abilities. It provides scope for crediting national/international achievers in any field, including but not limited to sports, Indian knowledge system, music, heritage, traditional skills, performing & fine arts, master artisans, etc.

    (5) International Equivalence: The international equivalence and transfer of credits shall be enabled through various multilateral/bilateral agreements between respective regulators of the countries concerned. NCrF would lend credibility and authenticity to the credits being assigned and earned under various programs in India, making these credits more acceptable and transferable internationally.

     

     

  • What is Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

    hadron

    Central idea: The article provides an overview of the LHC, its construction, how it works, and what it has discovered. It also discusses the future of the LHC, including plans to upgrade it and build a bigger version.

    Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

    • The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world’s largest science experiment built by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
    • It is a collider that smashes two beams of particles in opposite directions and these particles are hadrons.
    • The LHC is on the energy frontier of physics research, conducting experiments with highly energized particles.
    • Currently, the LHC is being warmed up for its third season of operations following upgrades that have made it more sensitive and accurate.

    How does the LHC work?

    • Hadrons are subatomic particles made up of smaller particles, and the LHC typically uses protons.
    • Protons are energized by accelerating them through a narrow circular pipe that is 27 km long.
    • The pipe encircles two D-shaped magnetic fields created by almost 9,600 magnets.
    • Protons are accelerated through the beam pipe by rapidly switching the direction of the magnetic field.
    • Eventually, protons move at 99.999999% of the speed of light, according to the special theory of relativity.

    What happens when particles are smashed?

    • When two antiparallel beams of energized protons collide head-on, the energy at the point of collision is equal to the sum of the energy carried by the two beams.
    • The highest centre-of-mass collision energy the LHC has achieved so far is 13.6 TeV.
    • At the moment of collision, there is chaos, and energy coalesces into different subatomic particles under the guidance of the fundamental forces of nature.
    • Different particles take shape depending on the amount and flavour of energy available.

    What has the LHC found so far?

    • The LHC consists of nine detectors, and they study particle interactions in different ways.
    • The ATLAS and CMS detectors discovered the Higgs boson in 2012 and confirmed their findings in 2013.
    • Using the data from collisions, scientists have tested the predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics, observed exotic particles, and pieced together information about extreme natural conditions.

    What is the LHC’s future?

    • The LHC has not been able to find ‘new physics’ that can explain the nature of dark matter or why gravity is such a weak force.
    • One way forward is to improve the LHC’s luminosity by 10x by 2027 through upgrades.
    • Another idea is to build a bigger and more powerful version of the LHC, based on the hypothesis that it can find ‘new physics’ at even higher energies.
    • Physicists are divided on whether to invest in building a bigger machine or less expensive experiments with guaranteed results.

    B2BASICS

    What is Hadron?

    • Hadron is any member of a class of subatomic particles that are built from quarks and thus react through the agency of the strong force. The hadrons embrace mesons, baryons (e.g., protons, neutrons, and sigma particles), and their many resonances.

    CERN

    • European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) is the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory.
    • CERN is based in Geneva on the French-Swiss border. It has 23 member states.
    • India in 2016 became an associate member of the CERN. Indian scientists have played a significant role in the ALICE experiment, which is a dedicated experiment for search and study of Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP).

    Try this MCQ

    Which of the following is a subatomic particle made up of smaller particles and is commonly used in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

    (a) Protons

    (b) Electrons

    (c) Neutrons

    (d) Photons

     

    Post your answers here.

     

  • International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program

    Central idea

    • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US has retained the “Category 1” status for India’s aviation safety oversight following a review.
    • The FAA uses the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program to determine whether a country’s oversight of its airlines that operate or wish to operate to the US or enter into codeshare partnerships.

    What is the IASA Program?

    • The International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program is conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
    • The program evaluates the safety oversight of civil aviation authorities in countries worldwide.
    • It determines whether a country’s oversight of its airlines that operate or wish to operate to the U.S. or enter into codeshare partnerships with U.S. carriers comply with safety standards established by the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
    • The IASA program focuses on three broad areas, including personnel licensing, operation of aircraft, and airworthiness of aircraft.
    • Countries are rated as Category 1 if they comply with international safety standards, or Category 2 if they do not comply with international safety standards.
    • The IASA program is conducted over a one-year period, which includes physical audits and a further review.

    India’s commitment to aviation safety

    • The assessment by the ICAO as well as the FAA is a testimony to India’s commitment of having an effective safety oversight for its civil aviation system.
    • In November 2021, the ICAO conducted an audit, and India scored an Effective Implementation (EI) of 85.65%, an improvement from the previous EI of 69.95%.

     

     

  • Teja Singh Sutantar: Remembering the revolutionary leader

    teja

    Punjab Chief Minister unveiled a statue of Teja Singh Sutantar, a former MP and revolutionary leader.

    Teja Singh Sutantar

    • Teja Singh was born as Samund Singh in 1901 in Aluna village of Gurdaspur district.
    • After completing his schooling, he joined Khalsa College in Amritsar.
    • Following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, he joined the Akali Dal to participate in the movement to liberate gurdwaras from degenerate mahants.
    • However, in September 1921, he formed his own squad called the Sutantar Jatha, which successfully liberated a gurdwara in a village called Teja in Gurdaspur district from the mahants.
    • He later freed another gurdwara in Othian village from mahants.

    Early life and revolutionary activities

    • In early 1923, Teja Singh went to Kabul as a Sikh missionary and there he came into contact with a few leaders of the Ghadar Party, who were preparing for their second attempt to overthrow the British government.
    • They persuaded Teja Singh to undergo military training, so he joined the Turkish military academy in 1925 under the pseudonym Azad Beg.
    • He later moved to Berlin and then to Canada and the United States, where he addressed congregations of Indians, mainly Punjabi Sikh immigrants.

    Political Career

    • After visiting several countries, Teja Singh returned to India and became a prominent leader of the communist party (CPI).
    • He contributed revolutionary articles to the party journal, the Kirti, frequently writing about issues that plagued peasants.
    • In May 1937, he was elected unopposed to the Punjab Legislative Assembly as a nominee of the Indian National Congress while he was still in prison.
    • He continued to remain a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly till 1945.
    • He was also the secretary of the Communist Party (Punjab) from 1944 to 1947.

     

  • Exercise Cope India 23

    The Indian Air Force (IAF) fighters, including Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Rafale, SU-30MKI, and Jaguars, are set to participate in bilateral air Exercise Cope India 23 with US Air Force (USAF) F-15 fighters and B-1B long-range bombers.

    Exercise Cope India

    • Cope India began in 2004 as a fighter training exercise held at Air Station Gwalior.
    • The exercise has evolved to incorporate subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, airdrop training and large-force exercises, in addition to fighter-training exercises.
    • The exercise was last held in 2009.
    • The exercise showcases US and India’s efforts and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    Highlights of the 2023 version

    • The exercise will be conducted in two phases, with the first phase practicing the air-mobility component involving transport aircraft of both countries.
    • The IAF element will include the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas, and Jaguar fighter aircraft, while Japan is taking part in the exercise as an observer.
    • The second phase of the exercise will witness the participation of B-1B bombers of USAF, and F-15 fighter aircraft of the USAF will join the exercise subsequently, according to an IAF statement.
    • The exercise will be supported by aerial refuellers, Airborne Warning and Control System, and Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft of the IAF.

     

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