The Pilot Scheme of Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) envisages developing 400 Nagar Vans and 200 Nagar Vatikas in the country during the period of 2020-21 to 2024-25. Objective : To significantly enhance the tree outside forests and green cover, enhancement of biodiversity and ecological benefits to the urban and peri-urban areas apart from improving quality of life of city dwellers. The total estimated cost of Nagar Van Yojana is Rs.895 crore for the period of 2020-21 to 2024-25 for implementation from the National Funds under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
01 September 2022
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1. About the Anti Defection Law Prelims & Mains 2. Details of the MGNREGA Prelims & Mains 3. About the PMLA Act Prelims Specific Topic 4. Details of the Enforcement Directorate Prelims Specific Topic 1 – About the Anti Defection Law:GS II Topic à Parliament related issues · What is the anti-defection law? · Specific MPs and MLAs who switch parties are subject to penalties under the anti-defection act. · It was added by Parliament to the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule in 1985. Its objective was to maintain political stability by discouraging MPs from switching parties. · The Tenth Schedule, also known as the Anti-Defection Act, was incorporated into the Constitution through the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985. · It spells out the conditions under which elected officials are ineligible to serve if they switch political parties. · This response was brought on by the state administrations being overthrown by party-hopping MLAs following the 1967 general elections. · However, it does allow a group of MPs or MLAs to join (or join forces with) a different political party without running the risk of paying a defection penalty. Political parties are also not penalised if they support or oppose rebellious lawmakers. · The 1985 Act defined a “merger” as the “defection” of one-third of an elected political party’s members: · The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 changed this, and today, at least two-thirds of the members of a party must support a “merger” in order for it to be regarded as lawful. · The members of Congress who are ineligible to serve in the House may compete for office in elections under any political banner. · Decisions regarding defection-related disqualification are requested from the Chairman or Speaker of that House, and those requests are then subject to “Judicial review. · However, the law does not specify a timeframe by which the presiding officer must decide whether to take action in a defection case. · The following are the grounds for disqualification: · If an elected MP or MLA willingly renounces their political party membership. · If he votes or abstains from voting in that House against the wishes of his political party or another person in a position of authority without first obtaining permission, · In order for him to be disqualified, his failure to cast a ballot must not have been allowed by his party or the designated person within 15 days of the incident. · If a person who was elected without the aid of a party chooses to do so. · If any nominee changes their party affiliation after the first six months have ended. · What issues does the law against defection cause? · Undermining Representative and Parliamentary Democracy: · The MP or MLA is obligated to vote in accordance with the party platform and is not permitted to do otherwise following the passage of the Anti-defection statute. · Due to the Anti-Defection statute, which only holds MPs accountable to their political party, the chain of accountability has been broken. · Role of the Speaker in Controversy: · The statute does not specifically stipulate when the House Chairperson or Speaker must make a decision in anti-defection cases. · Legal cases might last anywhere from three to six months. Some matters are settled after the time has passed. · There is no mention of the split: · The anti-defection statute now has an exception for anti-defection judgments thanks to the 91st amendment. · The amendment, however, recognises a “merger” inside a legislature party as opposed to a “split.” · Voting mandates being broken: · Legislators are said to be disregarding their people’ wishes by defecting when they are elected on the platform of one party but then decide it would be more convenient to transfer to another party due to the temptation of cabinet positions or financial benefits. · Effects on Regular Government Operations: · In the 1960s, the infamous “Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram” slogan was developed in reaction to the ongoing defections of lawmakers. · The defection disrupts the political system and has an effect on the executive branch. · Defection promotes legislator horse trading, which is manifestly contrary to the democratic system’s ideals. · While wholesale desertion is allowed, retail defection is not. The gaps must be filled, thus modifications are required. · He voiced concern that even though a politician might switch parties, they shouldn’t be given a job in the new one. · What different recommendations exist in regards to the Anti-defection Law? · It has been suggested by the Election Commission that it be the body that decides whether to allow defections. · Some have argued that the President and the Governors should hear applications for defection. · The Supreme Court has advised Parliament to create an impartial panel headed by a retired judge from the higher judiciary in order to swiftly and fairly decide defection cases. · The law has been deemed unsuccessful by some commentators, who have called for its repeal. Hamid Ansari, a former vice president, claims that it only pertains to preserving governments during motions of no-confidence. · Way Forward: · The issue is brought about by the attempt to use the legal system to handle what is really a political matter. · If party defections threaten the stability of the administration, parties should strengthen their internal processes. · In India, political party regulatory legislation is desperately needed. Such a measure should encourage party democracy within parties, bring political parties under RTI, etc. · To preserve representative democracy from the negative impacts of the law, the application of the anti-defection law can be restricted to only those laws where a loss of trust in the government may ensue. Source à The Indian Express 2 – Details of the MGNREGA:GS II Topic à Government Policies and Interventions · About: · The programme was created as a type of social intervention
Indian Antarctic Bill 2022
Parliament passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, which aims at having India’s own national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment as also the dependent and associated ecosystem. The bill is in pursuant to India’s accession to Antarctic Treaty, the Protocol on Environment Protection (Madrid Protocol) to the Antarctic Treaty and to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The main aim of the Bill To ensure de-militarization of the region along with getting it rid of mining or illegal activities. It also aims that there should not be any nuclear test / explosion in the region. Till provides a harmonious policy and regulatory framework for India’s Antarctic activities through well-established legal mechanisms and will help in efficient and elective operations of Indian Antarctic Programme. It will also facilitate India’s interest and pro-active involvement in the management of growing Antarctic tourism and sustainable development of fisheries resources in Antarctic waters. It will also help in increased international visibility, credibility of India in Polar governance leading to international collaboration and cooperation in scientific and logistics fields. The Bill also proposed to set-up the Indian Antarctic Authority (IAA) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, which shall be the apex decision making authority and shall facilitate programmes and activities permitted under the Bill. It shall provide a stable, transparent and accountable process for the sponsorship and supervision of Antarctic research and expeditions; Ensure the protection and preservation of the Antarctic environment; and shall ensure compliance by Indian citizens engaged in the Antarctic programs and activities with relevant rules and internationally agreed standards. India today has two operational research stations in Antarctica named Maitri (Commissioned in 1989) and Bharati (Commissioned in 2012). The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources was signed at Canberra on the 20th day of May, 1980, inter alia, for the protection and preservation of the Antarctic environment and, in particular, for the preservation and conservation of marine living resources in Antarctica. India ratified the Convention on 17th June, 1985 and is a member of the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources under that Convention. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed at Madrid on 4th October, 1991, inter alia, to strengthen the Antarctic Treaty system and for the development of a comprehensive regime for the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems. India signed the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty on 14th January, 1998. Antarctica lies south of 60 ñ South Latitude, which is a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science and should not become the scene or object of any international discord.
31 AUGUST 2022 – DAILY MAINS QUESTIONS & SYNOPSIS:
Q1. Write a short note on Biosafety, its associated concerns and solutions. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Model Answer: Introduction: Biosecurity is described as “institutional and personal security measures meant to prevent the loss, theft, misuse, diversion, or purposeful release of viruses and toxins,” according to the World Health Organization. Biosecurity, according to the FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization), is a “strategic and integrated approach” that encompasses policies and regulations that address food safety, animal and plant life, and their health, as well as associated environmental concerns. “ The containment concepts, technologies, and procedures that are employed to prevent unintentional exposure to diseases and poisons, or their accidental discharge,” according to the WHO. Body: India’s State of Preparedness: In India, the ministries of health and family welfare, science and technology, and the environment ministry are the primary ministries dealing with biosecurity. ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), and DRDO (Department of Research and Development) are in charge of various areas of biosecurity in India (Defence Research and Development Organization). In India, biosecurity is regarded as a health and agriculture issue, hence it is mostly handled by the states. The central government offers rules that the states adapt to their specific needs. A National Agricultural Biosecurity Program was recommended by the National Farmers Commission, led by M S Swaminathan, in 2004. The Agricultural Biosecurity Bill, introduced in 2013, seeks to establish a ‘Agricultural Biosecurity Authority,’ a high-powered authority that would oversee four areas: animal health, plant health, marine creatures, and agriculturally vital bacteria. This, however, is currently awaiting approval. The customs agency regulates the import of exotic pests and weeds. Plants were classified as restricted, forbidden, or prohibited in India under the Plant Quarantine Order of 2003. The CITES classification is also used to limit the entry of new species. In India, the ICMR oversees a number of bio-safety level (BSL) labs. There are 30 BSL-3 and BSL-2+ labs that are currently operational. There are two BSL-4 (highest safety level) labs, one in Pune (National Institute of Virology) and the other in Bhopal (National Institute of Virology) (National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases). India is a member to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), which was the first international convention to prohibit the use of an entire class of weapons in 1972. The treaty has also been ratified. The convention employs ‘confidence-building mechanisms,’ such as inter-party meetings, UNSC complaints, victim aid, and so on. Associated Concerns: Biosecurity measures are not implemented uniformly in India because they are at the control of local states. Given India’s vulnerability to pest incursions, even detecting an act of agro-terrorism (bioterrorism directed at the agricultural sector) let alone establishing its source will be challenging. Customs officials, who have been chastised for a lack of training in this area, will halt the import of potentially invasive pests and biological agents. For example, identifying the seed of a potentially invasive species among incoming travellers’ luggage. Because the Destructive Insects and Pests Act of 1914 and the Livestock Importation Act of 1898 are just subsidiaries of the Customs Act of 1962, quarantine officers are effectively powerless. One of the things the 2013 Biosecurity Bill aimed to change was this. Since 2014, India’s biosecurity bill has been awaiting approval. Also, zoonoses (such as Coronaviruses) are not taken into account. Unlike many other types of national security concerns, emerging biological agents like SARS CoV 2 are impossible to predict. There is also a large time lapse between discovering a viable treatment/vaccine, making the situation much more perilous. Biological agents, such as viruses, have a higher rate of mutations, as well as a latency period, which makes disease identification and control more difficult. Such biological attacks (intentional, unintentional, or natural) put the country’s defence forces in jeopardy in two ways: The armed forces may be harmed and weakened by the biological agent, and their capacity to deal with conventional threats such as terrorist attacks and WMDs is diluted as resources are diverted for the domestic response, posing a security risk. In light of the debate and accusations surrounding Wuhan Institute of Virology’s role in the COVID-19 incident, the challenge of distinguishing between offensive (or aggressive) and defensive (or peaceful) goals of biological agents has emerged. Even mismanagement of a biosecurity issue on a local level has the potential to spread and have an international impact. This necessitates international cooperation marked by transparency, credibility, and prompt action. The BTWC lacks a verification regime. Any country with a sufficiently established pharmaceutical sector has the potential to build a biological WMD, making the formulation of a verification framework challenging. The capacity to detect and resolve such non-compliances is influenced by the speed with which an international investigation team is formed (since fresh forensic evidence is critical) and the investigative team’s access to the impacted area. For example, examinations into the United States’ accusation of the Soviet Union’s use of mycotoxins in 1981 proved inconclusive. Conclusion: The COVID-19 dilemma has impacted not just India and other countries across the world, but also the country of origin. It has been demonstrated that in the event of a biological war, every country would be a victim—there would be no winners. The situation should serve as a stark reminder of the value of the universal biodeterrence doctrine. For its part, India should improve its biosecurity system while also mobilising international collaboration to improve global biosecurity. Q2. Write a short note on the use of disruptive technology in the healthcare sector. (250 words) Paper & Topic: GS III – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Model Answer: Introduction: Involvement of humans in the diagnosis, treatment, and hospitalisation of infected patients
CA Daily Quiz 31 Aug 2022
31 Aug 2022
. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1. Details of the Abortion Laws Prelims & Mains 2. Details of Naxalism Prelims & Mains 3. About the India’s First Space Mission Prelims & Mains 4. Details of the the LoC Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Details of the Abortion Laws:GS II Topic à Government Policies and Interventions · India has had abortion restrictions since: · As the frequency of induced abortions rose in the 1960s, the Union government established the Shantilal Shah Committee to investigate the viability of making abortion legal in the country. · The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act was enacted in 1971 to decrease maternal mortality brought on by unsafe abortions. · The circumstances under which a medical abortion may be performed are laid out in this law. Sections 312 and 313 of the Indian Penal Code do not apply to it (IPC). · Unless they behaved in good faith in an effort to preserve the pregnant woman’s life, anybody who “voluntarily induces a woman with child to miscarry” faces a maximum three-year prison sentence, a fine, or both. · This clause essentially outlaws all abortion in India. · Regardless of how far along in her pregnancy the woman is, anyone who induces a miscarriage without the pregnant woman’s agreement is subject to punishment under Section 313 of the IPC, which carries fines, life in prison, or a maximum 10-year sentence. · Evolution of MTP from 1971 to 2021: · The MTP Act underwent its most recent amendment in 2021. · In the years before that, new regulations were implemented in 2003 to permit the use of misoprostol, a freshly discovered abortion drug, to end a pregnancy up to seven weeks into it. · The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act of 2021 lays forth the conditions in which an abortion on a physician’s advice is legal. · By virtue of the 2021 Act, the maximum gestational period at which a woman may undergo a medical abortion was raised from 20 weeks to 24 weeks. · This updated upper limit is only applicable in certain circumstances. · Up to 20 weeks of gestation, MTP may now be prescribed based on the recommendation of a single licenced medical provider. · Two licenced medical specialists’ opinions are needed between 20 and 24 weeks. · A medical abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy required the approval of one registered doctor under the previous version of the Act, while abortions up to 20 weeks required the consent of two doctors. · Furthermore, a pregnancy may only be terminated after 24 weeks of gestation on the grounds of foetal abnormalities by a four-member Medical Board established in each State in line with the Act. · Despite any of the aforementioned restrictions, the legislation also provides that an abortion may be performed whenever necessary by a single licenced medical professional in order to preserve the pregnant woman’s life. · Due to the 2021 Act’s lack of a spousal consent requirement, unmarried women may also have an abortion given the aforementioned conditions. If the lady is a minor, parental permission is necessary. · Court interventions in abortion-related cases: · The decision to continue or end a pregnancy is a part of a pregnant person’s right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution, as well as their right to life and personal liberty, the Supreme Court ruled in the landmark Right to Privacy decision in the 2017 case Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India and others. A 37-year-old woman’s request for a medical abortion at 34 weeks of pregnancy was granted by the Calcutta High Court despite the fact that the country’s current laws do not permit unconditional abortions. Given that the fetus’s spine deformity was confirmed to be incurable, this was done. · After the State Medical Board denied the woman’s application for MTP, the Court granted this. · Due to this decision, abortions were permitted in the nation up to the point of delivery. · The anti-abortion statute has the following justifications: · According to a 2018 study published in the Lancet, as of 2015, India had 15.6 million abortions annually. · The mother performed 27% of abortions, per the most recent National Family Health Survey 2019–2021, at home. · According to the State of the World Population Report 2022 by the United Nations Population Fund, unsafe abortions cause over 8 women to perish every day in India (UNFPA). · According to the MTP Act, only gynaecologists or obstetricians are permitted to perform abortions. · However, the 2019–20 Rural Health Statistics report from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shows that there is a 70% lack of obstetrician–gynecologists in rural India. · Critics claim that because the law outlaws abortions at any time, it forces women to have dangerous, unauthorised abortions. · According to statistics, India performs 80,000 unsafe and illegal abortions per year, many of which result in maternal death. · Because the term “woman” is employed in the law, pregnant transgender and non-binary people who are medically capable of having children are excluded. · They are pressured to embrace a gender-binary identity in place of their original gender identification. · Affordability and societal stigma that encourage unsafe abortions are other important factors. · Only those with sufficient financial means have access to the pricy private medical facilities that perform abortions. · Conclusion: · India’s scenario is far from ideal, thus it’s critical to consider and implement cutting-edge global practises. · Diversity, complete bodily autonomy, and reproductive fairness should be our goals. · We shouldn’t start managing the nation by gauging our progress against the rate of retreat. · Legal, medical, and social considerations must be made while evaluating bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. · It is impossible to say that India is paving the way for the West until women and non-binary pregnant people have full control over their own bodies in accordance with these values. Source à The Indian Express 2
Drone Policy 2021
(i) Every drone, except for those meant for research, development and testing purposes, is required to be registered and should have a Unique Identification Number (UIN). (ii) An airspace map of the country segregating the entire airspace into red, yellow and green zones is available on the digital sky platform. Operation of drones in red and yellow zones is subject to the approval of the Central Government and the concerned Air Traffic Control (ATC) authority respectively. No approval is required for operation of drones in green zones. (iii) The State Government, the Union Territory Administration and Law enforcement agencies have been empowered under the Rules to declare a temporary red zone for a specified period. (iv) Drones are required to have the necessary type certification issued by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). No type certification is however required in case of nano drones (up to 250 gram all-up weight) and model drones made for research and recreation purpose. (v) The owner and operators of drones are required to furnish the necessary personal details including their Indian passport number etc. for issuance of any registration or licence. (vi) Rule 17 of the Drone Rules, 2021, lays down the provision of transfer of drone to another person by way of sale, lease, gift or any other mode, after providing requisite details of the transferor, transferee and unique identification number of the drone on the digital sky platform along with the applicable fees. (vii) Authorisation of Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTO) will be done by DGCA within specified time limits. (viii) Drone operations that violate the provisions of the Drone Rules, 2021 are punishable under Rule 49 of the Drone Rules, 2021 as well as provisions of any other law, for the time being in force.
Dhadi Singing
It is a tradition of Punjab was begun by Guru Hargobind to inspire bravery among armed men in the battlefield. Desh Raj Shashli and his fellow artists brought the audience to tears with the narration of the atrocities braved by the martyr, Udham Singh.