CNA 04 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. The demand for Scottish independence POLITY 1. On defamation law: a blow against freedom of speech and expression C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 1. Time to put a price on carbon emissions HEALTH 1. Why India should cut down on its salt intake F. Prelims Facts 1. Cope India Exercise G. Tidbits 1. ‘Just 9.3% of loans under PM SVANidhi given to vendors from minority communities’ 2. Philippines allots 4 more military bases to U.S. troops 3. Oil surges as OPEC+ surprise output cuts shake markets H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. The demand for Scottish independence
Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries
Mains: Key issues associated with the demands for Scottish independence from the U.K.
Context
Recently, the British Prime Minister rejected a call from the new First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, to hold a second referendum for Scotland’s independence from the U.K.
Historical background
- The independent Kingdom of Scotland was formed in the 9th century and it indulged in various wars to remain independent from the Kingdom of England.
- The two kingdoms, however in 1603, signed a personal union agreement and were ruled by the same monarchs.
- Further, in 1707, both British as well as Scottish Parliaments enacted the Acts of Union to enter into a political union under the name of Great Britain on account of various economic and political vulnerabilities prevailing on both sides.
- Despite Scotland retaining some of its decision-making powers, it however failed to get equal representation in the united Parliament which gave rise to various cultural and political differences.
- Also, the demands for self-governance started to become more prevalent which led to two referendums in 1979 and 1997 and the subsequent formation of a Parliament of Scotland in 1999.
- This newly devolved Parliament of Scotland was empowered to formulate legislations on issues like health, transport, education, etc. whereas the powers to legislate on issues such as defence, currency, trade, and foreign policy were reserved.
- The latest referendum for Scottish independence was held in 2014, wherein 55% of the Scottish population voted in favour of the union whereas 45% voted to walk out.
Know more about – Differences Between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England
The demand for independence
Image Source: World Atlas
- The Scottish National Party (SNP), formed in 1934 with the merger of two parties, started a campaign seeking the independence of Scotland from the union post the discovery of oil in the North Sea in the 1970s.
- The SNP had argued that if the British had no control over reserved matters, the proceeds from the oil from the North Sea would significantly benefit the Scottish economy.
- According to the SNP, the U.K. is using the revenues from the North Sea oil to fund its current expenses instead of using the revenues to invest in future generations of Scots.
- According to the SNP, the Scottish population must have the right to decide if they want to be an independent country.
- To address the existing concerns over how an independent Scotland would function without British assistance, the party has come up with White Papers on its vision for “building a new Scotland”.
- The party has also announced plans to rejoin the European Union (EU) to enhance its trade in the bloc, and to receive other associated benefits.
- SNP further argues that Scotland is different from the U.K. and that the electoral system of Scotland is fairer and more proportionally represented than the U.K.
- SNP also argues that the interests of Scotland are different from that of the U.K. which include Scotland’s stand on open immigration policies, an increased push for the green transition, free university education, taxation on higher earners, and inclusion of the LGBTQ community.
- The party further argues that the U.K. could make other unilateral decisions such as Brexit in the future which might undermine Scottish interests.
- Furthermore, a large percentage of the Scottish population sees independence from the U.K. as a matter of self-determination and identity.
The U.K.’s stand
- The British government has said that the SNP has not provided clarity on how the issues related to pensions and healthcare would function in an independent Scotland.
- Further, the British government has warned Scotland that if it rejoins the EU, it would lead to the creation of a hard border between Scotland and Britain.
- The Economic Affairs Committee of Westminster had stated that it would be difficult for Scotland to assume its share of the U.K.’s public debt, which runs into billions and the decommissioning of North Sea Oil will have economic and trade implications for Britain.
- Experts from the U.K. believe that the biggest implication of Scotland leaving the Union would be on the perceptions of “Englishness” among the English, who account for about 85% of the U.K.’s population, and the “projection of Englishness as a national identity” to the world.
Path ahead
- As the British Prime Minister has rejected the idea to hold a second referendum for Scotland’s independence, Mr. Humza Yousaf now faces the difficult task of realising the party’s central vision of independence.
- Mr. Humza Yousaf has in the past reiterated that his focus is not mainly on the idea of the “de facto referendum” but his priority is to first gain support for independence among the Scottish population.
- Recent reports indicate that the support for an independent Scotland has declined to 39% in the country which is less than what was during the 2014 referendum.
Nut graf: Despite the prevailing concerns over how an independent Scotland would actually function without British assistance, the rise of the Scottish National Party in Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament, has provided momentum to the demands for the independence of Scotland from the U.K.
1. On defamation law: a blow against freedom of speech and expression
Syllabus: Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Prelims: About the defamation law in India
Mains: Supreme Court’s views on defamation law and its critical evaluation
Context
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi was sentenced to two years of prison over a 2019 defamation case.
Read more – Rahul Gandhi’s Conviction
Evolution of the defamation law in India
- At the beginning of the 17th century, there was frequent public disorder as Englishmen often challenged each other to violent duels to avenge personal insults.
- This forced the authorities to intervene and prosecute defamation as a criminal offence and this was the origin of “criminal libel”.
- People had criticised “criminal libel” as “the greater the truth, the greater the libel.”
- In 1860, the British borrowed the idea of criminal libel into the newly formulated Indian Penal Code (IPC).
- Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) criminalised intentionally defamatory statements.
- Such defamatory statements were only exempted if they were made for the “public good”.
For more information, read – Defamation law in India
Supreme Court’s views on defamation law
- The Supreme Court of India in 2016, dismissed a petition filed by Subramaniam Swamy challenging the constitutionality of Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
- The apex court held that the “Right to Reputation” was extended under Article 21 of the Constitution which guarantees the “Right to Life and Personal Liberty”.
- The court declared that the “Right to free speech” guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) had to be “balanced” against the “Right to Reputation” under Article 21.
- However, the court did not explain how the two rights are to be balanced.
- Furthermore, the Supreme Court held that criminal defamation law protected the feeling of “fraternity or solidarity” between the members of society.
Critical evaluation of the Supreme Court’s views
- Critics believe that the observations made by the apex court which include the elevation of “reputation” to the level of a fundamental right, and to have it prevail over free speech, have no basis or backing in the text or the structure of the Constitution.
- Further, critics point out the fact that the court has radically expanded the scope of the “Right to Life and Personal Liberty” guaranteed under Article 21 and has used this expanded definition to force the state to undertake various social and welfare measures for the benefit of citizens.
- However, in the case of defamation law, the court has used Article 21 to cut down the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression instead of using it as a shield to protect the individual against State persecution.
- Experts have said that the principle of “constitutional fraternity” invoked by the court is not a part of Article 19(2) of the Constitution, which mentions reasonable restrictions the state can impose on the freedom of speech.
- Critics have also argued that the term “Fraternity” mentioned in the Constitution’s Preamble is meant to complement civil rights, not to destroy them.
- Thus, critics have questioned how free speech can be restricted by invoking the principle of constitutional fraternity.
- There has also been criticism over the silence of the court over Section 499 of IPC not allowing an “honest mistake” as a defence against defamation.
Nut graf: As a large number of journalists and political activists are facing several frivolous defamation cases in the courts of the country, there have been calls for revisiting the colonial-era laws on defamation in India as they are seen to be an impediment to freedom of speech and public interests.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Time to put a price on carbon emissions
Syllabus: GS-3, Environmental Degradation.
Mains: Carbon pricing and Carbon emission reduction.
Prelims: Carbon pricing.
Details:
- The utilization of natural resources without having to pay the price has resulted in significant environmental destruction.
- Consequently, there are relentless carbon emissions causing runaway climate change.
- It is suggested that big economies like the G20 countries should start pricing carbon effluents. India holding the G20 presidency for the year 2023 can take the lead in this regard.
Also read: India Takes Over Presidency of G20
Carbon Pricing Mechanisms:
- Three major carbon pricing mechanisms are as follows:
- A carbon tax can be established domestically, like in Singapore and Korea.
- The European Union (EU) and China use emissions trading system (ETS).
- The EU has also proposed the application of an import tariff on carbon content.
- Around 46 countries price carbon. However, it covers only 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at an average price of only $6 per ton of carbon.
- The International Monetary Fund has proposed price floors of $75, $50, and $25 a ton of carbon for the United States, China, and India, respectively. It can help in achieving a 23% reduction in global emissions by 2030.
- It should be noted that carbon pricing encourages investment in renewable energy like solar and wind energy.
Also read: Carbon Price Explained
Impact on India:
- Benefits of a carbon tax in India:
- It is more appealing as it discourages fossil fuels.
- It will raise revenue which can be further invested in cleaner sources of energy.
- It would replace the inefficient scheme of petroleum taxes which are not directly aimed at emissions.
- Many countries including India have established the basic structure needed to implement a carbon tax in their fiscal policy. However, policymakers should choose the tax rate which can range from $2.65 a ton of CO2 (in Japan) to $165 a ton (set by Denmark for 2030).
- India can start with the IMF-prescribed figure of $25 a ton.
Associated Concerns:
- It should be noted that carbon pricing faces stiff political opposition. For instance:
- Australia repealed the 2012 tax just two years after it was introduced.
- Rising energy prices in the EU led to the selling of millions of emission permits. It caused a 10% fall in carbon prices.
- One of the major issues in this regard is that industrial firms might lose their competitive advantage to exporters from countries with lower carbon prices.
Way Ahead:
- A uniform rate should be set for countries in the same bracket (high, middle, and low-income).
- Moreover, companies should be allowed to use high-quality international carbon credits to offset up to a certain percentage of their taxable emissions.
- Best practices from countries across the world:
- The EU excludes transport if the higher costs are directly passed on to consumers.
- In Singapore, vouchers are provided to consumers hit by utility price rises.
- California uses proceeds from the sales of carbon permits partly to subsidize purchases of electric cars.
- Sweden addressed the political constraints by presenting carbon tax as a part of a fiscal package that reduces other taxes and includes new social safety nets.
- Output-based rebates can also be provided.
- The idea of wins at the societal level should be adequately communicated.
- It should be noted that as the concept of carbon tax gains acceptance, the first movers will become most competitive. Thus, India should promote the idea and play a lead role to fight against climate change.
Also read: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Nut Graf: A high carbon tax can have a notable impact on reducing carbon emissions and global warming. It will consequently address the climate crisis. It could pave the way for making decarbonization a winning development formula. India should play a proactive role in this context to become globally competitive.
1. Why India should cut down on its salt intake
Syllabus: GS-2, Issues related to health.
Mains: Curbing salt intake in the diet.
Context: The WHO has published the ‘Global Report on Sodium Intake Reduction’.
Details:
- A high amount of sodium intake can increase the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Its dangerous repercussions warrant urgent attention and a revaluation of dietary choices.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a daily intake of less than 5 g of salt for adults. However, an average Indian’s sodium consumption is more than double (approximately 11 grams) the physiological need.
- The ‘Global Report on Sodium Intake Reduction’ published by WHO analyses the progress of 194 countries towards reducing population sodium intake by 30% by the year 2025.
- It is found that the progress in this regard is very slow and there is a proposal to extend the deadline to 2030.
- The WHO uses the sodium score ranging from 1 (least implementation) to 4 (highest implementation) for each member country based on the factors like implementation of sodium reduction and other associated measures.
- India has a score of 2 indicating that it has at least one policy. However, more efforts are required to address the concern.
Sodium intake reduction and its significance:
- There is a strong correlation between reduced sodium intake and decreased blood pressure.
- It should be noted that reducing sodium intake by 1 gram per day (2.5 grams of salt) can lead to a 5 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure (BP) for a person aged 55.
- This would cause a reduction of stroke incidents by 22% and that of myocardial infarction incidence by 16%.
- This implies that salt reduction is a practical approach to preventing cardiovascular disease.
- It should be noted that cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality in the world. For instance, in 2001, there were nearly 54% of strokes and 47% of coronary heart diseases globally.
- Moreover, there is a high impact of cardiovascular disease on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- It is estimated that between 2011 to 2025, the cardiovascular disease burden in LMIC would cost approximately $3.7 trillion (2% of GDP) due to premature mortality and disability.
- The World Economic Forum suggests that India alone would suffer losses worth $2 trillion between 2012 and 2030.
Challenges for India:
Hypertension and cardiovascular disease pose considerable challenges to India, especially due to four major reasons:
- Notably, cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the country (as per WHO, Registrar General of India, and Global Burden of Disease Study).
- The age-adjusted cardiovascular disease mortality rate increased by 31% in the last 25 years.
- According to NFHS-5, hypertension is more prevalent among men aged 15 and above in comparison to women of the same age group. It is more common in Southern India and Punjab and Uttarakhand in the North.
- Approximately 38.5% of women and 49.2% of men at the national level are pre-hypertensive. It has a higher prevalence in the northern States.
- It should be noted that pre-hypertensive people have a relatively higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and premature mortality.
- Many pre-hypertensive Indians are included in the newly defined stage-I hypertension category by the American guidelines.
- According to the Report on Medical Certification of the Cause of Death (2020), circulatory system diseases accounted for 32.1% of all documented deaths, with hypertension being a major risk factor.
Measures taken by the Government:
- Eat Right India Movement:
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is implementing the movement to transform the country’s food system to ensure secure, healthy, and sustainable nutrition for all.
- Aaj Se Thoda Kam:
- It is a social media campaign (launched by FSSAI) that focuses on preventive healthcare through changes in eating safe and healthy food.
Also read: Eat Right India Movement
Way Ahead:
- There is a need for a comprehensive national strategy to reduce salt consumption.
- A multi-pronged approach with the involvement of consumers, industry, and government is the need of the hour.
- Additionally, cooperation between state and union governments is also essential to achieve the target of WHO.
Also read: Trans-Fats
Nut Graf: Excessive salt intake has serious repercussions on human health which significantly increases the risks of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All the stakeholders should come forward and collaborate to address the potential health menace by taking preventive and corrective measures like eating safe and healthy food.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS-3; Security; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Prelims: Cope India exercise
Context
The Cope India exercise is expected to be conducted from April 10 to 21 at the Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal.
Cope India Exercise
- The Air Forces of India and the U.S. are set to conduct the Cope India exercise at the Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal, with Japan as an observer.
- The Cope India exercise began in 2004 as a fighter training exercise held at Air Station Gwalior, India.
- The Cope India exercise has evolved to incorporate subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, airdrop training and large-force exercises and fighter-training exercises.
- The exercise witnesses intense air manoeuvres aimed at improving interoperability.
- The exercise highlights the efforts and commitment of the U.S. and India to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
- In the 2023 edition, the Indian Air Force (IAF) would be deploying its frontline fighters SU-30MKI, Rafale and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft along with force multipliers, while the U.S. Air Force would be deploying its F-15 fighter jets.
- The India-U.S. bilateral Malabar naval exercise became trilateral with the addition of Japan in 2015 and further all the Quad partners participated together in the exercise with the inclusion of Australia in 2020.
- Further, in January 2023, India and Japan conducted their maiden air exercise Veer Guardian hosted by the JASDF.
G. Tidbits
1. ‘Just 9.3% of loans under PM SVANidhi given to vendors from minority communities’
- According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, over 42.7 lakh loans worth about ₹5,152.37 crores have been disbursed to street vendors under the PM SVANidhi scheme.
- However, out of the total loans, only about 3.98 lakh, or 9.3%, were extended to hawkers from minority communities.
- The PM SVANidhi is a micro-credit scheme launched in 2020 with an aim to extend handholding support to street vendors to combat the pandemic-induced economic stress.
- The scheme facilitates collateral-free loans of ₹10,000, with subsequent loans of ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 with a 7% interest subsidy.
- As per the data shared by the Ministry, there has been a decline in the share of loans to street vendors of minority communities with 10.23% in 2020-21, 9.25% in 2021-22 and 7.76% in 2022-23.
- According to reports, despite the minorities accounting for only 20% of the total population of the country, their representation amongst street vendors is said to be manifold mainly due to various socio-economic reasons.
2. Philippines allots 4 more military bases to U.S. troops
Image Source: The New York Times
- The Philippines announced the location of four more military bases to be used by U.S. troops, with one site near the South China Sea and another close to Taiwan.
- The 2014 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) had given the U.S. access to five bases in the Philippines and the treaty allies had agreed in February 2023 to expand cooperation in “strategic areas”.
- The expansion of cooperation in “strategic areas” between the U.S. and the Philippines is aimed at countering China’s increasing assertiveness over self-governed Taiwan and the building of Chinese bases in the South China Sea.
- The four sites have been assessed by the Philippine military and deemed “suitable and mutually beneficial” and the bases would also be used for humanitarian and relief operations during disasters.
3. Oil surges as OPEC+ surprise output cuts shake markets
- Oil prices have surged and posted the biggest daily rise in nearly a year, as OPEC+ members announced that they would reduce production.
- The announcement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies including Russia shook markets.
- The group, known as OPEC+, had been expected to maintain its earlier decision to cut output by 2 million bpd until December at its monthly meeting.
- OPEC+ was formed when the OPEC countries joined hands with 10 other oil-producing countries in 2016 when oil prices had fallen.
- OPEC+ is a group of 23 oil-exporting countries that meets regularly to decide how much crude oil to sell on the world market.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Which of these statements is true regarding Water Purification Technologies? (Level – Difficult)
- The RO technology helps in removing the hardness of the water.
- The UV technology helps in killing bacteria and viruses but does not eliminate them like the RO technology.
- The UF technology does not require electricity to function, while the UV and RO technologies need that.
Options:
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 3
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, The Reverse osmosis (RO) process can effectively remove dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, resulting in softer water.
- Statement 2 is correct, The UV (Ultraviolet) technology helps in killing bacteria and viruses, but unlike the RO water purifier the UV technology cannot eliminate or eradicate the bacteria that the radiations manage to kill.
- The dead organisms continue to be present in the water consumed.
- Statement 3 is correct, The UF (Ultrafiltration) technology does not require electricity to function, while the UV and RO technologies need that.
Q2. How many of the following statements are true regarding electoral bonds? (Level – Easy)
- They can be issued only by all the Public Sector banks.
- Any political party can receive funding from these bonds.
- Any citizen of India can buy these bonds and donate them to the political party of their choice.
Options:
- Only 1 statement
- Only 2 statements
- Only 3 statements
- None of the statements
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, Only the State Bank of India is authorised to issue and encash electoral bonds.
- Statement 2 is not correct, Only those political parties which are registered with the Election Commission of India and secured not less than one percent of votes polled in the last general election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly, are eligible to receive funding from these bonds.
- Statement 3 is correct, An electoral bond can be purchased by any citizen of India or a body incorporated in India and donate them to the political party of their choice.
Q3. Which of the following statements are not true regarding the Purchasing Managers’ Index? (Level – Difficult)
- It helps in anticipating the changes in the economic trends of a country.
- For India, it is calculated by the Department of Economic Affairs.
- It can be calculated both for the service and manufacturing sectors.
- It is a perceptional analysis, only undertaken for the private sector.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an economic indicator derived from the monthly survey of private sector companies.
- PMI aims to provide information regarding the current and future conditions of a business to the decision-makers, analysts and investors of the company.
- PMI or a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an indicator of business activity-both in the manufacturing and services sectors.
- The PMI Index is compiled by IHS Markit in India.
Q4. Which of the following statements is true regarding the ice memory project? (Level – Moderate)
- It is an initiative to develop cryogenic technologies to preserve the human body during long space flights.
- It is a collaboration of palaeontologists to preserve the ice-age era animal specimens.
- It is an initiative to have an in-depth study of the “Zombie Viruses” which had been preserved in the ice and are now re-surfacing due to global warming.
- It is an initiative to save samples of ancient ice for analysis before it gets melted away due to climate change.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- The “Ice Memory project” aims to constitute the first world library of archived glacier ice, to preserve this invaluable scientific heritage for generations to come, when future techniques can obtain even more data from these samples.
- Under the “Ice Memory” initiative, Arctic scientists are drilling to save samples of ancient ice for analysis before the frozen layers melt away due to climate change.
Q5. The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of (Level – Moderate) [PYQ 2020]
- The limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth
- Regions inside the Earth-like planets in outer space
- Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space
- Search for meteorites containing precious metals
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- The Goldilocks Zone refers to the habitable zone around a star where the temperature is just right – not too hot and not too cold – for liquid water to exist on a planet.
- Looking for planets in the Goldilocks Zone is a way that allows scientists to hone in on their search for Earth-like planets that could contain life.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- What is carbon tax? Do you think carbon tax can help in reducing air pollution in India? Suggest some measures to reduce air pollution in India. (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-3; Ecology and Environment]
- Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-2; Social Justice]
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CNA 04 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
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