CNA 05 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related ENVIRONMENT 1. What was discussed at the UN water conference? D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials ECONOMY 1. In controlled digital lending, the issue of public interest F. Prelims Facts 1. Finland joins NATO bloc 2. Germany may offer sale of advanced submarines to India G. Tidbits 1. Security issues on table as PM meets Bhutan King 2. Lokpal closes 68% graft complaints against officers without action: report 3. Vacancies of judges remain high, cases pile up: India Justice Report H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
C. GS 3 Related
1. What was discussed at the UN water conference?
Syllabus: Conservation
Prelims: About United Nations Water Conference and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Mains: Key outcomes of United Nations 2023 Water Conference, current challenges in water management and possible solutions.
Context
The United Nations 2023 Water Conference was held between the 22nd and 24th of March. It was the first such meeting in about 46 years.
United Nations Water Conference
- The UN 2023 Water Conference which is formally known as the “2023 Conference for the Midterm Comprehensive Review of Implementation of the UN Decade for Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028)” took place at the UN Headquarters in New York.
- The 2023 Conference was co-hosted by the Government of Tajikistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
- The last UN Water Conference was held in 1977 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
- The 1977 Conference was groundbreaking as it led to the first global “Action Plan” that acknowledged that all people, irrespective of their stage of development and social and economic conditions, have the right to access drinking water in quantities and of a quality equal to their basic needs.
- The 1977 declaration resulted in enhanced global funding and efforts to reduce the percentage of the population who lack access to safe drinking water.
- The 2023 Conference was only the second UN Conference dedicated to water, following the 1977 Conference.
- The 2023 Conference provided an opportunity to accelerate action towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and other internationally agreed water-related goals and targets.
Key commitments made during the conference
- The 2023 Conference witnessed close to about 713 voluntary commitments by various governments, corporations, philanthropic donors, and NGOs.
- Commitments made during the Conference included a $50-billion commitment from India to improve rural drinking water services under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
- With respect to the technological front, commitments were made on specific innovations in wastewater treatment and the development of incubation centres focusing on water management.
- Deliberations were held on “W12+ Blueprint”, which is a UNESCO platform that consists of city profiles, case studies of programs, policies and technologies that address key water security challenges.
- An initiative titled “Making Rights Real” which offers help to marginalised communities to understand how to exercise their rights was also discussed.
- Likewise, the “Water for Women Fund” mechanism offers more effective and sustainable outcomes on issues such as water, sanitation, and hygiene for women.
Current challenges and the way forward
- Extending services to underserved sections of society has been a complex task.
- In India, there have been programmes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Jal Jeevan Mission in this regard.
- However, the major challenge with respect to extending access to water and sanitation is that it does not translate into sustained access to water and sanitation.
- Various drinking water programmes have not yielded the intended results as they drew too much groundwater or because the water sources were contaminated which left the communities with no access to water again after initial success.
- Over-exploitation of the groundwater which is mostly driven by agricultural pumping is another key challenge.
- The key to addressing this problem would require policy change and cooperation between various agencies and ministries.
- Further, encouraging or urging heavily irrigated places like Punjab to pump less would be another possible solution.
- Other SDG goals pertaining to sustainable agriculture, industry, and natural ecosystems are also harder to achieve in the current context.
- Achieving these intended goals or targets mandates political choices and a stronger democracy.
Nut graf: The United Nations Water Conference 2023 which was held after 46 years has gained significance as the UN and the international community have now realised that we are not on track to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for water. There is an urgent need for global actions and binding commitments to ensure sustainable management of water and sanitation.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. In controlled digital lending, the issue of public interest
Syllabus: GS-3, Intellectual Property Rights.
Mains: Copyrights and associated concerns.
Prelims: Controlled Digital Lending.
Context: There was a legal tussle in the United States regarding the development of a globally accessible digital library.
Details:
- The four major publishers in the USA and Internet Archive (IA), a non-profit organization that is building a globally accessible digital library are engaged in a legal tussle.
- The incident has once again brought to the fore the issue of copyright law and technological advancements.
- It raises the question of “Whether copyright law should protect the public interests or the commercial interests of the copyright holders?”
Internet Archive
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Also read: World Intellectual Property Day
Details about the Legal Dispute:
- It has been alleged by the publishers that nearly 3.6 million books made available by the IA for borrowing are copyrighted.
- It is argued by the publishers that IA violated the rights provided under copyright law for 127 titles published by them.
- The publishers are especially concerned about the ‘National Emergency Library’, which was established at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- However, IA rebutted by highlighting that books under copyright protection are lent to the users in a regulated manner through ‘Controlled Digital Lending’ (CDL).
- IA also highlighted that through the CDL route, the sales of print and electronic copies from the publisher’s preferred platforms were not hampered.
- The district court for the Southern District of New York ruled that the activities of IA have violated several rights of publishers under copyright law. Furthermore, they do not constitute ‘fair use’ under the same law.
- The court concluded that the benefits provided by IA “cannot outweigh the market harm to the publishers.”
- It is argued that the court ignored the judgment of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Google LLC vs Oracle America, Inc. case (2021).
- It was directed that it is important to consider the public benefits of copying while analyzing potential financial losses for copyright holders.
Also read: Intellectual Property Rights – An Overview
Controlled Digital Lending:
- Under Controlled Digital Lending (CDL), IA avails one digital copy of each non-circulating print book it has stored. It then lends it like the physical library (i.e. lending one owned copy to one person at a time).
- Moreover, it counts one copy per library (from libraries participating in the digitization process), irrespective of the number of physical copies.
- It is found that lending books from libraries physically is on the decline. This was further hampered by the pandemic. However, it should be noted that the number of readers has not gone down, instead, they prefer reading on tablets and mobile phones.
- CDL has various advantages:
- It bridges the gap between privileged and unprivileged readers and urban and rural readers.
- It increases the accessibility of books, even to the remotest locations.
- They also provide books that have gone out of print.
- It invokes benefits for education, research, and cultural participation.
India’s Scenario:
- Currently, India has no major CDL initiative. However, it is speculated that there can be CDL in the future as digitization projects in India have also begun (for example, the NLSIU initiative).
Conclusion:
- The case can have serious implications in other countries also.
- It is said that even the current lending process can be threatened if economic interests are prioritized over the public interest.
- It should be realized that the copyright system should not only protect the rights of copyright holders but also the interests of the users of copyrighted works.
Also read: World Book and Copyright Day (23rd April)
Nut Graf: The legal dispute between the publishers and a non-profit organization in the United States has once again highlighted the tussle between copyright and public interests. The matter needs a deeper analysis as the interest of copyright users should also be incorporated with the interests of copyright holders.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS-2; International Relations; Global groupings and agreements
Prelims: About NATO
Context
Finland formally joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Details
Image Source: The Economist
- Finland officially became the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
- This latest move marks a major shift in the security landscape in northeastern Europe amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
- i.e. Now that Finland has joined NATO, if Finland is invaded or attacked, all NATO members would come to its aid.
- The move also marks the end of an era of military non-alignment for Finland.
- Finland, after repelling an invasion attempt by the Soviet Union during the Second World War, had opted for non-alignment and maintain friendly relations with Russia.
- Finland’s accession is seen as a setback for Russia as Finland shares a 1,340-km eastern frontier with Russia.
- Russia has said that it would strengthen its military capacity in its western and northwestern regions in response to the move.
Read more about North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the linked article.
2. Germany may offer sale of advanced submarines to India
Syllabus: GS-3; Security; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Prelims: Project-75I
Context
Germany is looking to sell its advanced conventional submarines to India through the government-to-government route.
Details
- The Indian Navy is looking to further strengthen its sub-surface fleet, by procuring six advanced diesel-electric submarines under Project-75I which is estimated to cost over ₹45,000 crores.
- In January 2020, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) shortlisted Mazgaon Docks Ltd. (MDL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as the Indian partners for the P-75 agreement.
- The Indian Navy currently has 16 conventional submarines in service, which include:
- Seven Russian Kilo-class submarines
- Four German-origin HDW submarines
- Five French Scorpene-class submarines with the sixth Scorpene expected to join service soon
- As the Kilos and the HDWs submarines are ageing, a Medium Refit-cum-Life Certification (MRLC) programme is underway to increase their life.
Learn more about – Project 75-India or Project 75 (I)
G. Tidbits
1. Security issues on table as PM meets Bhutan King
Image source: The Times of India
- The Prime Minister of India and the visiting Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck reviewed bilateral cooperation, discussed the latest situation along the India-Bhutan border and the developments in boundary talks between China and Bhutan, especially close to the Doklam trijunction point.
- The Indian Foreign Secretary said that the two countries share an “exemplary” relationship of “trust, goodwill and mutual understanding”.
- He further added that “India and Bhutan remain in close touch and close coordination relating to our shared national interests including security interests”.
- During the meeting, transformation initiatives, reforms process and India’s support for Bhutan’s development plans, including the 13th Five-Year Plan were discussed.
- India has agreed to extend Bhutan a third additional standby credit facility.
- Furthermore, India is also supporting reforms and institutional capacity building, infrastructure projects, energy projects such as hydropower and solar energy projects and space cooperation (the India-Bhutan satellite was launched in March 2023).
- India has agreed to a demand from Bhutan to increase the power tariffs for the Chhukha hydro-electric project, which started its operations with the help of India in 1986.
- India has also agreed to discuss buying power from the Basochhu hydel project that was built in 2008 with the help of Austria.
- Negotiations were also held on the reservoir-based 2,500 MW Sankosh hydel project, which has been paused for years due to environmental and cost issues.
- India is also looking to establish the first Integrated Check Post along the India-Bhutan border at Jaigaon and expedite the proposed Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project.
- Bhutan is constructing its second international airport at Gelephu, close to India’s border and the rail link project will help develop the city into a hub for international investment.
Know more – India-Bhutan Relations
2. Lokpal closes 68% graft complaints against officers without action: report
- According to a report, close to 68% of corruption complaints against public functionaries filed with the Lokpal of India were disposed of without any action in the last four years.
- Further, it was seen that the Lokpal has not prosecuted even a single person accused of graft to date.
- The Lokpal of India is the country’s first anti-corruption office established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 to investigate complaints against public functionaries, including the Prime Minister.
- Although the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act was enacted in 2013, India’s first Lokpal, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh along with eight other members were appointed only in March 2019.
- As per the data provided by the Lokpal office to a parliamentary panel on the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), since 2019-20, Lokpal had received about 8,703 complaints, out of which only 5,981 complaints were disposed of and the office said that only three complaints were fully investigated.
- Additionally, close to 90% of the complaints were rejected for not being “in the prescribed format”.
- The Lokpal was allocated a budget of ₹197 crores in 2022-23 and till the end of January 2023, the Lokpal had incurred an expenditure of ₹152 crores.
Also read – RSTV – The Big Picture: Lokpal & Lokayuktas
3. Vacancies of judges remain high, cases pile up: India Justice Report
Image source: The Hindu
- The India Justice Report (IJR), 2022 has pointed out that Indian courts are being loaded with cases and at the same time are experiencing an increasing pendency as they are functioning with fewer judges than the sanctioned number.
- The IJR is a collaborative effort undertaken in partnership with DAKSH, Common Cause, Centre for Social Justice, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, TISS-Prayas, and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.
- As per IJR, as of December 2022, the High Courts were functioning with only 778 judges as compared to a sanctioned strength of 1,108 judges.
- Further, the subordinate courts were seen functioning with 19,288 judges as compared to a sanctioned strength of 24,631 judges.
- The report points out that, at the High Court level, Uttar Pradesh has the highest average pendency i.e. the number of cases has remained pending for an average of 11.34 years and in West Bengal average pendency was seen to be 9.9 years.
- The lowest average High Court pendency was seen in Tripura (1 year) followed by Sikkim (1.9 years) and Meghalaya (2.1 years)
- The report further notes that the number of cases a judge has to deal with has steadily increased.
- The case clearance rate (CCR) provides an idea about the number of cases disposed of in a year measured against the number filed in that year.
- A CCR of over 100% suggests that the number of pending cases is reducing.
- According to the report, during 2018-19 only four High Courts had a CCR of 100% or more. However, in 2022, the number of courts with a CCR of 100% or more was 12.
- The High Courts of Kerala (156%) and Odisha (131%) have higher CCRs whereas the High Courts of Rajasthan (65%) and Bombay (72% ) have the lowest CCRs.
- The number of court halls seems to be sufficient for the number of actual judges but the space will become a problem if all the sanctioned posts are filled.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements about PPAC (Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell): (Level – Moderate)
- It is a body under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation.
- It provides data on the hydrocarbon sector in India.
- It ensures the effective implementation of hydrocarbon-based subsidy schemes of the government of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, The Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) is an attached office of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG).
- Statement 2 is correct, PPAC is the most authentic official source for data and policy analysis on the hydrocarbon sector in the country.
- Statement 3 is correct, The key objective of PPAC is to ensure the effective implementation of hydrocarbon-based subsidy schemes of the government of India.
Q2. How many of the following pairs of passes and locations are correctly matched? (Level – Difficult)
- Nathu la Pass: Sikkim
- Baralacha la Pass: Arunachal Pradesh
- Lipu Lekh Pass: Uttarakhand
- Pal Ghat Pass: Maharashtra
Options:
- Only 1 pair
- Only 2 pairs
- Only 3 pairs
- All 4 pairs
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Pair 1 is correct, Nathu la Pass is located on the Old Silk Route in Sikkim. It connects Sikkim to China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
- Pair 2 is not correct, Bara-lacha is a high mountain pass in the Zanskar range in Himachal Pradesh. It connects Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Leh district in Ladakh.
- Pair 3 is correct, Lipulekh Pass is located in Uttarakhand near the tri-junction of India, Nepal and China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
- Pair 4 is not correct, Palghat Gap or Palakkad Pass is a low mountain pass in the Western Ghats between Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and Palakkad in Kerala.
Q3. Which are the correct statements? (Level – Easy)
- Heat waves are declared when the temperature of any place goes beyond 40 degrees Celsius.
- The IMD is the nodal agency for the declaration of heat and cold waves.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, Heat wave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to the human body when exposed.
- Heat wave is considered if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions.
Image Source: IMD
- Statement 2 is correct, The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the nodal agency for the declaration of heat and cold waves in the country.
Q4. What is RLV-LEX that has been in the news lately? (Level – Easy)
- It is a new species of dinosaur that has been discovered in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India
- It is a new class of antibiotics developed by the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi
- It is a newly discovered most distant Quasar that has been captured by the James-Webb telescope
- It is the re-usable launch vehicle that will be used for the Gaganyaan mission
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) carried out the landing experiment of the Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD) programme successfully in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
- The Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) test was the second of five tests that are a part of ISRO’s efforts to develop Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLVs) which can travel to low earth orbits to deliver payloads and return to earth for use again.
Q5. Consider the following statements: (Level – Moderate) [PYQ 2014]
- Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
- The National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a statutory body established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
- Statement 2 is correct, The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body with an overarching supervisory/coordination role, performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Statement 3 is correct, The National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.
- The Authority also has the Union Ministers concerned, the Chief Ministers of the States through which Ganga flows, viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal as other members.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
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CNA 05 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
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