22 Apr 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

B. GS 2 Related

Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. New IT Rules allowing system of fact-checking with proof are in ‘public interest’: govt.

Syllabus: Government policies and interventions.

Mains: IT Rules 2023 and associated concerns

Prelims:  IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023.

Context: Political Satirist Kunal Kamra has challenged the constitutional validity of the Information Technology (IT) Amendment Rules, 2023.

Details

• A plea was filed in the Bombay High Court against the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023. 
  • The rules are called “arbitrary, violating fundamental rights of speech and expression, and vague”.
• In response to the plea challenging the constitutional validity of the Rules, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said that the Rules are in the “public interest”.
• It further said that the rules provide an evidence-based fact-checking system to tackle fake/false/misleading information that has the potential to cause riots, mob lynching, and other heinous crimes.
• The government claims that the rules are formed to direct the removal of false information, as most information consumers (through social media) lack time, resources, and capabilities to verify the news.

Also read: Tackling Fake News: Sansad TV Perspective Discussion of 4th Mar 2023

Nut Graf: In response to a plea challenging the IT Amendment Rules 2023 for violating fundamental rights of speech and expression, the centre has said that the rules will only direct the removal of false information.

E. Editorials

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. The LoC agreement of 2007 deserves a relook

Syllabus: India and Neighbourhood Relations.

Mains: India-Pakistan relations.

Background Details:

• According to former special envoy Satinder Lambah, the Line of Control (LoC)  agreement (2007) was ready to be signed by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President General Musharraf.
• However, it was disrupted by the stand-off with the judiciary in Pakistan (2007) and the Mumbai 26/11 attacks (2008).
• Mr. Lambah publicly referred to the settlement in 2014. He further made it clear that India would never agree to give away any territory.
• In his book, he further expanded the idea that the “Line of Control has to be respected like a normal border between the two countries”.
• It should be noted that any initiative to restart the dialogue between both countries has been hampered by terrorist attacks.
• Moreover, Pakistan’s proposal to restore ties was impacted by India’s act to amend Article 370.
• The relationship between the two land neighbours is grim as:
  • There is no political contact at any level.
  • There is a lack of trade activities.
  • There is an absence of direct travel links by air, road, or rail. 
  • Moreover, there are no High Commissioners in each other’s countries.
• The relations would further weaken after the recent terror attack in Poonch.
• Other associated concerns:
  • Unjust arrests and continued security crackdown on politicians and civil society.
  • Stringent lockdowns and Internet bans.
  • Targeting journalists.
  • Cross-border terrorism and attacks on Kashmiri Pandits.

India-Pakistan Engagement:

• Despite ruptures in India-Pakistan ties, the relationship always veers towards engagement.
• All Indian Prime Ministers have continued to seek engagement with Islamabad and have often resorted to back-channel processes.
  • The back-channel mechanism is believed to be run between India’s National Security Adviser and Pakistani intelligence.
  • They focus on preventing hostilities. For instance, the post-Balakot strike in 2019, the LoC ceasefire agreement of 2021, etc.
• The two sides have also discussed matters like the reappointment of High Commissioners and the restoration of visas and people-to-people ties.
  • Notably, the Indian Home Minister has also hinted the initiatives like the Kartarpur Corridor, and Sharda Peeth Corridor (a corridor to the temple in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Neelum Valley).

Way Ahead:

• India and Pakistan should revisit the LAC agreement. However, there have been many changes in the last 15 years. For instance,
  • India revoked J&K’s special status and Statehood (August 2019).
  • It also revoked Article 35(A).
  • Gender parity in property inheritance was already implemented in 2002. The  J&K High Court directed against the provision of taking away property rights of women who married outside the State.
• The residents of J&K should be given a fair chance to prosper without the constant overhang of war and a proxy war.
• The non-territorial agreement should be revisited and adopted by both sides.

Conclusion:

• The LoC has remained stable for almost half a century. Any military operations in LoC are unlikely to occur.
• Moreover, Pakistan’s own internal crises (political and economic) puts it on a weak wicket.
• The bigger challenge for India is the Chinese threat at the Line of Actual Control.

Also read: India – Pakistan Relations

Nut Graf: Though events have caused the LoC agreement of 2007 to slip away, the fact is that the idea of LoC has stood the test of time, circumstances, and radical shifts in India-Pakistan relations. The LoC agreement of 2007 should be revisited and the relationship should be restored.

Category: INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND POLITY

1. Veto by silence

Syllabus: Role and functioning of executive and judiciary.

Mains: Appointment of High Court Judges.

Prelims: Procedure of appointment of High Court Judges.

Context: The Supreme Court Collegium has proposed a new name for the Chief Justice of Madras High Court.

Details:

• The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended a name for the appointment to the post of Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
• The Union government did not act on the recommendation for eight months. Consequently, the collegium proposed the new name.
  • It should be noted that Collegium’s recommendations are binding on the government.
• It is argued that by recalling its recommendation, the collegium has allowed the Union government to have its own way.
• It appears that the reason for such a move is that the collegium is keen to have a permanent Chief Justice for the Madras HC (which is been handled by the Acting Chief Justice for 8 months).
• It is argued that several instances point out that the political views of prospective appointees stall their elevation.
• The most common means to stall an appointment is inaction.

Also read: Indian Judiciary

Associated Concerns:

• It is suggested that the recent move of the SC Collegium will embolden the centre to exercise a right to veto on any appointment or transfer proposed by the Collegium in the future.
• It will impact the independence of the judiciary.

Nut Graf: The Supreme Court has recalled its recommendation of the appointment of the Chief Justice of Madras High Court, as the centre did not act on it for eight months. It is argued that it has set a bad precedent as the Collegium recommendations are binding on the executive.

Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Botanical gardens and life on earth

Syllabus: Biodiversity Conservation.

Mains: Botanical Garden and its significance.

Prelims: Earth Day.

Context: Earth Day is celebrated on 22nd April.

Details:

• Earth Day is celebrated on 22nd April every year.
• The Tamil Nadu Government has taken a decision to establish a botanical garden called the Chengalpattu Botanical Garden.
  • It will be built in an area of 138 hectares with an investment of ₹300 crores, thus becoming the largest botanical garden in India.
  • The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew (London) will be the key partner for technical expertise.
• There are references to home gardens in ancient texts. Moreover, cave paintings also depict gardening.
• A garden is an important metric of one’s prosperity and eclectic administration. It is also significant for enjoyment and modern-day research.

Also read: Earth Day Celebrations

Gardens in India:

• The botanical gardens in India range from 10 to 35 (the exact number is not known).
• The oldest academic garden in India is the Acharya Jagadish Chandra (AJC) Bose Indian Botanic Garden.
  • It was established in 1787 (under a different name).
  • It is spread over 109 hectares.
• The headquarters of the Botanical Survey of India is located in Kolkata. 

Associated Concerns:

• India has a high diversity of plants and animals, with around 18,000 to 20,000 plant species.
• However, India hosts a very less number of botanical gardens. Moreover, these gardens lack a wider perspective of plant exploration, discovery, research, and biodiversity outreach.
• India’s educational and scientific research has neglected various aspects of plant biology like taxonomy, evolution, plant mycorrhizal interactions, population ecology, and stress biology.

Way Ahead:

• Collaborations with botanical gardens in Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia can be highly beneficial as they have set new standards in research and have also provided recreational and ecotourism features.
• In order to deal with the declining biodiversity and climate change, every inch of the land should be used to nurture native plants and associated living organisms.

Read more on biodiversity in the linked article.

Nut Graf: Botanical gardens are extremely significant as they represent the richness of life on Earth. They are also a metric of national success in science and outreach. Thus, efforts should be made to establish new botanical gardens in the country and collaborate with successful countries in this regard.

Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to Small Savings Schemes:
(Level- Difficult)

Q2. With respect to National Investigation Agency (NIA), which of the following 
statements is/are correct? (Level- Moderate)

Q3.Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to World 
Meteorological Organisation (WMO)? (Level- Difficult)

Q4. With respect to Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which of the following 
statements is/are correct? (Level- Moderate)

Q5. Which one of the following laser types is used in a laser printer? (Level-Easy)

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. Adopting a fresh approach may be the answer to India – Pakistan border issues. Do you agree? Elaborate. (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
2. By not putting a time limit on the government’s confirmation of the collegium’s recommendations, the government holds a virtual veto in judicial appointments. Comment. (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-2; Indian Constitution and Polity]

Read the previous CNA here.