CNA 29 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related ECONOMY 1. Unified security force for airports D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. The women’s reservation Bill cannot wait any longer INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND POLITY 1. None too soon F. Prelims Facts 1. More heatwave days for eastern India 2. Core Sector G. Tidbits 1. Raja Ravi Varma 2. LIC Chairperson and CEO 3. Hate Speech 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. Unified security force for airports
Syllabus: Infrastructure-Airports
Mains: Need for a unified security force for all airports in India
Context: Green flag from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the creation of a unified security force for all airports.
Introduction:
- As per multiple union government officials, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given his approval to a proposal for the creation of a unified security force for all airports in India, similar to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the U.S.
- This security force will also incorporate immigration and customs.
- The directive was issued during the annual Director General of Police conference on January 20 and 21, 2023 where the Prime Minister instructed that a finalized proposal be prepared.
- At the conference, discussions were also held about expanding the scope of an Indian TSA-like force to include security for sea and land ports, as well as roads and highways.
Need for a unified security force:
- Airports serve as critical nodes in the transportation network of a country. In a rapidly expanding aviation industry, a sturdy system is essential.
- India is pegged to be the third-largest aviation market in the world by 2024 and is already the third-largest domestic aviation market after the U.S. and China.
- The total number of airports in the country is also targeted to grow from the current 148 to 220 by 2025, and airlines have more than 1,000 aircraft on order.
- In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) serves as a unified security force for all airports in the country. However, in India, airport security is the responsibility of several different agencies, resulting in a lack of coordination and a fragmented security apparatus.
- The TSA was formed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack in the U.S. to oversee security for all modes of transportation, such as air travel, passenger rail and intercity bus travel.
- While the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is deployed at 66 out of the current 148 airports to carry out security functions, State police oversee security at the remaining airports.
- This move would also help in integrating policy, regulations and implementation by bringing them under one body. Today, for instance, if the BCAS frames regulations for aviation, the implementation body is either the CISF or the airports.
- The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which is responsible for overseeing security in civil aviation, operates under the purview of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Central Industrial Security Force, responsible for airport security, falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, as does the Bureau of Immigration. The Customs Department is overseen by the Ministry of Finance.
Nut Graf: The Union government is working on creating a unified security force for all airports in India, similar to the TSA. This move is crucial for enhancing airport security and ensuring the safety of air travellers in India, as the country’s aviation industry continues to rapidly expand.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. The women’s reservation Bill cannot wait any longer
Syllabus: Government policies and interventions.
Mains: Women’s reservation bill.
Details:
- Despite breaking the glass ceiling in various sectors, women’s participation in politics is still dismal.
- Women in India gained suffrage early but they still face significant barriers to political participation and the right to govern.
- Women hold just 14% of seats in Parliament. Thus it is time to demand a more equitable landscape.
Background Details:
- Women played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence.
- Women’s Participation in Indian Politics:
- Ms. Sushma Swaraj led the opposition in Lok Sabha.
- Ms. Sonia Gandhi served both as a President of the Congress Party and Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance.
- Ms. Pratibha Patil was India’s first woman President.
- Despite the influential presence of women in Indian politics, women’s representation has regressed since the 1980s.
- The discourse on women’s representation in politics began before independence.
- In 1955, the government appointed a committee that recommended the reservation of 10% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies for women.
- In the 1980s the demand for women’s reservations gained momentum. The National Perspective Plan for Women (1988) suggested that 30% of seats in all elected bodies should be reserved for women.
- The above demand was again reiterated in the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women. It was adopted in 2001.
- The Panchayati Raj Act 1993 reserved 33% of the seats for women. This was a significant step towards women’s political empowerment.
- In 1996, the Women’s Reservation Bill (introduced in Lok Sabha) proposed to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for women. However, the bill lapsed due to strong opposition from some political parties.
- Again the issue gained momentum in the 2000s and the bill was passed in Rajya Sabha.
Examples from Different Countries:
- The Scandinavian countries implement policies that favour gender equality and women’s empowerment.
- It should be noted that countries led by women show some of the best policies and governance practices. For instance, practices like the genocide in Rwanda are being healed by the political leadership that majorly comprises women.
- In Norway, a quota system was implemented in 2003 that required 40% of seats on corporate boards to be occupied by women.
Conclusion:
- According to Babasaheb Ambedkar, the progress of a community can be measured by the degree of progress achieved by women.
- It is time that the women of India should come forward and take charge of transforming India.
Also read: List of Women Empowerment Schemes in India
Nut Graf: Several examples from both within and outside India highlight the pivotal role of women in development and nation-building. It is thus suggested that women’s reservations in parliament should be reconsidered for their political empowerment.
Category: INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND POLITY
Syllabus: Role and functioning of executive and judiciary.
Mains: Governor vs State Government.
Prelims: Discretionary Powers of Governor.
Context: The Telangana Governor told the court that no bills were pending with her.
Case Details:
- The Telangana Government approached the court against the inaction of the Governor on several bills.
- The Governor responded that there were no pending bills with her. She told that two bills were returned for reconsideration and information was sought on a few others.
Other Details:
- The Supreme Court reminded the Governors that as per the Constitution, a decision to return a Bill to the State Assembly for reconsideration should be made “as soon as possible”.
- The court highlighted the phrase (“as soon as possible”) found in the first proviso to Article 200 to draw attention to the sense of immediacy in the matter of returning a Bill.
- It implies that it is constitutionally impermissible for Governors to hold on to Bills indefinitely without communicating their decision to the House.
- The apex court’s decision has thus highlighted the issue of delay of bills.
- It is argued that the discretionary powers of Governors in India have given much scope for controversy.
- The Governor’s power to withhold assent or return a Bill for reconsideration is considered discretionary.
- Notably, the Constituent Assembly explicitly clarified that returning a Bill should be done only on advice. This is an enabling provision for a government to recall a pending Bill in case of second thoughts on its advisability.
Also read: How a Bill is Passed in Indian Parliament
Associated Concerns:
- Article 200 which deals with the assent of the bill has three issues:
- The absence of a time limit for acting on Bills
- The scope for reserving a Bill for the President’s consideration against the advice of the Cabinet
- The claim that the Governor can kill any Bill by declining assent
- The provision of Article 163 contains a clause that prohibits any inquiry into whether a particular matter fell within their discretion or not is also a major concern.
- There is abundant scope for conflict between Raj Bhawan and the government.
Also read: State Government Vs Governor: Sansad TV Perspective
Nut Graf: The Supreme Court has given a timely reminder about the provisions regarding the assent of the bill. However, there are still many challenges that frequently flare up controversies between the State Government and Governor. It is time to address these concerns either by constitutional amendment or Supreme Court’s judgment.
F. Prelims Facts
1. More heatwave days for eastern India
Syllabus: GS03- Disaster Management
Prelims: Various types of disasters; Heatwaves
Context: IMD predicts more heatwave days for eastern India in May 2023.
Key Details:
- According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), parts of eastern India, including Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, are likely to face above-normal temperatures in May with a likelihood of heat wave conditions on some days.
- May is generally the hottest month in most of India.
- Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat are likely to see increased rain and limited heatwaves.
- Normal to above-normal rainfall is expected over northwest India, parts of west-central India, and the northern part of peninsular India.
- Fewer days of heatwaves in northwest India are expected primarily due to rain.
- The coming monsoon season is expected to have a 4% shortfall, which is categorized as “normal” but at the lowest end of what the IMD categorizes as normal rainfall.
- The development of an ‘El Nino’ is linked to diminished rainfall in the west, northwest, and western parts of Central India.
2. Core Sector
Syllabus: GS03-Economy
Prelims: Eight core sectors
Context: Index of eight core industries (ICI) released by the union government.
Key Details:
- According to the data by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the growth rate of eight core sectors saw a decline to a five-month low of 3.6% in March 2023 compared to the previous month’s 7.2%.
- This decline is mainly attributed to the decrease in electricity, cement, and crude oil production.
- Crude oil output fell for the tenth successive month.
- Coal production jumped 12.2% in March, while fertilizers and steel output grew 9.7% and 8.8% respectively, relatively slower than in recent months.
- Electricity generation dropped for the first time in a year, shrinking 1.8% in March.
- For the full financial year 2022-23, core sectors saw a 7.6% growth compared to 10.4% in 2021-22, with all sectors reporting higher production except crude oil, which shrank 1.7%.
- The weak core sector data is likely to dampen the overall industrial production growth in the country.
Image Source: The Economic Times
Read more on the Index of eight core industries.
G. Tidbits
- On the occasion of the 175th birth anniversary of Ravi Varma, the Kilimanoor Palace Trust has made the decision to reveal two paintings that had not been previously displayed.
- A portrait of Thriketta Thirunal Uma Amma Thampuratti.
- The last and unfinished painting called ‘Parsi Lady’. The painting is now owned by the Kilimanoor Palace Trust.
- Ravi Varma was born into the aristocracy in Kilimanoor, which was part of the former state of Travancore, on April 29, 1848.
- He died on October 2, 1906, inside ‘Chithrashala,’ the artist’s studio at Kilimanoor Palace.
Read more on Famous Painters in India.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on April 28, 2023, approved the appointment of Siddhartha Mohanty as Chairperson of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) till June 29, 2024.
- Thereafter, Mr. Mohanty has been named as Chief Executive Officer and MD till June 7, 2025, i.e. up to the date of his attaining the age of 62 years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Mohanty, the current Managing Director, has been serving as the interim Chairperson of the public sector life insurer since March 14. He replaced M R Kumar, who completed his term on March 13, 2023.
- LIC is the largest financial institution in the country, with total assets under management (AUM) of over Rs 44.35 lakh crore as of December 2022.
3. Hate Speech
- The Supreme Court of India has directed states to register FIRs on hate speech incidents and take action against the offenders even without a complaint.
- The court stated that this order would apply to all hate speech makers irrespective of their religion and emphasized the need to protect the secular nature of the nation.
- The court ordered that States ensure that hate speech is dealt with under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on the ground of religion), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 505 (public mischief), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and that suo motu action is taken to register cases.
- Any hesitation on the part of police officers to follow the order would be considered contempt.
- The court had passed a similar order in October 2022 for the immediate registration of FIRs against people who trigger communal violence with hate speeches.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 percent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Which of the following are among those Eight Core Industries? (Level-Medium)
- Coal
- Refinery Products
- Cement
- Textiles
- Electricity
Options:
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 3, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
- 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: The Eight Core Industries include Natural Gas, Coal, Refinery Products, Crude Oil, Cement, Electricity, Steel, and Fertilisers.
Q2. With respect to the National Manufacturing Innovation Survey, which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level-Difficult)
- It is a joint study by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
- The objective of the survey is to evaluate the innovation performance of manufacturing firms in India.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is incorrect, National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) is a joint study by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
- Statement 02 is correct, The NMIS 2021-22 was undertaken as the union government prioritised enhancing the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing and increasing its share in the GDP.
- The survey findings offer wide-ranging insights into the enabling activities and barriers to innovation by firms and have closely evaluated how states and sectors have performed with respect to the manufacturing firms’ ability to produce new products, services and business processes.
Q3. Which of the following are the warm Ocean Currents in the Atlantic Ocean? (Level-Difficult)
- Angola Current
- Antilles Current
- Brazil Current
- Florida Current
- South Atlantic Current
Options:
- 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
- 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
- 3, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
Q4. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to Gum arabic? (Level-Difficult)
- The trees are native to North Africa and grow mainly in the sub-Sahara or Sahel zone of Africa.
- It is soluble in water, edible, and used primarily in the food industry and soft-drink industry as a stabiliser.
- Sudan dominates the world’s gum trade with a market share of about 60%.
Options:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Gum Arabic is a natural gum originally consisting of the hardened sap of two species of the Acacia tree, Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal.
- The trees are native to North Africa and grow mainly in the sub-Sahara or Sahel zone of Africa.
- The trees are native to North Africa and grow mainly in the sub-Sahara or Sahel zone of Africa and also in Australia, India and South America.
- It is soluble in water, edible, and used primarily in the food industry and soft-drink industry as a stabiliser.
- Sudan dominates the world’s gum trade with a market share of about 60%.
Q5. The term “prisoner’s Dilemma” is associated with which one of the following ? (Level-Difficult) (PYQ-CSE-2008)
- A technique in glass manufacture
- A term used in shipping industry
- A situation under the Game Theory
- Name of a supercomputer
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: A prisoner’s dilemma is a decision-making and game theory paradox illustrating that two rational individuals making decisions in their own self-interest cannot result in an optimal solution. The paradox was developed by mathematicians M. Flood and M. Dresher in 1950, and the modern interpretation was conceptualised by Canadian mathematician A.W. Tucker.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Analyse the need for women’s reservation in the Indian Context. Enumerate the efforts made in this regard. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; Polity]
- India is in a high-risk situation due to heatwaves in the future. Elaborate. (250 words, 15 marks)[GS-1; Geography]
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CNA 29 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
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