CNA 21 Aug 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. ‘Warning label most effective in identifying harmful nutrients’ POLITY 1. Federalism applies to judiciary too: Madras HC C. GS 3 Related DISASTER MANAGEMENT 1. Himachal prone to natural disasters, says study D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. India’s policy on the Rohingya POLITY 1. Revision of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir F. Prelims Facts G. Tidbits 1. Alpha ship H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. ‘Warning label most effective in identifying harmful nutrients’
Syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Prelims: The warning label method.
Mains: Analysis of the warning label and other FOPL methods.
Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is in the process of issuing a draft regulatory procedure on front-of-package labeling (FOPL). It is expected that it will use the Health star rating method.
Background Details
- A study was conducted in India that found warning labels to be the most efficient method to help customers identify foods having “high-sugar, sodium, and saturated fat content ”.
- In another study, published in, Nutrients, an open-access journal, it was reported that the Health Star Rating (HSR) format is the least effective approach.
- In HSR a product is assigned star ratings in a range of half to five stars
To read more about – Health Star Rating.
About the study
- A random experiment was conducted with 2,869 adults in six States of India.
- Of the total participants, 50% were women with educational status of 12 years or less.
- The eligibility criteria of participants were between the ages of 18 and 60 and involvement in decision-making for grocery purchases at least half the time.
- The participants were shown packaged food with one of five FOPL methods. The five FOPL used were
- Barcode, a control label
- Nutrient-specific warning label (a symbol of the octagon that indicates the proportion of salt/sugar or saturated fat)
- Health Star Rating
- Guideline for the daily amount (GDA), giving information on nutritional content.
- Label with traffic light symbol (highlighting red, amber, or green levels of concerned nutrients).
- The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the impact of different types of labels used on consumers’ behavior.
Findings of the study
- It was observed that many participants can identify a nutrient of concern when presented with a packet containing the warning label, with about 60.8% recognizing harmful nutrients in contrast to 55% of participants recognizing it when presented a GDA label, and 54.8% with a traffic signal labeling.
- The performance of HSR was worst with only 45% of the participants recognizing the unwanted nutrients.
- The best methods for grabbing attention are GDA and MTL.
- The HSR performed worse than all other FOPL types on most secondary outcomes.
Impact of Warning labels
- The performance of the warning label was best for secondary results as well, which are concerned with the effectiveness of the perceived message, hence predictive of behavioral change.
- It also outperformed results like identifying unhealthy products and making participants concerned about health impact.
- It was also observed that warning was not that effective in statistically reducing intentions of purchasing unhealthy packaged food.
Nut graf: The study has favored the Warning label as the most effective and efficient method. It is also shown that before enforcing any FOPL policy, the observation of the study should be taken into consideration to have a better impact on the behavior of the consumer.
1. Federalism applies to judiciary too: Madras HC
Syllabus: Separation of power between various organs, dispute redressal mechanism and institutions.
Mains: Federalism in Judiciary.
Context:A writ petition was filed in Chennai, challenging the order passed by the Union Ministry of Education.
Details
- A joint writ petition was filed on the behalf of Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute of Chennai and the Raja Rajeswari Medical College and Hospital of Bengaluru in Madras High Court, challenging the order of the central Education Ministry.
- A circular was issued in 2019, notifying that Bengaluru college would be under the ambit of the Chennai university.
- The Ministry withdrew the notification, consequent to the direction of Karnataka HC.
Madras Court Verdict
- Justice of Madras High Court looking into the matter directed the HC Registry to return the joint writ petition.
- It was held that the petition should have been filed in Karnataka only.
- The court was of the view that under normal circumstances the High Court of one State cannot exercise powers that are in the jurisdiction of the High Court of another State.
- Court further highlighted that Federalism is the basic structure of the Constitution and it should apply to the judiciary also.
Nut Graf: The judiciary has once again proactively reiterated the basic structure doctrine. It has highlighted that the federalism feature should be equally adopted in the Judicial sphere.
Related Link: What is the concept of federalism? [Get the Answers at BYJU’S]
C. GS 3 Related
1. Himachal prone to natural disasters, says study
Syllabus: Disaster and Disaster Management.
Mains: Vulnerability to Natural Disaster.
Context :The report on the State of Environment was released by the Department of Environment, Science and Technology.
Details
- The report highlights that hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh are highly vulnerable to natural disasters.
- The development carried out over the years has exacerbated the issue by disturbing the ecological balance of the physical processes.
Findings of the Report
- The rising pressure on the hills causes issues like land subsidence, landslips, and soil erosion.
- Around 58.36% of the mountainous region is reeling under excessive soil erosion. The majority of this is situated in the western Himalayas and Himachal Pradesh.
- The fragile ecology of the hilly region of Himachal Pradesh accompanied by huge variations in physio-climatic conditions has rendered it further exposed to the vagaries of nature.
- The cloudbursts incidents are increasing every year in frequency and intensity, even after constant efforts by the government including relief and rehabilitation, diverting the already scarce resources.
- Moreover, snow avalanches and landslides cause an extensive impact on life and livelihood.
- The roads, the lifeline of a state are blocked, washed away, or severely damaged by natural hazards.
- Himachal Pradesh is vulnerable to about 25 out of 33 hazards identified in India.
- Moreover, Himachal Pradesh is also facing emergent threats from climate change, as well as human-wildlife conflict.
- The total vulnerability of the State based on the vulnerability matrix has highlighted the following:
- “Very high” vulnerable risk status districts are Kinnaur and Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, and Shimla.
- “High” vulnerable risk status districts: Mandi, Una, Kangra, Shimla, Lahaul, and Spiti.
- “Moderate” vulnerable risk status: Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Sirmour, and Solan.
Image Source: HP State Council For Environment Science and Technology
- Earthquake vulnerability:
- “Very High” category includes Kangra, Hamirpur, and Mandi.
- “Moderate” category districts are Una, Bilaspur, and Sirmour.
- “Low” vulnerable districts are Shimla, Solan, and Lahaul-Spiti.
- Avalanche Hazard Vulnerability:
- “Very High”: Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur.
- “Moderate”: Chamba, Kullu, and parts of Shimla and Kangra.
- flood hazard vulnerability:
- “high” vulnerable category: districts of Chamba, Kullu Una, and Kinnaur
- ‘moderate’ and ‘low’ vulnerability areas: Mandi, Lahaul-Spiti, Hamirpur, Shimla, Kangra, Bilaspur, Solan, and Sirmour.
- It was reported that the qualitative weightage was imparted on a scale of 0-5 for different types of hazards like avalanches, earthquakes, industrial hazards, and landslides.
- A district-wise matrix was also made for evaluating the severity of the risk.
- The study also gave importance to the population density vulnerable to hazards.
- The vulnerability matrix also included potential hazards as a result of development works like construction, hydel projects, roads, and industries.
Nut graf: It has become a matter of extreme concern for the government, both at the state and the central level, as the frequency and intensity of natural hazards in Himachal Pradesh are on the rise owing to its already fragile ecosystem. The vulnerability increases all the more due to development works and the rising impact of Climate change.
Related Links: Disaster Management in India
National Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report – DST | UPSC Notes
D. GS 4 Related
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E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India’s policy on the Rohingya
Syllabus:Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: India’s refugee policy
Context: Recently, the Union Housing Ministry and the Union Home Ministry gave contradicting statements regarding basic amenities such as housing and protection to Rohingya refugees.
Introduction:
- The Union Housing Minister recently tweeted that Rohingya refugees would be shifted to flats meant for economically weaker sections (EWS), and provided with basic amenities and police protection in spirit of UN Refugee Convention 1951 which provides refuge to all, regardless of their race, religion or creed.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a clarification saying that no such direction had been given to provide EWS flats to “Rohingya illegal foreigners”.
Where do the Rohingya refugees in India live at present?
- The Rohingya live in huts in the densely populated areas in Delhi which are contiguous with Uttar Pradesh.
- Around 1,200 Rohingya have been identified and provided with refugee cards in India.
- As the Delhi government was spending ₹7 lakh per month for the tents,water and electricity, it was decided in June 2022, to shift all Rohingya families to EWS flats which were to be designated as a detention center and would be put under constant police watch.
How is the Delhi government involved?
- The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for tracking foreigners and their visas.
- FRRO is constrained to restrict the movement of illegal foreigners and immigrants due to acute paucity of space.
- In June 2021, the New Delhi Municipal Council was requested to allot a Baraat Ghar along with EWS flats to accommodate the foreign inmates with “basic minimum housing facilities.
- In July 2022, in order to find a “medium to long-term” residential solution for Rohingya refugee families, Delhi administration decided to shift all Rohingya families to EWS flats.
- Since Delhi is a Union Territory, law and order is under the Union government, in this case, the Home Affairs Ministry.
Who are Rohingyas?
- The Rohingya people are a Muslim minority group residing in the Rakhine state (in the south western Myanmar), formerly known as Arakan and are considered to be a variation of the Sunni religion. They speak Bengali dialect.
- Myanmar has classified them as “resident foreigners’ ‘ or “associate citizens’.They were forced to leave Myanmar in large numbers after several waves of violence, which first began in 2012.
- The Myanmar army revived the attacks in 2017 and lakhs took shelter in Bangladesh. Around five lakh Rohingya fled to Saudi Arabia in 2012. According to the July 29 minutes of the meeting, the Rohingya first came to Delhi in 2012.
- As per Home ministry data in december 2017 there are around 40,000 Rohingya in India, of which around 5,700 are in Jammu and also in Telangana, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. Of these, only 16,000 are said to be registered with the UN refugee agency.
Concern to Security:
- The Indian government has serious apprehensions on Rohingya refugees as intelligence data has shown links between some Rohingya Muslims and Pakistan-based terror groups and other international terror organizations which can be serious threat to national security.
- And there is a serious possibility of eruption of violence against Buddhists in India by radicalized Rohingya.
Process of deportation in India:
- Illegal immigrants are detected, detained and deported under provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 or Passport Act, 1920.
- The powers to identify and deport them have also been delegated to State governments and Union Territories.
- Apprehended ‘foreigner’ will be produced before the local court. If found guilty, they can be imprisoned for 03 months to 08 years. After completing their sentence, the court orders deportation.
- The foreign inmates are moved to detention centers till the country of origin verifies and accepts them. There are no separate rules for deportation of the Rohingya.
India’s stand on refugees:
- Currently there is no national law on refugees in India. Only standard operating procedures that are issued by the Union Home Affairs ministry.
- India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol.
- All undocumented foreign nationals are governed as per the provisions of The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, The Foreigners Act, 1946, and The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920.
- Any foreign nationals who enter into the country without valid travel documents are treated as illegal immigrants.
- In some instances, such as in the case of Pakistani Hindus who live in camps in Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Tibetans and Tamils from Sri Lanka, relief assistance is provided by the Center that includes monthly cash assistance,clothing materials, subsidized ration, utensils, grants for cremation and last rites and infrastructure facilities in camps.
- As on December 31, 2014, the number of stateless persons in India was 2,89,394 which included over 10,000 Bangladeshis and 10,000 Sri Lankans.
Nut Graf: So far, the Indian approach towards the Rohingya crisis has been viewed as contradicting its traditional position on refugees.India is focusing on finding long-term solutions to the issue as these actions will be key in determining India’s regional and global standing.
1. Revision of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir
Syllabus: Significant Provisions of Indian Constitution-Universal Adult Franchise
Mains: Objectives of Delimitation process
Context:
- Recently, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir announced that anyone “who is living ordinarily in the state” can avail the opportunity to get enlisted as a voter in the Union Territory in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
- The State has 76 lakh registered voters at present.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) was expecting an addition of 20-25 lakh new voters in the final list in J&K.
Background:
- Delimitation commission was set by the Union government as it became necessary when the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 increased the number of seats in the Assembly.
- After abrogation of J & K’s special status in 2019, the delimitation of both Assembly and parliamentary seats is governed by the Constitution of India.
- The Delimitation Commission was set up on 6th March 2020 under retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
- Delimitation Commission’s final ruling became effective with effect from May 20, 2022.
Read more on recent Commission report
The Controversy around CEO’s announcement:
- The idea of bringing in 25 lakh non-locals and granting them voting rights in the upcoming J&K elections alarmed some local politicians.
- State’s chief regional parties such as National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, CPI(M) and Peoples Conference, have expressed concerns that the move will open the floodgates and turn locals into an electoral minority.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Armed services personnel stationed in J & K have the opportunity to register as voters.
- The ECI has agreed to add everybody who will have turned 18 on or before October 1, 2022, to the newly created electoral rolls.
- Anyone who is habitually residing in J&K, whether they are a worker, student, laborer, or outsider, may add their name to the voting list.
Voting rights prior to special status revocal:
- Prior to August 5, 2019 when J & K had special constitutional powers, the Assembly electoral rolls in the State were drawn up according to the Jammu & Kashmir Representation of the People Act 1957, wherein only permanent residents of J & K were eligible to get registered in the Assembly rolls.
- Permanent Resident Certificate and domicile certificates were compulsory to get voting rights.
- Lakhs of residents from west Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, who had migrated to J & K and were living there for decades, had no voting rights in the state’s Assembly elections till August 5, 2019 but were able to vote in the parliamentary elections.
- Following the revocation of Special provisions of Article 370, the Representation of the People Act 1950 and 1951 is applicable in J&K which permits ordinarily residing individuals to register on the electoral rolls of J&K “provided he or she gets their name deleted from the electoral roll of his or her native constituency.”
Nut Graf: Revision of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir will enable eligible young people to register themselves as voters.The completion of the delimitation exercise and conduction of election will signal the resumption for the political process in Jammu and Kashmir which has been under Center’s rule since June 2018.
F. Prelims Facts
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G. Tidbits
1. Alpha ship
- India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier is set to be part of the country’s naval fleet under the name INS Vikrant.
- The project started in the year 2007.
- Its length is 262 meters and has a total capacity of 45,000 tonnes.
- It will use four gas turbines of 88 MW capacity.
- It can move at speeds of up to 28 knots.
- The overall cost of designing is approximately ₹20,000 crore,
- It can take on around 30 aircraft, fixed-wing as well as helicopters.
- MiG-29K fighters and Ka-31 helicopters will be initially operating from the ship.
- The ship is going to be manned by around 1,700 personnel.
- INS Vikrant will significantly give a fillip to the indigenous materials and processes of shipbuilding.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Which of the following is/are the tributaries of River Beas? (Level- Difficult)
- Banganga
- Banner
- Baspa
- Chakki
- Marusudar
Options:
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
- 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: The major tributaries of the Beas River are Bain, Banganga, Luni, and Uhal, along with Banner, Chakki, Gaj, Harla, Mamuni, Parvati, Patlikuhlal, Sainj, Suketi and Tirthan.
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to National Commission for Scheduled Castes:(Level- Easy)
- It is a constitutional body established under Article 336 of the Indian Constitution
- The 88th Constitutional amendment act of 2003 bifurcated the combined National commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies
- The commission consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and five other members.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect as it is established under Article 338 of the Indian Constitution.
- Statement 2 is incorrect as the two bodies were separated by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act.
- Statement 3 is also incorrect because there are three other members apart from the chairman and vice chairman.
Q3. European Union's enhanced surveillance framework was imposed on which among the following countries? (Level- Medium)
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Poland
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation: Enhanced surveillance framework was imposed on Greece by European Union intended for continued adoption of measures to ensure tackle all sources of economic difficulties and sustain the stable economy.
Q4. With respect to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which of the following statements is/are incorrect? (Level- Easy)
- The Chairman of the NHRC should only be a person who has been a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
- The Chairman and members of the NHRC will hold office for five years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act of 2019, The Chairman of the NHRC can also be a Judge of the Supreme Court apart from the Chief Justice.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: The tenure has been reduced to three years by the amendment of 2019.
Q5. “If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys.” Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement? (Level-Easy)
- The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
- Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
- Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
- Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
Wetlands are called the Kidneys of the earth because of the ability of the aquatic plants to absorb heavy metals and nutrients. The plants use these nutrients to grow and support the whole of the ecosystem.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the controversy surrounding the revision of electoral rolls in the erstwhile State of J&K? (10 Marks, 150 Words) (GS-2, Polity)
- Should India reconsider its policy on the Rohingyas? Critically Examine. (15 Marks, 250 Words) (GS-2, International Relations)
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 21 Aug 2022:- Download PDF Here
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