CNA 22 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related POLITY 1. What is the latest clash between AAP and the Delhi L-G? C. GS 3 Related SECURITY 1. The INS Mormugao and its capabilities D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials GOVERNANCE 1. Need to make cancer drugs affordable INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. India and Taliban SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. Surge in Covid-19 infections F. Prelims Facts 1. Dokra metalcraft 2. Palm-leaf manuscript museum in Kerala G. Tidbits 1. PM2 elephant acclimatising to habitat in MTR, positive behavioural changes noticed 2. DGTR proposes anti-dumping levy on Indonesian viscose fibre H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
1. What is the latest clash between AAP and the Delhi L-G?
Syllabus: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Prelims: Committee on Content Regulation in Government Advertising (CCRGA)
Mains: Functions of CCRGA and its 2016 order on Delhi government advertisements
Context
- The Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi directed the Chief Secretary to implement a 2016 order of the Committee on Content Regulation in Government Advertising (CCRGA).
- The CCRGA order mandates recovering more than ₹97.14 crores of interest from the ruling party of Delhi for publishing/telecasting political advertisements as government advertisements in 2015 and 2016.
- This move has escalated the long-standing tussle between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G).
Committee on Content Regulation in Government Advertising (CCRGA)
- CCRGA is a three-member body that was formed by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in April 2016.
- The Committee was set up based on the directions of the Supreme Court in its 2015 judgment in the Common Cause v.s. Union of India case.
- The Committee is mandated to regulate the content of the Union and State government advertisements on all media platforms.
- The apex court had also directed States to set up their own such bodies and several States have set up similar committees whereas a few of the states have provided consent to the CCRGA to monitor their advertisements.
- Further, the Supreme Court had provided a set of guidelines for public-funded advertising by governments which include that government advertising must be politically neutral and restrain from glorifying political personalities or showing a positive impression of the ruling party in power or a negative impression of opposition parties.
- The guidelines also said that advertisements must not be used at patronising media houses.
2016 Order of CCRGA
- After its formation, the CCRGA issued notices to the Delhi government based on the allegations of violation of the SC-mandated guidelines in publishing advertisements.
- The Delhi government in its response to CCRGA had said that it would set up a committee of its own based on the Supreme Court’s 2015 order which mandated that States can set up their own respective bodies to regulate public advertisements.
- This move of the Delhi government was challenged in the Delhi High Court and the High Court in August 2016 ruled that the Union Territories are not authorised to set up their own committees and hence come under the jurisdiction of the CCRGA.
- The CCRGA, after undertaking an investigation, issued an order in September 2016 which said that the Delhi government had violated the guidelines in several aspects such as publishing misleading advertisements, making direct reference to the party in power by name, self-glorification and targeting political rivals.
- The CCRGA had also directed the Delhi government’s Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) (responsible for issuing government campaigns) to identify specific advertisements which violated the guidelines, compute the expenditure and recover it from the ruling party.
- Identification of such ads and computation of the expenditure revealed that over ₹97 crores were spent on such advertisements and the DIP in March 2017, directed the ruling party to pay about ₹42 crores to the State exchequer immediately and to pay the remaining amount to the agencies/publications which telecasted/published the ads within 30 days.
- However, the ruling party has been defending its spending on such ads by saying that it is for raising public awareness of various government schemes and campaigns.
Nut graf: Various ruling parties both at the Union as well as the State levels are seen spending huge amounts of public money on government advertisements that are used to promote the political interests of the ruling parties undermining their actual purpose. Hence, it is important to empower bodies such as CCRGA to prevent the misuse of public money.
C. GS 3 Related
1. The INS Mormugao and its capabilities
Syllabus: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Prelims: Facts about INS Mormugao and Project 15B
Mains: Key features and strategic significance of INS Mormugao
Context
INS Mormugao has been officially commissioned into the Indian Navy.
INS Mormugao
Image Source: The Hindu
- The warship named after the port city of Mormugao in Goa was commissioned on December 18th, 2022 which is a day before the Goa Liberation Day celebrations.
- INS Mormugao is a stealth-guided missile destroyer built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL).
- It is the second of the four Visakhapatnam-class destroyers being built under the Project 15B (P15B) of the Indian Navy.
Project 15B (P15B)
Read more about – Project 15B |
Capabilities of INS Mormugao
- INS Mormugao is 163 metres long, and 17 metres wide and displaces 7,400 tonnes when fully loaded. It can accommodate around 300 personnel.
- The destroyer is propelled by four gas turbines in a combined gas and gas (COGAG) configuration.
- This propulsion mechanism helps the ship to achieve speeds of more than 30 knots (50km/h) and a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles.
- INS Mormugao destroyer has multi-dimensional combat capabilities such as surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles and advanced surveillance radar.
- The enhanced stealth capabilities ensure a reduced Radar Cross Section or radar signature.
- INS Mormugao’s firepower consists of BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles, Barak-8 surface-to-air (SAM) missiles for a long range of shore and sea-based targets and a 76mm super rapid gun mount.
- The destroyer is also equipped with RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers and 533mm torpedo launchers.
- The ship is also designed to carry and operate multi-role helicopters.
- The ship has been designed with various automated features with complex digital networks such as the Automatic Power Management System (APMS), Combat Management System (CMS), Gigabyte Ethernet-based Ship Data Network (GESDN), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and Ship Data Network (SDN).
- CMS is used to undertake threat evaluation and resource allocation.
- APMS controls the power management systems.
- IPMS helps control and monitor machinery and auxiliaries.
- SDN acts as the information highway for data from sensors and weapons.
- Additionally, the warship has been designed to include various battle damage control systems, fire zones, distributional power systems which help during emergencies and a total atmospheric control system which helps safeguard the crew against biological, chemical as well as nuclear threats.
Strategic significance of INS Mormugao
- INS Mormugao has been developed with more than 75% indigenous content which is in line with India’s AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative and is important for the 15-year Indian Naval Indigenisation Plan (INIP) 2015-2030 and overall plans to make India self-reliant in defence technologies.
- With China expanding its naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region, bolstering India’s maritime capabilities to counter the potential threat has become extremely significant.
- The adoption of advanced technologies into stealth warships will provide a strategic edge to India and adds to the combat capabilities of the armed forces.
- Further, advanced stealth warships not just help in surface operations, but are also capable of engaging in anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare.
Nut graf: Modern-day destroyers are regarded as key assets in naval operations especially during emergencies because of their advanced capabilities. The induction of INS Mormugao into the Indian Navy with similar capabilities is expected to bolster the naval force and provide a strategic advantage to India.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. Need to make cancer drugs affordable
Syllabus: GS2, Government Policies & Interventions in Various Sectors-Health
Mains: Patent law and its implications on Drug Prices
Context: The 139th report on “Cancer Care Plan and Management: Prevention, Diagnosis, Research & Affordability of Cancer Treatment” was submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman on September 12, 2022.
Introduction:
- The parliamentary standing committee on health and family welfare made several recommendations.
- The committee recommended that cancer be declared as a notifiable disease citing several unreported deaths due to cancer in India.
- The committee highlighted the seriousness of problems concerning the treatment of cancer, the estimated incidence of which in India was nearly 1.4 million in 2020.
- Highlighting the implications of the high cost of cancer care, the Committee noted that “about 40% of cancer hospitalisation cases are financed mainly through borrowings, sale of assets and contributions from friends and relatives”.
- This is mainly due to high average ‘out of pocket’ spending on cancer care.
- Spending on cancer care in private facilities is about three times that of public facilities.
Impact on survival rates:
- High treatment costs have seriously impacted survival rates in developing countries.
- In breast cancer, while the five-year survival rates in India and South Africa are estimated to be 65% and 45%, respectively, in contrast, in high-income countries, it is nearly 90%.
- According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, the cost of a course of standard treatment for early-stage HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor) positive breast cancer would be equivalent to about 10 years of average annual wages in India and South Africa and 1.7 years in the United States.
- A month’s treatment for breast cancer using CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase) inhibitors could range between ₹48,000 and ₹95,000 and the patient is expected to take one of these medicines for the rest of her life.
- Three drugs, Ribociclib, Palbociclib and Abemaciclib, belong to this therapeutic class, which help in slowing the spread of cancer cells in the body.
Justifications by pharma companies:
- Large pharmaceutical companies justify the excessive costs of breast cancer medicines as they spend over $3 billion in bringing a new molecule to the market, which they must recoup in order to remain in the market for innovation.
- However, as per a WHO report, spending on research and development may bear little or no relationship to how pharmaceutical companies set cancer medicine prices. Companies set prices with an eye to maximising profits, thus denying patients from taking advantage of medical breakthroughs.
- Pharma companies exercise monopoly control over their products due to strong intellectual property protection.
- Patent evergreening extends their monopoly rights over the medicines even before the generic producers enter the market thus keeping the price high.
- Evergreening is the practice of companies filing for an extension of a patent with minor process or product modifications just before the original patent expires at the end of 20 years.
- The three breast cancer medicines – Ribociclib, Palbociclib and Abemaciclib are currently under patent protection — implying that Indian companies cannot manufacture these medicines without the consent of the right holders.
- Patent evergreening extends their monopoly rights over the medicines even before the generic producers enter the market thus keeping the price high.
Way Forward:
- The lack of access to these critical medicines has created deep financial stress and also jeopardised patients’ right to live with dignity, a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
- Government must authorise Indian companies to domestically produce high-priced cancer medicines by granting compulsory licences (CLs) in keeping with the Patents Act.
- The CLs override patent rights, enabling domestic companies to manufacture generic alternatives when the prices of patented medicines are high.
- Alternatively, the Government can invoke provisions of Section 100 of the Patents Act, which empowers it to authorise any entity to use a patented invention without the authorisation of the patent holder.
- Section 100 can be useful if no domestic company shows interest in obtaining a CL for any of the cancer medicines mentioned above.
- In the recently concluded WTO Ministerial conference, there was an agreement that the CLs can be used for increasing domestic production of COVID-19 vaccines and medicines by developing countries.
- Government must also push more pharmacies under its Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) initiative.
- It was launched in 2015 to provide affordable life-saving medicines, other drugs and medical disposables for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Nut Graf: A recent report submitted to the Rajya Sabha highlights the spiralling costs of cancer medicines and their implications. The report demands that cancer medicines must be provided to the suffering at affordable prices as the ‘right to health’ in India is interpreted as an extension of the right to life under Article 21.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Syllabus: GS2, India and its Neighborhood – Relations
Mains: India-Afghanistan Relations
Context: Female students in Afghanistan were suspended from tertiary education by the Taliban.
Introduction:
- The Taliban regime has announced a ban on female students studying in universities.
- The Taliban has passed several decrees including banning Afghan schoolgirls from studying above grade six, job restrictions and a ban on women at gyms and public parks, with public floggings for those travelling without male relatives chaperoning them.
- These decrees are against promises made to the international community by the Taliban during the Doha talks, including establishing an “inclusive” government.
India’s approach to the Taliban regime:
- During the first Taliban regime (1996-2001) India neither extended its recognition nor had a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan.
- India did not engage Taliban officials. It also supported the anti-Taliban resistance at the time.
- After the Taliban’s ouster from power, India supported successive governments in Kabul and extended massive aid toward the country’s socioeconomic development.
- India provided training to Afghan security forces, police, civilian officials, and teachers. Reflecting its large role in Afghanistan was its sizable diplomatic presence; in addition to an embassy in Kabul, India had consulates in Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Mazar-e-Sharif.
- India shut down its consulates and embassy and evacuated its officials and nationals from Afghanistan during the present Taliban 2.0 regime.
- While no country recognises the Taliban officially, many openly engage with the regime leaders. Many countries, including India, have diplomatic missions.
Implications of India’s Policy:
- India’s policies have made it more comfortable for the Taliban to continue to rule, while giving shelter to terrorist organisations, including those that target India.
- India’s decision to cancel all visas to Afghans, hurt female students seeking an education in India the most.
- Extending aid and developing trade and diplomatic ties with the Taliban regime are seen as ways to prevent it from acting against Indian interests.
- Indian officials have clarified that a diplomatic presence in Kabul does not mean recognition of the regime.
Way Forward:
- The international community must review its current policy towards the Taliban 2.0 regime considering the ongoing repressive decrees by the Taliban.
- Countries can also create platforms outside Afghanistan for non-Taliban Afghan leaders, particularly women who had been elected in the past, to regroup, organise and voice an alternative vision to the current regime.
- Countries can also curtail engagement with the Taliban, which depends on external assistance to run its government structures.
- India, as a regional leader, must review its “hands-off” approach to the people of Afghanistan who have suffered many deprivations in the past year.
Nut Graf: The Taliban’s decision to bar women from higher education drew condemnation from foreign governments and the United Nations. The global community must acknowledge that women’s rights are at the core of the issue with the Taliban, and review its current policy towards the Taliban 2.0 regime.
1. Surge in Covid-19 infections
Syllabus: GS2, Issues related to Health
Mains: Impact of Covid 19 on the public health system
Context: The spike in coronavirus cases reported out of China has triggered global alarm.
Introduction:
- The current surge in Covid-19 infections in China is driven by the BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron.
- Some mathematical modelling projections calculate a million COVID-19 cases in the coming days in China.
- Over 11 million new COVID-19 cases were reported in December worldwide.
- BF.7 started to replace the variants that were then dominant in the United States and several European countries.
- The Union Health Ministry has issued a directive to States to send positive samples to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) to check for new, concerning strains.
- India had 3,408 active cases on December 21, 2022.
- India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 219.33 crores.
Efficacy of Vaccines:
- As seen in China, long lockdowns cannot eliminate the virus or prevent the development of new strains.
- Vaccines are the only reasonable defence possible against severe disease.
- Despite 90% of the Chinese population receiving a single dose, and half, a second dose, the numbers in China suggest that waning immunity is inevitable.
- China has largely depended on home-grown vaccines such as CoronaVac and Sinopharm vaccines that rely on the inactivated virus technology.
- Deaths were also higher in countries which have made strides in vaccinations. More than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in Japan in December, despite 83% of the population completing the initial two doses.
- While establishing the prevalent coronavirus variants, India shall also check whether the administered vaccines continue to be efficacious.
Nut Graf: The current surge in Covid-19 infections in China driven by the BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron is a concern as it is likely to reverberate globally with many more infections, even in India. Regular sequencing of strains by INSACOG is necessary so that India’s vaccination strategy could accommodate SARS-CoV-2 changes.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS-1; Indian Art and Culture
Prelims: About Dokra metalcraft
Context
Lalbazar in Kolkata has emerged as a hub for Dokra metal crafts in recent years.
Dokra metalcraft
Image Source: The Hindu
- Dokra metal craft is an ancient tradition with a documented history of about 5,000 years.
- Dokra is an ancient metal craft practised by the Ojha metal smiths of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Telangana.
- In West Bengal, two places are famous for Dokra work namely Bikna in Bankura and Dariyapur in Bardhaman.
- Dokra is a non-ferrous metal casting made using the lost-wax casting technique.
- The metals used in Dokra art include copper and its alloys such as brass and bronze.
- Dokra art is a complex process with each figurine taking over a month to be made as it involves multiple many processes which require about seven or eight varieties of clay apart from other raw materials such as metal.
- Dokra metal crafts are in great demand both in domestic as well as foreign markets because of their primitive simplicity, attractive folk motifs and forms.
- Particularly, Dhokra horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, religious images, measuring bowls, and lamp caskets have attracted huge demand.
Read more on Adilabad Dhokra in the linked article.
2. Palm-leaf manuscript museum in Kerala
Syllabus: GS-1; Indian Art and Culture
Prelims: Palm-leaf manuscript museum
Context
Kerala Chief Minister will be inaugurating a palm-leaf manuscript museum with modern audio-visual technology at the renovated Central Archives, Fort, in Thiruvananthapuram.
Details
- The palm-leaf manuscript museum has been set up by the Archives Department with a cost of ₹3 crores.
- The museum consists of eight theme-based galleries where select manuscripts from one of the biggest palm-leaf collections in the country will be displayed.
- About 187 old and rare manuscripts currently housed at Central Archives and its regional offices will be displayed in the museum, arranged by the State government’s nodal agency for museums Keralam–Museum of History and Heritage.
- The manuscripts in ancient scripts such as Vattezhuthu, Kolezhuthu, Malayanma, and ancient Tamil and Malayalam will help visitors understand the social, political, cultural, and economic history of Kerala.
- The manuscripts will provide an idea about various aspects such as taxation, administration, trade, education, prisons, and festivals of the erstwhile Travancore, Kochi, and Malabar kingdoms/provinces.
- Apart from palm-leaf manuscripts, ancient scrolls, bamboo splints, and copper plates will also be displayed.
G. Tidbits
1. PM2 elephant acclimatising to habitat in MTR, positive behavioural changes noticed
- The Pandalur Makhna-2 (PM2) Elephant which was captured and relocated to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) is seen to be acclimatising itself to the new habitat and showing behavioural changes.
- The elephant was captured in the Gudalur division after it damaged a number of houses over the last few years in the region.
- Post its relocation, the PM2 Elephant has also been socialising with other elephants in the region.
- According to officials, the elephant which previously showed no fear towards humans has become extremely wary of people and forest staff as its first inclination now is to turn away and flee into the forest when it sees people.
- These behavioural changes and acclimatisation of the elephant are said to be good signs and indicate that the negative interactions with humans could be a thing of the past.
2. DGTR proposes anti-dumping levy on Indonesian viscose fibre
- The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) which is an apex national agency responsible for administering all the trade remedial measures has recommended the imposition of anti-dumping duty on viscose staple fibre imported from Indonesia.
- Viscose staple fibre is a natural biodegradable fibre obtained from wood pulp or cotton pulp with characteristics similar to that of cotton and is used to make apparel, home textiles, dress materials, knitwear, etc.
- The anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports to reduce the distortive effects of dumping.
- Dumping is a process wherein a company exports a product at a price that is significantly lower than the price it normally charges in the domestic market.
- The Union government had withdrawn the anti-dumping duty on imports of viscose staple fibre in August 2021 based on the recommendations of the DGTR and the data suggest that imports from Indonesia were increasing significantly after the expiry of the duty in August 2021.
- The DGTR examined the possibility of the continuation of dumping which affects the domestic industry and has hence recommended the continuation of anti-dumping duty on imports of the viscose staple fibre from Indonesia.
- Besides viscose staple fibre from Indonesia, India has also imposed anti-dumping duty on stainless steel tube imports from China.
Read more about – Anti-dumping duty
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. ‘Guardian Ring’ program seen in the news is: (Level - Difficult)
- NASA’s program to study Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in detail.
- JAXA’s program to study Jupiter’s Small Inner Moons.
- Collaborative exercise between some countries and United Nations organisations along with Indian Missions abroad to illustrate Yoga’s unifying power.
- Program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to promote the Indian sports system through the involvement of all generations.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- The Guardian Ring programme has been envisaged as a part of International Yoga Day, 2022.
- Guardian Ring programme is a collaborative exercise between 79 countries and United Nations organisations along with Indian Missions abroad to illustrate Yoga’s unifying power that surpasses national boundaries.
Q2. Consider the following statements: (Level - Medium)
- All the nuclear power plants in India are operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
- All the nuclear reactors in India are kept under IAEA safeguards.
- All the nuclear reactors in India use imported fuel.
How many of the above statements is/are INCORRECT?
- One statement only
- Two statements only
- All three statements
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, NPCIL was the sole body responsible for constructing and operating India’s commercial nuclear power plants until the setting up of BHAVINI Vidyut Nigam in October 2003.
- Statement 2 is not correct, All the nuclear reactors in India are not under IAEA safeguards.
- Statement 3 is not correct, India has 22 nuclear power reactors, and domestic uranium is used in nuclear plants which are not under the IAEA safeguards.
Q3. Bikna and Dariyapur in West Bengal are famous for which of the following metalcrafts? (Level - Medium)
- Koftgari
- Dokra
- Pempharti
- Kamrupi crafts
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Dokra is an ancient metal craft practised by the Ojha metal smiths of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Telangana.
- In West Bengal, two places are famous for Dokra work namely Bikna in Bankura and Dariyapur in Bardhaman.
Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to the iDEX Initiative: (Level - Difficult)
- It is an initiative by the government launched with the primary objective of promoting India’s defence exports.
- It aims to promote innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators & academia.
- It is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).
How many of the given statements is/are correct?
- One statement only
- Two statements only
- All three statements
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, The iDEX stands for Innovation for Defence Excellence. It is an initiative by the Government of India to modernise the nation’s defense industry.
- The key aim of the initiative is to achieve self-reliance in the field of defence and defence production.
- Statement 2 is correct, iDEX aims at creating an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia.
- Statement 3 is correct, iDEX is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organization (DIO).
Q5. What is the ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’? (Level - Medium) PYQ-2016
- It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
- It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies.
- It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022.
- It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol establishes comprehensive global standardised frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains and mitigation actions.
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol supplies the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas accounting standards.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- What policies or interventions can be employed by the Government to lower the cost of cancer drugs? (10 Marks, 150 Words) (GS2, Health)
- What are the features of the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers? How is the latest addition to the Indian Navy’s fleet a shot in the arm for the nation’s self-reliance efforts? (10 Marks, 150 Words) (GS3, Security)
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 22 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here
Comments