16 Feb 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 16 Feb 2023:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
HEALTH
1. Understanding India’s Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. Taxing windfall profits of oil companies
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Sri Lankan refugees in India
POLITY
1. Post-retirement Political Appointment of Judges
F. Prelims Facts
1. INS Vikrant
G. Tidbits
1. Warm water melts Antarctica’s glacier: study
2. China must take a haircut on its loans to poor countries, says India’s G-20 Sherpa
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Sri Lankan refugees in India

Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development & Management of Social Sector/Services

Mains: Major issues of convergence and confrontation between India and Sri Lanka

Context: This article discusses the status of Sri Lankan refugees in India

Introduction:

  • Sri Lanka has experienced much strife and conflict over the past few decades, with a civil war that lasted for more than 25 years until it ended in 2009.Β 
  • During this period, many Sri Lankan citizens were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries, including India.Β 
  • Sri Lankan people sought protection in India, among a population of identical ethnicity in Tamil Nadu. The vast majority entered India in search of safety, many without travel documents and were received and hosted by the Government of India on humanitarian grounds.
  • The Sri Lankan refugees in India also face numerous challenges and struggles in their new environment, and their plight is often overlooked or ignored by the wider world.

Refugees in India:

  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its 2021-2022 Annual Report states that 3,04,269 Sri Lankan refugees entered India betweenΒ  1983 and 2012 and were provided relief including shelter, subsidised ration, educational assistance, medical care and cash allowances.
  • At present, 58,648 refugees are residing in 108 camps in Tamil Nadu while 54 are in Odisha. Another 34,135 refugees registered with Tamil Nadu authorities reside outside camps.Β 
  • The Government of India provided β‚Ή1,226 crores for the relief and accommodation of refugees.

Issues faced by Sri Lankan Refugees:

  • The Sri Lankan refugees in India have been granted asylum by the Indian government, but their situation remains precarious.Β 
  • They are not allowed to work in India, therefore, they are reliant on aid from the Indian government, as well as from international organisations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
  • Living conditions in the refugee camps are often poor, with inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, and overcrowding.Β 
  • The refugees are also at risk of being exploited by human traffickers, who promise to help them reach other countries in exchange for money.
  • Sri Lankan refugees in India lack legal status as they are not granted citizenship, which means that they are unable to access many basic rights and services.Β 
  • The Sri Lankan refugees in India also face challenges in maintaining their cultural identity as they are not allowed to integrate into Indian society. They are often seen as outsiders and face prejudice and discrimination from the local population.

Slow progress of repatriation:

  • The objective of the Government of India remains the repatriation of refugees to Sri Lanka. In line with the Global Compact on Refugees, India along with the international community has significantly contributed to building conditions within Sri Lanka for a safe and durable return.
    • About 99,469 refugees were repatriated to Sri Lanka up to March 1995 and no organised repatriation was done thereafter.
    • Amongst them are 30,000 Persons of Indian Origin (also known as β€œHill Tamils”). They have a claim to Sri Lankan citizenship via the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreements of 1964, 1974 and 1987 and amendments to the Grant of Citizenship to Persons of Indian Origin Act of Sri Lanka.Β 
  • Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in India who wish to return voluntarily are being facilitated by the Government of Sri Lanka, and development partners.Β 
  • They have initiated programmes in the Northern and Eastern provinces, with objectives of resettlement, restoration of critical infrastructure, livelihoods and social services to the local population.Β 
    • This led to significant improvements; the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), infrastructure development, and expansion of agriculture and livelihoods.
    • Over the last year, 208 individuals have returned voluntarily.
  • Despite these efforts, several challenges remain, including a lack of funds for recovery needs.Β 
  • The Easter Bombings in 2019 followed by COVID-19 slowed the development process, compounded by the economic and political crises in 2022.
  • However, recent announcements, to commence ferry services to Kankensanthurai and start direct flights to Jaffna from India are expected to build confidence and aid those desiring to return.

Issue of voluntary return:

  • Despite the challenges, the Sri Lankan refugees in India have shown remarkable resilience and resourcefulness. Many of them have set up small businesses in the refugee camps, such as tailoring or food stalls, to support themselves and their families.Β 
  • The UNHCR and various NGOs have been working to support the Sri Lankan refugees in India, providing them with aid and legal assistance. They have also been advocating for their rights and for better living conditions in the refugee camps.
  • In recent years, the Indian government has allowed some refugees to leave the camps and settle in other parts of India, and some have even been granted Indian citizenship.
  • Therefore, a significant population of Sri Lankan refugees in India does not wish to return, preferring to call India home as they were born and educated in India with no knowledge or experience of their country of origin.Β 
    • UNHCR perceives voluntary return as the most desired choice to end refugee status.

Read more on India-Sri Lanka Relations

Nut Graf: The Sri Lankan refugees in India face significant challenges and struggles in their new environment, including lack of legal status, poor living conditions, and discrimination. It is important for the Indian and Sri Lankan governments, as well as the international community, to provide support and assistance to the Sri Lankan refugees to address these complex and multifaceted issues.
Category: POLITY

1. Post-retirement Political Appointment of Judges

Syllabus: Provisions for Checks & Balances in Indian Constitution

Mains: Implications of post-retirement jobs for Judges in IndiaΒ 

Context: Former judge of the Supreme Court of India S. Abdul Nazeer has been appointed the Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

Introduction:

  • Post-retirement political appointments of judges refer to the practice of offering a position in government or other public offices to a retired judge, who has already served in the judiciary.
  • These appointments are often made by the ruling government or political party and are seen as a way to reward judges who have served in the judiciary and to use their expertise in governance.Β 
  • However, the practice has been criticised as being a way to influence the judiciary, compromise its independence, and erode public trust in the justice system.
  • Within a month of retiring from the Supreme Court of India, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer had been appointed Governor of Andhra Pradesh recently.

Previous instances:

  • Since 1950, there have been 44 Chief Justices of India who have accepted post-retirement jobs.Β 
  • According to a study, as many as 70 of over 100 retired Supreme Court judges have taken up such assignments in organisations like NHRC, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Armed Forces Tribunal, Law Commission of India, etc.
  • The former CJI Justice Ranganath Mishra was appointed chairman of the National Human Rights Commission after his retirement in 1992. He became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1998 as a Congress member.
  • Since 2014, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer is the fourth Supreme Court judge who has received a high-profile political appointment soon after retirement.
    • Justice P. Sathasivam was appointed as Governor of Kerala, and Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi was nominated to Rajya Sabha in 2020 just four months after his retirement.
    • Justice A.K. Sikri, who was then a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, was nominated to the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal by the government, just three days before his retirement in 2019.
  • These appointments were widely criticised by the legal community and the media, with many arguing that it was a clear case of quid pro quo between the government and the judges.

Issues with political appointments:

  • The controversy surrounding these appointments highlighted the need for greater transparency in the selection process for post-retirement appointments of judges.Β 
  • The lack of clear guidelines and criteria for such appointments has led to accusations of favouritism and political patronage, and has raised questions about the impartiality and independence of the judiciary.
  • The perception that judges are being rewarded for their decisions or their political affiliations can undermine the credibility of the judiciary. This can have a corrosive effect on the democratic process, as citizens lose faith in the institutions that are meant to protect their rights and ensure justice.
  • Another concern with post-retirement political appointments of judges is the possibility of conflict of interest.Β 
    • When a retired judge is appointed to a government position, they may be called upon to make decisions that could affect cases that they had previously presided over as judges.Β 
  • Post-retirement political appointments of judges can create a revolving door between the judiciary and the executive, where judges move back and forth between the two branches of government.Β 
    • This can lead to a situation where judges are more likely to make decisions that are favourable to the government, as they know that they may be rewarded with a post-retirement appointment if they do so.

Arguments in Favour of Appointments:

  • Post-retirement political appointments of judges allow for the government to tap into the expertise of retired judges and to benefit from their knowledge and experience.Β 
  • Unlike abroad, higher judiciary judges in India retire at a comparatively young age and are capable of many more years of productive work.
  • Most of the posts have a statutory requirement to appoint former judges. For example, the National Human Right Commission (NHRC).

Way Forward:

  • The judiciary needs a mechanism to regulate post-retirement government appointments.
  • A law can be made to set up a commission of retired judges to make appointments of competent retired judges to tribunals and judicial bodies.Β 
  • A cooling period of about two years should be considered a mandatory minimum before a judge agrees to take on any post-retirement adjudicatory role, in any case.
  • The appointment process should not result in decisions being influenced when the Government itself is a party in the case and appointment authority at the same time.
  • There could be an increase in the retirement age of judges.
  • Former Chief Justice R M Lodha had suggested that before a judge retires, the government should provide the option of either being a pensioner or continuing to draw an existing salary.Β 
    • If they opt for a pension, government jobs are out but if they opt for a full salary, that name should be put in a panel.Β 
    • When a vacancy arises, these persons can be considered and the process becomes devoid of allegations of appeasement, favouritism, etc.

Nut Graf: The issue of post-retirement political appointments of judges has emerged as a new concern in recent years. These appointments have implications for the judiciary, the executive, and the overall democratic process.

F. Prelims Facts

1. INS Vikrant

Syllabus: GS-3, Defence and Security

Prelims: About INS Vikrant

Context

According to the Chief of the Naval Staff, INS Vikrant will be fully operational by year-end (2023).

INS Vikrant

  • INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier.
  • INS Vikrant is regarded as the most complex warship ever built by India and with a displacement capacity of 43,000 tonnes INS Vikrant will be the seventh largest among the aircraft carriers in the world.
  • INS Vikrant was designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, which is a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
  • INS Vikrant is designed to reach a maximum speed of 28 knots with an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles.
  • The indigenous aircraft carrier is an 18-floor high ship with about 2,400 compartments that can house a 1,600-strong crew.
  • In its fully operational mode, INS Vikrant will have an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft which includes aircraft such as MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).Β 
  • INS Vikrant uses the Short Take Off but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) model with a ski-jump for launching aircraft.

Know more about – INS Vikrant

G. Tidbits

1. Warm water melts Antarctica’s glacier: study

  • Two papers published in Nature journal have pointed out that warm water is seeping into the weak spots and worsening melting caused by rising temperatures in Antarctica.
  • Scientists have observed such occurrences while studying Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier which is also famous as β€œDoomsday Glacier”.
  • Thwaites Glacier is almost as large as Florida and it represents over half a meter (1.6 feet) of global sea level rise potential. Further, it could also destabilise neighbouring glaciers that have the potential to cause a further three-meter (9.8-foot) rise.
  • Scientists who previously depended on satellite images to study the behaviour of the ice have now used an underwater robot vehicle known as Icefin, which can also help monitor the glacier’s grounding line.

2. China must take a haircut on its loans to poor countries, says India’s G-20 Sherpa

  • Making a direct reference to Chinese debt to developing nations, India’s G-20 Sherpa has said that China should agree to take a haircut on its loans to poor countries in order to help in their economic recovery.
  • He further questioned how the International Monetary Fund (IMF) can take a haircut in order to settle Chinese debt.
  • Even the US has often criticised Chinese debt in developing nations but India had not made mention of China while commenting on the sovereign debt of countries.
  • These statements have gained significance ahead of a scheduled virtual meeting of the Global Sovereign Debt Round-table, organised by the IMF, the World Bank and India (current President of G20).

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level – Moderate)
  1. The Central Zoo Authority is an executive body under the MoEFCC.
  2. Every zoo in the country must be recognized by it.
  3. Any exchange of animals between India and any other country must be authorized by the authority.

Options:

  1. 1 and 2
  2. 2 and 3
  3. 1 and 3
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is not correct, The Central Zoo Authority is a statutory body working under the MoEFCC.
    • The Central Zoo Authority was constituted based on the provisions of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972.
  • Statement 2 is correct, Every zoo in the country is required to obtain recognition from the Central Zoo Authority for its operation.
  • Statement 3 is correct, Exchange of animals between Indian and foreign zoos is also approved by the Central Zoo Authority before the requisite clearances under EXIM Policy and the CITES permits.
Q2. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level – Difficult)
  1. The Kupier’s belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
  2. Roche Limit determines the distance after which the dust particles can exist as a moon instead of a ring around the planet.

Options:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is not correct, The Kuiper Belt is a ring of icy bodies just outside Neptune’s orbit. Pluto is the most famous Kuiper Belt Object.
    • The Kuiper Belt is a disc-shaped region beyond Neptune.
  • Statement 2 is correct, Roche Limit is a mathematically determined distance beyond which rings aren’t supposed to exist.
    • If the moon is brought closer to the Earth, the tidal force will overcome the satellite’s gravity and then disintegrate it, turning the moon into a ring. The minimum distance at which this happens is known as the Roche limit.Β 
    • The Roche limit is applicable to any planet and the celestial bodies around it.
Q3. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level – Moderate)
  1. β€œINS Vikrant” is an operational aircraft carrier of India.
  2. It is the 2nd indigenously built aircraft carrier after INS Vikramaditya.

Options:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is not correct, The Chief of the Naval Staff has announced that INS Vikrant will be fully operational by the end of 2023.
  • Statement 2 is not correct, INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier.
    • INS Vikramaditya is the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier and warship converted from the Russian Navy’s decommissioned Admiral Gorshkov missile cruiser carrier.
Q4. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level – Difficult)
  1. The β€œDoomsday Glacier” is located in West Antarctica.
  2. The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration is a group of US and British scientists studying the Doomsday Glacier.

Options:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct, Thwaites Glacier which is also famous as the Doomsday Glacier is located in West Antarctica.
    • It is one of the widest glaciers on Earth.
  • Statement 2 is correct, International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) is a collaboration of the US-National Science Foundation (NSF) and UK-Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to investigate one of the most unstable glaciers in Antarctica.Β 
Q5. Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India?
(Level – Moderate) [PYQ 2018]
  1. Charter Act of 1813
  2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
  3. Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • The Charter Act of 1813 ordered the East India Company to spend 1 lakh every year on the education of Indians.Β 
  • The General Committee of Public Instruction was created in 1823 to deal with educational matters, particularly the expenditure of the sum of one lakh of rupees.
  • The Orientalist-Anglicist controversy was a controversy regarding the nature of education that the British-East India company was to impart to the local populations in its territory.Β 
    • Orientalists led by Dr. H.H. Wilson and H.T. Princep advocated Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian as the medium of education.
    • On the other hand, the anglicists led by Charles Trevelyan, and Elphinstone advocated the imparting of western education through the medium of English.

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 16 Feb 2023:- Download PDF Here

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