CNA 18th Feb 2020:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related SOCIAL ISSUES 1. Women Army officers eligible for permanent commission: SC B. GS 2 Related POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. Govt. plans research on ‘indigenous’ cows 2. Why delay appointments, asks SC C. GS 3 Related ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 1. India’s bird population suffers long-term decline SECURITY 1. Peninsular command by next year end, says General Rawat ECONOMY 1. Response to long-term repo encouraging: RBI D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials ECONOMY 1. A royal mess SOCIAL ISSUES 1. Women-at-arms INTERNAL SECURITY 1. May the Force be strengthened POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. Protecting children’s right to protest F. Prelims Facts G. Tidbits 1. Over 50% inmates in Tihar jail from backward classes in 2018 2. Seeds to be distributed through cooperatives H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
1. Women Army officers eligible for permanent commission: SC
Context:
The Supreme Court has dismissed the Union government’s submissions that women are physiologically weaker than men as a “sex stereotype” and has declared that Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers are eligible for permanent commission and command posts in the Army irrespective of their years of service.
Details:
- Applying the judgment retrospectively, the court declared that all serving women officers would be eligible for permanent commission.
- The court held that a blanket ban of women SSC officers from command posts cannot be sustained by law.
- The Supreme Court has ordered the government to implement its judgment in three months.
This issue has been covered in the 14th February 2020 Comprehensive News Analysis. Click here to read.
B. GS 2 Related
Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Govt. plans research on ‘indigenous’ cows
Context:
The government has unveiled SUTRA PIC or Scientific Utilisation Through Research Augmentation-Prime Products from Indigenous Cows – a programme to research on ‘indigenous’ cows.
Details:
- SUTRA PIC is to be funded by multiple scientific ministries, and is led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- The initiative has five themes:
- Uniqueness of Indigenous Cows
- Prime-products from Indigenous Cows for Medicine and Health
- Prime-products from Indigenous Cows for Agricultural Applications
- Prime-products from Indigenous Cows for Food and Nutrition
- Prime-products from indigenous cows-based utility items
Objectives of the programme:
- The proposals under this theme aim to perform scientific research on:
- Complete characterisation of milk and milk products derived from Indian indigenous cows.
- Scientific research on nutritional and therapeutic properties of curd and ghee prepared from indigenous breeds of cows by traditional methods.
- Development of standards for traditionally processed dairy products of Indian-origin cows.
2. Why delay appointments, asks SC
Context:
The Supreme Court has questioned the government for holding back recommendations for appointments to various High Courts even after reiteration by the Collegium.
Issues:
- The Bench was conveying its alarm at the rising number of vacancies in various High Courts.
- Some of these courts are functioning only with half their sanctioned judicial strength.
- On average, the courts suffer at least 40% vacancies.
- Noting that there are 199 vacancies in the High Courts, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that, efforts should be made to kick-start the appointments process to the courts early.
Read more about the Supreme Court Collegium System and National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC).
C. GS 3 Related
Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. India’s bird population suffers long-term decline
Context:
State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) assessment, a new scientific report jointly released by 10 organisations has said:
- Over a fifth of India’s bird diversity has suffered strong long-term declines over a 25-year period.
- More recent annual trends point to a drastic 80% loss among several common birds.
State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) assessment:
- The SoIB was produced using a base of 867 species.
- It is analysed with the help of data uploaded by birdwatchers to the online platform, eBird.
- Adequate data on how birds fared over a period of over 25 years (long-term trend) are available only for 261 species.
- Current annual trends are calculated over a five-year period.
Key findings:
- The State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) assessment raises the alarm that several spectacular birds, many of them endemic to the sub-continent, face a growing threat from loss of habitat due to:
- Human activity.
- The widespread presence of toxins, including pesticides.
- Hunting and trapping for the pet trade.
- It is highlighted that, for every bird species that was found to be increasing in numbers over the long term, 11 have suffered losses, some catastrophically.
- 101 species have been categorised as being of High Conservation Concern.
- 59 are based on range and abundance.
- Rest are included from high-risk birds on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.
- Endemics such as the Rufous-fronted Prinia, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Pipit and Indian vulture have been confirmed as suffering a current decline.
- All except 13 had a restricted or highly restricted range, indicating greater vulnerability to man-made threats.
- Among widely known species, the common sparrow, long seen as declining in urban spaces, has a stable population overall.
- The analysis concludes that raptors overall are in decline, with ‘open country’ species such as the Pallid and Montagu Harriers, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Red-necked Falcon suffering the most.
- The severe long-term decline of vultures is underscored by the report.
- Migratory shorebirds, along with gulls and terns, seem to have declined the most among waterbirds.
Forward-looking actions suggested by the report:
- An update to the Red List of endangered species published by IUCN using the SoIB.
- Collaborative research by scientists and citizens. A targeted research to pinpoint causes of decline.
- Urgent emphasis on habitats of species of high concern, notably grasslands, scrublands, wetlands and the Western Ghats.
1. Peninsular command by next year end, says General Rawat
Context:
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has spelled out a road map for restructuring the Armed Forces that would holistically counter threats along the borders with China and Pakistan as well as in the Indian Ocean, backed by logistical agreements with other countries.
Details:
- Noting that threats of another 2008 Mumbai-style attacks remain, the CDS has said the security of peninsular India should remain under one command.
- The CDS has said that an Indian Ocean-centered Peninsular Command, possibly formed by merging the Eastern and Western Naval Commands, should start shaping up by the end of 2021.
- A study will look at earmarking some assets of the Army and the IAF for deployment under the Peninsular Command.
- It was pointed out that the Chief of Naval Staff must look at the big picture, and was stressed that the “Indian Ocean region is one entity”.
Tri-services Theatre Command:
- Instead of having separate commands for every service, the CDS is working on having a joint or theatre command that can carry out all war-fighting formations under a single commander.
- The commander could either be from the Army, Air Force or the Navy.
- Theaterisation means putting specific units of personnel from the three services — Army, Navy and Air Force — under a common theatre commander so they fight as a cohesive unit. Both the US and China follow a theatre command doctrine.
- A study will look into several issues, such as having one command or two separate ones to tackle China — one East of Nepal and another West of Nepal, or whether the Northern Command could be split into two while keeping Jammu & Kashmir as a single unit.
- However, it is felt that Jammu and Kashmir should be a separate theatre, including the IB (International Boundary) part.
- Right now the LoC part comes under the Northern Command, but the IB part is under the Western Command.
- There are about 19 military commands in the country and only two of them are tri-service commands – Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) and the Strategic Forces Command, which looks after nuclear assets.
1. Response to long-term repo encouraging: RBI
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India has said that the response to the first long-term repo auction was highly encouraging.
- The central bank has received total bids of 1.94 lakh crore, for the three-year repo, compared with the notified amount of Rs. 25,000 crore.
Background:
In the sixth bi-monthly monetary policy review, RBI, while keeping the key interest rate unchanged, had announced that it would conduct term repos of one-year and three-year tenors up to a total amount of Rs. 1 lakh crore at the policy repo rate, which is 5.15%.
This issue has been covered in the 7th February 2020 Comprehensive News Analysis. Click here to read.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. A royal mess
Context:
Stress in the telecom industry of India.
Background:
- The Supreme Court of India in October 2019, upholding the Department of Telecom (DoT)’s interpretation of “adjusted gross revenue” (AGR), had ordered the telecom companies to pay an estimated ₹1.4 lakh crore to the government.
- None of the telecom companies have been able to pay up fully the stated amounts. The telecom companies have sought more time to pay up.
- The SC is scheduled to hear the case next in mid-march 2020.
Details:
Mistakes by the telecom companies:
- The telecom companies have only themselves to blame for their present situation:
- The companies failed to pay up their annual dues over the years even though they could afford to pay, given their turnovers. Instead, they decided to wait until all the litigation processes were completed.
- Given the accumulated amount and also the need to pay interest and penalties as per the SC verdict, the total amount comes to a very large amount. Notably, the interests and penalties are even higher than the actual annual dues.
- The telecom companies also failed to have provided for the liability in their balance sheets as a contingency action plan.
Concerns:
- Given the already precarious financial state of Vodafone, and the SC and government’s insistence on full payment of dues, it is very likely that Vodafone might have to close down. There are major concerns with respect to such a scenario.
- In the scenario of Vodafone shutting down, the telecom industry will be reduced to a duopoly. This would bring with it the attendant consequences for customers, like reduced choices and likely higher costs.
- The closing down of Vodafone will also lead to loss of about 15,000 direct jobs and several thousand indirect jobs.
- The consequences of Vodafone closing down would also lead to the cascading effect being felt across the economy as lenders would have to face the consequences of the company going bankrupt and subsequently the non-performing assets will rise.
- Telecom equipment suppliers may also face issues due to the nonpayment of their dues from Vodafone.
- The 212 million Vodafone subscribers would be affected given the doubts of whether only two telecom companies would be able to absorb such a large number of customers in a short frame of time.
- The telecom industry is critical to the government’s plans for a digital economy. The turmoil in the telecom industry might have an adverse impact on the government’s vision.
- The government is also likely to face a shortfall in its revenue collections from the telecom service providers and can expect lower bids for the upcoming 5G spectrum auctions.
Way forward:
- While the telecom companies will have to pay their dues to the government, there is the need to ensure that this does not create further stress in the sector and the economy at large. The need of the hour is to be practical and cautious with a long term vision for the crucial telecom sector.
- The government has to examine what it can do to save the situation without disrespecting the Court’s verdict. The government has to choose between revenue considerations and respecting SC’s verdict on one hand and also ensuring the long term viability of the companies and the sector at large.
- One of the major suggestions being made includes the framing of legislation that offers a staggered payment schedule to the telecom companies that ensures that the net present value of future payments is equal to the present dues. This would help ensure the financial viability of the companies.
- There needs to be consultation with the telecom industry as well to come up with other options, like reducing the adjusted gross revenue-based licence fees and spectrum usage charges to reduce the financial burden on the companies.
- The government will have to get the Court on its side at the next hearing due in mid-march 2020.
For more information on this issue refer:
CNA dated 16th Nov 2019
Category: SOCIAL ISSUES
Context:
- The Supreme Court has ruled that Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers are eligible for permanent commission and command posts in the Army irrespective of their years of service.
Background:
- Though women are absorbed into the Short Service Commission, they are presently denied a permanent commission in most branches of the Indian Army.
Details:
- The Court noted a number of contradictions inherent in the government’s arguments against granting permanent commission to women.
- The government argued that the deployment of women officers was not advisable in conflict zones because of the lack of sufficient facilities for habitat and hygiene. Yet, the government itself admitted to the Court that 30% of the total number of women officers are deputed to conflict areas.
- The Supreme Court has ordered the government to adhere to its own stated policy on granting permanent commission to women in the Short Service Commission (SSC).
Significance:
Demolishing gender stereotypes:
- The Supreme Court dismissed the Union government’s submissions that women are physiologically weaker than men as a “sex stereotype”.
- In allowing women permanent commission, the court has demolished gender stereotypes.
- Notably, the judgment observed that as long as society holds strong beliefs about gender roles there will not be a change of mindsets, thus stressing the need for change in beliefs about gender roles.
Upholding constitutional provisions:
- The present judgment helps in furthering the principle of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Constitution. It helps provide equal opportunities for women.
Acknowledgment of Women’s Role in National security:
- In directing the government to grant permanent commission to those women who opt for it, in 10 branches of the SSC, the Court has forced acknowledgment of the crucial role women have played and continue to play in the security of the nation.
Need of the hour:
- The Indian Army experiences a shortfall of officers by about 10,000. The SC judgment will help close this gap to an extent.
- According to official statistics, there are only a mere 1653 women officers out of a total of 40,825 officers.
Other provisions:
- Notably, the SC has also made important recommendations to the government. It has asked the government to correct the anomalies in other aspects related to woman officers in the army, like the issue of pensions.
- The court has also set a deadline of three months for the implementation of the court’s orders.
For more information on this issue refer:
CNA dated Feb 14, 2020
Category: INTERNAL SECURITY
1. May the Force be strengthened
Background:
Transition to CRPF:
- The retention of the Crown Representative Police (CRP) became a contentious issue in the wake of independence. Since the Constitution designated ‘law and order’ as a State subject, the relevance of having a central police force was questioned by everyone.
Post-independence:
- Starting with just two battalions as the CRP, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has now expanded to being a three-and-a-half lakh-strong force. No other security force of the country has seen expansion at such a rapid rate.
- CRPF is the largest paramilitary force in the world.
- The CRPF consists of specialist wings like the Rapid Action Force, the COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), and the Special Duty Group.
Paramilitary forces:
- Resolving certain conflicts requires immediate solutions for which regular armed forces cannot be deployed. Therein lies the importance or necessity of paramilitary forces, because of their flexibility and versatility.
- Given the fact that providing integrated security to a large and diverse country like India is not an easy task, CRPF has done commendably well.
Concerns:
Casualties:
- The glowing track record of CRPF and its contributions to the security of the nation pales into insignificance when one considers the mass casualties CRPF has had to suffer.
- In April 2010, at least 75 members of the CRPF were killed by Maoists, in Dantewada. In 2019, the Pulwama attack claimed the lives of many CRPF members.
Pressure on soldiers:
- CRPF is the main agency dealing with conflicts in different territorial zones. Soldiers end up performing a high-risk job till the last day of his service in CRPF.
- The frequent movements of the forces are taking its toll on its members.
- The anguish caused because of prolonged periods of duty away from one’s family members adds to the pressure experienced by the soldiers. Though the government is keen on ensuring that CRPF jawans would get to spend 100 days with their families every year, considering the present levels of workload and the personnel available, 100 days of leave seems not possible.
- There are increasing cases of suicides and fratricides being reported in CRPF.
Way forward:
- Given the fact that CRPF remains the most formidable in internal security matters, the functioning of the CRPF needs to be revisited.
Changes in the recruitment process of the Central Police Forces:
- Given the fact that CRPF shares a large burden of the work allocated for the Central Paramilitary Forces, experts have been suggesting that there is an urgent need to revisit the government’s decision on tasking specific Central Paramilitary Forces exclusively with certain operations.
- The government can consider making it compulsory for recruits to all Central Police Forces to be deployed to anti-insurgency roles during their first 15 years of service, when they are newly trained and fighting fit. They can be shifted, in the next 10 years, to border duties. The last phase of their career should be in static duties.
- This would help reduce the workload on the members of the CRPF.
Rehabilitation of retired personnel:
- Given the high risk and workload in CRPF, many personnel are taking voluntary retirement.
- Worryingly, there is no appropriate rehabilitation policy. The creation of a Welfare and Rehabilitation Board has not made any impact.
- The welfare and morale of the soldiers need to be taken good care of. Consideration of One Rank, One Pension scheme, and other appropriate support mechanisms needs to be prioritized.
Home-grown leadership:
- Currently, the top leadership of CRPF consists of IPS officers on deputation.
- Given the fact that elements like healthy work culture, ethos and regimentation are very crucial for any armed force and they are best guarded by officers born on the cadre, it is high time CRPF develops home-grown leadership.
Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Protecting children’s right to protest
Context:
- The article offers a critique of the Supreme Court’s observations on the right of children to protest.
Background:
- Following the death of an infant during the demonstrations in Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, the Supreme Court considered it parental negligence worthy of court intervention and has taken suo motu cognisance of children taking part in the demonstrations.
Concerns:
- There are many legal and social difficulties involved in the Supreme Court’s move.
Mothers’ right to protest:
- Indian mothers, especially from poor households, given the lack of a support system at home or lack of access to creches or daycare centres have to carry their children wherever they go.
- If the women are not allowed to take their children to protests, it effectively limits women’s own mobility and pushes them back into their homes.
Children’s right to protest:
Constitutional provisions:
- Implicit in the freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble peaceably and without arms under Article 19 of the Constitution is the right to protest. This right is guaranteed to all citizens of India regardless of age.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC):
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which has been ratified by India, expressly recognizes in Article 13 the freedom of expression of the child.
- The CRC, in Article 5, recognizes the “evolving capacities” of children. This means that as children acquire enhanced competencies, they have a greater capacity to take responsibility for decisions affecting their lives. The law recognizes that with age, children are capable of exercising their rights and that the law must facilitate the same.
- Article 12 of the CRC provides that member states should assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely. Therefore, there can be no restriction on a child’s right to protest without hearing the child.
- Notably, both the Indian Constitution and the CRC state that no restriction may be placed on the children’s freedoms except for the purposes of safeguarding the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. Even these restrictions must pass the test of reasonableness.
- There can be no blanket restrictions imposed on children’s right to protest.
- The child’s right to participate in or witness a protest might be in jeopardy because of the Court’s observations.
Past precedents:
- In the recent past, there has been the participation of children in protests, most notably in the anti-pollution protests in Delhi. Notably, the petitioner in the case against increasing pollution levels in New Delhi is herself a child.
- This was considered a valid exercise of the child’s agency, whereas the children’s participation in Shaheen Bagh is being questioned.
F. Prelims Facts
Nothing here for today!!!
G. Tidbits
1. Over 50% inmates in Tihar jail from backward classes in 2018
- Over 50% of inmates in Tihar prison belong to Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe and Other Backward Classes (OBC), as per Prison Statistics 2018.
- In 2017, Muslims accounted for 83.9% of the total inmates from the minority community, and in 2016, it was 84.1%.
- There has been a marginal change in the percentage of inmates from the minority community since 2014, the data showed.
- “Demography and the fact that people from lower strata of society are more prone to committing crime, could be the reasons for the high percentage,” a prison official said, adding that the high Muslim population in the jail could be because “after Hindus, Muslims are highest in number in India”.
2. Seeds to be distributed through cooperatives
What’s in News?
The Rajasthan government has decided to distribute seeds with subsidy to the farmers only through the village cooperative societies.
- The decision comes as a major step in preventing black marketing of certified seeds.
- The decision is also expected to strengthen cooperative infrastructure in the State.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to “Dal Lake”:
- The lake is located in the Zabarwan mountain valley.
- It is surrounded by Shankaracharya hills on three sides only.
- It has been declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 1 only
d. 1, 2 and 3 only
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to Kaziranga National Park:
- Kaziranga National Park is a declared Tiger Reserve.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
a. 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 1 and 2 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. Consider the following statement/s with respect to “SUTRA PIC”, recently in news:
- It is a programme launched for the conservation and development of indigenous breeds of cows in a scientific manner.
- It is led by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Q4. COnsider the following statements with respect to Rufous-fronted Prinia:
- The bird is endemic to the Western Ghats.
- It is classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red List.
Which of the given statement/s is/are incorrect?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Q5. Consider the following statements:
- Budgetary deficit is the sum of revenue account deficit and capital account deficit.
- While Fiscal Deficit represents the government’s total borrowing including interest payments, Primary Deficit shows the amount of borrowing excluding interest payments.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- In the backdrop of the Supreme Court ruling Short Service Commission women officers as being eligible for permanent commission and command posts in the Army, discuss the significance of the judgment and the associated implementational challenges. (15 marks, 250 words)
- Discuss the concerns associated with the turmoil being witnessed in the telecom sector of India. Suggest a suitable way forward for the telecom sector. (10 marks, 150 words)
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CNA 18th Feb 2020:- Download PDF Here
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