22 Jan 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

D. GS 4 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

E. Editorials

Category: POLITY

1. Post Office Act, its unbridled powers of interception

Syllabus: Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States

Mains: Provision of Post Office Bill and concern related to this 

Introduction:

• President of India assents to the Post Office Bill, 2023 replacing the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
• Opposition expresses concerns about unchecked interception powers in the new Act.

Interception under Central Acts:

• Telecommunications Bill, 2023 replaces the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933.
• Section 20(2) of the Telecommunication Act allows interception, similar to Section 5(2) of the Telegraph Act.
• Procedural safeguards in Section 7(2)(b) of the Act of 1885 now included in Section 20(2).
• Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 (Section 69(1)) provides for a wider interception scope, not limited by ‘public emergency’ or ‘public safety.’
• Procedural safeguards in the IT Act were notified in October 2009.

Historical Perspective on Phone Interception:

• Supreme Court lays down procedural safeguards in PUCL vs Union of India (1996) due to lack of rules under the Telegraph Act.
• Rule 419A notified in March 2007 replaces Court’s directives and allows interception in emergent cases for a maximum of seven days.
• Similar safeguards were prescribed for interception under the IT Act in 2009.

Concerns about Interception in Post Office Act:

• Post Office Act lacks procedural safeguards, raising fears of misuse of interception powers.
• Post office deals with confidential items; the right to privacy is acknowledged by the Supreme Court.
• The right to communication is deemed a part of the right to privacy (Puttaswamy case, 2017).
• International conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966, emphasize privacy rights.

Need for Safeguards in Post Office Act:

• Removal of major conditions (‘public emergency’ and ‘public safety’) from the new Act increases interception powers.
• The lack of provision for procedural safeguards demands a fair and reasonable procedure.
• The vague term ’emergency’ requires clarification based on existing rules.

Consequences of Unauthorized Interception:

• Telegraph Act (Section 26) and Telecommunication Act punish unauthorized interception.
• Lack of provisions for action against competent authorities exceeding or misusing interception powers.
• Destruction of interception documents after a period poses challenges in holding authorities accountable.
• Review committees are not bound to recommend disciplinary action for misuse, emphasizing the need for accountability.

Conclusion:

• Government intervention is needed to allay fears of misuse of the Post Office Act.
• Accountability of competent authorities is crucial for preventing unauthorised interception and safeguarding privacy rights.
• Constitutional courts may be the recourse for seeking relief, including compensation, in case of privacy rights violations.

Nut Graf: The Post Office Act, 2023, replacing the 1898 law, grants unbridled interception powers without procedural safeguards. Concerns arise over potential misuse, especially given the sensitive nature of post content. Accountability and clarity are crucial to protect privacy rights amid this legislative change.

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. A revival of the IMEC idea amid choppy geopolitics

Syllabus: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests

Mains: Hindrance in the success of IMEC and possible solution

Background: Yemen Conflict and Suez Canal Concerns

• The Yemen conflict has raised doubts about the reliability of the Suez Canal for east-west trade.
• Shippers are considering alternative routes, favouring the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

IMEC’s Resurgence Amid Geopolitical Challenges:

• Seshadri Vasan, Director-General of the Chennai Centre for China Studies, sees the Yemen conflict strengthening the case for IMEC.
• Critics argue that political complexities, especially post-Gaza war, may hinder major trade links between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

IMEC Core Route: Al Haditha to Haifa

• IMEC’s central objective is connecting Al Haditha in Saudi Arabia to Haifa in Israel.
• Ongoing rail projects in UAE and Saudi Arabia, such as Etihad Rail and GCC Railway, align with IMEC’s goals.

Geopolitical Hurdles and Shifting Dynamics in West Asia:

• Harsh Pant, Vice-President of Studies at the Observer Research Foundation, anticipates a transformed West Asia post-Gaza war.
• Turkey expresses displeasure at being excluded from IMEC, proposing an alternative route through Iraq.

Trump’s Potential Influence and Hydrogen Integration:

• Harsh Pant notes that IMEC could align with a business-focused Trump presidency.
• IMEC aims to carry hydrogen pipelines, positioning Gulf nations in the evolving hydrogen economy.

Containerisation and Economic Benefits for India:

• IMEC’s inclusion of containerisation through rail and road is advantageous for India’s trade goals.
• India’s National Logistics Policy targets reducing logistics costs to global levels by 2030.

Optimizing Container Movement in India:

• Ennarasu Karunesan suggests an optimal split of container movement: 30% road, 30% rail, and the rest via coastal and inland shipping.
• Dedicated rail freight corridors linking to Mundra and JNPT will support IMEC’s objectives.

Southern India’s Role and Potential Leveraging of IMEC:

• IMEC could benefit southern India by cutting delivery schedules by 40% with dedicated freight corridors.
• Haifa’s capacity expansion, synced with Adani-owned Mundra, is crucial for IMEC’s success.

Financing and Implementation: A Global Partnership

• Ammar Malik, leading the Chinese development finance program for the Belt & Road Initiative, envisions U.S., European, and Saudi financing for IMEC.
• The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation funding for the Adani Ports-owned Colombo terminal could serve as a template for Haifa.

Nut Graf: The Yemen conflict prompts a reconsideration of the Suez Canal’s reliability, boosting the case for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Geopolitical challenges, potential Trump influence, containerization benefits, and global financing underscore IMEC’s significance amid shifting dynamics in West Asia.

Q1) Consider the following statements:

Q2) Consider the following statements:

Q3) Consider the following statements:

Q4) Consider the following statements regarding the Smart Lander 
for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission:

Q5) The establishment of “Payment Banks’ is being allowed in India to promote Financial inclusion.
Which of the following statements is/are correct in this context?