23 Jan 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

B. GS 2 Related

Category: GOVERNANCE

1. Prison reforms and Criminal Justice System in India

Syllabus: Government Policies & Interventions for Development

Mains: Need for reforms in India’s Criminal Justice System 

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently called for prison reforms and recommended repealing obsolete criminal laws.

Introduction:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 57th All India Conference of Directors-General and Inspectors-General of Police organised by the Intelligence Bureau (IB)  suggested prison reforms to improve the jail management, and recommended repealing obsolete criminal laws.
• He also suggested making the police forces more sensitive and training them in emerging technologies such as National Data Governance Framework for smoothing of data exchange across agencies.
• He emphasised enhanced cooperation between the State Police and the Central agencies to leverage capabilities and share best practices.

Read more on Criminal Justice System Reforms

Read more on Prison Reforms

E. Editorials

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. A reminder of the flaws in India’s urbanisation policies

Syllabus: Urbanisation, their problems, and remedies.

Mains: Issue with Urbanisation policies and Way Ahead.

Prelims: Urbanisation.

Context: Release of a report by the World Bank to finance India’s Urban needs.

Details:

• As per the report of the World Bank (November 2023), the financing of India’s urban structure through private investments ameliorates the urban problem.
• Urban finance is majorly funded by government sources. The funds are derived from Central (48%), State (24%), and city (15%) governments. On the other hand, public–private partnership projects contribute 3% and commercial debt 2%.
• Several reports have estimated the huge demand for Urban Infrastructure. For instance,
  • As per the report of Isher Judge Ahluwalia, approximately ₹39.2 lakh crore would be required by 2030. 
  • The 11th Plan puts also estimates nearly ₹1,29,337 crore for four basic services, ₹1,32,590 crore for urban transport, and ₹1,32,590 crore for housing. 
  • Similarly, a McKinsey report on urbanisation estimates $1.2 trillion (or ₹90 lakh crore).

Also read: What are the main causes of Urbanisation? Answer at BYJU’S IAS

Details of World Bank Report:

• According to the World Bank, around $840 billion (₹70 lakh crore) investment would be required in urban India to meet the growing demands of the population. Moreover, $55 billion would be required every year. 
• It should be noted that the flagship programmes of the government of India such as the Smart City mission, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), etc., together are less than ₹2 lakh crore (for a period of 5 years).
• The core idea of the report is to improve the fiscal base and creditworthiness of Indian cities. For instance, increasing user fees, service charges, and property taxes.
• However, despite highlighting that 85% of government revenue is from the cities (implying that urban citizens are contributing large revenues), the report emphasizes levying more taxes on utilities.
• The basic issue with the report (and other similar reports) is that they follow a top to bottom approach and focus more on technocentric solutions that involve high capital-intensive technologies.

Also read: Housing For All Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY) Eligibility, Application

Alternative Approaches:

• The urban plans should be made from below by engaging the citizens and identifying their needs.
• The national task force chaired by K.C. Sivaramakrishnan suggested the following measures:
  • Empower the people
  • Transfer subjects to the city governments, 
  • 10% of the income tax collected from cities should be given back and it should be ensured that this corpus fund was utilized only for infrastructure development.
• Another important step is to improve urban governance. Regular elections should be held in cities and finances, functions, and functionaries(3 Fs) should be transferred.
• World Bank’s report made the following suggestions:
  • State-level management of urban water and sewerage functions should be devolved in a timely manner.
  • An improved framework should be formulated for a stable fiscal transfer regime.
  • The accordance of financial powers to urban local bodies (ULB) with proper rules and regulations.

Case Study of Shimla:

• In 2016-17 Shimla Water Works was made a single utility and was called the Greater Shimla Water Supply and Sewage Circle (GSWSSC) under the Shimla Municipal Corporation. 
• A soft loan was provided by the bank ensuring an adequate supply of water and proper distribution under the Shimla Municipal Corporation. 
• However, in 2017-18, the character of GSWSSC was changed to a company known as Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited. It is now run by a board of directors outside the ambit of the municipality.
• It is argued that such steps might prove to be perilous for urbanisation in India.

Related Link:  Urban Planning and Development in India

Nut Graf: World Bank has published a report highlighting the financing need for India’s urban infrastructure. However, it is argued that the report follows a top-down approach. It is suggested that urban planning should engage the local citizens, identify their needs and thus empower the citizens as well as urban governance.

Category: INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND POLITY

1. Changing politics, incompatible Governors

Syllabus: Issues and challenges pertaining to federal structures.

Mains: Governor’s powers and functions.

Prelims: Governor.

Context: Recent developments in Tamil Nadu between the Governor and the State Government.

Details:

• The tussle between the Governors and State Governments is time and again visible in several states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu,  Kerala, Telangana, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.
• Some common facts associated with them are:
  • The states in which such situations are visible are often ruled by a party that is different from the party ruling at the Centre.
  • The government interventions are often in the name of Union powers or constitutional rectitude.
  • The disagreements often spill out in open, to media, showcasing the political divide.
• However, there are few Governors who showed sagacity in sorting out issues with their respective governments.

Changes in States: 

• The relative autonomy of States underwent a huge change since the late 1980s without formally altering the constitution. This transformation was demonstrated by the rise of new state political parties, liberalization of the economy, and greater devolution of economic responsibility to the States. 
• The shift of power and responsibility was also reflected in the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, Economic Reforms, and various judicial verdicts like the Bommai Case that mandated wider political consensus during the invocation of the President’s rule in States.
• The increased roles and responsibilities of the states complement and supplement the Union powers in new challenges and opportunities.
• The Coalition building in 1999-2000 granted more sensitivities to states. It accepted the strong regional leaderships and particularly the regional parties.
• Indian federalism was re-articulated that appreciated States’ autonomy. 
• State leadership (either of the ruling party in the Centre or regional parties) is invariably called  to assume greater initiative and responsibility in the Indian politics of present times.
• It should be noted that the initiatives of the states have a cascading effect on the neighboring States. Moreover, if the regional parties perform well, the Centre is compelled to do better.

Existing Issues and Way Ahead:

• It is argued that in the changed context, Governor assuming to know better than the elected state governments go against the reality check and also does not serve the interest of the ruling party at the Centre.
• There are innumerable concerns, particularly with respect to Directive Principles of State Policy. In this context, Governor should closely engage with the state government and the state legislature. Public voices should also be listened to and closely followed with deliberated reasoning.
• Governor should also be attuned to the embedded idea of the common good manifested in its institutions and public culture.

Related Link: State Government Vs Governor: Sansad TV Perspective Discussion of 27 Oct 2022

Nut Graf: The divided views of the Governors and the elected state Governments are often visible in different states of India. It is suggested that changing politics in India calls for gubernatorial functioning. In this direction, close cooperation and deliberation are required between the Governors, Union government, State legislatures, and the common public.

Category: EDUCATION

1. It’s time for India’s universities to join the world

Syllabus: Issues relating to the development and management of Education.

Mains: Utilising the G20 presidency in the opening of the Indian Higher Education system.

Details:

• Indians are globally well-known as top scientists, academics, university leaders, and leaders in high tech, etc.
• The academic system of India is the second largest in the world. 
• India is also pursuing reforms and improvement in its education system through National Education Policy(NEP) 2020.
• The Presidency of India at G20 is a golden opportunity for the Indian academic system to open in the world and implement best practices from abroad.
• One of the priority areas in the education sector during the G20 presidency is ‘Strengthening Research and Promoting Innovation through Richer Collaboration’. 
• Currently, India is in an advantageous position due to its expanding Indian economy and improving role in the geopolitical arena. 
• India also plays a crucial role in higher education. It is also a major exporter of students in various scientific and technological fields. 
• Various countries are interested in linking with Indian universities and research institutes because of untapped talent and disengagement from China (specifically Western countries).

Challenges in India’s Education Sector:

• The higher education sector of India is highly fragmented, inflexible with tight subject boundaries, and of uneven quality.
  • However, this has been taken care of through NEP’s focus on consolidation, flexibility, multidisciplinary education, and quality.
  • IITs and IIMs are also expanding and improving. It would further achieve good results with better funding and adequate autonomy.
• Though India has performed better on many fronts like global rankings in scientific publications (improved from 7th in 2010 to 3rd in 2020), number of Ph.D. awarded in Science and Technology, and Global Innovation Index ranking; its performance lags behind U.S. and China.
• Indian Universities have not performed well in many global rankings. For instance,
  • In the 2023 Times Higher Education ranking the best-performing Indian institution is the Indian Institute of Science (in the range of 251-300). 
  • IITs, the best-known institutions globally do not rank well because they are small and specialized and not comprehensive universities. 
  • However, the recent announcement that IIT-Kharagpur will establish a branch campus in Malaysia is a good step. 
  • India would require considerable investments for a sustained period of time (on the lines of China) to catch up in the rankings and in reality.

Distinct features of the Indian Academic Environment:

• Many top-quality non-profit private universities are funded by philanthropically minded Indians that are focused on building an international ‘brand’ for Indian higher education.
• In India English is used as the main language of science and higher education. This facilitates easier interaction with the world. 
• There are more than  100 research laboratories in different areas that are sponsored by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) and other Central government agencies. 

Way Ahead:

• The universities of India and their scientific prowess are important for soft power strategy.
• The internationalization initiatives recommended in NEP should begin and India’s G20 leadership is also an excellent opportunity in this direction. 
• Two interesting suggestions are: 
  • India should host a conference of leaders of universities in the G20 countries with the objective of familiarising them with India’s academic opportunities. 
  • A prestigious scholarship programme should be devised to provide top Indian students and faculty time in leading universities abroad along with funding to bring top academics from abroad to India. 
• Moreover, Indian researchers and academics should involve themselves more with the global scientific community through joint projects, international meetings, etc. 
• Careful planning, sustained resources, aid from the Union and State governments, and an increased international consciousness in the Indian academic community is also required to achieve the desired outcomes.

Also read: Higher & Technical Education in India – BYJU’S

Related Link: Higher Education Quality Mandate: RSTV – Big Picture Discussion for UPSC exam

Nut Graf: The status of higher education in India faces several challenges. India’s presidency of G20 provides it a golden opportunity to open up to the world and improve its position in various global rankings.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Revised EXIM Data

Syllabus: GS03-Economy

Prelims: Trade Deficit; Current Account Deficit

Context: Revised foreign trade data.

Key Details:

• India’s foreign trade data for the first eight months of 2022-23 have been significantly revised, with the import bill being scaled up or down by at least two billion dollars in each of those months, in comparison to the preliminary estimates issued by the Union Commerce Ministry.
• The total merchandise exports between April and November are revised at $298.3 billion, nearly $12 billion higher than the original monthly data.
  • The biggest revision in the export numbers has been made for August and November at $3.1 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively. 
• The import bill in those eight months is now estimated at $493.5 billion, about $1.7 billion higher than the initial numbers. 
  • The import figure for September 2022 has seen the sharpest revision, from an earlier estimate of just $61.1 billion to the year’s highest tally at $64.7 billion.
• The trade deficit in the first eight months of the year is $10 billion lower than indicated by adding up monthly preliminary estimates.

• Economists believe that such wide variations in data are unusual and make policy formulation difficult, particularly when managing the current account deficit, which is being fueled by rising imports and a feared slowdown in exports amid a global recession.