16 July 2024 CNA
Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related POLITY 1. SC to look into use of Money Bills to pass laws C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. ‘Big brother’ to ‘Brother’, a Nepal-India reset DISASTER MANAGEMENT 1. The toll that extreme heat takes on women F. Prelims Facts 1. ‘India, Russia have doubled rupee-rouble payments’ 2. ICAR to release 323 new varieties of 56 crops today G. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions H. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
Syllabus: Parliament
Prelims: Money Bill
Mains: Misuse of Money bill
Context: The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, is set to review the use of Money Bills by the Centre to pass contentious amendments in Parliament. This follows appeals challenging the categorization of certain bills as Money Bills, which bypasses the Rajya Sabha, raising constitutional concerns.
- The pivotal issue is whether amendments can be passed as Money Bills, circumventing the Rajya Sabha, and violating Article 110 of the Constitution.
Money Bill Provisions
- A Money Bill contains only provisions related to financial matters specified under Article 110(1) of the Constitution, such as the appropriation of money from the Consolidated Fund of India and taxation. This restriction to financial matters is central to the controversy.
Case References
- Rojer Mathew vs. South Indian Bank Ltd. (2019): A five-judge Bench referred the Money Bill question to a seven-judge Bench, focusing on whether certain amendments could be passed as Money Bills.
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Amendments: From 2015 onwards, amendments were made via Money Bills, granting extensive powers to the Enforcement Directorate.
- Finance Act of 2017: Altered appointments to 19 key judicial tribunals, questioned for being passed as a Money Bill to extend executive control over these institutions.
Issues
- Constitutional Validity: Whether the classification of certain bills as Money Bills violates Article 110 of the Constitution.
- Circumvention of Rajya Sabha: Bypassing the Rajya Sabha in passing significant amendments raises concerns about legislative propriety and democratic processes.
- Judicial Oversight: The need for judicial review of the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision to declare a bill as a Money Bill.
Significance
- Preservation of Legislative Integrity: Ensuring that the categorization of Money Bills is not misused to bypass the Rajya Sabha.
- Judicial Clarity: Establishing clear judicial guidelines on what constitutes a Money Bill.
- Checks and Balances: Reinforcing the system of checks and balances between the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
Solutions
- Constitution Bench Review: The seven-judge Bench needs to provide a definitive ruling on the scope and limitations of Money Bills.
- Clear Criteria: Establishing clear criteria for categorizing a bill as a Money Bill to prevent misuse.
- Legislative Reforms: Possible legislative reforms to enhance transparency and accountability in the classification of bills.
Nut Graf: The Supreme Court’s examination of the use of Money Bills to pass laws will have significant implications for legislative processes in India. A clear judicial interpretation will help maintain the integrity of the parliamentary system and uphold constitutional principles.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Syllabus: GS-2, India and its Neighbourhood – Relations
Mains: India- Nepal Relations
Introduction:
- Relations between India and Nepal have been strained since 2015 when both Narendra Modi and Khadga Prasad Oli were Prime Ministers.
- The bilateral turbulence began with the adoption of Nepal’s new Constitution in 2015, which New Delhi wanted to be reworked.
- The unamended Constitution led to a blockade by India, creating significant tension.
- Oli signed 10 agreements with Beijing in response to the blockade.
- Controversies included Oli’s claims about Ayodhya’s location and India’s aggressive stance.
Geopolitical and Economic Pressures:
- New Delhi’s involvement in Nepali governance increased, often crossing non-interference principles.
- India’s influence was seen as overbearing, focusing on power rather than mutual benefit.
- Nepal remains a significant contributor to Indian remittances, supporting livelihoods in India’s poorer regions.
Recent Developments and Leadership Changes:
- Speculations arise about Modi’s third term and its impact on Nepal-India relations.
- Modi and Oli have the opportunity to reset the relationship, moving away from past tensions.
- During Dahal’s term, key bilateral issues remained unaddressed, and Nepal’s sovereignty seemed compromised.
- Dahal’s concessions to India included agreements that disadvantaged Nepal, particularly in hydropower projects.
Future Prospects and Mutual Benefits:
- Oli must assert Nepal’s interests and address unresolved bilateral matters with confidence.
- Reviving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is crucial for regional stability.
- New Delhi should acknowledge Nepal’s friendship with Beijing while fostering a balanced relationship.
- Implementing the consensus report by the India-Nepal Eminent Persons’ Group can enhance bilateral relations.
- The open border between Nepal and India symbolises potential regional peace, and misconceptions about Nepal should be addressed.
- Transforming the ‘big brother’ image to a fraternal relationship can benefit both nations, promoting a stable and cooperative South Asia.
Nut Graf: India and Nepal have an opportunity to reset their strained relationship by addressing past tensions, enhancing bilateral cooperation, and fostering mutual respect. This requires New Delhi to adopt a non-interference policy, and Kathmandu to assert its interests confidently.
Category: DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Syllabus: GS-3, Disaster and Disaster Management
Mains: Heatwave
Introduction: Extreme Heat and Its Impact on Women
- Extreme heat is becoming a norm, with 2023 being the warmest year on record.
- In May-June 2024, several parts of India experienced record-breaking temperatures.
- Women are disproportionately affected due to unequal power dynamics, gender norms, and resource access.
Hidden Toll: Women in Urban Informal Settlements
- ADB’s report “Rising Above the Heat” highlights the unequal impact on women in Asia and the Pacific.
- Women in Informal Urban settlements face multiple challenges due to rising temperatures.
- Homes in these areas, often made of heat-trapping materials like tin and plastic, become heat chambers.
- Women in poorly ventilated kitchens experience extreme temperatures while cooking.
- Due to heat stress, women work longer hours to complete unpaid work at home.
- Productivity loss from heat stress leads to 90 more minutes of care work per day in India.
Pervasive Challenges: Urban and Rural Informal Labourers
- Urban female informal labourers, including street vendors and construction workers, face harsh weather.
- These workers lack cooling facilities and natural forms of cooling are increasingly unavailable.
- Rural women face severe challenges, including longer working hours under heat stress.
- Many cook using biomass, increasing disease burden and public health hazards.
- Restrictive gender norms can force women to stay indoors and follow non-heat-friendly dress codes.
- Prolonged heat exposure affects crop yields, impacting rural women’s livelihood.
Unequal Health Strain: Increased Heat-Related Diseases
- Rising temperatures lead to heat stress, causing heat cramps, severe heat stroke, and hyperthermia.
- Women are at greater risk due to their physiological makeup and hormonal changes.
- They also shoulder the majority of caregiving responsibilities, increasing their burden.
- Heat stress adversely affects maternal and child health, increasing preterm delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirth rates.
Conclusion: Building Resilience
- Millions of women face worsening heat-related losses with no respite in sight.
- Strengthening resilience includes climate-friendly urban planning, sustainable cooling technologies, fair division of care work, and public provisioning of essential services.
- Addressing the social power gradient is crucial for women’s capacity to face the heat crisis.
Nut Graf: Extreme heat disproportionately impacts women due to unequal power dynamics, resource access, and gender norms. Strengthening their resilience through climate-friendly urban planning, sustainable cooling technologies, and fair care work division is essential to mitigate the severe health and economic burdens they face.
F. Prelims Facts
1. ‘India, Russia have doubled rupee-rouble payments’
Context: India and Russia have significantly increased their payments in national currencies (rupee-rouble) despite Western sanctions. Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, has facilitated the majority of these transactions, highlighting a surge in economic cooperation between the two nations.
Recent Developments
- Doubling of Payments: From January to June 2024, payments in rupee-rouble have doubled compared to the same period in 2023.
- Increase in Transactions: Sberbank reported an 80% increase in the number of transactions in the first half of 2024.
- Rise in Rupee Deposits: Indian corporates have increased their rupee deposits in Russia multi-fold in 2024.
Sberbank’s Role
- Handling Payments: Sberbank handles most payments for Indian exports to Russia.
- Trust in Rupee: Increased trust in the rupee is evident, with rupee-denominated accounts and deposits becoming more common.
- Support for Businesses: Sberbank aims to facilitate business growth, aligning with the $100 billion trade target by 2030 set by PM Modi and President Putin.
Impact of Sanctions
- Western Sanctions: Sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the EU post-Ukraine invasion have influenced India-Russia trade dynamics.
- Economic Cooperation: PM Modi’s recent visit to Moscow is seen as a pivotal moment for strengthening economic ties.
Significance
- Strategic Economic Partnership: The increase in rupee-rouble transactions strengthens the strategic economic partnership between India and Russia, reducing dependence on Western financial systems.
- Countering China: Enhancing economic cooperation with Russia is crucial for India to counter China’s increasing influence in the region.
- Opportunities for Indian Businesses: Indian businesses have a significant opportunity to fill the market void in Russia, particularly in sectors like auto components, chemicals, electronics, and agriculture.
- Boost to Bilateral Trade: The increase in rupee-rouble transactions supports the goal of achieving $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
2. ICAR to release 323 new varieties of 56 crops today
Context: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is set to launch its “one scientist, one product” programme and announce the release of 323 new crop varieties. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural research and production, aligning with ICAR’s long-term goals.
New Crop Varieties
- Total Varieties: ICAR will release 323 varieties of 56 crops.
- Types of Crops: Includes cereals, oilseeds, forage crops, and sugar cane.
- Special Varieties: 289 climate-resilient varieties and 27 bio-fortified varieties.
“One Scientist, One Product” Programme
- Objective: To improve research outputs in agriculture and animal husbandry.
- Participants: All 5,521 ICAR scientists are tasked to develop a product, technology, model, or publication annually.
- Monitoring: Progress will be monitored quarterly at the institute level and biannually at the headquarters level.
- Duration: The programme spans five years, with an emphasis on high-yielding oilseeds and pulses in the initial phase.
100-Day Action Plan
- Goals: Develop 100 new seed varieties and 100 farm technologies within 100 days.
- Launch: Planned for mid-September, pending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule.
Impact on Production
- Breeder Seeds: Utilization has resulted in approximately 16 million hectares under bio-fortified varieties.
- Crop Coverage: Includes wheat, rice, pearl millet, lentil, and mustard.
- Climate-Resilient Technologies: Led to increased production even during abnormal weather conditions.
- Historical Data: From 2014-15 to 2023-24, ICAR released 2,593 high-yielding varieties, including 2,177 climate-resilient and 150 bio-fortified varieties.
Significance
- Enhanced Agricultural Productivity: The release of new varieties aims to boost crop yields and resilience, essential for food security.
- Climate Resilience: Developing climate-resilient varieties is crucial for mitigating the impact of climate change on agriculture.
- Bio-fortification: Bio-fortified varieties contribute to improved nutritional security, addressing malnutrition issues.
- Innovation in Agriculture: The “one scientist, one product” programme promotes continuous innovation and research in agriculture.
- Strategic Goals: Aligns with the Centre’s 100-day action plan, highlighting the government’s commitment to agricultural development.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA):
- It was first implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
- It allows the armed forces to use force, but restricts them from making arrests without a warrant.
- Once it is implemented, no prosecution can be initiated for any offence under the Act without the prior sanction of the central government.
How many of the statements given above are incorrect?
- Only one
- Only two
- Only three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
AFSPA was first implemented in the Northeast region. It grants special powers to the armed forces such as the use of force based on opinion and suspicion, the authority to arrest without a warrant, and the ability to shoot to kill or destroy property.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Enforcement Directorate (ED):
- It is a specialized financial investigation agency under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
- Its primary objective is to enforce economic laws and fight financial crimes.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
Both statements are correct. ED’s primary objective is to enforce economic laws and fight financial crimes such as money laundering and foreign exchange violations.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding countries bordering the South China Sea:
- China shares its land borders with all countries bordering the South China Sea.
- Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia are among the countries that share maritime boundaries with the South China Sea.
- Brunei and Singapore do not have any territorial claims in the South China Sea.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect as China does not share its borders with all countries bordering the South China Sea. Statement 3 is incorrect as Brunei and Singapore have territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Q4. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The National Research Foundation (NRF) is being established as per the National Education Policy 2020.
Statement-II: The NRF aims to facilitate research in India’s universities, especially State universities, by funding research infrastructure and researchers.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
- Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
- Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
- Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. Statement-II explains the purpose and objective of the NRF, making it the correct explanation for Statement-I.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the International Monetary Fund (IMF):
- It is a specialised agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting global monetary cooperation and financial stability.
- It provides financial assistance to member countries to help them overcome balance of payments difficulties.
- The voting power in the IMF is allocated solely based on the economic size of member countries.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- Only three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
Statement 3 is incorrect as the voting power in the IMF is not solely based on economic size but is determined through a combination of other factors, such as GDP, quota subscriptions, etc.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Piecemeal extensions to ED and CBI heads are a setback to their independence. Critically discuss. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2: Governance]
- Elaborate on the tensions in the South China Sea and in this context, discuss the latest developments in India-Philippines relations. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS- 2: International Relations]
Read the previous CNA here.
Comments