07 July 2021: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 7th July 2021:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Bengal passes resolution to set up Council
2. ‘Super censorship’: MPs’ panel grills Ministry
3. ‘Tele-law services empowering voiceless’
C. GS 3 Related
INTERNAL SECURITY
1. Panel on Naga issue to meet on July 9
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Vacancies send a wrong signal
2. Fresh stirrings on federalism as a new politics
DEFENCE AND SECURITY
1. Unpacking China’s game plan
F. Prelims Facts
1. Ethiopia resumes filling disputed dam
2. Venezuela’s reflections on the Carabobo
G. Tidbits
1. E-waste disposal: L-G seeks means to integrate unorganised sector
2. Tender for 10 counter-drone systems floated
3. Seeking a paradigm shift in mental health care
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

2. ‘Super censorship’: MPs’ panel grills Ministry

Context:

• The Standing Committee on Information and Technology has questioned the officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on the draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021.

Background:

• The draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021 proposes amendments aimed at tackling the menace of piracy and also introduces some changes with respect to the process of certification.
  • The amendment would grant revisionary powers to the Government on account of violation of Section 5B(1) of the Act.
    • Section 5B(1) states that a film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence.
  • Also, the Central Government may, if it considers it necessary so to do, direct the Chairman of the Board to re-examine the film.
• The Bill has been placed in the public domain and called for public comments.

Concerns:

Super censorship:

• Some prominent filmmakers have criticized the bill over the provision that allows the government to order recertification of films already certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). They have called it a kind of “super censorship”.

Unnecessary concentration of power:

• The government’s move to allow it the power to ask for recertification amounts to unnecessary concentration of such powers especially when there are already existing penal provisions in this regard.
  • If any person or group feels that a film or part of it hurts their sentiment or imperils the country, it can be challenged in the judiciary.

Against Judicial orders:

• The High Court of Karnataka in KM Shankarappa Vs. Union of India case stated that the Central Government cannot exercise revisional powers in respect of films that are already certified by the Board. This has also been upheld by the Supreme Court.
• The proposed amendments run contrary to the above judicial precedents.

Counter arguments:

Reasonable restriction upon freedom of speech and expression:

• The government’s stand has been that the proposed amendments derive their standing from Article 19(2) of the Constitution which are non-negotiable.
• Article 19(2) of the Constitution imposes reasonable restrictions upon the freedom of speech and expression in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement of any offence.

Help deal with violation of Section 5B(1):

• Sometimes complaints are received against a film that allude to violation of Section 5B(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 after a film is certified. The new amendments would help deal with such cases.

Check on arbitrary use of powers:

• The government’s stand is that the Ministry itself will have no powers to censor any film, but it will only allow the Ministry to return the film for recertification.
• The government has also stated that such a clause would be invoked only when the content of a film impinged on the security and integrity of the nation, this would act as a restriction against the arbitrary use of such powers.

Power of the legislature to legislate new laws:

• The Legislature may, in certain cases, overrule or nullify the judicial or executive decision by enacting appropriate legislation.

3. ‘Tele-law services empowering voiceless’

Context:

• The recent event to mark the coverage of more than nine lakh beneficiaries of the government’s tele-law scheme.

Background:

Tele-law:

• Through this initiative, the Department of Justice has partnered with NALSA and CSC e-Governance Service India Limited for mainstreaming legal aid to the marginalised communities through Common Services Center (CSC).
• Tele-Law means the use of communications and information technology for the delivery of legal information and advice. This e-interaction between lawyers and people would be through the video-conferencing infrastructure available at the CSCs.
• The concept of Tele-Law is to facilitate the delivery of legal advice through a panel of lawyers stationed at the State Legal Services Authorities (SALSA) and CSC. The project initiates to connect citizens with lawyers through telephone and video conferencing facilities by the Para-Legal Volunteers stationed at identified 50,000 CSCs.
• Presently, the tele-law programme is operational in 633 districts.

Significance:

• It will help provide access to affordable and quality legal advice across the country including those in the rural areas.
• By improving access to legal advice for women, the facility could also become a source of gender justice and empowerment.
• Tele-law has the potential to foster inclusive justice delivery and strengthening rule of law across the country.

For more related information refer to:

Tele Law Initiative

2. Fresh stirrings on federalism as a new politics

One exam relevant topic that this article discusses is regarding Fiscal federalism in India and concerns associated with it. For information on this aspect refer to the following article:

UPSC Comprehensive News Analysis of 22nd June 2021
Category: DEFENCE AND SECURITY

1. Unpacking China’s game plan

Context:

• Reports of China upgrading its aviation defence infrastructure in the Tibetan plateau

Background:

India’s superiority in air power:

• India exhibited firmness in their resolve to thwart Chinese attempts to violate the status Quo along the LAC. This firmness was backed by IAF superiority along the LAC.
• India enjoyed certain advantages vis-a-vis airpower as compared to the Chinese.
  • India has a string of airfields all along the foothills of the Himalayas. This offers the IAF higher strike potential. On the contrary Chinese airfields in Tibet were few, widely spaced out and hence not mutually supportive. Also this led to large gaps in their air defence structure that could have been utilized by the IAF to interdict targets.
  • The Indian airfields are situated at lower altitudes. This permits the aircrafts taking off from these airfields to carry a full armament load. On the contrary, most Tibetan airfields are at altitudes above 10,000 ft, severely restricting the payload of PLAAF aircraft.
• The positive asymmetry of IAF proved to be detrimental to China’s plans to gain any territorial advantage.

Details:

• The recent high-resolution satellite photos have revealed rapid upgradation of airfield and air defence infrastructure by China along the LAC.
  • China has made rapid progress in construction of hardened aircraft shelters and new runways.
  • China has positioned new air defence radars and missile systems along the LAC thus providing itself the comfort of a layered air defence setting.

Concerns:

Chinese tactical attempt to buy time:

• The article also suggests the possibility of a link between the Chinese construction activities and the procrastination by China in the talks for reducing tensions in Eastern Ladakh. The temporary offer of talks seems to be a tactical attempt by the Chinese to buy time to upgrade their air defence infrastructure.

Strategy of denial:

• By strengthening their air defence architecture, the Chinese are trying to deter India through a strategy of denial, i.e., to dissuade the IAF to attack China over fears of loss of aircrafts or personnel that could be caused by the missile systems of China.

Nullify advantages enjoyed by India:

• This move by China could alter the current balance of air power between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in the medium to long term. This could nullify the advantage that India enjoys vis-a-vis airpower along the LAC. India may lose the trump card of positive air power asymmetry that it now holds which would reduce India’s stand in future negotiations.

Way forward:

• India needs to closely monitor the air defence upgradation drive of China and make relevant changes to its own strategies.
• India’s posture and demands at the talks must reflect its understanding of China’s devious attempt to buy time in the name of talks

2. Venezuela’s reflections on the Carabobo

• The Battle of Carabobo, 1821, was fought between independence fighters, led by Venezuelan General Simón Bolívar, and the Spanish Army.
• Bolívar’s decisive victory at Carabobo led to the independence of Venezuela and establishment of the Republic of Gran Colombia.

2. Tender for 10 counter-drone systems floated

• The Indian Air Force has issued a tender for procurement of 10 counter-drone systems, Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (CUAS), through indigenous route.
• The CUAS is intended to detect, track, identify, designate and neutralize hostile UAS. Laser Directed Energy Weapon (Laser-DEW) is mandated as a kill option.

3. Seeking a paradigm shift in mental health care

• The Guidance on Community Mental Health Services was recently launched by the World Health Organization.
• The Guidance focuses on sharing of best practices built around the key themes of crisis services, peer support, supported living, community outreach, hospital-based services and comprehensive mental health service networks.
• Drawn from 22 countries, these models balance care and support with rights and participation.
• Aimed at providing newer perspectives to governments and policymakers, approaches in the new WHO Guidance are designed to make community inclusion a major feature of mental health treatment.

Q1. Which of the given statements with respect to Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) 
is/are correct?

Q2. The term ‘Safe harbour immunity’ seen in news refers to:

Q3. “Mazar-e-Sharif”, often in news is located in:

Q4. Which of the following Directive Principles of State Policy ensures Constitutional 
Privileges for women in India?

Q5. The term ‘Digital Single Market Strategy’ seen in the news refers to (UPSC 2017)

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 7th July 2021:- Download PDF Here