15 May 2024 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. India-Iran 10-year pact on Chabahar faces ‘potential risk’ of sanctions: U.S. C. GS 3 Related INTERNAL SECURITY 1. China-Myanmar module of NSCN-IM helped banned outfits in Manipur: NIA D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials POLITY 1. Candid notes on the NHRC’s status deferral HEALTH 1. Rise in public health spending due to States, not Centre F. Prelims Facts 1. More solar storms brewing after last week’s aurorae as Sun ‘wakes up’ 2. NISAR satellite can monitor tectonic movements accurately G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India-Iran 10-year pact on Chabahar faces ‘potential risk’ of sanctions: U.S.
Syllabus: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: India’s Chabahar port deal and possibility of U.S. sanction
Introduction:
- The U.S. State Department has expressed concerns over the new 10-year agreement between India and Iran to develop the Chabahar port.
- There is a potential risk of sanctions associated with the agreement, casting uncertainty on whether India’s previous exemptions will apply to future phases of the project.
- India’s plans to invest in equipment for the port and provide credit are likely to face scrutiny if the U.S. decides not to extend its sanctions carve-out for India.
U.S. Response to the Agreement:
- The State Department spokesperson noted the agreement between India Ports Global Ltd. and the Port and Maritime Organisation of Iran.
- However, the U.S. emphasised that sanctions on Iran remain in place and will be enforced, without providing a specific exemption for the Chabahar port deal.
- Entities considering business deals with Iran are warned about the potential risks of sanctions.
Significance of the U.S. Statement:
- India has been operating at Chabahar’s Shahid Beheshti Terminal despite sanctions, making the U.S. statement significant.
- Previously, a carve-out granted by the Trump administration in 2018 had allowed India to continue its operations at Chabahar.
- The carve-out clause permitted exemptions for humanitarian aid for Iranians and assistance for Afghanistan, provided it was in the national interest of the United States.
Impact on India’s Future Dealings:
- The External Affairs Ministry is yet to comment on the U.S.’s response, but officials are studying it to assess any potential impact on India’s future dealings regarding Chabahar.
- The comments from the U.S. raise questions about whether there will be any change in the U.S. position regarding India’s involvement in Chabahar’s development.
- India had previously complied with U.S. demands to halt oil imports from Iran, indicating its willingness to adhere to U.S. sanctions policies.
Nut Graf: The U.S. State Department raises concerns over India-Iran’s 10-year pact for Chabahar port development, citing potential risks of sanctions, despite previous exemptions. India assesses the implications of its future dealings with Iran.
C. GS 3 Related
Category: INTERNAL SECURITY
1. China-Myanmar module of NSCN-IM helped banned outfits in Manipur: NIA
Syllabus: Role of External State and Non-state Actors in Creating Challenges to Internal Security
Mains: Role of NSCN-IM in Manipur violence
Introduction:
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet in a Guwahati court on March 7 against five accused individuals arrested in Manipur.
- These individuals were apprehended in July of the previous year and were accused of aiding banned Meitei outfits to infiltrate India from the China-Myanmar border region.
- The overarching goal was to exploit ethnic unrest in Manipur and destabilize the state, ultimately aiming to wage war against the Government of India.
Details of the Chargesheet:
- The accused allegedly conspired to carry out violent terror attacks targeting the Kuki-Zo community, utilizing prohibited arms and ammunition looted from various government sources.
- They were found in possession of three weapons and ammunition stolen from police armouries at the time of their arrest.
Involvement of NSCN-IM and China-Myanmar Module:
- The chargesheet implicates the “China-Myanmar module” of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) in supporting the infiltration of Meitei outfits into India.
- NSCN-IM, based in Myanmar, purportedly collaborated with Manipur-based terrorist groups, promising safe passage and providing arms, ammunition, and other resources to carry out attacks.
- The larger agenda was to facilitate the entry of armed cadres into Indian territory and escalate ethnic strife in Manipur.
Activities of the Accused:
- Main accused M. Anand Singh, along with four others, was arrested while dressed in camouflage attire resembling security personnel uniforms.
- Anand Singh allegedly mobilized local youth for armed training and participated in a weapons training camp in July 2023, where young men were trained in handling firearms and jungle warfare.
- The accused’s criminal intent to target the rival community was evidenced by their use of camouflage attire to evade detection by security personnel.
Nut Graf: The NIA chargesheet revealed the China-Myanmar module of NSCN-IM aiding banned Meitei outfits in Manipur, aiming to exploit ethnic unrest, destabilize the state, and wage war against the Government of India.
D. GS 4 Related
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E. Editorials
Category: POLITY
1. Candid notes on the NHRC’s status deferral
Syllabus: GS-2, Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies
Mains: Functioning of NHRC
Context:
- The NHRC was informed of the continuation of its status deferral by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)’s sub-committee on Accreditation (SCA).
- Despite lobbying efforts, the NHRC’s plea to lift the deferral was rejected, though it avoided a downgrade to category ‘B’.
NHRC Chair’s Situation:
- Justice Arun Mishra, the NHRC chairperson, faces uncertainty as his tenure coincides with the deferral, potentially casting doubts on his appointment.
- The NHRC and the government had pushed for the removal of the deferral to maintain India’s ‘A’ status.
Controversy Over NHRC Brochure:
- The NHRC published a brochure, ‘Human Rights 75’, highlighting India’s historical contributions to human rights.
- Mention of the Manusmriti, a controversial ancient text associated with discrimination, in the brochure raised concerns about Justice Mishra’s views and alignment with constitutional values.
- The inclusion of the Manusmriti warrants clarification, considering its contradictory stance on modern human rights principles.
Drifting from Paris Principles:
- The GANHRI’s decision stems from doubts regarding India’s adherence to the Paris Principles, which outline international benchmarks for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
- Despite previous compliance and accreditation with ‘A’ status, ongoing concerns persist, reflecting a potential drift from these principles.
Peer-Reviewed Evaluation:
- The GANHRI evaluation process is peer-reviewed and cannot be disregarded, despite government criticism.
- India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has been vocal in defending India’s human rights record, often highlighting shortcomings in Western nations.
- However, such diplomatic approaches may not have been effective in addressing concerns raised by the GANHRI, as evidenced by the continued deferral.
Government’s Role and NHRC’s Introspection:
- Doubts linger about the government’s attitude towards the NHRC, given the nature of appointments and existing vacancies within the institution.
- The NHRC itself needs to introspect and address underlying issues contributing to the deferral, including potential shortcomings in fulfilling its mandate and upholding human rights principles.
Nut Graf: The NHRC’s continued status deferral by GANHRI raises concerns over India’s adherence to human rights principles. Amid controversies and diplomatic defences, questions persist about the NHRC’s leadership and the government’s commitment to human rights.
Category: HEALTH
1. Rise in public health spending due to States, not Centre
Syllabus: GS-2, Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
Mains: Centre and States Expenditure Trend on Health
Introduction: Overview of Public Health Spending in India
- Historically Low Spending: Public health spending in India has historically been low, hovering around 1% of GDP.
- Recent Increase to Nearly 2%: Recent reports suggest that India’s public health spending is approaching 2% of GDP under the current regime, marking a welcome increase.
Attribution of Increased Spending:
- State vs. Centre Contribution: Despite the overall increase in public health spending, the bulk of this rise is attributed to the states rather than the central government.
- The Shift in Resources: The Union Health Ministry has been transferring a lower share of its resources to the states in recent years, indicating a shift in resource allocation dynamics.
- Budget Allocation Trends: The Centre has reduced the budget for the National Health Mission (NHM) while disproportionately increasing spending on government-funded health insurance schemes (GFHIs).
Comparison and Analysis:
- International Comparisons: Comparisons with other countries reveal India’s significantly lower per capita public health spending, emphasising the need for further improvement.
- Post-Pandemic Trends: Post-pandemic, states have sustained increased health spending, demonstrating commendable efforts despite resource constraints. In contrast, the Centre’s health spending has decreased as a percentage of GDP.
- Impact of GDP Growth: The increase in health investment as a percentage of GDP during the pandemic is partly attributed to negative or low GDP growth, rather than substantial absolute expenditure increases.
Resource Allocation Trends:
- Decline in State Share: The share of resources transferred to states by the Union Health Ministry has declined significantly over the years, indicating increased centralisation of financial resources in health.
- NHM Expenditure: Expenditure on the National Health Mission (NHM) has largely remained stagnant or decreased in recent years, despite its crucial role as a central intervention by the Union government.
- Emphasis on GFHIs: The central government’s emphasis on schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is evident in expenditure patterns, with a notable increase in spending on government-funded health insurance schemes.
Nut Graf: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the deficiencies in India’s health system and the urgent need for increased public investment. While states have responded admirably despite financial constraints, the central government’s contribution has been lacking.
F. Prelims Facts
1. More solar storms brewing after last week’s aurorae as Sun ‘wakes up’
Context:
- Recent vivid aurorae observed globally, even in non-polar regions like Ladakh, indicate heightened solar activity.
- Solar storms, triggered by events on the Sun’s surface, can have significant impacts on Earth, including blackouts, satellite disruptions, and risks to astronauts.
About:
- Aurorae, like those seen recently, result from charged particles emitted during violent events on the Sun.
- These events, such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares, occur as the Sun approaches its peak activity in an 11-year solar cycle.
- The recent geomagnetic storm, on May 10, was the result of three CMEs striking Earth, indicating increased solar activity compared to the previous solar cycle.
- Space weather forecasters, like the Centre of Excellence in Space Sciences India (CESSI), monitor these events to provide early warnings for potential disruptions.
Significance:
- Solar storms can cause power grid disruptions, satellite malfunctions, and GPS inaccuracies, highlighting the importance of understanding and predicting these events.
- Early warnings from space weather forecasters, like CESSI, help mitigate the impacts of geomagnetic storms, as demonstrated by measures taken in high-latitude countries during the recent event.
- Ongoing research aims to improve forecasting capabilities, with instruments like the Aditya-L1 spacecraft providing valuable data from the vantage point of the L1 point in space.
- Data from spacecraft instruments, such as VELC on Aditya-L1 and payloads on other missions like Chandrayaan-2, contribute to understanding solar activity and its effects on Earth and space.
2. NISAR satellite can monitor tectonic movements accurately
Context:
- The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite, set to launch later this year, marks a significant collaboration between NASA and ISRO.
- It boasts groundbreaking capabilities, offering insights into various earth phenomena with unprecedented accuracy.
About:
- NISAR features two bands, S-band and L-band, each contributing unique functionalities.
- The S-band payload is developed by ISRO, while the L-band is a contribution from the U.S., along with the large deployable antenna.
- With a revisit time of approximately 14 to 15 days, NISAR can fully map the earth’s surface twice a month using radar technology.
- Its advanced radar systems can penetrate the ground to a certain depth, allowing for precise monitoring of tectonic movements, water bodies, vegetation cover, and snow distribution.
- Additionally, it aids in tracking agricultural changes, desertification patterns, and climate-related issues, making it an invaluable tool for earth observation and environmental monitoring.
Significance:
- NISAR’s ability to monitor tectonic movements with centimetre accuracy holds immense potential for disaster management and early warning systems.
- Its capacity to measure water bodies and vegetation cover provides crucial data for water resource management, agriculture, and ecosystem monitoring.
- The satellite’s comprehensive earth observation capabilities offer insights into climate change impacts, agricultural productivity, and geological phenomena, benefiting both India and the U.S. in various scientific and societal domains.
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)’s assessment of the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs):
- Accreditation status by GANHRI affects a country’s ability to vote at the UN Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies.
- NHRIs that are assessed as complying with the Paris Principles are accredited with ‘A status’ by GANHRI, while those that partially comply are accredited with ‘B status’.
- Accreditation of the National Human Rights Commission-India (NHRC) has been deferred by GANHRI for two years in a row.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
- One only
- Two only
- All three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: All three statements are correct.
Q2. The Shahid Kalantari port and the Shahid Beheshti port often seen in the news are associated with which of these ports?
- Bandar Abbas Port
- Chabahar Port
- Gwadar Port
- Hambantota Port
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: Chabahar is Iran’s only oceanic port. There are two main ports in Chabahar namely the Shahid Kalantari port and the Shahid Beheshti port.
Q3. Which of these statements with respect to the National Health Mission (NHM) is/are correct?
- NHM was launched by the government of India in 2013, replacing the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission.
- NHM support is provided for the provision of a range of free services related to maternal health, child health, adolescent health, family planning, and universal immunization programme.
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. NHM did not replace the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission, it subsumed the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission.
Q4. NISAR Satellite has been built by which of these space agencies?
- ISRO and JAXA
- NASA, ISRO, ROSCOSMOS
- ISRO and ESA
- ISRO and NASA
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation: NISAR has been built by space agencies of the US and India – NASA and ISRO under a partnership agreement signed in 2014.
Q5. How many among the following are payloads of Aditya-L1?
- SoLEX
- ASPEX
- HEL1OS
Choose the correct answer from the options given:
- One only
- Two only
- All three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: SoLEX and HEL1OS are Remote Sensing Payloads of Aditya-L1 while the Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment is an in-situ payload.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty and powerful. Analysing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, Polity]
- Public spending on health in India has been historically low, which hinders the efficiency of India’s health system. In the light of this statement, suggest measures to increase public expenditure on health. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, Health]
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