CNA 09 Nov 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related POLITY 1. Should the age of consent be changed for adolescents? C. GS 3 Related ENVIRONMENT 1. Nicobar project gets assent for diversion of 130 sq. km of forest D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials SECURITY 1. ‘No consensus’ is derailing counter-terror diplomacy POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. After the dust, a clearer picture of Agnipath’s direction F. Prelims Facts 1. Vikram-S rocket 2. New crab species found in T.N. G. Tidbits 1. Kerala to amend IPC to curb ‘printing of indecent matter’ 2. CSIR-NGRI to install early warning system against floods, rockslides, and avalanches in Himalayan States H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
1. Should the age of consent be changed for adolescents?
Syllabus: Constitution of India — significant provisions
Prelims: About POCSO Act, IPC and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act
Mains: Critical evaluation of the existing provisions of laws such as the IPC, POCSO Act and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
Context
The High Court of Karnataka has said that the Law Commission of India must rethink the age criterion for having consensual sexual intercourse under various laws such as the IPC and the POCSO Act.
Details
- The Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court said that the court has been encountering many cases wherein minor girls above the age of 16 and below 18 have eloped with a boy due to fear of opposition from parents.
- As per a study, the families of these eloped girls file a case against the boys who are booked on rape charges under the POCSO Act and abduction with the intent to marry under IPC and/or the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
Existing stringent terms and provisions
- As per the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), an individual who is found to have committed a penetrative sexual assault on a child i.e. anyone below 18 years of age can be punished with imprisonment of seven years and more, can be extended to imprisonment for life and can also be liable to fine.
- The most used sections and provisions of these Acts are:
- Section 366 of the IPC: Deals with kidnapping, abducting, illicit intercourse or inducing a woman to compel her marriage.
- Section 6 of the POCSO Act: This section provides for stringent punishment for individuals who have committed aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
- Section 9 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006: This section also mentions rigorous imprisonment for punishing male adults for marrying a child.
- Further, under the POCSO Act, a girl is considered a “child” even if she is 16 years old and therefore her consent does not matter, and any sexual intercourse is considered and treated as rape thereby attracting strict punishments.
Read more about – Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act)
The need for a rethinking of age criterion
- According to various reports, the stringent provisions of these acts and laws have been misused and there have also been many instances in recent years when the courts have dismissed such criminal proceedings after being convinced that the law was being misused to suit one or the other party.
- The Karnataka High Court in its recent order has opined that the effect of such criminal prosecution of minor girls or boys is causing severe distress to all concerned.
- A study titled “Why Girls Run Away To Marry – Adolescent Realities and Socio-Legal Responses in India”, published by the Partners for Law in Development in 2019, recommended lowering the age of consent to lesser than the age of marriage to decriminalise sex among older adolescents in order to protect individuals from the misuse of the law.
- According to the study, parents who intend to exercise control over who their daughters are willing to marry, file cases against boys who are then booked under the stringent provisions of the IPC, POCSO Act or the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
Way forward
- In the Vijaylakshmi v/s State Rep case (2021), the Madras High Court, while quashing a POCSO case, held that the definition of ‘child’ under Section 2(d) of the POCSO Act can be redefined as 16 instead of 18.
- The court also recommended that the age difference in consensual relationships should not be more than five years to ensure that adolescent girls are not taken advantage of by an individual who is much older.
- The Karnataka High Court also pointed out that there have been several instances where these offences under the IPC or POCSO Act, are deemed to have been committed on account of lack of knowledge on the part of the minor girl and the boy.
- This mandates raising awareness among adolescents about the stringent provisions of the existing laws and regulations.
- At a time when courts and activists have recommended amending the existing stringent provisions, a parliamentary committee is looking to increase the minimum age of marriage for women to 21 years through the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
- Activists believe that increasing the age might complicate the issue rather than help the community.
Nut graf: Acknowledging that there has been an increase in the instances of misuse of stringent provisions of laws such as the POCSO Act and the IPC, the Karnataka High Court has urged the Law Commission of India to consider the ground realities and rethink the age criteria under these laws and has also suggested that adolescents must be made aware of these provisions.
C. GS 3 Related
1. Nicobar project gets assent for diversion of 130 sq. km of forest
Syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Mains: Diversion of forest land in Great Nicobar Island, compensatory measures and its associated concerns.
Context
The Environment Ministry has provided assent for the diversion of forest land on Great Nicobar Island for the development of a mega project.
Details
- The Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry has provided a Stage 1 clearance for the diversion of about 130.75 sq. km of forest on Great Nicobar Island for the development of a mega project worth ₹72,000 crores which is being implemented by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO).
- The project includes a transhipment port, an airport, a power plant and a greenfield township.
- The area which is being diverted consists of about 15% of the thickly forested Great Nicobar Island that spreads over 900 sq. km and it will be one of the largest single such forest diversions in recent times.
- The latest diversion of the land is close to 25% of all the forest land diverted in the last three years across the country and nearly 65% of the 203 sq. km of forest land diverted in the period between 2015-18.
- As per the estimates of the Ministry, over 8.5 lakh trees will have to be cut in the region for the purpose of the project.
Compensatory afforestation
- One of the key conditions mentioned for the clearance is the submission of a detailed scheme for compensatory afforestation, which must be undertaken in “non-notified forest land” in Haryana.
- Conditions also include earmarking of an amount of ₹3,672 crores for the environment management plan (EMP) for the construction and operation phase of the project.
- The final environmental impact assessment (EIA) report of the project prepared in March 2022 had estimated the cost of this compensatory afforestation to be ₹970 crores which was accepted by the Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).
- However, the final EIA report has mentioned that the compensatory afforestation of about 260 sq km (twice the diversion area) would be undertaken in Madhya Pradesh but there is a lack of clarity on how it was changed to Haryana.
Read about – CAMPA Law
Cause of concerns
- Construction of a mega project in the region has caused severe concerns as Great Nicobar Island has one of the best preserved tropical forests in the world and is home to over 650 species of flora and nearly 330 species of fauna.
- The diversification of the forest land will impact the survival and existence of endemic species of the region such as the Nicobar paradise flycatcher, the Nicobar megapode, the Nicobar shrew, the Nicobar long-tailed macaque and the Great Nicobar crested serpent eagle.
- Experts and activists also question how the loss of virgin tropical forests with endemic and endangered species can be compensated by artificial tree plantations in Haryana which is a faraway place.
- Experts also point out that Haryana has one of the highest rates of diversion of its own forest land despite the forest cover in the State being very less.
- As per reports, Haryana has diverted over 80 sq. km of its forest between 2014-15 and 2016-17 which was the highest in the country in that period.
- Further, Haryana has also been criticised in the past for its unwise utilization of compensatory afforestation funds as it has focused more on plantations and failed to increase the forest area.
- Additionally, activists have highlighted that the ministry while proving clearance has neglected various clauses of the Forest Conservation Rules and Guidelines in the de-reservation process and also the Supreme Court order of no further de-reservation of forests/sanctuaries/national parks.
Nut graf: The approval for the diversion of forest land in the Great Nicobar Island for the development of a mega project has gained significance and become controversial as the diversion of forest land in the region threatens the region’s pristine evergreen tropical forests, high biological diversity and high endemism which are difficult to compensate.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. ‘No consensus’ is derailing counter-terror diplomacy
Syllabus: Linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Mains: Challenges of terrorism.
Context: Counter-terror diplomacy of India.
Details:
- India hosted a special session of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (UNSC-CTC) in October 2022 in Mumbai and New Delhi. The aim of the session was to focus on new and emerging technologies.
- To give a greater push to counter-terror diplomacy, India has planned a series of events:
- It will host the third edition of the “No Money For Terror” (NMFT) conference. The conference would deliberate on tackling modes of terror financing in the future.
- India will also chair a special briefing on the “Global Counter-Terrorism Architecture” in December as India will take the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council.
For more information on UNSC-CTC, read here: AIR Spotlight: UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee
Existing Challenges:
- “Global War on Terrorism” (GWOT) has ended as the United States (U.S.) negotiated with the Taliban and ultimately withdrew from Afghanistan.
- GWOT was conceived by U.S. post-9/11 attack.
- However, it is often argued that GWOT was built on an unequal campaign because when India asked for such a step post the IC-814 hijacking in 1999, it did not receive any support from the U.S., the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Pakistan who were later hit by the same terrorists.
- Pakistan enjoyed the role of the U.S.’s ally and China’s “iron friend” and got support from them in matters of UNSC designation of terrorists that threatened India the most (Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed). India received maximum global cooperation only in terms of economic strictures by placing Pakistan on the ‘grey list’ of the Financial Action Task Force.
- However, Pakistan was moved off the list in October 2022 highlighting that the punishment of Pakistan has been done away with.
- There was a weak reaction by the international community to the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. This demonstrates increasing fatigue in tackling “another country’s problem”.
- Counter-terrorism cooperations and regimes like UNSC Resolutions 1267, 1373, etc are rendered toothless and outdated. This would further become less cooperative for India in the future.
- Another major challenge is the growing global polarization on the Russia-Ukraine war. This has shifted the focus from terrorism to the blur definition of terrorism. For instance, the CTC meeting in New Delhi was disrupted as Russia claimed that the U.K. helped Ukraine to launch attacks on its naval fleet (in Sevastopol) and equated it to a terrorist attack.
- The polarization has also rendered UNSC (an organization tasked with global peace) paralyzed. For example, UNSC could not pass any meaningful resolutions in the past few months as Russia or western countries vetoes them. China blocked nearly five terror designations requested by India and the U.S.
- UNSC has lost the biggest opportunity in moving forward with India’s proposal for the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) since 1996.
- Every conference makes an agenda for passing CCIT, but very little progress has been made in this direction.
- The actual issues like the definition of terrorism, concerns over human rights law, and the old debate on ‘freedom fighter vs terrorist’ are still unresolved.
- Even though several changes have been made by India in the draft, consensus on the convention has still not been achieved.
Upcoming Challenges:
- The use of emerging technologies and weaponization poses threats to the future.
- Drones are already in use to deliver drugs, funds, arms and ammunition, and even improvised explosive devices.
- There is also a fear about the use of biowarfare, and Gain-of-Function (GoF) research to mutate viruses and vectors that could be easily released into targeted populations.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) systems and robotic soldiers would make it easier to launch anonymous mass attacks.
- Bitcoins and cryptocurrency can be used for terror financing.
- Social media, the dark web, and gaming centres have the potential to provide easy communication for terrorist activities.
Drivers of strife in the future:
- There should be a global consensus on regulating the use of these emergent technologies by all responsible states as it will be hard to distinguish between attacks by designated terror entities, or state-sponsored activities. There should be a clear distinction between the establishment supported by countries like Pakistan, Iran, and North Korea and the drone strikes by North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia. This should also have the potential to categorize activities like disabling electric grids in other countries.
- There are no globally accepted norms on the response to such attacks. Without a consensus on the definition of terrorism, no war against it can be truly global.
- Food and energy shortages, global inequity, pandemics, and climate change will be major drivers of strife and violence in the coming future. However, countries across the world are distracted by narrow political differences and territorial disputes.
- Terrorist attacks in the future will become more lethal, and anonymous and will require fewer people.
Also read: United Nations Security Council Reforms
Nut Graf: There is a lack of consensus across the world in the context of terrorism. The new and emerging technologies will further increase the challenge. India should take responsibility and strengthen counter-terrorism diplomacy in the upcoming events.
Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. After the dust, a clearer picture of Agnipath’s direction
Syllabus: Government policies and interventions.
Mains: Agnipath scheme.
Prelims: Agnipath scheme.
Details:
- Under the Agnipath scheme nearly 50,000 soldiers – ‘Agniveers’ will be recruited every year. The majority of recruits will be in service for four years and only 25% will be retained in service for the next 15 years, as permanent cadres.
- The recruitment rallies saw a positive response both among boys and girls and the first batch of Agniveers are on the way to their training centres.
- The merits or demerits of any policy should be debated and feedback generated should be used to make it more robust.
- Just like the cloud of dust that rose after the announcement of the Agnipath scheme, the HR policies of the government in the past have also attracted controversies. For instance, in 1998, when the retirement age for all central government employees (including armed forces personnel) was raised by two years, a similar hue and cry was observed.
Changes in training and bonding aspects:
- The old training system and methodologies have become irrational in the present scenario. The training duration should be optimized.
- Earlier the standard of education was low and even the threshold of technical knowledge was low, so a longer training period was justified.
- Nowadays, the youth are technologically savvy. The foreign service chiefs and delegations have also shown affirmation of this aspect while formulating the Agnipath scheme.
- Bonding and esprit de corps is another aspect that was discussed at length. Agniveers should be welcomed, moulded, and made a part of the team by their superiors.
- It should also be noted that most gallantry award winners have had a younger profile. This highlights that young soldiers have more risk-taking abilities.
Other aspects of the scheme:
- The lateral absorption aspect of the scheme was also deliberated while formulating it.
- It implies the absorption of Agniveers after four years into the Central Armed Police Forces, State police, and even in other Ministries.
- Since the first batch of Agniveers would be released only after four years, the issue would be considered later.
- Various ministries will have to identify vacancies and make amendments to their respective service rules like age, ante-date benefit, etc.
- The aspects of pension and medical cover are under immediate consideration.
- As a consequence of the public outcry on the resettlement of demobilized Agniveers, the Home Ministry and various state governments announced 10% lateral induction. This will give certainty and urgency to the legal and non-discriminatory revisions of the policy.
Conclusion:
- According to a United Nations report, India has the youngest population in the world. This can be turned into a demographic dividend if it is disciplined and imbued with nationalistic fervour. This was the essence of formulating the Agnipath scheme.
- The scheme will benefit the individual, the armed forces, and ultimately the nation.
- Though the scheme has some teething troubles, it should be remembered that even the Constitution of India has undergone 105 amendments.
- With mid-course corrections and collective resolve to make it a success, all issues can be addressed.
Also read: AIR Spotlight – Agnipath Defence Scheme
Nut Graf: The basic intent behind the Agnipath scheme is to benefit not only the youth of the country but also the armed forces and the Nation. There are some issues in the policies that can be solved in due course of time to make it a huge success.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS3; Science and Technology; Achievements of Indians and awareness in the field of Space
Prelims: About Vikram-S rocket and Prarambh space mission
Context
The Vikram-S rocket is poised to create history as it is gearing up for launch from Sriharikota.
Vikram-S rocket
- Vikram-S is India’s first-ever privately developed rocket.
- The rocket has been named “Vikram” as a tribute to Vikram Sarabhai who is a renowned scientist and the founder of the Indian space program.
- Vikram-S rocket is a single-stage sub-orbital launch vehicle.
- Sub-orbital launch vehicles are those which travel slower than the orbital velocity i.e they travel fast enough to reach outer space but not fast enough to stay in an orbit around the Earth.
- At present, the Vikram rockets are being developed in such a way that they use solid and cryogenic fuels and are capable of carrying about 290 kg to 560 kg payloads to sun-synchronous polar orbits.
- Vikram-S rocket has been developed by the Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace and is set to be launched as part of the “Prarambh Space Mission”.
- Space missions in the country have been undertaken only by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) till now and Prarambh Space Mission will be the first-ever space launch by a private company.
- The Prarambh space mission aims to carry three payloads into space which include a 2.5-kilogram payload developed by students from several countries.
- The Vikram-S rocket and Prarambh mission have been developed by Skyroot Aerospace with extensive support from ISRO and IN-SPACe.
2. New crab species found in T.N.
Syllabus: GS3; Environment and Biodiversity
Prelims: Newly discovered crab species
Context
Researchers have discovered a new species of crab in the mangroves of Parangipettai near the Vellar river estuary in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu.
Details
- The new species of estuarine crab discovered in Tamil Nadu has been named Pseudohelice annamalai as a mark of recognition of the “Annamalai University” which has completed 100 years of service in education and research.
- This is said to be the first-ever record of the genus, Pseudohelice in the intertidal areas and to date, only two species namely Pseudohelice subquadrata and Pseudohelice latreillii have been confirmed within this genus.
- The discovered species is found around the Indian subcontinent and the eastern Indian Ocean.
- Pseudohelice annamalai is marked by dark purple to dark grey colouring, with irregular light brown, yellowish brown, or white patches on the posterior carapace with light brown chelipeds.
- Pseudohelice annamalai inhabits muddy banks of mangroves and links the distribution gap between the western Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.
- The newly discovered species also provides additional evidence of the geographic isolation of the eastern Indian Ocean for some marine organisms.
G. Tidbits
1. Kerala to amend IPC to curb ‘printing of indecent matter’
Image source: The Hindu
- Kerala has proposed to introduce legislation similar to the Odisha and Tamil Nadu governments to amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and introduce provisions to curb the printing, publishing and distribution of “grossly indecent or scurrilous manner or matter intended for blackmail”.
- The draft Bill defines the term “scurrilous” as any matter which is likely to be injurious to morality or is calculated to injure any person.
- The draft Bill covers scurrilous matters printed or published in relation to a public servant in the discharge of his public functions or with respect to his character and conduct.
- Further, the draft Bill also covers those who print or cause to be printed in any newspaper, periodical or circular, or exhibits or causes to be exhibited, to public view any picture or printed or written document “which is grossly indecent, or is scurrilous or intended for blackmail”.
- The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has initiated field studies to install an early-warning system in the Himalayan States against major and sudden floods, rockslides, landslips, glacier lake bursts and avalanches to prevent Chamoli kind of disasters in future.
- Scientists are working on systems which can detect less intense natural disasters as currently the systems are equipped to detect only major events through geophysical and seismological observations.
- The scientists have identified a few locations in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand for “densification” of seismometers and river gauges to take the total number to 100 from 60 and the objective is to monitor the river flows in specific areas along the catchment and detect a sudden rise in water levels that can cause hazards.
- Scientists have decided to take cognisance of the vibrations or “noise” recorded by the seismometers, which need not be due to earthquakes but can also be because of vehicular traffic, animal movement, rain, river flows and so on.
- These instruments can play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of large infrastructure projects and hydroelectric power plants in this region.
- The NGRI has also started using and adopting advanced technologies such as Machine Learning to help them in the detection of hazards in a faster manner.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with regard to India’s space programme: (Level – Easy)
- So far, no privately developed satellite launch vehicle has been used in India.
- ISRO has launched private satellites in the past using its own launch vehicle.
- ISRO has also launched multiple satellites made by students.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, So far, no privately developed satellite launch vehicle has been used in India.
- The Vikram-S rocket is poised to create history as it will be India’s first-ever privately developed rocket.
- Statement 2 is correct, ISRO has launched several private satellites in the past using its own launch vehicles.
- Statement 3 is correct, ISRO has also launched multiple satellites made by students.
Q2. Consider the following statements: (Level – Difficult)
- Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that can control a wide range of weeds, whether broadleaf or grassy.
- There are nine glyphosate-based formulations containing different concentrations of the chemical registered for use under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- In India, the only GM crop officially under commercial cultivation today is Bt cotton.
Choose the correct code:
- Only one statement is correct
- Only two statements are correct
- All three statements are correct
- None of the statements is correct
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that can control a wide range of weeds, whether broadleaf or grassy.
- Statement 2 is correct, There are nine glyphosate-based formulations containing different concentrations of the chemical registered for use under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- These are approved largely for weed control in tea gardens and non-crop areas such as railway tracks or playgrounds.
- Statement 3 is correct, Bt cotton is the only genetically modified (GM) crop that has been approved for commercial cultivation in 2002 by the Government of India.
Q3. Which of the following best defines Greenwashing? (Level – Easy)
- Giving a false picture of the progress being made on the climate change front
- Water-logging the forests intentionally to increase the green cover
- Making minor changes in drug compositions to renew the patent
- The practice of increasing green cover over water bodies
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Greenwashing is the technique of creating a false image or presenting misleading information about how a company’s products are better for the environment. Greenwashing is defined as making an unfounded claim in order to mislead customers into believing that a company’s products are ecologically beneficial.
Q4. Which of the following ministries conducts the mother tongue survey of
India? (Level – Easy)
- Ministry of Culture
- Ministry of Communications
- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- Ministry of Home Affairs
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Mother Tongue Survey of India is a project that “surveys the mother tongues, which are returned consistently across two and more Census decades”.
- It also documents the linguistic features of the selected languages.
- Mother Tongue Survey of India is undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Q5. Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop? (Level – Easy) PYQ (2021)
- Sugarcane
- Sunflower
- Pearl Millet
- Red Gram
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Sugarcane is considered to be the least water-efficient crop as it requires about 1800-2200 mm/season water.
- Sunflower’s water requirement is estimated to be 672.4 mm/season.
- Pearl millet is a drought-tolerant crop and its water requirement is close to 350 mm/season.
- Red gram uses about 250-400 mm/season of water.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- The hard reality, especially for India, is that the future of counter-terrorism cooperation is going to be less cooperative, with counter-terror regimes rendered toothless. Explain the statement with relevant examples. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS3, Security]
- Should the age of consent be changed for adolescents? Critically examine. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS2, Polity]
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 09 Nov 2022:- Download PDF Here
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