CNA 10 Nov 2021:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. Why is MHA tasked to monitor foreign funds for NGOs, asks SC C. GS 3 Related INTERNAL SECURITY 1. ‘GMC to forge solutions to key issues’ ECONOMY 1. Localising the labour force through reservations D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials HEALTH 1. India needs to sign up for life-course immunisation SOCIAL ISSUES 1. There are shades of equality INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Caught in the crossfire F. Prelims Facts 1. New climate pledges barely affect global warming: UN G. Tidbits 1. Snarled supply chains force manufacturing exodus from Asia H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Why is MHA tasked to monitor foreign funds for NGOs, asks SC
Context:
- A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions challenging the amendments to the Foreign Contributions Regulations law in 2020.
- The bench has questioned the government as to why the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and not the Finance Ministry has been tasked to monitor the inflow and subsequent outflow of foreign funds to NGOs under the concerned law.
Background:
- The government had moved certain amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in 2020.
For information on the reasons and provisions of the amendment refer to the following article:
CNA dated Sep 21, 2020: Govt. tables Bill to amend FCRA
- Several NGOs have argued that the amendment severely restricted the use of foreign funds by them for their activities and also restricts their ability to transfer funds to other philanthropic organisations within the country.
Government’s argument:
The government represented by the Solicitor General defended the FCRA and its provisions based on the following arguments.
- There have been Intelligence Bureau (IB) inputs showing the utilization of incoming foreign funds for funding activities that destabilise national peace and security. The inputs even indicated that the money was used to train naxals. The element of national security and integrity of the nation involved in the inflow of foreign funds necessitates the involvement of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the regulation of foreign funding to NGOs.
- The provision to make Aadhaar mandatory for the registration of NGOs will make it easy to identify the recipients of foreign funds.
- The amendments will bring in much-needed transparency and accountability in the functioning of NGOs by letting the government monitor the flow of foreign funds to NGOs.
- The law mandating the NGOs to use foreign funds they receive for the registered purposes or activities — social, educational, religious, cultural and economic — avoids possible misutilization of the funds. The amendment also helps prevent NGOs from acting as “middlemen” between foreign contributors and local, unregistered NGOs.
- The provision to decrease administrative expenses by an organisation to 20% from 50% earlier also helps ensure that a greater part of the foreign funds is actually used by NGOs for their registered objectives.
C. GS 3 Related
1. ‘GMC to forge solutions to key issues’
Context:
- The article examines some major aspects of maritime security for India as discussed by the Indian Navy chief on the sidelines of the ongoing Goa Maritime Conclave.
Major Challenges:
Increasing Chinese presence in IOR:
- From a security perspective, since independence, India has not faced any significant maritime threat. Much of the Indian maritime security focus was in terms of the relatively minor naval threat from Pakistan and non-traditional threats including piracy and terrorism. While these concerns remain, they have been overtaken by worries about China as an emerging IOR power, with a growing footprint in the region.
- China has been expanding its naval assets at a very fast pace. Apart from the increased forays into the IOR (Indian Ocean Region), the Chinese Navy also has a base in Djibouti. This is complemented by China’s growing maritime ties with countries in the IOR and increasing naval presence in the region.
- China’s growing Indian Ocean presence seems to be contesting India’s strategic role in the IOR. It also poses security threats for Indian assets in the region.
- Also in a related development, China has recently exported warships to Pakistan which are to be deployed in the Indian Ocean. This is an indication of the increasingly close military cooperation between Pakistan and China, which analysts see as aimed at bolstering Pakistani capabilities in an effort to balance India in the region.
- The Indian Navy has been closely monitoring the Chinese Navy and its maritime assets deployed in the IOR. In addition, the Indian Navy is also prioritising modernisation and revising operational philosophy to counter the Chinese challenge.
Narco terrorism:
- Available intelligence indicates that there is a flow of drugs from the Makran coast, down to the East coast of Africa, from where it moves to the island nations, which are tourism-dependent economies, and then to Sri Lanka and India and also across the world.
- Thus sea bound drug trafficking is a security threat to India more so in the aftermath of the recent developments in Afghanistan.
- There seems to be a close nexus between drug trafficking and arms smuggling via sea routes in the Indian Ocean.
Efforts of India in the maritime domain:
Naval exercises:
- India has been conducting regular naval exercises with both regional nations and also countries like the U.S., France, etc.
- The Malabar exercise including India, the U.S., Japan and Australia has continuously increased in scope and complexity. Such exercises by ensuring interoperability will allow the nations to coordinate operations seamlessly in case of any contingency or challenge.
Goa Maritime Conclave:
- Goa Maritime Conclave brings together a small group of navies in the immediate neighbourhood, considers common challenges and helps formulate tangible solutions to key issues. The GMC has grown as a platform.
Colombo Security Conclave:
- In order to tackle the threat of sea-bound drug trafficking, India is part of initiatives such as the Colombo Security Conclave, which involves focused operations with countries that are affected by drug trafficking.
Logistics agreements:
- India has signed logistics support agreements with several countries, including the U.S., Australia and Japan.
- Military logistics agreements are merely administrative arrangements between strategic partners that would facilitate replenishment of fuel, rations, and spare parts, as well as berthing and maintenance for each other’s warships, military aircraft, and troops during port visits and joint exercises, on a reciprocal basis.
- The Navy stands to benefit from these agreements as they will help acquire much-needed reach and sustenance for the Indian navy.
Mission Based Deployments (MBD):
- India started Mission Based Deployments for the navy in 2017.
- The Mission Based Deployments concept involves deploying mission-ready ships and aircraft at major and sensitive locations like critical sea lanes of communications and choke points to protect India’s maritime interests.
- The MBD concept ensures Indian ships are on regular deployment in key areas in the IOR. This helps the Indian Navy increase their familiarity with the area of operation, helps assure friendly nations by being available for response in any situation and also helps the Indian Navy establish its credibility as a net security provider in the IOR.
Other efforts:
- India has been collaborating and cooperating with other nations in the IOR in the domain of information-sharing, hydrographic cooperation, maritime law enforcement, training, opportunities in disaster response, crisis management, etc.
1. Localising the labour force through reservations
Context:
- In the light of the Haryana Government notifying a law reserving 75% jobs for locals and other similar efforts in states such as Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh, the article examines the possible negative outfall of such a development.
This issue has been previously discussed in the following article:
CNA dated Nov 8, 2021: Haryana law on local hiring causes concern
D. GS 4 Related
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E. Editorials
1. India needs to sign up for life-course immunisation
Background of Vaccination In India
- In 1798, the first smallpox vaccine was released.
- In 1978, India launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality from diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and childhood TB.
- Following the outbreaks of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in 2005-06, India initiated widespread JE immunisation campaigns in endemic regions, including adults.
- During the H1N1 pandemic in 2009-10, there was a limited usage of Swine Flu vaccinations for health professionals.
Lessons from COVID-19 Vaccination Drive:
- Government institutions administered 93 per cent to 95 per cent of total vaccine injections in the COVID-19 immunisation.
- The COVID-19 vaccinations are the first to be recommended for all adults.
Why is there a need for adult vaccination?
- In India, there has been a lack of attention on systematic adult immunisation initiatives.
- Adult immunisation was not mentioned in India’s National Vaccine Policy, which was announced in 2011.
- In India, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) avoided making any recommendations for the general public, with the exception of immunisation of health workers as high-risk groups, hepatitis B vaccine, and so on.
- In India, the private sector’s contribution to adult immunisation is negligible, and its influence is unknown.
- The burden of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) in adult age groups is largely unexplored.
- There is growing scientific evidence of declining immunity and the necessity for booster doses of vaccinations given to children in the adult age range.
- As a result, the immunisation programmes’ coverage and benefits must be increased to include the identified high-risk adult group.
Concerns associated with Vaccination
- According to a study of available data, greater childhood vaccination coverage has resulted in proportionally more VPD cases in the older age groups.
- Vaccines do not provide comprehensive protection to all children and other age groups.
- There are wide inequities in vaccine coverage in children by geography, gender, parent’s education and family’s socio-economic status.
- In India, most available vaccinations have a low coverage rate among adults.
Solutions to Adult Vaccination:
- Expansion of NTAGI mandate to adult vaccination: NTAGI may begin by reviewing existing scientific information and making adult immunisation recommendations in India. To make the procedure easier, an NTAGI sub-group on adult immunisation can be formed.
- Strengthening VPD Surveillance System: The VPD surveillance system, as well as the ability to record, publish, and analyse disease burden and vaccination coverage data, must be improved. The analysis of vaccination coverage and VPD surveillance data by age and other associated stratifiers must be prioritised.
- Capacity Building: It is necessary to increase the ability of research and academic institutions to perform operational research, including cost-benefit analyses, and to lead evidence-based choices. NTAGI can employ such analysis and evidence in its decision-making processes.
- Initiation of India’s national adult vaccination policy: Any Adult Vaccination strategy should also take into account the lessons learned from the ongoing COVID-19 immunisation campaign. The policy should concentrate on finding answers to India’s adult immunisation problem.
- Vaccine Security: The vaccination supply is in danger and it is vulnerable. The current public sector vaccine manufacturing facilities in India should be restored, and more should be built, to assure vaccine security and adult vaccination readiness in the future.
- Strengthening Adult Health Policy: India must establish processes to assess the need for adult vaccination and make policy decisions on adult vaccination. Besides, India should also enable adults to make educated decisions about whether they want to get currently available vaccinations.
- Expansion of Universal Immunization Programme Plus: As part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme Plus, it’s time to prepare for and enhance the advantages of vaccinations for all age groups. One meaningful step in this regard may be to develop and create a national adult immunisation policy and plan for India.
Conclusion
- The COVID-19 vaccination drive provides a chance to assess the current state of adult immunisation and look ahead to the future.
- Adult immunisation should be included in various training programmes and graduate and postgraduate teaching curricula.
- Initiatives should be conducted to educate the general public, healthcare professionals, and members of professional associations about the current vaccinations available for adults.
- This can assist individuals in making educated decisions and healthcare practitioners in sharing information with residents.
Additional Information
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs)
- Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) are bacterial and viral infections that can be avoided using vaccinations.
- VPDs can be transmitted by a variety of means, including the air, respiratory droplets, and body contact. Measles, for example, is a highly infectious illness.
- Mission Indradhanush provides vaccination against 12 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD).
- The VPDs covered under Mission Indradhanush are Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus, Polio, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Meningitis and Pneumonia, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B infections, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Rotavirus Vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and Measles-Rubella (MR).
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Universal Immunization Programme
- The Universal Immunization Programme is an integral part of the National Rural Health Mission and it is taken as one of the largest public health programmes.
- Universal Immunization Programme was launched in 1985 after renaming the expanded immunization programme of 1978.
- In 1997, the Universal Immunization Programme became a part of the National Reproductive and Child Health Programme.
- Total of 12 vaccine-preventable diseases are covered against which free immunization is provided:
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Measles
- Rubella, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis B
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia caused by Haemophilus Influenzae type B
- Rotavirus diarrhoea
- Pneumococcal Pneumonia and
- Japanese Encephalitis
1. There are shades of equality
Context:
Recently, there was controversy around the award of scholarships to minority students in Kerala.
Background:
- In 2015, the Kerala government issued an executive order guaranteeing scholarships to minorities.
- Among it, Muslim students received 80% of the scholarships, while Latin Catholics and converted Christians received 20%.
- The Kerala High Court overturned this order in Justine Pallivathukkal v. State of Kerala (2021), ruling that all minorities should be treated equally.
- The government said that their policy was based on the Sachar Committee report and the Kerala Padana report on Muslim disadvantages.
- Furthermore, research on prejudice in the labour and housing sectors show that Muslims face significant barriers to employment and housing.
Affirmative Action and Reasonable Accommodation:
- The practice of awarding differential scholarships to minority students is considered affirmative action.
- Affirmative Action and Reasonable Accommodation is the concept of treating students at separate levels so that they might receive assistance in catching up to those ahead of them.
- The goal is to make it easier for students from these areas to study and to minimise inequities between them.
- As a result, allocating a bigger percentage of scholarships to Muslims is warranted.
Role of the Judiciary in Equalising Access
- By adopting a blind equality approach, the High Court barred an allocation that was responsive to socioeconomic conditions.
- The rationale of the High Court argues that access to affirmative action benefits must be based on a method that ignores the relative backwardness of various populations.
- This is contrary to the constitutional and reasonable notion of equality, which must take into account social differences.
- As the Supreme Court rightly noted in B. K. Pavitra v. Union of India (2019), “For equality to be truly effective or substantive, the principle must recognise existing inequalities in society to overcome them.”
- It’s critical that the Supreme Court corrects the High Court’s mistakes. This case will have far-reaching implications for constitutional law.
Way Forward
- The different kinds of backwardness of a community must be considered while awarding scholarship schemes.
- Any other scheme defeats the purpose of offering scholarships to students from minority communities.
- The caste system is a manifestation of graduated inequality, according to one of Ambedkar’s big ideas.
- Even while identifying impoverished castes or groups, we must keep in mind the many types of inequality and hierarchy that exist among them.
- Once the recipients of affirmative action measures have been identified, we must treat everyone equally, regardless of any inequities or hierarchies that exist between them.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Context
An Indian fisherman was killed in firing by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) off the Gujarat coast.
Background
- According to the National Fishworkers Forum, there are 558 Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails, and 74 from Pakistan in Indian prisons.
- Consular access to those in prison is difficult.
- In 2007, both countries formed a joint judicial committee comprising eight retired judges to facilitate the exchange of civilian prisoners.
- The mechanism has been defunct since 2013, and attempts to revive it in 2018 did not bear fruit.
- There are frequent conflicts over fishing rights along the International Maritime Boundary Line between India-Pakistan.
Concerns of Fishermen
- Fishermen often get caught in the fluctuating fate of the bilateral relations between the two countries, which is currently at a low.
- It is a tragedy that ordinary people could end up in a foreign prison while trying to earn their livelihood.
- Even fishermen venturing near the India-Sri Lanka maritime border often fall victim though both countries maintain cordial bilateral ties.
- Pakistan has aggressively sponsored violence in India, and terrorists trained by its agencies sailed in a hijacked Indian fishing boat in 2008 to Mumbai.
- Many Indian villages along the borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh are also theatres of conflict, as communities often find it difficult to reconcile with international borders that divide their traditional spheres of economic and social activities.
Conclusion
- This is a humanitarian issue, and India and Pakistan must work together to resolve it.
- Furthermore, both countries must avoid escalating tensions as a result of the recent occurrence.
For more related information on the above topic refer to the following article:
UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis of 28 Apr 2021: A ceaseless plight
F. Prelims Facts
1. New climate pledges barely affect global warming: UN
- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s Emissions Gap Report 2021 noted that the world is on track for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century while the Paris climate agreement had envisaged limiting temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- The assessment of new emission pledges made at the ongoing COP26 climate summit, by the UNEP notes that they will do little to slow global warming.
- UNEP pointed that while emissions must fall 45% by 2030 to keep temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius, the member countries’ renewed NDCs would see emissions climb 13.7% by 2030 before sharply declining thereafter.
- Noting that the most ambitious emission cuts are envisaged after 2030, the UN has called on nations to sharply accelerate their greenhouse gas cuts this decade.
G. Tidbits
1. Snarled supply chains force manufacturing exodus from Asia
- Major clothing and shoe companies are moving production to countries closer to their U.S. and European stores, owing to the resurgence in COVID-19 cases in Vietnam and China and subsequent slowing or shutting down of production.
- There has been a massive shipping logjam that is driving up logistic costs and forcing companies to rethink their globe-spanning supply chains and low-cost manufacturing hubs in Asia.
- Fashion and shoe retailers are relocating production to the Balkans and Latin America from their production centres in Asia.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q.1 Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- LeadIT (Leadership Group for Industry transition) is an initiative to achieve the adoption of the best cyber security standards in the IT industry.
- It was launched by India and Sweden along with the World Economic Forum in 2019.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- LeadIT (Leadership Group for Industry transition) was launched by India and Sweden along with the World Economic Forum in 2019.
- It is a voluntary initiative to create a low carbon transition especially in the industries like Iron & Steel, Aluminium, Cement and Concrete, petrochemicals, fertilizers, bricks, heavy duty transport, along with the engagement of private sectors.
- The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by the industries. The industrial sector contributes around 30% of the total CO2 emissions.
Q.2 India organised the ‘Ganga Connect’ exhibition in which city?
- New Delhi
- Varanasi
- Glasgow
- Osaka
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- The Indian Union Environment Minister inaugurated the Ganga Connect Exhibition at Glasgow during the ongoing COP26.
- The Ganga Connect exhibition centres on the purpose of preserving and protecting the river basin and its ecological components and brings more awareness about the same. This exhibition presents all the developments in the Ganga river basin on the global platform.
- This exhibition portrays river Ganga as a major lab for global technology and the entire scientific community to come up with environment-friendly solutions.
Q.3 National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA) was established to fulfil which provision of the Indian Constitution?
- Article 20
- Article 39A
- Article 123
- Article 224
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA) was established to fulfil provisions of Article 39A of the Indian Constitution.
- Article 39A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society and ensures justice for all.
- In the year 1987, the Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted by the Parliament which aims to establish a nationwide uniform network for providing free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society on the basis of equal opportunity.
- The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to monitor and evaluate the implementation of legal aid programmes and to lay down policies and principles for making legal services available under the Act.
Q.4 India and Israel have recently entered into a Bilateral Innovation Agreement (BIA) to promote -
- Development of dual use technologies
- Development of next-generation COVID-19 vaccines
- Innovation in agriculture and irrigation
- Deployment of cyber defence tools
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Recently India and Israel have signed a Bilateral Innovation Agreement for the development of dual use technologies.
- Dual use goods are products and technologies normally used for civilian purposes but which may have military applications. Hence “dual-use” refers to technology that can be used for both peaceful and military aims.
- The agreement will help promote startups and generate technology in the areas of Drones, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Photonics, Biosensing, Brain Machine, Natural Language Processing, etc.
Q.5 With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements: (UPSC-2019)
- Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of ‘indentured labour’.
- In Lord Chelmsford’s ‘War Conference’, Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.
- Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the indentured (meaning contract) labour system in the British Empire.
- In Lord Chelmsford’s ‘War Conference’, Mahatma Gandhi supported the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War I. He believed that this support will help India gain the trust of the British Empire and also help attain swaraj.
- Gandhi undertook the Dandi March in 1930 protesting against the salt law of 1882. He broke the salt law at Dandi on April 6, 1930. Consequent to the breaking of the Salt Law by the Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Urgent Police reforms will go a long way in solving the lacunae of the Indian judicial system as well. Discuss. (15 marks, 250 words)(GS Paper 3/Internal Security)
- The government needs to strike a balance between the welfare functions of NGOs and their ability to hinder the nation’s progress. Do you agree? Elucidate with examples. (15 marks, 250 words)(GS Paper 2/Polity and Governance)
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CNA 10 Nov 2021:- Download PDF Here
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