CNA 22 Sep 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related GOVERNANCE 1. Notified rules of the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 C. GS 3 Related ECONOMY 1. Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Solar Cells 2. PLI scheme for manufacturing of semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystems D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials POLITY 1. The ambit of fraternity and the wages of oblivion ECONOMY 1. Trade tactics F. Prelims Facts 1. Hybrid propulsion system 2. Shrinkflation G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
1. Notified rules of the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022
Syllabus: Government policies and Interventions
Mains: CrPC Reforms
Context: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently notified the rules governing the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022.
The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022:
- The Act was passed in March 2022 by the Parliament which seeks to repeal the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920.
- The legislation would enable police and central investigating agencies to collect, store and analyse physical and biological samples including retina and iris scans of arrested persons.
- This Act has attracted extensive debates in the parliament and across the nation raising significant concerns pertaining to Fundamental Rights and the checks and balances that are ensured by the government to prevent the misuse of the law.
- Until rules are notified, an Act cannot be implemented or come into force.
Read more on The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022.
Nut Graf: The Act expands the scope of information the government can collect from the convicts, arrested persons and other persons such as habitual offenders with the objective of improving the conviction rate in the country, protecting the human rights of citizens and conveying a strong message of action against crime in the society.
C. GS 3 Related
1. Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Solar Cells
Syllabus: Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Mains: PLI Schemes
Context: The Union Cabinet recently cleared a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to incentivise the manufacture of domestic solar cell modules.
Background:
- India has a target of setting up 175 GW capacity of renewable energy by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030.
- To achieve this target, around 25 GW of solar energy capacity is needed to be installed every year, till 2030.
- In November 2020, the Union Cabinet approved the introduction of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for 10 key sectors, for enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities and exports under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- The PLI scheme for ‘High Efficiency Solar PV Modules’ is one of those 10 sectors.
- Solar capacity addition currently depends largely upon imported solar PV cells and modules as the domestic manufacturing industry has limited operational annual capacities of around 2,500 MW for solar PV cells and 9,000-10,000 MW for solar PV modules.
Implementation:
- The PLI scheme will be implemented by MNRE through Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) as the Implementing Agency.
- Beneficiaries will be selected through a transparent bidding process.
- Bidders for projects will be given PLI to set up and run manufacturing facilities that will span the entire production cycle of modules from making the polysilicon cells, ingots, wafers and panels to assembling modules that are used to produce electricity.
- Greenfield new solar PV module manufacturing units will be eligible for PLI. Brownfield projects will also be allowed to participate subject to the fulfilment of prescribed eligibility criteria for greenfield projects. PLI rate for such Brownfield projects will be 50% of the rate for Greenfield projects.
- Brownfield projects will refer to all such new solar PV manufacturing capacities set up by the existing solar PV manufacturers which share some common infrastructure facilities with the pre-existing solar PV manufacturing capacities or the addition of new manufacturing lines in the existing solar PV manufacturing facilities.
Significance of the Scheme:
- This will promote the manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules in India and thus reduce import dependence in the area of Renewable Energy.
- This aids in bringing cutting-edge technology to India for manufacturing high-efficiency modules.
- This promotes the setting up of integrated plants for better quality control and competitiveness.
- Allocation under the scheme incentivises the setting up of integrated manufacturing facilities as there is no installed capacity in India to manufacture polysilicone and wafers (the raw material for solar panels).
- Integrated manufacturing facilities will build an ecosystem for sourcing of local materials in solar manufacturing. This would bring in a direct investment of around ₹94,000 crores, directly employ about 1,95,000 persons and indirectly around 7,80,000 persons. India will save about ₹1.37 trillion in imports.
Nut Graf: The PLI scheme approved by the Union Cabinet is aimed at reducing import dependence in a strategic sector like electricity. With India set to achieve 450 GW of renewable energy installed capacity by 2030, this scheme assumes significance.
2. PLI scheme for manufacturing of semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystems
Syllabus: Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Mains: Significance of semiconducting devices in the Indian economy.
Context: The Union Cabinet recently approved modifications to the semiconductor and display fab incentives scheme.
Background:
- In 2021, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) approved a comprehensive Program for the Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystems in India.
- The government proposed to provide incentives worth Rs 76,000 crore for the development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystems over the next six years.
Modified Scheme:
- Under the modified scheme, fiscal support of 50% of the project cost from 30% for all technology nodes for setting up semiconductor fabs in India will be provided by the government.
- Fiscal support of 50% of the project cost will be provided for setting up of display fabs as well.
- This will also provide fiscal support of 50% of capital expenditure in a pari-passu mode for setting up of compound semiconductors/silicon photonics/sensors/discrete semiconductors fabs.
- Additionally, target technologies under the scheme will include discrete semiconductor fabs.
- Discrete semiconductors are used for devices performing basic electronic functions.
Significance:
- Trustworthy sources of semiconductors and displays are crucial to the security of critical information infrastructure in the current geopolitical environment.
- The approved programme would encourage innovation and strengthen indigenous capabilities to guarantee India’s digital sovereignty.
- Additionally, it will generate highly skilled jobs so that the nation can benefit from its demographic dividend.
- By 2025, the programme will considerably help create a USD 1 trillion digital economy and a USD 5 trillion GDP by promoting stronger local value addition in the electronics manufacturing industry.
Read more on Semiconductor Industry in India
Nut Graf: The scheme had attracted many global semiconductor players and the changes would help expedite investments in chip manufacturing. With deeper integration into the global value chain, the growth of the semiconductor and display ecosystem will have a multiplier effect on other economic sectors.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. The ambit of fraternity and the wages of oblivion
Syllabus: Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Prelims: Facts about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Preamble to the Constitution
Mains: Significance of the principle of fraternity in the Indian context and Conditions for the Successful functioning of Democracy
Context: This article authored by Hamid Ansari the former Vice President of India discusses the ideal of liberty, equality and fraternity in the Indian context.
Liberty, equality and fraternity
- According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the idea of liberty, equality and fraternity must not be treated as separate entities as they form a union of trinity in which the divorce of one from another will defeat the very purpose of democracy.
- The terms liberty, equality and fraternity along with justice find their place among the basic values enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution which begins with the words “We, the People of India have solemnly resolved to ‘secure’ to all the citizens of India”.
Read more about – Preamble of the Indian Constitution Explained
The principle of Fraternity
- In the Indian context, the idea of fraternity is often said to be misunderstood and forgotten.
- The concept of fraternity is based on the idea that people or citizens have responsibilities to each other.
- The principle of fraternity was defined vaguely during the French Revolution as:
- Do not do to others what you would not wish them to do to you
- Do constantly to others the good which you would like to receive from them
- However, in the Indian context, as articulated by Ambedkar, the idea of fraternity has more significance which is seen in the wording of the Preamble where the dignity of the individual and the unity of the nation both mandates this emotion.
The responsibilities of the individual citizen
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had said that “we must begin by acknowledging the fact there is a complete absence of two things in Indian society. One of these is equality and as a result of it we would enter into ‘a life of contradictions’ on January 26, 1950.”
- The 42nd Constitutional Amendment was passed in 1976 to adhere to the above observations made by Ambedkar with the introduction of Fundamental Duties.
- Article 51A (e) under the Fundamental Duties of the Constitution mandates that it is the duty of every Indian citizen to “Promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women”.
- The responsibility of performing this duty does not rest with the state and instead seems to be the responsibility of the individual citizen. Fraternity is hence an important aspect of citizenship in India that cannot be neglected.
Conditions for the Success of Democracy
- Ambedkar in his speech in the Constituent Assembly talked about the “Conditions Precedent for the Successful Working of Democracy”.
- Ambedkar in his speech defined democracy as “a form and method of government whereby revolutionary changes in the economic and social life of the people are brought about without bloodshed”.
- Ambedkar listed seven conditions that are crucial for the successful functioning of democracy, they are:
- Absence of glaring inequalities
- Presence of an opposition
- Equality in law and administration
- Observance of constitutional morality
- Absence of tyranny of the majority over the minority
- Functioning of moral order in society
- Public conscience
The shape of inequality in India
- It is said that inequality takes on different shapes in different segments of Indian society i.e. it is economic in some segments and it is regional, caste and religious-based in others.
- Sociologists have recognised nine categories of people who are said to be socially/politically/economically excluded which include categories of Dalits, Adivasis, women and religious minorities.
- Studies on religious minorities who account for about 20% of India’s population indicate that the discrimination that they face has its origins in the very thinking that led to the partition of August 1947.
- This led to the cohesion of the integration of the units of the new Republic formally described as “A Union of States” and it was a key concern of the framers of the Constitution.
Way forward
- According to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the integration of the units, “the inspiration and the stimulus came from above rather than from below and unless the transplanted growth takes a healthy root in the soil, there will be a danger of collapse and chaos”.
- Also, Article 51A(e) of the Constitution does not differentiate between citizens in any of the categories and makes it an all-encompassing duty.
- The scope of the fundamental duty is universal and hence it has to be observed from the base of the ladder of citizenship rather than the top.
- However, there is also an obligation on the leadership or the top of the ladder to promote and practise it.
Nut graf: The concept and the ideas of fraternity must not be neglected and there is a need for the promotion of the principles of fraternity as it plays a significant role in bridging inequalities in society and thereby facilitates national integration in its true sense.
Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Mains: Existing challenges that are to be addressed with India’s new foreign trade policy
Context: India’s new foreign trade policy.
Background
- The existing trade policy was introduced in 2015 and it was extended after its five-year term ended just a week after the national lockdown against the COVID pandemic.
- The Government will be releasing a new foreign trade policy.
Challenges that need to be addressed
- Experts feel that the extension of the existing trade policy for too long post the pandemic is said to be undesirable and now the introduction of the new policy in the middle of a financial year is not ideal.
- Further, exports are said to be one of the key engines of growth that is powering the post-COVID recovery. In this context, a WTO-compliant export incentive scheme was started in January 2021 which started the refund of domestic taxes to exporters.
- This led to goods exports touching a record $422 billion mark in 2021-22; any deviation or discontinuation in such a scheme would impact the growth.
- The Government in the current year expects the goods exports to breach the $450 billion mark, but the growth has dropped to the low single digits over July and August period.
- Along with the drop in the growth in exports, the imports have constantly been over $60 billion since March.
- Additionally, the global growth slowdown and the fear of recession in Europe and other western countries is also a key challenge for the new policy as buyers are looking to defer the deliveries.
Recommendations
- The new policy must be framed in a way that it provides momentum to the export industry and also address the major concerns of the industry which include providing a buffer against increasing interest rates.
- Considering the buoyancy in revenues, there have to be efforts in the new policy to change the current stance on the exclusion of crucial growth sectors like pharma, chemicals, and iron and steel from the duty remission scheme.
- As India has decided to distance itself from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for now, the Government must expedite its negotiations of free trade agreements with the Gulf Cooperation Council and other potential countries irrespective of the size of the economy.
Nut graf: As the Government is expected to release the new Foreign Trade policy after almost seven years, the experts feel that the new policy must include measures that help boost exports and also counter the increasing import bill among others.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS03-Science and Technology-Indigenization of Technology & Developing New Technology
Context: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully demonstrated a hybrid propulsion system recently.
Key Details:
- ISRO successfully demonstrated a hybrid propulsion system that used solid fuel and liquid oxidiser.
- In the ground-based test, the flight equivalent 30 kN hybrid motor used HTPB-based (hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) aluminised solid fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidiser.
- The hybrid motor was tested by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), with support from the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
- This hybrid motor potentially paves the way for a new propulsion system for the forthcoming launch vehicles.
- The motor used Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidiser. Unlike solid-solid or liquid-liquid combinations, a hybrid motor uses solid fuel and liquid oxidiser.
- While both HTPB and LOX are green, the cryogenic LOX is safer to handle. And unlike conventional solid motors, the hybrid technology permits restarting and throttling capabilities on the motor.
- This is considered more efficient, “greener” and safer to handle.
Syllabus: GS03-Indian Economy
Prelims: Inflation
What is Shrinkflation?
- Shrink inflation is when a product downsizes its quantity while keeping the price the same.
- Downsizing of products is done to offset higher production costs but keep retail prices the same.
- An increase in the cost of input materials and intense competition results in Shrinkflation.
The effect of inflation:
- Inflation has numerous effects on the daily life of consumers such as on rent, food, gas, and other living expenses.
- Since container and vessel sizes are reduced by extremely minor quantities, shrinkflation tricks consumers into thinking that the brands they purchase are unaffected by inflation.
- Shrinkflation can occur in different ways other than changes in quantity, by reformulating or removing ingredients while maintaining its price to keep consumers from switching to different brands.
- For example, Cadbury Dairy Milk stopped using foil which it used to prevent chocolate from losing its quality and flavour in order to save expense. Though downsizing products reduces costs for manufacturers, it is an unfair practice toward consumers.
- Shrinkflation can lead to customer frustration and deterioration of consumer sentiment towards a producer’s brand.
- Price points become misleading when the basket of goods cannot always be measured by considering the product size.
- Overall inflation must be tackled to address shrinkflation.
- It can be done with a mix of macroeconomic policies to manage demand and supply and address structural rigidities in the economy.
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority shall bring guidelines to inform consumers about changes in quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard, and price of goods.
- In India, the Right to Information has been recognised as a consumer right under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Read more on Inflation.
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with regards to the proceedings in the judiciary: (Level – Difficult)
- At present, no High Court in India provides live streaming of its proceedings.
- On the day of former Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana’s retirement, the Supreme Court streamed its proceedings live.
- USA Supreme Court has rejected pleas for broadcast of its proceedings, but it allows audio recording and transcripts of oral arguments.
Choose the correct code:
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 only
- 1 & 3 only
- 3 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is incorrect, The Supreme Court of India in its judgement in September 2018, had declared live telecast of court proceedings part of the right to access justice under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- Currently, six high courts in the country, namely Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Patna, and Madhya Pradesh, live-stream their proceedings through their own channels on YouTube.
- Statement 02 is correct, On August 26, on the day of former Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana’s retirement, the Supreme Court streamed its proceedings live.
- Statement 03 is correct, While the US Supreme Court has rejected pleas for broadcast of its proceedings, it has since 1955 allowed audio recording and transcripts of oral arguments.
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to the death penalty in India: (Level – Difficult)
- The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) requires a judge to hear the accused after conviction on the question of sentence, and then pass the sentence on him according to law.
- In 1980, the Supreme Court ruled in the ‘Bachan Singh v State of Punjab’ case that after the conviction, a separate sentencing hearing would be held, where a judge would be persuaded on why the death sentence need not be awarded.
- In ‘Dattaraya v State of Maharashtra’, the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment on the grounds that an adequate sentencing hearing was not held.
Choose the correct code:
- 3 only
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, Section 235 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) requires a judge to hear the accused after conviction on the question of sentence, and then pass the sentence on him according to law.
- Statement 02 is correct, In 1980, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of capital punishment in ‘Bachan Singh v State of Punjab’ on the condition that the punishment will be awarded in the “rarest of the rare” cases. Crucially, the ruling also stressed that a separate sentencing hearing would be held, where a judge would be persuaded on why the death sentence need not be awarded.
- Statement 03 is correct, In ‘Dattaraya v State of Maharashtra’, a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment on the grounds that an adequate sentencing hearing was not held.
Q3. ‘Operation Octopus’, ‘Operation Double Bull’ and ‘Operation Thunderstorm’ are related to which of the following? (Level – Medium)
- Evacuation of Indians from foreign nations
- Anti-naxal operations
- Raids conducted by ED
- Preservation of wildlife
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched Operation Octopus, Operation Double Bull, Operation Thunderstorm and Operation Chakarbandha in Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh against left-wing extremism.
Q4. Consider the following statements with regards to the UN charter: (Level – Difficult)
- Since the UN’s founding in 1945, the mission and work of the Organisation have been guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter, which has been amended three times in 1963, 1965, and 1973.
- The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.
- It was signed on 26 June 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organisation, and came into force on 24 October 1945.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statements 01 and 03 are correct, The Charter of the United Nations is the founding document of the United Nations. It was signed on 26 June 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organisation, and came into force on 24 October 1945.
- Since the UN’s founding in 1945, the mission and work of the Organisation have been guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter, which has been amended three times in 1963, 1965, and 1973.
- Statement 02 is correct, The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.
- The United Nations can take action on a wide variety of issues due to its unique international character and the powers vested in its Charter, which is considered an international treaty.
- As such, the UN Charter is an instrument of international law, and the UN Member States are bound by it.
Q5. In the context of which one of the following are the terms 'pyrolysis and plasma gasification' mentioned? (Level – Medium) (CSE Prelims-2019)
- Extraction of rare earth elements
- Natural gas extraction technologies
- Hydrogen fuel-based automobiles
- Waste-to-energy technologies
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Pyrolysis is one of the technologies available to convert biomass to an intermediate liquid product that can be refined to drop-in hydrocarbon biofuels, oxygenated fuel additives and petrochemical replacements. Pyrolysis is the heating of an organic material, such as biomass, in the absence of oxygen.
- Plasma gasification is an extreme thermal process using plasma which converts organic matter into syngas (synthesis gas) which is primarily made up of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- What is Shrinkflation? How does it create a new challenge for macro-economic accounting? (10 marks; 150 words) (GS-3; Economy)
- “Hybrid Propulsion Systems are the future of space technology” Elucidate. (10 marks; 150 words)(GS-3; Science and Technology)
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CNA 22 Sep 2022:- Download PDF Here
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