Month: September 2023

Categories
Governance

Is the RTI becoming weaker over time?

  • Activists are concerned about the Right to Information Act of 2005’s eroding efficacy in keeping government responsible.
  • Political parties, the judiciary, and intelligence agencies are immune from the Act.
  • Recent revisions, such as personal data protection provisions, have raised concerns.

RTI and the DPDP Act

  • The Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 forbids the sharing of personal data, even for social audits, lowering openness.
  • Critics are concerned that this blanket restriction will stymie accountability and transparency measures.

About the Right to Information (RTI)

EnactmentJune 15, 2005
ObjectivePromote transparency and accountability
ApplicabilityAll public authorities at central, state, local levels
ScopeAccess to information on matters of public interest, government policies, budgets, etc.
RTI ApplicationFiled in writing with the concerned public authority
Response TimeWithin 30 days (48 hours for life or liberty issues)
ExemptionsSome information exempted to protect national security, privacy, etc. Judiciary
FeesNominal fee varies based on state and information requested
First Appellate AuthorityFiled if dissatisfied with the response
Second AppealFiled with the relevant Information Commission
Whistleblower ProtectionSafeguards against victimization for exposing corruption
ImpactPromotes transparency, accountability, and good governance

Implementation Difficulties

  • Implementation concerns weaken the Act’s goal of transparency.
  • The effectiveness of the Act is dependent on subordinate rules established by the Union and State Governments.
  • Slow nominations to information commissioners cause appeals to be delayed and undermine trust in the system.

Obstacles and Online Solutions

  • Payment mechanisms for RTI applications differ between states, complicating matters.
  • Online RTI portals remove barriers, however they are not widely available, limiting access.
  • The usability of the Union Government’s RTI portal is affecting data retrieval.

Increasing Dissatisfaction

  • Rising first-time appeals reflect increased discontent with the information provided.
  • RTI efficacy is hampered by structural issues in institutions and websites.
  • Activists stress the significance of addressing larger institutional concerns.

@the end

  • The effectiveness of the RTI Act is limited by implementation issues, changes, and internet restrictions.
  • To maintain and improve the Act’s effectiveness, a comprehensive approach is required.
  • Addressing these concerns will improve transparency, accountability, and access to information for citizens.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/explained-has-right-to-information-weakened-over-the-years/article67259315.ece
Categories
Science & Tech

Uncovering the Secrets of the Sun: ISRO’s Aditya-L1 Mission

  • ISRO successfully launched India’s first solar observatory mission, Aditya-L1, on September 2.
  • The spacecraft’s mission, carried by the PSLV in its 59th flight, is to research the sun’s behaviour and phenomena.
  • Aditya-L1 will orbit the Earth for 16 days, performing five manoeuvres to maintain the requisite velocity.
  • Following Trans-Lagrangian insertion, a 110-day trek towards L1 Lagrange point will commence.
  • Aditya-L1 will orbit around L1, 1.5 million kilometres distant, at a balanced position between Earth and the sun.

Aditya-L1 Mission

  • ISRO unveils the Aditya-L1 project, a new space-based observatory designed to study the Sun.
  • The spacecraft will be in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth system’s Lagrange point 1 (L1), roughly 1.5 million km from Earth.
  • The strategic location of the L1 point allows for continuous solar observation free of eclipses, providing significant insights into solar activities and their real-time effects on space weather.
  • Aditya will leave Earth’s sphere of influence and travel 1.5 million km to the Lagrange point L1.

The Importance of Lagrange Point 1

  • Lagrange points are equilibrium places where gravitational forces balance centripetal pressures, providing satellites with a stable environment.
  • The spacecraft will be positioned around L1, allowing for unimpeded observation of the Sun.
  • Different Lagrange locations provide distinct advantages, such as the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Satellite’s (SOHO) continuous view of the Sun.

Aditya-L1’s Scientific Projects

  • Aditya-L1 includes seven payloads that use a variety of detectors to examine the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona.
  • Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT), Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS), and other instruments are among the payloads.
  • Payloads studying solar dynamics in the interplanetary medium help us understand phenomena such as coronal heating, mass ejections, and space weather.

The Importance of Solar Research

  • Solar Impact on the System: The Sun influences planetary evolution and weather, as well as satellites, electronics, electrical systems, and even Earth’s climate.
  • Predicting Solar Storms: Continuous solar observations are critical for following and predicting the potential repercussions of Earth-bound solar storms.
  • All solar storms headed towards Earth pass via L1, making it an important location for monitoring.

The Mighty LAM Engine is a key feature.

  • The Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engine developed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is critical to the success of the Aditya-L1 mission.
  • LAM has been critical in missions such as the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and Chandrayaan-3.
  • LAM engines allow satellites and spacecraft to modify their orbits, saving fuel and assuring optimal location.
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/isro-launches-aditya-l1-mission-to-study-sun-15-lakh-km-long-journey-begins-2429727-2023-09-02#:~:text=Satellite%20Launch%20Vehicle.-,Aditya%2DL1%20is%20India's%20pioneering%20mission%20to%20study%20the%20Sun,of%20the%20Sun%2DEarth%20system.
Categories
Polity

In the news: Mitakshara Succession Law

  • Children born from invalid or voidable marriages can receive their parents’ part of a joint Hindu family property governed by Mitakshara law, according to the Supreme Court.
  • However, inheritance rights are limited to the parent’s portion and do not extend to the holdings of other family members.

Mitakshara School of Law

HistoryOriginated in ancient India; attributed to Vijnaneshvara, a 12th-century scholar
FocusInterpretation of Yajnavalkya Smriti in matters of family, property, and inheritance law
Ancestral PropertyEmphasis on joint family property and ancestral property rights
InheritanceDefines rules for succession and inheritance within Hindu families
VariationsDifferent regional interpretations, including the “Dayabhaga” School
Regional InfluenceWidespread influence on Hindu legal practices, especially in property law
DevelopmentEvolved over time and influenced by legal reforms and societal changes
Modern ContextCoexists with contemporary legal frameworks and personal laws
SignificancePlayed a significant role in shaping Hindu family and property law

Details of the Decision

  • The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, emphasised that a child of a void or voidable marriage cannot claim rights to the property of other family members.
  • Only the parent’s portion of the ancestral property is subject to the child’s inheritance rights.
  • A “notional partition” is performed to determine the parent’s share immediately prior to death.

Inheritance Taxation

  • The law presumes that the ancestral property was divided between the deceased parent and other family members prior to the parent’s death.
  • The child’s inheritance is determined by the share that the parent would have gotten under this hypothetical partition.

Details of the Decision

  • The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, emphasised that a child of a void or voidable marriage cannot claim rights to the property of other family members.
  • Only the parent’s portion of the ancestral property is subject to the child’s inheritance rights.
  • A “notional partition” is performed to determine the parent’s share immediately prior to death.

Inheritance Taxation

  • The law presumes that the ancestral property was divided between the deceased parent and other family members prior to the parent’s death.
  • The child’s inheritance is determined by the share that the parent would have gotten under this hypothetical partition.

Legal Foundation

  • Children born from void or voidable marriages are granted legitimacy under Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act.
  • The court determined that these children are entitled to their parents’ possessions.
  • The Hindu Marriage Act’s purpose to confer legitimacy to such children is mirrored in the Hindu Succession Act.

The Effect of the Amendment

  • The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act of 2005 permits heirs to inherit a deceased person’s portion of a joint Hindu family property through testamentary or intestate succession.
  • Prior to the amendment, devolution could only occur through survivorship.
  • Equal succession rights are now guaranteed to both men and women.

Background and Examples

  • Section 16(3) of the Hindu Marriage Act was important to the issue.
  • A Supreme Court Division Bench championed the rights of children born from illicit marriages to inherit their parents’ properties in 2011.
  • The Division Bench emphasised that these children have the same rights as children born from legally recognised marriages.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/children-from-void-voidable-marriages-are-legitimate-can-claim-rights-in-parents-properties-sc/article67259229.ece
Categories
Polity

2023 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Mercy Petitions

  • The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 proposes to replace the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and make significant modifications to the mercy petition process in death penalty cases.
  • These modifications have an impact on fundamental factors such as justice, time constraints, and the execution procedure.

Background Information about Mercy Petitions

  • The President (Article 72) and Governor (Article 161) were given the authority to grant pardons or commute sentences by the Constitution.
  • The Supreme Court ruled in Maru Ram vs. Union of India (1981) that the President must act in mercy petitions based on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

The BNSS now includes a new provision for mercy petitions.

  • Convicts may file mercy petitions within 30 days after certain incidents, according to BNSS Section 473(1).
  • Convicts can petition the President or Governor to have their appeals dismissed or their punishments confirmed.
  • In cases involving many convicts, everyone must file petitions within 60 days.

The Role of the Centre in Mercy Petitions

  • Within 60 days, the Centre solicits input from the state government, examines the matter, and provides recommendations to the President.
  • There is no time restriction for the President’s decision.

Appeals Against the President’s Decision Are Excluded

  • According to BNSS Section 473(7), the President’s decisions on mercy pleas are final.
  • Courts are not permitted to question or review the grounds for the President’s pardons or commutations.
  • Unlike the Shatrughan Chauhan vs. Union of India (2014) decision, which required a 14-day break between the denial of mercy petitions and execution, the BNSS does not have such a provision.

Delay in Disposal of Mercy Petition

  • The Shatrughan Chauhan case underlined the need of avoiding unnecessary delays in the disposition of mercy petitions.
  • The BNSS does not have a time restriction for the President to decide on mercy requests.

@the end

  • Changes to mercy petitions suggested by the BNSS raise issues about transparency, judicial review, and the safeguarding of inmates’ rights.
  • In these suggested adjustments, balancing constitutional authority with swift justice remains a difficulty.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/changes-bnss-mercy-petitions-8919188/
Categories
Governance

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) progress report

  • The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) intends to clean the Ganga River by processing sewage from five main states using sewage treatment plants (STPs) and sewerage networks.
  • NMCG has reached 20% sewage treatment capacity in seven years, with a target of 60% by December 2026.

About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

ObjectiveEnsure the ecological and geological health of the Ganga River and its tributaries by restoring and rejuvenating them.
Formation Year2014
Nodal AgencyMinistry of Jal Shakti, Government of India
CoverageGanga and its major tributaries are included.
Key AreasPollution management, riverfront development, biodiversity conservation, afforestation, and public awareness are all priorities.
ProjectsDevelopment of ghats and crematoria, sewage treatment plants, river surface cleaning, and other projects
Holistic ApproachCombines numerous government programmes, stakeholders, and public participation
CollaborationsCollaboration with state governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international organisations, and the commercial sector
Legal MeasuresThe National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was founded to protect the river.
SignificanceAddresses environmental, social, and cultural issues while guaranteeing long-term water quality

Capacity for Sewage Treatment Now and in the Future

  • Currently, NMCG handles approximately 20% of the sewage generated in the Ganga river basin.
  • The capacity for treatment is expected to increase to 33% by 2024 and 60% by December 2026.
  • Sewage generation in five states is expected to be 11,765 million litres per day (MLD): Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

The Function of NMCG

  • NMCG’s goal is to keep untreated sewage from entering the Ganga River.
  • The prediction of 11,765 MLD includes sewage generated within states but not necessarily flowing into the river.
  • The NMCG plan calls for the construction of a 7,000 MLD sewage treatment capacity by 2026.

Projects and Development

  • STPs and sewage networks account for roughly 80% of the NMCG project.
  • By July 2023, functional STPs will have treated 2,665 MLD, with 1,455 MLD added in the previous fiscal year.
  • Land acquisition concerns and modifications to Detailed Project Reports caused project delays.

Distribution by State

  • Uttarakhand has the most STPs (36), followed by Uttar Pradesh (35) and West Bengal (11).
  • Despite the NMCG’s 20,000 crore budget, in-principle clearance has been obtained for 37,396 crore in projects, with 14,745 crore set aside for infrastructure development by June 2023.

Indicators of Good Water Quality

  • The water quality in Ganga has now reached the “prescribed limits of notified primary bathing water quality.”
  • Nature’s acceptance of river restoration initiatives can be seen in the increased dolphin population (2,000 to 4,000) and the presence of Indian carp in cleaner waterways.
  • To effectively communicate water quality standards, NMCG is developing a water quality index comparable to the air quality index.
Source: https://nmcg.nic.in/
Categories
International Relations

Tibetan Democracy Day: A Struggle and Resilience Legacy

  • On September 2, Tibetan Democracy Day commemorates the establishment of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala.
  • It represents the restoration of Tibetan democracy following forced displacement.

Historical Origins of the Tibetan Government in Exile

  • The first elected representatives of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile were sworn in in 1960, a year after Tibetans were expelled.
  • His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s influence resulted in the adoption of the Tibetan constitution, emphasising democracy, in 1963.

The Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) role

  • The CTA, headquartered in Dharamshala, manages approximately 100,000 Tibetan refugees worldwide.
  • It is at the heart of Tibetan autonomy and resilience.

CTA’s Evolution:

  • Under the Tibetan constitution, the first women parliamentarians were elected in 1963.
  • The CTA designated September 2 as the founding day of Tibetan democracy in 1975.
  • The Tibetans in Exile Charter was adopted in 1991, and the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission was established in 1992.

CTA’s Operation

  • The CTA is organised into departments directed by the President (Sikyong): Religion and Culture, Home, Finance, Education, Security, Information and International Relations, and Health.
  • The Tibetan Parliament in Exile is comprised of 45 members that represent various sections of the Tibetan community.

Leadership Change

  • Following the Dalai Lama’s semi-retirement, the executive head, Kalön Tripa, was elected directly.
  • His Holiness handed political authority to Sikyong, President of the CTA, in 2011.

Bodh Gaya’s Function

  • The first elected Tibetan MPs took their vows in Bodh Gaya in 1960, ushering in the democratic system.
  • Bodh Gaya was crucial in the early days of Tibetan democracy.

India’s perception of Tibet

  • The Dalai Lama is respected in India as a spiritual leader, but the CTA is not officially recognised as a government.
  • It strikes a balance between diplomatic considerations and support for Tibetan refugees.

Global Appreciation

  • The United States is a prominent backer, with bipartisan backing and specialised Tibet coordinators.
  • While international recognition is limited, Tibetans appreciate India’s constant assistance.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/tibetan-democracy-day-8920073/
Categories
International Relations

Conflict Between Armenia and Azerbaijan

As tensions between the two countries remain high, three Armenian soldiers have been killed in Azerbaijani shelling.

What exactly is the point of contention?

  • Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani breakaway area ruled by ethnic Armenians, imposed martial law and mobilised their male populations.
  • Armenia said that Azerbaijan launched an air and artillery strike on Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region is the epicentre.

  • Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
  • After thousands of people were slain and many more were displaced, a ceasefire was reached in 1994.
  • Azerbaijan and Armenia routinely accuse each other of carrying out assaults in the vicinity of Nagorno-Karabakh and along the separate Azeri-Armenian border.

The economics of the confrontations

  • The riots sparked a rush of diplomacy to avert a resurgence of a decades-old war between largely Christian Armenia and predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan.
  • Pipelines transporting Caspian oil and natural gas from Azerbaijan to the rest of the world pass near Nagorno-Karabakh.
  • The battles have stoked fears of instability in the South Caucasus, a route for pipelines carrying oil and gas to global markets.
Source: https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/nagorno-karabakh-conflict
Categories
Governance

Investigating the Haryana Parivar Pehchan Patra Scheme

The Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), which was introduced in Haryana in 2020 and would be implemented in September 2021, has drawn both interest and criticism.

Pehchan Patra Parivar

  • The PPP issues a unique 8-digit identifying number to each Haryana family unit.
  • Enrollment in the PPP is required for access to government services and social security programmes.
  • Families can register at Common Service Centres, SARAL Kendras, or registered PPP providers, with verified data based on self-declarations and stringent protocols.

Key Functions and Interconnections

  • The PPP simplifies access to a variety of public welfare programmes, such as subsidised meals, Old Age Samman Allowance, Divyang Pension, school admissions, government exams, and others.
  • It collects a large amount of information, including information on family members, Aadhaar numbers, demographics, educational and occupational information, immovable property ownership, and social standing.

A comparison of PPP and Aadhaar

  • Proponents of the concept point out that PPP uses Aadhaar’s digital infrastructure but provides a more complex delivery.
  • While Aadhaar focuses on unique identifying information, PPP includes socioeconomic data that has been confirmed using particular standards.

Opposition’s Concerns and Criticisms

  • According to a former CM, data collecting errors resulted in people being denied subsidies and entitlements.
  • A legislator expressed a number of concerns, including allegations of data misuse for voter profiling and criticism of the level of personal information required.
  • Concerns have been raised concerning the requirement for Aadhaar, caste, PAN card, bank account, and property information. It was said that social security did not require caste identity.
  • The critique extended to the potential use of caste-based and socioeconomic data for political gain.

@the end

  • Haryana’s Parivar Pehchan Patra scheme seeks to streamline government services and welfare delivery.
  • While the effort has advantages, worries regarding data veracity, privacy, and potential political manipulation demand further examination and public debate.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/haryanas-parivar-pehchan-patra-what-is-8918068/
Categories
Economics

Unleashing India’s Transit Potential

  • A transit hub is an important intermediary point for travellers travelling from one foreign country to another in the aviation industry.
  • It’s similar to a well-planned layover in which passengers switch from one plane to another, striving for a seamless journey.

What is an Aviation Transit Hub?

  • A transit hub is a bridge in the sky that connects visitors from one foreign location to another quickly and easily.
  • Passengers travelling from Country A to Country C via Country B should have a pleasant experience.
  • Such hubs often rely on a major airline with a large network to provide one-stop flights, ideally with a 2 to 3-hour wait between flights.
  • Consider it a hub-and-spoke approach, where planes connect at the hub and then spread out to other locations, making travel more economical and efficient.

Can India Become a Transit Hub?

  • Indian airlines handled 40.2% of air passenger travel to and from India in 2018-19.
  • This figure has increased to 44% in 2022-23, while international carriers’ stake has decreased to 56%.
  • India now has low-cost international carriers for short and medium-haul flights, including newcomers like Akasa.
  • These tendencies point to India’s potential as an economic transit hub, beginning with basic services.

Which airlines are capable of making it happen?

  • Air India Group and IndiGo have the ability to transform India into a transit centre.
  • They have almost 1,500 aircraft on order, the majority of which are narrow-body planes capable of spanning 5 to 8 hours of journey time, including European locations.

Is there another player in transit hubs?

  • The plan starts in New Delhi, where the government, Delhi airport, and airlines are working together to improve the hub experience.
  • Depending on airline origins, transit hubs are also being planned for Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
  • Mumbai may appeal to African travellers, whilst Delhi may serve Central Europe and West Asia.

Is there any policy backing?

  • The Ministry of Civil Aviation supports the concept and encourages airlines to offer additional nonstop international routes.
  • Airports and airlines are collaborating to develop greater transit spaces within airports.
  • Initiatives could include specialised international terminals or huge carriers to facilitate travel.
Source: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2023/04/21/Unleashing-Indias-Growth-Potential-532616
Categories
Trivia

2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award

  • Dr. R. Ravi Kannan, a surgical oncologist and the Director of the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC) in Assam, has been selected one of the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees.
  • His trailblazing initiatives have transformed cancer treatment in Assam by emphasising people-centered and pro-poor healthcare solutions.

Dr. Kannan’s Insightful Work

  • Under Dr. Kannan’s leadership, CCHRC expanded from a single department to 28 departments, including oncology, pathology, radiology, microbiology, epidemiology, and palliative care.
  • To address patients’ issues in continuing treatment owing to poverty and distance, the hospital implemented pro-poor programmes such as free treatment, accommodation, food, ad hoc employment for carers, and a homecare programme.
  • The hospital team went above and beyond by training family members in pain management and palliative care and delivering free drugs.
  • As a result, cancer treatment compliance increased dramatically, from 28% to 70%.

Regarding the Ramon Magsaysay Award

  • The Ramon Magsaysay Award, created in 1958, is a notable honour that is sometimes referred to as Asia’s Nobel Prize.
  • This distinguished award recognises Asian individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to society in a variety of fields.

Who was Ramon Magsaysay?

  • Ramon Magsaysay was the Philippines’ president from 1953 until his tragic death in a plane crash in 1957.
  • During World War II, when Japanese forces seized the Philippines, which was then a US province, he rose to fame.
  • He was elected president of the Nationalist organisation, the country’s oldest political organisation, in December 1953.
  • In 1946, the Philippines was plagued by post-war instability, accompanied by an increasing divide between rich and poor, aggravated by the rise of capitalism.
  • Leaders were targeted by the administration, which was linked with the US, amid accusations of communist sympathies and calls for peasant rights.
  • Magsaysay’s administrative and military policies were critical in addressing the anticipated communist threat.

Indian Honorees: Excellence Leaves a Legacy

The Ramon Magsaysay Award has recognised notable Indians:

  • Vinoba Bhave (1958)
  • Mother Teresa (1962)
  • Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (1966)
  • Satyajit Ray (1967)
  • Mahasweta Devi (1997)
  • Arvind Kejriwal (2006)
  • Anshu Gupta of Goonj (2015)
  • Bezwada Wilson, human rights activist (2016)
  • Ravish Kumar, journalist (2019)

The Importance of the Award

  • The Ramon Magsaysay Award honours remarkable efforts that have a positive impact on society and represents a genuine dedication to selflessness and service.
  • It serves as a reminder that by unselfish efforts, individuals and organisations may create dramatic change.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/oncologist-ravi-kannan-padma-shri-awardee-wins-ramon-magsaysay-award-for-transforming-cancer-care-in-assam-101693469215566.html
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