2023 03 01

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

5 yrs after Punchhi panel work ‘completed’, Centre set to invite state views again
India-Germany Relations
India should stick to the middle path in the new world disorder

GS Paper 3:

Fossil fuels firms failed to curb methane emission: What IEA’s annual report says

GS Paper4:

Revisiting two cases of medico deaths

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

‘Anmol Jeevan Abhiyan’: How a simple innovation tankas saves women’s lives in Rajasthan’s Barmer

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Stupa
Westerlies governed Trans-Himalayas
The powers of Governors regarding assembly sessions
Legislator facing disqualification can’t attend floor test: Supreme Court
How price signals guide the allocation of goods
Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) portal
3 national flagship programmes launched
Adenovirus

5 yrs after Punchhi panel work ‘completed’, Centre set to invite state views again

GS Paper 2

Source: IE

Context: Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to start the process of seeking the states’ comments on the issue afresh.

What is Punchhi Commission Report?

The Punchhi Commission was constituted in 2007 under the chairmanship of former Chief Justice of India Madan Mohan Punchhi. In 2010, the Commission submitted its report to the Centre in seven volumes.

Deliberation on the report was carried out by Inter-State Council (ISC’s) Standing Committee in 2017 and 2018.
However, the report is yet to be implemented and the government has said that it will seek the state’s view on the report again.

The objective of the commission: To examine and review the operation of the current agreements between the Union and States.

Major recommendations of the Commission:

Commission	Recommendation
On Finance Commission	· Efficient inclusion of States in the formulation of final terms of the contract · Review of current cesses and surcharges to reduce contribution to gross tax income · Turn Finance Commission Division into a full-fledged department
On Governor	· Governor to be from outside the State and not involved in regional politics · Governor to be nominated after consulting with Chief Minister · Establishment of a committee for selecting governors · Repeal of the Constitution’s Doctrine of Pleasure · Guaranteed tenure of Governor with a fair chance to object to removal · Impeachment of Governor by state legislature
On Articles 355 and 356	· Changes to Articles 355 and 356 of the Constitution to limit misuse of authority by the centre
On Communal Violence	· Communal Violence Bill amendment to allow temporary deployment of forces in State without State’s permission
On Concurrent List	· Consultation with States through inter-state council before laws are filed on concurrent list issues
On Internal Security	· Development of National Integration Council for issues involving internal security
On pocket veto	· Clause mandating notice to the State within six months of the President’s decision to use pocket veto power
On centres’ diplomatic power	· Restriction of the union’s ability to negotiate treaties to those involving subjects on the State list
On Selection of Chief Ministers	Principles for selecting Chief Minister (number-wise priority): 1. Broadest support in Legislative Assembly 2. Head of the party with an absolute majority 3. A coalition of parties established before elections 4. Largest single party with the backing of other parties 5. A post-election coalition of parties with members forming a government and others supporting from outside

Conclusion

Although some of the ideas of the commission have been put into practice, such as having the governor come from outside the state, there is a need for further deliberations and give concrete forms of useful recommendations as per current needs.

Insta Links:

For Sarkaria Commission Recommendations and ARC Recommendations: Click here: Recommendations on Centre-state relation

Mains Links:

Discuss how the recommendations of the Punchhi Commission, if implemented, would ensure smoother Centre-State relations in the context of the governor’s jurisdiction. (250 words)

March 1, 2023 /01 Mar 2023, ARC Recommendations, Center-State relations, governance, Polity, Punchhi Commission, Sarkaria Commission, Today's Article

India-Germany Relations

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Bilateral Relations

Source: IE

Context: India and Germany will enhance cooperation on innovation and technology.

Recently, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came to India on a bilateral visit.

India- Germany cooperation aims at benefiting humanity and is firmly guided by their shared democratic values and respect

Various dimensions of India-Germany Relations:

Dimension	Description	Examples
Political	Cooperation in political and diplomatic matters	· The G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan) support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council
Economic	Trade, investment, and economic cooperation	· The total bilateral trade between the two countries stood at over US$24 billion (2021) · Germany has a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) with India via the EU
Scientific and Technological	Cooperation in science, technology, and innovation	· Max Planck-India Mobility Grants · Indo-German Science & Technology Centre · Triangular Development Cooperation: It represents development projects in third countries by India and Germany
Cultural and Educational	Exchange of cultural and educational resources	· India and Germany signed a Comprehensive Partnership on Migration and Mobility meant to ease travel for research, study and work for people in both countries
Defence	Cooperation in defence and security	· India and Germany have cooperated in areas such as defence technology, maritime security, and peacekeeping operations. · Joint naval exercises: The first ever Franco-Indian-German military exercise is expected to take place in 2024 · Germany’s 2020 Indo-Pacific guidelines have identified India as one of its most important partners in the region. · Germany has come on board with the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
Environmental	Cooperation in environmental and sustainability issues	· India-Germany Solar Partnership · Green Urban Mobility Scheme · Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP): Germany to provide Euro 10 billion to India till 2030 to support Green growth · Indo-German Science and Technology Centre · Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force was constituted in 2022. · Germany cooperates with India to the tune of 1.3 billion Euros a year in development projects (90% of which serves the purpose of fighting climate change)

Insta Links:

India-Germany Relations

Mains Links

Ties between India and Germany have the potential to work together but they should overcome disagreements on global issues. Comment. (250 Marks)

Prelims Links (UPSC 2017)

‘Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and

(a) European Union
(b) Gulf Cooperation Council
(c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(d) Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Ans: (a)

March 1, 2023 /01 Mar 2023, Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), germany, India-German Relations, International Relations, Today's Article

India should stick to the middle path in the new world disorder

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: International Relations

Source: TH

Context: India should follow a path of multi-engagement and not multi-alignment.

Background:

India has consistently resisted international pressure to criticise Russia and its actions.
For example, India has once again abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution that condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The global order in international relations:

After the end of the 2nd World War: A bipolar world, led by the U.S. and the Soviet Union, emerged.
Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union (1991): Unipolarity replaced bipolarity, with the U.S. being its centre.
However, there have been discussions about whether American unipolarity has passed and a new world order (multipolar) has emerged.

Signs of the new world order:

China’s rapid rise
Russia’s aggressive foreign policy – the invasion of Ukraine, challenged the post-Cold War security equilibrium in Europe.
The S.’s ability to shape geopolitical outcomes is clearly in decline (withdrawal from Afghanistan).

Impact of this transition (from uni to multipolarity):

Leaving the world in flux. Lack of clarity on which direction the world is headed makes policy-making harder for middle powers like India.
While many governments (including India, Russia and China), welcome multipolarity, the U.S. remains the world’s most powerful military power.

India and the Non-alignment success:

When India became independent, the Cold War was in its early stages.
India’s non-alignment foreign policy doctrine (equidistant from both blocs) did well in managing most of its (ideological and geopolitical) challenges.
Criticised as too idealistic, India has actually been flexible in readapting itself to the changes in the global and regional equations.
In the 1970s, after China started moving closer to the U.S., India started tilting towards the Soviet Union but stayed out of any Soviet-led military alliances.
When the Soviet Union collapsed, India sought to transform its ties with the U.S. and integrate itself with the global economy in the new era of globalisation.
But it also maintained close defence and strategic ties with Russia and built a vibrant economic partnership with China.

A new set of challenges for India in the new global disorder:

S.-China’s great power contest in Asia is unfolding right in India’s neighbourhood.
The power imbalance between India and China, tempted India to join the American bloc.
Abandoning its strategic autonomy and joining the U.S.-led bloc would limit India’s options, besides provoking China.
Border disputes between India and China.
China has developed a strategic partnership with Pakistan and is raising its influence in other South Asian and Indian Ocean countries.
So, on all fronts (including challenges to India’s maritime influence), India faces the heat of China’s rise.

Other challenges faced by India: U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power.

How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has complicated the situation for India?

Russia is a traditional partner with which India has deep defence ties.
As the West has moved to isolate Russia with heavy sanctions, India is under huge pressure to take a more critical position on Russia’s actions.
The West’s move to isolate Russia in Europe would push the country further into the Chinese embrace.

Way ahead for India:

Learning from China. In the 1970s, China broke away from the Soviet communist fold and built a quasi-alliance with the U.S. and helped the ‘imperialist bloc’ defeat the Soviet communists.
- Once China acquired enough economic and military power, it started gradually challenging the U.S.
Therefore, India’s primary focus should be on transforming itself economically and militarily, bridging the gap with China.
India should present itself as a natural stabilising power in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region, and a source of prosperity.
To address its continental security challenges, India has to work with Eurasian powers such as Russia and Iran, both of which are at odds with the U.S.

Conclusion: India should opt for multi-engagement (not multi-alignment) for a multipolar world, creating new pillars of the new global order through engagement and partnership with middle powers.

Inta Links:

A global order caught up in a swirl of chaos

Mains Links:

“The long sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its newfound role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate (UPSC 2019)

March 1, 2023 /01 Mar 2023, 1 March CA, Bipolarity, Cold War, GS 2, multi-engagement, New World Order, Non-alignment, Strategic Autonomy, Today's Article, Today’s article, Unipolarity

Fossil fuels firms failed to curb methane emission: What IEA’s annual report says

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Source: IE

Context: The International Energy Agency (IEA) released the annual Methane Global Tracker report in 2023.

Background: The report has come after energy giants (Shell, BP, ExxonMobil) reported record profits last year as the Russia-Ukraine war drove up oil and natural gas prices.

Findings of the report:

The energy sector accounts for around 40% of the total average methane emissions from human activity.
Oil and natural gas companies are known to release methane into the atmosphere when natural gas is flared or vented.
It is also released through leaks from valves and other equipment during the drilling, extraction and transportation process.
Fossil fuel companies emitted 120 million metric tonnes of methane into the atmosphere in 2022 and have done nothing to find and fix leaking infrastructure.

Recommendations in the report:

Methane cuts (by 75%) from the energy sector are among the cheapest options to limit near-term global warming (lower global temperature rise by nearly 0.1 degree Celsius by mid-century).
Reducing wastage by measures such as leak detection, repair and upgrading leaky equipment would cost less than 3% of the net income received by the oil and gas industry in 2022.
Methane emissions can be reduced with the help of the right policies and implementation and cheap and readily available technology.

Why is curbing methane emissions essential?

Methane (CH4)

Efforts

●        A greenhouse gas (GHG) responsible for 30% of the warming since preindustrial times, second only to carbon dioxide (CO2).

●        However, it is 80 times more potent at warming than CO2.

●        According to the IPCC, the world must cut methane emissions by at least 30 % by 2030.

Global

●        Global Methane Pledge – Both the US and the EU have planned to cut methane emissions by 30% (by 2030) compared with the 2020 levels.

●        UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) strategy – To get policy-relevant data into the right hands for emissions mitigation.

●        Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) – Launched at the COP27 to the UNFCCC in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

Indian

●        In India (3rd largest emitter of CH4) ~20% of its anthropogenic CH4 emissions come from agriculture (manure management), coal mines, municipal solid waste, etc.

●        According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, a nationwide strategy to boost biogas production has received significant funding.

Insta Links:

How can methane released in livestock belches be reduced?

Prelims Links: (UPSC 2022)

Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide?

1. 1. Cotton 2. Rice 3. Sugarcane 4. Wheat

Ans: 2

March 1, 2023 /01 Mar 2023, 1 March CA, Global Methane Pledge, GS 3, IMEO, International Energy Agency’s (IEA), Mars, Methane Global Tracker report 2023, Today's Article, Today’s article

Revisiting two cases of medico deaths

GS Paper 4

Syllabus: Ethics: Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values

Source: The Hindu

Context: A first-year postgraduate medical student at the Kakatiya Medical College Dr Preethi was reportedly harassed by a male senior, following which she tried to end her life.

About Ragging:

Ragging, also known as hazing refers to the practice of subjecting new students to humiliating or abusive behaviour as a way of initiating them into a group or community.

Ragging can take many forms, including physical and emotional abuse, harassment, bullying, and even sexual assault.
Apart from ragging, hazing, fagging, bullying, pledging and horseplaying are different terms.

Previous instances of ragging in India:

TAMIL NADU – PON NAVARASU

Tamil Nadu passed the country’s first anti-ragging legislation in 1997 based on the Pon Navarasu case.
Navarasu, son of the-then vice-chancellor of the University of Madras, was murdered. John David, a senior student of his college, confessed to the crime days later and surrendered to judicial custody.
During a ragging session, Navarasu was assaulted, and forced to strip and lick David’s footwear, he was violently beaten up and killed when he refused to do so.

MAHARASHTRA – Payal Tadvi

Payal Tadvi, a second-year MD student at Mumbai’s TN Topivala National Medical College (TNMC), had spoken to her friends about caste discrimination and harassment within the campus.
She belonged to the Adivasi Tadvi Bhil community and was found dead in Mumbai.

Data on caste discrimination in colleges:

A parliamentary panel found rampant caste bias within All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), as MBBS students from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes failed repeatedly in their exams.
The examiners tend to ask the name of the students and try to judge/ know if a student belongs to SC/ST community.

Laws against ragging in India:

Indian Penal Code
UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009
Other institute-specific regulations

Ethical issues associated with ragging:

Violation of human dignity
Infringement of individual rights
Promotion of unhealthy behaviour
Compromise of academic standards
The legal and moral responsibility of educational institutions

Solutions:

Strict rules and regulations
Awareness campaigns
Counselling and support
Orientation programs
Monitoring and surveillance

March 1, 2023 /01 Mar 2023, GS4, Human Values, Ragging, Today's Article

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

‘Anmol Jeevan Abhiyan’: How a simple innovation tankas saves women’s lives in Rajasthan’s Barmer

Source: TH

In Rajasthan’s Barmer district, there has been a surge in cases of women allegedly jumping to their deaths with their children in tanks and wells following marital disputes.

In response, the district administration, UNICEF, and Action Aid have launched the ‘Anmol Jeevan Abhiyan’ (Precious Life Campaign), which encourages the addition of hand pumps and locked covers to the large tanks or ‘tankas’ traditionally built for collecting rainwater in the rural areas.

The hand pumps serve a dual purpose of preventing accidents and suicides while also providing water.
The closure of the tankas with locked covers reduces the accessibility and prompts those with suicidal tendencies to have second thoughts.
A round-the-clock helpline has been established on the District Collectorate premises
The ‘Har Din Hai Man Ka Din’ awareness programme has been introduced in schools.

Impact: The campaign has already equipped 130 tankas in one panchayat area with hand pumps, and the reports of suicides have gradually reduced.

Usage of the example: In governance/Ethics/Essay as a unique initiative to reduce the case of suicide, isolation among women, simple innovation to solve social issues, easy access to water, and foster relationships within families.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Stupa

Source: TH

Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stumbled upon a 1,300-year-old stupa in a mining site in Odisha’s Jajpur district.

The site is being used for supplying Khondalite stones to the 12th Century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri

Features:

A stupa could be 5-metre tall
May belong to the 7th or 8th century

What is a Khondalite Stone?

Khondalite (named after the Khond tribe of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh) is a foliated metamorphic rock
It is also called Bezwada Gneiss and Kailasa Gneiss
These stones were widely used in ancient temple complexes

Westerlies governed Trans-Himalayas

Source: [DST](https://dst.gov.in/westerlies-governed-climatic-variations-and-landscape-trans-himalaya-historically-study#:~:text=It%20was%20the%20Westerlies%2C%20or,Thermal%20Maxima%20(between%207075%20and)

Context: A recent study has shown that the Westerlies had a bigger impact on the climate and landscape of the Trans-Himalayan region than the Indian Summer Monsoon.

They also found that the Westerlies and the Indian Summer Monsoon had periodic shifts in defining the climatic variations of the region.

How the researchers came to this conclusion?

The researchers collected sediments from glacial lakes in the Ladakh Range, which provided a record of climate change over the last seven thousand years.

Significance of the study:

It will help us understand past climate changes, assess the impact of global warming and climate variability, and help us plan for the future of the region.
The Himalayan region is very important because it is one of the most glaciated mountain regions on Earth, outside the poles.

Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) portal

Source: TH

Context: The MeitY launched the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) portal under the IT Rules, 2021.

Purpose: It will allow people who are dissatisfied with complaints to social media companies on content takedown requests, to be heard by one of three Committees constituted by the government.

Background:

The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 were amended last year to require social media companies to respect citizens’ rights under the India Constitution – Articles 14, 19 and 21.
Three Committees were formed to receive complaints to put these amendments into action.

The powers of Governors regarding assembly sessions

Source: IE

Context: The Solicitor General told the SC that the Punjab Governor had summoned the state Assembly for a budget session.

Background:

This came minutes before the SC was set to hear a challenge by the Punjab government against the Governor, over his refusal to summon the Budget session of Vidhan Sabha.
The Governor had cited Article 167 of the Constitution, which relates to the duties of the Chief Minister in furnishing information to the Governor.

Can the Governor refuse to summon the assembly?

Article 163(1) of the Indian Constitution says that there shall be a council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions.
- However, except in cases where s/he is required under this constitution to exercise his/her discretion.
Under Article 174, a Governor shall summon the House at a time and place, as s/he thinks fit.
- Article 174 (2) (a) says a Governor may from “time to time” prorogue the House and 174 (2) (b) allows her or him to dissolve the Legislative Assembly.
A joint reading of the two provisions leaves the Governor with minimal discretion in summoning the house. For example, when the CM has lost the support of the House and his strength is debatable.
In 2016, the SC (in Nabam Rebia case) held that the power to summon the House is not solely vested in the Governor.

Legislator facing disqualification can’t attend floor test: Supreme Court

Source: The Hindu

Context: According to the Chief Justice of India – allowing an MP or an MLA who is facing disqualification under the anti-defection law to participate in a floor test caused by his own doings will defeat the very purpose of the Tenth Schedule.

About Anti-Defection Law:

Introduced through the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 – inserted in the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
It lays down the process of disqualification on grounds of defection.
The presiding officer has the authority to disqualify a member on proven grounds of defection.
To prevent the legislators from changing their political affiliations during their tenure in office.

How price signals guide the allocation of goods

Source: The Hindu

About Price Signal:

Price signal refers to the information that prices convey to both producers and consumers in a market economy. In particular, prices signal the relative scarcity of different goods in an economy when measured against the competing demands for these goods among consumers.
- Prices in a way coordinate the production and distribution of goods and services across the modern economy. This allocation of resources in large economies happens despite the absence of a central planner to direct the allocation.

For example:

When the price of water is high due to its limited supply in the market, consumers will have a greater incentive to use water more sparingly. Water producers, on the other hand, will have a greater incentive to bring more water into the market; this is because the high price of water offers them an opportunity to earn higher profits.

3 national flagship programmes launched

Source: LM

Context: Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched three national flagship programmes.


Genetic Improvement Programme of Indian White Shrimp (Penaeus indicus)	· Need: Currently, Shrimp farming predominantly depends on one exotic Specific Pathogen Free stock of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) species · Features: Under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the ministry will establish a National Genetic Improvement Facility for shrimp. This will help diversify the species of shrimp and promote indigenous species. o The Ministry also laid the foundation stone for the Genetic Improvement Facility.
National Surveillance Programme on Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD)	· Need: Despite India being one of the largest fish-producing countries, aquatic disease costs over 7000 cr yearly. Therefore, early detection and managing the spread of diseases are considered crucial for controlling the diseases. · Features: The programme (Central Sector scheme) has been running since 2013. It was made part of PMMSY. Under Phase II, the ministry will develop National Information System on Aquatic Diseases at the Pan India level. · Strengthening the farmer-based disease surveillance system: To ensure that disease cases are reported immediately, investigated, and farmers receive scientific assistance.
Shrimp Crop insurance product developed by ICAR-CIBA	· Need: Shrimp farming is labelled as a risky venture and banking and insurance institutions are cautious about taking up business in the shrimp sector. · Features: Farmers will be compensated for an 80% loss of input cost in the event of a total loss of Shrimp crop (if the loss is more than 70%, it is called total crop loss) · Achievement: India achieved about 430% growth in shrimp production during the last decade. The business has become highly profitable leading to the growth and stability of the shrimp farming sector.

About the Fisheries sector in India:

India is the second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world. India is the 4th largest exporter of fish in the world as it contributes 7.7% to global fish production.

About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: Click here

Adenovirus

Source: Hindustan Times

Context: West Bengal is in the grip of an unprecedented adenovirus outbreak.

About Adenovirus:

Adenoviruses (members of the family Adenoviridae) are medium-sized, non-enveloped(without an outer lipid bilayer) viruses with an icosahedral nucleocapsid containing a double-stranded DNA genome. Their name derives from their initial isolation from human adenoids in 1953.
Adenovirus is highly contagious. Infections are common in close-contact settings, such as childcare centres, schools, hospitals, and summer camps.

Symptoms:

common cold or flu-like symptoms
fever
sore throat
acute bronchitis (inflammation of the airways of the lungs, sometimes called a “chest cold”)
pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
pink eye (conjunctivitis)
acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach or intestines causing diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain)

Treatment:

There is no specific treatment for an adenovirus infection — the route is largely one of providing supportive care.