UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 23rd November 2022 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

The three day-long celebration of 400th birth anniversary of Ahom General Lachit Barphukan will begin in New Delhi on November 23, 2022.

About:

• Lachit Borphukan was a commander and councillor in the Ahom Kingdom.
• The Ahom Kingdom resisted the invasion of the Mughal Empire several times and reigned in present-day Assam for over 600 years. 
• The Ahom Dynasty was founded in 1228 in Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley.
• The first King of the Ahom Kingdom was Chaolung Sukaphaa, who crossed the Patkai mountainous region to reach the Brahmaputra valley.
• In 1615, the Ahom Dynasty engaged in its first significant conflict with the Mughal Empire.
• The Mughals conquered the Ahom capital of Garhgaon in 1662 but were defeated in later battles.
• Finally, during the battle of Saraighat in 1671, the Ahoms led by Lachit Borphukan successfully defeated the Mughals.
• Borphukan is mainly known for his leadership in this battle. By 1682, the Mughal influence in the region was completely eradicated.

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

Context

If India has to achieve the set of goals enunciated in the ‘Panchamrit’ resolution of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow 2021, it is necessary that Panchayati raj institutions, the third tier of government which are closest to the people are involved.

Climate change and rural area

• Major impact on rural areas: The greater variability in rainfall and temperatures, etc. experienced of late has directly affected the livelihood and well-being of millions of rural households.
• PRI excluded from National action plan: India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change 2008 identifies a range of priority areas for coordinated intervention at the national and State levels. However, there would have been better results had Panchayati raj institutions been given a greater role.
• Decentralization of climate efforts are necessary: Through the ongoing decentralization process which ensures people’s participation, panchayats can play a crucial and frontline role in coordinating effective responses to climate risks, enabling adaptation and building climate-change resilient communities.

What is carbon neutrality?

• Zero carbon production:
  • The climate change discussion also focuses on the emerging and widely accepted concept of ‘carbon neutrality’ which puts forth the notion of zero carbon developments, nature conservation, food, energy and seeds sufficiency, and economic development.
  • As human activities are the cause of the current climate crisis, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to growing and extreme weather events are critical.
  • Zero carbon development which promotes sustainable living is the effective solution to reducing anthropogenic emissions and improving climate resilience.

Efforts of Panchayat raj institutes to fight climate change: Case study of Meenangadi

• Carbon neutral Meenangadi: In 2016, the panchayat envisaged a project called ‘Carbon neutral Meenangadi’, the aim being to transform Meenangadi into a state of carbon neutrality. There were campaigns, classes and studies to begin with. An awareness programme was conducted initially. A greenhouse gases emission inventory was also prepared. The panchayat was found to be carbon positive.
• Implementation of Multi-sectoral schemes: An action plan was prepared by organising gram Sabha meetings. Socio-economic surveys and energy-use mapping were also carried out. Several multi sector schemes were implemented to reduce emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and preserve the ecology and bio-diversity.
• Tree plantation Initiative: ‘Tree banking’ was one of landmark schemes introduced to aid carbon neutral activities which encouraged the planting of more trees by extending interest-free loans. Interestingly 1,58,816 trees were planted which have also been geo-tagged to monitor their growth.
• People’s participation: The entire community was involved in the process, with school students, youth, and technical and academic institutions given different assignments. Five years have passed and the changes are visible. Local economic development was another thrust area where LED bulb manufacturing and related micro-enterprises were initiated.

Government of India’s effort to support climate change: ‘Clean and Green Village’

• SDG theme: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has focused its attention on localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a thematic basis.
• Various activities delegated to PRI: ‘Clean and Green Village’ has been identified as the fifth theme where panchayats can take up activities on natural resource management, biodiversity protection, waste management and afforestation activities.
• Documentation of best practices: According to the latest data, 1,09,135-gram panchayats have prioritised ‘Clean & Green Village’ as one of their focus areas for 2022-23. The Ministry has highlighted the need for the documentation of best practices and for wider dissemination.
• Integrated panchayat development plan: The net result is that many panchayats are coming forward with their eco plans. The integrated Panchayat Development Plan prepared by all panchayats is a stepping stone towards addressing many of the environmental concerns of villages.

Conclusion

In today’s age of rapid technological advancements and digital transformation, India’s rural local bodies are silently contributing their strength to ensuring the global target of carbon neutrality, as envisaged in the UN conference on climate change.

Source: The Hindu

Context

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released the Digital Personal data Protection Bill, 2022, on November 18

Background: Demand for the data surveillance reforms

• The journey towards a data protection legislation began in 2011 when the department of Personnel and Training initiated discussions on the Right to Privacy Bill, 2011.
• As per an Office Memorandum dated September 29, 2011, the then attorney General, Goolam Vahanvati, opined that conditions under which the government can carry out “interception of communication” should be spelt out in the Bill.
• The report of the group emphasized the need to examine the impact of the increased collection of citizen information by the government on the right to privacy. Since then, civil society organizations, lawyers and politicians have consistently demanded surveillance reform, highlighting how personal data can only be protected when the government’s power to conduct surveillance of citizens is meaningfully regulated.

Revoked version of Digital Personal data Protection Bill, 2022

• Eases cross-border data flows but wide-ranging powers to state agencies: The reworked version of the data protection Bill, released three months after the Govt withdrew an earlier draft, eases cross-border data flows and increases penalties for breaches. But it gives the Centre wide-ranging powers and prescribes very few safeguards.
• Delicate balance on privacy and restrictions: Officials at the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) have said the new draft strikes a delicate balance and factors in learning from global approaches, while staying aligned to the Supreme Court’s ruling on privacy as a fundamental right, but within reasonable restrictions.
• Seven principles of the Bill: The explanatory note accompanying the Bill elaborates on the seven principles it seeks to promote, including transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, and preventing the unauthorized collection of personal data.

The surveillance architecture In India

• Main components: The surveillance architecture in India comprises mainly of Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885; Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000; and the procedural rules promulgated under them.
• No clearly defined ground: No But this architecture does not meaningfully define the grounds under which, or the manner in which, surveillance may be conducted.
• No safeguards: It also does not contain safeguards such as ex-ante or ex-post facto independent review of interception directions.
• Lack of accountability: The concentration of power with the executive thus creates a lack of accountability and enables abuse. Evidence for this emerges not only from instances of political surveillance, but also from the slivers of transparency that accidentally emerge from telecom companies.
• Excessive surveillance: For instance, submissions by Airtel to the Telecommunications Department, as part of the public consultation process for the Indian Telecommunication Bill, reveal that excessive data collection requests are already a reality. Airtel has asked the government to share the costs it incurs to comply with the increasing demands from law enforcement agencies to carry out surveillance.
• Concerns over citizen data processing: Apart from outright surveillance, unfettered collection and processing of citizen data for other purposes, such as digital governance, raise concerns.

What are the concerns over the revoked version of the bill?

• No proposals for surveillance reform: All iterations of the data protection legislation since the draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, the draft Data Protection Bill, 2021 and the 2022 Bill have no proposals for surveillance reform.
• Data processing without consent: Personal data can be processed even without the person’s consent. Blanket exemptions Like previous iterations, Clause 18(2) of the 2022 Bill allows the Union government to provide blanket exemptions for selected government agencies.
• Permits exemption to private entities: However, this Bill is more egregious than previous iterations as it permits exemption to private sector entities that may include individual companies or a class of them, by assessing the volume and nature of personal data under Clause 18(3).
• Exemptions without the purview of data protection: Under the new Bill in India, exempted state agencies and private entities will not be within the purview of the Data Protection Board, the body responsible for imposing penalties in case fiduciaries infringe privacy.

Data processing in other countries

• Exemptions on case by case and the rationale behind it: While the existing or proposed legislations in the European Union and in the U.S. permit security agencies to claim exemptions on a case-by-case basis, depending on why they are collecting personal data, they do not contain blanket exemption powers to an entire government entity.
• Meaningful state surveillance: Other jurisdictions exercise meaningful oversight over state surveillance. For instance, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal in the U.K. is authorized to hear complaints against misuse of surveillance powers and can impose monetary penalties in case of a breach.

Conclusion

The preamble to the 2022 Bill states that the purpose is to protect the personal data of individuals and to ensure that personal data is processed only for lawful purposes. However, blanket exemptions for state agencies alongside private entities raise untold concerns, which need to be addressed on a war footing.

Source: Indian Express

Context

• The Supreme Court raised questions on the present system of the Central government appointing serving bureaucrats of its choice as Chief Election Commissioners (CECs) and Election Commissioners (ECs).
• The Court said that a “fair and transparent system” should be adopted to appoint the best apolitical person with strong character who can make independent decisions without being influenced.

Election Commission of India:

• Election Commission is a permanent and independent body.
• By Article 324 of the Constitution of India, it is vested with the power of conducting elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, the office of President and Vice-President of India.

Appointment and Tenure of Commissioners:

• The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners.
• They have tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
• The CEC can be removed from office except in same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
• The Constitution has not prescribed the qualifications of the members of the Election Commission.
• The Constitution has not debarred the retiring Election Commissioners from any further appointment by the Government.

Composition of Election Commission:

• Since the inceptions and till 15^th October 1989, the EC functioned as a single member body consisting of the CEC.
• On 16^th October 1989, the President appointed two more commissioners to cope with the increased work of the EC, on account of lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18 years.
• In case of difference of opinion amongst the CEC and/or two other election commissioners, the matter is decided by the Commission by majority.

Budget & Expenditure:

• The Secretariat of the Commission has an independent budget, which is finalized directly in consultation between the Commission and the Finance Ministry of the Union Government.
• If elections are being held only for the Parliament, the expenditure is borne entirely by the Union Government.
• If elections are being held only for the State Legislature, the expenditure is borne entirely by the concerned State.
• In case of simultaneous elections to the Parliament and State Legislature, the expenditure is shared equally between the Union and the State Governments.

Political Parties & the Commission:

• Election Commission ensures a level playing field for the political parties in election fray, through strict observance by them of a Model Code of Conduct evolved with the consensus of political parties.
• Political parties are registered with the Election Commission.
• The Commission ensures inner party democracy in their functioning by insisting upon them to hold their organizational elections at periodic intervals.
• The Commission, as a part of its quasi-judicial jurisdiction, also settles disputes between the splinter groups of such recognised parties.

At State Level:

• At State level, the Election Commission is assisted by the Chief Electoral Officer.
  • Chief Electoral Officer is appointed by the Chief Election Commissioner in consultation with the State Government.
• At District level, the Collector acts as the District Returning Officer.
• He appoints a Returning Officer for every constituency in the state.

Supreme Court’s Observation:

• The Supreme Court said the Central government pays mere “lip-service” to the independence of the Election Commissioners.
  • This is evident from the way the tenures of Chief Election Commissioners (CECs) have “slid” down from over eight years in the 1950s to just about a few hundred days after 2004.
• The court said successive governments, particularly after 2004, have picked people whom it knew would never ever get close to the full term of six years prescribed under the Election Commission Act, 1991.
  • Section 4 of the 1991 Act says the term of a CEC and Election Commissioners is six years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• The court said protections under Article 324, like removal through impeachment, available under the Constitution to the CECs would only be of any use if he or she had a full term.
• Referring to former CEC TN Seshan, the court said people came to know about the Commission when he took charge and took a slew of decisions to make the panel independent.
• The bench observed that involving the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the selection process of CEC/ECs would go a long way to ensure transparency.
  • The presence of the CJI would send a message that you cannot play games in selection and best person of character would be picked.

Source: The Hindu

GS-III

Context

• The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently advised banks to remain vigilant of the evolving macroeconomic situation, including global spillovers, and expressed concern about slowing deposit growth in relation to credit growth.

Evolving global macroeconomic situations:

• Present challenges world is facing:
  • Russian actions in Ukraine impacting energy supplies and prices (especially in Europe).
  • Economic slowdown in China because of frequent lockdowns due to its zero-COVID policy.
  • Increased cost-of-living because of resulting inflationary pressures.
• Impact:
  • Monetary policies of advanced economies are tightened: This has raised concerns about the risk to financial stability in emerging and developing economies.
  • Lower external demand is reducing export demand: This resulted in economic growth to be solely driven by domestic demand.
  • Higher global inflation and interest rates: This has impacted the capital flow into the economy, resulting in depreciation of domestic currency and higher imported inflation.

Credit demand/growth in India:

• Credit demand rises with economic activity and banks' credit-disbursing capacity is determined by their in-house reserves.
  • Credit growth was on a downward trend during the pandemic due to decreasing economic activity.
  • With economic activity returning to normal, credit growth has increased, particularly in the preceding three quarters.
• According to the RBI, domestic aggregate demand has an uneven character at the moment. Urban demand appears to be healthy and rural demand has recently begun to gain strength.
• Commercial bank credit growth has also been strong, led by services, personal loans, agriculture, and industry, indicating an increasing preference for bank credit to satisfy working capital needs.

Deposit growth in relation to credit growth in India:

• According to the latest RBI data for scheduled commercial banks, aggregate deposits increased by 2% year on year (YoY) in comparison to 11.4%, while credit off-take increased by 17%, compared to a 7.1% growth YoY.
• Deposit growth has not declined significantly, but it has fallen in comparison to credit growth, which has increased in recent quarters.
• As a result, banks' net interest margins have improved, but it did not increase their ability to disburse further credit.

Banks’ asset quality in India:

• The RBI reports that the bank's gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) have consistently dropped, with net NPAs falling to 1% of total assets.
  • A non performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days.
• Though MSME NPAs (around 15% of the banks' loan book) are expected to rise, overall NPAs for banks are likely to fall as the corporate category (roughly 45% of loan books) drives the downward trend.
• The improvement in asset quality on the corporate loan book is due to the de-leveraging over the years, in which most corporates have been able to reduce their debt levels and enhance their credit profiles.
• Corporate NPAs are likely to decline as a result of the establishment of the National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL), which is expected to take over some of the legacy corporate loan NPAs still held by banks.
  • NARCL, a government entity, has been incorporated on 7th July 2021.
  • It is registered with the Reserved Bank of India as an Asset Reconstruction Company under Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002.
  • NARCL has been set up by banks to aggregate and consolidate stressed assets for their subsequent resolution.
  • PSBs will maintain 51% ownership in NARCL.
• However, in light of the macroeconomic scenario, market participants have expressed concern about corporate loans.

Source: Indian Express

Context

The Tamil Nadu government recently issued a notification declaring Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in Madurai district the first biodiversity heritage site in the State.

About:

• It aims to prevent the loss of biodiversity and preserve the cultural and architectural heritage, the government, as recommended by the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board, has declared Arittapatti a biodiversity heritage site.
• The site, comprising 139.63 hectares in Arittapatti village (in Melur taluk) and 53.58 hectares in Meenakshipuram village (Madurai East taluk), will be known as the Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site.
• Arittapatti, known for its ecological and historical significance, houses around 250 species of birds, including three important raptors — Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger), Shaheen Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata).
• It is also home to wildlife such as the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Python (Python molurus) and Slender Loris (Loris spp).
• The area is surrounded by a chain of seven hillocks or inselbergs, that serve as a watershed, charging “72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check-dams”.
• The Anaikondan tank, built during the reign of the Pandiyan kings in the 16th century, is one of them.
• The site also features various megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions, Jain Beds and 2200-year-old rock-cut temples adding to its historical value.

Source: The Hindu

Iran has recently begun producing uranium enriched to 60 percent at the Fordo underground facility.

About:

• 60 percent enriched uranium still isn't technically weapons-grade (weapons require uranium enriched to 90 percent or higher), but having a significant stockpile of it could reduce the time Iran would need to make a bomb.

2015 agreement:

• Under the terms of the 2015 agreement with world powers, Iran is only permitted to enrich uranium to 3.67% purity.
• That deal gave Iran sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear program to prevent the production of a weapon.
• The deal also called for Fordo to become a research-and-development facility and restricted centrifuges there, used to spin enriched uranium into higher levels of purity, to non-nuclear uses.

Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP):

• Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) is Iran’s second pilot enrichment plant.
  • The first is the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz.
• It is located buried in a mountain near the city of Qom.

Source: The Hindu