Weekly Current Affairs (15th to 21st November 2023) Part - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023

In a world where digital media has become the norm, the recent approval of the Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting marks a watershed moment in government communication strategies. This policy paves the way for the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) to embark on comprehensive campaigns within the digital media realm, embracing an era of technology-driven outreach.

Understanding the Key Policies

• Expansion to Diverse Digital Platforms: The Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023 is a progressive move allowing the CBC to advertise across various digital landscapes including social media, Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, digital audio platforms, mobile applications, and websites. Eligibility criteria have been set, requiring platforms to have a minimum one-year presence to participate.
• Transparent Advertisement Rates: An emphasis on transparency is evident through the policy's approach to determining advertisement rates. These rates will be tied to subscriber base and viewership numbers, established through competitive bidding, ensuring fairness and efficacy. Valid for three years, this mechanism aims to maintain consistency.
• OTT Platform Engagements: The policy doesn't solely focus on ad placement; it also involves the integration of OTT platforms for embedded or in-film advertisements, promotions, and branding activities, as per the terms outlined in CBC's Letter of Intent.
• Funding Source and Allocation: Under this policy, the CBC typically allocates 2% of the total government scheme outlay for promotional activities, ensuring that the dissemination of information about these programs reaches the masses effectively.

Significance of the Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023

This groundbreaking policy signifies the CBC's commitment to adapting to evolving media landscapes while leveraging technology to disseminate information about various government initiatives, schemes, and policies. Embracing the digital universe's expansive subscriber base, this policy aims to deliver citizen-centric messages efficiently and cost-effectively, targeting specific demographics with precision.

Digital India's Impact and the Numbers

In the wake of the Digital India program, India has witnessed a monumental surge in internet connectivity and social media presence. The statistics from TRAI's Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators January–March 2023 are staggering, with over 880 million internet users and more than 1172 million telecom subscribers as of March 2023. These figures underscore the monumental potential and reach of digital platforms for government communication.

Conclusion

• The Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023 emerges as a transformative tool, aligning government communication strategies with the rapidly evolving digital landscape. By leveraging the expansive reach of digital platforms, the policy not only revolutionizes outreach but also ensures transparent and effective communication of government initiatives to the citizens of India.
• This pivotal step underscores the government's commitment to embracing technology and adapting its communication strategies to effectively connect with its citizens in this digital age.

Gender Disparity in Organ Transplants

Context: In a startling revelation from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) in India, a striking gender disparity has been brought to light in the realm of organ transplants.

• The data spanning over two decades, from 1995 to 2021, showcased a staggering statistic: four out of every five organ recipients were men, pointing to a significant healthcare imbalance.
• This concerning trend underscores the critical need for ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all individuals, irrespective of gender.

Understanding Organ Transplant Trends in India

The statistics collated by NOTTO, the apex body overseeing organ and tissue donation and transplantation in India, reveal a glaring gender gap among both organ recipients and donors in the country. Out of a total of 36,640 patients who underwent organ transplants during the stated period, a staggering 29,695 were men, while only 6,945 were women. Surprisingly, studies indicate a higher number of women donors, emphasizing the unfortunate reality that women in need of organ transplants are not receiving adequate healthcare due to socio-cultural and economic factors.

• The overall data showcases a positive surge in organ transplants in India, reaching a record high of 16,041 procedures in 2022. Kidney transplants dominate the landscape, followed by liver, heart, and lung transplants. Delhi leads in living donor transplants, while Tamil Nadu maintains its position as the leader in deceased donor transplants, sourcing organs from brain-dead patients. Additionally, India ranks third globally in the number of transplants conducted.

Unpacking the Causes and Effects of Gender Disparity:

The underlying causes of gender disparity in organ transplants echo the prevalent gender inequality in Indian society. Factors such as lack of awareness, preference for male recipients, social stigma, and financial constraints contribute to this stark discrepancy. The consequences of such disparity reverberate in healthcare systems where women might face discrimination, negligence, or denial of treatment.

Legal Framework and Way Forward:

India has legislation in place like the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, aimed at regulating organ transplantation and preventing commercial dealings in human organs. To address this disparity, there is a need to:

• Raise Awareness: Conduct targeted awareness campaigns emphasizing the importance of organ donation and transplantation, specifically directed towards women and their families.
• Provide Support Services: Offer counseling and support services to alleviate doubts and fears surrounding organ donation and transplantation.
• Strengthen Infrastructure: Expand and fortify the network and infrastructure for organ donation and transplantation to ensure equal access and availability of services.
• Enforce Ethical Norms: Implement and enforce legal and ethical guidelines to prevent malpractices in organ donation and transplantation.
• Empower Women: Encourage and empower women as both donors and recipients by acknowledging and celebrating their contributions.

The revelation of gender disparity in organ transplants underscores the urgent need for a concerted effort to bridge this gap, ensuring healthcare access for all, irrespective of gender. Only through a collective and inclusive approach can this disparity be diminished, paving the way for a more equitable healthcare system.

Jurisdiction of Lokpal

Context: In the labyrinth of governance, the Lokpal stands as a critical institution tasked with combatting corruption. However, recent events have spotlighted its jurisdictional limitations, raising concerns about its effectiveness in addressing systemic malfeasance.

Understanding Lokpal's Scope and Recent Challenges

• Lokpal's Stand in the UP Case: The Lokpal of India recently faced scrutiny over its inability to entertain a plea from the wife of a deceased Uttar Pradesh government official. The official allegedly succumbed to pressures related to the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, exposing the Lokpal's jurisdictional constraints.
• Jurisdictional Limitations: The Lokpal clarified its inability to intervene in the case involving the Principal Secretary and Director General of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, citing that criminal allegations fall outside its purview. Despite this, it forwarded the complaint to the Union Tourism Secretary for further investigation.
• Exploring the Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Launched by the Centre, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme aims for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits, including the Buddhist circuit, Ramayana circuit, and Spiritual Circuit, among others.

Decoding Lokpal's Powers and Concerns

• Lokpal's Realm of Influence: The Lokpal's jurisdiction extends to Prime Ministers, Ministers, Members of Parliament, and various government officials. It has oversight over corruption allegations, although it does not cover certain areas like international relations, security, etc.
• Challenges Faced: The absence of a full-time chairperson since May 2022 raises concerns about the Lokpal's functional efficiency. Moreover, its inaction in prosecuting individuals accused of corruption has attracted criticism.
• Transparency Dilemma: Experts highlight the Lokpal's lack of transparency and accountability, which has compromised its credibility and efficacy.

Navigating the Path Ahead

• Strengthening the Ombudsman: To combat corruption effectively, empowering the ombudsman institution is paramount. This involves bolstering functional autonomy, ensuring ample manpower, and promoting transparency.
• Transparency and Citizen Empowerment: Greater transparency, citizen empowerment, and robust leadership accountable to public scrutiny are pivotal in bolstering anti-corruption efforts.
• Reforming Governance: Mere augmentation of investigative agencies isn't sufficient. Embracing the ethos of 'less government and more governance' is vital for transformative change. Financial, administrative, and legal autonomy for Lokpal and Lokayukta are imperative.

Conclusion

The jurisdictional hurdles faced by Lokpal highlight the need for a more robust, transparent, and empowered anti-corruption mechanism. Strengthening these institutions, ensuring accountability, and empowering citizens are critical steps toward fostering a corruption-free landscape.

NATO Suspends CFE Treaty Amid Russian Withdrawal

Context: In a significant turn of events, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) has recently announced the suspension of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE).

• This suspension comes as a response to Russia's withdrawal from the pact, which holds immense historical significance in the context of Cold War-era security.

Background of Russia's Departure from CFE

The CFE Treaty, formulated in 1990 and ratified in 1992, was designed to prevent the buildup of conventional armed forces near mutual borders of NATO and Warsaw Pact nations during the Cold War. It played a pivotal role in curbing tensions and arms proliferation in Europe. However, Russia's decision to suspend participation in 2007 and formally withdraw in 2015 laid the groundwork for the recent developments.

Russia's Justification and Concerns

Russia's official reasoning for its exit stems from its assertion that the treaty no longer aligns with its security interests. They argue that the agreement limits conventional weapons and equipment but fails to address advanced weaponry. Russia has placed blame on the US and its allies, citing their stance on the treaty as a primary factor.

Impact of Ukraine Conflict

The conflict in Ukraine, notably Russia's invasion in 2022, significantly influenced Russia's decision to pull out from the CFE Treaty. This conflict has direct implications for NATO member states bordering Ukraine, such as Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Hungary, heightening concerns about regional security.

NATO's Position and Stance

NATO emphasizes its dedication to reducing military risks, preventing misunderstandings, and upholding security. However, the suspension of the CFE Treaty underlines the ongoing tensions between NATO and Russia, indicating substantial implications for global security, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Unraveling the Cold War Era Treaties

• North Atlantic Treaty (1949): Established as a collective defense alliance, NATO comprises Western nations, including the US, Canada, and European countries, fostering security collaboration among member states.
• Warsaw Pact (1955)": In response to NATO, the Warsaw Pact united Eastern Bloc countries, led by the Soviet Union, forming a mutual defense alliance, encompassing nations such as the Soviet Union, East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Other Key Treaties and Agreements

Throughout the Cold War, several treaties aimed to ease tensions:

• The Four Power Agreement on Berlin (1971)
• Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty (1987)
• Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and START Treaties
• Helsinki Accords (1975)

Understanding NATO

• About NATO: NATO, formed in 1949, stands as a political and military alliance, uniting 31 member countries to promote mutual defense and collective security.
• Membership and Headquarters: From the original 12 founding members, NATO has expanded to include 19 additional countries, with its headquarters located in Brussels, Belgium. Notably, Article 5 of the NATO treaty asserts collective defense, only invoked once after the 9/11 attacks.
• Alliances and Provisions: NATO has established alliances like the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Mediterranean Dialogue, and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, focusing on regional cooperation and security.

Conclusion

The suspension of the CFE Treaty highlights the persistent strains between NATO and Russia, profoundly impacting global security, especially in Eastern Europe. Understanding the historical context of Cold War-era treaties like CFE, NATO's role, and the broader geopolitical implications remains crucial in assessing contemporary international relations.

Frictions in Centre-State Relations

Context: In recent times, the frequency and intensity of disputes between the Centre and States in India have surged, posing challenges to the collaborative framework of Cooperative Federalism.

• These frictions bear significant implications for the Indian economy, altering the landscape of power distribution and policy formulation.

Issues in Centre-State Relations

• Background of Economic Reforms: The post-1991 economic reforms relaxed investment controls, granting States some autonomy. However, their discretion over public expenditure remains limited as they heavily rely on the Centre for revenue. This imbalance has led to a hardening of stances, undermining the essence of Cooperative Federalism.
• Complex Disputes: Areas of contention span social sector policies, regulatory institutions, and the powers of central agencies. The ideal scenario involves decentralized policies with a supervisory central body. However, central agencies often seek increased influence, nudging States towards the Centre's directives.

Constitutional Provisions Governing Relations

• Legislative Relations (Articles 245-255): Indian Constitution distributes legislative powers between the Centre and States through three lists: Union, State, and Concurrent, detailed in the Seventh Schedule.
• Administrative and Financial Relations: Articles 256-263 and 268-293 respectively define administrative and financial relations. These sections delineate the division of powers and financial responsibilities between the Centre and States.

Compromise in Fiscal Federalism

• Centre's Dominance and Investment Shifts: Initiatives like PM Gati Shakti, mandating State master plans in alignment with the national master plan, limit State flexibility. This centralized approach diminishes States' investment capacity, leading to a decline in capital expenditure.
• Fiscal Competition and Inefficiencies: States and the Centre engage in fiscal competition, exacerbating financial disparities. This imbalance concentrates spending within a few major states, reducing financial autonomy for others. The emergence of parallel policies further complicates matters, causing inefficiencies and fiscal repercussions.

Strengthening Federalism in India

• Foster Collaborative Dialogue: Open communication channels and regular meetings can address concerns, fostering mutual understanding.
• Empower States: Devolve decision-making powers and resources to States, ensuring their accountability in developmental agendas.
• Encourage Cooperative Policies: Collaborative efforts in policy formulation and implementation can optimize resources and foster comprehensive development.
• Define Clear Roles: Clarify governmental roles to mitigate conflicts arising from overlapping jurisdictions.
• Build Trust: Establish a culture of trust and cooperation to facilitate smoother policy implementation and reforms.

Conclusion

A harmonious relationship between the Centre and States is pivotal for India's economic environment. Collaboration, empowerment, clarity, and trust-building form the bedrock for a productive relationship.