Weekly Current Affairs (22nd to 31st October 2022) - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Indian Currency Design Mechanism

Context: Recently, the head of a political party asked the central government to put pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh on currency notes in order to bring “prosperity” to the country.

Who is involved in the Design and Issuance of Indian Bank Notes and Coins?

About:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Government decide the changes in the design and form of bank notes and coins.
• Any change in design of a currency note has to be approved by the RBI’s Central Board and the central government.
• Changes in the design of coins are the prerogative of the central government.

Role of RBI in Issuing Notes:

• Section 22 of The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, gives RBI the “sole right” to issue banknotes in India.
• The central bank internally works out a design, which is put before the RBI’s Central Board.
• Section 25 states that “the design, form, and material of bank notes shall be such as may be approved by the Central Government after consideration of the recommendations made by the RBI’s Central Board”.
• The RBI’s Department of Currency Management, currently headed by Deputy Governor, has the responsibility of administering the core function of currency management.
• If the design of a currency note has to change, the Department works on the design and submits it to RBI, which recommends it to the central government. The government gives the final approval.

Role of Central Government in minting of coins:

• The Coinage Act, 2011 gives the central government the power to design and mint coins in various denominations.
• The role of the RBI is limited to the distribution of coins that are supplied by the central government.
• The government decides on the quantity of coins to be minted on the basis of indents received from the RBI on a yearly basis.
• Coins are minted in four mints owned by the Government of India in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Noida.

What is RBI’s Currency Management System?

• RBI, in consultation with the central Government and other stakeholders, estimates the quantity of banknotes that are likely to be needed denomination-wise in a year, and places indents with the various currency printing presses for their supply.
• Two of India’s currency note printing presses (Nasik and Dewas) are owned by the Government of India; two others (Mysore and Salboni) are owned by the RBI through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Ltd (BRBNML).
• Notes that are received back from circulation are examined, after which those fit for circulation are reissued, while the soiled and mutilated notes are destroyed.

What are the Types of Notes Issued so far?

• Ashoka Pillar Banknotes: The first banknote issued in independent India was the Re 1 note issued in 1949. While retaining the existing design, the new banknotes replaced the portrait of King George with the symbol of the Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath in the watermark window.
• Mahatma Gandhi (MG) Series, 1996: All the banknotes of this series bear the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the obverse (front) side, in place of the symbol of Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar, which was moved to the left, next to the watermark window. These banknotes contain both the Mahatma Gandhi watermark as well as Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait.
• Mahatma Gandhi Series, 2005: The “MG series 2005” notes were issued in denominations of Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 500, and Rs 1,000. They contain some additional/ new security features as compared to the 1996 MG series. The Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes of this series were withdrawn w.e.f. the midnight of November 8, 2016.
• Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, 2016: The “MGNS” notes highlight the cultural heritage and scientific achievements of the country. Being of reduced dimensions, these notes are more wallet friendly, and are expected to incur less wear and tear. The colour scheme is sharp and vivid.

People Rights Vs Animal Welfare

Context: In view of rising cases of stray dogs menace, the Supreme Court of India said that a balance has to be maintained between the safety of people and animal rights.

• The court also suggested that people who feed stray dogs could be made responsible for vaccinating them and bearing costs if somebody is attacked by the animal.

What is the Need to maintain a Balance between People Rights and Animal Welfare?

To Address the Fundamental Issue:

• This issue raises even more a fundamental issue regarding rights of wild animals within the society dominated by human beings in general and within the framework of the Constitution of India in particular.

Recognition in Hindu Texts:

• Ancient Hindu texts have recognized the rights of animals, birds and every living creature and regarded every living being as having emerged from the same divine power as humans, thereby deserving due respect, love and affection.
• India has a culture that promotes tolerance and respect for all life forms. Hindus regard cows as their sacred animal.

Punishing Animals is Wrong:

• During ancient times some civilizations punished animals for wrongs committed by them. But with time, the argument relating to Moral agency evolved and it was realized that punishing animals was wrong, since they lacked the rationality to distinguish right from wrong and thus punishment would serve no use.
• Thus, laws evolved and animals (like minors and persons of unsound mind) were held to be bearer of interests that needed to be safeguarded by the law sans any obligation to perform any corresponding duties.
• The present legal regime penalizes pet owners for any damage resulting from the negligent handling of their pet.

What are the Related Judgements?

Animal Welfare Board of India v. Nagaraja (2014):

• In this case, while striking down the practice of Jallikattu (bull-wrestling) and bullock cart racing in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, respectively, the Supreme Court had ruled that the right to dignity and fair treatment as enshrined in and arising out of Article 21 of India’s Constitution is not confined to human beings alone, but animals as well.

Other Judgements:

• In July 2018 the Uttarakhand High Court and in June 2019, Judge Rajiv Sharma of the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that animals have a distinct legal persona with corresponding rights, duties, and liabilities of a living person and subsequently declared all the citizens throughout their to be persons in loco parentis as the human face for the welfare/protection of animals.
• All citizens of Uttarakhand and Haryana were declared to have legal responsibilities and functions similar to those of a parent vis-à-vis minor children for the welfare and protection of animals within their respective States.

What is the Constitutional Protection for Animal Rights?

• According to the Indian Constitution, it is everyone’s responsibility to care for and preserve the country’s natural resources, such as its forests, lakes, rivers, and animals.
  • However, many of these provisions come in the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) and Fundamental Duties – which cannot be enforced unless there is statutory backing.
• Article 48 A states that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
• Article 51A(g) states it to be a duty of every citizen of India “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.”
• Further, the State and Concurrent List have been assigned the following items about animal rights.
• The States are given the authority to “preserve, maintain and improve stock and prevent animal diseases and enforce veterinary training and practice,” according to State List Item 14.
• The Concurrent List contains legislation that both the Centre and the States may pass
• “Prevention of animal cruelty,” which is mentioned in item 17.
• “Protection of wild animals and birds” which is mentioned as item 17B.

What are the Important Laws in India for the Protection of Animals?

Indian Penal Code (IPC):

• The Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860 is the official criminal code of India which covers all substantive aspects of criminal law.
• Section 428 and 429 of the IPC provides for punishment of all acts of cruelty such as killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless of animals.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960:

• The objective of the Act is to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and to amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.
• The Act defines "animal" as any living creature other than a human being.

Wildlife Protection Act 1972:

• The act aims to safeguard all plants and animal species in the country to ensure environmental and ecological security.
• The Act prohibits the hunting of endangered animals while providing for the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and zoos.

Way Forward

• Our legislative provisions and judicial pronouncements make an effective case for animal rights, but no rights can be absolute. Like human rights, regulation of animal rights is a must.
• The need of the hour is to strike a balance between safeguarding the interests of animals without compromising on the safety or well-being of humans. Animal abuse has to stop.
• Humans need to shed their condescending approach of patronizing other species.
• Mere intellectual superiority of humankind cannot be allowed to supersede living rights of another species. Co-existence of all life forms is absolutely essential to prevent an imbalance of our eco-system.

Pakistan Removed from FATF Grey List

Context: Recently, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international watchdog on terror financing and money laundering, has removed Pakistan from the list of countries under “increased monitoring” (Grey List).

• India’s other neighbour on the grey list, Myanmar, was moved to the “black list” due to actions by the military leadership after the 2021 coup.

What is the FATF?

About:

• FATF is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. It also aims to counter the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
• It was set up in 1989 out of a G-7 meeting of developed nations in Paris.
• Its Secretariat is located at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris.

Members:

• As of today, it is a 39-member body with 37 countries and two regional organisations: the European Commission, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
  • Indonesia is the only observer country of FATF.
• India joined with ‘observer’ status in 2006 and became a full member of FATF in 2010.
  • India is also a member of its regional partners, the Asia Pacific Group (APG) and the Eurasian Group (EAG).

Greylisting and Blacklisting Countries:

• The FATF Plenary (decision-making body of the FATF) meets tri-annually - in February, June and October, to take stock of “Mutual Evaluation Reports” (MERs) of the countries it reviews.
• If a country appears to have major deficiencies in its AML/CFT regime, it is put on a list of “jurisdictions under increased monitoring” - “grey list” and if it fails to address FATF concerns, it is put on a “high-risk jurisdictions” list - “black list”.
  • AML/CFT refers to “Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism”.
• The Grey List includes countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering. It serves as a warning that the country may enter the blacklist.
  • The Black List includes Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) that support terror funding and money laundering activities. As of now, Iran, North Korea and Myanmar are the three black listed countries.
• The enlisted countries are subjected to increased financial structures, thus making it difficult for them to procure loans from the financial institutions affiliated to FATF (as observers) such as the IMF, World Bank etc.

What are the Key Points about Pak’s Removal from the Grey List?

• FATF’s Stand: The FATF lauded “Pakistan’s significant progress” saying that the country had completed two action plans comprising a 34-point tasklist in the period since 2018.
  • Pakistan has been removed from the list after four years. It was first put on the list in 2008, removed in 2009 and before adding it again in 2018, it remained under increased monitoring from 2012 to 2015.
• India’s Response: India has protested Pakistan’s lack of action against cross-border terror groups responsible for attacks on India, however, it agreed to the decision to take Pakistan off the list, as the latter had submitted “documentary evidence” of its actions against designated terrorists.
  • India believes that Pakistan must continue to take “credible, verifiable, irreversible and sustainable” action against terror groups emanating from territories under its control.

What are the Implications of Removing Pakistan from the List?

• For Pakistan: Being removed from the grey list, Pakistan has essentially received a reputational boost and a clean bill of health from the international community on terrorist financing.
  • Considering the current situation of the country’s economy, it is essentially in desperate need of investments from other countries. Removal from the grey list will definitely do the deed in this context.
• For India: While four years of greylisting has scaled-down the cross-border terror, the occasional incidents of terrorists infiltration and the regular sightings of drones bearing weapon-payloads along the border suggest that Pakistan’s terrorism infrastructure directed against India is presently in a recessed mode but far from being dismantled comprehensively.
  • India will have to continue mustering all available instruments and options to deny Pakistan operating space to wield the terror-weapon.
  • India’s interests lie in playing the long game in these diplomatic battles with the goal of making the region more stable and secure.

UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee Meeting

Context:  Recently, India has hosted a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) to discuss terror-financing through crypto-currency and use of drones in the new-age terrorism.

• This will be the first such meeting of the UNSC-CTC in India since its establishment in 2001. The Permanent Representative of India (Ruchira Kamboj) to the UN (United Nations) serves as the Chair of the CTC for 2022.
• Theme: Countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.

What is UNSC-CTC?

• It was established by Security Council resolution 1373 which was adopted unanimously on 28th September 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks in the US.
• The Committee comprises all 15 Security Council member.
  • Five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
• The Committee was tasked with monitoring implementation of resolution 1373 which requested countries to implement a number of measures aimed at enhancing their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home and around the world.
• This includes taking steps to criminalize the financing of terrorism, freezing any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism, deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groups, suppress the provision of safe haven, sustenance or support for terrorists and share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts.

What are the Highlights of the Meet?

• India listed five points for the consideration of the CTC,
  • Effective and sustained efforts to counter terror-financing.
  • Normative efforts of the UN need to be coordinated with other fora like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
  • Make sure that the Security Council’s sanctions regime is not rendered ineffective because of political reasons.
  • International cooperation and concerted actions against terrorists and their sponsors including the dismantlement of terrorist safe havens, etc. are critical imperatives.
  • Recognise these linkages and strengthen multilateral efforts to break against terrorism’s nexus with a transnational organised crime like arms and illicit drug trafficking.

What are Emerging Challenges for India?

• Use of emerging technologies for spreading terror is an issue of increasing concern across the globe.
• While one of the terrorists of 26/11 strike was captured alive, prosecuted, and convicted by the Supreme Court in India, the key conspirators and planners of the 26/11 attacks continue to remain protected and unpunished.
• China’s putting a hold on UNSC sanctions against Pakistan-based terrorists on multiple occasions weaken the Security Council to act in some cases.
• Over the years, terrorist groups have diversified their funding portfolio. They have also begun to exploit the anonymity of new and emerging technologies such as virtual currencies for fund-raising and finances.
• Pakistan was put on the FATF’s so-called grey list in June 2018 for a lax regime in countering money laundering and terror funding. The FATF removed Pakistan after more than four years at the plenary in October 2022.
  • Discussion over the delisting of Pakistan from last year coincided with a trend of rising terror attacks in Kashmir.

What is Terrorism?

About:

• Any person who commits an offense, with the purpose of the conduct is to intimidate a population or to compel a Government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act, which causes:
• Death or serious bodily injury to any person; or
• Serious damage to public or private property, including a place of public use, a State or government facility, a public transportation system, an infrastructure facility or the environment; or
• Damage to property, places, facilities, or systems resulting in or likely to result in a major economic loss.

Indian Initiatives to Tackle Terrorism:

• In the wake of the terror attack, several steps were initiated to streamline the security set-up.
• Coastal security was given high priority, and it is with the Navy/Coast Guard/marine police.
• A specialised agency to deal with terrorist offences, the National Investigation Agency, was set up and has been functioning from January 2009.
• The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has been constituted to create an appropriate database of security-related information.
• Four new operational hubs for the National Security Guard have been created to ensure rapid response to terror attacks.
• The Multi-Agency Centre, which functions under the Intelligence Bureau, was further strengthened and its activities expanded.
• The Navy constituted a Joint Operations Centre to keep vigil over India’s extended coastline.

Global Efforts:

• The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) leads and coordinates an all-of-UN approach to prevent and counter-terrorism and violent extremism.
  • UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) under UNOCT, promotes international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and supports the Member States in implementing the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
• The Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) plays a significant role in international efforts.
  • It works to assist the Member States, upon request, with the ratification, legislative incorporation and implementation of the universal legal framework against terrorism.
• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, sets international standards that aim to prevent these illegal activities and the harm they cause to society.

Way Forward

• An essential aspect of combating terrorism is to curb terror financing effectively.
• Objective and evidence-based proposals for listing of terrorist groups, especially those that curb their access to financial resources, must be seen through.
• The international community should rise above political differences and defeat the challenge of terrorism.
• Technical solutions are necessary to augment and complement the traditional methods of border guarding. They not only enhance the surveillance and detection capabilities of the border guarding forces but also improve the impact of the border guarding personnel against infiltration and trans-border crimes.
• India should move in the direction of specialisation of military to fight cross-border terrorism.
  • Military should also look at alternative means to strike at the terror camps across the LoC and LAC through mechanisms like Precision Engagement Capability.
• A judicious mix of properly trained manpower and affordable and tested technology is likely to yield better results.
• War against terrorism is a low intensity conflict or localized war and cannot be waged without the full and unstinted support of the society and can be lost easily if the morale and resolve of the society to fight against terrorism falters.