Weekly Current Affairs (15th to 21st June 2023) Part - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

UNDP's 2023 Gender Social Norms Index

Context: Biased gender social norms continue to impede progress towards achieving gender equality and violate human rights, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

• Despite global efforts and campaigns advocating for women's rights, a significant percentage of people still hold biased beliefs against women.
• The UNDP's 2023 Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) provides insights into the persistence of these biases and their impact on various aspects of women's lives.

What are the Key Findings of the Index?

About:

• UNDP tracked people’s attitudes towards women in four dimensions: political, educational, economic and physical integrity. UNDP reports that nearly 90% of people still hold at least one bias against women.

Findings:

• Political Participation and Representation: Biases in gender social norms contribute to a lack of equality in political participation. Approximately half of the world's population believes men make better political leaders, while two in five believe men make better business executives.
  • Countries with greater bias exhibit lower representation of women in parliament.
  • On average, the share of heads of state or government who are women has remained around 10% worldwide since 1995, and women hold just over a quarter of parliament seats globally.
  • Women are grossly underrepresented in leadership in conflict-affected countries, mainly at the negotiation tables in the recent conflicts in Ukraine (0%), Yemen (4%), and Afghanistan (10%).
  • Indigenous women, migrant women, and women with disabilities face even more significant challenges in attaining political representation.
• Economic Empowerment: Despite progress in education, gender gaps in economic empowerment persist.
  • The increase in women's education has not translated into better economic outcomes.
  • In 59 countries where adult women are more educated than men, the average income gap is 39%.
• Domestic Chores and Care Work: Countries with higher bias in gender social norms witness a significant disparity in domestic chores and care work.
  • Women spend nearly six times more time on these tasks than men, limiting their opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Also, Alarmingly, 25% of people believe it is justified for a man to beat his wife, revealing deep-rooted biases.
• Hopeful Signs and Breakthroughs: While overall progress has been limited, an increase in the share of people with no bias in any indicator is observed in 27 out of 38 surveyed countries.
  • The largest improvements were seen in Germany, Uruguay, New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan, with progress greater among men than women.
  • Breakthroughs in gender social norms have been achieved through policies, regulations, and scientific advancements.
• The Urgent Need for Change: Biased gender social norms not only impede women's rights but also hinder societal development and well-being.
  • The lack of progress in gender social norms coincides with a decline in the Human Development Index (HDI).
  • Achieving freedom and agency for women benefits society as a whole.

What are the Major Challenges Related to Gender Equality in India?

• Cultural and Societal Norms: India has deep-rooted cultural and societal norms that perpetuate gender bias. Traditional beliefs regarding gender roles and expectations limit women's freedom and opportunities.
  • For instance, the preference for male children, leading to a significant gender imbalance and instances of female infanticide.
• Violence against Women: Incidents of violence against women, such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, and rape, continue to be prevalent in India.
  • Although laws have been enacted and awareness campaigns launched, these incidents persist, demonstrating the challenge of changing deep-seated attitudes and behaviours.
  • Recent cases, such as the Hathras gang rape case in 2020, highlighted the gaps in the system and sparked outrage regarding the handling of such cases.
• Economic Disparities: Economic disparities between men and women contribute to gender bias. Women in India often face unequal pay, limited job opportunities, and lack of representation in decision-making roles.
  • The gender wage gap remains a persistent issue, with women earning less than men for similar work.
• Limited Access to Education and Healthcare: Gender bias is perpetuated by limited access to education and healthcare for women in certain parts of India.
  • Despite progress in increasing female literacy rates, particularly in urban areas, rural areas still face significant challenges.
  • Moreover, inadequate access to healthcare, including reproductive health services, poses additional obstacles for women's well-being and development.
• Differentiation in the Socialisation Process: In many parts of India, especially in rural regions, there are still different socialisation norms for men and women.
  • Women are expected to be soft-spoken, calm, and quiet. They should walk, talk, sit and behave in a certain manner. Whereas men ought to be confident, loud, and could display any behaviour as per their wish.

What are the Recent Government Schemes Related to Women Empowerment?

• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
• Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme
• One Stop Centre

Way Forward

• Better Education Opportunities: Giving education to women means giving education to the whole family. Education plays an important role in building self-confidence among women.
  • Also, India’s education policy should target young men and boys to positively change their attitudes towards girls and women.
  • Also, there is a need to incorporate gender equality and sensitivity into the school curriculum from an early age, emphasising respect, empathy, and equal opportunities for all.
• Economic Independence: There is a need to encourage entrepreneurship and provide financial support, training, and mentorship to women to establish their businesses, and promote equal pay and flexible work arrangements.
  • There is also a need to implement skill development programs to enhance women's employability and promote their participation in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
• Awareness About Safety Measures: A multi-sectoral strategy to raise awareness among women about the current government initiatives and mechanisms should be devised to ensure the safety of women throughout the country.
  • Panic Button, Nirbhaya Police Squad are some good steps in the direction of women’s safety.
• From Women Development to Women Led Development: Women should be reimagined as architects of India’s progress and development, rather than being passive recipients of the fruits of development.

National Commission for Scheduled Castes

Context: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has recently issued a notice to Zomato, regarding an advertisement that was deemed "inhuman" and casteist.

What is the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

About:

• The NCSC is a constitutional body established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and to promote and protect their social, educational, economic and cultural interests.

History:

Special Officer:

• Initially, the constitution provided for the appointment of a Special Officer under Article 338. The special officer was designated as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

65th Amendment Act, 1990:

• It amended Article 338 of the Constitution and replaced the one-member system with a multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes(ST).

89th Amendment Act, 2003:

• Article 338 was amended, and the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST was replaced by two separate Commissions from the year 2004 which were:
• National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and
• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

Composition:

• The NCSC comprises a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three additional Members.
• These positions are filled through the President's appointment, indicated by a warrant under his hand and seal.
• Their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President.

Functions:

• To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and other legal safeguards for the SCs and to evaluate their working;
• To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the SCs;
• To participate and advise on the planning process of socioeconomic development of the SCs and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union or a state;
• To present to the President, annually and at such other times as it may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards;
• To make recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or a state for the effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of the SCs
• Till 2018, the commission was also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the other backward classes (OBCs). It was relieved from this responsibility by the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018.

What are the Other Constitutional Provisions for Upliftment of the Schedule Caste?

• Article 15: This article specifically addresses the issue of discrimination based on caste, emphasizing the protection and upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SCs)
• Article 17: This article abolishes untouchability and prohibits its practice in any form. It seeks to eliminate social discrimination and promote the equality and dignity of all individuals.
• Article 46: Promotion of Educational and Economic Interests: This article directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes and other weaker sections of society and protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
• Article 243D(4): This provision mandates the reservation of seats for SCs in Panchayats (local self-government institutions) in proportion to their population in the area.
• Article 243T(4): This provision ensures the reservation of seats for SCs in Municipalities (urban local bodies) in proportion to their population in the area.
• Article 330 and Article 332 provide for reservation of seats in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and in the legislative assemblies of the States (respectively).

Transgenic Crops

Context: Recently, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana, have deferred a proposal, approved by the Centre’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), to test a new kind of Transgenic Cotton Seed that contains a gene, Cry2Ai.

• Gene Cry2Ai purportedly makes cotton resistant to pink bollworm, a major pest. The conflict shows that a broad acceptance of genetically modified crops continues to be elusive.
• Note: Agriculture being a State subject means that, in most cases, companies interested in testing their seeds need approvals from the States for conducting such tests. Only Haryana gave permission for such tests.
• Telangana requested an extension to consider the proposal and later responded that trials would not be allowed in the current cropping season. Gujarat, on the other hand, simply stated that the proposal was unacceptable without furnishing reasons.

What are Transgenic Crops?

About:

• Transgenic crops are plants that have been modified through genetic engineering techniques. These crops have had specific genes inserted into their DNA to give them new characteristics or traits that are not naturally found in the species through traditional breeding methods.

GMO vs Transgenic Organisms:

• Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and transgenic organism are two terms that are used interchangeably.
• However, there is a slight difference between GMO and transgenic organism. Although both have altered genomes, a transgenic organism is a GMO containing a DNA sequence or a gene from a different species. While a GMO is an animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
• Thus, all transgenic organisms are GMOs, but not all GMOs are transgenic.

Status in India:

• In India, only Cotton is currently commercially cultivated as a GM crop. Trials are underway for other crops like brinjal, tomato, maize, and chickpea using transgenic technology.
• The GEAC approved the environmental release of GM mustard hybrid DMH-11, bringing it closer to full commercial cultivation.
• However, there is an ongoing legal case in the Supreme Court questioning the permission for transgenic food crops. They seek a stay on GM mustard, citing concerns about farmers using banned herbicides.
• Previous instances include the GEAC's approval of GM mustard in 2017 with additional tests and the government's indefinite moratorium on GM brinjal in 2010.

How Are Genetic Modified Crops Regulated in India?

• Regulation: In India, the regulation of all activities related to GMOs and products are regulated by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under MoEFCC is authorised to review, monitor and approve all activities including import, export, transport, manufacture, use or sale of GMO.
• GEAC recently approved commercial cultivation of genetically modified mustard.
• GM foods are also subjected to regulations by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Acts and Rules that Regulate GM Crops in India:

• Environment Protection Act, 1986 (EPA),
• Biological Diversity Act, 2002,
• Plant Quarantine Order, 2003,
• GM policy under Foreign Trade Policy, Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,
• Drugs and Cosmetics Rule (8th Amendment), 1988.

What is the Process of Regulating Transgenic Crops in India?

• Developing transgenic crops involves inserting transgenic genes into plants to achieve a sustained, protective response
• The process involves a mix of science and chance.
• Safety assessments by committees are conducted before open field tests.
• Open field tests are done at agricultural universities or Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR)-controlled plots.
• Transgenic plants must be better than non-GM variants and environmentally safe for commercial clearance.
• Open field trials assess suitability across multiple seasons and geographical conditions.

What is the Significance of Genetic Modification (GM) Technique?

• Safer and Affordable Vaccines: The GM has revolutionized the pharmaceutical sector by enabling the production of safer and more affordable vaccines and therapeutics. It has facilitated the mass production of drugs like human insulin, vaccines, and growth hormones, making life-saving pharmaceuticals more accessible.
• Control Weeds: GM technology has also played a crucial role in developing herbicide-tolerant crops. Crops like soybean, maize, cotton, and canola have been genetically modified to withstand specific broad-spectrum herbicides, allowing farmers to effectively control weeds while preserving the cultivated crop.
• Ensuring Food Security: GM crops are being developed to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Researchers are working on strains of rice, maize, and wheat that can tolerate longer droughts and wetter monsoon seasons, ensuring food security in challenging climates.
• Solution for Growing Crops in Salty Oils. GM has also been used to create salt-tolerant plants, offering a potential solution for growing crops in salty soils. By inserting genes that remove sodium ions from water and maintain cell balance, plants can thrive in high-salt environments.

What are the Concerns related to Transgenic Crops?

• Lack Nutritional Value: GM foods can sometimes lack nutritional value despite their increased production and pest resistance focus. This is because the emphasis is often placed on enhancing certain traits rather than nutritional content.
• Risks to Ecosystems: GM production can also pose risks to ecosystems and biodiversity. It may disrupt gene flow and harm indigenous varieties, leading to a loss of diversity in the long run.
• Trigger Allergic Reactions: Genetically modified foods have the potential to trigger allergic reactions since they are biologically altered. This can be problematic for ndividuals accustomed to conventional varieties.
• Endangered Animals: Wildlife is also at risk due to GM crops. For instance, genetically modified plants used for producing plastic or pharmaceuticals can endanger animals like mice or deer that consume crop debris left in fields after harvest.

Way Forward

• In the face of new advances, the regulatory regime needs to be strengthened, for the sake of domestic as well as export consumers.
• Technology approvals must be streamlined and science-based decisions implemented.
• Rigorous monitoring is needed to ensure that safety protocols are followed strictly, and enforcement must be taken seriously to prevent the spread of illegal GM crops.

Harmonized Guidelines and Space Standards for Universal Accessibility in India

Context: Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Universal Accessibility in India-2021 prepared by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has been amended in RPwD (Amendment) Rules, 2023.

What are Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Universal Accessibility in India-2021?

• It is a set of rules and standards for making the physical environment, transportation, information and communication, and other facilities and services accessible for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India.
• The guidelines are a revision of the Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Persons released in 2016.
• Earlier, the guidelines were for creating a barrier-free environment, but now, the focus is on universal accessibility.
• The guidelines are not just for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), but also for those involved in planning projects, from the construction of government buildings to master-planning cities.
• The nodal ministry for the implementation of the guidelines is the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

What is the Legislative Framework Related to PwDs in India?

• India ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2007 and passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in December 2016 which came into effect in 2017.
  • As per the RPwD Act 2016 - 21 types of disabilities have been recognized.
• As per Section 40 of RPwD Act 2016, the Central Govt in consultation with the Chief Commissioner (for PwDs) formulate rules for persons with disabilities laying down the standards of accessibility for the physical environment, transportation, information and communication, including appropriate technologies and systems and other facilities and services provided to the public in urban and rural areas.
  • Under this, many initiatives, such as “Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan” (Accessible India Campaign), are being taken up.

Other Initiatives:

• Unique Disability Identification Portal
• Accessible India Campaign
• DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme
• Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids and Appliances
• National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities

Ceiling on Stocks of Wheat and Pulses

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has imposed limits on Stock of Wheat that can be held by traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation.

• The Ministry has also imposed stock limits on Tur and Urad by invoking the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955 due to same reasons.

Why are the Stock Limits being Imposed?

Concerns over Wheat Production:

• Unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and higher temperatures in Feb 2023 raised concerns about the overall wheat output.
• Lower production leads to higher prices, which may surpass the government's purchase prices and affect supply stability.
• There are indications of a potential 20% decrease in wheat procurement compared to initial estimate.
• Approximately 5.23 lakh hectares of wheat crop were estimated to be damaged in MP, Rajasthan and UP due to hailstorms.
• The India Meteorological Department had warned of adverse effects on wheat crops due to higher temperatures during the reproductive growth period.

Invoking ECA 1955 for Tur and Urad:

• Tur prices have risen since mid-July 2022 amid slow progress in Kharif sowing as compared to 2021 due to excess rainfalls and water logging conditions in some parts of major Tur growing states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and MP.
• To control any unwarranted price rise, the government is taking pre-emptive steps to ensure overall availability and controlled prices of pulses in the domestic as well as overseas markets.

What are the Government Orders regarding Wheat Stock Limits?

Imposition of Stock Limits to Stabilize Prices:

• The permissible stock limits are set at 3,000 metric tonnes for traders/wholesalers, 10 metric tonnes at each outlet for retailers, and 3,000 metric tonnes at all depots (combined) for big chain retailers.
• Processors are allowed to stock up to 75% of their annual installed capacity.
• Entities are required to declare their stock positions regularly on the Department of Food and Public Distribution's portal.
• In case of stocks being held are higher than the limit, the time limit is 30 days from the day of issuing notification to bring the same under the prescribed limits.

Offloading Wheat through OMSS:

• The government has decided to sell 15 lakh tonnes of wheat from the central pool through the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).
• Wheat will be sold via e-auction to flour mills, private traders, bulk buyers, and manufacturers of wheat products.
• The sale will be conducted in lot sizes of 10 to 100 metric tonnes, with the possibility of releasing more batches based on prices and demand.
• A similar plan is being considered for offloading rice to moderate its prices.

What does the Government Seek from these Orders?

Stabilize Prices:

• The primary aim is to stabilize wheat prices in the market. By imposing stock limits on various entities involved in the wheat supply chain, the government aims to prevent hoarding and speculation, ensuring a steady supply of wheat and avoiding price volatility.

Ensure Affordability:

• By stabilizing prices, the government intends to make wheat more affordable for consumers.
• Controlling retail prices through the offloading of wheat from the central pool via the OMSS ensures that wheat remains accessible to the public at reasonable rates.

Prevent Supply Shortages and Maintain Food Security:

• By monitoring and managing the stock limits, the government aims to ensure an adequate supply of wheat to meet the demand and avoid any scarcity in the market and make wheat available to vulnerable sections of society via Public Distribution System.