Weekly Current Affairs (1st to 7th November 2023) Part - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Surrogacy Law

Context: In a recent turn of events, the Delhi High Court has brought the spotlight back on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021. This law, aimed at regulating surrogacy in India, has faced scrutiny, raising pertinent questions about its implications on marital status, women's rights, and inclusivity. In this article, we delve into the nuances of surrogacy law, exploring its provisions, challenges, recent amendments, and the way forward for a more ethical and inclusive surrogacy framework.

Understanding Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a delicate arrangement wherein a woman, known as the surrogate, carries and gives birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple, referred to as the intended parents. There are two main types of surrogacy:

• Altruistic Surrogacy: Involves no monetary compensation to the surrogate, with the intended parents covering medical expenses and insurance during pregnancy.
• Commercial Surrogacy: Involves monetary compensation exceeding basic medical expenses, raising ethical concerns about the commercialization of childbirth.

The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021: Provisions and Challenges

• The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, lays down specific criteria for surrogacy eligibility, restricting it to Indian widows or female divorcees between the ages of 35 and 45. However, this Act has been met with various challenges:

Exploitation Concerns

• The ban on commercial surrogacy shifts focus from rights to needs, potentially compromising women's autonomy and children's rights, while failing to strike a balance.

Reinforcement of Patriarchal Norms

• The Act perpetuates traditional norms, undervaluing women's work and impacting their fundamental rights to reproduce under Article 21 of the constitution.

Emotional Complications

• Altruistic surrogacy involving friends or relatives may lead to emotional complexities, risking relationships and limiting options for intending couples.

Exclusionary Policies

• The Act excludes unmarried women, single men, live-in partners, and same-sex couples, fostering discrimination based on marital status, gender, and sexual orientation.

Recent Changes and Supreme Court's Interpretation

A significant amendment in March 2023 mandated the use of intending couples' own gametes, prohibiting donor gametes. The Supreme Court further clarified that gestational surrogacy decisions are woman-centric, emphasizing genetic relation to the husband. However, the Court also stayed certain provisions, allowing exceptions for specific medical conditions, like the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome.

The Way Forward: Inclusivity, Ethics, and Medical Advancements

To establish a robust and ethical surrogacy framework, India must focus on:

Inclusivity

• Address Discrimination: Revise laws to include unmarried individuals, single parents, and same-sex couples, promoting equality and inclusivity.
• Third-Party Involvement: Allow third-party involvement to facilitate the surrogacy process, ensuring support for both intended parents and surrogates.

Ethics

• Balancing Autonomy and Regulation: Strike a balance between individual autonomy and necessary regulations to protect all parties involved.
• Rights-Based Approach: Uphold the rights-based approach, ensuring the well-being of surrogate mothers and children while respecting their choices.

Medical Advancements

• Support Research: Invest in research and medical advancements to address infertility issues, expanding options for intending parents.
• Education and Awareness: Raise awareness about assisted reproductive technologies, fostering understanding and acceptance in society.

In conclusion, a comprehensive and inclusive surrogacy law, grounded in ethics and guided by medical advancements, is imperative. By embracing these principles, India can pave the way for a surrogacy framework that respects individual rights, supports intending parents, and ensures the well-being of all parties involved in this deeply personal journey.

Melting of West Antarctica's Ice Sheet

Context: In recent years, climate scientists and researchers have been sounding the alarm about the alarming pace at which the West Antarctic ice sheet is melting. This concerning phenomenon, driven by warming ocean waters, has far-reaching implications for our planet. A study published recently sheds light on the gravity of the situation, predicting a significant rise in global mean sea levels by a staggering 5.3 meters. This impending disaster poses a severe threat to millions of people residing in vulnerable coastal cities worldwide, including densely populated regions in India.

Understanding Ice Sheets and Their Impact on Sea Levels

What are Ice Sheets?

• An ice sheet is a massive expanse of glacial ice covering vast land areas, containing substantial amounts of freshwater. Notably, the West Antarctic ice sheet plays a pivotal role in regulating global sea levels, given its colossal size.

Ice Sheet Dynamics and Sea Level Rise

• Ice sheets, such as those in Greenland and Antarctica, directly influence global sea levels. When ice sheets lose mass, they contribute to a rise in sea levels, posing a threat to low-lying coastal regions. The West Antarctic ice sheet, comprising 90% of Earth's total ice volume, holds a crucial position in this delicate balance.

Processes Driving West Antarctic Ice Sheet Melting

• The melting of ice sheets, particularly the West Antarctic ice sheet, is a complex process driven by various mechanisms. Key among these is the erosion of ice shelves by warm ocean waters. As these ice shelves thin or disintegrate, glaciers behind them accelerate, releasing more ice into the ocean and subsequently causing a rise in sea levels. Understanding these processes is crucial to addressing the issue effectively.

Current Trends and Alarming Findings

• Recent research highlights disturbing trends, indicating widespread warming in the Amundsen Sea and accelerating ice shelf melting across different scenarios. These findings point towards an inevitable increase in sea level rise, posing a significant threat to coastal communities globally.

Implications for India and Vulnerable Coastal Regions

• India, with its extensive coastline and densely populated coastal areas, is highly vulnerable to sea level rise. Coastal communities face the risk of displacement, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptive strategies and protective infrastructure. Addressing these challenges requires immediate action and international collaboration.

India's Role in Antarctic Conservation and Research

• India, as a responsible member of the international community, has taken significant steps to protect Antarctica. Acceding to the Antarctic Treaty in 1983, India has established research stations like Maitri and Bharati, actively contributing to polar research. The Indian Antarctic Act of 2022 regulates activities in Antarctica, ensuring environmental conservation and sustainability.

The Way Forward: Combating Ice Sheet Melting

• Environmental Protection and Conservation: Strict adherence to the Antarctic Treaty and associated agreements is imperative. Regulating human activities, effective waste management, and minimizing environmental footprints are essential in preserving Antarctica's unique environment.
• Innovative Materials and Infrastructure: Developing efficient and environmentally friendly materials and infrastructure for research stations and vessels operating in polar conditions is crucial. Minimizing the impact on the delicate polar ecosystem is paramount.
• Exploring Geoengineering Techniques: Researchers are exploring innovative methods, such as solar radiation management, to potentially slow down ice melting. While promising, these techniques demand further investigation to assess their efficacy and environmental effects before implementation.

Conclusion: A Collective Responsibility

Addressing the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet is a pressing global concern that demands immediate attention and collaborative efforts. By understanding the processes driving ice sheet melting, acknowledging its implications, and adopting sustainable practices, humanity can work together to mitigate the threat posed by rising sea levels, safeguarding vulnerable coastal communities for generations to come.

Tightening Regulations for Appointing State DGPs

Context: In a significant stride towards ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recently introduced amendments to the guidelines governing the appointment of State Directors General of Police (DGPs). These amendments, issued in response to the Supreme Court's directives on police reforms, mark a pivotal moment in reshaping India's law enforcement landscape. Let's delve into the key changes and their implications for the future of police leadership in the country.

Clarity in Selection Norms

The amended guidelines introduced by the UPSC aim to bring transparency to the previously implicit norms governing the selection process for State DGPs. The guidelines now explicitly state criteria to prevent favoritism and unfair appointments. This clarity is a crucial step towards ensuring a level playing field for all eligible candidates.

Service Tenure Requirement

• One of the significant changes in the guidelines is the stipulation that officers with a minimum of six months of service left before retirement will be considered for the position of State DGP. This move aims to discourage the practice of extending tenures by appointing officers on the verge of retirement, thereby promoting a fair and unbiased selection process.

Revised Experience Criteria

• Previously set at a minimum of 30 years of service, the guidelines now allow officers with 25 years of experience to qualify for the DGP position. This alteration broadens the pool of eligible candidates, ensuring that deserving officers with diverse backgrounds and experiences have the opportunity to lead State Police Departments.

Limit on Shortlisted Officers

• To maintain a focused and efficient selection process, the guidelines set a cap of three shortlisted officers for the DGP position, allowing exceptions only under specific circumstances. This emphasizes voluntary participation, requiring officers to express their willingness to be considered for the position, thus ensuring that only those genuinely interested in the role are evaluated.

Specified Areas of Expertise

• The new guidelines define essential areas of experience necessary for an IPS officer aspiring to lead a State Police Department. These areas include a minimum of ten years of experience in crucial domains such as law and order, crime branch, economic offenses wing, or intelligence wing. The inclusion of specific areas of expertise aims to ensure a comprehensive and varied range of experience among candidates vying for the DGP position.

Empanelment Committee's Limits on Assessment

• The Empanelment Committee established by the UPSC for the appointment of State DGPs will refrain from assessing IPS officers on central deputation for the State DGP position if the Union Ministry of Home Affairs informs the State government that releasing the officers is not feasible. This provision adds an additional layer of accountability and oversight to the selection process.

Supreme Court’s Directives on Police Reforms

• In the Prakash Singh Case 2006, the Supreme Court issued seven directives to drive police reforms in India, addressing issues such as politicization, lack of accountability, and systemic weaknesses. These directives have played a pivotal role in shaping the current reforms and include the establishment of a State Security Commission, transparent and merit-based appointment of the DGP, ensuring minimum tenures for operational police officers, segregation of investigative and law enforcement duties, creation of a Police Establishment Board, and formation of State-level Police Complaints Authorities.

Conclusion
The recent amendments to the guidelines for appointing State DGPs, coupled with the Supreme Court's directives on police reforms, signify a transformative era for India's law enforcement agencies. By prioritizing transparency, meritocracy, and accountability, these reforms pave the way for a more efficient, responsible, and professional police force. As these changes are implemented, India moves closer to a future where its citizens can have increased confidence in the integrity and effectiveness of law enforcement, ensuring a safer and more secure society for all.

State Food Safety Index 2022- 2023

Context: The State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2022-2023, recently released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has cast a spotlight on the efforts and performance of Indian states in ensuring food safety. This annual evaluation serves as a vital benchmark, offering both quantitative and qualitative insights into the state of food safety across the country.

• The 2022-2023 index brought forth a new parameter, 'Improvement in SFSI Rank,' reflecting each state's progress from the previous year, leading to adjustments in the weights of other parameters.

Understanding the State Food Safety Index (SFSI)

The SFSI is a comprehensive evaluation tool initiated in 2018-19 to foster positive changes and competitiveness within the food safety ecosystem of the nation. It provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States and Union Territories, employing both qualitative and quantitative metrics.

Key Findings of the State Food Safety Index 2022-2023

General Decline in State Food Safety Scores

• A concerning trend emerges as 19 out of 20 large Indian states witnessed a decline in their 2022-2023 SFSI scores in comparison to 2019. States like Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh were among those affected.

Impact of the 2023 Index Parameter Adjustment

• Following the introduction of a new parameter, 15 out of 20 states recorded lower SFSI scores in 2022-2023 as compared to 2019, emphasizing the influence of the parameter adjustment on the overall rankings.

Decline in 'Food Testing Infrastructure'

• The availability of adequate testing infrastructure with trained personnel in each state for testing food samples saw a significant drop. The average score for all large states plummeted from 13 out of 20 in 2019 to 7 out of 17 in 2022-2023. Gujarat and Kerala emerged as the top performers in this parameter, while Andhra Pradesh lagged behind.

Decrease in Compliance Scores

• Scores for the 'Compliance' parameter, measuring licensing, inspections, and related tasks, also saw a decline. Punjab and Himachal Pradesh received the highest scores, while Jharkhand received the lowest. The average compliance score for all large states decreased from 16 out of 30 in 2019 to 11 out of 28 in 2022-2023.

Varied Consumer Empowerment

• States demonstrated varied performances in consumer empowerment initiatives, with Tamil Nadu leading the way, followed by Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. The average score for this parameter increased from 7.6 points out of 20 in 2019 to 8 points out of 19 in 2022-2023.

Decline in Human Resources and Institutional Data Scores

• The availability of human resources and institutional data, including the number of Food Safety Officers and designated officers, witnessed a decline. The average score dropped from 11 points out of 20 in 2019 to 7 points out of 18 in 2022-2023, even for top-performing states like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

Improvement in 'Training and Capacity Building'

• A positive shift was observed in the 'Training and Capacity Building' parameter, with the average score increasing from 3.5 out of 10 in 2019 to 5 out of 8 in 2022-2023, indicating an enhanced focus on training initiatives.

Limited Improvement in SFSI Rank

• Among the states, Punjab stood out with significant improvement in the 'Improvement in SFSI Rank' parameter, which carried a weightage of 10% in 2022-2023. However, 14 out of 20 large states received 0 points in this category, highlighting the need for more substantial progress.

In conclusion, the State Food Safety Index 2022-2023 underscores the importance of consistent efforts and improvements across states to ensure food safety. It not only highlights areas needing immediate attention but also serves as a guiding beacon for states to enhance their food safety measures, ultimately safeguarding the health and well-being of the nation's populace.