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CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25/12/2023

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  1. CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25/12/2023

What’s the latest blip in India-Maldives ties?

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

Earlier this month, the Maldives Cabinet decided not to renew a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India for cooperation in hydrography, signed in 2019.

  • This decision aligns with President Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to review the country’s foreign policy, particularly the ‘India first’ stance of the previous administration.

Key Highlights

  • Hydrography Defined:
    • Hydrography is the scientific study of oceans, seas, and water bodies involving the compilation and analysis of data, maps, and charts.
    • It encompasses the measurement and description of physical attributes of water bodies, aiding navigation safety, economic development, security and defense, scientific research, and environmental protection.
    • Key measurements include tidal, current, and wave information.
  • India’s Expertise in Hydrography:
    • India has been an active member of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) since 1955.
    • The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD), established in 1874, serves as the nodal agency for hydrographic surveys.
    • Equipped with a fleet of modern survey ships, India collaborates with various countries, including those in the Indian Ocean Region and Africa (Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Maldives, Mozambique, etc.).
    • The INHD’s role has expanded globally, emphasizing hydrography’s potential as a “force multiplier” in maritime diplomacy.
    • The National Institute of Hydrography, under the INHD, has trained personnel from 39 countries.
  • Maldives’ Policy Shift:
    • The Maldives’ decision not to renew the hydrography MoU with India is seen as part of President Muizzu’s broader policy shift, signaling a departure from the previous ‘India first’ approach.
    • This move follows the president’s pledge to reconsider the presence of Indian troops in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
    • The termination of hydrography cooperation suggests a recalibration of Maldives’ foreign relations strategy.
  • Significance of the 2019 MoU:
    • The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in June 2019 between India and the Maldives held particular significance as it took place during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first overseas visit in his second term.
    • This visit marked Modi’s second trip to the Maldives since attending President Solih’s swearing-in ceremony in 2018.
    • The MoU reflected the commitment of both nations, led by leaders with a decisive majority, to collaborate closely in development, defense, and maritime security.
    • The Joint Commission on Hydrography was established, and subsequent to the agreement, joint hydrographic surveys were conducted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Indian Navy in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
  • Reasons for Non-Renewal:
    • The Maldives Cabinet’s decision against renewing the MoU on joint hydrographic surveys is not explicitly addressed by President Muizzu, but a senior official clarified that the move is in line with the administration’s pledge to terminate agreements deemed detrimental to or endangering national security.
    • Under Secretary for Public Policy Mohamed Firzul stated that enhancing the military’s capacity to surveil and police the country’s waters is in the best interest of Maldivian sovereignty.
    • The decision aligns with President Muizzu’s broader election promise to remove Indian troops, emphasizing the restoration of the Maldives’ sovereignty.
    • This decision reflects the administration’s commitment to reducing foreign involvement in strategic capacities, focusing on enhancing domestic capabilities for national security purposes.
  • India’s Response:
    • In response to the Maldives Cabinet’s decision not to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on joint hydrographic surveys, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India has a “proven track record” in hydrography.
    • MEA spokesperson ArindamBagchi emphasized India’s cooperation with many countries in the Indian Ocean region on hydrography and related elements.
    • While not directly addressing the termination of the agreement, Bagchi highlighted the visible benefits to partner countries from India’s expertise in this field.
  • Implications for India-Maldives Ties:
    • Recent developments suggest a potentially challenging phase in the India-Maldives partnership.
    • The Maldives’ decision to skip the latest round of the Colombo Security Conclave, an initiative for enhancing Indian Ocean maritime security that includes India, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius, raises concerns.
    • The Maldives’ absence coincided with Vice-President Hussain Mohamed Latheef’s visit to China, where he expressed eagerness to explore collaboration and cooperation with China.
    • The termination of the joint hydrographic initiative with India indicates a shift in the Maldives’ foreign relations strategy.

About India-Maldives Relations

  • India and Maldives share deep-rooted ties encompassing ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, and commercial links.
  • India was among the first nations to recognize Maldives after its independence in 1965, establishing diplomatic relations promptly.
  • India set up its mission in 1972 at the level of CDA, later upgrading to a resident High Commissioner in 1980.
  • In November 2004, Maldives inaugurated a full-fledged High Commission in New Delhi, one of its initial four diplomatic missions globally.
  • Indian Community in Maldives:
    • The Indian expatriate community is the second-largest in the Maldives, numbering around 28,000 individuals.
    • The community contributes significantly to various sectors, including healthcare (doctors, nurses, technicians), education (teachers), construction, and other professions.
    • Approximately 125 Indian doctors make up a substantial part of the Maldivian medical community.
    • Furthermore, Indian teachers constitute around 25% of educators in the Maldives, primarily at middle and senior levels.
  • Security Partnership:
    • Robust defense cooperation through joint exercises like “Ekuverin”, “Dosti”, “Ekatha,” and “Operation Shield” since 2021.
    • India plays a significant role in training Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), meeting 70% of their defense training needs.
  • Economic Cooperation:
    • India is Maldives’ third-largest trade partner in 2021.
    • Major infrastructure projects like the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) is initiated by Indian company Afcons in 2021.
    • Bilateral USD Currency Swap Agreement was also signed in 2019 between RBI and Maldives Monetary Authority.

How is the U.K.cracking downon immigration?

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

The UK government, led by the Conservative Party, has proposed new immigration rules aimed at reducing the net flow of immigration into the country.

  • Immigration policy has been a key focus for the government, and recent years have seen a notable increase in the number of people immigrating to the UK compared to those emigrating.

Key Highlights

  • Reasons for Immigration Policy Changes:
    • The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a record-high net migration into the UK in 2022, reaching 745,000.
    • Notably, work permits issued to foreign technology professionals, especially in web design and development, saw a significant rise from 39,899 in 2021 to 52,686 in 2022, marking a five-year high.
    • Of the 1,180,000 people entering the UK in the year ending June 2023, intending to stay for at least one year, the majority (968,000) came from outside the EU.
  • Key Statistics and Trends:
    • Students comprised the largest cohort of non-EU migrants in 2022 and 2023.
    • However, the proportion of workers entering the UK to address staff shortages in healthcare, particularly in the NHS and social care, has been steadily increasing.
    • India, Nigeria, China, Pakistan, and Ukraine were the top countries sending migrants to the UK from outside the EU.
    • The purposes of entry varied, with 39% for studies, 33% for work, and 9% for humanitarian reasons.
  • Government Response:
    • Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office expressed concern that migration levels were “far too high,” exerting “unsustainable pressure on communities and councils.”
    • This sentiment was echoed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who characterized the inward migration as “shockingly high” and indicative of failures in immigration, asylum, and the economy.
  • Proposed Changes:
    • In response to the record-high net migration, the UK government is tightening visa requirements across several categories of workers.
    • The proposed changes aim to address concerns about the impact of high migration on communities, councils, and the economy.
    • The move reflects a broader effort to manage and control immigration into the UK.
  • Proposed Changes in UK Immigration Regulations: The UK government is introducing new immigration regulations aimed at reducing net migration. These proposals include:
    • Clampdown on dependents of students and other foreign nationals with family ties in the UK.
    • Increase in the minimum salary requirement for skilled workers seeking visas.
      • Current requirement: £26,200 per year or £10.75 per hour or the “going rate” for the job.
      • Expected change (from early 2024): £38,700 per year.
      • Health and social care workers, constituting nearly 50% of work visa migrants, are exempt.
    • Middle-skilled jobs, including those in the hospitality industry, are expected to be most affected.
    • Minimum income for UK citizens bringing family members who are foreign citizens to rise from £18,600 to £38,700 per year.
    • Approximately 70,000 people seeking such visas during the year ending June 2023 could be impacted.
  • Additional Changes:
    • Ban on immigrant care workers bringing family members.
    • Review of student visas for graduates to prevent system abuse.
    • Ban on students switching to work visas before completing studies.
    • Increase in immigration health surcharge for annual fee visa holders from £624 to £1,035.
  • Broader Impact of Proposed Changes:
    • Strong backlash from immigration advocacy groups.
    • Concerns about potential family separations prompt advocacy groups like Reunite Families to explore legal avenues to challenge the proposed rules.

Fourth dose of COVID19 vaccinenot required, says INSACOG chief

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

Following the emergence of the new variant JN.1, the Union Health Ministry directed states to be alert and prepared for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases.

  • Senior health officials, including India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) chief N.K. Arora, stated that there is currently no recommendation for administering a fourth booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in India.

Key Highlights

  • INSACOG chief clarified that only individuals over 60 years with comorbidities and high-risk patients in this age group are advised to consider a precautionary third dose if they haven’t received it yet.
  • Health officials stress the importance of precautionary measures and urge the public not to panic.
  • No general need for a fourth vaccine dose has been identified at this point.
  • Despite the emergence of new variants, including JN.1, health authorities highlight that none of the Omicron variants have been associated with more severe disease or increased hospitalization.
  • 1 Subvariant Symptoms:
    • Symptoms of the JN.1 subvariant include fever, nasal discharge, cough, occasional diarrhea, and severe body aches.
    • However, recovery is typically within a week.
  • Current COVID-19 Situation in India:
    • As of the latest update, India recorded a single-day rise of 656 COVID-19 infections, bringing the total active cases to 3,742.
    • The death toll stands at 5, 33,333, with one new death reported from Kerala in the last 24 hours.
  • Serum Institute of India’s Plans for XBB1 COVID Variant Vaccine
    • The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) has confirmed its intention to obtain licensure for the XBB1 COVID variant vaccine, which closely resembles the JN.1 variant.
    • In anticipation of a potential increase in JN.1 COVID cases as winter approaches, the company emphasizes the importance of not panicking, especially among the elderly, and recommends precautionary measures such as mask-wearing.
    • SII is currently offering the XBB1 variant vaccine, similar to the JN.1 variant in the U.S. and Europe.
  • Existing Vaccines in India:
    • As of now, approved and available vaccines in India include Covaxin (by Bharat Biotech), Covishield (manufactured by SII), and Sputnik-V (developed by Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia).
  • Global COVID-19 Update:
    • The announcement aligns with the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) update, indicating a 52% increase in global new COVID-19 cases from November 20 to December 17, 2023.
    • The number of new deaths decreased by 8% during the same period.
    • The global tally stands at over 772 million confirmed cases and nearly seven million deaths.
  • As of December 18, the JN.1 sub-lineage of the BA.2.86 Omicron variant has been designated a separate variant of interest (VOI) due to its rapid increase in prevalence. EG.5 remains the most reported VOI globally, according to WHO.

About India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG)

  • The India SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) is a network of laboratories and institutions established in December 2020 by the Government of India.
  • INSACOG’s primary objective is to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, and to understand their potential impact on diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
  • The consortium is composed of several premier research and academic institutions, including the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and various other national laboratories.

With no basic facilities, district courtsstruggling to conduct hybrid hearings

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

The district courts in Delhi are facing significant challenges due to a shortage of equipment for hybrid hearings, impacting the legal proceedings in the city.

  • The situation has become severe enough to prompt the Delhi High Court to comment on judges conducting hearings on mobile phones, borrowing devices from court staff for hybrid hearings.

Key Highlights

  • Previous PIL and Current Situation:
    • Advocate Anil Kumar Hajelay filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in 2021, addressing the need for appropriate infrastructure for efficient hybrid hearings.
    • Despite guidelines issued by the High Court in July 2022 on the conduct of hybrid hearings and the closure of Mr. Hajelay’s PIL, the scarcity of essential equipment persists.
    • Hybrid hearings allow one party to join proceedings virtually while the other is physically present in the court.
    • The system was implemented post-COVID-19, and guidelines were established by the High Court to govern such hearings.
    • The scarcity of crucial equipment such as microphones, speakers, cameras, and video display units is hindering the smooth functioning of hybrid hearings in district courts.
    • This deficiency affects both participants, whether they are physically present or joining virtually, creating challenges in communication and visibility during legal proceedings.
  • Delhi High Court’s Directive:
    • In June of the current year, the Delhi High Court directed all district courts to permit any party in a case to appear physically or via videoconferencing without requiring a prior request.
    • However, the lack of necessary equipment remains a significant hurdle.
  • Challenges for Participants:
    • The inadequacy of equipment poses a specific challenge for participants in litigation.
    • Hence, the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Anil Kumar Hajelay, addressing the shortage of equipment for hybrid hearings in Delhi’s district courts, has been revived.
    • Hajelay argued that the pace of infrastructure implementation had considerably slowed down.
    • During the hearing, the High Court administration’s counsel revealed a “lack of infrastructure,” attributing it to the Delhi government’s delay in approving the necessary funds for the project.
    • This delay has led to judges resorting to conducting hearings on mobile phones, utilizing devices borrowed from court staff.
    • Most courts do not provide Wi-Fi or internet connectivity to advocates and litigants within their premises.
    • This lack of amenities, combined with mobile network issues in many courtrooms, creates significant obstacles to the smooth operation of hybrid hearings.

India’s jobs crisis, the macroeconomic reasons

(General Studies- Paper II and III)

Source : TH

India is grappling with a persistent jobs crisis, evident in official data and on-the-ground reports.

  • The macroeconomic reasons contributing to this crisis need examination.

Key Highlights

  • There are two primary types of employment:
    • wage employment, driven by employer demand for labor, and self-employment, where the worker employs themselves.
  • The focus here is on regular wage work, often referred to as “jobs.”
  • Symptoms of Low Labor Demand:
    • The Indian economy historically features both open unemployment and high levels of informal employment, including self-employed and casual wage workers.
    • The lack of opportunities is reflected in stagnant employment growth for salaried workers in the non-agricultural sector over the last four decades.
    • This lack of dynamism in labor demand is crucial in understanding the jobs crisis.
  • Determinants of Formal Sector Labor Demand:
    • Labor demand in the formal non-agricultural sector hinges on two key factors.
    • Firstly, it depends on the output that firms can sell, as they hire workers to produce output for profit.
    • Secondly, it is influenced by technology, specifically the number of workers needed to produce one unit of output.
    • Labor-saving technologies can reduce the number of workers required.
  • Impact of Economic Policies on Employment Growth:
    • Economic policy often focuses on output growth (GDP or value-added) rather than the level of output.
    • The employment growth rate is determined by the interplay of two factors:
      • output growth rate and labor productivity growth rate (output per worker).
    • Policies promoting higher economic growth generally lead to higher employment growth.
    • However, if labor productivity growth rate rises, employment growth rate falls for a given output growth rate.
  • Jobless Growth in India:
    • India experienced a phenomenon known as jobless growth, where the employment growth rate did not respond proportionately to the increase in GDP growth rate during the 2000s.
    • Despite significant GDP and value-added growth, formal and non-agricultural sector employment growth remained unresponsive.
    • The lack of responsiveness of employment growth rate to changes in output growth rate points to a critical link between labor productivity growth rate and overall economic growth.
  • Economies of Scale and Productivity:
    • As economies grow, they typically become more productive due to economies of scale.
    • Firms, in the process of producing greater total output, can achieve more output per worker.
    • This productivity increase is often linked to the adoption of labor-saving technologies.
    • Two Types of Jobless Growth Regimes:
      • In analyzing jobless growth, a distinction is made based on the connection between output growth and labor productivity growth.
      • In the first type, weak responsiveness of labor productivity growth to output growth occurs, and jobless growth results mainly from automation and labor-saving technology.
      • However, in this case, increasing the GDP growth rate can still lead to increased employment growth.
      • The second type, specific to India, involves a high responsiveness of labor productivity growth to output growth.
      • In this scenario, the positive effect of output growth on employment is not enough to counteract the adverse impact of labor-saving technologies.
      • Merely increasing the GDP growth rate does not lead to a proportional increase in employment growth.
    • In simple terms, the first type says that if we produce more things, we can still have more jobs even if technology is taking over some work.
    • The second type, specific to India, says that when we produce more, the technology is so good at doing the work that it doesn’t create as many new jobs as we might expect just from the economy growing.
  • Kaldor-Verdoorn Coefficient:
    • The extent to which labor productivity growth responds to output growth is measured by the Kaldor-Verdoorn coefficient.
    • Recent research indicates that India’s non-agricultural sector has a higher-than-average Kaldor-Verdoorn coefficient compared to other developing countries.
    • This distinctive characteristic defines India’s jobless growth regime, setting it apart from other nations.
  • Policy Challenge for India:
    • The unique form of jobless growth in India poses a qualitative difference in the macroeconomic policy challenge compared to other countries.
    • Simply focusing on increasing GDP growth may not effectively address the issue of insufficient employment growth, highlighting the need for a nuanced and targeted approach to tackle the complexities of India’s jobless growth phenomenon.
  • Rethinking Macroeconomic Policy for Employment: Moving Beyond GDP Growth
    • The Keynesian revolution emphasized aggregate demand as the primary determinant of employment, with fiscal policy seen as a tool to stimulate labor demand by boosting output.
    • In developing countries, the Mahalanobis strategy addressed the constraint on output, identifying capital goods availability as crucial for employment.
    • Structuralist theories introduced concerns about agrarian and balance of payment constraints, shaping policy debates in India during the 1970s and early 1990s.
    • However, the common assumption was that increasing the output growth rate in the non-agricultural sector would suffice to increase formal sector employment.
    • Contrary to conventional wisdom, evidence suggests that addressing the employment challenge requires more than just rapid GDP growth.
    • A nuanced policy focus on employment, distinct from GDP growth, becomes imperative.
  • Comprehensive Employment Policies:
    • Effective employment policies should encompass both demand and supply side components.
    • Improving the quality of the workforce through enhanced public education, healthcare provisioning, and bridging skills gaps addresses supply side concerns.
    • On the demand side, direct public job creation initiatives are crucial.
    • Financing such policies while maintaining debt-stability necessitates a significant reorientation of the current macroeconomic framework.
    • This includes increasing the direct tax to GDP ratio by reducing exemptions and improving compliance.
    • Additionally, a more imaginative use of macro-policy is essential to actively pursue a constructive employment agenda.

Understanding: Kaldor-Verdoorn Coefficient

  • The Kaldor-Verdoorn coefficient refers to the relationship between the growth rates of output (economic production) and labor productivity (output per worker).
  • It is named after two economists, Nicholas Kaldor and P. Verdoorn, who developed this concept.
  • In simple terms, the Kaldor-Verdoorn coefficient is a measure that helps economists understand how changes in economic output are related to changes in labor productivity.
  • The coefficient is often expressed as a percentage, representing the percentage change in productivity associated with a one percent change in output.
  • The idea behind the Kaldor-Verdoorn coefficient is that there is a positive feedback loop between output growth and productivity growth.
  • Here’s how it works:
    • Initial Relationship:
      • When an economy experiences an increase in output, it often leads to increased labor productivity.
      • This could be because of improved technology, better skills, or more efficient production processes.
    • Positive Feedback Loop:
      • Higher productivity, in turn, can contribute to further economic growth.
      • For example, if workers become more productive, they can produce more goods and services, leading to increased output.
    • Kaldor-Verdoorn Coefficient:
      • The coefficient quantifies this relationship.
      • A higher coefficient indicates a stronger positive relationship between output and productivity growth.

The evolving role of the Colombo Security Conclave

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

In early December, India’s National Security Adviser (NSA), AjitDoval, participated in the sixth NSA meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).

  • The meeting involved member-states India, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka, as well as observer-states Bangladesh and Seychelles.
  • The absence of the Maldives, a member-state, highlighted the impact of domestic politics on regional collaboration.
  • The CSC aims to promote safety and security in the Indian Ocean, with a roadmap for 2024 being agreed upon during the meeting.

Key Highlights

  • Evolving Dynamics of the Indian Ocean:
    • The CSC reflects the changing dynamics of the Indian Ocean.
    • Established in 2011 as a trilateral maritime security grouping, it faced a standstill after 2014 due to tensions between India and the Maldives.
    • In 2020, India pushed for its revival, institutionalization, and expansion to include Mauritius, Seychelles, and Bangladesh.
    • The evolving strategic vision for the CSC aligns with India’s recognition of the Indian Ocean’s central role in a multipolar world, with increasing competition among extra-regional powers.
    • For India, a traditional power in the region, the CSC presents an opportunity to enhance its leadership and contribute to the regional security architecture.
    • India has a history of playing a crucial role in promoting security in the Indian Ocean, assisting island nations in defence and security capacity building, infrastructure development, and equipment provision.
    • The CSC allows India to institutionalize its role, shape regional security, and address existing and emerging threats more effectively.
  • Strategic Importance of the Indian Ocean:
    • As the Indo-Pacific’s significance grows, the Indian Ocean becomes a focal point for major powers competing for influence.
    • India’s proactive engagement through the CSC reflects its commitment to navigating this changing geopolitical landscape, bolstering its regional leadership, and addressing security challenges collectively with partner nations.
  • Revival Linked to China’s Influence:
    • The revival of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is intricately linked to China’s substantial investments in the Indian Ocean through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
    • China’s strategic interests include controlling vital sea lines, limiting India’s influence, strengthening naval capabilities, establishing bases, and engaging in regular maritime exercises.
    • The CSC, recognizing regional countries’ dependence on China and differing perceptions of its threat, focuses on five pillars:
      • maritime security, countering terrorism, transnational crime, cyber-security, and humanitarian assistance.
    • Strategic Accommodation Amid Regional Realities:
      • Despite concerns about China’s activities, India understands the nuanced perspectives of regional countries and avoids an overtly anti-China stance.
      • The CSC’s strategic flexibility accommodates these realities, contributing to Indian Ocean security.
      • Initiatives since 2021 have addressed terrorism, narcotics trafficking, cybercrime, marine pollution, maritime law, and coastal security.
      • The CSC has organized conferences and established working groups on various security aspects, fostering cooperation in counter-terrorism, law enforcement, and cyber-security.
      • The CSC, being a relatively young institution, remains susceptible to domestic political shifts in its member-states.
      • The absence of the Maldives from a recent meeting exemplifies this vulnerability, potentially influenced by a desire for closer ties with China or aligning with nationalist sentiments distancing from India in defense cooperation.
      • All CSC members being democracies may use nationalist and pro-China narratives for domestic and external gains, emphasizing the delicate nature of regional collaboration.
    • CSC as an Instrument for India’s Regional Leadership:
      • Despite challenges, the CSC continues to be crucial for India’s efforts to consolidate regional leadership.
      • As India’s ambitions, responsibilities, and perceived threats have increased in the Indo-Pacific, the CSC serves as a significant instrument for fostering cooperation, understanding regional dynamics, and addressing evolving security challenges in the Indian Ocean.

Unpacking the first ever COP ‘Health Day’

(General Studies- Paper II and III)

Source : TH

The 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai, took place against the backdrop of unprecedented challenges, including record-breaking temperatures, devastating wildfires, and destructive floods.

  • Recognizing the direct impact of the climate crisis on public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared climate change as the “greatest threat to global health in the 21st century.”

Key Highlights

  • Health Day at COP28:
    • On December 3, the inaugural Health Day at COP28 emphasized the critical connection between climate and health, highlighting that addressing climate change is integral to advancing global health.
    • Over 46 million health professionals globally issued an open letter in early November, urging COP28 and world governments to commit to an accelerated, just, and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels as a decisive path to health for all.
    • The COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health, a significant outcome, signifies a global commitment to address climate-related health impacts and calls on governments to strengthen healthcare systems.
    • Supported by 143 countries to date, the declaration underscores the imperative of prioritizing human health in climate decisions.
    • The COP28 Presidency, WHO, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, and champion countries hosted the first-ever climate-health ministerial.
    • The ministerial helped bringing together ministers from various sectors to outline a roadmap and opportunities for action to address the growing burden of climate change on healthcare systems.
  • Climate-Health Ministerial:
    • Nearly 50 Ministers of Health and 110 high-level health ministerial staff participated in the climate-health ministerial, where discussions focused on strategies to mitigate climate-related health impacts and harness socio-economic benefits through climate action.
    • The ministerial emphasized the urgent need for collaboration across health, environment, finance, and related sectors to address the challenges posed by climate change on public health systems.
  • India’s Climate Impact Record:
    • India, facing a surge in extreme weather events, heat stress, cyclones, floods, droughts, and malnutrition, did not participate in the historic Health Day at COP28.
    • Ranked seventh globally for the severe impact of climate change in 2019, India witnessed daily disasters in the first nine months of 2023, claiming lives, affecting crop areas, destroying houses, and impacting livestock.
    • The Reserve Bank of India’s report highlights that extreme heat and humidity could jeopardize 4.5% of the country’s GDP by 2030, emphasizing economic risks associated with heat-related challenges.
  • Public Health Challenges:
    • India grapples with major public health challenges, including rising air pollution causing millions of premature deaths in 2019, as well as malaria, malnutrition, and diarrhoea.
    • The projected increase in such incidents, coupled with weather-related disasters, poses a severe threat to India’s strained public health infrastructure.
    • The link between climate change and health is underscored by the need for urgent attention and comprehensive planning.
  • Health Imperative in Climate Planning:
    • Over 700 million individuals in India, particularly in rural areas, depend directly on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and forests, as well as natural resources such as water, biodiversity, and coastal zones for their livelihoods.
    • Prioritizing health in climate planning is imperative to safeguard the well-being of these populations.
    • Integrating health into climate planning not only reduces healthcare costs and enhances productivity but also contributes strategically to the effectiveness and sustainability of climate actions in India.

India’s revised criminal law proposals

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented three revised Bills in the Lok Sabha on December 12, aiming to replace the existing British-era criminal laws, including the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act.

  • The Bills were introduced after withdrawing the earlier versions, initially presented in August this year.

Key Highlights

  • Proposed Replacements:
    • The new Bills set to replace the existing laws are:
  • Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, 2023 (to replace the IPC, 1860)
  • BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (to replace the CrPC of 1973)
  • BharatiyaSakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 (to replace the Indian Evidence Act of 1872)
  • Parliamentary Standing Committee Review:
    • The Bills, initially introduced in August, underwent a review by a 31-member Parliamentary Standing Committee, chaired by BJP MP Brij Lal.
    • The committee consulted experts and stakeholders, leading to the adoption of its report on November 7.
    • Opposition MPs raised concerns about errors, lack of diversity in expert consultations, haste in the introduction, and a perceived similarity to existing laws in their dissent notes.

Here are the key highlights of the revised Bills

Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, 2023

  • UAPA’s definition of ‘terrorrist act’ adopted
  • The revised Bill, in Section 113, has undergone significant modifications to redefine the crime of terrorism.
  • Notably, it aligns with the existing definition found in Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), despite the latter’s reputation as draconian.
  • Definition of Terrorist Act:
    • The UAPA’s definition of a terrorist act, as adopted in the revised Bill, encompasses acts committed with the intent to threaten or likely threaten India’s unity, integrity, security, economic security, or sovereignty.
    • Additionally, acts intending to strike terror in the people, whether in India or a foreign country, fall under this definition.
  • Changes from Previous Version:
    • The revised definition differs from the earlier version of the Bill, which included vague acts like intimidating the public, disturbing public order, spreading fear, destabilizing structures, or creating public emergencies.
    • The earlier version’s broad scope could categorize non-violent speeches as terrorist acts.
  • Expanded Activities:
    • While mirroring UAPA, the revised Bill expands the definition to include the production, smuggling, or circulation of counterfeit Indian currency or any other material, regardless of quality.
  • Penalties and Offenses:
    • Possession of property derived from or through a terrorist act is punishable if held knowingly.
    • Similarly, harboring a terrorist is an offense if done voluntarily and knowingly.
    • The Bill introduces the offense of recruiting and training individuals for terrorist acts, akin to sections 18A and 18B of the UAPA.
    • The Explanation in Section 113 grants the authority to an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police to decide whether the prosecution of a terrorist act should proceed under the UAPA or Section 113 of the Bill.
    • The offense of a terrorist act carries a punishment of death or imprisonment for life. Individuals conspiring, abetting, inciting, or facilitating terrorist acts could face imprisonment ranging from five years to life.
  • Definition of Cruelty:
    • The revised Bill introduces a definition of “cruelty” against women by their husbands and relatives, punishable with a jail term of up to three years.
    • Section 86 outlines cruelty as (a) willful conduct likely to drive a woman to suicide or cause grave injury, danger to life, limb, or health (mental or physical), and (b) harassment to coerce a woman or her relatives to meet unlawful property or security demands.
    • While a new provision, Section 86 mirrors existing definitions in Section 498A of the IPC and Section 84 of the original Bill.
  • Unauthorised Publication of Court Proceedings:
    • The newly added Section 73 stipulates that individuals printing or publishing “any matter” related to court proceedings in rape or sexual assault cases without permission may face a two-year jail sentence and a fine.
    • The provision clarifies that reporting on High Court or Supreme Court judgments does not fall under this offense.
  • Terminology Change – ‘Mental Illness’ to ‘Unsoundness of Mind’:
    • In an effort to eliminate regressive language, the earlier version of the Bill replaced terms like lunacy, mental retardation, and unsoundness of mind with “mental illness.”
    • However, concerns were raised about the broad scope of ‘mental illness.’
    • The revised Bill addresses this by replacing ‘mental illness’ with ‘unsoundness of mind’ in most provisions.
    • Additionally, the term ‘intellectual disability’ is added alongside ‘unsoundness of mind’ in Section 367, which pertains to competence to stand trial.
  • Enhancement of Minimum Punishment for ‘Mob Lynching’:
    • The original Bill categorized mob lynching and hate crimes as a separate form of murder, but it faced criticism for prescribing a minimum sentence of 7 years, lower than the life imprisonment stipulated for murder.
    • The revised Bill rectifies this by aligning the punishment for mob lynching with murder, removing the specific minimum sentence.
  • Adultery and Section 377 Recommendations Ignored:
    • The revised Bill omits two significant recommendations of the panel.
    • Firstly, the proposal for a gender-neutral provision criminalizing adultery was disregarded.
    • The panel argued that criminalizing adultery in a gender-neutral manner is crucial for preserving the sanctity of marriage.
    • Secondly, the Bill does not include a clause criminalizing non-consensual sex between individuals, irrespective of gender identity, and acts of bestiality, despite the panel’s suggestions.
  • Section 377 Implications:
    • The revised Bill fails to address the implications of Section 377 of the IPC post the landmark Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) verdict.
    • While consensual same-sex relations between adults were decriminalized, the provision could still be invoked in cases of non-consensual carnal intercourse among adults, consensual acts with minors, and acts of bestiality.
    • The panel points out that the absence of specific provisions leaves victims of sodomy and similar offenses without legal remedies.
  • Redefinition of ‘Petty Organized Crime’:
    • The earlier version of the Bill had a vague definition of ‘petty organized crime,’ causing concerns about its clarity and procedural safeguards.
    • The revised Bill provides a more precise definition, stating that a person, as part of a group or gang, committing theft, snatching, cheating, unauthorized selling of tickets, unauthorized betting or gambling, selling of public examination question papers, or similar acts, is considered to commit petty organized crime.
    • The explanation further details the various forms of theft included in this definition.

BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023

  • Community Service Defined:
    • The revised Bill formalizes the concept of ‘community service’ as a punishment for minor offenses.
    • Section 23 outlines community service as work that the court may order a convict to perform without remuneration, benefiting the community.
    • This approach is intended for offenses such as attempted suicide, public servants unlawfully engaged in trade, theft of property under Rs 5,000, public intoxication, and defamation.
    • The power to impose community service is specifically granted to a Magistrate of the First or Second Class, promoting a more reparative approach to minor crimes.
  • Handcuffing Regulations:
    • The original Bill, under Section 43(3), allowed the use of handcuffs to prevent the escape of individuals accused of serious offenses, but the panel recommended restricting this to heinous crimes like rape and murder.
    • The revised Bill not only aligns with this recommendation but also expands the police’s power to use handcuffs beyond the time of arrest to include the stage of production before the court.
  • Proceedings via Audio-Visual Means:
    • Acknowledging technological advancements, the original Bill permitted court proceedings through audio-visual means.
    • However, the revised Bill introduces changes.
    • Some proceedings mentioned in the earlier draft, such as inquiries, trials before the court of sessions, trials in summary cases, plea bargaining, and trials before High Courts, have been deleted.
    • Instead, the revised Bill introduces provisions allowing the reading out of charges to the accused, hearings on discharge, examination of witnesses, and recording of evidence through audio-visual means in sections 251, 262, 266, and 308, respectively.
  • Police Custody Beyond Initial 15 Days:
    • The revised Bill has retained a provision allowing police custody beyond the initial 15 days of arrest, raising concerns flagged by the panel.
    • Section 187(3) no longer includes the phrase ‘otherwise than in the custody of the police,’ implying that the prescribed 15-day period of police custody can be an aggregate of shorter periods sought over the entire 60 or 90 days of investigation.
    • The panel expressed concerns about potential misuse, particularly against individuals from marginalized backgrounds who may be vulnerable to custodial violence.
    • The recommendation emphasizes the need for clarity on the reasons for not taking custody in the first 15 days.
    • Legal Context:
      • The Supreme Court precedent (Central Bureau of Investigation v. Anupam J. Kulkarni, 1992) limiting police custody to the initial 15 days of arrest has been recently referred to a larger bench for reconsideration, indicating evolving perspectives.
    • Preventive Detention Powers:
      • The original Bill’s Section 172 allowed police to detain individuals not conforming to police directions to prevent a cognizable offense.
      • The provision’s ambiguity raised concerns, prompting the panel to recommend a strict timeline.
      • The revised Bill now mandates that a detained person must be produced before a Magistrate or released within 24 hours in petty cases, addressing concerns about potential abuse of preventive detention powers.

BharatiyaSakshya (Second) Bill, 2023

  • Admissibility of Electronic Evidence:
    • In the original Bill, Section 61 allowed the admissibility of electronic evidence, asserting that an electronic record holds the same legal effect as a paper record.
    • However, it lacked the requirement for a certificate under Section 63, corresponding to Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act.
    • The revised Bill addresses this by stating that the admissibility of an electronic record is now subject to Section 63, aligning it with the certificate requirement.

Concerns about Overcriminalization and Police Powers:

  • Legal experts and commentators have expressed concerns regarding missed opportunities in the revised Bills to rectify issues related to extensive overcriminalization and expanded police powers that intensify state control.
  • The BharatiyaNagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023, has drawn particular attention for permitting police custody beyond the initial 15 days of arrest, which critics argue endangers civil liberties.