07-January-2025-Daily-Current-Affairs

FARMERS’ DEMAND FOR LEGAL GUARANTEE OF MSP

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

Farmers in India are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) to ensure fair compensation for their produce. The absence of legal backing often forces them to sell crops below the declared MSP, causing financial losses.

Why is the Demand for Legal MSP Important?

• Frequent Price Losses: Farmers often sell their crops at prices lower than the declared MSP, leading to significant income losses.
• Government Inaction: Despite announcing MSP for 23 crops annually, the government does little to ensure farmers receive the minimum price.
• Symbolic Support: Without enforcement, the term “minimum” in MSP becomes meaningless.

Key Developments

• Protests and Indefinite Fast: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s indefinite fast has highlighted the urgency of this demand.
• Parliamentary Recommendations: A Standing Committee, primarily with ruling party members, has recommended making MSP legally binding.
• Government’s Stance: Despite assurances like “MSP hai aur rahega” (MSP exists and will remain), the government has not initiated any meaningful dialogue with protesting farmers.

Challenges with MSP Implementation

Market Price Below MSP:

• Example: Green gram (moong) in Rajasthan was sold at ₹6,467 per quintal, far below the MSP of ₹8,682.
• Farmers in multiple states experienced similar losses for crops like jowar, maize, and soybean.

Insufficient Mechanisms: The current framework lacks provisions to ensure that market prices align with MSP.

Proposed Mechanisms for Legal MSP

• Expanded Procurement: Increase procurement of pulses, millets, and oilseeds for food security programs.
• Market Interventions: Set floor prices in APMC markets equal to MSP. Strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to help small farmers hold crops for better prices.
• Deficiency Payment: Compensate farmers for the difference when market prices fall below MSP.

Cost and Feasibility

• A legally binding MSP for 15 key crops in 2022-23 would have cost ₹26,469 crore under current MSP rates.
• Even the higher Swaminathan MSP (C2+50%) would require 0.6% of GDP, which is economically viable considering its positive impact on rural incomes and overall growth.

Conclusion
A legal MSP is a financially feasible solution to protect farmers’ livelihoods and ensure fair compensation. It requires political will and timely interventions to make it effective.

Practice Question:

1. Which of the following statements regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in India is/are correct?

1. The MSP is legally guaranteed for all the crops declared by the government.
2. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture has recommended making MSP legally binding.
3. The legal guarantee of MSP would require the government to procure all crops from farmers at the declared price.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Currently, MSP is announced for 23 crops annually but is not legally guaranteed.
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture has recommended providing a legal backing to MSP.
• A legal guarantee for MSP does not necessarily require the government to procure all crops but ensures that farmers receive the minimum price through various mechanisms.

COLLEGIUM SYSTEM AND RECENT CHANGES

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

The Supreme Court Collegium, responsible for judicial appointments, has recently introduced key changes, including conducting interviews and discouraging nepotism in selections. These reforms aim to enhance transparency and diversity in the judiciary.

Key Highlights of the Collegium System

What is the Collegium System?

• A system created through judicial decisions for the appointment and transfer of judges to the higher judiciary.
• Comprises the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and senior judges of the Supreme Court.

Recent Changes Introduced

• Interviews for High Court Judge Candidates: The Collegium will now conduct interviews with nominees for High Court judge positions to ensure a thorough evaluation of their credentials.
• Discouraging Nepotism: Efforts to exclude candidates with close family members serving as judges to promote diversity and fairness.
• Balancing Merit and Diversity: While some eligible candidates may miss out, the goal is to create a judiciary that reflects broader societal representation.

Concerns with the Collegium System

Lack of Formal Rules

• The Collegium operates without clear, binding procedures, leading to inconsistent practices.
• The existing “memorandum of procedure” lacks enforceability and consequences for breaches.

Government Interference

• The government can delay or block appointments by withholding action on Collegium recommendations.
• This undermines judicial primacy and creates a conflict between the judiciary and the executive.

Transparency Issues

• Decisions are often opaque, with limited public disclosure of the reasoning behind appointments.
• Future functioning of the Collegium under different CJIs remains uncertain without codified rules.

CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS OF THE COLLEGIUM

Origin and Evolution

• The Constitution mandates consultation with the CJI and other judges for judicial appointments.
• In the Second Judges Case (1993), “consultation” was interpreted as “concurrence,” leading to the Collegium system.

Process of Appointments

• Recommendations are made by the Collegium after consulting senior judges.
• The government may accept or return the proposal.
• If resubmitted, the government must comply but often delays action.

Way Forward

• Reforms for Accountability: Codifying the Collegium’s processes to ensure consistency and adherence to rules.
• Government Cooperation: The executive must respect judicial recommendations to uphold the rule of law.
• Maintaining Judicial Independence: Transparent and fair appointments are crucial to preserving the judiciary’s autonomy.

Conclusion

For the Collegium system to succeed, both judicial and governmental stakeholders must act collaboratively while adhering to legal mandates to ensure a robust and independent judiciary.

Practice Question:

1. With reference to the Collegium System in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Collegium System was established through a constitutional amendment.
2. The “Three Judges Cases” collectively laid down the procedure for the appointment and transfer of judges in the higher judiciary.
3. The President of India has the final authority in the appointment of judges, overriding the Collegium’s recommendations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

• The Collegium System was not established through a constitutional amendment but evolved through judicial interpretations in the “Three Judges Case.”
• The “Three Judges Case” collectively defined the Collegium System and its procedure for judicial appointments and transfers.
• The President of India is bound by the recommendations of the Collegium System for appointments in the higher judiciary and cannot override them.

WHY DECIPHERING THE HARAPPAN WRITING SYSTEM IS CHALLENGING

TOPIC: (GS1) INDIAN HISTORY: INDIAN EXPRESS

The Harappan writing system, used during the Indus Valley Civilization, remains undeciphered despite extensive research. Scholars face multiple challenges due to the limited material, unknown language, and lack of multilingual inscriptions.

Challenges in Deciphering the Harappan Script

Identifying the Writing System

• Defining the symbols: Scholars must confirm whether the set of symbols represents a coherent writing system.
• Isolating individual signs: It is difficult to segment the script into distinct signs and identify their variations (allographs).

Lack of Multilingual Inscriptions

• Absence of comparative tools: Unlike the Rosetta Stone, which helped decode Egyptian hieroglyphs, no multilingual inscriptions with both Harappan and a known script have been discovered.
• Missed trade link insights: Despite evidence of trade between the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia, no bilingual records exist.

Unknown Language

• Script-language mismatch: The Harappan script likely represents an unknown language, complicating phonetic or linguistic analysis.
• No definitive conclusions: Various hypotheses link the script to different languages (e.g., Dravidian or Sanskrit), but no theory has conclusive evidence.

Limited Material Evidence

• Few artefacts: Only about 3,500 seals have been identified, each with an average of five symbols, providing insufficient data for comprehensive analysis.
• Unexplored sites: Many Harappan sites remain undiscovered or inadequately studied, limiting the context needed for interpretation.

Lack of Civilizational Insights

• Sparse knowledge: Compared to Mesopotamia and Egypt, much less is known about Harappan society, which limits understanding of the cultural and functional context of the script.
• Need for further exploration: More archaeological discoveries are essential to provide a clearer picture of the civilization and its writing.

HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION

• Location and Timeframe: The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, flourished around 3300–1300 BCE in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, primarily in present-day Pakistan and parts of India.
• Urban Planning: The civilization is noted for its advanced urban planning, with well-organized cities such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, featuring grid-pattern streets, drainage systems, and standardized brick structures.
• Economy: The economy was primarily agrarian, supplemented by trade. The Harappans traded goods like beads, textiles, and pottery with Mesopotamia and other regions.

Conclusion

The Harappan script remains a significant enigma due to limited material evidence, the unknown language it represents, and the absence of multilingual inscriptions. Deciphering it will require further archaeological and linguistic research.

Practice Question:

1. Which of the following statements about the Harappan Civilization is/are correct?

1. The Harappan Civilization is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.
2. The Harappan Civilization had a well-developed system of drainage and sanitation.
3. The Harappan script has been fully deciphered.
4. The Harappan Civilization was primarily a rural economy with no evidence of trade with other contemporary civilizations.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2, and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: A

• The Harappan Civilization is also called the Indus Valley Civilization.

• It had advanced drainage and sanitation systems.
• The Harappan script is yet to be deciphered.
• The Harappan Civilization had urban centers and evidence of trade with other civilizations.

UNIFORM TAXATION AND THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

TOPIC: (GS3) INDIAN ECONOMY: THE HINDU

The implementation of uniform taxation in agriculture can bring transformative benefits like improved governance and price stability. However, it requires strategic planning to address state-level challenges and ensure farmers’ welfare.

Challenges in Indian Agriculture

• Stagnant Productivity: The agricultural research system struggles to meet expectations in closing yield gaps. Key crops like chickpea, soybean, and mustard remain underdeveloped despite high import dependency.
• Neglected Farmers: Around 45% of farmers engaged solely in field crops face stagnant or negative growth in output value.

• Marketing issues for perishable horticultural produce persist, causing price instability.

• Price Volatility: A 5% change in production often leads to disproportionate price fluctuations, adversely impacting farmers’ income.

Proposal for Uniform Taxation in Agriculture

• Unified Market Charges: States currently levy varied fees and charges on agricultural produce, amounting to inconsistent revenue collection.

• A uniform tax structure, akin to GST, can improve governance and stabilize food prices.

• Nominal Fee for Data Collection: Charging minimal administrative fees (e.g., 0.1%) would allow real-time data collection and enhance market transparency.
• Central Financial Support: The 16th Finance Commission could compensate states for revenue losses over five years to encourage tax uniformity.

Potential Benefits of Uniform Taxation

• Price Stability: Uniform taxation can reduce inflation and control price volatility in agricultural markets.
• Enhanced Competition: A consistent tax structure may ignite entrepreneurial initiatives, fostering competition and benefiting farmers and consumers.
• Improved Governance: Streamlined taxation ensures better market regulation and reduced bureaucratic hurdles.

Way Forward

• Focused Investments in Research: Allocate substantial funds for targeted crops like chickpea, soybean, and mustard to achieve productivity breakthroughs.
• Strategic Planning for Climate Resilience: Align land use with climate change goals and prioritize sustainability.
• State-Centre Cooperation: Address federal concerns through financial incentives, promoting reforms without undermining state autonomy.

Conclusion:
Uniform taxation in agriculture can be a game-changer, but its success hinges on collaborative efforts, strategic investments, and farmer-centric policies. This approach holds the potential to stabilize markets and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

ENHANCING GOVERNANCE THROUGH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

India is embracing digital governance to improve public service delivery and enhance government workforce capabilities. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in achieving a fully integrated digital governance model.

Importance of Digital Governance:

• Digital governance modernizes decision-making and workflows.
• Facilitates better communication, transparency, and efficiency in government operations.
• Adapting digital tools is essential for improving governance at all levels.

Capacity Building Initiatives:

• iGOT Karmayogi Platform (Launched in 2020): Offers online training for government employees in data analytics, administration, and digital skills. Allows personalized learning paths for continuous improvement.
• e-Office Initiative: Digitizes government workflows, reducing paperwork and improving efficiency. Promotes real-time communication and streamlined grievance redressal.
• Government e-Marketplace (GeM): Enhances transparency in procurement processes by transitioning them online.
• Digital Literacy Efforts: Various programmes train employees in e-governance tools, cybersecurity, and digital communication.

Challenges in Digital Governance

• Resistance to Change: Some workforce segments hesitate to adopt digital tools. Bureaucratic structures often adapt slowly, requiring targeted support and training.
• Ineffectiveness of Training Programmes: Programmes like iGOT Karmayogi risk becoming attendance-focused. Success should be measured by real skill application and job opportunities, not just participation.
• Digital Divide: Limited access to high-speed Internet in rural areas hinders inclusive digital transformation.
• Cybersecurity Concerns: Increased risks of data breaches and cyberattacks with online operations. Ensuring robust cybersecurity training is critical for safeguarding sensitive data.
• Need for Continuous Learning: Rapid advancements in technology require ongoing skill enhancement. Capacity-building programmes must evolve to address emerging tools and challenges.

Way Forward

• Infrastructure Development: Ensure high-speed Internet access in rural areas.
• Incentive Systems: Link training outcomes to practical applications and job opportunities.
• Focus on Cybersecurity: Implement strong measures to protect digital systems.
• Encourage Innovation: Create a supportive environment for employees to adopt new technologies.

Conclusion:
India’s strides in digital governance are commendable, but addressing challenges like resistance, digital divide, and cybersecurity is crucial. A skilled and inclusive workforce can make governance more transparent, efficient, and accountable for all citizens.

THE END OF GLOBAL CLIMATE POLICY

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

The 2024 climate conference in Baku marked a turning point in global climate policy by dismantling the donor-recipient divide and emphasizing the need for developing countries to lead their sustainable development.

Key Highlights

Background of the Climate Treaty

• Purpose (1992): To address climate change collectively. Developed nations (G7) were to reduce emissions, acknowledging their role in cumulative emissions.
• Challenges: Developing nations agreed to the treaty for technology transfer and funds. Research capacity imbalances shifted responsibility disproportionately to the Global South.

Issues with the Current Climate Policy

• Disconnect in Approach: Global rules favour the G7, focusing on symptoms rather than causes. Private finance incentives and trade restrictions weren’t part of the original agreement.
• “Optical Illusion” of Financial Support: The G7 has delayed meaningful financial commitments, absolving itself of responsibility.

Diverging World Views

• Global South Perspective: Focuses on sustainable development, transitioning lifestyles, and energy systems. Emphasizes climate justice, which highlights inequality in carbon emissions and global rules.
• Global North (G7) Actions: Urbanization trends and excessive natural resource consumption led to climate change.

• The G7 population accounts for a disproportionately higher share of resource use and emissions.

Need for Climate Justice

• Questions the fairness of existing policies, including carbon pricing and trade restrictions.
• Aims to address income gaps and inequalities in climate solutions.
• Justice and equity must become foundational principles of global governance. Comparable well-being within ecological limits should be prioritized.

Proposed Solutions for Global Governance

• Alternative Sustainability Forum: BRICS and partner nations should establish a platform to support urban energy transitions and research on sustainability.
• Redefining UN Climate Negotiations: Limit to monitoring G7 emissions reductions and $300 billion in grants for vulnerable nations.
• Revamping International Institutions: Treat global fora as platforms for stocktaking and course correction.

Conclusion

To achieve justice-cantered sustainability, the Global South, led by BRICS, must play a bridging role in multilateralism, advocating for equitable global governance and a fairer world order.

INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL: KEY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU

The Indo-US nuclear collaboration holds immense potential for India’s energy sector. However, two major legal challenges—one from each country—have hindered progress.

Challenges in Indo-US Nuclear Collaboration

• US Atomic Energy Act, 1954: The regulation allows the export of nuclear equipment to India under strict safeguards. However, it prohibits US companies from manufacturing nuclear components or conducting nuclear design work in India.

• India’s Demand for Manufacturing: India seeks participation in the manufacturing value chain. Co-production of nuclear components is crucial for planned atomic power projects in India.

• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010: The Act assigns liability for nuclear accidents to equipment suppliers via operators. This provision discourages foreign companies like GE-Hitachi and Westinghouse from investing in India’s nuclear sector.

• Fear of Future Liabilities: Foreign vendors are wary of potential financial risks in case of nuclear mishaps.

Opportunities for Collaboration

• iCET Initiative: Strengthening innovation ties under the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). A breakthrough agreement could enable joint manufacturing of nuclear components.
• Focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): SMRs (30MWe-300MWe) offer cost-effective and scalable solutions. India aims to position itself as a global hub for manufacturing SMRs.
• Overcoming Technological Gaps: India’s expertise in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) is outdated compared to Light Water Reactor (LWR) technology. Collaboration with US and other global leaders could bridge this gap.

Conclusion
Addressing these legal and technological challenges can unlock the full potential of Indo-US nuclear collaboration. Joint efforts in manufacturing and innovation can strengthen India’s energy security while fostering global competitiveness.

NATIONAL ANTHEM CONTROVERSY IN TAMIL NADU

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU

The recent events in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly have brought attention to the practice of playing the National Anthem during formal occasions. A disagreement arose between the Tamil Nadu Governor and the Assembly over when the National Anthem should be played.

Context

• On January 6, 2025, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi left the Assembly without delivering his address due to the absence of the National Anthem before his scheduled speech.
• A similar situation occurred last year when the Governor refused to read his address.

Allegations from the Raj Bhavan

• The Raj Bhavan claimed the Tamil Nadu Assembly disrespected the Constitution and National Anthem.
• It stated that respecting the National Anthem is a fundamental duty under the Constitution.

Tamil Nadu’s Practice Regarding Anthems

• Tamil Nadu follows the tradition of playing its State anthem, ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu,’ at the start of the Governor’s address.
• The National Anthem is played at the conclusion of the session.
• This practice began in 1991 under the AIADMK government led by Jayalalithaa and Governor Bhishma Narain Singh.
• Earlier, no anthem was played before or after the Governor’s address.

Practices in Other States

• Nagaland: The National Anthem was first played in 2021 during Governor R.N. Ravi’s tenure.
• Tripura: Started playing the National Anthem in 2018.
• Other states follow different conventions based on tradition.

Constitutional Provisions and Legal Framework

• Article 51A(a): Citizens must respect the Constitution, National Flag, and National Anthem.
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The National Anthem should be played during significant formal occasions like state functions and presidential arrivals.
• Judicial Rulings:
  • Madras High Court: No punishment for not playing the National Anthem.
  • Supreme Court: Playing the National Anthem is customary but not legally mandatory.

Conclusion

While respecting the National Anthem is enshrined as a duty, there is no legal obligation to play it in all settings. The controversy underscores the balance between tradition, law, and political sensitivity.