21-November-2023-Daily-Current-Affairs

GOVERNOR CAN’T WITHHOLD RE-PASSED BILLS, SAYS SC

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Tamil Nadu government’s assertion regarding Governor R.N. Ravi’s discretion in withholding re-passed Bills has raised significant constitutional questions. The court’s scrutiny of the Governor’s authority, based on the interpretation of Article 200, has implications for the legislative process and the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu.

Court’s Observations and State’s Argument:

Absence of Governor’s Discretion:

• The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, concurred with the Tamil Nadu government’s stance that once Bills are re-passed, the Governor lacks discretion to withhold approval.

Constitutional Provisions:

• The State cited Article 200, emphasizing the first provison, which states that the Governor cannot withhold assent once the Bills are re-passed by the legislative assembly.

Governor’s Authority to Send Bills Back:

• Questions were raised regarding whether the Governor could withhold assent without sending the Bills back to the House for re-consideration. The State argued that returning the Bills to the House was a necessary step after withholding assent.

State’s Grievance and Governor’s Actions:

Governor’s Indefinite Withholding:

• The State complained that the Governor’s prolonged withholding of Bills was infringing on the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu to benefit from crucial laws passed by the assembly.

Governor’s Response:

• The Governor had withheld assent and returned the Bills to the House on November 13. The State convened a Special Session on November 18 to re-pass the Bills, which were then returned to the Governor for approval.

Transparency Issues in Appointment Process:

• The Attorney General’s note highlighted transparency concerns in the selection process of members of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, indicating broader governance issues.

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court’s intervention in the dispute over the Governor’s authority to withhold re-passed Bills underscores the constitutional intricacies surrounding this issue. The court’s acknowledgment of the State’s arguments based on Article 200 has implications for the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. As the case unfolds, it raises broader questions about governance transparency and the need for clarity in the interpretation of constitutional provisions. The next hearing on December 1 will likely provide further insights into this constitutional dilemma.

A RENEWED FOCUS ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The surge in interest in emerging technologies, encompassing cyber technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), unmanned systems, and advanced computing, is gaining momentum within global military circles. India, too, is actively engaging with these advancements, as highlighted by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande.

India’s Military Embrace of Emerging Technologies:

Army’s Technological Identification:

• General Pande highlighted the identification of 45 niche technologies by the Army for military applications, emphasizing a comprehensive approach.

IAF’s ‘UDAAN’ Initiative:

• The Indian Air Force employs AI, cyber capabilities, and virtual reality under ‘UDAAN’ to address operational, logistical, and training requirements, showcasing a holistic approach to emerging technologies.

Navy’s Integrated Unmanned Roadmap:

• The Navy is advancing with emerging technologies, including an Integrated Unmanned Roadmap, and emphasizes indigenization through project ‘Swavlamban.’

Defence Ministry’s Initiatives – ‘AIDef’:

• ‘AIDef’ demonstrates the Defence Ministry’s commitment, featuring the Defence AI Council and Defence AI Project Agency, aimed at incorporating AI into various defense organizations.

Challenges and Needed Transformations:

• Technology Beyond a ‘Plug and Play’ Approach: The military must recognize that emerging technologies are not a ‘plug and play’ solution; they necessitate organizational, doctrinal changes, and data sharing with civilian entities.
• Collaborative Defence Approach: Michael Raska’s concept of “collaborative defense” emphasizes the importance of military collaboration with scientists, academics, technologists, and industry. India needs to enhance its collaborative efforts for successful integration.

India’s Progress and Existing Shortcomings:

• Historical Engagement with Emerging Technologies: India’s history of adopting drones, addressing cyber threats, launching communication satellites, and establishing defence cyber and space agencies showcases a proactive stance in embracing emerging technologies.
• Current Shortcomings: Despite these strides, challenges remain, including insufficient jointness between services, the need for specialized technical expertise, and limitations in sharing data for fully harnessing AI capabilities.

Transformative Approaches Needed:

• Jointness and Interoperability: Achieving jointness among the services is crucial for interoperability, especially in the realm of emerging technologies, requiring seamless collaboration.
• Revisiting Human Resource Practices: Specialized technology demands greater technical expertise. A shift towards specialized pathways and extended tenures for officers inclined towards emerging technologies is imperative.
• Openness in Data Sharing: Overcoming traditional secrecy concerns to facilitate data sharing is vital. A structured approach with safeguards can encourage civilian collaboration in tandem with military professionals.

Conclusion:

India’s pursuit of a technologically advanced military necessitates a paradigm shift in organizational structures and approaches. As the defense reforms unfold, greater openness to collaboration with external talent, including technocrats and private sector experts, becomes paramount. The successful realization of India’s vision in emerging technologies requires a holistic transformation, with collaborative efforts and creative thinking at the core.

MAKING IN INDIA

GS 3 (ECONOMY): SOURCE – BUSINESS STANDARD

Government interventions aimed at promoting domestic production in India, such as import restrictions and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the information technology (IT) hardware sector, have faced challenges in yielding the intended outcomes.

Challenges in Government Intervention:

• Import Restrictions in IT Hardware: In August, the Union government announced plans to bring seven IT hardware products into the restricted category. However, the market responded with increased imports, raising questions about the efficacy of such measures.
• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme Adjustment: The PLI scheme for the IT hardware sector saw adjustments, nearly doubling incentives to approximately ₹17,000 crore. Despite these efforts, concerns persist about the scheme’s effectiveness in driving large manufacturers to establish facilities in India.

Assessing Impact and Future Prospects:

Surge in Imports:

• The announcement of import restrictions triggered a 42% surge in imports of computers, laptops, and related products to $715 million in September. The government’s objective to reduce import dependence, especially from China, faces challenges.

PLI Scheme Eligibility and Participants:

• Dixon Technologies, a major domestic electronics manufacturer, has committed significant production under the PLI scheme. Other notable participants include Dell, HP, Foxconn, and Flextronics. However, the actual impact on reducing imports remains uncertain.

Complex Value Chains and Manufacturing Shifts:

• The analysis questions whether moving final assembly work to India, even if achieved, will substantially reduce imports. The globalized nature of modern manufacturing involves complex value chains, and policy measures should extend beyond import restrictions and fiscal incentives.

Future Considerations and Recommendations:

Need for Value-Added Conditions:

• To drive substantial manufacturing to India, the PLI scheme could consider incorporating value-added conditions as eligibility criteria for incentives. This approach may contribute to shifting a meaningful portion of the value chain to the country.

Comprehensive Policy Approach:

• Promoting domestic production is a commendable goal, necessitating a holistic policy approach. While import restrictions and fiscal incentives play a role, broader conditions for attracting investments and fostering a conducive business environment are crucial.

Avoiding Unintended Outcomes:

• The government must learn from experiences such as the recent departure of one of Apple’s major manufacturers from India. To prevent such outcomes, India needs to create an environment that attracts and sustains investments in the long term.

Conclusion:

As India strives to enhance domestic production in the IT hardware sector, the effectiveness of government interventions comes under scrutiny. While import restrictions and the PLI scheme represent steps in the right direction, a nuanced and comprehensive approach is essential. Balancing incentives with conditions that encourage value addition, attracting investments, and fostering a conducive business environment will be critical in realizing the goal of promoting domestic production and creating employment opportunities in the country.

 

PRADHAN MANTRI AWAS YOJANA-GRAMIN (PMAY-G)

GS 2 (SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), a centrally sponsored scheme initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development in 2016, recently completed seven years. The scheme has made significant strides in addressing housing needs in rural areas.

Achievements:

• The scheme has delivered 2.41 crore houses out of the targeted 2.95 crore, showcasing substantial progress.
• Over the last four years, approximately 1.5 lakh crore rupees have been disbursed as central assistance, emphasizing the financial commitment to rural housing.

Key Features:

• Objective: PMAY-G aims to provide “pucca” houses with essential amenities to all households living in kutcha and dilapidated houses by 2024.
• Beneficiary Selection: Identification of beneficiaries is based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC)-2011, verified by Gram Sabhas.
• Financial Assistance: Beneficiaries receive a 100% grant, with Rs. 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs. 1.30 lakh in challenging terrains.
• Cost Sharing: The central and state governments share costs based on specified ratios, ensuring a collaborative financial approach.
• Convergence: The scheme integrates with other initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Scheme, promoting holistic development.
• Implementation and Monitoring: Leveraging an end-to-end e-Governance model using AwaasSoft and AwaasApp enhances efficiency in implementation and monitoring processes.

PMAY-G stands as a significant stride in addressing rural housing needs, focusing on inclusivity, financial support, and streamlined governance.

CHINESE SCIENTISTS ACHIEVE CHIMERIC MONKEY BIRTH IN STEM CELL BREAKTHROUGH

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

Embryonic Stem Cell Modification:

• Researchers extracted embryonic stem cells from one-week-old embryos.
• DNA modification included the introduction of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the cells.
  

Implantation Process:

• GFP-marked embryonic stem cells were injected into recipient embryos.
• These modified embryos were implanted into surrogate female monkeys.

Outcome:

• Surrogate female monkeys delivered offspring, marking the world’s first live birth of a chimeric monkey.

Understanding Stem Cells:

Embryonic Stem Cells:

• Possess the unique ability to differentiate into any cell type in the body.

Other Stem Cell Types:

• Tissue-specific (multipotent or unipotent): Limited to changing into specific cell types.
• Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS): Lab-made stem cells capable of transforming into any cell.

Chimera Types:

• Natural Chimeras: Examples exist in the animal kingdom, including humans.
• Artificial Chimeras: Created through processes like stem cell or bone marrow transplants.

Applications of Stem Cell Breakthrough:

• Genetic and Developmental Studies: Significant implications for understanding genetics and development.
• Organ Transplantation: Addresses the growing demand for organs, such as using animal heart valves.

Challenges and Ethical Concerns:

• Low Survival Rate: Despite advancements, issues like low survival rates pose challenges.
• Ethical Concerns: Manipulating genetic makeup raises ethical considerations, necessitating careful evaluation.

LACHIT BORPHUKAN

GS 1 (HISTORY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

An animated film featuring the iconic Ahom general, Lachit Borphukan, has earned selection for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2023 in Goa.

Lachit Borphukan:

• Timeline: Lived from 1622 to 1672.
• Dynasty: Associated with the Ahom Dynasty.
• Mughal Threat: Confronted the Mughal Empire’s expansion into Assam.
• Battle of Saraighat: Led Ahom forces to a historic victory against the Mughals in 1671.
• Defense of Assam: Notably defended Assam against Aurangzeb’s forces under Ram Singh.

Leadership and Legacy:

• Leadership: Renowned for strategic brilliance and guerrilla tactics.
• Legacy: Revered as a symbol of Assamese pride and resistance.

Honors and Celebrations:

• INS Lachit: Indian Navy’s guided-missile destroyer named in his honor.
• Lachit Divas: An annual celebration on November 24th in Assam, commemorating his contributions.

Significance:

• The film highlights the valour and historical significance of Lachit Borphukan, contributing to the promotion of Assamese history and culture.

KADALUNDI MUDFLATS

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The Kadalundi Mudflats, nestled within the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary in Kerala, face alarming shrinkage, posing a threat to its ecological balance and the diverse avian life it sustains.

About Kadalundi Mudflats:

Location and Composition: Situated in the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Kozhikode, Kerala, along the southwestern coast of India. Comprises estuarine wetlands, mangrove forests, and crucially, mudflats.

Formation and Environment: Formed at the confluence of Kadalundi River and the Arabian Sea, creating a unique estuarine ecosystem. Influenced by both freshwater and saline water, fostering diverse habitats.

Ecological Significance:

Rich Biodiversity: Renowned for its diverse avian species, hosting over 100 resident and migratory birds. Protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Migratory Hub: Critical stopover for birds along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway. Vital habitat offering abundant prey, sustaining thousands of migrant shorebirds.

Concerns: Drastic shrinkage due to sand coverage poses a severe threat to the delicate ecological balance. Urgent conservation measures needed to protect this vital avian haven