Current Affairs – September 07, 2024

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Supreme Court on Demolitions

• Context (IE): The Supreme Court has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the arbitrary demolition of buildings belonging to individuals accused of crimes without due process.

• The SC intends to issue guidelines to balance the need to address unauthorised constructions with protecting citizens’ rights and due process.
• The decision comes in response to several petitions challenging demolitions (of homes of Muslim tenants accused of crimes that triggered communal tensions) in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi.

State-Specific Demolition Practices

• Most state laws require authorities to issue notices before demolishing properties. E.g., the Rajasthan Municipalities Act of 2009 and the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities Act of 1961.
• Individuals affected by demolition orders are typically allowed to defend their case.
• In many cases, individuals can appeal demolition orders to higher authorities. E.g., the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act of 1973.

{GS2 – Governance – Welfare} Decline in Household Food Expenditure

• Context (IE): For the first time in modern India’s history, average household spending on food has declined to less than half of overall monthly household expenditure, primarily driven by the free distribution of wheat and rice under various schemes (as per the Economic Advisory Council to the PM).

Key findings

• The EAC-PM paper reports a substantial decline in the share of total household expenditures on food in rural and urban areas, as well as in all states and Union Territories.
• Expenditure on cereals has significantly declined in both rural and urban areas, especially among the bottom 20% of households, likely due to the effectiveness of government food security policies.
• The reduction in cereal expenditure has enabled households to diversify their diets, with increased spending on milk, fruits, eggs, fish, and meat, which is more noticeable in the bottom 20% of households.
• Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), providing free food grains to 800 million people, have enabled households to redirect savings from cereals to more diverse food items, acting as an expansionary fiscal policy.
• Despite cereal fortification efforts, anaemia remains prevalent. The EAC-PM paper suggests promoting dietary diversity may be more effective than universal fortification in addressing the issue.
• Northeastern states such as Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura have made some of the most significant gains in dietary diversity.
• States like Bihar and Odisha have shown improvements in dietary diversity for micronutrient intake. However, Rajasthan showed only minor improvements in this area.

Read more > Household Consumption Expenditure Survey.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Reservation} Sub-Classification of Reservations

• Context (TH): The decision by the SC in The State of Punjab and Ors. vs Davinder Singh and Ors. to allow sub-classification of reservations within the Scheduled Castes (SC) category aligns with the principles of social justice and B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of a more equitable society.

• The ruling advances social jurisprudence, using constitutional methods to deliver justice to the most marginalised Dalit groups. It aligns with B.R. Ambedkar’s principles of fraternity and Maitri, promoting cooperation among SCs.
• However, some see the judgment’s remarks on the varna system and the creamy layer as unnecessary.

B.R. Ambedkar’s Struggle for Social Justice

• Ambedkar dedicated his life to securing social and civil justice for the most oppressed sections, including separate cultural rights for former untouchables.
• Ambedkar urged Scheduled Castes to recognise their responsibility in eliminating internal divisions while demanding the removal of untouchability from others.
• Ambedkar led movements such as the Mahad Satyagraha and the Kalaram temple entry movement, highlighting the ritual discrimination faced by Dalits.

Reality of Graded Discrimination

• Ambedkar’s analysis of caste complexities is affirmed by Shahu Patole’s observations of graded inequality among SCs, where Dalit groups like Mang and Mahar also face discrimination.
• It highlights the need for a nuanced social justice approach, which the Court’s sub-classification judgment addresses by acknowledging the diverse experiences of deprivation within the SC community.

Struggles, Criticism and Support

• The demand for sub-classification arises from decades of grassroots activism by marginalised communities like the Madigas in South India and Valmikis in the North.
• The SC judgment reflects these struggles, aiming to address the needs of the most deprived SC groups. Historical successes, such as sub-classification in Punjab and Haryana before the 2004 Chinnaiah ruling, show the effectiveness of these measures.
• Some leading segments of Dalits fear that sub-classification might fragment the Dalit constituency and weaken the collective Dalit movement.
• In South India, the sub-classification debate has largely been resolved, with most Dalit organisations supporting the demand for sub-categorisation among SCs.
• The criticism overlooks the reality of intra-group caste differences within the SC community.
• Sub-classification can help address these disparities and promote a more inclusive Ambedkarite movement. It also aligns with the principles of equitable representation, as leaders like Kanshiram advocated representation based on numerical strength.

Read more > Subcategorisation Within Castes.

{GS2 – Polity – IC} A Constitution Museum

• Context (IE): The 75^th anniversary of the Indian Constitution offers a timely opportunity to establish a Constitution Museum, honouring the vision of the Constitution framers.

• It would help citizens understand, appreciate, and engage with the core principles of Indian democracy.

Key Objectives of a Constitution Museum

Building Constitutional Legacy

• A Constitution Museum should capture not only the history of the document but also the evolution of rights and freedoms enabled by the institutions it established.
• By showcasing these milestones, the museum can inspire future generations to appreciate their civic duties and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality in Indian democracy.

Democratising Constitutional Knowledge

• The museum would make the Constitution more accessible to the general public.
• It would provide a comprehensive understanding of the document’s history, evolution, important provisions, and interpretations by courts and amendments.
• It would facilitate the development of a vibrant public discourse that is both intellectually engaging and contributes to strengthening democratic politics in India.

Promoting Civic Education

• The museum should serve as a platform for civic education, empowering citizens to participate effectively in Indian democracy. It would take the first step towards citizen empowerment, helping individuals understand how the Constitution protects their rights and provides remedies for justice.

Celebrating the Constitution’s Architects

• It would spotlight the contributions of all members of the Constituent Assembly, including the 15 exceptional women members whose stories are often overlooked. The museum would also recognise the crucial role played by Sir Benegal Narsing Rau, the Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly.

{GS3 – Agri – Food Security} Food Security Act and PDS

• Context (TH): India’s PDS was reformed after the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Challenges of PDS implementation

• PDS Leakages: Concerns were raised about the high leakages in the PDS (41.7% in 2011-12).
• Aadhaar Integration Issues: The integration of Aadhaar for beneficiary identification has been controversial. While it was intended to reduce leakages by eliminating duplicate and ghost beneficiaries, evidence suggests that its implementation has not significantly improved outcomes in many regions.
• Inclusion and Exclusion Errors: Estimates suggest that nearly 61% of eligible beneficiaries are excluded from the system while ineligible individuals receive benefits.

Impact of Reforms

• Reduction in Leakages: According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) data, PDS leakages at the all-India level decreased from 41.7% in 2011-12 to 22% in 2022-23.
• Increase in PDS Coverage: The proportion of households accessing the PDS increased from around 40% in 2011-12 to 70% in 2022-23.
• Improved Targeting and Entitlement Awareness: The reforms aimed at reducing exclusion errors and expanding PDS coverage, leading to better beneficiary targeting.
• Reduction in Food Insecurity: The reforms contributed to a decline in the share of the food-insecure population in Chhattisgarh (report from im4change).

Further reforms needed

• Expedite Census Completion: Prioritize the completion of the delayed Census to ensure accurate beneficiary identification, addressing the exclusion of over 100 million people from the PDS.
• Enhance Digital Infrastructure: Continue digitizing records and beneficiary data, like “e-PDS” system in states like Chhattisgarh.
• Incorporate Nutritious Items: Expand the range of items available through the PDS to include more nutritious options, such as pulses and edible oils, to improve dietary diversity among beneficiaries.
• Strengthen Local Management: Empower local bodies, such as panchayats and self-help groups, to manage PDS outlets, enhancing accountability and responsiveness to community needs.

{GS3 – DM – Avalanches} Underwater Avalanches

• Context (TH): Scientists mapped the devastation of a giant underwater avalanche that occurred 60,000 years ago off the coast of Morocco.

• Underwater avalanches are powerful yet hidden events that occur frequently under the ocean’s surface but remain largely mysterious due to their invisibility and difficulty to measure.

Impact on Global Communication

• Underwater avalanches pose a significant hazard to our global communication networks. It is estimated that there are now over 550 active seafloor cables worldwide.

2006 Pingtung Earthquake

• The 2006 Pingtung earthquake in Taiwan triggered underwater avalanches that severed seafloor cables, causing massive internet disruptions. China’s largest internet operator reported a 90% loss of traffic to the US, while Taiwan experienced up to 100% loss to neighbouring islands.

Frequency and Triggers of Underwater Avalanches

• Location: Seafloor canyons near river mouths with high rainfall catchments can experience several small avalanches yearly. Other systems far from river discharges, like the Agadir Canyon off northwest Morocco, may only have one giant avalanche every 10,000 years.
• Earthquakes, tides, typhoons, river floods, and volcanic eruptions also contribute to these avalanches. Climate change is expected to make some of these triggers more frequent and intense.

Avalanches

• An avalanche is a rapid movement of a mass of material, such as snow, ice, or rock, down a slope.
• It occurs when a portion of the material breaks loose and gains momentum, collecting more debris as it descends. Avalanches can vary in composition, including rock avalanches (large rock fragments), ice avalanches (near glaciers), and debris avalanches (loose stones and soil).
• A slab avalanche, where a thick layer of snow breaks off, can reach speeds of 130 km/h (80 mph), destroying forests and even small villages in its path.
• Causes of Avalanches:
  • Natural factors: Precipitation, earthquakes, or unstable snowpack.
  • Human activity: Walking or skiing over weak snow layers.

Read more > Landslides in India.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Lessons from Singapore’s Semiconductor story

• Context (IE): PM visited Singapore during his Southeast Asia trip, marking his fifth visit. MoU on the India-Singapore Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership was also signed during the visit.

Singapore’s Semiconductor success story

• Established Semiconductor Ecosystem: Singapore hosts a diverse mix of multinational corporations and local companies across the semiconductor value chain, including IC design, wafer fabrication, assembly, packaging, testing, and equipment production.
• Attractive Investment Environment: It has attracted semiconductor investments like NXP Semiconductors and TSMC-backed Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp’s $7.8 billion joint venture.
• Skilled Workforce & Talent Development: Singapore’s universities collaborate with the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) to offer specialised microelectronics programs and partner with semiconductor companies for doctoral research to support local SMEs.
• Intellectual Property Protection: Singapore’s strong intellectual property protection laws make it safe for semiconductor companies to operate and collaborate.

Challenges for India

• Setting up semiconductor fabrication plants requires substantial capital ranging around $ 3-10 Bn.
• India competes against established semiconductor giants like Taiwan, South Korea, and the USA, which have advanced technology, economies of scale, and well-integrated supply chains.
• Strong infrastructure is needed, including a reliable power supply, water resources, and logistics. India’s developing infrastructure poses challenges for setting up and operating semiconductor fabs.
• Lacks a comprehensive and integrated supply chain for semiconductor manufacturing.

Way forward

• Increased Government Support and Incentives: India Semiconductor Mission can be expanded to attract more investments and reduce companies’ financial burdens.
• Skilled Workforce: Collaborating with universities and industry leaders to create specialised semiconductor manufacturing and design courses, internships, and mentorship programs to bridge the skills gap.
• Strengthening Supply Chains: Developing a comprehensive semiconductor manufacturing supply chain, including sourcing raw materials and components and establishing domestic testing facilities.
• Encouraging Research and Development: Investing in R&D is essential for innovation in semiconductor technology. Government grants and funding for R&D initiatives can stimulate growth in this area.

Read more > Semiconductor Chip Manufacturing.