Current Affairs October 26, 2023: Constitutional Morality, PRAGATI Platform, Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS), Right to Vote, Brazzaville Summit

{GS2 – Governance – E-Gov} PRAGATI

• Context (PIB): The PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) Platform was launched in 2015 to introduce e-transparency and e-accountability in welfare schemes.

• The platform addresses public grievances and monitors essential government programs.
• It operates on three technologies
  1. Digital Data Management
  2. Video-Conferencing
  3. Geospatial Technology

Working Structure of PRAGATI

• It is a 3-tier system involving the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States (promotes cooperative federalism).
• The PM holds a monthly program generally on the Fourth Wednesday (PRAGATI Day).
• Union Government and Chief Secretaries provide comments and updates on the flagged issues and grievances within three days.

Key benefits of the PRAGATI platform

• E-Transparency: Ensures transparency in governance by making information accessible in real-time.
• E-Accountability: Holds officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
• Real-Time Exchange: Facilitates real-time interaction and exchange among key stakeholders.
• Public Grievance Redressal: Addresses the grievances of the common man effectively.
• Program Monitoring: Enables monitoring and reviewing of government programmes and projects.
• Cooperative Federalism: Bringing central and state officials together.
• Technology Integration: Integrates digital data management, video-conferencing, and geospatial technology for effective governance.

UPSC Mains Practice Question Q. How has the Pragati platform transformed the governance paradigm in India, shifting it from a bureaucratic, top-down approach to one characterised by responsible and transparent governance? Answer: The Pragati platform has ushered in a transformative shift in the governance paradigm, effectively transitioning from a bureaucratic, top-down approach to a model marked by responsible and transparent governance. India’s governance framework – Historical Context Bureaucratic Hierarchy: Historically, India’s governance was characterised by a bureaucratic and hierarchical system, leading to administrative delays and inefficiencies. Slow Decision-Making: Decision-making processes within the government were notoriously slow, hindering progress and responsiveness to citizen’s needs. Red Tape Challenges: Excessive red tape and administrative complexity were prevalent, resulting in a lack of transparency and accountability. Top-Down Approach: A top-down approach to governance was dominant, with centralised decision-making that often failed to address local and immediate concerns. Ineffective Governance: The historical governance framework was criticised for inefficiency and lack of responsiveness, contributing to public frustration and regulatory bottlenecks. How the PRAGATI platform brought a paradigm shift in a traditional governance model Traditional Governance PRAGATI Platform Bureaucratic Hierarchy Collaborative Structure Top-Down Decision Making Decentralised Decision Making Limited Transparency Enhanced Transparency Limited Citizen Participation Increased Citizen Participation Slow Project Implementation Timely Project Implementation Collaborative Structure Pragati has helped reduce bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies by providing a platform for government officials to interact directly with the Prime Minister and key decision-makers. This has streamlined communication and expedited decision-making, reducing the bureaucratic hierarchy’s negative impact. Timely Decision making Pragati aims to ensure timely decision-making and implementation of projects and policies. Through regular video conferences and discussions on the platform, issues and projects are tracked and monitored closely, allowing for quicker resolutions and implementation. Red Tape Challenges Pragati has reduced excessive red tape and complexity through transparency and accountability. It allows officials to discuss challenges openly, simplifying bureaucratic procedures. Top-Down Approach Pragati challenges the traditional top-down approach by facilitating discussions and interactions between central government officials and state-level authorities. This approach ensures that local and immediate concerns are addressed more effectively, moving away from the strictly centralised decision-making model. Pro-active Governance Pragati’s focus on proactive governance and timely implementation directly addresses the criticism of historical inefficiency and lack of responsiveness in the governance framework. Conclusion The Pragati platform has shifted the paradigm in India’s governance framework by promoting transparency, accountability, and faster decision-making. However, Corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and socioeconomic disparities are persistent issues in the Governance system, which still needs further reforms to address these challenges.

{GS2 – MoC&F – Scheme} Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS)

• Context (PIB | TH | BS | DTE): GoI has approved Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Rabi Season 2023-24 on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilisers.
  • GoI has lowered subsidy under the nutrient-based regime for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur for the Oct-Mar period compared to the Apr-Sept period.

• NBS scheme was launched on 2010 by the Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilisers.
• Under the NBS scheme, farmers ae provided subsidised fertilizers based on their nutrient content, namely, Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K), and Sulphur (S).
• Moreover, fertilizers fortified with secondary and micronutrients receive additional subsidy.
• Objectives of NBS scheme:
  • To ensure nation’s food security
  • To improve agricultural productivity
  • To ensure the balanced application of fertilizers
• Ambit of NBS: It covers all phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers except urea.

Issues with NBS Scheme

Increase in Imbalanced Use of Fertilisers

• Urea is not included in the NBS; it remains under price control, and its MRP is officially fixed.
• While there is no price control for fertilisers under the NBS scheme, their prices have increased.
• All these have led the farmers to use more urea, worsening fertiliser imbalance.

Environmental and Economic Cost

• Fertilizer subsidy is the second-biggest subsidy after food subsidy.
• NBS-like schemes promote chemical fertilisers, damaging soil health and costing the economy.

Recommendations of CACP for the NBS Scheme

• Bring Urea under the NBS scheme: To address the imbalanced use of fertilisers.
• Capping the number of subsidised fertiliser bags per farmer: To reduce the GoI’s subsidy burden.

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) CACP was earlier called Agricultural Prices Commission till 1985. It came into existence in 1965. It is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI. It is mandated to recommend minimum support prices (MSPs). As of now, CACP recommends MSPs of 23 commodities. The recommendations of CACP are not legally binding on the GoI.

Fertilisers of India India is the 2nd largest consumer of urea fertilisers after China. India also ranks 2nd in the production of nitrogenous fertilisers and 3rd in phosphatic fertilisers. The three basic fertilisers of India are Urea, Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), and Muriate of Potash (MOP). Urea is India’s most consumed, produced, imported and regulated fertiliser. Urea is subsidised only for agricultural uses. Nutrient Main Source Nitrogen (N) Urea Phosphorous (P) Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) Potassium (K) Muriate of Potash (MOP)

{GS2 – MoCAF&PD – Initiative } New Made-in-India EV Charging Standard for LEVs

• Context (IE | TH | MC): Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has approved an indigenously developed charging standard for light electric vehicles (LEVs) such as scooters, bikes, and rickshaws.

BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016. It is under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

What is Special About the New EV Charging Standard for LEVs?

• The indigenously developed charging standard is the first in the world that combines alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) for LEVs.
• Significance of combined charging standard: Interoperability, which means it can be used by different EV models and charging infrastructure providers.

Alternating current (AC) is an electric current that periodically reverses direction. Direct current (DC) is an electric current that flows in one direction only. Combined AC and DC charging standards for electric four-wheelers are already in use worldwide, like the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard widely used in Europe.

Why is a National Standard Needed for India?

• In India, EV makers are not mandated to follow a specific standard for charging connectors.
• LEV manufacturers like Ola Electric, Ather Energy, and Ultraviolette Automotive use diverse charging standards for their EVs.
• For e.g, Ola’s proprietary Hyperchargers are designed for charging Ola Electric scooters only.
• Problems from too many EV charging standards:
  1. This makes it hard for public EV charging stations to support all types.
  2. It creates anxiety that the EV will run out of charge and there will be nowhere to recharge it.
• All these results in lower adoption of LEV vehicles.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Constitutional Rights} Right to Vote

• Context (BAB): Manipur HC held that the right to vote is a fundamental right.

• Currently, the right to vote is a constitutional right, not a fundamental right.
• Manipur HC observed that:
  • Casting of votes is a part of the voter’s right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of IC.
  • Voter’s right to know the antecedents, including the criminal past of the candidate contesting election for MP or MLA, is much more fundamental and basic for the survival of democracy.

Right to Vote under IC

• The right to vote is constitutional under Article 326 of IC.
• By the Sixty-first constitutional amendment act of 1988, the voting age of elections to the LS and legislative assemblies of States has been lowered from 21 to 18 years.
• To exercise this right, the country’s citizens must attain the age of 18.

The debate around Right to Vote

• The legal character of the right to vote has been debatable since the time of the inception of IC.
• In Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (March 2023):
  • The majority judgement held that the right to vote is constitutional.
  • In his separate opinion, Justice Ajay Rastogi said that the right to vote is a fundamental right.

Article 19 of IC: Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc. Article 19 (1) (a): All citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. Article 19 (2): The state can make laws to impose reasonable restrictions on this right in the interests of: The sovereignty and integrity of India The security of the State Friendly relations with foreign States Public order, decency, or morality In relation to contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offence.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Parliament} Presiding Officer of LS

• Context (IE): The US House has been without a speaker for three weeks.

• The Republican Party has a majority in the House, but it is divided into many factions and cannot reach a consensus.
• The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives.
• To be elected speaker, a candidate must receive a majority of votes from the members present and voting.
• Representatives are free to vote for someone other than the candidate nominated by their party but generally do not.

Speaker of Lok Sabha

• The Speaker of the LS is the presiding officer and the highest authority of the LS.
• The LS must choose one of its members to be the Speaker as soon as possible.
• To be elected speaker, a candidate must receive a majority of votes from the members present and voting.
• When the post of Speaker is vacant:
  • The House must choose a new member to fill the vacancy.
  • The Deputy Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha.
  • If the post of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is vacant, the President can appoint a member of the LS to perform the duties of the Speaker’s office. The person so appointed is known as the Speaker pro tem.
• When the speaker is absent:
  • The Deputy Speaker presides over the LS.
  • If both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent, anyone from the Panel of Chairpersons can preside over the house.

Panel of Chairpersons It consists of a maximum of ten members of LS nominated by the Speaker. Any of whom can preside over the House if both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent. The Chairperson remains in office until a new Panel is nominated unless they: Resign or Are appointed as a Minister or Elected as the Deputy Speaker.

• After the dissolution of LS:
  • The Speaker remains in office until just before the first meeting of the new House.
  • When the LS meets after the election, the President appoints a member of the LS as a pro-tem speaker for the conduct of the house.
  • The President himself administers oath to the pro tem speaker.
  • Pro tem speaker administers the oath to new members and enables the house to elect the new speaker.

Vacating the Speaker’s Office

• The speaker has to vacate his office:
  • If he ceases to be a member of the LS
  • If he resigns by providing written notice to the Deputy Speaker
  • If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all then members of the LS.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Political Parties} Independent Dalit Political Parties

• Context (TH): Dalit politics in India evolved with the rise of independent Dalit political parties, like the Republican Party of India (RPI), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and other regional political parties.

Factors Responsible for the Rise of Dalit Politics

• The socio-political profile of Dalit communities has changed over time. It was because of the following factors:
  • Influence of democracy
  • The percolation of education at the grassroots
  • State-led affirmative actions
  • Rising developmental desires

Role of Independent Dalit Political Parties

• Dalit empowerment
• Cultivation of assertive consciousness among Dalits
• Rise of several leaders and cadres in the Dalit communities

Reasons for the decline

• Most independent Dalit political parties are gradually weakened with each passing day. The reasons for the decline include:
  • Individual ambitions and a growing impatience of Dalit leaders to gain political power.
  • Failure to provide sufficient political space to a politically aspirant section of Dalit communities.
  • Unable to respond to the changing aspirations and identity quest by a section of Dalit communities.
  • Growth of a dynastic political culture.
  • Failure to develop an effective political programme.
  • Working in a conventional mode of politics
  • Fragmentation within party
  • Social welfare schemes launched by the major political parties attract Dalit people and leaders to their party.

History of Dalit Politics After the Independence, despite constitutional guarantees of equality and justice: The social discrimination and violence against the Dalits continued. Dalit women were dishonoured and abused. Dalits faced collective atrocities. Legal mechanisms proved inadequate to stop the economic and social oppression of Dalits. Against this background, in the 1970s, the first-generation Dalit graduates began to assert themselves from various platforms. They were fighting against the perpetual caste-based inequalities. They demanded the effective implementation of reservations and other such policies of social justice. Dalit Panthers It was a militant organisation of the Dalit youth formed in Maharashtra in 1972. Their activities mostly centred around fighting increasing atrocities on Dalits in various parts of the State. The larger ideological agenda was to destroy the caste system and to build an organisation of all oppressed sections. In the post-emergency period, Dalit Panthers got involved in electoral compromises. It also underwent many splits, which led to its decline. Organisations like the Backward and Minority Communities’ Employees Federation (BAMCEF) took over this space. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) In 1978, the Backward and Minority Classes Employees Federation (BAMCEF) was formed. It was a trade union of government employees. It took a strong position in favour of political power to Bahujan – the SC, ST, OBC and minorities. Out of this, the subsequent Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti and later the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) emerged under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. The BSP began as a small party supported largely by Dalit voters in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. But in 1989 and the 1991 elections, it achieved a breakthrough in Uttar Pradesh. This was the first time in independent India that a political party supported mainly by Dalit voters had achieved this kind of political success. Under Kanshi Ram’s leadership, the BSP was envisaged as an organisation based on pragmatic politics. It derived confidence from the fact that the Bahujan (SC, ST, OBC and religious minorities) constituted the majority of the population and were a formidable political force on the strength of their numbers.

{GS2 – Polity – IC} Constitutional Morality

• Context (IE): The SC’s constitution bench unanimously rejected granting legal recognition to same-sex marriage.

• The decision seems to have followed what most people believe (majoritarian morality) rather than upholding constitutional morality.
• Constitutional morality refers to respecting and following the principles and values enshrined in a constitution.
• It involves upholding the spirit of the Constitution, its ideals, and the rule of law.
• In the context of IC, the constitutional values are Democracy, Socialism, Equality, Integrity, etc.
• The principle of constitutional morality means to obey the rules of the constitution and not to act in a manner that would break the law.

Constitutional Morality in the Indian Context

• In the IC, the term ‘Constitutional Morality’ is not used in any of the Articles.

The term Morality is mentioned in IC in four Articles: Article 19 (2) (Reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech) Article 19 (4) (Reasonable restrictions on freedom to form associations or unions) Article 25 (1) (Freedom of conscience and right to profess, practice and propagate religion) Article 26 (Right to freedom of religion).

• The SC used the concept of constitutional morality as an aid in the interpretation of the:
  • FRs provided under the IC.
  • Constitutional validity of the laws.
• In 2018, the SC passed historical judgments based on constitutional morality. These are:
  • Right to Privacy
  • Decriminalization of consensual relationships under section 377 and section 497 of IPC
  • Triple Talaq
  • Sabarimala temple case

Dr Ambedkar on Constitutional Morality

• Dr Ambedkar explained constitutional morality in one of the constituent assembly debates.
• According to Dr Ambedkar, constitutional morality involves:
  • A deep respect for the structure of the Constitution
  • Adherence to authority
  • The practice of free speech within legal boundaries.
  • The confidence that the Constitution is upheld by all, irrespective of political differences.

Justice Joseph, former judge of SC, while speaking on constitutional morality, said that: Judges are appointed to uphold the Constitution. Constitutional Values are not the same as majoritarian views.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Brazzaville Summit of the Three Basins, Biodiversity Ecosystems, and Tropical Forests

• Context (DTE): As Brazzaville Summit delegates convene, a global report reveals significant threats to tropical forests in these areas from fossil fuel, mining, and extractive industry expansion.

• The Brazzaville Summit of the Three Basins, Biodiversity Ecosystems, and Tropical Forests is a high-level meeting of leaders from the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Borneo-Mekong regions.
• Objective: to strategise for the sustainable management and conservation of their tropical forests.
• These three basins host 80% of the world’s tropical forests and 2/3^rd of land biodiversity.
• They regulate global climate, support livelihoods, and safeguard biodiversity.
• The summit is expected to focus on the following key areas:
  • Strengthening South-South cooperation: Promote cooperation among the three regions on sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.
  • Establishing effective global governance for environmental and climate challenges
  • Mobilizing financial resources for sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation

The inaugural 2011 Summit in Brazzaville led to the Declaration of the Summit of the Three Tropical Forest Basins, acknowledging the necessity for a cooperation platform among the basin countries.

The Three Basins

Amazon Basin

• The Amazon Basin is the largest ecosystem and tropical forest on the Earth.
• It covers 9 countries: Brazil (60% of the Amazon rainforest), Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, French Guiana, Suriname, and the Republic of Guyana.
• The Amazon River is the largest drainage system in the world in terms of the volume of its flow and the area of its basin.
• Located in South America, it is the second-longest river in the world.
• It originates in the Peruvian Andes and drains into the Atlantic Ocean.
• It produces about 20% of the world’s freshwater flow into the oceans.

Congo Basin

• Located in Central Africa, the Congo Basin is home to the world’s second-largest rainforest.
• It covers six countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.
• The Congo Basin is the world’s second-largest carbon sink.
• The Congo River (formerly the Zaire River) is the second-longest river in Africa.
• It is the third-largest river in the world by discharge volume, following the Amazon and Ganges.
• It is also the deepest river in the world.
• It rises in the highlands of Zambia between Lakes Tanganyika and Nyasa (Malawi) as the Chambeshi River and drains into the Atlantic Ocean.

Borneo-Mekong-Southeast Asia Basin

• It is composed of two sub-regions: the island of Borneo and the Mekong River Basin.
• This basin of Southeast Asia is the third global ecosystem of biodiversity and tropical forests.

Mekong River

• The Mekong River is a trans-boundary river in East and Southeast Asia.
• Also called Lancang River (in China), it is the third-longest river in Asia.
• It crosses six countries: China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
• It rises in the Tibetan Plateau and drains into the South China Sea.

Borneo

• Borneo (also called Kalimantan) is the third largest island in the world.
• It represents only 1% of the planet’s land but holds about 6% of the world’s biodiversity.
• It is politically divided among three countries: Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia (73% of the island).

Source: Geology.com

Findings of the Global Report on the Three Basins

• These basins are experiencing significant forest loss, leading to a systemic ecosystem breakdown affecting global climate, biodiversity, and livelihoods of indigenous peoples and communities.
• 20% of intact tropical forests in these basins are within active or potential oil and gas concessions
  • Amazon basin: 13% of undisturbed forests are threatened by oil & gas, and over 33% by mining.
  • Congo basin: Over 39% of undisturbed forests are threatened by oil & gas, and 27% by mining.
  • Borneo-Mekong basin: Oil and gas production threatens 20% of undisturbed forests.

Specific examples of the degradation of tropical forests in these regions The Amazon rainforests are facing extreme drought and excessive wildfires. In Indonesia, 53% of forests are vulnerable to extractive concessions (for palm oil cultivation, nickel mining, etc.)

{GS3 – IE – Employment} Female Labour Force Participation

• Context (TH): The Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) highlighted gender disparities in the workforce, revealing that, on average, women work fewer hours than men.
  • Men consistently earn more than women across all forms of work, with the broadest gap observed in the self-employed sector.
  • In 2023, male self-employed workers earned 2.8 times more than their female counterparts.
  • The global Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women stood at 47.3% in 2022, indicating relatively low female participation worldwide.
  • India experienced a decline in female LFPR from 28% to 24% between 1990 and 2022.

Causes of Low Women LFPR

• Patriarchal Mindset: The patriarchal norms of Indian society and social constraints on women’s freedom result in lower LFPR.
• Nuclearisation of Families: Childcare and household work restrict women’s participation in work.
• Caste Factor: In some upper castes, a stigma is attached to women working outside the home.
• Increased Enrollment in Secondary Schooling: This has led to a decline in women’s participation in the workforce.
• Rising Household Incomes: This has resulted in women being pulled out of agricultural labour.
• Working Conditions: Factors such as law and order, efficient public transportation, violence against women, societal norms, creche facilities, etc., are far from conducive for women to seek work.
• Domestic Duties: Many women in India are exclusively in their homes, caring for their families.

Steps to increase the Women Labour Force Participation Rate

• Change in Attitudes: Challenge patriarchal norms and promote women’s ability to balance domestic and professional responsibilities.
• Government Policies: Implement policies for equal opportunity, enhanced maternity leave, mandatory creche facilities, and night shifts for women with adequate safety measures.
• Education and Skill Training: Improve women’s employability through access to higher education and skill training.
• Flexible Work Practices: Adopt flexible work schedules, gender-equal policies, affordable childcare, location flexibility, and options for reduced work hours.
• Collaboration of Society-Government-Business: Combine behaviour change communications, resources and actions for sustainable solutions.

For more info: {GS3 – IE – Employment} Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 18^th oct

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} Agnipath Scheme and Agniveers

• Context (IE): The Agnipath scheme was introduced in 2022 to take in recruits for the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force (IAF) on four-year contracts, including six months of training.

• At the end of four years, up to 25% of recruits can apply to join the services regularly, subject to merit and organisational requirements.
• The scheme had also opened doors for recruitment of women as Agniveers to the IAF and Navy.
• The Army started recruiting women soldiers into its Corps of Military Police in 2019.

Why was the Agnipath scheme brought?

• To ensure a “youthful profile” for the armed forces, reducing the average age of serving soldiers.
• Transform the armed forces into a tech-savvy and modern fighting force.
• To bring down the overall defence pension bill.
• Availability of disciplined and skilled youth in civil society after four years of service.

Entitlements for Agniveer

• The remuneration of an Agniveer is Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000 per month, and they are entitled to risk and hardship allowances.
• The scheme also has a Seva Nidhi contributory package, under which the Agniveers contribute 30% of their monthly emoluments, and the government contributes the same amount.
• After four years, they will receive around Rs 11.71 lakh (with interest) from the package, which will be exempt from income tax.
• In case of death on duty, they will receive more than Rs 1 crore, including the Seva Nidhi package and total pay for the period they could not serve.
• In a disability, they can receive up to Rs 44 lakh depending on the extent of disability suffered, attributed to or aggravated by military service.

How do these benefits compare with those due to a regular soldier?

Employment Status and Pension

• The biggest difference between a soldier employed on regular service and an Agniveer serving for four years is that the former will draw a pension post-retirement, while an Agniveer will not.
• The 25% of Agniveers who would eventually be absorbed into the forces after four years will be eligible for pension after retirement.

Casualty Compensation

• In case of a battle casualty, the family of a regular soldier gets a liberalised family pension equal to the last pay drawn for life. There is no income tax on this amount.
• The family of an Agniveer is eligible only for a non-contributory insurance sum of Rs 48 lakh.

Gratuity

• Gratuity means a one-time reward given to the employer for the past service rendered.
• A regular soldier gets a gratuity for 15 days per year for every year of service and has an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh.
• Soldiers on regular service also get a children’s education allowance up to graduation.
• None of these are available to Agniveers.