Monthly Current Affairs December 2019

Easy to PICK51 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” End of reservation for Anglo-Indians? Syllabus subtopic: Government policies If there is no member is elected from the and interventions for development in Anglo Indian community then the various sectors and issues arising out of President of India is authorised to their design and implementation. nominate 2 members of this community for the Lok Sabha. News: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday Now the question arises that after all who approved a proposal to extend reservation are the Anglo Indians, why are they sent to for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled the Parliament and the Legislative Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Assembly? Assemblies for 10 years but a question Meaning of Anglo Indians in India mark prevailed over whether it has The term Anglo Indian is defined as per extended reservation for two seats in the the article 366 (2) of the Indian Lok Sabha for the Anglo-Indian constitution; “a person whose father or community. any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European Prelims and Mains focus: about the descent but who is a native of India.” provisions relating to the reservation, The term Anglo Indian was first defined in About Anglo-Indians and their the Government of India Act, 1935. representation in the Parliament The arrival of Anglo-Indians in India was reported when the British were laying rail  Provisions for reservation for tracks and telephone lines in India. Due to SCs/STs and Anglo- Indians are technological knowledge the people of extended under Article 334 (a) and (b) European society were called in India for of the Constitution. the rail track deployment. These people later on married to Indian girls and settled  Two members of the Anglo Indian here. community have been nominated in Most of the Anglo-Indian families had the Lok Sabha since the adoption of relation with Indian railways that is why the Constitution, under article they still call themselves 'Railway 334(b). Children'. The Anglo-Indian community created its Meaning and history of Anglo organization known as 'The All India Indians in India Anglo-Indian Association’ in 1876. 'Frank Anthony’ born in Jabalpur was the India is the largest democracy of the chairman of this organisation who later world. The Parliament of India is became a member of the Constituent comprises of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Assembly. and President of India. India is ‘Union of It is worth to mention that article 331 was State’ that is why the members of added in the Indian constitution because of Parliament are elected from all corners of his efforts. Frank Anthony was nominated the country. There can be a total of 552 to the Lok Sabha 7 times just because of seats (530 states + 20 Union Territories + article 331. 2 Anglo Indians) in the Lok Sabha in the country, but only 543 seats are filled Anglo Indians in Parliament and from elected members of the different Legislative Assemblies states and Union Territories.

Easy to PICK52 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Anglo Indian is the only community of India whose representatives are sent to Parliament and Legislative Assemblies through nomination. Under the article 331; the President of India is authorised to nominate 2 members of the Anglo Indian community if know member of this community is elected among the 543 members for the Lok Sabha. In the same way the governor of the state is authorised to nominate 1 Anglo Indian in the lower house of the State Legislature (in case of under representation). According to the 10th schedule of the Constitution, any Anglo-Indian member can take the membership of any party within 6 months of the nomination. After the membership; they are bound to the party whip and they have to work in the house according to the party’s agenda. Keep in mind that nominated members have all those powers, which are enjoyed by a common MP. But they can’t vote in the election of the President because they are nominated by the President. India is a country of huge cultural diversity. Here, people of every society and culture get respect and representation. This is probably the reason that from 1951 to 2014, people of the Anglo-Indian community have been sent to the Parliament so that they can represent the people of their community.

Easy to PICK53 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Some data can be stored abroad without copy in India, Rs 15 cr fine for misuse Syllabus subtopic: Government policies Moreover, “critical” personal data, as and interventions for development in defined by the government from time to various sectors and issues arising out of time, must be stored and processed only in their design and implementation. India. These provisions will impact News: In a significant departure from the companies like Google, Facebook and draft Bill, the Personal Data Protection WhatsApp, which currently store most of Bill cleared by the Cabinet on Wednesday their India-related data abroad. allows some personal data to be stored and processed abroad with the In another change, the Bill mandates individual’s consent, without requiring companies to give the government a mirror of the data in India, official access to any non-personal data — sources said. anonymised data like traffic patterns or demographic information — which Prelims and Mains focus: About the key many companies use to fund their changes made in the Bill and its business model. The previous draft did significance, challenges in implementation not specify this. Background: After the public release of a The Bill also requires social media draft Bill by a committee headed by companies, which are deemed “significant Justice B N SriKrishna in July 2018, data fiduciaries” (SDF) based on factors India was caught in the middle of a global such as volume and sensitivity of data as debate on data localisation at the G20, the well as their turnover, to develop their own Organisation for Economic Co-operation user verification mechanism. While the and Development (OECD) and other fora. process can be voluntary for users and can Changes made in the draft of the Bill be completely designed by the company, it A previous draft of the Bill required a will decrease the anonymity of users and copy of all personal data to be stored in “prevent trolling. India — a provision that was criticised by foreign technology companies and civil The Bill includes exemptions for society stakeholders. processing data without an individual’s consent for “reasonable purposes”, However, the Bill still requires including security of the state, detection of “sensitive” personal data — related to any unlawful activity or fraud, financial, health, sexual orientation, whistleblowing, medical emergencies, biometric, genetic, transgender status, credit scoring, operation of search engines caste and religious belief — to be stored and processing of publicly available data. only in India. While the Bill retains the provisions on a This data can be processed abroad only Data Protection Authority (DPA), the under certain conditions, including the penalties listed are: Rs 5 crore or 2 per approval of a Data Protection Agency cent of worldwide turnover for minor (DPA). violations and Rs 15 crore or 4 per cent of total worldwide turnover for more serious violations. Besides, the company’s

Easy to PICK54 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” executive-in-charge can also face jail term of up to three years. Govt’s stand The government will be entitled to give direction to the fiduciary to provide to the government anonymised, personal data and impersonal data for framing policy for better delivery of services and evidence- based policy. Personal data processed in the interest of prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of any offence is exempt. In the interest of sovereignty, national security, preventing communal violence, the govt. exempted some agencies from the law. This Act will not deter the government from framing any policy for the growth of the digital economy, to the extent that it doesn’t impinge on personal data privacy. Government sources said they were open to the “widest debate on this Bill”, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the ongoing Winter Session.

Easy to PICK55 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Cabinet nod to changes in senior citizens’ law Syllabus subtopic: Government policies  Apart from the definitions of children and interventions for development in and senior citizens being expanded, the various sectors and issues arising out of govt. has included a number of their design and implementation. significant changes. For instance, the age of a senior citizen differs from News: The Union Cabinet Wednesday state to state. But according to this Bill, approved the Maintenance and Welfare for the purpose of maintenance, we of Parents and Senior Citizens have defined the age of the senior (Amendment) Bill, 2019, and the citizen as 65 years. legislation will soon be tabled in Parliament.  Cases pertaining to senior citizens above the age of 80 years will be Prelims and Mains focus: about the expedited on a priority basis by the amendments in the bill and its significance Tribunals. Key highlights of the Bill:  While the 2007 Bill provides for the  The Bill seeks to remove the Rs 10,000 institution of old age homes across the country, the Amendment Bill has for ceiling prescribed by the Maintenance the first time mandated that these of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, homes be registered with the 2007, for maintenance towards the government to ensure minimum welfare of parents and the amount can standards are maintained. now be decided on a case-to-case basis. It further looks at expanding the  The govt has made it mandatory for a definition of ‘parents’ and ‘children’ to nodal officer in each state who will be include son-in-laws, daughter-in-laws in charge of old age homes and further as well as stepchildren. mandated constant monitoring of these old age homes.  The 2007 Act makes it a legal obligation for children or heirs to  The Bill also has the provision of day provide a monthly maintenance to care centres which will provide meals parents or senior citizens. A senior and engage senior citizens in activities citizen who is unable to maintain from morning to evening. The himself from his earnings or properties government has also mandated that is entitled to get relief under this Act. home care be provided to those who If children or relatives fail to provide are too old to commute or have a maintenance, then the senior citizen disability through agencies nominated can seek the assistance of a Tribunal by the state governments. constituted under this Act to enforce the remedy of maintenance.

Easy to PICK56 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine”  These agencies, as well as NGOs, government and autonomous bodies — engaged in senior citizen care — are all to be registered.  The registration will further help to keep a count of the number of senior citizens, and those in need of assistance. Special units for senior citizens will also be established at police stations across the country besides a special helpline.

Easy to PICK57 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” New norms to make social media more accountable Syllabus subtopic: Government policies Existing regulations and misuse: and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of  In India, social media platforms their design and implementation News: The government said that it was already come under the purview of the working on rules to mandate social media companies to identify and remove child Information Technology (IT) sexual abuse material, rape images and content promoting terrorism without Act, the ‘intermediaries affecting privacy. guidelines’ that were notified under Prelims and Mains focus: about the significance of the move and challenges in the IT Act in 2011 and the Indian Penal its implementation, debate between online regulation and privacy Code. About the govt’s move  Under existing The government has invited public comments on its draft of amendments to laws, social media channels are the Intermediary Rules 2011 and has received public inputs on the same. already required to take down The amendments inter alia propose that intermediaries should proactively content if they are directed to do so identify and remove child sexual abuse material, rape/gang-rape imagery and by a court or law enforcement. contents promoting terrorism without compromising accuracy or privacy  There are also reporting mechanisms using technology-based tools and mechanism. The rules are presently being on these platforms, where they finalised. Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, exercise discretion to ascertain empowers the government to block any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence relating to above. whether a reported post is violating community guidelines and needs to be taken down.

Easy to PICK58 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine”  These, however, have been reported to be arbitrary – many posts on body positivity and menstruation, for instance, have been taken down in the past while other explicit imagery continues to be allowed.  Many of the existing regulations themselves are “dangerously close to censorship and may have a chilling effect on freedom of speech, which is why cases are being fought on those in courts.”  Another problem of a lot of regulatory measures is the vagueness of language which is exploited by state agencies to behave in a repressive way. Need for regulations: The speed and reach of social media has meant that subversive rumours and fake news get aired with impunity. This has resulted in serious law and order problems. In India, this phenomenon has assumed dangerous proportions. Fake news on WhatsApp has led to lynchings and communal flare-ups in many parts of the country. This menace needs to be curbed. Challenges before the government: Too stringent a policy of policing social media could violate the individual’s right to privacy. It’s not easy to force Facebook Inc., the owner of WhatsApp, to give up on the app’s unique selling proposition to the user of complete end-to-end confidentiality. Way ahead: Any conversation on additional regulation of social media brings up concerns about privacy and surveillance. Therefore, any bid at regulating expression online has to be proportional and concrete with adequate redressal mechanisms and without any blanket provisions.

Easy to PICK59 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” OPEC, allies agree to deepen oil output cuts Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and has said little about OPEC in recent politics of developed and developing months. That might change if oil and countries on India's interests, Indian gasoline prices rise ahead of the U.S. diaspora. presidential election set for November 2020. OPEC sources have said Riyadh was News: OPEC and allies led by Russia pressing fellow members Iraq and Nigeria agreed one of the deepest output cuts this to improve their compliance with quotas, decade to prevent oversupply in a deal which could provide an additional that will apply for the first three months of reduction of up to 400,000 bpd. 2020. Washington has forced an even steeper reduction in supply through sanctions on Prelims and Mains focus: about OPEC, OPEC members Iran and Venezuela aimed its members and its importance for at choking both countries' oil export India’s oil demand, OPEC+ revenue. Producers face another year of rising output from the United States along Context with other non-OPEC producers Brazil and The Organization of the Petroleum Norway. With a weaker U.S. dollar, Exporting Countries (OPEC) is meeting improving economic data and OPEC to discuss policy in Vienna. On Friday aggressively managing supply, this should OPEC will meet with Russia and other ensure a $60-$65 Brent oil price in the producers, a group known as OPEC+. seasonally weak period of next year. Existing supply curbs of 1.2 million OPEC's actions have supported oil prices barrels per day, aimed at supporting oil at around $50-$75 per barrel over the past prices and preventing excess supply, are year. set to expire in March. A panel of energy ministers including Saudi Arabia and Compromise Russia had recommended OPEC+ deepen Non-OPEC member Russia had the cuts by 500,000 bpd (barrels per day). previously opposed extending or A cut of 1.7 million bpd would amount deepening cuts as its companies are to 1.7% of global supply. arguing that reducing output during winter months amid low temperatures damages About the time framc the fields. Saudi Arabia was more keen on Cuts would last through the first quarter of reducing output as the kingdom needs 2020, a shorter timeframe than suggested higher oil prices to support its budget by some OPEC ministers, who have called revenue and the initial public offering for extending cuts until June or December (IPO) of Saudi Aramco. 2020. OPEC+ has agreed voluntary supply cuts since 2017 to counter booming output About OPEC from the shale fields of the United States, which has become the world's biggest  The Organization of the Petroleum producer. Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a Challenges faced by OPEC OPEC's actions in the past have angered permanent, intergovernmental U.S. President Donald Trump, but Trump Organization, created at the Baghdad Conference on September 10–14, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Easy to PICK60 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine”  The five Founding Members were OPEC+ later joined by ten other Members: OPEC plus refers to OPEC’s cooperation Qatar (1961) – terminated its with non-OPEC oil producers to effect membership in January 2019; production cuts. Indonesia (1962) – suspended its In an attempt to cut production and raise membership in January 2009, oil prices, OPEC came together and agreed reactivated it in January 2016, but on a production cut where each member decided to suspend it again in country would cut production by a small November 2016; Libya (1962); United amount, a couple percent in most cases. Arab Emirates (1967); Algeria (1969); In addition to including OPEC countries in Nigeria (1971); Ecuador (1973) – this production cut, OPEC invited non- suspended its membership in OPEC nations, mainly Russia and December 1992, but reactivated it in former U.S.S.R states like Azerbaijan October 2007; Angola (2007); Gabon that are still heavily influenced by (1975) - terminated its membership in Russia. OPEC was able to reach a January 1995 but rejoined in July consensus for production cuts not just 2016; Equatorial Guinea (2017); and between OPEC members but also for a Congo (2018). handful of non-OPEC nations just increasing the total amount of oil  OPEC had its headquarters in production being cut and presumably Geneva, Switzerland, in the first five making their efforts more effective. In years of its existence. This was moved June 2018, Russia agreed towards 100 per to Vienna, Austria, on September 1, cent compliance with oil output production 1965. cuts. OPEC’s objective: OPEC's objective is to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry.

Easy to PICK61 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Rajya sabha discusses Bill to scrap poll spend limit Syllabus subtopic: Salient features of the direct investment. This is sought to be Representation of People's Act. done by reforming the process by which foreign investments are examined in the News: The Rajya Sabha discussed two light of national security considerations,” private members’ Bills to do away with he said. the cap on election spending by Both Bills would be taken up again, likely candidates and to establish a committee in the next session. on foreign investment to prevent threats to national security. Prelims and Mains focus: About the key features of the bill, role of black money and other malpractices in Indian elections, ways to address them Context Continuing the discussion on the amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, introduced by Congress MP M.V. Rajeev Gowda in the last session, several MPs raised concerns about doing away with the spending limit of ₹70 lakh per candidate. Concerns raised against the bill seeking removal of limit on election spending  Increasing the limit would not strengthen democracy.  The real expenditure on elections is higher than the limits and black money is still prevalent.  There is money being spent on “illegitimate purposes,” including “paid news” by candidates.  He said the current limits could be reviewed, with a separate provision for media publicity being allowed. Meanwhile, a Bill to set up a committee on foreign investment was introduced by Narendra Jadhav. “This Bill essentially seeks to protect our national security, while promoting foreign

Easy to PICK62 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Iran nuclear deal parties meet in Vienna as accord nears collapse Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and determination to pursue all efforts to politics of developed and developing preserve the agreement,\" the senior EU countries on India's interests, Indian official said in a statement. diaspora. Chinese delegation head Cong Fu told reporters that the dispute resolution News: The signatories to the Iran nuclear mechanism -- which China is against deal stressed their commitment to the activating -- was not evoked. faltering accord during crunch talks in All countries need to refrain from taking Vienna on Friday, as Tehran vowed to actions that may further complicate the continue to breach limits on its nuclear situation,\" the senior diplomat said. programme. Bringing this issue to the (UN) Security Council is not in anybody's interest except Prelims and Mains focus: About Iran the US maybe. nuclear deal, US withdrawal from JCPOA Other envoys did not talk as they left the and its impact on the world and India’s EU delegation, which hosted the meeting. interests. Late Thursday in a letter to the UN, Britain, France and Germany accused Iran About the meet of developing nuclear-capable ballistic Envoys from Britain, France, Germany, missiles. China, Russia and Iran took part in the Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has three-hour-long meeting. dismissed the allegation as \"desperate Since May, Iran has taken a series of falsehood\". measures, including stepping up uranium Escalatory cycle enrichment, in breach of the 2015 deal, Analysts say if UN sanctions are re- with another such move likely in early imposed and the deal falls apart, Iran could January. also withdraw from the Treaty on the Non- Iran insists that under the agreement it has Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). the right to take these measures in \"It's not clear whether that's worth the retaliation for the US's withdrawal from benefit,\" Ali Vaez of International Crisis the deal in 2018 and reimposition of Group told AFP. crippling sanctions. But he warned the risk of the deal Since last month, European members have collapsing was increasing as Iran was begun raising the possibility of triggering \"running out of measures that are easy to the so-called \"dispute resolution reverse and non-controversial\". mechanism\" foreseen in the accord, \"Both sides are locked into an escalatory which could lead to the resumption of cycle that is just very hard to imagine that UN sanctions on Iran. they would step away from,\" he said. Participants urged Iran to take \"all the Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani has necessary steps towards full warned that if European partners triggered implementation of its nuclear the dispute mechanism, Tehran may commitments and to avoid further \"seriously reconsider\" its commitments to escalatory steps. the UN nuclear watchdog, the International All participants emphasised the key Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which importance of full and effective monitors the deal's implementation. implementation by all sides as well as their

Easy to PICK63 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” European efforts to shield Iran from the effects of US sanctions by creating a mechanism to carry on legitimate trade with the Islamic republic have borne little fruit, much to Tehran's frustration. The EU is growing increasingly concerned by Tehran rowing back from its commitments. The dispute resolution mechanism in the deal has numerous stages, but it can eventually culminate in the UN Security Council voting on whether Iran should still have relief from sanctions lifted under the deal. In such a scenario, Vaez said, \"we will have a major non-proliferation crisis on our hands in the sense that the Russians and the Chinese have already declared they would not recognise the return of (sanctions)\". Vaez said a diplomatic solution would depend on Washington's next moves and whether it would at least be willing to relax its attempts to prevent sales of Iranian oil, a vital source of income for the country. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that Tehran is willing to return to the negotiating table if the United States first drops sanctions.

Easy to PICK64 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG) Syllabus subtopic: Important International abundance, distribution, and demographic institutions, agencies and fora, their status of Asian elephant populations in all structure, mandate. 13 range states. Prelims and Mains focus: About AsESG, Gajah is the bi-annual journal of the SSC and Asian elephant. IUCN/SSC Asian Elephant Specialist News: The International Union for Group (AsESG). Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) 10th Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG) Meeting was held recently at Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia.  More than 130 elephant conservationists, partner organisations and experts gathered at the meeting.  Issues discussed included national action plans for elephant conservation by Asian elephant range states, best practices in managing human-elephant conflict, mechanisms to involve group members in monitoring the illegal killing of elephants, issues related to captive elephant welfare and sharing and learning from the African experience. About AsESG: The IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG) is a global network of specialists (both scientists and non- scientists) concerned with the study, monitoring, management, and conservation of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus). Aim: To promote the long-term conservation of Asia’s elephants and, where possible, the recovery of their populations to viable levels AsESG is an integral part of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Functions: It shall provide the best available scientifically grounded evidence to the

Easy to PICK65 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” 6 years on, Lokpal is yet to get prosecution wing Syllabus subtopic: Statutory, regulatory About Lokpal and various quasi-judicial bodies  The term Lokpal was coined in 1963 Prelims and Mains focus: About Lokpal but it was not until January 2014 that and Lokayuktas, appointment of members, the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act came key issues with the Lokpal and govt.’s into force. efforts to curb corruption  It was more than five years later, in March 2019, that the first chairperson News: Almost six years after the Lokpal and members of the Lokpal were and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, was signed appointed. into law, several key provisions needed for  Lokpal is a national anti corruption the anti-corruption ombudsman to function ombudsman to look into complaints have still not been operationalised. against publics servants which are defined under the Lokpal Act 2013. Issues with Lokpal This body is constituted to check the  The process of constituting the menace of corruption in India. Lokpal’s inquiry and prosecution 1. This Act may be called the Lokpal and wings has not yet begun, and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. regulations for how to conduct preliminary investigations have not 2. It extends to the whole India. been made, the Lokpal has said in 3. It shall apply to public servants in response to RTI queries.  Currently, the institution is functioning India and abroad out of a government-owned hotel in Delhi. While it approved a logo and History of Lokpal; motto for itself last month, the Lokpal The Lokpal bill has been introduced nine has not yet notified a format for filing times (1968, 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, complaints. 1998, 2001, 2011 and 2013) in the Lok  The rules for the disclosure of assets Sabha. and liabilities by public servants have The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, not been notified either. This is a key 2013 received the assent of the President provision as the amassing of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income is often the basis for a complaint. The draft rules of 2017 were referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee, which submitted its recommendations to the government in July 2018.  The Lokpal would find it difficult to investigate complaints that do fall within its mandate as it has no inquiry wing or regulations for inquiries.

Easy to PICK66 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” on the January 1st, 2014, and published Another way to remove the Lokpal is self for information of general Public. reference of the President (on the advice of An Act of 2013 clears the way to establish the cabinet) to the Supreme Court, which the body of Lokpal for the Union and can investigate the charges. Lokayukta for States to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain Powers public servants. If the Lokpal receives a complaint under the prevention of corruption act Composition of the Lokpal 1988, then it can initiate the investigation. The office of Lokpal Comprises of a If the complaint found true in the Chairman and upto 8 members. The investigation then the Lokpal can ask the chairman of the Lokpal can be current or government to take disciplinary action former judge of the Supreme Court or against the accused public servants or can the chief justice of High Courts. file a corruption case in a special court. Or An eminent person i.e. he is a person of Salary and allowances of the chairman neat and clean image and outstanding and members ability having special knowledge and The Chairman of the Lokpal shall enjoy expertise of not less than 25 years in the the same salary and allowance as of Chief matters relating to; Justice of India while members shall i. Anti Corruption Policy receive the same salary and allowance as ii. Public administration those enjoyed by the justices of Supreme iii. Vigilance Court. iv. Law and Management v. Finance including insurance and Who can be investigated by the Lokpal? banking As per the provision of the Lokpal Act, Note: As per the provisions of the it can investigate persons of seven act; 50% of the members of the Lokpal categories namely; shall be from the community of Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribes, Other Backward 1. Prime Minister if he/she demits the Classes, Minorities and Women. office. Select Committee to Appoint Lokpal is 2. Current and former Cabinet Ministers. comprises of; 3. Current and former Members of i. Prime Minister Parliament. ii. Chief justice of India or his nominee 4. All the class 1 officers of the Central iii. Lok Sabha Speaker Government like (Secretaries, Joint iv. Leader of Opposition Secretaries etc.) v. An eminent jurist nominated by the 5. All the class 1 equivalent officers of the President of India Public Sector Undertakings and other Removal government bodies. To remove the Lokpal 100 members of the 6. Directors and other officers of the Non Parliament need to sign the petition Government Organisations which receives seeking the removal of the chairman of the funding from the Central Government. Lokpal or any other members. This matter 7. Directors and other officers of the Non will be investigated by the Supreme Court Government Organisations which receives and if SC finds the charges to be true then the fund from the public and which have SC suggests the president to remove the annual income of more than Rs. 10 lac Lokpal from the post. from a foreign contributor and receives Rs. 1 cr from the government.

Easy to PICK67 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Odisha’s KALIA scheme to be merged with PM-KISAN Syllabus subtopic: Welfare schemes for agency that processes and refines this vulnerable sections of the population by low shelf-life product. the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws,  It will assist the elderly, sick and institutions and bodies constituted for the differently-abled population who are protection and betterment of these unable to take up cultivation, by vulnerable section providing Rs 10,000 per household per year. Prelims and Mains focus: About KALIA and PM-KISAN schemes and their  The scheme includes a life insurance significance cover of Rs 2 lakh and additional personal accident coverage News: The Odisha government has of the same amount for 57 lakh decided to merge its flagship scheme- households. Kalia with the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) yojana,  Crop loans up to Rs 50,000 apparently due to financial constraint. are interest-free. Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and  This is also going to be an area- Income Augmentation (KALIA) Scheme: specific scheme in the sense that an  Involves payments to encourage input support for a particular trade, say mushroom cultivation, will be cultivation and associated activities. provided if it is prevalent throughout  Primary targets are small farmers, that locality so that there is aggregation of produce. cultivators and landless agricultural labourers. About Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman  All farmers will be provided Rs 10,000 Nidhi: per family as assistance for cultivation.  It is a Central Sector Scheme.  Each family will get Rs 5,000  Under this programme, landholding separately in the kharif and rabi seasons, for five cropping seasons farmer families, having cultivable land between 2018-19 and 2021-22. up to 2 hectares, will be provided  Targets 10 lakh landless direct income support at the rate of Rs. households, and specifically SC and 6,000 per year. ST families. They will be supported  This income support will be transferred with a unit cost of Rs 12,500 for directly into the bank accounts of activities like goat rearing, mushroom beneficiary farmers, in three equal cultivation, beekeeping, poultry installments of Rs. 2,000 each. farming and fishery.  Exception: A critical trade, dairy production, has deliberately been kept out because keeping a cow is more expensive, while milk production needs to have a collection route or

Easy to PICK68 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Slowdown in tax collection to hurt finances of govt Syllabus subtopic: Indian Economy and ₹1.76 trillion, which it has received from issues relating to planning, mobilization of the Reserve Bank of India. resources, growth, development and employment. What else can it do to address the gap? News: The gross tax revenue collected by Until October, ₹17,365 crore had been the central government during the first earned through the disinvestment route seven months of 2019-20 was ₹10.52 against the targeted ₹1.05 trillion. Clearly, trillion, up by just 1.22% from the tax the government has to be fairly aggressive collected during the same period in 2018- about selling its stake in public sector 19. enterprises in the little over three and a Taxing times half months left in 2019-20. If it wants to The Centre, which collected ₹10.52 trillion bridge the tax-revenue gap, it needs to in the first seven months of FY20, is likely better the target of ₹1.05 trillion. This to fall short of its target of ₹24.61 apart, it should work towards shutting trillion set for this fiscal. down many non-strategic public sector enterprises, which are simply a drag on How will a lower tax revenue affect government finances and have no buyers. govt? This will free up both land and capital, In fiscal year 2019, the central government which can be adequately employed in the had collected ₹20.80 trillion in gross tax years ahead. revenue. In 2019-20, it hopes to collect ₹24.61trillion, or 18.32% more. In the first What has led to slow growth in gross tax seven months of fiscal 2019-20, the tax revenue? collected has grown just 1.22%. Hence, the The central goods and services tax (GST) government is way off the mark in terms was supposed to grow 14.96% during of what it hopes to collect during the 2019-20. It has grown at a much slower current fiscal. This is clearly reflected in 8.30% to ₹2.85 trillion between April and delayed payments by the government. October. Income tax collected during the What will help the government bridge part year has grown just 6.67% to ₹2.44 of the gap between what it hopes to earn trillion. The targeted growth is 23.25%, as and what it actually will, is the dividend of per the budget. These numbers show a slowdown in economic activity. What about corporate income tax collection? A total of ₹2.73 trillion in corporate income tax has been collected. This is 0.88% more than the amount collected during the same period in 2018-19. A little over 35% of the ₹7.66 trillion that the government hopes to collect during 2019- 20 has been collected in the first seven months of the year. This is largely because of the slowdown and also due to lower

Easy to PICK69 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” corporate income tax rates introduced earlier this year. All in all, things are not looking great for the three main taxes of the government. What does this say about govt finances? There has been some talk of the government raising the GST rates in order to earn greater tax revenue. In an economic slowdown, the idea should always be to put more money in the hands of people and hope they spend it, and not take it away. Also, when it comes to its earnings, this year, the government has primarily been saved by the huge RBI dividend. What it will do next year is a question well worth asking.

Easy to PICK70 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” India, France to deepen defence partnership Syllabus subtopic: Bilateral, regional and  A third common interest is the steadily global groupings and agreements increasing presence of China in the involving India and/or affecting India's Indian Ocean. interests Issues in the Indian Ocean Region Prelims and Mains focus: about Indo- There is a lot of unregulated fishing in France defence ties, security threats in the this ocean, which is a big issue for all the IOR and their impact on India’s interests, countries, particularly for East African belt and Road initiative countries. They need these fisheries because of the protein coming from the News: India and France are ready to sign a Indian Ocean. pact on securing communication links If not controlled, it could be pillaged and if between their top military officials in a it is pillaged, it could be contested like sign of their deepening defence what we see in the South China Sea partnership, especially in the Indian (competing claims by China and its Ocean region. neighbours over the South China Sea that has led to friction in the region). Context: China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a This comes against the backdrop of an strategy to protect its Sea Lanes of increased Chinese footprint and the Communication and Chinese interest in persistence of Islamic State. The pact Hambantota in Sri Lanka was suspected to with India will be the first outside the be aimed at ensuring a permanent presence North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the form of a base there. (NATO) alliance for France. India-France Defence cooperation Indo-France defence cooperation Indo-French cooperation in this area is  The two countries have scaled up ambitious and several collaborative projects are currently being considered. defence cooperation with a logistics Bilateral military contacts are being support pact signed last year. strengthened through joint exercises.  Geography and commercial interests France and its defence industry also dictate India’s strategic interests in the actively contribute to the “Make in India” Indian Ocean region. France has programme in the defence sector. The first territories with 1.5 million of its conventional submarine, Scorpene, nationals and 9 million sq. km of which started being built in India in 2008 French exclusive economic zone in the with transfer of technology and support Indian Ocean, which requires Paris to from DCNS, began sea trials in 2015, and keep a close eye on the region. the second in January 2017. An agreement  India and France also want to ensure on India’s acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter that the Straits of Hormuz in the jets was concluded in September 2016. energy-rich but politically volatile This has paved the way for unprecedented Gulf region with Iran and its technological and industrial cooperation neighbours remains peaceful. for the next four decades to come.  There is also the threat from the Maritime security cooperation: France Islamic State that both sides, and India’s respective leaders desired in particularly France, are keen to March 2018 to give a fresh impetus to this combat.

Easy to PICK71 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” longstanding area of our cooperation, international organizations in Asia, which was initiated with the launch of the Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and first bilateral naval exercise, Varuna, in the Americas. 1983. Now bolstered by a joint strategic vision in the Indian Ocean, the cooperation  “Belt” refers to the overland between our two countries has become routes for road and rail resolutely operational in several areas: transportation, called “the Silk Road Economic Belt“; whereas “road”  Exchange of information in the area of refers to the sea routes, or the 21st maritime surveillance: implementation Century Maritime Silk Road.The since 2017 of a “White Shipping” BRI announced in 2013, is made up of agreement and the conclusion in March a “belt” of overland routes and a 2018 of a general security agreement maritime “road”, which aims to laying down the framework for the daily connect Asia, Europe and Africa. exchange of data on the Indian Ocean region for the purposes of security and  It was known as the One Belt One stability in the region. Road (OBOR) and the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century  Reciprocal logistics support between the Maritime Silk Road until 2016 when French and Indian armed forces: the the Chinese government considered the reciprocal logistics support agreement, emphasis on the word “one” which was concluded in March 2018 and was prone to misinterpretation. entered into effect in December 2018, has further strengthened the cooperation  The 21st Century Maritime Silk between our navies by providing them Road designed to provide an impetus mutual access to our military bases. to trade from China to The anti-aircraft destroyer FNS Cassard Europe through the South China inaugurated the implementation of this Sea and the Indian Ocean, and from agreement with its call at the Mumbai China through the South China Sea naval base from 24th to 29th January 2019 towards the South Pacific.  Heightened cooperation at multilateral  The Chinese government calls the bodies: France and India are determined to initiative “a bid to enhance regional deepen their coordination at international connectivity and embrace a brighter organisations through concrete steps: future”. Some observers see it as a support to France’s candidacy at the push for Chinese dominance in global Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), affairs with a China-centered trading where India plays a prominent role; network. The project has a France’s chairing of the Indian Ocean targeted completion date of 2049, Naval Symposium (IONS) in 2020, which coincides with the 100th which will be an opportunity to closely anniversary of the People’s Republic associate India with France’s priorities. of China. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)  The Belt and Road Initiative is a global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries and

Easy to PICK72 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity.  India also raised concerns regarding unsustainable debt trap, environmental concerns, and transparency in assessment of project costs, and skill and technology transfer to help long term running and maintenance of the assets created by local communities.  India is too big to be isolated and India’s continued objection will make China to consider its core concerns. Significance of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Project  In the wake of the global slowdown, BRI offers a new model of development to China to maintain its economic growth. OBOR envisions building networks of roadways, railways, maritime ports, power grids, oil and gas pipelines, associated infrastructure projects which helps Chinese economy.  BRI has domestic and international dimension: as it visualises a shift from developed markets in the west to developing economies in Asia, Africa And a shift in China’s development strategy concentrating on provinces in central and western China instead of the developed east coast region.  Strategically important as China utilizes its economic clout to build it soft power. Why India is boycotting Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Project?  CPEC violates India’s sovereignty as it passes through the part of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir that belongs to India and no country can accept a project that

Easy to PICK73 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” LS passes Citizenship Bill amidst Opposition outcry Syllabus subtopic: Government policies refuge to everyone without exception and interventions for development in at various points of time in history. various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.  The Muslim population had grown to 14% from 9.8%. This Bill will not Prelims and mains focus: about the key affect Indian Muslims or their rights at features of the Cab and the controversy all. around it, about NRC, ILP  Other neighbouring countries like News: The Lok Sabha on Monday Nepal and Sri Lanka were not mentioned as those were not theocratic passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill states. (CAB) that seeks to give citizenship to  This is a simple amendment but hits at illegal migrants. refugees from the Hindu, Christian,  This will benefit the Bengali refugees Buddhist, Sikh and Zoroastrian the most. There is no need to fear now. Anyone who has or does not have communities fleeing religious document is welcome. persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh  Refugees need not fear but those coming here illegally are not welcome. and Afghanistan.  The northeast would not be touched. Govt.’s stand The majority of parties representing the northeastern States supported the  Under the principle of reasonable Bill, as their concerns had been taken classification citizenship can be care of. granted and there is no violation of Article 14. India can’t be a mute ILP for Manipur spectator to the religious persecution of Union Home Minister told the Lok Sabha minorities happening in our on Monday that Manipur would be neighbouring countries. We have given brought under the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, thereby exempting it from the provisions of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Nagaland and Mizoram are protected by the ILP and it will continue to remain protected. As per the Bill, the amendments to the Citizenship Act, 1955, if approved, will not apply to the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura as included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland that are protected by the ILP system. The addition of Manipur to the

Easy to PICK74 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” list of ILP-protected States means that Environmental degradation: Large areas the Bill will only be applicable in some of forest land were encroached upon by the parts of Tripura and Assam. Citizens of immigrants for settlement and cultivation. other States require the ILP to visit the The state experienced declining percent of protected areas as per the Bengal Eastern land area under forest from 39% in 1951- Frontier Regulation, 1873. This means 52 to about 30% now. that the illegal migrants from the six minority communities who will become Increase financial burden: Immigration Indian citizens as per the proposed has increased pressure on the amendment will not be able to take up part of state government, as jobs, open businesses or settle down in the government has to increase the expendi these areas and will require a permit to ture on education and health facilities to enter the States. The ILP can be extended the immigrants. to Manipur through an executive order. Such an arrangement existed before. Assam agitation: Several northeastern States, including the BJP-ruled Manipur, have erupted in The failure of government to respond protests against the Bill. There is a fear that “outsiders” could settle in these areas, the issue of illegal migration led to affecting the indigenous communities and local tribes. the agitation by the Assamese under About NRC the leadership of All Assam Gana The NRC is the list of Indian citizens and was prepared in 1951, following the Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) and All census of 1951. The process of NRC update was taken up in Assam as per Assam Student’s Union a Supreme Court order in 2013.nIn order to wean out cases of illegal migration from (AASU). Assam witnessed Bangladesh and other adjoining areas, NRC updation was carried out governmental instability, sustained civil under The Citizenship Act, 1955, and according to rules framed in the Assam disobedience campaigns and worst cases Accord.The Assam government released the final draft of NRC on July 30, 2018. of ethnic violence. Assam accord was the The list incorporates names of 2.89 crore people out of 3.29 crore applicants. The result of this agitation. names of 40.07 lakh people have been left out. Illegal voters: Most of the Bangladeshi Why is it being carried out? immigrants have got their names enlisted Crisis of identity: Influx of immigrants has created a crisis of identity among the in the voting list illegally, thereby claiming indigenous. Locals fear that their cultural survival will be affected, political control themselves as citizens of the state. The weakened and employment opportunities undermined because of immigrants. immigrant’s population act as a vote bank for the political parties in Assam.

Easy to PICK75 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Putin, Zelensky meet in first-ever Paris summit Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and led to international sanctions against politics of developed and developing Moscow, is not on the table at this summit. countries on India's interests, Indian Its aims include agreeing to disband illegal diaspora militias, the departure of foreign fighters from Donetsk and Lugansk, and Ukraine Prelims and Mains focus: About the taking back control of its border with crisis in Crimea and its implication for Russia, according to a French presidential regional stability, geographical locations source. associated with it. News: Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday met Ukranian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time ever at a Paris summit aimed at agreeing measures to help end five years of conflict in the east of Ukraine. About the meeting The meeting was mediated by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The diplomats hope the summit will help to bolster trust between the two men. The four-way talks are expected to be followed by a hotly-awaited bilateral meeting between wily ex-KGB agent Putin and ex-comedian Zelensky who won the presidency this year. About Ukraine criris Thousands have been killed and one million have fled their homes since pro- Russia militias in eastern Ukraine launched a bid for independence in 2014 — kicking off a conflict that deepened Russia’s estrangement from the West. Separatists seized control of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions shortly after Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. The issue of Crimea, whose seizure gave Mr. Putin a popularity boost at home but

Easy to PICK76 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” New bill lets personal data be used without consent in some cases Syllabus subtopic: Government policies can avail of certain exemptions from and interventions for development in purpose, storage and consent various sectors and issues arising out of requirements of data. their design and implementation.  In a first, the data protection bill Prelims and Mains focus: key features of wants social media platforms to the bill, its merits and demerits, create a mechanism that will enable registered users to voluntarily verify News: The Personal Data Protection their accounts. The provision is Bill, which is to be tabled in Parliament, largely aimed at checking social seeks to allow processing of personal media trolling. data without the consent of the owner for several “reasonable purposes” ranging  The bill, while seeking to preserve the from the operation of search engines to sanctity of individual consent, allows whistle-blowing, according to an official for several exemptions for prevention with knowledge of the matter. and detection of any unlawful activity including fraud; whistle blowing; Key highlights of the bill: mergers and acquisitions; network and  The bill categorizes data into three information security, credit scoring; recovery of debt; processing of categories—critical, sensitive and publicly available personal data; and general. operation of search engines.  Sensitive data—financial, health,  According to the draft, personal data sexual orientation, biometrics, may be processed without obtaining transgender status, religious or political consent if such processing is necessary beliefs and affiliation—can be stored for the purposes specified by only in India. However, data can be regulations after taking into processed outside India with explicit consideration certain factors such as consent. public interest.  Critical data will be defined by the  Personal data may be “processed” if government from time to time and has this is necessary for the performance of to be stored and processed in India. “any function of the state authorized by Any personal non-critical and non- the law” for any public service and for sensitive data will be categorized as compliance with any order of a court general data with no restriction on or tribunal. where it is stored or processed.  Under the proposed law, the  The bill also proposes setting up of a government is also entitled to direct “regulatory sandbox” for entities a fiduciary—any person or entity engaged in developing new that processes data— to get access to technologies in the nature of artificial non-personal data to provide better intelligence and machine learning. services to citizens. For instance, the These entities, for instance, startups,

Easy to PICK77 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” government can use non-personal or or interest in preventing or anonymous data for research or any restricting the continued disclosure other purpose. of their personal data overrides the right to freedom of speech and  While the (changes in the bill) would expression and the right to arguably help enable certain types of information of any other citizen. businesses, other changes such as lack of a clear implementation road map, transition provisions and the requirement to share anonymized and non-personal data under certain circumstances may be of concern to businesses.  The bill empowers users with the “right to be forgotten”. This will allow users, termed “data principal” under the proposed bill, to erase their personal data published online and give them the freedom to ask entities such as Facebook and Twitter to delete any data they do not want in the public domain.  People can ask for restricting or preventing continued disclosure of data once the purpose for which it was collected has been served, or is no longer necessary. Such data will also need to be withdrawn if the data principal has withdrawn consent for the purpose it was given for, said the official cited earlier. Responsibilities imposed  The bill places a few responsibilities on data principals.  They will have to file an application with an adjudicating officer in case they wish to withdraw consent or want to limit the use of data, according to the official.  Data principals will have to convince the officer that their right

Easy to PICK78 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” SC flags delay in appointment of judges Syllabus subtopic: Appointment to The court has asked for a list with details various Constitutional posts, powers, of the 213 names, including when their functions and responsibilities of various files were forwarded to the Prime Constitutional Bodies. Minister’s Office (PMO) and the time taken by the Law Ministry to forward them Prelims and Mains focus: about the delay to the PMO. in the appointments of judges in High courts and lower judiciary and its Process of appointments of judges implications on justice delivery system Once the Supreme Court collegium clearing the recommendees, the Union News: Two hundred and thirteen names Law Ministry has to put up within three recommended for appointment to various weeks the recommendations to the Prime High Courts are pending with the Minister who would advise the President government/Supreme Court Collegium, on the appointment. the Supreme Court said in a judicial order. However, no time limit has been prescribed for action by the Prime What does the judicial order say on Minister and the President. appointments? At least the names on which the Supreme Falling appointments Court Collegium, the High Courts and the The number of judges appointed to the governments had agreed upon should be High Courts has steadily dipped since appointed within six months, the order 2017. Judicial appointments to High said. Courts have nearly halved in 2019 If recommendations of the High Court compared to 2017 and 2018. Only 65 Collegium meet with the approval of the judges have been appointed to High Courts Supreme Court Collegium and the in 2019. It was 115 in 2017 and 108 in government, at least their appointments 2018. The High Courts are functioning at must take place within six months. This is nearly 50% of their sanctioned judicial not to say that in other cases the process strength. Of a total 1,079 judges should not be completed within six sanctioned in the High Courts, there are months,” a Bench of Justices Sanjay 410 vacancies. Kishan Kaul and K.M. Joseph said in an order dated December 6 and made available on Tuesday. It emphasised that the appointments required “a continuous, collaborative and integrated process, where the government is an important consultee”. Why is the judicial order significant? The order is significant, coming at a time when inordinate delays in the appointment of High Court judges and depleting numbers in the higher judiciary threaten to affect the justice delivery mechanism.

Easy to PICK79 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Nagaland brings ILP in Dimapur Syllabus subtopic: Government policies Known as “mini India”, Dimapur and interventions for development in district has a mixed population. various sectors and issues arising out of Exempt from CAB Nagaland, Arunachal their design and implementation. Pradesh and Mizoram, protected by the ILP requirement, have been exempted Prelims focus: About ILP and the areas from the provisions of the CAB along with where it is required, CAB, NRC the whole of Meghalaya, Mizoram and the tribal areas of Tripura and Assam as Mains focus: Concerns of the northeast covered in the Sixth Schedule of the states against Citizenship Amendment Bill, Constitution. Residents of other States its consequences have to mandatorily obtain an ILP to visit the protected States. News: Even as the Lok Sabha debated the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, on ILP extended to Manipur Monday, the Nagaland government Manipur would be brought under the ILP extended the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, exempting it from provisions of system to Dimapur, the commercial hub of the CAB. Except non-tribal areas in the State. Assam and Tripura, the entire northeast has been exempted from the CAB. What does it mean? The decision makes it mandatory for About Inner Line Permit “every non-indigenous person” who  Inner Line Permit is a document that entered the district after November 21, 1979, to obtain an ILP within 90 days. allows an Indian citizen to visit or stay They would have to produce documents as in a state that is protected under the evidence to get a certificate from the ILP system. The system is in force Deputy Commissioner for exemption from today in three Northeastern states the permit system. viz Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram. Background  No Indian citizen can visit any of these There have been protests across the states unless he or she belongs to that northeastern States against the Bill that state, nor can he or she overstay nullifies the 1985 Assam Accord, which beyond the period specified in the ILP. called for detection and deportation of anyone who entered the State after March History 24, 1971.  The concept comes from the colonial The Bill makes the Accord redundant as it is likely to benefit non-Muslims among the area. Under the Bengal Eastern over 19 lakh people excluded from the Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, the National Register of Citizens. British framed regulations restricting the entry and regulating the stay of Other areas/states where ILP is outsiders in designated areas. required Except Dimapur, the ILP has been  This was to protect the Crown’s own applicable to the rest of Nagaland. commercial interests by preventing “British subjects” (Indians) from trading within these regions.

Easy to PICK80 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine”  In 1950, the Indian government replaced “British subjects” with “Citizen of India”. This was to address local concerns about protecting the interests of the indigenous people from outsiders belonging to other Indian states. Concerns  The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill aims to make it easier for non-Muslim refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to obtain Indian citizenship.  If it is implemented with provisions for excluding from its ambit the states under the ILP regime, it means that beneficiaries under CAB will become Indian citizens but will not be able to settle in these three states.  The North East Students’ Organisation, an umbrella body of all powerful students’ bodies of the regions had reiterated its demand for overall implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in all NE states.  The three states that have seen the highest migration and likely to be affected from Citizenship Bill are Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya, none of which has an ILP system.

Easy to PICK81 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” India proposes extended deadline for commitments at climate summit Syllabus subtopic: Bilateral, regional and India is on its way to achieving voluntary global groupings and agreements targets it has set for itself to curb involving India and/or affecting India's emissions. It has reduced emissions interests intensity of GDP by 21% and is “on track” Prelims and Mains focus: key takeaways to achieve the goal of 35% emissions from the ongoing climate meet, about reduction as promised in Paris. Kyoto Protocol, India’s efforts to fulfill its India’s INDCs under Paris Agreement INDCs News: India proposed that developed About Kyoto Protocol and its countries make good commitments on assessment providing finance to developing countries by 2023, instead of 2020 at 25th Session of the Conference of Parties under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP25), currently under way. Background: COP-25, which started on December 2 and concludes on December 13, is an important conference on climate change as countries prepare to move from pre-2020 period under the Kyoto Protocol to post-2020 period under the Paris Agreement. In September, during the Climate Action Summit convened by the UN Secretary- General, PM Modi had announced India's plan to scale up the renewable energy target to 450 GW and called for responsible action by all on the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capability (CBDR-RC). India’s efforts in fulfilling its INDCs India has been leading the world in pursuit of solar energy capacity. It has also emphasised that developed countries should take the lead in taking ambitious actions and fulfil their climate finance commitments of mobilising $100 billion per annum by 2020.

Easy to PICK82 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Arms Bill gets Rajya Sabha nod Syllabus subtopic: Government policies within 90 days from the expiry of the and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of one-year period. their design and implementation.  The Bill also increases the duration of Prelims and Mains focus: About the key the validity of a firearm license from features of the bill and its significance in three years to five years. curbing crimes in India  Ban on firearms: The Act bans News: The Rajya Sabha passed The Arms manufacture, sale, use, transfer, (Amendment) Bill, 2019 by a voice vote conversion, testing or proofing of with members across party lines lauding firearms without license. It also the government’s decision to increase prohibits shortening of firearm barrel punishment for celebratory firing. The or conversion of imitation firearms into Bill has already been approved by the Lok firearms without a license. The Bill Sabha. additionally prohibits obtaining or procuring un-licensed firearms, and the Key features of the Bill conversion of one category of firearms  The Bill seeks to amend the Arms Act, to another without a license. It also allows members of rifle clubs or 1959. It seeks to decrease the associations to use any firearm for number of licensed firearms allowed target practice instead of only point 22 per person and increase penalties for bore rifles or air rifles. certain offences under the Act. It also introduces new categories of  Increase in punishment: The Bill offences. amends the punishment in relation to several offences. The Act specifies the  License for acquiring punishment for: (i) dealing in un- firearms: Under the Act, a license licensed firearms, including their must be obtained to acquire, possess, manufacture, procurement, sale, or carry any firearm. A person can transfer, conversion, (ii) the shortening obtain a license for up to three firearms or conversion of a firearm without a (with certain exceptions, such as for licence, and (iii) import or export of licensed firearms dealers). The Bill banned firearms. The punishment for reduces the number of permitted these offences is between three years firearms from three to one. This and seven years, along with a fine. includes licenses given on inheritance The Bill increases the punishment to or heirloom basis. The Bill provides a between seven years and life time period of one year to deposit the imprisonment, along with a fine. excess firearms with the officer-in- charge of the nearest police station or  The Act punishes acquisition, with a licensed firearm dealer as possession or carrying of prohibited specified. If the owner is a member of ammunition without a license, with the armed forces, the firearm may be imprisonment between five and ten deposited with a unit armoury. The years, along with fine. The Bill excess firearms will be delicensed increases the punishment to

Easy to PICK83 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” imprisonment between seven and 14 syndicate, in violation of the Act, will years, along with fine. A court may be punishable with imprisonment impose a punishment of lesser than between 10 years and life, along with a seven years, with recorded reasons. fine. This punishment will also apply to to anyone dealing in un-licensed  The Act also punishes dealing in firearms (including its manufacture or prohibited firearms (including their sale), converting a firearm without manufacture, sale and repair) without a license, or importing or exporting license, with imprisonment between firearms without license, on behalf of a seven years and life imprisonment, syndicate. along with fine. The Bill increases the minimum punishment from seven  The Bill defines illicit trafficking to years to 10 years. The punishment for include the trade, acquisition, sale of cases in which the usage of prohibited firearms or ammunitions into or out of arms and ammunition results in the India where the firearms are either not death of a person has been revised marked as per the Act or violate the from the existing punishment of death provisions of the Act. Illicit trafficking to death or life imprisonment, with is punishable with imprisonment fine. between 10 years and life, along with a fine.  New offences: The Bill adds news offences. These include: (i) forcefully  Tracking of firearms: The central taking a firearm from police or armed government may make rules to track forces, punishable with imprisonment firearms and ammunition from between 10 years and life manufacturer to purchaser to detect, imprisonment, along with fine, (ii) investigate, and analyse illicit using firearms in a celebratory gunfire manufacturing and trafficking. which endangers human life or personal safety of others, punishable Concerns raised by MPs with imprisonment of up to two years,  Members raised questions about or fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both. Celebratory gunfire refers to use heirloom weapons as the legislation of firearms in public gatherings, proposes to allow only one licensed religious places, marriages or other weapons against three permitted functions to fire ammunition.  The Bill also defines offences committed by organised crime syndicates and illicit trafficking. “Organised crime” refers to continuing unlawful activity by a person, either as a member of a syndicate or on its behalf, by using unlawful means, such as violence or coercion, to gain economic or other benefits. An organised crime syndicate refers to two or more persons committing organised crime. Possession of firearms or ammunition by a member of a

Easy to PICK84 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” earlier. To this, the govt. replied that the Heirloom weapons can be deactivated and kept. Most of the deaths in celebratory firings were by unlicensed weapons; only two of 959 deaths in Bihar, 14 of 792 in Jharkhand and 181 of 1,483 in Uttar Pradesh were by licensed weapons. The government is putting in place a system in which every ammunition will have a serial number.  The legislation does not make any changes to the licensing regime for sportspersons.  MPs asked about safeguards in the Bill for those in remote areas for whom guns are a means of self-defence. Congress MP Pratap Singh Bajwa said that holders of gun licences are not criminals but “respectable people” and they should be treated as such. BJD’s Prasanna Acharya said that guns are not a status symbol.

Easy to PICK85 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Justice System Lets Women Down Syllabus subtopic: Important aspects of 2001 figures. This pendency persists even after concerted efforts to expedite rape governance, transparency and cases. For instance, the Delhi gangrape in 2012 triggered several initiatives to accountability, e-governance- applications, prioritize resolving rape cases. They may have had an immediate effect with models, successes, limitations, and pendency rate for rape cases falling between 2012 and 2013. However, the potential; citizens charters, transparency & pendency rate on rape cases is no better than the pendency for other crimes. accountability and institutional and other Even the fast-track courts established to measures. expedite cases have a pendency problem. Though the government Prelims and Mains focus: About the proposed establishing 1,800 fast-track factors causing delays in justice delivery courts, only 700 are operational with the mechanism in crimes against women and total number of pending cases in these their consequences courts standing at around 700,000. News: Seven years after the crime, the Delay in other crimes against women infamous Delhi gangrape case labours on Police and courts take time to process all in the Supreme Court with the filing of a crimes against women, not just rape cases. fresh review petition. In the Unnao case, As law enforcement is a state subject, the rape victim was killed before the final the time taken to process the crimes, verdict. which include acid attacks and dowry deaths, can vary significantly across Justice delayed is justice denied India. For instance, police forces in In India, justice, even in high-profile cases Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat of rape, can take time. The delays hurt seem to be the most efficient at disposing victims and affect the society by eroding of both crimes against women and general trust in institutions and increasing the crimes. In contrast, the police in clamour for extrajudicial justice. Cases Jharkhand, Delhi and Punjab are among of rape in India fell in 2017 to 52 incidents the worst at processing crimes against per million women from 63 in 2016, women, compared to other crimes. The according to the latest available data from differences, though, could reflect levels of the National Crime Records Bureau reporting in states. Gujarat, for instance, (NCRB). However, this figure is likely to has a minor pendency issue, but also the be an underestimate. An earlier analysis lowest levels of gender crimes reported had estimated that 99% of cases of sexual among Indian states. violence in India go unreported . In courts, pendency is a big issue in every Even when rapes are reported, their state, but courts in eastern India, such as resolution is delayed. Like with any West Bengal and Odisha, suffer from crime, rape-related crimes are first dealt bigger backlogs for both crimes against with by police and then by courts. Both women and other crimes. These courts are processes can be slow. According to also among the most under-staffed in the NCRB data, 29% of all cases of rape in country. India at the end of 2017 were unresolved by police. The court backlog was worse. Nearly 88% of all rape cases in courts were pending resolution in 2017. These figures, however, were an improvement over 2016, but significantly worse than the

Easy to PICK86 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Factors causing delay in justice delivery extrajudicial justice. A significant proportion of India’s police force  Understaffing is a major driver of believes that extrajudicial killings and pendency in both courts and police violence towards criminals are forces. However, for crimes against justified. The 2019 CSDS survey women, there could be other factors. found that 19% of police personnel believe that killing dangerous criminals  The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act was better than a legal trial, while 75% in 2013 expanded the definition of feel that violence towards criminals sexual violence crimes against was justified. (See chart 5): as women, which could have increased reactions to the Hyderabad encounter the caseload for both the police and demonstrated, this is a view shared by courts. even those outside the police.  The 2018 CSDS survey suggested that  There may also be differences in how 50% of all Indians believe there is gender crimes are treated. A 2019 nothing wrong with violence towards survey of police personnel across India criminals. As police and courts strain by the Centre for the Study of under a backlog, and women continue Developing Societies (CSDS), shows to suffer, the clamour for extrajudicial that around 20% of all personnel justice could get stronger. believe that gender-based violence complaints are false and motivated. National Crime Records Bureau Little wonder then that women trust  The NCRB is an Indian government the police less than men. agency responsible for collecting and analysing crime data as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL).  NCRB is headquartered in New Delhi and is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).  NCRB was set-up in 1986 to function as a repository of information on crime and criminals so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to the perpetrators.  It was set up based on the recommendation of the Task force,1985 and National Police Commission,1977. Trust deficit  In a 2018 survey on police perceptions, CSDS found that 66% of women said they trusted the police compared to 71% of men.  Delays in the system could also be encouraging support for

Easy to PICK87 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Code on Social Security Bill introduced in Lok Sabha Syllabus subtopic: Government policies increase the take-home pay of and interventions for development in workers with relatively lower salaries. various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.  The Bill also empowers the Prelims and Mains focus: About the key government to frame schemes for features of the Bill and its significance providing social security to gig on welfare of the unorganized sector workers and platform workers who workforce in India do not fall under the traditional News: The Code on Social Security, 2019 employer-employee relation. was introduced in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.  It also provides for payment of Context: The unorganised sector, which gratuity in case of fixed-term accounts for a little over 80 per cent of employment on pro-rata basis, even India’s total workforce, has largely been if the period for fixed term contract out of social security schemes as well as is less than five years. Under the the ambit of labour regulations at current Act, an employee is entitled for present. gratuity only after completing five years of continuous service. Key features of the Bill  The Bill also provides for maternity  It proposes universalisation of social benefit to the woman employees and security benefits for the country’s compensation to the employees in around 5 crore workforce, along with case of the accidents while offerings such as medical, pension, commuting from residence to place death and disability benefits to them. of work and vice-versa.  The Code also provides an enabling  The Code will make Aadhaar provision for constituting special mandatory for seeding at the time of purpose vehicles for the registration of member or beneficiary implementation of schemes for or any other person to register or for unorganised sector workers. receiving benefits.  It also seeks to expand the sources of Difference between Organised and the fund for various schemes under Unorganised sector the Code to include funds from corporate social responsibility(CSR).  The Code empowers the Centre with an enabling provision to change the mandatory monthly contribution towards employees provident fund (EPF) for a certain class of employees for a certain period.  Employers will, however, have to contribute to the retirement fund at the existing rate. This will help

Easy to PICK88 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Bougainville votes for independence from Papua New Guinea Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and The islands are still recovering from the politics of developed and developing conflict, which killed 20,000 people in a countries on India's interests, Indian fight over land royalties and pollution in diaspora. rivers near the now-shuttered Panguna gold and copper project. Prelims and Mains focus: About the It was the deadliest conflict in the area referendum in the archipelago and related since the Second World War. geographical regions on world atlas Once the economic engine of PNG, Bougainville has fallen to the bottom of News: The South Pacific islands of almost every financial indicator, despite Bougainville have overwhelmingly voted boasting mineral riches, fertile volcanic to be independent from Papua New soil and stunning geography. Guinea, the referendum commission said on Wednesday, in a historic poll that will About the referendum embolden separatists as they start Almost 98% of the 181,067 votes cast negotiating the terms of their sovereignty. backed independence in the non-binding poll that is part of a peace pact struck in Background the aftermath of a decade-long war Bougainville's quest for independence is between Bougainville's rebel fighters one of dozens of separatist movements and PNG forces, which ended in 1998. in play around the world. There is a The referendum gave voters in the island strong movement in Scotland seeking cluster a choice between independence and independence from the United greater autonomy. Kingdom, while Catalan separatists in There was a mood of celebration Spain remain active. throughout the two-week referendum, Thousands of protesting Papuans also which ended on Dec. 7, with many voters recently called for an independence carrying Bougainville's predominantly vote, seeking to separate from Indonesia. blue flag to polling stations. Ballots from different areas were mixed before officials tallied the results to eliminate the risk of reprisals. Way forward The comprehensive vote in Bougainville will be used to strengthen the hand of negotiators as they start discussions on the terms of independence with the PNG government. Any agreement struck in the negotiations would still need to pass through PNG's parliament. Just 3,043 voters backed the other option on the ballot - greater autonomy - while a

Easy to PICK89 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” small number of informal votes were recorded. Bougainville Vice President Raymond Masono has told Reuters a transition could take 10 years, as the region would need to rebuild its institutions. Discussion over how Bougainville would sustain its independence is likely to dominate negotiations after the referendum, two PNG ministers told Reuters earlier.

Easy to PICK90 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Bill in LS on welfare of elders, parents Syllabus subtopic: Government policies once for a maximum of 30 days. For and interventions for development in other senior citizens or parents, their various sectors and issues arising out of applications will have to be settled by the their design and implementation. tribunal within 90 days. According to the legislation, there will be a nodal officer at Prelims focus: About the key features of each police station, not below the rank of the Bill an assistant sub-inspector, to deal with the Mains focus: significance of the bill, govt. issues relating to parents and senior efforts towards welfare of senior citizens citizens. Similarly, each district will have a special police unit for senior citizens' News: A Bill that seeks to impose six welfare and such a unit will have to be months’ imprisonment or a fine of headed by a police officer, not below the ₹10,000 or both on those who abuse rank of DSP. The state government has to parents, in-laws or senior citizens under appoint the maintenance officer to ensure their care was introduced in the Lok implementation of the order of Sabha on Wednesday by Minister for maintenance and such officer shall be a Social Justice and Empowerment point of contact for the parent or senior Thawarchand Gahlot. citizen to liaison and coordinate with them. According to the statement of objects and About the key features of the Bill reasons appended to the Bill, \"with the The Maintenance and Welfare of gradual breakdown of joint family Parents and Senior Citizens system, number of cases of neglect, (Amendment) Bill, 2019, has provisions crime, exploitation and abandonment of for the elderly to claim maintenance and parents and senior citizens are in the for mandatory registration of senior rise\". Various high courts had also issued citizens care homes and other such orders directing the government to review institutions which will have to comply provisions of the original Act, 2007. After with prescribed minimum standards. examining the various provisions of the The Bill defines “abuse” as physical, Act the group of secretaries have made verbal, emotional and economic abuse, recommendations to extend all benefits to neglect and abandonment, causing assault, senior citizens of uniform age, to enhance injury, physical or mental suffering. maintenance amount for senior citizens \"Children\" in relation to a parent or a and standardisation of home care services. senior citizen means son or daughter, Besides, representations were received to whether biological, adoptive or step-child bring son-in-law and daughter-in-law and includes son-in-law, daughter-in-law, within the ambit of \"children\" and provide grandson, grand-daughter and legal punishment for abuse of parents and senior guardians of minor children. The bill citizens. As per the new legislation, provides for the establishment of a registration with the authorities concerned tribunal for senior citizens to file claims will be mandatory for senior citizens care for maintenance and assistance and such homes, multi service day care centres for applications from those above 80 years of senior citizens and institutions providing age should be disposed of within 60 days. home care services for senior citizens. Only in exceptional circumstances and Minimum standards have also been for reasons to be recorded in writing, the prescribed for such homes. The Bill says tribunal may extend the period only \"parent\" means father or mother,

Easy to PICK91 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” whether biological, adoptive or step- parent and includes father-in-law, mother-in-law and grandparents, whether or not senior citizen. The children have to maintain their parents in such a way they \"lead a life of dignity\". Similar is the obligation of a relative to maintain a childless senior citizen provided such relative has sufficient means to do so and is either in possession of, or shall inherit, the property of such senior citizen after his death. The tribunal, if necessary, can refer the issue of maintenance of a senior citizen/parent to a conciliation officer and the latter has to give his findings within 15 days from the date of his nomination. While determining the maintenance the tribunal may take into consideration the standard of living of the parent or senior citizen and earnings of such parent or senior citizen and of the children or relative. The tribunal has powers to levy fine on those who fail to maintain their parents/senior citizens and if they violate paying fine they could be imprisoned up to one month or till the maintenance payment is made whichever is earlier. The Bill enables the government to ensure that all government and private hospitals have beds specially earmarked for senior citizens and separate OP queues for senior citizens in hospitals. A dedicated help line number would be available for senior citizens in every state to convey their problems. The definition 'maintenance' has been expanded to include safety and security of the parents besides taking care of their food, clothing, housing and health care obligations.

Easy to PICK92 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” India faces a diplomatic challenge Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and In its Annual Report, USCIRF politics of developed and developing unflinchingly describes threats to religious countries on India's interests, Indian freedom around the world and diaspora. recommends to the State Department countries for designation as “countries of Prelims and Mains focus: about USCRIF particular concern” (CPCs) for engaging 2019 report, citizenship amendment bill in or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, 2019, diplomatic challenges faced by India egregious violations.” regarding the passage of CAB USCIRF also recommends to the State News: In the wake of a statement from Department that non-state actors cited for United States Congress members on the similarly severe violations be designated Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), the as “entities of particular concern” Union government has spoken to (EPCs). lawmakers across parties in Washington, the External Affairs Ministry said. This year, USCIRF has recommended 16 countries for CPC designation and five Context: entities for EPC designation. New Delhi is grappling with the diplomatic and logistical fallout of the Also, USCIRF placed 12 countries on its Bill on relations with Bangladesh and Tier 2 list, meaning the violations meet Afghanistan and the coming visit of one or two, but not all three, of the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. elements of the systematic, ongoing, egregious test for CPC status. In particular, the Ministry said it had noted a statement from the bipartisan House Key facts: Foreign Affairs Committee that had said The 16 countries USCIRF recommended that any “religious test for citizenship” for CPC designation include 10 that the would undermine Indian democracy. State Department so designated in Earlier, the Ministry had reacted strongly November 2018 – Burma, China, Eritrea, to the US Commission for International Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Religious Freedom (USCIRF) favouring Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan – as well sanctions against Home Minister Amit as six others that the State Department has Shah and other senior leadership. not designated – Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, Russia, Syria, Uzbekistan, About USCIRF and Vietnam.  US Commission on International The 12 countries on USCIRF’s Tier 2 list Religious Freedom is a bipartisan, are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, independent federal government Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, commission, created by International Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, and Turkey. Religious Freedom Act of 1998.  It also publishes International The five entities recommended for EPC Religious Freedom report designation include the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Taliban in Key findings of International Religious Afghanistan, al-Shabab in Somalia, and Freedom 2019 report

Easy to PICK93 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” new to the list this year, the Houthis in Yemen and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria. What it says about India India saw an “overall deterioration of religious freedom conditions in 2018”. India continues to remain a Tier II country. It is in same list since 2009. Tier II countries are those in which violations engaged in or tolerated by government are serious and characterized by at least one of the elements of systematic, ongoing, and egregious (horrible)’. India is facing declining religious freedom, apart from increased securitisation and politicisation of religion. It is increasingly becoming difficult to separate religion and politics. It is a tactic which is sometimes intended by those who seek to discriminate against certain religious communities. Over the last decade Minorities conditions have deteriorated in country. The reason is attributed to extremist groups, anti- conversion laws, cow-protection groups, mob lynching, concerns that millions from Assam will be incorrectly left out of NRC (National Register of Citizen) and a denying international NGOs registration. About Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019

Easy to PICK94 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” SC, ST quota in Parliament extended Syllabus subtopic: Parliament and State established for temporary purposes Legislatures - structure, functioning, only. conduct of business, powers & privileges The Constitution empowers the President and issues arising out of these. under Article 331 to nominate maximum Prelims and Mains focus: About the key of two members of the Anglo Indian features of the Bill and the controversy Community to the Lok Sabha, if he/ she is around it, constitutional provisions related of the opinion that the community is not to Anglo Indians adequately represented. The president will act on the basis of this constitutional News: Parliament on Thursday passed a provision only when no Anglo Indian Constitutional amendment giving a had been elected to the House of people 10-year extension to reservations for in General Elections Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Under Article 333, the Governor of a in the Lok Sabha and the State state is of the opinion that Anglo Indian Assemblies and ending the provision for Community is not adequately represented nomination of two Anglo-Indians. in the state assembly, he / she can nominate one member. About the Bill Note: The Anglo Indian Community was The Constitution (One Hundred and entitled to special educational grants under Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2019, the Article 337 of the Constitution for a was passed unanimously by the Rajya period of 10 years. During the first three Sabha, two days after it was passed by the years, this grant was what the community Lok Sabha. had been receiving in 1947. Thereafter, it All 163 members present voted to pass the was to be progressively reduced @10%. amendment, after a heated exchange between the ruling party and the Opposition. The Bill extended the reservation for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, which was due to end on January 25, 2020, for 10 years, the seventh such 10-year extension given since the Constitution was enacted in 1950. The Bill also ended the provision for nomination of Anglo-Indians too. Provisions related to Anglo Indians According to Article 366 (2) an Anglo- Indian means a person whose father or any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European descent but who is domiciled within the territory of India or born within such territory and whose parents habitually were resident in India and not

Easy to PICK95 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” CAG hints at massive diversion of LPG Syllabus subtopic: Appointment to Audit noticed that out of 3.78 crore LPG various Constitutional posts, powers, connections, 1.60 crore (42%) connections functions and responsibilities of various were issued only on the basis of Constitutional Bodies. beneficiary Aadhaar which remained a deterrent in de-duplication. Prelims and Mains focus: key findings and significance of CAG report, About Errors in identification PMUY, CAG The CAG said laxity in identification of beneficiaries was noticed as 9,897 News: The Comptroller and Auditor connections were issued against Abridged General (CAG) of India, in a report on Household List Temporary the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Identification Numbers (AHL TINs), (PMUY), has highlighted the risk of where names of all family members and diversion of domestic LPG cylinders for the beneficiary were blank in the Socio- commercial use, as 1.98 lakh beneficiaries Economic and Caste Census (SECC)-2011 had an average annual consumption of list. more than 12 cylinders. Lack of input validation check in the IOCL About PMUY software allowed issue of 0.80 lakh The PMUY scheme was launched in May connections to beneficiaries aged below 2016 to safeguard the health of women 18. Data analysis also revealed that 8.59 and children by providing them with lakh connections were released to clean cooking fuel. Its target was revised beneficiaries who were minor as per the to eight crore LPG connections. SECC-2011 data, which was in violation of PMUY guidelines and LPG Control What did the report say? Order, 2000. The CAG said this level of consumption It also exposed a mismatch in the name of seemed improbable in view of the BPL 12.46 lakh beneficiaries between the (below poverty line) status of such PMUY database and SECC-2011 data. beneficiaries. The CAG, on field visits, also found that 13.96 lakh beneficiaries consumed 3 to 41 refills in a month. Further, IOCL [Indian Oil Corporation Limited] and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) in 3.44 lakh instances issued 2 to 20 refills in a day to a PMUY beneficiary having single-bottle cylinder connection. As on 31 March 2019, the oil marketing companies(OMCs) had issued 7.19 crore connections, which is about 90% of the target to be achieved till March 2020. To rule out existing LPG connections in beneficiaries’ household, de-duplication was to be carried out based on Aadhaar of all family members.

Easy to PICK96 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” connections were given to “unintended” parliament is passing a resolution persons. supported by not less than 2/3rd of the The audit also highlighted the delay of members present & voting ) more than 365 days in the installation of Salary & conditions of his service cannot 4.35 lakh connections against the be changed except under financial stipulated time period of seven days. emergency About Comptroller and Auditor His salary is charged on consolidated General (CAG) fund of India & is not subjected to vote of parliament (paid salary equivalent to Judge Appointed by President, nominated by PM of SC) & is eligible for annual pension of India + Office term – 6 years or upto 65 In other matters, his conditions of service yrs of age & can be removed by the shall be determined by rules applicable to President on the same grounds & manner an IAS officer, holding a rank of secretary as a judge of SC. to GOI After retirement, he is disqualified for Duties & Functions appointment under union or state He is the chief Guardian of Public purse & government. head of Indian audit & account department Audits accounts of Union & states to ensure nothing is spent out of consolidated fund of India or of the state without the sanction of the parliament or respective state legislature Audits government owned companies (51% stake of Gov.) as an external auditor Reports of CAG are taken into consideration by public accounts committee (PAC) Public accounts committee (PAC) A committee of not more than 22 members (LS → 15 & RS → 7) Formed every year in parliament & state legislature A minister cannot be a member of PAC Chairman of PAC is appointed by speaker of Lok sabha & is generally from opposition party Independence of office of CAG Gets security of tenure as though appointed by President, CAG may be removed from his office only on the grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity only in a manner as a judge of SC is removed (i.e. each house of

Easy to PICK97 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Andhra Cabinet clears law to deal with crime against women Syllabus subtopic: Government policies severity of the crime, the punishment and interventions for development in would be extended to life imprisonment. various sectors and issues arising out of The Cabinet also decided to extend the their design and implementation. imprisonment for crimes under the POCSO Act. The Act also makes it Prelims and mains focus: about the new compulsory for police to register a laws cleared by the AP assembly and their “Zero FIR’’, which means that police significance; about Zero FIR, News: The have to register a case anywhere, Andhra Pradesh Disha Act and the irrespective of jurisdiction. Andhra Pradesh Special Court for Specific Offences against Women and Children Act 2019 were cleared by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday and the Bills are scheduled to be taken up for discussion in the Legislative Assembly this week. Key features of the new laws As per these new laws, if there is conclusive evidence to prove crimes committed against women, the police can wrap up investigation in a week and file the charge sheet within 14 days. The judicial process of awarding punishment would be concluded within 21 days. In cases of heinous crimes like rape, the death sentence would be awarded under the new law. Also, special courts will be set up to try cases of crimes against women and children in the state. The Disha Act also empowers the police and courts to take action under Indian Penal Code section 354 (E) against those who upload posts on social media that degrade women or damage their reputation. First time offenders would be sentenced to prison for two years, second time offenders would get four years in jail. Also, under the new law, action would be taken under IPC section 354 (F) on those involved in sexual assault on children. Offenders in such cases will be sentenced to 10-14 years in prison and depending on the

Easy to PICK98 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Aung San Suu Kyi defends Myanmar at ICJ in Rohingya genocide case Syllabus subtopic: Important Duty city, calling for a global boycott of Myanmar. International institutions, agencies and Suu Kyi’s appearance at the ICJ will be a far cry from her previous visits to Europe. fora, their structure, mandate. She has not visited western Europe since 2016, when she still enjoyed international Prelims and Mains focus: About the support after Myanmar’s first free election Rohingya crisis and its consequences, in decades. Since the Rohingya ICJ, OIC crackdown, the 74-year-old’s international reputation has been tarnished and she has News: Myanmar State Counsellor and been stripped of numerous honours and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi attacked by fellow Nobel laureates. defended Myanmar at International Court of Justice against accusations of About the Rohinga crisis carrying out a genocide against its Muslim Rohingya minority. Who are the Rohingyas? The Rohingya are an ethnic group, the Background majority of whom are Muslim. The Myanmar’s civilian leader will appear at Rohingyas are 100 per cent Bengali and the International Court of Justice, after the speak a Chittagong dialect. They currently Republic of the Gambia — a tiny reside in Rakhine State, Myanmar. There country along the west coast of Africa was an estimated about 1 million — accused Myanmar of breaching the Rohingya living in Myanmar before the 1948 Genocide Convention. The Gambia, 2016–17 crisis. which is predominantly Muslim, is backed by the 57-member Organisation for What is the background of Rohingyas? Islamic Cooperation (OIC). According to historian, Ronhingyas were During three days of hearings, Gambia’s forcibly settled in Burma by the British in legal team will ask the 17-member panel order to control the Arakan (Rakhine of UN judges at the ICJ to impose State) in Myanmar and they were spread “provisional measures” to protect the through the country. Burmese Prime Rohingya before the case can be heard in Minister Ne Win evacuated out the full. Rohingyas from much of Burma in 1962 but those in Arakan, remained. But the Myanmar’s defence on the case government efforts remained the same. Myanmar authorities have strongly Due to the government’s efforts around disputed that conclusion, categorizing the Rohingya were displaced, 200,000 (1978), military operation as a legitimate 250,000 (1991), 14000 (2012) and are at it counter-terrorism response to attacks again. by Rohingya militants.. While it risks drawing further criticism Why they are prosecuted? abroad, Suu Kyi’s decision to go to court Military coup in Myanmar changed the has won plaudits in Myanmar, where the national history of the country after 1962. Rohingya are widely viewed as illegal All citizens were required to obtain immigrants. However, several right groups national registration cards, but Rohingya have also planned demonstrations in the

Easy to PICK99 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” was given foreign identity cards. This act, programmes have been launched to try to gradually diminishing the rights on the minimise the risk of disease. Around 4 jobs and educational opportunities. In lakh children (Under 15 years of age) were 1982, a new citizenship law resolution was given a five-in-one vaccination, including passed which effectively curbed the cover for diptheria, tetanus and whooping Rohingya as stateless resident. The new cough. law, Rohingya enabled them to erase their To improve sanitation and public health, position in the country's 135 ethnic groups. 47,639 temporary emergency latrines have The law outlined three levels of been built Bangladesh military citizenship. In order to obtain the most Bangladesh has built more shelters in the basic level (naturalised citizenship), the Cox's Bazaar area but also wants to limit people must produce a proof that the their travel to allocated areas person's family lived in Myanmar before The UK has pledged £59m in aid to 1948 and fluency in one of the national support those fleeing to Bangladesh. UK languages. But unfortunately Rohingya Prime Minister Theresa May also said the didn’t have such proof. As a result of the military action in Rakhine had to stop. The law, Rohingya’s lost their rights to study, UK has suspended training courses for the work, travel, marry, practice their religion Myanmar military. and even the access health services have been and continue to be restricted. Being Rohingyas refugees in India treated as foreigners the Rohingya couldn’t India does not have a specific law vote. regarding refugees besides, India has the biggest number of refugees in the country In the early 1970’s, Myanmar government in the entire South Asia and dealt with one began to follow a series of crackdowns of the biggest refugee crises in the world Rohingya in Rakhine State have forced during partition of the country. Indian hundreds of thousands to flee to Constitution defines the citizen of neighbouring Bangladesh, India, Thailand thecountry and the subsequent laws also and Saudi Arabia. But after the killings of do not deal with refugees. In legal terms, a nine border police in October 2016, the person living in India can be either a Myanmar government blamed that an citizen or a foreigner defined under the armed Rohingya group was the culprit and Foreigners Act, 1946. India has also not began a more severe security crackdown been a signatory of the 1951 UN on villages where Rohingya. For the first Convention or the 1967 Protocol - both time, a UN official accused the relating to the Status of Refugees and government of carrying out ethnic included in the UNHCR statute. According cleansing of the Rohingya in November to the UNHCR, a refugee is a person living 2016. in another country following persecution in his own on the grounds of \"race, International Initiatives religion, nationality, membership of a About 70 per cent of the one million particular social group or political refugees are now receiving food aid, opinion.\" according to the Inter Sector Coordination Group report from mid-April 2018. According to unofficial estimates, even Currently around 1 lakh people are before the present Rohingya crisis broke provided adequate foods to treat their out, there were around 2 lakh persons in malnutrition. India, of whom 2,01,281 were refugees In order to minimize the risk of disease and 6,480 asylum seekers\" by the end of and infection, large-scale vaccination 2015. There are about 16,000 UNHCR-

Easy to PICK100 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” verified Rohingya refugees in India. The Before that, India must rehabilitate the government estimate puts the figure of Rohingya refugees who could a target for Rohingya refugees living in India beyond Jihadi outfits. 40,000 with maximum concentration in and around Jammu. About ICJ The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is Conclusion the principal judicial body of the UN. Even before the Rohingya crisis acquired Established in 1946 to replace the international proportion, their population Permanent Court of International Justice, in Myanmar was estimated at around 1 the ICJ mainly operates under the statute million (10 lakh). Under the 1982 of its predecessor, which is included in the citizenship law, the Myanmar government UN Charter. recognised only about 40,000 Rohingyas It has two primary functions: to settle legal as its citizens and the rest of the people disputes submitted by States in accordance were treated illegal people speaking with established international laws, and to Bengalis (immigrants from Bangladesh). act as an advisory board on issues submitted to it by authorized international As the Myanmar government does not organizations. recognise the Rohingyas as its citizens, in general, it will be difficult for India to Members deport them. Due to lack of refugee law or The International Court of Justice is policy India cannot force them to evacuate composed of 15 judges elected to nine- Rohingyas as their stay in the country, but year terms of office by the United Nations this could give a political twist. The Centre General Assembly and the Security has told the Supreme Court that many Council. These organs vote simultaneously Rohingyas have acquired documents but separately. In order to be elected, a meant for Indian citizens only like candidate must receive an absolute Aadhaar card, PAN card and even Voter- majority of the votes in both bodies. In ID. This raises the concern of the order to ensure a measure of continuity, naturalisation of the illegal migrants by one third of the Court is elected every illegal means. Due to the socio-economic three years. Judges are eligible for re- complexities of Indian society and politics, election. this could lead to a debate around the minority rights of the Rohingyas. So in Who nominates the candidates? order to avoid such problems the country Every state government, party to the should enact a new law regarding refugees. Charter, designates a group who propose candidates for the office of ICJ judges. This group includes four members/jurists of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (machinery which enables arbitral tribunals to be set up as desired and facilitates their work) also picked by the State. Countries not part of the statute follow the same procedure where a group nominates the candidates. Each group is limited to nominate four candidates, two of whom could be of their nationality. Within a fixed duration set by