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Time: 45 min Date: 30-09-2021

Biodiversity and Environment

One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)

Syllabus: GS 3/Environmental Impact Assessment

Context

● India and the UK are likely to announce a joint declaration on “One Sun, One

World, One grid” (OSOWOG) at the upcoming COP26.

○ The UN Climate Change Conference, or COP26, is scheduled to be held

between October 31 and November 12 in Scotland.

About

● Both countries have been working towards achieving this concept and the

declaration will be made by India and the UK, other countries will also participate,

including the ASEAN nations, the US, EU and African nations.

○ The climate parliament secretariat is handling details of the proposal and

more than 100 energy ministers from across the world will sign the

proposal.

One Sun, One World, One grid (OSOWOG)

● The concept was first floated by the Prime Minister of India in 2018 during the

first assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

● It is a transnational solar power grid that will be projected as a game-changer to

help meet climate change goals by supplying solar power across the globe.

● Purpose: It can generate round the clock electricity from the sun as it sets in one

part of the world but rises in another part. The sun never sets for the entire earth.

● Features: According to the draft plan of the Ministry of New and Renewable

Energy (MNRE), the ambitious OSOWOG will connect 140 countries through a

common grid that will be used to transfer solar power.

○ The blueprint for the OSOWOG will be developed under the World Bank’s

technical assistance programme that is implemented to accelerate the

deployment of grid-connected rooftop solar installations.

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● Three Phases of Plan: The first phase will entail interconnectivity within the Asian

continent; the second phase will add Africa and the third phase will globalize

the whole project.

Need and Significance

● Asset utilization for all the participating entities: India can generate round the

clock electricity from the sun with the help of OSOWOG.

○ The proposed integration would lead to reduced project costs, higher

efficiencies and increased asset utilization for all the participating entities.

○ It will allow national renewable energy management centres in India to

grow as regional and global management centres.

● Growth of India: It will allow national renewable energy management centres in

India to grow as regional and global management centres.

○ Several African nations are devoid of reliable electricity supply and that

makes them a ready market for electricity infrastructure.

● Economic benefits: This will have economic benefits that would positively

impact poverty alleviation and support in mitigating water, sanitation, food and

other socio-economic challenges.

● Counter to China’s Belt and Road initiative (BRI): This is seen as India’s counter

to China’s Belt and Road initiative (BRI) which is primarily an economic

diplomacy strategy to boost its domestic economy by improving connectivity and

cooperation among the current 78 partner countries.

Drawbacks of OSOWOG

● Geopolitics: The project is seen as an Indian endeavour for world leadership. But

under COVID-19 uncertainties, the geopolitical implications of the project are

hard to decipher.

● Expensive: The mechanism of cost-sharing will be challenging, given the varied

priorities of participating countries depending on their socio-economic orders.

○ It might turn out to be an expensive, complex and very slow progress

project.

● Against Self Reliant Policy: The project also contradicts the Prime Minister’s

Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-dependent India) vision, as it extends the reliance for a

major strategic entity i.e. energy supply to other countries through this grid.

● Distribution Issue: There is a difference in voltage, frequency and specifications

of the grid in most regions. Maintaining grid stability with just renewable

generation would be technically difficult.

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○ Supply of energy through this grid, in a time zone with a six-hour

difference, will require thousands of kilometres of transmission of the

electricity, which will add up a huge cost and energy losses.

● Competition: Australia-based Sun Cable is also developing the Australian-

ASEAN Power Link (AAPL) under which it will supply renewable electricity from

Australia to Singapore and later to Indonesia.

Way Forward

● China has already launched a global transmission grid project under the aegis of

the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization,

dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of energy worldwide. China

also has expertise in ultra high voltage network construction.

● In the backdrop of all the above conditions, it is important for India to re-look its

targets and to focus on developing long-term and complete solutions that can

reach the masses

● India has taken small steps with the ISA, but still, a lot needs to be done through

OSOWOG.

● India will need a strong coalition of international partners to realise this vision.

Source: IE

Health

Antimalarial Drug Resistance in India

Syllabus: GS2/Health, GS3/Science & Technology

In News

● Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article `Evidence of

Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria in Africa’.

○ It confirmed the increasing evidence for the failure of artemisinin-based

combination therapy for falciparum malaria either alone or with partner

drugs.

Malaria

● Malaria is mosquito borne blood disease caused by plasmodium protozoa.

○ The parasites spread through the bites of infected female Anopheles

mosquitoes.

○ It is preventable as well as curable but can be fatal in case of late or no

treatment.

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● Mechanism of action

○ Plasmodium needs two hosts to complete its life cycle.

○ After entering the human body, parasites initially multiply within the

liver cells

○ Then it attacks the Red Blood Cells (RBCs) resulting in their rupture.

Courtesy: IndiaToday

● Protozoa

○ There are 5 Plasmodium protozoa species that cause malaria in humans

○ Two of these species which pose the greatest threat are.

■ Plasmodium falciparum and

■ Plasmodium vivax

● Disease Prevalence

○ It is predominantly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa,

South America as well as Asia.

○ Amongst India’s Neighbours, China was recently declared Malaria free

by WHO.

● Symptoms

○ Fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle

aches, and tiredness.

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Malaria Burden in India

● The World Malaria Report (WMR) 2020 released by WHO gives the estimated

cases for malaria across the world.

● It indicates that India has made considerable progress in reducing its malaria

burden.

● India is the only highly endemic country which has reported a decline of 17.6%

in 2019 as compared to 2018.

Malaria Vaccine

● Mosquitrix or RTS,S

○ This vaccine has been branded as Mosquirix but is also known by its lab

initials as RTS,S.

○ It was developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) company and approved by

the European Medicines Agency in 2015.

○ The vaccine has shown a maximum efficiency of nearly 40%.

● R21/ Matrix M

○ Still under trial stage but may be 77% effective.

Recent Report of Antimalarial Drug Resistance

● In most malaria-endemic countries including India, Artemisinin-based

antimalarial drugs are the first-line choice for malaria treatment.

○ They are especially effective against Plasmodium falciparum.

● The study 'Evidence of Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria in Africa’ described the

presence of two mutations responsible for artemisinin resistance in Northern

Uganda.

○ The report of artemisinin resistance in East Africa is a matter of great

concern because

■ This is the only drug that has saved several lives across the globe.

History of Drug Resistance

● In the 1950s, chloroquine resistance came to light.

● Both chloroquine and pyrimethamine resistance originated from Southeast Asia

● From there they migrated to India and then on to Africa with disastrous

consequences.

● Similarly, artemisinin resistance developed from the six Southeast Asian countries

and migrated to other continents, as is reported in India and Africa.

● It would not be out of context that artemisinin is following the same path as has

been seen with chloroquine.

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Artemisinin-based combination therapy failure in India

● In India, after the chloroquine resistance was seen in P. falciparum, artemisinin-

based combination therapy was introduced in 2008.

● In 2010, artesunate plus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS+SP) was introduced

universally.

● In 2013, in view of resistance to the partner drug SP in the 7 North Eastern States,

○ The combination partner was replaced by artemether- lumefantrine (AL)

for these states.

● In 2019, Eastern India indicated the presence of 2 mutations in P. falciparum

treated with artemisinin that linked to its presence of resistance.

● Again in 2021, artemisinin-based combination therapy failure was reported from

Central India.

○ Here too the partner drug SP showed triple mutations with artemisinin

wild type.

● This means the failure of artemisinin-based combination therapy may not be solely

linked to artemisinin.

○ Here it is needed to change the partner drug as has been done in NE states

in 2013 and subsequent cases.

● Currently, several combinations of artemisinin derivatives are registered in India.

Conclusion and Way Forward

● Monitor Chloroquine resistance in P. Vivax

○ Though there have been some reports of chloroquine resistance in P. vivax

malaria, this drug is still the effective choice to treat this species.

○ Continued monitoring is needed.

● Molecular Malaria Surveillance

○ The time has come to carry out Molecular Malaria Surveillance to find out

the drug-resistant variants.

■ It will help in undertaking corrective measures in time to avert any

consequences.

Few Initiatives related to Malaria

● Initiatives of WHO

○ Celebration of World Malaria Day on 25th April every year.

■ The 2021 theme is “Reaching the Zero Malaria target".

○ ‘E-2025 Initiative’

■ The WHO has also identified 25 countries with the potential to eradicate malaria by 2025 under its ‘E-2025 Initiative’.

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● Indian Initiatives

○ 5 year National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination

■ Launched in 2017

■ It shifted focus from Malaria control to elimination.

■ It provided a roadmap to end malaria in 571 districts out of India’s 678 districts by 2022.

○ Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)

■ Established by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

■ It is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control.

Source: IE

Health

PM POSHAN Scheme Gets Centre’s Approval

Syllabus: GS 3/Health, GS2/ Government interventions

In News

● The existing Mid-Day Meal scheme will be renamed as National Scheme for PM

Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN).

○ The Mid Day Meal scheme provides hot meals to school students.

About PM Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)

● Budgetary Allocation:

○ A total budget of over Rs 1.3 lakh crore has been allocated for the

continuation of the scheme for 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

■ Of this, the central government will contribute Rs 54061.73 crore.

■ While the state governments and union territory administrations

will provide Rs 31,733.17 crore.

■ The Centre will also bear an additional cost of about Rs 45,000 crore

on food grains.

● Target Group:

○ The scheme aims to cover 11.80 crore children in 11.20 lakh schools.

○ All school-going students of classes I to VIII, studying in government and

government-aided schools, are eligible to avail the benefits.

● Cooking Competitions:

○ Cooking competitions will be encouraged at all levels to promote ethnic

cuisines and culture in line with Vocal for Local.

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● Nutrition Gardens:

○ Kitchen gardens and school gardens will also be promoted under this

scheme.

■ They have been named as Nutrition Gardens.

○ They can help to strengthen food security and improve income generation

and livelihoods.

● Balvatikas:

○ An additional Rs. 266 crore is expected to be added as the Central

government’s share to cater to balvatika students from 2022-23.

○ Extension of mid-day meals to pre-primary students was a key

recommendation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

■ Pre-primary students are to be incorporated into the formal

education system under the same NEP 2020.

● Holistic nutrition goals:

○ The Policy provisions have also added a 5 percent flexi component into the

existing budget to allow States to incorporate

■ additional nutrition-rich elements — such as fortified foods, fruits

and milk — into the menu.

■ Use of locally grown traditional foods will be encouraged, along

with school nutrition gardens.

● Social audits:

○ It has been made mandatory in all districts.

○ College students and trainee teachers will be roped in to do field

inspections to ensure the quality of meals.

● Direct Benefit Transfer:

○ States will be asked to do direct benefit cash transfers of

■ cooking costs to individual school accounts, and

■ honorarium amounts to the bank accounts of cooks and helpers. NEXT IAS

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Source: IE

Expected Benefits of the Launched Scheme

● Tackle Malnutrition among school going children:

○ The ‘Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman’ scheme will address

malnutrition among school-going children in the country.

● Achieve Right to Food and SDGs:

○ Right to Food was a statutory right as well as an important part of the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the SDGs.

● Encourage FPOs and Women SHGs:

○ As per Education Minister, the scheme will encourage the participation of

■ Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) and

■ Women Self-Help Groups in the implementation of the scheme.

● Help the Aspirational and Tribal Districts:

○ The scheme will provide “supplementary nutrition in aspirational and

tribal districts and districts with high prevalence of anemia.

● Promotion of ethnic cuisines and culture:

○ Various cooking competitions will help in highlighting the local cuisines.

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● Livelihood Generation and Awareness among students:

○ Nutritional Gardens will help in generating awareness among students and

youth regarding agriculture.

○ They will also help in livelihood generation for poors who can sell a small

part of their products.

● Promote transparency and reduce leakages:

○ Steps like DBT and Social audit will promote transparency and plug

leakages.

Possible Challenges/ Criticism

● Need of including Breakfast in Mid Day meal has been ignored:

○ The NEP 2020 also recommended including breakfast in the mid day meal

scheme.

○ Till now there is no additional budget allocated for the same.

● Heavy funding Crunch:

○ School Education Department’s budget for this year has been cut by almost

₹ 5,000 crore

● No increase in monthly honorarium to Cooks:

○ The rebranded scheme does not include any progress on the long-pending

demand of cooks to increase the Rs. 600 allocated by the Centre as their

monthly honorarium.

○ The centre has shifted this onus on State Government’s wish.

● Poor Quality of Food:

○ Many cooks are not very well trained for cooking food.

● Distraction from studies:

○ As the teaching staff is diverted for monitoring food distribution, it

hampers the learning output of students.

Conclusion and Way Forward

● The scheme is a milestone towards the Fit India Movement and can be

rationalised using following steps:

○ Include Breakfast in the Mid-day meal as recommended by NEP 2020.

○ Outsourcing the food contract for children and keeping a strict quality

check to free teachers for better learning output..

○ Proper training and increased salary of Cooks and other helping staff.

Source: IE, TH

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Biodiversity and Environment

Vulture Census Tags:GS3/Species in News

In News

● Nationwide census of vultures will be conducted after a gap of 6 years.

○ The last census was carried out in 2015 .

○ Organization involved in the census: Bombay Pure Historical past Society (BNHS), a wildlife analysis organisation.

Vulture Population in India

● Declining status:

○ Number of vultures has seen a constant decline since the 1990s.

○ Between the 1990s and 2007, numbers of three presently critically-

endangered species, the Oriental white-backed, long-billed and slender-

billed vultures, decreased massively with 99% of the species having been wiped out.

○ The number of red-headed vultures, also critically-endangered now, declined by 91% while the Egyptian vultures by 80%.

○ The decline in vulture populations came into limelight in the mid-90s.

● Importance of Vultures:

○ Vultures are carcass feeders & play a significant role in the natural mechanism of infection control.

■ Despite feeding on infected carcasses, vultures do not get infected. The acids in their stomach are potent enough to kill the pathogen.

○ It will clean up, and keep the ecosystem healthy.

○ The birds also prevent the contamination of water sources, especially in the wild.

● Causes for decline:

○ Use of Diclofenac: A veterinary nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

(NSAID) in 2004 found in the carcass of cattle the vultures feed on.

■ The veterinary use of this was banned in 2008. NEXT IAS

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○ Pesticides: The presence of organochlorine pesticide, polychlorinated

biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals were also

the cause of mortality.

○ Lack of Nesting Trees

○ Electrocution by power lines

○ Food Dearth and Contaminated Food

● Conservation Efforts

○ Vulture Action Plan 2025

■ The Vulture Safe Zone programme is being implemented at eight

different places in the country where there were extant populations

of vultures, including two in Uttar Pradesh.

○ The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and Bombay Natural History Society

(BNHS) also established the Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme.

○ The MoEFCC released the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2006 with

the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) banning the veterinary use of

diclofenac in the same year.

○ At present, there are nine Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centres

(VCBC) in India, of which three are directly administered by the Bombay

Natural History Society (BNHS).

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Pictorial representation of the IUCN status of different vulture species.

Image courtesy: TheIndianwire

Way Ahead

● There is a need for the strict implementation of the Insecticide Act 1968 to regulate

the use of pesticides.

● Creating awareness among the cattle owners is the only way to prevent deliberate

poisoning aimed towards eliminating problematic large carnivores.

Source:TOI

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Biodiversity & Environment

Toxic Material in Firecrackers

Syllabus: GS3/ Environmental Pollution and Degradation

In News

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) lamented the rampant violation of its ban on use of

toxic ingredients in the firecracker industry.

About

● The Supreme Court highlighted the findings of preliminary enquiry by the CBI

into the firecracker industry, including in Tamil Nadu.

● A chemical analysis of the samples of finished and semi-finished firecrackers and

raw materials taken from the manufacturers showed Barium content.

● The court stated that loose quantities of Barium were purchased from the market.

● Firecracker covers did not show the manufacture or expiry dates.

● The Supreme Court told the firecracker manufacturers that the right to life of

innocent citizens was more precious than the right to employment of workers.

Image Courtesy: TH

Chemistry of fireworks

● Explosive fireworks depend on four primary ingredients —

○ oxidiser,

○ fuel,

○ colouring agents &

○ Binder.

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Image Courtesy: ET

● The oxidisers in fireworks are chemicals that release oxygen to allow the explosion

to take place. Ex: Nitrates, chlorates.

● The fuel for burning is usually charcoal.

● Colouring agents impart desired colours like aluminium compounds for brilliant

whites, barium nitrate for greens.

● Binders are used to hold the mixture of the firework together in a paste while

burning.

● Also, other metals like titanium & strontium are added to regulate the speed of the

burning reaction.

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Image Courtesy: ET

Existing Guidelines

● Currently, guidelines exist for four types of explosive firecrackers — atom bombs,

Chinese crackers, garland crackers and maroons.

● The guidelines for these were drawn by PESO in 2008 after the Supreme Court

ordered it to regulate their composition.

● According to these guidelines, the sulphur, nitrate & aluminium power contents

must not exceed 20%, 57%, & 24% respectively.

● In July 2016 the SC ordered that no firecrackers shall contain antimony, lithium,

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Image Courtesy: ET

Benefits of Banning Toxic Firecrackers

● Eco-Friendly Diwali- Lesser Air Pollution

● Lesser Noise Pollution

● Lesser diseases

● Lesser Clutter Post-Diwali

● Lesser Accidents

● Avoiding Inhuman Conditions of Workers

● Fewer Disturbances to Animals and Birds

● Fewer Chinese Products

● Money Savings

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Challenges

● Sale and manufacture regulation

● Behavioral change amongst people

● Regulating time for bursting

● Making switch by industry towards improved or green crackers

Way Forward

● There should be a balance between employment, unemployment and the right to

life and health of citizens.

● Lives of many can not be sacrificed for a few.

● The prime focus should be the right to life of innocent people.

What are Green Crackers?

● The SC identifies usable crackers in two categories:

○ Improved crackers:

■ Improved crackers are those which avoid the use of ash as filler

material (to reduce PM emission by 15-20 per cent) and usage of

charcoal within the limitation that Petroleum and Explosives

Safety Organisation (PESO) prescribes.

○ Green crackers:

■ Green crackers are safe water and air sprinklers that emit less

sound and light.

■ They also ensure a PM reduction of 30-35 per cent and reduction

in NOx and SO2 due to in-situ water generation acting as dust

suppressant.

■ These also cost less owing to usage of low cost oxidants.

○ The judgment (of promoting Green Cracker) may prove to be a great

initiative towards setting new standards for manufacture of firecrackers

and spreading awareness about firecracker emissions.

○ Implementing this would remain a challenge, seeing how authorities are

still struggling with noise standards for crackers despite laws being

formulated for the same in 1999. This may also make industries switch to

cleaner crackers.

Source: TH

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Polity & Governance

Contempt of Court

Syllabus: GS2/ Judiciary

In News

● Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) stated that its power to punish for contempt

under Article 129 is a constitutional power, which cannot be done away with

even by any law.

About Contempt of Court

● Meaning:

○ Contempt of court, as a concept that seeks to protect judicial institutions

from motivated attacks and unwarranted criticism, and as a legal

mechanism to punish those who lower its authority.

○ This follows the initiation of contempt proceedings by the Supreme Court

of India, on its own motion.

● Origin:

○ The concept is several centuries old.

○ In England, it is a common law principle that seeks to protect the judicial

power of the king, initially exercised by himself, and later by a panel of

judges who acted in his name.

○ Violation of the judges’ orders was considered an affront to the king

himself. Later, any disobedience against judges and/or disrespect towards

them or their order became punishable.

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● Statutory Basis:

○ When the Constitution was adopted, contempt of court was made one of

the restrictions on freedom of speech and expression.

○ Separately, Article 129 of the Constitution conferred on the Supreme Court

the power to punish contempt of itself.

○ Article 215 conferred a corresponding power on the High Courts.

○ The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, gives statutory backing to the idea.

● A suo motu action:

○ The prior consent of the Attorney General (AG) of India is not required to

suo motu initiate the inherent contempt powers of the Supreme Court.

■ The Contempt of Court Act of 1971 cannot limit this power of the

court. The statute only provides the procedure in which such

contempt is to be initiated.

○ The suo motu contempt powers of the top court are drawn from Article 129

of the Constitution, which says the Supreme Court, as a court of record,

has the power to punish for contempt of itself.

● Two Types of Contempt:

○ Civil Contempt

■ It is committed when someone wilfully disobeys a court order, or

wilfully breaches an undertaking given to court.

○ Criminal Contempt

■ It consists of three forms:

(a) words, written or spoken, signs and actions that “scandalise” or

“tend to scandalise” or “lower” or “tends to lower” the authority of

any court

(b) prejudices or interferes with any judicial proceeding and

(c) interferes with or obstructs the administration of justice.

● Objective:

○ The rationale for this provision is that courts must be protected from

tendentious attacks that lower its authority, defame its public image and

make the public lose faith in its impartiality.

● Punishment:

○ The punishment for contempt of court is simple imprisonment for a term

up to six months and/or a fine of up to ₹ . 2,000.

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● 2006 Amendment:

○ For many years, “truth” was seldom considered a defence against a charge

of contempt.

○ There was an impression that the judiciary tended to hide any misconduct

among its individual members in the name of protecting the image of the

institution.

○ The Act was amended in 2006 to introduce truth as a valid defence, if it was

in public interest and was invoked in a bona fide manner.

Arguments in Favour of retaining the contempt provision

● Increasing instances of Contempt and scandalising:

○ The high number of cases justify the continuing relevance of the contempt

of court law.

● Maintained supremacy of law:

○ The recognition of contempt of court and to punish for contempt is essential

for a nation such as India which is based on the concept of rule of law, which

requires supremacy of law, since the judiciary is considered, as the last

bastion of hope and justice for the citizens of any nation.

● Constitutional Source of Contempt Power:

○ Supreme Court and High Courts derive their contempt powers from the

Constitutional Articles 129 and 215.

○ Therefore, deletion of the offence from the Act will not impact the inherent

constitutional powers of the superior courts to punish anyone for its

contempt.

● Sine qua non aspects:

○ Trust, faith and confidence of the citizens in the judiciary is sine qua non

for the existence of Rule of Law.

● Impact on Subordinate Courts:

○ The Contempt of Court Act additionally allows the High Court to punish

for contempt of subordinate courts.

○ Thus, if the definition of contempt is removed, subordinate courts will

suffer as there will be no remedy to address cases of their contempt.

● Maintain administration of judiciary:

○ Civil contempt is necessary as wilful disobedient litigants who ignore the

orders of the court cannot be let-off otherwise it would seriously affect the

administration of justice and trust of people in the judiciary.

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● Ambiguity:

○ If there is no definition for criminal contempt in the Act, superior courts

may give multiple definitions and interpretations to what constitutes

contempt. The Commission suggested retaining the definition for the

purpose of ensuring clarity.

● Adequate Safeguards:

○ The Law Commission noted that there are several safeguards built into the

Act to protect against its misuse.

○ For instance, the Act contains provisions which lay down cases that do not

amount to contempt and cases where contempt is not punishable.

○ These provisions suggest that the courts will not prosecute all cases of

contempt.

Image Courtesy: Today

Arguments against retaining the contempt provision

● Against Civil Liberties (Article 19 & 21):

○ A law for criminal contempt gets in conflict with India’s democratic system

which recognises freedom of speech and expression as a fundamental

right.

● Violating the Doctrine of Overbreadth:

○ The language defining criminal contempt is vague enough to encompass

within its sweep legitimate criticism as well.

● Wide Scope of Contempt:

○ The definition of criminal contempt in India is extremely wide, and can be

easily invoked.

○ Further, the Contempt of Courts Act was amended in 2006, to add truth and

good faith as valid defences for contempt, but it is seldom entertained by

the judiciary.

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● Supreme Court judgement:

○ In S.Mugolkar v. Unknown (1978), the Supreme Court held that the

judiciary cannot be immune from fair criticism, and contempt action is to

be used only when an obvious misstatement with malicious intent seeks to

bring down public confidence in the courts or seeks to influence the courts.

● No one to be own judge:

○ Does not recognise one of the basic principles of natural justice, i.e., no man

shall be a judge in his own cause.

○ Thus, in contempt proceedings, the court arrogates to itself the powers of a

judge, jury and executioner which often leads to perverse outcomes.

Way Ahead

● The Law Commission of India held that there is a need to retain the provision

regarding the contempt of courts.

● However, it also recommended the definition of contempt in the Contempt of

Court Act should be restricted to civil contempt, i.e., willful disobedience of

judgments of the court.

Contempt laws in other countries:

● Already, contempt has practically become obsolete in foreign democracies,

with jurisdictions recognising that it is an archaic law, designed for use in a

bygone era, whose utility and necessity has long vanished.

○ Canada ties its test for contempt to real, substantial and immediate

dangers to the administration.

○ American courts no longer use the law of contempt in response to

comments on judges or legal matters.

○ In England, the legal position has evolved.

Source: IE

International relations

Terms of Reference Signed between India and Australia

Syllabus : GS 2/India & Foreign Relations

In News

Recently, the Indian and the Australian Navy signed the ‘Terms of Reference’ (ToR) for

the conduct of the navy to navy talks under the framework of the ‘Joint Guidance for

the India - Australia Navy to Navy Relationship’ document.

● This is the first such document signed by the Indian Navy with any country.

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Background

● The inaugural navy to navy talks with Australia was held in 2005. Bilateral

defence relations between India and Australia have significantly expanded over

the years.

About

● The highlights of the document included close cooperation in regional and

multilateral fora, including the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS),

Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), Indian Ocean Rim Association

(IORA) and expert working groups subordinate to the ASEAN Defence

Ministers’ Meeting Plus framework.

○ The document was aligned to the ‘2020 Comprehensive Strategic

Partnership’ agreed by the Prime Ministers and aimed to ensure shared

approaches to regional and global security challenges.

● The document set the navy to navy talks as the principal medium for guiding

bilateral cooperation.

● Significance :

○ The document would be pivotal in consolidating the shared commitment

to promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific

region.

○ It will help in deeper mutual understanding, trust and transparency,

improved goodwill and understanding of each other’s concerns and future

directions.

India-Australia Relations

● Diplomatic

○ India and Australia established diplomatic relations in the pre-

Independence period, with the establishment of the India Trade Office in

Sydney in 1941.

○ The end of the Cold War and simultaneously India’s decision to launch

major economic reforms in 1991 provided the first positive move towards

the development of closer ties between the two nations.

● Strategic

○ Australia looks at India as an important partner in promoting regional

security and stability.

○ This led to upgradation of the bilateral relationship to a Strategic

Partnership, including a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation in

2009.

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● Bilateral Engagement

○ Bilateral mechanisms include high-level visits, Annual Meetings of Prime

Ministers, Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, Joint Trade and

Commerce Ministerial Commission, India-Australia '2+2' Foreign

Secretaries and Defence Secretaries Dialogue, Defence Policy Talks,

Australia-India Education Council, Defence Services Staff Talks, etc.

● Multilateral Engagement

○ Both countries have close cooperation in multilateral fora like Food and

Agriculture Organization (FAO) and G20.

○ The Quadrilateral Framework (QUAD) of India and Australia along with

the US and Japan emphasise the collective resolve to maintain a free, open

and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

● Bilateral Trade

○ India is the 5th largest trade partner of Australia with trade in goods and

services at Australian Dollar 29 billion representing 3.6 percent share of the

total Australian trade in 2017-18, with export at AD 8 billion and import at

AD 21 billion.

○ India’s main exports to Australia are refined petroleum, medicaments,

railway vehicles including hover-trains, pearls, gems, jewellery, made up

textile articles.

○ India’s main imports are coal, copper ores and concentrate, gold,

vegetables, wool and other animal hair, fruits and nuts, lentils and

education-related services.

○ India Australia Circular Economy (I-ACE) Hackathon 2021 was an effort

to strengthen bi-lateral innovations in Circular Economy.

● Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

○ It was signed between the two countries in September 2014 during the visit

of the Australian Prime Minister to India.

○ The Australian Parliament passed the Civil Nuclear Transfer to India Bill

2016 which ensures that Uranium mining companies in Australia may

fulfil contracts to supply Australian uranium to India for civil use.

● Defence

○ In 2014, both sides decided to extend defence cooperation to cover

research, development and industry engagement and agreed to hold

regular meetings at the level of the Defence Minister conduct regular

maritime exercises and convene regular service-to-service talks

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○ The first-ever Bilateral Maritime Exercise, AUSINDEX, was conducted in

Visakhapatnam (Bay of Bengal) in September 2015.

○ In 2018, the Indian Air Force participated for the first time in the Exercise

Pitch Black in Australia.

○ INS Sahyadri participated in Kakadu, the biennial exercise of the

Australian Navy held in 2018, in which 27 nations participated.

○ The 4th edition of AUSTRAHIND (Special Forces of Army Exercise) was

held in September 2019.

○ ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, Mutual Logistics Support

Agreement, the conduct of trilateral Maritime Security Workshop and

RAN participation in Exercise MALABAR are significant milestones that

underline the role played by both Navies in bolstering this relationship in

recent times.

● Environment

○ It is an area where there is a great opportunity for India and Australia to

work together since both countries had similar commitments.

○ The flagship program of National Innovation for Climate Resilient

Agriculture and collaboration with the research organisations of Australia.

● Indian Community

○ The Indian community in Australia continues to grow in size and

importance, with a population of nearly half seven lakhs.

○ India is now the third-largest source of immigrants to Australia, after the

UK and New Zealand and the largest source of skilled professionals for

Australia.

○ There is a constant flow of students and tourists from India.

○ The growing significance of the community is reflected in the large-scale

celebration of Indian festivals in Australia, especially Deepawali.

Source: TH

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Facts In News

Polity and Governance

38th PRAGATI Meeting

Syllabus:GS 2/Government Policies & Interventions

In News

● Recently, the Prime Minister of India chaired the 38th PRAGATI meeting.

About PRAGATI

● It is an Information and Communications Technology( ICT) based multimodal

platform aimed at addressing the common man’s grievances and simultaneously

monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the

Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.

● Launched in 2015: Designed by- Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) team with the

help of the National Informatics Center (NIC).

● Features:

○ Multi-purpose and multi-modal platform

○ Unique integrating and interactive platform

○ This platform will fulfil three objectives: Grievance Redressal, Programme

Implementation and Project Monitoring.

○ It uniquely bundles three latest technologies: Digital data management,

video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology.

● Significance:

○ It will make the government more efficient and responsive.

○ It is a step in the direction of cooperative federalism since it brings on one

stage the Secretaries of Government of India and the Chief Secretaries of the

States.

○ It is also an innovative project in e-governance and good governance

Source: PIB

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Indian Economy

India Export Initiative and India Xports 2021 Portal of India

Syllabus :GS 3/Indian Economy & Related Issues

In News

● Recently, the Union Minister for MSMEs inaugurated the India Export Initiative

and IndiaXports 2021 Portal of India in New Delhi.

About

● This initiative serves as a knowledge base for exports by Indian MSMEs with the

required information related to export potential for all the 456 tariff lines along

with the potential markets as well as trends in exports, export procedures and

lots more.

● Apart from an export help desk, Instructor-led orientation will also be provided

to MSMEs through a series of sessions for specific sectors highlighting the

opportunities in specific products in international markets.

● The initiative targets 1 lakh+ MSMEs desirous of knowing more about exports

and hand-holding 30,000+ MSMEs to start exporting, doubling the base of active

exporters

● It aims to orient MSMEs free of cost, with the objective of focussing on the

untapped export potential in existing tariff lines and supporting MSMEs in order

to grow the number of exporting MSMEs and increase MSME exports by 50% in

2022.

About Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

● According to the recently proposed definition, Micro, Small and Medium

Enterprises (MSMEs) will be classified as:

Classification Micro Small Medium

Manufacturing

Enterprises and

Enterprises

rendering Services

Investment in Plant

and Machinery or

Equipment:

Not more than Rs.1

crore and Annual

Turnover; not more

than Rs. 5 crore

Investment in Plant

and Machinery or

Equipment:

Not more than

Rs.10 crore and

Annual Turnover;

not more than Rs.

50 crore

Investment in Plant

and Machinery or

Equipment:

Not more than

Rs.50 crore and

Annual Turnover;

not more than Rs.

250 crore

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Significance & Role of MSMEs in India

● MSMEs are the second largest employer after the agriculture sector, giving

employment to about 11 Crore people with low capital and technology

requirements.

● MSME will play an important role and it can be done by increasing their

manufacturing capabilities.

● The country has more than 63 million MSMEs. They account for nearly 40 per cent

of India's exports, about 6.11 per cent of the country's manufacturing GDP and

24.63 per cent of the GDP from the services sector.

● They help in the promotion of industrial development in rural areas, capacity

building and local resource mobilisation.

● They create an inclusive and sustainable society through the creation of non-farm

livelihood, they promote balanced regional development and gender equity.

Source: PIB

Indian Economy

Prompt Corrective Action (PCA)

Syllabus:GS 3/Indian Economy & Related Issues

In News

● Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has been taken out of Prompt Corrective Action

(PCA) restrictions by the RBI.

About

● The performance of the Indian Overseas Bank, currently under the Prompt

Corrective Action Framework (PCAF) of RBI, was reviewed by the Board for

Financial Supervision.

● It was noted that the bank is not in breach of the PCA parameters.

● The bank committed to complying with the norms of minimum regulatory capital,

net NPA and leverage ratio on an ongoing basis.

What is Prompt Corrective Action (PCA)?

● It is a framework under which banks with weak financial metrics are put under

watch by the RBI.

● It was initiated by the RBI in 2002 to discipline banks when they report poor and

risky financial performance.

● The PCA framework deems banks as risky if they slip below certain norms on

three parameters — capital ratios, asset quality and profitability.

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Benefits

● As most bank activities are funded by deposits that need to be repaid, it is imperative that a bank carries a sufficient amount of capital to continue its activities.

● PCA is intended to help alert the regulator as well as investors and depositors if a bank is heading for trouble.

● It aims to check the problem of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) in the Indian banking sector.

Source: PIB

Science and Technology

Landsat 9 Syllabus:GS3/Space

In Context

● Recently, NASA has launched a satellite called Landsat 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

About Landsat 9

● It is an Earth monitoring satellite.

● Landsat-9 is the continuation of a series of Earth-observing spacecraft stretching back almost 50 years.

○ The first Landsat satellite was launched in 1972.

● The satellite is referred to as NASA’s’ new eye in the sky’ that will help study climate change.

● It is the most technologically advanced satellite of its generation. It can see more colour shades with greater depths than the previous satellites (Landsat series), helping scientists capture more details about our ever-changing planet.

● The instruments aboard Landsat 9 are the Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2) and the Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 (TIRS-2). They will measure different

wavelengths of light reflected off the Earth’s surface.

Applications

● Landsat images can be helpful to researchers in drought surveillance.

● During a forest fire, the Landsat images will capture the plumes of smoke and help study the extent of a burning.

● The satellite images can also help recovery experts plan sites for replanting.

● Landsat images can also help identify water bodies affected by potentially harmful algal blooms.

Source:IE

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