Current Affairs 19 September 2024

CONTENTS

1. Call for Stringent Legal Reforms and Social Change in India
2. 76th Anniversary of Operation Polo
3. Challenges in Achieving Road Safety Targets in India
4. Windfall tax
5. Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises Scheme
6. Promotion of Seaweed Farming in India
7. Anusandhan National Research Foundation

 Call for Stringent Legal Reforms and Social Change in India

Context:

In response to a significant increase in rape crimes throughout India, there has been a renewed outcry for sweeping legal reforms and alterations in societal attitudes towards sexual violence. The public and advocacy groups are pushing for more severe penalties for perpetrators, including the possibility of the death penalty for rape. These demands are part of a broader call for urgent measures to foster a safer environment for women, urging immediate action to address both legal inadequacies and cultural norms that perpetuate sexual violence.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Legal Framework on Rape in India: Comprehensive Overview
2. Sociocultural Factors Contributing to the Rise in Rape Cases in India
3. Factors Affecting Low Rape Conviction Rates in India
4. Persistent High Incidence

Legal Framework on Rape in India: Comprehensive Overview

• According to Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 rape is a non-consensual intercourse, detailing scenarios involving coercion, deception, or inability of the victim to consent due to age or incapacitation.
• Types of Rape:
  • Aggravated Rape: Involves persons in positions of authority.
  • Rape and Murder: Situations where the assault leads to the victim’s death or vegetative state.
  • Gang Rape: Involves multiple perpetrators.
  • Marital Rape: Non-consensual intercourse between spouses.

Legislative Measures:

• BNS, 2023: Updates and replaces the IPC, 1860, setting harsher penalties for severe offenses like gang rape of minors.
• Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 & 2018: Post-Nirbhaya case reforms, enhancing sentences, including capital punishment for certain cases.
• POCSO Act, 2012: Focuses on offenses against children including assault and exploitation.

Victim Rights and Protections:

• Right to Zero FIR: Enables immediate FIR registration at any police station.
• Free Medical Treatment: Mandated under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
• Prohibition of Two-Finger Test: Ensuring examinations respect victim’s dignity.
• Timely and Respectful Investigation: Must be woman-led where possible, and conducted in a victim-sensitive manner.
• Right to Compensation: Outlined under Section 357A of the CrPC, with details provided by the National Legal Services Authority.
• Trial Conditions: Trials to be conducted with the utmost respect to victim privacy, potentially overseen by a female judge.

Sociocultural Factors Contributing to the Rise in Rape Cases in India

Societal Normalization of Sexual Violence:

• Cultural Context: In India, there’s a sociological climate where sexual violence is often normalized or dismissed, which leads to an escalation in rape incidents.
• Trivialization: Casual or humorous remarks about sexual violence often diminish the severity of the issue and perpetuate the cycle of violence.
• Victim Blaming: Prevailing cultural norms often blame victims based on their attire or behavior during judicial processes, with a significant percentage of judges subscribing to these views.
• Shaming and Silence: Victims frequently face shaming which prevents them from reporting incidents, thereby indirectly increasing the prevalence of unreported cases.

Contributing Factors:

• Alcohol Consumption: Recognized as a contributing factor, excessive alcohol consumption often correlates with an increase in aggressive and violent behaviors.
• Media Portrayal: Films and television in India sometimes depict women in a manner that objectifies them, which can reinforce harmful stereotypes and contribute to societal rape culture.
• Demographic Imbalances: A notable disparity in the gender ratio, as evidenced in the 2011 Census, shows a lower number of women compared to men, creating an environment where sexual violence rates are statistically higher.
• Law Enforcement Dynamics: With only a small fraction of the police force being female, female victims may feel less comfortable seeking help or reporting their cases, which impedes justice and support for survivors.

Broader Implications:

• Domestic Violence: The normalization of domestic violence reflects broader societal tolerance towards sexual violence, diminishing the likelihood of victims receiving proper support or achieving justice.
• Misplaced Accountability: Societal tendencies to blame women for engaging in “immoral” behaviors like drinking or staying out late further victimize the survivors rather than addressing the actions of the perpetrators.
• Systemic Issues: A common misconception is that women can prevent harassment by altering their behavior, which diverts focus from necessary systemic reforms to protect women effectively.
• Silence and Stigma: Victims often remain silent due to fear of social stigma and personal humiliation, which perpetuates the abuse cycle and protects offenders.

Factors Affecting Low Rape Conviction Rates in India

Persistent High Incidence:

• Reported Cases: Annually, reported rape cases have consistently exceeded 30,000 since 2012, with a slight decrease noted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
• Conviction Rates: From 2018 to 2022, conviction rates fluctuated between 27%-28%, despite legislative efforts to impose stricter laws.

Systemic Issues in Law Enforcement:

• Corruption and Misconduct: Legal and law enforcement corruption can lead to mismanagement of cases, impacting the outcome of rape trials.
• Reporting Challenges: Fear of retaliation, distrust in the system, and societal stigma often deter victims from reporting assaults.
• Inconsistent Law Enforcement: Flaws in the application of laws, like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, lead to inadequate handling of sexual crimes, particularly against men and transgender individuals.
• Non-criminalization of Marital Rape: Perpetuates a rape culture by ignoring consent within marriage under traditional views of marital sanctity.

Judicial Inefficiencies:

• Evidence Issues: Poor evidence collection and inadequate investigations often weaken cases, hindering successful prosecution.
• Support Systems: Lack of psychological, legal, and medical support for survivors impacts their capability to pursue justice effectively.
• Judicial Delays: Overwhelmed courts and prolonged legal processes delay justice, diluting the potency of evidence and testimonies.
• Notable Cases: High-profile cases like the Nirbhaya case, despite being expedited, took over seven years to conclude, highlighting systemic inefficiencies.

Societal Barriers:

• Victim Blaming: Cultural tendencies to blame victims discourage them from engaging with the justice system.
• Withdrawal from Legal Processes: Survivors often withdraw from the process due to the fear of societal rejection and enduring stigma.

-Source: Indian Express

76th Anniversary of Operation Polo

Context:

India celebrated the 76th anniversary of Operation Polo on September 13, 2023. On this day in 1948, Indian Army launched military action to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Background of Operation Polo
2. Reasons for Launching Operation Polo
3. Operation Polo on the Ground

Background of Operation Polo

• Nizam’s Intentions: The Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Shah, expressed his desire to keep Hyderabad as an independent entity and did not wish to join India or Pakistan after Independence.
• Opportunity in Kashmir War: The Nizam took advantage of the fact that the Indian government became preoccupied with the Kashmir war soon after Independence.
• Standstill Agreement: The Nizam signed a standstill agreement with India in November 1947. This agreement implied that a status quo would be maintained between the Indian dominion and Hyderabad until a solution was reached. It was initially signed for a one-year period during which the Indian government would not exercise any authority over Hyderabad.

Reasons for Launching Operation Polo

• Geographical Significance of Hyderabad: Hyderabad, located in the Deccan, was one of the most populous and prosperous states in India. It encompassed 17 districts, including Aurangabad (now in Maharashtra) and Gulbarga (now in Karnataka).
• Desire for Relations with Pakistan: Despite not sharing a common border with Pakistan, the landlocked Hyderabad state had a predominantly Hindu population with Muslim rulers. The Nizam aimed to establish friendly relations with Pakistan.
• Actions of the Razakars: During this period, the Nizam’s administration capitalized on the standstill agreement with India. It expanded the Razakars, an irregular paramilitary force led by Maj Gen SA El Edroos, who was the Arab commander in chief of the Hyderabad state forces. The Razakars were created to support the Nizam’s rule and resisted Hyderabad’s integration into newly independent India.
• Razakar Atrocities: The Razakars, primarily composed of local radical Muslim volunteers loyal to the Nizam’s regime, carried out atrocities. They persecuted Hindus, forcibly converting them to Islam, and engaged in violence, including killing, raping women, and causing Hindu sympathizers to flee the state.
• Operation Polo was launched to bring an end to these issues and to integrate Hyderabad into the newly formed Indian Union.

Operation Polo on the Ground

• Indian Military Leadership: The Indian forces were under the leadership of Major General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri, who served as the General Officer Commanding of 1 Armoured Division.
• Ceasefire Announcement: The Nizam of Hyderabad announced a ceasefire on September 17, signaling a halt to hostilities.
• Entry into Hyderabad: On September 18, Major General Chaudhuri and his forces entered Hyderabad city.
• Surrender of Maj Gen El Edroos: Major General SA El Edroos, the Arab commander in chief of the Hyderabad state forces and leader of the Razakars, surrendered to Major General Chaudhuri.
• Appointment as Military Governor: Following the surrender and successful integration of Hyderabad into India, Major General Chaudhuri was appointed as the Military Governor of Hyderabad, overseeing the administrative transition of the region into the Indian Union.

-Source: Indian Express

Challenges in Achieving Road Safety Targets in India

Context:

The India Status Report on Road Safety 2024, conducted by IIT Delhi, underscores the limited headway India has made towards the international objectives aimed at curtailing road accident deaths. This report serves as a critical evaluation of the current measures and highlights the pressing need for enhanced strategies and implementations to significantly reduce the incidence of traffic-related fatalities in the nation.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Overview of Road Safety in India
2. Strategic Approaches for Enhancing Road Safety

Overview of Road Safety in India:

• Data Sources: Analysis based on FIRs from Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, along with state compliance audits regarding Supreme Court road safety mandates.
• Mortality and Health Impact: Road traffic injuries ranked as the 13th leading cause of death and the 12th leading cause of health deterioration in India in 2021, as per Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).

Regional Disparities in Road Safety:

• Variability: Significant differences in road traffic death rates exist across various states.
• High and Low Rates: Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh witnessed the highest death rates, while West Bengal and Bihar had the lowest in 2021.
• Contribution to Fatalities: States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu contribute to nearly half of all road traffic fatalities in India.

Vulnerabilities and Safety Measures:

• Most Vulnerable Users: Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorised two-wheeler riders face the greatest risks, with trucks causing the most accidents.
• Helmet Usage: Less than half of the motorised two-wheeler riders wear helmets consistently across only seven states.
• Safety Audits: Only a few states have conducted comprehensive audits on more than half of their National Highways.

Deficiencies in Road Safety:

• Safety Infrastructure: Essential safety features like traffic calming, road markings, and signage are poorly implemented in most regions.
• Helmet and Trauma Care: Helmet usage in rural areas remains low and trauma care facilities are lacking, indicating a need for improvement.

Goals and Comparisons:

• UN Safety Goals: Most states are not on track to meet the UN’s road safety target of halving traffic-related deaths by 2030.
• International Comparison: The report draws comparisons with countries like Sweden, which have superior road safety measures.
• Rising Fatalities: The likelihood of road fatalities in India has dramatically increased from 1990 to 2021, highlighting a significant rise in road accidents.

Strategic Approaches for Enhancing Road Safety:

• Integrated Strategy: Encourage collaboration among transportation, health, and law enforcement sectors to form comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries.
• Incremental Safety Measures: Implement essential safety practices such as universal helmet use, adherence to traffic regulations, and regular vehicle maintenance.

Data Utilization and Accessibility:

• National Database Development: Construct a detailed and accessible national database to aid policymakers, researchers, and law enforcement in monitoring and analyzing traffic trends and pinpointing areas of risk.
• Transparency and Accountability: Ensure public access to the national traffic data repository to improve transparency and accountability among all stakeholders involved in road safety.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuously track and analyze traffic accident statistics to evaluate the effectiveness of road safety measures, legal changes, and infrastructural developments.

Technological Advancements in Road Safety:

• Technology Integration: Employ advanced technologies including AI for traffic analysis, smart traffic signs, and sophisticated data analytics to bolster road safety measures integrated into the national database.

-Source: The Hindu

Windfall Tax

Context:

The government recently slashed the windfall tax on domestically produced crude oil to ‘nil’ per tonne.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is a windfall tax?
2. Why are countries levying windfall taxes now?

What is a windfall tax?

• Windfall taxes are designed to tax the profits a company derives from an external, sometimes unprecedented event — for instance, the energy price-rise as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• These are profits that cannot be attributed to something the firm actively did, like an investment strategy or an expansion of business.
  • The U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) defines a windfall as an “unearned, unanticipated gain in income through no additional effort or expense”.
• Governments typically levy this as a one-off tax retrospectively over and above the normal rates of tax.
• One area where such taxes have routinely been discussed is oil markets, where price fluctuation leads to volatile or erratic profits for the industry.
• There have been varying rationales for governments worldwide to introduce windfall taxes, from redistribution of unexpected gains when high prices benefit producers at the expense of consumers, to funding social welfare schemes, and as a supplementary revenue stream for the government.

Why are countries levying windfall taxes now?

• Prices of oil, gas, and coal have seen sharp increases since last year and in the first two quarters of the current year, although they have reduced recently.
• Pandemic recovery and supply issues resulting from the Russia-Ukraine conflict shored up energy demands, which in turn have driven up global prices.
• The rising prices meant huge and record profits for energy companies while resulting in hefty gas and electricity bills for households in major and smaller economies. Since the gains stemmed partly from external change, multiple analysts have called them windfall profits.

-Source: The Hindu

Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises Scheme

Context:

Women-owned micro and small enterprises will get enhanced credit guarantee coverage of 90 percent under the CGTMSE scheme, after its board approved the new guidelines recently.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Overview of CGTMSE:

• Launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (M/o MSME) and operational since January 2000.
• Aims to boost institutional credit accessibility to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), particularly those that are unserved or underserved within the MSME sector.

Key Features:

• Launch Date: Officially started on August 30, 2000.
• Target Group: Focuses on providing credit to new entrepreneurs and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds lacking collateral or third-party guarantees.
• Collaborative Establishment: Developed jointly by M/o MSME and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

Funding Structure:

• Financial Support: Funded by contributions from the Government of India and SIDBI, maintaining a 4:1 ratio in favor of government support.

Eligibility and Lending Parameters:

• Eligible Institutions:
  • Includes Scheduled commercial banks, certain Regional Rural Banks, National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), SIDBI, selected Small Finance banks, and NBFCs.
• Credit Facilities:
  • Offers collateral-free credit support up to Rs. 5 crores.
  • Guarantee coverage varies by enterprise size and borrower category, providing up to 85% coverage for micro-enterprises for credits up to Rs. 5 lakhs, and 75% for larger amounts up to Rs. 500 lakhs.
  • Enhanced coverage for businesses in the North East Region and special categories such as women-owned MSMEs, SC/ST entrepreneurs, and businesses in Aspirational Districts.

In Event of Default:

• Settlement Provisions: The trust handles claims by covering up to 75%, with specific cases allowing for 85% or 80% coverage, based on the borrower’s category.

-Source: The Hindu

Promotion of Seaweed Farming in India

Context:

The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has officially recognized the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) as a Centre of Excellence for seaweed cultivation.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Seaweeds

• Seaweeds refer to a diverse group of marine plants and algae found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and other aquatic environments.
• These organisms come in various colors including red, green, brown, and black, ranging from tiny forms to expansive underwater forests.

Anchorage and Growth

• Seaweeds attach to substrates using root-like structures called “holdfasts,” which solely serve for anchorage without nutrient absorption, unlike terrestrial plant roots.
• Typically, seaweeds exhibit distinct zonation patterns, thriving in shallow waters up to 50 meters (approximately 165 feet) deep.

Utilization and Benefits

• Culinary and Commercial Use: Many seaweed types are edible and hold significant commercial value.
• Agricultural Application: Often utilized as fertilizers or for their polysaccharide content.
• Health Benefits:
  • Antioxidant Properties: Seaweeds are rich in antioxidants that shield the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
  • Fat Metabolism: Studies indicate that certain compounds in seaweeds boost the production of proteins that effectively metabolize fat.
  • Diabetes Management: Consuming seaweed may regulate blood sugar levels, aiding in diabetes management.
  • Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial: Contains compounds that offer anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits.
• Industrial Uses:
  • Manufacturing Additives: Used as binding agents or emulsifiers in products like toothpaste and fruit jellies.
  • Cosmetic Applications: Act as softening agents in various organic skincare and cosmetic products.

-Source: The Hindu

Anusandhan National Research Foundation

Context:

Recently, the first meeting of the governing board of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was chaired by the Prime Minister. 

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Anusandhan National Research Foundation Overview

• It aims to bolster India’s research potential and nurture a robust research culture across academic and research institutions.
• Launching several key programs including the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR), Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA), and ANRF Centres of Excellence (ACE).

Key Programs and Strategies

• PAIR (Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research):
  • Purpose: To cultivate partnerships between leading and emerging research institutions.
  • Structure: Operates on a Hub and Spoke model to maximize collaborative research efforts.
• MAHA (Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas):
  • Focus: Prioritizes rapid development in crucial sectors such as EV Mobility and Advanced Materials.
  • Approach: Driven by a solution-oriented and priority-focused research methodology.
• ANRF Centres of Excellence:
  • Goal: To establish premier research facilities that offer advanced infrastructure for cutting-edge studies across various disciplines.

Funding and Legislative Support

• Establishment: Formed under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023.
• Mandate: To seed, expand, and perpetuate a culture of innovation and research nationally.

-Source: The Hindu