Current Affairs 05 September 2024

CONTENTS

1. Supreme Court Inquiry into Open Prisons
2. World Bank Raises India’s GDP Growth Forecast
3. Impact of OPEC+ Production Cuts on Global Oil Markets and Indian Energy Security
4. New India Literacy Programme
5. Review Petition
6. Konyak Tribe

Supreme Court Inquiry into Open Prisons

Context:

The Supreme Court of India has issued a mandate to several states and Union Territories, requiring them to submit detailed reports on the operations of open prisons. This order is a response to escalating concerns about overcrowding in traditional prisons, highlighting the need for transparency and effectiveness in the management of these less restrictive facilities.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Why the Supreme Court Advocates for Open Prisons
2. Understanding Open Prisons
3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Open Prisons

Why the Supreme Court Advocates for Open Prisons

• The Supreme Court views open prisons as a potential remedy for the chronic overcrowding issues in conventional prisons.
• These prisons aim to mitigate the psychological strains on inmates, helping them reintegrate smoothly into society post-incarceration.
• Transitioning inmates to open prisons reduces the load on high-security facilities, often plagued by severe overcrowding.
• The Court emphasizes thorough knowledge and application of open prison systems by states and union territories to enhance correctional strategies.

Understanding Open Prisons

• Open prisons are less restrictive facilities that lack the stringent security measures like high walls and barbed wire, focusing instead on inmate self-discipline and community engagement.
• These institutions operate on the reformative theory of justice, which prioritizes rehabilitating inmates rather than merely punishing them.
• The first open prison in India was established in 1905 in the Bombay Presidency, originally using inmates for unpaid public labor. This concept evolved significantly post-independence, with a shift towards reformation and rehabilitation encouraged by constitutional rulings.

Types and Features of Open Prisons

• Variety of Institutions: Open prisons vary from semi-open institutions attached to closed facilities, to work camps and open colonies where inmates can live with their families and engage in normal employment.
• Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility for transfer to open prisons generally requires inmates to demonstrate good behavior and a commitment to rehabilitation, as evidenced by their conduct within closed prisons.

Legal and International Context

• Regulatory Framework: The governance of prisons in India falls under the state list as per the Indian Constitution, with each state adopting its own regulations as guided by the Prisons Act, 1894, and Prisoners Act, 1900.
• Global Perspective: Open prisons are a long-standing element of international correctional systems, with examples in Switzerland and the UK demonstrating their effectiveness since the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Global Advocacy and Recommendations

• UN Endorsement: The UN’s Nelson Mandela Rules advocate for open prisons as they facilitate better rehabilitation opportunities and respect for prisoners’ rights.
• Judicial and Human Rights Advocacy: Various judicial decisions and recommendations, including those from the Supreme Court of India and the National Human Rights Commission, have supported the expansion of open prisons to alleviate overcrowding and improve the correctional system’s effectiveness.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Open Prisons

Advantages of Open Prisons:

• Reduces operational costs compared to traditional prisons.
• Helps alleviate overcrowding in conventional prisons.
• Enhances the psychological and mental well-being of inmates.
• Requires fewer staff than closed prisons.
• Promotes rehabilitation and successful societal reintegration.
• Potentially lowers recidivism rates.
• Provides opportunities for inmates to secure employment.
• Encourages socialization and interaction with the external community.
• Emulates Gandhian values, fostering moral development and cooperative living.
• Benefits crime survivors and communities by demonstrating offender transformation.

Disadvantages of Open Prisons:

• Lacks modern facilities and sufficient funding.
• Underutilized due to poor awareness and acceptability.
• Some inmates may become dependent on the open environment, causing reluctance to leave.
• Challenges in reallocating staff due to shortages.
• Outdated laws and lack of provisions for under-trial prisoners; inconsistent rules across states.
• Critics argue it may not effectively reduce recidivism.
• Difficulty in securing employment due to remote prison locations.
• Insufficient facilities for female prisoners in many areas.
• Non-transparent selection process can lead to bias and corruption.
• Issues with security, discipline, and perceived leniency by critics.

World Bank Raises India’s GDP Growth Forecast

Context:

The World Bank has updated its economic growth projection for India in fiscal year 2025, increasing the GDP growth rate to 7% from the earlier forecast of 6.6%. This upward revision is attributed to significant growth in household real estate investments and heightened investments in infrastructure.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Highlights of the World Bank’s Forecast on the Indian Economy
2. Opportunities and Challenges for the Indian Economy

Highlights of the World Bank’s Forecast on the Indian Economy

Economic Growth Trends

• Current Growth: India, being the fastest-growing major economy, achieved an 8.2% growth rate last fiscal year and is projected to grow at 7% this fiscal year and 6.7% in FY26.
• Industrial Sector: Industrial growth is anticipated to decelerate slightly from 7.6% in FY25 to 7.3% in FY26, recovering from a post-COVID high of 9.5% in FY24.
• Capital Formation: Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) is expected to slow down to 7.8% in FY25 from 9.0% in FY24, having been at 6.6% in FY23.
• Service Sector: Amid a global dip in IT investment, growth in the service sector is expected to decrease from 7.6% in FY24 to 7.4% in FY25 and further to 7.1% in FY26.
• Agriculture: Agricultural growth is set to see a significant rise to 4.1% in FY25 from 1.4% in FY24.
• Trade: Export growth is forecasted at 7.2% in FY25, with import growth slowing to 4.1% from 10.9% in FY24.

Opportunities and Challenges for the Indian Economy

Export Sector

• Expansion: There’s potential to enhance exports in electronics, green technology, textiles, garments, and footwear alongside traditional strengths in IT, business services, and pharmaceuticals.
• Competitive Setbacks: India is losing ground in labor-intensive sectors like apparel and footwear, with its global market share in apparel exports declining from 4% in 2018 to 3% in 2022.
• Global Standing: Countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Poland, Germany, and France have increased their global export shares by up to 2% from 2015 to 2022.

Trade Barriers

• Protectionism: The global market has seen a rise in protectionism, which poses both challenges and opportunities for India.
• Competitiveness: Initiatives like the National Logistics Policy have helped reduce trade costs, enhancing India’s market competitiveness.
• Investment Hurdles: Increased tariffs and non-tariff barriers could impede trade-focused investments.

Current Account Deficit (CAD)

• Recent Trends: The CAD was relatively low at 0.7% in FY24 but is projected to widen progressively from 1.1% in FY25 to 1.6% in FY27.
• Foreign Reserves: India’s foreign exchange reserves hit a peak of $670.1 billion in August 2023, providing substantial financial cushioning.

Employment

• Youth Unemployment: Despite being a fast-growing economy, urban youth unemployment remains high at 17%.
• Trade Jobs: There has been a decline in jobs directly and indirectly related to international trade.
• Opportunity Loss: The exit of China from certain manufacturing sectors presents a missed opportunity for India to fill these gaps.
• Strategic Integration: Deeper integration into global value chains could foster job creation and spur innovation and productivity growth.

Impact of OPEC+ Production Cuts on Global Oil Markets and Indian Energy Security

Context:

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) recently decided to reduce oil production, a move that has stirred concerns about global oil market stability and the security of India’s energy supply. In light of this, as India’s fuel consumption is anticipated to surge from approximately 4.8 million barrels per day in 2024 to 6.6 million barrels by 2028, the country may be compelled to increasingly source crude oil from the Americas. This shift underscores significant adjustments in the dynamics of global oil trade, reflecting broader geopolitical and economic implications.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Reasons for OPEC+ Oil Production Reductions:
2. Implications for India
3. About Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Reasons for OPEC+ Oil Production Reductions:

• Market Stability: OPEC+ is reducing oil production to stabilize and elevate oil prices by addressing the varying demand and surplus.
• Revenue Enhancement: The strategy is to boost revenue for oil-producing nations amidst economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.
• Competition from Non-OPEC+ Nations: The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a substantial rise in crude supply from countries like the USA, Canada, Brazil, and Guyana, which pressures OPEC’s market share.
• Geopolitical Influences: Conflicts in the Middle East, disruptions in shipping, and sanctions on Russian crude exports have also significantly influenced oil supply and pricing.
• Sustainability Goals: OPEC+ is working towards maintaining sustainable production levels to prevent market collapses that happen when supply overshadows demand.

Implications of OPEC+ Oil Production Reductions:

• Global Oil Prices: Diminished output from OPEC+ is likely to drive up global oil prices, which can inflate costs for importing nations, influencing inflation rates and economic growth.

Implications for India:

• Diversification of Supply Sources: With the reduction in OPEC+ production, India might enhance its crude oil imports from non-OPEC+ nations like the US, Canada, Brazil, and Guyana. This strategy aims to reduce dependence on West Asian crude oil, providing a more diverse import base.
• Energy Security vs. Cost Volatility: While diversifying suppliers could bolster energy security for India, it also exposes the country to potential price volatilities in these new markets, possibly leading to increased import bills and affecting the trade balance.
• Impact on the Economy: As the third-largest consumer of crude oil globally and with an import dependency over 85%, higher oil prices could strain the Indian economy, particularly impacting sectors dependent on oil, leading to increased transportation costs and broader economic instability.

About Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

• The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is an intergovernmental organization of 14 nations, founded in 1960 in Baghdad by the first five members (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela), and headquartered since 1965 in Vienna, Austria.
• As of 2018, the 14 member countries accounted for an estimated 44 percent of global oil production and almost 82% of the world’s “proven” oil reserves, giving OPEC a major influence on global oil prices that were previously determined by the so-called “Seven Sisters” grouping of multinational oil companies.
• The stated mission of the organization is to “coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries and ensure the stabilization of oil markets, in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers, and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry.”

What is OPEC+?

• OPEC + countries are non-OPEC countries that export crude oil alongside the 14 OPEC countries.
• Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan, and Sudan are among the OPEC plus countries.

What are their goals?

• The OPEC and non OPEC producers first formed the alliance at a historic meeting in Algiers in 2016.
• The aim was to undertake production restrictions to help resuscitate a flailing market.

New India Literacy Programme

Context:

In order to push for adult literacy under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) has defined “literacy” and what it means to achieve “full literacy” in a letter to all States.

Relevance:

GS II- Education

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Literacy under NILP
2. About New India Literacy Programme
3. Objectives of the scheme
4. Salient Features of the scheme

Literacy under NILP

• Definition of Literacy: The Ministry of Education (MoE) defines literacy as the capability to read, write, and perform arithmetic tasks with understanding. Additionally, it involves identifying, understanding, interpreting, and creating content, as well as acquiring vital life skills like digital and financial literacy.
• Full Literacy: A State or Union Territory (UT) achieves full literacy status when it records a 95% literacy rate.
• Literacy Certification Criteria: Under the National Initiative for Literacy Promotion (NILP), an individual is recognized as literate upon successfully passing the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).
• FLNAT Details:
  • Purpose: The FLNAT evaluates essential reading, writing, and numeracy skills to establish foundational literacy.
  • Locations: Conducted across all participating States/UTs within District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and government-supported or aided schools.
  • Multilingual Support: The test promotes multilingualism, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, by being available in various regional languages.
  • Certification: Participants are certified as literate upon passing this test.
• Performance Insights:
  • 2023 Outcome: Of the 39,94,563 adult learners assessed, 36,17,303 were declared literate, translating to a certification rate of 85.27% in 2024.

About New India Literacy Programme

• The scheme will cover non-literates of the age of 15 years and above in all state/UTs in the country.
• The scheme will be implemented through volunteerism through online mode.
• The training, orientation, workshops of volunteers, may be organized through face-to-face mode.
• All material and resources shall be provided digitally for easy access to registered volunteers through easily accessible digital modes, viz, TV, radio, cell phone-based free/open-source Apps/portals, etc. 
• The target for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy for FYs 2022-27 is 5 (five) crore learners @ 1.00 crore per year by using “Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment System (OTLAS)” in collaboration with National Informatics Centre, NCERT and NIOS in which a learner may register him/herself with essential information like name, date of birth, gender, Aadhaar number, mobile number etc.
• As a progressive step, it has also been decided that from now onwards that the term “Education For All” will be used in place of “Adult Education” by the Ministry in view of the fact that the terminology “Adult Education” is not incorporating appropriately all non-literates of 15 years and above age group.

Objectives of the scheme

• To impart foundational literacy and numeracy
• To impart critical life skills (including financial literacy, digital literacy, commercial skills, health care and awareness, child care and education, and family welfare);
• Vocational skills development (with a view towards obtaining local employment);
• Basic education (including preparatory, middle, and secondary stage equivalency);
• Continuing education (including engaging holistic adult education courses in arts, sciences, technology, culture, sports, and recreation, as well as other topics of interest or use to local learners, such as more advanced material on critical life skills).

 Salient Features of the scheme

• School will be Unit for implementation of the scheme.
• Schools to be used for conducting survey of beneficiaries and Voluntary Teachers (VTs).
• Different strategies are to be adopted for different age cohorts. Flexibility for States/UTs will be provided to undertake innovative activities.
• Use of Technologies to impart Adult Education for wider coverage of the scheme.
• Performance Grading Index (PGI) for State/UT and district level will show the performance of States and UTs to implement the scheme and achievements on yearly basis by weighing both the physical and financial progress through UDISE portal.
• CSR/Philanthropic Support may be received by hosting ICT support, providing volunteer support, opening facilitation centres for learners and for providing IT access to economically weak learners in the form of cell phones, etc
• There will be involvement of community, participation of philanthropic/CSR organizations through volunteerism and through Vidyanjali portal.
• States/UTs will promote individual/ family/ village/ district success stories through various platforms.
• It will utilize all types of media – Electronic, Print, Folk & Inter-personal platforms including social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TV channels, radio, etc.
• Annual Achievement Survey of Learning Outcomes by samples of 500-1000 randomly selected learners from each state/UT and Outcome-Output Monitoring Framework (OOMF).

Need for this scheme

• As per Census 2011, the absolute number of non-literates of the country in 15 years and above age group is 25.76 crore (Male 9.08 crore, Female 16.68 crore).
• Even after the Saakshar Bharat programme implemented during 2009-10 to 2017-18, it is estimated that currently around 18.12 crore adults are still non-literate in India.

Review Petition

Context:

A group of medical students recently filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss their writ petition, which sought to cancel the NEET UG 2024 examination.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Review Petitions:

Concept and Applicability:

• Functus Officio Doctrine: Post-judgment, a case is typically considered closed under this doctrine, prohibiting its reopening.
• Exception for Review: The doctrine allows for exceptions where a review petition can be filed to re-examine the case.

Supreme Court’s Authority:

• Article 137 Empowerment: Empowers the Supreme Court to review its decisions to address significant errors but not minor inaccuracies.
• High Courts’ Review Powers: Under Article 226, High Courts can also review their judgments if there’s a legal breach or constitutional violation.

Grounds for Review:

• Established Criteria: The Supreme Court recognizes three main grounds for review:
  • Discovery of new, critical information or evidence previously unavailable.
  • Obvious errors on the face of the record.
  • Any sufficiently analogous reason to the above two.

Review Procedure:

• Eligibility to File: Not restricted to parties of the case; any aggrieved individual can file a review petition.
• Filing Deadline: Must be submitted within 30 days from the judgment or order date.
• Review Mechanism:
  • Conducted without oral arguments, generally reviewed through circulation among judges.
  • Aimed to be handled by the same bench that issued the original judgment unless impractical.
• Outcome of Review:
  • Petitions lacking in substantial merit are typically rejected.
  • Dismissed petitions allow for the filing of a curative petition as a further recourse.

Konyak Tribe

Context:

The Konyak Union, apex body of the Konyak community, has sought the Nagaland government’s intervention in rectifying the “erroneous” boundary line between the State’s Mon district and Assam’s Charaideo district on Google Maps.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Konyak Tribe:

Geographic Distribution:

• Predominantly resides in Nagaland’s Mon district, and extends into Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Etymology and Social Structure:

• Name Origin: Derived from ‘Whao’ (head) and ‘Nyak’ (black), referring to ‘men with black hair’.
• Clans: Divided into two main groups: “Thendu” (Tattooed Face) and “Thentho” (White Face).

Cultural Identity:

• Ethnicity: Belongs to the Mongoloid race.
• Religion: Predominantly Christian, with about 95% adherence among the population.
• Language: Speaks the Konyak language, part of the Northern Naga subgroup within the Sino-Tibetan Sal subfamily.

Cultural Practices:

• Festivals: Key celebrations include Aolingmonyu, Aonyimo, and Laoun-ongmo, central to community cohesion and cultural identity.
• Craftsmanship: Renowned for their expertise in traditional gunsmithing, basketry, and other handicrafts utilizing cane, bamboo, and brass.

Societal Organization:

• Family Structure: Operates under a patriarchal system where the eldest son typically inherits family assets.