Current Affairs 15 March 2024

CONTENTS

1. France Enshrines Abortion Rights in Constitution
2. On judges and Bureaucrats Joining Politics
3. Gujarat’s Dairy Union Converts Dung to BioCNG
4. Supreme Court Considers Tiger Safari in Uttarakhand
5. Atmospheric Research Testbed
6. Devin AI
7. Prasar Bharti – Shared Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination (PB-SHABD)

France Enshrines Abortion Rights in Constitution

Context:

Recently, French lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a bill to enshrine abortion rights in France’s constitution, making it the only country to explicitly guarantee a woman’s right to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy. The approved bill amends Article 34 of the French Constitution, explicitly stating that “the law determines the conditions by which the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed.” This historic decision reflects France’s commitment to women’s reproductive rights and ensures legal protection for the freedom to choose abortion.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Understanding Abortion
2. Abortion law in India
3. Concerns related to abortion include

Understanding Abortion

• Abortion refers to the intentional termination of a pregnancy, usually within the first 28 weeks of gestation. The method used may vary depending on factors such as gestational age and individual preferences.
• The subject of abortion is highly contentious, often sparking debates involving ethical, moral, religious, and legal considerations.

Arguments in Favor of Abortion

• Proponents of abortion rights advocate for it as a fundamental reproductive right, enabling individuals to make decisions regarding their bodies, health, and future.
• They stress the importance of ensuring access to safe and legal abortion services to prevent unwanted pregnancies, safeguard women’s health, and uphold reproductive autonomy.

Arguments Against Abortion

• Opponents of abortion, commonly known as “pro-life,” oppose it on moral grounds, contending that it is morally reprehensible and should be either restricted or entirely prohibited.
• They assert that life begins at conception and view abortion as akin to ending a human life, thus violating the rights of the unborn fetus.

Abortion law in India

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971

• The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 provides the legal framework for making CAC services available in India.
• Termination of pregnancy is permitted for a broad range of conditions up to 20 weeks of gestation as detailed below:
  • When continuation of pregnancy is a risk to the life of a pregnant woman or could cause grave injury to her physical or mental health;
  • When there is substantial risk that the child, if born, would be seriously handicapped due to physical or mental abnormalities;
  • When pregnancy is caused due to rape (presumed to cause grave injury to the mental health of the woman);
  • When pregnancy is caused due to failure of contraceptives used by a married woman or her husband (presumed to constitute grave injury to mental health of the woman).

The MTP Act specifies

• who can terminate a pregnancy;
• till when a pregnancy can be terminated; and
• where can a pregnancy be terminated.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Act, 2021

• The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act allows termination of pregnancy by a medical practitioner in two stages.
• After a crucial amendment in 2021, for pregnancies up to 20 weeks, termination is allowed under the opinion of one registered medical practitioner.
• For pregnancies between 20-24 weeks, the Rules attached to the law prescribe certain criteria in terms of who can avail termination. It also requires the opinion of two registered medical practitioners in this case.
• For pregnancies within 20 weeks, termination can be allowed if:
  • the continuance of the pregnancy would involve a risk to the life of the pregnant woman or of grave injury to her physical or mental health; or
  • there is a substantial risk that if the child was born, it would suffer from any serious physical or mental abnormality.
• The explanation to the provision states that termination within 20 weeks is allowed “where any pregnancy occurs as a result of failure of any device or method used by any woman or her partner for the purpose of limiting the number of children or preventing pregnancy, the anguish caused by such pregnancy may be presumed to constitute a grave injury to the mental health of the pregnant woman”.
  • The phrase “any woman or her partner” was also introduced in 2021 in place of the earlier “married woman or her husband”. By eliminating the word “married woman or her husband” from the scheme of the MTP Act, the legislature intended to clarify the scope of Section 3 and bring pregnancies which occur outside the institution of marriage within the protective umbrella of the law.
• For both stages — within 20 weeks and between 20-24 weeks — termination is allowed “where any pregnancy is alleged by the pregnant woman to have been caused by rape, the anguish caused by the pregnancy shall be presumed to constitute a grave injury to the mental health of the pregnant woman”.

Who falls in the category of women allowed to terminate pregnancy between 20-24 weeks?

• For pregnancies between 20-24 weeks, Section 3B of the Rules under the MTP Act lists seven categories of women:
  • Survivors of sexual assault or rape or incest;
  • Minors;
  • Change of marital status during the ongoing pregnancy (widowhood and divorce);
  • Women with physical disabilities (major disability as per criteria laid down under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016);
  • Mentally ill women including mental retardation;
  • The foetal malformation that has substantial risk of being incompatible with life or if the child is born it may suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities to be seriously handicapped;
  • Women with pregnancy in humanitarian settings or disaster or emergency situations as may be declared by the Government.

Concerns related to abortion include:

• Maternal Mortality: Unsafe abortions contribute significantly to maternal mortality, with it being the third leading cause of maternal deaths in India. Approximately 8 women die each day due to complications related to unsafe abortions, according to the UNFPA’s State of the World Population Report 2022.
• Access to Safe Abortions: Women, especially those from poor families or unmarried women, may resort to unsafe or illegal methods to terminate unwanted pregnancies due to lack of access to safe abortion services. This poses serious health risks to them.
• Sex-Selective Abortions: In regions where male children are culturally preferred over female children, sex-selective abortions are a significant concern. This practice, driven by gender bias, contributes to skewed sex ratios and perpetuates gender inequality. Countries like India, China, and Pakistan have been particularly affected by this issue.
• High Incidence of Abortions: According to a study published in the Lancet, India witnesses approximately 15.6 million abortions annually as of 2015. This high incidence of abortions highlights the need for comprehensive reproductive health services, including access to contraception and safe abortion services.
• Shortage of Qualified Providers: While the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act mandates that abortions should be performed only by qualified doctors specializing in gynaecology or obstetrics, there is a severe shortage of such healthcare providers in rural areas. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s report on Rural Health Statistics indicates a 70% shortage of obstetrician-gynaecologists in rural India, which hampers access to safe abortion services in these areas.

-Source: The Hindu

On Judges and Bureaucrats Joining Politics

Context:

The recent resignations of a Calcutta High Court judge and a senior IPS officer in West Bengal, followed by their subsequent entry into political parties, have sparked widespread debate and concern. Questions have arisen regarding the ethical implications of constitutional authorities and government officials joining political parties upon leaving their positions. The issue highlights the delicate balance between the judiciary, law enforcement, and the political sphere, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of public institutions.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Existing Constitutional Restrictions
2. Restrictions on Gaining Political Posts
3. Various Recommendations and Cooling off Period

Existing Constitutional Restrictions:

Rationale – Principle of Checks and Balances:

• The Constitution of India is founded on the principle of checks and balances among its various organs.
• The executive branch is accountable to the legislature, and both are subject to oversight by an independent judiciary.
• Other independent bodies such as the Election Commission, Public Service Commission, and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) play vital roles in maintaining democratic integrity and governance.
• To safeguard the independence of these institutions, the Constitution provides for fixed tenures, financial autonomy, stringent removal procedures, and post-retirement restrictions.

Specific Constitutional Restrictions:

• Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts:
  • Judges of the Supreme Court are prohibited from practicing law before any court or authority in India after retiring from office.
  • Similar restrictions apply to judges of High Courts, except for appearances before the Supreme Court or other High Courts.
• Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and Public Service Commission Members:
  • The CAG and members of the Public Service Commission are barred from taking up any employment with the Central or State governments after demitting office.

Purpose of Restrictions:

• These restrictions aim to prevent conflicts of interest and favoritism towards the government during the tenure of these positions, with the intent of securing post-retirement benefits.

Restrictions on Gaining Political Posts:

• There are no explicit restrictions on individuals holding independent constitutional posts from joining political parties, contesting elections, or being nominated to certain political posts.
• Instances abound where individuals who previously held independent constitutional positions have transitioned into political roles or been nominated to political offices.

Examples:

• Two Supreme Court judges resigned from their posts in 1967 and 1983 to contest presidential and parliamentary elections, respectively, from Assam.
• Another Supreme Court judge joined a political party in Tamil Nadu and contested elections five years after retiring in 1999.
• A former Chief Election Commissioner became a member of the Rajya Sabha and a Minister in 2004, three years after retiring.
• Recently, a retired Chief Justice of India was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2020, merely four months after retirement.
• Retired CAGs and judges have also been appointed as Governors of States.
• Numerous bureaucrats have joined political parties and contested elections after resigning from service or shortly after retirement.

Various Recommendations and Cooling off Period:

• The Election Commission (EC) proposed in 2012 that the Union government implement a cooling-off period for senior bureaucrats after retirement before they could engage in political activities or contest elections.
• However, the government rejected this suggestion based on the Attorney General’s opinion, which argued that such a provision might not align with constitutional principles and democratic values.
• In May 2022, the Supreme Court dismissed a writ petition seeking legislative action to enact a law mandating a cooling-off period for retired bureaucrats before they enter politics. The court emphasized that the decision on this matter lies within the purview of the legislature.

Arguments Against the Cooling off Period:

• Fundamental to democracy is every citizen’s right to participate in elections.
• The Attorney General highlighted that maintaining independence and neutrality is pertinent during a person’s tenure in service.
• While there are existing rules preventing senior bureaucrats from taking up private employment immediately after retirement to avoid conflicts of interest, imposing similar restrictions on their participation in elections might not be justifiable under democratic principles.

-Source: The Hindu

Gujarat’s Dairy Union Converts Dung to BioCNG

Context:

The Banaskantha District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union in Gujarat has embarked on a transformative initiative to convert dung into BioCNG (compressed natural gas) and fertilizer, thereby supplementing farmers’ income. This innovative project not only addresses waste management challenges but also creates new revenue streams for dairy farmers. The BioCNG outlet, situated on the Deesa-Tharad highway in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, stands as a pioneering venture, being India’s first and only gas-filling station operating on dung sourced from cattle and buffaloes.

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Harnessing the Value of Dung in Farming
2. Key Challenges to Address

Harnessing the Value of Dung in Farming

Dung Production and Composition:

• An adult bovine animal produces 15-20 kg of fresh dung daily, while calves yield 5-10 kg.
• Fresh dung, containing 80-85% water, weighs only 200 grams per kg when dried.

Biogas Production from Dung:

• Methane in fresh dung, crucial for biogas production, is obtained through anaerobic digestion.
• Bacteria-like microbes in the bovine’s rumen produce methane during the fermentation of plant material.
• The digestion involves four successive stages: hydrolysis (break-down of organic matter into simple molecules), acidogenesis (their conversion into volatile fatty acids), acetogenesis (production of acetic acid, CO2 and hydrogen) and methanogenesis (biogas generation).
• Biogas digesters reduce methane emissions, aiding in greenhouse gas mitigation.

Biogas Purification and Compression:

• Raw biogas undergoes purification to remove CO2, H2S, and moisture.
• The purified biogas, compressed to 96-97% methane, is sold as BioCNG at Rs 72/kg.

Utilization of Slurry for Fertilizer:

• After biogas extraction, the slurry is dewatered and separated.
• The solid residue is decomposed and sold as PROM (phosphate-rich organic manure)  or used for compost production.
• The liquid portion is reused or sold as liquid-fermented organic manure.

Scalability and Replicability:

• The BioCNG model is scalable and replicable, utilizing dung from district member unions.
• Gujarat’s Kaira Union’s decentralised model targets 10,000 Flexi Biogas plant installations.
• Individual farmers can benefit from smaller Flexi plants for personal use and potential income generation.

Key Challenges to Address

• Ensuring Organic Feedstock Supply: Consistent access to high-quality organic feedstock for animals is crucial for sustained biogas production.
• Effective Waste Segregation and Collection: Implementation of efficient waste segregation and collection systems is necessary to ensure a steady supply of feedstock.
• Lack of Knowledge and Resources: Individual farmers and smaller cooperatives may lack the expertise and resources for proper maintenance and monitoring of BioCNG plants.
• Training and Technical Support: Training programs, technical support, and standardized operating procedures are essential for ensuring the efficient operation of BioCNG plants.
• Access to Financing Options: Financial barriers can hinder the establishment of BioCNG plants, highlighting the need for subsidies, grants, or low-interest loans.
• Skilled Labour and Infrastructure: Addressing the shortage of skilled labor and infrastructure requires public-private partnerships, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Efficient Storage and Distribution: Efficient storage systems and distribution networks are necessary to ensure the reliable supply of BioCNG to end-users.
• Overcoming Misconceptions: Overcoming misconceptions about the safety and hygiene of dung gas is crucial for widespread adoption, necessitating educational outreach and demonstration of the process’s cleanliness and safety.

-Source: The Hindu

Supreme Court Considers Tiger Safari in Uttarakhand

Context:

The Supreme Court has shown a favorable inclination towards approving the establishment of a Tiger Safari at Pakhrau, Uttarakhand, situated in the buffer area of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR). However, the court stressed that safari parks should only house local tigers that are injured, conflicted, or orphaned, and not those sourced from zoos. Additionally, the court has given the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a three-month deadline to conclude its investigation into alleged irregularities within CTR.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Tiger Safaris
2. Needs and Benefits of Building a Tiger Safari
3. Concerns and Challenges Related to Building a Tiger Safari
4. Overview of Corbett Tiger Reserve

Tiger Safaris

Definition:

• A tiger safari entails embarking on an expedition to observe tigers in their natural habitat, typically within protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Locations:

• Tiger safaris are commonly conducted in regions with significant tiger populations, notably in India, which harbors a substantial portion of the world’s wild tiger population.

Legal Framework:

• The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which governs wildlife conservation efforts in India, does not explicitly define “tiger safari.”
• The act stipulates regulations regarding construction activities within protected areas, including tourist lodges, hotels, zoos, and safari parks, necessitating prior approval from the National Board for Wild Life.

Establishment Guidelines:

• The concept of tiger safaris was introduced in the 2012 Guidelines for Tourism by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), primarily permitting such ventures in the buffer zones of tiger reserves.
• Subsequent NTCA guidelines in 2016 allowed for the establishment of “Tiger Safaris” in buffer and fringe areas of tiger reserves, primarily for housing injured, conflicted, or orphaned tigers, with restrictions on sourcing tigers from zoos.
• However, in 2019, the NTCA revised its stance, permitting the sourcing of animals from zoos for tiger safaris and delegating the selection authority to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

Needs and Benefits of Building a Tiger Safari:

• Alleviating Tourism Pressure: Tiger safaris can help reduce the stress on wildlife within tiger reserves by providing alternative tourism avenues as per the 2012 NTCA guidelines.
• Accommodating Non-Wildlife Suited Animals: Safari parks offer a solution for housing animals like injured, orphaned, or conflict-affected individuals that are not suited for the wild, keeping them within their natural environment.
• Supporting Local Livelihoods: Designating buffer areas for safari parks allows for activities that support the livelihoods and development needs of local communities, contributing to income generation and fostering local support for tiger conservation efforts.

Concerns and Challenges Related to Building a Tiger Safari:

• Risk of Disease Transmission: Housing zoo tigers or captive animals within tiger habitats poses a risk of disease transmission to wild tigers and other wildlife, compromising their health and survival.
• Focus on Individual Welfare vs. Species Conservation: Building safari parks for “rescued” tigers within reserves may prioritize the welfare of individual tigers over conserving the species, potentially disrupting natural habitats.
• Divergence from Conservation Norms: Displaying “rescued” tigers in safari parks diverges from the traditional practice of keeping distressed animals away from public view, raising ethical and conservation concerns.
• Legal and Policy Contradictions: The interpretation of tiger safaris as zoos within tiger reserves contradicts the conservation objectives, as highlighted by the Supreme Court, leading to legal and policy conflicts.
• Unintended Consequences: Efforts to reduce tourist crowds around tigers in reserves through safari parks may backfire, with new safari routes attracting even more visitors, exacerbating the tourism pressure.

Overview of Corbett Tiger Reserve:

• Location: Corbett Tiger Reserve is situated in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India.
• History: Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, it was renamed Corbett National Park in honor of Jim Corbett, a renowned conservationist and hunter. It was one of the first national parks in India. The Project Tiger initiative was launched in 1973, with Corbett National Park being one of the initial reserves under this program.
• Purpose: The primary objective of establishing the reserve was to protect the endangered Bengal tiger, along with other species of flora and fauna.
• Composition: The reserve comprises the core area known as Corbett National Park and the surrounding buffer zone, which includes reserve forests and the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Geography: The entire area of the reserve is characterized by mountainous terrain, falling within the Shivalik and Outer Himalaya geological provinces.
• Major Rivers: Several rivers flow through the reserve, including Ramganga, Sonanadi, Mandal, Palain, and Kosi, providing crucial water sources for the diverse ecosystem within the reserve.

-Source: The Hindu

Atmospheric Research Testbed

Context:

Recently, Minister of Earth Sciences virtually inaugurated the first phase of the Atmospheric Research Testbed in Central India (ART-CI) in Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Atmospheric Research Testbed (ART)

Establishment and Location:

• The Atmospheric Research Testbed (ART) is established by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), at Silkheda.
• Its primary focus is to enhance understanding of processes governing monsoon convection.

Components and Instruments:

• ART-CI (Atmospheric Research Testbed-Central India) features a comprehensive array of remote-sensing and in-situ instruments.
• These instruments provide continuous observations of convection, clouds, precipitation, soil moisture, radiation, and microphysics, capturing major modes of variability.

Phases:

• Phase 1: In the initial phase, ART is established in central India to study convection, land-atmosphere interactions, and precipitation processes.
• Phase 2: The second phase involves setting up ART in the northeast/eastern part of India, focusing on severe thunderstorm processes.

Objectives:

• Enhance understanding of processes governing monsoon convection and land-atmosphere interactions.
• Measure relevant meteorological parameters using state-of-the-art observational systems.
• Organize intense observational campaigns and weather prediction model runs to test hypotheses and improve physical parameterizations related to convection and land surface processes.
• Conduct outreach, training, and dissemination of ART-CI datasets, making it an international facility for observational campaigns and testing physical parameterization schemes.

Instrumentation:

• ART-CI is equipped with nearly 25 high-end instruments, including:
  • Aethalometer for aerosol studies.
  • Cloud condensation nuclei counter.
  • Laser ceilometer to measure cloud sizes.
  • Micro rain radar to calculate raindrop size and distribution.
• Additionally, a Ka-band cloud radar and a C-band Doppler weather radar are installed to track the movement of rain-bearing systems over the region.

Devin AI

Context:

A US-based company called Cognition has announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence chatbot called Devin which it claims to be world’s first fully autonomous AI software engineer.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Devin AI: Revolutionizing Software Engineering

• Devin AI stands as the world’s pioneer AI software engineer, marking a significant leap in software development capabilities.

Capabilities:

• Coding and Debugging: Devin possesses advanced abilities in software development, encompassing coding, debugging, problem-solving, and more.
• Machine Learning Integration: Utilizing machine learning algorithms, Devin continually learns and enhances its performance, adapting to evolving challenges.
• End-to-End App Development: Devin can autonomously build and deploy applications from start to finish.
• AI Model Training: It can also train and fine-tune its own AI models, streamlining the development process.
• Complex Task Execution: Devin adeptly plans and executes complex engineering tasks, making thousands of decisions seamlessly.
• Contextual Understanding: With the ability to recall relevant context at each step, Devin self-learns over time and rectifies errors.
• Proactive Collaboration: This AI software engineer proactively collaborates with users, providing real-time progress updates, accepting feedback, and assisting in design choices.

Performance:

• Benchmark Results: On the SWE-Bench benchmark, Devin demonstrated impressive performance, correctly resolving 13.86% of issues unassisted, surpassing previous models significantly.
• Efficiency Augmentation: By automating repetitive tasks, generating code instantly, and expediting project timelines, Devin enhances efficiency and reduces development expenses substantially.
• Error Immunity: Devin’s operation is immune to human errors or inconsistencies, ensuring reliability in software engineering processes.

-Source: The Economic Times

Prasar Bharti – Shared Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination (PB-SHABD)

Context:

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting launched the Prasar Bharti – Shared Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination (PB-SHABD), a news-sharing service from Prasar Bharati, aimed at transforming news dissemination in India.

Relevance:

GS II: Government policies and Interventions

PB-SHABD: Empowering Small News Organizations

• PB-SHABD emerges as a centralized news content platform catering to smaller news organizations lacking extensive networks.
• It aims to bridge the gap by offering diverse news stories in major Indian languages across fifty categories.

Key Features:

• Free Service: SHABD service is initially offered free for the first year, providing access to news content without financial barriers.
• Multilingual Content: News stories are available in major Indian languages, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for diverse audiences.
• Wide Coverage: With content spanning fifty categories, PB-SHABD offers a comprehensive range of news topics, catering to varied interests.

Minister’s Emphasis:

• The minister highlighted the revamped platforms for Doordarshan News and Akashvani News, along with the updated News on the Air mobile app.
• These platforms play a crucial role in democratizing access to news and fostering collaboration within the media industry, aligning with the government’s vision of inclusive information dissemination.

Prasar Bharati:

• Prasar Bharati is India’s largest public broadcasting agency, operating autonomously under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1997.
• Its primary objective is to provide autonomy to Doordarshan and Akashvani, aiming to educate and entertain the public through diverse programming.

-Source: The Hindu, PIB