Current Affairs 15 November 2024

CONTENTS

1. OECD Report: India Tops in Implicit Taxation of Farmers Among 54 Countries
2. Supreme Court Criticizes Delay in Establishing Organised Crime Investigative Agency
3. Supreme Court Sets Guidelines Against ‘Bulldozer Justice’ in Property Demolition Cases
4. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
5. Gotti Koya Tribe
6. Amorphophallus Titanum

 OECD Report: India Tops in Implicit Taxation of Farmers Among 54 Countries

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD’s “Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2024” report says that India implicitly taxed its farmers to the tune of a staggering USD 120 billion in 2023-the highest among 54 surveyed countries. This is an economically huge burden of government policies like export bans and export duties, which keep food prices low for consumers at a huge cost to the agricultural sector.

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Highlights of the OECD Agricultural Report
2. Negative Impacts of Indian Agricultural Policies on Farmers
3. Way Ahead

Key Highlights of the OECD Agricultural Report

• Agricultural Support Trends:
  • From 2021 to 2023, total support for the agricultural sector across 54 countries averaged USD 842 billion per year. Despite a decline in 2022 and 2023 from the 2021 peak, support levels remained significantly higher than those before the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Market Price Support (MPS), a major component of total agricultural support, fell by USD 28 billion during the same period.

• Impact of Export Restrictions in India:
  • In 2023, India’s export restrictions on commodities like rice, sugar, onions, and de-oiled rice bran resulted in a negative MPS, translating into a USD 110 billion loss for the country.
  • This negative support meant that Indian farmers received less for their produce compared to market conditions without these policies, leading to a substantial reduction in their income.
  • India experienced the highest negative price support globally, constituting 62.5% of all negative price support in 2023. This share has significantly increased from 61% in 2000-02 to 75% in 2021-23, indicating a growing burden on Indian farmers.

• Challenges in Global Agriculture:
  • Ongoing global conflicts and extreme weather events continue to disrupt agricultural markets and challenge production and productivity.
  • The implementation of export restrictions by some countries further distorts international trade in agricultural commodities.
  • There has been a global slowdown in agricultural productivity growth, which poses a threat to meeting increasing global food demands sustainably.

• Socio-Economic Struggles:
  • Increasing farmer protests across various nations highlight the economic and social challenges faced by farmers, reflecting deep-seated issues within agricultural systems.

• Environmental Public Goods Payments (EPGP):
  • Though governments are linking payments to farming practices that support environmental sustainability, EPGP only constitutes 0.3% of total producer support.
  • EPGP funds are allocated towards public goods that benefit the environment, such as climate protection.

• Recommendations for Sustainable Agriculture:
  • Governments are urged to set measurable goals for sustainable productivity and invest in monitoring systems like Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and Agri-environmental Indicators (AEIs).
  • TFP is crucial for measuring the efficiency of agricultural inputs in producing outputs, indicating sustainable agricultural practices.
  • AEIs assess key environmental impacts and risks from agriculture and are essential for understanding agricultural performance and its underlying causes.
  • The report advocates for increased innovation to enhance productivity and a greater proportion of producer support to be allocated towards sustainable farming practices.

Negative Impacts of Indian Agricultural Policies on Farmers

• Negative Market Price Support:
  • Indian agricultural policies have led to negative market price support, particularly notable between 2014 and 2016, with a producer support estimate (PSE) of approximately -6.2% due to a -13.1% in market price support.
  • PSE, a key metric, quantifies the annual value of transfers from consumers and the government to agricultural producers, reflecting the impact of governmental policies on the agricultural economy.

• Export Bans and Quotas:
  • Policies imposing export bans and quotas on essential commodities like rice and sugar restrict market access for producers, driving down domestic prices and reducing farmers’ potential earnings.

• Regulatory Acts:
  • The Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act of 2003 enforce stringent regulations on pricing, stocking, and trading of agricultural commodities.
  • While these acts aim to ensure food security, they often lead to reduced farm gate prices for farmers. This results from price controls and low procurement prices set by the government, which are sometimes below international market rates, creating a price-depressing effect.

• Minimum Support Price (MSP):
  • The MSP mechanism, intended to protect farmers from price fluctuations, has sometimes been set lower than international prices. This discrepancy means farmers earn less than what they might have received in an open market scenario.

• Infrastructure and Transaction Costs:
  • A lack of modern agricultural infrastructure and high transaction costs further reduce the prices that farmers receive for their produce, exacerbating the price suppression problem.

• Inadequate Long-Term Support:
  • Subsidies for fertilizers, irrigation, and electricity provide short-term relief but do not address long-term challenges such as climate change, market access limitations, and a decline in agricultural research. These issues are crucial for sustainable growth and profitability but remain largely unaddressed, hindering long-term development and resilience in the agricultural sector.

Way Ahead:

• Gradual reduction in export bans and quotas, investment in cold storage, transport, and 
• processing infrastructure, aligning MSPs with international market prices to take the edge off competitiveness and the resultant effective compensation.
• The organization should redirect their resources in strengthening the resilience, sustainability, and infrastructure and further reduce supply chain inefficiencies.
• Promote greater integration of state and central policies to ensure better coordination reduce fragmentation, and address sector challenges.
• More promotion towards direct marketing and e-commerce like National Agriculture Market (eNAM) as well connecting farmers to consumers cutting through the traditional dependence on a market.

-Source: Hindustan Times

Supreme Court Criticizes Delay in Establishing Organised Crime Investigative Agency

Context:

The Supreme Court of India has recently expressed its displeasure over the Union government for not implementing its promise in 2015 to install a completely new Organised Crime Investigative Agency (OCIA) or even to enact complete comprehensive legislation to combat trafficking. It clearly indicates that the government is not responsive to the problem of organized crime and human trafficking to the extent it would have liked. To conquer these vital challenges, the government should take more decisive actions.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Concerns of the Supreme Court Regarding the Establishment of the OCIA
2. How an Agency like OCIA Can Help to Tackle Sex Trafficking in India?
3. Measures Taken by India to Combat Human Trafficking

Concerns of the Supreme Court Regarding the Establishment of the OCIA

• Directive for OCIA Establishment:
  • In the case of Prajwala v. Union of India, 2015, the Supreme Court directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to establish the OCIA to specifically address sex trafficking.
  • Despite a deadline set for 30th September 2016 and a planned operational date of 1st December 2016, the agency remains unformed, leading to delays in implementing effective measures against sex trafficking.
• Persistent Trafficking Issues:
  • MHA data shows that over 10,659 trafficking cases were recorded from 2018 to 2022, underlining that trafficking is a significant systemic issue in India.
  • The consistency of around 2,000 cases annually indicates an urgent need for strengthened policies, law enforcement measures, and increased community awareness.
• Challenges in Legal and Support Systems:
  • Although thousands have been arrested in connection to trafficking in recent years, the conviction rates are exceedingly low.
  • The disparity between arrests and convictions points to issues such as inadequate investigations and weak case presentations in court.
  • Victims of trafficking, often from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, lack adequate support, which is compounded by challenges in disbursing victim compensation funds. This sometimes leads to victims turning hostile in court due to financial hardship and a lack of resources.
• Ineffectiveness of Current Measures:
  • Despite enhancements in anti-trafficking units and intelligence efforts, the persistently low conviction rates underscore the need for improved law enforcement training, stronger victim support, and expedited compensation to handle cases more effectively.
• Legislative and Governmental Responses:
  • The government had drafted the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection, and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018, which was passed in the Lok Sabha but lapsed in 2019 without introduction in the Rajya Sabha, contributing to delays in establishing comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation.
  • In lieu of establishing the OCIA, the government assigned the National Investigation Agency (NIA) the additional task of handling sex trafficking cases. However, the Supreme Court expressed concerns about the efficacy of this approach, questioning whether the NIA has the resources and mandate to provide adequate protection and rehabilitation services to trafficking victims.
• Judicial Considerations:
  • The Supreme Court’s concerns also involve the application of recent legislative provisions such as those in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which include sections addressing organized crime. The court is evaluating whether these measures provide a sufficient framework for addressing the complexities of sex trafficking.

How an Agency like OCIA Can Help to Tackle Sex Trafficking in India?

• OCIA can start units focused on sex trafficking and other forms of organized crimes in vulnerable areas such as urban centers and borders, activating trained operatives to gather intelligences and conduct rescue operations.
• Rapid response teams should be put in place for quick rescues, and coordination must be facilitated with NGOs providing rehabilitation services that would help in returning these victims back into society.
• A centralized database can track trafficked cases and offenders using predictive analytics for proactive intervention and better information sharing.
• OCIA can train police and border forces on trafficking cases and coordinate joint operations that may efficiently rescue or raid.
• OCIA can work with the neighboring countries to have joint operations, intelligence sharing, and legal assistance to apply for cross-border trafficking cases.
• OCIA can engage in advocacy campaigns for vulnerable populations and set up hotlines to ensure that there is a safe outlet to report activities regarding trafficking.
• OCIA can call for harsher laws and ensure that their enactment sees to the better care of victims and the serving of graver penalties in cases of traffic.
• OCIA can gather proofs and legal assistance to courts so that victims can be included in the cases brought against traffickers.

Measures Taken by India to Combat Human Trafficking

Constitutional and Legislative Framework

• Constitutional Prohibition:
  • Article 23 (1) of the Constitution of India explicitly prohibits human trafficking and forced labor, establishing a constitutional basis for all related laws and actions.
• Specific Legislation:
  • Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA): Targets the prevention of trafficking specifically for commercial sexual exploitation.
  • Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013: Broadens the scope to include trafficking for physical and sexual exploitation, slavery, and organ removal.
  • Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: Provides robust protection for children against sexual abuse and exploitation.

Government Initiatives

• Anti-Trafficking Cell (ATC):
  • Established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to coordinate anti-trafficking efforts across various government and law enforcement bodies.
• Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs):
  • Set up by the MHA, these units focus on the law enforcement response to human trafficking, excluding aspects that fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Women & Child Development.
• Mission Vatsalya Program:
  • A government initiative aimed at supporting child victims of crime, including those affected by trafficking.

-Source: The Hindu

Supreme Court Sets Guidelines Against ‘Bulldozer Justice’ in Property Demolition Cases

Context:

The Supreme Court of India, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, has issued guidelines to ensure that due process is followed in the demolition of properties belonging to citizens accused of crimes. This directive comes in response to recent instances where state authorities were alleged to have used demolitions as a punitive measure, referred to by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) as “bulldozer justice.”

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What was the case background?
2. SC Mandates Procedures on Demolition
3. Demolition Laws and Practices in the Indian States
4. Supreme Court’s Reasoning Behind the Guidelines
5. Impact of the Supreme Court’s Verdict
6. Conclusion

What was the case background?

• The SC judgment dealt with pleas that challenged the practice of demolition of homes of people for being accused of committing crime.
• This practice has been seen in states such as UP, MP, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan and calls for accusations of bias and lack of due process.
• This order has been passed after the demolitions taken place in Ratlam (MP) and Udaipur (Rajasthan), demolitions supposedly being linked to complaints against family members who had indulged in communal or criminal activities.

SC Mandates Procedures on Demolition:

Period for Notice

• As per the judgement of this court, no demolition of a property can be made except after an order passed after notice of at least 15 days has been given to the owner of the property or the person occupying it.
• The notice should mention why the building is to be demolished and a “hearing” in which it also gives “personal hearing” opportunity to the property owner to raise objections.

Hearing and final order:

• This hearing is to be conducted by the authorities, and the whole process is to be videotaped.
• The final demolition order would include the above-mentioned arguments by the owner, reasons for destruction, and whether the demolition is a complete one or a partial one.
• The Court emphasized demolitions as a last resort and granted only when the demolition was absolutely necessary.

Post-order process:

• After issuing the final order for the demolition, 15 days would elapse before the demolition begins so that the owner will have time to demolish or appeal in court.
• The authorities will also prepare video evidence and draft an inspection and demolition report containing details about all those involved.

Demolition Laws and Practices in the Indian States

• Rajasthan: The provisions of the Rajasthan Municipalities Act state that authorities can impound properties on public land, but only after giving a written notice stating reasons for the impoundment and with an opportunity for representation.
• MP: The MP Municipalities Act allows demolition of unauthorized structures only after the owners are served notice.
• UP: The UP Urban Planning and Development Act demands at least 15 days notice before demolition of unauthorized construction on the owner, and once an order issued it becomes definite and court can’t further proceed with the same
• Delhi: Delhi Municipal Corporation Act allows demolition of unauthorized construction without providing “reasonable opportunity” to owner to present objection against the same.
• Haryana: As does Delhi’s DMC Act, the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act grants owners a brief time frame to appeal demolitions but has only 3 days in which to comply with demolitions orders.

Supreme Court’s Reasoning Behind the Guidelines

• Judicial vs. Executive Roles:
  • The Supreme Court emphasized that it is the judiciary’s responsibility, not the executive’s, to determine guilt. The court criticized the practice of demolishing an accused’s property without a judicial trial, labeling it as an overreach of executive power.
• Need for Transparency and Accountability:
  • The Court stressed the importance of transparency in public office, particularly criticizing the misuse of authority where demolitions are carried out simply because an individual is accused of a crime. It highlighted the urgent need for public officials to be held accountable for such actions.
• Protection of Constitutional Rights:
  • The demolitions were noted to affect not only the accused but also other family members, infringing on their constitutional right to shelter as protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. The guidelines issued by the Supreme Court aim to protect these individuals from unjust loss of their homes.

Impact of the Supreme Court’s Verdict

• Path Forward for Affected Families:
  • The ruling has given hope to affected families that there will be a shift towards restitution by local authorities, possibly through compensation or restoration of demolished properties.
• Challenges in Implementation:
  • Despite the verdict advocating for transparency and accountability, there are challenges in ensuring that compensation effectively reaches those adversely affected by prior actions.
  • The future policies, therefore, need to robustly address restitution issues to ensure fair outcomes for victims of unwarranted demolitions, sometimes referred to as “bulldozer justice.”

Conclusion

• Safeguarding Rights and Enforcing Accountability:
  • By emphasizing the protection of the right to shelter and the necessity of accountability in government actions, the Supreme Court seeks to curb the misuse of power in the form of “bulldozer justice” and uphold constitutional limits.
• Continued Struggle for Justice:
  • For many who have already lost their homes, the journey towards justice continues. Resolving issues around restitution remains critical, and the fulfillment of the Court’s directives in practice is pivotal to restoring faith in administrative and judicial processes.

-Source: Indian Express

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)

Context:

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, a collaborative effort between National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is scheduled to launch in early 2025. 

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
2. Mission Objectives

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)

NISAR’s Unique Specifications

• Joint Development: Developed collaboratively by NASA and ISRO in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• Size and Weight: Approximately the size of an SUV, weighing 2,800 kilograms.
• Dual-Frequency Radar: Equipped with L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments.
• Dual-Frequency Imaging: First satellite to utilize both L-band and S-band radar frequencies to monitor Earth’s surface.
• All-Weather Capability: SAR can operate in cloudy conditions and collect data day and night, regardless of weather.

Contributions

NASA and ISRO’s Involvement

• NASA’s Contributions: L-band radar, GPS, solid-state recorder, and payload data subsystem.
• ISRO’s Contributions: S-band radar, GSLV launch system, and spacecraft.
• Prominent Antenna: Features a large 39-foot stationary gold-plated wire mesh antenna reflector to focus radar signals.

Mission Objectives

Earth Monitoring

• Ecosystems and Surfaces: Measure changes in Earth’s ecosystems and dynamic surfaces.
• Ice Masses: Provide data on ice masses, aiding in the understanding of ice-related phenomena.
• Varied Applications: Offer insights into biomass, natural hazards, sea level rise, and groundwater.

Global Observations

• Regularity: Observe land and ice-covered surfaces worldwide with a 12-day cycle on ascending and descending passes.

-Source: Indian Express

Gotti Koya Tribe

Context:

Recently, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has asked the Union Home Ministry and Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha to submit a detailed report on the status of the Gotti Koya tribals.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

About Gotti Koya Tribe:

• This is one of the few multi-racial and multi-lingual tribal communities of India.
• The main population of Koyas is seen in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• They speak Koya, which falls in the Dravidian language. It is said to be very close to the Gondi, but it has undergone a lot of Telugu influences.
• They traditionally practice Podu form of shifting cultivation that has for long time been an economic survival versus environmental sustenance issue.
• Earn a livelihood by animal husbandry and minor forest produce.
• The most important fair festooned by Koyas is the Sammakka Saralamma Jatra once in two years on full moon day of the Magha Masam (January or February) at Medaram village in Mulug taluk of Warangal district.
• They enjoyed ST status in Chattisgarh but they are not conferred with ST status in the migrated states like Telangana.
• All Koya are one of five sub-divisions known as gotrams. Every Koya is born into a clan, and he cannot change it.
• The Koyas have a patrilineal and patrilocal family. The family is called “Kutum”. Of these forms of family, the nuclear form is the major one.
• The Koya is generally monogamous.

-Source: Indian Express

Amorphophallus Titanum

Context:

People in Geelong city have beelined to witness an unusual event – the blooming of the Amorphophallus Titanum (called Titan Arum in short).

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Amorphophallus Titanum (Titan Arum)

• Known commonly as the Titan Arum or Corpse Flower.
• The plant was first described by the Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari in 1878.

Blooming Characteristics:

• The Titan Arum is notorious for its infrequent blooming cycle, typically flowering just once every decade. Each bloom lasts only 24 to 48 hours.
• During its fleeting bloom, the flower emits a strong odor reminiscent of rotting flesh. This scent attracts its primary pollinators—carnivorous bees and flies that normally feed on dead animals.

Physical Appearance:

• This plant can grow over 10 feet tall, making it one of the largest flowering structures in the world.
• It features a large, dark red spathe, which resembles an upturned meat skirt and a tall, crooked, pale yellowish spadix that looks phallic. The spathe is a spiral, petal-like structure that encloses the inflorescence.
• The interior of the spathe is dark red and resembles uncooked meat, enhancing its mimicry of a decaying corpse. The spadix even warms up to simulate the temperature of a warm, decomposing body.

Habitat:

• The Titan Arum naturally occurs on limestone hills within the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia. In its native language, it is referred to as “bunga bangkai,” which translates to “corpse flower.”

Conservation Status:

• Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, the Titan Arum faces threats primarily from habitat loss and the degradation of its natural rainforest environment.

-Source: The Hindu