Article: 18th December 2020 Currents Affairs Analysis - 18

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18th December 2020 Currents Affairs AnalysisBy IASToppers' Editorial Team | 2020-12-18 17:00:00

Polity & Governance

Record number of journalists around the world are jailed

Recently, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) report was released.

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As per the report, near-record number of journalists globally were imprisoned for their workas authoritarian nations arrested many coverings Covid-19 or political instability.

Who are Journalists?

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) defines journalists as people who cover the news orcomment on public affairs in any media, including print, photographs, radio, television, and online.

About the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an American independent non-profit, non-governmental organization, based in New York, USA.It believes that journalists should not be imprisoned for doing their jobs.

Role of CPJ

It helps advocatory to the early release of imprisoned journalists worldwide.It launched the #FreeThePress campaign to call on world leaders to release all imprisonedjournalists.In its annual prison census, it includes only those journalists who it has confirmed havebeen imprisoned in relation to their work.

Highlights of the CPJ Report


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As per the report, China (for the second year in a row), followed by Turkey, Egypt and SaudiArabia are the top four countries to arrest and imprison journalists. Reasons:

China: Arrested for reporting on COVID-19 pandemic. Egypt: The number of journalists jailed on false news charges steadily increased.Belarus: Mass protests have ensued over the disputed re-election of the long-timePresident.Ethiopia: Political unrest has degenerated into armed conflict.

Two-thirds of journalists in jail are charged with anti-state crimes such as terrorism ormembership in banned groups.No charges have been disclosed in 19% of cases.

More than half of those journalists are in Eritrea or Saudi Arabia. Nearly all journalists jailed worldwide are locals covering their own country. Out of total imprisoned journalists 13% are female who covered women’s rights in Iran- Saudi Arabia or protests in Belarus.

India Related Facts:

In 2020, total of 4 journalists were imprisoned and 2 journalists killed.


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[Ref- The Indian Express]

Farmers have constitutional right to continue with protest: Supreme Court

Recently, the Supreme Court said farmers have the constitutional right to continue with their protest iftheir dissent against the agricultural laws is non-violent.

Supreme Court’s view:

The court reiterated its suggestion of forming an “impartial and independent committee” ofexperts in agriculture to hear both farmers and the Union government on the laws.It expects farmers and government to follow the committee's opinion after hearing them.It believes that right to protest is part of a fundamental right and can be exercised subject topublic order. There can certainly be no impediment in the exercise of such rights if it is non-violent and doesnot result in damage to the life and properties of other citizens.

Constitutions protections available to Right to Protests


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Article 19(1)(a): Right to free speech and expression. Article 19(1)(b): Right to assemble peaceably and without arms.

Thereby, right to peaceful protest is bestowed to Indian citizens by our Constitution.Article 19(2): It imposes reasonable restrictions on the right to assemble peaceably and withoutarms and to freedom of speech and expression.Article 51A: As per this article, it is the fundamental duty of every person to safeguard publicproperty and to avoid violence during the protests and resorting to violence during publicprotests results in infringement of key fundamental duties of other citizens.

Importance of peaceful protests:

Peaceful protest is a fundamental right and the lifeline of democracy.Protesting injustice is also a moral duty.Protests help highlight grievances affecting people.They are an indicator of a free democratic society and help the government receiveconstructive criticism and evolve suitable polices.

[Ref- The Hindu]

Social Issues

Supreme Court to study plea for uniform divorce

The Supreme Court recently, agreed to examine a plea to frame uniform guidelines on divorce,maintenance and alimony for all religions.


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What is Alimony?

Alimony refers to court-ordered payments awarded to a spouse or former spouse withina separation or divorce agreement. The reason behind it is to provide financial support to the spouse who makes a lower income, orin some cases, no income at all.Section 125 of CrPC deals with “Order for maintenance of wives, children and parents”.According to Section 125(1), the following persons can claim and get maintenance:

Wife from his husbandLegitimate or illegitimate minor child from his fatherLegitimate or illegitimate minor child (physical or mental abnormality) from his fatherFather or mother from his son or daughter


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Key Arguments in petition:

Divorce, maintenance and alimony laws in certain religions discriminated and marginalizedwomen.The laws on divorce, maintenance and alimony should be “gender-neutral and religion-neutral”.

Anomalies were violative of the right to equality (Article 14) and right againstdiscrimination (Article 15) on the basis of religion and gender and right to dignity.

None of these laws are gender neutral:Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains are governed by the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the Hindu Adoption & Maintenance Act 1956. Muslims are dealt as per status of valid marriage and prenuptial agreement and governedunder the Muslim Women Act 1986. Christians are governed under the Indian Divorce Act 1869 and Parsis under the ParsiMarriage & Divorce Act 1936.

What are personal laws?

Personal laws regulate marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance and succession forIndian citizens.These laws are largely influenced by religious customs of different communities.However, they are criticized for perpetuating gender inequality and discriminatory attitudes.

Status of personal laws in India:

Personal laws are not protected under Article 13.The Articles 14 and 15 contemplated violations by the State against the fundamental rights ofcitizens. They operate as an injunction against the State.The “discriminatory” personal law practices were imposed by citizens of a particular faithagainst the women of their own community.

State’s responsibility:

To intervene in personal law practices led to marginalization and discrimination. To ensure that religions should be practiced in accordance with the Constitution. To step in when religious practices directly infringe on fundamental rights.

Key Facts:

Article 142 provides a unique power to the Supreme Court, to do “complete justice” between theparties.

Where at times law or statute may not provide a remedy, the Court can extend itself to put aquietus to a dispute in a manner which would befit the facts of the case.

[Ref: The Hindu]


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The Human Freedom Index 2020 Released

India has been placed at 111 out of 162 countries.


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About Human Freedom Index (HFI):

It is released by Cato Institute in the United States and Fraser Institute in Canada.Countries are ranked on a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 represents more freedom.Index noted a decrease in personal freedoms since 2008 globally.

Highlights of the Human Freedom Index (HFI):

The first three countries: New Zealand, Switzerland and Hong Kong.The index covered 76 indicators of personal, civic and economic freedom.The three least-free countries in descending order are Venezuela, Sudan, and Syria.The Human Freedom Index presents a broad measure of human freedom, understood as theabsence of coercive constraint.It also finds a strong relationship between human freedom and democracy.

India’s rank in 2020:

Rank: 111/162Score: 6.43Expression and Information achieves the highest freedom.


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Personal Freedom is more than Economic Freedom.India was ranked 94 on the index in 2019.

[Ref: The Hindu]

Economy

US adds India, Thailand and Taiwan to currency manipulation watchlist

The US added India along with Taiwan and Thailand to the "monitoring list" of currency manipulatingcountries.

The list also includes China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy, Singapore and Malaysia.

How a country gets a currency manipulator tag?


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The United States `s Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 contains provisions todesignate countries. The designation is based on three criteria, namely:

Significant bilateral trade surplus with the US is one that is at least $20 billion.A material current account surplus is one that is at least 3% of GDP.Persistent, one-sided intervention reflected in repeated net purchases of foreign currencyand total at least 2% of an economy’s GDP over a year.

A designated currency manipulator can be excluded from U.S. government procurementcontracts.

Why India is under the manipulation currency watchlist?

India’s current account registered a 2.4% of GDP surplus in the four quarters through June 2020.India’s goods trade surplus with the United States was $22 billion for the four quarters throughJune 2020.As of June 2020, foreign currency reserves stood at $466 billion, equal to 4.4 times grossshort-term external debt.The rupee weakened 6.6% and 1.7% on a nominal and real effective basis, respectively, overthe four quarters through June 2020.

[Ref- Live mint]

Environment, Ecology & Disaster Management

Minister for Health addresses event by CDRI and UNDRR

Recently, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare digitally addressed an event by Coalition forDisaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

The theme of the event was “Build Back Better: building resilient health infrastructure andsupply chains.”

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI):


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It is a partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateraldevelopment banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and knowledge institutions.Prime Minister of India proposed the CDRI at the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 held in NewYork City of US in 2019.Aim:

Support countries to upgrade their systems for ensuring disaster and climate resilienceof existing and future infrastructure.Rapidly expand the development of and retrofit resilient infrastructure to respond tothe SDGs objectives.Enables measurable reduction in infrastructure losses from disasters including extremeclimate events.

It is co-chaired by India and a representative of another national government nominated byrotation every two years.The Governing Council is the highest policy-making body of the CDRI.The CDRI Secretariat is located in New Delhi, India.

UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNDRR:

UNDRR (formerly UNISDR) is part of the United Nations Secretariat which supports theimplementation and review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.


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The UNDRR was created in 1999 to ensure the implementation of the International Strategyfor Disaster Reduction.UNDRR works at the intersection between understanding risk and risk impact, thus reducingdisaster loss and preventing the emergence of new risk.

Sendai Framework:

The Sendai Framework is a 15-year voluntary people-centred approach to disaster riskreduction, succeeding the 2005-2015 framework.It was adopted by the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction on 2015in Sendai, Japan. The seven global targets of the Sendai Framework contribute to the achievement of water-related SDGs.

[Ref: PIB]

Bilateral & International Relations

India seeks tariff renegotiations at WTO

India has proposed to renegotiate the upper tariff limits on certain items at the World Trade Organization(WTO).

A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries


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that serves to increase the price and make imports less desirable, or at least less competitive,versus domestic goods and services.

Why India is seeking tariff renegotiations?

WTO rules allow countries to renegotiate upper tariff limits (bound tariff rates) if the country’sapplied or current tariff is about to breach the tariff limit.

Bound tariff rate is the Most-Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate resulting from thenegotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).It is an integral component of the member country’s commitments to the other WTOmembers.

The country has to compensate to raise its bound rate to the exporting country throughnegotiations.India is seeking to renegotiate tariff limits with the member countries on IT (InformationTechnology) products, including smartphones.This is keeping in sync with the policy of Union government of encouraging domesticmanufacturing in select sectors through a production-linked incentive scheme under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.Under the program to promote indigenous manufacturing of mobile handsets, India has hikedcustoms duties in a phased manner on mobile phones and components.

What is Most Favored Nation?

MFN is a status or level of treatment accorded by one state to another in international trade.A country that has been accorded MFN status may not be treated less advantageously thanany other country with MFN status by the promising country.The members of the WTO agree to accord MFN status to each other.Exceptions allow for preferential treatment of developing countries, regional free trade areas andcustoms unions.

World Trade Organization (WTO):

The World Trade Organization is an intergovernmental organization that is concerned withthe regulation of international trade between nations.


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Members:The WTO has 164 members (including the European Union).

Objective:The goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.The WTO’s global system lowers trade barriers through negotiation and operates underthe principle of non-discrimination.

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

[Ref: The Hindu]

Indian Prime Minister holds virtual summit with Bangladesh Prime Minister

The PM said that Bangladesh continues to be one of the significant pillars of India’s ‘NeighbourhoodFirst’ policy.


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Highlights of the summit:

The summit is being held a day after India celebrated its 50th anniversary of the nation’svictory over Pakistan in the 1971 India-Pakistan War, also known as Bangladesh LiberationWar.The Chilahati-Haldibari rail link between India and Bangladesh was inaugurated.A digital exhibition on Mujibur Rahman and Mahatma Gandhi was jointly inaugurated.

India-Bangladesh bilateral relations:

Connectivity:

Started Maitree Express and Bandhan Express passenger trains to enhance connectivityCommence Dhaka-Siliguri-Gangtok-Dhaka and Dhaka Siliguri-Darjeeling-Dhaka bus service.Two new India-Bangladesh Protocol Routes (Sonamura-Daudkandi on river Gomti andextension of Dhulia to Godagiri up to Aricha on river Padma) have also been agreed upon forinclusion in the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT).Supply of trucks, double decker buses and AC buses under the second Line of Credit.

Economic and Commercial:

Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia.Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has grown steadily over the last decade.

India’s exports to Bangladesh in FY 2018-19: US$ 9.21 bn and imports from Bangladesh: US$1.04 bn.


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Cooperation in power sector

Bangladesh is currently importing 1160 MW of power from India.

Development Partnership:

India has extended 3 Lines of Credits (LOC) to Bangladesh in the last 8 years amounting to US$ 8 billion for development of infrastructure.India provided grant assistance for construction of Akhaura-Agartala rail link.The Government of India has funded 55 SDPs (Small Development Projects) and another 26SDPs are being implemented.Establishment of 36 community clinics in Bangladesh.Establishment of 11 water treatment plants in Bangladesh.

Capacity Building and Human Resource Development:

The Government of India has been training 1800 Bangladesh Civil Service officials from 2019at National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), Mussoorie.The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) in Dhaka improves the cultural links between twocountries:

Its training programs including Yoga, Kathak, Manipuri dance, Hindi language, Hindustani classicalmusic and the cultural programs of renowned artists of India and Bangladesh.

Extension of National Knowledge Network to Bangladesh.

[Ref: Hindustan Times]

Science & Technology

India launches PSLV with communication satellite

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has launched communication satellite CMS – 01 onboardPolar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota.

CMS – 01 Communication Satellite:

It will replace the old GSAT-12 satellite launched in 2011.It is India’s 42nd communication satellite.It will enhance the country’s communication networks and aid in e-learning, tele-medicine, anddisaster management services.


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It will be the first in a new series of communication satellites by India after the INSAT and the GSAT series.

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):


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PSLV is the third-generation launch vehicle of the ISRO.The first successful PSLV launch took place in 1994.It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.It is a four-staged launch vehicle:

First and third stage uses solid rocket motorsSecond and fourth stages uses liquid rocket engines.

It was used as a launcher vehicle in ISRO’s two greatest achievements:Chandrayaan-1 in 2008Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013

Carrying capacity: 1750 Kg.Between 1994 and 2019, the PSLV launched 50 Indian satellites and 222 foreign satellites for over70 international customers from 20 countries.

INSAT & GSAT Series:

The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is one of the largest domestic communicationsatellite systems in Asia-Pacific region.

It has nine operational communication satellites placed in Geo-stationary orbit.

The Geo-Stationary Satellites (GSAT) are India's indigenously developed communicationssatellites, used for digital audio, data and video broadcasting.

[Ref: The Hindu]

Key Facts for Prelims

Yogasana

The Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formal recognitionof Yogasana as a competitive sport.


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It is an integral and important component of Yoga, which is psycho-physical in nature and popular across the globe for its efficacy in fitness and general wellness.

Yogasana as a Sport:

Yogasana as a sport would ensure competitiveness and enrichment of the discipline and its spread across the globe.It will be introduced as a competitive sport in Khelo India, National and University Games withan aim and objective of to be included in Olympics.A pilot Yogasana Competition named as “National Individual Yogasana SportsChampionship” to be held in early 2021.Both men and women would be eligible to participate.It will ensure career opportunities and social status for performers, experts and practitioners.

Indian entrepreneur named among ‘Young Champions of the Earth’ winners

The "Takachar", a social enterprise enabling farmers to prevent open burning of their waste farm residuesis among the seven winners of the prestigious "Young Champions of the Earth" 2020 prize.

“Young Champions of the Earth” 2020 award:

It is given by UN Environment Programme (UNEP).In 2020, seven Young Champions of the Earth will be selected from each global region: Africa,Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, West Asia and two from Asia andthe Pacific.Aim:to nurture the next generation of environmental leaders.


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Takachar:

It buys rice husks, straw and coconut shells from farmers and turns them into charcoal,saving the debris from the fires, which are also a driver of climate change.It enables rural farmers to earn 40 per cent more by converting their crop residues into fuels,fertilisers and value-added chemicals like activated carbon (AC) on-site.Takachar enterprise of Indian entrepreneur enables farmers to earn extra income from farm wasteby converting them into value added chemicals like activated carbon.

[Ref: Indian Express]

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Article: 18th December 2020 Currents Affairs Analysis - 18