Nine Parties Oppose Proposal for Simultaneous Elections

Nine political parties have expressed their reservations on the issue of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections during consultations with the Law Commission of India.

What are simultaneous elections?

• Simultaneous Elections broadly mean structuring the Indian election cycle in a manner that elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies are synchronized together.
• In such a scenario, a voter would normally cast his/her vote for electing members of Lok Sabha and State Assembly on a single day and at the same time.
• After the adoption of the Constitution, elections to Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously over the period 1951 till 1967 when the cycle of synchronized elections got disrupted.

Advantages of Holding Simultaneous Elections

• It will allow political parties to focus more on policy and governance. Frequent elections cause parties to devote more energy in winning elections.
• The huge economic burden of frequent elections can be reduced if simultaneous elections are conducted.
• Simultaneous elections would also reduce pressure on manpower and resource deployment necessary for conduct of elections.
• The 79th Report of the Department related Parliamentary Committee has justified the simultaneous conduct of polls on several grounds, including a huge cut in expenditure incurred for conduct of separate elections every year.
• Frequent elections lead to imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) over prolonged periods of time and puts on hold the entire development programme and activities of the Union and State Governments in the poll bound State. Simultaneous election will help in limiting amount of time in electioneering.
• The NITI Aayog has favoured conducting synchronised two-phase Lok Sabha and assembly elections from 2024 in national interest.

Concerns Related Simultaneous Elections

• Simultaneous elections enable people to vote at the adequate level of government, not having to vote in national elections for local issues, or for national issues in local elections.
• The simultaneous elections may benefit larger national parties at the cost of state/regional parties in case of a national wave in favor of large national parties.

Way Forward

Simultaneous elections are desirable provided they are juxtaposed with certain reforms that would require a prior political consensus to bring a constitutional amendment to curtail or raise term of some states to enable EC to synchronize poll schedule, raise necessary resources of EC such as EVMs, personnel, etc.

Mazhavillu- An App for Transgenders

The Kerala government has decided to roll out a mobile app- Mazhavillu, for transgenders in the State since very few have registered for the transgender ID card scheme.

• The app has been named Mazhavillu after the government’s project for the transgender community.
• The app will obviate the need for transgenders to visit government offices for registration; they can now do it on the app without any apprehension of their gender identity being revealed.
• The app would be developed by the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology.

Need for the ID Card

• The government has no clear data on the number of transgenders in the State. This is perceived to be a hurdle to the various benefits meant for transgenders.
• To address the issues, the transgender community mooted the development of a mobile app where they could register.
• So far, only 300-odd transgenders have registered for scheme - due to reluctance to reveal their identity.
• However, the ID cards had drawn flak for not carrying the emblem of the government and for identifying their gender as ‘transgenders.’

The App

• Once they have registered on the app, the information will reach community-based organisations of transgenders for verification that the applicants are indeed transgenders. These organisations have grass-root level connections with the community members.
• Once the verification is complete, the data will be registered on the app.

Short-Stay Homes

• The government is also pressing ahead with setting up short-stay homes for transgenders in the districts.
• The homes will aid rehabilitation of transgenders, a chunk of whom have been thrown out of their homes or have strained ties with their families.
• A care home too will come up in the district to address the physical and mental challenges faced by transgenders who have undergone sex reassignment surgery. A maximum of 15 persons could stay in the home simultaneously during the treatment period.
• The transgender 24x7 helpline functioning from the department office would also be shifted to the same facility, to be managed by non-government or community-based organisations working with the transgender community.

Centre Plans Stronger Defences for Key Data

The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the National Information Security Policy and Guidelines (NISPG) to upgrade and update its policies to secure government data and control access to it.

Why there is a need for upgradation of NISPG?

• The sensitive information making its way into the Internet has added to the vulnerability of information sharing. Earlier the files were locked in a cupboard and accountability could be fixed, but with the advent of Digital India, a number of issues were in a grey area.
• The new policy would take into account the evolving cyberspace and the overall policing system in the country.
• The new policy would cover issues pertaining to the Official Secrets Act.
• There are issues relating to physical security of a computer, for example whether the hard disk will be destroyed before a computer is discarded.
• There are issues relating to the network as well. If information is riding on own cyber cable, then everything can be encrypted, but if it is riding on a commercially available one, then one will have to make sure that guidelines are complied with.
• The threats had to be recognised and the measures were to be updated accordingly.

Objectives of National Information Security Policy and Guidelines

• These guidelines are based on the analysis of existing global security standards, and frameworks; and the emerging trends and discourse in the wake of persistent threats, and cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure of nations globally.
• The scope of these guidelines encompasses Government and Public Sector organizations and associated entities and third parties, for protecting the information under their control or ownership during information’s life-cycle including creation, storage, processing, accessing, transmission, destruction etc.
• The objective of these guidelines is to improve the information security posture of an organization possessing any information, including classified information, and does not restrict organizations from adopting additional stringent practices over and above these guidelines.
• Organizations may evaluate various additional measures for the security of information they possess for protecting their information depending upon the sensitivity, criticality and importance of such information in the overall Internal Security and National Security interest of the country.

Bitter Enemies Ethiopia, Eritrea Hold Historic Talks

The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea announced they would re-open their embassies, hailing a stunningly swift rapprochement between bitter regional enemies.

Background

• The meeting was the first of its kind between leaders of the two Horn of Africa neighbors since their war from 1998-2000 in which around 80,000 people died.
• Eritrea achieved independence from Ethiopia amicably in 1993 but the two countries swiftly became bitter enemies.
• The war began on May 6, 1998, sparked by a battle for control of the border town of Badme. Both Eritrea and Ethiopia wanted it on their side of the border.
• The war ended in June 2000, but it was another six months until a peace agreement was signed, establishing the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission. It was meant to settle the dispute over Badme once and for all.
• But its ‘final and binding’ ruling 18 months later, awarding Badme to Eritrea, was not accepted by Ethiopia without the preconditions of further negotiations with Eritrea. Eritrea, in turn, refuses to talk to its former ally until the ruling is adhered to.

Horn of Africa: Why India should Care More?

• Africa has been of growing interest to India for political, economic and security reasons, especially the sub-region - the Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa comprises four countries — Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia.
• The region is strategically important since it is close to the oil-producing region of the Middle East. Approximately 40% of the oil produced in the Middle East crosses through the shipping lanes of Red Sea. Djibouti is the choke point on this shipping route. It is due to this reason that countries like the United States, France, and China have a military base in Djibouti.
• With the new reliance on the sea lines of communication for India’s economic growth, Delhi declared that its national interests were no longer limited to the Subcontinent but stretched from the “Aden to Malacca”.
• China is raising its strategic profile in the region. Under an accord signed last year, Beijing has secured the rights to a base in Djibouti that can host up to 10,000 soldiers until 2026 and also Beijing’s infrastructure development in the region have put the Horn of Africa back in India’s focus.

Way Forward

• What happens in the region has a direct bearing on India’s security and well-being and hence she should pay more attention to the prevailing conditions and power dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
• India would be well advised to become more active in examining and discussing the complex problem in-depth with the governments in Eastern Africa, the African Union and others concerned so as to be able to make a meaningful contribution to its resolution.

Telecom Firms Oppose TRAI’s Public Wi-Fi model

Telecom operators and internet service providers have opposed the public Wi-Fi model recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

• The reasons for opposition have varied from its adverse impact on the debt-ridden telecom industry, compromising national security to complete bypass of the present licensing framework, detrimental to massive investments already made in the spectrum, telecom infrastructure etc.

Background

• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mooted a concept of open architecture-based public Wi-Fi grid to bring down the cost of the internet by 90 percent.
• It had recommended that a new set of players, called Pubic Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), should be allowed to resell internet services through yesteryears PCOs type of setup that will be called Public Data Offices.
• Similar to cyber cafes, which provide internet access to the public after registering themselves, PDOA should be allowed to provide internet access services after registering themselves with the telecom department. For this purpose, a central registry to authenticate the service provider and service seekers would be established.

Why the Need for Proliferation of Internet?

• India significantly lags behind other countries in terms of providing access to Broadband Internet, especially to people in rural areas. 
• Broadband has over a period of time, become a critical platform for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness and improved way of life. It is helping the emergence of new industries while unlocking vast new possibilities for existing ones. 
• The World Bank’s World Development Report recently observed that on an average a 10% increase in internet penetration, is likely to lead to a 1.4% growth in the GDP of an economy.

Benefits

• By doing so, it will allow small entrepreneurs such as tea stalls, grocery shops, and vendors to set up and maintain access points. Device manufacturers, payment companies, ISPs/telcos and consumer internet companies can provide the remaining pieces to set up public data offices (PDOs). 
• The proliferation of public Wi-Fi can provide $3 billion potential revenue opportunity for telecom operators, as it will help to add new customers and increasing data consumption by existing users.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

• Established by an Act of Parliament (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997) to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services. 
• TRAI provides a fair and transparent policy environment which promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition. 
• The TRAI Act was amended to establish a Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI. 
• TDSAT was set up to adjudicate any dispute between a licensor and a licensee, between two or more service providers, between a service provider and a group of consumers, and to hear and dispose of appeals against any direction, decision or order of TRAI.

Fish Samples Test Positive for Formalin

Recently, samples of fish species from two major fish markets in Chennai (TN) have tested positive for formalin, a cancer-inducing chemical used illegally to preserve fish.

What is Formalin?

• Formalin is a colourless strong-smelling chemical substance usually used in the industry of textiles, plastics, papers, paint, construction, and well known to preserve the human corpse. It is derived from formaldehyde gas dissolved in water.
• Formalin or formaldehyde is sprayed on the fish or injected into the fish or the fish is dipped into the solution. This helps keep the fish fresh for a longer time.
• Formalin causes irritation in the eyes, throat, skin, and stomach. In the long run, continued exposure causes harm to the kidneys, liver and can even cause cancers.

Six Bids to Supply 110 Fighters for IAF

Six global aircraft manufacturers have responded to a Request for Information (RFI) from the Indian Air Force to supply 110 fighter aircraft.

• Of the 110 fighter jets, 85% will have to be built in India under the ‘Make in India’ programme in partnership with a “Strategic Partner/Indian Production Agency.”
• The procurement will be processed through the Strategic Partnership (SP) model under the Defence Procurement Procedure.

Defence Procurement Procedure

• Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) came into effect in 2016. It focuses on institutionalizing, streamlining and simplifying defence procurement procedure to give a boost to ‘Make in India’.
• The key feature of the revised DPP is to ‘Buy (Indian)’ and ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’.

Strategic Partnership

• The Strategic Partnerships in Defence sector was promulgated as part of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).
• The policy is intended to institutionalize a transparent, objective and functional mechanism to encourage broader participation of the private sector, in addition to  DPSUs / OFB, in the manufacture of defense platforms and equipment.
• It will serve to enhance competition, increase efficiencies, facilitate faster and more significant absorption of technology and trigger innovation thereby leading to the reduction in dependence on imports and greater self-reliance in meeting national security objectives.
• The following four segments have been identified for acquisition under Strategic Partnership (SP) route: Fighter Aircraft; Helicopters; Submarines and Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) / Main Battle Tanks (MBTs).

Important Facts for Prelims (July 9th, 2018)

• The States that share their borders with Myanmar are Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.

Free Movement Regime (FMR)

1. The Free Movement Regime is a unique travel arrangement between India and Myanmar.
2. FMR permits the tribes residing along the border to travel 16-km across the boundary without visa restrictions.
3. The FMR helps tribes across the border to maintain their age-old ties.

• Ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar won the women’s vault gold medal and claimed the fourth place in balance beam in the Mersin World Challenge Cup held in Turkey.

NOTE: Vault is one of two events in artistic gymnastics that both men and women perform, the other being floor exercise.