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Global Wage Report: ILO

Recently International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released the Global Wage Report 2018. For the first time, the Global Wage Report 2018 has...

30 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Maharashtra Assembly Passes Bill For Reservation For Marathas

The Maharashtra Assembly has unanimously passed a Bill proposing 16% reservation for Maratha community. The bill provides for reservation of seats...

30 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Global Nutrition Report 2018

In its fifth edition, the Global Nutrition Report highlights the worrying prevalence and universality of malnutrition in all its forms. About a...

30 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Important Facts for Prelims (30th November 2018)

Konkan Exercise-2018 The Bilateral KONKAN exercise is a naval exercise conducted between India and the United Kingdom. The Exercise provides a...

30 Nov 2018 News Analysis
The Big Picture - CBI, IB, NIA Under RTI?

At a time when the government is mulling changes in the RTI Act, information commissioner Divya Prakash has suggested that investigative,...

29 Nov 2018 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
ISRO Launched Satellite HySIS

ISRO launched rocket PSLV-C43 carrying India’s earth observation satellite Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) and 30 co-passenger...

29 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Lancet Report on Climate Change and Human Health

Lancet’s Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change 2018 report has recommended that Indian government must take a series of...

29 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Genetic Modification Goes Beyond Ethics

(The editorial is based on the article “Genetic Modification Goes Beyond Ethics” which appears in Livemint for 29th November...

29 Nov 2018 News Editorials
Sustainable Blue Economy Conference

The first global conference on the sustainable blue economy was held on 26-28th November in Nairobi, Kenya. The Sustainable Blue Economy...

29 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Government Allows Ethanol Extraction for Blending from Foodgrains

The Central Government has extended the ambit of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme to extract the fuel from surplus quantities of food...

29 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Simultaneous Elections (Law Commission of India – Draft Report 2018)

Content Chapter - 1: Simultaneous Election – Meaning And Its Scope Chapter – 2: Feasibility of Simultaneous Elections Chapter – 3:...

28 Nov 2018 Summary of Important Reports
2 Time Zones in India

Why in News? Recently Council of Scientific & Industrial Research’s National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), which maintains Indian...

28 Nov 2018 Paper 1
2 Time Zones in India

28 Nov 2018 Paper 1
A Prescription For The Future

(The editorial is based on the article “A Prescription For the Future” which appears in The Hindu for 28th November 2018.) The world...

28 Nov 2018 News Editorials
Important Facts for Prelims (28th November 2018)

Logix India Logix India 2019 is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from 31st January to 2nd February 2019. It is being organized by Ministry of...

28 Nov 2018 News Analysis
RBI Eases Hedging Norms for External Commercial Borrowings

The Reserve Bank relaxed norms for external commercial borrowings (ECBs) by reducing the mandatory hedging provision to 70% from the current...

28 Nov 2018 News Analysis
ASEAN

What is ASEAN? The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organization which was established to promote political and social...

27 Nov 2018 International Institutions
Minimum Wages Act for Domestic Workers

A petition filed by NGO Common Cause along with social activist Aruna Roy and the National Platform for Domestic Workers has sought the Supreme...

27 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Important Facts for Prelims (27th November 2018)

PAiSA Portal A centralized electronic platform named “PAiSA – Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access”, has...

27 Nov 2018 News Analysis
How To Regulate The Digital Economy

(The editorial is based on the article “How To Regulate The Digital Economy” which appears in BusinessLine for 27th November...

27 Nov 2018 News Editorials

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		(int) 0 => [
			'title' => 'Global Wage Report: ILO',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Recently <strong>International Labour Organisation</strong> (ILO) has released the Global Wage Report 2018.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the <strong>first time</strong>, the Global Wage Report 2018 has also focused on the <strong>global gender pay gap</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lowest wage growth globally in 2017 since 2008:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Globally, the rate of growth in wages in 2017 fell to its lowest level since 2008, but workers in <strong>India had the highest average real wage growth in Southern Asia</strong> of 5.5% over the period 2008-17.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Slow wage growth in high-income countries:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Wages in developing countries are increasing more quickly than those in higher-income countries. But the gaps in wages are wide and the level of wages is still not high enough for people to meet their basic needs in developing countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More robust wage growth in low- and middle-income countries:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All emerging G20 countries except Mexico experienced significant positive growth in average real wages between 2008 and 2017.</li>
<li>Real wages between 1999 and 2017 have almost tripled in the emerging and developing countries of the G20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong> Wage growth lagging behind productivity growth in high-income countries:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Labour productivity has increased more rapidly than real wages due to which the share of labour compensation in GDP in many countries remain substantially below those of the early 1990s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wage inequality highest in low-income countries:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Countries with the lowest levels of wage inequality are found among the high-income group, whereas countries with the highest levels of wage inequality are found in the low- and middle-income groups.</li>
<li>Among <strong>high-income countries</strong>, wage <strong>inequality is lowest in Sweden and highest in Chile</strong>. Among<strong> low-income and middle-income countries</strong>, <strong>South Africa and Namibia</strong> have the <strong>highest inequality</strong>, <strong>Armenia and Mongolia </strong>the<strong> lowest</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gender pay gaps represent one of today&rsquo;s greatest social injustices:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Women continue to be <strong>under-represented in traditionally male-occupied categories</strong> and within similar categories, women are consistently <strong>paid below men</strong>, even if women&rsquo;s <strong>educational attainments are just as good or better</strong> than those of men in similar occupations.</li>
<li>In high-income countries, the gender pay gap was at its biggest in top-salaried positions. In low- and middle-income countries, however, the gap was widest among lower-paid workers.</li>
<li>The <strong>lack of programmes supporting women&rsquo;s return to work after childbirth</strong> also contributes to the wage penalty that women face when resuming work after a prolonged period of absence from the labour market.</li>
<li>The wages of both men and women also tend to be lower in enterprises and occupations with a predominantly female workforce.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>State-specific and comparative studies on wages are needed by the collaboration work between government agencies, academic institutions and expert organisations.</li>
<li>Good data is needed in many countries for better data on the distribution of wages.</li>
<li><strong>Educational policies</strong> targeting enrolment rates among girls may contribute to reducing the gender pay gap in the future.</li>
<li><strong>Reducing polarization and occupational segregation</strong> may require changing perceptions and stereotypes, for example- attract more women into the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), which offer better-paid employment opportunities.</li>
<li>Countries should also look into possible ways to address the undervaluing of women&rsquo;s work in highly feminized occupations and industries, including by raising wages in the latter. Eliminating this bias is not only a way to narrow the gender pay gap directly, but it is also a condition to reduce occupational segregation, for example by attracting more men into the education and health sectors.</li>
<li>More <strong>equitable sharing of family duties</strong> between women and men, as well as adequate childcare and eldercare services, would in many instances lead to women making different occupational choices.</li>
<li>An <strong>appropriate mix of policies in any national context</strong> will depend on that particular country&rsquo;s circumstances, and that robust analytical work is needed to identify the largest contributory factors &ndash; and hence the most effective remedies &ndash; in different country contexts.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To support UN&rsquo;s SDG 8, the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), was launched in September 2017 as a <strong>multi-stakeholder initiative</strong> that includes the <strong>ILO, UN Women and the OECD</strong>.</li>
<li>It seeks<strong> to achieve equal pay for women and men</strong>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The UN&rsquo;s SDG 8 sets the target of &ldquo;achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities and equal pay for work of equal value&rdquo; by 2030.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Labour Organization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Labour Organization (ILO) was founded in 1919 to promote social justice and thereby contribute to universal and lasting peace.</li>
<li>The ILO is responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>only tripartite United Nations agency</strong> that brings together representatives of <strong>governments</strong>,<strong> employers</strong> and <strong>workers</strong> to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting decent work for all.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Maharashtra Assembly Passes Bill For Reservation For Marathas',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Maharashtra Assembly has unanimously passed a Bill proposing 16% reservation for Maratha community.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The bill provides for reservation of seats for admission in educational institutions and posts in public services under <strong>Article 15(4), 16 (4) of the Constitution of India.</strong></li>
<li>Maratha community has been granted reservation under an independent category Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC).</li>
<li>The approval of the Bill has increased the reservation in Maharashtra from the current 52%to 68%, thus <strong>crossing the 50% ceiling set by Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney Case (1992).</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Article 15(4) in The Constitution Of India </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nothing in this article or in clause shall prevent the State from making any special provision for<br />the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Article 16(4) in The Constitution Of India </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Maratha Community</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Marathas are the Marathi-speaking, politically dominant community in Maharashtra. They make up about one-third of the population of the state.</li>
<li>Historically, they have been identified as a warrior class with large land-holdings.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons For Demanding Reservations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Division of land and agrarian problems</strong> over the years have led to a decline of prosperity among middle-class and lower-middle-class within Maratha Community.</li>
<li>Maratha community is a predominantly agrarian community which have been hit by the <strong>rural distress</strong>, especially the crisis in agriculture, and their efforts to seek <strong>education and alternative employment has been hampered</strong> by locational disadvantages.</li>
<li><strong>Inability of the state governments to provide enough jobs</strong> is another factor for dissatisfaction.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Basis for Reservation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC)</strong> submitted a report after studying 45,000 families from two villages from each of the 355 talukas that have more than a 50% Maratha population.</li>
<li>According to the panel report, Marathas have been declared as socially and educationally backward class of citizens and have inadequate representation in the services under state.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Around Reservation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Judicial Scrutiny</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reservation in Maharashtra is already beyond the Supreme Court imposed limit of 50%. After 16% is reservation is given to Marathas, the total would become 68%. Hence, whether this proposal can withstand judicial scrutiny and become policy remains to be seen.</li>
<li>However, there is no provision in the Constitution imposing ceiling on reservation. But it has provision that reservation should be given under exceptional and extraordinary cases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not a &ldquo;Backward Community&rdquo;</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Marathas don&rsquo;t face any social stigma which hinders their economic development. Hence, there is no reason that calls for giving them affirmative action.</li>
<li>The demand for reservations for Marathas, traditionally seen as &ldquo;upper castes&rdquo;, goes against the spirit of affirmative action. They also play a central role in states electoral politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Government should look at the <strong>bigger solution to the problem</strong> as quotas offer only a limited, short-term solution to these problems.</li>
<li>Reservation is an instrument to rectify social and educational backwardness, but it is not a solution for every social and economic ailment. The <strong>government should focus on increasing economic growth which might lead to new employment opportunities.</strong></li>
</ul>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Global Nutrition Report 2018',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In its<strong> fifth edition</strong>, the Global Nutrition Report highlights the worrying<strong> prevalence and universality of malnutrition in all its forms.</strong> About a <strong>third of the world&rsquo;s children</strong> suffer some form of malnutrition.</li>
<li>According to the report there has been <strong>some progress in reducing malnutrition</strong>, but it has been too slow and not spread across all forms of malnutrition.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Nutrition Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This report has been produced by the Independent Expert Group of the Global Nutrition Report, supported by the Global Nutrition Report Stakeholder Group.</li>
<li>The Global Nutrition Report was conceived following the<strong> first Nutrition for Growth Initiative Summit (N4G) in 2013. The first report was published in 2014.</strong></li>
<li>The Global Nutrition Report acts as a report card on the world&rsquo;s nutrition&mdash;<strong>globally, regionally, and country by country</strong>&mdash;and on efforts to improve it.</li>
<li>It assesses progress in meeting Global Nutrition Targets established by the World Health Assembly.</li>
<li>The<strong> World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> is a Global Nutrition Report Partner.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Stunting</strong> in children under five years of age is declining at a global level but numbers in Africa are increasing.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although, some progress is visible<strong> only against stunting, India</strong> still holds almost a third of the world's burden for stunting. Of the three countries that are home to almost half (47.2%) of all stunted children, two are in Asia, with India having 46.6 million (31%) and Pakistan having 10.7 million.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also accounted for 25.5 million children who are<strong> wasted</strong>, followed by Nigeria (3.4 million) and Indonesia (3.3 million). More than half of the world's children impacted by wasting (26.9 million) live in South Asia.</li>
<li>Progress in addressing <strong>underweight and anaemia among women</strong> has been<strong> extremely slow</strong> while<strong> overweight ((body mass index (BMI &ge;25) and obesity (BMI &ge;30) among adults is getting worse</strong>, with <strong>higher rates of obesity among women</strong> than men. Conversely,<strong> diabetes is more common among men</strong> than women.</li>
<li>India also figures among the set of countries that has more than a <strong>million overweight children.</strong> The other nations are China, Indonesia, India, Egypt, US, Brazil and Pakistan.</li>
<li>Different forms of<strong> malnutrition continue to coexist</strong> with each other. Of the 141 countries analysed, 88% experience more than one form of malnutrition.</li>
<li>In situations of <strong>crises arising from conflict, fragility, violence and environmental change</strong> there is an urgent need to treat and prevent multiple burdens of malnutrition while also building nutrition resilience.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Break down silos between malnutrition in all its forms</strong>- Different forms of malnutrition coexist which are being tackled at different rates, vary between populations, and overlap with each other in various ways. Therefore they <strong>require integrated approaches and cohesive work to address them.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Prioritise and invest in the data and capacity to use them</strong>- The efforts made to improve the collection and analysis of diet data must continue, and the<strong> gap in micronutrient data must be addressed</strong> as a matter of urgency. However, data collection and analysis is not enough, all stakeholders also<strong> need the capacity to use it</strong> to make evidence-based decisions.</li>
<li><strong>Increase financing for nutrition-</strong> &nbsp;Although nutrition financing have increased over the years, especially in developing countries, they are <strong>not adequate.</strong> Building on this progress, domestic investments must continue to grow and international aid donors must keep investing.</li>
<li><strong>Galvanise action on healthy diets-</strong> Governments and business need to implement a<strong> holistic package of actions</strong> to ensure food systems and food environments are <strong>delivering healthy diets</strong> that are affordable, accessible and desirable for all.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Malnutrition</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Malnutrition refers to d<strong>eficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person&rsquo;s intake of energy and/or nutrients</strong>. It is often split into<strong> two broad groups of conditions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Undernutrition,</strong> including &nbsp;<strong>stunting (low height for age)</strong>,<strong> wasting (low weight for height)</strong>, <strong>underweight (low weight for age)</strong> and <strong>&nbsp;micronutrient deficiencies</strong> or insufficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals).</li>
<li><strong>Overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases</strong> (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, etc.).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In April 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming the <strong>UN Decade of Action on Nutrition from 2016 to 2025.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Sustainable Development Goal (SD Goal 2: Zero hunger)</strong> aims to<strong> end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030,</strong> making sure all people &ndash; especially children &ndash; have access to sufficient and nutritious food all year round. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural practices: supporting small scale farmers and allowing equal access to land, technology and markets.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Global Nutrition Report 2018 finds again that the problem of<strong> malnutrition remains severe across all regions</strong> and none of the countries are on course to meet all nine global nutrition targets.</li>
<li>Malnutrition is <strong>responsible for more ill-health than any other cause.</strong> The health consequences of being overweight and obese contribute to an estimated four million deaths globally.</li>
<li>The issue is <strong>not the degree of crises</strong> but why are <strong>things not better when there is so much more information than before.</strong> &nbsp;Therefore, the commitments designed for impact which can be continuously monitored and deliver will be fit for purpose to end malnutrition in all its forms.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-nutrition-report-2018'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (30th November 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Konkan Exercise-2018</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bilateral KONKAN exercise is a<strong> naval exercise conducted between India and the United Kingdom.</strong></li>
<li>The Exercise provides a platform for the two navies to build interoperability and share best practices.</li>
<li>The KONKAN series of<strong> exercises was started in 2004.</strong> Since then, the exercise is hosted in rotation by both the Navies and has grown in complexity, scale, and intensity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reggae got UNESCO Heritage Status</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reggae music, which got international fame because of artists like Bob Marley, secured its place in United Nations&rsquo; list of intangible cultural heritage.</li>
<li>Reggae music genre <strong>originated in Jamaica</strong> (a Caribbean island nation).</li>
<li>UNESCO noted that while reggae started out as the voice of the marginalized, it is now played and embraced by a wide cross-section of society, including various ethnic and religious groups.</li>
<li><strong>Intangible Cultural Heritage of India: </strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kumbh Mela, Yoga,</strong> Traditional brass and copper craft of utensils among <strong>thatheras of Punjab</strong>, <strong>Sankirtana</strong> (ritual singing, dancing and drumming of Manipur), <strong>Buddhist chanting</strong> of Ladakh, <strong>Chhau Dance</strong>, <strong>Kalbelia</strong> (folk song and dance of Rajasthan), <strong>Kutiyattam</strong> (a Sanskrit theatre of Kerala), <strong>Tradition of Vedic Chanting, Ramlila, Novruz</strong> (Persian New Year), <strong>Ramman</strong>(religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas), <strong>Mudiyettu</strong> (ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Emissions Gap Report 2018</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>United Nations Environment Program</strong> has released its annual Emissions Gap Report.</li>
<li>The Emissions Gap Report assesses the &ldquo;emissions gap,&rdquo; the gap between anticipated emission levels in 2030, compared to levels consistent meeting with a 2&deg;C/1.5&deg;C target.</li>
<li>For India, the emissions are projected to be more than 10% below their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target. Thus, with its currently-implemented policies, India is likely to achieve its Cancun pledge of 2020 and NDC targets.</li>
<li>The report finds that
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>global emissions of greenhouse gases have risen for the first time in four years.</li>
<li>keeping global warming below 2&deg;C above pre-industrial levels is still technically possible, the potential to bridge the 1.5&deg;C gap is decreasing.</li>
<li>the current pace of national action is insufficient to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement, and the gap in 2018 is larger than ever</li>
<li>countries must triple their ambition levels to meet the 2&deg;C goal, and increase ambition five-fold to meet the 1.5&deg;C target</li>
<li>continuing with the current trends will likely lead to global warming of around 3&deg;C by the end of the century.</li>
<li>nations must raise their ambition by three times to meet the two degrees Celsius and five times to meet 1.5 degrees</li>
<li>implementing fiscal policy measures such as carbon pricing and taxes are effective ways in reducing emissions and costs of mitigating it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>COP-16 Cancun, Mexico</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>COP-16 took place at Cancun. At the conference, all parties including both the developed and the developing countries agreed to report their voluntary mitigation goals for implementation.</li>
<li><strong>Green Climate Fund</strong> under the COP, with a board equally representing developed and developing countries was established.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-30th-november-2018'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture - CBI, IB, NIA Under RTI?',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8LcSzyYgl0Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">At a time when the government is mulling changes in the RTI Act, information commissioner Divya Prakash has suggested that investigative, intelligence and security agencies like NIA, CBI, IB, and paramilitary forces should come under the purview of the law, saying there are adequate safeguards in the Act to keep sensitive information outside the public domain. The former IPS officer, who spent most of his time in Intelligence Bureau, says transparency needs to be &ldquo;all-pervasive&rdquo; and the RTI Act helps to bring accountability in government departments. Currently, more than 20 investigative agencies are outside the ambit of the RTI Act, subject to exceptions like allegations of corruption and human rights violations. The information commissioner&rsquo;s remark came up at a time when CBI is going through turmoil with the top brass trading charges against one another.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Right To Information Act (RTI Act, 2005) </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Information, unless exempted under Section 8(1) and 9 may be provided either in Suo Motu manner so that public have minimum resort to provisions of RTI Act, 2005 and on an application under RTI within the stipulated time frame.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Extracts of some important sections of the RTI Act, 2005</strong></p>
<p><strong>Section 8(1)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This section provides reasonable restrictions on disclosure of information. Including the information which,
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>prejudicially affects the sovereignty &amp; integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or leads to incitement of an offense;</li>
<li>causes a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature;</li>
<li>information received in confidence from foreign Government;</li>
<li>information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes;</li>
<li>impedes the process of investigation or apprehension/prosecution of offenders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Section 9</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Without prejudice to the provisions of section 8, a Central Public Information Officer or a State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, may reject a request for information where such a request for providing access would involve an infringement of copyright subsisting in a person other than the State.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Section 24</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nothing contained in this Act shall apply to the intelligence and security organizations specified in the Second Schedule, being organizations established by the Central Government or any information furnished by such organizations to that Government:</li>
<li>Provided that the information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations shall not be excluded.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Observations of Delhi High Court</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The source of Right To Information does not emanate from the Right to Information Act.</li>
<li>But, it emerges from the constitutional guarantees under Article 19(1)(a) as held by the Supreme Court in a series of decisions.</li>
<li>The Right to Information Act is not the repository of the right to information. Its repository is the constitutional rights guaranteed under Article 19((1) (a).</li>
<li>The RTI Act is merely an instrument that lays down statutory procedure in the exercise of this right.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Should we do away with the exemptions under Section 8(1) and 9?</h3>
<p><strong>Debate Against the View</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It would be detrimental to India&rsquo;s security. Intelligence agencies like R&amp;AW and IB deal with sensitive information which if disclosed in public domain can be misused.</li>
<li>Initially, CBI was not the part of RTI exemption, primarily because it is an investigative agency. However, later it was argued that CBI does deal with sensitive intelligence matter, hence, it should not be brought under RTI. Consequently, in 2012 CBI was also given protection from RTI.</li>
<li>View of protecting these intelligence agencies under section 24, would be a threat to human rights value, the counter-argument is that the RTI act categorically mentions that even though the agencies are protected, there is a threat. Information relating to an allegation of Corruption and violation of human rights is covered under RTI Act, 2005, and no agency would be excused.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Debate For the view</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The RTI has two provisions, section 8 and 24 which are an effective veto for transparency. If it is not sectioned 8 then section 24 becomes the hurdle. Section 8 exempts certain categories of information while Section 24 exempts certain categories of organizations from the purview of the transparency law. This is a kind of double veto as much of information sought by an applicant might get hit by either of the two provisions.</li>
<li>There is another contradiction in the RTI Act. Section 22 says the Act shall override the Official Secrets Act or any other law. But the fact remains that the state has already secured its secret information under double veto (Section 8 and Section 24).</li>
<li>RTI Act categorically says that it will override the Official Secrets Act, however, it also provides itself with the double veto. Hence, there is a process of masquerading that inhibits the real functioning of RTI.</li>
<li>Most of the intelligence agencies like IB and RAW do not have a supervising agency, and RTI act is the only piece of legislation that ensures transparency and accountability. However, section 8 and 24 dilute the process.</li>
<li>Investigation agencies like CBI are mainly engaged with investigative work which cannot be brought under the purview of RTI. However, the administrative work of the agency can be brought under the scrutiny of RTI. Thus blanket protection that is given under section 24 should end.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to rationalize some of the exempted organizations in section 24.</li>
<li>The confrontational interaction with the government has decreased with respect to accessibility of information because of RTI. So, RTI has to be protected and preserved. However, on the other hand, we should also be cognizant of the fact that the intelligence agencies have to be given leeway in cases concerning national security. Hence, the advice to both the government and the public would be that they ought to maintain the delicate fine line.</li>
<li>The time has come when we should be asking the most important question that why is there not a parliamentary oversight committee over all these agencies if they are indeed to be kept out of RTI purview.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-cbi-ib-nia-under-rti'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'ISRO Launched Satellite HySIS',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>ISRO launched rocket PSLV-C43 carrying India&rsquo;s earth observation satellite <strong>Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS)</strong> and 30 co-passenger satellites from Sriharikota on November 29.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>co-passengers of HySIS</strong> include<strong> one micro and 29 <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="27" data-gr-id="27">nano satellites</g> from eight different countries.</strong></li>
<li>The satellite <g class="gr_ gr_29 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="29" data-gr-id="29">have</g> been projected into a <strong>polar sun-synchronous orbit.</strong></li>
<li>HysIS is ISRO's <strong>first full-scale working satellite with Hyper-spectral imaging capability.</strong></li>
<li>The space agency tested hyperspectral imaging technology in April 2008, a small 83-kg demonstration microsatellite called IMS-1 (Indian Mini Satellite-1) was launched as a secondary passenger with Cartosat-2A.</li>
<li>In October, 2008, it put a HySI or Hyperspectral Imager on the Chandrayaan-1 and used it to scan Moon's surface for minerals.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of <g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="28" data-gr-id="28">HySIS</g></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The primary goal of HySIS is to study the <strong>Earth&rsquo;s surface in visible, near-infrared and shortwave infrared regions</strong> of the electromagnetic spectrum.</li>
<li>Hyperspectral imaging satellite can see in 55 spectral or colour bands from 630 km above ground.</li>
<li>&lsquo;Hyspex&rsquo; imaging allows <strong>distinct identification of objects, materials or processes on Earth</strong> by reading the spectrum for each pixel of a scene from space.</li>
<li>It can be highly useful in marking out a suspect object or person and separate it from the background. This could aid in detecting transborder or other stealthy movements.</li>
<li>It can be used for a range of activities from monitoring the <strong>atmospheric activity and climate change, studies of Earth&rsquo;s magnetic field, agriculture, forestry, water management, coastal patterns, looking for oil and minerals all the way up to military surveillance.</strong></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/isro-launched-satellite-hysis'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Lancet Report on Climate Change and Human Health',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Lancet&rsquo;s Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change 2018 report has recommended that Indian government must take a series of initiatives to mitigate the increased risks to health, and the loss of labour hours due to a surge in exposure to heatwave events in the country over the 2012-2016 period.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Lancet Countdown's 2018 report tracks 41 indicators across five key domains in health and climate change. It arrives at three key conclusions:</li>
<li>From 2014-2017, the average length of heatwaves in India ranged from 3-4 days compared to the global average of 0.8-1.8 days.</li>
<li>Almost 153 billion hours of labour were lost globally in 2017 due to heat, an increase of 62 billion hours from the year 2000.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Findings of the Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>
<p>Present day changes in heat waves labour capacity, vector-borne disease, and food security provide early warning of compounded and overwhelming impacts expected if temperature continues to rise.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>A lack of progress in reducing emissions and building adaptive capacity threatens both human lives and the viability of the national health systems they depend on, with the potential to disrupt core public health infrastructure and overwhelm health services.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Despite these delays, trends in a number of sectors see the beginning of a low-carbon transition, and it is clear that the nature and scale of the response to climate change will be the determining factor in shaping the health of nations for centuries to come.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The number of hours of labour lost due to heat wave increased between 2000-2017 across India.</p>
</li>
<li>In 2012, 20 million people were exposed to heatwaves, compared to 60 million in 2016 a 200% increase.</li>
<li>For the agriculture sector alone, this rose to about 60,000 million hours in 2017, from about 40,000 million hours in 2000.</li>
<li>Overall, across sectors India lost almost 75,000 million hours of labour in 2017, from about 43,000 million hours in 2000.</li>
<li>The agriculture sector was more vulnerable compared to the industrial and service sectors because workers there were more likely to be exposed to heat.</li>
<li>The findings are significant for <strong>India as agriculture makes up 18% of the country&rsquo;s GDP</strong> and employs almost half the population. Also, a fall in living standards, due to reduced precipitation and temperature changes, could therefore affect just over half of the population who are employed in agriculture related jobs.</li>
<li>Developed in conjunction with the Public Health Foundation of India and their Center for Environmental Health, the Lancet has also come up with a brief for Indian policymakers. It provides strategic direction for policy makers in four key areas:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Health effects of heatwaves and change in labour capacity due to heat&nbsp;</li>
<li>Premature mortality from ambient air pollution by sector</li>
<li>Sustainable travel infrastructure and uptake</li>
<li>Media coverage of health and climate change</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendation of Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Considering India is amongst the countries who most experience high social and economic costs from climate change the study makes several recommendations like:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Identifying <strong>&ldquo;heat hot-spots</strong>&rdquo; through appropriate tracking of meteorological data.</li>
<li>Promoting development and<strong> implementation of local Heat Action Plans</strong> with strategic inter-agency coordination, and a response which targets the most vulnerable groups.</li>
<li>The report urges a <strong>review of existing occupational health standards, labour laws and sectoral regulations for worker safety</strong> in relation to climatic conditions.</li>
<li><strong>Decrease health-harming air pollution</strong> by carrying out source apportionment studies, emission inventories, and health impact assessments of ambient and household air pollution through Statewise Clean Air Action Plans, and use these findings to inform policies targeted at reducing the main sources of pollution via an inter-ministerial approach.</li>
<li><strong>Carry out annual comprehensive city-level traffic diary surveys to guide urban infrastructure planning and facilitate solutions</strong> which address growth in population and travel demands while promoting uptake of sustainable travel forms like walking and cycling.</li>
<li><strong>Promote strategic media coverage of climate and health linkages at the state level,</strong> in regional languages, to increase support for state-by-state climate mitigation and adaptation responses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is a Heat Wave?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Heat Wave is a period of <strong>abnormally high temperatures,</strong> <strong>more than the normal maximum temperature</strong> that occurs during the summer season in the North Western parts of India between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July.</li>
<li>Depending on whether a place&rsquo;s historical temperature is 40 degree C or less, a 4.5 degree C (or greater) rise in temperature counts as a &lsquo;heat wave&rsquo; and 6.5 degree C and more, a &lsquo;severe heat wave.&rsquo;</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lancet-report-on-climate-change-and-human-health'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Genetic Modification Goes Beyond Ethics',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Genetic Modification Goes Beyond Ethics&rdquo; which appears in Livemint for 29th November 2018.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Globalization and ever-increasing scientific advancements in the health industry have made the </strong><g class="gr_ gr_95 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="95" data-gr-id="95">upgradation</g><strong> and adoption of ethics within the regulatory framework even more significant.</strong></p>
<p><strong>In news:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/worlds-first-gene-edited-babies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World's First Gene Edited Babies</a></p>
<p>Ever since researchers at the University of Alicante in Spain came up with the revolutionary new gene-editing tool CRISPR, the chance to play a vital role and the temptation to do it have been beckoning scientists. Recently a Chinese researcher He Jiankui claimed, that he had created the world&rsquo;s first genetically edited babies by altering their DNA using CRISPR. He claimed the genes of the twins had been edited to resist the HIV virus, which is what makes the framing of the argument against genetic editing much more complex. Though his claim is still unverified, it triggered the debate whether gene editing violates academic ethics and standards or not.</p>
<p>This announcement caused predictable alarm with many wondering if these experiments have gone too far. The argument that tinkering with the variability of a gene pool can have disastrous consequences, given that genes are connected and for one single character many of them have to work in unison, now stand challenged.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1996, when Dolly the sheep became the first mammal ever to be cloned from another individual&rsquo;s body cell, fears were raised that human cloning was inevitable.</li>
<li>Since then horses, cats, dogs, and livestock have been cloned across the world without creating much of a stir through the announcement of two genetically identical macaques, Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua, at a laboratory in China did stoke fears of human cloning is the inevitable next step.</li>
<li>Although, when scientists in the 1970s discovered how to fertilize human eggs in test tubes there was the apprehension that this might lead to people cherry-picking only high-quality parents for their children, it didn&rsquo;t happen. Now it is helping childless parents to bear a child.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Applications of Gene Editing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CRISPR/Cas9 is one of the newest genome editing tools. It can alter sections of DNA in cells by cutting at specific points and introducing changes at that location. Already extensively used in scientific research, CRISPR/Cas9 has also been seen as a promising way to create potential genome editing treatments for diseases such as HIV, cancer or sickle cell disease. Such therapeutics could inactivate a disease-causing gene, or correct a genetic mutation.</li>
<li>CRISPR gene editing provides for the ultimate toolbox for genetic manipulation. CRISPR systems are already delivering superior genetic models for fundamental disease research, drug screening, and therapy development, rapid diagnostics, in-vivo editing and correction of heritable conditions. Scientists are working on the theory that CRISPR might be used to boost the function of the body's T-cells so that the immune system is better at recognizing and killing cancer. Disorders of the blood and immune system are other potential targets.</li>
<li>Around 80 patients with HIV had immune cells in their blood removed in the world's first gene-editing trials that took place in California and involved a different technique called (Zinc-finger nucleases) ZFNs.</li>
<li>Researchers in China edited human embryos to try to correct a faulty gene that caused an inherited blood disorder.</li>
<li>Scientists said they had used gene editing to create a mosquito that can resist malaria.</li>
<li>Plant breeders are using CRISPR to create disease-resistant strains of crops.</li>
<li>In medicine, gene editing could potentially cure inherited diseases, such as some forms of heart disease and cancer, and a rare disorder that causes vision loss.</li>
<li>In agriculture, this technique can create plants that not only produce higher yields, like Lippman&rsquo;s tomatoes but also ones that are more nutritious and more impervious to drought and pests, traits that may help crops endure more extreme weather patterns predicted in the coming years.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Ethical Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Wealthy parents buying the latest offspring upgrades for their children. There will be the <strong>emergence of genetic haves and have-nots,</strong> leading to even greater inequality than we already live with.</li>
<li>Also, human embryo editing research may not be adequately controlled, leaving it open to a lab somewhere to create gene-edited babies.</li>
<li>Some of the key scientists in this field have <strong>concerns about the potential misuse of a technology</strong> that could be used for eugenics, to create genetic discrimination.</li>
<li>But <strong>even in agriculture, genetic modification is a subject of major debate,</strong> especially in developing countries, including India.</li>
<li>Most of the ethical discussions related to genome editing center around human germline editing. This is because <strong>changes made in the germline would be passed down to future generations.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Germline</strong>: is the cellular lineage of a sexually reproducing organism from which eggs and sperm are derived, also: the genetic material contained in this cellular lineage which can be passed to the next generation.</p>
<p><strong>Germline Editing</strong> means deliberately changing the genes passed on to children and future generations &ndash; in other words, creating genetically modified people. Human germline modification has for many years been widely considered off-limits, for both safety and social reasons. It is formally prohibited in more than 40 countries.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is also debate that, ecological disequilibrium can be caused by gene editing.</li>
<li>Due to the possibility of off-target effects (edits in the wrong place) and mosaicism (when some cells carry the edit but others do not), safety is of primary concern.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Human civilization has always progressed by interfering with the natural evolutionary process. In this process, the application of Gene Editing is inevitable. However, to prevent it from being a disruptive force, it is better to regulate it.</li>
<li><strong>India does not have a comprehensive gene editing policy in place, though germline gene editing is banned in line with international norms.</strong> Yet, in the face of persisting diseases and crippling human conditions, divine intervention may sometimes need to be supplemented with genetic ones in a carefully regulated environment.</li>
<li><strong>There is also an international effort led by the US, UK, and China to harmonize regulation of the application of genome editing technologies. This effort officially launched in December 2015 with the International Summit on Human Gene Editing in Washington, DC.</strong></li>
<li><strong>A UNESCO panel of scientists, philosophers, lawyers, and government ministers has called for a temporary ban on genetic &ldquo;editing&rdquo; of the human germline</strong>, calling for a wide public debate on genetic modification of human DNA. It is important to have c<strong>ontinuing public deliberation and debate</strong> to allow the public to decide whether or not germline editing should be permissible.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/genetic-modification-goes-beyond-ethics'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Sustainable Blue Economy Conference',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The&nbsp;first global conference on the sustainable blue economy was held on 26-28th November in Nairobi, Kenya.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference was <g class="gr_ gr_49 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="49" data-gr-id="49">organised</g> by Kenya with Canada and Japan as co-hosts. India made its presence in the conference highlighting India&rsquo;s strategic advantages in Blue Economy.</li>
<li>The conference builds on the momentum of the UN&rsquo;s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2015 Climate Change Conference in Paris and the UN Ocean Conference 2017 &ldquo;Call to Action&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is the Blue Economy?</strong></p>
<p>Blue Economy refers to sustainable use of ocean resources for growth, jobs and improved living standards while preserving the ecosystem. It encompasses areas like maritime transport, fisheries, renewable energy, waste management, and tourism.</p>
</div>
<h3>The Significance of the Conference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The conference identified the potential of the blue economy to create employment, combat poverty and hunger.</li>
<li>It brought countries together to learn how economic development and healthy waters go hand in hand.</li>
<li>The conference captured concrete commitments and practical actions that can be taken today to help the world transition to the blue economy.</li>
<li>The impacts of climate change and plastic pollution in oceans and waters has increased the need to develop an inclusive and sustainable blue economy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and Blue Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has a strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region, and on this basis, it endorses the growth of the blue economy in a sustainable, inclusive and <g class="gr_ gr_36 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="36" data-gr-id="36">people-centred</g> manner through the framework of the <strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong>.</li>
<li>Under <strong>Sagarmala Programme,</strong> India is developing maritime infrastructure as well as inland waterways and coastal shipping which will <g class="gr_ gr_38 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="38" data-gr-id="38">revolutionise</g> maritime logistics, creating million new jobs, reduce logistics costs and bring port-led developments in the country.</li>
<li>Development of <strong>Coastal Economic Zones (CEZ)</strong> under Sagarmala, would become a microcosm of the blue economy, wherein industries and townships that depend on the sea will contribute to global trade.</li>
<li><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)</strong> is India&rsquo;s vision for the Indian Ocean Region. It aims at sustained, peaceful and yet responsive presence of Indian naval ships in the critical area and <g class="gr_ gr_47 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="47" data-gr-id="47">choke</g> points in the Indian ocean.</li>
<li>The Blue economy is crucial for India&rsquo;s economic development.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sustainable-blue-economy-conference'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Government Allows Ethanol Extraction for Blending from Foodgrains',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Central Government has extended the ambit of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme to extract the fuel from surplus quantities of food grains such as maize, jawar, bajra &nbsp;fruit and vegetable waste.</li>
<li>Till now, only excess sugarcane production was allowed to be converted into ethanol for procurement under the fuel blending programme.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Importance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will enable the &nbsp;farmers by enabling them <strong>to make additional money from surplus production and broaden the sources for producing ethanol</strong> for the EBP programme.</li>
<li>The policy of ethanol blending &nbsp;can help in reducing vehicle exhaust emissions and also to reduce the import burden on account of crude petroleum from which petrol is produced.</li>
<li>It is estimated that a 5% blending (105 crore litres) can result in replacement of around 1.8 million Barrels of crude oil.</li>
<li>The renewable ethanol content &nbsp;is expected to result <strong>in a net reduction in the emission of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC).</strong></li>
<li>Ethanol itself burns cleaner and burns more completely than petrol it is blended into.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<h3>Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aims at&nbsp;blending ethanol with petrol,&nbsp;thereby bringing it under the category of biofuels and saving millions of dollars by cutting fuel imports.</li>
<li>Under&nbsp;EBP&nbsp;program, availability&nbsp;of ethanol will increase due to the higher price for C heavy&nbsp;molasses&nbsp;based&nbsp;ethanol and enabling procurement of ethanol from&nbsp;B heavy molasses&nbsp;and sugarcane juice for the first time.</li>
<li>The Government has also reduced GST on ethanol for blending in fuel from 18% to 5%.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Policy on Bio-fuels</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Policy on Bio- fuels 2018 has empowered the <strong>National Bio-fuel Coordination Committee (NBCC)</strong> to allow conversion of surplus quantities of food-grains for production of ethanol during an agriculture crop year when there is projected oversupply of food-grains.</li>
<li>The objective of the Bio- fuel policy is to achieve&nbsp;<strong>20% ethanol-blending&nbsp;and&nbsp;5% biodiesel-blending</strong>&nbsp;by the year 2030. The policy also expands the scope of feedstock for ethanol production and has provided for incentives for&nbsp;production&nbsp;of&nbsp;advanced bio-fuels.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Biofuel Coordination Committee is headed by - <strong>Prime-Minister</strong> to provide policy guidance and coordination.</li>
</ul>
<h3></h3>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under the EBP programme, the Centre has asked the oil marketing companies (OMCs) to target 10% blending of ethanol with petrol by 2022. However, there is a major shortfall in the availability of ethanol as sugar mills currently tap only &lsquo;C-heavy&rsquo; molasses for ethanol production.</li>
<li>The fuel requirements &nbsp;can compete with food requirements and that only surplus food crops should be used for fuel production, if at all.</li>
<li>The annual capacity of biorefinery&nbsp;is still not enough to meet the 5% petrol-ethanol blending requirement.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There should be Increase in&nbsp;the ethanol production capacity of bio-refineries.</li>
<li>Alternatives like 3rd generation (derived from algae) and 4th generation biofuels (derived from specially engineered plants or biomass) should be encouraged.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Government-Allows-Ethanol-Extraction-for-Blending-from-Foodgrains.'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Simultaneous Elections <br> (Law Commission of India – Draft Report 2018)',
			'catname' => 'Summary of Important Reports',
			'desc' => '<p><em><strong><span style="color: #000000;">Content</span></strong></em></p>
<ul class="ticklist">
<li><a href="#1">Chapter - 1: Simultaneous Election &ndash; Meaning And Its Scope</a></li>
<li><a href="#2">Chapter &ndash; 2: Feasibility of Simultaneous Elections</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">Chapter &ndash; 3: Existing Provisions</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Chapter &ndash; 4: Reports and Discussions Available on Simultaneous Elections</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">Chapter &ndash; 5: International Perspective</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Chapter &ndash; 6: Simultaneous Elections Vis-&Agrave;-Vis Democracy, Basic Structure and Federalism</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">Chapter &ndash; 7: Allegation of Colourable Legislation in The Context of Simultaneous Elections</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">Chapter &ndash; 8: Issues in Implementing Simultaneous Elections</a></li>
<li><a href="#9">Chapter &ndash; 9: Other Relevant Issues</a></li>
<li><a href="#10">Chapter &ndash; 10: Conclusions</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">Chapter &ndash;11: Draft Suggestions/Recommendations</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter - 1: Simultaneous Election &ndash; Meaning And Its Scope</span></h2>
<p>Simultaneous elections means <strong>elections to all the three tiers of the Constitutional institutions i.e. House of the People (Lok Sabha), State Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha) and Local bodies taking place in a synchronized manner</strong>. It means that a voter casts his or her vote for electing members to all the tiers of the Government on the same day.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Historically elections in India during the first two decades after independence for the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously, i.e., during 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967.</li>
<li>Dissolution of certain State Assemblies in 1968 and 1969 followed by the dissolution of House of the People in 1970 and subsequent general elections in 1971, disturbed the cycle of simultaneous elections.</li>
<li>The elections to the third tier institutions are directed and controlled by their respective State Election Commissions. It would be extremely challenging to synchronize election schedules of third tier with that of the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies due to large number of Local Body Institution and there election is a State subject.</li>
</ul>
<p>Simultaneous election does not mean that voting across the country for the House of the People and all the State Assemblies takes place on a single day. General elections can take place only in phases it means that If and when it is decided to hold simultaneous elections, the voters in a particular constituency would vote for State Assembly and Lok Sabha on the same day.</p>
<p><strong>The term 'Simultaneous Elections' in present Report, only mean elections to the House of the People and the State Assemblies.</strong></p>
<h2 id="2"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 2: Feasibility of Simultaneous Elections</span></h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cycle of simultaneous elections got disrupted after 1967. Synchronized elections could take place due to the dominance and rule by one national political party and the weakness of regional parties.</li>
<li>Indiscriminate use of <strong>Article 356 (President&rsquo;s rule)</strong> of the Constitution also contributed to disruptions of simultaneous elections.</li>
<li>However in recent times, regional political parties have not only increased in number, but have also marked their presence in the elections to the concerned State Assemblies.</li>
</ul>
<p>The country witnesses an election throughout any given year. In a span of three years (2014-2016) the country witnessed one general election and 15 State Assembly elections.</p>
<p>These facts clearly states that the country is continuously in an election mode and there is a need for simultaneous elections as against the fragmented and staggered election cycle prevalent currently. <strong>Therefore, it is necessary to look into the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections in the country. </strong></p>
<p><strong>For this purpose, several factors need to be examined:</strong></p>
<p><strong>A. Financial Implications</strong></p>
<p>Frequent election leads to massive expenditure by the Government and by Candidates contesting elections.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The expenditure of elections to the House of the People is borne by the Government of India and to the State Assemblies, by the concerned State Government.</li>
<li>However, the expenditure is distributed between the Government of India and the State Governments in the ratio of 50:50 (equally), whenever the elections are held simultaneously.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>As per the data provided to the Commission by Election Commission of India, expenditure incurred on account of elections relate to:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Setting up of the polling stations, Making transport arrangements, telephone facilities and electrical fittings, purchase of election material like indelible ink, ammonia paper, etc.,</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Analysis with the help of the data provided by the ECI clearly shows significant expense on public exchequer.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Average expenditure per Assembly Constituency for elections to House of the People held in 2014 and to the State Assemblies held thereafter is almost same, thus, proving the drainage of public money.</li>
<li>If the elections are held simultaneously except for an additional EVM for each Polling Station, and additional election material, no extra expenditure will be involved. Besides, larger polling stations could require some additional polling staff, in view of the additional EVM.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>B. Logistical Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Simultaneous elections <strong>require more EVMs</strong> giving rise to another problem regarding their storage leading to demand for more number of secured and conveniently located warehouses.</li>
<li>Increased number of EVMs will require more handling staff, however, the Law Commission feels that the rise would only be marginally higher.</li>
<li>The ECI, to ensure smooth, peaceful and impartial polls, <strong>needs services of a significant number of polling officials</strong> from Government organizations which is a mammoth, complex and time consuming activity.</li>
<li>ECI also seek assistance of CAPFs for <strong>security arrangements</strong>. Due to demand far exceeding supply, home guards and state police complement the security arrangement.</li>
<li>Deployment of security forces is normally throughout the elections and they remain mobile from one place to another. As one or the other State Assembly goes to polls every six months, this situation leads to a <strong>lock-in of security forces for prolonged period of time</strong>.</li>
<li>Polling booths are most often located in schools, engaging the school&rsquo;s staff results in compromise to their primary duty of imparting education, <strong>schools remain closed</strong> prior to the day of elections, for preparatory measures.</li>
<li><strong>Central and State Government employees who are assigned election duty are required to abstain themselves from their normal duties</strong> to attend training relating to the conduct of election, counting, etc. Holding staggered elections leads to such disruptions time and again. This makes holding of simultaneous elections more desirable.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>C. Effect of Imposition of Model Code of Conduct</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines applicable to political parties, candidates, the election machinery, Government agencies, to ensure free and fair elections.</li>
<li>Imposition of the MCC refrains the Government from:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Announcing any financial grants;</li>
<li>Laying foundation stones etc., of projects or schemes of any kind except by civil servants;</li>
<li>Promises of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities, etc.</li>
<li>Making any ad hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>However MCC does not leave the state or the nation in complete state of paralysis as ECI allows the ongoing projects for which beneficiaries have been identified before the MCC becomes operative.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ECI does not refuse approval for schemes undertaken for dealing with emergencies, calamities, welfare measures for the aged, etc.</li>
<li>Moreover MCC is restricted only to the constituency or the state going to polls therefore In view of this MCC cannot be blamed for a complete administrative paralysis.</li>
<li>Many a time vital schemes get delayed by ongoing elections even though the MCC is not in operation in the entire State/Country. The schemes are delayed till the completion of the election process, resulting in deficit of Governance.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>D. Simultaneous Elections &ndash; Boon or Bane?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Many parties have argued that ruling party will become autocratic without any checks and balances, and it will dramatically shrink the choice of the electorate. National parties too will have edge over regional parties as national issues might eclipse the local ones.</li>
<li>Argument of state parties getting marginalized is unfound as they need to concentrate only on the State Assembly seats and seats of the House of the People of their own State only. National Parties on the other hand will contest all the seats to the House of the People as well as on all the seats to State Assemblies. Therefore disadvantage, if any will be to the national parties.</li>
<li>Continuous cycle of elections results in ruling parties investing their time and energy more on the elections, to ensure the win of their respective parties than on the governance.</li>
<li>If the elections take place in five years, the ruling parties can better dedicate their time to developmental activities. There would be substantial reduction in hate speeches, violence and other law and order problems.</li>
<li>Frequent elections lead the political parties in power to take up populist measures instead of nationalist ones as our political tradition is directed more at the individual voter than interest groups as observed in <strong>The SC, in S. Subramaniam Balaji vs. Govt. of Tamil Nadu &amp; Ors</strong>.</li>
<li>It will reduce incidence of black money will come down as constant movement of money required in elections keeps gap for misuse of money wide open.</li>
<li>As simultaneous election will increase the voter turnout, it will demonstrate the vibrancy of political citizenship and civic spirit. The rise is evident in voter turnout in election in states like Andhra, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Arunachal and Manipur when their election coincided with national elections.</li>
</ul>
<h3>To Sum Up</h3>
<p>Any change from previous mode and method is bound to create some uneasiness but that is not always bad as also reiterated by SC in Tamil Nadu Education Department Ministerial and General Subordinate Services Association &amp; Ors. v. State of Tamil Nadu &amp; Ors. &ndash; <strong>Once the principle is found to be rational the fact that a few freak instances of hardship may arise on either side cannot be a ground to invalidate the order or the policy.</strong></p>
<p>Simultaneous elections can prevent the country from being in constant election mode. Thus reducing government expenditure, not diverting the already short-numbered security forces, and above all, without causing harm to the constitutional and democratic set up of the country.</p>
<h2 id="3"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 3: Existing Provisions</span></h2>
<p>While considering holding of simultaneous elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies, a look at the existing provisions in the Constitution as well as other statutes, with regard to elections and stability of the Government in general, holds merit.</p>
<h3>Constitutional Provisions</h3>
<p><strong>Articles 83 and 172</strong></p>
<p>Deals with the maximum duration of the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies. These articles provide that <strong>unless sooner dissolved, assemblies shall continue for five years from the date of their first meeting</strong>. The House can extend for a limited period only if a proclamation of emergency is in operation.</p>
<p><strong>Articles 85(1) and 174(1)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Deal with sessions, prorogation and dissolution of Parliament and State Assemblies</strong> which says that there should not be a gap of more than 6 months in the last session of the house and the first session of the subsequent house.</p>
<p><strong>Articles 113 and 203 </strong></p>
<p><strong>Prescribe the procedure with respect to estimate expenditure.</strong> The estimate for the proposed expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund of India/Consolidated Fund of the State, needs to be submitted to vote by Parliament/State Legislative Assembly, and failure to pass the same leads to termination of the terms of Council of Ministers, thus paving the way for change of Government.</p>
<p><strong>Article 75(3) and 164(2)</strong></p>
<p>Council of ministers is collectively responsible to their house i.e. house of people or legislative assemblies. They can continue as long as they have confidence of the house, provided under Article 75 (3) and 164 (2) of the constitution.</p>
<p><strong>The Tenth Schedule to the Constitution deals with disqualification of a member of the House/Assembly on the ground of defection.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Article 243U deals with election in Municipalities</strong></p>
<p><strong>Part XV of the Constitution deals with elections.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Article 324 stipulates superintendence, direction and control of elections.</li>
<li>Article 326 secures voting rights based on the principle of adult suffrage.</li>
<li>Article 327 details the power of the Parliament to make provisions with respect to elections to Legislatures.</li>
<li>Article 328 enables the Legislature of a State, if the Parliament has not made such legislation, to make laws with respect to all matters relating to elections to the Legislatures of the States.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Representation of the People Act, 1951</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sections 14 and 15 of the RPA Act, 1951 deal with notification for general election to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies.</li>
<li>Part IX of the RPA Act, 1951 deals with bye-elections to the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="4"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 4: Reports and Discussions Available on Simultaneous Elections</span></h2>
<p>The idea of simultaneous elections has been discussed by the ECI since 1983. It has been supported by many reports such as <strong>170<sup>th</sup> Report of Law Commission of India &ldquo;Reform of Electoral Laws&rdquo;</strong> (1999), and the <strong>Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice in its 79<sup>th</sup> Report</strong> suggested to hold simultaneous elections for long term good governance. No report by govt. agencies against the holding of simultaneous election could be found by law commission.</p>
<h3>First Annual Report of the Election Commission of India, 1983</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Report supported holding simultaneous election due to reduced expenditure, effective use of manpower and Human Resource, continuous elections also affects the day to day functioning of the govt. both at state and the centre creating hardships for common people as the entire administrative machinery freezes.</li>
<li>Separate election also result in duplication of expenditure.</li>
<li>The Elections Commission in the report suggested that a stage has come for evolving a system by convention, if it was not possible or feasible to bring about a legislation for holding election simultaneously.</li>
</ul>
<h3>170<sup>th</sup> Report of the Law Commission of India, Reform of Electoral Laws (1999)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report highlighted that elections after 1967 got disturbed due to frequent use of Article 356 of the Constitution, the dissolution of the State Assembly by the Governor on recommendation of the Chief Minister of the State which was a case of exception instead became a norm.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Report of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, 2002 (NCRWC Report)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A NCRWC was appointed to examine, as to how best the Constitution could respond to the changing needs of an efficient, smooth and effective system of governance and to the socio-economic development of modern India within the framework of Parliamentary democracy, and to recommend changes without tinkering with the basic structure of the constitution.</li>
</ul>
<h3>255<sup>th</sup> Report of the Law Commission of India "Electoral Reforms", (2015)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report dealt with the anti defection law recommending the power to decide on questions of disqualification on the ground of defection be vested to the President or the Governor, who shall act on the advice of the ECI, instead of Speaker or the Chairman.</li>
</ul>
<h3>79<sup>th</sup> Report of Parliamentary Standing Committee, 2015</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Committee in its Report on &ldquo;Feasibility of holding simultaneous elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and State Legislative Assemblies&rdquo; noted several justifications for holding simultaneous elections, such as <strong>expenditure, policy paralysis during MCC, burden on manpower etc.</strong></li>
<li>Impact on delivery of essential services: Holding of political rallies disrupts road traffic and also leads to noise pollution. Simultaneous election will bring it down significantly.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Working paper by NITI Aayog</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Working paper titled<strong> &ldquo;Analysis of Simultaneous elections: the What, Why and How&rdquo;</strong> by Niti Ayog highlighted the importance of simultaneous election which focused on heterogeneous needs of the nation as the national parties will focus on regional issues and regional parties will fight for national issues.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="5"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 5: International Perspective</span></h2>
<h3>South Africa</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In South Africa elections are held for National Assembly, Provincial Legislature and Municipal Councils in a five-year cycle. The electoral system is based on party-list <strong>"proportional representation"</strong>, which means that parties are represented in the proportion of electoral support to them.</li>
<li>Municipal Councils, elections are not held along with National and Provincial elections, there is a <strong>&lsquo;mixed-member system&rsquo;</strong> in which, wards elect individual councilors alongside those named from party-lists.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sweden</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They employ PR system. Elections to Sweden&rsquo;s County Councils and Municipal Councils occur simultaneously with the general election whereas, elections to the Municipal Assemblies occur on the second Sunday of September after every five years.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Belgium</h3>
<p>In Belgium one can vote in five different types of elections:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>European elections: representatives for the European Parliament</li>
<li>Federal elections: for the Federal Parliament (the Chamber of Representatives)</li>
<li>Regional elections: for the legislative bodies of the federated regions</li>
<li>Provincial elections</li>
<li>Municipal elections</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indonesia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indonesia will hold the presidential elections and legislative elections concurrently starting 2019.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Germany</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bundestag (i.e. Lower House) cannot simply remove the Chancellor with a vote of no-confidence, as the opponents must not only disagree with his or her governance but also agree on a replacement (constructive vote of no-confidence).</li>
<li>This <strong>Basic law of the Federal Republic of Germany,</strong> 1949 set up has provisions with regard to elections and stability of the Government, which are definitely imitable.</li>
</ul>
<h3>United Kingdom (Fixed Term Parliament)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliament of Westminster introduced a fixed term for the Parliament by enacting Fixed Term Act 2011, which provides a term of 5 years for general elections.</li>
<li>The Act 2011 specifies that early elections can be held only if a motion for it is agreed either by at least two-thirds of the whole House or without division; or if a motion of no confidence is passed and no alternative government is confirmed by the Commons within 14 days thereof.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="6"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 6: Simultaneous Elections Vis-&Agrave;-Vis Democracy, Basic Structure and Federalism</span></h2>
<p>One of the arguments raised against simultaneous elections has been that it goes against the Principles of <strong>Democracy</strong> and <strong>Federalism</strong> enshrined in the Constitution. It is necessary to examine all the principles analytically.</p>
<h3>Democracy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution declares in the preamble amongst other things, India to be a democratic republic and has always been recognized as a basic feature of the constitution along with the supremacy of the constitution, rule of the law, separation of power, judicial review under Article 32, 226, 227.</li>
<li>In a democratic polity, will of the people reign supreme which is expressed time to time through periodic elections. Free and fair elections alone guarantee the growth of healthy democracy in the country.</li>
<li>Democracy provides equal political rights to every citizen by ensuring political participation of people in running the govt.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>SC in Kihoto Hollohan v/s Zachichu 1993</strong> and <strong>In Kuldip Nayar v/s Union Of India 2006</strong> calls 'Democracy as a part of the basic structure of our Constitution; and rule of law and free and fair elections are basic features of democracy&rsquo; and observed that <strong>&ldquo;Parliamentary democracy and multi-party system are an inherent part of the basic structure of Indian Constitution&rsquo;&rsquo;</strong>.</p>
</div>
<h3>Doctrine of Basic Structure</h3>
<p>'Basic Structure' is a judicial innovation which was used for the first time in the case of Kesavananda Bharati &amp; Ors. V/s State of Kerala 1973.</p>
<p>It includes:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The supremacy of the Constitution.</li>
<li>Republican and Democratic form of Government and sovereignty of the country.</li>
<li>Secular and federal character of the Constitution.</li>
<li>Demarcation of power between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.</li>
<li>The dignity of the individual (secured by the various freedoms and basic rights in Part III) and the mandate to build a welfare State contained in Part IV.</li>
<li>The unity and the integrity of the nation.</li>
</ul>
<p>Doctrine of basic structure has evolved over the years. Features were added over time through various SC verdicts which gave progressive judgment and innovated to preserve the basic substance of the constitution.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Supreme Court in <strong>Sajjan Kumar vs State of Rajasthan 1965</strong> observed that the Constitution <strong>"formulated a solemn and dignified preamble which appears to be an epitome of the basic features of the Constitution"</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Fundamental rights</strong> were included in basic structure in <strong>Minnerva mills v/s Union of India 1980</strong> where SC calls them <strong>"transcendental, inalienable and primordial"</strong> and if the elements are damaged or destroyed, would rob the Constitution of its identity so that it would cease to be the existing Constitution but would become a different Constitution. "One cannot legally use the Constitution to destroy itself&rdquo;, as the doctrine of constitutional identity requires. The theory of basic structure is based on the principle that a change in the thing does not involve its destruction, and destruction of a thing is a matter of substance and not of form.</li>
<li><strong>Free and fair elections</strong> were seen as an essential postulate of democracy hence it was also called a basic feature by SC in <strong>Indira Gandhi v/s Raj Narain case 1975</strong>. The court also struck down the Clause (4) of Article 329A which provided for special provision as to elections to Parliament in the case of Prime Minister and Speaker, on the ground that it damaged the democratic structure of the Constitution. The said Clause (4) had taken away the power of judicial review of the courts as it abolished the forum without providing for another forum for going into the dispute relating to the validity of election of the Prime Minister and the Speaker.</li>
<li><strong>In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, 1994 SC held that secularism was an essential feature of the Constitution and part of its basic structure.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In M Nagaraj &amp; Ors. v. Union of India 2007</strong> the Constitution Bench of the Supreme observed that <strong>"axioms like secularism, democracy, reasonableness, social justice, etc. are overarching principles"</strong> which links factor for principles of fundamental rights like Articles 14, 19 and 21. These principles are beyond the amending power of Parliament.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>In I.R. Coelho V/s. State of T.N, 2007, a Nine Judge Bench of the Supreme Court laid down the concrete criteria for basic structure principle.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Stated that the power to amend the constitution was not unlimited, any changes that destroy the identity of the constitution, would be void.</li>
<li>Every improper enhancement of its own power by Parliament, be it clauses 4 and 5 of Article 329A, or Section 4 of 42nd Amendment, have been held to be incompatible with basic structure doctrine.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Thus, Basic means the base of a thing on which it stands and on the failure of which it falls. It is not a vague concept or abstract ideals found to be outside the provisions of the Constitution.</strong> Therefore, the meaning/extent of basic structure needs to be construed in view of the specific provision(s) under consideration, its object and purpose, and the consequences of its denial on the integrity of the Constitution as a fundamental instrument of governance of the country.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The right to vote and the right to contest election are not fundamental rights.</strong> They germinate from the Constitution, and are, therefore, constitutional rights. They are also given statutory status by the Representation of People Act, 1951. Clearly keeping them <strong>out from the "basic structure" of the Constitution</strong>.</p>
</div>
<h3>Federalism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In a federal system of government there is a division of power between the Central (Federal) Government and State Governments, in contrast to the unitary system of Government.</li>
<li>In case of the United States which is a federal state, the separate and independent States first formed a Confederation (1781) and then transformed into a Federation (1789). The States have their own constitution; the federal Constitution is the supreme law and binding on all the States. Any amendment to the American Constitution is required to be ratified by three-fourths of the States.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Indian Constitution provides for a dual system of government consisting of the center and the State with clear division of powers between them. Constitution is the fundamental law of the land and is guarded and interpreted by the higher judiciary.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Federal feature for the first time was laid down in the GOI Act, 1935, providing for distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States, which was subsequently adopted in the Constitution of India as three lists under the Seventh Schedule.</li>
<li>Indian federalism provides systematic and structural principles connecting various provisions of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Supreme Court on Indian Federalism</strong></p>
<p>Though India not being Federal in the traditional sense of the term, Supreme Court has consistently held that federalism is one of the basic structures of the Indian Constitution. However it does contain some traditional characteristics of the federal system, namely supremacy of Constitution, Division of Power between the Union and the States and existence of an Independent Judiciary.</p>
<p><strong>In Re. Berubari Union and Exchange of Enclaves Reference under Article 143(1) of the Constitution of India, Supreme Court observed:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The constituent units of the federation deliberately had no organic roots in the past. Hence, in the Indian Constitution the emphasis on the preservation of the territorial integrity of the constituent States is absent.</li>
<li>Indian constitution does not propound <strong>absolute federalism</strong> despite a decentralized authority which is largely due to the arduous task of governing the large territory.</li>
<li>Residuary powers that were not given to anyone in GOI Act 1935 but under the Constitution, by virtue of Article 248, read with Entry 97 in List I of the Seventh Schedule, has been conferred on the Union.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SC in state of Karnataka V/s union of India 1978</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Our constitution is not only pragmatic federal but it has also strong unitary bias which is exhibited by lodging in Parliament the residuary legislative powers, and in the Central Government the executive power of appointing certain constitutional functionaries including High Court and Supreme Court Judges etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SC in SR Bommai V/s Union of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SC called Indian Constitution, <strong>'quasi federal'</strong> where the end aim of the essential character of the Indian federalism is to place the nation as a whole under control of a national Government, while the States are allowed to exercise their sovereign power within their legislative and coextensive executive and administrative sphere.</li>
</ul>
<p>Indian Constitution is not true to any traditional pattern of federalism where the Indian Union has been <strong>described as the &ldquo;holding together&rdquo;</strong> of different areas by the Constitution-framers, <strong>unlike the &ldquo;coming together&rdquo;</strong> of constituent units as in the case of USA and the confederation of Canada.</p>
<p><strong>Unitary nature of the Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is evident that the Indian Constitution is not federal in a strict legal sense. The term Federalism is used in liberal sense as the Constitution provides for division of legislative powers, labeling it as <strong>quasi-federalism, pragmatic federalism, collaborative federalism or cooperative federalism</strong>.</li>
<li>The States have been carved out for administrative convenience. The Central Government on assessment of the situation can either move either on the federal or unitary basis.</li>
<li>Extent of federalism in it is largely watered down by the needs of progress and development of a country which has to be nationally integrated politically and economically coordinated, and socially uplifted.</li>
<li>Constitution of India is <strong>&ldquo;amphibian&rdquo;,</strong> in the sense that <strong>it can move either on the federal or unitary plane</strong> according to the needs of the situation and circumstances of the case. It is solely for the Union Government itself to decide and no one else.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="7"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 7: Allegation of Colourable Legislation in The Context of Simultaneous Elections</span></h2>
<p>Many people and associations have contended the entire exercise as colorable alleging the mala fide intentions of the govt. of the day on changing the form of elections.</p>
<p>The report however does not find the issue substantial. It is established beyond doubt by many SC verdicts that <strong>"malice or motive is beside the point and it is not permissible to suggest parliamentary incompetence on the score of mala fides"</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Colourable exercise of power &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>It is explained as when power is exercised in bad faith to attain ends beyond the sanctioned purposes of power by simulation or pretension of gaining a legitimate goal as given by SC in State of Punjab vs. Gurdial Singh.</p>
<p><strong>Doctrine of Colorable legislation</strong> does not involve the question of mala fide or bona fide on the part of legislature. The whole doctrine revolves itself into the question of the competency of a particular legislature to enact a particular law.</p>
<p><strong>Ordinance making power</strong> of government again can&rsquo;t be challenged on the basis of mala fide as it too forms part of the legislative power as observed by SC in K. Nagaraj v/s State of Andhra Pradesh and reiterated again in GC Kanungo v/s State of Orissa.</p>
<p><strong>In Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India, AIR 1998 SC 431, the Court observed:</strong></p>
<p>The expression <strong>"colourable legislation"</strong> conveys that by enacting the legislation in question the Legislature is seeking to do indirectly what it cannot do directly. But if the questioned Legislation falls within the competence of the Legislature the question of doing something indirectly which cannot be done directly does not arise.</p>
<p><strong>In B.P. Singhal v. Union of India:</strong> The Constitution Bench of the SC held that &ldquo;mala fides may be a ground for judicial review of administrative action but is not a ground for judicial review of legislations or constitutional amendments&rdquo;.</p>
<p><strong>The validity of a statute therefore can only be examined on the ground of legislative competence or on the anvil of the constitutional principles, and the issue of mala fide cannot be raised against the legislature. If the legislature is competent to enact a particular law, the motives which impelled it towards such an enactment are irrelevant. Therefore, any argument calling it colourable legislation lacks merit.</strong></p>
<h2 id="8"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 8: Issues in Implementing Simultaneous Elections</span></h2>
<p>The practice of simultaneous election got disrupted after 1967, due to premature dissolution of some of the Legislative Assemblies in 1968 and 1969 and the House of the People in 1970. The <strong>synchronization requires amendment</strong> in the relevant provisions of the Constitution and certain provisions of other Statutes. Once the election gets synchronized it is necessary for them to remain synchronized rising above the <strong>disruptions</strong>.</p>
<h3>Requirements for Synchronization of Elections</h3>
<p><strong>Curtailment and Extension</strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Articles 83(2) and 172</em></strong></p>
<p>Deals with the tenure of the House of the People and the State Assemblies, giving scope by providing an option for curtailment of the term &lsquo;voluntarily&rsquo; by virtue of the phrase <strong>&ldquo;unless sooner dissolved&rdquo;</strong> and not by operation of law, but as far as the enhancement of the term is concerned it requires amendment.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Commission points out that election to <strong>at least 13 State Assemblies can be synchronized with the elections to the House of the People in the year 2019</strong> which will require constitutional amendment to provide for curtailment and extension, both.</li>
<li>The election can take place subject to their voluntarily agreeing to take recourse to Article 172(1) or by the operation of law.</li>
</ul>
<p>In few states extension of the term of the House up to six months is required to attain synchronization with the elections to the House of the People. Such an <strong>extension is permissible only under Art.356 (failure of constitutional machinery) which will entail constitutional amendment</strong>.</p>
<p>In <strong>rest of the states it would be impractical to curtail or extend their term due to recent elections</strong>. This can be taken care of by holding elections to these State Legislative Assemblies in the end of 2021, approximately midway to the term of the House of the People.</p>
<p>To achieve complete synchronization, transitory provisions in the Constitution needs to be included so that the term of the Assemblies so constituted after the elections in 2021, will be for 30 months or till June 2024, whichever is earlier. Thereafter, elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies can be held every five years.</p>
<p>The commission also talks about <strong>Second Option</strong> as well where elections can be synchronized in such a way where they are held only twice in every five years.</p>
<p>However if every such arrangement fails Commission also talks about <strong>Third Option</strong> where elections falling in one calendar year can be clubbed together but resorting to this alternative is not going to bring any material change and relieve the country from being continuously in election mode.</p>
<p><em><strong>Effect on Council of States/State Legislative Councils</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Any tinkering in the election of legislative assemblies would also disturb the election of candidates to council of states and respective state legislative councils.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>Whether Ratification by States is Required</strong></em></p>
<p>Article 368 deals with the amendment part of the constitution. The proviso to Article 368 (2) enlists certain provisions of the Constitution which require ratification by not less than one half of the States. It basically deals with the principle giving effect to federal features of the constitution.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are two limitations to the amending power of a legislature
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Substantive &ndash; prohibiting amendment dealing with basic structure.</li>
<li>Procedural &ndash; deals with the manner in which the amendment is to be carried out, if permissible in law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The proviso to Article 368(2) deals with the following Articles:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Articles 54, 55, 73, 162, 241.</li>
<li>Chapter IV of Part V- The Union Judiciary, Chapter V of Part VI- High Courts in the States, or Chapter I of Part XI Distribution of Legislative Powers.</li>
<li>Any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule.</li>
<li>The representation of States in Parliament.</li>
<li>The provision of this Article.</li>
</ul>
<p>Article 328 of the Constitution enables the States to make laws with respect to all matters related to or in connection with the elections to the Assemblies. As federalism is an essential feature of the basic structure of the Constitution, it might be contended that holding &ldquo;simultaneous elections&rdquo; affects the States.</p>
<p><strong>However nothing in the report requires ratification by states unless for abundant caution.</strong></p>
<h3>Grounds for Disruption</h3>
<p><strong>1. No-Confidence Motion</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an important tool to oust the govt. as the council of ministers are collectively responsible to the house and remain there till they have confidence of the house. It can be moved on account of defection and in the case of a coalition government, when any of the supporting party withdraws the support.</li>
<li><strong>Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha,</strong> specifies the procedure for a &ldquo;motion of no-confidence&rsquo;&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The no confidence motion affects the stability of the Government and does not provide for any alternative arrangement.</li>
<li>In <strong>Germany&rsquo;s Bundestag</strong> Constitution provides for taking up both the motions of &lsquo;no-confidence&rsquo; and &lsquo;confidence&rsquo;, simultaneously also known as <strong>constructive vote of confidence</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p>A similar system in India will bring better stability and govt. will be ousted only when the member or the group of members come forward with a proposal to form an alternative government.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Various <strong>Municipal Corporation Acts,</strong> such as that of UP, MP, Rajasthan <strong>(one year in case of Rajasthan)</strong> states that <strong>"no notice of a motion of non-confidence shall be received within two years of the assumption of office by the Mayor"</strong>.</li>
<li>Failure of motion will further bar from receiving the non-confidence motion for two years.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>Rules on the suggested line if incorporated will bring in stability of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies as no "motion of no-confidence" will be introduced in Lok Sabha / State Assemblies within two years of the formation of a Government, and no subsequent motion will be moved again within a period of one year from the date of rejection of the previous motion.</p>
<p>Further <strong>'constructive vote of no-confidence'</strong>, where a member or group of members moving no-confidence motion would have to simultaneously put forward a proposal for forming an alternative Government would ensure stability of the house.</p>
<p>Implementing the rule in both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies would not only stabilize the govt. but will also ensure synchronization of the elections in both state and the center.</p>
<p><strong>2. Hung Parliament/Assembly</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a situation where a single political party or a pre-poll alliance does not have enough elected members to secure an overall majority.</li>
<li>The <strong>Sarkaria Commission</strong> considered the issue and suggested guidelines for overcoming the difficulty posed by hung parliament/assembly to be followed in the order of preference by the Governor while selecting Chief Minister in case of hung assembly:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pre-poll alliance.</li>
<li>The largest single party staking a claim to form the government with the support of others, including the "independents".</li>
<li>A post-electoral coalition of parties where the coalition forms the govt.</li>
<li>A post-electoral alliance of parties, with some of the parties in the alliance forming the Government and the others supporting the Government from outside.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Later, in 2007, Punchhi Commission also broadly agreed with these recommendations.</strong></li>
<li><strong>NCRWC in its report (2002) suggested that defections should not be permitted,</strong> either by individuals or groups. In case a legislator wished to leave his or her party or vote against it, he or she should vacate their respective seat and contest on a fresh platform in case a vote has been cast by a defector it should also be invalidated.</li>
<li><strong>The Report also suggested adoption of constructive vote of no confidence.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Budgetary defeat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Controlling public finance is a very important function held by parliament/legislative assemblies and <strong>passing of the Budget</strong> is an important matter as there are Constitutional <strong>implications of budgetary defeat which results in the resignation of the govt.</strong> due to no-confidence.</li>
<li><strong>Problem of budgetary defeat arises when the ruling party (the Government) loses the support of majority or in the case of a coalition Govt. the Alliance Partners withdraw their support at the time of passing of Budget.</strong></li>
<li>Stability of government is sine qua non for simultaneous elections and to prevent the fall of Government on the ground of non-passage of the Finance Bill and Appropriation Bills, their smooth passage is required. In case there is a budgetary defeat, the Government is bound to fall and in case no alternate government is formed, mid-term poll becomes inevitable.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Budgetary defeat of a Government has never happened in the history of politics in India.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commission recommends that whenever there is a threat of budgetary defeat, efforts must be made to arrive at a consensus, to avoid mid-term elections.</strong></p>
<h3>New House of the People/State Assembly for the &ldquo;Remainder of the Term&rdquo;</h3>
<p>Term of the house is for 5 years &lsquo;unless dissolved sooner&rsquo;. In case of premature dissolution, it becomes important to maintain the cycle of simultaneous election. Therefore there is a need to deal with the question of duration of such newly formed house.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Article 243U deals with duration of Municipalities: newly constituted municipality upon dissolution of the Municipality before expiration of its term, shall continue only for the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Municipality would have continued.</li>
<li>Also, in case of bye-elections whenever a casual vacancy occurs in the House of the People/Legislative Assembly of State due to death, resignation or removal of any member, the newly elected member holds the office (membership) only for the remainder period.</li>
<li>Sections 154(3), 156(2) of the RPA Act, 1951 provide that in the case of Council of States/State Legislative Councils, the representatives elected through bye-elections to fill in the casual vacancies will hold office only for the remainder term.</li>
<li>RPA Act 1951 does not explicitly deal with the term of the newly elected member to fill in the casual vacancy occurring in the House of the People or the State Assemblies however it is implicit In sections 147 to 151 of Act, where the term &lsquo;casual vacancies&rsquo; imply that the vacancy is for the current House only. It is evident that the incumbent of the casual vacancy will hold office only till the expiry of the term of the current House.</li>
<li>The commission recommends appropriate amendments to Articles 83 and 172 of the Constitution and Sections 14 and 15 of the Act, 1951 in order to facilitate the constitution of a new House of the People or State Assembly for the &lsquo;remainder of the period&rsquo; that is left of the previous House of the People or State Assembly&rsquo;s prescribed five-year term.</li>
</ul>
<h3>To Sum Up</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>"Remainder Term" therefore is not a foreign concept to the Constitution and other relevant statutes. The commission recommends that Concept of &lsquo;remainder term&rsquo; which is applicable to the individual therefore be applicable for the whole House as well.</li>
<li>The Commission is mindful of the fact that if the House is dissolved more than once during the period of five years, it will be practically difficult to conduct elections repeatedly for the remaining term of the House. However, it still recommends &lsquo;remainder term&rsquo; based upon the favorable trend witnessed after the 90s (which saw a lot of instabilities) where electoral politics became more aware and responsible and has seen more stable govt.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="9"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 9: Other Relevant Issues</span></h2>
<p>Commission came across other important issues which if left unattended would have serious bearings on the exercise of holding simultaneous election.</p>
<p><strong>Disqualification on the Ground of Defection to be decided expeditiously</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The issue is not directly related to simultaneous election however it deals with it since it ensures stability of the House.</li>
<li>Chairman/Speaker who has the final authority to decide on the issue of disqualification of member on the grounds of defection.</li>
<li><strong>The SC in case Kihoto Hollohan</strong> equated the Chairman / Speaker with the position of a Tribunal and like in the case of any tribunal, the decisions are subject to judicial review.</li>
<li>However issue of timeframe within which Chairman / Speaker has to render his/her decision is not dealt with.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SC in state of Gujarat v/s Patel Raghav Natha</strong> observed that if the legislature has not prescribed itself the period for exercising its adjudicatory it does not mean that such a matter can be delayed for an indefinite period.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section 86(7) of the Act, 1951 provides for concluding the trial of the election petition within six months from the date of its presentation before the court. Drawing an analogy, the issue of disqualification under the Tenth Schedule is also required to be decided at the earliest.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>This power is however also coupled with 'duty'</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This power of the speaker is viewed as trust coupled with duty to act in larger public interest. Evasion or delaying the exercise may render the issue infructuous and hence not be in public interest.</li>
<li>Dereliction of duty on the part of speaker/ chairman give rise to allegation of partiality who may be alleged to be acting at the behest of ruling party.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The commission therefore feels that minority judgment of Justice J S Verma in Kihoto Hollohan (supra), which stated that the issues relating to disqualification must be decided by the independent adjudicator and not by the Speaker / Chairperson, becomes relevant and requires consideration.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Bye-elections</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances Law and Justice, in its 79th report stated that all seats falling vacant in a particular year be conducted together on a predetermined date/time frame.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Selection of Leader of House by Consensus</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are no qualifications or credentials necessary for being the Speaker of the House of the People or State Legislative Assembly, however he or she must be a member of the House/Assembly. As the Speaker of the House/Assembly is chosen by consensus between the party/parties in majority and in the Opposition, it is felt that on similar lines the Leader of the majority party may also be selected to lead the House/Assembly.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Effective Exercise of Voting Rights by Non Resident Indians</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Large number of Indian people lives abroad temporarily or permanently on account of education, employment, business and other such reasons. Earlier these citizens were not able to participate in the election process due to the then prevailing law on Elections where only a citizen ordinarily resident within the territorial limits of the country was eligible.</li>
</ul>
<p>Demand from various sections of NRI&rsquo;s resulted in amendment of RPA Act 1950 by RPA Act 2010 (36 of 2010) w.e.f. 10.02.2011. A new section 20A was introduced which permits registration in electoral rolls of persons who are</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Citizens of India</li>
<li>Not included in electoral rolls</li>
<li>Have not taken up the citizenship of any other country</li>
<li>Are absent from the ordinary place of residence</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The provisions of the Registration of Electoral Rules 1960, also were amended, and a new form 6-A was inserted for making application for such enrolment by NRIs.</strong></p>
<p>Accordingly, simultaneous elections would make voting more convenient for NRIs as they will be able to vote in elections to Legislative Assembly and the House of the People on the same day.</p>
<h2 id="10"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 10: Conclusions</span></h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As the idea of simultaneous elections was received from the government it can be ascertained that the govt. is considering it. Implementing agency for election ECI too supports the idea (ECI in 1983 in its first annual report discussed about it).</li>
<li>Commission through its analysis of various provisions points out that simultaneous election would be feasible to restore.</li>
<li>All existing provisions whether constitutional or legal backed by govt. data supports the restoration of simultaneous election.</li>
<li>Commission through its study of various govt. and non govt. reports and considering international perspective has articulated in the favor of holding simultaneous elections.</li>
<li>Intent of the Government of the day is very often questioned whenever it comes to a major change in the system which is also true with regard to the idea of simultaneous elections. However whenever a statute is enacted the legislature can&rsquo;t be questioned.</li>
<li>Commission has carefully addressed all the issues like democracy, basic structure, federalism etc and has satisfied itself fully well that nothing in holding simultaneous election tinkers with these features. No rights of citizens have been compromised. Thus, even by stretch of imagination, it cannot be argued that holding simultaneous elections would adversely interfere with basic structure of the Constitution.</li>
<li>The Commission has looked into aspects which could affect simultaneous election such as achieving synchronization, ensuring stability, continuing with the cycle of simultaneous elections. The Commission has, after detailed deliberations, modulated their recommendations in the Indian context, and recommended to adopt them either from the world over or from within Indian jurisprudence.</li>
<li>Commission while engaging all the stakeholders and considering their apprehensions and support has considered the issue from constitutional, legal, political, and social perspectives in finalizing the Report.</li>
<li>While analyzing all the relevant issues, commission has also looked into the issues which could have blocked the easier transition to simultaneous elections.</li>
<li><strong>The Constitutional Bench of the SC, in Charan Lal Sahoo etc. etc. v. Union of India &amp; Ors. (1990)</strong> observed that, <strong>"to do a great right" after all, it is permissible sometimes "to do a little wrong"</strong>. A bleak perspective for holding simultaneous elections will put to forefront its disadvantages only. However, in a broader perspective, it will be seen that it is for the larger public good and welfare of the country.</li>
<li>The Commission holds the view that any law that is not acceptable to the masses is not capable of being implemented. Hence, building political and public consensus towards holding simultaneous is much warranted. In a democracy, every decision needs to be for the benefit of the people, as also put by <strong>Chanakya</strong> in <strong>Arthashastra, the happiness of the king vests in the happiness of his subjects, and he must see his interest in the interest of his subjects</strong>.</li>
<li>The Commission considering all Constitutional, legal and the prevailing political and social circumstances in the country, and suggestions and opinions received from various quarters is of the view that the time has come for India to revert to simultaneous elections in the greater national interest.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="11"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash;11: Draft Suggestions/Recommendations</span></h2>
<p>The commission has covered exhaustively social, political, legal and the constitutional set up of the country while formulating its recommendations. It has considered the opinion from various sections of the society as well as from the stakeholders and has come out with the best possible framework which is most viable in the Indian context.</p>
<p>The Commission has kept in mind the problems in existing framework of constitution in holding simultaneous election and has only suggested certain inevitable constitutional amendments. The changes are kept to the barest minimum.</p>
<p>The Commission <strong>recommends holding of simultaneous elections to House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies</strong> (except Jammu &amp; Kashmir). Such an exercise will:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Save public money.</li>
<li>Help reducing the burden on administrative set up and security forces.</li>
<li>Ensure better implementation of government policies on time and the administrative machinery of the country will be continuously engaged in developmental activities rather than in electioneering.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Framework for Synchronization of Elections</h3>
<p>Holding simultaneous elections necessitates amendment to the Article 172 of the Constitution. The Commission recommends the following framework for synchronizing the elections in the country:</p>
<p><strong>Option &ndash; I</strong></p>
<p>As a first option, elections to twelve State Assemblies and one Union Territory (with legislature), could be synchronized with the elections to the House of the People in the year 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Out of these, elections to the Legislative Assemblies of five States, viz., Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Telangana are due with the elections to the House of the People, and, therefore, stand synchronized.</li>
<li>If there is political will, and consensus is arrived at, elections to four State Assemblies, viz., Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and NCT of Delhi (Union Territory with Legislature), can also be held along with the House of the People and the five States mentioned in (i) above, in 2019, subject to their voluntarily agreeing to take recourse to Article 172(1) or by the operation of law.</li>
<li>In case of the other four States viz., Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan, where elections are due in early January of 2019 (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) and end of 2018 (Mizoram), extension of up to six months is required to attain synchronization with the elections to the House of the People in 2019, which will require amendment to Article 172 of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
<p>Remaining legislative assemblies can go to election in end 2021 coinciding approximately midway of the 17th Lok Sabha. The term of the State Assemblies constituted in 2021 shall be only for thirty months or till June 2024, whichever is earlier. Thereafter, elections to Lok Sabha and all the Legislative Assemblies and UTs (with legislatures) can be held together from 2024, completely synchronizing the elections.</p>
<p><strong>Option &ndash; II </strong></p>
<p>Once the elections to twelve States and one Union Territory (with Legislature), are synchronized with Lok Sabha 2019 and the remaining sixteen States and One UT (with Legislature) by the end of 2021, the elections will stand synchronized in a way that they are held only twice in five years, repeating the cycle in mid-2024 and in the end of 2026. This will result in elections only twice in a period of five years.</p>
<p>Synchronization of elections as given in Option &ndash; I requires suitable amendment to Article 172 of the Constitution or insertion of a new clause to that Article,</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Extension/Curtailment of the terms of Legislative Assemblies of certain States.</li>
<li>Limiting the terms of the State Legislative Assemblies constituted as a result of the elections to be held in end of 2021, so as to be synchronized with Lok Sabha to be held in mid-2024.</li>
</ul>
<p>Synchronization of elections as given in Option &ndash; II requires &ndash;</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Amendment only as mentioned at (1) above will be required and the cycle of simultaneous election will be such that elections are held twice in a period of 5 years, i.e., mid-2019, end-2021, mid 2024, end-2026, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Option &ndash; III</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If it is not possible for some reasons to conduct simultaneous elections as discussed in the above two options, then, it is recommended that <strong>all elections falling due in one calendar year be conducted together</strong>. Even for achieving this option, the provisions contained in Articles 85(1) and 174(1) of the Constitution and the provisos to sections 14 and 15 of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951 may be amended suitably.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Ratification by States</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Even though the proposed Constitutional amendments do not fall within the purview of Proviso to clause (2) of Article 368 the Government may seek ratification by not less than one-half of the States as an abundant caution.</li>
</ul>
<h3>No Confidence Motion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Commission recommends that the concept of &lsquo;constructive vote of no-confidence&rsquo; may be adopted.</li>
<li>The option of limiting the number of such motions during the term of the given House/Assembly may also be considered.</li>
<li>Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha may suitably be amended. Amendments on similar line should be made in the Rules of Procedure of various State Legislative Assemblies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Hung Parliament/Hung Assembly</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the event of a Hung House/Assembly, all efforts must be made by the President/Governor, as the case may be, to install a Government that will enjoy the support of the House/Assembly, giving an opportunity to the largest party along with their pre-poll or post-poll alliance(s).</li>
<li>Still, if no government could be formed, the President/Governor may call for an All-Party meet to tide over the stalemate.</li>
<li>If the above two options fail, mid-term polls becomes inevitable. However, the duration of the House/Assembly so constituted shall be only for the remainder of the term, as suggested later in this Report.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Budgetary Defeat</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Commission recommends that efforts to build a consensus must be made In order to address the issues arising out of budgetary defeat leading to the fall of the incumbent Government to avoid mid-term polls.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Remainder of the Term</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Commission recommends that a House constituted upon the dissolution of the House should continue only for the remainder of the term to ensure cycle of simultaneous elections is not disrupted.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Other Relevant Suggestions/Recommendations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Commission recommends that issue of defection under the Tenth Schedule must be decided by the Chairman/Speaker as expeditiously as possible, but not later than a period of six months.</li>
<li>The commission also recommends amending relevant provisions of RPA act 1951 so that all the bye-elections falling in one calendar can be conducted together.</li>
</ul>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/summary-of-important-reports/simultaneous-elections-law-commission-of-india-draft-report-2018'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => '2 Time Zones in India',
			'catname' => 'Paper 1',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently Council of Scientific &amp; Industrial Research&rsquo;s National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), which maintains Indian Standard Time (IST), published a research article describing the necessity of two time zones.</li>
<li>Suggesting two time zones and two ISTs in India: IST-I for most of India and IST- II for the Northeastern region &ndash; separated by difference of one hour</li>
<li>IST-I, covering the regions falling between longitudes 68&deg;7&prime;E and 89&deg;52&prime;E and IST-II covering the regions between 89&deg;52&prime;E and 97&deg;25&prime;E.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Who is Demanding?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Northeast have long complained about the effect of a single time zone on their lives and their economies.</li>
<li>In 2006, India&rsquo;s federal planning commission recommended the division of the country into two time zones.</li>
<li>National Physical Laboratory (NPL) - India&rsquo;s official timekeeper - has supported a long standing demand for a separate time zone for eastern states</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Time zone</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scottish-born Canadian Sir Sandford Fleming proposed a worldwide system of time zones in 1879.</li>
<li>Eventually in 1884 International meridian conference adopted a 24 hour day.</li>
<li>Countries across the world keep different times because of Earth&rsquo;s rotation and revolution around the Sun.</li>
<li>As Earth turns by 15&deg; around its axis, time changes by one hour; a 360&ordm;-degree rotation yields 24 hours.</li>
<li>As a result, the world is divided into 24 time zones shifted by one hour each.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Indian Standard Time</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IST is based on longitude 82.5&deg;, which passes through Mirzapur, near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>It is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), now called the Universal Coordinated Time (UTC).</li>
<li>Keeper of the time in India is the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, which records time using five caesium atomic clocks.</li>
</ul>
<h3>History of Time Zones in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India used to have two time zones, Bombay Time and Calcutta Time, first established in 1884 during the British Raj.</li>
<li>Indian Standard Time is an anachronism like many systems that were inherited from the British.</li>
<li>It was in 1906 that India had a single IST running through center of country.</li>
<li>There was a one-hour-nine-minutes time difference between Kolkata and Mumbai. Yet, today these cities, which are 1,650km apart, share the same time.</li>
<li>Tea estates of Assam, where the concept of &lsquo;bagaan time&rsquo; (estate time) exists, is there a provision for a separate time zone inside India. Bagaan time is one hour ahead of IST.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Need of Two Time Zones</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is geographically the second-largest country not to have multiple time-zones</li>
<li>India stretches from 97 degree 25 minute East in Arunachal to 68 degree 7 minute East in Gujarat &mdash; almost 30 degrees of longitude which is more than enough to have two time-zones.</li>
<li>Northeast lose important daylight which can be used productively as the sun rises as early as 4 am in summer and offices open at 10.</li>
<li>Many people in India operate in a time zone that is not an appropriate diurnal cycle for them</li>
<li>People&rsquo;s productivity and efficiency follows a biological clock that is synchronized with the daily light-dark cycles.</li>
<li>From the body&rsquo;s circadian rhythm point of view, the existing IST is highly suitable for Kanyakumari, Kavaratti, and Ghuar Mota; manageable for Alipurduar, Kolkata, Gangtok, Mirzapur and Gilgitum; but highly unsuitable for Dong and Port Blair.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Circadian Rhythm</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Circadian rhythm is the 24-hour cycle that tells our bodies when to sleep, rise, and eat&mdash;regulating many physiological processes.</li>
<li>Internal body clock is affected by environmental cues, like sunlight and temperature, and determines whether one feels wide-awake and energized or tired.</li>
<li><strong>Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young,</strong> who studied the molecular mechanisms controlling circadian rhythm, were awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in the category of physiology or medicine.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lead to greater efficiencies among the workforce and on energy consumption.</li>
<li>Advancing IST by just a half hour would result in saving 2.7 billion units of electricity every year by using the waste daylight hours.</li>
<li>Reduction in energy consumption will significantly cut down India&rsquo;s carbon footprint boosting India&rsquo;s resolve to fight climate change.</li>
<li>There are also economic benefits to having two different time zones; people will be able to work better and plan better, according to natural cycles.</li>
<li>Many social policy objectives can be achieved such as reducing road accidents and improving women's safety.</li>
<li>Two time zones will allow aligning standard time with daylight time.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Problems</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mismatch in office timings, different working hours for banks and a chance that railway accidents might become more frequent.</li>
<li>Implementing two time zones will require synchronizing railway traffic which otherwise will create utter confusion.</li>
<li>With significant illiteracy levels, if the country were divided into two time zones, there would be chaos at the border between the two zones. It would mean resetting clocks with each crossing of the time zone.</li>
<li>CSIR-NPL would need a second laboratory in the new time zone. This would consist of &lsquo;Primary Time Ensemble-II&rsquo;, traceable to the UTC at BIPM in France.</li>
<li>Marking of the dividing line of the two zones would be a problem.</li>
<li>Two time zones can have adverse political consequences as India apart from getting divided on the lines of religion, caste, race, language, etc, now will get divided on the lines of Time Zones.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Available Alternatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIAS (National Institute for Advanced Science) cited that Permanent shift of IST to one hour will be better than two time zones or DST i.e. 6:30+ UTC to 90 degree east.</li>
<li>Daylight Saving Time can also be used from April to September.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Daylight Saving Time</strong></p>
<p>Daylight Saving is a procedure in which the time in the clock is adjusted forward in spring &amp; is readjusted backward in autumn.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advantages of Daylight Saving:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Helps to save energy.</li>
<li>It provides additional daylight hours in the evening.</li>
<li>It increases productivity.</li>
<li>It helps to increase the tourism as due to the increase daylight hours tourists would stay out for longer period &amp; spend more.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Implementation of these recommendations must be supported by the ability of the government to gather data and track changes in economic activity pattern of the nation.</li>
<li>Factors like impact of sunrise and sunset timings on biological activities of people; synchronizing sunrise and sunset timings with office hours should be carefully studied.</li>
<li>Minimization of spatial extension at the proposed border of time demarcation etc needs to be taken care.</li>
<li>It is important to consult all stakeholders and arrive at a better solution so as to use the lost light hours that are dimmed by a common IST.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper1/mind-map-2-time-zones-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For Mind Map</a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/2-time-zones-in-india'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => '2 Time Zones in India',
			'catname' => 'Paper 1',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/7922%20Time Zones in India.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/7922 Time Zones in India.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper1/mind-map-2-time-zones-in-india'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'A Prescription For The Future',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;A Prescription For the Future&rdquo; which appears in The Hindu for 28th November 2018.)</p>
</div>
<p>The world is changing very fast and global mega-trends like the increasing demand for food, water, and energy, the changes in demographic patterns etc., reinforce this fact.</p>
<p>The Internet has taken over our lives, smartphone penetration is growing rapidly. There are dramatic changes in the lifestyle and behavioral changes occurring every day, with strong implications for the future of our planet and its inhabitants. Healthcare is no stranger to this change -<strong> the most impactful transformations in human life have happened in healthcare itself.</strong></p>
<h3>Why the use of technology is imperative in the health sector of India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-3-good-health-and-well-being.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>For achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3,</strong></a> the country&rsquo;s strategy in health is focused on providing essential services to the entire population, with a special emphasis on the poor and vulnerable groups.</li>
<li><strong>For achieving National Health policy aims:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establish regular tracking of DALY Index (Disability Adjusted Life Years) as a measure of the burden of disease and its trends by major categories by 2022.</li>
<li>Reduction of TFR to 2.1 at national and sub-national level by 2025.</li>
<li>Reduce Under Five Mortality to 23 by 2025 and MMR from 130 to 100 by 2020.</li>
<li>Reduce infant mortality rate to 28 by 2019.</li>
<li>Reduce neonatal mortality to 16 and stillbirth rate to &ldquo;single digit&rdquo; by 2025.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For achieving Government targets to eliminate:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Kala-Azar and Filariasis by 2017</li>
<li>Leprosy by 2018</li>
<li>Measles by 2020</li>
<li>Tuberculosis by 2025</li>
<li>Malaria 2030</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges to Adoption of Technology</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>One of the primary challenges is to effectively coordinate data generated by the various stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The fundamental unit of digital healthcare is the electronic health record or the EHR.</strong> But, the vast majority of healthcare interventions in India take place non-digitally.</li>
<li>In the primary healthcare centers that serve the vast majority of our rural hinterland, data is often logged on paper or at best in Excel, making their value as a digital asset questionable.</li>
<li>Lack of healthcare facilities where less than 2% of hospitals <g class="gr_ gr_81 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar replaceWithoutSep" id="81" data-gr-id="81">in</g> are accredited also pose challenges to adoption of technology in the health sector.</li>
<li>Government health expenditure is very low, that makes it difficult to adopt new technologies in public healthcare centers.</li>
<li>Shortage of qualified physicians and well-trained medical staff also makes it difficult to implement new technologies. This gap in human resources viz. Technology is alarming in the Indian context.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>There are several examples of modern technology in healthcare:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Telemedicine has already brought healthcare to the remotest corners of the country.</strong> Telemedicine is the remote delivery of healthcare services, such as health assessments or consultations, over the telecommunications infrastructure. It allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients using common technology, such as video conferencing and smartphones, without the need for an in-person visit.</li>
<li><strong>The use of artificial intelligence for preventive and predictive health analytics</strong> can strongly support clinical diagnosis with evidence-based guidelines and also prevent disease.<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/529Al and Robotics.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="511" height="272" /></li>
<li>From the <strong>virtual reality (VR) of 3D-printing, we are now moving towards augmented reality (AR)</strong>, by which, for example, every piece of a node in a malignant melanoma can be completely removed, thereby eliminating the risk of cancer spreading to any other part of the body.<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/866drishti_Healthcare-3D-printing-market.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="502" height="502" /></li>
<li><strong>Biotechnology, cell biology, and genetics</strong> are also opening up whole new paradigms of understanding of human life and disease, and have made <strong>personalized medicine</strong> a way of life.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to rapidly adapt to, embrace and drive change if it wishes to stay relevant in the global healthcare order.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s change imperative has become even more pronounced with the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, or National Health Protection Mission (NHPM), under the ambit of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ayushman-bharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Ayushman Bharat.</a></strong></li>
<li>The vast scale of Ayushman Bharat requires reimagining an innovative model which will transform healthcare delivery in the country. By leapfrogging through smart adoption of technology and using emerging platforms, significant improvements are possible in healthcare operations and costs.</li>
<li>Engagement of Private sector to make sure welfare programme reaches the most vulnerable and the underprivileged, for whom it is intended is also urgently required.</li>
<li><strong>For India to grow, healthcare as an engine of the economy needs to flourish.</strong></li>
<li>The private sector, which has contributed over 80% of the bed additions in the last decade, needs to earn healthy rates of return on investment to continue capital investment in infrastructure, technology upgrades, and to have the ability to acquire top clinical talent, which can lead to differentiated outcomes.</li>
<li>In a quest to achieve low-cost healthcare, the government should not inhibit the potential for growth, nor isolate the country&rsquo;s health sector from exciting global developments.</li>
<li>There is also a need to achieve a balance between staying at the cutting edge of clinical protocols, technology, and innovation and continue to deliver world-class care while finding increasingly efficient ways of operating to continuously lower the cost of care and bring it within the reach of those who cannot afford it.<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/862drishti_healthcare-budget-in-brics-countries-v1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="458" height="354" /></li>
</ul>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-prescription-for-the-future'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (28th November 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Logix India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Logix India 2019 is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from 31st January to 2nd February 2019.</li>
<li>It is being organized by <strong>Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)</strong> as an initiative to<strong> improve logistics cost effectiveness and operational efficiencies for India&rsquo;s global trade.</strong></li>
<li>Over 100 international delegates from more than 20 countries are expected to attend Logix India 2019.</li>
<li>FIEO will also focus on<strong> investment opportunities in infrastructure development, warehouse consolidation, technology integration and IT enablement andskilling of manpower at the three-day meet.</strong></li>
<li>India ranked<strong> 44 in the World Bank&rsquo;s Logistics Performance Index 2018.</strong> Logistics sector will play a key role in enhancing the competitiveness of Indian goods in the global markets.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Organ Donation Day</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> 9th Indian Organ Donation Day was organized on 27 November</strong> by the <strong>National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)</strong> under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Tamil Nadu</strong> was felicitated with an award for <strong>best</strong> <strong>performing</strong> <strong>state</strong> and <strong>Maharashtra</strong> <strong>for promoting</strong> <strong>awareness</strong> on organ donation.</li>
<li>Tamil Nadu had been the first state in India for various initiatives like mandatory certification of Brain Stem Death and streamlining the organ distribution.</li>
<li>In India organs are mainly donated by the living donors and only about 23% of the organ transplant is being done with organs obtained from the cadavers.</li>
<li>There is a need to promote cadaver or deceased organ donation rather than relying on living donors in order to avoid the risk of commercial trading of organs and also to avoid the inherent risk to the health of the living donor.</li>
<li>People&rsquo;s participation and people&rsquo;s awareness is the key for encouraging organ donation and to bridge certain gaps.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)&nbsp;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NOTTO is set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, located in New Delhi.</li>
<li>The National Human Organ and Tissue Removal &amp; Storage Network and the National Biomaterial Centre, are two divisions under it.</li>
<li>National Network division of NOTTO would function as apex centre for all India activities for procurement, distribution and registry of organs and tissues donation and transplantation in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Mekedatu Project</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mekedatu, meaning goat&rsquo;s leap, is a deep gorge situated at the confluence of the rivers Cauvery and Arkavathi, about 100 km from Bengaluru, at the Kanakapura taluk in Karnataka Ramanagara district.</li>
<li>The aim of Mekedatu Project is to use the water for a hydro power station and supply drinking water to Bengaluru city.</li>
<li><strong>Tamil Nadu Objections</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tamil Nadu government has said that the proposal for the reservoir is not just for drinking water alone, but to increase the extent of irrigation, which is in clear violation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Award .</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-28th-november-2018'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'RBI Eases Hedging Norms for External Commercial Borrowings',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The Reserve Bank relaxed norms for external commercial borrowings (ECBs) by reducing the mandatory hedging provision to 70% from the current 100%.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>cost of hedging has gone up</strong> in the last six months with the strengthening of the dollar. As a result, the ECB route was becoming unattractive to firms.</li>
<li>The move will help<strong> bring down the final cost of overseas loans</strong> for Indian firms but could leave them more exposed to volatility in the foreign exchange markets.</li>
<li>The relaxed norms will apply to the ECBs with a maturity period between 3 and 5 years.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The push to increase hedging began after the global financial crisis, where unhedged foreign currency exposures led to significant losses for some firms.</li>
<li>Following that experience, the RBI mandated 100% hedging for medium-term external borrowings. It also asked banks to set aside additional provisions against companies which had unhedged foreign currency exposure.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hedging</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hedging is a financial technique that helps to<strong> reduce or mitigate the effects of measurable type of risk</strong> from the future changes in the fair value of commodities, cash flows, securities, currencies, assets and liabilities.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> kind of an insurance</strong> that do not eliminate the risk completely but mitigate its effect.</li>
<li>It consists of the purchase or sale of equal quantities of the same or very similar commodities, approximately simultaneously, in two different markets with the expectation that a future change in price in one market will be offset by an opposite change in the other market.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>External Commercial Borrowings</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>External Commercial Borrowings is a <strong>loan availed by an Indian entity</strong> from a nonresident lender with a <strong>minimum average maturity of 3 years.</strong></li>
<li>Most of these loans are provided by foreign commercial banks buyers&rsquo; credit, suppliers&rsquo; credit, securitized instruments such as Floating Rate Notes and Fixed Rate Bonds etc.</li>
<li>Advantages of ECBs:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ECBs provide <strong>opportunity to borrow large volume</strong> of funds.</li>
<li>The funds are available for<strong> relatively long term.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Interest rate are also lower</strong> compared to domestic funds.</li>
<li>ECBs are in the <strong>form of foreign currencies.</strong> Hence, they enable the corporate to have foreign currency to meet the import of machineries etc.</li>
<li>Corporate can raise ECBs from internationally recognized sources such as banks, export credit agencies, international capital markets etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-eases-hedging-norms-for-external-commercial-borrowings'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'ASEAN',
			'catname' => 'International Institutions',
			'desc' => '<h3>What is ASEAN?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organization which was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions among the Asia-Pacific&rsquo;s post-colonial states.</li>
<li>The motto of ASEAN is <strong>&ldquo;One Vision, One Identity, One Community&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>8<sup>th</sup> August is observed as ASEAN Day.</li>
<li>ASEAN Secretariat &ndash; Indonesia, Jakarta.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Member Nations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indonesia</li>
<li>Malaysia</li>
<li>Philippines</li>
<li>Singapore</li>
<li>Thailand</li>
<li>Brunei</li>
<li>Vietnam</li>
<li>Laos</li>
<li>Myanmar</li>
<li>Cambodia</li>
</ul>
<h3>Genesis of ASEAN</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>1967 &ndash; ASEAN was established with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding fathers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Founding Fathers of ASEAN are: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>1990s &ndash; Membership doubled after the changing conditions in the region following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and the Cold War in 1991.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Addition of Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>1995 &ndash; Members signed a deal to create a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia.</li>
<li>1997 &ndash; Adoption of ASEAN <strong>Vision 2020</strong>.</li>
<li>2003 &ndash; <strong>Bali Concord II</strong> for the establishment of an ASEAN Community.</li>
<li>2007 &ndash; <strong>Cebu Declaration,</strong> to accelerate the establishment of ASEAN Community by 2015.</li>
<li>2008 &ndash; ASEAN Charter comes into force and becomes a legally binding agreement.</li>
<li>2015 &ndash; Launch of <strong>ASEAN Community</strong>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>ASEAN Political-Security Community</li>
<li>ASEAN Economic Community</li>
<li>ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objectives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.</li>
<li>To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.</li>
<li>To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields.</li>
<li>To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade, the improvement of transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards of peoples.</li>
<li>To promote Southeast Asian studies.</li>
<li>To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>The ASEAN fundamental principles, as contained in the <em>Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia</em> (TAC) of 1976</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations.</li>
<li>The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion.</li>
<li>Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another.</li>
<li>Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner.</li>
<li>Renunciation of the threat or use of force.</li>
<li>Effective cooperation among themselves.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Institution Mechanism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN Summit:</strong> The supreme policy making body of ASEAN. As the highest level of authority in ASEAN, the Summit sets the direction for ASEAN policies and objectives. Under the Charter, the Summit meets twice a year.</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN Ministerial Councils:</strong> The Charter established four important new Ministerial bodies to support the Summit.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC)</li>
<li>ASEAN Political-Security Community Council</li>
<li>ASEAN Economic Community Council</li>
<li>ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Decision Making:&nbsp;</strong>The primary mode of decision-making in ASEAN is consultation and consensus.</li>
</ul>
<p>However, the Charter enshrines the principle of <strong>ASEAN-X</strong> &ndash; This means that if all member states are in agreement, a formula for flexible participation may be used so that the members who are ready may go ahead while members who need more time for implementation may apply a flexible timeline.</p>
<h3>ASEAN-led Forums</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF):</strong> Launched in 1993, the twenty-seven-member multilateral grouping was developed to facilitate cooperation on political and security issues to contribute to regional confidence-building and preventive diplomacy.</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN Plus Three:</strong> The consultative group initiated in 1997 brings together ASEAN&rsquo;s ten members, China, Japan, and South Korea.</li>
<li><strong>East Asia Summit (EAS):</strong> First held in 2005, the summit seeks to promote security and prosperity in the region and is usually attended by the heads of state from ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. ASEAN plays a central role as the agenda-setter.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Strengths &amp; Opportunities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ASEAN commands far greater influence on Asia-Pacific trade, political, and security issues than its members could achieve individually.</li>
<li><strong>Demographic dividend &ndash;</strong> It constitutes 3rd largest population in the world, of which more than half is below thirty years of age.</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>3<sup>rd</sup> largest market in the world -</strong> larger than EU and North American markets.</li>
<li><strong>6<sup>th</sup> largest economy</strong> in the world, <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> in Asia</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Free-trade agreements (FTAs)</strong> with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.</li>
<li>Fourth most <strong>popular investment destination</strong> globally.</li>
<li>ASEAN&rsquo;s share of global exports has also risen, from only 2 percent in 1967 to 7 percent by 2016, indicating the rising importance of trade to ASEAN&rsquo;s economic prospects.</li>
<li>The ASEAN Single Aviation Market and Open Skies policies have increased its transport and connectivity potential.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ASEAN has contributed to <strong>regional stability</strong> by building much-needed norms and fostering a neutral environment to address shared challenges.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Regional imbalances in the economic and social status of its individual markets.</li>
<li><strong>Gap between rich and poor ASEAN member states remains very large and they have a mixed record on income inequality.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>While Singapore boasts the highest GDP per capita&mdash;nearly $53,000 (2016), Cambodia&rsquo;s per capita GDP is the lowest at less than $1,300.</li>
<li>Many regional initiatives were not able to be incorporated into national plans, as the less developed countries faced resource constraints to implement the regional commitments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The members&rsquo; political systems are equally mixed with democracies, communist, and authoritarian states.</li>
<li>While the South China Sea is the main issue exposing the organization&rsquo;s rifts.</li>
<li>ASEAN has been divided over major issues of human rights. For example, crackdowns in Myanmar against the Rohingyas.</li>
<li>Inability to negotiate a unified approach with regards to China, particularly in response to its widespread maritime claims in the South China Sea.</li>
<li>The emphasis on consensus sometimes becomes the a chief drawback &ndash; difficult problems have been avoided rather than confronted.</li>
<li>There is no central mechanism to enforce compliance.</li>
<li>Inefficient dispute-settlement mechanism, whether it be in the economic or political spheres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and ASEAN</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India's relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of her foreign policy and the foundation of Act East Policy.</li>
<li>India has a separate Mission to ASEAN and the EAS in Jakarta.</li>
<li>India and ASEAN already has 25 years of Dialogue Partnership, 15 years of Summit Level interaction and 5 years of Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN is India's fourth largest trading partner.</li>
<li>India's trade with ASEAN stands at approx. 10.6% of India's overall trade.</li>
<li>India's export to ASEAN stands at 11.28% of our total exports. The ASEAN-India Free Trade Area has been completed.</li>
<li>ASEAN India-Business Council (AIBC) was set up in 2003 to bring key private sector players from India and the ASEAN countries on a single platform.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Socio-Cultural Cooperation:</strong> Programmes to boost People-to-People Interaction with ASEAN, such as inviting ASEAN students to India, Special Training Course for ASEAN diplomats, Exchange of Parliamentarians, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Funds:</strong> Financial assistance has been provided to ASEAN countries from the following Funds:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund</li>
<li>ASEAN-India S&amp;T Development Fund</li>
<li>ASEAN-India Green Fund</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delhi Declaration:&nbsp;</strong>To identify Cooperation in the Maritime Domain as the key area of cooperation under the ASEAN-India strategic partnership.</li>
<li><strong>Delhi Dialogue:</strong> Annual Track 1.5 event for discussing politico-security and economic issues between ASEAN and India.</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN-India Centre (AIC):</strong> To undertake policy research, advocacy and networking activities with organizations and think-tanks in India and ASEAN.</li>
<li><strong>Political Security Cooperation:</strong> India places ASEAN at the centre of its Indo-Pacific vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region.</li>
</ul>',
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		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Minimum Wages Act for Domestic Workers',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>A petition filed by NGO Common Cause along with social activist Aruna Roy and the National Platform for Domestic Workers has sought the <strong>Supreme Court&rsquo;s intervention to lay down guidelines to protect domestic workers&rsquo; rights.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The petition sought the recognition of domestic work <strong>under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.</strong> The work hours should be <strong>reduced to eight a day</strong> and the workers should be given a<strong> mandatory weekly off as a basic right under Article 21.</strong></li>
<li>According to estimates by the <strong>International Labour Organisation (ILO),</strong> there are at least <strong>four million domestic workers in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International LabourOrganization (ILO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a <strong>United Nations agency</strong> dealing with labour issues, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities for all.</li>
<li>The <strong>ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I,</strong> to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is <strong>based on social justice. </strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>tripartite organization,</strong> the <strong>only one</strong> of its kind bringing together representatives of <strong>governments, employers and workers in its executive bodies.</strong></li>
<li>Headquarters: <strong>Geneva, Switzerland</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Domestic worker is a person who is employed in any household on a temporary or permanent basis to do the household work. Many resort to domestic work because of decline of employment opportunities in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.</li>
<li>Domestic work as an <strong>economic activity is too vast and employs too many to remain unregulated.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Need for Protection of Domestic Workers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Since domestic workers belong to the unorganized sector, there are<strong> no laws safeguarding their rights</strong> &ndash; no minimum wage requirements, no health or insurance benefits, and no job security whatsoever.</li>
<li>Most of these are from <strong>vulnerable communities</strong> &ndash; Adivasis, Dalits or landless Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Nearly all of them are migrant workers. And an overwhelming number are women. This makes them <strong>easy to replace, and easier still to exploit.</strong></li>
<li>Minimum wage provisions are important instruments to protect the most vulnerable and lowest-paid workers &ndash; such as domestic workers &ndash; from unduly low wages.</li>
<li>A minimum wage recognizes the basic contribution of domestic workers to homes and societies, and is a key <strong>means of ensuring the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>While several legislations such as the<strong> Unorganized Social Security Act, 2008, Sexual Harassment against Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and Minimum Wages Schedules notified in various states</strong> refer to domestic workers, there remains an <strong>absence of comprehensive, uniformly applicable, national legislation</strong> that guarantees fair terms of employment and decent working conditions.</li>
<li>About half the states have included domestic workers as labourers under the Minimum Wages Act, which sets out terms of payment, hours of work and leave. Yet, this law is <strong>grossly inadequate.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The law does not, for instance, require domestic workers and employers to register with any authority, which is crucial for monitoring whether both parties are fulfilling their contractual obligations and for adjudicating conflicts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Absence of proper documentation,</strong> which also increases their reliance on employers to access social security benefits. As employment is largely through word of mouth or personal referrals , employment contracts are rarely negotiated, leaving the terms of employment to the whims of the employer.</li>
<li>Unlike work in a formal setting, domestic work is <strong>not guided by clear and agreed production or output goals.</strong></li>
<li>Furthermore, <strong>privacy norms do not bode well with the idea of regulations</strong> (labour inspectors) entering private households and ensuring regulations.</li>
<li>However, discussions are underway on a national policy for domestic workers, with the aim to protect the domestic workers from abuse, harassment, violence and guarantee them rights in the matter of social security and minimum wages.</li>
<li>India is a <strong>signatory to the ILO&rsquo;s 189th convention,</strong> known as the Convention on Domestic Workers; but has<strong> not ratified it yet.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Convention on Domestic Workers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Convention on Domestic Workers, formally the Convention concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers is a convention setting <strong>labour standards for domestic workers.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>189th ILO convention</strong> and was adopted during the 100th session of the International Labour Organization at Geneva in June 2011.</li>
<li>It is a strong recognition of the economic and social value of domestic work and a call for action to address the existing exclusions of domestic workers from labour and social protection.</li>
<li>The convention mandates that domestic workers be given daily and weekly rest hours, their payment must meet the minimum wage requirement.</li>
<li>Ratifying states are also required to take protective measures against violence against workers and are also required to enforce a minimum age for employment.</li>
<li>However, since these<strong> provisions are not binding</strong> on those countries that have not ratified the convention, India is not obliged to enforce these recommendations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Domestic work has enabled many women to <strong>enter the labour market and benefit from economic autonomy.</strong> The large supply of domestic workers in India has meant a shift of care responsibilities from women in the households to hired domestic workers who are a <strong>predominantly female and largely invisible.</strong></li>
<li>There is the need to <strong>change the idea that care-giving is a private domestic responsibility unique to women.</strong></li>
<li>Hence,the demands for decent work for domestic workers are <strong>two pronged</strong>- first and foremost, it calls for recognition of the <strong>rights of domestic workers for fair terms of employment</strong> that are no less favourable than those of other workers, and secondly, it calls for the<strong> active participation of the state and the recognition of the existence of structural inequality that is perpetuated by not recognizing the sheer weight of &lsquo;care work&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>',
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		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (27th November 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>PAiSA Portal</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>centralized electronic platform named &ldquo;PAiSA &ndash; Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access&rdquo;,</strong> has been launched by <strong>Ministry of Housing &amp; Urban Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>The web platform has been designed and developed by<strong> Allahabad Bank</strong> which is the Nodal bank.</li>
<li>The portal will process interest subvention (subsidy offered on interest rate) on bank loans<strong> to beneficiaries under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana &ndash; National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).</strong></li>
<li>Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of subvention on monthly basis under DAY-NULM will give the necessary financial support to small entrepreneurs in a timely manner.</li>
<li>PAiSA is aimed to connect directly with the beneficiaries, ensuring that there is greater transparency and efficiency in delivery of services.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana &ndash; National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)</strong> under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs aims to <strong>reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households</strong> by enabling them to access <strong>gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities.</strong></p>
</div>
<h3>HAUSLA-2018</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)</strong> inaugurated four-day festival, 'Hausla 2018'.</li>
<li>It is a national festival for <strong>children living in Child Care Institutions (CCIs)</strong> to provide them a platform to showcase their skills and realise their hidden talents.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Korean Wrestling in UNESCO&rsquo;s Intangible Cultural Heritage List</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>UNESCO has accepted a joint bid by North and South Korea</strong> and granted <strong>Intangible Cultural Heritage</strong> status to <strong>Korean wrestling.</strong></li>
<li>The two countries had initially filed separately, but then decided to try a joint approach.</li>
<li>The ancient sport is known as<strong> &lsquo;Ssirum&rsquo; in the North Korea and &lsquo;Ssireum&rsquo; in the South Korea.</strong></li>
<li>Competitors win by making any part of an <strong>opponent's body above the knee touch the ground.</strong></li>
<li>The joint bid marks a highly symbolic step on the road to<strong> inter-Korean reconciliation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Constitution Day</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Constitution Day also known as<strong> Samvidhan Divas,</strong> is celebrated on <strong>26 November</strong> every year to commemorate the adoption of Constitution of India.</li>
<li>On <strong>26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted</strong> the Constitution of India, and it <strong>came into force on 26 January 1950.</strong></li>
<li>Constitution is the country&rsquo;s supreme law and not only defines the framework of the basic political principles, but also establishes what the different government institutions should do in terms of procedure, powers and duties.</li>
<li>Constitution of India is the <strong>longest written constitution</strong> of any country in the world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tawang Monastery</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tawang Monastery is located in<strong> Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>Known in Tibetan as <strong>Gaden Namgyal Lhatse,</strong> it was built according to the wishes of the <strong>5<sup>th</sup> Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso</strong>.</li>
<li>However, it was<strong> founded in 1680-81 by a monk named Merag Lodre Gyatso of the Gelugpa sect</strong> (<strong>Tibetan Buddhism)</strong> after the 4th Dalai Lama gave him a painting of goddess Palden Lhamo to be kept in the monastery.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tibetan Buddhism is the major religion of Tibetans around the world. It covers the teachings of <strong>Mahayana Buddhism along with Tantric and Shamanic rituals,</strong> and is in some part <strong>influenced by Bon, the ancient, indigenous religion of Tibet.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An eight-metre high gilded statue of Lord Buddha dominates the sanctum of the monastery.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>largest monastery in India</strong> and <strong>second largest in the world after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Aadi Mahotsav</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>4<sup>th</sup> edition</strong> of annual &ldquo;Aadi Mahotsav&rdquo;, a National Tribal Festival organized by <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs in association with TRIFED and Ministry of Culture</strong> will be held from 16-30 November, 2018 at Dilli Haat.</li>
<li>The theme of the festival: <strong>Celebration of the spirit of tribal culture, craft, cuisine and commerce.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 46</strong> of the Constitution of India lays down that the state shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people and in particular of the scheduled tribes and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was founded in <strong>1987.</strong> It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'How To Regulate The Digital Economy',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;How To Regulate The Digital Economy&rdquo; which appears in BusinessLine for 27th November 2018.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Light touch regulation or in some cases zero regulation, has largely been the mantra of the global tech industry from the start and many rightfully credit it for the pace of growth and innovation the industry has seen.<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/315drishti_Digital-Economy.jpg" style="float: right;" width="490" height="277" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Technology symbolizes innovation, growth, and markets while regulation places limits on growth and symbolizes bureaucracy. Technology and regulation are often posed as adversaries. However, the regulation itself is a technology.</strong></p>
<h3>What is a Digital Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>&ldquo;digital economy</strong>&rdquo; is a term for all of those economic processes, transactions, interactions, and activities that are based on digital technologies. The digital economy is different from the internet economy in that the internet economy is based on internet connectivity, whereas the digital economy is more broadly based on any of the many digital tools used in today's economic world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages of a Digital Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Removal of Black Economy:</strong> When transactions are made digitally, they can be monitored. By restricting cash-based transactions and using only digital payments, the government can efficiently expel the black economy.</li>
<li><strong>Increase in Revenues:</strong> Since each transaction is recorded, customers will get a bill for their purchase, and the merchants are bound to pay sales tax to the government. This, in turn, increases the revenue of the government &ndash; thus resulting in the growth of the overall financial status of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Empowerment to People:</strong> One of the biggest advantages of moving towards a digital economy is that it empowers citizens. One example of that would be the LPG subsidy that the government gives to the common people. This subsidy payment is done via bank transfers only.</li>
<li><strong>Paves the way to e-governance:</strong> The quicker, safer, and more efficient alternative to traditional governance, e-governance will be the ultimate outcome of the digital economy. Digital economy will definitely pave a way to e-governance, where delivery of all government services would be done electronically.</li>
<li><strong>Creation of new jobs:</strong> The digital economy has a lot of potentials to enhance job opportunities in new markets as well as increasing employment opportunities in some of the existing occupations in the government. This way, the unemployment rate in the country is bound to decrease.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why Regulation is Needed?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>&ldquo;Free&rdquo; services, almost the sine qua non of the digital world, aren&rsquo;t really so. Firms earn money by using the personal data collected to ensure targeted advertising, cross-selling other products/services.</strong> Personalization is based on data. Notwithstanding the compelling advantages, unless suitably regulated, the consumer will be severely disadvantaged.</li>
<li>Though digital operations benefit consumers by increasing competition and innovation. To protect users from frauds and scams regulations are vital.</li>
<li>To control the growth of the dark web and to check the spread of <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="92" data-gr-id="92">rumour</g> (eg. fake news) which lead to social disturbances, digital economy regulations are necessary.</li>
<li>In particular, the exponential growth of online applications in two areas&mdash;short-term property rentals and ride sharing&mdash;have led to calls for greater scrutiny and regulation. The growth of these services has been met with concerns in a number of jurisdictions about passenger safety as well as labor standards for drivers.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Current Regulatory Framework</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000) and Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011 (Rules) govern all Information Technology intermediaries.</li>
<li>Section 79 of the IT Act provides that an intermediary is not liable for any third-party content hosted/made available through such intermediary when:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The contravention is done without its knowledge, or</li>
<li>The intermediary observes due diligence and abides by other guidelines prescribed by the Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The internet is fragmented, which has resulted in a differentiated approach to policy-making.</strong> The Indian draft law on data localization is a glaring example. Instead of focussing on strengthening the mechanisms to improve data access for law enforcement, it has suggested that all data should have a copy in India (which is not a good solution to the problem and almost impractical).</li>
<li>Regulation must, therefore, be technology agnostic &mdash; meaning it must be effective, irrespective of the underlying technology. <strong>Our regulatory systems, therefore, need to be equipped to understand the evolving risks and guide firms to place appropriate safeguards.</strong></li>
<li>While addressing <strong>price elasticity*</strong> and curbing ill-effects of monopolies, regulators will have to ensure that they don&rsquo;t reinvent the wheel. A<strong>t any cost, the government/regulatory body must resist getting into the business themselves.</strong></li>
<li>The increasing pace and scope of innovation and other geopolitical dynamics like globalization may restrict the government&rsquo;s scope for regulation. To overcome this restriction while providing sufficient legroom for innovations, what can be done is enforce some sort of &lsquo;<strong>technology sandboxing*</strong>&rsquo; (sandboxes are very common in computing and regulatory sandboxes* common in the financial sector). Moreover, global institutions like the UNCTAD are at the forefront, discussing ways to protect/regulate data globally, and India should heed to and recommend its own, recommendations on such global forums.</li>
<li>While there is increasing consensus that there is a real need for more regulation, there is also increasing concern about the &lsquo;how&rsquo;. Regulations should create a competitive environment and also not be apprehensive of incumbents failing (as more startups in this sector fail than succeed).</li>
<li>There is a need for co-creation and co-ownership of a digital world where innovation and security co-exist. This would require not just industry and regulators/government to meaningfully co-operate but also the regulators and government bodies to harmonize their regulatory approaches so that they see the &ldquo;big picture&rdquo; together.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>*Price elasticity of demand</strong> is a measure of the change in the quantity demanded or purchased of a product in relation to its price change.</li>
<li><strong>*Sandboxing</strong> : (in computing) an isolated environment in which a program can be run or tested, for example to prevent accidental damage to other parts of the system; A regulatory sandbox is a framework set up by a regulator that allows FinTech startups (Financial Technology) and other innovators to conduct live experiments in a controlled environment under a regulator's supervision.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Learn More: <a href="https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/dtlstict2016d1_en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNCTAD-Data protection regulations and international data flows</a>: Implications for trade and development&nbsp;</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Examples where debates on <g class="gr_ gr_152 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="152" data-gr-id="152">digital</g> economy matter:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Example 1:</strong> If a product bought on a platform malfunction and causes harm, then to what extent is the platform liable? Consider these anomalies. A self-driven car crashes. On who do we pin primary responsibility? Manufacturer? Software developer? The owner or, the occupant?</li>
<li><strong>Example 2:</strong> A 3D printed furniture collapses! Who&rsquo;s to take responsibility &mdash; the store, the designer, or the printer manufacturer? Again, Ola/ Uber/Lyfts of the world are forever fighting cases where their drivers have caused harm. Apportioning liability appropriately is increasingly becoming a grey area.</li>
</ul>
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Global Wage Report: ILO',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Recently <strong>International Labour Organisation</strong> (ILO) has released the Global Wage Report 2018.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the <strong>first time</strong>, the Global Wage Report 2018 has also focused on the <strong>global gender pay gap</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lowest wage growth globally in 2017 since 2008:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Globally, the rate of growth in wages in 2017 fell to its lowest level since 2008, but workers in <strong>India had the highest average real wage growth in Southern Asia</strong> of 5.5% over the period 2008-17.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Slow wage growth in high-income countries:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Wages in developing countries are increasing more quickly than those in higher-income countries. But the gaps in wages are wide and the level of wages is still not high enough for people to meet their basic needs in developing countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>More robust wage growth in low- and middle-income countries:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All emerging G20 countries except Mexico experienced significant positive growth in average real wages between 2008 and 2017.</li>
<li>Real wages between 1999 and 2017 have almost tripled in the emerging and developing countries of the G20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong> Wage growth lagging behind productivity growth in high-income countries:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Labour productivity has increased more rapidly than real wages due to which the share of labour compensation in GDP in many countries remain substantially below those of the early 1990s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wage inequality highest in low-income countries:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Countries with the lowest levels of wage inequality are found among the high-income group, whereas countries with the highest levels of wage inequality are found in the low- and middle-income groups.</li>
<li>Among <strong>high-income countries</strong>, wage <strong>inequality is lowest in Sweden and highest in Chile</strong>. Among<strong> low-income and middle-income countries</strong>, <strong>South Africa and Namibia</strong> have the <strong>highest inequality</strong>, <strong>Armenia and Mongolia </strong>the<strong> lowest</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Gender pay gaps represent one of today&rsquo;s greatest social injustices:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Women continue to be <strong>under-represented in traditionally male-occupied categories</strong> and within similar categories, women are consistently <strong>paid below men</strong>, even if women&rsquo;s <strong>educational attainments are just as good or better</strong> than those of men in similar occupations.</li>
<li>In high-income countries, the gender pay gap was at its biggest in top-salaried positions. In low- and middle-income countries, however, the gap was widest among lower-paid workers.</li>
<li>The <strong>lack of programmes supporting women&rsquo;s return to work after childbirth</strong> also contributes to the wage penalty that women face when resuming work after a prolonged period of absence from the labour market.</li>
<li>The wages of both men and women also tend to be lower in enterprises and occupations with a predominantly female workforce.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>State-specific and comparative studies on wages are needed by the collaboration work between government agencies, academic institutions and expert organisations.</li>
<li>Good data is needed in many countries for better data on the distribution of wages.</li>
<li><strong>Educational policies</strong> targeting enrolment rates among girls may contribute to reducing the gender pay gap in the future.</li>
<li><strong>Reducing polarization and occupational segregation</strong> may require changing perceptions and stereotypes, for example- attract more women into the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), which offer better-paid employment opportunities.</li>
<li>Countries should also look into possible ways to address the undervaluing of women&rsquo;s work in highly feminized occupations and industries, including by raising wages in the latter. Eliminating this bias is not only a way to narrow the gender pay gap directly, but it is also a condition to reduce occupational segregation, for example by attracting more men into the education and health sectors.</li>
<li>More <strong>equitable sharing of family duties</strong> between women and men, as well as adequate childcare and eldercare services, would in many instances lead to women making different occupational choices.</li>
<li>An <strong>appropriate mix of policies in any national context</strong> will depend on that particular country&rsquo;s circumstances, and that robust analytical work is needed to identify the largest contributory factors &ndash; and hence the most effective remedies &ndash; in different country contexts.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To support UN&rsquo;s SDG 8, the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), was launched in September 2017 as a <strong>multi-stakeholder initiative</strong> that includes the <strong>ILO, UN Women and the OECD</strong>.</li>
<li>It seeks<strong> to achieve equal pay for women and men</strong>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The UN&rsquo;s SDG 8 sets the target of &ldquo;achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities and equal pay for work of equal value&rdquo; by 2030.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>International Labour Organization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Labour Organization (ILO) was founded in 1919 to promote social justice and thereby contribute to universal and lasting peace.</li>
<li>The ILO is responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>only tripartite United Nations agency</strong> that brings together representatives of <strong>governments</strong>,<strong> employers</strong> and <strong>workers</strong> to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting decent work for all.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-wage-report-ilo'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Maharashtra Assembly Passes Bill For Reservation For Marathas',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Maharashtra Assembly has unanimously passed a Bill proposing 16% reservation for Maratha community.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The bill provides for reservation of seats for admission in educational institutions and posts in public services under <strong>Article 15(4), 16 (4) of the Constitution of India.</strong></li>
<li>Maratha community has been granted reservation under an independent category Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC).</li>
<li>The approval of the Bill has increased the reservation in Maharashtra from the current 52%to 68%, thus <strong>crossing the 50% ceiling set by Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney Case (1992).</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Article 15(4) in The Constitution Of India </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nothing in this article or in clause shall prevent the State from making any special provision for<br />the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Article 16(4) in The Constitution Of India </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Maratha Community</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Marathas are the Marathi-speaking, politically dominant community in Maharashtra. They make up about one-third of the population of the state.</li>
<li>Historically, they have been identified as a warrior class with large land-holdings.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons For Demanding Reservations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Division of land and agrarian problems</strong> over the years have led to a decline of prosperity among middle-class and lower-middle-class within Maratha Community.</li>
<li>Maratha community is a predominantly agrarian community which have been hit by the <strong>rural distress</strong>, especially the crisis in agriculture, and their efforts to seek <strong>education and alternative employment has been hampered</strong> by locational disadvantages.</li>
<li><strong>Inability of the state governments to provide enough jobs</strong> is another factor for dissatisfaction.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Basis for Reservation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC)</strong> submitted a report after studying 45,000 families from two villages from each of the 355 talukas that have more than a 50% Maratha population.</li>
<li>According to the panel report, Marathas have been declared as socially and educationally backward class of citizens and have inadequate representation in the services under state.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Around Reservation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Judicial Scrutiny</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reservation in Maharashtra is already beyond the Supreme Court imposed limit of 50%. After 16% is reservation is given to Marathas, the total would become 68%. Hence, whether this proposal can withstand judicial scrutiny and become policy remains to be seen.</li>
<li>However, there is no provision in the Constitution imposing ceiling on reservation. But it has provision that reservation should be given under exceptional and extraordinary cases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Not a &ldquo;Backward Community&rdquo;</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Marathas don&rsquo;t face any social stigma which hinders their economic development. Hence, there is no reason that calls for giving them affirmative action.</li>
<li>The demand for reservations for Marathas, traditionally seen as &ldquo;upper castes&rdquo;, goes against the spirit of affirmative action. They also play a central role in states electoral politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Government should look at the <strong>bigger solution to the problem</strong> as quotas offer only a limited, short-term solution to these problems.</li>
<li>Reservation is an instrument to rectify social and educational backwardness, but it is not a solution for every social and economic ailment. The <strong>government should focus on increasing economic growth which might lead to new employment opportunities.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/maharashtra-assembly-passes-bill-for-reservation-for-marathas'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Global Nutrition Report 2018',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In its<strong> fifth edition</strong>, the Global Nutrition Report highlights the worrying<strong> prevalence and universality of malnutrition in all its forms.</strong> About a <strong>third of the world&rsquo;s children</strong> suffer some form of malnutrition.</li>
<li>According to the report there has been <strong>some progress in reducing malnutrition</strong>, but it has been too slow and not spread across all forms of malnutrition.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Nutrition Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This report has been produced by the Independent Expert Group of the Global Nutrition Report, supported by the Global Nutrition Report Stakeholder Group.</li>
<li>The Global Nutrition Report was conceived following the<strong> first Nutrition for Growth Initiative Summit (N4G) in 2013. The first report was published in 2014.</strong></li>
<li>The Global Nutrition Report acts as a report card on the world&rsquo;s nutrition&mdash;<strong>globally, regionally, and country by country</strong>&mdash;and on efforts to improve it.</li>
<li>It assesses progress in meeting Global Nutrition Targets established by the World Health Assembly.</li>
<li>The<strong> World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> is a Global Nutrition Report Partner.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Stunting</strong> in children under five years of age is declining at a global level but numbers in Africa are increasing.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although, some progress is visible<strong> only against stunting, India</strong> still holds almost a third of the world's burden for stunting. Of the three countries that are home to almost half (47.2%) of all stunted children, two are in Asia, with India having 46.6 million (31%) and Pakistan having 10.7 million.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also accounted for 25.5 million children who are<strong> wasted</strong>, followed by Nigeria (3.4 million) and Indonesia (3.3 million). More than half of the world's children impacted by wasting (26.9 million) live in South Asia.</li>
<li>Progress in addressing <strong>underweight and anaemia among women</strong> has been<strong> extremely slow</strong> while<strong> overweight ((body mass index (BMI &ge;25) and obesity (BMI &ge;30) among adults is getting worse</strong>, with <strong>higher rates of obesity among women</strong> than men. Conversely,<strong> diabetes is more common among men</strong> than women.</li>
<li>India also figures among the set of countries that has more than a <strong>million overweight children.</strong> The other nations are China, Indonesia, India, Egypt, US, Brazil and Pakistan.</li>
<li>Different forms of<strong> malnutrition continue to coexist</strong> with each other. Of the 141 countries analysed, 88% experience more than one form of malnutrition.</li>
<li>In situations of <strong>crises arising from conflict, fragility, violence and environmental change</strong> there is an urgent need to treat and prevent multiple burdens of malnutrition while also building nutrition resilience.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Break down silos between malnutrition in all its forms</strong>- Different forms of malnutrition coexist which are being tackled at different rates, vary between populations, and overlap with each other in various ways. Therefore they <strong>require integrated approaches and cohesive work to address them.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Prioritise and invest in the data and capacity to use them</strong>- The efforts made to improve the collection and analysis of diet data must continue, and the<strong> gap in micronutrient data must be addressed</strong> as a matter of urgency. However, data collection and analysis is not enough, all stakeholders also<strong> need the capacity to use it</strong> to make evidence-based decisions.</li>
<li><strong>Increase financing for nutrition-</strong> &nbsp;Although nutrition financing have increased over the years, especially in developing countries, they are <strong>not adequate.</strong> Building on this progress, domestic investments must continue to grow and international aid donors must keep investing.</li>
<li><strong>Galvanise action on healthy diets-</strong> Governments and business need to implement a<strong> holistic package of actions</strong> to ensure food systems and food environments are <strong>delivering healthy diets</strong> that are affordable, accessible and desirable for all.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Malnutrition</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Malnutrition refers to d<strong>eficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person&rsquo;s intake of energy and/or nutrients</strong>. It is often split into<strong> two broad groups of conditions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Undernutrition,</strong> including &nbsp;<strong>stunting (low height for age)</strong>,<strong> wasting (low weight for height)</strong>, <strong>underweight (low weight for age)</strong> and <strong>&nbsp;micronutrient deficiencies</strong> or insufficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals).</li>
<li><strong>Overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases</strong> (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, etc.).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In April 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming the <strong>UN Decade of Action on Nutrition from 2016 to 2025.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Sustainable Development Goal (SD Goal 2: Zero hunger)</strong> aims to<strong> end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030,</strong> making sure all people &ndash; especially children &ndash; have access to sufficient and nutritious food all year round. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural practices: supporting small scale farmers and allowing equal access to land, technology and markets.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Global Nutrition Report 2018 finds again that the problem of<strong> malnutrition remains severe across all regions</strong> and none of the countries are on course to meet all nine global nutrition targets.</li>
<li>Malnutrition is <strong>responsible for more ill-health than any other cause.</strong> The health consequences of being overweight and obese contribute to an estimated four million deaths globally.</li>
<li>The issue is <strong>not the degree of crises</strong> but why are <strong>things not better when there is so much more information than before.</strong> &nbsp;Therefore, the commitments designed for impact which can be continuously monitored and deliver will be fit for purpose to end malnutrition in all its forms.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-nutrition-report-2018'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (30th November 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Konkan Exercise-2018</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Bilateral KONKAN exercise is a<strong> naval exercise conducted between India and the United Kingdom.</strong></li>
<li>The Exercise provides a platform for the two navies to build interoperability and share best practices.</li>
<li>The KONKAN series of<strong> exercises was started in 2004.</strong> Since then, the exercise is hosted in rotation by both the Navies and has grown in complexity, scale, and intensity.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reggae got UNESCO Heritage Status</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reggae music, which got international fame because of artists like Bob Marley, secured its place in United Nations&rsquo; list of intangible cultural heritage.</li>
<li>Reggae music genre <strong>originated in Jamaica</strong> (a Caribbean island nation).</li>
<li>UNESCO noted that while reggae started out as the voice of the marginalized, it is now played and embraced by a wide cross-section of society, including various ethnic and religious groups.</li>
<li><strong>Intangible Cultural Heritage of India: </strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kumbh Mela, Yoga,</strong> Traditional brass and copper craft of utensils among <strong>thatheras of Punjab</strong>, <strong>Sankirtana</strong> (ritual singing, dancing and drumming of Manipur), <strong>Buddhist chanting</strong> of Ladakh, <strong>Chhau Dance</strong>, <strong>Kalbelia</strong> (folk song and dance of Rajasthan), <strong>Kutiyattam</strong> (a Sanskrit theatre of Kerala), <strong>Tradition of Vedic Chanting, Ramlila, Novruz</strong> (Persian New Year), <strong>Ramman</strong>(religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas), <strong>Mudiyettu</strong> (ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Emissions Gap Report 2018</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>United Nations Environment Program</strong> has released its annual Emissions Gap Report.</li>
<li>The Emissions Gap Report assesses the &ldquo;emissions gap,&rdquo; the gap between anticipated emission levels in 2030, compared to levels consistent meeting with a 2&deg;C/1.5&deg;C target.</li>
<li>For India, the emissions are projected to be more than 10% below their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target. Thus, with its currently-implemented policies, India is likely to achieve its Cancun pledge of 2020 and NDC targets.</li>
<li>The report finds that
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>global emissions of greenhouse gases have risen for the first time in four years.</li>
<li>keeping global warming below 2&deg;C above pre-industrial levels is still technically possible, the potential to bridge the 1.5&deg;C gap is decreasing.</li>
<li>the current pace of national action is insufficient to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement, and the gap in 2018 is larger than ever</li>
<li>countries must triple their ambition levels to meet the 2&deg;C goal, and increase ambition five-fold to meet the 1.5&deg;C target</li>
<li>continuing with the current trends will likely lead to global warming of around 3&deg;C by the end of the century.</li>
<li>nations must raise their ambition by three times to meet the two degrees Celsius and five times to meet 1.5 degrees</li>
<li>implementing fiscal policy measures such as carbon pricing and taxes are effective ways in reducing emissions and costs of mitigating it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>COP-16 Cancun, Mexico</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>COP-16 took place at Cancun. At the conference, all parties including both the developed and the developing countries agreed to report their voluntary mitigation goals for implementation.</li>
<li><strong>Green Climate Fund</strong> under the COP, with a board equally representing developed and developing countries was established.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>',
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	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture - CBI, IB, NIA Under RTI?',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8LcSzyYgl0Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">At a time when the government is mulling changes in the RTI Act, information commissioner Divya Prakash has suggested that investigative, intelligence and security agencies like NIA, CBI, IB, and paramilitary forces should come under the purview of the law, saying there are adequate safeguards in the Act to keep sensitive information outside the public domain. The former IPS officer, who spent most of his time in Intelligence Bureau, says transparency needs to be &ldquo;all-pervasive&rdquo; and the RTI Act helps to bring accountability in government departments. Currently, more than 20 investigative agencies are outside the ambit of the RTI Act, subject to exceptions like allegations of corruption and human rights violations. The information commissioner&rsquo;s remark came up at a time when CBI is going through turmoil with the top brass trading charges against one another.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Right To Information Act (RTI Act, 2005) </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Information, unless exempted under Section 8(1) and 9 may be provided either in Suo Motu manner so that public have minimum resort to provisions of RTI Act, 2005 and on an application under RTI within the stipulated time frame.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Extracts of some important sections of the RTI Act, 2005</strong></p>
<p><strong>Section 8(1)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This section provides reasonable restrictions on disclosure of information. Including the information which,
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>prejudicially affects the sovereignty &amp; integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or leads to incitement of an offense;</li>
<li>causes a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature;</li>
<li>information received in confidence from foreign Government;</li>
<li>information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes;</li>
<li>impedes the process of investigation or apprehension/prosecution of offenders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Section 9</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Without prejudice to the provisions of section 8, a Central Public Information Officer or a State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, may reject a request for information where such a request for providing access would involve an infringement of copyright subsisting in a person other than the State.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Section 24</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nothing contained in this Act shall apply to the intelligence and security organizations specified in the Second Schedule, being organizations established by the Central Government or any information furnished by such organizations to that Government:</li>
<li>Provided that the information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations shall not be excluded.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Observations of Delhi High Court</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The source of Right To Information does not emanate from the Right to Information Act.</li>
<li>But, it emerges from the constitutional guarantees under Article 19(1)(a) as held by the Supreme Court in a series of decisions.</li>
<li>The Right to Information Act is not the repository of the right to information. Its repository is the constitutional rights guaranteed under Article 19((1) (a).</li>
<li>The RTI Act is merely an instrument that lays down statutory procedure in the exercise of this right.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Should we do away with the exemptions under Section 8(1) and 9?</h3>
<p><strong>Debate Against the View</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It would be detrimental to India&rsquo;s security. Intelligence agencies like R&amp;AW and IB deal with sensitive information which if disclosed in public domain can be misused.</li>
<li>Initially, CBI was not the part of RTI exemption, primarily because it is an investigative agency. However, later it was argued that CBI does deal with sensitive intelligence matter, hence, it should not be brought under RTI. Consequently, in 2012 CBI was also given protection from RTI.</li>
<li>View of protecting these intelligence agencies under section 24, would be a threat to human rights value, the counter-argument is that the RTI act categorically mentions that even though the agencies are protected, there is a threat. Information relating to an allegation of Corruption and violation of human rights is covered under RTI Act, 2005, and no agency would be excused.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Debate For the view</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The RTI has two provisions, section 8 and 24 which are an effective veto for transparency. If it is not sectioned 8 then section 24 becomes the hurdle. Section 8 exempts certain categories of information while Section 24 exempts certain categories of organizations from the purview of the transparency law. This is a kind of double veto as much of information sought by an applicant might get hit by either of the two provisions.</li>
<li>There is another contradiction in the RTI Act. Section 22 says the Act shall override the Official Secrets Act or any other law. But the fact remains that the state has already secured its secret information under double veto (Section 8 and Section 24).</li>
<li>RTI Act categorically says that it will override the Official Secrets Act, however, it also provides itself with the double veto. Hence, there is a process of masquerading that inhibits the real functioning of RTI.</li>
<li>Most of the intelligence agencies like IB and RAW do not have a supervising agency, and RTI act is the only piece of legislation that ensures transparency and accountability. However, section 8 and 24 dilute the process.</li>
<li>Investigation agencies like CBI are mainly engaged with investigative work which cannot be brought under the purview of RTI. However, the administrative work of the agency can be brought under the scrutiny of RTI. Thus blanket protection that is given under section 24 should end.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to rationalize some of the exempted organizations in section 24.</li>
<li>The confrontational interaction with the government has decreased with respect to accessibility of information because of RTI. So, RTI has to be protected and preserved. However, on the other hand, we should also be cognizant of the fact that the intelligence agencies have to be given leeway in cases concerning national security. Hence, the advice to both the government and the public would be that they ought to maintain the delicate fine line.</li>
<li>The time has come when we should be asking the most important question that why is there not a parliamentary oversight committee over all these agencies if they are indeed to be kept out of RTI purview.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-cbi-ib-nia-under-rti'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'ISRO Launched Satellite HySIS',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>ISRO launched rocket PSLV-C43 carrying India&rsquo;s earth observation satellite <strong>Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS)</strong> and 30 co-passenger satellites from Sriharikota on November 29.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>co-passengers of HySIS</strong> include<strong> one micro and 29 <g class="gr_ gr_27 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del" id="27" data-gr-id="27">nano satellites</g> from eight different countries.</strong></li>
<li>The satellite <g class="gr_ gr_29 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="29" data-gr-id="29">have</g> been projected into a <strong>polar sun-synchronous orbit.</strong></li>
<li>HysIS is ISRO's <strong>first full-scale working satellite with Hyper-spectral imaging capability.</strong></li>
<li>The space agency tested hyperspectral imaging technology in April 2008, a small 83-kg demonstration microsatellite called IMS-1 (Indian Mini Satellite-1) was launched as a secondary passenger with Cartosat-2A.</li>
<li>In October, 2008, it put a HySI or Hyperspectral Imager on the Chandrayaan-1 and used it to scan Moon's surface for minerals.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of <g class="gr_ gr_28 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="28" data-gr-id="28">HySIS</g></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The primary goal of HySIS is to study the <strong>Earth&rsquo;s surface in visible, near-infrared and shortwave infrared regions</strong> of the electromagnetic spectrum.</li>
<li>Hyperspectral imaging satellite can see in 55 spectral or colour bands from 630 km above ground.</li>
<li>&lsquo;Hyspex&rsquo; imaging allows <strong>distinct identification of objects, materials or processes on Earth</strong> by reading the spectrum for each pixel of a scene from space.</li>
<li>It can be highly useful in marking out a suspect object or person and separate it from the background. This could aid in detecting transborder or other stealthy movements.</li>
<li>It can be used for a range of activities from monitoring the <strong>atmospheric activity and climate change, studies of Earth&rsquo;s magnetic field, agriculture, forestry, water management, coastal patterns, looking for oil and minerals all the way up to military surveillance.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/isro-launched-satellite-hysis'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Lancet Report on Climate Change and Human Health',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Lancet&rsquo;s Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change 2018 report has recommended that Indian government must take a series of initiatives to mitigate the increased risks to health, and the loss of labour hours due to a surge in exposure to heatwave events in the country over the 2012-2016 period.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Lancet Countdown's 2018 report tracks 41 indicators across five key domains in health and climate change. It arrives at three key conclusions:</li>
<li>From 2014-2017, the average length of heatwaves in India ranged from 3-4 days compared to the global average of 0.8-1.8 days.</li>
<li>Almost 153 billion hours of labour were lost globally in 2017 due to heat, an increase of 62 billion hours from the year 2000.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Findings of the Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>
<p>Present day changes in heat waves labour capacity, vector-borne disease, and food security provide early warning of compounded and overwhelming impacts expected if temperature continues to rise.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>A lack of progress in reducing emissions and building adaptive capacity threatens both human lives and the viability of the national health systems they depend on, with the potential to disrupt core public health infrastructure and overwhelm health services.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Despite these delays, trends in a number of sectors see the beginning of a low-carbon transition, and it is clear that the nature and scale of the response to climate change will be the determining factor in shaping the health of nations for centuries to come.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The number of hours of labour lost due to heat wave increased between 2000-2017 across India.</p>
</li>
<li>In 2012, 20 million people were exposed to heatwaves, compared to 60 million in 2016 a 200% increase.</li>
<li>For the agriculture sector alone, this rose to about 60,000 million hours in 2017, from about 40,000 million hours in 2000.</li>
<li>Overall, across sectors India lost almost 75,000 million hours of labour in 2017, from about 43,000 million hours in 2000.</li>
<li>The agriculture sector was more vulnerable compared to the industrial and service sectors because workers there were more likely to be exposed to heat.</li>
<li>The findings are significant for <strong>India as agriculture makes up 18% of the country&rsquo;s GDP</strong> and employs almost half the population. Also, a fall in living standards, due to reduced precipitation and temperature changes, could therefore affect just over half of the population who are employed in agriculture related jobs.</li>
<li>Developed in conjunction with the Public Health Foundation of India and their Center for Environmental Health, the Lancet has also come up with a brief for Indian policymakers. It provides strategic direction for policy makers in four key areas:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Health effects of heatwaves and change in labour capacity due to heat&nbsp;</li>
<li>Premature mortality from ambient air pollution by sector</li>
<li>Sustainable travel infrastructure and uptake</li>
<li>Media coverage of health and climate change</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendation of Report</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Considering India is amongst the countries who most experience high social and economic costs from climate change the study makes several recommendations like:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Identifying <strong>&ldquo;heat hot-spots</strong>&rdquo; through appropriate tracking of meteorological data.</li>
<li>Promoting development and<strong> implementation of local Heat Action Plans</strong> with strategic inter-agency coordination, and a response which targets the most vulnerable groups.</li>
<li>The report urges a <strong>review of existing occupational health standards, labour laws and sectoral regulations for worker safety</strong> in relation to climatic conditions.</li>
<li><strong>Decrease health-harming air pollution</strong> by carrying out source apportionment studies, emission inventories, and health impact assessments of ambient and household air pollution through Statewise Clean Air Action Plans, and use these findings to inform policies targeted at reducing the main sources of pollution via an inter-ministerial approach.</li>
<li><strong>Carry out annual comprehensive city-level traffic diary surveys to guide urban infrastructure planning and facilitate solutions</strong> which address growth in population and travel demands while promoting uptake of sustainable travel forms like walking and cycling.</li>
<li><strong>Promote strategic media coverage of climate and health linkages at the state level,</strong> in regional languages, to increase support for state-by-state climate mitigation and adaptation responses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is a Heat Wave?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Heat Wave is a period of <strong>abnormally high temperatures,</strong> <strong>more than the normal maximum temperature</strong> that occurs during the summer season in the North Western parts of India between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July.</li>
<li>Depending on whether a place&rsquo;s historical temperature is 40 degree C or less, a 4.5 degree C (or greater) rise in temperature counts as a &lsquo;heat wave&rsquo; and 6.5 degree C and more, a &lsquo;severe heat wave.&rsquo;</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lancet-report-on-climate-change-and-human-health'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Genetic Modification Goes Beyond Ethics',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Genetic Modification Goes Beyond Ethics&rdquo; which appears in Livemint for 29th November 2018.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Globalization and ever-increasing scientific advancements in the health industry have made the </strong><g class="gr_ gr_95 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="95" data-gr-id="95">upgradation</g><strong> and adoption of ethics within the regulatory framework even more significant.</strong></p>
<p><strong>In news:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/worlds-first-gene-edited-babies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World's First Gene Edited Babies</a></p>
<p>Ever since researchers at the University of Alicante in Spain came up with the revolutionary new gene-editing tool CRISPR, the chance to play a vital role and the temptation to do it have been beckoning scientists. Recently a Chinese researcher He Jiankui claimed, that he had created the world&rsquo;s first genetically edited babies by altering their DNA using CRISPR. He claimed the genes of the twins had been edited to resist the HIV virus, which is what makes the framing of the argument against genetic editing much more complex. Though his claim is still unverified, it triggered the debate whether gene editing violates academic ethics and standards or not.</p>
<p>This announcement caused predictable alarm with many wondering if these experiments have gone too far. The argument that tinkering with the variability of a gene pool can have disastrous consequences, given that genes are connected and for one single character many of them have to work in unison, now stand challenged.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 1996, when Dolly the sheep became the first mammal ever to be cloned from another individual&rsquo;s body cell, fears were raised that human cloning was inevitable.</li>
<li>Since then horses, cats, dogs, and livestock have been cloned across the world without creating much of a stir through the announcement of two genetically identical macaques, Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua, at a laboratory in China did stoke fears of human cloning is the inevitable next step.</li>
<li>Although, when scientists in the 1970s discovered how to fertilize human eggs in test tubes there was the apprehension that this might lead to people cherry-picking only high-quality parents for their children, it didn&rsquo;t happen. Now it is helping childless parents to bear a child.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Applications of Gene Editing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CRISPR/Cas9 is one of the newest genome editing tools. It can alter sections of DNA in cells by cutting at specific points and introducing changes at that location. Already extensively used in scientific research, CRISPR/Cas9 has also been seen as a promising way to create potential genome editing treatments for diseases such as HIV, cancer or sickle cell disease. Such therapeutics could inactivate a disease-causing gene, or correct a genetic mutation.</li>
<li>CRISPR gene editing provides for the ultimate toolbox for genetic manipulation. CRISPR systems are already delivering superior genetic models for fundamental disease research, drug screening, and therapy development, rapid diagnostics, in-vivo editing and correction of heritable conditions. Scientists are working on the theory that CRISPR might be used to boost the function of the body's T-cells so that the immune system is better at recognizing and killing cancer. Disorders of the blood and immune system are other potential targets.</li>
<li>Around 80 patients with HIV had immune cells in their blood removed in the world's first gene-editing trials that took place in California and involved a different technique called (Zinc-finger nucleases) ZFNs.</li>
<li>Researchers in China edited human embryos to try to correct a faulty gene that caused an inherited blood disorder.</li>
<li>Scientists said they had used gene editing to create a mosquito that can resist malaria.</li>
<li>Plant breeders are using CRISPR to create disease-resistant strains of crops.</li>
<li>In medicine, gene editing could potentially cure inherited diseases, such as some forms of heart disease and cancer, and a rare disorder that causes vision loss.</li>
<li>In agriculture, this technique can create plants that not only produce higher yields, like Lippman&rsquo;s tomatoes but also ones that are more nutritious and more impervious to drought and pests, traits that may help crops endure more extreme weather patterns predicted in the coming years.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Ethical Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Wealthy parents buying the latest offspring upgrades for their children. There will be the <strong>emergence of genetic haves and have-nots,</strong> leading to even greater inequality than we already live with.</li>
<li>Also, human embryo editing research may not be adequately controlled, leaving it open to a lab somewhere to create gene-edited babies.</li>
<li>Some of the key scientists in this field have <strong>concerns about the potential misuse of a technology</strong> that could be used for eugenics, to create genetic discrimination.</li>
<li>But <strong>even in agriculture, genetic modification is a subject of major debate,</strong> especially in developing countries, including India.</li>
<li>Most of the ethical discussions related to genome editing center around human germline editing. This is because <strong>changes made in the germline would be passed down to future generations.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Germline</strong>: is the cellular lineage of a sexually reproducing organism from which eggs and sperm are derived, also: the genetic material contained in this cellular lineage which can be passed to the next generation.</p>
<p><strong>Germline Editing</strong> means deliberately changing the genes passed on to children and future generations &ndash; in other words, creating genetically modified people. Human germline modification has for many years been widely considered off-limits, for both safety and social reasons. It is formally prohibited in more than 40 countries.</p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is also debate that, ecological disequilibrium can be caused by gene editing.</li>
<li>Due to the possibility of off-target effects (edits in the wrong place) and mosaicism (when some cells carry the edit but others do not), safety is of primary concern.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Human civilization has always progressed by interfering with the natural evolutionary process. In this process, the application of Gene Editing is inevitable. However, to prevent it from being a disruptive force, it is better to regulate it.</li>
<li><strong>India does not have a comprehensive gene editing policy in place, though germline gene editing is banned in line with international norms.</strong> Yet, in the face of persisting diseases and crippling human conditions, divine intervention may sometimes need to be supplemented with genetic ones in a carefully regulated environment.</li>
<li><strong>There is also an international effort led by the US, UK, and China to harmonize regulation of the application of genome editing technologies. This effort officially launched in December 2015 with the International Summit on Human Gene Editing in Washington, DC.</strong></li>
<li><strong>A UNESCO panel of scientists, philosophers, lawyers, and government ministers has called for a temporary ban on genetic &ldquo;editing&rdquo; of the human germline</strong>, calling for a wide public debate on genetic modification of human DNA. It is important to have c<strong>ontinuing public deliberation and debate</strong> to allow the public to decide whether or not germline editing should be permissible.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/genetic-modification-goes-beyond-ethics'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Sustainable Blue Economy Conference',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The&nbsp;first global conference on the sustainable blue economy was held on 26-28th November in Nairobi, Kenya.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference was <g class="gr_ gr_49 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="49" data-gr-id="49">organised</g> by Kenya with Canada and Japan as co-hosts. India made its presence in the conference highlighting India&rsquo;s strategic advantages in Blue Economy.</li>
<li>The conference builds on the momentum of the UN&rsquo;s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2015 Climate Change Conference in Paris and the UN Ocean Conference 2017 &ldquo;Call to Action&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>What is the Blue Economy?</strong></p>
<p>Blue Economy refers to sustainable use of ocean resources for growth, jobs and improved living standards while preserving the ecosystem. It encompasses areas like maritime transport, fisheries, renewable energy, waste management, and tourism.</p>
</div>
<h3>The Significance of the Conference</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The conference identified the potential of the blue economy to create employment, combat poverty and hunger.</li>
<li>It brought countries together to learn how economic development and healthy waters go hand in hand.</li>
<li>The conference captured concrete commitments and practical actions that can be taken today to help the world transition to the blue economy.</li>
<li>The impacts of climate change and plastic pollution in oceans and waters has increased the need to develop an inclusive and sustainable blue economy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and Blue Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has a strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region, and on this basis, it endorses the growth of the blue economy in a sustainable, inclusive and <g class="gr_ gr_36 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="36" data-gr-id="36">people-centred</g> manner through the framework of the <strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong>.</li>
<li>Under <strong>Sagarmala Programme,</strong> India is developing maritime infrastructure as well as inland waterways and coastal shipping which will <g class="gr_ gr_38 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="38" data-gr-id="38">revolutionise</g> maritime logistics, creating million new jobs, reduce logistics costs and bring port-led developments in the country.</li>
<li>Development of <strong>Coastal Economic Zones (CEZ)</strong> under Sagarmala, would become a microcosm of the blue economy, wherein industries and townships that depend on the sea will contribute to global trade.</li>
<li><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)</strong> is India&rsquo;s vision for the Indian Ocean Region. It aims at sustained, peaceful and yet responsive presence of Indian naval ships in the critical area and <g class="gr_ gr_47 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="47" data-gr-id="47">choke</g> points in the Indian ocean.</li>
<li>The Blue economy is crucial for India&rsquo;s economic development.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sustainable-blue-economy-conference'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Government Allows Ethanol Extraction for Blending from Foodgrains',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Central Government has extended the ambit of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme to extract the fuel from surplus quantities of food grains such as maize, jawar, bajra &nbsp;fruit and vegetable waste.</li>
<li>Till now, only excess sugarcane production was allowed to be converted into ethanol for procurement under the fuel blending programme.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Importance</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will enable the &nbsp;farmers by enabling them <strong>to make additional money from surplus production and broaden the sources for producing ethanol</strong> for the EBP programme.</li>
<li>The policy of ethanol blending &nbsp;can help in reducing vehicle exhaust emissions and also to reduce the import burden on account of crude petroleum from which petrol is produced.</li>
<li>It is estimated that a 5% blending (105 crore litres) can result in replacement of around 1.8 million Barrels of crude oil.</li>
<li>The renewable ethanol content &nbsp;is expected to result <strong>in a net reduction in the emission of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC).</strong></li>
<li>Ethanol itself burns cleaner and burns more completely than petrol it is blended into.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<h3>Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aims at&nbsp;blending ethanol with petrol,&nbsp;thereby bringing it under the category of biofuels and saving millions of dollars by cutting fuel imports.</li>
<li>Under&nbsp;EBP&nbsp;program, availability&nbsp;of ethanol will increase due to the higher price for C heavy&nbsp;molasses&nbsp;based&nbsp;ethanol and enabling procurement of ethanol from&nbsp;B heavy molasses&nbsp;and sugarcane juice for the first time.</li>
<li>The Government has also reduced GST on ethanol for blending in fuel from 18% to 5%.</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Policy on Bio-fuels</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Policy on Bio- fuels 2018 has empowered the <strong>National Bio-fuel Coordination Committee (NBCC)</strong> to allow conversion of surplus quantities of food-grains for production of ethanol during an agriculture crop year when there is projected oversupply of food-grains.</li>
<li>The objective of the Bio- fuel policy is to achieve&nbsp;<strong>20% ethanol-blending&nbsp;and&nbsp;5% biodiesel-blending</strong>&nbsp;by the year 2030. The policy also expands the scope of feedstock for ethanol production and has provided for incentives for&nbsp;production&nbsp;of&nbsp;advanced bio-fuels.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>National Biofuel Coordination Committee is headed by - <strong>Prime-Minister</strong> to provide policy guidance and coordination.</li>
</ul>
<h3></h3>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under the EBP programme, the Centre has asked the oil marketing companies (OMCs) to target 10% blending of ethanol with petrol by 2022. However, there is a major shortfall in the availability of ethanol as sugar mills currently tap only &lsquo;C-heavy&rsquo; molasses for ethanol production.</li>
<li>The fuel requirements &nbsp;can compete with food requirements and that only surplus food crops should be used for fuel production, if at all.</li>
<li>The annual capacity of biorefinery&nbsp;is still not enough to meet the 5% petrol-ethanol blending requirement.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There should be Increase in&nbsp;the ethanol production capacity of bio-refineries.</li>
<li>Alternatives like 3rd generation (derived from algae) and 4th generation biofuels (derived from specially engineered plants or biomass) should be encouraged.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/Government-Allows-Ethanol-Extraction-for-Blending-from-Foodgrains.'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Simultaneous Elections <br> (Law Commission of India – Draft Report 2018)',
		'catname' => 'Summary of Important Reports',
		'desc' => '<p><em><strong><span style="color: #000000;">Content</span></strong></em></p>
<ul class="ticklist">
<li><a href="#1">Chapter - 1: Simultaneous Election &ndash; Meaning And Its Scope</a></li>
<li><a href="#2">Chapter &ndash; 2: Feasibility of Simultaneous Elections</a></li>
<li><a href="#3">Chapter &ndash; 3: Existing Provisions</a></li>
<li><a href="#4">Chapter &ndash; 4: Reports and Discussions Available on Simultaneous Elections</a></li>
<li><a href="#5">Chapter &ndash; 5: International Perspective</a></li>
<li><a href="#6">Chapter &ndash; 6: Simultaneous Elections Vis-&Agrave;-Vis Democracy, Basic Structure and Federalism</a></li>
<li><a href="#7">Chapter &ndash; 7: Allegation of Colourable Legislation in The Context of Simultaneous Elections</a></li>
<li><a href="#8">Chapter &ndash; 8: Issues in Implementing Simultaneous Elections</a></li>
<li><a href="#9">Chapter &ndash; 9: Other Relevant Issues</a></li>
<li><a href="#10">Chapter &ndash; 10: Conclusions</a></li>
<li><a href="#11">Chapter &ndash;11: Draft Suggestions/Recommendations</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter - 1: Simultaneous Election &ndash; Meaning And Its Scope</span></h2>
<p>Simultaneous elections means <strong>elections to all the three tiers of the Constitutional institutions i.e. House of the People (Lok Sabha), State Assemblies (Vidhan Sabha) and Local bodies taking place in a synchronized manner</strong>. It means that a voter casts his or her vote for electing members to all the tiers of the Government on the same day.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Historically elections in India during the first two decades after independence for the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously, i.e., during 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967.</li>
<li>Dissolution of certain State Assemblies in 1968 and 1969 followed by the dissolution of House of the People in 1970 and subsequent general elections in 1971, disturbed the cycle of simultaneous elections.</li>
<li>The elections to the third tier institutions are directed and controlled by their respective State Election Commissions. It would be extremely challenging to synchronize election schedules of third tier with that of the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies due to large number of Local Body Institution and there election is a State subject.</li>
</ul>
<p>Simultaneous election does not mean that voting across the country for the House of the People and all the State Assemblies takes place on a single day. General elections can take place only in phases it means that If and when it is decided to hold simultaneous elections, the voters in a particular constituency would vote for State Assembly and Lok Sabha on the same day.</p>
<p><strong>The term 'Simultaneous Elections' in present Report, only mean elections to the House of the People and the State Assemblies.</strong></p>
<h2 id="2"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 2: Feasibility of Simultaneous Elections</span></h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cycle of simultaneous elections got disrupted after 1967. Synchronized elections could take place due to the dominance and rule by one national political party and the weakness of regional parties.</li>
<li>Indiscriminate use of <strong>Article 356 (President&rsquo;s rule)</strong> of the Constitution also contributed to disruptions of simultaneous elections.</li>
<li>However in recent times, regional political parties have not only increased in number, but have also marked their presence in the elections to the concerned State Assemblies.</li>
</ul>
<p>The country witnesses an election throughout any given year. In a span of three years (2014-2016) the country witnessed one general election and 15 State Assembly elections.</p>
<p>These facts clearly states that the country is continuously in an election mode and there is a need for simultaneous elections as against the fragmented and staggered election cycle prevalent currently. <strong>Therefore, it is necessary to look into the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections in the country. </strong></p>
<p><strong>For this purpose, several factors need to be examined:</strong></p>
<p><strong>A. Financial Implications</strong></p>
<p>Frequent election leads to massive expenditure by the Government and by Candidates contesting elections.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The expenditure of elections to the House of the People is borne by the Government of India and to the State Assemblies, by the concerned State Government.</li>
<li>However, the expenditure is distributed between the Government of India and the State Governments in the ratio of 50:50 (equally), whenever the elections are held simultaneously.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>As per the data provided to the Commission by Election Commission of India, expenditure incurred on account of elections relate to:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Setting up of the polling stations, Making transport arrangements, telephone facilities and electrical fittings, purchase of election material like indelible ink, ammonia paper, etc.,</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Analysis with the help of the data provided by the ECI clearly shows significant expense on public exchequer.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Average expenditure per Assembly Constituency for elections to House of the People held in 2014 and to the State Assemblies held thereafter is almost same, thus, proving the drainage of public money.</li>
<li>If the elections are held simultaneously except for an additional EVM for each Polling Station, and additional election material, no extra expenditure will be involved. Besides, larger polling stations could require some additional polling staff, in view of the additional EVM.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>B. Logistical Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Simultaneous elections <strong>require more EVMs</strong> giving rise to another problem regarding their storage leading to demand for more number of secured and conveniently located warehouses.</li>
<li>Increased number of EVMs will require more handling staff, however, the Law Commission feels that the rise would only be marginally higher.</li>
<li>The ECI, to ensure smooth, peaceful and impartial polls, <strong>needs services of a significant number of polling officials</strong> from Government organizations which is a mammoth, complex and time consuming activity.</li>
<li>ECI also seek assistance of CAPFs for <strong>security arrangements</strong>. Due to demand far exceeding supply, home guards and state police complement the security arrangement.</li>
<li>Deployment of security forces is normally throughout the elections and they remain mobile from one place to another. As one or the other State Assembly goes to polls every six months, this situation leads to a <strong>lock-in of security forces for prolonged period of time</strong>.</li>
<li>Polling booths are most often located in schools, engaging the school&rsquo;s staff results in compromise to their primary duty of imparting education, <strong>schools remain closed</strong> prior to the day of elections, for preparatory measures.</li>
<li><strong>Central and State Government employees who are assigned election duty are required to abstain themselves from their normal duties</strong> to attend training relating to the conduct of election, counting, etc. Holding staggered elections leads to such disruptions time and again. This makes holding of simultaneous elections more desirable.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>C. Effect of Imposition of Model Code of Conduct</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines applicable to political parties, candidates, the election machinery, Government agencies, to ensure free and fair elections.</li>
<li>Imposition of the MCC refrains the Government from:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Announcing any financial grants;</li>
<li>Laying foundation stones etc., of projects or schemes of any kind except by civil servants;</li>
<li>Promises of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities, etc.</li>
<li>Making any ad hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>However MCC does not leave the state or the nation in complete state of paralysis as ECI allows the ongoing projects for which beneficiaries have been identified before the MCC becomes operative.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ECI does not refuse approval for schemes undertaken for dealing with emergencies, calamities, welfare measures for the aged, etc.</li>
<li>Moreover MCC is restricted only to the constituency or the state going to polls therefore In view of this MCC cannot be blamed for a complete administrative paralysis.</li>
<li>Many a time vital schemes get delayed by ongoing elections even though the MCC is not in operation in the entire State/Country. The schemes are delayed till the completion of the election process, resulting in deficit of Governance.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>D. Simultaneous Elections &ndash; Boon or Bane?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Many parties have argued that ruling party will become autocratic without any checks and balances, and it will dramatically shrink the choice of the electorate. National parties too will have edge over regional parties as national issues might eclipse the local ones.</li>
<li>Argument of state parties getting marginalized is unfound as they need to concentrate only on the State Assembly seats and seats of the House of the People of their own State only. National Parties on the other hand will contest all the seats to the House of the People as well as on all the seats to State Assemblies. Therefore disadvantage, if any will be to the national parties.</li>
<li>Continuous cycle of elections results in ruling parties investing their time and energy more on the elections, to ensure the win of their respective parties than on the governance.</li>
<li>If the elections take place in five years, the ruling parties can better dedicate their time to developmental activities. There would be substantial reduction in hate speeches, violence and other law and order problems.</li>
<li>Frequent elections lead the political parties in power to take up populist measures instead of nationalist ones as our political tradition is directed more at the individual voter than interest groups as observed in <strong>The SC, in S. Subramaniam Balaji vs. Govt. of Tamil Nadu &amp; Ors</strong>.</li>
<li>It will reduce incidence of black money will come down as constant movement of money required in elections keeps gap for misuse of money wide open.</li>
<li>As simultaneous election will increase the voter turnout, it will demonstrate the vibrancy of political citizenship and civic spirit. The rise is evident in voter turnout in election in states like Andhra, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Arunachal and Manipur when their election coincided with national elections.</li>
</ul>
<h3>To Sum Up</h3>
<p>Any change from previous mode and method is bound to create some uneasiness but that is not always bad as also reiterated by SC in Tamil Nadu Education Department Ministerial and General Subordinate Services Association &amp; Ors. v. State of Tamil Nadu &amp; Ors. &ndash; <strong>Once the principle is found to be rational the fact that a few freak instances of hardship may arise on either side cannot be a ground to invalidate the order or the policy.</strong></p>
<p>Simultaneous elections can prevent the country from being in constant election mode. Thus reducing government expenditure, not diverting the already short-numbered security forces, and above all, without causing harm to the constitutional and democratic set up of the country.</p>
<h2 id="3"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 3: Existing Provisions</span></h2>
<p>While considering holding of simultaneous elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies, a look at the existing provisions in the Constitution as well as other statutes, with regard to elections and stability of the Government in general, holds merit.</p>
<h3>Constitutional Provisions</h3>
<p><strong>Articles 83 and 172</strong></p>
<p>Deals with the maximum duration of the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies. These articles provide that <strong>unless sooner dissolved, assemblies shall continue for five years from the date of their first meeting</strong>. The House can extend for a limited period only if a proclamation of emergency is in operation.</p>
<p><strong>Articles 85(1) and 174(1)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Deal with sessions, prorogation and dissolution of Parliament and State Assemblies</strong> which says that there should not be a gap of more than 6 months in the last session of the house and the first session of the subsequent house.</p>
<p><strong>Articles 113 and 203 </strong></p>
<p><strong>Prescribe the procedure with respect to estimate expenditure.</strong> The estimate for the proposed expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund of India/Consolidated Fund of the State, needs to be submitted to vote by Parliament/State Legislative Assembly, and failure to pass the same leads to termination of the terms of Council of Ministers, thus paving the way for change of Government.</p>
<p><strong>Article 75(3) and 164(2)</strong></p>
<p>Council of ministers is collectively responsible to their house i.e. house of people or legislative assemblies. They can continue as long as they have confidence of the house, provided under Article 75 (3) and 164 (2) of the constitution.</p>
<p><strong>The Tenth Schedule to the Constitution deals with disqualification of a member of the House/Assembly on the ground of defection.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Article 243U deals with election in Municipalities</strong></p>
<p><strong>Part XV of the Constitution deals with elections.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Article 324 stipulates superintendence, direction and control of elections.</li>
<li>Article 326 secures voting rights based on the principle of adult suffrage.</li>
<li>Article 327 details the power of the Parliament to make provisions with respect to elections to Legislatures.</li>
<li>Article 328 enables the Legislature of a State, if the Parliament has not made such legislation, to make laws with respect to all matters relating to elections to the Legislatures of the States.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Representation of the People Act, 1951</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sections 14 and 15 of the RPA Act, 1951 deal with notification for general election to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies.</li>
<li>Part IX of the RPA Act, 1951 deals with bye-elections to the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="4"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 4: Reports and Discussions Available on Simultaneous Elections</span></h2>
<p>The idea of simultaneous elections has been discussed by the ECI since 1983. It has been supported by many reports such as <strong>170<sup>th</sup> Report of Law Commission of India &ldquo;Reform of Electoral Laws&rdquo;</strong> (1999), and the <strong>Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice in its 79<sup>th</sup> Report</strong> suggested to hold simultaneous elections for long term good governance. No report by govt. agencies against the holding of simultaneous election could be found by law commission.</p>
<h3>First Annual Report of the Election Commission of India, 1983</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Report supported holding simultaneous election due to reduced expenditure, effective use of manpower and Human Resource, continuous elections also affects the day to day functioning of the govt. both at state and the centre creating hardships for common people as the entire administrative machinery freezes.</li>
<li>Separate election also result in duplication of expenditure.</li>
<li>The Elections Commission in the report suggested that a stage has come for evolving a system by convention, if it was not possible or feasible to bring about a legislation for holding election simultaneously.</li>
</ul>
<h3>170<sup>th</sup> Report of the Law Commission of India, Reform of Electoral Laws (1999)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report highlighted that elections after 1967 got disturbed due to frequent use of Article 356 of the Constitution, the dissolution of the State Assembly by the Governor on recommendation of the Chief Minister of the State which was a case of exception instead became a norm.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Report of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, 2002 (NCRWC Report)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A NCRWC was appointed to examine, as to how best the Constitution could respond to the changing needs of an efficient, smooth and effective system of governance and to the socio-economic development of modern India within the framework of Parliamentary democracy, and to recommend changes without tinkering with the basic structure of the constitution.</li>
</ul>
<h3>255<sup>th</sup> Report of the Law Commission of India "Electoral Reforms", (2015)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report dealt with the anti defection law recommending the power to decide on questions of disqualification on the ground of defection be vested to the President or the Governor, who shall act on the advice of the ECI, instead of Speaker or the Chairman.</li>
</ul>
<h3>79<sup>th</sup> Report of Parliamentary Standing Committee, 2015</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Committee in its Report on &ldquo;Feasibility of holding simultaneous elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and State Legislative Assemblies&rdquo; noted several justifications for holding simultaneous elections, such as <strong>expenditure, policy paralysis during MCC, burden on manpower etc.</strong></li>
<li>Impact on delivery of essential services: Holding of political rallies disrupts road traffic and also leads to noise pollution. Simultaneous election will bring it down significantly.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Working paper by NITI Aayog</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Working paper titled<strong> &ldquo;Analysis of Simultaneous elections: the What, Why and How&rdquo;</strong> by Niti Ayog highlighted the importance of simultaneous election which focused on heterogeneous needs of the nation as the national parties will focus on regional issues and regional parties will fight for national issues.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="5"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 5: International Perspective</span></h2>
<h3>South Africa</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In South Africa elections are held for National Assembly, Provincial Legislature and Municipal Councils in a five-year cycle. The electoral system is based on party-list <strong>"proportional representation"</strong>, which means that parties are represented in the proportion of electoral support to them.</li>
<li>Municipal Councils, elections are not held along with National and Provincial elections, there is a <strong>&lsquo;mixed-member system&rsquo;</strong> in which, wards elect individual councilors alongside those named from party-lists.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sweden</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They employ PR system. Elections to Sweden&rsquo;s County Councils and Municipal Councils occur simultaneously with the general election whereas, elections to the Municipal Assemblies occur on the second Sunday of September after every five years.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Belgium</h3>
<p>In Belgium one can vote in five different types of elections:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>European elections: representatives for the European Parliament</li>
<li>Federal elections: for the Federal Parliament (the Chamber of Representatives)</li>
<li>Regional elections: for the legislative bodies of the federated regions</li>
<li>Provincial elections</li>
<li>Municipal elections</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indonesia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indonesia will hold the presidential elections and legislative elections concurrently starting 2019.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Germany</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bundestag (i.e. Lower House) cannot simply remove the Chancellor with a vote of no-confidence, as the opponents must not only disagree with his or her governance but also agree on a replacement (constructive vote of no-confidence).</li>
<li>This <strong>Basic law of the Federal Republic of Germany,</strong> 1949 set up has provisions with regard to elections and stability of the Government, which are definitely imitable.</li>
</ul>
<h3>United Kingdom (Fixed Term Parliament)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliament of Westminster introduced a fixed term for the Parliament by enacting Fixed Term Act 2011, which provides a term of 5 years for general elections.</li>
<li>The Act 2011 specifies that early elections can be held only if a motion for it is agreed either by at least two-thirds of the whole House or without division; or if a motion of no confidence is passed and no alternative government is confirmed by the Commons within 14 days thereof.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="6"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 6: Simultaneous Elections Vis-&Agrave;-Vis Democracy, Basic Structure and Federalism</span></h2>
<p>One of the arguments raised against simultaneous elections has been that it goes against the Principles of <strong>Democracy</strong> and <strong>Federalism</strong> enshrined in the Constitution. It is necessary to examine all the principles analytically.</p>
<h3>Democracy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Constitution declares in the preamble amongst other things, India to be a democratic republic and has always been recognized as a basic feature of the constitution along with the supremacy of the constitution, rule of the law, separation of power, judicial review under Article 32, 226, 227.</li>
<li>In a democratic polity, will of the people reign supreme which is expressed time to time through periodic elections. Free and fair elections alone guarantee the growth of healthy democracy in the country.</li>
<li>Democracy provides equal political rights to every citizen by ensuring political participation of people in running the govt.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>SC in Kihoto Hollohan v/s Zachichu 1993</strong> and <strong>In Kuldip Nayar v/s Union Of India 2006</strong> calls 'Democracy as a part of the basic structure of our Constitution; and rule of law and free and fair elections are basic features of democracy&rsquo; and observed that <strong>&ldquo;Parliamentary democracy and multi-party system are an inherent part of the basic structure of Indian Constitution&rsquo;&rsquo;</strong>.</p>
</div>
<h3>Doctrine of Basic Structure</h3>
<p>'Basic Structure' is a judicial innovation which was used for the first time in the case of Kesavananda Bharati &amp; Ors. V/s State of Kerala 1973.</p>
<p>It includes:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The supremacy of the Constitution.</li>
<li>Republican and Democratic form of Government and sovereignty of the country.</li>
<li>Secular and federal character of the Constitution.</li>
<li>Demarcation of power between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.</li>
<li>The dignity of the individual (secured by the various freedoms and basic rights in Part III) and the mandate to build a welfare State contained in Part IV.</li>
<li>The unity and the integrity of the nation.</li>
</ul>
<p>Doctrine of basic structure has evolved over the years. Features were added over time through various SC verdicts which gave progressive judgment and innovated to preserve the basic substance of the constitution.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Supreme Court in <strong>Sajjan Kumar vs State of Rajasthan 1965</strong> observed that the Constitution <strong>"formulated a solemn and dignified preamble which appears to be an epitome of the basic features of the Constitution"</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Fundamental rights</strong> were included in basic structure in <strong>Minnerva mills v/s Union of India 1980</strong> where SC calls them <strong>"transcendental, inalienable and primordial"</strong> and if the elements are damaged or destroyed, would rob the Constitution of its identity so that it would cease to be the existing Constitution but would become a different Constitution. "One cannot legally use the Constitution to destroy itself&rdquo;, as the doctrine of constitutional identity requires. The theory of basic structure is based on the principle that a change in the thing does not involve its destruction, and destruction of a thing is a matter of substance and not of form.</li>
<li><strong>Free and fair elections</strong> were seen as an essential postulate of democracy hence it was also called a basic feature by SC in <strong>Indira Gandhi v/s Raj Narain case 1975</strong>. The court also struck down the Clause (4) of Article 329A which provided for special provision as to elections to Parliament in the case of Prime Minister and Speaker, on the ground that it damaged the democratic structure of the Constitution. The said Clause (4) had taken away the power of judicial review of the courts as it abolished the forum without providing for another forum for going into the dispute relating to the validity of election of the Prime Minister and the Speaker.</li>
<li><strong>In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, 1994 SC held that secularism was an essential feature of the Constitution and part of its basic structure.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In M Nagaraj &amp; Ors. v. Union of India 2007</strong> the Constitution Bench of the Supreme observed that <strong>"axioms like secularism, democracy, reasonableness, social justice, etc. are overarching principles"</strong> which links factor for principles of fundamental rights like Articles 14, 19 and 21. These principles are beyond the amending power of Parliament.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>In I.R. Coelho V/s. State of T.N, 2007, a Nine Judge Bench of the Supreme Court laid down the concrete criteria for basic structure principle.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Stated that the power to amend the constitution was not unlimited, any changes that destroy the identity of the constitution, would be void.</li>
<li>Every improper enhancement of its own power by Parliament, be it clauses 4 and 5 of Article 329A, or Section 4 of 42nd Amendment, have been held to be incompatible with basic structure doctrine.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Thus, Basic means the base of a thing on which it stands and on the failure of which it falls. It is not a vague concept or abstract ideals found to be outside the provisions of the Constitution.</strong> Therefore, the meaning/extent of basic structure needs to be construed in view of the specific provision(s) under consideration, its object and purpose, and the consequences of its denial on the integrity of the Constitution as a fundamental instrument of governance of the country.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The right to vote and the right to contest election are not fundamental rights.</strong> They germinate from the Constitution, and are, therefore, constitutional rights. They are also given statutory status by the Representation of People Act, 1951. Clearly keeping them <strong>out from the "basic structure" of the Constitution</strong>.</p>
</div>
<h3>Federalism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In a federal system of government there is a division of power between the Central (Federal) Government and State Governments, in contrast to the unitary system of Government.</li>
<li>In case of the United States which is a federal state, the separate and independent States first formed a Confederation (1781) and then transformed into a Federation (1789). The States have their own constitution; the federal Constitution is the supreme law and binding on all the States. Any amendment to the American Constitution is required to be ratified by three-fourths of the States.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Indian Constitution provides for a dual system of government consisting of the center and the State with clear division of powers between them. Constitution is the fundamental law of the land and is guarded and interpreted by the higher judiciary.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Federal feature for the first time was laid down in the GOI Act, 1935, providing for distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States, which was subsequently adopted in the Constitution of India as three lists under the Seventh Schedule.</li>
<li>Indian federalism provides systematic and structural principles connecting various provisions of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Supreme Court on Indian Federalism</strong></p>
<p>Though India not being Federal in the traditional sense of the term, Supreme Court has consistently held that federalism is one of the basic structures of the Indian Constitution. However it does contain some traditional characteristics of the federal system, namely supremacy of Constitution, Division of Power between the Union and the States and existence of an Independent Judiciary.</p>
<p><strong>In Re. Berubari Union and Exchange of Enclaves Reference under Article 143(1) of the Constitution of India, Supreme Court observed:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The constituent units of the federation deliberately had no organic roots in the past. Hence, in the Indian Constitution the emphasis on the preservation of the territorial integrity of the constituent States is absent.</li>
<li>Indian constitution does not propound <strong>absolute federalism</strong> despite a decentralized authority which is largely due to the arduous task of governing the large territory.</li>
<li>Residuary powers that were not given to anyone in GOI Act 1935 but under the Constitution, by virtue of Article 248, read with Entry 97 in List I of the Seventh Schedule, has been conferred on the Union.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SC in state of Karnataka V/s union of India 1978</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Our constitution is not only pragmatic federal but it has also strong unitary bias which is exhibited by lodging in Parliament the residuary legislative powers, and in the Central Government the executive power of appointing certain constitutional functionaries including High Court and Supreme Court Judges etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SC in SR Bommai V/s Union of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SC called Indian Constitution, <strong>'quasi federal'</strong> where the end aim of the essential character of the Indian federalism is to place the nation as a whole under control of a national Government, while the States are allowed to exercise their sovereign power within their legislative and coextensive executive and administrative sphere.</li>
</ul>
<p>Indian Constitution is not true to any traditional pattern of federalism where the Indian Union has been <strong>described as the &ldquo;holding together&rdquo;</strong> of different areas by the Constitution-framers, <strong>unlike the &ldquo;coming together&rdquo;</strong> of constituent units as in the case of USA and the confederation of Canada.</p>
<p><strong>Unitary nature of the Constitution</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is evident that the Indian Constitution is not federal in a strict legal sense. The term Federalism is used in liberal sense as the Constitution provides for division of legislative powers, labeling it as <strong>quasi-federalism, pragmatic federalism, collaborative federalism or cooperative federalism</strong>.</li>
<li>The States have been carved out for administrative convenience. The Central Government on assessment of the situation can either move either on the federal or unitary basis.</li>
<li>Extent of federalism in it is largely watered down by the needs of progress and development of a country which has to be nationally integrated politically and economically coordinated, and socially uplifted.</li>
<li>Constitution of India is <strong>&ldquo;amphibian&rdquo;,</strong> in the sense that <strong>it can move either on the federal or unitary plane</strong> according to the needs of the situation and circumstances of the case. It is solely for the Union Government itself to decide and no one else.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="7"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 7: Allegation of Colourable Legislation in The Context of Simultaneous Elections</span></h2>
<p>Many people and associations have contended the entire exercise as colorable alleging the mala fide intentions of the govt. of the day on changing the form of elections.</p>
<p>The report however does not find the issue substantial. It is established beyond doubt by many SC verdicts that <strong>"malice or motive is beside the point and it is not permissible to suggest parliamentary incompetence on the score of mala fides"</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Colourable exercise of power &ndash;&nbsp;</strong>It is explained as when power is exercised in bad faith to attain ends beyond the sanctioned purposes of power by simulation or pretension of gaining a legitimate goal as given by SC in State of Punjab vs. Gurdial Singh.</p>
<p><strong>Doctrine of Colorable legislation</strong> does not involve the question of mala fide or bona fide on the part of legislature. The whole doctrine revolves itself into the question of the competency of a particular legislature to enact a particular law.</p>
<p><strong>Ordinance making power</strong> of government again can&rsquo;t be challenged on the basis of mala fide as it too forms part of the legislative power as observed by SC in K. Nagaraj v/s State of Andhra Pradesh and reiterated again in GC Kanungo v/s State of Orissa.</p>
<p><strong>In Naga People's Movement of Human Rights v. Union of India, AIR 1998 SC 431, the Court observed:</strong></p>
<p>The expression <strong>"colourable legislation"</strong> conveys that by enacting the legislation in question the Legislature is seeking to do indirectly what it cannot do directly. But if the questioned Legislation falls within the competence of the Legislature the question of doing something indirectly which cannot be done directly does not arise.</p>
<p><strong>In B.P. Singhal v. Union of India:</strong> The Constitution Bench of the SC held that &ldquo;mala fides may be a ground for judicial review of administrative action but is not a ground for judicial review of legislations or constitutional amendments&rdquo;.</p>
<p><strong>The validity of a statute therefore can only be examined on the ground of legislative competence or on the anvil of the constitutional principles, and the issue of mala fide cannot be raised against the legislature. If the legislature is competent to enact a particular law, the motives which impelled it towards such an enactment are irrelevant. Therefore, any argument calling it colourable legislation lacks merit.</strong></p>
<h2 id="8"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 8: Issues in Implementing Simultaneous Elections</span></h2>
<p>The practice of simultaneous election got disrupted after 1967, due to premature dissolution of some of the Legislative Assemblies in 1968 and 1969 and the House of the People in 1970. The <strong>synchronization requires amendment</strong> in the relevant provisions of the Constitution and certain provisions of other Statutes. Once the election gets synchronized it is necessary for them to remain synchronized rising above the <strong>disruptions</strong>.</p>
<h3>Requirements for Synchronization of Elections</h3>
<p><strong>Curtailment and Extension</strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Articles 83(2) and 172</em></strong></p>
<p>Deals with the tenure of the House of the People and the State Assemblies, giving scope by providing an option for curtailment of the term &lsquo;voluntarily&rsquo; by virtue of the phrase <strong>&ldquo;unless sooner dissolved&rdquo;</strong> and not by operation of law, but as far as the enhancement of the term is concerned it requires amendment.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Commission points out that election to <strong>at least 13 State Assemblies can be synchronized with the elections to the House of the People in the year 2019</strong> which will require constitutional amendment to provide for curtailment and extension, both.</li>
<li>The election can take place subject to their voluntarily agreeing to take recourse to Article 172(1) or by the operation of law.</li>
</ul>
<p>In few states extension of the term of the House up to six months is required to attain synchronization with the elections to the House of the People. Such an <strong>extension is permissible only under Art.356 (failure of constitutional machinery) which will entail constitutional amendment</strong>.</p>
<p>In <strong>rest of the states it would be impractical to curtail or extend their term due to recent elections</strong>. This can be taken care of by holding elections to these State Legislative Assemblies in the end of 2021, approximately midway to the term of the House of the People.</p>
<p>To achieve complete synchronization, transitory provisions in the Constitution needs to be included so that the term of the Assemblies so constituted after the elections in 2021, will be for 30 months or till June 2024, whichever is earlier. Thereafter, elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies can be held every five years.</p>
<p>The commission also talks about <strong>Second Option</strong> as well where elections can be synchronized in such a way where they are held only twice in every five years.</p>
<p>However if every such arrangement fails Commission also talks about <strong>Third Option</strong> where elections falling in one calendar year can be clubbed together but resorting to this alternative is not going to bring any material change and relieve the country from being continuously in election mode.</p>
<p><em><strong>Effect on Council of States/State Legislative Councils</strong></em></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Any tinkering in the election of legislative assemblies would also disturb the election of candidates to council of states and respective state legislative councils.</li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong>Whether Ratification by States is Required</strong></em></p>
<p>Article 368 deals with the amendment part of the constitution. The proviso to Article 368 (2) enlists certain provisions of the Constitution which require ratification by not less than one half of the States. It basically deals with the principle giving effect to federal features of the constitution.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are two limitations to the amending power of a legislature
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Substantive &ndash; prohibiting amendment dealing with basic structure.</li>
<li>Procedural &ndash; deals with the manner in which the amendment is to be carried out, if permissible in law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The proviso to Article 368(2) deals with the following Articles:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Articles 54, 55, 73, 162, 241.</li>
<li>Chapter IV of Part V- The Union Judiciary, Chapter V of Part VI- High Courts in the States, or Chapter I of Part XI Distribution of Legislative Powers.</li>
<li>Any of the Lists in the Seventh Schedule.</li>
<li>The representation of States in Parliament.</li>
<li>The provision of this Article.</li>
</ul>
<p>Article 328 of the Constitution enables the States to make laws with respect to all matters related to or in connection with the elections to the Assemblies. As federalism is an essential feature of the basic structure of the Constitution, it might be contended that holding &ldquo;simultaneous elections&rdquo; affects the States.</p>
<p><strong>However nothing in the report requires ratification by states unless for abundant caution.</strong></p>
<h3>Grounds for Disruption</h3>
<p><strong>1. No-Confidence Motion</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an important tool to oust the govt. as the council of ministers are collectively responsible to the house and remain there till they have confidence of the house. It can be moved on account of defection and in the case of a coalition government, when any of the supporting party withdraws the support.</li>
<li><strong>Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha,</strong> specifies the procedure for a &ldquo;motion of no-confidence&rsquo;&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The no confidence motion affects the stability of the Government and does not provide for any alternative arrangement.</li>
<li>In <strong>Germany&rsquo;s Bundestag</strong> Constitution provides for taking up both the motions of &lsquo;no-confidence&rsquo; and &lsquo;confidence&rsquo;, simultaneously also known as <strong>constructive vote of confidence</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p>A similar system in India will bring better stability and govt. will be ousted only when the member or the group of members come forward with a proposal to form an alternative government.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Various <strong>Municipal Corporation Acts,</strong> such as that of UP, MP, Rajasthan <strong>(one year in case of Rajasthan)</strong> states that <strong>"no notice of a motion of non-confidence shall be received within two years of the assumption of office by the Mayor"</strong>.</li>
<li>Failure of motion will further bar from receiving the non-confidence motion for two years.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>Rules on the suggested line if incorporated will bring in stability of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies as no "motion of no-confidence" will be introduced in Lok Sabha / State Assemblies within two years of the formation of a Government, and no subsequent motion will be moved again within a period of one year from the date of rejection of the previous motion.</p>
<p>Further <strong>'constructive vote of no-confidence'</strong>, where a member or group of members moving no-confidence motion would have to simultaneously put forward a proposal for forming an alternative Government would ensure stability of the house.</p>
<p>Implementing the rule in both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies would not only stabilize the govt. but will also ensure synchronization of the elections in both state and the center.</p>
<p><strong>2. Hung Parliament/Assembly</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a situation where a single political party or a pre-poll alliance does not have enough elected members to secure an overall majority.</li>
<li>The <strong>Sarkaria Commission</strong> considered the issue and suggested guidelines for overcoming the difficulty posed by hung parliament/assembly to be followed in the order of preference by the Governor while selecting Chief Minister in case of hung assembly:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pre-poll alliance.</li>
<li>The largest single party staking a claim to form the government with the support of others, including the "independents".</li>
<li>A post-electoral coalition of parties where the coalition forms the govt.</li>
<li>A post-electoral alliance of parties, with some of the parties in the alliance forming the Government and the others supporting the Government from outside.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Later, in 2007, Punchhi Commission also broadly agreed with these recommendations.</strong></li>
<li><strong>NCRWC in its report (2002) suggested that defections should not be permitted,</strong> either by individuals or groups. In case a legislator wished to leave his or her party or vote against it, he or she should vacate their respective seat and contest on a fresh platform in case a vote has been cast by a defector it should also be invalidated.</li>
<li><strong>The Report also suggested adoption of constructive vote of no confidence.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>3. Budgetary defeat</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Controlling public finance is a very important function held by parliament/legislative assemblies and <strong>passing of the Budget</strong> is an important matter as there are Constitutional <strong>implications of budgetary defeat which results in the resignation of the govt.</strong> due to no-confidence.</li>
<li><strong>Problem of budgetary defeat arises when the ruling party (the Government) loses the support of majority or in the case of a coalition Govt. the Alliance Partners withdraw their support at the time of passing of Budget.</strong></li>
<li>Stability of government is sine qua non for simultaneous elections and to prevent the fall of Government on the ground of non-passage of the Finance Bill and Appropriation Bills, their smooth passage is required. In case there is a budgetary defeat, the Government is bound to fall and in case no alternate government is formed, mid-term poll becomes inevitable.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Budgetary defeat of a Government has never happened in the history of politics in India.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commission recommends that whenever there is a threat of budgetary defeat, efforts must be made to arrive at a consensus, to avoid mid-term elections.</strong></p>
<h3>New House of the People/State Assembly for the &ldquo;Remainder of the Term&rdquo;</h3>
<p>Term of the house is for 5 years &lsquo;unless dissolved sooner&rsquo;. In case of premature dissolution, it becomes important to maintain the cycle of simultaneous election. Therefore there is a need to deal with the question of duration of such newly formed house.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Article 243U deals with duration of Municipalities: newly constituted municipality upon dissolution of the Municipality before expiration of its term, shall continue only for the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Municipality would have continued.</li>
<li>Also, in case of bye-elections whenever a casual vacancy occurs in the House of the People/Legislative Assembly of State due to death, resignation or removal of any member, the newly elected member holds the office (membership) only for the remainder period.</li>
<li>Sections 154(3), 156(2) of the RPA Act, 1951 provide that in the case of Council of States/State Legislative Councils, the representatives elected through bye-elections to fill in the casual vacancies will hold office only for the remainder term.</li>
<li>RPA Act 1951 does not explicitly deal with the term of the newly elected member to fill in the casual vacancy occurring in the House of the People or the State Assemblies however it is implicit In sections 147 to 151 of Act, where the term &lsquo;casual vacancies&rsquo; imply that the vacancy is for the current House only. It is evident that the incumbent of the casual vacancy will hold office only till the expiry of the term of the current House.</li>
<li>The commission recommends appropriate amendments to Articles 83 and 172 of the Constitution and Sections 14 and 15 of the Act, 1951 in order to facilitate the constitution of a new House of the People or State Assembly for the &lsquo;remainder of the period&rsquo; that is left of the previous House of the People or State Assembly&rsquo;s prescribed five-year term.</li>
</ul>
<h3>To Sum Up</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>"Remainder Term" therefore is not a foreign concept to the Constitution and other relevant statutes. The commission recommends that Concept of &lsquo;remainder term&rsquo; which is applicable to the individual therefore be applicable for the whole House as well.</li>
<li>The Commission is mindful of the fact that if the House is dissolved more than once during the period of five years, it will be practically difficult to conduct elections repeatedly for the remaining term of the House. However, it still recommends &lsquo;remainder term&rsquo; based upon the favorable trend witnessed after the 90s (which saw a lot of instabilities) where electoral politics became more aware and responsible and has seen more stable govt.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="9"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 9: Other Relevant Issues</span></h2>
<p>Commission came across other important issues which if left unattended would have serious bearings on the exercise of holding simultaneous election.</p>
<p><strong>Disqualification on the Ground of Defection to be decided expeditiously</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The issue is not directly related to simultaneous election however it deals with it since it ensures stability of the House.</li>
<li>Chairman/Speaker who has the final authority to decide on the issue of disqualification of member on the grounds of defection.</li>
<li><strong>The SC in case Kihoto Hollohan</strong> equated the Chairman / Speaker with the position of a Tribunal and like in the case of any tribunal, the decisions are subject to judicial review.</li>
<li>However issue of timeframe within which Chairman / Speaker has to render his/her decision is not dealt with.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>SC in state of Gujarat v/s Patel Raghav Natha</strong> observed that if the legislature has not prescribed itself the period for exercising its adjudicatory it does not mean that such a matter can be delayed for an indefinite period.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section 86(7) of the Act, 1951 provides for concluding the trial of the election petition within six months from the date of its presentation before the court. Drawing an analogy, the issue of disqualification under the Tenth Schedule is also required to be decided at the earliest.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>This power is however also coupled with 'duty'</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This power of the speaker is viewed as trust coupled with duty to act in larger public interest. Evasion or delaying the exercise may render the issue infructuous and hence not be in public interest.</li>
<li>Dereliction of duty on the part of speaker/ chairman give rise to allegation of partiality who may be alleged to be acting at the behest of ruling party.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The commission therefore feels that minority judgment of Justice J S Verma in Kihoto Hollohan (supra), which stated that the issues relating to disqualification must be decided by the independent adjudicator and not by the Speaker / Chairperson, becomes relevant and requires consideration.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Bye-elections</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances Law and Justice, in its 79th report stated that all seats falling vacant in a particular year be conducted together on a predetermined date/time frame.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Selection of Leader of House by Consensus</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are no qualifications or credentials necessary for being the Speaker of the House of the People or State Legislative Assembly, however he or she must be a member of the House/Assembly. As the Speaker of the House/Assembly is chosen by consensus between the party/parties in majority and in the Opposition, it is felt that on similar lines the Leader of the majority party may also be selected to lead the House/Assembly.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Effective Exercise of Voting Rights by Non Resident Indians</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Large number of Indian people lives abroad temporarily or permanently on account of education, employment, business and other such reasons. Earlier these citizens were not able to participate in the election process due to the then prevailing law on Elections where only a citizen ordinarily resident within the territorial limits of the country was eligible.</li>
</ul>
<p>Demand from various sections of NRI&rsquo;s resulted in amendment of RPA Act 1950 by RPA Act 2010 (36 of 2010) w.e.f. 10.02.2011. A new section 20A was introduced which permits registration in electoral rolls of persons who are</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Citizens of India</li>
<li>Not included in electoral rolls</li>
<li>Have not taken up the citizenship of any other country</li>
<li>Are absent from the ordinary place of residence</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The provisions of the Registration of Electoral Rules 1960, also were amended, and a new form 6-A was inserted for making application for such enrolment by NRIs.</strong></p>
<p>Accordingly, simultaneous elections would make voting more convenient for NRIs as they will be able to vote in elections to Legislative Assembly and the House of the People on the same day.</p>
<h2 id="10"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash; 10: Conclusions</span></h2>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As the idea of simultaneous elections was received from the government it can be ascertained that the govt. is considering it. Implementing agency for election ECI too supports the idea (ECI in 1983 in its first annual report discussed about it).</li>
<li>Commission through its analysis of various provisions points out that simultaneous election would be feasible to restore.</li>
<li>All existing provisions whether constitutional or legal backed by govt. data supports the restoration of simultaneous election.</li>
<li>Commission through its study of various govt. and non govt. reports and considering international perspective has articulated in the favor of holding simultaneous elections.</li>
<li>Intent of the Government of the day is very often questioned whenever it comes to a major change in the system which is also true with regard to the idea of simultaneous elections. However whenever a statute is enacted the legislature can&rsquo;t be questioned.</li>
<li>Commission has carefully addressed all the issues like democracy, basic structure, federalism etc and has satisfied itself fully well that nothing in holding simultaneous election tinkers with these features. No rights of citizens have been compromised. Thus, even by stretch of imagination, it cannot be argued that holding simultaneous elections would adversely interfere with basic structure of the Constitution.</li>
<li>The Commission has looked into aspects which could affect simultaneous election such as achieving synchronization, ensuring stability, continuing with the cycle of simultaneous elections. The Commission has, after detailed deliberations, modulated their recommendations in the Indian context, and recommended to adopt them either from the world over or from within Indian jurisprudence.</li>
<li>Commission while engaging all the stakeholders and considering their apprehensions and support has considered the issue from constitutional, legal, political, and social perspectives in finalizing the Report.</li>
<li>While analyzing all the relevant issues, commission has also looked into the issues which could have blocked the easier transition to simultaneous elections.</li>
<li><strong>The Constitutional Bench of the SC, in Charan Lal Sahoo etc. etc. v. Union of India &amp; Ors. (1990)</strong> observed that, <strong>"to do a great right" after all, it is permissible sometimes "to do a little wrong"</strong>. A bleak perspective for holding simultaneous elections will put to forefront its disadvantages only. However, in a broader perspective, it will be seen that it is for the larger public good and welfare of the country.</li>
<li>The Commission holds the view that any law that is not acceptable to the masses is not capable of being implemented. Hence, building political and public consensus towards holding simultaneous is much warranted. In a democracy, every decision needs to be for the benefit of the people, as also put by <strong>Chanakya</strong> in <strong>Arthashastra, the happiness of the king vests in the happiness of his subjects, and he must see his interest in the interest of his subjects</strong>.</li>
<li>The Commission considering all Constitutional, legal and the prevailing political and social circumstances in the country, and suggestions and opinions received from various quarters is of the view that the time has come for India to revert to simultaneous elections in the greater national interest.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="11"><span style="color: #000000;">Chapter &ndash;11: Draft Suggestions/Recommendations</span></h2>
<p>The commission has covered exhaustively social, political, legal and the constitutional set up of the country while formulating its recommendations. It has considered the opinion from various sections of the society as well as from the stakeholders and has come out with the best possible framework which is most viable in the Indian context.</p>
<p>The Commission has kept in mind the problems in existing framework of constitution in holding simultaneous election and has only suggested certain inevitable constitutional amendments. The changes are kept to the barest minimum.</p>
<p>The Commission <strong>recommends holding of simultaneous elections to House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies</strong> (except Jammu &amp; Kashmir). Such an exercise will:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Save public money.</li>
<li>Help reducing the burden on administrative set up and security forces.</li>
<li>Ensure better implementation of government policies on time and the administrative machinery of the country will be continuously engaged in developmental activities rather than in electioneering.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Framework for Synchronization of Elections</h3>
<p>Holding simultaneous elections necessitates amendment to the Article 172 of the Constitution. The Commission recommends the following framework for synchronizing the elections in the country:</p>
<p><strong>Option &ndash; I</strong></p>
<p>As a first option, elections to twelve State Assemblies and one Union Territory (with legislature), could be synchronized with the elections to the House of the People in the year 2019.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Out of these, elections to the Legislative Assemblies of five States, viz., Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Telangana are due with the elections to the House of the People, and, therefore, stand synchronized.</li>
<li>If there is political will, and consensus is arrived at, elections to four State Assemblies, viz., Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and NCT of Delhi (Union Territory with Legislature), can also be held along with the House of the People and the five States mentioned in (i) above, in 2019, subject to their voluntarily agreeing to take recourse to Article 172(1) or by the operation of law.</li>
<li>In case of the other four States viz., Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan, where elections are due in early January of 2019 (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) and end of 2018 (Mizoram), extension of up to six months is required to attain synchronization with the elections to the House of the People in 2019, which will require amendment to Article 172 of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
<p>Remaining legislative assemblies can go to election in end 2021 coinciding approximately midway of the 17th Lok Sabha. The term of the State Assemblies constituted in 2021 shall be only for thirty months or till June 2024, whichever is earlier. Thereafter, elections to Lok Sabha and all the Legislative Assemblies and UTs (with legislatures) can be held together from 2024, completely synchronizing the elections.</p>
<p><strong>Option &ndash; II </strong></p>
<p>Once the elections to twelve States and one Union Territory (with Legislature), are synchronized with Lok Sabha 2019 and the remaining sixteen States and One UT (with Legislature) by the end of 2021, the elections will stand synchronized in a way that they are held only twice in five years, repeating the cycle in mid-2024 and in the end of 2026. This will result in elections only twice in a period of five years.</p>
<p>Synchronization of elections as given in Option &ndash; I requires suitable amendment to Article 172 of the Constitution or insertion of a new clause to that Article,</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Extension/Curtailment of the terms of Legislative Assemblies of certain States.</li>
<li>Limiting the terms of the State Legislative Assemblies constituted as a result of the elections to be held in end of 2021, so as to be synchronized with Lok Sabha to be held in mid-2024.</li>
</ul>
<p>Synchronization of elections as given in Option &ndash; II requires &ndash;</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Amendment only as mentioned at (1) above will be required and the cycle of simultaneous election will be such that elections are held twice in a period of 5 years, i.e., mid-2019, end-2021, mid 2024, end-2026, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Option &ndash; III</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If it is not possible for some reasons to conduct simultaneous elections as discussed in the above two options, then, it is recommended that <strong>all elections falling due in one calendar year be conducted together</strong>. Even for achieving this option, the provisions contained in Articles 85(1) and 174(1) of the Constitution and the provisos to sections 14 and 15 of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951 may be amended suitably.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Ratification by States</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Even though the proposed Constitutional amendments do not fall within the purview of Proviso to clause (2) of Article 368 the Government may seek ratification by not less than one-half of the States as an abundant caution.</li>
</ul>
<h3>No Confidence Motion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Commission recommends that the concept of &lsquo;constructive vote of no-confidence&rsquo; may be adopted.</li>
<li>The option of limiting the number of such motions during the term of the given House/Assembly may also be considered.</li>
<li>Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha may suitably be amended. Amendments on similar line should be made in the Rules of Procedure of various State Legislative Assemblies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Hung Parliament/Hung Assembly</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the event of a Hung House/Assembly, all efforts must be made by the President/Governor, as the case may be, to install a Government that will enjoy the support of the House/Assembly, giving an opportunity to the largest party along with their pre-poll or post-poll alliance(s).</li>
<li>Still, if no government could be formed, the President/Governor may call for an All-Party meet to tide over the stalemate.</li>
<li>If the above two options fail, mid-term polls becomes inevitable. However, the duration of the House/Assembly so constituted shall be only for the remainder of the term, as suggested later in this Report.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Budgetary Defeat</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Commission recommends that efforts to build a consensus must be made In order to address the issues arising out of budgetary defeat leading to the fall of the incumbent Government to avoid mid-term polls.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Remainder of the Term</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Commission recommends that a House constituted upon the dissolution of the House should continue only for the remainder of the term to ensure cycle of simultaneous elections is not disrupted.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Other Relevant Suggestions/Recommendations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Commission recommends that issue of defection under the Tenth Schedule must be decided by the Chairman/Speaker as expeditiously as possible, but not later than a period of six months.</li>
<li>The commission also recommends amending relevant provisions of RPA act 1951 so that all the bye-elections falling in one calendar can be conducted together.</li>
</ul>',
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	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => '2 Time Zones in India',
		'catname' => 'Paper 1',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently Council of Scientific &amp; Industrial Research&rsquo;s National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), which maintains Indian Standard Time (IST), published a research article describing the necessity of two time zones.</li>
<li>Suggesting two time zones and two ISTs in India: IST-I for most of India and IST- II for the Northeastern region &ndash; separated by difference of one hour</li>
<li>IST-I, covering the regions falling between longitudes 68&deg;7&prime;E and 89&deg;52&prime;E and IST-II covering the regions between 89&deg;52&prime;E and 97&deg;25&prime;E.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Who is Demanding?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Northeast have long complained about the effect of a single time zone on their lives and their economies.</li>
<li>In 2006, India&rsquo;s federal planning commission recommended the division of the country into two time zones.</li>
<li>National Physical Laboratory (NPL) - India&rsquo;s official timekeeper - has supported a long standing demand for a separate time zone for eastern states</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Time zone</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scottish-born Canadian Sir Sandford Fleming proposed a worldwide system of time zones in 1879.</li>
<li>Eventually in 1884 International meridian conference adopted a 24 hour day.</li>
<li>Countries across the world keep different times because of Earth&rsquo;s rotation and revolution around the Sun.</li>
<li>As Earth turns by 15&deg; around its axis, time changes by one hour; a 360&ordm;-degree rotation yields 24 hours.</li>
<li>As a result, the world is divided into 24 time zones shifted by one hour each.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Indian Standard Time</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IST is based on longitude 82.5&deg;, which passes through Mirzapur, near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>It is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), now called the Universal Coordinated Time (UTC).</li>
<li>Keeper of the time in India is the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi, which records time using five caesium atomic clocks.</li>
</ul>
<h3>History of Time Zones in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India used to have two time zones, Bombay Time and Calcutta Time, first established in 1884 during the British Raj.</li>
<li>Indian Standard Time is an anachronism like many systems that were inherited from the British.</li>
<li>It was in 1906 that India had a single IST running through center of country.</li>
<li>There was a one-hour-nine-minutes time difference between Kolkata and Mumbai. Yet, today these cities, which are 1,650km apart, share the same time.</li>
<li>Tea estates of Assam, where the concept of &lsquo;bagaan time&rsquo; (estate time) exists, is there a provision for a separate time zone inside India. Bagaan time is one hour ahead of IST.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Need of Two Time Zones</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is geographically the second-largest country not to have multiple time-zones</li>
<li>India stretches from 97 degree 25 minute East in Arunachal to 68 degree 7 minute East in Gujarat &mdash; almost 30 degrees of longitude which is more than enough to have two time-zones.</li>
<li>Northeast lose important daylight which can be used productively as the sun rises as early as 4 am in summer and offices open at 10.</li>
<li>Many people in India operate in a time zone that is not an appropriate diurnal cycle for them</li>
<li>People&rsquo;s productivity and efficiency follows a biological clock that is synchronized with the daily light-dark cycles.</li>
<li>From the body&rsquo;s circadian rhythm point of view, the existing IST is highly suitable for Kanyakumari, Kavaratti, and Ghuar Mota; manageable for Alipurduar, Kolkata, Gangtok, Mirzapur and Gilgitum; but highly unsuitable for Dong and Port Blair.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Circadian Rhythm</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Circadian rhythm is the 24-hour cycle that tells our bodies when to sleep, rise, and eat&mdash;regulating many physiological processes.</li>
<li>Internal body clock is affected by environmental cues, like sunlight and temperature, and determines whether one feels wide-awake and energized or tired.</li>
<li><strong>Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young,</strong> who studied the molecular mechanisms controlling circadian rhythm, were awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in the category of physiology or medicine.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Benefits</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Lead to greater efficiencies among the workforce and on energy consumption.</li>
<li>Advancing IST by just a half hour would result in saving 2.7 billion units of electricity every year by using the waste daylight hours.</li>
<li>Reduction in energy consumption will significantly cut down India&rsquo;s carbon footprint boosting India&rsquo;s resolve to fight climate change.</li>
<li>There are also economic benefits to having two different time zones; people will be able to work better and plan better, according to natural cycles.</li>
<li>Many social policy objectives can be achieved such as reducing road accidents and improving women's safety.</li>
<li>Two time zones will allow aligning standard time with daylight time.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Problems</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mismatch in office timings, different working hours for banks and a chance that railway accidents might become more frequent.</li>
<li>Implementing two time zones will require synchronizing railway traffic which otherwise will create utter confusion.</li>
<li>With significant illiteracy levels, if the country were divided into two time zones, there would be chaos at the border between the two zones. It would mean resetting clocks with each crossing of the time zone.</li>
<li>CSIR-NPL would need a second laboratory in the new time zone. This would consist of &lsquo;Primary Time Ensemble-II&rsquo;, traceable to the UTC at BIPM in France.</li>
<li>Marking of the dividing line of the two zones would be a problem.</li>
<li>Two time zones can have adverse political consequences as India apart from getting divided on the lines of religion, caste, race, language, etc, now will get divided on the lines of Time Zones.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Available Alternatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NIAS (National Institute for Advanced Science) cited that Permanent shift of IST to one hour will be better than two time zones or DST i.e. 6:30+ UTC to 90 degree east.</li>
<li>Daylight Saving Time can also be used from April to September.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Daylight Saving Time</strong></p>
<p>Daylight Saving is a procedure in which the time in the clock is adjusted forward in spring &amp; is readjusted backward in autumn.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advantages of Daylight Saving:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Helps to save energy.</li>
<li>It provides additional daylight hours in the evening.</li>
<li>It increases productivity.</li>
<li>It helps to increase the tourism as due to the increase daylight hours tourists would stay out for longer period &amp; spend more.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Implementation of these recommendations must be supported by the ability of the government to gather data and track changes in economic activity pattern of the nation.</li>
<li>Factors like impact of sunrise and sunset timings on biological activities of people; synchronizing sunrise and sunset timings with office hours should be carefully studied.</li>
<li>Minimization of spatial extension at the proposed border of time demarcation etc needs to be taken care.</li>
<li>It is important to consult all stakeholders and arrive at a better solution so as to use the lost light hours that are dimmed by a common IST.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper1/mind-map-2-time-zones-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For Mind Map</a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper1/2-time-zones-in-india'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => '2 Time Zones in India',
		'catname' => 'Paper 1',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/7922%20Time Zones in India.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/7922 Time Zones in India.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper1/mind-map-2-time-zones-in-india'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'A Prescription For The Future',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;A Prescription For the Future&rdquo; which appears in The Hindu for 28th November 2018.)</p>
</div>
<p>The world is changing very fast and global mega-trends like the increasing demand for food, water, and energy, the changes in demographic patterns etc., reinforce this fact.</p>
<p>The Internet has taken over our lives, smartphone penetration is growing rapidly. There are dramatic changes in the lifestyle and behavioral changes occurring every day, with strong implications for the future of our planet and its inhabitants. Healthcare is no stranger to this change -<strong> the most impactful transformations in human life have happened in healthcare itself.</strong></p>
<h3>Why the use of technology is imperative in the health sector of India?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-3-good-health-and-well-being.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>For achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3,</strong></a> the country&rsquo;s strategy in health is focused on providing essential services to the entire population, with a special emphasis on the poor and vulnerable groups.</li>
<li><strong>For achieving National Health policy aims:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Establish regular tracking of DALY Index (Disability Adjusted Life Years) as a measure of the burden of disease and its trends by major categories by 2022.</li>
<li>Reduction of TFR to 2.1 at national and sub-national level by 2025.</li>
<li>Reduce Under Five Mortality to 23 by 2025 and MMR from 130 to 100 by 2020.</li>
<li>Reduce infant mortality rate to 28 by 2019.</li>
<li>Reduce neonatal mortality to 16 and stillbirth rate to &ldquo;single digit&rdquo; by 2025.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For achieving Government targets to eliminate:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Kala-Azar and Filariasis by 2017</li>
<li>Leprosy by 2018</li>
<li>Measles by 2020</li>
<li>Tuberculosis by 2025</li>
<li>Malaria 2030</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges to Adoption of Technology</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>One of the primary challenges is to effectively coordinate data generated by the various stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The fundamental unit of digital healthcare is the electronic health record or the EHR.</strong> But, the vast majority of healthcare interventions in India take place non-digitally.</li>
<li>In the primary healthcare centers that serve the vast majority of our rural hinterland, data is often logged on paper or at best in Excel, making their value as a digital asset questionable.</li>
<li>Lack of healthcare facilities where less than 2% of hospitals <g class="gr_ gr_81 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar replaceWithoutSep" id="81" data-gr-id="81">in</g> are accredited also pose challenges to adoption of technology in the health sector.</li>
<li>Government health expenditure is very low, that makes it difficult to adopt new technologies in public healthcare centers.</li>
<li>Shortage of qualified physicians and well-trained medical staff also makes it difficult to implement new technologies. This gap in human resources viz. Technology is alarming in the Indian context.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>There are several examples of modern technology in healthcare:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Telemedicine has already brought healthcare to the remotest corners of the country.</strong> Telemedicine is the remote delivery of healthcare services, such as health assessments or consultations, over the telecommunications infrastructure. It allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients using common technology, such as video conferencing and smartphones, without the need for an in-person visit.</li>
<li><strong>The use of artificial intelligence for preventive and predictive health analytics</strong> can strongly support clinical diagnosis with evidence-based guidelines and also prevent disease.<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/529Al and Robotics.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="511" height="272" /></li>
<li>From the <strong>virtual reality (VR) of 3D-printing, we are now moving towards augmented reality (AR)</strong>, by which, for example, every piece of a node in a malignant melanoma can be completely removed, thereby eliminating the risk of cancer spreading to any other part of the body.<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/866drishti_Healthcare-3D-printing-market.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="502" height="502" /></li>
<li><strong>Biotechnology, cell biology, and genetics</strong> are also opening up whole new paradigms of understanding of human life and disease, and have made <strong>personalized medicine</strong> a way of life.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to rapidly adapt to, embrace and drive change if it wishes to stay relevant in the global healthcare order.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s change imperative has become even more pronounced with the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, or National Health Protection Mission (NHPM), under the ambit of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ayushman-bharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Ayushman Bharat.</a></strong></li>
<li>The vast scale of Ayushman Bharat requires reimagining an innovative model which will transform healthcare delivery in the country. By leapfrogging through smart adoption of technology and using emerging platforms, significant improvements are possible in healthcare operations and costs.</li>
<li>Engagement of Private sector to make sure welfare programme reaches the most vulnerable and the underprivileged, for whom it is intended is also urgently required.</li>
<li><strong>For India to grow, healthcare as an engine of the economy needs to flourish.</strong></li>
<li>The private sector, which has contributed over 80% of the bed additions in the last decade, needs to earn healthy rates of return on investment to continue capital investment in infrastructure, technology upgrades, and to have the ability to acquire top clinical talent, which can lead to differentiated outcomes.</li>
<li>In a quest to achieve low-cost healthcare, the government should not inhibit the potential for growth, nor isolate the country&rsquo;s health sector from exciting global developments.</li>
<li>There is also a need to achieve a balance between staying at the cutting edge of clinical protocols, technology, and innovation and continue to deliver world-class care while finding increasingly efficient ways of operating to continuously lower the cost of care and bring it within the reach of those who cannot afford it.<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/862drishti_healthcare-budget-in-brics-countries-v1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="458" height="354" /></li>
</ul>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-prescription-for-the-future'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (28th November 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Logix India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Logix India 2019 is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from 31st January to 2nd February 2019.</li>
<li>It is being organized by <strong>Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)</strong> as an initiative to<strong> improve logistics cost effectiveness and operational efficiencies for India&rsquo;s global trade.</strong></li>
<li>Over 100 international delegates from more than 20 countries are expected to attend Logix India 2019.</li>
<li>FIEO will also focus on<strong> investment opportunities in infrastructure development, warehouse consolidation, technology integration and IT enablement andskilling of manpower at the three-day meet.</strong></li>
<li>India ranked<strong> 44 in the World Bank&rsquo;s Logistics Performance Index 2018.</strong> Logistics sector will play a key role in enhancing the competitiveness of Indian goods in the global markets.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indian Organ Donation Day</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> 9th Indian Organ Donation Day was organized on 27 November</strong> by the <strong>National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)</strong> under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
<li><strong>Tamil Nadu</strong> was felicitated with an award for <strong>best</strong> <strong>performing</strong> <strong>state</strong> and <strong>Maharashtra</strong> <strong>for promoting</strong> <strong>awareness</strong> on organ donation.</li>
<li>Tamil Nadu had been the first state in India for various initiatives like mandatory certification of Brain Stem Death and streamlining the organ distribution.</li>
<li>In India organs are mainly donated by the living donors and only about 23% of the organ transplant is being done with organs obtained from the cadavers.</li>
<li>There is a need to promote cadaver or deceased organ donation rather than relying on living donors in order to avoid the risk of commercial trading of organs and also to avoid the inherent risk to the health of the living donor.</li>
<li>People&rsquo;s participation and people&rsquo;s awareness is the key for encouraging organ donation and to bridge certain gaps.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)&nbsp;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NOTTO is set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, located in New Delhi.</li>
<li>The National Human Organ and Tissue Removal &amp; Storage Network and the National Biomaterial Centre, are two divisions under it.</li>
<li>National Network division of NOTTO would function as apex centre for all India activities for procurement, distribution and registry of organs and tissues donation and transplantation in the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Mekedatu Project</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mekedatu, meaning goat&rsquo;s leap, is a deep gorge situated at the confluence of the rivers Cauvery and Arkavathi, about 100 km from Bengaluru, at the Kanakapura taluk in Karnataka Ramanagara district.</li>
<li>The aim of Mekedatu Project is to use the water for a hydro power station and supply drinking water to Bengaluru city.</li>
<li><strong>Tamil Nadu Objections</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tamil Nadu government has said that the proposal for the reservoir is not just for drinking water alone, but to increase the extent of irrigation, which is in clear violation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Award .</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-28th-november-2018'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'RBI Eases Hedging Norms for External Commercial Borrowings',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The Reserve Bank relaxed norms for external commercial borrowings (ECBs) by reducing the mandatory hedging provision to 70% from the current 100%.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>cost of hedging has gone up</strong> in the last six months with the strengthening of the dollar. As a result, the ECB route was becoming unattractive to firms.</li>
<li>The move will help<strong> bring down the final cost of overseas loans</strong> for Indian firms but could leave them more exposed to volatility in the foreign exchange markets.</li>
<li>The relaxed norms will apply to the ECBs with a maturity period between 3 and 5 years.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The push to increase hedging began after the global financial crisis, where unhedged foreign currency exposures led to significant losses for some firms.</li>
<li>Following that experience, the RBI mandated 100% hedging for medium-term external borrowings. It also asked banks to set aside additional provisions against companies which had unhedged foreign currency exposure.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hedging</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hedging is a financial technique that helps to<strong> reduce or mitigate the effects of measurable type of risk</strong> from the future changes in the fair value of commodities, cash flows, securities, currencies, assets and liabilities.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> kind of an insurance</strong> that do not eliminate the risk completely but mitigate its effect.</li>
<li>It consists of the purchase or sale of equal quantities of the same or very similar commodities, approximately simultaneously, in two different markets with the expectation that a future change in price in one market will be offset by an opposite change in the other market.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>External Commercial Borrowings</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>External Commercial Borrowings is a <strong>loan availed by an Indian entity</strong> from a nonresident lender with a <strong>minimum average maturity of 3 years.</strong></li>
<li>Most of these loans are provided by foreign commercial banks buyers&rsquo; credit, suppliers&rsquo; credit, securitized instruments such as Floating Rate Notes and Fixed Rate Bonds etc.</li>
<li>Advantages of ECBs:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ECBs provide <strong>opportunity to borrow large volume</strong> of funds.</li>
<li>The funds are available for<strong> relatively long term.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Interest rate are also lower</strong> compared to domestic funds.</li>
<li>ECBs are in the <strong>form of foreign currencies.</strong> Hence, they enable the corporate to have foreign currency to meet the import of machineries etc.</li>
<li>Corporate can raise ECBs from internationally recognized sources such as banks, export credit agencies, international capital markets etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-eases-hedging-norms-for-external-commercial-borrowings'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'ASEAN',
		'catname' => 'International Institutions',
		'desc' => '<h3>What is ASEAN?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organization which was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions among the Asia-Pacific&rsquo;s post-colonial states.</li>
<li>The motto of ASEAN is <strong>&ldquo;One Vision, One Identity, One Community&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>8<sup>th</sup> August is observed as ASEAN Day.</li>
<li>ASEAN Secretariat &ndash; Indonesia, Jakarta.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Member Nations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indonesia</li>
<li>Malaysia</li>
<li>Philippines</li>
<li>Singapore</li>
<li>Thailand</li>
<li>Brunei</li>
<li>Vietnam</li>
<li>Laos</li>
<li>Myanmar</li>
<li>Cambodia</li>
</ul>
<h3>Genesis of ASEAN</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>1967 &ndash; ASEAN was established with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding fathers.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Founding Fathers of ASEAN are: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>1990s &ndash; Membership doubled after the changing conditions in the region following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and the Cold War in 1991.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Addition of Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>1995 &ndash; Members signed a deal to create a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia.</li>
<li>1997 &ndash; Adoption of ASEAN <strong>Vision 2020</strong>.</li>
<li>2003 &ndash; <strong>Bali Concord II</strong> for the establishment of an ASEAN Community.</li>
<li>2007 &ndash; <strong>Cebu Declaration,</strong> to accelerate the establishment of ASEAN Community by 2015.</li>
<li>2008 &ndash; ASEAN Charter comes into force and becomes a legally binding agreement.</li>
<li>2015 &ndash; Launch of <strong>ASEAN Community</strong>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>ASEAN Political-Security Community</li>
<li>ASEAN Economic Community</li>
<li>ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Objectives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.</li>
<li>To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.</li>
<li>To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields.</li>
<li>To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade, the improvement of transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards of peoples.</li>
<li>To promote Southeast Asian studies.</li>
<li>To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>The ASEAN fundamental principles, as contained in the <em>Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia</em> (TAC) of 1976</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations.</li>
<li>The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion.</li>
<li>Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another.</li>
<li>Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner.</li>
<li>Renunciation of the threat or use of force.</li>
<li>Effective cooperation among themselves.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Institution Mechanism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN Summit:</strong> The supreme policy making body of ASEAN. As the highest level of authority in ASEAN, the Summit sets the direction for ASEAN policies and objectives. Under the Charter, the Summit meets twice a year.</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN Ministerial Councils:</strong> The Charter established four important new Ministerial bodies to support the Summit.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC)</li>
<li>ASEAN Political-Security Community Council</li>
<li>ASEAN Economic Community Council</li>
<li>ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Decision Making:&nbsp;</strong>The primary mode of decision-making in ASEAN is consultation and consensus.</li>
</ul>
<p>However, the Charter enshrines the principle of <strong>ASEAN-X</strong> &ndash; This means that if all member states are in agreement, a formula for flexible participation may be used so that the members who are ready may go ahead while members who need more time for implementation may apply a flexible timeline.</p>
<h3>ASEAN-led Forums</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF):</strong> Launched in 1993, the twenty-seven-member multilateral grouping was developed to facilitate cooperation on political and security issues to contribute to regional confidence-building and preventive diplomacy.</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN Plus Three:</strong> The consultative group initiated in 1997 brings together ASEAN&rsquo;s ten members, China, Japan, and South Korea.</li>
<li><strong>East Asia Summit (EAS):</strong> First held in 2005, the summit seeks to promote security and prosperity in the region and is usually attended by the heads of state from ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. ASEAN plays a central role as the agenda-setter.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Strengths &amp; Opportunities</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ASEAN commands far greater influence on Asia-Pacific trade, political, and security issues than its members could achieve individually.</li>
<li><strong>Demographic dividend &ndash;</strong> It constitutes 3rd largest population in the world, of which more than half is below thirty years of age.</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>3<sup>rd</sup> largest market in the world -</strong> larger than EU and North American markets.</li>
<li><strong>6<sup>th</sup> largest economy</strong> in the world, <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> in Asia</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Free-trade agreements (FTAs)</strong> with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.</li>
<li>Fourth most <strong>popular investment destination</strong> globally.</li>
<li>ASEAN&rsquo;s share of global exports has also risen, from only 2 percent in 1967 to 7 percent by 2016, indicating the rising importance of trade to ASEAN&rsquo;s economic prospects.</li>
<li>The ASEAN Single Aviation Market and Open Skies policies have increased its transport and connectivity potential.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ASEAN has contributed to <strong>regional stability</strong> by building much-needed norms and fostering a neutral environment to address shared challenges.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Regional imbalances in the economic and social status of its individual markets.</li>
<li><strong>Gap between rich and poor ASEAN member states remains very large and they have a mixed record on income inequality.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>While Singapore boasts the highest GDP per capita&mdash;nearly $53,000 (2016), Cambodia&rsquo;s per capita GDP is the lowest at less than $1,300.</li>
<li>Many regional initiatives were not able to be incorporated into national plans, as the less developed countries faced resource constraints to implement the regional commitments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The members&rsquo; political systems are equally mixed with democracies, communist, and authoritarian states.</li>
<li>While the South China Sea is the main issue exposing the organization&rsquo;s rifts.</li>
<li>ASEAN has been divided over major issues of human rights. For example, crackdowns in Myanmar against the Rohingyas.</li>
<li>Inability to negotiate a unified approach with regards to China, particularly in response to its widespread maritime claims in the South China Sea.</li>
<li>The emphasis on consensus sometimes becomes the a chief drawback &ndash; difficult problems have been avoided rather than confronted.</li>
<li>There is no central mechanism to enforce compliance.</li>
<li>Inefficient dispute-settlement mechanism, whether it be in the economic or political spheres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and ASEAN</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India's relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of her foreign policy and the foundation of Act East Policy.</li>
<li>India has a separate Mission to ASEAN and the EAS in Jakarta.</li>
<li>India and ASEAN already has 25 years of Dialogue Partnership, 15 years of Summit Level interaction and 5 years of Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN is India's fourth largest trading partner.</li>
<li>India's trade with ASEAN stands at approx. 10.6% of India's overall trade.</li>
<li>India's export to ASEAN stands at 11.28% of our total exports. The ASEAN-India Free Trade Area has been completed.</li>
<li>ASEAN India-Business Council (AIBC) was set up in 2003 to bring key private sector players from India and the ASEAN countries on a single platform.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Socio-Cultural Cooperation:</strong> Programmes to boost People-to-People Interaction with ASEAN, such as inviting ASEAN students to India, Special Training Course for ASEAN diplomats, Exchange of Parliamentarians, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Funds:</strong> Financial assistance has been provided to ASEAN countries from the following Funds:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund</li>
<li>ASEAN-India S&amp;T Development Fund</li>
<li>ASEAN-India Green Fund</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Delhi Declaration:&nbsp;</strong>To identify Cooperation in the Maritime Domain as the key area of cooperation under the ASEAN-India strategic partnership.</li>
<li><strong>Delhi Dialogue:</strong> Annual Track 1.5 event for discussing politico-security and economic issues between ASEAN and India.</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN-India Centre (AIC):</strong> To undertake policy research, advocacy and networking activities with organizations and think-tanks in India and ASEAN.</li>
<li><strong>Political Security Cooperation:</strong> India places ASEAN at the centre of its Indo-Pacific vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region.</li>
</ul>',
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	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Minimum Wages Act for Domestic Workers',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>A petition filed by NGO Common Cause along with social activist Aruna Roy and the National Platform for Domestic Workers has sought the <strong>Supreme Court&rsquo;s intervention to lay down guidelines to protect domestic workers&rsquo; rights.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The petition sought the recognition of domestic work <strong>under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.</strong> The work hours should be <strong>reduced to eight a day</strong> and the workers should be given a<strong> mandatory weekly off as a basic right under Article 21.</strong></li>
<li>According to estimates by the <strong>International Labour Organisation (ILO),</strong> there are at least <strong>four million domestic workers in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International LabourOrganization (ILO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a <strong>United Nations agency</strong> dealing with labour issues, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities for all.</li>
<li>The <strong>ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I,</strong> to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is <strong>based on social justice. </strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>tripartite organization,</strong> the <strong>only one</strong> of its kind bringing together representatives of <strong>governments, employers and workers in its executive bodies.</strong></li>
<li>Headquarters: <strong>Geneva, Switzerland</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Domestic worker is a person who is employed in any household on a temporary or permanent basis to do the household work. Many resort to domestic work because of decline of employment opportunities in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.</li>
<li>Domestic work as an <strong>economic activity is too vast and employs too many to remain unregulated.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Need for Protection of Domestic Workers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Since domestic workers belong to the unorganized sector, there are<strong> no laws safeguarding their rights</strong> &ndash; no minimum wage requirements, no health or insurance benefits, and no job security whatsoever.</li>
<li>Most of these are from <strong>vulnerable communities</strong> &ndash; Adivasis, Dalits or landless Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Nearly all of them are migrant workers. And an overwhelming number are women. This makes them <strong>easy to replace, and easier still to exploit.</strong></li>
<li>Minimum wage provisions are important instruments to protect the most vulnerable and lowest-paid workers &ndash; such as domestic workers &ndash; from unduly low wages.</li>
<li>A minimum wage recognizes the basic contribution of domestic workers to homes and societies, and is a key <strong>means of ensuring the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>While several legislations such as the<strong> Unorganized Social Security Act, 2008, Sexual Harassment against Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and Minimum Wages Schedules notified in various states</strong> refer to domestic workers, there remains an <strong>absence of comprehensive, uniformly applicable, national legislation</strong> that guarantees fair terms of employment and decent working conditions.</li>
<li>About half the states have included domestic workers as labourers under the Minimum Wages Act, which sets out terms of payment, hours of work and leave. Yet, this law is <strong>grossly inadequate.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The law does not, for instance, require domestic workers and employers to register with any authority, which is crucial for monitoring whether both parties are fulfilling their contractual obligations and for adjudicating conflicts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Absence of proper documentation,</strong> which also increases their reliance on employers to access social security benefits. As employment is largely through word of mouth or personal referrals , employment contracts are rarely negotiated, leaving the terms of employment to the whims of the employer.</li>
<li>Unlike work in a formal setting, domestic work is <strong>not guided by clear and agreed production or output goals.</strong></li>
<li>Furthermore, <strong>privacy norms do not bode well with the idea of regulations</strong> (labour inspectors) entering private households and ensuring regulations.</li>
<li>However, discussions are underway on a national policy for domestic workers, with the aim to protect the domestic workers from abuse, harassment, violence and guarantee them rights in the matter of social security and minimum wages.</li>
<li>India is a <strong>signatory to the ILO&rsquo;s 189th convention,</strong> known as the Convention on Domestic Workers; but has<strong> not ratified it yet.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Convention on Domestic Workers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Convention on Domestic Workers, formally the Convention concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers is a convention setting <strong>labour standards for domestic workers.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>189th ILO convention</strong> and was adopted during the 100th session of the International Labour Organization at Geneva in June 2011.</li>
<li>It is a strong recognition of the economic and social value of domestic work and a call for action to address the existing exclusions of domestic workers from labour and social protection.</li>
<li>The convention mandates that domestic workers be given daily and weekly rest hours, their payment must meet the minimum wage requirement.</li>
<li>Ratifying states are also required to take protective measures against violence against workers and are also required to enforce a minimum age for employment.</li>
<li>However, since these<strong> provisions are not binding</strong> on those countries that have not ratified the convention, India is not obliged to enforce these recommendations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Domestic work has enabled many women to <strong>enter the labour market and benefit from economic autonomy.</strong> The large supply of domestic workers in India has meant a shift of care responsibilities from women in the households to hired domestic workers who are a <strong>predominantly female and largely invisible.</strong></li>
<li>There is the need to <strong>change the idea that care-giving is a private domestic responsibility unique to women.</strong></li>
<li>Hence,the demands for decent work for domestic workers are <strong>two pronged</strong>- first and foremost, it calls for recognition of the <strong>rights of domestic workers for fair terms of employment</strong> that are no less favourable than those of other workers, and secondly, it calls for the<strong> active participation of the state and the recognition of the existence of structural inequality that is perpetuated by not recognizing the sheer weight of &lsquo;care work&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>',
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	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (27th November 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>PAiSA Portal</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>centralized electronic platform named &ldquo;PAiSA &ndash; Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access&rdquo;,</strong> has been launched by <strong>Ministry of Housing &amp; Urban Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>The web platform has been designed and developed by<strong> Allahabad Bank</strong> which is the Nodal bank.</li>
<li>The portal will process interest subvention (subsidy offered on interest rate) on bank loans<strong> to beneficiaries under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana &ndash; National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).</strong></li>
<li>Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of subvention on monthly basis under DAY-NULM will give the necessary financial support to small entrepreneurs in a timely manner.</li>
<li>PAiSA is aimed to connect directly with the beneficiaries, ensuring that there is greater transparency and efficiency in delivery of services.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana &ndash; National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)</strong> under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs aims to <strong>reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households</strong> by enabling them to access <strong>gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities.</strong></p>
</div>
<h3>HAUSLA-2018</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)</strong> inaugurated four-day festival, 'Hausla 2018'.</li>
<li>It is a national festival for <strong>children living in Child Care Institutions (CCIs)</strong> to provide them a platform to showcase their skills and realise their hidden talents.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Korean Wrestling in UNESCO&rsquo;s Intangible Cultural Heritage List</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>UNESCO has accepted a joint bid by North and South Korea</strong> and granted <strong>Intangible Cultural Heritage</strong> status to <strong>Korean wrestling.</strong></li>
<li>The two countries had initially filed separately, but then decided to try a joint approach.</li>
<li>The ancient sport is known as<strong> &lsquo;Ssirum&rsquo; in the North Korea and &lsquo;Ssireum&rsquo; in the South Korea.</strong></li>
<li>Competitors win by making any part of an <strong>opponent's body above the knee touch the ground.</strong></li>
<li>The joint bid marks a highly symbolic step on the road to<strong> inter-Korean reconciliation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Constitution Day</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Constitution Day also known as<strong> Samvidhan Divas,</strong> is celebrated on <strong>26 November</strong> every year to commemorate the adoption of Constitution of India.</li>
<li>On <strong>26 November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted</strong> the Constitution of India, and it <strong>came into force on 26 January 1950.</strong></li>
<li>Constitution is the country&rsquo;s supreme law and not only defines the framework of the basic political principles, but also establishes what the different government institutions should do in terms of procedure, powers and duties.</li>
<li>Constitution of India is the <strong>longest written constitution</strong> of any country in the world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tawang Monastery</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Tawang Monastery is located in<strong> Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>Known in Tibetan as <strong>Gaden Namgyal Lhatse,</strong> it was built according to the wishes of the <strong>5<sup>th</sup> Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso</strong>.</li>
<li>However, it was<strong> founded in 1680-81 by a monk named Merag Lodre Gyatso of the Gelugpa sect</strong> (<strong>Tibetan Buddhism)</strong> after the 4th Dalai Lama gave him a painting of goddess Palden Lhamo to be kept in the monastery.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tibetan Buddhism is the major religion of Tibetans around the world. It covers the teachings of <strong>Mahayana Buddhism along with Tantric and Shamanic rituals,</strong> and is in some part <strong>influenced by Bon, the ancient, indigenous religion of Tibet.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An eight-metre high gilded statue of Lord Buddha dominates the sanctum of the monastery.</li>
<li>It is the <strong>largest monastery in India</strong> and <strong>second largest in the world after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Aadi Mahotsav</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>4<sup>th</sup> edition</strong> of annual &ldquo;Aadi Mahotsav&rdquo;, a National Tribal Festival organized by <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs in association with TRIFED and Ministry of Culture</strong> will be held from 16-30 November, 2018 at Dilli Haat.</li>
<li>The theme of the festival: <strong>Celebration of the spirit of tribal culture, craft, cuisine and commerce.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 46</strong> of the Constitution of India lays down that the state shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people and in particular of the scheduled tribes and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was founded in <strong>1987.</strong> It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'How To Regulate The Digital Economy',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;How To Regulate The Digital Economy&rdquo; which appears in BusinessLine for 27th November 2018.)</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Light touch regulation or in some cases zero regulation, has largely been the mantra of the global tech industry from the start and many rightfully credit it for the pace of growth and innovation the industry has seen.<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/315drishti_Digital-Economy.jpg" style="float: right;" width="490" height="277" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Technology symbolizes innovation, growth, and markets while regulation places limits on growth and symbolizes bureaucracy. Technology and regulation are often posed as adversaries. However, the regulation itself is a technology.</strong></p>
<h3>What is a Digital Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>&ldquo;digital economy</strong>&rdquo; is a term for all of those economic processes, transactions, interactions, and activities that are based on digital technologies. The digital economy is different from the internet economy in that the internet economy is based on internet connectivity, whereas the digital economy is more broadly based on any of the many digital tools used in today's economic world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages of a Digital Economy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Removal of Black Economy:</strong> When transactions are made digitally, they can be monitored. By restricting cash-based transactions and using only digital payments, the government can efficiently expel the black economy.</li>
<li><strong>Increase in Revenues:</strong> Since each transaction is recorded, customers will get a bill for their purchase, and the merchants are bound to pay sales tax to the government. This, in turn, increases the revenue of the government &ndash; thus resulting in the growth of the overall financial status of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Empowerment to People:</strong> One of the biggest advantages of moving towards a digital economy is that it empowers citizens. One example of that would be the LPG subsidy that the government gives to the common people. This subsidy payment is done via bank transfers only.</li>
<li><strong>Paves the way to e-governance:</strong> The quicker, safer, and more efficient alternative to traditional governance, e-governance will be the ultimate outcome of the digital economy. Digital economy will definitely pave a way to e-governance, where delivery of all government services would be done electronically.</li>
<li><strong>Creation of new jobs:</strong> The digital economy has a lot of potentials to enhance job opportunities in new markets as well as increasing employment opportunities in some of the existing occupations in the government. This way, the unemployment rate in the country is bound to decrease.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why Regulation is Needed?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>&ldquo;Free&rdquo; services, almost the sine qua non of the digital world, aren&rsquo;t really so. Firms earn money by using the personal data collected to ensure targeted advertising, cross-selling other products/services.</strong> Personalization is based on data. Notwithstanding the compelling advantages, unless suitably regulated, the consumer will be severely disadvantaged.</li>
<li>Though digital operations benefit consumers by increasing competition and innovation. To protect users from frauds and scams regulations are vital.</li>
<li>To control the growth of the dark web and to check the spread of <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="92" data-gr-id="92">rumour</g> (eg. fake news) which lead to social disturbances, digital economy regulations are necessary.</li>
<li>In particular, the exponential growth of online applications in two areas&mdash;short-term property rentals and ride sharing&mdash;have led to calls for greater scrutiny and regulation. The growth of these services has been met with concerns in a number of jurisdictions about passenger safety as well as labor standards for drivers.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Current Regulatory Framework</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000) and Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011 (Rules) govern all Information Technology intermediaries.</li>
<li>Section 79 of the IT Act provides that an intermediary is not liable for any third-party content hosted/made available through such intermediary when:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The contravention is done without its knowledge, or</li>
<li>The intermediary observes due diligence and abides by other guidelines prescribed by the Government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The internet is fragmented, which has resulted in a differentiated approach to policy-making.</strong> The Indian draft law on data localization is a glaring example. Instead of focussing on strengthening the mechanisms to improve data access for law enforcement, it has suggested that all data should have a copy in India (which is not a good solution to the problem and almost impractical).</li>
<li>Regulation must, therefore, be technology agnostic &mdash; meaning it must be effective, irrespective of the underlying technology. <strong>Our regulatory systems, therefore, need to be equipped to understand the evolving risks and guide firms to place appropriate safeguards.</strong></li>
<li>While addressing <strong>price elasticity*</strong> and curbing ill-effects of monopolies, regulators will have to ensure that they don&rsquo;t reinvent the wheel. A<strong>t any cost, the government/regulatory body must resist getting into the business themselves.</strong></li>
<li>The increasing pace and scope of innovation and other geopolitical dynamics like globalization may restrict the government&rsquo;s scope for regulation. To overcome this restriction while providing sufficient legroom for innovations, what can be done is enforce some sort of &lsquo;<strong>technology sandboxing*</strong>&rsquo; (sandboxes are very common in computing and regulatory sandboxes* common in the financial sector). Moreover, global institutions like the UNCTAD are at the forefront, discussing ways to protect/regulate data globally, and India should heed to and recommend its own, recommendations on such global forums.</li>
<li>While there is increasing consensus that there is a real need for more regulation, there is also increasing concern about the &lsquo;how&rsquo;. Regulations should create a competitive environment and also not be apprehensive of incumbents failing (as more startups in this sector fail than succeed).</li>
<li>There is a need for co-creation and co-ownership of a digital world where innovation and security co-exist. This would require not just industry and regulators/government to meaningfully co-operate but also the regulators and government bodies to harmonize their regulatory approaches so that they see the &ldquo;big picture&rdquo; together.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>*Price elasticity of demand</strong> is a measure of the change in the quantity demanded or purchased of a product in relation to its price change.</li>
<li><strong>*Sandboxing</strong> : (in computing) an isolated environment in which a program can be run or tested, for example to prevent accidental damage to other parts of the system; A regulatory sandbox is a framework set up by a regulator that allows FinTech startups (Financial Technology) and other innovators to conduct live experiments in a controlled environment under a regulator's supervision.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Learn More: <a href="https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/dtlstict2016d1_en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNCTAD-Data protection regulations and international data flows</a>: Implications for trade and development&nbsp;</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Examples where debates on <g class="gr_ gr_152 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="152" data-gr-id="152">digital</g> economy matter:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Example 1:</strong> If a product bought on a platform malfunction and causes harm, then to what extent is the platform liable? Consider these anomalies. A self-driven car crashes. On who do we pin primary responsibility? Manufacturer? Software developer? The owner or, the occupant?</li>
<li><strong>Example 2:</strong> A 3D printed furniture collapses! Who&rsquo;s to take responsibility &mdash; the store, the designer, or the printer manufacturer? Again, Ola/ Uber/Lyfts of the world are forever fighting cases where their drivers have caused harm. Apportioning liability appropriately is increasingly becoming a grey area.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
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Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Search/index.ctp, line 85
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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