[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 29 December 2022

GS  Paper 1

Syllabus: National Movement

Source: Indian Express

Context: The Indian National Congress (INC), India’s largest opposition party, marked its 138th foundation day on December 28.

How the Congress was founded:

The English bureaucrat Allan Octavian Hume or AO Hume is credited as the founder of the organization. On December 28, 1885, 72 social reformers, journalists and lawyers congregated for the first session of the INC at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay.

Its objective is often described as providing a “safety valve” as the time, through which Indians could air out their grievances and frustration.

Struggle for Independence:

• As time passed, people within the Congress were influenced by the Swadeshi movement, and wished to follow the concept of ‘home rule’
• Finally, by the end of the British Rule, the Congress saw the Quit India Movement, the formation of the Indian National Army Defense Committee, and the unfortunate Partition of India and Pakistan

Important INC Sessions:

• First Session:Bombay in 1885. President: W.C. Bannerjee
• Second Session: Calcutta in 1886. President: Dadabhai Naoroji
• Third Session: Madras in 1887. President: Syed Badruddin Tyabji, the first Muslim President.
• Fourth Session: Allahabad in 1888. President: George Yule, the first English President.
• 1896: Calcutta. President: Rahimtullah Sayani – National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ sung for the first time by Rabindranath Tagore.
• 1899:President: Romesh Chandra Dutt – Demand for permanent fixation of Land revenue
• 1905:Benaras, President: Gopal Krishan Gokhale – Formal proclamation of Swadeshi movement against the government
• 1906: Calcutta, President: Dadabhai Naoroji – Adopted four resolutions on: Swaraj (Self Government), Boycott Movement, Swadeshi & National Education
• 1907: Surat, President: Rashbihari Ghosh – Split in Congress- Moderates & Extremist
• 1911: Calcutta, President: B.N. Dhar – First recital of Jan-Gan-Man in Congress session
• 1915: President: Sir S.P. Sinha – Constitution of the Congress was altered to admit the delegates from the extremist section
• 1916: Lucknow. President: A.C. Majumdar – Unity between two factions-Moderates and Extremists of Congress
  • Lucknow Pact signed between Congress and Muslim League to build political consensus
• 1917: President: Annie Besant, First Woman President of Congress
• 1918 (Special session): Bombay. President: Syed Hasan Imam – The session was convened to deliberate the contentious Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms Scheme
• 1919: Amritsar.President: Motilal Nehru – Congress extended support to Khilafat Movement
• 1920 (Special Session):President: Lala Lajpat Rai – Mahatma Gandhi moved the Non -cooperation resolution
• 1920: Nagpur. President: C. Vijayaraghavachariar – MA Jinnah left the Indian National Congress
• 1922: Gaya. President: C.R. Das – CR Das and other leaders broke away from INC
  • Formation of Swaraj Party
• 1924: Belgaum. President: M.K. Gandhi – Only Session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi
• 1925: Kanpur. President: Sarojini Naidu, First Indian Woman President
• 1927: Madras. President: Dr M.A. Ansari – Passed a resolution against the boycott of the Simon Commission
  • Adoption of resolution on Purna Swaraj
• 1928: Calcutta. President: Motilal Nehru – Formation of All India Youth Congress
• 1929: Lahore. President: Jawahar Lal Nehru – Passed the resolution on ‘Poorna Swaraj.’
  • Civil Disobedience movement for complete independence to be launched
• 26 January is to be observed as ‘Independence Day’.
• 1931: Karachi. President: Vallabhbhai Patel – Resolutions on Fundamental Rights and National Economic Programme
  • Endorsement of the Gandhi-Irwin pact
• Gandhi was nominated to represent INC in the Second Round Table Conference to be held in London
• 1934: Bombay. President: Rajendra Prasad
  1936: Lucknow. President: Jawahar Lal Nehru – Push towards socialist ideas by Jawahar Lal Nehru
• 1937: Faizpur. President: Jawahar Lal Nehru – First Session to be held in a village
• 1938: Haripura. President: Subhas Chandra Bose – National Planning Committee set up under Jawahar Lal Nehru.
• 1939: Tripuri. President: Rajendra Prasad – Subhas Chandra Bose was re-elected but had to resign
• Rajendra Prasad was appointed in his place
• Subhash Chandra Bose formed Forward Bloc
• 1940: Ramgarh. President: Abul Kalam Azad – Civil Disobedience movement to be launched at appropriate time and circumstances.
• 1941–45: This Period is marked by events i.e., the Quit India movement, RIN Mutiny & INA trials.
• The phase of constitutional negotiations such as the Cripps Mission, Wavell Plan and Cabinet Mission.
• On account of these events during this phase, no congress session was held.
• 1946: Meerut. President: J.B Kripalani – Last session before independence

Insta Links:

Foundation of the Indian National Congress

Prelims Link: UPSC 2016

Mains Link: UPSC 2015

Q. How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.

GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena such as cyclones etc

Source: IE

Direction: While the earlier article explained the phenomena of bomb cyclones, today’s article highlights the probable reasons behind such an extreme weather event.

Context: In a report published in The Washington Post, scientists have once again started to discuss if the rising temperatures of the Arctic are responsible for extremely cold conditions in the US and other areas of the Northern Hemisphere.

Background:

• A deadly blizzard (bomb cyclone) has gripped the US, leading to the death of more than 60 people as of now and the complete disruption of normal life.
• A similar chain of events took place back in 2021 when Texas witnessed a deadly cold storm that killed 246 people.

The findings of the study:

• The study largely focused on the polar vortex, which is a mass of cold, low-pressure air that consistently spins over the Arctic region counter-clockwise, just like a hurricane does.
  • Usually, the polar vortex remains strong and compact, meaning the mass of frigid air stays at the North Pole.
  • But sometimes it weakens (like a wobbling top) and expands to influence the jet stream – an area of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere that surrounds the polar vortex.
  • Once the jet stream is impacted, the cold polar air finds its way towards the mid-latitude regions.
• The polar vortex has been expanding more than twice as frequently in recent years, owing to the steadily warming Arctic.
• The melting sea ice in the Barents and Kara seas north of Russia and Scandinavia and increasing Siberian snowfall create larger and more energetic atmospheric waves that ultimately stretch the polar vortex
• This has resulted in extreme winter weather in the US and other places.

Earlier studies:

• The debate started in 2012 after research showed that the warming of the Arctic was reducing the temperature difference between the polar and tropical regions.
• This has weakened the jet stream, allowing the southward movement of frigid air.

Conclusion: Despite some evidence, the scientific community still has conflicting opinions about its claim. Hence, more data is required to determine whether and where warming is weakening the jet stream.

Insta Links:

What is a ‘bomb cyclone’?

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

Source: Scroll

Context: This bill will replace the 1971 Lokayukta bill

Important provisions of the Maharastra Bill:

• Will need assembly approval: Lokayukta will need to seek the approval of two-thirds of the total strength of the Assembly before starting any inquiry against a minister and the motion to do so has to be placed before the House.
  • Analysis: Such Two-third strength may not be possible in most the cases
• Transparency and privacy provisions: Any such inquiry shall be held in-camera and if the Lokayukta comes to the conclusion that the complaint deserves to be dismissed, the records of the inquiry shall not be published or made available to anyone.
  • Analysis: It’s a good provision to ensure that public figures are not victimized.
• Exceptions added: Lokayukta will not investigate cases involving allegations of corruption against the chief minister on matters related to internal security or public order
  • Analysis: Which matter will be considered related to internal security or public order has not been clearly defined
• Limited timeline: The trial against the chief minister, any other Cabinet minister and elected representatives will need to be completed within a year of the date of complaint
  • Analysis: Good provision but many times investigation and trial take more than a year.
• Selection of members of the Lokayukta: They will be selected by a panel of the chief minister, deputy chief minister, Assembly Speaker, Legislative Council chairperson, Leaders of the Opposition in the Assembly and the Council and a judge appointed by the chief justice of India or the chief justice of the Bombay High Court.
  • Analysis: There is a heavy bias towards government nominees in the selection panel.
• Chairperson: The chairperson of the anti-corruption body will be led by a person who is the present or former chief justice of a High Court. The body will also have judges of the Supreme Court or the Bombay High Court as its member.
• The number of members: The Lokayukta will have a maximum of four members, of whom two will be from the judiciary.

Good points:

• Wider consultations: Discussions were held with social activist Anna Hazare before bringing the Bill and a committee had been formed to obtain suggestions and objections on the draft Bill.
• Provisions against misuse: If in verification, the case is wrongly filed then there is a provision in the law to take action against that person.

Concerns:

• The Bill was passed without any discussion and in the absence of the Opposition.

What are Lokpal and Lokayukta?

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 provided for the establishment of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States (as statutory bodies without any constitutional status)

Aim: “ombudsman” and inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and related matters.

• Till 2011 eight attempts were made to pass the Bill, but all met with failure.
• Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2002) headed by M.N. Venkatachaliah, 1st ARC and 2nd ARC recommended the appointment of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas.

Insta Links:

Lokpal

Lokayukta

Mains Links

Q. Lokpal and Lokayukta as the ombudsmen for anti-corruption are underperforming and need reforms to achieve their true potential and ensure accountability in the administration.  Examine. (250 words)

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections

Source: TH

Direction: The article highlights the triple test formula to provide OBC reservation in ULBs and discusses the need to have a caste-based census.

Context: The judiciary has repeatedly established that caste population surveys conducted by the states are insufficient to provide for political reservation in local body elections.

Background:

• The Allahabad HC recently dismissed the UP government’s caste census to count the Other Backward Class (OBC) population across the state, ruling that “counting of heads” is insufficient.
  • The UP government had ordered (in 2017) a “rapid survey” to count the population of OBCs ward-wise in each municipal corporation, municipal council, and panchayat area.
• The HC, while directing that local body elections be held in UP without any reservation for the OBC, added that the State had not followed the “triple test formula” as suggested by the Supreme Court.
• This comes as the call for a caste census intensifies in India, with several states considering introducing reservations for the Backward Classes in urban local body elections.

What is the Triple Test Formula to provide OBC reservation in urban local body (ULB) elections? It requires a state government to –

• Set up a dedicated commission for a rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of backwardness specifically with respect to local bodies;
• Specify the proportion of reservations required for political representation based on the commission’s recommendation;
• Ensure total reservations for SC/ST/ OBC groups do not exceed 50% of the total seats.

The case of UP:

• The Allahabad HC noted that the government’s enumeration exercise does not provide for inquiry into the political representation of the backward class.
• The court stated that the dedicated commission must also ascertain under­representation in municipal bodies (if any).

Similar case: The Patna HC had made a similar point on distinguishing the social and education backwardness of a group from its political backwardness.

Insta Links:

Caste census

GS Paper 2

Source: RBI, Indian Express

Context: In a report – Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2021-22 – RBI said that banks must ensure due diligence and robust credit appraisal to limit credit risk.

• This report is statutory compliance in accordance with the Banking Regulation Act 1949, and presents the performance of banking sectors ( including cooperative banks and NBFCs)

Key findings of the report:

• Double-digit growth in the balance sheet of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs)
  • Impact: This is good news for the banking sector in India.
  • Definition: SCBs are those banks which are included in the second schedule of the RBI Act 1934and which carry out the normal business of banking such as accepting deposits, giving out loans and other banking services.
• Gross non-performing assets (GNPA) for SCBs have declined (from 9% (2017-18) to 5.8% (march 2022))
  • Reasons for decline in GNPAs: Banks have given write-offs or upgradation; greater scrutiny and monitoring of loans; greater recovery of loans after the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Act 2016
• The financial performance of Urban cooperative banks showed improvement
• Non-banking financial company (NBFC) sector improved in 2021-22. With strong capital buffers, adequate provisions, and sufficient liquidity, NBFCs are poised for expansion.
  • Definition: NBFC or Non-Banking Financial Institutions are the institutions that have been registered under the Companies Act, 1956. NBFCs offer bank-related services without having banking licenses. Even though NBFCs provide financial services, they differ from banks in many ways.

Insta Links

RBI financial stability report

Mains Links

1. Enumerate the steps taken so far to expedite and enable the resolution of NPAs in India. Critically analyse the potential of National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) as the “Bad Bank” in addressing the issue of NPAs.
2. How far can financial inclusion help in containing the high level of NPAs of banks in India? Substantiate your views with two examples. (200 words)

Prelims Links

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Conservation-related issues.

Source: DTE

Context: Hydrogen generated at a facility in Pune will be utilized locally to help the city lower its emissions, and manage waste optimally.

• Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has collaborated with business management consultant The Green Billions (TGBL) to manage its waste and generate it into useable green hydrogen.
• The new facility will solve two major problems: Inefficient waste management and carbon emissions. Waste management is one of the prime issues in the country, which is blamed for generating the pollution in the surroundings.
• With this project, Pune city can reduce up to 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, over 3.8 million tonnes of waste would be diverted from the landfill/dumping site and more than 180,000 estimated households will be served directly.

About Green Hydrogen:

Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by splitting water by electrolysis using power from renewable energy sources.

How green hydrogen could help in meeting India’s Net-zero target?

• Replacement for fossil fuels.
• Hydrogen fuel cells: Hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) produce heat and water as byproducts, eliminating the costs associated with handling and storing toxic materials like battery acid or diesel fuel.
• Energy storage
• Stored for a long period: The stored hydrogen can be used to produce electricity using fuel cells.
• Decarbonization of industries: green hydrogen can easily be converted to green ammonia. It, therefore, assumes vast applications for agriculture, fertilizer-producing industries and refineries, steel and heavy-duty transportation industry.
• Commercialization of Oxygen produced
• Reduced Dependence on Rare Minerals: Green Hydrogen holds the key to clean electric mobility that doesn’t depend on rare minerals.

Challenges associated:

• Economic feasibility
• Technological challenges: E.g., hydrogen storage due to its embrittlement of storage metals is a major issue in creating a sustainable supply chain.
• Investments needed
• Consumer adoption

India’s stand on renewable energy:

India is one of the few countries that has kept up its Paris Agreement (21st Conference of Parties or COP21 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) commitments, with an exponential increase in renewable energy capacity.

Insta Links:

Green Hydrogen Potential

National Hydrogen Mission

Mains Link:

1. The national hydrogen policy is a step in the right direction to harness the potential of green hydrogen but removing production bottlenecks and incentivizing production can be a game-changer for the energy security of India. Comment.

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment

Source: IE

Direction: The article tries to present the scenario of India’s cotton textiles since colonial times and suggests a way ahead and a best practice that makes it sustainable.

Context: The article discusses the past (colonial times), present and future of cotton textiles in India.

Past scenario:

• Since the first century of the Common Era, Indian weavers have supplied cotton cloth to the world’s markets.
• The many forms of Indian cotton cloth – bafta, mulmul, mashru, jamdani, more, percale, nainsukh, chintz, etc., were the source of India’s famed wealth in pre-industrial times (before 1750).
• Until the industrial revolution in Britain (1750), all yarn for handloom weaving in India was spun by hand.
• But this occupation vanished with the invention of spinning machines in Britain and the import of machine-spun cotton yarn.
• Since India was a British colony, the latter dictated its economic policies (raw cotton was shipped to supply British industry and machine-woven cotton fabrics began to be imported).

Situation by 1947:

• Mass production was well established, and India’s own spinning and weaving mills took over the role of Lancashire in Britain.
• American cotton varieties and their hybrids gradually replaced native ones and native varieties grew only in a few pocket

Impact:

• Cotton in India is grown largely by small farmers.
• Farm practices shifted from sustainable, family-based agriculture to intense commercial farming.
• Input costs rose because –
  • Seeds supplied by large multinational corporations are costly.
  • Use of fertiliser, pesticide and fungicide. American varieties → irrigation → increases humidity → encourages pests and fungi → adds to the cost of cultivation, but does not guarantee a good harvest.
• Farmer indebtedness, impoverishment and suicides.
• Diversity compromised – The machines needed a uniform kind of cotton, so the hundreds of varieties of Indian cotton (like the finest fabrics Dhaka muslins) lost importance.

Current scenario:

• India is the largest producer (of 34.1 million bales (bales of 170 kg each) in 2021-22) of cotton globally.
• It is a crop that holds significant importance for the Indian economy (grows over 11.7 million hectares in India compared to 31.2 million hectares globally) and the livelihood of about 60 million Indian farmers.
• In 2020, India stood as the third highest exporter of raw cotton globally, amounting to US$ 6.3 billion (10.2% of the total global exports).
• The government has been implementing various policy initiatives and schemes to encourage cotton spinning mills in the country. For example,
  • Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS)
  • Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme
  • SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector)
  • Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA), etc.
• However, the introduction of genetically modified seeds (Bt. cotton) is causing worry because its long-term impact on productivity and biodiversity is unknown.

Way ahead:

• The world is looking for “green” industries.
• As independent India turns 100 in @2047, handloom weaving located close to cotton fields can make it a world leader in sustainable production.

Best practice (The malkha process):

• The process has pioneered yarn spinning suited to the small scale of handloom production, using the different cotton varieties grown in various regions of India to provide an alternative to the mass production of cotton yarn.
• Malkha has also added natural dyeing of yarn to make its fabrics even more sustainable.

Insta Links: Textile industry seeks govt support to stay competitive

Mains Links:

Q. Analyse the factors for the highly decentralised cotton textile industry in India. (UPSC 2013)