December 2023

Current Affairs

Bonded labour: The Modern Slavery

On May 1, the world commemorates International Labour Day to honour the dignity of work and workers’ rights. However, the stories of millions trapped in bonded labour in India cast a dark shadow.

India abolished bonded labour in 1975. The government plans to release and rehabilitate 1.84 crore bonded labourers across the country as part of its 15-year vision extending until 2030.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Bonded Labour: Reasons for Persistent Bonded Labour in India; Government initiatives to end bonded labour.

About bonded labour

Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, defines ‘bonded labour system’ as the system of forced labour under which a debtor enters into an agreement with the creditor that he would render service to him either by himself or through any member for a specified or unspecified period, either without wages or for nominal wages.
The traditional form of bondage or forced labour in India are known as Adiyamar, Baramasia, Kuthia, Lakhari, Munjhi, Mat, Munish system, Nit-Majoor, Sewak, Sewakia, Seri, Vetti.

Bonded labour in India:

According to Global Slavery Index, In 2021, around 11 million people in India were in modern slavery, which includes forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, other slavery and slavery-like practices, and human trafficking.
National Crime Records Bureau data, in 2021, 592 cases (96% against SC/ST) were registered under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.
According to 2018 data from the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, of the 3.13 lakh bonded labourers rehabilitated in the country, 1,404 were from Maharashtra.
The top three States on the list were Karnataka (66,281), Tamil Nadu (65,573), and Uttar Pradesh (42,279).

Initiative to end bonded labour:

Constitutional Provisions:

Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
Article 23: Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.
Article 39: State to secure the health and strength of workers, men and women, and to see the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.

Government’s initiative:

Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976: This act, which renders bonded labour a form of modern slavery, is illegal in India.
- It establishes Vigilance Committees at the district, sub-division, and block levels to oversee the implementation of the act.
- Vigilance committees advise District Magistrate (DM) to ensure the provisions of this Act are properly implemented.
- Under the Act, it is the responsibility of State governments to identify, release and rehabilitate the bonded labour.
Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer, 2016: To provide financial and non-financial support once they are issued bonded labour release certificates by district magistrates or sub-divisional magistrates (DM or SDM).
- Provide immediate financial support of Rs 30,000 to the rescued labourer. It also includes Rs 1 lakh for a male worker, Rs 2 lakh for each woman and child, and Rs 3 lakh for transgender persons or women and children in extreme cases.
- The beneficiaries are also entitled to non-cash assistance including land allotment for a house, allocation of agricultural land. etc.
Preparation of Fifteen - Year Vision Document (2030), Seven Year Strategy Document (2017-18 to 2023-24) and Three-Year Action Plan (2017-18 to 2019-20) of the Ministry of Labour & Employment on Total Abolition of Bonded Labour:
- To identify, release and rehabilitate an estimated 1.84 crore Bonded Labourers.
- To strengthen the prosecution machinery and reaching 100% conviction rate.
- To deal with the altered forms of bondage such as organized begging, forced prostitution, forced marriage, forced recruitment for insurgency activities, domestic service, etc. under the BLS (A) Act.
Code on Wages, 2019: Makes universal the provisions for minimum wages and timely payment of wages for all workers in India.
Ratification of ILO Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957: Aimed at eliminating all forms of forced or compulsory labour.
Initiatives of the National Human Rights Commission: Organized a National Level Seminar and Workshops conducted in Bonded Labour prone States like Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Reason for persistent bonded labour in India:

Migration and informal sector job: Laborers migrate from rural to urban areas and in the informal economy, where labour protections are often lacking, they become vulnerable to exploitation and forced labour.
Low wages: According to Report of the National Commission on Labour, 2002, if earnings and wages are below the statutory minimum wage and workers have to live by borrowing, the condition of the workers slide into bondage.
Caste system: The deeply entrenched caste system in India has contributed to social hierarchies and discrimination makes them more susceptible to exploitation and bonded labour.
Debt bondage: Trapped in bonded labour due to poverty, individuals accrue debts owed to employers with exploitative interest rates and unfair working conditions can make it impossible for them to repay the debt, leading to a cycle of bondage and passes on to family members.
Lack of education and awareness: Limited access to education and awareness about labour rights contribute to the perpetuation of bonded labour.
Under-resourced judiciary & police force: Lack the manpower, infrastructure, and training required to effectively investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate cases of bonded labour, this resource deficit creates loopholes in the implementation of anti-bonded labour laws.
Landlessness: By limiting economic opportunities, reducing bargaining power, and ineffective implementation of laws.

Measures to end the bonded labour:

Establish National Portal on Bonded Labour for welfare entitlements and monitoring mechanism of rehabilitation, irrespective of the jurisdictional aspects (Parliamentary committee).
Increase corpus funds for sensitive districts by centre and timely issuance of release certificates by state government to access rehabilitation assistance.
Regular surveys in sensitive districts to identify and eradicate bonded labour and awareness campaigns
Convergence of bonded labour rehabilitation scheme with others schemes like MGREGA, at the Union and state levels to monitor benefits to workers.
Encourage businesses to incorporate anti-bonded labour policies into their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Modifying the working conditions by implementing robust legal frameworks that prohibit and penalise bonded labour practices, while also adhering to minimum wage standards.

Neerja Chaudhary v State of M.P (1984), where the Supreme Court expressed anguish over the indifference of the government towards the rehabilitation of released bonded labourers.

India has sufficient laws and policies to address the issue of the Bonded Labour System, eradicating this social scourge requires changing the psyche of society and dispelling feudal thinking that unfortunately still persists. This shift will contribute to achieving Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goal, which aims to end forced labour, human trafficking, and child labour.

E-cigarettes

Context: Underlining the risks associated with vaping or e-cigarettes, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments to categorize them akin to tobacco, advocating for the prohibition of all flavors and immediate interventions.

What are E-cigarettes?

There are numerous sizes and shapes for e-cigarettes. The majority feature a heating element, a battery, and a liquid-holding capacity.

To create an aerosol, e-cigarettes heat a liquid that typically contains nicotine, the addictive substance found in normal cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products, as well as flavourings and additional compounds. Individuals breathe in this aerosol.

There are several names for e-cigarettes like "electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)," "tank systems," "e-cigs," "e-hookahs," "mods," "vape pens," and "vapes."

Vaping is another term for using an electronic cigarette.

What is in e-cigarette aerosol?

The e-cigarette aerosol that users breathe from the device and exhale can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including:

Nicotine
Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
Flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
Volatile organic compounds
Cancer-causing chemicals
Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead

What are the concerns related to using e-cigarettes?

Nicotine dependence: The most addictive ingredient in traditional cigarettes, nicotine, is also present in most e-cigarettes. Dependency on nicotine can result in cravings, symptoms of withdrawal, and trouble quitting.
Affects brain development: Nicotine has a particularly negative effect on memory, learning, and attention in the growing brains of teenagers and young adults.
Lung damage - EVALI (lung injury related with vaping or e-cigarette use): This dangerous illness may result in scarring, inflammation, or even death. Chest pain, exhaustion, coughing, and shortness of breath are some of the symptoms.
Long-term lung issues: The aerosol from e-cigarettes contains dangerous substances such diacetyl, which has been connected to the deadly lung condition bronchiolitis obliterans. Additionally, vaping exacerbates pre-existing lung diseases like asthma.
cardiovascular disease: Since e-cigarettes can harm blood vessels and the heart, they raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
Mental health: Nicotine usage has been shown to exacerbate depressive and anxious symptoms.
Secondhand aerosol exposure: The aerosol from e-cigarettes includes nicotine and other dangerous substances that can hurt onlookers, particularly young children and expectant mothers.

Are e-cigarettes less harmful than regular cigarettes?

The aerosol from e-cigarettes typically has less harmful compounds than the lethal mixture of 7,000 chemicals found in traditional cigarette smoke. Aerosol from e-cigarettes is not harmless, though. It may include chemicals that cause cancer, heavy metals like lead, nicotine, volatile organic compounds, and other potentially dangerous things.

Regulation of E-cigarettes:

In India, the possession of e-cigarettes and similar devices is a violation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act (PECA) 2019, according to the Union Health Ministry.
All producers, manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors, advertisers, transporters including couriers, social media websites, online shopping websites, shopkeepers/retailers etc. not to directly or indirectly produce or manufacture or import or export or transport or sell or distribute or store e-cigarettes, whether as a complete product or any part thereof.

AKTOCYTE Tablets for minimising side effects of Radiotherapy

Context: Scientists from Department of Atomic Energy and IDRS Labs, Bengaluru have together developed Aktocyte tablets with the primary aim of minimising the side effects of radiotherapy. The tablet is a breakthrough towards enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

About Aktocyte

Aktocyte tablets have shown remarkable results, particularly in pelvic cancer patients suffering from radiotherapy induced Cystisis (Blood in urine).
Pateints treated with Aktocyte have demonstrated an extraordinary recovery, eliminating the need for surgical removal of urinary bladder.
The tablets designed as an adjuvant to cancer radiotherapy, regenerative nutraceutical, immuno-modulator and antioxidant marks a significant advancement in cancer care.
Aktocyte has received approval from FSSAI, operating under MoHFW of Government of India. This regulatory clearance emphasises the safety and compliance of Aktocyte tablets, providing assurance to both healthcare professionals and patients about its efficacy and quality.

Tussle over appointments of CEC and ECs

Context: The Rajya Sabha passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, which will guide the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commissioners (ECs) in future.

Issues pertaining to the appointment of Election commissioners

Absence of Law: The appointment of CEC and other ECs according to the Article 324, shall be done as per the law made by the Parliament in this regard. However, no such law has yet been made which leaves a “gap” and leaves the appointment of such a crucial post solely to the executives.
Lack of security of tenure for Election Commissioners (ECs)- Article 324(5) of the Constitution protects only CEC from removal, i.e. only if the manner and grounds of removal are the same as a judge of the Supreme Court. However, other ECs can be removed by the government on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
No Qualification criteria - The constitution has not prescribed the qualifications (legal, educational, administrative, or judicial) of the members of the election commission
Post-retirement appointment - The constitution has not debarred the retiring Election commissioner from any further appointment by the government.
Power division between CEC and other ECs - There is no clarity regarding the power division between the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.

Some key provisions of the bill

It says that the CEC and other ECs will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a Selection Committee which will include
- Prime Minister—Chairperson.
- Leader of Opposition in the House of the People i.e. LS
- a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister Member.
It provides for a search committee headed by a Cabinet Secretary to find a panel of 5 persons to be appointed as CEC and other ECs. But now this committee will be headed by minister of law and justice.
The bill provides for the eligibility criteria also and says that Such persons must have expertise in managing and conducting elections also the person must be holding or have held a post equivalent to the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
The Bill provides that salary, allowance, and service conditions of the CEC and other ECs will be the same as that of the Cabinet Secretary. After stiff resistance from opposition, bill retains the parity with SC judges.
Under the Bill, the CEC and other ECs will not be eligible for re-appointment.

Issues with the new bill

Independence: The bill has excluded the judiciary from the selection process and has majority of the executive. This questions the independence of selection committee as being impartial in the appointing process.
Constitutional Question: Article 324(5) which deals with the terms of service of the CEC and ECs cannot be amended by ordinary law of Parliament. It will need an amendment of the Constitution by Parliament.

Arguments in favour of the Bill

In line with Judgement: According to the Supreme Court the direction given was subject to the law made by the parliament, so the bill agrees with the judgement.
Provide for Qualification: the proposed bill provides for the qualification which reduces the ambiguity and discretion of executive in appointment.
Constitution of Search and Selection Committees: the bill provides for the constitution of these bodies to streamline the process of selecting and appointing an individual.
Clarity about Reappointment: initially the act does not have clear provision about the reappointment, the bill tries to remove the ambiguity and clearly states that there cannot be any reappointment which ensure the independence of the election commission of India.

Way forward

Clear Powers Division: Clearly define roles and responsibilities of Chief Election Commissioner and other Commissioners to prevent conflicts.
Transparent Selection: Form a diverse selection committee including judiciary and civil society to assess candidates fairly.
Enhance Independence: Consider amending the Constitution to grant the Election Commission greater autonomy from government influence.
Capacity Building: Invest in regular training for Commissioners and staff to improve their understanding of electoral processes and technologies.
Ongoing Review: Periodically review of Commission’s functioning to address emerging challenges and maintain electoral integrity.

Security Breach in Parliament

Context: In the wake of security breach in parliament, many MPs said that despite their requests, the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Security in Parliament Complex had not been reconstituted during the 17th Lok Sabha.

Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha provide for the admission, withdrawal, and removal of strangers under the following rules:

Rule 386: Admission of strangers: The admission of strangers during the sittings of the House to those portions of the House which are not reserved for the exclusive use of members shall be regulated in accordance with orders made by the Speaker.
Rule 387: Withdrawal of strangers: The Speaker, whenever thinks fit, may order the withdrawal of strangers from any part of the House.
Rule 387A: Removal and taking into custody of strangers: An officer of the Secretariat authorised in this behalf by the Speaker shall remove from the precincts of the House or take into custody, any stranger seen therein or who may be reported to such officer to be, in any portion of the precincts of the House which is reserved for the exclusive use of members, and also any stranger who, having been admitted into any portion of the precincts of the House, misconducts or wilfully infringes the regulations made by the Speaker under rule 386 or does not withdraw when the strangers are directed to withdraw under rule 387 while the House is sitting.

Joint Parliamentary Committee on Security in Parliament Complex

The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Security in Parliament Complex is a committee in the Indian Parliament responsible for overseeing and reviewing the security arrangements within the Parliament complex.
This committee plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of the Members of Parliament (MPs), parliamentary staff, and the overall functioning of the Parliament.
Committee Composition: Typically, the committee is composed of members from both the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), reflecting a bipartisan approach to security oversight.
Policy Recommendations: The committee may make recommendations for the formulation of security policies and guidelines within the Parliament complex. This includes addressing issues related to access control, surveillance, emergency response, and coordination with relevant security agencies.
This joint committee is headed by the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023

Context: According to WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023, global road fatalities decreased in 2021; however, India experienced a rise in road fatalities.

Key findings of the report:

Road traffic deaths fell by 5% to 1.19 million fatalities annually worldwide between 2010 and 2021.
Ten countries succeeded in reducing road traffic deaths by over 50%: Belarus, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela etc..
Two-thirds of deaths occur among people of a working age.
Road fatality rate declining from 18 per 1 lakh people in 2010 to 15 per 1 lakh in 2021, which represents a 16% decline in the road traffic death rate since 2010.
28% of global road traffic deaths occurred in the WHO’s South-East Asia Region, 25% in the Western Pacific Region, 19% in the African Region, 12% in the Region of the Americas, 11% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and 5% in the European Region.
The risk of death is three times higher in low-income than high-income countries, yet low-income countries have just 1% of the world’s motor vehicles.

Key findings about India:

India, however, registered a 15% increase in fatalities.
Total number of road traffic fatalities went up from 1.34 lakh in 2010 to 1.54 lakh in 2021.

Impacts of road accidents in India:

Road crashes cost the Indian economy 3 to 5 percent of GDP each year (World Bank).
Road crashes claimed about 1.5 lakh lives and left more than 3.8 lakh people injured.
Road accident injuries are the leading causes of deaths and disabilities.

Reasons for the increase in Road accidents:

Traffic congestion: Rapid urbanization and population growth have led to increased traffic congestion in many cities and towns. Congested roads can result in higher chances of accidents, especially when coupled with inadequate road infrastructure.
Poor road infrastructure: It contribute significantly to accidents, including potholes, inadequate road markings, damaged road, eroded road merging of rural roads with highways, diversions, illegal speed breakers.
Vehicle condition: Such as faulty brakes, worn-out tires, and inadequate vehicle maintenance can lead to accidents.
Weak vehicle safety standards: Indian crash tests are conducted at 56 kmph whereas the Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) conducts its tests at 64 kmph.
Inadequate licensing and training: In 2018, in 26% of all road accidents, drivers who were in an accident did not have a valid license or were driving with a learner’s license (MORTH).
Poor enforcement of traffic laws: India’s enforcement of laws on speeding and drink driving are rated 3 and 4 out of 10, respectively, compared to 8 and 9 in China and 9 (for both) in Sri Lanka by the Global Road Safety Report 2018.
Paucity of traffic police: 30% of 85,144 traffic policemen positions and 39% of 58,509 sanctioned traffic constable positions were vacant in 2018, according to the Bureau of Police Research and Development.
Weather conditions: Fog, snow, heavy rainfall, wind storms, hail storms.
Inadequate Emergency Response like rapid trauma care on highways leads to high fatalities.
Low awareness: Indians have very inadequate awareness regarding the importance of safety features like airbags, Anti-lock Braking system, safety belt usage etc.

Measures taken by government to reduce road accidents:

Grant of Financial Assistance for Administering Road Safely Advocacy and Awards for the Outstanding Work Done in the Field of Road Safety: Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to various eligible agencies such as NGO or an Academic Institutions.
Bharat New Car Assessment Program: To evaluate the safety of vehicles in the event of a collision, empowering consumers to make informed decisions while purchasing cars.
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019: The Act mandates automated fitness testing for vehicles, creation of a Solatium Fund for victims of hit-and-run accidents, protection of Good Samaritans from civil and criminal liability and creation of National Road Safety Board to advise on traffic management.
Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) system: Initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and is funded by World Bank, to improve road safety in the country.
Road Safety Audits: All national highways including the ones under construction and the ones in pre-construction and even design stages.
National Road Safety Policy (NRSP), 2010 on the recommendations of S Sundar Committee: The Government reviewed standards that govern road design and the maintenance of vehicles and creation of National Road Safety Council to supervise matters related to road safety.
District Road Safety Committees: established in each district under the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 FOR analysis of the district’s traffic collisions and gathering information on incidents, their causes, accident sites, and victim information.
Vehicle scrapping policy: Older vehicles pollute the environment 10 to 12 times more than fit vehicles and pose a risk to road safety.
India is a party to the various global agreements:
- Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road,
- Adoption of Uniform Conditions for Periodic Technical Inspection of Wheeled Vehicles and Reciprocal Recognition of Such Inspections
- Agreement concerning the Establishing of Global Technical Regulations for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts

Way forward:

Recommendation given by KS Radhakrishnan panel on Road Safety:
- Ban on sale of alcohol on state and national highway.
- Every states should frame a road safety policy.
- Road safety audit be conducted by every states to ensure that safety standards.
- Creating awareness among people on road safety rules, insurance policies.
- Enough compensation to victims on time.
- Strengthen traffic law enforcement to ensure strict adherence to speed limits, seat belt usage, helmet laws, and other traffic regulations. Implement automated systems such as speed cameras and red-light cameras
Recommendation given by Sundar committee:
- Establish Centres of Excellence in road safety research and education.
- One per cent of the cess accruing to the National highways should be employed to create a National Road Safety Fund.
- Establishing a centralised national body for road safety and establishing decentralised responsibility at the district level.

India could consider adopting Mexico's approach to road safety and sustainable mobility by recognizing safe mobility as a fundamental right for its citizens.

Goldfish

Context: A recent study published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research, has highlighted the threats posed by the Goldfish when released into natural environment.

About Goldfish:

It is a freshwater fish native to East Asia belonging to the carp family (Cyprinidae) within the order Cypriniformes, which includes carps, minnows, loaches, and related species.
This species is widely popular in the aquarium hobby.
The Prussian carp, the ancestor of domesticated goldfish, typically exhibits a dull, grey-green coloration.
Through mutations and selective breeding, goldfish have developed the vibrant orange, red, and yellow pigments seen in the numerous varieties available today.
Goldfish shows a remarkable ability to endure brief periods of complete anoxic conditions.
As a hardy aquatic species, goldfish demonstrate resilience to temperature fluctuations, pH changes, cloudy water, and even low levels of dissolved oxygen.

When goldfish are released into natural habitats, they have the potential to grow into large sizes and pose a threat to indigenous marine life, contributing to the destruction of significant ecosystems.

Threats posed by the Goldfish:

The triple threat posed by goldfish lies in their widespread availability, insatiable appetites, and bold behaviour.
The rapid reproduction of female goldfish allows them to breed multiple times in a single season.
These adaptable fish can endure a broad range of water temperatures, mature quickly, and have a versatile diet, consuming algae, aquatic plants, eggs, and invertebrates.
They contribute to harmful algal blooms by consuming algae and releasing nutrients that facilitate its growth.
Climate change may exacerbate the issue, as goldfish demonstrate an ability to adapt to warming and poorly oxygenated waters.
Researchers describe them as voracious, consuming more than cloud mountain minnows and nearby native species.

Example:

In regions like Hamilton Harbour, situated on the western tip of Lake Ontario, the smallest and most easterly of the Great Lakes in North America, the impact of goldfish is evident. The bay has suffered environmental degradation due to industrial and urban development, along with invasive species, making it one of the most environmentally compromised areas in the Great Lakes.

What is Anarcho-Capitalism?

Context: Anarcho-capitalism refers to a political philosophy which calls for the abolition of the state and for the provision of law and order to be controlled by private companies in a free market. It has recently gained popularity with Javier Milei, who calls himself an anarcho-capitalist, winning the race to become the President of Argentina last month.

Traditionally, free market advocates have supported the private provision of most goods and services, except police and courts which, it was believed, could only be provided by the state. But anarcho-capitalists believe that private companies competing in a free market can provide policing and legal services as well, often far better than the state when it comes to quality and price.

Just the way private companies today can offer better cars, telephone services, etc. at cheaper prices than the government, anarcho-capitalists argue, private companies can also provide a far better police and legal system.

It should be noted that in an anarcho-capitalist society, people would be paying private police and courts to offer them protection against crime and to adjudicate disputes with others.

Anarcho-capitalists argue that private companies, which depend on customer patronage for their survival, would effectively serve the needs of their customers.

This is in contrast to the current monopoly police and court system offered by the state that is funded using taxpayer money and characterised by delays and various inefficiencies.

Since citizens often need to pay taxes regardless of the quality of the policing and legal services offered by the state, the police and courts are not accountable to citizens.

Further, the quality of these public services is often quite low while their cost is significantly high. In an anarcho-capitalist society, on the other hand, customers who are unhappy with the services of a certain private court or police can stop paying them and switch to a competing court or police in the marketplace.

In other words, competition would ensure that the quality of police and legal services is high and prices low.

Global Partnership on AI

Context: India is hosting the fourth annual Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) Summit, a three-day event from 12th to 14th December 2023, in New Delhi.

Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence

Global Partnership on AI is a multi-stakeholder initiative to promote responsible development and use of AI.
Aim:
- To bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.
- To foster international collaboration and cooperation on AI.
- To facilitate the adoption of best practices and guide AI policy development.
Launched: June 2020. India is a founding member of GPAI.
Members: Presently, GPAI has 29 members including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.
GPAI has a Council and a Steering Committee, supported by a Secretariat hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and two Centres of Expertise (in Montreal and Paris).
GPAI has four working groups on the themes of Responsible AI, Data Governance, the Future of Work, and Innovation and Commercialisation.

Global River Cities Alliance launched at COP 28

Context: A nine-country ‘Global River Cities Alliance’ (GRCA) inspired by India’s River Cities Alliance was launched at the Indian Pavilion, Dubai on the sidelines of the ongoing COP28 on Sunday.

Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA)

The GRCA is modeled on the lines of India’s River Cities Alliance established by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in November 2021.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga, under the Jal Shakti ministry and Housing and Urban Affairs ministry’s National Institute for Urban Affairs (NIUA), will take on the role of the Secretariat of the GRCA.
The nine nations are India, Denmark, Cambodia, Japan, Bhutan, Australia, Netherlands, Egypt, and Ghana.
Multi-lateral funding agencies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have also pledged their support for the initiative.

Focus area of work

It focuses on capacity building and knowledge exchange in integrated river management to address climate change impacts on the ecosystem.
The collaboration includes a comprehensive water monitoring program, sharing best practices for renaturing urban areas, and restoring aquatic ecosystems for sustainable urban development.
Initiatives extend to restoring urban forests and lakes connected to rivers, emphasizing the importance of green spaces.
The proposed collaboration emphasizes collective action for safeguarding environmental flows and acknowledges the role of floods in maintaining river ecosystem health, showcasing a commitment to proactive environmental stewardship and innovative solutions for sustainable river management.

River city Alliance

River Cities Alliance is a platform for river cities in India to ideate, discuss, and exchange information for the sustainable management of urban rivers.
The Jal Shakti Ministry and Housing & Urban Affairs Ministry has partnered for the initiative.
The National Institute for Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) have collaborated for launching the River Cities Alliance.
The Secretariat of the River Cities Alliance will be set up at the National Institute for Urban Affairs (NIUA) with the support of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
The River Cities Alliance will focus on three themes: Networking, Technical Support, and Capacity Building.

Objectives

The primary objective of the River Cities Alliance is to aid the participating cities with a platform for discussing and exchanging information on aspects that are vital for the sustainable management of urban rivers.
These aspects include reducing impacts on river and water bodies, minimizing their water footprint, capitalizing on natural, intangible architectural heritage, and developing self-sufficient, self-sustainable water resources through the reuse & recycle strategy.
The participating cities of the River Cities Alliance will work to adopt and localize national policies and instruments with key river-related directions, develop city-specific sectoral strategies for sustainable urban river management, and prepare their Urban River Management Plans.

Current Developments

The River Cities Alliance currently has 142 river cities in India and serves as a dedicated platform for members to discuss aspects related to enhancing the state of urban rivers within their administrative boundaries.
Recently, the National Mission for Clean Ganga signed a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI), representing 124 cities/towns situated along the banks of the Mississippi River, USA. on the sidelines of COP28.
As part of the collaboration, a comprehensive water monitoring program, sharing best practices for renaturing urban areas, and restoring aquatic ecosystems for sustainable urban development initiatives will be discussed.

Martand Sun Temple

Context: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism & Culture has recommended the government to allow worship at monuments protected by ASI having religious significance. Monuments are classified by ASI as living monuments and non-living monuments. Prayers are currently allowed at monuments which are living places of worship. Last year, a puja was performed at the Martand Sun Temple of Kashmir, which resulted into a controversy.

About Martand Sun Temple

Martand Sun Temple is an 8th century AD Hindu Temple. The temple has been dedicated to Martand, the Sun God.
Located in Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir.
This temple has been constructed during the reign of Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty.
Martand Temple has three distinct chambers - Mandapa, Garbhagriha and Antralaya - probably the only three chambered temples in Kashmir.
Rajatarangini, written by Kalhana, decribes the grandeur of Martand Temple.
Despite the temple being in ruins, it is the most striking example of Hindu temple architecture in Kashmir.
Some walls of the temple have carvings of deities and temple is ringed by a row of pillars, which is a sub-style of Kashmiri temple architecture.
The temple is believed to be architecture synthesis mixture of Hindu and Graeco-Roman styles of architectures.
The temple is believed to be destroyed by Sikandar Shah Miri in the 14th century.
Nearby town of Mattan is named after the Martand Sun Temple.

About Laliaditya Muktapida

Lalitaditya Muktapida ruled Kashmir from 725 AD to 753 AD.
Lalitaditya belonged to the Karkota dynasty.
He built the capital of his kingdom at Parihaspora, the ruins of which survive to this day.
Lalitaditya defeated central Indian king Yashovarman.
He has been given the title of 'World Conqueror' by Kalhana as he ruled over a vast geography from Central Asia to Bengal.
He is the most important ruler of Kashmir.

The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act

Context: European Union officials have reached a provisional deal on the world's first comprehensive laws to regulate the use of artificial intelligence. The European Parliament will vote on the AI Act proposals in early 2024, and the legislation is expected to take effect in 2025.

Major Highlights:

The European Parliament defines AI as software that can "for a given set of human-defined objectives, generate outputs such as content, predictions, recommendations or decisions influencing the environments they interact with".
The framework comprises safeguards on AI use within the European Union. These safeguards will include the framework through which consumers will be empowered to file complaints against violations, precise guardrails on AI adoption by law enforcement agencies and imposition of fine on violations.

Classification of AI:

The Act’s central approach is the classification of AI techbased on the level of risk they pose to the “health and safety or fundamental rights” of a person. There are four risk categories in the Act — unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk and minimal risk.
- The Act prohibits using technologies in the unacceptable risk category with little exception. E.g., Deployment of facial recognition technology on a large scale, with a few exemptions for law enforcement.
- The Act lays substantial focus on AI in the high-risk category, prescribing many pre-and post-market requirements for developers and users of such systems. E.g., use of AI tools for self-driving cars will be permitted, but it will be subject to certification.
- AI systems in the limited (medium) and minimal risk category are allowed to be used with a few requirements like transparency obligations. E.g., generative AI chatbots, video games.

Enforcement:

The EU will be able to monitor and sanction those who violate the law through a new body called the EU AI office.
The EU AI office will have the power to slap a fine worth seven percent of a company's turnover or 35 million euros, whichever is larger.