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SC calls for collaborative efforts to bring children into the adoption pool

Context: The Supreme Court has recently given various directions to facilitate and expedite the legal adoption of parentless and abandoned children in childcare institutions across India. This marks an important step in providing a family environment to vulnerable children.

Adoption Regulations in India

The legal framework governing adoptions in India includes Acts like Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, that uphold child rights.

It provides a framework for in-country and inter-country adoption, covering aspects like eligibility norms, procedural safeguards, agencies involved, etc.

Adoption Process in India

Readiness Assessment: Prospective parents wishing to adopt are counselled and evaluated based on eligibility criteria spanning income, parenting capacity, motivation, etc.
Matching via Referral: Caseworkers facilitate compatibility assessment between waiting families and adoption referral profiles of children needing homes, considering individual care needs.
Fostering Period: Following referral acceptance, prospective families undergo a fostering period typically spanning a few meetings, building rapport with the child while observing indications of bonding, acceptance, etc.
Legal Formalisation: Based on successful adaptation progress during fostering, legal formalities around custody transfer, birth certificate, etc. are completed, often requiring court ratification before the child is officially welcomed into the adoptive family.
Post-adoption Support: Follow-up support continues to span integration monitoring and counselling access to ensure the child's holistic development within a caring, stable family environment.

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

CARA serves as a central body that streamlines and monitors care standards across adoptions as per mandate in the JJ Act.
CARA regulations stipulate guidelines on eligibility criteria, referral, matching, and post-adoption protocols.
It primarily facilitates adoptions of orphaned, abandoned, or surrendered children through recognised agencies.

Domestic vs Inter-Country Adoptions

Indian families are preferred for placements, and NRI, OCI, and PIO cardholders also get priority compared to foreign nationals during referrals.
Inter-country adoptions require additional clearances from a central authority and immigration formalities for Child visas, etc. Both adoption types follow the same screening and counselling protocols.

Institutional Framework

Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs) facilitate legal adoptions with CARA oversight and adherence to regulations and timeframes while protecting child rights. Various SAA models exist-

Government agencies like State Adoption Resource Agencies
Voluntary or private institutions recognised by CARA
Public sector agencies like the Central Social Welfare Board

District Child Protection Units serve as local implementing bodies for welfare schemes and drive the creation of vital village-level child protection structures like Foster Care Committees.

Recent Supreme Court directions

Bi-Monthly Drives: The court has ordered bi-monthly drives starting December 2023 for District Child Protection Units to trace orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children across all childcare institutions.

A special focus will be on children with unfit parents or uncertain legal status.

Identifying Children with Unfit Guardians: The court defines an “unfit guardian.” This term applies to several types of people.

They may neglect or refuse to care for a child.
Some may use drugs or alcohol.
Others might have abused or neglected the child, including those with criminal records.
It covers people who need care for themselves.
Finally, it includes those with mental health issues.

Reporting to Authorities: It has mandated collating adoption data and forwarding it to the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the WCD ministry by January 2024.

CARA shall facilitate suitable family placement for these children. The court also emphasised teamwork between districts and departments.

These directions translate into binding obligations across states to locate adoptable children, determine eligibility, maintain updated records and ensure CARA linkage under the oversight of dedicated cadres like child protection officers, special juvenile police units, etc.

Challenges

Despite robust frameworks, adoption processes encounter multiple challenges:

Tedious Legal Formalities: Exhaustive paperwork and court procedures often lead to attrition of prospective parents in the adoption process pipeline. Streamlining legal aspects is vital.
Shortage of babies/young children: A high demand-supply skew exists for healthy infants/toddlers amid prevalent societal prejudices.
- Most adoptable children tend to be older and have moderate special needs. Addressing mindset issues is crucial.
Infrastructure Constraints: Resource limitations and staff shortcomings affect monitoring capacity for post-adoption follow-ups by agencies as existing personnel juggle varied work portfolios.
Lack of Awareness: Limited adoption literacy among the public, including myths linking infertility or sociocultural barriers, affects uptake. Sensitisation outreach must be boosted.

Way-forward

Address Legal Complexities: Simplify procedures, digitise records to expedite processing while retaining safeguards, and make court processes child-friendly avoiding intimidating environments. Set time-bound frameworks at each step.
Expand System Capacities: Build state/district level formal networks of foster families and kinship caregivers through sensitization to accommodate younger or special needs children until permanent families are identified. Set up more Specialised Adoption Agencies.
Enhance Monitoring: Quality enhancement mechanisms for Child Care Institutions, including mandatory licensing and annual grading on indicators like resource availability and child protection norms compliance, are critical.
- Robust post-adoption tracking systems are also needed.
Awareness Drives: Grassroots campaigns involving local leaders, prominent adoptive parents, etc. can accentuate community awareness of adoption opportunities and address stigma barriers currently deterring prospects.

Draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill

Context: The Union Ministry of Health welcomed public and stakeholder input regarding the National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023. The ministry put up the draft bill on its website on November 14 seeking comments from the public.

About National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023

Salient Provisions of the National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023

New Body: It seeks to establish the National Pharmacy Commission by replacing the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). PCI will be regulating both the profession and practise of pharmacy.
Accessibility of pharma professionals: It seeks to ensure the availability of quality pharmacists across the country. For this, the focus is on increasing access to high-quality, reasonably priced pharmacy education.
National Pharmacy Commission: The bill aims to establish the National Pharmacy Commission (HQ-New Delhi). The Commission will have 14 part-time members, 13 ex-officio members, and a chairperson.
New boards: The central government will establish three boards which will function under the Commission. These are the Pharmacy Education Board, the Pharmacy Assessment and Rating Board, and the Pharmacy Ethics and Registration Board.
New pharmacy institution: The bill prohibits the creation of new pharmacy schools or programmes without first obtaining approval from the Pharmacy Assessment and Rating Board.
- The board will review and assess pharmacy schools and post evaluation reports on its website.
- Minimum standard violations could lead to fines ranging from warnings to revocation of recognition.
National Pharmacy Register: To ensure openness, a National Pharmacy Register will be maintained under the Pharmacy Ethics and Registration Board with information on pharmacy professionals.
Implementation: States are required to create a state pharmacy chapter within a year of the passage of the Act.
- This will facilitate the exercise of any authority and the performance of any obligations outlined in the Act.
Periodic and open evaluation: The bill also calls for transparent and periodic evaluation of pharmacy schools.
Additional provisions: The Bill also pushes professionals to maintain high ethical standards, participate in research, and incorporate the most recent findings into their work.
- It is an efficient grievance redressal procedure.
- The draft bill aims to establish an efficient grievance redressal system and suggests flexibility to adjust to changing needs.

Concerns Associated with the Bill

The threat of bureaucratisation: It is feared by Pharma bodies and organisations that the move will bureaucratise pharmaceutical regulation.
Decline in Standard of Regulation: Pharma bodies allege that the new National Pharmacy Commission will take away the control of pharmacists over the Pharma body thereby impacting the technical guidance provided by the PCI.

Way-Forward

Proper Consultation: Since the bill is still in the draft stage, a proper consultation among key stakeholders is necessary, and the bill intends to bring about a significant change in the pharma sector of India, which is still largely governed by the 1948 Act.
Expansion of Scope: Since the draft bill seeks to replace an archaic law of 1948, it should include emerging challenges in the sector, especially the rise of unethical practices such as a gift culture between a doctor and an MR.
Integration with NEP: Changes in pharma education must not be limited to the curriculum alone; they should be integrated with the innovative pedagogy of the New Education Policy.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Context: The UK government's attempt to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda has been deemed illegal by the Supreme Court.

About UNHCR

It leads international action to protect people forced to flee conflict and persecution and those denied a nationality.
It was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 in the aftermath of the Second World War to help the millions of people who had lost their homes.
It is part of United Nations Development Group (UNDG) which leads the action for sustainable development.
It won the Nobel peace prize twice, in 1954 and 1981.
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (The 1951 Refugee Convention)

It provides the internationally recognized definition of a refugee and outlines the legal protection, rights and assistance a refugee is entitled to receive.
Article 1 of the 1951 Convention defines a refugee as someone who "owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of [their] nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail [themself] of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of [their] former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it."
It is a cornerstone of refugee protection and a key legal document that form the basis of UNHCR’s work.
The core principle of the 1951 Convention is non-refoulement, which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.

Note: India is not a signatory to 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.

‘Ghol Fish’ - State Fish of Gujarat

Context: The black-spotted croaker, or the ghol fish — considered a fisherman’s lottery — was declared the state fish of Gujarat.

Why Declare a State Fish?

Every state can declare a state fish.
Reasons for Gujarat:
- Uniqueness of the fish species. This fish is not easily available. Catches that are reported are far and few between.
- The second factor is the economic value of the fish.
- The government felt the need to conserve it and prevent it from over-exploitation.

About the Ghol Fish

IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Importance of Ghol Fish:
- Considered a delicacy in many countries. Hence it is in high demand in international markets. The meat of the fish is exported as frozen fillet or whole fish to European and Middle Eastern countries.
- It is a marine fish.
- It’s air bladder - is mainly exported to China, Hong Kong and other Asian countries where it is in high demand for its medicinal values.
Distribution & Habitat
- The blackspotted croaker has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution from the Persian Gulf east into the Pacific Ocean where it extends north to Japan and south to northern Australia.
- It is found in coastal waters, usually no deeper than 60 m (200 ft), over mud substrates. It occasionally enters estuaries and the tidal reaches of rivers.

INDIA’s case for APEC

Context: The 2023 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit was held in San Francisco, the US hosted APEC after a gap of 12 years

The outcome of the summit process is that China and US have resumed their bilateral talks. The US-China Summit restored communications, including military, which was suspended by China.
Further Golden Gate declaration was adopted by the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco, reflecting a shared commitment to APEC's mission and emphasizes the need for responsive policies addressing economic challenges
The declaration underscores the importance of economic integration, market-driven approaches, and inclusivity in addressing global issues such as climate change and digital transformation.
The declaration highlights the role of digital technology, efforts to bridge the digital divide, collaboration against corruption and reaffirms APEC's dedication to a rules-based multilateral trading system.

Thus in this scenario it is important to understand the candidature of India for APEC i.e. the credentials, benefits and the challenges that India will face for securing membership.

India as a perfect fit for APEC?

Economic Size and Growth Potential: India boasts the world's fifth-largest economy and is the third-largest in Asia. Its significant and sustained economic growth positions it as a crucial source of long-term economic expansion for the world. Inclusion in APEC would allow member countries to tap into India's growing economy.
Infrastructure Investment Needs: India's ambitious infrastructure development plans, requiring over $1 trillion in investment over the next decade, present a considerable opportunity for APEC countries. Collaborating with India could benefit member nations by participating in and contributing to India's infrastructure growth, especially at a time when some economies in the region are experiencing strained growth.
Economic Liberalization: India has undertaken substantial economic liberalization since 1991, aligning its policies with global economic trends. This evolution makes India more compatible with the liberalized and free-market principles that APEC promotes.
Demographic Dividend: With a large and youthful population, India can offset the impact of aging populations in some APEC economies. India's demographic dividend provides a potential workforce and consumer base, contributing positively to the economic growth of the region.
Strategic Balance and Non-Alignment: India's inclusion in APEC could contribute to strategic balance within the group. India has a history of non-alignment, which might provide comfort to smaller members of the grouping, as it suggests a diplomatic approach that avoids alignment with any particular power bloc.
Alignment with Indo-Pacific Policy: India's inclusion aligns with the recent Indo-Pacific policy of the United States. This alignment may foster greater cooperation between APEC and India, creating synergies in addressing regional and global challenges.

Benefits for India in joining APEC

Act East Policy Enhancement: APEC membership would significantly boost India's Act East Policy, strengthening ties and cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This could lead to higher trade volumes, increased economic collaboration, and improved physical connectivity, aligning with India's strategic interests in the East. This will further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that India has entered with ASEAN.
Facilitation of Economic Reforms: Joining APEC could facilitate the implementation of economic reforms in India. Exposure to APEC's economic principles and practices may contribute to enhancing India's competitiveness. It could also provide a platform for sharing best practices and learning from other member economies, ultimately contributing to India's economic development.
Preparation for Emerging Trade Agreements: APEC membership could prepare India for potential inclusion in emerging trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Access to these agreements could open up new markets, increase trade opportunities, and enhance India's economic integration with the Asia-Pacific region.
Boost to Strategic Partnership with the USA: APEC membership for India could strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the United States. Shared membership in APEC could provide a common platform for both countries to collaborate on economic issues, fostering deeper ties in trade, investment, and strategic cooperation.
Economic Growth and Global Reach: APEC membership has the potential to significantly boost India's economic growth by expanding its reach in foreign markets. Access to APEC markets, investment sources, and value chains could accelerate India's integration into the global economy, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

Challenges that India faces in securing membership of APEC

India has been attempting to join APEC since 1993 but still has not got membership as

Geographic Location: A significant hurdle is India's geographic location. APEC, as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, primarily involves countries bordering the Pacific Ocean. Since India does not have a direct Pacific coastline, its geographic location is considered a challenge for its APEC membership. The organization's focus on the Pacific Rim region might limit India's eligibility based on geographical criteria.
Concerns about Shifting Focus: APEC members have expressed concerns that India's inclusion might shift the focus of the organization away from the Pacific Rim. This suggests that there are apprehensions among current members that India's participation could alter the established priorities and dynamics of the APEC forum.
Economic Policies: India's economic policies are perceived as inward-looking and protective, which contrasts with the liberalized and free-market principles that APEC promotes. The divergence in economic approaches may contribute to scepticism among APEC members about India's compatibility with the organization's overarching economic philosophy.
Trade Negotiation Record: India's record in trade negotiations, both bilaterally and at the World Trade Organization (WTO), has raised scepticism among APEC members. There may be concerns that India's approach to trade negotiations could affect the momentum and efficiency of APEC forums.

PRELIMS SPECIFIC

About APEC

It is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.
Its aim is to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable growth.
APEC's 21 member economies are: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Republic of the Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.
In APEC, all members have an equal say and decision-making is reached by consensus.
There are no binding commitments or treaty obligations.
Commitments are undertaken on a voluntary basis and capacity building projects help members implement APEC initiatives.
Key to achieving APEC's vision are what are referred to as the 'Bogor Goals' of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific.
Its permanent secretariat is based in Singapore.

Note: India is not a member state of APEC.

India-Japan engagement in South East Asian region

Context: Philippines is redirecting its attention to Japan and India as alternative sources of development and security due to the geopolitical and sustainability concerns that have emerged due to Chinese led infrastructure projects.

This is reflective of its motive to deepen and broaden its security and economic partnerships with like-minded partners amidst Beijing’s growing unwillingness to act and behave like a responsible neighbour.
This comes at a time when two collisions were reported earlier between Chinese vessels and Philippine boats on a resupply mission to Filipino troops on a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea.

Importance of South China Sea

Natural Resources: The presence of substantial oil and natural gas reserves beneath the South China Sea, estimated at 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, makes it a valuable resource-rich area. Access to these resources is a significant economic incentive for countries in the region.
Fishing Grounds: The South China Sea is home to abundant and productive fishing grounds, providing a vital source of income and sustenance for millions of people across multiple countries. The fisheries in the area support regional livelihoods and are crucial for food security.
Trade Routes: The South China Sea is a critical trade route, with over 21% of global trade, valued at $3.37 trillion, passing through its waters. It connects major economies and serves as a lifeline for international commerce, making it vital for global economic stability.
Geopolitical Tensions: The territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly involving China, the United States, and Southeast Asian nations, have heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. The United States supports many Southeast Asian states in these disputes, adding to the complexities of the situation and influencing the balance of power.
ASEAN Inconsistencies: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states have differing positions on China's maritime assertiveness and militarization in the South China Sea. These inconsistencies have contributed to the challenges in resolving disputes and maintaining regional stability.
Quad Concerns: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, acknowledges the importance of addressing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. They view this region as a critical theatre for regional security, with Japan particularly vested in the stability of maritime Southeast Asia. The Quad is also concerned about the potential implications of Chinese actions on Taiwan, and the security dynamics in the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Cooperation between Philippines and Japan

Close Strategic Partnership: The Philippines and Japan have a close strategic partnership. Japan is identified as a major investor in the Philippines, contributing significantly to the country's economic development.
- Additionally, Japan is the largest source of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) for the Philippines, indicating a strong economic and developmental collaboration. Thus the current state of ties between the Philippines and Japan is described as a "golden age." This often implies a period of exceptionally positive and fruitful cooperation between the two nations.
Japanese Prime Minister's Visit: The visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to the Philippines is a notable event. High-level visits between leaders of countries signify the importance both nations place on their relationship
- Japan as the First Recipient of Overseas Security Assistance (OSA): The statement mentions that the Philippines is the first recipient of Japan's Overseas Security Assistance (OSA). This indicates a willingness on the part of Japan to collaborate with the Philippines in matters related to security, potentially including areas such as defence and counterterrorism.
- Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) Negotiations: The formalization of negotiations for a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) is a significant development. Such agreements typically involve mutual access to each other's military facilities and are indicative of a deepening security partnership between the two nations.

Cooperation between Philippines and India

Advancements in Bilateral Partnership: Philippines is reportedly incorporating India in its strategic calculations, indicating a growing relationship between the two countries.
High-Level Bilateral Visits: These visits between the Philippines and India serve to strengthen diplomatic ties and foster collaboration on various fronts.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Coast Guards: It has been signed between the Philippine and Indian Coast Guards which will enhance interoperability, intelligence sharing, and maritime domain awareness between the two nations.
Offer of Helicopters: India has offered to supply the Philippine Coast Guard with seven indigenously manufactured helicopters. This offer is based on a soft loan agreement with extended payment terms, indicating a cooperative effort in enhancing the maritime capabilities of the Philippines.
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile Delivery: The understanding regarding delivery of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to the Philippines would signify a defence collaboration between India and the Southeast Asian country.

India and Japan collaboration

The geopolitical developments in the South East Asian region thus presents an opportunity for both India and Japan which is captivated upon by them through

Bolstered Engagements in Southeast Asia: Both Japan and India are actively engaging with Southeast Asian countries. This engagement is seen as a strategic move to counterbalance China's growing economic influence and military capabilities in the region
Top Choices for Alternative Indo-Pacific Strategic Partners: According to the State of Southeast Asian Survey in 2023, Japan and India are identified as the top two choices for alternative Indo-Pacific strategic partners among Southeast Asian countries. This indicates a preference among these nations to diversify their strategic partnerships beyond traditional alliances.

Apart from this India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is also categorized by

Convergence on free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Defence and security and in the region. – Quad, MALABAR.
India and Japan signed a Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services Agreement (RPSS).
The 2+2 ministerial meeting is present between two countries.

Japan's Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’ Strategy and India's ‘Act East’ Policy converge in action in the northeast of India—a bridge between South and Southeast Asia. Ex – Act EAST Forum.
New Delhi and Tokyo have also embarked on a third-country cooperation model in the Indo-Pacific and beyond by Collaboration through infrastructure development in third countries (in the Indo- Pacific) such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)—a collaborative effort to soft-balance China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project.

Thus India should focus on third-country developmental model with Tokyo into the sub-region of the greater Indo-Pacific at a time when resident countries are looking for alternative sources of development and security amidst the polarising dynamics of the U.S.-China power competition. Thus the three democracies (Japan, India and Philippines) can explore new opportunities for multi-faceted strategic cooperation.

MGNREGS & Social Audit

Context: Out of the 34 States and union territories only six have completed social audit of works done under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in more than 50% of gram panchayats.

More about findings

Other than Kerala the only States to cross the 50% mark are Bihar (64.4%), Gujarat (58.8%), Jammu and Kashmir (64.1%), Odisha (60.42%) and Uttar Pradesh (54.97%).
Only three States have covered 40% or more villages Telangana (40.5%), Himachal Pradesh (45.32%) and Andhra Pradesh (49.7%).
The numbers are really low in Madhya Pradesh (1.73%), Mizoram (17.5%) Chhattisgarh (25.06%), and Rajasthan (34.74%).
Kerala is the only State to cover 100% gram panchayats.

About social audit

It is a way of measuring, understanding, reporting & ultimately improving an organization’s social & ethical performance i.e. it serves as an instrument for the measurement of social accountability of an organization.
It is a process which allows end users to scrutinize the impact of developmental programs.
It helps to narrow gaps between vision/goal and reality, between efficiency and effectiveness. It is a technique to understand, measure, verify, report on and to improve the social performance of the organization.
The concept gained significance after the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution.

MGNREGA and Social Audit

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act provides for a central role to ‘Social Audits’ as a means of continuous public vigilance.
Section 17 of the MGNREGA act says the gram sabha “shall monitor the execution of works”. Each State has social audit units which are supposed to work independent of the implementing authorities.
The auditing standards laid down by the Comptroller and Auditor General, every Social Audit Unit is entitled to funds equivalent to 0.5% of the MGNREGA expenditure incurred by the State in the previous year.
- The audit involves quality checks of infrastructure created under the MGNREGA, financial misappropriation in wages, and checking for any procedural deviations.
A process is to be conducted in every Gram Panchayat (GP) at least once in six months, involving a mandatory review of all aspects.
Rule 4 of Audit of Schemes Rules, 2011 stipulates that each State Government shall identify or establish an independent organization, “Social Audit Unit” (SAU) to facilitate conduct of the Social Audit of MGNREGS works.
- This Social Audit Unit may be either a Society or a Directorate, independent of the implementing departments/agencies.
- The work may also be outsourced to an outside agency, preferably an NGO which is not involved in the planning and implementation of the Scheme but possesses adequate experience of having worked in rights and entitlement-based programmes.

Special Category status

Context: Bihar Cabinet passes resolution seeking special category status to State.

Benefits provided to Special category states:

For Special Category States 90% of the Central assistance is given as grant and 10% as Loan. In the case of Non-Special Category States, however only 30% of NCA is given as grant and 70% as Loan..
Tax sops such as concession on Customs duty, income tax and corporate tax etc. for industrial development.

However, since 2014, special category status was formally done away with.

Reasons:

Increased devolution: 14^th finance commission has increased the vertical devolution to states to 42% (from 32% during 13^th FC).
Changed formula: Since 14^th finance commission has introduced factors like “Forest and ecology” in the formula for horizontal devolution, hilly and difficulty terrain states may receive increased devolution from the centre.
Other grants from Finance commission: Apart from the devolution from divisible pool of taxes, finance commission also recommends grants like Local body grants, Disaster management grants, Revenue deficit grants (for those states who incurs revenue deficit even after receiving horizontal devolution funds) and other grants in accordance with Terms of Reference given by the government to the commission.
Special support: Central government has been providing support to the states in the form of
- GST compensation for any tax revenue loss incurred to states for adopting GST mechanism.
- 50 year Interest free loans to states for capital expenditure.

Arguments for Special category status:

Socio-economic and infrastructural backwardness. E.g: Bihar.
Loss of taxation rights to states under GST mechanism.
Though the share of divisible pool of taxes to states increased, there has been no significant increase in effective devolution due to increase in the share of cess and decreasing tax rates. (Cess income do not form part of divisible pool of taxes and hence not mandated to share with the states).
Demographic composition: States like Bihar whose TFR is still higher than the national average, require support from the centre to take advantage of the demographic dividend.

Though some states have genuine arguments for their demand for special category status, most of the demands are politically motivated. The sustainable solution for regionally balanced development is to improve Infrastructure creation, introduce marketing reforms in agriculture, efficient decentralisation for better governance.

Investor Risk Reduction Access platform

Context: India's stock exchanges, including BSE and NSE, have jointly developed the IRRA platform to reduce risks faced by investors due to certain technical glitches.

Need for IRRA: With increasing dependence on technology in the securities market, there has been a rise in instances of glitches in trading members’ systems, some of which lead to disruption of trading services and investor complaints. In such instances, investors with open positions are at risk of non-availability of avenues to close their positions, particularly if markets are volatile.

Working of IRRA:

IRRA can be invoked by trading members when they are faced with any technical glitch at their end impacting their ability to service clients.
On invocation, the platform sends a link to the investors to access IRRA.
Once the investors are authorized to access the IRRA platform, investors can complete the pending orders and close their open positions.

Thus, IRRA platform helps as a safety net in case of any technical glitches faced by a trading member or stock broker in a stock exchange.

Art historian B N Goswamy’s work on Indian miniature painting tradition

Context: Renowned Indian art historian and critic Brijinder Nath Goswamy, celebrated for his extensive research on the Indian miniature painting tradition, has recently passed away in Chandigarh after battling prolonged illness. As a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Goswamy gained prominence following the release of his seminal 1968 article, 'Pahari Painting: The Family as the Basis of Style.'

More from the news article:

Brijinder Nath Goswamy, was born on August 15, 1933, was a distinguished Indian art critic and historian.
The Government of India acknowledged Goswamy's contributions with the prestigious Padma Shri in 1998 and later honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2008.
In his article, 'Pahari Painting: The family as the basis of style,' Goswamy delved into the intricate family lineages of renowned artists.
- His expertise in Pahari painting, a traditional miniature art form originating in the Punjab region's hills, was exemplified through detailed studies of artists like Pandit Seu, Nainsukh, and Manaku.
His literary knowledge extended across various themes, with notable works such as 'A Place apart: Painting in Kutch, 1720-1820.' He explored Kutch's visual history, highlighting the influence of Mughal connections on the region's art.
The landmark work, 'Painters at the Sikh court,' delved into the wealth and patronage of Sikh courts.
- Utilizing historical documents, he provided a comprehensive narrative of Punjab's post-British occupation art scene, shedding light on the lives of painters during that period.
In the edited book 'Life at Court: Art for India’s rulers, 16th-19th centuries,' he explored subjects in Rajput and Mughal painting, offering unique insights into the lives of India's rulers.

Esteemed for his profound understanding of Indian art, B. N. Goswamy's contributions continue to shape the discourse in art history. His enduring publications remain essential resources for studying India's rich artistic heritage, making him a revered figure in the realm of Indian art and culture.

About Miniature paintings:

Miniature painting, an exquisite art form IS characterized by details on a small scale, captivating with its vibrant colours and intricate patterns, as noted by the World Art Community.
One distinctive aspect of miniature paintings lies in their diminutive size, crafted with intricate brushwork that contributes to their unique identity.
Natural sources such as vegetables, indigo, precious stones, gold, and silver provide the vibrant colours.
While artists worldwide convey diverse themes through paintings, Indian miniature paintings often centre around Ragas (musical notes patterns), religious narratives, and mythological stories.
This delicate tradition traces its origins back to the Buddhist Pala dynasty which ruled Bengal and Bihar from the 8th to the 11th century. These intricate artworks emerged as a response to the religious teachings of Buddha.
Initially manifesting as illustrations of religious texts on Buddhism and Jainism, these early paintings graced palm leaves until the advent of paper in the 11th to 13th centuries.
Around 960 A.D., miniature paintings made their way to the western regions of India, introduced by the rulers of the Chalukya Dynasty.
However, the true flourishing of the miniature painting tradition began during the Mughal Empire in the early 1500s. Humayun and his descendants played a pivotal role in elevating court painting, particularly in the form of Mughal miniatures.

Schools of Miniature paintings:

Indian miniature painting evolved through the centuries, with each school bearing the imprint of the social, religious, economic, and political milieu of its region.

1. Pala school (8th century A.D.):

With a focus on symbolic colour usage, these paintings drew inspiration from Buddhist tantric rituals. This style radiated across South-East Asia, reaching Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma, and Tibet.

2. Jain school (11th century A.D.):

The Jain school portrayed religious texts like 'Kalpa Sutra' and 'Kalkacharya Katha' through miniature paintings.
Originating on palm leaves and transitioning to paper in the 12th century, these paintings featured vibrant colours, enlarged eyes, and intricate depictions of Tirthankara goddesses.
This school witnessed a decline in the late 16th century.

3. Orissa school (17th century A.D.):

The Orissa school maintained its tradition by using palm leaves despite widespread paper usage.
This school predominantly depicted the love stories of Radha and Krishna, Krishna Leela, and Gita Govinda.
The paintings, rich in colour, vividly captured the eastern landscapes of India with bold and expressive strokes.

4. Mughal school (16th-18th centuries):

The Mughal School, an amalgamation of Indian and Persian styles, flourished under Akbar's reign.
This era witnessed a fusion of the Indian artistic tradition with the Persian style, giving birth to the distinctive Mughal style of painting.
Scenes from the royal court, hunting expeditions, and battles graced these paintings. The Mughal influence extended to Hindu painters, who incorporated stories from 'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharata.'
Yet, this golden era experienced a decline during Aurangzeb's reign, prompting skilled miniaturists to migrate to the princely courts of Rajasthan, the lower Himalayan hill kingdoms, and the plains of Punjab.

4. Rajasthani school:

Rajasthan, too, witnessed the rise of diverse schools of miniature painting, including Kishangarh, Bundi, Jaipur, Mewar, and Marwar.
The miniature paintings of Rajasthan, while retaining traces of Mughal influence, carved out their own unique identity.
These artworks often delved into the royal lifestyle, narrating tales of bravery, and weaving mythological stories around revered figures like Lord Krishna and Radha.

5. Pahari school (17th-19th centuries A.D.)

In regions like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Tehri-Garhwal, a fresh artistic expression emerged known as Pahari painting.
Pahari paintings depicted both religious and secular themes, featuring detailed renditions of epics such as Mahabharat, Ramayana, Puranas, and Gita.
Schools like Guler, Basohli, Garhwal, Chamba, and Kangra thrived.
Gods and goddesses, along with the scenic beauty of the Himalayas, were common themes.
Influenced by both Mughal and Rajasthani styles, these paintings featured bold colours and ornate frames.

6. Deccan school (16th-19th centuries A.D.):

This style, born after the dissolution of the Bahmani Sultanate in 1520, initially developed independently of Mughal influences.
Thriving in places like Ahmednagar, Golconda, Tanjore, Hyderabad, and Bijapur, the Deccan school drew from the rich traditions of the Deccan and influences from Turkey, Persia, and Iran.
Unlike its Mughal counterpart, it showcased intense colours, sensuous female figures, geometrically accurate buildings, and multi-dimensional effects.

Each school of Indian miniature painting serves as a testament to the nation's artistic diversity, offering a captivating journey through time and cultural influences.

Aurora Borealis

Auroras:

Auroras are a natural light display in the sky, predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic).
- It is called aurora borealis or northern lights near the North Pole.
- It is called aurora australis or southern lights near the South Pole.
Cause: It is caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with the Earth's atmosphere.
Aurora borealis is typically seen as a faint glow in the sky, but it can sometimes be very bright and colourful.

What makes this happen?

Apart from heat and light, the Sun also releases energetic charged particles. The protective magnetic field around Earth shields us from most of the energy and particles.
However, the Sun does not send the same amount of energy all the time. There is a constant streaming solar wind and there are also solar storms.
During one kind of solar storm called a coronal mass ejection, the Sun ejects a huge bubble of electrified gas that can travel through space at high speeds.
When a solar storm comes toward Earth, some of the energy and small particles can travel down the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles and enter into the Earth's atmosphere.
There, the particles interact with gases in Earth’s atmosphere and result in beautiful displays of light in the sky.
- Oxygen gives off green and red light.
- Nitrogen glows blue and purple.

Do other planets get auroras?

Auroras do not just happen on Earth. If a planet has an atmosphere and magnetic field, they probably have auroras.
Incredible images of auroras have also been captured on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

CoP28 turns attention to potent Methane emissions

Context: Climate talks often revolve around reducing the most dangerous greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2). In the CoP28 meeting to be held in Dubai next week, along with CO2, the likely attention will be diverted to powerful heat-trapping emissions by Methane.

About Methane:

Methane (CH4) is a colourless, odourless, flammable gas that is the main component of natural gas. Atmospheric methane (CH4) occurs abundantly in nature as the primary component of natural gas.
It is a powerful greenhouse gas i.e., it traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. It is the second largest contributor to climate change, accounting for around 16% of the warming effect.
Methane remains in the atmosphere for only about 12 years, but has a much more powerful warming impact than CO2.
Methane is about 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100 year timescale. This means that one tonne of methane emitted into the atmosphere has the same warming effect as 21 tonnes of CO2.

Sources:

There has been a steady increase of methane in the atmosphere, with concentrations currently over two-and-a-half times greater than pre-industrial levels.
Around 60% of methane emissions are linked to human activity, while most of the remainder is from wetlands.
Agriculture is the biggest emitter, responsible for roughly a quarter of emissions. Most of that is from livestock (cows and sheep release methane during digestion and in their manure) and rice cultivation, where flooded fields create ideal conditions for methane-emitting bacteria.
Energy sector - coal, oil, and gas - is the second largest source of human caused methane emissions. Methane leaks from energy infrastructure, such as gas pipelines, and from deliberate releases during maintenance.
Discarded household waste also releases large quantities of methane when it decomposes, if left to rot in landfills.

Way Forward:

A recent International Energy Agency report estimates that rapid cuts in methane emissions linked to the fossil fuel sector could prevent up to 0.1 degrees Celsius of warming by mid-century.
It could be achieved by repairing leaky infrastructure and eliminating routine flaring and venting during maintenance.
For rice fields, changes to water management are the “most promising” way to reduce emissions.