7th March 2023 Current Affairs

About the ASEAN-India Business summit:

• It is being held as part of the ASEAN-India Year of Friendship to commemorate the more than three-decade-long engagement between India and the 10-member bloc in Kuala Lumpur.

Key facts about ASEAN

• It is a group of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which was established in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok declaration.
• Founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
• Presently ASEAN comprises 10 member states namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• It promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration between its members and other countries in Asia.

TOPIC – 11 –  Har Payment Digital’ mission

Why in News?

At the launch of the ‘Har Payment Digital’ mission during the Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a programme to adopt 75 villages and convert them into digital payment enabled villages in observance of 75 years of independence.

What is this Initiative?

• About & Aim:
  • Under the initiative, Payment System Operators (PSOs) will adopt these villages across the country and conduct camps in each of these villages with an aim to improve awareness and onboard merchants for digital payments.
    • PSOs are entities authorised by RBI to set up and operate a payment system.
      • As of February 2023, there are 67 PSOs under various categories such as retail payments organisations, card payment networks, ATM networks, prepaid payment instruments, etc.
• Significance:
  • The Har Payment Digital campaign by RBI aims at reinforcing the ease and convenience of digital payments and facilitate onboarding of new consumers into the digital fold.
  • Various campaigns highlighting the digital payment channels available are being planned by the banks and non-bank payment system operators.
    • This will further encourage and support the adoption of digital payments in the country.

TOPIC – 12 – India-Germany Ties

Chancellor Scholz’s 2 day visit to India, significantly coincided with the 1^st anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

What is the history of India-Germany relations?

• Political relations – India is one of the 1^st countries to end the state of war with post-war Germany in 1951 and recognize the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).
• Germany and India cooperate closely on the issue of UN Security Council expansion within the framework of G-4.

The G4 formed in 2005 is a group of 4 countries such as Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, aspiring to become permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• Defence relations – High Defence Committee (HDC) meetings at the Defence Secretary level take place annually, alternately in New Delhi and Berlin.
• India-Germany Defence Cooperation Agreement (2006) provides a framework for bilateral defence cooperation
• Economic relations – Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe and 2^nd most important partner in terms of technological collaborations.
• Germany is the 8^th largest foreign direct investor in India since 2000.
• Cultural relations – The Indo-German Society is engaged in promoting inter-cultural activities of both countries by conveying information about modern India to the German public.
• Max Mueller was the first scholar of Indo-European languages to translate and publish the Upanishads and the Rigveda.
• Strategic relations – India and Germany have a “Strategic Partnership” since 2001.
• India is amongst a select group of countries with which Germany has Inter-Governmental Consultations at the level of Head of Governments (German Chancellor and PM).
• Parliamentary Exchanges – There is an Indo-German Parliamentary Friendship Group where visit by Parliamentarians from both sides take place regularly
• Institutional Cooperation Arrangements – Includes High Defence Committee, Indo-German Energy Forum, Indo-German Environment Forum, etc.
• Intergovernmental S&T Cooperation Agreement was signed for fostering research projects and direct partnerships between Universities of both countries

What is the impact of Russia-Ukraine war and Russia-China nexus on India-Germany ties?

• Russia-Ukraine war – The war has been a watershed moment in Germany’s security policy, resulting in the abandonment of decades of post-war pacifism towards strategic matters.
• This is evident in Germany’s pledge to boost defence spending to 2% of GDP and provide special funding to bolster the country’s military.
• China factor – China’s assertive posturing have brought into question Germany’s approach of Wandel durch Handel (change through trade).
• Europe’s increasing prioritisation of values-based partnerships with like-minded countries can advance India-German cooperation.
• Trade routes – For Germany, the stability of supply chains and trade routes linking Asia to Europe is of critical importance given its status as Europe’s economic powerhouse and its reliance on exports.

What are the recent developments between the two countries?

• Military dependence – As New Delhi attempts to diversify from its military dependence on Russia, Berlin reassesses its long-standing arms exports policy and could become an important defence partner for India.
• Military exercise – The first ever France-India-Germany military exercise drill is slated to take place in 2024 towards enhanced security and defence collaboration.
• Trade & technologies – Collaboration in clean energy and green technologies has emerged as the central pillar in the partnership.
• This lead to the launch of a Green and Sustainable Development Partnership.

The green and sustainable development partnership aims to effectively respond to the most pressing global challenges of today, viz. achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and addressing climate change.

What is the way forward?

• India’s role – Divergent positions on the war have not undermined India’s regular political engagements with Europe.
• Russia-China – An intensification of the Russia-China axis could further embolden this alignment.
• Germany-China – While Germany emphasises the difficulties in decoupling from China, it is encouraging that Germany is drafting a new official China strategy amidst a wider national security strategy.
• Against the backdrop of volatile geopolitical shifts, emerging multi polar world, and Europe’s enhanced courtship of India, India’s ties with Germany could be vital in shaping a new global order.

TOPIC – 13 – Green Hydrogen Superpower

Why in news?

Green hydrogen is a critical industrial fuel of the 21st century and India is well-positioned to show leadership.

What is green hydrogen?

• It is a type of hydrogen produced by splitting water through electrolysis, using electrolyser powered entirely by renewable power sources.
• Advantages – It could replace fossil fuels and decarbonize a range of sectors such as petroleum refining, fertiliser production, steel production, chemicals, transport, etc.
• Disadvantages – It is not commercially viable at present and is expensive to be manufactured.

What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission?

• The National Green Hydrogen Mission was first announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech in 2021.
• Objectives – The mission is aimed at making India a global hub for the production of green hydrogen.
• The mission also aims to:

1. Creation of export opportunities for green hydrogen.
2. Decarbonisation of the energy sector.
3. Development of indigenous manufacturing capacities.

What are India’s commitments?

• Electricity – India has committed to 50% electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
• Most industrial greenhouse gas emissions in India come from steel, cement, fertilizers and petrochemicals.
• Green hydrogen – India is targeting at least 5 million tonnes of production of green hydrogen by 2030, which is larger than that of any single economy.

How can the targets be achieved?

• Domestic demand – If we are not a big player domestically, we cannot be a major player in the international market.
• SIGHT – The mission introduces a Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) fund for five years, with ₹13,000 crore as direct support to consume green hydrogen.
• This will encourage heavy industries to increase demand, offering economies of scale by which suppliers can reduce prices.
• Government procurement – A share of government procurement of steel could be nudged towards green steel, which could help India to later position itself as a green steel exporter.
• Investments – India can be an attractive destination for domestic and foreign investment.
• A mission secretariat can ensure project clearance is streamlined and reduce financial risks.
• Electrolyser manufacturing – The SIGHT fund offers ₹4,500 crore to support electrolyser manufacturing under the performance-linked incentive scheme.
• Not targeting value addition would result in electrolyser technologies and production again getting concentrated.
• China could end up controlling 38% of electrolyser capacity by 2030.
• Bilateral partnerships – India must cooperate with like-minded countries on trade, value chains, research and development, and standards.
• Trade in local currency – Using yen or euro for trade, could reduce the cost of capital and help us become export competitive.
• Rules for green hydrogen economy – India must coordinate with major economies to develop rules for a global green hydrogen economy.
• Attempts for rules and standards are being driven by private corporations rather than structured intergovernmental processes.

What is the way forward?

• G20 – India’s G20 presidency is an opportunity to craft rules for a global green hydrogen economy.
• These rules must address operational threats, industrial competitiveness and strategic threats.
• Global network – India should promote a global network on green hydrogen via which companies could collaborate.
• India’s geography – With abundant sunshine and significant wind energy resources, India is geographically blessed to become one of the lowest-cost producers of green hydrogen.
• India is well-positioned to show leadership, in our collective interest and that of the planet.

DAILY EDITORIAL BITS 

EDITORIAL – 1 – Why migrant workers’ issues recur?

Why in news?

• Rumours of migrant workers being assaulted in Tamil Nadu have triggered concern among manufacturers in the state.
• Officials have rejected the reports as fake news, and political leaders and the administration have appealed to workers to not pay heed to the rumours.

What’s in today’s article?

• News Summary

News Summary

What are the different problems that migrant workers continue to face around the country?

• Migrant workers in India continue to face several challenges and issues, some of which are:
  • Exploitation: often paid less than their local counterparts, poor working conditions and no job security.
  • Lack of legal protection: not covered by many labour laws.
  • Poor living conditions: often live in crowded and unhygienic conditions with inadequate facilities for sanitation, clean water, and healthcare.
  • Discrimination: based on their ethnicity, language, and place of origin, which can lead to social exclusion and marginalization.
  • Lack of documentation: often lack proper identification documents, which makes it difficult for them to access government services, open bank accounts.
  • Forced labour and debt bondage
  • Lack of social security: do not have access to social security schemes such as pensions, insurance, and healthcare.
  • Lack of awareness: Of their rights and entitlements, which makes them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
• There is inadequate coordination among states on a formal exchange of information on migrant workers.
• In the absence of data, it is difficult to track labourers during times of crisis.

What is the legal framework for migrant welfare?

• The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 looks into the welfare of the labourers.
  • The Act mandates that the establishment which proposes to employ migrant workers be required to be registered with destination states.
  • Contractors will also have to obtain a licence from the concerned authority of the home states as well as the host states.
  • However, in practice, this Act has not been fully implemented.
• This Act has been subsumed into the four broad labour codes notified by the Centre:
  • The Code on Wages, 2019;
  • The Industrial Relations Code, 2020;
  • The Code on Social Security, 2020; and
  • The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
• These have not been implemented yet.
• Also, the registration under the inter-state migrant workers’ act is negligible. This is due to:
  • Lack of awareness about the rights and the benefits of registration under the Act.
  • Complex registration process
  • Lack of enforcement: reduces the incentive for migrant workers to register.
  • Inadequate infrastructure to register and monitor the movement of migrant workers.
  • Fear of losing jobs: Migrant workers often fear that registering under the Act will lead to loss of employment, as employers may prefer to hire workers who are not registered.
  • Informal nature of work: Many migrants work in the informal sector, which is not covered by the Act, and hence, they are not required to register.

Are there any states which have tried to implement the Inter-State Act?

• In 2012, an MoU was signed between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to track labourers migrating from 11 districts of Odisha to work in brick kilns in then-united Andhra Pradesh.
  • It was signed with the help of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
• Kerala has set up facilitation centres for migrant workers whom the state refers to as “guest workers.”
  • These facilitation centres maintain data regarding migrant workers arriving in Kerala as well as help migrant workers navigate any problems they might face.
  • However, there is no data sharing between Kerala and the migrant workers’ home states.

New Initiative of Jharkhand to generate migration data

• Jharkhand has started the Safe and Responsible Migration Initiative (SRMI) in 2021.
• It aims at enabling systemic registration of migrant workers for monitoring and analysis in the source as well as the destination districts.
• The priority of SRMI is to generate data and then map the labourers who move out to several states for work.

EDITORIAL – 2 – National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC): Review panel red-flags how NAAC grades colleges and universities

Why in News?

• Lack of action on the report, which was submitted to the University Grants Commission (UGC), was flagged by NAAC executive committee chairperson (Bhushan Patwardhan) in the days before he recently announced his resignation.

 What’s in Today’s Article?

• What Exactly is the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)?
• What is the NAAC’s Accreditation Process?
• What Circumstances Led to the Resignation of the Chair of the NAAC Executive Committee?

What Exactly is the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)?

• It is a government organisation (HQ in Bangalore) in India established in 1994 in response to recommendations of National Policy in Education (1986).
• It is an autonomous body that assesses and accredits Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) such as colleges, universities/other recognised institutions to derive an understanding of the ‘Quality Status’ of the institution.
• It is funded by the UGC and evaluates the institutions in terms of their performance related to the teaching-learning processes, faculty, research, infrastructure, governance, financial wellbeing, student services, etc.

 What is the NAAC’s Accreditation Process?

• The first step involves an applicant institution submitting a self-study report (SSR) based on quantitative and qualitative metrics.
• The data is subjected to validation by expert teams of NAAC, with quality reviewed during site visits by peer teams.
• According to the Government of India, of the 1,113 universities and 43,796 colleges in the All-India Survey on Higher Education Report 2020-21, NAAC accredited 418 universities and 9,062 colleges as on January 31, 2023.

What Circumstances Led to the Resignation of the Chair of the NAAC Executive Committee?

• Based on various complaints, the NAAC executive committee chairperson (Bhushan Patwardhan) suggested the need for an independent inquiry by appropriate high-level national agencies.
• The review panel, headed by J P Singh Joreel, was set up by NAAC executive committee chairperson, to review the functioning of the NAAC.
• A report was submitted (to the UGC last year) by the panel, with major findings –
  • The possibility of a compromised IT system;
  • Presence of multiple “super admins” who have full access to the NAAC’s internal system and the power to allot experts;
  • Non-maintenance of logs which may have adverse fall outs;
  • Arbitrary allocation of experts raising questions of conflict of interest;
  • Vested interests, malpractices are manipulating processes in the accreditation system;
  • The process of selection of experts who comprise peer teams that are sent to assess applications for accreditation is neither random nor sequential;
  • Nearly 70% of experts from the pool of assessors do not appear to have received any opportunity to conduct site visits while some others have had multiple such visits.
• Lack of action on the report was flagged by NAAC executive committee chairperson.

EDITORIAL – 3 – Court martials in armed forces