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Editorials & Articles – 6 March 2024

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Editorials & Articles – 6 March 2024

Green jobs and the problem of gender disparity

Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy – Issues related to development and employment Critical for UPSC as it addresses gender disparities in India’s green transition, aligning with sustainable development goals and social equity.
Context
  • This article highlights gender disparities in India’s green job sector, emphasizing the underrepresentation of women despite a growing emphasis on low-carbon development.
  • It outlines challenges, proposes solutions, and calls for inclusive strategies for women’s empowerment in the transition.

 Gender Disparities in Green Jobs:

  • Despite India’s 250% increase in renewable energy capacity (2015-2021), women constituted only 11% in the solar rooftop sector.
  • Traditional sectors like apparel, textile, and food have higher female representation, whereas industries like infrastructure and manufacturing are predominantly male-dominated.

Training and Social Norms:

  • A 2023 study revealed that 85% of green skills training was imparted to men, citing social norms as barriers for women.
  • Women face perceived unsuitability for technical roles, safety concerns, and limited representation in STEM subjects.

Short and Long-Term Benefits of Women’s Representation:

  • In the short run, increased women’s representation can address gender biases in the labour market and boost labour force participation rates.
  • In the long run, it contributes to women’s empowerment by creating economic, technical, and social opportunities.

Data Gaps and the Need for Mapping:

  • Limited data on women’s participation in green jobs necessitates mapping emerging areas for green growth.
  • Collecting sex-disaggregated data through periodic labor force surveys is crucial to understanding women’s roles in the green transition.

Global Context and COP 28 Initiatives:

  • Globally, women are lagging in climate targets and sustainability goals, prompting initiatives like COP 28’s ‘Gender-Responsive Just Transitions and Climate Action Partnership.’
  • Focus on improved data, targeted finance, and skill development in transition planning.

Education Gap and Bridging Disparities:

  • Despite 42.7% of STEM graduates being women, they represent only 30.8% in key sectors for green transition like engineering, manufacturing, and construction.
  • Urgent need for hands-on learning, mentorship, scholarships, and awareness generation to bridge this gap.

Financial Support for Women Entrepreneurs:

  • Gender-focused financial policies and products can empower women entrepreneurs to enter the green transition market.
  • Collateral-free lending, financial literacy training, and supportive networks are crucial for unlocking women’s potential.

Leadership Roles and Gender-Specific Needs:

  • Increasing women in leadership positions ensures the incorporation of gender-specific needs in low-carbon development strategies.
  • Calls for partnerships across government, private sector, and stakeholders for leveraging innovation, technology, and finance.

Comprehensive Gender-Just Transition Strategy:

  • Demands a multi-pronged strategy focusing on employment, social protection, reduced care work burden, and skill development.
  • Businesses urged to recognize the centrality of gender justice, mitigating barriers and fostering equitable job opportunities for an inclusive green transition.
  • Building capacity and supporting women in meeting the demands of the evolving world of work is crucial.
  • Advocates for a socially equitable and inclusive future pathway in the green job sector.

Conclusion:

  • In summary, addressing gender disparities in green jobs in India requires comprehensive strategies encompassing education, training, data collection, financial support, and leadership opportunities.
  • By focusing on these aspects, India can ensure a just and inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy, reaping the co-benefits of women’s empowerment and sustainable development.
The dynamics of household consumption
Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy Critical for UPSC: HCES 2022-23 illuminates India’s economic dynamics, aiding in policy formulation and understanding socio-economic trends.
Context
  • The article discusses the release of India’s Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23, emphasizing its historical significance, methodological shifts, and economic insights.
  • It provides nuanced data on consumption patterns, reflecting the nation’s evolving socio-economic landscape.

 Survey Overview:

  • NSSO released the awaited HCES 2022-23, crucial as the last data on household consumption were from 2011-12.
  • Captures how Indian households spend on consumable items, aiding in constructing Consumer Price Indices.

Historical Significance:

  • Initiated in 1950-51, HCES played a vital role in estimating the head count ratio for poverty and contributed to economic and sociological research.
  • Integral in shaping India’s socio-economic landscape and understanding consumption patterns.

Impact of COVID-19:

  • Scheduled for 2020-21, delayed by the pandemic, the survey commenced in August 2022, reflecting resilience and adaptability.
  • The ongoing 2023-24 phase emphasizes capturing evolving household consumption patterns.

Methodological Shift:

  • Positive shift to computer-assisted personal interviews from traditional methods, enhancing efficiency.
  • Data entry through tablets expedited collection and processing, ensuring streamlined scrutiny.

Sample Size and Design:

  • Engaged 2,61,746 households strategically selected through statistically sound sampling.
  • Aligned with ‘New India,’ the survey included contemporary items and a three-part questionnaire for comprehensive coverage.

Modernization and Tradition:

  • Efficient data collection merged conventional and contemporary practices, imputing values for home-grown stock and social welfare program items.
  • Retained the age-old method while pioneering imputation for items from social welfare programs.

Economic Insights:

  • Average Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) stands at ₹3,773 in rural and ₹6,459 in urban India.
  • With imputed values, figures rise to ₹3,860 and ₹6,521 respectively, providing nuanced economic insights.

Trends over Time:

  • Analysis from 1999-2000 to 2022-23 reveals shifts in MPCE composition.
  • Decline in the percentage share of expenditure on cereals, rise in spending on fresh fruits, processed foods, and non-food items.

Policy Implications:

  • HCES, a collaborative effort, stands as a reliable tool for shaping economic policies in New India.
  • The fact sheet, released within six months, offers key estimates with low relative standard errors at national and State levels.

Conclusion:

  • HCES 2022-23, combining historical significance with modernization, unveils detailed insights into India’s changing economic landscape.
  • A valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and statisticians, contributing to informed decision-making in economic planning.

For the Gaya Lals of today

Topic: GS2 – Polity – Indian Constitution – Amendments
This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains in the context of knowing facts about constitutional provisions related to defection.
Context:
  • In the realm of Indian politics, particularly amidst the intricacies of the 10th Schedule, the adage “the law is an ass” finds profound validation.
  • Despite constitutional safeguards against defection and legal frameworks aimed at maintaining political integrity, the reality is far from ideal.
  • This analysis dissects the disjunction between legal principles and their application in the context of defections, highlighting the pervasive influence of human venality and the inadequacies of constitutional mechanisms.

Defection Dynamics and Legal Lacunae:

  • The landscape of Indian politics is rife with examples of defections, showcasing the wide gap between rhetoric and action in upholding constitutional integrity.
  • From the antics of politicians like Gaya Lal, who switched parties in a single day, to the sophisticated maneuvers employed today, the essence of the anti-defection law is routinely circumvented.
  • Despite amendments and judicial pronouncements, the prevalence of defections underscores the limitations of constitutional law in curbing opportunistic political behavior.

The ill-Repute of the 10th Schedule:

  • The reputation of the 10th Schedule, far from being tarnished by a lack of legal clarity, stems from its ineffectiveness in deterring defections.
  • Recent judicial pronouncements, such as the Manipur judgment, have attempted to set guidelines for timely adjudication of disqualification petitions.
  • However, the practical application of these directives often falls short, allowing ample room for manipulation and delay.
  • Despite legal provisions aimed at curbing defections, the prevalence of political jugglery persists, rendering the anti-defection law largely toothless in practice.

Challenges in Enforcement and Adjudication:

  • The role of the Speaker, entrusted with adjudicating complaints of disqualification, presents inherent challenges due to partisan affiliations.
  • Despite being the sole authorized entity for such adjudication, the Speaker’s alignment with a particular political party often compromises impartiality.
  • This partisan bias manifests in prolonged delays in addressing complaints from opposition parties, while prompt action is taken against defectors aligned with the ruling party.
  • Furthermore, innovative tactics, such as preemptive defection applications and engineered resignations, exploit loopholes in the legal framework, further undermining its efficacy.

Proposed Solutions and the Role of the Speaker:

  • In light of the pervasive shortcomings of the current system, calls for the abolition of the 10th Schedule and its replacement with a simplified mandate gain traction.
  • Advocates propose stringent measures, including mandatory resignations and prohibitions on holding ministerial positions without re-election upon party defection.
  • Additionally, suggestions to reform the role of the Speaker, by eliminating partisan affiliations and ensuring a non-partisan selection process, aim to restore credibility to the adjudicatory process.
  • However, the feasibility and implementation of such reforms remain subjects of debate within the Indian political landscape.

Conclusion:

  • The discrepancy between legal frameworks and their practical application in addressing defections highlights deep-seated challenges within the Indian political system.
  • While legal provisions exist to uphold constitutional integrity, the pervasiveness of opportunistic political behaviour necessitates comprehensive reforms.
  • Addressing the inherent biases in the adjudicatory process and strengthening mechanisms to deter defections are essential steps towards restoring public trust and integrity in Indian democracy.
  • Only through concerted efforts towards reform can the law cease to be derided as an “ass” and fulfill its intended purpose of upholding democratic principles.
What is the Anti-Defection Law?
  • Defection refers to switching political allegiance, particularly when a member of a political party leaves the party and joins another party or becomes independent.
  • Anti-defection Law in India was enacted in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 as part of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
  • Anti-defection laws aim to prevent or discourage defection by imposing penalties on politicians who switch parties or otherwise violate party discipline.
  • These laws may be designed to ensure that politicians are held accountable to the voters who elected them and to maintain the stability and cohesion of political parties.
  • In some countries, anti-defection laws allow political parties to expel members who defect, while in others, they may disqualify defectors from holding public office or impose other penalties.

What are some of the judicial observations regarding defection in India? Some of the important cases related to anti-defection in India include

  1. Kihoto Hollohan vs. Zachillhu and Others (1992): In this case, the Supreme Court of India upheld the constitutionality of the law and ruled that the provisions were necessary to prevent the destabilization of governments and to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
  2. G. Viswanathan vs. Hon’ble Speaker, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly (1995): In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the Speaker of a legislative assembly has the power to decide on cases of defection and that the decision of the Speaker is final and cannot be challenged in a court of law.
  3. Ravi S. Naik vs. Union of India (1994): In this case, the Speaker or Chairman of the relevant legislative body can disqualify an elected representative for defection.

PROTECTING DEBATE

Topic: GS2 – Polity – Parliament – Functioning
This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains in the context of knowing facts about constitutional principles, parliamentary privileges, and the functioning of democratic institutions.
Context:
  • The Supreme Court of India, in a significant ruling, overturned its 1998 judgment on parliamentary privilege, emphasizing that bribery is not protected under such privileges.
  • The earlier ruling, known as the JMM bribery verdict, had granted lawmakers immunity from prosecution even in cases where they accepted bribes for voting or making speeches in Parliament or state legislative assemblies.
  • However, the recent split ruling by the Supreme Court has provided a welcome corrective to this interpretation, rooted in principles of equality and probity.

Erosion of Democratic Foundations: Chief Justice’s Assertion:

  • Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, leading a seven-judge bench, underscored the detrimental impact of corruption and bribery on Indian parliamentary democracy.
  • He emphasized that such practices undermine the foundational principles of the Constitution, eroding the aspirational and deliberative ideals essential for a responsible, responsive, and representative democracy.
  • This assertion highlights the broader ramifications of bribery in the functioning of democratic institutions.

Case Background and Constitutional Interpretation:

  • The case originated in 1993 when JMM leader Shibu Soren and other party members were accused of accepting bribes related to a no-confidence motion against the PV Narasimha Rao government.
  • The earlier interpretation of parliamentary privileges, based on Article 105(2), emphasized lawmakers’ freedom of speech and voting.
  • However, the recent verdict emphasizes that bribery compromises the free will and conscience essential for lawmakers to discharge their duties effectively.
  • The ruling stresses the need to interpret privileges in alignment with the larger ideals of the Constitution, rather than as absolute rights disconnected from democratic principles.

Addressing Quid Pro Quo and Affirming Equality:

  • The Supreme Court’s ruling also tackles the issue of quid pro quo associated with bribery, asserting that the mere acceptance or seeking of undue advantage with the intent to act in a certain way is sufficient to constitute the offense.
  • Additionally, the court affirms the principle of equality, stating that creating a class of public servants afforded extraordinary protection would violate Article 14 of the Constitution.
  • This reaffirmation underscores the importance of upholding constitutional principles in adjudicating matters related to parliamentary privileges.

Cautionary Note and Future Implications:

  • While the ruling signifies a crucial step towards maintaining democratic integrity, caution is warranted to ensure that it does not leave opposition legislators vulnerable to undue targeting.
  • In an environment where debate and disagreement in legislative bodies are increasingly challenged, both the executive and judiciary face the imperative of fostering a fearless atmosphere conducive to robust discussions and exchange of ideas.
  • Upholding the court’s directive to create such an environment will be pivotal in safeguarding democratic norms and principles in the years ahead.

Conclusion:

  • The Supreme Court’s ruling not only rectifies previous interpretations of parliamentary privilege but also underscores the imperative of upholding democratic values and equality under the law.
  • It sets a precedent for future cases while emphasizing the pivotal role of democratic institutions in preserving the integrity of India’s parliamentary democracy.
Privileges and Immunities to the MPs and MLAs
Meaning:

  • Privileges are special rights, immunities and exemptions enjoyed by the two Houses of Parliament and legislature of States, and their committees and their members.
  • The Constitution has also extended these privileges to those persons who are entitled to speak and take part in the proceedings of a House or any of its committees.
  • For example, the Attorney General of India.

Constitutional provisions:

  • Article 105 and Article 194 to the Constitution of India grant privileges or advantages to the MPs (Article 105) and to the MLAs (Article 194) of every State.
  • These powers, privileges and immunities should be defined by the law from time-to-time.
  • These privileges are considered as special provisions and have an overriding effect in conflict.
  • It must be clarified here that these privileges do not extend to the President (or Governor) who is also an integral part of the Parliament (or state legislature).

Privileges mentioned in the Constitution:

  • It gives the MPs freedom of speech [Article 115 (1)].
  • It provides that no MP will be liable to any proceedings before any Court for anything said or any vote given by him/her in the Parliament or any committee thereof [Article 105(2)].
  • Also, no person will be held liable for any publication of any report, paper, votes or proceedings if the publication is made by the parliament or any authority under it.
  • The same provisions are stated under Article 194, where MLAs of a state are referred instead of MPs.

Purpose:

  • These privileges and immunities –
  • Are granted so that MPs/MLAs can perform their duties or can function properly without any hindrances – essential for democratic functioning of the legislatures.
  • Without these privileges,The Houses can neither maintain their authority, dignity and honour. Nor can protect their members from any obstruction in the discharge of their parliamentary responsibilities.

Difference between Article 19 and Article 105:

  • Both the Articles, (Article 19(1)(a) and Article 105) of the Constitution talks about freedom of speech.
  • Article 105 applies to the members of parliament not subjected to any reasonable restriction. But, Article 19(1)(a) applies to citizens and is subject to reasonable restrictions.
  • This means, Article 105 is an absolute privilege given to the members of the parliament but this privilege can be used in the premises of the parliament and not outside the parliament.
Fourth Mass Coral Reef Bleaching

Why in News?

  • According to the U.S. NOAA, the world is on the verge of a fourth mass coral bleaching event which could see wide swathes of tropical reefs die, including parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

What’s in Today’s Article?

  • What are Corals and Coral Reefs?
  • What is Coral Bleaching and Why is it a Cause for Concern?
  • What are the Findings of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)?

What are Corals and Coral Reefs?

  • Corals are animals (polyps), which live in a symbiotic relationship with tiny algae called zooxanthellae.
    • These algae provide the corals with food and oxygen, and in return, the corals provide them with a safe place to live.
  • Coral reefs are limestone structures formed by thousands of tiny coral animals and are found in tropical climates.
  • Major coral reefs in India:

What is Coral Bleaching and Why is it a Cause for Concern?

  • When corals are exposed to stressful conditions, such as high temperatures, pollution, or changes in the water’s chemistry, they expel the zooxanthellae.
  • Without them, the coral loses its color and turns white, hence the term “bleaching.” Corals cannot live very long in this state.
  • Coral bleaching doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the reef. If the stressor is removed in time, the zooxanthellae can come back and the corals can recover.
  • Coral reefs provide a home and a source of food for countless species of fish and other marine creatures.
  • They also protect coastlines from erosion and storms, and play a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide.
  • Additionally, coral reefs are a stunning display of biodiversity and natural beauty, and their loss would be a tragedy for future generations.
  • When coral reefs suffer, so do the ecosystems and the people that depend on them.

What are the Findings of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)?

  • The world is on the verge of a fourth mass coral bleaching event (after 1998, 2010 and 2014).
  • For an event to be deemed global, widespread bleaching must occur in three ocean basins – the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian.
  • The last global mass coral bleaching event ran from 2014 to 2017, during which time the Great Barrier Reef lost nearly a third of its corals.
    • Preliminary results suggest that about 15% of the world’s reefs saw large coral die-offs in this event.
  • This year is turning out to be even worse. For example, following the Northern Hemisphere summer last year, the Caribbean registered its worst coral bleaching on record.
  • Coral bleaching is often tied to the naturally occurring El Nino climate phenomenon which leads to warmer ocean waters.
  • The world also just registered (as a result of climate change) its first 12-month period with an average temperature over 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre industrial levels.
    • A rise of 1.5C is believed to be the tipping point for mass coral die-offs, with scientists estimating that 90% of the world’s corals could be lost.
Why did Google De-list some Indian Apps from Play Store?

What’s in Today’s Article?

  • About the Issue (Context, Google’s Policy, Apple’s Policy, Response of Regulators, etc.)
  • About CCI (Objectives, Functions, Powers, etc.)

Background:

  • On March 1, Google announced that it was pulling the apps of almost a dozen firms out of its marketplace for Android apps.
  • However, after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology intervened, the apps were restored subsequently, but the issue remains unresolved.

What is the Issue?

  • At the heart of the issue is Google’s platform fees.
  • For all in-app purchases that involve a purely digital service — such as an e-book purchase or an OTT streaming subscription — Google collects a fee of anywhere between 11 to 30% per transaction.
  • This fee, Google argues, helps the company pay for Google Play and develop the Android ecosystem.
  • The exact fee paid by each developer varies.
    • For example, if a developer is using Google’s own billing product, and is offering a recurring subscription service, or if they make less than $1 million a year in revenue from in-app payments, the company charges 15%.
    • For app purchases for bigger firms, the amount is 30%. In India and South Korea, where regulatory scrutiny on these fees has been among the most intense, Google collects 11% or 26% in fees if developers choose to use a different payment method.
  • However, Indian developers — like many global counterparts — see these fees as a high price to pay.
  • Some, including Bharat Matrimony and Disney+ Hotstar, approached the judiciary at different stages to avoid paying the fee altogether.

What about other Marketplaces?

  • Apple has not faced similar pushback in India, as relatively fewer Indians use its products.
  • Android, however, dominates the smartphone market, and Google Play is widely seen as the best bet for developers who want to be discovered by consumers.
  • However, both Apple and Google have faced serious international resistance to these fees, and both firms have pushed back strongly against developers’ resistance.
  • For example, the music streaming firm Spotify filed a complaint with the European Commission, after Apple stopped Spotify from telling its users how to pay for its service using a browser to avoid the App Store’s fees.
  • Additionally, Spotify said this was anti-competitive because Apple Music was not subjected to the 30% barrier that was erected for Spotify.
  • Following the complaint, Apple was hit with a €1.84 billion fine by the European Commission, which ruled that it had fined the company over “unfair trading conditions”.
  • Similarly, in the U.S., Epic Games, the developer of the popular Fortnite franchise, sued Apple as well as Google over the 30% fee.
  • Unlike Apple, Google allows third party app stores around the world, something that gives app developers a little more leeway in avoiding these fees.
  • But Google Play comes installed by default on most Android phones.

How has the Competition Commission of India Responded?

  • The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had in 2022 fined Google Rs. 936 crores for its Play Store policies.
  • The company is in the process of appealing that fine, as well as orders by the CCI that it give developers comprehensive choices for in-payments.
  • An appeal by Google against this fine is pending at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.
  • Meanwhile, the Indian apps that went to the Court are back on the platform for now.
  • In-app payments are not yet a major part of the digital economy in India, as purely digital services for which Indian consumers have been willing to pay have been limited to content streaming, dating and matrimonial service.

About Competition Commission of India (CCI):

  • The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body established in March 2009 under the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Objectives:
    • Eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition
    • Promote and sustain competition
    • Protect the interests of consumers
    • Ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India
  • The CCI aims to establish a robust competitive environment through:
    • Proactive engagement with all stakeholders, including consumers, industry, government and international jurisdictions
    • Being a knowledge intensive organization with high competence level
    • Professionalism, transparency, resolve and wisdom in enforcement
  • The Commission consists of one Chairperson and six members who shall be appointed by the Central Government.

Functions of CCI:

  • Ensure consumer interests are protected in the market
  • Implement the policies enumerated in the Competition Act, 2002
  • Advocate and educate other Government bodies about the Competition Act, 2002. Such as state governments and ministries etc.
  • To promote fair and constructive competition practices in the market
  • To prevent the realisation of anti-competitive agreements
  • To cooperate with other regulatory bodies to work more efficiently in ensuring the continuity of a free and fair market

Powers of CCI:

  • The Competition Commission of India has the power to inquire into a certain agreement as well as the dominant position of enterprises.
  • It has the power to inquire into any acquisition or combination if it determines that such acquisition or combination may adversely affect competition in the Indian market.
  • It has the power to regulate its own procedures.
  • It has the power to impose monetary penalties upon violation of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • It has the power to pass an interim order for any act where there has been anti-competition agreements or abuse of position by dominant parties which adversely affects the competition in the market.
MethaneSAT – a satellite which will ‘name and shame’ methane emitters

Why in news?

  • MethaneSAT — a satellite which will track and measure methane emissions at a global scale — was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket from California.
  • It is crucial to cut methane emissions. And the main culprit: fossil fuel operations, which account for about 40 per cent of all human-caused methane emissions.
  • The objective of MethaneSAT is to help achieve this goal.

What’s in today’s article?

  • Need to track and measure methane emissions
  • MethaneSAT

Need to track and measure methane emissions

  • Greenhouse effect
    • Methane is an invisible but strong greenhouse gas, and the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide.
    • It is responsible for 30 per cent of global heating since the Industrial Revolution.
    • According to the United Nations Environment Programme, over a period of 20 years, methane is 80 times more potent at warming than carbon dioxide.
  • Responsible for pre-mature deaths
    • The gas also contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone — a colourless and highly irritating gas that forms just above the Earth’s surface.
    • According to a 2022 report, exposure to ground-level ozone could be contributing to one million premature deaths every year.

MethaneSAT

  • About
    • Essentially, MethaneSAT will orbit the Earth 15 times a day, monitoring the oil and gas sector.
    • It will create a large amount of data, which will tell how much methane is coming from where, who’s responsible, and are those emissions going up or down over time.
    • The data collected by MethaneSAT will be made public for free in near real-time.
    • This will allow stakeholders and regulators to take action to reduce methane emissions.
  • Institutions involved in the development
    • The entity behind MethaneSAT is the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) — a US-based nonprofit environmental advocacy group.
    • To develop the satellite, EDF partnered with Harvard University, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the New Zealand Space Agency.
  • Features
    • Fills the critical gaps in existing monitoring systems
      • While some satellites can provide high-resolution data, they can only scan specific, pre-targeted sites.
      • Others can examine larger areas and detect large emitting events, but cannot scan smaller sources that account for the majority of emissions in many.
      • Due to this discrepancy, according to an International Energy Agency (IEA) report, global methane emissions are about 70 per cent higher than levels reported by national governments.
      • MethaneSAT is expected to fix the issue.
    • Equipped with a high-resolution sensors
      • Equipped with a high-resolution infrared sensor and a spectrometer, the satellite will fill critical data gaps.
      • It can track differences in methane concentrations as small as three parts per billion in the atmosphere.
      • This enables it to pick up smaller emissions sources than the previous satellites.
    • Wide-camera view to identify super-emitters
      • MethaneSAT also has a wide-camera view — of about 200 km by 200 km — allowing it to identify larger emitters so-called super emitters.
    • Use of AI
      • The collected data will be analysed using cloud-computing and AI technology developed by Google — the company is a mission partner.
      • The data will be made public through Google’s Earth Engine platform.

Significance of MethaneSAT

  • To fulfil the objectives of the Global Methane Pledge 2021
    • More than 150 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge in 2021, to cut their collective methane emissions by at least 30 per cent from 2020 levels by 2030.
    • At last year’s COP, more than 50 companies committed to virtually eliminating methane emissions and routine flaring.
    • MethaneSAT will help them meet these targets.
  • To promote transparency
    • The satellite will also usher in a new era of transparency.
    • Its publicly available data, which can be accessed by anyone in the world, will keep track of methane commitments made by governments and corporations.
Former DU professor GN Saibaba acquitted over alleged Maoist links

Why in news?

  • The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay HC acquitted former Delhi University Professor G.N. Saibaba and five others in a Maoist links case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
  • The court said that the prosecution could not prove the case against them beyond reasonable doubt.

What’s in today’s article?

  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
  • Background of the case
  • News Summary

The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967

  • About
    • Enacted in 1967, UAPA is the primary counter-terror law in India.
    • It was enacted to outlaw and penalise unlawful and terrorist activities, which pose a threat to the integrity and sovereignty of India.
    • These activities include:
      • Aiding and abetting terrorists
      • Funding terrorists
      • Inciting anti-national feeling in the masses
      • Other unlawful activities against the state
  • Key provisions of UAPA
    • Wide ranging powers to Central Govt
      • It provides wide-ranging powers to the Central Government to designate organisations as terrorist organisations 
      • It also prescribes the penalties for taking part in the activities of such organisations.
    • Applicability
      • It is also applicable if the offences are committed outside India. Both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged.
    • Timeline
      • A charge sheet can be filed in maximum 180 days after the arrests.
      • The investigation has to be completed within 90 days.
      • If investigation is not completed with the stipulated time, the accused is eligible for default bail.
    • Special court
      • The act establishes a special court designated to conduct trials.
  • Sanction to prosecute under UAPA
    • Section 45(1) of the UAPA says no court shall take cognizance of any offence under the Act without the previous sanction of the central or state government or any officer authorised by them.
    • Under Section 45(2), the sanction for prosecution has to be given within a prescribed time only after considering the report by the competent authority.

2019 Amendment of UAPA

  • The original act was amended in the years 2004, 2008, 2013, and 2019 to increase its scope and ambit. 2019 amendment changed the following:
  • Who may commit terrorism:
    • The amendment additionally empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds.
  • Approval for seizure of property by NIA:
    • The Amendment adds that if the investigation is conducted by an officer of the NIA, the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of such property.
  • Insertion to schedule of treaties
    • The Act defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within the scope of any of the treaties listed in a schedule to the Act.
    • The Schedule lists nine treaties, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979).
    • The Amendment adds another treaty to the list. This is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).

Background of the case

  • Conviction of Saibaba and 5 others
    • G N Saibaba and five others were arrested between 2013 and 2014.
    • All six accused were charged with criminal conspiracy to wage war against the Government of India through unlawful activities by use of violence.
      • They were arrested on allegations that they were members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) and its frontal group Revolutionary Democratic Front.
    • They were convicted of alleged involvement in Maoist activities in March 2017.
    • Five of the convicts, including Saibaba, were given life imprisonment; the sixth, Vijay Tirki, was given rigorous imprisonment because he was a first-time offender.
  • Acquittal by Bombay High Court in 2022
    • In October 2022, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay HC acquitted G N Saibaba and four others of aiding and abetting Naxal activities (the fifth one had died by that time).
    • The court held the entire trial against them to be null and void in the absence of a valid sanction under section 45(1) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
      • As per the Court, the sanction to prosecute under UAPA was accorded by the Maharashtra govt after the trial began against the accused.
        • However, as per section 45(1) of UAPA, it should have been submitted before the trail.
    • As for other accused, the reviewing authority’s report to the State home department seeking grant of sanction was without reasons.
      • The bench held that this exclusion was a breach of the mandatory provisions of sub-section (2) of Section 45 of the UAPA.
    • The division bench underlined the importance of following due process in legal proceedings.
  • Supreme Court set aside the October 2022 HC verdict
    • In October 2022, the SC suspended the Nagpur bench verdict
    • It held that the high court had not gone into the merits of the case or the seriousness and gravity of the offences for which the accused were convicted.
    • In April 2023, the SC directed the HC to hear the appeal filed by Saibaba afresh.

News Summary: Former DU professor GN Saibaba acquitted over alleged Maoist links

  • Former Delhi University Professor G.N. Saibaba was acquitted by the Bombay High Court.
  • The Court noted that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt against him and other accused in the case.
  • The court ordered the immediate release of the academician-activist, who is completely wheelchair-bound and 90 per cent disabled.
  • HC noted that the entire prosecution was vitiated on account of an invalid sanction to prosecute the accused.
  • The court also noted that the trial that was held despite the violation of mandatory provisions of law amounted to a failure of justice.
  • It further pointed out that the prosecution failed to establish legal seizure of material and could not prove any incriminating material against the accused.