Opposition’s No-Confidence Motion Against Rajya Sabha Chairperson

GS 2: Polity and Governance: No-Confidence motion

Why is it in the news?

• The Opposition recently gave notice for a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha chairperson on December 10, marking the first such instance in Indian parliamentary history. A similar attempt was considered during the Budget Session in August but was not pursued further.

Process and Requirements for Removing the Chairperson

• The Vice President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha under Article 64 of the Constitution. As the Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson are the same individual, the removal process follows the provisions of Article 67.
• According to this article, the Vice President holds office for five years unless they resign by writing to the President or are removed through a specific process.
• The removal procedure under Article 67(b) mandates that a resolution for removal must be passed by a majority of all then-members of the Rajya Sabha and agreed upon by the Lok Sabha. Additionally, the resolution requires a notice of at least 14 days before it can be moved.

Procedure After Notice for Removal

• Following the 14-day notice, the Rajya Sabha is required to discuss the resolution. However, in this instance, the Winter Session of Parliament concludes on December 20, leaving less than 14 days. It remains unclear whether the same resolution can carry forward to the next parliamentary session.
• Given the current numerical strength in Parliament, it is almost certain that the resolution will fail. The motion appears to be a symbolic protest by the Opposition, alleging partisan behaviour by the Vice President in conducting the House.

Historical Debate on Article 67

• During the Constituent Assembly debates, Article 67’s language raised concerns, with members like H V Kamath suggesting amendments for greater clarity. Kamath proposed that Lok Sabha’s agreement to the Rajya Sabha resolution should explicitly require a similar majority.
• B R Ambedkar clarified that Lok Sabha must pass the resolution by a simple majority of members present and voting, while the Rajya Sabha’s majority requirement was stricter. In the Upper House, the resolution needs approval from a majority of all members, including those absent but whose seats are not vacant.

Comparison With Presidential Impeachment

• Kamath highlighted discrepancies between the removal procedures for the President (Article 61) and Vice President. For impeaching the President, a resolution requires a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the initiating House, followed by an investigation and similar approval in the other House.
• Ambedkar emphasized that the Vice President’s role, primarily as the Rajya Sabha Chairperson, aligns with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Hence, the removal processes for the Vice President (Article 67) and the Speaker (Article 94) are identical, differing from the President’s impeachment process.

Solar Energy’s Global Growth

GS 3: Science and Technology: Global Solar Capacity

Why is it in the news?

• The World Solar Report 2024, released by the International Solar Alliance (ISA), highlights the significant growth in global solar capacity.
• From a modest 1.22 GW in 2000, solar capacity skyrocketed to 1,419 GW by 2023, reflecting an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36%.
• Solar energy now accounts for three-quarters of all renewable energy capacity additions worldwide.

Emerging Solar Technologies

• Innovative solar technologies are transforming the sector. Quantum dot solar cells have reached an efficiency of 18.1%, improving energy capture and supporting applications like atmospheric water harvesting.
• Self-healing solar panels aim to enhance durability and lower maintenance needs.
• Solar-powered phyto-mining facilitates sustainable metal extraction from soil via plants, while technologies like solar paver blocks and Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), including transparent solar panels, integrate seamlessly into infrastructure.
• These advancements reduce dependency on critical materials like lithium and rare earth elements. Efforts to recycle solar panels and adopt circular economy practices further mitigate environmental impacts.

Cost Reductions in Solar Energy

• Solar energy costs have seen a consistent decline. The 2024 report reveals utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects averaged $40/MWh globally, with India achieving the lowest price at $34/MWh.
• India also led globally in solar PV capacity granted through auctions. By 2024, investment in solar PV technology in the power sector is projected to exceed $500 billion, surpassing combined investments in all other forms of power generation.

Dominance in the Global Solar Market

• China leads the global solar PV market, with 43% (609 GW) of cumulative installed solar capacity in 2023. The U.S. follows with 10% (137.73 GW), while Japan, Germany, and India each account for 5-6%. Emerging markets like Brazil, Australia, Italy, and Spain contribute approximately 2% each.
• Solar PV manufacturing nearly doubled in 2023, with China dominating component production, controlling 97% of wafer manufacturing, 89% of cell production, and 83% of module installation capacity.

Solar Energy’s Impact on Industries

• The solar PV sector generated 7.1 million jobs globally in 2023, up from 4.9 million in 2022, underscoring its economic significance.
• Solar-powered irrigation systems are revolutionizing agriculture, with the global solar pump market projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2021 to 2027.
• These systems, more cost-competitive than diesel pumps, are gaining popularity among farmers. Agri-voltaic systems are also benefiting livestock management, providing shade for animals while generating electricity.
• The pay-as-you-go business model has made solar systems more accessible, enabling users to pay in small, regular instalments.

Way Forward

• Technological advancements have significantly reduced solar energy costs and increased its applications.
• To ensure inclusive growth, efforts must focus on promoting technology and finance transfers, particularly to least-developed countries and small island developing states, ensuring no one is left behind in the transition to solar energy.

Judicial Code of Conduct

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Code of Conduct in Judiciary

Why is it in the news?

• A Judge from a prominent High Court recently made controversial remarks at an event organized by a right-wing group on December 8, 2024. These comments, delivered within the High Court premises, have sparked widespread public criticism.
• In response to the remarks, the Supreme Court issued a statement acknowledging media reports and requesting further information from the High Court. The matter is currently under review.
• A national lawyers’ association wrote to the Chief Justice of India, expressing concerns that the judge’s comments reflect an ideology that threatens democratic values.
• A judicial accountability group also criticized the judge’s participation in the event and the nature of his statements, alleging that they violated the principles of judicial conduct.

Judicial Ethics and Conduct

• Judicial power stems from public acceptance of the authority of the judiciary and its integrity. Over time, the judiciary has codified the conventions of judicial conduct, which include both in-court and out-of-court behaviour.
• The ‘Restatement of Values of Judicial Life’ is the primary code of ethics for judges, which was adopted by the Supreme Court in 1997. The first rule of the code stresses that a judge’s behaviour must “reaffirm the people’s faith in the impartiality of the judiciary.” It underscores that any action by a judge, whether in an official or personal capacity, that undermines this credibility must be avoided.
• Moreover, the code requires that a judge must always be conscious that they are under the public gaze. The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct (2002) further elaborate on the need for a judge’s conduct, both in and outside of court, to maintain and enhance public confidence in the judiciary’s impartiality.
• While the document recognizes a judge’s right to freedom of expression, it mandates that a judge must act in a way that preserves the dignity and impartiality of their office. More importantly, it requires judges to be aware of and understand the diversity of society and treat all individuals equally.

Impeachment Process for Judges

• The Constitution stipulates that judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts can be removed by an order from the President after a successful impeachment process based on “proved misbehaviour or incapacity.”
• A motion for the removal of a judge must be supported by a special majority in both Houses of Parliament, requiring at least two-thirds of the members present and voting. Additionally, the Constitution prohibits discussing a judge’s alleged misconduct in any other context except during the impeachment process.
• The Supreme Court has established an in-house procedure to address serious allegations against judges, which was formalized in 1999 and made public in 2014. This procedure allows complaints against High Court judges to be addressed to the President, the Chief Justice of India (CJI), or the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
• Upon receiving a complaint, the Chief Justice of the High Court may seek a response from the judge and, if necessary, forward the matter to the CJI for further action. If the CJI deems the allegations serious enough, a fact-finding committee comprising two Chief Justices from other High Courts and a High Court judge may be appointed to investigate the matter.
• If the committee finds sufficient grounds for removal, the CJI can request the judge to retire voluntarily. If the judge refuses to retire, the CJI can inform the President and the Prime Minister about the allegations and the committee’s report, thereby initiating the impeachment process.

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil gets Champions of the Earth award

GS 3: Environment and Biodiversity: Environment Conservation

About the news

• Ecologist Madhav Gadgil has been awarded the prestigious Champions of the Earth award by the United Nations for his significant contributions to the Western Ghats.
• As the chair of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, he led a study on the impact of population pressure, climate change, and development activities on the region.
• The panel’s 2011 recommendation called for the Western Ghats to be declared an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), divided into three zones for better conservation.
• Gadgil is the only Indian recipient of this year’s award.

CII Advocates for Adherence to Fiscal Deficit Targets

GS 3: Economy: Fiscal Consolidation

Why is it in the news?

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the government to maintain its fiscal deficit target of 4.9% of GDP for 2024-25 and 5% for 2025-26.

Understanding Fiscal Deficit

About

• A fiscal deficit occurs when a government’s total expenditure (both revenue and capital) exceeds its total receipts (both revenue and non-debt creating capital receipts) during a fiscal year.
• It is distinct from national debt, which represents the total amount owed by the government to its lenders, accumulated over time through persistent fiscal deficits.

Impact of Fiscal Deficit

• A high fiscal deficit can lead to inflationary pressure as governments may borrow from central banks to finance their shortfalls. It can also crowd out private investment, as the government competes for available credit.
• A sustained fiscal deficit restricts the government’s ability to respond to economic challenges and can lead to higher borrowing costs due to lowered confidence in the government’s financial management.

Benefits of Lower Fiscal Deficit

• Maintaining a lower fiscal deficit can enhance a country’s credit rating, reduce debt servicing costs, improve the balance of payments, and foster investor confidence, signalling fiscal discipline.
• This can also free up resources for crucial development areas such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

CII’s Recommendations for Fiscal Prudence

• CII has recommended that states implement fiscal stability reporting systems to evaluate their financial health regularly.
• Additionally, it suggests that state-level borrowing and guarantees be closely monitored to prevent fiscal slippages. Introducing an independent credit rating system for states could further encourage fiscal discipline.

Way Forward

• There is a need to implement the recommendations of the NK Singh Committee (2017), which suggested the draft Debt Management and Fiscal Responsibility Bill.
• The focus should be on boosting household financial savings through tax incentives for financial products, enhancing returns on long-term savings schemes, and promoting greater financial literacy.
• To improve infrastructure financing, there should be better mechanisms that involve the private sector through public-private partnerships (PPPs), infrastructure bonds, and the development of financial institutions.

NK Singh Committee’s Recommendations

• Debt-to-GDP Ratio: A target of 60%, with 40% for the centre and 20% for states.
• Fiscal Deficit Target: A fiscal deficit-to-GDP ratio of 2.5% by FY23.
• Fiscal Council: Establishment of an autonomous body to oversee fiscal policy, advise on deviations, and assess long-term fiscal strategies.
• State-Level Fiscal Trajectory: Recommendations for each state’s fiscal health and trajectory, considering past performance and fiscal prudence.

National Panchayat Awards 2024

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Recognising contributions of Panchayat

Why is it in the news?

• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has announced the winners of the National Panchayat Awards 2024 for the assessment year 2022–2023.

About the Awards

• These prestigious awards recognize the outstanding contributions of Panchayats in various sectors such as poverty alleviation, healthcare, child welfare, water conservation, sanitation, infrastructure development, social justice, governance, and women’s empowerment.
• A total of 45 recipients have been selected, including 36 Gram Panchayats, 3 Block Panchayats, 3 District Panchayats, and 3 institutions.

Categories of Awards:

• Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar
• Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar

Special Categories:

• Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar
• Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar
• Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar