AMIGOS IAS Daily Current Affairs (19^th Sept 2024)

Indus Water Treaty

GS 2: International Relations: India-Pakistan dispute over hydel projects

Why is it in the news?

• India has issued a notice to Pakistan seeking modifications to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which governs the sharing of waters from six rivers in the Indus system.
• The notice, issued under Article XII (3) of the treaty, cites “fundamental and unforeseen” changes in circumstances as the reason for the reassessment.

History of the dispute over the hydel Projects

• This isn’t the first time India has sought a review of the IWT; in January 2023, New Delhi requested a reassessment due to Pakistan’s ongoing “intransigence” in implementing the treaty, particularly regarding objections to Indian hydropower projects.
• The recent notice appears to stem from a long-standing dispute over two hydroelectric power projects in India: one on the Kishanganga River, a tributary of Jhelum, and another on the Chenab River.
• Pakistan has consistently raised objections to these projects, leading to multiple invocations of dispute resolution mechanisms under the treaty, although a full resolution has yet to be achieved.
• In 2015, Pakistan requested the appointment of a Neutral Expert to address its technical objections to the Kishanganga and Ratle (on Chenab River) hydropower projects.
• However, it later retracted this request and proposed that a Court of Arbitration should adjudicate the objections. In August 2016, Pakistan approached the World Bank, the broker of the 1960 Treaty, to establish a Court of Arbitration.
• Instead of responding to Pakistan’s request, India sought the appointment of a Neutral Expert, arguing that Pakistan’s call for a Court of Arbitration violated the treaty’s graded dispute resolution mechanism. The World Bank found itself in a unique position, receiving two separate requests concerning the same dispute.
• On December 12, 2016, it announced a “pause” in both processes to allow the countries to explore alternative resolutions. Regular meetings of Indus Waters Commissioners resumed in 2017, but Pakistan reportedly refused to engage on these issues.
• By March 31, 2022, it decided to resume appointing a Neutral Expert and a Chairman for the Court of Arbitration. However, India has expressed concerns about the parallel consideration of these processes, as it could lead to contradictory rulings and create an unprecedented legal situation.

Kovind Committee’s recommendations for simultaneous elections

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Simultaneous Elections

Why is it in the news?

• The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for holding simultaneous elections in India, as recommended by a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
• These elections would occur in two phases: the first phase will encompass Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, while the second phase, scheduled within 100 days of the first, will cover local body elections.
• The Kovind committee submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu in March, just before the announcement of the Lok Sabha polls.

Legislative Changes Required

• To implement simultaneous elections, the Kovind committee recommended 15 amendments to the Constitution, to be executed through two Constitution Amendment Bills.
• The first bill will address the transition to a simultaneous election system and outline the procedure for fresh elections to the Lok Sabha or state assemblies before their five-year terms expire. This bill can be passed by Parliament without requiring consultation with state governments or ratification by state assemblies.
• The second bill will focus on municipal and panchayat elections and the creation of a Single Electoral Roll by the Election Commission of India (ECI), detailing every voter and their eligible seats. This bill, however, requires the approval of more than half of India’s states due to its subjects falling under state jurisdiction.

Transition to Simultaneous Elections

• The first bill proposes inserting a new article, 82A, into the Constitution which will establish the process for transitioning to simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
• According to the committee’s recommendations, once the President issues a notification on the appointed date, all Legislative Assemblies formed after that date will conclude upon the expiration of the Lok Sabha’s full term.
• The ECI will be responsible for conducting elections for both houses simultaneously, though it may recommend delaying elections for any legislative assembly if necessary.
• Additionally, the bill suggests amending Article 327 to expand Parliament’s power to include the conduct of simultaneous elections, alongside the existing powers related to elections for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state legislatures.

Addressing Premature Dissolution

• The Kovind committee has proposed amendments to clarify the duration of Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The five-year period will be referred to as the “full term,” and if either body is dissolved prematurely, the remaining duration will be termed the “unexpired term.”
• Subsequent assemblies will serve only the unexpired term until the next scheduled simultaneous elections. The report also recommends amending laws related to legislative assemblies in Union Territories to ensure their elections coincide with the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.

Local Body Elections and Electoral Roll

• The second Constitution Amendment Bill includes provisions that necessitate state ratification. It suggests introducing a new article, 324A, empowering Parliament to legislate for simultaneous elections for municipalities and panchayats alongside the general elections.
• Additionally, the committee recommends adding sub-clauses to Article 325 to establish a Single Electoral Roll for all territorial constituencies, covering elections to the Lok Sabha, state legislatures, municipalities, and panchayats.
• This new electoral roll would be prepared by the ECI in consultation with State Election Commissions and would replace any previously prepared rolls. If accepted, the ECI would take the lead in the electoral roll process, with state commissions playing a consultative role.

Pager attack on Hezbollah: A Low-Tech shift in the Israel-Iran conflict

GS 2: International Relations: Israel- Iran Conflict

Why is it in the news?

• On September 17, 2024, a series of blasts across Lebanon targeted the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, resulting in at least nine fatalities, including two fighters and an eight-year-old girl.
• Over 1,000 individuals were injured, leading to widespread chaos and urgent hospitalizations. The Lebanese Information Minister condemned the attack as “Israeli aggression,” while Hezbollah vowed to retaliate.
• The attack’s most surprising aspect was the use of low-tech pagers, communication devices that have largely fallen out of favour. These pagers exploded simultaneously in various locations, catching Hezbollah off guard and raising questions about the implications of such tactics in modern warfare.

An Analysis

• Pagers, or beepers, were popular communication devices in the mid-20th century but have since been overshadowed by smartphones. They operate using radio signals from towers, enabling one-way or two-way communication.
• One-way pagers receive messages but cannot respond, while two-way pagers allow limited interaction. Pagers are known for their reliability, especially in areas with weak cell coverage, making them useful in contexts like healthcare and emergency services.
• Despite their obsolescence, pagers have advantages such as energy efficiency and lower susceptibility to network outages. Their low-tech nature also makes them appealing for covert operations.
• In the context of the Hezbollah attack, pagers offer advantages over modern devices. Pagers are simpler than smartphones and other modern devices, making them less vulnerable to advanced surveillance techniques.
• Lacking GPS and internet connectivity, they minimize risks of location tracking and hacking. Intelligence agencies often depend on digital footprints, but pagers are more challenging to monitor remotely.
• Additionally, pagers utilize radio frequencies, making them more difficult to intercept than cellular or internet-based devices. This characteristic allows for the secure transmission of short, encrypted, or coded messages in sensitive situations.
• With one-way pagers, the risk of detection is further reduced, as these devices do not send responses, complicating efforts by intelligence agencies or adversaries to trace the message’s origin or location.
• Furthermore, their simplicity makes pagers easy to manipulate, which likely contributed to their use in the Hezbollah attack. Pagers can be modified to include circuits that trigger a signal upon receiving a specific message. These adaptations are often employed in covert operations to activate explosives or send alerts discreetly, without drawing immediate attention.
• While it is unclear if pagers have been used in previous attacks, similar remote detonators have been employed in conflicts.
• Armed groups frequently use radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to strike high-profile targets. These systems can trigger explosions remotely and are challenging to trace due to weak signals that blend into background noise.
• The use of pagers in this attack may introduce a new strategy in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Their inconspicuous nature allows for encrypted communication that could evade intelligence scrutiny, resembling elements of espionage. Although Israel has not commented, the operation appears sophisticated.
• Reports indicate the pagers bore the branding of Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese company that denied producing the devices involved. Their founder clarified that a European firm licensed to use their brand manufactured them. Hezbollah had reportedly ordered thousands, believing they would help avoid Israeli tracking.
• As tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah amid ongoing conflicts, this incident may signify a shift in warfare tactics, potentially marking a new phase in their protracted regional conflict.

‘Bio-RIDE’ scheme

GS 3: Science and Technology: Bio-innovation

Why is it in the news?

• The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Department of Biotechnology’s (DBT) two umbrella schemes, merging them into the unified initiative ‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE)’.
• This new scheme introduces a component focused on Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry, with a proposed outlay of Rs. 9,197 crores during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

About the Scheme

• Bio-RIDE encompasses three main components: Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D), Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED), and Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry
• Bio-RIDE aims to foster innovation, promote bio-entrepreneurship, and strengthen India’s global position in biomanufacturing and biotechnology.
• Its objectives include accelerating research, enhancing product development, and bridging the gap between academic research and industrial applications. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s mission to leverage bio-innovation to tackle national and global challenges in healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and clean energy.
• The scheme has several key goals: promoting bio-entrepreneurship through seed funding and mentorship, advancing innovation with grants for cutting-edge research in areas like synthetic biology and bioplastics, and facilitating collaboration between academic institutions and industry to commercialize bio-based products. Additionally, it emphasizes sustainable biomanufacturing practices in line with India’s green goals.
• Bio-RIDE will support researchers through extramural funding for scientific advancements across various fields and will nurture human resources in biotechnology by providing holistic development to students and young researchers. This initiative is set to enhance the skilled workforce in the sector.
• To promote a Circular Bioeconomy, the Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry component aligns with the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)’ initiative, aiming to develop innovative solutions for healthcare, agricultural productivity, and bioeconomy growth.
• The DBT’s ongoing efforts reflect its vision of using biotechnology as a precise tool for national development and societal well-being, aiming for India to achieve a US$300 billion bioeconomy by 2030 and realize the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.
• Further, the DBT, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is committed to promoting excellence and innovation-driven research and entrepreneurship in biotechnology and modern biology.

Four major space projects approved by Cabinet

GS 3: Science and Technology: Space Missions

Why is it in the news?

• The Union Cabinet has approved four major space projects from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), including the upcoming mission to the moon, a mission to Venus, follow-ups to the ongoing Gaganyaan mission, and the establishment of an Indian Space Station.
• These approvals align with the Vision 2047 mapped out by the space agency.

The four major space projects:

1) Venus Mission

• The Venus mission is slated for a launch in March 2028, when Earth and Venus will be closest.
• This will mark India’s second planetary mission, following the Mars Orbiter Mission in 2014.
• The project has been allocated ₹1,236 crore and will involve an orbiter studying the planet’s surface, dust and clouds, volcanism, atmosphere, ionosphere, and its interactions with the sun.

2) Chandrayaan-4 Mission

• The Chandrayaan-4 mission has received approval for ₹2,014 crore over 36 months. This mission will consist of five modules launched across two different missions, aiming to land on the lunar surface, collect samples, store them in a vacuum container, and return them to Earth.
• The mission will also feature docking and undocking manoeuvres- two spacecraft aligning and coming together in orbit- a first for India. The country aims to send humans to the moon by 2040.

3) Gaganyaan Mission

• The Union Cabinet has approved the expansion of the Gaganyaan program to include the construction of the first unit of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).
• This decision involves developing the BAS-1 module and conducting missions to demonstrate and validate various technologies necessary for building and operating the station.
• Originally approved in December 2018, the Gaganyaan program is designed to facilitate human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and lay the groundwork for India’s long-term human space exploration efforts.
• The vision for space during the Amrit Kaal includes the creation of an operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and an Indian Crewed Lunar Mission by 2040.
• As leading space-faring nations invest in developing capabilities for long-duration human space missions, India seeks to position itself competitively in this arena.
• The Gaganyaan program will be a collaborative national effort led by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), involving industry, academia, and other national agencies. Implementation will follow established project management mechanisms within ISRO.
• The program aims to develop and demonstrate critical technologies for long-duration human space missions, with four missions planned under the ongoing Gaganyaan program by 2026, alongside the BAS development and four additional missions for technology validation by December 2028.
• This initiative will enable India to acquire essential technological capabilities for human space missions to Low Earth Orbit.
• The Bharatiya Antariksh Station will serve as a national space-based facility, enhancing microgravity-based scientific research and technology development activities. This will lead to technological spin-offs and foster innovation in key research areas, while increased industrial participation will generate employment in high-tech sectors related to space.
• With an additional funding of ₹11,170 crore, the total funding for the Gaganyaan program, reflecting the revised scope, has been increased to ₹20,193 crore.
• This program will provide unique career opportunities for the youth in science and technology, particularly in microgravity-based research and development, with societal benefits arising from the resulting innovations and technological advancements.

4) Next Generation Launch Vehicle

• The fourth project approved involves the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle, which will enhance ISRO’s launch capability from 10 tons to 30 tons to low Earth orbit at 1.5 times the cost of LVM3, featuring reusability for lower-cost space access and modular green propulsion systems.
• This vehicle is essential for establishing the BAS and will cost ₹8,239 crore, with an estimated completion time of 96 months, aiming for the first launch in 84 months.

Pradhan Mantri-Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA)

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Tribal Welfare

Why is it in the news?

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, which aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities with a total budget of ₹79,156 crore over five years, with a central allocation of ₹56,333 crore and a state share of ₹22,823 crore. 
• This initiative is set to benefit over 5 crore tribal individuals across approximately 63,000 villages in aspirational districts, covering 549 districts and 2,740 blocks across 30 states and Union Territories.

Key features

• The mission seeks to address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihoods for tribal families through saturation coverage.
• It comprises 25 interventions that will be implemented by 17 ministries, with each ministry responsible for specific schemes under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) over the next five years.
• Key objectives of the Abhiyan include developing essential infrastructure, such as pucca housing, access to water supply, and electricity for eligible households. It will also focus on improving village connectivity and mobile access to enhance communication.
• Economic empowerment will be promoted through skill development, entrepreneurship initiatives, and support for tribal home stays to capitalize on tourism potential.
• The initiative emphasizes universal access to quality education by establishing tribal hostels and enhancing educational facilities. In addition, it aims to improve health access through mobile medical units, working toward national standards in infant and maternal mortality rates.
• Special attention will be given to Forest Rights Act (FRA) patta holders, promoting sustainable livelihoods and expediting the processing of pending claims.
• Innovative schemes, such as the establishment of Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs), will enhance the marketing infrastructure for tribal products.
• The Abhiyan builds on the success of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, showcasing a cooperative federalism approach to tribal welfare through comprehensive convergence and outreach efforts.

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan

GS 3: Economy: Farmers’ welfare

About the news

• The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) schemes, which aim to ensure remunerative prices for farmers while controlling the price volatility of essential commodities to benefit consumers.
• The PM-AASHA will now integrate components from the Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), Price Deficit Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
• The extension of the PSF aims to protect consumers from significant price fluctuations in agri-horticultural commodities by maintaining a strategic buffer stock of pulses and onions, which will help deter hoarding and speculation, ensuring affordable supply for consumers.
• As part of the initiative, the Cabinet has also established the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the upcoming rabi season concerning phosphatic and potassic (P and K) fertilizers, with a tentative budgetary requirement of ₹24,475.53 crore.
• The total financial allocation for PM-AASHA during the 15th Finance Commission cycle, up to 2025-26, is projected at ₹35,000 crore.

Govt. to fence Myanmar border at ₹31,000 crore

GS 2: Miscellaneous

About the news

• The Union government has approved ₹31,000 crore to fence the Myanmar border, according to a senior Home Ministry official. This 1,643-km border stretches across the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
• The Cabinet Committee on Security has, in principle, approved the construction of border fencing and roads along the entire 1,643-km International Border with Myanmar. Currently, about 10 km of fencing has been completed near Moreh, with work underway to fence an additional 21 km in other areas of Manipur.
• Earlier this year, the Home Ministry also decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that allowed residents near the border to cross 16 km into each other’s territory without documentation.