Daily Current Affairs 23 September 2023 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 23 September 2023 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Indian Prisoners’ Situation: Prison Reforms Conditions and Infrastructure

Source Prison Reforms Conditions and Infrastructure: Hindustan Times
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Overview

1. Prison Reforms, Conditions and Infrastructure
2. The finding of the committee

Why in the News?

Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs on prisoners while tabling the report in the Rajya Sabha named Parliamentary panel report on Prison Reforms, Conditions and Infrastructure

Details of Prison Reforms Conditions and Infrastructure

• Standing committee, headed by Rajya Sabha member Brij Lal.
• The report named as Prison Reforms, Conditions and Infrastructure.
• The 31-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs prepared the report after six meetings.
• The interaction and reports received from prison officials across the country.

Education

• Nearly 65 per cent of the 554,034 prisoners across India are either illiterate or have education below Class 10.
• 10.59 per cent of the prisoners hold a graduate degree or higher qualification, 25.21 per cent are illiterate, and 40.16 per cent have education levels below Class 10.
• It suggests the higher the educational level, the lower the chance of committing a crime.

Undertrial Prisoners

• 70 per cent of prisoners in Indian jails were undertrials.
• They had not been released due to their inability to pay fines.
• It proposed that a fund be created in all states to aid these indigent prisoners in paying their surety amounts.

Bailed Prisoners

• The committee also recommended the use of bracelets or ankle trackers for those who secured bail, a practice already adopted by the Odisha government.
• According to the committee, this measure could address concerns about undertrials influencing witnesses, leaving the country, or committing another crime.
• Also, ease the burden on overcrowded prisons and the resources required to maintain them.

Age Group

• The report highlighted that 51.2 per cent of convicted prisoners were in the age group of 30 to 50 years
• This is followed by 28.4 per cent in the range of 18 to 30 years.
• Among undertrial prisoners, the majority (47.9 per cent) are in the age group of 18 to 30 years, and 41 per cent between 30 and 50 years.
• The percentage of convicts and undertrials above the age of 50 stands at 20.4 per cent and 11.1 per cent, respectively.

Women Prisoners

• The standing committee has also recommended that women prisoners be allowed to live with their children until the latter attain the age of 12.
• Currently, prisons across the country allow women inmates to keep their children only till the age of six.

Transgender Inmates

• For transgender inmates, the committee recommended separate infrastructure facilities for them.
• Separate barracks or wards may be ensured for transmen and transwomen.
• To preserve their right to privacy and dignity, there should also be provision for separate toilets and bathing facilities for such prisoners.
• Most jails follow the practice of lodging transgender prisoners in women’s jails.
• When transgender inmates are brought to prison, a doctor of their choice should be assigned to identify their gender.
  • Prison officials should not be allowed to identify the gender of the inmate.

Prisoners Count

• Despite various initiatives to reduce the inmate population, India currently houses over half a million prisoners, exceeding its total prison capacity of 425,000.
• The report identified that Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Haryana together accounted for more than 50 per cent of the country’s total prisoner population.
• According to records, of the 554,034 prison inmates across the country, 531,025 are male, 22,918 female and 91 are transgenders.

Over Crowding

• The problem of overcrowding in Indian prisons is mostly because of a very large number of undertrial prisoners’ population.
• The national average occupancy rate in prisons across the country is still 130.2 per cent, with 77.1 per cent of all the prisoners in the country being undertrials.
• Ministry of Home Affairs that the government of India has taken many steps to address the issue of overcrowding in prisons such as inserting
  • Section 436A in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
  • Plea bargaining
  • Making legal provisions of the Legal Services Authority Act for providing free legal aid
  • Conducting awareness camps through the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)

Mobile usage

• Admitting that mobile phones in prisons are a potential hazard for maintaining peace and order.
• Phones can be used in gang activity in prisons
• Parliamentary Committee report on Home Affairs has asked the Home Ministry to install technologically upgraded jammers that are able to block all signals from 2G to 5G in all prisons.
• Many state prisoners have no jammers installed.
• Those prisons have jammers who are not capable of blocking the latest 2G and 3G bands.
• The State government of Tamil Nadu informed the Committee that the Tower for Harmonious Call Blocking System (T-HCBS) which is being installed in their prisons is one of the best practices for blocking phone calls.

All-India Jail-Cadre of Union Territories

• The jail staff belonging to the UTs needs to be transferred rotationally from one jail of UT to the other.
• The committee recommends that the Government of India shall create an all-India Jail-Cadre of Union Territories.
• The committee noted there is no exclusive transfer policy in the state prison departments.

Young Offenders

• Young offenders should be given by the Home Ministry.
• Along with a common guideline for all states, describing the procedure to govern them.

GST Exemption

• Exempting products made by jail inmates from GST will boost their competitiveness and sales.
• Making them available online will not only create awareness among people about the work done by prisoners but will also bring about a positive outcome for their reforms.

Budget Allocation

• According to Prison Statistics India 2021, the total Budget allocation for all prisons in the country for 2021- 22 stood at 7,619.2 crore.
• The actual expenditure amounted to 6,727.3 crore, which was 88.3 per cent of the total.
• A sum of 2,106.86 crore, 31.3 per cent of the total annual expenditure for the financial year.
• It was spent on inmates’ food, clothing, medical care, vocational training, and welfare activities.

Best Practices Identified

• Adopted by Tamil Nadu where prisoners are allowed to meet and touch their family members, which will enable inmates to cope with loneliness and stress.
• In Tihar Jail, inmates are allowed to meet their family members twice a week, happen in a room where they are separated by a glass enclosure. 
  • Their family speak to each other using an intercom device.
• Assam’s “Ashirvad Anusthan” scheme
  • Allows children of convicts to meet their parents physically and take their blessing before going for an interview or examination in school/college.

About the Parliamentary Committee

• A group of MPs known as a Parliamentary Committee is one that is either appointed, elected, or suggested by the Speaker or Chair of the House.
• The committee operates under the chairmanship of the Speaker and submits its findings to the Speaker or to the House.
• The British Parliament is where the concept of a parliamentary committee first emerged.
• Parliamentary committees are of two kinds
  • Standing Committees
    • The Standing Committees are permanent and work on a continuous basis.
  • Ad Hoc Committees
    • Committees are temporary and cease to exist on completion of the task assigned to them.
• Chairperson
  • Each committee has a chairperson who is a senior MP selected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
  • The chairperson is typically from the ruling party or coalition in the Lok Sabha.
• Confidentiality
  • The proceedings of these committees are usually confidential.
  • This allows members to have frank discussions and evaluate issues without political pressure or public scrutiny.

India Canada Relation

Source: PIB
GS II: International Relation

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. India Canada Relation

Why in the News?

With Canada being seen as going soft on Khalistani extremists amid strained relations with India, the proKhalistan radicals in Punjab and outside the country could get spurred, even as the movement finds little support in the State.

• Yet, the demand keeps resurfacing through a minuscule section of the Sikh diaspora.

India Canada Relation

• The current political and law enforcement situation in the state of Punjab is causing concern among observers.
• They fear that if Canada allows anti-India activities under the guise of freedom of expression, it could embolden radical elements and pose a significant threat to Punjab.
• This is especially concerning since the state shares a border with a hostile nation – Pakistan.
• Over the past two years, there has been a noticeable increase in Khalistan-linked incidents in Punjab and the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh.

India Canada Relation

• India-Canada relations encompass various aspects, including trade, investment, education, and people-to-people ties.
• India and Canada share diplomatic relations that have evolved and strengthened over the years.

Trade and Economic Relations

• Bilateral Trade Volume: In 2019, the total bilateral trade between India and Canada was approximately USD 8 billion.
• Export to Canada: India’s major exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, machinery, textiles, and vehicles.
• Import from Canada: India imports natural resources from Canada, including minerals, ores, aluminium, and fertilizers.

Investment

• Indian Investments in Canada: Indian companies have made investments in Canada across various sectors, including information technology, pharmaceuticals, and natural resources. Notable Indian companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys have a presence in Canada.
• Canadian Investments in India: Canadian companies have also invested in India, primarily in sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and information technology.

Education and People-to-People Ties

• Indian Students in Canada: Canada is a preferred destination for Indian students pursuing higher education. As of 2019, there were over 200,000 Indian students studying in Canada.
• Indian Diaspora: The Indian diaspora in Canada is estimated to be around 1.6 million people. It is a significant and influential community contributing to Canada’s multicultural fabric.

Strategic Partnership

• Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: India and Canada have cooperated in counter-terrorism efforts and intelligence sharing to combat global terrorism.
• Climate Change and Clean Energy: Both countries share an interest in addressing climate change. They collaborate on renewable energy projects and environmental protection initiatives.

Challenges

• Trade Disputes: There have been trade disputes, particularly related to tariffs on agricultural products like pulses, where India imposed tariffs on Canadian lentils and chickpeas.
• Visa and Immigration Issues: Challenges related to visas and immigration policies have occasionally affected people-to-people exchanges and business ties.

Future Prospects

• Technology and Innovation: Both India and Canada are exploring opportunities to enhance cooperation in emerging sectors, including technology, innovation, and healthcare.
• Global Leadership: Both countries aspire to play a more significant role in global affairs and are actively engaged in discussions on United Nations reforms and other international forums.

Khalisthan Issue

• Diaspora Activism
  • The Khalistan movement received support from some sections of the Sikh diaspora, primarily in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
  • This led to diplomatic challenges in managing relations with these countries.
• Counter-Narrative
  • India had to engage in diplomatic efforts to counter the Khalistan narrative and promote a positive image of Sikh contributions to the country.

Annual Review of ESIC

Source: Business Standard
GS II: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About the Parliamentary Committee

Why in the News?

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour has told the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to review its investment policy annually without fail.

News in Brief

• This comes as interest received by the social security body from government bonds has seen a decline in the past few years.
• The committee noted that the interest received on government securities, which includes government bonds and state developmental loans, declined to 4,711 crore in 2021-22 from 5,115 crore in 2020- 21.
• Similarly, the interest received on bank fixed deposits and special deposit accounts (SDA), declined to 1,290 crore in 2021-22 from  4,075.48 crore in 2019-20.
• It includes fixed deposits (FD) of scheduled commercial banks and AAA-rated public sector undertakings (PSUs) bonds.

Total Investment and corpus fund

• Up to February 2023, the ESIC’s total investment amount has increased by about twofold over the previous six years, from around 60,000 in March 2017 to nearly 1.33 trillion.
• ESIC had allocated nearly 84,118 crores (or 74% of its total investment) to government securities (Gsec, state development loans, government guaranteed and government serviced bonds), 23,401 crores (or 21% of its total investment) to ‘AAA-rated’ PSU bonds, and roughly 6,330 crores (or 5% of its total investment) to short-term debt instruments.
• The ESI corpus is financed by payments totalling 4% of the income of employees making up to 21,000 per month, with employers contributing 3.25 % of the salary and the remaining amount withdrawn from employees’ pay.
• The ESI program has 31 million insured people and about 120 million beneficiaries as of 2021–2022.

About the Parliamentary Committee

• A group of MPs known as a Parliamentary Committee is one that is either appointed, elected, or suggested by the Speaker or Chair of the House.
• The committee operates under the chairmanship of the Speaker and submits its findings to the Speaker or to the House.
• The British Parliament is where the concept of a parliamentary committee first emerged.
• Parliamentary committees are of two kinds
  • Standing Committees
    • The Standing Committees are permanent and work on a continuous basis.
  • Ad Hoc Committees
    • Committees are temporary and cease to exist on completion of the task assigned to them.
• Chairperson
  • Each committee has a chairperson who is a senior MP selected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
  • The chairperson is typically from the ruling party or coalition in the Lok Sabha.
• Confidentiality
  • The proceedings of these committees are usually confidential.
  • This allows members to have frank discussions and evaluate issues without political pressure or public scrutiny.

Brucella Canis in Dogs

Source Brucella Canis: News 18
GS II: Health

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About BrucellaCanis

Why in the News?

Three residents in the UK caught a disease that usually affects dogs.

News in Brief

• Since the summer of 2020, there has been a rise in the number of cases of Brucella canis infection in dogs.
• It is believed that the majority of these cases have been directly imported into the UK from Eastern Europe.
• It is worth noting that there have been no cases of human-to-human transmission yet, although it could be possible through blood transfusion.
• In 2020, there were only nine cases of this infection in dogs, but by 2023, the number had risen to 91.
• It is reassuring to know that there have been no fatal cases reported in humans so far.

About Brucella Canis

• Brucella canis is a bacterial infection that leads to pain and infertility in dogs and spreads through contact with an infected animal’s fluids.
• The disease is incurable and lifelong for dogs infected with the disease.
• Brucella canis is a bacterium that can infect dogs, leading to canine brucellosis.
• Infected dogs should be isolated, and strict biosecurity measures should be in place, particularly in breeding facilities or kennels.

Impact on humans

• The disease is mild in humans but has the potential to cause meningitis and septicemia.
• In the case of humans, it can usually be treated with antibiotics.
• People who have weakened immune systems, are pregnant or are young children may be more likely to experience more serious infections.

Key points about Brucella canis in dogs

• Bacterial Infection
  • Brucella canis is one of several species of the Brucella genus that can infect animals, including dogs.
• Transmission
  • Dogs typically become infected with Brucella canis through contact with infected body fluids, such as urine, vaginal secretions, or placental tissues from infected dogs.
  • This bacterium is highly contagious among dogs, and transmission can occur through mating, direct contact, or contaminated environments.
• Clinical Signs
  • Canine brucellosis can manifest in various ways, and some infected dogs may not show any clinical signs.
  • Common symptoms may include lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, fever, and reproductive issues such as infertility, abortions, or stillbirths in female dogs.
  • Male dogs may develop testicular inflammation and swelling.
• Chronic Infection
  • Brucella canis infections in dogs can become chronic, and infected dogs may shed the bacteria intermittently throughout their lives.
  • This makes control and eradication challenging.
• Zoonotic Risk
  • While Brucella canis primarily affects dogs, it is a zoonotic pathogen, meaning it can potentially infect humans.
  • People can become infected through close contact with infected dogs or their bodily fluids.
  • It can cause flu-like symptoms in humans and can be a serious health concern, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems.
• Diagnosis
  • Diagnosis of canine brucellosis typically involves a combination of clinical signs, serological tests (blood tests), and sometimes bacterial culture.
  • Confirmatory testing is essential due to the potential public health risk.
• Treatment
  • Treating Brucella canis infection in dogs can be challenging.
  • While antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline are used, they may not completely eliminate the infection, and long-term treatment and monitoring are often required.
  • Infected dogs should be isolated to prevent transmission to other animals.
• Prevention
  • Preventing Brucella canis infection involves strict biosecurity measures, including regular testing and culling of infected animals in breeding facilities.
  • It is also essential to prevent contact between infected and uninfected dogs.
• Regulatory Measures
  • Many countries have regulations and testing requirements for the import and export of dogs to control the spread of Brucella canis.
  • Dogs that test positive may be denied entry or subjected to quarantine measures.

Retreating Monsoon

Source for Retreating Monsoon: Hindustan Times
GS I: Geography

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Impact on Crops
3. About Retreating Monsoon
4. In summary

Why in the News?

The monsoon will begin withdrawing from west Rajasthan around September 25, roughly 8 days later than when it usually begins receding,

• A recent surge in rains has cut a 10% deficiency in precipitation at the end of August to 6%.

News in Brief

• The withdrawal or Retreating Monsoon from western Rajasthan typically begins on September 17.
• Across the next five days, there is a likelihood that there will be less rainfall across northwest and neighbouring west-central India.
• Rain between June 1 and September 22 at 780.3 mm has been 6 per cent less than normal.
• The rainy season followed an uneven pattern this year.
• It arrived late and then didn’t pick up in a big way,
• This led to almost a 9 per cent shortfall in June.
• Then when it gathered pace, it poured and precipitation in July was a surplus of 13 per cent.

Impact on Crops

• This pushed up the sowing of Kharif crops and eased concern about water stress for the crops planted.
• It is believed to have helped the standing sugarcane and pulses crops in Maharashtra and Karnataka and the oilseeds crop in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. In eastern India it helped paddy.
• Till September 22, kharif crops were sown in around 110.29 million hectares, which is 0.34 per cent more than the area covered during the same period last year and 0.70 per cent more than the normal acreage (which is the average acreage of the last five years).
• Rice acreage, which was lagging till the end of July, picked up strongly from August after the rains revived over eastern parts of the country.

About Retreating Monsoon

The retreating monsoon, also known as the northeast monsoon or post-monsoon season, is a weather phenomenon that occurs in the Indian subcontinent and some surrounding regions. It marks the transition from the wet monsoon season to the dry season.

Key features and characteristics of the retreating monsoon

• Timing
  • Occurs from approximately September to November in the Indian subcontinent.
  • It is the reverse of the onset of the southwest monsoon, which typically arrives in June.
• Direction of Winds
  • During this season, the prevailing winds reverse their direction.
  • In the southwest monsoon, moist air is drawn from the Indian Ocean towards the landmass.
  • In the retreating monsoon, the winds flow from the landmass back towards the Indian Ocean.
• Rainfall Pattern
  • The retreating monsoon is associated with decreasing rainfall across the Indian subcontinent.
  • As the southwest monsoon withdraws, areas that receive heavy rainfall during the wet season experience a reduction in precipitation.
• Northeast Monsoon
  • In some regions of India, particularly the southeastern coastal areas and the northeastern states, the retreating monsoon is often referred to as the northeast monsoon.
  • This is because these regions receive significant rainfall during this period due to moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal.
• Crop Harvesting
  • The retreating monsoon coincides with the harvesting of many crops, such as rice and cotton, in India.
  • Farmers rely on the monsoon rains for irrigation during the wet season, but during the retreating monsoon, they often use stored water reserves for irrigation.
• Weather Conditions
  • As the monsoon retreats, temperatures in many parts of India begin to drop, and humidity levels decrease.
  • This transition period can be characterized by cooler and drier weather.
  • The temperature drops with clear skies as a result of reduced clouds.
  • The pressure gradient becomes low.
  • Tamil Nadu and northeast India receive abundant rainfall during this period.
  • Reduced humidity in the region will be experienced.
• Cyclones
  • The season can also bring the risk of cyclones and tropical storms, particularly in coastal areas.
  • These storms are fueled by the temperature differences between the landmass and the warm ocean waters.
• Variability
  • The timing and intensity can vary from year to year.
  • Factors like El Niño and La Niña events in the Pacific Ocean can influence monsoon patterns and impact the retreating monsoon’s behaviour.
• Impact on Water Resources
  • The critical period for replenishing water resources, including groundwater aquifers and reservoirs, which are essential for agriculture and drinking water supply in India.

In summary

• The retreating monsoon is a significant seasonal change in the Indian subcontinent’s climate.
• Marking the end of the wet monsoon season and the transition to drier and cooler conditions.
• It plays a crucial role in agriculture, water management, and weather patterns in the region.

Mukhyamantri Jan Awas Yojana

Source Mukhyamantri Jan Awas Yojana: Business Standard
GS II: Government Scheme

Overview

1. About Mukhyamantri Jan Awas Yojana

Why in the News?

A new housing scheme for urban residents was introduced by the Madhya Pradesh government.

About the Scheme

• A scheme will be introduced to build houses in urban areas of the state.
• Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced this at a public meeting in Indore.
• Under the scheme, residents of the state would be able to build houses on their plots with help from the state government.
•  People who were ineligible for the PM Awas Yojana or those who could not get a house due to some reason will be able to apply for this scheme.
• The eligibility conditions of this scheme will also be similar to other housing schemes.
• To apply for it, the age of the applicant should be 18 years or more.
• The person cannot have any permanent house in his/her name.
• People below the poverty line or whose annual income is less than 2.5 lakh are eligible for this scheme.

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