91st Amendment & Ceiling on Cabinet

Why in News?

Recently, the High Court of Bombay noted that arguable issues have been raised in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the “lifetime status of the rank of Cabinet minister” according to Pratap Singh Rane, a six-time Chief Minister of Goa and a legislator for a full 50 years.

• The PIL has contended that Goa has a 12-member Cabinet, and the conferment of Cabinet status on Rane results in the number of Cabinet ranks rising to 13, which exceeds the ceiling mandated by the Constitution.
• This limit was set by 91^st Amendment) Act, 2003 to the Indian Constitution.

What is the 91^st Amendment Act?

• The Constitution (91^st Amendment) Act, 2003 inserted clause 1A in Article 164, which says “the total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a State shall not exceed 15% of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State.
  • It also provided that the number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister in a State shall not be less than twelve”.
• Similar amendments were also made under Article 75.
  • According to it, the PM shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the PM.
  • The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the COM shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
• The purpose of the 91^st Amendment was to prevent jumbo Cabinets and the resultant drain on the public exchequer.

What is the Council of Ministers?

• Article 74 of the Constitution deals with the status of the council of ministers while Article 75 deals with the appointment, tenure, responsibility, qualification, oath and salaries and allowances of the ministers.
• The COM consists of three categories of ministers, namely, cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers. At the top of all these ministers stands the Prime Minister.
  • Cabinet Ministers: These head the important ministries of the Central government like home, defense, finance, external affairs and so forth.
    • The Cabinet is the chief policy formulating body of the Central government.
  • Ministers of State: These can either be given independent charge of ministries/ departments or can be attached to cabinet ministers.
  • Deputy Ministers: They are attached to the cabinet ministers or ministers of state and assist them in their administrative, political, and parliamentary duties.

Source: IE

MHA on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its latest annual report for 2020-21, has said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 is a compassionate and ameliorative legislation and does not deprive any Indian of citizenship.

• The CAA, which aims to give citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, was notified on 12^th December 2019, and came into force on 10^th January 2020.
• The legislation evoked widespread protests across the country.

What are Associated Concerns with CAA?

• Targeting a Particular Community: There are apprehensions that the CAA, followed by a country-wide compilation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), will benefit non-Muslims excluded from the proposed citizens’ register, while excluded Muslims will have to prove their citizenship.
• Issues in the North-East: It contradicts the Assam Accord of 1985, which states that illegal migrants, irrespective of religion, heading in from Bangladesh after 25^th March, 1971, would be deported.
  • There are an estimated 20 million illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Assam and they have inalienably altered the demography of the state, besides putting a severe strain on the state’s resources and economy.
• Against Fundamental Rights: Critics argue that it is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution (which guarantees the right to equality and is applicable to both the citizens and foreigners) and the principle of secularism enshrined in the preamble of the constitution.
• Discriminatory in Nature: India has several other refugees that include Tamils from Sri Lanka and Hindu Rohingya from Myanmar. They are not covered under the Act.
• Difficulty in Administration: It will be difficult for the government to differentiate between illegal migrants and those persecuted.
• Hampering Bilateral Ties: The Act throws light on the religious oppression that has happened and is happening in these three countries and thus may worsen our bilateral ties with them

What does MHA Clarified?

• Not Applicable on Indian Citizens: The CAA does not apply to Indian citizens. Therefore, it does not in any way take away or abridge the rights of any Indian citizen.
• Legal Process of Acquiring Indian Citizenship Remain Unchanged: Further, the present legal process of acquiring Indian citizenship by any foreigner of any category as provided in the Citizenship Act,1955 is very much operational and the CAA does not amend or alter this legal position in any manner whatsoever.
  • Hence, legal migrants of any religion from any country will continue to get Indian citizenship once they fulfil the eligibility conditions already provided in the law for registration or naturalization.
• Dealing With Issues of North-east India: The annual report has attempted to once again allay fears in the Northeast over the legislation saying that exclusion of areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and those covered under the Inner Line Permit regime would ensure the protection of indigenous and tribal populations of the region.

Way Forward

• The notification of its rules, without which the law cannot be implemented, continues to be pending with no commitment from the government as to when it will happen.
• Thus, MHA should notify the CAA rules with utmost transparency and clear the apprehensions associated with CAA.

Source: IE

Tamil Nadu Bill on Vice Chancellor in Universities

Why in News?

Recently, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed two Bills that seek to transfer the Governor’s power in appointing Vice-Chancellors (VC) of 13 state universities to the state government.

• Earlier, the Maharashtra and West Bengal Governments have made similar provisions vis-a-vis the governor appointing Vice-Chancellor of the Universities.
• In Karnataka, Jharkhand and Rajasthan, state laws underline the need for concurrence between the state and the Governor.
• The terms “concurrence” or “consultation” are absent from state legislation in most cases.

What are the Highlights of the two Bills?

• The Bills passed in Tamil Nadu stress that “every appointment of the Vice-Chancellor shall be made by the Government from out of a panel of three names” recommended by a search-cum-selection committee.
• Currently, the Governor, in his capacity as the Chancellor of state universities, has the power to pick a VC from the shortlisted names.
• The Bills also seek to empower the state government to have the final word on the removal of VCs, if needed.
• Removal will be carried out based on inquiries by a retired High Court judge or a bureaucrat who has served at least as a Chief Secretary.

What is the UGC’s role in this?

• Education comes under the Concurrent List, but entry 66 of the Union List — “coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions” — gives the Centre substantial authority over higher education.
• The University Grants Commission plays that standard-setting role, even in the case of appointments in universities and colleges.
  • Recently, the University Grants Commission has released Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Education Institutions to offer Joint Degree, Dual Degree, and Twinning Programmes Regulations, 2022.
  • Under these regulations collaborating institutes will be allowed to offer three kinds of programmes — twinning, joint degrees and dual degrees.
• According to the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2018, the “Visitor/Chancellor” — mostly the Governor in states — shall appoint the VC out of the panel of names recommended by search-cum-selection committees.
• Higher educational institutions, particularly those that get UGC funds, are mandated to follow its regulations.
• These are usually followed without friction in the case of central universities but are sometimes resisted by the states in the case of state universities.

What is the view of Judiciary in this matter?

• The Supreme Court in various judgment held that any appointment as a Vice Chancellor contrary to the provisions of the UGC Regulations can be said to be in violation of the statutory provisions, warranting a writ of quo warranto”.
• In case of any conflict between state legislation and central legislation, central legislation shall prevail, as the education’ is in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.

What is the Role of Governors in State Universities?

• In most cases, the Governor of the state is the ex-officio chancellor of the universities in that state.
• While as Governor he functions with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, as Chancellor he acts independently of the Council of Ministers and takes his own decisions on all University matters.
• Case of Central Universities:
  • Under the Central Universities Act, 2009, and other statutes, the President of India shall be the Visitor of a central university.
  • With their role limited to presiding over convocations, Chancellors in central universities are titular heads, who are appointed by the President in his capacity as Visitor.
  • The Vice Chancellor too is appointed by the Visitor from panels of names picked by search and selection committees formed by the Union government.
  • The Act adds that the President, as Visitor, shall have the right to authorize inspections of academic and non-academic aspects of the universities and to institute inquiries.

Source: IE

Harnessing India’s Tech Strength

Why in News?

Recently, an agreement has been signed between CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) and iCreate to harness the country's technological strength.

What are the Highlights of MoU?

• Under the MoU, CSIR and iCreate intend to establish a collaborative support system for promising tech start-ups by making combined resources available for entrepreneurs and innovators in the country.
• The partnership will also catalyse scientific innovation and the marketability of high-tech start-ups.
  • Fintech, neobanks, and e-commerce players make the most of the digital environment and their enterprise can leverage it to the fullest as well and ride the digital boom.
• Further, iCreate will help set up new incubators at identified CSIR labs.
  • Such start-ups will access CSIR's equipment, facilities, and scientific manpower.
• CSIR will provide intellectual property support and explore methods of financially supporting innovative start-ups from India to boost emerging entrepreneurs.
• iCreate will also leverage its deep industry connections and market linkages to identify real needs that can be addressed through scientific innovation by CSIR scientists.
  • It will thus lead to faster commercialisation of the innovations coming out of CSIR.

What is the State of Start-ups in India?

• About:
  • Today, India is the third largest start-up ecosystem globally (by number of start-ups) with more than 15,000 start-ups established in 2020, up from 5000 in 2010.
  • The underlying enablers of this startup ecosystem include smartphone and internet penetration, cloud computing, application programming interfaces (APIs), and a national payments stack in place.
  • Additionally, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, India has witnessed more number of Unicorn startups (startups having valuation of over USD1 billion) in just 2021 than it did in the period 2011-20.
  • However, still there are many challenges (Building and Scaling an Indian Startup, Diversity and the Digital Divide, Complex Regulatory Environment) that act as a hindrance in realizing the true potential of startups in India.
• Other Related Initiatives:
  • Ranking of States on Support to Startup Ecosystems: It is an evolved evaluation tool aimed to strengthen the support of States and UTs to holistically build their startup ecosystems.
  • SCO Startup Forum: The first-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum was launched in October 2020 to develop and improve startup ecosystems collectively.
  • Prarambh: The ‘Prarambh’ Summit aims to provide a platform to the startups and young minds from around the world to come up with new ideas, innovation and invention.
  • Startup India Seed Fund Scheme: It aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialization.
  • Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge: The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying In association with Startup India, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry inaugurated the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge.

Source: PIB

Perseverance Rover Captures Eclipse on Mars

Why in News?

Recently, NASA’s (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Perseverance Rover has captured a solar eclipse on Mars.

• Perseverance Mars rover captured an eclipse featuring Phobos, one of Mars' two moons. Phobos is moving very slowly towards Mars, and millions of years from now, they will collide.
• These observations can help scientists better understand the moon’s orbit and how its gravity pulls on the Martian surface, ultimately shaping the Red Planet’s crust and mantle.

What is Perseverance Rover?

• About:
  • Perseverance is the most advanced, most expensive and most sophisticated mobile laboratory sent to Mars.
  • It is different from previous missions because it is capable of drilling and collecting core samples of the most promising rocks and soils and setting them aside in a "cache" on the surface of Mars.
  • It is the centerpiece of NASA's Mars 2020 mission which also included the small robotic and coaxial helicopter Ingenuity.
• Launch: 30^th July 2020
• Landing: 18^th February 2021
• Power Source:
  • A Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) which converts heat from the natural radioactive decay of plutonium (Plutonium Dioxide) into electricity.
• Objectives:
  • Perseverance’s primary objective is looking for signs of ancient microbial life.
  • The rover is studying and analyzing the Red Planet's regolith, rock and dust, and is the first rover to collect and cache samples.

What is Mars?

• Size and Distance:
  • It is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System.
  • Mars is about half the size of Earth.
• Similarity to the Earth (Orbit and Rotation):
  • As Mars orbits the Sun, it completes one rotation every 24.6 hours, which is very similar to one day on Earth (23.9 hours).
  • Mars' axis of rotation is tilted 25 degrees with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. This is similar with Earth, which has an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees.
  • Like Earth, Mars has distinct seasons, but they last longer than seasons on Earth since Mars takes longer to orbit the Sun (because it's farther away).
  • Martian days are called sols—short for ‘solar day’.
• Surface:
  • It has colors such as brown, gold and tan. The reason Mars looks reddish is due to oxidation or rusting of iron in the rocks, and dust of Mars. Hence it is also called Red Planet.
  • Mars has the largest volcano in the solar system i.e. Olympus Mons. It's three times taller than Earth's Mt. Everest with a base the size of the state of New Mexico.
• Atmosphere:
  • Mars has a thin atmosphere made up mostly of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon gases.
• Magnetosphere:
  • Mars has no magnetic field till date, but areas of the Martian crust in the southern hemisphere are highly magnetized, indicating traces of a magnetic field.
• Moons:
  • Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, that may be captured asteroids.

Source: DTE

Forest Fires Reducing Solar Power Production

Why in News?

A new study by Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) and National Observatory of Athens (NOA), Greece has found that Forest Fires can reduce solar power production in India.

• The scientists used remote sensing data for the research and studied the impact of aerosols and clouds on the solar energy potential over the Indian region with extensive analysis and model simulations.
• Large-scale development of a solar energy system requires proper planning, and there is a need to estimate the solar potential.
• ARIES is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology and is located in Nainital (Uttarakhand). 

What are the Findings?

• Several factors like clouds, aerosols, and pollution generated from various sources limit the solar irradiance causing performance issues in the photovoltaic and concentrated solar power plant installations.
• Apart from clouds and aerosols, forest fires play a very crucial role in reducing solar energy production.
• The findings of the present study will drastically increase the awareness among decision-makers about the effect of forest fires on energy management and planning at a country level.
• In addition, this research can support the mitigation processes and policies for climate change and its direct and indirect impacts on sustainable development.
• Such analysis of the energy and financial losses due to the direct and indirect effects of forest fires on the production of solar plants can help grid operators to plan and schedule power generation, as also the distribution, supply, security, and overall stability of power production.

Source: PIB

World Immunization Week 2022

Why in News?

Recently, World Immunization Week 2022 was celebrated from 24^th to 30^th April 2022.

• The theme of 2022 is Long Life for All and it aims to unify people around the idea that vaccines make it possible for us to follow our dreams, protect our loved ones and live a long, healthy life.

What is World Immunization Week?

• World Immunization Week is a health campaign coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and celebrated in the last week of April, every year.
• It aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.
• Immunization saves millions of lives and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions.
• Yet, there are still nearly 20 million unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in the world today.

Why Does Immunization Matter Now More Than Ever?

• For over 200 years, vaccines have protected us against diseases that threaten lives and prohibit our development.
  • For more than two centuries, vaccines have helped keep people healthy—from the very first vaccine developed to protect against smallpox to the newest vaccines used to prevent severe cases of Covid-19.
• With their help, we can progress without the burden of diseases like smallpox and polio, which cost humanity hundreds of millions of lives.
  • Vaccines themselves continue to advance, bringing us closer to a world free from the likes of tuberculosis and cervical cancer, and ending suffering from childhood diseases like tetanus and measles.

How does Vaccine Work?

• Vaccines train the immune system to create antibodies, just as it does when it’s exposed to a disease.
  • This is because vaccines contain only killed or weakened forms of germs, they do not cause the disease or put you at risk of its complications.
• Vaccines are given at different ages, from birth to childhood and to maintain this record a vaccination card is given.
  • It is important to make sure that all these vaccines are up to date.
• Children can safely be given combined vaccinations (e.g., for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) — it means fewer injections and reduced discomfort for the child.
• Vaccines can cause mild side effects, such as a low-grade fever, pain or redness at the injection site. Mild reactions go away within a few days on their own.
  • Severe or long-lasting side effects are extremely rare.
• Vaccines can safely be given during any mild illnesses. But children with moderate or severe illness with or without fever may need to wait until they are better to get the dose.

Source: IE

Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari campaign

Why in News?

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare of India will conduct ‘Fasal Bima Pathshala’ under ‘Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Campaign’ as a Jan Bhagidari movement.

What is the Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari campaign?

• About:
  • Under the campaign all Implementing Insurance Companies will organize ‘PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana)- Fasal Bima Pathshala’ at Block/Gram Panchayat/village on all 7 days of the campaign period with participation of at least 100 farmers.
  • The detailed information on crop loss intimations during localized calamities and post-harvest losses, tracking of farmers’ application, whom farmers can approach for grievance redressal etc. may be shared and explained in detail to farmers for maximum benefit of the scheme.
• Objectives:
  • It aims to make the farmers aware of key scheme aspects of PMFBY like basic scheme provisions, importance of ensuring the crops and how to avail scheme benefits etc. in the ongoing Kharif Season 2022 along with facilitating farmers in getting benefit of the PMFBY scheme.
  • The broader focus will be on the importance of PMFBY/RWBCIS (Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme) and how farmers can enroll under the scheme and avail the benefit of the scheme.

Source: PIB