Cluster Bomb use

Why in the News?

The US has decided to send cluster munitions or cluster bombs as a part of the new military aid package to Ukraine for its war efforts against Russia.

Cluster bombs:

1. Cluster munitions or cluster bombs are weapons that

• Releases multiple explosive submunitions/ bomblets into the air.
• Explodes as soon as they hit the ground and kills and injures people.
• The vast majority of cluster munitions are free-falling i.e., they are not individually guided towards a target.
• High dud rate i.e., the bomblets may not blow up instantly and can remain dormant for years, causing grave threat to civilian population including women and children for a long time.

2. Cluster bombs have a notorious history
   1. Second World War
   2. Wars of US involved in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
   3. Russia has been using cluster bombs ever since the start of Russia-Ukraine war targeting cities like Kharkiv resulting in deaths of hundreds of civilian population and property.
3. Cluster Munition Monitor (CMM) reports that around 56,000-86,000 people have died in cluster-munition affected countries since 1960s.

Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), 2008:

1. Article 1 of CCM: Bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster bombs.
2. Mandates the member countries to destroy the existing stockpile of cluster munitions in their possessions.
3. Member countries are legally bound to establish a ‘Victim Assistance Programme’ to provide rehabilitation support to cluster bomb victims in their jurisdiction.
4. 112 countries have acceded to the CCM including many NATO countries like Canada, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
5. But important countries like the US, Russia, China, Israel and India have not signed the CCM.

Will CCM be applicable to non-member states of Ukraine and Russia?

The notion that non-Signatories of CCM are not bound by the law banning cluster bombs is incorrect.

1. The Customary International Law (CIL) is applicable to all countries
   1. The CIL norm is that use of force must be discriminate i.e., a distinction has to be made between civilian population and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives.
   2. The CIL norm is codified in Article 51A of Additional protocol to the Geneva conventions to which both Russia and Ukraine are members.
   3. The indiscriminate usage of cluster bombs is against the objectives mentioned in CIL and Geneva conventions; hence it is illegal.
2. International humanitarian law of Proportionality.
   1. Codified in Article 5 (5) of Additional protocol of Geneva conventions
   2. This prohibits the excessive use of force which causes incidental damage to the civilian population or civilian objects when compared to the military benefits anticipated.
   3. The use of cluster bombs is indiscriminate, harming civilians and amounts to disproportionate use of force, its use becomes illegal.
3. US is not in violation of any international in spite of supplying cluster bombs to Ukraine,
   1. US cluster bombs are unlike Russian made ones because of its low dud rate and hence prospects of unexploded bomblets are bleak.
   2. Thus, the use of force can be termed as proportionate and discriminate.

However, US is engaged in an irresponsible act by supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine.

The use of Cluster munitions has to be banned universally as envisaged by the Convention on Cluster Munitions with the support of all UN-member countries by acceding to the CCM for eradication of the use of cluster bombs.

Link: Stop the fence-sitting in cluster bomb use - The Hindu

Jeddah Conference on the Russia-Ukraine War

Why in the News?

The Jeddah conference on the Ukraine war was held in Saudi Arabia recently to formulate a peace plan in the crisis-ridden region.

Jeddah conference:

1. It was attended by more than 42 countries excluding Russia, which was not invited for the conference.
2. The main aim of the conference was to build a consensus among major powers especially Global South to work on a fair and durable peace plan.
3. China which stayed away from the Copenhagen conference, a precursor to the Jeddah talks, participated in the Jeddah conference.
4. India, South Africa and China – all three countries which maintains good relationship with Russia despite the ongoing war, participated in the conference.
5. India’s presence was upgraded from its Secretary in Copenhagen to its National security Advisor Ajit Doval in the Jeddah conference.
6. The talks’ part of the plan was to
   1. Maintain Ukraine's integrity
   2. Cease fire on all fronts
   3. Launch peace talks under UN supervision
   4. Exchange prisoners.

Outcomes of the Jeddah Talks:

1. China claimed that the “Sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries” must be effectively upheld and also backed the security concerns of Russia. It called for a ‘political settlement’ for the ongoing issue.
2. China’s presence in the Jeddah talks signals possible shifts in Beijing's approach though it has not condemned Russia for the invasion of war.
3. The 10-point peace formula of Zelenskiy received more support than in Copenhagen.

What can be done?

1. Political settlement of the current crisis situation
   1. There has been no military solution since the war began, with Russia is struggling to cope with the war effects (sanctions) and still far from meeting its war objectives while Ukraine has not achieved any major breakthrough in spite of the western aid in arms and ammunition.
   2. The Maximalist positions of the two countries has led to a stalemate in proceeding with direct talks.

• Russia demands recognition of the annexed Ukrainian territories including those areas not occupied by its military forces
• Ukraine demands complete withdrawal of Russia from all the occupied territories

2. The international community especially the Ukraine’s western supporters, neutral developing powers and Russia’s close partners can help in building consensus between the two countries by agreeing on a common forum for talks.

What has been India’s position in the Ukraine-Russia War?

1. India has not condemned the actions of Russia’s attack on Ukraine even after pressure from the western countries for the passage of UN Resolution.
2. The Indian Prime Minister issued a statement that “This is not an era of war”
3. Convinced the Western nations that India cannot be pushed to condemn Russia for the War in Ukraine especially through State visits to Denmark, Norway and Sweden and second India-Nordic summit at Copenhagen.
4. India has been continuously engaging in discussions with the warring sides, Ukraine’s Jeddah peace plan participation along with increasing trade relations with Russia.
5. India is also drawing like-minded countries for fostering dialogue and diplomacy to sort out the Ukraine crisis.

Link: Chasing consensus: The Hindu Editorial on Jeddah conference and ending the Ukraine-Russia conflict - The Hindu

Patience is key: India's mantra to sort out Ukraine war- The New Indian Express

Seeds for Growth

Gap between potential and achievable food productivity in India:

1. Reasons for the gap in productivity especially in grain crops and vegetables:
   • High cost of production
   • Uncertain monsoon
   • Deterioration of soil fertility
   • Subsistence nature of farming
   • Increasing population year-on-year thus increasing the demand
   • Non-availability of quality seeds that lowers the potential of productivity
2. Demand for food grains is not met due to:
   • Ever-changing consumption and dietary patterns
   • Unaffordability to a large scale of population leading to large under/malnourished population (19.3% child wasting)

The Indian Seed Industry:

1. National seeds Corporation established in 1960s
   1. It is a Schedule ‘B’-Miniratna Category-I company wholly owned by Government of India.
   2. It functions under the administrative control of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
   3. It involves in production of certified seeds of nearly 567 varieties of 78 crops consisting of Cereals, Pulses, oilseeds, Fiber, Fodder, Green Manure and Vegetables, in its Farms and through its registered seed growers
   4. It produces 1.5 lakh tons of seed per year.
2. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001
   1. Breeders’ Rights: Breeders will have exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import or export the protected variety
   2. Researchers’ Rights: Researcher can use any of the registered variety under the Act for conducting experiment or research but repeated use of a variety needs prior permission.
   3. Farmers’ Rights: A farmer who has evolved or developed a new variety is entitled for registration and protection in like manner as a breeder of a variety.

3. Release of Bt cotton hybrids for commercial cultivation in 2002
4. Climate-resilient nutrient rich and suite to sustainable agriculture shall involve the cultivation of millets.
   1. India is the global leader in the millet production
   2. Millets especially minor millets having improved varieties can capture the global market.

Seed technology:

Introduction of Seed technology shall help in various manner:

1. Maximize the availability of seeds
2. Improve the quality of the seeds
3. Can help the seeds to perform well under a range of different conditions including biotic and abiotic stressors.
4. Increases the overall productivity
5. High input use efficiency.
6. Can lower the input cost of seeds, thus increasing affordability.

The seed technology comprises of:

1. Genetic manipulation in variety development
2. Priming or Physiological advancement protocols
   1. Ensures that seeds perform well under a wide range of growing conditions.
   2. Perfectly suits Agro-eco-regions that frequently experience moisture, temperature and other abiotic stressors or pest attacks.
3. Film coating, pelleting with or without active formulations
   1. The film coating shall involve pesticidal formulations that can provide better protection during germination and vegetative growth stages.
4. Seed treatments with biologicals or chemical pesticides having contact or systemic mode of action
5. Bio stimulants and nutrients for higher germination
6. Faster seedling establishments.

The Centre’s newly proposed Clean Green mission shall include a robust regulatory mechanism for quality seedlings and planting materials.

Link: Seeds for growth: How technology can boost Indian agriculture | The Indian Express

Start-ups in India

Why in the News?                                      

The recognized start-ups in India approximating to 98,000 have created 10.34lakh direct jobs in India excluding the jobs created in related sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, EdTech, etc.,

The Indian Start-up Ecosystem:

1. India has become the third largest startup ecosystem in the world.
2. The CAGR of the number of recognized startups in India between 2016-22 increased up to 142%.
3. At least one startup is present in each of the 36 States/UTs.
4. India is also home to more than 100 Unicorns and 23 of them emerged in 2022 itself.

Key categories of Startups in India:

Factors fueling the growth of Startup ecosystem:

1. Growing internet penetration along with proliferation of affordable smartphones and extremely affordable data plans. This led to attraction of more active and technology-savvy digital users across sectors such as ecommerce, consumer services, fintech and enterprise tech.

2. Growing Investor Ecosystem plays a pivotal role in nurturing entrepreneurship and the startup culture.

3. Growing Per Capita Income noticed a surge of 65% over the past decade. This has increased the consumption expenditure of people and also enabled people to experiment new products and services.
4. Govt policies and Schemes:
   1. The Startup India initiative
   2. Fund of Funds scheme for the startups (FSS)
   3. Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
   4. Credit guarantee Scheme for Startups.

Key challenges faced by the Indian Startup ecosystem:

1. 5. Inadequate Ecosystem for Hardware Startups ever since the 1992 LPG reforms that focused on tertiary sectors especially in IT/BPO service industries.
   6. High capital expenditure required to setup new business in the hardware sector makes it difficult to attract venture capital investments.

1. 7. Low Investor Confidence Towards Deep-tech Startups due to factors such as,
      1. Low adoption of deep-tech technologies such as 3D printing, IoT and IoT, and robotics
      2. Lack of adequate R&D culture in India
   8. Low number of patent applications filed in India due to less spending on R&D and Innovation. For instance, China Filed 26x More Patent Applications Than India in 2019.
   1. Enforcement of patent laws is a major hurdle limiting the scope of intellectual property in the country.
   10. Stringent regulatory constraints.

For instance, The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 has been implemented to address the privacy concerns of the citizens. But a possible censorship may also affect the freedom of expression, the biggest selling point of OTT content.

Link: Recognised start-ups have created over 10.34 lakh direct jobs: Piyush Goyal- The New Indian Express

Fertilizers in India

Why in the News?

The Standing committee of Parliament on chemicals and Fertilizers has asked the govt. to ensure fertilizer availability and increase the local production.

Observations of the Panel:

1. There is a deficit of 119 lakh tonnes of fertilizers comparing the overall production and consumption of fertilizers in India.
2. There is a shortage of fertilizers in some of the states in India.
3. The GST for fertilizers is 5% while GST for raw materials such as sulphuric acid and ammonia is 18% which is inappropriate.
4. The price of Urea has been under control due its exclusion from the Nutrient based Subsidy scheme.

The recommendations of the committee:

1. End the import dependence on fertilizers such as urea, Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP) and nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK).
2. Ensure the availability of fertilizers in every state by taking corrective measures.
3. Increase the local production of fertilizers through investments from public and private fertilizer manufacturers.
4. Review of the Nutrient-Based subsidy scheme (NBSS) is required to
   1. have price control of all fertilizers (Urea is outside the NBS scheme).
   2. Remove the disincentives for farmers to use other fertilizers.
5. The GST on raw materials of fertilizer production should be kept to a minimum to support the fertilizer manufacturers and the farmers.

About:

Fertilizers:

A fertilizer is a natural or artificial substance containing the chemical elements that improve growth and productiveness of plants. The chemical substances shall include elements such as Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium.

The basic fertilizers used in India includes:

1. Urea
2. Diammonium Phosphate (DAP)
3. Muriate of Potash (MOP)
4. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK).

Govt. schemes and policies related to fertilizer production in India:

1. Urea subsidy scheme
   1. Urea is sold at statutorily notified uniform MRP exclusive of charges towards neem coating and taxes as applicable 
   2. The urea subsidy is given to the manufacturer directly and not the farmer.
   3. The difference between the delivered cost of urea at farm gate and net market realization by the urea units is given as subsidy to the urea manufacturer/importer by the Government of India.
   4. Thus, all farmers are being supplied urea at the subsidized rates
2. Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme:
   1. The non-Urea fertilizers such as Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP) and nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK and Potash Derived from Molasses (PDM) are covered under the NBS scheme.
   2. The scheme also includes a freight subsidy for promoting indigenous production of fertilizers.
   3. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has been rolled out for fertilizer subsidy payment with a view to improve fertilizer service delivery to farmers. 
3. Integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS) to monitor the movement of all major subsidized fertilizers throughout the country 
4. Nano Urea
   1. Nano Fertilizers hold great promise for application in plant nourishment because of the size-dependent qualities, high surface-volume ratio and unique optical properties.
   2. Nano fertilizer releases plant nutrients in a controlled manner contributing to higher nutrient use efficiency.
5. One Nation One Fertilizer
   1. Single Brand for Fertilizers and Logo under Fertilizer subsidy scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojna” (PMBJP).
   2. Helps in increasing the availability basket of fertilizers
   3. Dilemma among farmers in choosing from plethora of brands available in the markets
   4. Ensures timely supply of fertilizers.

Link: House panel tells government to ensure fertilizer availability, increase local production - The Hindu

Human Rights violation in India

Why in the News?

Ro Khanna, a high-powered delegation of US member of Congress to raise human rights issues during his visit to India for the Independence Day on August 15.

Human Rights Violations in India as per the Human Rights Watch:

1. Jammu and Kashmir
   1. Imposition of Public Safety Act led to detention of hundreds of people without trial for up to two years.
   2. A new media policy was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir that contained vague and overbroad provisions that unnecessarily restricted and penalized legally protected speech.
   3. Restrictions on internet even after the Supreme Court said in January that access to the internet was a fundamental right.
2. Impunity for security forces
   1. Cases of torture in police custody and extrajudicial killings emphasized lack of accountability for police abuses and failure to enforce police reforms.
   2. The Border Security Force frequently used excessive force along the Bangladeshi border, targeting Indian residents and irregular immigrants and cattle traders from Bangladesh.
3. Dalits, Tribal groups and religious minorities
   1. Delhi riots of 2021 killed 53 people and injured over 200 people.
   2. Use of the draconian National Security Act against 76 people accused of cow slaughter in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
   3. 2019 Government data states that crimes against Dalits increased by 7 percent
4. Civil society and Freedom of Association
   1. Draconian sedition and terrorism laws were booked against human rights defenders, student activists, academics, opposition leaders, and critics with respect to the Delhi riots.
   2. The parliament passed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to harass outspoken rights groups.

For instance, Amnesty International was forced to suspend its India operations after the government froze the organization’s bank accounts, accusing it of violating laws related to foreign funding

5. In love jihad, there have been objections to inter-community love relationships, specifically between India’s majority Hindus and minority Muslims.
6. Freedom of expression
   1. Use of Pegasus spyware on Indian citizens revealed that 5 out of 29 phones examined had malware on them.
   2. the Supreme Court chief justice granted bail to journalist Siddique Kappan after being held for two years on baseless charges of terrorism, sedition, and other offenses.

Link: Ro Khanna to raise human rights issues during India visit, say U.S. civil rights organisations - The Hindu

Parliamentary privileges

Why in the News?

The leader of Opposition was suspended from the Lok Sabha for alleged misconduct and the matter is referred to the Privileges committee for investigation.

Parliamentary Privileges:

1. Parliamentary Privileges are certain rights and immunities enjoyed by the Members of the Parliament to enable them to function effectively in their legislative roles.
2. The object of parliamentary privilege is to safeguard the freedom, the authority and the dignity of Parliament.
3. They are enjoyed by individual members and by each House collectively for the protection of its members and the vindication of its own authority and dignity.
4. They do not exempt the members from the obligations to the society which apply to other citizens.
5. There are no specific law governing Parliamentary privileges and hence are a mix of provisions in the Constitution, statutes, House procedures and conventions.
   1. Constitution specifies that MPs have freedom of speech and immunity from judicial proceedings against anything they say or votes they cast in Parliament (Article 105).
   2. Code of Civil Procedure protects the MPs from arrest and detention under civil cases during a parliamentary session, and for a specified period before it begins and after it ends.
   3. Parliamentary rules specify that authorities should immediately inform the Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha about MPs’ arrests, releases and convictions.
6. How does Parliament act on breach of privilege?
   1. The House of Parliament being the guardian of its privileges used three mechanisms to decide upon the matters of breach of Parliamentary privileges:
      1. A member raises the issue on the floor of the House, and then the House decides on it.
      2. The house of the Parliament sends the matter to the Privileges committee for detailed investigation. The committee recommends to the House a course of action which is then accepted by it.
      3. MPs can present the matters of breach of privilege to the notice of the presiding officers of their respective Houses who can then decide whether or not to send the case to the committee of privileges.
   2. Breach of privileges can be brought for an outsider breaching the privilege of a MP/ the house or against another MP also.
7. The Privilege Committee:
   1. Consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker.
   2. Its function is to examine every question involving breach of privilege of the House or of the members of any Committee thereof referred to it by the House or by the Speaker.
   3. It determines with reference to the facts of each case whether a breach of privilege is involved or not.
   4. The Speaker may refer to the Committee any petition regarding disqualification of a member on ground of defection for making a preliminary inquiry and submitting a report to him.
   5. The committee has the power to recommend to the House for its consideration the issuance of admonitions, reprimands, suspension and, in rare cases, expulsion from the House.
   6. Parliamentary convention: A MP against whom a privilege motion has been moved gives an unqualified apology then the issue is allowed to rest.

Link: Complaint against Raghav Chadha now with RS Privileges Committee - The Hindu

1. Kerala to Keralam
   1. The Kerala’s Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution to rename the state as Keralam by adding a suffix ‘m’ to its existing name in the Constitution and official records.
   2. The rationale behind the move is that it seeks convergence with its Malayalam name ‘Keralam’, as states were formed on the basis of the language in the States’ Reorganization Act, 1956.
   3. Procedure for renaming a State:
      1. The Legislatively Assembly passed a resolution seeking the renaming the state which is sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
      2. The MHA reviews the proposal and seeks for any objections from various stakeholders and agencies.
      3. After the approval of the MHA, an amendment to Article 3 and 4 of the constitution has to be effected for change of the State’s name by introducing a bill in the Parliament.
      4. The bill if passed by the Parliament, the state’s names stands officially changed.

Link: Kerala Assembly passes resolution to rename state as Keralam: Origin of the two names | Explained News - The Indian Express

1. Quit India Movement
   1. Also known as August movement or Bharat chodo Andolan.
   2. It was an important Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress on August 8, 1942.
   3. It was launched during the Second World war when the Participation of British in the war has strained the resources of India and the threat of Japanese invasion was becoming real.
   4. The Movement demanded immediate end to the British Rule and to establish an independent and Sovereign nation.
   5. The famous slogan ‘Do or Die’ was given by Mahatma Gandhi during this particular movement urging the Indian people to act decisively and non-violently against British rule.
   6. The movement was met with an iron-hand by the British and key leaders were arrested overnight.
   7. The movement led to weaking of the British empire in India and hastened the progress towards declaration of India’s Independence.

Coastal Aquaculture Authority Bill

1. 1. The bill seeks to amend the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005.
   2. The bill expands the scope of coastal aquaculture by including allied activities also,
      1. Shrimp
      2. Prawn
      3. Fish
      4. Any other Aquatic life in saline or brackish water

      5. Newly included allied activities

         Hatcheries
      6. Nucleus Breeding centres

1. 3. The Act regulates coastal aquaculture farms and allied activities such as nucleus breeding centres and hatcheries.
   4. It prohibits coastal aquaculture in certain areas, such as 200 metres within the High Tide Line and in creeks/backwaters within the CRZ.
      1. Activities like nucleus breeding centres will be permitted to operate in no development zones
      2. Activities like sea weed culture will be permitted in creeks/backwaters within the CRZ.
      3. Nucleus breeding centres are those where fish/shrimp are cultivated at the larvae stage of their life cycle.
   5. Coastal Aquaculture Authority
      1. prohibit the use of certain inputs to prevent harm to the environment
      2. monitor and regulate units, inputs, and emissions from aquaculture units.
   6. The bill decriminalises illegal coastal aquaculture practice with,
      1. The activity may be suspended
      2. Structure may be removed
      3. Crop may be destroyed
      4. The registration may be cancelled
      5. A penalty may be imposed.

Link: Bill to decriminalise offences in coastal aquaculture activities passed in Parliament - The New Indian Express