Context: Structured negotiation is an increasingly employed dispute resolution technique, offering a collaborative and solution-oriented approach as an alternative to litigation. Widely applicable, it has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in settling disability rights cases, particularly in the United States.

Success in Disability Rights:

• Particularly successful in resolving issues related to inaccessible automated teller machines, point of sale devices, pedestrian signals, and service provider websites.
• Notable achievements include influencing companies like Walmart, CVS, and Caremark to create accessible prescription bottles and driving institutional reforms for more accessible voting machines and websites.

Win-Win Situation:

• Presents a win-win scenario where defaulting service providers aim to avoid litigation costs and negative publicity, while complainants seek barrier-free participation in the marketplace.
• Success hinges on establishing a robust body of disabled-friendly legal precedents.

Challenges in India:

• Red tape and bureaucratic hurdles in Indian courts hinder traditional dispute resolution methods.
• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, allows reporting non-compliance to the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD), but the impact is yet to be fully realized.
• Paytm's case illustrates that compliance directives can inadvertently result in increased inaccessibility.

Benefits of Structured Negotiation:

• Offers service providers a way to avoid embarrassment, legal fees, and enables Persons with Disabilities to monitor implementation of fixes.
• Emphasizes that the success of alternative dispute resolution is linked to the priority service providers assign to addressing the struggles of persons with disabilities.

Call for Action in India:

• Urges businesses in India to prioritize the needs of disabled users and advocates for the widespread adoption of structured negotiation.

• Highlights that businesses failing to embrace this approach risk losing out on the substantial buying capacity of persons with disabilities.

Conclusion:

• Stresses the need for businesses to prioritize disabled users and sees structured negotiation as a powerful step in achieving this goal.
• Encourages businesses to recognize the potential benefits beyond legal compliance and embrace openness in negotiations.

Context: The Maldives government suspended three of its ministers- Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha and Hassan Zihan- for their ‘derogatory remarks on India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the latter's Lakshadweep visit.

News:

In retaliation more than 8,000 hotel bookings, as well as 2,500 flight tickets, have been cancelled after a Maldivian minister insulted Indian PM ,various social media posts claim.

India and Maldives relations:

Strategic Significance: Due to its proximity to India, with Minicoy in Lakshadweep just 70 nautical miles away and the mainland's western coast 300 nautical miles away, the Maldives holds strategic importance for India. This becomes particularly crucial in light of China's increasing assertiveness in the region.

Political Ties: India was among the first countries to recognize the Maldives upon its independence in 1965, establishing a mission in Male in 1972. The two nations share deep-rooted connections in terms of ethnicity, language, culture, religion, and commerce. Founding members of SAARC, the South Asian Economic Union, and signatories to the South Asia Free Trade Agreement, they consistently support each other in various multilateral forums.

Strategic Relationship: The Maldives' location in the Indian Ocean, near major shipping lanes crucial for uninterrupted energy supplies to China, Japan, and India, solidifies its role as India's key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It aligns with India's vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the 'Neighbourhood First Policy.'

Defence Cooperation: The signing of a technical agreement on sharing 'White Shipping Information' facilitates the exchange of prior information on the movements of commercial, non-military vessels. The joint military exercise, Ekuverin, strengthens military ties between India and the Maldives.

Trade and Economic Relations: The 1981 trade agreement ensures the export of essential commodities, and India provides items like rice, wheat flour, sugar, dal, onion, potato, eggs, and construction materials to the Maldives on favorable terms. India maintains a positive Balance of Trade with the Maldives.

Development Assistance: India's assistance in diverse areas, such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and technology adoption, has contributed significantly to the Maldives' development. Noteworthy projects include the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Maldives Polytechnic, India-Maldives Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism Studies, and infrastructure developments like ports, airports, and stadiums.

Crucial Interventions: Operations like Cactus in 1988 prevented a coup attempt, and subsequent initiatives like Operation Neer and assistance during water treatment plant collapse showcased India's commitment to the Maldives' well-being.

Challenges in India-Maldives Relations:

Political Instability: The Maldives has experienced political instability, marked by government changes and a constitutional crisis, causing tensions between India and the Maldives.

Increasing Chinese Influence: India is apprehensive about China's growing influence in the Maldives, reflected in substantial infrastructure projects and loans provided by China. The expanding involvement of smaller regional states in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other Chinese ventures raises concerns.

Border Dispute Strategies: China's attempts to resolve border disputes with neighboring countries (excluding India), as observed in the case of Bhutan, serve as part of its strategy to gain influence in the region.

Economic Challenges: The Maldives is grappling with an economic crisis, resulting in delays in implementing development projects and facing issues related to debt.

Divergent Approaches to Terrorism: India expresses worry about the surge in Islamic extremism in the Maldives and urges decisive action from the Maldivian government.

However, the Maldives has its own perspectives and concerns regarding the approach to countering terrorism and extremism.

Tourism Dynamics: While India has traditionally been a significant market for Maldives tourism, the Maldives aims to diversify its tourism sector and reduce dependence on India.

India out policy: Mohamed Muizzu has opted for an ‘India-out’ policy by choosing Turkey as his first foreign destination which is seen as significant swings in foreign policy of Maldives.

Way Forward:

Enhanced Involvement in Maldivian Domestic Politics: India should increase its engagement with the internal political dynamics of the Maldives. The recent Maldivian election highlighted that even minor shifts in the domestic power balance can lead to significant changes in the country's external orientation.

Collaboration with Gulf Allies: India ought to collaborate closely with like-minded partners in the Gulf to avert potential destabilization caused by Turkey in the Maldives.  Saudi Arabia and the UAE, having experienced Turkey's assertiveness in the region, share an interest in preventing the Maldives from falling into a Turkish sphere of influence.

Preventing External Influence: It is crucial for India to work collaboratively with its Gulf partners to safeguard the Maldives from external influences that may lead to destabilization. Addressing potential challenges and ensuring the Maldives maintains a stable external orientation should be a collective effort among India and its Gulf allies.

Context: The Election Commission of India has brought in new rules for allocation of symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs). 

New rules:

• To qualify for the 'concession of common symbol allotment,' these parties must submit audited accounts for the past three financial years, expenditure statements from the last two elections, and the signature of the authorized office-bearer.
• Upon providing the necessary details, RUPPs will be eligible for the allocation of symbols in accordance with the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order of 1968.
• The implementation of these new rules is set to commence from January 11, 2024.

About the Election Commission of India:

• The Election Commission of India, an independent constitutional authority established under Article 324, is responsible for overseeing electoral processes at the Union and State levels in India.
• Comprising the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners, their tenure is fixed at six years or until the age of 65, with provisions for resignation or removal.

Registered Unrecognised Political Parties :

• Registered Unrecognised Political Parties refer to newly-registered entities or those that have not garnered a sufficient percentage of votes in Assembly or general elections to attain State party status.
• This category also includes parties that have never participated in elections post-registration. Governed by the Representation of the People Act (RPA) of 1951, these parties, constituting only 30% in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, do not enjoy all the benefits accorded to recognized parties.

Requirements for Symbol Allocation:

Allocation of common symbols to RUPPs is contingent on their commitment to fielding "at least 5% of total candidates with regard to said Legislative Assembly election of a State."

Context: The Prime Minister applauded first oil production commences from the complex and difficult deepwater Krishna Godavari basin situated off the coast of Bay of Bengal.

About Krishna-Godavari Basin

• The Krishna-Godavari Basin, situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining Bay of Bengal region, is an extensive deltaic plain formed by the Krishna and Godavari rivers on the east coast of India.
• The KG Basin encompasses both onshore and offshore regions, covering approximately 15,000 sq. km on land and 25,000 sq. km up to the 1000 m isobath offshore.
• Comprising a substantial continental margin, the basin exhibits sediments with a thickness of about 5 km, featuring deposition cycles from the Late Carboniferous to Pleistocene periods.
• Geomorphological units within the basin include upland plains, coastal plains, as well as recent flood and delta plains.
• Recognized for the D-6 block, the Krishna-Godavari Basin is renowned for hosting the largest natural gas reserves in India. The initial discovery of natural gas in the area dates back to 1983, attributed to ONGC.
• The basin serves as a habitat for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, categorized as Vulnerable according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) status.

Benefits:

• The commencement of oil production from the deepwater Krishna Godavari basin in India offers several benefits for the country, including:
• Reduced Dependency on Imports: Increased domestic oil production reduces India's reliance on imported oil, enhancing energy security and mitigating the impact of global oil price fluctuations
• Economic Growth: The development of domestic oil Resources contributes to economic growth, creates employment opportunities, and stimulates investment in related industries, thereby boosting the overall economy
• Revenue Generation: Oil production leads to the generation of significant revenue through taxes, royalties, and other contributions, which can be utilized for public welfare and infrastructure development
• Technological Advancement: The exploration and production activities in the deepwater basin drive technological advancements and expertise in the oil and gas sector, fostering innovation and knowledge transfer
• Strategic Importance: The deepwater Krishna Godavari basin's oil production holds strategic significance for India's energy landscape, contributing to the country's long-term energy sustainability and self-sufficiency

Challenges:

The oil production process from the deepwater Krishna Godavari basin can face several challenges:

• Operational Complexity: Deepwater oil production, particularly in the Krishna Godavari basin, involves complex processes and requires advanced technology to handle the unique geological conditions and environmental constraints
• High Costs: The deepwater oil production process can be expensive, and the Krishna Godavari basin's oil production was reportedly delayed due to cost overruns
• Technological Challenges: New methods and techniques are required to make gas production from deep-water deposits economically feasible, as the Krishna-Godavari Basin's geological complexities pose challenges to efficient extraction
• Environmental Concerns: Deepwater oil production can lead to environmental issues, such as oil spills and other environmental impacts, which can damage marine ecosystems and harm local communities
• Regulatory Challenges: The oil and gas sector in India is subject to strict regulations, and the Krishna Godavari basin's production process may face scrutiny and challenges related to compliance with these regulations
• Infrastructure Development: The development of oil production infrastructure, such as platforms and pipelines, in the deepwater Krishna Godavari basin can be challenging due to the remote location and the need for specialized equipment and facilities
• Manpower Development: The oil production process in the deepwater Krishna Godavari basin requires a skilled workforce, and the industry may face challenges in attracting and retaining talent to operate and maintain the complex facilities

Context: A recent study on child marriage in India published in the Lancet noted the overall decrease in child marriage across the country but pointed out that four States, mainly Bihar (16.7%), West Bengal (15.2%), Uttar Pradesh (12.5%), and Maharashtra (8.2%) accounted for more than half of the total headcount burden of child marriages in girls.

Key findings:

• The paper titled 'Prevalence of girl and boy child marriage across States and Union Territories in India, 1993–2021: a repeated cross-sectional study' reveals that approximately one in five girls in India is still married below the legal age.
• Notably, the state of West Bengal has experienced the largest absolute increase in the headcount, with a notable rise of 32.3%.
• Girl child marriage has been a persistent challenge for policymakers in West Bengal, as highlighted by the National Family Health Survey-5 conducted in 2019–20, indicating that 41.6% of women aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18, a figure consistent with the earlier National Family Health Survey-4.
• In comparison, the national average for women in this age group getting married before 18 stands at 23.3%.

Key interventions:

• Various policy interventions have been implemented by the West Bengal government to address the issue of child marriage. One prominent initiative is the Kanyashree Prakalpa, initiated in October 2013.
• This conditional cash transfer scheme aims to incentivize the education of teenage girls between 13 and 18 years old while concurrently discouraging child marriage.
• The scheme, which has received international recognition with a United Nations Public Service Award in 2017, has been in operation for nearly a decade and, as stated in the West Bengal Budget for 2023–24, has covered almost 81 lakh girls.
• In addition to Kanyashree, the state government has introduced cash incentive schemes for girls' marriages under the 'Rupashree Prakalpa' program.