National Current Affairs – UPSC/IAS Exams- 18th December 2019

Labour Laws and Informal Sector

Topic: Social Issues

In News: The huge fire that happened at a residential-cum-production unit in a congested part of Delhi recently lead to death of over 40 people. This has exposed the precarity(lacking in predictability, job security, material or psychological welfare) of the every-day life of workers in this country.

More on the Topic:

• Numerous industrial clusters have mushroomed in the bylanes of residential localities and slums in big cities due to lack of attention paid by civic agencies and non-adequate regulation of labour conditions in micro-, small- and medium-sized industrial and commercial establishments.
• In these smaller establishments, the workers are mostly migrants, and tend to work long hours for meagre wages.
• Their living conditions lack bare minimum needs.
• This is mainly due to the limited coverage of labour laws, indicating that the victims of the recent fire were victims of the lack of state regulation of several kinds of work relations and workplaces.

Concerns:

• Key labour laws in India consistently avoid a large section of workers who are denied rights and benefits on the pretext of less regular work contracts, length of employment, nature of establishment (seasonal or perennial), size of the workforce, etc. It is only a minuscule section of organised workers who have actually been granted the same.
• There is a projection that Indian Labour Laws are against ease of doing business. This projection is used by officials and employers to cut down employee rights.
• This attitude has led to deregulation of a large number of work relations; this is most evident in the watering dow of the provisions of labour inspection, the growing number of self-certification by employers of their compliance with labour laws, and the twisting of many statutory labour laws on occupational safety standards, work hours, minimum wage, compensation, industrial disputes, etc. by successive governments, both at the State and Central level.
• These developments have greatly enhanced the power of employers across the board.
• The “private power” of employers to unilaterally fix wages, extract overtime, manage leaves, determine compensation, etc. has substantially increased with the steady withdrawal of the state from regulation of labour-capital relations.

Way Ahead:

• The reality is that workers contribute their sweat and blood in the making of this economy, and in return the economy is not giving them a dignified life.
• Employers, who often tend to violate labour rights, themselves become law enforcers/certifiers in the new framework of deregulated industrial relations.
• This scenario should be changed and state should proactively involve itself in dealing with labour rights.
• There should be grievances redressal opportunity to the informal sector of Indian Economy and as the people works in the informal sector are not empowered enough to demand for their rights government should take this responsibility.

Delhi Fire Incident: Concerns: · Absence of Inspection: In most parts of the country, a fire-safety inspection is rarely conducted. This means that after obtaining a licence, owners of shops, restaurants and other private buildings make changes in the sanctioned layout plans that very often compromise the fire-preparedness of their premises. · Also, according to the Delhi Fire Services, at least 250 hotels in the capital continue to operate with fire safety “shortcomings”. Reports also suggest that most nursing homes operate in complete violation of fire norms. · Shortage in infrastructure: The FICCI-Pinkerton “India Risk Survey 2018”, draws attention to the “under-equipped fire services in the country”. · A Union Ministry of Home Affairs-sponsored study in the same year came to the same conclusion. · It found that of the 8,550 fire stations needed in the country, a little more than 2,000 are in place, resulting in a shortage of about 65%. · It also reveals that urban areas alone require an additional 4,200 fire stations just to meet the minimum standard for response time. · Lack of efficient execution: For example, buildings that exceed 45 metres in height, or roughly 12 floors, are considered “high-risk” in Mumbai. · Those who do not follow fire safety norms can be imprisoned for six months to three years and fined, but rules are violated with impunity, and punishments are rare. What should be done? · A mandatory annual fire safety audit by independent agencies is the need of the hour. · Also, the National Building Code which has detailed directions on how to prevent fire hazards should be implemented in letter and spirit. · For this, both the governments at the centre and the state, must have clear provisions in their safety legislation about the methodology and periodicity of such audits.

Source: Hindu

TRAI Consultation with Telecos

Topic: Economy

In News:In a major relief for telcos, particularly Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) deferred implementation of zero-interconnect usage charge regime by a year, besides kick-starting a consultation on the need to fix minimum tariff for mobile calls and data.

More on the Topic:

• For wireless to wireless domestic calls, termination charge would continue to remain as ₹0.06 per minute up to December 31, 2020. From January 1, 2021 onwards the termination charge for wireless to wireless domestic calls shall be zero.
• In its new consultation, the regulator has sought stakeholders’ view on issues related to fixing a minimum tariff for mobile voice calls and data services. TRAI has also sought answers on whether there is a need for “price ceiling” as well to safeguard consumer interest along with ensuring the orderly growth of the sector.
• Most economists advised against the fixation of price controls as it leads to economic inefficiencies, consumer harm, market distortions and reduced innovation.
• However, ensuring the provision of ever-increasing data consumption and a good quality of service required a lot of investment in maintaining and improving telecom infrastructure.

Interconnect Usage Charge (Iuc) ·Interconnect Usage Charge or IUC is a cost paid by one mobile telecom operator to another, when its customers make outgoing mobile calls to the other operator’s customers. These calls between two different networks are known as mobile off-net calls. ·IUC charges are fixed by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Source: Hindu

The National Broadband Mission

Topic: Government Policies

In News: The government announced new ‘Broad band mission’ aimed at providing broadband access in all villages in the country by 2022, entailing investments of around ₹7 lakh crore from various stakeholders.

More on the Topic:

• Under the mission, the government plans to lay incremental 30 lakh route km of Optical Fiber Cable, while also increasing tower density from 0.42 to 1 tower per thousand of population by 2024.
• The vision of the national broadband mission is to fast-track growth of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide, facilitate digital empowerment and inclusion, and provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all.
• Under the mission, the Centre will work with States and UTs for having consistent policies pertaining to expansion of digital infrastructure including for Right of Way (RoW) approvals required for laying of optical fibre cable.
• Additionally, a Broadband Readiness Index will be developed to measure the availability of digital communications infrastructure within a State/UT.

Source: Hindu

No State-wise minority classification: SC

Topic: Polity and Governance

In News: The Supreme Court dismissed a petition to recognise Hindus as minorities in the States where they are low in population.

More on the Topic:

• The petition asked the court to frame guidelines to “identify and define” religious minorities in every State, especially where Hindus are in a minority, to protect their culture and interests.
• Chief Justice observed that The States have been carved language-wise. But religion is beyond all borders, especially political borders. It has to be taken on a pan-India basis.
• The court indicates cultures intersect across religious barriers in India.

Constitutional Provisions with respect to Minorities: · Articles 29 (protection of the interests of minorities) · Article 30 (the right of minorities to administer educational institutions)

Source: Hindu

Privilege motion

Topic: Polity and Governance

In News: Congress moves privilege motion against Smriti Irani for remark on Rahul Gandhi.

More on the Topic:

• The Members of Parliament are granted certain privileges individually and collectively so as to perform their duties properly. But if any of the members disregard or misuses any of these privileges or rights, it is considered as a breach of the privilege motion and is liable for punishment under the Parliamentary laws.
• The privilege motion is applicable for members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and if any member notices another member or members breach the privilege, they can move the privilege motion against the accused members.
• Chapter 20 of rule 22 for Lok Sabha and Chapter 16 Rule 187 for the Rajya Sabha have mentioned the Privilege motion.
• The scrutiny regarding the breach of the privilege motion in the Lok Sabha is managed by the Speaker and that in the Rajya Sabha is managed by the Chairperson. Once the Speaker or the Chairperson considers the accusations to be true then the accused is called to explain themselves.
• A committee of 15 members is elected by the Speaker in the Lok Sabha and a committee of 10 members is elected by the Chairperson at the Rajya Sabha. These committees are responsible for managing all the cases and accusations related to the privilege motion and take relevant actions against and breach of the motion.

Source: Hindu

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV)

Topic: Science and Technology

In News: Supreme Court directed the government to look into the feasibility of introducing vehicles based on a hydrogen cell technology to deal with air pollution in the National Capital Region.

More on the Topic:

• A fuel-cell electric vehicle is essentially a hybrid electric vehicle wherein, the internal combustion engine is replaced with a fuel-cell stack. The onboard sources of power include hydrogen as well as an advanced battery system.
• At the heart of the fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) is a device that uses a source of fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant to create electricity by an electrochemical process.
• Put simply, the fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electric current, water being the only byproduct.
• Like conventional batteries under the bonnets of automobiles, hydrogen fuel cells too convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
• From a long-term viability perspective, FCEVs are billed as vehicles of the future, given that hydrogen is the most abundant resource in the universe.

Difference between FCEV and conventional vehicle or an electric vehicle (EV):

• While the fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process, unlike a battery-electricity vehicle, it does not store energy and, instead, relies on a constant supply of fuel and oxygen.
• It works in the same way that an internal combustion engine relies on a constant supply of petrol or diesel, and oxygen.
• In that sense, it may be seen as being similar to a conventional internal combustion engine.
• But unlike the combustion engine cars, there are no moving parts in the fuel cell, so they are more efficient and reliable by comparison. Also, there is no combustion onboard, in the conventional sense.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of fuel cells?

• Fuel cells have strong advantages over conventional combustion-based technologies currently used in many power plants and cars, given that they produce much smaller quantities of greenhouse gases and none of the air pollutants that cause health problems.
• Also, if pure hydrogen is used, fuel cells emit only heat and water as a byproduct. Such cells are also far more energy-efficient than traditional combustion technologies.
• Unlike battery-powered electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles do not need to be plugged in, and most models exceed 300 km of range on a full tank. They are filled up with a nozzle, just like in a petrol or diesel station.

Limitations of Fuel Cells EVs:

• While FCEVs do not generate gases that contribute to global warming, the process of making hydrogen needs energy — often from fossil fuel sources.
• That has raised questions over hydrogen’s green credentials.
• Also, there are questions of safety, hydrogen is more explosive than petrol.
• The other major hurdle is that the vehicles are expensive, and fuel dispensing pumps are scarce.

Progress in India:

• In India, so far, the definition of EV only covers Battery EVs; the government has lowered taxes to 12%.
• At 43%, hybrid electric vehicles and hydrogen FCEVs attract the same tax as Internal Combustion vehicles.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been supporting various such projects in academic institutions, research and development organisations and industry for development.

Source: Indian Express

Gangetic dolphins

Topic: Environment and Ecology

In News: There is an expectation that the government will start a programme called “Project Dolphin”, along the lines of “Project Tiger” to enhance the population of gangetic dolphins.

More on the Topic:

• The Gangetic river dolphins were officially discovered in 1801 and are one of the oldest creatures in the world along with some species of turtles, crocodiles and sharks, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
• They once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, but are now mostly extinct from many of its early distribution ranges.
• In 2009, the Gangetic dolphins were declared India’s National Aquatic animal during the first meeting of the erstwhile National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) and it is placed under the “endangered” category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• The Gangetic river dolphins can only live in freshwater, are blind and catch their prey in a unique manner, using ultrasonic sound waves.
• These dolphins prefer deep waters and, they are distributed across seven states in India: Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• Their numbers have dwindled in the last few decades mainly because of direct killing, habitat fragmentation by dams and barrages and indiscriminate fishing.

Efforts made in India to protect the dolphins?

• Some of the efforts made to preserve and increase the numbers of these dolphins include the setting up of the Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic Dolphin (2010-2020), which has identified threats to Gangetic dolphins and impact of river traffic, irrigation canals and depletion of prey-base on dolphin populations.
• Additionally, the Gangetic dolphins have been included in Schedule -I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which means they have the highest degree of protection against hunting.
• They are also one among the 21 species identified under the centrally sponsored scheme, “Development of Wildlife Habitat”.

Model Mains Question: Explain the concepts “Environmental Sustainability” and “Sustainable Development of People.”

Source: Indian Express