[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS +

PIB SUMMARY 30 December 2022

insightsonindia.com/2022/12/30/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-30-december-2022/

Insights Editor December 30, 2022

InstaLinks :  help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC
prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format
help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner
might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their
static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add
new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

1. How are disputes between states resolved in India?

2. Remote voting for migrant workers: The plan the Election Commission of India
(EC) has outlined

3. Delegated law should not travel beyond the purview of the parent act: SC

GS Paper 3:

1. No action plan by MoEF&CC to handle plastic waste finds CAG

2. The Webb telescope is just getting started

Content for Mains Enrichment

1. How India can produce companies like Apple, Google, Pfizer

Facts for Prelims

1. Sammakka Saralamma Jatara

2. Land Subsidence

3. Mango flowering

4. Project Nilgiri Tahr

5. Prahari App

1/20
How are disputes between states resolved in India?

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and
challenges pertaining to the federal structure

Source: IE

Direction: The article explores different methods to resolve inter-state boundary disputes.
It also briefly covers the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Context: As the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka (over Belagavi,
Karwar and Nipani in North Karnataka) is intensifying, the article highlights formal
methods in the Constitution of India to resolve inter-state disputes.

Background:

Often, attempts are made to resolve inter-state disputes with the cooperation of
both sides, with the Centre working as a facilitator or a neutral mediator.
This was followed by Parliament bringing a law to alter state boundaries, such
as the Bihar-Uttar Pradesh (Alteration of Boundaries) Act of 1968 and the Haryana-
Uttar Pradesh (Alteration of Boundaries) Act of 1979.

Methods available to resolve inter-state disputes:

Judicial redressal:

Article 131: Supreme Court has the original jurisdiction in any dispute between
–
The Government of India and one or more States; or
The Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or
more other States on the other; or
Two or more States,
If the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence
or extent of a legal right depends.
Exemption: The said jurisdiction shall not extend to a dispute arising out of any
treaty, agreement, covenant, or engagement, having been entered into or executed
before the commencement of this Constitution.

Inter-state Council:

Inter-State and Zonal councils’ role in resolving inter-state disputes has been
covered in a recent article which can be accessed through this link.

The Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute:

2/20
 When state boundaries were redrawn on linguistic lines as per the States
Reorganisation Act of 1956, Belagavi became part of the erstwhile Mysore state.
Maharashtra claims that parts of Belagavi, where Marathi is the dominant
language, should remain in Maharashtra.
In 1966, the Centre set up the Mahajan Commission, to resolve the border dispute
in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.
The Commission recommended that Belgaum and 247 villages remain with
Karnataka. Maharashtra rejected the report and moved the SC in 2004.
The Union Home Minister met the Chief Ministers of both states and asked them to
form a six-member team, comprising three ministers from each side, to address all
boundary issues.
However, both states hardened their stance passing a unanimous resolution to
support a legal battle to resolve the dispute.

Other inter-state disputes in India: There are border disputes mostly arising out of
claims and counter-claims over territories between Assam-Meghalaya; Assam-Nagaland;
Assam-Mizoram; Assam-Arunachal Pradesh and Maharashtra-Karnataka.

Insta Links:

The Belagavi border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka

Mains Links:

Q. How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped
the nature of the federation of India? Cite some recent examples to validate your
answer. (UPSC 2020)

Prelims Links: (UPSC 2014)

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the
States falls under its

(a) advisory jurisdiction

(b) appellate jurisdiction

(c) original jurisdiction

(d) writ jurisdiction

Ans: c

Remote voting for migrant workers: The plan the Election Commission of
India (EC) has outlined

GS Paper 2

3/20
Syllabus: Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies

Source: IE

Direction: The article covers Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machine

(RVM) – need, unique features, the voting process and issues raised by the EC itself.

Context: The EC announced that it has developed a prototype for a Multi-Constituency

Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM), amid concerns over migration-based
disenfranchisement, to boost voter turnout and strengthen India’s democratic process.

Background – The problem of migration-based disenfranchisement:

While registered voters do not end up voting for a variety of reasons, domestic
migration – is driven by marriage, natural disasters, employment, etc.
As per the 2011 census, there are nearly 45.36 crores (forty-five point three six)
migrants in India (both intra and interstate) – nearly 37% of the country’s
population.
These migrants are unable to travel to vote, denying a large chunk of the population
its franchise, going against the EC’s motto – “No voter left behind”.
The EC had formed a Committee of Officers on Domestic Migrants, which
recommended (in 2016) internet voting, proxy voting, early voting and postal ballots
for migrant workers (rejected due to concerns like lack of secrecy of the vote, the
lack of sanctity of one person one vote principle, issues of accessibility, etc.)
Thus, a technological solution was proposed which allows voters to vote
remotely, in a safe and controlled environment.

The proposed solution – Remote EVMs:

RVMs were developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and the Electronics
Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).
The RVMs are stand-alone, non-networked systems, allowing voters from
multiple constituencies to vote using the same machine.
They will be set up in remote locations outside the state under similar conditions
as current polling booths.

4/20
Unique feature of RVMs:

A single Remote Ballot Unit (RBU): To cater to multiple constituencies (as many
as 72) by using a “dynamic ballot display board” instead of the usually printed paper
ballot sheet on EVMs.
Ballot Unit Overlay Display (BUOD): It will show the requisite candidates based
on the constituency number read on the voter’s Constituency card, which can be
read by a barcode scanning system.

The voting process:

After verifying a voter’s identity, their constituency card will be read with a public
display showing the constituency details and candidates.
This will also be displayed privately (on the BUOD in the RVM’s RBU) and the
voter will then vote and each vote will be stored constituency-wise in the control
unit.
The voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) system is expected to work along the
same lines as the new technology.

Concerns:

5/20
 The system has issues, some of which the EC has itself acknowledged. For
example,
Migrants are not a uniform and defined class, with fluid identities, locations
and situations.
As various countries reject EVMs for paper-based ballots, this move may
have the potential to raise further questions on the sanctity of the electoral
process itself.
Remote voting can theoretically provide an added edge to bigger parties
and richer candidates who can campaign across the constituency and beyond.

Way ahead:

Resolving these issues will require wider consultations with various legal and political
stakeholders.

Conclusion: The EC has invited all recognised eight national and 57 state political
parties on January 16 to demonstrate the functioning of the RVM and has asked for their
written views by January 31.

Insta Links: VVPAT

Mains Links:

Q. In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting

Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India
to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (UPSC 2018)

6/20
Prelims Links: (UPSC 2017)

Consider the following statements:

1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.

2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of
both general elections and bye-elections.
3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised
political parties.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1.
1.
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 3 only

Ans: 4

Delegated law should not travel beyond the purview of the parent act: SC

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Parliament and State legislatures – structure, functioning, the conduct of

business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these

Source: TH

Direction: The article tries to explain the meaning of delegated legislation, its
advantages, criticism, etc., in the context of the recent SC ruling.

Context: The Supreme Court ruled that delegated legislation, including rules and
regulations enacted by state and central governments, should supplement rather than
replace the parliamentary statute from which it derives power.

Background:

An appeal was filed by the Kerala State Electricity Board against a State HC
judgement upholding Regulation 153(15) of the Kerala Electricity Supply Code,
2014.
Regulation 153(15) of the Code stated that an ‘unauthorised additional load’ in the
same premises and under the same tariff should not be counted as ‘unauthorised
use of electricity’.

The SC’s verdict:

7/20
 It reversed the HC decision and held that the Regulation was inconsistent with
Section 126(6) of the Electricity Act, 2003.
Section 126 of the 2003 Act was enacted with a specific purpose to restrict such
unauthorised consumption of electricity.

Observations made by the SC in the above judgement:

Overdrawing electricity is harmful to the public at large, as it affects the

efficiency, and efficacy of the entire supply system, even increasing voltage
fluctuations.
If a rule goes beyond or replaces the rule-making power conferred by the parent
statute, the same has to be declared invalid.
Delegated legislation should not travel beyond the purview of the parent Act. If it
does, it is ultra vires and cannot be given any effect.
A delegated power to legislate by making rules or regulations cannot bring into
existence substantive rights, obligations or disabilities not contemplated by the
provisions of the parent statute.
A body making rules or regulations has no inherent power of its own to make
rules but derives such power only from the statute.
Hence, it has to necessarily function within the purview of the statute.

The delegated/secondary/subordinate legislation:

Meaning:

It is the law established by the executive using the authorities granted to them
by the parent act in order to implement and administer the primary legislation’s
requirements.
Although the concept of delegated legislation was not mentioned specifically in
the Indian Constitution it can be understood by interpreting Article 312.
This Article gives the right to the Rajya Sabha to open a new branch of All India
Service with a majority of two-thirds majority vote and delegate some powers to the
new recruiter – All India Service.
There are many such cases through which delegated legislation under the
Constitution of India can be understood.

8/20
Advantages of delegated legislation:

It saves time for the legislature.

It can be easily done in consultation with the parties affected.
It allows for flexibility.
Expert legislation.
Parliament is not always in session.
Resorted to in case of emergencies.
It can be used on an experimental basis.

Criticism:

Weakens legislative control over the executive.

The executive has become more powerful and has encroached upon the domain of
legislature.
The division between law-making and implementation gets blurred (against the
theory of separations of power).
Possible misuse for political gains (legislation to benefit the ruling party).
Lacks rigorous discussion before law making.
Delegated legislation changes with political changes resulting in political and
administration instability.
Sometimes it is not in conformity with the rule of law.

Conclusion:

Delegated legislation is necessary, and is likely to increase in volume, in view of the

complex social organisation and vast developmental and promotional
activities.
Therefore, some safeguards and controls (courts’ jurisdiction should not be
limited, uniform procedures, etc) are necessary and desirable.

Mains Links:

Q. What is Delegated Legislation? Present the contradicting views about delegation

of power to legislate while evaluating its pros and cons. (250 words)

9/20
(no title)

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Environment Conservation

Source: DTE

Context: As per the recent audit by CAG of MoEF&CC, it was found that the ministry has
a mechanism  to assess the generation of plastic waste, but none for its collection and
safe disposal

Key findings of the CAG report:

MoEF&CC has no action plan leading to ineffective implementation of Plastic

Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016
Effective coordination between several pollution control boards (Central and
State) and the ministry is lacking
Lack of uniform method of assessment of plastic waste generation within a state
The issue with the Rules: The Plastic Waste Management Rules framed by
MoEF&CC lack comprehensiveness to give thrust to effective implementation and
monitoring

Actions taken for plastic waste

Strategy by MoEF&CC for plastic waste control:

Behavioural change
Strengthening of the institutional system for the collection
Segregation and recycling of plastic waste
Engagement with producers, importers and brand owners through Extended
Producer Responsibility
Banning of SUP from July 1st this year (2022)

10/20
 

How are other countries dealing with single-use plastic?

Consensus on SUP in UN: This year, 124 countries, parties to the United Nations
Environment Assembly, including India, signed a resolution to draw up an
agreement which will in the future make it legally binding for the signatories to
address the full life of plastics from production to disposal, to end plastic
pollution.
68 countries have plastic bag bans with varying degrees of enforcement
Bangladesh: Bangladesh became the first country to ban thin plastic bags in
2002.
China: China issued a ban on plastic bags in 2020 with a phased implementation.
EU: EU bans certain single-use plastics for which alternatives are available.

CPCB is a statutory organisation which was constituted in September 1974 under the

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

It was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of
Environment and Forests under the provisions of the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986.

Important functions:

to promote the cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by
prevention, control and abatement of water pollution.
to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the
country.

Insta Links:

11/20
 For more about Single-Use Plastic (SUP): Visit this link
For issues with Pollution Control Boards: Visit this link
For more about CAG: Visit this link

Mains Link:

Q. What is single-use plastic and what are the concerns associated with it? How
can it be successfully phased out in the country? (15M)

Prelims Link:

Link it with how are plastic produced. Acts governing its use.

1. Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the

manufacture of which of the following kinds of plastics? (UPSC 2021)

(a) Low-density polyethylene

(b) Polycarbonate

(c) Polyethylene terephthalate

(d) Polyvinyl chloride

Answer: B

BPA stands for bisphenol A, an industrial chemical that has been used to make
certain plastics and resins since the 1950s. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and
epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and
beverages, such as water bottles.

1. Triclosan considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is
most likely present in which of the following? (UPSC 2021)

(a) Food preservatives

(b) Fruit-ripening substances

(c) Reused plastic containers

(d) Toiletries

Answer: D

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent present in some consumer products,

including toothpaste, soaps, detergents, toiletries toys, and surgical cleaning treatments

The Webb telescope is just getting started

12/20
GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Space Technology

Source: Indian Express

Context: It was launched one year ago on a mission to observe the universe in
wavelengths no human eye can see. With a primary mirror 21 feet wide, the Webb is
seven times as powerful as the Hubble Space Telescope, its predecessor.

About James Webb Telescope:

James Webb Telescope is an international collaboration between NASA,

European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency.
The telescope uses infrared light, which cannot be perceived by the human
eye, to study every phase in cosmic history.

Mission objectives:

It will help in a broad range of investigations across the fields of astronomy and
cosmology.
It will help to understand the origins of the universe, the evolution of our own
Solar System, and search for signs of life on faraway planets.
It can also analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets that pass in front of their stars.
It will look at a large number of things in the universe including icy moons, distant
exoplanets and galaxy clusters.

For a Comparison between James Webb and Hubble telescopes, please click here

Parts of JWST (source: NASA):

Insta Links:

James Webb Space Telescope

13/20
Mains Link:

Q. Compare and contrast James Webb Telescope with that of the Hubble
Telescope. What insights can James Webb Telescope offer about our past?

Content for Mains Enrichment:

How India can produce companies like Apple, Google, Pfizer

Source: Live Mint

Direction: The suggestions given can be written as the way forward in GS answers.

Context: Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu in a Twitter thread has explained how can India
produce globally competitive companies like Apple, Google, Pfizer, Samsung,
Honda, Boeing, Siemens, TSMC or Huawei.

What should be the focus?

The advanced know-how and R & D capabilities essential for modern life and
nationhood are understood by these companies. Most critical R & D happens
within such companies
For India to build such companies, the Indian private sector must invest in R & D
heavily. Industrial R&D is not the same as academic research.
We should focus on building a supportive ecosystem for producing world-class
Hardware companies.

Facts for Prelims:

Sammakka Saralamma Jatara

Source: The Hindu

Context: Sammakka Saralamma jatara ( the biggest tribal festival in India and 2nd largest
fair after Kumbh Mela) is the four-day biennial Medaram jatara which was held in
Mulugu district in February (Telangana) this year.

14/20
Land Subsidence
Source: Hindustan Times

Context: The town of Joshimath (Uttrakhand) has been sinking for decades ( first
highlighted by the 1976 state government-appointed Mishra Commission report)

An expert panel (set up by the Uttarakhand government) has now confirmed that
structural defects in Joshimath have been caused by Land subsidence.
Impact: The increased Land subsidence in the past two years has caused cracks in
homes, rendering them unstable and prompting people to flee.

Reasons for landslides in Joshimath:

The town is situated in the old landslide zone and is close to the tectonic
discontinuities in the Himalayas
Anthropogenic pressures: Roads, heavy tourism, and buildings of dams, are
more than the carrying capacity of the geology of the place.

About Joshimath:

15/20
 The town of Joshimath ( in Chamoli district) has been a centre of faith, and a
spiritual getaway in the mighty Himalayas.
Located on National Highway 7, at a height of 6,150 feet, it is the doorway to the
holy shrines of Badrinath (part of Char Dhams) and Hemkund Saheb (a holy
Sikh Shrine), and the picturesque Valley of Flowers (a UNESCO world heritage
site), and Auli (a popular tourist destination).
Strategic significance: It is home to the Joshimath Cantonment, the permanent
station of the Garwhal Scouts, close to the Indo-Tibetan Border.

What is land subsidence?

Land subsidence is a gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth’s surface due
to the removal or displacement of subsurface earth materials.

Mango flowering

Source: DTE

Context: Mango flowering has started since the third week of December in Telangana
and Odisha, which is at least a month sooner than the normal period of flowering. 

Reasons for early flowering:

16/20
 Unseasonal rainfall and a warmer-than-normal winter

Mango shower:

Mango showers is a colloquial term to describe the occurrence of pre-monsoon

rainfall.

Significance:

In India, mango showers occur as the result of thunderstorm development over

the Bay of Bengal.
They are also known as ‘Kaal Baisakhi’ in Bengal, as Bordoisila in Assam and
as Cherry Blossom showers or Coffee Showers in Karnataka.
They help in the early ripening of mangoes and are hence often referred to
as “Mango showers.”

Project Nilgiri Tahr

Source: Business Line

Context: India’s first Nilgiri Tahr project to conserve the State animal of Tamil Nadu will
be taken up.

Components of the project: The project will have nine components, including bi-annual
synchronised surveys across the division, diagnosis and treatment for affected individuals
and a Shola grassland restoration pilot in Upper Bhavani,

17/20
Prahari App

Source: PIB

Context: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah launched the Border
Security Force (BSF) mobile app ‘Prahari’.

‘Prahari’ in Hindi means ‘a guard’: A guard is someone such as a soldier or prison

officer who is guarding a particular place or person.

Importance of the app:

Jawans can get personal and service-related information, housing, Ayushman-

CAPF and leave related information on their mobile phones.
BSF Jawans can also get GPF, Bio Data or grievance redressal on the “Centralized
Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System” (CP-GRAMS) or information on
various welfare schemes through the app.
This app will also connect them with the portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs

About BSF:

18/20
The Border Security Force is India’s border guarding organisation on its border with
Pakistan and Bangladesh founded on 1st December 1965 by Khusro Faramurz
Rustamji

The Border Security Force has been awarded numerous gallantry awards including one
Mahavir Chakra, 4 Kirti Chakras, 13 Vir Chakras and 13 Shaurya Chakras, BSF has
fought so many battles with valour that a book could be written on each war

Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE

Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE

Follow our Twitter Account HERE

19/20
Follow our Instagram ID HERE.

Follow us on LinkedIn : HERE

20/20