1 January 2024

U.S. Navy sinks three Houthi vessels

 U.S. Navy helicopters sank three vessels operated by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the
Red Sea.
 The attack on the vessels followed their assault on the Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged,
Denmark-owned and -operated container ship.
 The Maersk Hangzhou had been targeted for a second time in 24 hours while transiting the Red
Sea, leading to a request for assistance from the ship.
 The U.S. Navy's response was prompted by the ship's call for help, and it included the sinking of
three Houthi-operated vessels.
 During the transit, the Maersk Hangzhou faced two anti-ship ballistic missiles, which were
successfully intercepted by the U.S. military.
 Following Houthi fire on U.S. helicopters, the U.S. Central Command stated that the helicopters
"returned fire in self-defence."
 In response to the attacks, Maersk suspended vessel passage through the Bab al-Mandab Strait in
the Red Sea for 48 hours.
Additional notes:
1. Yemen Crisis and Houthi rebels (new)
2. Red Sea (geographical bodies)
3. Bab al-Mandab Strait
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Navy deploys frigates, destroyers to assist commercial vessels

 The Indian Navy has substantially enhanced maritime surveillance efforts in the central and north
Arabian Sea against increasing attacks on commercial ships.
 Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed for maritime security
  Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed for maritime security
operations and assistance to merchant vessels in case of incidents.
 Aerial surveillance using long-range maritime patrol aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
has been increased to achieve complete maritime domain awareness.
 The Navy is operating in close coordination with the Coast Guard for effective surveillance of
India's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
 Recent incidents, including the hijacking of m.v. Ruen and the drone attack on m.v. Chem Pluto,
indicate a shift in maritime incidents closer to the Indian EEZ.
 A multi-agency investigation is underway into the drone attack on m.v. Chem Pluto, which
occurred approximately 220 nautical miles southwest of Porbandar.
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh mentioned that India's growing power has stirred jealousy and
hatred in some forces, and perpetrators of the recent attacks will be brought to justice soon.
Additional notes: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Aadhaar-linked pay made mandatory for MGNREGS workers

 Starting from the New Year, wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) will be disbursed exclusively through an Aadhaar-based payment
system (ABPS).
 The ABPS mandates the seeding of Aadhaar details to the job cards of workers to facilitate
payments.
 The recent extension of the deadline for mandatory implementation, allowing state governments
time to reconcile databases, concluded on Sunday.
 Activists in the field note a significant rise in the deletion rate of MGNREGS job cards, directly
associated with the mandatory imposition of the Aadhaar-based payment system.
 The enforcement of this payment method was initially ordered on January 30, 2023, with
subsequent extensions until February 1, March 31, June 30, August 31, and December 31.
 According to data from the Union Rural Development Ministry, as of December 27, 34.8% of job
card holders remain ineligible for this payment mode.
 The mandatory ABPS has stirred discussions about its impact on the implementation of MGNREGS
and the eligibility of workers for payments under the scheme.
Related notes: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act

Curfew back in Moreh as armed men fire at police

 Curfew was reinstated in Moreh town, situated on the India-Myanmar border, due to intermittent
gunfights between armed individuals and State police commandos.
 Moreh is located in the Kuki-dominated Tengnoupal, one of the Manipur districts affected by the
conflict between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities since May 3.
 District officials declared a high alert after renewed violence erupted on Saturday, involving armed
men ambushing a police commando team, resulting in one injury.
 The ongoing conflict in Tengnoupal has heightened tensions between communities, leading to
  The ongoing conflict in Tengnoupal has heightened tensions between communities, leading to
increased security measures and curfew enforcement in the affected areas.

Panagariya to head 16th Finance Commission

 On Sunday, the government appointed Arvind Panagariya, former NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman, as
the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission.
 The primary responsibility of the 16th Finance Commission will be to recommend the tax revenue
sharing formula between the Centre and States for the five-year period starting from April 2026.
 Arvind Panagariya's appointment to this role underscores his significant expertise in economic and
policy matters, particularly given his past role at NITI Aayog.
 The Finance Commission plays a crucial role in determining the distribution of financial resources
between the central and state governments, impacting the fiscal health and autonomy of the
various entities within the Indian federal structure.
Additional notes: Finance Commission

Geelani-founded outfit declared ‘unlawful body’

 The Union Home Ministry has declared Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir (TeH), an
"unlawful association" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
 Tehreek-e-Hurriyat is one of the constituents of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and was
founded by the late separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
 Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the outfit is involved in activities to separate Jammu and
Kashmir from India and establish Islamic rule, spreading anti-India propaganda and engaging in
terror activities.
 The Ministry highlighted that criminal cases had been registered against TeH under various
sections of UAPA, the Arms Act, the Ranbir Penal Code, and the Indian Penal Code.
 The notification emphasized TeH's involvement in fomenting terrorism, anti-India propaganda,
and raising funds through various sources, including Pakistan, for unlawful activities in Jammu and
Kashmir.
 The Ministry stated that TeH members showed disrespect towards the constitutional authority,
supported terrorist activities, and advocated secession from India.
 If immediate action is not taken to curb TeH's unlawful activities, the outfit may continue
advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir and propagate false narratives, disrupting public
order.
 The Union government directed that the notification would have effect for five years from the
date of its publication in the official gazette, subject to any orders under Section 4 of the UAPA.
Additional notes: Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

Proposals sought for final supplementary demands for grants

 The Finance Ministry has called for expenditure proposals for the second and final batch of
Supplementary Demands for Grants from various Ministries and departments.
 Supplementary Demands for Grants from various Ministries and departments.
 The Budget Session, the last session of the 17th Lok Sabha before general elections, is expected to
commence in the last week of January.
 The government will seek expenditure approvals from Parliament for four months till July 2024
through a vote on account.
 The second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2023-24 is proposed to be presented
in the upcoming Budget session.
 Eligible cases for inclusion in these demands include those where advances from the Contingency
Fund have been granted, payments against court decrees, and cases advised by the Finance
Ministry during the winter session.
 Ministries are required to submit their proposals by January 8, and the interim Budget for 2024-25
is likely to be presented on February 1.
Additional notes
1. Various types of Parliamentary grants (new)
2. Vote on Account (new)
3. Contingency Fund of India (new)

Modi highlights ‘Vocal for local’, Chandrayaan3

 In the 108th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes for
the New Year.
 Reflecting on the past year, Modi mentioned the passage of the
○ 'Nari Shakti Vandan Act' and the success of the 'Vocal for Local' mantra during the record
business on Deepavali.
○ such as the success of Chandrayaan-3,
○ Oscar awards for the song "Naatu Naatu" from the movie RRR,
○ recognition of The Elephant Whisperers.
 Modi praised Indian athletes for winning 107 medals in the Asian Games and 111 medals in the
Asian Para Games, as well as the inspiring victory of the women's cricket team in the Under-19
T-20 World Cup.
 He mentioned India's progress in the Global Innovation Index, ranking 40th compared to 81st in
2015, and the high number of patents filed, with about 60% from domestic funds.
 Modi spoke about the use of the AI tool Bhashini to translate his address in Hindi to Tamil in real-
time and encouraged the young generation to explore AI tools related to real-time translation.
Related topics: Global Innovation Index (GII)

Pendency down, but petitioners disappointed in many cases

  The year 2023 witnessed the Supreme Court forming Constitution Benches to hear contentious
cases, but the outcomes have often left petitioners disappointed.
 Petitioners have either failed in court, or the government has circumvented court directions
through law amendments or delays in implementation.
 Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud presided over five-judge Constitution Benches for a total of
71 days in 2023, delivering five judgments.
 Notable cases heard included matters related to :
○ Article 370,
○ same-sex marriage,
○ demonetization,
○ arbitration on stamped documents,
○ rights of LGBTQ,
○ and disputes between Delhi government and the Centre.
 However, petitioners in cases such as demonetization and same-sex marriage found no relief, and
the government sidestepped certain Constitution Bench judgments through legislative
amendments.
 The Central Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Act of 2023 and the
Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, are examples where
the government nullified or subverted Constitution Bench rulings.

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Parade of unity
Political partisanship has no place on Republic Day
[editorial]
 Tableau proposals from Opposition-ruled States like Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal did not
qualify for the Republic Day parade on January 26, leading to allegations of partisanship.
 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in power in Delhi and Punjab, as well as the Trinamool Congress in
West Bengal, have raised concerns about the rejection of their proposals.
 Delhi's proposal focused on showcasing its school education and health services, Punjab aimed to
exhibit the State’s heritage and martyrs' history, and West Bengal planned to display the
Kanyashree project for girls.
 Similar rejections have occurred in the past, with Delhi's proposals turned down for three
consecutive years.
 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contends that the rejected tableaux were intended for the
political promotion of Opposition parties, justifying their exclusion.
 Allegations of partisanship were also raised during the previous United Progressive Alliance
regime when tableaux proposed by the BJP-run Gujarat government faced rejection for several
years.
 The Republic Day parade is a national celebration symbolizing patriotism, military strength,
cultural heritage, and the country's unity and diversity.
 The Ministry of Defence employs a screening mechanism to select participants for the parade,
considering factors such as visual appeal, impact on the masses, theme, detailing, music, and
 considering factors such as visual appeal, impact on the masses, theme, detailing, music, and
involvement of local artists.
 The theme for the 2024 Republic Day is 'India – Mother of Democracy' and 'Viksit Bharat'
(Developed India), emphasizing the country's democratic values and developmental
achievements.
 The exclusion of certain States from the parade for political reasons raises concerns, and there is a
call for the Centre to ensure more objectivity in the selection process, minimizing room for
complaint and fostering a more inclusive celebration.

Endgame
Tripartite agreement gives honourable exit to cadres of much weakened ULFA
[editorial]
 The signing of a tripartite agreement in New Delhi between the pro-talks faction of the United
Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the Union government, and the Assam State government marks
the culmination of a process that began in 2009.
 Approximately 15 years ago, Arabinda Rajkhowa, the chairman of ULFA's pro-talks faction, was
arrested, and other key leaders surrendered, initiating a process that eventually led to the end of
the insurgency.
 By 2011, after a unilateral ceasefire by the group, the pro-talks faction signed a "suspension of
operations" agreement, ending the 32-year-old insurgency. Last week, a tripartite memorandum
of settlement was concluded, allowing faction cadres to surrender arms and vacate their camps.
 Paresh Baruah, the "commander-in-chief" of the ULFA's independent faction (ULFA-I), opposed
the dialogue process in 2009, insisting on including the "sovereignty issue." The ULFA-I, now
weakened, remains hostile to the peace process.
 The ULFA lost its insurgent potency since the 1990s, losing popular support due to violent tactics
targeting civilians, reliance on extortion, and a flawed chauvinist ideology misunderstanding the
nature of the Indian state.
 Military operations by Bhutan in the early 2000s and cooperation from the Bangladesh
government weakened the ULFA. The pro-talks faction abandoned the sovereignty demand,
revised its charter of demands, and sought an honorable exit.
 Despite a reduction in the threat of militancy from the remnants of the ULFA in Assam, efforts are
needed to improve the livelihood standards of the northeastern State's peasantry, addressing
persistent poverty as a key factor in ethnic mobilization.

The government’s OTT oversight

What does the Union government’s draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill mean for OTT platforms
and content creators?
How will the government ensure fair representation within the Content Evaluation Committee?
What measures are proposed to prevent abuse of power during unannounced inspections?
The story so far:
 The draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, introduces expanded regulatory oversight
covering OTT platforms and digital content, aiming to replace the existing Cable Television
Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995.
 The bill proposes :
○ mandatory registration,
○ the establishment of content evaluation committees for self-regulation,
○ and the implementation of a three-tier regulatory system.
 The government asserts that the bill will modernize regulations and improve business ease, but
concerns have been raised about potential censorship and its impact on freedom of speech.
 The increased scrutiny of digital media, particularly for content deemed "obscene and vulgar," has
sparked apprehensions about the potential curtailment of creative expression and diverse
perspectives.
 Critics worry that the bill may grant authorities excessive control over digital platforms, leading to
self-censorship and inhibiting the free flow of information.
 Striking a balance between regulatory oversight and safeguarding freedom of speech will be
crucial in the implementation of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, and ongoing
discussions will likely address these concerns and shape the final regulatory framework.

What does the Bill say?

 The new Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, mandates formal registration or intimation
to the government for any individual or broadcasting company providing services or running a
network. Exceptions include authorized bodies like Prasar Bharati or Parliament channels.
 Aligning with the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995, cable and satellite
broadcasting network operators must register, and broadcasters need approval from the
registering authority to transmit programs. Subscriber data maintenance is also a requirement.
 Terrestrial and radio broadcasting networks are subjected to similar provisions, allowing tailored
regulations based on the nature of their operations.
 The draft bill extends broadcasting rules to networks using the internet for services and programs,
such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and OTT broadcasting services (classified as
broadcasting network operators). The Union government can later prescribe subscriber or viewer
limits.
 OTT broadcasting services, under the Act, exclude social media intermediaries and their users, as
defined in the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Content quality and accessibility

 The new Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, mandates adherence to the Programme
Code and Advertisement Code for any program or advertisement broadcasted through TV, radio,
or other broadcasting services. The specific content of these codes is yet to be defined.
 or other broadcasting services. The specific content of these codes is yet to be defined.
 The Codes will apply to individuals and organizations broadcasting news and current affairs
programs online through e-newspapers, news portals, websites, and similar social media
platforms operating as a "systematic business" or "professional" entity. Digital copies of
newspapers and commercial newspaper publishers are exempted.
 Broadcasters are required to classify their programs into different categories based on context,
theme, tone, impact, and target audience. This classification must be prominently displayed at the
beginning of the show to enable viewers to make informed decisions.
 The Bill mandates network operators to implement access control measures for shows classified
as restricted viewing, particularly those with adult content.
 Accessibility guidelines are provided in the Bill to address the needs of persons with disabilities,
calling for broadcasting network operators and broadcasters to make their platforms, equipment,
and programs more accessible.
 Recommended measures include audio descriptions for the blind, sign language translations,
subtitles in different fonts, sizes, and colors, and the use of accessible applications.
 Broadcasters are urged to make a certain percentage of content accessible within a specified
period in line with the accessibility guidelines. The Centre will appoint a disability grievance
redressal officer to address complaints related to accessibility guidelines, with penalties for
broadcasters or network operators in case of violations.

Self-regulation
 The draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill proposes a self-regulation regime to ensure
compliance with the program and advertisement codes and address other complaints.
 Each broadcaster or broadcasting network operator is required to establish a Content Evaluation
Committee (CEC) consisting of members from various social groups, including women, child
welfare, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minorities.
 Only programs certified by the CEC can be aired by broadcasters, except for specific shows
exempted by the government.
 The Centre holds the authority to define the size, quorum, and other operational details of the
committee.
 The broadcaster or network operator must publish details of committee members, including their
names and credentials, on their website.

The thre-etier broad regulatory structure prescribed in the draft has the following components:

Self-regulation by operators
 Broadcasters and broadcasting network operators are required to establish and maintain
mechanisms for filing and redressing complaints.
 A grievance redressal officer will be appointed to handle complaints related to content and
contravention of the program and advertisement codes.
 If the appointed official is unable to make a decision within the prescribed period or if the
complainant is not satisfied with the decision, they can approach the self-regulatory organization
for further redressal.

Self-regulatory organisations
 The proposed self-regulatory organization is envisioned as a body comprising broadcasters,
broadcasting network operators, or their associations.
 The primary role of this organization is to guide its members in ensuring compliance with
broadcasting rules and address grievances related to content violations not resolved within a
specific time frame.
 The self-regulatory organization can take up appeals against decisions made by broadcasters or
  The self-regulatory organization can take up appeals against decisions made by broadcasters or
network operators.
 In cases where a broadcaster is found guilty of wrongdoing, the self-regulatory organization to
which it belongs has the authority to expel, suspend, or impose penalties. Penalties can take the
form of advisories, censures, warnings, or monetary fines, with the monetary fines not exceeding
₹5 lakh for each violation.

Broadcast Advisory Council

 The Centre will establish an advisory council, comprising independent experts and government
representatives, to oversee the implementation of the regulations outlined in the Broadcasting
Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023.
 The advisory council will have the authority to hear complaints related to content violations and
make recommendations to the government.
 After due consideration of the council's recommendations, the government will issue appropriate
orders and directions.
 The advisory council can also create review panels to assist in its functions. These panels will be
assigned specific cases or appeals and will provide their recommendations, which will be
considered as recommendations of the Broadcast Advisory Council as per the text of the Bill.

Provision for inspection, seizure of equipment

 The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill allows the government to conduct inspections without
prior notice.
 Operators are required to facilitate monitoring at their own cost and can face equipment seizure if
violations are suspected.
 Companies are held liable unless they can prove a lack of knowledge or demonstrate due
diligence.
 The equipment seized is liable to confiscation unless the operator of the broadcasting network or
broadcasting services demonstrates compliance with the provisions of the rules or guidelines
within 30 days from the date of seizure.
 There is a provision for a written notice to the operator, informing them of the grounds for
confiscation, to provide the opportunity for making a representation. If no such notice is given
within 10 days from the date of the seizure of the equipment, it must be returned to the operator.

What are the main concerns?

 The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill has drawn a mixed response from legal experts and
advocates for digital freedom due to its broad scope covering both traditional broadcasters and
the evolving OTT space.
 The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has called for a cautious examination of the Bill, expressing
concerns about the proposed codes' similarity to those applicable to cable TV and the potential for
increased censorship of TV programs.
 The IFF argues that executive control over OTT content may lead to over-compliance and self-
censorship as platforms seek to avoid broad government discretion in punishments.
 The Bill leaves several provisions to be determined later by the Centre, raising concerns about
excessive delegation of rule-making and creating uncertainty for stakeholders.
 Technology policy expert Shruti Shreya highlights the need for careful consideration, especially
regarding the requirement for all online content creators to adhere to a program code, as terms
like 'good taste' and 'decency' could lead to ambiguous interpretations and affect the dynamism
of the digital space.