GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context-

The Post Office Act doesn't include any rules to ensure proper procedures and prevent misuse of interception powers, raising concerns about potential abuse.

Lack of Safeguards and Privacy Concerns

• Unchecked Interception Powers: Post Office Bill raises concerns over unchecked interception powers by post office authorities. The term 'emergency' remains undefined in the Act, raising apprehensions about its subjective interpretation.
• Procedural Safeguards Absent: No procedural safeguards in place to prevent arbitrary use of interception powers. The Act lacks provisions holding authorities accountable for misuse of interception powers, raising concerns about privacy infringement.
• Privacy Implications: Post office primarily handles confidential items like letters; concerns arise over potential privacy violations. Courts emphasize the right to privacy, requiring written recording of reasons and safeguards against arbitrary exercise of interception powers.

Telecommunications Bill, 2023

• Replacing Colonial-era Acts: Telecommunications Bill, 2023 replaces Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933.
• Rule Prescription: 20(2) requires prescribed procedures and safeguards for activation. Indian Telegraph Act rules (section 419A) notified in 2007 after Supreme Court directives.
• Scope Comparison: Section 69(1) of the IT Act allows interception without specific conditions of public emergency. IT Act rules were notified in October 2009, broadening the scope of interception.

Privacy Concerns and Accountability Challenges

• Post Office Act: Courts assert privacy rights regarding communication, even when entrusted to institutions like the post office. Drafted clauses on privacy dropped due to administrative concerns, but courts emphasize privacy as integral to fundamental rights.
• Liberalization of Interception Powers: Post Office Act eliminates 'public emergency' and 'public safety' conditions from the 1898 Act. Lack of clarity necessitates drawing inference from existing rules to define 'emergent' cases.
• Accountability Gaps: No provisions hold competent authorities accountable for exceeding or misusing interception powers. Telecommunication Act review committees may not recommend disciplinary actions, posing challenges to accountability.

Context

81 per cent of the 20,000-plus responses received by the High Level Committee led by Ram Nath Kovind on One Nation, One Election have favoured the idea.

Lack of Opposition Engagement

• High Level Committee's Public Notice: Union Law Ministry states majority favor simultaneous elections among 20,000-plus responses to the High Level Committee's public notice. Concerns arise about the Committee's perceived partisanship, led by former president Ram Nath Kovind.
• Committee Composition and Opposition's Role: Eight members openly support the idea or align with the government's preferences.
• Scattered Opposition Concerns: Piecemeal responses and lack of coordinated opposition.Thus, Concerns are expressed individually without a unified and comprehensive opposition strategy.

Justification for Simultaneous Elections

• Constant Election Cycle: Frequent elections strain finances; supporters argue for cost efficiency and reduced burden on public resources. Acknowledgment that near-constant elections lead to short-term policy focus, affecting governance continuity.
• Legitimacy and Democratic Structure: Fundamental changes require Opposition engagement; concerns about government's reluctance to address critical issues.
• Opposition's Scattered Concerns: Opposition concerns are expressed individually without a consolidated effort to address the broader implications.

Call for Adequate Opposition Engagement

• Transparency and Opposition Concerns: Committee assumes One Nation, One Election is in "national interest"; Opposition calls for unbiased terms.
• Fundamental Change and Democratic Process: Opposition leaders essential in voicing concerns, ensuring transparency, and preventing unilateral decisions. Acknowledgment that a significant shift in democratic structure requires Opposition's substantive involvement for legitimacy.
• Importance of Opposition's Voice: Opposition's voice crucial for a well-rounded discussion and decision-making in matters impacting the electoral process. Opposition should not be relegated to a token role but must actively contribute to the design of elections.

Context

In the coming Decade India has to make its power sector cleaner while also making sure the country grows economically and stays secure in terms of energy.

Transitioning India's Power Sector

• Global Commitment at COP-28: India's growth as the fastest-growing economy hinges on COP-28's decision to phase down unabated coal. The critical decade emphasizes India's decarbonization challenge amid economic development and energy security priorities.
• India's Climate Action: India, the seventh most-vulnerable country, takes climate action—76% reduction in fossil fuel subsidies, tripling renewable capacity by 2030. Despite ambitions, coal sustains over 100 GW power load.
• Strategic Steps for Sustainable Growth: Managing thermal plant outages, forecasting demand, and regulating plant availability can meet demand without heavy investments in new coal assets. Enhancing existing coal plants' flexibility allows smoother integration of renewable energy, reducing minimum power load and improving ramp rate capabilities.

Enhancing Flexibility and Storage Services

• Better Management of Peak Demand: Improved thermal plant availability and utilization during peak demand mitigate the need for new thermal assets. Regulations should encourage plant availability during peaks, allowing idle plants to participate in the market.
• Flexibility of Existing Coal Fleet: Central Electricity Authority proposes retrofitting 92% of coal capacity for grid emissions reduction and efficient renewable energy integration. Flexible services, adequately compensated—regulatory mechanisms devised for retrofitting costs and operational adjustments.
• Compensation for Storage Services: Standalone battery energy storage systems must be compensated for supporting the grid during renewable energy downtime.

Indigenization and Domestic Value Addition

• Economic Contributions of Coal Economy: Coal economy vital for domestic value addition, job creation, and supporting India's 'atmanirbhar' goals. Coal production contributes significantly to revenue—INR 1.5 lakh crore vs. INR 7,000 crore from solar module manufacturing.
• Indigenization in Clean Energy: PLI scheme commitment of INR 19,000 crore to solar manufacturing boosts indigenization efforts.
• Addressing Supply Chain and R&D: Focusing on indigenization addresses global supply chain disruptions and enhances job creation in the clean energy sector.Prioritizing research and development in battery technology essential for advancing renewable energy deployment.