GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Recently, a Judge of the Allahabad High Court made controversial remarks within the Court precincts. This has raised concerns about the difficulties in holding judges of India's higher judiciary accountable for misconduct.

Judicial Accountability Mechanism

• The mechanism to hold judges accountable in India is complex and has several steps. The process to remove a judge involves an impeachment procedure, which is difficult to initiate and even harder to complete. Here’s how it works:
• Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity: The Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, sets out the process for investigating judicial misconduct. If there is an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity by a judge, a three-member committee is formed to look into the matter. The committee consists of:
  • A Supreme Court judge,
  • A Chief Justice of a High Court, and
  • An eminent jurist.
    • This committee functions similarly to a trial court, investigating whether the judge's conduct warrants impeachment.
• Initiating the Impeachment: Before the committee can begin its investigation, the impeachment process must be initiated by either the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) or the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament). This can be done if:
  • A motion is brought in either House to impeach the judge.
  • The motion must be supported by two-thirds of the members present in the House. This means that even if most members agree with the motion, it can fail if too many members abstain from voting.
• Role of Parliament: Once the committee investigates the charges, it submits its findings to Parliament. The impeachment process requires Parliament to vote on whether to remove the judge from office. If the committee finds the judge guilty of misbehaviour or incapacity, Parliament votes to remove the judge.
  • However, removal is not automatic, and if Parliament does not vote in favor (due to absences or political factors), the judge may not be removed.
  • Historical Cases of Impeachment: There have been only two cases of successful impeachment proceedings, both involving serious misconduct: Justice V. Ramaswami (1990s) and Justice Soumitra Sen (2011)

Problems with the Current System

The current judicial accountability system has several flaws:

• Political Interference: The impeachment process can be hindered by political factors, such as abstentions in Parliament.
• Resignation Loophole: Judges who face impeachment can resign, effectively avoiding accountability and preventing the investigation from continuing. This gives them immunity from punishment, unlike elected officials.
• Slow Process: The entire process is lengthy, and even if a judge is found guilty, they may continue to hold their position until the impeachment is passed, which requires significant political support.

The logistics sector in India made significant progress in 2024 towards achieving the goals outlined in the National Logistics Policy (NLP) launched in 2022. The sector saw improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and infrastructure, driven by key government initiatives and reforms.

Current status of India’s Logistics Sector

• The logistics sector contributes around 13-14% to GDP and provides livelihood for more than 22 million people.
• It enables timely delivery, decreases costs, and enhances competitiveness, crucial for thriving businesses.
• The logistics industry employs over 22 million people in India, making it a significant contributor to the country’s employment landscape.
• The demand for India's logistics sector is expected to rise significantly due to several key factors.
• India's projected GDP growth of USD 26 trillion by fiscal year 2048 (with USD 6 trillion by 2030) and the goal of boosting merchandise exports to USD 1 trillion by 2030 will create substantial opportunities for the transport and logistics industry.
• Projections suggest that the sector will grow at a CAGR of 4.5 per cent from 2022 to 2050, reaching 15.6 trillion tonnes.

Key Developments in 2024:

• Logistics Cost Reduction: India’s logistics cost remains high at 10-14% of GDP, but the government aims to reduce this. Efforts to lower logistics costs were emphasized after India improved its World Bank Logistics Performance Index ranking to 38th globally in 2023.
  • The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has notably cut waiting times at state borders, reducing truck travel time by nearly 30%, thereby helping to reduce logistics costs and increasing the average distance trucks travel.
• Infrastructure and Investment: The logistics sector saw significant investments in infrastructure, with a 1% increase in capital expenditure for infrastructure development. This growth aligns with India’s ambition to become a $5 trillion economy by 2027.
  • Progress in multi-modal connectivity was marked by improvements in rail, waterway, and highway infrastructure. The Sagar Sethu maritime portal and other digital initiatives like the Coastal Shipping Bill and Sagar Ankalan portal are helping to modernize port logistics.
• Digital Transformation and Policy Support: The logistics industry experienced transformative changes in 2024, including deeper digital adoption and enhanced focus on risk management.
  • The One Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and government-backed initiatives like UDAN (to promote regional air connectivity) contributed to enhanced logistics efficiency.
• Growth Prospects: The logistics sector, valued at USD 250 billion and contributing 14% to India’s GDP, is expected to continue growing, supported by increased e-commerce demand, faster delivery needs, and expanding exports.

Challenges and Future Focus:

• Despite significant progress, there is need for further technology integration to reduce logistics costs and improve the ease of doing business.
• Maritime connectivity projects identified in the Union Budget with an outlay of Rs 75,000 crore need to be expedited to strengthen coastal transportation.

PYQ 

Q: The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss (UPSC 2022)

The government recently assessed the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat.

About National Maritime Heritage Complex

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, under Sagarmala Programme is developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex, a world-class facility which will showcase India’s maritime heritage from ancient to modern times, adopting an innovative “edutainment” approach using cutting-edge technology to spread awareness and attract international tourists.
• The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat, is set to become an international tourist hotspot, celebrating India’s rich maritime legacy.
• Spanning from ancient civilisations to modern times, the complex will use a unique blend of education and entertainment, incorporating the latest technology to immerse visitors in the country’s maritime history.
• Key project landmarks include INS Nishank, the Lothal Jetty Walkway, and the Museum Block

With an eye on China developing a mega hydro project in the vicinity of Arunachal Pradesh, the Centre has accelerated the development of its colossal dam in the Siang upper valley, which will be the country’s biggest to date. 

What is the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)?

• The proposed dam on the Siang river will be the largest hydropower project in India, with a capacity to generate 10-12 gigawatts (GW) of power. The total estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs 1 trillion.
• The dam will serve three primary objectives:
  • Flood Management – To prevent flash floods in the region caused by irregular water flow.
  • Water Flow Correction – To address changes in the flow patterns of the river, particularly those influenced by external factors.
  • Power Generation – To generate significant hydropower as a by-product, which will be essential for meeting peak power demands in the region.
• The three sites earmarked for SUMP are Parong and Dite Dime in Siang district, and Ugeng in Upper Siang district.
• The project is being spearheaded by NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation), which has been tasked with developing the detailed project report (DPR) and project feasibility report (PFR) for the dam.
• While the project has received approval and funding, it continues to face hurdles due to local opposition (effect on aquatic life and the overall ecological balance) and logistical challenges.
• Need of the project: A major factor driving the urgency of the Siang valley project is the construction of a massive hydropower project by China on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which flows into India as the Brahmaputra (Siang) river.
  • The Chinese project, named the Motong Hydropower Station, has the potential to divert a significant amount of water from the Brahmaputra river system.
  • Initial studies suggest that China’s project could reduce water flow to India by up to 80%, impacting regions like Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

In a significant reshuffle, President Droupadi Murmu appointed two new governors and reassigned three others, reorganising the leadership in five states.

Recent Governor Appointments: 

How is a Governor Appointed?

• A Governor is appointed by the President of India under Articles 155 and 156 of the Indian Constitution.
• The Governor serves "during the pleasure of the President," meaning that the President has the power to remove the Governor at any time before the completion of their five-year term.
  • The President typically works in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, and this process governs the appointment and removal of the Governor.
• Article 153 of the Constitution mandates that there shall be a Governor for each state. However, a 1956 amendment allowed the same person to be appointed as Governor for two or more states.
• Article 163 establishes that there shall be a Council of Ministers, headed by the Chief Minister, to assist and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions. The Governor, however, can act in his discretion in certain matters as outlined in the Constitution.
• Pleasure Doctrine
  • The ‘Pleasure Doctrine’ asserts that a position can be terminated by the appointing authority at any time without any notice or reason. In India, this principle is reflected in Article 310 of the Constitution, which states that persons in the Union or State civil services serve at the “pleasure” of the President or Governor, respectively.
  • In the context of a Governor, the ‘pleasure’ extends to the Chief Minister and other ministers in the state. Article 164 specifies that the Governor appoints the Chief Minister and other ministers on the advice of the Chief Minister, but ministers serve at the Governor’s pleasure. However, the Governor cannot independently remove a minister; this is at the discretion of the Chief Minister.
• Qualifications of a Governor: As per Articles 157 and 158 of the Indian Constitution, the qualifications for the office of Governor are:
  • The person must be an Indian citizen.
  • The person must be at least 35 years of age.
  • The person must not be a Member of Parliament or a member of any state legislature.
  • The person must not hold any other office of profit.

The Union Corporate Affairs Ministry stated that the pilot scheme of the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme received approximately 6.21 lakh applications against 1.27 lakh opportunities.

About the Scheme

• Conducting Authority: Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
• The internship scheme was announced in the previous Union budget, and it aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in the top 500 companies over five years.
• The interns will be provided with financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per month (for 12 months), of which Rs 4,500 would be disbursed by the Union government, and Rs 500 per month would be paid by the company from its CSR [corporate social responsibility] funds.
• Additionally, the Corporate Affairs Ministry will also provide a one-time grant of Rs 6,000 for incidentals to each intern, upon joining the place of internship.

In Bhopal, 377 tonnes of hazardous waste is set to be removed from the now dysfunctional Union Carbide factory.  On the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, the highly toxic gas methyl isocyanate (MIC) leaked from the Union Carbide pesticides factory killing 5,479 people and leaving more than five lakh others with health effects and long-term disabilities.

Key Toxic Compounds Associated with the Disaster

The disaster site and surrounding areas still show significant levels of toxic contamination, with several harmful chemicals present in the environment:

• Methyl isocyanate: Itis extremely toxic gas and if its concentration in the air touches 21ppm (parts per million), it can cause death within minutes of inhaling the gas.
• Mercury: A highly toxic heavy metal known to accumulate in soft tissue, mercury can damage multiple organs and interfere with cellular functions. It is dangerous even at low concentrations and poses long-term environmental and health risks.
• Heavy Metals: Other heavy metals like chromium, copper, nickel, and leadwere also found in the area. These metals are carcinogenic and can cause immune system damage and various cancers, particularly of the lungs, kidneys, and brain.
• Hexachlorobutadiene: This compound is a potential carcinogenand can cause severe damage to the liver, kidneys, and brain. Exposure also leads to fat accumulation in the liver, cellular destruction, and nervous system impairment.
• Chloroform: Known for affecting the central nervous system, chloroform can lead to faintingat lower concentrations and death at higher concentrations. It is also classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
• Carbon Tetrachloride: This chemical is a health hazardand can damage the liver, causing cancer. Exposure can also affect vision and heart function.
• Trichlorobenzene: These volatile compounds spread easily in the air and accumulate in the body’s fatty tissues. They can damage the liverand kidneys.
• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): These are chemicals that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate. They are linked to cancers, nervous system damage, reproductive disorders, and developmental issues. POPs also disrupt the immune systemand are associated with serious health outcomes, including cancer of the liver, breast, pancreas, and prostate.

Egypt has tested a newly constructed 10-kilometre extension of the Suez Canal aimed at reducing the impact of water and air currents on shipping, as well as enhancing the overall capacity of the canal.

Background:

• This project follows a major $8 billion expansion of the canal in 2015 and aims to continue improving the canal's efficiency. The Suez Canal has been a critical source of foreign currency for Egypt, but its revenue has fallen by up to 70% in recent years due to disruptions caused by Houthi rebel attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
• Functionality: The extension will improve navigational safety, and it will also reduce the effects of strong winds and sandstorms, which have previously caused incidents like vessels running aground. In 2021, the Ever Given, a large container ship, was lodged in the canal for nearly a week, causing significant trade delays.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) onboard the PSLV-C60 rocket.

What is Space Docking?

• Space docking refers to the process of bringing two spacecraft together in orbit to physically link them. This technology is essential for a variety of advanced space missions, including:
  • Human spaceflight missions, such as sending humans to the Moon and later bringing lunar samples back to Earth.
  • Building and operating a space station, such as India’s planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
  • Satellite servicing missions, where one spacecraft can dock with another to perform maintenance or refueling.

The SpaDeX Mission

• SpaDeX is a key mission for ISRO as it aims to demonstrate India's capability in orbital docking. If successful, it will place India alongside space giants like China, Russia, and the United States, who have already achieved docking technology.
• The mission also supports cost-effective satellite operations, especially in scenarios where multiple rocket launches are needed to achieve shared objectives.
• Key Details of the SpaDeX Mission:
  • Primary Payloads: The mission involves two spacecraft—SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)—that will be launched into an orbit 5 km apart.
  • Mission Process: Over the course of 10 to 14 days, ISRO scientists will attempt to bring the two spacecraft closer to a distance of just 3 meters before they dock at an altitude of 470 km above Earth.
  • Payloads on the Spacecraft:
    • SDX01 (Chaser) carries a High Resolution Camera.
    • SDX02 (Target) includes a Miniature Multispectral Payload and a Radiation Monitor Payload. These payloads will help in capturing high-resolution images and monitoring natural resources and vegetation.
  • Launch Vehicle: The PSLV-C60 is the rocket carrying the SpaDeX mission. It will also carry 24 secondary payloads in addition to the two primary spacecraft.

Recent investigations have exposed systemic failures leading to the deaths of workers and patients in India. Notably, the death of sewer workers, hospital fires, and other preventable accidents underscore the widespread disregard for human life. Despite repeated incidents, accountability remains elusive, revealing a deeper issue in governance and public welfare in India.

Recurring Failures in Worker and Public Safety

• Sewer Worker Deaths: Investigations revealed that despite 75 sewer worker deaths, only one conviction has been made, highlighting a lack of accountability for those responsible.
• Hospital Fires: At least 11 major hospital fires since 2020 have killed over 100 people, yet in most cases, the owners remain free on bail, underscoring the lack of action against negligent healthcare facilities.
• Widespread Apathy: This neglect for human lives is seen across multiple sectors, including sanitation workers, who continue to face indignity despite the Swachh Bharat Mission, exposing systemic flaws in enforcement.

Structural Issues in India’s Governance and Welfare

• Top-Down Governance: India’s governance system remains overly bureaucratic and understaffed at crucial points, resulting in systemic inefficiencies, such as inadequate healthcare facilities and poorly managed educational systems.
• Ineffective Bureaucracy: Key functions like pollution monitoring, fire safety tests, and safety audits are treated as mere bureaucratic formalities rather than genuine efforts to ensure public safety and well-being.
• Rural-Urban Divide: There is a significant disparity in the availability of essential services like healthcare and education, with rural areas suffering from a shortage of resources and infrastructure.

The Need for a System That Cares for People

• Neglect of Human Capital: Despite India’s rise as a global economic power, the country continues to underperform in providing good living conditions, skill development, and employment opportunities for its citizens.
• Failures in Public Safety: The country’s inability to ensure safe living conditions in cities, towns, and public spaces reflects a lack of focus on governance that prioritizes citizens' well-being.
• A Compassionate System: As India progresses, the need for a system that is not only functional but also empathetic towards its people is crucial for ensuring a future where all citizens can thrive in safe, supportive environments.

Practice Question

Q: Analyze the systemic issues in India’s governance and public welfare that contribute to widespread neglect of worker safety, fire safety in hospitals, and the general disregard for human life. What steps can be taken to create a more empathetic and accountable governance system in India?

The Supreme Court of India’s involvement in the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur has been under scrutiny, especially after its limited intervention in 2024. While it initially took action in response to the violent events, its responses have been episodic and ineffective, raising concerns about the Court’s accountability and its commitment to upholding the rule of law in the state.

Supreme Court’s Inconsistent Intervention

• Delayed Responses: In 2024, the Supreme Court heard the main petitions related to Manipur violence only six times, showing a lack of sustained engagement despite the continued violence.
• Limited Action in 2024: Except for a December hearing seeking details on destroyed properties, the Court failed to take concrete steps to address the ongoing ethnic violence or hold the government accountable.
• Sporadic Responses: While the Court responded to specific incidents, such as the viral video of sexual assault, its actions have been isolated, leaving crucial cases like the 2023 assault on tribal women without effective follow-up.

Failure of Judicial Mechanisms and SITs

• Ineffective Relief Mechanisms: The committee formed to address relief and rehabilitation, headed by Justice Gita Mittal, has failed to provide substantial relief, with reports being merely bureaucratic rituals.
• Delayed Investigations: By November 2024, chargesheets had been filed in only 6% of the 3,023 registered cases, reflecting the slow pace of the SITs’ investigations.
• Weak Enforcement: The SITs are undermined by officer repatriations and lack of resources, hampering the investigation and legal proceedings, as highlighted by the delays in the trial of the assault case.

Recommendations for Strengthening the Court’s Role

• Transfer of Trials: Given the tense situation in Manipur, it is recommended that trials related to ethnic violence be moved outside the state to ensure fair proceedings and to avoid local bias or interference.
• Increased Transparency: The SITs must be mandated to provide regular updates to victims' families and petitioners, ensuring transparency and accountability in the progress of investigations and trials.
• Bipartisan Commission: A High Powered Commission, comprising members from both conflicting communities, should be established to report directly to the Supreme Court’s Special Bench tasked with handling Manipur-related cases.

Practice Question

Q: Assess the role of the Supreme Court in addressing the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. How effective has its intervention been, and what additional steps should the Court take to ensure justice and rebuild public trust in the rule of law in the state?

The recent incident involving an Air India Airbus A320 at Goa's Mopa Airport, highlights a recurring issue of runway confusion in Indian aviation. The aircraft's crew had to reject takeoff after mistakenly entering a parallel taxiway instead of the main runway. This incident adds to a long list of similar errors in Indian aviation, raising concerns about safety, training standards, and accountability in the sector.

History of Runway Confusion in India

• Long-standing Problem: Since 1993, multiple incidents involving Indian airlines have occurred, including Jet Airways and Spicejet aircraft landing on wrong runways or taxiways, such as the 2002 Dabolim Airport incident.
• Recent Trends: The latest Air India incident adds to a series of runway-related errors, including a Jet Airways aborted takeoff in Riyadh (2024), and an Air India Boeing 787’s close call in Melbourne (2014).
• No Corrective Action: Despite repeated incidents over the years, airlines and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have not taken effective steps to prevent such occurrences, with pilot error often being blamed.

Comparative International Example and Lack of Action

• Singapore’s Response: In 2000, after a tragic crash due to a runway confusion, Singapore Airlines took immediate corrective measures. Since then, there have been no similar major incidents.
• India’s Failure to Learn: In contrast, India continues to face recurring errors, with little improvement in safety measures or training despite numerous warnings and incidents.
• Role of DGCA and Airlines: The DGCA and airlines in India have failed to prioritize corrective measures, leading to recurring safety lapses. Their failure to enforce proper safety protocols and training is evident.

Issues Contributing to Aviation Safety Problems

• Pressure on Crew: Indian airlines often place excessive pressure on pilots and cabin crews to meet tight on-time performance targets, which can lead to violations of flight duty time regulations and errors.
• Pilot Errors and Lack of Training: Several accidents, including the Kozhikode crash, involved pilot decisions driven by fatigue and pressure, with inadequate training on stabilised approach criteria and runway markings.
• Regulatory Failures: The DGCA’s inability to enforce safety regulations and conduct proper audits of airports and airlines has contributed to the continuation of safety deficiencies, which remain unaddressed by the authorities.

Practice Question

Q: Discuss the recurring incidents of runway confusion in Indian aviation and analyze the role of regulatory bodies, airline managements, and training deficiencies in contributing to aviation safety lapses. What steps can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future?