GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

The United Nations has spectacularly failed in its goals of saving generations from the scourge of war and of ensuring that armed force is not used.

Warfare through Ages

• Civilized Warfare of the Past: Ancient battles followed rules, with breaks at sunset. Ramayana's portrayal of Ram's merciful approach to Ravan exemplifies this. This contrasts with the brutality of modern conflicts.
• Current Brutality in Wars: Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts marked by indiscriminate bombing. Cities razed, vital infrastructure destroyed, and thousands killed.
• Root Causes of Wars: Both conflicts highlight the centrality of land disputes in modern warfare.

Concerns

• The Humanitarian crisis: Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts marked by indiscriminate bombing.
• Lack of strong mediation: Absence of such a tribunal leaves wars and devastation as likely outcomes.
• Increasing Land disputes: Ineffective in mediating land disputes, making wars seem inevitable.

Steps to be taken

• UN's Ineffectiveness: Evolution of warfare from man-to-man combat to machine-based conflicts challenges UN's role.
• Territorial Disputes: India-Pakistan division accepted; dispute centers on coveted territories. China-India dispute complex, with undemarcated borders and conflicting claims.
• Appeal for International Tribunal: Success of the Law of the Sea Tribunal underscores the need for a land dispute resolution mechanism.

Context:

The concerns over rushed scrutiny of Bills replacing criminal laws has emphasized the need for thorough examination.

Parliamentary Committee's Report

Rushed Scrutiny Raises Concerns

• Advancement of New Criminal Laws: Committee nears final report on Bills replacing existing criminal laws.
• Call for Extended Review: Opposition members seek more time to review draft report, delaying adoption.
• Disagreements on Key Legal Revisions: Dissent on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

Adequacy of Scrutiny Questioned

• Limited Deliberation Period: Committee starts deliberations on August 24, holds only 12 sessions.
• Concerns over Scrutiny Adequacy: Inadequate scrutiny raises doubts about the overhaul's effectiveness.
• Advocating Inclusive Consultations: Broad consultations and nationwide hearings with stakeholders suggested for comprehensive study.

Language Barrier and Government's Haste

• Language Barrier in Report Circulation: Draft report circulated in English, Hindi version given last minute.
• Advocating an Extended Committee Timeline: Suggests need for extended committee timeline, not just a brief delay.
• Caution against Hasty Bill Implementation: Caution urged against hasty introduction and passage of Bills; deeper scrutiny advised for certain provisions.

Context:

The Speakers of the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies must carry out their functions in consonance with sound democratic practices.

Speaker's Conduct and Responsibilities

• Maharashtra’s Speaker action: The Chief Justice expresses concern over Maharashtra Speaker's inaction on disqualification petitions.
• Responsibility of the Office: Emphasis on Speaker's impartiality crucial for maintaining the dignity of the court.
• Historical significance of the post: Historical context of Speaker's role highlights its evolution from agent of the Crown to impartial House Chairman.

Controversial Speaker Actions

• Biased decision making: Instances of swift suspension against Opposition members contrasted with delays in similar action against ruling party members.
• Shortcomings in referring significant Bills to Parliamentary Committees observed; impact on robust parliamentary functioning.
• Irresponsible notices: Disqualification petitions and their handling by Speakers pose potential threats to government stability.

Reforms in Speaker's Role

• Need for an independent tribunal: Debate on Speaker's authority to decide on defections arises call for an independent tribunal.
• Reminding Indian needs: Contrast between British and Indian Speaker practices, with British Speakers resigning from political parties for impartiality.
• Recognizing democratic practices: Urgent need for Speakers to prioritize impartiality and democratic practices for public trust.

Context:

This is the first of a three-part series of articles on the Indian railways, its capital expenditure and freight business.

Rising Expenditure

• Present scenario: Indian Railways intensifies capital expenditure post-budget merger.
• Hurdles in generating capital: Operating ratio stagnates, hindering profitability and capital surplus.
• Over-reliance on Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) and Extra Budgetary Resources (EBS) leads to growing debt.

Concerns

• Sources of Loss: Passenger services incur significant losses, necessitating cross-subsidization from profitable freight segment.
• Report by CAG: Comptroller and Auditor General highlight Rs. 68,269 crore passenger service losses in 2021-22.
• Increasing Freight Volume: Emphasis on boosting freight volumes to improve revenue, but current growth lags behind national economic growth.

Suggestive Measures

• Optimizing Freight Business: Artificial division of cargo into goods and parcels hampers efficient handling and transportation.
• Bifurcation of cargo: Proposal to categorize cargo based on characteristics, bulk and non-bulk.
• Need for reforms: Declining rail share in crucial commodities like coal, iron ore, and cement underscores need for strategic reforms.