Current Affairs 29-August-2023 (The Hindu)

Article 35A: Special Privileges and Criticisms

Introduction:

Article 35A was introduced in 1954 through a Presidential order and is closely tied to the provisions of Article 370, which granted special status to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). This article aimed to bestow specific rights and privileges upon the permanent residents of J&K, defining their legal standing and entitlements distinct from those of other Indian citizens.

Provisions of Article 35A:

1. Property Ownership: Non-residents were prohibited from buying or owning any immovable property in J&K. This restriction was aimed at preserving the demographic and cultural character of the region.
2. Settlement Restrictions: Non-residents were not allowed to settle permanently in J&K. The intention behind this provision was to safeguard the social and cultural fabric of the state.
3. Education and Employment: Non-residents were barred from accessing scholarships or employment opportunities within J&K. These privileges were exclusively reserved for permanent residents of the state.
4. Exclusive Rights: Article 35A conferred exclusive power to the J&K state legislature to determine who qualified as permanent residents. This allowed the state to maintain control over its demographic makeup.

Criticisms on Article 35A:

1. Violation of Fundamental Rights:
   • Article 16(1): This article guarantees equality of opportunity for all citizens in public jobs. Critics argued that Article 35A undermined this by reserving public jobs only for permanent residents of J&K, thereby excluding non-residents.
   • Article 300: Article 35A failed to provide protection to the property of non-residents against state actions, violating the safeguard provided by Article 300 of the Indian Constitution.
   • Article 19(1)(e) Violation: Article 19(1)(e) grants Indian citizens the right to settle in any part of the country. Article 35A conflicted with this right by imposing various restrictions on non-residents of J&K, effectively granting preference only to permanent residents.

Current Status of Article 35A

On 5 August 2019, the Union Government revoked the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 through a Presidential Order and made the entire Constitution of India applicable to the state. This implied that Article 35A stood abolished. Further, the Parliament of India passed legislation reorganising the state into two union territories, one being Jammu and Kashmir, the other Ladakh.

POK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir): Refers to the region of Jammu and Kashmir that is currently administered by Pakistan after the 1947-48 war; a disputed territory between India and Pakistan.

LOC (Line of Control): The de facto border dividing the regions of Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan; subject to occasional military tensions.

LAC (Line of Actual Control): The demarcation line between China and India in the Aksai Chin region; the subject of occasional border disputes and military standoffs.

Aksai Chin: A region in the northern part of the Himalayas controlled by China, but claimed by India as part of its territory; a source of conflict between the two countries.

 

G20 Nations and Climate Change

Introduction:

Climate change is an urgent global challenge that requires coordinated efforts from the world's major economies. The Group of Twenty (G20) nations, encompassing 85% of the global GDP and 75% of global trade, hold a significant responsibility in addressing climate change due to their economic and environmental influence. This blog explores the G20 nations' contributions to climate change, their ongoing efforts to combat it, and potential strategies for a sustainable economic transition.

G20 Nations' Impact on Climate Change:

• G20 nations constitute 85% of the global GDP and 75% of global trade.
• They are home to two-thirds of the world's population.
• These nations are responsible for over 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Cooperation among G20 nations is crucial for addressing climate change effectively.

Ongoing Efforts and Initiatives:

• Paris Agreement (2015):
  • Aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to restrict it to 1.5°C.
• Emission Targets:
  • EU committed to reducing emissions by 55% by 2030.
  • China pledged carbon neutrality by 2060, with interim goals.
• Renewable Energy Investment:
  • Germany targets 65% electricity from renewables by 2030.
• Climate Finance and Collaborations:
  • Contributions to the Green Climate Fund for developing countries.
  • Collaborations with UNFCCC and COP summits.
• Carbon Pricing:
  • Canada's carbon pricing system includes taxes and cap-and-trade programs.

India's Role and Initiatives:

• Panchamrit Initiative:
  • Non-fossil energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030.
  • 50% of energy needs from renewables by 2030.
  • Reducing carbon emissions by a billion tonnes by 2030.
  • Carbon intensity reduction by less than 45% by 2030.
  • Net-zero emissions by 2070.
• CoP 27 and International Solar Alliance:
  • Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy.
  • Collaboration with France under the International Solar Alliance.

Key Steps for G20 Nations:

• Clear Governance Framework:
  • Collaborative plan with defined responsibilities.
  • Inter-ministerial councils for synchronization (e.g., South Africa's Presidential Climate Commission).
• Sustainable Economic Transition (SET):
  • Promote economic stability and revenue protection.
  • Encourage banks to support energy-efficient tech and green industries (e.g., green steel).
• Transparency:
  • Establish mechanisms for disclosing energy transition data.
  • Encourage fossil fuel-producing nations to reveal transition plans.

 

Rozgar Mela: Empowering Youth and Fostering Economic Growth

Objective

Address unemployment and support India's goal of becoming the world's third-largest economic power.

Recruitment Drive

Government-led initiative to hire 10 lakh personnel for 38 ministries and departments.

Posts Available: Group A, B, and C positions including sub-inspectors, constables, clerks, stenos, income tax inspectors, and roles in Central Armed Police Forces.

Training

"Karmayogi Prarambh" online orientation course:

• Focus on code of conduct, workplace ethics, integrity, and human resource policies.

Economic Significance

• Combat rise in unemployment rate.
• Prevent wastage of human resources.
• Support India's economic growth aspirations.

NSSO Labor Survey

• Labor force participation rate at 53%.
• Rozgar Mela addresses jobless growth by linking job seekers with suitable positions.

Benefits for Job Seekers

• Provides access to diverse job openings.
• Streamlines the job application process.

Benefits for Employers

• Connects employers with qualified candidates.
• Facilitates talent acquisition and boosts efficiency.

Overall Impact

• Bridges the unemployment gap.
• Enhances skill levels through structured training.
• Aligns with India's economic ambitions.
• Addresses challenges of jobless growth.
• Empowers both job seekers and employers.

 

Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Introduction

• Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) educates about sexuality.
• Understanding sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions, and behaviors.
• Importance of age-appropriate, accurate information.

Empowering through Education

1. Foundations of CSE:

   • Teaches young people about sexuality.
   • UN recommends starting from age five.
   • Tailored curricula for different ages, scientifically accurate.

2. Holistic Learning for Young Children:

   • Understanding their bodies and emotions.
   • Learning consent principles.
   • Addressing violence, bullying, and abuse.

Impact and Imperative

1. Informed Decision-Making:
   • Accurate information for wise choices.
2. Relationship Skills:
   • Establishing and maintaining respectful, consensual relationships.
   • Reducing unintended pregnancies.
3. Disease Prevention:
   • Educating about sexual safety.
   • Lowering transmission rates of STDs and STIs.
4. Embracing Diversity:
   • Understanding diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and cultures.
   • Promoting inclusivity, reducing discrimination.
5. Addressing Abuse:
   • Recognizing and preventing sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation.

Why India Needs CSE

1. Alarming Statistics:
   • 64% of reported POCSO cases involve sexual assault.
   • Urgent need for body awareness and consent education.
2. Breaking Stereotypes:
   • Policies shaped by patriarchal norms need reform.
   • CSE challenges and changes societal stereotypes.
3. Age of Consent Dilemma:
   • High courts suggest reducing age of consent.
   • Urgency to teach about sexual consent.
4. Educator Challenges:
   • Teachers lack knowledge to address diverse sexual topics.
   • Necessity for teacher capacity-building.

Charting the Way Forward

1. Creative Curricula:
   • States can design innovative curricula.
   • Framework provided by UNFPA as a guide.
2. Guiding Policy:
   • Judiciary can advocate for a national policy.
   • Policy to guide state governments in implementing effective CSE.

Conclusion

• CSE vital for informed and respectful adolescents.
• Enables wise choices, prevents abuse, and embraces diversity.
• Integration into education for a healthier, respectful society.
• A generation that respects identities and upholds consent.

 

World Athletics Championships

Introduction

• International track and field event.
• Additional opportunity outside of the Olympics.
• Wide range of track, field, and combined events.
• 1st held in Helsinki, Finland, 1983.
• Initially every 4 years, then every 2 years from 1991.

Events

Sprints, middle-distance and long-distance races, hurdles, relays, high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, and cross-country races.

World Athletics

• International sports body governing athletics.
• Formed as International Amateur Athletic Federation in 1912.
• Renamed International Association of Athletic Federation in 2001.
• Became World Athletics in 2019.
• Headquarters in Monaco.
• 214 member federations including India.