Daily News 21-June-2022

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

1. India gives emergency visas for 111 Afghan Hindus, Sikhs

2. Election Commission wants people to run from one seat

3. India and Bangladesh should work on river management

4. What west Seti Power Project can mean for India-Nepal ties

GS Paper 3:

1. Major outcomes achieved at WTO

2. A major revamp for Bank Board Bureau

GS Paper 4:

1. Mahodiya, the location of the Panchayat Series, real and reel life are not that far apart.

Facts for Prelims:

1. Rukmini Krishna Yatra

2. Juneteenth

3. Kausani (Uttrakhand)

4. Chess Olympiad Games

5. Bad Banks

6. Surety Bond

7. Black Swan Event

8. Operation Sankalp

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India gives emergency visas for 111 Afghan Hindus, Sikhs

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India, protection of people.

Context:

• The Union Home Ministry granted emergency visas to 111 Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan, hours after Saturday’s terror attack at a gurdwara in Kabul.
• All had applied for visas in September 2021, but the applications were cleared only after the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), a terrorist group, attacked the gurdwara.

e-emergency X-Misc Visa

• To facilitate and fast-track urgent applications for entry to India.
• e-Emergency X-Misc Visa is granted to foreigners who are not covered in the available categories of visa but need to visit India urgently due to a family emergency.
• Such a single-entry visa is issued by Indian Missions/Posts for an appropriate period of time.
• The facility is available to all Afghans irrespective of their religion. The (initial) validity of this visa would be six months.

Insta Links

What is an electronic visa (e-visa)? Click here

Practice Questions:

Q. The e-visa system is an innovation introduced by the government in 2014. Discuss the process and current status of e-visas.

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. The visas are granted by the Ministry of External Affairs(GOI).
2. e- Emergency X-Misc Visa is available to Afghan Sikhs and Hindus only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct:

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)June 20, 2022 /20 June CA, Today Article

Election Commission wants people to run from one seat

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Appointment to various constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies.

Context:

• The Election Commission has made a fresh push for amending the law to bar people from contesting more than one seat.
• It said that if it cannot be done, then a hefty fine should be imposed on those vacating one of the constituencies and forcing a bypoll.
• The Legislative Department is the nodal agency in the government to deal with issues related to the EC.

Background:

• As per Section 33(7) of the RPA (Representation of the People Act), 1951, one candidate can contest from a maximum of two constituencies.

Issues:

• One-Act Negates another: Since no Candidate can represent two Constituencies, the idea of this system appears to be illogical and ironic.
• By-election Strains Public Exchequer: After sacrificing one of the Constituencies, a by-election is automatically triggered immediately after the general election.
• Voters Lose Interest: Repeated elections are not only unnecessary and costly, but they will also cause voters to lose interest in the electoral process.

Recommendations of the Election Commission:

• The Election Commission recommended amending Section 33(7) to allow one candidate to contest from only one seat. It has done so in 2004, 2010, 2016 and 2018.
• A system should be devised wherein if a candidate contested from two constituencies and won both, then he or she would bear the financial burden of conducting the subsequent by-election in one of the constituencies.

Election Laws (amendment) Act 2021

De-Duplication of Electoral Roll:

1. It provides for amendment of section 23 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1950, enabling the linking of electoral roll data with the Aadhaar ecosystem.
2. This aims to curb the menace of multiple enrolments of the same person in different places.
3. This will help in stopping bogus voting and fraudulent votes.
4. This linking is in consonance with the 105th report of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances and Law and Justice.

Multiple Qualifying Dates:

1. The citizens get voting rights when they turn 18. However, many are left out of the electoral rolls even after turning 18. This is because, in the system, 1st January is the qualifying date.
2. Four qualifying dates will be declared for updating the voting rolls to include those who have turned 18 — the first day of the months of January, April, July and October.

Bringing Gender Neutrality:

The language for registration of ‘wives of service voters’ will now be replaced by ‘spouse’. This will make the laws more “gender-neutral”.

Service voters are those serving in the armed forces, armed police forces of a state serving outside it and government employees posted outside India.

Insta Links:

To read RPA 1951: Click here

Practice Questions:  

Q. Critically analyze the provisions of the Election Law(Amendment) Act, 2021. (10M)

Q. With reference to Election Laws(Amendment) Act, 2021, consider the following statements:

1. The language for “wives of service voters” will be replaced by the spouse.
2. There will be four qualifying dates for updating voter rolls which include the first day of months of January, March, June and October.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)June 20, 2022 /20 June CA, Today Article

India and Bangladesh should work on river management

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: India and neighbourhood- relations

Context:

• At the seventh round of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission, External Affairs Minister extended India’s assistance in the management of the annual flood in Bangladesh.
• Collaborations agreed on: Artificial Intelligence, startups, fintech and cybersecurity.
• Joint Statement: Two countries remain focused on the “importance of safe, speedy, and sustainable return of forcibly displaced persons from Rakhine State Myanmar, currently being sheltered by Bangladesh”.

Reasons for recent floods in Bangladesh:

• Climate Change
• Skewed Rainfall Pattern:80% of the precipitation takes place in the monsoon months from June to September
• Trans-National Rivers from India example: Bharmaputra, Teesta etc.
• Unplanned Development

Insta Links

To read about Land Boundary Agreement: Click here

To read about the Teesta river dispute: Click here

Practice Questions:

Q. Examine the various impediments in Indo-Bangladesh relations. Are the steps taken sufficient? Critically analyze. (15M)

Q. With reference to Teesta river, consider the following statements:

1. Teesta river is a tributary of the Ganga river.
2. It originates in the Himalayas in Sikkim And flows to the south through Assam before entering Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)June 20, 2022 /20 June CA, Today Article

What west Seti Power Project can mean for India-Nepal ties

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: India and neighbourhood- relations

Context:

• India will be taking over an ambitious hydropower project in Nepal West Seti nearly four years after China withdrew from it, ending a six-year engagement between 2012 and 2018.
• India’s National Hydro Power Corporation has already begun preliminary engagement of the site in far-western Nepal following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lumbini

West Seti project:        

• The proposed 750-megawatt West Seti Hydropower Project is to be built on the Seti river in far-western Nepal.
• West Seti and Seti river, a joint project, has the capacity to generate 1200 MW of electricity.

India-Nepal power relations:

• Mahakali treaty was signed in1995 to produce 6480 MW.
• Upper Karnali project
• 900 MW Arun Three projects in eastern Nepal’s SankhuwaSabha.

Insta Links

To read about India-Nepal relations: Click here

Practice Questions:

Consider the following statements:

1. The West Seti dam is located at the confluence of the Seti and Karnali river.
2. Seti dam lies to the east of Kathmandu.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)June 20, 2022 /20 June CA, Today Article

Major outcomes achieved at WTO

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Effects of liberalisation on the economy (post-1991 changes), changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

Context:

This is in continuation of the article published in Current Affairs on 18^th June 2022

Important Deals struck:

• Fisheries: Countries agreed to check on illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and overfishing; no subsidies for fishing in areas outside of RFMOs (regional fisheries management organizations) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); and strict control on overfished areas.
  • India’s demand for curb on non-specific fuel subsidies for fisheries was not accepted.
  • The pact says that members will need to come out with comprehensive disciplines within the next four years, or see the current agreement terminated.

• Food security: member countries would not impose export prohibitions or restrictions on foodstuffs purchased for humanitarian purposes of the WFP. (except for ensuring domestic food security)

What is overfishing?

Overfishing refers to exploiting fishes at a pace faster than they could replenish themselves — currently standing at 34% as per the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

• However, negotiators could not reach agreements on issues such as permissible public stockholding threshold for domestic food security, domestic support to agriculture, cotton, and market access.

What is Electronic Transmission (ET)?

ETs consist of online deliveries such as music, e-books, films, software and video games. They differ from other cross-border e-commerce since they are ordered online but not delivered physically.

• IP on Covid vaccines: Countries have been allowed to produce vaccines patented elsewhere, without any consent and limit on their export.
  • Previously, TRIPS Patent rules (during the 1986-94 Uruguay round) shifted the focus from ‘process patent’ to ‘product patent’ after including intellectual property rights in the rules of trade.

What is WTO’s ministerial conference?

• The MC is at the very top decision making body of WTO.
• It meets once every two years and can take decisions on all matters under any multilateral trade agreement.
• Unlike other organisations, such as the International Monetary Fund or World Bank, WTO does not delegate power to a board of directors or an organisational chief. All decisions at the WTO are made collectively and through consensus among member countries at varied councils and committees.
• This year’s conference (13^th MC) took place in Geneva, Switzerland.

Sources: The Hindu, Live MintJune 20, 2022 /20 June CA, Today Article

A major revamp for Bank Board Bureau

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment.

Context:

The finance ministry is working to expand and relaunch the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) by bringing in more representatives from the insurance sector.

Revamp plan:

• Add new member
• Empower: Finance ministry wants to legally empower the body to recommend candidates for public sector insurers and accelerate top-level hiring at all state-run financial institutions.
• Restructure: BBB’s name and mandate will be changed. The proposed entity will recommend candidates for appointments to senior management-level posts in state-run banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions.

Why the need for revamping:-

• Delhi HC order: Delhi high court last year observed that the bureau was not a competent body to recommend appointments at PSU general insurers, and held that circulars enabling BBB to select general managers and directors of PSU insurers were not legally valid.
• Slow recruitment process: Despite the BBB’s good work, recruitment to a higher level has been slow. Also, BBB’s extended two-year term ended, and new recruitments can restart only when a new body is in place.

About BBB:

It was set up in February 2016 as an autonomous body– based on the recommendations of the RBI-appointed Nayak Committee.

• It was part of the Indradhanush Plan.
• It will make recommendations for the appointment of whole-time directors as well as non-executive chairpersons of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and state-owned financial institutions.
• The Ministry of Finance takes the final decision on the appointments in consultation with the Prime Minister’s Office.

Composition:

Banks Board Bureau comprises the Chairman, three ex-officio members i.e Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services and Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and five expert members, two of which are from the private sector.

Practice Questions:

Q. With reference of the ‘Banks Board Bureau (BBB)’, which of the following statements are correct? (UPSC 2022)

1. The Governor of RBI is the Chairman of BBB.
2. BBB recommends for the selection of heads for Public Sector Banks.
3. BBB helps the Public Sector Banks in Developing strategies and capital raising plans.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 2

Answer: b

BBB is a self-governing autonomous and advisory body of the Central Government to improve the management of public sector banks.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Chairman is selected by the central government and the RBI governor does not head it.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct: Banks Board Bureau recommends the selection of head for Public Sector Banks. It also develops strategies for raising capital and improving the performance of PSBs.

Q. Consider the following statements about Banks Board Bureau :

1. The BBB is a not-for-profit organisation registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
2. The BBB was the part of Indradhanush Plan of government.
3. It will make recommendations for appointment of whole-time directors as well as non-executive chairpersons of Public Sector Banks and state-owned financial institutions.

Which of the given above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 and 2 only

b. 2 and 3 only

c. 1 and 3 only

d. 2 and 3

Ans: (b) 

Source: Live MintJune 20, 2022 /20 June CA, Today Article

Mahodiya, location of Panchayat series, real and reel life are not that far apart

GS Paper 4

Syllabus: Public Service Values

Context:

Polling for Madhya Pradesh panchayat elections with SC-directed OBC reservation is less than a week away.

Famous series Panchayat had highlighted the issues prevalent in most Indian Villages.

The location where the series was shot i.e. Madhya Pradesh’s Mahodiya faces almost all the issues that have been shown in the series highlighting Ethical issues and a lack of values in Public Administration.

Issues Involved in this case:

1. Prevalence of patriarchy in Indian Villages shows a lack of gender equality in – the culture of Pradhan-Pati — a system where the men of the family, primarily husbands, run the show on behalf of the elected representative. It is the men who interact with the media too.
2. Lack of effective governance and misappropriation of public funds– Water Tank shown in the show- Villagers say that it was built close to a decade ago and they are yet to receive water from it.
3. Dilemma of Reservation vs Merit– Due to the Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation rule, the village will now elect an OBC woman as sarpanch thus others will be left out.
4. Discrimination and misuse of the utilization of public funds – There are a few kachcha houses and they are in the process of getting converted into concretized houses under the Prime Minister’s housing scheme. Dalit residents, claim the wait is usually longer for Dalit beneficiaries compared to those from other castes.

What can be done?

1. Spread Awareness: Among the masses regarding the issue of Pradhan Pati and empowering women to take charge of issues.
2. Probity in governance: To check that misappropriation of funds doesn’t occur and be accountable and transparent when dealing with public funds.
3. Objectivity: In the allocation of concretized houses to the neediest first.

Source: The HinduJune 20, 2022 /20 June CA, Today Article

Facts For Prelims

Rukmini-Krishna Yatra

Context:

National Monumental Authority (NMA) To Work On Strengthening Rukmini Krishna Yatra Between Arunachal Pradesh And Gujarat.

It aims to promote the concept of national unity and generate awareness on the initiative – ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ envisioned by PM Modi.

Beautiful saga of Rukmini’s marriage to Lord Krishna is still sung by the Idu Mishmi tribal community.

In Porbandar, Krishna’s marriage with Arunachal’s Rukmini is also celebrated.

Juneteenth

Context:

Juneteenth completes a year as the first new federal holiday created in almost four decades.

Juneteenth– the portmanteau of June and nineteenth– is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the US representing freedom for African Americans, observed on June 19 every year. It is also known as Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day.

Kausani, Uttrakhand

Context:

Increasing heat and changing rain cycles had affected this region.

Mahatma Gandhi arrived here in June 1929 from Andhra Pradesh. He called this place the ‘Switzerland of India

He authored his famous book Anasakti Yoga based on the Srimad Bhagavad Gita here.

Apart from the Anasakti Ashram where Gandhiji stayed, there is Sumitranandan Pant Gallery, a museum dedicated to the great Hindi poet who was born here. Pant’s poetry is known for its romanticism inspired by nature’s beauty.

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 Chess Olympiad Games

Context:

For the first time, this year, India is also going to host the Chess Olympiad games. The event was originally scheduled in Russia

History of Chess: India is considered the birthplace of chess.  Its origin can be traced back nearly 1500 years to its earliest known predecessor, called chaturanga, in India. From India, it spread to Persia. The game evolved roughly into its current form by about 1500 CE.

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Bad Banks

A bad bank is an Asset reconstruction company (ARC) that alienates risky assets held by banks and financial institutions.

• Purpose: It is created to help banks clean their balance sheets by transferring their bad loans so that the banks can focus on their core business of taking deposits and lending money.
• Indian government has set up two new such entities:
• NARCL:  It will acquire stressed assets from various commercial banks in different phases.
• IDRCL: India Debt Resolution Company Ltd (IDRCL), will then try to sell the stressed assets in the market.
  Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will hold 51% and 49% of them respectively.

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 Surety Bond

Context:

Government has asked IRDAI to come up with such a bond, which can replace expensive Bank Guarantees.

• In finance, a surety bond or guaranty involves a promise by one party to assume responsibility for the debt obligation of a borrower if that borrower defaults.
• It is generally provided by the insurance company to allow the harmed party to make a claim on the bond to recover losses.

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Black Swan Event

 Context:

As per the latest RBI study, capital outflows to the tune of $100 billion (around Rs 7,80,000 crore) are likely to take place from India in a major global risk scenario or a black swan event.

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Operation Sankalp

The operation is the Indian Navy’s effort to maintain a frontline ship in the region to ensure the safe and secure movement of trade.

• It was started in 2019 after attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Oman, to ensure safe passage of Indian Flag Vesselstransiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
• This year it entered its 3^rd year of operation.

For Prelims: Foreign Terrorist Organisation, India-Centric Terror Organizations

For Mains: UNSC 1267 Committee and listing Procedure

Why in News?

India and the US jointly proposed to list Makki, a top LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) Militant, under the UN Security Council’s Al-Qaeda and ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) Sanctions Committee which is also known as the UNSC 1267 Committee.

• But, China, placed a “technical hold” on the proposal to list Makki and this measure can last for up to six months at a time.
• Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is the Islamic State, transnational Sunni insurgent group operating primarily in western Iraq and eastern Syria.

What is United Nation Security Council?

• About:
  • The UNs Charter established six main organs of the UN, including the UNSC. Article 23 of the UN Charter concerns the composition of the UNSC.
    • The other 5 organs of the UN are—the General Assembly, the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
  • The UNSC has been given primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and may meet whenever peace is threatened.
• Headquarter:
  • The council is headquartered at NewYork.
• Members:
  • The UNSC is composed of 15 members, 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent.
    • Five Permanent Members: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
    • Ten Non-Permanent Members: Elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
      • India, for the eighth time, has entered the UNSC as a non-permanent member last year (2021) and will stay on the council for two years i.e 2021-22.
• Each year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members (out of ten in total) for a two-year term. The ten non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis.

What is UNSC 1267 committee?

• About:
  • It was first set up in 1999, and strengthened after the September, 2001 attacks. It is now known as the Da’esh and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.
  • It comprises all permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
  • The 1267 list of terrorists is a global list, with a UNSC stamp. It is full of Pakistani nationals and residents.
  • It is one of the most important and active UN subsidiary bodies working on efforts to combat terrorism, particularly in relation to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
  • It discusses UN efforts to limit the movement of terrorists, especially those related to travel bans, the freezing of assets and arms embargoes for terrorism.
    • India has made at least three attempts in the last decade — in 2009, 2016 and 2017 — to list JeM chief as “global terrorist”. All attempts have been blocked by China at Pakistan’s behest.
• Procedure of Listing:
  • Any member state can submit a proposal for listing an individual, group, or entity.
  • The proposal must include acts or activities indicating the proposed individual/group/entity had participated “in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities” linked to “ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida or any cell, affiliate, splinter group or derivative thereof”.
  • Decisions on listing and de-listing are adopted by consensus. The proposal is sent to all the members, and if no member objects within five working days, the proposal is adopted.
    • An “objection” means curtains for the proposal.
  • Any member of the Committee may also put a “technical hold” on the proposal and ask for more information from the proposing member state. During this time, other members may also place their own holds.
  • The matter remains on the “pending” list of the Committee until such time as the member state that has placed the hold decides to turn its decision into an “objection”, or until all those who have placed holds remove them within a timeframe laid down by the Committee.
  • Pending issues must be resolved in six months, but the member state that has placed the hold may ask for an additional three months. At the end of this period, if an objection is not placed, the matter is considered approved.

What is Foreign Terrorist Organisation?

• FTO are foreign organizations that are designated by the Secretary of State US.
• This plays a critical role in fight against terrorism and is an effective means of curtailing support for terrorist activities and pressuring groups to get out of the terrorism business.

Prominent India-Centric Terror Organizations in Pakistan
Name	Formation	FTO Designation	About	Status in India as per the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET)	Late 1980s	2001	It was responsible for major 2008 attacks in Mumbai, as well as numerous other high-profile attacks.	Banned
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM)	2000	2001	Along with LET, it was responsible for the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament, among other attacks. JEM also has openly declared war on the United States.	Banned
Harakat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI)	1980	2010	Initially it was formed to fight the soviet army, however after 1989, it redirected its efforts toward India, although it did supply fighters to the Afghan Taliban.HUJI today operates in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, and seeks annexation of Kashmir into Pakistan.	Banned
Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM)	1985	1997	It operates mainly from Pak-Occupied Kashmir and from some Pakistani cities.	Banned
Hizb-ul Mujahideen	1989	2017	It is the militant wing of Pakistan’s largest Islamist political party and is one of the largest and oldest militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir.	Banned
Al Qaeda	1988	1999	It has operated primarily from the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas and in the megacity of Karachi, as well as in Afghanistan.	Banned

Source: HT

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For Prelims: WTO, Issue of agriculture in the WTO

For Mains: WTO reforms and its implication on the developing nations. India’s suggetions on WTO reforms

Why in News?

Recently, the 12^th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded.

• The key areas of discussions were WTO’s response to the pandemic, Fisheries subsidies negotiations, Agriculture issues including Public Stockholding for Food security, WTO Reforms and Moratorium on Custom Duties on Electronic Transmission.
• The 164-member World Trade Organization held its first ministerial conference in nearly five years, following Covid-19 postponements.

What are the Key Outcomes of the 12^th Ministerial Conference?

• WTO Reform:
  • Members reaffirmed the foundational principles of the WTO and committed to an open and inclusive process to reform all its functions, from deliberation to negotiation to monitoring.
  • Notably, they committed to work towards having a well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members by 2024.
• Agreement on Curtailing Harmful Fishing Subsidies:
  • It would curb ‘harmful’ subsidies on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing for the next four years, to better protect global fish stocks.
  • Since 2001, member states have been negotiating the banning of subsidies that promote overfishing.
  • India and other developing countries were able to win some concessions in this agreement. They successfully lobbied to remove a section of the proposal that would threaten some subsidies which would assist small-scale artisanal fishing Artisanal and traditional farmers would not face any restrictions under this agreement.
• Agreement on Global Food Security:
  • Members agreed to a binding decision to exempt food purchased by the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) for humanitarian purposes, from any export restrictions.
  • In light of the global food shortages and rising prices caused by the war between Ukraine and Russia, the group’s members issued a declaration on the importance of trade in global food security and that they would avoid bans on food exports.
  • However, countries would be allowed to restrict food supplies to ensure domestic food security needs.
• Agreement on E-commerce Transactions:
  • From 2017-2020, developing countries lost a potential tariff revenue of around USD 50 billion on imports from only 49 digital products.
  • WTO members had first agreed to not impose custom duties on electronic transmissions in 1998, when the internet was still relatively new. The moratorium has been periodically extended since then.
  • However, all members agreed to continue the long standing moratorium on custom duties on e-commerce transmissions until the subsequent Ministerial Conference or until 31^st March 2024, depending on whichever comes first.
• Agreement on ‘Covid-19’ Vaccine Production:
  • WTO members agreed to temporarily waive intellectual property patents on Covid-19 vaccines without the consent of the patent holder for 5 years, so that they can more easily manufacture them domestically.
  • This “will contribute to ongoing efforts to concentrate and diversify vaccine manufacturing capacity so that a crisis in one region does not leave others cut off.”
  • The current agreement is a watered down version of the original proposal made by India and South Africa in 2020. They had wanted broader intellectual property waivers on vaccines, treatments and tests.
  • Rich pharmaceutical companies had strongly opposed this, arguing that IP’s do not restrict access to Covid vaccines and that the removal of patent protections gives researchers that quickly produced life saving vaccines, a negative message.
  • The waiver agreed by the WTO was criticized by advocacy groups for being narrow in scope, as it did not cover all medical tools like diagnostics and treatments. “This agreement fails overall to offer an effective and meaningful solution to help increase people’s access to needed medical tools during the pandemic as it does not adequately waive IP on all essential Covid-19 medical tools and it does not apply to all countries.

What are the Issues Raised by India?

• On WTO Reforms:
  • India believes that WTO reforms discussions must focus on strengthening its fundamental principles.
  • At this time, reserving Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT), which includes consensus-based decision making, non-discrimination, and special and differential treatment, should not result in the preservation of inherited disparities or aggravate the imbalances.
  • India takes the initiative to suggest reforms for developing countries (Developing countries reform paper “Strengthening the WTO to Promote Development and Inclusion”).
  • India offered a proposal in which it took the lead in criticizing the European Union and Brazil’s suggestions, both on the process and its goals. It was against an open-ended exercise on WTO amendments.
• E-commerce Transactions:
  • India had asked the WTO to review the extension of the moratorium on custom duties on e-commerce transactions, which include digitally-traded goods and services.
  • It argued that developing countries faced the brunt of the financial consequences of such a moratorium.
• On Food Security:
  • WTO should renegotiate subsidy rules for government-backed food purchasing programs aimed at feeding poor citizens in developing and poor countries.
  • India wants assurances that its public stock-holding program, which buys exclusively from the nation’s farmers and has exported in the past, cannot be challenged at the WTO as illegal.

What are the Important Facts about the World Trade Organization?

• About:
  • It came into being in 1995. The WTO is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established in the wake of the Second World War.
    • Its objective is to help trade flow smoothly, freely and predictably.
    • It has 164 members, accounting for 98% of world trade.
  • It was developed through a series of trade negotiations, or rounds, held under the GATT.
    • GATT is a set of multilateral trade agreements aimed at the abolition of quotas and the reduction of tariff duties among the contracting nations.
  • The WTO’s rules – the agreements – are the result of negotiations between the members.
    • The current set is largely the outcome of the 1986- 94 Uruguay Round negotiations, which included a major revision of the original GATT.
  • The WTO Secretariat is based in Geneva (Switzerland).
• WTO Ministerial Conference:
  • It is the WTO’s top decision-making body and usually meets every two years.
  • All members of the WTO are involved in the MC and they can take decisions on all matters covered under any multilateral trade agreements

UPSC Civil Services, Previous Years Questions (PYQ)

Q. Consider the following statements: (2017)

1. India has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of WTO.
2. TFA is a part of WTO’s Bali Ministerial Package of 2013.
3. TFA came into force in January 2016.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans:(a)

Exp:

• Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) was negotiated at the 2013 Bali Ministerial Conference. Hence,statement 2 is correct.
• It entered into force on 22 February 2017 following its ratification by two-thirds of the WTO members. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
• India had ratified TFA in 2016. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues. It further contains provisions for technical assistance and capacity building in this area.
• Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

For Prelims: Chemical Pollutants, Climate Mitigation Goals

For Mains: Gaps in Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and Recommendations

Why in News?

A group of environmental scientists, ecologists and policy experts have posited that the draft of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework fails to account for the totality of chemical pollutants that threaten ecosystems globally.

What are the Gaps in the Framework?

• Chemical Pollutants: The draft agreement falls short by limiting itself to nutrients, pesticides and plastics, while many chemicals of high concern and importance are left out of the equation — including substances that are persistent and toxic, such as mercury and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), as well as pharmaceuticals.
• LNPP Inside Protected Areas: Currently, LNPP (land where natural processes predominate) covers around 56% of terrestrial land, excluding permanent ice and rock. However, only 20% of this land is formally protected. This means that, excluding permanent ice and rock, only 11% of the world’s land is covered by LNPP inside protected areas. The group feels that this is a problem since the post-2020 framework proposes at least 30% of land be protected by 2030.
  • LNPP refers to land where there is a low human disturbance and / or ecologically relatively intact vegetation, providing space and habitat for biodiversity to thrive.

What is Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework?

• About:
  • It is a new framework that will guide actions worldwide through 2030, to preserve and protect nature and its essential services to people.
  • It aims to spur urgent and transformative action by Governments and all of society to contribute to the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, its Protocols, and other biodiversity related multilateral agreements, processes and instruments.
  • The framework is built around a theory of change which recognizes that urgent policy action globally, regionally and nationally is required to transform economic, social and financial models.
• Goals and Targets:
  • Four goals to achieve by 2050:
    • To halt the extinction and decline of biodiversity.
    • To enhance and retain nature’s services to humans by conserving.
    • To ensure fair and equitable benefits to all from use of genetic resources.
    • To close the gap between available financial and other means of implementation and those necessary to achieve the 2050 Vision.
  • 2030 Action Targets: The framework has 21 action-oriented targets for urgent action over the decade to 2030, which includes:
    • To bring at least 30% of land and sea under the world’s protected areas.
    • A 50% greater reduction in the rate of introduction of invasive alien species, and controls or eradication of such species to eliminate or reduce their impacts.
    • Reducing nutrients lost to the environment by at least half, and pesticides by at least two thirds, and eliminating the discharge of plastic waste.
    • Nature-based contributions to global climate change mitigation efforts of at least 10 GtCO₂e (gigatonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide) per year, and that all mitigation and adaptation efforts avoid negative impacts on biodiversity.
    • Redirecting, repurposing, reforming or eliminating incentives harmful for biodiversity, in a just and equitable way, reducing them by at least USD 500 billion per year.

What are the Recommendations?

• There is need to target a wider scope of chemical pollutants for strategies and action to be implemented in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
  • Countries around the world recently agreed to create an intergovernmental science-policy panel on chemicals and waste to consolidate existing knowledge and inform policymakers.
• The irrefutable evidence of chemical pollutants found in every ecosystem of the world, including remote Arctic, Antarctic and Himalayan ecosystems, should compel negotiators of the new biodiversity framework to include these as threats to global biodiversity.
• Protecting biodiversity is crucial for availability of food, there should be a net gain in the area, connectivity, and integrity of natural systems of at least 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2050 to support healthy and resilient populations of all species.
• Shifting diets, increasing crop and livestock productivity, and limiting agricultural land expansion would help achieve global biodiversity, food security and climate mitigation goals by 2050.

What is the Convention on Biological Diversity?

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a legally binding treaty to conserve biodiversity has been in force since 1993. It has 3 main objectives:
  • The conservation of biological diversity.
  • The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity.
  • The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
• Nearly all countries have ratified it (notably, the US has signed but not ratified).
• The CBD Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada and it operates under the United Nations Environment Programme.
• The Parties (Countries) under Convention of Biodiversity (CBD), meet at regular intervals and these meetings are called Conference of Parties (COP).
• In 2000, a supplementary agreement to the Convention known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was adopted. It came into force on 11th September 2003.
  • The Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.
• The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) was adopted in 2010 in Nagoya, Japan at COP10. It entered into force on 12th October 2014.
  • It not only applies to genetic resources that are covered by the CBD, and to the benefits arising from their utilization but also covers traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources that are covered by the CBD and the benefits arising from its utilization.
• Along with the Nagoya Protocol on Genetic Resources, the COP-10 also adopted a ten-year framework for action by all countries to save biodiversity.
• Officially known as “Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020”, it provided a set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets collectively known as the Aichi Targets for biodiversity.
• India enacted Biological Diversity Act in 2002 for giving effect to the provisions of the CBD.