DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS
1 – Global Slavery Index: GS II – Social Issues
Context:
- The Walk Free Foundation’s Global Slavery Index 2023 estimates that 50 million people are subject to modern slavery, a 25% increase over the previous five years.
About slavery:
- It alludes to exploitation scenarios in which a victim is unable to refuse or leave because of compulsion, assault, threats, or deception.
- It takes the form of commercial sexual exploitation, forced employment, child labour, forced marriage, debt servitude, human trafficking, etc.
The index of global slavery:
- It is a review of the state of modern slavery in 160 nations.
- It makes use of information made public by organisations like the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organisation, etc.
- The Index provides rankings for three factors: vulnerability (political instability, inequality), government reaction, and problem size (prevalence).
- As India has the G20 presidency this year, with a focus on sustainable development and climate change mitigation, the 2023 index is significant.
The Global Slavery Index 2023’s highlights include:
- In 2021, there were 50 million people who were subject to modern slavery on any given day.
- Due to Covid-19, armed conflict, weak government, and other factors, the practise has increased in prevalence over the last five years (by 25%/10 million).
- More than half of all people in modern slavery live in G20 countries, where commerce and global supply chains facilitate human rights abuses.
- India tops the list of G20 countries with 11 million individuals forced into employment, followed by China, Russia, Indonesia, Turkey, and the United States.
Challenges:
- SDG 8.7 [stopping contemporary slavery and forced labour]: The challenge in accomplishing this target by 2030 is highlighted by the high incidence of modern slavery and the lack of progress being made by the government.
- Various economic sectors encourage contemporary slavery: Similar to how the textile sector encourages forced labour, low pay, and a lack of benefits (maternity leave, for example).
- Poor government policies: The “Sumangali” initiative in Tamil Nadu, for instance, entraps women and girls from underprivileged areas to labour in abusive conditions in spinning mills.
Way Forward:
- More transparency in value chains, social protection for workers at all levels, and corporate accountability in international and bilateral free trade agreements are all benefits of south-south cooperation.
- putting in place more stringent regulations and laws to stop businesses and governments from obtaining products and services that are connected to modern slavery.
- incorporating anti-slavery measures into sustainability initiatives to combat climate change.
- Children should get elementary and secondary education, and laws prohibiting child and forced marriage should be tightened.
Conclusion:
- The empowerment of vulnerable populations must be ensured through strong legislation and G20 nation accountability.
- The right of access to public goods, global commons, and decent labour are the keys to preventing forced labour.
Source The Hindu
2 – Insurgency in Manipur: GS III – Internal Security
Context:
- The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) has refuted the Manipur CM’s assertions that security forces killed 40 rebels amid recent violence in Manipur.
How did the clashes get started?
- The Kuki tribe was opposing the Meitei community’s desire to be recognised as a “Scheduled Tribe” when violence broke out in the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur area.
- Because the Meiteis claim to be the most marginalised group in society, the tribes consider that giving them ST status would violate their rights.
- Manipur’s history of warfare dates back to the 1950s, when the Naga national movement—India’s first organised insurgency—was raging in the region.
The rebel organisations in the Valley:
- The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was established in 1964 with the goal of breaking away from India.
- Multiple Meitei insurgent groups (PREPAK, PLA) subsequently emerged and were armed and trained by China.
- These organisations operated with the dual goals of achieving independence from India and putting down Naga rebel organisations.
The Kuki-Zomi rebel organisations:
- It began as a deterrent to other groups’ hostility but quickly evolved into a call for Kukiland, an envisioned nation encompassing the Kuki-Zomi-inhabited regions of India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
- This became reduced to a simple demand for a distinct state.
Governmental response:
- The entire state was covered by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which was passed in 1958.
- Manipur was designated a disturbed area in the 1980s.
- 2008 saw the signing of a tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement between the Kuki-Zomi groups, the state, and the Centre.
- AFSPA has been repealed in a number of locations as the state of law and order has progressively improved.
- The UNLF, which is regarded as the mother of all Meitei insurgent groups, and other Valley insurgent organisations, however, have never reached a settlement with the Centre.
Activist organisations in politics and society:
- Manipur’s daily existence is inextricably entwined with the militant factions.
- They hold protests and impose moral standards such as a ban on Hindi-language media.
- They also impose “taxes” on the general populace.
- The political life of the state is where the factions are most apparent today. Cross-party candidates run for office with insurgent support, and the groups tell the electorate who should win.
Source The Hindu
3 – Article 299: GS II – Indian Constitution
Context:
- According to a recent Supreme Court decision, the government cannot assert immunity under Article 299 of the Constitution from the terms of a contract it enters into in the President’s name.
Regarding the case:
- Glock Asia-Pacific Limited, a manufacturer of pistols, and the Centre (government) were parties to the case. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Glock had a contract for the supply of pistols, but a disagreement emerged when the government used a performance bank guarantee. Glock requested arbitration, however the government objected to the arbitrator’s selection due to a tender requirement.
- The arbitration clause that let a government official to serve as an arbitrator was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court, siding with Glock in the decision. A retired judge from the Supreme Court was chosen by the court to serve as the arbitrator.
As stated in Constitutional Article 299:
- The terms and conditions of government contracts are outlined in Article 299 in detail. The purpose of this article is to prevent unauthorised or illegal contracts that can use up public funds by requiring that contracts negotiated by representatives of the government follow a set procedure.
- Contracts must be articulated for the President or Governor to make them.
- The President of India or the Governor of a State must be specifically identified as the maker of all contracts formed in the exercise of executive power.
- contract executionContracts and property guarantees formed in the exercise of executive power must be carried out by individuals authorised by the President or Governor.
- The President and the Governor are not personally responsible for any agreements or assurances made or carried out in accordance with Article 299 of the Constitution.
- Also exempt from personal liability are individuals who sign contracts on the President or Governor’s behalf.
- The government is not exempt from the implementation of statutory legislation when engaging into contracts under Article 299 of the Constitution.
- The relevant legislation continue to bind the government.
Source The Hindu
4 – Babool: GS III – Environmental Conservation related issues
Context:
- Arid plant babool has a wide range of advantages, according to studies.
Babool Name:
- Arabic for “babool” or “gum” (Acacia nilotica)
About Babul:
- It is an evergreen perennial tree that is native to the Indian Subcontinent, as well as tropical Africa, Burma, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the west and east Sudanese states. It happens in India’s tropical and subtropical regions.
Seeds’ Nutritional Value:
- Protein, fat, fibre, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and manganese are some of the nutrients.
Pods’ antibacterial activity:
- Effective against gram-positive microorganisms like Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus.
Food Preservative: Natural:
- Extracts from pods can prevent microbiological deterioration and replace synthetic food preservatives.
Eco-friendly pest management:
- Major farm pests can be managed without the use of chemicals by using babool seed oil.
Medical Qualities:
- Young leaves enhance digestion; woody stems maintain healthy gums and teeth; Bark is used to cure wounds that are infected and burns; Numerous health concerns are helped by the resin.
Feeding Animals:
- Animals are fed leaves and pods, which are similarly nutrient-dense to cottonseed meal.
Fixing and recycling nitrogen:
- Babool fixes nitrogen and serves as a windbreak, both of which aid in the rehabilitation of degraded lands.
Climate resilience and biological diversity:
- Babool tree planting promotes biodiversity and prevents desertification.
Source The Hindu
