13 April 2023

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

 1 – Agnipath Scheme: GS II – Government Policies and Interventions:

Context:

• The recruiting drive for the armed forces was halted in June of last year when the Agnipath project was launched, and the Supreme Court recently rejected arguments that asked for its restart.
• A court presided over by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud ruled that the applicants had no legal authority to ask for the hiring process to be terminated.

About:

• It makes it possible for devoted and patriotic young people to serve in the military for four years.
• According to this idea, the young soldier joining will be referred to as Agniveer. Young people will be allowed to enlist in the military for a brief period of time.
• Most of the 45,000 to 50,000 new recruits who will be made under the new plan will leave the military in just four years.
• After four years, only 25% of the cohort will be rehired into their respective services, for a total of 15 years.
• The only eligible employees are those who enlist as non-commissioned officers and hold lower officer grades.
• In the army, commission officers hold the highest positions.
• Only commissioned officers hold such rank in the Indian armed forces. They frequently participate in commissions run by the president and are required by law to protect the country.
• Candidates must fall within the age range of 17.5 and 23.

Objectives:

• It aims to provide young people with the “Josh” and “Jazba” the opportunity to enlist in the military.
• As a result, it is anticipated that the average age of the Indian Armed Forces will drop by 4 to 5 years.
• The plan projects that within six to seven years, the average age of the armed forces, which is currently 32 years old, will fall to 26 years old.

Benefits:

• After completing their four years of service, the Agniveers would be given a one-time “Seva Nidhi” payment totaling Rs 11.71 lakhs, which will also include any interest that has accrued.
• They would also receive a four-year, Rs 48 lakh life insurance policy.
• The amount of the refund, which includes salary for any unused time, will surpass Rs 1 crore in the event of death.
• After serving for four years, soldiers who leave the military will be given government support for rehabilitation. They will be given skill certificates and bridge courses.

What are the Related Problems?

• Although under a four-year short-term contract, the ‘Agnipath’ system permits the recruitment of about 45,000 individuals into the Army, Navy, and Air Force in the first year. After the contract expires, 25% of them will remain in the military, while the other 75% will be discharged.
• We won’t be able to pursue additional careers after our four years of duty, and we’ll lag behind our peers.
• Those employed under the “Agnipath” scheme will receive a one-time lump sum payment of slightly more than Rs 11 lakh at the end of their four-year tenure.
• However, they do not get any pension benefits. Most people discover that in order to sustain themselves and their families, they must take on a second job.
• Soldiers with experience will leave the army.
• The jawans joining the Army, Navy, and Air Force will receive technical training so they can support ongoing operations. But these people will go after four years, which can leave a void.

What does this move imply for the whole country?

• As a result, “future-ready” soldiers will be created.

Additional Job Opportunities:

• These soldiers will be able to find employment in a range of industries thanks to the expanded career opportunities and the knowledge and expertise they have acquired throughout their four years of duty.

More talent

in the workforce:

• Additionally, the economy will get access to a more highly skilled workforce as a result, which will increase productivity and GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth in general.

Source The Hindu

2 – India Israel Relations: GS II – International Relations:

Context:

• The scheduled visit of Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat is expected to involve discussions about the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Israel and India, according to sources in Tel Aviv. Eli Cohen, the foreign minister, is most likely to visit India once Mr. Barkat returns. The two formal meetings held back-to-back are viewed as the buildup to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to India.

How have ties been between Israel and India up to this point?

Diplomatic relationships:

• Despite India’s formal recognition of Israel in 1950, the two countries didn’t establish full diplomatic ties until January 29th, 1992. As of December 2020, India was one of 164 UN members to maintain diplomatic ties with Israel.

Economic and Trade Relations:

• During the period of April 2020 to February 2021, the bilateral merchandise trade expanded as India’s trade balance improved, from USD 200 million in 1992 to USD 4.14 billion (excluding defense).
• Diamond commerce makes up about 50% of bilateral trade.
• India is Israel’s seventh-largest trading partner globally and third-largest in Asia.
• In the fields of energy, renewable energy, communications, real estate, and water technologies, Israeli companies have invested in India. Currently, their main focus is on setting up R&D or manufacturing facilities there.
• A free trade agreement (FTA) is currently being discussed between Israel and India.

Defence:

• India is Israel’s largest buyer for military gear, and Israel is India’s second-largest defense supplier behind Russia.
• The Indian armed forces have adapted a wide array of Israeli weapon systems over the years, including Barak anti-missile defense systems, Spyder quick-reaction anti-aircraft missile systems, Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control Systems), Heron, Searcher-II, and Harop drones, as well as Barak anti-missile defense systems, Spyder quick-reaction anti-aircraft missile systems.
• The acquisitions include consist of a variety of Israeli missiles and precision-guided weaponry, such as the Python and Derby air-to-air missiles and the Crystal Maze and Spice-2000 bombs.
• At the 15th Joint Working Group (JWG) summit on bilateral defense cooperation, nations decided to form a Task Force to develop a thorough ten-year road map to find new areas of collaboration.

Participation in Agriculture:

• In May 2021, “a three-year work program agreement” was signed to coordinate agricultural growth.
• The program’s goals include developing new Centers of Excellence (CoE), enlarging the ones that already exist, extending the CoE’s value chain, achieving self-sufficiency for the Centers of Excellence, and promoting relationships with the private sector.

Engineering & Science:

• Indian and Israeli experts recently discussed broadening the scope of the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) during its 8th Governing Body meeting.
• They approved three joint R&D projects for a combined USD 5.5 million and offered suggestions on how to strengthen the ecosystem of India-Israeli cooperation.
• I4F is a collaboration between the two countries to promote, enable, and support joint industrial R&D projects between Israeli and Indian businesses to address issues in the selected “Focus Sectors.”

Others:

• The International Solar Alliance (ISA), which is led by India and very much aligns with the objectives of both countries to intensify their cooperative efforts in sustainable energy, is another organization that Israel is joining.

How to Proceed:

• Due largely to similar strategic interests and security threats, the two nations’ relations have improved since 1992.
• Indians support Israel, and the government is revising and balancing its West Asia policy to serve the needs of its own nation.
• India and Israel must overcome the weaknesses of their religiously fundamentalist neighbors in order to confront global issues including climate change, water scarcity, population expansion, and food shortage.
• A more strong and assertive Middle Eastern policy is vitally needed for India to fully profit from the geopolitical realignments that the Abraham Accords are progressively bringing about.

Source The Hindu

3 – Tejas Aircraft: GS III – National Security:

Context:

• As part of the ongoing bilateral air exercise Cope India 23, Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Rafale, SU-30MKI, and Jaguars will begin conducting manoeuvres with U.S. Air Force (USAF) fighters such as the F-15 and B-1B long-range bombers on April 13. Additionally, on Tuesday during the drill at Kalaikunda air station, General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, Commander, U.S. Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), who is visiting India, flew a sortie in an Indian Air Force SU-30MKI fighter of Russian origin.

About:

• The Government of India launched the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program in 1984 and set up the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to oversee it.
• It took the place of the outdated Mig 21 fighter jets.

Created by:

• Department of Defence Research and Development’s Aeronautical Development Agency.

It was produced by:

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a state-owned company.

Features:

• the class’s most compact, lightweight, and tailless multi-role fighter aircraft.
• designed to transport a variety of precision-guided, air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry.
• capabilities for air-to-air refueling.
• 4000 kg is the maximum payload capacity.
• It is capable of traveling at a top speed of Mach 1.8.
• The plane has a 3,000 mile range.

Source The Hindu

4 – Role of Parliamentary Committees: GS II – Parliament-related issues:

Context:

• “It is not far from the truth to say that Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition, while Congress in Committee rooms is Congress at work,” said former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. This claim’s universality appears to have withstood the test of time and space.

About:

• A group of MPs known as a Parliamentary Committee is one that is either appointed, elected, or suggested by the Speaker or Chair of the House.
• The committee operates under the chairmanship of the Speaker and submits its findings to the Speaker or to the House.
• The British Parliament is where the concept of a parliamentary committee first emerged.
• They rely on Articles 105 and 118 for their legal standing.
• The privileges of MPs are covered by Article 105.
• The power to enact rules governing the Parliament’s procedure and conduct of business is granted by Article 118.

Need:

• To start legislative action, a Bill is introduced in either House of Parliament. However, the process of establishing laws is frequently complicated, and Parliament has a limited amount of time for in-depth deliberations.
• Additionally, the political polarization and disappearance of the middle ground have caused Parliamentary arguments to become more heated and fruitless.
• Due to these problems, the Parliamentary Committees wind up handling the majority of the legislative business.
• What Do the Different Parliamentary Committees Do?
• The Indian Parliament has several different kinds of committees. Their work, memberships, and tenure can be used to distinguish them from one another.
• The two main categories of parliamentary committees, however, are standing committees and ad hoc committees.
• The work of the Standing Committees is ongoing and they are permanent (constituting themselves annually or on occasion).

What Function Do Parliamentary Committees Have?

Expertise in Legislation is Offered:

• The majority of MPs are generalists who are aware of the mood of the populace but who seek input from stakeholders and subject matter experts before making judgments. They are not subject matter experts on the issues under discussion.
• Parliamentary committees are designed to assist MPs in finding expertise and provide them with the opportunity to think deeply about topics.

Assembling a Mini-Parliament:

• Due to the fact that MPs from various parties are chosen to these committees using a single transferable vote method, generally in proportion to their power in Parliament, these committees serve as a mini-parliament.

Tool for Detailed Examination:

• When bills are referred to these committees, they are carefully scrutinized and feedback from many outside parties, including the general public, is requested.

Gives the government a check:

• Although committee recommendations are not legally enforceable by the government, their reports serve as a public record of the meetings and exert pressure on the government to change its mind about contentious laws.
• Discussions in committee meetings are also more collaborative since they take place behind closed doors and away from the public eye, and because MPs are not under as much pressure to pose for photographers.

Source The Hindu