Current Affairs 13 March 2024

CONTENTS

1. Enhancing Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities: CPWD’s Initiative
2. Democracy Report 2024: V-Dem Institute
3. Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019
4. Central Vigilance Commission
5. Madhya Pradesh High Court Orders Scientific Survey of Bhojshala Temple-Mosque Complex
6. Anthropocene Epoch
7. Inflection 2.5

Enhancing Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities: CPWD’s Initiative

Context:

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has recently taken proactive steps to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in public buildings, recognizing persistent challenges despite the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in 2016. In response to these challenges, the CPWD has prioritized the implementation of measures aimed at ensuring adherence to accessibility standards, thereby promoting inclusivity and removing barriers for PwDs in accessing public spaces.

Relevance:

GS II: Government policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwDs) Act, 2016
2. Concerns regarding accessibility in public buildings include:

 Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwDs) Act, 2016

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwDs) Act, 2016 is a landmark legislation in India aimed at safeguarding the rights and promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Here are its key features:

• Implementation of UN Convention: The RPwDs Act, 2016 implements the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which India ratified in 2007.
• Replaced Previous Legislation: It replaced the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunity, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
• Definition of Disability: The Act defines disability based on an evolving and dynamic concept. It expanded the types of disabilities from 7 to 21, with provision for the Central Government to add more.
• Rights and Benefits:
  • Ensures equal rights for persons with disabilities.
  • Provides additional benefits such as reservation in higher education (minimum 5%), government jobs (minimum 4%), and allocation of land (minimum 5%) for persons with benchmark disabilities and those with high support needs.
  • Guarantees free education for every child with a benchmark disability between 6 and 18 years.
  • Mandates government-funded and recognized educational institutions to provide inclusive education to children with disabilities.
• Accessibility Mandates:
  • Emphasizes making public infrastructure and facilities accessible to persons with disabilities, enhancing their participation and inclusion.
  • Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017 mandates the establishment of guidelines and standards for public buildings to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities.
  • Requires compliance with accessibility standards based on harmonized guidelines, with recent amendments necessitating adherence to the 2021 harmonized guidelines.
  • Mandates retrofitting of existing buildings within five years to meet accessibility standards, promoting inclusivity for persons with disabilities.

Concerns regarding accessibility in public buildings include:

• Lack of Implementation of Guidelines: Despite the establishment of accessibility guidelines in 2016 and 2021, they have not been effectively implemented by state governments. No state has yet incorporated the harmonized guidelines into their building by-laws, indicating a failure to address accessibility issues.
• Lack of Awareness and Accountability: There is a lack of awareness and accountability among engineers of public works departments responsible for implementing accessibility guidelines. This contributes to the neglect of accessibility measures in public buildings.
• Failure to Prioritize Accessibility Initiatives: While funds for retrofitting projects are available, many states and cities have not submitted applications for them. This suggests a failure to prioritize accessibility initiatives and allocate resources effectively.
• Clarity Issues in Central Public Works Department’s Memo: The memo issued by the Central Public Works Department lacks clarity and may lead to unnecessary resource wastage. This further hinders the effective implementation of accessibility measures in public buildings.

-Source: Indian Express

Democracy Report 2024: V-Dem Institute

Context:

V-Dem Institute has the ‘Democracy Report 2024’ that tracks democratic freedoms worldwide.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Democracy Report 2024
2. V-Dem Institute

Democracy Report 2024

The Democracy Report, published by the V-Dem Institute, provides an assessment of the state of democracy worldwide, focusing on democratization and autocratization. Here are the key points regarding the report and its findings:

• Classification of Regime Types: The report categorizes countries into four regime types based on their score in the Liberal Democratic Index (LDI): Liberal Democracy, Electoral Democracy, Electoral Autocracy, and Closed Autocracy. These classifications consider both liberal and electoral aspects of democracy.
• Components of the LDI: The LDI is based on 71 indicators, including the Liberal Component Index (LCI) and the Electoral Democracy Index (EDI), which measure aspects such as individual liberties, legislative constraints on the executive, and free and fair elections. Additionally, the LDI considers indices such as the Egalitarian Component Index, Participatory Component Index, and Deliberative Component Index.

Key Findings of the Democracy Report 2024:

• The report involved 4,200 scholars from 180 countries and analyzed 31 million datasets covering 202 countries from 1789 to 2023.
• It revealed that 42 countries, representing 35% of the world’s population, were undergoing autocratization in 2023.
• The proportion of the world’s population living in autocracies increased to 71%, up from 48% a decade ago.
• Democracy levels decreased globally, with the sharpest declines observed in Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Central Asia.
• Freedom of expression, clean elections, and freedom of association were identified as the three worst-affected components of democracy in autocratizing countries.
• In 2024, 31 out of 60 countries going to the polls were experiencing democratic decline.

Concerns Regarding India:

• India, classified as an electoral autocracy since 2018, has experienced further decline on multiple metrics, earning it a place among the “worst autocratizers.”
• The level of liberal democracy enjoyed by the average Indian has regressed to levels last seen in 1975, during the declaration of a state of emergency by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• An electoral autocracy, the category India falls into, features multiparty elections but lacks sufficient levels of freedom of expression and free and fair elections, among other democratic requisites.

V-Dem Institute

The V-Dem Institute, short for Varieties of Democracy, is a renowned research institute dedicated to studying the qualities of government. Here are the key points about V-Dem:

• Founding and Leadership: The V-Dem Institute was established in 2014 by Staffan Lindberg, a distinguished Swedish political scientist. Lindberg’s expertise and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the institute’s research agenda and methodologies.
• Research Focus: V-Dem Institute focuses on analyzing and understanding the varieties of democracy worldwide. Its research encompasses a broad range of topics related to governance, including democratic processes, institutions, norms, and practices.
• Location: The headquarters of the V-Dem Institute is located at the Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. The institute benefits from its affiliation with the university, leveraging its academic resources and expertise.
• Datasets and Publications: The V-Dem Institute produces and publishes a series of high-profile datasets that provide comprehensive information about the qualities of different governments. These datasets are updated annually and are publicly available for free, making them invaluable resources for researchers, policymakers, and the general public.
• Popularity Among Scholars: V-Dem datasets are widely used and respected within the academic community, particularly among political scientists. They offer detailed insights into hundreds of indicator variables covering various aspects of government, making them essential tools for comparative analysis and empirical research.

-Source: The Hindu

Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019

Context:

The government on Monday implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, notifying the rules to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key provisions of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019
2. Criticisms of the CAA

Key provisions of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019:

• Exemption for Certain Religious Minorities: The Amendment Act provides that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, will not be treated as illegal migrants. They must have been exempted from the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 by the central government to avail of this benefit.
• Citizenship by Registration or Naturalization: The Act allows individuals to apply for citizenship by registration or naturalization if they meet certain qualifications. The Amendment Act reduces the residency requirement from 11 years to five years for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
• Date of Citizenship Acquisition: Individuals covered by the Amendment Act will be deemed citizens of India from the date of their entry into India. Legal proceedings against them in respect of their illegal migration or citizenship will be closed.
• Exclusion of Tribal Areas and Inner Line Areas: The provisions on citizenship for illegal migrants do not apply to the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, as well as the “Inner Line” areas notified under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. The Inner Line Permit system regulates visits by Indians to these areas.
• Cancellation of OCI Registration: The Amendment Act allows the central government to cancel the registration of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders on various grounds, including fraud or violation of the provisions of the Act or any other notified law. The OCI cardholder must be given an opportunity to be heard before cancellation.

Criticisms of the CAA

• It violates the basic tenets of the Constitution. Illegal immigrants are distinguished on the basis of religion.
• It is perceived to be a demographic threat to indigenous communities.
• It makes illegal migrants eligible for citizenship on the basis of religion. This may violate Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees the right to equality.
• It attempts to naturalise the citizenship of illegal immigrants in the region.
• It allows cancellation of OCI registration for violation of any law. This is a wide ground that may cover a range of violations, including minor offences.

-Source: Indian Express

Central Vigilance Commission

Context:

Shri AS Rajeev appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Central Vigilance Commission
2. Functions of CVC
3. Removal of members (according to CVC Act)
4. Criticism – Limited Powers of CVC

About Central Vigilance Commission

• Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is an apex Indian governmental body created in 1964.
• CVC was set up based on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by Shri K. Santhanam, to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance.
• The CVC became a Statutory Body with the enactment of CVC Act, 2003.
• The CVC is an independent body, free of control from any executive authority, (It is NOT controlled by any ministry or department).
• The CVC is responsible only to the Parliament.
• The CVC is NOT an investigating agency.
• The CVC may have the investigation done through the CBI or Chief Vigilance Officers (CVO) in government offices.
• President of India appoints CVC members by warrant under his hand and seal.
• The Oath of office is administered by the President.
• A three-member committee made of –
• The Prime Minister, The Home Minister , The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha – Makes the Recommendation for appointment of Vigilance Commissioners.
• The Vigilance Commissioners are appointed for a term of Four years OR until they attain 65 years of age (whichever is earlier).
• On retirement – they are NOT eligible for reappointment in any central or state government agency.

Functions of CVC

• The CVC monitors all vigilance activity under the Central Government It advises various authorities in Central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work.
• The CVC recommends appropriate action on complaints on corruption or misuse of power.
• Lokpal, Central Government or Whistle blowers can approach the CVC regarding complaints.
• The CVC – Under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – can inquire into offences reported against certain categories of Public Servants. (However, remember, CVC is NOT an Investigating agency).
• The Annual Report of the CVC not only gives the details of the work done by it but also brings out the system failures which leads to corruption in various Departments/Organisations, system improvements, various preventive measures and cases in which the Commission’s advises were ignored etc.

Composition of Central Vigilance Commission

The CVC is comprised of 3 members:

• A Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson)
• Up to Two Vigilance Commissioners (Members)

Removal of members (according to CVC Act)

The Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner can be removed from his office only by order of the President on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity after the Supreme Court reports that the officer ought to be removed after inquiry, on a reference made to it by the President.

Also, a member can be removed if the member:

• Is Adjudged as an insolvent
• Is convicted of an offence that involves moral turpitude according to Central Government
• Engages in Office of profit outside the duties of his office
• Is declared unfit by reason of infirmity of mind or body, by the President
• Participates / Concerned / Interested to Participate – in any way in the profit / in any benefit – in any contract or agreement made by or on behalf of the Government of India

Criticism – Limited Powers of CVC

• CVC is treated as an advisory body only as Central Government Departments are free to either accept or reject CVC’s advice in corruption cases.
• The Commission has no jurisdiction over private individuals and organisations of the State Governments. The CVC is left with no power to register criminal case.
• The CVC cannot direct the CBI to initiate inquiries against any officer of the level of Joint Secretary and above.
• Hence, CVC neither has the resources nor the power to take action on complaints of corruption.
• Appointments to CVC are indirectly under the control of Govt of India.
• Although, the leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha is a member of the committee that selects the CVC Members – the committee just considers the candidates that are put up before it, and these candidates are decided by the Government.
• CVC is a very small set up with a sanctioned staff strength of 299, which is supposed to check corruption in more than 1500 central government departments and ministries.

-Source: The Hindu

Madhya Pradesh High Court Orders Scientific Survey of Bhojshala Temple-Mosque Complex

Context:

The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a scientific survey of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district to clarify its original nature.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex
2. Methods for Excavation and Investigation
3. About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex

The Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex is a historic site in India with a rich and contentious history. Here are its key points:

• Origins: The complex originally consisted of a temple dedicated to goddess Sarasvati, built by the Parawara King Bhoja in the 11th century AD. It was a significant religious and cultural center during that time.
• Conversion to Mosque: At some point in history, the temple was converted into the Kamal Maula Mosque. The mosque was constructed using structural elements from the original temple, and some inscribed slabs with Sanskrit and Prakrit writings were retained.
• Cultural Significance: King Bhoja, known for his patronage of art and literature, established a school in the vicinity of the temple, which is now known as Bhojashala. The site has religious and cultural significance for both Hindus and Muslims.
• Religious Practices: As part of an agreement with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Hindus are allowed to perform puja (worship) in the temple every Tuesday, while Muslims offer Namaz (prayer) in the mosque every Friday.
• Dispute: The controversy surrounding the site revolves around its original status as a temple. Some believe that the temple was demolished to build the mosque, while others dispute this claim.
• Legal Proceedings: Legal battles have ensued over the years regarding the status of the site. A petitioner cited an ASI report claiming that the original temples were indeed demolished to build the mosque. However, a respondent challenged the maintainability of the suit, citing a previous dismissal of a similar petition by the High Court.
• High Court’s Order: In response to the ongoing dispute, the High Court ordered the ASI to conduct a comprehensive scientific survey, excavation, and investigation of the site using advanced methods such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), GPS, and carbon dating. The goal is to determine the true history and nature of the monument, including its peripheral areas.

Methods for Excavation and Investigation

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) employs various methods for excavation and investigation, both invasive and non-invasive:

Invasive Methods:

• Excavation: This involves digging into the ground using stratigraphic principles to uncover and study archaeological remains. It provides valuable information about the past but also destroys the context.
• Stratigraphy: Archaeologists use this method to carefully peel off layers of soil in reverse order, revealing the chronological sequence of human activity.

Non-Invasive Methods:

• Active Methods:
  • Seismic Techniques: Shock waves are used to study subsurface structures by measuring their response.
  • Electromagnetic Methods: Energy is injected into the ground, and responses such as electromagnetic signals are measured to assess subsurface features.
• Passive Methods:
  • Magnetometry: Detects magnetic anomalies caused by buried structures.
  • Gravity Surveying: Measures variations in gravitational force caused by subsurface features.

• Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR):
  • A 3-D model of buried archaeological features is created using radar pulses. GPR operates by emitting radar impulses from a surface antenna and recording the time and magnitude of return signals from the subsoil. It can detect buried structures without excavation.
    • Limitation: Radar beams spread out like a cone, leading to reflections that may not directly correspond to physical dimensions, resulting in false images.
• Carbon Dating:
  • Determines the age of organic materials by measuring the amount of carbon-14 present. This method helps in dating archaeological finds and establishing chronologies.

About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture.
• ASI is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
• Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI.
• Besides it regulate all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
• It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
• For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance the entire country is divided into 24 Circles.
  • The organization has a large work force of trained archaeologists, conservators, epigraphist, architects and scientists for conducting archaeological research projects through its Circles, Museums, Excavation Branches, Prehistory Branch, Epigraphy Branches, Science Branch, Horticulture Branch, Building Survey Project, Temple Survey Projects and Underwater Archaeology Wing.
• The most important of the society’s achievements was the decipherment of the Brahmi script by James Prinsep in 1837. This successful decipherment inaugurated the study of Indian palaeography.

-Source: The Hindu

Anthropocene Epoch

Context:

Scientists have voted against a proposal to declare a new geological epoch called the Anthropocene to reflect how profoundly human activity has altered the planet.

Relevance:

GS I: Geography

Anthropocene Epoch:

• It is an unofficial unit of geologic time representing the period when human activities significantly impacted Earth’s climate and ecosystems.
• Coined by biologist Eugene Stormer and chemist Paul Crutzen in 2000, the term “Anthropocene” combines “anthropo” (man) and “cene” (new) from Greek.
• Human activities during this epoch have led to phenomena such as global warming, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, soil erosion, heat waves, and biosphere degradation.

Geological Time Scale:

• The geologic time scale divides Earth’s history into eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages based on rock layers and fossils.
• Stratigraphy, the study of rock layers and fossils, correlates certain organisms with specific parts of the geologic record.

Current Epoch – Holocene:

• The current epoch, officially known as the Holocene, began 11,700 years ago after the last major ice age.

Debate:

• Scientists debate whether the Anthropocene differs significantly from the Holocene.
• The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), responsible for naming and defining epochs, has not formally adopted the term Anthropocene.
• A key question for the IUGS is whether human-induced changes to Earth’s system are reflected in the rock strata.

-Source: The Hindu

Inflection 2.5

Context:

Recently, Inflection AI company launched its latest LLM, Inflection 2.5, an upgrade to its model that powers its friendly chatbot Pi personal assistant.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

About Inflection 2.5:

• Inflection 2.5 is an upgraded in-house model competitive with leading Large Language Models (LLMs).
• It features a signature personality and uniquely empathetic fine-tuning.
• Notable advancements have been made in areas such as coding and mathematics.
• The upgrade includes real-time web search capabilities, ensuring access to high-quality and up-to-date information.
• Users can engage with the Pi chatbot on a wider range of topics, from current events to studying for exams or drafting business plans.

What is Pi Chatbot?

• Pi is an AI chatbot designed for deep and meaningful conversations.
• Users can access Pi by visiting Inflection.AI, clicking on “Meet Pi,” and initiating conversations with the chatbot.
• Pi is promoted as a chatbot with personality, aiming to be more humane and companion-like to users.
• It is free to use and offers six distinct voices to choose from, adding life to conversations.
• Pi has been trained on billions of lines of text from the open web, enabling it to answer a wide variety of questions and engage in diverse conversations.

-Source: Indian Express