The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 17 May, 2023

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis for UPSC

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 16 May 2023

A tribal council’s order not to issue a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate to any Khasi person who adopts the surname of her or his father has triggered a war of words in matrilineal Meghalaya.
The Khasis, numbering about 1.39 lakh, are one of the three indigenous matrilineal communities in the north-eastern State. The other two are Garos and Jaintias.
In that order, the KHADC directed the headmen of all villages and urban localities across the Khasi domain not to issue ST certificates to those who adopt their father’s surname instead of sticking to tradition by taking their mother’s clan name.
sections 3 and 12 of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Act, 1997, which says only those following the custom of using their mother’s surname will be identified as a Khasi.

The Hindu Editorial Today

Matriliny in Meghalaya:
The three tribes of Meghalaya — Khasis, Jaintias, and Garos — practise a matrilineal system of inheritance. In this system, lineage and descent are traced through the mother’s clan.
Here, children take the mother’s surname, the husband moves into his wife’s house, and the youngest daughter (khatduh) of the family is bequeathed the full share of the ancestral — or the clan’s — property.
Custom also dictates that the khatduh cannot sell the property, without permission of her mother’s brother (maternal uncle) — since he technically belongs to the mother’s clan, through which descent is traced.
This inheritance tradition applies only to ancestral or clan/community property, which has been with the family for years.
In this traditional set-up, if a couple does not have any daughters, then the property goes to the wife’s elder sister, and her daughters. If the wife does not have sisters, then the clan usually takes over the property.

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan announced earlier this year that the State would set up India’s first welfare fund called the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Social Security and Welfare Fund. This is the first real instance of a regulatory move to unburden gig and platform workers’ vulnerabilities since the Code on Social Security was passed in 2020.
Nonetheless, the initiation of the board is a big win for platform workers and unions who/which have been fighting to get their issues heard.
A Gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organizations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements.
Gig Worker: According to the Code on Social Security, 2020, A gig worker is a person who performs work or participates in work arrangements and earns from such activities, outside of the traditional employer-employee relationship.
According to a 2019 report by the India Staffing Federation, India is the fifth largest in flexi-staffing globally, after the US, China, Brazil and Japan.
NITI Aayog also launched a report titled ‘India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy’.
According to the report, India’s gig workforce is expected to expand to 2.35 crore by 2029-30.
Mains Question
Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India.(250 Words)

In 28% of the cases, either the husband or the family deemed antenatal care visits unnecessary for the pregnant woman
In May, a United Nations report showed that India was among the 10 countries that together accounted for 60% of global maternal deaths, stillbirths and newborn deaths. India accounted for over 17% of such deaths in 2020, followed by Nigeria (12%) and Pakistan (10%). The report also showed that India had the second-highest number of maternal deaths (24,000) after Nigeria.
The report reiterated the three major interventions that help reduce maternal deaths: going for four antenatal care visits or ANC visits (during pregnancy), having a skilled attendant at birth, and receiving postnatal care (after childbirth) within the first two days after birth (PNC).
Postnatal care within the first two days after birth is recommended because mothers are in their most vulnerable state in the postpartum period (42 days after childbirth). According to the WHO, “most maternal and infant deaths occur in the first month after birth, with almost half of the postnatal maternal deaths occurring within the first 24 hours, and 66% occuring during the first week.”
It is also important to point out that 8% of Indian women did not receive tetanus shots which helps prevent infections during and after surgery. Also, in about 11% of cases, no skilled health providers, who could detect and manage complications, were present at the time of delivery.

Hours before his meeting in Brussels with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the European Union’s (EU) Foreign Minister, Josep Borrell, said that Europe should not permit the entry of refined petroleum products from India that are made from Russian oil.
The government reacted by denying that it was violating sanctions and said it was not possible to fully identify the origins of petroleum products being sold in Europe.
Jaishankar said the contention was baseless. “Russian crude, if substantially transformed in a third country, is not treated as Russian any more,” Mr. Jaishankar said, referring to EU Council Regulation 833/2014.

The Supreme Court Collegium on Tuesday recommended that senior advocate K.V. Viswanathan be appointed a judge of the top court, highlighting his vast experience and profound knowledge in law as a “significant value addition” to the court.
The five-member collegium also proposed to the government the appointment of Andhra Pradesh Chief Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra as a Supreme Court judge. The recommendations have been made to fill two vacancies after the retirement of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and M.R. Shah in May.
Viswanathan would be in line to be the 58th Chief Justice of India in August 2030, succeeding Justice J.B. Pardiwala as top judge, if his name is cleared by the government.
He would also be only the ninth lawyer to be elevated directly to the Supreme Court Bench and the fourth such lawyer to become the CJI.
What are the Qualifications Required for the Appointment of Judges?
A person to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court should have the following qualifications:
He should be a citizen of India.
He should have been a judge of a High Court (or high courts in succession) for five years; or
He should have been an advocate of a High Court (or High Courts in succession) for ten years; or
He should be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the president.
The Constitution has not prescribed a minimum age for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court.
The SC collegium is headed by the CJI (Chief Justice of India) and comprises four other senior most judges of the court.
There is no mention of the Collegium either in the original Constitution of India or in successive amendments
In the First Judges case (1982), the Court held that consultation does not mean concurrence and it only implies exchange of views.
In the Second Judges case (1993), the Court reversed its earlier ruling and changed the meaning of the word consultation to concurrence.
In the Third Judges case (1998), the Court opined that the consultation process to be adopted by the Chief Justice of India requires ‘consultation of plurality judges’.
The sole opinion of the CJI does not constitute the consultation process. He should consult a collegium of four senior most judges of the Supreme Court and even if two judges give an adverse opinion, he should not send the recommendation to the government.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that cited a 250-300% increase in the circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on social media in India. The NHRC said the content is of foreign origin, and Indian investigation agencies have not come across any Indian-made child sexual abuse material so far.
It observed that the material is a “violation of human rights relating to the life, liberty, and dignity of citizens”, and stressed the protection of young children “from the danger of their sexual abuse on social media”.
The commission said it had been concerned with the ill-effects of online CSAM on human rights as it may cause irreparable psychological damage to children, impacting their growth and development.

National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC), is a statutory body established in 1993, under the provisions of The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993

Composition:
The chairperson is a retired chief justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.
They are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of:
Prime Minister (head)
Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament
Union Home Minister.
Term and removal:
They hold office for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
The President can remove them from the office under specific circumstances.
– Members should be serving or retired judges of the Supreme Court
– a serving or retired chief justice of a high court
– Three persons (at least one should be a woman) having knowledge or practical experience with respect to human rights

Q) Samudra Shakti-23 was a bilateral exercise between the navies of India and:

Thailand
United Arab Emirates
Indonesia
France

समुद्र शक्ति -23 भारत की नौसेनाओं और के बीच एक द्विपक्षीय अभ्यास था:

थाईलैंड
संयुक्त अरब अमीरात
इंडोनेशिया
फ्रांस

Explanation :

INS Kavaratti, indigenously designed & built ASW Corvette, arrived at Batam, Indonesia to participate in the 4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti-23 from 14-19 May 23.

Q) Consider the following statements with reference to Positive Indigenisation List:

It lists items that the armed forces will procure only from domestic manufacturers.
Domestic manufactures will include both private sector and public sector.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

सकारात्मक स्वदेशीकरण सूची के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

यह उन वस्तुओं को सूचीबद्ध करता है जो सशस्त्र बल केवल घरेलू निर्माताओं से ही प्राप्त करेंगे।
घरेलू विनिर्माताओं में निजी क्षेत्र और सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र दोनों शामिल होंगे।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

केवल 1
केवल 2
1 और 2 दोनों
न तो 1 और न ही 2

What is Positive Indigenisation List?

The positive indigenisation list essentially lists items that the armed forces — Army, Navy, and Air Force — will procure only from domestic manufacturers.
These manufacturers could be from the private sector or Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
The Government has introduced a comprehensive revamped ‘Make and Innovation’ procedure to reduce dependency on arms and promote indigenous manufacturing of defence equipment.
The ‘Make and Innovation’ procedure has been introduced in DAP-20 to facilitate indigenous design and development of defence equipment through private participation with both government funding and industry funding.

Q) Which of the following statements are correct with reference to Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary?

It is situated in the state of Chattisgarh.
It is recognized as a Criticial Tiger Habitat by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

सतकोसिया वन्यजीव अभयारण्य के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित में से कौन से कथन सही हैं?

यह छत्तीसगढ़ राज्य में स्थित है।
इसे राष्ट्रीय बाघ संरक्षण प्राधिकरण (NTCA) द्वारा क्रिटिकल टाइगर हैबिटेट के रूप में मान्यता प्राप्त है।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

केवल 1
केवल 2
1 और 2 दोनों
न तो 1 और न ही 2

Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary owes its name to the narrow stretch of River Mahanadi i.e. “ Sat – kosh”. It is located in the state of Odisha.
The sanctuary has been recognized as a critical tiger habitat by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Satkosia Tiger Reserve comprises of two adjoining Sanctuaries of central Odisha named as Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Sanctuary. These two sanctuaries together covering an area of 963.87 sq.km. have been notified as Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
Flora: It is home to a diverse range of flora, including dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, and tropical moist forests. The sanctuary is known for its Sal forests, which cover a large part of the area.
Fauna: Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Wild dogs, Sloth bears, Gaurs, sambar deer, spotted deer etc.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Adopt a Heritage Scheme:

It is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism.
Under it, the government invites entities to develop selected monuments and heritage and tourist sites across India.

Which of the above statements is/are Incorrect?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

एडॉप्ट ए हेरिटेज योजना के संबंध में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

यह पर्यटन मंत्रालय की एक पहल है।
इसके तहत, सरकार पूरे भारत में चयनित स्मारकों और विरासत और पर्यटन स्थलों को विकसित करने के लिए संस्थाओं को आमंत्रित करती है।

उपरोक्त में से कौन सा/से कथन गलत है/हैं?

केवल 1
केवल 2
1 और 2 दोनों
न तो 1 और न ही 2

About Adopt a Heritage Scheme:

It is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India.
It was launched in September 2017 on World Tourism Day.
Under it, the government invites entities, including public sector companies, private sector firms, as well as individuals, to develop selected monuments and heritage and tourist sites across India.
The project aims to encourage these entities to become ‘Monument Mitras’ and take up the responsibility of developing and upgrading the basic and advanced tourist amenities at these sites.
The Monument Mitras are selected by the ‘oversight and vision committee,’ co-chaired by the Tourism Secretary and the Culture Secretary, on the basis of the bidder’s ‘vision’ for the development of all amenities at the heritage site.
The oversight committee also has the power to terminate a memorandum of understanding in case of non-compliance or non-performance.
The corporate sector is expected to use corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for the upkeep of the site.
The Monument Mitras, in turn, will get limited visibility on the site premises and on the Incredible India website.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):

It is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
It has been incorporated as a “Not for Profit” Company under the provisions of the Companies Act 1956.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

भारतीय राष्ट्रीय भुगतान निगम (एनपीसीआई) के संबंध में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:

यह भारत में खुदरा भुगतान और निपटान प्रणाली के संचालन के लिए एक छाता संगठन है।
इसे कंपनी अधिनियम 1956 के प्रावधानों के तहत “लाभ के लिए नहीं” कंपनी के रूप में शामिल किया गया है।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

केवल 1
केवल 2
1 और 2 दोनों
न तो 1 और न ही 2

About National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):

It is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
It is an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, to create a robust Payment & Settlement Infrastructure in India.
It has been incorporated as a “Not for Profit” Company under the provisions of Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956 (now Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013).