[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 6 December 2022

GS Paper 1

Syllabus: Indian Culture/Political philosophies like communism

Source: IE

 Direction: The article helps to understand the similarities and differences between Marxism and Buddhism.

 Context: The death anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution, is celebrated on December 6 as the Mahaparinirvan Diwas.

Parinirvan: It translates as “nirvana” after death or liberation from the cycles of life and death.

Significance of December 6: Dr Ambedkar died on December 6, 1956, less than 2 months after converting to Buddhism and fulfilling his promise that “I will not die a Hindu”

Marxism is a social, political, and economic philosophy named after Karl Marx. It examines the effect of capitalism on labour, productivity, and economic development and argues for a worker revolution to overturn capitalism in favour of communism.

Ambedkar on Buddhism and Marxism:

• Buddhism is superior to other religions and the Buddha’s path was superior to the prevalent religion-rejecting theory, Marxism.
• Ambedkar has compared Buddhism to Marxism, claiming that while both seek the same end of a just and happy society, Buddha’s methods are superior.

Marxists’ criticism of the above comparison: Marx is so modern and Buddha so ancient.

Criticism of Marxism:

• The Communists believe that the state will inevitably die. However, they do not address what would replace the state.
• Communists admit that their conception of the state as a permanent dictatorship is a flaw in their political ideology.

 Conclusion:

• Ambedkar is often misunderstood as being anti-religious, despite the fact that he was highly spiritual and aware of the necessity of religion in public life.
• Marxists can reform Marxism if they keep their prejudices away and study the Buddha.

Insta Links:

Buddhism

Mains Links:

Examine Ambedkar’s critique of Marxism.

Prelims Links:

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act

Source: IE

 Direction: As exit polls are always in news in India, the article discusses all aspects of exit polls – meaning, regulatory backing, significance, and criticism.

Context: Exit polls for the Gujarat elections are now available, as the results of exit polls for a specific election are not permitted to be published until the last vote has been cast.

About exit polls:

• Meaning: An exit poll asks voters (surveys can be conducted face to face or online) which political party they are supporting after they have cast their votes in an election.
• History: In 1957, during the 2nd Lok Sabha elections, the Indian Institute of Public Opinion conducted such a poll.
• Conducted by: A number of organisations, often in tie-ups with media organisations.
• How does it differ from an opinion poll? Unlike exit polls, which are post-voting polls/surveys, opinion polls are held before the elections.

Rules governing exit polls:

• In 1998, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued guidelines under Article 324 of the Constitution, restricting media from publishing results of opinion and exit polls during a prohibited period.
• In 1999, the SC stated that in the absence of a statutory sanction, the ECI cannot impose any guidelines prohibiting such polls.
• The inclusion of Section 126(A) in the Representation of the People Act, 1951, in 2010 imposed restrictions only on exit polls.
  • Section 126(A): No person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise its results through the print or electronic media, during such period as the ECI may notify in this regard.
  • Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be punished with imprisonment for a term up to 2 years/ a fine/ both.
• Currently, exit polls can be telecast only after the conclusion of the last phase of the election

Common parameters for a good/accurate exit poll:

• Large and diverse sample size.
• A clearly constructed questionnaire with no bias.

Significance of exit polls: Gives an indication of –

• Who might secure the maximum votes
• The issues, personalities and loyalties that have influenced voters

Criticism of exit polls:

• Political parties often allege that these polls are motivated or financed by a rival party.
• The results can be influenced by the choice, wording, timing of the questions and by the nature of the sample drawn.

Insta Links: Exit polls

Mains Links:

Q. Differentiate between an opinion poll and an exit poll. Do you think these polls can impact free and fair elections by affecting voting patterns? Critically comment. (250 words)

 GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to employment

Source: TH

 Direction: The article highlights crises in global and Indian employment scenarios, their impact and remedies.

Context: The International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently published two reports (The Global Wage Report 2022-2023 and Asia-Pacific Employment and Social Outlook 2022) that provided insight into the global employment scenario, including wages, following the pandemic.

What does the report say?

•  The Global Wage Report 2022-2023: The impact of twin crises – inflation and COVID-19 created a “striking decline” in real monthly wages and economic slowdown around the globe.
• • The war in Ukraine and the global energy crisis further aggravated the situation.

• The Asia-Pacific Employment and Social Outlook 2022: The Asia-Pacific region lost about 22 million jobs in 2022.

Scenario in India:

• According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the nominal wages rose to ₹17,017 per month in 2021 from ₹4,398 in 2006.
• But when inflation is taken into account, real wage growth falls to -0.2% in 2021, down from 9.3% in 2006. (in contrast, real wage growth in China was around 2% (2019-2022).

Impact of job loss and decrease in wages:

• Millions of workers will be in a dire situation: The increasing cost of living has the greatest impact on lower-income earners.
• Income inequality will rise.
• Poverty will rise: 75 to 95 million people were pushed into extreme poverty during COVID-19.

Remedies suggested by the ILO:

• Policy responses to the cost-of-living crisis: For example, in the bargaining process for future nominal wage adjustments, prudent price estimates should be included.
• Strengthen labour market institutions and wage policies.
• Governments should focus on the gender pay gap.
• There is an urgent need to address the negative effects of –
  • Climate change;
  • Increasing inequalities;
  • Poverty, discrimination, violence and exclusion;
  • The lack of vaccines, inadequate access to sanitation and essential healthcare for all;
  • Growing digital divide

Way ahead:

• A multilateral approach is key to solving the labour crises
• The creation of decent formal wage employment

 Conclusion: The above issues need to be addressed for a more equitable distribution of wages and income – a key contributor to equitable and sustainable wage growth.

Insta Links:

India’s big problem of low-quality employment

Mains Links

Q. The covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the economy leading to an increase in unemployment rates across the country. Discuss the steps that are needed to overcome this issue as the economy recovers. (250 words)

Prelims Links:

 GS Paper 3

Source: DTE

Context: Access and benefit sharing, one of the three objectives of the United Nations Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD), is set to be discussed at its upcoming 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15).

What is ABS?

• Access and benefit sharing refers to the way in which genetic resources may be accessed, and how users and providers reach an agreement on the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits that might result from their use.
• Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) sets out rules, which govern access and benefit sharing. Under these rules, the governments of countries have two key responsibilities:

1. To put in place systems that facilitate access to genetic resources for environmentally sound purposes
2. To ensure that the benefits resulting from their use are shared fairly and equitably between users and providers

Why are access and benefit sharing important?

• Access to genetic resources can lead to benefits for both users and providers.
• Access and benefit sharing ensures that the way in which genetic resources are accessed and used
  • maximizes the benefits for users, providers, and the ecology
  • help communities where they are found.
• To deliver a range of benefits; from basic scientific research, such as taxonomy, to developing commercial products which contribute to human wellbeings, such as pharmaceuticals.

Key agreements

• Prior informed consent (PIC): Permission given from the CNAs (Competent National Authority) of a provider country to a user prior to accessing genetic resources, in line with an appropriate legal and institutional framework.
• Mutually agreed terms (MAT): An agreement reached between the providers of genetic resources and users on the conditions of access and use of the resources, and the benefits to be shared between both parties.

About CBD: The CBD is a multilateral treaty aimed at conserving biodiversity, its sustainable use and ensuring “fair and equitable sharing” of the benefits obtained through bioresources.

India’s participation:

• India became a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994. 
• In 2002, India became one of the first countries to enact a law, the Biological Diversity Act, to implement the treaty within its borders. This Act is decentralized for implementation.

Recent Issues:

Only 25 countries have provided 4,344 internationally recognized certificates of compliance (IRCC) to access resources in accordance with CBD guidelines as of November 15, 2022.

Insta Link: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Mains Link:

Q. Critically evaluate the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 which is meant to fulfil the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. 15M

Prelims Link:

• Convention on Biological Diversity
• Access and Benefit Sharing
• Nagoya Protocol
• Biological Diversity Act,2022