India votes against Russia in UNSC

(GS-II: International relations- Bilateral, regional and global grouping involving India and affecting India’s interests etc)

In News:

India for the first time voted against Russia during a “procedural vote” at the UNSC on Ukraine, as the 15-member powerful UN body invited the Ukrainian.

Key Highlights:

Procedural vote: In response to Russia’s request, a procedural vote was held in which out of 15 members of UNSC, 13 voted in favour of allowing Zelensky to address the council while Russia voted against it and China decided to abstain.

Abstain from signing the document: India did not sign a document at the UN premises against Russia that was sponsored by the West and had the backing of about 60 countries.

Joint anti-Russian statement: It was supported by only 58 United Nations member states or less than a third of the organization’s 193 members.

India was not a party to this joint statement.

Filtration operation: The US voiced concern about Russia’s “ filtration operation”, which involves the systematic and forced deportation of Ukrainian civilians to remote areas of the Russian Federation.

India’s Stand on Russia-Ukraine Crisis:

Neutral stand: India has maintained a neutral stand against Russia amid the ongoing military operations in Ukraine.

Diplomacy and dialogue: India has repeatedly reiterated its stand against the Russian and Ukrainian sides to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue.

One Constitution Bench in the Supreme Court throughout the year

In News:

Justice U U Lalit(49th Chief Justice of India) assured there will be at least one Constitution Bench functioning throughout the year in the Supreme Court.

Key Highlights:

Urgent matters: A clear-cut mechanism would be in place to allow lawyers to mention urgent matters, which includes bail petitions, et, before the respective Benches for early listing.

The Supreme Court’s pendency has crossed over 71,000 from a little over 55,000 in 2017. This is despite the fact that the sanctioned judicial strength of the court was increased to 34 judges in August 2019.

Constitution bench:

It is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India which consist of at least five judges of the court who sit to decide any case:

• Involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution of India
• For the purpose of hearing any reference” made by the President of India under Article 143.

This provision has been mandated by Article 145 (3) of the Constitution of India.

The Chief Justice of India has the power to constitute a Constitution Bench and refer cases to it.

National Cancer Grid (NCG)

In News:

The National Cancer Grid (NCG) has established the Koita Centre for Digital Oncology (KCDO) to promote the use of digital technologies and tools to improve cancer care across India.

New technologies being adopted:

Telemedicine and remote patient monitoring will help make care more accessible, especially in semi-urban and rural areas.

AI-assisted clinical decision support tools will help improve doctors’ ability to provide better care

Mobile patient engagement apps will help patients with medication management and better compliance with care guidelines.

The use of healthcare data analytics across hospitals will enable tracking and benchmarking of clinical outcomes and the effectiveness of different treatment and care pathways.

About National Cancer Grid (NCG):

The National Cancer Grid (NCG) is an initiative of the Department of Atomic Energy and Tata Memorial Centre, to create a network of cancer centres, research institutes, patient groups and charitable institutions across India for uniformity in standards, training and facilities.

About Koita Foundation:

Koita Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that has two focus areas – NGO Transformation and Digital Health.

Puttaswamy’ and the fading promise of a right

(GS-II: Indian Constitution- historical underpinning, evolution, features, amendments, FRs etc)

In News:

Marking five years since a nine-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India delivered a crucial judgment in the case of Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (retd.) vs Union of India.

Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (retd.) vs Union of India case(2017):

It formally recognised the right to privacy as being a fundamental right stemming from the right to life and personal liberty, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

While the right to privacy is intrinsic to an individual’s ability to exercise bodily autonomy, it is still not an “absolute right”.

Issues still persist:

Data security breaches which result in the loss and theft of personal, sensitive data have not reduced in terms of measurable frequency or their impact.

Procurement of personal information: Any person or business within and outside India can procure personal information.

Usage of data by companies: Data is used most often by some legitimate advertising agencies, unscrupulous telemarketing firms, and cybercriminals.

Use of Pegasus spyware on Indian nationals: Alleged use of the Pegasus spyware in India.

Access to VPN services: The recent interventions by the Government which aim to restrict Indian nationals from subscribing to and accessing VPN services.

The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2021: despite how flawed it may have been, was withdrawn earlier this month after an unnecessarily long period of stagnation.

Conclusion:

Puttaswamy’s judgment has missed the mark quite spectacularly for the objective that was sought.

It represents a foregone opportunity to protect the rights of Indian citizens while ensuring all of the checks and balances necessary to prevent Government overreach and abuse of power.

India needs a $10 tn investment for reaching the net-zero emission target by 2070

(GS-III: Environment Conservation)

In News:

According to the ‘Getting India to Net Zero’ report, to achieve a net-zero emissions target by 2070, India needs a $10-tn investment from now.

Other Findings:

Create a million jobs: Achieving net zero by 2070 would boost annual GDP by up to 4.7% by 2036 and create as many as 15 million new jobs by 2047.

Set to achieve 2015 target: India’s NDC targets set in 2015 are likely to be met early within the next few years through current policies

India could peak in emissions as soon as 2030.

Ending new coal by 2023 and transitioning from unabated coal power by 2040 would be particularly impactful for reaching net zero emissions closer to mid-century,” it says.

Acknowledged historical responsibility: Historical responsibility for emissions does lie with the West – and the transfer of finance and technology to developing countries is crucial in this challenge.

About the Report:

Report released by former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd (Convenor of High-level Policy Commission on Getting Asia to Net Zero).

The Getting India to Net Zero report contains new research and modelling and finds that policies to initiate the clean energy transition.

India’s Panchamrit pledge at COP26:

• Reach 500 GW of Non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
• 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
• Reduction of total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now to 2030.
• Reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030, over 2005 levels.
• Achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070.

The mantra of LIFE- Lifestyle: Lifestyle for Environment has to be taken forward as a campaign to make it a mass movement of Environment Conscious Lifestyles.