Context:

India is quickly emerging as one of the leading players in the global e-commerce industry. E-commerce is dramatically opening up the global market for Indian entrepreneurs at scale and this has changed the fate of ‘Made in India’ products.

What is the State of Exports from India?

Manufacturing:

• India’s manufacturing sector has grown 3 times over the last three decades in FY22 with contributions from traditional sectors. Manufacturing Production in India increased 2.60% in December of 2022 over the same month in the previous year.

Other categories:

• There’s also been a steady spike in other categories like bed linens, jewellery, toys, coffee, butter, honey, millets, musical instruments and more.
• The export of India’s toy story has grown at nearly 30% CAGR over the last seven years.
• Export of butter and dairy spreads from India has risen at a 25% CAGR.
• The rise of the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) revolution in India.
• India’s merchandise trade crossed the previous peaks.
• Outbound shipments grew.

What are the Challenges with E-Commerce Exports in India?

• Infrastructural Barriers: Lack of proper infrastructure, such as warehousing and transportation.
• Payment and Financial Services: Access to payment and financial services, especially for small businesses, is still a major challenge.
• Lack of Trust: Customers are often hesitant to make online purchases from unfamiliar websites, which can limit the growth of e-commerce exports.
• Shipping and Delivery: It can be expensive and time-consuming, leading to dissatisfaction among customers.
• Customs and Duties: It can make exporting goods challenging and time-consuming.
• Cybersecurity: E-commerce websites are vulnerable to cyber attacks, which can lead to loss of sensitive information and negatively impact the reputation of the business.
• Lack of Standardization: In terms of product quality, delivery, and customer service can make it difficult for e-commerce businesses to gain a competitive edge.
• Competition from International Players: It difficult for Indian companies to grow and succeed in the global market.

What are the Related Steps taken?

• Free-trade Agreements: To encourage Cross-Border Trade, the government has signed various Free-trade agreements with countries such as the UAE, the UK, Australia, and others, which has led to a rise in exports.
• Digital India initiative: This initiative has provided solid impetus to other government-led initiatives, including Start Up India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which have great potential to translate into global success.

How India can Lead the E-commerce Export Market?

• Creating more Awareness: It can be done through:
  • Education and training can help in gaining a better understanding of the benefits and opportunities offered by e-commerce exports.
  • Networking events which can serve as a platform for businesses and individuals to connect and share ideas.
  • Marketing campaigns can also play a crucial role in creating awareness about e-commerce exports.

• Improving Infrastructure: Better infrastructure facilities such as roads, ports, and warehouses can make it easier for e-commerce companies to export their products.
• Simplifying Export Regulations: The government should simplify it to make it easier for e-commerce companies to start exporting.
• Encouraging Foreign Investment: It will help to bring in more resources and expertise to help companies grow.
• Developing a Strong Logistics Network: India needs to develop this network to ensure that products reach their destination on time.
• Building Strong Partnerships: The government can build strong partnerships with other countries and organizations to help Indian e-commerce companies access new markets and find new customers.

News Source: The Hindu 

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Context: 

Even though it has been more than two months since the elections to the Delhi Municipal Corporation were held, the city still does not have a Mayor. 

Supreme Court Oral Observation:

• A petition filed by AAP Councillor, in which a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India orally observed that “nominated members cannot go for election”.

Issues:

• The election was supposed to take place in the first session of the new Council.
• However, the election could not be held on three attempts.
• The house was adjourned following tumultuous exchanges between councillors.
• The reason was that, the presiding officer had allowed nominated members to vote in the election for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Standing Committee of the Corporation
• The question of whether nominated members, or aldermen, can vote is fairly straightforward.

Provisions on Voting Rights of Nominated Members in Municipal Corporations:

• Section 3(b)(i) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act, 1957: It provides that 10 people who have “special knowledge or experience in municipal administration” are to be nominated to the Corporation, but the provision clearly states that such nominated persons “shall not have the right to vote in the meetings of the Corporation.” 
• Article 243R(2)(a) of the Constitution: Which was introduced by the 74th Amendment, provides that state legislation can include those with special knowledge on municipal administration to be represented in municipalities but such persons shall not have the right to vote.

Union Government’s Attempts to Control Delhi’s Governance:

• National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021: This was passed to “give effect to the interpretation” of the 2018 judgment of the Supreme Court that had affirmed the primacy of the elected government in Delhi, the amendment in reality nullifies the judgment by “clarifying” that the expression “Government” shall mean the LG.
  • The amendment further provided that on matters specified by the LG, the Council of Ministers must obtain the permission of the LG before taking any executive decision and also imposed restrictions on the inherent rule-making powers of the Legislative Assembly.

• The passing of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act:In April 2022, Parliament amended the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act to merge the North, South, and East Delhi Municipal Corporations into a single corporation.

• • Though local governments are a state subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, the Union government used its plenary powers under Article 239AA of the Constitution to pass this law. 

Factors Stifling the Authority of Municipal Governments:

• Despite the 74th Amendment, state governments continue to exercise control over many of the 18 functions meant to be devolved to municipal governments.
• State government-appointed commissioners often hold executive powers of municipalities, while Mayors are left with a largely ceremonial role.
• Municipalities have few revenue-generating powers and must rely on grants and loans from state and Union governments.
• National-level urban development programs such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and the Smart Cities Mission have given the Union government a larger role in urban governance.

Way Forward:

• There needs to be more conversation about what authority each level of government should exercise. 
• While local autonomy is crucial, higher levels of government can also have a legitimate role in local issues — to ensure regional coordination, reduce spatial inequality, or manage economic and environmental externalities. Hence, cooperation of both is required in respective authorized roles.

News Source: The Hindu 

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Context: Recently, Tipu Sultan was in the news because of controversial remarks made by a few political leaders.

Image Source: The Indian Express 

Who was Tipu Sultan?

• Tipu Sultan was the son of Haider Ali, a professional soldier of humble origins who started out as a junior officer in the army of the Wodeyar king of Mysore, and rose rapidly to ultimately take power in 1761.
• Tipu was born in 1750 and, as a 17-year-old, participated in the first Anglo-Mysore War. 
• He subsequently fought against the Marathas, and in the Second Anglo-Mysore War of 1780-84. 
• Haider died while the war was on, and Tipu succeeded him in 1782. 
• The war ended with the Treaty of Mangalore, in which Tipu had the upper hand. 
• He engaged the British East India Company forces in four rounds of fighting during 1767-99.

Tipu Sultan’s Reforms:

• Tipu is credited for the introduction of iron-cased rockets in warfare. 
• These rockets were used to devastating effects against much larger British armies, driving them to panic and disarray. 
• The British used Tipu’s models for their own rockets, which would go on to play an important role in the Napoleonic Wars.
• Tipu Sultan also pioneered administrative and economic reforms. He introduced new coins, started a new land revenue system in Mysore, as well as introduced sericulture which continues to employ many Kannadigas to date. 
• Furthermore, it is claimed that upon hearing of the plight of lower caste women who were not allowed to wear blouses, Tipu personally supplied them with cloth.

News Source: Indian Express 

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Context: 

The Union Health Ministry has removed the age limit of 65 years for patients registering for organ transplant as part of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization’s guidelines.

National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization’s guidelines:

• The government has decided to do away with the clause in the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) guidelines as it violates the right to life.
• The Health Ministry is charting a “One Nation, One Policy” for organ donation and transplantation. 
• It will also introduce a chapter in the school curriculum regarding organ donation awareness for students.

About NOTTO

• National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a National level organization set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 
• It has following two divisions:

• • National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network:

• • • This has been mandated as per the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011.

• • • This division of the NOTTO is the nodal networking agency for Delhi and shall network for Procurement Allocation and Distribution of Organs and Tissues in Delhi.

• • National Biomaterial Centre:

• • • The main thrust & objective of establishing the centre is to fill up the gap between ‘Demand’ and ‘Supply’ as well as ‘Quality Assurance’ in the availability of various tissues.

Function/Activities

• The National Network division of NOTTO would function as the apex centre for All India activities of coordination and networking for procurement and distribution of organs and tissues and registry of organs and tissue donation and transplantation in the country. 

Source: The Hindu, notto.gov.in

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Context: 

The Union Health Ministry has devised a strategic road map for achieving zero cases of Leprosy by 2030.

Status of Leprosy in India:

• Despite India being declared “Leprosy Eliminated” in 2005, the country still accounts for over half (52%) of the world’s new leprosy patients.
• Health officials have noted that earlier gains made in the leprosy programme were reversed during COVID­19 as a sudden decline in case detection numbers was noted. 
• Annual case detection rate has halved from 8.13 cases per lakh population to 4.56 cases in 2020-21.
• Early detection of the infection in the affected person can save them from physical disability.

About Leprosy:

• It is a chronic infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae.
• The disease predominantly affects the skin, lungs, eyes and peripheral nerves. Left untreated, the disease may cause progressive and permanent disabilities.
• Transmission: The bacteria are transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.
• Treatment: Leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT).

Steps Taken:

• National Strategic Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-27) and National Guidelines for Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Surveillance in leprosy were released in 2023 along with the launch of Nikusth 2.0 Portal. 
  • The strategy and roadmap will aid in advancing the campaign against leprosy, to stop transmission, by speeding case detection efforts and maintaining a robust surveillance infrastructure.
  • The aim of the Plan is to eradicate Leprosy in the country by 2027.
  • These guidelines will provide the technical guidance in developing and sustaining a robust surveillance system for AMR surveillance in leprosy patients. 
• Nikusth 2.0 is an integrated portal for leprosy case management under National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP). 
  • It will aid in efficient data recording, analysing and reporting of the data in the form of indicators and a real time dashboard at centre, state and district levels.

News Source The Hindu 

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Context: 

India’s exports and imports decreased by 6.59% and 3.63%  in January, but there are signs that the current account deficit (CAD) will moderate, despite the global slowdown caused by inflation and interest rates.

What is CAD?

• The current account deficit is a measurement of a country’s trade where the value of the goods and services it imports exceeds the value of the products it exports.
• The current account represents a country’s foreign transactions and, like the capital account, is a component of a country’s balance of payments (BOP)

What does CAD include?

• CAD includes a nation’s net trade-in products and services, its net earnings on cross-border investments including interest and dividends, and its net transfer payments such as remittances and foreign aid. 
• A current account deficit (CAD) means the value of goods and services imported exceeds the value of exports

How did CAD Moderate?

• Trade deficit narrowed to $17.7 billion, led by a sharp fall in imports
• The sharp drop in imports was due to 

1. 1. Non-oil imports falling, mainly due to the fall in commodity prices
   2. Likely softening in domestic demand post the festive season (such as lower imports of transport equipment)
   3. Seasonal impact of the Chinese New Year holiday

• The moderation in CAD was also due to rising workers remittances and services exports, and abatement of selling pressure by foreign investors.

Significance of CAD:

• CAD and the fiscal deficit together make up the twin deficits – the enemies of the stock market and investors. 
• If the current account – the country’s trade and transactions with other countries – shows surplus, that indicates money is flowing into the country, boosting the foreign exchange reserves and the value of rupee against the dollar. 
• These are factors that will have ramifications on the economy and the stock markets as well as on returns on investments by people.

How will moderating CAD impact the market?

• While rising CAD raises concerns among investors as it hurts the currency and thereby the inflow of funds into the markets, a notable decline in CAD in January has improved market sentiments.
• Experts say that CAD is very important for the currency. The value of an economy hinges a lot on the value of its currency and thereby, it also supports the equity markets by keeping the fund flow intact.

Source: Indian Express 

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Context: 

The Supreme Court of India has given permission to fishermen using purse seine fishing gear to fish beyond territorial waters (12 nautical miles) and within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (200 nautical miles) of Tamil Nadu, with restrictions.

Image Source: usgs.gov

About Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ):

• The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines an Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ). 
• It is an area that shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines. 
• The EEZ is measured from the breadth of the territorial sea.
• Access to the zone by foreign fleets is also solely within the coastal state’s discretion and subject to its laws and regulations. 
• India’s Definition of EEZ:
  • India has legally defined the concept of EEZ in its “Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976”.
  • According to the Act, the EEZ of India is an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial waters. The limit of such a zone is two hundred nautical miles from the baseline.

Multilateral and Regional Conventions:

• UNCLOS: 

1. 1. Under Articles 56.1(a) and 56.1(b)(iii) of UNCLOS, coastal states have sovereign rights to ensure that the living and non living resources of the EEZ are used, conserved and managed, and not subject to overexploitation. 
   2. In order to prevent overexploitation, coastal States must determine the total allowable catch (TAC) in the EEZ.

• Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna 1993 (SBT) could have also been referred to by the top court to enable recovery of depleted fishing stocks.

1. 1. The crux of the SBT is TAC and distribution of allocations among the parties to the SBT, which are very relevant from the angle of conservation of general fishery. 
   2. TAC and the catch quotas are aimed at putting sustainable use into practice among fishermen and maintaining maximum sustainable yield (MSY). 

• Regulation of fishing methods

1. 1. Tarawa Declaration of the South Pacific Forum: It prohibits the use of large drift nets that allows maximum catch for the purse seiners, in turn leaving behind insufficient catch for traditional fishermen.
   2. The 1989 Convention for the Prohibition of Fishing with Long Drift Nets in the South Pacific goes as far as to restrict port access for drift net fishing vessels. 
   3. The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolutions 44/225 (1989) and 46/215 (1991) supported and strengthened this development, calling for a moratorium on all large­scale pelagic drift net fishing vessels in high seas.

• Although the conventions and the UN General Assembly resolutions are applicable to the state parties in the high seas, these are relevant in terms of preventing overfishing in general and the conservation of fishery management in the EEZ as well.
• Non-­selective fishing technology: 

1. 1. Fishing regulations need to look into non­selective fishing methods like turtle excluder fishing gear.  
   2. It can prevent the by­catch of other marine living species (which could include, many a times, endangered species) — a potential ground for trade embargo. 

Current Status of Indian Fisheries

• Fisheries are the primary source of livelihood for several communities.
• India is the world’s second-largest fish producer with exports worth more than Rs 47,000 crore.
• Fisheries are the country’s single-largest agriculture export, with a growth rate of 6 to 10 per cent in the past five years.

Issue with Court’s Recent Order:

• It is more concerned about regulating fishing with administrative and transparency measures than about the conservation measures and obligations which a coastal state owes in its EEZ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• The top court should seek guidance from the obligations arising from the multilateral and regional conventions which are meant to bring in sustainable fishing practices.

Conclusion 

• Despite the best conservation measures and regulation of fishing methods adopted by the authorities, it will be a challenge in dealing with the limitless character of the seas which renders a common resource such as fish available for exploitation by all. 
• The theory of Garrett Hardin, ‘The Tragedy of the Commons’, which says ‘Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all’ should convince all fishermen that they must cooperate in complying with conservation measures.

News Source: The Hindu

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