Context:

A recent research project conducted by IIM-Bangalore, with technical assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO), has performed an extensive examination of the employment generation prospects of  the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

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• The estimated generation of 2.82 crore person-year employment includes 59.93 lakh person-year of direct employment during the construction phase of JJM.
• An additional 2.22 crore person-year of indirect employment was generated through manpower engaged in production of the materials such as pipes, valves, pumps etc. 
• Almost 40% of the direct employment created is i.e., 23.8 lakh person-year, is estimated to be on account of engagement of engineers, managers, plumbers, electricians, motor mechanics and chemists etc. 

About Jal Jeevan Mission: 

• Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2019 with the aim to provide all rural households 55 liters per capita per day to every rural household by 2024. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Budget: The estimated outlay of the mission is Rs 3.60 Lakh Crore with Central and State share of Rs. 2.08 Lakh Crore and Rs.1.52 Lakh Crore respectively.

Need of  Jal Jeevan Mission:

• Rising Water Demand: India is among the top-10 water-rich countries in the world, with access to about 4% of the world’s water resources. 
  • India’s rapid population expansion, urbanization, and rising living standards have resulted in high water demand throughout the country. 
• Reducing Burden on Women: Lack of convenient water supply burdens women and girls, who spend significant time collecting water. 
  • The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to relieve this and promote gender equality through functional tap connections.
• Countering Water-Borne Diseases: Ensuring safe and clean drinking water is crucial to combat waterborne diseases. 
• Linking WASH with SDGs: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) are integral to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • The Jal Jeevan Mission’s efforts align with the global goal of providing universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and improved sanitation by 2030.
• As per the  NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) 2018: According to it, 21 Indian cities could face Day Zero in the coming years. 
  • Day Zero refers to the day when a place is likely to have no drinking water of its own. Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad are among the most susceptible.
• Impact on Child Nutrition: Lack of safe water contributes to malnutrition in children, leading to stunting and wasting.
  • The Jal Jeevan Mission’s focus on clean water supply directly contributes to improving child nutrition and health outcomes.

Key Features of JJM:

• Bottom-up approach: JJM is being implemented as a decentralized, demand-driven community-managed programme. 
  • For Example: More than 5.24 lakh Paani Samitis/ Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC) have been formed to manage, operate, and maintain in-village water supply infrastructure.
• It envisions providing safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India. 
• Objectives:
  • To provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household  
  • To prioritize provision of FHTCs in quality affected areas, villages in drought prone and desert areas, Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) villages, etc.  
  • To monitor functionality of tap connections
• Funding Pattern:

• Institutional Mechanism for the implementation of JJM:

Challenges Impeding the 2024 Har Ghar Jal Goal Goal: 

• Russia-Ukraine war: It resulted in “major shortages of steel and cement, critical to the manufacture and connection of metal pipes”.
• Lack of Skilled Manpower: The lack of skilled manpower to make acceptable quality tanks, cisterns and water connections is also a major issue.
• Caste Based Discrimination:  A research study by the National Dalit Watch titled, “Droughts, Dalits and Adivasis”, in 2022 surveyed Marathwada’s 2,207 Dalits and Adivasis of 10 villages of Osmanabad and Kallam blocks. 
  • The study found that 72% did not have adequate water for drinking and hygiene, while 56% SCs and 48% STs reported experiencing untouchability.
• Poor Water Quality: Local reports suggest that despite having a tap connection, several village households revert to their local groundwater resources as the quality of supplied tap water is inadequate.
• Infrastructure and Connectivity: Many rural areas lack proper infrastructure and connectivity, making it challenging to establish functional household tap connections (FHTCs) for water supply.
• Technical Expertise: Implementing modern water supply technologies requires skilled personnel, and there can be a shortage of technical expertise at the local level.

Way Forward:

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Explore opportunities for PPPs to leverage private sector expertise and resources for efficient implementation and maintenance of water supply systems.
• Financial Sustainability: Develop a sustainable financing model that combines government funding, community contributions, user fees, and other revenue sources to ensure the ongoing operation and maintenance of water supply infrastructure.
• Institutional Strengthening: Strengthen local governance institutions responsible for water supply management, ensuring their capacity to plan, implement, and manage systems effectively.

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Context:

Recently, The Union Home Minister  introduced three Bills in the Lok Sabha to replace  to replace, i.e IPC 1860, Indian Evidence Act 1872, and CrPc 1898.

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Criminal law in India is primarily governed by:

• Indian Penal Code, 1860: Defines criminal offenses and their punishments.
• Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: Regulates the procedural aspects of criminal cases.
• Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Governs the rules for the admissibility of evidence in court.

The Bills Introduced are:

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: This Bill aims to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which was enacted in 1860. 
  • Repeal of Provisions: The Bill seeks to replace the IPC by repealing 22 of its existing provisions.
  • Changes to Existing Provisions: The Bill proposes alterations to 175 existing provisions within the IPC.
  • Introduction of New Sections:
    • Section 109: Organized Crime
    • Section 110: Petty Organized Crime: 
    • Section 111: Offence if Terrorist Act
    • Section 150: Acts Endangering Sovereignty, Unity, and Integrity
    • Section 302: Snatching
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023: This Bill seeks to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC), which originally came into effect in 1898. 
  • It proposes changes to 160 provisions and introduces 9 new provisions. 
  • It contains a total of 533 sections.
• Bharatiya Sakshya (BS) Bill, 2023: This Bill aims to replace the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. 
  • Proposes changes to 23 provisions and introduces one new provision. 
  • It contains 170 sections in total.

History of the Criminal Justice System in India:

• British Rule and Codification: Criminal laws were codified, and this framework largely persists into the present day.
• Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay played a pivotal role in shaping India’s criminal laws during British rule.
  • He is often regarded as the chief architect of the codification of criminal laws in India.

Criminal law reforms committee:

• May 4, 2020: The Ministry of Home Affairs in India, on May 4, 2020, established a committee with the objective of reviewing and recommending reforms to the three major codes of criminal law that constitute the foundation of India’s legal system. 
  • Headed by: Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, former Vice Chancellor of National Law University (NLU), Delhi
  • Mandate: To assess and suggest changes to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act.
• February 27, 2022: The committee submitted its recommendations on the criminal law amendments.

Need For the Bill:

• Pendency and Delay: The existing complex procedures of IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act have contributed to substantial court backlogs and delayed justice delivery.
  • As on December 31, 2022, the total pending cases in district and subordinate courts was pegged at over 4.32 crore.
• Low Conviction Rates: The prevailing legal framework has resulted in a low conviction rate, highlighting the need for reforms to enhance the efficacy of criminal proceedings.
  • According to the NCRB report 2022, on an all-India basis, the total conviction rate for IPC crimes stood at 57%.
• Overcrowded Prisons and Undertrials: The present system has led to overcrowded jails and a significant number of undertrial prisoners awaiting their trials.
  • According to a report on prison statistics for 2019 released by NCRB, National Crime Records there were 4,78,600 inmates lodged in different prisons in India while they  had capacity to 4,03,700 inmates. 
• Introduction of New Offences: The proposed Bills bring about significant changes by introducing new offences that were absent in the IPC, addressing issues like acts endangering sovereignty, organized crime, terrorism, mob lynching, and sexual intercourse based on deceitful means or false promises of marriage.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023:  key highlights of the proposed changes and additions

• Repeal of Sedition as Section 124A: The new Bill completely repeals the offense of sedition as it was outlined in Section 124A of the IPC.
  • Introduction of New Provision – Section 150: While the term “sedition” is removed, the offense is introduced under a new name in Part VII of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, titled ‘Of Offences against the State.’ 
  • This section, denoted as Section 150, explicitly criminalizes “acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.”
  • Expanded Definition and Elements: These include intentionally inciting or attempting to incite secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities, or encouraging feelings of separatist activities. 
  • Change in Punishment: Section 150 increases the maximum punishment to 7 years of imprisonment, compared to the 3 years imprisonment provided under Section 124A of the IPC.
• Punishments for Gang Rape and Rape of Minors: The Bill proposes that all forms of gang rape be punishable by 20 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
  • Additionally, the rape of a minor is punishable by the death penalty, indicating a stringent stance on crimes against minors.
• Capital Punishment for Mob Lynching: For the first time, capital punishment has been introduced as a penalty for the offense of mob lynching. 
  • The offense (Section 101) is defined as murder committed by a group of five or more individuals acting in concert on the grounds of factors such as race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief, or any other ground.
• Criminalization of Sexual Intercourse Under False Pretexts: The Bill criminalizes sexual intercourse obtained through deceitful means, false promises of marriage, or suppression of identity. 
  • The maximum punishment for this offense is proposed to be 10 years of imprisonment.
  • Deceitful Means: Include the false promise of employment or promotion, inducement or marrying after suppressing one’s identity.
• Omission of Adultery Offense: The provision criminalizing adultery has been omitted, in line with a previous Supreme Court ruling (Joseph Shine v. Union of India) that deemed Section 497 of the IPC unconstitutional.
• Exclusion of Punishment for Unnatural Sexual Offenses: The Bill does not include any punishment for ‘unnatural sexual offenses against men,’ in accordance with the Supreme Court’s reading down of Section 377 in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India.
• Retaining Marital Rape Exception: The provision allowing exceptions for non-consensual sexual acts within a marital relationship has been retained, even though it remains a subject of ongoing legal and social debate.
  • Sec 375 of IPC: It defines rape and lists seven notions of consent that, if vitiated, would constitute the offence of rape by a man.
• Trial in Absentia: The provision for trial in absentia is a significant change. It allows for trials to take place even when the accused is not present in the country. 
  • Ex, absconding criminals such as underworld don Dawood Ibrahim will be tried in-absentia by court.
• Restrictions on Punishment Waivers: To prevent political misuse of punishment waivers, the new law limits the conversion of death sentences to life imprisonment. 
  • Additionally, life imprisonment can only be pardoned within seven years of punishment.
  • And seven years imprisonment can be waived off only up to three years. 
• Definition of Terrorism: The Bill introduces a legal definition of terrorism, describing it as acts committed with the intent to threaten India’s unity, integrity, and security, and to intimidate the public or disturb public order. 
  • The legislation also includes provisions for the attachment of property belonging to terrorists.
• Community Service and Solitary Confinement: Introducing new forms of punishment, such as community service and solitary confinement.
  • Offences including small theft, defamation, and attempting to commit suicide.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023:

• FIR by Electronics communication: It allows for filing of First Information Report to the police “by electronic communication”. 
  • However, it requires the complainant to sign the record within three days of filing it.
• FIR Accessibility: A provision is introduced to ensure that copies of First Information Reports (FIRs) are made available to the accused and the victim free of cost within fourteen days from the date of production or appearance of the accused.
• Zero FIR: The Bill allows for the filing of a zero FIR from any part of the country. This enables a police station to register an FIR for an offense that falls under another police station’s jurisdiction and then transfer it to the relevant station.
• Greater Use of Technology: Trials, appeals, depositions, and accused statements can be conducted electronically.
  • Summons, warrants, documents, and evidence statements can be in electronic form.
  • Search, seizure, and crime scene visits will be audio-videographed.
  • Arrested accused details will be maintained and displayed digitally in police stations.
• Communication Devices and Summons: Electronic communication, including devices, added to the summons provision.
  • Individuals must produce digital evidence-containing documents or devices as directed by court or police.
• Specific Safeguards for Arrest: No arrest without permission of Deputy SP for offenses punishable < 3 years or for elderly above 60 years.
  • Preliminary inquiry needed for offenses attracting 3-7 years within 14 days.
• Mercy Petitions: Framework for filing mercy petitions in death penalty cases.
  • Mercy petition to Governor within 30 days; if rejected, petition to President within 60 days.
• Samples Without Arrest: Magistrate can order samples of signature, handwriting, voice, or finger impressions for investigation without arrest.

Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023:

• Admissibility of Electronic Records: The Bill permits the admissibility of electronic or digital records as evidence, recognizing technological advancements.
• Expansion of Secondary Evidence: The scope of secondary evidence has been expanded to include various forms, such as copies made from the original by mechanical processes, counterparts of documents, and oral accounts of document contents given by a person who has seen it.

Concern with the Bill:

• Addressing Long-standing Problems:
  • Overcrowded prisons and high proportions of undertrials persist as a crisis.
  • Reforms in bail adjudication remain insufficient, failing to prioritize bail as the default option.
• Sovereignty Provision: The vague “acts endangering sovereignty” provision raises concerns over arbitrary arrests and potential infringement on civil liberties.
• Forensics and Electronic Evidence: Despite emphasizing their use, the Bills lack clear guidelines for handling forensic evidence, raising doubts about its reliability and admissibility.

Conclusion: 

The Bills propose changes, the true essence of overhauling the criminal justice system might not be fully realized. Achieving lasting change demands not only legislative amendments but also a comprehensive reevaluation of institutional cultures and practices, aiming for a more just and effective system.

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Context: Central government is developing 11 industrial corridor projects across the country in a phased manner, as part of the National Industrial Corridor Programme.

About National Industrial Corridor Programme  (NICP):

• Aim: Developing a series of industrial corridors across the country to promote manufacturing and create job opportunities.
• These corridors are intended to act as a catalyst for the development of manufacturing and service sectors, thereby generating employment opportunities and boosting economic growth.
• Industrial corridors being developed by the Centre are as follows:

• The key objectives of the NICP are as follows:
• • To develop world-class infrastructure in the form of industrial corridors, which will facilitate the establishment of new industries and the expansion of existing ones.
  • To attract domestic and foreign investments in the manufacturing sector, with a focus on high-value and high-tech industries.
  • To promote the development of smart cities along the industrial corridors, which will provide a high quality of life for workers and their families.
  • To create employment opportunities for the local population, particularly in areas that are currently underdeveloped.
  • To promote sustainable development by adopting environmentally friendly practices in the establishment and operation of industries.
• Funding: Government of India, through National Industrial Corridor Development & Implementation Trust (NICDIT), provides funds as equity/debt for the development of world-class trunk infrastructure in the industrial nodes/regions under industrial corridors and the States are responsible for making available contiguous and encumbrance free land parcels.

About National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT):

• The NICDIT is a government agency responsible for coordinating and monitoring the development of industrial corridors in India. 
• The NICDIT aims to establish greenfield smart industrial cities with sustainable, plug-and-play, and ICT-enabled utilities.

News Source: PIB

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Context: 

Recently, the Minister of State for Environment told the Rajya Sabha that Developed countries have consumed more than 80 per cent of the global carbon budget, leaving countries like India with very little carbon space for the future.

About Carbon Budget:

• Carbon budget is the  amount of greenhouse gasses that humanity can emit while still having a chance to contain global warming within 1.5 degrees centigrade compared with pre-industrial levels, as advocated by the Paris Agreement
• A carbon budget is a tool used to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that can be released into the atmosphere while still keeping global warming below a certain level. 
• It works by setting a limit on the total amount of CO2 that can be emitted over a certain period of time, such as a year or a decade, and then dividing that limit among different countries or sectors based on their historical emissions, population, and economic activity.

India and Carbon Budget:

• India’s annual emissions are well below the three leading emitters – China, the US and the European Union.
  • India accounts for less than 4 percent of the global cumulative emissions from 1850 until 2019.
• According to UNEP, at 2.4 tCO2e (tonne carbon dioxide equivalent), India’s per capita greenhouse gas emission is far below the global average of 6.3 tCO2e. 
• India Contribution: India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), plans to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, promising to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45 per cent by 2030, from the 2005 level, and achieve 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
  • At the Paris climate talks in 2015, countries agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius as compared to the pre-industrial levels.
  • At the Copenhagen UN climate talks in 2009, developed countries had promised to provide USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to help developing countries combat climate change.

News Source: BS

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Context:

Recently, Union Health ministry proposed a separate post for the medical devices controller.

About the News

• The Union Health Ministry has presented a draft of the New Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023, which seeks to replace the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.

• Draft proposed the creation of a separate post for a drugs and medical devices controller general in India, under whom a separate wing of officials would operate as regulators for the medical devices sector.
• As of now, medical devices are treated as drugs and there is no separate definition for those.
  • Currently, manufacturing activities relating to drugs and cosmetics are regulated by only the state governments through their drug control organizations.
• Medical devices officers independent of drug control officers and creation of medical devices testing laboratories and the appointment of medical devices testing officers.

News Source: BS

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