Context:

• The 28th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP) of UNFCCC, which is set to unfurl over two weeks in Dubai next month (30 November to 12 December 2023), has stirred a unique controversy centered around its president, Sultan Al-Jaber.

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• His position as head of one of the world’s largest oil companies, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has drawn criticism —primarily from the West  that he would as  Conference of Parties (COP) President be less inclined to push the world away from fossil fuels.
• Majid Al-Suwaidi, Director-General, COP-28, denies any conflict of interest in UAE, an oil producer, hosting the event; he says it’s the COP for Asia and if it works for India it will work for many others.
• COP28 will feature a “global stocktake,” where participating countries will report on their progress in meeting their voluntary emissions reduction commitments and discuss strategies for closing the gaps.
• The World Meteorological Organisation says one of the next four years — perhaps 2023 will almost certainly breach the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold.

India Has a Critical Role in the 28th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP-28)

• India is  the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases and India is also one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change.
• India’s leadership: India played a significant role in the previous 27th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP27) by championing the establishment of the Loss and Damages Fund to compensate countries affected by climate change.
  • However, there remains a lack of consensus on the funding of this initiative, despite estimates suggesting a minimum requirement of $500 billion for the Loss and Damages Fund.
• Prioritizing adaptation and equity: India will likely prioritize adaptation and equity at COP28. Developing countries need at least $215 billion yearly to do meaningful adaptation work, but barely $21 billion is flowing in (the Adaptation Gap report). 
• Phase-down of Fossil Fuels: The issue of phasing down or phasing out fossil fuels will likely be discussed at COP28.
  • There is no consensus on this issue, and India has called for a phase-down of all fossil fuels and not just coal in the official “cover text” of the COP27.
• Renewable energy: India is also expected to showcase its progress on renewable energy. India has set an ambitious target of reaching 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. 
• Climate finance: India is likely to call for developed countries to provide more climate finance to developing countries.
  • Rich countries have promised to mobilize $100 billion in climate finance every year from 2020  a promise they have not met.
  • However, the real challenge would be making progress on finalizing a new amount, over and above the $100 billion figure, that has to be raised every year, starting next year.
• India’s leadership at COP28 is crucial for the global effort to address climate change. India can help to ensure that the COP28 outcomes are fair and equitable and that they address the needs of the most vulnerable countries.

Source: The Hindu

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• According to the report (by blue collar workers placement platform Huntr) there has been a 50 percent increase in the migration of blue collar workers from India to the GCC Nations in the first seven months of 2023. 

Key Highlights of Report

• Shift in Migration Patterns: Over the last decade, Kerala has witnessed a 90 percent drop in workforce going to the Middle East nations.
• Emergence Of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: The top five labour-sending states include UP, Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, while the preferred destinations remained Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.
• Demographic Profile of Migrants: a workforce primarily concentrated in the 20-40 age group. 
• Rise of Women Migrants: Historically male-dominated, the workforce landscape is evolving with a notable increase in women migrants, particularly in the hospitality sector. 
• Educational Profile: Qualifications among migrants vary widely, ranging from minimal formal education to vocational training, with skillsets tailored to specific job roles. 
• Opportunities In the Middle East: Most of these migrants hail from lower-income backgrounds, propelled by the aspiration for enhanced financial conditions through opportunities in Dubai’s robust job market.
• Challenges Faced by Migrant Workers: Financial and Contractual issues, Lack of transparency and fairness in the recruitment process,  Presence of middlemen and Agents and debt cycle.

Source: Economic Times

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• The increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cold waves, droughts, and floods due to climate change is influencing ecosystems, said researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China.

Key Findings:

• Extreme weather events affect land, marine, and freshwater ecosystems by influencing the displacement of native species with non-native.
• The scientists looked at 443 studies and analyzed 1,852 native and 187 non-native species residing in land, marine, and freshwater habitats and their responses to extreme weather events.
• Native Species Bear the Brunt of Extreme Weather: Native animals are more adversely affected by extreme weather events than non-native animals.
  • Heatwaves, cold waves, droughts, and floods disproportionately impact native species.
  • Native animals exhibit declines in body conditions, life history traits, abundance, distribution, and recovery.
  • For example The abundance of most native fish in the Rio Minho estuary, Portugal declined, but the abundance of non-native fish increased after extreme droughts and floods.
• Resilience of Non-Native Species: Non-native species are less abundant in terrestrial ecosystems but show less sensitivity to extreme weather events. Non-native animals often benefit from extreme weather events, outcompeting native species in the aftermath.
• Reasons for Resilience: Non-native animals have higher growth rates, higher phenotypic plasticity, stronger competitive abilities, quicker recovery and proliferation, and broader tolerance of disturbance compared to native species.
  • Non-native animals may be more tolerant of extreme environmental conditions, such as high salinity or temperature.
• Geographical Bias in Study:
  • The researchers advise caution due to biases, as most of the studies examined belonged to North America or Western Europe.
  • However, Understanding these dynamics is crucial for conservation efforts in a changing climate.

Source: Down to Earth

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Context:

• Around 250 Rohingya refugees have been turned away from western Indonesia and sent back to sea.

About Rohingya

• The Rohingya are a majority-Muslim ethnic group who have lived in  the western coastal state of Rakhine in Myanmar.
• However, they are not considered one of the country’s 135 official ethnic groups and they have been denied citizenship in Myanmar since 1982, which has effectively rendered them stateless.

What is the Rohingya refugee crisis?

• In 2017, the Myanmar military launched a brutal crackdown against the Rohingya refugees, leading to widespread killings, rape, and forced displacement. 
• More than 700,000 Rohingya fled to the Bangladesh district of Cox’s Bazar, as well as several other countries in Asia, where the Rohingya have sought sanctuary since the 1970s (According to UNHRC).
• However, Bangladesh is a poor country with limited resources, and as a result, many Rohingyas were turning to other neighboring states in Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Illegal Rohingya refugees in India

• As per Home Ministry data, there are more than 14,000 UNHCR-registered Rohingya refugees in India. However, security agencies estimate the number of Rohingya living illegally in India at 40,000.
• Distribution of Rohingya: There are clusters of Rohingya population in Jammu, Hyderabad, and Delhi-NCR, besides the states of Haryana, UP, and Rajasthan.
• Concerns Over Rohingya Refugees: In the view of the Indian government, illegal migrants “infringe on the rights of Indian citizens” and are “more vulnerable to getting recruited by terrorist organisations.” 
• Legal Basis for Deportation: Section 3(2)(c) of The Foreigners Act, 1946, gives the central government the right to deport a foreign national.
  • In 2011, the Union government circulated a Standard Operating Procedure to all states and Union Territories to deal with foreign nationals who claimed to be refugees.
• Absence of Refugee Laws in India: India is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention and 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, and it does not currently have a national law on refugees. 
• India’s Rationale for Deporting Rohingya Refugees: India’s claim to send the Rohingyas back to Myanmar rests on the notion that the refugees are of Burmese stock. 
• Myanmar’s Stance on Rohingya: However, the Burmese do not consider the Rohingya refugees as their citizens and consider them to be immigrants who were brought in from Bangladesh during the British colonial rule.
• Bangladesh’s Position: Bangladesh held that they are natives of the Burmese state and should be protected there.

Source: India Today

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Context:

• Recently, a conference on technical textiles was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Department of Textiles, Tamil Nadu. 

India targets $40bn in technical textiles

• According to the official from the Ministry of Textiles, the Indian market for technical textiles is targeted to touch $40 billion by 2030.
• The current market size is $23 billion and the export of technical-textile products is also expected to touch $10 billion from the current $2.5 billion in the next seven years.

What is Technical Textiles?

• Definition: Technical textiles are defined as textile materials and products used primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics.
  • Unlike conventional textiles used traditionally for clothing or furnishing, technical textiles are used basically because of their specific physical and functional properties and mostly by other user industries. 
• Alternative Terms: industrial textiles, functional textiles, performance textiles, engineering textiles, invisible textiles and hi-tech textiles. 
• Functional Characteristics: health & safety, cost-effectiveness, durability, high strength, lightweight, versatility, customization; user-friendliness, eco-friendliness, logistical convenience, etc.
• Types: Depending on the product characteristics, functional requirements and end-use applications the highly diversified range of technical textiles are grouped into 12 segments.
  • Agrotech (Agro Textiles), Buildtech (Construction Textiles), Clothtech (Clothing Textiles), Geotech (Geo Textiles), Hometech (Home Textiles), Indutech (Industrial Textiles), Meditech (Medical Textiles), Mobiltech (Automotive Textiles), Packtech (Packaging Textiles), Protech (Protective Textiles) And Sportech (Sports Textiles).
• Application: These textiles have diverse applications, spanning agriculture, infrastructure (roads and railways), sportswear, healthcare, and even high-end uses like bulletproof jackets and space exploration.

Other Initiatives for the Promotion of Technical Textile

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles Sector: It aims to promote the production of high-value Man-Made Fiber (MMF) fabrics, garments and technical textiles.
• Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) Codes for Technical-Textile: In 2019, the Government of India dedicated 207 HSN codes to technical-textiles to help monitor the data of import and export, in providing financial support and other incentives to manufacturers.
• 100% FDI under Automatic Route: The Government of India allows 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under the automatic route. International technical textile manufacturers such as Ahlstrom, Johnson & Johnson, etc have already initiated operations in India.
• Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme: To improve exports and indirectly promote investments in textile machinery.

Source: The Hindu

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Context:

• According to Visa’s report titled ‘Enabling the Digital Shift: Tokenisation in India’s Economic Landscape’, India has issued over 560 million tokens over the past year.

How Card Tokenisation Reshaped India’s Payment Security

• India issued a substantial portion of over 7.5 billion tokens issued globally, leading to card authorization rates rising by 4.5% since the introduction of tokenisation.
• In September 2021, the RBI prohibited merchants from storing customer card details on their servers with effect from January 1, 2022, and mandated the adoption of tokenization as an alternative.

What is Card Tokenisation?

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) defines tokenisation as replacing actual card details (debit or credit cards) with an alternate code called the ‘token’, a unique combination of card, token requestor, and a device.
  • Card tokenisation transaction is safe as the card details are not shared with anyone, including the merchant, during transaction processing.
  • RBI has directed all sellers in India such as Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, etc. to delete card information stored earlier to enhance the security of online transactions.
• Token Issued By: A tokenised card will be issued by card networks like Visa, Mastercard, or Rupay.

• Benefits of Card Tokenisation: 
  • Enhanced security.
  • Reduced risk of data breach. 
  • Increased trust in digital payments.
  • Improved payment experience. 
  • Reduced fraud rates.
  • Simplified compliance. 
• Challenges of Card Tokenisation: 
  • Customer education and awareness.
  • Operational clarity of regulatory guidelines.
  • Complex integration. 

News Source: BS

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Context:

• Women in agri food systems face the highest climate risks such as droughts, floods, or shortened crop-growing seasons.

Women in Agri Food Systems 

• A hotspot map developed by an international team of researchers has ranked 87 countries based on the climate change threat faced by women working in agriculture sector. 
  • The study covered nations in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
• Researchers developed an index from six institutes including the World Bank Group, United States.
• The hotspot maps can help decision-makers and investors target finance and investments in areas where women are hardest hit by climate change risks.

Significant Findings on Women in Agri Food Systems

• Agri-food systems: Encompass production, post-harvest handling, and distribution. 
• Threats posed by the climate crisis disproportionally affect certain communities and social groups that are more exposed. 
  • For example, People living in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) are at heightened risk.
• Ranking: India stood 12th on the risk index. The other Asian countries included Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal, ranking second, fourth, seventh, and eighth respectively.
• Disproportionate Impact on Women: 
  • Within these countries, local climate hazards tend to negatively affect women more than men. 
  • Women’s adaptive capacities tend to be more restrained than men’s because of underlying gender inequality and unequal access to resources.
  • Significant climate hazards, high exposure, and high vulnerability faced by women in agri food systems are due to systemic gender inequalities.
  • Women and girls are found to be more likely than men to go hungry following natural disasters linked to climate change. 
  • In India, twice the number of women than men reported eating less in response to a drought.

News Source: DTE

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Context:

• According to the State of the Cryosphere 2023 report, nearly all tropical glaciers, most mid-latitude glaciers, and polar regions will disappear even if the world manages to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius, above the preindustrial era.

Key Findings of the State of the Cryosphere 2023 Report

• Report is released by the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative, a network of policy experts and researchers working to preserve the Earth’s cryosphere
• The Himalayas: Expected to lose 50% of today’s ice if global average temperatures touch 2°C. 
• Antarctica: Sea ice hit an all-time low summer and winter record this year. Experts predicted that it would completely lose sea ice every summer at 2°C.
• Arctic Ocean: At 2°C, the Arctic Ocean will be free of sea ice almost every year and for periods of up to four months from July to October. 
  • Water temperatures in parts of the Arctic and North Atlantic were 4-6°C higher than normal.
• Impact on Permafrost: At the current temperature rise of 1.2°C, many glaciers of the northern Andes, East Africa, and Indonesia are disappearing rapidly.
  • Both 2°C and 1.5°C could lead to doom of permafrost as these temperatures are too high to stop the thawing of permafrost extensively. 
  • The world must limit global warming to 1.5°C to protect the cryosphere.

What is the Cryosphere?

• The cryosphere is the name given to Earth’s snow and ice regions and ranges from ice sheets, glaciers, snow, and permafrost to sea ice and the polar oceans. 
  • According to the report, a combination of melting polar ice sheets, vanishing glaciers, and thawing permafrost will have rapid, irreversible, and disastrous impacts worldwide.
• Permafrost is ground below the Earth’s surface that has been continuously frozen for at least two consecutive years and in most cases, for hundreds or thousands of years.
  • It consists of soil, gravel, and sand, usually bound together by ice. 
  • When permafrost thaws, it releases CO2 and methane emissions. This will cause a spike in temperatures even if human emissions reach zero. 

News Source: DTE

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Context:

• The National Health Authority (NHA) reports that over 59 million hospital admissions have been authorized under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme since the launch of the scheme five years ago.

Current Updates on Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) Scheme

• The top six specialties with respect to consultations amount to a combined total of around Rs 15,651 crore since the scheme’s launch. 
• Currently, the scheme provides 919 Health Benefits Packages (HBPs), covering 1,670 procedures under 26 specialties. 

What is the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme?

• The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme having a central sector component under the Ayushman Bharat Mission anchored in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). 
• Umbrella Scheme: It is an umbrella of two major health initiatives, namely Health and Wellness Centres and the National  Health Protection Scheme.
• Objectives: Ensuring comprehensive coverage for catastrophic illnesses, reducing out-of-pocket expenditure, and improving access to hospitalization care.
• Health and Wellness Centres: Under this 1.5 lakh existing sub-centers will bring the health care system closer to people’s homes in the form of Health and wellness centres. 
• • These centres will provide comprehensive health care for non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health services.

What are the Benefits Provided Under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana?

• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides a defined benefit cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year. This cover will take care of almost all secondary care and most of tertiary care procedures.
• Eligibility criteria: AB-PMJAY is an entitlement-based scheme with entitlement decided based on deprivation criteria in the SECC database.
• Hospitals Covered: The beneficiaries can benefit from public and empanelled private facilities. All public hospitals in the States implementing AB-PMJAY will be deemed empanelled for the Scheme. 
  • Includes pre and post-hospitalisation expenses. 
• Pre-existing Conditions: Will be covered from day one of the policy. 
• Cashless Benefits: Beneficiaries can take cashless benefits across the country.
• Implementation Strategy: A National Health Authority (NHA) has been set up at the national level. States/ UTs are advised to implement the scheme by a dedicated entity called State Health Agency (SHA).

News Source: BS

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Context:

• The number of measles deaths worldwide increased by 43% from 2021 to 2022 according to a new assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Global Deaths From Measles Disease

• In 2022, there were an estimated 136,000 deaths from measles disease globally, most of which were among children.
• Measles Outbreaks: Around 37 countries saw disruptive measles outbreaks in 2022, with 28 countries in the African Region, 6 in the Eastern Mediterranean, 2 in Southeast Asia, and 1 in Europe. 

What is Measles Disease?

• It is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus.
• Measles disease is caused by a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus with 1 serotype. 
• It is classified as a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family. 
• Humans are the only natural hosts of the measles virus.
• Transmission: It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death. 
• Affects: Anyone but is most common in children and infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. 
• Symptoms: Include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash all over the body.

Vaccination Coverage against Measles

• Safe and cost-effective vaccines are available and measles vaccination averted 56 million deaths between 2000 and 2021. 
  • The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Measles can be avoided with two vaccination doses.
• However, despite a small rise in vaccination coverage worldwide from 2021 to 2022, 33 million children were still not vaccinated against measles.
• In 2022, about 83% of the world’s children received their first dose of the measles vaccine, the lowest since 2008.
• India’s Strategy: To eradicate measles by 2023, India has plans to vaccinate 95% of the population with two doses of the measles vaccine under the Intensified Mission Indradhanush.

News Source: DTE

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Context:

• This article is based on the news “At Voice of Global South Summit, PM Modi expresses concern for civilians caught in Israel-Hamas conflict, calls for restraint” Which was published in the Hindu. The 2nd Voice of Global South Summit took place in virtual mode on November 17, 2023. This is the second time that India hosted the summit since January this year.

Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS)

• Initiative Origin: Indian-led initiative designed as a common platform for Global South countries.
• Purpose: Facilitates sharing perspectives and priorities to address common challenges through diplomatic dialogue.
• First VOGSS:
  • India hosted it in virtual format in January 2023.
  • The theme of the first VOGSS was ‘Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose.’
  • Held virtually with the participation of leaders and ministers from 125 Global South countries.
• Second VOGSS:
  • The theme of the inaugural leaders’ session is ‘Together, for Everyone’s Growth, with Everyone’s Trust’ and that of the concluding leaders’ session is ‘Global South: Together for One Future’.
  • Key Focus Areas for Discussion
    • Sharing beneficial outcomes and progress achieved during India’s G20 Presidency.
    • Deliberation on concerns and priorities of the Global South.

India announced a series of initiatives to strengthen India’s engagement with the Global South in First VOGSS:

• Aarogya Maitri” Project: India will provide essential medical supplies to developing countries affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
• Global South Young Diplomats Forum: To connect youthful officers of India’s foreign ministries.
• Global South Centre of Excellence: This institution will research scalable development solutions for global south countries
• Global South Science and Technology Initiative: To share expertise with other developing nations.
• Global South Scholarships: For students from developing economies to pursue studies in Indian educational institutions.

What is the Global South?

• Brandt line: It is an imaginary boundary running from the Rio Grande into the Gulf of Mexico, across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Mediterranean Sea, and over the vast expanses of Central Asia to the Pacific Ocean.
  • It separated countries with comparatively higher GDP per capita concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere and most poor countries concentrated in the south of the line. 
• Global South: The term “Global South” refers to nations characterized by a relatively low level of economic and industrial development, typically situated south of more industrialized nations.
  • They’re primarily considered developing countries, including China and several wealthy Gulf states.

Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) Highlights:

• Prime Minister’s Condemnation of Hamas Attacks: 
  • India’s PM condemned the Hamas attacks on October 7. He advocated for restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Global Centre for Excellence – DAKSHIN:
  • PM inaugurated DAKSHIN, a global center for excellence for Global South countries.Emphasized that the Global South now has a voice on the global stage.
• Five ‘Cs’ for the Global South:
  • PM proposed five principles: consultation, cooperation, communication, creativity, and capacity building.
• India’s Global Biofuels Alliance Invitation: 
  • India invites Global South nations to join the Alliance.
  • India is willing to share biofuels expertise with developing and less developed countries.

India’s approach to the Global South

• India’s Global Leadership:
  • Historical Role and G-20 Presidency: India, rooted in its history as a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement, assumes a pivotal role in global geopolitics. 
  • The G-20 Presidency in 2022-23 underscores India’s economic and geopolitical influence.
  • India actively champions Global South causes, addressing issues such as climate change, energy transition, and normative concerns on international platforms.
• Energy Transition and Climate Change:
  • India stands at the forefront of global and sustainable energy transitions. Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and advocacy for hydrogen-based fuel showcase India’s commitment to equitable climate action.
  • India advocates the principle of CBDRRC and intends to balance the responsibilities and commitments of the parties following their quantum of historical contribution, economic structures and resources, available technology, and capacity to take mitigating measures.
• Multilateral Reform and Normative Approach:
  • Advocacy for Multilateral Reform: India consistently pushes for reforming international institutions, as outlined in the Norms policy paper published by the Ministry of External Affairs in 2022. 
  • The five pillars of India’s approach, including respect, dialogue, cooperation, peace, and prosperity, align with the Global South Movement’s ethos.
• Democratic Values and Opposition to R2P: 
  • India strongly opposes the concept of R2P. It has been argued that over the years, R2P has been a tool the Euro-Atlantic powers employ to ensure their hegemonic control over the Global South.
• Global Terrorism and Security: India advocates that terrorism cannot and should not be seen in our versus their framework and fought through a strategy fragmented in lines with international borders. Rather, it should be universally defined as a ‘criminal and unjustifiable act’.
• Non-Intervention Stance: 
  • From the Syrian to the Ukrainian crisis, India advocates for non-intervention in a country’s domestic affairs. It believes in dialogue between conflicting parties, rejecting third-party interference.

What challenges are faced by Global South?

• Historical Developmental Gaps:
  • Resource Disparities: Persistent gaps in access to resources crucial for developmental outcomes.
  • Industrialization Divide: Skewed industrialization favoring advanced economies, hindering Global South progress.
• Social Security Inequities:
  • Government Programs: Disparities in the effectiveness of social security programs between developed and developing nations.
    • For example, adult citizens in the US received stimulus checks and other benefits worth a combined total of US$ 2.2 trillion. On the other hand, government efforts in developing countries were found to be largely insufficient.
  • Economic Stimulus: Developed countries provide substantial economic stimulus while developing counterparts face insufficiencies.
• Unequal Collaborations Between the North and South:
  • Partnership Disparities: Unequal distribution of SDG partnerships, favoring developed economies.
    • The implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals requires collaboration between all stakeholders across countries. 
    • The SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals) aims to “strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
    • A study of the nature of SDG partnerships across developed and developing countries found that involvement is unequally distributed in favor of developed economies. 
  • Fig: SDG Partnership across the world
• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: 
  • The Ukraine War and the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chain, affecting the availability of essential goods like food, vaccines, and energy in the Global South.
  • A November 2022 FAO stated: “If the conflict persists, the global number of undernourished people could increase by 8 to 13 million people in 2022/23, with the most pronounced increases taking place in Asia-Pacific, followed sub-Saharan Africa, and the Near East and North Africa.”  
• Energy Insecurity:
  • Rising energy costs and disruptions in the energy supply chain, exacerbated by geopolitical events like the Ukraine War, pose significant challenges to Global South countries, impacting economic stability and development.
  • In 2022, the price of a barrel of oil crossed over $100, resulting in the hardest-hit countries being from the Global South. 
• Climate Change Impact:
  • The countries of the Global South are facing the adversarial consequences of climate change largely due to the historical polluters of the Global North.
• Multilateral Governance Deficit:
  • There is a need to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) along with other multilateral bodies to ensure equitable representation from the Global South. 
  • A classic case is a need to reform the UNSC by giving representation to rising powers like India, Japan, South Africa, and Brazil. 
  • The crisis of multilateralism came to the fore when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the global community. 
• Digitalization in the Global Economy:
  • The Global South faces new challenges with the digitalization of the global economy.
  • The Global North’s adoption of protectionist measures raises concerns despite the World Trade Organization (WTO) presence. 

Also Read: UNSC Reforms For A New Era; What The World Thinks

Way Forward

• Enhancing Energy Security: 
  • There is a need to reframe a new energy security agreement globally where energy flow can be ensured uninterruptedly. 
  • Global South countries should collaborate on securing a stable and affordable energy supply. This may involve developing alternative energy sources, promoting energy efficiency, and negotiating fair international energy agreements.
• Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development:
  • The need of the hour is to ensure a sustainable energy transition that can bring overall socio-economic development to the countries of the Global South. 
  • At the same time, mitigating the adversarial effect of climate change and limiting the rise in temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius as envisaged by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) requires adopting urgent measures. 
• Strengthening Multilateral Institutions:
  • The need to reform multilateral bodies arises because of new challenges emerging from different parts of the world. 
  • Example: Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war
  • The impetus that the Global South movement got from the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and its policy of “positive neutrality” needs to be recrafted to ensure a better bargaining strategy with the Global North in the conduct of international negotiation.
• Reforming Normative Order:
  • The Global South faces challenges in dealing with normative issues like democracy, human rights, and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P).
  • Global North employs “democracy promotion” as a geopolitical tool, as seen in events like the Colour Revolution and the Arab Spring in West Asia and North Africa.
  • R2P is often used as a pretext for Global North intervention, evident in crises like Libya and Ukraine.
  • Reinterpreting R2P beyond narrow Western perspectives is crucial to address skepticism in the Global South.

Conclusion:

India’s Prime Minister’s vision, shared at the Voice of Global South Summit 2023, emphasizes inclusive development and a redesigned global governance structure. India’s commitment to sharing developmental experiences and fostering cooperation can provide leadership to the Global South. 

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Context:

• This article is based on the news “High Court sets aside Haryana law guaranteeing 75% reservation to locals in private sector” Which was published in the Hindu.  The Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020  guaranteeing 75% reservation to locals in private sector jobs in Haryana.

Reservation in Private Sector –  Why HC Has Struck Down Haryana’s Private Sector Quota

• The High Court asserted that the law to give effect to reservations in Haryana’s private sector was unconstitutional. 
• Industry associations from Gurugram, Faridabad, and Rewari districts of Haryana had sought judicial recourse and had submitted that the law goes against constitutional provisions and the basic principle of merit underpinning private sector growth.

What arguments of the Haryana Government regarding Reservation in Private Sector?

• Non-Discrimination in Employment Allocation: The Haryana government contended that the Act did not discriminate regarding employment under the central or state governments or any other organisation owned by them. 
• Domicile-based Employment and Article 15(1): It also argued that reservation on the basis of place of birth would violate provisions of the Constitution but employment on the basis of domicile would not offend Article 15(1) of the Constitution. 
• Distinct Class and Reasonable Classification: It said unemployed local youth were a distinct class and reasonable classification could be made of this particular class for the purpose of providing 75 per cent employment in private sectors.

What is the Reservation in Private Sector?

• The concept of a reservation in private sector was born out of concerns about job shortages and the necessity for governments to satisfy their domestic electorates.
• The policy states that the jobs created in a state will be offered first to those who belong to that State. 

Why is there a demand for Reservation in Private Sector?

• LPG Reforms and Jobless Growth:
  • The economic reforms initiated in India in the early 1990s, known as LPG reforms, have been criticised for contributing to jobless growth.
  • This suggests that economic growth has not adequately translated into job creation, further exacerbating economic insecurity and fueling the demand for local reservation.
• Agrarian Distress: Years of low returns from agriculture, coupled with fractured landholdings and inadequate non-farm incomes, have contributed to the demand for local reservation.
• Lack of opportunities: The lack of sufficient employment opportunities in the manufacturing sector has made it difficult for surplus agricultural labor to find alternative employment. This has led to increased competition for jobs in the rural areas, further fueling the demand for local reservation.
• Employment Situation: The COVID-19 lockdown exacerbated the unemployment crisis, particularly among migrant workers in urban areas.
  • The hardest hit were migrant workers in cities, who are employed in construction, restaurants, malls, courier services etc. Most of these are in the informal sector, i.e. jobs which are not covered by health or retirement benefits.
• Populist Impulse and Youth Support:
  • Implementing local reservation measures is often seen as a populist move to appease voters.
  • A 2017 national survey by CSDS and Lokniti found that nearly two-thirds of the youth support job reservation for locals.
• Reservation in Private Sector and Other States’ Examples
  • Several states, including Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, have implemented local reservation policies in the private sector.
  • These policies mandate that a certain percentage of jobs in private companies must be reserved for local residents.
• Fear of losing out: This is not unique to India or the Indian States, but is universal. 
  • It was spectacularly manifest in the Brexit vote, when Britons thought that foreigners were taking away local jobs, and hence voted to secede from the European Union.
  • In America too, the anti-immigrant sentiment was exploited during the recent presidential election campaign.

What Arguments Against Reservation in Private Sector?

• Balancing Fundamental Rights and State Intervention: Reservation in private sector creates an unprecedented intrusion by the State government into the fundamental rights of the employers to carry on their business and trade as provided for under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. 
  • It was also submitted in the petition that the law was an infringement of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.
  • Dr. Pradeep Jain v Union of India (1984) case: The Supreme Court discussed the issue of legislation for “sons of the soil”. Further, The court held an opinion that such policies would be unconstitutional but did not expressly rule on it. 
• State Domicile Quotas and the Erosion of Common Citizenship in India: A fundamental wedge is sought to be created between persons domiciled in different States by the statute in question which is contrary to the concept of common citizenship provided in the Constitution of India.
  • Dilemma of ‘One Nation, One Everything’ versus Regional Employment: Reservation in Private sector would be a direct attack on the fundamental idea of the Indian economy as one unit. 
  • For Example: On the one hand, the Centre outlines ‘One Nation, One Everything,’ businesses – both domestic and multinational – may struggle to find skilled workers in a particular state (Haryana) Potential Ripple Effect on National Growth: Local Hiring Mandate in States such as Haryana Could force relocation, affecting National Growth. 
  • Haryana has received fewer new investment projects compared to previous years, causing the state’s share of new investment projects in the country to drop to 1.06% in 2022-23 from 3 % the previous year, the lowest in six years.
• Exodus of low-paid workers: There would be an exodus of low-paid workers as they would be unable to find work unless their states of origin give them sufficient job opportunities.
• Striking at the Core of Meritocracy in the Private Sector:  Reservation in private sector goes against the fundamental principle of merit that alone drives the private sector, as opposed to the public sector, where the governments continue to hire on the basis of an archaic flawed reservation system for their political purposes.
  • Giving 75 percent or above reservation goes against the Supreme Court’s ceiling of 50 percent for maintaining meritocracy.

What Arguments in Favor of  Reservation in Private Sector?

• Discriminatory HR Policies: A 2019 study conducted by Azim Premji University found that the SC/ST communities were “over-represented” in low-paying jobs and “under-represented” in high-paying ones. 
  • The study, thus, suggests that this massive under-representation of the marginalized sections in private sector employment couldn’t have been possible without discriminatory and biased corporate HR policies.
• Upholding Social Justice in the Private Sector amid Privatization Concerns: Social justice movements have increasingly feared that increasing privatization may lead to a complete decline of opportunities for the historically marginalized caste groups. 
  • A quota-based reservation system in the private sector in this context becomes not only necessary but also inevitable.
  • As per estimates  less than one percent (only .69 per cent) of jobs in the country for educated citizens are covered by reservations.
• Global Precedents: Even in the US, companies like General Motors and Ford have systems in place to employ African Americans, Asians, and so on.
• Advocating Parity in Social Commitments Between Public and Private Sectors: In a mixed economy, when the public sector is being asked to discharge its social commitment through the reservation of jobs, there is no reason why similar conditions should not apply to the private sector that has been given a lot of concessions by the government to enhance industrial growth.
• Employment Equality for Stakeholders in the Private Sector: Our private sector takes a lot of money from public sector banks and financial institutions, and there is a huge default in loan repayment and taxes. 
  • Those whose land, labor, and capital are being used by the Indian entrepreneurial class can definitely seek some modicum of equality in job distribution.

Way Forward

• Voluntarily Code of Conduct (VCC): India Inc. declared that they would adopt a voluntary Code of Conduct (VCC), according to which, they would take up measures to ensure social justice in their organizations.
• Focus on Human development: The government should train the labor and also pose restrictions on the contract by the industrial sector which poses a “hire and fire” basis and promote long-term contracts.
  • For Example: The flagship Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)  was launched in 2015 to provide short-term training, and skilling through ITIs and under the apprenticeship scheme.
• Shifting Government Focus from Employment Guarantees to Inequality Reduction: The governments should create an environment through their policies such that those policies can help minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities. So, the government should focus on its role rather than guaranteeing employment.
• Safeguarding Fundamental Rights in Policy Formulation: It is crucial to guarantee that any policy decision aligns with the Constitution of India, upholding the fundamental rights of citizens and avoiding any violation thereof.”

Also Read: Job Creation – A big challenge for the Government

Conclusion:

Rather than focusing on the reservation to provide jobs, the government should focus on skill enhancement and job creation.  Moreover, this goes against the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” which demands an integrated and mobile labor market within the country.

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