Context: A new low-cost sensor made up of metal oxide nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite can detect formalin in fish at room temperature in a non-invasive way. 

Scientists developed a sensor to detect formalin in fish

• It is  developed by the Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics Laboratory of Guwahati University, Assam.
• Source material: The formalin sensor uses  tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide composite.
• Process:  Graphene Oxide (GO) was synthesized through a process called wet chemical approach and tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide composite (rGO- SnO2) was synthesized by hydrothermal route followed by calcination of the obtained product.
• The sensor is  tested for adulterated fish at lab scale and on fish available in the fish markets of the Guwahati region.
• The research is supported by DST-PURSE (Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence).
• The research was published in the journal ACS Appl. Nano Mater.

Formalin in fish

• It is a mixture of  water and formaldehyde, which  is usually  used on freshly caught fishes to extend its shelf life and enhance its sensory attributes such as color.
• Food Safety and Standards of India (FSSAI) regulations of 2011, has banned  the use of formalin in food products.
• Example: Kerala pathologist traces high level of formalin content in fish bought at home when she tested the sample.
• A team of researchers from Nagaon College, Assam detected the presence of 15 per cent formalin in the consignment of  fish imported from outside the state.
• Health scare: It can cause conditions such as abdominal discomfort, vomiting, renal injury, etc.

Significance of the research

• Present sensors: They are either electrochemical-based or colorimetric-based( Colorimetric sensors are a class of optical sensors that change their colour when influenced by external stimuli.)
  • Both methods are invasive and expensive. 
  • Moreover, low-level and selective detection are two major issues with these sensors
• New Sensor:  It is seen as a breakthrough in the field of food adulteration and  will open new avenues for the development of affordable formalin sensor devices.
  • shows long-term stability with a low detection limit.
  • Is comparatively cheap
  • Non-invasive in nature
  • Can detect the presence of Formalin at room temperatures.

Must Read: Ghol Fish As The Gujrat’s State Fish

News source: PIB

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Context: External Affairs Minister of India has announced that an important agreement related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has been made with Russia during his five-day official visit.

New Agreements Signed Between India and Russia

• Outcome: Agreements have been signed on nuclear power, medicines, pharmaceutical substances, and medical devices. 
• Economic Zone Negotiation: Both countries have agreed to begin negotiations by January-end on a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Zone. 

About Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is being built in Tamil Nadu with Russia’s technical assistance. The plant is expected to have an installed capacity of 6,000 MW of electricity. 
  • The construction began in March 2002 but was halted following protests by fishermen fearing nuclear disaster.

• Operational Status: Since February 2016, the first power unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has been steadily operating at its design capacity of 1,000 MW.
• Design of Reactor: Water-water energetic reactor (WWER) is a water-cooled water-moderated energy reactor. 
• Completion: The plant is expected to fully operate in 2027.
• Operators: Russian state company and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited 

Learn more about Nuclear Power Plants In India 2023, here.

About India – Russia Nuclear Relations

• Support: After the 1974 Pokhran Test, the Soviet Union supported India despite the global nuclear isolation. 
• Material: USSR supplied heavy water for Canadian-built reactors and provided fuel for the BWRs at Tarapur, Maharashtra
• 2002 MoU: Nuclear cooperation began when a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on peaceful uses of nuclear energy was signed. 
  • The first power generation project under this —the 1000 MW PWRs at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu —was set up in October 2013. 
• Partnership: The joint construction of units 3 & 4 and units 5 & 6 at Kudankulam. 
• Future Prospect: Russia’s agreement to supply six more reactors to India solidifies the long-term prospects.
• Diversification: The recent delivery of germanium-68/gallium-68 (Ge-68/Ga-68) generators that play a vital role in nuclear medicine. 

Source: Indian Express

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Context: RBI has reported that India’s current account deficit (CAD) of 2nd Quarter FY24 declined to $8.3 billion, which is 1% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Latest Statistics on India’s Current Account Deficit

• Reason: The decline of the current account deficit in the Second Quarter of FY24 (July 2023 -September 2023) is due to the narrowing of the merchandise (goods) trade deficit to $61 billion from $78.3 billion in Q2 FY23 a year ago. 
• Comparison: India’s current account deficit (CAD) declined to 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter, down from 1.1% in the preceding quarter, and 3.8% a year ago.

Other Indices in Q2 FY24

• Services Exports: It grew by 4.2% on a y-o-y basis on the back of rising exports of software, business and travel services.
• Private Remittances: It amounted to $28.1 billion, an increase of 2.6% from their levels during the corresponding period a year ago.
• FDI: Net Foreign Direct Investment witnessed an outflow of $0.3 billion as against an inflow of $6.2 billion in Q2 FY23.
• FPI: Foreign portfolio investment recorded net inflow of $4.9 billion, lower than $6.5 billion during Q2 FY23.
• Foreign Exchange Reserves: Addition of Foreign Exchange Reserves of $2.5 billion in Q2 FY24 as against a depletion of $30.4 billion in Q2 FY23.  

About Balance of Payment (BoP)

• Definition: BoP is a bookkeeping system that summarises the country’s economic transaction with other countries of the world for a particular period. 
• Impact: BoP keeps track of the trade and investments and transfers in a country with the rest of the world.
• Components: The BoP is composed of Capital and Current Accounts. 

About Current Account

• Definition: The current Account is the account that records the goods exports and imports, as well as trade in services and transfer payments.
• Impact: The current account of a country keeps track of the country’s transactions with other countries. 
• Components: The current account is made up of visible trade( Goods), invisible trade (Services), transfer payments, net factor income, and remittances.

About Capital Account

• Definition: Capital Account is the account that keeps track of Borrowing and Lending of Capital assets and non-financial assets between the countries. 
• Impact: The capital account of a country keeps track of the country’s investment and loans with other countries.
• Components: The current account is made up of borrowings, lendings and investments.

Source: The Hindu

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Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed draft norms to improve the reach of Forex and Money changing services. 

RBI’s Revised Approach to improve the reach of Forex and Money changing services

• In light of the widespread availability of banking services but limited foreign exchange-related services, RBI has proposed improving access to such services.  
• The Forex-related authorization is based on the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). 
  • This Act empowers the Central Government to regulate the flow of payments from and to anyone outside India.  
  • These authorizations were last reviewed in March 2006.

Present Situation: 

• Currently, the Reserve Bank issues 2 types of licenses:
  • To authorised dealers such as banks authorized to deal in and settle foreign exchange 
  • To full-fledged money changers, who provide retail services. 
• Special Licences are also granted to financial and other institutions to carry out specific foreign exchange transactions related to their business.

RBI’s Proposed Norms for Forex and Money Changing Services

• AD Category-I: They are the banks, who will have the authorisation for settlement regarding forex prepaid cards. 
• AD Category-II: Authorized dealers category-II can issue forex prepaid cards to residents traveling on private/business visits abroad, subject to adherence to KYC/AML/CFT requirements. 
  • RBI has proposed to renew an existing authorisation as an AD category-II on a perpetual basis. This will reduce the regulatory burden and enhance the ease of doing business. 
  • The draft proposed allowing AD Category-II entities to facilitate trade-related transactions up to a value of Rs 15 lakh per transaction.
• A new category of money changers has been proposed: 
  • They may conduct money changing business through a principal-agency model by becoming Forex Correspondents (FxCs) of category-I and category-II authorized dealers.
  • AD Category-I or AD Category-II will act as the principal for the FxCs. 
  • Such FxCs entities will not be required to seek authorisation from the RBI.

Must Read: India’s Forex Reserves Up By $2.54 Bn To $597.94

Source: Business Standard

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Context: Guinness world record for Largest tabla ensemble set in Gwalior during the Tansen Samaroh or Tansen music festival 2023.

About Tansen Samaroh 2023

• The tabla ensemble is a performance by  1,282 tabla players with three generations of tabla players participating in the event.
• They performed at the 99th International Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.
• Celebrating Tabla Day:  The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to observe December 25 as ‘Tabla Day’ to commemorate the Guinness Price and honour all musicians.

About Tansen Samaroh or Tansen Music Festival

About: Tansen Samaroh is a unique four-five day music festival, dedicated to the pillar of Indian music, the great Tansen. It is held at his tomb in Gwalior in the village of Behat every year.

• The Department of Culture and the Government of Madhya Pradesh started the festival to pay tribute to the Indian classical music maestro, Mian Tansen.
• Rashtriya Tansen Samman: It is an award of the highest honour in the Indian classical music industry, presented to an individual who has made a considerable contribution to classical music.

About Mian Tansen

• Tansen was a vocalist, instrumentalist and music composer credited as the founder of the Hindustani classical music. He was one of the Navratnas (Nine gems) in Emperor Akbar’s court.

• He was titled Tansen by Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior and Emperor  Akbar gave him the title of Mian
• Teacher: Swami Haridas and  Muhammad Ghaus.
• Style: Tansen’s compositions were primarily based on Hindu Puranas and praise of Hindu deities like Shiva, Vishnu and Ganesha. He employed the Dhrupad style in his composition. Later on, he also performed eulogies on kings.
• Notable contributions: He composed Ragas such as  Bhairav, DarbariTodi, DarbariKanada, Malhar, Deepak,  Sarang and Rageshwari which is considered as the foundation of classical music. He is also credited with  popularising the central Asian ‘Plucked Rabab’. 

News source: PIB

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Context: Several people were hospitalized after Ammonia gas leaked from a fertilizer manufacturing unit in Ennore, north Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Incident Of Ammonia Gas Leakage Reported In Ennore Region, Tamil Nadu

• The gas leaked in the subsea pipeline of Coromandel International Ltd, which manufactures Ammonium Phosphate Potash Sulphate (APPS), it is mainly used as a fertilizer.
• Ammonia level in the ambient air rose to around 2090 microgram/m3 as against 400 microgram/ m3 (safe level mandated by CPCB) on a 24-hour average.
• Tamil Nadu environment minister ordered Coromandel International Limited’s shutdown until further orders.

About Ammonia Gas

• Ammonia Gas or NH3 is a compound of Nitrogen and Hydrogen. It is a colourless gas with a pungent and penetrating odour. It is highly reactive and is a soluble alkaline gas.

• Mode of Production: It can be produced both through natural means as well as anthropogenically.
  • Natural:  Produced in soil from bacterial processes. It is also produced naturally from decomposition of organic matter, including plants, animals and animal wastes. Bacteria found in the intestines can produce ammonia, also, a small amount of ammonia is generated when lightning strikes. 
  • Commercial: Through steam reforming of natural gas and coal gasification. 
• Uses: It serves as a starting material for the production of many commercially important nitrogen compounds such as:
  • Fertilizers: Urea, (H2N)2C=O, is the most commonly used source of nitrogen for fertilisers worldwide. It can be applied directly into soil on farm fields for crops, lawns, and plants. 
  • As household and industrial cleaners
  • In the form of ammonium salts, such as ammonium nitrate,  ammonium sulfate,  and various ammonium phosphates.
  • In manufacturing commercial explosives 
  • As a refrigerant and coolant

Also Read Fertiliser Subsidy in India, here. 

• Ammonia Gas as a Pollutant: 
  • Emission source:  Agriculture, including animal husbandry because of  NH3-based fertilizer applications. Other sources include industrial processes, vehicular emissions and volatilization from soils and oceans.
  • Effects: 
    • It Increases the Biological Oxygen Demand of water by reducing oxygen availability for its aquatic life.
    • Source of nutrient pollution in water bodies leading to eutrophication due to excessive agricultural field runoff.
    • Excessive urea usage leads to  soil acidification.
    • Prolonged exposure of containers to fire or heat may result in violent rupturing and rocketing.
• Ammonia Gas as a Toxic Gas:
  • Direct toxic damage to leaves and alters the susceptibility of plants to frost, drought and pathogens (including insect pests and invasive species).
  • Long-term exposure to low concentrations or short-term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health conditions from inhalation, which manifest as  burning nose, throat and respiratory tract irritation.

News source: livemint

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Context: The number of fresh formal jobs created fell by 10 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year in the latest payroll data, reflecting a slowdown in the pace of formal job creation.

EPFO Data on New Formal Jobs Creation in 2023

• 9.06 million new subscribers joined the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) between January and October. 
  • The figure was 10.1 million in the corresponding period of the previous year. New Young Subscribers declined: The number of new young subscribers from the 18-28 age group declined by 11 per cent to 5.97 million this year from 6.71 million in the corresponding period last year.
• New Women Subscribers declined: The number of new women subscribers declined by 12 per cent to 2.35 million from 2.68 million last year.
• Lowest Unemployment Rate: This deterioration in the quality of employment comes in the wake of the lowest unemployment rate recorded in the country in the past six years.
  • The recently released annual periodic labour force survey (PLFS) showed that the unemployment rate had dropped to a six-year low of 3.2 per cent in July-June 2022-23 from 4.1 per cent in July-June 2021-22.
• Increase in share of agriculture: The PLFS survey has shown that the share of people engaged in agriculture increased sharply to 45.8 per cent in 2022-23 from 45.5 per cent in 2021-22. (To know more about PLFS Survey 2022: Refer, PLFS, here).
• Decrease in manufacturing: The share of people engaged in manufacturing has decreased to 11.4 per cent from 11.6 per cent.

About Formal Jobs

• Formal jobs or employment refers to a type of employment where the terms and conditions of work are regulated and protected by labor laws and employment contracts.
• Key Features of the Formal Jobs Sector, include: 
  • Formal Contracts: A written employment contract that specifies the terms of employment, such as job duties, working hours, pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions, is usually required for formal employment. 
  • Social Security: Social Security benefits, including health insurance, retirement accounts, provident funds, unemployment compensation, and other financial security, are frequently available to formal employees.
  • Labor Rights: Formal employees are entitled to certain legal protections under labour laws, including the ability to engage in collective bargaining, form a union, be shielded from wrongful termination, and have access to legal representation in case of a dispute.
  • Fixed and Timely Payment: Formal employees have a steady income stream from regular wages or salaries, often paid according to a set timetable.

News Source: BS

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Context: The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) has found deficiencies in the audit processes of BSR & Co, Deloitte Haskins & Sells, SRBC & Co, and Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants (PwC) in its inspection report 2022, released on 22nd Dec 2023.

NFRA Detects Deficiencies in Big Four Audit Processes

• Lack of complete independence: In its firm-wide review of audit control systems of BSR & Co, the NFRA found the firm’s claim to being independent of KPMG India entities was wrong.
• Audit Procedure not up to standards: In respect to three of five selected company audits, the BSR’s audit procedure relating to impairment of investment was found deficient.
• Quality of Audit Documentation: There were deficiencies in audit documentation which can lead to challenges in justifying audit conclusions and procedures.

What are the Big Four Companies and their Audit Firms?

• The “Big Four” is the name used for the four largest accounting firms globally, as measured by revenue. 
  • They are Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG).
  • These four firms audit the financial statements for most publicly held companies.
• Audit Role: Auditing firms check, verify and measure the accounts by an independent authority to ensure that all activities of accounts are done fairly. They ensure compliance with laws and regulations and maintain timely, fair, and accurate financial reporting.
• Other Activities: In addition to their auditing services, the Big Four provide tax, consulting, valuation, market research, assurance, and legal advisory services.

About NFRA

• The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) was constituted in 2018 by the Government of India under section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Members: It shall consist of members not exceeding fifteen part-time and full-time members.

Background: 

• Need: Due to accounting scams, there was a need to establish an independent regulator to enforce auditing standards and ensure the quality of audits.
• Establishing Authority: The Companies Act of 2013’s Section 132 grants the Central Government the power to establish such an authority.
• A Parliamentary Standing Committee suggested the establishment of an NFRA as a means of institutionalizing the National Advisory Committee on Accounting Standards.

NFRA: Its Functions and Duties

• Recommend accounting and auditing policies and standards to be adopted by companies for approval by the Central Government;
• Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards;
• Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such standards and suggest measures for improvement in the quality of service;
• Power to investigate matters: It can investigate chartered accountants (CA) or CA companies for professional misconduct either suo-moto or on a Central Government recommendation, impose penalties, and debar them for up to 10 years.

News Source: BS

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Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recently advised all digital intermediaries to ensure compliance with the existing IT rules.

MeitY’s Advisory to Digital Intermediaries: Comply with IT Rules or Face Legal Consequences 

• Target of Advisory: The directive specifically targets the growing concerns around misinformation powered by AI – Deepfakes.
  • Recently, the Indian Prime Minister warned about the dangers of deepfakes. 

To know more about Deepfakes: Refer, Deepfake

• Advisory Formation: It is the culmination of the discussions held by the Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Electronics & IT and Jal Shakti during Digital India dialogues with intermediaries. 
• MeitY Advisory: 11 listed user harms
  • It mandates intermediaries to communicate their rules, regulations, privacy policy, and user agreement in the user’s preferred language. 
  • Obligations: Digital Intermediaries must also ensure reasonable efforts to prevent users from hosting, displaying, uploading, modifying, publishing, transmitting, storing, updating, or sharing any information related to the content prohibited by digital intermediaries. 
  • Aim: This rule ensures platforms identify and promptly remove misinformation, false or misleading content, and material impersonating others, including deepfakes.
• Content Prohibited: The advisory mandates that intermediaries should clearly and precisely communicate prohibited content, particularly those specified under Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules to users, including through its terms of service and user agreements. 
  • Rule 3(1)(b)(v): It explicitly prohibits the dissemination of misinformation.
  • The same must be expressly informed to the user during the first registration and as regular reminders.
• Penal Provisions: The advisory emphasizes that digital intermediaries must ensure users are informed about penal provisions, including those in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, the IT Act 2000, etc. in case of Rule 3(1)(b) violations. 
  • Further, the terms of service and user agreements must highlight that intermediaries are under obligation to report legal violations to the law enforcement agencies.

News Source: PIB

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Context: This article is based on the news “Human Trafficking or a plain case of migration?” which was published in the Live Mint. Recently, a Nicaragua-bound plane from Dubai carrying 303 Indian passengers was grounded in France over suspected human trafficking.

Flight from Dubai: Grounded in France Amid Human Trafficking Suspicions

• Route of Flight: The flight that had taken off from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates with 303 passengers was grounded at Vatry airport, 150 kilometres east of Paris.
• French police intervened based on an anonymous tip about possible human trafficking. 
• The plane, passengers, and crew were held for four days as authorities conducted a judicial inquiry. 
• Return of Passengers: French authorities, allowed a charter jet carrying around 276 passengers, largely Indians, to fly to India.
• Application for Asylum: According to French authorities, 25 individuals, including two minors, expressed a desire to apply for asylum and remained on French soil.
• France’s anti-organised crime unit JUNALCO is now investigating, while the airline denies involvement in human trafficking. 
• Suspected Reason for the Journey: Though the reason for their travel remains unknown, the Gujarat Police has formed teams to unearth a suspected illegal immigration network involving “agents”.
• Origin of the Passengers: Most passengers on the chartered plane that returned from France were from Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana and Anand districts in Gujarat.

About Human Trafficking

• Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, intending to exploit them for profit. 
• Men, women and children of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world. 
• The traffickers often use violence or fraudulent employment agencies and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick and coerce their victims.
• Various Forms of Human Trafficking (refer image)

Causes of Human Trafficking

• Push Factors:
  • Poor Socio-Economic Conditions: Widespread poverty and challenging socio-economic conditions in many families create vulnerability, pushing individuals towards traffickers in search of better opportunities.
  • Natural Disasters and Destitution: Frequent natural disasters, such as floods, contribute to destitution, forcing people to seek alternative means of survival, often falling victim to traffickers.
  • Lack of Education and Opportunities: Limited access to education and opportunities, especially for women in rural areas, enhances vulnerability as traffickers exploit the absence of skills and income options.
  • Dowry Pressure: Pressure to collect money for dowries can lead families to send daughters to distant places for work, making them susceptible to trafficking.
  • Dysfunctional Family Life: Family environments characterized by dysfunction, domestic violence, and low status of girl children contribute to the push factors, making individuals more susceptible to trafficking.
• Pull Factors:
  • Demand for Marriage, Labor, and Adoption: Various demands, such as young girls for marriage, low-paid and underage labour, and adoption, create a pull for traffickers seeking to fulfil these demands through illicit means.
    • High Burden on Women: Women made up the largest proportion of traffickers in 30 per cent of the countries which provided information on the gender of traffickers. 
  • Rise in Demand for Sex Industry: The growing demand for women in the sex industry serves as a pull factor, enticing traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals for sexual exploitation.
    • According to the 2009 report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the most common reason for human trafficking (79 per cent) is sexual exploitation. 
    • The victims of sexual exploitation are predominantly women and girls.

Impact of Human Trafficking

• Physical Consequences: Victims often endure physical abuse, injuries, and exposure to diseases, including Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV. 
• Psychological Consequences: The psychological toll is significant, with victims experiencing aggression, depression, disorientation, alienation, and difficulties in concentration. 
  • Mental health consequences include anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mental well-being of survivors is often profoundly affected by the exploitation they endured.
• Difficulty in Reintegration: Victims often struggle to reintegrate into society and resume normal lives. The challenges may include social stigma, marginalization, and difficulties in rebuilding relationships.
• Violations of Human Rights: Human trafficking fundamentally violates the rights of victims, and conditional protection based on cooperation can further compromise their access to full human rights.
• Legal and Immigration Challenges: Victims may face legal and immigration challenges, complicating their recovery. Criminal proceedings may use trafficked persons as instruments, violating their rights and dignity.

Status of Human Trafficking in India

• In 2021, 2,189 cases of human trafficking were registered, reflecting a 27.7% increase from 2020.
• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 6,533 victims, comprising 2,877 children and 3,656 adults.

Continue Reading: NCRB Report 2022 On Crime In India

• The report accounts only for cases registered by the Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs).
• Regional Disparities: 
  • States with the highest reported cases in 2021 were Telangana, Maharashtra, and Assam, with 347, 320, and 203 cases, respectively.
• US Assessment of India’s Human Trafficking Laws (2023):
  • The US’ 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report states that India “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.”
  • Indian Trafficking Overseas:
    • Traffickers exploit Indian migrants seeking employment abroad, subjecting them to recruitment fraud or charging exorbitant fees.
    • Forced labour victims from India have been identified in various countries, including Armenia, Portugal, Gabon, the United States, and Zambia.

Constitutional and Legislative Provisions Related to Trafficking in India

• Constitutional Provision:
  • Article 23 (1): Prohibits trafficking in human beings or persons. It states, “Traffic in human beings and begar and other similar forms of forced labour are prohibited, and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable by law.”
• Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA):
  • The ITPA is the primary legislation for preventing trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
• Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013:
  • Substituted Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with Section 370 and 370A, offering comprehensive measures to counter human trafficking.
  • Addresses trafficking of children for various forms of exploitation, including physical and sexual exploitation, slavery, servitude, and forced organ removal.
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012:
  • Enacted to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
  • Defines different forms of sexual abuse, including penetrative and non-penetrative sexual assault and sexual harassment.
• Other Specific Legislations:
  • Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
  • Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
  • Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
  • Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994
• Indian Penal Code (IPC):
  • Specific sections such as Sections 372 and 373 deal with selling and buying of girls for prostitution.
• State-Specific Legislation:
  • State governments have enacted specific legislation to address trafficking. For example, The Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012.

Measures Taken by the Government of India to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking

• Anti Trafficking Cell (ATC):
  • Establishment of the Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a focal point for communication and coordination.
• Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs): The MHA’s approved a proposal to establish 332 Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in various districts nationwide. The Ministry provides financial assistance to the States for setting up the AHTUs. 
• Judicial Colloquium:
  • Organizing Judicial Colloquiums at the High court level to train and sensitize trial court judicial officers.
  • Aims to address various issues concerning human trafficking and ensure a speedy court process.
  • Eleven Judicial Colloquiums have been held in different states to date.
• Web Portal on Anti-Human Trafficking:
  • MHA launched a Web Portal on Anti-Human Trafficking to provide information and resources.
  • Enhancing accessibility to advisories and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ujjawala Scheme: The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing “Ujjawala” –a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of Trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation, Re-integration and Repatriation of Victims of Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation.
• ​​New Legislation: 
  • The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 was passed by Lok Sabha but could not be taken up in Rajya Sabha and subsequently lapsed. 
  • Draft of The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill 2021 was published by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in June 2021.

Implementing International Conventions on Human Trafficking in India

• UN Convention:
  • India has ratified the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNCTOC).
  • Protocol Implementation: Enacted the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013, defining human trafficking in line with the UNCTOC Protocol.
• SAARC Convention:
  • India has ratified the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution.
  • Regional Task Force: Established a Regional Task Force for implementing the SAARC Convention.
  • Study Tour: Conducted a study tour for SAARC Member countries to learn from the experiences of Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in India.
• Bilateral Mechanism (India-Bangladesh):
  • Task Force: Constituted a Task Force between India and Bangladesh to address cross-border trafficking issues.
  • MoU: Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2015 for bilateral cooperation on preventing human trafficking, rescue, recovery, repatriation, and reintegration.

Way Forward to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking

• Systematic Action: This type of human trade requires stringent correction measures within the system. The coordination of all agencies and authorities should be the first step. 
• Enhance Role of Anti-Trafficking Units (AHTUs): A dedicated unit with trained personnel can reduce the burden on the police force and ensure efficient investigations.
  • AHTUs can collaborate with stakeholders like courts, NGOs, and survivors, offering a holistic approach to combat trafficking.
• Lack of Reliable data: The lack of authentic global data makes it hard for governments and international organisations to battle trafficking successfully. 
  • There has to be an immediate strengthening of the information collection system and encouragement of countries to acknowledge and report crimes diligently.
• International cooperation: There must be strong international cooperation between law enforcement agencies of different countries and citizens.
• Stringent Punishments: There have to be stringent laws and legal actions against such crimes. The relatively low risk of trials has led to the increase of organised criminal groups utilising the gaps in the legal framework and feeble law enforcement and criminal justice systems.
• Technological Solutions: Develop advanced data analytics tools and artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze big data sets, identify trafficking trends, and predict potential hotspots.
  • Utilize blockchain technology to enhance transparency in supply chains, preventing forced labor in industries prone to trafficking.
• Prevention through Education and Awareness: Implement comprehensive education programs to inform communities, especially vulnerable groups, about the risks and tactics of traffickers.
  • Conduct awareness campaigns, workshops, and media initiatives to promote vigilance and empower individuals to recognize and report trafficking.
• Support and Rehabilitation for Victims: Establish comprehensive victim-centred support systems, offering shelter, healthcare, counselling, and vocational training for survivors.
  • Ensure reintegration programs that help survivors rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society without stigma.
• Tackle Root Causes: Address poverty and economic disparities by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and economic empowerment programs for vulnerable populations.
  • Combat social discrimination and marginalization by promoting inclusivity, equality, and social support structures.

Conclusion:

The grounded plane in France highlights the urgent global need for strong laws, international collaboration, and support for survivors to combat human trafficking effectively.

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Context: This article is based on the news “Supreme Court report shows shortage of 4,200 courtrooms for judges” which was published in the India Today. The Centre for Research and Planning of the Supreme Court of India has recently released the “State of the Judiciary report”. 

Key Insights from the State of the Judiciary Report 

• India has an estimated population of 139 crore and over 5 crore pending cases. 
• Pendency of Cases: As of 1 September 2023, around 4.4 crore cases are pending in District Courts across India, compared to about 60.75 lakh cases pending in the High Courts and 80,550 cases in the Supreme Court.

Continue Reading: Judicial Pendency – Indian Courts Are Facing a Severe Backlog of Cases

• Role of Infrastructure: The pace and quality of adjudication depends on the number of judges and support staff, and adequate judicial infrastructure, which increasingly involves Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.

About State of the Judiciary Report:

• About Report: The “State of the Judiciary: A Report on Infrastructure, Budgeting, Human Resources, and ICT”, is released by the Centre for Research and Planning.
• Objective: This Report on the ‘State of the Judiciary’ studies the present state of India’s justice delivery efforts, focusing on the High Courts and the district judiciary. 
  • This Report has been prepared in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, to strengthen the working of the judiciary.
• The Report is structured in four Parts: 
  • Part I: Judicial Infrastructure. 
  • Part II: Budgeting for the District Judiciary. 
  • Part III: Human Resource Management. 
  • Part IV: ICT Enablement of Judiciary.

Challenges faced by the Indian Judiciary

• Infrastructure Gap of Judicial Infrastructure: 
  • Lack of Courtrooms and Residential Units: For the sanctioned strength of 25,081 judges in the district judiciary, there is a shortage of 4,250 courtrooms and 6,021 residential units. 
    • For example, the Andhra Pradesh and Gauhati High Courts have a shortage of 38% and 30% of courtrooms respectively. 
  • Lack of Inclusive and Secure Infrastructure: There is lack of childcare facility, separate washrooms for PwDs, parking spots etc. 
    • For example, only 30.4% of District Court complexes have separate washrooms for PwDs, and other infrastructural support such as tactile paving, and wheelchairs is available in less than 30% of the court complexes.
• Lack of Proper Human Resource Management:
  • Shortage of Judges: As against the total sanctioned strength of judges, there is a shortage of 5,300 judges in the district judiciary. In the High Courts, there is a vacancy of 347 judges against the sanctioned strength of 1,114 judges.
  • Lack of Women in the Judiciary: Women constitute around 36.3% of the working strength of the district judiciary. In the High Courts and Supreme Court, women constitute 13.4% and 9.3% of judges respectively
  • Lack of Compliance with Recruitment Timelines: The Supreme Court in Malik Mazhar Sultan v. U.P. Public Service Commission prescribed a schedule for the regular recruitment of judges in the district judiciary. 
    • For the District Judge (Direct Recruitment) exam, only Nagaland (106 days), Odisha (132 days) and Andhra Pradesh (142 days) completed the recruitment process within the apex Court’s timeline, whereas Punjab & Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir took 1,270 and 1,173 days respectively to complete their Higher Judicial Services recruitment processes.
  • Lack of Representation of Marginalised Sections in District Judiciary: For instance, 84.5% of the total 168 seats reserved for the ST category remain unfilled in the six States examined in the report.
• Lack of ICT Enablement of Judiciary: Insufficient integration of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) obstructs the judiciary’s ability to adapt to modern legal demands, impeding the timely delivery of justice and diminishing overall judicial effectiveness.
  • For instance, only 57.4% of courtrooms in the district judiciary have video-conferencing-enabled computers on the judge’s desk.
• Lack of Budget Allocation:  The gaps in the current state of infrastructure in the district judiciary stem from the delay in allotment of land, lack of funds in some States, lack of effective coordination among the implementation agencies and lack of optimum utilisation of funds.
  • For instance, in the Union Budget 2023-24, the Ministry of Law and Justice allocation is 4,752 crore, approximately 0.1% of the total budget estimate.

Major ICT Initiatives Associated with India Judiciary

• National Judicial Data Grid: Inaugurated in 2015, the NJDG is a major step towards transparency and accountability as it provides aggregate data on the institution, disposal, and pendency of cases on a near real-time basis in courts across the country to the public.
• e-Court Services: A portal enables the litigant to obtain information on pending cases in District and High Courts. It also serves as a personalized digital case diary for the litigant who can use ‘My Cases’ to get automatic updates concerning multiple cases. 
• Video Conferencing: ‘Access to justice’ was subjected to a unique challenge during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The judicial system responded by harnessing video conferencing technology to ensure justice delivery. 
• Virtual Courtroom System: Courts moved to a hybrid video conferencing mode post-pandemic. A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, in Sarvesh Mathur v. The Registrar General of High Court of Punjab and Haryana, issued several directions to ensure the continued use of video conferencing facilities across High Courts and Tribunals.
• e-Filing: The electronic filing facility has enabled lawyers to cut costs and save time by filing documents from any part of the country in any District Court or High Court.
• Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records (FASTER): The FASTER system proposes transmission of e-authenticated copies of the interim orders, stay orders, bail orders, and record of proceedings to the duty-holders for compliance and due execution, through a secured electronic communication channel.
• Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS): ICJS is an initiative to enable the seamless transfer of data and information among different pillars of the criminal justice system, like courts, police, jails, forensic science laboratories, etc., on one platform. 

Way Forward to the Indian Judiciary

• Improve Funds Allotment and Utilisation: The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for developing infrastructural facilities for the judiciary may be revised to allot funds concerning the sanctioned strength of judges in District Courts and not the working strength. 
  • Further, the mandatory conditions under the CSS may also be relaxed for the timely release and utilization of funds. 
  • A standard format of Utilisation Certificates (UCs) is also important to ensure transparency and uniformity in the UCs.
  • An Outcome Budget (a document that sets out measurable outputs and outcomes to be achieved in a financial year) should also indicate the progress made in previous years along with the output targets fixed for the next financial year, as is done in Delhi.
• Timely Recruitment of Judges: There is also a need for a dedicated Division Bench in the High Courts for the timely disposal of cases related to recruitment of judges in the district judiciary. 
  • The recruitment authorities in the States should also publish a ‘tentative schedule’ for all the stages of the examination for recruitment of judges.
  • States need to take active steps to fill the unfilled vacancies in reserved category to ensure that candidates from marginalised communities can become a part of the district judiciary. 
• Enable Efficient ICT: For speedier and more effective ICT enablement, it is necessary that there is an uninterrupted internet connectivity in court premises for achieving best results as envisioned under the e-Courts project.
  • A permanent IT Cadre in the district judiciary and regular training of judges, staff and lawyers to strengthen the technical workforce and for capacity building is the need of the hour. 
• Inclusive and Accessible Infrastructure: There is a need to notify a ‘designated post’ for looking after the children in creches in District Courts and explore space in the existing structures to make court complexes disabled-friendly. 
  • There should also be a comprehensive pool of sign language interpreters in every court whose services may be utilised to ensure accessibility in legal settings.
• Dedicated Land Bank for Infrastructure Projects: A dedicated land bank where the judiciary’s share is earmarked may ease the process of identification and allotment of suitable land for infrastructural projects.
• Timely Project Completion: There is a need to adhere to timelines for completion of projects under construction by the concerned State agencies, as per the time stipulated in the Nyaya Vikas portal. 
  • The Nyaya Vikas Portal should be regularly updated to provide real-time data and enhance transparency and accountability. 
  • There is a need for a body at the Central level to ensure better coordination, monitoring and effective budget utilisation.
• Ensure Safety and Security: In light of Pradyuman Bisht v. Union of India, there is a need to set up permanent Court Security Units, strict access control mechanisms, and adequate CCTV installation in each court complex to ensure a secure infrastructure. 
  • Further, a Disaster Management Plan may also be formulated per the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to inculcate a disaster preparedness culture amongst the district judiciary. 

Conclusion:

The State of the Judiciary Report highlights urgent reforms needed in India’s judicial system to improve infrastructure, human resources, budget allocation, and technology for timely and accessible justice.

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