5 August 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu and Indian Express.
5-August-2023
1. SC upholds ASI study at Gyanvapi mosque.
Topic: GS2 – Indian polity.
Context:
- The Supreme Court of India refused to halt the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) “scientific investigation” of the Gyanvapi mosque premises in Varanasi.
About the news:
- The ASI was directed to use only “non-invasive methodology” and not conduct any excavations or damage any structures during the survey.
- The Allahabad High Court had previously given permission for the ASI’s survey, which was ordered by the Varanasi District Judge on July 21.
Note: for detailed analysis of the news – refer 5 August 2023 – editorial section.
2. Bihar govt. schools are at risk of being replaced by tuition centres: survey
Topic: GS3 – education.
Context:
- A survey conducted in Bihar on 81 government primary and upper primary schools revealed alarming realities about the education system.
- The survey found that government schools in the region are in a sorry state and lack basic infrastructure.
- As a result, many students are relying on private tuition centers, which are replacing the failing government schooling system.
Reasons for rising importance of tuition centres:
- Intense competition in academic exams and entrance tests.
- Overburdened classrooms in schools with limited teacher-student interaction.
- Pressure to secure high grades for better college admissions and career prospects.
- Inadequate teaching infrastructure and resources in some schools.
- Desire for personalized attention and customized learning plans.
- Perception that tuition centres provide better exam preparation and study material.
- Lack of confidence in the effectiveness of mainstream education alone
Shortcomings of school education system:
- Overcrowded classrooms and high student-teacher ratios.
- Outdated and rote-based teaching methodologies.
- Lack of focus on practical and skill-based learning.
- Insufficient teacher training and professional development.
- Inadequate infrastructure and resources in many schools.
- Inequitable access to quality education, especially in rural areas.
- Emphasis on exams and grades over holistic development.
- Limited use of technology and digital learning tools.
- Ineffective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
- Disparities in educational outcomes across different regions and socio-economic backgrounds.
Implications of rising tuition centres:
- Widening education gap between economically disadvantaged students and their affluent peers.
- Increased financial burden on already struggling families to afford private tuitions.
- Reduced focus on regular school attendance and holistic development.
- Reinforcement of societal inequalities and limited social mobility.
- Limited access to quality private tuitions due to financial constraints.
- Disproportionate impact on students from marginalized communities.
- Less emphasis on public education and potential neglect of government schools.
- Perpetuation of educational inequity and hindrance to breaking the poverty cycle.
Way forward:
- Strengthen and invest in public education to improve its quality and accessibility.
- Implement educational reforms to modernize teaching methods and curriculum.
- Enhance teacher training programs to ensure competent and motivated educators.
- Bridge the digital divide by integrating technology into the learning process.
- Provide financial support and scholarships to economically disadvantaged students.
- Promote inclusive education and cater to diverse learning needs of students.
- Encourage public-private partnerships to improve school infrastructure.
- Focus on skill-based and practical learning to prepare students for the future job market.
Question: Discuss the implications of the rising trend of tuition centres on disadvantaged communities in India. Suggest measures to bridge the educational gap and promote equitable access to quality education for all.”
3. Assam’s Manas Tiger Reserve 63% short of sanctioned staff.
Topic: GS3 – species conservation
Context:
- The All India Tiger Estimation 2022 shows that Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve in western Assam is transitioning from a low to a high-tiger-density area.
- However, the national park is facing a severe staff shortage, with only 109 effective staff members against the sanctioned 294 posts for foresters and forest guards.
- Around 160 posts are lying vacant, and 25 staff members are unable to work due to various ailments.
Reasons for vacancy:
- Lack of attractive incentives and benefits for forest guards and foresters.
- Insufficient budget allocation for recruitment and staff salaries.
- Challenging and remote working conditions in the tiger reserve.
- Limited career growth and promotion opportunities in the forest department.
- Delay in the recruitment process and bureaucratic hurdles.
- Inadequate training and capacity-building programs for potential recruits.
Possible implications:
- Compromised security and increased vulnerability to poaching and illegal activities.
- Decline in effective wildlife conservation and habitat management efforts.
- Inadequate monitoring and protection of tiger populations and other wildlife species.
- Reduced ability to address human-wildlife conflicts and promote coexistence.
- Weakened overall conservation outcomes and endangerment of biodiversity.
4. LS conducts business even as Opposition continues protest
Topic: GS2 – Indian polity.
Concerns about bypassing a position while passing a bill:
- Bills being passed without major discussions and opposition boycott raises concerns about lack of democratic debate and scrutiny.
- Bypassing proper discussions may lead to inadequate understanding of the implications and potential flaws in the legislation.
- It can undermine the role of the opposition in holding the government accountable and ensuring checks and balances.
- Passing bills without comprehensive discussions may result in hasty decisions that could have long-term consequences.
- It could lead to public discontent and undermine public trust in the legislative process.
Way forward:
- Strengthen Parliamentary Procedures: Reinforce the importance of parliamentary debates and discussions as essential components of the legislative process.
- Ensure Transparency: Make legislative proceedings more transparent by providing live streaming of parliamentary sessions and making the details of bills, amendments, and discussions readily accessible to the public.
- Enhance Committee Scrutiny: Empower parliamentary committees to thoroughly examine bills before they are presented in the House. Committees can analyze the merits, drawbacks, and potential impacts of proposed legislation, enabling a more informed debate.
- Strengthen Opposition Oversight: Empower the opposition to play a robust role in scrutinizing bills and holding the government accountable for its actions, ensuring a healthy balance of power.
- Review Existing Rules: Regularly assess and update parliamentary rules and procedures to ensure they are relevant, efficient, and conducive to informed decision-making.
- Uphold Democratic Values: Emphasize the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability in all legislative processes to promote responsible and responsive governance.
5. Personal data bill will boost digital economy, says Nasscom.
Topic: GS2 – Indian polity.
Context:
- Nasscom considers comprehensive data protection crucial for accelerating India’s digital economy.
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill strikes a harmonious balance between flexibility and data privacy measures.
- The bill is tech-agnostic and expected to cater to the dynamic digital ecosystem.
Issues raised about The Data Protection Bill of 2022:
- Amendment to the RTI act: The Bill includes a provision to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which has been empowering Indian citizens since its enactment in 2005.
- The enactment of a data protection law does not require any amendment to the existing RTI law, as noted by the Justice A.P. Shah Report on Privacy.
- The DPDP Bill 2022 proposes amendments to Section 8(1)(j) to exempt all personal information from disclosure, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
- The government’s Power: The DPDP Bill 2022 empowers the executive to draft rules and notifications on a wide range of issues, potentially allowing arbitrary exemptions for certain entities and violating citizens’ privacy.
- Possibility of unfair treatment: The government could potentially exempt its cronies and government bodies like UIDAI, while others would have to comply with stringent data fiduciary obligations.
Issues over the Data Protection Board:
- The oversight body proposed under the DPDP Bill must be adequately independent to act on violations of the law by government entities.
- The draft Bill lacks provisions to ensure the autonomy of the Data Protection Board responsible for enforcing the law.
- The central government is empowered to determine the strength, composition, and appointment process of the board, including the chairperson and other members.
- The chief executive responsible for managing the board will be appointed by the government, giving it direct control over the institution.
- The creation of a government-controlled Data Protection Board, with the power to impose fines up to ₹500 crore, raises concerns of misuse to target political opposition and critics of government policies.
- Urgent addressal of these concerns is necessary before enacting the DPDP Bill.
Way forward:
- Ensure transparency and public consultation during the drafting of the DPDP Bill to address concerns and build public trust.
- Establish an independent and autonomous Data Protection Board to enforce the provisions of the law and protect personal data effectively.
- Clearly define the composition, appointment process, and removal mechanisms of the Data Protection Board to prevent undue government influence.
- Strengthen provisions to protect citizens’ right to information and ensure that the DPDP Bill does not compromise transparency and accountability.
- Conduct a comprehensive debate and discussion in Parliament to address the shortcomings and implications of the Bill before its enactment.
Model question: Examine the key provisions and objectives of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill in India. Discuss its potential implications for citizens’ right to privacy, data protection, and transparency. What measures can be adopted to ensure an effective balance between data protection and government’s access to data for legitimate purposes? (20 Marks)
For Enquiry
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