The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 31 December 2022

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis for UPSC

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis 30 December 2022

• The output growth of India’s eight core sectors rebounded to 5.4% in November from a revised estimate of a 0.9% uptick in October, the slowest in 20 months. This was despite the fact that overall production levels in November 2022 remained the same as in the previous month.
• The recovery in the year-on-year growth rate bodes well for the country’s industrial output numbers in November after a shocking 4% drop in October, as core sectors constitute about 40% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
• Cement output recovered sharply from a 4.3% contraction in October to jump 28.6% in November, while coal and electricity production levels accelerated to rise 12.3% and 12.1%, respectively.
• Steel output grew at the fastest pace in six months at 10.8%, but production levels were 2.35% lower than in October 2022. Fertilizer production grew 6.4% from the November 2021 level.
• However, the recovery in these sectors was offset by a continued dip in crude oil, natural gas and refinery output. Refinery products hit a 21-month nadir, contracting 9.3% in November, compared to a 3.1% fall in October.
• Crude oil output contracted for the sixth successive month, shrinking 1.1% in November, while natural gas production dropped 0.7%, marking the fifth consecutive month of contraction.
• Eight core sectors are: Coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity.

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About Eight Core Sectors:

• These comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
• The eight core sector industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers.

Index of Industrial Production:

• IIP is an indicator that measures the changes in the volume of production of industrial products during a given period.
• It is compiled and published monthly by the Central Statistical Organization (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• It is a composite indicator that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under:
• Broad sectors, namely, Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity.
• Use-based sectors, namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods.
• Base Year for IIP is 2011-2012.
• The year 2022 can perhaps be best summarised by a quote by Vladimir Lenin: ‘There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.’
• The year began with the ostensible vanquishing of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the remarkable collective vaccination efforts of science, business and governments across the world. This significant accomplishment promised to restore normalcy in daily lives and rekindle the doused human spirit.
• The era of innovative consumer technologies from America and Europe, mass produced in Taiwan, Korea and Japan, and consumed in China, Brazil and India, seems to be nearing its end. America is now championing trade restrictions against its enemies, promoting trading blocs among its allies and incentivising domestic production through large financial assistance.
• India’s explosive exports growth over the last four decades has helped create millions of jobs, bring in valuable foreign reserves, and spurred domestic production and consumption. India stands to gain from the established trade order and can ill afford to get squeezed in the emerging bipolar world of western and Russia-China trading blocs.

• A recent statement by a Member of Parliament that same-sex marriages are against the (so-called) cultural ethos of India has once again stirred up the debate on marriage equality. This is amidst a petition for marriage rights of same-sex couples (under the Special Marriage Act, 1954) pending before the Supreme Court of India.
• Though belated, India adopted the South African approach in Navtej Singh (2018). The top court read down Section 377 IPC and decriminalised consensual sexual conduct on the basis that it created an unreasonable classification for same-sex persons under Article 14, besides being violative of bodily autonomy under Article 21.

NALSA v. Union of India:

• Here, Supreme Court categorically held that Indian Constitution protects non-binary individuals and that the protections envisaged under Articles 14, 15, 16, 19 and 21 cannot be restricted to the biological sex of male or female.
• The issue is a sequel to Navtej Singh Johar (decriminalising Section 377 of IPC) (2018) and K S Puttaswamy (right to privacy) (2017) judgements.
• Same sex marriage is a continuation of this constitutional journey.
• In both the cases the Supreme Court has held that LGBTQ+ persons enjoy the right to equality, dignity and privacy guaranteed by the Constitution on the same footing as all other citizens.
• So thereby, the right to marry a person of one’s choice should extend to LGBTQ+ citizens, as well.

The Special Marriage Act of 1954

• All marriages in India can be registered under the respective personal law Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Muslim Marriage Act, 1954, or under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
• The Special Marriage Act, 1954 is an Act of the Parliament of India with provision for civil marriage for people of India and all Indian nationals in foreign countries, irrespective of religion or faith followed by either party.
• The couples have to serve a notice with the relevant documents to the Marriage Officer 30 days before the intended date of the marriage.
• December 2021 and December 2022 could not have been more contrasting for India’s pharmaceutical industry. Last year, it was hailed for developing vaccines that inoculated billions against the coronavirus and underlined its moniker as the ‘pharmacy of the world’.
• This year, two Indian drug-manufacturing firms stand accused by two countries of producing toxic cough syrup linked to the deaths of children — at least 66 in The Gambia and 18 in Uzbekistan.
• In both cases, it is not conclusively established that consuming the syrup directly led to the deaths. What is of concern is that in both countries, batches were spiked with ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol, i.e., industrial chemicals that have no business being inside bottles of cough syrup.
• While mistakes happen, not taking corrective measures is what threatens India’s image and undermines trust in Indian industry.
• Voicing concern over long-pending cases, some dating back even to the 1970s, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said courts in the country should ensure that “the judicial clock moves ahead at least 10 years” by Independence Day, 2023.
• “Across the country, almost 14 lakh cases have been delayed as some kind of record or document is being awaited. Across the country, more than 63 lakh cases are considered to be delayed as per the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) data, due to non-availability of counsel. We really need the support of the Bar to ensure that our courts are functioning at optimum capacity,” Justice Chandrachud said.

Q) With reference to the Dhanu Yatra, consider the following statements:

1. It is considered the largest open-air theatre in the world.
2. It is celebrated in the state of Odisha.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

धनु यात्रा के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिये:

1. इसे दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा ओपन-एयर थिएटर माना जाता है।
2. यह ओडिशा राज्य में मनाया जाता है।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Explanation :

The ‘Dhanu Yatra’ festival began after a gap of two years, in Bargarh at the Odisha.

About:

• Dhanu Yatra is an annual drama-based open-air theatrical performance celebrated in Bargarh, Odisha.
• It is considered the largest open-air theatre in the world. Spread over five square km, the entire town of Bargarh turns into a stage for the yatra.
• The ‘Dhanu Yatra’ which marks the victory of good over evil, came into existence in Bargarh in 1947-48 as part of the celebration of the country’s Independence and is held annually.
• Theme: The plays in the festival start with the dethroning of Emperor Ugrasen of Mathura by angry Kansa over the marriage of his sister Devaki with Vasudev. The festival will conclude with the death of demon king Kansa and restoration of the throne to Ugrasen.

Q) With reference to Ramappa Temple, consider the following statements:

1. It is a Kakatiya style Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva, located in Telangana.
2. It is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

रामप्पा मंदिर के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिये:

1. यह तेलंगाना में स्थित भगवान शिव को समर्पित काकतीय शैली का हिंदू मंदिर है।
2. यह यूनेस्को की विश्व धरोहर स्थल के रूप में अंकित है।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Explanation :

President of India lays the Foundation Stone for the Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure at Ramappa Temple.

About:

• Ramappa Temple, also known as the Rudreshwara temple, is a Kakatiya style Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva, located in Telangana.
• The medieval Deccan Ramappa Temple which dates back to 1213 AD, was built by the patronage of the Kakatiya ruler Kakati Ganapathi Deva under the authority of his Chief Commander Rudra Samani.
• The temple got its name Ramappa because of its chief sculptor Ramappa. Ramappa Temple is probably the only temple in India that is named after the architect.
• In 2021, the temple was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as “Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana”.

Q) With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements:

1. It is composed of a retired Supreme Court judge, the Chief Election Commissioner of India and respective State Election Commissioners.
2. Under Article 182, Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act after every Census.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

परिसीमन आयोग के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिये:

1. इसमें सर्वोच्च न्यायालय के एक सेवानिवृत्त न्यायाधीश, भारत के मुख्य चुनाव आयुक्त और संबंधित राज्य चुनाव आयुक्त शामिल हैं।
2. अनुच्छेद 182 के तहत, संसद प्रत्येक जनगणना के बाद एक परिसीमन अधिनियम बनाती है।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Who carries out delimitation?

• Delimitation is carried out by an independent Delimitation Commission, appointed by the Government of India under provisions of the Delimitation Commission Act.
• Under Article 82, Parliament is to enact a Delimitation Act after every Census. Once the Act is in force, the Union government sets up the Delimitation Commission.
• The Commission is supposed to determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in a way that the population of all seats, so far as practicable, is the same. The Commission is also tasked with identifying seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• It works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India.
• The commission is composed of a retired Supreme Court judge, the Chief Election Commissioner of India and respective State Election Commissioners.
• In the history of the Indian republic, Delimitation Commissions have been set up four times- 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.

Q) With reference to the G20 Digital Innovation Alliance, consider the following statements:

1. It is launched as a part of India’s G20 presidency.
2. It enables the adoption of innovative and impactful digital technologies developed by start-ups.

Which of the above statements is/are Not correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

G20 डिजिटल इनोवेशन एलायंस के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिये:

1. इसे भारत की G20 अध्यक्षता के एक भाग के रूप में लॉन्च किया गया है।
2. यह स्टार्ट-अप्स द्वारा विकसित नवीन और प्रभावशाली डिजिटल तकनीकों को अपनाने में सक्षम बनाता है।

उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/से सही नहीं है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Explanation :

Recently, the Minister for Electronics & Information Technology launched G20-DIA as a part of India’s G20 presidency.

• Objective: To identify, recognize, and enable the adoption of innovative and impactful digital technologies developed by start-ups, from G20 nations as well as the invited non-member nations.
• It can address the needs of humanity in the six critically important sectors i.e Agri-tech, Health-tech, Ed-tech, Fin-tech, Secured Digital Infrastructure, and Circular Economy.
• Startup products in these six sectors enabled through Digital Public Goods Infrastructure can create a global population-scale impact and reduce the digital divide and enable sustainable, and inclusive techno-socio-economic development.
• This summit which will be held in Bangalore on the sidelines of the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) meeting will be a multi-day program where top nominated startups from each of the theme areas from all of the G20 countries and the non-member invited countries will showcase their solutions to the global community of investors, mentors, corporates, and other government stakeholders.
• The engagement of innovators, entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporations, investors, mentors, and other ecosystem stakeholders will lead to the speedy acceptance of the platform that India plans to offer through this summit.
• This will create cutting-edge digital solutions in the six themes that bridge the digital divide between different segments of humanity and advance the world economy.

Q) With reference to the City Finance Rankings 2022, consider the following statements:

1. It is an initiative of NITI Aayog.
2. Under this the Urban Local Bodies will be evaluated based on three key municipal finance assessment parameters.

Which of the above statements is/are Incorrect?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

सिटी फाइनेंस रैंकिंग 2022 के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिये:

1. यह नीति आयोग की एक पहल है।
2. इसके तहत शहरी स्थानीय निकायों का मूल्यांकन तीन प्रमुख नगरपालिका वित्त मूल्यांकन मापदंडों के आधार पर किया जाएगा।

उपरोक्त में से कौन सा/से कथन गलत है/हैं?

1. केवल 1
2. केवल 2
3. 1 और 2 दोनों
4. न तो 1 और न ही 2

Explanation :

Recently, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs launched this initiative to evaluate, recognize and reward India’s Urban Local Bodies.

• The rankings aim to motivate city/state officials and decision-makers, to implement municipal finance reforms.
• The participating ULBs will be evaluated on 15 indicators across three key municipal finance assessment parameters, namely:
  • Resource Mobilization
  • Expenditure Performance and
  • Fiscal Governance
• The cities will be ranked at the national level based on their scores under any one of the following four population categories:
  • Above 4 million
  • Between 1-4 million
  • 100K to 1 million
  • Less than 100,000
• The top 3 cities in each population category will be recognized and rewarded at the national level as well as within each state/state cluster.
• This ranking would create a conducive environment for developing a robust municipal finance ecosystem for promoting financially healthy, transparent and sustainable cities.

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