National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Annual Report 2022
Context:
The annual report on crime in India for the year 2022 was recently published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Background of NCRB Reports.
- Establishment: In January 1986, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) was founded under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Objective: Serving as a central repository for criminal data, the primary role of NCRB is to compile and maintain national crime statistics.
- Coverage: The reports encompass a broad spectrum of criminal activities, including crimes against women, cybercrimes, economic offenses, and more.
Data Compilation Process
- Sources: Data is gathered from the police forces of 36 states and Union Territories, as well as 53 cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh based on the 2011 Census.
- Validation: Information recorded at local police stations undergoes validation at district and state levels, culminating in final verification by the NCRB.
Highlights from the 2022 NCRB Report
- Overall Crimes: The report documented a total of 58,24,946 cognizable crimes, comprising 35,61,379 IPC crimes and 22,63,567 Special and Local Laws (SLL) crimes.
- Crime Rate: The crime rate decreased from 445.9 in 2021 to 422.2 in 2022 per lakh population.
- Crimes Against Women: There were 4,45,256 cases, indicating a 4% increase from 2021.
- Cyber Crimes: A significant surge of 24.4% from 2021, totaling 65,893 cases.
Suicides: A 4.2% increase in suicides, totaling 1,70,924 cases in 2022.
State-wise Data and Interpretation
- Chargesheeting Rate: Noteworthy in Kerala (96.0%), Puducherry (91.3%), and West Bengal (90.6%).
- Interpretation: High chargesheet rates may not necessarily correlate with higher crime rates but could suggest more efficient law enforcement.
Challenges and Limitations of NCRB Data
- Principal Offence Rule: This rule may result in the underreporting of specific crime types.
- Data Accuracy: Local-level inefficiencies or gaps can impact the overall accuracy of the report.
- Socio-Economic Factors: Deeper socio-economic reasons behind crimes are not captured in the report.
- Underreporting Issues: The fear of police response or societal stigma may lead to the underreporting of crimes.
Conclusion
Comprehending the NCRB report necessitates an understanding of its scope, methodology, and limitations.
While offering valuable insights into crime trends in India, interpreting the data with an awareness of these factors is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the country’s crime dynamics.
Coastal Erosion in India
Context:
Some segments of India’s coastal areas experience erosion due to both natural factors and human activities.
Background:
- India, with its expansive coastline, faces erosion issues that pose a threat to coastal communities, particularly those dependent on fishing.
- The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) diligently monitors shoreline changes, revealing that 33.6% of India’s coastline is susceptible to erosion.
The government has demonstrated its commitment to addressing sea erosion through various measures and initiatives.
Shoreline Monitoring and Assessment:
- Utilizing satellite imagery and field-surveyed data from 1990 to 2018, NCCR’s comprehensive shoreline mapping system underscores the dynamic nature of India’s coast.
- The “National Assessment of Shoreline Changes along Indian Coast” was released in July 2018, identifying vulnerability to erosion, accretion, and stable states.
Government Measures and Commitments:
- The Government of India has proactively taken steps to combat coastal erosion, focusing on safeguarding coastal areas and the livelihoods of communities.
Key initiatives include:
Hazard Line Delineation:
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has delineated a hazard line for the entire coast, indicating shoreline changes, including potential sea-level rise due to climate change.
- This line aids in disaster management and adaptive planning in Coastal States.
Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019:
- The Ministry introduced the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019, with the aim of conserving and protecting coastal stretches.
- The regulations permit erosion control measures and establish No Development Zones to prevent encroachment and erosion.
Coastal Zone Management Plans:
In compliance with the National Green Tribunal’s order, Coastal States and Union Territories are urged to finalize Coastal Zone Management Plans, incorporating mapping of erosion-prone areas and Shore Line Management Plans.
National Strategy for Coastal Protection:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has developed a national strategy for coastal protection, providing guidelines for all Coastal States and Union Territories.
Flood Management Scheme:
The Ministry of Jal Shakti collaborates with State Governments to implement anti-sea erosion schemes, offering technical, advisory, and promotional assistance based on states’ priorities.
Coastal Management Information System (CMIS):
- Initiated under the Central Sector Plan Scheme, CMIS collects crucial near-shore coastal data for planning and executing site-specific coastal protection.
- Sites in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry have been established.
Successful Mitigation Measures:
- Projects addressing coastal erosion in Puducherry and Chellanam in Kerala have proven successful in restoring and protecting coastal areas.
Government technical support has assisted coastal states in designing protection measures and formulating Shoreline Management Plans.
Hidden Costs of Agri-Food Systems
Context
- A recent report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) brings attention to the substantial concealed expenses associated with global agri-food systems, totaling more than $10 trillion.
- In nations like India, these costs, comprising almost 11% of the GDP, manifest in diverse ways, leading to increased poverty, environmental degradation, and health issues.
- The report proposes a transformation of agri-food systems, promoting multi-cropping as a solution to improve farmer well-being, community nutrition, and ecological health.
About Agri-Food Systems
- The term “agri-food systems” refers to the intricate network of activities, processes, and participants engaged in the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of food.
- This system encompasses everything from agricultural production (farming) to the final food products consumed by individuals.
Intensive Agriculture: Impacts and Trends
- India’s agricultural productivity surge over the past five decades, attributable mainly to mono-cropping and chemical-intensive farming, particularly in paddy and wheat cultivation, stems from the Green Revolution legacy.
- This shift has resulted in reduced crop diversity, impacting household nutrition and causing ecological problems such as groundwater depletion.
- Privatization of agricultural inputs has escalated farmer indebtedness, rendering agriculture increasingly unfeasible in India.
Crop Bias and Food Security Concerns
- While the National Food Security Act 2013 ensures food security for a significant portion of the Indian population through the Public Distribution System (PDS), the procurement policy heavily favors rice and wheat.
- This focus has led to a decline in the cultivation of nutritionally rich coarse grains.
- Policies encouraging water-intensive cash crops like sugarcane have further impacted biodiversity and water resources.
- Global trade fluctuations and trade relations have historically influenced food production systems in countries like India, affecting local agricultural practices and crop choices.
Promise of Crop Diversification
- Based on agroecology principles, multi-cropping systems can rejuvenate land and soil health while providing diverse crop yields.
- These systems offer various benefits, including cash provision, food production, and ecosystem services like nitrogen fixation and biodiversity support.
Diversified farming has the potential to enhance soil health and offer a more nutritious food basket, addressing the hidden costs associated with current agricultural practices.
Challenges and Transition Strategies
- A gradual shift from mono-cultivation to diversified farming is essential, involving stages such as non-pesticide management and natural farming practices.
- Preliminary economic models suggest that diversified farming can sustain farm incomes and improve ecological outcomes in both the short and long term.
- Successfully addressing hurdles related to local seeds, market access, labor requirements, and institutional support is crucial for a smooth transition.
Conclusion
The FAO report emphasizes the immediate need to transform agri-food systems to mitigate their concealed costs.
Multi-cropping systems present a viable way forward, holding the potential to improve ecological health, farmer well-being, and community nutrition.
However, achieving this transition requires collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, including institutions, policymakers, and farmers, to establish economic incentives and support mechanisms for adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
GPS Working Mechanism
Context:
GPS has transformed multiple sectors, such as the military, scientific research, urban planning, and disaster management
Global Positioning System (GPS): Structure and Components
- Origins: Initiated by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1973, the inaugural GPS satellite was launched in 1978.
- Satellite Constellation: Comprising 24 satellites in six orbits, each completing two orbits daily, ensuring comprehensive global coverage.
- Three Primary Segments: These include the space segment (satellites), the control segment (ground-based control stations and antennae), and the user segment (applications across diverse sectors).
Control Segment and Standards
- Global Network: Encompasses master control stations in Colorado and California, along with ground antennae worldwide.
- Standard Positioning Service (SPS): Establishes performance expectations for GPS, guaranteeing reliability and precision.
GPS Functionality
- Signal Transmission: Satellites transmit signals containing location, status, and time information.
- Signal Encoding: Utilizes code-division multiple access with two encoding types tailored for civilian and military applications.
- Distance Calculation: GPS receivers compute distances from satellites based on signal travel time.
- Adjustments for Accuracy: Implementing corrections for relativistic effects ensures meticulous measurements.
Timekeeping in GPS
- Importance of Precision: Precision in timekeeping is pivotal for GPS functionality, employing atomic clocks for synchronization.
- Atomic Clock Function: Leverages the consistent energy levels of electrons in atoms to accurately measure time.
Other Related Services
International Collaboration: The U.S. GPS system collaborates with various countries’ GNSS, such as Russia’s GLONASS, the EU’s Galileo, China’s BeiDou, among others.
International Committee on GNSS: Advocates cooperation under the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs.
NavIC: India’s regional navigation system, utilizing a Rubidium Clock, operates with seven satellites, offering coverage primarily over India and neighboring regions.
GAGAN: Developed by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India, GAGAN serves aviation applications and provides GPS corrections.
Launch of Climate Club at COP28
Context:
During the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28), leaders convened to introduce the Climate Club, with a primary focus on the decarbonization of the industrial sector.
Overview of Climate Club
- Initiated by Germany and Chile, the Climate Club comprises 36 members, collectively representing 55% of the global economy.
- Objective: To facilitate the decarbonization of industries, synchronize methodologies and standards, and enhance financial support for both emerging and developed economies.
- Emphasis on Challenging Sectors: Specifically targeting sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals, which contribute to approximately 70% of global industrial CO2 emissions.
Program for 2024: Encompassing programmatic initiatives structured around three core pillars:
- Advancement of policies for mitigating climate change,
- Transformation of industries, and
- Enhancement of international cooperation and partnerships.
Primary Goals and Measures
- Standardization: Creation of standardized emission calculations for CO2 intensities related to products like steel and cement.
- Net-Zero Definitions: Strategic dialogues focused on formulating clear definitions for net-zero emissions within these sectors.
Financing Platform: Establishment of a platform to align member needs with financial support from both public and private sectors.
INC-3: International Initiatives to Reduce Plastic Waste
Context:
The third round of negotiations for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) took place in Nairobi under the UN Environment Programme.
About the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)
The INC is a committee with the objective of creating a binding international agreement to eliminate plastic pollution by 2025, following UNEA Resolution 5/14.
Its inception occurred in November 2022 at Punta del Este, Uruguay (INC-1), followed by the second meeting (INC-2) in May-June 2023 in Paris, France. The INC aims to conclude its work by the end of 2024.
Overview of INC-3
- Event: The INC convened in Nairobi for its third round of negotiations under the United Nations Environment Programme.
- Objective: The goal is to develop an international legally binding instrument to eradicate plastic pollution globally, as mandated by UNEA Resolution 5/14.
- Deadline: The INC is entrusted with delivering a global plastics treaty by 2025.
Significance of INC-3
Critical Stage: INC-3 played a crucial role in negotiating the ‘zero draft’ text, presenting various options for core obligations and control measures.
Progress: In comparison to INC-2 in Paris, INC-3 engaged in substantive discussions on the content of the treaty.
Key Aspects of the ‘Zero Draft’
- Initial Strength: The zero draft put forth robust options for a legally binding treaty.
- Dilution of Obligations: During negotiations, member states weakened core obligations, especially related to primary polymer production, chemicals of concern, and trade.
- Controversial Elements: Controversy surrounded the draft’s scope and objectives, particularly concerning the production of primary polymers and lifecycle definitions.
Financial Mechanism Discussions
Proposals: The draft included options such as a plastic-pollution fee and reducing financial flow into high carbon footprint projects.
Opposition: Some countries, particularly those with vested economic interests, opposed these financial provisions.
Trade in Plastics
Trade Restrictions: The treaty aims to address gaps left by the Basel Convention but faced opposition regarding trade restrictions.
Misinterpretation of WTO Rules: Some countries misinterpreted WTO rules to oppose trade restrictions, despite legal allowances for health and environmental protection.
Challenges in Negotiations
- Advocacy for Strong Provisions: African countries and Small-Island Developing States advocated for binding provisions, representing marginalized voices and emphasizing human rights and public health.
- Rules of Procedure: The unresolved debate on rules of procedure from INC-2 persisted, impacting decision-making at INC-3.
- Industry Influence: The presence of industry lobbyists indicated significant industry influence on the negotiations.
- Stalling Tactics: Some countries employed stalling and blocking tactics, impeding progress and expanding the draft text with changes driven by national interests.
Outcomes and Takeaways from INC-3
- Lack of Consensus: The meeting concluded without consensus on intersessional work, impeding progress towards INC-4.
- Exposure of Opposition: INC-3 highlighted the countries and industries opposed to a strong binding treaty.
- Future Challenges: The lack of mandate adoption for the first draft development indicates significant challenges ahead in achieving a robust and effective global treaty on plastic pollution.
Conclusion
The outcomes of INC-3 emphasize the complexities and challenges in formulating a global treaty on plastic pollution.
Divergent interests of member states, influenced by economic and industry considerations, present significant hurdles.
The upcoming negotiations will be crucial in balancing these interests with the urgent need for effective global action to address the plastic pollution crisis.
UN Commission for Social Development
Context: Ruchira Kamboj, India’s representative at the United Nations, led an informative briefing for member states in preparation for the 62nd UN Commission for Social Development scheduled for February 2024.
Notably, this marks India’s first time assuming the Chair of the Commission for Social Development since 1975.
Key Points:
- The Commission for Social Development (CSocD) was established on 16 February 1946 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It functions as an intergovernmental organization, regulatory body, and advisory board, currently maintaining an active legal status.
- CSocD operates under the umbrella of ECOSOC, with its headquarters situated in New York, USA. The commission, with a 77-year history, has 46 members elected by ECOSOC.
- Since the 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, CSocD has been pivotal in overseeing the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.
- Annual meetings, lasting about two weeks, are held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City each February. In 2020, the Commission celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and its 75th anniversary.
- Each year since 1995, CSocD addresses crucial social development themes. For example, the 2020 focus was on “affordable housing and social protection systems for all to address homelessness.”
- The 62nd session’s theme is “Fostering Social Development and Social Justice through Social Policies for the 2030 Agenda,” highlighting the link between social development, social justice, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
Responsibilities and Purpose:
- CSocD is responsible for reviewing issues related to the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action and undertakes outcome reviews of the General Assembly’s twenty-fourth special session.
- Originally established as the Social Commission in 1946, it was later renamed CSocD in 1966 and has been the key UN body for the Copenhagen Declaration’s follow-up since 1995.
- The commission advises ECOSOC on social policies of general character and matters not covered by specialized intergovernmental agencies. Since 2006, it has addressed key social development themes as part of the follow-up to the Copenhagen Summit’s outcome.
Meetings and Membership:
- Annual meetings are held in New York in February. The commission, initially comprising 18 members, increased to 46 through various expansions. Members are elected by ECOSOC for four-year terms, starting immediately after the Commission’s regular session, as per ECOSOC decision 2002/210.
Bureau:
– The Bureau includes a chair and four vice-chairs, elected by the Commission at the first meeting of a regular session convened immediately after the end of the session for the sole purpose of electing a new bureau.
Mahaparinirvan Diwas
Context:
Today, the Prime Minister of India has paid tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
Significance:
- Mahaparinirvan Diwas holds significance in Buddhism, symbolizing liberation after death and the attainment of ultimate peace or release.
- It marks the death anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
- The 6th of December is dedicated to honoring Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and acknowledging his substantial contributions to society.
- Bhimrao Ambedkar, born in 1891 in Mhow, Central Province (now Madhya Pradesh), was a multifaceted personality—a social reformer, jurist, economist, polyglot, scholar, thinker, and a compelling orator.
Contribution:
- His contributions include serving as India’s first Law Minister and Chair of the Drafting Committee for the Constitution.
- He passionately advocated for the rights of Dalits and marginalized classes.
- Ambedkar played a pivotal role in events such as the Mahad Satyagraha and the signing of the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi in 1932, which resulted in amendments to the communal award for reserved seats.
- Furthermore, he authored influential journals and books, including “Annihilation of Caste” and “Buddha and His Dhamma.” Dr. Ambedkar also founded organizations such as Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha, Independent Labor Party, and Scheduled Castes Federation.
- In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Ambedkar was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1990. The Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai serves as a lasting tribute to his legacy.
Dr. Ambedkar’s life was guided by ethical values such as integrity, honesty, dedication, compassion, and tolerance.
