Prelims Pinpointer 14-04-202

Right to Vote

Context: The right to vote is central to India’s democratic system, as it enables citizens to participate in governance and choose their representatives. However, its nature has been debated, particularly regarding whether it is a fundamental or statutory right.

Constitutional Basis

• Article 326 of the Constitution provides for universal adult franchise.
• It ensures that every citizen aged 18 years or above has the right to vote.
• This right is subject to certain legal disqualifications, which means:
  • The Constitution provides the principle, while laws enacted by Parliament define the conditions and limitations.

Statutory Framework

• Representation of the People Act, 1950
  • This Act deals with the preparation of electoral rolls.
  • Key provisions:
    • Section 16 disqualifies non-citizens from being enrolled.
    • According to Section 19, A person must:
      • Be 18 years or above, and
      • Be an ordinary resident of the constituency.
• Representation of the People Act, 1951
  • This Act governs the conduct of elections and voting rights.
  • Key provision:
    • Section 62 grants the right to vote to all enrolled voters, except those disqualified by law or imprisoned.

Legal Nature of Voting Right

• The right to vote is considered a statutory right, not a fundamental right.
• This means:
  • Parliament can impose reasonable restrictions.
  • Conditions such as disqualification and procedural rules can be modified through law.
• Implications
  • The right to vote cannot be directly enforced under Article 32, unlike fundamental rights.
  • Any grievance related to voting must be addressed through ordinary legal procedures.

Jagannath Temple

Context: The inventory of valuables in the Bhitara Ratna Bhandar (inner chamber) of the Jagannath Temple has begun after a gap of 48 years. The exercise is being carried out following directions of the Orissa High Court amid concerns regarding the safety of temple valuables.

More in News

• The inventory is being conducted for the first time since 1978, involving goldsmiths, RBI representatives, and temple priests.
• The process includes weighing, documenting, and 3D mapping of ornaments, with cross-verification against the 1978 records.
• A colour-coded system is used for classification, and each item is assigned a unique serial number with brass tagging.

About the Temple

• The Jagannath Temple is one of the most revered Hindu shrines, dedicated to:
  • Lord Jagannath (Vishnu)
  • Balabhadra
  • Subhadra
• It is known as the “White Pagoda” and forms part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
• It is also included in the Golden Triangle of Odisha along with Bhubaneswar and Konark.
• The temple is referred to as “Yamanika Tirtha”, where the influence of Yama is believed to be nullified.
• Major festivals associated with the temple include:

• Snana Yatra
• Netrotsava
• Rath Yatra
• Sayan Ekadasi
• The temple was constructed in the 12th century by Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva of the Ganga Dynasty.

Architecture

• The temple represents the Kalinga style of architecture, a sub-type of the Nagara school.
• Key features include:
  • Curvilinear towers (Rekha Deul)
  • Highly decorated exterior walls and plain interiors
  • Use of iron girders instead of pillars in the porch
• The temple has four gates, each aligned to a cardinal direction and associated with symbolic beliefs:

• Singhadwara (East): Associated with moksha
• Hastidwara (North): Associated with wealth
• Aswadwara (South): Associated with control over desire
• Vyaghradwara (West): Associated with dharma

El Niño

Context

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected a “below-normal” southwest monsoon for the first time in 11 years. The primary reason for the weak monsoon outlook is the likely development of El Niño.

What is El Niño?

• El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
• It is characterised by abnormal warming of sea surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
• It occurs irregularly every 2–7 years and is associated with a rise in global average temperatures.

Formation and Mechanism

• El Niño develops due to changes in ocean–atmosphere interactions over the Pacific:
  • Trade winds weaken along the equator, allowing warm waters to shift eastward towards South America.
  • The thermocline deepens in the eastern Pacific, which reduces the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water.
  • This disrupts normal atmospheric circulation, linking ocean warming with pressure changes known as the Southern Oscillation.
• The process reflects a coupled ocean–atmosphere phenomenon, where changes in one system reinforce the other.

Factors Affecting El Niño

• Strength and persistence of trade winds.
• Subsurface heat content of the Pacific Ocean.
• Interaction between ocean temperatures and atmospheric pressure systems.
• Influence of natural climate variability and global warming, which may intensify its impacts.

Global and Regional Impacts

• El Niño contributes to a temporary increase in global temperatures, often making such years among the hottest on record.
• Regional impacts include:
  • India: Higher probability of weak monsoon and drought conditions
  • South America: Heavy rainfall, floods, and coastal erosion
  • Australia and Southeast Asia: Droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Early Life and Background

• Born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. He belonged to a Dalit Mahar family, which faced severe caste-based discrimination.
• Experienced untouchability in childhood, including denial of water access and segregation in school.

Education

• Completed schooling in Satara, excelling despite discrimination.
• Passed matriculation in 1907 and joined Elphinstone College.
• Earned B.A. in Economics and Political Science (1912).
• Received scholarship from Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad of Baroda (1913) for higher studies in the USA.
• Higher Education from Columbia University and London School of Economics (LSE)

Advocacy for Dalit Rights

• Dedicated his life to upliftment of Dalits and marginalized communities.
• Opposed untouchability and caste-based discrimination.
• Key works:
  • Annihilation of Caste
  • Who Were the Shudras?
• Mahad Satyagraha (20 March 1927): Asserted Dalits’ right to access public water tanks (Chavdar Lake).

• Kalaram Temple Movement (1930): Aimed at ensuring Dalit access to Hindu temples.
• Organizations Founded
  • Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (1924): Focused on education and socio-economic upliftment. The motto of the sabha was Educate, Agitate and Organise.
  • Independent Labour Party (1936): Represented working class and Dalit interests.
  • Scheduled Castes Federation (1942): Focused on political representation and civil rights of Dalits.

• Used newspapers to spread awareness on social justice:
  • Mooknayak (1920)
  • Bahishkrit Bharat (1927)
  • Janata (1930)
• Role in Constitutional Reforms
  • Participated in Round Table Conferences (1930–32) in London.
  • Demanded separate electorates for Dalits.
  • Led to inclusion of provisions in Communal Award (1932).
• Poona Pact (1932)
  • Agreement between Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Replaced separate electorates with reserved seats for Dalits.
  • Signed by:
    • Madan Mohan Malaviya (on behalf of Gandhi)
    • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (on behalf of Depressed Classes)

Political Career

• Labour Member, Viceroy’s Executive Council (1942–46)
  • Introduced reforms for labour welfare and working conditions.
  • Key contributions:
    • Advocacy for minimum wages and social insurance
    • Reduction in working hours
    • Role in Factories Act, 1946 and Trade Unions Act, 1947
    • Conceptualised ESIC and EPF schemes
• Drafting of the Constitution
  • Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
  • Known as the “Father of the Indian Constitution”.
  • Ensured inclusion of:
    • Fundamental Rights
    • Social justice and equality provisions
• First Law Minister of Independent India
  • Served as India’s first Law Minister (1947).
  • Played a key role in drafting laws promoting civil liberties and social justice.
  • Introduced Hindu Code Bill for gender equality reforms.
  • Resigned in 1951 after the bill was not passed.
• Electoral Politics
  • Faced electoral defeats despite major contributions.
  • Announced formation of Republican Party of India (1956).
  • Passed away on 6 December 1956 before its full development.

Conversion to Buddhism

• Declared in 1935 (Yeola Conference) his intention to leave Hinduism.
• Converted to Buddhism on 14 October 1956 in Nagpur with ~500,000 followers.
• Promoted Buddhist philosophy of equality and liberation.
• Authored The Buddha and His Dhamma.

Party Whip in Parliament

Context: The Congress has issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha MPs to ensure presence and adherence to the party’s stand during the special session of Parliament.

About Party Whip

• A whip is a directive issued by a political party to its legislators, guiding them on how to vote on specific issues.
• It also refers to the party functionary responsible for ensuring compliance and attendance.
• The primary objective is to:
  • Maintain party discipline
  • Ensure uniformity in voting
  • Prevent defections or internal dissent
• The term “whip” originates from British parliamentary practice, where a “whipper-in” ensured discipline in hunting groups.
• Constitutional Status
  • The whip is not mentioned in the Constitution, parliamentary laws, or rules of the House.
  • It operates through established parliamentary conventions.

• Types of Whips
  • One-line whip: Advises members about a vote; absence is permitted.
  • Two-line whip: Requires presence but does not strictly mandate voting direction.
  • Three-line whip: Strictest form; members must attend and vote as per party directive.
• Functions of the Whip
  • Ensures attendance and quorum in the House.
  • Secures party support on legislative matters.
  • Maintains discipline and internal cohesion.
  • Identifies and reports dissent within party ranks.
  • Acts as a link between party leadership and legislators.
• Violation and Consequences
  • Defying a whip may lead to disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law.
  • Exception: If two-thirds of members dissent, it may be treated as a valid split.

Bonus Shares

Context: The board of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has approved a 1:1 bonus share issue, aiming to reward its shareholders. 

About Bonus Shares

• Bonus shares are additional shares given free of cost to existing shareholders.
• They are issued by capitalising a company’s reserves, without any fresh investment from shareholders.
• In a 1:1 bonus issue, a shareholder receives:
  • One additional share for every one share held
  • For example, 100 shares become 200 shares after the issue
• Companies announce a record date, which determines eligibility for receiving bonus shares.
• Companies issue bonus shares to:

• Reward existing shareholders
• Improve stock affordability by reducing the share price
• Signal confidence in future growth
• Increase liquidity of shares in the market

Impact of such issue

• Impact on Share Structure
  • Bonus shares increase the number of outstanding shares, but:
    • Do not change the company’s market capitalisation
    • Share price adjusts downward proportionately
• Taxation
  • Bonus shares are not taxed at the time of receipt.
  • When sold:
    • The entire sale value is treated as capital gains, since the acquisition cost is considered zero

South China Sea

Location and Extent

• The South China Sea is an arm of the western Pacific Ocean bordering the Southeast Asian mainland.
• It covers an area of about 3.685 million sq. km with a mean depth of around 1,212 metres.

Boundaries and Connectivity

• The sea is bordered by China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Vietnam.
• Its southern boundary is marked by a seabed rise between Sumatra and Borneo, while the northern boundary extends from Taiwan to the Fujian coast of China.
• It is strategically connected to:
  • East China Sea through the Taiwan Strait
  • Philippine Sea through the Luzon Strait
• The South China Sea and East China Sea together form the China Sea.

• The region contains two major archipelagos:
  • Paracel Islands (controlled by China)
  • Spratly Islands
• The climate is tropical, with weather patterns largely influenced by monsoons.
• Important ports along the region include:

• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• Kaohsiung (southern Taiwan)

Baisakhi Festival

Religious and Historical Significance

• Baisakhi is an important festival of the Sikh community, marking the Punjabi New Year and the onset of the harvest season.
• It commemorates the historic event of the formation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699, which holds deep spiritual and institutional significance in Sikhism.
• The festival reflects the rich cultural heritage of Punjab, expressed through traditional customs, rituals, and community celebrations.
• It represents a vibrant blend of religious devotion and cultural expression, strengthening social bonds.

Symbolism and Values

• Baisakhi symbolises gratitude towards nature and divine blessings, especially for agricultural prosperity.
• It promotes values of unity, togetherness, and collective well-being, as communities celebrate shared abundance.

Agricultural Importance

• Baisakhi coincides with the harvest of rabi crops, marking a period of agricultural abundance and economic prosperity.
• It serves as a moment of joy and relief for farmers, as the fruits of their labour are realised. 

Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Norms

Context

• The government has announced that CAFE-III norms will be implemented from April 1, 2027, and the deadline is unlikely to be extended. These stricter fuel efficiency standards will remain applicable till March 31, 2032, requiring automobile manufacturers to comply.

About CAFE Norms

• CAFE norms were first notified in 2017 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• The norms aim to:

• Reduce fuel consumption
• Lower CO₂ emissions
• Decrease oil dependency
• Control air pollution
• Mechanism
  • Fuel efficiency is assessed by averaging the fuel consumption of all vehicles sold by a manufacturer in a year.
  • This ensures that manufacturers maintain an overall efficiency standard across their fleet.
• CAFE norms apply to passenger vehicles with GVW less than 3500 kg, including:

• Petrol vehicles
• Diesel vehicles
• LPG vehicles
• CNG vehicles
• Hybrid vehicles
• Electric vehicles