New Tech can filter Microplastics with minimal energy, SC verdict on right to freedom of speech, Mahadayi water sharing row…

New Tech Can Filter Microplastics with Minimal Energy

Recently, South Korean researchers have created a novel water filtration device that can swiftly and effectively remove microplastics.

What exactly is this technology?

• The slow adsorption rate and high heat energy needed for recycling are drawbacks of carbon-based porous materials employing current adsorption processes.
• It has been challenging to produce materials that concurrently fulfill outstanding recyclability, high efficiency, inexpensive raw material efficiency, and industrialization potential.

New technology

• Inexpensive and effective:The team synthesized a porous polymer with excellent adsorption performance and photothermal properties by reacting with an inexpensive and effective precursor.
• Fast adsorption:The new technology enables a material with quick adsorption of micro-pollutants in the aquatic environment.
• Recyclability: The polymer’s ability to be recycled and reused several times without losing performance was validated through studies, according to the researchers.
• The team developed a water treatment membrane capable of evaporating water using solar energy as a driving force through the developed polymer’s ability to absorb light broadly and convert the absorbed light into heat.
• The water treatment membrane coated with the oxidised polymer was confirmed to purify phenolic impurities using sunlight.

What are Micro-Plastics?

• Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters in diameter, which can harm our ocean and aquatic life.
• Microplastics can come from various sources, including larger plastic pieces that have broken apart, resin pellets used for plastic manufacturing, or microbeads, which are small, manufactured plastic beads used in health and beauty products.
• These tiny particles easily pass through water filtration systems and end up in the ocean posing a potential threat to aquatic life.
• While some conventional carbon-based filters may remove microplastics, they have drawbacks, including a slow adsorption rate and inefficient energy use.

Where do they come from?

• Microplastics can be produced, like the microbeads found in cosmetics and other beauty goods, or they can develop as larger plastic pieces degrade.
• The small, shiny particles advertised as “cooling crystals” in certain toothpaste qualify as microplastics if the ingredients of the toothpaste mention “polyethylene”.
• 90% of the plastic garbage that is generated is not recycled, making it one of the main causes of this pollution.
• Some examples of the bigger pieces that degrade into microplastics and eventually find their way into the soil, water, and air we breathe are plastic bottles, bags, fishing nets, and food packaging.

Some Important FAQs

Question: What is the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification?

Answer:

Bioaccumulation occurs over the span of a single organism’s life, resulting in a larger concentration in older people. Within a food chain, biomagnification occurs when chemicals move from lower trophic levels to higher trophic levels, resulting in a larger concentration of apex predators.

Question: What is Bio-Accumulation?

Answer:

This progressive accumulation of substances in an organism, such as pesticides or other toxins, is known as bioaccumulation. This happens when a chemical is taken up quicker than it can be used, or when it cannot be broken down for use by the organism (that is, the chemical cannot be metabolized).

SC verdict on right to freedom of speech

A statement made by a minister, including MLAs and MPs, cannot be attributed vicariously to the government even when applying the principle of collective responsibility, the Supreme Court said on 3 January 2023. A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Justice S A Nazeer gave the decision. It said no additional restrictions against free speech can be imposed except those mentioned under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, which follows Article 19.

What was the case about?

1. The case, Kaushal Kishor v the State of Uttar Pradesh, relates to the Bulandshahar rape incident of 2016, in which the then Minister of the State of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan termed the incident a ‘political conspiracy and nothing else’.
2. The survivors then filed a writ petition before the Apex Court seeking action against Khan.
3. While directing him to submit an unconditional apology, which he did, the Court also noted that the case raises serious concerns regarding state obligation and freedom of speech and expression. Several questions were framed on the matter.

What does the judgment say about free speech restrictions?

1. An important question here was “whether restrictions can be imposed on a public functionary’s right to freedom of speech and expression”.
2. A statement made by a minister even if traceable to any affairs of the state or for protection of the government cannot be attributed vicariously to the government by invoking the principle of collective responsibility, the majority ruled.
3. Further, it said while citizens had the right to petition the Court for violations of Article 19 (freedom of expression) and Article 21 (right to life), a statement made by the Minister, inconsistent with the rights of the citizens, may not by itself be actionable. But if it leads to omission or commission of offence by a public official, then remedies can be sought against it.

PM inaugurate ISC virtually

The 108th edition of the Indian Science Congress inaugurated by Prime Minister through video conferencing which is meeting in Nagpur on 3 January 2023 after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. The previous edition of the Indian Science Congress, a key event in the science calendar, was held in Bengaluru in January 2020.

More about the Indian Science Congress

1. The five-day 108th session of ISC take place at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, which is celebrating its centenary this year.
2. This is perhaps the first time in nearly two decades that the prime minister was not be physically present at the gathering of top scientists from across the spectrum, apparently due to his packed schedule.
3. The focal theme of this year’s Science Congress is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment.”
4. The annual Congress will see discussions on issues of sustainable development, women empowerment, and the role of science and technology in achieving these objectives.
5. A special programme to showcase the contribution of women in science and technology will also be held with lectures by renowned women scientists.
6. The event will also see a Children’s Science Congress, organised to help stimulate scientific interest and temperament among children.
7. The Farmers’ Science Congress will provide a platform to improve the bio-economy and attract young people to agriculture.
8. The Tribal Science Congress will be a platform for the scientific display of indigenous ancient knowledge systems and practices and will focus on the empowerment of tribal women.

Govt announces free foodgrains in 2023

As 2022 drew to a close, the government announced that it would provide free foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, for all of the New Year.  The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) — launched in April 2020 as a pandemic relief measure under which 5 kg of free foodgrains were provided to NFSA beneficiaries in addition to their monthly entitlement (35 kg to a Antyodaya household and 5kg per person in a Priority Household) of subsidised foodgrains under at Act — has been discontinued.

What is NFSA

1. The NFSA, which was enacted by the UPA-2 government and came into effect on 5 July 2013, entitles 67 per cent of households — 50 per cent urban and 75 per cent rural — in India to subsidised grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). About 81.35 crore people around the country are covered under the NFSA.
2. The subsidised prices are specified in Schedule-1 of the Act which the government can change by executive order.
3. In fact, the government issued a notification on 30 December 2022 to provide free foodgrains under the NFSA from 1 January.
4. The quantity of grains to which a beneficiary is entitled is also laid down, and cannot be changed without Parliament’s approval.
5. As of now, NFSA beneficiaries pay Rs 3, Rs 2, and Re 1 per kilogram of rice, wheat, and nutri-cereals (millets) respectively. These prices were initially fixed for three years.
6. Thereafter, the grains were to be supplied “at such price, as may be fixed by the Central Government, from time to time, not exceeding, (i) the minimum support price for wheat and coarse grains; and (ii) the derived minimum support price for rice, as the case may be”.
7. While the three years ended on 5 July 2016, prices have remained constant despite the steady rise in the Economic Cost of the foodgrains, and the government’s growing food subsidy bill.
8. The Economic Cost has four main components — Pooled Cost of Grain, Procurement Incidentals, Acquisition Cost, and Distribution Cost — which have increased over the years.

India, Austria seal deals on migration

India and Austria signed several agreements including one on migration and mobility for Indian students and professionals. Jaishankar said it will enable demands for skills and talents to be synchronised with their availability.

More about agreements

1. Similar agreements have been recently concluded by India with Germany, France, Portugal, UK and Denmark, amongst others.
2. It will help us to cooperatively expand our economic opportunities and meet the requirements of the global knowledge economy.
3. We want a fair, legal and equal opportunity to demonstrate the contributions of Indian skills and talents, he said.
4. Foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg said last year Austria experienced the highest number ever of asylum seekers in Austria at over 100,000.
5. He said the numbers of Indians coming in illegally via Serbia to Austria reached 18,000 last year from 600 asylum applications from Indian citizens in 2021.
6. The problem is not migration to be very clear. We want that we need them. The problem is illegal immigration.
7. We need immigration, but immigration controlled by states and not by organised crime by human traffickers.

Mahadayi water sharing row

Karnataka’s decision to go ahead with a water diversion project on river Mahadayi has escalated its long-standing dispute on the issue with neighbouring Goa.

More about the news:

1. On December 30, 2022, Karnataka Chief Minister told the Legislative Assemblythat the government had received clearance from the Centre for two Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala on the Mahadayi.
2. Goa immediately raised a red flag, announcing on January 2 that it would take an all-party delegation to Prime Minister and meet other Union ministers to block the project.
3. Karnataka has dug in its heels; with Water Resources Minister announcing that tenders for the project would be floated soon and work begins within a month.

The Kalasa-Banduri Nala project and the dispute:

1. The project aims to divert water from Mahadayi to satisfy the drinking water needs of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot and Gadag districts.
2. Though the project was first proposed in the early 1980s, it has remained on paper owing to a dispute between Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.
3. Mahadayi originates inside the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Belagavi district of Karnataka and flows into the Arabian Sea in Goa.
4. As per plans, barrages are to be built against Kalasa and Banduri streams, tributaries of Mahadayi and water diverted towards Karnataka’s parched districts.

What did the Tribunal say?

1. The Tribunal in 2018 awarded 13.42 TMC water from Mahadayi river basin to Karnataka, 1.33 TMC to Maharashtra and 24 TMC to Goa. In Karnataka’s share, 5.5 TMC was to meet drinking water needs and 8.02 TMC was for hydro-electricity generation.
2. Of the 5.5 TMC, 3.8 TMC was to be diverted to Malaprabha basin through Kalasa and Banduri Nalas (canals). This was notified by the Central government in February 2020.

What happened after the notification?

1. After the Tribunal award, Goa filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court in July 2019, challenging the quantum of allocation.
2. Subsequently, in October 2020, it filed a contempt petition before the SC, accusing Karnataka of illegally diverting water from the Mahadayi basin. Civil appeals were also filed by Maharashtra over the dispute.

Govt proposes Policy on Online Gaming

The Ministry of Electronics and IT proposed an amendment to bring online gaming under the ambit of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Regulating Online Gaming

The following draft amendments to the IT Act are being placed in the public for comments, feedback till January 17:

• Due diligence: Online gaming intermediaries shall exercise due diligence to ensure that online games with gambling, betting are not permitted.
• Withdrawals or refunds: Online gaming intermediaries shall inform users of policy for withdrawal or refund of deposit, distribution of winnings, applicable fees
• Self-Regulatory Organisation: SRO will determine what constitutes prohibited wagering
• Registration: Self-regulatory bodies will be registered with the MeitY
• Online games: Self-regulatory bodies may register online games of intermediaries that are members and meet prescribe criteria.
• Complaints’ redressal: Self-regulatory bodies will resolve complaints through a grievance redressal mechanism.

What is online gaming?

• Online gaming can refer to any type of game that someone can play through the Internet or over a computer network.
• Most of the time, it refers to video games played over the Internet, where multiple players are in different locations across the world.
• Online gaming also can refer to the idea of gambling over the Internet, through an online casino or an online poker room.

Types of gaming

• The types of online gaming include:

1. E-sports (well-organized electronic sports which include professional players) ex. Chess
2. Fantasy sports (choosing real-life sports players and winning points based on players’ performance) ex. MPL cricket
3. Skill-based (mental skill) ex. Archery
4. Gamble (based on random activity) ex. Playing Cards, Rummy

Why is the online gaming industry booming in India?

1. Digital India boom in the gaming industry
2. Narrowing of the digital divide
3. IT boom

Other factors promoting the boom

1. Growing younger population
2. Higher disposable income
3. Inexpensive internet data
4. Introduction of new gaming genres, and
5. Increasing number of smartphone and tablet users

Prospects of online gaming

• State List Subject:  The state legislators are, vide Entry No. 34 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule, given exclusive power to make laws relating to betting and gambling.
• Distinction in laws: Most Indian states regulate gaming on the basis of a distinction in law between ‘games of skill’ and ‘games of chance’.
• Classification on dominant element: As such, a ‘dominant element’ test is utilized to determine whether chance or skill is the dominating element in determining the result of the game.
• Linked economic activity: Staking money or property on the outcome of a ‘game of chance’ is prohibited and subjects the guilty parties to criminal sanctions.
• ‘Game of Skill’ debate: Placing any stakes on the outcome of a ‘game of skill’ is not illegal per se and may be permissible. It is important to note that the Supreme Court recognized that no game is purely a ‘game of skill’ and almost all games have an element of chance.

Need for regulation

• No comprehensive regulation:  India currently has no comprehensive legislation with regards to the legality of online gaming or boundaries that specify applicable tax rates within the betting and gambling industry.
• Ambiguity of the sector: The gaming sector is nascent and is still evolving, and many states are bringing about legislation seeking to bring about some order in the online gaming sector.
• State list subject: Online gaming in India is allowed in most parts of the country. However, different states have their own legislation with regards to whether online gaming is permitted.
• Economic advantage: Well-regulated online gaming has its own advantages, such as economic growth and employment benefits.

Issues with online gaming

• Gaming addiction: Numerous people are developing an addiction to online gaming. This is destroying lives and devastating families.
• Compulsive gaming: Gaming by children is affecting their performance in schools and impacting their social lives & relationships with family members. Ex. PUBG
• Impact on psychological health: Online games like PUBG and the Blue Whale Challenge were banned after incidents of violence and suicide.
• Threat to Data privacy: Inadvertent sharing of personal information can lead to cases of cheating, privacy violations, abuse, and bullying.
• Betting and gambling: Online games based on the traditional ludo, arguably the most popular online game in India, have run into controversy, and allegations of betting and gambling.

Why hasn’t a comprehensive law yet materialized?

• Earlier, states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka also passed laws banning online games.
• However, they were quashed by state High Courts on grounds that an outright ban was unfair to games of skill:

1. Violation of fundamental rights of trade and commerce, liberty and privacy, speech and expression;
2. Law being manifestly arbitrary and irrational insofar as it did not distinguish between two different categories of games, i.e. games of skill and chance;
3. Lack of legislative Competence of State legislatures to enact laws on online skill-based games.

Way forward

• Censoring: Minors should be allowed to proceed only with the consent of their parents — OTP verification on Aadhaar could resolve this.
• Awareness: Gaming companies should proactively educate users about potential risks and how to identify likely situations of cheating and abuse.
• Regulating mechanism: A Gaming Authority in the central government should be created.
• Accountability of the gaming company: It could be made responsible for the online gaming industry, monitoring its operations, preventing societal issues, suitably classifying games of skill or chance, overseeing consumer protection, and combatting illegality and crime.
• All-encompassing legislation: the Centre should formulate an overarching regulatory framework for online games of skill. India must move beyond skill-versus-chance debates to keep up with the global gaming industry.