15th February 2025-Current Affairs

1. TRAI Tightens Rules Against Spam Calls and Text Messages – Polity

Why in News?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced new regulations under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018, aiming to curb spam calls and messages. The updated rules impose stricter obligations on telecom operators like Airtel, Jio, and Vi to monitor and act against spammers in real time.

Key Highlights of New Regulations:

1. Real-Time Monitoring & Reporting:
   • Telecom operators must analyze call and SMS patterns to detect spam.
   • Operators must act on user-reported spam complaints within 5 days (reduced from 30 days).
2. Call Identification Rules:
   • Telemarketers are banned from using regular 10-digit numbers for promotional calls.
   • Designated number series:
     • 140 series: Promotional calls
     • 1600 series: Transactional and service calls
3. Opt-In/Opt-Out Mechanism:
   • Users can opt out of promotional communications.
   • Operators must facilitate easy opt-in options for desired services.
4. Stricter Monitoring Mechanisms:
   • Operators must monitor patterns such as:
     • High call volumes
     • Short call durations
     • Low incoming-to-outgoing call ratios
5. Verification of Telemarketers:
   • Mandatory physical verification and biometric authentication of telemarketers.
   • Detailed records of complaints and senders must be maintained.
6. Penalties for Non-Compliance:
   • Fines on operators:
     • ₹2 lakh for the first offense
     • ₹10 lakh for repeat violations
   • Repeated offenders face suspension of telecom services.

Current Situation – Survey Insights (Local Circles, Feb 2023):

• 60% of respondents receive 3 or more spam calls daily.
• 30% receive 1-2 spam calls daily.
• 21% get 6-10 spam calls daily.
• Despite regulations, spam calls are increasing, especially from sectors like banking, insurance, and real estate.

Exam Relevance – Key Angles to Focus On:

1. Government Policy and Digital Governance:

• Highlights the role of TRAI in consumer protection and digital regulation.
• Example of regulatory frameworks enhancing Digital India initiatives.

2. Polity and Institutions:

• Understanding the functions of TRAI under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
• Importance of regulations in protecting digital consumer rights.

3. Economy and Business Environment:

• Impact on telecom operators like Airtel, Jio, and Vi.
• Promotes ethical business practices and prevents unsolicited commercial exploitation.

4. Technology and Society:

• Addresses digital safety and privacy concerns.
• Supports consumer empowerment through opt-in/opt-out provisions.

5. Impact on Himachal Pradesh:

• Rural Digital Penetration: Ensures safer digital services in remote areas of HP.
• Consumer Rights Awareness: Important for regions where digital literacy is increasing.
• Tourism Industry Impact: Reduces promotional spam targeting tourists and local businesses.

2. New Income-Tax Bill 2025: Simplified Structure and the New ‘Tax Year’ Concept – Economy

Why in News?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Income-Tax Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, aiming to simplify tax laws and improve compliance. A key highlight is the introduction of the ‘tax year’ concept, replacing the traditional assessment year. If passed, the bill will be implemented from April 1, 2026.

Key Highlights of the New Income-Tax Bill:

1. Introduction of ‘Tax Year’ Concept:
   • New System: Income earned in a financial year will be taxed in the same year.
   • Previous System: Tax was assessed in the following year (Assessment Year system).
   • Implementation Date: From April 1, 2026.
   • Impact: Reduces confusion and aligns with global practices.
2. Simplified Language and Structure:
   • Reduces legal jargon and cross-referencing.
   • Length of the Income-Tax Act reduced from 823 pages to 622 pages, but chapters remain the same.
   • Tax deductions and TDS rules consolidated into clear, easy-to-read tables.
3. Expanded Definition of Income:
   • Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs are classified as taxable capital assets.
   • Aligns digital assets with traditional assets like property and stocks.
4. Removal of Redundant Provisions:
   • Outdated exemptions, such as those on capital gains before April 1992, have been eliminated.
   • Streamlines the tax code, removing confusion.
5. Dispute Resolution Process (DRP):
   • Clarifies the roles and authority of the Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP).
   • Aims to reduce litigation and ensure quicker resolution of tax disputes.
6. No Major Changes in Tax Rates:
   • Focus is on structural reform and clarity, not on altering tax slabs or rates.
   • Ensures a smooth transition to the new system before future tax reforms.

Exam Relevance – Key Angles to Focus On:

1. Economy and Indian Financial System:

• Promotes ease of doing business by simplifying the tax process.
• Aligns with Digital India by including digital assets like cryptocurrencies under the tax net.

2. Polity and Governance:

• Illustrates how legislative reforms improve public policy and administrative efficiency.
• Understanding the legislative process (Introduction, Discussion, Passage) is useful for Polity-based questions.

3. Role of Institutions:

• Focus on the roles of:
  • Ministry of Finance – Policy formulation
  • Income Tax Department – Implementation
  • Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) – Conflict resolution

4. Impact on Himachal Pradesh:

• Tourism and Business: Clearer tax rules may benefit small businesses and tourism operators in HP.
• Digital Economy Awareness: Important for startups, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs in HP.
• Agriculture Income Exemption: Remains unaffected, which is crucial for HP’s agrarian economy.

Advantages of the New Bill:

• Simplicity: Easier for taxpayers to understand.
• Clarity: Clearer rules reduce disputes.
• Efficiency: Faster tax processes with the new ‘tax year’ system.
• Modernization: Inclusion of digital assets reflects the evolving economy.

Potential Challenges:

• Transition Period Issues: Shifting from assessment year to tax year may confuse existing taxpayers.
• Digital Asset Taxation: May discourage small investors and crypto traders.
• No Rate Reforms: Some expected adjustments in tax rates, which did not materialize.

Exam Practice Question:

Q: Discuss the key features of the Income-Tax Bill, 2025, and analyze its potential impact on the Indian economy. How can these reforms influence the business environment in Himachal Pradesh?

3. Tackling Heatwaves – Strengthening Resilience in India – Environment

Why in News?

Heatwaves, intensified by climate change, are becoming more frequent and severe in India, leading to public health crises, economic losses, water scarcity, and energy challenges. Despite the rising threat, public awareness remains low. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has introduced the National Framework for Heatwave Mitigation and Management (2024) to address these challenges.

Understanding Heatwaves:

• Definition: A heatwave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, typically lasting more than two days, declared by the IMD (India Meteorological Department) when temperatures reach:
  • Plains: ≥ 40°C
  • Hilly areas: ≥ 30°C
• Global Context: January 2025 marked the 18th month out of the last 19 with temperatures exceeding the 1.5°C global warming threshold.

Impacts of Heatwaves:

1. Public Health Crisis:
   • 90% of India’s population is vulnerable to heat-related illnesses (e.g., heatstroke, dehydration).
   • Rural healthcare systems are overstretched, lacking resources to handle heat-induced illnesses.
   • Vulnerable groups: Elderly, children, outdoor workers, and urban poor.
2. Economic Consequences:
   • 34 million job losses by 2030 due to heat stress (World Bank).
   • Major impact on outdoor workers (construction, agriculture), leading to productivity losses.
3. Water Scarcity and Food Security:
   • India has 4% of global freshwater resources but 18% of the global population.
   • 54% of India’s land faces high to extreme water stress.
   • Declining groundwater levels and rising irrigation demands threaten agricultural output.
4. Energy Sector Challenges:
   • Increased demand for cooling (ACs, fans) strains the power supply.
   • 70% of India’s power comes from thermal plants, which require water for cooling.
   • Result: Frequent power outages during heatwaves.

Government Initiatives and Response:

1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):

• Recognizes heatwaves as a serious hazard.
• Conducts workshops to spread awareness.
• Collaborates with states to implement Heat Action Plans (HAPs).

2. National Framework for Heatwave Mitigation and Management (2024):

• Promotes local vulnerability assessments.
• Emphasizes community engagement and public awareness campaigns.
• Mandates periodic updates to HAPs using data-driven assessments.
• Focus on building heat-resilient infrastructure (e.g., cool roofs, shaded public spaces).

3. Heat Action Plans (HAPs):

• Over 250 HAPs developed across India, with cities like Ahmedabad leading successful examples.
  • Components of HAPs:
  • Early warning systems (SMS alerts)
  • Training healthcare workers
  • Provision of cool shelters
  • Public hydration points

Impact on Himachal Pradesh:

• Increasing Temperatures: Unusual heatwaves in hill stations (e.g., Shimla, Dharamshala) due to global warming.
• Glacier Melting: Rapid glacier retreat, threatening water supply from rivers like the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi.
• Forest Fires: Rising temperatures increase forest fire risks, damaging flora and fauna.
• Apple Production Decline: Apple orchards require a certain number of chilling hours, which are reducing due to rising temperatures.
• Tourism Impact: Heatwaves may shift tourist patterns, impacting HP’s summer tourism economy.

Solutions and Way Forward:

Short-Term Measures:

• Early warning systems and heat alerts (IMD bulletins, mobile alerts)
• Provision of public cooling shelters and drinking water stations
• Heatwave preparedness campaigns in schools and local communities

Long-Term Strategies:

• Promote climate-resilient crops and water-efficient irrigation techniques in HP
• Construct green buildings with heat-resistant materials
• Increase tree cover and restore wetlands to regulate temperatures
• Develop solar energy projects to reduce dependence on water-intensive thermal power plants

Advantages of Heatwave Preparedness:

• Saves Lives: Reduces heat-related mortality.
• Protects Livelihoods: Supports vulnerable outdoor workers.
• Ensures Water Security: Promotes efficient water use.
• Boosts Climate Resilience: Builds community adaptation capacity.

Challenges:

• Implementation Gap: Many HAPs exist only on paper without effective execution.
• Lack of Awareness: Heatwaves are often underestimated compared to floods or cyclones.
• Insufficient Resources: Rural healthcare systems are under-equipped for heat emergencies.

Exam Practice Question:

Q: “Heatwaves have become a silent yet severe consequence of climate change in India.” Discuss the impacts of heatwaves and analyze the measures taken by the government to tackle them. Suggest region-specific strategies for Himachal Pradesh to enhance heatwave resilience.

4. China’s Dam Project Opens the Floodgates of Concern – Polity

Why in News?

China’s construction of a massive hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River (known as the Brahmaputra in India) in Tibet has sparked concerns in India and Bangladesh. While China frames the project as part of its renewable energy drive, the dam poses serious environmental, geopolitical, and legal challenges for downstream countries.

Background on the Brahmaputra River:

• Origin: Angsi Glacier, Tibet (Yarlung Zangbo)
• Length: 2,900 km (flows through Tibet, India, Bangladesh)
• Significance: Lifeline for Northeastern India, supporting agriculture, fisheries, and hydroelectricity.

Major Concerns for India and Bangladesh:

1. Legal Dimensions:

• The dispute highlights issues under International Water Law, particularly the UN Watercourses Convention (1997), which advocates for:
  • Equitable and reasonable utilization of shared rivers
  • Cooperation and information sharing among riparian states
• Complication: Neither China nor India is a signatory to the UN Watercourses Convention, making legal resolution difficult.

2. Environmental Risks:

• Seismic Hazard: The dam is in a highly seismic zone (Himalayan belt). An earthquake or landslide could cause catastrophic downstream floods in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
• Flood Risk: Sudden release of water from the dam (flash floods) could inundate Assam’s Brahmaputra valley, already prone to monsoon floods.
• Biodiversity Loss: The Brahmaputra basin is rich in wildlife. The dam could:
  • Disrupt fish migration patterns (e.g., Golden Mahseer)
  • Threaten species like Gangetic river dolphins and Bengal tigers (Kaziranga ecosystem)
  • Destroy wetland ecosystems vital for migratory birds

3. Geopolitical Challenges:

• The dam is part of China’s broader strategy to control transboundary water resources, creating tension in the India-China-Bangladesh region.
• It adds a new layer to the India-China border dispute (LAC tensions in Arunachal Pradesh).
• Bangladesh fears reduced water flow during the dry season, affecting its agriculture and fisheries.

India’s Response and Diplomatic Efforts:

• Protests and Diplomatic Talks: India has lodged concerns with China regarding downstream impacts.
• Bilateral Mechanism: India and China have a hydrological data-sharing agreement for the Brahmaputra, but it lacks enforceability on dam construction.
• Regional Cooperation: India seeks stronger collaboration with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan on shared water resources.

Impact on Himachal Pradesh:

• Comparative Insight: Similar concerns in Himachal due to large-scale hydro projects on rivers like Sutlej, Beas, and Chenab.
• Seismic Risk Awareness: HP, being in a seismic zone, can learn from these risks for local dam projects (e.g., Nathpa Jhakri, Karcham Wangtoo).
• Biodiversity Preservation: Protecting Himalayan river ecosystems from dam-induced ecological disruptions.
• Hydro Diplomacy Lessons: Importance of regional water-sharing frameworks for Beas-Sutlej-Indus basins (HP shares rivers contributing to the Indus Basin).

Way Forward – Solutions and Strategies:

For India:

• International Diplomacy: Advocate for a South Asian Water Treaty under SAARC/BIMSTEC to ensure water-sharing rights.
• Data Transparency: Strengthen real-time hydrological data-sharing agreements with China.
• Hydro Projects in Arunachal: Accelerate India’s own hydropower projects to assert water rights.
• Disaster Preparedness: Develop robust early warning systems for floods in Northeast India.

For Regional Cooperation:

• Joint River Basin Management: Collaborate with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan for integrated water management.
• People-to-People Contact: Promote cross-border cooperation on environmental conservation projects.

Advantages of Addressing the Issue:

• Prevents Water Conflicts: Strengthens India’s position on transboundary water issues.
• Protects Northeast Livelihoods: Safeguards agriculture and fisheries dependent on the Brahmaputra.
• Environmental Protection: Preserves rich biodiversity of the Brahmaputra basin.
• Disaster Mitigation: Reduces the risk of flash floods and riverbank erosion.

Challenges:

• Lack of Binding Agreements: No international treaty to resolve water disputes with China.
• Asymmetric Power Dynamics: China’s upper riparian advantage complicates negotiations.
• Climate Change Impact: Accelerates glacier melt, further destabilizing river flows.

Exam Practice Question:

Q: “The construction of a major dam by China on the Yarlung Zangbo River has triggered concerns for India and Bangladesh.” Analyze the environmental, geopolitical, and legal implications of this project. Suggest measures India should adopt to address these challenges.

5. A Constant Legal Tussle Over Delhi’s Unique Constitutional Status – Polity

Why in News?

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Central Government are locked in legal disputes over control of bureaucratic services, law and order, and land administration in Delhi. The conflict highlights the complexities of Delhi’s unique constitutional status under Articles 239 and 239AA of the Constitution.

Understanding Delhi’s Unique Constitutional Status:

• Type: Union Territory (UT) with a Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers.
• Special Provision: Governed by Article 239AA (added by the 69th Constitutional Amendment, 1991).
• Exclusions from Delhi Government’s Control: Police, Public Order, and Land (under Central Government via L-G).

Key Constitutional Provisions:

1. Article 239: Union Territories are administered by the President through an Administrator (Lieutenant Governor for Delhi).
2. Article 239AA:
   • Grants Delhi a Legislative Assembly with power to legislate on State List and Concurrent List (except Police, Public Order, and Land).
   • Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister advises the Lieutenant Governor (L-G).
   • The L-G has powers to refer disagreements to the President, whose decision is final.

Key Areas of Dispute Between Delhi Government and Centre:

1. Control Over Services (Bureaucracy):

• Major conflict over who controls appointments and transfers of IAS officers and bureaucrats.
• The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the Delhi government has control over services (except those related to land, police, and public order).
• The Centre responded with the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, restoring L-G’s authority over services.

2. Law and Order:

• Law and order are under the Union Home Ministry, leading to disputes during protests and riots (e.g., 2020 Delhi Riots).

3. Land Administration:

• All matters related to land are under the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and L-G, often causing clashes over urban development projects.

Legal Battles and Supreme Court Judgments:

• 2018 Supreme Court Judgment:
  • Ruled that the L-G is bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers except in matters of police, public order, and land.
  • Emphasized a ‘collaborative federal structure’ for Delhi.
• 2023 Supreme Court Judgment: Reaffirmed the Delhi government’s authority over services.
• 2023 GNCTD (Amendment) Act: Passed by Parliament to override the Supreme Court’s verdict, restoring more powers to the L-G.

Impacts of Governance Crisis:

• Administrative Paralysis: Frequent disputes delay policy implementation.
• Public Service Disruptions: Healthcare, education, and water supply projects face setbacks.
• Reduced Accountability: Confusion over authority weakens governance outcomes.
• Political Uncertainty: Adds tension between state and central governments, complicating federal relations.

Exam Relevance – Important Angles:

1. Indian Polity (Federalism and Centre-State Relations):

• Highlights asymmetric federalism—Delhi has a unique governance model different from other states and UTs.
• Raises debates on constitutional amendments to clarify roles and responsibilities.

2. Role of Institutions:

• Examines the roles of:
  • Parliament (passing amendments)
  • Supreme Court (interpreting the Constitution)
  • Union Home Ministry (controlling law and order)
  • Lieutenant Governor (L-G) (executing the Centre’s authority)

3. Impact on Democratic Governance:

• Illustrates executive overreach and checks and balances between Centre and State.
• Underscores the importance of cooperative federalism for efficient governance.

4. Relevance to Himachal Pradesh:

• Comparative Study: HP, a full state, enjoys greater autonomy than Delhi, but similar Centre-State issues (e.g., Forest Clearances, Hydroelectric Projects).
• Learning from Delhi’s Crisis: Emphasizes the need for clear administrative roles between Centre, State, and Governor to prevent conflicts.
• Tourism and Urban Governance: HP can apply lessons from Delhi’s urban management models (e.g., Smart Cities Mission).

Possible Solutions and Way Forward:

• Judicial Clarity: A Constitution Bench ruling or a Presidential Reference to clearly demarcate powers.
• Constitutional Amendment: Introduce a specific entry in the State List for NCT governance.
• Dialogue Mechanism: Establish an Inter-Governmental Council for resolving conflicts.
• Strengthening Federalism: Promote cooperative federalism and avoid excessive central intervention.
• Codifying Powers of L-G: Define the L-G’s discretionary powers clearly to avoid future disputes.

Advantages of Resolving the Tussle:

• Efficient Governance: Faster delivery of public services (health, water, education).
• Political Stability: Reduces friction between Centre and Delhi.
• Clarity in Roles: Helps bureaucrats function without confusion.
• Better Federalism: Strengthens India’s democratic framework.

Challenges:

• Political Deadlock: Center-state rivalry may persist due to differing political ideologies.
• Legal Complexities: Further amendments could trigger fresh litigation.
• Public Confusion: Dual control may continue to confuse citizens on accountability.

Exam Practice Question:

Q: “The constitutional status of Delhi highlights the complexities of federalism in India.” Discuss the major areas of dispute between the Delhi Government and the Centre. Suggest measures to resolve these conflicts and ensure efficient governance.