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Here are the topics covered for 19th December 2023:
GS-2: Suspension of MPs, OBC Reservation in AIIMS
GS-3: AI can create more jobs, Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS)
Facts For Prelims: mRNA, Raman Research Institute (RRI)
Suspension of MPs
Context
- A total of 78 opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) were suspended from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, bringing the cumulative number of suspended MPs from December 15 to 92. Among these, 33 MPs were suspended in the Lok Sabha, and 45 in the Rajya Sabha.
Suspension of MPs
- The role and responsibility of the Presiding Officer, whether the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, include maintaining order to facilitate the smooth functioning of the House.
- To ensure proper proceedings, the Speaker/Chairman can compel a Member to withdraw from the House.
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For Lok Sabha
- Rule Number 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business grants presiding officers the authority to instruct an MP to withdraw from the House for disorderly conduct, and the withdrawn Member must remain absent for the remainder of the day\’s sitting.
- Rules 374 and 374A are additional provisions for dealing with more persistent disruptions.
- Rule 374 allows the Presiding officers to name legislators who continue to disrupt the House after warnings, leading to a motion for suspension for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.
- Rule 374A, added in December 2001, allows the Speaker to name an MP, resulting in an automatic suspension for five days or the remaining part of the session, with the option for the House to terminate the suspension upon a motion.
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For Rajya Sabha
- Rule 255 of the Rajya Sabha Rule Book empowers the Chairman to immediately direct any Member to withdraw from the House for disorderly conduct.
- Under Rule 256, the Chairman can name members persistently disregarding the authority of the Chair or abusing the rules, and the House may subsequently adopt a motion to suspend the Member for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.
- It is important to note that, unlike the Lok Sabha (under Rule 374A), the Rajya Sabha can only suspend its members if passing a motion for the same.
OBC Reservation in AIIMS
Context
- The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi falls short of the mandated 27% reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in its faculty, with less than 19% belonging to this category, as per data presented in the Lok Sabha recently.
Why lack of representation?
- The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi and several other AIIMS branches across the country face a significant deficiency in the representation of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in top management, non-faculty roles, and faculty positions.
- The AIIMS Delhi faculty has less than 19% OBC representation, falling short of the mandated 27% reservation.
- The issue is observed in various AIIMS branches, with a notable backlog of OBC vacancies.
- The Health Ministry attributes the situation to a scarcity of qualified reserved category candidates for senior faculty positions, particularly in superspecialty departments.
Way Ahead
- In addressing the insufficient representation of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in various All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), a parliamentary committee recommended intensified efforts to fill the OBC vacancies in both faculty and non-faculty positions.
- The committee proposed the adoption of a centralized system, similar to the Nursing Officers Recruitment Common Entrance Test (NORCET), to streamline and expedite the recruitment process for eligible OBC candidates.
- It emphasized the urgency of recruiting in a mission mode to ensure that AIIMS institutes can operate at their full capacity.
- Currently, there are six operational AIIMS, with 15 additional AIIMS under different stages of development as part of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.
AI can create more jobs
Context
- Generative AI technology, according to Tech Mahindra\’s outgoing CEO, has the potential to generate more jobs than it is anticipated to eliminate.
How AI can create more jobs?
- AI holds the potential to automate routine and repetitive tasks, freeing up human workers to focus on more creative and value-added activities, particularly in sectors like manufacturing and logistics.
- Additionally, AI\’s data analysis capabilities can enhance decision-making, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in business operations.
- Despite concerns about job displacement, the development and maintenance of AI systems create new employment opportunities in fields such as machine learning, data science, and research.
- As ethical considerations surrounding AI gain prominence, professionals specializing in ethics play a crucial role in ensuring that AI decisions align with moral and societal principles.
- Simultaneously, the increasing cybersecurity challenges associated with AI implementation call for specialists dedicated to safeguarding systems from external threats.
- AI\’s transformative impact extends to reshaping and revitalizing traditional sectors, fostering the emergence of new employment prospects.
- In healthcare, AI plays a pivotal role in improving medical diagnostics, accelerating drug discovery, and facilitating telemedicine.
- This evolution gives rise to roles such as \”health data analysts,\” professionals tasked with interpreting and analyzing data generated by AI systems to offer more accurate and personalized diagnoses.
Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS)
Context:
- The LEADS 2023 report, released by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, recognizes 11 states and two union territories as \’Achievers\’ in logistics performance. The logistics sector in India is crucial for efficient transportation and storage of goods, with an estimated market worth exceeding USD 200 billion and employing over 22 million people.
Need for a Holistic Logistics Policy:
- India\’s logistics costs are comparatively high, prompting the need for a national logistics policy.
- Reducing these costs is vital for enhancing the competitiveness of Indian goods in both domestic and export markets. A comprehensive policy can foster efficiency, encourage value addition, and stimulate enterprise.
Government Initiatives to Improve Logistics:
- National Logistics Policy (NLP): Launched in September 2022, the NLP aims to facilitate seamless goods flow, promote an integrated logistics ecosystem, and reduce time, wastage, and costs.
- PM GATI Shakti Master Plan (2021): Introduced a digital platform involving 16 ministries for integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects.
- Multi-Modal Logistics Parks: Approval for 35 new parks under Bharat Mala Pariyojana to reduce logistics costs.
- Air Cargo Terminals: Construction of 40 terminals to promote exports, with 30 airports equipped with cold storage facilities.
LEADS Initiative:
- Conception and Objective: LEADS, inspired by the World Bank\’s Logistics Performance Index, was initiated in 2018 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
- Unlike the perception-based LPI, LEADS combines perception and objectivity for a more comprehensive assessment.
Key Pillars Assessed:
- Logistics Infrastructure
- Logistics Services
- Operating and Regulatory Environment
LEADS 2023 Report Highlights:
- States\’ performance improvements in key pillars.
- Empowers State/UT governments with region-specific insights for informed decision-making.
- Fosters healthy competition among States/UTs to enhance logistics performance.
Significance and Future Prospects:
- LEADS report aids in instilling healthy competition among States/UTs, aligning state logistics policies with the NLP.
- Recognition of the logistics industry as an essential component for India\’s tenfold growth to $35 trillion by 2047, particularly in the context of the China-Plus-One strategy.
Conclusion:
- The LEADS initiative and the associated report play a crucial role in promoting a competitive and efficient logistics ecosystem in India. The government\’s concerted efforts, including policy initiatives and infrastructure development, reflect a commitment to reducing logistics costs and improving overall competitiveness in the global market.
Facts For Prelims
mRNA
- The language of mRNA consists of four nucleotides, denoted as A, U, C, and G.
- Understanding how mRNAs encode proteins allows scientists to create versatile recipes for any protein, easily customized to suit patient needs.
- The scalability of producing mRNA treatments is notable, as the same method applies to all mRNAs, unlike traditional drugs with unique chemistries.
- This is likened to learning a basic recipe like risotto, enabling endless variations.
- Moreover, the natural ability of cells to destroy unnecessary mRNAs allows for easy dose adjustments, aligning with evolving patient requirements.
Raman Research Institute (RRI)
- Established in 1948 by the renowned Indian physicist and Nobel Laureate, Sir C V Raman, the Raman Research Institute originated as a platform for his ongoing studies and fundamental research post-retirement from the Indian Institute of Science.
- Functioning as its director until his passing in 1970, Sir C V Raman personally funded the institute, supplemented by contributions from private donors.
- The Government of Mysore granted a parcel of land in Bangalore to Professor Raman in December 1934, while the Indian Academy of Sciences, founded by him in the same year, received a gift of assets from him for the benefit of the Raman Research Institute.
