Bombay high Court decision on IT rules
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Background
1. Amended IT Rules (April 2023)
• It empowers the government to fact check units to know about fake news.
•Judgment Highlights
1. Violation of Constitutional Rights:
a. Article 14: Ensures equality before the law. The amendment was deemed discriminatory as it did not provide a clear, reasonable basis for determining whether information was "fake" or "false" in digital media but ignored similar content in print.
b. Article 19(1)(a): Protects the freedom of speech and expression.
The rule was viewed as a violation of this right since it imposed restrictions not justified under the "reasonable restrictions" clause in Article 19(2)
The amendment risked stifling free speech and expression for intermediaries by threatening their "safe harbor" status (legal immunity against third-party content).
2. Vagueness of the Terms: like "Fake, False or Misleading", lacked clarity, making it difficult for intermediaries to comply with the rules, and thus the amendment failed the "test of proportionality."
3.Chilling Effect: the risk of intermediaries preemptively taking down content due to fear of losing their safe harbor status, leading to self-censorship.
4.Judicial Oversight: FCU decisions challengeable in constitutional courts not considered adequate safeguard.
Implications
1. Impact on Social Media Platforms: Social media platforms and online intermediaries would have faced strict oversight under the amended rules, which are now invalidated.
2.Implications for Government Regulation: The ruling limits the Central Government's ability to regulate online content through executive orders and delegated legislation, reinforcing judicial scrutiny.
Srilanka presidential election
Presidential Elections to be held soon in Sri Lanka.
Issues
1. Inflation and Scarcity: Inflation peaked at 70%, and there was a shortage of basic necessities like food, gas, and medicines, sparking the 2022 protests.
2. Wickremesinghe's Economic Management: He secured an IMF bailout and implemented austerity measures to stabilize the economy. Although the economy is improving, many citizens are still dissatisfied with the hardships caused by the IMF reforms.
Candidates' Economic Policies
1. Wickremesinghe: It highlights stabilization of Economy with The help of the IMF.
2. Dissanayake: Promises to renegotiate IMF terms, reduce taxes, and restructure debt. He also opposes Indian business influence, specifically targeting the Adani Group's wind power project.
3. Premadasa: Focuses on reducing the cost of living, promoting tourism and agriculture, and raising taxes on the wealthy. He supports the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, which decentralizes power to provincial councils.
India's Strategic Concerns
1. India vs. China Influence: India is closely monitoring the election to counter China's growing influence in Sri Lanka.
In previous elections, New Delhi has backed candidates aligned with anti-China policies.
2. Premadasa’s Pro-India Stance: His party opposes China’s debt trap diplomacy, and he is the only candidate supporting the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, which mandates devolution of power to Tamilmajority provinces.
3. Dissanayake’s Anti-India Rhetoric: His opposition to the Adani Group’s projects in Sri Lanka and his stance on Indian fishermen encroaching on Sri Lankan waters.
White Revolution 2.0
1. Goals
Increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives from 660 lakh kg/day to 1,007 lakh kg/day by 2028-29.
Current Dairy Cooperative Socket
1. Coverage Statistics:
a. Currently, dairy cooperatives operate in 70% of India's districts.
b. Total Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs): 1.7 lakh.
•Funding and Supports
1. National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) 2.0: A central sector scheme under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying will be the primary source of funding for White Revolution 2.0 .
2. Pilot Projects: NDDB launched a โน3.8 crore pilot project in 2023 to set up dairy cooperatives in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, which are already successfully procuring 15,000 liters of milk/day from 2,500 farmers.
India's Dairy Sector
. World's top milk producer: 230.58 million tonnes in 2022-23, compared to just 17 million tonnes in 1951-52.
Issues
1. Decline in Growth Rate: the annual growth rate dropped from 6.47% (2018-19) to 3.83% (2022-23).
2. Unorganized Sector Dominance: About two-thirds of marketable milk is in the unorganized sector, while cooperatives hold the majority share in the organized sector.
3. Low Yield: Indigenous cattle and buffaloes still produce lower yields compared to crossbred animals.
