Science and budget
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Historical Context
1. All PMs from Nehru to Modi have emphasized the importance of S&T investment
2. Nehru's Vision: Nehru's dedication to space research and atomic energy laid the groundwork for India's scientific ventures.
Current State of R&D in India
1. Investment Levels: Despite discussions, R&D spending remains low at 0.6-0.7% of GDP, far below the global standard of 2%.
Quotes from Manmohan Singh:
1. Expressing concerns over India’s declining position in the global scientific community.
2. Urging the need for substantial improvements in Indian science.
Recommendations for Improvement
1. National Research Foundation (NRF)
a. Budget 2022-23 Announcement: Formation of NRF with a Rs 50,000 crore corpus.
b. Current Status: Limited progress on NRF implementation.
2. Learning from China
a. China's R&D Growth: Increased R&D expenditure from 0.7% to 2.1% of GDP.
b. Spending Figures: China spent USD 525.7 billion on R&D in 2019 compared to India's USD 58.7 billion in 2018.
C. Workforce: China employs 7,38,000 people in R&D, whereas India employs 1,58,000.
d. Strategic Objective: China aims to be a major technological innovation ower by 2050.
Indian Success Stories: Space and Atomic Energy
1. Autonomy and Investment: Liberal funding and autonomy indecision-making contributed to significant progress.
2. Administrative Structure: High-powered bodies empowered to bypass bureaucratic constraints.
Challenges and Peculiarities
1. Government Dominance in R&D
a. Spending Disparity: The government accounts for 56% of India’s R&D spending compared to lower percentages in other countries.
b. Private Sector Misuse: Incentives for private sector R&D often misused.
2024 Budget Recommendations
1. Revamping Scientific Institutions & providing autonomy
2. Private Sector Engagement
1. Mandatory R&D Investment: Mandate companies to allocate 2% of profits to R&D, similar to corporate social responsibility.
2. National Research Foundation
3. Expenditure Adjustments: Exclude buildings and fixed assets from R&D expenditure figures.
4. Foster a research mentality in higher education institutions and allocate state R&D Funds.
High sea treaty
Background:
1. UN Convention on Laws of the Seas (UNCLOS): Comprehensive international law from 1982 that outlines rights and duties regarding ocean activities, sovereignty, passage rights, and EEZs.
The High Seas Treaty
1. High Seas Definition: Ocean areas outside any nation's jurisdiction, also known as Biodiversity Beyond National
Jurisdictions (BBNJ).
2. Full name: Agreement on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond
National Jurisdiction
3. Negotiation History: Resulted from nearly 20 years of negotiation, finalized last year.
4. Ratification Process: The treaty needs ratification by 60 countries to become international law, effective 120 days after the 60th ratification.
5. Applies to: Areas outside national jurisdiction (beyond Exclusive Economic Zones).
6. Comparison to Paris Agreement: Similar in significance and potential impact on global ecological health.
Treaty’s Objective
1. Conservation and Protection
a. Establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
b. Regulation of activities in MPAs
c. Implementation of conservation efforts
2. Equitable Resource Sharing
a. Recognition of potential commercial value (e.g., drug discovery)
b. No proprietary rights for individual countries
3. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
a. Mandatory for potentially polluting or damaging activities
b. Applies to activities within national jurisdictions if impacts extend to high seas
c. Public disclosure of EIA results
4. Capacity Building
a. Enabling full utilization of ocean benefits
b. Promoting contribution to conservation efforts
India’s Position & Implications
1. Announcement to sign and ratify soon
2. Participated in nearly 20 years of negotiations
3. Demonstrates India's commitment to global ocean conservation
4. Aligns with international efforts for sustainable resource management.
The Desperate Neighbour
An Overview
1. Election
a. Election’s mandate for NDA, convincing majority to govern and confidence in PM Narendra Modi's leadership
b. Increased strength to the opposition.
c. Resulting in constructive engagement from both sides and shared responsibility for governance
2. Session
a. Held immediately after general elections
b. The session reflected the contentious mood of the recent elections.
c. Few speakers addressed issues from the President’s Address; instead, they focused on election-related rhetoric.
Disruptive Behavior in Parliament
1. Leader of Opposition: His speech set a combative tone.
2. Prime Minister's Speech: Opposition members shouted slogans and disrupted his speech in the Lok Sabha.
3. Rajya Sabha Walkout: Opposition parties walked out without listening to the Prime Minister's speech.
Parliamentary Decorum
1. Right to Speak vs. Respect: The balance between the right to speak and the duty to listen is crucial.
2. Dissent: Should be expressed within parliamentary rules and practices.
3. Punishments: Gross violations of decorum are punishable.
4. Democratic Coin: Right to be heard :: Duty to Listen
Dissent in Parliament
1. Acceptable behavior: as rules and practices of the House and punishable if grossly violated.
2. Unacceptable Behavior: Shouting down MPs, especially the Prime Minister and the Opposition's failure to listen to the PM's speech in Rajya Sabha. Such behavior unknown in major democratic parliaments
Role of the Leader of Opposition
1. Respect for parliamentary procedures and conventions
2. Avoiding instigation of disruptions
3. Refraining from making unsubstantiated allegations
4. Represents entire Opposition
5. Likened to a "shadow PM" in some countries
Future Implications
1. Hostility's Impact: The aggressive environment could hinder parliamentary functioning.
2. Legislative Gridlock: Could impede India's vision to become a developed nation by 2047.
3. Need for Consensus: Essential for passing laws and finances for the country's progress.
