Good idea: Editorial on living wage for workers

 The concept of the living wage is distinct from, but closely related to, the notion of the much talked about universal basic income

The idea of a living wage for workers is not something new. In India, it has been discussed ever since Independence, along with the concepts of a minimum wage and a fair wage. The minimum wage is usually calculated on the basis of survival needs and minimum calorific requirements. The living wage, on the other hand, is conceived of as being much higher than the minimum wage, with the inclusion of estimates made for spending on education, healthcare, transport and shelter over and above the requirements of food and clothing. The fair wage is usually computed as lying somewhere between a living wage and the minimum wage. The International Labour Organization had pointed out in the India Wage Report  of 2018 certain flaws in how minimum wages are calculated in India. Living wages would, obviously, be expected to be significantly higher than the minimum wages prescribed in India for many types of employment. The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, a workers’ union, for instance, wants the living wage to be at least 10% of the highest salary received in the economy. The tricky issue is this: who would pay the living wage? Would it be the government or the direct employer? For the government, the fiscal implications of such a scheme could weigh heavily on the size of public debt. Private-sector employers, on the other hand, would be reluctant to pay higher than necessary wages in fear of lower profits.

The concept of the living wage is distinct from, but closely related to, the notion of the much talked about universal basic income. But both these concepts ensure that everybody in an economy is receiving at least an adequate income for a decent living. In the former, people have to obtain employment for earning a living wage; in the latter, to receive a universal basic income, one need not have to work. The living wage is a morally superior notion as there are no free lunches being passed around. Overall demand in the economy for consumer goods would increase with a less skewed distribution of income. Ideally, direct employers ought to pay a living wage through some fiscal incentives like lower taxes for employers. However, if a worker loses employment, the living wage would be lost too. In such a case, would personal savings suffice? Or would the importance of a social safety net become critical? In an economy where employment or the minimum wage guaranteed is uncertain, the idea of living wages must be contemplated with seriousness.

Source: The Telegraph, 7/02/23

Turkey earthquake: What causes an earthquake and why it cannot be predicted

 

Turkey earthquake: Prediction of an earthquake needs a precursory signal from within the earth that indicates a big quake is on the way. Currently, there is no equipment to find such a signal, even if they exist.

More than 1,500 people died and several hundred were injured after a major earthquake of magnitude 7.8 hit south-central Turkey and Northwest Syria on Monday early morning.

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdoğan said that authorities are yet to determine how high the death toll might rise as search and rescue operations are still going on. AP news reported hundreds are still believed to be trapped under debris.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said while the quake was centred about 33 km from Gaziantep, around 18 km deep, its effect was felt across West Asia, Northern Africa and South Eastern Europe with residents of Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Israel and Egypt also reporting tremors. India is among the 45 countries, which have so far offered assistance to Turkey. It’s sending search and rescue teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and medical teams along with relief material to the West Asian nation.

What is an earthquake?

An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground caused by movement under the earth’s surface. It happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another, according to USGS. This releases stored-up ‘elastic strain’ energy in the form of seismic waves, which spreads through the earth and cause the shaking of the ground.

What exactly causes earthquakes?

As we know, the earth’s outermost surface, crust, is fragmented into tectonic plates. The edges of the plates are called plate boundaries, which are made up of faults. The tectonic plates constantly move at a slow pace, sliding past one another and bumping into each other. As the edges of the plates are quite rough, they get stuck with one another while the rest of the plate keeps moving. Earthquake occurs when the plate has moved far enough and the edges unstick on one of the faults.

USGS says that “the location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicentre.”

Can earthquakes be predicted?

No. An accurate prediction of an earthquake requires some sort of a precursory signal from within the earth that indicates a big quake is on the way. Moreover, the signal must occur only before large earthquakes so that it doesn’t indicate every small movement within the earth’s surface. Currently, there is no equipment to find such precursors, even if they exist.

Source: Indian Express, 7/02/23

Quote of the Day February 3, 2023

 

“How can we expect another to keep our secret if we have been unable to keep it ourselves.”
Francois De La Rochefoucauld

“अगर हम स्वयं ही अपना राज़ गुप्त नहीं रख सकते तो किसी और से इसे गुप्त रखने की अपेक्षा कैसे कर सकते हैं?”
फ्रेंकोइस डे ला रोचेफ़ौकौल्ड

Cracking UPSC is about staying consistent

 The mantra for cracking the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), one of India’s most competitive and prestigious examinations, is synonymous with consistent efforts, dedication and utmost focus.

Many UPSC toppers have reiterated that the success behind cracking the exam is not just intelligence and hard work. It is essential for the candidates to also maintain focus and consistency for long periods, often years.

It may be easy for candidates to stay consistent for a week, a month, or even three months. If your target is the UPSC 2024 examination, you need to maintain that level of consistency for one and a half years. And to help you with tips, we have compiled 7 points to keep in mind while charting your preparation strategy.

1. Setting goals with timelines
The first step in this process is to set your goal and establish the timelines. For example, a 6-month-period is probably too short for a beginner to successfully crack the UPSC. Instead, the candidate should focus on pushing his or her timeline to the next year. Juggling additional tasks together can be overburdening and act counterproductive to staying consistent. Instead, candidates should prioritize tasks and focus on finishing one before moving to another.

2. Benefits of a broad strategy
Note that making a timetable and strategy is something that requires expertise and skill. Know that your specific strategy or timetable will work for you as some past ranker’s strategies worked for them. Your strategy must incorporate all the factors and variables that have an impact on your preparation. This includes the time needed on a daily/weekly basis for preparation, learning style, and financial factors like coaching fees, rent, etc. One also must break down the more than year-long study preparation into small, measurable, and manageable chunks. Do not feel shy to ask for help when it is needed. In case, if you don't have anyone to help you with it, get a UPSC mentor’s guidance and expertise.

3. Evaluate your learning

Preparing for the UPSC CSE exams needs long dedicated hours of studying and reading. UPSC preparation is not just about reading alone. You must analyse, retain, and learn how to utilize whatever you are reading, something which is similar to answer writing. Remember that you can improve only what you can measure. So, monitoring your progress and evaluating whatever you have covered through tests becomes essential. Prelims mock, Mains answer writing and discussion with mentors and peers must be incorporated from the first week of your preparation.

4. Create a feedback-improvement loop
You need to be accountable not only to yourself but to that person or system for the completion of a specific task. UPSC mentors, in many institutes, establish such a system through which your planning, target setting, monitoring, evaluation, and feedback-improvement loop is systematized into one. They will use their priceless experience to help you not divert from your goals. Thus, you should outsource accountability to other people and ace your preparation.

5. Focus on daily improvement
UPSC success is all about small measurable gains over a period of time. Remember, consistency always beats intensity. Setting new goals is easy. However, displaying consistent improvement is a daily grind. So, plan and select your suitable life-saving hacks to stay consistent with your daily routines and targets.

6. Avoid prolonged Isolation
You will get exhausted, and feel burnt out in just a matter of a few weeks. Do not wait to recharge your battery when you are fully drained out. Incorporate breaks in your UPSC timetable with exercise, extra-curricular activities, or any physical activity. Preparing with a group of highly motivated individuals while having a common goal will only take you forward and make you more focused on your goal. At the same time, you won’t even feel exhausted.

7. Maintaining emotional stability
Another perspective towards UPSC success is staying emotionally fit during this 1.5 year long journey. The biggest hurdle in achieving your highest level of consistency is the emotional bit of it. Every now and then, there is a tendency to surround yourself with negative thoughts like fear or depression. Instead of resolving negative thoughts and emotional issues like fear or depression, many avoid these. However, you have to understand that ignoring emotional troubles will only worsen the problems. It is time to rely on your UPSC mentors, teachers, friends, and family. Talk to them and spend some quality time with them.

Source: educationtimes.com, 14/01/23

World Wetlands Day, 2023

 Wetlands support a wide range of biodiversity and help to maintain natural cycles. They replenish water resources and protect coastlines. They account for 4.7% of the Indian Geographical area. Today 30% of the Indian wetlands have been lost. And 35% of wetlands have been lost at the world level. To create awareness about the importance of wetlands and protect them from degrading, the UN and other international organizations celebrate World Wetlands Day.

The theme of 2023 World Wetlands Day

It is Time for Wetlands Restoration

Major causes of wetland degradation

Population growth is the primary cause of wetlands degradation. The natural factors that cause wetland degradation are erosion and land subsidence.

History of World Wetlands Day

The proposal for marking World Wetlands Day was made in 1997. However, the resolution was passed in 2021 and the first world wetlands day was celebrated in 2021.

Five Major Types of Wetlands

• Estuarine: Area where the freshwater river meets the ocean
• Marine: These wetlands are on the coastlines and are the most productive and most threatened
• Lacustrine: These wetlands are found near the lakes
• Palustrine: Found in a marshy environment. They are common in the mouth of rivers and delta regions
• Riverine: Found near rivers or riverbanks

It’s time to act, period: There is no room for debate on menstrual leave

 

Much of the criticism of the menstrual leave policy is myopic. It fails to acknowledge the lasting impact such a policy could have on the overall physical and mental wellness of citizens.

On January 24, The Indian Express carried an editorial (‘Time to talk period’) laying out “both benefits and costs” of a mandatory menstrual leave policy, specifically at the workplace. Speaking to the social and economic implications of such a policy, it says, “a special period leave could become another excuse for discrimination”. In my opinion, the path to equality does not lie in inaction due to fear of further discrimination. What is needed is a holistic outlook aimed at bridging existing gaps. Much of the criticism of the menstrual leave policy is myopic. It fails to see the lasting impact such a policy could have on the overall physical and mental wellness of Indian citizens.

Period leave is often seen as “medicalising a normal biological process”. Though menstruation is a biological process, it is accompanied by cramps, nausea, back and muscle pains, headaches, etc. Additionally, these can take a debilitating form amongst menstruating people who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. In India, 20 per cent of menstruators (an inclusive term referring to women, trans men, and non-binary persons who menstruate) have PCOS and approximately 25 million suffer from endometriosis. The intensity of pain can vary for individuals for a variety of reasons. The bottom line is: For many menstruators, it is a biological process intertwined with medical symptoms. Mandatory period leave is an affirmative action policy that acknowledges this reality.

The adoption of voluntary “menstrual leave” policies by some companies in recent years has led to a widespread conversation on periods in India. When the Bihar government implemented a period leave policy in 1992, it was termed “special leave for women” due to the stigma attached to the word “menstruation”. The recent initiative by employers to provide period leave has been discussed and debated in the public sphere, thereby normalising the conversation around menstruation to an extent. The Kerala government’s announcement to grant menstrual leave to all female students of state universities is a welcome move that takes the discourse a step further — into educational institutions. It is also a space wherein the policy can be implemented without the criticism that it will financially burden employers. It should be replicated across universities and schools in India. This will also help reduce the drop-out rates of female students from government schools in rural India caused by the lack of clean toilets, running water, sanitary pads, etc.

The major opposition to a menstrual leave policy is the fear of bias in hiring due to the financial costs to employers. It is often equated to the decline in the labour force participation of women following the introduction of mandatory paid maternity leave. Discriminatory hiring has been a cause of concern in many countries. This has stirred up conversations that have eventually led to the implementation of equitable policies.

In many European and North American countries, mandatory paid paternity leaves, parental leave (shared by both parents), and remote/flexible working hours for parents with children under 12 years of age are provided. Additionally, some governments provide financial support to employers to help cover the costs of paying employees on maternity/parental leave. There are also stringent penalties for discrimination in the hiring/promotion of pregnant persons as well as those on maternity/parental leave.

Similar equitable solutions can be considered in the implementation of the menstrual leave policy in India. Employers should be made to introduce a mandatory “self-care leave” as an alternative to period leaves for those who cannot avail of the latter. The same logistical benefits should apply to both policies. Employees should be able to utilise their “self-care leave” as they deem fit. This will reduce burnout and increase productivity. The names “menstrual leave” and “self-care leave” will also destigmatise menstruation and self-care respectively. Further, employers should be made to implement a stringent diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) framework.

A widely accepted menstrual health framework can also ameliorate the conditions of female workers in the unorganised sector. In Maharashtra’s Beed district, contractors in the sugarcane industry do not hire anyone who menstruates. More than 10,000 female sugarcane cutters have had to surgically remove their uteri to secure work. Most of them are in their twenties and thirties, and now experience various post-surgery health complications. Such exploitation is a human rights violation. A formal menstrual leave policy in the organised sector can act as a catalyst in safeguarding menstruators in the unorganised sector too.

Menstrual health is a public health issue. Considering the sizable population of menstruators in India who face stigma, period leave cannot be dismissed anymore as a “foreign concept”. It is a pivotal step in ensuring proper reproductive health equity in India.

Written by Angellica Aribam

Source: Indian Express, 3/02/23

Who is a ‘puisne’ judge, and what does the term mean?

 

According to the dictionary, the word puisne has French origins, which means “later born” or younger.

While recommending two names for appointment as judges of the Supreme Court, the Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said in a statement on Tuesday (January 31) that the collegium had taken into “consideration the seniority of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges…”

What does puisne mean, and who are puisne judges?

According to the dictionary, the word puisne has French origins, which means “later born” or younger. It is pronounced /’pjuːni/, like “puny”, the English word that means small or undersized.

Puisne is almost always used in the context of judges, and essentially denotes seniority of rank. The term puisne judge is used in common law countries to refer to judges who are ranked lower in seniority, i.e., any judge other than the Chief Justice of that court.

Common law is the body of law that is created by judges through their written opinions, rather than through statutes or constitutions (statutory law). Common law, which is used interchangeably with ‘case law’, is based on judicial precedent. The United Kingdom (UK) and the Commonwealth countries, including India, are common law countries.

Is a “puisne judge” in India the same as in the UK?

In the UK, puisne judges are judges other than those holding distinct titles. The Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1877 defined a “puisne judge” as any judge of the High Court besides the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice of England, and the Master of the Rolls.

In India, all judges have the same judicial powers. As the seniormost judge of a court, the Chief Justice has an additional administrative role. In India, there is a reference to a puisne judge only while considering the order of seniority for appointments, elevations to High Courts, etc., but it does not have a bearing on the exercise of a judge’s judicial power.

What did the collegium say about puisne judges?

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court collegium recommended Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Aravind Kumar, the current Chief Justices of the Allahabad and Gujarat High Courts respectively, for appointment as judges of the Supreme Court.

While giving reasons for its recommendation, the collegium said that the decision was made taking “into consideration the seniority of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges in their respective parent High Courts as well as the overall seniority of the High Court Judges”. This was done because seniority is one of the several criteria that are considered while making appointments to the higher judiciary. 

In the Third Judges Case ruling in 1998, one of the two cases that led to the evolution of the collegium system, the Supreme Court clarified that “The Chief Justice of India must make a recommendation to appoint a Judge of the Supreme Court and to transfer a Chief Justice or puisne Judge of a High Court in consultation with the four seniormost puisne Judges of the Supreme Court.”

Source: Indian Express, 2/02/23