Why SC couldn’t agree on the environmental release of GM mustard?

Supreme Court Verdict on GM Mustard

• Split Verdict:
  • Delivered on July 23 by a two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court.
  • Concerns the “environmental release” of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard.

About GM Mustard Crop

• Development and Approval Process:
  • 2015: CGMCP at Delhi University sought approval from GEAC for GM mustard DMH-11.
  • Biosafety Dossier: Submitted to GEAC; a sub-committee examined and revised it, inviting comments in September 2016.
  • GEAC Recommendations:
    • May 11, 2017: Recommended environmental release of GM mustard for field tests.
    • March 2018: Ministry of Environment sent the proposal back for re-examination.
  • Deferred Tests: Directed to examine effects on honey bees and soil microbial diversity; deferred through 2020-21.
  • Expert Committee: Found honeybees do not discriminate between GM crops like genetically engineered canola.

Case Before the Supreme Court

• Background:
  • Initiated by environmentalist Aruna Rodrigues and Gene Campaign.
  • Challenged GEAC’s approval, citing violation of the precautionary principle and lack of scientific scrutiny.
• Split Verdict:
  • Justice B.V. Nagarathna:
    • Deemed GEAC’s approval flawed and procedural shortcomings.
    • Emphasized violation of public trust and precautionary principle.
  • Justice Sanjay Karol:
    • Validated GEAC’s decision as aligned with scientific progress.
    • Stressed the necessity of field trials for environmental safety.

Unanimous Directives and Future Actions

• National Policy on GM Crops:
  • Both judges agreed on the need for a national policy.
  • Should involve consultations with stakeholders, including experts, farmers, and state governments.
• Referral to Larger Bench:
  • Case referred to a larger bench due to differing opinions.
  • Supreme Court directed MoEF&CC to conduct a national consultation within four months for policy development.
• Concerns Raised:
  • Justice Nagarathna: Highlighted long-term health and environmental effects.
  • Justice Karol: Emphasized importance of field trials under strict safeguards.

Conclusion

• National Policy:
  • Union government to formulate a detailed and inclusive national policy on GM crops.
  • Should be based on extensive consultations with experts, farmer representatives, state governments, and other stakeholders.
  • Aim to ensure a balanced approach considering scientific, environmental, and public health perspectives.

What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? (2021)

Is immunity for the President and Governors absolute? 

Supreme Court to Examine Immunity Under Article 361

• Case Overview:
  • Petition: Filed by a contractual woman employee of West Bengal Raj Bhavan.
  • Accusation: Sexual harassment and molestation by Governor C.V. Ananda Bose.
  • Argument: The petitioner contends that the “absolute immunity” granted to the Governor under Article 361 undermines her fundamental rights and the fairness of the legal process.

Immunity Under Article 361

• Article 361:
  • Provides immunity to the President and Governors from being answerable to any court for acts performed in their official capacity.
  • Clause (2): No criminal proceedings can be initiated or continued against the President or a Governor during their term of office.
• Petitioner’s Argument:
  • Immunity should not cover illegal acts violating fundamental rights.
  • Immunity led to negligent handling of her complaint by the police, delaying justice and hindering investigations.

Scope and Challenges of Article 361

• Scope:
  • Grants significant immunity to Governors from criminal proceedings during their term.
  • Not absolute; allows for impeachment reviews and civil suits against the government.
• Judicial Precedents:
  • Previous rulings indicate that immunity under Article 361 does not preclude judicial scrutiny, especially if actions infringe upon fundamental rights.
  • Example: In Rameshwar Prasad vs. Union of India, the Supreme Court stated that civil immunity does not prevent challenges based on malafide actions.

Potential Implications

• Legal Challenge:
  • Current case may set a precedent for interpreting Article 361 concerning criminal acts by Governors.
  • If the court rules that immunity does not cover acts violating fundamental rights, it could lead to accountability and legal recourse for victims of misconduct by constitutional authorities.

Conclusion

• The Supreme Court’s interpretation of Article 361 could redefine Governors’ immunity, potentially allowing criminal proceedings for actions violating fundamental rights, thereby ensuring accountability and justice for victims.

Discuss the essential conditions for the exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of the re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature. (2022)

ICMR develops CRISPR Cas-based TB Detection Kit

Development of World’s Cheapest CRISPR Cas-based TB Testing System by ICMR

• Developed by: ICMR Regional Medical Research Centre for North East
• Claim: World’s cheapest CRISPR Cas-based TB testing system

Back2Basics: CRISPR-Cas9 Technology

• Definition: Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)
• Function: Allows genetic editing by altering DNA sequences
• Nobel Prize: Awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna in 2020

Components

1. Cas9:
   • Enzyme acting as molecular scissors
   • Cuts DNA strand at specific locations for genetic editing
2. Guide RNA (gRNA):
   • RNA piece designed to target specific DNA sequences
   • Guides Cas9 to exact genome spot for editing

Mechanism

1. Design gRNA matching target DNA sequence
2. Cas9 enzyme and gRNA form a complex inside the cell
3. Complex binds to target DNA sequence
4. Cas9 cuts DNA at the target location
5. Cell’s natural repair mechanisms make genetic modifications

Applications

• Correcting genetic disorders
• Developing targeted cancer therapies
• Enhancing diagnostics for infectious diseases
• Creating personalized medicine approaches

About the New TB Detection System

• Detection: Uses DNA from a patient’s saliva to identify TB bacteria
• Process:
  • Identifies specific DNA sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Detects bacteria in preliminary stages
  • Tests over 1,500 samples simultaneously within two hours
• Usage: Simple enough for primary health centres in villages

TB Situation in India

• Annual Deaths: Estimated 480,000 Indians, over 1,400 daily
• Undiagnosed Cases: Over a million ‘missing’ TB cases each year, inadequately diagnosed or treated

National Goals for Elimination of TB

1. Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (2022):
   • Aim: End TB epidemic by 2025, ahead of the 2030 SDG goal
2. Nikshay Poshan Yojana (2018):
   • Provides nutritional support to TB patients
   • Direct benefit transfer (DBT) of Rs. 500 per month for food purchase

Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

Preferred Locations for Cheetah Relocation in India

• Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh: Preferred location for the next batch of cheetah relocation.
• Banni, Rann of Kutch, Gujarat: Also being prepared to house some cheetahs.

Cheetah Reintroduction in India

• Historical Context:
  • Cheetahs disappeared in India in the early 1950s due to hunting and habitat loss.
• Project Cheetah (2022):
  • Aim: Reintroduce cheetahs from African countries to various national parks in India.
  • Led by: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• Recent Developments:
  • Cheetahs from Namibia reintroduced in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Listing: Cheetahs are listed as VULNERABLE.
• Legal Protection in India: Listed under Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Ideal Habitats

• Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar:
  • Ideal habitats for cheetahs, comparable to Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya.

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Western Madhya Pradesh
• Area: 368.62 sq km
• Geography:
  • Flat rocky plateau with shallow topsoil and exposed sheetrock.
  • Divided by the Chambal River, with Gandhi Sagar dam and reservoir within its boundaries.
• Flora:
  • Savannah ecosystem with open grasslands and dry deciduous trees.
  • Riverine valleys support evergreen vegetation.
• Fauna:
  • Leopards
  • Sloth bears
  • Striped hyenas
  • Grey wolves
  • Golden jackals
  • Jungle cats
  • Indian foxes
  • Marsh crocodiles

Banni Grasslands

• Location: Kutch district, Gujarat
• Area: Approximately 3,847 sq km
• Climate:
  • Arid and semi-arid.
  • Hot summers (above 45°C) and mild winters (12°C to 25°C).
  • Annual rainfall: 300-400 mm, mainly during the monsoon.
• Flora:
  • Grasses: Dichanthium, Sporobolus, and Cenchrus species.
  • Salt-tolerant plants, shrubs, and trees: Acacia and Prosopis juliflora (invasive).
• Fauna:
  • Indian wolf
  • Hyena
  • Chinkara
  • Great Indian Bustard
  • Flamingos
  • Various raptors, reptiles, and invertebrates.
• Human Inhabitants:
  • Pastoral communities like the Maldharis.
  • Livelihood relies on livestock grazing (cattle, buffalo, and sheep).
  • Limited agriculture due to arid conditions; some areas used for salt production.