Content:
U.S. deports Indians as Trump tightens immigration rules
The financial toxicity of cancer care in India
Cess and surcharge continue to shrink States’ tax share
How beggar-thy-neighbour policies can make global trade come to a standstill
Deport foreigners, do not detain them for eternity: SC
Not good for anyone, observes SC on politicisation of sports administration
Scans of seemingly empty space reveal black holes not far from earth
U.S. deports Indians as Trump tightens immigration rules
Deportation of Illegal Indian Immigrants: The U.S. has initiated the deportation of approximately 200 Indian nationals who were residing in the country illegally, just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to Washington. This move follows increasing scrutiny and action against illegal immigrants under the Trump administration.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Military Aircraft Used: For the first time, a U.S. C-17 military aircraft was used to carry out the deportation, a departure from previous methods. This highlights a more formal and large-scale approach to the deportation process compared to traditional commercial flights.
Confirmation of Nationality: Indian authorities were involved in verifying the nationality of the deported individuals, ensuring that all were indeed Indian nationals before the U.S. proceeded with the deportation. This step was crucial to avoid any diplomatic misunderstandings.
Diplomatic Context: This deportation action comes shortly after Prime Minister Modi’s phone call with President Trump, where they discussed cooperation on various global issues, including immigration. Modi and Trump reiterated their commitment to working together on global peace, prosperity, and security.
Trump’s Tough Stance on Immigration: President Trump has maintained a hardline approach towards illegal immigration, and during his conversation with Modi, he highlighted the need for India to take back illegal immigrants. The deportation action is part of this broader effort to tighten U.S. immigration policies and enforce stricter border controls.
Current Scope of Illegal Immigration: There are ongoing discussions about the presence of at least 18,000 Indian nationals in the U.S. who are considered illegal immigrants by the Trump administration. These individuals are subject to possible deportation as part of the U.S.’s aggressive stance on curbing illegal migration.
New Deportation Approach: While deportations of Indian nationals have occurred before, the use of a military aircraft for such operations is a new development. This method is seen as a more organized and efficient way to handle large-scale deportations compared to previous ad hoc methods.
The financial toxicity of cancer care in India
Challenges of Accessing Cancer Care
Financial Burden: Patients highlight the exorbitant costs of cancer treatment, including diagnostics, therapies, and medications. Targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and other advanced treatments are often financially inaccessible to lower-income patients.
Relevance : GS 2(Health , Social Justice)
Exhaustion of Resources: For many, medical expenses lead to depletion of savings, sale of assets, and a dire financial strain. As in few patiesnt’s case, families are forced to make significant sacrifices to continue treatment, often resulting in long-term financial insecurity.
Generational Poverty: The article introduces the concept of financial toxicity as a cycle that not only affects the current patient but also drags their families into a perpetual state of poverty, undermining both economic and nutritional well-being.
Public and Private Healthcare Landscape
Limited Public Healthcare Funding: India’s public health expenditure remains low (under 2% of GDP), which restricts the capacity of public healthcare institutions to handle complex treatments such as cancer care. This leads to overwhelmed public hospitals with delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Private Healthcare Dominance: With insufficient public infrastructure, private healthcare has flourished, but this has contributed to the rising cost of treatment. High costs in private hospitals, especially for cancer care, intensify the financial burden on patients.
Insurance Limitations: Even insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat, which focus on inpatient costs, fail to cover outpatient expenses, diagnostic tests, follow-up care, and post-discharge needs, making out-of-pocket spending (OOP) inevitable for many cancer patients.
State-Level Initiatives and Nonprofit Contributions
State Efforts: Some states have initiated measures to alleviate the financial burden, such as providing free transportation, discounted fares, or financial assistance for direct medical costs. These measures are limited in scope but provide critical support to low-income patients.
Nonprofit Involvement: Nonprofits, such as the National Cancer Grid, play a pivotal role in reducing the cost of cancer drugs and providing care support. The Cachar Cancer Hospital’s holistic approach reduces OOP expenses by providing accommodation, meals, and employment for caregivers.
Philanthropy and CSR: While philanthropic efforts and CSR funding are integral to supporting cancer care, the contributions fall short of the potential. With India’s richest individuals accumulating vast wealth, more individual donations and CSR investments are needed to bridge the funding gap for cancer care.
Political Will and Policy Solutions
Need for Strategic Investment: The article stresses that addressing financial toxicity requires substantial investment in the public healthcare system. Government funding and political will are crucial to scaling efforts and ensuring equitable access to cancer treatment for all.
Role of Nonprofits: Until public health funding improves, nonprofits will continue to be essential. They can run pilot programs, build evidence, and advocate for policy reforms. The role of smaller nonprofits in niche areas (such as helping patients secure funding or paperwork) is critical in supporting underserved communities.
Future Projections and the Role of Collective Action
Rising Cancer Incidence: With increasing pollution, urbanization, and lifestyle-related diseases, cancer cases are expected to rise, which will further strain the healthcare system and increase financial burdens on patients and families.
Collective Power: There is a growing need of importance for collaboration between government, private sector, nonprofits, and individuals. Only through a concerted effort can the financial toxicity of cancer care be mitigated and equitable access to treatment achieved.
Conclusion
The financial toxicity of cancer care in India remains a significant barrier to treatment for low and middle-income individuals. While state-level efforts, nonprofit involvement, and CSR funding provide some relief, the long-term solution requires comprehensive reforms in public healthcare, increased funding, and a cultural shift towards more substantial philanthropic contributions.
Cess and surcharge continue to shrink States’ tax share
Context : Rise in Cesses and Surcharges:
Impact on Divisible Pool: The share of cesses and surcharges, which are not part of the divisible pool, has been consistently rising since 2020-21. In 2021-22, it reached a high of ₹13.5 for every ₹100 collected by the Centre. Although this ratio is expected to reduce to ₹10.97 in 2025-26, it still represents a significant share of tax collections.
Relevance:GS 2(Governance)
Non-inclusion in Divisible Pool: Cesses and surcharges, along with the cost of collection, do not contribute to the divisible pool that is shared with the States. This means the actual share of States from the Union’s tax collection has been reduced.
Shrinking Divisible Pool:
Since the pandemic year, the divisible pool has fallen to less than ₹90 for every ₹100 collected by the Centre. Historically, the share of the divisible pool was between ₹91 and ₹95 per ₹100. This reduction implies that States are receiving a smaller portion of the tax revenue, undermining their financial autonomy.
The Finance Commission’s recommendation of a 41% share for States (for FY21-26) reflects this shrinking pool, compared to the 42% share between FY16-20. Prior to FY16, States received only 32%.
Imbalance in Distribution Among States:
Southern States’ Declining Share: The share of southern States in the divisible pool has decreased over time. For instance, Kerala’s share dropped from 3.08% in FY02 to an estimated 1.9% by FY26. Tamil Nadu’s share has remained stagnant at 4.02%, while Karnataka’s share is expected to fall to 3.6%.
Growth of Northern and Western States: In contrast, States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh have seen an increase in their share. For instance, Uttar Pradesh’s share is projected to be 17.9% in FY26, though slightly down from 19.15% in FY02. Bihar, too, remains a major beneficiary, with an expected share of 10.1%.
Issues with Cess Utilization:
Misuse and Underutilization: Cesses, which are meant to be earmarked for specific purposes (like the oil industry development body for the crude oil cess), are not always used appropriately.
Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) highlight that significant amounts (₹2.19 lakh crore) in cesses between FY20-22 were not transferred to the designated reserve funds or adequately utilized.
Impact of GST Compensation Cess:
The GST compensation cess, meant to compensate States for revenue losses due to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), is also not included in the cesses that impact the divisible pool. This is a unique situation since the cess was introduced to ensure revenue neutrality for States post-GST implementation.
State Representation in the Finance Commission:
The formula used to calculate the share of States in the divisible pool takes into account various factors like income distance, population, and tax efficiency. However, there are concerns regarding the political bias in the way this formula is applied, with some States feeling that their development and fiscal progress are not adequately reflected.
Potential Solutions:
Revising the Finance Commission Formula: There’s a growing demand from few states to increase their share of the divisible pool to 50% from the current 41%. This is seen as necessary to ensure that financial resources are more equitably distributed, particularly among States that have made significant progress in socio-economic development.
Cess Utilization and Transparency: A stricter mechanism is needed to ensure that the funds collected through cesses are fully utilized for their intended purposes. This would prevent leakage and enhance the effectiveness of these funds in promoting sector-specific development.
Fiscal Reforms: The Union government needs to explore fiscal reforms that would provide States with more financial autonomy while ensuring that the fiscal health of the Union government is not compromised. This could include increasing the proportion of taxes in the divisible pool and reducing the reliance on cesses and surcharges.
How beggar-thy-neighbour policies can make global trade come to a standstill
Beggar-thy-neighbour policies refer to protectionist measures taken by governments to boost their domestic economies at the expense of other nations. These policies can significantly disrupt global trade, leading to a standstill in economic exchanges across countries.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
The Concept of Beggar-Thy-Neighbour Policies
Definition: These policies are aimed at benefiting one country’s economy by imposing economic costs on others, often through trade barriers or currency devaluations.
Common Examples:
Trade Wars: Governments impose tariffs and quotas on imports to protect domestic industries and generate a trade surplus.
Currency Wars: Central banks devalue the domestic currency to make exports cheaper and discourage imports, hoping to boost domestic exports.
Historical Origins and Adam Smith’s Critique
Adam Smith’s View: In The Wealth of Nations (1776), Smith criticized mercantilist policies that aimed to increase wealth through protectionism, arguing instead for free trade. He believed that all nations could benefit from free trade in the long run, rather than enriching one at the expense of others.
Mercantilists: Advocated policies like tariffs and trade barriers to achieve trade surpluses, which, according to them, would lead to national wealth at the cost of other nations.
Supporters of Beggar-Thy-Neighbour Policies
Boosting Domestic Economy: Proponents argue that protecting certain industries, especially nascent ones or those tied to national security, helps boost domestic employment and economic growth.
Currency Devaluation: Central banks may support currency depreciation to make domestic exports more competitive globally, thereby increasing demand for home-produced goods. Similarly, a weaker currency makes imports more expensive, discouraging foreign purchases.
Trade Surplus Argument: A trade surplus is seen as beneficial as it suggests a stronger national economy due to higher exports and reduced imports.
Critics’ Perspective on Beggar-Thy-Neighbour Policies
Global Retaliation: A key critique is that these policies often lead to retaliatory actions. When one country imposes tariffs or devalues its currency, others may respond similarly. This can spiral into a tit-for-tat scenario where countries impose competing tariffs and currency devaluations, significantly reducing global trade.
Historical Evidence: During the interwar period (between WWI and WWII), such protectionist policies contributed to a sharp decline in global trade, exacerbating the Great Depression. The policies of competitive devaluation and retaliatory tariffs created economic isolation, further deepening the global economic crisis.
Impact on Global Trade: Economic historians often point to the failure of global cooperation during this period as a critical factor behind the depression. Modern-day examples include accusations against countries like China and Japan for engaging in currency devaluation to gain an export advantage over countries like the United States.
The Negative Impact on Domestic Consumers
Higher Prices for Consumers: While beggar-thy-neighbour policies may benefit domestic producers and certain political constituencies, they often harm consumers. For instance, tariffs imposed on foreign imports raise the prices of goods, reducing purchasing power and leading to inflation in the domestic market.
Currency Depreciation Consequences: When a country devalues its currency to boost exports, domestic consumers face a reduction in the purchasing power of their money. Imported goods become more expensive, which hurts consumers who rely on foreign products.
The Dangers of Retaliatory Policies
Escalating Trade Conflicts: Retaliation, such as imposing tariffs in response to foreign tariffs, can escalate trade conflicts, creating a vicious cycle that harms all involved parties.
Case of China and the U.S.: The trade war between the U.S. and China is a contemporary example. While U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are designed to protect American producers, they can raise prices for American consumers, while retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports hurt Chinese consumers as well.
The Double Whammy Effect: Imposing retaliatory tariffs can hurt the retaliating country more than the original instigator. For example, if China retaliates against U.S. tariffs, it increases costs for Chinese consumers, while U.S. producers may continue to face reduced competition from Chinese goods.
The Argument for Unilateral Free Trade
Avoiding Retaliation: Some critics argue that countries should avoid retaliating when others impose tariffs or engage in currency devaluation. They suggest that unilateral free trade, where a country continues trading freely even when others protect their own industries, can mitigate the harm caused by protectionist policies.
Subsidizing Consumers: If a country’s central bank engages in currency devaluation to boost exports, other countries could benefit from cheaper imports, even if their own exporters face challenges. This is particularly relevant in a globalized economy where the welfare of consumers should be prioritized over political pressures from producers.
Current Concerns and Populism
Rise of Populism: Recent populist movements, especially under former U.S. President Donald Trump, have reignited concerns about the return of beggar-thy-neighbour policies. Tariffs, protectionist measures, and isolationist policies risk fragmenting the global economy and stalling growth.
Global Trade Stagnation: As countries adopt more protectionist stances, the risk of global trade grinding to a halt increases. If trade barriers multiply, countries may resort to economic isolationism, undermining the very principles of globalization that have driven economic growth in the past few decades.
Deport foreigners, do not detain them for eternity: SC
Context : The Supreme Court’s recent observation regarding the indefinite detention of individuals declared as foreigners in Assam detention camps brings into sharp focus the legal, financial, and humanitarian implications of the current approach to managing foreigners whose nationality remains disputed.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance), GS 3(Internal Security )
Supreme Court’s Stance on Detention
Immediate Deportation vs. Prolonged Detention: The Court expressed disapproval of the Assam government’s approach to detaining people indefinitely after they have been declared foreigners. Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized that once an individual is identified as a foreigner, the logical next step should be their deportation, not indefinite detention.
Concerns Over ‘Auspicious Time’: The Bench rhetorically questioned whether the State was waiting for an “auspicious time” to carry out deportation, highlighting the unnecessary delay in resolving the cases of the detainees.
Key Issues Raised by the Court
Financial Burden on Public Exchequer: The Court pointed out that keeping foreigners detained for long periods is a financial strain on the public exchequer. The cost of maintaining detention camps, without any resolution regarding the deportation of the individuals, burdens the taxpayer.
Article 21 Protection: The Court reminded that Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty, applies to all individuals, including those declared as foreigners. Prolonged detention without deportation could be seen as a violation of this constitutional right.
Assam Government’s Delay in Deportation
Absence of Action: The Assam government submitted that nationality verification forms were not being sent to the Ministry of External Affairs because the addresses of the detainees in their home countries were not available. The Court rejected this explanation, asserting that the process of deportation should not be delayed based on such issues. The question of where the individuals live abroad, the Court argued, should not affect the process of deportation.
Detention Centers in Assam: Assam houses a large number of declared foreigners in detention camps, some of whom have been there for over 10 years. The delay in deportation contributes to the overburdening of the facilities, furthering the financial and logistical challenges.
Centre’s Responsibility
Union Government’s Role: The Court directed the Union Government to provide details regarding the declared foreigners, including how many had been deported, and to clarify how the cases of individuals with uncertain nationality status were being dealt with. The government was asked to act swiftly on any pending nationality verification requests.
Coordination Between Assam and Centre: The Court also emphasized the need for better coordination between the State and the Ministry of External Affairs. The State was instructed to issue reminders if necessary and take action on nationality status verification.
Statelessness and International Implications
Dilemma of Stateless Individuals: The case raises critical questions about statelessness. As highlighted in the Court’s discussion, there is a situation where individuals declared as foreigners face a deadlock between India and their alleged home country, Bangladesh. Both countries deny ownership of the detainees, leaving them stateless.
Role of Bangladesh: It has been noted that Bangladesh refuses to accept individuals who lived in India for many years, creating an impasse. These detainees, thus, remain in a legal limbo, without a clear path to deportation or reintegration into society
Court’s Immediate Orders and Next Steps
Reminder to Assam and Centre: The Court ordered the Assam government to file a proper affidavit reporting compliance with the deportation process and instructed the Union Government to act promptly on nationality verification cases.
Next Hearing: The case is scheduled for a further hearing on February 25, allowing the government to present the required information and updates on the matter.
Not good for anyone, observes SC on politicisation of sports administration
Context :The Supreme Court’s recent comments on the politicisation of sports administration and its critique of former judges and bureaucrats controlling sports bodies have drawn significant attention to the governance issues affecting Indian sports.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance )
Court’s Disapproval of Politicisation
Negative Impact of Politicisation: The Supreme Court has strongly decried the increasing politicisation of sports administration in India. Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh noted that the continued control by former judges and bureaucrats over sports bodies does not benefit the sporting community.
Need for Democratic Values: Justice Kant emphasized that democratic values should be restored in the administration of sports. This suggests that sports governance must be more transparent, accountable, and representative of the athletes’ needs rather than being influenced by political interests.
Concerns Over Lack of Genuine Sports Administration
Call for Sports Professionals: The Court made a critical observation that office-bearers of sports associations should ideally be individuals with a genuine background in sports. This would ensure that those in charge have a deeper understanding of the athletes’ needs and the functioning of the sports itself.
Impact on Governance: The Court’s statement reflects a growing concern that sports governance should not be run as a political or bureaucratic tool but rather by individuals who are genuinely invested in the development and welfare of the sport and its players.
The Kabaddi Dispute: AKFI and IKF
Petition for Women’s Kabaddi Team Participation: The case at hand involves a petition filed by two national kabaddi players, Priyanka and Pooja, seeking intervention from the Court to ensure that the women’s kabaddi team could participate in the Senior Asian Kabaddi Championship in Iran from February 20 to 25. The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), the body recognized by the Sports Ministry, had lost its affiliation with the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), jeopardizing the team’s participation.
Concerns Over AKFI’s Affiliation: The petitioners pointed out that the AKFI’s affiliation with the IKF was in jeopardy, putting the team’s chances at gold in the championship at risk. This was further compounded by accusations of mismanagement and alleged manipulations of rules by officials of the international body, including Janardhan Singh Gehlot.
Veteran Kabaddi Players’ Allegations: Three veteran kabaddi players, in a parallel move, questioned the ban imposed on AKFI by IKF. They alleged that the international body was being mismanaged by former officials and manipulated for personal gain. Their contention was that the governance structure of both the AKFI and IKF was flawed and that democratic reforms were necessary.
Court’s Remarks on Governance in Sports Bodies
Intolerance of Corruption and Mismanagement: Justice Kant took a firm stance against individuals or entities operating in a corrupt or undemocratic manner within sports associations. He stated, “People who think they can sit somewhere in Kuala Lumpur or Dubai and operate like a mafia are sadly mistaken.” This reflects the Court’s determination to curb the influence of those who misuse their positions for personal or political benefit.
Constitutional Reform of AKFI: The Court called for the reformation of the AKFI’s constitution to align it with the National Sports Code of India 2011, which mandates democratic elections and transparency in sports governance. This could have far-reaching consequences in terms of how sports bodies are governed in India.
Diplomatic and Legal Action
Exploration of Diplomatic Channels: The Court directed Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta to explore diplomatic channels to resolve the issue of sports associations’ recognition, particularly with the AKFI. This shows the Court’s recognition that resolving these conflicts requires international cooperation, especially in federations like the IKF.
CBI and Interpol Involvement: The Court asked Mr. Mehta to consult the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding a potential probe into the affairs of sports federations. This move could be a significant step in tackling corruption and mismanagement within sports bodies. The involvement of agencies like Interpol suggests a more global approach to ensuring transparency and accountability in sports governance.
Broader Implications
Reforming Sports Governance: The Court’s intervention signals a strong push for reforming sports governance in India. By calling for democratic processes and transparency in sports bodies, the Court is highlighting the need for systemic changes to improve the management of sports and to ensure that athletes have the resources and opportunities they deserve.
Impact on International Sports Federations: The case also underscores the challenges in the international governance of sports, where internal politics and conflicts between national and international bodies can negatively impact athletes’ careers. The Court’s call for a constitutional overhaul of the AKFI and the potential involvement of agencies like the CBI also suggests a larger examination of how sports federations function in India and internationally.
Athletes’ Rights and Opportunities: By directly addressing the issue of women’s kabaddi team participation, the Court has also highlighted the importance of upholding athletes’ rights to participate in international competitions. The legal intervention is pivotal in ensuring that athletes are not denied opportunities due to bureaucratic and political mismanagement.
Scans of seemingly empty space reveal black holes not far from earth
Context : The discovery of hidden black holes near Earth continues to intrigue astronomers, with the European Space Agency’s Gaia telescope playing a pivotal role.
Relevance : GS 3(Science , Technology)
Gaia’s Contribution: Since 2013, Gaia has been mapping the motions of billions of stars in our galaxy. Among its discoveries are black holes that aren’t emitting X-rays, thus invisible through traditional observation methods.
New Discovery: Gaia BH3, discovered in 2023, is the largest stellar-mass black hole found in the Milky Way. It has 33 solar masses, surpassing Cygnus X-1 by 12 solar masses. It’s located 2,000 light years away in the Aquila constellation and is not actively pulling in matter.
Techniques Used: Astronomers infer the existence and mass of these black holes by observing the orbits of nearby stars. If a star orbits an invisible object, its motion—detected by the Doppler effect—helps estimate the mass of the hidden object, revealing whether it’s a black hole.
Gaia BH1 and BH2: Gaia BH1, discovered in 2022, is the closest black hole to Earth, 1,560 light years away. It was identified by a star orbiting something invisible, moving much faster than expected. Gaia BH2, another discovery, also featured a star orbiting an unseen object, confirming its status as a black hole.
Implications for Early Universe: The Gaia BH3 discovery provides new insights into black holes formed early in the universe. The size of Gaia BH3 suggests that large stellar-mass black holes were produced soon after the formation of the universe, offering a rare chance to study such objects.