What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Key Allegations Against Gautam Adani
• Legal Framework and the Adani Group's Response
• Immediate Fallout of the Indictment of Adani Group Chairman
• Conclusion

Why in News?

• US prosecutors have indicted Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and six others in a $250 million (Rs 2,029 crore) bribery and fraud case.
• The charges include offering bribes to Indian government officials to secure lucrative solar energy contracts, misleading investors, and obstructing justice.

Key Allegations Against Gautam Adani:

• Defendants named:
  • Gautam Adani (Chairman of Adani Group).
  • Sagar Adani (Executive Director of Adani Green Energy Ltd).
  • Vneet Jaain (CEO, Adani Green Energy Ltd).
  • Former Azure Power executives and a Canadian institutional investor’s employees.
• Key allegations:
  • Bribery for solar energy contracts:
    • The accused allegedly bribed Indian officials to buy solar power from the state-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
    • The bribes were linked to contracts projected to generate $2 billion in profits over 20 years.
    • Gautam Adani reportedly had direct meetings with government officials to advance the scheme.
  • Fraudulent capital raising:
    • The defendants are accused of raising funds from US investors under false pretences.
    • Misrepresentations were made to hide the bribery scheme while securing billions from international investors.
  • Obstruction of justice: The accused allegedly obstructed the investigation into the bribery conspiracy.

Legal Framework and the Adani Group's Response:

• US indictment process:
  • An indictment formally accuses individuals of crimes, allowing them to prepare their defence.
  • The case falls under US jurisdiction due to the involvement of US investors and markets.
• Adani Group's response:
  • The Adani Group denied all allegations, emphasising its commitment to governance and compliance.
  • A spokesperson stated that the charges are allegations and do not establish guilt and the company is prepared to seek all possible legal recourse.

Immediate Fallout of the Indictment of Adani Group Chairman:

• Financial impact:
  • Adani Group cancelled a $600 million bond offering intended for foreign currency loan repayment.
  • Shares of Adani companies dropped significantly, with Adani Green Energy losing 18.76% and Adani Energy Solutions falling by 20%.
  • Kenyan President has cancelled a $736 million PPP deal with the Adani Group to construct power transmission lines after US indictments.
• Political reactions:
  • Congress Party in India reiterated its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into alleged Adani-related scams.
  • Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called for the appointment of a credible SEBI chief to oversee investigations.

Conclusion:

• The indictment of Gautam Adani and associates in the US underscores global scrutiny of corporate malpractices.
• The case highlights serious allegations of corruption, investor fraud, and regulatory violations, with widespread financial and political repercussions.

Q.1. What is the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)?

The SECI is a company of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, established to facilitate the implementation of the National Solar Mission (NSM). It is the only Central PSU dedicated to the solar energy sector.

Q.2. What effects do US prosecutors' indictments of Gautam Adani have on India-US relations?

While the US-India business relationship may face scrutiny, it’s unlikely to be significantly impacted, particularly given the recent $500m US deal with Mr Adani for a port project in Sri Lanka.

News: Gautam Adani, nephew Sagar Adani indicted in US, accused of offering Rs 2,000 crore in bribes to govt officials for power contracts | IE | ToI

What’s in today’s article?

• Overview of Air Pollution in Delhi
• Air Quality Trends (2017–2023)
• Contributors to Air Pollution
• Seasonal Worsening in Winters
• Health Impacts
• Govt. Response
• Solution Needed

Overview of Air Pollution in Delhi

• Delhi faces severe environmental challenges, with worsening air pollution and extreme weather patterns, particularly during winter and summer.
• The Air Quality Index (AQI) highlights Delhi's alarming pollution levels, primarily dominated by fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which penetrates deep into the lungs, posing significant health risks.

Air Quality Trends (2017–2023)

• Healthy Air Days: Delhi averaged only two days per year with healthy air.
• Poor Air Quality: Over half the year, residents inhale air deemed unfit for breathing.
• Lockdown Impact: Even during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, air quality improved only marginally, indicating systemic issues.

Contributors to Air Pollution

• Stubble Burning: Often blamed for Delhi’s pollution, stubble burning accounts for 15–35% of PM2.5 during peak days. However, even in its absence, the AQI remains dangerously high.
• Local Sources: A report by IIT and TERI identifies local sources as responsible for half of PM2.5 levels in winter. Key contributors include:
  • Vehicles (58%): Combustion exhaust (34%) and wear-and-tear emissions (24%).
  • Other sources include construction dust and industrial emissions.

Seasonal Worsening in Winters

• Meteorological Factors: Cold air traps pollutants near the ground, while stagnant winds prevent dispersion.
• Rain and Wind Effects: Months with higher rainfall (July–September) and stronger winds (February–June) show better air quality.

Health Impacts

• WHO Findings: Air pollution affects almost every organ, causing systemic inflammation and potentially carcinogenic effects.
• Death Rates: In 2019, 1.67 million deaths in India were linked to pollution, with Delhi showing higher mortality from ambient PM pollution than the national average.
• Class Divide: Poor residents face greater exposure and risks. Children from marginalized areas experience significantly reduced life expectancy compared to affluent peers.

Govt. Response

• Short-term Measures: Initiatives like odd-even vehicle rules, water sprinklers, and mask distribution have had minimal impact.
• Political Stalemate: Blame-shifting between the central and Delhi governments has hindered systemic reforms.

Solution Needed

• Public Transport Overhaul: Transitioning from private vehicles to cleaner, efficient public transport with improved last-mile connectivity.
• Holistic Action Plan: Long-term strategies addressing emissions from all sources, paired with political commitment, are critical for reversing the decline in air quality.

Q1. What is Paddy Straw?

Paddy straw is produced as a byproduct of rice production at harvest. It is removed with the rice grains during harvest.

Q2. What is an Aerosol Pollutant?

Examples of natural aerosols are fog, mist or dust. Examples of human caused aerosols include particulate air pollutants, mist from the discharge at hydroelectric dams, irrigation mist, perfume from atomizers, smoke, dust, sprayed pesticides, and medical treatments for respiratory illnesses.

News: Is Delhi becoming an uninhabitable city? | Explained

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Hunger and India
• Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty

Why in News?

The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was officially launched during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its primary objective is to accelerate efforts toward the eradication of hunger and poverty globally while promoting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Hunger and India

• What is Hunger?
  • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines hunger as food deprivation, or undernourishment, as the habitual consumption of too few calories to provide the minimum dietary energy an individual requires to live a healthy and productive life, given that person’s sex, age, stature, and physical activity level.
• Hunger and India
  • India is ranked 105th among 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024, indicating a ‘serious’ level of hunger.
  • Notably, India’s GHI score of 27.3 is a cause for concern, especially when compared to its South Asian neighbours like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which fall into the “moderate” category.

Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty

• The Need for the Alliance
  • The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015 by all UN Member States, set targets to end poverty, hunger, and ensure food security by 2030.
  • However, the Covid-19 pandemic reversed progress, leading to a rise in extreme poverty and declining nutrition standards, particularly in the Global South.
  • Projections indicate 622 million people will live below the extreme poverty line of $2.15 per day by 2030.
  • 582 million people are expected to live in hunger by 2030, the same as in 2015.
  • Global conflicts, climate change, and inequalities have further weakened progress.
• About
  • The G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, connecting nations with resources to tackle hunger.
  • Led by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the initiative focuses on cash transfers, school meals, and support for farmers.
• Aims/objectives
  • The alliance aims to eradicate hunger and poverty by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Its key objective is to remove all nations from the FAO Hunger Map by fostering collaboration and resource mobilization.
• Membership and Structure
  • Members: 148, including 82 countries; African Union and European Union; 24 international organizations; 9 financial institutions; 31 philanthropic and non-governmental organizations.
  • Available to non-G20 countries since July 2024.
  • Early members include Brazil, Bangladesh, and G20 members, with participants spanning all continents.
• Key Pillars of the Alliance
  • National: Coordination of public policies specific to eradicating hunger.
  • Knowledge: Integration of data and technologies for evidence-based solutions.
  • Financial: Large-scale resource mobilization to fund programs.

• Strategic Commitments
  • Income Distribution: Reach 500 million people through income support programs by 2030.
  • School Meals: Provide school meals to 150 million children in high-hunger regions.
  • Financial Mobilization: Leverage multilateral banks to raise billions for anti-poverty initiatives.
• Funding
  • No exclusive fund; relies on contributions from members and institutions like FAO, UNICEF, and the World Bank.
  • Estimated operational cost: $2-3 million annually.
• Technical Office
  • Based at FAO with functional autonomy.
  • It is expected that the headquarters of this alliance will be based in Brasilia or another Global South country.
• Key Activities
  • Regular Summits Against Hunger and Poverty.
  • Creation of a High-Level Champions Council to oversee alliance activities.
• Other features
  • Facilitates sharing of best practices among members.
  • Provides technical expertise or financial support for national hunger and poverty eradication policies.
  • Includes a policy basket with over 50 instruments for targeted support in areas like: School meals; Cash transfers; Support for smallholder and family farming; Socio-economic inclusion programs; Maternal and early childhood interventions; Water access solutions.
  • The Alliance acts as a matchmaking platform, connecting countries in need with donors and support organizations.

Q.1. What is the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty?

The alliance, launched at the G20 Summit, aims to eradicate hunger and poverty globally by 2030. It focuses on cash transfers, school meals, and resource mobilization to support sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Q.2. Why was the Alliance created?

Due to setbacks from the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing global challenges, hunger and poverty eradication efforts needed renewed action. The alliance connects nations with resources to tackle these issues effectively.

News: Knowledge nugget of the day: Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty | G20 Brazil 2024 | The Guardian

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is International Criminal Court (ICC)?
• How does the ICC function?
• ICC issues arrest warrant

Why in News?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This follows ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan's announcement on May 20, seeking warrants for crimes linked to the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Tel Aviv's military action in Gaza.

What is International Criminal Court (ICC)?

• About
  • The International Criminal Court is a permanent court to prosecute serious international crimes committed by individuals.
  • It tries crimes such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.
  • The court was established to fight global impunity and bring to justice criminals under international law, regardless of their rank or stature.
  • It is different from the United Nations’ International Court of Justice, also at The Hague.
• HeadQuarters
  • The Hague, The Netherlands
• Statute
  • Before the ICC became functional in 2002, its founding treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1998 in Rome, Italy, thereby making it the Rome Statute.
• Membership
  • To become a member of the ICC or State party to the Rome Statute, countries have to sign the statute and ratify it under their respective legislatures.
  • 124 countries are currently members of the ICC, with African countries making up the largest bloc.
  • Notably, countries including India, China, Iraq, North Korea and Turkey never signed the Rome Statute.
  • Others including the US, Russia, Israel and Syria signed, but never ratified it.

How does the ICC function?

• Judges & Prosecutors
  • The court carries out its investigations through the Office of the Prosecutor and has 18 judges.
  • Both the judges and prosecutors hold non-renewable nine-year terms.
• Process
  • There are pre-trial, trial, and appellate benches in the ICC.
  • The prosecutor conducts a preliminary examination in a matter, before seeking permission from pre-trial judges to open a full investigation.
  • The initial examination must conclude that the crimes in question are of sufficient gravity.
• Ways to open investigations
  • The prosecutor can open an investigation in three ways:
  • when a case is referred by a member country in its own territory;
  • when a case is referred by the UN Security Council; and
  • when the prosecutor takes up a case proprio motu or on his own.
  • Non-member states can also be investigated in three ways:
  • if alleged crimes were perpetrated by non-members in member states,
  • if the non-members accept the court’s jurisdiction, or
  • when the Security Council authorises it.

ICC issues arrest warrant

• What have Netanyahu and Gallant been accused of?
  • The ICC accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of the war crime of starvation and crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.
  • It alleges they intentionally deprived Gaza's civilians of essential resources like food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity from October 8, 2023, to May 20, 2024.
  • Additionally, by restricting medical supplies, including anaesthetics, they are accused of causing great suffering to those in need of treatment.
  • The ICC also holds them responsible for actions by Israeli forces under their command, including torture, violence, killings, rape, and property destruction.
• What happens once ICC issues an arrest warrant?
  • The ICC’s arrest warrants are binding but rely on member states for enforcement.
  • If Netanyahu or Gallant travel to any of the ICC member states, those governments are obligated to arrest and extradite them to The Hague.
  • While the ICC previously issued a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, isolating him from Western nations, Netanyahu’s case is more complex.
  • Many of Israel’s allies, like Germany, France, and the UK, are ICC members but are unlikely to arrest him due to their support for Israel.
  • The warrant serves more as a moral victory for Palestine, increasing international pressure on Israel and limiting Netanyahu’s travel without causing diplomatic embarrassment.

Q.1. What are Netanyahu and Gallant accused of by the ICC?

They face accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including depriving Gaza’s civilians of essentials like food, medicine, and fuel, and responsibility for violence, torture, and property destruction by Israeli forces.

Q.2. What does the ICC warrant mean for Netanyahu’s travel?

While the warrant is binding on ICC member states, many of Israel’s allies, like Germany and the UK, are unlikely to enforce it. The warrant primarily serves as a moral victory for Palestine and increases international pressure.

News: ICC issues arrest warrant against Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant: What this means, what happens next | Government of the Netherlands | Hindustan Times