A recent white paper by scientists has introduced the concept of glacial geoengineering, which involves intentional modification of climate systems to mitigate the effects of glacier melting and sea level rise. This approach is part of a broader field known as geoengineering.

Glacial Geoengineering Strategies:

• Ocean-Heat Transport Interventions:
• Purpose: To prevent warm circumpolar deep water from reaching and melting ice shelves.
• Method:
• Sediment Berms: Constructing barriers made of sediment along the seabed in front of ice shelves to obstruct warm water flow.
• Fibrous Curtains: Installing curtain-like structures on the seabed to block or deflect warm ocean currents that contribute to ice shelf melting.
• Basal-Hydrology Interventions:
• Purpose: To slow down the loss of ice by managing meltwater flow.
• Method:
• Drainage Channels: Drilling holes through glacier beds to create channels that redirect meltwater streams away from ice sheets, thereby slowing their movement and reducing ice sheet loss.

About Geoengineering:

Definition: Geoengineering refers to the deliberate and large-scale manipulation of Earth's climate systems to counteract the effects of anthropogenic global warming.

Categories of Geoengineering:

• Solar Geoengineering / Solar Radiation Management (SRM):
• Objective: To reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth’s surface, thus lowering global temperatures.
• Strategies:
• Aerosol Injection: Releasing aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight away from Earth.
• Marine Cloud Brightening: Increasing the reflectivity of clouds over oceans by spraying sea water to enhance cloud droplet formation.
• Albedo Improvement: Increasing the reflectivity of Earth’s surface, for example, by painting roofs white or using reflective materials in urban planning.
• Ocean Mirror: Installing large-scale reflective materials on the ocean surface to reflect sunlight.
• Carbon Geoengineering / Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR):
• Objective: To reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations through various methods.
• Strategies:
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Capturing CO2 emissions from industrial processes and storing them underground.
• Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement: Adding alkaline substances to oceans to increase their capacity to absorb CO2.
• Ocean Fertilization: Adding nutrients to oceans to stimulate phytoplankton growth, which absorbs CO2 during photosynthesis.

Key Considerations:

• Effectiveness: The effectiveness of glacial geoengineering strategies in slowing ice melt and sea level rise needs to be thoroughly evaluated through research and modeling.
• Environmental Impact: Potential environmental impacts must be carefully assessed to avoid unintended consequences on marine and glacial ecosystems.
• Ethical and Governance Issues: The deployment of geoengineering technologies raises ethical questions and requires robust governance frameworks to ensure responsible implementation and to address global concerns.

Conclusion:

Glacial geoengineering represents an innovative approach to addressing the challenges posed by glacier melting and sea level rise. However, its practical application will require extensive research, careful consideration of environmental impacts, and international collaboration to develop and implement these strategies responsibly.

Recent Context:

• Recent Incident: The assassination attempt on a former US President during a public rally has heightened global awareness about the security of prominent individuals, including those in India.

Security Arrangements for Indian Dignitaries:

• Categories for Security Coverage:
• Positional/Statutory Security:
• Who: Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, etc.
• Purpose: To ensure their safety so they can make decisions without undue influence or fear.
• Note: Security is withdrawn once they leave office.
• Threat-Based Security:
• Who: Individuals assessed to be at risk based on specific threats.
• Responsibility: State Government or Union Territory Administration where the individual resides or is present.
• Security Provided by the Union Government:
• No Specific Titles: There are no official titles such as VVIP or VIP for those under special security cover.
• Guidelines:
• Blue Book: Contains detailed security instructions for the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister.
• Yellow Book: Provides guidelines for the security of other individuals, detailing arrangements based on threat levels.
• Threat Levels: Z+, Z, Y+, Y, and X categories, with the level of security provided depending on the assessed threat.
• Private Citizens: Can also receive security cover, sometimes for a fee.
• Security Cover for the Prime Minister:
• Special Protection Group (SPG):
• Legislation: Special Protection Group Act (1988) establishes SPG to provide proximate security to the Prime Minister (both current and former) and their immediate family.
• Proximate Security: Includes close-quarters protection during travel (by road, rail, aircraft) and at places of function, residence, or halt.
• Additional Responsibilities:
• State Police: When the Prime Minister travels to a state, the state police manage overall security, including intelligence gathering, route clearance, venue sanitization, and crowd management.
• Central Intelligence Agencies: Provide threat inputs to assist in security arrangements.

Importance of Comprehensive Security Arrangements:

• Protection from Threats: Ensures that dignitaries are shielded from potential threats, enabling them to perform their duties effectively and safely.
• Coordination Among Agencies: Effective security involves collaboration between various security and intelligence agencies, both at the central and state levels.
• Adaptation to Threats: Security measures are adjusted based on evolving threat perceptions and specific risks associated with the dignitaries.

Way Forward:

• Ongoing Review: Regular assessment and updating of security protocols to address emerging threats and ensure the effectiveness of protection measures.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: Strengthening coordination between central and state agencies to enhance the overall security framework for Indian dignitaries.

Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer from the 2023 batch, faced termination from her services due to allegations of misconduct, including forging identity papers and misrepresenting facts to obtain extra attempts in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022. The case raises important questions about the rules and regulations governing the conduct of civil servants.

Rules Governing Civil Servants

1. All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968

The All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, apply to IAS, IPS, and Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers from the time they are allotted their service and begin training. These rules are designed to ensure the integrity and ethical behavior of members of these services. Key provisions include:

• Rule 3(1): Maintenance of Absolute Integrity and Devotion to Duty
• Officers must maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty and must not engage in any behavior that is unbecoming of a member of the service.
• Definition of "Unbecoming": According to Rule 4(1), an officer must not use their position to secure employment for family members or derive financial or material benefits for themselves or their acquaintances.
• Maintenance of High Ethical Standards
• Officers are required to uphold integrity, honesty, political neutrality, accountability, transparency, responsiveness to the public (especially weaker sections), courtesy, and good behavior.
• Reporting Gifts (Rule 11(1))
• Officers can accept gifts only from near relatives or personal friends with whom they have no official dealings during personal events like weddings or funerals. Any gift exceeding Rs 25,000 must be reported to the government.

2. Indian Administrative Service (Probation) Rules, 1954

The Indian Administrative Service (Probation) Rules, 1954, govern the conduct of officers during their probation period, which lasts at least two years and includes training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie. Key provisions include:

• Fixed Salary and Travel Allowance
• During probation, officers receive a fixed salary and travel allowance but are not entitled to other benefits such as an official car with a VIP number plate, official accommodation, or a personal staff.
• Discharge from Duty (Rule 12)
• A probationary officer may be discharged from duty if found ineligible for recruitment, unsuitable for service, willfully neglects probationary duties, or lacks necessary qualities of mind and character.
• Procedure: The Centre conducts a summary enquiry before discharging an officer. In Khedkar's case, a single-member committee under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) was constituted to examine the documents and allegations against her.

Implications of Violations

• Misrepresentation and Fraudulent Practices:
• Violation of Integrity: Allegations of forging identity papers and misrepresenting facts to obtain extra attempts violate Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, which mandates absolute integrity and honesty.
• Disqualification: If proven, such actions could lead to disqualification from the service and termination, as they undermine the trust and credibility essential for a civil servant.
• Misuse of Position:
• Unbecoming Behavior: Using unauthorized privileges or engaging in misconduct (such as occupying unauthorized office space or using an unauthorized beacon) is considered unbecoming behavior under Rule 3(1) of the Conduct Rules.
• Probationary Rules:
• Discharge from Duty: If the allegations are substantiated, they could lead to discharge from duty under Rule 12 of the Probation Rules, as they relate to ineligibility or unsuitability for the service.

Conclusion

The case of Puja Khedkar highlights the critical importance of adherence to the rules and ethical standards governing civil servants. Allegations of misconduct, such as falsifying documents to gain unfair advantages, are taken seriously and can lead to severe consequences, including termination from service. The adherence to rules like the All India Services (Conduct) Rules and the Indian Administrative Service (Probation) Rules is crucial for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the civil service. The ongoing enquiry and investigation into her actions are intended to ensure that justice is served and that the standards of the service are upheld.