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Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 10 July 2024

Contents: Geospatial View on Tribal Maternal Healthcare Home Ministry extends ban on pro-Khalistan group SFJ Reduction of tariffs on smartphone components India to ratify High Seas Treaty Finance Commission constitutes Advisory Council The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) tribal group protests against the arrest of its members Geospatial View on Tribal Maternal Healthcare Context: Recently, a paper by Vijay Kumar and Tulika Tripathi -‘Timely Access to Public Health Facilities for Pregnancy Care in Tribal Gujarat: A Geospatial Analysis’ examines access to maternal healthcare facilities from a geospatial perspective. Relevance: GS-I: Role of Women and Women’s Organization, Population and Associated Issues, Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. GS-II: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections. Dimensions of the Article: UN report 2023 Why there is need for timely access to healthcare during pregnancy? Report on Timely Access to Public Health Facilities for Pregnancy Care in Tribal Gujarat: Steps taken to address Maternal Health Benefits and other issues UN report 2023: The report highlighted that India accounted for over 17% of global maternal deaths in 2020. This number is the highest share among the 10 countries responsible for 60% of global maternal deaths, stillbirths, and newborn deaths. Significance: The report emphasised the critical need to focus on maternal healthcare to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes and ensuring access to quality healthcare services. Why there is need for timely access to healthcare during pregnancy? Timely access to healthcare during pregnancy ensures: Healthy delivery To prevent maternal and infant mortality To provide proper care for both mother and infant after birth. Despite multiple healthcare that exists within a state, it is crucial to assess whether these facilities are concentrated in specific regions or distributed equitably across all areas. This ensures accessibility to all people, particularly those on the social and spatial peripheries of society. Report on Timely Access to Public Health Facilities for Pregnancy Care in Tribal Gujarat: The study focuses on Gujarat’s tribal population, constituting 14.8% of the total population, scattered across 14 districts. The study used GIS data, data from the National Family Health Survey and geocoded health facilities spread across districts with higher concentrations of tribal population.    Highlights of the report: Healthcare disparities: Many rural and tribal residents experience inadequate access to healthcare facilities, as resources are concentrated in urban areas to manage the growing population in smaller urban clusters. This disparity disproportionately disadvantages women, who are already hindered by limited resources and transportation access when seeking healthcare services. Transportation constraints: Key aspects considered in the analysis are about road connectivity and vehicle ownership.  Social norms and limited resources often prevent women, especially in rural areas, from using motorcycles, and there is limited public transportation available. Time and Distance: Ensuring that public healthcare is easily accessible is crucial, especially for socially and economically disadvantaged populations who often face geographical barriers as well.  For tribal communities, travelling long distances to private hospitals and bearing high transportation costs are not feasible options. Steps taken to address Maternal Health Benefits and other issues Maternity Benefit Act, 2017 – Doubled the duration of paid maternity leaves and proposed the concept of work from home with the consent of the employer. Creche facilities were made mandatory for Organizations with 50 or more employees under the Maternity Benefit Act, 2017 and National Creche Scheme was introduced. Anganwadi Centers have helped train women in addressing various issues pre and post pregnancy along with the issue of childcare. National Food Security Act, 2013 has accorded pregnant and lactating mothers benefit of Rs. 6000. Several States such as Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh have tried to bridge the gap between the various incentives provided by Centre and the States. -Source: The Hindu Home Ministry extends ban on pro-Khalistan group SFJ Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs recently extended the ban on designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun founded pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for five years for its anti-India activities. The group continues to be involved in anti-national and subversive activities in Punjab and elsewhere disrupting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967 is an upgrade on the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act TADA (which lapsed in 1995) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act – POTA (which was repealed in 2004). Its main objective was to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India. The National Integration Council appointed a Committee on National Integration and Regionalisation to look into, the aspect of putting reasonable restrictions in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India. The agenda of the NIC limited itself to communalism, casteism and regionalism and not terrorism. However, the provisions of the UAPA Act contravenes the requirements of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment Bill, 2019 The original Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, dealt with “unlawful” acts related to secession; anti-terror provisions were introduced in 2004. It provides special procedures to deal with terrorist activities, among other things. Key Provisions of the Amendment The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) and additionally empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds. Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation if it: commits or participates in acts of terrorism prepares for terrorism promotes terrorism is otherwise involved in terrorism The word “terror” or “terrorist” is not defined. However, a “terrorist act” is defined as any act committed with the intent – to threaten or likely to threaten the unity, integrity, security, economic security, or sovereignty of India to strike terror or likely to strike terror in the people or any section of the people in India or in any foreign country The central government may designate an individual as a terrorist through a notification in the official gazette. The Bill empowers the officers of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases. Under the Act, an investigating officer can seize properties that may be connected with terrorism with prior approval of the Director General of Police. Issues with UAPA UAPA gives the state authority vague powers to detain and arrest individuals who it believes to be indulged in terrorist activities. Thus, the state gives itself more powers vis-a-vis individual liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. UAPA empowers the ruling government, under the garb of curbing terrorism, to impose indirect restriction on right of dissent which is detrimental for a developing democratic society. The right of dissent is a part and parcel of fundamental right to free speech and expression and therefore, cannot be abridged in any circumstances except for mentioned in Article 19 (2). UAPA can also be thought of to go against the federal structure since it neglects the authority of state police in terrorism cases, given that ‘Police’ is a state subject under 7th schedule of Indian Constitution. -Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express        Reduction of tariffs on smartphone components Context:­ The Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), an industry body representing mobile and other electronics assembly and manufacturing units, has called for a reduction of tariffs on certain components for smartphones. Reducing input costs for smartphone assembly units is the main reason for these demands. Smartphones were the fifth largest classifiable commodity exported in the financial year 2022–23, compared to 2015–16, when the rank was 178. Now the domestic demand is fulfilled, and hence the need for high component tariffs has dimmed. Cutting tariffs would force domestic component makers to cut their prices and relieve operating expense pressure for assembly units. To increase exports, smartphones have to be competitive vis a vis China and Vietnam. This would require reducing tariffs and most importantly maintaining a stability in the tariff regime. Relevance: GS III: Indian Economy Dimensions of the Article: About Semiconductor industry What are the changes to India’s chip-making scheme? What are the challenges? About Semiconductor industry Semiconductors are the thumbnail-sized building blocks of almost every modern electronic device from smartphones to connected devices in the Internet of Things (IoT). They help give computational power to devices. The global semiconductor industry is currently valued at $500-$600 billion. The basic component of a semiconductor chip is a sliver of silicon, which is etched with billions of microscopic transistors, forming patterns to control the flow of current while following different computational instructions. Chip-making industry The chip-making process is complex and highly exact, having multiple other steps in the supply chain such as designing software for chips and patenting them through core Intellectual Property (IP) rights. It also involves making chip-fabrication machines; setting up fabs or factories; and ATMP (assembly, testing, marking and packaging). The chip-making industry is a highly-concentrated one, with the big players being Taiwan, South Korea and the U.S. among others. Therefore, the global chip shortage, U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan, and the supply chain blockages owing to the Russia-Ukraine conflict have led major economies to enter the chip-making sector with a renewed push. For example, the U.S. announcement of $52.7 billion in government funding for the CHIPS and Science Act and the EU’s Chips Act that will mobilise €43 billion for public and private investments. What are the changes to India’s chip-making scheme? In December 2021, India announced its roughly $10 billion dollar production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to encourage semiconductor and display manufacturing in the country. It also announced fiscal support for a design-linked initiative (DLI) scheme to drive global and domestic investment related to design software, IP rights etc. According to the Electronics and IT Ministry, semiconductor demand in India would increase to $70-$80 billion by 2026 with the growing demand for digital devices and electronic products. The new changes announced recently to harmonise government incentives for all technology nodes of semiconductors, according to the Minister of State for Electronics. In the previous version of the scheme, the Centre was offering to fund 30% of the project cost for 45nm to 65nm chip production, 40% for 28nm to 45nm, and 50% or half of the funding for chips 28nm or below. The modified scheme provides uniform 50% fiscal support for all nodes. Besides, it will provide 50% of capital expenditure for other steps of the process as well (chip design and ATMP). The modified scheme also emphasised the production of the 45nm chip, which is fairly less time-consuming and economical in terms of production. What are the challenges? Chip production is a resource-intensive and expensive process: While the new scheme provides equal funding for all steps of the process, the outlay of the scheme remains $10 billion. Notably, just the setting up of one semiconductor fab requires an investment of anywhere between $3 and $7 billion. Design and R&D: Analysts, while positive, are concerned that not much of the current scheme outlay would be left to support other elements including display fabs, packaging and testing facilities, and chip design centres. They also argue that the initial funding should focus on areas like design and R&D, for which India already has an established talent pool. Gallons of ultrapure water: Chip-making also requires gallons of ultrapure water in a single day, which experts say, could be a task for the government to provide to factories, compounded also by the drought conditions which often prevail in large parts of the country. Drive up consumer demand: Another task for the government is to drive up consumer demand in the semiconductor and linked electronics industry to not end up in a situation where these ventures remain successful only till taxpayers are forced to fund required subsidies. -Source: The Hindu India to ratify High Seas Treaty Context: The Indian Government recently announced that it would soon sign and ratify the High Seas Treaty, a new international legal architecture for maintaining the ecological health of the oceans. Relevance: GS II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: About UN High Seas Treaty What are High Seas? About UN High Seas Treaty: The UN High Seas Treaty is the first-ever treaty to protect the world’s oceans outside national boundaries. It is also referred to as the ‘Paris Agreement for the Ocean’. The treaty is legally binding and aims to protect marine life in international waters. Its goal is to establish protected areas covering 30% of the seas by 2030, a pledge made by countries at the UN biodiversity conference in 2022. The treaty provides a legal framework for creating marine protected areas (MPAs) to safeguard wildlife and share genetic resources of the high seas. It covers environmental assessments to evaluate potential damage from commercial activities, like deep-sea mining. The treaty establishes a conference of the parties (CoP) that meets periodically to hold member states accountable for governance and biodiversity issues. Signatories of the treaty pledge to share ocean resources. The UN High Seas Treaty is built on the legacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the last international agreement on ocean protection signed in 1982. UNCLOS established an area called the high seas. What are High Seas? High seas refer to the areas of the oceans that are beyond the national jurisdiction of any country. Here are some key points to note: The high seas begin at the border of countries’ exclusive economic zones beyond 370 km (200 nautical miles) from a country’s coastline and extend up to the outer limits of the continental shelf. All countries have the right to use the high seas for shipping, fishing, and scientific research. The high seas comprise more than 60% of the world’s oceans by surface area. Due to a lack of regulation and monitoring, activities on the high seas are often vulnerable to exploitation, making it important to protect them through international treaties and agreements. -Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express        Finance Commission constitutes Advisory Council Context: The 16th Finance Commission has constituted an Advisory Council whose role will also be to assist the Commission in the preparation of papers/ research studies and to monitor or assess studies commissioned by the Finance Commission Relevance: GS2- Governance Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein GS3- Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment. Dimensions of the Article: About the Finance Commission About the Finance Commission: The Finance Commission (FC) is constituted by the President of India every fifth year under Article 280 of the Constitution. Finance Commission is a constitutional body. It was formed to define the financial relations between the central government of India and the individual state governments. FC determines the method and formula for distributing the tax proceeds between the Centre and states, and among the states. The Finance Commission also decides the share of taxes and grants to be given to the local bodies in states. This part of tax proceeds is called Finance Commission Grants, which is a part of the Union budget. The Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951 additionally defines the terms of qualification, appointment and disqualification, the term, eligibility and powers of the Finance Commission. The Finance Commission consists of a chairman and four other members, who are appointed by the President of India. The Union government has established the 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, tasked with making recommendations for the period from 2026 to 2031. -Source: Livemint, PIB The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) tribal group protests against the arrest of its members Context: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), an apex group of the Kuki tribes, recently called for a 12-hour shutdown in all the areas inhabited by the Kuki-Zo to protest the arrest of three members from their community. The arrest was carried out by a combined team of personnel from the CRPF and Assam Rifles in Kangpokpi district. Relevance: GS II- Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Who are the Kukis? What led to the Kuki insurgencies in Manipur?   Who are the Kukis? The Kukis are an ethnic group including multiple tribes originally inhabiting the North-Eastern states of India such as Manipur, Mizoram and Assam; parts of Burma (now Myanmar), and Sylhet district and Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh. While Kuki is not a term coined by the ethnic group itself, the tribes associated with it came to be generically called Kuki under colonial rule.  In Manipur, the various Kuki tribes, living mainly in the hills, currently make up 30% of the total 28.5 lakh population of the State. While Churachandpur is their main stronghold, they also have a sizable population in Chandel, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal and Senapati districts.  The rest of the population of Manipur is made up mainly of two other ethnic groups — the Meiteis or non-tribal, Vaishnavite Hindus who live in the valley region of Manipur, and the Naga tribes, historically at loggerheads with the Kukis, also living in the hilly areas of the State.  Of the 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly, 40 are held by Meiteis and the rest 20 seats are held by Kukis and Nagas. What led to the Kuki insurgencies in Manipur?  The Kuki insurgent groups have been under Suspension of Operation (SoO) since 2005, when they signed an agreement for the same with the Indian Army. Later, in 2008, the groups entered a tripartite agreement with the State government of Manipur and the UPA led Central government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to temporarily suspend their operations and give political dialogue a chance.  Manipur, formerly a princely state including parts of Burma, made the accession into India after Independence, but was only made a full-fledged State in 1972. The resentment over the “forceful” inclusion into India and delay in granting statehood led to the rise of various insurgent movements. The problem was intensified after Manipur was declared a ‘distubed area’ in 1980, under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which gives sweeping powers to the military and has led to excesses.  Roots of Kuki militancy The roots of Kuki militancy lie in conflicts of ethnic identity. The demand for self-determination solely for groups belonging to their ethnic fabric, meaning the dream to form a Kukiland which includes Kuki inhabited regions of Myanmar, Manipur, Assam and Mizoram. The inter-community conflicts between the Kukis and the Nagas in Manipur.  The Kuki insurgency in Manipur grew in real terms in the 1980s and after the Kuki-Naga conflicts of the 1990s. This is when the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and its armed wing Kuki National Army (KNA) were formed. The community could not shed internal differences between tribes and take a single line of action. While some militant Kuki outfits demanded Kukiland, including parts which are not in India, some demanded Kukiland within India.  Present Situation The demand has come to the formulation of an independent district—Kukiland Territorial Council within the purview of the Indian constitution, modelling the Bodoland Territorial Council, which was formed under the sixth schedule of the Constitution, after insurgent groups in Assam signed an agreement with their State government.  The Kuki-Naga conflict was started over securing identity and land as some Kuki inhabited areas coincided with Naga inhabited areas. Wanting to dominate trade and cultural activities in those areas the two communities often engaged in violent standoffs, with villages being torched, civilians killed and so on. Even though clashes have reduced in recent decades, tensions between the two ethnic groups still exist. -Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express      

Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 09 July 2024

CONTENTS Project PARI Project PARI Context: The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, on the occasion of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting, which is being held in New Delhi from 21st-31st July 2024, has initiated Project PARI (Public Art of India). Relevance: GS I: Culture About Project PARI Project PARI (Public Art of India) initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art, is a landmark endeavor aimed at transforming Delhi’s urban spaces through public art installations. Here are the key highlights and significance of Project PARI: Objective and Scope: Enhancing Aesthetic and Cultural Outlook: Project PARI aims to uplift Delhi’s aesthetic appeal while enriching its cultural heritage. Celebrating India’s Artistic Legacy: Over 150 visual artists from across India have been invited to create installations that blend traditional art forms with modern themes and techniques. Artistic Diversity and Representation: Inclusive Representation: The project features a diverse array of art forms including Phad paintings, Thangka painting, Gond art, Tanjore paintings, Kalamkari, and many more from different regions of India. Sculptures and Installations: Artists are creating sculptures and installations inspired by themes such as nature, ancient knowledge, Gandhi ji, and World Heritage Sites like Bimbetka and others. Public Engagement and Accessibility: Democratizing Art: By integrating art into public spaces like streets, parks, and transit hubs, Project PARI makes artistic experiences accessible to all citizens. Cultural Dialogue and Inspiration: The initiative aims to stimulate dialogue, reflection, and inspiration among the public, fostering a deeper connection with Indian art and heritage. Women Empowerment in Art: Women artists play a significant role in Project PARI, underscoring the empowerment of women (Nari Shakti) in the field of art. World Heritage Committee Meeting: Aligned with the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting hosted in Delhi, some artworks draw inspiration from India’s World Heritage Sites, highlighting their cultural significance. Cultural Renaissance and Legacy: Project PARI stands as a monumental effort to infuse Delhi with India’s rich artistic traditions while embracing contemporary expressions. It not only beautifies the city but also enriches its cultural fabric, promoting a shared cultural identity among its residents.

Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 09 July 2024

CONTENTS Transforming Healthcare with Digital Technologies Paving the Way for India’s Own Green Silicon Valley Transforming Healthcare with Digital Technologies Context: Digital technologies are expected to deliver rapid and personalized clinical services to patients through their handheld devices. Modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile tech, cloud computing, Big Data, and 5G are becoming crucial tools in the domain of “Smart Health.” This concept refers to an interconnected healthcare system that leverages these technologies for clinical analysis, treatment, medical setups, and hospital management. Relevance: GS2- Health Mains Question: The health-tech sector in India is poised for exponential growth, reshaping the future of healthcare for all its citizens. Discuss. (10 Marks, 150 Words). Smart Healthcare Systems: Examples of Smart Healthcare systems include surgical robots, RFID-based supply chains, and integrated health management platforms or Health-stacks. These systems provide real-time connectivity to doctors, reduce treatment costs, and offer predictive, personalized information to patients. For instance, IoT-based wearable smart devices can monitor patients’ progress, assist in managing medical emergencies, and promptly notify healthcare providers. Initiatives Taken: India’s National Health Policy 2017 aims for “Universal Health Coverage for all citizens,” progressively shifting from fragmented healthcare systems to a comprehensive approach using digital technologies. The Ayushman Bharat scheme, introduced in September 2018, is a major nationwide public health insurance program providing health coverage of up to 5 lakh rupees per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization through the ‘Abha-ID’ for each patient. Additionally, the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), launched on August 15, 2020, aims to establish an integrated healthcare system that digitally connects practitioners and patients, allowing real-time access to health records. Expansion of the Health-tech Sector in India: Fueled by these national initiatives, the growth of health startups, increased healthcare spending, and rising demand for high-quality healthcare services, the health-tech sector in India is rapidly expanding. Recent reports indicate that the health-tech industry in India is projected to reach $6.5 billion by 2024 and $78.4 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.67% during this period. India has already launched initiatives like the National Health Portal and the Health Management Information System (HMIS), along with various state-level programs. Notable programs include the CoWIN Vaccine Platform, the Aarogya Setu contact tracing app, and the eSanjeevini National Telemedicine Service Platform. Post-COVID-19, private equity firms have been increasingly investing in health tech companies. The health startup ecosystem in India comprises six main segments: telemedicine, pharmacy, fitness, wellness, IT healthcare, and home healthcare. Associated Challenges: Legal and Regulatory Framework: The health-tech domain lacks a cohesive and robust legal and regulatory framework. Security: Smart healthcare systems are vulnerable to attacks or infiltration by hackers or malicious individuals. Access and Adaptability: Healthcare specialists face challenges with limited access to and adaptability to digital technologies. Logistical and Workforce Issues: These challenges are compounded by inadequate logistical support, a shortage of skilled personnel, and resistance to technology among various stakeholders. Way Forward: Data Privacy: Patients’ sensitive health data requires additional protection beyond what is currently provided by India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act. Interoperability and Connectivity: Ensuring seamless exchange of health data through data interoperability and digital connectivity is crucial. The emerging 5G network in India can help bridge this gap, but technological constraints currently hinder the widespread adoption of in-home health monitoring services. Digital Public Infrastructure: Inspired by the success of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), a digital public infrastructure (DPI) for healthcare should be made universally accessible. Support for Anganwadi Workers: Special attention should be given to supporting anganwadi workers with additional tech-savvy staff. Capacity Building: It is essential to prioritize capacity building for healthcare providers and ensure their access to digital devices and connectivity through common service centers (CSCs) and Public Health Centers (PHCs). Conclusion: In addition to the above steps, India should expand the scope of its Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, to include specific provisions for managing sensitive health data. With these measures, every Indian will have easy access to and trust in the “Digital Doctor in their pocket.” Paving the Way for India’s Own Green Silicon Valley Context: Growth, employment, and climate change—these three modern economic challenges—have reignited policymakers’ interest in bringing industrial policy back to the forefront of discussions. Alarming estimates suggest that climate change could significantly harm growth and employment, potentially reducing GDP by 18% and resulting in a loss of productivity equivalent to 72 million jobs. Relevance: GS3- Environmental Conservation Industry and Infrastructure          Mains Question: Climate change offers an opportunity to create an international market for green products, capital and goods through cooperation and collaboration. Analyse. (10 Marks, 150 Words). Green Industrial Policy: This renewed focus has led to the development of Green Industrial Policy, which involves a series of government interventions—such as subsidies, regulations, incentives, and standards—that aim to achieve economic development while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Leading nations are combining various elements of Green Industrial Policy to build national competitive advantages, stimulate economic growth, increase skilled employment, and promote climate action: Japan: The country has introduced five policy tools, including grant funding, tax incentives, guidance policies on transition finance, regulatory reforms, and international collaboration. These measures target over 18 trillion yen for fourteen green growth sectors such as wind power, nuclear power, and mobility & battery technologies. United States: The US is focusing on manufacturing, strengthening national security through supply chain resilience, and accelerating the energy transition with approximately $400 billion in supply and demand-side spending and tax cuts. This initiative aims to create around 1.5 million jobs. India: India has made significant strides toward a green future by focusing on domestic market formation and localizing component production. The country’s Long Term-Low Emission Development Strategy, submitted at COP27, outlines seven transitions to low-carbon development, including transformations in electricity systems, transport systems, and sustainable urbanization. About Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy: The 2015 Paris Agreement mandates that all parties develop long-term low greenhouse gas emissions development strategies (LT-LEDS) based on their respective responsibilities and capabilities, considering their national circumstances. At COP26 in Glasgow (November 2021), parties that had not yet submitted their LT-LEDS were required to do so by COP27. India’s LT-LEDS was formulated through extensive consultations with government entities, state governments, research institutes, and civil society organizations. Key Pillars of India’s Strategy: Low-Carbon Electricity Systems: Aligning with developmental goals. Efficient, Inclusive Low-Carbon Transport Systems: Integrating and improving transportation. Energy and Material Efficiency in Buildings: Enhancing efficiency. Decoupling Growth from Emissions: Developing a low-emission industrial system. CO2 Removal and Engineering Solutions: Implementing innovative solutions. Enhancing Forest Cover: Considering socioeconomic and ecological factors. Increasing Climate Resilience: Focusing on poverty eradication and employment creation. Salient Features of India’s LT-LEDS: Forest Cover: India has successfully increased forest and tree cover over the past three decades, even amid significant economic growth. Forest fire incidents are below global levels, and forest and tree cover absorbed 15% of CO2 emissions in 2016. India is on track to meet its NDC commitment of an additional 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon sequestration in forest and tree cover by 2030. Transition from Fossil Fuels: The transition will be conducted in a just, smooth, sustainable, and inclusive manner. Transportation Sector: The low-carbon development of transportation will be driven by increased biofuel use (especially ethanol blending in petrol), electric vehicle penetration, and green hydrogen fuel use. Sustainable Urbanization: Future urban development will be driven by smart city initiatives, integrated city planning, effective green building codes, and advancements in solid and liquid waste management. Industrial Sector: Under the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, the industrial sector will focus on energy efficiency (e.g., Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme), electrification, material efficiency, and recycling to promote a circular economy. Transition to Low-Carbon Development: This transition will incur costs for developing new technologies, infrastructure, and other transactions. Climate finance from developed countries will be crucial to support these efforts. Way Forward: These examples illustrate how different countries are integrating Green Industrial Policy to address the intertwined challenges of growth, employment, and climate change, aiming for a sustainable and prosperous future. Production-linked incentive schemes in the renewable energy equipment sector and technology-focused national missions on hydrogen and energy storage are promising steps toward a broader green industrialization policy for India. Such a comprehensive green industrialization policy, by catalyzing investments in the manufacturing of decarbonization technologies, can initiate the Schumpeterian process of innovation and discovery. This would drive high-carbon growth and employment in the medium term. Emphasizing clean energy entrepreneurship through industrial policy and a green R&D policy can foster groundbreaking innovations and patents, leading to new solutions that can be monetized. Japan and Korea have recognized the potential of startups as sources of open innovation and have implemented industrial policies that encourage partnerships between startups and larger conglomerates. This approach enhances the overall innovativeness of their economies and helps them compete with European, Chinese, and American counterparts. Green startups, with their agility, and conglomerates, with their market power and experience, could create an Indian equivalent of Silicon Valley for green technology. Conclusion: Climate change presents an opportunity to establish an international market for green products, capital, and goods through global cooperation and collaboration. These initiatives can spark a virtuous cycle of growth, employment, and carbon neutrality.

Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 09 July 2024

CONTENTS Tragic Stampede in Hathras District Highlights Need for Improved Safety Cabinet Committees Digital Bharat Nidhi Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam Samayapuram temple Copernicus Climate Centre Service Tragic Stampede in Hathras District Highlights Need for Improved Safety Context: Recently, a tragic stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district claimed over 100 lives. This devastating incident adds to a long list of similar tragedies that have occurred during religious gatherings and festivals across India over the past two decades. These events underscore the ongoing challenges of managing large crowds in confined spaces and highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures. Relevance: GS III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Understanding Stampedes India’s Initiatives to Control Stampedes Improving Stampede Prevention National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Disaster Management Act, 2005 Understanding Stampedes A stampede refers to a sudden, chaotic movement of a crowd, often resulting in injuries and fatalities. It typically occurs due to perceived danger, overcrowding, or a collective pursuit of something desirable. Types of Stampedes Unidirectional Stampedes: Occur when a crowd moving in one direction encounters a sudden obstruction, such as a barrier collapse or abrupt stop. Turbulent Stampedes: Happen in uncontrolled crowds or panic-induced situations where movements merge from multiple directions. Fatalities and Causes Stampedes can lead to fatalities through traumatic asphyxia, heart attacks, and direct injuries due to crowd pressure and panic-induced behaviors. Factors like lack of lighting, poor crowd flow management, and structural failures amplify stampede risks. Impact of Stampedes Survivors often experience long-term psychological trauma such as PTSD. Economically disadvantaged individuals are disproportionately affected, impacting families and community cohesion. The aftermath involves significant medical costs, legal issues, and damage to infrastructure. India’s Initiatives to Control Stampedes The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has implemented guidelines for safe crowd management during festivals: Regulating traffic flow, using barricades, and displaying route maps. Enhancing surveillance with CCTV and police presence to deter crimes. Ensuring medical readiness with ambulances and clear signage to nearby hospitals. Educating attendees on exit routes and maintaining calm during gatherings. NDMA advocates for precautions like safe electrical installations, monitoring of hazardous materials, and fire prevention measures. Support for international conferences on disaster resilience underscores India’s commitment to collective safety and disaster preparedness. Improving Stampede Prevention Deploy advanced sensor networks (thermal, LiDAR) to monitor crowd density in real-time and predict surges using AI-driven models. Introduce RFID tags in tickets for tracking crowd movement, identifying congested areas, and enabling targeted communication through displays. Utilize drones equipped with cameras and thermal imaging for crowd surveillance, anomaly detection, and emergency announcements. Implement crowd-responsive lighting and bioluminescent pathways to guide movement and reduce panic in emergencies. Install interactive displays providing real-time information on wait times, evacuation routes, and safety protocols in multiple languages. Conduct public awareness campaigns to educate attendees on crowd safety, proper behavior during emergencies, and the importance of following event guidelines. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) National Disaster Management Authority, abbreviated as NDMA, is an apex Body of Government of India, with a mandate to lay down policies for disaster management. NDMA was established through the Disaster Management Act enacted by the Government of India in 2005. Hence, NDMA is a Statutory body. The vision of NDMA is “To build a safe and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster oriented and technology - driven strategy through a culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response”. NDMA is responsible for framing policies, laying down guidelines and best-practices for coordinating with the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to ensure a holistic and distributed approach to disaster management. It is headed by the Prime Minister of India and can have up to nine other members. Since 2014, there have been four other members. The tenure of the members of the NDMA shall be five years. The phrase disaster management is to be understood to mean ‘a continuous and integrated process of planning, organising, coordinating and implementing measures, which are necessary or expedient for prevention of danger or threat of any disaster, mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or severity of its consequences, capacity building, preparedness to deal with any disaster, prompt response, assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster, evacuation, rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction’. Disaster Management Act, 2005 The Disaster Management Act, 2005, (23 December 2005) received the assent of The President of India on 9 January 2006. The Act extends to the whole of India. The Act provides for “the effective management of disasters and for matters connected there with or incidental thereto.” The Act calls for the establishment of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The Act enjoins the Central Government to Constitute a National Executive Committee (NEC). All State Governments are mandated under the act to establish a State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). The Chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will be the Collector or District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner of the district. The Act provides for constituting a National Disaster Response Force “for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster” under a Director General to be appointed by the Central Government. Definition of a “disaster” in the DM Act states that a disaster means a “catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes. The objective of the Act is to manage disasters, including preparation of mitigation strategies, capacity-building and more. The Act contains the provisions for financial mechanisms such as the creation of funds for emergency response, National Disaster Response Fund and similar funds at the state and district levels. The Act also devotes several sections various civil and criminal liabilities resulting from violation of provisions of the act. -Source: The Hindu Cabinet Committees Context: Recently, the Union government constituted eight Cabinet committees, with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) getting three new faces and the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) remaining unchanged. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Understanding Cabinet Committees Features of Cabinet Committees Recent Changes Challenges of the Cabinet Committees Understanding Cabinet Committees About Cabinet Committees Cabinet Committees are subsets of the Union Cabinet, comprising selected Union Ministers. They streamline decision-making by delegating responsibilities among groups specializing in economic affairs, security, parliamentary affairs, and political matters. These committees ensure detailed consideration and efficient handling of complex issues before final approval by the full Cabinet. They operate based on principles of division of labor and effective delegation. Types of Cabinet Committees Standing Committees: Permanent in nature, tasked with ongoing responsibilities. Ad hoc Committees: Temporary formations to address specific, time-sensitive issues. Features of Cabinet Committees Extra-Constitutional Nature and Establishment Cabinet Committees operate outside the constitutional framework and are established as per the Rules of Business. These rules are derived from Article 77(3) of the Indian Constitution, empowering the President to formulate rules for efficient governance and task allocation among Ministers. Membership Cabinet Committees are formed by the Prime Minister based on current needs and situational demands. Membership typically ranges from three to eight members, predominantly comprising Cabinet Ministers. Non-Cabinet Ministers may also be included. Committees encompass Ministers responsible for relevant subjects and often involve other senior Ministers. Role and Functionality If the Prime Minister is part of a committee, he assumes the role of its chairperson. Committees not only address and prepare proposals for Cabinet consideration but also make decisions. However, their decisions are subject to review by the full Cabinet. List of Cabinet Committees Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) Cabinet Committee on Accommodation Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (referred to as Super-Cabinet) Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth Cabinet Committee on Skill, Employment and Livelihood Recent Changes The Home Minister is a member of all Cabinet Committees. The Prime Minister chairs six committees, excluding the Committee on Accommodation and Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. The Appointments Committee remains chaired by the Prime Minister with the Home Minister as the sole member, unchanged. Challenges of the Cabinet Committees Delays, Inefficiency, and Conflict Cabinet Committees often face challenges such as delays, inefficiencies, and internal conflicts as different committees vie for control, resulting in stalled proposals and slow decision-making processes. Lack of Expertise Committees may lack domain experts, such as medical professionals in a healthcare policy committee, leading to decisions that are not well-informed and could have unintended long-term consequences. Isolation and Lack of Collaboration Operating in silos, committees may fail to share information or collaborate effectively. This isolation creates blind spots, fosters duplication of effort, misses opportunities for synergy, and results in decisions based on incomplete information. Short-term Political Considerations Political pressures often prioritize short-term gains over long-term strategic planning within committees. This can lead to reactive measures instead of proactive solutions, impacting policy effectiveness. Secrecy and Lack of Transparency Secrecy surrounding committee decisions can erode trust and accountability. Without transparency about activities and decisions, it becomes challenging for the legislature and public to hold committees accountable for their actions. Centralized Decision-making Concentration of decision-making authority within a few committees or individuals can exclude valuable perspectives and lead to unbalanced decisions. This exclusion may overlook innovative solutions and breed discontent among affected parties. -Source: The Hindu Digital Bharat Nidhi Context: In a fresh attempt at increasing telecom connectivity in rural areas, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released draft rules to operationalise the Digital Bharat Nidhi. Relevance: GS II: Government Policies and Interventions Dimensions of the Article: Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) Underutilization of USOF What is the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)? Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) About The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) was established under the Telecommunications Act of 2023. It replaces the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was previously responsible for promoting universal access to telecommunication services. Features of Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) Revenue Collection and Allocation Telecom companies’ contributions to DBN are initially credited to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI), which encompasses all government revenues and expenses. The Centre periodically transfers these funds from CFI to DBN for specific utilization. Utilization of Funds DBN funds are allocated for various purposes: Promoting telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas. Funding research and development in telecom services, technologies, and products. Supporting pilot projects and providing consultancy to enhance connectivity. Introducing new telecom services, technologies, and products. Targeted Access DBN aims to provide targeted telecommunication access to underserved groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and economically weaker sections. Administrative Mechanism As per draft rules by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), an administrator appointed by the Centre selects DBN implementers through bidding or applications. The administrator decides funding mechanisms (full, partial, or co-funding) and may provide market risk mitigation and risk capital. Operational Guidelines DBN implementers receiving funding must share telecom networks and services openly and non-discriminatorily, adhering to the administrator’s directives. Project Criteria Projects funded by DBN must meet specific criteria such as introducing next-generation telecom technologies, improving service affordability, fostering innovation, commercializing indigenous technologies, setting relevant standards, and supporting telecom start-ups. Underutilization of USOF Historical Context USOF, established in 2003, has been criticized for underutilization. Between 2017 and 2022, the government collected Rs 41,740 crore from telecom companies for USOF but utilized only Rs 30,213 crore (about 72%). Notably, in 2019-20, out of Rs 7,962 crore collected, only Rs 2,926 crore was utilized. In FY23, expenditure estimates were revised to Rs 3,010 crore, significantly lower than the budgeted Rs 9,000 crore. Reasons for Underutilization Under-spending on projects like BharatNet, aimed at village fiber connectivity, has been a major contributor to USOF underutilization. What is the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)? The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) was established with the primary objective of providing access to ‘Basic’ telecom services to people in the remote and rural areas at reasonable and affordable prices. USOF ensures that there is universal non-discriminatory access to quality ICT (Information and Communications Technology) services at economically efficient prices to people in rural and remote areas. It was created under the Ministry of Communications in 2002. It is a non-lapsable fund, i.e., the unspent amount under a targeted financial year does not lapse and is accrued for next years’ spending. All credits to this fund require parliamentary approval and it has statutory support under Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003. Universal Service stands for universal, interdependent and intercommunicating, affording the opportunity for any subscriber to any exchange to communicate with any other subscriber of any other exchange. Subsequently, the scope was widened to provide subsidy support for enabling access to all types of telegraph services including mobile services, broadband connectivity, and creation of infrastructure like Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) in rural and remote areas. With access to affordable telecom services in remote and rural areas, the USOF is the right step towards stemming urban migration. This would ensure to generate employment opportunities in the rural areas which would help generate more income. The USOF proposes to meet its social, economic, political and constitutional objectives which are as follows: To extend the telecommunication network. To stimulate the uptake of Internet and Communication Technologies (ICT) services. To bring the underserved and unserved areas of the country into the telecom spectrum and narrow down the access gap. To use the pooled USO levy for an equitable distribution through target subsidies. Who are the partners of USOF? As per the Department of Telecommunications, there are 24 partners of USOF. It includes: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Tata Tele Services Limited Reliance Communications Limited Vodafone Bharti Airtel Limited, etc -Source: Hindustan Times Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam Context: The water level in the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) across the Cauvery recently breached the 100-ft mark as against its capacity of 124.80 feet owing to heavy rain in the catchment area of the river. Relevance: GS III: Infrastructure Dimensions of the Article: Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam Key Facts about Kaveri River Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam Type: Gravity dam Location: Located below the confluence of the Kaveri River with its tributaries Hemavati and Lakshmana Tirtha, in Mandya district, Karnataka. Usage: Provides irrigation water to Mysore and Mandya districts. Main source of drinking water for Mysore, Mandya, and Bengaluru. Supplies water to the Shivanasamudra hydroelectric power station. Releases water to Tamil Nadu, stored in the Mettur dam in Salem district. History: Constructed during the rule of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV of Mysore. Construction began in 1911 and completed in 1931. Designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya, renowned Indian engineer. Features: Built using surki mortar and limestone. Length: 2,621 meters (8,600 ft), Height: 40 meters (130 ft). Features 177 iron sluices, some with automatic doors. Reservoir area spans about 130 sq km, once the largest in Asia. Adjacent to Brindavan Gardens, known for its ornamental beauty. Key Facts about Kaveri River Origin: Brahmagiri Hill in southwestern Karnataka. Course: Flows southeast for 765 km through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, descending the Eastern Ghats with notable falls. Drainage: Basin covers Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry. Outflow: Empties into the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. Major Left Bank Tributaries: Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha, Arkavati. Major Right Bank Tributaries: Lakshmantirtha, Kabbani, Suvarnavati, Bhavani, Noyil, Amaravati. -Source: The Hindu Samayapuram Temple Context: The Hindu Group of Publications has recently unveiled a coffee-table book titled ‘Samayapuram – The Sacred Seat of Shakti,’ authored by Vrinda Ramanan. This book delves into the rich history and cultural significance of the Samayapuram temple, dedicated to Goddess Mariamman, located in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu. Relevance: GS I: History About Samayapuram temple Historical Significance: The Samayapuram temple, over 1,200 years old, venerates Goddess Mariamman, believed to embody Goddess Durga, Mahakali, Adi Shakti, or Nishumbha Sudhini. Though lacking a precise construction date, it is believed to have origins dating back to the Chola period, underscoring its ancient roots. Temple Complex: The present temple complex was constructed during the 18th century by Vijayanagara King Vijayaraya Chakkaravarthi. Renowned as one of Tamil Nadu’s wealthiest temples, it stands as a testament to architectural splendor and cultural patronage. Annual Festival: A highlight of the temple’s cultural calendar is the Chithirai Ther Thiruvizha, a grand Chariot Festival spanning 13 days. This festival commences annually on the 1st Tuesday of the Tamil month Chithirai (April), drawing devotees from far and wide to participate in vibrant celebrations. -Source: The Hindu Copernicus Climate Centre Service Context: Recently, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said that the world witnessed its warmest-ever June last month with the average temperature being 0.67°C above the 1991-2020 average. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Key Facts about the Copernicus Programme Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S): Thematic Service: C3S is one of the six thematic information services under the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme. Operational Programme: It builds upon existing research infrastructures and knowledge to provide continuous and reliable climate information. Objectives: Provides authoritative information on past, present, and future climate conditions across Europe and globally. Supports European climate policies and actions aimed at increasing resilience to human-induced climate change. Scientific Foundation: Relies on climate research conducted within the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). Addresses user requirements defined by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). Implementation: Managed and implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on behalf of the European Commission. Key Facts about the Copernicus Programme: European Union Initiative: Established as the EU’s Earth Observation Programme. Data Collection: Utilizes data from earth observation satellites, ground stations, airborne sensors, and sea-borne sensors. Processes diverse data sets to provide comprehensive information through its thematic services. Thematic Areas: Covers six thematic areas: land, marine, atmosphere, climate change, emergency management, and security. Each area supports different societal needs, from environmental monitoring to disaster response and climate adaptation. -Source: The Hindu

Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 08 July 2024

CONTENTS Smart Cities Mission Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)  Smart Cities Mission Context: Recently, the Central Government has decided to extend the deadline for Smart Cities Mission till 31st March 2025. Relevance: GS II: Government Policies and Interventions Dimensions of the Article: What is the Smart Cities Mission? What kinds of projects were proposed? Challenges Faced by the Smart City Mission Steps Needed to Strengthen the Smart City Mission What is the Smart Cities Mission? The Smart Cities Mission is an initiative of the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015. Cities across the country were asked to submit proposals for projects to improve municipal services and to make their jurisdictions more liveable. Between January 2016 and June 2018 (when the last city, Shillong, was chosen), the Ministry selected 100 cities for the Mission over five rounds. The projects were supposed to be completed within five years of the selection of the city, but in 2021 the Ministry changed the deadline for all cities to June 2023, which was earlier the deadline for Shillong alone. What kinds of projects were proposed? After the Ministry gave broad guidelines to the participating cities, the project proposals ranged from making certain stretches of roads more accessible and pedestrian-friendly to more capital-intensive ones like laying water pipelines and constructing sewage treatment plants. All 100 cities have also constructed Integrated Command and Control Centres to monitor all security, emergency and civic services.  During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, these centres were converted into emergency response units by many of the cities. Challenges Faced by the Smart City Mission: Lack of Clear Definition: The Smart City Mission (SCM) lacks a clear definition of what constitutes a smart city, leading to challenges in resource allocation and project prioritization. Sidelining Elected Representatives: Reduced role of elected councils in decision-making raises concerns about democratic governance and accountability within the SCM framework. Competitive Selection Process: Selection of cities through competitive means overlooks India’s diverse urban realities, leading to the exclusion of many areas from development. Limited Area Development: Focus on developing less than 1% of a city’s area results in the neglect of significant portions, impacting overall urban development. Financial Constraints: Inadequate funding compared to the required investment for improving livability in Indian cities poses a significant challenge to SCM’s success. Governance Structure: Misalignment of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model with the constitutional framework and limited participation of the private sector hinder effective governance. Social Displacement and Environmental Impact: Smart city projects often lead to the displacement of vulnerable populations and environmental disruptions, such as urban flooding. Steps Needed to Strengthen the Smart City Mission: Appointment of Dedicated CEO: Appoint a dedicated CEO with a fixed tenure and representation from experts and stakeholders to ensure effective leadership and management. Inclusion of MPs in Advisory Forums: Include Members of Parliament (MPs) in State-Level Advisory Forums for their grassroots-level expertise in project identification and implementation. Emphasis on Pan-City Projects: Prioritize pan-city projects for comprehensive development, optimizing resource allocation, and reducing wastage. Digital Infrastructure Protection: Implement mechanisms to protect digital infrastructure from cyber threats and ensure data privacy. Capacity Building for ULBs: Strengthen Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) capabilities in small cities through central government assistance for organizational restructuring and capacity building. Timely Project Completion: Focus on timely project completion by actively intervening in execution and providing necessary expertise and support. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) Context: Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah urged stakeholders in cooperative societies to support the establishment of primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) in all villages and blocks of the country. Relevance: GS III- Indian Economy Dimensions of the Article: Summary of the recent announcements regarding cooperatives by Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation About Primary agricultural credit societies Objectives of PACS Functions of PACS Summary of the recent announcements regarding cooperatives by Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation : Union Minister Amit Shah addressed an event in Gandhinagar marking the 102nd International Day of Cooperatives. The government plans to establish Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in every village and block across India. Currently, about 2 lakh gram panchayats lack PACS, which the government aims to address. Shah urged cooperative societies to open bank accounts with local banks and support local dairies to bolster the cooperative sector. The Ministry of Cooperation has initiated a drive to establish 2 lakh dairies and PACS in gram panchayats. In March 2024, the National Cooperative Database was launched to identify and address gaps in cooperative societies. The government aims to form PACS in every village by 2029 and plans to introduce a new national cooperative policy within a month to strengthen the cooperative movement, replacing the existing 2002 policy. About Primary agricultural credit societies: PACS is the smallest cooperative credit institution in India and a basic unit. The initial Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) was founded in 1904. It has a grassroots effect (gram panchayat and village level). PACS serves as the last point of contact between the primary borrowers, or rural residents, and the higher agencies, such as the Central Cooperative Bank, State Cooperative Bank, and Reserve Bank of India. PACS are governed by the RBI and registered under the Co-operative Societies Act. The “Banking Regulation Act-1949” and the “Banking Laws (Co-operative societies) Act 1965” are in charge of them. Objectives of PACS To raise capital for the purpose of making loans and supporting members’ essential activities. To collect deposits from members with the goal of improving their savings habit. To supply agricultural inputs and services to members at reasonable prices, To arrange for the supply and development of improved breeds of livestock for members. To make all necessary arrangements for improving irrigation on land owned by members. To encourage various income-generating activities through supply of necessary inputs and services. Functions of PACS PACS typically offer the following services to their members: Input facilities in the form of a monetary or in-kind component Agriculture implements for hire Storage space

Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 08 July 2024

CONTENTS The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Plan has got off on the Wrong Foot A Law around Low-Carbon Climate Resilient Development The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Plan has Got off on the Wrong Foot Context: In 2023, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament, marking a significant step towards promoting research in India, particularly within its universities and colleges. The 2019 National Research Foundation (NRF) project report highlighted that one of ANRF’s top priorities is to enhance the outstanding research cells already present in State Universities. The scientific community welcomed the Bill, hoping it would offer Indian academia the much-needed freedom from bureaucracy, increase funding, and foster collaboration with industry partners. Relevance: GS3- Government Policies and Interventions Growth and Development Mains Question: Discuss the relevance of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation in the current landscape of science and technology in India. What can be done to ensure that it doesn’t become just another government department. (15 Marks, 250 Words). Associated Challenges: Lack of Representation: Recently, it announced a 15-member Governing Board and a 16-member Executive Council, both of which lack representation from the organizations the ANRF intended to support and facilitate. Despite the ANRF’s goal to strengthen the research infrastructure of universities and the fact that over 95% of students in India attend State universities and colleges, there are no members from Central or State universities or colleges on these boards. The Principal Scientific Adviser is joined by individuals typically found on high-powered government committees, including Secretaries from all science departments (such as the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research), as well as representatives from earth sciences, agriculture, health research, atomic energy, new and renewable energy, electronics and information technology, higher education, and defense research and development. Additionally, the boards include directors from the Indian Institute of Science and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, the Chair of the Indian Council of Historical Research, a Princeton mathematics professor, a science administrator and former Director of the United States National Science Foundation from Brown University, and a Silicon Valley serial entrepreneur. However, the board and council need members who understand the bottlenecks within the current system, particularly in universities, and who can implement solutions effectively on the ground rather than just providing advice. Multiple Committees Creating Confusion: To avoid confusion from having multiple committees, it is crucial for the ANRF to create a single committee dedicated to formulating and implementing strategies. This focus on practical, ground-level experience among committee members should reassure the research community and stakeholders that the ANRF’s decision-making process will be informed, competent, and timely. The Lack of Adequate Industry Representation: The lack of adequate industry representation and diversity is a significant oversight in the current board and council, especially given that the ANRF aims to raise more than 70% of its funding from non-government sources and industry. The sole industry representative is Romesh T. Wadhwani, an Indian-American businessman based in Silicon Valley, while the only woman representative is the Secretary of the DSIR. There is no representation from Indian industry, local entrepreneurs, or eminent academics from Central and State universities on the committee. R&D Underfunding: India currently underfunds research and development. To enhance research and make innovations from Indian organizations globally competitive, the research and development budget needs to be increased to 4% of GDP, and the existing funding system requires a significant overhaul. To achieve this, the ANRF must be properly staffed, implement a robust grant management system, establish an internal peer-review system with incentives for reviewers, ensure timely disbursal of research grants and student fellowships with a turnaround time of less than six months between application and fund disbursal, and create a system free from bureaucratic hurdles at both the funding body and grantee institutions. Additionally, the ANRF should allow flexibility in spending money without adhering to the government’s stringent general financial rules (GFR) and permit purchases without using the Government e-marketplace (GeM) portal. Conclusion: The ANRF must operate differently from current government science departments. It should include a more diverse representation of practicing natural and social scientists from the university system, with a focus on including more women and young entrepreneurs in its committee. Moreover, the future CEO of the ANRF should have a background in both industry and academia, be capable of raising funds for the ANRF, and understand the global innovation ecosystem. A complete overhaul is necessary for the ANRF to avoid becoming like any other government department and to bridge the gap between research and teaching in universities. A Law around Low-Carbon Climate Resilient Development Context: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India recently recognized the right to be “free from the adverse impacts of climate change” in M.K. Ranjitsinh and Others vs Union of India, deriving it from the right to life and the right to equality. In a previous article on this page, “Court on climate right and how India can enforce it” (July 1, 2024), we argued that while this is a significant step in establishing climate jurisprudence in India, it raises the critical question of how this right will be protected. Relevance: GS3- Environmental Conservation Mains Question: Addressing climate change is about more than limiting emissions. Discuss in the context of tailoring a climate legislation suited to the Indian context. (10 Marks, 150 Words). Tailoring Climate Legislation for the Indian Context: Law to Inform Development Choices: Preparing India to mitigate the risks of climate change and address its impacts necessitates re-orienting development towards low-carbon and climate-resilient futures. Any law aimed at this must ensure these objectives are embedded in routine decision-making at all levels of development. Because climate change disproportionately affects the vulnerable, and an energy transition must be just, the law must prioritize advancing social justice. While the concept of climate law is often associated with a top-down approach of setting and achieving targets, this approach is limited in a developing country. Addressing climate change involves more than just limiting emissions; it requires a careful, ongoing consideration of each developmental choice and its long-term synergies and trade-offs with low-carbon and climate-resilient futures. To achieve this, the substantive right to protection against the adverse effects of climate change must be realized through well-defined legal procedures applicable across all levels of government. Climate action becomes more credible when a well-designed institutional structure is in place to strategize, prioritize, troubleshoot, and evaluate policies behind the scenes. Framework Climate Laws: Many countries (67 according to one estimate) have experimented with ‘framework climate laws’ designed to build governance capacity to address climate change. These umbrella laws define government-wide goals and reinforce them with processes and accountability measures, making climate action a central government priority. However, these laws vary, and India’s approach must be tailored to its unique context. Starting from a low base of per capita emissions—less than half the global average—India’s emissions are still growing. The objective should be to maximize development benefits from each ton of carbon while avoiding high-carbon futures. Additionally, given India’s high vulnerability to climate impacts, building climate resilience must be a key element of the new law. Social equity considerations should also be central to meeting these objectives. Thus, India’s law must promote development in a low-carbon direction while enhancing resilience to pervasive climate impacts. This law should guide developmental choices, enabling thoughtful decision-making towards achieving a low-carbon, resilient society. For instance, as Indian cities grow and change rapidly, the law should help envision low-carbon, climate-resilient cities of the future and identify the levers to shape them. It should also guide city planning to minimize risks from floods and heatwaves, address transport needs through technology shifts like electric vehicle adoption, and emphasize public transport and lifestyle changes. Establishing a Low-Carbon Development Body: A framework climate law should establish an institutional structure capable of developing viable solutions to climate-related questions. Our ongoing work at the Sustainable Futures Collaborative suggests creating a knowledge body within the government that can rigorously analyze policy options and their potential outcomes. We recommend an independent ‘low-carbon development commission’, staffed with experts and technical personnel, to provide practical solutions for achieving low-carbon growth and resilience to both national and state governments. This body could also serve as a platform for inclusive decision-making. Vulnerable communities and those adversely affected by technological changes need to be systematically consulted. Listening to their concerns and incorporating their ideas could lead to more sustainable policy outcomes. A comparable example is South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission, which focuses on a just transition based on stakeholder inputs. Effective climate governance requires the ability to set directions, make strategic choices, and encourage the integration of low-carbon options and climate change considerations within line ministries. The law could establish a high-level strategic body, termed a ‘climate cabinet’, comprising key ministers and representatives from the Chief Ministers of States, tasked with driving climate strategy across the government. Globally, climate policy often fails due to fragmented decision-making; this approach aims to address that issue. Implementing a Whole-of-Government Approach: A whole-of-government approach will require dedicated coordination mechanisms for effective implementation. While the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change should continue to play a central role, it needs to be supported by higher-level coordination. The pre-existing Executive Committee on Climate Change, composed of senior bureaucrats from multiple ministries, offers a useful template but needs to be reinvigorated with clearly defined legal powers and duties. Engagement with the Federal Structure: The law must also consider India’s federal structure. Many areas crucial to reducing emissions and improving resilience—such as electricity, agriculture, water, health, and soil—fall under the jurisdiction of state and local governments. Climate impacts are first and most viscerally felt at the local level. To protect the Court’s newly established climate right, any institutional structure or regulatory instrument must meaningfully engage with subnational governments. First, the law should establish a channel for subnational governments to access national scientific capacity, potentially through the low-carbon development commission, addressing the issue of insufficient local climate scientific capacity. Second, it should articulate ways to finance local action, such as aligning centrally-sponsored schemes with climate goals or requiring national departments to tag expenditures towards local climate resilience. Third, the law should establish coordination mechanisms that facilitate consultation between the Centre and States on major climate decisions. It could also mandate periodic updates of medium-term climate plans built around unified goals, and encourage states to develop complementary institutions to those at the Centre, providing knowledge, strategy-setting, deliberation, and coordination functions. The proposed framework law, which facilitates and catalyzes action across national ministries and the federal structure, should not be the sole legal tool in the country’s regulatory toolkit. Complementary sectoral laws and amendments may also be necessary, but they should be informed by the approach outlined in the framework law. Conclusion: The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in M.K. Ranjitsinh opens the door to legal and governance changes that could establish a actionable right against the adverse effects of climate change. However, to fulfill this potential, this opportunity must be seized by enacting a climate law tailored to the Indian context. Such a law would guide Indian development choices towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient future while promoting justice.

Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 08 July 2024

CONTENTS ISRO Astronauts to Join Axiom-4 Mission to ISS Draft Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill Shanghai Cooperation Organization Genome Sequencing People’s Biodiversity Register Zorawar Light Tank Groynes  ISRO Astronauts to Join Axiom-4 Mission to ISS Context: As part of the Axiom-4 mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has shortlisted two of its four trained Gaganyaan astronauts to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About Axiom-4 Mission About International Space Station (ISS) About Axiom-4 Mission: Overview: Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a private spaceflight mission to the International Space Station (ISS), operated by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA. It utilizes a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and marks the fourth mission by Axiom Space. Launch and Objectives: Launch Date: Scheduled for 2024, Axiom-4 aims to continue advancing commercial activities in space, including scientific research, technological development, and potentially space tourism. Objectives: The mission seeks to demonstrate the viability of commercial space stations for business and innovation, supporting a diverse crew of astronauts from multiple countries to foster international collaboration in space exploration. Scientific Focus: Axiom-4 will enable various scientific experiments and technological tests in microgravity. Research areas include materials science, biology, Earth observation, and more, aiming to contribute significant discoveries and innovations. Key Features: Spacecraft: Utilizes a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Crew: Comprises professional astronauts and private individuals, potentially including researchers and tourists who undergo rigorous training. Duration: Expected to be a short-duration mission lasting approximately 14 days aboard the ISS. Activities: Crew will conduct experiments, technology demonstrations, and educational outreach during their stay on the ISS. Long-Term Vision: Axiom Space aims to build the world’s first commercial space station, transitioning from the ISS to their own independent orbital outpost in the future. About International Space Station (ISS): Overview: The ISS is a modular space station launched in 1998, serving as a large laboratory in space where astronauts conduct experiments in microgravity. Objective: Conducts scientific research across various fields including astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, and physics. Key Facts: Size and Orbit: Largest artificial object in space, orbits Earth approximately every 93 minutes at an altitude of 400 km. Power Generation: Eight solar arrays generate about 160 kilowatts of power for station operations. Participants: Multinational collaboration involving space agencies from the USA (NASA), Russia (Roscosmos), Japan (JAXA), Europe (ESA), and Canada (CSA). Segments: Divided into the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) operated by Russia, and the United States Orbital Segment (USOS) managed by NASA and other international partners. Ownership and Use: Governed by intergovernmental treaties and agreements, the ISS serves as a symbol of international cooperation in space exploration. -Source: The Hindu Draft Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill Context: Recently, the Karnataka government published the draft of the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, making it the second Indian State to initiate such a move, the first being Rajasthan. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Key Features of the Draft Bill Who is a ‘gig worker’? Concerns related to gig workers and the proposed labour codes in India Measures to address the issues related to gig workers Key Features of the Draft Bill The draft Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill introduces several key provisions aimed at regulating and safeguarding the rights of platform-based gig workers in the state. Here are the main features of the draft bill: Termination Regulations: The bill mandates that contracts between aggregators (platforms) and gig workers include a comprehensive list of grounds for termination. Aggregators cannot terminate a worker without valid reasons provided in writing and a prior notice period of 14 days. This addresses concerns of arbitrary terminations and aims to ensure fair treatment of workers. Payment Regulations: Aggregators are required to make payments to gig workers at least weekly. Workers must be informed about any deductions in payments and the reasons for these deductions, ensuring transparency in financial transactions. Right to Refuse Gigs: Gig workers have the right to refuse a specified number of gigs per week without facing adverse consequences, provided they have reasonable cause. Welfare Fund: A welfare fee will be levied on each transaction between the worker and the company, or based on the company’s total revenue. Contributions from both the Union and State governments will also fund this welfare fund. All gig workers must be registered, and aggregators are required to maintain a database of these workers. Working Conditions: Aggregators are obligated to provide reasonable and safe working conditions for gig workers. However, the draft bill does not specify what constitutes “reasonable” conditions. Who is a ‘gig worker’? Gig workers are those who work outside the traditional employer-employee relationship. There are two groups of gig workers – platform workers and non-platform workers. Gig workers who use online platforms are called platform workers, while those who work outside of these platforms are non-platform workers. Gig workers have characteristics of both employees and independent contractors and do not fit into any rigid categorization. As a result, gig workers have limited recognition under current employment laws and fall outside the ambit of statutory benefits. Concerns related to gig workers and the proposed labour codes in India: Limited benefits and protections: Gig workers are excluded from the benefits and protections offered by the other proposed labour codes, such as minimum wage and occupational safety. They are also not allowed to create legally recognised unions. Lack of effective remedy: Gig workers are excluded from accessing the specialised redressal mechanism under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. This denies them an effective remedy for grievances against their employers. No right to collective bargaining: Gig workers do not have the right to collective bargaining, which is a fundamental principle of modern labour law crucial to safeguard the rights of workers. Poor working conditions: A 2022 report by Fairwork India highlighted the deplorable working conditions of digital platform workers in India. There is a need for statutory affirmation of the rights of gig workers. Delay in implementation: The proposed labour codes have received the assent of the President, but are still awaiting implementation three years on. The Centre has cited the delay in framing of rules by the States as the reason for the delay. Measures to address the issues related to gig workers: Evaluating scale of Gig economy: As of now there exists no authoritative estimate on the total number of gig workers in India, though the centralised nature of the platforms, and the larger platform labour market should make the collating of this data relatively straightforward for the Labour Ministry. Making regulations related to Gig economy: A more viable strategy then would involve conditional government partnerships with platforms under some of its flagship schemes. Here, the successful pilot of Swiggy’s Street Food Vendors programme under the PM SVANidhi, or PM Street Vendor’s Atma Nirbhar Nidhi scheme, may prove to be an illustrative example. -Source: The Hindu Shanghai Cooperation Organization Context: Recently the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was concluded in Astana, Kazakhstan and brought together leaders from across the region.   Relevance: GS II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: Key highlights from the SCO Summit 2024 What is the SCO?  Organizational structure of SCO Key highlights from the SCO Summit 2024: Belarus Joins SCO: Belarus became the 10th member state of the SCO, expanding the organization’s reach and influence. Adoption of Astana Declaration: The summit adopted the Astana Declaration and approved 25 strategic agreements covering energy, security, trade, finance, and information security. SCO Development Strategy 2035: The Council of Heads of State approved the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, focusing on combating terrorism, separatism, extremism, anti-drug strategies, energy cooperation, economic development, and eco-tourism. International Cooperation: Commitments included a memorandum to combat illicit drug trafficking and an interaction plan on international information security issues. India-China Diplomatic Talks: India’s External Affairs Minister met with the Chinese Foreign Minister, emphasizing the need for complete disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and efforts to resolve remaining issues in Eastern Ladakh. Make in India Initiative: India highlighted the ‘Make in India’ initiative as a significant driver of global economic growth and expressed openness to partnering with nations, especially those in the Global South, for capacity building and economic development. Counterterrorism Efforts: India urged the global community to isolate countries that harbor terrorists and condone terrorism. Combating terrorism was emphasized as a foundational goal of the SCO, with India actively participating in security cooperation through the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS). Russian President’s Remarks: The Russian President underscored the SCO’s role in promoting a fair, multipolar world order, reflecting on the organization’s strategic objectives and global influence. What is the SCO?  Founded in June 2001, it was built on the ‘Shanghai Five’, the grouping which consisted of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. They came together in the post-Soviet era in 1996, in order to work on regional security, reduction of border troops and terrorism. They endowed particular focus on ‘conflict resolution’, given its early success between China and Russia, and then within the Central Asian Republics. Some of their prominent outcomes in this arena entail an ‘Agreement on Confidence-Building in the Military Field Along the Border Areas’ (in 1996) between China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which led to an agreement on the mutual reduction of military forces on their common borders in 1997. It would also pitch in to help the Central Asian countries resolve some of their boundary disputes.  In 2001, the ‘Shanghai Five’ inducted Uzbekistan into its fold and named it the SCO, outlining its principles in a charter that promoted what was called the “Shanghai spirit” of cooperation. The precise assertion, combined with some of the member states’ profiles, of building a “new international political and economic order” has often led to it being placed as a counter to treaties and groupings of the West, particularly North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Member states India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The SCO also has four observer states — Afghanistan, Iran, Belarus and Mongolia — of which Iran and Belarus are now moving towards full membership.  Main goals Strengthening mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member states; Promoting their effective cooperation in politics, trade, economy, research and technology, and culture. Focus areas: Education, energy, transport, tourism and environmental protection. It also calls for joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region; and the establishment of a democratic, fair and rational new international political and economic order. Organizational structure of SCO The SCO secretariat has two permanent bodies — SCO Secretariat based in Beijing  Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent. Other than this, the grouping consists of Heads of State Council (HSC): It is the supreme decision-making body of the organisation. It meets annually to adopt decisions and guidelines on all important matters relevant to the organisation. Heads of Government Council (HGC): The HGC (mainly including Prime Ministers) also meets annually to zero in on the organisation’s priority areas and multilateral cooperation strategy. It also endeavours to resolve present economic and cooperation issues alongside approving the organisation’s annual budget.  Foreign Ministers Council: The Foreign Ministers Council considers issues pertaining to the day-to-day activities of the organisation, charting HSC meetings and consultations on international problems within the organisation and if required, makes statements on behalf of the SCO.  -Source: Indian Express Genome Sequencing Context: Recently, a report published in the journal Nature revealed that a team of archaeologists and scientists from Germany, Mexico, Spain, the U.K. and the US has sequenced genetic material obtained from the human remains found from an ancient burial place. Relevance: GS III- Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About Genome Sequencing Importance of Genome Sequencing Genome India Project About Genome Sequencing:  Genome sequencing is figuring out the order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in a genome—the order of Adenine, Cytosine, Guanines, and Thymine that make up an organism’s DNA. Human genome It is made up of 23 chromosome pairs with a total of about 3 billion DNA base pairs. There are 24 distinct human chromosomes: 22 autosomal chromosomes, plus the sex-determining X and Y chromosomes. Chromosomes 1-22 are numbered roughly in order of decreasing size. Somatic cells usually have one copy of chromosomes 1-22 from each parent, plus an X chromosome from the mother and either an X or Y chromosome from the father, for a total of 46. There are estimated 20,000-25,000 human protein-coding genes. The estimate of the number of human genes has been repeatedly revised down from initial predictions of 100,000 or more as genome sequence quality and gene finding methods have improved, and could continue to drop further. Importance of Genome Sequencing Sequencing the genome is an important step towards understanding it. The genome sequence will represent a valuable shortcut, helping scientists find genes much more easily and quickly. A genome sequence does contain some clues about where genes are, even though scientists are just learning to interpret these clues. Scientists also hope that being able to study the entire genome sequence will help them understand how the genome as a whole works—how genes work together to direct the growth, development and maintenance of an entire organism. Finally, genes account for less than 25 percent of the DNA in the genome, and so knowing the entire genome sequence will help scientists study the parts of the genome outside the genes. This includes the regulatory regions that control how genes are turned on and off, as well as long stretches of “nonsense” or “junk” DNA—so called because significance of it hasn’t been established. Genome India Project India’s population consists of over 4,600 diverse population groups, many of which are endogamous. These groups have unique genetic variations and disease-causing mutations that cannot be compared to other populations. The Genome India Project aims to create a database of Indian genomes to learn about these unique genetic variants and use the information to create personalized drugs and therapies. The project was started in 2020 and is inspired by the successful decoding of the entire human genome in the Human Genome Project (HGP). The project seeks to better understand the genetic variations and disease-causing mutations specific to the Indian population, which is one of the most genetically diverse in the world. By sequencing and analyzing these genomes, researchers hope to gain insights into the underlying genetic causes of diseases and develop more effective personalized therapies. The project involves the collaboration of 20 institutions across India and is being led by the Centre for Brain Research at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, China, and the United States, also have similar programs to sequence their genomes. -Source: The Hindu People’s Biodiversity Register Context:     Thazhakara has become the first grama panchayat in Alappuzha and one of the first in Kerala to update and publish a comprehensive People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) with the involvement of local communities. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: About People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) Status of Biodiversity Management in India Challenges related to Biodiversity Conservation About Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) About People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) The PBR is a comprehensive record of biodiversity, encompassing conservation of habitats, preservation of land races, folk varieties, cultivars, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals, and micro-organisms. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) are established under the Biological Diversity Act 2002 to promote conservation, sustainable use, and documentation of biological diversity. BMCs, formed by local bodies in states and union territories, are responsible for creating PBRs in consultation with local communities. Importance and Objectives: Conservation of biodiversity: The PBR contributes to the preservation of biodiversity, crucial for maintaining ecological balance. Benefit sharing: It enables local communities to share the benefits derived from genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. Implementation of regulations: The PBR supports the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act 2002, which regulates access to biological resources and ensures fair and equitable benefit sharing. Cultural and natural overlap: By being a bottom-up exercise, the PBR facilitates understanding the intersection of cultural and natural biodiversity. Decentralized and inclusive approach: The PBR follows a decentralized approach, involving local communities and institutions, promoting inclusivity in biodiversity conservation. LiFE concept: The PBR aligns with the “Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)” concept introduced by the Indian Prime Minister at COP26 in Glasgow. It calls for mindful and deliberate resource utilization to protect and preserve the environment. Status of Biodiversity Management in India Despite occupying only 2.4% of the world’s land area, India is home to 7-8% of the world’s recorded species. India boasts four of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots: The Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma area, and Sundaland. Two of these hotspots, the Indo-Burma area and Sundaland, extend beyond India’s formal borders and are spread throughout South Asia. Legislative Framework: The Biological Diversity Act (BDA) of 2002 in India aligns closely with the Nagoya Protocol and aims to implement the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Nagoya Protocol aims to ensure that the commercial and research utilization of genetic resources results in the sharing of benefits with the government and the community responsible for conserving those resources. The BDA is a significant step toward preserving India’s extensive biodiversity as it recognizes the sovereign rights of countries over their natural resources. The BDA promotes the decentralized management of bio-resources and establishes a three-layered structure: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) operates at the national level. The State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) function at the state level. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) operate at the local level. The act also strengthens India’s position regarding intellectual property rights related to biodiversity knowledge, preventing unauthorized claims. Challenges related to Biodiversity Conservation: Invasive Alien Species: Invasive alien species, including non-native plants, animals, and pathogens, pose a significant challenge to biodiversity conservation. These species can cause environmental harm and disrupt the ecological balance of ecosystems. Reports from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) indicate that invasive alien species have contributed to nearly 40% of all animal extinctions. Global Warming and Climate Change: Global warming and climate change pose threats to plant and animal species. Many organisms are sensitive to changes in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, which can lead to their disappearance. The use of pesticides and the release of tropospheric ozone, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides from industries further contribute to the degradation of natural ecosystems. Plastic Pollution: Inefficient management of plastic waste leads to the dumping of microplastics into oceans. This pollution chokes and starves marine life, causing liver, reproductive, and gastrointestinal damage in animals. Marine biodiversity is directly impacted by the presence of microplastics, affecting the overall health and balance of marine ecosystems. Genetic Modification: Genetically modified plants carry risks of disrupting ecosystems and biodiversity. Engineering genes for desirable traits can favor certain organisms over others, leading to imbalances. Disruptions in the natural process of gene flow can eventually impact the sustainability of indigenous varieties and disrupt overall ecological processes. About Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was negotiated and signed by nations during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 5, 1992. The convention officially came into force on December 29, 1993. India became a party to the convention on February 18, 1994, and currently, there are 196 Parties to the CBD. The CBD is a legally binding treaty with three primary objectives: Conservation of biodiversity: The convention aims to promote the conservation and sustainable management of biological diversity, including ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. Sustainable use of biodiversity components: It encourages the sustainable utilization of biological resources while ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and ecological balance. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits: The CBD emphasizes the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from the utilization of genetic resources, ensuring that the benefits reach both the providers of those resources and the communities involved. The Secretariat of the CBD is located in Montreal, Canada, and serves as the administrative hub for coordinating and supporting the implementation of the convention’s objectives. -Source: The Hindu Zorawar Light Tank Context: Recently, defence officials said that the prototype of the country’s indigenous light tank Zorawar is ready and will soon be subjected to extensive trials. Relevance: Facts for Prelims About Zorawar Light Tank:  The Zorawar Light Tank, named after the 19th-century military general Zorawar Singh Kahluria, is an indigenously designed and developed tank jointly created by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as the lead integrator. Here are its key features: Design and Development: Designed to weigh a maximum of 25 tonnes, the Zorawar Light Tank meets crucial requirements for air transportability. It integrates modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, drone integration, high situational awareness, and amphibious operation capability. Versatility: The tank is designed to operate effectively in diverse terrains, including high-altitude areas, marginal terrains, and island territories. It is optimized to maintain a balance between firepower, mobility, and protection. Role and Capabilities: It can fire at high angles of elevation, enabling it to perform roles akin to limited artillery. Its agility and modern features make it a versatile weapon platform suitable for various operational scenarios. Induction Timeline: The Zorawar Light Tank is expected to complete all trials and be inducted into the Indian Army by the year 2027. -Source: The Hindu Groynes Context: In a bid to resolve the extensive coastal erosion in Poonthura region in Kerala, the irrigation department is all set to construct eight groynes at a cost of Rs 17.5 crore. Relevance: Facts for Prelims Groynes Groynes are coastal structures designed to manage shoreline erosion and sediment movement. Here are some key points about groynes: Structure and Purpose: Groynes are typically built perpendicular or at a slight angle to the shoreline. They are constructed from materials such as wood, rock, concrete, or metal. Their primary purpose is to trap sediment moving along the shore due to longshore drift. Functionality: Groynes work by interrupting the movement of sediment along the beach caused by wave action and longshore currents. By trapping sediment on their updrift side, they help widen beaches and reduce erosion on the downdrift side. Advantages: Erosion Control: Groynes effectively reduce shoreline erosion by stabilizing the beach profile and preventing sediment loss. Sediment Trapping: They trap sediment carried by longshore drift, promoting beach nourishment and wider beaches. Wave Energy Dissipation: Groynes dissipate wave energy, reducing the impact of waves on the shoreline and protecting coastal infrastructure. Durability and Maintenance: They are relatively easy to construct, have long-term durability, and require minimal maintenance compared to other coastal protection measures. Long-Term Stability: When properly designed and maintained, groynes serve as robust structures that contribute to the long-term stability of coastal areas used for various societal activities, such as recreation and development. -Source: Times of India

Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 06 July 2024

CONTENTS Sampoornata Abhiyan Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT Sampoornata Abhiyan Context: Recently, NITI Aayog launched the ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ witnessing significant participation from citizens across the country. Relevance: GS II: Government policies and Interventions About Sampoornata Abhiyan: Objective: Sampoornata Abhiyan is a 3-month campaign aimed at achieving saturation of key indicators in both Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks across India. Coverage: It targets achieving saturation in 6 key indicators each in 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks under the Aspirational Districts Programme and Aspirational Blocks Programme. Key Indicators of Aspirational Blocks: Percentage of pregnant women registered for Antenatal Care (ANC) within the first trimester. Percentage of persons screened for Diabetes against the targeted population in the Block. Percentage of persons screened for Hypertension against the targeted population in the Block. Percentage of pregnant women taking Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS Programme regularly. Percentage of Soil Health Cards generated against the soil sample collection target. Percentage of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) that have received a Revolving Fund against the total SHGs in the block. Key Indicators of Aspirational Districts: Percentage of pregnant women registered for Antenatal Care (ANC) within the first trimester. Percentage of pregnant women taking Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS Programme regularly. Percentage of children fully immunized (9-11 months) (BCG+DPT3+OPV3+Measles 1). Number of Soil Health Cards distributed. Percentage of schools with functional electricity at the secondary level. Percentage of schools providing textbooks to children within 1 month of the start of the academic session. Implementation Partners: NITI Aayog collaborates with relevant Central Ministries, Departments, and State/Union Territory Governments to ensure effective and rapid development of these Districts and Blocks. Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT Context: India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT is scheduled to be conducted from 03rd to 16th July 2024 in Umroi, Meghalaya. Relevance: GS III: Security Challenges About Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT: Purpose and Edition: Purpose: Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT is the 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise, aimed at enhancing joint military capabilities in counter-insurgency operations within a Sub Conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. Edition: Conducted alternately in India and Mongolia, the last edition took place in Mongolia in July 2023. Participants and Units: The exercise features a contingent of 45 personnel from India, represented by a Battalion of SIKKIM SCOUTS along with personnel from other arms and services. Terrain and Focus: The exercise focuses on operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrains, aiming to refine tactical skills crucial for such environments. Tactical Drills and Objectives: Tactical drills include Response to a Terrorist Action, Establishment of a Joint Command Post, setting up an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre, and Securing of a Helipad/Landing Site. The exercise facilitates the exchange of best practices in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) of joint operations between the Indian and Mongolian armies. Outcome and Benefits: By enhancing inter-operability, camaraderie, and mutual understanding, Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT strengthens defence cooperation and bilateral relations between India and Mongolia.

Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 06 July 2024

CONTENTS Growing Inequality Strengthening Momentum in the Key Industrial Sectors Growing Inequality Context: The Indian economy needs to create over 25 million jobs in the next five years to employ all those currently unemployed. The government has claimed that the economy grew at a robust 8% last year based on GDP. However, even if this growth rate is accurate, it has not translated into sufficient job creation, given the prevailing unemployment rates. Relevance: GS3- Inclusive Growth Mains Question: The government has claimed that the economy grew at a robust 8% last year based on GDP. However, it has not translated into sufficient job creation, given the prevailing unemployment rates. Comment. (15 Marks, 250 Words). Recent Unemployment Data: According to the latest official statistics, the unemployment rate for those aged 15 and above may have decreased from 4.2% in 2021 to 3.1% in 2023, but this reduction does not align with the rapid 8% GDP growth. The gap between the wealthy and the poor has significantly widened over the past two decades. Particularly in the last decade, official statistics show a stark rise in wealth inequality. Currently, about 1% of India’s population owns 40% of the country’s wealth. This disparity is concerning for any democratic society and state, posing risks to national stability. This phenomenon is often described as “K-shaped” inequality, where the income or consumption for a select few rises while it decreases for a large portion of the less affluent population, resembling the two diverging arms of the letter ‘K’. Government economists also assert that the administration has established sustained and rapid economic growth, purportedly leading to widespread happiness. However, the true impact of these claims will be evident in the next three years. The recent election results cast doubt on these claims, which government experts and the media have promoted, dubbing India the “fastest-growing large economy in the world.” The electorate, however, seems unconvinced. This is evidenced by the ruling party’s substantial loss of seats in the Lok Sabha, forcing the party to rely on two regional parties to maintain power. Potential Decline in Growth: The government often claims that the 8.2% GDP growth for 2023-24 builds on the strong 7% growth in 2022-23, though the methodology behind these calculations remains undisclosed. Over the last two years, India’s growth has been driven by a significantly large budget deficit used to fund massive government capital expenditure. However, this growth has not been supported by structural investments in the industrial, agricultural, and service sectors. It is noteworthy that the GDP growth rate fell from 8% to 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2019-20. Similarly, the GDP growth rate for 2015-16 was about 8% compared to the previous year. Each financial year is divided into four quarters: April 1-June 30, July 1-September 30, October 1-December 31, and January 1-March 31. In the pre-COVID-19 quarter (January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020), GDP growth declined to an annual equivalent rate of 3.4% compared to the same period in the previous year. Therefore, the 8.2% growth reported by the Finance Ministry for 2023-24 seems like a short-term spike. It is doubtful whether this growth can be sustained in 2024-25. Indeed, those who analyze serious quantitative economics expect growth to decline further. Call for a New Economic Strategy: Over the past decade, government economists have frequently advocated for the “next generation of reforms” to spur national economic growth. Moreover, in agriculture, 92% of jobs are in the unorganized sector, while in industry and services, 73% of jobs are in small- and medium-sized informal sectors. Only 27% of jobs are provided by the government and formal private sector combined. Conclusion: Therefore, India urgently requires a new long-term economic strategy. This task is particularly challenging due to the lack of a cohesive majority in Parliament and lack of economists who can provide candid advice to relevant ministers. Strengthening Momentum in the Key Industrial Sectors Context: The data for May from the eight core infrastructure sectors indicate a slowdown in broad industrial activity, attributed to a heatwave that increased power consumption in homes, offices, and factories for fans and cooling systems. Only coal and electricity generation saw double-digit output growth, with increases of 10.2% and 12.8%, respectively, according to provisional data from the Index of Eight Core Industries released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on June 28. Relevance: GS3- Infrastructure Growth and Development Mains Question: India needs to strengthen momentum in the key industrial sectors. Discuss in the context of recent trends witnessed in the Index of Eight Core Industries. (10 Marks, 150 Words). Core Sector Growth: Core sector growth refers to the rate of increase in output or production from the core industries of an economy over a specified period, typically measured annually or monthly. It is calculated by combining the growth rates of individual industries, weighted according to their importance in the overall Index of Core Industries (ICI). Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI): The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is compiled and released monthly by the Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The ICI reflects the performance and vitality of India’s industrial sector through various components: Coal: Production of coal, excluding coking coal. Electricity: Generation of electricity from thermal, nuclear, and hydro sources, and imports from Bhutan. Crude Oil: Total production of crude oil. Cement: Production in both large and mini plants. Natural Gas: Total production of natural gas. Steel: Production of alloy and non-alloy steel. Refinery Products: Total refinery production. Fertilizers: Production of urea, ammonium sulphate, calcium ammonium nitrate, complex grade fertilizers, single superphosphate, and more. Weightage of Core Industries: The current weightage of the eight core industries is as follows: Petroleum Refinery Products: 28.04% Electricity: 19.85% Steel: 17.92% Coal: 10.33% Crude Oil: 8.98% Natural Gas: 6.88% Cement: 5.37% Fertilizers: 2.63% Reporting and Usage: The ICI for a given month is released with a one-month lag on the last day of the following month, approximately twelve days before the release of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for the same reference month. The base year for the current series of ICI is 2011-12, aligning with the base year for the IIP. The ICI is extensively used by policymakers, including the Ministry of Finance, other ministries and departments, banks financing infrastructure projects, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Railway Board. Current Trend in ICI: Crude oil, fertilizers, and cement production decreased compared to the previous year, while output growth slowed in natural gas, refinery products, and steel. The heatwave notably impacted economic activity in northern India, leading to afternoon breaks at construction sites and daily peak power demand at the Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre consistently reaching around or above 75 gigawatts. Demand for cement and steel weakened due to reduced construction activity, with both materials also showing sequential declines in output. The year-on-year decline in fertilizer production for the fifth consecutive month in May raises concerns about ongoing weakness in the rural agriculture sector. However, a significant increase in May’s index number for fertilizers from the revised April reading offers some hope. Official data for the core sector and the Index of Industrial Production, which the core sector influences by over 40%, suffer from the drawback of being released with a delay of more than a month. In contrast, the private sector’s survey-based HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for June indicates a rebound in factory activity from May’s heatwave-induced three-month low. June’s PMI reading of 58.3 was 0.8 percentage points higher than May’s 57.5, and HSBC India noted that this figure was “comfortably above its long-run average.” The survey reveals that manufacturers increased output and purchasing to meet robust demand and stepped up hiring at the fastest pace seen in over 19 years of data collection. However, this surge in job creation and demand was accompanied by significant increases in staff expenses and material and transportation costs, prompting manufacturing companies to raise their selling prices by the greatest extent in over two years. Conclusion: This inflationary trend, along with a decline in survey respondents’ overall confidence in future output to a three-month low, indicates that the economy still faces challenges. Policymakers have the opportunity to use the upcoming Union Budget to implement policy adjustments that could help boost momentum in key industrial sectors.

Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 06 July 2024

CONTENTS Focus on Fiscal Decentralisation and Urban Financial Sustainability by the 16th Finance Commission Cauvery River Successful Conclusion of Global INDIAai Summit and IMF’s AI Preparedness Index Launch Revival Hopes for Gharials in Kaziranga National Park Common Grass Yellow Palm Trees  Focus on Fiscal Decentralisation and Urban Financial Sustainability by the 16th Finance Commission Context: Recent developments surrounding the 16th Finance Commission (FC) in India underscore crucial issues related to fiscal decentralisation, especially concerning urban areas and their financial sustainability within the federal structure. Additionally, the World Bank has estimated a need for USD 840 billion for basic urban infrastructure over the next decade. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: Financial Sustainability Issues with Urban Areas in India Major Terms of Reference for the 16th Finance Commission Steps Needed for Better Urban Finance Financial Sustainability Issues with Urban Areas in India: Significance of Urban Areas: India’s urban areas contribute 66% of the country’s GDP and about 90% of total government revenues, yet they face significant infrastructure and financial challenges. Inadequate Fiscal Support: Intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) to cities constitute only 0.5% of GDP, impacting their ability to provide essential services and maintain infrastructure. Comparison with Other Nations: Compared to other developing nations, India allocates significantly lower funds to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). For example, South Africa allocates 2.6%, Mexico 1.6%, the Philippines 2.5%, and Brazil 5.1% of their GDPs to their cities. Impact of GST: The introduction of GST has reduced ULBs’ own tax revenues, exacerbating financial challenges in urban areas. Revenue Decline and Expenditure Rise: An RBI survey (2020-21) of 221 municipal corporations revealed that over 70% experienced revenue declines, while expenditures rose sharply by 71.2%. Property Tax Issues: As per OECD, India has the world’s lowest property tax collection rate (property tax to GDP ratio), limiting municipal corporation revenues. Impact of GST on Revenue Streams: GST abolished octroi, which previously contributed significantly (about 55% of total revenue expenditure) to urban local bodies’ revenues, leading to a decline in tax revenues. Other Issues: Data Challenges: Outdated census data (last updated in 2011) hampers accurate assessment of urban population needs, crucial for fiscal planning and addressing urbanization trends. Parallel Agencies and Schemes: MP/MLA Local Area Development Funds undermine local government autonomy, complicating urban governance and service delivery. Pandemic Response and Governance: During the pandemic, municipal corporations were excluded from disaster mitigation decision-making at national, state, and district levels, impacting effective urban governance. Policy Paradigm and Local Government Autonomy: The traditional approach treating local governments as extensions of state governments persists, limiting local autonomy and effective service delivery. Infrastructure and Human Resource Deficits: Some urban local governments lack basic infrastructure and human resources, exacerbated by irregular elections in some states, impacting service delivery and governance effectiveness. Major Terms of Reference for the 16th Finance Commission: Constitutional Mandate: Established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the central government and state governments. Tax Distribution: Recommending the distribution of taxes between the Union Government and the States, including the allocation of shares among the States from tax proceeds. Grants-in-Aid: Establishing principles governing grants-in-aid to States from the Consolidated Fund of India, determining amounts under Article 275 of the Constitution. Enhancing State Funds: Identifying measures to enhance the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement resources available to Panchayats and Municipalities based on State Finance Commission recommendations. Disaster Management Financing: Reviewing financing structures related to Disaster Management initiatives, including funds under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and recommending improvements. Steps Needed for Better Urban Finance: Property Tax Augmentation: Implementing Geographical Information System (GIS) and digitization for better property tax administration, as recommended by previous Finance Commissions. Levy of Vacant Land Tax: Empowering municipalities to levy vacant land tax to optimize revenue sources. Digital Transformation: Adopting digital platforms for property tax assessment, e-filing, and online payments to enhance transparency and collection efficiency. User Charges for Services: Introducing user charges for specific services like parking, waste collection for bulk generators, and recreation facilities, ensuring fees reflect service costs. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Monetizing underutilized properties through PPPs to develop commercial spaces, markets, or parking lots, generating rental income and economic activity. Support for Local Economy: Streamlining business licenses, offering tax incentives for startups, and fostering innovation hubs to boost local economic activity and tax revenues. Social Stock Exchange (SSE): Exploring the creation of an SSE or partnering with existing SSEs to attract investment towards social enterprises addressing local social needs. Land Value Capture: Implementing mechanisms to capture increased land values resulting from public infrastructure projects to fund future developments, as exemplified by cities like Hong Kong. -Source: The Hindu Cauvery River Context: The Karnataka state government has established a nine-member committee to investigate the contamination of the Cauvery River. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Intra-State Relations, Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States, Issues and challenges of federal structure) Dimensions of the Article: About the Cauvery River Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) About the Cauvery River The Cauvery River (Kaveri), designated as the ‘Dakshina Ganga’ or ‘the Ganga of the South’, flows in a southeasterly direction through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and descends the Eastern Ghats in a series of great falls. Before emptying into the Bay of Bengal south of Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu the river breaks into a large number of distributaries forming a wide delta called the “Garden of Southern India” The Cauvery basin extends over states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Union Territory of Puducherry draining an area of 81 thousand Sq.km. It is bounded by the Western Ghats on the west, by the Eastern Ghats on the east and the south, and by the ridges separating it from the Krishna basin and Pennar basin on the north. The Nilgiris, an offshore of Western ghats, extend Eastwards to the Eastern ghats and divide the basin into two natural and political regions i.e., Karnataka plateau in the North and the Tamil Nadu plateau in the South. Physiographically, the basin can be divided into three parts – the Westen Ghats, the Plateau of Mysore, and the Delta. The delta area is the most fertile tract in the basin. The principal soil types found in the basin are black soils, red soils, laterites, alluvial soils, forest soils, and mixed soils. Red soils occupy large areas in the basin. Alluvial soils are found in the delta areas. It is almost a perennial river with comparatively fewer fluctuations in flow and is very useful for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation because its upper catchment area receives rainfall during summer by the south-west monsoon and the lower catchment area during the winter season by the retreating north-east monsoon. Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha, and Arkavati are the tributaries on the left bank (north) and Lakshmantirtha, Kabbani, Suvarnavati, Bhavani, Noyil, and Amaravati are the tributaries on the right bank (south). Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) CWMA has been created as per the Cauvery Management Scheme framed by Centre and approved by Supreme Court. The Cauvery Management Scheme deals with release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. It will be implemented by Cauvery Management Authority (CMA). CMA will be sole body to implement CWDT award as modified by Supreme Court. The Central Government will have no say in implementing of the scheme except for issuing administrative advisories to it. The authority will comprise a chairman, a secretary and eight members. Out of the eight members, two will be full time, while two will be part time members from centre’s side. Rest four will be part time members from states. The main mandate of the CMA will be to secure implementation and compliance of the Supreme Court’s order in relation to “storage, apportionment, regulation and control of Cauvery waters”. CMA will also advise the states to take suitable measures to improve water use efficiency. It will do so by promoting use of micro-irrigation, change in cropping patterns, improved farm practices and development of command areas. The CMA will also prepare an annual report covering its activities during the preceding year. Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) The Central government constituted the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) as per the provisions in the Kaveri Management Scheme laid down by the Supreme Court. While the CWMA is an umbrella body, the CWRC will monitor water management on a day-to-day basis, including the water level and inflow and outflow of reservoirs in all the basin states. -Source: The Hindu Successful Conclusion of Global INDIAai Summit and IMF’s AI Preparedness Index Launch Context: The Global INDIAai Summit, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, successfully concluded, bringing together experts, policymakers, and enthusiasts to discuss the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India and globally. In another development, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) launched an Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI) Dashboard, tracking the AI readiness of 174 economies worldwide. Relevance: GS II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: Key Highlights and Outcomes of the Summit Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI) Key Highlights and Outcomes of the Summit: India’s Leadership in AI Accessibility: India showcased its commitment to making AI accessible to all, irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds. Emphasized India’s unique approach to shaping AI discourse to meet both domestic needs and global leadership aspirations. Platform for Global South’s AI Aspirations: Provided a platform for Global South countries to express AI-related concerns and aspirations. Acknowledged India’s pivotal role in bridging the AI gap between Global North and South. INDIAai Mission’s Commitment: Demonstrated India’s dedication to fostering an inclusive AI ecosystem through the INDIAai Mission. Focused on core areas like compute capacity, foundational models, datasets, application development, and skills enhancement. Global Partnerships and Collaborations: Established the Collaborative AI on Global Partnership (CAIGP) to unite GPAI members and AI experts. India’s leadership as GPAI’s Lead Chair in 2024 emphasized discussions on trustworthy AI and global AI governance. Support for Indian Startups: Allocated Rs. 2,000 crore from the INDIAai Mission to support indigenous AI startups. Discussed plans for subsidizing GPU infrastructure to enhance AI development capabilities among startups. AI Applications in National Priorities: Explored AI applications in India’s AgriStack, data-driven credit distribution, and agricultural decision-making. Addressed legal frameworks, dataset management, and AI integration in government services to improve efficiency and citizen services. Commitment to Responsible AI Development: Reaffirmed commitment to human-centric AI development, focusing on transparency, fairness, and ethical AI practices. Upheld OECD and UNESCO recommendations on AI ethics and governance. Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI): Evaluation Criteria: AIPI assesses countries based on digital infrastructure, human capital, labor policies, innovation capacity, integration readiness, and regulatory frameworks. Country Categorization: Categorizes countries into Advanced Economies (AE), Emerging Market Economies (EM), and Low-Income Countries (LIC) based on AI readiness. Top Performers: Countries with advanced digital infrastructure like Singapore, Denmark, and the United States score highest on the index. India’s Position: Ranked 72nd with a score of 0.49, categorized as an Emerging Market Economy (EM). Shows relative strength among its regional peers but trails behind leaders like China in AI preparedness. -Source: Indian Express, The Hindu, PIB Revival Hopes for Gharials in Kaziranga National Park Context: A lone female gharial in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Assam, has sparked hopes for the species’ revival in the Brahmaputra River System (BRS). Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: About Gharials Kaziranga National Park About Gharials: Description: Gharials, also known as gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian characterized by their long, thin snouts. Crocodilians in India: India hosts three species of crocodilians: Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus): Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris): Vulnerable. Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus): Least Concern globally, but populations outside India are listed under Appendix II of CITES. Legal Protection: All three species are listed on Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, providing them with the highest level of legal protection. Habitat of Gharials: Natural Habitat: Freshwaters in northern India. Primary Habitat: Chambal River (a tributary of Yamuna). Secondary Habitats: Ghagra, Gandak River, Girwa River (Uttar Pradesh), Ramganga River (Uttarakhand), and Sone River (Bihar). Significance: Population of gharials serves as an indicator of clean river water quality due to their sensitivity to pollution. Threats: Environmental Threats: Increased river pollution, dam construction, and large-scale fishing operations. Illegal Activities: Illegal sand mining and poaching pose significant threats to gharial populations. Kaziranga National Park Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam. It is a World Heritage Site and hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses. Kaziranga is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for conservation of avifaunal species. Along with the iconic Greater one-horned rhinoceros, the park is the breeding ground of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Over the time, the tiger population has also increased in Kaziranga, and that’s the reason why Kaziranga was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2006. Due to the difference in altitude between the eastern and western areas of the park, here one can see mainly four types of vegetation’ like alluvial inundated grasslands, alluvial savanna woodlands, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and tropical semi-evergreen forests. Kaziranga is a vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests, criss-crossed by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, and the park includes numerous small bodies of water. Kaziranga has flat expanses of fertile, alluvial soil, formed by erosion and silt deposition by the River Brahmaputra. The history of Kaziranga as a protected area can be traced back to 1904 when the wife of the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon visited the area and persuaded to take measures to protect rhinoceros in the area. -Source: The Hindu Common Grass Yellow Context: For the first time, a large-scale migration of Common Grass Yellow was observed during the three-day butterfly survey which concluded at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) recently. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology About Common Grass Yellow Butterfly Distribution and Range: It is a small butterfly species found across Asia, North America, Africa, and Australia. Scientific Name: Eurema hecabe Habitat: Prefers open grassy or bushy terrain where it flies quickly near the ground. Physical Features: Vibrant yellow wings ranging from sulfur to lemon yellow, exhibiting ‘seasonal polyphenism.’ Forewings with broad, irregular black outer markings; underside with various black marks and yellow centers. Often observed in large groups; females typically forage alone for nectar from diverse plant species. Exhibits migratory behavior, with significant migrations observed across Africa and much of Asia south of the Himalayas. Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern Not legally protected in India under any schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Situated in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve spans 321 sq. km. It occupies a unique location at the confluence of three states: Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Nestled on the Northeastern and Northwestern slopes of Nilgiri hills, it is a significant part of the Western Ghats. It is an integral component of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first of its kind in India. Adjacent to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the West, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) in the North, and sharing boundaries with Nilgiris North Division and Gudalur Forest Division in the South and South West. Terrain: The landscape features undulating terrain, with elevations varying from 960m to 1266m. Habitat: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve encompasses diverse habitats, including tropical evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, moist teak forests, dry teak forests, secondary grasslands, and swamps. Flora: The reserve is characterized by the presence of tall grasses, commonly known as “Elephant Grass,” along with towering bamboo varieties and valuable timber species such as Teak and Rosewood. Notably, the reserve is home to wild relatives of cultivated plants like wild rice, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon. Fauna: The wildlife at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is rich and varied, including majestic creatures like Tigers, Elephants, Indian Gaurs, Panthers, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Common Langurs, Malabar Giant Squirrels, and Mongooses, among others. The reserve’s fauna diversity is a testament to the vitality of the ecosystem. Film Connection: The reserve gained global attention due to the Oscar-winning documentary “Elephant Whisperers,” which was filmed within its premises at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp. This camp serves as a focal point for various conservation efforts and interactions with elephants. Historical Significance: The name “Mudumalai” translates to “the ancient hill range,” underscoring its geological antiquity dating back around 65 million years when the Western Ghats took shape. -Source: Indian Express Palm Trees Context: Odisha has restricted the cutting of existing palm trees and plans to plant around 1.9 million such trees to reduce casualties from lightning strikes. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology About Palm Trees: Definition and Classification: Palms belong to the family Arecaceae (Palmae), a single family of monocotyledonous flowering plants within the order Arecales. They encompass a diverse range of species including shrubs, trees, and long, woody vines known as lianas. Distribution: Palms have major centers of distribution in America and Asia, extending from India to Japan and southwards to Australia and the islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Africa and Madagascar also host palm species, though to a lesser extent. Physical Characteristics: Palms are characterized by tall, usually unbranched stems, although some species like Hyphaene exhibit dichotomous branching. The stems maintain a consistent diameter from base to apex. At the top, palms bear a rosette of leathery leaves, which can be palmate (shaped like hands) or pinnate (feather-like). Conservation Status: Despite their sturdiness, around 100 palm species are endangered due to deforestation and unsustainable cultivation practices. Harvesting practices for products like heart of palm, which cannot regrow, contribute to their endangerment. Economic Importance: The most economically significant palm species include the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) and the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). These palms are major sources of vegetable oils and fats, crucial in global commerce. Rare Palm Species: Hyophorbe amaricaulis: The rarest palm tree species, with only one remaining specimen known to exist. It resides at the Botanic Gardens of Curepipe in Mauritius, highlighting the critical conservation efforts needed for endangered palm species. -Source: Down To Earth

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