Content:
Use of loudspeakers not crucial for any religion: Bombay HC
Drought, debt, and death in Maharashtra
Is poverty being underestimated in India?
Is France’s influence in West Africa over?
MDL-TKMS bid for P-75I submarine tender clears technical evaluation
States yet to use ₹70,744-cr. funds for welfare of workers
The hidden dangers of Rhodamine B: a global and local perspective
Use of loudspeakers not crucial for any religion: Bombay HC
Ruling: Use of loudspeakers is not essential to any religion, according to the Bombay High Court.
Relevance : GS 2(Judiciary, Governance, Health)
Health Concerns: Court highlighted that noise is a major health hazard, justifying the need to regulate loudspeakers.
Court Direction:
Law enforcement agencies directed to act promptly against noise pollution violations.
Religious institutions urged to use sound systems with auto-decibel limits to control noise.
Background: The ruling came from a petition filed by housing associations in Kurla, Mumbai, citing police inaction regarding noise pollution from masjids.
Noise Pollution Concern: Petitioners argued that loudspeakers used for religious purposes, violated Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Cosmopolitan Nature of Mumbai: The court emphasized Mumbai’s diversity, stating that granting loudspeaker permissions could infringe on public peace.
Article 19 & 25: Court ruled that denying loudspeaker permissions does not infringe on religious rights under Articles 19 (freedom of speech) and 25 (freedom of religion) of the Constitution.
Public Interest: The court stressed that denying loudspeaker permissions is in the public interest, to maintain peace in the cosmopolitan city.
Citizens’ Plight: The court acknowledged that common citizens suffer due to the use of loudspeakers and amplified sounds, making it the responsibility of the state and authorities to enforce the law.
Drought, debt, and death in Maharashtra
Context : High Farmer Suicides: In 2024, over 800 farmer suicides were recorded in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region alone, with districts like Nanded, Beed, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar witnessing the highest number.
Relevance: GS 2(Social Justice) , GS 3(Agriculture)
Impact on Families: Widows and children are left to bear the financial and emotional consequences of these suicides, often facing poverty, stigma, and additional burdens like unpaid debts.
Debt as a Common Thread: Many suicides were triggered by mounting debts, especially from non-banking financial corporations (NBFCs), which keep farmers trapped in a vicious cycle.
Weather Extremes: Droughts, unseasonal rainfall, and crop destruction worsen the situation for farmers in the region. Marathwada, already drought-prone, has been hit by excessive rainfall, further exacerbating financial distress.
Regional Disparity: While Maharashtra’s Marathwada is the most affected, the crisis is widespread across rural India. In 2022, 38% of farmer suicides in India occurred in Maharashtra.
Social Impact: The social stigma of suicide, especially in rural areas, complicates the grieving process for families. Many children, particularly girls, are forced to drop out of school to help support their families.
Economic Struggles: The average income of agricultural households is extremely low, making survival difficult. The lack of fair pricing for farm produce compounds the economic distress.
Systemic Issues: Despite government schemes, there is a gap between policy and reality, with many families left to fend for themselves.
Expert Views: Journalists and policy experts argue that the low prices for farm produce, coupled with the growing cost of living, contribute to the agrarian crisis. The systemic failure to provide fair compensation for farmers leads to increasing debt and loss of life.
Government Response: While political leaders have promised measures like MSP guarantees and crop loan waivers, the effectiveness of these promises remains questionable, with many farmers still unable to escape the financial trap.
Mental Health Crisis: Beyond financial distress, the mental health impact of such widespread suicides and grief on surviving family members is an urgent concern, with survivors often facing isolation and helplessness.
Is poverty being underestimated in India?
Poverty Definition:
Historically, poverty was defined by calorie consumption, later updated through National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data.
Over time, discrepancies between NSSO and National Accounts led to concerns about data accuracy.
Methodological shifts, like the introduction of multiple recall periods, have complicated comparisons.
Relevance : GS 2 (Social Issues)
Debate on Poverty Decline:
P.C. Mohanan: Questions the drastic decline in poverty based on the varying poverty lines and data inconsistencies.
N.R. Bhanumurthy: Acknowledges a decline but attributes it to high GDP growth, government welfare programs, and improved public delivery systems, suggesting further decline in poverty.
Concerns with HCES Data:
Issues with recall periods (e.g., 7 days for food, 30 days for others) affect data consistency.
NSSO’s new methodology (multi-sitting household visits) improves data accuracy but presents challenges when compared with older poverty lines.
The need for a new, universally agreed poverty line based on current methodologies is emphasized.
Rural vs Urban Poverty:
PCM: Rural-urban consumption gap is narrowing, with rural areas improving and urban consumption diversifying.
NRB: Calls for clearer definitions of rural and urban areas to refine poverty estimation.
Upward Revision of Poverty Line:
PCM: Cites a study estimating 25% poverty using Rangarajan’s methodology, but doubts a straightforward update to the poverty line.
NRB: Disagrees with the 25% figure, citing international data like UNDP’s estimate of 12.9% poverty in India in 2019.
Emphasizes the need for a consistent methodology for poverty line estimation.
Multidimensional Poverty Index Criticisms:
UNDP’s methodology is global, leaving countries to tailor it. India’s multidimensional poverty index has 12 indicators, including bank accounts and maternal health, which is seen as a positive by NRB.
PCM: Critiques the index for its static nature, where once a household achieves basic services, it remains classified as non-deprived, potentially underestimating ongoing vulnerabilities.
Conclusion:
Both experts agree that while poverty has reduced, the methodologies for measuring it are inconsistent, and there is a need for clearer definitions and better data to ensure more accurate poverty assessments.
Is France’s influence in West Africa over?
French Troop Withdrawals:
Ivory Coast, Chad, and Senegal have requested the withdrawal of French troops, with Ivory Coast’s President Ouattara announcing a deadline of January 31, 2024.
Chad terminated its defense cooperation agreement in November, while Senegal called for the closure of all French military bases in December.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Reasons for Withdrawal Requests:
National Sovereignty:
France’s military presence in former colonies (Ivory Coast, Chad, and Senegal) has been seen as incompatible with national sovereignty, according to local governments.
Presidents like Mahamat Daby of Chad argue that ending defense agreements is necessary to restore national independence.
Public Dissatisfaction:
Despite fighting insurgencies tied to ISIS and al-Qaeda since 2014, French troops failed to prevent the spread of insurgency, leading to anti-French sentiments.
Shift in Regional Relations:
West African nations are diversifying their security and political alliances, increasingly turning to Russia for military support.
Impact on West African Countries:
Insurgency and Terrorism: The withdrawal has not solved the insurgency problem in countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which still rank highly on the Global Terrorism Index.
Regional Alliances: The anti-French sentiment has led to the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso), which may now extend to Chad, Senegal, and Ivory Coast for regional counter-terrorism efforts.
Implications for France:
End of ‘Françafrique’:
France’s influence in Africa, which it maintained through colonial-era pacts (known as ‘Françafrique’), is effectively over.
Political and Economic Setbacks:
France’s political influence in Ivory Coast and other countries is diminishing, undermining its economic interests in the region.
Military and Global Reputation:
The withdrawal of troops challenges France’s image as a global leader in counter-terrorism and a defender of human rights, as its military presence supported pro-France leaders.
Uncertain Future in Ivory Coast:
Ivory Coast may remain somewhat tied to France due to enduring political and economic ties.
Larger Trend of Declining European Influence:
Geopolitical Shifts: Europe’s declining presence in Africa is attributed to internal struggles (e.g., the war in Ukraine) and a focus on domestic issues like migration.
Rise of Russia and China:
Russia has capitalized on the military vacuum left by France, while China’s economic influence grows through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
EU Challenges: Europe’s trade surplus with Africa has dropped significantly, and its foreign policy is increasingly inward-looking, with less emphasis on African expansion.
Russia’s Growing Influence:
Russia has gained ground by filling the military gap left by French withdrawals, offering security partnerships without the democratic baggage associated with the West.
Future Outlook:
Europe may shift to more security-focused foreign policies, while China and Russia continue to expand their influence in Africa, presenting challenges for European powers.
MDL-TKMS bid for P-75I submarine tender clears technical evaluation
Milestone Achieved: The bid from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and Germany’s TKMS (Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems) has cleared the technical evaluation for the P-75I submarine project.
Relevance : GS 3 (Defence and Security)
Competitor’s Bid: The bid from Larsen & Toubro and Navantia of Spain did not clear the technical evaluation.
Project Overview: The ₹43,000 crore project involves acquiring six advanced conventional submarines, with a focus on indigenization and technological upgrades.
Price Revision Expected: The benchmarked price was set a decade ago, and due to technological advancements, inflation, and currency fluctuations, the final cost is expected to rise significantly.
Evaluation Process:
Compliance checks for both bids were completed in June last year as part of Field Evaluation Trials (FET).
The bids were scrutinized by the Ministry of Defence and opened last week.
MDL-TKMS’s bid was found technically compliant, and commercial negotiations will now begin based on the submitted price.
Indigenous Content Requirement: The Request For Proposal (RFP) specifies that the first submarine must have 45% indigenous content, increasing to 60% for the sixth submarine.
Key Selection Criterion: A major factor in qualifying for the P-75I is the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) module, which enhances the endurance and stealth of the submarine.
MDL-TKMS Offering: The MDL-TKMS bid is based on the Class 214 submarine design, known for its operational success and proven AIP module.
Navantia’s Offering: Navantia has proposed a design based on the new S80 class, with the first submarine (S-81 ‘Isaac Peral’) launched in 2021 and commissioned in b.
States yet to use ₹70,744-cr. funds for welfare of workers
Context : Unused Funds for Worker Welfare under Building and Construction Workers Act
Unused Funds: States have yet to utilize ₹70,744.16 crore in cess funds collected for the welfare of building and other construction workers.
Relevance :GS 2 (Governance, Polity)
Fund Collection: Since 2005, under the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, ₹1,17,507.22 crore has been collected as cess from employers, but only ₹67,669.92 crore has been allocated for workers’ welfare.
RTI Reply: The Union Labour Ministry revealed the cess funds collected by State Welfare Boards remain largely unspent, despite being collected from employers for worker welfare.
Act Background: The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, mandates States to collect cess (1%-2% of construction cost) for worker welfare.
Workers Registered: As of September 30, 2024, 5,73,48,723 workers have registered with 36 State Welfare Boards.
Post-COVID Concerns: Complaints arose regarding the lack of support for construction workers during the COVID-19 exodus to villages.
Cess Evasion: Trade union leaders suggest significant cess evasion by builders. In Maharashtra, ₹19,489.25 crore in cess was collected over 19 years, indicating inflated construction costs and possible tax evasion.
Lack of Data: The Labour Ministry could not provide data on the actual cost of construction projects, highlighting gaps in transparency.
State Spending: States have allocated meager funds for workers:
Maharashtra: ₹13,683.18 crore spent
Karnataka: ₹7,921.42 crore spent
Uttar Pradesh: ₹7,826.66 crore spent
Impact of Social Security Code: The upcoming Code on Social Security could dilute the cess collection process and reduce employer obligations, potentially depriving workers of statutory benefits.
State Implementation Issues: Except for Kerala, most States and Union Territories are not effectively implementing the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, leading to curtailed benefits for workers
The hidden dangers of Rhodamine B: a global and local perspective
What is Rhodamine B: A synthetic dye used in textiles, paper, leather, and scientific research due to its fluorescent properties.
Relevance : GS 2(Health)
Health Risks:
Studies indicate Rhodamine B can cause DNA damage, leading to mutations and potential cancerous growths.
Animal studies have shown tumors in organs like the liver and bladder following prolonged exposure.
Global Concerns:
United States: FDA has long banned Rhodamine B in food products, reinforcing the ban in January 2025 due to carcinogenic risks, particularly in candies and baked goods.
European Union: Classified as a substance of very high concern, restricting its use in cosmetics and consumer goods.
Indian Perspective:
Tamil Nadu: Banned cotton candy production and sale after detecting Rhodamine B in samples (February 2024). The ban is aimed at public health and ensuring safe, colour-free cotton candy.
Karnataka: Prohibited Rhodamine B in street foods like “Gobi Manchurian” and cotton candy (March 2024). Violators face severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Puducherry & Himachal Pradesh: Followed Tamil Nadu’s lead with similar bans on cotton candy.
Expert Opinions:
Mohammed Mithi (Oncologist): Synthetic dyes, including Rhodamine B, may pose carcinogenic risks due to their chemical components and DNA damage in animal models. Long-term exposure remains a concern, particularly for vulnerable groups (children, elderly, immunocompromised).
Abyramy Balasundaram (Dermatologist): Synthetic dyes may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, but long-term exposure could lead to chronic skin issues. Rhodamine B was banned in cosmetics in the EU in the 1990s due to potential carcinogenic effects.
India’s Food Safety Ecosystem:
Priyadarshini Chidambaram (Health Specialist): India’s research on food dye safety is weak. There is a need for proactive studies on synthetic dyes, with collaborations between FSSAI and academic institutions to align with global standards. Public education and strict enforcement are essential to combat the health risks posed by harmful additives.