[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 15 July 2022

 GSPaper-2

Syllabus: Welfare schemes for women

Source: Indian Express

Context:

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao will now be extended across the country.

BBBP is the Centre’s flagship programme (under the Women and Child Development Ministry)  for women’s empowerment, which focuses on the education of girls child and improving the sex ratio.

• It was launched in January 2015  to address sex-selective abortion and the declining child sex ratio which was at 918 girls for every 1,000 boys in 2011.
• It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development.
• The programme is operational in 405 districts at present.

WCD ministry published comprehensive guidelines for Mission Shakti.

Guidelines include:

• Aim for zero-budget advertising ( nearly 80% of the fund has been used for advertising in BPPP)
• Encouraging greater spending on activities that have an on-ground impact such as:
  • promoting sports among girls
  • self-defence camps
  • construction of girls’ toilets
  • making available sanitary napkin vending machines and sanitary pads, especially in educational institutions
  • awareness about PC-PNDT Act.
• New targets: Target of improving the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by 2 points every year, improvement in the percentage of institutional deliveries at 95% or above.
• To check dropout rate: 1 per cent increase in enrolment at secondary education level and skilling of girls and women per yeas is targeted.
• Strengthen One-Stop Centres (OSCs): It was set up to help women facing violence, including domestic violence and trafficking
  • 300 OSCs will be set up in the districts that either has a high rate of crimes against women or are geographically large, preferably in aspirational districts.
  • The OSCs help in coordination and convergence with other initiatives under Nirbhaya Fund — such as women’s helplines, Anti-Human Trafficking Units, women’s help desks, special fast-track courts, and District Legal Service Authority, etc.
  • Women in need (girls of all ages and boys up to 12 years) — can take temporary shelter at the OSCs for up to five days. For long-term shelter, arrangements will be made by OSCs in coordination with Shakti Sadan.
• Raising awareness about safe menstrual hygiene management.
• The toll-free, 24-hour women’s helpline number 181
• Nari Adalat — for providing women with an alternate grievance redress mechanism to resolve cases of petty nature (harassment, subversion, curtailment of rights or entitlements) at the gram panchayat level.

Insta Links

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

Practice Question

Q. Analyse the “Beti Bachao Beti padhao scheme” from the prism of social empowerment. (250 words)

 GSPaper-2

Syllabus: Global grouping involving India, I2U2 etc

Source: Indian Express,

Context:

• The United Arab Emirates announced an investment of USD 2 billion to develop a series of integrated food parks across India as part of efforts by the four-nation grouping I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) to help tackle food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East.

Key Highlights:

• UAE to invest in Indian food parks: I2U2 leaders said the UAE – home to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and host of COP28 in 2023 – will invest USD 2 billion to develop a series of integrated food parks across India.
• US and Israel to provide expertise: The S. and Israeli private sectors will be invited to lend their expertise and offer innovative solutions that contribute to the overall sustainability of the project.
  • These investments will help maximize crop yields and, in turn, help tackle food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East.
• Hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat: It will consist of 300 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar capacity, complemented by a battery energy storage system.
• Science-based solutions to enhance food security: will build more innovative, inclusive, and science-based solutions to enhance food security and sustainable food systems.
• Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate initiative (AIM for Climate): India has shown interest in joining the United States, the UAE, and Israel in the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate initiative (AIM for Climate)
• Support for Abraham Accord: The I2U2 leaders reaffirmed their “support for the Abraham Accords and other peace and normalization arrangements with Israel”.

Insta Links:

Abraham Accord

Practice Questions

Q. India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.”Discuss. (UPSC 2019)

Q. Which of the following is/are party to Abraham Accord?

1. UAE
2. Oman
3. Bahrain
4. Israel

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a. 1, 2 and 3 only

b. 1, 3 and 4 only

c. 1 and 4 only

d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)

Justification:

The Abraham Accord between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain is mediated by the USA. It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.

 GSPaper-2

Syllabus: Schemes and laws to protect vulnerable sections of society, Issues related to the development of the social sector etc

Source: The Hindu

Context:

• The four Labour codes(passed in Parliament)
  • The Code on Wages
  • The Industrial Relations Code
  • The Code on Social Security
  • The Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions
• They have not been implemented yet.
• The central trade unions (CTUs) have held three general strikes against the codes so far, alleging that the codes will result in taking away whatever little social and economic security is left in the employment sector.
• The farmers’ organizations had also supported the trade unions in their protests.
• The employers’ associations, too, had mixed feelings towards the codes but had generally welcomed them.
• The government says the delay in implementation is due to the delay in framing rules by the States.
• As Labour is a concurrent subject, both the States and the Centre will have to prepare rules for the codes.

Process of Implementation:

Concerns with the laws:

• Pushing out a large section of the workforce: According to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the code will push out a large section of the workforce out of the coverage of all labour laws.
• Registration and working of central trade unions: The BMS have concerns on Codes on Industrial Relations, specifically on the provisions for the registration and working of central trade unions.
• Expansion of social security network: CII and FCII had expressed reservations about the proposal for increasing the minimum wages and expanding the social security network by involving the employers too.

Insta Links:

Labour Codes

Practice Questions:

Q. Account for the failure of the manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports. (UPSC 2017)

Q. Which of the following laws is/are subsumed by the social security code:

1. Employees Provident Fund Act, 1952
2. Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
3. Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a. 1 and 2 only

b. 1 only

c. 2 and 3 only

d. 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Justification:

• The social security code replaces nine laws on social security, including the Employees’ Provident Fund Act, 1952, and the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
• Industrial Relations Code subsumes the Industrial Disputes Act, 1974, the Trade Unions Act, 1926; and Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.
• The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code replaces 13 labour laws.

 GSPaper-2

Syllabus: Government budgeting, issues related to planning and mobilization of resources etc

Source: Moneycontrol.com

Context:

• The Centre has relaxed norms for adjusting states’ off-budget loans and said such liabilities of the last fiscal year can be adjusted against their borrowing ceilings for the next four years till March 2026.
  • The move will free up resources for states to fund their capital expenditures in the current fiscal year.
• As per a study by Crisil Ratings, off-balance sheet borrowings by states are estimated to have reached a decadal high of 4.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), or about Rs 7.9 lakh crore, in 2021-22.

Key Highlights:

• States restored off-budget borrowing to fund capital expenditure: Over the last two years, many states have resorted to off-budget borrowing to fund their capital expenditures and minimize the impact of the economic downturn induced by COVID-19.
  • As per norms, state governments are required to take the Centre’s approval for fresh borrowing over the limit set for a particular financial year.
• Relief to states: ICRA Chief Economist said the modification regarding off-budget borrowings is likely to provide substantial relief to some states and allow them additional borrowing space in the current fiscal year.
• Off-budget borrowings are to be equated with the states’ own debt: To bring transparency to state finances, the Centre informed states that off-budget borrowings are to be equated with the states’ own debt and any such fund raised by the governments in 2020-21 and 2021-22 would need to be adjusted out of the borrowing ceiling this year.
• Ceiling on borrowing: The Centre has fixed the net borrowing ceiling of states at Rs 8,57,849 crore or 3.5 per cent of GSDP. States are also eligible for additional borrowing of 0.50 per cent of GSDP linked to reforms in the power sector.

Reasons for rising in off-budget borrowings:

• Constrained revenue growth: Due to the pandemic-induced slowdown and increasing revenue expenditure have led to states’ fiscal deficits rising to 4 per cent of GSDP, well above the historical level of 2-3 per cent has been seen for the most part of the last decade.
  • This has reduced the wherewithal of states to directly fund the entities they own.
• No prior approval of central government: Even if states wanted to do so by borrowing more, they can’t without the explicit approval of, and beyond the limits set by, the central government.
  • But states don’t need prior central consent to guarantee the loans and advances, and bonds issued by their entities.
  • Also, the ceiling on guarantees is self-determined and varies from state to state

Insta Links:

Government Budgeting

Practice Questions:

Q. Distinguish between Capital Budget and Revenue Budget. Explain the components of both these Budgets. (UPSC 2021)

Q. With reference to Off-budget borrowings, consider the following statements:

1. The principal for such borrowings is paid by the state and interest is paid by the central government.
2. It can not bypass the net borrowing ceiling fixed for states.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)

Justification:

Refer to the table above

 GSPaper-3

Syllabus: Environmental Conservation

Source: The Hindu

Context:

Recent changes in Forest Conservation Rules (FCA) 1980

What are the Forest Conservation Rules?

The Forest Conservation Rules deal with the implementation of the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980. They prescribe the procedure to be followed for forest land to be diverted for non-forestry uses such as road construction, highway development, railway lines, and mining.

Aim of FCA: The broad aims of the Forest Conservation Act are

• To protect forests and wildlife
• Dissuade State governments’ attempts to divert forest land for commercial projects
• Increase the area under forests.

Rules :

• States to ask central government permission: For forest land beyond five hectares, approval for diverting land must be given by the Central government. This is via a specially constituted committee, called the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC).
• It scrutinises the project and ensures that- the felling of trees and denuding of the local landscape — will be minimal and the said piece of land doesn’t cause damage to wildlife habitat.
• States to ensure rights under FRA 2006: Once the FAC is convinced and approves (or rejects a proposal), it is forwarded to the concerned State government where the land is located, which then has to ensure that provisions of the Forest Right Act, 2006, a separate Act that protects the rights of forest dwellers and tribals over their land, are complied with.
• Compensation: The FAC approval also means that the future users of the land must provide compensatory land for afforestation as well as pay the net present value (ranging between ₹10-15 lakh per hectare.)

Changes made:

The latest version of the rules, which consolidates changes to the Act over the years from various amendments and court rulings, was made public in June 2022.

• Allows Private plantations: The rules make a provision for private parties to cultivate plantations and sell them as land to companies who need to meet compensatory forestation targets.
• No mention of tribals and forest-dwelling communities whose land would be hived off for developmental work.
  • Prior to the updated rules, state bodies would forward documents to the FAC that would also include information on the status of whether the forest rights of locals in the area were settled.
• No consent of Gram Sabha needed: The new rules that a project, once approved by the FAC, will then be passed on to the State authorities who will collect the compensatory fund and land, and process it for final approval.
  • Previously consent of gram sabha, or the governing body in villages in the area, was required to give written consent to the diversion of the forest.
• Defined forest land: Those deemed forests listed by state governments up to 1996. Land which belonged to Railways or other ministries and on which forest has come up will no longer be considered forests.
• No approval is needed for Strategic Projects: e.g. strategic and security projects of national importance
• Allows building in Forests: Right to construct structures for bonafide purposes including forest protection measures and residential units (up to an area of 250 sq meters as one-time relaxation).

What is the government’s position?

• Streamline the approval process: The new rule will streamline the process and allow forestation in other forest deficient states.
• Complying with FRA can be taken by states: Fulfilling and complying with the FRA, 2006 was an independent process and could be undertaken by States “at any stage” of the forest clearance process.

How well has the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) been implemented so far?

• Poor implementation: A 2019 analysis by the Legal Initiative for Forests and Environment has found that the FAC generally approves land for diversion without examining questions around consent as it relies on the State government to ensure that this is done.

Concern: The rules allowed forest land to be diverted to industry without settling questions about the rights of forest dwellers and tribals who resided on those lands.

Insta Links

Draft amendment to Forest Conservation Act:

Practice Questions:

Q. Any amendment to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, must be guided by proper and intensive consultation with stakeholders, with constitutionally and legally bound procedures and limitations. Discuss. (250M)

Q. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2011)

1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
2. CGWAwas formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: B

As per CGWA, 71% of the area for groundwater is under the ‘Safe’ category, 10% is semi-critical, 4% is critical and 15% is over-exploited. 2^nd and 3^rd statement is correct.

Q. With reference to India, consider the following Central Acts (UPSC 2011)

1. Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947
2. Mining and Mineral Development (Regulation) Act, 1957
3. Customs Act, 1962
4. Indian Forest Act, 1927

Which of the above Acts have relevance to/bearing on the biodiversity conservation in the country?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(d) None of the above Acts

Answer: C

Import and export control act, as well as customs, act deals with the import and export of GMOs or exotic species

 GSPaper-3

Syllabus: Science and Technology

Source: WHO

Context:

WHO’s Science Council launches report calling for an equitable expansion of genomics. (This article is in continuation of the previous one on CRISPR Gene editing)

Genomics is the study of the complete set of DNA (including all of its genes) in a person or other organism. A genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA.

Report says:

• Expand access: The report calls for expanding access to genomic technologies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), by addressing shortfalls in the financing, laboratory infrastructure, materials, and highly trained personnel.
• Tools used for equitable access: E.g. tiered pricing; sharing of intellectual property rights for low-cost versions; and cross-subsidization, whereby profits in one area are used to fund another.
• Ethics: It argues that it is not justifiable ethically or scientifically for less-resourced countries to gain access to such technologies long after rich countries do.
• Recommends WHO create a Genomics Committee for implementation of its recommendations

Recommendations:

• Advocacy for genomics: It is needed to persuade governments and other actors about the benefits of genomic technologies.
• Implementation: Local planning, financing, expanded training of essential personnel
• Collaborations: Between Government ministries, funding agencies, and scientific organizations in academia and industry.
• Effective oversight and standards: It is key to promoting ethical, legal, equitable use and responsible sharing of information obtained with genomic methods.

WHO’s steps:

• WHO’s a 10-year strategy for genomic surveillance of pathogens.

India’s Steps

• GenomeIndia (Department of Biotechnology): cataloguing the Genetic variation in Indian
• IndiGen Program (CSIR): Collectwhole genome sequences from different populations in India
• INSACOG: Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium

Role Model – Acceptance and Understanding

Khaled Hosseini, one of the most renowned authors of books like The Kite Runner, and A Thousand Splendid Suns wrote a heartwarming message to his daughter who came out as transgender recently that how he was proud of her and how she taught them the values of bravery and truth. He supported her throughout her struggle and stood by her.

This highlights how family support can be instrumental in the development of a child.