[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 22 December 2023

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Social Justice/ Government Programme and Policies

Source: IE

Context: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles, and Skill Development has highlighted the need for a uniform definition of ‘child’ under various laws in the effort to eliminate child labour by 2025.

Recommendations of the Committee:

What is Child labour?

A form of modern slavery, child labour includes any work that deprives children of their childhood, potential and dignity, and physical or mental development. (ILO). The practice includes trafficking, sexual exploitation, debt bondage, and exploitation in armed conflicts.

Article 24 of the Indian constitution prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory or mine or employed in any hazardous employment. India ratified both fundamental ILO Conventions on Child Labour (138 and 182) in 2017.

Impact of Child Labour:

• Perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty(child labour → poor education, health → less economic opportunities → poverty), denying children their fundamental rights and a better future.
• Child labour exposes children to physical(injuries, health complications and long-term developmental issues) and mental harm (anxiety, emotional trauma and a sense of hopelessness).

Prevalence in India:

1. According to the latest National Sample Survey data, UP leads with an estimated 2.1 million child labourers.
2. UP together with Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and MPconstitute nearly 55% of the total working children in India.
3. Rural-urban distribution:The prevalence of child labour in rural areas (14%) is close to three times higher than in urban areas (5%).
4. Gender distribution: Child labour is more prevalent among boys than girls at every age.
5. Sectoral distribution: The agriculture sector accounts for 70% of child labour (112 million), followed by 20% in services and 10% in industry).
6. Their educational status: Nearly 28% of children aged 5-11 years and 35% of children aged 12-14 years involved in child labour are out of school.
7. Two major hotspots of child labour and child trafficking are the immigrant area which had come from Bengal and Bangladesh, and tribal areas of Assam.

Government Schemes related to Child Labour are: 

1. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986: Amendment in 2016 banned the employment of children below 14 years.
2. The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976: Prohibits systems of labour where individuals, including children, work in servitude to pay off debt.
3. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Governs laws related to children in conflict with the law.
4. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: Aims to prevent commercial sexual exploitation of children.
5. The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill: Draft published in 2021 detailing measures for prevention, protection, and rehabilitation. Specifies penalties for “trafficking” and “aggravated trafficking.”
6. Broadens the scope of “victims” to include transgender persons.
7. National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme: Implemented by the Union Ministry of Labour & Employment. Rehabilitation of child labourers through District Project Societies under the District Magistrate.

Way ahead:

The theme for World Day Against Child Labour 2023 (June 12) was “Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!” – highlighting the connection between social justice and the issue of child labour. Therefore, there is a need to prioritise –

• Access to quality educationempowers them with the knowledge and skills they need to break free from the clutches of labour.
• Enforcement of labour laws and providing social protection.

Conclusion:

The battle against child labour necessitates a united front – a resolute stance against this grave injustice that brings together governments, non-profits and individuals from all walks of life.

Insta Links:

• Child trafficking in India
• The issue of child labour in India

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: TOI

 Context: Raimati Ghiuria, known as the “Queen of Millets,” has garnered attention for preserving 30 rare millet varieties in India.

Raimati, with minimal formal education, credits her knowledge to practical experience. She is celebrated for her contributions to promoting millet farming, training other farmers, and establishing a farm school. Raimati’s contributions extend to processing millets into value-added products, leading a self-help group, and receiving state-level recognition and awards.

Usage: You can use the example to show the value of Cultural Preservation, Environmental Stewardship, Community Empowerment, Promotion of Healthy Living, Inclusivity and Collaboration

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: The Sahitya Akademi has announced the winners of its Annual Sahitya Akademi Awards for the year 2023 in 24 languages.

• The awards include 9 for poetry, 6 for novels, 5 for short stories, 3 for essays, and 1 for literary study.
• The awards, which include a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/- each.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

 Context: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has initiated a Rs 72-crore development plan for Goddess Sita’s birthplace at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi at Mithila.

• The epic mentions Sita using names like Vaidehi, Janaki, Sita, and Mithilapuri, the last being an obvious reference to Mithila in Bihar.

About Mithila:

• Mithila, described in the Vishnu Puran as north of the Ganga and south of the Himalayas, includes present-day Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, and some areas in Bihar and Nepal.
• Janakpuri in Nepal is a modern name for Mithilapuri mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayan. The Bihar government, in coordination with Nepal, has included Janakpuri in the Ramayana Circuit.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

 Source: PIB

Context: The Ministry of Education and the Election Commission of India have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate voter education and electoral literacy into the formal education system in India.

• The objective is to prepare students as future voters and encourage greater electoral participation.
• The MoU includes the introduction or updating of NCERT textbooks to incorporate electoral literacy in the National Curriculum Framework for Classes 6th to 12th.
• Additionally, voter education and electoral literacy will be integrated into the curricular framework of colleges, universities, and adult education.
• Teachers will receive training to incorporate this subject matter into their courses.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: The Ministry of Mines has launched the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal.

Spearheaded by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskarachaya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), this online platform aims to provide comprehensive access to geospatial information nationwide. The initiative represents a significant step toward democratizing critical geoscience data, fostering innovation in exploration, and empowering stakeholders in various industries and academia.

The portal has been created as a part of the National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP), 2016.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE

 Context: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry has recommended extending the Faster Adoption & Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) – II Scheme by at least three more years.

Other Recommendations:

• Scope Enhancement: The committee suggests broadening the scope of the FAME-II Scheme to support more electric vehicles, making it more inclusive.
• Subsidies on Electric Two-Wheelers: The committee recommends restoring subsidies on electric two-wheelers
• Support for Electric Four-Wheelers: The committee advises increasing the number of electric vehicles supported in the four-wheelers category and including private electric four-wheelers in the FAME II Scheme, with a cap based on the cost and battery capacity of the vehicle.
• Charging Infrastructure Incentives: The committee suggests incentivizing the installation of charging stations and extending support to individual investors, women’s self-help groups, and cooperative societies.
• More funds: It also recommends allocating more funds to entities like Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) to popularize EV mobility.
• Consistent National Policy: There is a need for a consistent and stable national policy on electric mobility.

About FAME Scheme:

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: Recently three sub-schemes were introduced as part of the RAMP (Rejuvenation, Acceleration, and Mitigation of Pandemic) program.

• These schemes focus on supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and addressing key challenges they face.

About the schemes:

• The first scheme, MSE GIFT, aims to encourage green investment and provide financing for the transformation of MSMEs.
• The second scheme, MSE SPICE, is designed to promote and invest in the circular economy, emphasizing sustainable practices.
• Lastly, the MSE scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments focuses on resolving payment delays through online dispute resolution mechanisms, facilitating smoother financial transactions for MSMEs.

These sub-schemes collectively contribute to the broader goal of boosting the MSME sector and fostering sustainable business practices.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: The Namdapha flying squirrel, missing for 42 years, has been rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh.

Last described in 1981, the species was thought to be extinct or confused with a similar species.

About Namdapha Flying Squirrel

It is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the IUCN and is listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act. Located in Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, it was one of the 25 “most wanted lost” species targeted by the Global Wildlife Conservation’s “Search for Lost Species” initiative.

Mapping

Source: The Wire

 Context: The Maldives has expressed its intention to terminate a bilateral agreement with India that allowed collaboration in the hydrographic survey of Maldivian territorial waters.

What is a Hydrographic Survey?

A hydrographic survey is a scientific process that involves mapping and measuring the physical features of underwater terrain. It includes the study of the depth, topography, and characteristics of the seabed and water bodies.

The decision, part of the new Maldives government’s initiatives, comes after calls for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. The agreement, established in June 2019, aimed to enhance the Maldivian government’s capability to map coastal waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.

The new Maldives government had earlier requested the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Island Country.

The Maldives is a South Asian archipelagic state in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. Comprising 26 atolls, it is the smallest country in Asia and one of the world’s most geographically dispersed sovereign states. With a total area of about 90,000 square kilometres, including the sea, and a population of 521,021, it is the 2nd least-populous country in Asia. Malé is the capital, situated on the Chagos–Laccadive Ridge, making it the world’s lowest-lying country. Inhabited for over 2,500 years, the Maldives has a rich history influenced by Islam, and European colonial powers, and achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1965.