Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• A new edge to the fight against tuberculosis
• Bring government closer to people
• We require reliable data on caste to meet our aims of social justice
• Express View on delay of Consumption Expenditure Surveys, census: Let data flow

GS Paper 3

• India’s fighter jet conundrum
• Centre’s interest-free loan facility provides space for states to increase capital expenditure. Will they?
• A mega-science project bound to put India on the map for cutting-edge research
• A breakthrough in EV battery tech
• HAPless In Heat – As extreme summer temperatures hit many parts of India, are govts thinking of vulnerable groups?
• ‘Cap tiger numbers at 4k, don’t make them a pest’

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Helopeltis theivora: Tea mosquito bug affecting production: UPASI
• A MeitY move: Aadhaar validation by private entities gets green signal
• Faith in children’s vaccines has gone up in India, says UNICEF
• About Stray Dog Menace in India: Caring for strays
• Govt. plans 100 ‘eat right’ food streets across India
• Mission 50K-EV4ECO: SIDBI launches new financing solution for electric vehicle space
• SC slams sections of Special Marriage Act requiring prior notice
• SIDBI launches new financing solution for electric vehicle space

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

A new edge to the fight against tuberculosis

News – At the One World TB Summit in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi instilled fresh energy to global tuberculosis (TB) elimination response and reiterated India’s commitment to spearhead this effort.

What is the progress of India in fighting against TB?

India’s National Tuberculosis Control Program has introduced several measures to find, notify and treat TB cases.

Case notifications have risen from 15.6 lakh in 2014 to over 24 lakh in 2022. This reflects the program’s expanded reach and improved detection measures.

Novel approaches have been introduced to fight TB. It includes engagement with the private sector, launch of social support provisions and introduction of diagnostic tools and new drug regimens. It has improved TB management.

What are challenges in the fight against TB?

There is a lack of widespread awareness about the disease and lack of access to quality care. The recent National TB Prevalence Survey found that 64% of people with infectious TB did not seek care.

National-level estimates suggest that for every person notified with TB, it misses detecting almost two more cases.

What is the way forward for elimination of TB in India?

There is a need to introduce disruptive approaches and new tools to change the way for preventing, diagnosing, and treating TB.

Vaccines– For any infectious disease, a vaccine is what makes elimination possible. The BCG vaccine for TB does not adequately protect adolescents and adults. There is a need to prioritise and pick up the pace to find an effective TB vaccine.

There are currently over 15 TB vaccine candidates in the pipeline. There is a need to ensure that their clinical trials are prioritised to assess their efficacy in various community settings and for different target groups.

Testing– Testing for, and diagnosing TB needs to become more accessible and affordable. Point-of-Care Tests such as home-based tests for COVID allow decentralised, rapid and low-cost diagnostics to provide results within minutes. New innovations such as nasal and tongue swab-based tests for TB can be a game changer.

Further, handheld digital x-ray machines can now be taken to villages and urban settlements to screen large numbers of high-risk individuals, safely and conveniently.

Drugs– The development and introduction of new therapeutic molecules can play a crucial role in the long run. There is a need to scale up newer and more effective regimens and repurpose existing drugs for TB.

Shorter, safer, and more effective regimens do exist. It includes the 1HP regimen for latent TB infections, the four-month regimen for drug-susceptible TB, and the six-month regimen for drug-resistant TB. These need to be scaled up.

Policy framework– There is a need to create regulatory and policy frameworks for smooth rollout of proven tools to reach people with little delay.

This requires greater collaboration between policymakers, scientists, product developers, clinical researchers and governments.

Harmonization of standards and regulatory processes between countries is important. It can enable mutual recognition of evidence-based standards and licenses.

Bring government closer to people

News: India is preparing to become an advanced economy in the next 25 years.

What are the features of advanced economies?

A distinguishing feature of advanced economies is their significant allocation of revenues and responsibilities at the local government level. 

These include primary education, health care, basic law and order, and civic infrastructure — sewage, water supply, road maintenance and local zoning and regulations.

How much does India currently spend at the state and local level of government?

India’s share of sub-national (state plus local) spending is at 60 percent of total spend, which is very high at its level of development.

Other large federal states spend less. For example, Brazil spends around 50 percent while the United States around 40 per cent. Only Canada and China spend more than 70 per cent at the subnational level. 

What are the concerns with this devolution of money?

This devolution of money was proposed by the 14th Commission and was accepted by the 15th Finance Commission. 

However, simply shifting resources from the Centre to the states will not be of great help unless it reaches the lower levels of government.

For genuine devolution, the focus must shift to looking at ways to ensure more resources flow to local institutions, such as panchayats and mayors.

This is because many smart city projects are hampered by the inability of city mayors to deliver on their components of the scheme.

Further, the cost of delivering services at the same time improves and is made more effective and monitorable.

What are the concerns with the local government?

India’s local government spend is less than 4 percent of total government spending. This share is much smaller than in most advanced economies.

For example, spending by the local government in China exceeds 50 percent of total spending by the government.

Hence, India must prepare a road map for greater devolution from state-level spending to local governments and raise more local government revenues.

How can the revenues of local government be increased?

The best way to allow local governments to raise their own resources is an increase in property taxes and higher user fees.

Objections to higher property taxes from elderly owners can be handled through different means such as grandfathering clauses that exempt them during their lifetime.

At present, India has a very low property tax rate, accounting for around 0.5 percent of its total tax revenue and only a little over 0.1 percent of GDP.

Whereas the OECD countries on average collect about 5.6 percent of total tax revenue in property taxes and the US, UK and Canada at over 11- 12 per cent at the highest levels.

What can be the way ahead?

The 15th Finance Commission provided grants to states subject to them updating their property tax rates and improving collection.

This route could be used to discuss raising rates by the upcoming 16th Finance Commission to increase local government resources. 

We require reliable data on caste to meet our aims of social justice

News: Recently, many political parties are demanding to include caste in India’s census. 

Does the present form of the census collect any caste-based data?

Yes, the Census of India is enumerating caste-based data and publishes regular detailed tables based on that. These are available for Schedule Castes (SCs) and Schedule Tribes (STs) alone. But not for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and the residual category of ‘Others’.

What is the rationale behind the demands for including caste in the census?

-For the SC and ST social groups, the percentage of seats reserved is proportional to the share of these groups in the country’s population. However, this is not the case for the OBC group. The OBC groups are demanding a proportionate share of the reservation

-At present, Central and State governments have gone to the extent of extending reservations to various communities to fulfil political favouritism. A reliable estimate on caste will remove such political favouritism.

About the previous demands for including caste in the census

-The Mandal Commission requested the home ministry to include caste in the 1981 Census.

-Caste as a category was enumerated as part of a nationwide Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) in 2011-12 to identify beneficiaries for various government programmes. The SECC has since been adopted by most government programmes, including for the identification of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act. As part of the SECC data on caste was collected but was kept apart from other socioeconomic indicators.

-A Supreme Court judgement in 2022 made empirical estimates of different castes conditional for reservation in local bodies.

-The government set up a committee to analyse the data on caste from the SECC under the chairpersonship of Arvind Panagariya. But there has been little progress since then and the data has not been released.

– Karnataka conducted its own caste census in 2017. However, even the results of that census have not been released. Another caste census is currently underway in Bihar.

Why should be done?

Data from an all-India caste enumeration might create pressure from OBC representatives for a larger chunk of reservations as pressure groups arise from within this vast social group.

The government must use the existing SECC data on caste. Since caste does not change over the years, India’s SECC data is still reliable. This will allow a better understanding of the socio-economic status of various castes.

Express View on delay of Consumption Expenditure Surveys, census: Let data flow

News: India’s own census enumeration exercise which was meant to take place in 2021 has now been postponed to 2024-25. Similarly, results of the National Statistical Office’s consumption expenditure survey 2022-23 may now be released only after the general elections in 2024.

Note: The 2017-18 consumption expenditure survey was junked by the government due to “quality issues”.

What are the implications of delaying surveys?

Absence of credible data: The major utility of the consumption expenditure data is estimating poverty and inequality. With no recent consumption expenditure survey, there is little consensus on the trends in poverty and inequality. Further, several economists will put forth their estimates based on different data sources and present differing assessments. For instance, the “State of Working India 2021” report estimated a sharp increase in poverty during the pandemic. On the other hand, few other experts estimated reduction in poverty.

Reliance on other datasets increases: The utility of the consumption expenditure data is not limited to estimating poverty and inequality. These surveys are also used for rebasing GDP and CPI. In the absence of such surveys, reliance on other datasets only increases.

Limit the policymaker’s option: The absence of credible data affects the ability of policymakers to make well-judged choices.

What should be done?

Data that is accurate and timely forms the bedrock of policy-making. Hence, measures need to be taken to strengthen the statistical system and safeguard its independence in situations such as pandemics and elections.

GS Paper 3

India’s fighter jet conundrum

News– The article explains issues related with the squadron strength of the air force.

What is the present and upcoming scenario of squadron strength of the Indian air force?

Indian air force has today 31 squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons. It won’t go up in the next decade but can go further down by 2029.

If current orders are delivered, and the case for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) has progressed, India can have 29 to 31 squadrons by 2030.

The three Mig-21 squadrons will be phased out by 2025. Also, the Jaguars, Mirage-2000s and Mig-29s will begin going out by the end of the decade.

By 2027-28 the first of the MIG-29s will start going out. By early 2040s, most of these types will be phased out, some of the earlier batch of SU-30s will also start going out.

The future squadron strength will depend on the 83 Light Combat Aircraft MK1A, LCA-MK2 and MRFA. The decision on MRFA is essential to arrest this drawdown.

What are the future procurement plans for fighter jets?

The IAF has in total contracted 272 SU-30s. A deal to procure 12 additional SU-30MKIs and 21 additional MIG-29s from Russia has been struck.

Increasing the low availability rates of Su-30 and other fighters in service will offset some of the shortfalls in the interim. However, that could be potentially impacted due to the Ukraine war.

India has an ambitious plan for the acquisition of over 500 fighter jets. A bulk of them are indigenously designed and manufactured. However, these are at various stages of development. Their manufacturing and timely deliveries are critical.

The fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft is awaiting CCS sanction. The development of it would take 10 years after sanction. The project cost of AMCA is estimated to be around ₹15,000 crore.

The RFI for 114 MRFA was issued in April 2019 to global aircraft manufacturers. But there has been no progress. The project is yet to receive the Acceptance of Necessity, the starting point of the procurement process.

The MRFA is a reincarnation of the earlier Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contest for 126 jets.

What are some facts about the India LCA programme?

The LCA was originally intended as a Mig-21 replacement. It has seen a series of delays and has now come back on track.

The LCA achieved Initial Operation Clearance (IOC) in December 2013 and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) in February 2019.

In February 2020, the Defence Ministry signed a ₹48,000 crore deal with HAL for 83 LCA-MK1A. HAL will be delivering the first three aircraft in 2024 and 16 aircraft per year for the subsequent five years.

A more capable and larger LCA-MK2 received sanction from the Cabinet Committee on Security in September 2022 at a total cost of ₹9000 crore. It is expected to be ready for production by 2027.

The LCA-MK2 will be like the Mirage-2000 in terms of capability. There is also a Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter on the drawing board for the Navy’s aircraft carriers. The TEDBF is expected to take its first flight by 2026 and be ready for production by 2031.

The LCA project has seen long delays. It has also evolved in tune with the changing technological requirements.

What the IAF is flying today is very different from what was actually conceived at that point of time. The one we are flying today is called federated architecture. Any new weapon or any new system can be integrated much more easily.

Centre’s interest-free loan facility provides space for states to increase capital expenditure. Will they?

News– In recent months, there have been two significant developments relating to state governments’ finances. First, a moderation in state governments’ off-budget borrowing, and second, better than expected utilisation of the funds under the central government’s capex loan scheme.

What are changes made by the central government in case of off-budget borrowings by states?

State governments’ off-budget borrowings were earlier not subject to strict oversight by the Centre. This allowed states to push some borrowings off-budget.

However, as per guidelines issued by the Centre in 2021-22, incremental off-budget debt for the year would need to be adjusted over four years between 2023-2026.

Further, off-budget borrowings after this period would be considered as borrowings made by the state itself.

What are the provisions made by the central government in case of interest free capex loans?

The Centre has released Rs 812 billion to states under the “Special Assistance as Loan to States for Capital Expenditure” scheme (interest-free capex loans) in 2022-23. This is higher than the amount indicated in the Centre’s revised estimates.

For the ongoing year, the Centre has further enhanced the allocation under the interest-free capex loan to the states to Rs 1.3 trillion. This loan is over and above the normal borrowing limit for the year.

There was back-ended utilisation of the capex loan in 2022-23. 30% of the total amount for 2022-23 was disbursed to states in March. So, the Union government seems to have tightened the guidelines for the scheme.

Around two-thirds of the capex loan will be untied in nature, and it will be released in instalments.

Why has the central government changed the provisions related to interest free capex loans?

Centre intends for these funds to supplement, not finance budgeted capex. Recent years have seen lower-than-budgeted capital spending by many states.

The increased allocation for the interest-free capex loan scheme would support state governments in funding their capital spending this year.

The full utilization of these funds by states will cover the impact of the scheduled reduction in the borrowing limit and drop in the GST compensation.

Faster identification of projects under this scheme could result in a less back-ended disbursement of funds. This will also have a bearing on the borrowing requirement of states.

What are issues with state fiscal public finances?

There is a divergence in states’ actual monthly borrowings against the indicative amount. So, it is difficult to gauge their underlying fiscal health. This suggests that states are unable to project their borrowing requirement accurately in advance.

States’ ability to scale up execution will be critical to ensure the full utilisation of the capex loan. Spending patterns may be influenced by assembly elections in states.

A mega-science project bound to put India on the map for cutting-edge research

News– Union Cabinet approved the full budget for the LIGO-India mega-science project. It includes the construction, commissioning and joint scientific operation of a state-of-the-art, advanced LIGO in India.

How will LIGO-India projects be beneficial for the country?

The LIGO-India Observatory will enhance global capability in the emergent field of gravitational-wave astronomy and astrophysics (A&A).

LIGO-India will also prompt Indian S&T in academia, national laboratories and industries to develop a range of cutting-edge technologies of national relevance.

LIGO-India will bring together researchers in fundamental and applied sciences from national research laboratories, IITs and IISERs, universities and the industry on a common platform. This will also attract talent from the large pool of Indian researchers spread worldwide.

The synergy with the quantum sensing and metrology vertical of the National Mission for Quantum Technology and Application holds high promise for India to take lead in the future of Gravitational wave detectors.

The project will galvanise India Inc to enhance capability and capacity to engineer and manufacture complex components with precision. Clearly, the commissioning of LIGO-India will enhance the reputation of Indian industry.

What are the benefits associated with mega science projects?

Mega science projects promote close collaboration between researchers from disparate areas of science and technology, and across geographies. These projects work within an organised, goal-oriented management structure.

Mega-science does not undermine individual research efforts. It enriches the overall S&T culture.

Scientifically advanced countries work to create ecosystems that connect academia, laboratories and industry on a national scale. These ecosystems have strong global links. Mega-science ventures provide ideal learning platforms to set up such model ecosystems on a manageable scale.

Mega-science projects also inculcate invaluable elements of work ethic in the scientific community. These create a collaborative ecosystem that remains open to growing by bringing in wider participation.

It also promotes culture within S&T communities to anticipate breakthroughs and appreciate new findings that may often deviate from the current comfort zone for policymakers.

What are steps taken in the country to promote mega science projects?

In India, mega-science ventures were recognized and defined as a distinct category of the scientific enterprise during the Planning Commission’s 11th plan period (2007-2012).

Such ventures require large-scale collaborative effort. It requires highly skilled human resources, significant fiscal capital and infrastructural investment and close academia-industry partnership.

It was also envisaged that the needs of most mega-science projects would span across multiple departments of the government. So, there is a need to encourage cooperative, coordination structures between partnering agencies.

In this spirit, a MoU was set up between the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to jointly fund and administer “mega-science” projects.

India is a partner in “big science” frontier international ventures, such as Large Hadron Collider Facility, ITER, Thirty Meter Telescope; and Square Kilometre Array.

In India, LIGO-India and Indian-based Neutrino Observatory (INO), Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune and Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) in Ladakh are examples of mega science projects.

A breakthrough in EV battery tech

News: The demand for Electric Vehicle (EV) is on rise. As per the Economic Survey 2022-23, EV market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 49 percent between 2022 and 2030, and annual sales are expected to reach 10 million by that time.

This will add pressure on the battery supply chain. Hence, there is a need to diversify the battery market from lithium-ion batteries to more cost-effective batteries like sodium-ion batteries.

How are sodium-ion batteries better than lithium-ion batteries?

The cheapest lithium-ion battery is LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate). However, the rapid growth in the worldwide EV battery demand has caused problems with lithium mining and the prices have also increased.

In such a case, sodium-ion batteries are the alternative. Large quantities of sodium can be extracted from both the earth’s crust and seawater and at a lower cost than lithium.

Moreover, an aluminium current collector can be used at both electrodes, unlike the lithium-ion battery, which requires a more expensive copper current collector at the anode.

Overall, a sodium-ion battery is 20-30 percent cheaper than an LFP battery. Further, the Sodium-ion battery has no over-discharge characteristics, which means it can be allowed to discharge to zero volts.

This reduces the chances of fire hazards during transportation, unlike lithium batteries which must always be stored with a minimum charge.

Sodium-ion batteries have faster charging times and could have a longer lifespan compared to lithium-ion variants.

What progress has been made for sodium-ion batteries and what are the associated challenges?

There are many companies working on sodium-ion technology.

For example, the world’s largest EV battery manufacturer unveiled its first-generation sodium batteries in mid-2021 and announced a commercial launch in 2023.

However, a major challenge in scaling up production is the development of suitable materials and supply chain for both electrodes and the electrolyte.

Another concern is that it is often argued that sodium-ion batteries are heavier than the lithium-ion variants for the same energy delivered due to higher density.

However, the first generation of sodium-ion batteries has reached energy densities up to 160 Wh/kg while the most recent LFP batteries have achieved just over 180 Wh/kg.

How are sodium-ion batteries relevant for India?

A large part of the Indian market in the next decade will comprise smaller sub-10kWh batteries that go into two- and three-wheelers. Due to which, manufacturers have switched to LFP batteries given its low costs.

However, these batteries have higher densities making them heavier.

They can be replaced by sodium-ion batteries as sodium-ion batteries offer a cost-effective option for applications where weight and energy density are less of an issue.

What can be the way ahead?

Sodium-ion batteries present a promising opportunity in developing India’s home-grown battery technology, thereby reducing the dependency on oil imports.

Moreover, the need for accelerated growth of EVs at a lower cost offers the opportunity for India to become a global leader in manufacturing sodium-ion batteries. 

HAPless In Heat – As extreme summer temperatures hit many parts of India, are govts thinking of vulnerable groups?

News: Heatwaves have forced schools to close in parts of Meghalaya and Tripura. Indian Meteorological Department has also issued warning to nine states facing heatwaves simultaneously.

What are heat waves?

How can heat waves be fatal?

About heatwaves in India

Heatwaves have become India’s new normal – longer, more frequent, and deadlier. A Lancet study last year reported a 55% increase in heat-related deaths over 17 years in India. Among age group of 65 years, heat-related deaths increased from 20,000 in 2000-2004 to 31,000 in 2017-2021.

A Climate Transparency report found India lost 5.4% of its GDP to heatwaves in 2021, the highest among G20 nations. Another report found that 66% of India’s workers are exposed to heat in their open-air jobs. These workers range from airports’ outdoor staff to miners and construction workers.

What are the challenges in mitigating heat waves?

a) India’s Heat action plans (HAPs) had not identified vulnerable groups and were designed for dry heat without considering local humidity levels, b) India barely records heat-related deaths, c) There is scant public awareness on dealing with wet bulb conditions.

What should be done?

HAPs must be integral to city planning. India should also encourage reducing/rescheduling work hours, allowing natural shade, and creating shelters at work sites.

‘Cap tiger numbers at 4k, don’t make them a pest’

News: Recently, the government released the 5th cycle of India’s Tiger Census. Based on the survey, the tiger population in India has grown from 1,411 in 1972 to 3,167 in 2022.

What are the key findings of India’s tiger census?

What are the government initiatives that led to an increase in the tiger population?

What are the challenges India faces with the increased tiger population?

India nearing the inherent ecological carrying capacity: India’s present reserves do not have the environmental capacity to support more than 4000 tigers.  Reaching 10,000 tiger populations might create landscape transformations.

Few state governments have issued  ‘shoot at sight’ orders to eliminate tigers.

Note: The standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have deal with various conditions including killing tigers. 

What are the advantages of India’s tiger conservation plans?

Reserve-specific tiger conservation plans: India’s tiger conservation plan was reserve-specific. The plan has better preventive and control measures like day-to-day monitoring, kill monitoring, deployment of Rapid Response Teams and timely compensating depredations.  This deals with human-tiger conflicts.

Help other countries: The good practices under Project Tiger can help other tiger range countries strengthen their tiger efforts. India has already formalised its engagement with Cambodia for tiger revival, including translocation. This effort is very important for the South-East Asian region.

What should be done?

India needs sustainable tiger populations with viable tiger porosity between tiger source areas. For that, India needs a) A 24×7 surveillance of human-wildlife interface linked to a control room based on gainful community stewardship, b) Technology for preventive and control measures, c) A vibrant landscape approach for engaging with all stakeholders monitored by the state-level steering committee, d) regulation of agriculture/ cash crop cover and related actions.

Prelims-Oriented Articles (Factly)

Helopeltis theivora: Tea mosquito bug affecting production: UPASI

Source: The post is based on the article “Tea mosquito bug affecting production: UPASI” published in The Hindu on 21st April 2023

What is the News?

The United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) has urged the government to immediately intervene and take appropriate steps to control the Tea Mosquito Bug (Helopeltis theivora) problem in the tea plantations in India. 

What is Helopeltis theivora?

It is a major sucking pest of tea in most tea-producing countries. 

The nymphs and adults of the Tea Mosquito Bug(TMB) suck the sap from tender leaves, buds and young shoots, which results in heavy crop losses.

How can this Tea mosquito bug be prevented?

It can be controlled by using synthetic pesticides. However, in the current 2014 Plant Protection Code (PPC) from the Tea Board of India, only seven pesticides are approved for use in South India. 

With a limited choice of pesticides, tea growers are unable to achieve effective control of tea mosquito bugs.

About India’s Tea Production

India is the world’s second-largest producer of tea after China. Around 85% of the tea produced domestically is consumed in the country itself.India is also the largest black tea producer.

Indian teas are exported to various destinations and are the 4th largest tea exporter besides catering to a large number of domestic consumers.

Currently, small tea growers contribute 52 percent of India’s tea production.

Darjeeling’s tea is one of the coveted products of India which is the first GI registered.  

A MeitY move: Aadhaar validation by private entities gets green signal

Source: The post is based on the article “A MeitY move: Aadhaar validation by private entities gets green signal” published in Business Standard on 21st April 2023

What is the News?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has proposed a new set of rules that would allow private entities to carry out Aadhaar authentication. 

What are the proposed new rules the government is planning to bring on Aadhaar authentication?

Currently, only government ministries and departments are permitted to undertake Aadhaar authentication for various Central and state government schemes.

The proposed amendment to the rules would allow private entities to build platforms to facilitate the Aadhaar authentication for the beneficiaries.

Private businesses will be allowed to carry out Aadhaar authentication for purposes such as the usage of digital platforms to ensure good governance, prevention of dissipation of social welfare benefits, enablement of innovation and the spread of knowledge.

How can private entities carry out Aadhar authentication?

Private entities that want to use Aadhaar authentication will have to submit a proposal to the Central government with justification for their purpose. 

Once private entities submit their proposals to the Central Government with justifications for using Aadhaar authentication, the government may then forward these proposals to the UIDAI. 

The UIDAI will then review the proposals and inform the Central Government about whether or not to allow the applicant entity to use Aadhaar authentication.

What are the concerns against these new rules?

The new proposed rules raise concerns as it essentially proposes to expand the use of Aadhaar-based authentications to a range of private entities. 

In 2019, the government amended the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 under which it allowed only banking and telecom companies to carry out such authentications for know-your-customer (KYC) requirements.

The amendment was necessitated after the Supreme Court, in 2018 had struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act which allowed the use of Aadhaar data by any “body corporate or person” – essentially private companies – to establish the identity of an individual for being “unconstitutional”.

Even the subsequent 2019 amendment was challenged in the Supreme Court. The case is yet to come to a conclusion.

Faith in children’s vaccines has gone up in India, says UNICEF

Source: The post is based on the article “Faith in children’s vaccines has gone up in India, says UNICEF” published in The Hindu on 21st April 2023

What is the News?

UNICEF has released the report titled ‘The State of the World’s Children 2023: For Every Child, Vaccination’.

What are the key findings of the report?

Vaccine hesitancy on the rise: The public perception of the importance of vaccines for children declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in 52 out of 55 countries studied.

– China, India and Mexico were the only countries examined where the perception of the importance of vaccines remained stable or even improved.

– The report warns the confluence of several factors suggests the threat of vaccine hesitancy may be growing. These factors include uncertainty about the response to the pandemic, growing access to misleading information, declining trust in expertise, and political polarization.

Childhood vaccination: The pandemic interrupted childhood vaccination almost everywhere, especially due to intense demands on health systems, the diversion of immunization resources to COVID-19 vaccination, health worker shortages and stay-at-home measures.

– The report warns a total of 67 million children missed out on vaccinations between 2019 and 2021, with vaccination coverage levels decreasing in 112 countries. 

– In 2022, for example, the number of measles cases was more than double the total in the previous year. The number of children paralyzed by polio was up 16 per cent year-on-year in 2022.

Deepening inequalities: The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities related to vaccination.

– Overall, in low and middle-income countries, one in 10 children in urban areas and one in six in rural areas had not received a single routine vaccination.

About Stray Dog Menace in India: Caring for strays

Source: The post is based on the article “Caring for strays” published in The Hindu on 21st April 2023

What is the News?

The Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 could further worsen the stray dog menace crisis.

About Stray Dog Menace in India

According to the World Health Organization, 36% of the world’s and 65% of Southeast Asia’s rabies deaths happen in India. 

The National Rabies Control Programme has recorded 6,644 clinically suspected cases and deaths of human rabies in 2012-22. 

There have also been several media reports of the young and the old being attacked by packs of stray dogs, fatally in some cases.

How has the government of India responded to the stray dog menace in India?

The government of India has released the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023.

The rules purportedly respond to three stimuli: 1) strays cannot be relocated (as the Supreme Court of India has held) 2) must not face cruelty and 3) must be cared for.

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What are the key concerns with the rules?

Firstly, the rules ask residents’ welfare associations to care for stray dogs and feed them away from the children and the elderly, at fixed intervals. 

– This could further the dogs’ homelessness, and thus susceptibility to disease, injury, and discomfort.

– Instead, the rules must prohibit the improper disposal of solid waste and casual feeding of dogs, and require them to be adopted and directly cared for, to eliminate canine homelessness altogether.

Secondly, the rules say that the local authorities will be held responsible for any violation [during birth-control procedures] and animal-human conflicts.

– But these local authorities are suffering from a lack of funds and staff, the requisite infrastructure and proper coordination. Without these, the 2023 Rules potentially create more points of failure at the level of local governments.

Govt. plans 100 ‘eat right’ food streets across India

Source: The post is based on the article “Govt. plans 100 ‘eat right’ food streets across India” published in The Hindu on 21st April 2023

What is the News?

The Government of India has planned a “Eat Right Food Streets Project” across India.

What is the Eat Right Food Streets Project?

Under this project, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has asked States and Union Territories to develop 100 food streets in 100 districts across the country. 

The aim of this project is to encourage safe and healthy practices to reduce food-borne illnesses and improve overall health outcomes.

The project will be implemented through the National Health Mission (NHM) in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and with technical support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Financial assistance of ₹1 crore per food street/district will be given to States and Union Territories.

Assistance will be provided under the NHM in the ratio of 60:40 or 90:10, with the condition that standard branding of these food streets will be done as per FSSAI guidelines.

What is the significance of this project?

Street foods have traditionally been an integral part of Indian society and are present all across the country. They represent the rich local tradition of cuisine.

They not only provide a daily diet at affordable prices to millions but also direct employment to a large number of people while supporting the tourism industry.

However, safety and hygiene remain a matter of concern at street food outlets and hubs.

This project can serve as a model for other such streets to be established across the country to ensure clean and safe food practices.

Mission 50K-EV4ECO: SIDBI launches new financing solution for electric vehicle space

Source: The post is based on the article “Assam, Arunachal ink ‘historic’ border pact” published in TOI on 21st April 2023

What is the News?

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to end a 51-year-old inter-state border dispute.

What is the historical context of the boundary dispute between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam?

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What is the MoU signed between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam?

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804 km long boundary. The dispute in question is over 123 villages that stretch across 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh and eight of Assam. 

As per the MoU signed, disputes over 34 of these villages stand resolved. The disputes over 37 villages had been resolved through the Namsai Declaration of July 2022.

Of the remaining 52 villages, the village boundary of 49 is to be finalized by regional committees in the next six months, while three villages inside the IAF bombing range will require rehabilitation.

Both state governments agree that no new claim area or village will be added in future beyond these 123 villages. 

It also states that both governments agree to effectively prevent any new encroachment in the border areas and agree that the MoU is full and final with respect to the 123 villages.

SC slams sections of Special Marriage Act requiring prior notice

Source: The post is based on the article “SC slams sections of Special Marriage Act requiring prior notice” published in The Hindu on 21st April 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has said that the provisions of the Special Marriage Act which mandate a 30-day notice of intent to marry is steeped in patriarchy and expose vulnerable couples to an “invasion” by society.

What is the Special Marriage act?

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Why has the Supreme Court criticized several provisions of the Special Marriage Act? 

The Special Marriage Act requires marriage officers to display a public notice inviting objections to an intended marriage 30 days prior to the ceremony.

The Supreme Court has argued that such a notice is patriarchal and enables an invasion of privacy, particularly as it includes detailed personal information about the couple such as their names, phone numbers, date of birth, occupation and addresses.

The court said that such provisions are only based on patriarchy and were made when women did not have agency.

It voiced concern about the impact of such requirements on marginalized or minority communities and emphasized the need to protect vulnerable sections of society. 

SIDBI launches new financing solution for electric vehicle space

Source: The post is based on the article “SIDBI launches new financing solution for electric vehicle space” published in Economic Times on 21st April 2023

What is the News?

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has announced a new scheme named “Mission 50K-EV4ECO” to boost the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the country.

What is Mission 50K-EV4ECO?

Launched by: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)

Aim: To increase the uptake of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers through direct and indirect lending support to vehicle aggregators, fleet operators and leasing companies.

Under the scheme, SIDBI will directly provide loans to eligible small and medium enterprises (SME) for the purchase of EVs and developing charging infrastructure, including battery swapping.

Significance of the scheme: This scheme is a positive step to support the demand side of EV adoption in India, especially in light of the Government of India’s FAME 2 scheme coming to an end by March 2024.

What is the drawback of Mission 50K-EV4ECO?

The thing that is missing in this scheme is the crucial supply-side incentives to stimulate the ‘entire EV value chain’. The critical component of this value chain is the battery, which accounts for 25-35% of the EV cost.

– Manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries comprises multiple steps, including electrode preparation, cell assembly, battery pack assembly and battery testing, which involve advanced machinery.

– Currently, a substantial part of the battery manufacturing ecosystem is heavily skewed towards battery pack assembly that relies on imported lithium cells. 

– This raises concerns about the suitability of battery chemistry and design to the local environment, operational safety and vulnerability to external supply shocks.