9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 13th, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• Moving policy away from population control

GS Paper 2

• India@75: As we celebrate the nation, we must also reflect on the mixed nature of our democracy
• Why family needs to be at the heart of India’s health system
• The ‘freebies’ debate
• A Journey Unfinished: India@75 has much to celebrate but the full range of freedoms available to elites eludes most

GS Paper 3

• India’s big problem of low-quality employment
• No holds barred – India must continue to try to designate terrorists and not lose faith in the process
• India’s 75 years of scientific advancements: On path of science

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• India ranks globally 3rd in Start-Up ecosystem and also in terms of number of Unicorns: Union Minister
• Explained: Chronic fatigue syndrome
• 29 elephant poaching cases in 3 years: Centre
• National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem(NAMASTE): Government to enumerate people who clean sewers
• Explained: What are the rules for displaying the National Flag?
• Explained: Why 1947 Boundary Commission awards for Punjab, Bengal irked India
• Prime Minister vows to protect elephants, India gets 32nd reserve
• Recovery in youth employment continues to lag worldwide: ILO report
• India, Malaysia begin four-day air exercise Udarashakti

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Moving policy away from population control

News: Recently, the United Nations released its World Population Prospects (WPP), 2022.

WPP’s Projections of Demographic Transition of India

India is at the 3rd stage of the demographic transition (DT). It is experiencing a slowing population growth rate due to constant low mortality and rapidly declining fertility. Its population growth is further expected to fall to 1% by 2025.

What are the challenges in Demographic Transition?

Several States have not achieved a low TFR. This has been due to high illiteracy levels, rampant child marriage, high levels of under-five mortality rates, low workforce participation of women, and low contraceptive usage compared to other states.

Male-dominant sex ratio: In 1951, the country had a sex ratio of 946 females per 1,000 males. It has come down to 943 females per 1,000 males in 2011. The major causes behind this decline are the preference for sons and sex selection (both pre-and post-natal)

Some communities face challenges like marriage squeeze due to an imbalance between the number of men and women available to marry in a specific society and eventual bride purchase.

India stands 101 out of 116 nations in the Global Hunger Index. Anaemia and stuntedness remain high despite ongoing the Public Distribution System and the Midday Meals Scheme.

Serious health risks: In 75 years, India’s health problems have shifted from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). For example, India is home to over eight crore people with diabetes. In contrast, India’s health-care infrastructure is highly inadequate and inefficient, India’s public health financing is low which is among the lowest percentages in the world.

The share of India’s elderly population is now increasing and is expected to be 12% by 2050.

Other issues in harnessing the demographic dividend: a) India’s labour force is constrained by the absence of women from the workforce; i.e., only a fourth of women are employed, b) Poor quality of educational attainments and lack of the basic skills required for the modernised job market, c) India’s one of the world’s lowest employment rates is another enormous hurdle in reaping the ‘demographic dividend’.

What should be done to harness demographic dividends?

There is a need to ameliorate the status of women in Indian society, and quality of life. Further, the government should also prioritize improvement in sex ratio.

The focus should not be on population control but on improving the quality of life of the Indians.

For the elderly population, advanced investments in the development of a robust social, financial and healthcare support system are the need of the hour.

There should be an extensive investment in human capital like education and health, care for older populations, suitable infrastructure creation, and conducive social welfare schemes.

GS Paper 2

India@75: As we celebrate the nation, we must also reflect on the mixed nature of our democracy

News: India is going to celebrate its 75^th year of Independence on and around August 15, 2022. It refers to the celebration of India’s assertion of our nationhood (national self-respect and identity) as well as how India established a democratic system in order to conduct the affairs of the nation.

What are the deep concerns of Indian democracy?

Firstly, at present, there is a nationalistic rhetoric, in which there are attempts to shrink the idea of India as a nation into one community. The rhetoric is marked by exclusion and an overemphasis on community identity. Therefore, in the present narration, democracy is secondary to the nation.

Secondly, a contradiction in the celebration of the Constitution of India: Although the document is being celebrated, the adoption of its spirit in social and political practice is half-hearted. For example, the two most revolutionary elements of the Constitution, fundamental rights and directive principles, are conveniently set aside from time to time for vested interest.

Our legislative choices, executive practices and judicial interpretations have undermined the Constitution from time to time.

Thirdly, Web of institutions: The Constitution gave us many institutions. Subsequently, Parliament has added many other institutions. But most of the new institutions created serve the purpose of controlling citizens. There is a serious erosion of most institutions. This is partly due to political interference in functioning of these institutions in India.

Fourthly, Indian politics is marked by deep inequalities. Ordinary Citizens are not able to “do politics”. One can enter into Indian politics through the family route or by finding out family connections. This political inequality is exacerbated by and in turn, enhances various other inequalities.

Fifthly, there is no balance between the people as a collective and the individual in India’s democratic life. Here, the idea of the individual seldom carries weight. Within communities, individuals are secondary. Further, fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals such as freedom of expression, right to life and liberty are seen as unnecessary both by the public and rulers.

What should be done?

The best way to celebrate 75 years of our nationhood is to remind ourselves of the contradictoriness of democracy that we practice.

Why family needs to be at the heart of India’s health system

News: Since Independence, India has been striving to establish a comprehensive primary healthcare care system. The Covid pandemic once again highlighted the need for an effective primary healthcare system.

About the history of healthcare reforms in India

The Bhore Committee Report of 1946, the Kartar Singh Committee Report of 1973, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) of 2005 and the Ayushman Bharat Mission of 2019 are significant landmarks in this endeavour.

The NRHM: (1) The Mission has set the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for physical infrastructure, human resources and service delivery, and (2) a three-fold increase in budget.

Health Care System in India: The system comprises a multi-tiered structure. It means at the block-level, there is a 30-bed community health centre is operated by four specialists and at the village-level, a community worker operates and provides services covering 12 diseases/needs.

Some good outcomes as a result of the NRHM Healthcare reforms

(1) Institutional deliveries went up from 41% in 2005 to 89% in 2021,

(2) The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) went down from 407 per one lakh women in 2,000 to 113 per one lakh women in 2021,

(3) The infant mortality ratio reduced from 58/1,000 live births in 2005 to about 28/1,000 live births in 2021,

(4) There has been increased availability of drugs, diagnostics and doctors,

(5) The healthcare system’s footfall has registered an impressive improvement in states like Bihar and UP.

What are the shortcomings of NRHM?

Despite the launch of the mission, still less than 10% of the public health care facilities match up to the IPHS Standards.

The primary healthcare system continues to be plagued with gaps and deficiencies and the current facilities serve two to ten times the population they are designed to cater to.

One reason for the deficit is that public spending on healthcare is barely 1.1 per cent of the GDP and the other reason is the wavering political support for primary care.

The Kerala Model -Healthcare system

It has revamped its health care system based on the UK’s GP (general practitioners) system in the state.

Kerala appears to be the only state in India which has revamped its primary healthcare system (PHC) along the foundational principles of comprehensive primary care, i.e., a community-anchored delivery system, a continuum of care, and patient-centred, protocol-driven, evidence-based treatment.

This comprehensive approach has been enabled by a tripartite partnership between the state’s health department, women’s collectives and community-level bodies.

The Primary health centre (PHC) facilities have been renamed as family health centres (FHCs) which underlines the centrality of the family in the endeavour.

A series of coordinated interventions were made, like changing timings, redesigning the centres and equipping them with the patient and people-friendly facilities, providing intensive training to the staff to undertake new functions and responsibilities, etc.

The Family Health Centre’s (FHCs) in Kerala provide a wide range of drugs and medical services, including nebuliser treatment for asthma patients, mobile teams provide palliative care at home.

What should be done?

For Kerala: The state government should focus on deepening the reforms, and instituting the accountability framework related to the doctors, paramedics and frontline workers, needs to be strengthened.

For Rest of India: National policy should be nimble and allow for differential strategies because a single system may not be apt for the entire country.

The Centre should adopt the principles of flexibility, decentralisation and provides the space for innovation to states and districts to plan, design and implement primary care in accordance with local needs. The Centre government’s role should be limited to measuring outcomes.

Rest of the state government should learn from a proactive primary healthcare system that is working in Kerala. They should reset their approach and change the design of their health care system.

The ‘freebies’ debate

News: Recently, the Prime Minister said freebies were coming in the way of development. The debate over “freebies vs development expenditure” reflects a primary problem that economics is supposed to tackle.

About the development expenditure and freebies

Economists call few freebies positive externalities; i.e. they have a public utility that goes beyond the benefit to the individual user.

For instance, a) spending on Education, welfare payments, and highways all are called as positive externalities, b) Mid-day meals in schools improved school attendance and enhanced child health and reduced the birth rate dramatically. c) Other schemes and programs such as the construction of free lavatories, providing subsidised cooking gas.

What are the issues associated with freebies?

Constraints from other issues: The major issue is not the freebies themselves, but the constraint imposed by limited means. For instance, Delhi can give free power up to a consumption limit and also invest in schools but not Punjab with its high indebtedness cannot do the same.

The welfare state is unaffordable: In advanced economies, “transfer payments” through social security, and unemployment benefits dominate budgets. Thus leaving less and less money for infrastructure, research, and other “investments” for growth. For instance, in Britain, the National Health Service is near breakdown.

What needs to be done to provide a better welfare state?

Follow the principle of Singapore’s founder, the late Lee Kuan Yew: He mandated high personal savings with which Singaporeans could buy government-provided housing, and also mandated personal health funds to pay for medical emergencies. In return for people, he offered low taxes.

This has the following advantages, a) government spending does not leave behind a burden for future generations, b) The government would not spend the money it did not have. Thereby ratio of public debt to GDP will not increase.

Provide fiscal space to states: Creating a fiscal responsibility law will not achieve anything. Instead, the centre can increase the share of tax revenue to states, so that states can afford and plan their freebies.

A Journey Unfinished: India@75 has much to celebrate but the full range of freedoms available to elites eludes most

News: India is celebrating its 75 years of Independence. But India needs to do more to be truly independent, to be truly free.

How has India been democratic ever since its independence?

The Partition riots were a monumental tragedy that indelibly marked India’s birth as a nation. It was not clear then that India would survive as a country.

Despite that, people of various states are feeling a sense of national unity and purpose that overcame their religious, caste, language and socioeconomic identities.

All this is due to the remarkable achievement of our early leaders, who put in place democratic practices and made them into traditions.

How democracy is unifying India?

Liberal democracy has been a safety valve, diffusing the varied pressures emerging from the vast country. It has ensured that most battles are fought in newspapers, at the ballot box, in Parliament, and not in the street.

Liberal democracy has helped preserve the unity of our country.

What are the challenges India is still facing?

Economic inequality exists in India due to unequal access to public goods like education and healthcare.

Draconian provisions: Freedom fighters sought independence in part so that they could speak out, criticise and protest without the ever-present threat of being jailed by an omnipotent colonial government, using its arbitrary laws and police powers.

Yet many of those laws and police powers are still on the books, some even enhanced.

What needs to be done?

Need necessary improvements: Malnutrition and stunting of children need immediate attention. Similarly, the extent to which poor children fall behind grade level requirements in reading and arithmetic should be rectified.

True economic freedom can come only when most people can easily find decent jobs. So, India should create more jobs.

Need to aid religious minorities: Sri Lanka is a classic example of what will happen if politicians demonise a minority. The role of minorities in India’s achievement should not be ignored.

Institutional reforms: India should improve the quality and efficiency of law enforcement agencies. Along with that, institutions such as the press and the judiciary also are in dire need of reforms.

Gandhi feared that in post-Independence India, freedom for the few is never sustainable – unless the many see, experience and cherish that freedom. On our 75th Independence Day, the government should know that the struggle for independence is still unfinished.

GS Paper 3

India’s big problem of low-quality employment

News: Recently, a V.V. Giri National Labour Institute’s report titled “Impact Assessment Study of the Labour Reforms” was published. It was based on the labour reforms conducted in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh during the period 2004-05 to 2018-19.

What is the status of Employment Creation in India?

Between 1980 and 1990 Period: Every 1% of GDP growth generated roughly two lakh new jobs

Between 1990 to 2000 Period: Every 1% of GDP growth generated roughly one lakh jobs.

About the Labour Reforms in recent decade

Before 2014 Reforms: The government focused on improving labour administration by simplifying procedures and digitisation.

Post-2014 Reforms: The government shifted primacy focus on reforming the content of the laws. In this context, the union government designed a framework for labour law reforms.

Thereafter, it encouraged the state governments to implement changes, since labour is a state subject. Rajasthan took the initiative and other states followed the economic reforms.

What are the key findings of the Impact Assessment Study of the Labour Reforms?

The labour reforms undertaken so far had little effect on increasing employment in large enterprises in India.

Rajasthan, the first state to implement the reforms, seems to have benefitted the least from them. This is because the effects of labour reforms cannot be revealed immediately as it will take time.

In contrast to creation of jobs, the report says, employment in formal enterprises is becoming more informal.

What causes problems in labour reforms?

Labour Reforms couldn’t induce the creation of large enterprises, the primary objective of the reforms because the increase in the threshold of application (i.e., now 300 labour) of the Industrial Disputes Act is conceptually flawed.

Large investors are employing increasing numbers of people on short-term contracts, while perversely demanding more flexibility in laws.

The labour laws are the only one factor affecting business investment decisions. In addition to labour reforms, an enterprise must have a growing market for its products, and capital, machinery, materials, land, etc. to produce for the market.

The reforms failed to serve the primary purpose of labour laws like to protect workers, not promote the interests of investors.

What should be done?

Fundamental reforms are required in the theory of economic growth, i.e., more GDP does not automatically produce more incomes at the bottom.

In addition, India needs to focus on the creation of jobs, labour policies must focus on the generation of better-quality livelihoods for Indian citizen or all citizens’ ease of earning better livelihoods and with more dignity

No holds barred – India must continue to try to designate terrorists and not lose faith in the process

News: Recently, China has placed a “technical hold” on the joint India-U.S. proposal to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad deputy chief a global terrorist on the United Nations Security Council 1267 Committee listing.

What are the challenges happenings in India-China relations?

Despite 16 rounds of military commander talks at the Line of Actual Control, India and China have failed to resolve the standoff along the LAC that began in April 2020.

Chinese satellite tracking ship was supposed to dock at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port after the Sri Lankan government gave a clearance to the visit.

Chinese technology majors in India are being raided by the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax authorities under suspicion of a range of financial crimes.

Consequences of Chinese technical hold move

At a time when bilateral trust is already in deficit, China’s decision to stop an important terror listing would give a big blow to the bilateral relations between two countries.

The terror outfits, the LeT and JeM, may continue to perpetrate major attacks on Indians.

What India should do?

India continue its attempts to designate these terrorists, with perseverance, without losing faith in the process. It can take the following options to resolve the problem:

(1) India should go for keeping the international pressure up, and garner more co-sponsors for the listing.

(2) India should work on changing 1267 Committee procedures, so that they don’t allow one country to hold back such important terror listings without due cause.

(3) India can open dialogues with both China and Pakistan bilaterally on the issue. Here, Pakistan’s need to be removed from the FATF grey list and China’s interest in Pakistan’s economic recovery may be leveraged to ensure the listings are accomplished.

India’s 75 years of scientific advancements: On path of science

News: As the country celebrates 75 years of Independence, it’s time to introspect India’s scientific advancements and their benefit to the common people.

About India’s 75 years of scientific advancements

Since 1947, the country has emerged as a global power in space technology, nuclear power, and many other fields.

India’s probes to the moon and Mars, nuclear weapons, and strategic missile systems are praiseworthy achievements.

Along with that India also achieved self-sufficiency in foodgrain, medicines, and vaccines, and exemplary developments in communications and information technology.

Innovation: In the latest Global Innovation Index 2021, India ranked 46 among 132 countries, two notches above its 2020 position. India overperformed on innovation relative to its level of development for the 11th year in a row.

Agriculture: In 2021-22, India’s farm exports touched a record $50.21 billion. The country is among the 15 leading exporters of agricultural products.

“pharmacy of the world”: Local firms supply affordable drugs and vaccines to not only developing but also developed countries.

India’s successful vaccination drives – from against smallpox, to polio, and now Covid, besides the ongoing Mission Indradhanush – are prime examples of Indians’ trust in modern sciences.

IT industry and telecom revolution: Services firms in India, according to reports, are targeting record $350-billion exports in the current financial year, up 37%, year-on-year, despite global headwinds.

How did India achieve these 75 years of scientific advancements?

Planning Commission: The Planning Commission was set up in 1950 and the first plan draft, presented in July 1951, included a chapter on “Scientific and Industrial Research”;

The chapter recognised 11 research institutes at the national level in a bid to lay the foundation of scientific research in the country.

Scientific Policy Resolution, 1958: It is India’s first major science policy. The plan realised “it is only through the scientific approach and method and the use of scientific knowledge that reasonable material and cultural amenities and services can be provided for every member of the community”.

Green Revolution: It was based on 1958 policy. After two successive years of drought, India was dependent on wheat imports and stared at yet another famine. The scenario drastically improved after M S Swaminathan – the father of the Indian Green Revolution – started to teach farmers to effectively increase yield with the help of high-yielding wheat and rice varieties, fertilisers, and advanced farming techniques.

IT and Telecom policy: India allowed domestic software firms to become globally competitive in the 1990s. This is the foundation of Digital India and associated socio-economic development.

What should be done to improve 75 years of scientific advancements further?

Invest in R&D: According to a study by the NITI Aayog and the Institute for Competitiveness, India has among the lowest research and development (R&D) expenditures. Its R&D spending has decreased from 0.8% of GDP in 2008-09 to 0.7% in 2017-18.

Hence, India needs further investment and technological development to fulfil its missions like National Hydrogen Mission.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

India ranks globally 3rd in Start-Up ecosystem and also in terms of number of Unicorns: Union Minister

Source: The post is based on the article “India ranks globally 3rd in Start-Up ecosystem and also in terms of number of Unicorns: Union Minister” published in PIB on 12th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Science and Technology has informed about the Startup and Research & Development(R&D) Ecosystem in the country.

About the Startup and Research & Development(R&D) Ecosystem in India

Startup Ecosystem in the Country: India ranks 3rd globally in Start-Up ecosystem and also in terms of number of Unicorns.

– As per the latest data, there are currently 105 unicorns, out of which 44 were born in 2021 and 19 in 2022.

– Note: Unicorns are privately held, venture-capital-backed startups that have reached a value of $1 billion. 

– India’s startups are not limited to only metros or big cities as around 49% of the start-ups are from tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

– Scheme: National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations(NIDHI) is an umbrella program of the Department of Science and Technology for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups.

Research and Development(R&D): India has increased the Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) more than three times in the last few years. Currently, India has over 5 lakh R&D personnel, a number that has shown a 40-50% increase in the last 8 years.

– Moreover, women’s participation in R&D has also doubled in the last few years and now India occupies 3rd rank in terms of number of PhDs awarded in Science and Engineering (S&E) after the USA and China. 

India’s ranking in Global Innovation Index(GII): India has created a massive jump in its global ranking of Global Innovation Index(GII) from 81st in the year 2015 to 46th in 2021 among 130 economies of the world. 

Science, Technology and Innovation(STI): India in recent 7-8 years has made unprecedented progress in STI areas.

– For instance, there has been a significant rise in the country’s overall performance in terms of a number of publications (globally ranked 3rd now from 6th in 2013 based on National Science Foundation database), patents (globally ranked 9th in terms of resident patent filing) and quality of research publications (globally ranked 9th now from 13th in 2013) during the last 7 years.

Explained: Chronic fatigue syndrome

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: Chronic fatigue syndrome” published in Indian Express on 13th August 2022.

What is the News?

A woman from Bengaluru has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court to stop her friend who has been suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since 2014 from travelling to Europe to undergo physician-assisted euthanasia.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS).

It is a serious and debilitating disease that affects the nervous system, the immune system and the body’s production of energy.

Causes: Its causes are still unknown. However, the potential triggers would include viral or bacterial infection, hormonal imbalances and genetic predispositions. There is no specific test for the disease and doctors have to rely on medical examinations, and blood and urine tests.

Vulnerable Group: ME/CFS can affect anyone from children to adults of all ages. But it is more common in women and people between 40 and 60 years old.

Symptoms: The biggest symptom is significantly lowered ability to do activities that were performed before the illness. This is accompanied by at least 6 months (or longer) of debilitating fatigue that is more severe than everyday feelings of tiredness. This fatigue is not relieved by sleep or rest and exercising usually makes the symptoms worse.

– The most recognizable symptom is post-exertional malaise(PEM). Patients often describe it as a “crash” in physical/mental energy following even minor activities like grocery shopping or brushing teeth.

Treatment: As of yet, there is no specific cure or approved treatment. Instead, doctors recommend ways to deal with the symptoms of the disease such as ‘pacing’ in which patients learn to balance rest and activity to prevent crashes caused by exertion.

29 elephant poaching cases in 3 years: Centre

Source: The post is based on the article “29 elephant poaching cases in 3 years: Centre” published in The Hindu on 13th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MOEFCC) has informed Lok Sabha about the elephant deaths in the last three years.

What is the status of elephant death?

Human-Elephant Conflict: India is home to 60% of Asian Elephants.

Around 1,578 people died of elephant attacks in India between 2019-20 and 2021-22. 

The maximum number of deaths was reported in Odisha followed by Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Hence, on average 500 people are killed annually by elephants and about 100 elephants are killed in retaliation by people. Managing the human-elephant conflict is a major focus of the Indian government. 

To reach out to the families of the victims affected by elephants, the Government of India has increased the ex gratia from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh.

Illegal Trade of Elephant Tusks/Ivory: Around 90 cases of seizure of elephant tusks were reported in the past three years.

Against this, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau(WCCB) has conducted an enforcement operation named Operation Wildnet. The operation was aimed to draw the attention of the enforcement agencies on the ever-increasing illegal wildlife trade using social media platforms.

What are the steps the Government is planning to take to reduce elephant deaths?

At the 17th steering committee meeting of Project Elephant held at Periyar National Park in Kerala, the Union Environment Ministry announced:

1. To curb unnatural elephant deaths by taking up track casualties with the Railway Ministry.

2. To hold workshops across the country to address human-elephant conflict.

3. To set up a panel to look into the deaths of elephants in Odisha (by accidents with trains and electrocution) and Jharkhand and furnish a detailed report to the Centre.

4. To develop separate management plans for elephants, which should be incorporated into the management plans of reserves, national parks, sanctuaries and territorial divisions’ working plans.

National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem(NAMASTE): Government to enumerate people who clean sewers

Source: The post is based on the article “Government to enumerate people who clean sewers” published in The Hindu on 13th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MoSJ&E) is now preparing to undertake a nationwide survey to enumerate all people engaged in hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

About the survey

Reason: Cleaning of sewers and septic tanks has led to at least 351 deaths since 2017.

Conducted by: The nationwide survey to enumerate all people engaged in the hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks will be conducted across 500 AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) cities.

– The survey will be conducted as a part of the National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).

Is Sanitation work different from Manual Scavenging?

There is a proper distinction between sanitation work and manual scavenging. The practice of manual scavenging no longer takes place in the country as all manual scavengers had been accounted for and enrolled on the rehabilitation scheme.

What is the National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem(NAMASTE)?

Nodal Ministries: It is a joint project of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA).

Aim: To eradicate unsafe sewer and septic tank cleaning practices. 

Replaced by: The scheme will replace the Self-Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), which was started in 2007.

Features of the Scheme: Under the scheme, capital subsidies of up to ₹5 lakh on sanitation machinery costing up to ₹15 lakh will be provided so that workers will be able to own sanitation machines themselves.

– Interest subsidies on loans will also be provided where interest rates will be capped between 4-6% for the beneficiaries with the government taking care of the rest of the interest.

– In addition, the scheme also provides for training the workers in the use of these machines, during which time a stipend of up to ₹3,000 per month will be provided. 

– The scheme will also provide for sanitation workers to train for and go into any of the approved lists of alternative occupations in sectors like agriculture, services, electronics assembling, handicrafts and so on.

Explained: What are the rules for displaying the National Flag?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: What are the rules for displaying the National Flag?” published in Indian Express on 13th August 2022.

What is the News?

There are a number of rules surrounding the act of hoisting or displaying the National Flag. These instructions are contained in the Flag Code of India 2002 and upheld by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act,1971.

What are the rules for displaying the National Flag?

Who is allowed to fly a national flag and on which days? Any person, organization, private or public, or educational institution (including scout camps) can hoist or display the Tricolour on all days or occasions in accordance with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.

Choosing the flag: The flag can be as big or small as one wants but the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the National Flag shall be 3:2. So, the flag must always be a rectangle rather than a square or any other shape. 

Material of the Flag: The material of the flag can be handspun and handwoven or machine-made, cotton, polyester, wool, silk or khadi bunting.

Damaged flag: It is against rules to display a damaged or disheveled National Flag. Moreover, no other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than or above or side by side with the National Flag.

Is it ok to wear the Flag in a display of love for the nation? A person is forbidden by law to use the national flag as a portion of a costume or uniform.

Flag on a vehicle: The National Flag cannot be flown on any vehicle except those of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Governor and other dignitaries. 

What should one do with the flag after Independence Day? The flag should not be stored in a way that might dirty or damage it. In case the flag is damaged, the Flag Code instructs the person not to cast it aside or treat it disrespectfully but destroy it as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by any method consistent with the dignity of the flag.

Punishment for disrespecting the flag: According to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag, the person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine or with both.

Explained: Why 1947 Boundary Commission awards for Punjab, Bengal irked India

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: Why 1947 Boundary Commission awards for Punjab, Bengal irked India” published in Indian Express on 13th August 2022.

What is the News?

On August 17, 1947, the award of the Boundary Commissions for the partition of Punjab and Bengal was announced. The award caused much anguish to the people of the two provinces and also to the governments of India and Pakistan.

What were the two Boundary Commissions?

In 1947, Sir Cyril John Radcliffe, a British lawyer was made the Chairman of two boundary commissions of Punjab and Bengal. He was given the task to draw up the new borders of India and Pakistan. 

The boundary commissions of Punjab and Bengal also included two nominees each from the Indian National Congress and Muslim League respectively. 

The Boundary Commissions award was made public on August 17, 1947. The award caused much anguish to the people of the two provinces and also to the governments of India and Pakistan.

What were the views of Nehru on these awards?

On Bengal: Jawaharlal Nehru protested against the award of Chittagong hill Tracts to Pakistan (East Pakistan, now Bangladesh). He said that he had never considered the allocation of Chittagong Hill Tracts to East Bengal as the area has 97% population of Buddhists and Hindus.

On Punjab: Nehru said that he considered that the award of boundary commission in Punjab was likely to have a bad effect on the Sikhs.

Note: Sardar Patel’s view was that the only solution to the Punjab award was a transfer of population on a large scale.

On the Bengal award, what were BR Ambedkar and SP Mukherjee’s note?

The joint note of BR Ambedkar and SP Mukherjee pointed out that the decision of the award in some vital respects is “unjust and unfair” and against the fundamental policy of the partition and also the terms of reference.

Prime Minister vows to protect elephants, India gets 32nd reserve

Source: The post is based on the article “Prime Minister vows to protect elephants, India gets 32nd reserve” published in TOI on 13th August 2022.

What is the News?

On World Elephant Day, the Union Environment Ministry has declared a new elephant reserve called Agasthiyarmalai Elephant Reserve.

About Agasthiyarmalai Elephant Reserve

Located in: Tamil Nadu

This will be the 5th elephant reserve in Tamil Nadu and the 32nd elephant reserve in India.

About the Elephant Reserves in India

Till now, India has 31 elephant reserves. In the last three years, Dandeli Elephant Reserve has been notified by Karnataka, Singphan Elephant Reserve by Nagaland and Lemru Elephant Reserve in Chhattisgarh. 

These efforts brought a total of 76,508 sq km across 14 states in the country under elephant reserves.

With the announcement of the Agasthiyamalai Tiger Reserve, India is adding yet another 1197 sq km of Protected Area dedicated for the protection and conservation of elephants in India. 

About World Elephant Day

World Elephant Day is an international annual event on August 12. 

Aim: To create awareness of elephant conservation, and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better protection and management of wild and captive elephants.

Recovery in youth employment continues to lag worldwide: ILO report

Source: The post is based on the article “Recovery in youth employment continues to lag worldwide: ILO report” published in Business Standard on 13th August 2022.

What is the News?

The International Labor Organization(ILO) has released the Global Employment Trends for Youth 2022 report. The report provides an update on key youth labour market indicators and trends.

What are the key findings of the report?

Click here to read

Other Key Findings of the report

Unemployment in younger people: The unemployment rate for 15 to 24-year-olds stands at 15.6% worldwide which is three times more than the adult unemployment rate.

Rise in NEET: The labour market challenges faced by the young are further amplified by the share of the youth “not in employment, education or training”(NEET) rising to 23.3%– an increase of 1.5% point from 2019.

What is Not in employment, education or training(NEET)?

NEET conveys the number of young persons not in education, employment or training as a percentage of the total youth population. 

It serves as a broader measure of potential youth labour market entrants than youth unemployment since it also includes young persons outside the labour force not in education or training.

Economists generally take the NEET rate as a better indicator of the employment situation as a declining NEET rate implies further investment by people in their education and training. 

India, Malaysia begin four-day air exercise Udarashakti

Source: The post is based on the article “India, Malaysia begin four-day air exercise Udarashakti” published in The Hindu on 13th August 2022.

What is the News?

An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has left for Malaysia to participate in a bilateral exercise ‘Udarashakti’ with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

What is Exercise Udarashakti?

It is a bilateral air force exercise between India and Malaysia.

Purpose: The exercise will give a chance to both countries to share and learn best practices and an opportunity for both to discuss mutual combat capabilities.

– The exercise will witness different aerial combat exercises between the two air forces to augment security in the region and to help in strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries.

Other Exercises between India and Malaysia

Exercise Harimau Shakti: It is a bilateral joint military exercise between India and Malaysia.