9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 12th, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• What are the existing laws on religious conversions?
• PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNDERTRIAL
• CHANGES IN THE MULTISTATE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL,2022
• Back on track – P.T. Usha can create a road map for India’s bid for the Olympics in the 2030s
• Get on with Census: Crucial demographic exercise cannot wait for next elections
• The role of the ‘China Test’ in India’s grand strategy

GS Paper 3

• Delhi, Mumbai … Poor air quality is a problem that’s countrywide. Solutions cannot be state specific
• Price distortions in fertilisers will not help farming in the long run. Govt can offer acreage-based cash transfers
• Funding reality check for India’s dream to achieve net-zero by 2070
• COP27: A mirage in the desert

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Uttarakhand plans genetic enhancement of its indigenous Badri cow
• What is end-to-end encryption and why are tech companies focusing on it?
• India says era of classifying terrorists as ‘bad, ‘good’ on basis of political convenience must end immediately
• Japanese manufacturer files trademark case on ‘Ajinomoto’: How did the seasoning become popular?
• Health to harm: Researchers call for action against pharma pollution
• Grey billed Wren Babblers: Arunachal yields a potentially new songbird
• Follow ASEAN path on Myanmar, says Indonesian FM, after New Delhi engages military rulers
• Meitei Script: Newspapers, the last holdouts of Bengali script in Manipur, given ultimatum to switch to Meetei Mayek next month
• How high the Centre’s subsidy bill could go this year
• What’s in the World Bank’s new toolkit on making urban transport better for Indian women?

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

What are the existing laws on religious conversions?

News: Charity works are being misused by some communities for religious conversion which is a concern for India.

Which states have laws for conversion?

Odisha became the first state after independence in 1967 to enact a law to stop forceful/fraudulent religious conversion.

Further, in 1968 Madya Pradesh came up with Madhya Pradesh Dharma Swatantraya Adhiniyam Act. It required the person who converted others to inform the concerned District Magistrate.

Presently, many states have passed anti-conversion laws restricting religious conversions through marriage.

For instance, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, says that a marriage would be declared “null and void” if the marriage is solely for that purpose.

Madhya Pradesh also passed a new law in 2021— the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (MPFRA). It makes mandatory for both the individual and the priest facilitating the conversion to inform the District Magistrate prior to the conversion.

These laws also provide for greater punishment for forceful conversion of persons from Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribe communities, minors and women.

Currently, more than 10 states have enacted anti-conversions laws. Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka have passed the laws.

What has been the judicial stand on these laws?

Many of these laws have been challenged in the court and have been termed as unconstitutional.  For example, the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2012 struck down certain provisions of the State’s 2006 law restricting conversions.

The Court said that the individual converting their faith also enjoyed their right to privacy and the provision to give a month’s prior notice to the District Magistrate violated this right.

Further, the Gujarat High Court stayed some provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003 in 2021 and even this year, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has held certain provisions of the MPFRA unconstitutional.

PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNDERTRIAL

News– The article explains The under trial of prisoner’s issue was raised by Hon’ble President of India.

Who are under trial prisoners?

Under trial prisoners are those people who are facing trial in any court and during such trials are kept in judicial custody in prison.

In simple terms an under trial prisoner is one who has been arrested for some crime who is waiting to appear before The Magistrate.

What is the problem faced by under trials in India?

1. There is no separate prison for undertrials, so with hardened criminals and in the absence of any scientific classification methods of separating them from others, there is a chance of first time and circumstantial offenders to turn into criminals.
2. Prisons are often a dangerous place for the first-time offenders who are subjected to group violence and mishandling by the police.
3. Due to overcrowding in the prison and shortage of adequate space to lodge prisoners, most of the prisons face problems to keep them in safe and healthy conditions.

What are the Reforms suggested by The President of India?

1. Most of the old and colonial penal statutes continue to rule the roost. Post Colonial laws such as Section 124, Section 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of his public function), Section 188 (disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant) are examples.
2. These are designed mainly to control and repress behaviours that are an outcome of social and economic tensions. It May be better addressed through non-punitive measures.
3. The extensive powers to arrest are yet another offshoot of a colonial procedural scheme. It is often adopted today as a sine qua non of good governance. It should be avoided.
4. The arrestee’s right to bail is a safety valve that ensures the arrested person a hearing before a judicial agency. But the prevailing criminal justice system is more mythical than real. There is reluctance on parts of courts to provide speedy bail.
5. The long pending cases in the courts of the country need to be disposed off quickly.
6. The need is for a holistic legislative reform that aims to expand the horizons of individual liberties.

CHANGES IN THE MULTISTATE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL,2022

News– The article explains Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha on amending the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, recently.

What are Multi State Cooperatives?

According to the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), cooperatives are people-centred enterprises jointly owned and democratically controlled by and for their members. It realises their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations.

Multi-State cooperatives are societies that have operations in more than one State — for instance, a farmer-producers organisation which procures grains from farmers from multiple States.

What are the problems faced by the Multi State Cooperatives?

1. Lack of checks and balance
2. Weak institutional infrastructure of central registrar
3. Poor management of grievances redressal system.

What are the key changes in the Bill?

1. The amendments have been introduced to improve governance, reform the electoral process, strengthen monitoring mechanisms and enhance transparency and accountability.
2. The Bill also seeks to improve the composition of the board and ensure financial discipline, besides enabling the raising of funds in multi-State cooperative societies.
3. The Bill provides for the creation of a central Co-operative Election Authority to supervise the electoral functions of the MSCSs.
4. It also envisages the creation of a Co-operative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development Fund for the revival of sick multi-State co-operatives societies.
5. In order to make the governance of multi-State cooperative societies more democratic, the Bill has provisions for appointing a Cooperative Information Officer and a Cooperative Ombudsman.

Back on track – P.T. Usha can create a road map for India’s bid for the Olympics in the 2030s

News: Recently, P.T. Usha was appointed as the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). She becomes the first woman president of the IOA and was declared elected unopposed for the top post in the polls.

Note: P.T. Usha was a multiple Asian Games gold medallist and fourth-place finisher in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics 400m hurdles final. She is fondly known as the ‘Payyoli Express’. 

What is the significance of the recent IOA election?

a) P.T. Usha’s election busts the patriarchal inherent in many sports hierarchies across India, b) The IOA is an umbrella organisation for sports bodies in India. So, IOA can now deal with sister associations lost in dissent, and c) The IOA is expected to create a road map for Olympics in the 2030s.

What are the challenges with the sports sector in India?

1) Stadiums are leased out for housing loan expos or music concerts, 2) Age-fudging and doping are harsh realities for young Indian athletes, 3) Many Indian athletes try to win medals at the zonal, age-group and national levels just to seek jobs. This is because medals often secure a career opening in public sector units, banks and a few corporates.

How India is promoting the sports sector in India?

The Government’s leaning on the soft power of sports. For instance, the Sports Authority of India’s initiatives and corporate-backed academies both promote the soft power of sports.

Now, India is beginning to aspire for gold beyond the Asian realm. Both Neeraj Chopra and Abhinav Bindra’s performances in the Olympics are examples that the skill sets are there in India. If support is provided better, then India can win medals at the International level.

Get on with Census: Crucial demographic exercise cannot wait for next elections

News: India’s decadal Census exercise has been carried out at the beginning of every decade for over a century — except the current one. It was postponed due to the pandemic, but even after lifting the curbs, there is no effort to restart the Census process.

So, there is an assumption that the Census 2021 will not begin to be conducted until after the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

What is the importance of the Census?

Essential for state governance: The Census is the basic building block of many instruments of state policy that are essential for a) The proper provision of goods, b) The effectiveness of governance, c) Ensuring a fair and just division of expenditure across regions and target groups, d) Providing actual enumeration of population characteristics and e) Relevant for the division of the pool of taxes across states.

Supreme over other surveys: Surveys on households, jobs and other items can only complement the Census, not replace it. Further, Census acts as a crucial corrective on such surveys, estimates, and extrapolations.

Important for welfare state: For instance, a recent directive from the Supreme Court regarding the distribution of benefits under the National Food Security Act underlines the centrality of the Census to India’s welfare mechanisms.

How India plans to revamp the census?

The government plans to experiment with the benefits of digitising part of the process like that of the US. For instance, the government notified new methods of enumeration. This ensures “self-enumeration” by the respondents and electronic submission of data. This can speed up the Census process.

What should be done?

The government should fast-forward the census collection. This is because the upcoming elections and delimitation of constituencies in 2027 will further delay the census work. Hence, the government cannot afford to postpone the Census indefinitely.

The role of the ‘China Test’ in India’s grand strategy

Context: India needs to decide its principal contradiction. As per the article, China is the principal contradiction for India. Therefore, India should check all its strategies through the China test.

Principle contradiction poses the most intense challenge to an individual/organisation, and has the power to shape its future choices and consequent outcomes.

All other challenges like Pakistan, internal insurgencies and other neighboring countries are secondary contradictions for India.

Therefore, major decisions in India’s strategic decision matrix should pass the China test.

What more can be the elements of China test?

China test’ consists of three distinct elements:

1. Assessment of a certain Indian decision or a specific regional development squares with Chinese regional strategy or interests.
2. Does India need to modify its decision or a certain regional development due to secondary contradictions.
3. An assessment of whether this would require any major policy changes internally.

How would China-test affect India’s relationship with other countries?

India-US relations: China seeks to dominate the Indo-Pacific region. In this light, growing India-U.S. proximity is not its interest and is one of the reasons behind China’s aggression. But a China-Test would suggest that India should not worry about short term implications of poking China, by ignoring its long-term implications. Therefore, India should maintain the warm relations with US.

India- Pakistan Relations: For China, the best case scenario will be India’s preoccupation with Pakistan, so that China could focus on dominating the south Asia. However, the China-test suggest that India’s objective in South Asia should be to seek a pacification of conflicts with Pakistan, so that it can focus on China.

Pakistan US relations: Should India oppose growing proximity of Pakistan with US? India need not oppose the American engagement of Pakistan. It helps prevent Pakistan from going into the China camp completely. A Pakistan engaged with the U.S. and the West is better for India than a Pakistan shunned by the U.S. and the West.

India-Russia relations: The U.S. and its allies would like India to stop engaging with Moscow and condemn its aggression against Ukraine — which India has refused to do. So, does continuing its relationship with Moscow help New Delhi better deal with the China challenge, given the growing relationship of Russia-China?

A complete break away from Russia will strengthen Sino-Russian cooperation and cut India out of the continental space to its north and west. India would loss the discounted energy and cheaper defence equipment, benefitting China. Laos, it will not only push Moscow towards Pakistan, but provide China with a growing influence in Central Asia.

GS Paper 3

Delhi, Mumbai … Poor air quality is a problem that’s countrywide. Solutions cannot be state specific

News: Air pollution in India is often seen as a challenge confined to the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) airshed. However, this is not always true. Coastal cities such as Mumbai and Chennai have also recorded air quality index readings worse than Delhi.

What are the key findings of the various reports?

The World Air Quality Report this year showed that out of 50 global cities with toxic air, 35 are located in India.

The Global Burden of Disease Study in 2019 estimated that 18% of deaths in 2019 in India were due to air pollution.

Moreover, within India, it’s the poorer states across IGP which experienced the largest increase in pollution. This means that vulnerable sections of the population are more prone to health hazards caused due to pollution.

Further, low air quality also decelerates economic growth. World Bank’s cross-country data for 25 years (1990-2015) shows that China and Vietnam recorded a higher average GDP per capita growth with a smaller change in mean annual PM 2. 5.

What are the concerns with the current policies?

The major pollutant amongst all air pollutants is PM 2. 5. It is the most damaging and arises from many sources such as dust. Therefore, tackling air pollution in India can no longer be seen as a localised solution.

India’s current policy approach to improve air quality has been city-centric. It won’t work because the source of the problem is an airshed which represents a common geographic area of pollutants.

What is the way ahead?

India needs to change its focus to geographical airshed. It will help in changing the nature of incentives offered by public policy.

Therefore, looking at the impact of pollution on health and on the economy, the government should come up with a solution that provides a robust solution.

Price distortions in fertilisers will not help farming in the long run. Govt can offer acreage-based cash transfers

News: Both the Soil Health Card scheme and mandatory neem-coating of urea are aimed to promote the balanced use of fertilisers. However, the annual consumption of this nitrogenous fertiliser has only risen from 30 to 35 million tonnes (mt) in the last five years.

What India’s recent fertilizer consumption denotes?

Increased Urea and DAP: The sale of urea went up by 3.7% during April-October over the period 2021. The consumption of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) also increased to 16.9% over the same time.

Decrease in other fertilizers: Sales of all other fertilisers — including complexes containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), K (potash) and sulphur (S) in different proportions – have reduced over the same time.

Farmers not balancing the use of fertilizers: This denotes that Indian farmers are effectively applying just urea and DAP — both high-analysis fertilisers containing 46% N and P respectively.

Why there is little incentive for farmers to buy other fertilizers?

The government has fixed the maximum retail price (MRP) of urea and DAP is around Rs.6000 and Rs.27000 respectively. But the government informally fixed MRPs at Rs 29,000-31,000 and Rs 34,000 per tonne for NPKS complexes and muriate of potash (MOP) respectively.

All this makes a) Increased use of DAP as it has 46% P as well as 18% N, and b) The current NPK ratio is about 13:5:1, as against the ideal 4:2:1.

What should be done to ensure balanced fertilizer consumption?

1) The government should replace subsidies on individual fertiliser products with a flat per-hectare cash transfer, maybe twice a year, 2) Create every farmer an e-wallet account into which the cash transfer can be credited before the kharif and rabi planting seasons. Further, the e-wallet may be used only for the purchase of fertilisers, and 3) The government can maintain a stock of basic fertilisers, including urea and DAP, to keep the price rise in check even in a decontrol scenario.

Funding reality check for India’s dream to achieve net-zero by 2070

News: India lacks the capital to meet its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070. Decarbonising the Indian economy by 2050 may cost as much as $12.1 trillion.

About Norway’s ambitious plan to decarbonising the economy

Norway announced the world’s biggest carbon capture and storage (CCS) scheme to make Oslo the carbon sink for Europe’s industrial emitters. The transport and storage part of the project will connect continental European CO2 emitters to offshore storage sites on the Norwegian Shelf.

The first phase of the plan is expected by 2024. Phase 1 aims to collect 1.5 million tonnes (MT) of CO2 from industrial emitters, and permanently store the carbon at 2,600 metres under the seabed. Phase 2 aims to quadruple phase 1’s capacity.

Note: ONGC also sought a similar CCS project in India under the seabed off the coast of Gujarat. 

What are the challenges in decarbonising the Indian economy?

a) Lack of cost-competitive technology alternatives in India, b) The government is silent on financially supporting any decarbonisation efforts, except an Rs.100 billion subsidy scheme for EVs, c) India is home to some of the world’s most polluting cities led by Delhi. Despite that, the outlay for the environment ministry is only Rs70 billion, d) India’s renewable energy companies have raised only around $6.8 billion in debt from offshore capital markets since January 2021. This is less than 2% of India’s annual decarbonising costs, e) Last year, the green bond issuance in India was a mere $750 million, f) In 2021 India’s renewable sector attracted only $12-$15 billion in investment. Further, funding costs are the largest expense for renewable projects and g) Indian banks are reluctant to provide funds for decarbonisation. For instance, India’s biggest bank, SBI, rarely funds commercial and industrial renewable projects.

Overall, traditional domestic and foreign sources and debt capital markets will not be able to fund the massive investments needed for decarbonising and they have limited access to foreign capital on concessional terms.

What should be done to decarbonise the Indian economy?

-India should facilitate access to low-cost, long-term and diversified capital to facilitate decarbonising the Indian industry.

-Accelerating investments from sovereign wealth funds which typically have a low cost of funding and represent a more patient investor is critical. For example, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Canada have created such funds.

-India can shift tax revenues from fossil fuel sales to emissions and implement a carbon pricing policy that increases the direct taxes on emissions from nil to Rs6,000 a tonne by 2050.

-India can mobilise capital for decarbonisation projects by making them as priority sector lending. 

-Renewable projects are an easier way for corporates to reach net zero. Hence, emission reduction projects should be funded by banks.

COP27: A mirage in the desert

Context: COP27 that concluded recently in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh. It has not made any gains which were expected of this summit. The article talks about the failures of COP-27.

How the COP-27 can be tagged as an under-performer?

First, loss and damage fund has been one of the decisions. The plan says that it will establish institutional arrangements for addressing loss and damage. It will catalyse technical assistance to developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change.

However, the only decision in this regard has been that by 2023, it will select the host country for the secretariat. There has been no decision on who will pay for funds, which countries are particularly vulnerable that will receive the funds.

Even though natural disasters reach catastrophic levels and deeply damage people and economies, there is no clear framework to stop it.

Second, the summit was agreeing on differentiating between the white and black fossil fuels. But at the last moment, it changed it to the term “low-emission energy” in the clean energy mix. It was done to provide acceptance to energy sources like natural gas, which emit half the carbon dioxide of coal. It is against the goal of deep decarbonisation.

How rule-based system of climate governance can solve the problem?

Rule-based governance was going against big polluters. So, this idea was dropped in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Now, there is no agreed way to differentiate between the polluters, and this gives a country like China a free pass.

However. a rule-based system of climate governance is the need of the hour. It is a simple proposition, that should be well established in law, that the country responsible for the pollution must pay. IN this scenario, it will be well-understood that a country like India would also contribute to the fund, if it has crossed, certain agreed threshold of greenhouse gas emissions.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Uttarakhand plans genetic enhancement of its indigenous Badri cow

Source: The post is based on the article “Uttarakhand plans genetic enhancement of its indigenous Badri cow” published in The Hindu on 11th December 2022

What is the News?

Uttarakhand Government is planning for genetic enhancement of Badri Cow through sex-sorted semen and embryo transfer technology with the aim to increase its productivity.

What is Badri Cow?

The Badri breed derived its name from the holy shrine of Char Dham at Badrinath.

It is found only in the hill districts of Uttarakhand and was earlier known as the ‘pahadi’ cow.

Characteristics: The cattle breed is small in size with long legs and varied body colours— black, brown, red, white or grey.

Unique qualities: The uniqueness of Badri cow’s produce is indigenousness and environment (in the Himalayas), as it eats medicinal herbs and is far away from toxic pollution, polythene and other harmful things that cows in the plains are subject to.

– The milk also has rich medicinal content and high organic value as it grazes only on herbs and shrubs available in the mountains.

– It is also comparatively more resistant to diseases, mostly due to its eating habits.

Significance: This cattle of Uttarakhand clinched the coveted title of being the first certified cattle breed of Uttarakhand after the National Bureau Of Animal Genetic Resource included it as Badri breed.

What is end-to-end encryption and why are tech companies focusing on it?

Source: The post is based on the article “What is end-to-end encryption and why are tech companies focusing on it?” published in The Hindu on 12th December 2022

What is the News?

Apple has announced it will be increasing the number of data points protected by end-to-end encryption on iCloud from 14 to 23 categories. 

The company claimed that with end-to-end encryption, user data will be protected even in case data is breached in the cloud.

What is end-to-end encryption?

End-to-end encryption is a communication process that encrypts data being shared between two devices. It prevents third parties like cloud service providers, internet service providers (ISPs) and cybercriminals from accessing data while it is being transferred. 

Process: The process of end-to-end encryption uses an algorithm that transforms standard text into an unreadable format. 

– This format can only be unscrambled and read by those with the decryption keys, which are only stored on endpoints and not with any third parties including companies providing the service.

Usage: End-to-end encryption is used to secure communications. Some of the popular instant-messaging apps that use it are Signal, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Google messages.

Why are tech companies going for end-to-end encryption?

Apple stated that the total number of data breaches has more than tripled between 2013 and 2021. Hence, it is trying to address this rising threat by implementing end-to-end encryption.

Moreover, the focus on end-to-end encryption seems to stem from the company’s desire to position itself as a provider of secure data storage and transfer services.

End-to-end encryption is also seen as a technology that secures users’ data from snooping by government agencies, making it a sought-after feature by activists, journalists, and political opponents.

Why are government agencies unhappy with end-to-end encryption?

The FBI in a statement has expressed displeasure at the idea of increasing the use of end-to-end encryption by technology companies. 

It said that while it remains a strong advocate of encryption schemes that give “lawful access by design”, that would enable tech companies “served with a legal order” to decrypt data. However, it continues to be deeply concerned with the threat end-to-end and user-only-access encryption pose.

Further in recent times, attempts have been made by governments across the globe to access encrypted data hosted and stored by tech companies.

For instance, in 2018 Australia passed laws that would force tech companies and service providers to build capabilities allowing law enforcement secret access to messages on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. This legislation according to government agencies was necessary to prevent “terrorists” and other serious criminals from hiding from the law.

India says era of classifying terrorists as ‘bad, ‘good’ on basis of political convenience must end immediately

Source: The post is based on the article “India says era of classifying terrorists as ‘bad, ‘good’ on basis of political convenience must end immediately” published in The Hindu on 12th December 2022

What is the News?

India has conveyed to the 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that the era of classifying terrorists as “good” or “bad” must end.

About India’s view on Terrorism

Terrorism as Transnational threat: The Terrorist Attacks in New York on September 11, 2001, were a turning point in the global approach to counter-terrorism. Since then, London, Mumbai, Paris, and many parts of West Asia and Africa have also experienced terrorist attacks.

These attacks highlight that the threat of terrorism is grave and universal and that terrorism in one part of the world seriously impacts peace and security in other parts of the globe.

Hence, a transnational threat like terrorism can be defeated only by the collective efforts of all States Members of the United Nations.

Use of Technology by terrorists: The proliferation of digitalisation, new and emerging communications and financing technologies have increased the risk of these technologies being used by terrorist groups. 

The risk of radicalisation through the Internet and social media, and terror financing using cryptocurrencies and crowdfunding platforms, was heightened particularly during Covid-19.

In recent times, the countries have also witnessed the use of unmanned aerial systems for the surveillance of targets, trafficking in drugs and arms and the launching of terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure and public places.

Suggestions by India to fight against terrorism: Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned.

The era of classifying terrorists as “bad”, “not so bad” or “good” on the basis of political convenience must end immediately.

There cannot be an exception or justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation and wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. 

Japanese manufacturer files trademark case on ‘Ajinomoto’: How did the seasoning become popular?

Source: The post is based on the article “Japanese manufacturer files trademark case on ‘Ajinomoto’: How did the seasoning become popular?” published in Indian Express  on 12th December 2022

What is the News?

The Delhi High Court has halted the release of a film titled ‘Ajinomoto’, after a Japan-based seasoning manufacturer claimed infringement of its 113-year-old registered trademark ‘AJI-NO-MOTO’.

What is Ajinomoto?

Ajinomoto is the trade name for Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), used as a taste enhancer in food. 

The trademark “AJI-NO-MOTO” in Japanese characters was first registered in Japan in the year 1909 and subsequently, in English characters in 1964. 

The makers first entered the Indian market in 1954 with its MSG product bearing Plaintiff’s trademark. 

Since then, it is a household name in the Indian market and the AJI-NO-MOTO trademark is directly associated with the Japanese manufacturer.

What is Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?

Monosodium glutamate(MSG), also known as sodium glutamate, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. 

MSG is found naturally in some foods including tomatoes and cheese in this glutamic acid form. It is also used in cooking as a flavour enhancer that intensifies the meaty, savoury flavour of food.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration has given MSG as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) designation. It is a popular belief that MSG can cause headaches and other feelings of discomfort, known as “Chinese restaurant syndrome”. 

Health to harm: Researchers call for action against pharma pollution

Source: The post is based on the article “Health to harm: Researchers call for action against pharma pollution” published in Down To Earth on 12th December 2022

What is the News?

According to the Lancet report,  Pharmaceutical Pollution is an overlooked but urgent issue that needs coordinated action from across the pharmaceutical, healthcare and environmental sectors.

Almost half or 43% of the world’s rivers are contaminated with active pharmaceutical ingredients in concentrations that can have disastrous ramifications on health. 

What is Pharmaceutical pollution?

Pharmaceutical plants are often incapable of filtering out all the chemical compounds used in their manufacturing process and as such, the chemicals will seep into the surrounding freshwater systems and eventually into the oceans, lakes, streams, and rivers.

Wastewater from pharmaceutical manufacturers is also sometimes discharged into open fields and nearby water bodies, thereby increasing the pharmaceutical waste or their by-product load in the environment, landfills, or dumping areas. All this is basically known as pharmaceutical pollution.

About the status of pharmaceutical pollution in India

India is one of the biggest manufacturers of pharmaceuticals worldwide. It has been estimated that India is the world’s third-largest producer of pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical production has been considered one of the most polluting industries in various parts of India.

Varieties of pharmaceuticals have been detected on the surface, ground and even in drinking water in many Indian cities due to the discharge of waste effluents. 

The pollutants majorly enter water bodies due to the following sources: pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, etc. 

As a consequence, they cause adverse effects on land, water, food, and people’s health. It has been estimated that about 60000 newborns die annually in India because of multidrug-resistance infections and pharmaceutical water pollution with antimicrobial drugs is responsible for that.

Grey billed Wren Babblers: Arunachal yields a potentially new songbird

Source: The post is based on the article “Arunachal yields a potentially new songbird” published in The Hindu on 12th December 2022

What is the News?

Birdwatchers have discovered a new species of Wren Babblers in remote northeastern Arunachal Pradesh. They have named it as Lisu wren babbler after the Lisu community of Arunachal Pradesh.

They found this new bird species when they were trekking the peak in Arunachal Pradesh in search of the rare Grey-bellied Wren Babbler.

What is Grey billed Wren Babblers?

The Grey-bellied wren-babbler (Spelaeornis reptatus) is a bird species in the family Timaliidae. 

Found in: It is found in China (Yunnan), India (Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar, and Thailand. 

Habitat: Its natural habitat is a subtropical moist montane forest. 

IUCN Status: Least Concern.

Follow ASEAN path on Myanmar, says Indonesian FM, after New Delhi engages military rulers

Source: The post is based on the article “Follow ASEAN path on Myanmar, says Indonesian FM, after New Delhi engages military rulers” published in The Hindu on 12th December 2022

What is the News?

The Indonesian Foreign Minister has talked about India and Indonesia relations.

What are the key highlights from the Indonesian Foreign Minister’s talk?

On India’s policy on Myanmar

India had decided to engage the Myanmar military government that came to power in 2021 after deposing the elected National Unity Government(NUG).

On this, the Indonesian Foreign Minister said that India should “respect” and follow ASEAN’s “five point consensus” on Myanmar rather than adopting a “different” path.

The ASEAN “five point consensus” calls for an immediate end to violence in the country; dialogue among all parties; the appointment of a special envoy; humanitarian assistance by ASEAN; and the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties.

On Joint construction projects

India and Indonesia have made a “breakthrough” on the four-year-old pending project for India to develop the Sabang Port in Indonesia’s Aceh province, which is less than 200 km from India’s southernmost island Indira Point (Campbell bay). 

Indonesia part of G20 Troika

India and Indonesia are expected to strengthen their engagement given that India has now assumed the presidency of the G-20 where Indonesia is a member of the “troika” as the immediate past president.

Meitei Script: Newspapers, the last holdouts of Bengali script in Manipur, given ultimatum to switch to Meetei Mayek next month

Source: The post is based on the article “Newspapers, the last holdouts of Bengali script in Manipur, given ultimatum to switch to Meetei Mayek next month” published in The Hindu on 12th December 2022

What is the News?

Newspapers in Manipur are working towards replacing the Bengali script that’s currently in use with Meitei or the Manipuri script.

What is Meitei Script?

Meitei script or Meetei Mayek is an abugida (pseudo-alphabet system) used for the Meitei language, one of the official languages of Manipur.

Origin of Meitei script: According to the Sahitya Akademi, the history of the Meetei Mayek script dates back to at least the 6th century and was in use till the 18th century. 

Decline of Meitei script: In 1709, a Hindu missionary named Shantidas Gosai came to Kangleipak — the ancient name for the independent kingdom of Manipur — to spread Vaishnavism. 

He mesmerized the kings and the high officials of the palace, and on royal orders, all religious and other precious books in Meitei Mayek were incinerated, and new ones were written in the Bengali script.

Revival of Meitei script: The Manipuri language was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 1992 but in Bengali script.

– However, Meetei Mayek has seen a revival in the 21st century, with an initial shift to the Manipuri script in educational institutions and an amendment of the Manipur Official Language Act in 2021 to mandate the phasing out of Bengali script over the next ten years.

How high the Centre’s subsidy bill could go this year

Source: The post is based on the article “How high the Centre’s subsidy bill could go this year” published in Indian Express on 12th December 2022

What is the News?

The Central Government has sought Parliament’s approval for fresh expenditure of Rs 2.14 lakh crore towards major subsidies, over and above the Rs 3.17 lakh crore budgeted for 2022-23.

This 5.32 lakh crore spending on subsidy in 2022-23 would be the second highest after the Rs 7 lakh crore of 2020-21. However, there’s a difference between 2020-21 and 2022-23.

What happened in 2020-21?

In 2020-21, the spike in subsidies was on account of the Finance Minister making a one-time provision to clear all dues to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and fertilizer companies.

In previous years, the Centre wasn’t providing full funds for subsidies arising from these entities selling grain and fertilizers at below cost to PDS (public distribution system) consumers and farmers respectively. 

Not wholly funding the difference and on time forced them to borrow, with FCI alone availing loans from the National Small Savings Fund(NSSF) at 7.4-8.8% interest during 2016-17 to 2019-20.

What is different in 2022-23?

The overshooting of subsidies in 2022-23 has been largely courtesy of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The pandemic resulted in a record offtake of rice and wheat through the PDS under various welfare schemes notably the free-grain Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

In fertilizer and petroleum, the higher subsidy outgo has been due to surge in global prices – from September-October 2021 and, more so, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

What are the future prospects of subsidies?

Some relief can be expected on all the “3F” subsidies – food, fuel and fertilizer.

In food, the government is unlikely to extend PMGKAY beyond December 2022. This will help reduce the Centre’s food subsidy bill.

In fuel, international prices of petrol and diesel have eased. There is also a reduction in the prices of imported fertilizers.

Due to these positive future prospects, there could be subsidy savings of around Rs 150,000 crore assuming no new geopolitical, climate or pandemic shocks.

What’s in the World Bank’s new toolkit on making urban transport better for Indian women?

Source: The post is based on the article “What’s in the World Bank’s new toolkit on making urban transport better for Indian women?” published in Indian Express on 11th December 2022

What is the News?

The World Bank has released a report titled “Toolkit on Enabling Gender Responsive Urban Mobility and Public Spaces in India” with the aim of suggesting ways to make public transport in Indian cities more inclusive of women’s traveling requirements.

What are the problems faced by women in using public transport services?

Women are amongst the biggest users of public transport across Indian cities. 

84% of trips taken by women for work were estimated to be by public, intermediate public, and non-motorised transport.

However, public transport services are not traditionally designed keeping in mind women’s safety and their specific travel needs.

Lack of safety, dearth of good street lighting, no reliable last mile transport and high waiting time at remote bus stops are just some of the challenges women face in this regard. This severely limits their access to work, education and life choices. 

India has amongst the lowest female labour force participation rates globally, at 26.2 percent in 2020-21.

What are the recommendations given by the World Bank to enable gender-responsive urban mobility?

The World Bank has suggested a four-pillar implementation structure for urban entities to construct a gender-responsive urban transportation and public spaces programme:

First, there has to be a greater effort made to understand the on-ground situation with a gender lens.

Second, once prevailing issues are identified, policies and development plans must reflect the concerns of women. For this to happen, there must be more women in key institutions in charge of decision-making. 

Third, the toolkit emphasizes on building gender sensitivity and awareness among service providers through mandatory programmes and community action. 

Fourth, investment has to be made in better infrastructure and services with a focus on women-friendly design.