9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – February 27th, 2023

Dear Friends,
9 PM Brief is our prime initiatives for the preparation of current affairs. What we are providing in this initiative:
- Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
- We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing.
It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content, and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.
For previous editions of 9 PM Brief – Click Here
For individual articles of 9 PM Brief– Click Here
Download Factly and 9 PM Weekly Compilations | Arranged Subject-wise and Topic-wise |
Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 2
Explained | Menstrual leave and its global standing
Contents
Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | Menstrual leave and its global standing” published in The Hindu on 27th February 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2 – Social Justice
Relevance: issues associated with menstrual policies
News: The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a PIL that sought menstrual leave for workers and students across the country. According to the petition filed, the lack of menstrual leave in certain States is a violation of Article 14.
What is Menstrual leave?
Menstrual leave or period leave refers to all policies that allow employees or students to take time off when they are experiencing menstrual pain or discomfort.
At the workplace, it refers to policies that allow for both paid or unpaid leave, or time for rest.
What are the problems associated with menstrual cycle?
Most women experience a menstrual cycle of 28 days, and a normal cycle may vary from 23 to 35 days. The cycle leads to period pain (dysmenorrhea) for some of the women.
This pain lasts for a couple of days a month for some and for others the pain hampers daily activities and productivity.
It was estimated that employees lost around 8.9 days’ worth of productivity every year due to menstrual-cycle related issues.
Hence, menstrual leave policies are needed to allow leave to women. However, there are different stands on the need of the policy.
What are the different views on menstrual policy?
People supporting policy argue that menstruation is a biological process and women should not be discriminated against it in educational institutions and workplace.
However, others argue that menstrual leaves policies are not required because it will lead to discrimination against women by the employers.
What kind of menstrual leave policies are in place globally?
Spain: Spain recently became the first European country to grant paid menstrual leave to workers.
Japan: Japan introduced menstrual leave as part of labour law in 1947. However, as per a recent study, less than 0.9% of the women had actually taken leave.
Indonesia: It introduced a policy in 1948 which said that workers experiencing menstrual pain are not obliged to work on the first two days of their cycle.
Philippines: Workers are permitted two days of menstrual leave a month.
Taiwan: It has an Act of Gender Equality in Employment. The act says employees have the right to request a day off as period leave every month, at half their regular wage.
There are other countries that allow menstrual leave like the United Kingdom, South Korea, Zambia, China and Wales. Private Companies like Nike and Coexist have introduced menstrual leave as an internal policy.
However, the U.S does not have a formal menstrual leave policy.
What attempts are being made in India?
Private Companies: Companies like Zomato, Swiggy, Byjus have brought menstrual leave policies.
State governments: Bihar and Kerala are the only states to introduce menstrual leave to women. Recently, the Kerala government has also announced that the State’s Higher Education department will now grant menstrual and maternity leaves for students in universities.
Parliamentary measures: The measures taken in the Parliament have been mostly unsuccessful.
For example, The Menstruation Benefits Bill, 2017 was introduced in the Parliament but was disregarded as an unclean topic. Later, the Women’s Sexual, Reproductive and Menstrual Rights Bill was introduced in 2018 but wasn’t approved.
However, again The Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products Bill, 2022 will be introduced in the Parliament.
It provides for three days of paid leave for women and transwomen during the period of menstruation. It also seeks to extend the benefit for students. As per the Bill, around 40 percent of girls miss school during their periods.
The council and caste – Caste discrimination becomes a political battle in the US
Source: The post is based on an article “The council and caste – Caste discrimination becomes a political battle in the US” published in Business Standard on 27th February 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2 – Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India’s Interests.
Relevance: protecting caste in the US
News: Seattle has become the first US city to ban caste discrimination after its local council voted to add caste to the city’s anti-discrimination laws.
What are the implications of this measure?
Some Indian-Americans argue discrimination on the basis of descent or ethnicity is already illegal in many parts of the US and specifying caste focuses more on Indians or Hindus.
Moreover, two different groups of critics have emerged:
First or the right-wing in India sees this attack on caste as essentially an insult to India or to religious practices.
Second group worries that the addition of caste into the law might reduce the attractiveness of Indians and Indian-Americans to companies in the US because US corporations fear lawsuits more than anything.
They also fear that caste discrimination might become ground for action in court. There are already few cases going in the court. For example, one Dalit engineer is suing Cisco for discrimination on the basis of caste.
Hence, this kind of cases might affect Indian-Americans in getting job in the US companies.
What is the way ahead?
Even though there are issues with protecting caste in the US, it is a fact that caste discrimination exists everywhere. Therefore, it should not find a place in the US also and it must be treated on a par with racial and gender discrimination.
Shiv Sena debacle must stand as an important lesson
Source– The post is based on the article “Shiv Sena debacle must stand as an important lesson” published in The Indian Express on 27th February 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Relevance: Issues relating to political parties
News- Recently, the ECI recognised the Eknath Shinde faction as the Shiv Sena and ordered that the party name “Shiv Sena” and the bow and arrow symbol should be retained by it.
What are the statutory provisions for deciding the disputes relating to control of parties between rival groups in the party?
As per Section 15 of the Symbols Order, 1968, “There may be rival groups of a recognised political party and each of them may claim to be that party. Then, the Commission may decide that one such rival section is that recognised party. The decision of the Commission shall be binding.”
Using the power under this Section, the ECI applies the test of majority support among the members of the “organisational and legislature wings” of the party to decide the dispute.
In its very first test in 1969, EC had used this formula. This was upheld by the Supreme Court in its judgement in Sadiq Ali v. Election Commission of India, 1971 and in several subsequent judgments.
What was the basis of ECI judgement in Shiv Sena case?
The Commission relied on the test of majority. The Shinde faction was able to prove that it had the support of a majority of MLAs and MPs.
The EC found that it could not rely on the test of majority in the organisational wing of the party as claims of numerical majority by both factions were not satisfactory.
As per EC, the “Test of Party Constitution” could not be relied upon. The party had not submitted a copy of its amended constitution in 2018 and the document had become more undemocratic after amendment.
What is the significance of inner-party democracy in regard to this case?
In the Shiv Sena order, the EC underlines the lack of inner-party democracies in political parties. It said it was the root cause of many of the cases that came before it.
The Representation of People Act requires that political parties have a written constitution. They should submit an undertaking stating that the constitution is democratic and promotes inner-party democracy.
The present Shiv Sena debacle is an important lesson to all the other parties of India.
Reducing pain: On menstrual leave
Source: The post is based on the article “Reducing pain: On menstrual leave” published in The Hindu on 27th February 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2 – mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.
Relevance: About menstrual pain leave.
News: Supreme Court of India directed a petitioner to approach the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to frame a policy on menstrual pain leave.
About the case and the observations of the Supreme Court on menstrual pain leave?
A petition has sought the Court’s direction to States to frame rules for granting menstrual pain leave for students and working women. The court in response observed that the biological process must not become a “disincentive” for employers offering jobs to women.
However, the challenges of granting menstrual pain leave include reinforcing negative gender stereotypes and increasing the existing stigma.
What is the status of menstrual pain leave in India and abroad?
In India, Kerala and Bihar have menstrual pain leave; the food delivery app Zomato has also introduced it.
Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Spain and Zambia have this policy included in labour laws.
What should be done to ensure gender equality?
The government should pay attention to immediate issues such as the lack of sanitation facilities in schools and at the workplace, especially in the informal sector.
According to World Bank data, between 2010 and 2020 the percentage of working women dropped from 26% to 19%. Hence, the government should provide access to higher education and more opportunities for women.
Many countries are trying out four-day work days for a quality life, while others are offering paternity leave so that parenting can be equally shared and ensure employers do not see recruiting women as a disadvantage. All constraints on the road to gender equality and equity must be addressed.
GS PAPER - 3
Towards transparency in OTT regulation
Source– The post is based on the article “Towards transparency in OTT regulation” published in The Hindu on 27th February 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Economy
Relevance: Entertainment and broadcasting industry
News- It has been two years since the government issued the Information Technology
(Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules through which the Ministry of I&B was given the task of regulating content on OTT and online platforms.
What is the regulatory approach followed by India in case of OTT platforms?
India’s approach can be termed as a light touch ‘co regulation’ model. There is ‘self regulation’ at the industry level and final ‘oversight mechanism’ at the Ministry level.
The Rules provide for a grievance redressal mechanism and a code of ethics.
They mandate access control mechanisms. It includes parental locks for content classified as U/A 13+ or higher and a reliable age verification mechanism for programmes classified as ‘A’ (18+).
The current Rules provide for the Inter Departmental Committee as the final tier. It comprises officer nominees from various ministries of the Central government, and domain experts.
It recommends the course of action on OTT content violations. The Secretary of the Ministry is competent to take the final decision.
What are issues related to OTT regulations?
There is little awareness about OTT rules among the general public. The Rules mandate the display of contact details relating to grievance redressal mechanisms and grievance officers on OTT websites/interface. However, compliance is very low.
In many cases, either the complaint redressal information is not published or published in a manner that makes it difficult for a user to notice easily.
What is the way forward for OTT regulations?
There is a need for ensuring uniformity in the way OTT publishers display key information relating to their obligations, timelines for complaint redressal, contact details of grievance officers. The manner, text, language and frequency for display of vital information could be enshrined in the Rules.
The OTT industry associations could be mandated to run periodic campaigns in print and electronic media about the grievance redressal mechanism.
The interpretation of age rating and the content descriptors could be in the respective languages of the video.
Further, age ratings and content descriptors could be shown prominently in fullscreen mode for a mandatory minimum duration instead of a few seconds. Such a rule exists for films under the Cinematograph Act.
There is a need for clear guidelines to ensure that a film’s classification and rating is shown prominently and legibly in advertisements and promos of OTT content.
A periodic audit of the actual existence and efficacy of age verification mechanisms and the display of grievance redressal details by each OTT platform may be undertaken by an independent body.
The full description of complaints received by OTT providers and self regulatory bodies and decisions given by them may be published in the public domain. Now, the reporting formats only capture the number of complaints received and decided
The Ministry could consider facilitating a dedicated umbrella website for publishing the details of applicable Rules, content codes, advisories, contact details for complaints and appeals.
There is a need for establishing a statutory body for regulating broadcast content. The Inter Departmental Committee Membership may be made more broad based and representative till the constitution of such body.
There is no provision for disclosure or publication of an apology and warning on the platform or website. This may be incorporated in the Rules. Financial penalties on erring entities may also be provided.
India’s OTT regulatory model should be efficacious combination of self regulation and legal backing.
RBI’s provisioning rule proposal for bad loans is good for banks
Contents
Source– The post is based on the article “RBI’s provisioning rule proposal for bad loans is good for banks” published in the mint on 27th February 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Indian economy and mobilisation of resources
Relevance: Issues related to banking sector
News- The Reserve Bank of India recently proposed to adopt the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) approach under the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS-9).
What is the current RBI approach for NPAs?
RBI regulations consider non-payment of 90-plus days for classifying an asset as “non-performing”. Banks are currently making provisions after assets are identified as non-performing.
For provisioning, Indian banks are subjected to a gradual age-wise provision rule for sub-standard assets. It starts from 15% in the first year and goes to 100% in the fourth year. This is irrespective of whether collateral is available or not.
What are some facts about Expected Credit Loss?
An Expected Credit Loss is defined as a loss anticipated on a credit exposure or credit portfolio due to defaults expected to occur during the normal course of business.
The major inputs of ECL are: a) Probability of Default (PD); b) Exposure at Default (EAD); and c) Loss Given Default (LGD).
The PD is an estimate of the likelihood of default over a given time horizon.
EAD provides an estimate of the exposure at a future default date, taking into account expected changes in the exposure after the reporting date.
LGD is an estimate of the percentage loss arising from default. It is based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due and those that the lender would expect to receive, including from any collateral.
What are some facts about the Expected Credit Loss approach for NPAs?
ECL-based provisioning norms under IFRS-9 require institutions to use point-in-time projections of PDs, LGDs and EADs.
The new financial accounting system requires banks and other financial institutions to internally model the key elements of their credit risk loss, stay forward-looking and derive more risk-sensitive measures for loan-loss provisions.
IFRS-9 or Ind-AS-109 accounting standards explicitly require provisions and loss allowances to be made as per ECL data. RBI’s prescribed expected credit loss principle is in line with the IFRS-9 standard.
ECL-based provisions are to be applied at origination and for all subsequent reporting periods of loan assets till their de-recognition.
Three stages have been specified under the new accounting standard to determine the amount of impairment to be recognized as ECL at each reporting date.
For Stage 1 assets that at initial recognition show low credit risk on the reporting date, a 12-month ECL based provisioning is applicable.
Banks need to assess at each reporting date whether the credit risk on a corporate loan has increased significantly since initial recognition. Thus, the asset reaches Stage 2. At this stage, allowances are to be made based on lifetime analysis of any expected loss.
If the loan is credit impaired, it will be put under Stage 3. The standard requires that provisions be based on lifetime expected losses with the probability of default taken as 100%.
What are the positive aspects of ECL based provisioning approach for NPAs?
The new accounting standards aim to simplify and strengthen risk measurement and the reporting of financial instruments in an efficient and forward-looking manner.
The ECL based provision measure will enable banks to more pro- actively identify credit impairment and make necessary loss provisions.
Early detection of a significant increase in credit risk may incentivize banks to go in for better credit portfolio planning and lower their prospective non-performing asset burdens.
The ECL methodology takes into account historical PD trends as well as current and future economic scenarios and predictions. Thus, it significantly changes the incentives of banks by inclining them to manage and dispose of bad loans much more actively.
The New Abnormal: Global institutions, consensus are fraying under pressure from protectionism
Source– The post is based on the article “The New Abnormal: Global institutions, consensus are fraying under pressure from protectionism” published in The Indian Express on 27th February 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Economy
Relevance: Economic scenario across the world
News- The world economy is undergoing major changes in recent times.
What is happening across the global economy in recent times?
De-globalisation and protectionism has reached new heights in recent times. The environment of growing distrust and reactionary policy actions is worrying.
The supply-side disruptions during the last three years have created problems for the world economy. Countries are adopting policies that build self-reliance and self-sufficiency.
Some policies also aim at exploiting the opportunity and becoming a part of the disrupted global supply chains. Many such policies do not comply with WTO rules.
In the US, “America first” policies are directed at protecting US producers from foreign competition. The Inflation Reduction Act promotes protectionism.
The European Commission has introduced its own Green Deal Industrial Plan. It provides for state aid to help Europe in clean tech products manufacturing.
The EU has also come out with a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to protect its industries from imports from jurisdictions with “less stringent” climate policies.
High global inflation is another unusual phenomenon.
What is the economic scenario in India?
India’s stance on trade policy has been confusing. It has not joined many important free trade agreements in the name of “national interest”. This inward-looking stance contradicts the aspiration to be a part of global value supply chains.
India’s desire to restrict trade with and investments from China hasn’t worked. India’s trade deficit with China has increased to $73 billion in 2021-22 and has reportedly crossed $64 billion during the first nine months of the current financial year.
CPI inflation hasn’t come down to 4%. It has been consistently high in recent months.
Its quest for atmanirbharta has kept import tariffs high. This is leading to a high-cost economy besides bringing in production inefficiencies.
The existing PLI scheme should be critically reviewed and its objectives spelt out.
What are the consequences of economic policies adopted across the world?
The basic structure of the world order is under threat. It was established over decades through trust, multilateral institutions and mutually beneficial and well-intentioned global negotiations.
Winter Heatwaves – Explained, pointwise
Contents
For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → |
Introduction
In March of last year (2022), meteorologists in India issued the first heat wave warning of the year. They were anticipating an exceptionally early summer with some of India’s highest temperatures ever recorded.
But, this year, India Meteorological Agency issued the year’s first heat wave advisory in February. It stated that regions of India’s western region could reach temperatures of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or higher (37C). Some parts of India, on the other hand, are experiencing temperatures that are exceptional for mid-March and are at least 9 degrees above average. Experts are concerned about the exceptionally high temperatures.
Similarly, several parts of Europe witnessed an unprecedented winter heat wave at the beginning of 2023. The Washington Post report called it an “extreme event”. Experts said that temperatures increased 10 to 20 degrees Celsius above normal.
According to the report, at least seven countries recorded their hottest January weather ever. These included Poland, Denmark, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Belarus, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Therefore, it becomes important to understand the reason behind the winter heat wave that has become a global phenomenon this year.
What are the factors causing winter heat waves?
In India
- Weak Western Disturbances: Western disturbance is the factor that keeps the temperature in control during Feb and march. However, this year, western disturbances have been weak due to which wind is lacking moisture for adequate rainfall. It is causing dry spells over the plains and subdued rainfall or snowfall over hills
- Climate change: In terms of climate change, the Middle East is warming faster than other regions near the equator, and it is acting as a source of warm air that blows toward India.
- Anti-cyclone formation: The anticyclone is forming over the northeastern part of the Arabian Sea, which has now moved over southwest Rajasthan. Due to this anticyclone, hot and dry winds from Balochistan, South Sindh, and Thar Desert are reaching northwest India as well as Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
- Possibility of El Nino Year: The last three years have been La Nia years. Scientists have predicted a high likelihood that this year will be an El Nino year. It has a significant impact on weather and climate patterns and is linked to drought and poor monsoons in India. This may also contribute to a winter heat wave in India.
In Europe
- Heat dome: According to the Washington Post, the European continent is experiencing an unusually warm spell due to the creation of a heat dome over the region.
Other General Factors
- Air flowing in from the northwest rolls in over the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, so some of the compression also happens on the leeward side of these mountains, entering India with a bristling warmth.
- Lapse rate – the rate at which temperatures cool from the surface to the upper atmosphere – is declining under global warming. In other words, global warming tends to warm the upper atmosphere faster than the air near the surface. This in turn means that the sinking air is warmer due to global warming, and thus produces heat waves as it sinks and compresses.
What are heat waves?
Qualitatively, heat wave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to the human body when exposed. Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal. In certain countries, it is defined in terms of the heat index based on temperature and humidity or based on the extreme percentile of the temperatures.
How heat waves are different from Heat domes?
While both are connected, they are not the same. Weather patterns with a high-pressure system aloft and sinking air at the surface are called heat domes. Whereas A heat wave is a lengthy period of extremely hot weather that can be generated by a variety of weather patterns, including heat domes, as well as other factors such as a strong ridge of high pressure or a lack of cloud cover.
What are the Implications of heat waves?
Reduced agricultural productivity: Crops, like human bodies, thrive within a fairly narrow range of temperatures. While a small temperature increase can lead some plants to produce more, heat over 90 degrees Fahrenheit leads to a sharp drop in yields for grains like wheat, chickpeas, and mustard seeds. Last year’s (2022) heat brought wheat production down by roughly 10 percent or almost 11 million metric tons. This year has already seen not just issues with wheat production, but also with chickpeas and mustard seeds — crucial Indian crops.
Low rainfall: A lack of moisture in the winds restricts the amount of winter rain and snow in certain Himalayan cities, resulting in record-breaking temperatures.
Economic consequences: Employees are less productive during hot weather, even if they work inside, while children struggle to learn in extreme heat, resulting in lower lifetime earnings which in turn hurts future economic growth. A 2018 study found that the economies of US states tend to grow at a slower pace during hot summers. “The data shows that annual growth falls 0.15 to 0.25 percentage points for every 1 degree Fahrenheit that a state’s average summer temperature was above normal.”
Energy crisis: Moreover, a coal shortage last year (2021-2022) led to a fuel crisis in India’s thermal power plants, as electricity demand for air conditioners and fans shot up alongside a recovering post-pandemic economy. One study anticipates that by 2100, greater use of air conditioning could increase residential energy consumption by 83% globally.
Health impacts: That health can suffer greatly without spring during the transition from winter to summer. The heat index, a combination of heat and humidity, is often used to convey this danger by indicating what the temperature will feel like to most people. The high humidity also reduces the amount of cooling at night. Warm nights can leave people without air conditioners unable to cool off, which increases the risk of heat illnesses and deaths. With global warming, temperatures are already higher.
Equity and justice: Not everyone experiences heat waves in the same ways and the ill effects of heat impact most heavily those in already-disadvantaged groups.
What are the strategies to deal with heat waves?
Global
- The United Farm Workers are doing everything they can to get a new national heat regulating measure passed.
- Climate activists are continuing their campaigns for the requirements of a Green New Deal, including the need that public housing be environmentally friendly, and are also continuing their efforts to halt the development of fossil fuel
India
Prior to 2015
- Prior to 2015, there was no comprehensive national strategy to combat heat waves.
- According to the NDMA, before 2015, it was mostly up to the state governments to deal with disaster risk
- Heat waves have been declared a local disaster in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Kerala, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and
- Under the rules for disaster relief in place at the national level, heat waves were not considered to be a disaster. But, state governments were authorized to spend up to 10 percent of funds under certain heads for the heat wave
After 2015
- After 2015, the natural disaster started figuring in the priority list of topmost officials in the country including the Prime Minister as chairman of the
- Following this in 2016, the NDMA drew up the first national guidelines for heat waves titled ‘Preparation of Action Plan–Prevention and Management of Heat Wave‘.
- The guidelines were twice revised, first in 2017 and then in 2019. They were enriched with recommendations for more specific actions, based on scientific inputs derived from various research papers, reports, and best practices in heat wave assessment and mapping
- Ward-level Heat Action Plans have improved cities’ and states’ capacity to manage heat stress and respond to heat wave-related
- The revisions in 2019 included a new section, ‘Built Environment’; the revisions focused on short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures for heat wave risk
- Fixing responsibility: The National Guidelines on Heat Wave spell out in a matrix format the roles and responsibilities of central and state government agencies, district administrations, local self-governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
What should be done going ahead?
Over the years, the NDMA has also taken a host of measures that include rescheduling of working hours for outdoor workers, the creation of drinking water kiosks, the supply of water through tankers, the erection of special shelter homes, an increase in health facilities, the stocking of ORS packets at health centers and the nearest anganwadi centers, the placement of cooling systems, and construction of gaushalas with fodder banks, etc. However, there are more steps that can be take:
- States need to compare mortality numbers to previous years to ascertain heat-related deaths, a data set that is underdeveloped in the country.
- Awareness should be created of the symptoms of heat stroke and its consequences as also the precautions that should be taken.
- The Medical and Health department should keep stock of ORS, IV fluids, glucose, Pot Chlor (Potassium Chloride), derma allergic creams, and other essentials in adequate quantities while it should ensure uninterrupted telephone link to all its facilities (institutions) so that people in distress could make emergency contact with them.
- The village secretaries and other officials concerned should conduct gram sabhas and publicize the do’s and don’ts besides ensuring dependable water
- Persons hailing from the weaker sections who suffer heat strokes should be given free treatment at government hospitals while effort should be made to rope in NGOs and other voluntary bodies to run water and butter milk supply centres.
- The Labour department on its part should sensitise and encourage employers to shift outdoor workers’ schedules away from peak afternoon hours during heat alert.
- Effort should be made to ensure all amenities to children appearing for examinations in addition to prioritising maintenance of power to all critical facilities like hospitals and drinking water supply
- District collectors should prepare their district specific heat wave action
- Fast-tracking the switch to clean energy sources is vital to dealing with the issue of the heat wave.
- There is a need to adapt their buildings, infrastructure, and working hours to higher temperatures.
- There are also benefits to so-called ‘urban greening’, where more trees and other vegetation can help to cool down cities and towns.
Heat alert – No apparent impact, but March weather crucial for wheat
Source: The post is based on the article “Heat alert – No apparent impact, but March weather crucial for wheat” published in Business Standard on 27th February 2023.
Syllabus: GS 3 – Transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints.
Relevance: About wheat production and food inflation.
News: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted the temperature to be two to five degrees Celsius above normal in the major wheat-growing states for a few days.
What will be the impact of temperature rise on the Wheat crop?
Last year, the heat wave depressed wheat productivity by 2.5%, raising wheat prices above the minimum support price level, and denying the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other agencies to meet their wheat-procurement targets.
Hence, the government set up a high-level inter-ministerial committee of officials and farm experts to constantly monitor the crop and weather situation and issue timely advisories for the farmers to cope with the contingencies.
What are the steps taken by the government to control food inflation?
The management of food inflation has been fuelled partly by the high prices of cereals.
The government is reducing it by a) banning exports and releasing grains from public stock holding at concessional rates, b) The FCI has offloaded 5 million tonnes of wheat in the markets.
What should be done to further manage food inflation effectively?
Due to steps taken to reduce food inflation, the state reserves have dipped to their minimum level since 2017. Hence, the government should pay attention to the public stocks as further dropdown might challenge the needs of the vast public distribution system and welfare schemes.
The government’s wheat-price management policies seem to have got tilted towards the consumer to the detriment of the producer. This could prove counterproductive by hurting the wheat farmers. The government needs to strike a balance between the interests of the consumer and the grower.
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
Sorry, there are no articles today from this source