Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• India, Australia explore easing whiskey exports, form group
• Express View on curbs on rice exports: Against the grain
• The right approach – SC observations on bail system
• Express View on Rajashthan’s Minimum Income Guarantee: Limits of welfare
• Publisher-platform imbalances need fixing

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

India, Australia explore easing whiskey exports, form group

Source: The post is based on the article “India, Australia explore easing whiskey exports, form group” published in Live Mint on 22^nd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations

Relevance: About India Australia mutual recognition agreement (MRA).

News: Recently, India and Australia have formed a joint working group to consider the possibility of a mutual recognition agreement (MRA).

What is mutual recognition agreement (MRA) about?

The agreement would help Indian whiskey makers to get into the Australian market, which has a significant Indian population and growth opportunity.

The formation of the group comes after Australia got duty-free access for its high-end wines under the Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (ECTA), between India and Australia.

Why was MRA needed?

Currently, Australian rules require the spirit to be matured for two years before it can be labelled whiskey and one year for rum. However, this rule acts as a disadvantage for Indian liquor exporters as India does not have such rules.

Further, Indian companies claim that spirits mature faster in India’s warmer climate, and the maturation rule restricts their access to a market with a large Indian population and good growth potential.

Companies also claim that a two-year maturation in India will cause a 10% loss due to evaporation. Therefore, due to these differences, a joint working group has been formed to look into the issue and find a way out.

Moreover, the Indian liquor industry is pushing for similar relaxations in the UK, where the minimum maturation period is three years.

What is the way ahead?

India is fast emerging as a producer of high-quality liquor, including single malt whiskies.

Therefore, if maturation rules are eased in the UK, Canada, and Australia, it can create substantial market opportunities for Indian producers due to the significant Indian diaspora in these countries.

Express View on curbs on rice exports: Against the grain

Source– The post is based on the article “Express View on curbs on rice exports: Against the grain” published in “The Indian Express” on 22nd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Economy

Relevance: Government policies and approach towards trade.

News- The Narendra Modi government has decided to ban all non-basmati white rice shipments. Henceforth, only two categories of rice will be allowed for export.

What can be the implication of this move by the government?

The world’s total rice exports was 55.6 mt in 2023-23. India’s share was more than 40%.

India has an important role in the global rice trade. It is similar to that of Indonesia and Malaysia in palm oil.

Rice suppliers likeThailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, US and Myanmar cannot fill the vacuum left by India. It will lead to an increase in world prices.

What can be the possible reasons for the government ‘s move to ban rice exports?

There are concerns related to domestic supply. Current rice crops may be impacted due to the below-average monsoon rainfall in significant rice-growing states.

Although certain states such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh have received adequate rainfall in the past week, the impact of delayed plantings on yields is yet to be observed.

Another factor contributing to uncertainty is the El Niño phenomenon. It can affect the monsoon’s performance in the second half of the season. This could have repercussions on the growth of kharif rice and the upcoming rabi wheat crop.

What are two crucial aspects related to this move that should be considered by the government?

Firstly, there is the issue of credibility. If India’s Agriculture Ministry has reported record-high production of wheat and rice in 2022-23, then there is no need to ban the exports of these cereals. This raises doubts about the reliability of the official output estimates.

Secondly, the government should be mindful of its reputation as a dependable global supplier.

Establishing markets requires significant time and effort. It can easily be undermined by hasty decisions.

If the goal is to curb domestic inflation by discouraging exports, a more appropriate approach would be to impose tariffs or set a minimum price below which shipments are not allowed. Implementing blanket export bans can cause more harm than good.

The right approach – SC observations on bail system

Source– The post is based on the article “The right approach” published in “The Hindu” on 22nd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Judiciary

Relevance: Issues related to criminal justice system

News- Recently, SC granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad.

What are the observations of SC in this case?

Courts should adopt a common-sense approach for granting bail. It should avoid the tendency to keep someone in prison solely based on strong opposition from the police.

The Supreme Court of India rejected the Gujarat police’s argument that the alleged seriousness of the offence justified denying her bail.

The case relies primarily on documentary evidence, all of which is already included in the charge sheet. So, the Court has no reason to keep her in judicial custody.

What is the importance of the verdict?

The verdict reminded us that an order of bail must be the norm. The factors which must be taken into account are- (a) Likelihood of the accused fleeing justice or being available for trial. (b) Influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence.

Seriousness of the offence is an important aspect. But, it should not be the sole determining factor.

Express View on Rajashthan’s Minimum Income Guarantee: Limits of welfare

Source– The post is based on the article “Express View on Rajashthan’s Minimum Income Guarantee: Limits of welfare” published in “The Indian Express” on 22nd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Social empowerment. GS2- Government policies and interventions. GS3- Inclusive growth

Relevance: Government welfarism

News- The Rajasthan government has proposed Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill 2023.

What are the main proposals of the Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill 2023?

The Act provides a rights-based approach towards building a social security net.

The focus of the Act is on three areas: (1) The right to minimum guaranteed income. (2) Right to guaranteed employment. (3) Right to guaranteed social security pension.

A Gig Workers Welfare Act is proposed. Gig workers welfare and development funds would be set up under this Act.

The Rajasthan state government plans to implement a scheme. It will ensure a minimum income and employment for eligible individuals in both rural and urban areas through various employment guarantee programs.

The government aims to offer 125 days of work in each region. There are special provisions for those who cannot participate in the workforce, such as the specially disabled, widows, and elders. The government intends to provide a pension as part of this initiative.

What are issues related to the scheme?

The approach of implementing it through an urban employment guarantee scheme is not the most suitable method. It could encounter several challenges.

Unlike the rural areas served by MGNREGA, the demand for work in urban regions is not seasonal. It makes the scheme’s design more complex.

There are concerns regarding the availability of suitable public works projects in urban areas. Urban bodies have capacity limitations to manage such initiatives effectively.

Moreover, there are fiscal constraints in executing this plan. Rajasthan has a high debt burden. The state tends to allocate less towards more productive forms of expenditure.

A report by the RBI revealed that in 2022-23, the state announced freebies equivalent to 8.6 percent of its own tax revenue.

Way forward-

Greater employment opportunities at the low end of the skill spectrum.

Access to health and education and provide paths for upward mobility.

Publisher-platform imbalances need fixing

Source– The post is based on the article “Publisher-platform imbalances need fixing” published in “The Hindu” on 22nd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Governance

Relevance: Regulation of digital news media

News- The article explains the disadvantages faced by news publishers on technology platforms and the approach of various countries to regulate the interaction between them.

What are issues faced by news publishers on technology platforms?

Absence of Fair Valuation– Digital advertising revenues are the result of a collaborative effort between publishers and platforms. Publishers don’t get a fair proportion of these revenues that stem from their journalism.

There are concerns related to reliance of publishers on platforms. These platforms often operate under monopolistic or duopolistic conditions.

This dependence arises due to platforms taking on various roles in digital news markets. They act as intermediaries in the search for online news content and provide the necessary infrastructure for publishers to engage in the online advertising market.

Enumerative Accountability– Platforms unilaterally define the measures of the quality and popularity of online news. They arbitrarily change measures to suit their own priorities.

Further, they refuse to share relevant data on advertising and viewership with stakeholders in the news economy.

What are approaches followed by countries across the world to regulate the relationship between digital platforms and publishers?

In 2021, Australia proposed a mechanism to govern the interaction between publishers and platforms. But the platforms retaliated.

Facebook blocked its Australian users from accessing thousands of news sites, which included vital sources of public information. Ultimately, the Australian government provided some concessions.

Last month, Canada’s Online News Act provided for fair compensation for publishers and the sustainability of local news. The United Kingdom is planning to introduce legislation to regulate the relationship between big tech and news outlets.

Brazil and South Africa are also taking steps in that direction. Indonesia has proposed Digital Platform Responsibilities for Quality Journalism. The United States has not taken any action.

What is the importance of these regulations?

The primary objective is to guarantee that news outlets receive a just portion of digital advertising revenues and have access to the data generated by platforms through the sale and distribution of online news.

Without these measures, news publishers may be compelled to accept unfair and potentially unsustainable terms set by platforms.

This could lead to a reluctance to invest in producing high-quality journalism and on-the-ground reporting. It will result in an increasing presence of propagators of misinformation and disinformation in the digital public sphere.

What is the Indian government approach in this regard?

Unfortunately, India has been slow in thinking and acting on mitigating these twin imbalances.

In December 2021, the Union Minister of State for Electronics and Technology said that the government has no intention to make big tech pay for news.

He has revised his positions and now acknowledges the disadvantages faced by news publishers in their dealings with platforms.

In 2021, the Digital News Publishers Association had filed a plea against Google in the Competition Commission of India. It accused Google of unfairly valuing their digital advertising share.

In February 2022, The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) filed a similar plea. It also highlighted Google’s search results are not based on the relevance of news content. So, it creates an uneven playing field among various publishers.

The report issued by the Standing Committee on Finance in December 2022, titled ‘Anti-Competitive Practices by Big Tech Companies,’ mirrored the concerns raised by the DNPA and the INS.

It emphasised that certain digital markets are susceptible to domination by only one or two major players. It made recommendations for evaluating competitive behaviour before digital markets become monopolised.

GS Paper 3

Missing the real achievements

Source: The post is based on the article “Missing the real achievements” published in Business Standard on 22^nd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy – Growth & Development

Relevance: About India’s economic scenario and challenges with it

News: The article explains India’s macroeconomic achievements and challenges associated with it.

What are the macroeconomic achievements made by India?

Wholesale and consumer price inflation rates in India have fallen significantly.

The WPI rate has decreased from an average of 9% in the 1970s to around 4% in the last decade. The CPI has also decreased, going from 7.5 percent to less than 6 percent in the last decade.

From 1992 to 2002, the overall balance of payments surplus was $52 billion. It has risen to $354 billion in the most recent decade (2012-22). This has resulted in the elimination of dollar scarcity.

Moreover, the reliance on aid and foreign borrowings has also decreased substantially.

Although the merchandise trade deficit has grown in comparison to earlier decades, the expanding services export surplus has mostly neutralised it.

Further, growing foreign investment in the last three decades has also contributed to the positive economic shift. As a result of this, India’s currency has become more stable.

Although the rupee has continued to depreciate against the dollar, the rate of decline has slowed over time.

However, despite these achievements, India still faces challenges in becoming the fastest-growing large economy.

What are the challenges with India in becoming the fastest-growing economy?

First, in 2022, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam surpassed India’s growth rate, and the Philippines outperformed in the first quarter of 2023. India is likewise not a beneficiary of the “China Plus One” scenario. It’s Vietnam.

Second, India is at a disadvantage compared to nations like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia because of its lack of economic integration with East Asian economies and its exclusion from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Third, Vietnam is currently on par with China in terms of exports to the West when it comes to supplying apparel to the US.

Hence, India still belongs to the group of developing players despite having a sizable market.

What can be the way ahead?

The structural improvements experienced in India over the decades have resulted in a more stable economy and currency, contributing to political stability as well.

However, despite this, India has not achieved a rapid-growth trajectory comparable to that of several East Asian economies since the mid-twentieth century. Therefore, there is a need for introspection to address this disparity.

Menaka Guruswamy writes: Can AI be communist?

Source: The post is based on the article “Menaka Guruswamy writes: Can AI be communist?” published in “The Indian express” on 22nd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; developing new technology. & Awareness in the fields of IT, Computers,

News: In this article author discusses China’s draft regulations on AI, which require AI to promote socialist values and undergo state security assessments. The regulations highlight China’s approach to controlling AI content and its providers. The author contrasts this with the U.S.’s focus on individual rights in AI regulations.

What are the global efforts made to introduce laws that will regulate AI?

China’s Efforts to Regulate AI

China’s Cyberspace Administration drafted regulations for generative AI products and services.

These products must uphold socialist values and cannot promote subversion, separatism, or false information.

AI products aiming for public use must pass a state “security assessment” before being launched.

Providers are responsible for content generated by their AI. Violations can result in penalties as per various Chinese cybersecurity and data laws.

United States’ Approach to AI Regulation

The White House released a “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights” in October 2022.

This bill emphasizes individual rights and protections against algorithmic discrimination.

Algorithmic discrimination is defined as unjust treatment based on race, color, gender, religion, age, etc., caused by automated systems.

The U.S. model aims to protect individuals from AI bias and promotes freedom of expression.

Different countries are adopting AI regulations based on their political and legal values. While China prioritizes state control and socialist values, the U.S. emphasizes individual rights and protections against AI biases.

What are the implications of these regulations and efforts?

Implications for AI in China:

AI will promote socialist values, affecting the content and answers they generate.

Chatbots like Baidu’s “Ernie” could have filtered responses based on state guidelines.

Innovation may be limited due to stringent state controls.

Providers bear the responsibility for AI content, leading to self-censorship and cautious development.

Implications for AI in the U.S.:

AI systems will prioritize individual rights and avoid algorithmic discrimination.

Companies will focus on creating unbiased AI, considering the wide range of individual attributes like race and gender.

Users can expect more transparent and just AI services.

General Implications:

Countries will shape AI based on their political and legal values.

AI development may differ regionally, causing a divergence in AI behavior and functionality.

Regulation might influence how global AI companies tailor their products for different markets.

The infusion of ideology in AI can potentially shape human opinions and beliefs.

Two analyses on Manipur

Source: The post is based on the article “Two analyses on Manipur. The first explains why ST status for Meiteis is problematic for a number of reasons. The second details the gender dimension of the escalating ethnic violence” published in The Times of India on 22nd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 1- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. & GS 3- Internal security

What is Manipur High Court’s ruling on Meitei community’s tribal status?

The Manipur High Court directed the state government to evaluate the Meitei community for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list.

The directive was issued on March 27, specifying that the evaluation should preferably be done within four weeks of the date of the order.

The High Court’s decision missed out on the detailed process for recognizing a group as a Scheduled Tribe.

What are the Implications of recognition of schedule tribal status?

Job Reservations: Recognized tribes benefit from job reservations, influencing the power dynamics in governance.

Land Rights: In Manipur, special laws can prevent non-tribal communities from procuring tribal land, safeguarding tribal territories.

Legal Protections: Tribes can invoke the Prevention of Atrocities Act, providing added legal safeguards.

Economic Benefits: Tribes in Manipur get income tax exemptions as per Section 10 (26) of the Income Tax Act for income earned within the state.

What is the legal process for recognizing tribes?

Initial Recommendation: The first step involves the state government or Union Territory recommending a community for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list. For Manipur, consent from the Hill Areas Committee is also needed due to Article 371 (C) of the Constitution.

Verification by the Registrar General: Once the state makes a recommendation, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Union home ministry, examines the proposal.

Assessment by NCST: After the state and Registrar General provide their recommendations, the proposal reaches the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST), for technical assessment. NCST is the constitutional body created under Article 338A. The NCST forms a panel of experts from various fields like anthropology and ethnography to evaluate the recommendation.

Final Approval: If NCST agrees with the recommendations, the matter proceeds to the Cabinet and then to Parliament for finalizing the amendment order.

What does the Lokur Report say about the Meiteis tribe?

The Lokur Committee was formed in 1965 to review the inclusion or exclusion of communities in the scheduled tribes list.

The committee recognized tribes specific to geographical areas.

For Manipur, the committee recommended tribes like the Khonjai (Kukis with sub-tribes), Nagas (with sub-tribes), Marings, and Mizos as scheduled tribes.

The Meiteis were notably absent; they weren’t mentioned as a scheduled tribe in Manipur or any other state.

What are the issues faced by women in Manipur’s conflict zones?

Violence and Assault: Disturbing videos have surfaced showing women being paraded and assaulted by mobs.

Use as Political Tools: Women’s bodies are used to assert power and mark political boundaries. They’re often reduced to symbols for different agendas.

Inconsistent Responses to Crimes: Reactions to assaults vary based on community biases. For instance, The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) reacted differently to two separate assault incidents.

Lack of Justice: Many crimes against women go unaddressed. For example, after a video of an assault went viral, only four culprits were arrested, leaving many still at large.

What should be done?

Re-evaluate the Manipur High Court’s ruling: Ensure proper legal procedures are followed for recognizing tribes.

Strengthen Justice System in Manipur: Ensure timely registration of FIRs and swift legal actions against culprits.

Enhance Women’s Protection: Address assaults on women in conflict zones with urgency.

Promote Transparency: Publicize the legal process for recognizing tribes to avoid misunderstandings.

An Internet ban will not restore peace in Manipur

Source: The post is based on the article “An Internet ban will not restore peace in Manipur” published in “The Hindu” on 22nd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges,

News: The Manipur government issued a blanket internet shutdown from May 3, 2023, to stop “disinformation and false rumors.

What are the critics for the internet shut down in Manipur?

Vague Justification: The shutdown orders used general terms like “thwarting anti-national activities” without specifying what these activities were. This left many uncertain about the exact reasons for the shutdown.

Lack of Concrete Evidence: The government didn’t provide actual incidents or data showing harm from internet usage. For example, no details were given on how online platforms contributed to violence or misinformation in the state.

How has the judiciary responded?

A case, Aribam Dhananjoy Sharma vs State of Manipur, challenges the shutdown orders.

The High Court of Manipur issued an order for partial restoration of the internet but clarity on the legal stance remains elusive.

The Supreme Court has so far avoided adjudicating on the shutdowns directly.

What are the implications of the internet shut down in Manipur?

Impact on Residents:

About 2.2 million internet users were affected by the shutdown.

Students in metropolitan cities ran out of money.

People couldn’t apply for assistance or move to relief camps.

Information Flow Disruption:

A blanket shutdown prevented news from Manipur reaching the broader Indian public.

The nation remained unaware of issues in Manipur until a video clip of sexual violence went viral.

Misinformation and Consequences:

Despite the shutdown, misinformation spread.

A press report connected misinformation to incidents of sexual violence against Kuki-Zo women.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Rajya Sabha Chairman nominates four women parliamentarians to panel of vice-chairpersons

Source: The post is based on the article “Rajya Sabha Chairman nominates four women parliamentarians to panel of vice-chairpersons”  published in The Hindu on 21st July 2023.

What is the News?

Rajya Sabha Chairman has reconstituted the panel of vice chairpersons.

For the first time in the history of the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman has nominated four women parliamentarians to the panel of vice-chairpersons, giving women equal representation in the panel.

One among the newly nominated women members is S. Phangnon Konyak. She is the first woman to be elected as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from Nagaland in April 2022 and the second woman from the State to be elected to either House of the Parliament or the State Assembly.

What is the Panel of Vice-Chairpersons?

Under the Rules of Rajya Sabha, the Chairman nominates from amongst the members a panel of vice-chairpersons. 

Any one of the members of the Panel of Vice-Chairpersons can preside over the House in the absence of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman. He has the same powers as the Chairman when so presiding. He holds office until a new panel of vice-chairpersons is nominated. 

When a member of the panel of vice chairpersons is also not present, any other person as determined by the House acts as the Chairman.

lt must be emphasized here that a member of the panel of vice chairpersons cannot preside over the House, when the office of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman is vacant. 

During such time, the Chairman’s duties are to be performed by such member of the House as the president may appoint for the purpose. The elections are held, as soon as possible, to fill the vacant posts.

Portal launched to report violation of ban on e-cigarettes

Source: The post is based on the article “Portal launched to report violation of ban on e-cigarettes”  published in The Hindu on 22nd July 2023.

What is the News?

The Union government has asked the state governments to effectively implement the Centre’s ban on e-cigarettes.

What are e-cigarettes?

Click Here to read

About the ban on e-cigarettes:

In 2019, Parliament passed the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and Advertisement) Act (PECA) to curb the use and sale of e-cigarettes in India.

Despite this ban, e-cigarettes continue to be sold on e-commerce sites even to children below 18.

This is happening because of the weak implementation of PECA Act leading to easy availability of e-cigarettes through online, retail, convenient stores, stationery shops and near educational institutions.

Now to curb this, the Health Ministry has launched an online portal www.violation-reporting.in to facilitate reporting of violations under PECA Act.

The portal will allow faster action against any reported violations of ban on e-cigarettes.

Industry Leaders Forge Alliance for increasing Demand of Electric Freight Vehicles

Source: The post is based on the article “Industry Leaders Forge Alliance for increasing Demand of Electric Freight Vehicles”  published in PIB on 22nd July 2023

What is the News?

NITI Aayog has organized the e-FAST India event on the sidelines of the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial.

What is the Clean Energy Ministerial?

Click Here to read

What is e-FAST India?

Launched in: September, 2022

Full Form: e-FAST stands for Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport – India.

Purpose: It is India’s first electric freight platform.

Aim: To galvanize the transition towards cleaner and greener freight transportation (Freight transport is the movement of goods from one place to another).

Led by: NITI Aayog and supported by the collaborative efforts of 12 knowledge partners.

Features: The platform will help strengthen partnerships and identify and support innovative freight solutions. 

– The platform also aims to promote freight electrification, supported by ground-based demonstration pilots and research that is supported by evidence. 

– Additionally, it will assist with scalable trials and provide information for policymakers that aim to hasten India’s freight electrification.

Use any Indian language as optional medium, says CBSE

Source: The post is based on the article “Use any Indian language as optional medium, says CBSE”  published in The Hindu on 22nd July 2023.

What is the News?

Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE) has allowed affiliated schools to use Indian Languages as an optional medium of instruction from pre-primary stages to Class 12.

What does the National Education policy say on the use of Indian Languages as a medium of instruction in schools?

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisages the use of mother tongue or regional or Indian languages as the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, and preferably till Grade 8 and beyond.

The policy also highlights the significant cognitive advantages of multilingualism for young learners, particularly when they were exposed to several languages from the foundational stage.

What are the challenges in the use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction in schools?

There are several challenges such as: 1) availability of skilled teachers capable of teaching in multilingual settings 2) creation of high-quality multilingual textbooks and 3) limited time available, especially in two-shift government schools as multilingual education demands additional instructional time allocation.

What are the steps the government is taking to promote multilingual education?

The Ministry of Education has directed the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to prepare textbooks in the 22 Scheduled Languages of the country.

Ports to UPI to green energy, India and Sri Lanka deepen economic ties

Source: The post is based on the article “Ports to UPI to green energy, India and Sri Lanka deepen economic ties”  published in Indian Express on 22nd July 2023. 

What is the News?

The President of Sri Lanka has paid an official visit to India. 

During the visit, India and Sri Lanka adopted a ‘vision document’ for a deeper economic partnership between the two countries.

What is the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision document?

The vision document has been called  ‘Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity: India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision’.

Aim: To strengthen bilateral and economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka.

Pillars: The document is based on five pillars: maritime connectivity; air connectivity; energy and power connectivity; trade, economic and financial connectivity and people-to-people connectivity.

Key Features of these five Pillars:

Maritime connectivity: The document outlines cooperation in development of ports and logistics at Colombo, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai, with an aim to consolidate regional logistics and shipping.

– It also talks of resumption of passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka besides working towards early resumption of ferry services between Rameswaram and Talaimannar.

Air connectivity: Currently, there is a single flight a day between Chennai and the northern Lankan city of Jaffna. 

– The two countries agreed to expand this flight to Colombo as well as explore connectivity between Chennai and Trincomalee, Batticaloa and other destinations in Sri Lanka.

Energy and power connectivity: The two countries have plans to establish a high-capacity power grid interconnection. This is to enable bidirectional electricity trade between Sri Lanka and other regional countries, including those of the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) initiative.

– The document also talks of expediting implementation of understanding reached on the Sampur Solar power project and LNG infrastructure and exploring cooperation in Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia.

– The two countries will also be working on a multi-product petroleum pipeline from India’s South to Sri Lanka.

– They will also undertake a mutually agreed joint exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Sri Lanka’s offshore basins to develop Sri Lanka’s upstream petroleum sector.

Trade, economic and financial connectivity: The two sides will undertake discussions on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement with an aim to comprehensively enhance bilateral trade and investments in new and priority areas.

– They have decided to designate Indian Rupee as currency for trade settlements between the two countries.

– Both sides also agreed to operationalise UPI-based digital payments for further enhancing trade and transactions between businesses and common people.

People-to-people connectivity: The two countries have planned to promote awareness and popularize India’s Buddhist circuit, and Ramayana trail as well as ancient places of Buddhist, Hindu and other religious worship in Sri Lanka for enhancing tourism.

Biofortified foods: Industry bats for separate branding

Source: The post is based on the article “Biofortified foods: Industry bats for separate branding”  published in The Hindu Businessline on 19th July 2023.

What is the News?

According to a report, the global market of biofortification is projected to reach $217.21 million by 2030 from the current $100.84 million (in 2022). 

What is Biofortification?

Biofortification is the process of improving the nutritional quality of food crops.

This can be achieved through agronomic practices, conventional breeding or biotechnology based approaches like genetic engineering and genome editing.

Biofortification of staple crops such as rice is intended as a sustainable, cost-effective and food-based means of delivering target micronutrients to populations who do not have access to or cannot afford diverse diets and other existing interventions such as fortified foods and supplementation.

It is identified by the Copenhagen Consensus as one of the highest value-for-money interventions for micronutrient deficiency: gaining 17 USD worth of benefits for every 1 USD spent.

What are the steps being taken by the government of India to promote biofortified foods?

On World Food Day 2020, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation 17 biofortified seed varieties of eight local and traditional crops, including wheat and paddy rice. These varieties have been developed by utilizing the local landraces and farmer’s varieties. 

Further, to encourage biofortification amongst farming communities, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has started the Nutri-Sensitive Agricultural Resources and Innovations (NARI) programme for promoting family farming linking agriculture to nutrition.

Government is seeking the private sector’s help to popularize the biofortified foods.The private industry wants separate branding of biofortified foods, similar to what has been done for “organic” products.

Rule 176 vs Rule 267: What Govt agrees to, what Opp demands

Source: The post is based on the article “Rule 176 vs Rule 267: What Govt agrees to, what Opp demands”  published in Indian Express on 22nd July 2023

What is the News?

The Parliament transacted no business amid opposition parties’ demand for a discussion on the ongoing violence in Manipur.

The government agreed for a ‘short-term’ discussion under Rule 176.But the Opposition pressed for suspending all business under Rule 267 and that the Prime Minister make a suo motu statement followed by a discussion.

What is Rule 176?

Rule 176 allows for a Short-duration discussion not exceeding two-and-a-half hours on a matter of urgent public importance.

It says that any member desirous of raising discussion on a matter of urgent public importance may give notice in writing to the Secretary-General specifying clearly and precisely the matter to be raised.

The notice shall be accompanied by an explanatory note stating reasons for raising discussion on the matter in question and it must be supported by the signatures of at least two other members.

Once the Chairman admits the notice, the chairman in consultation with the Leader of the Council, will fix the date on which such a matter may be taken up for discussion and allow such time for discussion not exceeding two and a half hours.

The rule says there shall be no formal motion or voting under a short duration discussion.

What is Rule 267?

According to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Rajya Sabha, Rule 267 relates to suspension of rules.

Rule 267 says “Any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and if the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being.”

Simply put, under this rule, Rajya Sabha MPs can give a written notice to suspend all listed business and discuss an issue of importance the country is facing.

According to Parliament records, the last time the Rajya Sabha witnessed a discussion under Rule 267 was on November 16, 2016.The issue was demonetisation.

What are Bacteriophages, the ‘good viruses’ that fight bacteria?

Source: The post is based on the article “What are Bacteriophages, the ‘good viruses’ that fight bacteria?”  published in Indian Express on 21st July 2023.

What is the News?

Scientists are exploring the potential of bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

What are Bacteriophages?

A bacteriophage or phage is a virus that infects bacteria.

They were discovered independently by Frederick W. Twort in Great Britain (1915) and Félix d’Hérelle in France (1917).

D’Hérelle coined the term bacteriophage, meaning “bacteria eater,” to describe the agent’s bactericidal ability.

How do Bacteriophages kill bacteria?

Bacteriophages are harmless to human cells as they do not recognize them as their bacterial prey.

They work by hunting down bacteria and attaching themselves to the surface of a bacterial cell, before injecting viral DNA material into the cell.

The viral DNA then replicates inside the bacteria, sometimes by borrowing the DNA replication hardware of the bacteria.

Once all the bacteria are lysed (dead), they’ll stop multiplying. Like other viruses, phages can lay dormant (in hibernation) until more bacteria show up.

What is Phage Therapy?

Phage therapy is the therapeutic use of bacteriophages for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Advantages of Phage Therapy: It has reduced side effects and reduced risk of the bacteria developing resistance, since bacteriophages are much more specific than antibiotics.

– They are typically harmless not only to the host organism but also to other beneficial bacteria such as the gut microbiota, reducing the chances of opportunistic infections.

Disadvantages of Phage Therapy: Disadvantages include the difficulty of finding an effective phage for a particular infection; a phage will kill a bacterium only if it matches the specific strain.

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