9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – October 20th, 2023

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

Why are earthquakes frequent in Afghanistan?

Source: This post has been created based on the article “Why are earthquakes frequent in Afghanistan?” published in The Hindu on 20^th October 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography — Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic activity, cyclones etc.

News: This article discusses the reasons behind the phenomenon of frequent earthquakes in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has had a history of frequent destructive earthquakes. An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck western Afghanistan recently, barely a few days after multiple earthquakes killed at least a 1,000 people in the Herat province.

How do earthquakes occur?

Stage I: Movement of tectonic plates: The earth is made up of chunks of solid rocks called tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are slow moving but are always in motion, mostly due to the heat energy generated inside the earth.

Stage II: Creation of Faults: Discontinuities in these plate rock masses, along which they have moved, are called fault lines. This is where most earthquakes occur.

Stage III: Release of Energy: The tectonic forces and stress that builds up in the earth’s lithosphere causes the rocks to break and slip. This releases energy and sends seismic waves through the ground.

Why do frequent earthquakes occur in Afghanistan?

1) Afghanistan is located over multiple fault lines in the region where the Indian, Arabian and the Eurasian tectonic plates meet. These plates collide often, leading to significant tectonic activity.

1. a) Towards western Afghanistan, the Arabian plate subducts northward under Eurasia.
2. b) Towards eastern Afghanistan, the Indian plate subducts northward under Eurasia.
3. c) In southern Afghanistan, the Arabian and Indian plates adjoin and both subduct northward under the Eurasian plate.

2) Geological complexity: The Hindu Kush Mountain range and the Pamir Knot are geologically complex regions where tectonic plates meet.

3) Forces of Compression: The ongoing northward movement of the Indian Plate towards the Eurasian Plate also results in compression, leading to the transmission of tectonic stress across the entire region. The compression creates faults and fractures that can slip and generate earthquakes.

4) Presence of Faults: like the Chaman Fault and the Main Pamir Thrust.

GS PAPER - 2

Why SLLs also need to be reformed

Source: This post has been created based on the article “Why SLLs also need to be reformed” published in The Hindu on 20^th October 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Indian Polity — Structure, organization, and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary.

News: This article discusses the significance of Special and Local Laws (SLLs) in the wake of recent criminal law reforms. It also highlights the reasons behind the need for reform in SLLs.

Special and Local Laws (SLLs) include “Special laws” enacted by the Parliament to deal with a specific subject. “Local laws” are laws local to a particular region or a state.

SLLs have been kept away from the ongoing reform process, with respect to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act (IEA).

What is the significance of SLLs?

SLLs have immense relevance in the Indian criminal justice system.

1) In quantitative terms: Nearly 40% of all cognisable offences registered in 2021 were under SLLs, as per the Crime in India Statistics of 2021.

2) In qualitative terms: SLLs have given rise to several important debates regarding the limits on the state’s power of criminalisation especially in the context of violation of individual rights and liberties.

Why is there a need for reform in SLLs?

1) Ambiguous and vague definitions of offences: For e.g. terms such as ‘terrorist act’, ‘unlawful activity’ etc. in Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).

2) Issues with application of laws: For e.g., POCSO Act, 2012 being applied to consensual sexual activities between minors.

3) Excessive criminalisation of mere civil or regulatory wrongs

4) Dilution of due process of law: For e.g. The stringent provisions provided for under Section 43 of the UAPA make it impossible to get bail.

What should be done?

SLLs should find a place as separate chapters within the larger structure of the IPC or the CrPC.

Reforms should be brought in to address the non-inclusion of the substantive and procedural aspects of the SLLs in the ongoing reform project.

An opportunity to recast India’s food system

Source: This post has been created based on the article “An opportunity to recast India’s food system” published in The Hindu on 20^th October 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Social Justice — Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

News: This article discusses the importance of reasonable economic returns and resilient environmental system in ensuring food security in India. It also suggests solutions to reform India’s food systems.

What is the interconnectedness of nutrition, livelihoods and environment?

Nutrition security can only be achieved sustainably if the producers producing the food make reasonable economic returns that are resilient over time.

This resilience is intricately linked with the resilience of our natural ecosystem because the largest inputs to agriculture — soil, water and climatic conditions — are all natural resources.

Acknowledging this interconnectedness of nutrition security with livelihood and environmental security is essential to making our food system truly sustainable.

What is the status of nutrition security in India?

India faces a double burden of malnutrition:

1) At one end, a sizable proportion of Indians exhibit nutrient deficiencies.
As in the National Family Health Survey, 2019-21, 35% of children are stunted, and 57% of women and 25% of men are anaemic.

2) At the other end, due to imbalanced diets and sedentary lifestyles, 24% of adult women and 23% of adult men are now obese.

What are the challenges of food production in India?

1) Non-remunerative agriculture: On the production side, farm incomes are insufficient to meet the ends of marginal and small farmers. According to a report, more than 68% of marginal farmers supplement their incomes with non-farm activities.

2) Depletion of natural resources and changing climate are making India’s food production highly vulnerable.
As in the 2023 soil health survey, almost half the cultivable land in India has become deficient in organic carbon. In States such as Punjab, more than 75% blocks are over-exploited.

What should be done?

We need an approach that engages all 3 sides of the food system: consumers, producers, and middlemen.

First, consumer demand needs to be shifted towards healthy and sustainable diets. For e.g., Locally-grown millets.

1) Civil society and the health community could partner with social media influencers who can shape healthier and sustainable consumption for millions.

2) The public sector, through the Public Distribution System, mid-day meals, railways catering, etc., can help improve what Indians are consuming.

Second, to ensure resilient incomes, farmers’ transition towards remunerative and regenerative agricultural practices should be supported. For e.g., National Mission on Natural Farming.

1) We need to broaden and scale up such initiatives to various agro-ecological practices such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and precision farming.

2) Agriculture support should move from input subsidies to direct cash support to farmers per hectare of cultivation to promote efficient use of inputs.

3) Agricultural research should earmark budgets to focus on sustainable agricultural practices.

Third, shifting of farm-to-fork value chains towards more sustainable and inclusive ones.

1) Enabling more value addition of agricultural produce in rural areas to enhance rural (farm) incomes.

2) Corporations supplying raw and processed food to consumers should prioritise direct procurement and incentivise sustainably harvested produce.

3) Enabling trading of produce between FPOs is another way, as shown by FPOs in Odisha.

We must break the silence on suicide prevention in India

Source: The post is based on the article “We must break the silence on suicide prevention in India” published in Live Mint on 20^th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Social Issues – Problems associated with Health

Relevance: Measures needed to prevent suicides in India and address mental health issues

News: The author, associated with Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI), emphasizes the importance of suicide prevention and improving mental healthcare access in India, especially for marginalized communities.

What are some of the findings related to suicide in India?

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2021, more than 160,000 people in India died by suicide. This number has been increasing in the past decade.

Moreover, these numbers are likely lower than the actual problem due to underreporting and social stigma.

Hence, a rise in the suicide rates show that there is an urgent need to prioritize suicide prevention in India.

What are the issues with suicide prevention in India?

Suicide in India is often viewed as an individual problem rather than a social issue, especially in the media.

Hence, it becomes important to present suicide as a societal issue that requires collaboration from government, healthcare, non-profits, workplaces, mental health experts, and communities.

Additionally, there is also a need to recognize that marginalized communities face extra challenges in preventing suicides.

Must Read: The suicide cluster in Kota is a public health emergency

What efforts have been taken to prevent suicides?

National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS): India launched its first National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) in November 2022, in cooperation with MHI experts. The NSPS emphasizes valuing lives and providing support, recognizing the complexity of suicide and the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration among different government departments.

Inclusion in the G20 Agenda: MHI collaborated with Civil20 India to include suicide prevention and mental health in C20 recommendations. As a result, both topics made their way into the G20 agenda for the first time and were also addressed in the G20 health declaration.

What more can be done to prevent suicides?

First, there is a need for a holistic approach to suicide prevention that includes both psychological support through counseling and enhanced access to social resources such as employment, healthcare, and education.

Second, there is a need to end the stigma around mental illness and make sure that everyone in India has access to mental healthcare as a basic right.

GS PAPER - 3

The shape of climate justice in a warming India

Source: This post has been created based on the article “The shape of climate justice in a warming India” published in The Hindu on 20^th October 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Environment — Conservation, Environmental pollution and degradation.
GS Paper 3 Indian Economy — Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

News: This article discusses the importance of taking into account and mitigating the rise in inequalities as a consequence of energy-transition policies for combating climate change.

What should be the ideals for a just energy-transition?

Any energy transition initiative must embrace two ideals:

First, those who emit greenhouse gases should pay the social and environmental costs.

Second, climate justice requires compensation for those who are harmed. The richer countries or richer classes within a country should pay for the energy transition.

What are the issues with India’s policy of energy transition?

India’s stance has largely been framed through the lens of foreign policy and its approach to common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) in international negotiations.

However, given the country’s historically lower emissions, focusing on economic growth has taken precedence over climate concerns.

Such an approach leads to a lack of climate justice within India, particularly its effect on inequality across class, caste and region.

Societal responses which are necessary to address climate change (such as public action and state capacity) are slowed down in more unequal settings. Given its highly unequal economic structure, India is vulnerable to it.

Recognising and mitigating the barriers that this inequality poses to effective climate action is a critical step toward a more sustainable and just future.

What is the state of inequality with respect to climate change?

1) Effect on the poor: Climate change and energy transition disproportionately affect the poor.

2) Effect on agrarian communities: The climate-induced variations in rainfall, temperature and extreme climate events directly impact agricultural productivity, compounding farmers’ income loss.

3) Effect on fishing communities: Rising temperature in the ocean ecosystem has already led to a decrease in fish stocks in parts of the country, hurting fishing communities.

What is the status of India’s energy consumption?

Source-wise: As of 2021, coal was the major contributor to the total energy supply in India (56.1%), followed by crude oil (33.4%).

Sector-wise: The industrial sector was the largest consumer of energy, using more than half, i.e., 51% of the total final energy consumption, followed by transport (11%), residential (10%), and agriculture (3.6%) sectors.

India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) aim to ensure that 40% of the total installed power generation capacity is clean energy.

India has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

What are the various types of inequalities that may be intensified due to energy-transition policies?

1) Socio-economic inequalities:

The renewable sector requires higher skill sets but generates a lower number of jobs compared to fossil fuel industries.

Many fossil fuel firms are in the public sector and act as a critical avenue for creating job opportunities for Dalits and the lower castes in India.

A shift to renewable energy can potentially slow down generational mobility achieved by these disadvantaged groups.

2) Regional inequalities:

For instance, regions that are heavily reliant on coal production often struggle with pollution, poverty, and low-quality employment.

Coal, the cheapest source of energy, is in the poorer regions in eastern and central India while renewable energy hubs, powered by wind and solar photovoltaics (PV) technologies, are in the relatively wealthy southern and western India.

What should be done?

1) India’s energy transition strategy must pay attention to regional inequalities.

2) Transfer of funds to States dependent on coal, and carving out State-specific programmes for reskilling development and local rehabilitation should be undertaken.

3) Strategies must target inequality reduction and green investment simultaneously.

4) Policy alignment and cooperation should be achieved across the levels of government.

5) A deliberate focus on protecting livelihoods, offering alternative job opportunities, and ensuring that vulnerable communities are not adversely impacted.

Farmer Producers’ Organisations: Engines of agri-innovation in UP

Source: The post is based on the article “’Farmer Producers’ Organisations: Engines of agri-innovation in UP” published in “Indian express” on 20th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture- marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.

News: The article discusses how Farmer Producers’ Organisations (FPOs) in Uttar Pradesh (UP) help small farmers by pooling resources and improving farming practices. The government supports these FPOs through funding, resources, and collaboration. As a result, FPOs are boosting crop variety, enhancing farming methods, and increasing exports in UP.

What are FPOs?

FPOs, or Farmer Producers’ Organisations, are collectives of farmers who come together in a geographical cluster.

They help farmers by pooling resources, improving farming techniques, and accessing better markets.

How are governments supporting FPOs?

Formation Plans: The Centre aims to form 10,000 FPOs. In Uttar Pradesh (UP), the goal is to establish one FPO in each of its 826 blocks every year for five years.

Dedicated Support: UP has a dedicated FPO cell to guide these organizations, ensuring scheme convergence and addressing compliance.

FPO Shakti Portal: Launched in UP, it’s a platform for FPOs offering grievance redressal and business partnership opportunities. As of July 15, 1,600 FPOs with a turnover of Rs 229 crore have registered.

Financial Assistance: The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund provides FPOs with a 3% interest subvention. UP adds another 3%, cutting loan interest to around 3%.

Subsidies: Both Central and state-sponsored schemes offer capital subsidies, encouraging post-harvest infrastructure development.

How do FPOs in Uttar Pradesh (UP) help small farmers?

Pooling Resources: FPOs are groups of farmers collaborating to maximize collective resources and expertise.

Crop Diversification: FPOs are driving diversification, with 1,316 involved in cereals, 378 in horticulture, and others focusing on different crops.

Seed Processing: 100 FPOs have set up seed processing units, with many selling seeds in the open market or partnering with seed corporations.

Farm Machinery Access: Over 480 FPOs have created Farm Machinery Banks, renting out equipment at reasonable rates.

Innovative Farming: Techniques like direct seeding of rice are introduced via FPOs. An FPO also promotes farming special rice in Siddharthnagar.

Collaboration with Companies: FPOs have facilitated deals, like the 200 MoUs between 68 FPOs and 37 companies, boosting market linkages for small farmers.

What innovations do FPOs bring?

Specialized Farming: An FPO led the initiative to farm special Kalanamak rice in Siddharthnagar district.

Nutritional Focus: FPOs are enhancing local diets by developing the value chain of nutrient-rich agri-products like millets, mushrooms, moringa, and fortified cereals.

Local Campaigns: In Rampur, an FPO collaborated with district administration for the “Aahaar Se Upchar Tak” campaign, supplying nutrition-rich products to anganwadi kendras, enhancing local nutrition.

Unique Recognition: FPOs have successfully registered local products under Geographical Indications, such as Adam Chini rice and Banarasi langda.

Why we need norms on government spending

Source: The post is based on the article “Why we need norms on government spending” published in “Indian express” on 20th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Economy- Government Budgeting.

News: The article discusses the challenges democracies face in deciding where to spend public money. Governments often prioritize “freebies” for citizens to gain votes, even though these might not always be economically efficient. The balance between fulfilling promises and making sound economic decisions is tough. Suggestions include setting spending limits and revisiting expenditure allocations.

What challenges do democracies face in deciding where to spend public money?

Public’s Voice: While people vote political parties into office, there’s no referendum on specific expenditure allocations, causing potential disconnect.

Economic vs. Social Impact: The ideal is to maximize the economic multiplier effect, but much is spent on “non-development expenditure” that can still empower people.

Public Preferences: For instance, a regular train from Mumbai to Nashik costs Rs 380, but the Vande Bharat charges Rs 720. The majority prefers more affordable options.

Land and Employment Concerns: Projects might require land acquisition, affecting landowners and landless laborers alike, leading to contentious compensation issues.

Popularity of “Freebies”: Schemes like the Amma meal in Tamil Nadu and free electricity in Delhi cater to the majority at the lower end of the income distribution, sidelining the views of the richer class.

What should be done?

Public Participation: Engage citizens in decisions about expenditure allocations, even if indirectly, to ensure their needs are met.

Evaluate Economic Value: While capital expenditure often has a broader economic benefit, the impact of non-development expenditure, which can empower recipients, should also be considered.

Affordable Services: Recognize the needs of the common man, such as the preference for regular trains like Panchvati Express over pricier options like Vande Bharat.

Address Land Acquisition Issues: Ensure that compensation for land acquisition is fair and that landless laborers are not left unemployed.

Examine “Freebies” Critically: While schemes like the Amma meal in Tamil Nadu are popular, their overall economic and social impact should be reviewed.

Set Guidelines on Expenditure: The Finance Commission could consider drawing up norms for expenditure allocations to ensure balanced spending

Tax uncertainty- SC ruling will increase uncertainty in telecom

Source: The post is based on the article “’Tax uncertainty- SC ruling will increase uncertainty in telecom” published in “Business standard” on 20th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Economy- infrastructure (telecommunication)

News: The Supreme Court ruled that telecom companies’ licence fees after July 1999 are capital expenses, not revenue expenses.

What is the recent Supreme Court decision on telecoms license fees?

The Supreme Court ruled that licence fees paid by telecom companies after July 1999 should be treated as capital expenditure (capex) and not revenue expenditure.

This verdict goes against previous decisions made by the Delhi High Court, Bombay High Court, and Karnataka High Court, which had sided with the telecom companies.

What are the implications of this decision?

Higher Taxes for Telecoms: Treating licence fees as capital expenditure means telecom companies might face increased taxes in the initial years of the license.

Past Dues: Older telecoms, such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India, could see significant one-time outgoings if tax authorities demand payments for past years.

Change in Profit Calculation: Telecom companies used to set licence fees against revenues to calculate profits. With the new ruling, these fees would be spread over 20 years, affecting profit calculations.

Increased Uncertainty: The telecom sector, already facing financial challenges, now grapples with more unpredictability due to policy inconsistencies.

Potential Legal Challenges: The new classification of licence fees as capex might lead to further litigation as the sector seeks clarity and stability.

Citius, Altius, Fortius’: Save it for the economy

Source: The post is based on the article “’Citius, Altius, Fortius’: Save it for the economy” published in “Live mint” on 20th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Economy- mobilisation of resources

News: India wants to host the 2036 Olympics. Historically, rich countries hosted these games. Hosting often costs more than the benefits gained. India should focus on economic growth before bidding. The Olympics may not be a wise investment now.

What are the implications of hosting the Olympics?

Financial Costs: Hosting often results in high expenses. For example, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics cost around $13 billion.

Maintenance Issues: Post-event infrastructures can be expensive to maintain. Sydney’s Olympic Stadium incurs a $30 million yearly cost.

Underutilized Venues: Some facilities remain unused after the event. Beijing’s Bird’s Nest, for instance, stands empty.

Questionable Returns: Tangible economic benefits for the host city or country are often minimal. Research from New York University suggests the economic gains don’t surpass the costs.

Regret Among Past Hosts: Some previous hosts, like London, have expressed regret, implying that the returns weren’t worth the investment.

What should India do?

Reevaluate Economic Priorities: The Olympics often costs more than the benefits gained. India should focus on other economic priorities.

Learn from Past Hosts: London’s Olympics minister regretted their decision to host, implying the benefits weren’t worth the costs. India should consider such experiences.

Evaluate the True Benefits: Research, like that from New York University, indicates the Olympics might not offer economic benefits higher than its costs. India should weigh this before bidding.

Address Pressing Needs: India has competing needs that urgently need attention. These should be prioritized over hosting events.

Wait for Economic Stability: Only if India continues to grow at 6-8% and addresses poverty should it consider hosting the Olympics.

Limit Expectations: Benefits from hosting are often intangible, like global visibility, rather than clear economic gains.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

List Niemann-Pick as rare disease, parents of young patients urge govt

Source: The post is based on the article “List Niemann-Pick as rare disease, parents of young patients urge govt” published in “TOI” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

Parents of children suffering from Niemann-Pick disease have urged the Government of India to notify this disease under the National Policy for Rare Diseases.

This would enable eligible patients to receive financial support from the government and access Xenpozyme, an expensive enzyme replacement therapy used for treatment.

What is Niemann-Pick disease?

Source: TOI

Niemann-Pick disease is a group of rare and inherited metabolic disorders that affect the body’s ability to process lipids or fats properly.

This buildup of lipids can lead to a wide range of symptoms including liver and spleen enlargement, lung problems, neurological issues, and other complications.

Caused by: Niemann-Pick is caused by mutations in specific genes related to how the body metabolizes fat (cholesterol and lipids). 

– The Niemann-Pick gene mutations are passed from parents to children in a pattern called autosomal recessive inheritance. 

– This means that both the mother and the father must pass on the defective form of the gene for the child to be affected.

Types of Niemann-Pick disease:

– Type A is the most severe form and typically presents itself in infancy or early childhood. 

– Type B is less severe than Type A and typically presents in childhood or adolescence.

– Type C is a rare form that typically presents in adolescence or adulthood.

Treatment: There is currently no cure for Niemann-Pick disease.

Estivation: The summer’s urge to nap

Source: The post is based on the article “Estivation: The summer’s urge to nap” published in “The Hindu” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

This article talks about estivation.

What is Estivation?

Estivation is also known as aestivation.

It is a biological phenomenon during which some animals enter a prolonged state of dormancy or inactivity during hot and dry conditions.It serves as a survival strategy to conserve energy and water.

Animals during estivation seek shelter in cool places like underground burrows, crevices, or cocoons.

During this time, animals will also reduce their metabolic activity which in turn reduces their energy consumption.

This helps them avoid extreme dryness and safe from predators.

What are the examples of animals undergoing Estivation?

West African lungfish: It burrows into the mud of a drying water body and secretes a cocoon of mucus around itself during a drought. 

Desert tortoises: It digs burrows to stay cool in hot summers.

Land snails: They seal themselves in their shells with a mucous plug and stay inactive until the conditions outside improve.

PM flags off RRTS: What is this mass transport system, how it can benefit NCR

Source: The post is based on the article “PM flags off RRTS: What is this mass transport system, how it can benefit NCR” published in “Indian Express” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has inaugurated the first leg of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).

Note: RRTS has now been named as Namo Bharat.

What is the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)?

RRTS is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system.

Aim: To ensure balanced and sustainable urban development through better connectivity and access across the National Capital Region(NCR).

Implemented by: National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is a joint venture company of the Central government and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, has constructed the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).

Corridors: Eight corridors will be developed under the RRTS project which includes: 1) Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut 2) Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar 3) Delhi-Panipat 4) Delhi – Faridabad – Ballabgarh – Palwal; 5) Ghaziabad – Khurja 6) Delhi – Bahadurgarh – Rohtak 7) Ghaziabad-Hapur and 8) Delhi- Shahadra-Baraut.

Speed: RRTS trains will travel significantly faster than metro trains.These will operate at a speed of 160 km/hour but are designed to be able to run at speeds up to 180 km/hour.

How is RRTS different from existing metro or railways systems?

RRTS is different from metro as it caters to passengers looking to travel a relatively longer distance with fewer stops and at higher speed.

RRTS is different from conventional Railway as it will provide reliable, high frequency, point to point regional travel at high speed along dedicated path way.

What are the benefits of the RRTS Project?

Firstly, RRTS will be integrated with various modes of transport like Airports, Railway Stations, Inter-State Bus Terminals, Delhi Metro Stations etc providing seamless connectivity.

Secondly, with fast connectivity with satellite towns, the urbanization burden in Delhi will reduce.

Thirdly, it will reduce usage of fossil fuel powered vehicles for ferrying people from the outskirts to the city.

Fourthly, RRTS will increase the share of public transport resulting in a reduction in traffic.

Why a Supreme Court order on telcos’ licence fee tax has the industry worried

Source: The post is based on the article “Why a Supreme Court order on telcos’ licence fee tax has the industry worried” published in “Indian Express” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has ruled that payment of entry fee as well as variable annual license fee made by telecom companies will be considered as capital expenditure and not revenue expenditure.

How do telecom companies currently pay entry fee and variable annual license fee?

Currently, telecom companies treat license fees as a revenue expenditure.Based on this, they claim deductions for computing their tax liability.

How will this judgment impact telecom companies?

After the judgment, the telecom companies would have to treat license fees as a capital expenditure.This is expected to result in additional tax liabilities for telecom companies.

However, the Supreme Court’s order has not clarified whether the changes to the accounting structure will have to be made on a retrospective basis.

What are revenue and capital expenditures?

Revenue expenditures: These are the ongoing operating expenses, which are short-term expenses used to run the daily business operations.For example, salaries and wages of employees.

Capital expenditures: These are typically one-time large purchases of fixed assets that will be used for revenue generation over a longer period.For example, land or building.

CCI issues draft of ‘leniency plus’ norms to curb cartelisation

Source: The post is based on the article “CCI issues draft of ‘leniency plus’ norms to curb cartelisation” published in “Hindu Businessline” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has released draft regulations under the ‘leniency-plus’ regime.

What is a Leniency Programme?

The Leniency programme allows companies that provide sufficient information about a cartel in which they have participated to receive partial immunity from penalty. 

Such a programme helps competition authorities to discover secret cartels and to obtain insider evidence of the infringement.

Leniency programme is provided under the Competition Act 2002.Under this, Competition Commission of India (CCI) may impose a lesser penalty on a person involved in a cartel if such person has made a full and true disclosure in respect of alleged violations and such disclosure is vital.

What is Leniency plus Programme?

Leniency plus regime was introduced in the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023.

In this regime, a cartel member cooperating with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for leniency can reveal the existence of another unrelated cartel during the original leniency proceedings.In return, they receive an additional reduction in penalties.

This strategy is proactive in enforcing antitrust laws and aims to encourage companies already under investigation for one cartel to report other cartels unknown to the competition regulator. 

What is Cartel?

A cartel is a collection of independent businesses or organizations that collude to manipulate the price of a product or service.

Cartels are competitors in the same industry and seek to reduce that competition by controlling pricing in agreement with one another.

Tactics used by cartels include reduction of supply, price-fixing, collusive bidding, and market carving.

The actions of cartels hurt consumers through increased prices and lack of transparency.

Major regional disparity in overcoming cancer though survival rates are up: study

Source: The post is based on the article “Major regional disparity in overcoming cancer though survival rates are up: study” published in “The Hindu” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

A study has examined the cervical cancer survival rates in India.

This study is based on the data from Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) from 2012 to 2015.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Click Here to read

What are the key findings of the study on the cervical cancer survival rates?

Nearly 52% of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer between 2012 and 2015 survived.

The highest survival rate was observed in Ahmedabad’s at 61.5% followed by Thiruvananthapuram (58.8%) and Kollam (56.1%). 

In contrast, Tripura reported the survival rate at 31.6%.

The survival rates were lower in India’s northeastern region.

What are the factors that contributed to the cervical cancer survival rates?

The factors that contributed to variations in survival rates of cervical cancer patients are: access to diagnostic services, effective treatment varied across the population, distance from clinical care facilities, travel costs, co-morbidities and poverty.

Microalgae are adapting to warming climate, declining nutrient levels in seas with novel strategy

Source: The post is based on the article “Microalgae are adapting to warming climate, declining nutrient levels in seas with novel strategy” published in “Down To Earth” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

Microalgae have adopted a unique strategy to adapt to global warming.

What is Microalgae?

Microalgae are microscopic algae that are invisible to the naked eye.They are typically found in freshwater and marine systems.

They are unicellular species that exist individually or in chains or groups.

Unlike higher plants, microalgae do not have roots, stems, or leaves.

Microalgae are capable of performing photosynthesis.They produce approximately half of the atmospheric oxygen and captures the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

What is the importance and applications of Microalgae?

Food Chain: They play a crucial role in the food chain as they serve as a primary source of nutrition for a wide range of aquatic organisms.They are often consumed by various aquatic creatures, including zooplankton, which, in turn, are eaten by larger organisms like fish.

Nutrition: Some species of microalgae, such as spirulina and chlorella, are highly nutritious and are used as dietary supplements.They are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients.

Biofuel: Microalgae can be used to produce biofuels, such as biodiesel. They have a high lipid content, which can be converted into fuel through various processes.

Environmental Remediation: Microalgae can help in wastewater treatment and carbon capture. They can absorb nutrients and pollutants from water and help improve water quality.

Biotechnology: Microalgae are used in biotechnology for the production of various compounds, including pigments, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

What is the strategy adopted by Microalgae to adapt to global warming?

As climate change reduces nutrient availability in the ocean, microalgae activates a protein called rhodopsin.This protein is related to the one responsible for low-light vision in the human eye.

Rhodopsin enables these microalgae to thrive by using sunlight instead of traditional chlorophyll when nutrients are scarce.

Note: Rhodopsins are proposed to be major light capturers in the ocean.They absorb light as much as chlorophyll-based photosynthesis in the sea to generate energy and food.

SC asks States to appoint officers under POSH Act

Source: The post is based on the article “SC asks States to appoint officers under POSH Act” published in “The Hindu” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and all the states and Union territories (UTs) to immediately appoint district officers under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act).

What is Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act)?

Click Here to read

What are District Officers under the POSH Act?

The Sexual Harassment of Women At Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013, or POSH Act mandates States to appoint a District Officer in every district.

Functions of District Officer under POSH Act:

Constitute Local Complaints Committees (LCCs): District Officers would constitute Local Complaints Committees (LCCs) to receive complaints from women employed in small establishments with less than 10 workers or cases in which the accused is the employer himself.

Appoint Nodal Officers: A District Officer would appoint nodal officers under the Act in rural, tribal and urban areas.The nodal officers would receive complaints and forward the same to the concerned Local Complaints Committees (LCCs). 

– The Local Complaints Committees (LCCs) after conducting an inquiry have to submit its report to the district officer and the employer recommending action. 

Submit Annual reports to Government: The district officer will forward a brief statement on the annual reports submitted by every employer in their jurisdiction to the government. 

– Note: An Internal Committee (IC) is to be set up under the POSH Act if the organization has 10 or more employees.

Little Ice Age (LIA) was wet (moist) and was not uniformly cold and dry

Source: The post is based on the article “Little Ice Age (LIA) was wet (moist) and was not uniformly cold and dry” published in “PIB” on 20th October 2023

What is the News?

A study was conducted in Western Ghats to understand the variations of rainfall patterns during the Little Ice Age.

What is the Little Ice Age?

The Little Ice Age was a period of cooler climate conditions that occurred roughly between CE 1671-1942.

What is the purpose of the study?

The Western Ghats region in India experiences two main monsoons: the southwest summer monsoon (SWM) from June to September and the northeast winter monsoon (NEM) from October to December.

The study aims to understand how vegetation and climate changed in Western Ghats region influenced by both monsoons during the last millennium.

What are the key findings of the study?

The study has found the presence of moist conditions during the Little Ice Age (LIA) in the Western Ghats.This is likely due to increased northeast winter monsoon (NEM) influence. 

These findings indicate that the Little Ice Age (LIA) period was also wet (moist) and was not uniformly cold and dry.

Factors Influencing Climate Change: The study suggested several factors that may have contributed to this climate change and increased southwest summer monsoon (SWM).

– These factors include: northward movement of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), positive temperature anomalies, increased sunspot numbers and high solar activity.

Weakest Phase of Indian Summer Monsoon Explained: The study attributed the weakest phase of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) across the Indian subcontinent during the LIA to the southward shift of the ITCZ.