9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 21 March, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Dogs and their place in society

Source-This post on Dogs and their place in society has been created based on the article “Ferocious friends: On certain breeds of dogs and public safety” published in “The Hindu” on 21 March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context– Some citizen groups had asked the Department of Animal Welfare and Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture to constitute an expert committee to ban certain breeds of ferocious dogs from being kept as pet dogs.

What are the issues with the rising number of dogs attack in India?

1) Citizens complain about their residential colonies being attacked by roving canines and threatening the safety of children and elderly population.

2) There is a lack of political response to enforce existing municipal laws to contain their numbers. There are many advanced countries that do not permit street dogs.

3) In the case of pet dogs, some breeds have shown very aggressive behavior towards human beings and attacked them leading to fatality in some cases.

Read more- The Issue of Stray dogs in India

Which are certain dog breeds that are banned?

These include mixed and crossbreeds such as Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog etc.
There are several countries that have imposed stringent conditions to own or maintain certain dog breeds.

What are the reasons behind ferocity and aggressiveness of some dog breeds?

1) Ferocity and aggressiveness are a result of both environmental and behavioral factors.

2) It also depends on the age, sex, size, familiarity with other dogs, the way it is trained, and the circumstances that provoke aggression.

Citizens do have a right to choose and raise breeds of pets that they like. However, it is not an absolute right and subject to public safety.

Question for practice

Highlight the issue associated with rising number of dogs attack in India?

Eliminating diseases- One region at a time

Source-This post on Eliminating diseases- One region at a time has been created based on the article “Eliminating diseases, one region at a time” published in “The Hindu” on 20 March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2– Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Context– The Carter Center, a leader in the global elimination and eradication of diseases, has recently reported that guinea worm disease is close to eradication. From 3.5 million cases a year in 21 countries in 1986, the number had come down to 13 in five countries in 2023, a reduction of 99.99%.
This would be the second disease after smallpox to be eradicated and the first one with no known medicines or vaccines.

What is the difference between Elimination and eradication of transmission?

Eradication of transmission– This is the permanent cessation of infection by a pathogen with no risk of reintroduction.
It is a highly desirable objective to enhance the health of the people, especially the poor who are most vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Elimination of transmission – It targets achieving zero transmission in a defined region. It is a step towards eradication.

What are the reasons to recommend disease elimination as a public health strategy?

1) Meeting SDGs-It energizes the public health system to meet the sustainable development goal of ending the epidemics of malaria, tuberculosis and Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2030.

2) Improvement at grassroot level– It would result in improvement in primary health care, diagnostics and surveillance.

3) Encourage participation of workers– It will ensure increased involvement of field staff and community health workers because they have a clearly defined goal before them.

4) Nudge politicians– It generates high political and bureaucratic commitment, and public support. These efforts positively impact the health system.

Read more- Guinea worm disease

What are the challenges in elimination of disease?

1) Cost-Elimination of transmission is challenging and resource intensive.

2) Neglect of other diseases-It imposes an additional burden on the system and could lead to the neglect of other important health functions, especially for weak health systems.

What should be the strategy to eliminate diseases in India?

1) Pathogen specific approach-It will be strategic to focus on pathogens whose impact on the population is high and whose numbers are low enough to make elimination feasible.

2) Capacity building-The government must invest in developing robust surveillance systems that could capture every incidence of the disease. The government needs to strengthen laboratories for screening and confirmation, train the workforce for meeting elimination goals and ensure availability of medicines.

3) Adopting region specific approach– It will be difficult to achieve elimination of many diseases for whole country. Thus, the government should adopt region specific approach. For ex- kala azar is now limited to just few blocks of 5 States in India. So,only these blocks can be targeted specifically.

4) Multisectoral Collaboration-There is a need for multisectoral collaboration and innovative strategies which prefer locally effective solutions at regional level. However, regional implementation needs constant technical and material support from centre.

In India, national elimination can be achieved most effectively, by starting with elimination and scaling it up, region by region, across the country.

Question for practice

How can India eliminate some diseases by adopting region specific approach?

Ombudsman needed in the aviation sector in India:

Source: The post ombudsman needed in the aviation sector in India has been created, based on the article “A voice for consumers: Ombudsman for aviation sector a good move” published in “Business standard” on 21st March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – Governance – transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

News: This article discusses the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry’s idea of creating an ombudsman for the aviation sector. This is to better address passenger complaints and concerns, especially with issues like extra fees and refund policies, in a rapidly growing industry.

What are the issues with the aviation sector in India?

Extra Fees: Some low-cost carriers charge for seat selection at web check-in, which can be seen as deceptive fees.

Refund Policies: Confusion over who is responsible for refunds during flight cancellations, as seen during Covid-19.

Complaints Management: Existing systems like AirSewa may not fully address the growing number of passenger complaints.

Why is an ombudsman needed in the aviation sector in India?

Addressing Complaints: An ombudsman can effectively handle increasing passenger complaints, which the existing AirSewa helpline may not fully cover.

Transparency in Fees: To tackle issues like deceptive fees, such as the seat selection charges at web check-in by low-cost carriers.

Clarity in Refunds: To resolve confusion around refund policies, highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic with unclear responsibilities for refunds between airlines and booking portals.

Representation for New Flyers: Essential for representing the concerns of new consumers, especially with the projected increase in domestic passengers to 300 million by 2030, including many first-time flyers from smaller towns.

Question for practice:

Discuss how the introduction of an ombudsman in the Indian aviation sector could address key issues such as extra fees, refund policies, and complaints management.

Criticisms of Electoral Bond Scheme (EBS) – India’s voters deserve a bond

Source: The post criticisms of EBS has been created, based on the article “India’s voters deserve a bond — of probity” published in “The Hindu” on 21st March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Governance – Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability.

News: This article discusses the Electoral Bond Scheme (EBS) in India, introduced to provide a transparent way of funding political parties. However, concerns have been raised about its effectiveness in preventing black money in politics and the confidentiality of donor identities. The Supreme Court is involved in determining the legality and transparency of the scheme.

For details information on EBS read here

Why was EBS introduced?

Objective of Eliminating Black Money: EBS was introduced with the goal to eliminate black money from political funding, as stated by the finance minister in his 2017-18 Budget Speech.

Lack of Transparency in Political Funding: The scheme aimed to address the issue of political parties relying heavily on anonymous cash donations, often less than ₹20,000, which didn’t require revealing the donor’s identity.

Intended to Cleanse Political System: The idea was to create a ‘clean’ channel for political contributions, moving away from anonymous cash donations and towards a more traceable and accountable system.

Shift from Cash to Bank Transactions: It’s aimed to enhance transparency in political funding by allowing contributions through bond purchases from the State Bank of India. This shift towards bank transactions was intended to make the process more traceable and accountable.

What are the criticisms of EBS?

Lack of Transparency: The anonymity of donors in the EBS prevents the public from knowing who funds political parties.

Questionable Source of Funds: Many bond purchasers seemed to have income disproportionate to their business, raising doubts about the legitimacy of their funds.

Legal and Ethical Concerns: The Supreme Court and the RBI questioned the EBS, especially its transparency, enforceability and traceability aspects.

For details information on Electoral Bonds Scheme Verdict read here

Potential for Misuse: The scheme’s confidentiality clause makes it nearly impossible to link bond purchasers with political parties, opening doors for undisclosed and questionable political donations.

Complicated Enforcement under Section 7(4): This section of the EBS makes it difficult to disclose buyer information, thereby hindering investigations and reducing accountability.

What is the role of the State Bank of India (SBI) in the EBS?

The State Bank of India (SBI) is responsible for issuing Electoral Bonds in the EBS. However, questions have arisen about SBI’s record-keeping, particularly whether it can link bond purchases to specific donors and recipients. This aspect has become crucial in discussions about the transparency and effectiveness of the EBS.

What should be done?

Parliamentary Oversight: Engage Parliament to develop more transparent and accountable funding methods, as the article suggests the legislative body holds the key to reform.

Public Awareness: Educate citizens about the importance of clean political funding to encourage demand for more transparent practices.

Judicial Review: Allow the judiciary to periodically review and suggest improvements to the scheme, ensuring it aligns with democratic principles and transparency standards.

For information on State Funding of Election read here

Question for practice:

Evaluate the effectiveness of India’s Electoral Bond Scheme in achieving its stated objectives and address the concerns raised regarding transparency, accountability, and the prevention of black money in political funding.

Role of digitization in India’s economy: Data marketplaces: the next frontier

Source: The post role of digitization in India’s economy has been created, based on the article “Data marketplaces: the next frontier” published in “The Hindu” on 21st March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- governance- e-governance and GS Paper3- economy

News: The article discusses how digitizing government operations and using non–personal data (NPD) can boost India’s economy. However, India lacks strong rules for managing this data.

For details information on Digital Economy read Article1, Article 2

What is the role of digitization in India’s economy?

Boosting GDP: Digitization can potentially add $450-500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025, playing a crucial role in economic growth.

Government Operations: Rapid digitization in government processes enhances efficiency and transparency.

Utilizing Citizen Data: Government’s collection and use of Non-Personal Data (NPD) aid in improving public services and decision-making.

Predictive Analytics: Applying AI and analytics to NPD helps in forecasting in areas like meteorology, infrastructure, and employment.

What are the different types of data collected?

Personal Data: This type involves identifiable information about individuals. It can be used to directly map an individual, like names or identification numbers.

Non-Personal Data (NPD): This is the primary type of data collected by the government. It excludes personal identifiers.

Data Use: Both types of data are crucial for governmental planning and public service delivery, with NPD serving as a significant resource for ‘public good’ applications.

What are the major concerns related to regulations for non-personal data in India?

Lack of Enforceable Regulations: Current policies like the National Data Governance Framework Policy offer only limited guidance without strict legal enforcement.

Risk of De-anonymisation: There’s concern about the potential to identify individuals from NPD, compromising privacy.

Absence of Central Regulatory Authority: No dedicated body exists to oversee NPD usage and sharing.

Unclear Ownership and Sharing Mechanisms: Ambiguity in who owns NPD and how it should be shared among stakeholders.

Vulnerability to Misuse by Big Tech: Unregulated NPD could unfairly benefit large corporations, leading to privacy breaches.

Inefficiencies in Data Exchange: The current approach to data sharing is not optimized, hindering the full utilization of NPD in decision-making and public service enhancement.

What steps are taken to regulate the collection of data?

Regulation in India

National Data Governance Framework Policy (NPD Framework): Introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) to guide the use of NPD.

Expert Committee Recommendations: Led by Kris Gopalakrishnan, focusing on issues like de-anonymisation risks and data sharing mechanisms.

State-Level Initiatives: For example, the agriculture data exchange in Telangana, and the India Urban Data Exchange by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs with the Indian Institute of Science.

Global Efforts

Australia: Implemented data exchange frameworks and protocols in various sectors like housing, employment, and agriculture.

United Kingdom: Established specific data exchanges to address unemployment and other social issues.

Estonia: Known for its advanced digital governance, Estonia has developed efficient data exchange systems.

Question for practice:

Examine the current state of regulations for non-personal data in India and the steps taken to address concerns regarding its collection and usage.

GS PAPER - 3

Small Scale LNG – A big idea

Source-This post on Small Scale LNG-A big idea has been created based on the article “The big promise of small-scale LNG as fuel for India, with first SSLNG plant commissioned” published in “The Indian express” on 21 March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

News– The Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri has recently dedicated to the nation India’s first small-scale liquefied natural gas (SSLNG) unit at GAIL (India) Ltd’s Vijaipur complex in Madhya Pradesh.

What is SSLNG (small-scale liquefied natural gas)?

1) It refers to gas in its liquid or super-chilled form supplied in specialized trucks and small vessels to industrial and commercial consumers in regions not connected by pipelines.

2) The SSLNG chain can start from a large-scale LNG import terminal from where the LNG can be transported to consumers by cryogenic road tankers or small vessels.

3) The chain can also start at locations with ample natural gas supply or production, where small liquefaction plants can be set up. For ex-The SSLNG unit at Vijaipur.

How does the SSLNG unit at Vijaipur work?

1) There are treatment skids — zeolite pretreatment skids (ZPTS) — and liquefaction skids. They are known as cryo boxes which convert natural gas to LNG.

2) Natural gas is processed in the ZPTS at a pressure of approximately 15 bar to remove non-desirable components such as nitrogen, water, sulphur, and carbon dioxide.
It is then fed to the cryo box, where it is compressed in a four-stage compressor to a pressure of around 260 bar.

3) The gas is cooled by a propane-based external refrigeration system to minus 60-70 degree Celsius. After that, the gas is subjected to expansion so that the temperature falls below minus 140 degrees Celsius and it can liquefy.

4) The LNG is then dispatched by cryogenic tankers to nearby areas for use in city gas distribution networks as CNG and piped gas.

5) The SSLNG unit is controlled by an automated, web-based Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, typically used to monitor large industrial devices and processes.

Read more- Energy Transition In India

What is the significance of small-scale liquefied natural gas (SSLNG) unit?

1) Transition to green energy-The government aims to increase the share of natural gas in its primary energy mix to 15% by 2030 from 6% at present. This is because natural gas is far less polluting than conventional hydrocarbons like coal and oil. It is seen as a key transition fuel in India’s journey towards green energy and future fuels.

2) Decarbonization of transportation sector-It is cleaner fuel with reduced emission of carbon dioxide and negligible amounts of particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and Sulphur dioxide as compared to diesel.

3) Overcome transportation challenge of Natural Gas-There are many places that are not connected by the country’s natural gas pipeline grid. This hinders the use of LNG directly as fuel for long-haul trucks and inter-city buses. This challenge can be overcome by small-scale liquefied natural gas unit.

4) Save forex reserve-It is usually cheaper than crude oil, from which diesel is derived. Thus, replacing a major chunk of India’s diesel consumption by LNG could lead to substantial foreign exchange savings.

What are the challenges in its wider adoption?

1) Paucity of LNG-powered vehicles-There is shortage of LNG-powered vehicles in India.

2) High cost-The LNG-powered vehicles have higher initial cost as compared to diesel run vehicles.

3) Financing ecosystem– India does not have a robust LNG vehicle financing ecosystem.

4) Retail network-India does not have LNG retail network.

What steps have been taken to overcome this challenge?

1) Companies such as GAIL and Petronet are working to build a viable ecosystem for transporters to move from diesel vehicles to LNG.

2) Petronet has collaborated with commercial vehicle manufacturers and other public sector oil & gas companies for trials and pilot projects for LNG-fuelled trucks and buses.

3) Petronet has established a few LNG dispensing stations along highways.Similarly,Indian Oil Corporation is also planning to build LNG dispensing stations along major highways.

Question for practice

What is SSLNG? Highlight its significance in ensuring smooth transition to green energy?

India’s severe air pollution problem: Express View on IQAir’s pollution report

Source: The post India’s severe air pollution problem has been created, based on the article “Express View on IQAir’s pollution report: Delhi to Begusarai” published in “Indian express” on 21st March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Environment – Environmental Pollution and Degradation

News: The article discusses India’s severe air pollution problem. It highlights that not only big city like Delhi, but also smaller cities are suffering from very poor air quality. The Swiss agency IQAir‘s report shows worsening conditions and emphasizes the need for better pollution control and coordination among agencies.

For details information on World Air Quality Report 2023 read here

What is the current state of air pollution in India?

India faces severe air pollution, affecting both major and smaller cities.

Delhi’s PM 2.5 levels increased to 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023.

Other affected cities include Guwahati, Patna, Rohtak, Meerut, and Begusarai.

Begusarai reported a dramatic increase in pollution, reaching a PM 2.5 level of 120 micrograms per cubic meter.

What is the cause of air pollution in India?

1.In Delhi, geographical factors play a role, alongside residents’ transport choices. Industrial activities and construction work are significant contributors.

2.Crop stubble burning in areas around Delhi worsens the city’s air quality.

3.A lack of comprehensive data on pollution sources hinders effective solutions, especially in smaller cities.

4.The spread of pollution to Tier 2 cities like Guwahati and Patna shows a broader trend. These causes, as identified in the IQAir report, illustrate the complexity of India’s air pollution problem.

What can be done to mitigate air pollution?

1.Addressing staff shortages in state pollution bodies to improve monitoring and enforcement.

2.Implementing targeted interventions in specific airsheds where pollution accumulates due to geographical or meteorological conditions. The National Clean Air Programme emphasizes such targeted approaches for effective results.

3.Enhancing coordination between local, state, and central agencies for unified action.

4.Tackling pollution from varied sources like agriculture, industry, power plants, transport, and households.

5.Successful mitigation requires a comprehensive strategy addressing all contributing factors to air pollution.

For details information on Air Quality Management Plan in India read here

Question for practice:

Evaluate the effectiveness of the National Clean Air Programme in addressing India’s air pollution problem and suggested measures for mitigating air pollution in India.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Price stabilization fund

Source-This post on Price stabilization fund is based on the article “Centre brings wheat and rice under price stabilization fund” published in “LiveMint” on 21st March 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, the government has approved inclusion of wheat and rice under its price stabilization fund (PSF).

About Price stabilization fund

1. About: The Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) was set up in 2014-15 under the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Famers Welfare (DAC&FW). The PSF scheme was transferred to the Department of Consumer Affairs (DOCA) in 2016.

2. Regulation of the fund: The fund management is centrally managed by a Price Stabilisation Fund Management Committee (PSFMC) that approves all State Government’s and Central Agencies’ proposals.

The Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) maintains the PSF as a central corpus fund.

3. Objective: The fund is aimed at increasing or decreasing prices of selected commodities by distributing or procuring the commodity to stabilize the price in a range. The fund is usually used for activities aimed at bringing down/up the high/low prices.

4. Function: a. It helps to regulate the price volatility of important agri-horticultural commodities like onion, potatoes and pulses were also added subsequently.

b. The PSF is utilized for granting interest-free advance of working capital to Central Agencies, State/UT Governments/Agencies to undertake market intervention operations.

c. Apart from domestic procurement from farmers/wholesale mandis, import may also be undertaken with support from the Fund.

d. Under the PSF scheme, interest-free loans are extended to State Governments/Union Territories (UTs) and Central Agencies to cover their working capital and related expenses incurred in the procurement and distribution of these commodities.

UPSC Syllabus: Economy

PIB Fact Check Unit notified under IT Rules 2021

Source-This post on Fact Check Unit is based on the article “Government notifies PIB’s  Fact Check Unit under IT Rules 2021” published in “PIB” on 20th March 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, the Centre has notified the fact check unit under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) as the authorised fact check unit for the Union government. It has been notified under the recently amended Information and Technology Rules of 2021.

About Fact Check Unit (FCU)

1. The Fact Check Unit was established under PIB in November 2019.

2. Objective: Its objective is of acting as a deterrent to creators and disseminators of fake news and misinformation. It also provides people with an easy avenue to report suspicious and questionable information pertaining to the Government of India.

3. Mandate: The FCU is mandated to counter misinformation on Government policies, initiatives and schemes either suo motu or under a reference via complaints.

The FCU actively monitors, detects, and counters disinformation campaigns, ensuring that false information about the Government is promptly exposed and corrected.

4. The PIB fact-check unit categorises any information received by it into three categories, namely fake, misleading, and true.

a) If a piece of information is completely false and can “deceive or manipulate the audience, with or without the intention to cause potential harm”, it is classified as ‘fake news’.

b) If a content uploaded has “selective presentation of facts or figures or with distortion of facts or figures” and can mislead or deceive readers, it is classified as ‘misleading’ by the fact-check unit.

c) Content that the fact-check unit finds factual after review is classified as ‘true’.

5. Inclusive measures: The PIB Fact Check Unit has made efforts to make their fact-checks accessible to people with disabilities. They’ve focused on providing alternative text (ALT) for images, recognizing that images are a significant part of social media and ensuring universal access to content is essential.

Read more: Concerns about govt.’s fact check unit

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation, Technology

International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE)

Source-This post on International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) is based on the article “41st Steering Committee of International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy deliberates on the deployment of Green Hydrogen and its Derivatives” published in “PIB” on 20th March 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, the 41^st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) was hosted by India in New Delhi.

About International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE)

1. About: The International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) is an international inter-governmental partnership. It was established in 2003.

2. Member: It consists of 23 member countries and the European Commission. The member countries include major economies such as the United States, Japan, Germany, China, South Korea, Canada, and India.

3. Mission: The IPHE’s mission is to facilitate and accelerate the transition to clean and efficient energy and mobility systems using hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across applications and sectors.

4. IPHE serves as a mechanism to organize and implement effective, efficient, and focused international research, development, demonstration, and commercial utilization activities related to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

5. It also provides a forum for sharing information on policies and technology status, as well as on initiatives, codes, and standards to accelerate the cost-effective transition to the use of fuel cells and hydrogen in the economy.

Green Hydrogen and its derivatives

1. Green hydrogen, also known as GH2, is a type of hydrogen that is produced using renewable energy sources. It is considered a key element for the deep decarbonization of energy mix.

2. Derivatives of green hydrogen, such as green ammonia and green methanol, are long-term energy carriers that store surplus renewable electricity produced during periods of low demand.

Note: Green ammonia is produced from renewable energy sources and has the potential to play an important role in reducing the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Green methanol is a key product in the chemical industry. It can be used to produce other chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetic acid, and plastics, or replace methanol as the main element.

4. They can be used as an industrial energy source, green feedstock, or green transportation fuel.

5. These derivatives enable the transportation and storage of renewable electricity, thus helping to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors (such as heavy industry, chemicals and materials, and heavy transportation) and creating a resilient future energy system.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment

Reverse Flipping

Source-This post on Reverse Flipping is based on the article “Startups ‘reverse flip’: Pine Labs, Zepto, Meesho in queue for India return” published in “Economic Times” on 21st March 2024.

Why in the News?

Startups such as Pine Labs, Zepto, and Meesho are the latest new-age companies looking to move headquarters to India.

About reverse flipping

1. About: Reverse flipping refers to the phenomenon where international startups relocate their headquarters to India and subsequently go public on Indian stock exchanges.

2. Driving factors: It is driven by various factors including India’s thriving economy, expansive market potential, robust venture capital ecosystem, favourable tax frameworks, strong intellectual property protection, educated workforce, and supportive governmental policies.

3. Reason: Companies opt for reverse flipping due to the ease of accessing capital from private equity and venture capital firms, regulatory changes regarding round-tripping, and the increasing maturity of India’s capital markets.

4. Measures to accelerate the process: The Economic Survey 2022-23 suggested measures to expedite the process, such as simplifying procedures for tax incentives, taxation of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), capital movements, reducing tax complexities, among others.

About Flipping

1. About: Flipping is when an Indian company transforms into a 100% subsidiary of a foreign entity, after it has moved its headquarters overseas, including a transfer of its intellectual property (IP) and others.

2. Impact on Indian economy: 

a. Brain drain of entrepreneurial talent from India: Young, skilled, and innovative founders relocate to overseas jurisdictions resulting in loss of human capital and stalling of innovation and technological advancements within the country.

b. It results in value creation in foreign jurisdictions rather than in India:  Home-grown innovative ideas and disruptive technologies contribute to the startup ecosystem and economic growth of other countries.

c. It also results in the loss of Intellectual Property and Tax Revenue for the country.

UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy

Biomining

Source-This post on Biomining is based on the article “Biomining at landfills in Ghazipur, Bhalswa set to miss latest deadline” published in “Hindustan times” on 18th March 2024.

Why in the News?

Delhi’s biomining project to clear landfill sites is likely to miss the latest deadline of 2024.

About Biomining 

1. About: Biomining is the scientific process of excavation, treatment, segregation and gainful utilisation of aged municipal solid waste lying in dumpsites typically referred to as legacy waste.

2. It comprises 4 steps: It involves excavation of legacy waste, stabilizing the waste using bioremediation, segregation of excavated waste and then sustainable management and its safe disposal.

3. Methods of Biomining: The methods of biomining include Bioleaching, Bio-oxidation, Dump leaching, and Agitated leaching.

a) Bioleaching: This method involves dumping low-grade ore into a heap called a leach pile and then soaking it with a weak sulphuric acid wash.

The acid reacts with the ore’s sulfide matrix and encourages the growth of bacterial strain which starts to degrade ore and releases minerals or metals in fluid form.

b) Bio-oxidation method is widely used for the extraction of gold from ores. The ore is exposed to bacterial oxidation which degrades the insoluble pyrite and arsenic components.

c) Dump leaching is an industrial process to extract precious metals and copper from ores.

d) Agitation leaching method is chemical process used to extract mineral from soil. 

4) Biomining in Solid Waste Management: a) Biomining is used to clear oil spills in the sea and pollution from the soil, groundwater, surface water, and air.

b) It is used to degrade environmental contaminants into less toxic or non-toxic forms.

c) It can also be used for wastewater treatment, industrial waste, hydrocarbon contamination, storage tanks and pipes, landfills, pesticides, herbicides, and the treatment of agricultural chemical waste.

5. Benefits: a) Biomining allows to recycle resources by extracting useful components from the waste such as metal, as compost in fertilizer, etc.

b) It is eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable, and after using this technique, it can be used as the contaminated land for other purposes.

6. Disadvantages: a) Biomining is restricted to only biodegradable compounds and takes time to show results.

b) There is risk of leakage and treatment of the acidic, metal-rich solution created by the microbes.

c) It can be managed if done in controlled conditions by following protocols.

Read more: Bioremediation

UPSC Syllabus: Environment